Tag: London

Travelling with a Baby

| February 11, 2013
John Lewis Shape Sorter

John Lewis Shape Sorter and Stacking Cups

My baby and I travelled all the way from London to Auckland. We flew across the globe together and had a stopover in Hong Kong for a night to refresh ourselves and catch up on a few hours of sleep.

The build up to our flight from London started a couple of weeks before our departure. I didn’t want to think too much about the flight as it would kick start butterflies in my stomach, whilst I wondered how I was going to manage such a long journey on a plane with my baby.

The very thought of leaving hubby behind in London for 8 weeks was daunting. Knowing how much he’d miss us and how much we’d miss him made it almost impossible to fathom. On the bright side we’d Skype daily and Imogen and I would be spending Summer with our family and friends in New Zealand whilst hubby was busy at work in London during the coldest months of the year.

It was the bit in the middle, the journey, that I didn’t want to do. I tried to keep as calm as possible. I was going to travel across the world with my baby. Just me and my baby! I found it easier not to dwell on it too much and put all of my energy into the preparation of fun activities for us and what we’d need to pack in our on-flight luggage.

Here’s my list of on-flight essentials that I’d travel with again:

Fun Activities

Food and Drink

  • Organic Baby Pouches and age appropriate baby snacks
  • Formula Milk Powder in formula pots

Essentials

  • Nappies
  • Nappy Bags
  • Sudocrem
  • Baby Wipes
  • Sachets of Calpol and Nurofen, should they be needed
  • A change of clothes for you and your baby
  • If your baby is walking Baby Reins are brilliant when you’re at a busy airport and queuing for check-in and security

Knowing how hard it was travelling that distance myself made me realise how important it was to make it fun experience for my baby. And last but not least a positive attitude, a strong resolve and a calm approach all helped.

What are your tips for flying with a baby or toddler?

Hugs from Clara Vulliamy

| February 7, 2013

Clara Vulliamy is a talented writer and illustrator of children’s books. Her range of books include Martha and the Bunny Brothers, Muffin, The Bear with Sticky Paws and Lucky Wish Mouse. One of our favourites is Martha and the Bunny Brothers with the delightful character Martha her younger brothers Monty and Pip.

National Hug Day is celebrated on 21 January and Clara shared illustrations of Martha, Monty and Pip enjoying different hugs in her post Happy National Hugs Day.

I’m an avid reader of Clara’s blog and responded to her suggestion for a new hug with the idea of a ‘pet’ hug. Clara kindly illustrated a bright and cheerful hug with Martha and Paws.

Clara Vulliamy

When we return to London I’m going to frame this superb illustration and hang it in Imogen’s nursery as a reminder of the importance of hugs with our loved ones each and every day.

You can view Clara’s beautiful illustrations and find out more about her books and fun arty things to do at Clara’s blog Sunny Side Up! And if you’re like us and are fans of Martha and the Bunny Brothers there’s also a Happy Bunny Club for your children to join.

His and Her Valentine’s Day Gifts

| February 5, 2013

This will be the first time in 10 years that hubby and I won’t be together on Valentine’s Day.

I’ll be in New Zealand and hubby will be in London so technically we couldn’t be further apart this Valentine’s Day, unless one of us decides to travel to the moon before 14 February.

I could wallow and be sad but rather than feel sorry for myself I decided to indulge in some online therapy and view a few of the sumptuous gifts that loved ones will be giving one another this Valentine’s Day.

Here are my favourite His and Her Valentine’s Day Gifts. And this way hubby will know what I’d like him to surprise me with when I get back to London!

His and Her Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

1. iflorist Valentine’s Day Flowers and Chocolates

2. Nicolas Feuillatte Inspiration Brut Champagne Gift, 75cl

3. Red Letter Days Rural Escape For 2

4. Diptyque Baies Scented Candle, 190g

You can’t go wrong with your loved one and a beautiful bouquet of red roses with a box of chocolates, a bottle of Champers, a romantic night away in a rural bolthole and a Diptyque candle with a sensuous blend of floral rose. Sounds like my kind of heaven…