Friday Favourites: Flowers for Mum

1. Tulips // 2. Ranunculus (my personal favourite, hint hint Olivia) // 3. Peonies // 4. Hyacinths // 5. Roses

Adventures in Motherhood: Mother's Day

Mother's Day is something that still feels a little foreign to me. I still feel as though it is I time to celebrate all the other mother's in my life, forgetting that I am actually a mother now too. In fact, this will be my second Mother's Day.

Motherhood has brought more rewards than I ever could have imagined;
       more sleeplessness,
       more laughter,
       more patience (or less depending on the day),
       more joy,
       more stress,
and more love than I ever knew I could feel.

I love you Olivia, thank you for making me a mother!

I love you too Mum, Happy Mother's Day xoxo

Kid Food

This recipe came about because I was at a loss for what else to do with the potatoes and sweet potatoes that were in the fridge. Olivia is past purees and won't even get stuck into a mash. So, I decided to try and make a patty along with some canned tuna. They were an instant hit and I now make them regularly for my big eater. Here is the recipe:

OLIVIA'S TUNA PATTIES

Ingredients
1 can chunk light tuna
8 small fingerling potatoes, cubed with the skin still on
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped finely (dried works too if you don't have fresh)
1 egg, lightly beaten

Method
Boil the potatoes and sweet potatoes until tender, drain and allow to cool.
Mash up the potatoes and combine with the canned tuna, bread crumbs, egg and dill.
Form into good sized patties, this mixture usually makes about eight.
Heat some oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the patties until golden brown and then flip to cook the other side.
I then serve these to Olivia as is, just chopped up into finger food size.

Mini & Me

MINI: Old Navy Cowboy Hat, Zara Playsuit, Old Navy Sandals // ME: Warby Parker Sunglasses, Madewell Romper, 

Gap Leather Crossbody Bag, Zara Sandals

I hope you had a great weekend. We did, we spent lots of time outdoors and enjoyed the sunshine. It wasn't the warmest of weekends but it was still nice enough to get outside. I am dreaming of the hot sweaty days that are just around the corner. I love summer!

Have a great week.

Friday Favourites: Dessert

1. Blackberry & Meyer Lemon Pavlova // 2. Miette's Miniature Cheesecake // 3. Lemon Cake with Passionfruit Syrup // 4. Goat Cheese & Yoghurt Cheesecake // 5. Baked Mini Donuts

Adventures in Motherhood: The Magic of 1, 2, 3

We have a child who is fiercely independent, strong-willed and stubborn. When Olivia doesn't want to do something she is very quick to let us know it. At our last paediatrician visit, I was introduced to an idea that is magic in our house. Enter the simple concept of 1, 2, 3. Our paediatrician told us that whenever Olivia is being disobedient, we ask her to stop. If she doesn't stop, then I say to her, "I'm going to count to three and I need you to stop", and here is the key, if she still hasn't stopped we follow through by making her. For example, if Olivia doesn't want to leave the playground, I say "it's time to go home now, let's get in the stroller." If she refuses, then I tell her that I am going to count to three and then we are leaving. Once I get to three, if Olivia is still refusing, then I simply put her in the stroller (even if it's a battle).

Rocket science I know! But it works, and after two weeks of using this approach, I rarely get to three. I think it comes down to the fact that by allowing Olivia the time it takes to count to three, she is getting to make her own decision to stop doing something. Rather than us jumping straight in and taking that decision away from her. This has been a game changer for us in how we approach discipline with a toddler who has plenty of spunk. Boy do we adore her!

Do you have any other genius ideas for dealing with toddlers?

PS. Who else can't believe that it is May already!

Clean Skin....Baby

Just as I try to use the most natural and gentle products on myself, I also look for natural and gentle products for Olivia. Some of my tried and true favourite products for babies include:

Babyganics Thick & Kleen baby wipes. I also really like their sunscreen.

California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash in the Calming scent. This has a very subtle lavender smell, perfect for bedtime baths.

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Nourishing Baby Oil, this smells divine and isn't too greasy.

Earth Mama Angel Baby Angel Baby Lotion, a faint citrus smelling lightweight lotion, perfect for baby massages.

Bambo Nature Nappies/Diapers, I love love love these. I tested SO many of the chemical free and natural nappies and this one is my favourite by a long shot. Super absorbent, soft and thin, these really are the perfect nappy.

Honest Healing Balm has been what I've used at the first sign of nappy rash since Olivia was brand new. It has always healed straight away.

I also love Honest Bubble Bath. We've only recently started adding bubbles to the bath, and they make bath time so much more fun!