#Angela's Botique

[lessieandfifi]

What I Keep In My Baby Bags!

OK so these pictures are a couple of months old but I’ve been so busy that I just haven’t got round to posting and I really wanted to post these. So this is what I keep in my baby bags.

Twins Bag

1. Lillydoo Diapers

2. Pampers Pure Wipes

3. Changing Mat

4. Burp Cloths

5. Parents Choice Nursery Cleaner

6. Rash Cream

7. Cetaphil Baby Care Products

8. Baby Bottles

9. Spare Outfits

10. Pacifiers and Pacifier Case

11. Baby Blankets

12. Breast Milk Storage

Harley’s Bag

1.  Changing Mat

2.  Lillydoo Diapers

3.  Parent's Choice Wipes

4.  Extra Clothes

5.  Parent's Choice Nursery Cleaner

6.  Food Pouches

7.  Cetaphil Diaper Cream

8.  Sippy Cup

9.  Gerber Baby Juice

10. Happy Baby Puffs

11. Pacifiers and Teethers

12. Cutlery

13. Blanket

14. Toys

15. Book

My Bag

I also keep a little bag of things inside the twins bag so here’s what I keep in there.

1. Always Maxi Towels

2. Avent Nipple Cream (This is super important because my nipples get so sore in between the breastfeeding and expressing.)

3. Tampax Pearl Tampons

4. Carefree Pantyliners

5. My Purse

6. Body Shop Body Spray

7. Degree Roll On Deodrant

8. Hairbrush

9. Water Bottle

So it wasn’t a long post but I hope you liked it.

Love,

[gloriouscheesecaketree]

Cousins

(Left to Right) JJ, Milena, Ethan, Mikey and Evelyn

love,

[thatperfectjacket]

Kittens! For all my cat lovers out there. Another bomber jacket appearance on Pretty Little Liars. This time worn by Lucy Hale playing Aria Montgomery. Jacket by Angela’s Botique.

Shop  |  Follow for more jackets >> This is a new tumblr blog. I would really love your support :) Women and Men jackets included.

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Tummy Time Babies

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[lessieandfifi]

My Favourite Strollers

After having six children and what seems like a million strollers, I’ve decided to share my favourites with you!

Will be a long post!

Bugaboo Cameleon3 and Bugaboo Donkey

We got the Bugaboo Cameleon3 from my brother-in-law, Benjamin, when I was pregnant with Milena and we used it until JJ was about 3 months old. I loved this stroller. It’s very light weight and easy to manoeuvre. It fold is very compact and easy to store in the home and in the car. This stroller will take your baby from birth to about three years and even accommodates an infant car seat. We even flew with this stroller and had no problems with it! When I found out I was pregnant with the twins I knew I wanted the Donkey as I’d used bugaboo before. This stroller is easy to manoeuvre and the wheels at the front can be either locked in place or allowed to swivel. It is easy to fold and folds in seconds. It is pretty easy to lift in and out of the boot of our car. It is less bulky if you remove the bassinets when it is folded and if you want to make the fold even more compact you can just pop off the wheels. Like the cameleon it can take your babies from birth to three years and accommodates car seats. The seat options are very versatile; I can have one bassinet and one seat in place, two bassinets, two seats, two car seats, one car seat one bassinet, one car seat one seat and the seats and bassinets can face different directions. If you’re having twins or have a young child and another baby on the way then I’d definitely recommend this stroller!

You can get your Bugaboo Cameleon3 Here!

Mamas & Papas Armadillo Sport Single and Twin

We got the twin version when JJ and Evelyn were babies and we love it. It’s easy to manoeuvre, and can be pushed with one hand whilst the other hand is holding onto a two year old. It is easy fold and very compact when folded, even with the seats attached. For a twin stroller it isn’t too wide and fits through most doors. We got the single version when Harley was about six months old as we wanted a more lightweight stroller and it has been brilliant. The basket is huge so I can fit plenty of things in there and like its double counterpart it is easy to push, easy to fold and very compact when folded. When we go on days out we always take this stroller as it is so easy to fit in our car and use. If you want a great little runner this if the one for you. Check out my full review Here

You can get yours Here!

Quinny Speedi SX for Twins

We were given this stroller by parents when I was pregnant with JJ. It is a good little stroller. It is lightweight and easy to push and the underneath basket is a good size so you can get plenty of things in there. The seats recline and are pretty spacious despite the strollers compact size. There is a traditional brake on the rear axle and there is also a handbrake on the handlebar so it is easy to stop the stroller quickly. The frame is sturdy and the wheels make the handling, balanced, smooth and easy. It folds quite compactly too and is fairly easy to store in your boot. All in all, a good little stroller.

You can get yours Here!

Contours Options Tandem Stroller

We got this stroller while I was pregnant with JJ and is a very robust stroller. The seats are a very good size and can accommodate a child up to about 3 or 4 years old. The seating options are pretty versatile and you can have two seats, or one seat one car seat or two car seats or two bassinets or one bassinet one seat or one bassinet one car seat. The seats can also face each other, or one seat can be parent facing and one can be world facing or both seats can be parent facing. The basket is huge so you can store so much stuff in there and is great when you do a spot of shopping. The fold is pretty bulky so not the best to put it your car. Because of its length it can be difficult to manoeuvre sometimes but it is a sturdy stroller. 

You can get yours Here!

Origami by 4Moms

We were gifted this stroller by Sean’s and we love it. It folds up at the push of a button although the fold isn’t the most compact in the world. It is also quiet heavy, so not the easiest to lift into your boot. It handles really well and is very easy to push. It can take your child from birth to about 3 or 4 years old. It has a reclining seat, a spacious bassinet and adapter’s for car seats. It also has an LED screen, lights on the front, can charge itself while you walk, can charge your phone and has a peek-a-boo window so you can peer at your little one. Although this stroller is a little pricey, it certainly is brilliant.

You can get yours Here!

Trailz by Stokke

We got this stroller when JJ was two months old and we have loved it ever since. It is a fantastic stroller. It handles very well and can handle any terrain. It is very easy to assemble and very easy to fold although not the most compact fold although removing the wheels can make the fold more compact. It can take your baby from birth to around three years thanks to its bassinet and multiple seating positions. There are three parent facing positions and two world facing positions. It can also accommodate a car seat, making it even more versatile. The basket is a good size too, which is good for shopping. The stroller is now almost five years old and still handles just as well as it did when it was new.

You can get yours Here!

Demi Grow by Nuna

We got this stroller when I signed up to a baby app and there was an offer to review and keep a stroller. We were sent this beauty. This stroller handles like a dream as it is pretty light. It can easily be pushed with one hand. It can go from a single to a double or be a double straightaway. It has 33 seating modes, which is amazing and can accommodate two seats, or one seat and a bassinet, or two bassinets, or two car seats, or one car seat and one seat. The options are practically impossible. It has a large shopping basket with a removable basket, which is great when you’ve been shopping. The fold is simple but a little bulky. It has so many great features and I’m really in love with this stroller. Because it is a tandem, unlike the Donkey, it fits through doorways and is easier to travel with. The fold is simple but a little bulky. But all in all, a good stroller. I will do a full review on it at some point soon.

You can get yours Here!

I hope you found this helpful!

Love,

[lessieandfifi]

We’’re Getting Married!

As the picture says, yes we are finally getting married on the 28th of August this year! We’re not having a big wedding or anything, its just going to be close family and friends. I’m not going to give too many details away right now because I want to show you all after the wedding. But I will give away a few details!

I decided on my bridesmaids really early on and Milena, Evelyn, Masie and Bella will be my bridesmaids. JJ is going to be our little ring bearer and Ewan will be our pageboy. Sean chose Benjamin to be his best man, I can’t wait to find out what he’s planned for his stag do!

Because my bridesmaids are all young, my friends are planning my hen do and I still don’t really know what they have planned. I’m really excited to find out though. On the night my mum and dad are looking after the little ones for us, I just hope they’ll be good for nanny and grandpa.

I know this wasn’t much of a post but I’ve been so busy lately, after the wedding I’ll try to post more. Hope you’re all good!

love,

[lessieandfifi]

Milena Ryan

I know this is a little late as Milena celebrated her second birthday over a month ago but I’ve been so busy that I just haven’t been able to find time to blog. But now I’ve finally got some time so here we go.

Feeding

Milena eats exactly same as we do now and she definitely isn’t a fussy eater. She loves her food and her favourite time of the day is dinner time. She now eats with a spoon and we’re hoping to get her using a fork soon. She does still eat with her fingers too but she’s two so that’s pretty normal. She has several favourite foods too. Her favourite breakfast is Cheerios’ and orange juice. Everyday at breakfast she chants Cheerios’ at me. I tell her she can’t have them every day and she pouts at me with these massive puppy dog eyes, which makes me feel bad. I stick to my guns though and make sure she has variety. Her favourite lunch is toast with scrambled eggs and fruit on the side. Her favourite dinner is homemade macaroni and cheese with peas. She always gets excited when she knows I’m cooking it. When I place it in front of her, her eyes light up!

Sleeping

Milena sleeps between 11 and 12 hours a night, and her bedtime is 7:30pm. She usually wakes up between 6:30 and 7:00 am. When she wakes up she will usually take herself out of bed and play in her room quietly until we come to get her. She does wake several times during the night. Sometimes she will cry at her gate, other times she goes back to sleep on her own. She doesn’t always want to go to bed and will put it off by asking for one more drink or one more story. We try to incorporate those things into her bedtime routine. We allow her one extra request but we make sure she knows it’s just one request. Most of the time she understands but sometimes she will try to get more than one extra request. Thankfully she doesn’t seem to have any fears, like a fear of the dark or being separated from us.

She still has one nap a day which is in the afternoon, usually at about 1:30pm. She usually sleeps between an hour and half to two hours.

Growth and Development

Milena currently weighs in at 27lbs 1oz and is 32 ½ inches tall. She is still 12-18 month clothing.

Her walking and running are very stable now. She runs everywhere, she always on the go! She is mastering jumping up and down, including on her little trampoline. She can walk on her tiptoes. She likes to pretend she’s a ballerina! She tries to balance on one foot but often she tumbles over. She can climb on furniture and on her play structure. She can walk up the stairs but has to hold onto the railing.

She keeps trying to throw balls but she usually just drops them. She keeps trying to brush her teeth on her own but most of the time we have to help her. She likes brushing her own her hair with her little hairbrush. She likes to scramble into her car seat rather have us put her into it, she’s little miss independent.

She can build a tower of three to four blocks. She can do four-piece puzzles, which she loves. She usually does them for her calm play before bed. She enjoys pretend play, she loves pretending she’s a ballerina or pretending boxes are spaceships or boats.

She can follow two step directions like take your shoes off and put them away. She can say two to four-word sentences like mummy I tired or daddy I eat now. She often repeats words she hears and asks why or what’s that. She can now pronounce Evelyn’s name properly now, which is so cute.

She mimics other’s actions or behaviours and disobeys us a lot. She will often smirk when she says no and refuses to do what we tell her. She enjoys playing with other children at nursery, although she isn’t very good at sharing and enjoys playing with her little siblings. They always play really well together.

She’s realising now that she can be more independent and tries to do more things without our help now, which makes me feel a little emotional. My baby is growing up too fast.

Milena Can:

.Eat with a spoon

.Hold a crayon with her fingers rather than in a fist

.Walk up the stairs

.Mimic people

.Use two to four word sentences

.Do four piece puzzles

Likes

.Pretend play

.Being independent

.Disobeying us

Dislikes

.Sharing her toys

.Having her hair washed

.Going to bed without a fight

So I think that covers everything!

Love,

[lessieandfifi]

Playdate with Kirsten and Madison!

Today we had a lovely playdate at the park with Madison and Kirsten from @kirstenmaealtman . Madison is the cutest little thing ever and she got on so well with Evelyn and JJ. We look forward to them coming over again soon!

love,

[lessieandfifi]

Babies

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[lessieandfifi]

Holiday Packing!

We’re off on holiday to Tenerife! We’re flying out Tuesday for eight nights, nine days. We’re all really excited. Milena can’t wait, she’s so excited. We’ll be celebrating JJ’s first birthday while we’re there. We’re taking a few of his presents with us and he’ll have the rest when we get home. We’ll also be having his birthday tea with our families when get back too. I can’t believe he’s about to turn one!

Packing for three children under two is quite a challenge, there are so many things you have to pack and some of them take up quite a bit of space. There are some absolute essentials that you need in your case for your babies.

My Case Essentials:

.Two packs of diapers

.High Factor, preferably SPF 50+ , baby sunscreen

.Body wash/ baby toiletries

.Plenty of clothes, at least one outfit for everyday plus some clothes for going out.

.Sleep-suits

.Thin vests, especially if you’re going somewhere hot

.Swimming costumes, bottoms and nappies

.Travel highchair

.Travel steriliser

Believe me these things take up so much space in the cases, so packing is a challenge and you have to get it just right or your case won’t close! Then there’s the thing you have to take onto the plane with you. All my babies are different ages so they all need slightly different things. There are a few things they all have in their carry-on bags. These are:

.Baby bites sleeping bag

.A pack of diapers

.Baby wipes

.A change of clothes

.Pacifier bag with several pacifiers inside

.Toys

Then are the things that each child needs that is specific to their age.

.Milena - Three sippy cups of water, leap reader junior with several books and my pal scout.

.JJ - Two sippy cups of water (I will breastfeed him on the plane), beatbowwow and tortigua playskool.

.Evelyn - Two sippy cups of water, one bottle of formula, two jars of baby food.

Finally there is mine and Sean’s hand luggage. He’s carrying the food for us to eat during the journey plus his essentials. My bag has the following:

.Children’s tablet, with children’s TV shows, music and movies

.My iPad

.A change of clothes

.Burp clothes

.Spare pacifier bag

.Blanket

We’ll also be needing some other essentials which will go in the luggage hold, these are:

.Armadillo Sport Twin

4Moms Origami Stroller

.Carseats

.Mundo Deluxe Car seat

I think that’s just about covered what we’ve packed for our holiday. It’s a long list but that’s what travelling babies is like. I can’t wait to get there and relax, although I’m not sure how much you can relax when you have three children under two!

love,

[lessieandfifi]

Holiday Beach Snaps - Part 2!

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[lessieandfifi]

An Afternoon With My Babes

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[lessieandfifi]

Holiday Beach Snaps - Part 1!

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[lessieandfifi]

Mama Review - Mamas and Papas Armadillo Sport Pushchair

We bought this pushchair just after Christmas. I love this pushchair so I’ve decided to review it, so here we go.

The Pushchair Itself

The pushchair is a great bit of design. The chassis is very light and can be picked up with one hand. It can also be folded with one hand and can be done very quickly. The fold allows for all fabrics to be kept away from the floor and to be kept clean. I really like the fact that the seat can be kept in when the pushchair is folded. With our Stokke Trailz the seat or bassinet has to be removed for it to be folded. It is also the same with our SimaSima Duo Glider. So I really do love that feature on this pushchair. When the pushchair is folded it is almost completely flat and easy to fit in the boot of our car.

The seat is really spacious and Milena has no space issues when she’s in the seat. All three of the little ones nap in the stroller and they have absolutely no issues sleeping in this pushchair. The seat is lie flat and has an adjustable footrest. The hood is superb. It provides full sun cover for all three of my little ones. The hood is  UPF 50+, so it provides proper sun protection.

The basket is pretty spacious, I can easily fit their bags and toys in the basket without issues. It’s also great when I go shopping, I can fit plenty in there. It also doesn’t have to be removed unlike the basket in the stokke trailz.

Using the Pushchair

This pushchair handles beautifully. Because its so light its very easy to push. I can push it very easily whilst holding Milena’s hand. Sometimes I use the Soft Eco Carrier to carry JJ or Evelyn and I can still handle the pushchair without issue. Compared to our other pushchairs it is very easy to push. The Stokke Trailz, SimaSima Duo Glider and 4Moms are all fairly heavy and can’t really be pushed with one hand.

It takes ten seconds, if that, to unfold and fold up. It can be unfolded with one hand which is great if like me, you have a baby or toddler handing off you. The handlebar is fixed but it is a comfortable height for both Sean and I. The handlebar is so soft, I love it!

The little ones love the pushchair. They’re too young to tell us but they never cry when I put them it in, they sleep soundly and comfortably in it and don’t like being taken out.

Conclusion

So in conclusion I absolutely adore this pushchair, its so easy to push and handle, even with one hand. It’s light and has a good, easy fold and is easy to store. So if you want a lightweight pushchair that is easy to handle and store then I really recommend this pushchair.

Get yours here

love,

[lessieandfifi]

My lil’ girl

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[lessieandfifi]

Evelyn - 8 Months

Feeding

Evelyn is still a fussy little eater, she doesn’t particularly enjoy trying new foods but she doesn’t mind being spoon fed so much. She tried macaroni cheese they other day and she actually really liked it. I will keep trying to introduce her to new foods. She’s still very little so I’m not too worried about her being a bit of a fussy eater. She still takes bottles four times a day. She has a feed upon waking, one about 11am, another about 2:30pm, another at 5:30 and one at night at bedtime. She also has three solid meals per day. Below eating pureed sweet potato.

Sleeping

Evelyn tends to sleep between 11-12 hours a night. She still wakes for a feed and a nappy change about 2-3am. She is still a good sleeper. Her bedtime is 8pm. She has started to show signs that she is going to drop her third nap soon as she doesn’t have one everyday. Her first nap is at 9:30am, her second nap is at 1:30pm and if she has a third it will be about 4-5pm.

Growth and Development

Evelyn currently weighs 15lb 13oz and is 26 1/2 inches in length. She is still 3-6 month clothing.

She’s a full fledged crawler and never stops crawling about. She loves being on the move. She can sit up for about ten minutes and is starting to play with toys whilst sitting. She also loves rolling around the floor.

She has just about mastered holding a two handled sippy cup and is now learning to drink from it whilst holding it. I think watching JJ makes her more determined.

She loves toys that make noise and light up and toys she can tap. She’s always imitating noises and babbling away.

Several weeks ago she cut two teeth on her bottom gum. Unfortunately she is a biter. She bit JJ, who cried for what like seemed a lifetime and Sean when gave her some bonjela.

Evelyn can

.Crawl

.Hold a two handled sippy cup

.Imitate speech

.Sit up for about ten minutes

Likes

.Light up toys

.Toys that make noises

.Biting

.Rolling around the floor

.Crawling

Dislikes

.Trying new foods

.Being still

I think that just about covers Evelyn’s 8 month update.

love,