My Best Baby

I tried out this new idea yesterday, and the results have all been eaten, so I guess it was a success.  I wanted to create a breakfast type snack for those with multiple allergies and for vegans who are trying to cut down on wheat based cereals.  This quantity makes about 20 small squares - so about four breakfasts/snacks worth for a toddler.

Ingredients (all quantities are approximate)
75g Nature’s Path Organic Millet Rice Flakes
10 soft dried apricots
2 handfuls of sultanas
2 teaspoons golden linseed
2 teaspoons pumpkin seeds

Method
Place seeds in blender and blend until quite fine
Add sultanas and apricots into blender along with seeds and blend
Add millet etc., flakes and whiz briefly to combine ingredients
Press the mixture firmly into a small shallow dish
Leave for about an hour to settle
Cut into squares

Exceedingly healthy! (But still delicious x)

So…my grandmother and my mother have both asked if we’re buying a new ‘pram’ for the new baby. Ermmm, I really don’t know! My son will turn three just after the baby is due, so will he still need pushing around? Will the new baby have reflux, thereby rendering a lay-flat pram/buggy useless anyway (our first child didn’t lay flat until after he was six months old, otherwise he’d be sick).

I decided to have a little look anyway, just to see what’s available, and will make a decision nearer the time. The first one I looked at was the Urban Detour Odyssey Twin 3-Wheeler Pushchair - Sunshine at Mothercare for £240.00. It has very positive customer reviews on the site, and it does keep the children side by side. Call me old-fashioned, but I just don’t like the idea of my new-born baby being ’stored’ on a platform beneath my rather large toddler. What happens if I bump up or down kerbs? Also, I’d have to stop every two seconds to check that the baby was OK.

The next one that caught my eye was the Jané Powertwin Pro 3-wheeler at £449.00. Rather more expensive, but the image showing the two seats facing each other appealed to me…I like the thought of my older child being in a good position to entertain the younger one. It also gives the option of having the younger baby in a carseat so it would be good for a baby with reflux. However, how do I get my very heavy older child into the seat? With his current buggy, he just climbs in himself. I’m not sure my back is up to lifting him in. The Jané Powertwin Tandem 3-Wheeler at £418.99 might be easier.

Of course, I do rather like the Mountain Buggy Urban Double - Plum Dot - but it’s £665.00, so a little bit beyond our budget. However, I suppose I could justify it by saying that I don’t have a car, so a really decent baby/child transporting device is essential x
All prices taken from Mothercare Website on 5th March 2009

This post was submitted by Susannah.

Green People have a special offer for March - free delivery. They’ve also got £2 off Baby Salve, so a bargain. If you’ve not tried their natural products before, now’s a great time to do so. x

This post was submitted by Susannah.

We have now launched our Social Networking component of our My Best Network. Using the Ning platform, which allows anyone to create their own social network, we have themed our own network and invite you to join us on there. “But I already have Facebook…” you may wonder. Facebook has in my opinion become unwieldly, too many apps, too much information, the irony with Facebook is that the more friends you have, the harder it is to actually keep up with what they are all doing because of the masses of information you get presented.

A ‘niche’ Social Network can be less anonymous, have more of a community feel and immediately more intimate and relevant. Plus, the My Best Network promotes positivity and what better place to socialise ? You want to hear about the good stuff, you don’t need other people to tell you the wrongs of the world! I’m sure you all feel it yourselves. So join us, share with us all the things that are the Best in your life…

Whilst innocently browsing the ‘Babies R Us’ site, I came across some good deals on a range of lovely nursery furniture called ‘Caversham’. The cotbed is half-price, as are the dresser and wardrobe. The cotbed in particular looks like a nice design and features a drop-down side as well as three mattress positions, which I think is the kindest option for those shifting the baby in and out of the cot, as you can hopefully save your back a little bit.

This post was submitted by Susannah.