When did you last go to the dentist?

By Bec

Following on from Becky's blog post When did you last get a skin check I'm going to ask, when did you last go to the dentist?

I think us Mums tend to put lots of things off for ourselves, as we are busy looking after our kids.  We take our kids places for check-ups, dentist, immunisations, 2 year old health check, 4 year old health check and so on.  But what about us Mums? 

I had a regular annual visit to the dentist before my son was born.  Each year I would get my letter, make my time and go.  Easy, wouldn't think anything of it.  I went when my son was 3 months old, and hadn't been back since.  He is now 4.5 years old.  Well that was a mistake!!

I went to the dentist just recently as I thought I had a hole at the front of one of my bottom teeth.  The hygenist suggested I have x-rays done as I hadn't been for a while (read 4 years).  Well, the tooth I thought had a hole, turned out to be a build up of plaque - easily fixed with the hygenist's clean.  The x-rays however showed some frightening results.  I had a tooth, pretty much eaten away.  It was under an old filling (which had come a bit loose), so not noticed by just looking.  And wasn't causing me much pain as the nerve has slowly been killed.  They sent me off to have full x-rays, which confirmed what they thought. 

The tooth has to go.  The hole is so deep it's gone down to my bone...and the longer we leave it the more the tooth will decay, which means it may start breaking and be very hard to remove.  So I now have an appoitment with a oral surgeon (at $100 just for the inital consult).  So the dentist gave me some options to fill up the gap from removing a tooth - the one she recommended is a tooth implant - $4,500 she tells me.  Yes you read right - $4,500 for 1 tooth....my jaw dropped.  So I stressed, I don't want a hole in my mouth, but I can't afford $4,500 for a new tooth.  I've given up stressing about it until my first appoitnment where I can talk options - but that's not until the end of May (these surgeons are so busy!!).

So my advice to all Mums, look after yourselves, and remember to brush twice a day and floss daily!!   I wasn't a big flosser - so have just started doing it regularly.  I'm a bit un-coordiated at it at the moment, but the dentist assures me it gets better with practice.  So I'm practicing. 

When was your last dentist appoitment?  Don't put it off any longer?  Make one now (and this goes for all things such as pap smears, eye check, any medical issue that may be niggling you)..

I'm the new mummy blogger

by Victoria

Hi, I'm the new mummy blogger at Little YoYo Styles, Victoria B. I'm glad to be a part of Little Yoyo Styles mummy blogging team comprising Bec, Becky and Louisa.

Originally from Singapore, I was introduced to the beauty of Australia when I commenced and completed my university studies at Gippsland. It was at university that I met my then-boyfriend and now-husband, Mr B. After university, I returned to Singapore for 6 years to work (we did nurse a 6 year long-distance relationship) and then made the permanent move to rural Victoria in 2005. The change from city living to country living took abit of an adjustment initially. Although I wouldn't say I'm totally comfortable being a country girl, I think I'm getting closer everyday.

My university qualification is in journalism and communications and I'm currently studying for my planning one. I worked for 6 years in the arts industry in Singapore and loved it. When I made the move to Australia, I was fortunate to have a journalism job for almost 2 years before deciding on a career change in 2007 in statutory planning with the state government. I am presently working for a local council in strategic planning.

In 2009, our little gem, Miss P, was born. The past 19 months have been such a journey of discoveries, experiences, ups, downs and understanding how torturous sleep deprivation can be. However, we are now in a good place at the moment primarily because Phoebe has been sleeping really well for the past few weeks.

As we meander through motherhood and childhood, I hope to hear about your experiences even as I share mine.

Anpanman hooded beach towel - product review

By Bec

He is not un-happy - we just have problems getting him to smile on camera (my camera isn't fast enough to catch it)!

Not being Japanese, my kids don't know who Anpanman is.  I read on the product tag that he is huge in Japan.  So I spoke to my Japanese friend, who, when I paid closer attention I saw, had Anpanman products everywhere, and yep it's true!  Anpanman is HUGE in Japan.

Despite not being Japanese, my kids loved this towel. My son loved how he could be his own super-hero.  Hunter is 4.5 years old, so you can see the towel would be a good fit from toddlers right up to about 5.  It fit my 2 year old, with more towel around the legs, and she loved how she was kept warm front and back.  All the other hooded towels we have you still have to hold around you to keep your front warm.  Not this one, it has towel at the front and back - quicker drying.  Coming into winter that's important!

Stand out from the crowds with this towel.  It would be a great towel for the beach or swimming lessons.

Check out the  Anpanman hooded beach towel now, currently on sale for $20.05.

Now mind the quality of the video (and the mess of the house)...just showing how my son had fun playing with the towel!

Chicken stock

By Bec

If you have read my previous post about colours, preservatives and ice-cream you will know we did a trial of no colours for my son to see the impact it has on his diet.  Since then we have moved on to also cutting out preservatives and additives.  When I checked the ingredient list of chicken stock I was shocked, really shocked to see the ingredients.  Every single ingredient was on the no list - the ones to avoid.

I had heard of people making their own stock, chicken or vegetable, but always thought, "gosh there is no way I can do that, way too fiddly and hard".  Well was I wrong.  I dug out my Failsafe Cook book (by Sue Dengate) and found an easy recipe.

Here is what I did:
Skinned a whole chicken
Put the skinned chicken in a large saucepan (whole)
Chopped up a leek and 2 stalks of celery put in the saucepan
Put in some dried parsley and sea salt

I then filled the saucepan with water, so the entire chicken was covered.

Popped the lid on the saucepan, and left it to simmer for 2 hours.
Then strain the liquid, chuck the veggies and eat the chicken!

Oh wow, my house was smelling so wonderful after an hour!  And at the end of it I had a HUGE (read huge, I think it will last me all year) pot of chicken stock, and one tender, juicy cooked chicken.  I've been using the chicken in salads and sandwiches...boy is it delicious!

The stock I have been freezing in my awesome QUBIES (ice cube trays will do) and then putting into zip lock bags.  It will also last a few months in your fridge in an air tight container.  And now whenever I need chicken stock, I grab a cube and pop it into my dish and I have the most delicious, "additive free" stock!!

Mother's Day

By Bec

Mother's Day is this Sunday - 8th May.  Besides from breakfast in bed and all those gorgeous presents our kids give us, Mother's Day is a day to reflect on what being a Mum is about.  In today's busy life we get so caught up in our day to day lives and the issues we are dealing with we often forget the joys of being a Mum.  Being a Mum is an amazing job and we should all take a minute to appreciate the good things about being a Mum.  The joys of being a Mum to me are:

• morning cuddles in bed - I love Fridays, my day off from paid work, when my 2 kids get in bed with me in the morning and we snuggle up
• the words "I love you Mum", which my 4 year old says every day I drop him off at kindy
• the paintings the kids make for me at childcare and kindy
• when they learn something new for the first time, makes me so proud
• if I'm upset or have hurt myself my 2 year old comes up to me and pats me on the back saying "okay Mummy?"
• watching my kids play together - my son can be so caring and loving towards his little sister
• having that feeling of unconditional love - you know you would do anything for your kids

So as we come up to Mother's day 2011, take a moment to think about the good things about being a Mum and how your kids have shaped your life!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums!!!

Plunger Sucker Stand Review

by Becky from beckyandjames.com

When I first received these Plunger Sucker Stands to review I was a tad skeptical that they would work, though cute I couldn't imagine them being very practical. With sickness, moving, teething a busy house and a hospital stay I didn't get to properly test them for some time.

When my mum ordered her iPhone4, I let her have a play with mine so that once hers arrived she would know exactly what to do and suddenly I remembered the little Sucker Stands and got one out for her.

My mum, an avid lover of all things gamey was soon blasting her way through Angry Birds, which was a little bit annoying as I am SO bad at that game! As an accessory for playing all the wonderfully addictive iPhone games out there, the Plunger Sucker Stand is all kinds of wonderful.

Assuming you have a surface to sit it on then you're good to go for easy game play.

It's also great for use as a general stand at night and I have just started using it when I blog from the iPhone. So long as you get the sucker attached properly then there's no slipping or tumbling over which makes using the keyboard easy and not having to use my thumbs to type is a big plus.

You can buy the Plunger Sucker Stand here; it is normally $10 but is currently half price.

Chew Chew Train - product review

By Bec

For any train lover, this is a must have table addition.  I was truly amazed when I first saw the Chew Chew Train. What a cool idea. The Chew Chew train, starts as a train, and pulls apart to become a spoon, fork, cup, large plate, small plate and bowl.  The engine becomes the cup, the conductor's house becomes a bowl, the train's platform becomes 2 plates and the coupling rods become the fork and spoon.

It is recommended for kids aged 18 months +, and my 4.5 year old loved it, so would definitely last a few years. Hunter enjoyed making the train and pulling it apart, so it was a puzzle and dinner set in one! Cleaning was easy as it's dishwasher safe.


We find dinner time very stressful in our household.  Hunter often looks at food, saying he doesn't like it, without even trying it.  More often than not if we get him to try something he ends up liking it...so the challenge is getting him to try it.  The Chew Chew Train made his dinner look exciting.  He tried something from each section, we made sure to spread it out and include something in each compartment, despite the fact most of it could have fit on the large plate.  This meant he ended up eating most of his meal, whilst having fun with the train components.  It certainly made dinner time a litte more fun for Hunter, which in turn made it easier for us.  Less stress all around!

Check out the Chew Chew Train.  At $36.30, the ease of dinner time makes it pay for itself in no time!

Motivating Mums

by Becky from beckyandjames.com

 

As a mother suffering severe Postnatal Depression I have found a passion for finding ways to shine a light on this illness and do my part in removing the stigma surrounding it.

In my own struggles I have been 'prescribed' Me Time by my doctor and so I have started a series of posts highlighting my attempts at fulfilling this important but difficult to manage task. Through my posts I hope to motivate other mum's out there to do what they can to look after themselves so that they can be the best mum they can be.

This month has seen a change in format, as I had originally aimed to post weekly about what I had done for myself - a bit of an over-reach given I have three children under 4.

Also this month, Little YoYo Styles has sponsored my April It's ALL About YOU Giveaway.

I would love for you guys to pop over, join in and enter. Help me spread the all important Mummy Me Time message!!

Strawberry picking

By Bec

What a great family outing!!!  Before winter sets in (and whilst the strawberry farms are still open) we decided to go strawberry picking.  There is a lovely place in the Adelaide Hills: Beerenberg.  You may have heard of them, they make many things including jams, chutneys, sauces, dressings and jellys.  We paid a $3 entry fee (adults only, the kids were free.  You get one entry free back if you purchase 2kg of strawberries) and then got tubs.  It was a little walk to the strawberry fields but then the fun began as we got to pick our share.  You pay for the strawberries per kilogram.  Savannah ate more than she put in the tub, but we all had fun.  There nothing more satisfying than finding the biggest, juciest, best strawberries and picking them to eat.  These strawberries are so fresh and yummy.  Straight from the farm.  We got over 3kg worth of strawberries...and boy were they yum!

After our strawberry picking we went to a playground in the Hills for a picnic lunch and play.  It was the perfect way to round off our family outing.

When did YOU last get a skin check?

by Becky from beckyandjames.com

I posted this on my blog yesterday and wanted to share it over here as well as the feedback I have been getting confirms my thoughts that it's something that's so easily over looked. But, it's something that is SO important.

I recently made an appointment for my first ever skin check after finding myself completely freaked out by skin cancer ads where they talk about a 26 year old dying.

Apart from the fact that I am a severe hypochondriac, what I saw hit home with me as I am about to turn 28 and I also have type 1 skin; which means I burn at the mere thought of going into the sun. I do not tan. I crisp. I blister. I have often looked like a lobster. And, unfortunately, I have not always been sun smart and looked after my pasty complexion.

So, I tentatively made my appointment and wished I hadn't.

When it rolled around this morning, I felt sick. My ability to imagine I have anything and everything is... amazing. I've been obsessively looking at my moles for weeks now; imagining that I was seeing differences.

As I sat in the waiting room, reading the consent form I could feel my skin prickle. I swear each and every mole, mark and lesion was burning.

I worried about just how invasive the scan would be, how naked I'd have to get and how uncomfortable the whole situation would be. I turned them around in my head; making them into excuses to leave.

Thankfully, before I was able to completely convince myself it was a good idea to leave it was my turn.

The process was quick and painless, the doctor was friendly and informative and I was given the all clear after a quick chastising about picking at mozzie bites.

Now, it seems so crazy to me to want to put off something so quick and easy that may just end up saving your life.

Have you had a skin check lately?

Colours, preservatives and ice-cream

By Bec

The best treat for a child.  The look on their faces when they have that first, and second, and third lick.  It's priceless!  We have been undertaking a no colours trial with my son to see the effect colours have on his behaviour, so have been eliminating all artificial and some natural colours.  When he wasn't having colours we were unsure as whether it was helping his behaviour.  But as soon as he went back on them his behavour was crazy, hypo, a little aggressive, so we concluded the colours were having some effect.  The natural colour to look out for is 160b, which is in (amongst other things), ice-cream, margarine and yoghurt.  So ice-cream has been off the menu for a while (and especially the rainbow flavoured ice-cream they ate below - choc full of colours!).  But you can't not have a special treat on a birthday, so the kids tucked into the rainbow icecream.   

Of course it meant he was up all night after all those colours, but the enjoyment on his face whilst eating was well worth it (for a every now and then treat).  And I've since found a couple of colour and preservative free ice-creams (Peters Original and Smooze) so the kids can have the treat without the erratic behaviour.

Does anyone have any experiences with colour free and preservative free diets?

Kaboodle nappy wallet - product review

By Bec

Despite my daughter being 2 and (hopefully) toilet training soon I bought a Kaboodle nappy wallet a few months ago. I kept being drawn to it; in particular the design pictured above, so after numerous occasions of putting it into my shopping cart then closing the webpage, I finally took the plunge and bought it! At $24.95 it was a purchase I have not regretted!

I wanted a nappy wallet to keep all nappy changing items in one place. I had a nappy bag, but found I was searching for a nappy, then I needed to find wipes, sanitiser, nappy rash cream and as I use cloth nappies I needed to find my wet bag. They were all in my nappy bag somewhere, but somewhere being the operative word! Nothing was every together. I also figured as my daughter starts toilet training I will still need a change of undies, wipes, sanitiser, wet bag etc, and having it all together would make life so much easier.

I use cloth nappies and comfortably fit 1 nappy (can fit 2 but I find it makes the wallet a bit bulky then), change mat, wipes container, sanitiser, wet bag and nappy rash cream in the wallet. You could comfortably fit 2-3 disposable nappies. I keep spare nappies in my larger nappy bag, and replace into the wallet when I use one from there. The wallet makes nappy changes a breeze when out and about. I just grab the wallet and head to the change room without having to lug my whole bag, and I have everything I need. Often if I'm just heading out for a short trip, e.g. trip to the local park or grocery shopping I will just take the nappy wallet instead of the whole bag. The wallet has an elastic wrist strap so you can carry it around your wrist to have your hands free.

Check out the Kaboodle Nappy wallet for yourself.

Pocket money

By Bec

It's an age old question.....at what age should we give our kids pocket money?  How much is appropriate and should it be tied to chores?

I've been battling through these questions for a little while.  Having a son who wants a new toy everytime we go to the shops my Mum kept suggesting that he needed his own money so give him some jobs.

So I thought about this, what is the right amount of pocket money for a 4 year old?  I had heard an appropriate amount is a dollar per age, therefore $4 for my 4 year old.

Okay, but what about linking it to chores.  The yes team say, it's good for them to learn responsibility and that we have to work for our money.  The no team say, as part of a family there are jobs that kids should just do and not expect compensation, therefore their pocket money is not linked. I joined the yes team.

But my next thought was, what if he does half of his jobs and not the other?  Does he still get his money?

So our system was born.  Hunter has 7 jobs per day, and each job is worth 10c.  We have a chart and we tick off the job as he does it.  He can earn a maximum of $4.90 a week, but averages around $3-$3.50. 

I'm quite happy with this system.  We can prompt Hunter to do his chores but reminding him of those valuable ticks and when he wants something at the shops we remind him he needs to save for it.  Hunter was recently rewarded when he saved enough money to go on a shopping trip with Grandpa and purchase his much wanted Bakagun.

What do you think about pocket money for children?

His hard earned purchases!

My Top iPhone Apps

by Becky from beckyandjames.com

I {heart} my iPhone. Almost daily I wonder how I ever got through live without it (honestly). I am not the only person in love with the device. I have to fight off my hubby and two girls to get my hands on it (and yes, it is my phone). When I DO get a go; these are my go-to apps (see if you can see a trend...):

1. Facebook
2. Instagram
3. Hipstamatic (this would probably be #2 if it had the kind of social side Instagram has)
4. SwankoLab
5. iDarkroom
6. Camera+
7. Words with Friends
8. Gloria Jean's Coffees
9. Jamie Oliver 20 Minute Meals
10. CamWow (just because it keeps the kids and I entertained)


My girls are loving these apps:

1. Poket God
2. Talking Gina
3. I Close My Eyes
4. Toy Story 3 memory game
5. Dora saves the Crystal Kingdom lite (yea, I am a mean Mumma)
6. Toddler Teasers
7. Baby Karaoke
8. ABC For Kids

What are your favourite apps?

Birthday traditions

By Bec

Today is my daughter's birthday.  My baby girl is 2 years old.  It seems like only yesterday she was born.  And now she is an independent, chatty, loving girl.  I have to face facts, she isn't a baby anymore.  She moved into a bed a few weeks ago.  Her choice, I wasn't ready.  I was sure she would be in her cot until she was 5!  But as the bed had been in her room for a while as we got her brother a new king single, she just decided she was going in...but that's another story!

Birthdays are a big deal in our house.  I love throwing little parties for them, so they have one every year.  Just a few friends for a catch up.  I love making their birthday cakes.  Last year I made Savannah a giant cupcake. It was a real hit.  Now that Hunter is older, he really appreciates the cake I make for him.  The look on his face when he sees the cake for the first time is priceless - worth the hours spent icing and decorating.

Savannah's first birthday cake.

When my son turned 1 we took him to the zoo.  When he turned 2 we did the same thing, so began the family tradition. We go to the zoo for the kids birthdays every.  The zoo is a great family outing to celebrate another birthday (this year we are doing it without hubby as he has to work). 

We also go out for dinner on their birthday with family.  It's a celebration for us as parents too, to have survived another year!  We have been to Fasta Pasta for Hunter's birthday every year so far!  Last year he fell asleep in the car on the way there, so spent his birthday dinner asleep.  We are heading there again tonight for Savannah's birthday. 

I have a friend who blows up 100 balloons and puts them in her daughter's room the night before her birthday so she wakes up to a birthday surprise...I tried that one year but only managed about 20 balloons - didn't have the same effect..but I love that birthday tradition!

So as I ponder my baby growing up, and get ready to head off to the zoo, I would like to know does your family have any birthday traditions?

Anniversary

by Becky from beckyandjames.com

 

Four years ago tomorrow my dear Other Half and I were married in a private ceremony in Broome, Western Australia. It was beautiful.

4 years has gone so fast. I suppose having added three little people to our lives in that time has helped with the whole speeding-up-of time thing.

As I have been happily perusing the Little YoYo Styles store, I thought I would share a list of things I would LOVE to receive for a fourth anniversary present.

I saw the Pink Gingham Gift Suitcases first and love, love, LOVED them. Then, noticed the Blue Gingham. *Die*. A few more clicks and I found the multicoloured Gift Suitcases. I want them all. Yes, when I say them all I mean all. three. sets. Decorative? Check. Cute? Of course. Practical?Indeed. Perfect photography prop?  OMG yes!

Now, with so many adorable suitcases I figured I would need many, many stylish things to fill them. And as I am obsessed with photography I am looking at things and wondering if they'd make perfect additions to shoots with my kids; so if my choices seem strange, that might be why (or I might just still be a kid at heart)!

I {adore} hats

I can't totally see my girls in these!

Something cute for my hair

Something cute for their hair

{Gahh}

Is this not the best cushion, ever?

Yes, most of those are purely to make my kiddos adorable, which makes my heart full, so that I can snap away with my camera. I can't help it. I am obsessed! Just for me, I would want;

{Divine}

And of course those three sets of suitcases. I'm not asking for much, surely.

What would YOU ask for?

If you want to read more about our wedding in Broome; visit BeckyandJames.com tomorrow!

BIG SALES IS NOW ON HERE!

Safe Sippy2

By Bec

The Safe Sippy2 is a stainless steel, BPA free, convertible sippy to straw cup, with a travel plug. The handles are removable, but not only that they are movable so the spout is always in the right spot (there is nothing worse than screwing a lid on a cup and the spout being over the handles making it hard to drink).

I got a little confused with the instructions, but once I worked it out it was actually quite easy. Dark orange valve is the no-spill travel part, the clear valve is for sippy cup and the light orange valve and straw is for straw cup.

But laugh at my expense, I was pushing and pushing to try and get the the straw through the spout, to drink out the straw. My 4 year old said to me “that’s not going to work Mum" and showed me how to use it! The straw goes in the cup and the child drinks through the spout – I thought the straw was for drinking out of.

My children got a bit confused in straw mode. As you can’t see the straw, they didn’t realise it was in straw bottle mode and both my (almost) 2 year old and 4 year old kept tipping it up to drink and were getting frustrated when they couldn’t get much water. We gave up on straw mode and just used normal cup mode.

Originally I though the additional non-spill plug valve was going to be a pain to use. I figured it was something extra I have to take anytime I want to put the cup in my bag (which would be all the time). But in actual fact when I did it, it was easy. I just put the travel plug in the cup and chucked it in my bag, and put the other bits in a snap lock bag in my bag. It was simple to swap over when needed. And that travel valve is FANTASTIC!! No spills whatsoever! This is truly the first no spill cup I’ve used!

I love the colours this cup comes in, and at $24.95 it’s great value.
Check out the Safe Sippy2.