This week something strange has happened! I have been surprised! This may not seem strange but considering I am generally a control freak and need to know everything, I have been surprised no less than 3 times this week! I felt the need to share it with you.

 

Last weekend I wasnt well, not tired or feverish, just unable to keep any food down, not pleasant and fairly exhausting, so when Mr Lilypad suggested going to my parents on Sunday, I wasnt entirely enthusiastic. He convinced me to shower and get ready but I didnt really have the energy but I went and walked in to find family and friends had conspired to organise a baby shower for me! There were games, gifts and lots of giggles and it certainly made me feel better. So that was Surprise Number One!

 

Being a working mum, sometimes means that there is alot of time you are working on your own and building up to "maternity leave" seems to have created an uphill struggle of more, not less, work. So being buried under a pile of work this week, I was delighted to be completely surprised with gifts from some colleagues. Again a total shock! So that was Surprise Number Two!

 

And my final surprise this week has genuinely restored my faith in human nature. I decided yesterday that I should actually buy some nappies and essential baby items, so bambino wasnt a complete "second hand rose" so I went off shopping. 

 

I firstly went to Boots (in my head this was a good idea) and they had their 3 for 2 deals on, which is heaven to a shopaholic like me and I got nappies, clothes, baby toiletries, muslin squares and a few bits for 6yo too (sssh). I "obviously" had a trolley and when I got to the till, the assistant offered to hold onto my bags while I carried on around the shops. A refreshing change (albeit she possibly thought I may topple over if I tried to carry them), so I took advantage of this offer and went shopping. Upon my return to Boots, I purchased some food and a bottle of water and again the assistant at the till offered to help with my shopping. I declined as I was a little embarressed but upon collecting my earlier shopping the assistants looked a little worried and insisted on carrying my bags back to my car. In the end, there were two assistants practically demanding that I stop carrying my bags.

 

I admit that I am now 37 weeks pregnant, I admit that the bags were a handful and I have to admit that the staff in Boots have completely restored my faith in human kindness. My feet were swollen, the bags were heavy and when all you hear in the news is rioting, violence and despair, I feel genuinely blessed to be able to share that this week, I have been surrounded by kind, generous and selfless people.

 

37 weeks pregnant has been a good week!

 

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We were delighted to be asked to review one of the Mumsclubbers products from the fabulous Flavoury Nature range.

 

Flavoury Nature is a fantastic website that in their words brings you "extrodinary flavours loved by Europe but sadly forgotten by the UK". So when our parcel arrived via Royal Mail, all safely wrapped up in recyclable paper we couldnt wait to try it.

 

The first thing that struck me was the quirky handmade labelling. Flavoury Nature know that their paper labels might run under the water, but the plastic ones takes ages to recycle, therefore it is a commercial and environmental choice not to have the plastic substitute.  It was also quite refreshing that the bottles are recyclable as Flavoury Nature make it one of their priorities to be eco-friendly and I was delighted to learn that the bubble wrap which was used to package the products is totally biodegradable.

 

So given our love of quirky things, natural and our distaste at plastic packaging, we were genuinely delighted to review these products.

 

Mr Lilypad snapped up the Rhubarb Fruit Crush the minute it came out of the packaging and if I am totally honest, it didnt last very long! Thankfully long enough for me to have a taste but we both loved it and it was soon all gone. It was refreshing, tart, tangy and tasty!! The labelling said once opened, consume within 2 days .... there was no definately problem with that.

 

The Cranberry and Raspberry Cordial was a particular favourite of both mine and the mini frog. We love cranberry juice on the Lilypad but the mixture of the cranberries bitterness with the sweetness of the raspberries makes a delightful combination.

 

We love that there are no preservatives and artificial colourings and despite many high street chains claiming that they are natural or organic, Flavoury Nature is 100% natural and use traditional methods to create their juices.

 

You may choose to shop at huge commercial supermarkets for your weekly groceries but take a moment to think about ordering online from a company whose ethos is very family, natural and honest. You wont regret it!

 

http://www.flavorynature.co.uk 

 

 

As most of our regular blog readers know, Chief Frog here is pregnant, a working mum, lover of beautiful things and high heeled shoes! (trust me you can get froggy feet into them). Unfortunately you cannot get piggy toes into high heels and that is what my feet currently resemble.

 

How can two pregnancies be so different? 6 years ago, I was still rocking my high heels at 38 weeks but on the advice of the midwife, physio and osteopath, I had to abandon them weeks ago due to the ever so lovely SPD (symphysis pubis disorder).

 

I keep being told that no two pregnancies are the same and despite arguing that baby is being "cooked" in the same body, I "may" have to concede this point. So whilst trying not to waddle like a duck, (although I prefer to think more penguin-like), I got asked today if I would like to use the disabled parking space closer to the door. I felt a mixture of outrage and delight, the outrage that my pregnancy could be considered a disability and delight from aforementioned piggy toes and naughty pelvis!  

I am a firm believer in mind over matter and my conscience nor my morals would allow me to park there, as tempting as it maybe. I am still working, I am not poorly but I do admit that I am 6 years older, have a daughter to run round after (I use this term loosely), a business to run and a life to live.

 

Would I change places with the me from 6 years ago? Of course not, piggy toes lend themselves to foot rubs and pedicures, naughty pelvis means I can take regular guilt free massages and as for those high heels ...... just you wait!!

 

Tweet     If you like our blog, we would love you to vote for us in the Working Mummy Blog category of the  Gurgle Awards http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MS7M82K

We were absolutely thrilled to receive an email this morning that opened with:

 

 

Blogging has become part of our business, from news, reviews and general views (some may call them ramblings but we will ignore this for now).

 

As a working mum, its hard to juggle work, family and everything that goes with it, so even being chosen as a finalist is super exciting!

  

 

More information about gurgle, and the gurgle blog awards can be found here: http://www.gurgle.com/gurgles-2011 

 

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