When Laszlo was about 8 weeks old I had some photos done – after seeing Georgie the Editor of Sheerluxe.com’s chic baby pics I had to follow suit. The wonderfully named and talented photographer Coral Garlick was booked in on a day when I had typically crammed in way too much. Still breastfeeding, I had already been to the office, had my first post- baby haircut, and was handing the little man over that afternoon to his grandparents for the first night so that DH & I could go to a best friends’ wedding. I was therefore pretty negative about my own performance as manic new mummy during our photography slot.

 
Coral was fantastic – so experienced is she at soothing whilst shooting mum and baby, and I am thrilled with the shots captured of him at such a teeny age. The most unique thing about Coral’s photography, (apart from the reassuring lack of cheesy baby photo style) is the delivery – we met again a few months later to go through the pictures, and she presented me with a totally unexpected tear jerking little slideshow of Laszlo she had created to music. You forget so quickly, & those little flashes of character developing in your fragile little newborn seem so long ago now that Laszlo is a laughing, smiling, standing little chap of 5 months old.

 
I cannot recommend Coral enough – with four of her own children she is a seasoned pro at working with small babies & families. We are signed up for another set at 12months, hopefully with the extremely camera shy DH who I have learnt can be persuaded to do almost anything by any photo of his little man.

Coral is offering mama-la-mode customers a single booking baby shoot with 2 free photos for £115 instead of £150. And a baby package of 3 shoots at newborn, 6 months, & 1 year for £200 instead of £250 (no free photos). Please quote MAMA-LA-MODE when booking.

 
Life since the arrival of my little boy has become a happy busy whirlygig of events as I now try to juggle baby, house & home projects, work, and weekend weddings away, whilst DH travels in between.

 
Despite evening colic, the little man flashes heart melting smiles with his dimples bright deep blue eyes that become more and more delicious.

 
There are a few things that have become complete essentials since his first weeks, and are now carted up to London and back home along with him

 
1. Gentle Giraffe – never mind bambino, neither DH or I can now sleep without it !

2. Merino kids Cocooi wraps – I have swaddled him since birth and the clever design stops the little Houdini unravelling himself as well as maintaining his temperature.

3. A chic black Babasling for throw on carrying, & the divinely comfortable Bill Amberg Sheepskin Papoose for long country walks – it never fails to be complimented on and instantly quells a grizzling baby !

4. Boob Tube by Mama Mio – yup I am still using it, and I don’t intend to stop until I stop breastfeeding.

4th May, 11.41pm – our darling boy Laszlo was born weighing in at 7lbs. Having planned a home birth, the little tyke scared us all by gripping the umbilical cord during contractions, causing his heart rate to drop alarmingly….READ MORE

Thirty-nine weeks and I have definitely reached what DH has named ‘The Waddling Stage’. Over Easter I put my arm around my best friend’s little waist to pose for a picture, which made me realise how long I hadn’t felt mine for – since August 2010 to be precise!…READ MORE

Only four more weeks to go thank goodness, as there is nothing more for me to do to the nursery apart from wait for bambino to move in! On weekends I can’t stop checking out its transformation from hideous 70s orange and brown kitchenette to serene and neutral nursery…READ MORE

Fee’s

Fee’s fee Fee’s Favourites…

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I am now 36 weeks pregnant and so nearly there! As I near the end of my last trimester I wanted to share with you my top 8 maternity staples that I have lived in for work and play, and have seamlessly mixed into my pre-pregnancy wardrobe.

hiohgufhushgufihsuighfuishgufihsugihfsugihf

Baby Lust-have…

As my focus naturally shifts to life post-bump, and retail therapy towards all things adorable for nursery and baby, there are a few things that I simply cannot wait to use. Number one is our Bill Amberg leather & sheepskin papoose, which the husband seems to be super excited about using to show off his new bambino.

DH reminding me that he was born one month early made me realise that in just a week’s time bambino could decide to do the same. The empty drawers in the nursery invoked mild panic and an invitation to a mother and grandmother-to-be baby shopping spree was eagerly accepted….READ MORE

From the outside my super active bambino appears to be putting up tent poles in my tummy, making my silhouette unnerving for anyone other than me to watch! I am often in a meeting, arms gently resting across my bump when suddenly my arms start moving as though riding a tidal wave as a determined little limb pushes them from underneath…READ MORE

The last couple of weeks have been quite trying. After making the hard decision to put my little (very old) terrier down (sadly he and a baby were never destined to meet), I headed to Paris for the shows and buying season. The bump has been pretty small so far but I’m now definitely identifiable as pregnant…READ MORE

I highly recommend a mini break at this stage of pregnancy. While still feeling good and energetic despite a lower back injury, the Alps made for the most scenic and relaxing environment. I felt healthy just looking at the mountains and breathing in the fresh air…READ MORE