Toddler Snacks - Roasted Peas

Like I said in my previous Toddler Snack blog, Sweet Potato Crisps, Jackson LOVES to eat. I thought that I would share another healthy, easy and low cost toddler snack. This one is Roasted Peas - yes thats right, I am going to roast peas!!!! Even though my toddler loves to eat, vegetables are not his favourite, so I have to think of clever ways to get them in him! 

All you need for this is 3 ingredients:

Frozen peas (thawed)

Oil - in the first picture, you will notice extra virgin olive oil, but then I remembered I had Fry-Light, which works much better as you really don't need a lot of it.

Garlic Powder - You can use a different herb or seasoning if you prefer.

You need to make sure that the thawed peas are as dry as possible.

Spray the peas with your fry light, add a little seasoning and give them a good mix. 

Set your oven to 190c and add your peas. I put them in for 15 mins to start with and then for  an additional 10 mins, after giving them a mix. 

This is what they are like when they are cooked; great for babies learning their pincer grip! 

Let me know if you have a go at making them. 

Love Sophia xxx

27 Week Pregnancy Update

Here is my 27 week pregnancy update...

Symptoms: I just feel so pregnant this week and bending down is getting very difficult. I am feeling very emotional again and I seem to be so much bigger than with Jackson. During my last pregnancy, I loved watching my belly grow but this time I feel very body concious. If I wear anything other than a baggy jumper, I don't feel confident at all, which I do think is largely down to my boobs which are massive already. I'm not a fan of my boobs when I am not pregnant but now they are a good few sizes bigger, I hate them!!! 

Food Cravings: Just food in general, which doesn't help with my body issues when all you want to do is eat!!!

Movement: I have had a busy week so have felt less movement, but all is still good on that front and the bubba still moves regularly. 

Sleep: I have been doing a lot of blogging bits this week, which I can only really do when Jackson goes to bed. That means I have been going to sleep very late! 

Things I am missing: Nothing this week.

Best Moment: I am afraid, whilst writing this blog, I have been very emotional and just can't think of anything! Hopefully I will have lots next week.

Worst Moment: Feeling sad about my body, which I just feel guilty for because I know how lucky I am to be pregnant. Also, I had the flu jabs which I never enjoy - being stabbed with needles is not pleasant!! 

Love Sophia xxx

What's in my changing bag

I think that everyone should give this blog a go as it makes you give your bag a good clear out! I found a load of receipts, lots of tissues and some half eaten food - just Gross!!!!

Four days a week, I work as a childminder so I not only run after my toddler boy but often at least one other child!! This is why I opted for a back pack because its just easier to throw it on my back while chasing the little monkeys around! This one is from ASOS for a bargain of £30.

Now that Jackson is older, I don't need to bring quite as much with me as I did when he was a baby. In the main compartment I have a bag which I use as the nappy & changing bag - Inside, I have the normal nappies, wipes, nappy sacks and a few tester tubes of nappy creams (we have been quite lucky and Jackson hasn't suffered that much from nappy rash but they are still in there just incase). I also have a change of clothes for Jackson in the back pack; this isn't always in there but when going further away from home, I do tend to bring one with me. 

Also in the main compartment we have a bike lock. This is actually in there from Centre Parcs but I think that it's good to have incase you have to leave your buggy unattended anywhere. 

One really important thing, of course, is the snacks!!!!!!!!! I also do put water in when we are going out. 

I carry a few of these disposable bibs too, just incase he eats something messy or is going to have lunch out. 

The last things that I always have in the main compartment are my purse and of course a bag for life, as I don't want to pay 5p for a bag every time I go to the shops! 

In the front little pocket I normally have my camera (but I am taking pictures on it at the moment, which is why you can't see it!), my phone, mints (mainly from the 1st trimester but occasionally I feel a little sick and still need one) and a lip balm. 

Depending on what we are doing, I often have some toys with me too. 

Do you carry anything different for your toddlers? 

Love Sophia xxx

What Jackson Wore #1

I have been following This Mama Life blog for a while now and I especially like her Friday post, 'Weekend Tot Style'. It's a blog where she posts her weekly favourite outfit for her toddler girl and her new baby boy. Other Mama bloggers then link in and show off their gorgeous children's outfits too.

This is my first week joining in - unsurprisingly, this outfit is from the Zara Toddler Boy section, like most of his clothes!

This autumnal red top is long sleeved but can also be worn rolled up. However, today the weather is only 4 degrees so it will be worn as a long sleeved one!!!!

I just love these trousers, they are really soft and easy for him to run about in, like the crazy toddler he is! I think that they will look really christmassy with the right top.

Jackson's hat obsession started when it was summer, I just couldn't get his cap or straw hat off of him. I am hoping that the obsession has continued, as I have gone all out on lots of winter hats this year - I love this one from Zara (I do shop elsewhere too, I promise!!!!).

From doing this blog, I realised just how difficult it is to get a nice (non-action) shot of a toddler. They just don't stay still for long enough. I thought I would share a few of the not so great ones below! 

Love Sophia xxx

Baby Wishlist

For our new baby, we pretty much have everything we need, except for a few unisex clothes. I don't want to buy too many, as I want to buy most of the baby grows once we know the sex of the baby. 

One thing I do definitely need is a double Buggy. Jackson will be just over 22 months (if baby arrives on time) and I don't think that he will be old enough to do that much walking around. I think that we might be going for this mountain buggy one but we haven't really been to see any yet. My essentials are: side by side, easy to fold and needs to fit in my car's boot (any recommendations welcome).

We have already got a 'Besafe' car seat that we spent ages researching about for Jackson, trying to find the 'safest' one. However, I have recently come across the Doona Car Seat. My reasons for possibly wanting to buy this are: I don't have a drive, so I park nearby and if this baby is anywhere close to Jackson's size, I will struggle carrying a massive baby and ensuring my toddler is safe too. The only problem is that the ISOFIX Base is an additional cost!! I feel that this would be a luxury so I think we will have to wait and see closer to the time. 

I came across this on Instagram - Whisbear. it's a toy that responds to your babies cry and helps soothe them. I feel that, being a second baby, I may not be able to rush to them every time they cry, like I did with Jackson, so having this may give me a bit more time (wishful thinking!?). 

In the baby room, we currently have a changing topper on his chest of draws, however it is sooooo scratched up (very poor for a John Lewis product). The drawers are still fine though and seems a bit extreme to buy a whole new changing table. Again, on Instagram, I came across this changing Basket. I think that it looks really nice and may give the bedroom a new look. I also like that it is portable so could take it around the house with me. 

With Jackson, I loved using the sleeping bags (actually still do use them). A friend did find these Merino Sleeping bags when we had Jackson but we already had a few so didn't buy them. This time around I am definitely going to get them - they regulate your babies temperature so that you can use the same one all year round. They also fit a 3 - 24 months old or probably sooner if you have giant babies like me! I am going to buy one unisex before the baby is born and then one after. They are expensive but the fact you only need the same one all year round and up until they are 2, I think its worth it.  

Apart from that I think it will just be personalising the room once they are here!

Do you have any recommendations of new products that you've loved? 

Love Sophia xxx

26 Week Pregnancy Update

Here is my 26 week pregnancy update...

Symptoms: I am now getting very BIG!!!! Also, this week I am a wave of emotions - there are times when I just want to cry over pretty much nothing. Jackson has been difficult this week so I think that has drained me too!  As a physical symptom, on the days that I have pushed myself, my sciatic nerve has been hurting quite a bit and on the other hand, when I sit for too long and then get up, my previous C-Section scar feels very tight.

Food Cravings: Nothing this week.

Movement: This baby moves a lot! The kicks are getting really strong now, and I LOVE it. We did have a scare at the weekend where the baby's movements completely changed into just flutters and not nearly as often but by the evening they were getting back to normal and the next day the baby was back to their usual kicking self! 

Sleep: I haven't worked much this week so I have managed to get a bit of a lie in, meaning I have been feeling on top form. Been having lots of dreams this week too but not abnormal ones, just general dreaming about whats going on in day to day life!

Things I am missing: Nothing this week.

Best Moment: Just feeling this baby kick, even though that's not a new thing this week, it's got to be one of the best feelings ever!!

Worst Moment: The emotions for just no reason! 

Love Sophia xxx

Day in the life through photos

I wanted to share our typical day through photos with you all, so here are my favourite ones...

This one woke up in a really good mood (look at that hair!!!!). He has started to get out of his sleeping bag every night, so I have now put a few blankets in his cot to keep him warm, but I think it may be time to get him a duvet. 

Breakfast time, which of course included a banana.

Mama and Dada's breakfast.

Playtime before his cousin gets dropped off for a play-date.

The weather was gorgeous so we headed to the park for a play...

...and then we took a walk through park. 

Had a little rest on the way!

This one chose not to nap today, the only thing that got me through the afternoon was 'Frozen', which he had a little sing-along to! 

Having a chat with Dada.

Then having a kiss with his baby brother or sister! 

Someone was ready for dinner, however, he had pasta and tomato sauce so this was definitely a highchair meal!!!!

A bit of a play and 'In the Night Garden' before bath time.

Jackson tries to walk up the stairs like an adult and is refusing help. Scares me every time!!!

Running a big bath and Mama decided to join! 

Look at this cutie. 

I didn't take anymore photos from the evening for two reasons; No.1 - No napping from Jackson makes a very, very tired Mama, No.2 - after the bath I took off all my makeup and looked rather terrible!!!! 

Love Sophia xxx