Our Naptime Routine | Just Add Ginger

Something we are really proud of as parents is that Eric - for the majority of the time - is a really good sleeper. I worked really hard when he was younger at getting him used to soothing himself in his cot (as a newborn he liked to be rocked back to sleep quite a lot and by the end of it my arm would be dead.) But once he was in his own room that was it....he was doing it himself. I'd sit there for hours sometimes rubbing his back and shushing him back to sleep and now, two years down the line, those sleepless nights have paid off.

I wish the same could be said for nap time! As a baby Eric was great. But now..... bloody hell! It's luck of the draw whether he's going to sleep for two hours, an hour or even go down at all. He will fight it and fight it and fight it sometimes until I look at the monitor and think 'this really isn't going to happen is it?' then give up. Yes, when it comes to naps, Eric gets a serious case of FOMO. 

Which is pretty much when anybody else except for me and him are in the house. I don't take any crap when it comes to nap times so whereas Ryan is great at getting Eric back to sleep should he wake in the night (they are thick as thieves) it is nearly always down to me to be the designated nap time bad cop. 

Routine plays a huge part in whether Eric's naps are successful. It's taken a long time to figure out what works best and things change all the time. The first thing I do is to gauge when Eric might be getting sleepy. He still has a morning nap so when he wakes up first thing I check the time and plan to try him 3.5 hours later. This timing suggestion was given by my health visitor and it's been a really good tip for us. Being a few steps ahead when it comes to predicting when Eric is ready for a nap is essential to it being a success. 

Now when it comes to nap times it's all or nothing. I have made sure that Eric knows that when he's in his cot and the right conditions are set it's time for bed. I don't count car sleeps or any naps that are induced by motion unless he is absolutely shattered. He gets the best quality of sleep being in a cot so that is what we do. 

When he was younger (and lighter) I would carry Eric up to bed. But now that that is no longer an option (unless I somehow grow a load of muscle overnight) I turn to the thing that instantly nominated you for 'Parent of the Year'.... bribes! 

Biscuits are my current bribe of choice. Oh I can hear the judgemental signs and eye rolls happening as I type, but I don't care. They work! Every morning in the lead up to him trying for a sleep we have 'biscuits in  bed.' He carries the biscuits up the stairs, chomping all the way, and then I put one in his cot to have once he's in. One or two little biscotti are enough to get him where he needs to be and keep him there. It also keeps him occupied for long enough for me to put him in a sleeping bag which are not his favourite things.

Next we have story time. I normally aim to read 2-3 books before he goes down and finish on Eric's sleep trigger book. Sleep trigger you ask. Yes - I've given it a name because that's exactly what it does. A book that Eric associates with sleep. Ours is The Gruffalo. You could be reading him anything beforehand and he would be jumping on the bed, throwing everything out the cot or being a fusspot, but as soon as he hears The Gruffalo that's it, he snuggles down, cuddles his teddy (Mr Fox) and gets ready to nod off. 

For a child who can sometimes be an absolute nightmare to get to sleep this little routine is one that really works for us. Of course there will be the odd occasion where nothing will tempt Eric to sleep but you just have to accept that. But ultimately if you get your timings right, there's nothing bothering him and you stay calm you are on to a winner and have at least an hour and a half for a drink and a snack, to catch up on your favourite TV show, to get some housework done or to have a nap. 

And that makes it all worth it!

Images: Rachel Clarke Photography

Planning Eric's 2nd Birthday Party | Just Add Ginger

When Ryan first mentioned the idea of throwing an actual birthday party for Eric I was not keen. Last year we just had friends and family round to the house. There was food, there was chatting, there was a plethora of toys for Eric to play with. It was informal. It was easy. 

But an actual birthday party? In a hall? Where you are a little bit out of control of how things will come together on the day...? He had to be joking. It took quite a bit of initial arm twisting on Ryan's behalf but eventually I saw how it might make our lives easier. 

For starters - this is the first year Eric has got little friends. So instantly our guest list increased drastically. a majority of his friends are under 3 so having the space to entertain a troop of toddlers might be difficult in our house (plus you can never guarantee good weather in April.) Secondly if we booked a separate space for a party, there would be a definite start and end time. Guests would arrive, and then leave. Not that we don't like hosting people but after a party everyone is tired and undoubtedly we would want our own space to come back to that wasn't cluttered and in need of a clean. 

So the search began for the perfect place to host Eric's party. We had a few initial ideas after attending a few baby classes in church halls and after a quick text to a friend we quickly found and finalised a venue and a date. 

That was the easy bit. Next was trying to sort out entertainment...But just what do you do for a toddler's birthday party? Eric isn't really at an age to join in party games, wouldn't appreciate anybody who was dressed up and is a bit young for things like a swimming party. So actually trying to figure out what to have that would keep everyone occupied (especially the slightly older children who would be coming) was a bit of a stumbling point.

Soft play seemed to be the most appealing option. There's nothing Eric loves more than going to soft play areas, climbing, jumping, sliding and causing absolute chaos so there was no doubt that at least where he was concerned, we would definitely get a lot of bang for our buck. After stumbling across a local company who seemed to offer everything we were looking for we put in some initial enquiries and waited to hear back. 

I'm not going to lie...this was probably the most stressful part of the whole party planning process, and it was partly due to the fact that I am a control freak when it comes to organisation and in an ideal world would have things sorted instantaneously. We sent off all the paperwork and finalised the details but after that there was nothing until the day before the party. And it just put me on edge. However, the company really came through on the day and were incredibly professional, setting up and packing away the equipment really efficiently. So in the end, all my fears were totally unfounded. 

Trying to organise the food was another stressful factor. Initially were going to order the main bulk of the food from Costco online. However, it got to the Thursday night before the party and the system was not offering us any collection dates until the week after. 

So in a panicked state, with 3% battery left on my phone, I scrambled onto the Tesco website and ordered anything that could be delivered the night before. It was the most decisive I've ever been and I had no idea really what I was ordering but on the day it all turned out amazingly. There were sandwiches, pizza, crisps, and then a designated treat table which held chocolate fingers, chocolate bars, jelly sweets, cake and popcorn (I just couldn't resist putting in my own Popcorn Shed order after being kindly gifted some of their tasty treats.*)

After swearing blindly in the midst of the stress that Eric would never be having another birthday party, we pulled off everything perfectly. I bought a huge pack of balloons that we scattered around the room, hung banners and set up a colouring in table (which was a massive hit.) We bought a speaker from B&M and blasted out children's songs (and some for the adults too). We decided to do our gender reveal at the party so I bought a piñata for the children to get involved with. One of our good friends made the birthday cake and we bought in a few extra toys from home that we thought were a bit more interactive. 

All in all I think we spent about £250 - £300 which may seem a bit extravagant but everybody had an amazing time. There was ample food and drink, the soft play was a massive hit with everyone and the speaker is going to live with us so is an investment in itself. And where we spent a lot on the party we didn't get Eric a lot of presents so put the money we would have spent into all those party essentials. 

I think a part of us wanted to make this birthday really special for him too. Because after this year he's going to be a big brother, and everything is going to change again.

* I have previously worked with Popcorn Shed and was gifted some of their products to feature in a blog post. However I paid for the popcorn for the party myself. For more information, please see my disclaimer.

How I'm Empowering Myself This Pregnancy | Just Add Ginger

When I was pregnant with Eric pretty much everything terrified me. There was so much that happened in those nine months that I barely had time to process one issue before the next came up. It left me in bits afterwards and ever so slightly hesitant to go through it all again. 

Fast forward to two and a bit years later and things could not be more different. I barely recognise the person I was back then and with every day that passes I am more and more excited at the prospect of pushing another baby out my vagina!

I of course take a lot of the credit for that myself. I mean, I shot down a spiral of doom and despair pretty quickly and I got myself right out of it again. And sure there are days where I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders and worry about anything and everything but these are days are few and far between and never about pregnancy or the thought of giving birth. 

There are however some pretty big changes I've made this time round. First of which is the level of privacy I've allowed myself to have. Instead of plastering regular pregnancy updates all over social media I've taken a step back and kept quite a lot to myself. I mean Ryan and I have only just done our gender reveal and I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant. The level of protectiveness I have over this baby is ridiculous and it's done me the world of good to just allow myself the time to enjoy the pregnancy and get excited about it. instead of involving people in everything that's been going on. That in itself has been one of the most empowering moves I could have ever made. 

I'm also being a lot more decisive. Last time round I think I went with the flow and just went along with things because I thought they were the 'right thing' to do. I was a first time mum. I didn't know any better. But this time I've found my voice. I know how I'd like things to go and I'm not afraid to push for them. We've gone from probably heading to the MLU again to now wanting a home birth (fingers crossed). I'm a lot more vocal about wanting to try breastfeeding and I am asking so many questions so that I am better informed. Ryan and I are practising hypnobirthing together and I just know what feels right. I'm trusting my instincts more. I know what I want. 

Hypnobirthing is playing a huge part in how strong I feel. We're currently working through The Positive Birth Company's Digital Pack but I've also just started Siobhan Miller's new book, both of which are absolutely game changing in the way I think about labour and birth. I have a new found appreciation for my body and have fallen in love with my pregnant self. I feel confident that no matter what happens I will have an amazing birth experience and am making the right choices that ensure that happens. 

Hand in hand with hypnobirthing comes my musical choices. Environment plays a huge part in the hypnobirthing experience and where as last time I wanted to listen to music with a strong beat, now I've picked music that is evocative and sparks happy memories - from the best gigs I've ever been to to my favourite places to getting married, each piece I've chosen transports me somewhere and calms me. I test out my playlist at times when I need to feel calm and at peace and I'm already "training" myself to associate the playlist with feeling completely relaxed. 

Never in my life would I have thought I could be this calm about expecting another baby but I am. I really am. And as for really looking forward to pushing out of my lady bits? I'd have laughed out loud. But I honestly can't wait. I believe in myself. 

 And best of all....I feel amazing!

Why I Left | Just Add Ginger

Before the end of last year I thought that all my erratic vanishing from the blogging world was over. However, that was before we found out some exceptionally big news in the Autumn. 

If you haven't guessed already or seen my announcements on social media then SURPRISE - Ryan and I are expecting again. Our second little precious bundle is baking away and due to arrive in the summer. 

We had been thinking about when we wanted to try for a second baby for a while and whereas I was so excited for Eric to have a sibling I was also so confused about what it meant for me as a parent. I mean - going from zero to one baby is one thing, but then one to two.... WOW! Add to that my one-handed approach to all things parenting and I would instantly be outnumbered. 

It also came down to the fact that Eric isn't talking yet. Now I'm not putting pressure on him but out of all of his little friends he is a tad behind on uttering those first precious words. They are coming. Just slower than I thought But then what he lacks in speech he makes up for in motor skills and movement. He doesn't ever bloody keep still. A whirlwind of independence and energy he forever keeps me and Ryan on our toes and only really stops when he is sleeping. In terms of toddler, he requires a lot of attention. 

But then one day I think it hit me that no matter what gap there was in between babies there were always going to be obstacles. And I wasn't going to let that hold me back. So come the Autumn Ryan and I knew that we were ready and as before we made no plans to try. We were just going to see what happened. 

Finding out I was pregnant this time round was a whole different kettle of fish. I didn't think I was but then after doing a pregnancy test that made me think I was going insane (you can hear more about that in my YouTube announcement video) I found myself taking another one when I was alone in the house and having a little freak out on the toilet.

It was all very exciting but I needed to take some time out and gather myself. With my previous pregnancy being a bit choppy I wanted to take proper care of myself and approach everything with optimistic caution. I suffered quite badly with feelings of anxiousness after giving birth to Eric (I think everything that happened during the pregnancy caught up with me) and I just didn't want to let that happen again. I needed to practise some self-care.

So that is what I have been doing. I've been taking care of me. There have been lots of naps, extra scans and hospital appointment. There have been lots of tears, cuddles and squeals of delight. And I'm doing so much better than I ever thought I could. 

But now I am back. I'm slowly stepping foot back into the blogosphere and starting to play catch up with myself. I've missed blogging so much - even just sitting don writing this post my fingers have never felt so happy. My mind is buzzing again and creativity is flowing. And it feels amazing.

Imagery: Rachel Clarke Photography

My Big Chop For Charity | Just Add Ginger

I have always considered my hair my biggest accessory. It's big, it's red and although most of the time it looks an absolute mess, I really think it makes me stand out. And for years now I have wanted to get it to a good enough condition where I feel like I could happily donate it and not feel embarrassed about it. 

And finally that time is nearly here. At the start of 2019 I will be saying goodbye to my fiery golden locks and embarking on a big hair change. The bleach that totally ravaged my hair has nearly grown out and I can't use excuses to put off the process any longer. 

On 26th January I will be cutting off as many inches of my hair as I can to donate to Little Princess Trust - a charity who make wigs for children who may have lost their hair due to illness or through cancer treatment. Hand in hand with this I will be raising money for the Liverpool Women's Charity. I had Eric at the Liverpool Women's Hospital and had the best birth experience and aftercare so I really want to do all I can to support the work they do and show my appreciation for what the hospital has done for me. 

Saying goodbye to my hair isn't going to be easy (I will probably cry) and it took me a long time to settle on a date to do it. Normally I try and d a charity walk each year or more active fundraiser but I just couldn't this year. I am really attached to it and love feeling it swish around my shoulders. But there are so many children, young people and adults out there who do not lose their hair by choice that I can't feel sorry for myself. 

This is not a post to ask for donations. It is more for me to mark what is going to happen (so I don't feel like chickening out). It is also to help raise awareness for the charities I have mentioned and to hopefully help inspire anyone reading this to  consider organising and hosting a fundraising event for a charity you care about. It doesn't matter what you do - big or small - but there are some really deserving causes out there that need support, so why not reach out and see what you can do to help. 

Bottom Lifestyle Imagery: Rachel Clarke Photography

5 Reasons To Love Autumn | Just Add Ginger

Out of all the seasons I love Autumn the best. I think it's because I'm a winter baby - I am naturally drawn to chillier weather. It's where I feel most alive. A season of incredible beauty and colour there is just so much to love about sweater season that I wanted to share some of my favourite things.

1. Cosy Coats & Super Soft Knitwear

There's no better a feeling to me than picking out the snuggliest clothes I can find from my wardrobe and bundling up against the cold weather. It's like walking round in one big hug. I try and update my knitwear each Autumn as I pretty much wear everything to death and if I'm feeling particularly organised I'll lay my comfies out on the radiator for a bit to warm up before I put them on.

Coats are also one of my biggest weaknesses. I have so many it is just ridiculous. But there's just something about them. They really pull an Autumn outfit together. I have made some investment purchases over the years that come out of hibernation at this time of year and I love slipping them on and getting snuggly before heading out. One of my favourites is a grey faux fur oversized coat I bought from River Island years ago. I affectionately call it my 'yeti coat' because it is absolutely massive and wearing it is like getting a cuddle from a bear. I just love it.

2. Seasonal Drinks

Whether it's PSL, a chai tea latte or a red cup there's no question that everyone seems to get a little excited at this time of year when it comes to hot beverages, with coffee shops bringing out their seasonal ranges and trying to up their game each year. Personally I am a sucker for a hot chocolate topped with lashing of whipped cream. It's my Autumn drink of choice and I find myself gravitating to cocoa much more than coffee during the colder months. Although if you were to offer me a large flat white and a mince pie I wouldn't say no! 

Mulled wine is also my Achilles heel. Especially if we are out and about at a Christmas market. I have also attempted making my own at home but I get a bit over zealous with the red wine so I tend to stick to the shop bought or ready made varieties nowadays.

3. Crunchy Leaves & Winter Wildlife

'Autumn days when the grass is jewelled and the silk inside a chestnut shell.'

Did anyone else used to sing that in primary school? It was always one of my favourites to sing and now as a grown up the images that fill my head whenever I think about it just make me want to grab my coat and hat and go on a big long walk. Nature is at her most stunning this season. From the crisp leaves to the dewy morning grass to the animals and bird you spot scrabbling around amidst the tress, being outside is just glorious. 

We have made it a bit of a weekend tradition now to go to Sefton Park or Rimrose Valley and spend as much time as we can in the great outdoors. And Eric absolutely loves it - he runs around screeching, picks up leaves and giggles away when we push him on the swings. And if Ryan and I have had a crazy week it feels so good to go on a walk to dust away the cobwebs so we are ready to start a new week with a clear head.

4. Pretty Photo Opps

Hand in hand with being outside is the opportunity it gives you to capture some stunning shots and memory-making photos. I really enjoy taking out my camera and snapping away. Nature photography is one of my favourites as well as capturing candid shots of Ryan and Eric together. I make sure there's a balance between time behind the lens and times spent with my boys but sometimes I just can't help myself but see what shots I can get. 

5. More Excuses For Snuggling Up On The Sofa

And when you've spent the day outside exploring, walking and taking photos there's just something about heading home, getting into your comfies and curling up on the sofa together to watch a film and keep cosy. There are always some great things to watch at this time of year too - my preferences are Strictly, The Apprentice, and for this year Making A Murderer and The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina on Netflix. I grab some sweet treats (I love a bowl of popcorn mixed with M&Ms) and more often than not doze off watching my favourite shows.

Do you love Autumn too? Let me know your favourite things about this time of year in the comments.

The Pressures of New Parenthood | Just Add Ginger

Since Eric turned one I've been reflecting on motherhood quite a bit. What it means to me, how it as changed me, and more importantly - things I wish I'd done differently. I touched on this a little bit in my Mummy Milestones post but as this topic is so important to me, I wanted to explore it a lot more.

Now I don't mean what bottles I should have used or if we should have given our baby a pacifier. It goes a lot deeper than that. In fact it's not so much about things I wish I'd done differently with Eric, it's things I wish I'd done differently for me. 

Everyone has their own opinions on parenting and how it should be done. As humans we just can't help it. But if there's one thing I've taken away from having a baby of my own is that it is only we as mothers, fathers and care givers who know how to care for our children. Because it is true - they are all different. But more importantly - so are we as parents. 

I struggled so much at the beginning of this journey. My experiences with anxiety made me incredibly insecure and unconfident. There was nobody to teach me how to tackle things and I was learning as I went, which, when you're a first time mum, is terrifying. 

There was a great amount of pressure on me to "do the right thing" or "do what's best" but in reality, nobody stopped to ask me what was best. Nobody really knew everything that I was going through and just had to get on with it. On my own. My confidence and self-belief was so low that it took me six or so weeks to even feel comfortable taking Eric for a walk round the block on my own. 

One big mistake I made was listening to outside voices. I was told I needed to go to baby classes. So I did. And it's one of my biggest regrets. Leaving the house with a tiny baby is stressful enough but for me every time I walked out the door I had to take so many extra items. The pram was piled high with things and the back seat of my car was hidden under a blanket of baby paraphernalia. Looking back it was just ridiculous.

What I should have been doing was working on myself. My confidence. My self-worth. Because the reality is that I was fucking brilliant at doing things on my own. It is only really now that Eric is older that I sometimes need a bit of help (and even then it is very rare that I do). 

Going to classes I felt like I was was a complete joke. I was so nervous I barely spoke to anyone and I was terrified that other mums would think I was a loony for going about things the way I did. I hid myself away and it took me ages to mingle with the other parents. It made it impossible for me to make friends. 

It is only now that my confidence is coming back and I have a handle on my anxiety that I'm reaching out to other mums. I no longer feel like a third wheel and I've actually made friends of my own. And it feels so good. Over the summer I went out for brunch with a group of mums and it was the first time ever that I had the confidence to stay out with Eric all day. After our coffee date was over I took him to the library and then to soft play. By myself. And I was - and still am - so proud of myself for it.

When Eric was new I should have listened to myself and said "no thank you" when people had advice to give. For the first few weeks I was on my own I should have gone on walks with him in the pram, taken him on shopping dates, ventured out in the car and used public nappy changing facilities. But instead I gave into the pressure. And I feel like I failed Eric. I feel like I failed myself. 

I know what you may be thinking .... 'He won't remember.' And you're right - he won't. But I will. I'll remember.  And even though there's nothing I can do to change how I went about things those feelings will stay there because next time I'll know what I need to do differently. 

Yes. You heard me. Next time. Ryan and I want more children. It's on the cards. And God willing one day it's going to happen. 

That's another topic everyone seems to have an opinion on. Having more children. As soon as it comes up everyone becomes an expert on how long you should wait, how many you should have, and if in fact you should have any more at all! What is with that? It infuriates me beyond words because, on an entirely personal level, I need to think about it even more than some would and the timing has to be perfect.

On the one hand I want to wait so that I feel I'm ready to enjoy the pregnancy experience. Last time was so shit that I want to go into it again with a more positive mindset. Then there's the logistics. Do we wait until Eric is a bit older and can help? Or do I want to keep the gap a bit smaller and plan it with when he's going to nursery?   

This post may not make much sense, but as a new-ish mother I had to share my feelings. They have been building and building for so long that if I don't get them all out now they'll just stay hidden forever. And that's not healthy.

 There may even be somebody who reads this who is reading this and feeling exactly the same way. If this is you then I hope this helps you realise you are not alone. That pressure you are experiencing is a real thing - I've been there. It might not feel it right now but you can push through it and if you feel you are being pulled to do something that as a new parent you are just not ready for, you are well within your rights to say "no". 

Having A Blog Mid-Life Crisis | Just Add Ginger

My posting schedule over the past few months has - I'll admit - been erratic and clumsy. It is only now, one month away from the end of 2018 that I have finally knuckled down and got myself back into a routine. And the trust is that I've been going through a bit of an identity crisis as a blogger.

Let's start with the fact that I am now in my thirties, married and with a child. The content that I was producing when I was a younger gal with more time on my hands just did not interest me anymore. I was bored of it. In place of the hours I'd have shopping for new beauty products or trying on news clothes is replaced now with naps and housework. I wanted to produce content that I was passionate about and that mattered to me. I just don't have time to focus as much as I want to on those things I used to love anymore. 

And that leads me onto my next issue - time. I don't have much of it. And the time I do have is usually spent running around like a headless chicken trying to juggle a million things and swapping between all the hats I wear. Life when you have a child is chaotic. Heck I sometimes go a week without showering because I have such little time so try and factor in blogging to everything else and I felt like my brain was going to come pouring out of my ears. I needed a break.

Above all I needed someone to talk to about all this, and luckily Codie came to my rescue. Codie is one of those people who you feel like you just know. I only went round to her house for a cup of tea and a chat and I ended up pouring my heart out and telling her some of my darkest secrets. Taking into account I only met her last December and met up with her one time previously it's safe to say that she just made me feel instantly at ease. 

I digress - my point is that I found someone who got it. So after a few hours and lots of over sharing, I decided it was time to have a bit of a blog renaissance. I had been so afraid of losing who I was with the content I thought I should be producing that I had forgotten who I was. 

So from now on expect to see a bit of a change. There will be a lot more parenting and mummy related content alongside food and lifestyle posts. Fashion and beauty posts might pop up from time to time but all with a little mum twist. And if all that doesn't sound like something you want to read then that's fine. I'd love it for you to stay but I can't write to please other people, I have to do it for myself. Otherwise I'm just living a big old lie and that isn't fun for anybody.

It's a bit exciting this growing up malarkey isn't it?

Little Tikes Light 'n' Go 3-in-1 Activity Walker* | Just Add Ginger

Eric has always been a fickle little thing when it comes to toys he likes to play with. One minute he'll be tearing around the living room clutching a plastic car and the next he's happy sitting and turning the pages of a book. 

However cause and effect toys are still a big hit with Eric - especially ones that play sounds, move, sing or dance along to music. He finds them fascinating and will go back to them over and over again,  exploring the different ways he can get them make noise. The Little Tikes Light 'n' Go 3-in-1 Sports Zone* has been such a big hit with him for that reason, and knowing how much he has gotten out of it, when the opportunity arose for us to try the Little Tikes Light 'n' Go 3-in-1 Activity Walker I couldn't really refuse! 

The walker is pretty easy to set up, the whole process probably taking about 5-10 minutes. It is multifunctional with different height levels depending on what you want it to do and - like with the Sports Zone - it can be folded down and neatly tucked away should you need it to be (ideal if you are lacking in storage or if you don't want your living room to look like a toy shop).

We set up the walker one evening when Eric had gone to bed and placed it in the middle of the living room ready for the morning. Personally I never really like to make a big fuss over new toys because I don't want to force Eric to feel he can only play with one thing. It's more exciting just leaving things sitting around to seeing if he notices that they are there. 

As soon as he spotted the walker he was straight over to it, a curious half smile on his face, ready to investigate.

He was particularly taken with the light show, catching on to what he had to do to make them appear and pushing the walker up and down. He also really enjoyed lifting the flaps and sliding the movable plastic elements up and down to see what would happen. 

The walker has three different modes of play there is a lot for a little one to explore. Each offer an educational aspect, teaching your child about colour, melody and music. There are things to spin, flaps to lift and buttons to press. 

A voice offers encouraging phrases, a tune begins to play and a light projector is triggered when the toy is pushed, and the more motion it senses, the more music is played and lights glow. So if your baby is learning to walk, this is a clever little touch that will help cheer them on. 

Not just a walker, but with the ability to use it as a stationary activity table for older ones or the option to simply be placed flat on the floor as a play centre for smaller babies, the Light 'n' Go walker really is a toy that can grow with your baby. From a mum's perspective that's something I really like - toys that are multifunctional, are really going to last and won't just be a two minute wonder!  

Little Tikes have really nailed it again when it comes to creating something that allows little ones to take ownership of their play and with Eric being the age he is, he did not need my help using any aspects of the walker. Of course if he was younger this may be different but for the stage he is at, it really helps nurture his independence.

The walker also provided us with lots to talk about, and I spent some time looking for different animals with him and playing peekaboo. Eric is babbling away at the moment and we think he is about to start talking properly soon (we hope at least) so anything that encourages him to do that is a winner in our eyes. 

There is just one minor negative that I've found with the walker and that is the volume of the motor. It does seem to be quite loud. Now I don't know if this is just our one but if the walker is not in motion and the lights are triggered there is a pretty noisy whirring sound that starts up. It doesn't last for long but it does happen so I thought it might be worth a mention.

I really, really like the Little Tikes Light 'n' Go 3-in-1 Activity Walker. It is durable, colourful, and encourages a lot of baby's emerging and developing skills (hand eye co-ordination and motor are definitely addressed). It is also really easy to modify, changing from flat to standing in a few seconds and all one handed friendly! 

Eric may be full of beans and a whirlwind when it comes to play but the 3-in-1 walker from Little Tikes is definitely something that he won't be growing out of any time soon. And even when the time eventually comes when he is too big for it, you can bet your bottom dollar we'll be storing it away for our future babies because, well, I just love it.

Have you ever tried anything from Little Tikes? Let me know about your experiences in the comments.

* I was very kindly gifted the Little Tikes Light 'n' Go Activity Walker to review. This does not affect my opinions. For more information, please see my disclaimer.

Our First Family Holiday | Just Add Ginger

The beauty of having a little one is that you can go on holiday out of season. And we fully intend to get the most out of the few years we have before Eric goes to school to go on lots of trips, visits to friends and family and holidays. 

Although we have been away with him already, it has always been with other people. We had never actually been on our own little family holiday before. Until one evening a couple of months ago. Ryan and I were discussing the fact and I just decided to go for it and book something. 

So back in May we packed up the (rental) car and headed up the motorway to our little haven - Clapham in Yorkshire.

Unlike previous visits this time we tried to put a bit more of a plan together of what we wanted to do over the four days we were away. Taking the train over the Ribblehead Viaduct and on to Appleby was firmly on the list, as were the Ingleton Falls and a visit back to Settle. We tried to slot something in to a morning or afternoon, leaving the rest of the day free so that Eric could play or nap, or just have some time out of the pushchair.

Going back to Yorkshire with our son was a surreal experience and in a way it felt like the start of a brand new tradition. The first time we visited it was just the two of us and we were building up to getting married. The second time was on our mini-moon and now we were here with Eric and it just made me feel so happy inside. 

Clapham is one of the most idyllic places you will ever come across. And whereas we knew about its beauty, on this trip we really got an appreciation for how perfect it is for little ones. 

Just a short walk from Brookhouse B&B (our home for the week) was a large play space for the children of the village. and it was immaculate. There was a big grassy area with football goals, picnic benches, a sandpit and a playground with slides, swings, and several wooden playhouses. We took Eric there nearly everyday and it was ideal for him to totter around in. 

Continue further up the road and you will discover a picturesque walk that takes you under canopies of trees into landscape that wouldn't look out of place in a Tolkien novel. We did the walk on a previous visit and it would be pushchair friendly enough but I think it would work out better if Eric was a fully confident walker so we gave it a miss this time round.

We spent the week exploring the surrounding areas and ticking off our 'to do' list. There are some extremely pretty villages in that part of Lancashire / Yorkshire and as the week went on I found myself looking forward to heading home less and less. It is just such a calming place to be. You can't help but be in a good mood being surrounded by hills and dales with nothing but birdsong and babbling water from rivers and streams around you.

We also learnt a good few lessons about travelling with a toddler. Eric was teething badly when we went and this meant most nights he would wake up screaming or crying. And when you're staying in a small B&B you can't help but feel a little embarassed and stressed when you're baby kicks off at 2am. 

Packing Eric's clothes by outfit worked a treat this time (read all about how I organised his holiday wardrobe here). He wore nearly everything we took and nothing really went to waste. Taking a portable high chair booster seat was a godsend too as he could be level with us during meals at the B&B and didn't miss out on being a part of the conversation or interacting with us and fellow diners.

We also discovered that everything we did needed to have Eric at the centre. I found myself looking up soft play areas, local swimming pools and family-friendly activities just so that we could have a back up plan. I don't think we would have enjoyed our trip half as much if we hadn't had an arsenal of things to do that were exciting for Eric too.

Places that really stood out and ones I would highly recommend a visit are Dent (which is the most gorgeous little cobbled stone village), Giggleswick (which again is incredibly pretty, with streets line with shops, a beautiful church and a lovely little walk that leads you to a beauty spot that's perfect for photos or as a place to stop and get lost in your own thoughts for a bit), Ye Olde Naked Man Cafe in Settle (ideal for a spot of lunch and with the most delicious cakes you've ever tasted) and The Game Cock Inn in Austwick.

Even though Clapham is barely two hours up the road it felt like we were on another planet for the week. It is worlds apart from Liverpool and being there I felt all my stress and feelings of anxiousness melt away. 

Eric got so much out of it too. It was so nice not to be telling him 'no' or 'stop' so much. He laughed, giggled and smiled so much and it was wonderful taking a step back and seeing him and Ryan have some father-son bonding time.

If you are looking for somewhere new to go for some much needed escapism then I can't recommend Clapham - or in fact that whole area - enough, especially at this time of year. It is just beautiful and so relaxing. There's so much to do for walkers, train lovers, couples, friends and those with young families that you will never be bored. And with lots of local pubs and cafes about there is always somewhere to stop off for an ice cream or cold pint on a hot day.

Where is your favourite place to holiday?