Beach!

We're lucky enough to have the ocean within a stones throw of our home. I can't tell you how happy that makes me thinking of Elin's childhood. Still in a heat wave at our end we've not been able to really enjoy the beach as much as we'd like. But a beautiful stroll in the afternoon, parasol in hand never hurt anybody!

Her face! This little face honestly melts my heart! I get these moments where I look at her and just can not believe just how much I love her. She really does make everyday that little bit more wonderful.

And as for these two perfect people together? There really is nothing like seeing the man you love, love his daughter so completely. I see his love for her fill him up every day and nothing even comes close in my eyes. I am ridiculously proud of them both!

I hadn't planned on wearing these shorts, but when I put Elin in blue polka dot cullots, and realized how perfectly my own pair worked with hers, it was a no brainer! I'm thoroughly enjoying dressing us in matchy matchy outfits while shes just a baby, because I'm fairly certain when she's older dressing like her mumma will be just the most uncool thing ever!

We don't get photos of all three of us all that often, and then they are mostly selfies! Nothing wrong with a good selfie, but when a lovely couple stopped and insisted on photographing us three it was very kind. I love our family infinate amounts so photos of us all are the best memories. Thank you lovely couple!

With kys this blue you really would think we were abroad! So blessed to live here and enjoy time a a family. How are you enjoying summer? I'd love to hear!

Tess X

Strawberry pickin'

The suns been really hotting up over here this week, and in typical British style everyone's complaining about it! It i proving pretty tricky with a little 'un I have to confess. Little Elin's spent most of the week naked and loving life running free, so to speak! Although this does mean shes peed on the bed on more than one occasion- always my side. Why?! With her feeding more regularly and clothes becoming less and less appropriate, it ha been harder to get out and about. But we've had some cracking times when we have!

I've always had this image of raising my family and starting certain traditions. One of them is strawberry picking! We live close to Ford abbey who have a petty impressive strawberry patch, as well as a whole host of other summer fruits, and as it transpires some stunning corn fields that were a beautiful photo opportunity! I have always wanted to take my children there, teaching them about the fruits of the earth and letting them run free in a safe environment. While Elin is obviously too young to do any of that, and the poor might has yet to even experience the delight of the strawberry, I still felt we had to do it this summer, just for our own enjoyment at the very least. And considering Elin's strawberry hat and dress are getting increasingly small on her we though sooner rather than later would be best. So we had an early morning amble through the strawberry fields last week!

We had a fab morning as a family, and even though Elin won't remember I know I will! And there's no harm starting these traditions early right? It makes me really excited for next year to have our little one running around and picking the fruit herself. It really is incredible this whole growing up melarky! I think of how much our little one has to experience, to taste, to enjoy in the next months and years and feel so excited it makes me tear up. But i'l blame that on my hormones i think!

Do you have any traditions with your little ones once the sun comes out? And how are you handling the heat? I'd love to hear stories and see your pictures :)

Have a lovely day, Tess

Baby walkin'

During our pregnancy James and I guenuinly considered not even buying a pram. We both felt a baby sling/wrap/carrier would just suit us so much better. In the end I just wasn't brave enough to say to people we wouldn't be using one and picked up a second hand one for £35 to keep other peoples scepticism at bay. I think we've used it twice. So its fortunate we spent more money on our absolute favourite baby item- the solly wrap!

Elin had her first outing in it when she was a diddy five day old! Can I just take a minute to appriciate just how tiny she was?

James and I had a jolly good argument over who would get to 'wear' her first. As you can see, he won! But from then on we were all three hooked. Firstly Elin's daddy really feels like the most super cool dad in the world wearing this. But more importantly its such a lovely feeling having her so close, and bloody lovely to go hands free.

Our little egg has slept soundly through many a game of pool, darts and even skittles-that girl really is a pub-goer even if she doesn't realise yet!. Elin feels so safe and relaxed she's instantly settled. And now that she's awake a lot more she loves to watch what's going on.

I honestly don't know what we'd do without it and I'm already feeling sad for when she's too big for it. I couldn't bear it if our 'baby-wearing' days were over when she gets bigger. Enter Sakura Bloom, a beauty of a ring sling i've got my eye on next! Our experience with the solly wrap really goes to show you just have to find what works for you, regardless what anyone else makes of it.

And just a little mental note for the future (like, wayyy in the future) the solly dolly wrap really is just too cute. Just picturing Elin as a cutie little four year old wearing her teddy bear and me wearing her baby brother or sister actually makes me melt. I don't know if I can handle that much cuteness. Or Elin as a 4 year old. Or more children. But anyway, back to the here and now.

Last note, if you're planning on using a wrap like this just be prepared to have stop to talk to practically every passer by because these things just hypnotise people. And if the daddy wants to do the wearin' be ready for single women everywhere to nearly fall at his feet, because it really is the yummiest thing ever seeing a proud daddy wearing his newborn baba. Obviously I am bias, but you cant't help notice these things!

I'm certain you'll be seeing this wrap crop up in so many posts, but it really has been such a life save I felt it deserves a post of its own. Is there any one item you found made this whole parenting thing easier? Do share, I'm all ears!

Love, Tess