hello out there?

Hello? Anybody still out there? 

Sorry I've been missing again....it seems it's EOFY* again. *sigh* that dreaded time of the year when hubby's company's books need to be reconciled and cross checked and checked again and re-balanced......urgh! I'm also just recovering from a horrible bout of gastro. Still not back to a normal diet yet, but nearly there.

Anyway, here I am for now, saying hello.

I'm also here to annouce another winner of the Little Innoscents giveaway. The original winner has not got back to me, even after I have tried emailing, so.......after using that random number generator thingy, the new winner is:

Cat

Cat, please email me over your address and I'll pop it in the mail for you and the bebito! Just in time for this cool weather too.

* End of financial year, in case you were wondering....;)

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review: mattel ocean wonders space saver swing and seat

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang.

'Swings were my life saver!'

Ever heard mums say that? I heard it loads, so when Zoe came around I had one ready to go. I thought it would also help soothe her if I had to attend to Josh at the same time as she was grizzly. Unfortunately as a wee babe she just didn't like being in the swing at all - there went my best laid plans. Fast forward to now and I was fortunate enough to receive this Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Space Saver Swing to trial with her, and she loves it!

Zoe loves to swing now she's a bit older - she has so much fun when she's in it and I don't even have to take her to the park! Just proves swings aren't limited for using with small babies.

The other great thing about this swing is it doesn't take up a lot of space - there are loads of swings out there that require nearly a whole room to themselves - this one can remain inconspicuous in a corner of the room.

As with most swings it has 5 different speeds as well as vibration and music. When my two were babies they definitely preferred the vibrations to the rocking. The seat also locks into a stable position too, so if you prefer to not use it as a swing, it can also just be somewhere to put bub with just the vibration and/or music option.

Other great features of the swing are that the seat pad is fully machine washable (as well as super easy to get off and back on) and there are handles to help you move it around safely. All in all I think this swing/seat is great value. I only wish it had been around a lot earlier - it's definitely the one to get if you want something practical and compact, and it's even easy on the eye, unlike a lot of baby equipment out there! I never liked those swings that had big frames around them and took up a lot of floor space, which is partly why I didn't get one with Josh. Then with Zoe I tried to get the most compact one, but this Ocean Wonders swing is by far more compact again. It's brilliant!

a giveaway winner

Phew! This looooong weekend is a busy one. I'm flat out catching up on a whole heap of work. Luckily I remembered to draw a winner of the Little Innoscents giveaway and I'd love to announce that the winner is:

Ebonie's Mummy

Congratulations! Make sure you send me your postal details so I can send you out your Little Innoscents vapour rub. I used mine again on Josh last night as he's got a terrible cough. It smells so good!

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little innoscents review & giveaway

Have you heard of Little Innoscents?

Last winter, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Little Innoscents via a giveaway over at Mama Loves To Shop. They did a Little Innoscents feature and hosted a giveaway and I won a tub of the vapour rub balm. It was perfect timing too, as being winter, of course my kids had little colds here and there, so I had lots of opportunity to use this product. I haven't gone back to use my other vapour rub again. The Little Innoscents product is truly divine! Far less greasy than other products I've tried and rubs in beautifully while giving off the most sensational aromas. I've used this lots with Zoe now and it really helps her to breathe better at night as well as warm her little chest.

A young Australian mum with two adorable children, Antonette is the face and creator behind Little Innoscents – after a career in professional development and telecommunications, she now has over 6 years extensive experience in the alternative therapies industry and is qualified in both Health Science and Aromatherapy. Her mission was to provide Australian families with products that are organic, effective in treating various ailments, affordable, environmentally friendly AND funky. And she has certainly succeeded.

I have since sampled more of the gorgeous Little Innoscents product range and have to say that all truly live up to Antonette's mission. You can use these products with all your family too, not just on baby, and importantly they all work exactly as you expect them too.

Little Innoscents have given me a tub of their vapour rub to giveaway to one reader this week.

For a chance to win this beautiful product, you just need to comment below and tell me your favourite thing about winter. Giveaway will close on Sunday 13 June (evening) and I will draw and announce a winner next Monday morning on this blog.

Make sure you head over to the Little Innoscents website to learn more about their amazing products and to find the closest store to you to purchase the range. They have recently launched throughout Priceline stores too, so what better excuse to head there!

chocolate raspberry muffins....a rainy day delight

A little while ago, I was sent this cook book - NESTLE Survival for the active family cookbook (Australian Institute of Sport). It's a great little cookbook full of really family (and busy mummy) friendly recipes. As I flicked through the pages, I nodded my head several times thinking, yes, I could cook that, that looks yummy! Time ran away from me and I only just picked it up again recently and let the cooking bug finally get the better of me this weekend! I chose these delicious chocolate raspberry muffins to make as I knew they would go down very well with the kids (and me! perhaps with my morning coffee....)

Here's how you make them.

2 1/2 cups self raising flour

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

3/4 cup caster sugar

1/2 cup white choc bits (I didn't have any so substituted with Lindt hot chocolate flakes.....mmmm)

1 tbsp margarine, melted

1 1/2 cups skim milk 

1 egg

300g frozen raspberries

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line a 12 hole muffin pan with paper muffin cases. (I just lightly sprayed my pan with olive oil spray.)

Sift the flour, cocoa and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar and choc bits and make a well in the centre.

In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk together the margarine, milk and egg, and then add it to the flour mixture. Stir gently until mixture is just combined. Don't overbeat!

Fold the raspberries through the mixture.

Spoon mixture into cases. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until muffins are well risen and spring back to the touch. Or in my case, intend to bake them for 20 minutes, but then get distracted by a million and one things during arsenic hour and forget to turn the oven off. Thankfully they weren't burnt, but probably a tad drier than if they had been taken out at the right time! Still delish though. 

Leave in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Eat and enjoy!

I was on such a cooking frenzy this weekend. I also made a lovely harissa chicken with lentil mash and baby spinach and some salmon and dill bites for the kids (who wouldn't eat them). I don't really cook a lot, so it was nice to get in the kitchen and create some lovely food.

What did you get up to?

rain rain go away

I have felt like a drowned rat this last week in Sydney. Rain rain and more rain! It made the preschool dropping off and picking up interesting with a 20 month old in tow.

I've got nothing specific planned this weekend, but need to catch up on a few of my paying jobs and I think I need to organise my life a little in terms of working out what is achievable in my time and other responsibilities. I can slowly see myself taking on more and more things because I genuinely want to do them, but I lack the time to do them all justice. And then I get stressed when I can't manage everything. Perhaps a bit of prioritising is on the cards? Delaying some things until I am on top of others? What do you do when you start getting overwhelmed?

II also know I'm in dire need of some time out right now and I'm dreaming of a day to myself that includes a hot stone massage. I know my day will come soon.

PS. Come back next week for a giveaway that will be good on the nose!

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alvin & the chipmunks

Remember these little guys? Alvin & the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel is being released in Australia on June 2 and to celebrate every Toys R Us store is having an activity day for all Alvin fans.

Kids and their families are invited to join in the games and activities this Saturday 5 June - you can exercise your lungs in the 'Allllviiiiin Scream Off' or pin the A on Alvin's jumper. There is even going to be a 'Munk to the Beat' dance off competition. There will also be prizes and giveaways galore instore.

If you have a little Alvin fan on your hands and would like to attend, you will need to log on here and ensure you make a booking for your preferred session.

If you are lucky enough to have either Chadstone or Doncaster as your nearest store, you will get to see Alvin himself who will be visiting these two stores.

Giveaway!

In celebration, I also have 3 x Simon & Theodore mini plush toys (official merchandise) to send out. If you would love to win, all you have to do is leave me a comment below telling me who your favourite chipmunk is. First three to comment will win!

If you'd like a free Alvin colouring in page for your little one, drop me an email at mumtoddlerbabe[at]yahoo[dot]com[au] and I'll email it over to you!

buffet of life

I was so very blessed to be at Sunny Mummy Stacey's Buffet of Life Breakfast on Saturday morning.  I had been really looking forward to it and it surpassed all of my expectations.

I bought my mum and sister tickets too, so the three of us headed in together. We were greeted warmly at the door by Stacey (who I'd been fortunate enough to meet already) and then sat down in the beautiful Bayside Lounge at Darling Harbour with other ladies for a glorious breakfast and a glass of bubbles.

Stacey was truly inspirational! She shared some of her journey - how she arrived at starting up Sunny Mummy - and there wasn't a dry eye amongst the three of us. The thing that is so refreshing is that Stacey is so 'real' and down to earth. She's not hiding behind anything. She knows full well the struggles and highs of motherhood, and more importantly she is living to tell her tale and encourage, teach and inspire the rest of us mummies.

The guest speaker, Joanne Fedler, was also outstanding. Again, she was down to earth, funny and 'real' and just as inspirational as Stacey. I would love to get my hands on copies of her books to read now.

We enjoyed a delicious breaky and then were treated to some lollies and goody bags before we left.

All in all, the morning was perfect. I left having had a wonderful time and I'm sure there will be more 'Buffet of Life' events with even more ladies in attendance! If you ever get the opportunity to attend a Sunny Mummy event, do it! It is well worth it.

Thank so much Stacey for an incredible morning.