Nuby Blogger Competition

You may or may not know that sometime ago I entered the Nuby UK blogger competition that was advertised on their Facebook page, Nuby were looking for all kinds of family groups to represent them and test out some products. I had just re-launched the blog so I thought "hey, why not enter" but after seeing some amazing entries I was doubtful I would have even a small chance of my blog being read let alone winning.

However a week or so ago I heard back from the lovely team over at Nuby and they informed me that the loved my writing style and photography and excitingly Beauty Life and Babies came runner up :) *celebration dance* How great is that! I was happy enough that Nuby themselves gave me such compliments about my blog but as an extra special treat they offered to send me and Finley some goodies to try out! 

I received my lovely parcel from Nuby at the weekend and sat Finley down to open it together 

 :)  

  Is it just my baby that has more of an interest in the packaging of an item rather than the amazing present inside? 

I let Finners choose what he wanted to review first and he opted for the George Teether toy, perfect I thought, as I have a sneaky suspicion that his top teeth are well on their way. Mummy's choice is the new Grip and Sip sippy cup, I reviewed the old style here but already I can see the great improvements Nuby have made and shall be making a comparison post to show you all :) 

 I just wanted to thank Nuby for being extra generous and giving me the opportunity to review some of their lovely items for them. 

Nuby have just launched their new website here - go and check them out and see all the great offers they have available at the moment. I'm thinking mummy Father Christmas may treat Finley to some new Monster Plates and cutlery for Christmas! 

PS: Just a note about the photos, now the nights are drawing in a lot earlier :( it is so difficult to get any natural light anywhere in my house so I may look into getting a light box to make them jazzy again. Totally of topic but I wanted to keep you all informed!

I have linked all the winners to the Blogger competition below - make sure you go and check them out :)

FIRST TIME
Hannah Parker - Mums Days www.mumsdays.co.uk

Charlie Alexander – Learning Lessons in Mummyography www.learninglessonsinmummyography.blogspot.co.uk
Suzanne Davison – Stitches and Stretchmarks www.stitchesandstretchmarks.wordpress.com
Kirsty-Anne Ross www.kirstyross85.wordpress.com

HANDS FULL
Rebecca Beesley – The Beesley Buzz www.thebeesleybuzz.blogspot.com
Sonya Cisco - www.sonyacisco.blogspot.co.uk
Emma Rathbone – Snowing Indoors www.snowingindoors.com

TODDLER TANTRUMS
Cara Quinn – Roman Three Six Five www.romansthreesixfive.blogspot.co.uk
Paula Fazekas – Mummy vs Work www.mummyvswork.co.uk

I’M THE DADDY
Pauly Twinklestar – Gifts From The Pirates www.GiftsFromThePirates.com

Have a great day everyone

Love Kayleigh x

Sippy Cup Top Trumps

I was sat here trying to come up with a cool idea on how to review these two sippy cups without the obvious humdrum same old same old blog post, my original idea was 'Sippy Wars' but that seemed slightly ott for a baby blog. So I have settled on 'Sippy Cup Top Trumps'

The two sippy cups that are battling it in the face off are - 

1. The Nuby Grip and Sip (Old Skool Version) Even though this is the older version you can still get yours here

&

2. The Thermos Foogo - buy yours here

Both Sippys will be rated out of 10 in a number of categories and the winner will be the one with the highest score at the end. Easy Peasy.

Are we all ready....lets play Sippy Cup Top Trumps*cue X-factor style lighting change and dramatic music*

I'm going to start off shallow and judge them both on their looks (something never allowed on people....okay?) I would say both are appealing to the eye and look great, the Nuby cup has the funky edge where the Thermos is sleek looking with eye catching stainless steel. Personally I prefer the look of the Thermos mainly because it doesn't look like every other sippy cup out there....but read on further to see why there probably isn't another one like this on the market. 

Score Time - Looks

Nuby - 7

Thermos - 9

Next I will look at practicality - Both will score similar in this category as they are easy to take apart, easy to wash and both a handy size to place in your Baby bag. Neither of these cups leak and hold a very similar amount of water. 

Score Time - Practicality 

Nuby - 8

Thermos - 8

Now its time to look at the special features of each of the cups. Lets start with Nuby, as the cup is made of clear tinted plastic it is lightweight and easy for babys to lift and take a sip. You can easily see how much water your baby has had or if they need more. The best feature for me is the soft squishy plastic spout, it is so flexible and soft, something a must have for first time sippy users. Right lets take a gander at the Thermos, the insulated layer on the cup gets a big thumbs down from me. Apart from looking good I don't see any other use. Finley is not going to be stopping by at Starbucks anytime soon for a morning Latte with extra caramel syrup. Yes he might want cool water but I don't think he will mind it a few degrees warmer than it was a few hours ago. Hmmmmm I'm not sold on this thermos dealio. Also (sorry Thermos) you cannot see inside to have a nosey what is left and the insulated layer adds so much weight for tiny baby hands. 

Score Time - Speciality Features 

Nuby - 8 

Thermos - 4 :( 

Last but not least the most important category - Which cup does Finley prefer. 

I can rant on about sippy cups all night but im not the one who uses them so this part of the test belongs to Finners. 

He has used both cups loads of times but from my observations I have seen that he uses the Nuby cup far more confidently. He tends to struggle with the weight of the Thermos and also has problems when his nose is pressed against the lid. With the Nuby he can chew the flexible spout and  his nose squishes into the lid with no problem. 

Finley's scores 

 Nuby - 9 

Thermos - 6

I think we have a winner and that is Nuby with a total of 32 to Thermos who scored 27 - not a lot in the scores and this is just my opinion on both cups. I imagine the Thermos cup may be more handy when he is older but Nuby is the champion of Sippy Cups Top Trumps. 

I just wanted to quickly touch on price, the new version of the Grip and Sip is avalible on Nuby.co.uk for only £2.99. The Thermos I have linked above is showing as £16.89 WOW! I would say shop around as prices will vary.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this? Do you want to see more product related top trumps?

Love Kayleigh x

We have teeth

If i had been writing this blog as I should have been from the beginning you would know that Finley was teething from around the 3 month mark. *slaps wrist for not updating blog*

Drooling all over me and his Dad, Rosy cheeks galore and a developing a new finger chewing obsession, I was convinced that his teeth were on there way. Boasting how he would be one of those boys with 4 teeth before 6 months. Wow how wrong was I. 

 Here is a little pic of Fin when he was 4 months looking all flushed in teething hell

I was constantly checking those gums for little teeth and with every little change I was shouting "Matt, I think we have a tooth" or "he will defo have teeth this time next week". Alas that day would not come for months yet. Oh and our 'friend' Google has a lot to answer to as well, most sites saying by 6 months he will have two bottom teeth. I blame myself for being a persistent googler!

So at the 7 month or so mark I heard Marie Bits and Clips mention that Scarlet didn't get any teeth till after her 1st Birthday so I thought I better just relax and see what happens. I was determined to not be phased by the lack of peggies and just enjoy every gummy moment Finley and I had :) 

He loves his Nuby key teether but uses it more as a maraca and never chews on it. Until a few weeks ago I saw him gnawing on the handle and biting so hard his gums were squeaking. I had the obligatory feel on the gum and there is was *firework moment* THE TOOTH! Well not a tooth as such just a little hard sharp lump. Yay - that day was the 10th September 2012, Finely was just short of 8 months old.

Finley was very excited about his first tooth  - Excuse the quality it was still a little dark in the morning

 Matt and I were so excited that the day had come and Finley showed another sign of growing into a big boy. But the googler in me couldn't help but then type 'after the first tooth when does the second come through' I thought I have waited so long for this one now the moment is here i'm already searching for the next milestone - is this something that you do? Relax Kayleigh I thought, it will come when he is ready!

But yesterday on the 25th September 2012 his bottom right tooth appeared :) 15 days after the first. I'm sure they will keep popping up all over from now on. 

I was looking at Nubys Facebook site recently and they posted this very handy chart - I wish I had seen it earlier to save my worries

So what have I learnt - Finley's milestones and development will happen when he is ready - no amount of Googling will speed it up. A more relaxed approached is needed - lets see if it happens! 

Do you have the same approach with your little ones, is Google your friend? Let me know I would love to hear.

Love Kayleigh x