ROI

Remember the giant blue basin I bought for Zaz? Still going strong:

Rub a dub dub, two bubs in a tub

Fingers crossed we have a real bathtub soon…

Diaper bag! and: 30 days ’til the Games.

Look what I just received in the post:

Super Duper Diaper Bag

I’m so excited! And also quite impressed that Amazon only delivered 5 days late (was very skeptical when they quoted a one week delivery from the US).
I owe my love for this bag to Tosha’s Mid-Western family, who sent her one a few months back. Every time I saw her with it, I swooned. Now, I know the busy print isn’t for everyone, but it’s just so funky I can’t resist. It’s almost one of those it’s-so-ugly-it’s-beautiful things.
I hadn’t bought a diaper bag yet and I figured with #2 on the way I could splurge a bit – which I didn’t even have to do when it came down to it, thanks to a £50 Amazon voucher my awesome employers sent me when I gave birth last year. It’s nice and roomy, yet light, and has lots of pockets and compartments. But most of all, the print! Yum!

In other news, the 30 day count-down to the Commonwealth Games has begun. In case you haven’t been following the family news, this guy’s on team Scotland:

Scotland’s breast stroker*

More info on www.glasgow2014.com
Joe stopped in to see us 10 days ago with his friend Martin Cremin (also on the Scottish team) after swimming at Mare Nostrum in Canet. Joe will be swimming 50 metres breaststroke at the Games and was looking fit and strong. Whoop!

Here’s another photo of Uncle Joey just for fun:

Fun times!

Updates on the whereabouts of people right now: Henry is here in France with us, as is Calum, our manny for the summer. Joe is back in Scotland, with Hélène. Hannah is in Italy hill-walking with Mom, while Dad is also in Italy but working for Ralph. Grandma is about to head to Italy for a week’s holiday, and Grandpa is soon to be on his way to Alaska for some sweet fly fishing. Christina & family have jumped ship and moved back to England, Marlène & family are back from Argentina for the summer, Julie is back from Gabon to have her baby in France, Bernadette will be arriving from Paris in a couple days. Other people are in their places.
Tally of people who don’t know where they will be living in a few months: Calum, Joe, Megan & Henry, Mom & Dad. Also, Martin. And presumably lots of other people.

* Sorry, couldn’t resist. Blame this sort of dubious humour on Dad.

Product Review: Philips Avent Straw Cup

Best “mom” acquisitions so far:

• During pregnancy: this super sexy dress from Isabella Oliver (believe me – I had an ass like JLo’s – but sexier)

Super Sexy Maternity Dress

• Newborn stage: an old blue cotton chèche I’d bought in Marrakech years ago, which I used for swaddling Zaz

Baby Burrito

• Small baby to now: we switched from bathing her in the sink (we don’t have a bathtub), to bathing her in a giant plastic basin bought in Marjane (usually used for washing clothes or sheep’s intestines – yes, I’ve “done” Eïd El Kbir)

Giant Bathing Basin

• And a couple of months ago I bought this:

Awesome Avent Straw Cup

Zaz loves water like she’s never loved milk. Drinking H2O makes her smile more than eating chocolate (actually, I haven’t given her chocolate yet so that’s an assumption on my part – but I’m pretty sure water will trump everything: she’s not a gourmand but she likes to stay hydrated. Good girl.). I had been giving her sips of water out of my glass (tap water? bottled water? fizzy water? YES PLEASE MOMMY). Then when she accidentally stole her friend Adam’s straw cup and figured out how to suck out of it in about 10 seconds flat, I knew we had a winner. Water + independence = happy Zazzy, happy Mommy.

As for the product itself, I have raved about it to many friends, and I’ll do it again here: NO SPILLS. You can tip it upside down, shake it all over the place (yes, H tried it) or throw it across the room (yes, Z tried it), not a drop will fall. I’ve been carting it around in my purse with no leaks so far. The lid bit swivels to hide away the straw so it stays clean. Also, the straw works best for my daughter; for some reason she never managed to use a sippy cup (and she still doesn’t drink from a bottle on her own – sigh).

So, 10 out of 10 for me.