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  • WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #37: Teddy bear edition

    WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #37: Teddy bear edition

    In the Saturday Herald Sun’s In Black and White section yesterday, Steve Perkin had readers send in photographs of their teddy bears. Looking at the names, he was inundated with photos and stories from the blue rinse brigade – Dulcie, Irene, Barbara, Pat, Eileen…

    My favourite was from Judy:

    “I have my mother’s teddy bear, given to her when she was just three, in 1918. He is totally hairless, but otherwise intact and still very much loved. He sits next to my teddy, who must be nearly 60, on a chair in my bedroom’’.

    Wow, Judy! My teddy bear, at a mere 30-something years of age, now resides at my nan’s house, where the great grandchildren play with it. The Bloke in the Shed still has his, which Princess Ella and Li’l Holly constantly play with. It begs the question: just which will be Ella’s “teddy to keep’’:

    teddy bears

    Yep, there’s a few there to choose from. And that’s not adding Holly’s into the mix.

    I’m quite fascinated to see and hear all the stories of people’s beloved teddy bears. If you do want to share, you’re more than welcome to upload your teddy bear photo to the Three Li’l Princesses Facebook page. I’d love to see it.

    And then, of course, you’d best get clicking on this week’s giveaway links.

    If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:

    1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
    2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
    3. Grab the button to add to your post.
    4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
    5. Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.

     



    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses



  • Philips Avent single electronic breast pump review and giveaway (RRP: $249.95)

    Philips Avent single electronic breast pump review and giveaway (RRP: $249.95)

    breastfeeding

    NOTE: This model is no longer available. However, you can get the Philips AVENT Single Breast Pump here and Philips AVENT Microwave Natural Steam Baby Bottle Steriliser here.

    As most of you know by now, this week I hung the two girls out to dry. Girls, meaning “milk tankers’’. Li’l Holly, at 16 months, was ready to wean herself from breastfeeding. She no longer had interest in my bazookas. Unlike The Bloke in The Shed.

    My two favourite items during breastfeeding both girls were my:

    • Avent ISIS iQ UNO handheld electronic breast pump
    • Avent Express II steriliser.

    Avent breastpump

    They enabled me to continue feeding Ella once I headed back to the office after 12 months of maternity leave and, more recently, assisted me in getting some much needed rest when Holly’s sleep issues left me spent. Dad may not have boobs, but he can still feed the baby.

    The breast pump was incredibly easy to use and meant lots of trashy daytime TV viewing while the girls were backed into the milking shed. The cushioning inside the suction cup and the gentleness of the vacuum also meant I never had to deal with red mountains after milking time was over. I fully understand the tagline “inspired by nature’’. Even better, the breast pump doesn’t have teeth.

    It was also much easier to use than I ever imagined a breast pump would be. Maybe I didn’t spend enough time in Dad’s dairy shed growing up. There’s also the benefit of being able to use it manually if you prefer. And when it comes to cleaning, a bit of soapy water in the sink was all that is needed.

    Along the way, I learnt a few tricks to help make the expressing easier:

    • Lie down and do nothing for five minutes before expressing to help you relax.
    • Have a hot drink before and during pumping, as it seems to help that initial letdown. For me, it was a Milo.
    • Do some breathing exercises. I breathe in for four seconds, hold for four seconds and breathe out for four seconds. Repeat only a couple of times, or you’ll pass out!
    • Some people swear by having a photo of their baby in view. This didn’t seem to have much effect on me, but is worth trying.
    • Sometimes even having baby in front of you works. Although, it also prompts them to want to have a feed.
    • Make the pump action slow and steady. Fast pumping can result in sore boobs.
    • Relax!

    You can learn more about the Avent Single Electronic Breast Pump on the Avent website.

    Avent breastpump

    COMPETITION IS CLOSED! To mark the end of the milk train, Three Li’l Princesses and Avent are giving away an Avent single electronic breast pump valued at $249.95 to one lucky reader. All you need to do is fill out the below form telling us: Why you decided (or why you’re planning) to breastfeed your baby? The most creative and original answer wins on Sunday, March 18 at 7.30pm.

    Terms and conditions: The Avent Single Electronic Breast Pump competition will be judged on creativity and originality. The total prize value is $249.95. The competition opens Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 7pm AEST and closes on Saturday, March 18, 2012 at 7.30pm AEST. One entry per person. Australian entries only. There is one prize to be won. The winner will be notified via email and name published here. Entries remain the property of Three Li’l Princesses and may be republished. Please note: Some links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you choose to do business with them in the future, I may receive a commission. This won’t affect what you’re charged.

    WIN – Find the best Online Competitions brought together all in one spot. It’s free and updated daily!

  • Kisses from daddy. Well, Kiss Biscuits, at least.

    Kisses from daddy. Well, Kiss Biscuits, at least.

    dad and daughterBy The Bloke in The Shed

    Li’l Holly has had to play second fiddle in a number of ways. For me as a dad, brutally honestly, I simply have not had the chance to bond with her as I did with our first born, Princess Ella. It’s second-child syndrome.

    Ella and I spent a vast amount of days alone giving mum a break. It was fantastic. Hence, we know each other completely (which can also be a negative because we also know how to push each other’s buttons).

    Li’l Holly’s arrival in the world coincided with mum stopping work, an increase in my work-life responsibilities and throw in a big sister for good measure.

    Normally, when Holly and I are together and mum is having some “mum time”, the baby of the family also has to compete with Ella for my attention …. let me tell you, not many successfully compete with Ella in the attention stakes.

    Yet this month saw Holly and I spent our first true day together. Ella was in care, I was on holidays and mum needed some time to do PR and blogger stuff, so Holly and I got the chance to spend the day alone. It was nothing short of fantastic.

    girl eating at pool with seagull
    Li'l Holly showing how to make a Vita Wheat magically disappear - if the seagull doesn't get it first

    It’s not to say we weren’t close before, but we haven’t had a chance to forge the incredible bond Holly has with her mother. Whether by nature or nurture, Holly is one strong-willed individual. Where Ella warms to people and people warm to her instantly, Holly almost looks at people as if assessing their entire life history. It takes a lot to earn her trust.

    While I love her with all my life and every breath she takes, that day alone I know helped us grow our relationship as father and daughter immeasurably. Or, it could have been the awesome Kiss Biscuit we shared at the local bakery? Whatever. Long may it continue.

    Do your children get dad and daughter/son time regularly?

  • Alphabet Photography Challenge – F

    Alphabet Photography Challenge – F

    This was the hardest challenge we have had to face yet – finding something that started with “F” to share. Luckily we have smart boys. They soon found lots of things that were in our bus, plus some yummy morning tea. How many things can you see that can be eaten, looked at and devoured?

     Alphabet Photography Challenge F

    By Lisa Wood

    Lisa and David Wood live in a motorhome with four of their five boys. If you would like to connect with their amazing journey, head over to New Life on the Road!

    Don’t forget to head on over to the Alphabet Photography Challenge page, where you’ll find a series of “look and find” photographs to help your child learn the alphabet.

    Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys’ Wordless Wednesday. Click on the link to check out more photo posts.

  • This mothering gig is tough

    This mothering gig is tough

    School first dayThis has to be one of the most emotional weeks in motherhood. And sadly it’s only Monday. If only someone warned you it was like this.

    Last night was the first time I didn’t even attempt to breastfeed Li’l Holly before bedtime. I couldn’t see the point. It seems her days of boobie juice are now behind her. Give me the real stuff, Mum. I’d be OK with it if it was my decision. With Ella, I chose to start weaning her because I was finding it too difficult balancing it with work. Now, it’s Holly’s decision. And I’m not sure I was fully ready.

    Then, this morning, I farewelled my li’l girl as she headed off for her first day at big girl school. She got up at 6.30am, came bounding into the bedroom and asked if she could make her big girl lunch now. One day she’ll pine for those fully cooked childcare lunches again. For now though, a ham and cheese sandwich is just the most exciting thing in the world.

    When we arrived, she walked into the classroom and ran straight for the computer. Five minutes later, she was darting for her friends – to tell them all about her sandwiches, probably. There was barely time for a kiss and a goodbye. I guess I should be thankful she has readymade friends due to half her childcare room choosing the same school.

    As The Bloke in the Shed, Li’l Holly and I got back in the car, The Bloke asked the one question I hoped he wouldn’t ask: “Are you OK?’’ And then it started.  The tears fell. My heart felt heavy. My li’l girl. She’s all grown up. Fully independent. Gone off to big school. Doing up her own shoes. Organising her own lunch. Wiping her own bum. Well, that’s another story, not likely for the blog.

    I can tell you, it’s pretty darn quiet around here today…

    How did you cope on your child’s first day of school? I hear it doesn’t get easier either.

  • WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #36: Breastfeeding edition

    WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #36: Breastfeeding edition

    EVERY night this week, Li’l Holly has been playing with her food – also known as my boobs. She’s lost interest in breastfeeding, which means we’re nearing the end of what has been one of my great joys of the baby years.

    I’ve said before how incredibly fortunate I’ve been that my four girls (bazookas and children) have made breastfeeding a pretty easy task. I also might add that it’s been an immense help in decreasing my waistline. Sadly, it looks like I’ll finally have to start exercising again.

    There has been a slight issue with breastfeeding though, especially having done it for a combined 30 months. This is it – shrinking violets:

    breastfeeding

    Seriously, Ella and Holly have sucked the life out of me. Well, my boobs at least.

    On the win front, I can finally enjoy a wine with dinner again, get my tea-stained teeth whitened and slather anti-wrinkle cream into the deep ravines around my eyes. Vain? Yes!

    Talking of winning, it’s that time of the week again. Get clicking and see what fabulous things you can win for you and your family.

    If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:

    1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately. If you need to delete it, hover over your link, wait until the red “x’’ appears and click.
    2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
    3. Grab the button to add to your post.
    4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
    5. Start entering the giveaways! Entry is at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for unfulfilled prizes or a blogger/business not abiding by their own terms and conditions.

     



    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses