BPA-Free Water Bottle

I'm not really a fussy mother. I'm not that neat freak either. But there are things for children that I have used that didn't meet my requirements. Take the water bottle with small opening that cleaning the inside is impossible. I have fallen victim to at least 3 of them and they are such a waste of money. I found out after a couple of months that the inside gets slippery and sort of mouldy but cleaning it is just next to impossible. Very frustrating...

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Face Painting

This is the first time the Tatapilla to sport a paint on his face - if you don't count temporary tattoos on his face, that is. He loved this spider man face painting that I was told not to wash it off in the bath but they come off pretty quickly making the bath water yuck and sticking to the hot tub covers. The next day, he came home from school sporting a batman paint on his face. And another one sometime last week. The teachers paint their...

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On Full Gear

The Tatapilla is starting a new swimming lesson this month. It's a big late time of the year but it had been raining this summer and the swimming school pool was flooded. This is sort of our gift to him instead of giving him edible gifts. Yesterday was his first. It wasn't a big event as he was getting familiar with the teacher and starting to trust him. I just hope that he'll be on full swing in the next sessions. *****It's All About What's...

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Heart Breaking

BABY Yvanna has just two months to live - unless she can find a donor.The eight-month-old is gravely ill with liver failure in The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Doctors say she will certainly die if they cannot find a compatible organ.Yvanna Cartilla is one of a handful of NSW babies younger than one who will require an organ transplant this year.Doctors realised something was wrong with Yvanna when she was born extremely jaundiced. She had her...

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Cool Comfort

Sugar-free popsiclesSugar-free popsicles come in a variety of flavours, with some containing as little as 30 calories, and most less than 100 calories. Keep these icy treats stored in your freezer for your next sugar craving.It's 29 degrees now and the Tatapilla wants some ice cream. We have some in the freezer, fruit yogurt and vanilla. And our friend who sells commercial icecream is here and is sharing some of his trade. Im not really a fan...

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Early Taste

Your diet can affect what your baby likes to eat.A new study at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the US has found that a pregnant or breastfeeding mother's diet can not only sensitise the foetus to particular smells and flavours, but also physically change their brain and impact on an infant's food preferences in the future. This study reinforces the importance of mothers eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol while pregnant or breastfeeding. If the mother eats a healthy diet, their child will prefer these foods.Children will...

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Art Work

Your adventurer-to-be has been dreaming of far away lands ever since he was in the crib.Before he officially starts rocking a leather jacket, fedora and bullwhip, bring the world to him with Putumayo‘s new World Culture Collection.The company — known for their successful kid-friendly folk music CDs — is now adding art prints, coloring and sticker books and greeting cards to its repertoire.First stop is Africa. Featuring the distinctive artwork of...

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On Breastfeeding

MIRANDA Kerr has defended publishing her breastfeeding snap with baby Flynn. The Aussie supermodel caused a stir when she posted the intimate picture taken by husband Orlando Bloom on her blog.Kerr said she was happy to promote breastfeeding, and encouraged other mums not to be put off by stigmas about feeding babies in public."Honestly, I for one can say there are more breasts being shown on a daily basis around the world in swimwear and low-cut...

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Adult-like conversations

We were getting ready for the bath. I took the Tatapilla's shirt off then he asked me if he wants me to put his pants on his head, like a chef. :) I asked him what is a chef, he said, somebody who cook people dinner. So right.*****I wasn't paying attention to him and he had told me twice to read his book. Finally he said, I sound like a broken record Mum. I asked why? Because you're not listening to me, he said. *****The Tatapilla told me he had lipstick on this arvo. Asked him where he got it, from Sophie, he said.Me: you know only girls...

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In the New Centre

The Tatapilla is showing excellent signs that he is enjoying his stay in the new centre. It's not really the new centre but just the sister kindy of his old one. Some of the kids in the old centre are there so it's like the usual routine. It's just been 2 weeks and he's been bringing home stuff that they've made at school and been talking to me about what they've learned during the day. It's exciting.Recently, they're learning french, tracing letters and numbers. Today, he showed me that he is able to write letter "a" and the initial of his...

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Snippets of Conversation

Lately, the Tatapilla has really demonstrated maturity of an adult especially in conversations. An adult can carry a conversation with him like he's one already - well maybe if it's about area rug, then that would be out of the question. I was eating toast for breakfast on the patio. I tossed the crust to the birds.Tatapilla: Do you like the crust, Mum.Me: No, I don’t.Tatapilla: Me EITHER.*****We were going out and I asked him to find his hat. It was on my desk.Tatapilla: Here is it. I was wondering where it was!*****The Tatapilla was singing...

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