10 Facts that Matter about Babies... and Lots that Don't!

Every parent has a vast amount of questions and doubts when they first bring that precious bundle of joy home. We all go through it, it's totally normal. Do you know what, though? If your baby is fed, clean and safe, you are doing great. Doesn't matter how you do it; doesn't matter if their socks don't match, or they favour sleeping back to front in a cardboard box under a leopard print towel, so long as they, and you, are happy. Here are my top ten baby priorities and some of the misconceptions that actually don't  matter a jot. The pictures are grainy because they are nearly ten years old. Thank goodness for better quality cameras these days!

Win an Army Vehicle Transporter

After the two Frozen giveaways we've had, one of which is still open until the 5th of February here, I thought it was time for a change. So, this week it's something totally different; an Army Vehicle Transporter. Entry throught the usual Rafflecopter widget and all are welcome to join in. Due to a lower number of entries last week, I've simplified the Rafflecopter, so there aren't so many options, to make it a bit less time-consuming! Closes Midnight, 12th of February. Good Luck!

What the 111 Tragedy is Telling Us about the NHS

Following the tragic story of William Mead yesterday, it's time to speak up about the useless NHS 111 service that thousands of patients are being fobbed off with in this country. The NHS is under enormous strain, this we know. It's hard not to notice, with all the press coverage it gets and it's clear the Government are trying hard to 'lessen the strain' on the service. Just today, on BBC Breakfast, it was reported that A&E services are currently on Black Alert, due to too much pressure from an increased number of patients. So, the news report advises that people should only visit A & E if they have a 'genuine life-threatening condition'. And that's where it all falls apart, because we are not medical professionals. 

Bosch Kettle TWK7602 Review

I randomly found this kettle reduced from £29.99 to £7.38 in Tesco and thought it would be rude not to buy it. Please don't rush out to buy one, as it was somewhat abandoned in the 'bargain bin', all by itself, so I have no idea if there are anymore available in other stores. Keep an eye out, if you are passing anyway, though, you never know what you might find! As it turns out, it's a really good kettle. It comes in three different colours. Cream, light blue and this darker blue, which looks a little different to the picture. It doesn't even look totally like the colour on the box, it's a little greyer. I would call it Petrol Blue. Something to bear in mind if you want it to go with a particular colour scheme. 

What's So Special About Breakfast?

I can often be found banging on about the importance of breakfast, but why is it such a big deal? The obvious answer is that you haven't provided your body with any energy or nutrients overnight. During the day, we top up fairly regularly, so those eight or so hours without food make up a substantial fast period. There are other considerations though. If you have a whole day ahead of you, at work or school, you are going to be putting demands on your body. Not just physically, but mentally too. Your brain relies on good nutrition to function, so that you don't do or say anything that makes you look daft. Also you don't want to start falling asleep somewhere inappropriate either, because you might look like a bit of a plonker!