I’ve been tagged by Linda, how I need an uplifting meme like this right now, so here goes my ten favourite moments from the last 12 months;

1. Trip to the Gower

I’m from South Wales and a lot of our family still live there. We had a great time staying with family in the gower. If you haven’t been, the gower is stunning with lovely villages and little bays and larger bays where the surfies hang out. We enjoyed swimming, halloween parties, pottery and more… I even squeezed in some DJ’ing!

2. Christmas 2008

Christmas is always great, last year we stayed at home and had a lovely relaxing time while Erin played all day with her new toys.

3. Poker Wins and Samsung NC10
I’ve been playing poker for a few years now, over the new year I won a few online tournaments and I spent the money on a Samsung NC10 which is one of the best things I’ve ever bought myself.

4. Disney Bloggers Trip

The most fabulous thing to have happened to me via my blog. I met seven wonderful people and had the most special experience that I’ll never forget.

5. Bunchrew House

You know those times when the weather’s perfect and you’re somewhere lovely with the people you love and the kids are behaving etc… and for a while you think you’re the happiest person in the world. Well this was one of those occasions, and I have the photos to prove it

6. Our Disney Holiday

Two glorious weeks of great weather, great food, great activities and even better company.

7. Trip to visit my brother and his fiance

I hadn’t seen my brother for a while so it was great to catch up and see his new pad, also nice to spend some time with my mum.

8. Ten Years Together

Alex and I reached a ten year milestone in August. We didn’t make an outwardly big deal of it but we’ve grown as a partnership this year due to some unfortunate circumstances and I’m thankful that we have each other and look forward to lots more happy years.

9. Erin starting Nursery

My little girl had her own little milestone starting nursery at the ‘big school’. She constantly surprises me with the ease in which she makes these transitions. She’s happy, intelligent, funny and great company.

10. Too many moments to mention with Erin

It’s all those little moments that you can’t remember individually but together fill your heart with the most immense joy. The kisses, the ‘I love you’s’, the dens I make, the stories we read, the tickles and toy fights, the chats about nursery and the world…..I could go on and on but I’m blubbing now.

In a recent issue of Practical Parenting they had their awards for baby products, here are my favourites (in case you wanted to know?!)

Nappies

Pampers all the way. I have tried huggies and boots own brand but Pampers remain the favourite.

Nursery Item

The only one that springs to mind is Erin’s plug-in nightlight. It’s a Lindam one that was passed on to me but only costs £7.99. I like it because it’s not too bright and distracting from the activity in hand – Sleep!

Maternity Fashion

My favourite maternity item was a pair of dungarees that came from H&M.

Toys: Baby’s 1st Year

So many to choose from the christmas loot, but, at the moment Erin’s favourites are her Roll & Rhyme Melody Block which was highly commended in the practical parenting awards (watch this space for a toy review) and her baby doll ‘Thomas’.

Baby/toddler Fashion

In my opinion Next have it down. Affordable, fashionable good-wearing clothes. Tesco and sainsbury are also good for value basics.

Baby Food

Cow & Gate plum and apple fruit bars went down pretty well recently

Feeding Equipment

Ikea has great kiddy tupperware. We’ve had this set of bowls since the beginning of weaning. They were only 99p!!

Best Supermarket

Tesco shopping online and delivery service is a life (time?) saver.