Your birthday plans

We've been discussing your birthday today. Your cake in particular. You want a Colin the Caterpillar cake. It's vital you get chocolate and the number 3 on it. Those are your only demands. I love planning your party with you. You are so grown up.

Love you,
Mummy

Aaren's Mummy

Aaren, my Silly Billy Boy,

As you have just turned 2 and as I approach the youthful age of 24 *ahem* in the next few days, I wanted to share something with you.

I have had a few names in my life. When I was born, I was 'Nishel Priya', until I married your daddy and then I became 'Nishel Priya Turpin'. I made sure to add the 'Priya' in between, so that I, and those around me, would never forget the beginnings of where I came from. I remember getting married to your daddy and making sure I changed my surname the very second I was married. I was so excited to change my surname. To tell the world that I belonged with another family. It all seems so trivial now. This is because the most incredible thing happened the other day. As I dropped you off to pre-school, I heard the other children shout out 'Aaren's Mummy'. Well, that was a first. And now, when children walk by me with their parents, they point at me and say 'that's Aaren's mummy'. I can't even begin to describe what it feels like to be called 'Aaren's Mummy'. It makes me feel like a pop star (Beyonce no less). A celebrity. I beam from within and feel invincible, like I could do anything. Just by being your mummy.

You with your charming personality and cheeky smile are as popular as ever and I guess it should come as no surprise that everyone knows who you are. But the fact that they all know me as 'Aaren's Mummy' warms the very depths of my soul.

Many mothers say they yearn for their own identity after they have children. Maybe one day that will happen to me (although I seriously doubt it).

Out of the names I have had, the one 'given' by you is by far my favourite (no offence to your grandparents or daddy).

Even when you are 102 and I am sitting there, looking at you amongst the stars in the sky, you will always be my Silly Billy Boy and I will forever be Aaren's Mummy.

Risotto with Hidden Vegetables

My 18 month old son loves Risotto. Its mushy, soft and he often gobbles it up without chewing - perfect for weaning actually! 

As usual, I add whatever vegetables I have in the fridge and freezer. This time around, I used a courgette, carrot and some frozen broad beans (random, I know). This is so easy to make and literally took 5 minutes to prepare. I left everything in the pan for 20 minutes, took the vegetables out, blended them and then put them back in the pan. 

I also give this to my husband as it has so many hidden vegetables and pretend I didn't make it just for Aaren but that its part of his dinner too!

Vegetable Oxo cube with some salt and pepper

Et Voila!

Who's been eating my Porridge?

Aaren is now 18 months and for the past 9 months we have a bit of a ritual for his breakfast. He wakes up, brushes his teeth and has an adult portion of porridge every morning. He is actually very good when it comes to breakfast - particularly porridge. He loves the gooey, filling stuff. This is all thanks to my dad, who also loves eating porridge and used to offer Aaren a spoon or two when he first started weaning and things just progressed from there.

I have tried a variety of porridge brands, from supermarkets such as Lidl through to Waitrose, but the best one I have found is the branded Quaker Oats. The quality is excellent and the portions are already separated as they come in sachets. This is helpful in the mornings and makes for an easy preparation.

I am quite particular about the consistency of Aaren's porridge (my father and I argue endlessly about it). He likes to make it all runny and milky, where you can hardly see the oats, whilst I prefer it thicker and like it to look like a bowl of porridge!

Iceland and Poundland are selling this pack for £1 

Simple Instructions

Already portioned out

Add some cold milk

A spoon full of sugar (Demerara)

Stir for 1 minute

And it's ready!

One happy customer!

After that, he's still hungry!

Stretch Mark Oils

I am not sure how many have you noticed in my Stella & Dot videos, that I am actually pregnant. 6 months in fact. I have been desperately trying to cover it up, but now I think, what's the point? You are bound to see it sooner or later. It's not as if I am disappearing away. I feel like a Hippo. I am much bigger this time than I was in my first pregnancy. They say having a girl (that's what I am being blessed with) makes you wider at the hips and generally looser, than a boy does.

Stretch Marks are obviously a huge concern for many pregnant women. I have seen some of my friends' tummies and I kid (no pun intended!) you not when I saw my best friends' during her first pregnancy, I gasped in horror, looking at the long purple marks all over her tummy. I remember thinking, her husband must really love her!

During my first pregnancy, I tried many stretch mark creams, from Palmer's Cocoa Butter, Bio Oil and Johnson's Skin Perfecting Oil for Stretch Marks. However, the best one I used was the one I made myself - I only got a few tiny stretch marks on my hips, but none on my bulging tummy. The ingredients of my homemade recipe only use pure oils and nothing else (I hear Bio Oil uses a lot of chemicals). So I was happy smothering it on everyday, sometimes even twice a day.

This time around, I did make another batch of my Stretch Mark Oil, which I like to call 'Aaren's Oil' (if I ever get round to bottling and selling it). And again, I have not got any stretch marks on my tummy, but I seem to have more on my hips and the sides of my tummy. I am clearly much larger than I was at this stage, with Aaren, so I guess that is to be expected.

Anyway, one of my friends bought me Cowshed's Udderly Gorgeous Stretch Mark Oil and I just used it today for the first time. My initial thoughts: the name, Cowshed is quite apt for how I am feeling, looking and acting (my husband would say). The tangerine coloured oil is richer than the other stretch mark oils I have used (even my homemade Aaren's Oil) and it is non-sticky, which I like. It also smells ok ie. pretty non-offensive. After the first day, it's already made my skin feel softer and less dry. So far so good!