Our baby registry

I’ve had so many questions about our baby registry. 70% of the products shown here I have used while nannying, so I can confirm they’re fantastic! Others, I’ve spent hours researching and reading reviews and recommendations. This isn’t *everything* on our list, but it’s a good start!

Lovevery Play Gym
There are so many play gyms to choose from that it can be overwhelming. Each one has different features/themes; however, I knew that I wanted a wooden, neutral themed play gym. This play gym by Lovevery is designed by child development experts and includes five sensory zones to help babies through everything from tummy time to teething. It’s also crafted using natural materials, including organic cotton and sustainably sourced FSC-certified wood, which is super important for me.

Hatch Rest Sound Machine & Night Light
Perez and I both discussed wanting a sound machine, as they create a womb-like environment and help babies sleep – they also mask background noises like passing cars! I did a tonne of research, and time and time again, the Hatch Rest came out on top. This smart sound machine is an all-in-one device that is part sound machine and part night light. It features 11 soothing sounds, including crickets and white noise, as well as a customisable nightlight featuring ten presets, meaning when you’re feeding at 3am, you’re not doing it under a harsh light!

BT Video Baby Monitor 6000
In terms of time spent researching, the baby monitor took up most of my time. Not only are there so many different brands, but so many models! I read multiple blog posts and articles claiming to know which baby monitor was best, but in the end, I decided to subscribe to Which? and read their detailed research/testing. I knew I wanted a video monitor with a parent unit – not a smart wi-fi monitor- and after reading multiple reviews, I decided upon the BT Video Baby Monitor 6000 as it rated best for battery life, signal range and video quality. The Motorola MBP50 Digital Baby Monitor rated a close second!

AVENT Soothie Pacifier
I chose these dummies/pacifiers not only because I have experience using them with the babies that I have nannied for but because they’re uniquely shaped to fit a newborn baby’s mouth. The dummy/pacifier is made out of one piece of BPA-free 100% medical-grade silicone, is easy to clean, either by hand or in the dishwasher, and there’s no chance that water will get trapped inside.

Oball Toy Ball Rattle
I discovered this toy rattle in Walmart almost ten years ago, and every baby I’ve gifted it to since has loved it. It’s designed to be grasped by little fingers and encourages the development of fine motor skills with every shake.

Bumkins Bibs
Quite simply, these bibs are the best! This was another product that I discovered during my time in the US. These bibs are waterproof, the colours don’t fade, AND they’re machine washable! They’re light and durable, meaning they pack well for days out and are free of BPA, PVC and vinyl. They also come in a number of super cute designs!

SwaddleMe® Original Swaddle
When babies sleep better, we sleep better, and that’s EXACTLY what these swaddles are designed to do. The secure design creates a cosy, womb-like feeling for babies and prevents the startle reflex, which is so often why babies wake themselves! Don’t be scared to wrap your baby snug like a burrito; they love it!

Aden + Anais Muslins
Muslins come in handy for a multitude of things – burping, comforting, swaddling. The Aden + Anais muslins are my favourite because not only are they made from 100% cotton, meaning they’re soft, breathable and absorbent, but their patterns are simply the best! We’ve registered for a mixture of sizes – squares for having handy when feeding and swaddles for nap time!

Ubbi Nappy Disposal Bin
I did a fair bit of research into nappy bins because, like anyone else, I don’t want my home smelling of dirty nappies! Time and time again, the AngelCare Nappy Disposal System popped up, but the fact that you’re tied to buying specific, and expensive, bin bags, put me off. Enter the Ubbi Nappy Disposal Bin. I have experience using this and so I know it works! Its made from a powder-coated stainless steel that absorbs odours and features a rubber seal to prevent leaks. It has a childproof lock and will take any brand of tall kitchen bin bag – saving us so much money! It also comes in a variety of colours meaning it will blend beautifully with any nursery theme!

Summer Infant Deluxe Baby Bather
Perez and I are well aware that bathing twins is going to be a task. We’re yet to decide if we’ll bathe them simultaneously or individually, but we know that we’ll need two bath seats. Saying this, we’re also conscious that we’re living in a two-bedroom apartment with limited storage space – and if you didn’t know, bath seats are bulky! As great as the AngelCare Soft Touch Bath Support look, it’s just not ideal for our current circumstances; the Summer Infant Deluxe Baby Bather, however, is. It features a three-position recline, helping baby to feel comfortable throughout their stages of growth and development, a padded headrest and folds for storage – something that is super important to us! The removable fabric is also mildew resistant and machine washable!

Twin Nursing Pillow
The Twin Nursing Pillow may be the number one recommended product by twin mamas! It’s not ideal for breastfeeding (I have a whole different pillow for that); however, it’s supposed to work great for bottle feeding two babies simultaneously and for supporting babies when they’re learning to sit.

As I said, this isn’t *everything * on our list, so if there’s something I missed or something that you SWORE by for your baby/babies, let me know in the comments below!

Check out our full registry here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/baby-reg/3DQ0QCV1JCXCG

I have a bump. Get over it.

As you’d expect, I’ve learnt a lot of things while being pregnant. The most minor thing will set you off in floods of tears; the middle of the bed is now where your human size pillow resides, and people’s need to comment on the size of your bump – including strangers.

I’m carrying twins, two babies, so naturally, my bump will be ‘bigger’ than most, and I get it; it’s right there in front of you. You can’t help noticing it. But guess what? That doesn’t mean you need to voice your thoughts.

I get that you probably don’t mean anything by it, but in short, it’s rude. If I had put a little weight on during lockdown or over the Christmas period, would my size be the first thing you’d comment on? I’d hope not!

I remember attending a dentist appointment at 22 weeks. When I told my dentist how far along I was, her response was, “Oh wow, you’re so big already.” This woman, who I see for 15 minutes every two years, left me feeling like I had to validate the size of my bump, and so I replied, “Well, there are two babies in there.” Flippant comments like this can easily get stuck in a woman’s head – and it’s not like we don’t already have enough to worry about!

A few weeks later, I was shopping for a pregnancy pillow in my local Dunelm. As the store assistant pointed me in the direction of the correct department, she asked me how long I had left. When I replied “12 weeks”, the look of horror, as she stared at my growing bump and replied, “Oh, wow”, was palpable.

It’s common knowledge that women carry their pregnancy in different ways, and there are a number of reasons why; many can be self-conscious about it. So, whether I’m bigger than what you would perceive to be average, or I’m not showing as much as you would expect, keep your thoughts to yourself.

When you see a pregnant friend or family member who you haven’t seen in a while, rather than commenting on the size of their bump, why not compliment them? “Congratulations”, “Being pregnant suits you”, “You look great”, “You’re glowing” are just some examples. But if you’re unsure of what to say, perhaps don’t say anything at all.

Oh, and do NOT touch my belly without asking. But, that’s a whole different conversation.

31 weeks pregnant

What NOT to expect when you’re expecting

You’ve all heard of the book ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ right? Originally published in 1984, and now in its fifth edition, the book consistently tops The New York Times Best Seller list and has helped tens of millions of expectant parents worldwide. Following the book’s success, in 2012, What to Expect When You’re Expecting was adapted into a movie starring Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Chris Rock, and followed the lives of five interconnected couples as they experienced the thrills of having a baby.

But here’s what that book doesn’t prepare you for – finding out you’re having TWINS!

It was at the 12-week ultrasound appointment that we found out. My partner and I were sat in the waiting room and the last thing I said to him before our name was called was “Imagine if it’s twins…” I laughed as I said this knowing it not to be true, after all, twins don’t run in either of our families.

I awkwardly climbed up onto the examination table, lifted my shirt and felt the cold jelly hit my tummy. With any pregnancy, the first ultrasound is nerve-wracking. Not only is it the first time that you get to see your baby, but it’s often when potential problems are discovered. My partner and I waited with bated breath for Grace, our sonographer, to tell us if there was a heartbeat. Instead, with her wand moving across my lubricated belly, she said, “Did you know there’s two?”

When I say my response was “No there isn’t” while laughing uncontrollably – I’m not lying. My partner responded “Two?!” Only moments before we were joking over such an occurrence, and now that joke was our reality!

After the ultrasound, we sat in the waiting room while the images were analysed and my file was updated. “Twins” we would suddenly announce, like saying it aloud, and repeatedly, would make it seem more real. “There’s two!”

I won’t lie and say that I was over the moon because I wasn’t. My partner and I knew that taking care of one baby, in a small apartment, would be difficult, but two? I had years of experience in caring for newborn babies, but never two at the same time! And, what about money? Twins mean two of everything

Soon, quite literally, every aspect of our lives was about to change. It was overwhelming.