Take One Big Blue Bowl...

This big blue bowl has been the perfect container for loads of different messy and sensory play sessions. It kind of keeps the mess contained and baby B liked sitting in it from about 6 to 9 months and loves climbing out of it.

There are so many things in the kitchen that make brilliant exploratory play opportunities for babies and most of it is really cheap. The bowl was quite expensive but we use it as a paddling pool and ball pool too so is worth it. It's noce to add music and the buuble machine for even more sensory fun.

Ages and Stages in the First Year

The first year of being a mum felt like the shortest and longest year of my life. I think it felt so long because I was awake for most of it. But it also flies by and every different stage is over just as it becomes manageable. Each stage brings its own challenges and rewards. They are gone before you know it so it's important to soak up every moment but also remember ‘this too shall pass!’