My Customer Service Experience at Clarks

A few days ago, we ventured into town to get C a new pair of shoes as he's now taking a few steps. With C being our first child we didn't know what we needed first. 

We had a browse at the hard-soled shoes in M&S and really liked the selection but thought we'd better go to Clarks and get his feet properly measured first. 

In we went and a lovely staff member came over to ask if we needed any help and I asked if he could measure C's feet. He happily obliged and even chatted away to C, trying to make him feel comfortable. He informed us that C's feet were 4G (wide feet!) and we selected a gorgeous pair of dinosaur shoes that lit up. 

He came back with the shoes in the proper size, fitted them and explained about how baby shoes work. Firstly, the shoes that we had chosen would need to be for a child who is capable of taking around 15-20 steps on their own. The hard sole helps to prevent the child from curling their toes up - something that they're used to when they first start to walk. 

The member of staff needed to see how he walked in them but C was much more interested in admiring his shoes. He did try to take a few steps but it was too hard for him and he kept going up on his toes and falling over. 

We were told that he probably wasn't ready for this type of shoe yet and that he should practice for a few more weeks in flexible-soled shoes. He said, "I don't want you to be wasting money on shoes that he won't be ready to walk in and by the time he is ready, he'll have grown out of them!"

I am so pleased with how we were treated. It took us a really long time to get C to take a few steps and the staff member sat with us the whole time. I love how he explained everything so clearly to us and didn't push us into a sale. I know when C is ready for those shoes, we'll definitely go back for them! I'm just annoyed that I can't remember the mans' name! 

C's 1 Year Check

Yesterday, the health visitor came out to see C for his one year check. As soon as he walked in, C took a little look at him to suss him out as we chatted and then held his hand out as though he wanted to shake his hand and say, "you're okay"! 

He did his usual weight, height and head circumference checks. He now weighs 23lbs 8oz, his height is 74cm which I believe is in the 50th centile and his head circumference is in the 99th centile! I always knew he had a big head though. He wears 18-24mth hats!! 

We explained that C is starting to walk but doesn't really crawl. The health visitor told us that from what he's seen that C looks completely normal for a 12 month old. This was fantastic news seeing as he was born 2 months early. Socially, he's very happy with him as he was over trying to communicate with him and holding his hands out to get his attention. 

C's usual feeding routine is breakfast & a bottle, lunch, a bottle, dinner and a bedtime bottle with a few snacks throughout the day. The health visitor suggested that we cut out the middle bottle and replace his morning bottle with a beaker of cows milk. My baby boy is growing up! He did suggest that we keep the bedtime bottle the same so he still feels comforted for the time being but if we keep him on a lot of bottles it can stunt his speech as he'll not really be able to use his tongue to make sounds. So C is starting on the cows milk today! 

He discussed the 1 year immunisations in more detail and just informed us on baby proofing the house and getting C registered with a dentist. When the HV was leaving I said, "Are you gonna say bye?" and C waved towards the door. He's a wee smarty pants! I cannot believe how much he has grown and progressed  in a year. I wonder what I'll be writing about his 2 year check up! I bet it will fly in! 

Finger Painting

Ever since having C, I knew that I wanted to get him introduced to arts and crafts pretty much as soon as possible. 

I popped into Mothercare last week on the hunt for their "My First Crayons" but unfortunately, they were sold out. I did however, notice a box of 6 finger paints reduced £5 down to £4. The recommended age is 18 months + but I got them anyway. 

The following day, I stripped C's clothes off, sat him in his highchair with a page in front of him and used a sponge to apply the paint to his hands. My biggest worries were him either getting paint everywhere or trying to eat it. Neither of which happened!  

The paint was...strange - but in a good way! It was nowhere near as runny as I thought it would be and after doing a few prints the paint had gone from his hands. It dried in really quickly on the paper too. He got a little paint on his highchair tray but that was easily wiped clean. 

I am so impressed with these paints and surprised by how easy and hassle-free it was. I can't wait to do some more! 

C's First Time Swimming

We bit the bullet and finally took C swimming. We've wanted to for ages but kept putting it off but seeing as both Chris & I would be starting college next week, we needed to go while we still had the time together as a family.

C love water. He loves his bathtimes and he loved splashing in the sea when we went to the beach during the summer. I knew he'd love swimming but did think that he might not know what was going on.

I took him into the changing room with me (never again - too stressful for me trying to keep him occupied whilst getting myself and him ready. Chris can change him next time!) and we headed out to meet Chris in the pool.

As I walked by with C in my arms, he started to wave at everyone (even high-fiving the lifeguard!). He thought it was great. 

Once we got into the pool, he didn't even get a shock. He leaned his arms onto his Fings (I won these in a competition. Best. Invention. EVER!) and I held his hands, pulling him along. Chris kept his hand under his belly and he began kicking his feet straight away!

He really enjoyed himself (and so did we!). He didn't like lying on his back though as the water got in his ears. It was so much fun and I cannot WAIT to take him again!

Do your little ones enjoy swimming?

F&F Kids Clothing Review

I've mentioned numerous times that I love buying C new clothes. I usually stick to high street stores and I never normally think of Tesco as a place to purchase clothing for him. I think this is because our nearest Tesco store (which we do our grocery shop in) don't stock the F&F clothing range so it's never out on show to me.

F&F sent C some lovely clothes to review. 

We received:

1) Cord Dungarees & T-shirt set (£12.00)

2) Just Like Daddy Long Sleeve T-shirt (£3.00)

3) Little Rascal Long Sleeve T-shirt (£4.00)

4) Cable Knit Print Sweatshirt (£6.00)

5) Turn-up Chinos (£6.00)

6) Finding Nemo Swim Shorts (£6.00)

7) 2 pack of Rock Pyjamas (£6.00)

8) 3 pack of Sleeveless Bodysuits (£2.50)

9) 5 pair pack of Socks (£2.75)

The first thing I do with clothing is look at the stitching. It always tells you how well made they are. The stitching in these clothes are very well done (especially the socks and bodysuits). You can't tell the difference between these and a high end retailers clothing.

The dungarees are quite heavy so perfect for coming into winter. The corduroy is very soft so it didn't worry me that it would irritate his skin. The ankles are elasticated and he was able to move easily in it.

The two t-shirts were thick also and really good sizes. I could definitely see him wearing them for a good while longer. There are popper buttons to the side of the neck for easy removal. The print on the t-shirts seemed to have stayed the same and not faded after a few washes.

The chinos are softer than I would have imagined so make for easier movement now that C is more active. They make him look so grow up!

This little jumper is my favourite. I love how it looks like a proper knitted jumper but the effect is just printed on it! This makes it not as heavy but still a good weight for a jumper PLUS there is no irritation to his skin.

The pyjamas are FAB! (Totally not biased because they say that mummy rocks & not daddy!) They are really light and airy which is great as C sweats a lot in his sleep and I worry that he might be too warm in bed. They can be mixed and matched too!

Finally, the swim shorts - aren't they just adorable?! There is a little mesh bit that goes over his swim nappy & a little drawstring waistband. They held up well in the pool!

All of the clothing came out of the washing machine in great condition and nothing was left misshapen. The total of these items came to £48.25 which I think is absolutely fantastic for the amount of items that I was able to purchase and for how great the quality was. I definitely think I'll think twice before purchasing elsewhere. How can you argue with £2.50 vests and £2.75 socks!?

Have you ever purchased from F&F at Tesco before?

Let me know your thoughts!

(Disclaimer: I was offered £50 to spend online at F&F in order to carry out this review, openly and honestly. All thoughts and opinions are my own).