Mocc Ons - Review

A few weeks ago now, we were approached by Sock Ons to see if we would like to try out some of their products. Sock Ons are a revolutionary product that are designed to keep baby's socks on their feet. We have received two pairs of Sock Ons in green and orange to try out on the baby when she arrives at the beginning of next month so look out for my review on those!

In addition to Sock Ons, they also sell Dribble Ons (bandana bibs), Plod Ons (baby knee protectors for crawling) and Mocc Ons.

C was sent a pair of Mocc Ons to test out. 

Mocc Ons are moccasin style slipper socks and they are available for children aged 6 months to 3 years. C is 23 months old and he received a gorgeous blue baseball boot-style pair in age 24-36 months so they are a little bit big on him but I'm happy that he will get plenty of wear out of them. C does run around the house in his bare feet but since receiving these, he's been wearing them non-stop! They are essentially a soft and stretchy cotton sock stitched to real leather sole. They seem to keep his feet warm and the leather sole ensures that he isn't sliding around on our living room floor and hurting himself.

C has chunky legs so the top of the sock does leave a mark if he's in them too long. I love the design and they haven't lost their shape even after a few goes in the washing machine. He seems to really enjoy wearing them. He couldn't stop staring at his feet and stomping around the first time I put them on him. They must be comfortable as he seems to have no complaints!

They are available in a wide range of designs and colours so you're sure to find something that you/your child will like!

They are priced at £10.49 and are well worth the money, in my opinion. I tend to find that C can take his slippers off or they can fall off easily but this isn't the case with the Mocc Ons. They would make a lovely gift too!

You can find a list of Mocc Ons stockists here and you can find out more on the website, Facebook and Twitter.

My Second Pregnancy: 36 Week Bump Update

I'm 36 weeks pregnant. I cannot believe that I'm writing yet another one of these updates already. The weeks seem to be flying by although I've heard that around about this stage is where it begins to drag a bit. 

Morning sickness is back with a vengeance. I don't want to eat anything other than snacks, my heartburn appears after I eat literally anything and I have been sick. It feels like I'm right back in the first trimester. 

I did have a little visual disturbance last Tuesday. It was exactly the same thing that happened with my pregnancy with C so naturally, I panicked. I cried. Chris urged me to phone the maternity unit but I hate being a hassle especially if nothing is wrong. I tested my wee with my Ketostix and only found a trace of protein so I wasn't convinced that my vision problems was due to pre-eclampsia. I phoned maternity anyway just to put my mind at ease and she said that because there is no protein and the fact that I had been vomiting earlier in the day, that it could just be down to dehydration. I kept drinking lots of water throughout the night and was absolutely fine. I think I just panic too much over the slightest thing and I'm comparing every little symptom to my last pregnancy. 

I'm really uncomfortable now. It hurts to even sit no matter what position I'm in. My hands and feet are swelling slightly and I've had to remove my ring - boo :( I've found that my socks are leaving marks on my new-found cankles! 

We had a scan on Thursday and the baby is weighing roughly 5lbs 4oz. Her length is around 47cm. I do feel like she is moving lower and lower - it really does feel like sometimes she might fall out! I constantly feel like I need to wee but by the end of this week I'll have a full-term baby. How scary is that!? The end is near! 

Nonabox: July

I've raved about my Nonabox when it arrives every month (you can read my past reviews here). A few weeks ago, I had July's box come to my door. I love the surprise of what you receive. 

Inside this months box was:

1. Forever Aloe Vera Gelly (RRP £10.49) - I do love a little treat for mum inside these boxes and it has introduced me to a brand that I had never heard of before which is the whole point!

2. Goodies Fruit Snacks x 2 (RRP 59p each) - C LOVES Goodies snacks. He was straight over wanting them as soon as he spotted them in the box. A huge hit!

3. Arbonne Intelligence Rejuvenating Cream (RRP £29.00) - Although this is such a high quality and the most expensive item in the box, I was a bit disappointed to receive it as we already had one come in our April Nonabox! I would have preferred to see a new item.

4. Palmers Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil (RRP £5.99) - I love Palmer's products and I've been relying on them during my pregnancy so I was very pleased to see a Palmer's item included.

5. Snooze Baby Sweet Dreaming Taggy (RRP £12.95) - Again, this is a really lovely item but we did receive it in April's Nonabox.

6. Linn Summer Cotton Bodysuit (RRP £17.00) - This is absolutely gorgeous. Really high quality, soft material and I have kept it for the new baby.

All in all, I was pleased with this box but did find it a bit odd that I had received two items which had been included in previous Nonaboxes. Cost-wise, it is amazing. This month's box is worth £76.61 which is fab considering that you only pay £25 per box.

I think I would have preferred more items that are tailored to C's age.

(Disclaimer: I received this item free of charge in exchange for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

My Second Pregnancy: 35 Week Consultant Appointment

Today I saw my consultant at the hospital. I wasn't too sure what to expect as I've never made it to 35 weeks before. I obviously knew that they would check the basics - urine (which was completely fine), blood pressure (again, fine at 119/80) and she asked how I was feeling. I have had mild oedema in my hands and feet but it is nowhere near as bad as it was during my last pregnancy and as I've had no other pre-eclampsia symptoms, she wasn't worried at all. 

I was given a quick scan to check the placenta which is thankfully functioning normally this time! Baby is also estimated to be weighing around 5lbs 4oz. My guess is that she'll be around 7.5/8lbs at birth! 

I questioned labour. I explained that the last consultant that I saw told me that I wouldn't be induced if I were to go overdue and that they would give me another Caesarean section. I wanted to know when I would be likely to get an estimated date for that (C's birthday is Sept 21st and if I go 12 days over that brings me to the 20th - eek!) or if it would just be a case of "we'll see what happens". She explained that as my body hasn't laboured before they would want to leave me for as long as possible because if they start to interfere, the risk of me needing a c-section is higher so really they don't want to be inserting pessaries or anything to get me started off because it could rupture my scar or them interfering could make things worse. 

I'm feeling a little 'meh' if I'm honest. I think it's just the thought of not knowing what will happen. Apparently, although I've had a baby, I haven't laboured so I am likely to go overdue. I don't like the unknown. I just wish I knew whether or not I will be able to labour successfully on my own! 

Anywho, the baby is still head down but not engaged. I see my community midwife in two weeks time (on the 20th) then I will be back at the hospital for another consultant appointment the following day which I thought was a bit strange but I guess it's good that they are keeping a closer eye on me at this stage due to my pregnancy history.   

What's in my Hospital Bag?

With C being born at 33 weeks and me not having a single thing ready, I've had my hospital bag packed from 31 weeks this time. I wanted to have Chris under less stress as he was running round like a headless chicken trying to gather everything up for me.

I've separated mine into three parts; my bag, baby's bag and things that Chris will grab for me.

First off, here's what is in my bag:

1. The nightie is a maternity one from Bonprix and it buttons down to make breastfeeding easy. 

2. The PJs are just a pair that I had at home (MIL actually bought me them as part of my Christmas gift last year!).

3. I usually wear boot-type slippers at home but I knew that they would be a pain to put on and take off so I picked up these little ones for £2 in Primark. Absolute bargain and I won't mind if they get ruined pacing the hospital floors! 

4. When I was in having C, I only had a heavy dressing gown and I was far too hot so I chose this light floaty one from Matalan - I love it! I probably should have chosen a darker colour but, oh well!

5. I read online that apparently your feet can get cold in labour so you are recommended to bring socks so these have been thrown in as a 'just to be on the safe side' type thing!

6. I received this Laboraide in last month's Project-B box. I really hope I get to labour naturally so that I have a chance to use them!

7. Another thing that I read online was that your lips tend to dry out when using gas & air. I'm planning on solely using gas & air (alongside my Laboraide) so I'm thinking that I'll need this!

8. As I don't know yet how long I'll need to stay in hospital for, a razor is essential. I don't want to walk around with hairy pits!

9. I have long-ish hair and it always gets in the way so I've included lots of hair bobbles so I have one less thing irritating me!

10. I've packed two nursing vests - a Cantaloop one and an Emma-Jane one as I'm planning on breastfeeding.

11. Breast pads - an essential! I remember a couple of days after having C, I leaked all over my top and because I was so emotional I cried my eyes out over it.
12. I've packed a facecloth for two reasons - to cool me down by placing it on my forehead and also, the obvious, to wash with!

13. Even though I had a c-section last time, I went through a crazy amount of maternity pads with post-partum bleeding hence why I've packed two packs. 

14. I bought this little see-through travel toiletry set for £1 in Primark (I had one last time and it was so handy). Inside I've decanted my own shampoo, conditioner and shower gel for that post-birth clean. I've also brought my own toothpaste, antibacterial gel and nipple cream (just in case!).

15. A friend of mine recommended taking Go Ahead bars with me to keep my energy up (thanks Annette!) so I've brought a little pack with me. No doubt Chris will pop to the hospital shop to buy some extras though.

16. I read online that isotonic drinks are best for labour so Lucozade Sport was a no brainer for me.

17. As I'm not sure how my labour will go or if I'll have a lot of waiting time, I've brought a book to read. Obviously, Chris may not be able to be there if I'm not in active labour and it isn't visiting times so I would like to keep myself as occupied as I can.

18. A hairbrush is pretty self-explanatory isn't it? I don't want to walk around looking like a scarecrow!
19. My hospital provided towels last time but I prefer to use my own. I've packed two (just like last time) and if I have a long stay I can get Chris to take them home and wash them for me.

20. Finally, big knickers! After my c-section, big underwear was a godsend as they were so high up that they didn't rub against my wound. Although I would hate to have another c-section, anything can happen.

Now here's what is in the baby's bag:

1. I've packed five sleepsuits - two being 'first size' and three being '0-3 months'. Hopefully something will fit!
2. I've also packed five bodysuits but in contrast, they are all 'first size'. Generally, first size will fit most newborns so we'll see!
3. I honestly don't know why I've even bothered packing a pair of scratch mitts. C never wore them and all the sleepsuits that I've packed have sleeves that can be folded down over her hands. Maybe they'll come in handy for something and if not, it's not like they take up a lot of space.

4. I've packed two blankets. The bobble one I picked up in Matalan and I want to wrap her in that one while we're in hospital and the white one is handmade. I won it over on Cuddly Knits and it's so gorgeous that I want to take her home in it.
5. C had a comforter right from the off so I want her to be the same. I actually won this gorgeous aden + anais one!
6. I think one pack of nappies should be enough. If not, Chris can always go grab more.
7. I was sent these Organyc wipes to review so of course I had to include them. I can't wait to see how they are in comparison to my usual brand of choice.

8. Just in case her little head gets cold!

9. I know all her sleepsuits have feet but these were a 'just in case' plus I'll probably put socks over her going home outfits to keep her feet warm.

10. Bibs are a necessity. I remember how much newborns spit up!

11. We got this little jacket and matching sleepsuit from Matalan. I love the vintage floral feel!

Lastly, I've got a little list of things that Chris will grab just before we head to the hospital. We live a stone's throw from the hospital so if he forgets anything (or I have!) it will be no problem for him to go back home.

So Chris will bring: 

My maternity notes

iPad

Earphones

iPod

Our mobiles

Chargers

Change for TV/snacks

Our toothbrushes

I will also get him to bring the car seat when we're due to go home and my going home clothes. I didn't pack these with me initially because I don't want them getting creased. This way, Chris can iron them and bring them to me on the day.

Have I missed anything out? What were your hospital bag essentials?