Our First Family Trip

We just got back from our first little trip as a family. We didn't go far.. just to Mollymook (about a 3hr drive from Canberra) to visit my dad. It was so nice to get away for the weekend, even though it involved us packing practically everything we owned before leaving haha. We spent the weekend lapping up the sun on the deck (while making pizzas and drinking champers), going for walks, exploring the town and going to the beach (where James felt sand for the first time). It was such a fun and relaxing trip, James was so well behaved and only had one bad night while we were there.

Now I need to start planning our next trip to Sydney in September. Fingers-crossed it goes as smoothly as this trip.

For those of you with bubs.. how do you find travelling with a baby?

xx

3 Month Postpartum / Baby Update!

I fall more and more in-love with this little guy every day.

Body

I'm really struggling to lose the baby weight and I think I've even put on a little this month (I've been avoiding the scales). I've been eating really well though so I'm not sure what's going on. It may have something to do with my thyroid (which became underactive during pregnancy) so I'm going to get my levels checked again. Either than or my body just wants to hold on to the fat stores to breastfeed (bugger!). 

Height/Weight
James is now 6.3kg (13.8lbs) which means he's put on 0.8kgs/1.7lbs this month. His height is still 61cms.

Routine

I'm really happy with our routine at the moment, and I'm hoping it stays this way for a little longer :) We've started giving James the bottle every other day now so I don't have to express as much (he's only just started taking it again after forgetting what to do and choking on it).

7am
James Wakes, Rob spends time with him while getting ready for work (I sleep in a little longer)

8am

Wakeup, Feed James, Have Breakfast, Rob goes to work

9am
James Naps, Do Laundry & Housework

9.45am

Workout (blogilates!) and Tummy Time/Play Gym for James

11am

Feed James, Have a Shower and Get Ready

12pm
James Naps, Have Lunch, Blog/Relax/Go out

2.15pm
Feed, Play with James (Tummy Time, Reading, Super-man etc)

4pm
Go for a walk with James (he naps for around 15-20 mins)

5pm
Feed James, Rob gets home from work and plays with James while I relax

6pm

Rob gives James a Bath

6.15pm
Feed James, Cook Dinner

7pm
James Sleeps, Have Dinner, Relax (watch TV)

8.30pm
Express 60ml (every 2 or 3 days), Go to Bed

10.30pm
Rob Feeds James 60ml with the Bottle (every 2 or 3 days), then I finish feeding him. James Sleeps. 

When James wakes (approx 5am)
Feed James, James Sleeps

Sleeping

Most nights James is great and sleeps till around 5am, although lately there have been nights where he wakes at 2-3ish wanting a cuddle or to play (all smiley and chatty) so I have to soothe him back to sleep. We've been using Tummy Calm before bed (not every night but when we notice he has an upset stomach) and it's been working brilliantly! No more waking up crying with gas pains!

Eating/Feeding

He's become such an efficient eater! He'll only need to feed for around 10-15 minutes and he's done - it's great! He has around 6 feeds (including 1 split feed at bedtime).

Sizes
He now wears size 00 (3-6 months) and is still wearing cloth nappies and size infant disposable nappies.

Milestones
James is so much more alert and loves to have a chat - he's even started laughing when we tickle him or pull faces. He now grabs onto things and reaches for his toys. He especially loves his rattle, toy elephant and security blanket. He's getting better at Tummy Time (even though he HATES it) and his neck support is slowly improving. He loves to stand (with us supporting him of course) and push off his legs.. one of his favourite games at the moment is superman. He's also discovered his hands and loves to suck his thumb which is good - apart from when he pushes too far and chokes himself (scary!)

xx

If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my Lush and Victoria Secret Giveaway!

A Touch of Spring

I know technically we're still in winter but with the weather warming up it's got me excited for spring! So I decided to add some spring touches to the house with these pieces..

Dining Table Centerpiece

Fake flowers from Target ($8 each)

Couch Cushions

Block Print Cushion (reverse side) from Kmart ($10)

Floral Sandrine Cushion from Target ($12)

Side Table

Brooklyn Pillar Stand from Target ($12)

and of course some Spring Candles

Bath and Body Works Candles from eBay

It's little things like this that make me happy and seeing as I spend most of my time at home now-a-days its fun to have pops of colour around the house.

Do you ever update your home decor to match the current (or in my case - upcoming) season?

xx

Oh and if you haven't already, don't forget to enter my Lush and Victoria Secret Giveaway!

Girl Time

I loved having some girl time today with my sister, sister in-law and my gorgeous niece. We went to lunch at Jamie's Italian (yum!) then had a bit of a pamper sesh.. getting our hair styled and our nails done. 

Although I ended up having to leave early to feed James. I had planned ahead and left a bottle with Rob but James has forgotten how to take it (nooooooooooo there goes my freedom!). I think it's because we used to give him the bottle regularly (once a day) then reduced it to only once every three days, but I got sick this week with mastitis (ouch) so we couldn't give him his usual bottle feed and it's been over a week since he's had one. Obviously that's all it takes for him to forget (yikes!). I really hope we can get him to start taking it again. Has anyone else had this problem?

I really enjoyed the time I did have out though, it was so nice to spend time with my niece (I could just cuddle and kiss her all day!) and my sisters. It's funny how much more you appreciate time out of the house once you've had a baby - you cherish every minute!

xx

Oh and if you haven't already, don't forget to enter my Lush and Victoria Secret Giveaway!

CLOSED>>> Lush and Victoria Secret Giveaway!!

As a big thank you to all my lovely followers, I'm giving away these goodies to one lucky reader. 

A Lush Shiny Happy People Giftpack which includes -

♥ Mini Buffy Body Butter

♥ Bohemian Soap

♥ Happy Hippy Shower Gel

and Victoria Secret's Love Spell Body Lotion and Mist.

To enter all you have to do is.. 

1. Follow my blog via google friend connect or bloglovin' (let me know which one) 
2. Leave a comment 

Extra entries... 

+1 if you tweet this (link me @thriveonnovelty) 
+1 if you follow me on instagram (thrive_on_novelty) 

I will draw the winner on Monday the 1st of September so you'll have plenty of time to enter :)

Oh and this is open to all readers (local and international)

Good luck everyone and thanks again for following!

xx