My cakes

Recently I volunteered rather "stupidly" to make a friends Son's christening cake. It was so much easier when I didn't have a 5 month old, now it takes twice as long due to having to occupie him or doing it while he naps.

Anyway I thought I'd actually share with you my cakes I've done. I've always enjoyed baking right back from when I was little. My 1st big cake was actually my own wedding cake or I should say cupcakes. These had little love hearts as the decoration.

Then in 2011 I decided I actually wanted to do a cake decorating course. I did the Wilton Cake decorating course level 1-3 at Need a cake in Woodley. These were the cakes I made.

So now I just make cakes for friends and family.

Birthday cake for hubby's Aunt.

Retirement cake for a colleague

Cupcakes for 'Royal Wedding' party 

Birthday cake for my cousin

Christening cake

My Christmas cakes

Needing my own space

I've wanted to be a mum for a long as I can remember. I am one of those girls who believes in fairy tails, you meet the love of your life, fall in love, get married, have children and live happerly ever after but now I wonder what that happy every after is.

Don't get me wrong I love being a mum but I find it bloody difficult at times although I rarely admit this to anyone. I'm not sure what I expected but it's nothing like the reality I have. 

I am very lucky that J is a very good little boy most of the time, though he has already learnt how to play us and is a pickle at times. At night he sometimes gets himself over tired and then won't go down without a massive struggle. God only knows how Iife would be if he'd not been so good. I wonder how others cope sometimes? 

Everyday is full on I never really seem to get any of my own real time or space but this is my own fault really as I never let myself just relax. If I'm not of doing things for J or the house or for hubby then I'm on twitter or Facebook or playing candy crush. Finally I think it's all got too much and I find myself needing more space even so much so I'm considering going back to work early. 

It's not like I don't want to spend time with my son but for me 10hrs a day 7 days a weeks is a bit too much, actually if I spent that much time with anyone more than for a few weeks then it's too much for me. But what sort of mum does that make me saying I'd rather go back to work than spend time all my time with my son? I feel bad for saying that. 

Is it selfish of me to say I need space, I need my own life as well as being a wife and a mother? Don't get me wrong I do get time out but then I feel guilty after for not massively missing my son and enjoying myself. Is it a part of parenthood being racked with guilt all the time? 

I need some normality back in my life I need more of a routine for me, thats probably a weird thing to say. This scale has been well and truly tipped and I need to find a way of balancing it all out again. 

So how can I achieve this? Well for one I need to take a step back from social media and not get so obsessed by it and wrapped up in others lives.  As normally I wrap my self up in others rather than deal with my own issues, I have my own to life that I need live. I need to make sure I go to my fitness classes twice a week to give me some time out, but also I think I am going to look I to going back to work early, though I am ashamed to say this.

If you think this makes me a bad mum I'm sorry, everyone is different, I'm never going to be an earth mother. To me this is me trying to make my relationships with my husband and son better. 

Coral Reef

As you may know from reading my blog I've been taking J swimming for about 3 months now and he loves it as much as I do.

After a conversation with the NCT girls we decided that on one of our weekly Wednesday we'd go swimming. After a bit of a chat we decided that Coral Reef was probably our best bet, although we all live in Reading and it is in Bracknell which is about 30 minutes in the car from Reading.

You have to pay £3 for car parking but this is deducted off your swimming. We went off peak, so swimming for me and J only cost £4.70 this included the parking which I think is great value. Unlike other swimming pools I've been too they have 1 changing area with various sections in it including huge family changing rooms which was perfect for us. This also means when you go as a family you can all stick together. The 7 of us split ourselves over 2 of the large family changing rooms. 

The only small annoying thing is the lockers are slightly small so you may need more than 1 if you have lots of stuff. They do tell you at the till when you pay but the locker costs £1. I have one of those "£1" locker coins that I keep attached to my bag I take swimming so I never had to go searching for that £1.

After changing we were ready for swimming. As J is still so little and our changing room was far away from the pool side I took a towel for J and just left it by the poolside, this was a bonus at the end as the showers are right by the poolside. There is a very small group of rock where you can leave things. I had told the girls not to bring in prams or car seats, Coral Reef do allow them in but you have to leave them by the poolside because there is no we're to leave them in the changing room, this would potently mean they would get wet!

The pool it's self is quite big and split up into various areas, oh and not forgetting there is a huge pirate ship! What I love about it is that you can take your children there even if your not a great swimming yourself because the pool isn't too deep that you can't touch the floor. The toddler pool starts very shallow and there are various water bits to keep them and you entertained. For toddlers upwards there are various slides for them to enjoy, some need an adult to go on with them. You can check out Coral Reefs website for more information. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/coralreef

After swimming I always shower J. Coral Reef have shower gel dispensers on the wall by the showers so you don't need to take any shower gel. Though you will need shampoo and conditioner if you wish to wash your hair. Of course there are hair dryers to dry your hair with after.

After showering we were back to the changing room. I wisely had taken the little swimmers hygiene mat which was perfect for putting J on the floor on in the changing room. One thing I hadn't said was how impressed I was by the changing rooms they were very clean and tidy. 

Once everyone was dressed we then went to the Coconut Grove and Beech cafe for a spot of lunch. The choice was somewhat small but ok I had a ham sandwich and a yogurt of course there are chips available. 

Overall I was very impressed by coral Reef and would definitely go back and recommend to others.

The other thing have is an on site photographer, they are there snapping pictures that can be brought on the day. They also do every so often take underwater photos, unlike most baby swimming classes they don't charge a booking fee or horrendous amounts for the photos. Their next underwater session is running mon 2nd until Friday 6th Dec 2013 between 10-12.

What you need for swimming.

• Wet nappy - you can buy these in packs of 12 for under £8
• Happy nappy or swimsuit - Coral Reef say you just needed the wet nappy but I always think you need to have something over it.
• Towel for drying little one
• Something's for the floor like the little swimmers hygiene mat or an extra towel
• Your swim suit - I always wear mine going and remember to pack my bra and knickers for after
• Towel for you

Icings

Buttercream Icing

250g Trex (this is a vegetable based fat much better for icing than butter if you want a white colour) 
2 tsp flavouring (Vanilla, coffee etc)
3 tbs Water
500g sifted icing sugar
1 tbs Meri-white powder (optional)

Cream together in a large bowl all the wet ingredients. Add the icing sugar a little at a time. I now do this in my electric mixer but you can do using a hand electric mixer. I always find this goes everywhere. Once mixed you had add any colouring you want. Remember a little goes a long way. The more water you add the less stiff it will become. This can be frozen and will keep in the fridge for as long as the trex shelf life.

The Meri-White adds stability to the frosting so when you pipe your swirls they hold their shape, even on a warm day.  For white frosting use Trex (a white vegetable fat) with flavours.  White frosting also is better if you need to add colour; if you use butter which is yellow if for example you wanted baby blue it would turn green or if you wanted pink it would turn a salmon colour.

Royal Icing

1 tbs Meri-white powder (optional)
500g sifted icing sugar
6-9 tbs water

Make sure you are using a grease free bowl. Put the icing sugar in a bowl with the Meri-white powder and add the water, mix on a low speed for 7-10 minutes until the icing has lost it's sheen remember you can always add a little more water if you need it slightly thiner, if you make it slightly too thin add some more icing sugar. Use straight away or cover the top of the icing with no air gap with cling film and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. When you want to use just mix again. Add any colouring you may want. 

Never fail cup cakes

I thought I'd actually share my never fail cup cake recipe I was given a few years ago. It has to be the best recipe for cupcakes I have found and recently I have been experimenting with it.

You will need:
Mixing bowl
Electric hand whisk or food mixer
Wooden spoon
12 cupcake cases
12 hole yorkshire pudding tin
Cooling rack

125g caster suger
125g softened unsalted butter
125g Self raising flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 large eggs beaten
2 tsp milk
1tsp Vanilla extract (or other flavouring)

Preheat oven to 190c 

In a bowl mix together the butter and sugar until very pale and fluffy. Next mix in the egg a little at a time and give a good mix in-between, if it starts to curdle add a little of the flour. 

Next mix in the flour and baking powder I tend to fold this in with a wooden spoon, add the vanilla extract (or other flavouring) and milk.

Place the cupcake cases in the yorkshire tin and divide the mixture between the 12 cases. Bake in the oven for approx 17 minutes until the sponge when pressed in the centre with your finger springs back.

Leave to cool slightly before transferring cases onto the cooling rack.

Once completely cool decorate how you wish. 

Some of mine : 

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

You will need:
Baking tray
Small bowl
Serving dish

2kg butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
Olive oil
100g ready to eat Puy lentils
100g Rocket
1 tsp sesame seeds, toasted
6 spring onions sliced

For the dressing:
5 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Soy Sauce
1 red chilli (though I don't tend to include this)
1 tsp clear honey

Preheat oven to 200c gas mark 6.
Put the butternut squash into the over and drizzle with some olive oil. Roast for about 20 minutes until tender. Leave to cool

Stir all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl

In the serving dish place the rocket followed by sprinkling over the puy lentils. Add the squash.  

When ready to serve pour over the dressing, sesame seeds and spring onions

Lemon curd cake

Please note the base recipe is the Delia Iced Lemon Curd Cake, though this will just have the 2 layers

For the cake you will need:

2 x 6 inch loose bottom cake tins (though I just used one and did it in 2 batches) lightly buttered and lined base

Cooling rack

Large mixing bowl

Hand electric whisk or food mixer (I used the mixer) 

175g self raising flour

1 level teaspoon baking powder

175g soft butter

175g caster sugar

3 large eggs

grated zest of 1 lemon

1 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 

Pre-heat oven to 170C or gas mark 3

Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl add all the other ingredients and mix for about 1 minute until you have a smooth creamy constancy. 

Divide the mixture into the 2 tins (or like I did pour 1/2 the mixture into 1 tin) make sure the mixture is spread across the bottom of the tins and smooth down with a back of a wooden spoon.

Bake in oven for about 25 minutes until when you press the centre of the cake with your finger the sponge springs back. I always stick a skewer into the middle and if it comes out clean then the cake is done.

Once cooked remove from oven leave to cool slightly before turning out onto the cooling rack. Make sure the cakes sit the right way up and remove the lining from the bottom of the cakes.

For the lemon Curd you will need:

a sauce pan with about an inch or so of hot water in the bottom 

A bowl that will fit over the sauce pan but doesn't touch the water 

Another small bowl

Wooden spoon 

Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

60g caster sugar

1.5 large eggs (I know it's really hard to separate 1/2 an egg)

38g Butter  

put the lemon zest and sugar into the bowl, in another bowl mix together the lemon juice and egg and pour this over the sugar/lemon zest.

Add the butter in small pieced and place the bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir well every so often until it thickens, this should take about 20 minutes.

Leave to cool.

For the Icing you will need :

A large bowl

Wooden spoon

100g soft butter

200g icing sugar

2 tablespoons of the lemon curd

Beat the butter in a bowl until soft, add in the icing sugar and lemon curd and mix until soft.

To assemble the cake 
Cut the top of one of your cakes to make a flat surface, this will be your bottom layer of your cake. Spend on the top of that your remaining lemon curd, it should be about 1/2 a cm thick if that. Place the other cake on top. Now spread the icing all over the cake.

You should be able to freeze all the elements of this cake separately. This cake can be enjoyed upto 2 days after making it may go a 3rd but I always think a sponge cake is better eaten sooner rather than later. You can also make twice as much lemon curd and then cut each cake in half and assemble the 4 layers with lemon curd in-between.  

Now sit back and enjoy with a nice cuppa.  

Today J is 21 weeks old part 2

So if J is 21 weeks old can only mean one thing it's exactly 21 weeks until I return to work. That's both a scary and strangely exciting thought. 

Please don't get me wrong I love my son with everything but I'm not the kind of woman who could stay at home full time looking after him, so for me I will be glad to go back to work. Please don't judge me on that comment and I do reserve the right to change my mind about saying that! 

With me going back to work means that I will have to sort out childcare for my son. This in it's self is a complete mind field.

So what are the different types of childcare I here you ask?

Well you have:

Childminders - provides care for unto six children under the age of eight of whom no more than three can be aged under five. They normally provide the care in their own home.  

Day nurseries - Offers education and care from birth up until school age.  Nurseries usually open Monday to Friday throughout the year from 8am to 6pm, sometimes longer, to fit in with a normal working day. 

Pre-schools - offers part-time education and care to 3 & 4 yrs olds and sometimes younger. They normally open for morning or afternoon sessions and are closed during the school holidays. 

Nursery School - Offers educations to 3 & 4 yr olds, normally it is only part time again closed during school holidays

Nursery Classes - offers education to 3 & 4 yr olds with a primary school. As before closed during school holidays. Also take not you are not guaranteed a place at the school

And of course if your lucky you may have family near by who could help. 

You should be able to get a list of your nearest childcare provider from the Early Years Team at your local Authority or they will be able to point you to where you can obtain that information. Most local Authority's have websites so it's worth checking that. Once you have your list and you've decided which one might suit you due to location, it's then worth looking up their ofted registration  I suggest you visit your preferred options this will give u a sense of if they are right or not.

There is a good document called Choosing a Day Nursery that can help when visiting the setting.

Please do be aware that it is advisable to look at childcare providers sooner rather than later as outstanding providers can have waiting lists. Fees can also vary quiet a bit hence why some people prefer childminders as they tend to be the cheaper option.

For me J will be going to the Day Nursery at work 3 days a week, then will go to my mums 1 day. I'm lucky enough to have had approved reduced hours at work which means I will be off 1 day a week to look after J myself. 

Have you thought about your childcare options?

Today J is 21 weeks old part 1

I can't believe where the time has gone and how much my little boy has changed in the last 21 weeks but more scary it means that there is only 21 weeks until I return to work! Wow that's scary.

So I haven't actually written a post about J and his progress since he was 3 weeks old. He's already changed so much in such a sort time and is learning more and more every day. He comfortable sleeps through the night most nights. I'm really not sure how that happened really, at about 4-5 weeks old he started not to wake for his 10pm feed and over a few days I stopped waking him. He continued to wake at about 2 am for a week or so but at about 8 weeks or so he stopped waking. So now he goes to bed about 6pm and sleeps through until about 7am not sure how he does it.

In the last week or so I've started weaning him. I thought long and hard about how I was going to do it and after a conversation with a few people, hubby and I have decided on the purée route. This means mashing up fruit and veg and us feeding it to him. Cow and Gate have produced a very good 5 step weaning plan so I have decided to follow that. It starts by introducing 1 fruit or vegetable a day. So far it seems to be going ok, he like something's more than others and I can soon tell the items he doesn't like as much as he ends up wearing most of it.

Entertainment wise well I've been taking J to Water Babies which he seems to love, I've continued to meet up with my NCT girls on a Wednesday so he always gets to play with the other babies that day and then more recently I've been taking J to Baby sensory. I'd 1st taken him when he was a month or so old and was so not ready for it but now he seems to really enjoy it.

He's only just growing out of his size 0-3 items so I've started washing of the the 3-6 month items. It's funny how like women's clothing baby clothing sizes varies so much in the different stores. With dropping down to statory maternity pay I've been trying to look for some bargains. So not only have I been buying a few of my favorite expensive brands off eBay I've also been to a few NCT sales and also visiting my local supermarkes who are great for tracksuit trousers and t-shirts.

I wonder what the next 21 weeks will hold?

Mam

I'd never heard of Mam until just before I visited the Baby show back in February I was downloading the list of which brands I wanted to visit when I saw that if you downloaded a voucher from them you would receive a small sample of their anti colic self sterilising bottle. So armed with the voucher I made a visit to their stall for my free bottle, once home it got put in the back of the cupboard.

Fast forward to midnight the day I got released from hospital and there's me and J crying our eyes out as I could not get him to breast fed. Then in a light bulb moment I remembered the bottle and I told hubby to get it and the emergancy carton of formula I had in the cupboard downstairs. 15 minutes later he was back up stairs bottle in hand, J took to the bottle straight away and we then had a happy baby. Since then we've never looked back and Mam has become one of our favorite brands.

What I love about their self sterilising bottles that they come completely apart which makes cleaning very easy, you can sterilise the bottle in 3 easy steps in the microwave in just 3 minutes, there's even a mark on the lid to help you measure the 20ml of water. The vented holes in the bottom it helps to reduce colic by upto 80% by reducing the amount of air swallowed. 

J has always loved the bottles from when he was 1st born with the little bottle to now with the larger bottles.

After making the decision to stop breast feeding and to go to formula feeding we knew that we would need several bottles to the Mam starter kit was the perfect purchase from Amazon. It contains :

2 x 130 ml bottles

2 x 160 ml bottles

4 x 260 ml bottles

4 x size 1 teats

4 x sealing discs though I've never used these 

1 x soft spout

1 x handle 

& 1 x starter soother 

J is a very sucky baby so having a soother has been a life safer in trying to calm him. He started with the small starter smoother and now has moved to the slighty bigger one. I also purchased a couple of the clips which means I can clip the soothers onto his pram or car seat so we don't loss it.

As the teething started I went straight to mam to see what teethers they had we have a bite & relax which J seems to like. It's design also helps J develope his coordination.

At the last baby show I visited the stand again to see what other teethers they had but to also look at their weaning items. I picked up a set of cutlery for J to use and a cooler teether. The ends are filled with water so when refridgrated they cool down which helps soothe his gums.

I'm sure as time goes on more of the brilliant products will be used in our house.

This is not a sponsored post.