My experience of being a product tester for the Mother&baby awards 2016 -

After posting the pictures on - line of my product review for the Mother&Baby awards, I had a lot of people asking me how I had managed to get myself involved in it. So I thought I'd write a blog on how I did it and how I found things.

I remember being sat at home one afternoon towards the end of March and I found myself looking at Facebook. Noah was only a few weeks old and I was enjoy those newborn moments but also found myself looking for stuff to do when he slept (which we all know newborns sleep a lot.) Anyway I was on Facebook and a advert popped up from Mother&Baby which was about looking for product testers  for the 2016 awards - So I applied. In all honesty I thought id just get a load of spam sent to my email address and phone calls from gas and electric company's.

I didn't hear anything back and kind of forgot that I had applied until I logged into my emails and had one from the admins - this was around June/July time. I must admit I was quiet doubtful and thought that they may be hidden charges to do this, but I was so curious! I also googled Product testing for mother&baby awards which came up with a few blog's about it. So I read these blog's and carried on with the intentions of doing the reviews.

I was sent lists of what I'd be interested in trying there was al-sorts ranging from toys to bath products. I was more then willing to help so I put my name forward for as much as I could. The stuff started to arrive and I found it exciting to have a parcel and not know what was in it or who it was from. It was also lovely to get personal letters from company's with information about there product. I remember one company sent me a personal Congratulations card for Noah's birth.(which was a lovely touch.)

We had to use the products and play with the products. I had to observe Noah playing and watch his reactions towards things and note things down. I showed friends and family what I had received and also got there views on them - We'd also discuss things about the product. It was great and I really enjoyed doing it.

I had to forward my reviews to Mother&Baby, which was dead straight forward to do. It was quiet detailed about what to write for the reviews and I had to write a lot about the products I was testing. There was also a dead line to work through - but I never found this stressful being under time pressure as I had a while to put together my reviews,

I found It made me think about products in a different way. I used to be the type of person that would just go and buy something for the boys - I'd never look on-line at reviews or ask around if others had tried it and id just go ahead a buy it/ But now I tend to take more time over things and read reviews on-line.

As I said above I have really enjoyed the experience of reviewing different products. There was nothing hidden with the product testing for the awards (No hidden costs or spam messages/calls.) The experience on the whole was fab and I feel very lucky to of been chosen to do this. It's made me want to write reviews on product I was already using around the home for Noah, Rowan and Alex and I would still be adding reviews on this blog of my own.

The awards where held last week in London and there was a few products I used that won awards! (Well Done Guy's) I was blown away when I was looking on the Mother&Baby web site and found a few of my reviews to be published live on there. (I'll Add links at the end!)

I know they will start looking for testers again March/April time - so keep your eyes peeled, if your interested in this!

If anyone would like further information on product testing or would like me to product test for there company please email me at mummyttoo3@gmail.com. I'd be more than happy to help.

Big thanx to Mother&Baby for giving me the opportunity to do this and a massive congratulations to those company's that scooped bronze,silver and gold awards.

Some Photo's of The Products I Helped Test/Review 

 Links to Mother&Baby award reviews below.

Some Of my reviews on the Mother&Baby web site

 - My name is Rachel Robinson/Tingle -

http://www.motherandbaby.co.uk/reviews-and-shop/playtime/baby-toys-under-12-months/tiny-love-gymini-kick-and-play

http://www.motherandbaby.co.uk/reviews-and-shop/playtime/baby-toys-under-12-months/mam-teething-friends


http://www.motherandbaby.co.uk/reviews-and-shop/playtime/baby-toys-under-12-months/sophie-la-girafe

Thanx For Reading Guys

Mummy T

x

Sorry I've been away from blogging for a while......heres why...

Hi all,

First of all sorry I haven't been around on the blog much recently! I've been a busy bee! Been working more hours (20 hours per week) and also had Noah started nursery - the same one Rowan goes to. Noah goes 2 days a week, and I wanted to catch up on stuff that I've never seem to have time to do i.e. Housework/xmas shopping etc (playing catch up in other words) and it has worked! I seem to be really organised (for once.)

Noah is really enjoying nursery! Seems to of settled in fine! And enjoying his food there too. So its all gone rather well! I don't know if its just coincidental but he seems to of progressed a LOT in the last 5 weeks, not sure if nursery has been a strong factor in this! He's now sitting up unaided, has 2 teeth and is clapping his hands and walking around (in his walker.) I did have a few concerns about him as he's now just turned 9 months and seems a little behind in doing things, but hey- ho I know they develop in their own time and he seems pretty happy.

Rowan is doing well too, he's still at nursery and starts school next year he will be almost 5 when he does start, so I think he'll be more then ready for school at this time/age! He has a small part in his xmas play/nativity as a shepherd and were off to see him in it next week, at nursery. December sure is a hectic month for us as we've party's/xmas dinners/Santa visits etc.

Alex is also doing well. I'm dreading him starting secondary school next year! He is on the school council (and is taking the role dead seriously.) He's due to visit the houses of parliament in London, in January with the town major! So he's looking forward to that too! And he's started doing scouts also and he loves that as its typical boy things.

So all busy for us here! I will be posting a blog next week as were off to go on the Polar Express on Sunday (6th Dec) - which should be great fun for us (I'm more excited then the kids I think!) I have been on before with Alex but, this time where going as a family of 5 and I wanted to log what its like going on with a young baby etc.

Anyway Hope everyone is well! Don't forget I'm on instagram and facebook so please give my pages a "like" or follow.

Speak soon x

Munchkin Baby Fresh Food feeder. REVIEW

A lot of you who follow me on social media sites have seen a picture of Noah enjoying some fresh fruit from a feeder, a lot of people have asked about this so I thought I'd write a honest review about it. Now Noah is 7 months old. We've started to wean him. Things are going well and he seems to be enjoying trying different foods.
I was in Sainsburys a few weeks ago and came across these Munchkin Fresh fruit feeders for a couple of pounds. I thought i'll give it a go! I can honestly say it's been great. You pop any fruit or veg (at the moment I'm trying really juicy fruit such as watermelon.) There's a clasp on it that clips and then you give it to baby and they suck or check it through the netting! There's a little handle on the top of the lid that they can hold (or you.) Noah has really enjoyed it. He wont hold it though (lazy boy.) There's also a outer plastic pot so you can fill the netting pop the pot/cover on and take out it and about with you. So its great for when your on the go. Up to now Noah has enjoyed - Grapes,watermelon and orange! No big peace's has came through the netting and I've had no issues with it at all. In fact I think its a very good idea and Noah loves it (he gets excited when he sees the fruit being copped and me popping it into the netting!)
I have done a quick Google search on it and found it widely available on the net for around the same price I paid.
Here is there main web page -http://www.munchkin.com/?source=global

Noah enojying his fruit -

Noah's Birth story

My next baby was Noah. My pregnancy with him was ok up until 12 weeks. After my 12 week scan I was rang to go back into hospital to discuss my test results from the scans. I was so scared as this was Sunday and she wanted me in with in the next 2 hours (which isn't know to happen very much at the hospital I was in)! I really thought it was something serious! When we got there we where asked into a scan room and the consultant explained to me that I had a low PAPP-A, this was a new test performed at the downs blood test (At 12 weeks). It meant that my placenta may not work properly further in pregnancy and baby could have growth problems, be born early or I could develop pre-eclampsia. I had to be placed under consultant care and have growth scans every 4 weeks after 24 weeks! I got home and did what we all do "google" the hell out of Papp-A - I had never heard of it!The consultant at hospital said it was a new test and had only started testing women in the last 3 years ((in the UK)) hence I never knew/heard about PAPP-A.
Reading google and doing lots of research on the web didn't help! I developed anxiety by 16 weeks. I kept thinking what if baby was born early,who would look after Rowan and Alex while I was tending to baby in SCBU. I was so stressed and so scared! I've never been a anxious person before. I bought tiny baby cloths, tried to put different plans in place in-case he was born early or I developed PE and ended up in hospital. I worked myself up into a complete frenzy and ended up having a bleed and been signed off work on the sick for 8 weeks. Due to pregnancy related issues.
After those 8 weeks passed I decided to leave to work for good - which in its own way made the anxiety worse as I was at home most days while Rowan was at nursery pondering on it and again over thinking! Apart from the anxiety and my bleed at 18 weeks cleared up and I had a straight forward pregnancy. But the anxiety was still there and played a massive part of me feeling down/low - those who have experienced it will understand where I'm coming from.
 Every extra scan went well for us baby was strong! And I never showed signs of PE. I reached 35 weeks and really thought Noah was going to follow in Rowan's footsteps - but he didn't! I made it to 38 weeks when Noah was born.

With Noah's labour my waters went at around 3am while I was in bed, I had turned over and felt a click! They seems to trickle not gush as they had before. I rang the L&D ward and they told me to come in straight away. I called my mum to come to stay with the boys while we left to see what was going on. I got there and was seen straight away! Checked and I was 5cm Dilated at 4.45am! I was then asked what pain relief I wanted! I asked for a water birth! It took around 35 mins to fill the birthing pool up for me to use. It also had to be at a right temperature plus filled quite deep as the water had to completely covers your bump. I was shown the room and helped to change and get into the pool. The lighting was low and it was so relaxing! The midwife's watched me and kept a eye from the adjoining room.Checking his heart beat once. I wasn't in the pool for very long as the water seemed to speed things up for me! I had a few puffs on the gas and air and Baby Noah was born at 6am! Healthy and happy (despite all the concerns in the pregnancy.)

I must say I would 100% recommend  a water birth! It was so much better then being on "dry land." They just seemed to let me get on with it. And watch from a distance. There was none of this regular checking down there to see how dilated I was. I wish I was more prepared for my water birth - I hadn't looked much into it and was more of a last minute thing for me. I didn't know that Daddy T could of joined me in the pool and also if you want a water birth when you call hospital let them know your intentions and the will start filling the pool for your arrival!

Birth Story - Rowan.

My Next pregnancy was with Rowan. After trying ((and thinking that it would never happen, it did! Hence the huge age gap between Rowan and Alex of 6 years)) With Rowan I had terrible bleeds, countless scans and countless visits to hospitals! I found I was pregnant with Rowan very early on I had a bleed and went for a early scan - which was internal! They eventually found him and there on the screen appeared a blob - no heartbeat! They weren't sure of which way things where going to go! I had to return in 2 weeks to see if his heart had started beating - things looked promising as there was a yolk sac but I was early by a matter of a couple of weeks. I did return to the hospital and Rowans heat was flickering away I think by this time I was around 6/7 weeks.
 As I mentioned in Alex's pregnancy. I'm Rhesus Neg and needed anti D jab so each time I had a bleed with Rowan off I went to hospital to be checked over,scan and a shot of anti D. (( all fun and games.))We where never away with bleeds and I reached 35 weeks and started to bleed quite badly. I was admitted to hospital but not actually in labour or having pains. By the Monday the bleeding was still bad if not worse so they planned to keep me until it stopped, I did have a scan in this time and Rowan was fine and the bleeding was down to a erosion. It got to the Tuesday night, I was still in hospital! No sign or word when I was coming home! Daddy T left me on the ward after visiting hours. I couldn't keep still after he left kept walking around the ward. I was still bleeding, and started getting pains. I remember walking to the nurses station to let a midwife know I was in pain. She said they where practice contractions and to have a hot bath and get into bed. The bath made it worse, but It didn't feel like labour! I was on a little ward with 4 other pregnant women 2 of which where due c-sections the following day. I had a little nap but felt these pains where getting worse, so off I went to the nurses station around 1.00am. I was told to go back to my bed and she'd come and put me on the monitor to see what was going on. I remember sitting on the bed, trying not to say a word as didn't want to wake the other women!. She came along ((not in any rush)) hooked me up, turned the heartbeat sound on low. And left me there for around 20mins....alone. She came back at 1.50am looked at the tracking paper. Next thing I know I was in the delivery suite. I had nothing with me no mobile,no bag as it was all on the ward still! I was in labour and I asked for Daddy T to be called as I knew it was a 15min drive from home, plus he needed to drop Alex off. The labour room was full with 4 midwifes. I was told to move onto the bed in there (which was almost impossible) at this point my waters broke. I remembered the feeling of clicking from inside and they went with a gush. Rowan followed my waters and was born 2.13am. Daddy T missed the birth and I had no time for pain relief. It was a massive shock. Rowan didn't need any special care ((thankfully))! He weighed 5 bls 15 oz. We did stay in the hospital till the Friday. He has had his fair share of health problems since birth mainly chest problems and we spent his first xmas in hospital which was awful! He also had a dairy allergy which thankfully he's grown out of now! He still quite tiny is Rowan even now. But he has a massive personality.

My birth and pregnancy story ( Alex)

So - At 21 I had Alex - The whole pregnancy came as a massive shock to me and Daddy T. I was still living at home, with my parents. I found out I was having him at around 8 weeks! It completely threw us into panic,arguments with parents etc. As we had only been together for around 6 months and Daddy T didn't have a job ((he was still at college.)) We had to find our own place to live with no money! We relied on 2 nd hand things to get us by! I remember going to my 1st scan with Alex I knew nothing about pregnancy or birth or babies! None of my friends had children. And I didn't know what to expect at my first scan ((TBH I didn't think there was a baby in there)) We saw him and there he was this perfectly formed baby moving around on the screen...heart beating which looked like a butterfly! I couldn't believe it, Daddy T couldn't believe it! But he was there and he was real! With Alex my pregnancy other then the morning sickness was plain sailing! No problems at all! I must admit thou I didn't like pregnancy other then feeling baby move! I'm Rhesus Neg and had to have anti D jabs at certain points of my pregnancy.
The labour its self with Alex was only 2.5 hours! I was 40+2 when He was born! At 8.30pm  I remember sitting on the settee watching wild west ((of all films)) and I felt this click inside - as I still up this huge gush of water came out! I remember standing there looking down thinking oh god! Labour, Pain,need to do this that and the other. What should I do first? There was no pains at all then! I managed to get upstairs, ring my mum, hospital and change my trousers. Daddy T's mum showed up around 9.30pm and by this point I had terrible pains and off to the hospital we went. I can remember laid in the back seat of the car with these pains going on thinking if this is only 1-2cm dilated I wont see 9cm! We got into the hospital car park at around 10pm and upto delivery ward. By this point the pains where unbearable I seriously thought I was going to be in labour for hours on end! I remember climbing onto the bed and the midwife going through my notes asking questions. The pains where so close together no rest between each one. I remember thinking will she hurry up with the pain relief and check me over. In which she did by around 10.30pm ((think everyone was under the impression first baby she'll be on age's)) Next thing I know she hits this emergency button....hands me gas and air and said "this baby is ready to come". By this point another midwife walks in with her deliver tray and I was told to push! By 11.24pm he was born! All 8lbs 5oz of him! I was so shocked! But he was perfect and a little grey too!

Me and Alex he was only a few minutes old when this picture was took.

Product Review Shnuggle Bath.

Product Review - Shnuggle Bath.

So after posting a rather cute picture to my Instagram I've had a few people ask about the Shnuggle Bath! So I thought now would be a perfect time to add a review on it!
I love this little bath on the bottom is a bump for baby's bum to rest against...this helps them to sit in a more up right position! Leaving both hands free to bath baby. There's a grey none slip patch where babies back can lean against! Its a fair sized bath so should last baby a while! Noah loves it! And he loves bath time too! The thing I love about this bath is that it takes seconds to fill. I usually fill it inside the bath tub then lift Noah into it. But I also know people who life the tub out and use it in the middle of the bedroom or nursery! I do use bubble bath in it and it doesn't make the plastic slippy! I tend to clean it after Noah's bath once I've tipped the water out!

All in all I love it and think it costs around £20 which personally I think is reasonable for a baby bath. The only thing Id love to see change is a little Soap holder on it for his baby soap. :)

Anyway here's a photo of Noah enjoying his bath.

To shop for Shnuggle Baths and other products please visit -

http://www.shnuggle.com/

My review is my own thoughts/comments on the Shnuggle Bath and not copied from another site.

A little more about us.............

I thought id write a little bit more about us and share it with you guys.

So as you all now know, I've got 3 children all boys aged 10,3 and 6 months old!. My eldest ((Alex)) is currently in his last year at primary school. It's all go for him.  He's just gone back to school after the summer holidays and is now focusing on his SATs in the spring next year!. He's no idea what he'd like to do when he eventually leaves school. I think he's mainly going to concentrate on getting good grades before he makes any further decisions. He helps me loads with his 2 brothers. And considering he's 10 years old is very mature and sensible for his age ((for now anyway.))

My middle child ((Rowan)) is madness! He is currently at nursery 2.5 days per week. He is your typical boy and into everything. To be honest he is a little monster and when people comment and say "you don't get 2 alike" they where right! He's so energetic and full of life! Nothing like how Alex was when he was younger! He's ace thou and although he's not a angel I wouldn't change him for the world!

And....the baby of the family ((Noah)) 6 months old well we're just starting to see his personality now. And he reminds me of Alex in so many ways and a lot of people comment and say they can see Alex in him! We're currently starting to wean Noah so he's getting used to different tastes and textures - which is interesting to watch. He loves music! Mainly classical - which is odd cause we never listen to it nore did I when I was pregnant.

And..then there's me. I started "blogging" As I feel that I've been through so many experiences. Both as a mother and a person. I'd love to share these with people! I also wanted something to document my children's life's and give them something to look back on when they where older. Most of my time is spent with the kids, but I do work part time in a pub and I am starting a course for Maths and English this month - which I'm looking forward too! (( mainly cause my English and maths are horrendous and I want to be able to support Alex more in his school life.))

So that's a little more about us!

Please follow me on instagram or Facebook -

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=829042723816003

https://instagram.com/tingle.rachel/

Hi everyone,

I'm mummy T - 32 years old from North East England! I'm a mummy to 3 children aged 10, 3 and 6 months old. As you can Imagen life for us is pretty hectic but, I love being a mum to 3 (all boys.) I do work part time ((weekends)) but I am off for a few days during the week and love to spend with my boys and hopefully BLOG! :)

I have a fair few experiences to share with you all. Of course my day to day life, but also I'd love to share my experiences and share my other stories with you all as I feel I have been through a fair few things in my time (Gosh that makes me sound old)! I also have some reviews to share here ( currently also on my facebook page) I have had the fantastic opportunity to work for the mother&baby awards this year -  which I have been sent baby products to review at home along with some friends.


 We're just at the end of the summer holidays now and I have a little more time on my hands to enable me to blog and start on blogger. I started blogging around May time and currently have a facebook page and instagram account. But would love to expand! I'm not very good at computers but, I'm willing to learn! After hunting for info on blogging for beginners I came accross the tots100 web site and followed instructions there. And here I am!

Thank you for reading this short intro and if your on Facebook or Instagram come along and say Hi (links below)

Mummy T x

Facebook link -
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mummy-T-Personal-Mummy-Blog/829042723816003?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Instagram - Tingle. Rachel