Baby Baker Friday - A Review Of The Gro Company's Gro Hush

So as you know, I decided that Friday's on the blog would be dedicated to my pregnancy and now, new mummy status.

I know it's not something everyone wants to read about but it is something that I really wanted to do - so I'm doing it - after all, being pregnant and having a beautiful new baby is a huge thing to be happening in my life and I really wanted to share bits and pieces of what is going on amongst these pages.

So here we go

~ Baby Baker Friday ~

One of the main things everyone who is expecting a new baby anticipates is the crying.

Babies cry - we all know that - it's the only thing they have to allow them to communicate with us.

I remember (all be it vaguely) my son being a bit (a lot!) of a crier when he was tiny - he suffered very badly with colic and looking back, apart from those bottles of Infacol, we didn't have anything to help us through it at all, we simply just got on with things.

But if there are things out there to help, why not use them to make life that little bit easier?

I know I wouldn't say no, but all those years ago I don't remember there being anything around.

I certainly didn't know that "white noise" was a thing which had the potential to help babies settle...I don't even think I knew what white noise was if I'm honest...

I mean I knew that "shushing" my son continuously and being in the kitchen with the dryer on whilst he was screaming helped a lot but I thought I'd just fallen lucky discovering something he liked.

As it turns out, white noise is now very well known for it's ability to calm babies - the continuous, repetitive noises seem to help to relax and settle them.

Naturally, after ten years of being without a crying baby I was very happy to welcome this little gem of knowledge.

Don't get me wrong, the thought of Baby Baker crying wasn't an issue at all but Baby Baker having full on diva strops which I could do nothing about totally bloody terrified me.

So when I was sent a nifty little device to have a peek at from The Gro Company to use once Baby Baker made her appearance I was very intrigued.

The device - the Gro Hush Baby Calmer - is a small hand held device which emits very low levels (75 decibels) of white noise directly into babies ear in an attempt to calm and soothe them.

The Gro Hush is really safe - the sound levels can not exceed the set 75 decibels, meaning that not only is it just baby hearing the sounds with no disruption to people close by, but, most importantly, it will not damage baby's delicate little ears by blasting out loud noises.

I did actually (obviously!) test the sound level out on my self before I put it anywhere near Baby Baker - and true to word, the volume level is very low, audible, but low.

I found the handy size of the Gro Hush and the fact that it has a sturdy, lightweight storage case brilliant as I was able to drop it into Baby Baker's bag, keeping it close at hand to use when I was out and about - which is without a doubt the time when those diva strops would cause me the most panic.

So, did it work?

Well, yes it did and very well too.

I think we've been quite lucky so far, Baby Baker is a really good baby - she only cries to let us know she wants something and spends the majority of the time she is awake smiling and "talking" to us.
(she sleeps through the night too and has done for six weeks now)

But, naturally, especially when she was just a few weeks old, we had a fair few crying sessions - perfect for testing out the Gro Hush.

I simply popped my hand through the elasticated hand strap and gently held the soft padded section to her ear whilst I was cuddling and reassuring her.

Once Baby Baker realised it was there and had actually latched onto the sound her crying began to calm down almost immediately until it actually stopped altogether.

I won't say it worked with every crying session I tested it on, but certainly it helped ease the situation in the majority of cases.

I've even used the Gro Hush at bed time too and placed it close - but not too close - to Baby Baker's head whilst she was in her moses basket and beginning to stir.

Although the sound was obviously fainter to her than if it was placed directly onto her ear, again, it did help to soothe and comfort her.

~ Fabulous ~

Personally, the heart beat sound is the clear winner in our home and that's certainly the button that's had the most use over the past 13 weeks...
(Thirteen weeks!? - wow - where does time go!)

Even now, Baby Baker still likes her Gro Hush and always stops in her tracks to have a little listen...

I certainly rate the Gro Hush and know it has been a very welcome gadget in our home

* item sent for review purposes - all words and thoughts 100% my own

The Potting Shed - Fabulous Food In The Heart Of Bingley Town

There's something about Sunday afternoon's that never fail to have me craving vast amounts of fabulous food...especially if it also means that I'm not the one doing the cooking.

A lot of the time my Dad and his wife, who obviously know of my aversion to preparing Sunday dinner (dinner on any day actually) will invite us over to their home in Bingley to stuff our faces with some fabulous foodie creations.

An invite which we never decline...

...until last Sunday that is.

But why?

Well, we were still having our food prepared for us, only by someone else...
(come on - you didn't think I'd decided to crack on with making a full roast dinner now did you)

...and we still headed on over to Bingley, but rather than immediately descending upon my Dad we stopped off first to the easily accessible location (directly on the main street and slap-bang opposite a car park) that is the newly refurbished The Potting Shed.

I have to admit that popping into a pub on a Sunday afternoon with a child, a baby and a fairly large pram in tow almost brought on a mini meltdown, but I needn't have worried at all.

Even though it appeared that half of Bingley were inside the bar, I spotted more than one family - complete with kiddies - dotted about and it seemed to be very accepted.

The place was fairly busy but I found that many of the people I encountered were really understanding, moving stools to one side to help me manoeuvre Baby Baker's pram to our seat situated towards the back of the bar.

Then, once seated, I took in my surroundings a little...

Exposed beams, doors up-cycled into tables and large plant pots helped to create a very warm, relaxed, friendly atmosphere yet still allowing an air of class and uniqueness to radiate throughout which was totally bang on-trend.

Music from a live singer set a beautiful tone all around too and whilst a lot of the clientele were very obviously trendy "hipster" types I felt relaxed and at ease quite quickly...even as I sat there in my Micky Mouse hoodie...

However, my understated attire aside, it was time to delve into that all important menu.

As I was attempting to stay on the health kick I am embarking on, I knew that I didn't want to be eating pizza and fries...well, actually I did want to be eating them but I knew I shouldn't, so instead, I searched the menu for something which sounded remotely healthy...

The grilled chicken kebab it had to be...

And aren't I glad I picked it - the dish was presented beautifully and it tasted even better.

The chicken was tender, the roasted vegetables cooked to perfect and the salad was drizzled in just the right amount of dressing...and yes - I did spot the couple next to us taking tentative glances across the table at my grub - before picking the menu up themselves to place an order.

Now the boys - the Hubby and the son - knew from the off-set that they were after the pizza's...those yummy looking pizzas, freshly made and straight from the pizza oven...

The Hubby decided upon a meat crammed Meat Feast variety...

...covered with lots of large chunky chicken pieces.

My son chose the Americano - nice and simple for him to enjoy with no nasty surprises (he is not the biggest mushroom fan)...

The boys added a side of sweet potato fries to their order too...

...one of which I snaffled and oh my lord - they were amazing.

My son couldn't get enough of them - I think he wanted a second portion to take home with him too if I'm honest.

Needless to say all of the food was eaten and received massive thumbs up from us.

What was not to like?

~ Fast service
~ Brilliant presentation
~ Well cooked
~ Beautiful tasting
~ Generous portion sizes

I mean, what more do you need?

Well how about very friendly staff and a very pretty venue?

A very pretty venue which is made all the more spectacular with the huge outdoor seating area - perfect for warm summer evenings enjoying good food, good drink and good company.
(all none smoking too - a bonus in my book!)

Yep - the Potting Shed really does have it all.

It would seem Bradford is full of fabulous little surprises isn't it

* meal provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. Words, pictures & opinions all my own

Gemporia And Their Secret Santa Gems

Well, Happy New Year everyone - I hope 2016 is treating you well.

I know I'm a tad late to the "Welcome To 2016" party, but, what with life getting in the way and all, this is actually my very first post of this year.

And ever the one to try and keep the festive period alive for as long as possible (or ever the one to be slightly awkward, however you want to see it), I have a little "Secret Santa" post for you today.

Well, why not eh.

So, stepping back in time a few weeks - just before Christmas actually - I was contacted by Gemporia and asked if I wanted to pick a piece of jewellery from their range in my best "Secret Santa" style and gift it to a paired blogger, then in return I would have something gifted to myself too.

Of course I said yes.

Well, why wouldn't I - Gemporia only use pretty, genuine gemstones all accompanied with precious metals to make their jewellery and even then they only make each piece in a limited quantity - so there's no fear of the world and his wife owning something you absolutely love.

Looking through the website I found such a wide range of gem encrusted pieces - the rings in particular took my fancy and I knew one of those would have to be my gift to my Santa recipient - they were fab - large, chunky and they definitely made a statement.

Then, a few days before Christmas a cute little package landed on my doorstep and out popped this very delicate, very lady-like freshwater cultured pearl-encrusted, sterling silver necklace...

(find here)

It is a really pretty piece - like a small, delicate silver flower...

If I'm 100% honest though, as lovely as it is the necklace isn't totally to my own personal taste, but only because I don't think I'm at all suited to anything quite so dainty or cute, but that doesn't take anything away from how nice the necklace actually is though - it would make a beautiful gift...

...but a gift to adorn the right person's neck.

It certainly was a lovely little way to welcome in 2016 though.

Make sure you check out Gemporia to see what gems you can fall in love with

* Secret Santa gifted item