been away for awhile

Been a while since our last post.

Been a bit of manic time due to a family illness, a potential house move falling through and - ever more positive - me and CS dad got married at the end of August up in Scotland on a fortunately lovely day (especially after it rained for most of the days before hand. Hopefully I'll get some pictures up of the day and CS in his kilt and tiger shoes!

Other than that I've got a few more posts of some of our other outings to put up so hopefully you'll find them interesting!

Post CS exercise

During my pregnancy I was keen to introduce some regular form of exercise into my weekly routine (considering my work was attached to a fitness centre and swimming pool you would've thought it be easy but after working a full day you generally want to head home rather than spend another hour or so in the same place) plus there was the issue that certain activities were now ruled out  - always enjoyed the after workout/swim jacuzzi :(

This is where google has become indispensable in that I am able to find out about ante and post natal classes (particularly ones that are baby friendly) as well providing links to other exercises that might be doable after labour.

After CS came along and I had been given the all clear at my 6-8 week check up,  I was keen to gradually introduce some exercise to try and work of the CS belly (also to attempt to get a bit more toned for upcoming wedding). I started off with some basic ones that CS could help me with at home. CS initially wasn't too keen (he wasn't one to lie on his stomach for prolonged periods of time) but soon found it fun and was full of smiles when he began to anticipate what we were going to do. Although I still do these exercises I was keen to find an exercise class where CS could come along and where I might also get some adult conversation.

 Physio4me 

is a fantastic business ran by the lovely and friendly Madia, who alongside the Pilates classes is also a trained Physiotherapist and also offers pregnancy massage (which I partook on more than one occasion).

At the time of attending during my pregnancy Madia was also pregnant (about 1 1/2 months ahead so it worked out that by the time the block finished I wasn't far off Maternity leave) so it was great to know that we wouldn't be asked to do anything that Madia couldn't do herself whilst also being able to understand how comfortable we may (or in some classes not feel). Each class also involved a relaxation session at the end along with a chat about pregnancy and labour.

As the majority of classes were based in Norbury or Croydon I didn't think that I would be able to attend any of the Postnatal classes (20 mins maximum travel time on buses is generally CS's limit) when Madia started holding mum & baby Pilates classes in Streatham. CS has enjoyed getting to socialise a bit more though he is currently at the stage where he wants to be held and doesn't like spending too much time on the floor. At the start of the block Madia also gives your stomach/abs a check incase there's any possible issues. Class numbers are small (maximum of 6) which allows Madia to get around everyone (and pick up the occasional baby) and encouraging us to push ourselves onto the next level.

Madia has also introduced a Piloxing, which is boxing and Pilates (a bit more of a Cardio workout) at the moment its only in Norbury so its a bit too much of a trek although if a class opens up in Streatham....

Mum & baby classes are in blocks of 5 at £55 

Antenatal classes are in blocks of 5 at £65 or 10 at £100

for massage prices and information as to where her other classes are visit her website

Fison Fitness (formerly Community Circuits/The training room)

Is a community fitness group based in Herne Hill. The class is ran by Anne (@annefisonpt) and the class is a drop in class with the option to buy a 10 class pass (which you can use with any of the Fison Fitness classes).

As its a drop in class the numbers vary but Anne takes the time to get around everyone, helping them to get the positions correct. There's plenty of space and spare mats for CS and the other babies to chill out on.

As CS has gotten older, as in turning into a Tasmanian devil whirlwind, we've not been able to attend the pilates with prams but as there are evening and weekend classes that work around our schedules, including a great new class .

Fitsteps with Alice

is based on the dances seen on Strictly Come Dancing (which admittedly I am quite a geek about) Alice is fantastic and like Anne fits her class around the participants and their pace (such non dancers with 2 left feet like me) to contemporary music, if there are any particular songs you like she can try and fit routines into those too. Alice is looking into doing a class where children can come too which will hopefully work out as CS loves to dance. I'm 3 sessions in (and have only feel on my butt once) and loving it!

Update Sept'15 Since changing to Fison Fitness there is now an option to book classes online which is a good way of finding out if the class is full before turning up. Also means that you can fill in all the forms (medical and wavers) before hand rather than taking time out of the class.

Pilates with prams (and the other Fison Fitness sessions) are priced at

£12 for one-off sessions or

£100 for 10 (non consecutive) sessions

for information on the other classes available at community circuits visit their website

By attending both classes I've been able to gain more flexibility than I possibly had before (I can touch my toes!) as well as getting out of the flat for a bit of socialising with other mums.

Going on a bear hunt...

As Uncle S had some time off before Christmas, CS and I spent the day with him bear hunting in London.

As part of the advertising for the new Paddington film (fantastic film, we all got to see it just after Christmas) there were 50 specially designed (mostly by Celebrities) dotted around London, Uncle S had already found quite a few with Auntie T (who LOVES bears). Paddington also brought back memories of our regular family holidays from years ago when we were all younger. On our way up to Aviemore we would regularly pass a house on the outskirts of Glasgow which had a Paddington Bear in the window and usually with different clothing on each time

Even though it was mid December, the weather was unusually mild (pretty much helped with what ended up being a 14 mile walk around London, finding 13 bears! Beginning at Victoria Station, we took in Buckingham Palace, Green Park, Christies, Regent street, Carnaby street, Oxford street, Regents Park before heading to Paddington Station) CS as usual had the best seat being pushed about in his Chair. On previous days we also found the ones dotted along the Southbank. Here are some of the ones we found.

whilst on our travels we stopped for lunch and a change at O'Neills on Carnaby street (behind Oxford circus and conveniently next to the Liam Gallagher designed Parka Bear), we some how managed to get in just before it got busy as we had the pick of tables and were served quite quickly. The changing room is on the same floor as the restaurant (you need a key from the bar to access it) with the main toilets being downstairs

The scores on doors for O'Neills Carnaby Street

3.5/5 access - one or two steps around but are manageable, easy enough to get push chair in and out if its not busy

4/5 cleanliness - clean enough though toilet appeared to be used as storage for Christmas decorations

3/5 comfort for feeding - plenty of arm chairs and a few booths for comfort feeding although was a feeling a bit tight against table

5/5 helpfulness of staff - happy to move chairs to fit in push chair as well as letting us know that there would be a wait (of up to 40 mins) for a dessert if we wanted one (from the POV of having a 6 month old with us this was very helpful)

4/5 cost - reasonable enough just off Oxford Circus

3.5/5 food - was ok, bit better than what you might get form Wetherspoons but probably not as much choice

Total: 24.5/25

Visiting daddy at work!

We've managed to get over to daddy's work in Canary Wharf quite a few times now. It has been one of the more easier parts of London that we have been able to access on the underground, helped greatly by being able to get from Brixton to Canary wharf pretty much step free due to the lifts and level access platforms with only the one change at Green Park.

Usually if we're out and about with CS in the push chair, I need to add on about half an hour to our journeys to include additional changes or taking the chair up/down stairs (I've yet not to be approached by people offering to help with stairs) so being able to do the usual route to Canary wharf has been great.

Usually we end up meeting Daddy at Boisdales, which is a Scottish/french bar and jazz restaurant which also has an outdoor terrace area, we've ate here a few times (before and after CS arrival) and until Christmas the menu was great however on our last visit the menu in the bar and terrace had changed (when we asked the waiter her just said it had been changed a few months before) and didn't have the same selection as before. Although there isn't a baby changing area (which i find a bit odd but c'est la vie) there has been a few more families eating whilst we were there.

Cabot place which is part of the shopping complex at Canada square in Canary wharf, the staff in Canada square its self are extremely helpful and seem to enjoy cooing over babies! On one occasion when I made the journey myself (and got lost trying to find a lift) one of the concierge staff made sure that I got to a lift, and stayed there until I got to the floor I needed - the lift was one of those ones that you need to keep the button pushed - and when I passed later the same member of staff was helping another mum to find somewhere comfy to sit so that they could breastfeed their baby.

As a new mum I was still finding my feet about feeding CS in public (not helped by being uncomfortable by some people and this making me feel over anxious and stressed on one of my first outings) but I generally prefer to settle down in a cafe or restaurant rather than on a bench or in a changing room and in Cabot place Costa Coffee,on the Mall -1 level of Cabot place, has often been my go to place. 

Plenty of space to manoeuvre CS chair, comfy booth and arm chair style seats and yummy decaffeinated latte's  (finding decent decaffeinated coffee since CS came into our lives was a big thing!) the costa is also opposite the toilets and baby changing rooms (there are 4 separate changing rooms on the floor) but there are toilets and changing rooms available in Costa too.

The Changing room (in Cabot place not costa coffee though there is one there too) has plenty of space for CS push chair (admittedly his isn't that big) and also has a vending machine for nappies and wipes incase of an emergency!

Its pretty clean (not surprising for Canary Wharf) with my only issue being that even though there is a sign on the lock saying engaged when you've locked it you still have the regular person trying to open the door (a big pet hate of mine particularly when there is an obvious engaged sign and especially when you've only just got in), along with some people ignoring that there are other parents waiting to use the room. 

It also appears to be (along with the accessible toilet next to it) used as a quick option for anyone to use rather than than walking round to the actual toilets

The scores on the doors .....

for Cabot Place changing rooms

5/5 access - very accessible, plenty of lifts and level access or ramps to access the main building

5/5 cleanliness - from what I saw the toilets are checked regularly on an hourly basis

1/5 comfort for feeding - only sitting place is the toilet itself which at least has a lid/cover

5/5 helpfulness of staff

1/5 cost - expensive if you need to buy their vending machine nappies/wipes!

Total: 16/25

for Boisdales Canary Wharf

3/5 access - lift access to both bar/terrace and restaurant however no baby changing facilities so you would need to use the cabot place ones

5/5 cleanliness 

3/5 comfort for feeding - most of chairs are standard wooden ones with no arms but still comfy enough, no issues whilst breast feeding

4/5 helpfulness of staff - happy to move tables/chairs to fit push chair in restaurant and on terrace 

3/5 cost - pretty much usual cost 

3/5 food - would have been higher but the menu isn't what it used to be 

Total: 21/30

for Costa Coffee Cabot Place

5/5 access - Its opposite the baby changing / toilets and is level access throughout

4/5 cleanliness 

4/5 comfort for feeding - option of booth style or arm chairs which provide convenient and comfy cover, no issues breastfeeding (even a few complimentary comments!)

4/5 helpfulness of staff - happy to bring drinks and food to where you are so that  you aren't balancing a tray whilst pushing chair

3/5 cost - standard costs, really comes down to 

3/5 food - usual cakes and savouries

Total: 23/30

Our first post!

Hello and thanks for reading our blog!

I am a ftm (first time mum) in London to CS. Initially I aimed to start this when CS (my wee one) was 23 days old, when I had started getting us out of our flat and into the local area, CS is now 7 months and now I'm starting to find a few moments to up date this!

Initially the focus of the blog is to share our experiences of exploring London and other areas of the UK, the different activities we've got up to as well looking at how accessible some places are with bubs :) including laces to change and feed him, with the occasional rating system similar to Tam Cowan restaurant reviews (for anyone outside of England Tam Cowan is a restaurant reviewer in Scotland)  hopefully it'll make some sense!

The rating system will vary (depending on whether its just the changing facility or the actual place) but will go along the lines of

/5 access

/5 cleanliness 

/5 comfort for feeding 

**(please note that its my own preference to try to not feed CS in changing rooms)

/5 helpfulness of staff 

/5 cost 

/5 food

Happy reading x