Hello! It’s Dannii here and I am back from maternity leave. I hope you have enjoyed Dave’s 4 month takeover and all the delicious recipes he has been sharing. Don’t worry, he isn’t totally disappearing, just focusing on more of the behind-the-scenes stuff.
The past 4 months with our daughter, Avery, have been incredible as well as challenging at times. It has been so much fun though and it’s been great to take that time away from blogging full-time (as that’s my job), to focus on Avery. Not everyday is fun and sometimes it’s just trying to get through the day (I am sure other parents can relate).
I thought a nice way to ease myself back in to blogging would be to share some of the things that Avery and I have been up to whilst on maternity leave – sort of like a “day in the life post”, but for 4 months rather than one day. I would like to say it’s not all play groups and coffee and cake, but it pretty much is.
Before Avery arrived we went in an NCT course to learn everything we needed to about birth and babies. Whilst most of the stuff we learnt we could have easily googled, the real advantage of these courses are the people you meet. I met so many lovely ladies who all had babies around the same time as me and we regularly go to baby groups together. Having that time to speak to people who are experiencing the same things are you can really lift your mood.
Avery loves play group and I love it because she gets to play with all these different toys that I don’t have to spend loads of money on. Don’t get me wrong, she has a ton of stuff at home, but she gets to play with even more stuff at play groups.
It’s not all about playing. We go to a sensory group that although it is fun and playing, it is key to helping her develop her senses. There are so many different things to do in the group that I would never think to do at home, so it’s definitely worth the money.
We have stared swimming lessons too, as that is something I was keen to do as early as possible. We started them when Avery was 10 weeks old and although she hated the first couple of lessons and screamed the whole way through, she is starting to enough it a lot more and is becoming more confident in the water. I think I am the one that is more scared that she is now.
I have heard of some people that don’t leave the house for the first 12 weeks with their babies and whilst that is fine if that works for them, I would go crazy. We were out for a walk on day 3 and that fresh air is important for mum and baby – just wrap up warm. We have been going on plenty of walks out in the countryside and getting that all important vitamin D.
With not having to think about work constantly, it’s been nice to just relax (when we can) and go out to lunch or just for a coffee (that’s where the cake comes in to it). Eating out with a baby is a totally different ball game. You have to find places that are accessible with a buggy, that have changing facilities, and I like to go to places where there are lots of other babies, as you don’t get judgemental looks when your baby has a total meltdown.
We did get to go on our first baby free date the other day and it was very much needed. We were visiting my family and we left Avery with my mum for the evening. Of course it was hard leaving her, but she had a great time with her Nanny. That’s been another great thing about maternity leave – more time to visit family.
Nanny introducing Avery to the chocolate tin. No, she didn’t have any.
I’m not going to lie, my eating has been all over the place the past few months. Having a newborn baby really sucks the energy out of you (under-statement of the year) and that mid afternoon sugar rush just calls your name and you never feel like cooking a meal from scratch. Luckily, we were really sensible before the baby arrived and we batch cooked our favourite meals and portioned them out to keep in the freezer. It’s not an over exaggeration to say that these have been a lifesaver for when we are exhausted and hungry.
What has also been a lifesaver is our new American style fridge freezer. A few weeks before Avery arrived, we took delivery of a Lec AFF90185W and it has made our life so much easier. Before, we just had a tiny freezer space at the top of our barely functioning fridge that seemed to either freeze things or be too hot, depending on its mood. It was time for an upgrade and this has everything we need. It is large, so not for a tiny kitchen, but it has enough space for you to stock up on food in one big shop, rather than only having enough space for a few bits and having to go shopping every day – that was the main advantage for us.
The Lec AFF90185W really is a great fridge-freezer. At over 6 feet in height and with a side by side arrangement it means that everything is on display when one of the doors is opened. It is CFC and HFC free and in the event of a power cut, food is safe for up to 7 hours. The 602 litre capacity is totally frost-free and there is a dual control thermostat to let you customise exactly what temperature you want the fridge and freezer compartments to be as well as a lock to keep it at those temperatures.
With plenty of shelves, two fridge drawers and three freezer drawers (as well as integrated ice cube trays, there is ample storage within the fridge and freezer as well as the door shelves too. Both the fridge and freezer compartments are lit by internal Eco LED lights, which illuminate with a cool, crisp glow, showing everything that is stored. The appliance has an A+ energy rating, recommended by the Energy Saving Trust, which can considerably cut energy bills and look after the environment too.
Another great function is the door alarm. If the door is open for too long, it starts beeping at you. Initially we were really annoyed at this, especially when putting the shopping away after a big shop. But once we realised that it’s to stop kids leaving the fridge and freezer open, we realised that would come in very handy in the future. We will have this fridge freezer for years to come, as it really is excellent quality.
Every Sunday we batch cook 2-3 meals and keep some in the fridge for the next couple of days and put the rest in the freezer. Having enough space from our new fridge freezer makes this possible and really makes our lives so much easier, whilst still ensuring we are having some healthy meals. Now Avery is a little bit older and can entertain herself a bit more, that means that convenience foods aren’t needed as much and I can spend some more time in the kitchen – so that means more recipes for your guys and there will be more about our wondering fridge freezer soon!
The blog hasn’t been totally out of mind whilst I have been away and I have been thinking of some new recipes to share with you all. We also have some very exciting blog related news to share with you soon, so watch this space.
We have all really enjoyed the past few months of visiting art galleries, shopping days out and generally just taking the time to do the things we want as a family, but I have also missed being creative. Now I am back from maternity leave, I can’t wait to throw myself back in to blogging and show you all the things I have been coming up with. We are working with some great brands over the coming months and we are already looking forward to BBQ season.
Let’s stay in touch!
You can find me on Facebook at Hungry Healthy Happy, on Instagram at @hungryhealthyhappy, on Twitter at @HHH_Dannii or on Pinterest at hhhdannii or you can subscribe via email.
**We were provided a fridge by LEC to review, however all opinions are our own.**
emma white says
welcome back and lovely to see an update I agree getting out and about is so important for you and baby
Emma says
Aww she’s such a cutie. Glad you got to take some time off and really enjoy her! People forget when you work for yourself you dont get benefits like maternity leave so its great you managed to sort it out!
Kira says
Sounds like everything is going pretty well and you’re having a wonderful time with your new born! I think it’s best to teach kids to swim as early as possible! Also, those cakes look delicious!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Welcome back Dannii!!!! I’m so glad you were able to enjoy your time off and really embrace it! It’s nice to have you back though!
Keoshia says
Aww welcome back. Your daughter is beautiful!
Candice Nikeia says
Avery is so beautiful! Looks like you all have such an enjoyable time!
Anna @AnnaTheApple says
Ahh glad maternity leave went well. And I agree, I’d need to be outside asap after having a baby. Just to get out of the house and get some fresh air and space.
Avery looks adorable and I’m glad things are going so well!
The fridge looks AMAZING btw!
Richard says
Welcome back! Avery is adorable. I love the photo of the red hair, haha. you can never take too many baby photo’s.
Lubka Henry says
She’s so sweet and adorable – perfect model for a blogging mum 🙂
shannon says
Welcome back!! I hope the adjustment back being a full-time Mommy is easy for you.
Emma-Hope Newitt says
Hope your adjusting back to work ok and able to balance everything, I admire you! Your little girl is gorgeous, also Avery is such a gorgeous name!
denajayne says
She is such a beautiful little lady, hope your adjusting back to work life xo
francesca says
Awwww what a beauty!!! I totally understand that some days are fun and some are trying. Parenting is a difficult world but so rewarding at the same time!
stephanie says
Welcome back from maternity leave! Avery is such a cutie in these pictures x
Helene D'Souza says
Avery is a very cute name and she is a beauty! You must be quite a proud Mama. 🙂
We got a fridge with A+ rating too, there is no point nowadays to go for another one if you can somehow afford it. The batch cooking must be saving you quite some time too. I wish I could get to do so much in a day and I don’t even have kids!
Tasha says
I need a fridge with that feature – it might stop me from opening it if it has an alarm haha.
Cute photos xx
Nicki says
haha these photos are so creative. I don’t have kids but I am sending this to my sister in law who has a 4 month old. Great ideas
David Elliott says
That’s awesome that you were able to spend so much time with your baby. And thinking of annoying alarms, I wonder how many things annoy us and then we later appreciate them for the good things that they do.
Anne says
The sensory classes look amazing, would have loved those when I was little! And the fridge alarm… can you increase the volume? It might help prevent me from eating so many midnight snacks haha.
Dana says
You and dave have made a super cute baby. Thanks for sharing more photos 🙂
Annie says
That fridge is huge! I wish I had something like that when my baby was first born, as we lived on takeaway.
Avery is so adorable. You can already see that she has so much personality.
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Her face cracks me up in the best way. She is just adorable, and I’m so happy for you!
Also, I neeeeed that fridge in my lifeeee
Lottie says
She’s gorgeous! It’s great that you’ve been spending so much quality time together. I’m in love with some of her little outfits in the photos.
Fashion and Style Police says
Good to have you back. Hope you are well rested. Your baby is so cute.
Hannah Latoya Bond says
Looks like you have had a really good time, all the best x
danasia fantastic says
Oh my goodness! Avery is so precious and adorable! It’s awesome you already have her in swimming lessons.
Ladies Pass It On says
Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed the break. i am loving the utter cuteness of this thread!!!
Olivia says
Your little girl is seriously stylish. These photos really brightened up my day. I’m looking forward to hearing your big news too.
Kat says
Do you want to go shopping for me? The contents of your fridge and freezer look amazing.
Welcome back x
Jen says
Avery is fabulous, and her wardrobe is wonderful. It is lovely to see what you’ve been up to, and relate to the usual things. Look forward to seeing more blogging from you (and Dave of course), and how Avery is getting along.
Rhian Westbury says
Sounds like you’re having an amazing time with Avery and those photos are all adorable. Sensory play must be so good for her and gives you time to let her explore and play x
Jodie Whitham says
Some fab pictures and nice to know how got on with maternity leave. I love the picture of her in metallica and so many funny and adorable photos 🙂
Mellissa Williams says
I love the photos of Avery. How fab are they? She has an interesting name too. Is there a story behind it?
Erin Ek Rush says
Congratulations and it looks like you’re really enjoying maternity leave! Having a baby is such a great adventure (although like all good adventures hard work at times!)
Jenni says
You look like amazing parents! Also I am rather envious of your fridge!
Aija says
Welcome back to work! 🙂 love all the pics of your little one. She’s adorable! ❤️❤️
Joely Smith says
Your photos of Avery are AMAZING! I especially love the sensory photos! Good mom getting so involved! I know you could find all that stuff you learn on Google but at the same time Google also could convince you that you all had brain cancer as well ! Not to make fun of those that do by any means – just saying it is nice to hear info FIRST HAND. Plus as you said you got to meet new people. In addition, sometimes HEARING it sticks in the memory banks more than reading it.
That fridge though – WOW I need that in my life!
Thanks for the update and enjoy being mom to Avery!
Julia says
Oh my gosh your baby is so freaking cute! I love the star wars inspired picture hahah too funny.
Megan Daniels says
I was looking at sensory lessons this morning (I have an 8 week old) and I was wondering if they were worth it. It looks like they are a lot of fun! Avery is such a lovely name by the way.
Alyssa says
Welcome back hun! All those baby photos are so cute. I am broody LOL.
I am very jealous of that fridge too. We just have a little one and it fills up so quickly.