POLLY’S BABY BLOG

Celebrate Birthdays in Style at Nevaeh's Pamper Parties

CHILDREN’S PARTIES - CELEBRATIONS - PAMPER DAYS CATERED PARTIES - MAKEUP TUTORIALS - HEN PARTIES BABY SHOWERS - GENDER REVEALS

Whatever the occasion Nevaeh’s Pamper & Parties based in Barry is the place to be.

From the award- winning team that brought you Nevaeh’s Hair & Beauty, a brand-new spot has arrived to make adult and children’s celebrations that much more fabulous and easy.

FAMILY & EDUCATION

Summer baby number 2!

I'm having another baby! and the first response from most people is... 'WOW, you don't hang about, do ya?'.. well, we waited a couple of years... Indy will be 2 and half when the new baby comes along, but that's lockdown and covid life for you. Time stood still for a lot of people.

Indy was born two weeks before we locked down the very time in March 2020. Life with a new-born then had its challenges but overall, when I look back, I feel we just cracked on with it because that's all we knew. We just had each other for months and it was a really lovely time for us personally, that bonding time was so precious. I think now that's my biggest worry having baby number. 2 in relatively normal times. I'm expecting it to be the same in my head. My world stopped back then and so did everyone else's. After the initial anxious and uncertain times there was calm in my body and peace in my mind. That won't be the case this time. I'll have visitors, I'll have play dates, I'll have work to go back to a lot sooner. I'll have a TODDLER to look after as well! SOS! I'm excited but I'm trying to remind myself daily there will be a stark difference in the first 4 months when Indy came along.

We are having a boy and he arrives in the Summer time! Despite today’s culture about gender neutrality, I mean there are obviously some physical differences in having a baby boy vs a baby girl. A lot of boy mums have pointed out to me that nappy changing is a whole world different to girls. That little fire hoses can go off whenever... and talking of which... 'remember to point the willy down in the nappy when you change them' that's another piece of advice boy mums love to tell me, oh and that they LOVE to grab IT! Great! Apart from the penis talk,I've heard that having a boy is amazing. A boys first love is their Mama. And even though little boys tend to be very physical with very high energy I've also heard they can be very cuddly and cwtchy. I've been told boys are more sensitive and girls are sassy!

It must be the Oedipus complex, but no one can deny that baby boys have an extra-special love for their Mums. I can't wait to enjoy that unconditional adoration while it lasts. It didn't last a long time with Indy. Indy by name and nature. 2 going on 13. She is in the dress-up and make-up stage at the moment, that's the only time I get her attention when I'm doing my make-up and I give her a bit of glitter eye shadow. She loves it! I think what I'm most looking forward to is her having a little brother and a best friend. She loves kids and playing. She is a right little character. I can't wait for her face when she finally meets her new brother. Also, my partner who is the best girl dad ever is stoked for a little boy, but Indy is Leighton's spit and they love hanging out together. They are the real besties here. I think we'll have a little Mummy's boy on our hands for sure. And I can't wait to meet my boy!

Roll on August. Family of 4 coming through!

POLLY'S BABY BLOG

Top Image 'I love the Tommee Tippee range. It's trusted and works. From newborn naptime to toddling off to bed, we’re they are here to help you create a safe, snoozy and sleepy environment where your little one can drift off soundly. Indy has been a dream sleeper since she was a nipper.. I can't lie, so this complete new-born sleep bundle should do the trick when it comes to settling the new baby. Fingers crossed!'

www.tommeetippee.com

Above Image Leave it to two genius dads who have come up with brand new product to put the fun back into parenting and nappy changing! It's the ultimate baby hack and parenting toolkit that makes a unique and incredible gift for a new parent.

www.dingledanglebaby.com

CRAFTS IN WALES

Craft in the Bay

This year, The Makers Guild is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Landmark Heritage Gallery, Craft in the Bay.

Way back in 2002 The Makers Guild opened the doors to Craft in the Bay, after having successfully fundraised the £1.4 million to refurbish and re-open the 'D Shed', a Grade II Listed, cast iron framed Victorian Transit warehouse, part of Cardiff Bay's rich Industrial Heritage.

Set up in 1984 as a maker co-operative, with a unique membership of over ninety craft makers from every corner of Wales. The Charity educates the public through Craft with a programme of craft workshops and community work, making the organisation a unique part of the Arts, Creative and Heritage sectors in Wales. Welcoming over a million visitors since moving into the building, why not come along this summer and see for yourselves. Here’s what makes the brand unique Craft in the Bay, is in the creative heart of Cardiff Bay, here you can see and buy craft by Wales’s finest Craft makers. all, unique, contemporary, one off and Welsh! Each item is handcrafted in Wales, and uniquely, in the gallery you can learn more about the maker behind each piece, plus get the chance to meet one of the makers when you visit,

The co-operative roots and not for profit ethos means that when you buy from Craft in the Bay, you are directly supporting a Welsh business, supporting Welsh makers. Excellent value for money, with craft available covering every price point from a few pounds upwards, there really is no excuse not to 'buy local' and direct from the maker, which makes for a perfect gift. Craft in the Bay have created and curated a brand-new online shop, so you can now buy from the comfort of your own home, at whatever time suits you.

Come and give us a visit The Flourish Lloyd George Avenue Cardiff, CF10 4QH 02920 484611 LEARN MORE ABOUT CRAFT www.makersguildinwales.org.uk/ BUY CRAFT ONLINE www.shop.makersguildinwales.org.uk TAKE PART IN OUR CRAFT WORKSHOPS www.shop.makersguildinwales.org. uk/collections/workshops

CALON CYMRU FOSTERING

Could you be a Foster Carer?

Fostering Hope with Calon Cymru Fostering.

Gareth had worked in managerial roles after being in the military for nine years. After years of hard work, working away from home and averaging 7-8 hours on the road each week, Gareth thought it was time for a change “I wanted to make a positive difference to someone’s life, I had spent too long working for other people, working in companies with cultural issues and no positive change”.

He and his wife, Zena thought long and hard about fostering, weighing up the balance of whether it could work for them as a family, looking at the financials and creating a better work-home life balance. In 2019, after a lot of research into fostering services, Gareth finally made a call to Calon Cymru and has never looked back. “The agency you decide to foster with has got to be right for you and with Calon Cymru you just feel like part of the family straight away. The recruitment team were really engaging, they support you all the way and are very open and honest, I can’t give the agency enough praise”.

There are no qualifications or childcare experience needed to become a foster carer. Initial assessments of new foster carers will be based on how well we believe you could care for a child and that you are able to provide a young person with a safe and loving home. There are lots of transferrable skills that you will have gained through life experiences, and this will all be considered. “Resilience, conflict management, commitment, communication, and enthusiasm are all transferrable skills that I have needed whilst being a foster carer”. Once approved you have access to lots of training to equip you for the role.

Gareth and Zena are now on their second therapeutically led placement (TLP) and this young person will remain with the couple until he reaches adulthood. Children in TLP placements have been through trauma and abuse and can display challenging behaviours, Calon Cymru offers a programme tailored to meet the needs of the child, young person, and the fostering family so you are fully supported throughout the journey. You have access to your own supervising social worker and direct support from a Therapist to support you in managing behaviour and your child will have their own individual worker. On top of this, Calon Cymru offer an enhanced fostering allowance and increased respite.

Gareth, along with many of our other experienced carers conduct a buddying scheme and are always open to speaking to potential foster carers to tell them the ins and outs of fostering. “You go through a lot of experiences in life, if you are in a position to help someone and be able to provide someone with security and stability you could foster, role modelling is so important to give that young person a better future.” Our Therapeutically Led Placements can achieve incredible results for children, and a long lasting, positive impact on you.

Could you help a child improve their future? Call Calon Cymru today on 02920 811173 or visit our website www.caloncymrufostering.co.uk to learn more about the different types of fostering we offer.

Could you help a child improve their future? Call Calon Cymru today on 02920 811173 or visit our website www.caloncymrufostering.co.uk to learn more about the different types of fostering we offer.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

noun: capacity: a person's legal competence. When you lose capacity, that is to say, the ability to make decisions for yourself, it is important that someone you trust and who knows you, is appointed to make decisions on your behalf. This is done by a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).

What does a Lasting Power of Attorney cover?

There are broadly two kinds of LPA. The first is a property and financial LPA which allows a nominated individual to make decisions relating to your finances and physical assets including your home. This means that your money and your home are both protected and maintained. The person appointed will be able to pay your bills, make deposits into your bank accounts and manage any income and expenditure.

Could that still leave me potentially open to financial abuse?

Not really. When you appoint an Attorney over your financial affairs, you choose which kinds of financial transactions they may enact. They are not allowed to make transfers to themselves or spend your money without specific authorisation.

What is the second type of Lasting Power of Attorney?

A health and wellbeing LPA gives an appointed person the power to make decisions about your health and wellbeing. This may include your care routine and medical care

Why a Lasting Powers of Attorney has become an essential part of later life planning.

We talk to Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney specialist Rhian Rees from Robertsons Solicitors about these most important but often overlooked documents.

including ‘life sustaining’ medical treatment. If you don’t have a health and wellness LPA in place, then the Local Authority may be appointed to make decisions on your behalf, or an individual not of your choice may be given attorney powers for you. As our population ages and the health and care sector is increasingly stressed, it’s crucial that you nominate someone with your own interests at heart, rather than choices being made for economical or geographical purposes.

Creating LPAs sounds complicated and expensive. Are they?

That’s a common perception – but not at all! A straightforward LPA starts at £375 or £500 for two. A couple may create all four for around £750. So it’s not as expensive as you may think.

For more information or advice, contact the Probate, Wills and Trusts team at Robertsons via law@robsols.co.uk www.robsols.co.uk, 029 2023 7777

Style of the city Offer A box of 12 Cupcakes ONLY £15.00 Vanilla or Chocolate Sponge. A choice of one colour butter cream and custom made toppers of your choice USE CODE- CITYCAKE15 (With code only, 1 box per person) Cakes Made Easy at

Nevaehs Parties

Located at 112 Barry Rd ‘Nevaehs Parties’ will be offering custom made cakes and cupcakes to order for all Occasions. We also provide delicious sweets & treats, such as candy cones, sweet bags, tray bakes, goody bags, gift hampers and much more. Contact number: 07494 590662 62 Style of the city Come and experience it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed!