Yesterday Clara had her first night away from home and we had the opportunity to test out the travel cot properly and see how we got on with it. We went down to Selsey on the South Coast for Clara’s cousin’s 3rd birthday party and decided that it would be easier to stay the night in order to avoid having to set off early from home on the day of the party.

I think it is fair to say that I packed everything but the kitchen sink for our time away, and I honestly feel that it wouldn’t really have made much difference whether we were going for a day or a week, I literally took it all! In my defence, we did actually end up using pretty much everything that we took with us, so I don’t feel like I was being too crazy – although I’m sure Jamie would disagree!

The actual night itself went so smoothly that we both woke in the morning feeling a little bit baffled. Neither of us had expected to get a whole lot of sleep, especially as we were staying above a pub and there was quite a loud party going on in the street outside until the early hours, but somehow Clara surprised us both and had one of her best night’s sleep in recent weeks!

The birthday party itself was fun, although Clara got tired so quickly that I ended up having to sit upstairs with her whilst she napped so we sort of missed most of it, but it was still lovely to see some of the family nonetheless. As a party present, Clara got her first helium balloon and she absolutely loved it! Endless entertainment from a combination of chewing on the weight, grabbing at the balloon itself and pulling on the string – I think we will definitely buy her another one soon as she seems to really have fun with them!