Bump Blog #1: I'm Going to be a Mama

I am very excited to (finally!!) announce that I am pregnant with our first child!

I haven't seen much point in starting my bump blog until today as all I would have done is whinge about how ill I am up until now (oh I do love a good whinge nowadays). I am aware some people have guessed by now as I haven't really made a special effort to try and hide the pregnancy, especially in the last month or two (I figured feeling sick and/or tired are pretty generic symptoms of many things?), and I know I'm starting to show now but I haven't actually just come out and said it until today. As you can imagine with hormones flying about everywhere I didn't feel like myself for a long while and was so sensitive and vulnerable to just about everything, and was actually quite nervous about announcing for a while so I wanted to wait until I felt somewhat back to normal.

I guess I should share the story of how we found out! After feeling sick and going off my food for a few days, Craig made me take a pregnancy test. Because I was told I would probably find it hard to conceive after receiving chemotherapy years and years ago (a side effect of chemo can be reduced fertility), Craig suggested that we start trying sooner rather than later so if it did turn out that I needed treatment, we could do that and still be relatively young parents. After lots of long chats about it I went off the pill and off we went. Apparently it turns out I am very fertile, as it happened within a matter of weeks. Obviously I wasn't expecting this at all as I'd spent so long thinking that it would be really difficult for us. I definitely didn't think it would happen within the first few months at the very least. Anyway, I clearly didn't wait long enough for it to develop and as soon as it came up with one line (not pregnant) I put it in the bin. The next night, I was washing my face and the test caught my eye. It now had another faint line on it, and I just thought that was strange and decided it was a dodgy test! I was told to take another one, and again it had one prominent line and another very faint line. Very confused, we drove to Asda in the middle of the night and got some Clear Blue's. By this point I'd decided that I didn't want to get a negative result back now we'd gotten ourselves excited, so I did my thing and made Craig read it. I knew just by the look on his face that it was positive before he even said anything!

I had my first scan a month ago and I've literally not felt a better feeling than seeing our baby on the screen for the first time. It was definitely love at first sight and I knew from that moment that everything was going to be fine. Before I had the scan I would lie awake at night freaking out wondering if I'm going to be a bad mam or if I would know what to do, but as soon as I seen the baby for the first time that fear went away and it was replaced more with excitement. When we seen baby again this morning it was already bouncing and kicking away having a whale of a time in there and I should feel it moving very soon. I think it's going to be really weird to feel it kicking me but I'm so excited about it finally happening too!

So, to sum up my first trimester.. I honestly don't know how I coped with practically 24/7 sickness (which started promptly at week 3) and being so exhausted I slept 14 hours a night plus a nap during the day, whilst starting a dissertation alongside all my assignments and exams. Plus actually getting good marks for it all so far. My tutors have been so helpful and understanding, I can't thank them enough for the last few months. I was told I could push any deadline back and it wouldn't be an issue but I was determined to get all my work in on time just like everyone else. My food aversions were very strong and I quickly went off a lot of food I used to love. Craig came home with a kebab once and as soon as I sensed it, it was game over haha. I never liked them anyway but I never used to be so revolted by the smell. I wouldn't say I have cravings yet but when you feel that sick thinking about eating, if you can imagine thinking of one thing that doesn't make you feel ill when you think about eating it, you become kind of obsessed with it. I think Craig enjoyed the McFlurry phase the most, funnily enough he never complained when I woke him up and told him that we're going to McDonalds!

The second trimester however is a much better place to be! My sickness hasn't completely went away but it's eased off a lot. I'm still tired a lot but I think it's because I'm finding it more difficult to get comfortable at night as I never usually sleep on my side but I have to now because it's getting harder to lie on my stomach and back. I definitely eat a lot more than I used to, I'm constantly hungry! I figure I'm just making up for the three months that I hated food! The hormones aren't as bad as they were, although I do think they have turned me more soft than I used to be. Last week I sat watching One Born Every Minute crying my eyes out from beginning to end, not because I was freaked out at the births (although I'm not particularly looking forward to that part) but because I know that in a few months that will be us welcoming our new baby.. I really can't wait now!

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

I received this lovely fragrance and the shower products to match for my birthday. Before I actually received this fragrance I'd never really had any interest in it but I knew it was popular as I sold quite a lot of it when I worked on fragrance counters.

I would literally describe this as summer in a bottle but technically it is a combination of Sicilian citron, apple, freesia, jasmine, musk and amber. If you like your fragrances light and fresh then I would say give this one a try. I don't like really heavy fragrances and I prefer the fruitier or sweeter ones and although you can tell it's slightly musky, it's not overpowering, it's very subtle.

Speaking of fragrance, one thing I always do is buy the shower gel and body lotion to match. It really makes a difference as you're 'layering' the scent and it lasts so much longer! I do this before every night out and I find I don't really need to re-apply my fragrance again during the night, so it's one less thing I have to carry in my bag!

Monday Morning Pinspiration

My Birthday Weekend

As I said the other day, it was my birthday this weekend! I've lost the cable to my camera so I can't upload pictures of my presents yet but I got lots of lovely things from The Body Shop, Lush & just about every Soap & Glory product ever made amongst other things which I will share my thoughts on asap.

On Friday night I was surprised by Craig with all of my presents and a meal at a restaurant called Asiana, then we decided to try our luck at the casino afterwards. I'm not really a gambler (apart from the lottery every now and then!) but I had a go at some of the machines, unfortunately I didn't end up any richer :( And last night I had the big meal at Marcello's where I seen more friends and family, and today, even more vistors! It's been a really busy but good weekend!

Craig got sliiiightly tipsy, in case you couldn't tell by his eyes on that photo lol. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a picture of my cake before it was demolished! I haven't felt all too grand today (not alcohol-induced!) so I've just been relaxing all day and I've decided to end a lovely weekend with a pizza and a Lush bath :) Hope you have all had a good weekend too!

Happy Birthday to Me & Friday Five

Well I'm another year older today! Woohoo (not) - birthdays become slightly less exciting the further away you get from your teens!

Ignore the 'purr' - private joke lol

I just finished university for the year yesterday and I had the flat to myself this morning so I made the most of it by spending some quality time with the bed and the remote! I've had some visitors this afternoon and received some lovely gifts which I will do a seperate post on over the weekend. Craig is taking me out tonight although I don't know where yet as he won't tell me, and tomorrow night the celebrations continue at Marcello's which is an Italian restaurant down the road, with all my friends and family. It's kind of a tradition in my family for every birthday we all go out for dinner and invite loads of family and friends, the group seems to get bigger every year now as we're all settling down as well, it's always a really good night though!

Here is today's Friday Five to finish off, I will post again over the weekend..

1. How self-conscious do you get when someone's pointing a camera at you?
Not very, the only time I do is when people take them randomly without warning, but I don't think anybody likes that!

2. What was the last meal you took a photo of?
When I made a Sunday dinner a few weeks ago, which I then picked at and hardly ate, everyone else liked it though!

3. When were you last bitten or stung by something?
I think it was in Egypt a few years ago, I don't really tend to get bitten really. I mustn't taste very nice?!

4. What's something people miss most when they move away from your area?
I don't think they make cheesy chips properly anywhere else outside of the north east, and I guess there's events like the air show that people might miss if they moved away

5. On long day-trips do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger? Why?
I'm usually the driver, but I don't mind either way!

My Wish List

Even though we're really close to my birthday (one week, eek) and Christmas, I realised I haven't actually put a lot of thought into what I would like to receive! So I thought I should have a look about and give some of my friends and family a little inspiration, as I know I am hard to buy for! Here are some of the things I would really like to receive this season ;)

1. Lipsy Dress

Lipsy Sequin Peplum Dress: £60

I love Lipsy's dresses and I really like the new ones they've brought out for Christmas, this one is my favourite.

 

2. Spa Day

weheartit

There is nothing I would love more after these hard couple of months than a day at the spa to totally relax!

 

3. Scented Candles

The Body Shop Scented Candle: £10

I like filling our home with scented candles, I don't really think you can have too many! 

 

4. Moisturiser

Trilogy Moisturiser: £26

Trilogy is a brand I've been interested in trying for a while but never got around to, and I need a new moisturiser soon.

 

5. A Holiday!

I'm obsessed with looking for holidays at the moment, we both want to get away again very soon!

The Ten Day You Challenge - Nine Loves

Continuing the Ten Day You Challenge - today I'm going to do my nine loves!

1. My Pets

I've always loved animals, I've lost count of how many pets I've actually had over the years!

2. The Other Half

This is kind of a given, but it would be odd not to include him in the list! I can talk to him about anything and we know pretty much everything about each other. You know it's real love when you know every last gory detail about them and their past and you still love them anyway! He has some habits that (really!) bug me but I do things that bug him too, that's pretty standard in any relationship. We're getting married in just under two years and there's so much for us to look forward to in the future.

3. Disney

Photo: about.com

I love anything to do with Disney, even my wedding dress is from the Alfred Angelo Disney princess-inspired collection!

I have lovely memories of going to see the movies and going to the Disneyland theme parks when I was young and I can't wait to share the same experiences all over again with my future son/daughter.

4. Dancing
When I left school I went straight to dance college and lived/danced in London for a while too. As everyone says (because it's true), it's very competitive and you really need a thick skin. You learn to brush things off so easily, because if you don't, you would crack up!

5. My Family

weheartit

I think it's really important to try and maintain a good relationship with your family, and thankfully mine is a close one. What I also love is that me and Craig are part of each other's families. I go and see his family on my own sometimes and he goes off to do things with my dad sometimes too. The rest of my family live past the Lake District so I don't get to see them very often but they are the loveliest (and also the loudest) people you'd ever meet!

6. My Friends

Me and my 'big sister'/maid of honour Lisa

I have a lovely bunch of friends who are all so supportive. This is why I'm having such a nightmare choosing bridesmaids! Even though we've all moved on from the days where we would go out every night and didn't have any responsibilities and are now engaged/married/have children, we still have good relationships and it's nice that we now have all these new experiences to share together.

7. Home Sweet Home
There is no place I love to be more than at home, specifically my bed! I love being comfy cosy in the house especially in winter when it's freezing outside!

8. Playing with Make-Up
I don't claim to be fantastic at make-up, but I do enjoy playing around with it and learning. I've received brief training days through my agency and have worked for plenty of brands over the years. I always like picking up tips from people that I get to work with and from YouTube too.

9. Travelling

The Atlantis Hotel - The Bahamas

 I know I've pointed this out before but I've ran out of idea's haha. You'll have gathered from previous posts that I like going on holiday, I go on about 4 a year.