Corona and life in general at the mo

So, this is finally recent life now I've caught up.

And life at the moment is crazy! The corona virus I've mentioned previously has become massive..

I wont go into detail about the facts because, to be honest, I've avoided them as it's pretty damn scary! But I'll tell it how I've experienced it.

At first when I heard about it I just heard it was like the flu and lots of people were getting ill and we had to wash our hands more regularly... I have to admit I really didnt take it seriously, I was the one joking with all the memes and singing happy birthday twice whilst washing my hands was as far as I was going.

Well.. then it started to creep up on us, and people here started to die.. you'd here about a death every other day and it started to feel a little more real. Then more and more cases were being reported. I think (from a quick google search) that the first death reported was 13th March in Scotland.. it's not the 8th April and the number of deaths in the UK is 6,159.. so that's how real this thing now is! How terrifying is that..

So it went from a few cases, to schools closing, to pubs and restaurants closing, to everyone working from home, to complete lockdown where we have to follow these rules:

You should only leave the house for very limited purposes:
- Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
- One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household
- Any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
-Travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

How insane is life right now?! All events are being cancelled.. like Adam and Erika's wedding.. I won't have a babyshower, we just cant do anything we'd planned.

My birth will also have different rules.. I am only allowed one birth partner, so just Antony rather than having my mum there as well. Which is devastating. Antony has to leave an hour after the baby is born.. he's not allowed there until i'm officially in labour.. so if I go in to be induced he's not allowed in. And I'm not allowed any visitors at all.. it's really shit to be honest!

BUT.. I moan about these things and then give myself a reality check because we are healthy, we are staying safe.. these rules arent in place because the midwives want to be rubbish or cant be bothered with visitors.. they're all for our own safety. As long as baby if here safely that's all that will matter.

I just hope hope hope with everything I got that Ant will be there for her actual birth. I'd be so sad if he missed it.. but I need to take everyday as it comes because who knows where we'll at the end of May. Fingers crossed the rules will have relaxed but we shall see.

On a lighter note, me and Ant have been working from home together and it's really nice. We are very much a couple that spend all of our time together and dont row or get annoyed with each other.. we're used to each other's company all the time. We have little breaks to dance or sing along to the radio and I dunno.. in all this negativity, its nice to have these positives. Like not having to get ready in the mornings.. being pretty chilled all day ( i was always on my feet at work and getting tired with pregnancy)

Also.. thinking of positives.. if Ant is still working from home when the baby is here we'll have lots more time together than we normally would as he'd be at work so that's nice.

It's just a shame that no-one can come and see my newborn baby! People wot actually meet her until she's grown some.. who knows.

Anyway as you can tell it's very up and down at the moment.. Let's just hope that this whole thing starts to die down soon.. I just want it to be over as I'm sure the whole world does.

Every Thursday everyone stands outside their doors to clap and praise the NHS and the front line workers, it's really nice.

Anyway, some recent pics.

 Bump date at 31 week here..

 Us working from home real hard

 Sums up our lives

 The weather has been so beaut lately, which makes this whole situation a lot more bearable. We are so grateful that we have a garden. We might be in isolation but we are so lucky to have each other, a lovely house with a big garden and our little kits to keep us happy x

Antman's birthday

So Ant's birthday weekend was lots of fun! A bit different to most years as we couldnt go as wild, but we had a really good time.

On the Friday night we went for a few drinks in the pub straight from work (I had a moccha oooo) and Ant did about 3 beers in an hour, easy!

We chinwagged and chatted about the corona virus which was creeping up on us at this time.. I had a surprise planned for the next day and hadnt told Ant about it until now.. I was saying how I'd bought anti-bac wipes to make sure we can clean the golf clubs tomorrow at Top Golf... I didnt even noticed I'd said it and he was laughing like you've just told me what we're doing tomorrow!! OOPS! I was so annoyed and embarrassed...

Anyway, we then headed off to the curry house, oooh I was excited.

On the walk over I could see how drunk Ant was and I thought oohhhh this is going to be fun hahaha!

We arrived and ordered and had such a good laugh. Ant was being a wind up, leaning back on his chair to get stuff from the table behind and making me stress that he was gonna fall off the chair and make a right scene! Then he started singing along to the music loudly and laughed at himself going 'oooops just realised how drunk I am and how loud that was'

We headed home and slobbed in bed.. with Ant continuing to wind me up!

The next day we got up, I made him some brekkie and mooched about a bit. We then went to our first NCT class.. we got stuck in the bloody car park and I had to swap with Ant so he could get us out of the tighted space I've ever been in. It was so hard, Ant scraped my wing mirror on the wall but I didnt care.. get us out! Good start lol!

Anyway, the session was really good. We got to know each other, had a bit of a chinwag and some snacks and then we split off into guys and girls and wrote down what we'd like to learn from NCT. It was funny cos our list was massive and the guys had 3 items on theres.

We then looked at (not real) pictures of the stages of labour and had to put them in the right order. IT was crazy but quite exciting.. even though I know it's going to hurt just a lot.

It was really good and I was really looking forward to the next one.. little did I know that'd be my first and last session due to the corona virus which I've briefly mentioned.

So afterwards we went off to Top Golf. We thought it'd be quite quiet today but we were wrong... we ended up waiting about 2 and a half hours? But it was all good because we had some drinks and some grub and enjoyed each others company.

When it was our turn we went and got our balls and set up to play.. I thought I was gonna be dreadful but I actually beat (thrashed) Antony in the first game! Buuuuut.. the second game not so much, I was dreadful this time.

We had sucha laugh at each other being awful and missing the ball haha. We ordered some drinks.. Ant more beet and me a big fat chocolate milkshake which was delicious!

We then headed home and I cant remember what we did, I reckon we ordered take away and chilled out tbh! We're getting old..

The next day was Ant's actual bday and we didnt do a lot really. We did pressies and brekkie in the morning and then I'm pretty sure we went to Aldi and then Ant played his game and I went through baby clothes.. how times have changed.

Ant forgot (as usual) to take a pic of me so he had to take this at the end when we'd ran out of balls!





Here's a little bumpdate in my painty clothes.. I was gonna write about the house renovations but I think it's just boring.. bascially.. we are painting all the rooms.. got new bathroom and ordered new carpet. Nesting AF!

A wonderful week off

 

So I previously mentioned in another post that Ant's mum and husband were re-doing our bathroom for us.

So we were going away for the week! Obviously.. They suggested it, not us! I did feel a bit cheeky but it just seemed to make sense.

So our first stop was my mums house..

We arrived on the Friday night and then we played games and caught up as usual! There's no pictures because they dont like having evidence that I beat them at all the games..

 On the Saturday me and Antony went into town and I got my nails done and he got his hair cut.. we had a little bit of a mooch about in Taunton.

That evening we ordered take away and played with the virtual headset for most of the evening.

On the Sunday we used to virtual reality headset to do some boxing exercises.. omg me and Antony were aching so badly for the next few days, it was ridiculous!























We then spent pretty much all day playing mario kart and crash bandicoot, it was such a good chilled day.. and then another take away! Perfect, I did sneak off to bed about 10pm this night.. cant hack it! We had such a great weekend catching up, playing games and munching lots!

The next stop was to Antony's nan's house in Wales... we set off on Monday morning after a breakfast casserole.. how did I forget about this. MMMM! Literally the best., which has reminded me to get all the stuff on the next shopping list and ask mum for the recipe!

We had a nice drive to Ant's nans, me and Ant just have such a laugh in the car singing along to music and chatting rubbish.. have I mentioned I love him in this blog yet?!

We arrived and had a catch up with Pauline (Ant's nan) in the kitchen before we got our stuff out of the car. Pauline is lovely, it's always so nice to see her! She had a heart attack not too long ago and she's doing so well! She's very active and very young for her age so I'm not surprised she's sprung back so well. 

We then had a proper lil chill out (I napped.. shock) before heading over to her part of the lil mansion, (how do I get to spend my week off in TWO mansions?!) for a much needed healthy dinner Pauline had made. 

Robin which is Pauline's husband was also there, which I was really happy about because sometimes he stays in Coomb (a fk off castle they've renovated) and likes to kind of avoid some people as he can be an introvert.. he's lovely, thats not meant in any bad way at all. But he does do that and I felt so special that he even swapped his days at Coomb so spend time with me and Ant. You can tell he genuinely likes us and it makes me really happy!

On the Saturday we went shopping and for some lunch, we bought baby clothes which is always exciting! 

We got back to Pauline's and had a separate chill, which I need cos I end up napping every time LOL, pregnancy is hard!

That night we went to the pub and had a huuuuuuge portion for dinner, I had curry as usual.. and then cursed myself because I have such bad hear burn all the bloody time! 

The next day we met Robin at the Rugby Club and we had a spot of lunch, he surprised us with a little Scarlett's top for the baby, so sweet! We went for another mooch around the shops and then home to chill before leaving tomorrow. It went to so quickly!

So last stop.. we are off to Manchester to see my dad and fam. 

We arrived early evening and had the usual catch up with everyone, I walked in and within minute both Dad and Karen were holding the bump and both felt kicks, that was amazing! I love when other people see or feel the movements, it's so nice. 

We had some dinner made by Dad and chilled on the sofas, Beth wasnt around but we bumped into her as she was leaving for her driving lesson and then work training! 

Another trip where we chilled a lot! I feel bad but where I'm pregnant and not as energetic, I made these trips very different to usual but I for one still thoroughly enjoyed them. 

The next day we got up and ready to have a wander around the Trafford Centre, which was really nice and we bought the baby some little books.. which dad then dropped out of the car by accident and scruffed them up lol!! Not that it matters at all, just funny cos it was dad haha. 

We had a mooch about and bought few bits here and there.. Ant got a new coat which rustles really loudly so he is now called Russle. 

We got some grub together at the end of the day which was beaut cos I had a massive jacket potato and prawn mayo which is one of my faves ever! Man I love food so much.... 

Then home to chill.. we tried to watch a film but I (again) couldnt hack it and fell asleep. 

The next day was cuddles and chills until me and Ant had to leave.. it was so nice seeing them, as it always is. This time actually felt more special because we were busy out and about, we chatted a lot and I dunno, was just lovely! 

Then we were on our way home.. sadly... but also very excited to see our bathroom and our cats! So it was nice to have something to look forward to. 

We got home and oh my dear gawwwd hunny! So in love with the bathroom.. here's the before and after pics. Ginette and Albert are amazing! We are SO grateful. 

Stuffs

So this post is just 'stuff' I spose, cos I looked through my pics on my phone and picked out stuff that happened after the reveal/before mine and Ants week off..

So..

This is a pic of me when I was little and Ant when he was little too!! I wonder what our baby is going to look like.. it's so surreal that we're going to have a human together!

We went to a family dinner with Ant's family, which was lush! We had such a good catch up and was really nice to see everyone, I dont feel like we do this enough with his family!

 Ant being a derp, we refused to make two trips of bringing the washing up. This isnt an event but I just love him!

 bumpdate! Think this was around 20 weeks..

 Little 4D scan of our little girlie! Eeeek, cant explain my excitement. Was so awesome to see her face.

 This was when Ant was really impatient at feeling my belly for kicks.. I had to take a picture cos I was so happy! I absolutely love feeling the baby moving and kicking constantly and its even better when Ant feels them too..

Every scan we have had they've said we have a very active baby! I love it.

 Oh this is another one from the family meal we went to.. Ant was mugging me off in every picture which everyone (else) enjoyed!
















So the picture below is the nursery! We painted it white as it was blue before (Ant was not impressed I was making him do this!). We got pink bedding, put the frames up and got the scan pics up too. I love it in there now.

It's not quite finished yet but wont be long.

Gender Reveal!

So this was the best day EVER!

As I probably wrote in my post about my 16 week scan, I am having my mum find out the gender of our baby and then she is going to reveal this with close friends and family in January. 

Wow, what a wait this was! I wanted to check the envelope so many times and find out what we were having. 

But anyway, we waited it out and booked a space in a nearby pub. 

Mum and Andy came to stay on the Friday night to be there for the Saturday.. I was so jealous of everyone with a bevvie! I had Nosecco.. which I must say was really good!

We played with their virtual reality headset gaming thing which was so much fun, we did dancing ones - which I was awful at and then a zombie one which was so funny. 

Ant could hear anyone telling him what to do and I was watching him through this headset pick things up and just drop or throw them, makes me laugh thinking about it. 

Anyway, we went to bed relatively early (for them.. late for me!) 

The next day I woke up soooo excited but nervous at the same time. Actually, I'm pretty sure I woke up on the sofa next to mum as we'd met there in the middle of the night escaping from the snore-ers! 

Anyway, that day Ginette and Albert (Ants mum and husband) came round as they were coming to measure up for our new bathroom. It was really nice that our parents finally met! After 6 years.. 

Anyway, they left and then the rest of us headed to the venue to decorate and met my bestie Lois there too. 

We set up and slowly but surely people started to arrive.. eeeekk!!! SO excited but I was sweating and I kept doing big breaths where I was so full of adrenaline. Not only were were finally going to find out the sex of the baby but it was also amazing that we had all different people from our families there.. it was so weird! My mum and dad in the same room?! Andy and my dad?? Ant's mum and dad?! Arghh, so strange! 

We were hoping to get the reveal started soon but had Connor and Emily texting to say they were late

and Ants dad also running late.. stress! I wanted it nowwww and the food was supposed to be coming out at 3.. it was getting close to that.. 

Anyways, Connor and Emily arrived and we decided not to wait for Ants dad cos he was fricking miles away! 

So this was it (I just got butterflies again!!). Me and Ant set up in the middle of the area we had and everyone sort of lined up in front of us. It was so surreal! Mum put a big box in front of us and explained we needed to open that box and then a smaller one as well. 

So after making sure everyone was ready I got started! Balloons came out of the first box but were neutral colours as that wasnt the reveal but it got a few laughs cos I think people were like huh?? Which was funny. 

Then it felt like the room was completely silent and I was going slow mo.. it was just amazing and I actually am welling up writing about it!

I got the box open and pulled out a PINK bear!!! I still cant believe it. 

So many people, including me, thought that it was going to be a boy so I was really not expecting a girl and I am so so happy. Apparently everyone really cheered but I honestly didnt even hear a thing haha! 

I think 2 people out of the 30 odd there thought it was going to be a girl so it was really cool to have most of the people genuinely surprised! 

Me and Ant had a kiss and hugged everyone. It was amazing, I cant explain how good. 

Then mum gave us lots of pressies to open too which was awesome to have girlie bits already! Lois and Sarah also filled a baby bath with loads of goodies too. Dad and Karen gave us pink blanket and bits too.. it was so lovely. 

We pretty much mingled and chatted with everyone after that... I remember my legs absolutely killing as I'd been stood up all day! I also found it so hard to chat to everyone because I was here, there and everywhere. But I loved a bit of it hahaha!

Once we'd wrapped up and everyone had left, Me, Ant, bros & partners,  Dad, Karen, Beth and Ginette & Albert went for a curry. 

This was really nice, we had a debrief on the day.. caught up and had stupid jokes (obviously!)

It was honestly one of the best days of my life! We got home and into pjs and lay in bed straight away, dont think it was even 9pm to be honest, but I was knackered. It was so nice for me and Ant to chill on our own after the day. 

We had a soppy moment and I just felt so bloody lucky! I really do have the best people around me. 

Added pics at the bottom + a bumpdate which I'll add through out the updates :) 

 

Catch up (again)

So, it's been a while since I've posted on here.. so I'm going to try and catch up. LOADS has happened and I'll try and cover the best (and worst) bits.

So Christmas I think it was the biggest thing to happen since my last post..

I has been so sad about Christmas this year, I love the way we do Christmas as a family, get dressed up, play games and have a right good laugh! But this year it was decided that we'd go to our partner's families this Christmas as we havent done so before, me and Ant have had 5 Christmases together at my families! But in my defence, his family dont usually manage to have a day on Christmas day.. like this year!

Anyway, I had no reason to be sad because Christmas was as awesome as every year! We went to Mum and Andy's the week before Christmas so we could all make it and we basically pretended it was Christmas eve/day/boxing day.. it was perfect.

It started a little different to usual as mum was up and downstairs which NEVER happens! Then Connor and Emily came down to do stockings and eventually little by little every joined.

We did the usual sitting in the living room and exchanging pressies, oh I forgot.. it was also different because I wasnt hanging! Neither was Erika as we're both pregnant (cant remember if I'd mentioned this in earlier posts) But Erika and Adam having twin boys!! I'm soooo excited for them.

We then did the fancy dress outfits which is always hilarious. Mums was the funniest cos she says every year she wants an outfit that she can still do her hair and make up in.. last year she was Donald Trump so had a wig and bright orange foundation hahaha..

So we're waiting for her to come back in with the outfit on and you can just hear her moaning 'Oh for gods sake!!!' and so we're waiting anxiously for her to come in..

She finally waddles in in a penguin outfit, it was so fricking funny!!! She's got this big ring round her belly so the costume sticks out and she's got a hood on. The fact she was annoyed (sorry mum) make it so much funnier!

I had a blow up costume where it looked like I was being carried by an alien and Antony was a female life guard.. I will add pics.

My memory is a little foggy as it was ages ago and I swear baby brain is a real thing! So I cant remember the order of things but I know we had a cracking roast dinner.. Connor and Emily had their vegan one and lets just say I wasnt overly jealous! Sorry!

We then played games in the dining room which was hilarious, I end up losing my sh*t and belly laughing every time. We played 'What do you meme' and cards.

We also played a game where you have to draw something and then pass it round to the next person who writes what they thought it was.. then they pass it on and that person draws whats written..

It was hilarious! I am such a bad drawer for one and I cant say that my family are artists either.. although a few were really good. Andy kept drawing them stupidly to throw us off. Was such a good laugh!

So moving onto mine and Ant's Xmas, this was really really lovely, I am obviously less crazy these days as I'm preggers and not drinking! So me and Antony took it really really easy going day, it was lush!

We ate brekkie, snuggled on the sofa and did pressies. We didnt go crazy as we're obviously trying not to spend a lot.. but Ant spoilt me as always. He made me cry as well with the personalised baby book he got me, I just love him so much! And I cannot wait for our little family.