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.

Baby scan

So yesterday we had a 16 week scan.. it was amazing. I think it was my favourite one so far!

I honestly love having these scans so fricking much, I wish I could have one once a week to be honest. It's so nice having the reassurance and getting to see how much the baby has grown in the few weeks since we last saw!

It's just incredible that we're able to do these kinds of things. Anyway, the morning was lovey, got up and did half an hour on the exercise bike which I'm trying to do every day. Some days are easier than others..

I then woke Antman up and we both got ready, Ginette (Ant's mum) came over and we set off!

I'd had my usual 3 breakfasts but bloody hell, the whole journey there all I could think was I'm excited but MAN I'm hungry!

We arrived, checked in and mooched about the baby shops whilst we waited for our appointment. I spent a lot of time walking around and drinking cold water which they advice you to do before, which I really hate because I need a wee so quickly after a drink, pregnant or not.. obviously it much worse these days. And I'm really rubbish and dealing with really needing a wee.... wow my life is so hard.

Anyway, we went in and they double checked with us that we did not want the gender out loud and we'd like it written down in an envelope. Which was really reassuring as I was nervous they'd accidentally tell us, but they're clearly used to it.

Me and Ant are having a gender reveal party and I think that they're so common these days that the private scan places and very much accustom to people wanting it written down.

 They put the scanner thing on my belly and baby was there straight away! I know I probably shouldn't be shocked as of course the baby is right there... in my tummy.. but at the other scans we've had they've sort of had to find it because it's been so small (9 week and 12 weeks scans). So I found it mad that it was just right there and a totally different place to last time.

Again, I know to a lot of people I sound stupid but this is all so new and bizarre to me!

Words really cant describe how amazing these scans are to me. I've wanted a baby since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to be a mum and I've always said I want to experience the whole thing. I've always wanted the whole experience of being pregnant and I'm actually there! I still cant believe it.

So they scanner man told me everything looked as it should, we saw the spine, brain, heart and a hand! The hand was insane because you could actually see all the fingers and bones. So cool! But also wow.. I'm actually growing bones in me right now?!

Then the best bit for me - listening to the heart beat. This made me cry, it was just so wonderful hearing it for the first time. My little baby's heart beating inside me. But I quickly stopped myself crying because I thought nooo, I dont want blurry eyes! I need to see the scan as best as I can!

They then told us to look away whilst they checked what gender the baby was, omg I could have got up and put my hands over Ant's eyes. I could see he wanted to look so badly! I had to reach and cover as much as I could. I really thought he was going to look!

Now, I'm not sure if Ginette looked away.. I'm like 90% sure she kept watching and therefore knows the gender of the baby but at the end she said - oh I'm going to wait before knowing, I'll wait until the reveal as well with everyone else. So I think she knows but is pretending she doesnt so that if people question her she can say she doesnt know. So I'm glad either way! I dont mind if she knows and pretends she doesnt or if she really doesnt know. Just as long as me and Ant dont find out until the reveal which is SO bloody far away.

Okay, so then we had a 4D scan, just a quick one that comes with the scan package.

This was so cool! To see this actual little human moving around. So mad to see properly formed arms and legs and nose etc.. At first the baby had its arms crossed in front of its face, which was kinda cool to be honest. Looked gangsta.

This whole experience was awesome and I'm sure I'll remember it forever and ever.

Once we left I, of course bombarded my mum with all the photos and to be honest even though I've stressed and worried so much about her and Ginette knowing the gender early, just because I dont want to accidentally find out.. I wanted my mum to know straight away!!

So I messaged her to say that all the photos were on this link they gave me but I couldnt look because the scan pics of the sex was on there too.. and offered her the link if she wanted to go on and have a guess... I wasnt sure if she'd say yes and within seconds she was like GIVE ME THE LINK NOW!

I sent it to her and straight away she messaged to say she knew because it was written on there as well. So she knows! Argh! So at least one person (other than the scanner people) in this world know's whether me and Ant are having a son or a daughter!!

I don't know why really but I really think I'm having a boy. I've just thought from the beginning it's a boy. I have no evidence... but mark my words.

We headed back to the home area and got some muuuuch needed lunch from a really nice pub near us. I had a massive pie with creamy mash and veg and I cant even describe how daaaaamn good it was! Man I love food so much.

We then headed home all absolutely stuffed. Ginette and her husband Albert stayed for a cuppa and then Ant looked at me and said, Lissssssss can we do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day. (he was hungover from the work do he'd had the night before) I honestly have never been so happy in my life, hahaha.

We literally spent the rest of the day snuggled up on the sofa watching TV and then ordered thai food.

Best. Day. Ever!!!

Stuff!

Again.. I've looked back over pics to try and remind myself what's been going on recently..

There's lots of roast dinners as me and Ant admitted we'd only ever made cheat versions.. so we decided we best get doing it properly as Christmas is coming up and we were home together for the first time in 5 years! Every year we've spent Christmas day with my family.. I know it sounds selfish but it's only because my family properly party! And Ant's family don't always even have a day where everyones together because of partner's families and people working etc.

Of course we spend Christmas with Ant's family too but Christmas day is usually at my mums wearing fancy dress and getting veeeeerry merry!

But this year me and my bro's have said we'd do Christmas with our partners/their families. I won't lie, this killed me. First year ever I wont be with my mum, genuinely makes me so sad.

Anyway, we've organised a weekend we can all do, which is the weekend before Christmas, so it's not so bad because we'll all be there, doing the same thing just on a different day!

Anyway, me and Ant been stuffing our faces with roast dinners and it's been bloody amazing and I can't wait for more FOOD.

So in my pics.. there's food, nails as me and Lois get them done together every few weeks which is lush cos its usually so boring but when you got your bestie it's great!



There's pics of me and Ant and Christmas tree we put up at ours, we put some Christmas tunes on and got right in the mood. It was a lot of fun and then Ant dragged us out shopping to get more decorations, I wasnt up for it massively as I had a banging headache (common these days!) and I thought we had enough but I have to say he chose awesome decorations and everyone comments on them!






OH! Massive news actually is that my older brother Adam and his fiance, are expecting.. TWINS!

This is absolutely amazing amazing news because they've been trying to conceieve for so long and they want it so much. I feel so bad when I told them I was expecting - even though they were, of course, lovely and happy for me.

Adam announced it by saying in the group chat that he had some news... left us hanging then said 'Lissa's midget is gonna have a cousin' SO typical!

I then rang him and just ended up being like ARGHHHHHHH down the phone hahaa, I am so happy for them. I then rang my mum to pretty much do the same thing and she admitted she'd known for ages! And hated keeping it a secret. I'd actually been interrogating her earlier in the month but she didnt give in... and I believed her.

Erika is 7 weeks behind me and with twins they can come early and with single pregnancy I could be late.. so our babies could be so close in age! Just wish we all lived closer...

More baby stuff (there's gonna be none stop baby stuff now not gonna lie) is that I went to lunch with Ant's mum and Ant's niece Mila recently which was lovely and she is honestly the happiest baby I've ever met! She's such a delight and honestly, it makes me just hope and wish our baby is like her. She sleeps loads and is constantly smiling and more than happy for interaction all the time. I jut love her!



Ermm.. what else is new.. works fine.. happy as always. I really love it there and hope that I can remain working there after my maternity but I dont know how it would work.. something for future Lissa to deal with though.

We got new beds! This is exciting as we've needed them for ages and Ant just got a bonus and I've been saving just in general and so we splashed out (a little) on new beds and they're sooo nice. We went from a double to a super king in the main room and oooooomg its heaven!

Twice since we got the beds have we just spent all evening after dinner lay in it watching tv till I fall asleep, what a life to lead!

Catch up

So as usual I have neglected my blog and my mum has sent me messages moooooooaning..

I looked back over my pics to try and remember what has been happening since my last post and it has been a while!

Just after the weekend at my mums me and Ant had our 12 week scan.. I was so nervous and excited for this because we'd seen the baby at 9 weeks which was awesome, but it's always nerve wracking because you just want everything to be okay! I also havent really had many symptoms of feeling pregnant.. so no sickness and just not a lot so that each day I'm like yep.. definitely still pregnant. But after googling, speaking to other pregnant ladies and mums I realised that lack of symptoms or sudden loss o symptoms is totally normal. Your hormones level go up and down all the time.. so many people say I should think myself lucky that I dont feel any different!

Anyway, me and Ant went off excitedly to the scan and it was just as we'd hoped! All looking as it should and seeing the little nug as we call it (we call our cats chickens and each other chickens and thought it quite cute that our little baby growing is a little chicken nugget hahaha!) was incredible.

The baby was sat in a funny position so the scanner lady (I should know the formal name of these people sorry!) was finding it hard to do her checks.. which was fine for us because we got extra time just watching this lil nug move around and just TRY and make it feel more real.

We got the reassurance we'd wanted and new pics and we left really really happy! I had to go for blood tests so she sent me upstairs in the hospital.. I thought I'd be in and out but it was going to be a 2 hours wait! So we went to Tesco which is opposite the hospital and got breakfast in the cafe. It was lovely because we were both beaming.

We then went over to my bestie Lois' work as she's just round the corner, and gave her one of the scan pictures. Lois is my ultimate best friend in the world and so she's fully invested in this child, she cried when I gave her the picture, just love her! We caught up and me and Ant went into the sensory room (Lois works in a children's centre) and imagined us taking our little one there one day!

We headed back, waited around for about 10 mins and got the blood test done - worked out really nicely actually as we got to bunk off work and spend the day together.

Back to work after this and I put my picture up in the General Slack channel which is an instant messaging app we all have at work.

I was so nervous but I just wanted everyone to know as I didnt want it to be a secret anymore! I put the picture up with the caption - I've never been one for subtlety and so here it is! #preggers.

I got a great response, everyone congratulating me and a few shocked faces! The team at my work are great and I really feel like I get on with everyone so it was pretty awesome to be honest.

The next day my director had bought me the book 'what to expect when you're expecting' which is really sweet.

I was going to wait to announce my pregnancy on social media for Xmas but I just couldnt wait to I added it to FB and Instagram and again.. got such a lovely response. I feel so lucky!