Gin and Tonic

My oh my, am I craving a delicious, cold crisp gin and tonic with ice and a slice of lime right about now.

Or a spiced rum, coke and lime with ice.

Or a large glass of chilled pinot grigio.

It’s very ironic that when I am not pregnant, I hardly ever want to drink alcohol, but now I am, and it’s summer and I’m not meant to, (according to current media) I am longing for a long, cool, alcoholic beverage.

A Dr friend at church has said that a glass of wine a week wouldn’t hurt at all.  And it’s very tempting.  I have had a couple of sips on two occasions since getting past 12 weeks.   I certainly wouldn’t have spirits or anything above 4%.  But you can’t escape the fact people frown at you.   My sister had a glass of fizzy white wine every Friday to celebrate the end of a week.  You get women drinking pints in pubs with 8 month pregnant tummies, and smoking 10 a day too.  So why should I feel guilty over half a glass of white wine?

Well, I do.  Giving into temptation doesn’t make me feel any better, even though I’m having what I feel I want at the time.  And the craving doesn’t go away!!  And Schloer and Appletise does not cut it whatsoever.

Maybe I’ll have to investigate the alcohol free wine.  Where they make wine, but somehow suck the alcohol content out of it.  We gave some to our guides once when we had a meal, but realised it still had 0.5% alcohol in a bit too late!  It was nice though, and wine enough.

But still nothing as good as a gin and tonic 😦

Hopeful for 2013

So far this year has been great!

I know it’s not been here for long, but for these first 8 days, well, not too shabby world!!

We’ve found a house we’re interested in. There are issues, such as it going into probate due to the current owner dying, leaving it to his partner in the will, but his son contesting it. How long that sort of thing takes to sort out I don’t know. Whether it will be something we can actually buy I don’t know. But I have a good feeling and we’re not in a position to put an offer in yet anyway. We’re hoping to be able to apply for a mortgage at the end of the month, but are prepared to wait for this house. It’s where we want to live and even has a hot tub in the garden!!! We went to have a viewing on friday and both agree we want it! It would be lovely to think we could have a ‘proper’ house this year!

We had a lovely weekend going to my niece’s Christening on Saturday in Nottingham. It was a lovely day and here we are, all scrubbed up together:

It was a lovely service, with a buffet at a function room afterwards. Joel sat on his own at a kiddy table, and ate all the mini sausages for his lunch!

And we have some nice occasions on the horizon as well with a week in Kent at Easter with Steve’s family, our holiday to Menorca in May and a holiday to Wales in July (must book something up soon!!)

Joel turns two in April. I can’t believe he’s such a grown up boy already! We walked to toddler group yesterday. It’s a two minute walk for me, but a 10 minute toddle for him! And to his credit, he walked and held my hand all the way there, and half the way back! He stopped and put his arms up for a carry on the way home and he was tired as it’s a busy morning of playing, painting, snacking and singing! And it was the first Monday he’s not gone round smacking children! Yay! Its funny the things that make you happy!

He’s decided that Blankie is now called Noo Nee, and yesterday came in and said ‘Peppa’ to me, then found channel 5 on the ipad and promptly put Peppa Pig on to watch! I was amazed! He has got into Peppa Pig through Nursery as all kids there seem to love Peppa.

And I’m going out on Friday to see Les Mis with a friend. I can’t wait. I love Hugh Jackman.

And as for BFP’s this month, I’m not holding my breath. I got ill over the imperative week so would not be surprised to see Aunt Flo turn up in the next week. But I still feel positive on that front for this year. Hoping for a house and a baby in 2013!

Mummy Time

As you may be aware, trying for baby number is taking its time.  Maybe thats a good thing.  It’s not the close age gap I thought I wanted, but we’re taking things easy in the run up to Christmas and I’ve got two new projects on the horizon.

Firstly, I’m signing up to join a Slimming World group.  I don’t think I’m overly huge, and I’ve managed to slim down and lose most of my baby weight, but I’m not someone who weighs herself every day.  In fact, I don’t even own a set of scales!

The group I’ve found meet on a Friday morning, and have other mums who take toddlers and babies, so it seems perfect for me.  I’ve had a copy of the Slimming World magazine this month, and have done an online shop to stock up on the basic essentials, such as low fat spread, low fat yoghurts and ingredients for recipes.

Steve has moaned at the prospect of healthy eating and has promised to visit McDonalds every day, but I think he quite liked our noodles and stir fried beef last night.  I’m hoping that tonight’s Chicken Tikka Masala goes down as well.  The chicken is currently marinating in spices and low fat natural yoghurt at the moment and smelt lovely when I put it together last night!

Steve and I are away this weekend so that won’t be a good start as I won’t exactly be sticking to jacket potatoes but I still think being a little bit good in between will be better than not doing anything at all.

My other plan is to take part in the County Chorus Oratorio after Christmas.  I used to be an active member of our local youth choir until I was 18, then on returning from University, there wasn’t really a choir for me to join, but once a year, after Christmas lots of folk get together to perform this Oratorio.  This year, it will be Verdi’s Requiem, so I will enjoy that.  It’s a big committment with rehearsals every Sunday afternoon for three months but Steve has assured me that he will manage with Joel on his own!! 

So slimming and singing will be my two new hobbies, and we’ll just see what happens with babymaking, but I’m not stressing about it this month.  And I will look forward to Christmas as well. 

A New Page…..

It’s so nice to think that today is like my Friday.  It’s my last day of the week and tomorrow will be a funday rather than a Friday with Joel!  I feel as though I’m ready for a weekend and it’s only been three days so how I’ve managed full time for six months being so tired I don’t know.

This will be month 10 of trying for baby number two, so I’ve ordered some ovulation tests to see whether I am.  It’ll be interesting at any rate.  I’m also ensuring I take folic acid daily.  I wonder whether I can get Steve to take vitamins?!  Probably not!

I’ve also decided to think about going along to a Slimming World meeting.  If conceiving isn’t working, I need something to take my mind off it, and dieting would be a suitable hobby!!  I’ve contacted a group and will go along on Monday.  I’ve had a look at their website, and since I’m at home 4 days out of 7 now, I feel their menus are more manageable for me.   I don’t feel happy with my appearence at the moment, and I’ve never really tried to diet before.  I know lots of folk who’ve done well on this one, and it appeals more than calorie counting approaches, so I feel it’s more for me.   So I’ll record my progress and food here in case anyone is interested, and apologies if it’s not interesting, please skip the diet focussed updates!

And since being ill last weekend I’ve been put off having take aways so that’s a bonus!!

Oh, and I’ve pretty much done all my Christmas shopping now.   Yay me!!  In fact, all I have to get now is one online shopping voucher for my sister for Emma Bridgewater and we’re done!  Thank you and goodnight!!!

p.s. I’ve ordered myself the Michael Buble Christmas album as a treat, and will listen to it whilst wrapping presents and writing cards with a glass of mulled wine.  Steve will have to be kicked out of course!  He won’t enjoy that as an evening!!  Is mulled wine allowed on slimming world?   I hope so!!!

Grown Up Time

And no, that isn’t meant to sound saucy.

It’s just that I’m excited to be having people round for dinner! 

We’ve invited Chris and Liz wth Trudy for dinner, so it isn’t a baby free evening, but it’s so nice to think we’ll have grown up company for once!!

I was wondering what I could possibly make as to feed to toddlers as well it can’t be too late, so this morning I had a wrestle with four lamb shanks and got them into my slow cooker after browning, I poured over some de-glazed red wine, some chicken stock, herbs and onions and have left it to cook on high for 8 hours!

I hope it works.  Else we’ll be eating beans on toast and have wasted some decent lamb. 

We’ve got a bottle of red (remainder from cooking but decent) and a bottle of rose, and beers, and I’m making a banoffee pie for pudding.

We might get the buzz buzzers out as well!!  It should be fun!

I’ve also asked Joel’s nursery to not limit his nap, so he is able to stay up a bit longer.  Trudy has a later bed time, so it would be nice for them to play together and sit round the table with us.

Au Revoir Baby

So we left Joel for 24 hours and headed off for a weekend, just the two of us!

We had quite a busy Saturday prior to departure.

I had a lie in until 10am (which is very good for me!), and then went into town with Joel and bought a couple of new tops as I didn’t really have anything nice to wear for the weekend.  (Nothing like an impulse buy!)

We bought some soup and crusty bread for lunch and Joel practised using his spoon.  I’m not sure he enjoyed the soup (creamy tomato) but he liked the soggy bread and the fact he could dip his spoon in and put it in his mouth himself.  He’s getting quite good at self feeding.  I have bought him some baby cutlery but he’s not quite ready to use that yet.  Although he does like having his little baby knife and fork to wave around!

Then we went along to his friend’s birthday party.  Joel hadn’t managed to nap at regular times so fell asleep in the car on the way, but woke up  once we got there.  He was sleepy but got excited when he saw Freddie’s presents and all three chums (Joel, Evan and Freddie) stood around banging a big box containing a Little People farm!

After a quick snack of cream cheese on bread (which he loves and he had as a snack before going to town as well) he was flagging so we said goodbye and I dropped him straight at my parents so he could have a nap there without being further disturbed.  I then popped home, collected the bags and his stuff and dropped it back at theirs.  We then headed off after a kiss goodbye and we were away!

It was the first time in over a year we were going away with one small bag of clothes and not the whole lot of paraphanalia that Joel requires!

We got to the hotel and Steve hadn’t got his trunks so couldn’t go swimming but we found we didn’t really have time anyway!  We settled in, got changed for dinner and headed out to Warwick to find ‘The Aubergine’ which was a Turkish restuarant I’d found with good recommendations.

And it was lovely!  We had a cold meze to start with Turkish bread, lots of dippy things, houmous, courgette salad, carrot salad, pickles, olives and tzatiki which was delicious.  Then Steve ordered a mixed grill which had about 6 different types of meat, and I opted for lamb fillet which came rolled in herbs and spices.  It was delicious.  All served with tabbouleh, yoghurt and salad.

We were too full for pudding, but the bill came with Turkish delight which really complemented the conclusion of the meal.  We were really impressed with the place too.  It was a very small, intimate little restaurant, painted aubergine purple, with Turkish lanterns adorning the ceiling.  We had a little table for two in the corner by a window and pretty tea light holders on the table.

It was run by a couple and she took the orders and sat folk and brought food, and he sat by the indoor barbeque cooking the meat to perfection!  It was a lovely meal and it was nice to be the two of us.

After we were done, we zipped over to Coventry to find a cinema and watch American Reunion.  It was funny, and felt like a proper date!

Then for the Sunday, we had a huge Hilton breakfast, and departed for Stratford.  I used my birthday money to buy a new waterproof jacket and we visited the butterfly farm before heading home to our baby who we found to have leaking gunky eyes!  Where he picked that up I don’t know!!

My Last Evening At Guides

 Here’s my lovely gift box from the Guides!  It was huge!!  And Jill also got me a lovely charm for my Chamilia bracelet – a star because she said I was star!  Woo!

 

They’d all signed my card with little message….

 And it was filled with baby goodies!!

 Towels, bibs, socks, hats, wipes, lotions, bath bottles, more wipes, cotton wool, you name it, it was in there!  It was like a treasure trove with the fabulous bath at the bottom.

Who doesn’t love presents, and even presents technically for someone else!  Of the baby variety!!  🙂

In Bruges

Here’s a write up of my weekend of travels!

Friday

05.30am – Up and at ’em!!  It was very early, but we made it to the pick up point in good time and settled onto the coach.

The seats were slightly too reclined for my liking and I put the seat back and with my pillow I tried to nap.  I drifted off to sleep but then woke up suddenly feeling clammy, green and nauseous.   I can only think that because I was on my back, my body was saying ‘no’ and I couldn’t sleep that way!!  Luckily, the coach wasn’t full, so I could move behind Hubby and have two seats to myself and put my legs up which helped a lot.  I felt really rested.

1.00pm – Ferry time!  Hubby and I enjoyed the ferry and it only took just over an hour and we were there.  I never realised it was all so close.

5.00pm – After a stop at a wine warehouse (where we only bought iced tea!) we headed to our hotel.  It was the most basic hotel I’ve ever stayed at but it was ok.

7.00pm – We headed out and found a nice restaurant called Mirador where we had a nice meal together.

10.00pm – I was sleepy and the bed was actually very comfortable so zonked out early!

Saturday

8.30am – Down for breakfast which was continental and consisted of cereals, juice, coffees (bleurgh), yoghurts, bread, croissants (yum) and butter and jam.

9.30am – Off to Bruges we went and within an hour we were dropped at a park and ride.  Hubby and I opted to walk the short distance into the city and found a lovely park, and at least three Christmas markets.  The windows were full of Christmas goodies and although we didn’t have the money to really splurge it was fun window shopping.

13.00pm – We had some food from the markets, fries for me and bratwurst for Hubby (any sort of nutrition really went out of the window this weekend) and stopped in a cafe for waffles and drinks so I could use the facilities!!  Being pregnant and cold is not conducive to bladder control!!

17.00pm – Back to Calais and we went back to the same restaurant and Hubby again had a steak, and I had tartiflette which is potatoes, onions and bacon in a cheesy sauce. Most tasty it was too, and unfortunately very hot as I discovered when a piece of cheese soldered itself to the roof of my mouth and burned me.

21.00pm – We watched a film on Hubby’s lap top in our hotel room and went to sleep after a lovely day!

Sunday

08.00am – Breakfast again and onto the coach.  There was a little drama with two attempts from illegal refugees trying to hide in the engine to get access to the UK.  One guy was found outside the hotel as the bus driver noticed fingerprints around the engine door, and sure enough, a man had crept in during the night and was hiding in the wheel arches.  How he thought he’d manage to hold on for the duration is beyond me, but when he realised he wasn’t going to be allowed to stay there, he came out looking glum.

09.30am – Wine warehouse stop – and refugee number two was found at this point sitting on the axel of the front wheels.  This fellow was more accepting and even waved the bus off after he was asked to exit.

10.00am – Citi-Europe – this place is huge and we had a fab time wandering around and Hubby bought a little baby set and we got some bits and bobs for Christmas presents.

12.00pm – Back on the bus for home and I slept most of the way after getting to Dover.  I had two cups of tea on the ferry from Costa (I think I’d not drunk enough over the weekend and had a bit of a dehydration headache).

19.00 – Back in Stafford and we collected our car and drove up to my parents to collect Izzy.  She was pleased to see us and it was nice to be home.  We watched half an hour of tv and then off I went to bed and that, was my weekend away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had been wondering how I’d cope with being pregnant and away and although the initial nausea episode worried me, I was fine the rest of the weekend.  Being able to put my feet up on the coach journey helped a lot I think and I think I should have drunk more but I was worried about going to the loo.