Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label America. Show all posts
Sunday, 9 June 2013
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Friday, 31 May 2013
#MeAndMine - A Family Portrait (May) The Florida Edition!
This past month we've had more photos taken as a family than we have done ever.
You see, this month we've been on holiday in Orlando, Florida (I'm still here as I write this post!).
I actually almost forgot about this post and whilst looking at photos on my camera yesterday I suddenly realised the date.
Anyone who follows my Instagram feed will know we've been having a totally amazing time!
I have to admit, I was a little nervous about such a big holiday with two small children. We holidayed here last January when I was pregnant and so I knew MC loved it but I was unsure how TC would cope with the travelling and the heat being so young.
I needn't have worried a bit.
At just 14 months old (3 days ago) he has loved every single second of it (separate post to follow on our return) even though the weather has been between 30-35c every day. He was a dream on the 9.5 hour flight too and he literally hasn't stopped smiling since.
We've had some pretty awesome magical moments out here. Both kids have loved the character meets. MC runs up to each character and wraps her arms around them like they are long lost family. TC can sometimes be a tiny bit shy with the 'people' characters like the Princesses etc. but with those like Mickey and Minnie he's loved them. He has a particular soft spot for Wreck It Ralph and even enjoyed meeting Darth Vadar!
One of the highlights of the holiday came Wednesday night when, after experiencing the ever amazing fireworks at Epcot, we drove over to The Magic Kingdom for some late night fun. We managed to catch the fireworks there then did some more rides and character meets. We were the last public in the new Fantasyland area of the character meet when Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Goofy were all knocking off for the night. They saw MC and started playing with her. We got a photo of her with all 4 of them. She was beside herself!
During this holiday I've watched the bond between our two children grow even stronger. They've laughed so hard together and TC has developed even more of a cheeky character than he had before. Matt and I have enjoyed spending our 6th Wedding Anniversary out here. We've also enjoyed our time together as a family of 4 so much and I'm going to treasure these memories as I know, when we get back to the UK, we have the house move happening in less than 3 weeks and everything will feel like a blur.
We've been out here 17 nights now and we still have 5 nights left. I know that the kids don't want to go home and neither do Matt and I...even though we have a new house to move into.
I kind of put my tears on the plane home last year down to pregnancy hormones but thinking about leaving here next week I'm welling up already.
We feel so at home out here.
I have so many family photos I want to share but, for the moment, they are in my Disney Photopass account which I won't be sorting until I'm back in the UK. So I can only share a few that have been taken on my camera or my phone by other people (and a couple of others for good measure). I hope they still manage to give you a small idea of just how incredible it's been so far.
Here's to another amazing holiday out here and being ever thankful for just how lucky we are.
You see, this month we've been on holiday in Orlando, Florida (I'm still here as I write this post!).
I actually almost forgot about this post and whilst looking at photos on my camera yesterday I suddenly realised the date.
Anyone who follows my Instagram feed will know we've been having a totally amazing time!
I have to admit, I was a little nervous about such a big holiday with two small children. We holidayed here last January when I was pregnant and so I knew MC loved it but I was unsure how TC would cope with the travelling and the heat being so young.
I needn't have worried a bit.
At just 14 months old (3 days ago) he has loved every single second of it (separate post to follow on our return) even though the weather has been between 30-35c every day. He was a dream on the 9.5 hour flight too and he literally hasn't stopped smiling since.
We've had some pretty awesome magical moments out here. Both kids have loved the character meets. MC runs up to each character and wraps her arms around them like they are long lost family. TC can sometimes be a tiny bit shy with the 'people' characters like the Princesses etc. but with those like Mickey and Minnie he's loved them. He has a particular soft spot for Wreck It Ralph and even enjoyed meeting Darth Vadar!
One of the highlights of the holiday came Wednesday night when, after experiencing the ever amazing fireworks at Epcot, we drove over to The Magic Kingdom for some late night fun. We managed to catch the fireworks there then did some more rides and character meets. We were the last public in the new Fantasyland area of the character meet when Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Goofy were all knocking off for the night. They saw MC and started playing with her. We got a photo of her with all 4 of them. She was beside herself!
During this holiday I've watched the bond between our two children grow even stronger. They've laughed so hard together and TC has developed even more of a cheeky character than he had before. Matt and I have enjoyed spending our 6th Wedding Anniversary out here. We've also enjoyed our time together as a family of 4 so much and I'm going to treasure these memories as I know, when we get back to the UK, we have the house move happening in less than 3 weeks and everything will feel like a blur.
We've been out here 17 nights now and we still have 5 nights left. I know that the kids don't want to go home and neither do Matt and I...even though we have a new house to move into.
I kind of put my tears on the plane home last year down to pregnancy hormones but thinking about leaving here next week I'm welling up already.
We feel so at home out here.
I have so many family photos I want to share but, for the moment, they are in my Disney Photopass account which I won't be sorting until I'm back in the UK. So I can only share a few that have been taken on my camera or my phone by other people (and a couple of others for good measure). I hope they still manage to give you a small idea of just how incredible it's been so far.
Here's to another amazing holiday out here and being ever thankful for just how lucky we are.
Sunday, 26 May 2013
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Life's Too Short
'Life's Too Short' is a phrase you often hear. It's a phrase that's heard when you can't make a decision on something, usually a treat, that has you battling the extra expense etc.
I'm facing such a battle at the moment.
Regular readers will know that last January, when I was 27 weeks pregnant with TC, we went to Orlando, Florida for 3 weeks. It was incredible. None of us wanted to come home, even after 3 weeks.
It was a fairly last minute decision for such a big holiday. A lot of people plan a trip over there years in advance but we booked it just a couple of months before. The thing about my husband is, he sees an opportunity and he grabs it with both hands. The company where he worked (he's since left) has a number of gorgeous houses and condos he could get for less than £100 a week - we are talking 3 and 4 bedrooms with swimming pools. He thought, once TC, was born it would be at least another 2 or 3 years, if not a lot longer, before we could do anything like it again so he went for it.
He's now looking at going back...
...this year!
I knew this January would be a bit hard. It's the anniversary of our trip and he keeps reliving it - as we all do. Even MC still talks about it now! I can't watch the videos of our trip without getting emotional about it all.
Anyway, it's no secret, Matt and I absolutely love to travel and since having children our travels have been slightly less adventurous - opting for a villa in Lanzarote or a farm in Tuscany over a Route 66 road trip or the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights. America is a great love of ours. We've been to many States (we both have family over there) and so to get the chance to go to Florida was a big treat!
The thing is, he can still get the cheap accommodation as he has a few shares in his old company so he logged on last night, on a whim, to check availability.
"Hey, if it's all booked then it wasn't meant to be" he laughed.
I'd heard this before. This is exactly how the conversation went just before we booked the last trip!
"It looks like the condo is available in May for 3 weeks".
Feck.
He then says he better just double check with them and drops them an email.
Then he's online looking at costs of flights and car hire. I go to bed last night with my head spinning.
6am this morning I'm woken by his voice.
"They've emailed me back. Those weeks are available".
I'm having quite a hard time with what to do for the best. I didn't think we'd be going again until maybe just before TC's 3rd birthday (the same age MC was when we took her), if not longer. I would love to go - it's an incredible place - but TC will only be 13/14 months old. I know he'd love it but he won't remember a thing about it. I'm not worried about the flights as, apart from the odd bout of bad teething, he's the worlds most chilled out little baby but I am worried about the heat for him.
However, one thing is eating away at me.
One thing is telling me to stop being silly and just DO IT!
A couple of weeks after we got back last time I wrote a post 'A Beginners Guide To Orlando And Walt Disney World'. It was a post that sparked quite a bit of attention and discussion on my blog and across Twitter. Funnily enough, it's a post that has been my 'most popular post' for the last couple of weeks. When I saw it pop to the top the other week I began to think about the people who were using it to plan their trips. Then I started to scroll through the comments.
One stuck out a mile and had me crying at my laptop.
This...
A comment left by Kerry (aka Multiple Mummy) who passed away at the age of 30 (with 3 children all under the age of 5) only a month ago.
I haven't told Matt yet but Kerry's words are getting to me.
You really never know what's round the corner.
Matt and I are going to talk it over tonight and make a decision but something tells me that life is definitely too short to let opportunities pass you by.
I'm facing such a battle at the moment.
Regular readers will know that last January, when I was 27 weeks pregnant with TC, we went to Orlando, Florida for 3 weeks. It was incredible. None of us wanted to come home, even after 3 weeks.
It was a fairly last minute decision for such a big holiday. A lot of people plan a trip over there years in advance but we booked it just a couple of months before. The thing about my husband is, he sees an opportunity and he grabs it with both hands. The company where he worked (he's since left) has a number of gorgeous houses and condos he could get for less than £100 a week - we are talking 3 and 4 bedrooms with swimming pools. He thought, once TC, was born it would be at least another 2 or 3 years, if not a lot longer, before we could do anything like it again so he went for it.
He's now looking at going back...
...this year!
I knew this January would be a bit hard. It's the anniversary of our trip and he keeps reliving it - as we all do. Even MC still talks about it now! I can't watch the videos of our trip without getting emotional about it all.
Anyway, it's no secret, Matt and I absolutely love to travel and since having children our travels have been slightly less adventurous - opting for a villa in Lanzarote or a farm in Tuscany over a Route 66 road trip or the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights. America is a great love of ours. We've been to many States (we both have family over there) and so to get the chance to go to Florida was a big treat!
The thing is, he can still get the cheap accommodation as he has a few shares in his old company so he logged on last night, on a whim, to check availability.
"Hey, if it's all booked then it wasn't meant to be" he laughed.
I'd heard this before. This is exactly how the conversation went just before we booked the last trip!
"It looks like the condo is available in May for 3 weeks".
Feck.
He then says he better just double check with them and drops them an email.
Then he's online looking at costs of flights and car hire. I go to bed last night with my head spinning.
6am this morning I'm woken by his voice.
"They've emailed me back. Those weeks are available".
I'm having quite a hard time with what to do for the best. I didn't think we'd be going again until maybe just before TC's 3rd birthday (the same age MC was when we took her), if not longer. I would love to go - it's an incredible place - but TC will only be 13/14 months old. I know he'd love it but he won't remember a thing about it. I'm not worried about the flights as, apart from the odd bout of bad teething, he's the worlds most chilled out little baby but I am worried about the heat for him.
However, one thing is eating away at me.
One thing is telling me to stop being silly and just DO IT!
A couple of weeks after we got back last time I wrote a post 'A Beginners Guide To Orlando And Walt Disney World'. It was a post that sparked quite a bit of attention and discussion on my blog and across Twitter. Funnily enough, it's a post that has been my 'most popular post' for the last couple of weeks. When I saw it pop to the top the other week I began to think about the people who were using it to plan their trips. Then I started to scroll through the comments.
One stuck out a mile and had me crying at my laptop.
This...
A comment left by Kerry (aka Multiple Mummy) who passed away at the age of 30 (with 3 children all under the age of 5) only a month ago.
I haven't told Matt yet but Kerry's words are getting to me.
You really never know what's round the corner.
Matt and I are going to talk it over tonight and make a decision but something tells me that life is definitely too short to let opportunities pass you by.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Daddy's Home!
Yes, he came home last week but this post is really to let you all know that thankfully unfortunately, we found out yesterday, he didn't get the job.
I think I mentioned in my post last week that we were even surprised he got a first interview, nevermind a second, third and forth (in America!). The job specification asked for at least two languages and Matt only speaks one. Apparently that's the only reason they decided against him.
They have said though that there may be something else in the future if the UK business really takes off.
Still, their loss is our gain! Plus he got a free trip to America and also got to see some of our relatives which was a nice bonus.
Yes it would have been a good opportunity but, as I mentioned previously, Matt came back from America full of doubt about whether he would take it even if it was offered to him. They said they would want him over in the States at least 4 times a year as well as spending a couple of days in London each week (we live in North Wales). It wasn't something he felt comfortable about.
Neither did I.
Having 'Daddy' away from home for so long had a bigger impact on Mini Cheddar than I thought it would. She missed him terribly and for the first few days after his return she would get anxious if he went out anywhere without us and would say "I just want Daddy to come home".
She was SO excited the day he was due home. I had told her that his plane had landed in London but he needed to make his way back on the train. Then I got a text to say he was getting into the station a couple of hours earlier than we'd first thought. When I picked her up from play school and told her she was beside herself.
Yes, there was one good thing about Matt going away to America.
Him coming home again.
I think I mentioned in my post last week that we were even surprised he got a first interview, nevermind a second, third and forth (in America!). The job specification asked for at least two languages and Matt only speaks one. Apparently that's the only reason they decided against him.
They have said though that there may be something else in the future if the UK business really takes off.
Still, their loss is our gain! Plus he got a free trip to America and also got to see some of our relatives which was a nice bonus.
Yes it would have been a good opportunity but, as I mentioned previously, Matt came back from America full of doubt about whether he would take it even if it was offered to him. They said they would want him over in the States at least 4 times a year as well as spending a couple of days in London each week (we live in North Wales). It wasn't something he felt comfortable about.
Neither did I.
Having 'Daddy' away from home for so long had a bigger impact on Mini Cheddar than I thought it would. She missed him terribly and for the first few days after his return she would get anxious if he went out anywhere without us and would say "I just want Daddy to come home".
She was SO excited the day he was due home. I had told her that his plane had landed in London but he needed to make his way back on the train. Then I got a text to say he was getting into the station a couple of hours earlier than we'd first thought. When I picked her up from play school and told her she was beside herself.
Yes, there was one good thing about Matt going away to America.
Him coming home again.
Who needs a fancy new job when you have a gorgeous daughter who loves you more than anything?
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Decisions, Decisions...
Matt's interview in America went well - he did his best. Now all we can do is wait.
As I spoke to him last night the uncertainty of even going to the US for this interview has spilled over into what will be if he does get the job.
He's not happy with his work at the moment, he hasn't been for a while. However, his current work allows him to work from home in 'the den' so I'm lucky in respect that, most of the time, he's on hand to help me out. In the early days after MC was born this was a complete Godsend.
He applied for this new job never really thinking he would even get a first interview. To be honest, neither did I. The job looked very high profile (not that he's not, of course) and also more than one language. Being from Derby, Matt even struggles with the English language sometimes!*
So when he got a first telephone interview we were both taken aback. Then he got a second interview. Wow. Then a third one down in London. I thought maybe that would be the end of the line but no. He was due to give a presentation to the head office in Virginia over Skype. Next thing we know - they want to see him. They said they'd fly him out to spend the day with them. He could do the presentation in person and then would have 7 (yes 7!) one-on-ones with various people in the business.
So now here we are awaiting the result which should hopefully come by the end of the week.
He loved the company, loved the people (although he wouldn't be working directly with them) but he said to me last night "If they offer it to me and IF I take it".
"Er? Hold on! 'IF' you take it. What do you mean 'IF'?" I said to him.
So he goes on to explain that he was told that he'd have to go over the the US once a quarter. Plus he'd have to spend some time in London and he doesn't know whether he can cope with that as he'd have to leave me and MC (and the new arrival) again. Thankfully we have relatives that live a stones throw from the US office (Matt spent most of his time over the weekend with them) and they've said that he can stay with them and they'd also love to have me and the kids come out too.
He also said that he never thought he'd get this far and now he has, he's apprehensive. So I asked him why he'd even gone out to the US if he wasn't sure about it. He said he needed to prove to himself he could do it.
So, here we are playing the waiting game. This isn't great when we have a baby due in just less than 5 weeks! If he does get it then last thing I want is him disappearing down to London or even worse, America when there's a new baby on the block!
I'm in two minds about what I want the result to be. I'd be thrilled if he was offered it as it's an amazing opportunity but at the same time I think I may be secretly thrilled if he doesn't get it and I think, from speaking to him last night, that he feels the same. At least then there will be no decision to make and I'll have a husband at home.
All we can do now is wait.
*Obviously a joke before anyone from Derby takes offence ;-)
As I spoke to him last night the uncertainty of even going to the US for this interview has spilled over into what will be if he does get the job.
He's not happy with his work at the moment, he hasn't been for a while. However, his current work allows him to work from home in 'the den' so I'm lucky in respect that, most of the time, he's on hand to help me out. In the early days after MC was born this was a complete Godsend.
He applied for this new job never really thinking he would even get a first interview. To be honest, neither did I. The job looked very high profile (not that he's not, of course) and also more than one language. Being from Derby, Matt even struggles with the English language sometimes!*
So when he got a first telephone interview we were both taken aback. Then he got a second interview. Wow. Then a third one down in London. I thought maybe that would be the end of the line but no. He was due to give a presentation to the head office in Virginia over Skype. Next thing we know - they want to see him. They said they'd fly him out to spend the day with them. He could do the presentation in person and then would have 7 (yes 7!) one-on-ones with various people in the business.
So now here we are awaiting the result which should hopefully come by the end of the week.
He loved the company, loved the people (although he wouldn't be working directly with them) but he said to me last night "If they offer it to me and IF I take it".
"Er? Hold on! 'IF' you take it. What do you mean 'IF'?" I said to him.
 |
| MC on Skype with Daddy and Cousin Nick on Sunday. This may be a more regular occurrence! |
He also said that he never thought he'd get this far and now he has, he's apprehensive. So I asked him why he'd even gone out to the US if he wasn't sure about it. He said he needed to prove to himself he could do it.
So, here we are playing the waiting game. This isn't great when we have a baby due in just less than 5 weeks! If he does get it then last thing I want is him disappearing down to London or even worse, America when there's a new baby on the block!
I'm in two minds about what I want the result to be. I'd be thrilled if he was offered it as it's an amazing opportunity but at the same time I think I may be secretly thrilled if he doesn't get it and I think, from speaking to him last night, that he feels the same. At least then there will be no decision to make and I'll have a husband at home.
All we can do now is wait.
*Obviously a joke before anyone from Derby takes offence ;-)
Monday, 27 February 2012
Absence Really Does Make The Heart Grow Fonder
According to Elton John, 'sorry' seems to be the hardest word.
I'd like to challenge Mr. John (or should I say Mr. Dwight?) over that song. For me 'goodbye' seems to be the hardest word.
As those of you who read my Pregnancy Patter post last Monday will know, Matt had to go away for a short while. He's still away now, as I write this, and I can honestly say it's been really hard.
It sounds so silly being so upset about him going away for what works out to be not even 5 days but he works from home so I'm used to having him here. Of course, he goes away on business a bit but he usually only goes for one night and the most he's ever been away in the past 8 years has been 2 nights. Also, the furthest he's ever been is Holland.
This time he's over 3,500 miles away.
In America.
Saying goodbye to him at the end of last week was really difficult. I hate the thought of him being so far away from us. Being 35 weeks pregnant is really making this so hard. I miss him terribly and every time I think about it I get all blubbery and snotty. It doesn't help that Mini Cheddar keeps cuddling me, stroking my hair and saying "It will be okay Mummy. Daddy will be home soon". I feel like MC is looking after me at the moment! Thankfully yesterday we had 2 video calls with him on Skype which helped a lot.
It's really made me appreciate everything I have. Really made me realise just how much I love my husband. I've always loved him, right from when we first met, but this ache in my heart is horrible. I don't know if it's pregnancy hormones heightening everything (I think it is) but the distance and the different time zone that's between us right now is something I can't get my head around. It's also been hard that it's completely taken away our 'family time' at the weekend. Having inlaws in Nottingham means one day every other weekend is spent seeing them so it reduces our weekends together enough as it is.
All I could do last week when we parted was think about how it must feel for people (especially those with children) to be separated for long periods of time. I have a friend who's husband is in the US Army and they went for 15 months without seeing each other - they have 3 children. I just don't know how you get through that. I have a new found appreciation for all the people who spend long periods of time away from their families. Especially those in the forces who can't guarantee that their loved one will return home to them.
I know Matt is finding it equally hard. He was fighting back tears (as was I) as he kissed us goodbye at the train station to get his train down to Heathrow. Before I'd even returned to the car he'd sent me a text saying "I just want to get off this train and come home with you". A couple of days before he was due to leave he started questioning whether he should go or not. He just kept saying "I don't think I can leave you both". The thing is, this is a great opportunity for him - if he gets the job. He's not happy doing what he's doing at the moment and I can see how much it's frustrating him. Problem is, if he does get this job it will eventually mean more travel as the role covers Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Thankfully his immediate focus will be in the U.K. but my mind keeps thinking about the possibility of being separated from him again in the future...and we will have two children by then.
I'm guessing what will be, will be. He has to get the job first.
For now I'm just concentrating on getting through the next couple of days until he's home safe with us again. I can't wait to pick him up from the station on Tuesday afternoon.
It's true what they say - absence does make the heart grow fonder. I didn't think it was possible to love my husband any more but I do.
I miss him so much it hurts.
I'd like to challenge Mr. John (or should I say Mr. Dwight?) over that song. For me 'goodbye' seems to be the hardest word.
As those of you who read my Pregnancy Patter post last Monday will know, Matt had to go away for a short while. He's still away now, as I write this, and I can honestly say it's been really hard.
It sounds so silly being so upset about him going away for what works out to be not even 5 days but he works from home so I'm used to having him here. Of course, he goes away on business a bit but he usually only goes for one night and the most he's ever been away in the past 8 years has been 2 nights. Also, the furthest he's ever been is Holland.
This time he's over 3,500 miles away.
In America.
 |
| We all had a last dinner out together before we took Daddy to the station - this was just before we left the restaurant to catch his train |
It's really made me appreciate everything I have. Really made me realise just how much I love my husband. I've always loved him, right from when we first met, but this ache in my heart is horrible. I don't know if it's pregnancy hormones heightening everything (I think it is) but the distance and the different time zone that's between us right now is something I can't get my head around. It's also been hard that it's completely taken away our 'family time' at the weekend. Having inlaws in Nottingham means one day every other weekend is spent seeing them so it reduces our weekends together enough as it is.
All I could do last week when we parted was think about how it must feel for people (especially those with children) to be separated for long periods of time. I have a friend who's husband is in the US Army and they went for 15 months without seeing each other - they have 3 children. I just don't know how you get through that. I have a new found appreciation for all the people who spend long periods of time away from their families. Especially those in the forces who can't guarantee that their loved one will return home to them.
 |
| A final kiss for Daddy at the train station |
I'm guessing what will be, will be. He has to get the job first.
For now I'm just concentrating on getting through the next couple of days until he's home safe with us again. I can't wait to pick him up from the station on Tuesday afternoon.
It's true what they say - absence does make the heart grow fonder. I didn't think it was possible to love my husband any more but I do.
I miss him so much it hurts.
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
What A Difference 3 Years Makes
This time 3 years ago I was pregnant with Mini Cheddar. About the same stage as I'm in with my current pregnancy. She was to be our first baby and Matt and I were very excited. However, Matt was quite over-protective.
I gave up work Christmas Eve even though MC wasn't due until mid-March as Matt didn't like the idea of me driving up to Preston and back (a 128 mile round trip) every day. To be honest, I was grateful of this. It gave me a chance to look after myself and fully prepare for the new arrival.
Matt didn't like me driving anywhere and would worry about me - and the baby - constantly. He would get nervous if I was planning a night out or anything out of the ordinary that meant I was leaving the house for any substantial amount of time.
We had decided to spend our 'last Christmas on our own' and I mean quite literally 'on our own'. We had Christmas dinner and the whole of Christmas Day at home, just the two of us (and the late Betty Dogface). I had wanted to go abroad for Christmas as a treat but Matt was nervous about straying too far away from home incase anything happened and we needed to get to the hospital. I suggested going up to Bamburgh (a place we both loved) but even that, a mere 4 hour drive, was too far for comfort for him.
It became mildly frustrating - especially as his nervousness *ahem* also affected our sex life a bit.
However, looking back I understand.
What I'm failing to understand this time around is just how relaxed Matt is about the new arrival. He's taking it all in his stride - in fact, he's admitted to me that most of the time he even forgets I'm pregnant! How he does this I'll never know as I'm sporting a mighty bump.
We've just returned from a 4 night break in Edinburgh (a 4.5 hour drive away from home) but more importantly, in October Matt only went and booked a 3 week holiday to Florida and we fly out 2 weeks today! I'll be 27 weeks on the day we fly and 30 weeks on the way back. I've even had to get a 'fit to fly form' signed by my consultant for the return journey.
I know it sounds a bit daft but I didn't want to go at first. Matt took a good couple of weeks to persuade me. I think it was the fact that he wanted to book it at a time when I was feeling so ill in the earlier stages of my pregnancy. I would have thought that he would have seen how ill I was and thought that a holiday wasn't the best idea. Oddly though, Matt was persistent - even when I told him that airlines get a bit nervous taking pregnant women after the 28 week mark. How times have changed in the mind of my husband it seems!
Still, I'm so grateful for my wonderful husband who wants us to really enjoy these last few months as a family of three.
So, that's it. We are going. That is if nothing happens in the next 2 weeks to stop us. I'm coming around to the thought of the holiday now and I am quite excited but I still have doubts - I think it's the fact it's right after the Christmas break and I have so much to do my head is in a spin.
Matt seems so relaxed about it all and now it's my turn to be a little nervous!
I gave up work Christmas Eve even though MC wasn't due until mid-March as Matt didn't like the idea of me driving up to Preston and back (a 128 mile round trip) every day. To be honest, I was grateful of this. It gave me a chance to look after myself and fully prepare for the new arrival.
Matt didn't like me driving anywhere and would worry about me - and the baby - constantly. He would get nervous if I was planning a night out or anything out of the ordinary that meant I was leaving the house for any substantial amount of time.
We had decided to spend our 'last Christmas on our own' and I mean quite literally 'on our own'. We had Christmas dinner and the whole of Christmas Day at home, just the two of us (and the late Betty Dogface). I had wanted to go abroad for Christmas as a treat but Matt was nervous about straying too far away from home incase anything happened and we needed to get to the hospital. I suggested going up to Bamburgh (a place we both loved) but even that, a mere 4 hour drive, was too far for comfort for him.
It became mildly frustrating - especially as his nervousness *ahem* also affected our sex life a bit.
However, looking back I understand.
What I'm failing to understand this time around is just how relaxed Matt is about the new arrival. He's taking it all in his stride - in fact, he's admitted to me that most of the time he even forgets I'm pregnant! How he does this I'll never know as I'm sporting a mighty bump.
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| That will be me in 2 weeks (hopefully) Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net |
I know it sounds a bit daft but I didn't want to go at first. Matt took a good couple of weeks to persuade me. I think it was the fact that he wanted to book it at a time when I was feeling so ill in the earlier stages of my pregnancy. I would have thought that he would have seen how ill I was and thought that a holiday wasn't the best idea. Oddly though, Matt was persistent - even when I told him that airlines get a bit nervous taking pregnant women after the 28 week mark. How times have changed in the mind of my husband it seems!
Still, I'm so grateful for my wonderful husband who wants us to really enjoy these last few months as a family of three.
So, that's it. We are going. That is if nothing happens in the next 2 weeks to stop us. I'm coming around to the thought of the holiday now and I am quite excited but I still have doubts - I think it's the fact it's right after the Christmas break and I have so much to do my head is in a spin.
Matt seems so relaxed about it all and now it's my turn to be a little nervous!
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
The Gallery - Water
I've not joined in with The Gallery since the 'Travel' theme. I've been brave and missed a couple of weeks so, although I felt incredibly twitchy missing my first week, I now know I can do it.
*curses Tara and her addictive link-up*
I've ummed and ahhed about which photo I could use for this weeks theme of 'Water'. I have some cute pictures of Mini Cheddar in the paddling pool. I also have countless images of lakes, rivers and seas - some of which I've already shared but this week is going to be a different take on the theme. It also ties in with the Travel theme so is a good way to get back on The Gallery train.
On our last trip stateside, Matt and I spent some time in Seattle. Before we went we pre-booked a window table at the top of the Space Needle for dinner.
We expected it to be really cheesy as the restaurant rotates 360 degrees so as you dine you get to soak up the views of this amazing city and the beautiful Puget Sound (was so close to using a photo of this). However, it wasn't cheesy at all. The meal and champagne were fabulous and we loved seeing the city so clearly as we chatted and ate.
Then I went and ruined it all.
I ordered their signature Lunar Orbiter dessert.
Now let me explain... this is gourmet ice cream served with melted chocolate sauce and strawberries. Nothing extraordinary there? No, but it's served on a large bed of dry ice! When it arrives at your table the waiter pours hot water on the dry ice and you can imagine what happens.
Matt hates attention and the whole restaurant was looking at us as we disappeared in the massive ice fog. Eventually the dessert cloud lifted, we were able to see each other again and I was able to capture a photo.
The thing I love the most about this photo is you can see how red and embarrassed Matt looks. He's just trying to discreetly tuck in to his crème brûlée.
It never ceases to make me smile.
You can also see the beautiful Puget Sound out of the window. If you like, you can have a nosey at my other Seattle pics here and see the Puget Sound in all its watery glory.
Now head on over and check out all the other entries...
*curses Tara and her addictive link-up*
I've ummed and ahhed about which photo I could use for this weeks theme of 'Water'. I have some cute pictures of Mini Cheddar in the paddling pool. I also have countless images of lakes, rivers and seas - some of which I've already shared but this week is going to be a different take on the theme. It also ties in with the Travel theme so is a good way to get back on The Gallery train.
On our last trip stateside, Matt and I spent some time in Seattle. Before we went we pre-booked a window table at the top of the Space Needle for dinner.
We expected it to be really cheesy as the restaurant rotates 360 degrees so as you dine you get to soak up the views of this amazing city and the beautiful Puget Sound (was so close to using a photo of this). However, it wasn't cheesy at all. The meal and champagne were fabulous and we loved seeing the city so clearly as we chatted and ate.
Then I went and ruined it all.
I ordered their signature Lunar Orbiter dessert.
Now let me explain... this is gourmet ice cream served with melted chocolate sauce and strawberries. Nothing extraordinary there? No, but it's served on a large bed of dry ice! When it arrives at your table the waiter pours hot water on the dry ice and you can imagine what happens.
Matt hates attention and the whole restaurant was looking at us as we disappeared in the massive ice fog. Eventually the dessert cloud lifted, we were able to see each other again and I was able to capture a photo.
The thing I love the most about this photo is you can see how red and embarrassed Matt looks. He's just trying to discreetly tuck in to his crème brûlée.
It never ceases to make me smile.
You can also see the beautiful Puget Sound out of the window. If you like, you can have a nosey at my other Seattle pics here and see the Puget Sound in all its watery glory.
Now head on over and check out all the other entries...
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
The Gallery - Travel
I've been lucky enough to have been to some fabulous places in the world and have already blogged about seeing the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle (The Gallery - Green) and travelling the path of Route 66 across America.
Ah the good old US of A.
I have a great love affair with that place, have travelled over there a few times now and it even featured a couple of times in my Top 5 Places I've Visited (one of my very first blog posts). I find the country so vast and so different from state to state - I think I've visited about 17 of the 50 states so far - and I have quite a few relatives over there too which is always a bonus! We've travelled to the major tourist spots such as New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles and also been off the beaten track in places like Amarillo in Texas and Yukon in Oklahoma.
So, it's only right I dedicate this post to my favourite photos from my trips to both those beautiful countries. I've not been out there since BMC (before Mini Cheddar) but I'm hoping to get back there someday soon to notch up some more states and provinces.
I think these photos sum up the diversity of the countries perfectly.
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| An icy Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta |
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| Peyto Lake Lookout, Banff National Park, Alberta |
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| Reflections of Patricia Lake, Jasper, Alberta |
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| Night time in Vancouver, British Columbia |
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| Dusk over Shuswap Lake, Salmon Arm, British Columbia |
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The Space Needle, Seattle, Washington |
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| Sunset in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii |
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| Hotel view over Waikiki Beach, Oahu, Hawaii |
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| The Grand Canyon, Arizona (see the people on the cliff edge on the left) |
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| Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois |
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| 'The Bean' (Cloud Gate), Chicago, Illinois |
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| Just off Broadway, NYC, New York |
Now head on over and check out all the other entries...
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Flashback Friday - Do You Take My Little Sister
I really can't believe it's almost 4 years since I said "I do" to my wonderful husband Matt.
This coming Wednesday (18th May) will be 4 years to the day that we exchanged rings and became man and wife. I feel like I've known Matt all my life but then when I think back to how we first met and our wedding and honeymoon, it only seems like yesterday. For those of you who haven't read the story of how we got together, even though I say it myself, I recommend you do, it's a good one - 'He's Definitely My Favourite'.
Matt proposed to me 31st January 2007, over dinner, at one of our favourite restaurants. We had gone out for a meal to celebrate 3 years to the date that we first met. He took me totally by surprise saying how much he loved me and how much he couldn't imagine ever being without me and then presented me with the ring box and said "Will you marry me?". I didn't need asking twice.
When I accepted his proposal, his exact words to me were:
"I want a marriage, not a wedding"
I couldn't have been happier. Neither of us wanted to wait, nor did we want a big wedding so we planned it for May 18th of that year, a mere 3 and a half months later.
My Sister is a Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths at a nearby registry office and luckily the registry office where we planned to get married knew of my Sister and granted her permission to perform the ceremony. My Sister wrote out a special ceremony for us as a surprise.
I'll never forget the moment she said:
"Matthew, do you take my little Sister Heather to be your lawfully wedded wife?" *
I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.
We wanted only our immediate family and closest friends there (if we could have run off and do it we would have!) and a meal afterwards. We chose The Stables Restaurant where Matt had proposed to me and just invited our other friends over for a drink in the bar at a local hotel in the evening. For us, it was perfect.
To complete our marriage celebration we booked a fantastic honeymoon - 3 nights in San Francisco, 3 nights on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii (where we learnt to surf) and 9 nights on the island of Maui in Hawaii. It was amazing!
Our first wedding anniversary in 2008 we spent on a self-planned 21 day holiday tour of America and Canada. We spent the night of our first wedding anniversary and the night after in a gold lake view room here at Chateau Lake Louise. It was magical!
So anyway, how are we spending our 4th wedding anniversary next week? We are travelling down to Hampshire on the Wednesday of our anniversary for 2 nights and taking our daughter to Peppa Pig World on Thursday. Oh how times have changed! Although I'm sure it will be amazing and magical for other reasons.
Now head over to Cafebebe and check out the other entries...
This coming Wednesday (18th May) will be 4 years to the day that we exchanged rings and became man and wife. I feel like I've known Matt all my life but then when I think back to how we first met and our wedding and honeymoon, it only seems like yesterday. For those of you who haven't read the story of how we got together, even though I say it myself, I recommend you do, it's a good one - 'He's Definitely My Favourite'.
Matt proposed to me 31st January 2007, over dinner, at one of our favourite restaurants. We had gone out for a meal to celebrate 3 years to the date that we first met. He took me totally by surprise saying how much he loved me and how much he couldn't imagine ever being without me and then presented me with the ring box and said "Will you marry me?". I didn't need asking twice.
When I accepted his proposal, his exact words to me were:
"I want a marriage, not a wedding"
I couldn't have been happier. Neither of us wanted to wait, nor did we want a big wedding so we planned it for May 18th of that year, a mere 3 and a half months later.
My Sister is a Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths at a nearby registry office and luckily the registry office where we planned to get married knew of my Sister and granted her permission to perform the ceremony. My Sister wrote out a special ceremony for us as a surprise.
I'll never forget the moment she said:
"Matthew, do you take my little Sister Heather to be your lawfully wedded wife?" *
I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.
We wanted only our immediate family and closest friends there (if we could have run off and do it we would have!) and a meal afterwards. We chose The Stables Restaurant where Matt had proposed to me and just invited our other friends over for a drink in the bar at a local hotel in the evening. For us, it was perfect.
To complete our marriage celebration we booked a fantastic honeymoon - 3 nights in San Francisco, 3 nights on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii (where we learnt to surf) and 9 nights on the island of Maui in Hawaii. It was amazing!
Our first wedding anniversary in 2008 we spent on a self-planned 21 day holiday tour of America and Canada. We spent the night of our first wedding anniversary and the night after in a gold lake view room here at Chateau Lake Louise. It was magical!
So anyway, how are we spending our 4th wedding anniversary next week? We are travelling down to Hampshire on the Wednesday of our anniversary for 2 nights and taking our daughter to Peppa Pig World on Thursday. Oh how times have changed! Although I'm sure it will be amazing and magical for other reasons.
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| Friday 18th May 2007...MwaH! |
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| Signing the register - Matts family weren't happy he decided not to wear a tie to the wedding...the rebel! |
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| Our balcony over-looking Waikiki Beach in Honolulu |
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| Yes that's me riding the waves of Waikiki Beach. What a sight! |
Now head over to Cafebebe and check out the other entries...
*Obviously she read out our full names but I felt a bit strange about writing our full names (and my maiden name) out on the Internet and yet photos of me looking a bugger surfing (or looking like Deirdre Barlow) I'll happily post. If the link doesn't work there that's because BLOGGER are IDIOTS and they still haven't restored my post from Thursday!
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