What A Difference A Few Months Makes!

Wow it's been four months since I last blogged, and what a four month they have been! So much has changed, and I have so much to share with you all! 

The last time that I blogged spring was nowhere to be seen, but is now in full flow, I was happy that I'd finally got up to speed with things, and I was planning on blogging more. However that all went out of the window a bit when on the 16th March, a week after I last blogged the hubby and I had the surprise of finding out that we were expecting our first baby! It was all a bit of a shock at first as even though we'd planning on trying this year the idea was to wait until July, by which time my 30th birthday celebrations and Download Festival would have taken place. But even so it was a happy surprise and was clearly meant to be!

So it turns out that I was actually pregnant at both the hen afternoon tea and Morrisey gig that I mentioned in my last post, at my second cousins wedding reception which was the day after I last blogged, and that Sunday which was Mother's Day.

Thankfully minus one small glass of prosecco I hadn't drunk at any of these events, or had any big nights out during that time! I also didn't really have a clue about it either! With my only inkling besides, being late (which sometimes happens anyway,) being the fact that I'd felt so awful for pretty much that whole week before, which I'd had off on holiday from work. As from the day I was due until about four to five days later I had horrible cramping, which was unusual to go on for so long with nothing happening. Then it seemed to pass just leaving me feeling bloated and not fully myself, which is how I felt for both my second cousins wedding reception, and Mother's Day. I did however still enjoy both events.

Below you can see some pics from my second cousins wedding which took place relatively locally at a gorgeous country house. A lovely evening was had by all, and it was also nice to catch-up with family that we don't see that often. Plus whist there we also got to meet my second cousins sister's little baby boy, who was born just ten days before the wedding and was just gorgeous! His mum also did very well to make it to the wedding and be a bridesmaid for her sister, considering how recently that she had had a baby, and considering that he was born by c-section!

 

Then below you can see some pics from Mother's Day too! For which we went to my sisters flat, were she cooked a lovely roast and I made some butterfly muffins for the first time, which turned out pretty well considering!

 

So like I say as nice a time as I had at both my second cousins wedding reception and on Mother's Day, I did feel pretty bloated and horrible! However I didn't actually do the test until the following Friday, by which time I was ten days late. As even though I'd never been that late before I still wasn't convinced that I was pregnant, mainly due to the fact that I'd done other tests in the past that hadn't come to anything, but where I'd been much more convinced that I was. So more than anything else I did the test just to rule things out! But low and behold there I was standing in the kitchen as the horizontal line came quickly followed by a vertical one that just got darker and darker, and as it did so I just remember thinking oh, oh, oh, as it got darker and darker and as I became more and more surprised! There was no doubting the result as it couldn't have been a more positive if it tried! 

I then proceeded to break the new to my hubby who was ironing his shirt ready for work at the time, which went something along the lines of;  Me: "I've done the test!" Hubby: "and you're not pregnant?" Me: "Umm no actually, it couldn't be more positive if it tried!" Hubby: Surprised laughter followed by "Well you'll have to take me to work now, I can't go and get the train after that!" Followed by more laughter. There were then a few brief tears from me as I showed him the test which were partly happy, partly shock, and partly sad knowing that I wouldn't be able to go to Download Festival or celebrate my 30th as I had planned. 

Since then everything has been a bit of a whirlwind and roller coaster ride all in one! We told my parents from day one as they knew that I was late anyway, and were over the moon as it will be their first grandchild, plus they'd been longing for us to have a baby for quite some time! They also said that my hubby looked so happy like the cat that had got the cream, which was pretty ironic considering that I was originally the one persuading him to try for a baby this year!

Below you can see our very positive pregnancy test, and the flowers that both my parents and hubby bought for me/us.  

 

In terms of how I felt in those early days I would say that from the five and a half weeks at which we found out, until we had our twelve week scan were the times that I have found the hardest so far, not only physically but more mentally. I found that my mind was all over the place from day to day, and even though I'd a test telling me that I was pregnant I didn't want to get too into the idea until I knew that everything was ok. Which was mainly due to my awareness of friend's experiences of just how many things can go wrong. 

I would find that depending on how I felt on the day that I would go from convincing myself that I was pregnant, to I wasn't, to thinking that there was something wrong with me. As I had read about causes of false positive pregnancy results, and missed miscarriages etc. But I think that I just didn't want to get my or anyone else's hopes up until I knew where we stood. So I found it very odd when we had first appointment at around seven weeks that they just took my word for it that I was pregnant, and just really wanted to know what hospital we wanted to have the baby at! Which is a pretty big decision to make when you're still getting your head around everything and don't even know that all is ok!  

The same went for the booking-in appointment too, (which I had to go with my mum as my hubby annoyingly couldn't get the time off of work.) Again I still didn't know anything at this stage but we spent a good few hours with the midwife filling out pregnancy notes and giving family histories, urine tests, and having my first ever blood test. Whist all the while I 'm thinking all of this could be for nothing as we still don't know if everything is ok yet! I kept saying to my mum that everyone tells you how rubbish you are going to feel in the first trimester (which they aren't wrong about,) but no-one tells you how much those first weeks drag and how in limo you feel!

On the physical front I found that how I felt would vary from day to day. I found the bloating and cramping of both my back and stomach difficult at the beginning. I even remember saying to the hubby after picking him up from work one day when I was around seven weeks pregnant that I'd decided that I'd had enough of being pregnant already lol! To which he replied that I still had a long way to go yet! 

In terms of sickness nothing really kicked in until a round week nine, but when it did I found that it would mainly come on in the evenings and would co-in-side with a coughing fit. Which was due to lingering cough that I'd been left with after having had a cold just before I was pregnant, and where my immunity was lowered I just couldn't shift it! I certainly didn't have as bad a sickness as some though! Aside from this I was just very tired and had no energy most of the time, finding that I'd go to work and just want to come home and sleep after! So I'm glad that I'm now working part-time at my little gift shop job rather than at my old retail job, as I think that I would have really struggled with the physicality and the hours there! So I have been listening to my body and taking it easy where needed, hence why even though plenty of orders have been going out, my blog, other social media outlets, and my Bobby Bunny and Friends work has suffered of late! 

I also noticed a lot of other symptoms in the first trimester including feeling the cold more, which apparently is due to your blood pressure dropping at the beginning. Shortness of breath when walking, which apparently is due to your body getting used to the increase in blood flow. Good or bad smells making me feel nauseous, especially over-ripe bananas, and the yeasty smell of bread. Loss of appetite especially in the evenings, finding that I would have to graze rather than have big meals. I have also tried to eat healthy-ish, but have found that that's easier said than done when you feel rubbish! So I've mainly just listened to what my body wants, and have not been eating for two, as I don't want to get any bigger than I have too! One positive change that I've noticed though is that my nails are a lot stronger and shinier than before.

Aside from that the main physical change has been how quickly my bump has grown! As at six weeks I couldn't do up my trousers, and at eight weeks I had to go shopping with my mum for trousers altogether! So needless to say it got hard to hide until the twelve week mark too!

 

We told my hubby's mum and step-dad our news on Good Friday, when I was seven and a half weeks pregnant and after they'd come down to take us out to lunch. As you can imagine like my parents were very happy too, and there were even a few tears from my mother-in-law! As despite the fact that she has a number of grandchildren already she's wanted one from her eldest son for a long time! They're exact reaction was that they were getting a bit worried that we would ever have children lol!

My hubby then told his dad and step-mum at their Easter celebrations on the Saturday whilst I was at work, and we then told my sister and her boyfriend on Easter Sunday at my parents. We weren't planning on telling them until after scan but my parents didn't like lying to her as she had guessed a few times, and both they and I had to put her off the scent!

Again they were very happy to be becoming and auntie and uncle for the first time, and we decided to announced it to them via Easter egg as you can see below, along with the lovely roast lamb that mum cooked us.    

  

 

On the Friday following Easter Sunday we had the hubby step-brothers 40th birthday fancy dress party, which was the first party that I'd had to attend since finding out I was pregnant. I wasn't sure how I would feel or how long that I would last being how tired I was at the time, and the fact that we would have to rush to be ready and get there after work. However we had a lovely time, and I actually managed to last the night and didn't feel too bad at all. The main issue that I had was trying to find fancy dress outfit that I could wear that would cover up my eight and a half week bump! The theme was things from has past, so as he was born in the 80's I dressed up as an 80's wild-child and just puffed/covered bump with a tutu. Then the hubby wore a very florescent green shell suit, which weirdly rather suited him!      

The Saturday after we then actually had our first proper spring weekend after all of the snow and rain of late, the last of which we had on 17th March the day after we found out that I was pregnant! So since I actually felt more like myself for the first time in weeks and had a bit more energy, the hubby and I decided to make the most of it by going for a nice little walk and some lunch. 

Below you can see pics of our last snow flurry of the year, as well as a few pics from our walk; including the daffodils that were finally in flower, our pub lunch, and the church where we got married. At this point you can see that the trees were still to gain their leaves!  



On the way back from our walk we bumped into my best friend and her husband and ended up telling them about the baby. The plan wasn't to tell her until my 30th birthday celebrations which were to take place a couple of weeks after, and where I was going to tell all of the girls together. But as we don't often see her and her hubby together when my hubby and I are together too it seemed like a good time to tell them! They were both so happy for us, if not a little shocked as they knew about my 30th celebrations and Download so didn't really see it coming!

By the following week I was now ten weeks pregnant, the weather was still on the up, and spring was finally looking like it was here to stay! I was hoping that all of the sunshine would help get rid of the hacking cough that I was still struggling to shift, but that didn't happen, and still that hasn't up until now!

Below you can see me enjoying the sunshine with my warm honey and lemon! 

On the following Saturday I went down to my Nan's with my mum to tell her the good news too! Again I wasn't planning on telling her until after our twelve weeks scan, but we had such a busy few weekend coming up that I knew that I wouldn't be able to get down and see her again anytime soon otherwise. She was so happy when I told her though and nearly jumped out of her chair she was so excited, as again she has been waiting sometime for her first great grandchild!  

After telling her the news we went into Chichester for brunch in our usual cafe, followed be a spot of shopping. Then as it was another nice weekend with the leaves finally beginning to appear on the trees, and the blossom in flow. We went back to chill in my Nan's garden for tea and cake, which was just delicious as you can see below, along with the pretty blossom tree that lies outside of our bedroom window. 

The Sunday then bought the first of my 30th birthday celebrations! Which consisted of a lovely meal with the family at a local country pub followed by cake back at my parents, where we spent the afternoon chilling in the garden as it was another lovely sunny spring day. But as nice as the weather was it did prove a little tricky for me to find summery clothes in my wardrobe that would hide my more and more noticeable bump! So in the end I settled with a floaty floral maxi dress with a cardi over it. But all in all I had a lovely day, was thoroughly spoilt, and even had a tear bought to my eye by my sister who'd got me a card which she had put lots of photos in from when we were younger and then annotated. 

Below you can see a few pics of my birthday roast, yummy fondou dessert, and macaroon cake.

  

The day after was then officially my 30th birthday, and what a special day it was for both the hubby and I! As after weeks of waiting we finally gave in and decided to go and have a private early scan. Partly so that we could finally find out what was going on, and partly because we had a lot of people that we needed to tell that weekend and so wanted to make sure that everything was ok first. I wasn't sure whether it was a good idea to do it on my birthday or not in-case there was something wrong, but as it was the only day that we both had off that week it seemed like a good time to do it. It did mean however that we ended up having to travel a little way by train for it, as the lady that I had booked it with only came to our local surgery on a Wednesday. It was a nice little adventure for us though, and so worth the time and money!

Once we were there and had eventually found the place we waited briefly for our appointment filled with anxiety, excitement, and anticipation. To be honest I was half expecting her not to find anything despite my growing waistline, but as soon as she put the ultra-sound on my stomach she instantly found our baby!

It was both an amazing and surreal experience seeing bubba for the first time and how well formed and active it was at only ten weeks and six days! But also weird how it could be so active when I couldn't feel anything! Whilst there we also got to hear baby's heartbeat too, which again was amazing and so clear! I was meant to be staying still during this part, but I was so taken aback by hearing it that it made me chuckle, which made it look like the heat had stopped beating on the machine! We also got loads of photos to take home which was lovely as we wouldn't have got so many at our twelve week scan, and we also got a couple of amazing videos too, which again we wouldn't have had the opportunity to have otherwise. They are amazing to watch as in the first video you can see bubba hiccupping and waving, and in the second you can see it wiggling around from behind.

After the scan we then let our parents know that all was ok, before making our way to the pub for a non-alcoholic drink to celebrate, look more closely at out photos, and relax and let it all sink in! I did find that I got a few cramps after though from the pressure of the ultra-sound, but they soon passed thankfully.

On the way to the pub we also passed a little gift shop, where in the window they had some gorgeous wooden Peter Rabbit bookends which we just had to buy for bubba! It was a little early to be buying anything really, and I wasn't planning on it, but they were just too gorgeous to miss!

After the pub we then made our way back on the train to our neck of the woods and went for a little celebratory meal! So all in all I had a lovely 30th birthday, even though now being both 30 and pregnant does make me feel rather old!      

Below you can see bubba in our first scan, followed by the videos of bubba, and the starter from our celebratory meal after! Hopefully you can see them, but if not you may need to enable/download Flash Player.

During the week we then phoned up the hubby's brothers and sister to let them know about the baby, to which their reactions were quite amusing. With two not believing the hubby and needing confirmation from me as he can be a bit of a joker, and two saying that he would have to grow up now lol! They were all very happy for us though if not a little surprised!

That weekend was then a pretty busy one for us, with not only our nephews 10th science party, but also both my 30th birthday celebrations with the girls, and another friend's 30th birthday BBQ!

Our nephews birthday took place on the Saturday afternoon, so I spent the morning getting the flat ready for when the girls came around that evening. At our nephews birthday party itself it was lovely to see and catch-up with the hubby's family and brothers and sister, as it was the first time that we had seen them all since breaking the baby news. Plus it was nice to have the cat out of the bag, and also meant that I didn't have to try and cover my bump as much!

After we rushed back so that we would be home in time for the girls to arrive for my birthday celebrations, which had been organised way back before I was pregnant! The original plan was that I'd booked a limo to take us all down to Brighton so that we could party the night away at a rock club that we'd previously been to for another friend's birthday. But obviously once I found out that I was pregnant I wasn't sure how I'd be feeling so I did consider cancelling, but I knew that the girls were all so looking forward to it that I didn't want to disappoint them. So in the end the plan stayed the same minus the fact that I wouldn't be drinking.

Once all of the girls arrived I announced the baby news to them all (minus my best friend who already knew,) by explaining that there had been a slight change of plan for the evening, and that everything would be staying the same accept the fact that I wouldn't be drinking, before then presenting them with the baby scan photo. Again they were all pretty surprised but so happy for us and luckily none of them had guessed either, as the dress that I wore showed off my bump a little more than I was hoping! One of the girls was also a bit late so it meant that I was running about trying to busy myself and cover it until she arrived too! In the end was glad that I didn't cancel though as we all had a fab night, being sober wasn't so bad, and surprisingly enough I lasted until the limo came and picked us up at 1:30am, and didn't feel too bad at all!

Below you can see my birthday cards along with our baby scan photo that I left out for the girls to see!



The next day I could have done with a bit more of a lie in, but we had one of my close friends 30th birthday BBQ celebrations. Plus we wanted to tell him and our other friends there about our baby news in person, as I mentioned in my previous post that they had told us about their baby news earlier in the year. Plus another couple of friends to be there had also told us about theirs the year before.

Again they were all very pleased for us, and one of our friends even said that they'd been discussing with their hubby the day before that they had suspicions that I may be pregnant! Their little girl will be one in July already, and my friend whose birthday it was has a wife who is due in July. As well as  this my hubby's best friend's wife's baby is also due in July too, so it will be nice to have other babies around for ours to grow up with. As well as friends going through the same thing, plus we have a number of other friends that already have children too.

So we all had a lovely time at the BBQ catching up, but I was knackered by the time that we left!

Luckily though even though we were busy, the hubby and I had from the Thursday of the following week off up until the Bank Holiday Monday which was lovely!

Firstly on the Thursday we finally had our official twelve week scan! This time I felt a little more relaxed being that we had already had once scan, even though I do always get a bit apprehensive before hand in-case anything's changed. Thankfully though all went well, despite the fact that bubba was being and awkward little monkey for the measurements. As firstly it was too active, then it was lying too close to the bottom of the uterus for the measurement of the fluid on the neck, and then whilst they were trying to get this measurement it fell asleep in this position, as well as leaning in slightly when they needed it profile. So they had me shaking my hips about trying to get bubba to wake up, were rocking the ultrasound about on my belly to encourage it to move too, and then just as they were going to get me to go for a walk bubba decided to play ball!

The fact that baby was being awkward did mean that we were able to see it on screen for a good half an hour this time though which was nice. We could also clearly see all of its limbs and organs, its little 1cm foot, and it's little heart beating away this time too, even though we didn't hear it. But it was quite reassuring to see it beating away, and know that all was still OK, especially when it went to sleep! Bubba had also grown another 2cm in the ten day since our previous scan, meaning that it now measured 6.6cm! It's no surprise really though as both my hubby and I are quite tall, plus my dad's 6ft 4! 

Getting past the twelve week scan hurdle also meant that we could finally tell the world about the baby rather than just close friends and family, which my parents were happy about as both my parents, but my dad especially was desperate to tell everyone! Plus it also meant that I didn't have to hide my bump anymore, which meant that I had a bit more variation back in my wardrobe again!

Below you can see our twelve week scan pic, and just how much bubba grew and changed in the ten days from the last scan!



After the scan the hubby and I then went off to the cinema to watch the new Avengers movie, but just prior to this we got a call from one of the hubby's brother's asking us how the scan went. We told him that it went well, and he said that that was funny as him and his wife were at theirs too! So it turns out that they are due with their second the 9th November, just a day before us! What are the chances! We'd only seen them the week before at our nephew's birthday party as well, and you would never have know that his wife was pregnant, and there I was all wale like already lol! It just goes to show how different pregnancy can be for each person's body though! But it will be nice for our bubba to have another little playmate to grow up with! I did tell my mother-in-law that she should be careful what she wishes for though, as she wanted more grandchildren and is now going to end up with three in one year after the hubby's sister had hers at the beginning of the year!

On the Friday the hubby and I then went to see his favourite band "The Manic Street Preachers" again. This time it was at Wembley Area, a venue that we hadn't been to before. Again the tickets were bought before I found out that I was pregnant so I wasn't sure how I would feel and get on, especially when it came to travelling back on train when tired, which is something that I'm not always great with regardless of pregnancy! However it was the journey there that I felt worse after, as I think that I'd got a bit tired on the train and was a bit hungry. We ate once we got there though which helped wake me up a bit, but then I think that I ended up eating a bit too much which made me feel just as awful! So I didn't feel great at all when waiting for the tube, to the point that my hubby noticed an offered to turn back, but I pushed through as I knew that it would pass and it did. So by the time that we got into the venue I felt fine, and we both had a lovely evening. We even managed to get the last train back as the gig didn't finish too late which was good, plus I was kept entertained by some people singing on the train which stopped me from getting tired and travel sick!

Below you can see a few photos from the gig!



 

After having a bit of a lie in on the Sunday we met up with some of the hubby's friends for a catch-up and bite to eat at their favourite pub, which was lovely as I hadn't seen them since finding out that I was pregnant. It was also at this point when I noticed how much my second blood test had bruised my arm. I usually bruise like a peach anyway, but the first didn't so I didn't think much of it. The second hurt no more that the first either, in-fact probably less, and apparently I have good veins, but as you can see below it definitely bruised!
 

The day after was then first of the May Bank holiday's, and what a scorcher of a weekend it was! We also had my sister's birthday meal, for which we went to a local steak house, before again going back to my parents to chill in the garden and have cake. It was a lovely relaxed day, and below you can see a few pics, including my gorgeous pork belly main.

  

The Tuesday then involved more food when I went for afternoon tea at our local tea room with my mum, sister, aunty, cousin, and mister's friend and her little girl. We had such a lovely time as we don't all meet up together often, and it was another scorcher of a day too. Below you can see a few pics, and the unicorn theme that they gave us this time!

On the Monday of the week after next I unexpectedly had our pram turn up, which wasn't due to arrive for another good month! Luckily I was in, as it turned up in different parts at different times during that day. We weren't planning on getting it so early on but I fell in love with it, and as it was a limited edition, plus was on promotion at the time we didn't want to miss out on getting it or saving money!

I was so desperate to get it all out and put it up when it arrived, but I resisted the temptation as I didn't want it getting dusty or dirty, plus I knew that the hubby wouldn't be very happy if I put it up myself! So instead I just got it out to make sure that all of the bits were there, and then put it all back in the box again. Even now I have still resisted the temptation to get it out so its currently still sitting in it's box in our front room.    

The Saturday of that week then bought the Royal Wedding, and another friends 30th birthday celebrations. So I went around to my parents in the morning to watch the wedding with my mum and sister, as I knew that the hubby would just moan through it! Plus mum put on a little tea party of snacky bits for us including; egg mayo and salad sandwiches, cheese balls, and strawberries and marshmallows! I also got to enjoy my non-alcoholic wine that I'd been saving after I got from my sister-in-law for my 30th birthday.

Below you can see a few pics from our little tea party.

After the wedding I then dashed off to catch the train to Brighton for my friends 30th, where we enjoyed a lovely meal in cool and really quirkily decorated restaurant, before then working our way around numerous bars in Brighton and ending up at our usual rock bar. It was such a lovely afternoon/night, especially we don't get to all meet up and go out that often anymore now that the birthday boy has three children. It was also nice as by this point I was fourteen and a half weeks pregnant, and in the couple of days leading up to the night out I finally started to get this regained energy that everyone kept telling me that you are meant to have in the second trimester! So much so that I was still full of energy when we got the last train back whilst the others were flagging, and since then I am pleased to say that I have had no sickness and have felt pretty much back to my normal self. So much so that I don't really feel like I'm pregnant despite my growing bump, and still regularly wake up thinking that it's pretty surreal than I'm pregnant!

Below you can see a few pics from our afternoon/evening in Brighton including the yummy food, and pretty sunset that we had. 

  

The weekend after was then the second of the May Bank holiday's, and once again it was a scorcher of a weekend! Much better than forecast too, with us narrowly missing out on the heavy thundery showers that many had! I was working on both the Saturday and the Monday of that weekend as I was needed for cover, but on the Sunday we went to the hubby's dad's and enjoyed a family BBQ. Which was lovely if not dare I say it a little too hot for me, as I'm not a massive sun lover as I've mentioned on here in the past!

Below you can see the gorgeous sunset out of our  bedroom window that night. 

On the Friday of that week the hubby and I then went around his brother's for a last minute curry and catch-up after work. Which again was lovely as we don't often meet up as just the four of us, although I was pretty knackered!  

Since then bump has continued to grow at a rapid rate, but has thankfully slowed down over the last couple of weeks! Which I'm kind of glad about as I've still got a long way to go and I'm going to be huge otherwise!

Below you can see some pics of my bump progression from eight to sixteen weeks!

Then on the first weekend of June we had one of my illustration uni friends wedding reception, which was held at a gorgeous manor house in Eastbourne on the most glorious day! It was a lovely relaxed affair with children running around in the gardens and playing with giant garden games, a lovely hog roast later in the evening, and an amazing rock band for everyone to dance the night away too! We all had such a lovely time, and it was so good to meet up with the illustration girls, as we don't get to see each other much now as we are all dotted around the country. In fact the last time that I saw them was nearly exactly a year ago to the day of the wedding, which was for another of the girls wedding's.

As it turns out she is now also pregnant with her first baby too, and is due three weeks after me! So there is definitely something in the water at the moment! Again though you wouldn't have even known that she was pregnant unlike me, but she is pretty tiny! Whereas I was there with a noticeable bump, and struggled to find something to wear! In the end though I took a risk though by ordering a dress that I'd my on for a while, which I just had to get as it had bunnies on it and it was now in the sale too! I did have to go up a couple of sizes so it was a bit big in places, but it fit well enough, was comfy, and at least gives me growing room to wear it again!

Below you can see a few pic from the gorgeous day, as well as some pics of my bunny dress!  

On the night of the wedding the hubby and I then stayed along with the illustration girls in a lovely guest house, which was just a stone's throw from Eastbourne seafront. So the next day after breakfast the hubby and I went for a little walk along the seafront, which was lovely as I haven't been to Eastbourne since I was tiny and the hubby had never been! It was also another glorious day weather-wise, in-fact so much so that you could have been mistaken for thinking that we were abroad from the photos!

Below you can see a selection of the photos including a bunny that we found that someone had drawn in the sand, plus a few pics of some of the features from around the guest house including; the Alice In wonderland prints that we had in our room, a bunny doorstop, and some of the cute animal ornaments that they had outside of the guest house.

The hubby and I then had the following week off of work together, which was lovely as we don't often get time off together. In fact the only reason that we both had that week off was because I should've been going to Download Festival with my friends as usual, and the hubby had taken the week off to look after Flo! Thankfully I found out that I was pregnant before I bought my ticket though, but as happy as I am that I'm pregnant I was pretty gutted not to be going. This was especially so as even though I go every year, the line-up was typically the strongest in years this year, plus they typically had amazing weather for a change too which I knew would happen! My main disappointment was missing out on seeing Gun's N Roses headline on Saturday as I know that I would have been able to see them much closer than I did last year, but at least I have seen them. Then the other disappointment was not getting to meet up with all of the Download family, many of which we only get to see once a year there, but never mind it wasn't meant to be!     

Instead we had a mixed week of both busy and quiet days. We were meant to be starting to get things sorted with the baby room as it's currently my craft room and is going to need a lot of clearing out, but we didn't really far with that. Instead we ended up doing odd jobs, going to visit my mother-in-law and had lunch out with her, had a 17 week baby check-up appointment, which all went well and for which we got to hear the baby's heartbeat again, went out for a meal together, and had some girly time with my mum and sister, as well as some down time, and time to catch-up with some illustration bits. So all in all it was lovely but all went by very quickly as always!  

Below you can see a couple of photos of both one of our main meals out, and one of the yummy desserts!

The following week the hubby and I were then back at work again and then that weekend was another busy one for us, with one of our nephew's birthday's and my hubby's best friends wife's Baby Shower on the Sat, and then Father's Day on the Sunday. So after whizzing around town in the morning I dropped my hubby off at our nephew's party, before making my way to the Baby Shower and then went back to the party again later. 

The Baby Shower was a lovely chilled affair, with a pink theme as the baby is going to be a girl. It was all arranged, organized, and held at the house of the mum-to-be's sister, and she did such an amazing job of hosting. Everything looked so pretty with organza bows on the windows and doors, a beautiful cake, and lots of yummy pink themed food, as well as a few games! A lovely time was had by all and it was nice to catch-up with not only the mum-to-be as I hadn't seen her since she'd been pregnant, but also the wives and girlfriends of some of the hubby's other friends, and to chat with new people too. Below you can see a few pics from the day. 

Father's Day was then a pretty chilled affair as my dad had recently had an eye operation, so we just chilled in my parents garden eating posh dogs out in their new summer house. Then retired to the front room where we spent the rest of the afternoon watching Finding Dory.

Last week was also another busy one as we currently don't have a supervisor at work, so I'm having to pick up more hours than I would like in my little gift shop job at the moment. Which I don't mind as I do enjoy it but I'm finding it more tiring currently, especially if I'm on my feet all-day. Plus it does mean that I end up falling behind a bit with my illustration work. 

Exciting things also happened last week too though! The first being that I now know for sure that the little flutterings that I'd thought I'd been feeling for the past few weeks are def baby! I first had an inkling that I'd felt something a few weekends ago, but wasn't sure. Since then though I have been feeling the sensation more and more every day, and after a bit of googling too it definitely sounds like it baby! It started off with me mainly feeling an air bubble like sensation, but too low down for it to have been air bubbles when I was lying down in the morning or evening. It also started of mainly being in the same place, whereas now I will feel it still quite low down but at different points across my stomach and now during the day too. It's a very strange feeling but reassuring too! I thought it may freak me out a bit a first, but I as the movements are only subtle so far it's not been too bad or alien like!

Then secondly we found out that my brother and sister-in-law are having another little girl, which my hubby and I guessed would be the case!

This weekend just gone was another scorcher filled with both a busy as quite day. Saturday was pretty chilled as I was knackered after working all-week, plus it was so humid that I just felt the most tired and ratty that I had done in a long time! We did venture out in the afternoon to pick up a new bathroom storage unit though, which is all part of our preparing for baby preparations!

Yesterday was then filled with both a BBQ and another Baby Shower! So I dropped the hubby off at his friends for the BBQ and to watch the football, before I made my way to the baby shower. This time it was for my friend's wife, the couple who I had mentioned earlier that had told us that they were pregnant towards the beginning of this year. Again it was a lovely chilled affair held at my friend's parents house, on another scorcher of a day. Thankfully it wasn't half as muggy as the day before though, so it was lovely sitting out in the shade of their patio for the afternoon playing games, catching up with friends, and chatting to new people. I even won one of the games which was the baby in the ice cube game, the idea of which was to see who could get the little plastic baby out of the ice cube first using any means accept for crunching it. So I just massaged it in my hand until the baby popped out! I wasn't however so good at the pin the dummy on the baby game, which I failed miserably at as usual! Again fun was had by all, and below you can see a few pics from the day! Unlike the previous Baby Shower though this one had quite a neutral theme as they don't know what they are having, but I have an inkling that it's a girl.     

 

On the Flo front our little monkey has generally been both her usual mischievous and lazy self! We also have seemed to have finally turned a corner with the pearly poo's issue since changing her food and getting the Furminator brush which is a relief! I haven't found any for months now so hopefully we have nailed that one on the head and it will stay that way! Likewise touch wood we haven't had any more funny turns from her since the last couple that I mentioned which again is a relief and likewise will hopefully stay that way!   

Aside from this we had one trip to the vets back in mid April for her VHD2 jab and nail clipping, which always get nervous about regardless of the reason for taking her as I never know how she's going to react and worry about her getting stressed. In fact I think that it probably stresses me out just as much if not more than it does her, but this time being that I was ten weeks pregnant this time I did try not to get too worked up!

As usual she was a little angel when it came to the jab but the nail clipping was a drama as usual, and by the time that we had got home she was dribbling and huffing and puffing as usual! She was however much better than some of the previous occasions that we have been, which I think had a lot to do with the vet we saw. We had seen him once in the past and she was much better with him than the female vets and nurses that we have seen. I think that she likes that he's quite confident and calm with her; either that or she just likes a male vet! Either way I think that we will try and ask for him each time we go; especially now if it makes it a less stressful experience for her and it turn me too!

The vet also said that she is a tad on the podgy side now weighing 2.36kg, when ideally she should be 2.2kg. I'm glad that he told me though because it's so hard to tell with her as she is so slender and skinny on her ribs, but has always carried more weight on her tummy. I had noticed that she was struggling more to eat her  caecotrophes more though, and hadn't been the best when it came to keeping her bum clean either. I also know it's probably due to the fact that I'd been slipping her a few more treats than usual after her previous funny turns, as she looks so skinny when they happen. But no more treats for Flo, she's on a bunny diet! 

Aside from this we have of course had a couple of bunny dramas though, with the first being with her food!

It all started last time I took her to the vets I picked up two bags of the new adult Burgess food that she's been on for a good few months now, and which I have been mixing in with her Burgess baby bunny pellets. On opening the first I did think that it smelt stronger than usual, but just thought that maybe they had changed the recipe or something. But after using the bag for a couple of weeks I noticed that Flo's appetite for pellets having dropped somewhat, with her taking most of the day to eat her morning pellets rather than them being gone in five minutes as usual. I didn't really think much of it at first as the vet did say that she was a tad on the podgy side last time we went, so I thought that her reduction in appetite maybe just down to her needing less food where she's now fully grown, or just where the weather had been warmer. Plus she hadn't gone off any of the rest of her food. But on going to feed her one evening I spotted a triangular pellet in with her food that both looked and smelt like a cat pellet! Thankfully I noticed it before I put the bowl in the hutch, but who knows what damage it may have caused if she had eaten it. So needless to say I was none best pleased and discontinued the use of the pretty much full bag of food, moving onto the other bag that I had. 

Again I used this one for a few weeks but her appetite didn't seem to return, and then once again when I went to feed her one evening and found yet another, this time square pellet in her food! So again I was pretty horrified to find that this had now happened with not only one, but two bags veterinary recommended and market leading food! Thankfully I had noticed before putting the bowl in again, and had also kept the previous bag of food. Which on checking the back of both bags it would appear were both from the same batch. So off I went to our local pet shop this time to find a bag from a different batch, which this time was clearly better as Flo's appetite for pellets came back fully instantly, so she could obviously sense that something was wrong with the other bags!

After a bit of research I found that Burgess produce a number of feeds for all sorts of animals including meat containing products, which they clearly use the same production line for. I also found other instances on bunny forums going back all the way to 2009 of people finding contaminated pellets within their rabbit food, which makes me wonder why it is still happening all these years on! So I did write an email to the company but didn't end up sending it in the end, as when I took the bags and the offending pellets back to the vets that I had got them from they said that they were going to get in touch with the company directly for me. So hopefully we won't have any further incidences, but I have to say that I have lost my faith in Burgess a bit. But equally it wouldn't do Flo any good to suddenly change her to a different brand either, not that there are many other options these days. Hopefully no other bunnies were harmed by eating them either as it was obviously the batch that was dodgy, and as the vet said not all owners may have noticed.             

Below you can see a couple of pics of the offending pellets next to the normal ones. 

 

Aside from this the other bunny drama that we had was about a month ago after Flo had been out on the sofa for her run as usual, but it was as I went to put her back that I noticed that she'd had little peeing accident on the sofa which she does very occasionally. However this time it looked much redder that usual, so naturally I freaked out thinking that there was blood in it. But I checked her bum and it looked fine, I cleaned it up and it didn't look as red on the kitchen roll, plus I have kept an eye on her pee in the hutch over the last few weeks and touch wood it seems fine. So I'm hoping that it was just a particularly potent orange pee, as it can make bunny pee look quite red sometimes. It did give me a scare though as had it been blood that would probably have signalled something awful, especially since she isn't spayed yet. Which is something that we were planning on doing once the weather warmed up, but now I 'm pregnant I don't think that I could take the stress right now!    

In other Flo news we also had to take her log tube out of the hutch and it's now only allowed under adult supervision. This is due to the fact that despite having had it in there for a good year now causing no harm at all, she decided that the day that we were going away to Eastbourne would be the day that she would learn some new tricks with it! As up until this point she'd always liked going inside it and lifting and moving it with her nose to where she wanted it, but more recently she's been lifting it higher with her nose and dropping it on her back feet. Then on this particular day she somehow managed to partially push it on its side so that it was leaning against the hutch. Luckily I noticed before it fell back on top her because it's not the lightest, and would have caused some damage if it had fallen on her head! So I put it back where it should have been, but then she decided to try and push it down the ladder and then tried and go down the ladder with it stuck there! Silly bunny! So we decided that it was safer all round to take it out when we weren't going to be there, and whilst nanny was looking after her! 

Below you can see when Flo tried to put her log tube down the ladder, but it wasn't safe enough for me to get a pic of it partially on it's side. Plus you can also see some other pics of Flo from over the last few months!

 

 Flo watching "This Morning's" bunny feature over Easter

 

Many photos of Flo being her usual lazy self!

 

Flo being so lazy that she can't even be bothered to get up for food, and looking very proud of herself after lining up her toys in her litter spot!

  

Flo enjoying the sunshine!

 

Flo enjoying basil from daddy!

Flo sticking her bum out of the bars, and Flo with bedhead!

In other animal related news I seem to have made friends with some ducks over the past few months, who now regularly come quacking under our kitchen window to be fed. There's generally one female and usually three males, although sometimes there are two and once there were four! So she's one popular lady! One of the ducks I have named little outcast duck, as one of the other males doesn't like him and will peck and chase him if he tries to eat with the others. So he always holds back until the others are done and then has his share of the food. Then yesterday the hubby actually ended up having to go outside to try and break them us, as bully duck had little outcast duck in a full-on head lock! So I do feel a bit sorry for outcast duck, but I suppose its just nature's hierarchy and he seems to like hanging around with them. 

Below you can see my little ducky friends including little outcast duck on the right, and then holding back from the others on the left.

 

On the Bobby Bunny and Friends front I have had plenty of orders steadily going out lately, plus a month or so ago I completed a new piece. This time it was a commission for a nursery wall art frame. The brief that I was given was that they would like a Mummy bunny and a Daddy bunny holding a baby bunny. I ummed and erred a bit to start with as to how I would get both the Mummy and Daddy bunny into the composition with the baby bunny, but I got there in the end and you can see the results below.

So that finally pretty much brings you up to date with the many goings on around here! As for this week coming we excitingly have our 20 week scan, so hopefully all will be well and we'll be able to find out the sex of bubba! I'm not fussy either way but I've been convinced from very early on that we're having a boy, and most others seem to agree with me, but we shall see! I can't believe that we are at the half-way point already though as it seems to have gone so quickly since the 12 week scan!

Thank you so much if you have kept with this post as I know it's ridiculously long! I know that I keep saying that I will blog more often and I will, I just haven't had the mindset or energy to blog until recently with all of this pregnancy malarkey going on! It really does means a lot to me that you all still drop into read my little blog though, and I hope that you are all keeping well! x