Me, the mum to be and bump’s holiday to Bournemouth

So the three of us went off to Bournemouth for the mum to be’s birthday and what a lovely few days of sun, sand, sea and…………..sky high temperatures…..

After all the excitement since January and the whole ‘’telling everyone” fun and frolics, we needed a break and it was indeed just what the doctor ordered.

Wednesday saw us arrive and barely unpack before we were down on the beach admiring the view before a naughty KFC to complete a lovely evening.

Onto Thursday and the mum to be’s birthday, I promised it would be her day and she certainly enjoyed it. I even got her a card from the bump as well which she found lovely.

Generous family has meant we have dealt with the how we will afford things question, well at least in part.

Dear Mothercare, we’re coming in soon to redeem the vouchers, be warned!

After a breakfast at Weatherspoons (her idea) we ended up at a bra fitting, meaning I was left alone in the lingerie section. No matter how relaxed and how much I looked like ‘I am with a woman honestly’ I still stuck out! Sorry to the ladies who were browsing!

In the evening we went along to Harry Ramsden’s, home of the best fish and chips I have ever tasted.

 

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!

She was very spoiled but deserved every last bit. To be honest I tried to spoil her throughout the holiday, I looked at her one morning and still can’t believe what she is doing for us. I am eternally thankful.

We started off for home on Saturday and well the car sounded funny, 10 minutes later we were in Mastertech on Brassey Road with a broken spring.

One of the funniest moments was when the mechanic tried to wedge the spring together to allow us to get home (with advice to get it in a garage asap).

Two minutes with a chisel and said broken spring didn’t wedge, instead it flew off and sailed across the garage!

So we were there for two more days but on Sunday afternoon we sat on the pier, holding hands and looking at the water and horizon.

It was a moment which summed up how I feel at the moment and how I have felt since January 3, contentment.

It was the perfect end to a wonderful holiday

Yes, I’m on the wagon, but so is the missus!

When we were trying for baby bear I made a comment that should it happen for us, I would support Pam by going on the wagon and not having a drink.

I thought nothing off it, she can’t drink for nine months so why shouldn’t I send my liver off for a well -deserved holiday?

It’s long overdue as the poor thing has been working hard ever since I was 17, that is what university and a career in journalism often does!

I thought it was the least I could do and well a nice way of offering some additional support for my beloved and the little human setting up home in her belly.

And no one really said anything, the excitement of telling everyone we were having a baby seemed to dwarf my pithy little gesture.

Or so I thought, lately though my gesture has really split the sexes way down the middle. A load of blokes look at me like I am mad when I tell them.

Women on the other hand think I am Mr Super Husband now, Pam’s work colleague said she had never heard of anything like it before and said it was ‘lovely gesture’ (said in the way they do when they are emotional).

It’s got me thinking now? Am I bloody mad? Should I be a bit more alpha male or are there other dads to be out there who have done the same thing.

The way I see it I get a great excuse for a bit of a detox, support a non-drinking wife and save some cash into the bargain.

But to other blokes I am clearly coming across as a bit wet! I mean I have never been alpha male number  1 but have I gone soft.

Peeps, help me out please? Would be keen to hear opinions!

One Born Every Minute - A first timer's view

It's fair to see #OBEM divides opinion. certainly among my followers, many told me not to watch it but a few did say it was great TV.

So me and Pam have sat down the last two Monday's to take a look and fair to say we like it, real life experience and probably good for first timers to see what the experience will be like in terms of time, pain, feelings.

But one thing I realised is no one will have a birth like One Born Every Minute as each one is different and as Pam said to me, she don't know what she is going to be like when the going gets tough!

The programme is great though in terms of showing the pain relief, the procedure and sometimes a real good close up of head's crowning (an early indication of how you are going to be in the delivery room fellas!)

After episode one, Pam was a little teary, I thought at the prospect of giving birth but she was taken with how special the moment of birth was for the mum mentioned.

After the second, it was fair to see she was hooked, loved watching the different labours and think it's given her a very real view of what is going to happen at some point in August when baby bear decides he/she coming to meet us.

But as well as the mums, the impact on the dads is amazing, some proper emotion which is good for me because I cannot see how I won't cry!

It's not for everyone but hey we like it, so thanks Channel 4 and to all the mums who have bravely signed up to showcase the moment of birth!

Our First Shopping Trip

We have started the shopping trips for our baby bear and wow not only do we have a lot to buy but man there is a lot of choice!

First stop was Babies R Us, because its closest! And wow more pushchairs than a mum and baby group and bedroom furniture in many different styles and prices.

Kiddicare next and then maybe a cheeky trip to Mothercare as well. There is so much to get and plenty of gadgets including a rocker which can simulate car drives, a lullaby and all sorts!

Have to say Kiddicare at Merry Hill is very impressive and cheaper than the other stores. Lots of choice on offer and plenty of other mums and dads walking around haha.

It was in Mothercare though where I think we made our first decision, moses basket or crib? We have found this lovely swinging crib in there, both of us have fallen in love with it so watch this space that could be the first purchase!!

It's brought it all home how much life is going to change when we have a little baby bear to lie in the crib and change and feed and dress up and teach and love!

The Down's Syndrome test

During the scan we asked for the anomaly scans to be carried out, for Down's Syndrome and the like.

The level of fluid around the baby's neck was 2.2, we were told anything below 3.5 is considered normal.

What followed was blood tests, although we also had the cautious optimism of the sonographer who reassured us the 2.2 level was a good start.

We were told we were told we'd be called within 10 days if there was a problem, nothing came.

Then the letter arrived with the great news, the risk was low, no further tests would be needed and we have just a 1 in 7,900 chance of any abnormality.

Wonderful news, another huge boost to us both and a huge credit to Pam again whose done everything right and kept herself so healthy since we found out we were going to have a baby.

It makes you realise though how lucky you are to have everything go well, many are not so lucky.

We had a discussion about what we would have done had there been problems and deep down I think we would have kept our baby.

I guess this is what they mean when you never stop worrying about your kids! Never realised it started in the womb!

Another step in the right direction, 15 weeks pregnant tomorrow!