My Baby Shower

When I found out I was pregnant, a baby shower was (I hate to admit) one of the first things I thought about. The thought of having all my family and friends around to celebrate my baby was an exciting thought. I'm not sure when you usually have a baby shower, I have seen anything from about 28 weeks but I was pushing it fine being nearly 38 weeks pregnant at my baby shower.

Initially it was all going to be a surprise, all organised by one of my best friends Dani, however she knows I'm a complete control freak and I love things like this, so when she asked if I would prefer to help arrange it of course I said yes. Although I would have loved a surprise, I'm glad I got to be bossy as it was all exactly how I wanted it. 

The venue was my mums house, which was never even a question as they've just had a huge kitchen renovation and it was the perfect place to host it. I have several large families, as well as a large friend/family friend base as I have my parents, step parents and then K's family too so the space was perfect. 

I had been pinning tonnes of baby shower ideas and decided to try and make some of the DIY treats I had seen so many times on there. I made oreos, marshmallows, pink wafers and doughnut cake pops. They all looked so lovely and actually didn't taste too bad either! 

My mum put on a huge spread which was enjoyed by everyone. There was so much food! 

We had a pink and gold theme, of course. The lovely people at www.talkingtables.co.uk SO kindly sent me over loads of things, including these hat props, loads of plates, cups & straws, bunting, and the gorgeous pineapples. I am so grateful as honestly it wouldn't have looked at pretty without having all the extra bits there! 

We had a few games like guess my waist size, which one of my childhood friends won. We also had baby shower bingo, which was really fun. We had a 'guess the babies arrival date', which I am excited to see who wins that. Somebody had guessed today, but I'm afraid there hasn't been any signs yet!

I am SO grateful for everybody that came to my baby shower, I received some gorgeous gifts (which I'm thinking of doing a separate post on?) and generally had a lovely day. Little baby Nicholls is super spoilt already, what a little madame! 

Have you had a baby shower? Did you choose not to have one?

Daisy xxx

The WORST Things To Say To A Pregnant Person

When you become pregnant, one thing I wasn't warned about was the amount of unwanted questions and comments you would get. Don't get me wrong, most the time they are completely unharmful and the person saying it doesn't mean anything by it but everyone seems to think they know what your pregnancy is going to be like, and everything you will go through. Every person is very different and no two pregnancies are the same (please, take note!). I wanted to share a few of the worst things you could possibly say to a pregnant person, and probably even worse, a heavily pregnant lady counting down the hours.

Have you not had that baby yet?!
Nope, you caught me! I'm still huge, complaining every day about symptoms but yep, she is sat at home without me! Ooops.

Wow, your huge, are you sure your not having twins?
Strangely, I've had this one quite a lot. I think I look 'big' because I'm quite small naturally, I'm not sure, but I find this one so rude. Unless over the 5 scans I've had, they've missed something, there is only one baby in there, trust me.

Have you thought of a name yet?
Yep, we have a few in mind but I'm going to tell you 'no' because I don't want to tell you. Nosey.

Get your sleep whilst you can! You won't be sleeping when she is here.
I cannot count how many times I've been told this recently as I've got later in my pregnancy. Pregnancy insomnia is a thing and a lot of my mummy blogger friends suffer too. No matter how many times I am told to get sleep now, it won't make me suddenly fall asleep. So just don't say it. All I'll reply to you is 'I can't'.

Was it planned? Have you been with the dad for long?
K & I recently went to a family party and I was asked this a lot. I think its probably a huge stereotype, as I am 20 years old and about to give birth to a human. No, she wasn't planned, but I'm not sure if how long I've been with the dad is any of your business..... but in case you did wonder, we have been together for 5 years.

You shouldn't be eating that...
Luckily I haven't had this much as everyone around me knows I'm a very fussy eater, so their view is as long as I eat something its better than nothing (thanks family).

However, I will never forget when I was around 30 weeks pregnant during our heatwave, strolling round a car boot and I got a screwball ice cream (if you don't know what that is, essentially a Mr whippy in a plastic cone with a bit of bubblegum at the bottom). I had read all about avoiding Mr Whippy ice creams, but decided I wouldn't bother as there isn't actually much evidence to show its harmful... I was happily eating my ice cream when some fat, bald, old man comes up to me and says 'just to let you know, you really shouldn't be eating that'. He didn't even say it in a nice way, which made me even angrier. I simply replied 'I will eat what I want, but thanks for the concern'. If it isn't bad enough being judged for everything you eat/drink by your closest family, some complete stranger has just come up to me and told me what I should and shouldn't eat. Safe to say he got a death stare and he quickly popped off.

Baby will come when she's ready!
Thanks for reminding me. I dare you to tell me, a heavily pregnant very fed up hating life whale lady, that baby will come when she's ready. I am very aware she will take her time, and come, WHEN SHE IS READY!!

Now I've got that off my chest, I am feeling better already. PHEW.
Did you get any of these whiles you were pregnant? What was your worst one? Would love to hear your experiences!

Why I've Hated Every Minute Of Pregnancy

Okay, maybe a bit of an exaggeration but I can't be the only person to say I really, really dislike being pregnant. I never for a minute thought I'd be one of those people who loved every minute of pregnancy, but I can't really remember a minute I have enjoyed. I think I peaked at around 26-28 weeks when I felt normal, but before that and after that it's not been a good run.

My mum always says that I'm a drama queen (obviously this isn't true *princess emoji*) and pregnancy probably hasn't helped that. The problem is, you become a worrying wreck during pregnancy. Any kind of movement (or lack of in my case), any strange coloured liquid that comes out of you TMI or anything that feels slightly different is a panic. I, and a lot of pregnant people I know have been back and forth to the hospital like its our second home. 

I've been blessed to not have too many symptoms, except constant exhaustion. At the start, I had constant nausea, which although it isn't nice it is manageable. I haven't had sickness, my nipples haven't leaked yet, I haven't had any stretch marks (except my boobs), and I have had a fairly smooth ride. I have developed SPD, which is crippling so I guess it makes up for the other symptoms. But I really do feel for those who have suffered with anything and everything, as I've struggled with my few symptoms. 

When I lay in bed having woken up for the 194357th time that night, sweating buckets whiles being very uncomfortable and struggling to breath I do wonder what on earth was going through my mind when I decided this baby would be a good idea. I can't wait for her arrival, don't get me wrong, but I can't lie and say I've enjoyed the run up to it. The best bit has been buying cute clothes and I can't say I'd recommend pregnancy to anyone, EVER. Just don't do it to yourself.

Are you pregnant? Did you enjoy your pregnancy? 

Daisy xxx

My 4D Scan Experience

From the minute I found out I was pregnant, I knew I always wanted to have a 4D scan. When I was researching in to it, my brain was mushed by 3D/4D scans, all the different packages, all the extras you could buy, all the places that do them I honestly didn't have a clue. I asked on Twitter and a few baby groups on Facebook and like everything else, everyone had their opinion and I was no further forward picking a location to have my scan. If I'm honest, I completely stopped looking for a good few weeks because I was so overwhelmed by it all.

I knew time was ticking as they won't do 4D scans after a certain amount of weeks so when I was around 24-25 weeks I started to look in to it again. I found a place in my own town, which I didn't know even existed, with Ultrasound-Direct (Baby Bond). There was a package called 'simply 4D scan', which was the cheapest I had seen a scan anywhere. It was £59, with the option to add on extras (photos, DVD etc). I booked it without even thinking twice. 

I was able to pay half and then the rest at the scan, which I think is really lovely as it can sometimes be a lot of money to pay out in one go. I also chose to add on a USB stick of pictures which was an extra £15 which I didn't mind as I would always have the pictures of my baby.

When we arrived we were shown to a lovely little room, it was very dark and quiet which was really relaxing. I decided to take K and my mum, as she hadn't been to any of my previous scans and it was something I really wanted her to see. The lady came out to let us know she was running a bit late but I didn't mind at all, I was so excited I had barely slept the night before! I can't remember exactly but I believe I was around 26+1 when I actually had my scan. The Simply 4D scan only offers from 25-28 weeks so I was perfect timing. 

The package included a 15 minute appointment, about 10 minutes of that is actual scan which doesn't sound like a lot compared to some packages where you get a lot of scan time but we all agreed when we came out that you couldn't have had much longer scan because we had seen all there was to see, I really don't think I could've sat there for much longer seeing it all over again! 

Luckily baby played nicely and let us see her really well, and also confirmed the sex as I still didn't believe she was a girl (and yes, she really is a girl, I saw her bits!!!!). We saw her beautiful face, hands and feet. She looks like her daddy already which is scary. I always thought people were mad when they compared a scan to a person but honestly, she has daddy's big nose and pouty lips like mummy! 

Baby Bond have studios all over the UK and offer so many different packages (although it can be scary picking them!). Everyone has their own opinions on 4D scans, some say its a waste of money however I would happily spend that money again to see our baby. I am actually desperate to have another scan before she arrives but I am running out of time!

Have you had a 4D scan? What did you think?

Daisy xxx

What does a baby actually need?

When I found out I was pregnant, before even knowing the sex we went to our closest Mothercare which is quite a large one. My baby was going to have e v e r y t h i n g brand new, everything. I wasn't going to compromise, she was only having the best of the best. 

The buggy we picked was £840 for just the base, it didn't come with a car seat (or anything else for that matter) and that was an extra £200+ on top but it didn't matter, that was the buggy she was having. 

I picked the furniture for her room, a room she didn't actually have as we both still live with our parents, but again that didn't matter because at least she would have nice furniture, and her room would one day be pretty. 

After a few months of picking up bits and pieces, an opportunity for a house came up. We went to visit the house about a month ago and fell in love with it. I was having the house weather it meant struggling, believe me. Now with just over 9 weeks to go, moving in to our first house with nothing and still lots to get for our little princess the reality is setting in fast. I can't afford that £1000 buggy, I can't afford the £700 three piece furniture set I so badly wanted and I am going to have to compromise.

The problem is, these days there is far too much to choose from. My mind is mush with all the gadgets and technology you can buy, but what does a baby actually need? Lots of people will tell you as long as your little one has a roof, clean clothes, food and love they have everything they need. I'm beginning to realise that this is very true, and although we will never struggle to support our baby, for the first few years she might not have everything in the world but that is okay, as we will be a family and at the end of the day thats all that matters. 

Top Picks of the Bury St Edmunds Food & Drink Festival 2016

After I wrote this post about the Bury St Edmunds food & drink festival (which was highly viewed, so thank you if you read it!) I promised that I would also tell you my top picks from the weekend. With so much going on, it can be confusing and overwhelming to know what you want to see, so I’ll help you out! 

Starting with Sunday 28th August, obviously the main act to see is Galton Blackiston. He will be doing 3 demonstrations, all completely FREE to watch! They are at 11am, 1pm and lastly 3pm. And, if you like anything you see Galton cooking, you can even get the recipes here to make at home! Couldn’t be easier.  If you aren’t able to make Galton’s demonstrations, there are several other local shops with cooking demonstrations including; Palmers Coffee Shop kicking the day off at 10am, the one I’m most looking forward to - Casa Del Mar at 12pm and Maison Bleue in the afternoon at 2pm. 

On Monday 29th August we have the lovely James Tanner joining us, again doing 3 demonstrations at the same times as Galton; 11am, 1pm and 3pm. You can find his recipes for the day here. We also have some great demonstrations from the brilliant Malcom Harradine at 10am, The Northgate Cookery at 12pm, new kids in town Giggling Squid at 2pm and finally Bens at 4pm. It puts me in a food coma just thinking about it!

If the cooking part isn’t for you and you much prefer the eating and drinking, over the whole weekend there will be over 100 food & drink stalls across town throughout the whole day with a local farmers market on Angel Hill too. All produce on the farmers market is from within 30 miles of BSE - right from your own doorstep! Like I mentioned in my previous post, it is a real day out for all the family as there is so much going on for the kids. The towns favourite pop up beach will be ready for some sandcastle building in the Arc, alongside fairground rides and a punch & judy show at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on both days. You will find a mini-farm on Abbeygate Street, and in Cornhill Walk you will be able to get your face painted too! 

The Cathedral grounds will play host to BSE’s very own Mad Hatters Tea Party with lots of Alice in Wonderland themed activities and although we may not have the heat of Brazil, the atmosphere will be alive in Langton Place where you will be able to get a feel of Rio. Speaking of Rio, how well did we do in the Olympics?! Amaze!!! Pop down there to get henna tattoo or two.

Hope to see you there!!

*Collaboration with Our Bury St Edmunds