Happy New Year!

Did you see this beauty? Pip is so loved & one lucky baby!

A Great Grandmas Love

Blurry but this is us 3, our little family, on New Years Eve {27 weeks}...2012 you are going to rock!

New Year round up of the best bits!

Wishing you all a Wonderful 2012!!

xxx

Christmas 2011

Christmas was relaxing & fun filled.

It started with a little glass of bubbles....and ended with the wonderful one making everyone bankrupt in a game of Monopoly!

My darling Ma's house looked divine, with twinkling candlelight, old remembered tree decorations, and presents by the fire.

Even Pip had 3 pressies...a beautiful cot blanket, some reindeer boots for next year, and some snugggly baby grows....s/he is so spoilt already!

The Wonderful one is back at work with Ma....I have my feet up as week 27 is proving to be a tough one...no sleep and those silly restless legs are back ;(

I hope you all had an amazing Festive few days

xxx

Pip's Christmas Wish List!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTg3NDg4NHwxNjE1NzI1MzEw/pips-christmas-wish-list

The Bob & The Bump

26 weeks and the Bump is starting to feel big!

Me, Pip & Bob had a few hours on the sofa this afternoon, the Christmas fever is hotting up in our little shop.

Bob is finding the space for his big bum limited!

However we enjoyed a cuddle all the same.

Baby Faces!

Just so you know Pip, we are SO doing this!

Love you

xxx

Image with thanks via Pinterest via Cup of Jo 

15 Weeks to Go!!

Oh My God....that fact is rocking my world right now...25 weeks has come around so quickly I'm finding it hard to believe that in 15 weeks I will be a Mummy....It really is the strangest feeling!

I am feeling great...tired, but wonderful. The shop is so busy but I find myself totally exhausted by the end of the day, and often get sent home by the wonderful one and my Ma to put my feet up!! I have the best family ;)

The photo above was taken before we went out for dinner at a friends house...I felt amazingly pretty, however I paid for the heels later!

Our friends had just come back from holiday where they picked up these amazingly cool olive picks! I thought it was some form of modern art, until someone used one!

We also have our tree up! It is just divine!

Our last Christmas as 'just us'...next year we will be looking forward to Pips first Christmas!

As this ever growing bump wiggles, turns and perfects his/her star jump, I cannot help to feel totally in awe of my body...I feel relaxed, calm and thoroughly excited ...

...I can do this.

xxx

Pip's First Sinterklaas

The flight was no different with a Pip in my belly thankfully!

It didn't snow.

 We sat in a the most stunning cafe in Haarlem, surrounded by friends and watched the world and all the bikes go past...it was blissful.

Pip got his/her first presents from Sinterklaas, spoilt is the word of the weekend. We have raided HEMA and bought all Pips clothes for the first few months of his/her life...all so fantastic, all so Dutch!!!

My Dutch menu reading is getting much better...the Pip is on full view now.

A busy trip Home for the Wonderful one...many good luck wishes for March & Pip...a gallon of coffee drunk....suitcases full to the brim with baby loveliness...Family and friends enjoyed....Nephews treated to human horse rides, cuddles, and bedtime stories.

Exhausted but.....Mission accomplished!!

Thank you everyone

xxx

Week 22

I took these photos last week. Pip is certainly visible now. 

Week 22 has been a week of hard work in our little flower shop, buying for Christmas orders and working out window displays. My Grandparents have moved into their gorgeous new apartment, the old house with its 4 bedrooms and years of clutter has been cleaned and sorted.

If I could of had a large Gin & Tonic I would of had 3!!

Tomorrow we are off to Holland for Sinterklaas...Pips first time...I hope S/he will love to be surrounded with the dutch chatter....We are very excited!

I am wondering if it will be different in a plane when you have a Pip in your belly? 

Will we have another surprise from Zwarte Piet?

Will it snow?

Will we be able to sit in a cafe in Amsterdam and watch the world go by?

I will be back with photos next week 

xxx

Letter to Pip ~ Part 3

Dear Pip the Pickle,

This photo is of your Daddy testing out your new baby sling...it is fantastic. We know you are going to be snug as a bug in a rug. We will walk with pride around town with you, bring you into the shop and maybe even make you work among the flowers for the day!!

Yesterday we went for another scan, as you were a pickle at the last one....She checked your heart. We watched it beating, saw all the chambers and the blood vessels...a weird thought that we have seen inside your beautiful heart. We saw you curled up in a ball looking fast asleep, your big round belly emerging through the screen...You are just the cutest!

You kicked me last night and daddy felt it again...those kicks are getting so strong Pip...it is the best feeling in the world right now...I love these shared moments we are all having as a family. 

We have found a cot for you, it is white with butterflies carved into the headboard...perfect for all stages of your growth. All I have to do is sort out your room...I have given myself until the end of January to do this. It's going to be fun creating a beautiful space for you...I wonder what you are going to like the most. Dolls, trucks, teddy bears, Lego, building blocks, books, your lucky elephant. 

Pip you bring us so much joy, making us smile daily, bringing us closer as a couple, looking forward to our future as parents. 

We talk all the time about what you are going to be like...will you have your Dads ears? My eyes?...will you been born with hair? Will you be tall like your Dad? What will make you smile and laugh?

We promise to protect, love and cherish you. To let you have your own freedom, grow in your own way, and share those moments with you. A little team...strong and happy.

What an amazing adventure for all of us!

xxx

Priceless

While laying in bed the other night, the wonderful one and I were reading. Martin has finally started Harry Potter, and I am reading all about Hypno-birthing, which is utterly fascinating....

then....Pip kicked me and I mean REALLY kicked....I grabbed Martin's hand and 3 more kicks came our way...and he felt everyone! 

The smile on his face was priceless.

Thank you Darling Pip.

We love you

xxx

11/11/11

This is a photo of your Great Grandpa and Me. At a guess I would say it was around 1985.

He was a big man, who smoked Benson & Hedges Cigarettes, had a dry sense of humor, and false teeth.

He was a very imposing man...Me and Auntie Charlotte used to run around the house and he always said 

"I'm watching you two".... we used to be very careful! 

Only really when he died and I grew up a bit did I start to understand what an amazing man he was.

He flew in WWII, he rarely talked about it. He was Brave, strong and funny. Even though his name was Douglas, everyone called him 'Big Dave'.

His Flight hat, and some of his photos are in Tangmere Aviation Museum. 

I am proud of him.

When you are older Me & Auntie Elle will amuse you with his stories.

I hated what he saw in the war...my hope is that you never see the horror of War... He would have wanted that too.

Remembering 

Douglas Cameron Davies

27th April 1918 

28th July 1990

Pip The Pickle

Do you like Pip's new name?

Today we had our 20 week scan....we gave Pip a strong talking to beforehand, as last time s/he was wriggling around too much and the sonographer gave up with her measurements...read about it here

This time Pip was snoozing on his/her belly happily nibbling his/her fingers. The sonographer measured Pip's leg bones which are growing nicely...still nice and long!! She also checked Pip's brain {amazing what these scans can show it is like a MRI scan straight through the head to see the different parts of Pips brain!!}, kidneys & intestine, spine, teeth, and lastly the heart...here is where the problem beings!! Pip was in the wrong position...we could see it beating away...but she needed to check it thoroughly....we got sent for a 30 minute walk and then back we went onto the couch!

 Boo!!! did I make you jump??

 S/he did as they turned out of the darkness....a little hand up by their mouth!!

Pip was then wriggling too much after our walk and she still couldn't be sure if everything was perfect...

So back we go in 2 weeks....I'm not very amused...those blooming sonographer probes are so painful when going over the same spot 30 times getting more forceful {read desperate} each time!!

{Maybe this is a better view of scary Pip!!}

So Pip the Pickle is staying true to form, being stubborn...but when your'e this little and cute a Mummy will forgive you anything....but hey let her see your heart next time please Pip...thank you!! 

xxx

Week 19

 This week has been a week of firsts. Firstly I have 'popped' the bump has arrived...Yay!!

I have started to take some photos to show the progress the growing belly!

The second first is that Pip kicked me!! ;)

I was in a lovely bath singing along to this song and s/he kicked me 3 times.

It was amazing!

The third new thing was; we saw our first firework display...pip jiggled the whole way through.

Apart from a stinking cold, it has been a fantastic week for our Pip.

Happy Days

xxx

Letter to Pip ~ Part 2

Dear Pip,

Wow darling you are growing fast! 2 weeks ago I really didn't feel that pregnant, but boy you have made up for it in the last week. Week 18 has seen you double in size. I feel your weight in my belly all the time now, and I am still in awe of this....your'e really in there Pip, and in no time you will be in our arms.

At the moment your dad and I are working out which cot to buy you. Decisions like this are so exciting...its a big deal to us to make your room relaxed fun and a happy place to dream in. As we don't know whether you are going to be a girl or a boy we are going to paint your room yellow...it is a sunny room anyway but yellow will brighten those dull days.

I can just see us now playing in your room, seeing you snuggle your bear while I read you a bedtime story, watching your eyes get heavy with sleep, imagining what amazing dreams you will have.

We have also been discussing what it is going to be like to raise a bi-lingual child. We cannot wait for the challenge it will bring us...We are off to Holland in December and we are going to buy you lots of books and lovely Dutch clothes. You will be 23 weeks old and it will be your first time there, we cant wait to show you around!! You are only going to benefit from having a second language. Oma and Opa will be proud of you and Dad, and who know maybe I will learn too!! ;)

In 9 days we have your 20 week scan...halfway there little Pip. I cannot wait to see your acrobatics again.

Stay safe, happy and wriggling tiny one.

Love Mummy

xxx 

A Lucky Elephant

Today my lovely Ma bought Pip a present at the antiques market....

A lucky elephant, what a guy....from India, and totally cute!

Thank you Ma

xxx

Mobile-Tastic

I think Pip needs one of these in his/her room!

I can imagine Pip to be amazed by the movement of this mobile while we change nappies, get dressed or give a bedtime massage.

What happy days lie ahead for our lucky baby

It's all about Pip's Room

We have been chatting a lot about what Pip's room is going to look like....

It's so tough as we only have a limited amount of space...

But our ideas are big!!

Add into the mix we are not sure whether Pip is going be a boy or a girl... staying team yellow is so hard in times like these :)

We are thinking turquoise and yellow...no plastic...vintage toys...lots of colours, animals, and art

Let the fun begin!

Images all via Pinterest

Hey Long Legs

Today I had a 16 week midwife appointment with the lovely Sue...she is just fantastic!

I brought along Pip's scan photos so she could have a look....the first thing she said was "hey look at those long legs! Pip has inherited his Dads Dutch height then...lucky Pip ;)

My blood pressure was 100 over 60, nice and low. She measured my bump which was 18cm which is also good and all on course.

She listened for the heartbeat...

......I now have an understanding about our little bundle, which is...s/he wriggles, moves, kicks, back flips and generally keeps all of the medical profession on their toes. Sue was amazed by Pips abilities to dodge the Doppler...After 10 minutes of side swapping she pinned the heartbeat down...s/he sounds totally calm and relaxed.

She thought we had a little boy on our hands...her words were "his heartbeat is slow like a steam train, and he  is acting very mannish!" ....we still are going to wait for the surprise....

Yay for Team Yellow!!

Letter to Pip ~ Part 1

Dearest Pip,

I have decided to write you regular letter while you are camping out in my belly. I really don't want to miss a thing, in this wonderful experience you are giving me.

You are now 15 weeks old, the size of a beef steak tomato...that blows my mind already...you started so tiny and already you have grown so much. I'm so proud of my body for looking after you, nurturing your life, creating what I know is going to be a fantastic, happy baby.

This week your Dad and I decided to take the left over honeymoon money that all our lovely family gave us for our wedding and spend it on a canvas bell tent. A honeymoon every year...perfect! 

They are so beautiful Pip. I can imagine us relaxing in some English countryside with you in my arms, while Dad builds a fire. Then he will open a beer and tickles your toes, and we will then amaze over how glorious you have made our life.

This week we have been battling over sleep....I wake and cant drop back off so we come downstairs, read, internet search, write blogs and upload photos....I then start to feel sleepy and either fall asleep on a little camp bed in the living room...or go and annoy your dad with our duvet wrestling... he snores and sleeps through most things....I wonder if he will wake for your cries? I hope he does!! ;)

Tonight I thought I felt you....while watching Nigel Slater on the TV. I felt a weird delicate tapping under my belly button, slightly to the left....you caught me off guard....I don't know if I imagined it...but I think it was you. Next time please make it a big one so there is no doubt in my head...I cannot wait to feel you wiggling!

Keep growing big, strong, happy and healthy

We love you Pip

xxx

Tiny Bump

Last week (week 14) I had started to notice a firmness in my baby belly.

Ok, so it not a huge bump but it is a good start!

 I can certainly feel Pip now in my belly...no movement yet, but I feel it wont be long until Pip is making her/himself known to us.

The Kindness of Friends

Our friends are just the best! We have had offers of baby clothes, cots, Mosses baskets, bath seats and a hole heap more. We have had friends phone from their honeymoon in America to congratulate us. Today I got home to this card from our Dutch friend who had handwritten a letter to Our Pip...it was so sweet it made me burst into tears!

"Enjoy your mummy's heartbeat and your daddy's voice. They will wait patiently. You don't know it yet, but you are so loved already."

Sometimes, someone else's kindness touches you so deeply, you find it tough to put into words.

I will treasure this card forever.

Pip, you are blessed with a whole bunch of beautiful, unique, creative, kind, & generous Aunts & Uncles

Tante Mel was so right....You are a lucky & loved baby already

xxx

Our First Pip Purchase

My Grandma told me a story of how she wouldn't buy a pram for her first born until she held him in her arms. Two days after he (my uncle) was born she went down to the pram shop and brought a brand new silver cross for him, she went on to have 2 more children who were pushed, soothed, and enjoyed that pram.

I have coveted these pram for ages, and to be honest I don't have my Grandmas patience....so I spent rather a long time on Ebay until I found one that was the right pram for the right price.

It was a total bargain and I NEVER win anything on Ebay so we were very excited about our first purchase for our little Pip.

I know they are not practical, but hey, a happy, sleeping baby is worth the impracticality... we adore our vintage pram!!

The secret is out!!

Yesterday we told all our friends and family about our little Pip!!

It was a relief, I am the worst person for keeping my mouth shut especially with such life changing news ;)

Now I can start showing my belly off; not that there is much to show yet.

Oh Pip I love you so much xxx

Welcome Pip

Well Hello! 

Pip, well didn't you keep the sonographer on her toes...she poked and prodded my tummy for a good half an hour trying to move you into the right position for her measurements.

You kept your chin into your chest and amused us all with you acrobatics... legs over your head was a firm favorite of yours. After much jiggling around you then got the hiccups, put your hands on you head as if to say please leave me alone!!

You looked so happy, but stubborn, which is something to look forward too!

You are 6.5 cms long, 13 weeks old, and you have your Dads jaw.

The sonographer brought forward your Birthday to the 27th March 2012

We cannot wait

You are so loved already

xxx