On the rock

We're back in Guernsey for half term. We didn't pack Rosie - Gem took these photos withou me realising! It's so nice to be somewhere a bit warmer, as Derby has been so cold recently. Our flight was on time - which is unusual for a Guernsey flight. We've been stroling round town today, having coffee and lunch with friends. The trouble is I am just starting to relax and before I know it I'll be forced into going back to work. Boo...

Walking in the Peaks - Milldale

Last weekend we went for a short walk in the Peaks, whi turned out to be quite a challenging (for a pregnant lady) 2 hour hike. It was gorgeous though and we took it easy. I did get jammed in a couple of styles but Gareth got me out. Afterwards we had a lovely pub lunch, before going to Gem's for a chocoholic cream-egg birthday cake.

Very annoyed about Jamie Oliver

I find Jamie Oliver's new school thing really annoying. I understand his input into healthy school dinners, he is an expert in that field and has every right to dabble in that area. However, as far as I know he has no training as a teacher or experience of working in a school with real problems. I would love to teach exactly what I liked with limitless resources, but unfortunately not all schools have the budget or freedom to do that. He seems to imply all teachers are a bit crap and are not in it for the kids. How can he be so arrogant to think he has the quick fix while skimming over the real issues in education today? Rant over.

Coffee in Derby

I met Gem and Rosie for a coffee this morning with Gareth. Rosie is so fast now and kept shooting off. We were running about all over the place trying to keep her out of the knife and chocolate sections of Debenhams. It gave me a bit of a work out. We took a bump picture too!

Silly pictures

We really haven't done much for the past few weeks that has involved taking pictures so here are a couple we took today. One of the pictures makes my bump look massive but after my measurements today I am exactly in the 50th percentile. So very average as usual. Gareth made me do the silly face. He thinks it's funny...
We've been super busy on the weekends. Last weekend we went to Chuckle Butties -a kids' play cafe where we could relax on the sofas while one of us went off with Rosie to go on the slides or in the cars etc. It's a great idea.

This week we've been sorting house stuff. I keep having nightmares every night - I think it's anxiety about having a baby and also moving house. I feel quite relaxed during the day, but there is so much to organise we are quite busy all the time. I think subconsciously it's getting to me a bit. I had a lovely afternoon today after my midwife appointment I went for a walk - it was so good to be out in the sun and not at all cold. I hope that means spring is on the way!

I am really looking forward to our Guernsey holiday. Just two more full weeks at school including Maths Week and my class assembly to get through and we'll be there - on the beach, going for walks and drinking chocolate milkshake at Christie's!

Gareth and Rosie dressing up

Here are acouple of pictures of New Year. Nothing much happened. It was great to stay in and enjoy a lovely meal. We cooked risotto and sticky toffee pudding. It was the perfect relaxing evening. Gareth dressed up in my maternity coat - I think he's jealous of my massive belly! Then Rosie and Gem came to play in the morning. Rosie dressed up as me in my gloves and slippers and Gareth's hat. She looks like an elf!

20 week scan

I can't believe the wait up to my 12 week scan took so long, then the 20 week one came round so quickly. It was amazing to see the baby in so much detail. It was flipping about all over the place and since yesterday morning has not stopped moving. It must be excited too! We're off to start shopping now that we've had good news that everything is as it should be. It's such a relief. I just hope the rest of my pregnancy will be as easy as it already has been. I am really enjoying my expanding belly now (but am sure I will be fed up of it soon once it gets really massive)!

A family Christmas

We have had an excellent Christmas holiday so far, with far too much yummy food. It was the first time we were all together in one place on Christmas day for at least 6 years. We had the most amazing meal, with plenty of yummy meat and potatoes. Great cooking Gem and Tim! It was so nice to have a little one around to really enjoy opening a stocking and playing with toys. Rosie was totally spoiled, but loved her presents, especially her little table and chair set.

Christmas on its way!

I've been so busy today. I have managed to make a Christmas pudding, mince meat, mince pies, a bolognaise (for this week, clean the house and put up the tree. It's now looking nice and Christmassy and stinks of brandy! The pudding is my own modified recipe, with no nuts and a few tweaks as I was missing some ingredients. I hope it will taste ok. I now need to keep watering it with brandy over the next week or so. Just one more full week of school. I can't wait for the holidays!

Another day of snow

Another snow day (and one again tomorrow). It's really been snowing hard today and looks lovely outside. Today we had lunch at the pub up the road. It was really nice walking in the snow as it is soft and deep and not slippy. I have been busy this afternoon making meatballs for dinner and mince pies and cheese straws for Christmas. Great fun!