Snacking

I've always been a bit of a snacker. Never sweets, chocolates or cakes... Always crisps, crackers and veg (I'm a savoury sort of gal)

In the lead up to my wedding, my usual snacking was sadly banned.

I wanted to look smashing and most importantly feel fabulous in my beautiful Suzanne Neville gown (that hugged me in all the right places) and crisps just weren't going to help.

Thankfully I've always loved fruits and vegetables. My favourite food (no lie) is peas.

I eat them by the bowl full and often heat some up as a snack to get me through a long afternoon. 

I also love anything pickled (cucumbers, sauerkraut etc) fiddly fruits and veg that I can sit and graze on for hours such as pomegranates, figs, passion fruit, artichokes, berries, grapes & tomatoes... all of which were regularly munched on in the months ahead of my big day.

It's funny, every bride I know tells me that they lost a good few pounds in the week of their wedding due to stress. Either I stress eat (highly likely), or I'd planned everything to perfection and thus didn't suffer any stress that week (I don't remember it that way!) but I certainly didn't shed any additional pounds that week.

Since the beginning of my pregnancy I've had an increased appetite.

At first I thought I was giving myself an excuse to eat more and that it was all in my head... But the more my stomach rumbled, the more I realise it was/is Baby J whose the piggy, not me ;-)

Whilst I'm totally comfortable putting on a few pounds during pregnancy, I'm a newly wed and I'm young and I do care about my appearance so I do have to be a little careful not to overindulge too much!

I find that there are two key times of day when I'm in need of a little snack...

I get up pretty early, around 6am and I'm not one of those people who 'struggle to eat early in the morning', I've actually never understood those people. Food is food regardless of the time of day!!

Breakfast is usually a bagel (wholemeal as often as possible) or a 'healthy' size bowl of cereal, All Bran Golden Crunch or Fruit 'n Fibre are my usuals.

By 10/11am I'm usually starving, to the point that I look at the clock each day in shock that it's not 2pm and I've missed lunch!

This is usually when I opt for one of the following snacks...

- Ryvita thins, my preference is cheddar and black pepper... So good and so satisfying (my current obsession) I'm actually munching these as I type (I know it's only 7.55am so not technically a mid morning snack but it's Friday!)

- Salt and Vinegar Snack a Jacks (fulfilling and tasty!)

- A plum and a banana (less exciting but does the trick)

- A skinny peppermint hot chocolate (extra hot, it's always served warm) from Starbucks (no cream of course)

Or something my lovely mum has whipped up for me... I mentioned to her last week that I fancied a wholemeal berry muffin.

Saturday she came round with a delicious fluffy batch that I took to work to keep me going through the week :-)

I usually have a decent size lunch. A big salad or jacket potato, which takes me through to supper. If I am feeling peckish, I have a few things at home ready to satisfy me...

- Pretzels (salted) They are pretty healthy and good to graze on, sometimes I whip up a little tzatziki to dip

- A massive carrot! I love carrots and love nothing more to sit on the sofa and munch on one whilst watching TV

- A cracker (usually a corn thin) with some low fat cream cheese and marmite (a pregnancy find that is so amazing and will be around forever)

Dinner again is usually a decent size so I'm not 'hungry' afterwards but I'm usually up for a little something pre bed...

This is where I'm naughty. You have to remember that this is still a novelty for me… not only have I only recently developed a sweet tooth but usually I'd never let myself eat anything unhealthy!!

Whoever knew marshmallows were so good? 

I've never disliked them, but they are something I think I might crave as a pregnant lady. If craving means thinking about them all the time and getting teary as you near the end of the bag… 

I think it is fair to say that marshmallows are now a regular in our home! 

Other night time treats include a small (ish) slice of carrot cake (I love carrot cake) a chocolate biscuit (any brand, I love them all… the ones with chunks of chocolate are the best) or a Weight Watchers biscuit or dessert…. 

Recently I discovered the Weight Watchers mint chocolate chip ice creams…

LIFE CHANGING

So there you have it… the menu of a snacking pregnant lady! I know that many of you feel horribly sick during pregnancy, and some of you experience a form of appetite suppression (my mum had this) Well if you don't, I hope this blog post inspires you to try out some new snacks or at least enjoy the ones you already eat!!

Pregnant or not pregnant I love to eat and like to think about everything I put in my mouth. No meal or snack should just 'be' everything is to be enjoyed :-) as I think is reflected in this post.

The funny thing is, I usually write my daily blog post on my train journey to work posting it as I arrive at the office. This post had to be polished off whilst at my desk as I had so much to say on the subject!! 

Not sure what that says about me…

The birth plan

On Tuesday I met with my midwife (Joan) to go through various elements of my pregnancy and check that Baby J is cooking nicely (he is) He also is the right size (relevant if you read Monday's blog post 'BUMP OFF!')

Joan has been a midwife for nineteen years. Before being a midwife she was a nurse, for a decade (where has part of her role she delivered babies) so let's just say 'she's been there and seen it all!'

The Hubs and I quizzed her when we first met (out of genuine curiosity) about how many babies she's delivered... She lost count at forty, which 'in those days' she had to do to qualify! So I'm thinking she's witnessed, and taken part in hundreds, maybe even thousands of births (I like stats like these!!)

She is quite a matter of fact lady who sort of tells it like it is (much like me, so I warmed to her immediately)

Whilst the birth is still some time away (roughly fourteen weeks) she started to ask whether I had thought about it at all and whether I was planning on putting a birth plan together.

In truth, I've not and no, I wasn't planning on it.

I'm not particularly scared (yet) about the whole thing. I'm a pretty level headed person who sees birth as a means to an end, something totally natural that women have been doing across the world since the beginning of time.

I'm also not the earth mother type, so don't see birth as an amazing experience for me and my baby that I need to plan too much or over think.

My view is this: Do what you have to do to get Baby J out as safely, and naturally as possible.

As I have very few friends who have had babies (I'm still quite young) I've never knew that there were so many options for birth!!

It's actually pretty amazing...

- Lights dimmed

- Massage

- Hypnotherapy

- Water birth (with or without the Hubs in the water with you.... Eeeek!!!)

- Epidural

- Skin to skin immediately

- Baby cleaned prior to skin to skin

- Music

- Birthday stool

- Gas & air (that one I knew from 'call the midwife!')

The list is endless!!

When Joan asked me about my birthing plan...  I think I may have been a little quick to dismiss the whole thing (probably out of ignorance), saying something a long the lines of... 'I'll play it by ear' but having done a little research on the subject I think I may need to think again.

Whilst I won't have a proper written birth plan (well I don't think I will), I need to read around the topic to make sure I fully understand what everything on offer is, and what my options at various points are (not to mention what is the best option for Baby J)

Whilst I'd love to go in a little blind (makes it a tad less real) I think I need to grow up and read up for the best of myself and of course, the main man, Baby J.

I suppose it's back to the books for me... if I can find them amongst the mess & boxes! (I REALLY need these workmen to leave already!!!!!)

Let them eat cake!

This morning my mum and I are popping my baby shower invitations in the post.

A little premature perhaps, but my mum is hosting, and she's having her kitchen redone at the end of January (the day after the shower) so wants a good understanding of numbers, how much food she'll need to prepare etc, well in advance.

My mum is quite the master baker, to be honest her skills aren't limited to baking, she's quite the master in the kitchen!

As far back as I can remember, food has been a big deal for my family (not so much my dad, he's a very 'healthy eater' and not that concerned by food) specifically my mum, brother and me.

We love food, good, tasty, well seasoned and most importantly hot (not spicy) food (only when it's meant to be hot of course!)

My mum has always been a bit of a whizz in the kitchen, knocking up delicious dinners and treats at the request of my big bro and I.

A few years ago, her skill developed into a full blown passion.

An American TV chef, 'The Barefoot Contessa' caught her eye and that was it. Overnight she became a full blown chef.

From that moment on, my mum has been producing the most fabulous meals and desserts that impress the masses (literally the masses, as she gifts her creations to anyone and everyone... The cleaner and gardener have done very well out of this new good love!)

Funnily enough, this passion coincided with the biggest change in my mums life, most likely, since becoming a mum.

Over the last few years, my mum has lost a considerable amount of weight. Around seven stone.

It's funny, my mum has always been sort of fabulous. Her vivacious personality has always shined through in her wardrobe choices, meaning that for many of us who know her well, we never really noticed her weight.

Now that it's all gone (through careful eating, exercise and will power) I look back at pictures and honestly can't believe how big she was. To say I never noticed sounds so stupid, but it just wasn't an issue as she's always been so full of life and so fabulous.

You'd think it would be impossible to keep all this weight off whilst baking constantly (understatement!) Well, you'd be wrong as my mum has very smartly found alternatives to fatty foods, and alternatives to healthy, tasteless ingredients.

It can be done!

Obviously some of her creations are a little naughty, my wedding cake for one (impressive right!?)

But in general she keeps things as healthy and delicious as possible.

Going back to my shower.

No games or activities have been planned yet. Knowing my mother and the relationship she has to some of my closest friends (you know who you are) they'll take care of this...

I won't get into the stripper incident on my hen weekend (which I specifically said I didn't want!) the poor man didn't know what he was dealing with...

Despite my friends and mother fuelling me with cocktails in advance of his arrival, I cringed, apologised and grimaced through the whole thing!

I'm a logistics girl so in this case it means I sort the guest list, invitations and inviting.

The rest, I leave in the hands of my wonderful mother.

At least I know there will be some smashing food & a lot of laughs :-)

It is an odd concept though, a 'baby shower', a celebration of someone not yet here, it's kind of tempting fate in a way...

I suppose the key is not to overthink things, and just enjoy it & 'eat cake' as they say…!

Bump Off!

Last night I posted a tweet that fuelled quite a large debate amongst a number of you.

After being out and seeing some friends, I was left feeling a little flat and a weeny bit anxious.

For someone who today is 26 weeks pregnant (Happy Birthday Baby J!) I apparently I have a relatively small bump.

This isn't the first time I've received comments to this avail.

In truth, it's pretty much daily that someone (friends, strangers... anyone really!) feels the need to touch my stomach (so weird) and share their words of wisdom about the size of my baby bump.

I must say that I personally don't agree with the masses, having watched my body turn over the past 26 weeks from relatively toned and slim to what I only can describe as 'swollen' (that's my polite way of saying fat)

The Hubs also doesn't agree... Especially as now when we snuggle up he can barely fit his arms around me.

Neither does my mum and she knows best of all. I'll never fully understand how she's been able to buy me clothes at any age, at any size and they'll fit me perfectly (I've not been consistent so this is harder than it sounds!) She knows my body well and would be the first to say if she thought something was wrong.

I suppose the issue here isn't so much about the size of 'my' bump... It's more about the public (I suddenly feel like a politician) and their openness and confidence in dishing out their uneducated opinions about it.

I know people mean no harm, but surely they should be bright enough (especially as they're all seemingly qualified medical professionals... Can you feel my anger?) to realise that pregnant women are scared, anxious and most importantly hormonal.

The last thing we need is a complex about the size of our bumps?!

It seems that many of you agree with me, and many of you have experienced this unnecessary overstepping of what is polite and acceptable in society.

What I was interested to learn last night following my twitter post was that it doesn't just stop at small bumps.

Oh no.

People also like to share their opinions of big bumps, high bumps, low bumps and in same cases 'odd' shaped bumps!! (Surely not?)

As I mentioned earlier, I don't mean to rant or sound too harsh it's just that I'm a worrier. Thankfully I'm seeing my midwife this afternoon who I'll ask to measure the bump to ensure all is well. If I didn't already have the appointment, last nights comments (from 'the public', not from you lot) would have driven me to make a last minute booking.

I'm sure all is well. But who needs the added stress?

Maybe next time someone comments I should respond with a comment about their appearance?

"You've got a small bump"

"Thanks, haven't you got big ears!"

I don't think that would go down too well, but at least they'd get the point!!!

My advice on the matter? Ignore people, most likely they are trying to engage with your pregnancy in some way and don't know what else to say than to comment on the bump... I just wish they'd say nothing at all!

After all, my mother always taught me that if you've got nothing nice to say, to say nothing at all!

What's in a name?

We're reaching the stage in my pregnancy where Baby J's 'name' is becoming a big point of discussion.

Whilst some couples reserve this conversation for 'private times', we're struggling a little as it's the first thing people tend to ask us… 'Have you thought of a name? 'How about this?'

Early on in my pregnancy, when we weren't aware of the sex, we made the mistake of openly discussing the names on the table with our friends… It really is a mistake.

Everyone had an opinion. The problem is, these 'opinions' were entirely irrational (unless they rhymed with a bad word or meant that the babies initials would spell out something dreadful, these opinions were useful) and entirely personal.

Opinions, in my experience are for the most part driven by experience i.e. A horrible ex boyfriend or girlfriend, the bully at school, the smelly kid at nursery, and so on.

Whilst this is entirely relevant to the people who knew these individuals, it is not at all relevant to us!

After a while we decided to stop answering questions and keep our musings to ourselves.

Choosing someones name is a pretty tough thing to do. Not only is it the first decision we'll make on behalf of our little man, but he'll (most likely) be stuck with it for life.

My birthday was back in October and two lovely people gave me baby name books as a gift.

Flicking through these books sparked a great deal of debate amongst the Hubs and I.

We want to prepare Baby J for anything. Due to the fact that he's not here yet, therefore there are no other decisions currently to make, everything rests in this one... Therefore the topic has been much 'debated'

Some of the (ludicrous) questions that have arisen during our 'debates':

- Could he be prime minister with that name?

- Could he play at Wimbledon with that name?

- Could he be a Premiership footballer with that name?

- Is that name masculine enough?

- Is that name too masculine?

- Could he run a big multinational corporation with that name?

- Is that name too dull?

- Is that name too 'out there'?

- Does that name have too few letters?

- Does that name have too many letters?

- Is that name hard to pronounce?

- Is that name too hard to spell?

- Can that name be shortened?

- If we picked that name, what would his nickname be?

And so it continues....

We've sort of settled (I make that sound bad. I actually really love it) on a name now.

But I'm still not 100% convinced.

Some say, we won't truly decide until we meet him... But how can that be, surely a 0.5 second year old doesn't harbour that much personality in his face that you can rest such a big decision on it??

Don't babies faces change a lot over the first few weeks anyway!? What if we pick a name based on what be looks like at birth and then his face changed completely?? (I feel that neurotic trait of mine coming through again... I thought we'd seen the last of her for a while!)

I suppose we'll have to see.

I'd be keen to know how others got on with this decision, because I tell you something... We've struggled!!

What I have learned though, is to keep your thoughts/decisions to yourself!!!

Everyone has an opinion and the last thing you want to do is be influenced by others, especially after taking so long to make the decision in the first place!!

After all when Baby J is actually here, and has his name... It's not like anyone will tell us they don't like it...!!!

Baby love

Today was a day filled with gorgeous little babies. 

I've always been a broody sort of person, but today my hormones actually went into overdrive for these little darlings.

The day began with brunch at our local farm. 

Never in my wildest dreams did I (City girl through & through) ever think that my new (much adored) weekend hangout would be a country farm!! 

It really is the most gorgeous little place with the most delicious food... I've pretty much been there every weekend since moving to the burbs!

A very good friend, and former colleague recently gave birth to the most precious little girl. My friend is a real girly girl, and puts her little girl in the sweetest little outfits!

Over brunch (so delicious, man I love good food) I was (as ever) hogging all the cuddles with little Baby P and quizzing my friend about everything from hormones, to poo frequency (who am I!!), to different types of cries. 

I genuinely find everything about babies so intriguing (yes I know this will wear off!) and can't help but ask a million questions!!! 

After brunch I witnessed my first nappy change... Can you believe I've not seen this done before? Now, as a newbie I'm not sure if my friend is particularly skilled, but the whole thing took less than 90 seconds... 

I had images in my mind of talcum powder flying, baby wipes all over the place and a screeching baby... 

This was the complete opposite! 

A couple of quick wipes and she was done, those nappies (pampers, but I'm guessing their all the same?) are pretty nifty! 

I was truly surprised and mightily impressed!

With that they were off and we were onto our next visitors. 

A group of my oldest friends, two of whom share (they're married) the most perfect little boy. 

This little boy is the reason the Hubs and I are so excited that Baby J is boy.... He's full of life and even more full of energy!

As much as I love my old pals, they're nothing compared to the

is little man who entirely dominated my attention the whole afternoon.

Yes I'm rather exhausted from all the entertaining, cooking, cleaning, running around with Toddler H, and eating (I've eaten a hell of a lot this weekend) but I'm full of adrenaline and excitement for Baby J.

I'm not sure if something happens to you when you're pregnant, I mean it must do, but I'm beyond broody (I know that's a pretty stupid sentence) I just love these cuties and could have easily had the pair of them stay the night. 

Kids are exhausting, but they are so wonderfully wonderful.

Not to sound too narcissistic but I have to say that the highlight of my day was when Mummy H pointed to my tummy and asked Toddler H what was inside. 

He responded, in his beyond cute voice with "a baby" (yes he's a smart cookie) and at that precise moment my heart genuinely ached. 

14 weeks, 2 days to go and I literally can't wait.