ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Sunset Safari Event

Well the lovely ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - in Dunstable sort of near my area held a big event on Saturday 24th June. A 'Sunset Safari' where it was open from 6-10pm for us to have a look around and they had some extra special bits going on too. As well as the usual talks and feeds - there was also food stands, live music, face painting, train & truck tours, stilt walkers and more. Entrance for this only cost £21 something when pre-booked. So a couple of my friends and I immediately booked tickets. I was so gutted I couldn't take Corey but he was at his dads and I think frankly it might of been just too tiring and late for him anyways.

Luckily the weather was pretty decent. I was a little worried after the heat wave this week but there was such a lovely cool breeze which was so needed. All the animals were out and not hiding for a change. Is it just me or not but every time I visit a zoo the animals are hiding?!

One thing I was not really disappointed with but was a bit of a shame. They were doing a walk where people could follow the Elephants. But they quickly had to be cornered off due to massive amounts of people which was just a bit too much for them to handle unfortunately. So instead everyone crowded around. It wasn't very well planned. Although the elephants done great and looked amazing - I couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

But being almost 25 weeks pregnant and suffering with SPD (like bad hips unable to walk much)! Well lets just say as I am typing this up the next day to get posted, I am actually bed bound from the pain of walking so much. It isn't very nice at all but the evening was worth it.

So over all I had an amazing time with my friends and I am really glad I took my little camera to take some pictures that I am very proud of so just had to share. They did have a finale of 'fire and glow' which I am so gutted I missed but we couldn't get there in time so instead headed to the gift shop and purchased some rather cute goodies.

Enough of my rambling for now, lets get stuck into the overload of pictures..

Another great aspect about ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is that it looks onto Dunstable Downs, which I never realised how beautiful it is until now especially when the sun was setting..

So there you have it :) I hope they plan to do more nights like this in the future. Did you attend or would you if they done another?

Do you love zoos as much as me? I love a visit and try to go at least once a year. I can't wait to take Corey again but next time with our new little addition to our family too :) I really want to do ZSL London Zoo again as has been few years now and want to see if can compete to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

But they do have two Silent Cinema nights coming at the end of August playing Jumanji and Lion King. I think I might have to book along with Corey. Check it out here.

Fuerteventura 2017

A couple of years ago I went on holiday with my family to Fuerteventura to a villa a family friend owns. My mum has been back several times since but last week we joined her again :)

You can read and see pictures of my last visit here - especially of the villa itself!!

I had the most amazing and relaxing time. It was certainly a well needed break I needed. If you read my tips for flying whilst pregnant post you will know I was extremely worried about travelling as I didn't want something to go wrong health wise with myself or bump. I hadn't been feeling well but must have been stressed as I am feeling very good now after my holiday haha.

With a few tears here and there from Corey from grazed knees to just over tiredness. He had a great time too and was great to spend some proper quality time with not just him but my family too. He picked up some souvernirs and faced a few fears. Somehow my other half managed to "dare" him into jumping into the pool naked!!!! Sometimes not sure who is the child out of them two. But they sure do have a great time together - playing games, giggling away and bonding :) It is so lovely watching them together.

I won't really bore you with details etc as very similar to my last post even if a couple of years old. However, I just thought I would share some of the snaps I got!! :)

Our view from the Villa :)

Shopping the Corralejo markets 

A very windy day at Corralejo beach building sand castles

Bit of shopping in Corralejo 

First ever picture of the three of us :)

Visiting Fuerteventura Zoo - Oasis Park

Day trip from Fuerteventura to Lanzarote just the two of us :)

Some of the little goodies I picked up. I have a bit of a thing for collecting fridge magnets and pressed pennies. Apparently also have a thing for parrots! But they are just so cute? A little shell my other half picked for me from the beach too - a little treasured keepsake. I cant drink but how cool is this little sangria bottle - it has a spanish hat and maracas too!

Have you ever been Fuerteventura or thinking of going? :) What about any other Canary Islands? I visited them all as a child but thinking of going again when we have baby here as a family of four. Where would you recommend??

Emotional Rollercoaster..

This post is probably as personal as it has ever gotten for me and I don't usually do this. Well as the title suggests pregnancy has been a bit of a rollercoaster for me. I am quite highly emotional as it is these past couple years. I try and fake that I am really a tough bitch but deep down I am the complete opposite. But pregnancy has taken this to a whole new level of emotional and frankly I am struggling to cope with it.

If you follow me on Instagram and if not, why not? haha  @gemandthem :) You will see I have been fairly quietly recently but the posts I have posted haven't exactly been very positive or cheerful. I have been having a hard time and this week has gotten a whole lot worse.

I really don't know why I am sharing this with my blog or readers but I have got to the point where I have to let it out a bit and I need to do it to help I guess in some way process what is going on. Maybe I won't even post this for everyone to read, maybe it may just be left in my drafts.

 I may look sort of happy if you were to see me with my chubby round pregnant face but really it's just all a front for that little blue eyed blonde beauty of mine. I smile during the day for him, to get through the day and try to make myself feel better. I don't dare show him how upset I truly am but sometimes it is just hard to always fake a smile. But I try!

Corey's father and I split almost 6 years ago when he was only around 9 months old (who is still a very big and active part in Corey's life). I since have had a partner of 3 years who helped raise Corey amazingly but we split years ago. I managed to pick myself up even the next day after this because it was for the best reason and I had seen it coming for a long time. Corey on the other hand had a very hard time dealing with it and that was another reason I knew I had to pick myself up quickly to be strong for him. To be honest I am not going to lie I didn't want to introduce Corey to another person because I didn't want to have to break his heart again.

But last year I decided to introduce him to someone I had completely fallen head over heels in love with. To be honest this guy is the one for me, I've never had someone so funny and someone who can always make me smile even when I don't want too. Although sometimes never understand my emotional self would always try his best in his own little ways. Corey grew to him instantly and frankly looks up to him a whole lot copying everything he does etc. You get the picture anyways!

As you will know we now have a baby boy of our own on the way. Corey is beyond excited to not just be a big brother but to be a family too.

And it is with a very heavy heart that I have to now break his heart once again as our family isn't anymore. I have struggled so hard this time and although I fake a smile when around Corey, the rest of the time I am a blubbering mess in bed as I am about to become a single mum of two.

My little bump isn't due until 11th October but it will be late September if not even earlier at this rate. On Wednesday I had a 23 week midwife appointment. I was immediately sent to hospital with high blood pressure and being tested for pre-eclampsia. At just 23 weeks!!!!! Corey was born premature at just 34 weeks due to this reason so of course I was already anxious about this. Thankfully I have had the all clear, for now at least. But let's face it there isn't much hope for the rest of the pregnancy now. I just hope he keeps his little fidgety bum in there for now!!!

I am an emotional mess and I know I am extremely stressed. It is easy for others to say calm down and don't stress. But I am anxious of the fact that I am not prepared for a baby to be arriving in September yet let alone earlier. Frankly it isn't that long away as time is flying by in the blink of an eye. I am shit scared on how I am going to be a single mother of two. I am shit scared on how I will cope with another c-section as my last one almost 7 years on still causes me pain and issues. How am I going to cope?! I really dont know.

I know I have mainly raised Corey alone for all these years. With a lot of help from a very supportive family albeit. Of course they are here prepared to help again now. Not just myself but my family too all have had such a better life since Corey, he is our centre and he may he a moody spoilt git at times but he is also the most kind amd loving little boy I know. As well as extremely cute. Bias I know! I am extremely proud of him and how far he has come and a little smarty pants too. I do take a lot of credit for it because why the hell shouldn't I? No child is perfect of course and neither is no parent. But I really hope I can do just a good a job with this little boy growing inside of me especially with some help from his big brother who already adores and loves him so much.

I don't know how I am going to cope with anything from heart break to being a single mum of two. But it also means more cuddles, more kisses and more love from two little boys who I can call all mine ❤

I guess by writing this I have actually realised I am not scared of being a single mum. I know I will do the best I can and that one day two boys will hopefully think the world of me for trying my best. My mum done the same for my brother and I, we couldn't of asked for a better mum frankly. May not always see eye to eye at times but as you get older you realise your best friend really is your mum. I am also very thankful that she is the best nanny ever too. Then there is my grandparents too who help in so many ways I can not count. Corey looks up to these three just as much as he does to me and I can't wait to see another little boy become apart of our family and be so loved by many.

I am just heart broken at losing the one I know was the one. Whether this may actually be forever or temporary who knows. Because I hope that one day it may be fixed. I can hope anyways. But for now I am heartbroken and I won't ever be over this and I can assure you after this breaks Corey's heart my life is officially a singleton until at least my boys are grown ups. If this stays the way it stands now. I know I am very young and probably don't see it now that one day maybe I will look back and think it happened for a reason and it was for the best. But I can't help but feel guilt for bringing this upon Corey and a baby. I can't help but feel like my heart is shattered into pieces from losing my best friend and love of my life.

I hope I can deal with it more now that I have realised that this is what has happened and that the heart break has truly  sunken in. I need to get off my lazy pregnant ass and get on preparing for the future. Because who knows how early this bubba could come and I still need to find a 3 bed place to move too. Although that's a story for another post!

So I am very sorry for writing this long strange mix of crap but it had to be let out. I will try to be positive in posts to come bit sometimes you just have to share the truth that life is at times truly and utterly shit.

Tips For Flying Whilst Pregnant

For the last week I have been on holiday in Fuerteventura with my family. I went a couple of years ago which you can read here. But this time I was 21 weeks pregnant. 

Having a holiday whilst pregnant used to be so frowned upon back in the day when I was little. Even when I had Corey in 2010 it was so uncommon as there was rules like only in second trimester and all this crap. Now it is completely different. The even say you should have a 'Babymoon' !

You do still have to be careful though about flying and on holiday as there is more risks for your health well not just your health but that little baby in our bump too. I was really intrigued as I was about nervous about flying or something going wrong whilst on holiday. There is a few things you could do:

BEFORE FLYING

CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

This is probably one of the most important things you have to do. Every pregnancy is different but it depends on your history and your health whether they say you can fly or not. Sometimes depending on your airline (see next) they make require a safe to fly letter from your doctor too.

CHECK WITH YOUR AIRLINES

Each airline is different, from what I have found most seem to be OK with flying under 28 weeks but after this it is more risky. Some require safe to fly letters from your doctor and some don't.

GET TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is best to be safe than sorry isn't it? Travel insurance can be very cheap and sometimes not so much. But it is best to have it just encase no matter the cost. Be sure to tell them of any pre-existing health issues, because if you don't and fall ill from it they sometimes won't pay out.

For example - my boss had on her file from 20+ years ago she had breathing difficultly after an operation from her son which she does not remember. She went to Dubai, unfortunately caught Pneumonia and they almost didn't pay her insurance to cover costs because of this reason.

GET MEDICINES READY

You may not be on any but you may be on some. I have to take aspirin since I was 12 weeks pregnant. I wouldn't be allowed to take this in my hand luggage but luckily I have just got some extra luggage. But you still have to be careful. You really need to check with airlines what you can take in which luggage and whether you need once again a doctors letter.

GET READY FOR EMERGENCY ENCASE!

Find out where the local hospital is. Make sure it isn't a private one as travel insurances will not want to pay for this and will say your own fault. If you're staying in a hotel, see if they have a doctor on call etc. Also, make sure you have the emergency contact numbers too e.g. like their equivalent to our 999.

WHILST FLYING

WEAR FLIGHT SOCKS

Despite being so unattractive, it really would be worth picking up a pair of flight socks. I think I will be wearing a maxi dress to hide as much as possible!! This was recommended by my consultant. Be careful to get the right size, you don't want some too tight or too loose. I have quite big calves so 'one size' for all wouldn't do, I would have to find some large ones.

GET MOVING

When you can you need to get up and about to walk, also if you can afford too book the seats with the extra leg room. I won't be so aisle seat for me but I will be in a row with Corey and my mum, so luckily I can stretch out onto his leg room a bit too. My consultant told me to look on YouTube for leg stretches and stuff too.

STAY HYDRATED

Drink plenty of water.

TRAVEL SICKNESS
It seems silly but get travel sickness bands or tablets if you can. Make sure safe for pregnancy. You may be used to sickness if get it during pregnancy but it isn't nice and certainly not on a plane. Doctors can prescribe tablets but I found travel sickness bands worked. They used a pressure point on your wrist or something like that anyways. 

BE CAREFUL OF AIRPLANE FOODS
Luckily a lot of food on the planes are well known brands like Pringles etc. But then again doesn't mean it can be trusted. Just be careful what you choose if anything especially heated food as it can upset your tummy or make you sick and not something you want on a flight.

DURING HOLIDAY 

STAY HYDRATED
Drink plenty of water. Little bits often are a good way to stay hydrated. 

DON'T GET SUNBURNT
Stay in the shade as much as possible. Skin changes during pregnancy and this may mean your skin is more sensitive. But also remember you can get sunburnt on cloudy days or in the shade still. Apply suncream reguarly. Consider wearing a t-shirt in the pool to cover yourself more too.

WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
Obviously wear whatever you like and feel comfortable in. But loose clothing is a gooden, something that won't hurt belly and if super hot make sure it is thin clothing. You don't want to get over heated.

KNOW YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Similar to the encase of emergencies in my before travelling section above. Know where the local hospital is to where you are staying. Find out and remember the emergency number. Make sure not a private one too as insurances do not usually cover this but do check your specific policy. If you're in a hotel then see if they have an on-call doctor just encase. 

KEEP PREGNANCY NOTES WITH YOU
I know this seems like a hassle but seriously it could be so helpful encase of an emergency. It is just a back up so that if anything happens there is a record of your pregnancy history for doctors or nurses to be able to read and get an idea on what could be going on.

..............................

I thankfully did have an amazing and relaxing holiday with no troubles which was such a relief as I was really panicking leading up to my holiday. 

Do you have any other tips or advice for others? Please let me know in comments as we can never be too prepared!!
Most of all if you are going on holiday whilst pregnant or not - have an amazing time :):)

**DISCLAIMER**

These are just my tips that I have found out, these are not to go by and does not mean that if you follow all of these that everything will be ok. Unfortunately shit happens and our babies like to keep us on our toes. So please please please speak to your doctor before flying and wish you all the best time if you do go away.