Wednesday, 3 May 2017

Baby #2: Gender Reveal

Since I have returned to blogging - the very few posts have all been about my new pregnancy with baby #2. Well on Saturday my partner, Marcus, and I took a trip to Humpty Bumpty Scans located near us in Milton Keynes. They are usually well known for their 4D scans which look amazing. It is such a professional and beautiful little place with very high tech equipment and lovely staff.

Marcus and I opted for the early gender scan they do from 16-24 weeks costing £60. We were so impatient from the moment we found out I was expecting at just 5 weeks. So let's get on with the story - on Saturday we found out whether we were having a boy or a girl.

Really everyone in both of our families including Corey and ourselves, all were hoping and rooting for a girl.

But we had to wait until Monday evening to tell Corey as he had spent the weekend at his dad's house. It was sooo hard to have to wait but meant I had time to make it a nice surprise for him on his return home!!

Over the weekend I did put a little peek at the scan on Instagram to see if any of you who follow could guess..


So the wait is finally over... *drum roll*


IT'S A BOY!!!!

A little brother for Corey!!!

He was a little stubborn sleeping at first, knees up to his chest and his feet crossed. Typical. But after lots of patience and digging around the sonographer finally woke him up a bit. We saw him wriggling around and even get a quick sneak peek in 4D. Which now really makes me want to see in 4D later on in the pregnancy. However the prices for these start from £100. Have you had one before? Would you recommend we try to go ahead if we can?

Now to get choosing on a name. Don't even know where to start. I want something a little unusual, not very common but not too out there and too unusual. So please feel free to help us out with some ideas as I can see this causing lots of frustration for us.





Wednesday, 19 April 2017

Baby #2: First Trimester

I feel ashamed to say that I am a bit late posting this as today I am actually 15 weeks. If you didn't know this, then feel free to read my last post announcing here.

Be prepared for a long read as I do have 12 weeks to talk about - sorry in advance! But keep reading if you want to be nosey and find out the down low (the good and the bad!)...

Quite frankly I don't think I will do a weekly bump update. It is nothing at the moment. Well I can tell its growing but no one else will as pre-pregnancy I am just the size of a whale anyways with high BMI. If I think I were the size of a whale, what the hell am I going to be 30 odd weeks pregnant?! I dread to think. Besides my upset of the size of me already this early on, I am actually not that bothered as there is a freaking baby growing inside of me and how cool is that?!

This pregnancy is a big deal to me! Since Corey (now six!) over the years I have had three miscarriages. One of which was the December just gone. Prior to this each month I would be so disappointed when I came on. So after my miscarriage I didn't even think about it, I knew I wasnt going to be pregnant. January I was a few days late, which did upset me so when February came and I was few days late I didn't think much of it. I was not allowing myself to be upset again. But I wasn't feeling right. Then about 3.30am on Friday 10th I was up being sick - not like me at all. So I took a test, knowing there would be disappointment. Again, I wasn't really thinking much of it. But of course I was wrong. I was wrong!!! - I will never admit that again, but just this once I will ;)
I had a positive test. So I rushed into my partner who was clearly not interested at this time of the morning - asswipe!! But by morning the shock had got to him especially when I got another positive.

We both told our mums later that day although not thinking much of it at all. As period math would have dated me only being just under 5 weeks. I booked a midwife appointment anyways though I wanted reassurance that this pregnancy was going to be different. I needed to know that this pregnancy was going to last!!!!!

At around what should of been my 8 weeks scan I had a little glimpse at our little baby, Baby Blob. Being an internal scan - which I can never bare the thought of. They closed the curtain at first so my partner couldn't see. He could only hear. They said the words 'there is a heartbeat and everything looks good'. Then my partner was invited in to see. I honestly can not even explain as soon as he saw the screen, the biggest and most proud smile was on his face. I have never seen him like that before. I started to get tears in the moment, tears of happiness.


Baby Blob was only measuring around 7 weeks 5 days. Which was good. They were happy and I was looking all good too.

UNTIL...

The second scan came around and of course this is the official dating scan. Baby Blob did not want to play ball at all this day. Cheeky little monkey already. But the sonographer did get to measure and I was now 13 weeks so baby grew a bit quicker in the second half of the first trimester. Baby were just showing their back though so I was told to go for a 20 minute walk and eat something sugary. But before this, she said I have a very large cyst. One I did not have a few weeks before but that is all she said, nothing else and sent me on my way for a walk. Panicking of course.

I returned and was seen again, lazy little bugger did not move at all still. I had to wiggle, shake and cough but still no. So we couldn't get to see their face at all. Which meant I could not be screened for Downs Syndrome and the other thing (forgotten what it is). I have a blood test tomorrow for this anyways. Already nervous about them results. But fingers crossed all ok on that end.


In the end as I got no answers at the hospital about this cyst I went to my GP about a week later as I was beyond worried. I didn't really understand the notes that were in my book about it, as was in jibber jabber secret language to me. All I could tell was that the size of the cyst was bigger than my 13 week old baby. Which had grew in the space of a matter of weeks. That sounds concerning to me. My GP reassured me they were not worried and will re-check at my 20 week scan unless I got stomach pains before this. Apparently cysts can come and go in pregnancy??!

I haven't felt the best in this trimester. I have had a fair bit of nausea, dizziness but mainly tiredness. How on earth can I sleep so much?! I do have chronic fatigue anyways so join this with pregnancy tiredness and I have been asleep before Corey most nights.

The most worrying thing for me is that at around 9 weeks I started to develop severe lower back/pelvis pain. It was extremely severe pain especially at night. Every time I turned over my hips would click as if they were dislocating or something and still do now. I walk around in the day limping as if I am some 50 year old who needed a hip replacement. The GP has said I may need physiotherapy for this with a condition that is called Pelvic Girdle Pain. She advised I can take paracetamol for the pain but it will likely get worse as my pregnancy goes on and bump gets bigger.

But now that the 12 weeks are over I am starting to feel a bit normal again. I really hope I don't feel bad the whole way through. I found out on my first midwife appointment that I will be on joint consultant care. Yet I am still to receive this? So will be mentioning this at my 16 week check up.The same thing happened with Corey and I never received the care then he came out premature. So yes I worry this time round too!

Also, who knew that from 12 weeks now if you are high risk you have to take Aspirin daily? Usually told to avoid like the plaque. Bit confused on this. But meant to help keep your blood pressure down during pregnancy or something like that.

Like I said we did tell our mums straight away when we found out and then gradually the rest of our families and couple of best friends. We weren't going too. We tried to keep it quiet until 12 weeks, we really did try. But failed! But that partner of mine has been just as bad as me. He couldn't keep quiet with all his excitement. Which is super sweet though!

I don't think work have been too impressed with my sick leave as we are short staffed but they also have been very good to me to make sure I am doing ok and not over doing it. Everyone at my work found out after my dating scan as my boss was trying to train someone up to cover my sick leave if I have any more. But he was a bit naughty and told the whole building. Was not quiet prepared for that one day when I walked in! But easier than me dropping it into conversation!

So all in all not too bad really and excited for my second trimester for more exciting baby bits to happen and hopefully starting buying some bits :) That's the best part of baby arrival surely? Or is that just me - the shopaholic?!

Tuesday, 11 April 2017

I'M PREGNANT!!!!!

Oh my god, how excited I am to finally be able to announce this news. If you follow me on instagram you may have seen little bits about me saying I am pregnant but I was doing it sort of slyly until I could officially announce......

 I AM PREGNANT with baby #2

After finding out in early Febuary that I was only just 4 weeks pregnant, to now of finally had my scan on 3rd April. Originally if you do the period maths my due date would of been 15th October but our 12 week scan has estimated 11th October which actually means I am now 14 weeks!!

I can finally introduce you to Baby Blob - what the bump has been named until we find out the sex etc.


My partner and I could not be happier and super excited. We are both so impatient though and just want to buy everything but have resisted. Corey is also sooo excited to become a big brother. It is so sweet. Bump gets cuddles off him, books read by him and little chats every so often. Just melts my heart so much. Corey does really want a little sister and refuses to let it be a boy. We will soon find out!

I can't wait to share my pregnancy with you all :)
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Sunday, 9 April 2017

Another Comeback..

I know what you are all thinking - another comeback, is she really sticking around this time etc. I have all these thoughts and doubts in my mind too quite frankly.

It is a pretty scary thought commiting to blogging. I originally started back in 2013 and was really active until the end of 2015. But my life and my situation changed. I got to the point where I needed to focus on my real life rather than my online life. A struggle to balance between the two is hard to find and I think most bloggers face this difficulty at some point in their journey.

But my life has evolved since then. I have good friends, a good job and amazing partner plus of course not forgetting my pride and joy - Corey. I really couldn't be happier. Life is about to get a lot more exciting too - but watch out in upcoming posts for this news to be revealed ;)

I tried to make a comeback in October (view here) and I really wanted to make a go of it but I worry too much. I've never been the best writer, basically I suck. Not only do I suck but I am not creative, imaginative or able to think of good ideas to post about. My photographer skills are shockingly bad. I have the good camera but I can't get the gorgeous clean white back ground pretty looking photos share just so appealing. I envy all you talented people. It does make you feel down. Although blogging is a hobby for me, you can't help but compare yourself. Comparing to those who started at the same time, the bloggers you have made friendships with - etc etc. I can't always keep on top of social media either. Some days I forget, some days I am too lazy or too damn tired!

I don't even know if things like Klout, Bloglovin, Tots100 etc all still exist and are used just as much as they were. So out of the loop!!

But I just love to blog. I love to write my thoughts and feelings. Although I am a bit cautious of what I write because sometimes I would love to have a little rant when it comes to certain frustrating things but I know I can't. You sometimes have to take into consideration who is actually reading your blog after all. But the things I can write about well most things but I particularly love to write about a day out. Who doesn't love some family time hey?!

Of course I couldn't have a blog comeback without a little re-brand and stuff. I finally after months and months came up with a name I liked which as you can tell is from the header is...

GEM & THEM

I would just love to take a big thank you to Kip at Kip Hakes for sorting out my domain for me. I felt like an aboslute idiot failing miserably but Kip can to the rescue. All another big thank you for Shannon from Blog Boutique for the amazing very reasonable priced logos :)

I hope you like the re-branding please please please let me know your thoughts and any ideas you think to improve. Let me know what sort of posts you want as well :) If you used to read my blog you will know I blog about all sorts from family, lifestyle and beauty. It is all a mix but that is the way I like it!

Please be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram under @gemandthem
Also find and like my page on Facebook at Gem & Them

See you next time for the re-start of my blogging journey.
Sunday, 9 October 2016

Is This A Comeback?!

So I am back, once again. Who knows how long for whether it's a one off or the start of blogging again. For those who knew me and my blog, or maybe for new readers - here is a little about me.

I started blogging a long time ago, September 2013 to be precise. It became my life, not only a hobby but my work. Blogging had taken a back seat in my life anyways so then very early this year I decided to find full time employment. I knew I couldn't commit anymore so I packed it in. I needed to concentrate on my life, my family and myself - not my online version of me.

Ever since it is a decision I often regret. From time to time I have gotten the urge to write but I never do. But now I've given in because I just had to come back.

My life has changed, I've changed, everything has just changed. Of course it has had it's ups and downs.

Here's a few recents of my handsome little bundle of joy and I:



I'm now a year old older and thankfully a couple of stone lighter. Still a couple of stone to go if I can get my ass motivated which is probably unlikely. I'm still ill most of the time with some sort of cold, sickness or something. My immune system just majorly sucks. I now work in purchasing, school hours like right next to the school - perfecto! I am also the Chair of the School PTFA and let me tell you it is not blooming easy but so fun organising such big successful fundraising events. I may also own a pug, she's a nutter! But saved the best till last I am very much in love with an incredible guy.

My baby is now a big boy but still my baby none the less. He's almost six. I can't quite believe it myself to be honest. He may not even be six yet but this giant child of mine is wearing size nine clothes. Just stop growing already like seriously?!

So this is my first post in around nine months, I know terrible right. I don't even really know how to say what I want to say but really I just wanted to say hey again. So many fellow bloggers formed a wonderful little community that you can engage with on social media, they become your daily life, they become your friends. I miss that aspect more than the blogging itself. 

I wonder if I can still blog, if I have enough to say. What could I say, talk and blog about? My life is boring. Not worthy of writing about. You may have noticed I ramble on, I like to ramble. It's a way to let everything out. But I wonder if I can fully freely express myself and my feelings on this blog? Sometimes as a blogger we feel pressure on who in the world may be reading the blog. It's scary because you think you're writing mainly for strangers to read. That's how I first intended. Most of my friends don't know I blog and if they do, they certainly don't know how to find it. But you do not actually realise that someone closer to home, maybe a friend, one of the parents from the school playground, a loved one or even your worst enemy could in fact be reading your little world on the Internet, your blog. A blog is so open full of life details sharing the good and bad. I feel I need to be more careful of what I write about but I don't want too. I want to write about what I want when I want, even the bad at times as not every day is a good day. 

So who knows if I have it in me to blog anymore? Only time will tell.

I had so much trouble trying to publish this post, I was sure it was a sign I wasn't meant to blog but I had to just back up and restore onto a new blog. Not a proper domain yet but still looking the same thankfully. What an absolute palaver!

Some of you may have known that I founded the #mblogchat mummy bloggers community which is still a huge success thankfully to a team of awesome fellow bloggers who now run it. So be sure to check them chicks out over on the Twitter @mummy_bloggers.

But be sure to check me out on Twitter and Instagram both at @gems_snaps please :) I will try my bestest to be a social-able bunny again!

Anyways you'll probably be glad to know and be thankful as I know you will be bored by now that I have ran out of things to say so that's it from me - for now anyways!

Love, Gemma xo

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Monday, 4 January 2016

Top 10 Posts Of 2015

Helloo,

This time last year I wrote my 'Top 15 Posts Of 2014' which honestly some of them are still my ultimate favourite posts of all time. 2014 was a blogging success for me but 2015 not so much, I've slacked a lot. I admit I haven't blogged much, no where near as much as I would have liked. I took a break, a well needed break. I am back now with a bit of a fresh start, a few changes and hopefully the start of something good :) So with this is mind, I always like to look back at the past, I am doing my 'Top 10 Posts Of 2015'













There we have it, Top 10 Posts Of 2015 and here is to hopefully a more successful 2016 :) 

Love, Gemma xo

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Friday, 1 January 2016

Happy New Year & Resolutions 2016!

Helloo,

I'm going to just right into it and say HAPPY NEW YEAR :) Hope you all had a great Christmas last week and an amazing time celebrating the new year last night!


I honestly couldn't of had a better last 2 weeks of 2015 - celebrating Corey's 5th birthday, Christmas with my amazing family and seeing the new year in with my best friend. It just made it such a massive positive start to 2016 :)

RESOLUTIONS

Every year of course we do resolutions, whether we actually stick to them or not is a different story. This year I'm setting resolutions. I'm going with the flow and will just see what happens, which is new to me to do that but a good change I think :) However, last year I set some resolutions which you can see here. I actually stuck to some of them!!!

My two main goals were to learn to drive and get a doggy.

Well I learnt to drive and passed second time round back in June. It took me a good 6 months and a lot of lessons. I also went into a barrier in a car park a few days after passing. But it has been amazing to be able to drive. To be able to do the school runs for Corey, just has made our whole entire life a hell of a lot easier.

Then a doggy, I honestly didn't think this was going to happen. After Corey and I literally begging my mum constantly. Well the day before Christmas Eve she gave in, and well a week later (a few days ago) we brought home an amazing little surprise for Corey. A pug named Gracie :)

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

There we have it, my two main goals were achieved. A year of complete happiness with Corey - so many memories were made and I can not wait to make 2016 even bigger and better!!! So I wish you all the same and a very happy new year :) If you have set yourself resolutions then I wish you all a lot of luck!

Love, Gemma xo

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