Katies Health : Pushing Your Limits

Auntie & Niece Selfie

On 14th September I went to Essex to stay with Bethany for a week but that week turned into two weeks which I had the most amazing time but I pushed my limits in terms of my health. I didn't plan to go for two weeks so I only took enough tablets for a week with an extra few days of spare meds but I thought I would be okay without a few meds for few days but how wrong was I. Looking back I should of went to a walk in centre/hospital in Essex to get my medication but I didn't really think and was in a little bubble. When you have a chronic illness you try so hard for it not to rule your life but it does without you even realising and it is so out of your control.

I came home on 25th September and the train journey home was a nightmare and totally made me panic which I didn't have any medication for my panic attacks so I was literally alone trying to calm down with the help of texting Beth. I have no idea what I was sending to Beth or if it made any sense to be honest but she was doing her best in calming me down via imessage. Once I got some food and drink and got onto the train to Windsor I felt abit calm but the panic didn't really go. I was in pain with back, stomach cramps and as I am in a bad flare up at the moment I was constantly worrying how I was going to go to the toilet with all my bags and suitcase I had. I felt so alone, empty and scared. Alone that I didn't have any medication with me and that when it kicked in that my illnesses are controlling my life and I cannot do much about it at the moment.

With the constant toilet trips with diarrhoea, mucus and blood it makes me so exhausted, the lack of sleep due to back pains and then depression making everyday stuff feel worse than it probably is. My day to day routine is I get up early take my medication have breakfast and get ready like every other person but difference is after than I am exhausted I have no energy left and I don't really feel awake. The first week in Essex I was totally okay, I was eating the foods I am meant to be and I was sleeping good. Yes I was on toilet lots and in ALOT of pain but I was coping good with it but the second week totally knocked me for six. Beth and Tommy asked if I would like to stay for another week and I instantly said yes as I love being with my brother, Bethany and nieces. I hardly slept much in the second week, I was going from Ava's bed to the sofa to Beth parents bed (her parents were away on holiday, I was relying a lot on hot water bottles, gel for my back and what I had left of my medication but nothing was touching the pain. Two days with no medication apart from cocodamol which were the lowest dose literally broken me. When I got back home on Friday afternoon I went and took tramadol ASAP, laid in bed and took my usual meds and I felt abit better.

Basically these past two weeks was a massive learning curve. To never EVER go without my medications and ALWAYS take the box of meds instead of in the pill box. I think people just think Colitis symptoms are just belly related but its the fatigue and pain that make this illness so hard to do normal day to day stuff. Let alone the side effects from the medication I take which constantly leaves me feeling sick and lightheaded ect.

Apart from all that above, I did literally have the best time with Bethany and my Nieces. We all spent lovely quality time together. We baked cakes at 7am, took and picked up Ava from school, watched Celebrity Big Brother together, became obsessed with Desperate Housewives box set on sky, Costa/Tesco trips and much more fun. We all get on so much and constantly are laughing. The next time we get to spend together is in an months time when it is Bethany's Birthday and we are off to Harry Potter Tour woooo.

Has anyone with a Chronic Illness or Colitis got any tips on how to cope when you're away from home? Let me know :)

Love Katie x

Girly Week In Essex

 

 

A few weeks back I went to Essex for a week and we had lots of girlie fun. Of course we went to Lakeside for the day and had the best time. Taco Bell feast, Primark spend up and of course Disney Store for the girls which is becoming an tradition for us now haha.

The picture about is of the girls wearing matching from Next and I brought them a few more matching items from Next as they actually do both of their sizes. The Leggings which Bella's were £2.50 and £3.50 for Ava, T Shirts were £6 each or 2 for £10 and Socks for 2 pairs were £3.00 for Bella and £3.50 for Ava. So all in total for two outfits came to £22.50 which I thought was bloody good value as the quality of clothes are amazing and Beth tells me Next clothes washes well. Since then I have been back to Next and got another colour of Leggings and different T shirt which I shall give to the girls Next week and I'm sure they both will look beautiful matching :)  



The two picture above are from when I looked after the girls for the day as Beth had a family funeral so it was Beth's first time without Bella. I might get Beth to write a blog post about it as she was really panicking but I thought she done well :) I still stuck to the girls routine that day i.e. Their lunch & dinner, Bella's nap and their bedtime but I also added in Play dough for Ava till lunch time then colour paper stamps in the afternoon and both of the girls are little angels. 

This picture is us four doing a selfie in a taxi haha. Beth had dentist then we went to Tesco for lunch and Costa then done some shopping and as we brought too much than expected we had to get a taxi home as we had too many bags to carry haha. As you can see the girls know how to pose like their mummy and auntie haha.

I travelled home on the Saturday morning so I had a good whole week spent with these perfect girls and next week I am going back to Essex to spend another week which I am so excited about as I cannot wait to take and pick Ava up from Pre School and watching Bella grow up each day and making me proud. Also love being around Beth as she is a mummy she kind of 'mummys' me if that makes sense without sounding weird haha. She cares and worries about me which just proves how much she loves me which is nice as she is my sister in law also my best friend. Just this weekend to get through then Essex on Monday :)

Love Katie xx

Life/Health/General Update//Katie

For a few weeks now I haven't written an post, turned on my laptop, looked on bloglovin or even logged into blogger. The first week I was preparing for Essex and I had a hospital appointment to do with my Colitis so I didn't have time to use my laptop and then the 2nd week I was in Essex and although there is Wi-Fi there I like to spend family time and make the most of my time there. 3rd week so last week wasn't a good week in terms of my chronic illnesses so I thought I would just start blogging again on a Monday with a fresh mind and hopefully am back on track and into a routine again.


I've been on Steroids for the past two weeks for my Colitis and the side effects are bloody awful. I go back to the Gastro to see if I will carry on with the Steroids or another type of treatment. I will update and speak about this more in another post. Last week I visited the Dietician and gotten loads of information and have totally changed my diet so might do a post about that as its been hard and interesting. I had the best time in Essex the other week and it was so good to just free my mind, clear my mind and come back to Windsor with a fresh mind-set.

When I came back from Essex I felt motivated and although I had a bad train journey home with illnesses but I felt good but then when Sunday came I totally lost that motivation. It was a mixture of depression, anxiety, colitis, Ankylosing spondylitis, family being dicks and general being pissed off so I thought I am not in the right mind frame to blog or basically be human and socialise. Next Monday I am back to Essex for a week again and now that the kids are back to school I am going to let Beth do lots of blogging while I look after Bella for her... I haven't told her this but I'm sure she will be okay with it haha.

So this week I have to get my shit together! I have a doctors appointment on Wednesday, collect my monthly prescription, pack for Essex and try and blog as much as I can. Saying that it all depends on how my Colitis and back are. This post is just to explain where I have been and that I am back with a fresh mind :)

Love Katie

 

Auntie Buys : Aunties Little Princess Bib

So this is my second of my new series of "Auntie Buys" and the first one is HERE. It is just abit of fun and I rather enjoy buying my Nieces lots of gifts so I thought I would share. This one is something which is more of a sentimental rather than a "serious" gift but when I saw it I just had to purchased. It is this amazing Bib that says "Auntie's Little Princess" and doesn't she look so bloody adorable wearing it. 

I got this from eBay aka my favorite online shop.. This was a bidding item so I can't actually remember how much I paid but it was no more than £5. Here is the link to the Bib.

Bella Mai is my little princess. She is such a happy smiley laid back beautiful baby. Back to the Bib, it is actually good quality as usually novelty gifts like this are usually not that good in quality but this is good for the price. Have anyone else brought anything similar? I am tempted to buy Bella an Vest saying " I love my auntie Katie" from eBay haha. 

Love Katie x 

Having A Sister In Law Who Is My Best Friend

When my Brother met Bethany, I had no idea how much of an impact she would make to my life...As myself and my Brother are close in age and have always been close, had a good bond and are best friends so I always worried about the future and who he would marry and have kids with because I wanted to be able to still stay close to my Brother. I've seen in my family a brother and sister not speak about of their partners so I prayed Tommy would find a lady who would be lovely and I am glad to say he has.

I have never been a person who have had loads of friends as my family is quite big so I have had a lot of cousins who been the same or similar age and was all brought up together so they were my friends. Then at school I was bullied by people I thought were my "friends" and that made me loose all trust for people in general. I had one friend who lived two doors from me and was in the same year at my school but we drifted apart as I went to a different middle school are her. At that middle school I never really made any friends as I was constantly bullied. Then it was time to go to Windsor Girls School which was the worse 3 years of my life and resulted in my getting death treats, eating disorder, depression and self harmed. I made a few friends but one of them ended up being one of the girls who sent me death threats so I think I just gave up trying to even pretend to make friends. In my road there was about 10 of us all kind of the same age, boys and girls who always met up on the green to hang around and I suppose they were the people I classes as friends but neither of us has stayed in contact now we have all grown up. I have always been close to one of my cousin who is a year older than me but in 2014 that friendship ended due to many of lies and taking the piss blah blah. 

When I met Bethany, I remember being so nervous like I was on a first date haha. I instantly knew she is the one for my Brother as I could see how happy Tommy looked. We started talking over Facebook chat then via whatsapp and didn't realize how much in common we have and how much similar experiences/past we have. I think that why we get on so well and are so close because we now have someone to share, talk and who understand exactly about our past and problems ect. When Beth moved down here, we had the best time ever. Tommy was working nights then so it was just myself and Beth in the lounge at night so we had many chats and even the odd cry. Beth was pregnant during that time so it was an amazing experience to be able to be around to bond with her bump/Bella and for Beth to trust and want me to go to some of her hospital/midwife appointments with her. During this time I was only just diagnosed with my back condition and I truly think if I didn't have Beth around supporting me than I wouldn't of coped. We are like each others second brain... we tell each other straight and it might sound harsh but we both know we need each other to tell it how it is. It is actually scary how similar and alike we both are, same interest and even that same clothes and shoe sizes which is good as we both steal each others clothes haha. So not only did my Brother gained a fiance, his soulmate and two daughters but I have gained a Sister in law, best friend and two nieces. We are on the exact same wave length which is why we get on so well. 

Having a Blog with Beth is the best thing. I'm more on the technical side of it and Beth is more of the creative words and ideas. Having two of us running this blog is amazing because if I don't feel like blogging for a week or so then I know that Beth will blog so that our readers never miss out on a post. We know we haven't got the most best layout, design, pictures and post but we try and to us this is our little comfort blanket and personal space we go on. So I would like to thank Zoosk for making my Brother and Sister in law match on the site as now I have a best friend who I trust and love with all heart... Bethany I love you lots and I am so grateful for your continuous support, advice and help. 

Love Katie xx 

Life Lately/Birthday/Health

       

Life has been bloody crazy lately, it was my birthday on 30th April then that weekend I went to Essex and that was a perfect weekend. I had mixed emotions on my birthday to the point where I decided to not go for a meal like I've always done and seeing as I didn't have my brother, sister in law and nieces around I thought there is no need to celebrate, in fact my Colitis was bad that day so wasn't a good day anyways. 

Previous to my birthday, Beth has been telling me she got me a birthday surprise and me being not one to have surprises or anyone make much effort on my birthday I honestly didn't have a clue. I don't like attention and I'd much prefer letting someone else take main stage. I love nothing better than buying gifts for people and making them happy but when people do that for me I have no idea how to react because it leaves me speechless as I'm not used to it. So when I arrived to Essex it was mid afternoon and rather hectic with Ava, Bella & including their two cousins so Beth decided to give my pressies, card and surprise once girls gone to bed and tommy was home. 

This amazing homemade cake was my surprise. Beth knows I didn't get a cake for my birthday and I haven't for ages and I can't remember the last time I blew out candles so I was literally so shocked and happy. I wished she took a picture of my face because I didn't know what to say. No one has ever made effort like this for me and Beth even made my perfect cake. I also got two very lovely personalisd cards which I love, A lovely photo album which was full of pictures of my Nieces and a Soap & Gloary Birthsy Set. I was so shocked, overwhelmed and happy, all my gifts had so much thought behind them. The Photo Album with pictures of my Nieces and some of Beth and Tommy literally made me so emotional as we don't like close and I miss them all very much so this gift was the best ever because I now have a photo album to look at when I'm feeling sad and also Beth left empty bits so I can fill up so I can have pictures of the girls as the grow up through out the year. I blew my candles out and wished for a pain free sleep hahah.. That's how you know you have chronic illnesses. 

My health has been abit all over the place. So my back been the same and I'm on new medication called Gabapentin  and so far they seem to be working. Along with Co-Codamol, Tramadol and Gel applied through the day to my back. My Colitis hasn't been good to be honest, I saw a totally different consultant who decided to discharge me totally. I was so pissed off because I've always seen the same person but this one didn't have a bloody clue. I went to my GP and he rang the department up at the hospital and has wrote a letter. My GP was very angry aswel and couldn't understand why that person discharge me when I'm still at early stages and on period trial with Asacol. The Asacol seems to work but I've been so bloated and had other symptoms which I won't go into as TMI but it's not good at the mo. 

Moving on to other health stuff, so my depression! My antibiotics have been up to 150MG and they seem to be working and when I'm good I'm very good but  but when I'm down I'm extremely low. I hope it starts to settle down soon. Other random stuff... I've got an ultra sound in few weeks as there was an Ovarian Cyst found on my right ovary which was picked up on an MRI scan I had nearly a year ago and I only just got told!! I've suffered with ovary/womb/women issues for years and yeas so touch wood the cyst has cleared up by itself. 

How beautiful is Bella Mai who I can't believe is 5 months old in few days. I didn't realise until I had Nieces how quickly they grow up and time flies. I'm back to Essex next Thursday as it is Beths sister wedding next Saturday. We are having a spray tan on Thursday, getting our nails done at Lakeside on Friday and all dressed up for the wedding on Saturday. Obviously Beth is bridesmaid and she is wearing an beautiful dress, il see if she can do a blog post on it because it's really a lovely dress for weddings/events ect. As for myself I brought a dress from a Brand called AX Paris, they are in new look, very and Asos and are very sort of bodycom Going out dresses. I found a Navy midi dress which I fallen in love with and it took me 6 months to find out. I'm not overly confident, I don't like short dresses, I hate my arms, I hate my belly and don't like much colours on me so this was a challenge but this one ticked all the boxes. I shall do a blog post as its made someone very shy not confident low self eastern to feeling amazing, confident and happy just by this one dress. Plus it was a good price so I shall do a post next week. 

I still haven't got my laptop fixed so it is hard to do blog posts. I use the blogger app on my phone but I loose interest and it annoys me when it crashes sometimes and don't save the post arghhh! I can use the computer downstairs in the office but it's not the most fastest of comps so I only use that once a week or so. That's all been happening, I say all but I feel boldly exhusated and drained this week. I've had at least one medical appointment a week, it's so many family birthdays in May so I've been having to go into town to get cards, gifts and send them ect. I've been on the spring cleaning around the house and clearing out stuff. I've de clutter and helped mum sort her office and bedroom as she isn't the most organised of people so I helped her as my OCD/organised/tidy person kicked in haha!!! 

Hope you all are having a good May even though I feel like it has flown past. It was my dads 50th birthday yesterday and my brother birthday on Sunday so it's birthdays. The weather seems to be getting nicer but I'm a winter girl. Give me rain, blanket, cuppa tea, on the sofa over the sun any day! 

Love Katie x 

Girly Day Out

Sorry I haven't blogged for so long. Haven't got my laptop sorted yet and I rarely go on my Computer in my home office plus I have had lack of motivation and no idea what to write but today I was to share these photos of me, my Nieces and Beth two weeks ago when I went down for the weekend and we had an girlies day out at Lakeside.

Bella Mai is nearly 5 months old,she is so tiny for her age but is so alert and advance. Over the few days I changed her bum, dressed her, fed her ect and I loved it. Even if she was sick all over me and even in my hair haha. I love her so much. 

Ava Lily is my little best friend. She is so grown up now and she loved our girly day out. We had nandos and Ava eaten it all and had the best time. We went shopping after and she picked up some sunglasses in Primark as she loves sunglasses. Ava was such a good girl, of course she had her moments like all toddlers do but on the whole she was good. We all was wearing our Converses apart from Bella so we looked like triplets ha. 

This is myself and Bethany aka my best friend and sister in law. We just had continuous laughter and so much fun. We brought the same joggers and tops in Primark as we both has the exact same taste and weirdly we are the same sizes in clothes and shoes. This was the first time that myself, Beth and the Girls spent the whole day together. Tommy was on a stag do all day so we took advantage of being free ladies for the day. Bella Mai was an angel and slept pretty much most of the time in Lakeside. 

We treated ourself to a bottle well two bottles of rose from marks & Spencer's which was lovely. We got back about 6ish and Tommy came back not long after, the girls got ready for bed, had cuddles with us and off they both went to bed. Myself and Beth sat down with the glass of rose and it was so nice. Usually Beth been pregnant or antibiotics and even though I shouldn't be drinking with my medication, I made sure I didn't have much painkillers that day. It was the best weekend ever and it's only a week til I go down next for 5 days I can't wait. 

Girly days are the best. Although saying that we both love our Tommy lots and he would of loved to join us on our girly day so next time he can join us, be our shopping bag holder and join us in nandos hahaha!! 

Love Katie x

Life Lately By Katie

I can't believe it has been nearly a month since I last blogged. Things got abit hectic at the end of March then I got ill with Chest infection/ Tonsillitis so its been one of those months already. 

So end of March I went to Essex for Beth's Sister Hen Party which was so good. I planned to go down on 26th March on a Thursday but due to Bella being in Hospital, I traveled down by train on Wednesday to help out Beth & Tommy with looking after Ava as they was both at the hospital during the day and then took it in turns with staying overnight at hospital. Bella came out of hospital on the Thursday so I only really got to spend half of the day with Ava but we had an amazing afternoon taking selfies, eating chocolate and playing round. 

Ava & Myself 

The Hen Party was so good. It was the first time in years that myself and Beth have been out properly and got dressed up ect so it was abit nerve wrecking but at the same time it was amazing for us to be out and let our hair down. I didn't drink much due to my medication but I did get abit tipsy but Beth on the other hand got little bit drunk and was so funny. The amount of times she told me she loves me that night was alot and the words coming out of her mouth, I should of recorded her haha but it was so nice to see Beth relax and enjoy herself after the week she had with Bella and awful luck this year she has had it was just nice to see her happy. 

Myself & Beth @ Hen Party 

On the Saturday we had plans to go to Lakeside just the girls but my colitis played up and had an horrible Migraine so I spent all day and night in Ava's bed asleep while having Tommy and Beth checking on me giving me medication and water bless them. 

Bella Mai 

Bella Mai with her Daddy 

As you can see how beautiful is my Niece Bella Mai. I had so many cuddles with her and fed her, changed her nappy and dressed her and I loved it. Yes it did make me extremely broody but it also made me realise that Beth deserves a medal. She has Bella and Ava to look after while Bella been ill for many of months and other bad luck in life lately I just think she is an amazing Mother and she never ever complains or moans. I take my hat of to her, if I was half the Mother she is then I know I would be okay. 

I went home on the Sunday and then that when the illness started. So Bella had Bronchitis, Tommy had Tonsillitis and Beth had an Chest Infection and I was fine while I was there but soon as I got home I started feeling so sick but I never suffer with any throat problems so I didn't expect it. Also it was the week of hardly any doctors appointments so it was nearly a week til I got an appointment and was given antibiotics. The doctor said I have Tonsillitis, Chest Infection and Laryngitis so I was very ill, I lost my appetite so hardly eaten for nearly two weeks, I couldn't drink anything but water or Coke (weird seeing as I usually hate coke). I feel alot better than I was but still got a sore throat and I'm getting my appetite back. My Mother also had an Chest Infection so it was all illnesses for the Family. I didn't feel like blogging at all but now I'm better I feel ready to blog. I sort of lost my blogging thinking cap and didn't know what to write. 

April is my Birthday month and I'm going to Essex end of April for few days so I can't wait. Beth has done some blogging while I was sick so have a read of those..HERE, HERE and HERE. So check them out :) 

I shall do my Health update sometime soon, I have alot to update on as I've had a few appointments since my last update. I shall get Beth to do Bella's update soon as she is nearly 4 months old and has grown up so much. I love seeing the changes and milestones when I see her and also Ava seems so much grown up now Bella is here. She is the best big sister ever. Hope you all have an amazing April. 

Love Katie xx 

Twitter - Instagram 

  

Merry Christmas Eve//Update

Merry Christmas Eve everyone 

We apologise for not blogging recently. A few things has happened. Bella Mai Price was born on 19th December 2014 at 4.15am weighing 7lbs 2oz and also I've (katie) had my operation date forward so on Monday I had my operation so am in recovery. 

Me and Bethany will be taking a break from the blog but only til 2015 which isn't far away. Look forward to the welcome to Bella post with pictures ect. We are still updating and on our Twitter and Instagram so please follow us on there :) 

TWITTER - @essextowindsor 

INSTAGRAM - essextowindsor 

Lots of new ideas and plans for our blog in the new year. Can't wait to start blogging again. Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you everyone who has read our blog, followed us on Twitter and Instagram. We only been doing this for a few months but the response has overwhelmed us and are looking forward to 2015 to continue writing our blog which we love. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year  

Lots of love Katie & Beth 

Xx

Sorry for my little break...

Hi everyone :) 

I have recently had to take a little break from blogging.. I've had so much going on. From adapting back to Essex life, Ava's birthday, Christmas and preparing for Bella's birth. 

Now as things start to settle down, Ava's 3rd birthday has come and gone I have things sorted for Christmas and I'm pretty much settled back I can carry on with my weekly blog updates, maybe starting properly back New Years, but doing the bits I can at the moment. 

While I've been away Ava has turned 3!! She had a fabulous birthday and got spoilt rotten, it was safe to say she enjoyed her day.. We took her for a meal and bowling she got loads of present not just from us but from friends and family, I would like to say thank you to everyone Ava loves everything she got.  She is now a big girl of 3 and won't let us forget it reminding us everyday telling us when she see's little babies or little girls/boys. 

As mentioned earlier I have been preparing for Bellas birth.. You guessed it I still haven't had her! I am currently over due at 40+5 .. I have a content little baby in my belly:) I will tomorrow have some news. Fingers crossed. When I find out my date of induction we will then know when our little princess is going to make an appearance! :) 

Due to the fact I could be in hospital over Christmas I've had to make sure Christmas is sorted! Cards are done presents are all bought and wrapped and tagged for everyone! It's been a busy few weeks on that front but I have done it! And I'm relieved! Though I have enjoyed the Christmas rush feeling very Christmassy and festive. 

This is all to tell for now, hope you all enjoyed the little catch up! Once again I apologize for my lack of activity! I will try and update you all on news tomorrow! And now carrying on blogging! 

Lots Of Love 

Beth...xxx

A Weekend In Essex

Pictures from a Weekend In Essex... 

Room Decorated//Ava's Pressies//Birthday

Ava & Her Daddy//Ava & Her Pink Car

Ava & Her Gift Bags//Ava in her new outfit// Brother in Mexican Place// Katie & Ava Selfie 

Peppa Pig Birthday Cake//Ava Blowing Her Cake Out

Ava Bowling// Tommy. Ava & Ronnie// Ava & Alfie//Ava Lily

Ava With her new frozen pressie// Ava asleep/ Ava & Ronnie Cuddle times

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. I didn't actually take much pictures actually. I'm so glad Ava Lily had the best 3rd birthday ever. Love you lots. 

Love Katie xx 

Blogmas Day Five - Eleven

So sorry that Blogmas has been put on hold since day four. It has been a very hectic few days... 


DAY FIVE - 
Morning and afternoon was an relaxing day, had a bath and packed my bags for Essex for the weekend. At 4 pm My Brother picked me up from home as he still works around here but lives in Essex. It was lovely seeing my Brother and have a fun journey to Essex by having car sing off with Christmas songs haha. Luckily we didn't hit any traffic. Seeing my Niece was the best thing ever, she ran over and give me the biggest hug ever. Once she went to bed we had maccys and got the front room ready as it was Ava's 3rd birthday the next day.

DAY SIX - 
Ava's 3rd Birthday. This was the best day in December by far. Seeing Ava's face as she opened her pressies was amazing. Myself and Most of Beth's family went for a Mexican meal in the afternoon then we went Bowling which was sooo much fun. Ava had the best day ever. 

DAY SEVEN - 
Had an chilled morning and in the afternoon we all sat down to watch West Ham on tv as Beth and her family are massive WHU fans. In the Evening we all went to Barking to visit Beth's cousin who has just had a beautiful baby boy Called Lenny. He is only 5lbs 2oz soo tiny. That was a good chilled evening then we went home and eat pizza and had a laugh. 

DAY EIGHT -
Today was the day I was meant to go back home but my Brother didn't have any work so I stayed an extra day. We had an false alarm thinking Beth Waters broke. We spent the day watching Christmas Films with Tommy, Beth, Ava and Ronnie (Beth's Nephew) and then we all help putting their Christmas tree up. 

DAY NINE -
This is the day I traveled back home :(  I honestly had the best few days ever. Seeing my Niece made me the happiest person ever. Im so glad I got to be with her during her Birthday. Sad times going home :( 

DAY TEN - 
With ignoring my bad back all weekend, I really was in pain so much today. In the morning myself, Mother and Nan went into Reading shopping Center for abit of shopping and lunch. Got a few Christmas pressies. Also got a call from the hospital telling me my operation on 24th December has been cancelled GRRRR. Re booked for 7th January which doesn't make any difference but got all prepared for the op on Xmas eve so was abit annoyed. 

DAY ELEVEN - 
Today is the first day in a few days where I feel back to reality. I have ran out of my usual painkillers and although I do have a back up painkiller its just not the same. I've finally put my laptop on to sort out my blog and pictures ect. I got fairy lights for my bed and a throw from Primark so my bedroom is finally looking and feeling more christmassy. 


I had the best few days and now feel abit down. I hate plans being ruined as it is one of my biggest pet hates. I should be getting on with wrapping up Christmas pressies but I have lost all motivation today. I shall do a blog post soon on the pictures from this weekend as there is quite alot. Hope all of your December is going amazing. 


Love Katie 
xx 

Blogmas Day Three

Day 3 of December..

last night I had terrible insomnia and I was having small naps for like 20/30 mins at a time and at 6.30 am I finally decided to just get up for the day. Weirdly had a massive burst on energy and started cleaning my room to declutting my wardrobes/draws, wiping the floor/furniture, sorted storage out, hoovering downstairs and then we had a spare fake Christmas tree which is black and I decided to put it up although we have only a handful of ball balls but never the least I put in up near the dinning area. It looks abit bare but am going to the shop tomorrow or next week to get some lights and more decorations. We decided to chuck away both of our fake crap trees when Xmas is over and start buying Real Christmas trees!! For this black tree we are going for a white/cream and red theme. 

Please excuse the lack of effort on decoration but it will look amazing next week for sure.

To make good use of lighting and background today, I done a mini photo shoot with the Dogs seeing as I found two red bows to put on their collars haha. With the help of treats I managed to take a few beautiful pictures of our baby boys... Be prepared for cuteness lol  

I know I would say this because they are my dogs but aint they the most beautiful dogs ever!! Buster is a Black Lab crossed collie whose birthday is tomorrow and is turning 12 years old and then there is Bobby who is a Tanned and White Jack Russel Terrier who is 5 years old. I love getting them into the Christmas spirit and stupidly they will always sit there letting me put on Xmas hat's and bows ect lol. 

Not much else has happened today apart from the burst of energy this morning which meant by lunch time I totally crashed and slept for 2 hours and haven't really felt awake since. My Brother popped in after work and before he went to travel back to Essex which was lovely seeing him. Tonight Im going to sit in bed, watch Chelsea who are playing spurs tonight also watch Im a Celeb because I LOVE that show and drink lots of coffee to keep me going lol. Tomorrow Me & My mother plan to walk to Costa which has not long ago opened not far from us and then have a walk to the local shops so nothing exciting but glad to get out for some fresh air. So I hope I sleep at least 4 hours sleep tonight otherwise I will be walking like an Zombie!!! Hope your December month is going well so far :)

Love Katie 

xx 

Blogmas Day Two

2nd day of December.. 

Yesterday my Mother put up the Christmas tree which is a crap skinny white tree so its safe to say she get 0 out of 10 for effort!! Because Im not feeling Christmas this year, I don't care about the tree!! If Ava was living here I would of went all out and got a real tree, hundreds of lights and decorations because kids make Christmas million times better. 

This is my Advent Calender this year haha. Last year in September I gave up Fizzy drinks, Crisps and chocolate so I had a Yankee Candle advent calender which was amazing but I didn't get much use out of the tea lights you get in there and mostly my Mother used them so this year I knew I wasn't going to get this years version but I left it too late to buy the Benefit make up one or the body shop one Damn!!! So I got this in the poundshop which came with a few chalk and its actually quite cute and is a nice decoration to my room. Im still trying to find a small Christmas tree for my room but they are sold out everywhere GRRR. 

And here are my dogs advent calenders hahaha!! I get them these every year and now after they go for their morning wee and water after they both wait in the lounge for me to open these haha!!! Im now on the hunt for some doggy xmas clothing because that is what Christmas and cute dogs are about!!!! DRESSING UP!!!! lol 


Not much has happened today. Last night I wrapped a few of Ava's Christmas pressies up and I thought I would have a quick hour cat nap because I was feeling pain from back but it ended up to be an 5 hours sleep!! Today, I've woken up in pain so nothing much has happened. Bethany had a scan today to check if Bella is okay and Bella was fine :) She now weighs 6lbs 15oz so now it is just a waiting game. I'm off to Beth's this weekend in Essex as it is Ava's 3rd birthday so Im hoping Bella makes a early appearance then haha!!! I spoken to Beth last night and she said she will be taking over Blogmas some days which will be good as I find Beth is the most creative person with her words and I'm more of the technical side of the blog lol. Also some blogmas will be done via our iphones and some by my laptop.You will tell by the content tbh but we will try our best to make sure each post are least interesting to read!! 


Love Katie 
xx 

A Blog Update

Where have we been?

So few weeks ago we had no other choice than to take a break on our blog due to many reasons which can't be said online. But Me and Bethany are not living in the same house at the moment and where Beth is, she hasn't got a laptop or WIFI so she has been doing her best to keep up to date with her pregnancy update via her phone and rubbish wifi. I obviously have got access to laptop and internet but past few weeks I have been extremely down, ill and lack of motivation to even switch on the laptop. I didn't want to write a blog post just for the sake of it. Hopefully in the early months of 2015 we should have our blog back it's normal 2 blog post a day but for now we will be trying our hardest to keep you up to date with Beth's pregnancy and also few other random post. 

With Beth being back in Essex and me being in Windsor it has meant we haven't seen each other at all over the past weeks which has been so so weird as we were so used to living with each other daily. Not only is Beth my soon to be Sister In Law but she is also my closest friend so it has been hard without her also not having my Niece and Brother around has been so lonely. So the post we use to write together will obviously be taking abit of a break but hopefully our separate updates and other blog post will start again and be back to normal in the new year. 


Essex To Windsor will hopefully and we hope will be back to normal in 2015 where we hope will a new fresh start for all of us and for our blog. We apologies in advance if some days or weeks there is no content and obviously with Bella due any day soon, Ava's 3rd birthday, Christmas and My operation/health there will be days/weeks when it's impossible to write. Sorry!!! 


Lots Of Love,

Katie xx 

Its November

Hello everyone :) We can't believe it is November already!!

Well October has flown by! It was a month with ups and downs with good news and bad news and with some exciting events. It just went so quick! October is a perfect example of how how quick 2014 is going. So now we say hello to November, a month packed full of exciting events! Including it being Beth's last full month of pregnancy, here is some of the exciting things happening this month...

Bonfire Night ( Giant Sparklers are ready )

Get ready grad your ear defenders, come the 5th there will be bangs everywhere in the form of sparkling bright colours lighting up the sky! As scary as the noise can be no one can deny the enjoyment you get of watching all the bright colours light up the sky. This bonfire night we have some giant sparklers to celebrate the event, being right next to Lego land we get to watch the magnificent fire work display from the back garden. Beth's dad may also be doing fireworks for them when they go and visit this Friday!. 

Beth's last West Ham home game (til after Bella's Birth)

Beth is a big time West Ham United fan. She is also a season ticket attending every home game she can and some away. Being quite a walk ect Beth has been getting lifts directly to ground. However as she increases in size and is less mobile its getting more difficult for her to attend. Therefore Beth will be attending her last game on Saturday 8th November before Bella is born.

Beth,Tommy & Ava Weekend in Essex

Beth, Tommy and Ava are all going to Essex on the weekend of her  last home game at west ham. They are going to visit Beth's parents which they all look forward too. Ava in particular gets very excited to see her other grandparents as she is very close to Beth's dad. A true granddads girl. Beth will be going to West Ham on the Saturday and then on the Sunday they will all be going to London for remembrance Sunday.

Beth's Baby Shower

Its here! The month of Beth's baby shower! An event that we have been planning for a while. We have last minuet shopping to do and baby shower cake ordering! Last minuet bits that add to the build up of and event to celebrate the upcoming arrival of baby Bella Mai. With a tea party theme and lots of games planned, the shower promises to be a good one!

Lots of Bella related stuff : Packing hospital bag, Bella's bag and getting her clothes washed and ready.

OMG its the last full  month of Beth being pregnant! We cant believe it it has gone so fast! Now is the time to get bums in gear and start getting organised. Its the month where everyone will be getting ready for Bella to be born. Beth in particular. She will be washing all Bella's clothes and turning them out ready for her to wear she will then be packing her hospital bag. She does currently have all the bits to go in it, it is just a matter of putting them all in the case. A busy mummy preparing to become a proud mother of two. She is so excited and cant wait to get that bag packed and ready!

Getting decorations and sorting out Ava's 3rd Birthday Party

This time 3 years ago it was Ava's birth Beth was getting ready for. You know what that means, yes Ava's 3rd birthday is coming up! We are all equally excited about this but as Bella's due date is right on top of Ava's birthday Beth don't know where she will be (i.e giving birth) so we are having to make plans for different scenarios. Of course we will be making present plans and cake plans because no matter what we will make sure she has what she deserves. Our gorgeous little girl.

Lots and lots of Christmas Planning. 

Its that time of year. When the 1st November hits the whole world goes into Christmas mode. Everyone gets out their Christmas lists and hit the shops and we are not any different. We are making our Christmas plans and preparing our Christmas gifts. We are also making plans for Christmassy things to do like Christmas biscuits, gingerbread houses mince pie making house decorating and much much more. Tho most of these wont happen until late November early December, there is nothing wrong with us planning :).


That is our packed month ahead. A packed but exciting one. There will be blog posts on each and every one and many more. We hope to provide you with interesting tips and enjoyable reads throughout this month and beyond.

Lots Of Love
Katie & Beth...xxx

Happy 21st Birthday Beth

Today it is Beth's 21st birthday. Beth has been in Essex since yesterday and is spending the weekend at her parents home with Tommy and Ava. While Myself and my Mother will be joining them very soon. Today is the day my family get to meet the rest of Beth's family who we haven't met yet so it is an exciting day for all of us. I truly hope Beth has an amazing day and gets lots and lots of beautiful gifts. 


Dear Beth, 

"Sister in law by chance, friends by choice". This quote is very true. I'm very lucky to have you not only as my sister in law (to be) but also as a very lovely friend. You listen when I have my random rants, you care when I'm ill, you always make us laugh with your funny random words and I'm proud at you for being a amazing mother to Ava and soon to be to Bella. Thank you for giving me two beautiful Nieces ( I know Bella will be beautiful lol ), and for making my Brother the most happiest man alive. You two generally are made for each other and I will always be here to support, care and love you all. Happy 21st Birthday to my amazing Friend. 

Love from your Sister in law, friend, personal organizer, beauty therapist and now my blogging partner.  

Can we all wish Beth a very happy birthday today and happy birthday to anyone who shares this day. Hope you all have had a super weekend.


Love Katie x 

Tommy & Beth: Our Little Love Story

So I thought it would be a good idea to tell you all how I came to find my true prince charming (sorry for the cringe factor!) and became to be a part of this lovely family...

Never being one to go out clubbing, drinking ect, I knew finding
love wouldn't be easy and would only be in with a chance of 'pulling' once a year (prob Christmas or New Year). Not that I was going out looking for men, but you are always aware that you could possibly go home at the end of the night with either a big ego and a new number on your contact list or with ya self esteem shot down and asking yourself why you have a phone. I had come to a point in my life where I realised love wouldn't come knocking at my door and decided to give internet dating a try... 

I used to be very skeptical about internet dating due to the amount of horror stories you hear about them... and believe me there are a few questionable characters on there, but I decided to put my hesitations to one side and give it a go! Why not? 
I found myself getting a lot of private messages of cringy chat up lines and getting into some weird conversations with some strange men its then I started questioning my decision on joining the site so I signed myself off. 
Its scary to think I almost never met the 'one' and how different my life could have ended up, I thank my lucky stars I had one last random check of my online dating inbox, because sitting there was a message from a guy who was sweet, kind and thoughtful a guy who as soon as saw his picture just looked different from the rest, maybe it was the look in his eye I don't know. It was the message I had hoped for from the the man I had always dreamed of, my future husband. 


The first picture I saw of Tommy ... 

With  his number in my inbox I excitedly sent the first text message and we have not looked back. We was texting non stop from that point on. I can remember getting butterflies in my stomach every time I saw he had messaged me and my fingers were twitching to text back. Not long after starting our text conversations we decided it was time for a phone call and one evening he rung me, his voice was like magic, all I thought it would be and more we clicked even  more and spent 5 hours on the phone not going asleep til early hours. Every night on from that we would speak on the phone for 3 hours each time, needless to say our phone bills took a bashing but it was so worth it!. To be honest, I think our families got a bit annoyed at us talking through the night and keeping them up but I am sure they would now agree that they wouldn't have had it any other way because we have ended up so happy. 

Our first date: 

I was on at Tom to come and see me, with him the only one that drove it made sense that he came to me first and Tommy being the gentleman he is wouldn't have it any other way. Once Tommy finally set a date to come and see me I was buzzing for the two weeks leading up to it and the Saturday couldn't come round quick enough,tho it felt like those weeks dragged!! When the day finally came I spent ages getting ready and couldn't shake the feeling of butterflies! I even  made my mum answer the door because I was so nervous! I didn't want him to see me and  be disappointed because believe me when I laid eyes on him for that first time I felt like a Disney princess staring into the eyes of my handsome prince charming.We had a lovely time going for Nandos  and to the cinema, we laughed and joked and just clicked straight away it felt like we had known each other forever, we even had our first kiss! By the time it came to say goodbye I felt like part of me was leaving, so we arranged a meeting in London the next weekend.We have been inseparable ever since.

My first trip to Windsor:

Tommy took me to meet his family in Windsor not long after our trip to London, it was the most amazing weekend of my life! As soon as I entered the family home everyone was immediately welcoming and kind. We spent our first nights together and woke up to each other it was bliss. Tommy took me to nandos and Windsor castle, I remember kissing Tom in the car when we got back from the castle, I just remember thinking how perfect my life was, I still think that. When Tommy took me back to Essex that Sunday it was so hard to say could bye with both of us ending up in tears. We missed each other so much I ended up returning on the Wednesday. 

 Where are we now?:

We have never been apart since our weekend in Windsor, Tommy soon moved in with me in Essex at my parents home but due to work commitments we have recently moved to Windsor. Since the day we met me and Tom have got engaged hoping to marry next year and I am currently 8 months pregnant with a baby girl, not forgetting our beautiful daughter Ava. I am the happiest woman alive, my life is fulfilled with and wonderful husband to be and two beautiful daughters. Although we have our ups and downs and the odd argument we are stronger than any couple you will ever know, we are meant to be Tom is my soul mate. We are a team and get through any obstacles together. I love him so much and always will do. 

Thats mine and Toms story, for those of you that want a nice little quick read, this is a little insight to our lives so far. 

Hope you enjoyed, remember true love never dies ...

Lots Of Love 
Beth ...xxx