Mothers Birthday Visit

So yesterday (19/07/2015) was my Mothers Birthday and we didn't have any plans made at all for any time of the day. Then I suggested going to Breakfast at Frankie & Benny with my Mother, her husband, my Nan and her partner so off we went there about 10am ish. Just before that I Face timed Ava so she could say Happy Birthday to her nanny & then Tommy said we are coming down to see Mum on her birthday in the afternoon so my Mother was literally so happy and excited to be spending her birthday afternoon with her two granddaughters. 

At 12.30 am I was blowing balloons while everyone was asleep haha.

My Mother the birthday girl at Frankies and Benny.

So of we went for breakfast which was good then I popped into TK MAX as it was a retail park thing and I got a few stuff but nothing exciting. We came back and literally got changed into something cooler as the weather got hotter and My Nan came to pick us up as we were meeting Tommy, Beth and the girls in Windsor town. The weather was beautiful, literally like in the middle of being not too hot but a lovely breeze. So we met up and gave my Nieces the biggest cuddle ever also gave Bethany a big hug of course. We walked to the little funfair in Alexandra Gardens which Ava went on the rides with her nanny hahah, she had an ice lolly and slush puppy and Bella had her food then we started walking into town. We spent ages deciding where to eat and in the end we went to Francescos which is an Italian Restaurant and OMG the service, the staff, the food and the price!!!! Put it this way... we wished we had gone to McDonald's instead. I've been to Francescos two years ago and it was lovely so no idea what has happened. They was not accommodating toward children/babies at all and they gave Ava a orange juice in a pint glass which isn't ideal for a 3 year old even though she is careful that isn't the point. They didn't ask/offer a highchair at all we had to go and get one ourselves. As an Italian restaurant you expect the food to be amazing but I have cooked better spag bog myself! The staff were so rude but that didn't stop us having fun and spending lovely quality time together. Time actually just went so quick meaning we literally had to run to the car park as Tommy car park ticket was ending so we didn't spend much time together but still it was amazing to be together. We said our goodbyes,hugs and kisses which is always horrible and emotional and it never gets any easier. I am going down to Essex in 2 weeks time so I cannot wait to see them all again soon. As we was on our way home, My Nan dropped me into Tesco so I ran in and got 12 cupcakes for my Mother as you cannot have a birthday without cake right? its illegal haha. 

Ava Lily loves spending the day with her nanny. 

Bella Mai looking so beautiful.

I am so glad my Mother got to see her two granddaughters on her birthday. Last year on her 50th it wasn't a good time. Beth was pregnant with Bella and she was in Hospital, she was really really poorly so my Mother did't see them so this year I think my Mother was literally so made up she got to saw them all. I think it was like her 50th this year instead of last haha. She got to spend Saturday with her Sister in London seeing a west end show so she spent her birthday weekend with everyone she loves. Also yesterday Bella Mai turned 7 months old so it was perfect to spend that with her. We all had the most amazing funny perfect day and the weather was kind to us. I love being with Beth because we get on so well and we just laugh constantly when we are with my Mother, My mother, Brother, Beth and I together literally are an nightmare and wind each other up constantly haha. 

Us... We cannot meet up and not take a selfie.

The cupcakes for the birthday girl.

So now that is all the birthday over for a few months then it is Bethany's in October then both of the girls in December... yes close to CHRISTMAS.. I said the C word sorry haha. Hope you all had a good weekend. I shall get Bethany to do Bella's 7 months update as she has grown up so much. 

Love Katie xx 

Happy Fathers Day To My Mother

The Price Family

Today is a very weird day for me. Seeing most people celebrate and writing statuses about Fathers Day. For me this is just any other normal day which doesn't bother me but it's made me feel abit emotional this year. I know who my Dad is and he was the most amazing Dad ever but that all changed when I turned 5 years old. He changed, he cheated, he moved out, he moved to Bristol and went quiet for years so myself and my Brother didn't have any contact for years and that made us not particularly like him. Then in mine and my Brother teenager years we started seeing our Dad once a year, twice if we was lucky. I've never had that Father & Daughter bond or relationship and ever now when we are together I find it incredibly awkward and difficult to talk to or find something in common. People may feel sorry for myself and my Brother and I feel like people must feel like we missed out but that couldn't furthest from the truth. We had our Mother bringing us up alone and we had the best time ever, just us three. This has meant that even though my Brother is 13 months younger, he is the "father figure" in my life. I'm not going to lie all of this has made it very hard for me to trust men, I have a fear of everyone just leaving and walking out of my life, I maybe didn't experience the normal daddy and daughter memories but it has made me respect my Mother so much for bringing us up alone. I don't "hate" my Father and the love I have for him isn't the same love I have for my Mum. Now he is a Granddad to Ava & Bella, I thought he might of stepped up and be a good Granddad but he has only seen Bella once and hasn't made any effort to make plans to see the girls and us. 

So happy "Fathers" day to all the single Mothers who are doing the perfect job. Also Happy Fathers Day to my amazing Brother. He is the best and perfect Daddy to Ava Lily & Bella Mai, I am so proud of him. 

Love Katie xx 

Perfect pads!

This month I got my usual visit from Mother Nature just when I'm about to settle down for a comfy night cuddling up in bed with my Mr, so yes Mother Nature came knocking at the most inconvenient time once again. Obviously I reached for my usual choice of always across the room and got ready for a few days of pain and discomfort. 

About a day in I ironically hear that my mother in law Shelly was raving at home about the new always infinity after trying them out ( I know me and my mother in law having monthlys at the same time...spooky). Tired with discomfort of my unusual pads I thought there is no harm in trying them... It couldn't get any worse. I got my Tommy to drive me to the nearest supermarket so I could collect myself a pack of these comfy pads like a child I couldn't wait to get home and line my undies with this new improved product.  This is the moment I realised I've grown up I used rush home to play with my newest toy/gadget eat my favourite sweets or try my new lipgloss now I can't wait to get home to try knicker pads... 

However may I say it was worth it! The advert for these bad boys and my mother  in laws opinion rings true. They are the most amazing pads I have ever tried! They are so comfortable, you don't know you have one on. I infact almost forgot what unpleasantries was going on downstairs. This is also the first time I can say these pads are well worth the retail price. They are worth every penny. A lot of people wear tampons because they don't like the messy "nappy" feeling of pads, but with these you get none of that I can guarantee that this will put maybe half or more of tampon users back on the side of pads.. Well it would me if i ever wore tampons. My sister and Katie even tried these out following my recommendations and loved them! 

All I have left to say is why put up with an uncomfortable week each month? You no longer have to so don't let yourself. Get yourself down to any supermarket boots or superdrug and purchase these perfect pads and have a pleasant call from Mother Nature ... For once:) 

Lots Of Love 

Beth...xxx

Will I Ever Be A Mummy?

image from pinterest 

When growing up, most girls dream of the fairy tale story meeting the man of your dream, having a large family living in a nice big house. Then you soon realise in your late teens none of that above happens. To some it might happen but I'd say for most of us it doesn't. When I was 17 I fell in love pretty quick and gotten into an deep serious relationship and I was completely head over heels and I truly believed I met the "one". Oh how wrong I was!! At that time I believed I was going to be with this man for the rest of my life so getting pregnant and having a family wasn't a bad idea, of course we spoken about kids names and things like that but we never actually planned 100% but then again we used nothing to stop it happening if that makes sense. To us we thought if it happened it happened as we thought we was going to be with each other for life. 

From the day I started my period, it was hell. I always had heavy painful periods. I was being seen by gyne's and other specialist since I was 14. I was given the pill for a few years but later realised I was actually allergic to it so it never done anything to me. One day around the time I was with this guy, I had a real bad bleed and although I was having bad periods then I knew in my mind this was something more. I felt weird at the time and your body knows if there if a difference. I went to the doctors and I wasn't expecting for him to say what he said. He said I suffered an miscarriage. But I didn't even know I was pregnant and he said its just "one of those things" like it was nothing to him, looking back I guess hes job is to tell us straight but for an 17 year old girl to hear those words was quite hard to take in. But it came at the worse time possible, in the same week my boyfriend at the time ended things unexpectedly. I was totally heart broken and fell into an deep depression and even suicidal. I just didn't know to to cope. So I didn't have any time to even think about the miscarriage to be honest. This happened in February 2010 and if Im honest its taken a good few years to get over and realise things. Anyways, my GP sent me off for an Laparoscopy for many different reasons. The results was that I only have one ovary and many other things which could be a reason why I find it hard to get pregnant. During the Laparoscopy they inserted an Coil to help with my periods. Obviously it also used an a protection towards pregnancy but I was single and I didn't have any plans to get pregnant so I didn't mind having the coil. 

Now that coil was possibly the worse choice I've ever made in my life. It caused non stop problems to which I was never told or warned about. Although it did actually stop my periods ,I eventually had it taken out for medical reasons. I made the decision to not have/take any other form of contraception as I wasn't in a relationship and to best honest I needed to give my body as rest. A few months after I had the coil out I gotten into a relationship. It wasn't as deep serious relationship to be honest so I instantly went and got the implant in my arm but this is when the bad luck started again.

I was starting to feel quite ill, and at this point I wasn't having an period as since the coil it ruined me and stopped my periods. Same as before I had a big bleed but I honestly thought it was down to the implant so I went to the doctors weeks later as I didn't think nothing of it. I remember this so well it was a Monday I went to the doctors but at this point I was no longer with this boyfriend as we went our separate ways but the doctor done tests and told me I was pregnant. I was shocked!! I had no clue or idea tbh as I had the implant and thought I would know it I felt "pregnant" if that makes sense. I had no idea how many weeks I was so my GP booked me into an early scan the week later which shown I was 8/10 weeks gone. By this time me and this guy wasn't on speaking terms and made it impossible to get hold of. I didn't want to but my only option was to text him as he wasn't answering calls. I was an adult and told him as I thought he deserved to know and he made the decision right there and then via text he didn't want to know me/baby or anything to do with pregnancy and wished us "dead". So I mentally prepared to be strong in an instant, I think knowing you have a baby inside you and being alone its makes you strong for the baby and no one else. By this point my Mother was the only other person to know. At that scan they wanted to see me in two weeks to be sure as they had some concerns not majorly but they wanted to be sure. I had mixed weird feelings, I didn't feel or look pregnant, I had no close friends or family to speak to and the whole idea of a "family" was totally gone. Those two weeks wait for the next scan was the longest time on my life. Of course I wanted to know why I was pregnant while having the implant but as we all know nothing is 100%. I wouldn't say I was sad or happy I was feeling weird mixed emotions. Abortions wasn't an option and it NEVER will be, I wanted this baby so much. So a family wasn't going to happen but me and this baby was going to. I had worries of being told they have concerns but I made plans in my head incase things was okay. 


Two weeks came, I went to the scan alone. I remember my Mother couldn't get time off work. I saw the same person I've seen for years who does scans and went into the same room, I never felt so nervous in my life. The worse happened. I was told I miscarried. Again. For the second time of my life. Two years after my first miscarriage. But this time felt harder to accepted. The first time I didn't know I was pregnant and this time I knew for a few weeks but I had plans and wanted the baby so much. I told the "dad" via his sister as by this point he had a new phone. I never heard from him which proves what sort of dad he would of been like. Someone at the time told me things happen for a reason, which at the time I didn't believe, I just wanted to be a mum and have my baby. But over the years since I have realised things do happen for a reason, someone was telling me that either my body or myself wasn't ready ect there must of been a reason. I have an implant in now, still don't get periods, never been told why I lose my two babies and been told its just one of those "things". I had to wait til Im 25 years old to get loads of test if I still have problems then.


The thought of never being a Mother and having my own family scares me. ALOT! It is something I think about daily but I never tell anyone. I think having two beautiful Nieces keeps me sane. I have never been jealous of pregnant women or people who have kids as it's no ones fault but naturally I always think what if ect. I always felt guilty for crying about the past, but I only recently learnt that crying once in a while is okay. I've sort of accepted that if I never be a mother than its okay, Im a Auntie to the most two beautiful girls in the world who I love so much and always will be. My Mother didn't fall pregnant with me til she was 28 and after she had me and my Brother she had an miscarriage and also tried with her now husband and can't have anymore kids so I obviously get it from my Mother. But knowing she got two kids sort of keeps me going, maybe my body is telling me I need to get healthy before I have a baby in a few years. Im not in a relationship right now and whenever I meet a man I just want to get to know him and have fun making memories. Saying all of that I don't want to jump into a relationship and have a baby ASAP, that I s the last thing that I want. But if things happen to happen that way then as I've said before things do happen for a reasons. I know I have fertility problems/history of miscarriages so I have to be realistic that I might have so much trouble or it might never happen. I have always said "there are people much more worse of than me" and I like to live by that quote. I think for me to even be alive and breathing is enough, Okay I have many health problems that I wish not to have and life is probably the worse it has been in terms of luck ect but right now Im lucky. It has taken me a good two years to realise all of this stuff and I think being around Beth throughout most of her pregnancy made me realise this. Im so blessed to of been living with her throughout most of her pregnancy, be with her during her midwife and specialist appointments, Her 3D scan and generally being with her. I truly hope my Brother and Beth have more kids so I can have more nieces or nephews, Im also lucky enough to get on with Beth. It makes life so much easier. 

At first I never told rest of my Family apart from my Mother, but when I did they made me feel like it was my fault. As I mentioned in my post HERE that my family are not very supportive. That is why my second miscarriage was harder because I had no one around me at all. Yes I had my Mother who been through the same experience but it was something we never spoken about, maybe because it was too hard for us both to talk about it. Since then I've had alot of therapy and last year having Beth around has helped alot. I have alot to thank her for, she may not know how much she does for me. Just for her to listen, be there for me and she been through some stuff in her past same as me so we can understand each other. 

So I would be lying if I said Im not scared that I will never be a mummy because I am. Im worried. But over the years Im learning to deal with stuff alot better than before. I will come to that hurdle when I have a partner and we want a baby, I will at least be strong and know all the facts if or when that time comes. Have any one been through similar? Let me know or email me. It would be nice to have a chat with some people who understands.

Love Katie 
xx 

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Toddler Tuesday

Last week when I did my toddler Tuesday update Ava was not very well:( she has only just gotten over this after passing it on to mummy & daddy! 

That's the thing when you have children you nurse them better and get them back to full health and then come down with it yourself! But I must say it's totally worth it for them to no longer be ill. It's like you literally taking it off them and although left under the weather it does feel rewarding.  

It is safe and I'm so happy to say she is back to her cheeky self ...

Bedtime Battle

The old bedtime battle is back! She won't go to sleep without anyone sitting with her till she falls asleep nor will she stay in her bed all night, I think when she has change she takes it out on her sleep and knowing that the arrival of her baby sister is soon also adds to her insecurities of anyone leaving her alone. Thanks to great help from family we are all chipping in to lay with Ava so we all get the chance to eat and rest. With Tommy at work all day and me heavily pregnant with only 4 weeks to go it comes as a great help! If anyone has any tips then please feel free to tweet us on our Essex To Windsor Twitter :)

Ava does certainly entertain me during the day and her speech is really coming on even in this last week. Although her sleeping pattern is a bit up the wall at the moment she is still showing what a happy bright little girl she is doing us proud every day :) 

Ava's night time antics are making her sleeping during the day!...

 

That concludes my Toddler Tuesday for this week:) hope you all enjoyed as I'm sure a lot of you mums and dads may be able to relate. With all the factors of parenting all the ups and downs it is the most rewarding job in the world :) 

Lots Of Love 

Beth...xxx

Beth's Baby Shower - Planning, Theme & Budget

As soon As I found out Bethany is pregnant, I instantly started planning her baby shower in my head. At that time she didn't live in Windsor but I always planned to have the baby shower here in Windsor at my house. Then few months into her pregnancy, Bethany moved to Windsor. 


I admit I am a big planner and organised person when it comes to day to day to do list, to birthdays, Christmas and other events ect. In some way it's like a OCD, I have to have lists of what events are coming up and what decorations or budget to set for that particular event. Usually the Mother doesn't know much about the baby shower but in this case I wanted to let Beth have some involvement but have kept some things a surprise. 


LOCATION:
I've picked my home as We have a large front room/dinning area to host and seeing as it is a small private event I wanted to keep it homely and budget friendly.


DATE/TIME:
Weirdly we only decided on a date a few weeks ago. We picked the month November as in October was busy and Beth Birthday and in December is Ava's 3rd Birthday and The due date. We have pick 15th November which fits in perfectly with everyone we have invited as there is no football on that Saturday which is ideal as most of us are football lovers. It will be from 1 pm as most guest are from Essex so gives them time to get here and for us to set everything up. 


THEME:
"Afternoon Tea" is the theme. I chosen the theme before anything else was decided and I wanted to bring a theme into the baby shower to make it more interesting. Cake, sandwiches, tea, coffee and lots of patisseries items yum. 
    

BUDGET:
Im quite known for budgeting for anything really and I always plan ahead. seeing as this year has not been good for any of our finance I know we would keep the budget low but without it being cheap and tacky. There will be about 10 people so it makes it abit easier to get party games, favors and food without breaking the bank.



I will be doing a few blog post over the next two weeks about the invitations, decorations, foods, favors, gifts and how to stick to a budget. Seeing as there is only over a week til the baby shower, we are getting our bum into gear and getting things sorted. Obviously the cake and food cannot be sorted til the day before but everything else is nearly sorted just got to get a few bits and we are done. We cannot wait to spend the day with my side and Beth's side of the family as you know we don't live close. Keep your eyes pealed for the next baby shower post. 


Let's hope Bella doesn't decide to come before the baby shower!! 

35 Weeks Pregnancy Update

Sorry it's a day late! It's been and eventful week to say the least, but to you all following my pregnancy I want to keep you updated! 

How pregnant are you? 

I'm 35weeks +1 

How many days until due date:

I have 33 days until my due date! Not long! 

Weight: I still have no idea ha ha

Pregnancy symptoms:  I was sick yesterday morning for the first time, and my spd symptoms.

Stretch Marks: No more than last week! 

Cravings: Chocolate still! 

Movement: Bella is getting very active moving more during the day and not just in the evening! 

Gender: girl 

Sleep: sleeps okay at the moment :) 

Worst moment this week: For personal reasons I can't say the most worst moment this week! But loosing my belly bar has annoyed me! 

Best moment this week: Best moment this week was seeing how much stuff bella has! Washing her clothes.

Nesting: I have been a bit more domestic this week! Suppose you can say I'm nesting!

Labour signs: I've had a few tightenings 

Belly button in or out? In 

Wedding rings on or off? Still on :)

Happy or moody most of the time: happy with a bit of moody! Ha ha 

Looking forward to: I'm looking forward to cuddling my little girl when she's here :) 

Lots Of Love

Beth...xxx

Friday Fun : Getting Prepared For Halloween

Today we decided to get on the Halloween wagon haha. Tommy ( Katie's brother & Beth's Fiance ) is currently off work so once we dropped Ava of to school off we went to Tesco. We purchased two pumpkins and a Halloween make your own gingerbread house and its fair to say Tommy was far more excited than he should be lol We came back home and Tommy got started building the gingerbread house and Beth helped. It needed 30 minutes to dry before you start decorating it. This was the point we got way too excited and went back to Tesco to buy more stuff to decorate it even though things are provided we wanted more haha!!! Back home we came, Beth & Tommy got back to decorating the Halloween Gingerbread House and We are very impressed so much we are already looking and goggling what to do for our Christmas Gingerbread house haha. Onto Pumpkins, obviously it is abit early to start carving them so we put them on the fireplace and we have a little Halloween fireplace theme going on with fake spiders and cobwebs. 

Katie & Ava Took a few Selfies today as Ava is now obsessed with taking pictures lol And not planned somehow we have ended up wearing the same dresses haha. 

Tomorrow we have Beth's Parents coming down from Essex to visit us for the day and football is back ( BTW WE ARE BOTH OBSESSED WITH FOOTBALL ). With Tommy being Leeds United, Beth being West Ham and Katie Being Chelsea FC. Over the weekend we have Baby Shower planning which was all planning along fine but past few weeks we haven't done much, we have most of the stuff and the date just haven't sent out invites ect so we will be on that this weekend/next week and also will be doing blog post as the baby shower is on a small budget and we have a theme which we would like to all share with you all. 

Here is a beautiful picture of Ava just before school, doesn't she look so grown up. Her dress is from Primark, Tights are from Asda (can't find online but here are some similar) and Her Shoes are Flossy Plimsole from Office. 


We hope you all are having a lovely Friday night and have a good weekend :) 

Love Katie And Beth. 

More Update

Following to this update here, I thought I would let you all know what is going on. Beth got discharged from hospital on Sunday. She was diagnosed with a Urinary Track Injection and been given antibiotics. Also been told to get plenty of rest and keep stress free for the rest of her pregnancy. Beth will be back on the blog doing her 32 Weeks update on Friday. 

Get Better Soon :) 

Love Katie 

31 Weeks Pregnancy Update

From our last post me (Beth) is currently expecting a gorgeous little girl. As we have just begun our blog the updates will start from 31 weeks, but don't worry there will be loads of post about pregnancy and  what to expect going into labour and life with a newborn. 

Last 4D Scan - 27 weeks.

How pregnant are you? I am currently 31 weeks pregnant and beaming with excitement :)

How many days until due date: I have 62 days left until I'm due:)

Weight: I weigh approx 11 stone just over.

Pregnancy symptoms: I am starting to get back ache and fatigue, heartburn and a little bit of sickness coming back, but all in all I feel good :)  

Stretch Marks: I've had a couple of new little stretch marks appear on the end of my old ones from my previous pregnancy

Cravings: At the moment Im strongly craving burgers, peanut butter and chocolate!!

Movement: Baby moves all the time she gets really active of and evening and night being really wriggly its the best feeling.

Gender: Im having a little girl. 

Sleep: I've been managing to sleep okay though Im getting bigger and finding it a little more less comfy though Im still managing to get a decent nights sleep.

Worst moment this week: The worst moment this week was when the smell of my lunch made me feel really sick for about half hour leaving me hungry and ready for my dinner in the evening!! 

Best moment this week: The best moment this week was last night her movements were really really strong and wriggly I loved the feeling and look forward to feeling her move every night. 

Nesting: I haven't been nesting as such though mess is getting to me more now so it wont be long!

Labour signs: Thank god I haven't had any labour signs yet this early but I have had a couple of braxton hicks I think.

Belly button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? Engagement ring on.

Happy or moody most of the time: I like to say happy but my partner may say hormones get the better of me sometimes!!

Looking forward to: Im look forward to each week and the build up to her being born. 

Love Beth

Introduction To Us

Welcome to Essex To Windsor. 

The lives of two normal girls brought together by the meeting of two soul mates, starting off as your normal sister in laws developing a true close friendship. Sharing secrets, advice, gossip, clothes and make up. Also battling ups and downs in areas of many and your normal everyday battles. Not only are we your average day to day girls willing to share with you our stories but the wonders and joys of motherhood and auntiehood and the exciting build up and life with a much loved newborn. We are Bethany Jolly and Katie Price a mother and expectant mother too another gorgeous girl and hands on auntie in our 20's look out for our story...



Love 
Bethany & Katie.