Tuesday 17 September 2013

38 Shades of Grey (Hair)

Ah yes. Another candle on my birthday cake today. There was enough melting wax to make a ginormous church candle for Westminster Abbey. Cos I is old, innit.

I remember being four and having a party. I remember being five, six and 13. Not the ones in between, probably due to a poor memory, cos I is old, innit.

My 13th birthday was amazing. My parents hired the local village hall and I invited practically the whole year to my teenage disco. The DJ played Salt 'n' Pepa's Push It (to this day it is still one of my favourite songs, like, EVER) and I danced with the boy I was mad about. It was truly awesome, to quote the youth of today.

A year ago today we moved house. It was the worst birthday ever. The removal men screwed up and we weren't in the house until gone 9pm. I remember slugging champagne and opening presents at a time when my big day was practically over.

This year, the Husband is working, so I am spending my evening overdosing on chocolate and blubbing over The Midwives (probably because I shall have to push out another  kid and reality can be freaky.) But he and I spent a glorious morning together after doing the school run (the Prince was a little better this morning) and indulged in a huge cooked breakfast in a sweet little driftwood filled cafe by the sea.

We get such little time together so it was wonderful. He is off tomorrow so after I've done my bit for the  breastfeeding support group, we shall get some quiet time together before the madness of the school run.

At the weekend we went home to my parents' house for two nights.

We all enjoyed a meal out in Bath, all of us (my brother lives in Chicago so sadly misses out on these occasions).





My sister feeds her baby constantly.
Fact.

I could pretend this is all I had, but I had about 19 courses.....



Just heaven.

Best stir frier EVER


So many blurred pics that day!

Then everyone indulged in a spot of shopping afterwards and then on Sunday, my parents cooked a huge roast beef with all the trimmings, various homemade desserts and then a birthday cake.

I think it's safe to say I am borderline on reaching the recommended weight gain limit in pregnancy already. I'd like to say I care, but I've just eaten a load of birthday chocolates, so I shall pay afterwards when I discover my pre-pregnancy jeans won't fit me for several years.

Ooh yes, going back to Bath (where the Husband and I used to live), we went for a stroll after lunch and discovered a huge pumpkin growing behind the Royal Crescent.....



I look like a balloon. Not a virgin though.....

My pride and joy. On a good day.....

How I miss all this, I used to take these views for granted.

One day I will own a dog just like this and call him Hamish/Dougal/Angus. I LOVE them


The kids LOVE being at my parents' house.


Wearing his Darth Vader cloak for Sunday lunch, as you do.




Our little family just keeps on growing. My nephew baby William will meet his baby cousin in 12 weeks!


There is always an embarrassing moment at the end when I leave to return home to the south coast, as my Mum, sister and I start blubbing as we say our goodbyes. The men just look up to the ceiling and wait for the tears to end. Every time...

Oh, and nearly forgot. I have a sparkly cherry tree treasure this week. I got this Debenhams dress for the Princess for two squid in Arundel. The Princess loves it as you can imagine.



Told you. She is STILL feeding!!!

9 comments:

Peg said...

Just come across your blog from reading Thriftwoods post, I'm in bed but not asleep because I have a lot of post op pain going on but I just wanted to say thank you, you brought a smile to my face and a chuckle.
I hope all goes well with baby, feeding on demand is good in my book too but thankfully in my case it was over 40 yrs ago ;0)

Peg xx

thriftwood said...

Lovely post Gem, what a gorgeous family you have. Happy belated birthday, I love it when it's stretched over a few days ... Looks like you had a great time! And hello to Peg (above)

Have a fab day!

Claire xxx

Tracy Glover said...

Happy birthday beautiful. xxx

Jay said...

Making me giggle again! Lovely photos of your beautiful family. Happy slightly-late birthday from me to you.

Coco Rose Diaries said...

Awe hope you had such a fab birthday. I love Bath, don't go there enough, and I love reading your posts. I adore your style of writing......it's perfect.

Have a super post birthday day!

Vanessa xxxx

Musings Of A Gem said...

Hope you had a lovely day! Your family seem like a lot of fun!

All the best,

Gemma

Pink Milk said...

Happy belated birthday dear Gem!!!

You're looking gorgeous - positively blooming.

Big high fives to you for being a breastfeeding mentor - I could so have done with someone like you being around when I was struggling with both my babies.

Look after your little self.

Hxx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Lovely Gem,

I have to run off to work as I hear my husband running about ready to go out the door. BUT let me just say this: you are stunning, your family is proof that the love that comes from you is a joy, longlasting, FUN and YOU TOO LOVE SCOTTIES? SO DO I! I want one and I would name him Hamish!!!!! I also love Westies...they're SCRAPPY! And I love that....HAPPY BDAY !!!! Anita

sandiart said...

Happy Belated Birthday to you, so many changes in your life. Your family is so lovely, you all look so warm and nurturing, I did have to laugh at your sister, feeding, feeding, feeding, I was like that with my first, it was very rare to find me without my little appendage.
xxx Sandi