Sometimes you got to just take a break and reflect

Sometimes you got to just take a break and reflect.  In a few months my daily routine, social life, relationship and sleep is going to flip 180 and I can not wait.  Yes, I know it's going to be challenging as people keep wanting to inform John and I - 'enjoy your sleep now - while you can' and 'it's your last holiday alone, enjoy every minute' but struggling to conceive for 3 years was the most frustrating and emotional challenge we have ever had to face as a couple.  I have been very open about the craziness of falling pregnant a month before we were due to start IVF and it is so easy to forget about the fertility struggle as our baby is growing but today I just felt a huge sense of relief and appreciation that it happened this way for us as I'm not sure how I would have coped with failed IVF attempts.

The best quote I read from a blogger which sums up how you feel when you are trying to conceive is:

'My period feels like a miscarriage every month'

I have forgot about the hard times but when my sleep is deprived and the crying seems to never end I will always appreciate how different this year could have been.

I also just wanted to share a few websites that I were good for support and advice for couples trying to conceive

www.myfertilityblog.blogspot.co.uk

www.countdowntopregnancy.com/success

www.babycentre.co.uk/c2/actively-trying-for-a-baby

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Fertility/Pages/Getpregnant.aspx

www.netmums.com/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby

www.huffingtonpost.com/kathryn-kefauver-goldberg/dear-fertility-doctor-what-i-wish-you-knew-about-infertility_b_4643835.html

#OOTD LBD and Kimono

Maxi Chiffon Kimono - F + F Tesco £14.99

Jersey Midi Dress - H & M £12.99

White Buckle Boots - www.garageshoes.co.uk  £29.99

#OOTD and 24 week update

Pattern Chiffon Kimono - H & M £9.99

Green Pleated Hi-Lo Dress - H & M  £12.99

It's been a little while since I've blogged and it's been down to painful ribs, internet being down and a rainy, rainy Scotland.  Today I am 6 months pregnant and what a milestone that feels like, 1. Because I never even thought I would get pregnant and 2. The day we found out seems like a lifetime ago but we are here and it feels incredible.  The love and support I have felt in the last couple of weeks has been amazing.  I think it's because there is no getting away from the reality that a new addition to the family will be here very soon and friends and family are just so excited.  There isn't much to report on pregnancy symptoms wise apart from going to the doctors to get a throbbing pain around my lower ribs looked at which turns out to just be the uterus pushing on my lower ribs and because I'm short it is really painful early on in pregnancy.  So heat packs at night have really helped but with sitting at my desk at work for 8 hrs doesn't really help but I'm just trying to keep as stretched and mobile as I can to ease the pain.  I've been doing a lot of shopping for holiday clothes this week and purchased a couple of flattering maxi dresses and tankini from Mamas and Papas and H&M is so good for kimonos and oversized chiffon dresses so stocked up on these in different patterns and with the help of my little sister will be doing some blog posts in the sun with the purchases.

So with a day off and a break from the rain I decided to do a blog post today using the backdrop of my husband's scrap yard, why not? It's a bit different.  The multicoloured kimono and green pleated hi-lo dress are both from H&M and will be perfect for holiday, especially with gold sandals and chunky gold accessories.  I will be travelling to Spain in 3 weeks so coming up to 7 months pregnant and I am a bit anxious about travelling so far along in my pregnancy but with it being a short flight and staying at my parents house in Spain it should be a pretty relaxing and well squired break away. 

This week I have my midwife check up.  I would love to be having another scan, it just feels great and puts your mind ease having a scan but I feel him, and he's moving away (definitely on my ribs) so there is no need to keep having monthly scans.  

Ok off to rock side to side on the gym ball and think about what to have for dinner 

Julia x 

Hopeless Romantic #OOTD

Fedora Hat - H & M  £14.99

'Hopeless Romantic' Slogan Tee - New Look £7.99

Black Leather Look Pencil Skirt - River Island £30.00

Envelope Clutch - Ebay £4.95

17 Weeks 2 Days 

I'm planning a night away this weekend with the hubby for some dinner and essential spa time.  The past month i've not really been making plans as I get so tired easily but it is good to make some time for romance.

So I was on the hunt for a full midi skirt after seeing blogger Taylor at www.littleblondebook.com wearing a gorgeous red one from ASOS teamed with stripe top and yellow heels.  I had to have this skirt so straight onto Asos.com and purchased but now just waiting for it to arrive so I decided for the weekend to look for a leather-look midi skirt as I loved how Kim Kardashian styled her leather midi as a sexy and stylish maternity look.  Kim's maternity outfit choices did receive a lot of negativity and I agree that some were way too tight fitting as she was growing but in the early trimesters I think she looked amazing and created sophisticated and stylish looks.  I do like to look through her maternity looks to make choices on what I should wear as I am a size 10-12 before I was pregnant and therefor realise certain outfits can look really bad as my bump and boobs get bigger.   I did get the skirt in a size 12 so probably only get a month's wear out of it with the growing bump but at least I can wear it when the baby is here for those cocktail nights with the ladies (if it ever happens, but it's nice to think this way).  And what better way to have a romantic night with your man then to remind them of your romantic feelings on your chest!

Julia

Instagram - @juliagraham1

Stripes and Bow #OOTD

Striped Split Skirt Dress - H&M £19.99

Blazer - H&M £25.99

Boots - New Look £27.99

Pink Large Bow - Topshop £12.00

Fetal Doppler Heart Monitor - 16 weeks

Hi-baby Rentals -  BT200 monitor 

I purchased a fetal heart monitor when I was 12 weeks as I came across YouTube videos with success of hearing the heart beat as early on as 9 weeks.  I firstly bought a fetal heart monitor with digital screen display which had a flat round handset but I found this machine really difficult to manoeuvre around my stomach and lower abdomen and never found any sound of heart beat although a reading would come up on the screen display (I have attached image of this model above)
So I looked into which type of doppler people were finding easy to use and came across the rental site 'Hi-baby' for fetal heart monitors.  I think this is a great way to purchase a monitor because you only use it for 3-4 months so it works out cheaper and you don't have it taking up valuable space that you need when the baby arrives.

It still takes a few minutes to find my baby.  First thing in the morning with a full bladder works the best and can find it straight away just at the top of my knicker line.  Even at 16 weeks I thought the baby would be more central with my belly button but it is surprising how low down they seem to be even when your bump seems to be getting way to big for the size of the baby.

So here is a quick video of me using my doppler and if you are planning on using one - be patient, don't push too deep and cause any discomfort and relax.