Juicing recipes the kids love!

Although if the truth be known, I haven't managed to stick to daily juicing as it's been such a busy time with the summer holidays and work, I am still enjoying trying out different juicing recipes several times a week.

I am also pleased to say that Joshua and Grace are loving the fresh juices which is fantastic considering my chances of getting a piece of beetroot or a celery stick into them normally would probably be slim to none!

I have found that by getting the children involved in making the juices they are very keen to try them as love preparing all the ingredients with me and taking it in turns to put them through the juicer.  They particularly love watching it mix into a smoothie in the blender as I always mix the juices with ice so they are nice and chilled to drink.  Brightly coloured straws also work well for younger children.

Admittedly, washing up the juicer and blender can be a bit of a faff, however, I was given a great tip by a family member (and fellow juicer) that has made life much easier on that front.  When using the juicer remember to put a plastic bag or small bin bag in the bucket part of the juicer that collects all the pulp and waste from the fruit.  This is normally the worst part of emptying and cleaning but with the bag you can simply lift it straight out and throw it in the bin leaving your waste bucket completely clean!  This alone really cuts down the time spent over the sink washing up so a great idea.  Once I've thrown away the used bag I replace it immediately with a fresh one ready for the next juice so I don't forget for next time.

I managed to get the children to try their first juice The Ultimate Health Booster by telling them that it made them grow taller!  I stood with my hand over the tops of their heads and as they drunk it slowly lowered my hand till they could feel it on their heads which made them think they were really growing.  Whether they believed it or not, we certainly had fun watching how much they were growing after each glass full!

The great thing about the 'Keeping it Simple' recipe book by Jason Vale is that it tells you how each juice will benefit you.  The children love me reading out as we prepare them that 'this one will make your bones strong and your hair shiny' etc.

Below are Joshua and Grace's top three juices in order of preference (ironically the one with chocolate in came third on the list!):

The Ultimate Health Booster (nicknamed 'The Growing Drink' by us!)

1 inch slice pineapple
1 apple (Royal Gala or Golden Delicious are best)
1 inch chunk broccoli stem
1 small handful spinach
1/2 stick celery
1/4 inch piece ginger (with skin on)
1 inch slice cucumber
1 small handful watercress
1/2 ripe avocado (de-stoned)
ice cubes

Remember to wash all fruit and veggies first. Juice everything except the avocado. Place the avocado in the blender along with the ice and add juice. Blend until smooth - enjoy!

I actually double or sometimes triple the quantities listed in the ingredients when making this smoothie for the children and my husband and I, so we all get a glass full.  The kids simply love this smoothie and ask for it regularly which is great as is packed full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  The apple and pineapple make it taste sweet and delicious and the ginger gives it a gentle kick!

Reddy, Steady, Go!

2 apples (Golden Delicious or Royal Gala)
1 small raw beetroot
1 small broccoli stem
1 inch slice cucumber
1/2 inch slice pineapple (diced to fit into feeder)
1 lime (peeled)
ice cubes

Put one apple in the chute followed by the beetroot, broccoli, celery, cucumber, pineapple, lime and then 'sandwich' with the other apple. Juice the lot, then add ice to cool. All juices taste better when cool, especially veggie ones!

Choctastic

1 orange
1 inch thick slice of a medium pineapple
4 pieces organic chocolate (use fairtrade, above 80 per cent cocoa solids)
1/2 banana (fairtrade if possible)
3 tablespoons low-fat live yogurt
ice cubes

Juice the orange and pineapple. Grate chocolate into the blender (mind your fingers!) and add banana, yogurt, juice and ice. Blend everything till smooth. The only faff factor for me was the time it took to grate the chocolate as a bit time consuming (particularly when you have two over eager young volunteers trying to steal your ingredients). On the up side, this is an extremely balanced smoothie that tastes naughty but is still extremely good for your kids. I loved it too!

Although if the truth be known, I haven't managed to stick to daily juicing as it's been such a busy time with the summer holidays and work, I am still enjoying trying out different juicing recipes several times a week.

I am also pleased to say that Joshua and Grace are loving the fresh juices which is fantastic considering my chances of getting a piece of beetroot or a celery stick into them normally would probably be slim to none!

I have found that by getting the children involved in making the juices they are very keen to try them as love preparing all the ingredients with me and taking it in turns to put them through the juicer.  They particularly love watching it mix into a smoothie in the blender as I always mix the juices with ice so they are nice and chilled to drink.  Brightly coloured straws also work well for younger children.

Admittedly, washing up the juicer and blender can be a bit of a faff, however, I was given a great tip by a family member (and fellow juicer) that has made life much easier on that front.  When using the juicer remember to put a plastic bag or small bin bag in the bucket part of the juicer that collects all the pulp and waste from the fruit.  This is normally the worst part of emptying and cleaning but with the bag you can simply lift it straight out and throw it in the bin leaving your waste bucket completely clean!  This alone really cuts down the time spent over the sink washing up so a great idea.  Once I've thrown away the used bag I replace it immediately with a fresh one ready for the next juice so I don't forget for next time.

I managed to get the children to try their first juice The Ultimate Health Booster by telling them that it made them grow taller!  I stood with my hand over the tops of their heads and as they drunk it slowly lowered my hand till they could feel it on their heads which made them think they were really growing.  Whether they believed it or not, we certainly had fun watching how much they were growing after each glass full!

The great thing about the 'Keeping it Simple' recipe book by Jason Vale is that it tells you how each juice will benefit you.  The children love me reading out as we prepare them that 'this one will make your bones strong and your hair shiny' etc.

Below are Joshua and Grace's top three juices in order of preference (ironically the one with chocolate in came third on the list!):

The Ultimate Health Booster (nicknamed 'The Growing Drink' by us!)

1 inch slice pineapple
1 apple (Royal Gala or Golden Delicious are best)
1 inch chunk broccoli stem
1 small handful spinach
1/2 stick celery
1/4 inch piece ginger (with skin on)
1 inch slice cucumber
1 small handful watercress
1/2 ripe avocado (de-stoned)
ice cubes

Remember to wash all fruit and veggies first. Juice everything except the avocado. Place the avocado in the blender along with the ice and add juice. Blend until smooth - enjoy!

I actually double or sometimes triple the quantities listed in the ingredients when making this smoothie for the children and my husband and I, so we all get a glass full.  The kids simply love this smoothie and ask for it regularly which is great as is packed full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  The apple and pineapple make it taste sweet and delicious and the ginger gives it a gentle kick!

Reddy, Steady, Go!

2 apples (Golden Delicious or Royal Gala)
1 small raw beetroot
1 small broccoli stem
1 inch slice cucumber
1/2 inch slice pineapple (diced to fit into feeder)
1 lime (peeled)
ice cubes

Put one apple in the chute followed by the beetroot, broccoli, celery, cucumber, pineapple, lime and then 'sandwich' with the other apple. Juice the lot, then add ice to cool. All juices taste better when cool, especially veggie ones!

Choctastic

1 orange
1 inch thick slice of a medium pineapple
4 pieces organic chocolate (use fairtrade, above 80 per cent cocoa solids)
1/2 banana (fairtrade if possible)
3 tablespoons low-fat live yogurt
ice cubes

Juice the orange and pineapple. Grate chocolate into the blender (mind your fingers!) and add banana, yogurt, juice and ice. Blend everything till smooth. The only faff factor for me was the time it took to grate the chocolate as a bit time consuming (particularly when you have two over eager young volunteers trying to steal your ingredients). On the up side, this is an extremely balanced smoothie that tastes naughty but is still extremely good for your kids. I loved it too!

From Home to Eternity...

The night before my 31st birthday and five years into our relationship, whilst walking up a hill from our flat in Sevenoaks for a romantic meal for two, my now wonderful husband, dropped down on one knee and proposed.

It was an amusing proposal to say the least.  I had thought it might happen during a beautiful trip to Rome a few months earlier. Three days into the break we sat sipping cocktails on a swing seat made for two on the roof garden of our hotel, which overlooked the whole of the city.  The sun was setting making all the buildings glow a warm, deep yellow. Now, this, I thought, is the perfect moment....anytime now....oooh nervous(!)....before draining my drink, turning to Brett with a look of resignation and impatience and acknowledging that 'it's not going to happen on this trip then?!' He turned to me with a smile and said 'Nope, but I DO have a plan'...

His plan, was on reflection, more thought out than any rooftop garden in Rome - pah - who needs such props anyway..! So, four months later as we walked up the hill on our way to my birthday meal, I noticed that Brett was suddenly limping. 'Are you okay?' I asked.  'No actually,' he said 'I think I've hurt my leg in the gym'.  He then made several feeble attempts at demonstrating what appeared to be some sort of weight lifting squat, which to be honest I thought slightly strange and unnecessary.  Little did I know it was with the intention of 'dropping to one knee' but passing cars were putting him off.  Almost at the top of the hill and almost out of time, he panicked, faked a stumble and fell to his knee, clutching it overly dramatically whilst groaning 'my knee, my knee'.  I eyed him somewhat concerned and somewhat suspiciously (he wasn't a great actor), before beaming with delight as he looked up, no longer in pretend pain and finally asked me to be his wife!

The next day on my birthday itself, we caught the train to London's Hatton Garden and chose my engagement ring which he then presented to me over a glass of champagne in a cocktail bar in Covent Garden.  It was a weekend I won't forget and far more perfect than I could have imagined.

Fast forward, one house move, one wedding, two children, one bump and nine years later and my 40th birthday is only days away.  Brett and I discussed present ideas and an eternity ring seemed the most special and fitting gift, also in celebration of the impending birth of our third and final child.

So, the trip to London was planned to visit Hatton Garden once more with the view to finding the perfect ring. As we were taking the children we decided to combine it with a trip to the London Aquarium in the afternoon after ring shopping in the morning.  The children were beyond excited, especially as we approached London itself and stared in awe at the impressive landscape, noses and hands pressed to the train window. We arrived in Charing Cross and took the underground to Chancery Lane station before taking the short stroll to Hatton Garden.  It was just as I had remembered it.  We lunched in Costa Coffee which had Brett and I slightly on the edge as Grace in particular decided to pull out her bag of three year old tricks and behave like a little diva for most of the time in there whilst we did our best to appease, control and reprimand her. Other customers eyed my bump (no doubt wondering what madness we were getting ourselves into) whilst I supressed the urge to strap my daughter to a chair with a bag over my head.

On the upside, Grace's diva moment worked in my favour as I slipped away after mutual agreement to do a recce of the jewellery shops.  It didn't take long to find the right shop.  Fittingly called 'Eternity' and ironically right next door to the jewellers we'd bought my engagement ring from, I was presented with a beautiful court shaped half eternity band that sparkled seductively, matched my other rings and fitted perfectly. I rushed back excitedly to Costa to retrieve Brett and the children who were thankfully now more settled. Keen after the last hour of stress to get the job done and despite being a little over budget, Brett bought the ring and we left Hatton Garden lighter in the pocket but happy.

After a quick visit to show Joshua and Grace Daddy's office in Holborn, we caught a cab to South Bank and escaped the queues to get into the aquarium due to our priority entrance tickets.  The children spent the next few hours marvelling at the variety of exotic fish, eyes wide as we passed through the glass tunnel of the aquarium that housed a number of large sharks, a sea turtle and several sting rays to name but a few.  We moved onto the open pool and leaned over to watch the rays swim past, playing to the crowds as they did so by sticking their bodies out of the water and seeming to wave.  Joshua bravely held a crab and we ended our visit with a quick look at the penguin tank as the penguins playfully whizzed passed our noses and tapped their beaks on the glass to say hello.

The London Aquarium..

As the day came to an end, we spent some time enjoying the street performers on the South Bank before heading to the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden for dinner at Maxwells, stopping periodically to take in the various human statues (including an impressive Mr Bean).

Finally, we collapsed happily in the restaurant and soaked up the lively atmosphere while the children chowed down on spaghetti, garlic bread and ice cream.  The waiter presented them with helium balloons which we tied to the backs of their chairs and managed to keep them in their seats by telling them their chairs might take off if they got down. Later, Grace was to lose her balloon into the night sky and amongst heartbroken tears her beautiful big brother kindly gave up his own to sooth her - a proud moment for Brett and I to witness. Back in the restaurant Brett chose a moment to allow me to try my ring on (just as he had all those nine years ago but this time amongst the chaos of spaghetti stained napkins, apple juice and grubby faced children).  He slid it onto my finger whilst announcing that his hands were 'covered in burger juice'.  Who said romance was dead?!

It was a brilliant end to a wonderful day and as we arrived home late into the evening and carried our exhausted sleepy children to bed I rubbed my bump lovingly and couldn't think of a moment when I had felt more content.....

Trains and taxis..

Enjoying the sights of South Bank...

                           

The night before my 31st birthday and five years into our relationship, whilst walking up a hill from our flat in Sevenoaks for a romantic meal for two, my now wonderful husband, dropped down on one knee and proposed.

It was an amusing proposal to say the least.  I had thought it might happen during a beautiful trip to Rome a few months earlier. Three days into the break we sat sipping cocktails on a swing seat made for two on the roof garden of our hotel, which overlooked the whole of the city.  The sun was setting making all the buildings glow a warm, deep yellow. Now, this, I thought, is the perfect moment....anytime now....oooh nervous(!)....before draining my drink, turning to Brett with a look of resignation and impatience and acknowledging that 'it's not going to happen on this trip then?!' He turned to me with a smile and said 'Nope, but I DO have a plan'...

His plan, was on reflection, more thought out than any rooftop garden in Rome - pah - who needs such props anyway..! So, four months later as we walked up the hill on our way to my birthday meal, I noticed that Brett was suddenly limping. 'Are you okay?' I asked.  'No actually,' he said 'I think I've hurt my leg in the gym'.  He then made several feeble attempts at demonstrating what appeared to be some sort of weight lifting squat, which to be honest I thought slightly strange and unnecessary.  Little did I know it was with the intention of 'dropping to one knee' but passing cars were putting him off.  Almost at the top of the hill and almost out of time, he panicked, faked a stumble and fell to his knee, clutching it overly dramatically whilst groaning 'my knee, my knee'.  I eyed him somewhat concerned and somewhat suspiciously (he wasn't a great actor), before beaming with delight as he looked up, no longer in pretend pain and finally asked me to be his wife!

The next day on my birthday itself, we caught the train to London's Hatton Garden and chose my engagement ring which he then presented to me over a glass of champagne in a cocktail bar in Covent Garden.  It was a weekend I won't forget and far more perfect than I could have imagined.

Fast forward, one house move, one wedding, two children, one bump and nine years later and my 40th birthday is only days away.  Brett and I discussed present ideas and an eternity ring seemed the most special and fitting gift, also in celebration of the impending birth of our third and final child.

So, the trip to London was planned to visit Hatton Garden once more with the view to finding the perfect ring. As we were taking the children we decided to combine it with a trip to the London Aquarium in the afternoon after ring shopping in the morning.  The children were beyond excited, especially as we approached London itself and stared in awe at the impressive landscape, noses and hands pressed to the train window. We arrived in Charing Cross and took the underground to Chancery Lane station before taking the short stroll to Hatton Garden.  It was just as I had remembered it.  We lunched in Costa Coffee which had Brett and I slightly on the edge as Grace in particular decided to pull out her bag of three year old tricks and behave like a little diva for most of the time in there whilst we did our best to appease, control and reprimand her. Other customers eyed my bump (no doubt wondering what madness we were getting ourselves into) whilst I supressed the urge to strap my daughter to a chair with a bag over my head.

On the upside, Grace's diva moment worked in my favour as I slipped away after mutual agreement to do a recce of the jewellery shops.  It didn't take long to find the right shop.  Fittingly called 'Eternity' and ironically right next door to the jewellers we'd bought my engagement ring from, I was presented with a beautiful court shaped half eternity band that sparkled seductively, matched my other rings and fitted perfectly. I rushed back excitedly to Costa to retrieve Brett and the children who were thankfully now more settled. Keen after the last hour of stress to get the job done and despite being a little over budget, Brett bought the ring and we left Hatton Garden lighter in the pocket but happy.

After a quick visit to show Joshua and Grace Daddy's office in Holborn, we caught a cab to South Bank and escaped the queues to get into the aquarium due to our priority entrance tickets.  The children spent the next few hours marvelling at the variety of exotic fish, eyes wide as we passed through the glass tunnel of the aquarium that housed a number of large sharks, a sea turtle and several sting rays to name but a few.  We moved onto the open pool and leaned over to watch the rays swim past, playing to the crowds as they did so by sticking their bodies out of the water and seeming to wave.  Joshua bravely held a crab and we ended our visit with a quick look at the penguin tank as the penguins playfully whizzed passed our noses and tapped their beaks on the glass to say hello.

The London Aquarium..

As the day came to an end, we spent some time enjoying the street performers on the South Bank before heading to the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden for dinner at Maxwells, stopping periodically to take in the various human statues (including an impressive Mr Bean).

Finally, we collapsed happily in the restaurant and soaked up the lively atmosphere while the children chowed down on spaghetti, garlic bread and ice cream.  The waiter presented them with helium balloons which we tied to the backs of their chairs and managed to keep them in their seats by telling them their chairs might take off if they got down. Later, Grace was to lose her balloon into the night sky and amongst heartbroken tears her beautiful big brother kindly gave up his own to sooth her - a proud moment for Brett and I to witness. Back in the restaurant Brett chose a moment to allow me to try my ring on (just as he had all those nine years ago but this time amongst the chaos of spaghetti stained napkins, apple juice and grubby faced children).  He slid it onto my finger whilst announcing that his hands were 'covered in burger juice'.  Who said romance was dead?!

It was a brilliant end to a wonderful day and as we arrived home late into the evening and carried our exhausted sleepy children to bed I rubbed my bump lovingly and couldn't think of a moment when I had felt more content.....

Trains and taxis..

Enjoying the sights of South Bank...

                           

Spinning plates

Last week marked the end of the summer break with (dare I say it!) a very welcome return to the routine of school! Over the last week I have found myself reflecting on how crazy the summer holidays had been. As any Mum will know, having to entertain the children for 6 weeks solid without a break can be both exhausting and stressful (with, I must add, a great deal of fun too when they are not, that is, fighting over what feels like everything imaginable!).

Unfortunately, the summer holidays for me also coincides with my busiest ever time work-wise as is slap bang in the middle of wedding season. So, a good few of my weekends were spent either photographing weddings or in the studio. My week days were spent attempting to keep some semblance of order in the house whilst coming up with fun activities for the children and my evenings and every other spare moment were spent at my desk editing and trying desperately to keep on top of my workload, meaning bedtime was often way past midnight.  Throw into the mix being tired from being in my second trimester of pregnancy and I admit I was finding things tough.

It was all of these things that made me think hard about what I was trying to achieve with my life and why I wanted this third baby.  I am really passionate about my work and LOVE my job as a photographer but at the same time I've realised that although life with three children will hopefully be wonderful it will definitely not be easier!

One night on my way to bed, I followed my nightly ritual of checking on the children but this time paused for a moment and sat quietly on the edge of their beds and watched them as they slept so peacefully.  I love watching my children sleep, partly because 'hurrah' they're asleep(!) but mainly because it is whilst sitting there in the sereneness of that moment that I can truly appreciate all I have in them. They both looked so beautiful and I realised how quickly they are growing and that these are years you simply don't get back.  I sat and wondered if I was allowing myself enough time to enjoy this stage or whether I was instead simply spinning too many plates.

I feel my kids have a great life with lots of friends and over the holidays we spent many lovely days doing fun things.  However, there have also been times when Mummy has been simply too busy to enjoy one on one time with them as there has always it seemed been something more pressing to do.  I am the main carer in the week and my husband often has been on the weekend.

So once I've got my current work commitments signed off, I am looking forward to slowing down a little for the meantime and spending more quality time together as a family and enjoying those one on one moments a little more than I've had time for of late.  It would also be good to squeeze in a little bit of 'me' time if at all possible before the baby arrives!  I have two books sat on my bedside table still waiting to be opened!

I have a few weddings already booked for next year which I am greatly looking forward to but for now think I'll put the rest on hold until I've had at least six months to bond with and enjoy the baby.  Oh and my strategy for next summer is to make sure my husband takes at least a week off during the holidays so we can enjoy some time together as a five piece and I can keep those spinning plates from falling on my head!

Last week marked the end of the summer break with (dare I say it!) a very welcome return to the routine of school! Over the last week I have found myself reflecting on how crazy the summer holidays had been. As any Mum will know, having to entertain the children for 6 weeks solid without a break can be both exhausting and stressful (with, I must add, a great deal of fun too when they are not, that is, fighting over what feels like everything imaginable!).

Unfortunately, the summer holidays for me also coincides with my busiest ever time work-wise as is slap bang in the middle of wedding season. So, a good few of my weekends were spent either photographing weddings or in the studio. My week days were spent attempting to keep some semblance of order in the house whilst coming up with fun activities for the children and my evenings and every other spare moment were spent at my desk editing and trying desperately to keep on top of my workload, meaning bedtime was often way past midnight.  Throw into the mix being tired from being in my second trimester of pregnancy and I admit I was finding things tough.

It was all of these things that made me think hard about what I was trying to achieve with my life and why I wanted this third baby.  I am really passionate about my work and LOVE my job as a photographer but at the same time I've realised that although life with three children will hopefully be wonderful it will definitely not be easier!

One night on my way to bed, I followed my nightly ritual of checking on the children but this time paused for a moment and sat quietly on the edge of their beds and watched them as they slept so peacefully.  I love watching my children sleep, partly because 'hurrah' they're asleep(!) but mainly because it is whilst sitting there in the sereneness of that moment that I can truly appreciate all I have in them. They both looked so beautiful and I realised how quickly they are growing and that these are years you simply don't get back.  I sat and wondered if I was allowing myself enough time to enjoy this stage or whether I was instead simply spinning too many plates.

I feel my kids have a great life with lots of friends and over the holidays we spent many lovely days doing fun things.  However, there have also been times when Mummy has been simply too busy to enjoy one on one time with them as there has always it seemed been something more pressing to do.  I am the main carer in the week and my husband often has been on the weekend.

So once I've got my current work commitments signed off, I am looking forward to slowing down a little for the meantime and spending more quality time together as a family and enjoying those one on one moments a little more than I've had time for of late.  It would also be good to squeeze in a little bit of 'me' time if at all possible before the baby arrives!  I have two books sat on my bedside table still waiting to be opened!

I have a few weddings already booked for next year which I am greatly looking forward to but for now think I'll put the rest on hold until I've had at least six months to bond with and enjoy the baby.  Oh and my strategy for next summer is to make sure my husband takes at least a week off during the holidays so we can enjoy some time together as a five piece and I can keep those spinning plates from falling on my head!

Benefit Watt's Up!

I found out about this great little buy from another blogger so thought I'd try it out!  I have to say I've fallen in love with this product.  This is what it says on the box - a highlight for the face.  I wear it along the tops of my cheekbones and around my temple area to give my skin a more dewy appearance.

It is really easy to apply and has a great little sponge applicator (as seen) to help blend it into your skin.  The great thing about it, is it doesn't clog up your skin or emphasise lines and instead bounces light to make your skin look fresher.  Definitely worth a look!

I found out about this great little buy from another blogger so thought I'd try it out!  I have to say I've fallen in love with this product.  This is what it says on the box - a highlight for the face.  I wear it along the tops of my cheekbones and around my temple area to give my skin a more dewy appearance.

It is really easy to apply and has a great little sponge applicator (as seen) to help blend it into your skin.  The great thing about it, is it doesn't clog up your skin or emphasise lines and instead bounces light to make your skin look fresher.  Definitely worth a look!

Week 24 - A party and new specs

Week 24 started on a high with a trip to the Cotswolds for Brett and I. This was a rare grown up weekend away minus the children who were happily enjoying their own weekend of fun with the grandparents.

The reason for our trip was to visit our good friends Lucy and Ashley and to celebrate Ashley's 40th birthday for which there was to be a 70's 'Americana' themed party. I really struggled with the theme as being pregnant limited my outfit choices. Brett thought it would be amusing if I went as a pregnant Wonder Woman but funnily enough I wasn't really into the idea of hot pants and so went as a hippy instead! Brett opted for Clark Kent (basically dressed like a geeky hack with a Superman t-shirt subtlety showing underneath).

We stayed in a lovely boutique hotel called The Ormond in Tetbury where we had a couple of hours to unwind before heading off to the party.  It was a fab night with a great crowd and a brilliant Ministry of Sound DJ. Bump and I boogied the night away whilst my husband got quietly sozzled. He certainly made the most of his rare night of drinking, knowing there wouldn't be children climbing on his head at 7 in the morning (although I think he thought an elephant had trampled on it instead when he woke on the Sunday!).

Week 24 was also the week that I picked up my first ever pair of reading glasses!  I had noticed for some time (prior to pregnancy) that things were starting to look a little hazy when reading and I was having to hold whatever I was reading at arms length. It was only when Brett attempted to show me something on his rather paltry Blackberry screen and I protested 'I can't read that!' that he suggested I go and get my eyes tested.

I have heard that you shouldn't really get glasses when you're pregnant as the hormones can affect your vision apparently.  But after a long chat with the optometrist in Vision Express about the matter, I was reassured it was only in cases where the patient noticed a fluctuation in their sight, that it would be considered less reliable and after all I had been avoiding the matter for some time.  So a weak prescription was prescribed and then it was just down to the task of picking the frames.

Bearing in mind I have a rather slim face or okay a 'bean head' as Brett so fondly refers to it, finding a pair of glasses was not an easy task.  I even meandered over to the kids section after some exhaustive attempts at a selection in the ladies bit but really couldn't bring myself to wear something with Mickey Mouse or 'Disney Princess' on the side. So, off I stomped to Boots in the hope of a better selection and frankly a less 'honest' opinion, fed up with the sympathetic looks from the Vision Express staff who clearly felt sorry for me and my little head.

Having narrowed down the type of frames I liked, the assistant in Boots was much more what I was looking for and made me feel like my head was actually rather normally sized again and scoffed at the suggestion it was anything but. I liked this girl even if she did tell me on trying one particular pair that I looked 'frankly, ridiculous'. Finally we found a pair I liked and that was that.

The appointment to collect the glasses a week later at Boots wasn't quite as I expected.  After some toing and froing from the optician to try and get them to fit me properly around the ears, a more senior optician came over with a polite frown to tell me she wasn't happy with how they were fitting (noooo, not my little head problem again!). She promptly picked out a much more expensive pair of Nicole Farhi ones instead for me to try. Satisfied that these were 'much better' she informed me that I wouldn't have to pay any extra for them as it was important that the frames were right. Bonus!

I somehow managed to convince her to let me hold onto the other pair too (which I do still like) and so now have two pairs to choose from which works for me.  Wearing the glasses has taken a little getting used to. First of all I wasn't quite prepared for how much everything would be 'in focus'.  It felt like seeing the world bigger and in 3D and I kept finding myself at my desk for the first few hours putting them on and then taking them off again to see which felt better.

I have since got used to my new world and a week on find myself struggling to work without them.  It's a bit like getting HD on your Sky box and then flicking back, you didn't notice before but now you have it, you only want the best version!

Week 24 started on a high with a trip to the Cotswolds for Brett and I. This was a rare grown up weekend away minus the children who were happily enjoying their own weekend of fun with the grandparents.

The reason for our trip was to visit our good friends Lucy and Ashley and to celebrate Ashley's 40th birthday for which there was to be a 70's 'Americana' themed party. I really struggled with the theme as being pregnant limited my outfit choices. Brett thought it would be amusing if I went as a pregnant Wonder Woman but funnily enough I wasn't really into the idea of hot pants and so went as a hippy instead! Brett opted for Clark Kent (basically dressed like a geeky hack with a Superman t-shirt subtlety showing underneath).

We stayed in a lovely boutique hotel called The Ormond in Tetbury where we had a couple of hours to unwind before heading off to the party.  It was a fab night with a great crowd and a brilliant Ministry of Sound DJ. Bump and I boogied the night away whilst my husband got quietly sozzled. He certainly made the most of his rare night of drinking, knowing there wouldn't be children climbing on his head at 7 in the morning (although I think he thought an elephant had trampled on it instead when he woke on the Sunday!).

Week 24 was also the week that I picked up my first ever pair of reading glasses!  I had noticed for some time (prior to pregnancy) that things were starting to look a little hazy when reading and I was having to hold whatever I was reading at arms length. It was only when Brett attempted to show me something on his rather paltry Blackberry screen and I protested 'I can't read that!' that he suggested I go and get my eyes tested.

I have heard that you shouldn't really get glasses when you're pregnant as the hormones can affect your vision apparently.  But after a long chat with the optometrist in Vision Express about the matter, I was reassured it was only in cases where the patient noticed a fluctuation in their sight, that it would be considered less reliable and after all I had been avoiding the matter for some time.  So a weak prescription was prescribed and then it was just down to the task of picking the frames.

Bearing in mind I have a rather slim face or okay a 'bean head' as Brett so fondly refers to it, finding a pair of glasses was not an easy task.  I even meandered over to the kids section after some exhaustive attempts at a selection in the ladies bit but really couldn't bring myself to wear something with Mickey Mouse or 'Disney Princess' on the side. So, off I stomped to Boots in the hope of a better selection and frankly a less 'honest' opinion, fed up with the sympathetic looks from the Vision Express staff who clearly felt sorry for me and my little head.

Having narrowed down the type of frames I liked, the assistant in Boots was much more what I was looking for and made me feel like my head was actually rather normally sized again and scoffed at the suggestion it was anything but. I liked this girl even if she did tell me on trying one particular pair that I looked 'frankly, ridiculous'. Finally we found a pair I liked and that was that.

The appointment to collect the glasses a week later at Boots wasn't quite as I expected.  After some toing and froing from the optician to try and get them to fit me properly around the ears, a more senior optician came over with a polite frown to tell me she wasn't happy with how they were fitting (noooo, not my little head problem again!). She promptly picked out a much more expensive pair of Nicole Farhi ones instead for me to try. Satisfied that these were 'much better' she informed me that I wouldn't have to pay any extra for them as it was important that the frames were right. Bonus!

I somehow managed to convince her to let me hold onto the other pair too (which I do still like) and so now have two pairs to choose from which works for me.  Wearing the glasses has taken a little getting used to. First of all I wasn't quite prepared for how much everything would be 'in focus'.  It felt like seeing the world bigger and in 3D and I kept finding myself at my desk for the first few hours putting them on and then taking them off again to see which felt better.

I have since got used to my new world and a week on find myself struggling to work without them.  It's a bit like getting HD on your Sky box and then flicking back, you didn't notice before but now you have it, you only want the best version!