Well I finally went over to the other side! (In more ways than one)

All my life, I've always made a point to stand out from the crowd. Whatever Everyone else raved about, I failed to see the hype (except for Barbie & High school Musical) For example at boarding school when Harry Potter was doing the rounds in the dorms, I stayed away. In fact I didn't fall for the potter hype till last year. For my Bridal Shower, We went to see Half Blood Prince.... I saw that first before I finally started from the beginning on DH's DVD's ( Yes it was in my house and I never saw it) Same with the Apple Hype.. When Everyone wanted an iPod mini ( remember those?) I went for the creative zen..but today was the day that I got me an iPhone. Yes I'm no longer loyal to the Microsoft Brigade. I have an Apple product! It is a thing of beauty! I can't stop staring at it! When i put it beside my loyal Sony Ericsson w595 pink, you just can compare!
You know how I was going to be a good steward and not come off birth control till September? Well my impatience won and i'm 2 pills away from freedom! you know what I'm not sorry! The more I think about this TTC journey, the more I pray about it, The more I feel at peace. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a little anxious- especially about the way society will view me. I'm the girl whose sixth form English tutor called a feminist. I've never owned that label but I must admit my views on equality are quite staunch. But I'm also the girl who read about Submission ( Which was a bitter pill to swallow) and found out that I like submitting to my DH. He loves me and makes decisions along with me but in my head I realise he is the head of our home. I feel at peace because once we made the decision to begin our journey to parenthood in earnest, I got mega excited about it. We're ready. Even if the rest of our folks aren't. I don't think either of the moms want to be grandmas yet.

On another note, I'm off to the beautiful city of bath for a week and after that we move so this is bye-bye for a couple of weeks. I will bring back pics from the land that played home to my ultimate literary heroine - Jane Austen.
Till then,

x

Baby Bucket List Update

Well, After a chat with my GP (DOCTOR) today, I've officially given in to my heart and have stocked up on folic acid and my health kick has kicked up a gear.
I've been reading "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler and also "The Baby-Making Bible" by Emma Cannon. My DH is so excited! I'm really chuffed with my decision to begin! WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOO! From now on you can find my updated bucket-list in the column of my blog so as to follow my progress. I'm off to make dinner!

UPDATE: Pre-Conception Checklist - Courtesy of The Bump ( Tweaked to fit my needs)

Getting pregnant
[ ✔ ] Kick the pill
[ ] Figure out when you’re ovulating
[ ] Learn to record cervical mucus texture
[✔] Read up on conception and ovulation basics
[ ✔] Potential daddies -- stayout of Jacuzzis
[ ✔] Consider charting basal body temperature
[ ✔] Potential daddies -- trade in the briefs for boxers
[ ✔ ] Think about an ovulation predictor kit
[ ] Have sex!
[ ] Lose the lube
[ ] Find the right position
[ ] Spice it up in the bedroom

Diet & fitness
[ ] Work on getting any weight problems under control (I'm on it - Lost 11lbs so far - 1 Stone 3lbs to go!)
[ ✔] If either of you smoke,quit -Didn't to begin with!
[✔ ] Get on prenatal vitamins (I'm on folic acid)
[ ✔ ] Balance out your diet
[✔ ] Get moving
[ ✔] Start weaning yourself off alcohol
[ ✔ ] Begin limiting the lattes
[ ✔ ] Scale back on extreme exercise
[ ] Decrease your stress
[ ] Get plenty of sleep
[ ✔ ] Potential daddies -- avoid cottonseed oils

Doctors, tests & checkups
[✔ ] Interview OB/GYNS - In the UK you register with a surgery and they take care of your family.
[✔ ] Schedule a preconception checkup
[ ✔ ] Make a list of preconception checkup questions
[✔ ] Discuss your (and your partner’s) medical history with the doc
[✔ ] Get immunized
[ ] Visit the dentist
[ ] Talk to your doc about genetic testing

Money & Home
[ ✔ ] Talk it out -- make sure you and your partner are on the same baby-making page
[ ] Check your home for harsh chemicals and asbestos
[✔ ] Plan a baby budget

Marriage Day Trip: Exbury Gardens

So when we were preparing for marriage, We took a pre-marriage course developed by Nick and Sila Lee of Holy Trinity Brompton. Aptly named " The Marriage Preparation Course".
During the course we learnt sooooo much about ourselves and each other. We also learnt a few principles to ensure we stay connected even through hectic times. One such is the "marriage day". Basically like date night. All through our relatively short marriage, we have tried to ensure that we keep saturdays as our marriage day. even if we spend it lazying in bed or cleaning together. the important thing is that we talk.
However, there are some occasions when we have spare cash and so we rent a car and go somewhere. On the 26th june, It was a particularly sunny day so Mark & I took the day to enjoy the weather the best way we know how - Picnics, Nature & Shopping!
We chose to visit Exbury Gardens which is located in the heart of the New Forest. We enjoyed it but I felt cheated as the train conductor kept talking about how the gardens are at their most beautiful in May! We made the best of it!
The highlights of Exbury Gardens were the picnic by the pond, The train ride & the gift shop!
We also stopped by Lyndhurst - brought back fond memories! bought some venison steak (for mark) and I resisted at a book fair.
We saw ponies and cows.
Fun Day.

Enjoy the pics!











If you'd like some more pics, Click here.

Changes

Over the last two weeks things have been on the move in the Benton household. The biggest news is that we're moving! Actually moving not just talking about it - We are! We've been packing up our first nest and a part of me wants to yell out to DH, "YOU CAN'T PACK THOSE UP! THIS IS OUR HOME!!!" But I know that it is a great idea to move.

Where's Wally?

We currently live in a one bed flat. Pretty big for poorish newlyweds. I love this flat it is where we've had our most romantic moments (DH lived here before we got married) we literally had our first year of marriage in this home seeing as we're moving on our anniversary weekend -what genius thought that up!? Currently, I'm trying to ignore a torrent of boxes in our living room as I watch me some Oprah but it lives me feeling unsettled.

Such a State!

You see I moved a lot as a kid. When it wasn't our family moving to new towns or even continents, It was me moving from home to boarding school or home to university and vice versa. So I resolved to not move my family much when I have them.
Why then are you moving you ask?
Well our friends bought this 2 bed flat with a south facing garden just outside our city (i say city think town, it is an old Roman city so pretty small)and they were going to rent it for £50 more than we're paying for our 1 bed flat, well the bargain hunter in me piped up and decided that it was much too good an offer to miss out on. So we asked to rent it. The 2nd bedroom will be a guest/sewing room until our little one arrives - then it'll be our nursery. The only downside to the new place is the bathroom. It is standard size but having got used to our colossal one complete with corner bath, it just seems small. A small price to pay for a beautiful flat. I'll get to do more gardening now which I'm excited about, DH is really looking forward to alfresco dining which I admit sounds really cool!

He Is Such A Poser!

Another change is that there is a possibility that my Baby Bucket list might get the boot! I'm really struggling to wait until everything is checked before we begin ttc! I even wanted to stop my pill right in the middle of the pack but I hate waste and since we are lucky in this country to get free contraceptives (we have the highest rate of teen pregnancy in Europe!) I feel that I should be a good steward and use up all the pills I have left ( 2.5 strips) This idea when broached with DH got my handsome prince all excited because in our marriage He is VERY ready for children right now and I'm the one putting brakes on so I'm quite lucky that I've got his support already however I feel bad not giving in to the one thing that would make him even happier. I have also been wrestling with the age old question of Career then Kids? or Kids then Career? This is something that I've often pondered but it seems to have consumed me this past week. But that's another blog post!
You see I told you, It's all go here!

Review: 42nd Street at the CFT

DH & I went to see the Chichester Festival Theatre's Production of the Broadway classic 42nd Street on the 25th June. I really enjoyed it which surprised me. Why? you ask, Well It's not really my type of musical. My favourite show is Phantom Of the Opera , followed by Oklahoma then Legally Blonde. Quite an eclectic choice but 42nd Street doesn't fit in there does it?
For those of you who don't know the show, It is about the rise to stardom of a Broadway virgin who begins her career as a chorus girl but eventually gets cast as the leading lady. Well that's the first thing this musical has going for it. The plot. Who doesn't like a great rags to riches story? I predict this show to be a success in Britain because we love the underdogs!
This production was musically directed by Julian Kelly a guy who has a bit of a reputation as a legend round this parts so I was expecting a good production. Jill Green, the casting director as did a good job but I know her work as she was responsible for the cast of Oklahoma that we saw last summer. The magic of the theatre prevailed as I was transported to 1930's New York. In the middle of the depression with the threat of the Breadline hanging over most people, the cast were able to translate that atmosphere to present day Chichester. The costumes, dancing and music all added up to a dazzling performance. I left the theatre buzzing thanks to the amazing commitment to this musical in its centenary year by such a talented cast.
To Top it off We saw it for free thanks to the Arts Council and the "A Night Less Ordinary Scheme" which focuses on inviting the U26 to experience the theatre but DH & I are theatre bugs so it works in our favour. Who says there's nothing like a free lunch eh?
Here's a rendition of the most famous song in the musical.

The Self -Titled 42nd Street

However my favourite is:

We're In The Money

Well enjoy! Isn't the Tap just fantastic!?
After we got back, we made ourselves a cocktail - sea breeze!
What an end to a beautiful night!

I interrupt this programme to bring you breaking news!

I just found out I got a 2.1 in my degree!!! I get to graduate beautifully! For my American readers, I know we work in a different way to you so I'll explain. You go by GPA, We go by classification.

a 1st - Is the highest you can go.

a 2.1 - 2nd highest

then comes:
a 2.2

a third

and then finally an ordinary degree , no classification, no honours.

So this means I graduate with honours!
I was being cautious so I didn't order my gown or send in my attendance slip but now yep I'm off to sort out my graduation! I'm so happy. All my hardwork paid off and now all I need is a job!
I'll be back with a theatre show review later today but for now adieu!