2010 in Review

Seeing as this is likely to be my final post this year, I have decided to look back on 2010 as it was such an amazing year for me.

January:  We saw the New year in by going to see Legally Blonde the Musical & the fireworks in London. At the same time, the pressure was upped at University with my dissertation deadline looming. I also caught Swine Flu, to recover DH & I escaped to an 18th century cottage in Devon for a long weekend.  It was absolutely bliss. I also got me a teaching interview to begin my teacher training -

February:  Teaching wasn't meant to be. Still felt lost as all of a sudden, I had no career focus. But I just trusted in God and focused on completing my degree well. Dissertation stress could be felt.

March: Baby fever began to encroach on our nest. Suppressed my desire my thinking, I still had Vaginismus to overcome, Degree still to complete & no space for baby in our apartment.

April: Started to look for a new apartment, We went to Spring Harvest 2010 at Minehead, came home feeling refreshed. Celebrated my mum's 50th with a HUGE party planned by moi. Was proud of the decor & smoothness of the catering staff. I finished my Dissertation - unphanthomable relief. No time to rest other modules needed to be completed.

May: decided to quit applying for random jobs, applied for an internship with Macmillan Cancer Support. Did a lot of temp work. Baby fever reached its highest point. Found an appartment - Our friends just bought it & were looking to rent it. Big Church Day Out 2010 - Awesome day!!!! Graduated from my Psychosexual Therapist - bye bye Vaginismus!

June: Decided not to start my new pill packet.

July: Voluntered at Monkton, Bath. Took time to pray about decision to start our family. Scary time as My heart wanted it but my head completely rejected it. Reasons being: No career just yet. After my time in Bath, I realised it was a stupid reason. Finally on the same page with DH. 1st year Anniversary - married to the man of my dreams! We moved apartments. Found out I got a 2.1 degree.

August: BFP!!!! Lil' Bean is conceived. God performs miracles. An easy conception despite PCOS & anxiety carried over from Vaginismus.

September: I turn 22, get my first fulltime Job working in a charity, dealt with Morning sickness.

October: Still pregnant - phew! had my Graduation!

November: Morning Sickness finally dissapates, Struggling with work but praying for patience.

December: Finally getting the glow people chat about, Did my BIG chop - loving my new look, married 1.5 years to my hubby, over halfway in pregnancy, Christmas was really cool. Off to Paris for New Years which will conclude my baby bucket list!


Happy New Year everyone. Thank you for following & supporting me throughout this year. My prayer is that 2011 is twice as fun & blessing filled for you all!

Lil Bean at 21 weeks

Ok so I'm over halfway in my pregnancy & I think I'm finally enjoying the 'honeymoon' period that people have been talking about. It hasn't been easy though, I have really bad hip / back ache since 10 weeks gestation & as Lil bean got bigger it got harder to sleep on my sides but I bought the Mothercare Pregnancy pillow. At first I really didn't know how to use it but after a week it became a definite pregnancy staple. During the day, I wrap it around me when I'm sitting on the sofa & at night I put it between my knees & it really helps with the pain but I find I still have to swap sides during the night. But at least I'm getting some sleep right?
On the 8th We had the anomaly scan, Lil Bean was much bigger than I last remembered, It was so cool seeing Lil bean moving about. All measurements were normal. The only thing that was missing was the fact that Lil bean refused to show the sonographer his/her face. We tried for 20 mins to get Lil bean to turn but nothing. I think  Lil bean was just too comfy as before the scan I had a Beautiful Bump massage at Champneys. Just before she gave up & asked us to come back for a rescan, DH & i asked if she could see Lil bean's gender & after the usual " This is just my opinion" speech she showed it to us..... We're Having a Boy!!!!!

I ACTUALLY DID IT! - My Big Chop

Well today marks the start of a new phase in my life. I had my big chop today and I'm presently rocking a TWA (TEENY WEENY AFRO) i have to say that I was in shock after my friend Natalie was done cutting my hair & DH brought the full length mirror in. I just kept laughing & putting my hands in my hair. The last time I had such short hair was in 1999. My hubby made a comment that stayed with me. " YOU LOOK AWSOME! I'm shocked we've never seen your curls as ever since I've known you, you've always used starighteners." It is true you know, I loved straight hair & so this is a journey of discovery for both of us. I was worried that he wouldn't find me attractive anymore, especially now that the pregnancy hormones are giving me a refresher course in Spotty teenager! mY only grace is that at least the zits aren't on my face!  It is so great that he actually genuinely loves my hair. I was shocked to find that my hair is curlier than I expected.
I have a lot to learn though because even though I was a pro at caring for my relaxed hair, I'm a complete novice when it comes to my natural hair.
I've got the following resources to help me:

www.youtube.com - Has tons of vids about regimens, TWA & Big Chops ( I used for inspiration)
curly Nikki
british curlies
Going Natural by Mirielle Liong-A-Kong
Curly Girl by Lorraine Massey

As time passes I will put together a regime & tools that have helped me. Below are pics & a vid from the deed!

 So here is my nEW LOOK:

Sorry about the quality...my iphone's camera is rubbish!
If you have transitioned from Relaxed to Natural or have always been natural then I'd appreciate some tips! I'm soooooo pleased!

Willy or Lily? That's the question.

So I've hit 19 weeks today and in 2 days We find out what lil' bean is. Is Lil bean a strapping little man or an equally strapping little girl. To be honest one can't decide what I'm carrying. So much for the Mother's instinct...I guess mine hasn't kicked in just yet.
At first I was convinced I was carrying a girl but people keep saying that it is a boy & so now I'm not so sure. My bump is quite round and absolutely beautiful minus the hairyness.. So I don't know what that means. Whatever it means doesn't really matter because at the end of the day, It is Lil bean we're talking about. My precious gift from God. Willy or Lily, this baby is going to be so loved by us. Lil bean is even more loved by God. Check this out Psalm 139 vs 13-16 (The Message Transation):

^13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
      you formed me in my mother's womb.
   I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
      Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
      I worship in adoration—what a creation!
   You know me inside and out,
      you know every bone in my body;
   You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
      how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
   Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
      all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
   The days of my life all prepared
      before I'd even lived one day.


That just fills me with so much awe! So come Wednesday, We won't be obsessing about the Willy or the Lily, We'll be more concerned about keeping it a secret especially from you all my blogosphere friends! I bet I'll let it slip!