Twenty Seven Weeks and reporting live from Ohio!

Good Afternoon, from Painesville, Ohio!

 

(I love everything about this photo.  Firstly, my sister holding the chalkboard.  Secondly, the chalkboard is the one we used to play with when we played teachers - and I was always the teacher.  Thirdly, the stairs are the ONLY location in the house for taking posed photos.  And finally, my dad took the picture on my iPhone and did a burst photo - taking nine shots of the same.  I LOVE being home!)
 
How far along:  Twenty-seven Weeks!

Weight Gain:  16 Pounds and counting.  I cannot believe it's not more than that with the amount I've been eating....

Maternity Clothes:  Mom and I went shopping in Legacy Village the other day and stumbled upon a HUGE Maternity shop (seriously - it was like the size of a normal shop with ALL maternity clothes.  My mouth was permanently dropped in shock!).  They had a huge collection of clothes from the brand A Pea in the Pod - totally adorable (and a bit out of my budget).  I got these jeans on sale and I'm practically living in them!

Stretch Marks:  I'm horrified to admit it....I've spotted some lines creeping their way across my chest.  Panic set in until B said "You worked hard for those stripes! Be proud!"

Belly Button:  It's starting to poke out of my shirt ever so slightly.  I'm not sure how I feel about an outie - but at least I know it goes back to normal eventually!

Queasy or Sick:   Mostly, I'm ok.  I was worried about the time difference, but that hasn't seemed to make a difference at all.  I have little flashes of nausea, but I'm fairly quick to take some B6 and eat some crackers before it gets too bad.

Sleep:  Also not bad!  I'm waking up early, but I don't mind as it gives me time to write a post or have first dibs on breakfast (Eggo Waffles......)

 Best Moment of the Week:  Coming home has been the obvious best moment of the week.  What made it even better was when my dad left the other night to help my Aunt out and returned with my brother, Brian, who is living and working in Texas.  I was shocked!  My whole family is back under one roof and I couldn't be happier!

Worst Moment of the Week:   I thought being a pregnant woman traveling on her own people would offer to help when I was struggling to lift my bag into the overhead bin....Nope.  I was barged into more than once, ignored when I was trying to lift things and even sighed at once when I was walking too slow!  There was one woman in Cleveland who offered to carry my bag up a flight of stairs after we landed - but she was it!

 Miss Anything:  B!  I hate being here when he is back home.  Baby McBerry went crazy kicking the other day when we were on Skype - I think it misses hearing his voice (although perhaps not his pokes and prods!)

 Movement:   Baby has been quite quiet recently. I'm not sure if it's the time difference, but I haven't felt it moving about nearly as much.  B said it's probably because I'm busier than I was in England, which could be the case.  Erin and Mom managed to feel a kick the other day, so they were happy!

 Cravings:   I've managed to polish off a Sam's Club punnet of Raspberries AND Strawberries.  I'm not even sorry about it.  You would believe the SIZE - nor would you believe the PRICE.  ($3.98 for 2 pounds.....!!!!)

 Looking forward to: The Baby Shower tomorrow plus visits with Family and Friends this week before I have to head back home.  I'm having an amazing time and it's making me want to stay forever.  I'm sure Mom and Dad wouldn't mind if B and I just move in here and stay?


I have had such a blast being home.  I've been homesick for awhile now, so this was exactly what I needed to help get me out of my funk.  It's been FREEZING compared to England, but luckily my grandmother's pink coat (circa 1940?) fits around my growing belly!

Aside from seeing my awesome family, the one thing I really love about coming back is the fact that nothing has really changed here.  I realised I've been living in England for nearly a decade.  That's a REALLY long time!!

But everything seems familiar - almost as though old fashioned values die hard.  People still talk to you randomly in the shop - just striking up conversation because they overhear you say something or see you looking at something they are also interested in.  You can still pay in shops with cheques.  You go out to socialise with friends after dinner in a bar.  You just drop in on people for a visit, unannounced.  Geeze - I miss it here.

I've had some proper bonding time with everyone - which is exactly what I needed.  The girls headed out for nails and a "light" lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (Have you seen their menu?!). I forget that when you order a half salad/pizza combination it's pretty much the size of a regular portion in England.

 
 (At Jack Aarra's Spa in Concord)


 (Casear salad and Margherita Pizza)

I feel like everything I've done so far has revolved around food.  Mom, Erin and I went to Menchie's - a Frozen yogurt bar which B was obsessed with when he visited here.  You get to fill your own cup with frozen yogurt, toppings and then pay by weight when you are satisfied.  We were very satisfied.



Gartman's Model Bakery in Downtown Painesville is STILL running, STILL smells the same and STILL does the best doughnuts I've ever tasted (since 1898 - Now, that's History to us Americans).  It was like stepping into my childhood when we went in there for a cheeky treat the other day.
 
 
Speaking of Frozen, we had a family film night watching it.  I saw it on the plane and pretty much cried the whole time and was more than happy when my sister suggested watching it the other night.  I'm in love with it!  Why hadn't I seen it sooner?  Best Disney film ever?  I'm thinking it could be up there.... 



Priceless time spent at home....I couldn't have asked for a better Easter Holiday.  I defiantly can't wait for the Shower tomorrow!

Xx

Cornwall - Part TWO!

I was so excited, I couldn't wait to post Part TWO of our Cornwall holiday!  On Day three we hit the roads and did a mini tour of north Cornwall.  

Port Isaac was our first stop - it is one of the more popular places to visit as an English tv show Doc Martin was filmed there.

It was another beautiful day, so we didn't mind stopping for a cup of tea by this cracking view.

Following that, we travelled up to Trebarwith Strand.  It was what looked like a tiny little beach near Tintagel, but when we actually got out to explore we saw it was a massive stretch complete with rock pools, pirate caves and about a hundred surfers!  As the sun was hiding, we decided to explore the caves.

I couldn't help having a little splash in the water (freezing water, I should add!) before we left.

We then headed north to Boscastle - famous for PASTIES!  Being a vegetarian, I never get to try the exciting flavours, but you can't go wrong with a good old vegetable pasty.  

I have never seen the tide so low in Cornwall - usually this area is completely covered in water!

When we returned to Bude we thought we had better make the most of the sunshine and had fish and chips and a halloumi salad on the beach.  We brought some Blue Moon (YAY to this being sold in the UK!) - the recipe for a perfect evening if you ask me!

It's only fair to point out that following this photo we were wiped out by a massive wave and I only just managed to jump up with the camera.  

But seriously....how is THAT for a sunset!  The beach at Widemouth Bay will always hold a special place in my heart as that is where Rich proposed - BBQ on the beach, bowls (bocce) and bonfires!

Here's to many more Cornwall holidays!

xx