Shes walking!

Shes walking! I cant believe Liv took her first steps last night. I was excited, yet sad at the same time. My little girl is growing up so fast! Ive been busy planning and preparing her first birthday. Shes almost 1! Wow! As I think over what I was doing this time last year, Im amazed at how quickly time passes. It truly makes you appreciate the moments you have.

Sleep!

What a busy couple of weeks we have had here in the Parry home. We dedicated Olivia to the Lord on the 3rd of this month, which was a very special service. It was followed by afternoon tea- with many, many cupcakes! We were blessed by all those who were able to make it (about 90). It truly reminded Chris and I that we are part of such a loving church family.

We have now finished the first week of sleep training. Let me tell you, it is a nightmare! Liv has been in our bed since birth...but last Wednesday night we decided it was time for her to be in her own bed. There has been many tears, screams, etc coming from our house... but I think we are making progress. If you are mom out there, and need to get your little one out of your bed, try the Baby Whisperer pick up/put down. I highly recommend it!

Party planning

well, Ive been busy trying to plan a few events/parties. Olivias baby dedication is on the 3rd of October, followed by Rebeccas baby shower. Then its Livs America 1st birthday, followed by her UK 1st busy. Phew... busy busy. Im trying to be organized, which means being busy planning now. I feel like my head is spinning with ideas..I just need to do them. Its a bit hard with Liv, as I dont want her to be bored going around all the shops. So alot of work is being done online. Oh the joys of late night internet shopping! Keep an eye out for upcoming events!

6 months!!!

Well, its been over 6 months since I have blogged. Wow, where has the time gone! Olivia is currently asleep (in our bed...wish I could say cot = ) ), and I am able to write a bit before she wakes up. She has grown so quickly.. I cant believe shes already sitting up, eating solids, and trying to crawl. I am really enjoying being a mommy. It has its challenges, but is very rewarding. Olivia is such a happy little girl; always smiling. I am blessed to have such a lovely baby. Our schedule is quite busy during the week...visiting with friends, attending baby groups, etc. We have made some amazing new friends who are true kindred spirits. My NCT friends have been such a source of encouragement and support... I couldn't have gotten this far without them. I sit here in my nice clean house (thanks hannah), relaxed and peaceful, and I am overwhelmed with how blessed I truly am! Well, that's all for now. Liv seems to be stirring a bit.

Olivia Grace Parry

We are happy to announce the safe arrival of our little miracle, Olivia Grace Parry, born December 31st weighing 9 lbs. After a very long labour...im talking Monday till Thursday, she decided to make her grand entrance. We knew from the word one of my clients gave before I knew I was pregnant that she would be born before the end of the year, and would be healthy. But as the end of the year approached and the hospital was insistent that I was just experiencing false labour, we began to doubt. Finally, early morning on Thursday December 31st, I rang the hospital, again, and demanded to come in. I had been having contractions since that Monday and was tired. They told me to come in, but that they were probably going to send me home as they thought it was false labour because the contractions weren't consistent (being between 3-5 min apart and stopping every now and then). However, when we arrived I was 4 cent. dilated, and the contractions never became consistent. Unfortunately, after 10 hours in the water, I wasn't able to give a water birth because Olivia wasn't in the right position to make me dilate fast enough ( probably why I had contractions since Monday). Anyways, be 2:11 in the afternoon on the 31st she came into the world. Now, I thought the labour was the hard bit. But, actually, after all those sleepless days of labouring.... we faced more sleepless days and nights when we arrived home. Its been really tough adjusting to life with our baby. The dr said its usually toughest for those who have struggled getting pregnant because your expectations are harder. I think for me, breastfeeding has been the hardest thing. Its been very tempting to just switch to formula...as I would be able to get some sleep, and my breasts could heal from the torture of feeding ( Ive had sores and mastitis which is an infection causing you to have flu like symptoms and severely painful breasts). But we have gotten through the worst bit , well thats what everyone keeps saying. God provided us with one of the pastors wives at the church who is a pediatrician. She came along every day and night to check on Olivia and I and to encourage me with my breastfeeding. We would not be where we are without her. Chris' mum also stayed the night during the first week when things hit an all time low with my breastfeeding and I had to express for a week. What a help... and we were able to get a good nights sleep which does a world of good for you. But, like I said, chris and I have gotten through the worst bit and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. I still haven't managed to get dressed everyday, but my pjs are comfy and I cling to the fact that I know I will be able to one day.

Turning 30

Well, I'm officially 30 now. I thought it would be a harder day to celebrate than any of my previous birthdays...but it wasn't. Last week, the Joys and Ali celebrated my birthday with a meal at Fujiyamas, a japanese restaraunt. Then, yesterday, Chris and I woke up and headed off to my favorite restaraunt for breakfast. But to our surprised, they were closed FOREVER. We were shocked. So, instead we went to Starbucks where I sulked for a short while, before heading off to the cinema to see Sherlock Holmes. We then came back, rested a bit, then went to Jesmond Dene House for a very posh late afternoon tea. It was wonderful! The Joys stopped by later that night for a coffee, which was a perfect ending to my big day. Now we are just waiting for the arrival of Olivia Grace. Shes due today, however, there has been no sign of her arrival. So Chris and I are heading over to our friends for some lunch, and then we are going to go for a long walk into town. Hopefully she will come soon.

Christmas 09

Well, Christmas has come and gone. It seemed to fly by this year. On Christmas Eve, our good friends Dan and Catherine joined us for a turkey dinner. It was really nice to have friends with us, as we were both sad to not be around family. We opened our Christmas eve jammies from my mom, and then went off to bed. The next morning, we enjoyed gingerbread lattes and my attempt at making monkey bread. It was ok, but not as good as my sisters. For Christmas, I got Chris a skalelectrics set, which he was super excited about. I got a casserole dish and the Julia Childs cook book. We had so much fun opening our gifts and then got ready to go over to the Woods family for Christmas dinner. It was really nice to spend it with there family and be introduced to their traditions. We really felt welcomed, and were blessed to be there. Later that evening we stopped by Steph and Simons and said hi to all their family. The day ended with some left over Monkey bread and the movie Elf. It was a really nice Christmas, given the fact that we weren't able to see the kids this year.

We are now just waiting for Olivia to come. I will celebrate my 30th today with Chris and just wait in anticipation for contractions to start. We are going to go out to breakfast this morning, and then to the movies. Later this afternoon, we are going to go to afternoon tea at Jesmond Dene house and then the Joys are going to come over for coffee in the evening. I cant wait to open my presents, as my mom sent one from Tiffanys, and Chris has a little surprise all wrapped up for me. We did have a small birthday party last Tuesday at Fujiyamas, a Japanese restaurant. Ian and Rebecca, and Ali joined us to celebrate my big 3-0, which was followed by a massive birthday cake Chris had picked out. I would definitely say this birthday has been very special so far. The best gift is our little girl, who doesn't seem to want to come out just yet. I keep praying that the Lord would bring her on a day when its not busy at the hospital...so obviously that day hasn't come yet = ). We cant wait to see our little girl!

38 weeks and 3 days!

Well, we finally made it to the home stretch. Only 11 more days to go till Olivia is due. Today is my last day at work, which is a bitter sweet moment. I will say goodbye to my last client today, and then its off to get my hair cut and relax in the evening with Chris. We even have a cleaner doing a deep clean in the flat this morning which is such a blessing. All those hard to reach spots will finally be reached! My midwife appointment is this morning at 10:30, so hopefully she will have some good news regarding Olivias progress. This weekend we are off to the Parrys for a Christmas celebration, and then the final week before Christmas will begin. We will be having a small birthday celebration on Tuesday, as we dont know when Olivia will make her appearance. Im looking forward to going out for a meal to celebrate the big 3-0! Im still sad I wont be seeing family this year for the holidays...but God has other plans instore for our family.

Surprise!!!

Yesterday my work threw me a surprise baby shower. I was completely surprised...My very first surprise party! It actually took me a long time to adjust to the idea that the party was for me. There was loads of food, and cake, and presents, and games. It was such a blessing. Now we only have 2 weeks and 5 days left. I cant wait to see our little girl.

5 weeks to go!!!

Its amazing how fast time flys. I had been looking forward to our time at the Lakes for weeks, and now it has come and gone. Chris and I were able to relax at 'Miss Potters' house last weekend. It looked just like it did in the movies. Its a little bed and breakfast called Yew Tree Farm, and was the Hill Top in the movie Miss Potter. We had such a nice time reading in front of a roaring fire, going to Grasmere and enjoying gingerbread, Christmas shopping, and dinning at a really nice local hotel. I love the Lake district! The ride home was a bit bumpy, as it was raining really hard and parts of the road were flooded. We stopped by Brocksbushes and met Chris' parents for some shopping at the Christmas market. Then we ventured out to Corbridge for some tea and shopping. It was such a nice weekend. Now the week has started back in Newcastle, and I am about to get ready for my last day of work before a little break until the 30th. Then I will only have 10 more days of work left till I go on maternity leave. Im so excited! Aunt Gloria is coming next week which should be nice... and then theres Thanksgiving...and before I know it, it will be December. I keep praying that the Lord will keep our little Olivia safe and sound within me, and bless me with a smooth delivery. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow, and Im hoping she will have the test results back from my diabetes test last week...which was not fun at all!

8 weeks to go!!

Today Lynne and I went on a nice long walk in the Jesmond Dene then out to lunch. Lynne is due in the next week with her baby girl, and I have 8 weeks left. We had such a nice time laughing, eating and walking. Its hard to believe that the next time we hang out we will have her little girl with us. I cant wait to meet baby Carr.

Fall Time

Here are some pictures of Chris and I taken in the Jesmond Dene on Sunday. We had so much fun, and laughed loads. I cant wait for our little Olivia to join our family!

The new Stroller

Last night Chris and I put together our new stroller. It was kinda complicated, but here it is with the diaper bag attached. We love it.

30 Weeks and counting

Time is flying by. I cant believe I am nearly 31 weeks pregnant. Baby Olivia Grace, the name we decided to call our precious little girl, is growing right on schedule. Her latest thing to do to pass the times is kick my ribs really hard on one side, and then punch and head butt me on the other. Although Chris finds this very amusing to feel, I am in complete pain! But only 9 weeks to go and we get to see our little girl. Im so excited.

A few weeks ago we went with our dear friends Ian and Rebecca Joy to York. We were able to visit Bettys, a really cute tea shop, and have afternoon tea ( a dream Ive had since living in England). It was a nice day, although my pregnant body was slowing everyone down, and by the end of the day I was tired.

Chris and I started our NCT, national childbirth trust, classes a few weeks ago. they are wonderful, and we really like them. There are 8 couples who attend the classes. so there is potential for some good friendships to develop out of them. Ive also been spending time with another pregnant friend, Jess Brown, who is due in 3 weeks, and Lynne Carr who is also due in 3 weeks. Jess and I had quite a fun time Christmas shopping at the Metro Centre last week... which included a long break sitting on the couches at Marks and Spencers with pretzels and percy pigs. What a site we must have been.

Im really enjoying being pregnant, but look forward to having our Olivia in December. God has truly blessed Chris and I with so many supportive friends! I am very excited to start Mums and Babies group and the other fun things having a baby brings. But until then, I will just have to deal with heart burn, and a kicking baby.

Vacation

Our vacation to California has come and gone, and now we are getting back into the swing of things in Newcastle. It seems like it went by too quickly; but both Chris and I feel relaxed and ready for the coming months. While in the States, I was able to enjoy a lovely baby shower hosted by my mom and sister, we went to San Diego with Jeanine, Nathaniel and the kids; and were able to spend our anniversary at Casa Laguna in Laguna Beach. The entire trip was really fun. Now we are on countdown till December. We cant wait till our little girl comes.

20 weeks!

Here is a picture of me at 20 weeks pregnant. We are slowly getting the nursery put together... which is sooo much fun. I love pink and am really enjoying looking at all the cute stuff there is for little girls. I ordered bedding from Target... the Shabby Chic Candy Patchwork set, complete with a canopy(my mom said I had to have it so she got it for baby parry). Anyways, then my mom saw a french toile design in pink, so we ordered that too. haha. So we will see which one is the cutest when we get to America at the end of this month. Chris and I are getting a bit carried away. Chris surprised me a few weeks ago with the cutest dressing table that is toddler size. I think she will enjoy brushing her hair at this...haha. Anyways, its been fun. We were able to see our little girl last week at our 20 week ultrasound. She was looking great, sucking her thumb and all. The dr said shes looking healthy, and the due date is officially set at December 28th. One day after my 30th birthday! Im so excited!

Its a girl!

(above: me at 17 weeks, taken yesterday before we found out the news)

We are very pleased to announced that we will be having a baby girl this December. Both Chris and I were very excited to find out...and very happy to see our little baby again yesterday at the ultrasound appointment. We cant wait to meet our little girl this December!

A Fun Day Out

Today Chris and I went to town to search for some much needed maternity clothes. I was able to get 2 dresses, which weren't maternity, but will fit my ever changing body. We then discovered an American 50s diner in Fenwicks. So we stopped for a afternoon snack, as we had already had lunch. It was fun having milkshakes, onion rings, and cheesy fries... complete with pickles (although they didn't taste like American pickles). We had such a fun time. Tomorrow we have our ultrasound to find out if we are having a boy or a girl. I'm super excited and cant wait!!!

Tea Time

On Saturday I catered for a womens day held at a local church. There were 35 women and it was to be a tea party. I was very excited for the chance to bring out my best china for the event. I baked carrot cake, chocolate fudge cake, and lemon drizzle cake. We had scones, jam and clotting cream. And of course tea. It was such a fun time. I am so thankful for Chris who helped me the entire day...I could have never done it without him.

Getting a Bump

(13 weeks)


(Nearly 15 weeks)

Here are a few pictures of me and the bump taken at 13 weeks, and then at nearly 15. Chris and I are getting really excited, and cant wait to start buying all the baby stuff. We find out in 2 weeks if we are having a boy or a girl. I cant wait to find out.