Engagement Story

Hello,

So if you do not already know what this post is about from the title.......

I SAID YES!!

Here is our story.. 

We woke up on our second to last day in the morning. Jack insisted that I go shopping as we were moving hotel for a birthday gift and he didn't want me stressed carrying bags. I found this a bit weird but was not going to refuse extra shopping time- what girl would?

Three hours later, three drugs stores and a beautiful Bendel bag I met up with him. Our plan was to go to central park as it was one of the only nice sunny days so we set off. Jack was meanwhile giving me a hard time for buying such as big bag at the beginning of the day and swabbing every eyeliner lip combo in Sephora resulting in my hands looking worse than my three year olds after a painting class.

I wanted to go to Bow bridge so we were walking through central park. Jack seemed in an odd mood suggesting we get on the horse and carriage (ugh horse smell) and giving me a hard time about my bags/hands. In fact all week he had been acting a big strange with his phone and going for walks when i was asleep. I was later to find out the real reason.


We finally get to the bridge and when we see the little row boats and he suggests that we go on them. I thought this was a great idea with such a beautiful day and the sun glistening. We go on and he asks " which side of the bridge I prefer" so i tell him the other side. He then tells me he wants a photo of me looking at the Rockefella as there is a photo of us looking at central park.

Jack is taking a long time taking the photo telling me he was changing the battery so i turn around.

I couldn't believe me eyes and was so shocked. I didn't expect it due to the pregnancy and how on earth did he pull this off without me knowing?  He told me he had a ring maker make the ring in New York and he had to sneak out to pick it up. It all made sense and I felt instantly embarrassed about my nails and hands. 

Other boaters on the lake clapped and congratulated. Some lovely girls got a photo of the moment which they sent. I will treasure the photo forever, so thank you again if you read this. I was so caught up in the moment which was the best moment of my life so far. No words can explain being on the row boat next to the Bridge in that moment. 

We got off the boat and had a lovely lunch in the waterside restaurant with a sneaky glass of Champagne (oops, well you only get engaged once).  I then requested that i get an emergency manicure at 7pm at night from some lovely ladies off fifth avenue. Later we went to our sky box room and then out to a rooftop.

New York Getaway

Hello everybody,

We were lucky enough after much persuasion and cookie giving to get away just the two of us. Our parents are great and looked after Alexander for a week to facilitate this for us :) *high fives for fantastic parents*.

New York was booked as a Christmas present for me which was so exciting especially for my shopping addiction. In the lead up I had been saving pennies, researching things to do, rooftop bars, and of course every shopping destination in New York. We chose our hotel based on the closeness to my favourite stores. Alas, I was 10 weeks pregnant so would not be needing my carefully mapped out bar and nightlife crawl.


Flying into JFK was amazing. I got a clear view of the city ahead. We flew Air Norwegian who recently opened flights London to JFK at budget prices. The experience was quite nice for a budget airline. The planes are all new, using state of the art technology and better efficiency resulting in the cheaper tickets. Planes mostly have free wifi and also use cleaner air technology (meaning you do not get the jet lag hangover), scenic changing interior lights, dimming windows and have a nice entertainment system. If you want an in flight meal you have to pay extra which I definitely didn't as I came armed with mints and small snacks.

Before the flight watching the Air Norwegian planes

New York was pretty damn cold in April. The tour operator said it was one of the coldest on record. Most of the time I spend snuggled under warm coats and scarves, sipping hot chocolate or (when i felt up to it) eating ramen. However, nothing could take away the magic of the big apple. I will share some highlights below. We decided to play a little trick on our son (which he found) highly amusing receiving photos and had a certain 'Georgie pig' stowaway in our bags :P

New York and Times Square in all its brightness. I honestly would find it hard to ever feel alone in the city that never sleeps. Although on that note the city certainly does sleep from about 3am-11am which us early risers found out. 

Some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. 

Seeing sights including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, High Line, Bus Tour, Cycling round Brooklyn and over Brooklyn Bridge. We even went to a Knicks game which reminds me of my cheerleading days. One of the most memorable harrowing experiences was the world trade centre and the museum. The have so many recordings of the day and really is worthwhile going to even if you do end up in floods of tears.

 Anyone spotted our little stowaway yet? If you are in New York you have to cheap out Sarabeths for breakfast and Chinatown for Ramen.

And if any of you are massive Gossip Girl fan like me then check these out...

The Met Steps

New York Palace Hotel where Serena lives

Grand central station 

Our trip was fantastic. I ended up spending so much time on fifth avenue especially Sephora and Henri Bendel. I love Macy's too and we both ended up spotting some great deals. And the most amazing incredible thiing happened which opened my heart even more to New York. Click here to find out what. 

Until next time, 

XOXO Gossip girl, Georgie Pig and DJ

12 Week Update

Hello all,

YAY! Three months have passed which means only six more to go! This is also the first chance to see the baby.

Previous to the 12 week ultrasound appointment you see your midwife at 8 weeks pregnant for a booking appointment which is long and tedious and a bit of a disappointment when you are excited and impatient.  Although it may not seem it 12 weeks is a long time to wait especially as you usually do not announce that you are pregnant until you have reached this milestone.

The appointment was held at my local hospital ( Tunbridge Wells Hospital) which has one of the best reputations in the South East. The hospital fulfilled all the good things I had heard about it. We went straight into the ultrasound and got to see our baby within minutes. Yes, our baby, singular! I was massively relieved as already was showing so hearing that there was just one baby filled me with joy. The moment we got to see the baby was, well words cannot describe! The baby was moving around and stretching and we got to see the tiny human with tiny legs that we created. Both of us had a tear to our eye! I completely forgot how advance they are even at this stage. My nub theory post scan photos were based on this scan. Overall the hospital was very efficient. We got copies of our scan photos and were able to book our twenty week appointment at the front desk. My photos, the ultrasound, buildings and department were a million times better than with Alexander who was under the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

Meanwhile, from about four weeks pregnant I had terrible 'morning sickness' which was despite the name actually worse in the evening. The sickness was draining and affecting my day to day well being. I would simply get home from work and go straight to bed unable to cook or eat dinner. The best way I found to 'manage' would be to east the bulk of my food in the morning. My go to food was my home made pregnancy soup (which contains loads of vitamins and ginger in a non overwhelming way), sesame seed and salt rice crackers, apple with almond butter, banana or lemon sorbet. My advice to anyone else feeling nauseous is to eat little amounts. One thing I did discover is a complete aversion to meat, the smell of meat and the thought of meat.

Anyways, here are some photos to share with you of what I have been doing when feeling semi-ok

Playing on 'wellington rocks' in Tunbridge Wells

Baths make everything better

So do non-alcoholic cocktails

Especially when it is my 25th birthday :) 

Please update me with your updates and every findings for nausea you have found! :)

Love Dani

12 Week Update

Hello all,

YAY! Three months have passed which means only six more to go! This is also the first chance to see the baby.

Previous to the 12 week ultrasound appointment you see your midwife at 8 weeks pregnant for a booking appointment which is long and tedious and a bit of a disappointment when you are excited and impatient.  Although it may not seem it 12 weeks is a long time to wait especially as you usually do not announce that you are pregnant until you have reached this milestone.

The appointment was held at my local hospital ( Tunbridge Wells Hospital) which has one of the best reputations in the South East. The hospital fulfilled all the good things I had heard about it. We went straight into the ultrasound and got to see our baby within minutes. Yes, our baby, singular! I was massively relieved as already was showing so hearing that there was just one baby filled me with joy. The moment we got to see the baby was, well words cannot describe! The baby was moving around and stretching and we got to see the tiny human with tiny legs that we created. Both of us had a tear to our eye! I completely forgot how advance they are even at this stage. My nub theory post scan photos were based on this scan. Overall the hospital was very efficient. We got copies of our scan photos and were able to book our twenty week appointment at the front desk. My photos, the ultrasound, buildings and department were a million times better than with Alexander who was under the Conquest Hospital in Hastings.

Meanwhile, from about four weeks pregnant I had terrible 'morning sickness' which was despite the name actually worse in the evening. The sickness was draining and affecting my day to day well being. I would simply get home from work and go straight to bed unable to cook or eat dinner. The best way I found to 'manage' would be to east the bulk of my food in the morning. My go to food was my home made pregnancy soup (which contains loads of vitamins and ginger in a non overwhelming way), sesame seed and salt rice crackers, apple with almond butter, banana or lemon sorbet. My advice to anyone else feeling nauseous is to eat little amounts. One thing I did discover is a complete aversion to meat, the smell of meat and the thought of meat.

Anyways, here are some photos to share with you of what I have been doing when feeling semi-ok

Playing on 'wellington rocks' in Tunbridge Wells

Baths make everything better

So do non-alcoholic cocktails

Especially when it is my 25th birthday :) 

Please update me with your updates and every findings for nausea you have found! :)

Love Dani