Email the love

It's really hard to be so far away from my family and friends. Both my parents are nurses so I have come to them with every single health concern I've ever had, until now. The distance is hard enough, but being in a whole different country, the medical procedures are also a bit alien. For example, we don't have gas & air in the states; I had never even heard of it until I watched One Born Every Minute.

So I make up for it by sending them a lot of pictures and updates via email. Whether they like it or not. What I didn't realize was that I was keeping a sort of photo diary that is really nice to look back on. Here's a small sample; most of my pictures are just a bit stupid. Enjoy.

I'm so excited to meet you baby Ham!

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37 weeks

Today Ham is the length of a stalk of Swiss chard.

The cardigan and shoes are vintage finds from +Etsy and the dress is from +Target.

Today is special because if I went into labor they wouldn't try to stop it. Full term baby! And boy do I feel it. The midwife tells me that the baby's head is now "engaged in my pelvis" which means: 1) this baby is going to be born soonish 2) I am extra uncomfortable.

I have A LOT of cleaning to do before Ham arrives and the pilgrimage of family members begins. I ordered chairs yesterday from +Homebase so that they'll actually have somewhere to sit. My husband and I haven't properly had visitors since we moved into our new place. Probably because we only have a couch. NO LONGER! I can't wait to post pictures after my cleaning fest.

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28 week bloods, whoops

The cardigan is from +Target, the dress is +Topshop, the boots are Aldo. I got the hair styling idea from the Free People Blog.

Fabulous Accessories at FreePeople.co.uk!

I love wearing cardigans like this, even more now that I'm pregnant and nothing fits. Just let it hang at your sides or wrap up nice and cozy. I've had these boots for about 4 years now. The zipper needed fixing before I could wear them for the winter and now they are better than ever. Invest in good boots people!

Getting to my 28 week bloods debacle. I guess my midwife forgot to mention to me that I needed another blood test. I really wish she would have told me before I was so far along! Maybe the baby was just in a bad position the day I chose to make my way to the hospital but walking just hurt. What should have been a 15 minute walk took me at least 30 minutes. When I finally got to the hospital I had to wait 2 hours! The whole day was exhausting.

I just want to mention how much I love the NHS. Seriously. I would much rather have to wait for a blood test when they are really busy than have all the worry and stress that comes when dealing with health insurance in the states. Americans: it doesn't have to be so hard and expensive! I have seen the light! Socialized medicine is not evil; it's awesome. I was just having a little complain. In reality, this is the first time anything has ever gone a bit wrong for me when dealing with the NHS. I love you UK!!

Gettin lucky in Kentucky

Do y'all know how great Kentucky is? Because everyone really should. I am obviously a big fan.

A 3rd trimester road trip is not nearly as complicated as I imagined. As long as you stop and stretch your legs every hour or so it's fine. I would, however, recommend having an emergency plan for when you really have to pee and there is no relief in sight. I bought a bed pan from Walgreens and made my husband swear he would still love me if worse came to worse. I didn't end up using it but there were a few close calls on those winding Kentucky roads.

We stayed at Country Girl at Heart B&B, which is a working farm. I got to hold puppies! She was incredibly hospitable and accommodating. There are things you should avoid when you're pregnant around live stock but as long as you try to keep your hands to yourself and wash them thoroughly you'll be fine.

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