So we are back from Suffolk and have been back to work today. The week was full of cups of tea and catch ups, although we struggled like usual to fit everyone in so we are already planning the next trip up after Christmas. Polly in particular had a blast and was a little monkey who loved getting lots of extra attention. We mixed the week up a bit and ended up staying at 3 different places which was a nice way to spend more time with those we did get a chance to catch up with. Of course all 3 of us ate way to much naughty food, I jokingly said to Henry that Polly is now banned from having chips until at least Christmas!

We finished our time in Suffolk with Henry making a phone call that is a huge milestone in our journey (I hate using that word as it triggers major eye roll reactions in me but I suppose it’s the easiest way to explain what we are doing) to a better life. Sat in the front of the car on my Grandparents drive way with Polly and I exchanging cuddles with my Grandad, Henry enrolled on his personal training course. It might have looked like an insignificant moment to anyone walking past but we both realised on the 6 hour car journey home (plenty of time to chat!) that this was a huge milestone as it’s really happening. He’s taken the next step to changing careers. I will add that it didn’t actually take us the whole 6 hours to realise this, we realised it before we’d sat down to a cheeky Burger King 10 miles up the road. I know-more unhealthy food but I pulled the pregnant card on him as I was so hungry I was contemplating raiding the advent calendars in the boot.

We then took advantage of our last day before going back to reality by going to 2 Christmas markets in Exeter yesterday. This meant lots of trying gingerbread, gin (Henry only) and cake while also sneaking in a naughty hog roast at the end of the day. We officially finished Christmas shopping (except the cat who I hope won’t get forgotten as the poor sod has been so far. Thank God Lidl is just up the road) and also bought a Polly sized reindeer in the sale who we’ve christened Morris. The perfect end to a big landmark week. I mean technically I finished it finally by ironing our work shirts in my PJs last night before Henry was a terrible influence and made me binge watch the 2 episodes of Peaky Blinders we’d missed, so after an 11:30 crawl up the stairs to bed I did come close to throwing my phone out the window when it woke me up at 6:20AM this morning 😦 It did also give us a giggle as to how much our free Saturday nights have changed over the years. I really wouldn’t change it for the world as watching Polly dancing and cheering round the living room to Strictly Come Dancing is a lot more entertaining and satisfying than watching everyone in the club getting mid numbingly drunk before stumbling round the corner for a subway.

Can’t complain about the early starts too much though as things really are coming together and now I’m about to hit week 18 in the pregnancy I shouldn’t moan too much about dragging myself to work as the uniform free/PJ wearing/baby group attending/different alarm call/tiring yet fulfilling bliss of maternity leave is waving at me on the horizon! Plus it’s nearly Christmas!!