Flashback Friday- Our first holiday together.

Mr E and I's first holiday abroad together was to Cuba.  Since then we have been extremley fortunate and have travelled to some wonderful places all over the world but no holiday has had quite the anticipation as that first time. We were in our newly together phase and were so thrilled to be going away with each other.  We booked it last minute and managed to get the holiday for £500 each all inclusive which is obviously a really good deal to go long haul.


The flight was long and tedious, as we travelled with Thomas Cook and had to touch down on one side of the island to let some people off before flying over to our side.  This was tiring and not fun for someone who doesn't like flying. (me!)  When we got there it was then a long transfer to where we were staying.  It had been raining and it was really late at night and the air was so humid and wet.  We got to our hotel and we were greeted with the most awful smell of damp and as it was so late were given the dregs of the buffet which was cold and not very tasty.  When they escorted us to our rooms I sat down on the bed and it felt wet with damp.  I have been very fortunate to generally stay in very nice hotel's due to my job and I was so upset and just didn't feel comfortable.  We asked to change rooms and the next room was slightly better but I still wasn't totally happy.  I think everything seems worse at night, especially as we were so tired.


Fast forward to the morning and the sun was beaming through the curtains.  We went down to breakfast and although the food wasn't amazing, it wasn't too bad.  Everything seemed a lot better and I felt much more optimistic.


And I was right to be optimistic.  Although it wasn't the best hotel in the world, everyone was very friendly and we really had the most fabulous first holiday together.  We drank cocktails and got tipsy every night and sunbathed and ate all day!  We went swimming with the dolphins which was one of the most amazing experience of my life and we have a lovely video to treasure.


What made the hotel for me was the beach.  I have been fortunate enough to be to go to some wonderful hot countries, including Thailand, Barbados and Mexico, all of which cost a lot more money, but none of them had as beautiful beaches as Cuba.

I have never seen such clear water as we did on those beaches.  The above photos are not edited in any way- it really was that blue.


We went on a day trip to Havana which was really interesting- Mr E used to invent cocktails so we spent to two famous bars, one where the Dacquri was invented, and we also looked around the Havana Club Rum factory.  A lot of Mojito's were drunk!  We also loved looking at all the old Classic cars which are very popular over there and learning about the history between them and the US.  (They have a long standing history which means that no American products are allowed in Cuba and Americans don't tend to visit.)


All in all it really was the most amazing holiday.  We were young, had no worries and were totally wrapped up in one another and even though we had initial concerns with our hotel, for the price it was fine.  We have been very lucky to go on some wonderful holidays and although money is tight now we have Mads, I really love travelling and do hope to go on some more great trips. (Although not this year!)  However amazing, they will never have that anticipation of that first, carefree holiday and because of this I will treasure the memories forever.


Head over to Karin's abode and check out some more Flashback Friday's...

Flashback Friday- The One Where We Get Engaged

As there is a rather small, low key wedding going on today, I felt like it was only right that my Flashback Friday for this week had a wedding theme.  Last week was my hen do and this week I have decided to take a trip down memory lane and write about the day Mr E decided to ask me to be his wife.


Mr E and I were living with my Mum at the time to save up some money for a deposit on a house, having moved back to Cambridgeshire from London.  He had told me that we were doing something exciting one weekend so as to make sure I didn't make any plans.  I had been going on and on about going to Go Ape so I honestly thought this was where we were going!


On the Thursday evening before said weekend we went out with my Mum and her partner to celebrate Mr E's 30th birthday as my Mum's partner was going on a climbing holiday and wouldn't be around for his actual birthday which was the following week.  We had a lovely time and drank lots of champagne and were quite tipsy so when Mr E awoke around 6am on the Friday morning I presumed it was because he was a bit hungover.


He was tossing and turning and obviously couldn't sleep so in the end I asked him what was wrong.  He turned round and out of the blue said 'Look under your pillow I think a fairy has been.'  I had just woken up and hadn't got my contact lenses in so was all disorientated!  I looked under the pillow and pulled out a small box.  I still don't think it really sank in but all of a sudden he uttered the best words 'Will you Marry me?'  I started crying my eyes out and jumping round the room.  My engagement ring was a beautiful platinum solitaire diamond.


He presented me with a goody bag which had lots of different bits in it including two plane tickets to Edinburgh for later on that afternoon.  He also had arranged for me to have my nails done that morning (in order to look my best for showing off the ring!)  He also arranged for some of my family to meet us in a bar near us for a champagne breakfast.


That afternoon we flew up to Edinburgh and it was one of the best weekends of my life.  We spent the daytimes mooching around the shops (where I also got terribly spoilt with perfume and a new purse!) and the first evening he had booked for us to go to Harvey Nichols for dinner.  One memorable part was when we decided to order a bottle of champagne.  As we were deciding the waiter came over with the bottle we were going to pick (Laurent Perrier Rose if anyone ever fancies buying me a bottle- its my favourite!) and a card.  We were totally confused until we opened it and my Mum had bought us one with a little card saying Congratulations.  That made me cry again!  The tables are quite close together and I dread to think what the couple next door thought of us!


The second night it was amazing because it was late August and the festival was just ending.  There was a lovely fireworks display on which was very romantic.  We got very tipsy as we went on a mini bar crawl.


Below is a small snapshot of photos from the weekend.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend, and Mr E made me the happiest person in the world when he asked me to be his wife.  Who would have thought that three years later we would have a lovely baby daughter!


Now head over to Cafe Bebe to have a look at some more memories...

Flashback Friday- dedicated to my hubby!

For Flashback Friday this week, I thought I would write a post about my hubby.  After all he is included in the title of my blog and is a fabulous Daddy to Mads.

Above is one of the first photos we have together.  This was six years ago and we were at Alton Towers, and a friend took this of us when weren't looking.  I have bleached blond hair, and am wearing hot pants. (I couldn't get them over my thigh's now!) and Mr E is wearing some rather unfashionable shorts.

At this point our relationship was still a secret and only a few people knew.  We had already known each other two years at this point and had lived together as friends for a long time just me and him.  

I knew that he had feelings for me but scared of losing his friendship nothing happened between us for a long time.  He decided to buy a house and I moved in with another friend and so the tenancy ran out on our flat.  On the day we were packing up our things I realised how much I was going to miss him.  We ended up kissing and have been together ever since.

We have lived in Leeds, London and now Cambridgeshire, have had amazing times, brilliant times and tough times, but throughout it all we have always stayed the best of friends.  We have travelled to the most amazing destinations, had the most drunken and crazy nights out, laughed till we cried and cried till we laughed.  

In December 2009 we sealed the deal and got married.  

Above is my favourite photo from our wedding.  We had some amazing pictures taken, posed ones and capturing the moment ones.  I love this one because although it is not the most flattering (I have teeth and gums like a horse) I feel it sums up our day the best.  I am laughing hysterically and I am cuddling Mr E, something which I have done pretty much every single day in the last six years.

It was one of the best days of my life so far- it snowed but there was beautiful bright sun in the sky.  All our family and friends were there and I was showing my commitment to my best friend.

Fast forward another year and on the 24th December 2010 our beautiful Mads was born.  (We seem to enjoy making December a rather expensive month)  Our family is complete.......for now!!

So this post is dedicated to Mr E, who although is the most messy creature alive, doesn't brush the cat enough and likes red wine when I like white, is my rock, my best friend and my hubby!

(Ok mushiness over now....pass the sick bucket.)

Now head over to Cafe Bebe and go back in time!

My first ever flashback Friday.....Those two little lines!

So for my first ever Flashback Friday I thought that I would write about one of the most important days of my life....the day I found out I was going to be a mummy.


Mr E and I got married in December 2009 and I was desperate to become a mummy and he a daddy so on our rather lavish honeymoon to Mexico and Miami (which we are still paying for!) we talked about starting a family asap.


Roll on four months later and we didn't realise it was going to happen quite so quickly...


I was away on my own in Bournemouth for a business trip.  I knew that the dreaded Auntie Flo (sorry!) was due to be making an appearance on the Tuesday but I arrived in Bournemouth on the Sunday night and the whole way in the car I couldn't stop thinking about it.  Was this going to be the month?  Was there a little poppy seed growing in there already?  


Me being me couldn't wait to test till Tuesday even though I had promised myself that I would this month.  So as soon as I got to my hotel room I dug out one of my little white sticks.  Even though they say to use first morning wee I thought I may as well give it a go and I wouldn't be disappointed if it was negative because firstly I was doing it in the evening, and secondly I was two days early testing.


I sat down in my rather swanky bathroom (one of the perks of working in the travel industry- they always give you the nicest room) and did my business.


I felt nervous waiting the two minutes and put it on the sink and told myself not to peek.


Obviously I didn't wait the two minutes, I got as far as about thirty seconds, and then I tentatively picked the test up to have a look.


This is what I saw.....

Yes this is the actual stick- maybe a bit strange to take photos of it but I think I was a little delirious at the time.


When I saw this, I actually felt like I was going to faint.  I didn't think that it was going to be positive if I am honest, and so I was a bit shocked and I didn't really know what to do or how to react.


Here I was in a hotel room in the middle of Bournemouth, Mr E was miles away at home none the wiser and now I wasn't quite sure what to do.


So I did what everyone would do in my situation...


I danced around the room.  Literally.  I danced around and shrieked and actually jumped on the bed.  


Then after a few minutes of doing this I did what every insane newly pregnant woman would do.  I peed on another little white stick.  Just to check.


Then I danced and shrieked and jumped on the bed some more because the two little lines appeared again.


After this I was faced with a dilemma.  What to do now?  There was no way I was going to tell Mr E over the phone as I wanted to see his face when I told him I was growing a little person in my tummy.


I hadn't thought of this.  Now I was in Bournemouth with lots of business meetings planned until Thursday and it was only Sunday.  That was a lot of sleeps till I was due home.


So I did what every insane newly pregnant woman would do.  I went to the supermarket and bought more little white sticks.


And over the course of four days I peed on a lot of them.  And lots of lines appeared.  Some words too on the fancy digital ones.  All showing the same clear message- that I was going to be a mummy.

And I took a lot more photos!


Those few days were probably the most exciting, happy and frustrating of my life as I couldn't wait to go home and tell Mr E.


Eventually Thursday came and I must have gone about 90mph down the M25 to get home.  (I don't advocate speeding but this was an emergency!)


Finally I got home and Mr E was chilling on the sofa.  I sat down and finally got to tell him the news- he was going to be a daddy.  The look on his face was priceless and worth the four days of torture.


Unfortunately I don't have a photo of that!