Our journey so far...

So after 33 weeks + 4 days we've decided to get ourselves online and document our journey. Not just so our nearest and dearest can see how we're getting on, but to share our stories and experiences with our pending bundle of joy.

We've seen many people blogging about their experiences with their children, and we love the idea of documenting this to share with our friends and family, but to also look back on our journey and how far we've come - and maybe one day, show our little Princess what it was all like.

With just over six weeks to go until our due date of 6th September, we've gone through a massive chunk of the pregnancy already, learning lots on the way - not only about the baby and pregnancy, but about ourselves as well.

Thanks to the incredible technology and amazing skills of the NHS midwives, we already know that we're expecting a little girl - and we couldn't be any happier.....unless she comes out as a little boy, then he might look a bit odd in dresses and pink fluffy coats, but this is 2018 after all!

We've had the gender confirmed, both in our 20 week scan at Southmead in Bristol with the NHS, and a private paid-for scan that Mercedes got me for my birthday - First Encounters in Portishead.

After putting Mercedes through her paces, jumping around, emptying her bladder and being poked gently by the sonographer, our baby girl finally rolled over, smiled at us and revealed that she had lady parts.

After a few tears of joy and realisation that Pompey do indeed offer pink baby grows, we welcomed our close friends and family to join us at Botteginos for a gender reveal. Inevitably we had a great time sharing our news with everyone, but that wasn't after the stress of trying to blow up a giant black balloon filled with pink confetti - juggling the worries of blowing it up too much and bursting it with pink confetti going everywhere to ruin the surprise, or not blowing it up enough and failing to get this giant balloon off the ground. We settled for the latter and after a few chairs, a hook already on the ceiling, and my Mum's crutches, we managed to hook the balloon and dangle it from the ceiling.

Since then we've been learning lots about what to expect, buying lots of clothes in preparation - getting carried away with miniature designer outfits (mostly by me, oops!), and getting our house ready for her arrival.

Following recent movement monitoring and an additional sonography scan, she is already at least 5lbs and looking like she's already got a good head of hair - just like her Daddy!

As the British summer continues to soar through blistering heat, and Mercedes enters her last 6-weeks of work as she aims to graft all the way up until due date, she's been coping incredibly well. It's fair to say that our new £15 Screwfix oscillating fan has been one of the best purchases of the pregnancy!

Just over 6-weeks left and still lots to do, but the bulk of stuff has already been bought. The baby's room already has carpet, paint on 3 walls (although needs another touch-up), and Mercedes' Dad, Mr DIY, has already cut the skirting in preparation for fitting. Next up - Phil and I will attempt to wallpaper the feature wall before the furniture goes in over the next few weeks.

This weekend we welcome our family and friends (well the female ones!) to help us celebrate and throw Mercedes a baby shower - another first that she gets to experience, that no doubt we'll share with you afterwards.

This is just the start of our journey and can't wait for you all to be a part of it.

Daddy Dinge x