Buzzing, bonding and baby presents

You know you've had a fantastic weekend when you REALLY don't want to go to bed on a Sunday night, so the break from work becomes just 'another weekend'.

On both Saturday and Sunday night, not only did I go to bed later than I have done for a looooong time. (Erm, since October, to be frank). But once I did go to bed, I lay on my side WIDE awake with a smile on my face.

The cause of my happy buzz and slight insomnia was due to spending time with my hubster and family for a milestone birthday celebration, and of course, Mother's Day.

My step-dad turned 65-years-old on Saturday, so a retirement for such a workaholic from a company he's worked at since leaving school is more like a 'marathonstone'. The family all came together from various parts of the country to celebrate... and this didn't even quite pull off last Christmas, so it was a brilliant feat.

And boy did we have fun! From laughing at my step-dad modelling his 'Desert hat' pressie to the brace-wearing, rounded waiter in the Indian restaurant, as he tried on my Hub's blazer jacket, gave him a rose, and sucked helium out of the birthday boy's balloon. And of course, there was the question blasted down the long table to me from my merry niece: "Are you going to breast feed?"

At the end of the night my loved ones enjoyed a free shot of alcohol, whilst I downed my rock n' roll orange juice. Hardcore. It was a night to remember. And, as I was sober as a judge on my lovely lime and soda... it will be remembered.

A few of us sat up into the early hours, chatting about babies and the future. And it's probably the first time I've really felt like a mum-to-be enjoying the moment. Just sharing conversations excitedly with my family, as they're all wrapped up in my pregnancy is something we've not had the chance to do.  It was totally uplifting. It's also something I hardly get to do anyway, as I live and breath my work. My male colleagues would much rather discuss Dr Who than breast pumps! I can't stand Dr Who.

Mother's Day was equally as uplifting, as we all ate a scrumptious homely roast dinner with lots of baked desserts that left me wanting to lick the bowl clean.

Presents and hugs were shared and my hub and I even got given some AMAZING presents for us and the baby, including a Gro-egg, baby products, cute baby hangers, a gorgeous blue blanket for the cot and more from my folks. We were also handed an impressive baby tower of goodies from my step-sis. I felt like I was in Friends having a baby shower and I'm not even a mother yet!

Nothing beats smiling and bonding with your loved ones, as we don't know how many more times we'll enjoy like that in the future. Call me sentimental, but I'm starting to really appreciate my family as I get older. They're so precious... and they will also make great babysitters in the future. Just kidding!!

It may have been just 'another weekend', but it's a memory that will stay with me forever (or until I go doolally at least!) Thank you family and hub for a top weekend. Love you all.

Good toes: Sharing laughter and love with my family and being so grateful to them, driving the girls home after the restaurant (something I've never been able to do after a night out before), and not having that third portion of cake offered to me. C'mon, that was willpower!

Bad toes: OK, having the first two portions of cake.