Nesting?

So, finished my first month's work for Matt yesterday - took me two days to do the bibliographies for him - he seems quite pleased with my work - and he is MUCH nicer to work for than my previous boss - he's helpful, cheerful and full of advice - who'd have thought a boss could be like that?!

Unfortunately Matt's not feeling that great today - he's come down with another cold. Neither of us have been ill for such a long period since we've known each other. Not sure if this year is a bad year for colds, or whether it's because we aren't exercising as much as we normally do (mainly my fault - I don't seem to have much lung capacity at the moment) . I am getting over my cold - but still not quite there.

I've spent today being a good housewife, did some laundry, baked some gingerbread (ginger is supposed to be good for colds - well that's my excuse and I'll sticking to it), and have properly cleaned the lounge and vacuumed the whole of the middle floor. Matt is worried that I'm nesting which could mean the baby is imminent, but I always planned to give the house a good clean on maternity leave, just that I've been feeling so rubbish with cold and lack of sleep recently that I haven't had the energy to do it until now.

Last NCT Session

So, I had my last NCT session this morning. Was a good session - talking about how we will change - physically and emotionally after baby is born as well as how our roles will change etc etc. A new mum from a previous session also came along to talk about her labour and brought her baby along for us all to cuddle (I didn't as I still have this cold and also don't feel particularly at ease with other people's babies)

One reassuring thing was that the other mums to be in the group said that they are having trouble visualising themselves with a baby even though it is imminent - that's exactly how I feel.

I was sorry to say goodbye to everyone, I really hope we keep in touch, it will be really good to be able to pick up the phone / meet up with people in exactly the same situation - for reassurance, and to help with any cabin fever that may set in.

Once the session was over, I went over to General to meet up with Carol, Victoria and baby Oliver - who is now just over a week old. He is absolutely tiny and apparently he has grown! Victoria looked fine, was full of good advice about looking after a newborn, labour, etc etc. They are making him fit in with their lives right from the start which is a good way to go - he even went to the races at the weekend.

Oh and as of today I am now offically 'in the zone' which means it could happen at any time, and also means that I can now give birth at PRH.

Last practice with other people's kids?

We're just back from our biannual get-together with Nik's Derby pals (in Wigan this time), and called in to see the Komorowskis on the way back. The weekend therefore involved interaction with kids aged 6, 4, 20 months and 18 months. No children were harmed in any way, so I guess we should be OK when our own arrives.

Young Leia Komorowski seemed to take a real shine to me today and kept coming back for more attention. I was very flattered, but I think Nik was starting to get a bit jealous.

Anyway, it was nice to see everyone looking so well, and we came back with another carload full of baby stuff. Thanks folks. I can't believe how much stuff we've been given/lent. It's been a huge help.

I look like being really busy right up until Munchkin arrives, so will be switching to work schedule B, which involves getting up an hour earlier every day. Fortunately, I now have access to an assistant, a certain N.L. Branch, who'll be helping me out. That should mean I get more translation work done in a day.

As of Tuesday, though, Nik is officially "in the zone" and can give birth at the PRH without the baby being classed as premature, so be prepared for some news any time soon.

36 Week Photo

We have been taking pics of my tum since I began to show at two week intervals. They aren't for public showing - but here's one at 36 weeks for you which is decent.

Everyone keeps telling me how small I am - I certainly don't feel small. When I lie down I get bigger - in fact when Matt is rubbing in my stretch mark cream in bed he calls the other side of my bump 'The Dark Side of the Moon' because he has to stretch to reach it. Apparently it has got a lot denser in recent weeks.

Went to my last breast feeding session today which was held at the Salvation Army (I'm getting to know Telford very well with all these community based courses) Today's session was for us to meet with breast feeding mums so we could ask questions. I as usual went very shy and awkward around the babies, but managed to warm up by the end of the session.

All the mums said that the best advice they could give us was to stay in hospital until you have breastfeeding sorted. Some had stayed in for 5 days plus - apparently that is fine with the hospital - they don't make you leave until you are ready. They all praised the midwives for the support they gave in hospital with breastfeeding. Once you get home you are pretty much on your own, so you need to be confident before you leave. That has reassured me greatly and I have warned Matt that he may be on his own at home for a little longer than he initially thought - I think it is in all our interests to make sure I and therefore the baby are happy with feeding as soon as possible.

Beach Clothes and a Fishing Net for Matt!

So, went to the waterbirth session at the Princess Royal last night, the birthing pool looks a little like a skip, but I still think it is the way to go - anything that reduces the risk of tears sounds good to me, plus the water will make me weightless and help me relax which should all help towards a shorter labour - well that's the theory anyway. Matt was told to wear shorts, flip flops and a light shirt as the room gets quite hot - so he will be in his beach clothes - very bizarre for a February birth.

We also have to purchase a fishing net - one of Matt's jobs will be to fish out any 'foreign objects' that may appear (apparently once you get in the pool, you don't want to get out for any reason!) What a lovely job, I guess I won't be eating any hot curries beforehand!!!!!!

I'm just back from my 36 week antenatal check up - I actually met my named midwife today for the first time. Blood pressure is back to normal and the size of the baby is also normal, my chart predicts that the baby is already over 6lbs, but I don't know how accurate it is, so am not taking it too seriously. Asked the midwife about these pram blankets etc - she said not to worry too much - just bring in some sheets that we will be using in the moses basket - and anyway they have everything on the ward for the baby. She said more important is things for me so I will take her advice.

NCT - money well spent

Last night was the last NCT class attended by everyone (it's mums only next week). As was the case with all the classes, the time flew by and I picked up loads of good information. I (Matt) now know how to breast-feed a baby! We each practised with a doll, and mine gave a loud scream when I squeezed it. Scared the hell out of me.

When the class was over, we all (teacher included) retired to the local pub for a pint or two. As a group of people, we got on really well, and I honestly think most of us will keep in touch once the various babies arrive. One couple live just up the road in Muxton, which is handy. We've volunteered to host the reunion party in April. Poor old Jodie won't know what's hit her. 7 screaming babies in her house.

Tonight is the NHS ante-natal class at the hospital, which couldn't be more different. No-one talks to each other, no-one answers any questions, and a few people look semi-brain-dead. At least the midwife was pretty good. We're also going to look round the water birth room beforehand.

Hardly any work today, so I'm looking forward to another relaxing day...

A 4 Hour Labour - Yes Please!

Matt finished this month's batch of WOSAs first thing today and doesn't have any other urgent work - so decided to take the rest of the day off as a 'useful day'. Went to visit Carol (Office Manager for General where Matt used to work). Her daughter, Victoria gave birth to Oliver James 4am on Saturday morning (she was 3 weeks ahead of me). Labour went well, in fact was only 4 hours from waters breaking to birth - this is unusual for a first child, I've been told the average is 12 hours, but it's good to know that it can happen much quicker. Apparently first thing Victoria wanted once everything had settled down was a MacDonalds - so Carol was dispatched for an Egg and Bacon McMuffin - you can't really deny a new mum a wish can you!

I was going to put a picture of Oliver up here - but thought you might all have heart attacks if you see a picture of a new born baby on the site - so decided against it.

Next stop was Newport where we off loaded a boot load of books we have cleared out to a second hand book shop - which gives us a bit more room in the house. Then to Focus where we bought some planks for the loft, which Matt installed on our return home giving us more storage room in the loft. Then back to the tip with another car load of rubbish - where does it all come from?

Bedding - I had no idea it was so complicated

I am 36 weeks tomorrow, which means that I should have 2 x bags packed. One for me and one for the baby. I think I have sorted myself out, but the baby one is harder.

The world of baby bedding is a confusing one. I've been told to get some cellular blankets. So I spent this morning visiting all the usual stores and am now puzzled. They come in so many varieties and sizes. Do I need separate sized ones for the moses basket and cot, or will a cot sized one do for both? Also does a shawl count as a blanket or is it something completely different?

My NHS booklet tells me to include a pram sheet and blanket - what are they? There certainly aren't any items in the shops labelled as such - do they just mean sheets and blankets that will fit in a pram - if so why do I need these for the hospital? Arghh - it's all very confusing!!!!

I came back home with nothing, thinking to purchase everything on ebay instead, maybe get a bundle that includes everything, however, I can't seem to find anything - and the prices on ebay don't seem much cheaper than Mothercare.

My solution - I think I will drag Matt to the shops one day this week - so we can purchase together - then at least it will be both of us in the right / wrong!

Nursery

So after a week of decluttering the house including 5 trips to the tip we now have a nursery!

It actually looks as if we planned it which is a surprise. Feedback so far has been good although I've been told there are too many frogs and apparently there is a shocking absence of Thomas the Tank Engine!

We have also finally worked out how to put the baby seat in the car, at the moment it is a two person job, hopefully we will both get the knack to do it on our own.

Matt has been having fun putting the window shades on the Civic - the only way they fit is upside down!

Hello

Hello all,

Thought it would be a good idea to set up a blog for when the baby arrives. This will give you a chance to keep in touch with us and the new arrival - depending of course if we are disciplined enough to keep it up to date. We can add photos and videos to this site as well as text so in theory it should be a good tool.