A different kind of getting ready

 

My idea for baby's room was our hand prints on canvas; my idea for J was foot prints in two frames. The canvas is done (apart from baby's hand prints, of course), as are J's foot prints (apart from baby's, of course). What remains is to spray paint the frames with primer and then green. Do I have enough time left for such a multi-staged task or will baby have other ideas?! 

Getting ready

Packing a bag for baby, getting clothes ready, packing a bag for me, clearing the room, washing sheets for the Moses basket. I've really appreciated these practical preparations, time to get excited about the new arrival. The last few months have been hard for us as a family, couple that with all the busyness that accompanies caring for a growing toddler, and I've found it hard to connect as much with this pregnancy. But, in these small acts of preparation, I connect. I get excited. Getting ready for a real person; a person I'm looking forward to meeting, a person I'm looking forward to getting to know, a person I'm looking forward to loving.

Dear J

My dear J,

We got up early the other morning and came downstairs; I sat cross-legged and you sat on my lap. You wandered off to open cupboard doors (that you're not allowed to) and pulled out the pyrex jug and then brought me a fabulous drum, banging it with a big smile on your face. I put the 'drum' in front of me on its side, as you stood close in front of me, and I gently pushed it. We watched it roll along the floor into the kitchen and I watched you smile, laugh and do a little dance. We then rolled it together a few times, you pushed it, walked after it, gave it a little tap with your toes and then brought it back to start over again!

You are so precious to me and I want to remember and treasure these little moments together. 

Love,

Mummy xx

PS - I really, really like the way you say "ocksss!" (socks).

 

pregnancy success strategies

  

Through nearly 18 months of pregnancy, I'm glad to tell you that I haven't yet eaten coal(!). Different women crave, or want, or need, different things and those probably change from pregnancy to pregnancy. During both pregnancies, I very quickly came to the conclusion that fish is abhorrent - not even to be discussed around me, let alone permitted anywhere near my person. Add to that, this time round, eggs. Nope, I'm still pregnant. Can't think about them. 

But what did I crave or need or find helpful? Well, I couldn't have got through Pregnancy #1 without milk. And, when I say milk, I probably mean Milk. Or maybe even MILK. I would say that it was a need. That's how it felt and I drank a lot of milk - as in, pints a day. What has been helpful so far with Pregnancy #2? Deep Heat. It started out as helpful and has become essential. But I don't consume pints of it daily. 

enjoying our garden

A couple of months ago we moved from our second floor, two bedroom flat to a three-bedroom house with garden. Boy, are we enjoying our garden! Plants and veg patch have been sown, the patio has been chalked, balls have been thrown and bubbles blown. These photos are playing in the garden with my fabulous nephew and the sunflowers I re-potted with my gorgeous son.