How cute are my boys???
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
And after two months silence a ...meme!!!
Stolen from Dix - me likey!
Here Are Five Things
I've always wanted to do:
1. Learn the piano
2. Sing backing vocals in a proper concert
3. Go to a hot air balloon festival
4. Go to New York
5. Ballroom dance
Found in my bag:
1. Purse
2. Phone
3. Lipstick
4. iPod
5. Words for the Christmas Play for Reception
Found in my wallet:
1. £18 and some change
2. Loyalty card from Beauty salon
3. Note from my Gp congratulating me on Ted's birth
4. Photo of Alfie
5. Details of my friend's anme, address, numbers etc
I'm currently into:
1. The Sopranos
2. Painting canvases with children's name and DOB and a funny animal
3. Anything by Benefit
4. Amy Winehouse
5. Hot chocolate
Here Are Five Things
I've always wanted to do:
1. Learn the piano
2. Sing backing vocals in a proper concert
3. Go to a hot air balloon festival
4. Go to New York
5. Ballroom dance
Found in my bag:
1. Purse
2. Phone
3. Lipstick
4. iPod
5. Words for the Christmas Play for Reception
Found in my wallet:
1. £18 and some change
2. Loyalty card from Beauty salon
3. Note from my Gp congratulating me on Ted's birth
4. Photo of Alfie
5. Details of my friend's anme, address, numbers etc
I'm currently into:
1. The Sopranos
2. Painting canvases with children's name and DOB and a funny animal
3. Anything by Benefit
4. Amy Winehouse
5. Hot chocolate
Monday, November 26, 2007
A two month hiatus
Due to computer problems. I feel funny about writing my blog using Mike's computer, so I haven't written at all. So, in case I have any readers left at all, here are some bullet points to update you on the last two months
- I am now 36 years old. Why do I not feel like a grown up?
- Ted is now six months old. How did that happen?
- He is on three meals a day. We made it to 17 weeks without food, but he was hungry
- We are only breastfeeding in the morning now
- I am still looking for my waist - why is it not back yet?
- I return to work in just over a month
- I am going back four days a week, with a Friday off
- This is good, but negotiating this nearly gave me a heart attack
- Alfie is marvellous
- He got a great report at Parents' evening
- Mike and I are working on our relationship like walking through treacle
- This is compounded by my hormones
- Which are also causing my hair to come out at a rate of knots and my nails to break
- I have become obsessed with The Sopranos, about six years after everyone else. Could Tony Soprano BE a more complex character?
- Alfie and I are also obsessed with Strictly Come Dancing. We supported John Barnes, but now he is out we are all about Matt and Flavia
- V+, the Virgin Media version of Sky Plus is feeding these habits - we love it!
- I am getting there with Christmas Shopping
- Mike is 40 in three weeks and is impossible to buy for
- I have something up my sleeve though
- I am still really enjoying being off and heartbroken about returning to work
- We are just going to see how return to work goes
Is that it? For two months????
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Sick as a man?
Yesterday I discovered that there is only one thing worse than being a bit unwell and stuck in the house with a little baby. When your husband is also ill and has to take to his bed. Because you want to kill him. I wish I was one of those earth mother types who felt the need to take care of him (I did check up on him a couple of times, but three times he was asleep. The other time I got him a hot chocolate and a ribena). Why are men always SO much more ill than women? I couldn't take to bed, I had a baby to feed and take care of, not to mention the school run. Anyway, I starved (apart from dry toast and a baked potato) and went to bed at 9pm and feel much better. And M has gone to work today so he is feeling better too.
Went away for the night on Saturday for my friend's 40th to a cottage in Settle. It was nice, but I forgot the pump part of the breast pump so had started with mastitis on Sunday morning - dizzy and detached - and had to (carefully) drive home. Typical to make sure everything is organised and sorted and then forget something so intrinsic. Drank too much wine, so having a dry week this week, nothing until Friday.
Ted is still a complete joy, so happy and cheerful, really makes my day. A is also a sweetheart, we had his school birthday party on Friday, six little boys at a soft play centre, which was really nice. I am so lucky with my darling boys, and I am very content (apart from yesterday)
Went away for the night on Saturday for my friend's 40th to a cottage in Settle. It was nice, but I forgot the pump part of the breast pump so had started with mastitis on Sunday morning - dizzy and detached - and had to (carefully) drive home. Typical to make sure everything is organised and sorted and then forget something so intrinsic. Drank too much wine, so having a dry week this week, nothing until Friday.
Ted is still a complete joy, so happy and cheerful, really makes my day. A is also a sweetheart, we had his school birthday party on Friday, six little boys at a soft play centre, which was really nice. I am so lucky with my darling boys, and I am very content (apart from yesterday)
Monday, September 10, 2007
Food for thought
Well, my (bigger) baby has gone back to school, and things are a bit calmer chez moi. I really do miss him though, although towards the end I was looking forward to him going back! He seems happy at school, and glad to be back in the routine.
My smaller baby (!) is as cute as a button, it's amazing how the changes start to take place. He's grabbing at toys that are dangling down, he's lifting his head and shoulders up from his chair, standing up on me if I hold his fingers. He loves "Round and Round the Garden" and "This Little Piggy" and he loves to be bounced up and down on my knee. I think in a couple of weeks I'll ge the baby bouncer down and give him a go in it. It seems amazing that when A was his age, I began to wean him, there's just no feeling that I need to do that at the moment. He's happy enough on his boobyjuice, although in October I might start him on one bottle a day, and then I think I'll wean him at the beginning of November. If it happens before then, fair enough.
I'd quite like my body back now. It wasn't much to start off with, but it is starting to get me down now that I am hanging on to quite a big of baby weight and my boobs are better than they were but still ridiculous. I'm trying to eat healthily and doing ok, but I'm sure that feeding isn't helping me. Neither is my mother, who tried to feed me FOUR bacon rolls for my lunch yesterday, which really upset me. She would never, ever, ever in a million years give my sister four bacon rolls (petite, blonde size 10, horrendous relationship with food IMHO, which she is in danger of passing on to my niece, who unfortunately for my sister and her hang ups, is built like me) and i got quite cross and gave her two of them back, she took umbrage. They weren't huge, they were rolls about the size of a small orange, but even so. The trouble is, I would have eaten them, I know I would, so they needed not to be there. I don't have an unhealthily relationship with food any more, it doesn't control me, and I don't feel the need to binge/berate myself/obsess. I do however feel a need to get back in my pre-pregnancy trousers. I will never be a size 12, but I could do with being a 16 again. Four bacon rolls will not help this, and it makes me wonder, why am I so much bigger than my sister? I think that my family has a propensity to being bigger, both my parents are fairly chunky, as are thier brothers and sisters. I think it's two things, my sister is amazingly controlling about food (she has a list of dislikes and aversions as long as your arm, which I think is her way of controlling her appetite) and I think because she was a picky eater as a child I made up for her by eating well, and was fed by my mother to make up for her not eating. And I am greedy, heh. I noticed my mum encouraging A and his cousin to eat (they are both good with food, although my niece has a more limited diet. Wonder where that comes from??) even as thier mouths were full, "Eat up". I had to say "Mum, he's got his mouth full, give him a chance!"
It's so important what we do with our kids, because what we do now sticks with them, and there are enough outside influences on them without the people who love them most joining in. I don't want my niece spending the best part of her teens and twenties loathing herself and sporadically bingeing and purging like I did. It's how I handle that if I think it's coming, because there's one thing that it's impossible to do well - criticise how someone is rearing thier child.
My smaller baby (!) is as cute as a button, it's amazing how the changes start to take place. He's grabbing at toys that are dangling down, he's lifting his head and shoulders up from his chair, standing up on me if I hold his fingers. He loves "Round and Round the Garden" and "This Little Piggy" and he loves to be bounced up and down on my knee. I think in a couple of weeks I'll ge the baby bouncer down and give him a go in it. It seems amazing that when A was his age, I began to wean him, there's just no feeling that I need to do that at the moment. He's happy enough on his boobyjuice, although in October I might start him on one bottle a day, and then I think I'll wean him at the beginning of November. If it happens before then, fair enough.
I'd quite like my body back now. It wasn't much to start off with, but it is starting to get me down now that I am hanging on to quite a big of baby weight and my boobs are better than they were but still ridiculous. I'm trying to eat healthily and doing ok, but I'm sure that feeding isn't helping me. Neither is my mother, who tried to feed me FOUR bacon rolls for my lunch yesterday, which really upset me. She would never, ever, ever in a million years give my sister four bacon rolls (petite, blonde size 10, horrendous relationship with food IMHO, which she is in danger of passing on to my niece, who unfortunately for my sister and her hang ups, is built like me) and i got quite cross and gave her two of them back, she took umbrage. They weren't huge, they were rolls about the size of a small orange, but even so. The trouble is, I would have eaten them, I know I would, so they needed not to be there. I don't have an unhealthily relationship with food any more, it doesn't control me, and I don't feel the need to binge/berate myself/obsess. I do however feel a need to get back in my pre-pregnancy trousers. I will never be a size 12, but I could do with being a 16 again. Four bacon rolls will not help this, and it makes me wonder, why am I so much bigger than my sister? I think that my family has a propensity to being bigger, both my parents are fairly chunky, as are thier brothers and sisters. I think it's two things, my sister is amazingly controlling about food (she has a list of dislikes and aversions as long as your arm, which I think is her way of controlling her appetite) and I think because she was a picky eater as a child I made up for her by eating well, and was fed by my mother to make up for her not eating. And I am greedy, heh. I noticed my mum encouraging A and his cousin to eat (they are both good with food, although my niece has a more limited diet. Wonder where that comes from??) even as thier mouths were full, "Eat up". I had to say "Mum, he's got his mouth full, give him a chance!"
It's so important what we do with our kids, because what we do now sticks with them, and there are enough outside influences on them without the people who love them most joining in. I don't want my niece spending the best part of her teens and twenties loathing herself and sporadically bingeing and purging like I did. It's how I handle that if I think it's coming, because there's one thing that it's impossible to do well - criticise how someone is rearing thier child.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
*blows dust off blog*
OMG was it really July 10th since I blogged?? How dreadful!
So, well, what's been going on? Ted is now twelve and a half weeks old, he's been sleeping through the night since he was about eight weeks, and has fairly regular naps through the day (a long one in either the morning or after lunch and a shorter one, both in his cot if we are at home, and then one other either in his pram or cuddled up with someone, usually me!) he is absolutely gorgeous, so smiley and gurgly, an absolute delight to be with! He isn't such a big bruiser now, he is putting on weight and growing in length, but having bumped into someone who was in hospital with me yesterday whose baby is now 18lb he seems very dainty! I think he's about 15lbs now, he was 14lbs three weeks ago. I'm not concerned, he's sleeping through, lots of wet and dirty nappies and as happy as Larry. He's more long than chunky, and he is completely breastfed (this other baby is formula fed, and they can gain weight more quickly). Do you think I've convinced myself yet? LOL
We are almost at the end of A's summer holidays, and it's been good and bad. There have been moments when I have wanted to hand him over to the nearest children's home (not really, but you know what I mean) and moments of pure joy. We've been camping and to Devon, both great holidays. I've also locked the children's channels on the TV as I think he's watching the wrong kind of TV, I've kept CBeebies and CBBC (I'm so middle class!) but got rid of the rest, that's defintiely had a good effect, he's still watching TV (in fact we're having a PJ day today) but it's DVDs, which is much better (currently retro Wacky Races!) We've also got him a swing, and have been spending lots of time in the park.
Mike and I are working hard on our relationship at the moment too. When I got pregnant things weren't great and my pregnancy and Mik'e new job papered a lot of cracks. then once Ted was born, there was a whole hormonal babymooning period for me, and it's only in the last few weeks that the rose coloured haze has cleared a little bit and some of the old issues have raised thier heads. We're great at being a family, we're best friends and fantastic companions, he's a wonderful Dad, but we aren't very good at being a couple so much. so we've been working on that, trying to be straight with each other and making a bit more of an effort, and lately (just in the last few days it seems better. It's not helped by my not feeling myself, although I am getting sleep, I am physically tired as breastfeeding really takes it out of me, and the hormones it produces are not great ones for me. My upper back is painful and my body aches a lot. I have some surges of bad temper and rage that I (mostly) supress which adds to the tension in my upper back, neck and shoulders. I need some Zoe time as well, and I need to work on that. I'm also terrified of going back to work, leaving Ted, and not being able to cope. I know it will be okay, and also that it is ages away, but it still scares me.
I hear stirrings on the listener, back later
So, well, what's been going on? Ted is now twelve and a half weeks old, he's been sleeping through the night since he was about eight weeks, and has fairly regular naps through the day (a long one in either the morning or after lunch and a shorter one, both in his cot if we are at home, and then one other either in his pram or cuddled up with someone, usually me!) he is absolutely gorgeous, so smiley and gurgly, an absolute delight to be with! He isn't such a big bruiser now, he is putting on weight and growing in length, but having bumped into someone who was in hospital with me yesterday whose baby is now 18lb he seems very dainty! I think he's about 15lbs now, he was 14lbs three weeks ago. I'm not concerned, he's sleeping through, lots of wet and dirty nappies and as happy as Larry. He's more long than chunky, and he is completely breastfed (this other baby is formula fed, and they can gain weight more quickly). Do you think I've convinced myself yet? LOL
We are almost at the end of A's summer holidays, and it's been good and bad. There have been moments when I have wanted to hand him over to the nearest children's home (not really, but you know what I mean) and moments of pure joy. We've been camping and to Devon, both great holidays. I've also locked the children's channels on the TV as I think he's watching the wrong kind of TV, I've kept CBeebies and CBBC (I'm so middle class!) but got rid of the rest, that's defintiely had a good effect, he's still watching TV (in fact we're having a PJ day today) but it's DVDs, which is much better (currently retro Wacky Races!) We've also got him a swing, and have been spending lots of time in the park.
Mike and I are working hard on our relationship at the moment too. When I got pregnant things weren't great and my pregnancy and Mik'e new job papered a lot of cracks. then once Ted was born, there was a whole hormonal babymooning period for me, and it's only in the last few weeks that the rose coloured haze has cleared a little bit and some of the old issues have raised thier heads. We're great at being a family, we're best friends and fantastic companions, he's a wonderful Dad, but we aren't very good at being a couple so much. so we've been working on that, trying to be straight with each other and making a bit more of an effort, and lately (just in the last few days it seems better. It's not helped by my not feeling myself, although I am getting sleep, I am physically tired as breastfeeding really takes it out of me, and the hormones it produces are not great ones for me. My upper back is painful and my body aches a lot. I have some surges of bad temper and rage that I (mostly) supress which adds to the tension in my upper back, neck and shoulders. I need some Zoe time as well, and I need to work on that. I'm also terrified of going back to work, leaving Ted, and not being able to cope. I know it will be okay, and also that it is ages away, but it still scares me.
I hear stirrings on the listener, back later
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Update
Long time no blog - well, I have been a bit busy! Ted is five weeks and four days old today, and quite frankly, is a pleasure and a treasure. Because he is a big boy, he is sleeping really well, typically going down at 8.00-8.30 and then going through until 3am-ish, then till morning, usually when I wake him to do the school run. There was one blissful night of 8.30-6.30, with a follow on kip until 9am, needless to say, Mummy was the one getting up with A at 7.15 though. How did that happen??? He's feeding really well too, and really quickly, which is great, except it means that I don't get as much legitimate sitting around on my ass as I did with Alfie, feeding. He's pretty good at daytime sleep in the pram/on me, I am trying to encourage more in the cot (where he is now) , with mixed results. TBH we're not in all that much for sleeps in the cot, we're out and about a lot, which is good for my brain but not my body. I'm feeling quite tired, which is of course understandable, but also a bit crap considering how lucky I am in the overnight sleep department. I know that there will be other Mummy bloggers throwing things at the screen at the thought of me being tired, but I am. I'm also concerned about my continuing ability to throw copious amounts of crap food down my neck - I'm hungry a lot and for rubbish, I am trying to amend the rubbish, but worryingly, don't really feel better until I have eaten some kind of refined sugar; I may have created an anddiction. My meals are good and balanced, thanks to my meal planner initiated before the baby arrived, it's the snacking in between that doesn't help. I really am trying to make it better, and I am doing lots of walking with the pram, but generally there's some serious belly and ass fat over here, not to mention the attractive sight of my huge breasts not very well supported in my nursing bra.
nursing bras are crap - why? Surely they could be made from more supportive material, I understand they can't have underwires, but that 1950's stiff stuff surely? There's nothing worse for your self esteem than floppy boobs resting on a post partum jelly belly, resting on a C-section overhang. Yummy Mummy - not.
nursing bras are crap - why? Surely they could be made from more supportive material, I understand they can't have underwires, but that 1950's stiff stuff surely? There's nothing worse for your self esteem than floppy boobs resting on a post partum jelly belly, resting on a C-section overhang. Yummy Mummy - not.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Update and photos (or at least a link!)
All is going swimmingly, and I have to say that Ted is one of the easiest babies I have ever come across (looks around wildly for wood to liberally stroke!) - I'm fully aware that these things change, and I am prepared for that, just enjoying this at the moment. M has gone back to work today, and the HV is coming at 10am, she is the same one as last time, and my opinion then was that she was a "chocolate teapot" so we'll see how I feel after today. I'm going to venture out to buy milk, and then collect A from school and that will be it for today. I've kept clear of school for a bit as I don't even want to think about work - it's inevitable that I will when I'm there because it isn't just A's school it's my workplace. Every day M comes home with cards and presents from people on the playground - they are so kind and generous! Ted has clothes to keep him going forever I think!
A has really settled into life as a four now, it's been easier since he went back to school and is in a routine, and we had a lively weekend, with visitors on Sat afternoon, tea at a friends on Saturday night (hurrah for red wine for me!!!) and then the local fete and a neighbours 60th birthday party yesterday, so it's been godo fun and not too much telly watching. Mum's coming next weekend, and I am slowly getting our social life back on an even keel after it being on hold for a while due to not knowing what date Ted would arrive.
I'm in that awful place where my pre-pg clothes are still a bit tight, and my mat clothes are on the whole too big. i know it's swelling and wide pelvis as my weight is pretty ok, only about 10lbs over my pre-pg weight and they should fit, but it's a bit frustrating. All my summer skirts fit, but the weather's a bit cold for them, and I need some new summer t-shirts, especially as my boobs are (even!) bigger than they were and feeding bras aren't the best bras in the world to wear - they're a bit saggy.
I'm supposed to be going to the school ball on Saturday, so one of this week's jobs is to get Ted to take a bottle of expressed breast milk, a job for Daddy methinks!
Link to photos, as I have no success when I try to do anything fancy on this blog!
Here
A has really settled into life as a four now, it's been easier since he went back to school and is in a routine, and we had a lively weekend, with visitors on Sat afternoon, tea at a friends on Saturday night (hurrah for red wine for me!!!) and then the local fete and a neighbours 60th birthday party yesterday, so it's been godo fun and not too much telly watching. Mum's coming next weekend, and I am slowly getting our social life back on an even keel after it being on hold for a while due to not knowing what date Ted would arrive.
I'm in that awful place where my pre-pg clothes are still a bit tight, and my mat clothes are on the whole too big. i know it's swelling and wide pelvis as my weight is pretty ok, only about 10lbs over my pre-pg weight and they should fit, but it's a bit frustrating. All my summer skirts fit, but the weather's a bit cold for them, and I need some new summer t-shirts, especially as my boobs are (even!) bigger than they were and feeding bras aren't the best bras in the world to wear - they're a bit saggy.
I'm supposed to be going to the school ball on Saturday, so one of this week's jobs is to get Ted to take a bottle of expressed breast milk, a job for Daddy methinks!
Link to photos, as I have no success when I try to do anything fancy on this blog!
Here
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Woo-hoo!
9.45pm-1am; 1.50-5am; 5.20-7.20! Result! I feel like I'm a different person, sleep is such a great thing! Feeding more must have helped, I fed him for almost the whole of The Apprentice (ha! Katie, I knew you were a charlatan - well done Sralan!)
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
In these shoes...I doubt you'd survive
Been home for two days and things are going fairly smoothly. Ted is feeding really well, which feels like a great achievement to me as I found feeding very hard with A, and struggled on for four months using shields and expressing, and the occasional formula feed. It was a relief when it was all over, but so far, thanks to preparation and great support at the hospital, and a breast feeding midwife friend on stand by at home, I actually seem to be able to do it this time. Night times haven't been fabulous, but bearable. Ted had terrible wind on Monday night, and my milk came in at the same time so we were a bit miserable, and basically I was up from 12midnight until 5.30am with him, trying to get him to feed, expressing and trying to wind him, ably aided by M from 4.30am. Eventually M took him off downstairs at 6am and I slept till 10. Last night was better - up 12midnight till 4.30am, mainly because all he wanted to do was feed, catching up from the night before. Tiring, but less stressful, as there wasn't much crying, just demanding to feed. Again, once he was off I got another block of sleep until ds came in at 7.15am. I have sent M to the spare room for now, as A is on half term and one of us needs to be compis mentis in the day, although my lovely Dad has taken him out for lovely treats today, so it's been peaceful.
I've increased Ted's daytime feeds now my milk has come on, and am making him feed every three hours, in an attempt to get longer stretches at night, does that sound right? Ted is mainly sleeping in between feeds in the day, which also sounds about right I hope? Midwife said that she didn't see why not. Anyway, if I have another wakeful night tonight, I'll try and keep him awake a bit more in the day tomorrow. It's all trial and error isn't it? He's so scrumptious I'm finding I'm not too fussed about the broken nights, although I am tired today.
In terms of recovery I am feeling pretty ok. My tummy is feeling good, I am sure that the arnica I started taking last week has really helped a lot. I'm on paracetamol and Diclofenac together for pain relief, and had the stitches out this morning, which has really helped, as they were beginning to catch a bit. Bleeding has much reduced, I think as they were quite quiet on the Delivery Unit, they cleared a lot of the cack out when they did the section.
In other exciting news, I had a pair of wedges delivered from La Redoute today, and was so excited that my puffy feet have reduced enough for me to try them on that I have been wearing them all day long - not sure on the exact heel, but 3-4 inches: I'm back baby!!!!!
I've increased Ted's daytime feeds now my milk has come on, and am making him feed every three hours, in an attempt to get longer stretches at night, does that sound right? Ted is mainly sleeping in between feeds in the day, which also sounds about right I hope? Midwife said that she didn't see why not. Anyway, if I have another wakeful night tonight, I'll try and keep him awake a bit more in the day tomorrow. It's all trial and error isn't it? He's so scrumptious I'm finding I'm not too fussed about the broken nights, although I am tired today.
In terms of recovery I am feeling pretty ok. My tummy is feeling good, I am sure that the arnica I started taking last week has really helped a lot. I'm on paracetamol and Diclofenac together for pain relief, and had the stitches out this morning, which has really helped, as they were beginning to catch a bit. Bleeding has much reduced, I think as they were quite quiet on the Delivery Unit, they cleared a lot of the cack out when they did the section.
In other exciting news, I had a pair of wedges delivered from La Redoute today, and was so excited that my puffy feet have reduced enough for me to try them on that I have been wearing them all day long - not sure on the exact heel, but 3-4 inches: I'm back baby!!!!!
Monday, June 04, 2007
Friday's Child
We arrived at the hospital at 7.50am on Friday 1st June. I had had a C-Section previously as an emergency in 2001, but had very much wanted a VBAC. The hospital had agreed, but were keen for me not to go too far over. At nine days late, I went in for my elective C-Section - even at this stage, the hospital had been okay for me to go further if I wanted to, but by Friday I was happier to get it over with, as a fear of history repeating itself from the first birth - 12 days late, 3 inductions, 2 day labour, emergency C-section - was looming. The midwife who met us was absolutely lovely, and explained that we were the only people on the Delivery suite (this of a big, teaching hospital, how bizarre!) so could get on straight away. This had the effect of bringing all my pent up emotions to the forefront, and when she went to get the paperwork, I started to sob all over poor M. Midwife was fabulous when she came back in and really reassuring.
We went through all the paperwork, and the anaesthetist came to talk about the contraindications (major advantage of the emergency was no time for all of that). Then it was time to get changed and go down to the Theatre. It is an especially surreal feeling walking down to have a baby.
Then we had to wait for various personnel to arrive, but we chatted to the two midwives (ours and the Scrub midwife) who were lovely. Once we got into theatre we met some other participants - the Anaesthetics assistant in particular was fab - and because it was quiet, there were some bigwigs around: the anaesthetic consultant did some on the job training/support with the Reg (I have to say the anaesthetic consultant was gawjus!) and the on-call obstetric consultant had a nosy as well. The Obs Reg was the doctor we had seen at our last antenatal and was really nice. So all in all it was a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, especially when they put my favourite radio station Xfm on.
The spinal took 42 minutes to put in, and it was a really stressful time. I pointed out to the Anaesthtist that the "too posh to push" brigade could do with being in the roon at that point to see that CS isn't an "easy" option. I am bruised to b*******y on my back, and of course the whole 42 minutes thought of all the things that could go wrong. Anyway eventually it was in - what an odd feeling! I had had a topped up epidural for my previous section, and there was a marked difference - my legs were heavy, tingly and then: lifeless. The screens went up, and dh and I held hands very tight and the anaesthetist and assistant distracted us by chatting. I could feel stuff happenening and there was a particularly gruesome bit where they were really shoving the top of my bump down, which was uncomfortable rather than painful. And then - the baby was out!
A was a biggie 9lb 11oz, but all the way through, the midwives and doctors had told us that this one wasn't going to be as big, that was one of the reasons the VBAC had been a go-er. So when the midwife said "It's a biggun!", we both said "oh, but not as big as our other child"...until she brought him (for it is HE) around the screen, and he was HUGE. We both went "Bloodyhell!" When she popped him onto the scales he was 10lbs and 7oz! He is 57cm long and has a 38.5 cm head circumference. M cut the cord, and supervised the clean up etc, and then the lovley midwife brought him over to me and we had skin to skin and lovely cuddles whilst the surgeons did thier jobs.
When it was all over, we went to recovery, and the midwife set me up like the Queen of Sheba, with pillows and supports and towels and blankets for our first feed. The feeding has been a worry for me as I had to use shields with A as my nipples were inverted and flat. This time, however, we tok to it really well, and it was a lovely time for the three of us and the midwife in recovery, and then M popped to call our parents.
We were up on the ward by about 12. M stayed with me all afternoon and my Mum brought A to see his new brother at 3. I have to say, it was a lovely positive experience, given that it was so different from what I had hoped, and DS2 is yummy, really scrumptious - I'm quite in love!
We've called him Ted Patrick Fergus, and it suits him very well. He's still feeding well(no shields! It's amazing what a bit of second time around confidence will do for you!) and so far (x) sleeping well. M, A and I love him to bits! I had a very nice postnatal experience, with lovely midwives who really promoted breastfeeding and supported all the women on the ward. The women I shared with were great, and we've exchanged numbers, so hoping for a couple of new mummy get together opportunities. I feel very well post operatively (arnica, I swear) and we came home today. Ted's already been out for a quick trip to Boots and for a coffee.
We seem to be doing ok at home - it's early days, but we're more relaxed than we were 6 years ago. He's lovely, and I'm so, so glad that we have had him.
We went through all the paperwork, and the anaesthetist came to talk about the contraindications (major advantage of the emergency was no time for all of that). Then it was time to get changed and go down to the Theatre. It is an especially surreal feeling walking down to have a baby.
Then we had to wait for various personnel to arrive, but we chatted to the two midwives (ours and the Scrub midwife) who were lovely. Once we got into theatre we met some other participants - the Anaesthetics assistant in particular was fab - and because it was quiet, there were some bigwigs around: the anaesthetic consultant did some on the job training/support with the Reg (I have to say the anaesthetic consultant was gawjus!) and the on-call obstetric consultant had a nosy as well. The Obs Reg was the doctor we had seen at our last antenatal and was really nice. So all in all it was a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, especially when they put my favourite radio station Xfm on.
The spinal took 42 minutes to put in, and it was a really stressful time. I pointed out to the Anaesthtist that the "too posh to push" brigade could do with being in the roon at that point to see that CS isn't an "easy" option. I am bruised to b*******y on my back, and of course the whole 42 minutes thought of all the things that could go wrong. Anyway eventually it was in - what an odd feeling! I had had a topped up epidural for my previous section, and there was a marked difference - my legs were heavy, tingly and then: lifeless. The screens went up, and dh and I held hands very tight and the anaesthetist and assistant distracted us by chatting. I could feel stuff happenening and there was a particularly gruesome bit where they were really shoving the top of my bump down, which was uncomfortable rather than painful. And then - the baby was out!
A was a biggie 9lb 11oz, but all the way through, the midwives and doctors had told us that this one wasn't going to be as big, that was one of the reasons the VBAC had been a go-er. So when the midwife said "It's a biggun!", we both said "oh, but not as big as our other child"...until she brought him (for it is HE) around the screen, and he was HUGE. We both went "Bloodyhell!" When she popped him onto the scales he was 10lbs and 7oz! He is 57cm long and has a 38.5 cm head circumference. M cut the cord, and supervised the clean up etc, and then the lovley midwife brought him over to me and we had skin to skin and lovely cuddles whilst the surgeons did thier jobs.
When it was all over, we went to recovery, and the midwife set me up like the Queen of Sheba, with pillows and supports and towels and blankets for our first feed. The feeding has been a worry for me as I had to use shields with A as my nipples were inverted and flat. This time, however, we tok to it really well, and it was a lovely time for the three of us and the midwife in recovery, and then M popped to call our parents.
We were up on the ward by about 12. M stayed with me all afternoon and my Mum brought A to see his new brother at 3. I have to say, it was a lovely positive experience, given that it was so different from what I had hoped, and DS2 is yummy, really scrumptious - I'm quite in love!
We've called him Ted Patrick Fergus, and it suits him very well. He's still feeding well(no shields! It's amazing what a bit of second time around confidence will do for you!) and so far (x) sleeping well. M, A and I love him to bits! I had a very nice postnatal experience, with lovely midwives who really promoted breastfeeding and supported all the women on the ward. The women I shared with were great, and we've exchanged numbers, so hoping for a couple of new mummy get together opportunities. I feel very well post operatively (arnica, I swear) and we came home today. Ted's already been out for a quick trip to Boots and for a coffee.
We seem to be doing ok at home - it's early days, but we're more relaxed than we were 6 years ago. He's lovely, and I'm so, so glad that we have had him.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
There's a light at the end of the tunnel
I am booked for an elective C-section on Friday am, so I will be having a June baby Of course, nature might take its course before then, but there aren't any signs of that happening, so... I feel okay about the decision. Really, it's that, or wait until next Wednesday and have the only form of induction they are prepared to offer someone who's had a previous C-section, which is to see if they can break the waters. Even then, they'll only give you so long to deliver, and want to see "serious" progression (ie, 1hr=1cm). All of that considered, they did not pressure us in any way, and it was very much our decision. Much as I want to continue my aspiring lentil-weavering, I have the experience of last time affecting my perception, and I really think I could not bear to go through all that again for the same conclusion as I can have relatively straightforwardly, and nearly a week earlier. I don't regret my decision to wait until now (I will be 41+2 on Friday by my dates) because I think it means I've given my baby every chance to be as strong as possible, and also to come of its own accord. I think I may have to accept that I am good at growing big healthy babies (this one is apparantley "not small", but not as big as 10lb ds), but not really built for delivering them. It's quite hard as a woman to reconcile myself to that, because it feels like an unfullfilled biological destiny (and I know that it doens't matter etc, and I would be the first person telling someone else that)but once I've got ds2/dd in my arms it will cease to be of any importance.
Sorry if you've just ploughed through all that, I just thought I would save myself £50 with a therapist!
Sorry if you've just ploughed through all that, I just thought I would save myself £50 with a therapist!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Hopefully, the last pre-baby shuffle
So, now I am two days over by my dates, although due today by the hospital's dates. If we've had no action by Tuesday I have to go in and arrange a section, which I hope will be Wednesday or Thursday. I'll be glad, to be honest, I'm more or less resigned to it now, and I'm really ready for the baby to be here so that we can get on with being a bigger family! I feel a bit poignant for the "old" life, but I'm so looking forward to the "new" life. I have so many niggly worries, primary in my mind is Is It Possible To Love Two Children Equally? - I understand that this is a common one! Also, of course, Is The Baby Going To Be Ok? With added Am I Going To Be Ok? which is a new one, wasn't too concerned about me last time, but now I am already a Mummy, that's a kind of knock on concern about A. I don't think I own the "nesting" gene sadly, but then I am generally a quite clean and fairly tidy person, so there's nothing huge that needs doing. I'm going to have a curry and some pineapple tonight, I mooted the idea of a bit of how'syerfather the other day but it wasn't received with any great enthusiasm... Can't say I blame him, it feels a bit like it would be a complex job!
1. Sail Away - Kirsty McColl
2. When Love Comes To Town - U2 with BB King
3. First of the Gang To Die - Morrissey
4. Half a Person - The Smiths
5. Yes - McAlmont and Butler (when I am on Pop/American Idol, I will sing this in my opening show. Just in case I don't get through to sing it in the final)
6. Sing it Back - Moloko
7. Clocks - Coldplay and Buena Vista Social Club
8. Mathematics - Cherry Ghost
9. Reach Out - Take That
10. She's Electric - Oasis
1. Sail Away - Kirsty McColl
2. When Love Comes To Town - U2 with BB King
3. First of the Gang To Die - Morrissey
4. Half a Person - The Smiths
5. Yes - McAlmont and Butler (when I am on Pop/American Idol, I will sing this in my opening show. Just in case I don't get through to sing it in the final)
6. Sing it Back - Moloko
7. Clocks - Coldplay and Buena Vista Social Club
8. Mathematics - Cherry Ghost
9. Reach Out - Take That
10. She's Electric - Oasis
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
meme
So, of course, if you're one day off your due date, and needing stuff to do, you book lunches, shopping, a hair cut and colour... oh, and do a book meme of course! (Pinched from Dix, who stole blatently from Katya)
A book that made you cry: Jude the Obscure - I stayed in bed for two days after I finished my A levels to read it. I vividly remember turning the page, gasping and bursting into tears. No wonder my Mum confiscated it until after my A levels were over.
A book that scared you: I don't really like to be scared, so I wouldn't intentionally read a horror book. However, in one of the Harry Potter books (it's either 3 or 4) the Dementors first appear. I was reading it down in my cellar living room, and was too scared to come to bed after reading about them.
A book that made you laugh:
A book that disgusted you: Pandora by Jilly Cooper. I'm disgusted thgat anyone could even pay good money to her to write it, or that anyone would pay good money to buy it
A book you loved in elementary school: Elementary school is primary school right? 4-11? Anyway, I loved Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield, the story of the three Fossil sisters, Pauline, Petrova and Posy, growing up in pre-war London. In fact anything by Noel Streatfield - The Painted Garden is also ace. And the Malory Towers and St Clare's books too.
A book you loved in junior high: So that's lower secondary school, yes? That must have been when I read Judy Blume. But my secret fave was Coleen McCullough's The Thorn Birds. Especially page 348
A book you loved in high school: And this is upper secondary - so about 15-18? I really liked Persuasion by Jane Austen because I studied it at A level, and when you "do" a book so deeply, you either love or hate it. I loved this one, even though I think generally it's considered to be a pretty tedious Austen.
A book you hated in high school: Nothing really I don't think. If I didn't like it, I didn't read it, and I'm pretty much the same now. The number of "classics" I've abandoned - Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Birdsong...
A book you loved in college: I read Literature at University, and I don't remember reading much for pleasure, although I must have done. But, I did enjoy a lot of the stuff I read for the course - Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti springs to mind.
A book that challenged your identity: Made me ask questions about who I am? Fat Is A Feminist Issue. Given to me at 17, still something I would dip into even now
A series that you love: I adore Adriana Trigiani's Big Stone Gap books. Or Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series
Your favorite horror book: None. See above
Your favorite science fiction book: The Hand Maid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Your favorite fantasy book: Again, not that keen on fantasy.
Your favorite mystery book: Whodunnit? Probably Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie. Love me an Agatha Christie
Your favorite graphic novel: Best described, is that what this means?
Your favorite biography: I'm not that interested in most people's lives, but I did enjoy John Peel's Margrave of the Marsh
Your favorite "coming-of-age" book: Marjorie Morningstar
Your favorite classic: I've mentioned a few already. Love Hardy, Austen, a Bronte or two.
Your favorite romance book: Pride and Prejudice - does that count?
Favorite kids book: Oooooh, absolutely loads - We're going on a Bear Hunt, One Duck Stuck, Dig, Dig, Digging, anything by Roald Dahl...
Favorite cookbook: It has to be The complete Delia Smith, given to me by my Mum when I left home, and much used and well thumbed
Your favorite book not on this list: Terri McMillan's Waiting to Exhale
A book that made you cry: Jude the Obscure - I stayed in bed for two days after I finished my A levels to read it. I vividly remember turning the page, gasping and bursting into tears. No wonder my Mum confiscated it until after my A levels were over.
A book that scared you: I don't really like to be scared, so I wouldn't intentionally read a horror book. However, in one of the Harry Potter books (it's either 3 or 4) the Dementors first appear. I was reading it down in my cellar living room, and was too scared to come to bed after reading about them.
A book that made you laugh:
A book that disgusted you: Pandora by Jilly Cooper. I'm disgusted thgat anyone could even pay good money to her to write it, or that anyone would pay good money to buy it
A book you loved in elementary school: Elementary school is primary school right? 4-11? Anyway, I loved Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield, the story of the three Fossil sisters, Pauline, Petrova and Posy, growing up in pre-war London. In fact anything by Noel Streatfield - The Painted Garden is also ace. And the Malory Towers and St Clare's books too.
A book you loved in junior high: So that's lower secondary school, yes? That must have been when I read Judy Blume. But my secret fave was Coleen McCullough's The Thorn Birds. Especially page 348
A book you loved in high school: And this is upper secondary - so about 15-18? I really liked Persuasion by Jane Austen because I studied it at A level, and when you "do" a book so deeply, you either love or hate it. I loved this one, even though I think generally it's considered to be a pretty tedious Austen.
A book you hated in high school: Nothing really I don't think. If I didn't like it, I didn't read it, and I'm pretty much the same now. The number of "classics" I've abandoned - Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Birdsong...
A book you loved in college: I read Literature at University, and I don't remember reading much for pleasure, although I must have done. But, I did enjoy a lot of the stuff I read for the course - Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti springs to mind.
A book that challenged your identity: Made me ask questions about who I am? Fat Is A Feminist Issue. Given to me at 17, still something I would dip into even now
A series that you love: I adore Adriana Trigiani's Big Stone Gap books. Or Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series
Your favorite horror book: None. See above
Your favorite science fiction book: The Hand Maid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Your favorite fantasy book: Again, not that keen on fantasy.
Your favorite mystery book: Whodunnit? Probably Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie. Love me an Agatha Christie
Your favorite graphic novel: Best described, is that what this means?
Your favorite biography: I'm not that interested in most people's lives, but I did enjoy John Peel's Margrave of the Marsh
Your favorite "coming-of-age" book: Marjorie Morningstar
Your favorite classic: I've mentioned a few already. Love Hardy, Austen, a Bronte or two.
Your favorite romance book: Pride and Prejudice - does that count?
Favorite kids book: Oooooh, absolutely loads - We're going on a Bear Hunt, One Duck Stuck, Dig, Dig, Digging, anything by Roald Dahl...
Favorite cookbook: It has to be The complete Delia Smith, given to me by my Mum when I left home, and much used and well thumbed
Your favorite book not on this list: Terri McMillan's Waiting to Exhale
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Baby update
Been to the hospital this morning and had a check over, the baby is still "average" size and - get this - 2/5 engaged! Huzzah! So, as my BP and urine are ok, they are letting me go for the VBAC. Once I get to my due date then the party's over, as I have an appointment on the 29th May to arrange a section, which should be sometime that week, i.e., last possible date: 1st June. I'm happy with that as it means that I have an "end" to it all. I really want a May baby though, so if it gets to that stage, then I will be putting my foot down for a 30th/31st section not a 1st June. Need to be seen by the midwife each week as well between now and then.
Feeling pretty good apart from rather pressing sensation between legs (good to know taht that's because of head engagement) and pretty well rested.
Feeling pretty good apart from rather pressing sensation between legs (good to know taht that's because of head engagement) and pretty well rested.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Interviewed by Poppy
Poppy has asked me some questions. As I am bored and on maternity leave, I am agog to answer!
1. What made you decide to not learn the sex of your new baby in advance?
I always think that it's a bit like knowing your Christmas presents in advance. I also feel that it makes the whole nine month wait a bit more exciting, and gives other people (as well as yourself) opportunity to speculate ("well, you're carrying it at the front, seems like a boy to me"/"ooooh heartburn, that means a girl" etc) Having said that, if M had desperately wanted to know, then I'd've gone with it - but we probably wouldn't have told anyone else. It gives me much more shopping opportunities after birth - having exhausted the neutral stuff I can have some pink/blue quality time with my Visa card.
2. If I came to visit you, where's the first place you'd take me, and why?
I think I would take you to my favourite restaurant for a meal, as you are such a foodie, and we can have fabulous cocktails there - I think drink would have to be taken. Hopefully there would be a really good gig on that night that I would have miraculously have managed to get us two tickets to and then we could go to the gig, sing and dance, and generally have a great time.
3. How is having a baby now different than the last time you were pregnant, six years ago?
Well, I'm six years older, for a start. It's not been the main focus of my life like last time; I've got someone else to think about already, and worry about. I've not had the same paranoia about everything, you know, the twinges and everything, but worries about other things - how will A be, can I manage two, etc. I'm more aware of my choices and thoughts and opinions on childbirth. I have better and cuter maternity clothes. There are more friends who have kids now, so I feel like I can talk about it more without being the complete bore.
4. I miss your bouffant. Will you ever bring it back?
I think the bouffant is long gone. I's extremely high maintenance to have a bee hive hairdo and kids. Not to mention appalling for the condition of your hair. Only the name remains. And the attitude. Bouffants require attitude.
5. If you come to visit me, where's the first place you'd want me to take you?
Definitely the coffeehouse, then I'd like to go to Target and Trader Joe's.
Thanks Poppy.
Anyone want a questionnaire, let me know
1. What made you decide to not learn the sex of your new baby in advance?
I always think that it's a bit like knowing your Christmas presents in advance. I also feel that it makes the whole nine month wait a bit more exciting, and gives other people (as well as yourself) opportunity to speculate ("well, you're carrying it at the front, seems like a boy to me"/"ooooh heartburn, that means a girl" etc) Having said that, if M had desperately wanted to know, then I'd've gone with it - but we probably wouldn't have told anyone else. It gives me much more shopping opportunities after birth - having exhausted the neutral stuff I can have some pink/blue quality time with my Visa card.
2. If I came to visit you, where's the first place you'd take me, and why?
I think I would take you to my favourite restaurant for a meal, as you are such a foodie, and we can have fabulous cocktails there - I think drink would have to be taken. Hopefully there would be a really good gig on that night that I would have miraculously have managed to get us two tickets to and then we could go to the gig, sing and dance, and generally have a great time.
3. How is having a baby now different than the last time you were pregnant, six years ago?
Well, I'm six years older, for a start. It's not been the main focus of my life like last time; I've got someone else to think about already, and worry about. I've not had the same paranoia about everything, you know, the twinges and everything, but worries about other things - how will A be, can I manage two, etc. I'm more aware of my choices and thoughts and opinions on childbirth. I have better and cuter maternity clothes. There are more friends who have kids now, so I feel like I can talk about it more without being the complete bore.
4. I miss your bouffant. Will you ever bring it back?
I think the bouffant is long gone. I's extremely high maintenance to have a bee hive hairdo and kids. Not to mention appalling for the condition of your hair. Only the name remains. And the attitude. Bouffants require attitude.
5. If you come to visit me, where's the first place you'd want me to take you?
Definitely the coffeehouse, then I'd like to go to Target and Trader Joe's.
Thanks Poppy.
Anyone want a questionnaire, let me know
Monday, April 23, 2007
Update
I've had my first day of doing more or less nothing today. I had a little wander around my local shops at lunchtime, but apart from that, not much else. I'm glad that most of my maternity leave days so far and planned for the rest of the week have a bit more structure! I'm sure I'l be desperate for a bit of "nothing" in a few weeks, so might as well take advantage of it now!
I saw the consultant last week and everything is fine with the baby - it's actually an average size, so they are letting me go for a natural delivery; unless I go past my EDD, in which case it will be an elective section. This suits me down to the ground, as I don't want another induction etc. I find it hard to believe that the baby will really be here so soon. I'm more or less ready, although there are some domestic jobs I want to do like defrosting the freezer etc, and stocking up on some home cooked meals. I've begun the Raspberry leaf today, and when I get to 38-9 weeks, think about arnica.
It's wierd dropping A off at school and collecting him everyday. I like it, but it's odd seeing the children in my class going in with the new teacher, and being on the other side of the classroom door. People have been very nice, which is mainly because I haven't kept myself separate from other parents, and have always had good relationships with the VAST majority. It's just odd. There can't be many people who go on Mat Leave and yet visit their place of work every day.
I'm definitely getting to the uncomfortable bit - I feel like the baby might pop out any minute, the pressure is so great "down below".
I saw the consultant last week and everything is fine with the baby - it's actually an average size, so they are letting me go for a natural delivery; unless I go past my EDD, in which case it will be an elective section. This suits me down to the ground, as I don't want another induction etc. I find it hard to believe that the baby will really be here so soon. I'm more or less ready, although there are some domestic jobs I want to do like defrosting the freezer etc, and stocking up on some home cooked meals. I've begun the Raspberry leaf today, and when I get to 38-9 weeks, think about arnica.
It's wierd dropping A off at school and collecting him everyday. I like it, but it's odd seeing the children in my class going in with the new teacher, and being on the other side of the classroom door. People have been very nice, which is mainly because I haven't kept myself separate from other parents, and have always had good relationships with the VAST majority. It's just odd. There can't be many people who go on Mat Leave and yet visit their place of work every day.
I'm definitely getting to the uncomfortable bit - I feel like the baby might pop out any minute, the pressure is so great "down below".
Monday, April 09, 2007
Monday morning
I met my midwife from A's birth yesterday in the park (she is local and a parent from school, and a breastfeeding expert, so we are hiring her to help me get feeding etc established as it isn't easy for me due to my mahoooooooosive norks, she was brill last time) and she immediately asked me if I was breech - my bump is huge at the top and tapers away at the bottom, she said the only other thing would be if I had an anterior placenta (is that the right word - at the front??) but that I wouldn't feel kicks then, which I do. I will ask mw at Wednesday appointment what she thinks. A woman at swimming ages ago told me that to move her ds from breech she had to climb the stairs on her hands and knees sideways, so that might be worth trying.
After being more or less set on names all the way through the pregnancy, M, A and I have spent the last three days in the park debating names for the baby - we are set on our boy's name, but have no middle names, and he needs 2, as ds has 2, and I am a believer in all being as equal as possible. We have middle names for our girl, but I have had a big wobble on the first name, so now we have a short list of 6, and if she is a girl, we will have to see what she looks like. It all stems from me choosing a beautiful name for ds, and then Eastenders bringing in a character of the same name a few months later, resulting in huge popularity for a name that I thought was lovely and original until then. My own first name is quite unusual, although more popular than it was when I was born, without being wierd or made up, and I wanted similar for my children. Plus, in teaching, you can often think of a reason NOT to call a child a name, rather than a reason TO call it them, IYSWIM.
I had a mini nest yesterday, pulled everything out of my wardrobes, had a bag for the bin, a bag for the charity shop and an ebay bag, and chucked a load of stuff out - I am a real hoarder, especially for shoes, there were shoes that are about 10 years old in there, and tatty boots that are at the end of thier life. All is sorted out now, and I am proud of the organised racks of stuff. Of course, a lot of it not wearable at the moment, but hopefully by summer and then next winter...
Nothing much planned for today except have warned dh and ds we are cleaning the house today, it's been a quiet weekend really, but quite nice really. M back to work tomorrow, so A and I will have to make our own entertainment, quite a bit planned, and then next week - a bit of time for me!!
I am trying to upload a new photo of A onto the blog, it's absolutely gorgeous, but I'm having some technical trouble. Might be back later...
After being more or less set on names all the way through the pregnancy, M, A and I have spent the last three days in the park debating names for the baby - we are set on our boy's name, but have no middle names, and he needs 2, as ds has 2, and I am a believer in all being as equal as possible. We have middle names for our girl, but I have had a big wobble on the first name, so now we have a short list of 6, and if she is a girl, we will have to see what she looks like. It all stems from me choosing a beautiful name for ds, and then Eastenders bringing in a character of the same name a few months later, resulting in huge popularity for a name that I thought was lovely and original until then. My own first name is quite unusual, although more popular than it was when I was born, without being wierd or made up, and I wanted similar for my children. Plus, in teaching, you can often think of a reason NOT to call a child a name, rather than a reason TO call it them, IYSWIM.
I had a mini nest yesterday, pulled everything out of my wardrobes, had a bag for the bin, a bag for the charity shop and an ebay bag, and chucked a load of stuff out - I am a real hoarder, especially for shoes, there were shoes that are about 10 years old in there, and tatty boots that are at the end of thier life. All is sorted out now, and I am proud of the organised racks of stuff. Of course, a lot of it not wearable at the moment, but hopefully by summer and then next winter...
Nothing much planned for today except have warned dh and ds we are cleaning the house today, it's been a quiet weekend really, but quite nice really. M back to work tomorrow, so A and I will have to make our own entertainment, quite a bit planned, and then next week - a bit of time for me!!
I am trying to upload a new photo of A onto the blog, it's absolutely gorgeous, but I'm having some technical trouble. Might be back later...
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Maternity Leave! Yay!!!!
Good morning and hurrah! for the end of work for me! I finished yesterday for the lovely Easter holidays, and on the 17th April when everyone goes back, I will be starting my maternity leave! Yay! Had a lovely lot of gorgeous presents - every child and their parents have spoilt me rotten - I had John Lewis vouchers, House of Fraser vouchers, a Clarins Mum to be box, a Clarins facial and makeover, loads of pregnancy smellies and lovely things for me for after the birth, teddies for the baby, chocolates, books, flowers, slippers, tea, and the most beautiful changing bag from my teaching assistant which is from Johnny LouLous, but looks exactly like an Orla Keily bag to me, and I would be delighted to carry as a handbag. I was really really chuffed, and everyone has been so nice. We had a leaving do at a lovely restaurant last night, and I stayed till midnight! DH let me have a nice lie in till 8.45, and I am now chilling in my pjs whilst ds watches telly in his (it's the first day of the holidays, so I'm letting him have a treat!)
I'm hoping to spend a bit more time nuturing this poor baby who has had much less attention than ds did when I was pregnant, so when ds goes back to school, I intend to really rest and look after the two of us. I think I am back to head down now, although I didn't know that there is a hands and feet by head type of breech, so the higher up kicks aren't necessarily a good indication. Also vaguely concerned that lost of people are commenting on me having a rather compact bump. With ds I was huge (but then so was he!) but I was a lot bigger to beging with (about 5 stone heavier). I also lost weight whilst pregnant as I have an endocrine imbalance that is redressed by pregnancy. So, I am telling myself that this is what is happening here again, and that I will give birth and lose all weight immediately, and all will be well. I have put on about 24 lbs so far, which seems within normal limits and all the movement etc is all fine. Perhaps I am simply carrying well, but combined with the nagging sense that I haven't really been looking after myself quite as well as I ought, it is making me a little worried. I have a mw appointment next week, so will ask then.
Still nesting nicely - managed to do some baby shopping at the weekend for things like nappies, wipes etc, and bought some lovely baskets from The Pier for the baby's room. We had a gorgeous weekend, a dinner party on Saturday night and then friends for Sunday lunch on Sunday, the weather has been lovely, and things seem to be going really well all round, which is so nice.
I'm hoping to spend a bit more time nuturing this poor baby who has had much less attention than ds did when I was pregnant, so when ds goes back to school, I intend to really rest and look after the two of us. I think I am back to head down now, although I didn't know that there is a hands and feet by head type of breech, so the higher up kicks aren't necessarily a good indication. Also vaguely concerned that lost of people are commenting on me having a rather compact bump. With ds I was huge (but then so was he!) but I was a lot bigger to beging with (about 5 stone heavier). I also lost weight whilst pregnant as I have an endocrine imbalance that is redressed by pregnancy. So, I am telling myself that this is what is happening here again, and that I will give birth and lose all weight immediately, and all will be well. I have put on about 24 lbs so far, which seems within normal limits and all the movement etc is all fine. Perhaps I am simply carrying well, but combined with the nagging sense that I haven't really been looking after myself quite as well as I ought, it is making me a little worried. I have a mw appointment next week, so will ask then.
Still nesting nicely - managed to do some baby shopping at the weekend for things like nappies, wipes etc, and bought some lovely baskets from The Pier for the baby's room. We had a gorgeous weekend, a dinner party on Saturday night and then friends for Sunday lunch on Sunday, the weather has been lovely, and things seem to be going really well all round, which is so nice.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Spring cleaning
Well, big day yesterday - we moved A into the (previously) spare bedroom to start to get his bedroom ready for the baby. The reason for this is mainly because A's room is next door to ours, and the other room is down three steps and along the corridor, which makes a difference at 3am...
Anyway, it was a HUGE job, much bigger than "swapping the beds over" - copyright me, 16th March 2007 . At one point, both A's bed and the spare room double were in bits on top of our bed, with clothes all over the top of them, and books and lamps all over the landing. At lease, as I pointed out to M, it meant that we did not have the excuse of giving it all up as a bad job, as no one would have been able to get to bed. So now A is in his new room, which he loves, his old room will remain a spare room for a little while longer (10 weeks till the baby's due and then another few until it goes into its own room) and we have had an opportunity for a bit of a clear out which is good. Next job - rearranging our bedroom so that the cot fits in - a lesson learned from when A was a baby is that a cot is a more solid base for a Moses basket than a Moses basket frame. So the basket will go inside the cot.
It did feel good to get it sorted out.
I have decided that I need a cleaner/ironing person. With M away so much working now, and me still working full time for the next few weeks, and being pregnant and then having a new baby to take care of, and a five year old, it feels like a sensible option. I have been getting a bit overwhelmed domestically, and too tired and pg to do too much about it in the week. I have more energy at the weekend, but I don't want to spend weekends doing chores. And by that, I mean the basic stuff - hoovering, mopping floors etc, never mind the bigger stuff. I also need to get back into the on line grocery order, as shopping is also getting to be a chore, although this will be easier when I am on Mat Leave. A friend has recommended a lady who does, so I'm goign to investigate that this week.
Only 2 1/2 weeks to go, but it feels like forever - there is so much to do before I finish, it's like a marathon.
Anyway, it was a HUGE job, much bigger than "swapping the beds over" - copyright me, 16th March 2007 . At one point, both A's bed and the spare room double were in bits on top of our bed, with clothes all over the top of them, and books and lamps all over the landing. At lease, as I pointed out to M, it meant that we did not have the excuse of giving it all up as a bad job, as no one would have been able to get to bed. So now A is in his new room, which he loves, his old room will remain a spare room for a little while longer (10 weeks till the baby's due and then another few until it goes into its own room) and we have had an opportunity for a bit of a clear out which is good. Next job - rearranging our bedroom so that the cot fits in - a lesson learned from when A was a baby is that a cot is a more solid base for a Moses basket than a Moses basket frame. So the basket will go inside the cot.
It did feel good to get it sorted out.
I have decided that I need a cleaner/ironing person. With M away so much working now, and me still working full time for the next few weeks, and being pregnant and then having a new baby to take care of, and a five year old, it feels like a sensible option. I have been getting a bit overwhelmed domestically, and too tired and pg to do too much about it in the week. I have more energy at the weekend, but I don't want to spend weekends doing chores. And by that, I mean the basic stuff - hoovering, mopping floors etc, never mind the bigger stuff. I also need to get back into the on line grocery order, as shopping is also getting to be a chore, although this will be easier when I am on Mat Leave. A friend has recommended a lady who does, so I'm goign to investigate that this week.
Only 2 1/2 weeks to go, but it feels like forever - there is so much to do before I finish, it's like a marathon.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Where have you been????
I cannot believe that it is well over a month since I posted. I knew it was a while, but not that long! I also can't believe that it's a comeback with a meme, but I really like this one of Dix's, which she stole from Kara.
1. Go to Pop Culture Madness. Click on "pop music" on the left sidebar. Scroll down a bit and find the hits for the year you turned 18 years old.
2. Copy and paste the top 75 songs of that year.
3. Bold the ones you liked; strike the ones you disliked; and italicize the ones you knew but didn’t exactly like or dislike. The ones you don’t know will stay plain text.
However, these are US charts, so it's not necessarily a good representation for me.
1. Love Shack - B-52's
2. Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc (strike)
3. Bust A Move - Young MC
4. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
5. Like A Prayer - Madonna
6. Joy and Pain - Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock
7. All I Want Is You - U2
8. Patience - Guns N Roses
9. She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals
10. Kiss - Art of Noise featuring Tom Jones (strike)
11. Lay Your Hands On Me - Bon Jovi
12. Put A Little Love In Your Heart - Annie Lennox and Al Green
13. Angel of Harlem - U2
14. Get On Your Feet - Gloria Estefan
15. My Perogative - Bobby Brown (strike)
16. The Best - Tina Turner (strike)
17. Paradise City - Guns N Roses
18. Wild Thing - Tone Loc (strike- clearly don't like Tone Loc)
19. Every Little Step - Bobby Brown (strike)
20. I'll Be There For You - Bon Jovi
21. Another Day In Paradise - Phil Collins
22. Love In An Elevator - Aerosmith (strike)
23. Keep On Movin' - Soul II Soul
24. Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville
25. Eternal Flame - the Bangles
26. Express Yourself - Madonna
27. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson (strike - I HATE Michael Jackson, and I always have)
28. After All - Cher and Peter Cetera
29. Buffalo Stance - Nenah Cherry
30. Love Song - the Cure
31. So Alive - Love and Rockets
32. Back To Life - Soul II Soul
33. Listen To Her Heart - Roxette (strike - can't bear Roxette either)
34. Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) - Enya (I had sex for the first time to this song - Orinoco Flow means something different to me...)
35. I Feel The Earth Move - Martika (strike - I mean how DARE she??? This is Carole King's song!!!)
36. When I See You Smile - Bad English
37. Birthday Suit - Johnny Kemp
38. Heaven Help Me - Deon Estus and George Michael
39. The Look - Roxette (strike - see above)
40. Baby, Don't Forget My Number - Milli Vanilli (strike - I like my singers to actually sing)
41. Dr. Feelgood - Motley Crew
42. Heaven - Warrant
43. She Wants To Dance With Me - Rick Astley
44. Me, Myself and I - De la Soul
45. Walk The Dinosaur - Was (Not Was) (Strike - this is not a song)
46. Once Bitten Twice Shy - Great White
47. I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty
48. On Our Own - Bobby Brown
49. A Little Respect - Erasure
50. You Got It (The Right Stuff) - New Kids On The Block (strike - no!no!no!)
51. Me So Horny - 2 Live Crew
52. Soldier Of Love - Donny Osmond
53. We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel
54. Hey Ladies - Beastie Boys
55. The Living Years - Mike and the Mechanics
56. Stand - R.E.M.
57. Trouble Me - 10,000 Maniacs
58. Miss You Like Crazy - Natalie Cole (strike - nepotism rules ok)
59. 18 and Life - Skid Row
60 Closer To Fine - Indigo Girls
61. Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul (strike - see Milli Vanilli)
62. My Fantasy - Teddy Riley Featuring Guy
63. Blame It On The Rain - Milli Vanilli (strike - and again)
64. End Of The Line - Traveling Wilburys
65. Two Hearts - Phil Collins
66. Don't Wanna To Lose You - Gloria Estefan
67. Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx (strike - yuck)
68. Mayor Of Simpleton - XTC
69. Anchorage - Michelle Shocked
70. Straight Up - Paula Abdul (strike - again)
71. I'll Be Loving You (Forever) - New Kids On The Block (strike - again)
72. Pop Song 89 - R.E.M.
73. Hangin' Tough - New Kids On The Block (strike - Good God, were they that popular)
74. Dear God - Midge Ure
75. Now You're In Heaven - Julian Lennon
So, apart from the meme, I am ok. 29 weeks now, and really rather big. I had the most appalling flu for a fortnight, and foolishly only took two days off work, but I'm afraid that the working guilt kicked in, and I couldn't stay off any longer. Only 3 1/2 weeks of work left - eeeek! My first two weeks are holiday, and my official maternity leave doesn't start until 17th April. Bring it on, I am knackered! It's hard crawling around on the floor with 5 and 6 year olds when you have a large watermelon attached to your front...
Having had a huge "girl" vibe for the first 5 months, I am now feeling "boy" loads. Either will do nicely quite frankly. With A, I had the whole "boy" thing going on, although I didn't have any surety, I had no doubt in my mind that he was a boy. It really is going to be a huge surprise!
1. Go to Pop Culture Madness. Click on "pop music" on the left sidebar. Scroll down a bit and find the hits for the year you turned 18 years old.
2. Copy and paste the top 75 songs of that year.
3. Bold the ones you liked; strike the ones you disliked; and italicize the ones you knew but didn’t exactly like or dislike. The ones you don’t know will stay plain text.
However, these are US charts, so it's not necessarily a good representation for me.
1. Love Shack - B-52's
2. Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc (strike)
3. Bust A Move - Young MC
4. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Midler
5. Like A Prayer - Madonna
6. Joy and Pain - Rob Base & D.J. E-Z Rock
7. All I Want Is You - U2
8. Patience - Guns N Roses
9. She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals
10. Kiss - Art of Noise featuring Tom Jones (strike)
11. Lay Your Hands On Me - Bon Jovi
12. Put A Little Love In Your Heart - Annie Lennox and Al Green
13. Angel of Harlem - U2
14. Get On Your Feet - Gloria Estefan
15. My Perogative - Bobby Brown (strike)
16. The Best - Tina Turner (strike)
17. Paradise City - Guns N Roses
18. Wild Thing - Tone Loc (strike- clearly don't like Tone Loc)
19. Every Little Step - Bobby Brown (strike)
20. I'll Be There For You - Bon Jovi
21. Another Day In Paradise - Phil Collins
22. Love In An Elevator - Aerosmith (strike)
23. Keep On Movin' - Soul II Soul
24. Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville
25. Eternal Flame - the Bangles
26. Express Yourself - Madonna
27. Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson (strike - I HATE Michael Jackson, and I always have)
28. After All - Cher and Peter Cetera
29. Buffalo Stance - Nenah Cherry
30. Love Song - the Cure
31. So Alive - Love and Rockets
32. Back To Life - Soul II Soul
33. Listen To Her Heart - Roxette (strike - can't bear Roxette either)
34. Orinoco Flow (Sail Away) - Enya (I had sex for the first time to this song - Orinoco Flow means something different to me...)
35. I Feel The Earth Move - Martika (strike - I mean how DARE she??? This is Carole King's song!!!)
36. When I See You Smile - Bad English
37. Birthday Suit - Johnny Kemp
38. Heaven Help Me - Deon Estus and George Michael
39. The Look - Roxette (strike - see above)
40. Baby, Don't Forget My Number - Milli Vanilli (strike - I like my singers to actually sing)
41. Dr. Feelgood - Motley Crew
42. Heaven - Warrant
43. She Wants To Dance With Me - Rick Astley
44. Me, Myself and I - De la Soul
45. Walk The Dinosaur - Was (Not Was) (Strike - this is not a song)
46. Once Bitten Twice Shy - Great White
47. I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty
48. On Our Own - Bobby Brown
49. A Little Respect - Erasure
50. You Got It (The Right Stuff) - New Kids On The Block (strike - no!no!no!)
51. Me So Horny - 2 Live Crew
52. Soldier Of Love - Donny Osmond
53. We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel
54. Hey Ladies - Beastie Boys
55. The Living Years - Mike and the Mechanics
56. Stand - R.E.M.
57. Trouble Me - 10,000 Maniacs
58. Miss You Like Crazy - Natalie Cole (strike - nepotism rules ok)
59. 18 and Life - Skid Row
60 Closer To Fine - Indigo Girls
61. Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul (strike - see Milli Vanilli)
62. My Fantasy - Teddy Riley Featuring Guy
63. Blame It On The Rain - Milli Vanilli (strike - and again)
64. End Of The Line - Traveling Wilburys
65. Two Hearts - Phil Collins
66. Don't Wanna To Lose You - Gloria Estefan
67. Right Here Waiting - Richard Marx (strike - yuck)
68. Mayor Of Simpleton - XTC
69. Anchorage - Michelle Shocked
70. Straight Up - Paula Abdul (strike - again)
71. I'll Be Loving You (Forever) - New Kids On The Block (strike - again)
72. Pop Song 89 - R.E.M.
73. Hangin' Tough - New Kids On The Block (strike - Good God, were they that popular)
74. Dear God - Midge Ure
75. Now You're In Heaven - Julian Lennon
So, apart from the meme, I am ok. 29 weeks now, and really rather big. I had the most appalling flu for a fortnight, and foolishly only took two days off work, but I'm afraid that the working guilt kicked in, and I couldn't stay off any longer. Only 3 1/2 weeks of work left - eeeek! My first two weeks are holiday, and my official maternity leave doesn't start until 17th April. Bring it on, I am knackered! It's hard crawling around on the floor with 5 and 6 year olds when you have a large watermelon attached to your front...
Having had a huge "girl" vibe for the first 5 months, I am now feeling "boy" loads. Either will do nicely quite frankly. With A, I had the whole "boy" thing going on, although I didn't have any surety, I had no doubt in my mind that he was a boy. It really is going to be a huge surprise!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Comment responses and an on-time shuffle
I'm posting these here - I'm doing one for Sal too, as she did me first:
Rio:
1. So glad she posted - I totally lost her blog address!
2. I can be guaranteed to hum "Her name is Rio, and she dances on the sand" when I see your name - predictably
3. Strawberry
4. (Does it count if there are 2 others who know?) SWEATER MUFFINS!
5. Wondering where the hell Idaho was.
6. I think that you're a crisp, stylish white wine
7. How did you and VH meet? I have a feeling you were co-workers, but i don't think I ever asked
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.
Moxie
1. I wonder if you're in labour right now?
2. Well more of a TV programme - before I started reading your blog and saw your photos of you, I remembered you as looking like Six from Blossom. But you don't. So that's wierd.
3. I suspect you and I could wrestle in any flavour. But I'll pick Lime (and can we wait until neither of us are pregnant any more??)
4. Does the Royal Box have a toilet?
5. Thinking how dainty and pretty you were in that Dome cafe
6. If you're not a bottle of Jack Daniels, I'll eat my maternity tights
7. Did you ever have any fears and worries about the whole "marry CF " thing?
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.
Sal
1. How in the name of God is she coping so well with two really small kids, when I can't seem to manage a 5 year old and a bump?
2. The film Maybe Baby of course!(and Basil Brush - I made A watch it this weekend)
3. Blackcurrant
4. All babies should have dragon costumes. And toy fairies
5. You and I wrote the same vegetable as the vegetable we would be if we were a vegetable (it was an aubergine)
6. A marguerita of course!
7. Do you wish you'd sowed more wild oats?
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.
Friday shuffle
1. Ordinary people - John Legend
2. I Only Want to Be with You - Hootie and the Blowfish
3. I Am Afraid- Kirsty McColl
4. Crumbs from your table - U2
5. It's Beginning to Get to Me - Snow Patrol
6. Thank You - Dido
7. Frozen - Madonna
8. Come Back to Camden - Morrissey
9. This Charming Man - The Smiths
10. Libertango- Kirsty McColl
I swear I have not bribed Scarlett for the mass inclusion of Kirsty McColl
Rio:
1. So glad she posted - I totally lost her blog address!
2. I can be guaranteed to hum "Her name is Rio, and she dances on the sand" when I see your name - predictably
3. Strawberry
4. (Does it count if there are 2 others who know?) SWEATER MUFFINS!
5. Wondering where the hell Idaho was.
6. I think that you're a crisp, stylish white wine
7. How did you and VH meet? I have a feeling you were co-workers, but i don't think I ever asked
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.
Moxie
1. I wonder if you're in labour right now?
2. Well more of a TV programme - before I started reading your blog and saw your photos of you, I remembered you as looking like Six from Blossom. But you don't. So that's wierd.
3. I suspect you and I could wrestle in any flavour. But I'll pick Lime (and can we wait until neither of us are pregnant any more??)
4. Does the Royal Box have a toilet?
5. Thinking how dainty and pretty you were in that Dome cafe
6. If you're not a bottle of Jack Daniels, I'll eat my maternity tights
7. Did you ever have any fears and worries about the whole "marry CF " thing?
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.
Sal
1. How in the name of God is she coping so well with two really small kids, when I can't seem to manage a 5 year old and a bump?
2. The film Maybe Baby of course!(and Basil Brush - I made A watch it this weekend)
3. Blackcurrant
4. All babies should have dragon costumes. And toy fairies
5. You and I wrote the same vegetable as the vegetable we would be if we were a vegetable (it was an aubergine)
6. A marguerita of course!
7. Do you wish you'd sowed more wild oats?
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.
Friday shuffle
1. Ordinary people - John Legend
2. I Only Want to Be with You - Hootie and the Blowfish
3. I Am Afraid- Kirsty McColl
4. Crumbs from your table - U2
5. It's Beginning to Get to Me - Snow Patrol
6. Thank You - Dido
7. Frozen - Madonna
8. Come Back to Camden - Morrissey
9. This Charming Man - The Smiths
10. Libertango- Kirsty McColl
I swear I have not bribed Scarlett for the mass inclusion of Kirsty McColl
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sal left me this:
If you comment on this post:
1. I'll respond with a random thought I have about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle with you in.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me (or so we think).
5. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what intoxicant you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.
I did it on her blog and I liked it. So, if you would like to participate, please comment. Hell, comment anyway, as I like to say hi to the people who pass by...
Had a real "blue funk" weekend where I just felt tired and under the weather and generally out of sorts - spent a lot of it lounging around on the sofa, surfing silly sites and checking messageboards. It's not really what life is all about. I need to get off my ass and be productive - I feel OK in the week, the working day seems to centre me and get me going. Weekends are so lazy, that I immediately get into a downward spiral and it's a bit depressing really. So, tonight, I'm unearthing my address book and calling a few people and arranging a social life for us at weekends, we a re normally so busy, but there's been a real January feel to the last few weeks (really? No way!) Well, it's not January after Wednesday, so I'm getting out of January mode. Plus, I think I'm finally shaking off my cold, which helps. And surely to God there's some lighter mornings on the way soon????
Baby is very enthusiastically moving around all the time, which is nice. There's a whole tranche of mums at school having babies that will be in the same school year as this one, and two have very recently given birth, and both of them brought their babies for me to see today - it made me feel quite scared that there is only 16 weeks to go - and I really don't feel very organised. I need to
If you comment on this post:
1. I'll respond with a random thought I have about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle with you in.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me (or so we think).
5. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what intoxicant you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your blog.
I did it on her blog and I liked it. So, if you would like to participate, please comment. Hell, comment anyway, as I like to say hi to the people who pass by...
Had a real "blue funk" weekend where I just felt tired and under the weather and generally out of sorts - spent a lot of it lounging around on the sofa, surfing silly sites and checking messageboards. It's not really what life is all about. I need to get off my ass and be productive - I feel OK in the week, the working day seems to centre me and get me going. Weekends are so lazy, that I immediately get into a downward spiral and it's a bit depressing really. So, tonight, I'm unearthing my address book and calling a few people and arranging a social life for us at weekends, we a re normally so busy, but there's been a real January feel to the last few weeks (really? No way!) Well, it's not January after Wednesday, so I'm getting out of January mode. Plus, I think I'm finally shaking off my cold, which helps. And surely to God there's some lighter mornings on the way soon????
Baby is very enthusiastically moving around all the time, which is nice. There's a whole tranche of mums at school having babies that will be in the same school year as this one, and two have very recently given birth, and both of them brought their babies for me to see today - it made me feel quite scared that there is only 16 weeks to go - and I really don't feel very organised. I need to
- choose a pram
- arrange for it to be bought
- decorate the spare room
- move A in there
- redecorate A's room
- refit as a nursery
- get some nappies, sacks, cream, a steriliser
- check that the baby monitor works
- hand over to as yet unappointed replacement teacher
So not too much yet
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Friday Shuffle - the Scarlett's got new songs on edition
Late again - ach so
1. Libertango - Kirsty McColl
2. The Time is Now - Moloko
3. The Butcher Boy - Kirsty McColl (Scarlett is clearly as obsessed as me!)
4. Don't Think of Me - Dido
5. Crazy Love - Paul Simon (Scarlett, have you actually acknowledged the new tunes I have loaded onto you, or are you simply a lady of habit? The good news is that the enthusiastic response in my womb to every song so far means that the baby also shares our taste)
6. Let's Go - New Order (see, I told you I had loaded some new stuff!)
7. Hand In Glove - The Smiths
8. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths
9. Original Of the Species - U2
10. Good People - Jack Johnson
Three friends have lost babies in the last week. All in the first trimester, but very sad for all of them. For one, my oldest friend, it's her second miscarriage in the last five months. For another, a lost fallopian tube, and for the third, an unexpected, but not at all unwelcome "last chance" at 40. I know how lucky I am to have come through so far and to be unscathed. I also feel guilty, especially for the latter two who have to see me frequently, a constant reminder of what they have lost. It also makes me feel guilty for feeling crap, worrying about the future. And crap for thinking about other things that I can't have.
In the spirit of me doing what everyone else was doing ages ago, here is the meme of the soundtrack of my life
Opening Credits: I Don't Want to See Caroline - Kirsty McColl. Clearly it's going to be the story of me stealing someone else's man. I don't actually think I've ever done that, although there was an incident with a man who was separated from his wife.
Waking Up: Ruined in a Day - New Order. Not a good start for me here - I must be a bit sad waking up today
Falling in Love: I'd Wait for Life - Take That. Quite romantic really
Fight Song: Champagne Supernova - Oasis
Breakup Song: Swim - Madonna
Making Up Song: High - James Blunt
Life’s Okay Song: Angel of Harlem - U2
Mental Breakdown: I Can't Stop Killing You - Kirsty McColl
Driving: Candy Perfume Girl - Madonna
Flashbacks: When Love Came to Town - U2
Happy Dance: Vertigo - U2 (will I have to pay them a lot to do all these songs on the soundtrack??)
Regret: In My Arms - Snow Patrol
Final Battle First of the Gang to Die - Morrissey
Death Scene: River - Joni Mitchell
Final Credits: Sky Fits Heaven - Madonna
Well, I'd buy the sound track - wouldn't I!
1. Libertango - Kirsty McColl
2. The Time is Now - Moloko
3. The Butcher Boy - Kirsty McColl (Scarlett is clearly as obsessed as me!)
4. Don't Think of Me - Dido
5. Crazy Love - Paul Simon (Scarlett, have you actually acknowledged the new tunes I have loaded onto you, or are you simply a lady of habit? The good news is that the enthusiastic response in my womb to every song so far means that the baby also shares our taste)
6. Let's Go - New Order (see, I told you I had loaded some new stuff!)
7. Hand In Glove - The Smiths
8. Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - The Smiths
9. Original Of the Species - U2
10. Good People - Jack Johnson
Three friends have lost babies in the last week. All in the first trimester, but very sad for all of them. For one, my oldest friend, it's her second miscarriage in the last five months. For another, a lost fallopian tube, and for the third, an unexpected, but not at all unwelcome "last chance" at 40. I know how lucky I am to have come through so far and to be unscathed. I also feel guilty, especially for the latter two who have to see me frequently, a constant reminder of what they have lost. It also makes me feel guilty for feeling crap, worrying about the future. And crap for thinking about other things that I can't have.
In the spirit of me doing what everyone else was doing ages ago, here is the meme of the soundtrack of my life
Opening Credits: I Don't Want to See Caroline - Kirsty McColl. Clearly it's going to be the story of me stealing someone else's man. I don't actually think I've ever done that, although there was an incident with a man who was separated from his wife.
Waking Up: Ruined in a Day - New Order. Not a good start for me here - I must be a bit sad waking up today
Falling in Love: I'd Wait for Life - Take That. Quite romantic really
Fight Song: Champagne Supernova - Oasis
Breakup Song: Swim - Madonna
Making Up Song: High - James Blunt
Life’s Okay Song: Angel of Harlem - U2
Mental Breakdown: I Can't Stop Killing You - Kirsty McColl
Driving: Candy Perfume Girl - Madonna
Flashbacks: When Love Came to Town - U2
Happy Dance: Vertigo - U2 (will I have to pay them a lot to do all these songs on the soundtrack??)
Regret: In My Arms - Snow Patrol
Final Battle First of the Gang to Die - Morrissey
Death Scene: River - Joni Mitchell
Final Credits: Sky Fits Heaven - Madonna
Well, I'd buy the sound track - wouldn't I!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Belated Friday shuffle
And I forgot last weeks, not very good at this!!
1. Under African Skies - Paul Simon
2. Wooden Boat - Take That
3. Skin - Madonna
4. My Lover's Gone - Dido
5. River - Joni Mitchell - yay!!!! One day I will sing this at karaoke
6. England 2 Columbia 0 - Kirsty McColl
7. She will be loved - Maroon 5 and Buena Vista Social Club (-how great is the midsection of this shuffle???)
8. Killing me Softly - Omara Portuondo
9. Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt
10. Dancing Shoes - Arctic Monkeys and Buena Vista Social Club
There's a cuban theme to today's shuffle....
Something I always wanted to do last year when this meme was doing the rounds - answer the questions with the answers from your iPOD. So I am doing it now, and I don't even care if I'm not with the kids!!!
Put your music player on shuffle.
Press forward for each question.
Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense.
1. How am I feeling today? Bring it Back - Moloko
2. Will I get far in life? Out of My Mind - James Blunt
3. How do my friends see me? I Know what I Know - Paul Simon (heh heh)
4. Where will I get married? Patience - Take That
5. What is my best friend? Homeless - Paul Simon (jeez, I hope not!)
6. What is the story of my life? All You Want - Dido
7. What was high school like? Mambo de la Luna - Kirsty McColl (a dance of the moon? really??)
8. How can I get ahead in life? Shanti/Ashangti - Madonna (I should do yoga? )
9. What is the best thing about me? Thank You - Dido (I am very polite)
10. What is today going to be like? Shine - Take That
11. What is in store for this weekend? Wonderwall - Oasis
12. What song describes my parents? Some Might Say - Oasis
13. To describe my grandparents? Substitute for Love - Madonna
14. How is my life going? I'm No Angel - Dido - ha!ha! ha!
15. What song will they play at my funeral? Ex Factor - Lauryn Hill (so beautiful)
16. How does the world see me? You're Beautiful - James Blunt
17. Will I have a happy life? Honestly OK - Dido
18. What do my friends really think of me?In These Shoes - Kirsty McColl
19. Do people secretly lust after me? Don't Let Him Waste Your Time - Jarvis Cocker
20. How can I make myself happy? Little Star - Madonna (which is of course, Alfie's song)
21. What should I do with my life? Pure Pleasure Seeker - Moloko (Scarlett the iPod has spoke, I must obey...)
22. Will I ever have children? Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie and the Blowfish
23. What is some good advice for me? Lola's Theme - Shapeshifters (The main lyric is "I'm a Different Person/turn my world around")
24. How will I be remembered? Morning Glory - Oasis
25. What is my signature dancing song? Doo Wop - That Thing - Lauryn Hill
26. What is my current theme song? She's Electric - Oasis
27. What does everyone else thing my current theme song is? Yes - McAlmont and Butler
Lots of fun and some lovely tunes - I do need a greater variety on Scarlett though...
1. Under African Skies - Paul Simon
2. Wooden Boat - Take That
3. Skin - Madonna
4. My Lover's Gone - Dido
5. River - Joni Mitchell - yay!!!! One day I will sing this at karaoke
6. England 2 Columbia 0 - Kirsty McColl
7. She will be loved - Maroon 5 and Buena Vista Social Club (-how great is the midsection of this shuffle???)
8. Killing me Softly - Omara Portuondo
9. Goodbye My Lover - James Blunt
10. Dancing Shoes - Arctic Monkeys and Buena Vista Social Club
There's a cuban theme to today's shuffle....
Something I always wanted to do last year when this meme was doing the rounds - answer the questions with the answers from your iPOD. So I am doing it now, and I don't even care if I'm not with the kids!!!
Put your music player on shuffle.
Press forward for each question.
Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense.
1. How am I feeling today? Bring it Back - Moloko
2. Will I get far in life? Out of My Mind - James Blunt
3. How do my friends see me? I Know what I Know - Paul Simon (heh heh)
4. Where will I get married? Patience - Take That
5. What is my best friend? Homeless - Paul Simon (jeez, I hope not!)
6. What is the story of my life? All You Want - Dido
7. What was high school like? Mambo de la Luna - Kirsty McColl (a dance of the moon? really??)
8. How can I get ahead in life? Shanti/Ashangti - Madonna (I should do yoga? )
9. What is the best thing about me? Thank You - Dido (I am very polite)
10. What is today going to be like? Shine - Take That
11. What is in store for this weekend? Wonderwall - Oasis
12. What song describes my parents? Some Might Say - Oasis
13. To describe my grandparents? Substitute for Love - Madonna
14. How is my life going? I'm No Angel - Dido - ha!ha! ha!
15. What song will they play at my funeral? Ex Factor - Lauryn Hill (so beautiful)
16. How does the world see me? You're Beautiful - James Blunt
17. Will I have a happy life? Honestly OK - Dido
18. What do my friends really think of me?In These Shoes - Kirsty McColl
19. Do people secretly lust after me? Don't Let Him Waste Your Time - Jarvis Cocker
20. How can I make myself happy? Little Star - Madonna (which is of course, Alfie's song)
21. What should I do with my life? Pure Pleasure Seeker - Moloko (Scarlett the iPod has spoke, I must obey...)
22. Will I ever have children? Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie and the Blowfish
23. What is some good advice for me? Lola's Theme - Shapeshifters (The main lyric is "I'm a Different Person/turn my world around")
24. How will I be remembered? Morning Glory - Oasis
25. What is my signature dancing song? Doo Wop - That Thing - Lauryn Hill
26. What is my current theme song? She's Electric - Oasis
27. What does everyone else thing my current theme song is? Yes - McAlmont and Butler
Lots of fun and some lovely tunes - I do need a greater variety on Scarlett though...
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Odds and sods
Had my latest scan this week (I am 21 weeks) and all is well - I have to go back in four weeks to check the chambers of the heart, but that isn't a problem - everything is fine. It was lovely to see my little one, and the scan was very clear, things have progressed even since A was in utero, and it seemed that I could practically see his/her face. I've got some nice pictures which I will try and get on here, but you know how technologically challenged I am...
It's been an odd week because I have been on my own - M has been working away, so it has been work/pick up A/home/tea/housework/bed. Plus the dishwasher has packed up, which is GREAT timing. I have felt a real crappy mother as it has all been rush, rush, rush, with lots of telly when we get home, and last minute spelling homework and reading, not to mention some very scrappy evening meals. I keep telling myself it would be different if it wasn't winter or if I wasn't pregnant, but I get so tired by the end of the day, I can barely wash up! However, I have found it difficult to sleep as I'm not used to being alone in the house in charge of one and a half children. So, it's been a wierd week. I'm sure I'll get used to it and it looks like I'm going to have to! Anyway, M came home early and surprised me on Thursday (I had already locked up the house!!!!) so he took A to school yesterday, rang the dishwasher man and did the housework in the afternoon, so that was nice. I took A to his swimming lesson and felt a bit more back to normal.
Apparently it is International Delurking week, so if you come here and never say hello, please will you? And if you come here and often say hello, please will you too?
It's been an odd week because I have been on my own - M has been working away, so it has been work/pick up A/home/tea/housework/bed. Plus the dishwasher has packed up, which is GREAT timing. I have felt a real crappy mother as it has all been rush, rush, rush, with lots of telly when we get home, and last minute spelling homework and reading, not to mention some very scrappy evening meals. I keep telling myself it would be different if it wasn't winter or if I wasn't pregnant, but I get so tired by the end of the day, I can barely wash up! However, I have found it difficult to sleep as I'm not used to being alone in the house in charge of one and a half children. So, it's been a wierd week. I'm sure I'll get used to it and it looks like I'm going to have to! Anyway, M came home early and surprised me on Thursday (I had already locked up the house!!!!) so he took A to school yesterday, rang the dishwasher man and did the housework in the afternoon, so that was nice. I took A to his swimming lesson and felt a bit more back to normal.
Apparently it is International Delurking week, so if you come here and never say hello, please will you? And if you come here and often say hello, please will you too?
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
New Year
Happy New Year!
Had a nice time last night - quiet but nice. Can't believe this is the year I have TWO children! Bought the bebe two romper suits and two babygros today after panicking that I had made no progress in preparation. Also bought A some tops as he has had a real growth spurt over the last couple of months. And two tops for me. And some jewellery (in the sale - £5).
Have spent far too long on the computer today (although some of it is work related), BUT did end up having a lovely chat with Becks on her private blog - it was so lovely to "meet" you Beckie, and we did have a giggle!
Had a nice time last night - quiet but nice. Can't believe this is the year I have TWO children! Bought the bebe two romper suits and two babygros today after panicking that I had made no progress in preparation. Also bought A some tops as he has had a real growth spurt over the last couple of months. And two tops for me. And some jewellery (in the sale - £5).
Have spent far too long on the computer today (although some of it is work related), BUT did end up having a lovely chat with Becks on her private blog - it was so lovely to "meet" you Beckie, and we did have a giggle!
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