Last Day At Work

Mum has just finished work; one week before my expected delivery date. 

She'd decided, as long as she (and I) were well, to continue so that she wasn't sitting at home worrying.


Mum endured a small speach just before she left and her collegues kindly gave her some gifts for me - nail clippers, bowl and spoon, baby gym, hair brush and comb, and teething rings. Also, she received a box of chocolates and a baby bottle of rose wine to celebrate my birth (when I arrive).

Gifts For MEEEEEEE!

Mum and dad unexpectantly received some gifts and cards, on my behalf, from family abroad.

Aunty Robin and Uncle Ian sent these lovely suits and bibs.

Aunty Betty and Uncle Arthur sent these; many of which are hand knitted.

Aunty Faye and Uncle John gave this suit and tiger outfit.

Katrina and Nathan bought these tops and Ugg boots.

Cliff Top Climber

Mum and Dad went for their last holiday as a couple (i.e. before I arrive and change their lives forever) to Weymouth for a long weekend. 

This seaside town has nice walking paths around it; many of which are along chalky cliffs much like Dover. 

Now mum (as usual) wanted to walk along these as the views are fabulous (and she doesn't want to miss anything).  Dad was a bit apprehensive so they started on the gentle paths which had pretty scenery.  However, dad had been told of a nice cliff top walk called Lulworth Cove which featured the "Durdle Door" by one of his colleagues.

Mum being mum insisted that they 'try' and if she felt she couldn't make it she promised to stop.  Dad, knowing when not to argue with mum, consoled himself with the thought that she'd give up after 5 minutes. 

He was wrong.

Mum, determined, did make it up the climb by going up one step (they were very long steps) and then stopping for 3 ish minutes before starting again. 

Now many people overtook mum and were horrified once they realised she was heavy with child.  They did give dad a few looks much to his horror.

Satisfied she'd made it, mum rejoiced when she reached with a 'I told you I could do it' statement to dad.  Obviously dad was not impressed and was happy to see the rest of the walk was extremely flat (or so he thought).

After another 20 mins of walking they found the Durdle Door which is actually a rock archway. 

Mum decided she wanted to go down to the beach (to see if it was rock or sand) because everyone else did.  So obviously they did and it was a rock beach.

Now, after relaxing a bit they began the journey back.  Firstly she needed to get back up to the cliff top then the flat walk and finally back down the long steps. 

At 1/4 the way down the long steps mum began to have a fit of giggles; to the point where she had to stop. 

Dad initially thought mum was in trouble but soon realised this was not the case.  He asked what was so funny.

Apparently, people were huffing and puffing up the long steps and were eyeing up the top when they spotted mum and dad coming down.

When they're eyes flicked from dad then to mum and then down to me (aka mum's extremely large stomach) they're facial expressions would turn from 'Oh my goodness, I've not reached the top yet' to 'How the hell did she make it?' and 'This is soooo embarrassing'. 

They would also right themselves as if to say 'If she could do it so can I' i.e. I'm not a pathetic wimp, etc.

This was particularly true of the men who refused to be outdone by a heavily pregnant woman (they were true men even if they looked like waddling couch potatoes on their only outing in 15 years).

As you can guess this tickled mum's funny bone.  She'd tried not to laugh at these people but failed miserably.

Once this was pointed out to dad, he saw exactly what she was giggling at.  It was extremely predicable (and in many ways pathetically funny).  She giggled the rest of the way.

So I've now experienced my first cliff top walk.

On a side note, on dad's return to work his colleague mentioned the fact that it was a pity that we'd not gone to see the Durdle Door as it was quite famous in the area as well as being considered a challenging yet rewarding walk. 



This guy was mortified when dad stated matter of factorialy that they had seen it and described the archway as proof.

The Alien Inside Is Moving

Now mum and dad have often heard pregnancy (and in particular the birthing process) being described graphically as the scene of Alien where the creature bursts from one of the characters chest.  (This would put anyone off having children)

Recently, this description has come to the fore as not only can mum feel me playing football and/or boxing inside her but dad can see me stretching i.e. a rippling effect on mum's stomach.  Yep, it's getting tighter in here and I get a bit annoyed every now and then with the cramped conditions. 

The strangest part about this is that normally you would feel someone touching you from the outside inwards.  Being pregnant means that this universal truth is no longer true and apparently it freaked mum out initially.

Now mum did a little research and it appears this is not unusual.  There are several pictures (this one is a fake but mum thought it was funny) and blogs on the web noting exactly the same thing. 

Mum cannot see my feet or hands yet but I intend on making this happen before I'm born. 

;-)
         

A Vision Of My Future

A friend of mum and dad's decided that he couldn't wait until I grew up to see what I would look like.  He got a hold of some photos including their passport ones and produced a composite which he claims I might look like.

Mum and dad know I'll be a stunner. 

What a vision!

Have You Got Everything?!

Mum and dad have been asked by various people if they've bought anything for the nursery (and if they've set one up yet).

They have been buying but aren't going to give me my own room (well not straight away). 

And they have been pretty good in that they've not been extravagant in their purchases.  They've also been acquiring bits and pieces for me over the months so that there wasn't a last minute panic (and big expense).

So far they have:
- A pram with basket, 6 month + seat, and baby car seat (interchangeable)
- A cot (with built in changing table to save on space)
- 150 newborn nappies (plus 75 of the next size up)
- Clothes of various styles and sizes from 0000 to 0 (though we'll see if its enough)
- Sleeping bags (various sizes)
- A travel nappy carrier bag with change mat
- A bouncy chair (to rock me in)
- Towels
- A baby monitor (so that they can make sure I'm behaving whilst they relax in the lounge room - as if I'm going to let them!)
- Plus a variety of sample products (all for joining various baby websites)

However, they have yet to get:
- A baby bath
- A baby sling/carrier (for dad to carry me around in; its his turn once I'm born.)
- High chair (not needed until I can sit up and throw food)
- Toys, mobiles, etc (all the fun stuff which I want to play with)

These last few things shouldn't break the bank if mum doesn't go silly on my toys.  (I hope she does!)

How To Know It’s Your Third Trimester

Mum decided after pursuing various mum's websites she's now got a Top Ten of sure signs that a person has advanced to the third trimester.
    

• You haven’t seen your feet in some time; which may be a blessing. (Mum's not quite there yet)Whilst attempting to put on or take off shoes, you sound like Bill Cosby’s description of a man with a potbelly doing same. (Or in mum's case, she sits on a seat and puts her foot on her knee)
• The belly button has disappeared/popped out. Ting! (Mum only has a dimple now).
• Your body makes odd noises you cannot control i.e. you have newfound gas expelling talents.
• Your belly is finally sticking out past your monstrously large prego boobs (If you were lucky enough to get those) and you would rather stay home than face the horrible discomfort known as wearing a bra. (Again, mum's not yet there with this one)
• You’re not comfortable standing. Or sitting. Or lying down.
• You visit the local swimming pool a lot. While doing a dead man’s float in said swimming pool, your oldest son/nearest child says your belly looks like an island, and can he put his diving rings on them for a minute? (Unfortunately for mum there isn't any swimming pools near us so she can't try this one out)
• People you know stop and say 'Wow, your big!' with a shock on their face that they can't hide.  (Isn't that supposed to happen?)
• You spend around £50.00 on the contraption known as a “maternity support belt” to help you haul your belly around.  (Mum is definately contemplating buying one of these)
• You start counting backwards to make yourself feel better. Just 10-12 more weeks to go! Yippee!
• You know/visit all the self help/advice websites (not to mention the books and magazines) available for 'your condition' and visit them daily just to make sure you are still on track.  (I believe this will now be the future for mum). 

Although, mum hasn't got all ten she has definately advanced to the third trimester. 

I think she's going to see how many she can tick off and how quickly this can be done.