In other news...

In other news...

We went to watch 'The Merchant of Venice' at the Said Business School's rooftop amphitheatre yesterday evening. It was a real treat. The production was very good, had some very funny and some very poignant moments, and we enjoyed a hot chocolate and a brownie in the interval. Plus, the company (my lovely husband) was superb.

I've also been enjoying watching 'The Great British Bake Off' on iPlayer. It's inspired me to want to do some baking, having not really done any since becoming pregnant. Since the coming Bank Holiday weekend is set to be rainy, and since I don't really have the energy for more active pursuits, I hope to do some cake-making very soon!

32 weeks down, 8 to go

Unbelievably, we will be parents in only eight weeks time (or a little more or less). The last few months have gone by so quickly. I've been feeling quite tired and a little bit anxious for the last few days. What if the baby isn't well? What if I've done something to harm her? What if I've done something bad? What if she's born too early? I need to keep reminding myself that I am not in control! God has the big picture and he knows what is going to happen, so just relax already!

We are now so close to finishing decorating the nursery. All that remains is to put up some curtains and a few pictures. It looks really nice already, thanks to my wonderful mum who came to wallpaper and paint, and then came back to weed and tidy the garden a week later.

I've also started to cook for the freezer, preparing for those days after the birth when I won't have the energy or time to cook. So far, there's an Italian beef stew in there and after today there'll be at least two or three portions of chicken curry. Tomorrow, bolognese sauce. My aim is to have it full of things that can be defrosted and heated in the oven or microwave, and served with rice or pasta!

31 weeks down, 9 to go

The number of weeks left has now reached single figures. I can hardly believe it! After the first three interminable months when I felt that I would be pregnant forever and would never not feel sick again, the last 18 weeks have gone incredibly quickly. We're so excited about meeting our baby! Our house is almost ready - currently looking like a disaster zone but soon to be transformed into a lovely haven once all the renovation works are done. I'm almost ready too. I won't say I'm thrilled about the prospect of labour and delivery, but having been to a few classes I feel I understand it more, and am prepared for it being gruelling and hard, but wonderful when it's over.

This week, baby is still in the transverse position, so hopefully she will turn round soon, especially as my tummy is feeling quite tight now with a hard bulge on each side! Apparently doing yoga in the all-fours position will give her room to turn. Baby is healthy with a good heartbeat, and I'm healthy too, though pregnancy insomnia has really kicked in, partially because of aches and pains and partially because I can't stop thinking about the baby and my nesting impulse is irresistibly strong. It's currently the middle of the night and I've just been googling about car seats and how to use them safely, and about car seat covers so my little one will be comfortable. It's an obsession.

(Written from my lounge computer, surrounded by shoes, decorating equipment and packets of food, which are temporarily displaced from their home under the stairs.)

30 weeks down, 10 to go

This week, we've been busy learning yoga for labour, starting antenatal classes, beginning to get the nursery ready, and coping with restless nights. Only ten more weeks to go until the due date, which is both thrilling and a little bit scary. I've been enjoying shorter weeks at work before the final long slog of September.

Baby girl is lying sideways (transverse) so I keep telling her to point her head downwards please! She still has plenty of time to do so. My bump is now huge and heavy, quite a load to carry round and quite uncomfortable at times too. But overall, things are great. It feels like we'll be chasing our tails up to the very last minute, but little by little we are getting ready for our new addition.

Here's a new picture of my baby bump!

30 week bump

29 weeks down, 11 to go

I am back after a brief hiatus caused by a busy couple of weeks at work followed by a week-long holiday in Cornwall, where the sun shone and the sea was a chilly 13 degrees.

I am now well and truly in the third trimester, and have the symptoms to go along with it: sore hips, aching back, and having to get up to pee every single night. That 'heavily pregnant' feeling which was eluding me four weeks ago: definitely here now.

I also have an overwhelming sense of love and attachment to my baby, which is strange since I have never even seen her. I honestly can't believe how much I love her.

We had a scan this week to check baby's growth, and happily she is a perfectly normal size.

I now have only 37 days left at work. What a relief it will be to be able to rest at home for a few days before the birth. I hope baby will allow me to do that and not come early!

In other news, our pushchair has arrived and is set up ready for its cargo. We will choose a cot at some point in the next few weeks. Major DIY will happen in baby's room and a few other jobs around the house too. And then, one day, we will transition from having no baby, to having a baby!