Happy Birthday to ...

... Patrick O'Keefe! (ha ha, bet I tricked you there!)

Mum and Dad found out today that my first cousin has been born today. Everyone is very excited for Auntie Serena and Uncle Anthony. Woo hoo!

Week 37

 

Geez, Dad has had a big week this week, he has really grown that sympathetic belly for Mum!! Ha ha!

Mum had her first week off - and I thought it was going to be relaxing! Instead it was busy times - cleaning, trips to the post office, aqaunatal class, play group, cooking, organising the books, workmen ... the last task was only partially successful - all the plastering jobs are now finished (no more holes around the fireplace, hoorah!), but the jolly kitchen man did NOT turn up AGAIN! Well, after waiting for him for 6+ months now it seems like they have given up on him and will get someone else in. Hmm, a learning curve for them anyway.

On Saturday morning it was off to Warrington Hospital for a tour. Won't be much longer until they are in there for the real thing!! The cool part was when the midwife went into one of the labour wards, and came out with a baby that had only been delivered an hour or so earlier. Man, that makes everything seem so real! Mum and Dad were talking about it quite a lot afterwards!

More swimming again last night. Mum seemed to be on a mission, and clocked up 60 laps (albeit quite slowly). I like the water and always kick about a lot. Dad went for a ride and then joined us swimming as well. He didn't join us swimming today though - instead he opted for the pub and watched the football (Liverpool v Everton). Unfortunately just a draw though.

Today was also another antenatal class, and they learnt how to take care of me when I get home. I am a bit worried - Dad liked tossing the baby in the air so it would do somersaults, and Mum had the baby on its head while she was changing its nappy! To be fair it was just a plastic doll with limited movement, but even still!! What is in store for me .... they have at least also learnt all the ins and outs of breastfeeding, so I should get a decent feed if nothing else!

Let it snow, let it snow

Brrr, another cold snap today! At one stage it was even snowing, although it disappeared pretty much straight away as the ground was too warm. The warm(er) week last week was too good to be true - or perhaps it is just a matter of perception, and 6-8 deg C now makes you feel like you can walk around in a t-shirt as opposed to the minus temperatures!

Mums first proper day off (following the weekend). She even got up at a reasonable 8am. Dad was surprised! Hehehehe, I am sure it won't take her long to adapting and sleeping in for longer. Better make the most of it!

Week 36 - Day 2 of 351 days leave (for Mum)

 

Well, here it is, another week gone. Mum finished work on Friday - hoorah! Now we can just relax for the next few weeks or so! I guess Mum may have other ideas, but we will see. So far it has got off to a good start ... watching DVDs both afternoons, so I really can't complain!

Her work were really good - gave her some chocolates and a Mothercare voucher - very lucky girl! She says she is saving the chocolates for the labour ward - since Dad is sworn off chocolate for the year, it will be a nice treat just for her :) Dad is still holding out, and hasn't had any chocolate for 18 days ... I wonder how long that new years resolution will last!! I can maybe see that resolve crumbling in the labour ward!

On Friday night they went out to celebrate at the pub ... no, not with a few drinks, but just a nice meal! Both came home with very full bellies after deciding that dessert was a must since they were celebrating. Mmmmmm. 

Last night they went around to Vicky and Phil's place for dinner - just around the corner, but geez they still had to rug up. Some wind and rain (and cold) seem to spring out from nowhere, and after a lovely sunny morning too! Dad got to play on a Nintendo Wii, and is convinced more than ever that he needs one .... well maybe one day .... will have to work on Mum for a bit longer yet!

Today was another antenatal class. They really seem to wear Mum and Dad out! Today there was more focus on the whole birthing stuff .... again! At the NHS antenatal class last Monday they saw a video of a couple of labours - Dad reackons he can play his part ok, but it has just left Mum feeling a little worried. Sure it will be alright, women have been doing this for years!

Week 35

Well, here we are at the end of another week ... and another week closer until Mum finishes work - 5 days left and she IS counting!! Hoorah, then we get to relax - swim, snooze, potter about, cook Dad's dinner ....

Mum got a funky new short haircut on Friday - apparently to make things easier for when I come along. I know though she is secretly looking forward to being a blonde again once I pop out!

This week has been ABSOLUTELY freezing, in total sense of the word. Temperatures drop down to -12 deg C in parts of the UK. Not quite that cold in Warrington, but certainly below zero for full days. On Thursday the fog didn't lift at all, and at the beginning of the week we were all literally skating on thin ice. One of Mum's lunchtime walks had to be cut short because she was too afraid of falling over! An extra 5 minutes had to be added into the drive to work to account for scraping off the ice off all the windows. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

This week also marked the start of the antenatal classes. The first one was on Monday night for 2 hours, and run by the NHS. It was quite a large group (11 couples), but everyone seemed very friendly. It was strange to be in the company of all these pregnant couples at once. No gory videos this week, although the birth video is to come tomorrow! Dad isn't too excited about it! Mum repacked the hospital bags yesterday after suggestions from the midwife.

Today Mum and Dad went to their second lot of antenatal classes being run through the NCT (National Childbirth Trust). This is a charity organisation, and the class led by a volunteer. Less medical information, but a lot more personal so they are getting the benefits from both. There were only 5 couples in this class, and Mum and Dad got more of a chance to chat and get to know them. 3 more classes of each to go ...

Week 34

Oh well, here it is, the holidays are over and it is back to work again tomorrow. *sigh* It has been both a busy and relaxing break for Mum and Dad. Not doing anything too quickly, but getting lots done. My room is just about finished now - the cot is assembled and made, the nappy table arrived, rocking chair all put together ... now I guess they just need me to pop along! Not too soon though, with any luck .... 6 more weeks please! 

The house is even coming up well too - all the pictures are now hung, painting 'slips' fixed, windows cleaned of paint, bookcases assembled and packed, house cleaned up .... phew!

On Friday Dad caught up with an old school friend who moved to the UK at the end of year 11. Suffice to say they still got along and Dad came home a little worse for wear. Boys will be boys eh!

Today Mum and Dad made the most of their last day of holidays, and went for a drive up to the Cat and Fiddle for a devonshire tea at the tea rooms. The scones and tea was yummy. It was a bit colder at the top there, and patches of ice and snow covered the ground. The sign overstated the views ...

Sign reads: Peak View Tea Rooms  

Tomorrow night kicks off the first of the antenatal classes. Dad reackons this whole birth stuff is really overstated and can't be too hard. Mum has suggested he opens with that line to fellow class mates - sure he'll make a lot of friends that way (not) - haha!! Some friends gave Dad a dvd called 'Being Dad' - he has put off watching just yet, not ready for the shock, but he reackons after this first class he should be able to sit down and watch it!

Mum only has 10 more days left at work now - not that she is counting down or anything.  Not sure how she'll go without her afternoon naps though - it has become a bit of a luxury over the past week and a half!