Christmas preparations are under way!

I've just made my first ever batch of home-made Christmas mincemeat! (Well, I say first ever... I distinctly remember making some at school when I was 5 or 6 because I didn't know what suet is... but this is the first time I've made it under my own steam). This process started several weeks ago with a trip to TFM to buy two preserving jars, then a trip to Lakeland in Shrewsbury to buy waxed discs. I've been stock-piling ingredients (suet, peel, currants, raisins, sultanas, almonds etc) for weeks, and finally bought my cooking apples, oranges and lemons at the weekend. It was quite a task to work out how to organise the logistics, as the ingredients had to sit in a bowl for 12 hours, then be cooked for 3 hours, allowed to cool, and be transferred into sterilised jars. I plumped for doing my preparation last night, chopping my apples while watching Coronation Street (there must be an easier way - note to self: next year try food processor?). By 8.30pm the bowl was full of a strange brown concoction, which I covered with a tea towel and left. This morning it went in the oven at 8am for 3 hours before we went swimming, and I left it to cool, so that by the time we got back it was just on ready. I left the bowl in the porch to cool further while I sterilised the jars, then spooned it into them having added the brandy. Phew! It hasn't been the easiest of tasks, but I feel like a 'proper Mum' and hope that it will be one of many new Christmas traditions that I can introduce for our family.

Speaking of which, Monky is, we reckon, even stronger than Elizabeth. I'm 24 weeks now and am fairly being booted about. I'm feeling generally ok - better today than the earlier part of the week when I was having problems with my lower back/hips. It didn't feel like SPD but as a precaution I wore my support belt for two days. It kept 'locking' in position when I'd been standing, and was incredibly painful, but miraculously seems much better today, so I'll hold off going to the chiropractor for a little longer. I've been reading up on aromatherapy oils/bach rescue remedies etc, with a view to preparing in every way possible for the birth. I've started assembling my hospital bag, thinking that the earlier I do it the better. Not necessarily because I think I'll go into labour early, but because I think the longer the pregnancy goes on the less likely I'll be able to get out shopping. So - I've stockpiled maternity pads, breast pads, a new button-down nightshirt, soap, toothpaste and new toothbrush, nappies for the baby etc. I feel that the 'important stuff' i.e. birth plan is still to come, but perhaps once Christmas is out of the way I can turn to that.

Yoga re-starts next Tuesday after a two-week break so I'm looking forward to that. Elizabeth says more and more each day, and although still an absolute handful is generally lots of fun as well. She can say "Church mummy daddy married pretty dress" when we drive past the church we got married in, and can do her jigsaw puzzle on her own. Her friend Rebecca came over to play on Saturday and they made cakes together wearing aprons which was lovely to see. I can't believe it is nearly her birthday - only another 4 weeks to go, so really need to put some thought into that!