Nearly the New Year...

Well, Christmas has been a bit of a whirlwind. So I can remember for reference I'll go through the chronological events. Husband finished work the Thursday before Christmas, we went to Shrewsbury on the Friday. We picked up a play shop/till and a kitchen set from the Early Learning Centre for Elizabeth while we were there, I got some foil trays from Lakeland (and some better sized ones from an independent cookware shop on the hill) and we got husband a magazine. On the Saturday husband finished glossing the windowsill in Elizabeth's bedroom. I made stollen (James Martin) in the afternoon if I remember correctly. I ironed her bedspread and curtains on the Saturday night. My mind is blank for what we did on Sunday We spent Monday morning transferring all of her things into her new bedroom. She moved in for her afternoon nap on the Monday (more later). I had to go to the doctors on Monday and again on Wednesday. We also went to the butchers' in Much Wenlock to buy sausage meat, cocktail sausages and streaky bacon. Husband went to Merry Hill on Monday night and I went spare because he was so late back. Our visit to the in-laws was cancelled on Wednesday (Christmas Eve) because they all still had 'flu. I baked mince pies and wrapped Elizabeth's presents, spent evenings shortening curtains and generally getting ready for Christmas.

Elizabeth's big move

We thought that the bed-rail would convince her that she was still in her cot, i.e. that she wouldn't attempt to get out, but within seconds realised the error of her ways. She's been excitedly sitting in her bed reading and looking at toys for a few days now, so she was quite keen to be in her room, and once all her things had been moved in, and her Maisy pictures were up, it looked like home. We put her down for her afternoon nap and closed the door, within seconds the door handle was rattling. Arrrghhhh!!! Sternly told her not to get out of bed and replaced her - she continued to babble along excitedly to herself, getting lego out and playing with her toys. Finally she went to sleep after about an hour and a half. Luckily, evening sleep has been fairly 'business as usual'. We have to demonstrate how dark it will go before she is tucked in, but for over a week now she has settled down fine and gone straight to sleep in the evening, and wakes at around 7am as normal in the morning and still talks to us on the monitor - running through a series of topics "Sealions catch rings... jump off tower... splosh! Want lunch want lunch! More animals Dad! Cheer up Dad" etc - reminiscing about the Safari Park where we went for her birthday. Afternoons are a bit more hit and miss. Last week she was taking over an hour to settle, but the last few days she has pretty much gone straight to sleep so perhaps her routine is kicking in a bit. It seems like we might have weathered the storm and it wasn't so bad after all, fingers crossed etc.

My health

Urgh!! I've been itching for weeks, and finally snapped over the weekend and decided to get a doctors appointment on the Monday before Christmas, partly because I'd read on the internet about concerns re itching in pregnancy, and partly because the itching is keeping me awake for hours at a time at night and driving me mad. I saw the triage nurse, and she said it was unlikely to be related to the pregnancy as it had occured so late, and was more likely stress-induced dermatitis. There are little raised bumps like a nettle rash on the underside of my bump, and on my upper and lower arms, legs and shoulders. It is horrible - excruciatingly itchy at night, and when the heating has been on in the evenings. I was prescribe a steroid cream which I have been applying once a day ever since, and it is supposed to clear up in two weeks. I'm so tired because every night my sleep is getting really badly disturbed, literally hours at a time. It was only last night that due to my desperation I looked up something on the internet having read something in a pregnancy book and made up a pint of water with a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda in a little bottle, and starting dabbing it on with a flannel every time the itch cycle started. This had some degree of success, so I'll keep at it.

By Christmas Eve I'd confessed to husband that I had my concerns about 'something' not being right 'down below' and he'd made me make a further appointment to see the midwife. Off I went and revealed all, and she said it looked like a case of vulval varicose veins, but I'd need to see the doctor to confirm. She checked my blood pressure, urine etc and listened to the baby and all was well - so I made an appointment to see the GP later that afternoon and for the third time in as many days risked catching the horrible 'flu virus that seems to have afflicted everyone by venturing into the doctor's surgery.

The doctor looked and confirmed that it was vulval varicose veins, and that there was no cure. It isn't dangerous, should have no implications for the birth or anything - just uncomfortable/painful. He told me not to lift, and to 'lay off the Christmas sex' - and that was that. Came home and sat on an ice pack. After several days of husband doing all the lifting I'm honestly not sure that I can tell the difference. It feels really 'heavy' down there as if everything is falling out, and hurts when I've been on my feet a lot. Sitting on an ice pack offers some relief.

Over the Christmas period I've drawn some comments from people about my 'neat bump' - which have been reassuring. Apparently I was 'massive' last time, but this time look a lot more in proportion. My ankles and fingers etc haven't swollen at all - I've still got my wedding and engagement rings on whereas they had to come off quite early on last time. Although it is difficult to bend down and get socks and shoes on, I can still move around ok, which again is promising.

Christmas

I spent until 10pm on Christmas Eve peeling and chopping carrots and parsnips, and preparing sprouts, having already spent much of the day making stuffing, and the first stages of a trifle. I also made mince pies and sorted out little plastic pots with precisely measured out amounts of e.g. marsala, vegetable oil, honey, maple syrup etc for the meal the next day. So, in spite of having all presents wrapped, clothes ironed etc, there was still plenty to do!

We awoke on Christmas morning to the sound of Elizabeth's morning commentary on the Safari Park. When husband went in to get her she saw her stocking hanging on the back of the door with the two presents sticking out of the top. She came into our room to 'ope' the presents: new (blue) toothbrush, bubble bath that turns the water blue, a 'new baby' book, a star necklace, a satsuma, a box of raisins (like she had in Ikea) and some new hairclips and Christmas hair bobble which she's been wearing ever since.

We got ready as usual, and headed down for Christmas breakfast of cereal and 'croissant please Dad' - then she opened her tree presents. She was delighted with the pink buggy which was £3 from the charity shop, and we didn't really have time to look at the till/shop or the kitchen set as we had to get ready to go over to my Mums.

Loading up the car with bags of vegetables and all the various bits and pieces we had to remember was quite a trial (even though I'd sent the steamer, the travel cot and our presents for the family the day before). Consulting my list I had to remember things like her bib, bowls etc, a Christmas pudding, shed loads of bacon and pancetta, my apron, her doll, nap blankets, starbie, changing bag, change of clothes, 'cow's feet' etc...

We arrived - me looking resplendent (or like a tent) in my new Mamas and Papas dress and purple 'cow's feet' slippers. Elizabeth wore her navy velvet dress which miraculously still fitted from last year, with her complimentary orange and green 'cow's feet' slippers, and husband wore his new slim fitting jeans, hoodie and grey t-shirt which Elizabeth later announced looked like his pyjamas!

I commenced preparations for the meal, which was one of the most exhausting parts of the day. Learning points for next year are to allow much longer for the vegetables as they need to be brought to the boil and it takes ages given the sheer quantity of veg in the pans, and don't leave the gravy to Mum. That was her only task, yet somehow that ended up being very delayed, and suffering from a lack of potato and veg water as it kept being thrown away. We finally served up later than the anticipated 1pm at around 2pm, but still considerably earlier than in years gone by. My sister had a big wobble about the turkey. When she took it out to commence basting with another hour of cooking to go it was looking quite 'done' and the front bits (wings? breasts?) had somewhat collapsed. She collapsed in tears and had to be talked down, and the turkey had to rest until everything else caught up which was fortunate as there wasn't really enough oven space to do the roast potatoes, sausages, parsnips and stuffing. The oven was really difficult to understand - it seemed to be undercooking everything (apart from the aforementioned turkey) so there was a lot of stress to say the least.

Meanwhile the Christmas pudding steamed away, and was quite nice when it arrived, flaming in brandy, at the end of the meal.

There was no time for opening presents as my sister had to return to her boyfriend's parents, my brother had to walk the dog and Mum and Dad had to take my grandparents home (to a house where it was then discovered that the central heating had broken) after Nan first fell backwards onto all the Christmas 'houses' that Mum has collected over the years.

Elizabeth slept, we watched mindless tv and put our feet up, then after her smoothie at 4pm she opened a couple of presents and we headed for home at around 6pm.

Here was the second stressful part of the day, as I had to fix her something to eat, get her bathed and into bed, then get the house ready for the 'party'. I had to manually whip cream for the trifle because I couldn't get the beaters to fit into my food processor, so that took an age, and I also had to make up the sausage rolls which again was fiddly and I could have done without. Elizabeth went to bed at 7.30pm, and husband had to go and pick them up at 8pm, so we had to get the table cloth out, plates and snacks out, alcohol in from the garage, trifle in, music set up, and as I had stripped off my dress and tubigrip support and tights on re-entering the house and was standing in my dressing gown whipping cream at 8pm we didn't do too badly to be ready. I spent most of the evening shipping snacks and nibbles in (and out) and replenishing drinks. We played Cranium (and we won!) but the game did go on a bit. I finally got all six of them into the back of the Mazda (using the rear seats for the first time) and ferried them all home at around midnight and arrived back to find husband listening to one last track on his funny Ipod/mp3 player whatever it is, and reading his skating magazine. I was utterly shattered, utterly, utterly shattered.

We returned to my parents on Boxing Day morning and had more of a leisurely day, opening presents, husband watching Doctor Who, having a lunch of baguettes and turkey, more trifle and stollen/mince pies. She had another nap, and we came back to sink into our own new sofas and have a quiet night watching the soaps.

On the Saturday we had to return to my parents (again) to have a formal discussion at 11am about plans for a birthday cottage for my Mum, which went ok. My brother and his girlfriend left later that afternoon, and we had a quiet evening watching tv.

On the Sunday we went out for a 'nice walk' around Shifnal in the morning, had lunch, settled Elizabeth for her nap then cleaned and tidied in readiness for Mark and Angela arriving. More stollen and mince pies, presents, chatted for a couple of hours then at Ben's nap time they departed and we got on with tea/bath/bed routine again.

Husband back to work yesterday morning, spent the day variously at Mum and Dad's and with Mum and sister visiting us here. And today, well, today started badly when Elizabeth's curtain rail fell down. Husband tried to fix it, I tried to fix it, and was then running later with our visitors for once running early! Anna, Sanjeev, Raj and Sanjeev's Mum have just left. All a bit chaotic but lovely to see them. We went out for a walk to Shifnal, they got some fish and chips, we had lunch, then they took Raj home at nap time. I managed to get Elizabeth into bed by 2pm, tidied up, then took delivery of my Sainsbury's order which has saved me a lot of hassle - all items present and correct. And that was Christmas!

I made:

• home-made mincemeat
• Christmas puddings x2
• spiced muffins for Elizabeth's Group Christmas party
• mince pies x 48
• Stollen
• Trifle
• Sausages in bacon
• sausagemeat, red pepper and apricot stuffing
• sprouts with pancetta and parsley
• carrots
• maple-roasted parsnips
• home-made brandy butter
• a birthday cake for my Dad
• Home-made sausage rolls

and quite enjoyed it actually!

Last half an hour to myself...

We're back from swimming, Elizabeth is asleep, the casserole is in the oven and husband is due home from work for Christmas in half an hour's time (well - he's going out again later for his boss' leaving 'do' so I will have a bit more time I suppose) so this is the last time I'll have to reflect/think before the festivities begin!

I had a positive encounter with the chiropractor on Monday. It is worth going just for the 'feel-good' factor really. She told me I was doing brilliantly, no sign of the SPD and although there was a lot of tightness in my right leg/buttock she worked on that, and said it was consistent with the back pain I'd been describing. She said given my history she was very surprised that I'd been doing so well - the aches and pains I've been experiencing are more in keeping with the extra weight of the baby rather than any problems with my pelvis, so all good! She did some adjustments on my back with a little machine, and stretched out my leg muscles, and I came away walking on air!!

The new sofas arrived on Tuesday. It made me realise what a tizz I can get myself into, as I was so stressed waiting for them to arrive, and so unsettled by the experience of having the two delivery men in my 'nest'. There really isn't enough room with the Christmas tree as well, so it isn't an ideal set up, but it is great to be able to sit down properly after years of having to make do with the 20 year-old-hand-me-down sofa and the two Ikea chairs (one of which has now been returned to my parents together with most of the desk from the study).

The bed went up on Saturday, and the bedding (we ordered two sets, one from Laura Ashley and one from Debenhams) has all arrived together with the Lindam bed guard. We just need to finish painting the window sill and get some curtains and put them up. Most of the wardrobe is empty now so it should be easy enough to move Elizabeth's things in, and I just need to move a few CDs and books off the book case and bring her toys in, then she will be all set to sleep in her new room at the weekend! She's been playing on the bed, reading stories to her toys and so on and so far all seems positive.

I'm 31 weeks at the moment, and when I hit 32 weeks on Tuesday I'll be taking my raspberry leaf capsules in earnest, and will begin listening to my hypnotherapy CD (husband has 'downloaded' it onto an MP3 player so I should be able to relax in the bedroom with my aromatherapy oils and listen to it in peace with any luck.

Christmas is just around the corner - I've got lots of ingredients in for the mince pies/stollen etc I'm planning to make, and have got to sort out nibbles etc for Christmas night when my family are all coming over. I was hoping to go to a local butcher to buy 'proper' sausagemeat for real sausage rolls some time over the weekend. We're off to Shrewsbury, all of us, tomorrow as I still haven't bought husband anything and although I've gathered a few bits for Elizabeth's stocking we need some 'proper' Christmas presents for her too!

Well - if I could have a glass of wine and put my feet up tonight I would - I think I deserve it! I can't believe I've come this far, and now Christmas is upon us the birth seems just around the corner. 9 weeks to go!!! Merry Christmas!

Decorating, preparing for Christmas and feeling exhausted!

The weekend was a busy one. After finally getting the blue paint on Elizabeth's bedroom walls at the back end of last week, we set off to the Bullring in Birmingham on Saturday morning. Husband needed some new jeans which he can only get at Gap. By the time we'd moved between the car park, and the first and second Gap it was time for a drinks break, in a very grotty Bhs cafe. The wheeled highchairs were a very bad idea, and Elizabeth spilled water all over my shoes to cap off a very stressful stop. We couldn't find a light-shade for her there, or any reduced bedding. We had a more relaxed lunch stop at our old haunt 'EAT', then looked in Mothercare for maternity clothes for me. The slightly sad looking collection didn't really entice me, so I looked in Mamas and Papas - a whole new world. Lovely clothes, lovely colours - lovely dresses for Christmas, and a lovely cardigan that was oooooooooh only £75! We took the catalogue away with a view to ordering a dress online for Christmas. Exhausted, cold and fed up of the crowds we made our way home via Ikea to take back a broken vase, then called in at my parents who had Amy staying with her new cat Mog. Elizabeth loved Mog ("Come on Mog!") and wants to see Mog again at Christmas!

Stress reigned again on Sunday morning, getting ready to see husband's Gran. Just trying to get out of the house for a set time while trying to get Elizabeth downstairs with her clothes and socks on and ready to actually leave exhausts me. We had an ok morning, back for a 'dippy egg' then I spent the afternoon finishing the remains of the Christmas shopping online. I haven't got anything for Elizabeth or husband yet, but everyone else is in the bag. At last.

Nearly 29 weeks...

Elizabeth's birthday weekend was lovely, if exhausting. We went to the Safari Park as planned on the Saturday (ie day before her birthday) which turned out to be a very good idea. It was bitterly cold, so being in our own car was great, and no walking around for me. She loved seeing the animals, and there was actually quite a lot to see. The animals were really lively, for example the tigers were chasing each other around and playing/eating, the lions were roaring etc. I don't know whether we were just lucky, or whether it was feeding time or what, but there was certainly a lot to see. We ventured out of the car to see the sealion show (Elizabeth was intrigued by the 'hot swimming pool') then we decided to call it a day and get some lunch on the way back. Panic ensued as Elizabeth looked like she was falling asleep and we couldn't locate a family-friendly pub. We stopped in Bridgnorth thinking it would have to be Sainsbury's cafe, but there wasn't one, so we had to race into town looking for somewhere, anywhere, to serve us. We found a pub which turned out to be fine. Elizabeth thoroughly enjoyed herself but husband and I felt we'd been a bit caught out by the food situation, and were annoyed at ourselves for getting so stressed!

I was tired out after this venture, but had to make her birthday cake that evening. Brother rang and the cake ended up getting burned, so all in not a great finish to the day. The next morning was lovely. She spotted the blue card with a star on as soon as she came into our room, then spent ages opening the rest of her cards and getting her badges on. She opened her presents, and particularly liked some squirty plastic bath toys (farm animals) from my sister. We had breakfast, and I then made the new birthday cake and iced it blue for her. She played with balloons and generally played with her new things, then we had hot dogs for lunch and she had a nap. Grandma and Grandad arrived, then soon after my Mum and Dad. She was absolutely delighted when Daddy turned the lights out and I brought in her birthday cake. There wasn't a moments hesitation, as everyone sung she got ready to blow the candles out and lapped up the applause! Two other Aunties arrived with further presents, and she had a whale of a time playing, and was slightly late to bed. I felt absolutely shattered at the end of it, but really pleased that she'd had such a good time.

All of this, of course, came after finishing work in a very low-profile way. A couple of people (the cleaner, a couple of people from the office etc) said goodbye and goodluck but as expected no presentation, no card, no present, nothing official - I haven't even had confirmation from Personnel about my dates. I don't really care though, as I've been that focused on just finishing, and now I have. No more long journey to Birmingham, no more faffing around with UCAS references and stressing about Key Skills. Friday's are now free, and hopefully that should free up some time in the week!

I had my 28 week midwife appointment and all was well. The baby apparently measures 28 cm so spot on for dates, and was leaping around 'hide and seeking', only staying still for 15 seconds to have heart rate checked at the very last time of asking! Urine fine, bp fine - all well.

Elizabeth and I went to visit our friend from group and her nearly-3-week old baby on Friday morning which was lovely. She only weighed 6lb at birth, and was really tiny, and I was so proud of Elizabeth being so gentle with her, stroking her hands etc. I sat and held her while she slept, and it was quite a reassuring experience, as with older babies I've felt a bit out of my depth and unsure what to do!

We went to see the Christmas lights on Friday night, then spent the weekend sorting Elizabeth's new room out. The desk is now out, the stationery has been sorted and the computer moved downstairs to its new home under the stairs. The shelves are almost out, the ceiling has received its first coat of paint, we've bought the new 'Blue Babe' paint for th e walls, and think we've chosen bedding so it won't be long now. I feel a lot more settled now that it is taking shape, and I'm not even worried about Elizabeth moving into a big bed. Since her birthday she's been feeding herself, sitting on a 'big girl's chair' rather than her high-chair, washing her own hair and generally being a lot more grown up, so I'm hoping she's ready for the next step.