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.
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