35 weeks and can't bend in the middle any more!

My wedding and engagement rings came off a couple of days ago, and my ankles were looking a bit swollen last night. Although I had a reasonable night on Sunday, the itching has been driving me absolutely crazy - cue hysterical crying and incessant searches on the internet for a miracle cure. The best I can find is alternating between evenings of ice pack application and a solution of 1 tbsp bicarb. of soda dissolved in a pint of water and applied with a flannel, and aqueous cream - slathered on until I look like a cross-channel swimmer.

Today I'm officially 35 weeks. I've been feeling pretty strong Braxton Hicks contractions (well, I assume they are) and am finding it increasingly difficult to get down on the floor to do Elizabeth's nappies. I can't bend over at all really, although I still don't look too huge. I've been eating huge quantities of chocolate though which can't be helpful but at this stage in the game I can't say I really care. I'm that exhausted from sleep deprivation and looking after Elizabeth that there are very few enjoyable things left at the moment!

I had my follow-up blood tests at the day assessment unit on Friday and rang them up earlier to find I've got the all-clear (no obstetric choleostasis) so I go forward now with my appointment in Shrewsbury with the dermatologist on Thursday.

Sainsbury's delivery arrived again this morning with minimal problems - just a short shelf-life on an avocado and no melon for Minky... Well worth £3.50 for the time and effort saved. I've posted off a cheque to a gold bullion dealer (!) for Baby Ben's christening present (a miniscule gold bar) and contacted my Union about waiving my membership for another 6 months while I'm on maternity leave. I've been trying to keep up-to-date with the banking, and have been greatly cheered by the fact that the Bank of England have lowered the base rate by another 1% so we will be even better off next month. And once the baby is here and our Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits increase so much the better.

Week two of yoga tonight. Casserole is in the oven. Can't believe a week has flown by since my trip to A&E!!