4 weeks to go!

Getting very close now, and as this pic shows, i wouldn't be surprised if baby came earlier: -



Taken about a week ago, and as you can see, Star Wars influences haven't been totally eradicated since being married...

Anyway, a few updates: -

Susan is doing really well, but starting to get a bit fed up with the whole awkwardness, water retention, weak bladder, etc that comes with a pregnancy. She's bearing up really well though, and i love her more and more each day. I'm so proud of her! :) Susan's taking iron tablets, her iron has always been a little low, pregnant or otherwise, but they seem to be doing the trick at the moment.

Susan had her baby shower a few weeks back, organised by Wendy and Katie. For those that don't know exactly what that is - and i'd have been in that category! - just an excuse for lots of gifts and women to get together and gossip. ahem. All had a great time, Susan was very touched so many came (it wasn't a surprise, she kept hinting strongly for one!) and we now have more talculm powder than Boots!

Tim went to the pub.

Nursey is looking pretty good - should be all finished next week - photos to come. Certainly a transformation from what it was.

We've got just about everything we think we'll need, Susan's hospital bag is packed (mine isn't) and I hope baby comes during my easter break, so i won't be at work! Little things like putting clothes in the wardrobe and building the cot hit home at exactly what is coming! I'm starting to get both really nervous and also incredibly excited - this is huge isn't it? Well, i've known that all along of course, and i'm sure i'm as ready as i'll ever be but it all still amazes me.

I think we've decided on names we like, and of course not knowing what sex it's going be (i still have to bite my tongue when people ask "Do you know what it is?" - "why yes, we think it's a baby!") means we have both boy and girl names. Nothing is 100% decided though, so late suggestions welcome!

Finally, we're both really anxious to finally meet this baby. What will it look like? Who will it follow after? Boy or girl? How heavy? And a million-and-one other questions.

Parentcraft classes

Not quite got this regular posting sorted yet...short and sweet is the way to go i think. Though is anyone actually reading??

We've done our 2 'Parent Craft' classes together - ante-natal in other words - and Susan attended a third, women only one (involved breast feeding so men weren't allowed due to too much sniggering probably...).

The classes were really good, covered a lot of subjects, mostly focused around labour and delivery, and we got a look around the General's maternity unit - it always seems so calm and quiet there, hope it stays that way when we are there 'for real'.

First class was taken by a very stern lady, who scared me little but she did warm to us later on. I get the feeling she thought (probably quite rightly) that men are, well, idiots pretty much.

I've already forgotten half of what was talked about, but it was interesting. Second class focused on massage and comfort during labour etc. No we didn't watch a video, no we didn't have to do any breathing exercises, as such, and it allayed a lot of our nerves and fears. Still terrified, but hey ho!!

There used to be more classes, but NHS cut backs and all that. Isn't the UK just turning into the most rubbish country you could imagine?