Surprise

I have a huge backlog of things to post about (baby shower and lots of things that I have been making for Eddie) that I was going to catch up on this week. But Eddie decided that he wanted to come and meet us 4 weeks early!

Yesterday, at 1.02pm, Jack Edward Whiting made his appearance into the world weighing 6lb15.5oz. He is gorgeous and perfect and more details and millions of photos will soon follow!

Here he is at a few hours old. How beautiful is he?

The Fear

Not panicking at all. Not even a little bit. Its just that out of the 7 couples in our antenatal class, one had her twins at 30 weeks, one had her daughter last week at 33 weeks and one is due to be induced this week at 35 weeks. Crikey.

Feeling the need to leap out of bed (admittedly it is 1pm so probably time to be getting up) and get on with all the things that still need doing...

Practising

Last night at our antenatal class the ladies talked about pelvic floors and other such things while the men were sent out of the room to complete a challenge.

They returned each with a doll in their arms. They had had to put a nappy on, select outfits from a large box of clothes and dress the dolls.

I am very proud to say that Simeon managed to put the nappy on the right way round, put on a vest and a babygrow and find a hat and mittens that matched the babygrow. He then sat with the doll in his arms like a pro.

I am supremely impressed!

Where to begin

So, I have returned from 5 days in Dunstable where I was helping a friend out with wedding preparations and now can start with the serious business of maternity leave. Problem is, there is so much to do that I don't know where to start. In addition to the list of things I want to make, I need to rearrange the spare room and dining room, do all the laundry, tidy the guest room, get the bed fixed in the guest room, clear the cupboard in Eddie's room, do some grocery shopping.... the list goes on. I also need to find the time to do some relaxing.

But first, a cup of tea and a cupcake.

Some pictures at last

This is the result of the nappy trialling with my family at the weekend. Poor bear.

And here is a babygrow I made for a friend - plenty more of these to come!

Making a start

Seeing as the lovely Liz has posted a link to this blog, I feel the pressure to actually do something interesting and put it on here! So let the crafting begin! 

Currently, I am lying in bed planning my day and this has now inspired me to do some making. I think I will begin with some leg warmers (otherwise known as babylegs) and possibly move on to making a template for the bunting and cutting out some fabric. Check back later for a progress report and lots of pictures (hopefully - I need to first dig out the sewing machine and paraphernalia which have been a little buried in the major room reorganisation currently going on).

In the meantime, one of my very good friends is planning me a baby shower. She has spent the last few years living in America and so knows how baby showers really ought to be done. I am very excited about the prospect of a girly afternoon involving baby things, cake, tea, and hopefully scones with clotted cream. Mmmmm.

Maternity Leave

Maternity leave has begun. I have been so focussed on getting to the end of term that its come as a bit of a shock that I now need to get ready for baby! I just need to get on with all the jobs on my list.

But first, some relaxation. Today is all about chilling out (and catching up on some laundry), getting my hair cut and a trip to the pub with some other pregnant ladies. I am trying very very hard not to rush around and do things. So far, complete success. Its the afternoon (just) and I haven't even had a shower yet. I'm very proud of myself.

Terry nappies

Would you believe that in the whole of Cambridge you can't get hold of the simple, basic terry nappy? Who would have thought they would be so difficult to get hold of. I tried in John Lewis, Mothercare and Babies R Us but no joy. Think I'll have to track some down on the web. 

Its a shame really as my mum, granny and auntie were going to teach us all how to fold terry nappies for the perfect fit. Oh well. Still got plenty of time for that.

Naming

Let me introduce you to Eddie. He is the bump (currently at 30 weeks gestation). He started out life as the bean due to a very early scan where he looked just like a baked bean. We then named said bump Edna after my late Nana, partly as a joke (we really wouldn't name a child Edna). 

After discovering that Edna was in fact a boy, we decided that maybe Edna wasn't entirely appropriate so it was shortened to Eddie.

We have had many conversations about what to call Eddie when he arrives (he wont be staying Eddie). Most of them have been about names we wouldn't call him and names that would be funny/rude/have dodgy initials.It seems hard to take it seriously. We have in fact come up with a first and middle name that we are both happy with. He will be named after two of his grandads (so no-one can complain that we're stealing their idea in the minefield of naming your child).

We also have decided not to discuss these choices with anyone (its killing me holding it in, especially this weekend with my family all around) as people are all too likely to have their own opinions (which I don't want to hear). I have told one very good friend and my sister, Rosie who is currently over the other side of the world and wont be back for around 10 months.

So there you have it. We have managed to pick a name. Despite not really ever having a serious conversation about it. Despite not really liking any boys names. And while we're at it, we've already picked Godparents too, but they don't know it yet. We'll leave it to Eddie to tell them after he is born (and named).

A list

Two more days left at work before maternity leave begins and I have what seems like an endless list of things that I want to make before Eddie arrives:

bunting for his room

a matching quilt

and possible cushion cover

burp cloths

leg warmers

personalising some baby grows

baby booties

And for others:

presents to make for some other pregnant friends

2 girly blankets (already have the fabric for these)

And my plan is to make double of everything and finally start selling on Etsy. A quiet summer ahead then!