Mush's baby boy Leo was born on Tuesday morning.

He is a lovely healthy looking baby but unfortunately has an infection, so they have had to stay in hospital. Yesterday evening N picked me up and we went in to see them both.

Mush is looking really well, and her birth story is inspiring as she managed to get through a 17hr labour using only a tens machine. Leo is such a cutie, I couldn't beleive how small and light he was, I couldn't remember Fidget being that small, even though his birth weight was heavier than Fidget. It was lovely having cuddles with him, with him just yawning and stretching and regarding me out of one eye.

Sitting at Mush's bedside in the same hospital, with the weather outside being very similar to when Fidget was born took me back as if it were yesterday we were there. I could almost taste the chocolate bars I had had stashed in my bedside locker! It was actually a very positive experience, the first time we went back to the hospital I felt really sick just being back there. But this was very different, and I really felt ready to do this and felt that it doesnt need to be bad and scary.

Up to now I havent really done anything to prepare for the birth (apart from yoga), but I came back wanting to get ready, and in doing so, accepting and welcoming what is coming next, ie the birth, which is scary but can be much more positive and I can do it.

So things that need to be done (not in any particular order):

• Fix-up the safety rail on Fidget's new bed
• Move Fidget into her new room
• Tidy up the nursery
• Get the clothes down from the loft, sort out which ones will be needed initially, wash them and put them away
• Figure out what additional clothes etc are needed
• Get a new nursing bra
• Tidy up the porch (so the prams can fit in)
• Get the pram down from the loft and clean it
• Get the crib down from the loft and clean it
• Get a new matress for the crib
• Write a birth plan
• Read-up on birth
• Re-read books "the social baby" and "why love matters"
• Get teeny-weeny nappys
• Buy expressing bags
• Decide on names
• Pack hospital bag

I've probably forgotten lots and of course I dont need to do this all right now, but I do feel ready now to make a start.

Yesterday we went for my 20 week scan. We got to the hospital early and M dropped me off while he and Fidget went to park the car. They called me in 15 minutes before my appointment time but M still wasnt back from parking. I asked if I could phone him but was bustled into the room and told the receptionist would send him in.


The nurse went through the scan process and everything was normal and healthy. She then went out to see if M was there, but he wasnt. She had a look to see what the sex of the baby is. It was a funny veiw of the baby's little bottom cheeks and legs above that, she said she was pretty sure it was a girl (though you can never be sure) and I would have to agree. So by then we were finished even though it was 10 minutes before my appointment time. I went out to the waiting room to find a furious M just got to the desk and complaining about there being no parking.


Fortunately the kind nurse had offered to let us go back in for a quick look if M got there within a few minutes. So we went back in and had another breif tour.


The picture was really clear and it was so cool to see our little baby kicking and moving around. We got quite a few pictures.

My 17 week picture...

at which point I was 78.9kg.

Been feeling good now the morning sickness is gone and eating very well. Get really tired still which is the only complaint I have at the moment.

Definitely got a baby belly now, it popped up in the last week or so. Am having a bit of a clothing crisis with it though as have very few trousers that fit.

Had the midwife appointment last week, it was very much in and out, apparently my iron levels are excellent, all my tests are back normal. Had a listen to the baby's heartbeat which was great.

Yesterday at work I felt the baby moving properly for the first time, just like he was flicking his finger on my belly down on the left hand side for a while, then a bit later on it was central on my lower stomach. V. cool!