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.