Advent Activities

Last year, I regretted having packed the advent calendar in with the Christmas decorations, as it wasn't to hand when December started and I didn't want all the boxes of decorations out of the loft and cluttering the place up during November.  So we missed the start of advent, but as bigger J was 2, it wasn't really the end of the world.

I knew he'd be much more on the ball this year, so I cunningly made a 'November Box', which I filled with all our Christmas arts and crafts materials (bought up super-cheap in the January sales), the leftover blank Christmas cards (in case I fancied getting a head start) and the advent calendars.

Then I went and got myself knocked up, found myself due to do a baby on November 9th, and managed to delay that for a further 12 days, so that suddenly, it was the end of November and I had done NOTHING in preparation for Christmas, let alone retrieve my November box from the loft.

So this evening (yes, I know it's already December 1st) I have ignored the tiredness screaming from every pore of my body, cut out 24 squares from old Christmas cards (if they don't fit the pockets on the fabric advent calendar, I will scream) and racked my brains for 24 Christmassy activities.

J also has a special Lego City advent calendar from the inlaws, so his 'activity' for today was to open Day One of his Lego advent calendar (he may be more on the ball than last year, but it's still fairly easy to pull the wool over his eyes when required).

Tomorrow, I can have a little look at my list, decide which one we're going to do, write it on the card in the number 2 pocket, and away we go.

Am I going to regret doing this with a new baby?  I hope not, I think J needs a whole lot of attention and he's so excited about Christmas, so it seems an ideal time to do it.  And after all, December 1st is an excellent time to start new projects ;)

Christmas!

Week One

Wrinkly 12 days overdue toes

 J and A - best girl-cousin friends

 J & J - my loves

Favourite sleepy-pose 

J and her bunny (who we have to keep rescuing from bigger J...)

J and the blanket I painstakingly crocheted for her 

Tiredy daddy, tiredy baby.  My own levels of tiredness have reached such levels that the camera refuses to capture pictures of me, as it just couldn't cope.  There are no photos of me and J which don't also feature blood or boobs.

21.11.12 / 5.16am / 8lb7oz

J

She's perfect, we're all overwhelmed with happiness, and settling into life as a family of four :D

Bump watch - I'm still standing...

(barely)

41 weeks.  Or 40+7, as I believe we now say.  This baby is quite happy where she is, thank you very much, and despite how much crying that's making me do, she's not keen on making a break for freedom.

At least I can now say that I only have a week left.  Hopefully.  Gah.

(Oh that's my niece, A, btw, sitting neatly atop my bump.  Glad to know it can serve a purpose somehow.)

Bump watch - The End

I'm totally going to regret posting this and referring to it as 'The End', when I'm still pregnant in 2 weeks time.  But I've just spent ages trying to make and embed this slideshow and I've done it now, so appreciate it, m'kay?

I'm going to miss my lovely bump.

Bump watch - 40 weeks

Fully cooked!

And until further notice - http://www.haveyouhadthatbabyyet.com/

Bump watch - 39 weeks

Blimey.  39 weeks eh?  I cannot believe how huge I am.  At this point, I am now officially more pregnant than I have ever been before (Jacob was born at 39+4).  I'm feeling it - I am tired beyond belief and so heavy and painful.  But also very excited, I just can't wait to get on with it.  Come on, baby ;)