I personally wonder if the staff at Asdachav will think she is nicking a watermelon under her jumper.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Kompakt
Compact - that's the word the midwife used to describe Cat's belly. As you can see here:
I personally wonder if the staff at Asdachav will think she is nicking a watermelon under her jumper.
I personally wonder if the staff at Asdachav will think she is nicking a watermelon under her jumper.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
13 September 2005
A busy baby weekend for us - we had the second of our designated four antenatal classes – this time about pain relief. The options are varied, from nothing, to gas and air, to pethadine to the dread edepidural. Damn! You should see the size of that needle. It is huge! Cat saw it, rushed to the loo, and feinted. She is not a big fan of needles but the sight of that one would have hardened men crying.The midwife knocked down assumptions that it was bad for the back etc. She stated that epidurals in themselves were painless when administered and not bad for you. Unfortunately, the not being able to walk for 10 hours was the cause of back pain afterwards. In any case, Cat instantly dismissed the thought of an epi.
Later on we went pram shopping. Like shopping for a car, buying apram is a considered affair with many visits to various‘showrooms’ and testing out, plus discussion of relevant merits ofdifferent models. In the end we found the model we liked in a littleshop on Chrisp Street Market, near Docklands. The Jane Carrera could fold into something like the size of a golfing umbrella yet could hold all manner of attachments and seating options. And, like a true vehicle purchase, the deciding factor for us was the colour –a deep Mediterranean red that we instantly fell in love with.Finally, after a busy weekend, we sat down to relax – until Cat noticed that her breasts were secreting a clear fluid. Oh my God surely the milk hasn’t arrived already??? We scanned our various pregnancy books for an answer and sure enough, described in medical detail, this was in fact very normal and quite expected at this point in the term. So that was a relief.
A busy baby weekend for us - we had the second of our designated four antenatal classes – this time about pain relief. The options are varied, from nothing, to gas and air, to pethadine to the dread edepidural. Damn! You should see the size of that needle. It is huge! Cat saw it, rushed to the loo, and feinted. She is not a big fan of needles but the sight of that one would have hardened men crying.The midwife knocked down assumptions that it was bad for the back etc. She stated that epidurals in themselves were painless when administered and not bad for you. Unfortunately, the not being able to walk for 10 hours was the cause of back pain afterwards. In any case, Cat instantly dismissed the thought of an epi.
Later on we went pram shopping. Like shopping for a car, buying apram is a considered affair with many visits to various‘showrooms’ and testing out, plus discussion of relevant merits ofdifferent models. In the end we found the model we liked in a littleshop on Chrisp Street Market, near Docklands. The Jane Carrera could fold into something like the size of a golfing umbrella yet could hold all manner of attachments and seating options. And, like a true vehicle purchase, the deciding factor for us was the colour –a deep Mediterranean red that we instantly fell in love with.Finally, after a busy weekend, we sat down to relax – until Cat noticed that her breasts were secreting a clear fluid. Oh my God surely the milk hasn’t arrived already??? We scanned our various pregnancy books for an answer and sure enough, described in medical detail, this was in fact very normal and quite expected at this point in the term. So that was a relief.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Back to School
Cat and I attended our first antenatal class today. At 10.30am about a dozen nervous looking first-time parents-to-be shuffled into the room and sat down - as far away as possible from the midwife, well until the only seats left were those right next to her. Of course since we were late, we sat right next to her.
Her, was a midwife who spoke in plain terms the various things to expect during labour. It seems that no mater how much you read inbooks or listen from anecdotal stories, hearing the 'facts' about labour and birth from a woman who does this for a living is quite stark. Cat and I left the class with a strange feeling of, how can I put it nicely, I can't - we started shitting ourselves!
Maybe we were living in LaLa Land but it seems Cat and I were kind of mentally putting off thinking about the actual birth process. We often talk about what it's like to have a baby and how we should buy this and that, but for the past 7 months, the birth bit was deep in the denial part of our brains. It seems we were not alone in this as a casual chat to some of the others who attended showed up similar feelings. But, now that we were firmly brought forward to reality, we realised tat we really should start thinking about the birth process now. ie what pain relief to go for, whether a birthing pool is a good idea (it is) and what items to bring to the ward.
During the class, we were given a tour of the birthing unit. It was quiet, for a change, and very clean and functional. What was striking was that the midwife said that a low-risk normal birth means the mother gets dismissed after just six hours from birth. In the old days they kept you in for days! These days, I guess there is always another person to fill your slot.
Since we were both on a weird reality check frame of mind, we both headed straight for Mothercare and immediately started investigating prams. Of course Cat homed in straight away on the very expensive 3-1 travel stroller made by Italian firm Inglesina. Not as posh as a Quinny, but pretty up there. I have managed to persuade her that buying one off Ebay may help shave off a few pounds. We'll see.
A couple of things the midwife did say. One, that although labour and birth is painful, it is only one day in your whole life. The other thing we noted, and what probably sparked off our reality check, was that contractions could begin as early as 37 weeks. Since Cat is already 30 weeks, that really is a very short space of time away.
Her, was a midwife who spoke in plain terms the various things to expect during labour. It seems that no mater how much you read inbooks or listen from anecdotal stories, hearing the 'facts' about labour and birth from a woman who does this for a living is quite stark. Cat and I left the class with a strange feeling of, how can I put it nicely, I can't - we started shitting ourselves!
Maybe we were living in LaLa Land but it seems Cat and I were kind of mentally putting off thinking about the actual birth process. We often talk about what it's like to have a baby and how we should buy this and that, but for the past 7 months, the birth bit was deep in the denial part of our brains. It seems we were not alone in this as a casual chat to some of the others who attended showed up similar feelings. But, now that we were firmly brought forward to reality, we realised tat we really should start thinking about the birth process now. ie what pain relief to go for, whether a birthing pool is a good idea (it is) and what items to bring to the ward.
During the class, we were given a tour of the birthing unit. It was quiet, for a change, and very clean and functional. What was striking was that the midwife said that a low-risk normal birth means the mother gets dismissed after just six hours from birth. In the old days they kept you in for days! These days, I guess there is always another person to fill your slot.
Since we were both on a weird reality check frame of mind, we both headed straight for Mothercare and immediately started investigating prams. Of course Cat homed in straight away on the very expensive 3-1 travel stroller made by Italian firm Inglesina. Not as posh as a Quinny, but pretty up there. I have managed to persuade her that buying one off Ebay may help shave off a few pounds. We'll see.
A couple of things the midwife did say. One, that although labour and birth is painful, it is only one day in your whole life. The other thing we noted, and what probably sparked off our reality check, was that contractions could begin as early as 37 weeks. Since Cat is already 30 weeks, that really is a very short space of time away.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Tone deaf
I have discovered a new trick. The baby kicks in response to my singing. Probably to tell me to shut up. It began when Cat encouraged me to talk to the baby through her belly. So I put my mouth on the belly and began talking. Nothing happened, I got bored and hummed some inane tune, can't remember what but it was whatever was on the radio this morning - lo and behold, a hefty kick in my cheek. I continued with a medley of 80's hits and she responded with more thumps.
So far she seems to like songs that go up and down in scale rather more than long slow bluesy type songs. With this in mind, If I was a rich man, tends to get a response, but True by Spandau Ballet gets nadda. Any ABBA is warmly received, but silence on Elton John. I will begin to hum my more heavier classics such as Smoke on Water later, but right now, Cat can take no more of my tone deaf warblings.
So far she seems to like songs that go up and down in scale rather more than long slow bluesy type songs. With this in mind, If I was a rich man, tends to get a response, but True by Spandau Ballet gets nadda. Any ABBA is warmly received, but silence on Elton John. I will begin to hum my more heavier classics such as Smoke on Water later, but right now, Cat can take no more of my tone deaf warblings.
Monday, August 08, 2005
26 weeks
Cat is one of the easiest people to draw a cartoon of. With her big smile, super curly hair and now, big tummy, I can't resist a cheeky sketch:
She just had her 26 week check up with the midwife today. All seems normal. Even the fact that she hasn't put on any weight. The midwife says they do not take into account body weight to check baby growth these days - it is all down to fundus size, which is measured directly over the tum.
We also got given a list of antenatal classes run by various midwives - which are four sessions covering basic relaxation, pain relief and tour of maternity unit. Sounds fairly ok to me as we wanted to do at least a minimum of antenatal classes, but we both didn't seem too keen on the full NCT 10 week course.
Well, the big day is drawing ever nearer and there is an increasing awareness from both of us to at least be seen to be preparing. So our name list is getting shorter, and our scan through the Mothercare catalogue is more earnest. But that's about the sum of our preparation so far.
I am sure there are couples out there who have already decked out their nursery and bought a zillion babyware. Not us, well, not yet.
On the issue of names, it seems that to satisfy both our personal favourites, we are now considering double barrelling the first name. Some combinations sound really nice - although a tad Southern Belle: eg Jamie-Lee or Anna-May (these not actual shortlist contenders).
We probably won't know what to name her until she arrives.
She just had her 26 week check up with the midwife today. All seems normal. Even the fact that she hasn't put on any weight. The midwife says they do not take into account body weight to check baby growth these days - it is all down to fundus size, which is measured directly over the tum.
We also got given a list of antenatal classes run by various midwives - which are four sessions covering basic relaxation, pain relief and tour of maternity unit. Sounds fairly ok to me as we wanted to do at least a minimum of antenatal classes, but we both didn't seem too keen on the full NCT 10 week course.
Well, the big day is drawing ever nearer and there is an increasing awareness from both of us to at least be seen to be preparing. So our name list is getting shorter, and our scan through the Mothercare catalogue is more earnest. But that's about the sum of our preparation so far.
I am sure there are couples out there who have already decked out their nursery and bought a zillion babyware. Not us, well, not yet.
On the issue of names, it seems that to satisfy both our personal favourites, we are now considering double barrelling the first name. Some combinations sound really nice - although a tad Southern Belle: eg Jamie-Lee or Anna-May (these not actual shortlist contenders).
We probably won't know what to name her until she arrives.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Mini-Cat-Phooey
The little one is kicking with real power now. When Cat is at rest, if you put your palm over her belly you usually don't have to wait more than a couple of minutes before you feel the characteristic rumppumpbump of multiple baby movements. At times, it is so strong that you can see the surface of her belly visibly move. I like to imagine her doing karate style air kicks and punches with a few Muay Thai style roundhouse elbows to boot.
There is an advert my Maltesers here in the UK in which a heavily pregnant women places said choccy item on her bellyonly for it to jump several inches into the air due to the baby kicking. I am not sure if that was set up or for real so I will definitely be trying that little experiment soon.
By popular request, I have finally uploaded the 20 week scan for all to see. It is not as clear as the 12 week on since she has obviously grown much bigger and I guess she moves around a lot, contributing to a fuzzy picture. But you can still see the head profile, belly, umbilical cord and internal organs.
Some have mentioned that the profile already looks like me, but I doubt that. People see what they want to see. It is a well known psychological phenomenon - for example seeing faces in clouds or fuzzy noise. The brain automatically interprets recognisable imagery out of chaos. Regardless of this - Cat and I still have fun playing the 'I wonder who she will look like the most' game, that all couples go through before their baby is born.
Well, it is not long now - only three and a bit months to go and the baby name still rages on.
Cat seems to hate all my suggestions so far and I have hers. We're hoping from inspiration from Dad, who returns from China soon, will help. But then again, it may add to the growing list of possibles.
There is an advert my Maltesers here in the UK in which a heavily pregnant women places said choccy item on her bellyonly for it to jump several inches into the air due to the baby kicking. I am not sure if that was set up or for real so I will definitely be trying that little experiment soon.
By popular request, I have finally uploaded the 20 week scan for all to see. It is not as clear as the 12 week on since she has obviously grown much bigger and I guess she moves around a lot, contributing to a fuzzy picture. But you can still see the head profile, belly, umbilical cord and internal organs.
Some have mentioned that the profile already looks like me, but I doubt that. People see what they want to see. It is a well known psychological phenomenon - for example seeing faces in clouds or fuzzy noise. The brain automatically interprets recognisable imagery out of chaos. Regardless of this - Cat and I still have fun playing the 'I wonder who she will look like the most' game, that all couples go through before their baby is born.
Well, it is not long now - only three and a bit months to go and the baby name still rages on.
Cat seems to hate all my suggestions so far and I have hers. We're hoping from inspiration from Dad, who returns from China soon, will help. But then again, it may add to the growing list of possibles.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
So Do You?
The weather is seriously hot in London now. Not the greatest of weather to contend with when heavily preggers, especially in rush hour. I try my best to help - carrying bags, giving lifts in the car, but it would help if commuters were more alert and offered their seats up on the tube.
To be fair, in most cases, it only takes a few minutes for people to catch on, especially as Cat is now very good at making her presence known. But sometimes, a carriage full of people absorbed in their newspapers and magazines is tough to crack.
Cat's latest obsession is sudoku. A sort of crossword with numbers to guess and fill in the blanks. Devilishly simply by design, evil to finish quickly. I personally saty away from time-wasting activities like this, but Cat is totally obsessed. As you can see...
Maybe she is hoping to transfer some mathematical prowes to the baby by doing more puzzles.
To be fair, in most cases, it only takes a few minutes for people to catch on, especially as Cat is now very good at making her presence known. But sometimes, a carriage full of people absorbed in their newspapers and magazines is tough to crack.
Cat's latest obsession is sudoku. A sort of crossword with numbers to guess and fill in the blanks. Devilishly simply by design, evil to finish quickly. I personally saty away from time-wasting activities like this, but Cat is totally obsessed. As you can see...
Maybe she is hoping to transfer some mathematical prowes to the baby by doing more puzzles.
Friday, July 08, 2005
The Day London was Bombed
Yesterday 4 terrorist bombs hit Central London. Cat and I were making our usual commute into town when we were evacuated from the central line at St Paul's. Little did we, or anyone, know of the scale of the horror. We simply put it down to the frequent tube disruptions that we Londoners cope with almost daily.
Cat got on a bus, I tried to walk towards Barbican. This was all around 9.30-9.40 am. Seven minutes later, the Tavistock Square bus exploded and all the buses and tubes were suspended. Cat made it to work and called me to warn me from taking any public transport. I was stuck in Bank and just walked all the way home, where I was shocked to see the events unfold on the TV news.
I have since been sat at home ruminating over the events. Those bombs could have been targetted anywhere. We were ALL targets. Someone I knew could have perished. My heart began to sink at the senselessness.
My Mum called in to report ok, as did Cat and both made it home ok too.
Maybe the events of the day got to me, maybe I do this all the time, but I did something bizarre last night:
In the middle of last night, I apparently broke into full song. I never knew I sleep talked but Cat was awoken by my singing. I was singing, in a loud voice, a made-up tune about hybrids, cloning and doing the washing up. It was so loud she was screaming at me to shut up. I even had a full conversation after the singing with me denying I was singing, apparently. I awoke in the morning totally unaware of all this but with her GLARING at me. It has taken a lot of apologies and pleading of innocence to get her to forgive me - oh and the washing up.
A small moment of humour during a bleak and depressing 24 hours.
Cat got on a bus, I tried to walk towards Barbican. This was all around 9.30-9.40 am. Seven minutes later, the Tavistock Square bus exploded and all the buses and tubes were suspended. Cat made it to work and called me to warn me from taking any public transport. I was stuck in Bank and just walked all the way home, where I was shocked to see the events unfold on the TV news.
I have since been sat at home ruminating over the events. Those bombs could have been targetted anywhere. We were ALL targets. Someone I knew could have perished. My heart began to sink at the senselessness.
My Mum called in to report ok, as did Cat and both made it home ok too.
Maybe the events of the day got to me, maybe I do this all the time, but I did something bizarre last night:
In the middle of last night, I apparently broke into full song. I never knew I sleep talked but Cat was awoken by my singing. I was singing, in a loud voice, a made-up tune about hybrids, cloning and doing the washing up. It was so loud she was screaming at me to shut up. I even had a full conversation after the singing with me denying I was singing, apparently. I awoke in the morning totally unaware of all this but with her GLARING at me. It has taken a lot of apologies and pleading of innocence to get her to forgive me - oh and the washing up.
A small moment of humour during a bleak and depressing 24 hours.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Pink or blue?
Had our 20 week scan today. I was very surprised, although Ishouldn’t be, at how far developed the baby is compared to theprevious scan. You can really see everything from fingertips totoes, arms, elbows spine an’ all. The baby is in rude health and atone point, appeared to be sticking its finger towards us…nice! Catimmediately noticed that the facial profile resembled my face,including my distinctive generous upper lip. Something thatapparently I share with my dad and my sister.For the past few weeks Cat and I had been gently rallying likelynames back and forth. But the debate has hotted up recently. She strongly veers towards Chinese names and I towards Gaelic names.I do agree that the baby should have a Chinese name, but as amiddle rather than main name. Not everyone can ready Pin Yin andpronounce it correctly.The name issue would only be relevant if the baby was to be a girlsince we have already decided on a boy’s name. A name that is laiddown in my Father’s family tree. But we were fairly convinced thebaby would be a boy so did not seriously debate the girl’s names.Well… the scanner operator told us that we would have a girl, sonow the race to find a name we both agree on begins.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Mrs and I are back refreshed from a little break in Crete. The island and in fact Greeks are wonderful. The climate, food, scenery all of it wonderful. The only downer was the so-called 5 star resort which hated, but Cat thought was ok. There were too many dodgy things going wrong and it was expensive and not at all what I expected. Still, I got myself a decent tan and Cat enjoyed a break from work.
Just now, lying in bed, I put my hand onj Cat's belly and we both think we felt a little kick from the baby. Just a tiny movement, but definitely there. A nice if slightly weird feeling.
Tomorrow will be our 20 week scan where the operator may tell us the gender of the baby.
Just now, lying in bed, I put my hand onj Cat's belly and we both think we felt a little kick from the baby. Just a tiny movement, but definitely there. A nice if slightly weird feeling.
Tomorrow will be our 20 week scan where the operator may tell us the gender of the baby.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Well, the nausea period is over and Cat is happily getting on with things as normal. Or so we thought until she was walking home the other night and rather fooloshly carrying loads of paperwork home. The weight of thebags caused her to suddenly develop abdominal pains. So painful that she had to stop by the roadside, rather helpless. I of course was off doing jujitsu so poor Cat had to crawl back home literally slow step by slow step.
A consultation with the doctor later suggested that she refrain from lifting any weight at all, and taking it incredibly easy due to her hip problems.
Well, the bump seems to be showing slightly now. I am not sure if Cat is big or small for her stage of the pregnancy, but it seems big enough for most, though not all, punters on the tube to notice and give up their seat for her. In fact it's a nice way to strike up conversations with strangers on the underground - who are usually more than full of their own advice and experiences with pregnancy.
Next week we are off for a week to Crete, a bit of Sun and Sea should work wonders and restore Cats wellbeing to full effect.
A consultation with the doctor later suggested that she refrain from lifting any weight at all, and taking it incredibly easy due to her hip problems.
Well, the bump seems to be showing slightly now. I am not sure if Cat is big or small for her stage of the pregnancy, but it seems big enough for most, though not all, punters on the tube to notice and give up their seat for her. In fact it's a nice way to strike up conversations with strangers on the underground - who are usually more than full of their own advice and experiences with pregnancy.
Next week we are off for a week to Crete, a bit of Sun and Sea should work wonders and restore Cats wellbeing to full effect.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Chav fight
Yesterday was a pivotal moment in the development of the pregnancy. For the first time ever, both Cat and I had realised that her baby bump was definitely showing now. It’s an appealing low angle curve that is quite different to simply having a pot belly!
One of the downsides to pregnancy is the hormone induced mood swings. Cat was involved in a tete-a-tete whilst in the queue at Hennes. One young lady decided to push in front of Cat and she of course took offense to the cheek. Words were exchanged and hands waved in front of faces. All very Jerry Springer. These things always happen when I am not around..not that I would have done anything.Still, the good news is that the midwife has visited and conducted a full battery of tests. All seems good and she has even booked Cat in for some specialist physio to ease her SPD hip disorder.
One of the downsides to pregnancy is the hormone induced mood swings. Cat was involved in a tete-a-tete whilst in the queue at Hennes. One young lady decided to push in front of Cat and she of course took offense to the cheek. Words were exchanged and hands waved in front of faces. All very Jerry Springer. These things always happen when I am not around..not that I would have done anything.Still, the good news is that the midwife has visited and conducted a full battery of tests. All seems good and she has even booked Cat in for some specialist physio to ease her SPD hip disorder.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
An eventful day in the baby-making world today. First off, congratulations to my friends Rich and Adrianna who just had a baby girl. The only words my pal could say on the phone was "it's huge...it's absolutely huge!"
Yep, at 9lbs11Oz, his petite tiny wife delivered a big healthy baby. I may have caught a delerious but overly tired proud father, but I'm sure he said the labour was 70 hours long. Excuse me, but 70 hours is like three days!!! That's a lot of pushing.
Well, the Mrs and I went in to hospital to get our official 12 week scan. The previous one was just a pre-scan test to ensure everything was ok, hence no measurements were taken.
This time, we got a longer period where the scanner operator exaplained all the measurements she was making and all the organs she could see. I promise not to keep posting endless ultrasound pictures on this blog, but I can't help studying this picture, it's obvious to see just how much the baby has grown in one month.
The head is obvious. In the centre is one arm, waving it's wee fingers. I like to think it's saying hello, but it is more likely protesting at our naked instrusion. At the other end you can one leg raised in the air. The little critter was certainly kicking a storm when the ultrasound was first in place. Mind you, a still frame does not do the experience any justice. You have to see the baby moving, kicking, flapping around - even though it is grainy b/w, you can see everything.
At 12 weeks, the most important measurement taken is the nuchal fold. The tiny flap of skin just behind the neck. If it is 3mm or over, the percentage chance of a Down's syndrome is higher. Our baby was 1.6mm. It's not a guarantee, but the chances of conceiving a baby with trisomy falls to a 1 in 4000. This is considered low risk.
To be honest, I could only take the operator's word for it, cos all I saw was lots of grainy footage. One thing was immediately obvious however - the heartbeat. Pulsating away like a little dynamo, it beats pretty fast - about twice that of a resting adult.
All the science and technology, for someone like me who is very used to this, is still a marvel to behold. I'm still in awe at seeing my little baby in all it's secret hidden glory. Our next scan is in 10-12 weeks where we have decided to ask to be told the sex of the baby.
In the meantime, the daily cycle for Cat of eat, sick, eat sick continues, though less extreme than before.
Yep, at 9lbs11Oz, his petite tiny wife delivered a big healthy baby. I may have caught a delerious but overly tired proud father, but I'm sure he said the labour was 70 hours long. Excuse me, but 70 hours is like three days!!! That's a lot of pushing.
Well, the Mrs and I went in to hospital to get our official 12 week scan. The previous one was just a pre-scan test to ensure everything was ok, hence no measurements were taken.
This time, we got a longer period where the scanner operator exaplained all the measurements she was making and all the organs she could see. I promise not to keep posting endless ultrasound pictures on this blog, but I can't help studying this picture, it's obvious to see just how much the baby has grown in one month.
The head is obvious. In the centre is one arm, waving it's wee fingers. I like to think it's saying hello, but it is more likely protesting at our naked instrusion. At the other end you can one leg raised in the air. The little critter was certainly kicking a storm when the ultrasound was first in place. Mind you, a still frame does not do the experience any justice. You have to see the baby moving, kicking, flapping around - even though it is grainy b/w, you can see everything.
At 12 weeks, the most important measurement taken is the nuchal fold. The tiny flap of skin just behind the neck. If it is 3mm or over, the percentage chance of a Down's syndrome is higher. Our baby was 1.6mm. It's not a guarantee, but the chances of conceiving a baby with trisomy falls to a 1 in 4000. This is considered low risk.
To be honest, I could only take the operator's word for it, cos all I saw was lots of grainy footage. One thing was immediately obvious however - the heartbeat. Pulsating away like a little dynamo, it beats pretty fast - about twice that of a resting adult.
All the science and technology, for someone like me who is very used to this, is still a marvel to behold. I'm still in awe at seeing my little baby in all it's secret hidden glory. Our next scan is in 10-12 weeks where we have decided to ask to be told the sex of the baby.
In the meantime, the daily cycle for Cat of eat, sick, eat sick continues, though less extreme than before.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Big pram - Little pram
Mother in law (MIL) is knitting furiously away creating a whole wardrobe of baby clothes. I can’t help thinking that it is all a bit too premature since there are still over 6 months to go and what if things go wrong and we would be left with lots of baby things? But when I saw the miniature jump suits and cardies she created my heart melted and I was reduced to a cooing softie. They were indeed very cute although MIL has yet to perfect an appropriately sized bobble to go on the hat she made – it was far too large and looked like a football.
MIL also made us take home a Mothercare catalogue. I flicked through it and zeroed straight in on the guy stuff – PRAMS. Jeez this is a whole new world of technical gadgetry. I have yet to fathom just how much they seem to have changed since I remember them as a kid. Gone are the old fashioned Nanny prams. In come Formula One styled, aerodynamic, fold into any position contraptions. They are also very expensive – at least £200 for a basic and you tend to need all the extras like car seats, attachments etc which instantly doubles the cost.
I chatted on the subject with my German pal who’s baby daughter is just two weeks old. He already did a thorough research of the market and came to the conclusion that three wheelers, although trendy, were bad since they were unstable and were longer when folded, making fitting into the boot of a car much harder. He opted for a Swedish model which was remarkably unpretentious. Just a bog standard pram – which I thought no-one made anymore. He also got it second hand which he claims means less harmful fumes from the plastic and PVC than a brand new one. Typical scientist.
Speaking of prams. It seems Cat and I will eventually need an adult sized pram. One that has five doors and lots of room in the boot. I have my eye on a Renault Scenic as it is very stylish, fairly inexpensive. It’s one of those mini-MPV type cars that make you feel like there is lots of room inside (even though it is barely bigger than the Punto). I need to investigate more on prices, models and insurance before purchasing one.
MIL also made us take home a Mothercare catalogue. I flicked through it and zeroed straight in on the guy stuff – PRAMS. Jeez this is a whole new world of technical gadgetry. I have yet to fathom just how much they seem to have changed since I remember them as a kid. Gone are the old fashioned Nanny prams. In come Formula One styled, aerodynamic, fold into any position contraptions. They are also very expensive – at least £200 for a basic and you tend to need all the extras like car seats, attachments etc which instantly doubles the cost.
I chatted on the subject with my German pal who’s baby daughter is just two weeks old. He already did a thorough research of the market and came to the conclusion that three wheelers, although trendy, were bad since they were unstable and were longer when folded, making fitting into the boot of a car much harder. He opted for a Swedish model which was remarkably unpretentious. Just a bog standard pram – which I thought no-one made anymore. He also got it second hand which he claims means less harmful fumes from the plastic and PVC than a brand new one. Typical scientist.
Speaking of prams. It seems Cat and I will eventually need an adult sized pram. One that has five doors and lots of room in the boot. I have my eye on a Renault Scenic as it is very stylish, fairly inexpensive. It’s one of those mini-MPV type cars that make you feel like there is lots of room inside (even though it is barely bigger than the Punto). I need to investigate more on prices, models and insurance before purchasing one.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Family Coincidences
Just heard the news that Cat’s cousin is to have a child due for early November too. So what, you might ask? Well, let’s look at the family history. Her father has only one sister. A sister who married around the same time I believe as her brother. Who has four children – the same number as in Cat’s family. They used to meet up loads as children so are a very close family – the number of coincidental similarities are too numerous to mention. Now – the baby thing! If I were a betting man, what do you think are the chances of our two babies being born on the same day???Morning sickness is being held at bay with combination of copious acupuncture courtesy of Mum and ‘ear seeds’. Small blobs that you stick to your ear and press on occasion to elicit movement of chi energy – or something like that. Seems to work as she is puking less, but still gets worn out come the evening.
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