Maternity leave!

Until yesterday I had been on annual leave but I am now officially on maternity leave! That's it with work and uni for up to 52 weeks. Who knows when or whether I will return. This might just be the first day of my new permanent job :-)

Early signs of arrival???

I was woken up in the middle of last night by a sudden pain in my lower back, which travelled around my sides and into my tummy. My bump was rock hard, like Braxton Hicks, but definitely painful, rather than the mild discomfort they usually are. This obviously meant I was wide awake and for quite a while I lay there waiting for another pain, but nothing came. 

To be on the safe side I spoke to the on-call midwife today. She said it could well be very early, slow signs of labour; that I could get it again once a day, or notice them start to increase in frequency and intensity. Or it could be a one-off!! So, as usual with this pregnancy fun it could be something or it could be nothing! I think we are more than ready for it to be something :-)

Baby Shower - 16th October

Last Wednesday I had a surprise baby shower! It was planned and arranged by Claire & Richard, held at Mum & Dad's house. 

I had an inkling something was going on - Richard had been cooking all afternoon then vanished telling me to be ready at 7pm. I was collected by Diane (landlord) and driven to my parents house to find my friends all gathered there. Richard had been and dropped off a lovely curry for us all to eat, which was followed (at his instruction) by angel delight surprise!

Claire had planned some games - guessing name/weight, prices of baby items and making play doh babies! Everyone also wrote a message on a square if fabric which Richard will be making into a quilt for Edge. 

It was a grest evening and so lovely to see friends whom I may well not see again until after Edge arrived. I also received some lovely gifts - some for Edge, some for me! 

Back: Claire Yates, Sam Burrety, Amy Coombs

Middle: Teresa Scott, Diane Moore, Charlotte Muhleder, Emma Harper, Paula Dawes

Front: Mum (Grandma!), Jane Watts, Nicky Gregory, me!