Names

Well the name issues have started now. After thinking we were going to keep our name to ourselves hubby told his parents last night, which to be honest didn't surprise me. And they don't like it, which didn't surprise me either. When I met them later in the evening his Dad was trying to suggest other names, so I can see this is going to be a fun next few months. This was partly why I didn't really want to say until baby is born. Hubby surprised me though as he is usually easily swayed by his Dad, but he really stuck up for our name and told them that they are just going to have to get used to it. So 3 cheers for him for that at least. Anyway I may tell my parents, but beyond that I still don't really know whether we are keeping this name quiet or not???

In the wider world of my life I got back to the bass playing last night, and it went better then expected. The bump didn't get in the way as much as I thought it might, but I think I'm going to have to be a sit down guitarist for now at least.

We have taken a trip to Ikea and I think picked out baby's furniture, although we haven't bought it as we are still waiting for some money that was delayed due to the whole icelandic bank fiasco to come through to us. Bought some new storage for the computer room though, which I know isn't highly exciting but we will hopefully get the house organised, we are having a bit of a shuffle and sort out which is much needed.

My painting hasn't got very far yet, but hopefully should get some more done tomorrow when I go to my art group.

And that is about it really. Nothing else of great excitement to report, but I'm sure I will be back with more wafflings soon.

Knitting

Here is some proof for you that I have been crafting along and doing my knitting. Honest.



I also did that dangerous thing of browsing in the wool shop. It is a new one I haven't been in before and it is absolutely fantastic! I think it may be my shop of choice from now. However as well as buying wool for a pattern I borrowed from a friend and a pattern and wool for my mum, I also ended up buying another pattern, and 2 more lots of wool. So I will have plenty to keep me quiet! Here are a couple of my purchases, the ones for my mum have already been passed on, but these will be my next projects.

Introducing....

Our little boy!!!



We do have a name, but think we will keep it a surprise for now, at least until we know for sure. On the name and the sex, I believe they claim 96% accuracy with these things, although she did seem fairly certain it was a boy.

I'm just so pleased that he is growing well and everything is as it should be. The placenta is slightly over the cervix, but they think it shouldn't be a problem as my uterus expands more. I have another scan booked for 34 weeks, so they can't be too worried about me being too early. Feeling much more relaxed again now, and so pleased that he is ok.

New Life

This months photo challenge, instead of just being a theme, was a lyric from a song. In good new year form it was this by Nina Simone.

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Now I haven't actually taken many pictures at all for it, but here is my entry, and you get a look at my bump thrown in for free.



Next month I shall try and do more, but then I say that nearly every month.

In regards to the bump though I'm getting definite little movements now. 19 weeks, and my next scan is on monday and all being well providing he or she wants to play we will get to find out the sex too!

Pregnancy, volunteering, creativity and a general mix of everything.

I'll start with the creativity bit. Now I have a bit more energy back I'm trying to get back into my creative side. My knitting is going very well but slowly, will try and post some pictures when I have done more, but at least I have completed the back. I also joined a knitting site called ravelry so hopefully I'll get some stuff up on there soon and use it for inspiration too. As for painting I haven't really done any since the art exhibition, so when my art group starts again next week I'll use that to give me a spur. I want to painting a version of this, with the modern aspects taken out, as a present for my hubby as he loves his steam trains.


Volunteer wise I had my first day working in the breast care clinic yesterday. It has hard to tell exactly how it went, but I think it was ok, the staff there seemed really nice. I was mainly just making cups of tea and coffee for the patients, there is slightly more to it then that, but that was mostly what I was doing yesterday while I was getting used to it and learning my way round a bit. My main concern however is that there is another volunteer there normally. She wasn't there yesterday as was unwell, but I'm unsure how the job will stretch for 2 of us to fill. We shall see next week though. I should also start my work with the chaplaincy team soon too, my induction is next saturday.

As for pregnancy related stuff I had my midwifes appointment today. All was well, I got to hear baby's heartbeat which was lovely, my blood pressure etc was all great, so waiting for my next scan in a few weeks now. While I was at the clinic seeing the midwife I did happen to bump into someone I know from a long time ago. Looks like she may be due around the same time as me. We were friends when we were about 6/7, and strangely enough the house I now live in used to belong to her parents. She now lives about 2 minutes away from my house. Will have to see if we are in any baby type groups together, as would be nice to get to know her a bit again.

And finally a couple of bum pictures. My bump growth has definitely slowed down again after having a huge spurt just before Christmas, but still growing gradually. The quality is a bit poor as they are just on my phone and it was starting to go dark, but you get the idea.

Christmas and general 2008 round up

Right not really been on this over the whole Christmas and new year break, so I'll start by saying Happy New Year to you all! I hope 2009 is a good one for each of you.

Christmas has been great, my lovely hubby too me down to London to see Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour dreamcoat. Unfortunately no pictures could be taken but here's one I found on flickr to give you a taster
We really were that close too as we were on the second row so was great! I'm glad we went when we did though as the person playing Joseph changes this week and I'm not convinced by the new guy. He might be great, he just doesn't strike me as the sort of person I see as Joseph.

As for 2008 here is a bit of a round up of how it has been for me.

January
Found out I was pregnant for the first time. The first of my friends babies of the year was born.

February
Fairly quiet month really, another friend gave birth, another friend got pregnant

March
Bad news time. First scan baby only measuring 5/6 weeks, instead of the 11 should be. Looks like I have a double uterus too. Told to come back 2 weeks later to confirm a missed miscarriage, having started bleeding on and off and with a visit to A&E inbetween. Erpc the day before Good Friday. Goodbye little Arthur. On antibiotics due to post op infection. Get screwed over by a second hand car dealer to add insult to injury, although this takes a month or two to become completely apparent. Avoid birch car sales at al cost.

April
Started blogging as an outlet for some creativity. Trying to come to terms with what a double uterus might mean as well as dealing with all the miscarriage stuff. Felt a lot of peace and support at this time, and out of a not nice situation gained closer friendships.

May
A much needed and appreciated holiday to Cornwall is taken. A week in a tent, a few miles from the sea, lots of nice food and some much appreciated time with Hubby. I reach the grand old age of 25.

June
First Gynae appointment finally arrives, Very pleased to be refered for a hysteroscopy, not because I'm overjoyed at the idea of someone sticking a camera up my bits, but I'm glad that they are taking this seriously and aren't just ignoring it. More friends give birth. Perhaps I should stop commenting on this now, but 2008 definitely seemed to be the year of the weddings, bumps and babies.

July
Surprisingly hysteroscopy appointment comes through very quickly indeed. It is fairly interesting. The comments of "never seen one quite like that before" are a little unnerving though. Referred for MRi so more can be seen.

August
Have MRi, just got to wait for results. Difficult month for Dh as his granny dies after several months of being unwell, the day before we go to Florence, while we are in Somerset a couple of hundred miles away from home. We do go away and have a lovely time, then funeral on return. She was a lovely lady, but it wasn't until then I realised she shared her birthday with little Arthurs due date. I like to think of them celebrating together in heaven.

September
Due date, final gynae appointment and diagnosis of bicornuate bicollis. Back ttc

October
To my great shock but happiness I get a bfp first month trying. Also my first interview for volunteer work at hospital. 6 week scan shows a heartbeat!

November
See occupational health nurse regarding volunteer work, get through all that. Have an art exhibiton while fighting the most horrible cold. Next scan shows this little one is growing just fine.

December
Volunteer work induction. Christmas and all the fun and busyness that brings, then on to a new year.

So that is it really. It is just the very bare bones of a year which has been fairly eventful to say the least. I can say that through it all though I am so grateful for God, for my wonderful husband and for friends who really stepped up when I needed them. And here is to 2009, a complete change, a new life in our life. I also hope to get back on with the creativity and the photography at least for the first half of this year.