Baby boy arrived at 9.08 pm on Tuesday 16th December, two and a half weeks before his due date, weighing 6lb 11oz. I have lots more to say, and thousands more photos to choose from, but for now here are a few photos from his birth day.
It’s been a difficult few days, and I’ve been very glad of the 31 days of mindfulness to keep me going. I’ve enjoyed looking at the variety of photos on Instagram, and especially reading Leigh’s latest blog post on mindfulness which I found very helpful. Two things in particular jumped out at me. Firstly, the encouragement to “be kinder to myself” – like Leigh I have good friends who tell me this, and like her I also find it very difficult. But I am trying. Secondly, the advice to “accept however I am feeling, whether that feeling is happy, sad or anything in between.” I am working on that too, and it helps to focus on small positives without allowing negatives to take over and cloud the view.
So these are my latest four days of minfulness.
Day 5 – It was a rather up and down day, but it ended well. I spent a relaxing evening having Turkish takeaway with a very special friend who always makes me feel better about everything, but I didn’t have a photo of that. So instead I took a picture of my favourite blanket when I came home and snuggled up on the sofa with the lovely husband.
Day 6 – a long, tiring day at the church fair, but the children had a good time and I enjoyed twenty minutes of peace and quiet in the chapel in the midst of it all. There was a sort of “lucky dip” basket of blessings to take away, and I love the one I picked out.
Day 7 – another tiring day, and too much on my mind in the evening, but I tried to focus on something positive, and I chose the cushion which I bought at the church fair. I love the fabric, which came from Dublin. Pretty things make me happy – it just takes a bit of mindfulness to pay attention to them!
Day 8 – I have been trying to rest today, after getting worried that the contractions were becoming more intense and frequent as a result of doing too much at the weekend. The children have been very good at entertaining themselves (I am doing my best not to get stressed about the resulting mess!) and I have been reading a book that I bought at the church fair, One Good Turn, by Kate Atkinson. I am really enjoying it and I need to keep making time to read – it’s hard to fit it in most days, but worth it.
I’m still struggling a bit, very tired and the pains are still quite bad, though definitely less frequent after a more restful day. But I am surviving, just managing to stay afloat and sometimes that is enough. So I’m off to bed to read another chapter of my book and try not to worry about anything that I can’t solve right now.
Today I am 36 weeks and 2 days pregnant.
Baby is: the size of a large canteloupe, about 6lbs and 19-22 inches long.
I am: hoping that the increase in intensity and frequency of the Braxton Hicks contractions doesn’t mean baby is going to come too soon. A bit early would be okay, but not this early please baby, I am so not organised. But at least I have made a start. Yesterday I bought some of the things I need for my hospital bag. Still quite a way to go, and not sure when I can next get out shopping, but I feel better for having bought nappies at least, and a few other bits and pieces. I can see how it’s going to go – fifth babies do not get the same treatment as first babies, but I need to do a bit better. So far I have two vests and three sleepsuits from the charity shop (thanks mum) but nothing else in the newborn size. I’m all for a bit of minimalism but I seem to remember that babies go through more clothes than that in a day!
I love this idea from Leigh who blogs at Headspace Perspective – 31 days of mindfulness to counteract the stress of December. I am not sure how far I’ll get through the 31 days. It probably depends on whether baby decides to arrive early or not. But I’m going to try my best. I’ve been joining in on Instagram, and I’ll try and blog about it every few days. If nothing else, it will lead to an eclectic selection of photos randomly juxtaposed!
Day 1 – the notebook was a present from a very lovely friend and I’ve been using it to write down things that I’m thankful for. I don’t manage it every day, but whenever I do it makes me feel better.
Day 2 – after a long and tiring day of feeling unwell, and having painful Braxton Hicks contractions, I was very much cheered up by Tiddler singing Jingle Bells to the bump.
Day 3 – trying not to be quite so cross about the very existence of December and making an effort to remember what Advent is meant to be about.
Day 4 – today was another really difficult day, and the contractions were worse again. Feeling a bit better now since the lovely husband came home and ran me a bath, even if he did have to pull me out of it too!
And if that all isn’t enough, I just need to remind myself that despite the combination of December stress and late pregnancy stress, the denouement of both will be A BABY! I am so blessed. I don’t have to look far to find something to be thankful for.
“I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:27
Today I am 35 Weeks and 3 days pregnant.
Baby is: about the size of a honeydew melon, approximately 5.5 lbs, and 20 inches long.
I am: very tired today but mainly because I went to the theatre in London last night, which was brilliant, and is a better reason for feeling tired than just general pregnancy exhaustion. I’m still having painful Braxton Hicks contractions pretty much all the time, but my back is a bit better so I’m managing to get a bit more done. Too tired to think of anything else to say – it doesn’t feel like there’s much else to report, and no news is probably good news!
This post is written by Owl.
Recently Mummy and I went to see the play of War Horse in London. We took the train from where we live that terminated at London Victoria. Soon, after a tube train ride, we were walking to the theatre. Once we had found it, as we had some time left, we went to an Italian restaurant for supper and I had a delicious pizza. Soon the show started and we watched the play. The story is about a boy called Albert and a horse called Joey who meet when Albert’s father brings Joey home from an auction. However, after Albert grew up with Joey, his father sells Joey to the army and Albert goes on a journey to find him. Some time ago Mummy read me the book by Michael Morpurgo (on which the play is based) and the play is the same as the book except for one thing: in the book the story is told from the viewpoint of Joey, and you can’t get that in a play. Overall, I think the play is really good, and I recommend that you watch it. Just make sure you’ve read the book first!