I wish I could say I've been putting my feet up and resting since being on maternity leave but I'd be lying if I did! Looking at my diary I realised yesterday that I have been out every single day since starting leave. No wonder I'm tired. Actually it's more just lumping around this hefty load, aching all over my body and not being able to sleep properly more than anything else! I am waddling like a big fat pregnant woman now. I didn't think I could get any bigger. I did. And I'm still getting bigger. All I can say is thank god for almond and jojoba oil which gets massaged onto the bump twice a day, as I have no stretch marks on my belly. Yet. Actually I don't think I can call it a bump anymore. It's more of a mountain now.

The first week on leave I had a massage, manicure, pedicure, wax, hair colour and had several inches chopped off my hair. In amongst the midwife and assorted medical appointments. They told me on Friday the baby had gone breech (wrong way around) so sent me for a scan on Monday. I spent the weekend on all fours wiggling my butt about trying to dislodge Squish and encourage a somersault back again (pregnancy = glamour, every time, not). Something worked because by the time the scan came Squish was back up (down?) the right way.

This week has been better re: going out, as I cancelled everything from Wednesday to Friday and am spending three days at home nesting and getting ready. And making pineapple jam. And washing ridiculous quantities of baby clothes which lovely people have loaned/given to me. I swear I have enough clothing to last until Squish turns 1! At least I can start having a few more naps throughout the day. Sleeping while I can is very appealing at the moment.

I have passed some magical mystical point in my pregnancy where people now fight to give me their seat on trains and buses. I had two people debating on a bus which seat would be most comfortable/easiest for me. And four (count 'em!) MEN in SUITS offered me seats on Tuesday night. Stu thinks they're scared I'm going to give birth on them if they don't give me a seat. I guess I do look scarily big (though I haven't decided if I'm willing to publish any more photos of me looking like I do at the moment).

Hallelujah our sofa just got delivered! No more sodding camp chairs!!

This pic is from the bathroom window of the gardeners planting up the summer beds in the walled garden. The feeling of being lucky to have such a beautiful open space right on our doorstep still hasn't worn off yet. Every time we walk through there one of us invariably comments on how wonderful it is! In fact, I think I'm going to go off now and have a coffee in the cafe I can see from my bedroom window and have a chat to Yvonne the owner!

For those who pray, please offer your prayers for Barry Dow who lost his fight with cancer late last week. He was the long-time partner of a dear friend, and although not a surprise, his death still leaves a gaping, painful hole in the lives of those who loved him.