Gosh, it's been ages since I last posted! That's terrible . I'll have to remember and make more of an effort! I have been really busy though. We've done a lot of things lately that we've been promising we'd do for ages. we've been swimming at the new local swimming pool. The big slides we're closed and are not re-opened until 4pm as they tend not open them during school hours. we weren't really bothered though because there is a lovely toddler pool with bubbles and jets of water spraying here there and everywhere which the children thouht was really good fun. I was careful not to go into the jacuzzi area but I did enjoy relaxing in the lovely warm shallow water. I'm sure I looked likea beached whale but I was quite relaxed and didn't much care. There was also a large area in the main pool for swimming. And we were all impressed with ow well the children could swim. Mom came with us too and she thoroughly enjoyed herself! Luna kept insisting that she was swimming on her own and we didn't like to correct her because she seemed so pleased wit herslef. I have no concerns about HRHhe has loads of confidence and no fear and was really super strong swimmer. He even enjoyed the showers which was unexpected. Angel enjoyed herself butit took her a whileto regain her onfidence. It has been ages since we last went swimming but we have promisedto gomore often. Obviously not this week because itis half term but certainly the following week.
Nigelhas finally tiledthe bathroom and we've all had a rotten cold, except for Nigel buthe has had his fair share of misfortune because he has been suffering with hisbackpain. He has seen a chiropracter today so hopefullyhe'll start to notice some improvement.
As for me and the abay we are doing really, really well. I'm DELIGHTED to bein the 23rd week. Apparently the baby is now 20cm from crown to rump! It can now hear everything we say and it definately respondsto the childrens' voices. They have begun singing to the baby and always try not to fight because thebabymight hear their angry voices! Arrh, bless!
I am huge but don't care! I am happy!

This morning was one problem after another. Nigel was working this morning, gardening at a local hotel and the car was in the garage because it was leaking something and there had been a problem with the power-steering fluid. The weather wasn't too bad and the children are healthy so there was nothing to stop me walking with them to Dads. It was 11:30am before we were ready and just before we left the house we had a call from Nigel saying that the garage had finished the jobs and that they'd dropped the car at Nigel's parents house, so if I wanted the car I could use it but I'd have to fetch it from their house. Which is no problem really because they only live a couple of streets away. However, after consulting the children we decided to walk anyway. Once everyone was finally happy and comfortable, with drinks, raincoats, (just in case), lunch, cardigans etc. we set off. We managed to get down 3 streets before HRH began crying that his legs were sore. I sat him on the buggy board and put bandages on him in the street and then decided to go back to my in-laws to collect the car. I knew it would be a pain and we definitely needed the walk because we don't get enough exercise but I had a feeling I'd be better off with the car. when we were almost there I remembered that I had no soya butter, and obviously due to allergies we have to use our own so I had to turn around again and drive back home to collect some. I was grateful we were in the car then!
So we finally arrived at my Dads really, really late but in one piece.
Anyway the point I wanted to make was that I haven't driven for a while and when I did I really noticed how much my tummy was scraping on the steeping wheel! I remember this with all of my pregnancies but only when I am in the 3rd trimester! I decided to measure myself when I got home and was shocked to discover that I have a 38in/96 1/2cm waist! That is massive it is no wonder I get tired!
Speaking of which I really need to put my feet up for 5 minutes, I shattered!

Yesterday was the 20 week scan. We arrived ridiculously early but this was necessary in order to get a parking space. (I pity the women who have their babies in hospital because you'd have to be careful what time you went into labour to ensure decent parking! ;o))
Upon arriving I 'checked-in' and took the children to the toilet. Quite amazingly whilst I was gone the sonographer called me in. Imagine the look on his face when he asked where I was and Nigel said 'in the toilet'! So we were seen about 20 minutes early. Which was better than sitting about waiting. Although I wasn't exactly nervous I did feel a bit strange and I was grateful that we didn't have to prolong anything.
The scan itself was the best we've ever had! It was quite amazing! We saw every part of the baby in minute detail. I usually struggle to spot things but this time I saw the stomach, which contracted as the baby swallowed and the the liquid flowed into the bladder! We saw the most wonderful view of the babies face, arms and legs with lots of fingers and toes! we also had the pleasure of seeing the placenta and discovering that it is right at the top of my womb, exactly opposite my cervix which is ace because it should make the delivery nice and straightforward. In short the whole pregnancy so far is totally text book. The baby is the right size and is perfectly healthy and looked nice and robust!

Oh, and we also saw a penis! It's a boy!
The children are delighted! And so are we! :o))

Over the last couple of days the baby's wiggles and wriggles and begun to feel more and more like kicks and punches. Nigel was feeling my tummy on Friday, (today is Sunday) and he was amazed to feel a huge appendage of some sort roughly jab him. We both got a bit chocked and we talked about how magical it all feels. We feel so happy ATM. I have begun to play with the baby. When it is kicking like crazy, I stroke my tummy and it calms down! How sweet! It also responds to sound. Yesterday I put the kettle onto the hob and it jumped and the sound it made! Also Sol cried loudly while he was stood in front of me and it jumped again! It also likes the sound of me playing the recorder to it. And it likes the sound of Daddy's voice reading the children's bedtime story!

The children have been great and are really interested in everything to do with the baby ATM. The are even making contributions for name ideas. They are currently unanemous, for a girl they want Gloria and for a boy Hercules! I have told them I'll think about it but as I don't have any better suggestions I can't really comment!
We intended to make a short list ages ago but we couldn't even come up with a long list! I'd better get looking again. I think this is the longest I've ever gone without at least a fair idea of what I wanted to call it. I really must spend some time thinking about this. >8-}

May Day.
Today is a double celebration because it is not only May Day but also our cat Mays birthday! (Hence the name!) We've had a very busy day. I had my first jewellery class since before Easter this morning, (which went well but everything seemed very difficult and took me ages to do! ), and I came home to find that Nigel had walked the children to the doctors to collect a prescription and all 3 of them had walked there and back! This was accidental actually because I had the car and the pushchair was in it!
They also weaved some baskets from paper, and after lunch we played percussion instruments, had a recorder lesson, I deciphered the tunes for the Beltane songs, the children painted their faces and dressed up, Nigel erected a Maypole and I weaved a Y shaped twig with some feathers and leaves etc. which really brightened up the living room and all of this was before dinner! And what made this even more wonderful was that despite being insanely busy the baby still did regular little wiggles and kicks! I will be 19 weeks tomorrow and I am beginning to feel really massive. Everyone comments on my size, (usually in a nice way!), Rachel from jewellery class said my bump looks lovely! Arr. I really am enjoying myself ATM and although I do get the occasional feeling of doubt on the whole I feel sure the baby is going to be fine!
I feel that I am beginning to look healthier too. My nails are finally stronger and my hair is very thick.

Nigel often feels the baby wiggle which is great and he really enjoys it. It is nice to be able yto share the nice moments with him! We missed that with Maeve because we didn't have our own home and privacy.

Apparently the baby can hear things ourside of the womb now which is really exciting because I played the recorder to it today!


By the way May's kittens are due next week! Another arr! But keeping her in the house is proving quite tricky!