Mid Wife again

Sue's had yet another mid-wife appointment today. Raced back from work to get checked out, the back to work to go to Uni. Nothing if not passionate!

Of interesting note about the appointment is the fact that Sue has been ill since the last visit, as was documented on the notes. It IS becoming rather farcical how long this cold/flu/cough thing has gone on.

The doctor at this recent mid-wife visit finally gave her some meds but warned not to take it for too long. Also, Strepsils and other wonderful "throat coaters" are out, in are glycerine tablets. Not exactly sure what they're supposed to do.

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Now playing: The The - Perfect [12" Version]
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Teenage Wildlife

The Times today had a supplement for teens, apparently written and edited by teens.

It got me thinking about all sorts of things, like how can I protect my daughter from the harmful media-obsession with being size zero, of having all her heroes getting publicly bladdered every night and dating heroin junkies, and trying to instil in her that that is actually not how people are supposed to react.

On the other side of the coin, I was wondering whether my daughter would follow her parents into the field of journalism and find herself writing for and editing a teen section for a major news paper in about a decade's time.

The more I think about things, the more secure I feel that all is going to be well... as long as we stay away from the bad areas of town.

Another one in the office

Ismaeel, the latest father to-be (actually just plain "father" now) in the office has come back to work today, fresh from his paternity leave.

A quick quiz about how you feeling and how was it elicited the single word response "amazing". I'm definitely looking forward to our little bundle of joy arriving in the world in March, I just wish I could shake all the worry and just enjoy the ride.

Getting Healthy

Having endured a week of health hell, Sue is very slowly getting back to normal. Although she still has the voice of a 30-smokes a day smoker, she reports that her head is clear and she's actually been able to get into work and not need the naps in the afternoon.

In an effort to eradicate a repeat of any illnesses in the next few months - especially with winter approaching - Sue's turned to the Pregnacare tablets. Basically, they're multivitamins for the expectant.

Reading the pamphlet last night (I'm a guy, that's what I do), it says you can use them well into breastfeeding as well and that they should give the mother to be all the nutrients and vitamins necessary, but still eat a healthy diet.

Also of note was the NCT, plastered all over the box. The more I read about them, the more I think we need to join.

Funny cartoon

Found this cartoon and thought it was apt for ... well, me at least. Although our keyboard, mouse and internet are all wireless.

Midwife II: The Tests

Sue went for her latest midwife appoint today. This one was the local GP, not the hospital. It was slightly fortunate that she's come down with some illness (the flu or a cold), so she was able to address that with the mid-wife as well. Turns out it's a "let it run it's course" cold, but as Sue's in agony, it wasn't the prognosis she was hoping for.

In baby news, all seems to be well and the "fluids" test came back all clear, so it's onward and upward with babytimes!

Little Lord Costingtons

As much as we try to compartmentalise the fiscal impact of the impending baby on our lives, it's ALWAYS going to be more of a blow. As we attempt to list everything we need for B-Day, it's becoming apparent that, apart from our lives, our money won't be ours ever again.

The impact, of course, is more painful given that Sue will be on maternity leave, but she's not alone in taking that and we - as they say - will make due!

Thankfully many places like Boots, etc seem to always have various necessities on sale. Walking to the train station today, I spied a BOGOF on baby wipes, so that's good. Also, some of the things we need will be needed on an ongoing basis, like the aforementioned baby wipes. Start-up costs high, ongoing costs, not so high... hopefully.

There's no doubt about it, with another mouth to feed and less one income, things will be tight but we'll manage... I hope.

Worries. Part Three

It seems everyday you wake up there's horrible news, and when you're an expectant parent, the news surrounding children hits you hard (I guess the news regarding whatever you're into or have an interest in hits you hard, I've just never taken the news about children to heart as I haven't had any).

Anyway, the Times had an article today on doctors wanting to combine the MMR jab with one for Chickenpox. Fair enough, although the MMR is controversial for making kids autistic and such. However, the article goes on to list all the potential issues and problems a person can have with chickenpox. Here I'm thinking the worst that can happen is you look like Bryan Adams, but nooooo.... You can catch things like "pneumonia, blood poisoning, encephalitis, ataxia (loss of control of limbs), toxic shock and necrotising fasciitis (the flesh-eating bug)."

I just remember rubbing the hell out of my skin with calomine and hoping not to look like Edward James Olmos when it was all done. Cripes, I would have cacked myself if I'd known what I could get!

Another one pops out

Of the three fathers-to-be in the office, I'm now the last one in the club.

Ismaeel, who's wife has been threatening to burst for what seems like weeks has given birth... at least according to Facebook.

As he's off for two weeks paternity, I'll be looking forward to badgering his haggard, sleep-deprived person for hints and tips about how to handle my impending life changing event.

Telling more people

Went to a leaving do this evening for Clare in Hammersmith. Loads of the old-skool AOLers were there, and I guess through the power of Facebook (or gossip, I'd say the chance is 50-50 there), they were all agog with the news of my impending fatherhood.

Between dodgy half-priced cocktails we discussed all the usual that I've been discussing with people who've just found out. "Yes, my boys work" (ha ha), "yeah, we kinda know the sex", "yes we have a name" (don't really care that your annoying landlady shares it, never met her) and "yes we're both excited".

I'm finding that, interestingly, the more of these types of conversations I have, the more the birth of our child is becoming like those conversations you have where you reminisce about a holiday you've taken ("yeah, it was warm", "yes, we ate at wonderful restaurants"). You end up reliving the actual conversations more than remembering the holidays.

It's good baby-wise though, as it DOES make me continue to focus on the matter at hand. Of course, when the baby does actually arrive, the repeated conversations will take on a new slant.

Kicking it!

Sue informed me that the baby is now getting the stage where you can feel it kicking - and not internally. As the mother / foetus carrier,

Sue's had more interaction and more feeling from the baby than I have. I've felt the odd push that could have been a foot or trapped wind. I imagine that from here on the obvious signs are going to get even more obvious.

Of course, this could mean we have a Beckham on our hands!

Cool.

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Now playing: Saint Etienne - Lose That Girl
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