it's been a while

Oh, where did the last nine months go? All of a sudden I am 38 weeks pregnant and patiently waiting for baby's arrival.

Things have finally started to slow down now... (some of) the house renovations are complete (we have abandoned 90% of them until we've settled in with the little one), the baby clothes and blankets are washed and dried, the spare room is finally empty of junk/boxes and ready for our homebirth, and I am mentally prepared as much as I ever will be about finally meeting this little life we have created.

This poor blog has been quite neglected, and I have also been incredibly lazy at taking photos the last few months, hence the one decent photo of my breakfast taken over a month ago (showing off the Donna Wilson egg cups the husband bought me for my birthday), and two dodgy iPhone pics - my henna belly at 37 weeks, and my beachball bump at 38 weeks.

baby belly

Just past the halfway mark! Baby belly at 21 weeks (+ 4 days, if we're being pedantic). She is moving around a lot more now, kicking and punching me daily. She also likes to give me a good wallop in the bladder when I am obviously encroaching on her personal space - always a great toilet reminder.

So, yes, we're having a girl! I was quite convinced for some months there was a little boy in there, so it was a beautiful surprise! I should have known - a few weeks ago I dreamt of a baby girl, about 9 months old; she wasn't walking yet but was sitting up and had quite a personality, smiling and giggling. And then she laughed - oh! the most devine laugh! - a sharp, loud laugh ('Just like her Mum,' Mark said, when I described it to him). So it was quite a surreal moment being told 'it' was a 'she'.

We can't wait to meet her!