About to turn 40 and pregnant - celebration ideas?

[Prinpo]

I'm getting myself into a proper old grump about this one. I'm delighted to be pregnant (32 weeks) and ok (although not entirely delighted) about being 40 next month. My grump is that I just can't think of a good way of celebrating.

DH has so far suggested and I have rejected the following:

• big party (rejected because I won't be able to drink, I'll want to toddle off the bed at 9pm, I don't want the stress of organising it but I'm too big a control freak to let him do it all);
  

• series of small dinner parties for different groups of friends (again, I'll be too tired and I can't expect everyone to not drink just because I can't);
  

• spa break for me and friends (won't be able to use the sauna, steam room or jacuzzi).
  

I know, I know, I'm being hideous. I'm turning into pregzilla before my very eyes. He's suggested postponing celebrations for a few months but I don't imagine I'll feel up to much with a young baby either. I don't feel the need to drink to enjoy myself but I know from bitter experience that I do not enjoy being the only sober one in the room.

I think I've lost all sense of reason and am embarrassingly close to having a middle-aged tantrum . Any suggestions gratefully received.

[cookie9]

Afternoon tea somewhere nice? If near London the Ritz or near Edinburgh then the Balmoral.

[Greenfingers1971]

So glad to see your post. Am due in Dec, and am 40 in Oct! Was planning to have a barn dance, but now that's not going to happen. Wanted to be whisked away to Paris, but no way I'm gonna fly and can't bear the thought of Eurostar and a bump! Come on girls, put your thinking caps on!

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

I'm pg and 40 this year. Admittedly not much of a party animal but I'm going the afternoon tea route.

[Joannezipan]

I am 37 weeks and my birthday was last week, I had lunch in the pub garden with any of my friends who wanted to come followed by a waddle a walk down the river to get an ice cream. Then in the evening DH and I watched a film and then had a yummy dinner.

You could have a picnic in the park, or an afternoon bbq (at home or in a pub somewhere).

[reallygrumpy]

Afternoon tea at the Dorchester is great as a treat. Fabulous food and v attentive good looking young waiters...

[Prinpo]

Good looking young waiters, you say? Normally, that would have me booking a table straight away but I'm just not myself at the moment.

Pub garden is a good idea. No effort on our part and, if it's a daytime thing, I won't be surrounded by friends getting sloshed.

Afternoon tea is a great suggestion - thanks to all who have suggested that. There are some lovely places around here that I know friends and I could go to. It's just not very rock and roll........

I'm trying to resign myself to not having the big bash I had envisaged. Still feeling a bit harrumphy.

Any other suggestions?

[Rootatoot]

My SIL turned 40 a couple months after her DS was born. She went away for a lovely weekend break with just DH & DS. She had intended to have a big party in the summer later on, when she'd finished bfeeding etc, but didn't happen (due to family being a pain - not us, I hasten to add!)

Could get DH to whisk you away somewhere lovely for a change of scene? Wouldn't have to go far. Just nice hotel, nice food, room service? etc

Do that AND have afternoon tea with girlfriends! Doesn't have to be all at once. Could do one on your bday and the other a few days apart? It IS your 40th. :)

Or if you don't want to go away for weekend, how about DH treats you to a FABULOUS meal out somewhere? Could be lunch rather than dinner? Push the boat out and go somewhere really special?

This is making me want a treat! Unfortunately my bday (not 40th) is 4 days after my due date. Bah humbug ;)

[tallwivglasses]

Eat Cake

[Rootatoot]

mmmm CAKE! I now want cake. God I'm impressionable today :)

[Prinpo]

Mmm, a catalogue of celebrations? Sounds good. Think I just need to get myself into the partying mood because at the moment I'm so grumpy about everything that if Mr Depp himself turned up with a big custard tart and a one-way trip for the two of us to the Seychelles then I'd slam the door in his face.

Thank you ladies, I think I've figured out that the problem lies not in the lack of options but with my general state of mind.

[thehiddenpaw]

i was 40 in Jan and about 16 ish weeks pregnant. Not as far on as you. I had the day in a spa with a facial and pedicure and really enjoyed it. It was a luxury place and I went on my own on my birthday and loved it.The tranquility and me time was so relaxing. We then had a week in Lanzarote- obviously not posssible for you to fly but maybe a night away would work for you? I did not want a big party even though am a party animal and had thought I might do later when I hit a better stage. but it just did not feel right ever. I di of course have my real treat at 39 and 1/2 when my girlfriend and I met in New York for a long weekend half way between our 40ths. We had a fab time. And I have a smilar plan to celebrate with another girrlfriend later this year with a weekend in Edinburgh.