Oooh, I suddenly feel a bit left out by no longer living in London although I do know lots of the places you are all mentioning (including, yes, Mortlake). But we have better snow in Hampshire. Unfortunately, what we don't seem to have - and I never thought I'd say this - is a better maternity service, at least as far as choice is concerned. I was not at all happy to discover, courtesy of MN, that the birthing centre where I am booked in has closed (temporarily, they say - but who knows?) due to staffing shortages. I'm seeing the midwife on Monday and will discuss my options then but am starting to lean towards attempting a homebirth as I don't want to go into hospital unless it's absolutely necessary. Am very undecided, though. Has anyone here had a homebirth before?
Before my first birth, although I went through the motions of considering what would happen should I be transferred from the birthing centre to the hospital, I was sure it would not actually happen. Of course it did - and at a very late stage, too. Obviously, there is no real difference between being at a birthing centre and being at home (apart from the worry about what the neighbours might hear ) and, if I was at home, I would actually be a lot closer to the hospital should a transfer be necessary - however, in my head, there is a difference and I can't work out what it is. Anyway, I suppose, the decision may not be mine to make if staffing levels are too low to support homebirths as well.
Arcadie - you are very industrious. I am seriously impressed. And camel costumes! I struggled hard enough with a mouse, which seems somehow as if it should be easier.
Did you get any shopping done, Manda? I've done some of mine but have written a grand total of zero Christmas cards, which is bothering me, particularly where elderly relatives are concerned (I kinda feel they should have one).
Beanzmum - just seen your post about MIL. It's a tricky one but I agree with DB. You are absolutely right to focus on you, DH and baby at first. You will be a new family and, IMO, you'll need time together, just the three of you, to learn about each other. How best you manage that - well, that's the Question. I was adamant that I wanted the first couple of weeks to be just about the three of us and, to that end, I didn't want anyone staying with us during that time. I'm glad we did it that way, partly because it was invaluable "bonding" time (if that doesn't sound too naff) and partly because I'm not sure I'd have got BFing established if I'd had to worry about houseguests coming across me half-dressed/tearful/covered in leakages/all three. After that time, I was actually quite glad of people coming to stay (for short periods of time) but all my visitors (mother, MIL, sister and a couple of friends) are helpful, non-interfering sorts.
If you are worried that your MIL (or anyone else, for that matter) might interfere with your way of doing things, then holding them at bay while you get yourselves vaguely settled might be helpful because you'll then be more confident at saying, "No, I'm doing it this way". You should also then have a clearer idea of what you'd actually like them to do (cook, clean, hold baby while you catch up on sleep etc).
Sorry - mammoth post!