am like VG - i read, think of things to say, but when i get to this point, i forget them all. apols to all.
just to say, after 3 nights of relatively fantastic sleep (she woke up every 4 hours, fed, and went back relatively easily), dd is having a spectacular meltdown. but it is so different to the first time - we have strategies, it is not yet the middle of hte night, dh is an absolute f*ing star at dealing with her (and seems to have got over the initial difficulties/depression), so at last i and we can see progress. hallelujah. the idea of the 4th trimester makes an awful lot of sense to me - she is having to adjust to life outside the womb - every sound, taste, sight etc is new and confusing - and we are having to negotiate her difficulties.
i am 2 stone lighter than the week before i had dd, so only 1 1/4 stone left to go before i hit pre-preg weight. mind you, the amount of cake and cheese i'm eating, that might be a long way off. but i'm happy for it to take another 9 months - 9 months off, 9 months on - or rather the other way round.
jam - got the book today - thanks so much - will investigate what she has to say and report back.
would love to make a london meetup. i will buy some labels (a la LadyT at hte Clapham meetup) so we can identify ourselves. i haven't yet ventured into town, so don't know how i will cope, but cope i will undoubtedly.
had my first baby friend round today - met this lady at preggers yoga - due same day, same hospital, although she had hers 3 days before mine. it's a bit weird making new friends at this ripe old age of 36 - but good.
dd has gone quiet for a moment (dh is sitting with her in the dark in the corner of the room - the laptop is hte only light in the room), so that is a relief. although can hear her panting and also almost already imagine her kicking off again. isn't it funny how you can hear your baby's cry all the time, even if they are quiet? dh talked about spreading butter on some toast and suddenly thinking he could hear her cry.
today is the anniversary of my mum's death - 7 years ago. cannot believe it is so long now. i wanted to do something meaningful, but couldn't really think what to do, or indeed, have the time to do it. she is buried in germany in the most beautiful cemetery (they are treated like public parks in Germany and you have an obligation to keep the grave well tended, rather than some of the abandoned churchyards we are used to in this country) - i'd love to take dd there one day, and i will. but dh and i are both drinking champagne in mum's memory - albeit sitting in the dark, him with dd in his arms, hoping she will sleep, me with the laptop on my lap as my only light.