New pic! Check it out!

Ok, so here is a picture of Cass and Harriet taken this morning (27th July 2005).



Also, in other interesting events of today, we received a copy of our friend PJ O'Brien's latest record. It's pretty damn fine too [thanks Pauly for sending it to me ;)]

Just over a month to go

For those who've forgotten in all the noise, we are expecting Harriet's arrival on the 23rd August, which does, of course, mean that she will come on any other day except that one ;)

Doulas and Showers

Well, I finally made it back on to here! Sorry guys. But as of the 1st of July I am a non-working Mama-to-be, so I should be able to update more regularly.

So we met up with the doula that I rang - her name is Heather and she's just as lovely in person as she was on the phone. I feel kind of bad that such a nice person will be with someone that has a vulgar mouth like mine during periods of great pain. Jimbo had to mention to her that I am more than likely to scream out certain obscenities and, despite looking momentarily ashen, she seemed fine with that. Heather basically makes herself available to us for 24hrs a day two weeks before and two weeks after my due date. Then she comes to the house when I start labour and stays with us until Monkeyspawn erupts into the world. Pretty hard way to make a buck I think, but some people obviously love it.

I wrote out a birth plan as well based on a few of the ones that she showed me. I know, I know, plans are a waste of time because anything can happen. But I like the idea of having certain things writen down (like having the spawn placed directly on my chest for immediate skin-to-skin contact after the birth) and when I spoke to my OB about it he was actually pretty supportive so that was a pleasant surprise. Apparently Heather said that a lot of OBs are really resistant not only to birth plans, but also the presence of doulas, so it's a good thing that we have someone who is supportive. We're planning to stay at home for as long as possible before heading off to the hospital, so that's where Heather comes in.

So I had my last day at work which felt really weird. I kept going to say to people "Now if there is no improvement in a couple of weeks, come in to see me again" and then realised that I wouldn't be there! So I had to discuss having them come in to see other vets which felt bizarre to arrange. Then at lunchtime the girls threw me a vegie lunch of Mexicana yumminess! We had nachos and guacamole and lots of sweet yummies. And the girls gave Monkeyspawn a gorgeous present of a playmat! Yay to Brods for her astute purchasing power!

Then the next day (Saturday) Jimbo woke up and was full of action - "Let's clean the house!" he proclaimed. So off we went at breakneck speed cleaning up in detail, scrubbing here and there, sweeping up and down, hanging pictures that had been sitting on the floor for months and months. At about 4pm I suggested that we go into the city to buy SMH - he seemed unusually hesistant but off we headed. I ran into the Hay St Mall, picked up the paper, and ran back into the car. We headed off home...

...and as we pullled into the driveway I noticed that about 6 or 7 girls from work were sitting at the outdoor table on our front deck! Whuh?! As I headed up the stairs they yelled SURPRISE and I realised I was in the middle of a surprise baby shower! Over the next hour about twenty people rocked up and I found out that it had been arranged for the past couple of weeks, completely without my knowledge! Brodie had been the driving force and arranged it all in secret with Jimbo the little scamps.

I had such an awesome day and we scored some amazing presents. To single out any of them is a horrible thing to do but I do have to mention Greta's stunning mobile that she MADE!


We have also bought a baby capsule for the car - we really wanted to get a reversible seat but our car is just too darn small for one. We can place it in the car when it's facing forward but when they're under 9kgs or something like that, they have to be rearward facing which takes up WAY too much room! Here is the capsule that Mike and Jan bought for us (well, for Monkeyspawn anyway)