Chickens in a box

A lovely morning spent tottering round the village and then off for a swim which Will was thrilled about. He is now upstairs having his first ever nap in his Big Bed. I am SO proud. Tonight - back to a duvet after Will was found looking like something out of the final scene in The Fly (where Jeff Goldblum gets spliced and falls out of the machine), crawling desperately out of his room, still incarcarated in his sleeping bag, en route to us. Clearly a whole world of pain opening up here once Will realises he's free to come and go, but we have to do it some time and best now before Baby Mark 2 is on the scene.

Fweet! A true Padmore (well, I think so anyway)... Back from another busy day, so much for resting while Will's at nursery, but it's amazing how much more energy I have now I'm not at work. This morning I finally managed to go for a swim, a wonderful feeling to have the now huge bump supported by water, although always a shock to the system when you get out and gravity takes its toll. Stopped in to say 'hi' to Sonya who's working in the physio department and we ended up going for a coffee and natter before I headed down to Winchester on the hunt for some new boots - the only item of clothing I can currently indulge in. Found some lovely ones in Cadogan and stocked up on a few bits and pieces for baby number 2, so am now feeling 100% ready for its arrival. On the physical front I'm gradually beginning to fall apart at the seams as the baby gets even bigger. Getting up/out of bed is torture and the pressure on my scar is also getting uncomfortable now. I'm...

Back to my life as a Yummy, and the transition has been seamless. I feel as though the last 9 months have been a dream and now I'm back in the real world. All my apprehension about not being able to keep Will occupied have evaporated, we've done so much together already and I keep wondering how on Earth I ever had time for a full-time job. We're just back from Sussex for the weekend which was lovely and actually a bit short because it felt like we'd only just arrived and then it was time to go. We met Dave's new girlfriend Maddie who's great fun - I'm looking forward to seeing them again with the new baby and able to have a few drinks this time! Sunday was spent chilling with Sue and Jim and tootling round Tunbridge Wells with Julia. Will was thoroughly spoilt by all and sundry and when we finally came home on Sunday evening he collapsed into bed absolutely exhausted. It was Bank Holiday yesterday so I dragged Eddie and Will off to Highclere to watch the ho...

So here I am, back in Yummy Mummy-dom along with the teenage and septegenarian populations of Newbury. Yesterday was a long day. Non-stop from start to finish and I felt very rushed and not really able to say goodbye properly to everyone. It's harder this time, because there's so much change happening again with work and I feel very loyal to the team and that I should still be there with them to see it through. Having said that, it's been wonderful to be at home with Will today, if exhausting. I'd forgotten how tiring looking after a child was!! Too much time chained to my desk. Must try not to do everything at once, there's plenty of time. Had a long chat to Janie too which was nice - no sign of Baby Middleton yet...I really hope she's not too late.

Diastre - William has learned the word 'no'. And he uses it at every given opportunity. "'Would you like some Weetabix, Will?" "No!" "Shall we go upstairs and clean our teeth?" "No!" "Do you want a banana instead?" "Naaanaaa. No!" If contradicted on any of the above, or alternative variations, William resorts to the tried and tested method of trying to get your own way - lying on the floor screaming at full volume. I'm afraid at this stage I step over him and get on with whatever else I'm doing. Invariably after about 5 minutes the screams die down into snivels and a small body appears gazing up from my knees begging 'Ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma, ma' which means "I've calmed down now, please pick me up and give me a cuddle." My nerves are in shreds and patience at its lowest ebb for over 19 months.

I can't believe my baby is now in a 'proper' bed. In anticipation of Baby No 2's iminent arrival, we've taken the side off Baby No 1's cot so he starts to get used to sleeping in a big bed. Will did so well, he didn't fall out all night and Eddie and I were up and down all night checking to see he wasn't teetering on the brink. Eventually, Eddie couldn't take the pressure and put a duvet on the floor near Will's head just in case. Of course in true Will fashion he made it to 6.30am and then came a cropper trying to clamber up the (now non-existent) bars of the cot to see me going off to feed Molly. He promptly hit the only bit of floor not protected by the duvet...howls ensued and he was very subdued for the rest of the morning, poor thing.

Bliss.

Feeling so much better for a good night's sleep. Hopefully will make it through today without having to go to the loo for a power nap at lunchtime. Dropped Will off at nursery this morning and as usual he made a beeline for his girlfriend Imogen. Her face lights up when he gets there (who's wouldn't?) - fweet!

My replacement was supposed to start work today, but hasn't shown up as her PO isn't signed-off yet. No idea what she's going to be like, and I got myself all psyched-up to meet her too. All I've been told is her name, and that she's a 'heavy lifter'. Have alarming visions of an ex-Russian, bearded shot-putter who's going to come in and lob me over the verander... This weekend was lovely, boiling hot and sunny. Will was in his element but I really struggled with it. Feeling so tired, heavy and grumpy - poor Eddie has borne the brunt of it I'm ashamed to say. Must try to pull myself together as still have a long way left to go. Alas not feeling hugely better after a hopeless night's sleep. I feel like I've suddenly been catapaulted into the huge stage where it takes forever to turn over in bed and I keep having to get up to go to the loo. Just need to say it once - I'M TIRED. Think things will be easier once I leave work. I hope ...

I've never had it before, how exciting. Told Eddie last night, to which his response was 'what's for supper, Babe?' No sympathy there then. Otherwise all is well with Baby Mark II, which is completely head down with its bum on my right and legs wriggling over to the left. Yesterday it was a girl according to its heartbeat but like Will, it changes with every appointment. Feeling much more reassured as the end draws inexorably closer in that I now have GP/consultant/midwife appointments at weeks 34, 36, 38 and 40 to keep an eye on the baby. Must get in touch with the NCT crew and find out what's happening in the outside world so Will and I can have some adventures together again.

Another dreary day at The Coalface with very little to do. God this week is dragging. Fortunately there is light at the end of the tunnel and we're off into town to see Jo at lunchtime, followed by an appointment with the midwife later on this afternoon. In my new Dorothy Perkins dress, which fortunately can just about double up as a top, covering bump and bum - a double whammy. With a bit of effort by next year it'll be back to being the dress it's supposed to be. I am so looking forward to getting back to the gym and starting to shift some of this weight. Have put on 2 1/2 stone so far and will almost certainly make it to 3! Still, I did the same with Will and with a bit of hard work it all comes off in the end. Must try to think of constructive things to do with my time....a hour to go until until lunch...well, 63 minutes...zzzzzzzzzz