Dear Dot

People have started placing bets on your arrival, I will have you know. Your expected date of arrival is April 21st.

Your father thinks you will be here on April 8th.
Your nani thinks you will be here on April 14th-15th (she is cheating and picking two dates while the rest of us get one).
Your nana thinks you will be here on April 19th.
I think you will be here on April 21st-22nd (I am my mother's daughter after all, hence I'm also cheating).

I will have you know, there is money involved in these bets so please pick your arrival date post much deliberation .

See you then.

Baby steps

Kept pushing off packing my hospital bag or building Dot's cot bed even though everyone has been telling me otherwise.

37weeks today and decided its finally time after all. The angelic white cot bed is made. Dot's Dad and Nani built it this afternoon while I ironed all the bed sheets, blankets, swaddles, baby cloths and burp cloths I could find. This is probably the nesting urge they talk off at the end of your pregnancy.

Feeling most accomplished and prepared now!

Still need to figure out child rearing now since the child bearing phase is pretty much over and done with but then again......baby steps!

Dear Dot

You are full term today! Can't wait to meet you :)

Love,
Me

P.S: we promise to make your cot bed this weekend, so just wait till Monday before showing up, yeah?
P.P.S: I officially go on leave starting 5th April, and won't go back to work till January next year! I love you already :D

Unbelievable how mothers make everything okay just by showing up.
I wonder if Dot will think the same about me.

Being positive is hard work

Found myself surrounded by negative people today. People who have given up before game day.

Maybe they are right to say there is no prize for volunteering to deal with pain when there are relief options handy. But what makes them so sure that the pain will be so unbearable to begin with?

I firmly and increasingly believe in being positive and that the human mind is a fascinating piece of equipment which can exaggerate your tiniest fears or minimize your biggest fears depending on how you manage your mind in trying times. But you have to at least give it a chance to begin with!

Why are we so dependent on medical intervention, having totally given up on your body's natural ability to cope?

Im willing to give my mind and body a shot to do what they are naturally programmed to do.

Sending happy and positive thoughts your way dot, as game day approaches ! We'll be fine :D

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Ante-natal class big tip - don't focus and worry too much about labour and childbirth. Focus on what comes after those few hours of discomfort. A lifetime of experiences no one can coach you for.

Comforting, in a strange way.