Nesting...

Getting organised for a first baby is all about shopping lists of things you "need", DIY jobs to be finished off and so on.

I remember coming home from work when I was 33 weeks with Sam, our eldest, to be met by J. "Oh" he said, "By the way, Andy phoned, Nicki's partner?"
"Oh yes, I met her at aqua-natal, she can't come any more because they said her blood pressure's too high, we're going t have coffee in a couple of weeks when I'm on maternity leave, is she ok?"
"Yes, she's fine, baby was a boy and they've called him Jonathan"
I sat down, J looked concerned "What's up?"
"Nicki's due the same week as me, that baby's 7 weeks early!"
Our Nursery got painted that weekend... Suddenly it all seemed very real, and close.
Baby Jonathan did fine by the way and is now a bright, vivacious 6 year old and Nicki too recovered well.

On Saturday this week the midwife who runs the relaxation classes gently told me off when I admitted I hadn't packed my hospital bag yet. I'm 29 weeks and in my head babies are born at 41 weeks, that's 3 months away, so nothing, and I do mean NOTHING is ready. But this time of course it's twins and nothing is certain.

 I took Josiah for new school shoes on Saturday afternoon, I don't remember when it was last just him and me out and about - it could be almost 3 years not counting times when we've been out with daddy too, or with a sleeping Ben.
He was immaculately behaved, so after we'd got the shoes he came with me while I bought some of the bits and pieces I need for the hospital bag and finally (after 3 children) signed up for the Boots Parenting Club. I treated him to some Rolos which he insisted on bringing home to share with daddy and his brothers.
Yesterday we collected the second cot and a changing table from a friend so we're full steam ahead now to start moving furniture around and getting things set up to make life easier when the twins are here.
Oddly though the first step is reorganising the children's rooms so I'd better get on...