This time last month...

Right. Well. I think you can probably guess why I haven't been around for the last month...

Yes. The Baby-Formerly-Known-as-Squidlet was (finally) born on 28th October, and has been keeping Ze Husband and I busy ever since with the whole feeding/nappy changing/feeding/nappy changing thing. So far, we're managing... I've had to reduce my expectations in terms of sleep quite considerably, but I take comfort from the fact that this situation is temporary and I will get some sleep at some point! (Naps are clearly the way forward, in any case. Who needs to sleep for more than three hours at a time, anyway?). 


The Baby-Formerly-Known-as-Squidlet managed to acquire a couple of new names (quite apart from her real name) in the days after her birth, and will henceforth be known as Baby Mole/Bébé Taupe. She was born with quite a lot of hair, which, contrary to the expectations of everyone except her mother, is dark brown and not blonde. Add to that the fact that her eyes were practically black at birth, general newborn short-sightedness and the way she moves her hands when she's looking for milk, and she really did look a lot like a mole... The moleishness has worn off now, but the name has stuck.

We've decided not to post pictures on open-access parts of the internet (or Facebook, for that matter), but if we know you in real life, drop us a line and we'll send you a link.

Now, people of the Internets. Time for you lot to help me with this whole baby thing...

We're thinking about switching to washable nappies (or diapers, for those on the other side of the Atlantic). Thoughts? Suggestions? Recommendations? Patterns? (Yes, I'm thinking of at least attempting to make one or two to see how that works out. Trying different options here).

Oh, and I also appear to be addicted to Speculoos. Please send help (or more biscuits).

39 weeks

So. After all that, the Squidlet seems to have decided she's in no hurry to come out after all, and we've got to 39 1/2 weeks. Because of her early escape attempt, I've been more or less mentally prepared for her to turn up for the last three of those weeks, and I'm starting to get a bit frustrated.

Also, it's gone relatively cold here, which would be fine except I only have one pair of maternity jeans. Cue cut-offs with knee socks on the days my jeans are in the wash... the giraffe print socks look particularly classy. Oh yes.

(No, I don't go out much, why do you ask?)

Come ON, Squidlet. I want to be able to wear skirts again. And to be able to walk at normal speeds. And drink vast quantities of beer eat things with raw eggs in. I have plans for a chestnut tiramisù which are becoming increasingly urgent.

Oh, and while we're at it: one bump picture.

I wasn't consciously attempting to imitate the penguin in the corner, either. Honest.

Rawr!

You may vaguely remember me talking about a top secret project a while back, the results of which I would not be able to reveal until after our wedding anniversary.

Sorry to have left you all in suspense for so long. No, really, the stress of not knowing must have been dreadful. :-p

Here, without further ado, is what I was up to:

For those of you who don't understand the French (or the original dinosaur), it says "RAWR! (that means "I love you" in dinosaur).

The inspiration came from a couple of tshirts I found on the internet with the same caption (in  English) and from  Subversive Cross Stitch, an idea I find extremely appealing in principle although I don't see why they have to use swear words all the time. I don't usually have much patience with cross stitch and my inability to finish a project is widely recognised, but what with being on bed rest at the time and all that, this time it did actually work. And yay for using up bits of leftover embroidery silk!