Starting them young

Quick post. I made Ingrid (and bubs to be) watch test cricket tonight on the big screen. I'm sure the baby loved it...don't think Ingrid did though.
Brad

Birthday Girl

Late post tonight. Today is my birthday and although Brad loves to tell me I have now reached middle age I am actually only in my EARLY thirties still. Anyway it has been a lovely day with me being spoilt with presents from friends, family and of course Brad (although disappointed Charlie didn't get me anything!). Had lunch at Prego, a lovely Italian restaurant that is a favourite of mine and ate far too much food as usual. Dropped Brad off at the radio awards at 4.30pm and then did what every girl wants to do on their birthday, I did the grocery shopping - oh yes thats right! Had to really as we had no toilet paper or hand soap let alone any food and thought that perhaps using the yellow pages of the phone book might block the toilet up, so what else is one to do! Anyway, probably far too much information, so here is Brad with his news on the night..

I have just got back from the annual NZ Radio Awards (felt a bit stink ditching Ingrid on her birthday though) - but the good news is, The Rock took out three big awards!

Best Breakfast show for The Morning Rumble, I won best Programmer and we got the big one...Metro station of the Year!
Stayed for a few drinks afterwards but couldn't leave Ingrid home alone on her birthday feeling like a big balloon so came home to be with my bithday bubs.

Anyway, still buzzing about the big night – but I know I’ll will be buzzing even more in a few days when the little tacker decides it’s time to finally come out!

Brad

End of the working week

Not that I know what the end of a working week is anymore now that I am at home awaiting the arrival of him/her. Each day does tend to blend into the other at the moment. Had my weekly appointment with the midwife yesterday who did mention that baby is well engaged and could make its appearance at anytime, and although I did think (most probably wishful thinking on my part) throughout most of my pregnancy that it would make an early appearance, I now feel that bubs is lazy and is going to stay in utero for as long as possible, just to make me as uncomfortable as possible!

Today has been a very, very restful day for me, about time really. I got up at 9am, had a lazy breakfast, watched far too much daytime TV, read a book, played on the computer and only went out to pick up some dry-cleaning for Brad (for Radio awards tomorrow night) and to have a coffee and cake (naughty). With too much time on my hands I have become addicted to watching the latest American Idol which is on everyday at 5.30pm, so I must go and get my daily fix...

Till tomorrow

Ingrid

The Blindman

Just returned from another beer group with the lads. Two more couples have given birth since last week so it’s quite interesting and intriguing listening to the differing stories on birth. Hasn’t been any absolute horror stories yet (touch wood) most have had relatively normal births which is encouraging.

A lot of the group from ante-natal either had done, or have found out the sex of child right from the start – each to their own but I’m pretty stoked we decided not to find out - makes it even more exciting I think.

The Blindman came today to finally install the blinds which look great - although Ingrid said he was a complete dropkick (obvioulsy a Hauraki listener) He was a car buff and true Holden fanatic and wouldn’t stop talking about cars from the moment he arrived- apparently he went into graphic detail on every Holden ever made.! The dude even asked if could take our car for a test drive…what the???

Brad

Sleepless Nights

Had a crap sleep last night, was my first night really thinking about the baby and how close the whole event actually is - Christ in a couple of weeks we’re going to be parents, scary…but wicked scary.

Another 2 couples from the ante-natal class have had kids this week – that makes it around a third of the group so far. One of the mums brought their little bubs along to Ingrid’s coffee group today too.

As you can see from the photos’ we finally brought a couple of frames in the weekend and started doing something with the wedding photos (more than a year later) – Ingrid put her handyman skills to the test today and did a sterling job with the photos.

Have the blind man coming in tomorrow to finally install some blinds in our bedroom – yeee ha! Tradesmen in Auckland are among the worst in the fricken world for getting stuff done on time.

Another beer group for me tomorrow (I have the tough job) and Ingrid is off to probably her last aqua natal class thingy-me-job.

Brad

Re Two weeks to go and Charlie

As Brad mentioned I had the most amazing foot massage and reflexology treatment thanks to my good friend Katie Mills who gave me a voucher to Bliss in Newmarket (Auckland). I am lucky enough to have another voucher that the lovely Leah Panapa gave to me at my baby shower and can't wait to go back after the baby is born for some pampering! So thanks guys it is much appreciated - especially as my poor feet have swollen up like I have elephantitis and I have not seen my ankles for the past two months - no amount of sitting around with my feet up will drain the fluid away, so am ever hopeful that as soon as bubs arrives it will sort itself out!

Also I would just like to mention, in case any of you noticed, that in the picture of Charlie and I at the computer there is a glass of red wine - I would like to take this opportunity to let you all know that it is NOT mine. Brad rested it there to take the photo...and as much as I would love for it to be my glass of wine, I can wait another couple of weeks before I indulge.

Ingrid

2-Weeks to go

Not a lot to report today- took the day off work to have an extra long four day Anzac weekend. Ingrid treated herself to a foot massage session in Newmarket (she is really looking forward to getting her ankles back when bub is born!) Another couple from ante-natal gave birth today, incidentally their parents live right next door to us which is kind of freaky. There were thirteen couples in the group and 3 have given birth already. Ingrid goes along to coffee group with the chicks and the blokes have started a beer group each Thursday night. We had the first beer group last week...it must look bloody weird seeing a bunch of blokes at the pub all drinking beer, discussing birth, labour and dirty nappies in graphic detail.


nb. Couldn't find a suitable photo so here is picture of The Rock crew.

Charlie

As you can see, Charlie can’t bare to be away from Ingrid! – He’s become quite pathetic lately with her and seems to hate me even more - I think he’s going to be in for a bit of a shock when baby arrives and finds out that he’s not the centre of attention any more.

Two weeks tomorrow is due date - really starting to get excited now (and just a wee tad nervous to be honest). Everything is in place even down to the hospital bag packed for Ingrid. We’re just waiting for the moment to happen now…

Brad

Brad's first post

I thought I'd better start practicing how to use the Blog for when Ingrid is too tired from cooking me dinner and cleaning the house (ohh, and looking after the new baby...)
So here is a lovely picture of Ingrid with just over two weeks to go before due date.

I've decided to take Monday off work so we could have a nice relaxing four-day weekend doing nothing ...I can't imagine we'll get to relax for a while after bubs is born, so we're enjoying chilling out this weekend.

Off to the radio awards next weekend. I feel a bit stink because it's Ingrid's birthday and she's not coming along. It's pretty tough as it is sitting through the 2 and half hour ceromony, even harder when you're nine months pregnant and can't find anything to wear! I'll just have to be good and not stay too late...

Till next time
Dad to be, Brad

First day as a housewife!

OK, it took a while I know, but hopefully from now on I can update the site (with the help of Brad on the bad days) much more frequently! Today is my official day at home as a housewife. Finished up at my work on Friday to officially start my maternity leave. Was nice to finish as I was getting pretty tired and uncomfortable and found my brain wasn't working to its full capacity - just secretly I am sure my employers were happy for me to finish too! Today we are 36 weeks pregnant.

The end is getting closer and very much looking forward to meeting this little bundle that I have been nurturing inside me for the last eight months. It is also a very scary time too for a first time mother! I'm not particulary good with pain, so how I will manage this will be anyones guess.