Seriously?

Snow in November?

This thin-blooded coastal Californian is beginning to think she should have migrated south with the birds.

It's still snowing. These days, sunset is around 4pm so it's also very gloomy out there. On the bright side, we're less than 10 minutes' drive from the hospital if baby decides to put in a (slightly) early appearance.

And E enjoyed himself today.

London is forecast to get more snow overnight. On top of Monday's Tube strike goodness knows what transport will be like - personally I'm secretly hoping the skies dump a foot on us and the trains stop so that B has an excuse to work from home. Tomorrow, however, is his last day before paternity leave begins, so I suppose that's a bit selfish of me.

Well, E and I are off for a bit of hot chocolate. I can see the snowflakes still drifting down outside... happy early winter, everyone, wherever you might be.

Thanksgiving

I'm very very jealous of everyone who has the day off and is eating a nice Thanksgiving meal! If you're reading this, have a bite of cranberry sauce for me and maybe some candied yams with marshmallows.

Here in the UK, obviously, they don't celebrate Thanksgiving. And since Halloween is kind of glossed over as well, these folks are starved for holidays. From August (not kidding) all we hear about is Christmas. Christmas. CHRISTMAS. It's like a senile great-grandma who won't shut up. No, worse, it's like 7 of them. And by the way did you know it's Christmas in about 5 weeks? Oh for the days when Christmas mania didn't start until late November.... or am I just getting old?

Speaking of holidays, E and I went up to the Christmas Fair at his little playgroup this morning. Bought a few little cupcakes, looked at the donkey "reindeer" rides, watched Snow White make balloon sculptures, then came home. I'm sorting out baby clothes slowly but surely. Got the newborn stuff mostly re-laundered at least.

Unfortunately, my blood pressure is creeping up these days. Since I basically had pre-eclampsia last pregnancy I've got to keep on top of things. Went to the hospital for monitoring last week... although that sounds serious, it wasn't really that bad. I'm going back to the clinic today for another check.

Also, B has bought me some canned pumpkin. I think I may have to make a pie with it.

No good pictures lately so here is an action shot of a blurry, upside down toddler. Happy Thanksigving!

November

I meant to do an update around Halloween but lately blogging's been one of the last things on my mind. I seem to have the attention span of a gnat.

We have mostly been...

...carving pumpkins...

...blowing out candles...

...painting/stamping...

...falling asleep in high chairs covered in hummus and toast particles...

...and enjoying the autumn.

Approximately one more month to go before the new arrival. I am eagerly counting down the days until B's paternity leave/vacation begins. Running out of indoor things to do with a toddler! Fortunately we're half a block away from a little green area - it's not much, but in a pinch it does very well for a bit of fresh air and exercise when the young master gets cabin fever. I can't go more than about half a mile (if that) without discomfort these days.

On the bright side, I'm considered "at term" at the end of this week (if she's born at 37 weeks she's not considered premature) so the end is within sight. Ironically I'm not having as many contractions/Braxton Hicks/back pains as I did in the earlier weeks. I guess that's both good and bad.

We are going to a friend's toddler's birthday party in S London this afternoon, and then I think I'd better pack my hospital bag just in case.