Tick Tock...

I'm not sure where the last 38+ weeks have gone, but here I am... tick tock tick tock, playing the waiting game for the arrival of a little mister or is it a little miss?

The second pregnancy is so different from the first.  With MissE, at 28 weeks, I was more than ready.  The nursery was complete, the baby clothes had been washed and carefully folded, diapers and wipes were on hand, and hospital bag packed.  At 36 weeks we had practiced using putting a baby (a teddy bear) in and out of the car seat and pram dozens of times.  This time... the nursery has just been completed, I am still picking a 'going home outfit', we have a few newborn diaper samples (enough to last 4 hours!), and despite being advised several times by my midwife, I have not packed my hospital bag.  Based on my fairly short labour with MissE (<4 hours from go to delivery), you would think I would make this a priority!  I have plenty of time, right???

That's not to say we are excitedly awaiting the new arrival.  I have had a very different pregnancy from MissE so I am curious to know who we are expecting!  What does he or she look like?  At our 4D ultrasound, BabyH was camera shy so we haven't even had a sneak preview.  MissE is also very excited.  She has been very helpful with setting up the nursery, moving toys to where she thinks the baby would like it, and offering to share her toys and books.  Lately, she asks how I am feeling and if my tummy is sore.  Sometimes, she says her tummy is sore because the baby is kicking!

My sister and her family have recently arrived from San Francisco for both a holiday and to hopefully to meet her new nephew/ niece.  I never had the opportunity to have a traditional baby shower, hosted by my bridal party, living 7,408 miles away, so with my sister here, I decided to book a small table along with some of my fabulous friends for High Tea (my favourite!) to celebrate the impending birth.

The Tea Room, Gunner's Barrack's

L to R: Ying, Rita, me, Phoebe, Miranda (front), Cynthia, Joanna (front)

Special Earl Grey

One of two petite four "towers"
(mango custard, macaroons, tiramisu, peach tarts, baked cheesecake)

Samosas, mini quiches and fresh baked scones (with clotted cream and raspberry jam)

No tea is complete without tea sandwiches!

Rather than gifts, I asked my friends to lend their artistic ability for an Alphabet Book.  I asked them to pick a letter or 2 and draw anything the letter represents to the artist, and of course sign their gorgeous artwork so I have very special keepsake!

Cynthia drawing the letter "C"