Tinsel time

It's 6.30 in the morning and I am up and blogging. And I am in the UK. I tried to make a list of people less likely to be up before day-break and typing at a computer, and all I could come up with was Sue and Pete.

So what happened? Tinsel started shuffling around the night before last, and Sue had contractions, but relatively half-hearted ones. And then her waters broke. Of course, since she wasn't very convinced by the contractions she assumed she must have wet herself. This whole pregnancy and child-birth thing really isn't very lady-like is it? How did the only people who do it get to be called ladies, and be all delicate and proper?

The boys have been farmed out to school, child-minder, cousins, workhouse, orphanage. I went to work yesterday morning. Theresa taxied Sue and children around in the morning and I took over in the afternoon. Slept the clock round last night. Keeled over at 7.30. Can't get back to sleep now.

But still no Tinsel. We go into hospital at 10 this morning to get induced. Yes, Tinsel is still 2 weeks from due-date, but after waters have broken you're only allowed a day, in case of infection. I was looking forward to the inducement: a traditional thick Brown Envelope? Swiss bank account? Shares? Lucky dip? A sticker? Certificate? No. How about a squirt of cold jelly up your front bottom instead?

Joe has been full-on anaemic for a week now, but still full of energy. The hospital won't give him a transfusion unless he starts to really flag: fewer procedures, less risk. He cycled into town on Saturday, to see my school singing in the Mall. And back. And exacted payment in McDonalds and sweets for being good. He's just as chirpy and noisy as ever. And he's keeping pace with school now as well. His hair is growing back very slowly, and fluffily. The big boys at school, who have been grabbing his hat off and stroking his head (it's very tempting), have been told not to.

The polar bear is fully engaged, but Sammy has not felt any contractions yet. He is sure it will go to full term, and beyond. He says Christmas is when it's coming. In fact, Sue has found a cuddly polar bear toy, and it is going to arrive early like Tinsel. I think Sammy's labour may well be short and comfortable. Grandma and Grandad are here now, just back from India. They will be able to assist with the delivery.

See you on the other side of 3 children! Not long now