Heartbeat

Had my "booking appointment" with the midwife today. She asked about a million questions about my medical history, etc, took my blood pressure, took my blood! Then asked me to lay down on the couch and expose my belly...
Andy was with me, and when we first heard that wooshing-locomotive-train sound coming from my tummy we just couldn't stop smiling at each other! Even now that my jeans are beginning to feel tight, and my stomach is starting to stick out, it's sometimes hard to imagine our little son or daughter growing inside me. But to hear their little heart beating away was incredible.

14 weeks pregnant and homeless!

Well that's not strictly true: We were given notice to move out of our flat in Canford Cliff two months ago, as our Landlord (and Bournemouth Playboy tycoon Richard Carr) is going to knock down this gorgeous building and turn it into sterile, character-less luxury flats (not that I'm bitter or anything!)

We were in the process of buying a commercial property in Winton, to run The Livingroom out of, and live in the flat above (I could type for hours on all the details but I think most of you know) but that fell through leaving us nowhere to live! James and Andi, our amazing friends who we totally love and are deeply indebted to, invited us to move in with them - throwing us not just a lifeline, but also a really exciting prospect.

We spent most of last week packing up all our belongings, and on Friday the removal van came and took it all into storage. So with just a couple of bags of clothes we moved into the Sharp's spare room, and it felt like home immediately. We feel so loved being here. Brook, their 9-year-old daughter made us the most fabulous moving in gift of "gingerbread folk" individually modelling each member of the household, including Baby Chamberlain!

We're really happy here on Red Hill Drive, but are busy house hunting, and hope to move into our very own three bed house somewhere near by very soon.

Introducing Baby Chamberlain

Wow! We had our first scan yesterday morning, and I have to say it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my entire life.
Over the past week or so leading up the scan I had been feeling really nervous, aprehensive about potential problems it might show. But when I got up yesterday morning the excitment I felt far out-weighed any fear.

As I lay on the midwife's couch, tummy exposed and covered in warm (yes, not cold at all) gel, Andy and I cluched hands watching the screen in anticipation. After a few seconds of blury-nothing-ness the most amazing sight came into view. There was our little baby pictured so clearly, arms and leg kicking and it's little heart beating away. We were both just tansfixed. I will never forget that moment.

Yes, there is just one, healthy baby, s/he's just 4.8cm long (from top of head to bottom) and is today: 11 weeks and 4 days "old".