Sweeps

Some people celebrate the birth of a child with cigars, champagne, presents, investment portfolios or sports club memberships... we are celebrating Tricky's imminent arrival with a spot of light gambling.

The rules for the sweepstakes are pretty simple: pick a date, pick a weight, pay $5 and sit back and wait to see if you get the cash – winner takes all and it's almost $150! To make sure everyone had a fair chance of winning they were told my actual due date and the date that my obstetrician wouldn't let me go past without being induced. If two people had the same date then it would go to the weight with the person closest without going over being the winner – it's just like being on the Price is Right except that Larry Emdur is replaced by Hubby's mate, Neil.

The dates picked span a massive 22 days – starting with Aunty Penny's pick on the 17^th of May (guess she didn't win since I'm sitting here with a belly full of baby still). She thought Tricky would take after me and be a week early, but he seems pretty happy swimming around in goo at the moment. For $150 I'm considering picking a date no one else has chosen (funnily enough, my official due date) and booking in for an induction!

I'm very ready for him to arrive. Even though it means actually having to go through the birth process - which is understandably a little daunting - it also means an end to the constant heartburn, the dodgy hip and top of Hubby's list... an end (or at least reduction) in the snoring! By day I'm your average, waddling preggo, but by night, watch out – I'm a chainsaw! It's similar to turning in to a werewolf, except I don't tear you limb from limb... I make you want to do it to yourself.

So for now I'll continue drinking my raspberry leaf tea and attending my pre-birth acupuncture and yoga sessions to get my body ready... and just wait.

Did your bub come on time?

Letter to Tricky - 34 weeks pregnant

Hi Tricky!

Let me introduce myself, I'm your Mum. At the moment you only know me as the funny gurgley digestion noises and heartbeat with a muffled '20,000 leagues under the sea' voice. And I only know you as a funny squirmy feeling in my tummy, just like when you go on a rollercoaster (you'll learn about them when you're older) – but even though that's all I know about you, I love you already.

I'm amazed every day at how much joy you bring to our lives without even being born yet. Your Daddy is getting very anxious to meet you and already talks to you sometimes – he lays his head gently on my belly to listen to you, then tells you how excited he is that you'll be here soon. You'd think after all this time we'd be quite used to you moving around but we both still get excited and giggle when you kick so hard that my shirt moves.

You seem to already have a bit of a routine going on where you are most active at about 8am after I've had breakfast (I think you like Weetbix) and then whilst you do move around all day a bit, you get a second wind at about 11pm and seem to be doing some sort of crazy dance that I can't wait to see when you're out – limbs flailing every which way. Sometimes you kick so hard that it takes my breath away a bit, but I don't mind at all, I like knowing you're getting stronger and stronger every day, preparing for your entrance in to this world.

There are so many things I want to teach you. So many wonders I want you to experience. More than anything though I'm just looking forward to meeting you - we can worry about whether you'll follow in my footsteps and support Holden (yay), or Daddy's and support Ford (boo!), when you're bigger.

Daddy and I have been preparing lots of things for your arrival – going to classes to learn about what to do with you when we bring you home, decorating your room (I hope you like Winnie-the-Pooh) and painting a cot for you to sleep in.

Other people are getting excited to meet you too. Your Aunty Penny is counting down the days until she gets to play with you – you'll be her first nephew so you're already kinda special. You will be the first grandchild in the family too, so your grandparents are over the moon and I just know they're going to spoil you rotten! Even when they have more nephews/nieces and grandchildren, you will hold a special place in these people's hearts because you were the first (just don't tell your siblings/cousins that OK?).

My doctor says you are due on the 1^st of June, but I think he calculated it wrong and in fact you're due to arrive on the 25^th of May. If you're anything like me you'll be early, because I hate being late! One of our friends is even starting a sweeps where people can bet money on your arrival date and time! I'm trying not to wish away these last few weeks of pregnancy (which is hard because you're getting heavy to carry around) and just enjoy the whole experience. Daddy and I can't wait to see you, but you need to cook a little longer, so until we meet, keep growing... just not too big please.

Love Mummy xxx