This week’s #BlogBumpClub comes to you from a place of serene calm. I know – I’m as surprised as the next person. It turns out maternity leave is good for the soul. I’m positively floating on clouds and flying with unicorns at the moment.
I filed copy for my last big deadline on Monday morning and sent my maternity allowance claim form off on Tuesday (I’m self-employed, so maternity leave is a bit different to last time I had a baby). Apart from the odd bit of blogging I really have no need to be near my laptop at the moment, which is an enlightening experience.
Frog started school on Monday – mornings only this week – and loves it so far. Which means *touch wood* we’ve had no morning tantrums, no stressful dragging her out of the door episodes and she’s generally been in the best mood ever. Life is so much easier when kids are happy.
It also means I’ve had the house to myself the past few mornings. I’ve pottered about, made chutney, done a bit of cleaning, blogged a bit and had time to sit in the garden and drink a hot cup of tea.
I remember Carie at Space for the Butterflies writing about the beginning of maternity leave and describing it as a period of “un-working”. I can totally relate to that at the moment because, after an incredibly hectic few months – in good and bad ways – it feels odd to be able to put my feet up without the nagging guilt that I ought to be doing something else. That’s why my first few mornings on my own have still been pretty productive. I’m gradually getting better at unwinding and switching off though and by next week I’m sure the simple act of tweeting will seem like too much of a chore!
Afternoons have been spent out in the sunshine, before napping while Frog watches Frozen for the millionth time (thank you to Chelle at Unique and Chic for the 3pm movie tip – it really does work if you want to buy yourself some guaranteed sit down time).
Bump-wise, I’m feeling well. Obviously there are still multiple nightly loo trips and one of my feet is still puffy, but that’s just standard. And I’m pretty sure the baby’s still back to back, but I’m not worrying about it because Frog was too – I know from experience that even if I spend 24 hours a day on all fours the baby will only turn if he or she feels like it.
I’ve been enjoying lots of pregnancy yoga and (much to my husband’s amusement) meditation and hypnobirthing relaxation CDs. I’m sure that’s all contributing to my calm state of mind. Even the thought of pushing a small human out of my vagina seems kind of exciting at the moment, so the CDs must be working a bit.
The hospital bag is now packed and sitting patiently by the front door. Although I know the baby could arrive any day now, I’m also aware that it could be another few weeks before anything happens – Frog was twelve days past her due date after all. But that’s OK – again, experience tells me there’s no point getting het up about these things. I’m quite content to enjoy this time to myself and ride those unicorns of calm a bit longer.
Link Up
So how have you been doing? Anyone else enjoying the calm before the baby-arrives-storm? Any newly pregnant bloggers out there? Link up your most recent pregnancy post here and join in the chat.
Don’t forget to grab the badge to display on your own blog so others can find us and join in too. And, if you can, comment on some of those linked up – it makes the whole blogger antenatal club thing that bit more fun.
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Well it sounds like you’re really getting the hang of maternity leave – and your bump is looking fabulous! Fingers crossed you get just enough time to relax and not so much time that you begin to fidget!!
I don’t want to be the voice of doom (I’m coming from a sleep-deprived place, and probably am too grouchy at the moment so forgive me) but do enjoy the calm!!! I’d completely forgotten how time consuming little babies are
Really glad little Frog has settled into school well. I bet she can’t wait for the new arrival either? Ferne is the talk of the school gates as Lewis wants to show her off to everyone, every day!
Enjoy your time x
Oh blimey I know! My head is firmly buried in the sand about how I’ll manage the school run with a newborn in tow – used to take me hours to leave the house when F was tiny!
Oh how exciting! It’s such a great feeling starting maternity leave and looking forward to the birth of your baby. I can’t wait myself, got ages to go yet though.
You and your bump look fabby and that’s great Frog has started school and loves it, another weight off your mind
Sounds like everything is going pretty well at the moment after your few months of running around.
x
Maternity leave indeed is good for the soul. I remember at start of my pregnancy dreading the thought of leaving work. I was feeling quite worried about my position at work and really didn’t want anything to change. I ended up leaving much earlier in the end due to stress at work. A few weeks on, I feel like a new person. I’ve been doing yoga, meditation and hypno relaxation for a few months but it is only now that I have slowed down that I can feel the benefits of doing that.
Unlike you though I am feeling a little impatient about the due date, I feel ready to have the baby now that I am full term and really hope he arrives soon. It is my first one and I just want to see him. I am sure once he does arrive i’ll miss the quietness of the days leading up to the birth :-). PXX
I felt exactly the same way when I was pregnant with Frog – impatient and ready for her to be born. In the end she was 12 days past her due date! I wish I’d managed to relax a bit more though because I sort of spoiled that last week by fretting. It’s such a special time (and peaceful!). And they say the more relaxed you are the higher your chances of going into labour. So glad you’re feeling well though and enjoying the maternity leave. Hurrah for yoga and meditation. x
Glad your little one is enjoying school! Sounds like you are enjoying the peace! I’ve been signed off, but still can’t quite relax, got a load of things I want to get sorted first! Blooming nesting!! X
Yep – nesting has much to answer for! x
I’ve been a silent reader to date (!), but I just had to comment today as we are living such parallel lives!
Today I finally completed two enormous reports, tidied up two other projects, sent out my final invoices and turned on my out of office to start my second maternity leave too. I’m self employed, and am seconds away from posting off my maternity allowance form (!) before I collect my 3.5 year old from pre-school, but before I do that, I’m enjoying a hot cup of tea as I know they’re going to be a rarity before long again!
I became self employed after I had my daughter, and I’m currently feeling really proud of having managed to earn a living by myself without the security of a “proper job” for the last couple of years.
I’m hoping that I’ll get a couple of weeks relative calm before baby number 2 makes an appearance (I’m nearly 38 weeks now too!) – but now that I’ve turned off the work bit of my brain, I’m looking forward to feeling the same excitement that you just described, and will be spending as much of the coming days listening to my hypnobirthing CDs and generally chilling out as much as I can!
I’ve not packed a hospital bag yet mind…you’re way ahead of me there!
Anyway, wishing you lots of luck with what lies ahead! I’ve loved reading your posts – and smiling about the similarities in our lives!
Rachel xx
Thank you for the lovely comment Rachel – it’s strange how similar our situations are! Enjoy the calm, it sounds like you definitely deserve it. And don’t worry about the hospital bag – I’ve only just properly sorted mine! xx
Ah Molly, your bump is looking gorgeous! And it certainly sounds as though maternity leave suits you! I’m so glad. Now all we do is wait…
x x x