Packing my second hospital bag

By Baby Blogger Kate Richards 
I think that, at 35 weeks pregnant, the time has probably come to pack my hospital bag. However it's much easier to sit down on the sofa and just make a list, so that's what I'm going to do.

One slight problem is that I have no idea how long I'll be in for. A very straightforward second labour (yes please) and I could be out a few hours later. On the other hand, anything could happen and I may be there for several days. Better be on the safe side I think, especially as I won't be the one carrying the bag!

Number one child reaches two

By Baby Blogger Kate Richards 
Ben has just turned two, and my little baby is quite definitely no longer a baby, in fact he's very nearly a big brother.

I actually think that once things have settled down and he's used to not getting all my attention, he'll love being the eldest. He'll enjoy being slightly better at everything and teaching little (name yet to be revealed) all about the world.

How do you choose someone's name - for life?!

By Baby Blogger Kate Richards  
We've now only got eight weeks, roughly, until the baby's due and have finally reached a decision about his name.

What a huge decision it seems! Having had Ben around for nearly two years, I realise I'll be saying whichever word we choose approximately 500 times a day for the next several years. Added to which, anyone who crosses our path - that's dozens of people every day at the park, toddler groups, etc. - could form an opinion on its ordinariness/weirdness.

Potty training - already?

By Baby Blogger Kate Richards  
In an unconventional and unexpected move, Ben appears to have started potty training himself.

I bought Ben a potty a couple of months ago, mainly under pressure from my mother-in-law, and it has since resided unnoticed in the bathroom. Then a few days ago, Ben decided to sit on it (the wrong way, round, but still) and was, um, successful! Since then, he's made a habit of using it after his evening bath.

While I'm very glad and impressed, I'm not planning to launch into official potty training just yet. Firstly, at 23 months, he' still a bit young, not to mention unable to pull down his trousers by himself, and secondly, I'm not keen to still be on the throes of it when the new baby arrives (the poor carpet!).

Olympic fashion

 Is this the shape of Olympic fashion? Swimsuit makers Speedo have produced this gown made from off-cuts from swimming costumes produced for competitors from Team GB, from the USA, Australia, Germany, Spain, Japan, Canada, Netherlands and Israel.


A spokesman explained: "The dress is influenced by sunsets, sea and waves for a look that reflects the oceans which connect the competing nations at this summer's global event."

Thinking about my next labour

By Baby Blogger Kate Richards 
I've got this far without thinking much about it, but the reality is starting to sink in - I'm going to have to go through labour again! In fact, it's all I dreamed about last night.

Great news at my 20 week scan

By Baby Blogger Kate Richards
Time is flying past and I've just had my 20 week anomaly scan for this pregnancy. I'm over half-way already!
 
This time, knowing the challenges that even a healthy baby brings, I was more concerned about the possible problems the scan could reveal. Very fortunately, all is well. We were able to see the two halves of the brain, all of the heart chambers and valves, and the heartbeat, the major leg bones, the entire length of the spine, the blood vessels in the cord, and several organs. Turns out they've all developed perfectly without any conscious effort by me. It really feels like a miracle sometimes.

A time for togetherness

Stacey Collins 
It is with great surprise, and sarcasm, that I do not have to write an over-joyous piece about how well our country scored in the Eurovision contest last weekend amongst the many other 'non-political' performances and votes by 'European' countries such as Israel. However, I bet George Osborne is breathing a great sigh of relief at the prospect of not having to forage around for a spare few hundred million to finance the event.

Pregnant again!

By Baby Blogger Kate Richards
If there's been a deafening silence from me lately, the reason is I've been trying to believe and accept the idea of bringing another new addition into the family.

Yes I'm pregnant again, for better or worse!

It was always my aim to have two children, but that was planned years before I had any idea of the day-to-day reality. So I'm happy but at the same time pretty scared of juggling the needs of a toddler and a newborn.

Pregnant and smoking? See a psychiatrist

Laura Johnson
Just how? How on earth can a mother do it? How can a woman continue to be a smoker when she is pregnant?

Is it because some people are just stupid? You are bearing the most precious gift of all, a new baby. More than that - it's going to be your responsibility. You will raise that child and love it.

We may choose to harm ourselves but how can a mother choose to harm the child she bears?