10 positives about my pregnancy

Enough with the maternity moans! Below is a list of reasons to why I should like my pregnancy, rather than wishing for its inevitable end. This pregnancy has been rather tough, to be honest I hated the first and third trimester so much, those reasons alone would make me think twice about doing it again.
But heres a bunch of reasons that in a few weeks time, I may come to miss it.

1 - I get to interior design shop, a lot. No questions asked! ...Junk shops, Ikea, Habitat, no one can hold me back!

2 - It makes me think of the 'larger picture', rather than just my own needs. Helps me to put my existence in perspective

3 - Rowdy men on the street leave you alone, no wolf whistles or strange comments, sometimes they will be surprisingly respectful to you, holding doors open, etc.

4 - Because I have had severe nausea throughout this pregnancy my partner cooks every night, he has now become really good at cooking whereas before I couldn't trust him with a microwave.

5 - I did not suffer from stretchmarks nor did I get a Linea Alba, which I don't really like the look of. (some women do, I don't)

6 - Always having an unquestionable reason to get out of social arrangements if needed.

7 - Random chats with nostalgic middle age women about pregnancy in the supermarket.

8 - I have spent a lot of time reconnecting with my own Mother.

9 - My relationship has got much better, we communicate more efficiently, hardly argue and take things on the chin a lot more, again pregnancy has a way of making light of things which may have really knocked you down before.

10 - Sex is more intense when pregnant! It feels incredible!

[Picture left Die Hoffnung by Gustav Klimt (1903)]

The attack of the killer pram! - Parenthood and artistry

I am not exactly the Guardians biggest fan, so I was pleasently surprised to see this article passed onto me by my partner. It's a refreshing piece discussing the realities of making it in the art world after becoming a parent. The article is written by novelist Frank Cottrell Boyce, so obviously its about writing in particular, but the same principles can be translated to all the arts, or even an attitude to life as a nervous parent.
In my household me and my partner both work in creative fields, to work nine to five to fund our lifestyles would feel like more or less giving up... Giving in and by our standards, we would be failing a inspirational good role models for our little un'.
Richard (understandably) wants to support me and our child, to provide for us without worry. I, would also like those things, but only under certain circumstances. Echoing the role Cottrel's wife, I also have only ever wanted my partner to write. For him to make a living from it, anything else is secondary to the bigger picture. I would not be happy to either of us to lose sight of our ambitions, and if we were to what kind of example would that set for our child? In addition to this I think to create and explore new ideas/places with my child strapped onto my partners back would make a wonderful reality for the person-to-be.
The child's presence I believe will encourage us to take our professions more seriously, as I am not only working for me now. We're working for the entire unit. It's going to be incredably hard, but hey, what other choices do we have?

(Pictured above: Artist Barbara Hepworth with child Paul, 1929)

T-minus 100 days!

We're due our bundle of joy in 100 days, these are the things still left to do (I will highlight items as they become completed):

1 - Have the baby shower. [COMPLETED]
2 - Write up my birth plan.
3 - Complete house hunt. [COMPLETED]
4 - Have the frightening meet up with partner's mother and discuss parenthood [COMPLETED]
5 - Go to Antenatal classes. [COMPLETED]
6 - Go to Aquanatal classes. [HAVE HAD PHYSICAL PROBLEMS PREVENTING ME FROM DOING THIS]
7 - Learn how to knit (don't just learn how to cast-on then give up).
8 - Sell all the clothes I will no longer be able to fit it/not appropriate for 'motherhood' on eGay. [ONGOING]
9 - Make labour mix tape. It will probably include lots of Brian Eno and none of my partners love for Thin Lizzy.
10 - Agree on a girl's name, just in case it isn't in fact a boy. [COMPLETED]
11 - Move into new place. [ONGOING]
12 - Decorate nursery.
13 - Make plushy toy for child.
14 - Sew a personalised blanket for chid.
14 - Do all that PC muscle stuff. [ONGOING]
15 - Learn how to use and assemble travel system. [COMPLETED]
16 - Have a meeting with midwife over breastfeeding/going back to work. [COMPLETED]
17 - Learn all that crap about sterilisers/powders/warmers, etc. [COMPLETED]
18 - Buy a cot. [COMPLETED]
19 - Apply for maternity grant. [COMPLETED]
20 - Stop worrying!! [ARRGH]

Here comes the fun bit - Nursery inspo!

Baby hamock.

The bednest

A 50's space age stroller.

Vitaminer Ikea curtains.

Eames rocker chair.

Sorry to those who have seen this post before, I accidentally deleted it and have got round to salvaging it. Those on Google reader will not be impressed!