Kicker

So 6 weeks to go until our baby arrives.  It's getting close.  Just under 4 weeks until Sinead finishes work.

The last week or two have seen an increase of activity from inside Sinead.  What started as series of light flutters a few months ago, have now turned into massive thumps from within.  The other night Sinead asked me to put my hand on her belly.  What followed were a series of kicks and punches which gave me a real jump.  I'm still not used to it, and it's still a weird sensation every time I feel it.  God know how it feels for Sinead.

We've finally drawn up a shortlist of names.  While I was in San Francisco I drew up my list, and over the weekend Sinead finished her list.  Then we sat down and saw what names we had matching.  We are narrowed down to 9 boys and 6 girl's names, and over the next few weeks hope to narrow it down further.

Sinead's nesting is now officially moving into the next gear.  We are gradually working our way through the house and tidying up each room.  I spent last weekend cleaning the skirting boards and cupboards in the kitchen.  More to come this weekend

I'm writing this on the plane as I fly to Romania for a few days of meetings.  Met up with my dad this morning on my way to the airport, for a few hours.  He was down scouting a few football matches for his new team Fulham.  After a good number of years he has moved on from Charlton for a new challenge.  I think this might be my last trip before the baby arrives, although there is a chance that I might have to squeeze another one in, early November to the UK, to meet up with my new boss David.  Last week we had big changes at work.  Our team leader Stuart moved to a different position, and as a result there were some changes in the structure of our team.  Instead of reporting into Ditte, under Knowledge Management, I am now reporting into David and we are completely dedicated to the Web 2.0 project.  I'm happy with this as it will allow us to focus on our Web 2.0 initiatives.  Plus I've been working closely with David for the last 18 months and I get on really well with him.

I'll leave it at this for now.  Going to catch an episode of CSI New York on my laptop, before we land, and if I've time read a few chapters of my book.

So What's been happening

My last post was at the end of August and it has been a busy few weeks since then.  I'll try to review most of them here

• Sinead is now starting to show big time.  I should really post a picture on here but I think I'd be spending a few nights in the spare room if I did!!
  
• I attended my first antenatal class last week.  Sinead has been to a few already.  It was really interesting and the theme was around the different ways in which the baby can be delivered, and the various types of pain relief that are available.  We were given a good description of what an epiduarl  is all about, and I could see a lot of minds changing about whether they would get one.  Bottom-line though is that the mid-wife said not to rule anything out and to be prepared to go with the flow.  I think Sinead is a bit hesitant to go with the epidural, but let's see what happens.  This week we will be told about taking care of the baby, after the birth.
  
• We got a little bit more attention from our consultant.  On the last 2 visits, Sinead got to see him once.  He's ok, but I think Sinead much prefers visiting the mid-wife.
  
• There is a chance that Sinead might have to have a C-Section delivery, due to her low lying placenta.  Hope to find out more in the next few weeks and get confirmation.
  
• At the start of September I had to go in for an X-Ray as my lower back was playing up again.  It comes and goes but for around the last 4 years I get this occasional stiffness/pain on my lower back.  I can usually shift it with some stretches in the morning, but when it comes it's a real pain.  I think it's been caused by bad posture from sitting at desks, plus not doing proper warm-ups or warms-downs when I used to play football in the past.  Now I always make sure that I take regular breaks from my desk and do proper warm-ups and warm-downs before any sporting activity.  The X-Ray results came back fine.  The doctor has advised getting some physiotherapy in the near future.
  
• We finally got our en-suite bathroom finished yesterday.  We've been saving up money for the last year to get it re-tiled.  It looks great and we're really happy with it.  Now we just need to get the toilet, sink and shower put back in.
  
• Work has been really busy.  I was away for 2 weeks in mid-September to Nice in France and then to San Francisco.  Got a lot of good stuff done and made some good contacts on both trips.  I got an opportunity to do some sight-seeing in San Francisco.  You can see a collection of my photos at this link - http://frankbradley.tumblr.com/.  You can see some of my favourites at the end of this post.
  
• Still no word about a pay rise.  Starting to get a little bit worried about this now.  Called my manager again during the week and she said that she will be talking to her boss in the next week about this.  I hope they sort it out as the current economic climate does not appear to be the best time to look for a new job.
  
• We're off to Derry this weekend to visit my parents, my sister and her family.  It will probably be the last time we get up before the baby comes.
  
• Here are some of my favourite photos from my recent visits to Nice and San Francisco.

 

The Golden Gate Bridge	The view from my hotel in Nice
Lombard Street	San Francisco Cable Car
The Streets of San Francisco	San Francisco from the Golden Gate Bridge
	Alcatraz