Father's Day 2009

Today is Father's Day and I'm feeling guilty about making Geoff work so hard. We gave him a picture Cassie made at playgroup with her painted footprints and a slogan saying "Put your feet up Dad". We didn't actually mean it though!

He's out in the rumpus room right now painting the final coat on Cassie's new wardrobe. He's also been busy this afternoon helping me with my chook house, although I've actually been doing most of it myself. Here is the plan. Even though the total extent of my construction experience is a "C-" in Year 7 woodwork and metal work, it's really not that hard. And if things don't quite line up then I just repeat this reassuring mantra: "It's not precision joinery. It's only a chook house.". So far I've only done the top and bottom of the frame, but that's a start and I feel really encouraged. Actually, I feel proud every time I look at it! Builders must have great job satisfaction.

We are planning to get 3 isa-brown chooks. This should produce about 14 eggs per week which is great as Cassie absolutely loves eggs. I really hope the new baby likes them too (after 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, of course). This is all inspired by my friend Lena who has 3 chooks, which are a great source of interest to her 2-year-old son. Cassie loves them too. When we visit, she stands near the chook house saying "Hello cooks [sic]", feeding them grass, and trying to pat them. So far she hasn't been nipped...but I'm sure that's only a matter over time.

Anyway, hopefully it will be finished by the time the baby comes. It's due in 6 weeks, although Cassie came a week early so I'm working on the assumption that could happen again. Thank goodness it's only 6 weeks to go, as I already weigh more than I did when Cassie was born, and I don't think my stomach can stretch too much further. I keep on bumping into people and things when I forget that I can't go through narrow spaces anymore.

Otherwise, I'm feeling ok though. Thankfully, the indigestion doesn't seem to be nearly as bad as it was with Cassie - I haven't even emptied my first packet of Rennies yet. Not working full time is a big help too: I think that sitting down at a desk is just about the most uncomfortable position you can be in during the last trimester of pregnancy. Feet in the ribs in particular is something that I always notice when I'm sitting typing.

My next midwife appointment is tomorrow, but at the last one four weeks ago I found out the baby was in the head down position. Very reassuring. I don't think it's rotated but I guess I'll find out for sure tomorrow. Certainly the regime of 4-weekly midwife appointments is a bit different than the fortnightly (or maybe it was weekly by this stage) obstetrician visits last time.

Anyway, Happy Father's Day to Geoff and all other Dads. I'm lucky that Cassie and her "bro/sis" have such a great Dad! I'm sure that I don't express my appreciation enough (probably like many busy Mums!). But everytime I feel so happy everytime I hear Cassie squealing with joy when she's playing a silly game with Daddy, or when she's getting a nice "kissy-cuddle" with him, or when he goes to lift her out of the cot when she wakes up at 5am (happy that Daddy's fetching her, not happy about the time, that is!), or when I see them reading or drawing or playing at the park together.