Christmas around the world

In the US our relatives have probably not been long up. In Birmingham and Yorkshire they are probably well into Christmas lunch. In New Zealand, its been over for some time. In Cambridge, we are, well, not doing much, but waiting the arrival of a different baby still. Its all a bit odd.

Finally on maternity leave...

...but did not envisage spending most of it waiting for, and trying to be patient on, unreliable snow-hindered buses.

Theory and practice

My theory was that having gone on leave from work I would still be doing a couple of hours a day, because there were unfinished ends I felt I should tie up but hadn't had time and felt bad about this. The practice so far is that I just can't be bothered! I guess that my change if the bump makes me wait beyond the due date. What will my excuse be then? Right now it is that I have some pastry to roll out.

Vote splitting

Amongst the breaking "news" on BBC Breakfast this morning was the top five Christmas carols as voted for by a couple of contingencies (Radio Times readers and Classic FM listeners). My favourite made into the top five twice, as different versions. Does that mean it would have won if the vote hadn't been split? (Also glad to know I'm not alone in really liking this carol, 'In the Bleak Midwinter').

Advent calendar sessions again

The idea behind the bump's advent calendar was to tell it part of the Christmas story as we opened the windows but (a) not all the pictures are helpful - where did the lantern or sheepdog come into it? and (b) the parents-to-be are not that good at remembering details or even the words to Christmas carols that the pictures suggest to us. So, finally, I have tracked down some CDs of Christmas music/carols to play in lieu of mother only remembering the odd line here and there. Hope they are worth it.

Advent - it's arrived!

Having excitedly presented the boy with my advent calendar on Sunday, it having been the first day of Advent, it was pointed out to me that the chocolate advent calendar started on 1 Dec not 29 Nov. But today, according to the advent calendar anyway, it is Advent. So hurrah! Bump has one too, but just with pictures.