ten minutes a day

having finished the most fabulous novel yesterday i am more committed than ever to write, write, write. my 'Writers Workbook' informs me that i must practice writing for at least 10 minutes a day on any subject i choose.

the fabulous novel i just finished is 'the impressionist' by hari kunzu. that, along with 'the shadow of the wind' and 'maps for lost lovers' form my top three favourite reads for this year.

one of the most fascinating settings in 'the impressionist' was a turn of the century zenana in British india. absolutely the stuff of dreams, fantasy and fiction. his imagination, the clarity of detail and the loose foundation in fact are a powerful combination.

i did some christmas chores today - cards, present lists, lists for the little thing's first birthday. it's going to be a busy christmas with the thing's party then nine people for lunch the next day but i'm sure it will be fun.

onto more family matters and i am definitely feeling pregnant. today saw me eating pickled onions straight from the jar. i know that should disgust me, but, well ... yum!

and i must work out the approximate due date as i think i will have to cancel our attendance at what had promised to be the smartest wedding of the year.

now we are four


the hubs and i discovered this weekend that we have baby number 2 on it's way. i am delighted. of course i have worries about what it will be like having "2 under 2" ( a phrase after which women exchange knowing looks, yikes!) but i am still delighted.

baby will be here in august, which throws all our plans for next year into total disarray. We have three big weddings next year in may, june and august. i will be 7 months pregnant, 8 months pregnant and delivering the baby on each respective date.

we'd also planned to visit the stateside in-laws at some point so that will have to be sooner rather than later as i won't fly after 6 months pregnant.

i'm very pleased that we will have our children close together. the hubs and i both feel that it makes sense to go through the baby stages consecutively rather than wait for a longer gap. we haven't ruled out the possibility of a third child but understand that this would mean that we are never, ever invited anywhere ever again.

even with two children we realise that family baby sitting options will be ( for the first few years) out of the question as our parents would equally be unable to cope. with 2 under 2.

nevertheless i remain delighted, if deranged. and will be checking out maternity wear for weddings forthwith!