Tough week.

As the title reads.

For the first time since being over in Japan, I'm really starting to struggle, and notice the lack of car, support and extra hands. The past two weeks have been particularly tough, as Billy and I have both been hit with colds, and Nug has, literally, not been home. Emotionally, I can get my head around it all (well, sort of) - I know it's not forever - but, physically, I'm not really sure how much my body can take! And when Nug doesn't have a day off in the next two weeks, I have to say that it's hard to 'lift yourself up' and look to the future. Big sigh, and everyone feel sorry for me, please. (Clearly, it's not our fault that I'm pregnant...)

I am doing my very best to try and enjoy the pregnancy (as it could very well be our last little one), and really appreciate the little (big) kicks and her movements, before I get too big, but it is almost impossible not to get frustrated when it's a struggle to pick up Billy, squeeze in between all the bikes, carry the groceries up the stairs, and run around after a toddler! Also, as winter arrives, they have turned up the heat in the shops, and on the trains, which makes me feel very faint, almost instantaneously, and I have had to sit myself down a few times in the past few days for fear of passing out!

But, Nug and I do love lying together on our couch of a night time, feeling her bounce around, and talking about what she'll be like. We feel quite happy and content that we have a name (95%) chosen. Actually, the whole naming process seems to have been a fair bit easier and more relaxing this second time round. It wasn't hard, as such, with Billy; we just had a few front runners. With this little one, there is a solid front runner, with a few others that we also like, just lingering in the background.

Another thing - someone asked me about paternity leave the other day. I didn't mean to be rude, but I had to laugh. In Japan, the woman usually goes and stays with her parents, and the parents help out, while the husband stays at work, goes about his normal life, and is generally no where to be seen! This seems to work for them, but I'm not sure how it would go down in Australia/western society! Anyway, I don't really have any idea what to expect in terms of when Nug will be around - there's no point in asking - though I know he certainly won't go a day without being expected to be at work. So, do as the Japanese do, and fly your mother over from Australia to help out!

Here's the big tum - hanging out nice and low, just as Billy did. I'm hoping this means she'll come a little early aswell.