Courgette Cake

Stephen and I haven't had a drink and a good long, thorough, chat, with just the two of us, for ages . So what I'd intended to be a couple of drinks and early home to get on with my household chores, turned out to be a really lovely long night at the Rocket in Acton. We sat in their beautiful dining room and mixed pints, with wine, food and caught up on many things including this blog, Stephen's book and Little Blob.

Ibs, went to Shorditch to see an exhibition of photographs by students from Newport University. They'd produced a magnificent book to accompany thier show with some absolutely stunning work.

Saturday 14th June: Got up early , cleaned and made crumpets for breakfast. While I hoovered, Ibs sat on the lawn, cross legged and talked to her parents, trying to work out how to get her Mum to visit in August.

I also took a good look round the garden. Like the life that's so quickly developing in Ibs' tummy, life in the garden is exploding and in full bloom. Ibs' tiny strawberries have just turned red!

At lunchtime we went to Chamberlayne Road, Kensal Rise, popped into shops and looked at tiles for the bathroom. On the way home we stopped by Gracelands, who did the catering for our wedding. We both ordered courgette cake, hoping it would be as good as Claire makes, which it almost was.

We then had a look in Retrovius but were aghast at their overpriced, but lovely, furniture. We passed this beautiful VW Camper Van on the way.

We also passed this Monkey Puzzle tree, the pink car is one of Ibs' favourites but I can never remember what it's called.

Came home and Ibs made a fantastic lunch of gnocchi, pesto, rocket with Parmesan shavings. Gorgeous. She then rolled up her top and sun bathed her tummy so that Little One could get some vital vitamin E down him. Ibs tummy is growing by the day and is becoming a perfectly rounded bulge. Mike sent a really nice email to Ibs saying 'congratulations on the fat tummy'.

We talked about when we might begin to feel movement inside and Ibs thought that the butterflies she experienced the other day might have been the first sensations of movement. It might also have just been wind?

We had a good look at our fishes, one is causing us great concern as he doesn't seem to be able to swim horizontally and eat properly. It's fabulous to see the fishes without the netting we usually have over the pond and old 'big bollocks' the patriarch of the pond, over 10 years old, is looking as impressive as ever. The dilemma is what to do with the poorly fish. We both think he might have to be destroyed but don't know and can't face, how we go ahead. We also know that, as much as we love the pond, it's too great a risk to maintain once Little One has arrived. A three year old boy died in a family pond yesterday.

The rest of the evening was a very rare treat for us, with just the two of us, lazing around in front of the TV, with the cats. There was an excellent documentary on BBC 4 by Rich Hall about the history of the Western.

Although I still haven't started to get on top of all my chores, we're off tomorrow, to go to Rupert and Helen's new house in Walthamstow for a BBQ.

On Monday we get the results of the blood tests from the hospital and already I'm filled with nerves and apprehension. We both wish we could get another scan, the next one isn't until July, just see be able to say helo to the Little One and check he/she's stil ok, moving around and hear that incedible little heartbeat.