Well, Miss P2 arrived safe and well yesterday morning, juat after 6am. Here she is:

…and here are the small pebbles meeting for the first time:

Things were slow to get going - Saturday was a bit frustrating, - hence the blogging as a displacement activity - but it was obvious she was keen to arrive from around 2ish yesterday morning.

I had her in the midwifery-led birthing unit in the Rosie maternity hospital in Addenbrooke’s, Cambridge. This is a small unit within the hospital designed to offer a homebirth-like experience with minimal intervention, very relaxed, quiet atmosphere and one-to one care. There are no hospital beds, just special couches and very few machines and bright lights. I can’t say the pain was fun but the midwife care I received was outstanding and the whole place really helped me stay as relaxed as possible.

Another discovery during the whole birth process was this fantastic digital radio channel full of birdsong. We took our DAB in and had it on throughout the birth. If you have a stressful day it’s incredibly helpful for relaxation - you can imagine you’re in a gorgeous meadow somewhere. Listening carefully Mr P and I have also heard horses, a game of cricket and some distant music on the recording. The birdsong channel will only be broadcast for a limited time but sponsors are being sought to keep it on the air, as apparently it’s in the top ten most listened to digital channels!

We’re now settling in and getting used to being a household of 4 pebbles rather than 3 (plus a four-legged hairy one of course). Thankyou for all your lovely good luck messages! And now, as though Miss P2’s arrival wasn’t enough, the household will be receiving another small addition:

This is Choc a Lots, a hand-made sock creature. I won her in Gina’s giveaway! Ace! Gina, she’s very beautiful and despite her possible astigmatism and slight skin complaint will be very much welcome. Thankyou!