h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Indeed, if it weren't for 2legs organizing a number of Meets, Mazin' Mad Fiddler lining up day-time activities, I think the whole idea would fizzle out. Staff have attended most, often offering pin-badges and T-shirts ... (I have one from a winter Meet)

Stuff evolves, and devolves, huh?

I've got my mousemat and pen. The pen's an interesting shape after I dropped it in a big tub of boiling water but somehow it still works . Not been to a meet since before Milly was born, it's hard to make arrangements if you've got someone under 18 to look after, but will hopefully make it to another meet yet. I see Opti every year or so still, last time we almost missed each other due to floods.

Mouse-pad? Now that would be cool, and not one to use.

How's the general health and progressions going for Little-Hootoo-ite #2?

I use it all the time, we've another somewhere but I've no idea where

17 weeks gone so far, 23 to go. Next big date is 14th December, when I have my next scan and they'll check for any developmental problems. I keep getting cramp but that's my only [regnancy side-effect so far, apart from clothes not fitting

So PSG isn't waking to elbows and demands for the most cockamamy and simply snacking stuff? Geez, he'll NEVER know what a true pregnancy is about.

BTW, a load of cards were posted earlier this week. Two are destined for your domicile, each with a notation on the bottom corner of the envelope as to the 'occassion'. I may find myself out of town soon, for a couple of weeks. So I got them all out early.

He keeps fetching a chair so I can put my feet up, but to be honest most the problems I get in pregnancy are things he can do nothing about. When it gets to nearer the date though he'll have plenty of work to do, converting the spare room into a nursery and doing the housework I can't manage (washing up is hard when a big bump prevents you from reaching the sink)

They arrived on Saturday, so that was quick. Not opened yet, am waiting for the indicated dates . They're the first cards we've got so far, quite impressive considering the distance

They all seem to have travelled fast... I heard back about two cards in the UK within about 5 days of sending.

And indeed, a big belly bump gets in the way of so many things, eh? I remember going out of my way to assist with stuff.

Is the little Miss getting excited about the impending sister or brother yet? She's certainly old enough to be more than curious.

Milly's picked up on that there's something going on certainly. She points to the baby on the scan photo, so it'll be interesting in a couple of weeks time when I have my next scan. Milly's become very interested in babies, but as her view of time is still in the realm of half an hour being a very long time, I haven't tried to explain she'll have a sibling soon. Her current obsession, despite having never watched it, is Dr. Who. A cute 21 month old with a cheeky grin saying 'exterminate' doesn't quite fit

I seem to recall catching a few episodes of Dr Who in the late '60s or earliest '70s. When visiting an aunt and uncle in "the city", who had cable TV and more than 2 channels to choose from. Beyond that, I've not actively sought it out. How-ever, I can envision a mini-Lady and her interpretations.

Mind, she isn't so "mini" any more, is she? I expect she is quite a lovely load to lift and cuddle off to sleep at the end of a hectic day of helping Mommy and Daddy in her own ways.

She does weigh a fair bit certainly . It takes me half an hour to push the buggy back up the hill after toddler group and the wind was against me today . I'll be very pleased when she gets the stamina to walk larger distances, especially once the new one's made an appearance.

Please do be careful what you wish for ... Far too soon, she'll be trying to run well ahead of you and you'll be trying to hold her back.

Today's mail brought a very pretty card with it. Mind, the flap was open, and there were 3 red beads and 2 silver rolling about loose. None attached any longer. The trans-Atlantic mails aren't kind, I guess. A very lovely creation though, and thank you so very much.

You haven't seen how fast I walk .

I didn't have strong enough glue . Thanks for my birthday message and I hope you had a happy christmas/new year etc. It's been very busy here

Ah yes, you were the rambler of many a year, weren't you? Can your little Miss keep up with YOU then?

Not just that, I built up speed early on through a combination of really wanting to get home from school and a pet hate of waiting for buses. I slow down specially but she can go at a fair pace herself. She'll charge until she runs out of steam and then simply stops moving.

That must be a bit comical to see, the suddenly done and tired look.

Is everything progressing well with Bumpy?

She just starts pulling at your trouser leg, expecting to be picked up.

Went to the midwife this morning and all's fine. Bump's a bit over a week ahead of itself size wise, but that wasn't unexpected as I had a big bump with Milly who turned out to be a big baby. I think my hopes of having a slightly smaller baby this time round are rather unrealistic.

You do build them strong and healthy, eh? Which is great, so long as you don't go depleting yourself. Just for really silly grins, I ought to ask for some side-profile piccies as you finish those last 3 months.

I ended up drinking about 16 pints of milk with Milly, it was the only thing that could counter the heartburn, family kept teasing that I should keep a cow in the back garden . It won't be anything compared to my mum's bump when she was expecting the twins, the bump would appear around a doorway a considerable time before she would

It sounds like a serious genetic carry-over. So long as both the bump and the pack-carrier can accomodate each other though, that's what counts.