Here we are at ten (and a bit) weeks. I can not believe it is only ten weeks, I feel like Ruby has been with me forever. I am enjoying motherhood very much. Ruby and I have settled into a routine and it suits us very well.

She changes every day and whilst that makes me sad, I also delight in watching her progress. We are very fortunate that she is a good baby. She only squeaks when she wants something and (touch wood) we are not suffering prolonged bouts of crying. She is always smiling and when she does so she smiles with her entire being, even her ears smile! She loves to look at books, to hear me sing (poor child) and to lay on her changing mat bathing in the sunshine from the window. She likes to chat to me and we have long conversations full of coos and gurgles and excited oohs and aahs. Although she is still small for her age, she is getting bigger every day and is now 8 and a half pounds! I love the look of surprise when passers by ask me how old she is, expecting me to say a few days and being told 10 weeks!

We booked her christening last week and it was only then that I realised I have never been to a christening and have no idea what it entails. The vicar sent us a leaflet and I was suprised how short the ceremony is. We have gone for an October service as Nick was christened on the 19th October, we were married on the 20th October some 33 years later and now Ruby will be christened on the 18th, all at the same church. The leaves will be their beautiful golden colours just as they were on our wedding day and I hope for similar sunshine on the day too. I had hoped to have her christening gown made from my wedding dress but there is not a way it can be done and leave my dress intact so I am looking forward to searching out a beautiful gown for her closer to the time. It is as exciting as choosing my wedding dress!

Having Ruby has changed everything for us, all for the better and one thing worth mentioning is how great some of our friends have been. Several of our friends do not have children and we thought that our time with them would be very limited after Ruby was born but they have been just so fantastic. They have not made a big performance of it, but have just subtly shifted what we do together. Instead of always heading out for a beer (or several) we have been invited over for nights in; instead of going out for dinner, we have been invited out for lunch, and Ruby is always welcome. I feel very lucky to have them as friends and will always be grateful for their support, patience and understanding. Thanks Wayne, Tracie, Steve, Donna, Keith and Jen. Thank you also to Matt and Mary for their offers of shopping and takeaway pizza in the early days after she was born. You are all stars!

As I have written this, she has laid asleep in my arms. She is toasty warm and has periodically made very contented noises and snuggled into my shoulder. She smells of babies, that beautiful unmistakable scent and is breathing soft, warm breaths into my ear. I really am the luckiest person in the world. A great husband, my beautiful girl, a wonderful family and some brilliant friends.

...and soon enough my lovely brother will be home too! Not cheery for him, but everso cheery for us!

Donna, Ruby and Steve