Day 185

Ended up a late one last night, in some ways. We Skyped the Canadians for a while and then by the time that was done it was too late to watch a film so Melissa took Penny to bed to watch some drivel while I watched a few episode of The Office with a hard earned (probably not) bottle of Hobgoblin.

Penny was woken for a final feed at about midnight and then wouldn't go back to sleep until at least 1am. This pattern was repeated at 4am and she didn't nod off again until at least 5am.

Knackered.

Awake and out of bed at about 8:40am anticipating the midwife who arrived at about... I don't know, half 10? I was trying to fix my computer and was a little distracted.

Now, Penny didn't poo at all yesterday and we were concerned that she might be constipated. Melissa shared this worry with the midwife who advised there was nothing to worry about, and proceeded to strip Penny down to her happy for weighing purposes. To get a true weight she removed the nappy. It was brimmed with lovely lovely baby shit. Her bowels had opened. Yay.

After her weigh in (she's back to her birth weight which is excellent news) she was was nappied up and dumped on me where she proceeded to fart quiet, but deadly gaseous clouds directly at my face. Neither of our families is taking genetic responsibility for those though.

Once the midwife was gone we packed up, I continued trying to fix my computer, didn't, and then we headed into Ormskirk for a lovely day out. We went to The Green Room for lunch, and then had a mooch around.

We wandered down to Coronation Park which was lovely. Full of people enjoying the lovely weather and we even saw some delicious looking Swans on the lake. I used the word 'lovely' too many times then.

It was a lovely day and it was nice to get out in the fresh air with the pram.

While we headed back to the car to put more time on the meter and I stopped in a pie shop to pick up a couple of drinks for me and Melissa, and while I was in there I got into a conversation about pasty naming semantics with a quiet lady behind the counter. Apparently, outside of Cornwall, Cornish pasties can't be called Cornish pasties (much like blue cheese produced outside of Stilton can't be called Stilton and fizzy wine produced outside the Champagne region of France can't be called Champagne). Cunningly, Greenhalghs of Ormskirk were peddling their pasties as Lancashire pasties. I asked what the difference was and was told "they're basically the same". Alas, this friendly banter afforded Melissa ample opportunity to spy this shop :

The Kid's Boutique, Ormskirk

Fortunately, after her extensive browse she came out the shop empty handed.

We put more money on the meter and headed to the registry office to complete our mission for the day.

The baby officially exists and her full name is Penelope Margaret Veronica Powell. I tried to register my profession as "astronaut" but the registrar was having none of it.

Afterwards we headed home for a change of clothes and what not, then up to the in laws for food and showers.

I've now fixed my computer, obviously, and am having a bottle of Golden Glory to celebrate. I've just "helped" Melissa change Penny, who will now be fed before we try a different feeding routine through the night. For the sake of our sanity. We shall see.

I had hoped to watch a film this evening, ideally with Melissa but she's catching up on Hollyoaks.

Shame, that.

Friday tomorrow. My last free day off. Who knows how we will celebrate.

See you then!