WEEK 34

As we enter the last six weeks of pregnancy I sense that Maria is like one of those Olympic Marathon runners entering the stadium for a final lap of the track.

People are thinking "She’s got this far, only a little bit to go – you can do it" but Maria, herself, looks shattered.

Her crazy work schedule doesn’t help, of course, and there is the other little distraction of 18-month-old Sam becoming ever more lively.

We notice a real change in Sam's demeanour at this time. Suddenly, several words are sprouting from his mouth in one go. Whereas before it was just a staccato "Mum" or "Dad" (pause) "drink", it’s now "Dad, drink peas [please]" – we find it quite funny.

However, with the words come the actions. The little fella is scampering around all over the place – not what you want when you are nigh-on eight months pregnant, I guess.

Good news, and encouragement for Maria, comes from the birth of another nephew. Her sister-in-law brings Joe into the world. The prospect of us becoming parents again seems all the more real now.

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