French pregnancy diary part 7

Nine months in Normandy

Sue celebrates wedded bliss, peace and quiet and laid-back French living - it's the calm before the storm ...

Blissed out: weeks 32-36

• Wedded bliss
• Independent woman
• Work, rest and play

This month began with the celebration of our first wedding anniversary - a reminder of how much we've packed into our time in France (just 18 months), and into our relationship, which is only really three years old. We got engaged after our first year together, married after the second, and are marking the third with our first child - not bad going! All of these milestones have taken place in France too, which is why this country means so much to us.

The day started jerkily though, as, unbeknownst to me, the florist who was meant to be delivering a spray of 12 red roses, had got his dates wrong, so nothing arrived until later. We also had to squeeze in a monthly check-up at the hospital before setting off for a weekend away, and we had a long wait as the doctor was running badly behind with his appointments. Still, at least all was well with the pregnancy, and we managed to get to our destination in time for dinner.

Because of the lateness of the pregnancy, and because of ongoing work pressures and the amount Nicholas still has to do around the property before baby comes, we didn't want to go too far, so we settled on a night in St Malo, followed by a second night up on the north Brittany coast, in Paimpol. We had a lovely time, despite miserable, rainy weather, and relished this final chance to get away together before the baby arrived on the scene.

Our time together away from the chores of home was particularly special as Nicholas had to leave for 11 days in Canada on the following Tuesday. We have recently learnt that his father has cancer, and Nicholas wanted to spend some time with his family over Father's Day at this crucial time. We were both pleased that he had the chance to go, though obviously I had to stay at home, being too pregnant to be allowed on an aircraft!

The fact that I would be on my own for the best part of two weeks brought out the maternal instinct in all our friends and neighbours, all of whom wanted to take me in, feed me, or come and stay with me at the house. As it was, I was so busy with work, and so hooked on British TV soaps, that I was more than happy to spend a tranquil two weeks alone with the dog and cats, knowing what pandemonium lies in store for us in only a matter of weeks!

I relished my independence during this time, especially in terms of driving. Nicholas took the train to Paris from Laval, a major town that's an hour's drive away. Having to do this journey twice on my own was quite an achievement and really boosted my confidence. Otherwise, I made use of the local pool (which does indeed lose its roof in summer, making swimming a holiday-like experience), attended a few social engagements such as an English neighbour's 65th birthday party, and read in the sun - no sooner had Nicholas stepped onto the plane than summer weather arrived, which put paid to any chance of me doing the few useful chores which he had suggested to me before leaving…

Of course, Nicholas and I stayed in constant contact while he was away, and I was thrilled to see him when he got back, laden with Canadian goodies, not to mention huge bagfuls of baby clothes! I melted when I unwrapped some of Nicholas's own baby clothing - especially two tiny little jackets embroidered with his initials, which had been bought in Cannes some 30 years ago by his grandfather who had retired here. Funny, how life comes full circle.

The distance from our families continues to hit home at the moment, with everyone still trying to work out how and when they will see the baby. Of course, this is where new technology comes into its own, with the ability to send photos so easily over email. Because of having to provide regular photos to accompany this diary column, Kodak have now lent me a state-of-the-art digital camera, which is much easier than having to develop film and then painstakingly scan in every picture. This week, I've been showing Nicholas how to use it, so he'll be able to send pictures of the baby to our families as soon as he comes home from the birth. The camera even has a digital video option, so we'll be able to send moving images too.

The final highlight of the month was delivering the book I'd been ghost-writing for the last three months. The last couple of weeks had been extremely intense, comprising 10-hour work days (including weekends), and endless conference calls. How I envied other pregnant women who by now were signed off work and putting their feet up. Although I will be working right up until the baby's birth (through financial necessity), I am now going to allow myself a few much deserved days off.

Now that the book is out of the way, I suddenly feel much closer to the birth. Until now, the book has felt like a barrier - a looming deadline and a reason to keep my legs firmly crossed. Now I feel as though I can have the baby at any time without it really mattering. This is a very nice feeling.

Nicholas is not so relaxed. Having spent two weeks in Canada, he is now rushing to catch up with the finishing touches to the nursery and to various other projects he wants to complete before the baby comes. How is it that, despite having nine long months to prepare for this big event, we're still rushing around like headless chickens trying to get everything finished? We still haven't found a girl's name we like, and it's quite scary to think that now is the time I should be packing my hospital bag! The birth really is that close now - yikes!

But the overriding advice I am getting from family and friends now is to relax and enjoy the calm before the storm. This shouldn't be too difficult, however, as, in a week's time, my good friends Caramel & Simon are coming to visit, so I can pretend to be on holiday for a while, with a few days spent basking in the sun (we hope) and eating copious amounts of French bread, camembert (pasteurised version only, of course) and vine tomatoes - the very stuff we moved here for.

Ah, France… Does life really get any better than this?

Sue Tabbitt, 33, is a freelance IT journalist, who moved to the outskirts of Normandy more than 12 months ago to start a new chapter in her life with her Canadian husband, Nicholas, a ballroom dancing teacher.

Tune in next month for Sue Tabbitt's latest instalment of Nine months in Normandy...

Where to next?

• Nine months in Normandy - read the rest of Sue's adventures in France
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