From Denali - the last week

From Left: Matt, Tom, Simon and Robbo tuck into brunch at the Chocolate Fish Cafe in Seatoun

Phil and Steve depart for Chch. The large brown box on the trolly contained the two 19" monitors from my work. They never made it to Chch because of a $50 excess baggage charge. Oh well guys, they will reach you some other way.

It's been a busy, fun week with Stephen and Phil (Richard's brothers) who stayed with us over Easter and then Matt, Tom, Robbo and Simon who came up to Wellington for a few days to go to the Rolling Stones concert on Tuesday night. It was really good to have friends and family to hang out with during the day rather than entertaining myself all day while Richard is at work. So good to see people who you don't have to introduce yourself to when you talk to them. It has made me miss Christchurch less - for now at least.

I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings exhibition at Te Papa, after Richard convinced me that I would like all the costumes and jewellery... I tagged along with Matt, Tom, Robbo and Simon. I was impressed with the extent of the effort that went into creating the "believable" relality of Middle Earth. The details on the costumes etc were extreme. This morning I dragged M, T, R and S about as far across Wellington that you can go from our house to Seatoun Bays where we had a yummy, sunny brunch at the Chocolate Fish Cafe. Such a great cafe where you can eat across the road from the cafe, above the beach and the waiters have to wear bright vests so they don't get hit by a car as they cross the road with your order. We admired all the amazing houses on the way there that are squished in between the steep bank behind them and the sea infront.

Just less than 4 weeks to go til baby's due date! I have been getting pretty tired over the last few weeks - not sleeping too well, the baby bouncing on my bladder has been quite disruptive to a good night's sleep. My feet have been sore from lots of walking around the city and my back has been getting twinges too. Ah the joys of pregnancy. Actually, the pregnancy has been great but just the last wee while I think that I shouldn't have been trying to do quite as much as I have been... too much fun to be had! I am a little nervous about the birth at times but the excitement mostly outweighs it. I have gone to a preggy aqua class a couple of times which is lots of fun and I have meet some others who are due a little after me. Johnsonville is good as everything is only about 5 minutes walk away, Plunket, Playcentre, the swimming pool and stores. Very conveinent really.

We have our first anti-natal day on Saturday (I hope I don't get too squirmy - I felt a little ill when we went on the hospital tour a few weeks ago). We were lucky to get into a class anywhere in Wellington and managed to get a midwife through a friend of Richard's cousin Anna.

I think that is more than enough from me for now. I will let you all know what I have been up to again soon.

Lots of love and smiles to you all.

Denali xox