Finally the baby has wheels!

After two months of deliberating, arguing and dismissing, we have finally purchased a travel system for baby M. It has been a painful experience that I would not wish to repeat and I admit that it has left me feeling vaguely suicidal at times. My requirements were as follows:

1. Should be able to take a carrycot for maximum comfort whilst baby M is too small to sit up.
2. Should fold up easily and with the seat attached.
3. Should be light enough to handle public transport.
4. Should have sturdy enough wheels to handle Dutch streets without rattling the chocolate buttons out of baby M's mouth.

I was surprised at just how few travel systems met these requirements. The Quinny Buzz and Bugaboo Cameleon were early favourites but were dismissed. The Quinny Buzz had woefully inadequate storage space and the Bugaboo was extremely expensive. Neither would fold up with the seat attached. In the end we settled on the Quinny Speedi SX in olive green. It is a little heavier than I would like but certainly ticks the most boxes. It looks good too.

I was surprised at how important it was to me that it look good. I thought initially that I would be deeply practical and cost conscious - alas no. I wanted an aesthetically appealing pushchair to show off my baby in.

Most of the shopping for baby M is now done but we still haven't bought the nursery furniture yet. We walk enthusiastically into baby stores at least once a week and run out in horror half an hour later after seeing the prices for what is essentially a few planks of wood. It can take a couple of months to deliver nursery furniture and if we don't make a decision soon then baby M could well make an appearance before his furniture does. Help!!

Introducing Baby Gleghorn

This is my son, currently going by the nickname of 'little baby M'. We have a name picked out for him but we are not going to reveal it outside the family until he is born. The picture was taken during his 20 week scan. His father and I have been waiting for him a long time. I had a miscarriage in May 2004 and again in August 2005. Amazingly, here I am in May 2006, 28 weeks pregnant.

I have had several very frightening episodes of bleeding during this pregnancy but little baby M has refused to be dislodged from his cosy home and he is currently having an afternoon nap.

Although I have never looked upon his face, I love this child more than anything else in the world and would protect him with my last breath. Love like this is such a wonderful and humbling thing.