Most importantly I have to start with the birth of my niece, who arrived at 1.59am on April 1st (an April Fool's baby) and weighed 5 pounds 14oz. Laura had said all along that she wanted a home birth and that's exactly what happened - there was a small risk that she might have to go into hospital because the midwife thought she might have an infection after her 'waters' broke Sunday morning. Luckily it wasn't the case. She apparently started having contractions at about 11am on Monday (31st) and by 2pm she was actually in labour as she was over 3/4cm dilated. By 10pm she was 8cms and by 1.59am after excruciating pain and gas'n'air little Daisy-May came out. My mum, dad, Sara, two of Laura's friends and Toby were there with her....me and Sara were at the 'bottom' end and saw everything going on (us sister's are closer than ever! hehe). It was an amazing experience and one that I'll never forget and also may never happen again!
Unfortunately, that same morning I was due to start my new job, however I phoned in and explained that I had had about 3 hours sleep and asked if I could go in a bit later that day and luckily for me they were absolutely fine with it. So at 1pm yesterday I made my way into work and started the induction process. Then today I had to get up ridiculously early coz they wanted me to go to the London office so right now I'm pretty shattered. The train journey was like 1 1/4 hours to Cannon St. and from there it's like a 15 minute brisk walk to the office so I've done a tiny bit of exercise and then later I got the 45 minute train home so I got home about 6.30 this evening; a long day for me 
So what else have I done then? Well Ria stayed all over Easter (and beyond) which was really nice and we both agreed that we could easily get used to it! On Good Friday a few members of my family along with Ria and myself went to see the show 'Wicked' and I was quite impressed with it; catchy tunes and a clever storyline I thought. Then Sunday we exchanged easter eggs and a little present then had a massive roast dinner (courtesy of mummy). We took it easy for the rest of the weekend and then during the week Ria did some of her uni work whilst I was doing things here and there like cleaning my sister Laura's stove (it looks brand new now). And then on Saturday I took Ria to the local A&E coz she couldn't put any weight on her right foot or walk on it and after waiting over 3 1/2 hours and one x-ray later she was diagnosed with 'Policemans Heel' and we also found out that she has an extra bone in her foot...I must admit her foot looks like it has two ankle bones - very odd! So that was our Saturday gone and Sunday I drove her back to Pompey due to the traintimes and also coz of her foot and stayed over and came back on the Monday...trying to concentrate on my driving all the while Laura was having contractions back home!
Also, I just wanna say thanks to everyone who have sent their congrats to us...in one way it's the end of an era coz I was always the 'baby' of the Pickles family but not anymore. However, after waiting more than 10 years to become an Auntie I reckon the sacrifice was worth it (not that I had any say in the matter! hehe). So well done Laura and Toby coz she is absolutely beautiful 
Ciao for now 
