As each of the spring flowers comes out, we get a little closer to the estimated due date of our little baby. First it was the snowdrops, then the crocuses, then the bright yellow daffodils and the calm white narcissus, and then the little blue muscari grape hyacinths came out. Grape hyacinths are my favourite spring flower. They remind me of the wildflowers we had on the tables at our wedding reception. This year, their purple-blue flower spikes and fresh green stems represent the anticipation of a future event. Next will come the tulips, the wild garlic flowers, and then the bluebells, and by the time the lily of the valley are out we should have met our wee son.

I’m now 37 weeks pregnant (which is technically full term!). I’ve been working hard trying to get things in good order in the business so that I can take some time off when Percy Blueberry arrives. The 2020 calendars are almost finished, I’ve signed off on all my commission work, the majority of orders from the shops who stock my work have been dispatched, and my admin is up to date (almost…). I’m going to be closing my online shops for a few weeks when the baby comes so make sure you order any cards, stationery or gifts you might need as soon as possible.

Being this near the end of the pregnancy is a strange feeling of being in limbo. There’s still lots to do – in the house and at work – so I want the baby to stay put inside for a little longer, but it’s hard not to count down the days and wish the time away. It absolutely blows my mind to think there’s a full size baby in my tummy and that we could meet him anytime (it wouldn’t blow your mind to look at me though. You’d believe there were three full-size babies in there). All we can do is wait.

In the meantime, I’m grateful to the spring for providing us with a floral countdown to the due date.