When you need it least

I always seem to come down with something during the last few weeks of pregnancy. I don’t know whether it’s because my iron is low anyway, and that my body is working harder than ever, that makes me more susceptible to colds and illness in the last few weeks.

Ollie, Eddie and Paddy have all had a quick cold come and go. Sore throats, snotty noses and temperatures have hit them all but no sooner have they arrived than they left within a couple of days. That explains Paddy treating us to a quiet Mass on Sunday.

Now it’s my turn. I’m supposed to have an appointment with the midwife later today but think I will cancel it. My throat hurts, my head throbs and my body aches all over. Thrown in some breath-taking practise contractions and I’m moving in super-slow motion today.

Add to that the fact that it seems all the children have got some kind of noise making, battery operated toy going and I think my head’s going to explode. I think I’m going to make myself a honey and lemon drink (a quarter of a lemon, a tablespoon of honey, boiling water and a couple of dispersible aspirins) then get to work at removing batteries from the offending items.

Shame the kids don’t have battery compartments too.