Well not quite, but I am sure it’s going to happen soon. For those who have been interested over the past few months, I am nearing the end of the joy of being pregnant!! I am sure however, the ‘joy of being pregnant’ was not penned by a woman!! Getting larger every day, having cramp, being restricted as to what you can eat, drink and most forms of physical activity!! Everyone keeps commenting how quick it seems to have gone and yet I can’t remember not being pregnant! But I have to concede it is all quite a miracle…the first kick was interesting and the first batch of hiccups was amusing, but now I do feel over used as a personal gym for Junior. I think I either have a boxer, footballer or perhaps a drummer getting ready to come out.

What I hadn’t expected was the level of care and interest I have received from the Army and indeed the soldiers themselves. Initially I received all of their horror stories and the like as they competitively liked to entertain me with their partners experiences but recently they have shown genuine care. Indeed I have been yelled at quite alot over the past few weeks, for cycling, carrying a bergen and last week for trying to climb over a fence, none of which I am apparently supposed to do in ‘my condition’. But I am still allowed to give out sweets, I’m just not allowed to carry too many at one time!!

It has been wonderful to draw closer to soldiers and their partners as they offer advice but also many have opened up in a much deeper way about their own children, including both the joys and sadly some sorrows. There has been a real surge of Baptisms as well and I have to admit they have taken on a deeper meaning for me, not least as often during the service I have been kicked from the inside. Reminding me very powerfully of the words from Psalm 139 when King David praises God for being wonderfully made, assured that God knew him as his bones were being formed in his mothers womb!

It’s been lovely to have this blog open up so we have heard of different Padres’ experiences, and may I thank any regular readers for their support over the past year…but this is it from me for a few months, as I really ought to concentrate on getting Junior out and then apparently they need a little looking after!! Hopefully the Editor of the Blog will let you know what sprouts out in a week or so… [The blog team are hoping for a baby but are prepared to be surprised - Ed]

Padre Tracey Bateson