It’s September and I am worried about Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Well, actually, that’s not strictly true because it’s only September. I always knew that once we finally had our baby, Christmas would be extra special. Having always been a big baby at Christmas myself (it’s my absolute favourite time of the year) when we found out I was pregnant, I was so excited about what our first Christmas would be like with our very own baby.
Now it’s a mere few weeks away (14 weeks to be exact – not that I’m counting), the little Christmas bubble I was hoping we’d enjoy has been replaced with one of anxiety.
Christmas will certainly not be the same this year given our current situation with Covid-19 and I’m so concerned that Harley won’t get to spend her first Christmas with all the family.
If the current situation and rule of six holds out this winter – or worse, we go into another national lockdown – we’ll be spending Christmas on our own at home.
Of course, we’re thankful we still have our health, which is more than can be said for a lot of others who face the prospect of their first Christmas without their nearest and dearest, but what an uncertain time we all face?
I’ve noticed the Christmas advent calendars in the shops and the tins of chocolate on offer, next to the pumpkins that are trying to be flogged ahead of Halloween, which of course is still another month away, but it just feels a bit strange.
I can’t imagine we’ll do much shopping in Commercial Road or Fareham like we used to every Christmas. Wearing a mask in the store and having to sanitise your already dry hands everywhere you go is not fun at the best of times, let alone taking a baby with you who doesn’t understand and keeps trying to pull your mask off because she thinks it’s a game.
She’ll be nearly 11 months by then and so much more aware so I – like others trying to navigate early parenthood in these uncertain times – will just have to do my best and make it as special as I can and if we’re in a full blown lockdown, at least we’ll be able to make special memories with just the three of us – the three Musketeers.