Two weeks rolled into one . . .

Firstly, I have to apologise for being slack and not writing a blog for last week. I have found myself much more mentally and physically tired over the past few weeks and unfortunately, as much as it pained me to not do the blog, something had to give. All in all there wasn't that much to write about last week anyway, the highlights were . . . having my cousins son for the day and friends over with some of their kids. Although tiring keeping a two and half year old with a very active brain occupied it was lovely to look after him and have some human company during the day, as there's only so much dog talk I can manage! ;-) I also had a bright idea to have about 30 friends over for a BBQ on Sunday so spent a bit of time preparing for that, including last minute supermarket sweep Sunday morning before they all arrived. The first friends turned up at about 2:15 with the last leaving at about 22:30 - it was lovely having everyone over but as usual when you're hosting these things you don't find enough time to actually catch up with everyone properly, so that was a shame. Caterers and cleaning staff next time is the way forward I think!

So onto this week . . . Monday I was exhausted not having slept much the night before and getting up for the toilet at least every hour. I'd also felt a bit sick and generally un-well (similar to one night last week) so Monday morning I did the things I had to get done and then went back to bed for a few hours early afternoon before my midwife appointment. This is when I found out that my blood pressure (of which has been spot on perfect through my whole pregnancy) had gone through the roof, doh! Just when things were so close to my due date and I was keen as mustard to be able to test out this new midwife-only unit they've opened at the hospital! High BP was certainly going to put a stop to that and possibly even the water birth I've been dreaming about all along . . . the good thing though was that the baby is still engaged, moving around and her heartbeat is still fine. The consensus was to pop to the hospital in the morning to check my BP again and go from there, so in preparation I woke early Tuesday morning to listen to my hypnosis CD in an attempt to get super relaxed for my appointment. Whether it was this or yesterday was just a blip after doing too much Sunday I don't know, but thankfully all was back to normal and I'm all set for a water birth in the new unit all being well between now and D-Day! I've taken the high BP as a bit of a warning to me to slow down so begrudgingly I've had much more of a relaxed week, with longer lay-ins and a few extra soaks in the bath during the day. I have had one more night with regular bowel movements (like Sunday and last week) and feeling sick but feel fine during the day and the other nights in between so it can't be a bug. I have heard that your body can have a good clear out (sorry folks!) just prior to the babies arrival so I suppose this could be it and she'll be with us very soon . . . let's hope so!

Two friends had their babies this week, so I am even more excited about the prospect of us being next. I can't imagine actually having the baby in my arms and not having this bump, along with all the aches and strains that come with being heavily pregnant. I really feel like my body will never feel like it used to again, although I'm sure it will after a while and with a bit of exercise etc. I'm planning on joining the cult that is Zumba once the baby has settled in, so that should be a good test!!

So as I type this blog I am 38 weeks and 3 days pregnant, with just over a week and a half until my due date. I'm trying my hardest to prepare myself for the latest possible arrival date but it's hard when I feel like I'm getting symptoms, twinges, a dropping bump etc etc etc. She really could come any day now and with our 6th wedding anniversary tomorrow and my Mum, Sister and Step-Dad all away in York for the weekend I do have a feeling that it could be more than imminent. Mum has promised that she won't be drinking alcohol so that she can drive them all back if it comes to it as is determined to be here should I need her, which is very sweet but it's only a three hour drive back and it's not like they'll be able to come to the hospital with me so I'll probably hold-off on letting them know if it does start tonight or tomorrow until I know how quickly things are moving as it could take until their back to come to anything anyway. If she did arrive tomorrow though, what a fab anniversary present that would be!!

My bump is forever growing so here's some photos of it at 38 weeks . . . (who knows they may be the last bump photos I publish!)

3/5 engaged and there was me thinking I was married ;-)

With the due date of our baby getting closer and closer I had my 36 week midwife check on Monday, which was all sound and it turns out that rather than her being in the breach position, which I was pretty sure she was, actually she's head down and 3/5 engaged! This is just about spot on for how far into my pregnancy I am so I was really pleased. The strange thing when the midwife was feeling the bump though was that apparently I had a Braxton Hicks contraction. The reason I say apparently is because the midwife had to point it out to me . . . well if you've never been pregnant before, how are you supposed to know this stuff?? It wasn't painful, just a tightening of my whole bump and it going completely rock hard. This has been happening all the time over the last month or so, I just didn't realise it was Braxton Hicks! Being 3/5 engaged is good but unfortunately doesn't give any hints as to when the baby might arrive, shame! I'll be 37 weeks next Tuesday so am thinking once it hits the end of next week or start of the following one we might get to meet our little one (albeit a few weeks early) Will I be right though? I've had bets placed by family members on when she'll be born from next Tuesday up until the 12th September (let's hope neither of those will be right!!). If anyone else fancies a friendly bet / guess then just add a comment to the blog and we'll see who's right as the date reaches us . . .

All in all it's been a pretty good week, a bit on the warm side some nights but with the help of a lovely big fan and James and I sleeping in separate beds it's all helped in allowing me to get some sleep. The restless legs are still happening but not as much as before, so overall I am definitely getting more shut eye than I was a few weeks ago. I've actually felt more tired a couple of days but that tends to happen when you get more sleep than you've had for a while doesn't it? Why is that?

I feel like the bump has grown a little again and perhaps even dropped a bit. It is far harder to get comfortable, particularly when sitting and laying down and it would be fair to say that I am waddling more than walking - it's a good look, seriously you should try it! ;-)

36th week

36th week

I've had my last two hypnosis sessions this week, which were both really interesting. I've learned some simple but effective techniques that should most definitely help during labour, so I'm looking forward to testing them out - yep, that's right I'm actually looking forward to it! Don't get me wrong I know there's going to be an element of pain to come but I'm looking forward to doing what I can to stay relaxed and keep this at bay with the help of the hypnosis I've been taught. The key now is to continue practicing and keep everything fresh in my mind between now and when labour occurs, any reminders appreciated please folks!

We also went to our final ante-natal class, which was actually the first in the order that you're meant to go to them, but you may remember that we missed this one as it was when we were on our hols. It was useful and probably much better to learn the stuff we did at this late stage in pregnancy as it covered all of the things that we feel like we need to know right now. The weird thing at this class was that I was the only one due this month, there was nobody due in September which left the rest all due from October onwards, yet I was no bigger than any of them! So strange how people differ in size so much during pregnancy and I doubt it has any bearing on how big the baby will end up being, a good reason not to get cocky yet! Happy about having absolutely zero stretch marks though! ;-)

First sticker just about puzzled together!

James' Blue Peter moment!

We've got the nursery pretty much finished now, with some fabulous wall stickers and other bits and pieces up. Also, had some help with our pram and car seat as were struggling on our own to work out exactly how to make sure both were fitted correctly (it's a whole new world to us!) - thanks Andy, that hug is on its way! The only thing we need now is a part for the moses basket, as we can't get the hood to stay up! Plus a baby monitor and bedding for the cot, then we're finished and ready to rock and roll!


Aside from all this baby fun and games my week has been as busy as usual - lots of new ideas and projects being worked on, probably not enough time kicking back but I get so bored if my mind is not active so I'm happy this way and if I really felt like I needed to rest I'm sure I'd try . . . I am listening to my body, which is the advice everyone is so frequently offering, therefore all must be ok.

So until next time my internet friends, take care and I hope you're all having a great August so far . . .

Things are on the up!!

I am pleased to start on a positive note (goodness knows it's been a while!) as I have seen definite improvement in the amount of sleep that I have had. I'm not naive enough to think I'll be having 8 hours again for a long time (if ever) and to be honest if I don't feel like I need it then I certainly don't want it. One thing sleepless nights has taught me is that actually I can function on a very little amount of kip and being as I like to cram in as much exciting stuff into my life as humanly possible I'd rather save sleeping for when I'm ALOT older or less able!! Bring on 19 hours a day awake time and who know's what I'll be fitting in once the baby is with us! We'll be having heaps of fun I know that much! ;-)

35th week

35th week

All in all it's been a pretty good week, what with more sleep than I've had for ages and really getting on top of a load of last minute work things that I've been meaning to do for a while. Also, I've had two more hypno sessions which have gone well and who knows, perhaps that's why I've been getting more sleep than usual?? Another thing I'm really pleased about is my successful batch cooking this week so I'm super organised when it comes to us eating after the baby arrives! I've always wanted to do this as really don't want to end up living on take-aways, ready meals or toast if we're stupidly tired, this way at least I know that I've made all the meals from scratch. So far I've got four double servings of chicken and white wine stew, sixty meatballs, two chicken tikka masalas, three chicken jalfrezis, three lasagnes and two chicken, bacon and mushroom lasagnes - so enough for three weeks already! Next weeks food projects are chilli-con-carne, spinach and chick-pea curry, shepherds pie and perhaps some home made pies / pasties if we can be bothered! This way all we need to do is buy fresh fruit and veg, bread, milk etc each week and then get a meal out of the freezer each morning for that evening - minimal hassle! Now, I just need to finish packing my hospital bag and get the last minute bits and pieces for the baby! Whoops, my priorities are a little backwards when it comes to the importance of food! Anyone who knows me will not be surprised by this! ;-)

Also, something super exciting happened this week that was very unexpected!! My cousin, who wasn't due until five days before me, gave birth to her perfectly gorgeous daughter on Thursday morning!! It all happened very quick and she was born by C-Section, just two and a half hours after her waters had broken. Plus despite being early she weighed 6.1lbs so a healthy size, Mum and baby are all fine and hopefully coming out of hospital this weekend! I have to admit this sudden arrival did make me panic a little bit and I have rapidly put a plastic sheet on our mattress just in case . . . it has definitely dawned on me that the arrival of our little one could be imminent! (gulp)

Also had lots of catching up with friends time this week, including my friend Emma from Nottingham coming to stay at the weekend, which was lovely - weird to see people for the last time as a pregnant person, knowing next time I'll have a baby in my arms rather than my tummy!!

That's it from me this week folks, short and sweet (for a change!)

p.s. Please, please, please let me know if you're still reading as I haven't had any comments for over a month and want to make sure you peeps are still looking forward to the next instalments . . . they definitely won't be weekly once the baby arrives, although I will try and post weekly pictures for you ;-)