Feeling Pregnant

I've not really got a lot to add today.

Except that I am feeling very pregnant today.  People keep commenting that I look big.  I know they don't mean 'me' overall, it's the bump on my front, but it is large.  And a little cumbersome.  Turning over in the night is not simple.  And Steve has taken to calling me his 'pregnant whale' which he assures me is affectionate but I wish he'd just call me something I'd find unoffensive.

I feel stretched, and swollen and generally bulky.  It's odd.  Apparently, women miss their bump when it's gone.  I'm not sure I will.  I'll be glad to have my baby but I'm just not used to feeling so chunky!!

 This is quite a chunky looking picture.  Please ignore the double chin. 

The bump is large compared with others at 21 weeks.

 This one is slightly better with the chin held up but seriously, maternity bras are not flattering!!

And looking down at my bump on my lap.  Not seeing external movement yet but it's very early days for that.  I'm sure that if Steve were to be around at the right moment he'd feel a kick but he's not yet sat with his hands on my tummy for long enough to feel it as yet!!

The 20 Week Scan Pictures

Here are the three new scan pictures, if you can tell what the gender is from these, let me know as I'm still in the dark looking at them!!!  At least you can tell he's a baby!!  - Babycentre says that baby is 27 cm long now.  That seems huge!! 

I couldn't sleep last night for kicking and prodding on the inside.  It feels most strange, and keeps surprising me!!

The Pram Is Home.....

Well, not our home but the parents home.  It's wonderful.

We had a great play with, sorting out how the carry cot converts into the buggy, with a little headscratching we got it sussed.

It was a bargain at £197 down from £400 (or even £320 on their site currently) and with it being from the Mamas and Papas factory shop, Mum and Dad bought us the car seat and a permanent base so it just clicks in and out as well.

We are very pleased with it indeed.  Only 19 weeks until he's with us and being strolled around in it!!

I've got a feeling Mum will be looking at it every day whilst it's staying in at their house!!

Oh, and Mum also gave me her first knit!  An adorable cream little cardigan and matching hat in a gift bag with a blue miffy rabbit!!  I reckon she got a blue and a pink and will pass the pink on another day.  It's so soft and adorable!!

The Big Cake Reveal...

Well, I've thought for ages I wanted to do the American thing of a 'reveal' which is one of the reasons for keeping the scan results a secret, so I have time to make the cakes!  It just seemed more exciting than saying 'it's a boy'!

I love baking and had a plan in mind to create a fairy cake with the relevant colour combined with a tasty chocolate sponge, so off I went to the supermarket to get all ingredients required.  (I'm going to demonstrate as we go through the post!!  Here's everything ready to go!!  (Note blue colouring at the front!!)

I use a typical sponge recipe -

8oz butter/margerine
8oz caster sugar   cream these two together with an electric whisk.

Then beat in 4 eggs, one at a time.

Then whisk in 8oz sieved self raising flour.  I then removed a portion to turn blue, and added a drop of milk and about 3 tbsp cocoa to finish the remainder of the batter.

I then put a spoon of chocolate batter in the base of each muffin case (I used muffin cups and tray to get a deeper cake) and sort of made a bit of a well so that hopefully the chocolate would encase the blue colour and keep it from giving the game away!

Then I added my blue colouring to the spare batter, and this is where it went a bit pear shaped!  I used lots of blue but it looked really pale.  I thought pale was better than none so added the blue batter to the dips in the chocolate batter.

I then covered the blue with a chocolate topping.  You can see how pale the blue is here.  I blame the Asda natural food colourings.  Some e-numbers would surely have worked better!!!

Anyway, into the oven they went, and although a couple had a bit of an explosion, they weren't too bad size wise:

The ones in white cases are just chocolate batter which was spare, and on the whole, they don't look too bad at this point, although I'm sure you can see, the exploded bits are not blue enough!  Could they look blue on the inside wondered to myself?

Erm, no.  They just look like a marbled fairy cake!  What to do, what to do?   Thinking on my feet I decided that if I made some blue butter icing, I could do butterfly cakes instead, cut the tops out, add the blue inside and cover in chocolate butter icing.  So that's what I did.  And the wretched food colouring was still pale, but I went with it, and....

The photo doesn't show the actual colour, they are looking more blue than the sponge was and I'm hoping people can tell it's not pink!!  I then covered the whole tops with chocolate buttercream and topped them off with a cadbury's button.

So there we have it, chocolate and blue reveal cakes a la moi.  Lets see what folk make of them!!

21 Weeks - and the announcement........

How far along: 21 Weeks.

Total Weight Gained:  Probably some or a lot by now.  Nothing terrible though.  I don't think I look huge, although that's not really a good answer is it?!

Maternity Clothes:  I can still get away with some tops and jumpers, but on the whole. yep, the down belows are now maternity, just because the base of the zips in my old trousers sort of dig into the base of my bump which now stands proud quite a bit and was uncomfortable!!!

Stretch Marks: Still none, I'm not putting it down to the Palmers, just my families genes!  The Palmers does help the itching though.  I'm only using it every other day though as it really smells chocolatey!!  And I forget otherwise!  I've never been good at daily stuff.

Sleep: Aside from the cold, not too bad.  I've not had to get up before 6am for the loo so woo hoo.
 
Best Moment of the Week:  Seeing our little one on the screen for the last time before meeting them in person.  And yes, keeping the gender a little secret between Steve and me.  That's been quite nice really, I'm glad we have.  It's made it pretty special. 

Movement:  Yes, it's wriggly in there.  I got quite a kick yesterday morning which I'm sure had Steve had his hand on, he'd have felt.  He's not felt it yet, he's always a bit late and then baby stops when his hand is there :(

Food Cravings:  Not really anything particular.  We had a wonderful Indian meal out to celebrate on Friday and that was lovely.  And I'm still into porridge in a big way.  With lots of sugar, milk and topped with Rice Crispies.

Gender: Ok, the BIG announcement.  Ladies and Gentlemen, we are having............drum roll..........     a baby BOY!!! 

Steve is very chuffed as he was expecting a girl, not that he didn't want a girl, but I guess he's one of those guys who likes to know he has a son.  He's already talking about Lilac Films and Son and handing his company over on retirement!  I reminded him a girl could easily run it too.  I have to be honest, I'm very glad we're having a healthy baby, but I didn't know what to expect either way, I just knew girls things were prettier, and I always skim over boys clothes in catalogues and look at the pretty frilly dresses and such.  But then I am a girl!!  I'm glad I've found out.  And we've had the time to absorb it ourselves.

And not that I'm disappointed, that would be most awful of me, I just know that I want a girl too at some point!!  Then I found some adorable boy outfits in the Mama and Papa shop that I may have to buy on Sunday, little shirts and tank tops which Steve thought were too 'public school  boy' but if I'm having a boy, he's going to be stylish!!  And know to hold a door open for a girl and be nice.  And not too boisterous.

I guess I was more worried about how Steve would be with a boy than anything else, as he's terrible for teasing me and winding me up about how he'll show him films before he's of age, and get him to do naughty things, the way he used to.  I don't see that boys are inherently naughty, as Steve seems to think.  It'll be down to me to teach both of them at the same time!!  Father and Son.  It's so strange to think there's a boy in there.  With a tiny winky.  (sorry, I'm not very good at the proper words!)

Oh, and we'd settled on a girl's name, but not a boys name so we're now back to the drawing board and commencing heated discussions.  Steve still won't accept what I want, and I guess as the father he has a say, so I'm having to put that one aside for now.  I think once we've decided, it'll make things more real as well.  We can introduce him.  Or keep that a secret too.  Something tells me it won't be decided until we meet him for real.  I'm so pleased though, Steve is so happy.  He's planning to teach him to love Thomas the Tank Engine and trains and sports.  I said he'll have to learn a musical instrument too and maybe take up dance.  Steve said no to that one!!!

Belly Button: Not too much change from last week. 

What I miss:  I'm not sure this week.  Aside from Christmas drinks, I guess slim ankles!!!  My socks are digging in and after a day of work, my ankles have swollen :(  At least they're under trousers so don't look too puffy.  And I'm going to miss looking forward to a next scan.  It's ages to go now till we see him again, 19 weeks!!

What I'm looking forward to:  I'm still waiting for external kicks, and the next appointment is on the 28th December with the midwife.  We get to sign up for the last lot of health in pregnancy grants which will be a very handy £190.  I'm thinking cloth nappies and nursery stuff.

Milestones: Well, over half way through, and the gender known.  That's quite a milestone.  I guess that puts me in the fifth month and 19 weeks to go!!

Bit of Shopping

It's been a relatively lovely day today.

Steve and I (and the sonographer nurse of course) are the only people in the world to know for sure what we're having, and it's really nice to know our secret.

We've been discussing names and narrowing the ones we like down.  I think we're almost there.  I won't say just yet.  All I will say is I'm not allowed my Noah for a boy, although Steve does like my suggestions for a girl, both of them!!

I made my reveal cakes for work and my parents - I'll be posting about that tomorrow, didn't quite work to my original plan!  Tasty though regardless, but harder work than I'd anticipated.

We nipped out shopping at 4pm.  The thought of battling crowds in town on the coldest day of the year yet was not appealing, so we left it till later which worked well.  There was no traffic and the shops we wanted were quiet.  Steve got some new jumpers and a proper coat which he's been needing for at least the three years I've known him, probably longer too!!

Then we stopped by B&Q and picked up a paint tester pot - 'paradise'.  I've always said I'd do the nursery in a neutral colour such as pale turquoise as that would go with pinks, purples, blues and other colours too to be a bright and restful room.  And from the patches I've put on all the walls, I like it!

And then we nipped over to Dunelm and bought the Sleepy Owl bumper, newborn sleeping bag and a fleecy blanket!  Just a little purchase to compare the colour to (which I think works well) and suitable for a boy or a girl.

The spare room is getting more empty by the day.  I'm being very harsh and binning lots, sending lots to charity and I'm going to work on the wardrobe this afternoon.  It's hard, as it has lots of clothes in that I can't wear at the moment and I don't know if I'll ever fit in them again and I'm rather loath to get rid completely but I'm sure with a bit of adjustment I'll be able to source new homes for some items.   There's lots of space under our bed and I could put a box under there.  Once that's empty we'll take it down and get rid of the wing chair, then it's just the desk and the single bed.  Then we can clean the carpet and paint the walls and put new baby stuff in!

And I will be posting my Sunday notification with the gender announcement later on tomorrow!  I've realised I missed my Friday week 20 picture as I went for the scan and forgot so I'll have to have a go at taking one today instead.  I think I've grown.  I have a right ledge under my tummy now!!

And as the cakes were done and ready my parents came over at 9.30pm on their way back from Wales to have them adn we called Steve's family to tell them.  We felt we were ready to do so.  Mum got what it meant straight away, Dad needed a little explaining first!!  They're very pleased though.  I guess they would be either way though!!  It's still a healthy baby isn't it!!

Scan Day!

I was rudely awoken this morning at 5am by an odd beeping noise, that for some unfathomable reason didn't wake Steve until I woke him too!  We deduced it was coming from a smoke alarm I wasn't aware that I even had!  Right at the top of the stairs which is a silly place for it to be as it's practically unreachable.  Steve stood on a chair in his boxers trying to poke at it, and it stopped beeping so we went back to bed for it to start again 30 minutes later.

Why do these things always go off in the wee small hours?!

So up I got, I can't bear noise and Steve just pretends he can't hear it, rolls over and 'pretends' to be asleep.  He really is a Mr-ignore-it-and-it'll-go-away.  Just like the leaky pipe under the sink, and the perished rubber on the washing machine.  It's a good job I can ask my Dad for assistance on these things.  But I couldn't call Dad at nearly 6am in the morning so I found Steve's sword (yes, he has a sword that's been used for nothing until this point) and I whacked it until the beep went a little more robotic sounding and it stopped for a bit more until we were up at least.

Anyhow, back to it.  I was up and showered and dressed and back to work this morning.  I still felt a bit woolly in the head and was sneezing and coughing but felt well enough to go in.  At least for the 3 1/2 hours I was due in today.

11.30am we went to the hospital, we walked up as it's so much quicker than waiting to park and pay, and go there bang on time at 11.50 which meant we didn't have to wait very long, and in we went.

It was lovely to see the baby again, (I'm going to remain gender neutral here for the time being, although I do know, but Steve and I wanted to keep it a secret just for a couple of days to get used to it, and try names out and such!) and we saw the little hands and feet, and a face which was cute, the heart was going well, and all seemed in good working order with no reasons to worry!  Not like the horrid dream I had the other night where it was a conjoined twin with a small fetus attached to it's head.

So after that we headed up to Stoke for the Mamas and Papas factory shop and got ourselves a buggy!  It was a Rubix, and the last one in, half price in the sale, so it was £197 reduced from nearly £400.  Mum and Dad said as it was so cheap, they'd buy us the car seat as well which comes with a base and is what Steve thought would be more practical for the car, so that's all good too!

It's the liquorice colour rather than bubblegum as they didn't have the bubblegum in the shop but it is more gender neutral I think and it's three in one.  We measured it and it fits and is comfortable to push and I know it's not the silvercross I'd set my heart on, but that one didn't do face both ways whereas this one does and I think that's an important element so Steve is happy its sorted, and I'm pleased as I think it's traditional enough but with a modern twist too.

And now I'm thinking that I'll go to B&Q and Dunelm and buy the paint and some fabrics ready to do the nursery after Christmas (at the Mama and Papas shop, they had half price furniture which even Steve said we could buy!)

So all is well, and it's been a lovelyday.

Ooh, and to finish it all off, Steve bought me the pram charm for my bracelet which was lovely of him.

Still Ill

Well, I've had a second day off work today.  I slept in till 3.00pm!!  I just felt so exhausted, and I slept not too badly last night either.  I've been pretty congested, I do get issues with my sinuses from time to time, but with the 'not allowed to take decongestants' at all, I've been left to fight through it myself.

Time for a hot lemon and honey I think.  Nature's remedy.  I'm also having to use my inhaler a lot more than I should as my chest is really tight due to the extra chill factor outside.

And I'm aware I'm still moaning.  But I have a nasty cold so I'm allowed!

Does this mean that the baby is also suffering with a cold??  Hmm?

On a brighter note - tomorrow, 11.50am!!  Scan Time!

Rotten Cold

So here I am.  Sat on the sofa and feeling rotten.  The cold has been nasty today so I'm at home, sat on the sofa researching maternity pads and breast pads whilst sneezing and snuffling into already soggy tissues as I can't be bothered to go and get more.

As far as I can tell, Boots own brands seem ok, and I get points for them so I may start collecting those.

I've been tidying the spare room and sorting stuff out and got rid of lots of things for the charity shops, clothes and books etc..   It's most cleansing.  I've dusted and tried to make things look a bit more empty to paint and build a nursery but I've completely tired myself out and now feel worse.

Rats.

I just want some decisions on fabrics and furniture and such.  I want to walk into a sunny room, with sunbeams filtering through the curtains and feel excited at seeing a beautiful room with baby things put away neatly.

I want to know if we're having a boy or girl to get a coming home outfit which will hang in pride of place next to my hospital bag which I'll start ticking off a list against, starting with maternity pads!  And a lip salve!!  And giant pants.

Sniffles and Sneezes

I apologise in advance for any moaning.  I don't try to be such a moaning person.  Truly.  Things just seem to work out that way at the moment!!  At least I guess I can laugh at myself for it, and be lighthearted from time to time.

I seem to have come down with a cold and sore throat over night. I was aware of being awake quite a bit last night, I think I was waking myself up coughing and hacking which can’t have been pleasant for Steve. He claims he slept well though which is sweet of him. I think he's lying.  I’m sure I was horrid to sleep next to, turning over all the time, making noise, and generally being awake every couple of hours.

So as a result I slept in until 7.30 this morning trying to catch up a bit. I feel like death now though. My eyes are closing, my head is woolly and I could do with a nap and a nice hot lemon drink. I’ve been taking paracetamol which isn’t great I know, but seeing as I was prescribed a huge bag of them for hip ache by the doctor I figure it’s counteracting the hip pain and the cold symptoms and I feel better when having taken a couple.

I had a bit of a panic the other night. I’d read about a soothing remedy of two lavender oil drops in a bowl of water to erm, well, soothe some irritation (TMI alert – I’ll let you fill in the blanks!) and I think it had helped, but then I was looking online and the amount of websites saying not to use lavender oil was remarkable. I panicked all night long and rang the midwife yesterday to be told it was fine, and lavender was one of the safe oils. So that’s all ok then.

Definitely early to bed for me tonight. Need some ‘zzzzz’s’

Ooh, p.s. I don't think I mentioned that my wedding ring is now a little tight on my ring finger so I'm having to leave it off.  My engagement ring, being my Grandma's and never re-sized is ok still and fits snugly now.  I've swelled up :(  Wondering whether it's worth getting a 'pregnancy ring' to see me through as my finger now feels a bit naked!!

T.M.I.

I've realised (I think) that this stands for too much information!

It got me thinking about the whole 'wonder' that is pregnancy.  There's so much happening that I, as an unaware and relatively naive person didn't know.

When I decided to record this blog I had anticipated being very open and mentioning all elements of pregnancy matters, including the icky bits so that others may read it and be prepared.  And not to sound too awful, but I'm not sure that's such a wise decision now as I think there's a reason things are a bit of a mystery!

I've freaked myself out by getting ahead, and trying to prepare myself mentally for labour, and looked at videos on Youtube.  I advise that others don't.  Not at this point anyway.  I really wish I hadn't.  It all started harmlessly enough, I was looking at a blog and a woman had put her birth video on there, it seemed harmless, there were pictures of her scans, a maternity photo shoot, all set to nice music, when suddenly, it wasn't bump pictures anymore.  It was her in a birthing pool with everything going on.  I idly clicked onto a different video on the list on the right, and it was worse.  It was close up.  An episiotomy was needed.  I didn't need to see that.  I clicked on the list again.  It was very close up again.  It was the placenta being delivered.  I certainly didn't want to see that.  I wondered why I was punishing myself by watching these films.  I certainly preferred the Dawn Porter documentary where you didn't see close up, and it all seemed quick and then happy with the babies afterwards.

Anyway, if I were to tell the girls in the office every little detail, I doubt they'd ever choose pregnancy.  I mean, who would.  If it's your first, and you don't know the joy of being handed your little one at the end of it and that makes it all worth while, would you choose 9 months of feeling rotten, discomfort, no sleep and all the other frankly weird stuff that goes on in your body?  Probably not.  Best to just get pregnant and worry about the other stuff later.

So I now will respect the mystery of pregnancy, and not upset the office girls by saying 'look what I read on the internet!  Look up 'lochia' it happens after you've given birth'  and seeing them hang their heads at a rather gruesome prospect.  I won't tell Steve about extra levels of things requiring panty liners and see him digest the fact his wife is repelling him a little bit at that moment in time (!) and I will be part of a club after the event where we new mums can all sit together and compare birth stories and pregnancies and not feel that we're putting potential mum's to be off, as they'll be safe in the blissful ignorance of the naive which is where I was 20 weeks ago.

It's a much nicer place to be!!  Believe me!

20 Weeks Today!!

I can't believe it's gone so fast and here we are, halfway through this pregnancy!!

I've not been too bad this week, even making it out to see Harry Potter last night (I'm a little tired now for it, but slept well last night) and finally making a decision about my Guide Unit (I'm a guide leader and have been for almost 14 years and with my current unit for 10 years) and I've handed my notice in to finish at Christmas, as I don't know how tired I'll feel in my third trimester, and who knows what the future holds with regards going back.  I decided it was easier to say leave it for now rather than make promises I don't know whether I can keep or not.  But one things for sure, it'll be lovely to have my Friday evenings back!

Anyway, on with the important stuff....

How far along: 20 Weeks.

Total Weight Gained:  Again, I don't know.  I got into a pair of regular trousers plus bump band yesterday so I guess it is all in the bump whatever it is!

Maternity Clothes:  About half and half, the maternity clothes are winning for comfort though. 

Stretch Marks: Still none, just a smooth, getting larger stomach that I keep looking at in the mirror and giggling to myself!!

Sleep: Yes, been ok this week.  I'm aware of turning over in the night but I'm not feeling overtired for it.
 
Best Moment of the Week:  Feeling quite good on Friday I think!  And noticing the kicks coming through stronger now.

Movement:  Yes, getting pretty strong now.  And they never cease to surprise me, so if I'm talking to someone and wince, that's why!  It's caught me out a lot with the strength of them!  Sometimes feels like proper pummeling!  Can't imagine full on whacks that can be felt outside!  They must hurt!

Food Cravings:  Sweet stuff and more sweet stuff.  Pavlova and sticky toffee pudding at the top of this weeks list.  I do have clotted cream rice pudding that may come out this evening too.

Gender: This Friday!  We find out at 11.50am THIS Friday!  I'm rather excited about it!!

Belly Button: Not too much change from last week. 

What I miss:  Christmas menu food.  Our work menu starters are pate, camenbert, prawns and then soup or fruit juice.  Hmmm.  I love pate, and French mould ripened cheeses, and prawns.  It's hard to see everyone else enjoying what I can't have.  And I've never been a soup as a starter person, it's too filling. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Steve being able to feel the kicks and FRIDAY!!

Milestones: Half way through this pregnancy is rather a mile stone!  20 Weeks!!

19+5

I seem to be taking pics on a Friday at work more than any other day!!  Steve's posh camera is a fath to sort so my instant snap happy camera is far easier to deal with!

I feel quite bumpy today and my hair is down so it's a different look!  And as it's 'Children In Need' charity day, we're in mufti in the office!  So much more comfy!

The Next Day....

Well, I slept well, aside from the fact we had a power cut last night so I had to go to bed with no power which meant clocks and alarms weren't working!!  I've not figured out my Blackberry alarm but decided to trust in the heating system and dog to wake me up.  Well, the heating didn't come on as the clock hadn't adjusted due to the power out, and with me needing a wee in the night, Izzy came up to bed with me at 5.15am and wasn't available to scratch the door at 7am to wake me!  So I finally woke up at 7.30 this morning which wasn't as bad as it could have been!  It was cold though.

The hip felt rested, although since getting to work is aching again.  I don't know whether to have the afternoon off (it was booked as leave to see Harry Potter but Steve is working) and I was going to cancel it to save for another time.  We will have to see.

I sent Steve a text last night at around 8pm to ask him to pop to Asda on his way back from Youth Club (he helps out, doesn't attend as a 'youth'!) to buy me a Pavlova as I was really fancying some fruity cream and meringue.   Anyway, with the power out, I was lighting candles and finding my way around in the dark with my torch and it got to 9.40pm!  And still no Steve!  He then called to say he didn't know what pavlova was and had been looking for over half an hour and would a lemon meringue pie be sufficient?  Well, I didn't know how to say I'd wanted pavlova at 8pm and nearly 10pm wasn't the same but he finally found one and returned triumphant so I dutifully cut a wedge and ate it (feeling sleepy) and drank a glass of milk to counteract the sugar then fell into bed.

So back to today...

I've taken my first two paracetamol and will see what happens with the hip.  Trying hard not to be a moaning myrtle.

Aches and Pains

I've probably mentioned before my aches and pains of the moment.

Well, with my left pelvis/hip area being very painful today, I'm off to the Dr's.  It's affecting me walking and if I can be referred for physio to avoid further injury, it'll probably be for the best so at 4pm I'm seeing a Doctor.

EDIT: 8pm

Well I saw Dr Spiers who'd I'd been seeing with regards my asthma last year.  When I walked in he said, 'Oh, it's you!' so he remembered me with a new name now!!  which was nice.  Then he commented that I'd got married, and got pregnant and all rather quickly!   Yep!  That's me!!

Anyway, he did some prodding of my back and pretty much it's what I thought.  My pelvis has softened and things are rubbing and all manner of things which is causing the twingey pain. After resting it's not too bad, but with walking I'm developing a staggering limp!!  So I've been prescribed paracetamol for a week, 2 a day four times a day, (which is rather contrary to what we think is healthy in pregnancy) but if the doctor says it's ok I have to believe it.  He offered to sign me off for a few days but with tomorrow being Friday I don't see the point of that with a quiet weekend ahead, but if it's not better in a week, it maybe physio for me afterwards.  Dr Spiers sort of poked at the pain and it seemed to help a little afterwards or maybe that was my imagination!

So quiet night in tonight for me with Izzy the pup putting my feet up.  Hot chocolate too maybe!!

Pain, it's a burden pregnant women seem to have to bear and for longer than a labour!!  Who knew!

Thinking about…..

Cloth nappies

The more I read and research these, the more I like them. I know my sister used them (Totsbots she had) but I’m quite keen to have a go too. I’ve currently got three packs of newborn disposables through vouchers and offers as I can’t imagine using cloth for the first couple of weeks at least, but it would be good to get a set to work with afterwards.

I figure that with baby being born in April, it’s the right time of year to be able to hang dry the nappies, and from what I’ve looked at I’ll likely need 20 cloth nappies, and 5 waterproof covers, a lidded bin and then we’re away. You need liners and booster pads for night time but once it’s all purchased (at around £200 total) you save about £300 from what you’d spend on disposables for 2-3 years. And the savings add up if you use them for a second baby as well as you have no initial outlay.

I’ve contacted the local council to ask whether they do any grants towards cloth nappies, some councils do, but I’ve not had a response as yet!! I’ve not found anything on their website about it, but I could always enquire with the midwife at our next visit. Always happy to look out for a bargain or an offer!

Names

I’m still thinking of the same names, struggling for the boys, although I do think Steve may come around to it. He’ll do anything for a pack of jelly beans!! It’s middle names that sound right with the surname!!

Maternity Leave

I think in my head I'm agreed that the 4th March would be a good day to finish.  I'm saving three weeks leave so will be able to go at week 35 and have a relax, and maternity would kick in at week 38.  Having made this decision, I'm finding it hard to want to be here now though already!!  I get a full entitlement of leave during maternity (ours runs from August to August) so in taking all mine before maternity, come August I'll get another 32 days, and be able to use a couple of weeks after maternity to use up some holiday as I won't be able to fit in 32 days before the end of the duration of the holiday period.  So that's nice.

Nursery Provision

Having accepted that this is likely to be required at least part time as I will need to do something worky after maternity I was alarmed to find out that most folk who work here have put their foetus' down for a reserved place from about 3 months!  In the womb!!  So I'm going for a visit tomorrow lunchtime with Kelly, who's little boy goes there already.  I'm in a predicament as I don't know what will happen by January 2012 as jobs are being changed in August, and I may not get another, and there may be nothing part time, but I've been advised to just put down for every day for now and amend it nearer the time.

And that's about it for the time being.  There's a lot on the back burner - nursery at home, furniture, buggy, but that will wait till after the scan now.  :)

Can he kick it?

Although I'm feeling quite strong internal kicks at the moment, Steve hasn't been able to feel them.  I made him sit with his hands on my tummy for a while yesterday evening, but then even I couldn't feel anything so baby wasn't playing along at all.

I keep feeling a dull achiness at the base of the bump which I'm putting down to extra weight and stretching.  I'm feeling very stretched at the moment.  I think I look huge so the thought of another 20 weeks growth on top of this will leave me feeling rather whale like I've no doubt.  I'm using cocoa butter lotion after every shower and still can't see any stretch marks so woo hoo!!

Electric Dreams

I was most confused this morning. All night I was having the most realistic dreams that I was in Blackpool, at the top of the tower and although it’s getting a bit blurry now, there was something about a mini golf course and fish in a pond. A bit like the Great Orme centre in Wales on top of Blackpool tower. Random.

Then because I was so sure I’d done all this bizarre activity on a Saturday I felt that this morning was Sunday, and so I lay in bed dozing, feeling relaxed and glad it was the weekend.

Imagine my horror when I realised I was half dreaming and it was Monday morning and I was late for work.

Boooo.

I’ve read that you can have strange dreams when pregnant. I don’t normally remember any dreams as I used to be a deep sleeper and that’s gone out the window now. What golf courses and fish and the Blackpool Tower have to do with anything I don’t know though.

Feeling most excited about my next scan. Keep thinking about finding out whether it’s a girl or boy. Just seeing baby again will be thrilling, especially as I’m feeling quite a bit of movement daily now. Still nothing firm enough to come through my layers of podge, but certainly seeming to be stronger than last week.

My bump seems to have lowered a bit as well, it’s not quite so high up under my bust anymore, although it’s protruding more. Maybe my water retention is dying down. It’s more pregnancyish in my mind. It got really big a couple of weeks ago but doesn’t seem to have grown too much this past week.

I’m feeling pretty tired today. I guess all that dreaming kept my brain active last night so it’ll be early to bed for me later no doubt. Hopefully without the dreams tonight.

19 Weeks

How far along: 19 Weeks.

Total Weight Gained:  I've not weighed myself properly again this past week.  But with a bump well and truly 'popped' I imagine quite a few pounds!!

Maternity Clothes:  Yep, I can still get away with some normal items with a baby bump band, but I'm wearing maternity tops and trousers.

Stretch Marks: I thought I'd got a couple but it was where my pyjamas had dug in!  I'm wondering whether maternity pyjamas would be a good idea now, as they do cut into under my bump and it makes the legs a little long!

Sleep: Not to bad.  No toilet trips this week, just turning over is an effort!!
 
Best Moment of the Week:  Not sure really.  Feeling some proper movement, and having people commenting on the bump I think.

Movement:  Yes, the past few days I'm noticing more kicks but nothing coming through to the outside for Steve yet.

Food Cravings:  Not really this week.  Citrus fruit takes my fancy most days, but again, I've always been a fruit fan.

Gender: Not long until the 26th!!!  Spoke to a Dr friend at Church today who asked if I'd been sick, and when I said not, just suffered with nausea she said that's a sign for a boy as it's the extra oestragoen with a baby girl which can cause full on sickness.  Although I know friends with boys who were very sick so I'm still dubious

Belly Button: Not too much change from last week. 

What I miss:  Not to sound like an alcoholic or anything, but with Christmas coming up, the thought of not being able to enjoy a few Christmas drinks is a boo.  I've never been a hard drinker, it's more rare that I drink, than not, but the thought of not having a spiced rum and coke, or a gin and tonic is a dull one.  I've just seen an advert for Southern Comfort and it's so appealing!  Not to be drunk and silly you understand, just a merry tipsy.  Sigh.

What I'm looking forward to:  Finding out girl or boy!!  Less than two weeks :)

Milestones: One weeks from half way along!! (Although some say 19 weeks is there so yay in case that's accurate!!)

18+5

Ok, here I am today at work.  As you can see, spots are a bit annoying at the moment, but I'm filling out quite a bit around the middle.  I'm very aware that I have no waist any more.  And I feel as though I have saddle bags for hips and the bits around the top of my behind.  It feels very solid now too.  I've felt a couple of light little kicks inside again today which is nice.  I'm wearing a lot of layers too as it's cold.  Black maternity trousers, a long white t-shirt that comes down nice and far, and a pink jumper (not maternity).  Cosy.

The Unknown

I feel a bit as though I'm in a pregnancy limbo at the moment.  Ever since I felt the light fluttering within, any day that I don't feel it, I worry.  It's not so obvious that it couldn't be passed off as something else, and if it's not there, I wonder what's going on inside.

It's not a nice place to be!  I just wish I could get to the solid kicks stage so I know things are ok, or that I could have a weekly scan or heart beat listen!

I have toyed with the idea of a doppler, but if I'm this worried at not feeling a movement, imagine how dreadful it'd be to not hear a heartbeat!!  Even if it were going, I expect I'd be doing something wrong and get myself all worked up.

I have to keep reminding myself that this is all normal, there's no reason for anything to go wrong and women all over the world are doing this and probably being a lot calmer than me at the moment!!!

On a brighter note, after three days of not feeling much there was a definate fluttering last night which reassured me.  At least for the next day or so :)

What Have I Bought?

I'm not sure that I'm buying things in a rational manner for this baby.

The first thing I bought was a baby carrying thing from someone at work, rather an impulse buy, as it was £60, used twice and he was selling it for £20 so I though - bargain. 

Then I waited for quite a while, having realised I ought to not be crazy and just buy random things.

But I'm giving into impulses again at the moment.

Last week I saw a review for a nursing pillow that was so good, it made me buy one straight away.  A nursing pillow!  it's cute, and multifunctional, but I'm sure there's more important things my money would be better saved for.

I've bought one little babygro set - just because it was adorably cute (neutral colours) and two packs of newborn nappies to get the free Sainsbury's huggies set, and the Boots changing bags.

And I think that's it so far.  Ooh, and Mum bought us the play gym thingy.

And on a bonus note - Mum has suggested that we get the Silvercross pram and a different sort of car seat (she really likes the same one too) as baby would only be in a carseat for up to 9 months anyway, and babies aren't meant to be sat up in them for more than two hours so wouldn't be pushed around on the pram in a car seat anyways.  Hmmm.  Food for thought.

Just need to get nursery stuff next.  Steve says we can buy it all after Christmas.  So long to wait.........

Can we have a new car?.....

I'm so very disappointed.  I got Steve to come up to Babies R Us this evening to show him the pram system I've set my heart on, and the sales lady took the car seat out to  our car, and couldn't get it to fit.  The seatbelt wouldn't go around the seat adequately. 

Steve doesn't accept that we need to get a bigger car.  His idea is that I change my mind and find a new pram system instead.  How rubbish is that :(  I've had my heart set on Silvercross for ages.  Well, at least since I saw the beautiful dream buggy a couple of weeks ago. (I'm half joking here!  But it pains me.)

I'm a traditionalist at heart, and I love the idea of pushing baby around in a lovely pram, with four wheels, and a solid pram top which baby can lie down in, and with the world class Silvercross suspension system.

Steve was getting bored, so randomly picked about set out which was the opposite to what I want.  It was all  black, and like a little blob of a pram on a modern three wheel base a bit like a shopping trolley.  It may be trendy and what all other modern mum's are having, but I'm old fashioned and my pram will have to be pleasing to the eye as well.

What to do now?  So disappointed.  And I have no idea what I want instead.  I'm not very good at shopping, so once I've made a decision, that's it.  'Can't fit' doesn't really occur in my train of thought.

Hmm.  Back to the drawing board.

Is She.... Isn't She

There's a lecturer at work who's been looking at my tummy for the past week, but not saying anything, just looking.

I've not really made a general announcement about the pregnancy, I guess it just filters down as and when, but I could tell this lady wanted to ask, but didn't dare in case I wasn't, and I'd just put on weight!

Anyway, this morning she came up to me and said 'congratulations'!!  I'm guessing she's asked someone in the office, just to check in case she caused offence!!  Or made me say, 'no, I'm not expecting, I'm just chubby this month'!!

It made me smile :)

Baby Freebies

It seems that if you're pregnant, you're suddenly entitled to all these rather exclusive baby clubs!  I spent an evening a couple of weeks ago browsing google and signing up to whatever I could find.  Mainly Boots and Sainsbury's!!  And I have been sent vouchers galore, and some rather nice ones.

At Sainsbury's on the purchase of one pack of Huggies Newborn nappies I received a goody pack with a changing mat, wipes, baby socks, cleansing hand gel, washing powder and softener, more vouchers and other stuff besides!

From Boots I received a voucher that with a purchase of Pampers Newborn nappies I will get a changing bag apparently worth £30.00.

And S-I-L Louise has sent a link for an Asda Baby club to get some free nappies too.  I shall have to get around all these different stores!!

There are bargains to be had when pregnant!!

18 Weeks

How far along: 18 Weeks.

Total Weight Gained:  Well, I did stand on Mum's scales and was quite pleased as it was about 6lbs more than before, then I got on Dad's scales and it was more!!  So I'm going to go by Mum's scales I think!  People keep saying I'm showing quite a bit this week and asking if it's twins!  I can only assume this baby is having an early growth spurt and will settle down growth soon, else I'll be huge soon.  Mind you, Steve is tall and broad.  I hope it's not like Lily and Marshall from How I Met Your Mother where Lily worries that her baby will like a 16lb turkey!! 

Maternity Clothes: I've been wearing my maternity coat, and gladly, as it's been cold this week.  And leggings and my maternity dress that is sort of normal looking too!!

Stretch Marks: Still none I can see yet!

Sleep: Seem to be picking up at the moment in this area, it's just when Steve starts snoring that causes the issues at the moment!!
 
Best Moment of the Week: Feeling excited about buying the buggy!!  And being told we're just in date for the Health in Pregnancy grant!  Literally by a matter of days!!  That will be a welcome bit of money to buy baby things with.

Movement:  Yes, a little, still not a lot.  Waiting for the proper kicks.

Food Cravings:  Grapefruits.  Can't get enough this week.  I've munched my way through six large red grapefruits in a short space of time.

Gender: Not long until the 26th!!!

Belly Button: Not too much change from last week.

What I miss:  Regular clothes.  It's cold outside and I've not got a lot of choice with my wardrobe!

What I'm looking forward to:  The anomaly scan on the 26th, and in two weeks we're half the way along.  Ooh, and getting the nursery sorted - furniture, wall paints and blankets etc...

Milestones: Two weeks from half way along!!

Buggy Browsing

I'm not a shopper sort of girl.  I tend to get most things online and the thought of trailing around shop after shop really does not inspire me whatsoever.  I bought most of my wedding things online, even my dress (without trying on first!! Ssshhh!!)

But I had to admit buying the right buggy is something worth doing properly, and so my Mum and I headed off to Babies 'R' Us this afternoon.  Steve opted out after hearing the trip involved a few places ending at Trentham Gardens (a huge garden centre) which was probably for the best, so off we went.

It's ages since I've been in a Toys 'R' Us, and my word, they're full of everything.  Shelves stacked high of the most random toys you could imagine.  A parents nightmare I should think! If I had to spend too long in that section I'd have had a headache.

We found our way to the buggies, and there it was.  The lovely Silvercross.  It was light, manouverable, lovely colours, but in seeing it in person, there was a negative!!!  It doesn't collapse down readily, and you have to remove the pram section before putting it in a car, which means you need more room for the uncollapsable pram part too.  It's the solid handle, that means it's more bulky when collapsed whereas the two separate handles are slimmer = [see link to previous post]

However, they did have an offer on another Silvercross which at first look seemed girly with a pink stripe on grey - 'pink' exclaimed the attendant?  'No, that's red, very gender neautral'!!!   Hmm.  Ok.
But on closer inspection, yes, it was more a deep plum which I wouldn't mind putting a boy in to be honest.  It's the 3D pram in Henley.

This buggy seemed to have it all.  The same pram which converts to a buggy, and a car seat, cosy toes, and I forget all the rest.  It was also half price at £299 and if I went for this one, there was a free car seat as well worth £114.   Too good to be true??

The original Silvercross I liked was also on offer, but not quite as generously as that one, even though I cheekily enquired whether they could throw in a car seat to seal the deal?!  (answer - no!)

We then headed to a local baby shop in Newcastle-Under-Lyme (just around the corner from where my Grandad lived actually!) and we were expecting a hike in prices being a private shop, but they were very competative, and far more helpful really.  We came here as Mum had found they stocked the Hauck which was the other buggy set we'd looked at online.

And you do get what you pay for.  The Hauck was a cheaper model, the handles weren't as comfortable as the Silvercross and it just didn't look as cosy.

I think Mum and I were both sold on the Ventura Henley model which they didn't have in that shop (although they could order it in for us) and in the window, they had the same offer on the model - a free car seat with the buggy, whether that comes with a 50% discount I don't know.  And the Babies 'R Us offer could end any day!!  Pressure!!

I think it's going to definitely be the Silvercross.  It's so exciting to think in about 22 weeks time there will be a baby to put in it!!

Feeling Rested

Well good morning.

I am pleased to say that I slept well last night and my weird groin ache seems to have dissipated over night.  I hope it stays away!

I woke up early and began sorting out books from the spare room into keep and get rid piles.  It's hard.  I love my books and my keep pile is still more than twice the size of the get rid pile but most of them are my childhood books which could be boxed up and kept somewhere until baby is of an age to read them.

I've also completely cleaned the kitchen, bleached the sink, disinfected all the surfaces, washed up everything I could find.  It was Steve's turn, but if I were to wait for him to do his fair share of household chores I'd be waiting a long time and the washing up would probably have walked out in disgust.  It's so much nicer clean.  Steve has yet to recognise the difference between 'tidy' and 'clean'.  He's an 'out of sight, out of mind' sort of boy.  Never mind.  He'll learn!

It's a 2.00pm today when my Mum will collect us to go to Babies 'R' Us.   I'm quite excited about that!!  Pram testing and goodness knows what else we'll find!!

Cold Wet 5th November

I've had to walk home in the rain, so I went with my normal head down, into the rain, fast paced get home quick sort of walk.


Then I had to stop as I had some weird pain at the bottom of my bump going down into my pelvis.  It made me catch my breath and stoop!  I couldn't stand up straight, and I then had to walk a bit hunched and a lot slower to get home.

It's OK now though, I'm warm and dry and rested, but I looked up pains during pregnancy on google and wished that I hadn't.  It's probably me being very over dramatic, but as it's all so new to me, every little gives me a worry!  Especially a weird pain like that which I've not felt before.  And pelvic related.  I guess I'll mention to my midwife when next we meet, which is about another 6 weeks I think!  If it happens again I'll call them. 

On a brighter note, I'm going buggy testing to Babies R Us tomorrow afternoon with Mum and Steve has said he'll come too and play in Toys R Us until we have something for him to see.  I think that works for me!  That way, he won't be in the way, but I'll feel he can make a contribution of sorts.

Yay for baby shopping!  I'm sure I'll do more than look though :(

EDIT: I guess it felt better as I was sat down!  The effort of moving around the house after posting the above was unlike anything I'd ever felt before.  I hobbled around at my Guides meeting like an old lady, wishing I could have stayed at home with my feet up, feeling the aches in my pelvis and a 'pull' at my groin.

Was very glad to get to bed at 9.30 with the house to myself as Steve was at the cinema with Joe.  Izzy came up for a company although seems to have left me at some point once I was asleep!!

I'm sure rest will do wonders but if it's like that by Monday again, I think I'll be popping to my dr's to enquire as it's better to be safe rather than sorry.

Dream Buggy

Having gone browsing with my Mum on Monday and having a quick look in Mothercare, we were looking at the buggies and saw this beautiful one. Of course it would be a Silvercross, the Rolls Royce of classic design. And therefore a lot more expensive than the funky Hauck that Mum sourced via the internet.

But just look at it:

 Isn’t it pretty?! I love the classic style, the charcoal colour! And it’s twice the price for less accessories as the car seat isn’t even included :(

But with sales and mum’s excellent ability to locate bargains on the internet we may have found it for a bit cheaper and under £300, and both Mum and Dad think it’s a really attractive buggy and the reviews are good, but the only con we can see is that it’s not ideal for a small boot. Well, our boot is not that small (not sure where the dog would go on journeys) but we may be going to try it out at the weekend!!!  And we could maybe just buy the extra car seat for £120!!!

I also relented and purchased a maternity coat. The fact that the buttons literally popped off my black jacket was enough to realise that I can’t just wear a normal coat anymore. And it’s cold. And I’ll be wearing it through to April so off to New Look we went where I’d seen about three to choose from.

I tried on a Dolly coat first, but with gathers above the chest (not a good look on me even before pregnancy) it really made me look terrible and gave me a 90 year old woman shape.

So there was one other style in two colours, a double breasted military swing sort of coat, and the grey one was ok by me, so that was that!

We also then had a quick look in Dunelm at the their nursery bedding ranges. I’ve said all along I don’t want the neutral sort of colours that you get in main ranges as they’re all very beige!! There’s only so many beige teddy bears I can take. I want something tasteful, but with a bit of colour. So I was quite taken with the ‘Sleepy Owl’ range. It’s gender neutral, with citrus bright colours in orange, lime and lemon but I felt it wasn’t too much. And the little owls are very cute and quite different from the beige bears which are not for me.

There was another range that I liked which was certainly more suitable for a girl called ‘Daisy and Me’ which has little fawns and is pink and blue so whether we opt for a pinker room if we find out baby is a girl I don’t know. I guess Sleepy Owl would suit either and if there were a second baby to use the nursery it would make better sense to keep it gender neutral.

And no, I’m not thinking second babies as yet because that would be crazy!!!

Lots to think about at the moment, but the first thing to do really is empty the spare room which will take forever as it’s full of my books. And I can’t get rid of them, as a lot of them are childrens’ books I loved and want to pass on to my children. My Enid Blyton collection, and beautiful hardback story books I actually bought years ago for my children – Beatrix Potter, Peter Pan and the Wombles!! Mind you, that sort of thing will go on a baby bookshelf. I’ll have to do a very harsh clear out and find new homes for the ones that I really can’t get rid of. Then the wardrobe will have to go (it’s an old one from my Grandma’s) but it’s handy for all my clothes that don’t currently fit. Then the spare bed and Steve’s second computer desk!! (He’s a bit cross thinking that he will have to move computers around but I’ve never even seen him use it once since he set it up).

Hmm, anyway, that’s a task for an empty weekend! Maybe this next Saturday I could start?! I think I maybe nesting!!!

Feeling Good Today!!!

Is this it?  Is my 'bloom' finally here? 

I am cold free, and not feeling too tired and haggard today (where's a camera when you need one?!)

My spots are clearing up and I'm not feeling too greasy.

My bump feels firm and proper 'bump like' and to top it all off......

This morning was my belated 16 week check at 17 weeks!!  (due to afore mentioned canal holiday!)

Well, I got Steve to put his meeting back so that he could attend with me, (he'd not yet met the midwife, Tracy) and off we went for 9.00am.  I'd not got a urine sample so was holding onto my bladder to do it once we got there, but in feeling rushed remembered my folder of notes, but forgot my paper cup.

I'm not good at urine samples, so normally, take a cup to pee in (excuse the graphicness of this!) and then transfer it to the sample tube (who honestly is good as getting it in the tube?!) but this morning made a mess and thought never mind!  It was funny handing over still warm though!!  They appreciated the freshness I think!!

Anyway, all results were good, I'm practically bursting with iron which is good as I was terrible at remembering the folic acid tablets but I do eat healthily and commented that I do eat a lot of greens and veg at which they chuckled (!), my blood is O + which is the common one, and everything else was A-OK!!

My blood pressure had to be done three times as a student midwife was there learning and I didn't realise (never having taken someone else in with me) that talking affected it, so was chattering to Steve and disturbing the result.  I find it weird, not really sure I like it as it's too close to my veins (see the post on the blood tests :( ) but then came the exciting bit.

Onto the bed to hear the heart beat.  Tracy said that at this point the baby has lots of room so could be floating around so not to worry if we don't hear it straight away, but the moment she put the thingy on my tummy, there it was.  Loud and proud!  Smack bang in the middle!! 

She moved it about a bit and then we heard the placenta pulse!  I never knew this was something to listen to, and never even thought about a placenta pulsing (bit gross really!!) but it was interesting to hear the two distinctive sounds.

The baby went - bu bu bu bum bu bu bu bum bu bu bu bum quite fast, and the the placenta went - voosh voosh voosh voosh.  I guess this will mean more to me at the moment than anyone else, but if you've heard it hopefully you'll get the gist!

And with having a student midwife there, it was like having two for the price of one, because she got to have a go too, so I heard everything twice over.  With my sister being a nurse and having done similar shadowing, I felt very supportive of letting the student have a go too for training.  In fact when I had my 13 week scan there was a trainee present then too!

Then it was off to work, dropping Izzy off at Mum's for the day as Steve is out till late working again, and then I strolled up the hill to the office in the sunshine feeling very very pleased with things!!

17 Week Bump Pic

 Ugh, still looking rather tired here I think, but the bump has come out rather after a week of relaxing!!  I don't know whether it's considered a 'high' bump but it certainly feels quite full, and it's said to be a girl, although the chances are still pretty much 50%/50%!!  =D

And here is the first baby toy thing bought for me by Mum as Mothercare had it in a sale!  It's a playmat gym thing!!  I've not got as far as thinking about toys and such yet, I'm still thinking nursery and white babygros :)

p.s. - baby not included!!