Getting closer

Well I've finally hit 30 weeks, actually now I'm, 30+5. I'm very almost into the single digit countdown. I seem to be cruising through, without any major dramas (touch wood). My belly is still not humongous, it's quite small really and I still have to tell some people that I'm pregnant as they haven't realised from just looking at me.

I've had two appointments since I last wrote, one with the obs and one with the midwife. My blood test results were all very good - no gestational diabetes and blood count was high (whatever that means). My obs did a quick scan and measured Little M's head to check how she was growing. She has fallen a little bit more behind, but he wasn't worried at all, so I'm not worrying either. She'd actually measuring 2 weeks behind if you go by my ivf dates, but only 1 week behind if you go by my 12wk and 20wk scan dates (which is The Due Date that is used). At my midwife appointment last week, my fundal height had increased since the last measurement, blood pressure was good and her heart was beating away nicely at 144bpm.

I also had to see the GP late last week because I have a lovely cold and need a medical certificate to have a sick day off work. Glad I went because it turns out I actually have an infected sinus on one side so am now on antibiotics. I also mentioned to him that my nephew has chicken pox and so then I had to have a blood test done to check I am immune. I am, so all good there.

My 3D scan was a bit disappointing after all the anticipation. Little M was facing my back, head up, kind of curled up in a ball. She had her hands and arms over her face for all of the scan except for about 4 seconds. The images were quite distorted, so we didn't get any good pics at all. I'm not sure if they were distorted because I'm overweight or for other reasons. Anyway, apart from getting crappy images, it was lovely to see her moving around, even though she just appeared as a blobby thing. This is the best picture we got and it was in the brief few seconds that she moved her arms away from her head.

My trip to Cairns went pretty well. I was dreading the flights up and back, but they weren't too bad. I normally get really bad Restless Legs Syndrome within 15 minutes of being on a plane, but weirdly I didn't get it at all for any of my flights this time. The meeting was as expected, I've come back with quite a few follow-ups to complete as usual. My friend came and picked me up on the Thursday arvo and then I spent three nights with her and her family up in the Tablelands. I can't say it was super-relaxing, as she has a 7yo, 5yo and 18mth old, all who were competing for my attention. We did get to do a bit of sight-seeing and it was lovely spending some time together. I missed my DH incredibly and spent the whole time wishing he was there with me. I hate being apart from him even for one day, pathetic I know. I'm even missing him right now, even though he is in the next room sleeping after night shift.

The big event of the past week was my Baby Shower. We decided to hold it before my mum (and dad) left for their 100 day trip to mainland Australia (they went two days ago). So we had it last Wednesday night. I've never even been to a baby shower, so I was a bit nervous. My sister organised it all, with a bit of help from my MIL. She was nervous too as she'd never been to one either and now she was organising one! I think we had about 20 people there, a big mix with a few people who didn't know many others. My dear friend tasivfer was very brave to come along, since she knew no one at all. I know it was probably very hard for her and I really appreciated having her there. I invited two friends whose husbands work with my husband. I didn't know until they turned up that they weren't talking to each other...hmmm, slightly uncomfortable (and childish?), but I didn't let it worry me.

So we played a few games (quickest/neatest cloth nappy on a teddy, longest list of baby-related words, collecting the most paperclips by claiming them off someone who said the word 'baby', recalling the most baby items on a tray) and ate and drank and of course opened the presents. To be honest, I was totally embarrassed by the number of presents I received. The table was groaning under the weight of baskets, bags and packages and it took me a fair time to unwrap them all. I had wanted to write "no presents" on the invite, but my sister and MIL wouldn't let me. I was given a great array of gifts, including teddy bears, dolls, books, puzzles, nappies, wipes, baby powder, baby lotions and potions, lamp, clothes, wraps, toys, coathangers, bath thermometer, bibs, blankets, sunscreens for the car, nail clippers, hairbrush and comb, booties, washers, beanies and socks. Totally spoilt.

Next exciting things on the horizon are starting our antenatal classes on 1 June. I'm actually looking forward to them. I have also booked in to do the Calmbirth course as well. This is because I am pretty nervous about the whole labour and birth thing and not sure how I'm going to cope. So me being me, I want to equip myself with as much info and tools as possible to use. The calmbirth classes use visualisation, relaxation and breathing techniques to help you cope with labour. Sounds a bit airy fairy, but I've had several mummies recommend it to me and I'm willing to try anything.

My other big milestone is finishing work. I have five weeks left and cannot wait to finish up. Lots to do in that five weeks though. Eeek, getting toward the exciting and nerve-wracking pointy end!

Third trimester!

Well I've finally made it to the third trimester, I'm 27 weeks today. Sorry to whinge, but time is going oh so slowly!! I friends online with a group of girls who are all due in July and most of them say how quickly their pregnancies are passing by. I just feel like I have been pregnant for a year already.

But everything is going well. I had a scheduled visit to the midwife three weeks ago, and she said everything was looking perfect. My next appointment is with my obs next week. I'm looking forward to a quick scan on his fuzzy machine as you miss out on that when you see the midwife. I had the glucose test for diabetes last week, so I'll get those results back too.

My belly finally popped out and now I look pregnant at last. I'm struggling to find comfortable maternity pant. My favourite item of clothing at the moment is my maternity trackpants, they are so comfortable. I get sad when they are in the wash and can't wear them when I get home! I have two pairs of maternity jeans that seem to fall down when I am standing up and walking around, bu they almost cut me in half when I sit down. My work trousers are a bit the same.

We're having a 3D scan just for fun in 11 days. I can't wait to see her again. But I'm really nervous to see that she is actually a girl. What if they got it wrong and it's a little boy?? We have so many pink clothes already!!!

Then in 13 days I'm off to Cairns for a week. I have a 3-day work meeting, which I'm not particularly looking forward to. It's not one that you can sit back and relax. I'm the Tassie rep and I need to be on my toes all the time as it's a very interactive meeting. But what I really am looking forward to is catching up with one of my dear friends and her family afterwards. They live about an hour from Cairns so they're going to come and pick me up after the meeting finishes and I'll spend 3 nights with them. I'm sure it will be full-on as she has three very lively girls all under 7, but it's going to be awesome. I miss her a lot.

Now I must get back to my assignment. This is last assignment I have to complete for my course and it is killing me! I set aside Easter to do it (it's already late and I have an extension) but I was hoping to have it done before then. But I've spent a large majority of Easter procrastinating over it and today is the last day of Easter and I still have 3000 words to write. I'm so annoyed with myself!

well overdue catchup!

Yes, I've been totally slack in catching up.

All is well! I'm now 22w5d. My 20week scan was fantastic, although I did get put back 6 days as Little M was measuring a little small. But still looking absolutely fine. And we got to find out the sex, and its a GIRL! We're thrilled. The same day we had the scan we also had an appointment to book in at the hospital and have a tour. It was a bit scary, but great at the same time. So we're all booked in!

My last appointment with the obs was when I was 20w. Just the usual, nothing too exciting. Had a quick scan with the grainy scanner and all still looked good. That night I felt the first kick! It was an amazing feeling and still blows me away every time I feel her move. DH felt her move for the first time this week, he was stoked.

Stuff, we've been buying and being given lots of baby stuff. We have a pram, a bassinet, a baby bath, cot blankets and sheets, nappies, playmat and baby monitor. The MIL has bought us a cot and heaps of little pink clothes. Must admit that we've bought quite a few little pink clothes ourselves. My gorgeous sister is making a quilt that will hang on the wall and be used when she grows up a bit. Mum is knitting cute little cardigans and is going to buy us a change table. Feeling very spoilt!

My belly still hasn't grown all that much. I can still fit into my normal clothes although they are getting tight. I must take up the hems on my maternity work pants as my normal ones are now really uncomfortable. I'm hating work at the moment, just can't wait to be on maternity leave. Wish time would pass quicker!

I've been meaning to post for a while now, but I've been lazy!

So now I'm 17w3d. This is according to my "actual" dates - when I know I ovulated. My obstetrician has it in his notes that I'm six days behind this, but that was according to my first 12w ultrasound. You may remember that I had to go back a week later to have another as Little M was measuring 6 days behind. When I went back, bubs had caught up and was measuring just 2 or 3 days behind. So I'm sticking to my original due date.

A week ago I woke up during Friday night with some quite strong cramping. The next day I felt like my uterus had been stomped on, bruised and sore. The cramps continued for a few more days, and on Monday night I had some "brings tears to your eyes" type cramping. Ouch!! I was using the Doppler every day and Little M's heart was good and strong, so I wasn't totally panicking. But I was worried enough to ring up the obstetricians office on Tuesday to ask if it was normal. They ended up giving me an appointment the next day so my obstetrician could check me out.

The scan at my appointment was a little nerve-wracking at first. He didn't say anything for the first minute or so, just looking at the screen and moving the probe over my tummy. I was looking desperately for the heartbeat, but I couldn't see it and baby wasn't moving. But then, we both saw the heart beating at the same time, what a relief! He said everything looked fine. I really struggle with his ultrasound machine, it seems like such a crappy picture compared to the ones at the ultrasound place. I can't make out what things are, it's very grainy. He couldn't really explain the pains, just that they were probably just round ligament pain and stretching pains.

So I cancelled my appointment for Friday 18th Feb and my next appointment is now 8 March. One month between appointments seems so far away! But I've got lots coming up to keep me busy between now and then.

This weekend is a long weekend (yay) so only a 4 day working week next week. DH is unfortunately working all weekend, including Monday, so I'm by myself for most of it. I pick up my stepson tomorrow arvo though, but then DH's mum is taking him to the regatta on Monday. I have plenty to keep me busy this weekend - both chores and a few fun things planned.

After my 4 day working week this coming week I then have 2 weeks holidays. Yay! DH has a whole 4 weeks off (a little jealous!). In the first week DH and I are taking a trip in our new camper trailer and will be away for 6 nights. I can't wait, planning on lots of reading, relaxing, gentle walks, a bit of sight-seeing.

Then back home as we get DH's son back (we have him week on, week off). He'll be back at school by then (grade 3!) but we are taking him out for two days and are spending three days in Melbourne. This trip is mainly for him, to give him something special before baby comes along. So we'll do all the fun kid things, like the zoo and the aquarium. Should be fun.

The day we head to Melbourne, we have a busy day as we have the 20 week morphology scan as well as booking in to the hospital. We are hoping that Little M cooperates and we get to see if we're having a boy or girl. DH is hoping for a daughter, I don't really have a preference. DH's mum is absolutely DYING for a little girl to spoil. Hope for both their sakes we have a girl in there, but it will probably be a boy!

In other news, I bought myself my first maternity clothes! Not that I have much of a baby bump yet (just my normal pudgy belly). However, my bump does seem to grow over the course of the day and is definitely bigger at the end of the day than the beginning. I wore my cargo maternity pants to a party last night and spent the whole time pulling them up. When I walk or even bend over they fall down! They are the right size, maybe when I get a bigger belly I won't have the problem.

Back to the washing and bed-changing now...

I'm writing this on my way to Coffs Harbour where I'm going for work meetings being held over the next couple of days. I'm sitting in the qantas club at the moment watching everyone boozing along, probably drinking more than they normally would just because it's free.

It's Australia Day, so Happy Australia Day. If I were home, I'd probably be at a friends house for a BBQ or down at the beach.

My next obs appointment is 18 Feb. It's my last day of work before two weeks holidays. I can't wait! DH will also be on holidays (he gets a month though). In the first week we are going to do a little trip with our camper trailer. In the second week we have my stepson. I have booked in for my 20 week scan which will be on 2 Feb. Hopefully we'll get to find out if we're growing a girl or a boy. That day we are also doing a tour and booking in to the hospital we have chosen. After that we'll pick up J from school and then we're off to Melbourne for three days as a bit of a treat for him (and us). It's going to be a great couple of weeks.

All good!

My appointment went well, not much of huge interest to report. We did a quick scan and saw the heartbeat and Little M waved at us. He was pleased with how everything is going and my next appointment is in a months time.

14 weeks

Well now I can say I am definitely in the second trimester. I've been a bit confused about when the second trimester actually starts. Some books/websites say 12 weeks, some say 13 weeks and others say 14 weeks. But I'm definitely out of the first trimester now, even according to the later dates.

I'm doing pretty well. Nausea seems to have almost completely stopped. My energy levels are on the up again, I can actually stay awake after 8pm now and I'm no longer yawning continously all day. I think I now have a little baby belly, but it is very hard to tell under my blubbery normal tummy. But it has become a bit "pointier" and definitely harder.

We listen to the heartbeat on the Doppler most days. Now we can actually hear Little M moving about by the heartbeat suddenly moving away, then it's back again a short time later. It's very reassuring to hear, especially now the heartbeat is easier to find and much louder.

We're starting to think about buying some baby gear, pram, cot etc. We don't want to have to find the money for everything all at once, so we'll buy it gradually. You can probably tell that I am feeling a lot more relaxed about things now, and beginning to really imagine how life is going to be in 6 months time.

Next obs appointment is on Friday arvo. This time DH can't come as he has long-standing plans to go to a one day cricket game, Australia vs someone(?). I think he is more disappointed that he can't come to the appointment than I am!

Life is good!! (apart from having to go to work which I am not enjoying at all at the moment, my mind is taken up with other thoughts hese days!). Shall post again on Friday night to update on my appointment.