It's Christmas!!! 36 weeks....

36 weeks

Christmas is finally here, woo hoo!!! We are spending Christmas Day with Dan's parents and then heading up to mine on 27th. Dan has the whole of Christmas off so we can enjoy and relax together. I hope the baby doesn't arrive now.... can you imagine how Dan would feel if his Xmas lunch was interrupted with contractions.... heehee!

Christmas Eve was Mass followed by Max's, yum! The Christmas Day was such a lovely day, we all got spoilt lots, food was yummy and it was such a lovely day! I am starting to feel the baby growing and becoming uncomfortable (not bad timing with only 4 weeks to go!).

I think I should buy shares in Gaviscon the amount I am drinking! I have learnt to eat slowly and take a couple of spoons of Gaviscon as soon as I feel the heartburn hit! It seems to work. I am just waiting for the baby to 'drop' and then hopefully I will manage better!

Sleeping is still uncomfortable, I have now got a routine of two cushions, one supporting my belly and one supporting my back. Poor Dan has no space in the bed but not long to go now. I wake up in the night with sore hips or sharp pains into my vagina (wee time) and then have to slowly move over to the other side and wait for the baby to move position. It's mad how sometimes I can't even feel the baby inside and my belly is soft and other times the baby is right up against me and I can feel all the limbs and it is so uncomfortable. We haven't seem an actual hand or foot yet but there is definite definition or elbows and things. I tend to have to push them back in as they dig into my ribs and the baby knows to move. It is strange that I can now feel movement of legs etc right round my side, I didn't realise the womb goes all round there but I guess it's got to go somewhere!

We went up to my folks on 27th and had more pressie time, lovely to see Nick, Abi and the boys too! Felix is crazy and has so much energy (adorable though!) however it makes me think I would prefer a little girl, all angelic and quiet. Hmm, I am sure that is never the case! We will be happy with whatever we are given, very exciting!!

Mum's poor chickens got eaten by the nasty fox too (on Boxing Day) although one managed to escape and survive! Very sad not to have the chickens about though :0( Mum will have to get some more.

Dan and I have been relaxing lots over Xmas. Lots of food, chocolate, DVD afternoons. Very relaxing and exactly what I should be doing with only 3 weeks to go. We have been getting to bed quite early too and sleeping through to 9/10am (except for the usual interrupts of toilet breaks through-out the night!). We have still been waking up knackered though so it will be a shock to the system when Dan has to head back to work!

All in all a lovely Christmas and crazy to think that this time next year we will have a little boy or girl crawling about, waiting for Santa to arrive! Cannot wait! ;0)

The week before Christmas.....

35.2 weeks

My second week off work and I must admit I am getting use to it! It is lovely having the time off with the build up to Xmas, getting the house ready with all the decorations, Xmas shopping etc. Shame that the snow fell and it's still very icy but lovely not having to get up and make my way into work!

Frances took a few of us to an outdoor Nativity Show in Guildford. It featured real animals (donkey, sheep, horses etc) and was nice to get into the festive spirit. It would be lovely to take our children there when they are about 5 yrs old as all the kids there loved it.

I had a midwife appointment and all was good. Baby is still head down and blood test results we all fine too. I have starting taking some extra Iron tablets though just to keep my energy levels up.

Dan has been out a lot with work so it will be nice when Xmas comes and we spend some relaxing time together. I love Christmas time, shame I won't be able to drink or eats lots though....

35 weeks - Baby Shower 'Snowed Off!'

35 weeks

I was so excited about my baby shower, Vic had organised it and it was due to take place at my house, afternoon tea, cakes, pressies, mum was coming down and then the snow came..... mum was stuck in Warks, trains were screwed and it would have been just too difficult for people to travel. So annoying! We have rescheduled so hopefully it will happen in the new year (I will keep my legs crossed so the baby doesn't arrive before!).

My hormones have been going crazy the last couple of days. I felt quite weird and not 100% on Saturday night and after I had gone to bed (Dan was out with the boys) I was up all night being sick (4 times) then just being woken up by a horrible acidic gag. It was awful. At first I thought it might be food poisoning but it didn't feel like food poisoning, I was just being sick and had awful heartburn. Dan finally came home at 5am (!!!) and after swigging a lot of Gaviscon and drinking glasses of milk, I finally got some sleep.

Feeling like this, on top of the baby shower being cancelled and Dan being out till 5am, lets just say I was an emotional wreck when I woke up! But.... after lots of cuddles and some non-alcoholic mulled wine and of course some cake I felt a lot better! These pregnancy hormones are a nightmare. Just imagine, 'time of the month hormones' timed by 10 and you are almost there..... I felt miserable and had enough of being pregnant!!! (p.s. I feel a lot better now!)

'Deck the halls with bells & holly.....'

34 weeks

I finally got the Christmas tree up and all the decorations and it looks gorgeous. Dan thinks he is coming home to Santa's Grotto each night but I love it.

It's crazy to think, this time next year we will have a little one running about and probably pulling all my baubles down (how on earth will I come...) ;0)

When Vic and I went to the Christmas Fair last month there was a lady writing on baubles. I got one done and it says, 'Sweet Dreams Bump 2010'. It is hanging on the Christmas tree this year and hopefully for many years to come. The baby's first Christmas decoration!

I love Christmas time although this year I am gutted I won't be able to indulge in wine, champers, smoked salmon, blue cheese, pate and all the other yummy treats around Christmas. Although, knowing me I will have a little of each I think....

This year we are spending Christmas Day with Dan's family then heading up to mine on 27 Dec. We are spreading Christmas right out and Dan is off work the whole time as well so it should be lovely and relaxing.

It will be nice if we have a bit of snow on Christmas Day too but not too much that we can't drive up to Warks though!

We had a lovely Christmas lunch round Vic and Steve's, their flat looks lovely and magical. They are off to New York for Christmas and baby has been told not to show it's little face until Auntie Vic is back! Stay put! A friend of mine, Michele was due 24 Dec and her little one showed up on 2 Dec... it was a bit of a wake up call that the baby can arrive whenever it wants!!! yikes!

Finished Work - 10 December 2010!!!

34 weeks

My time has finally come!!!!! I finished work today, woo hoo!!!!!

It got to the stage (especially when the snow hit last week) that I was really struggling with the commute in. The walk from Victoria to the office was such a struggle (usually takes 20 mins and was now taking me 25-30mins). I was actually getting to the office and feeling like I was about to give birth, the baby was not happy!

I am finishing 6 weeks before D-Day although with Christmas in 2 weeks, I have lots to buy and sort out, then Christmas and New Year and before you know it, it will be 2 weeks until baby day (if it comes on due date that is!). Apparently only 5% of babies come on their due date, so I doubt ours will either! I do keep thinking that I will wake up on 23 Jan and the contractions will begin....

Sleeping is becoming more and more annoying! It did use to be my favourite time of the day, tucking into bed but now, although I can get to sleep easily, I end up walking at least twice a night for the toilet or my hips hurt. I have two pillows in with me, one under the bump and behind my back, they help but when I wake in the night it takes me some time to get up as my hips or pelvis kill like hell! The joys of pregnancy hey! I have another 6 weeks of this!

The baby has moved up, I can regularly feel its kicks right under my boobs which is a weird feeling, quite uncomfortable really but again nice in a way. Apparently the baby will kick less in the next weeks as it has less and less room to move about. We will see....

Work got me two presents, a calender to mark all the babies 'milestones', sucking thumb, smiling etc and they also got me a baby grow with a Star Wars slogan on the front..... very kind of them and I don't want to come across ungrateful but it was a very odd present?!? I would have just preferred Mama and Papa vouchers really. Neither presents were really 'me'! Oh well.....

We had our 'annual' Christmas dinner tonight too. Dan and I organised it in the private room at the Avalon, Clapham. There was about 18 of us and was such good good. We all had to do a secret santa and it had to be something to wear, some were very funny!

Even some celebs showed up... Lady Gaga, Alan Carr, Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell, Beyonce & good old Boris!

This type of photo could start rumours for poor Cheryl Cole..... this was my secret santa gift to Robin, celebrity face masks!

Lovely pic of the current yummy mummy and soon to be yummy mummy Zoe and Helen (Helen is about 22 weeks pregnant and glowing!).

With not drinking I coped quite well. I was wide awake until about 1.00am and then the tiredness hit and it was time for my bedtime. We had our whole day antenatal class the following day and when I saw Dan knocking back his sambuca and lighting the flame in his mouth I knew it was time to head home. I could imagine a hangover and a birthing class do not mix.... and I was right! Poor hubby ;0)

1st Antenatal Class - 33 weeks

33 weeks

The bump looks quite big in this photo. I don't feel that big... At least it's very neat and all bump!

After the cancellation of the first original time (due to the snow), we finally got to attend a session. We chose a course in Banstead (as it's a nice area) and it was at the teachers house rather than a church hall. It's run through the NCT (private antenatal) the lady running the course, Maria Hamilton is great, she is from Northern Ireland, has two kids (6 and 8 yrs old) and is very laid back, chilled and down to earth.

Dan and I were the second couple to arrive, I walked into the living room first, saw a girl that looked like girl from Ugly Betty, her partner and then another girl who looked 'right up my street!'. As that girl stood I realised she had no bump.... she was a trainee midwife, typical!

There were a total of 5 couples on the course, Ugly Betty lookalike is Alicia and Phillip, who live in Hackbridge, Funmi and Pradeep who are moving to Epsom, Rachel and John who live in Kingswood and Irina and Drew. They all seem like really nice people and it will be good to get to know them along the course.

Dan and I along with Funmi and Pradeep are the only two couples that don't know the sex of the baby. Everyone else is having boys, I think!

The course is really good, a lot of chatting things through and I think it helps that Maria is so down to earth as it makes so much more sense that way! We have learnt about pain relief, massage techniques, the labour (ouch), relationship management and so much more. It is such a good course and I would highly recommend it to other expectant parents. I must admit though... I wasn't that nervous about childbirth before but since discussing it during the course, I am now sh*tting myself!!! It's sure gonna hurt!!!

Snow has arrived & Antenatal cancelled!

32.3 weeks - The snow has arrived early!!!

The peaceful snow covered road.

Our 'chalet' style house in the snow!

On a normal, cold November morning we woke to a light scattering of snow on the ground. Off I trotted to work but little did we know that the snow was going to turn heavy! After receiving a couple of calls/texts from people near home saying it was 6-8 inches at 3pm, part of me thought 'yeah right!'. I was in London, in my office, light showers of snow but nothing was settling. By 4pm, I thought it would be best to head home as I really wasn't wearing the right boots for snow weather.

Me and bump admiring the snow covered house!

Our lovely winter wonderland garden (view from bedroom)

I finally came off the train at Wallington and I was in 6 inches of snow.... my boots did not help and I was slipping all over the place (some bloke almost slipped down the stairs at the station but caught himself) this walk home was going to be a nightmare! It was one of the first time that I realised that carrying a bump on the front of you doesn't just throw you off balance, it makes you completely paranoid about falling over. My usual 15 min walk took me over 30 mins and I just wanted to cry and for someone to magic me home there and then! I managed to pull a muscle in my tummy, ouch. I think I was just so tense trying to steady myself I did more damage than good.

Once safe at home (with Dan still stuck on his train) I actually started to appreciate how nice snow was. (check out the winter wonderland garden pics). Dan finally got in at 8pm, after leaving the office at 4.30pm.

On top of all this, our first Antenatal class got cancelled, gutted (although we wouldn't have been able to get there!). It should be rescheduled for a couple of weeks time but I was really looking forward to that.

I was able to work from home today as I said it was too icy for me to get into work whilst preggers. It was lovely to wake up on 1 December 2010 to a blanket of snow though (it's getting us in the mood for Christmas). With only 7 days left of work, I really wished the snow had come after I had at least finished. My work is such a nightmare with letting people work from home and my boss can be very strict with it. It makes me feel very guilty but I am almost 8 months pregnant so some flexibility has to be shown I guess. I will put my boots on and tackle the journey in tomorrow (to show dedication to my job) but it is these things that make me want to find a more 'family friendly' company to work for once the baby arrives (I can't even imagine what my boss' reaction would be if I said I could get in as the baby was sick, nursery closed etc)!!

Imagine if we woke up on Christmas Day morning and had snow like this.... AMAZING!

A treat from hubby!

31.6 weeks

Dan treated me to a surprise spa weekend away to an amazing hotel called Pennyhill Park in Bagshot (near Basingstoke). I know of this hotel as it is a celebrity haunt and never would have expected to be able to stay there... it's very pricey!

We arrived to find that the England Rugby team were also staying there (it is their residence hotel when playing at Twickenham) which I think swayed Dan when choosing a hotel to stay at. It was pretty cool coz we got to meet/see lots of the players (not that I knew who they were) but Dan was in his element!!!

Here is Dan with Mark Cueto (very good looking!)

and here are some other players heading for the coach to Twickenham.

Dan had booked me in for a 1.5 hour pregnancy massage and facial which was absolute bliss! Pennyhill is famous for their pregnancy facilities which in all honesty I could not fault, it was amazing! The spa was huge!!!! On the Sunday, after brekkie with the players :0) we went back to use the spa which consisted of outside thermal pools, several steam/warm/cold rooms, a sensory room (where you get to have a nap on water beds!), foot massage chairs, massive pool and anything else you can think of! It was truly amazing and such luxury! If you ever want a spa hotel, go here!!!above - Dan checking out the pile of ice in the 'ice room', chilly! He actually threw some down my gown, I was not a happy bunny!

below - me being a chubbs in the steam room. Look at that belly!!!

Here I am posing with my bump (which looks huge) in front of the thermal spas and the main hotel (aka Hogwarts).

We had a suite booked, called Hibiscus (no room numbers here!), which was huge too! Massive bathroom and even a Pillow Menu to choose from (I choose 2 extra ones to help support the bump!). We had the best night sleep ever!

Another part of the treat was the food..... Afternoon tea on the Saturday, yummy! Lots and lots of food, even too much for Dan!

The evening then began with a 7 course meal in the Michelin star hotel restaurant. They could not do enough to help with my 'condition'! Every bit of food served was adapted to my pregnancy, fantastic! Dan managed to drink most of the red wine, followed by a selection of yummy cheese from the huge variety they had on the trolley (I miss wine and cheese!).

After dinner we headed to the bar which was full of players, wives and other rugby staff. You could see that every man was more interested in what Martin Johnson (England coach) was up to rather than listening to their wives, hehe!

It was an amazing surprise and such a perfect weekend, I felt truly spoilt and a very very lucky girl! I just hope I get to visit Pennyhill again!

31 weeks - the folks visit

31 weeks

Mum and Dad came down for the weekend, it's the first time they have been to the new house (hope they like it). They are going to help us with the garden.... it is so massive and Dan and I have no idea what to do with cutting back plants, trees etc. They both love gardening, so should be cool.

We had a lovely dinner on the Sat night with my parents and Dan's, it was lovely. They all get on so well, which is awesome. Mum is coming back down for the baby shower (19 Dec) so looking forward to seeing her then and also can't wait for the baby shower, woo hoo! I will next see Dad at xmas, 4 weeks before 'pop' date!

Baby is moving about like crazy and my tummy is feeling very stretched now. I know it is only going to get bigger especially with only 9 weeks to do, it needs to get bigger otherwise I am going to be having a very small baby!

The commute into work is becoming a problem now, I get so tired with the walk from Victoria to work but I like doing it as it gives me so exercise. I just have to take it so slowly otherwise I get awful pain in my tummy (similar to stitch). Only 2.5 weeks left until I finish work, which is very exciting. I think my body needs to chill and relax so it will be perfect timing. I really don't know how women can work right up to their due date, although if my commute was easier I probably could.

Sleeping is also becoming harder, I have to prop my tummy up with pillows and the baby really does get stuck in odd positions (especially at night) and it becomes very uncomfortable. I have started to feel really hard bits in my tummy, so I'm beginning to differentiate between the limbs if I feel around a bit. I think it will be very odd when I actually see a hand or foot pop out.

I keep forgetting to take my vitamins, it is so naughty but it just slips my mind (well lets be honest, everything is slipping my mind at the moment! Baby Brain Madness!). I need to remember them though as I can't be getting ill coming into Winter, that would be awful!

I bought a few other baby bits the other day from Mothercare. It is really hard not knowing the sex. I love not knowing and having it as a surprise but a nightmare buying baby grows and things. Oh well, I will just have to have an interest shopping spree once the baby is here!

I had an appointment to see the Anaesthetist at St Helier, just a routine check (as I was ill when I was little and they needed to give me the all clear just in case I needed to go under a 'general' whilst in labour). I was literally in there for 3 minutes, a few questions and then good to go! The appointment was at 2.45pm so had a 'working from home' day so worked out pretty good. I think I needed the lie in to 8am this morning!

3D Scan - Second time lucky

30 weeks

Dan was busy with work (at the rugby) so couldn't come along to this scan, so I asked Dan's mum as I knew she would really like to come and would be a great support. I was fairly confident that this time would be more successful as I have felt the baby move a lot more of the past couple of weeks.

We arrived and I jumped on the bed. Up popped the baby on the screen and what a surprise.... it was in the same position, with legs tucked up by it's head! Our baby is so flexible :0) It was much more successful than last time as we could see a little movement and could actually see it's facial features. At one point it poked itself in it's eye, hehehe, silly thing! We got our DVD and I was very happy with the results. Still a little shame that it wasn't in a better position but lovely to have the scan and see little baby Hawkes again. I think Frances loved it too. She commented that it is amazing how things have developed since she was pregnant. It is mad to think that in 30 years so much has changed and it just makes you wonder what will be the 'norm' when my little baby has a baby of their own (now that's a scary thought!). We had a DVD for it too, which is so cool to watch but I can't seem to upload it onto here properly.... I will see whether hubby can help! It will be so cool when our baby is older and he/she can watch themself from when they were still in my tummy!

I had another midwife appointment which went well although there was a training midwife also present and she had a few problems finding my baby, hmmm.... I think she needs just a little more training! Once baby was found, it was STILL in breach position (head up, legs down), she said this was ok as the baby still has plenty of time to move. I hope it moves down by about 34 weeks as it's going to run out of room to maneuver and I want to avoid the dreaded ECT (external cephalic version) which apparently is very painful (a process by which the midwife uses her hands on the abdomen to try to turn the baby) or even at worst.... a cesarean! I am sure I will fine, plenty of time!

29 weeks - Firework/Housewarming Party

29 weeks




The bump is certainly growing! Looking back at my bump photos over the last month and it has grown so much! Taking bump pics is an absolute must for any pregnant lady!

All is going well this week. Dan and I threw a housewarming/firework party over the weekend. We had about 18 people come and it was such good fun. We just did a big chilli con carni and a curry and it was just help yourself.

The fireworks were brilliant, we managed to get a few 'off the back of a lorry' through Dan's friend Emma at work (instead of £200 we got them for £60) and also a couple from Lidls. Dan had the fireworks set up like a proper display, all round the garden, catherine wheels on the tree, in flower pots, he had it organised very well! I could see he loved it! The best firework of the night was the finale, a £12 one from Lidls, it went on for ages, had so many different bits flying out of it, amazing!

The night was a success and we now realise that our house is fab for parties, large living room, wooden floors to deal with beer spillage. I'm just looking forward to holding a Summer BBQ! I managed to hold out until quite late into the evening, 2am actually! It's nice that the tiredness hasn't kicked in just yet, hopefully it will stay that way for another few weeks.

Here are a few pics of the night.



The baby is still moving around a lot, which is great. It does seem to get itself into uncomfortable positions, well for me anyway! I am starting to be able to feel certain bits of the baby through my skin, not that I can work out whether it's a head, bum, hand or foot but it's something!
I have also begun getting the infamous brown line down the tummy (I thought I got away with that one!). It's called the Linea Nigra and is due to hormonal changes which effects the skins pigmentation. It's still very faint but it's there! It comes down from the top of my tummy, past my belly button then down to my knicker line. Apparently it goes away soon after birth so that's cool, just another side effect of pregnancy hey!

I was reading something the other day saying that babies born at this stage have a 90% chance of surviving! I couldn't believe that if I was to go into labour now the baby would have a chance of living. It's mad to think because my tummy still feels so small to hold a baby and I can't even imagine giving birth just yet. I want that baby in there growing for as long as possible (well, not too long, by 23 Jan 2011 will be long enough!).

I can't wait to meet our little baby, just under 11 weeks to go!

Routine blood tests & unexpected leg scan!

28.5 weeks

I went along to St Helier for my 28 week blood test and to have my Anti-D injection. I have to have the Anti-D because my blood group is RhD Negative. As we don't know the blood group of the baby yet, to avoid any antibodies forming and causing problems for me and baby, I am given the injection just in case. Once the baby is born, it's blood will be tested and if it's also RhD Neg then nothing else will need to be done, however if it is RhD Positive, I would need another injection to avoid any problems in further pregnancies (how do they know all this stuff?!?!).

Anyway, the blood tests were fine but the Anti-D actually hurt quite a lot (I am such a wimp!).

Whilst I was there I mentioned to the midwife that I have been suffering from leg cramp and a couple of days ago I woke to awful cramp and I haven't been able to get rid of it and it hurts when I put pressure on my left leg. From asking this one simple question, I was put on the bed, leg measured (which was swollen by 2 cm, 32 cm compared to 30 on the right leg), blood pressure taken, temperature taken and also a doctor having a good look around, I get told that because I am pregnant there is a higher risk of blood clots so I best have a ultrasound done just in case! I was in shock, I thought it was just a pulled muscle and there I was waiting for a blood clot scan, yikes! The good thing about being pregnant is that they rushed me through to the front of the waiting list, gave me the scan and all was ok, no sign of thrombrosis. I had to wait for the doctor to sign me out (I was at the hospital from 8.30am - 12.30pm and needed to get home for the Tesco delivery man) and they confirmed that I had just probably pulled a muscle as I woke up with the cramp. It still really hurts mind and I can't walk on it properly but hopefully should get back to normal in a couple of days.

The cramp still comes when I wake up every morning though and hurts sooooo much! After speaking to Ming, Emma and other pregnant ladies it's apparently very common, it's just a shame it hurts so much!

I don't know, between Dan and I we could film an episode of Casulty in our household

My baby is now 'a little mover'!

28 weeks

This is me on the yoga ball bouncing about in an attempt to reposition the baby. The baby was lying so awkwardly and it was really uncomfortable. The bouncing around didn't really work to be honest but it helped a little bit!

The baby does not stop moving! I said last week that I wished it moved more and now I am eating my words. It is flipping and kicking and jumping and sleeping! It has become very clear when there is some movement and looking back the movements I was feeling before were so mild compared to now! Lovely really as I know it's doing ok and growing well.

I think this week I experienced my first Braxton Hicks (as early as 16 weeks you may experience BH, you will notice the tightening of your uterus and usually lasts for a couple of minutes. Not everyone notices them but most people start to experience them at later stages of pregnancy). I so experienced them... I was at work and I suddenly got this uncomfortable stretch, tightening of my tummy. At first I thought the baby had just moved to an uncomfortable position but when I stood up to walk about I realised that it was something different. It didn't hurt but it was a bit uncomfortable, it made me realise the type of sensation contractions are going to be, but 100 times worse. Hmmm, labour is gonna be a tough one!

Hopefully I won't get them too often from now, we will see.

This week, Dan was away with work and I came home one evening and got an urge to get busy so, I painted the kitchen! Yep, there I was, up the ladder, stretching with the roller! Ridiculous really and I had to be so careful. I didn't know why I got started on it but I just needed to get it done then! It looks lovely and although we still have the delightful yellow cabinets, it looks so much better!

I didn't stop then.... next I was in the nursery moving all the furniture around. It was very heavy but I was careful but I just had to do it there and then and I just couldn't wait until the next day when Dan was back! It looks so organised and all ready for baby Hawkes to move in!

4D Scan!!!

27.6 weeks

Dan and I made a decision that we wanted to have a 4D scan done. We had to go to a private clinic and there was a local one in Banstead. It cost us £140 but I did quite a bit of research on it and the reviews were fab.
One of the other reasons was, when we were for our 20 week scan, baby Hawkes wasn't co-operating so we didn't get to see much. This was an opportunity for us to see him/her again and much clearer and also moving in a 3D image. We couldn't wait!!

Here are the pics.... amazing!!! However, as we expected, of course our little baby wasn't co-operating....

Dan and I arrive at the clinic, get welcomed with a nice cup of tea (I could get use to this private clinics!). Up we go and I lie on the bed waiting for our gorgeous baby to pop up on the screen. There is it....... asleep with it's legs tucked up and with it's feet in it's face!!! We can't see a thing, oh there's an eye... nope it's a toe... The lady was prodding and poking, I was moving and jumping in every attempt to wake the baby up! After a good attempt but with little success she told me to take a walk, have a caffeine drink and a bar of chocolate, 'that should wake baby up for sure', she said! After doing all that, again jumping up and down, running and skipping (honestly I was knackered) I returned 40 mins later, lay on the bed and yep, you guessed it, still asleep!!! STILL ASLEEP, after all that! Not one little movement just very happy having a little nap in mummy's tummy! She poked a bit more and then decided that the baby was not going to wake up so told us to come back in a couple of weeks. I was so gutted! I was desperate to see our little baby move about but the tired little stubborn monkey just wasn't co-operating! I am starting to see a theme here with all our scans, I think our baby is camera shy!

You will see from the pics though that the whole image is pretty amazing and it was incredible seeing our baby so clearly rather than the grainy b&w image you usually get. I would definitely recommend it and I look forward going again in a couple of weeks. I will make sure I do all I can to get the baby to wake up though before the scan, I will get internet researching for techniques!

My maternity cover at work - I finally found a lovely girl to cover my maternity leave, she was due to start on 15 Nov but has now accepted a perm offer elsewhere!!! How annoying, so now we are back to square one and looking again.! It is doing my head in a little as no one in the office (mentioning no names!) is making any effort to actually find someone when she will be the one having to pick up on my stuff if we don't get someone in time! Although I'm keen to get someone good to look after my work whilst I am away, I don't really care now and just want anyone to come in. They can just deal with it all when I leave on 10 December!! woo hoo!!! Countdown to my year off has begun!

Midwife Appointment & Dan's poorly back!

26 weeks

I went along for my midwife appointment and this was the first session that the midwife felt for the baby and knew which position it was lying in! It was very exciting and she found the position within like 5 seconds (amazing!). The baby was lying in 'breech' position, so head in my ribs, bottom down under my belly button and legs out to the right hand side. It's ok as the baby will move around so much hopefully it won't be in breech when it decides to come out.

I got given my MatB1 (finally), this is a certificate I have to give to work to prove that I am having a baby (I think they would know I'm not faking it by now...) and she also gave me the forms to complete for my £190 government pregnancy grant. Cool hey, I get £190 for just having a baby, free money, won't complain! All was good at the appointment, good measurement around the belly (the belly in cm should measure the same as the weeks I am pregnant) and baby heart-beat all good too!

Pregnancy is still going very well so I can't complain. I actually feel like I am having the text book pregnancy. If I didn't have my ever increasing bump I wouldn't feel pregnant at all. I have been suffering from leg cramps though, mainly at night in bed but also when I am trying to put on socks or shoes, I get it in my toes, ouch!! They don't know what is the cause of cramps so I'm afraid I just have to deal with them.

I have had a lot of craving for milk. Lovely ice cold milk, either on cereal or straight in a glass, yummy! I tend to have a glass when I get to work (colleagues find it very funny) or when I feel really thirsty! I did actually read that leg cramps can be caused by lack of Calcium so maybe it's my bodies way of getting more calcium inside me!

I have been sleeping with cushions under my bump and between my legs, it helps get comfy but I still wake up a couple of times in the night, either to get comfy or need a wee!

Dan hurt his back this week too, poor hubby! He has been having a few problems for a while and then the other day I got back from work and he was just lying out flat on the lounge floor, he couldn't move! It was awful and horrible to see him in pain. He has been pretty much bed ridden for a week and having to lie on the floor or at least keep moving about every 10 mins. He went for a x-ray so hopefully the results will come back positive rather some major problems. It has been a bit of a role reversal though, me, 6 months preggers has been standing on tables changing light bulbs, running around getting stuff for hubby and to top it off our cooker broke too so it really is none stop in our house! Trying to take it easy though and relax when I can as I feel the exhaustion setting back in with hitting the 3rd trimester!

Baby Show Outing

26.6 weeks


Helen, Zoe, Iyla and I headed off to Earls Court baby show! It was really the first opportunity to do a bit of baby shopping! The show was really well organised, very child friendly (not surprising) but not as stressful as other shows I have been too!

The show was great, babies everywhere, demonstrations of pushchairs and all the big baby brands. The prices were discounted so I bought a few bits but I guess with the price of the ticket included it probably added up to the same.

I picked up:
Baby bath support
Electric steriliser
Moses basket sheets
Cot bumper set and quilt
Breast pump (which came free with a magazine subscription!)
Dummy holder clips

Not too many things but it was so nice to have a girlie, baby day! I'm glad I went with the girls rather than dragging Dan along, I think he would have hated it!!

I still have so much to buy but I will get bits and pieces over the next few weeks. I have said to myself that I want to be all sorted before xmas. In that way I will be ready for the babies arrival, even if it decides to come a little early :0)

Nursery furniture ordered!

26 weeks

Went up to Warks to see folks and it's Abi's b'day on the 19 Oct so wanted to see them too. It would be the first time they have all seen me with a bump so quite exciting. I really do have a baby bump now!

We had a very funny incident when we got to mum and dad's.... I stupidly couldn't find the spare key so the only way for Dan and I to get into the house was through a small window. Guess who drew the short straw for that?!?! There I was, almost 6 months pregnant being pushed head first through a window by my caring husband who was spouting encouraging support.... the cat was lying on the bed watching and its face was priceless! We managed to get in but only whilst the next door neighbour watched us do the deed whilst we attempted to prove that I was Jonty & Katka's daughter (I have only met the neighbours once or twice!). Very funny but at least it still shows that I am still supple!

As with most trips to see the parents I got spoilt rotten by mum. Lots of lovely clothes and bags, how exciting! Mum is soooo good to me!

We ordered our nursery furniture this week too. We decided on the 'willow' range from Mama's & Pama's. I think they see you coming..... as Dan said, anything with Weddings or Babies in it is going to cost a fortune!! It will look lovely when it arrives though, can't wait! We ordered a wardrobe and chest of drawers (I will pop a pick on when delivered and set up).

Nick and Abi very kindly gave us Felix's old cot! It's lovely and will be perfect with our other furniture. Here's a pic of Dan putting it together and me with the finished product!

Bump is getting bigger

23 weeks

Bump is getting bigger and I'm starting to feel it! I still look quite small really for almost 6 months preggers and I am lucky that I have put little weight elsewhere other than my tummy but to me, I feel MASSIVE (although, one thinks it's only gonna get bigger!) I stood on the scales this week (first time since my initial midwife appointment) and I have gone from 9.2 stone to 9.10 stone.... that's only 8 pounds! amazing! I read that on average most women put on about 15 pounds by this time so I checked with the midwife and there's no problem, all is ok. I was so surprised though as I really have scoffed my face, honestly, I don't think I have ever eaten so much and lets be honest, most of it tends to be cake! I seem to be a lucky lucky girl!

I had another midwife appointment this week. It was at a different place to the nightmare of Shotfield. I was at Stanley Park Childrens Centre, which was a nice place and so much better. As I was waiting to be called in, there were a lot of women (and babies) coming and going so it seems to be a place that holds classes and things, so much better and a good way to meet other mums. I must admit though, as I was waiting, I was surrounded by about 10 women with babies ranging between newborn to 5 months and I felt SO out of my comfort zone!! I can't believe I will have one of those soon, yikes (although very exciting!).

Anyway... the appointment went well. Good blood pressure, urine and heard the little sprogs heartbeat (I still try to guess the sex, apparently a slow beat equals a boy and a fast beat equals a girl but it all sounds the same to me really!) and they gave me a Bump to Breastfeeding DVD which is suppose to be good so Dan and I need to check it out.

I asked the midwife if I seemed the right size and she said it was no problem as people carry differently but she did say that the baby will start to have big growth spurts going forward so expect some extra weight gain. Apparently it grows 6oz per week now... wow!

Dan also had his first 'connection' with the baby this week. He felt the first 'mini kick'! After my trip to Tuscany I swear the baby was kicking harder, so when I got back I told Dan whilst we were in bed (the only time the baby kicks like crazy) to pop his head on my tummy and wait. After a few minutes he got a big kick in his ear! Woo hoo, the kicking has begun! It is so nice and comforting when I feel the kicks as it's nice to know it's in there moving about but it's even nicer to know that Dan can start to feel it too!

I also had to go to St Helier to see the Consultant today. It's been in the diary since my first midwife appointment as they want to check me out following my illness with my lungs when I was a little girl. The appointment was great, there was a Student doctor present and although initially I was a bit weary, I realised that it was actually great to have one there. The consultant had to explain everything so clearly so she understood. They had a good feel of my bump and the student was asking lots of questions so I got to find out so much then in a normal appointment. It went on for ages, well worth it! All was good and they had no concerns, although she has booked me to in see the Anaesthetist in November, not for any reason other than to get checked out that I would be ok to go under General Anaesthetic should there be an emergency. All worth it really as they will hopefully look after me more!

Holiday in Tuscany - Spoilt by Mum and Dad!

22 weeks

Off I trot to (sunny) Tuscany to spend a lovely week with my parents. I flew Easy Jet so made sure I booked 'Speedy Boarding' (which is well worth it by the way) so I could get a decent seat and I set off to Pisa leaving hubby/father to be at home! hehe.

The tree has the same bump as me!

I did however end up sitting next to a women who spoke to me for majority of the flight about my star sign, my mum's star sign, my mother-in-law's star sign and came to the conclusion that I should try and have the baby in February rather than January so it's an Aquarius rather than a Capricorn... hmmm, I will try to hold on love... like I will really give a damn about the star sign when the contractions begin!! Nice lady though however I think she frowned at me when I tucked into my egg sarnie, big up of tea and packet of crisps whilst she was eating a peppermint tea and homemade salad. Haha!!

Lovely pic of mum and dad overlooking Florence, heaven!

Mum and I scoffing the most amazing ice-cream in the world (I actually had one a day, chubbs!), but just look at the choice below, how can you refuse and after all... 'what the baby wants, the baby just has to have!' ;0)

I had just the best time. It was so perfect for me to relax and chill with my parents and get away following the house move and just being away from the office was bliss. The weather could have been a bit better as I was hoping to catch a tan but still, I managed to make use of a few Summer outfits. I certainly did enjoy the Italian food and wine whilst I was away. I was a little naughty with the vino, however I guess a small glass of wine each night for a week isn't too bad is it?!?! It is only one week after all and it wasn't as if I was on a boozy bender holiday. I think baby enjoyed the taste anyway! hehe

Seeing mum and dad in Tuscany was the first time I've seen them since I have actually had a little bump. Even being still very small, they think I look very 'neat' and reckon it is a little boy too, 'all front and like a beach ball'. Hmm the odds are really on a boy! It's so crazy really as I can just imagine it's a boy, I see a baby boy when I'm dreaming and the funny thing is that none of us have any idea and we just have to wait and see!!! Waiting really was the best option!

One night I was having my little 'bonding session' with Baby Bump Hawkes and rubbing in my tummy oil I felt a kick and this kick was not like the others I feel a lot of the time, this was a much bigger one and I swear I could feel it on the outside! I hope so as I have been waiting so long (well 2 weeks and in pregnancy terms, that is a long time) but it was definitely a bigger kick than normal. Can't wait to get home to see if Dan can feel it!

Dad was in shock with the amount of food I was consuming, he really couldn't believe it. Well with pregnancy and all that yummy Italian food, how could I refuse ;0)

On the last day, we came across a lovely baby clothes shop and mum bought the baby it's first gorgeous knitted cream duffle jacket. It is so cute. We got it for 9-12 months old so the baby can wear next Winter, just in case the baby is late and therefore wouldn't get much wear out of it in the first 2 months.

2nd Scan - We seem to have a very shy baby!

21 Weeks

Dan and I went to St Helier hospital for our 2nd scan (anomaly scan). This is the scan where they check all the important bits like whether all the organs are formed, the heart and lungs have all the right cavities along with many other checks but most importantly... it's when they can tell us the sex of the baby!

Now, I have always been adamant that I didn't want to know the sex however waking up the morning of the scan I seemed to have an unusual change of heart! Luckily for me (as deep down I defo wanted it to stay a surprise), Dan was strong and told me to pull myself together (yep, I was actually throwing a tantrum and crying.... hormones?!?!) and I soon went back to my original way of thinking and deciding to wait was the best option for us!

The scan - lets just say I was a little disappointed with our little baby. I mean, he/she was in a healthy condition and had no problems at all which is the main and most important thing BUT we couldn't see a bloody thing! Our baby decided it wanted to be shy so when the picture came up on the screen all we could see was a spine and the back of it's head! After numerous attempts of going to the loo, jumping up and down, thrusting my hips, the little blighter still didn't fancy showing it's face to mum and dad!!! As you can see from the pics not a lot to see really! I guess he/she wants to remain a surprise and I can't wait!

Still not looking very 'pregnant'. In my opinion anyway!

I did ask the sonographer whether she could still tell the sex of the baby even in that position and she said yes. This makes me think that we are having a little boy as I think they only way they identify the sex is through either seeing or not seeing a little willy. She must have seen one as you really couldn't see anything of the baby in the position it was lying! Only time will tell I guess but my money's on a boy!

90% chance of having a 10lb + baby... YIKES!!!

Whilst I was jumping about in the toilet trying to get our baby to move, a few graphs popped up on the ultrasound screen. Dan being the 'statistical genius' he is, analysed these graphs and came up with the conclusion that should the baby continue to grow at the rate it's currently growing I will have a 90% chance of having a over 10lb baby!!! Over 10lb baby, Jesus Christ, that has gotta hurt, great!! The sonographer was quick to reassure us that this is only a guide and my midwife will begin measuring my bump at 30+ weeks which will give a more accurate indication but still... HOLY F&%K!!!

At this stage our gorgeous little bundle of joy weighs in at 2 pound (which I think is above average)!

Exciting new alert!!!

We also received some additional very exciting news this week too..... Pete and Helen are also having a baby!!!! I am so excited and was quite emotional when Helen told me. They are 7 weeks and due 29 April 2011 so maternity leave seems even more exciting now! Ladies that lunch anyone?!?! I do think I live in this dream world of having the most content little baby ever, who never cries, sleeps most of the time and I swan around living my 'yummy mummy' life. Hmmm, in reality I don't think it's going to be like that....

Moving House!

20 weeks

We are finally moving into a house (with stairs!!) and the packing really does take yonks, we have so much stuff! I'm busy doing most of it as I guess I am going to be pretty useless when it actually comes to carrying the boxes out the flat and I was right... I was pretty useless carrying anything. Although I tried doing the odd bit I could feel my back beginning to hurt very quickly and then I got an awful tingling pain in my left arm which just wouldn't go away, I think I pulled a ligament or something.

I actually keep forgetting that I'm pregnant, I'm feeling much better now and only have a tiny bump so feel I can just keep carrying on as normal however I have been told that when you're pregnant all your bones and muscles become softer and therefore are prone to injury a lot easier - hence the hurting back and pulled ligaments! I think I did push myself a little too much so when the going got tough I left the rest to the boys (nice!).

Tummy Shot - still just a pot belly!












We are all moved in and I LOVE the new house. It hasn't been decorated in about 20 years (hence the 60's style kitchen!) so we will do a few little bits to brighten it up but its exactly where we need to be for the little baby's arrival. I thought we would have had to stay in the flat and although it would have been tough with the stairs and parking we would have coped, however being in this house is a dream come true and I feel so lucky! Check out that garden, woo hoo!






I had my first night alone in the house as Dan was away on business. I was so scared (I'm such a wimp!). The house makes so many more noises than the flat and there are so many windows too!! The curtains were firmly shut and the doors were securely locked and you will be pleased to know that I did make it through the night so all is well, although I must say I was pretty brave! I guess I better try and get better at being in the house alone whilst Dan is away as I am going to be pretty useless if I'm hiding under the covers with our child coz we are both scared of the 'boogie monster' in the cupboard......

Nick, Zoe and Iyla popped round to say hello! Iyla is getting so big now, beginning to walk around and she is just so adorable! Can't wait to meet our little cherub ;0)

18.5 weeks - Felt the first movement!!!

My 18.5 week tummy shot. I feel like a bump is starting to appear now, although I sometimes wake up in the morning and nothing is really there but by the end of the day it's popped right out, weird! I have a feeling that between now and my next scan (at 21.5 weeks) in 3 weeks time I should defo get some growing happening! I can't go along to my second scan hardly looking preggers, that's just wrong!



I had a very exciting moment today.... I woke up this morning and whilst I was just lying in bed I felt something weird go on inside my tummy. I lay for a minute and it happened again, it was a definite movement from inside!!! It felt a little like a nerve twitching (like you get in your eye sometimes) but it was inside the tummy and only one or two and then would stop and then maybe happen again a few mins later. It was on the right hand side and felt so cool. I'm glad Dan was still at home so I could share my excitement but at the time he just though that I needed the loo (hmmm!). It continued to happen every now and then whilst I was getting ready for work then at around 4pm whilst at work. It was so cool! I will keep an eye out for it as I guess over the next few weeks it should get stronger but it was amazing just feeling that little movement.

I really hope when I feel my first real kick I'm at home with Dan. I'm off to Tuscany with my folks in 3 weeks (can't wait!) and although it would be so cool to feel the first kick with them, it'll be a shame to have to tell Dan about it just over the phone without him being there, so hopefully the little blighter will give us a kick before I go or even wait until I get back!

Dan and I have also decided we're going to get a 4D scan done. You have to do it privately and costs about £100. You basically get to see the baby really clearly in a 4D video image and not just the black and white grainy image you get with the NHS. You get to take a DVD away plus lots pics and I think it will be so cool to keep as a memory to look back on (especially when I have a screaming toddler running about I can watch the video and remember how content and quiet it was in my belly). I think it'll be amazing and I've heard loads of good reviews about it, so can't wait. Apparently the best time to do it is between 25 - 30 weeks so will book in for about 27 weeks. Dan also refuses to go before that date as the baby's eyes won't be open (they are still sealed slightly until this date) and he thinks it looks too alien like and it scares him! haha. We will make sure we tell the sonographer that we don't want to know the sex because apparently on the 4D scan it can be very obviously to anyone what the sex is and as we don't want to find out they can just focus on the top end!

We are also busy packing the flat up at the moment as we are moving house to Heathdene Road on 1 Sept 2010 (2 mins down the road). A lovely 3 bed detached house with garden and parking (woo hoo) so perfect for us to start our little family. We are only renting but hope to be there for about 2 years so we can settle right in and best of all we get to have a proper nursery for the baby's arrival (it's own room, how exciting!). The tenants move into our flat a week later and they seem like really nice people (found on Gumtree) so hopefully we won't have any problems.

The flat is currently covered in boxes and stuff ready for the move and with me not being able to carry really heavy items, the move it going to be a tough one. Poor Dan! We'll get there in the end though and it will definitely be worth it!

I also got a call from St Helier Midwife today and they have transferred me from Shotfield (with the horrible midwife) to Stanley Park Childrens Centre so hopefully will be much better. Firstly they take appointments outside the hours of 1pm-3pm so a lot easier for me and work! My appointments after the scan so will update how I get on.