At the weekend we swapped our bedrooms around and upgraded to biggest bedroom in our house! We're hoping that the extra space and distance from Millas bedroom would be suitable to house a crying newborn in the night. Our toddler is a light sleeper! (fun fact: Milla was born in this room!)
So far she's handled the change of bedrooms perfectly. As I've mentioned we put up fairy lights in the lounge that are set on a timer to be lit from 6-8am. This works perfectly, Milla wakes up and sees the light and heads towards the lounge. Eventually after a little play she will come down and see us at the other end of the hallway. Perfect! (I'm also hoping the fairy lights will create a nice atmosphere for birthing in the lounge)
This baby (and I) are officially "full term". I've tried so hard this time round not to think of a "due date". Very few people know my actual date, and when asked for it I usually give a different answer each time. A lot of the reason for that is because I actually can't remember it. Instead I've been thinking "some time in June" and now that its June, I kind of mentally feel like I've passed my due date. Doh. I definitely haven't yet, but its all a mental mind game.
In the last week I have been fighting off two ear infections, a chesty coldy cough, Millas tummy bug and MrMoos manflu. But life goes on. I just wish I was feeling more stronger at this stage of my pregnancy. Instead I'm trying to focus on my mind being strong.
We're swapping bedrooms around today and blowing up the birthpool. Following that we will be all ready to have this baby girl!
We've put fairy lights up in our lounge on a timer for the morning so Milla will be able to find her way around the house when she wakes up in the dark. I love them, I wish they were on all the time, and now I'm quite excited to be labouring and potentially giving birth in our lounge with such pretty lighting.
A surprise babyshower was thrown for us this weekend! Everyone pulled it off so well, I truly had no idea! I always thought I wouldn't like to have a surprise party because I love to know everything, but since everyone played their part so well I wasn't suspicious at all and LOVED IT! So much fun! Surprise parties are now officially my favourite! (more on the baby shower later)
I ordered Spiritual Midwifery and received it yesterday, I'm already half way through (spending the afternoon "resting" in bed will allow you that luxury. Thank you MrMoo!). I'm enjoying it, if thats the term you would use? So far the biggest impact its had on me is understanding that each birth is completely different, yet each birth completely normal.
On Saturday we took a spontaneous 1.5 hr trip to Hanmer Springs, a thermal village with hot pools here in Canterbury. The planets just seemed to align and cause it to be so, and there we were. It was something I really wanted to do with MrMoo and Milla before the newest baby is here so we could all enjoy it and all get in the pools. And the weather was amazing. Milla was amazing. Everything just worked out.
After we got out of the hot pools I had a real honest to goodness contraction. All I could think about was that I hadn't saved my midwives number in my phone yet... And the bench of dishes I had left back in Christchurch. No idea if the hot pools (25 & 26deg (the temp of a birth pool)) and the contraction are related. Haven't had any since.
I'm so excited about our newest baby whose getting ready to be born. She's been head down for weeks, I'm getting achy and big, and as my last daughter was a tiny bit early I'm preparing for this one to be born a little early too (just incase).
Even though I am just so excited about having a second, I am also undeniably a little sad that Milla wont have my undivided attention any more (well... between her, the housework and the fun stuff. You know what I mean). I'll be pulled between two little ones with completely different needs. I'm a little sad about that. But I know it will work.
I'm thankful that everything I need to be, in my eyes, a successful Mother I get on tap from God. Patience, love, selflessness, energy, courage, strength. It all comes from him. Thats what makes me know I'm ready for this baby. A bassinet and a capsule we still haven't got, but He carries those who have young. And that makes it all okay.
We're planning our second home birth (still not sure if we'll prepare for a water birth or not..) , there sure is a lot of extra things to get and organise vs hospital bag. Glamourous things too: Rubbish bags, old towels, sieves (*cough*)...
Here's somethings I want to know from you. I'd appreciate an email or a comment: - Any recommendations for light novel reading in the middle of the night while feeding - Did you blog leading up to having (and afterwards) your second child? Leave me a link to the tags, I'd love to read about your experience. - Who goes in the car first. Toddler or baby? I'm thinking toddler - then at least I know she wont run away while the capsule is strapped in, right? - Are any of you seasoned home birthers? Anything extra I should think about that I might not have come across yet? (especially regarding child care, introducing toddler and baby at home, etc etc etc)
Our midwife showing MrMoo how to put on Millas first nappy
While I snuggled a little newborn in 2011 I heard of so many stories of my friends ending up with midwives they didn't like, trust or believe it. It made me terribly sad. I loved my midwife and I was truly sorry to be out of her care. I trusted her completely. I believed in her philosophy and how that impacted the decisions she made.
It was then that I realised that no two midwives are the same. Its important to get one who fits with -your- philosophy, just how no two mothers are the same.
Can I urge you, if you are entering your first pregnancy (or even subsequent ones) and you dont know the first thing about choosing a midwife (don't worry, no one does) have a think about the type of birth you would like to have, and about the type of care you would like to receive. Then ring up and ask a midwife what they offer.
Each midwife is different and will offer a different type of care. Some will only do hospital births, others are skilled specifically at home births. Some can't be involved in epidurals so if you get one you'll be passed over to the hospitals care. Some midwives work within a practice (so you get to know the other midwives on call), others work within a roster at a hospital so you'll have a stranger midwife attending your birth (or possibly delivering, depending on what week or time of day it is).
Some midwives are only part time, some are full time. Some will do home visits, others you'll need to go to their clinic to have your monthly and fortnightly visits.
Some midwives will befriend you and will be interested in your life outside of your uterus, others will be strictly business. Some will be all for medicine and tests, others will weigh up your risk factors and suggest different options.
What suits someone else may not suit you, and vice versa.
I have heard countless times from people who had a birth and care other than what they wanted, and could look back and see that they saw it coming all along.
If you see a midwife for a few months and you feel like you are not clicking with them, see someone else. You are not stuck with them.
Personally, I love my midwife and it is a happy coincidence I stumbled into her care. I was originally seeing a different LMC but a few months into my care for my first pregnancy she had to pull out of midwifery due to family circumstances. Instead, I was referred to this new midwife with the option of seeing someone else if I would rather. I'm so happy I was able to meet her.
Thanks for your prayers! Really! The sonographer scared me a little by asking instantly if I had had experienced any bleeding so far (er... who EVER wants to hear that??!) but it turned out to be nothing. PHEW. I wont deny I prayed my whole way through the scan.
Family photo, myself as a baby and my 4 older siblings <3 font="">
BABY MOO2 (current) SO FAR:
I felt no hesitation in telling friends and family, but wanted to keep this pregnancy from going "public" for as long as I could. (read: public = Facebook & blog). I felt the need to protect my baby and my own emotional state from prying acquaintances asking me how I was.
I found out a few weeks later than I could have, but as I wasn't regular, and so far had no pregnancy symptoms (except if you count craziness), I had no idea how far along I was. Because of that I got a dating scan (seriously, I had no idea), and was guttered to find out I was only 8 weeks. I thought I could have been anywhere up to 13 weeks, and thought maybe I was blessed and had skipped through that first trimester without morning sickness.
When I told MrMoo he was going to be a Daddy again he responded with "I know".
The sickness hit. I prayed hard. It stopped. I was terrified. Then it resumed a few days later but on a much lesser more manageable scale.
In hindsight I can now see that having a toddler through morning sickness is a blessing, it meant I constantly had snacks around and was eating regular meals at regular times.
Milla learnt to eat with her spoon after having a mummy dashing to the bathroom regularly.
I didn't spew once in our toilet. I couldn't bear the thought of sticking my head down there.
I thought my morning sickness was so different to my previous pregnancy and therefore I was probably likely to have a boy. I can see now that it was mostly my situation that had changed (no ear infection, constant snacking and meals with the toddler) rather than the actual sickness. Until a few weeks ago I was convinced I was having a boy, but after a night of dreams where I had two little girls I woke up convinced this baby is a girl.
Before our first I didn't know what it meant to love a child, then I worried I couldn't love another like I do her. Now I know, love is infinite, it just keeps growing. I already love this baby so completely.
We have our anatomy scan tomorrow, and I am so excited to see this little kicking baby who is stretching me out all over again.
Please pray for us and the wellbeing of our family xxx
A momentary glace at each other showed me everything; they were nervous.
I had to know, "Whats wrong?" I breathed.
"Nothing, nothing..." They both chimed back in unison. Something was definitely wrong. I could see it in their concentration. The happy lines on their faces had hardened. These ladies had seen the greatest and worst moments that life has to offer and right now they were preparing themselves for what lay ahead. I felt it.
I looked next to me at my worried husband. His worry was different, it was a natural concern as he looked on his wife and his future. Unlike my two ladies, his eyes spoke to me. They were deep and full of love and yearning; bloodshot and welling up with tears.
"Why are they lying to me? Whats wrong?" I asked him directly with a hiss in my voice. He looked confused. I knew he didn't know.
"Sophie. We have to get this baby out right now. I need you to give me the biggest push you have. She has to come now" I was told by my midwife. Usually so happy and chirpy now she was laying down the law.
This was the time to listen and do but I was confused; half an hour earlier she had told me when we got to this moment I would need to pause and stop; I would need to hold my baby in, breathe, relax and fight the temptation to push. The baby would need time to rotate her body so that she could be birthed. All of a sudden there was no time for that essential part of the process? I was confused.
I dug deep inside myself as the contractions took over my being. They controlled me now. They had won. This baby was coming.
I pushed. I pushed. I pushed.
"Sophie, this baby needs to come now. I need a really big push!"
"THESE ARE BIG PUSHES JANINE!" I yelled, staring straight into her eyes. Who was she to tell me that I wasn't pushing hard enough? I had my foot on her shoulder and I pushed off her, straight into the wall behind me. I realised I could go much much harder and I gave it everything. In those moments who knows what I could have achieved if I was not limited to my own bedroom. With that adrenaline I could have ran up Everest, lifted the Titanic from its depths, stopped an earthquake it its tracks (or created one). Instead I was doing the greatest thing I have ever done.
I gave birth to my little girl in one quick second. She wasn't there and then all of a sudden she was. Bright pink and sticky white. She was scooped up and placed on my bare chest. She let out a little newborn cry and I couldn't believe my life. This. Perfection. Love. Life. It was all too much.
I was later informed that the midwives thought Camilla's head was actually her umbilical chord. They couldn't find a heart beat so I had to change positions to be bum down (the hardest position to birth in). A heart rate still could not be found so I needed to get her out. Now. No dawdling around.
Following the birth it was apparent that Camilla just had a particularly squishy head and for whatever reason her pulse just wasn't to be found. She was perfectly happy and healthy. However my fast birth caused ripping which later was not stitched correctly. I was left with a large amount of skin that hangs and connects to nothing.
While medically I am in a fit and healthy order it still doesn't make me feel particularly good on the inside and over time is slowly getting worse. This Friday I am going into hospital to have it cut off.
A part of me feels like this is some dirty secret that I am revealing. I suppose it is a bit (a lot) personal but it certainly isn't dirty. These are the results of a fairly normal and natural birth and like stretch marks and wobbly bellies that you can't fix, this can be fixed, so I am having it done.
I've never been in hospital (if you don't count this little incident) and I am thoroughly nervous.
I don't regret the birth I had or my midwives instructions. She was protecting me and our baby and looking out for our best interests, at the time we did what seemed right. I am also thankful to every medical professional I have spoken to about this. I was worried that no one would take me seriously and tell me its not a big deal "Just one of the results of childbirth. What? Did you think it would be a walk in the park?"(No, they never said that but it was always the reaction I expected), thankfully all have been very encouraging to have it righted and made the process very easy.
While only a few weeks pregnant I enjoyed my lack of responsibility and abundant freedom that was available to us while sneakily writing about it on my blog while no one new of our little blessing. Our trip to Westport mentioned in the post was really us going over to tell my parents of our news. Hehe.
February was a slow month for me. We spent a lot of time in Auckland and without power or internet so I was unable to blog. I managed to get my social networking policies blogged about before our big earthquake. We were so lucky to have the first flight out of Christchurch after the quake (already pre booked) and escape up north for a leadership conference but our hearts belonged in our city with our families and friends who were struggling. It was an odd feeling. I wanted to be away but I wanted to be back. I still mourn and feel for those who have lost in the earthquakes. There are still people without working toilets and running water. Thankfully we are fully functional with all of our loved ones still around us (except for those who have sadly moved away).
Amongst the mess of the earthquakes and my emotions I forgot to mention here on the blog that I was with MiniMoo. I wrote this post about how much I loved her Daddy and for a very long time it remained in my "top 5 viewed posts" stats. Through this people realised that I was having a baby and I began to blog about her more regularly. It was really hard for me to make any sense of anything that was going on inside my head, let alone type it out and publish it.
We went to Brisbane in March for a prebaby holiday and to celebrate some family birthdays over there. It was a really great time for Graeme and I. We love to travel but money usually restricts us. It was really great to get out of Christchurch again and escape the ongoing after shocks. I finally blogged about it in April in this post.
My largest and most worked on blog post to date and also one of my top viewed posts, The Great Quakes. I finally make some chronological sense of whats happened.
Also, I had a shared baby shower with 2 of my favourite Mamas!
We moved into our new [rented] home after living with the inlaws for many months. We moved in with them when our lease expired, we found out we were pregnant, and I lost a job. It was a blessing living with them but it was also very hard. I desired our own space. We moved into a scummy area behind a security gate and the apartment was everything on our wants and needs list at the time. We've just done a reshuffle so now its no longer a 3 bedroom apartment. We turned the master bedroom into a very small lounge and will be using the old lounge as a sitting room and dining room. It means our bedroom is down next to Camillas when she moves into it and we can get our dining table out of storage and start using it! Hoorah!
July
We hosteda lot of parties and it snowed! The parties were for Camilla and also a midwinter dinner for members of our connect group from Church. (We hosted a fortnightly connect group for young married couples).
We ended up having two large snowfalls (large for Christchurch anyway) and it just seemed to add on to the abnormal-ness of the whole year. More time off work. More shovelling to be done. I loved having Graeme home from work as I neared the end of my pregnancy.
Of course, August was the birth month of our beautiful baby. Camilla has changed our lives completely and I feel like a whole different woman. I wrote about the birth later but this Welcome Post received so many hits. I wrote it the day after her birth, early in the morning, in the days when they just sleep and sleep and sleep. Throughout my pregnancy I wrote weekly updates from week 20. Week 37, written during August was the most popular one. In it I write about how someone asked me for a cigarette (what the heck is the world coming to??) and also I peed myself at a friends party. Beautiful huh.
We settled into life with a new born baby, we had a few sleeping issues but they were quickly resolved, and mostly we just loved and enjoyed our little precious. We spent hours with her skin to skin, we carried her, rocked her and shared our bed. It was a wonderful month of bonding and I am 100% sure we are still reaping the benefits. Camilla is so attached to us and gets very upset if she is held by someone else and I am not in sight. I wrote about Camillas birth in September and to date it is my highest viewed post.
Right at the end of the month I posted my very first Vlog (Video Log). Camilla had just started making little noises and I tried to get some captured on my webcam. Now she talks and talks and talks. Especially at 7am. Its really cute but some times I'm too tired to appreciate it. Here she is adorable. This is around the time that I started to actually get dressed properly too and take a little pride in my appearance after a long winter or preggo clothes and having a baby. PJs are much too comfortable. Note for the future - set money aside for nice clothes after a birth. Nothing fits anymore (either you've changed or you've stretched everything).
I went to a bloggy party with other awesome Christchurch bloggers. They have invited me to many things before, they are all so social and lovely, but I was (unusually) to shy and fear ful. I finally got over it, took another blogger and went along. It was so much fun! These ladies are all seriously lovely and I love keeping up with their blogs. I'm so happy I went in the end!!
A very slow blogging month, I was without a laptop for most of it as it was being fixed before my warrant ran out and we went on a 9 day holiday to Westport. My favourite post was definitely my Christmas update. I love love love Christmas. Can't wait for next years already!! In December we also hosted a car park party for our apartment complex which I didn't blog about. We have 30 apartments around us and quite a few people came, it was so awesome!!
Thank you 2011, you were probably the hardest year yet but the one with the biggest blessing. Thank you for bringing our daughter safely into this world and looking after us through destruction and trials.
I got this review idea from Mama Kats Writers Workshop. Thanks Mama! I've been signed up for a while but this is my first completed prompt.
I have been discharged from my midwifes care for over a week now and she has been missed.
Janine from Midwives on Barrington, Christchurch
What a wonderful woman.
If you are in Christchurch and in need of a midwife, mine comes highly recommended by me. She is so full of love and passion and you can tell that she finds real joy in her profession. Everything she does is with the utmost care and precision. She was fantastic at my home birth and I really couldn't have wished for better care. (Full midwifery care is provided free of charge by the NZ government to NZ citizens)
If you have a good one, its very easy to get attached to them after forming a bond over a 9 month period - a few of those months you see each other every single week. Some times I saw her more often than my own friends. After the birth she came to my home every single day for a few weeks, then a few times a week and finally it slowed down to every week until I was discharged.
It almost makes me wish I was pregnant so I could see her again. But no. Not yet. I hope we both stay in Christchurch so she can be at my future labours.
^^ Look how huge that newborn nappy looks on Camilla!! She doesn't even fit them now!! My little baby is growing into a big girl!
Thanks to my wonderful Sissy I am the proud owner of a Moby Wrap!
I heard about the brand from a friend and after seeing it in action I was sold! I wanted one!
I've only had mine for a week now and been out on 2 shopping excursions but let me tell you its already paid for itself (not that I paid for it (thanks Sissy)). I chose the pacific colour and its a bit darker than I was expecting but still a lovely shade. It was shipped from America and came with a full instruction booklet on safety and the different wrapping positions. The Moby can be changed as your baby grows! In this photo I have Camilla nestled in the newborn position. She is so comfy and snug in there and loved it instantly. When we arrived at the mall she was crying and as soon as I put her in the wrap she was asleep! It must be really lovely for them being all snug up against our chest, hearing our heartbeat and feeling our voices vibrate.
While I have the babe in the wrap I cant help but feel overwhelmed with the love drug, oxytocin. So really its just as lovely for me to have her wrapped up. Let me tell you, oxytocin is real people.
Also, because you can only see her little head sticking out the top you get so many 'ooohss' and 'awwwwhs' from strangers as they pass by. Everyone loves a baby.
The Moby has also been admired by 3 new mums in the last week (one was carrying her bubba, the other two had prams) who each stopped to ask me what the name of the wrap was, if it was comfortable and where they could get it.
Well, its a Moby Wrap, it is super comfortable (but it does cover up your whole top half so fashion goes out of the window) (and it keeps you really warm), and you can get one from this website.
Your welcome.
Moby didn't ask me to write this review (I wish), I'm telling you all of this because I love it.
I just read an update on one of my newest favouritist blogs, Faery Sarah. She's preggo with her second and is at 36 weeks. You can read her post here.
I remember being 36 weeks. Just. I remember the weekend I blogged about. I remember sitting in the sunshine and thinking that it would be soo long until we had our baby, I remember the raspberry and coke, playing pool and rubbing my belly on the table. But I don't remember the pregnant part.
The all-day-sickness that left me in bed for days is just words on a screen now, barely a memory. The kicks, punches and heels in the ribs are a distant thought and the hiccups I can barely imagine now. I do remember long hot showers every night, rubbing my belly before I got into bed and feeling such love for someone I had never met. I do remember Graeme stroking, rubbing and touching my belly and speaking to our Little One. And I do remember thinking he would be the best Daddy ever (I was right).
It's only been just over a week but I hardly remember being pregnant. I remember events surrounding the pregnancy (like the showers and the kind words and the rubbing) but not the actual pregnancy itself (like what it feels like to have a baby turn around inside you, or be able to tickle her feet from the outside and feel her squirm).
I still remember the birth. But I know those memories will also fade (I should really get writing).
And that makes me sad. In all honesty. I'm so so so glad I blogged every week with what was happening at the time. One day soon I'm going to go back and read through my whole journey.
I know that these days are short. We had another little bubba (7 weeks old) come visit us today and I couldn't believe how much he had grown since his birth. He was a little (cute) monster next to Camilla.
So, these days are short and mostly sleepless and tiring, but I am determined to enjoy them for what they are. I love love love morning cuddles in bed when the sun is streaming in, I love the cute little hiccups (and can't believe she used to do those inside me!!!) the sneezes are adorable and her little toes look like tiny gummy worms.
I know I can't get this time back.. I am determined to enjoy it, even at 3am.
Its your "Due Date" in one week. Where did time go? Its so hard to think that at any time we could have a little baby. We are so prepared for your arrival, we have everything! The grocery shopping has been done, the pool has been tested, there are a few frozen meals in the freezer and all the washing has been hung on the washing line!
It is such a beautiful day today. A good day to be born I tell your Dad as we left home to do a few errands today. He laughs as I say that most days.
Dont be long little one, I love you.
Mumma xxx
[photo credit goes to my Mother who took this a few weeks ago]
If I had of written this last Saturday (39 weeks) I would have told you all about how I was up into the early hours of Friday night feeling "funny". Emotional and fidgety. We had friends over and I was up and down up and down all night, I couldn't sit still. I even cleaned the toilet while they were here.
If I wrote this last Saturday I would have told you about how I thought I might have gone into labour that night (Friday) and that I went to bed excited expecting to be woken up with contractions.
I may have even told you that I had a very very mild bleed and ended up paging my midwife for the first time ever that afternoon. She told me it was nothing to be concerned about and could mean a whole variety of things. I still felt restless, so I went for a walk.
This is where my "39 week update" would turn into a birth story.
Hypothetically, If I had of written this last Monday (which I did intend to) I would have told you about my midwife appointment and probably told you how ready I was for this to all happen. Maybe.
Well, I made it to 39 weeks and one hour. Technically.
I keep trying to write posts to tell you all how amazing it is to have our baby here in our arms... How much of a joy it is to hear her squeak from her basinet... But really words don't suffice at this point in time. I thought instead I would work methodically through the time of events and try and express them as I originally felt them rather than in hindsight.
Tomorrow would have been my due date, I feel kind of funny bout that.
[Side note: Just as I went to hit "done" I got projectile vomited on. It was so impressive!! I never thought I could be so excited about poos and sick!]
Last week we had our second snow dumping this year. I was house bound for days. This week we seem to be having a heat wave - beautiful 20 degree weather. I have all the windows and doors open and the sun is streaming in. I'm planting flowers for you next week. I have the seeds and the soil ready to go. I want to show you what beautiful things can come from almost nothing!
Every night your Dad kisses my tummy and asks if you want to come out and play with us. You haven't yet, so I guess that means you're not ready. One day soon you'll answer your Daddys question and come out to play!
Love, Mumma x
38week + 6day belly. Some people say that's my pressure valve sticking out - I think its my eject button.
I had a midwife appointment this week with my back up midwife. I met her for the first time and she was lovely! She seemed young (in a good way) and very down to earth. If my midwife has scheduled time off (she takes every second weekend off) my back up Wifey will step in and deliver. If I have a homebirth she will arrive in the last pushing moments to assist my main Wifey and lastly if I have a hospital birth and my Main Wifey is available then I probably wont see her ever again.
Back Up Wifey was lovely. She had handmade socks on which I admired and told me all about her mums new pattern for them she had created so they didn't bunch around the ankle. Perfect. After I've pushed out the baby remind me to ask her for that pattern. Maybe it should go on my "Things to make sure of when Sophie goes into labour" list.
The Babe has descended 2/5ths down into my pelvis, which doesn't mean much except that its an explanation for all the pain and cramps I've been having. Wifey could feel The Babes position - her spine was going up my left side with her bum sticking out around my belly button and her legs bent and heel sticking up into my ribs. Oh, and he hand was infront of her face. CUTE. It amazes me they can feel that much detail.
[EDIT:As of this afternoon The Babe did a big swivel sometime during a long walk, she's more in the center now with her legs kicking out the left hand side instead. It feels so different!]
Back Up Wifey: "Have you been having lots of practice contractions?"
Me: "None!"
Back Up Wifey: "Oh, well you're having one right now! See?"
Me: "Oh is that what that is!??"
Silly. Now that she pointed them out I notice I get them all.the.time.
I've vomited twice this week, both times came with a rush of excitement. Sometimes vomiting can be a sign of the body emptying itself for labour. No such luck.
As I post this we have 8 days until out Estimated Due Date. Everything is ready and I have a list of things as long as my arm to keep me entertained in the mean time.
[QUESTION: Does anyone know how to relieve pain from nerves? I have 2 that keep popping and they are so uncomfortable! Sciatica which is starting in my bum and running up my back and another which starts right at the top of my left thigh and runs down the inside of my leg. Any positions or help? Please let me know!
Most of the time I just end up hopping around and wimpering/ gasping until Graeme reminds me to do something about it. Then I try a hot shower or a wheat pack but really I think they are more mental fixes - I don't actually think they help]
I was out waddling walking the other day in all of my 37 week glory when I was stopped by a fellow female and asked if I had a spare smoke for her. I cackled laughed and then carried on my merry way. Looking back now I suppose it was probably rude that I didn't even answer her, I just cackled laughed and kept walking.
But really. Not even if I had a cigarette for her to have - as if I might just have one in my sweatpants. But that I might have a "spare" one. One for me and one for her. That sort of dealio.
Also, I pee'd myself this week. Not just a little like can some times happen if-you-sneeze-or-laugh-too-hard-pee. Like actual, on the ground pee. Pregnancy is so glamourous.
This has probably been the most entertaining week yet!
Speaking more practically, I'm still experiencing the cramps I mentioned last week and 2 nerves have been ready to 'pop' all. the. time. One running down the inside of my left leg and the other running up the right side of my back. These make me jump up and do a little dance while rubbing myself and going 'oh! ah! ee! oooo!" Its probably entertaining to an onlooker. And Graeme.
It always surprises me how quickly I can get used to a new symptom. Last week I was begging anything that would listen to not have these pains any more but now I have adjusted and can do life with them. Since there's no baby in my arms I guess I really have no choice, right? I have discovered that taking a really hot shower really late at night helps. As does squatting on the shower floor while the hot water pounds my back. Also, going to the toilet whenever I get achy relieves some pressure and I have noticed whenever it gets worse I never want to sit down. I always seem to stand and move around.
I thought our Babe might have arrived during our snowed in days, for the sake of a good story, no sign of her yet! As of this week I am officially "full term" (depending on what country you live in. Some countries count 38 weeks as Full). Meaning she has done all of her text book developing. I think the last thing to develop in utero is the sucking reflex so they can breastfeed when they are born. This comes in during the 36'th week (I think). So from now on she wouldn't need intervention and I would be safe to have her at home. At 37 weeks their growth begins to slow down a lot because the fluid in the womb lessons and the baby takes up a lot of space. Well, typically anyway :)
Since I'm full term I'm going to be closing my giveaway on Friday. If you want the chance to win a free print from Half Full Designs then click this link to submit your guess on MiniMoos due date. The closest will win!! :)
More photobooth photos to show you tomorrow!! How cute are these??
Dearest Babe,
When I was 15 I remember going through my Dads wardrobe to find something and stumbling across brown patterned cowboy boots. They had very very pointy toes and I think they might have been snake skinned. I. Could. Not. Stop. Laughing!!! I thought they were the funniest shoes I had ever seen. "Dad! You will NEVER wear these" I joked. They were straight from the 70's. "They'll be in fashion again one day!" He told me. I didn't believe him, Oh the hilarity!
It turns out, years later, they have come back in fashion. He was right. What he used to wear as a young man was now "cool". I took this photo of your Dads shoes while we were at a birthday party this week. I wonder what you are going to laugh at us for? Maybe skinny jeans? Skate shoes? Chuck Taylors? Ballet Flats?
Lesson learned - they will be back in fashion and one day you will realise we were (and are!!) cool too!
This weekend I experienced a painful low pressure and aching along with the occasional "ouch ouch ouch" moment when anything moved inside me. It hurt and it made me walk like an elephant; swaying from side to side. Graeme had to be on hand to help me stand up and to lower me back down. This pain is still continuing now, but the ouchie moments are less frequent and come and go. It feels like she is trying to push herself out of my nether regions.
At our antenatal class on Sunday our instructor joked with a twinkle in her eye that I had "dropped" and would probably be giving birth this week. Hilarious.
I saw my midwife yesterday during our weekly appointments and described the discomfort and pain to her. She said that most likely the baby was engaging into my pelvis. She felt where the baby was laying (bum sticking out the the right side with its spine curved near my belly button) and said she couldn't feel the head. This either means she's fully engaged or not at all, apparently. (or our baby has suddenly lost her head (kind of like me this week)).
Not at all = exactly where I was last week, no biggie. But then what is this pain coming from??
Fully engaged = The baby is in position to be birthed. Waters may break easier as there is more pressure on them, but the baby could stay there for weeks and weeks. If she is in this position she is unlikely to get out of it because of my tight stomach muscles (yeyah)
My midwife did not seem to be concerned or troubled at all by this development (So I'm thinking our baby still has her head intact...) and said that she would try and locate her again next week.
So, here I am in bed, the only place I seem to be able to have some relief from the pains, even though they kept waking me up during the night. Argh.
The trouble is, when people share what they are thinking you start to think them too. Before this weekend I was quite happy to wait another 4-6 ish weeks for our baby to come. I was content and feeling big but good. Now that the idea has been placed in my head that I might have a fully engaged baby I can't get it out! It's all I can think about. Every time I go to the bathroom I'm checking for some sort of labour sign. I know, I know, its really silly. I'm so annoyed at myself for letting these thoughts creep in early.
For those who might be confused, I am definitely NOT in labour right now. Just to clear that up.
What I am is frustrated. These pains could last another month or so. That would be super sucky. I really really really hope they dont. Either they go away, or this baby comes early.
Any advice?
Mostly, this has just been a rant to vent my frustrations. I know there is no known answer to this. I am going to try and convince myself of that fact today.
Here I am in all my 36 week glory.
We had Jelly Babies on the ride home from Tai Tapu. Looking down onto my belly, this Baby was in the same position that MiniMoo is in! Yum Yum.
Dearest Baby Girl,
This week you are either ready to be birthed, aren't ready at all, or you've lost your head. Suddenly, I'm hoping for the first option. I woke up in the middle of the night last week with the hugest urge to get clothes out ready for your arrival. I have the cutest warmest outfit picked out ready for your first day in this world.
See you soon little one.
Ma x
P.s - Have you entered my giveaway yet? Guess the Moos birthdate and win a print from Half Full Designs! :) Click here for deets (This post may or may not change your guess on the date! ;))
Despite my clicking uterus, low iron and low blood pressure, this pregnancy is going along swimmingly. Infact, I had another midwife appointment this morning and MiniMoo actually performed (Like usual. She's so reliable!) and made a clicking // popping noise for the midwife. She was so shocked and had never heard of it before! I assured her that google told me not to be concerned. Haha!
Time is ticking now and I am happy with how quickly things are moving. You can enter my competition to guess our baby's birthdate! Any ideas? Frankly, I have no clue. So no cheating!!
Dearest MiniMoo,
I get asked so often if your Dad is "excited" about your arrival. I want to be the first one to tell you that he can't wait! Seriously. He talks about it all the time. He sends me emails with nappy specials and birthing pillows and takes time to learn how to care for a new born. He jokes that you will be the coolest (you will be) and will kick all the other babies bums!
Every night he takes time to talk to you through my tummy. Mostly he just makes different noises and pushes you in different places to get a response. You kick back for him and then he says "Hey Squirmy Wormey" over and over again. It sounds like a song and he sings it in a really high voice. Then he kisses my tummy over and over again. I call it our three way cuddle. Its so sweet.
Your Daddy is already showering you with affection and I know when you come he isn't going to be able to stop holding you! He loves cuddles. You are going to be his little cuddle princess!
Your Dad is super excited to meet you. He's even been writing his own letters which you will read in your scrapbook we are making you.
Today (August 3rd) marks one calendar month until our due date of MiniMoo (September 3rd) so I thought it was time I got some interaction happening on this blog with some friendly competition!
What do you win? This lovely design by Half Full Design printed on A3 heavy cardstock and shipped to you. International entries welcome :)
How do you win? Leave a comment on this post with a) MiniMoos birthdate guess. b) A weight guess for good measure* and c) Your email address.
The winner will be chosen based off the correct birthdate and will be contacted via email :)
Some info that might influence your birthdate guess:
My last missed period puts my due date as September 3rd 2011
My sonography scans put my due date as August 31st 2011
My midwife is going off September 3rd as it means if I go late then I have a few extra days up my sleeve before I get any pressure to be "intervened" with.
I have had no early labour signs yet
My womb size is perfectly on track for gestation (they measure it and compare it to the number of weeks you are. Typically, if I am 35 weeks pregnant (which I am) my womb size should be 35cm in length, give or take 3cm either way. Currently, it's 34cm. Perfecto!)
From 37 weeks I am considered "Full Term" and could give birth any time from then to 42ish weeks. They bang your due date in the middle.
Statistically first time pregnancies run past their due date
For Funsies, the weight guess:
My pre-pregnancy weight was 65kgs. I lost 5kgs in the first trimester and now weigh in at 73kgs. Total gain: 8kgs.
I'm tall, like, 5'11".
Graeme is tall, like, 6'
I dont know how much I weighed as a baby but it was nothing out of the ordinary.
The average weight for a new born is 7.5 pounds. (3.4kgs)
Leave a comment with your name, guesses and email address! Good luck :)
*Good measure - Get it? Too funny.
**please note: Half Full Designs has not sponsored this give away but they have consented to it**
I'm so close now. We have been given a list of things to gather for our intended homebirth. Hosing, sieves, buckets, towels. The procrastinator in me thinks a hospital birth would be far more convenient, but really its just a little extra effort and forward planning for a whole list of benefits. Must get onto that list.
I now officially feel as if we have everything we need for our daughter to arrive. She has all of the new born - 6 month old clothes she could possibly need. We have a small stack of nappies but the supermarket isn't too far away. We have a bassinet on the way, but really she could sleep in our bed or in the washing basket if she needed to and we didn't get it in time. We have sheets, blankets and shawls. We have a few toys for her, but our faces will be all the entertainment she'll need for the first while. We still have a list of things "to get" on our pin-board but mostly they are unessential. A child can survive off milk, love and nappies. Anything extra is just more convenient for us. So, Baby Girl, we are ready.
Speaking of Baby Girl, I have discovered I have entered into a new phase of peoples comments; the "what if...'s"
What if she is really a he? What if you don't have a home birth? What if there's an emergency? What if she's huge? What if you aren't growing enough? What if she has red hair? What if she comes early? What if she comes really late? What if you can't breastfeed?
Believe me, I've thought of all the scenarios. You don't need to ask them.
34 week belly in the snow! + super warm knitted sweater from my Mama. My hands disappear in snow!!
Dearest Camilla,
In life you will be given many titles. You might feel as if they define who you are, but they don't. You could be a Miss. Mrs. or Ms. An accountant, astronaunt, politician, vetenarian, artist, musician, scientist. People will ask what you 'do' and when you go through highschool you will spend hours pondering the 'doing' that needs to be done.
I wish you all the success in life and I will be praying that whatever path of 'doing' you are on it is one you are passionate about and love and I will be so proud of you. The world really is your oyster.
I can't teach you what you want to do. That is something you have to find on your own but it is not the fulfilment in life. I will be mostly praying of who you will 'be'. I hope that your father and I can teach you and your siblings to be caring, passionate, loving, thoughtful, decisive, talented, intuitive, generous, joyful, peaceful and faithful, amongst other attributes.
Being is far more important than doing. This world is a beautiful place and your father and I hope to teach you and your siblings about living in it and enjoying life and being great citizens. We hope that whatever you 'do' you will do your best at, and whoever you will 'be' will define who you are. I will be so proud.
Times I have Thrown Up: Zero (so super thankful for this)
Thoughts This Week: My baby girl is getting very very big!! She'll be gaining up to 500gms a week (half a Kg) her lungs still need a little bit of extra work so she would probably need help breathing if she was born now but aside from that she's pretty much good to go! My uterus is right up to my sternum now and under my ribs. This means everything that used to be in my abdomen is now squished up inside my rib cage and I can especially feel this in my stomach (acid gets pushed up my throat easily) and my lungs (easily get out of breath) and my heart (is it just me or is beating faster?). Baby can also kick my ribs which always makes me gasp in surprise. I've been in the Third Trimester for a while now but I feel like its just hit me - I feel like a whale, I waddle everywhere, I take three times as long to put on socks and I have been having a few afternoon naps. This is serious babymaking time and its also making me feel great (weird huh?). My skin feels soft, my hair is growing like crazy and feels healthy and I just generally feel very beautiful. I love to look at my bare tummy and I know I'll miss it when its gone.
LJ was born this week - he's a stunner! This is your Dad holding him for the first time. I know for sure you will melt his heart when he meets you, he's a big softie and tissues will be needed! :)
Lucy, LJ and you will be great friends!
Dearest Baby Girl,
You continue to melt my heart and we haven't even met yet! I have never felt unconditional love like this before and I imagine its only a small picture of what God must feel for us as his children.
I hope you grow up to be a strong young woman and are sure of yourself in God. Know that you are beautiful and you have a purpose. I can't wait to see you grow and flourish!
