Boxing Day Sales

OK, I’ve managed to avoid the Boxing Day sales for the last 5 years or so and didn’t plan on going this year especially in the heat and the crowds but Mum and Fiona were going and after looking at the catalogues I decided to brave it in the hope to ‘bag a bargain’ for bubs. After 3 hours at Target, Kmart, Dusk and Spotlight (with a break for lunch) I managed to get a few things for myself plus a heap of clothes for baby. Good ‘ole Grandma and Auntie Fee couldn't stop themselves when they saw all the cute baby clothes on sale (below are some of the things they picked).

Last night I also realised that by Christmas next year bubs will be 9 months old and I should make an effort to put up some traditional Christmas decorations. As many of you know each year I have been putting up less and less (especially since I’m the only one who gets to see them) and my Christmas decorations aren’t exactly what you would call traditional (this year I bought black and silver 3D glittery flowers and butterflies). In the past I’ve had everything from masquerade masks in purple to blue glitter high heel boots. I want my baby boy to know what a Christmas tree ‘should’ look like when he has to draw one at school! Anyway, so today I bought some tree decorations, tinsel etc. to at least get a head start on next year.

3rd Trimester, the Home Stretch

Today was my 28 week check-up. I can’t believe that I am officially in my final trimester. Although most of the prep for the baby’s arrival has been done, I don’t feel prepared at all!

Baby is still in a breech position but my OB isn’t worried about it to much as he said there is still plenty of time to turn. Baby is now 47.5cm in length and weighs 1.44kg which is on the high side of the normal range, but he is definitely strong and healthy.

As for me I have lost 0.5kg which is no doubt from all the Christmas pushing and shoving at the shopping centre (definitely not from watching what I’m eating!). Tomorrow I have the dreaded GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test), meaning fasting from 10pm tonight and 2 hours tomorrow morning sitting around drinking glucose liquid and having blood tests. Yuck! Fingers crossed that it will be in the normal range and I won’t have to finish my pregnancy on a restricted diet.

So far I haven’t found the heat too bad. WA hasn’t been too hot and for every hot day I plan on staying home and hibernating. I’m not looking forward to Feb which will be a scorcher if the past is anything to go by, which is why I want everything done by then. Besides dealing with the heat I am going well, back to being tired and some heartburn but other than that I’m just taking it easy, lying down and reading since sitting has become quite uncomfortable.

Cot Assembled…Tick, Stroller Assembled…Tick, Baby Shower Thank You Gifts…Tick!

Yesterday Fee came over and put together baby’s cot and stroller. After putting the cot together in the lounge (in record time and again without instructions) we tipped it sideways and managed to manoeuvre it to the door of baby’s room. That’s it. No matter how much we tipped it, flipped it and removed the wheels, it was not going to go through the bedroom door. In the end we had to dismantle one side and give it a good shove before it went in. Champion Fee then had to re-assemble the cot in the bedroom. After all that she then volunteered to assemble the stroller. When it’s Fee’s turn I’ll be sure to return the favour :).

With a huge list of things to buy we headed over to the shopping centre and bought the final items for the thank you gift bags for the guests of the baby shower and stuff for my maternity bag. With that done we looked around and I couldn’t resist buying more stuff for bub, including; a pair of shorts, 2 blankets and door stoppers (they were all on sale though…that’s my excuse!)

Week 24 Update

My visit to the OB on Thursday revealed that everything is going on track. Bub is currently sitting breech which certainly explains the low kicking and the uncomfortable feeling under my ribs. Bub currently weighs 800 grams, so within normal range and actively kicks now from late afternoon to night. As for me, my blood pressure is normal. I have only gained 1kg this month (so only 2kg’s so far). I am still feeling pretty tired and taking things easy, one day at a time.

Mum came over on Monday and put together my recliner and since then I have pretty much lived in it. It is so comfortable!!! I’m now finding that I have to sit up straight if I want any comfort and this recliner certainly fits the criteria. It also means that I’ve got no excuse but to do my assignments too. Once the baby arrives I will then move the recliner into his room and it will become the feeding chair.

Changes and Cravings

Tomorrow is week 23 and I’ve noticed that things change rapidly within a few days, then stay the same for a few weeks and you never know what is around the corner. As for me the baby is kicking quite a bit especially at night, my rashes are getting itchier and are spreading, I’ve started leaking milk already and I can feel the ligaments in my pelvic area starting to relax. My energy comes in spurts; I will have a few days where I don’t need to sleep during the day but then there are other days where I struggle to get out of bed. Most of the time it depends on how many times I have to get up to go to the toilet during the night!

I have also found that as things progress my food cravings have changed. Mum is kindly making my ‘comfort’ foods like; Roast Pork (with roasted veggies, Yorkshire pudding and of course plenty of crackling!), Lamb and Lentil Stew, Osso Bucco and Roast Chicken (with homemade stuffing). I have also started having weird junk food cravings, like salt and vinegar potato chips with cream cheese and gherkins. I’m also craving frozen cokes from McDonald’s, any desserts, cakes, well anything sweet really! At this stage of the pregnancy I have to be careful that I don’t go overboard on the sweet stuff. At the moment the only way I can control this is by staying home!

Feotal Anatomy Scan

On Wednesday I took Mum and Fee with me for my foetal anatomy and 3D scan. Baby was tossing and turning and kicking his legs up so it was hard to see much on the 3D scan. I have included one of the photos although it isn’t all that clear. The photo shows a side view. At this stage the baby is fully formed and just hanging around putting on weight. I also asked the Sonographer to confirm the sex, which she did, although she had to wait a while as he was, ummm…’holding’ himself :)DEFINITELY a boy!

It was great news to hear that all of the baby’s bones are present, he’s heartbeat is strong and his growth is on schedule. Sunday 25th October 2009 (20 weeks) is the half way mark. I can’t believe that there is only just over 4 months to go! I seriously need to get around to doing as much as I can before baby arrives (including picking a name).

After the scan Fee came back to my place to put together the bath/change table. It had no instructions (except the picture on the side of the box) but she did a wonderful job. Take a look.

Boy or Girl? It’s a…

Today I went to see Dr Molloy for my week 17 check-up. Bub is growing in leaps and bounds. Both of our weight gains are on schedule, my blood pressure is OK and because the placenta is lying at the back it explains why I can already feel bub move.

Luckily for me bub was in just the right position, at the right time so I could find out the sex…let me just say that there were a few people that didn’t want to know but after speaking to them today they have since changed their mind. So, here’s the ultrasound pic (taken from the bottom looking up).

Oh, and for those that still can’t guess…it’s a BOY!!!

1st Trimester Reflections

Well, this is the beginning of week 16 and the 1st trimester is well and truly behind me. Gone is the morning sickness, car sickness, bloating and extreme tiredness. I must say that 1st trimester was a trying time. I hate feeling sick and with wild hormones, 3 months is a long time. I spent must of the 1st trimester in bed. I can’t believe how tired I was! When I was at uni (and work) I didn’t mind staying up for 2 or 3 days in a row. I could still function reasonably well and it wasn’t too much of a problem – probably all the adrenalin kept me going, but during the 1st trimester I could hardly keep my eyes open and was so tired that I couldn’t even complete the simplest sentence or task. Even getting up to eat and drink was a challenge!

So far 2nd trimester has been much nicer and I see why it is called the ‘honeymoon’ period. I am still feeling pretty tired but can get through a few days without sleeping during the day. Sleeping at night has been a problem. I seem to wake every hour and get up to go to the toilet at least 5 times a night (no wonder I’m tired during the day). I am also having times where I am not quite sure if things have happened in real life or I have been dreaming. My nails and hair have been growing wild but my skin has been dry, with patches and rashes (yuk!). The biggest thing going on this trimester so far is my expanding belly and I can feel fluttering and twitches in my uterus as the baby starts moving and growing rapidly.

Shopping for the Essentials

Well, the last week has been pretty busy. I made the most of the baby sales and started to make those ‘large’ baby purchased. After spending most of the day walking around Carousel I bought a stroller, change table (with bath and storage), a car seat and a baby monitor. The only thing I didn’t get was the cot. Just to be difficult I want one in Baltic but can only seem to find white.

Grandma-to-be also bought bub this cute embroidered ‘Pisces’ bodysuit (and no, the blue does not mean it's a boy - actually I don't know yet). Hopefully this 'Pisces' bodysuit encourages bub to arrive on time :). The last thing the world needs is another Aries!

13 Week Ultrasound

Today I had my first appointment with Dr Molloy. Without knowing or hearing anything about him I was a little concerned, but he is really nice. He is upfront and direct while willing to listening to what I want. Below is the best ultrasound picture. As usual it doesn’t really look all that clear until bits are pointed (just to get you started, the head is on the right:)).

The baby’s size and development is right on schedule and the heartbeat is strong.

Wednesday I am going off to have another, more detailed ultrasound which will detect any abnormalities. This ultrasound along with a blood test (which I had today) is pretty standard and I’m not expecting any problems. My next appointment with Dr Molloy is 5 October 2009 where I will get the results.

Baby Pressie from Auntie Fee and Father’s Day

Yesterday Fee and I went over to have dinner with Mum and Dad for Father’s Day. It makes me think about what is going to happen with Father’s Day in the future. I guess when my baby is still young they really won’t know what is happening and why the day is so special but sooner or later the topic of not having a dad present day-to-day will raise its head. I guess as the child gets older he/she will slowly discover male role models (including dad). All of this is still a long way off but worth thinking about.

Auntie Fee went shopping during the week and bought these cute little green overalls for baby. From Pumpkin Patch they have a cute embroidery chick and mouse on the front. They are made from a soft, fleecy cord and the cuffs can be worn either up or down, making them pants or shorts.

Aren’t they cute?

Things are Looking Brighter

Well, at 11w 5d the ‘all-day’ sickness has just about gone. I am feeling much better and also find that I don’t need to sleep all day. In fact over the last 3 days I haven’t slept during the day at all and have started going to bed a little later too. WOOHOO!!!! All I can do now is pray that it stays this way for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Since I have been spending most of the last few months in bed I am finding that doing simple tasks like going out for a few groceries is making me feel weak, light-headed and tired. I think that now I need to concentrate on getting my strength back by slowly building up my exercise.

Now that I’m feeling better I can concentrate on going shopping for the nursery and organising things like the birthing plan.

Suck on Lemons

For nearly 5 weeks now I have been battling the ‘morning sickness’ beast, although for me it is more like late-afternoon-and-night-sickness. I can’t stand the smell of cooking and can't even enjoy drinking a nice glass of cold milk. I spend most of the day sleeping cos this is the only time I don't feel sick. The only other time I feel OK is when I'm eating.

After trying everything from ginger tea to motion sickness wristbands I have finally found something that works for me. I am eating drying crackers, cheesesticks and drinking iced water with additional ice cubes and a couple of tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Just before lying down I am also sucking on a slice of lemon.

Funny how something as simple as lemons can be such a life saviour :)

The OB Search

Armed with a list of 15 or so names and numbers of OB's that work out of either Peel Health Campus or SJOG Murdoch I was pretty confident that it wouldn’t take long to find a private OB and make my first appointment. Boy, was I wrong!

Firstly I realised that many of the OB’s did not take on new patients, meaning that they only saw woman that were on their 2nd or subsequent pregnancies. Other OB’s were booked up until April next year. Initially I wanted to book with one of the OB’s which was recommended to me by Dr Thompson but after all the phone calls I realised that I would be lucky if I could get a OB in the area of my choice.

On my 12th phone call I hit the jackpot! I am now booked in to see Dr Molloy at SJOG Murdoch at the earliest appointment of 7 September 2009.

1st Ultrasound

Well, after patiently waiting for 7 weeks and 5 days, Friday I went for my first ultrasound and got to see my baby (well, foetus) for the first time. It was all a bit of a nervous wait since my last blood test showed extremely elevated hormone levels which the Ob/Gyn thought may have indicated more than one foetus.

When the image came up on the screen I was so happy to only see the one foetus (though much to many people’s disappointment). There really wasn’t that much to see except a little white ‘bean’ inside the black gestational sac. All development is on track and there is a strong heart beat. Baby’s due date is 14 March 2010.

My current Ob/Gyn is based in Subiaco and he has suggested that I call St John of God (SJOG) Murdoch and arrange to see an Ob/Gyn that is a little closer to home. This will make it easier for check-up appointments and also for the birth.