34 weeks!

11.08.2013 - 17.08.2013

How far along? 34 weeks!

Baby Size: Baby is now the size of a honeydew!

Total weight gain: Haven’t really put anything on since last fortnight, however I have a feeling that’s drastically going to change in the next few weeks!

Bump measurement: Still at 102 cm (40 inches)! I’m surprised by this as (particularly today!) Baby is really pushing out and I feel bigger. Fundal height is more though, measuring at 35!

Maternity clothes? Yep – a mix of maternity and non-maternity but I still love my over-the-bump maternity jeans and tights. Weather has started warming up, despite still being winter, so I’ve been able to break out some maxi dresses! (as seen in this weeks picture!)

Stretch marks? Nope! But still oiling up every morning and night – skin is so soft on the belly :) My physio commented on how well my skin has held up so far the other day…*shucks* I’m expecting them all to pop out a week before Baby arrives haha

Sleep: So-so! Sometimes amazing, but the last 2 nights my hips have been really hurting again…think it’s Baby getting bigger!

Best moment this week: Finally having furniture in Baby’s Nursery! I was so excited when it arrived and seeing (and helping…slightly…) it get put together. Also, I had my 34 week anti-D shot and a midwife appointment and we couldn’t help but laugh – our midwife was feeling around, curling her hands around Baby to try and work out what way they were laying and as SOON as she stopped, they stretched their legs out (I swear it was as far as they possibly could in there!) in protest. My whole side was sticking out crazily! It hurt but it was so funny…unfortunately they kept up the crazy protest movement for the rest of the day while I did 10 hours at work – ouch!
Special mention to our Calm Birth Course, which we completed at 33 weeks…but it got a post all of it’s own :)

Miss Anything? Nice, gentle movements. Baby is getting rough!

Movement: As mentioned above, Little Bean is clearly running out of room and getting stronger because OUCH, some of their movements are rough and they hurt! Particularly when they hit an internal organ… Felt them once or twice just under my ribs but thankfully it’s only when I’m in a certain position and it’s very rare.

Food cravings: Not really having any anymore! Is this common towards the end?

Anything making you queasy or sick: This has remained the same though – still don’t like BBQs or stir fries and hate the smell of cigarettes…

Gender: Less than 6 weeks to go til we know! (AND my sister has her gender scan the day after our due date, so we may be finding out our babies genders at the same time!)

Symptoms: Getting tired a lot more easily…heart burn is still around, so is my hip pain (although is still a million times better then it was before I saw the physio!). Loads of movement, rougher and sharper, and I’ve started getting “shocks” when baby’s head bounces in and out of my pelvis. Gee, that one is fun! Also, in the last 2 days I’ve started to notice a lot more pressure in my pelvis and my Braxton Hicks are starting to get stronger and feel more like actual contraction type movement, instead of just my tummy tightening and relaxing a while later. Sometimes they seem to have a peak now. Baby is not engaged, however their head is *right there* and with all these sensations I’m hoping it won’t be long until they are engaged! (hubs finds this hilarious and keeps reminding Little Bean this is the only time they are allowed to be engaged until they are 30)

Belly Button in or out? In – SUPER stretched though. Uncomfortably so! I don’t know whether it will actually poke out, or just keep on stretching sideways…hubs thinks it looks like a sad face!

Wedding rings on or off? On – with indents haha

Mood: Feeling “nesty”. I’ve always been a “nester” as such, always doing things around the house and making To-Do lists, but even I am surprised that I could actually get worse. I’ve gotten a LOT done since the nursery furniture arrived though and I’m starting to feel content…less anxious about the long “To-Do”s.

Looking forward to: The decorating in Little Bean’s room coming together…and finishing work at the end of 36 weeks! Yay!

friday's letters

Dear CPH,
You've been so good this whole pregnancy (well, relatively!) - don't spoil it now please! 

Dear Friday,
Thank you so very much for going so fast! As I type I have an hour left of my 10 hour shift and I could not be happier that today didn't drag...

Dear Baby,
I'm very, very sorry that you didn't like getting prodded by the midwife today and while I was entertained by your big leg stretch immediately afterwards (almost like a "well if you're going to push me in I'm going to push right back out!"), I would really appreciate it if you calmed down and stopped using my organs as a punching bag now! 

Dear Nursery Furniture,
I'm so glad you arrived when you were supposed to! It's been so fun getting organised all week...

Dear Nursery,
While it's been fun getting organised this week, I truly can't wait to start decorating you!

Dear Weekend,
I'm looking forward to another nice, quiet one with the hubs. Hurrah. :)

Dear Ashley and Jonathan,
CONGRATULATIONS ON BABY CALEB :)

calm birth course

I'm so excited to be able to start on Baby's nursery today, but I'm waiting for the hubs to get up and ready to start putting together furniture...so in between washing snuggly blankets, pretty wraps and little clothes, I thought I would do a brief recap of last weekend - our Calmbirth Course.

Many of you may not be too interested in this post, particularly since I don't want to use it to explain in a lot of detail what Calmbirth is, but our birthing course over the weekend is part of our journey towards becoming parents and I really wanted to record our thoughts and feelings on it, before it all fades away a little...

For those who haven't heard of Calmbirth, it's a course created by an Australian, Peter Jackson (the hubs was giggling about this when we first arrived at the course and it took me the majority of the day to click why - doh!), who had a background in Hypnobirthing (which American readers might be more familiar with?). The website describes the course as "a simple yet effective childbirth education programme which acknowledges the amazing ability of a mother’s body to work as one with her unborn child to give birth. Calmbirth empowers the mother and her partner to experience birth with wonder and joy."

Now, that might sound a little wishy washy and you might be thinking, "Well, that's all wonderful and all, but giving birth isn't always sunshine and rainbows". Well no, it's not. But not only does the course provide you with knowledge around WHY it's so important to relax, breath, and work with your body (there was a lot of scientific/medical background information to back up any theories presented) the idea of the course, and what I liked most about it, was that it was designed to provide you with tools to try and keep your body calm and relaxed, and to allow you to trust in your body - no matter what course your birth may take. The tools provided should be able to help you to deal with any situation that may arise. While of course it is encouraged to attempt a natural, vaginal birth, the course readily acknowledges that many people require pain relief, intervention and sometimes caesareans. And that you will need to be able to relax and yes, enjoy your baby's birth story, no matter what it is.

The approach that the breathing and relaxation tools learnt throughout the course can be used to keep you as calm and relaxed about your birthing process as possible, no matter what the outcome, is what appealed to me the most - I have a phobia of medical intervention, in any part of my life, let alone birth! So I really felt like I needed something in my court to try and help me remain calm and focused on my baby, should the need arise for any kind of medical intervention. And I actually walked away from the course feeling positive about our birthing experience, instead of apprehensive and fearful of what *might* go wrong. Having known a number of friends with quite traumatic birth experiences, I have also seen first hand that your attitude towards the experience, good or bad, definitely shapes your ability to deal with and accept what is out of your control. I have friends who had a terribly traumatic birth, who still acknowledge how beautiful it was, and others who simply find it difficult to move past the way their baby entered into the world. I'd really like to be in the former group, so anything to help me get in the right mindset is welcomed with open arms!!

We participated in the course with another 4 couples, all of whom were also first time parents, and the practitioner we choose to go through runs her course up in the beautiful Blue Mountains. We got to go for a drive both days, just to the end of the road, and sit and have lunch at an amazing lookout.

seriously, this was our view for lunch each day! and this picture doesn't do the view justice!

The course involved a lot of relaxation exercises, to  help us learn the breathing techniques used in the course, and I must say - for relaxation you really end up tired by the end of the day! The first day very much focused on the medical/scientific background of the theory, as well as learning the breathing and relaxation techniques, and the second day focused on the actual birth, what to expect (while acknowledging that things will go as they will - not to a laid out plan!) and what we might want out of our experience (birth *intentions*, not plan).

I loved how much the hubs got involved in the course, and how much he is willing to help me work on exercises, etc. now - he is extremely calm about the birth of our baby and feels that everything will go the way it should, so he was definitely doing the course to help me put my mind at ease, however we both loved the techniques that we were shown that actually gave him practical ways to assist me during the birth...and just how bonded we felt after the weekend. It truly was an amazing experience for us and we definitely walked away feeling closer...and like Little Bean's birth is only going to bond us even more.

For anyone in Australia looking for a great birthing course - I'd highly recommend Calmbirth. In fact, if you are in a different country and interested, do some research! Because as far as I'm aware, it is starting to be practiced overseas as well and there just might be a registered practitioner in your area.

If anyone would like any more information, the Calmbirth Australia website has some birth stories, etc. from people who have used Calmbirth, although it's not the same reading it vs. experiencing the course.

I'd love to hear though - what courses have people used or plan to use to prepare for the birth of your little ones?

friday's letters

Dear Friday,
I am SO glad you're here. I still have to get through 10 hrs of work but I'm exhausted and looking forward to this weekend! 

Dear Work,
3 more weeks. I can't wait to see the back of you for a year! #sorrynotsorry!

Dear Readers,
Those posts I promised are coming! I've been busy nesting this week apparently... for now, here's one of our maternity photos to tide you over!

Dear Calm Birth Course,
You rocked! But you made me suddenly focus on Baby's birth and now I can't go back to just going with the flow - but it so much harder counting down! 

Dear Hubby,
I love you. Last weekend made my heart swell with how lucky I am you will be by my side and just how bonding what we are going to go through will be :)

Dear Baby Furniture,
Finally, FINALLY you are being delivered this afternoon. Oh how I wish I could be home. This weekend, you are getting put together! 

Dear Nursery,
Watch out. You are about to get an overhaul! 

more freebies for Breastfeeding Week!

Ok guys so remember this post from a few days ago? Well, I found out today that there are a bunch of freebie deals going at Nursing Pillows sister sites as well! All you need to use is code "WTE" to get these bad boys for free as well: a sling from Seven Slings (or their gift set discounted), a breastfeeding cover from Udder Cover (or a discounted gift set), reusable Nursing Pads from Udder Cover (note: if you want both a cover and the pads you need to put through two separate orders to get each for shipping price only, otherwise you get one discounted and the other full price) or the previously mentioned Pillow from Nursing Pillows.

I should also note that when you order any of these using the "WTE" code, you will actually receive further codes for other free products on your invoice - for example, you will received a code for a free Carseat Cover on one of your invoices, as well as a few other items that may come up...so check your invoices!!

Below is what I ordered so far (you'll notice I choose the gift pack option in some cases because I felt it was better value!) - it's been so much fun getting things I had planned to buy anyway, for cheaper! Yay for Breastfeeding! I plan to order the reusable nursing pads as well...Can't wait til all these goodies start arriving in my mailbox! 

ENJOY!

again, I am in no way affiliated with any of these companies, nor is this a sponsored post, I merely want to share with other Mummas!

Nursing Pillow - "Hush"  


Nursing Cover - "Grace" (set includes cover, 2 nursing pads and a breastfeeding band to keep track of which side you are up to!




Sling - "Cyrus" (set includes sling, baby tights and a nappy wallet)  

32 weeks!

28.07.2013 - 03.08.2013

How far along? 32 weeks!

Baby Size: Baby is still the size of a winter squash

Total weight gain: About a kilo more than last update (fortnight ago)

Bump measurement: 102 cm (40 inches)

Maternity clothes? Yep – a mix of maternity and non-maternity but I still love my over-the-bump maternity jeans and tights.

Stretch marks? Nope! But still oiling up every morning and night – skin is so soft on the belly :)

Sleep: Slightly better. Still getting up around 4am to use the bathroom. Foam underlay helped a little and the physio has done wonders, but I undid some of the good work at our Baby Shower on the weekend – been sore pretty much since.

Best moment this week: Our Baby Shower!! Post coming soon, promise. Oh my, it went so fast but it was a fantastic day and we felt so loved! Also loved getting our maternity photos in the mail :) (also another post on its way!)

Miss Anything? Being able to move at my regular pace…I am slooooowing down!

Movement: Crazy, crazy movement! Including waking up one morning with what looked like a tent pitched on the left side of my stomach – it was so strange! (Baby obviously didn’t like the way I was lying on my right side and moved completely into the left side, presumably with their bum in the air!)

Food cravings: They all seemed to have died down for a bit…although I did really feel like some watermelon and strawberries the other night!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Same as before. Nothing new to report. Still not a fan of BBQs, stir-fries with meats or cigarette smoke

Gender: Not long til we find out!

Symptoms: Heartburn is back, smaller meals are a must! Nose bleeds followed by headaches are a new thing this week (but my blood pressure is fine, thankfully!) A lot of visible movement and some occasional pressure in my pelvis – like Baby is head butting me! Also started getting a sore lower back if I stand/walk for too long

Belly Button in or out? In – just stretched!

Wedding rings on or off? On – with indents haha

Mood: Feeling a little more relaxed. I now know what we need to buy Baby and have started getting our hospital bags packed and picking up items we need, being organised makes me feel better.

Looking forward to: Starting our Calm Birth Course! And Baby’s furniture arriving (PLEASE be this week!)

friday's letters

Dear Baby,
Your crazy tricks in my stomach this morning made me look like you had pitched a tent in the left side of my stomach - it was creepy and cool, all at the same time!

Dear Readers,
Make sure you read this post to read up on an awesome freebie from Nursing Pillows!

Dear Friends and Family,
You are all amazing. Seriously. Our Baby Shower rocked and you have all spoiled Little Bean so much! We appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts!

Dear Plumber Man,
Ok, I didn't meet you but I love you. Thank you for installing our new hot water service after ours gave up the ghost (turns out it was from 1998!!!). Looking forward to a hot shower tonight after having to visit other people since Wednesday!

Dear House/Electrical Items,
Please, no more breaking ok? We are being very nice to you, I don't know why you don't like us!!

Dear Universe,
What did we do to piss you off...hmm??

Dear Calm Birth Course,
Pumped to start you tomorrow! Hope you are full of lots and lots of helpful information!

Dear Maternity Photos,
Swoon. That is all.

Dear Work,
No offense, but I'm over you. Bring on holidays in 4 weeks!!

Call Out to all Breast-Feeding Mamas!

One of the things I love about blogging is when your blog helps you discover other awesome bloggers! This week I started following Petchie over at Petchie's Blog Book (check it out, fellow Mamas-to-be!), and she has shared an awesome deal that I'm going to share with you all today as well!

As you may or may not be aware, Thursday the 1st of August was the first day of Breastfeeding Awareness week! As a Mama-to-be planning to breastfeed, I've been acutely aware of the news articles and buzz going around about it this year. Well, it would seem that Nursing Pillow are celebrating BF Awareness Week by giving away free Nursing Pillows! Yep, you heard that right - free Nursing Pillows! All you need to pay is for shipping to wherever you are and let me say - I'm in Australia so we usually miss out on all these deals...not this time! I've ordered myself a gorgeous "Hush" pillow and simply paid roughly $17 US for shipping. So awesome! (that's a savings of $40 US...score!)

Below's image is taken from Petchie's blog and explains how to use the promo code. When I saw this deal I just had to share with all the other Mamas-to-Be in this corner of the Blogworld! Enjoy! (oh this also gives you an option to upgrade to a Minky Pillow for just $5 plus shipping...good luck choosing which pillow you'd like!)

please note that I am in no way affiliated with Nursing Pillow, nor do they know who I am...I merely wanted to share the awesome deal that Petchie shared with me!

friday's letters

my sister used this image on the Facebook page she created to chat with those coming to the shower...isn't it cute?!
[source]

Short, but sweet today!

Dear Weekend,
I'm so glad you are here. So, so glad! Only 5 working weeks left - phew!

Dear Stabby, Stabby Headache,
Go away! Baby and I aren't interested in you!

Dear Baby Furniture,
Please come this week! I would love to get started on actually putting together Little Bean's nursery instead of just dreaming about it.

Dear Baby Shower,
I am so very excited for you, and can't believe you are tomorrow!! How in the world did we get to this point so quickly?? Posts will follow!

Dear Readers,
I hope things are starting to get more interesting around here! All going well there will be some bigger changes soon too...

Happy Friday everyone!

virtual nursery: the little details

Boy, oh boy...the things I have fallen in love with and wish I could purchase for Little Bean's nursery! I've never hidden my love of etsy stores (after all, the majority of our wedding purchases were from etsy!) and for Baby items, it really is heaven!

I've tried to be realistic about what I should (and can afford to!) buy for Baby's room because even though I love hundreds of pieces, I'm well aware that the room could easily get over cluttered and lose the simplicity we're going for. So, below is what we have either purchased, or plan to purchase, to decorate the basics in Little Bean's Nursery!

1. Pom Poms (similar) - I've got a little collection of white and yellow tissue paper pom poms, as well as the white and grey paper lanterns from our engagement party all set to go to be put up in a corner of Baby's nursery...similar to this pin, but with more variation in the drop lengths. I've collected the pom poms in various sizes and from various places (including a local handmade market, which is baby HEAVEN) but they can be found so easily on etsy, in every colour under the sun!

2. Wall Decal - As soon as I saw this decal I could picture it over Baby's crib. I can't wait til it arrives!

3. and 5. Nursery Monogram Set & "Mama Loves You" Artwork - Ok, I have had the hardest trouble narrowing down what artworks I want to use in Little Bean's haven. But I keep coming back to these ones, so I have a feeling these guys will be the ones that make the final cut! Of course, they won't be able to be ordered until after Baby's arrival, so the little picture shelf I have ready to go will have to stay empty until then...but it will be worth it!

4. Sheepskin Rug (similar) - This piece is something I know has been purchased for us for our Baby Shower...and I'm secretly hoping to get 2! One to use as a rug in Little Bean's room, and one for them to play on, put in their bouncer/pram, etc. Little babies just look so snuggly in them and they are supposed to help regulate their temperatures.

6. Wardrobe Dividers - A cute and handy item that will hopefully help Little Bean's wardrobe stay organised! I can't wait to receive these and start organise Baby's clothes...

7. "Counting Sheep" Cloud Cushion - To be honest, I'm still tossing up between this cushion and the "Sweet Dreams" variation...but I think "Counting Sheep" is winning. Aren't they the sweetest?!

8. Cloud Mobile - Another piece I haven't entirely decided on yet! I original found this "Happy Day" version, and saved it with the thought that it's one of the few I have found in grey and yellow, however they have since bought out the "Silver Star and Arrows" version and I think I'm leaning towards the latter...I think the simplicity of the colours will go better with the bedding we have chosen, while the former may clash a little too much...Opinions very much welcomed! Help this Mama choose!

Some other (not pictured) things I want to do in Baby's room include:

Zinc Letters - This DIY version of the Anthropologie letters that can be seen in little Harper's nursery over at Little Baby Garvin. I just love the idea of having Little Bean's name up above the wall decal pictured above. And the DIY version seems much more wallet-friendly, particularly as we don't have Anthropologie here in Oz!

Baby's Nursery has a skinny little piece of wall beside the window, next to where the change table will be, where I hope to do something similar to this pin with all Little Bean's gorgeous ultrasound images.

Bunting - We have this beautiful "Sweet Love" sign from our wedding (seen here) that we also used in our Maternity Shoot, that we are hoping to also include in Little Bean's Nursery. I'm waiting though, to see if it ends up being too much because Baby's room is rather a small space...

And last but not least, we of course hope to incorporate some of the beautiful maternity images that Sandra took for us, as well as some newborn shots, in the room. Whether it be on the wall or somewhere on the little open shelves of the furniture we have purchased, only time will tell. I cannot WAIT to get started decorating Baby's room, but of course, patience is a virtue...and furniture should arrive in the next week! Right now, this is what Little Bean's room looks like...

Yep. Furniture is definitely needed! (and this is BEFORE our baby shower! Eep!)