Baby H #2: Week 13

Goodbye first trimester! We have rounded the corner, turned the page, said goodbye to the icky first trimester. On Sunday I rolled over into week 14. So here’s what week 13 was like for us.

Week 13 was characterised by extreme, never-ending, insatiable hunger. I swear, no matter how much I ate I felt like I was never satisfied. It drove me crazy. I feel like I may have put on about 100 kilos in this week alone. If something was left unattended for any length of time chances are I was going to eat it.

I also found myself feeling really big and cumbersome this week. My bump is really out there and its already starting to get in the way. I have to brace my legs to bend down and pick things up, I can’t squeeze through small spaces, I need to make room when people want to sneak past me. It escalated quickly. I’m a little scared. This was me at 20 weeks+ with Willow. How big am I going to be at the end of my third trimester with this one?!

I am also finding myself out of breath after the simplest tasks these days. Walking up the stairs? Climbing into bed? Tidying up after Willow? All of it results in me huffing and puffing like a manic. When they say your second pregnancy goes by at lightning speed I think they also mean you progress through it so much quicker as well.

I have been sleeping well this week, my skin looks great, I feel like I need a haircut already and my nails look great. So I’m not just complaining on this side. I can’t wait to start feeling movement. Every morning and evening I lay very still in bed and concentrate really hard to see if I can feel anything yet.

How far along? 13 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Kiwi

Total weight gain/measurements: I’m scared to step on the scale! At my Dr’s appointment 10 days ago I was just about 54kg and about a week later I was well over that. My belly is 83cm around.

Maternity clothes: I am almost exclusively wearing maternity pants. But still a mix of tops. Now that everyone knows I can start wearing all my maternity stuff.

Stretch marks: Nothing yet

Best moment this week: We had a wonderful weekend with my parents. It was my Dad’s birthday so it was a lot of fun. We also got to pick out the tiles for our new bathrooms which are being renovated from this week.

Miss anything? Feeling full after a meal.

Movement: Nothing yet, but I’m hoping soon. I’ve heard you can feel the baby sooner in subsequent pregnancies.

Food cravings:  I have had a huge craving for tomatoes this week; specifically sandwiches with tomatoes on it. And water. I am always thirsty.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Sometimes I feel ill after breakfast, especially is I ate too quickly. But its nothing compared to the morning sickness I had.

Exercise: Yes, I got two good workouts in last week that left me stiff. It felt really good. I need to walk more though.

Gender: We think we know! Waiting for the next scan to confirm

Symptoms: get tired easily, out of breath after small tasks, round ligament pain, back pain in the evening, bloating and feeling uncomfortable in the evening, waking in the middle of the night, stuffy nose, always hungry and always thirsty.

Belly button in or out? In but getting flat

Wedding rings on or off? On and feeling a little loose

Happy or moody most of the time: I was pretty happy last week, although I find my temper to be quite short these days.

Looking forward to: our bathrooms being finished! I cannot wait to see what they look like

 

 

Pregnancy Update: Week 36 and 37

Good morning all, long time no see. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas!

I apologise for being a bit lax on the blogging front lately. Its been a little crazy around here. Between getting all the last minute things I needed wrapped up, trying to catch up on some much needed sleep and getting ready for Christmas the past few weeks just slipped passed and now the New Year is already barrelling towards us.

In terms of how Baby H and I are doing we are still here, still pregnant and still waiting. This baby girl is getting bigger each day, which makes me a little nervous to be honest, but she is healthy and has made it past the full term mark so we’re very happy about that.

She still moves a lot, but you can really tell her space is restricted.

As for me – I am feeling huge, uncomfortable and cumbersome. I spend most of my time these days waddling around the house doing odd jobs, taking naps or chilling in the swimming pool because it it so incredibly hot and the pool is one of the few places I feel comfortable.

I have been experiencing some really intense Braxton Hicks contractions. These are quite painful and on more than one occasion Hubby and I thought we had to make the trip to the hospital. These always show up at night when I’m trying to sleep so right now most of my sleep takes place during the day…

Other than that we’re all still happy and healthy and looking forward to greeting the challenges of 2015 with open arms!

How far along? 37 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Leek (I thought we had been a leek already, but the app says leek so leek it is)

Total weight gain/measurements: Weight gain had slowed down a bit, but then Christmas happened. I’m scared to look!

Stretch marks: Nope not yet

Best moment this week: Christmas is always a highlight even though this one was a bit strange in how quite it was. Hubby’s family came down to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with us as I am stuck in Joburg until the baby arrives.

Miss anything? My abs, my feet not being all swollen and gross, real champagne and gin and tonic. 

Movement: She’s still moving quite a bit, but her movements have changed. There’s a lot more stretching and wiggling, not as many acrobatics.

Food cravings: Nothing really this week

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: A little girl

Symptoms: Carpal tunnel, swollen feet, general moodiness, extreme tiredness, a little bit of nausea that comes and goes, very intense Braxton Hicks contractions… Oh and heartburn for the first time this pregnancy!

Belly button in or out? Out

Labour signs? At my appointment last week the doctor confirmed that my cervix had started shortening. She ruled out us having a Christmas baby, but any time from now is a real possibility. Baby is fully engaged, is in the perfect position to be born and is a really good weight. So we wait….

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or moody most of the time: I’m generally happy until I get over tired then I get really emotional

Exercise: I’ve been pretty good with exercise these past two weeks. I have gone on almost daily walks and have splashed around in the pool. It definitely makes a big difference to how I feel at the moment so I’m really trying to be consistent with it. It helps that I have so much free time on my hands right now.

Looking forward to: Ringing in 2015 – we’re not doing anything special, but I’m looking forward to saying good bye 2014 and hello to the new year. Then we have a Doctor’s appointment next week Tuesday and will hopefully get more info on when this monkey is coming!

Pregnancy Update: Week 35

Week 35 was incredibly busy. It was my last week in the office before I went on Annual leave and then Maternity leave. So there was a lot of admin to get done in order to wrap up my year.

It left me feeling a little exhausted and most days when I got home from work my feet were all swollen, but it feels good know that everything is done.

I also had dinner with some family that I haven’t seen in years. It was great to see everyone and catch up.

My poor husband got ill this week so we’ve been at home relaxing so he can get better.

The baby is still growing and is as active as ever. I find her movements endlessly entertaining and she has Hubby and I in stitches yesterday morning with her kicks and stretches.

I see the doctor for the last time this year next week and I’m anxious to know where we stand and how she’s doing.

Wow, this is a short post. Not my normal wordiness, but there hasn’t been much change this week.

How far along? 35 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Romaine lettuce

Total weight gain/measurements: We were at 70kg at my last doctor’s appointment

Stretch marks: Nothing yet

Best moment this week: Seeing my family and wrapping up my working year.

Miss anything? Being more mobile. You really take being able to bend over and touch your toes or roll over in bed for granted.

Movement: She’s a regular little yogi

Food cravings: Nothing really this week

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: A little girl

Symptoms: My carpal tunnel has made a reappearance and as mentioned earlier my feet have been quite swollen. But nothing news other wise.

Belly button in or out? Out

Labour signs? I’m officially on labour watch, but I haven’t noticed anything yet. I’m pretty sure my doctor will do a pelvic exam next week and then we will have a clearer picture.

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or moody most of the time: I get very moody when I’m tired or hungry, but my general mood has been happy. Especially when I can potter around the nursery doing baby things…

Exercise: Last week was not great. I managed a swim or two, but that was it. Already this week is off to a much better start. 

Looking forward to: So much to look forward to! I have Christmas dinner with my friends (we do this every year before we all leave town on holiday), our parcel from my sister-in-law in Australia has finally arrived and I can’t wait to see it, shopping for and wrapping Christmas gifts, my rocking chair will finally be arriving this week and Hubby is taking me to see the Hobbit at the Imax. Also my doctor’s appointment next week. And Christmas! I love Christmas!

 

Here’s the bum at 35 weeks. I feel like we’re enormous!

Mama Magic Baby Expo

In Johannesburg we have a huge mommy, baby and toddler expo which takes place twice a year called Mama Magic.

This year Hubby and I decided to attend because you get really great deals on much needed baby items. We had a few things in particular that we needed to get – the travel system, the travel cot and high chair were at the top of our list.

So off we went all bright eyed and full of optimism. Boy, were we in for a shock! The expo was complete craziness. I have never experienced anything like it and at 34 weeks pregnant it was a lot harder on me than I had anticipated. By the end of the day my feet and back ached, I was exhausted and quite grumpy.

All that aside, however, we were able to save significantly on what we had to buy and we are in the really comfortable place of having everything we need for baby when she gets here.

Here’s what we went to get and it was mission successful!

Joie Travel System

The capsule car seat which fits into the frame of the pram. (Excuse my messy bed in the back ground)

The Joie Chrome Travel System in Stone. This is the pram segment that is front and rear facing and full reclines. Folds like a dream too

So much research and care went into choosing the pram we were going to get. So many travel systems are so expensive and even more prams are really expensive and then you need to add on the car seat and base and that drives the price up even more. What Hubby and I also found is that some types you needed to get a small loan for also felt so unstable and rickety that I wasn’t comfortable putting a baby in it, or it was really difficult to fold up, or they didn’t age well at all. So after many internet searches and reading many reviews and watching many videos we settled on the Joie Chrome Travel System. It was an all-inclusive price (we got the pram, the capsule seat and the Isofix base all in one go) that was made even better by the show special. It is really easy to fold, will fit nicely in my car, looks lovely and has one of the best breaking systems I have come across. We’re really chuffed with it.

Joie Illusion Travel Cot

The travel cot, or pack ‘n play, comes with a nappy dispenser and a fold away changing table and handy mosquito net (pictured)

This is what North Americans call Pack ‘n Plays. With our parents living so far away we needed a travel cot for the Monkey when we go visit. Also I want her to sleep in our room at first and rather than buy a Moses basket or bassinet I decided to get one item that would suit all our needs. This one is quite plain and simple, but it’s really sturdy, has a compact carry case, isn’t too heavy and comes with a foldaway changing station and nappy caddy which will make it ideal no matter where we have it set up.

Stokke Steps High Chair system

The Stokke Steps system

This was a gift from my parents in law and another item I am really excited about. This is a complete birth to toddler seating system that grows with your child. One thing that is really important to me is that our daughter learns early on that dinner time is family time and I want her to be able to join us at the table. This seating system will make that possible from when she’s really little and will grow with her. We got the one with the bouncer so we can use it from birth and then as she gets bigger it adapts to her stage of growth. It’s such a well thought out and designed product.

Pregnancy Update: Week 34

Week 34 was a good one. We have been very busy and I feel run off my feet, but ultimately happy and looking forward to some down time soon.

Last weekend was full of surprises with my parents coming down to visit and my mom and friends hosting a surprise baby shower. It was such a lovely afternoon. We drank tea, ate cake and the baby and I got presents. I’ve got a full post on the shower and what we got coming up this week.

Monday was full and busy at work and then on Tuesday we had a very interesting doctor’s appointment. It was great to see the baby is growing so well and she is getting ready to make her grand entrance in the world. You can read all about it here [link].

Then on Wednesday my colleagues at work surprised me with a baby shower. I was really touched and we were so spoiled again. I’m in such a good place right now for this little one to make her appearance. We’re all ready for her now. I obviously want her to stay put and mature as long as possible, but it’s a relief to know we’re ready. I have a post on the shower coming soon.

Wednesday was also our year end function at work so in comparison Thursday and Friday felt a bit dull. I filled my time doing chores. I have washed all her clothes and blankets and have started to organise the nursery.

In terms of how I’m doing it’s all business as usual. I get tired easily, my feet are swelling like crazy in this heat, and I feel very big and heavy. I have been trying to swim more and that definitely helps. I had an hour long swim the other day. The water was amazing and the feeling of being weightless was worth its weight in gold!

Also nesting has started with a vengeance. I have been organising the nursery, washing clothes and blankets, trying to get all my ducks in a row. My husband finds this endlessly amusing.

How far along? 34 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Honeydew melon

Total weight gain/measurements: We were at 70kg at my last doctor’s appointment

Stretch marks: Nothing yet

Best moment this week: Definitely getting spoiled at my baby shower

Miss anything? Walking without a waddle and being able to see my toes.

Movement: She’s a regular little yogi

Food cravings: Back to craving fruit and weirdly bacon…

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: A little girl

Symptoms: I had very swollen feet and hands recently but it has been very hot, which doesn’t help. I’m also feeling a lot more pressure from the baby and my Braxton Hicks contractions are coming more often and feel more uncomfortable

Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? I have finally given in and taken them off completely…

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy

Exercise: I had a great swim and a good long walk. I definitely feel myself slowing down, but I try to keep moving as much as possible.

Looking forward to: Finishing up this week at work. Its my last week before my annual leave and maternity leave kicks in

 

Pregnancy Update: Week 33

The week started off with quite an eventful weekend – I roll over on a Saturday, so the weekend is the beginning of the new week of my pregnancy.

On Friday my friend came over to help finish painting the nursery. We have done an epic job if I do say so myself 😉

On Saturday morning I went for a wonderful walk around our neighbourhood. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and it was nice to be out absorbing some vitamin D and the peacefulness of it all.

I also had a hair appointment on Saturday. It’s been about three months since the last time I got my hair done and the time had definitely come! We cut quite a bit of the length off and touched up the colour a bit. This one needs to last another three months, because I don’t think I’ll make it back for before the baby arrives or for a while afterwards…

Sunday my nesting seemed to kick in and I spent the day decluttering and tidying the bedroom, throwing out old, unused things, putting stuff away neatly. It looks so much better! Then Hubby helped me hang the pictures that have been lying around since we had the house painted. It looks awesome. I’m so happy to have my photos back on the walls!

After the eventful week the week seemed to drag a bit. Thursday ended up being the best day. I took the day off work, the nursery furniture arrived and we went to the Mama Magic Baby Expo (which has its own post)

Now that we’re officially in December here is a bit of my pregnancy in numbers:

Days pregnant – 240

Days to go to our due date – 40

Days to go until I’m on maternity leave – 11

Number of Doctor’s appointments – 7

Baby weighs so far – around 2kg

How far along? 33 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Canteloupe

Total weight gain/measurements: I’m pretty sure we’re pushing the 70kg mark.

Stretch marks: Nothing yet

Best moment this week: So many to choose from: the nursery furniture arriving, the baby expo, buying some much needed items.

Miss anything? Walking without a waddle and being able to see my toes.

Movement: She’s a regular little yogi

Food cravings: Ice cream

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: A little girl

Symptoms: The carpal tunnel has calmed down a lot this week and I think the brace I bought really helps. Other than that just the usual – feeling huge, getting tired an out of breath quickly, trouble sleeping and moving around.

Belly button in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? I’m wearing only one

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy

Exercise: 

Looking forward to:

 

Pregnancy Update: Week 32

So week 32 in now in the review mirror and week 33 is going to be busy, busy, busy.

On a whole last week was a good one. It felt incredibly long while I was living it, but when I woke up on Friday it had felt like it had flown by. Time really is relative you know…

The weekend was great, I got my baby registries set up on Saturday and Sunday was spent working on the nursery, which you can read about in my nursery update post. We did more work on Friday night. We also got a delivery of some goodies for the nursery and the furniture should arrive this week so I’ll update you then.

I also managed to squeeze in a great chat with my sisters in Hong Kong, which was a lot of fun. Thank goodness for Skype! It’s awesome to see their faces when talking to them. My sister and brother-in-law will be coming home for a visit in April and my other sister looks like she’ll be here in March. I’m so excited to see them and for them to meet their niece!

Can we talk about carpal tunnel for a bit? This is my latest, and I have to say so far my most annoying, pregnancy symptom. I’ve developed it in my right wrist and it’s so painful! At first it was up the side of my right hand from wrist to pinky and now it’s the whole wrist as well.

I have slight twinges during the day and then full blown pain at night. I can’t put my weight on my hand, bending it is excruciating, and the worst part is I keep forgetting about it. I think I need to strap it up or something.

How far along? 32 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Pineapple

Total weight gain/measurements: Still saying 67kg. I haven’t measured or stepped on a scale. I have a doctor’s appointment next week so we’ll see then.

Stretch marks: Nothing yet, but I’m getting a lot of spidery veins. Hope those go away…

Best moment this week: Finishing the nursery mural! My epic friend cam back on Friday to help out with the last of the painting. It looks so amazing! I can’t wait until the furniture in in there as well.

Miss anything? I really miss sleeping on my back and not having weird light headed breathless moments or having a conversation without getting out of breath…

Movement: Still lots of stretching. I call these her yoga sessions. I’m getting them more and more in my sides now.

Food cravings: Cold fresh fruit. I demolished and entire punnet of grapes yesterday

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: A little girl

Symptoms: General movement is difficult, I have the whole waddle thing now. Also getting in and out of cars – holy crap, not fun. The carpal tunnel thing that comes and goes, breathlessness and the odd dizzy spell. On the good side, my skin and hair look amazing and my nails are so strong.

Belly button in or out? Poking out just a bit

Wedding rings on or off? I’m wearing only one, but on very hot days I take it off.

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy

Exercise: I had two very nice walks this week. I hope to do more this week. We’ve had really crappy rainy weather in the afternoons which literally puts a damper on exercise plans

Looking forward to: The nursery furniture arriving 🙂

 

Pregnancy Update: Week 31

Wow, watching these weeks tick by is both an incredibly exciting and anxiety-ridden experience.

It’s amazing to think that we’re just a mere eight weeks from our due date. This point of the pregnancy felt so far away back in May when we found out we’re expecting. Now November is nearly gone and we’re so close to the end result.

This week felt really tough. The third trimester is more difficult than I anticipated, and coupled with end of year fatigue, a huge work load and pressure to meet those final targets I’m feeling more than a little drained and exhausted.

In South Africa, for my overseas readers, we start the year in January and end it in December. Our long school holidays start somewhere around the end of November when the exams are finished and all the factories and many business close for the holidays around the 16^th. So we’re all off for Christmas and New Years and can enjoy the heat and beach.

This year has felt particularly long and trying. It has been a good year filled with many incredible experiences and a lot of hard work and personal growth. But it has also been a hard, emotional rollercoaster with more challenges than I have ever experienced.

I’m incredibly grateful for everything I’ve been through this year, but I’m ready for that break now.

How far along? 31 weeks

Baby is the size of a: Large Jicama, whatever that is…

Total weight gain/measurements: We’re going with 67kg at my last doctor’s appointment

Stretch marks: No stretch marks, but my veins on my stomach are getting very prominent and the skin is starting to look stretched and shiny.

Best moment this week: The doctor’s appointment. I love seeing the baby. It’s one of my favourite parts

Miss anything? Lying on my back. Some days that’s all I want to do.

Movement: She’s running out of space now. I get a lot of stretching. Sometimes its borderline painful and quite uncomfortable. She has very sharp little elbows and knees.

Food cravings: I want fruit and ice cream, all the time

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: A little girl

Symptoms: Getting up and down is getting really difficult, as is getting in and out of the car. I hate dropping things. I have to weigh how important it is to pick it up right away. Other than that the usual.

Belly button in or out? Poking out just a bit

Wedding rings on or off? I’m wearing only one, but on very hot days I take it off.

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy

Exercise: Last week was bad for exercise. I will be better this week.

Looking forward to: Getting the painting in the nursery finished and for the furniture to arrive!

 

November Doctor’s Appointment

Today has been one of those crazy busy days where the hours have just flown by. It always amazes me how all the big things tend to happen on one day.

The biggest thing to happen today was our November Doctor’s Appointment. I love going to the doctor during pregnancy.

Can’t wait to see her sweet face in person

First off the doctor and I have had a frank conversation about my weight. I was borderline underweight when we started so the fact that I’ve gained a bit more is not a worry. She still deems me as small, so that’s all good. Also a lot of my weight gain comes from my giant child who is still measuring well ahead. So in the grand scheme of things I’m healthy, the baby is healthy and the doctor is happy.

The Monkey is currently weighing in at around 1.8 kilos! Her head also measures large for her gestational age, while her body measurements are bang on track. According to the doctor this is nothing to worry about and that babies sometimes accelerate their growth in the head and the body follows later.

Giving us a thumbs up

Her blood flow is great, she has the sweetest face and she gave us a little thumbs up during the appointment. The amniotic fluid looks perfect and the doctor is very happy with what she saw.

In terms of the aches and pains I’m experiencing – all is normal. The baby is a bit bigger and I’m still quite small, so she’s running out of space. This is why her movements sometimes hurt.

The crampy, achy pains I sometimes feel are Braxton Hicks contractions and as long as they stay irregular they are nothing to worry about. They may get worse if I’m a bit dehydrated.

There’s not much I can do about the back, hip and pelvic pain except what I’m doing – continue exercising and eating well, try get decent sleep and take it easy.

Her tiny little foot with all its perfect little bones

We did speak a bit about how I want to deliver. I have a post on my birth plan that will go up soon and the doctor is fully in support of what I want to do. She sees no reason why I can’t have the birth I want, but obviously we will have to see how things are closer to the time. We will revisit this conversation at the end of December or the beginning of January.

I’m really happy that everything is going well and that the baby is happy and healthy in her little water bed. Our next appointment will be on 2 December. We’re getting into the twice a month territory now. The end is in sight!

Pregnancy Update: Week 30

So I realised the other day that I have six working weeks left this year before I go on annual and then maternity leave.

This makes me really happy. I feel myself quickly running out of energy and it gets harder and harder to get through each week. I’m ready for a bit of a break to try and build up some reserves before the Monkey arrives.

Speaking of this little one’s imminent arrival – having hit the 30 week mark means there are a mere 10 weeks to go to our due date! 10 weeks! Where has the time gone?

Being in the final days of pregnancy I keep thinking there is no way I can get any bigger. I cannot fathom how she’ll fit in there as she continues to grow.

All that said however, I want her to stay put until she’s at least full term. Being big and strong is definitely not a bad thing and I want her to be as healthy and as ready as possible.

This week was unremarkable. I got up every day, went to work, made it through the day, went to bed early, worked out. It was all business as usual.

What was really nice was that we had our Antenatal Course over the weekend. It was awesome and I will do a separate post on it, as so much went on that talking about it a little here will do it no justice.

This week coming is full of admin stuff at work, a doctor’s appointment and hopefully finishing up the nursery over the weekend.

From here on out we get busier and busier in this downhill rush to the end of the year!

How far along? 30 weeks! Goodbye 20s.

Baby is the size of a: Coconut!

Total weight gain/measurements: I now weigh 66 almost 67 kilos. This is scary as hell!

Stretch marks: Still going strong on that front. Nothing yet and hopefully nothing ever!

Best moment this week: The antenatal getaway and getting some decent sleep.

Miss anything? Being able to see my feet.

Movement: She’s a regular hip hop dancer. Even Hubby comments on how busy she is. It’s endlessly entertaining. But she has a definite routine which I have come to learn.

Food cravings: Summer fruits that I have kept in the fridge – watermelon, nectarines, strawberries, mango and pineapple all ice cold!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender: A little girl

Symptoms: The usual, tiredness and swelling, feeling very heavy, I’m starting to waddle, especially in the evening because by then my back, pelvis and feet hurt. Irratibility when I’m hot and tired

Belly button in or out? Poking out just a bit

Wedding rings on or off? I’m wearing only one, but on very hot days I take it off.

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy

Exercise: Two strength sessions, an awesome walk and a swim. Go me!

Looking forward to: Our doctor’s appointment on Tuesday and finishing up the nursery.