35 Weeks

Weight at conception: 74.5kg
Weight at 35 weeks: 80kg
Loss/Gain since last post: 1kg
Total Loss/Gain: 5.5kg
Bump Circumference: 105cm

Ok, now I'm really over being pregnant! My ribs have started to hurt as they streeetch outward over the poor enormous belleh. Like, really hurt. When I breathe! Coughing and sneezing are agony and normal bending and lifting not much fun... I can no longer let Princess clamber all over me as it's too sore.

Milord didn't realise how bad it was until I had a complete meltdown and sobbed in his arms that "everything huuuurts!". I never get weepy so he was a bit flummoxed and has been treating me like spun glass since! That was a few days ago and my ribs hurt a bit less as they get used to being stretched, but it's still not great. Bras are a problem - I actually went out and got a few new maternity bras with a bigger band size the other day (the cups stayed the same - it's the ribs not the boobs that are an issue), and now they are too tight around the ribcage too. I need to find some bra extenders I think. *sigh* Going without is not an option at this time...

2 weeks to go until this baby is no longer "premature", and I'm hoping he comes ASAP after that! I have had enough.

Apart from that all is well. Our scan showed a baby of perfect average size and a fully functioning placenta, so nothing to worry about there.

Princess has been ill this week - "Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease", which sounds dramatic but it's just a touch of fever, misery, sore mouth and throat and a rash on her hands and feet. She's been a bit of a handful all week but today the rash appeared and now that I know what it is I can treat her with paracetamol and her sunny self is shining through again. Plus she's sleeping a lot better which helps everyone!

For Dad

I hope this makes you feel better after the hernia op, Dad! I love you xxx

34 Weeks

Weight at conception: 74.5kg
Weight at 34 weeks: 79kg
Loss/Gain since last post: 1kg
Total Loss/Gain: 4.5kg
Bump Circumference: 104cm

Milord tells me I'm suddenly huge. It doesn't feel that sudden to me! It's still pretty much all bump although I'm beginning to feel a bit puffy and I'm down to just my wedding ring again. My weight is still the same curve as during Princess' gestation, although the bump is a couple of centimeters bigger - normal in a second pregnancy.

I can still do most things, although I don't attempt ladders or anything that requires balance because my center of gravity is a bit off. My back gets tired when I stand and I don't lift anything heavier than my 11kg toddler... plus the 3kg nappy bag and the 5kg+ of shopping... huh. I actually think I did less lifting last time! And I certainly wasn't clambering straight up slides to rescue little people trapped at the top of the jungle gym like this morning!

I'm rather uncomfortable. Zeus' head has dropped down right onto my bladder which is dreadful... I can't wait for him to drop further and get past the poor abused thing! With the bad cough I've had lately I keep wetting myself as the bladder reacts to the extra pressure like a squashed grape with only one way to explode! Nice.

We are off for another scan tomorrow. Princess was an undersized baby - they say this was caused by her/my placenta being strangely small. I didn't realise (until I googled it this week) but a badly formed placenta is a risk because it doesn't nourish the baby properly. Not only do you get a small baby but the baby could actually die before full term! So we're going to have a close look at my innards and check that all is well - if not then I assume we'll plan to have the baby asap. I'll keep you posted!

Your Princess Fix

My cold has been pretty bad since I last posted, but finally my cough seems to be easing up. Today the weather is officially foul and we've been keeping warm indoors...

33 Weeks and your Princess Fix

Weight at conception: 74.5kg
Weight at 33 weeks: 78kg
Loss/Gain since last post: 0.5kg
Total Loss/Gain: 3.5kg

The pregnancy is going fine, but I have caught an irritating chest cold. I'm now at the tickly cough stage - for your information honey is a brilliant cough soother. I mix it with lime juice and have a spoonful when the coughing starts and it works! I give Princess the same thing when she has a cough (with a lot less lime juice) and it works for her too. Add a bit of paracetamol to take away the sore throat and I'm mostly ok...

At least Princess seems to be immune to this cold. We've been taking things very easy this week - so lots of puzzles and playing indoors. And telly. Princess came out with a Spanish word during Dora the Explorer the other day - maybe a bit too much telly!

Pics from a park visit this week:







Regarding the Princess - she is a delight. The tantrums have calmed and the talking continues to improve. My life has a running narrative as Princess shadows me around the house: "Mummy shower - bubbles!" "Clean teeth!" "Panti! Bla! Top! Trousers! Sock! Other sock!" "Cuppa tea!" etc etc etc. It's especially funny when I have to bring her into public toilets and the clear loud voice announces "Mummy tinkle wee!"

She's almost counting to 20 and can identify most of the letters of the alphabet! This week she's started giving a peck of a kiss on request to Milord. She loves trying to use a knife and fork and spoon, although it's a messy exercise! She demands singing constantly - "More singing!" - and sometimes tells you which song although the clues are vague "What do you want me to sing?" "Cat!" (I went with the pussycat scaring the mouse under the queen's chair)

Princess is still not walking, but we've come up with a challenge she'll accept to improve her balance - I put slightly sticky flower stickers up at the limit of her reach against the perspex shield in front of the telly and she'll spend ages pulling them off and cruising to the next one. Because there are no handholds and it's a stretch she has to use her core for balance which should improve everything. She loves it and demands "More flower! Reach!" several times a day.

And a couple of videos from the park. Excuse my singing voice - it's my cold!

32 Weeks

Weight at conception: 74.5kg
Weight at 32 weeks: 77.5kg
Loss/Gain since last post: 1.5kg
Total Loss/Gain: 3kg
Bump Circumference: 101cm

I'm gaining 0.5kg per week which is as it should be. My bump is growing by 1cm per week. Which is also as it should be but a bit frightening!

All is well, I've delegated swim lessons to Milord and have a cleaning service coming once a week. We hoping to have bedroom cupboards built in within the next couple of weeks, and then I'll prepare my hospital bag...

I've been having trouble sleeping lately as Zeus is jolly wriggly in the night and I can no longer sleep through having my organs rearranged. Oh well - not too much longer!