Sometimes when he's sleeping, Louis opens one or both of his eyes slightly, which really freaks us out!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
11 Days Old
Sometimes when he's sleeping, Louis opens one or both of his eyes slightly, which really freaks us out!
10 Days Old
Nanny Sue and Louis are having a cuddle in the picture above. In the one below, Louis is copying his daddy.
8 Days Old
We didn't take any pictures of day 7 for some reason, but here are Louis and Daddy on day 8 having a sleepy snuggle.
6 Days Old
Louis was in a bit of a state, then my little sister starting practising her recorder, and it had a mesmerising effect on him! By the way, that's my Mum holding him - I can only wish that someday, I too will be that tanned!
Knowing he liked being wrapped up, and a couple of barely-sleeping nights, we decided to try swaddling...
And here are his little tootsies!
5 Days Old
Jack's Mum had bought a clothes set from Next... Jack wanted to see if they fitted, so here's Louis dressed in his dungarees with no top on underneath, day 5!
4 Days Old
Louis' grandparents came to visit on day 4 (Jack's parents), they couldn't wait to see him!
3 Days Old
Louis' likes being wrapped up before he goes down to sleep, it makes him feel like he's being cuddled...
2 Days Old
Our first visitors were Shelley & Ray, other than the neighbours. All our friends kept saying that they would wait until the stampede of visitors stopped, but there was no stampede! Shelley & Ray had just got back from holiday and had the day off so came to see our new arrival.
1 Day Old
Here he is, one day old - we'd just got him back from the hospital and put him in his carrycot. He looks quite chubby cheeked here compared to how he looks now, at 3 weeks old.
Back Again!
It's taken a while for me to get round to posting on here - you really dont understand the work that goes into looking after a newborn baby until you experience it yourself. Im gradually getting used to the nights getting up and feeding for an hour or more a few times a night, and some nights where we only get a couple of hours of sleep in total.
Im going to share some photos from every day (minus a couple where we didnt take any pics!) of Louis life... here he is a few hours old in the hospital:
Thursday, June 15, 2006
My Birth Story
I really don't have much of a concept of the timings but here is my story nonetheless ;)
I woke up at about 7.30ish on Monday morning as my OH got in the shower for work with pains in my pubic bone region & legs. I didn't realise that this was labour as I was expecting contractions across my belly. I'd had a bit of period pain type feelings the evening before but thought nothing of it.
After a while I realised the pains weren't going - it was a constant pain with it coming sharper about every 15mins. I rang my midwife and she told me to go to the maternity day unit at the hospital to be checked over.
I still didn't realise I was labouring even though I had 3 contractions walking down one hospital corridor! When I arrived at the MDU they did a 20min trace which confirmed that yes I was indeed contracting, and baby was very happy. They then said that it may just be BH's and asked if I wanted to be examined to see if I was dilated at all to determine where we would go from there. When I said I did I was given a whole argument about why I shouldn't be, but I decided that I did because I was feeling it quite a bit. I kept thinking, corr if this isn't it, I dread to think what the real deal is like! It wasnt terrible pain, but it wasnt nice!
I was examined and found to be 3cms dilated and told I would be having my baby that day. I was so excited! They walked me to the midwife led unit at the hospital, which I was booked in to, that was about 11am.
The room was really nice and we unpacked my bags, well rather my OH and Mum did (they were both my birth partners). We'd forgotten to pack any music, but there was an Elton John album and another compilation in there which we played. Forever more that Lionel Ritchie song about castles will remind me of my labour! Wish I could remember the name of it though!
Once I had been checked over again there, I decided to get the TENS machine on. It helped, but wasnt like what I thought it would be. It was like someone whacking you with a paddle of needles on the back! But the boost button certainly did help! They hooked up the gas & air too ready for when I wanted to use that. My mum took me to the loo and I could hear my OH chugging on it!
Eventually the contractions were less than 5 minutes apart and I started with the gas and air which I loved! It really helped to have the mouthpiece to bite on, and I liked the woozy feeling after the contraction had passed where I just felt spaced and calm.
I got up to go to the loo and felt something happen inside me, like a shift. I told the midwife and she then decided that she wanted to keep a midwife in with me from then on incase I went into second stage. I told her I wanted to use the water so they filled up the pool for me which took about an hour.
I got in and it was sooooo nice, it felt like such a relief and felt like my bump was floating. I was surprised at how warm it was in there and they kept topping it up with warm water. My bump moved really low down and pretty soon I had the urge to push. I was having one strong horrid contraction and then one not so bad one. The midwife came and checked my dilation about 4ish and I was fully dilated. She told me that the only thing stopping the baby from coming was my waters, and that she was worried about breaking them for me as baby had decided to go back up the birth canal. She decided to call the registrar to see if he/she was happy to break my waters, but the registrar was busy with a caesaran birth going on so we just had to get on with it.
I wasnt worried at all when I was told the news, it didnt register as something which may cause a problem but just as news. I started getting teary and told everyone I wanted to go home now (lol) so came out of the water to be checked, promptly threw up a few times, and decided not to go back in. The midwife wanted me to rest, so got the beanbag and big long kneeling mat out for me to lean on but after a while my knees were killing me so I moved to leaning on my side. I was then being told to push. Here's where the pain came! I was taking the gas and air so hard and from the wooziness, not pushing with all my strength, so I was only allowed 3 pulls on it before I had to finish my contraction with a push. I was shouting and screaming and was being told to hold my breath and push down. My leg was being held in the air by my OH and I was hanging on to my mum round the neck while she was telling me what to do. Eventually my waters broke and the midwife told my OH to go down the other end as it wouldnt be looking nice, so him and my mum swapped places. It was better having my OH there for me to grab round the neck as I knew I could be a bit more firm with him.
I kept thinking that this must be it now, all I remember was imaginging myself down there as a chocolate digestive biscuit, thats how big it felt I was, and really couldnt take it any more. I was screaming out that I needed something else for the pain, and that I wanted it to stop and please help me and I want to go home. I was so hot and couldnt cool down, then eventually I was being told they could see hair. Then I could see a head, my OH was nearly in tears saying I can see the head the head, then with my next push came out the rest of the face, from there I knew it was nearly over and did it with all my might. He came out with his little hands clenched into fists under his neck which meant it was a bit harder, but with the next push he was out and was such a funny feeling as he came out of me! 12th June, 20.48 and 3 days early, Louis Ray was born.
He was put on my chest and was whinging straight away, my OH was just sounding so in love and my mum was crying, I asked if it was a boy or a girl and they told me to look and it was a boy! My OH asked about 100 times if I was sure and the midwife got him to check too and we confirmed it, my OH was so happy as he secretly really wanted a boy. We waited for the cord to stop pulsing and then my OH decided he didnt want to cut it so my mum did the honors.
We passed baby over to OH for a cuddle while I got set to getting the placenta out, I couldnt push any more, so the midwife got me leaning back with her infront of me taking my weight, then we tried coughing it out, and then out it plopped! I was taken to the bed for a check over, had some more gas and air for my examination, where I was told I didnt need any stitches which I was very pleased about. I went all shaky and freezing so I was covered in a sheet and given some toast while baby Louis had his checks done on him.
OH's mum and sister had come down after work so were called in from the next room to meet the new arrival, then he had his weight taken and I was amazed to find he was 8 lb 11oz, my eyes nearly popped out my head!
Because it was a MLU I had my own private room which Louis and I were taken into. I really needed a wee but was so scared to do it. My OH came and helped me and I used my TENS unit. I was soooo stingy!
At about midnight my OH and Mum went home and Louis and I were left. I was really feeling quite shaky a short of breath so the doctor was called to check on me and he put it down to my pre-pregnancy anemia and decided I would have my blood tested the next day.
I fed Louis a couple of times and he slept soundly, I just lay awake. It didnt help that we had to leave the light on in my room so the midwife could keep an eye on me. He did a massive big jelly-like sick & I grabbed him from the cot because I thought he was struggling and called the midwife. I was so scared something was wrong. I was told it was normal and she'd be back in 5 mins to help me change him. 15 mins later still no sign of her so I did it myself and he was sick again, and again! I called the midwife because I needed to wee and didnt want to leave him alone and when I came out she said she was concerned that he was breathing quickly and called the paedeatritian.
He was checked and was fine but I was now worried! As soon as they left he got the hiccups which made him breathe fast again! We both finally got to sleep and he woke for a feed at which point I realised it was getting light which meant my OH could come back and I got all excited so stayed awake looking at my little man.
Opps just realised Im telling you his whole life story rather than birth story!
Anyway, we were allowed home that day, me with iron as I am still anemic. Midwife came round today and yesterday and is happy with us both. Louis is feeding well, but is a little bit jaundiced bit overall great. He loves being awake and eating at night but sleeps well in the day which is taking a bit of getting used to, but my OH has taken to it like a natural and my mum has been excellent too.
Well that's the end of my essay, sorry I got a bit carried away. I will update with pix once I get round to putting them on the pc.
Well done for reading this far!
I woke up at about 7.30ish on Monday morning as my OH got in the shower for work with pains in my pubic bone region & legs. I didn't realise that this was labour as I was expecting contractions across my belly. I'd had a bit of period pain type feelings the evening before but thought nothing of it.
After a while I realised the pains weren't going - it was a constant pain with it coming sharper about every 15mins. I rang my midwife and she told me to go to the maternity day unit at the hospital to be checked over.
I still didn't realise I was labouring even though I had 3 contractions walking down one hospital corridor! When I arrived at the MDU they did a 20min trace which confirmed that yes I was indeed contracting, and baby was very happy. They then said that it may just be BH's and asked if I wanted to be examined to see if I was dilated at all to determine where we would go from there. When I said I did I was given a whole argument about why I shouldn't be, but I decided that I did because I was feeling it quite a bit. I kept thinking, corr if this isn't it, I dread to think what the real deal is like! It wasnt terrible pain, but it wasnt nice!
I was examined and found to be 3cms dilated and told I would be having my baby that day. I was so excited! They walked me to the midwife led unit at the hospital, which I was booked in to, that was about 11am.
The room was really nice and we unpacked my bags, well rather my OH and Mum did (they were both my birth partners). We'd forgotten to pack any music, but there was an Elton John album and another compilation in there which we played. Forever more that Lionel Ritchie song about castles will remind me of my labour! Wish I could remember the name of it though!
Once I had been checked over again there, I decided to get the TENS machine on. It helped, but wasnt like what I thought it would be. It was like someone whacking you with a paddle of needles on the back! But the boost button certainly did help! They hooked up the gas & air too ready for when I wanted to use that. My mum took me to the loo and I could hear my OH chugging on it!
Eventually the contractions were less than 5 minutes apart and I started with the gas and air which I loved! It really helped to have the mouthpiece to bite on, and I liked the woozy feeling after the contraction had passed where I just felt spaced and calm.
I got up to go to the loo and felt something happen inside me, like a shift. I told the midwife and she then decided that she wanted to keep a midwife in with me from then on incase I went into second stage. I told her I wanted to use the water so they filled up the pool for me which took about an hour.
I got in and it was sooooo nice, it felt like such a relief and felt like my bump was floating. I was surprised at how warm it was in there and they kept topping it up with warm water. My bump moved really low down and pretty soon I had the urge to push. I was having one strong horrid contraction and then one not so bad one. The midwife came and checked my dilation about 4ish and I was fully dilated. She told me that the only thing stopping the baby from coming was my waters, and that she was worried about breaking them for me as baby had decided to go back up the birth canal. She decided to call the registrar to see if he/she was happy to break my waters, but the registrar was busy with a caesaran birth going on so we just had to get on with it.
I wasnt worried at all when I was told the news, it didnt register as something which may cause a problem but just as news. I started getting teary and told everyone I wanted to go home now (lol) so came out of the water to be checked, promptly threw up a few times, and decided not to go back in. The midwife wanted me to rest, so got the beanbag and big long kneeling mat out for me to lean on but after a while my knees were killing me so I moved to leaning on my side. I was then being told to push. Here's where the pain came! I was taking the gas and air so hard and from the wooziness, not pushing with all my strength, so I was only allowed 3 pulls on it before I had to finish my contraction with a push. I was shouting and screaming and was being told to hold my breath and push down. My leg was being held in the air by my OH and I was hanging on to my mum round the neck while she was telling me what to do. Eventually my waters broke and the midwife told my OH to go down the other end as it wouldnt be looking nice, so him and my mum swapped places. It was better having my OH there for me to grab round the neck as I knew I could be a bit more firm with him.
I kept thinking that this must be it now, all I remember was imaginging myself down there as a chocolate digestive biscuit, thats how big it felt I was, and really couldnt take it any more. I was screaming out that I needed something else for the pain, and that I wanted it to stop and please help me and I want to go home. I was so hot and couldnt cool down, then eventually I was being told they could see hair. Then I could see a head, my OH was nearly in tears saying I can see the head the head, then with my next push came out the rest of the face, from there I knew it was nearly over and did it with all my might. He came out with his little hands clenched into fists under his neck which meant it was a bit harder, but with the next push he was out and was such a funny feeling as he came out of me! 12th June, 20.48 and 3 days early, Louis Ray was born.
He was put on my chest and was whinging straight away, my OH was just sounding so in love and my mum was crying, I asked if it was a boy or a girl and they told me to look and it was a boy! My OH asked about 100 times if I was sure and the midwife got him to check too and we confirmed it, my OH was so happy as he secretly really wanted a boy. We waited for the cord to stop pulsing and then my OH decided he didnt want to cut it so my mum did the honors.
We passed baby over to OH for a cuddle while I got set to getting the placenta out, I couldnt push any more, so the midwife got me leaning back with her infront of me taking my weight, then we tried coughing it out, and then out it plopped! I was taken to the bed for a check over, had some more gas and air for my examination, where I was told I didnt need any stitches which I was very pleased about. I went all shaky and freezing so I was covered in a sheet and given some toast while baby Louis had his checks done on him.
OH's mum and sister had come down after work so were called in from the next room to meet the new arrival, then he had his weight taken and I was amazed to find he was 8 lb 11oz, my eyes nearly popped out my head!
Because it was a MLU I had my own private room which Louis and I were taken into. I really needed a wee but was so scared to do it. My OH came and helped me and I used my TENS unit. I was soooo stingy!
At about midnight my OH and Mum went home and Louis and I were left. I was really feeling quite shaky a short of breath so the doctor was called to check on me and he put it down to my pre-pregnancy anemia and decided I would have my blood tested the next day.
I fed Louis a couple of times and he slept soundly, I just lay awake. It didnt help that we had to leave the light on in my room so the midwife could keep an eye on me. He did a massive big jelly-like sick & I grabbed him from the cot because I thought he was struggling and called the midwife. I was so scared something was wrong. I was told it was normal and she'd be back in 5 mins to help me change him. 15 mins later still no sign of her so I did it myself and he was sick again, and again! I called the midwife because I needed to wee and didnt want to leave him alone and when I came out she said she was concerned that he was breathing quickly and called the paedeatritian.
He was checked and was fine but I was now worried! As soon as they left he got the hiccups which made him breathe fast again! We both finally got to sleep and he woke for a feed at which point I realised it was getting light which meant my OH could come back and I got all excited so stayed awake looking at my little man.
Opps just realised Im telling you his whole life story rather than birth story!
Anyway, we were allowed home that day, me with iron as I am still anemic. Midwife came round today and yesterday and is happy with us both. Louis is feeding well, but is a little bit jaundiced bit overall great. He loves being awake and eating at night but sleeps well in the day which is taking a bit of getting used to, but my OH has taken to it like a natural and my mum has been excellent too.
Well that's the end of my essay, sorry I got a bit carried away. I will update with pix once I get round to putting them on the pc.
Well done for reading this far!
Friday, June 02, 2006
38 Weeks Pregnant!
In my maternity notes, there lies my estimated due date; 15th June 2006. It then says something along the lines of "babies arrive 2 weeks before or after this date". We have two weeks. Argh!
Busy week again this week - finally got the travel system, and a few other bits like the mattress and changing mats, all we need now is the cot, then we're done. It's coming in stock this week apparently, and even if we don't get it in time then it's ok as we have the crib and moses basket. Done more washing too, I love it! I bought some fabric softener for the first time as the first batch of clothes I did came out a bit crispy, and I'm in l-o-v-e love! Comfort Pure is the way forward, it smells gorgeous too!
Here is my bump yesterday, at 38 weeks. Excuse the attractive ensemble, but when you're on maternity leave and not seeing anyone, dressing for comfort is the key:
And here is what Babycentre says about week 38... "Can you tell if you're carrying a boy or a girl? One hint may come from the size of your baby -- boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls. Babies at week 39 weigh about 6.8 to 7 pounds / 3 to 3.2 kilograms and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth. Your little one's organ systems are fully developed and in place, but the lungs will be last to reach maturity. (Even after your baby is born, it may take a few hours before she establishes a normal breathing pattern.)
Wondering what colour your baby's eyes will be? Most Caucasian babies are born with dark blue eyes and their true eye colour -- be it brown, green or blue -- may not reveal itself for weeks or months. The colour of your baby's eyes in the first minutes after birth won't last -- exposure to light changes a baby's initial eye colour. Most African and Asian babies usually have dark grey or brown eyes at birth -- their dark eyes becoming a true brown or black after the first six months or year. Multiracial children often turn out to have the most beautiful coloured eyes."
Busy week again this week - finally got the travel system, and a few other bits like the mattress and changing mats, all we need now is the cot, then we're done. It's coming in stock this week apparently, and even if we don't get it in time then it's ok as we have the crib and moses basket. Done more washing too, I love it! I bought some fabric softener for the first time as the first batch of clothes I did came out a bit crispy, and I'm in l-o-v-e love! Comfort Pure is the way forward, it smells gorgeous too!
Here is my bump yesterday, at 38 weeks. Excuse the attractive ensemble, but when you're on maternity leave and not seeing anyone, dressing for comfort is the key:
And here is what Babycentre says about week 38... "Can you tell if you're carrying a boy or a girl? One hint may come from the size of your baby -- boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls. Babies at week 39 weigh about 6.8 to 7 pounds / 3 to 3.2 kilograms and continue to build the fat stores that will help regulate body temperature after birth. Your little one's organ systems are fully developed and in place, but the lungs will be last to reach maturity. (Even after your baby is born, it may take a few hours before she establishes a normal breathing pattern.)
Wondering what colour your baby's eyes will be? Most Caucasian babies are born with dark blue eyes and their true eye colour -- be it brown, green or blue -- may not reveal itself for weeks or months. The colour of your baby's eyes in the first minutes after birth won't last -- exposure to light changes a baby's initial eye colour. Most African and Asian babies usually have dark grey or brown eyes at birth -- their dark eyes becoming a true brown or black after the first six months or year. Multiracial children often turn out to have the most beautiful coloured eyes."
Thursday, May 25, 2006
37 Weeks Pregnant!
I've been naughty again and left it yonks - I''ve had so much going on that I just haven't had a chance.
I've left work now - they got me some Tony & Guy vouchers so I'm off to have my hair done next week (wahey) and some trousers. It was weird leaving but I know I'll be back. I don't think it's sunk in yet that I'm not going back for the whole rest of the year, because Jack has been off this week too decorating the house. Next week I'm gonna stay at my Mums house just so I can relax and sort out my room here and get everything finally packed up.
I had my midwife appointment this morning, all was well with baby - it has moved to the left hand side now, which is the ideal position for labour, it's heartbeat was nice and strong, and is 3/5ths palpable. Ooooh I found out what that means! Basically there are 5 parts to the pelvis which the baby goes down in order for the head to become fully engaged. The amount of 5ths palpable refers to the amount of sections it still has to go down, so basically our baby has gone down 2 bits. I asked if the head could come out again, and she said it was very unlikely. I don't have my next appointment now for 10 days.
I also picked up our new car today (wooohooo), being bigger than the Smart it may take a bit of getting used to, but it's nice to know we have another one now.
It's out last NCT class tonight. I can't believe how quickly it has gone, absolutely flown by. I met some of the girls for lunch on Tuesday which was really nice. One of them couldn't make it 'cos it seemed as if she was going into labour! Guess we'll find out tonight whether or not that was the case!
One of the Handbag.com June Mummies is having her baby today too by C-Section as it was breech. I'm so excited for her, but it's really bringing it home that it's going to be my turn soon. I've had so many other things to think about that I haven't really allowed myself time to get nervous, but it's slowly kicking in. 3 weeks til I'm due. Wow.
Here is my bump, taken just now:
Here's what Babycentre.com says about week 37... "Your baby weighs close to 6.5 pounds / 2.8 kilograms and may be about 20 inches / 50 centimetres long from head to toe. Your baby's head is now cradled in your pelvic cavity -- surrounded and protected by your pelvic bones. This position clears some much-needed space for her growing legs and buttocks.
Many babies now have a full head of hair, with locks maybe around one inch / 2.5 centimetres long. But don't be surprised if her hair isn't the same colour as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes taken aback when their children are born with bright red or blond hair, and fair-haired couples likewise can produce babies with dark hair. And then, of course, some babies don't have any hair at all.
Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered your baby from 26 weeks has disappeared, and so has most of the vernix caseosa, the whitish substance that also covers her. Your baby will swallow her lanugo and exterior coating, along with other secretions, and store them in her bowels. These will become your infant's first bowel movement, a blackish waste called meconium. Around now many women start worrying about whether they will know if they are in labour."
I've left work now - they got me some Tony & Guy vouchers so I'm off to have my hair done next week (wahey) and some trousers. It was weird leaving but I know I'll be back. I don't think it's sunk in yet that I'm not going back for the whole rest of the year, because Jack has been off this week too decorating the house. Next week I'm gonna stay at my Mums house just so I can relax and sort out my room here and get everything finally packed up.
I had my midwife appointment this morning, all was well with baby - it has moved to the left hand side now, which is the ideal position for labour, it's heartbeat was nice and strong, and is 3/5ths palpable. Ooooh I found out what that means! Basically there are 5 parts to the pelvis which the baby goes down in order for the head to become fully engaged. The amount of 5ths palpable refers to the amount of sections it still has to go down, so basically our baby has gone down 2 bits. I asked if the head could come out again, and she said it was very unlikely. I don't have my next appointment now for 10 days.
I also picked up our new car today (wooohooo), being bigger than the Smart it may take a bit of getting used to, but it's nice to know we have another one now.
It's out last NCT class tonight. I can't believe how quickly it has gone, absolutely flown by. I met some of the girls for lunch on Tuesday which was really nice. One of them couldn't make it 'cos it seemed as if she was going into labour! Guess we'll find out tonight whether or not that was the case!
One of the Handbag.com June Mummies is having her baby today too by C-Section as it was breech. I'm so excited for her, but it's really bringing it home that it's going to be my turn soon. I've had so many other things to think about that I haven't really allowed myself time to get nervous, but it's slowly kicking in. 3 weeks til I'm due. Wow.
Here is my bump, taken just now:
Here's what Babycentre.com says about week 37... "Your baby weighs close to 6.5 pounds / 2.8 kilograms and may be about 20 inches / 50 centimetres long from head to toe. Your baby's head is now cradled in your pelvic cavity -- surrounded and protected by your pelvic bones. This position clears some much-needed space for her growing legs and buttocks.
Many babies now have a full head of hair, with locks maybe around one inch / 2.5 centimetres long. But don't be surprised if her hair isn't the same colour as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes taken aback when their children are born with bright red or blond hair, and fair-haired couples likewise can produce babies with dark hair. And then, of course, some babies don't have any hair at all.
Speaking of hair, most of the downy coat of lanugo that covered your baby from 26 weeks has disappeared, and so has most of the vernix caseosa, the whitish substance that also covers her. Your baby will swallow her lanugo and exterior coating, along with other secretions, and store them in her bowels. These will become your infant's first bowel movement, a blackish waste called meconium. Around now many women start worrying about whether they will know if they are in labour."
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
I'm baaaaack!
I shouldn't have let things slack, but I've really been soooo busy that I haven't had a chance to get to a computer whatsoever.
So here is my little update of what's been going on...
House: we got the keys and have been decorating furiously! Jack has been doing very well with the painting, his parents have helped with the painting and cleaning, and mine are coming up this weekend to help us too. We've got a lot further than I thought we would have by now. We won't move in until it's decorated, and we have our carpet coming in 2 weeks, which we ordered yesterday. I think once we've reached that point it will seem a lot more like ours as it still has touches of the old person in there. She left it sooooo mingingly dirty - there were dog hairs everywhere, and the kitchen and bathrooms seem like they have never been cleaned EVER, so I've spent a lot of time on my hands and knees scrubbing making it all clean enough for us to put our stuff in. Finally we have a nursery! We have painted it now, but this is what it was like when we first got the keys...
So here is my little update of what's been going on...
House: we got the keys and have been decorating furiously! Jack has been doing very well with the painting, his parents have helped with the painting and cleaning, and mine are coming up this weekend to help us too. We've got a lot further than I thought we would have by now. We won't move in until it's decorated, and we have our carpet coming in 2 weeks, which we ordered yesterday. I think once we've reached that point it will seem a lot more like ours as it still has touches of the old person in there. She left it sooooo mingingly dirty - there were dog hairs everywhere, and the kitchen and bathrooms seem like they have never been cleaned EVER, so I've spent a lot of time on my hands and knees scrubbing making it all clean enough for us to put our stuff in. Finally we have a nursery! We have painted it now, but this is what it was like when we first got the keys...
Baby: Has been doing well, poking me with a little foot in my left hand side constantly, but definitely moving down, I can feel it burrowing a lot now! I have the midwife tomorrow so I will find out if the head's engaged any more. I did my first lot of baby washing this evening. My nan had bought us a really nice wool shawl from John Lewis, and I have totally ruined it in the wash, not sure if I should fess up, or replace it. If I have to hand wash it every time it gets dirty though, maybe it's not so practical? I just feel so bad, eek. Here's a pic of my washing!
Me: I've been feeling a lot more uncomfortable and tired. I don't know if the tiredness is associated with the work I've been doing at the house, but I feel like I *have* to do some stuff, and I have been resting lots and trying to keep things as light as possible. Feeling lots of pain in my lower back now, and feeling baby a lot more at night when I want to sleep. Here is my bump tonight, at 35+6 (oh my God, 4 weeks to go!)...
My maternity leave has been bought forward, and I finish THIS FRIDAY!
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Weekend
We've decided to keep our little 2 seater car as it's so cheap to run, and buy a second car for me and baby to use while Jack is at work and that we will all fit in when going out together. We went looking about yesterday but didn't see anything that took our fancy.
In the evening we went for dinner with 2 other couple mates, it was the last chance we *knew* we could see them before baby was born, as we have all the house etc to do. It felt nice to put on some new clothes, I feel like I've been living in the same old things! Not quite sure what I was doing in the pic, but here I am with bump feeling summery (even though it was pouring down!)
In the evening we went for dinner with 2 other couple mates, it was the last chance we *knew* we could see them before baby was born, as we have all the house etc to do. It felt nice to put on some new clothes, I feel like I've been living in the same old things! Not quite sure what I was doing in the pic, but here I am with bump feeling summery (even though it was pouring down!)
Today we got a call from Jack's best mate to tell us that some friends of ours had their baby yesterday morning, a little girl called Maddison -such a lovely name! It brings it on home that out of the 3 pregnant people, I'm the last one to pop, and that means it's me next! Argh!
We went to Ikea and found some sofas we want. We need to check the doors are big enough to get it in, then we're ready to roll! We bought all our crockery, glasses and kitchen bits in the marketplace there.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
34 Weeks Pregnant!
Hip hip hooray, 34 weeks today!
I'm NOT a happy bunny. Discovered my first stretch marks last night. Ok, so they're in not too much of a bad place (top of my legs) - no one will ever see them apart from me and Jack and anyone on any beaches I ever choose to visit. I have been happily slathering on my Bio Oil to the tum and sides totally sidestepping the bum and leg region, I mean - it's the belly that gets "stretched" isn't it? This is just natures way of telling me that I have now got a fat arse if I didn't already think it. Great. Thanks.
It's 25 degrees today and it's absolutely boiling! Jeans were not a good idea this morning. I went to New Look in Marble Arch on my way into work, as they finally have the maternity section in there. Thought they might have some nice skirts, or a dress (I'd seen a lovely one on their site), but no luck. I did get some white linen trousers - a snip at £15, and a couple of long tops. I managed to get foundation on the white top I wore today though, lovely look.
I had the midwife this morning, it was a different midwife which I'd never seen before, but I think she's my favourite! She was so lovely, chatty and we had joky convos as well as serious, I really hope she's present at my birth if any of that team are.
Heartbeat was fine, nice and loud and steady. It was still lying to the right hand side, head down, and starting to engage - it's 4/5ths palpable (whatever that means), I'm off to try and find out!
Bump pics tomorrow. Here's what Babycentre says abotu week 34... "Your baby now weighs more than 5.5 pounds/ 2.5 kilograms and is 19.5 inches/ over 49 centimetres from top to toe. She's filling out and getting rounder -- she'll need her fat layers later to regulate her body temperature.
If you don't already talk to your baby, this is a good time to start -- at 35 weeks her hearing is fully developed. Don't feel ridiculous if you're already chatting in baby talk. Some evidence shows that newborns pay closer attention to high-pitched tones.
If you've been nervous about going into premature labour, you'll be happy to know that 99 per cent of babies born at week 35 can survive outside the womb -- and most have no major problems. Although your baby's central nervous system is still maturing, her lungs are nearly fully developed by now.
Many women start to notice a tingling sensation or numbness in the pelvic region or pain as they walk. This may be caused by the pelvic joints loosening, ready for labour. If you're terribly uncomfortable, mention it to your midwife or doctor and check out our self-help tips."
I'm NOT a happy bunny. Discovered my first stretch marks last night. Ok, so they're in not too much of a bad place (top of my legs) - no one will ever see them apart from me and Jack and anyone on any beaches I ever choose to visit. I have been happily slathering on my Bio Oil to the tum and sides totally sidestepping the bum and leg region, I mean - it's the belly that gets "stretched" isn't it? This is just natures way of telling me that I have now got a fat arse if I didn't already think it. Great. Thanks.
It's 25 degrees today and it's absolutely boiling! Jeans were not a good idea this morning. I went to New Look in Marble Arch on my way into work, as they finally have the maternity section in there. Thought they might have some nice skirts, or a dress (I'd seen a lovely one on their site), but no luck. I did get some white linen trousers - a snip at £15, and a couple of long tops. I managed to get foundation on the white top I wore today though, lovely look.
I had the midwife this morning, it was a different midwife which I'd never seen before, but I think she's my favourite! She was so lovely, chatty and we had joky convos as well as serious, I really hope she's present at my birth if any of that team are.
Heartbeat was fine, nice and loud and steady. It was still lying to the right hand side, head down, and starting to engage - it's 4/5ths palpable (whatever that means), I'm off to try and find out!
Bump pics tomorrow. Here's what Babycentre says abotu week 34... "Your baby now weighs more than 5.5 pounds/ 2.5 kilograms and is 19.5 inches/ over 49 centimetres from top to toe. She's filling out and getting rounder -- she'll need her fat layers later to regulate her body temperature.
If you don't already talk to your baby, this is a good time to start -- at 35 weeks her hearing is fully developed. Don't feel ridiculous if you're already chatting in baby talk. Some evidence shows that newborns pay closer attention to high-pitched tones.
If you've been nervous about going into premature labour, you'll be happy to know that 99 per cent of babies born at week 35 can survive outside the womb -- and most have no major problems. Although your baby's central nervous system is still maturing, her lungs are nearly fully developed by now.
Many women start to notice a tingling sensation or numbness in the pelvic region or pain as they walk. This may be caused by the pelvic joints loosening, ready for labour. If you're terribly uncomfortable, mention it to your midwife or doctor and check out our self-help tips."
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Hospital Tour
The hospital I am booked in to does a tour once a week for people over 34 weeks, so last night I tried to get to it. I made Mum leave work early too so she could ask questions that maybe I wouldn't think of. We were just about on time, then all of a sudden we got chucked off the tube and had to wait 8 mins for a new one, then when we got to the station, our lift wasn't there as expected. I called the hospital to say I was running late, they said it was fine, and met me and mum as we got there. The rest of the tour was already going on and they were all in a delivery room. We got there as the midwife was saying "so any more questions while we're in here" - no one did, then she said, "right, hope you all have good births, bye"! Couldn't believe we'd got there just to hear her say that! Luckily she took us aside, and then gave us our own private tour which very nice of her. She had looked really cross when we got there, but she was actually really nice. The rooms in the Midwife Led Unit are nothing like what I expected, and very similar to the normal delivery rooms, but the lighting is lower, and there is less focus on the beds and more on the other things in there like birthing balls, stools and pools. There are really nice bedrooms there too, which I hope I will get a chance to use rather than get moved onto the ward if I have an overnight stay. The only thing that worried me was when she said occasionally they close. What?! How can you?! What if I need to have my baby?! You HAVE to be open! So I think my plan is to call up as early as possible in labour so they can keep me a space, even though I'm hoping to stay at home for as long as I can last.
Monday, May 01, 2006
33 Weeks Pregnant!
I know, I know, I'm reallllly late in posting this weeks updates, but I've been hecticly busy! We met up with our Aussie friends again and went out to London for the day, but unfortunately on the same day, got a call from the solicitor to say we couldn't complete on the house until 26th May, so that put a downer on the rest of the day - I felt a bit bad on them that we were in grumpy moods! We couldn't stay out too late either as we had ante-natal, it was good again but we were still bummed out from the news.
Friday we had a funeral to go to, to add to the upset! As we were getting ready though, we had a call to say that we can complete on 12th May and would we like to exchange today. We said yes of course, just shows what a bit of an argument can do (my Mum rang them up and said we would pull out if we had to wait that long!). So we got the call on the way to the funeral that we'd exchanged and the house will be ours on 12th! Woohoo! The funeral was really nice (well as nice as a funeral can be I suppose), and think the day went well for the family.
I've just been sorting out my room, putting more and more things into boxes, and yesterday we went to Macro and bought a microwave, toaster and kettle, and bought 30 litres of Dulux from Costco... think we're just about ready for the first stages of redecoration! We went to B&Q this morning and got a tape measure and some radiator paint, and think we're all set now!
Anyway, I won't be as late next week... promise!
Here are my bump pics, but at 33+4...
This is what Babycentre has to say about week 33... "Your baby now weighs about 5 pounds / 2.2 kilograms and measures approximately 19 inches/ 48 centimetres from head to toe. Your baby should already be getting ready for delivery by turning upside-down -- his head should be pointing down. Your doctor or midwife will be paying careful attention to your baby's position in the coming weeks -- some babies do decide to turn back round again.
Your baby's skull is still quite pliable and not completely joined, in part so he can ease out of the relatively narrow birth canal. But the bones in the rest of his body are hardening. Your baby's skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled.
If you're a first-time mother, your child's head may move into the pelvis this week and press firmly against your cervix. (This happens for about half of all first-time mothers.) If you're a second-time mum, you can expect this to happen a week before labour -- and for some this won't happen until the start of labour.
Hoping to manage your labour naturally? Here's all you need to know about natural pain relief. You may notice that your feet and ankles are quite swollen by the end of the day. Water retention, also known as oedema, is often worse in warm weather and late in the day. Surprisingly, keeping hydrated helps reduce water retention. Your body -- particularly your kidneys -- and your baby need plenty of fluids, so drink up. If you suddenly feel swollen or puffy in your hands or face, however, call your doctor -- it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia."
Friday we had a funeral to go to, to add to the upset! As we were getting ready though, we had a call to say that we can complete on 12th May and would we like to exchange today. We said yes of course, just shows what a bit of an argument can do (my Mum rang them up and said we would pull out if we had to wait that long!). So we got the call on the way to the funeral that we'd exchanged and the house will be ours on 12th! Woohoo! The funeral was really nice (well as nice as a funeral can be I suppose), and think the day went well for the family.
I've just been sorting out my room, putting more and more things into boxes, and yesterday we went to Macro and bought a microwave, toaster and kettle, and bought 30 litres of Dulux from Costco... think we're just about ready for the first stages of redecoration! We went to B&Q this morning and got a tape measure and some radiator paint, and think we're all set now!
Anyway, I won't be as late next week... promise!
Here are my bump pics, but at 33+4...
This is what Babycentre has to say about week 33... "Your baby now weighs about 5 pounds / 2.2 kilograms and measures approximately 19 inches/ 48 centimetres from head to toe. Your baby should already be getting ready for delivery by turning upside-down -- his head should be pointing down. Your doctor or midwife will be paying careful attention to your baby's position in the coming weeks -- some babies do decide to turn back round again.
Your baby's skull is still quite pliable and not completely joined, in part so he can ease out of the relatively narrow birth canal. But the bones in the rest of his body are hardening. Your baby's skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled.
If you're a first-time mother, your child's head may move into the pelvis this week and press firmly against your cervix. (This happens for about half of all first-time mothers.) If you're a second-time mum, you can expect this to happen a week before labour -- and for some this won't happen until the start of labour.
Hoping to manage your labour naturally? Here's all you need to know about natural pain relief. You may notice that your feet and ankles are quite swollen by the end of the day. Water retention, also known as oedema, is often worse in warm weather and late in the day. Surprisingly, keeping hydrated helps reduce water retention. Your body -- particularly your kidneys -- and your baby need plenty of fluids, so drink up. If you suddenly feel swollen or puffy in your hands or face, however, call your doctor -- it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
