37 weeks today!

Woohoo! Almost there now!

It's good to know that if the baby made an early appearance now she would not be considered premature. It is also quite scary to think she could arrive at any time in the next few weeks.

I am so over aware of every little ache and pain and yesterday I was convinced my waters had started to leak! It was a false alarm and I felt a little silly when I saw the midwife but at least it put my mind at ease.

The baby's bum is right under my ribs so I don't think any engagement has happened yet and I'm still getting lots of movement - kicks, turns and shifting positions. I think she's far too comfortable and happy in there and am convinced I'll be about a week over due.

I would be over the moon if I went into labour soon but it would also be quite nice to wait until the beginning of Feb as my mum is away until Jan 24th and I'm hoping to sit an exam on the 27th - possibly tempting fate here!

Anyway, one thing is for sure, in just over a month I will definitely have a baby (the 16th Feb is the cut off point before they will induce me) and I can not wait to meet her (or him if the scan was wrong).

36 Week Bump Photo

It feels a lot bigger than it looks!

36 weeks - well almost...

I'm 36 weeks tomorrow! Suddenly 40 weeks isn't so far away.

We had our first parentcraft session on Tuesday. It was really good to have my knowledge reinforced and supplemented by one of the community mid wives. It is quite amazing really when we have so much info on the internet, in books and in magazines these days but it still really helps to hear it from an expert. It is also really reassuring to know that other parents have the same questions and worries as us. We only get two 2hr sessions which doesn't seem very much compared to other areas but I'm sure all the major points will be covered.

I've been feeling fairly heavy and tired since Christmas and my sleeping has become more and more disrupted - I'm pretty sure this is just going to get worse - perhaps it's nature's way of preparing the body for sleep deprivation once the baby has arrived! Other than the tiredness and general aches and pains I am still feeling very well and keep getting told I'm blooming so I count myself very lucky as I know some people really suffer, especially towards the end of their pregnancies. I do have to keep reminding myself to slow down though. I get these sudden surges of energy and end up over doing things then feeling drained for the rest of the day!

The shape of things to come...

I couldn't resist taking these photos of baby grows drying on my radiator today - they looked so cute all lined up! I have now washed everything in preparation for the arrival, more for novelty value that good organisation!

I will be 36 weeks tomorrow so the weeks are passing by very quickly now. It really dawned on me last week just how close I am - I was shopping and every shop assistant I spoke to kept asking me when I was due and how was I feeling - it made me feel very special!

Christmas is coming!

I'm so excited about Christmas, I love this time of year! As I've said in a previous post, I have done all of my shopping, although still waiting for a few deliveries - grr!

I have also decorated the tree and wrapped quite a few presents.

This year I made my first Christmas cakes - one for my mum and one for Grant's mum. I don't actually like Christmas cake but enjoy baking so thought I'd offer my services. My cake decorating skills are a little basic though!

Bump Gallery

As you will see from the below, I have grown quite a lot in the last 31 weeks! I had started taking a bump photo every week but we kept forgetting - now it's when ever I remember....

31 week bump

25 week bump

20 week bump

16 week bump

I wonder how big I will eventually get - I have managed to make to with my regular winter coat so far - I can just do up one button and the belt to keep me warm but I think I shall have to find something larger for my last couple of months.

30weeks - Snow and aches and pains

I hit the 30 week mark on Friday (so almost 31 wks now) and am becoming more and more uncomfortable. Back ache, tiredness, sleeplessness, breathlessness... it goes on!

On top of this, I have to have an extra set of blood tests next week because my platelets were low at my 28wk check. I don't mind blood tests but I wouldn't say I enjoy having a needle in my arm!

I also seem to have lost all inspiration for blogging, not that I'm a regular poster anyway.

We've got our hospital tour next week so perhaps I'll be feeling a bit more excited/inspired after that!

We had quite a lot of snow here yesterday and now it's all frozen over. I do love the snow; I love the way everything looks fresh and the way the sun reflects creating such a bright light. Unfortunately it's all got messy now and the sun is no where to be seen so everything is looking a bit grey, dark and dingy now!

On the plus, I've managed to get all my Christmas shopping done already - oh I love the internet - just have to hope it all turns up now! I have an extended family with grandparents, step parents and step siblings to buy for (on top of the usual family) so it is a relief to get it all done.

I can't wait to wrap it all - this is the best bit about Christmas presents!!