Dear Diary: Week 33 & 34

Wow, a lot has happened in this last couple of weeks...

Week 33...
I finished work this week, which in all honesty felt absolutely amazing! Pressing that log out button on my phone was just pure heaven.
At the same time over the last few months I have gotten really attached to the girls on my team, and I'm quite sad that I won't see them as much.
My team gave me the best send off, I came into work on my last day, to my desk full of balloons and banners.

All thanks to my Team Leader! What a legend.

All my team brought in food and presents for Indie, it was just a really nice special day. I thought I would get more emotional than I did but I kept myself together quite well. It was only on the car ride home, on my own, that I got a bit tearful. Again not about leaving work more about the people. Everyone from the department had signed a card for me, I love reading through it. Thanks guys!

Week 34...

My first week off work started off not so good. I was worried about Indie's movements, she had moved just not as much, so I rang the Triage and they told me to go in straight away. So at half 10 at night me and Luke went into hospital, the midwife there took my measurements and then told me that I would have to be scanned, I was put on the monitor for 45 minutes, were I heard Indie's heart beating nice and strong. A doctor then came and told me that the reason they want to scan me is because of growth issues again and that if I was further along they would be looking at inducing me, but at nearly 34 weeks, they want to do more test. 

So the next morning I head to the hospital, on my own, to be put on the monitor again for half an hour. But I'm not complaining, because listening to Indie's heart beating is the best noise I could ever listen too...

I could listen to this all day everyday. Then I went down for my scan, and waited for the results, I was told by the midwife that I need re-scanning next week just to double check that she's growing or not growing, and then I would have to speak to a senior doctor to create a plan.

Which is really scary because I don't know what to expect. Some part of me wants her to come now, but that's just me being impatient. I just want her to be safe! 

I have now packed Indie's hospital bag, so at least if she does come early I know she is prepared. 

We also went shopping for my hospital bag stuff today, so as soon as that is packed I am ready. 

It's crazy that if everything is okay with the scans then I still have 6 weeks to go. Seems like forever away. But in a couple of days I will be able to officially say "I'm having my baby next month" which makes it feel a little bit closer. 

I decided to have my younger brother and sister over for a couple of days, one it gave them something to do during the school holidays, two it gave me something to do and three it helped take my mind off the hospital and whats going to happen. 

It was lovely having them over, I feel like I barely get to see them with me living so far away. 

The first day they were here, we took Elijah out for a walk and spent the afternoon making daisy and buttercup chains.

And the second day we decided to bake (sort of). We made white and milk chocolate rice crispy cakes, and I bought on of those ready made kits. It's was really fun and gave us all something to do. 

It tired me out though, I dropped them off back at my mums, came home and had a 3 hour nap. 

These last two weeks have been very tiring, I just want to sleep all the time. Nap time is my favourite time. 

My cravings are the same, milk in the morning and fizzy pop in the evening. And my appetite is forever there, there is no stopping the amount of food I want to eat. 

My legs are getting really bad for cramps, that's why I've been trying to get out a lot with Elijah, for some leg exercise, which really does help. I'm going to be looking into Aqua Natal as well now that I'm off work. 

We have bought everything Indie needs now, so it's all just a waiting game. 

Here's my tiger stripes this week...

Dear Diary: Week 31 & 32

Well this is going to be a short one really.

As far as my pregnancy goes, everything has been plain sailing over the last two weeks. Not much as changed, other than my bump growing and growing and growing.
I'm starting to waddle when I walk, which many people are enjoying laughing at me for.

I've always been a bit of a picky eater, but since getting pregnant I have really gained an appetite. It the strangest of ways. I used to hate red meat, I would eat it if I had too, but my body is clearly craving it. There has been a few times at a restaurant were I have ordered a steak or a beef burger, but it's just not me. It's strange.
I was trying to explain what a craving during pregnancy feels like to a friend the other day. I honestly feel like it's completely different from just fancying a bar or chocolate or a beer or something. For me it's like I need to have what I'm craving, and I can't shift that feeling until I have it.
For instance I crave milk in the morning, and I have to have it... The other morning there wasn't any, and I could of cried, I didn't want to leave the house all day but I had to, my car was flashing because I needed petrol, but it was enough to get me to the local Asda and back for milk, I felt like I couldn't survive without it.

I finish work next week, I can't tell you how much I need to finish. The stress of the job is just getting to much, the atmosphere is not very nice, and because of my hormones I just feel really really down when I am there. That and the fact I am sitting at a desk all day on a computer chair is just so painful, I literally wince when I get up off my chair.
I'm looking forward to my nesting period. I have decided that I will clean one room at time, that way I know I am doing a thorough job, starting from the upstairs. People already joke that I have OCD, but I'm actually really looking forward to it.

I've been slowly getting Indie's nursery together, I love just walking in there and staring at her stuff, going through her clothes all the time, or re folding blankets and towels. I'm not 100% sure what I want for her bedding, or her theme, but I think it's coming on nicely.

Putting them shelves up was a task and a half. Because they are so solid, we had to put them up with a drill, and neither me or Luke are DIY people. It took 4 attempts, but we did it. There is 6 different holes under them shelves. Glad no one can see them. All of them drawers are full to the brim, and her cot is full of clothes waiting to go into her wardrobe. I love white furniture, and the pine on the drawers and shelves really work for a nursery. I just love how everything is coming together. Her cot was a gift off my mum and the shelves off a friend, I love the amount of help that we're getting. We're so grateful.

We have got most of Indie's things now, there are a few bits and bobs we need to get. We got her pram the other day, which was off Luke's dad and Step-mum. We went with the iCandy Peach Jogger in Glazier. I love it. It's currently in my hallway, which gives me every opportunity to push it around my living room. I asked Luke if I could push it outside and he said no! ha.

I had done a lot of research into prams, because originally I wanted the Silver Cross Surf. But after doing my research The Silver Cross reviews were saying that they aren't very good for an older baby/toddler, and that they are quite small. But a lot of the reviews about the iCandy were great, the adapted push chair will fit a 3 year old in comfortably. I know a 3 year old will probably be walking or in a buggy, but at least I know it will last us. We just need a maxicosy car seat to fit onto the adapters.
The changing bag goes perfectly with my pram, I love it. It's so big and has the most pockets you can possibly imagine could fit onto/into a bag. This was a gift off another friend of mine. I love Babymoov - everything just looks decent, and they have great reviews on most of their products.


My bump is getting very big now, and people joke that I might be having twins, or that I am going to give birth to an 11 pounder!!
I am getting uncomfortable now, I just wish I was full term then I would know I don't have long left to go. These next 8 weeks is going to be the longest 8 weeks of my life. I've never been patient. I am starting to enjoy her movements a lot more now. She's getting stronger and watching my stomach move it amazing...

31 week movements

32 week movements

I love watching them videos. Every night around 9pm is when she really starts to wriggle. I can sit for hours watching her, if she would move for hours, but she has about half an hour and then she stops. Every time I shout to Luke or anyone to watch, she stops. Or even when I get the camera out to video her, she stops. Sods law. She's not much of a kicker and she isn't very active, but I'm not as worried as I was because I think that is just her natural movements.  

My stretchmarks are appearing more (I would say getting worse, but I guess they are something to be proud of), all down the sides of my thighs and all over my "love handles". I feel like my legs look huge, but they are very swollen and my feet are starting to swell up during the day when I'm out and about. Hopefully all these things disappear or fade after birth.

Here are my tiger stripes this week...

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Dear Diary: Week 29 & 30

Wow, it's been a busy two weeks...

First I will start with my baby shower. This was something I knew I wanted to have even before I was pregnant. I know it is a typically American thing, but I've been to a couple now and they are just so much fun without everyone getting wasted or just standing around at a normal house party.
I got myself into a bit of a funk about getting everything for the shower like food, cake etc... But we did in the end.
I had a lot of help from some very special people, who I couldn't of done it without, and it wouldn't of happened without them. I think I kept my calm with the preparations though, I have to be involved, but I was quite calm and collected which I am not known for.
I wanted a few family members to come first so I got to have a bit of quiet time with them, as I don't see my family often, and I don't think I have seen some whilst I have been pregnant, so it was nice to see the family members who came, and speak to them about the baby and everything that is going to happen.
Then I had my friends come round, I was really nervous about people showing up, but I have a great group of friends, who I shouldn't doubt. My living room has never seen so many people. A few of my friends brought their babies round to, so I got to be all broody and have some cuddles.
It was really nice to see so many of my "girl friends" together, and with day to day life, work and what not, it's not always easy to see everyone, so getting everyone together was a lot of fun.
We played silly games relating to a baby in some way. Baby bingo, guess the nursery rhyme, baby charades, and pass the dummy (which was by far the funniest).
Indie got so many gifts of everyone, she was clearly very spoilt. Lot's of blankets, towels, toys and clothes. And a very special keepsake box. Luke was happy because the clothes she got weren't pink ha!
Very lucky, and I really appreciate all the gifts off everyone!
Thank you notes are on their way I promise!

 What was your baby shower like?

The day after the baby shower, my friend who brought her baby with her, told me her son had come out in chicken pox, and I should get tested. She felt awful, like she had done something, but stuff like this can not be helped. But I rang the Triage just for some advise, they told me I need to be tested for immunity. So they sent of some blood samples, and it took forever to come back, but luckily I'm immune to chicken pox. My mum had told me I've had them twice as a child. Lucky as it can be quite dangerous during pregnancy, from what I have read up on anyway! (should stay away from google)

Everything was going great, well as great as back ache, leg cramps and the non existent ability to tie your shoe laces could go. But there was no other concerns really. Indie was kicking more, and I could actually feel everything from her turning, to stretching, I even felt her have the hiccups. All these movements are so reassuring, and I always wake up about 6 every morning and lie there feeling everything, it makes my day, knowing she's okay in there... 

Then I had my booking appointment at the hospital to get officially registered over in Manchester, that went fine, but I mentioned that I was getting quite short of breath, especially at night and having heart palpitations, she took more blood and said it's probably to do with low iron issues. 

The following week (so this Tuesday just gone) I had my GTT diabetes test, again at the hospital, so I had the first bit of the test and the nurse told me to go back in two hours. I had a midwife appointment booked, which I was going to cancel, but thought I may as well go as I'd like to hear the baby's heartbeat again, and ask a few questions. 

So I went and it was a fill in midwife as mine was on some training day. She listened to the baby's heartbeat which was nice and strong. And then she measured my bump. She plotted it on my chart, but the last time on that chart I was 26 weeks, and she told me that it looked like my baby wasn't growing properly. Then I mentioned the breathlessness and she rang the hospital, asked for my blood results and told me that my iron was fine, then she told the hospital about the growth of the baby, and said I had to go into the day care unit. 

So I went back to the hospital, finished my GTT test and the nurse then took me down to the day care unit (this nurse was the rudest lady ever, in my panicked mode she was not compassionate at all). They put me on the monitor for the baby's heartbeat and told me to press a button every time the baby moves. Which I did. I kept asking them about the growth and they just kept dodging my questions. The midwife there took another measurement and said she was going to investigate. I was on the monitor for hours, and I was on my own. Then the rude nurse came in and said "Gemma your scan is going to be after lunch, here's some dinner" she more or less threw a brown bag at me and walked off. I didn't even know I was going for a scan! So I'm panicking more thinking all sorts, knowing that they don't send everyone for scans. Luke came rushing out of work to be with me. 

The scan showed that everything was fine, the water around baby was normal, the blood rushing threw the placenta was normal, baby was on the small side but not dangerously so, and she was healthy. 

So when I went back into the clinic, a midwife was like "right you can go now" literally no answers?! So I asked, why has all this happened, I was told my baby isn't growing properly and I've been in hospital all day? To then be told, the fill in midwife had made a mistake, and my measurements shouldn't of been taken, and I should also of never been measured at 26 weeks! Obviously I was relieved that Indie was healthy and I didn't need to worry about her, but wow, I was in proper panic mode thinking they were going to have to bring her early, and that I wasn't prepared for her yet. 

Both me and Luke came out of that hospital in a right mess of emotions, angry, happy, relieved, confused? 

All I am grateful for is getting to see Indie again and knowing she's healthy and okay. 

She's done nothing but wriggle since!

My pregnancy these last two weeks:

Not much has changed, other than movements getting stronger, Luke had his hand on my stomach the other morning, and it felt like she was stretching. It freaked him out a little, but I loved it! 

My cravings are exactly the same, milk in the morning (and lots of it), fizzy pop in the afternoon. I've also been needing a bit of chocolate during the day, otherwise I just seem to crash. 

I've been waking up every morning between half past five and six, no matter what time I go to bed. This is really frustrating. Half way through the day I get very very tired and need to nap, and then I'm back in bed for 9. My body is very tired. 

My bump suddenly feels ginormous, and my stretch marks are getting quite bad now. They're mainly on the sides of my body and down the top of my thighs, which is where I carry a lot of my weight. 

I know I'm going to struggle to lose the weight on the legs, but I will. It's on the list of to dos, but it's not my priority. 

I'm starting to enjoy pregnancy a bit more lately. 

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