Getting ourselves a baby education!

Lots has gone on in the past week!

Last week we went to a baby first aid class, which was great. It was 3 hours and went over what to do if the baby isn't breathing or if she's choking. I feel really good about having taken it. I will probably take the second part of the class next Monday where they teach us some further basic first aid and about lots of bad stuff that can happen to babies. Scary, but good stuff to know.

Sunday and Monday we had our intensive all day NCT classes - that's the National Childbirth Trust. It was really really good. There were 6 other couples there from around our area (so potential new mum friends!). We talked about late pregnancy, lots and lots about birth and labor, pain relief options and life with a newborn. Some real reality checks there. Scary, but good to be extra prepared. Lots of it we had heard about or read about before, but a lot we hadn't. Ah, the graphic photos! The ridiculously personal conversations! Also, a big British news station came and interviewed the mums on our views on the swine flu vaccine. So I was on the 1230 and 630 news. Unfortunately, I didn't see it because we were in class all day. Friends recorded it for us, apparently I had 15 seconds of fame. (: Anyway... it was actually useful because they brought an expert who answered questions and talked to us about the vaccine. It has almost swayed us to get me to take the vaccine, which is actually not available yet but when it arrives at my GP (next week) I will be top priority as I am in the highest risk group.

Here's my update:

How far along?: 32 weeks, 6 days
Total weight gain: 26 lbs
Pregnancy symptoms: Exhausted. Upper back is KILLING me. Indigestion here and there. Braxton Hicks.
Sleep: Ok I guess. Waking up more often, more awkward and uncomfy, etc.
Movement: Jiggling and shaking!
Food cravings/ weird crap I'm eating: Normal.
Gender/ names: I have no intuition, but the guesses in our baby class was half and half....
What I miss: Back pain-free sitting.
Best moment this week: Seeing the look on Jason's face during some of the labor and birth conversations at baby class. (:
Weekly Wisdom: Uh... it will end, they tell me..... 7 weeks....
Milestones: Today's topic: baby's hair! Our baby could have a full head of hair! Or, she could be bald. Also, if baby is born with thin hair, she's likely to have thin hair later in life, but if she's born with thick hair, it doesn't necessarily mean she'll have thick hair later. I'm voting for Dad's hair for the sake of our little one, especially if she's a girl!

That's it for now!

-Chris xoxo

Quick update

Just a quick update for today. I'll write again tomorrow night after Jason and I get back from our first how-to-have-a-baby-and-be-parents class, which is from noon till 6 tomorrow and all day on Monday.

I had a doctor's appointment on Thursday, which went okay. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which is always awesome. Doctor seemed happy with how I am growing, although it's not like they ever measure me or anything! She didn't like my pee though - yes, TMI, but you're reading a pregnant woman's blog, what do you expect - so sent it and some other samples off to get tested. Possibly a urinary track infection... but I'll find out on Monday. I've been feeling pretty beat up recently so it might help explain. Or, I could just be 32.5 weeks pregnant.

Besides absolute exhaustion, my other big complaint these days is my back. It is killing me. Not lower back, which I hear is good because that could be an indication I'll have some painful 'back labor' (not going to go into THAT), but my upper back. All day long it aches. When I am laying on the couch I get some relief, which is good.

Anyway, I put up a picture of our pram and carseat! Fun stuff. Can't believe it will be filled with a little bundle of joy in a few short weeks.

We are off to visit friends of ours who just moved outside of London... will be a late night, but luckily tonight is the night the clocks change in the UK. So for the next few weeks - until the US catches up - we will be 4 hours ahead of you, not 5. Don't forget! (:

Till tomorrow,
Chris xo

2 months till DD!!!!

Hi all!

I can't believe that our little baby is due 2 months from today. Of course, the liklihood of baby being born on that day is very low - apparently less than 5% of babies come on their due dates. You'd think they'd revise the system to reflect this inaccuracy. (:

How far along?: 31 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain: For once, my weight gain is unchanged... I'm steady at 25 lbs.
Pregnancy symptoms: Tired alllll the time. The fatigue from trimester 1 has returned with a vengence. Also, getting pretty uncomfy sitting at my desk all day at work! Besides that, I'm feeling okay overall.
Sleep: Ok. What's funny is when I flip from one side to the other... it's like a tidal wave on the bed and I'm sure each time I do it I wake up the husband. Oh, funny story though, the other morning I got up to pee right before 6am (close to my wake up time anyway). Jason had gotten up to go for a run very early and thought he was being helpful by closing the door to our bedroom, to block out the bathroom light and the noise of the key in the lock. It's pitch black in the flat at this time of morning... are you seeing where this is going? I ran smack into the door. Awesome.
Movement: Loved the acrobatics baby was doing while I was lying on the couch today! Dad was feeling it and watching - it was so fun, cracking us both up. What was he doing in there??
Food cravings/ weird crap I'm eating: Nothing too weird lately...
Gender/ names: We have a leader in girls names!!! We haven't exactly crossed off the other contender, but one is winning. I think we are close to agreeing on the boys name as well, again just not quite ready yet to cross off the other choice.
What I miss: Bring me a glass of wine, please! I'm not an alcoholic, but I am very much looking forward to relaxing (if that's possible with a baby) at some point with some vino post-December 17.
Best moment this week: Taking my birthday off of work and having a relaxing, fun day that ended with my husband taking me out to dinner. Last birthday sans child. (:
Weekly Wisdom: I got nothing - let me know if you have suggestions.
Milestones: Baby's arms, legs and body are getting fatter and are finally in proportion to his head. Cutie!

That's all for now.

-Chris

Pram!

We got our pram (British to American translation: stroller) delivered today! I am soooo excited. It's too early to put together given that we don't live in a giant house and have guests staying with us next month, but we'll at least open the boxes and check it all out this weekend.

There's tons we don't have, but at least now there is a place for baby to sleep and a way to transport the little peanut. Speaking of said peanut, she just gave a couple of giant kicks.

Full update tomorrow, which is our 2 months to go mark!

So tired.

Wow. Baby is sucking all the life out of me. I am exhausted... last night I headed to bed by 9:30, which is really early for me. Baby is really active these days and hopefully getting nice and big through a growth spurt, which would explain my lack of energy.

Also not excited about going anywhere these days as people are just not nice. No one gives up their seat to the giant pregnant woman. ): Meanies. Today is a super long day as I have meetings in London (hence me being on the tube during rush hour - ouch - and not getting a seat) all day and then am meeting a pregnant friend for a quick dinner before a speaker event at LBS. Estimated arrival home is 9pm, at which point I'm guessing I will go directly to bed!

Anyway.... going to try to be motivated for work and not fantasize about my bed/ couch.

Single digit weeks to go: 9.5!

Hi all!

Hope everyone has had a good week. We've had a busy bunch of days. Jason's birthday was on Thursday so we went out for a nice dinner after work. Saturday we had a birthday party and got to catch up with lots of friends, which was great! Today is our 3 year first-date anniversary, but we're not doing much, as tomorrow is my birthday so we'll go out for a quick bite to eat in the evening.

How far along?: 30 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain: 25 big ones. I am aiming to stay right within the 25-35 range. Another goal is to keep below my husband's weight (!). It will be close in the end, but I think I'll manage. New bump shot on the right. (:
Pregnancy symptoms: just tired really, feeling more and more slugglish these days. Oh, and the sprained ankle from last week is taking its sweet time going away. I actually ended up working from home on Thursday because my foot was so giant and Shrek-like I desperately needed to elevate and ice it. It looks much better today, but still kind of fat and bruised. Gross.
Sleep: Pretty good.
Movement: definitely periods of lots of movement and sleepy time for baby. When I get up to go to the bathroom or to press snooze on my alarm clock, he generally gets all feisty. Yesterday Jason got to feel all the crazy movements - fun for the whole family!
Food cravings/ weird crap I'm eating: I made carrot cake and cream cheese icing for the birthday party yesterday and I really enjoyed eating the cake. And icing. And, there is a container of leftover icing in the fridge. Yum.
Gender/ names: Happy with a little girl or little boy! Can't wait to find out.
What I miss: Energy. And, bizarrely, working out.
Best moment this week: Lots of friends coming to our birthday party yesterday!
Weekly Wisdom: Pregnant women don't like it when people say 'you're so big!' or 'you're so small!' when you tell them how far along you are. One is crap for our self esteem, and the other just makes us nervous.
Milestones: Baby's lungs and digestive track are almost fully developed. All that needs to be done now is for little one to get nice and fat!

That's it for now. Jason's out for a run, so, I'm going to go have a spoonful of icing.

-Chris

In my 30th week!

Hi! We are having a really relaxed, lazy Sunday on the couch... Jason is exhausted from his Australia trip and I am relatively immobile (more on this below).

I can't believe I am in my 30th week. Something about that milestone makes it even more real - as if it weren't real enough at this point!

How far along?: 29 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain: 24, and not the TV show.
Pregnancy symptoms: very tired. Clumsy - see weekly wisdom section for latest events.
Sleep: Not too bad.
Movement: She's a shaker and mover! As always, I love feeling her wiggle in my tummy. Funny how people get creeped out by it; I'm not that pregnant woman who makes everyone feel my tummy when baby kicks, but I have had people (coworkers, friends) warn me that it creeps them out to feel babies move. Weirdos. And as if I'd grab a coworkers hand and shove it on my belly!
Food cravings/ weird crap I'm eating: Nothing too weird this week!
Gender/ names: Well, we officially do not have conflicting first initials with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Kenny's baby. Phew! Still holding strong at our 2 girls and 2 boys names.
What I miss: A nice glass of red wine. Mmmm. I am planning on a nice big glass for Christmas (planned very precisely between feedings, of course!)
Best moment this week: Saturday morning when Jason got back from Australia! We missed him!
Weekly Wisdom: Warning - pregnancy and lots of weight gain has thrown off my sense of gravity. Yesterday we were at LBS for an alumni event and I totally bit it.... sprained or strained or whatever my right ankle but managed to avoid a belly bump by clinging to my husband and twisting my body around as I fell. Have spent all day on the couch with foot elevated as a result. Boo.
Milestones: Baby should be reacting to sounds at this point, and also will follow bright lights.

-Chris

TGIF.

Thank god it's Friday! Jason gets home tomorrow morning and baby and I are both pretty happy about it.

Today I start week 30.... crazy. Time is definitely going by pretty fast at this point and I am amazed that it's October, and in 2.5 months I'll be heading to the hospital. Baby, let's keep it to Dec 17, ok? I really am not looking forward to trying to get to the hospital on Christmas Day or Boxing Day (Dec 26 and a national holiday here). There is no public transports and cabs are pretty much impossible to get. The whole city shuts down... our only option will likely be to call 999 (translation: 911) and get an ambulance.

Anyway - I'll do a full update this weekend!