Plus One

Sleep Glorious Sleep

2009-03-02T21:29:00.003Z

Oh my darling Lucy! You are good to me oh so good to me. We've been enjoying a decent nights sleep for over a week now. At first I thought nah this is just a once off. You must have been tired. But as it turned out you repeated your sleeping trick the next day.. and the next.. and the next... this was when i started to think wow perhaps you're really into this sleeping through the night thing! Oh my gosh a sleeping baby at 11 weeks this seems to good to be true. No a week and a half later I'm rejoicing in the fact that this is happening and sleep is once again so soon something I'm able to enjoy.

Lucy is sleeping so well day and night. she has her dreamy feed at 10/1030pm and it's good night until Abey wakes us up in the morning. loving it! so appreciating it! and hoping and praying that the change in location doesn't throw her off entirely!

Two months!

2009-01-25T09:29:00.021Z

Would you believe it?! Just like that Lucy has made it to 8 weeks. She's losing that newborness and is starting to smile. And she has grown, boy how she has grown! We went to the doc today for her 8 week check up and first lot of jabs. The scales came out, Lucy went on and the magic number today was 5.96kg and 61.5cm long! Abbey by contrast at 9 weeks was 5.65 and 58cm. So Lucy Little ain't so little!

Life is going well in the world of mum dad and two kids. We have good days and not so good of course but we get there. Ryan is the star husband and this week has already cooked 5 meals. Lucky for me he enjoys cooking and so doesn't see it as too much of a task after a full day at work. Anyway his meals are often much nicer than what i serve up so it's all good. Sometimes it's just easier for me to do the bedtime routine with the girls but often we tag team. I find if i don't start organising dinner late arvo though it just gets a little busy and my head can't cope. We've started to push Abbey's dinner a little later and she's had some meals with us eating the same as us which makes life easier too. She eats a little better also when we're all sitting down doing the same thing.

Abbey is learning more words each day. I've been meaning to keep track of Abbey's vocal development but like all good intending parents it's been one of those things that sadly I have thought of often - even purchased the little notebook to write them down in - but not actioned.

Abbey's words are still few but we get by quite well. She certainly understands a heck of a lot more than she can communicate obviously. Now when I say that she can 'say' these words I mean she either says it clearly and Joe Blogs would understand her or that she makes a good attempt and enough that we understand her. Just recently she's also started signing 'bird' and 'finished' which were two of the baby sign words i have taught her. Now I'm kicking myself for not teaching her more!

The latest on the list are:
She comprehends full complex sentences on many occasions. I remember the day i said to her "can you put that in the rubbish please" - indicating to the item on the ground and she picked it up and took it to the bin and put it in. I didn't even know she knew what a rubbish bin was!!

Understands:
chin
elbow
Lucy
potty
shoe

Says:
Amen
kiss
fart (bet daddy taught her that one!)
it's ok (to Lucy when she's crying)
Mum
Dad
Bottle - 'Bo'
More Please! - 'Mor ... and then a word for 'please' I can't work out how to write!
Thank you - 'Tank koo'
Dog
bird
pool
teeth - 'teh' when she wants to brush her teeth
spoon
plane - there's an action for this too! She waves one arm up and down. No idea where she got it from but she's consistent.
car - 'Ca ca'
poo - 'poooooooooooooooo!' although she says this every time we change her nappy no matter what the contents!

Oh and on that note... Abbey has now on two separate occasions used the potty of her own accord!! I take her nappy off sometimes in the day so she can air out the nether regions and i said to her if she needed to do poo that she needed to sit on the potty. We were in the lounge and then she left and i heard her in the bathroom and went to investigate thinking she was probably getting into the cupboards. There I find her holding the potty having just emptied the contents into the toilet! The next morning prior to a shower she sat on the potty and deposited without being told to and later in the day weed! She did on that occasion proceed to tip it on the floor but i praised her for doing it in the potty first. Wee in the potty was a moment to be celebrated!! I am such a mum!! The pride! The joy! These are important achievements no matter how dirty the subject. I was ready to shout it from the roof tops! So I shall continue to give her nappy free time and hope we have more positive results.

As I mentioned Lucy has just started to smile which is great. So need that positive feedback some days! She's in a good routine now and is feeding well and at night from 1030pm we're getting through t0 4am before the next feed. Hopefully that will start stretching out little by little. during the day there's about an hour of overlap with their sleeps. Some days Lucy sees it as her chance to have me all to herself and wakes up 20mins after Abbey has gone to sleep. Today though I've had an hour and 15mins as Abbey was exhausted and went for her nap earlier. Hence the opportunity to chuck some pics on here and update you all.

This weekend just past we went on our first family adventure. Real adventure! We got in the car and drove for about 2hrs south to a place called Mission Beach. Now it wasn't the type of day for going to the beach as it was raining so we decided to go for a walk. There's a place called Clump Mountain National Park which had a circular track. So we donned our jackets and had Abbey in the backpack with rain cover and Lucy in front pack under Ryan's jacket and off we went into the rain forest! Great thing about the rain forest canopy is that it's a fabulous shelter so although we got wet we weren't getting pelted with rain. And it was great fun. All the motion must have got Lucy's bowel a moving though as Ryan got wafts of a certain package as we walked. When we got back to the car we discovered the mighty deposit that it was all the way up her back but thankfully and miraculously well contained with none escaping down the legs or through her top too much so the front pack didn't get too dirty. I tell you what I should carry Abbye more often to walk off this post baby weight that lingers. 10kg extra makes a big difference. Ryan normally carries her but he had a bigger jacket which we needed to cover Lucy and he doesn't fit mine. I think I did pretty well actually.
Now that the calender has flipped to February we're pretty much in count down mode. Our packers arrive one the 20th Feb and we're out of here that weekend bunking in with Mikaela and John and John. It will be a squeeze but we'll look at it as a great time for family bonding and a true blessing to have somewhere to stay before we leave. Ryan finishes up at work that last week of Feb so we have the first week of march to tie up loose ends and enjoy family before flying out on the 6th March. It's a bit surreal some days to think we're heading back to NZ for good. It will probably just feel like a trip home for a few weeks. Really looking forward to seeing those familiar faces and all the not so familiar little faces, the kiddies, who have joined the lives of our friends and family since we left. Well that, my friends, will have to be it for today. I've uploaded all the decent photos we have. Lucy has loads less by far than Abbey. Second child, less time. But hopefully we're capturing enough to keep you interested.

A few pics

2009-01-16T01:52:00.011Z

Abbey having just woken from her nap joining Lucy who is still napping

Abbey ready to help with the washing. She likes to hold one handle of the washing basket when we put the washing out. She used to hand me the pegs too but that phase seems to be over.

Lucy our super baby now 5 weeks old. time sure does fly by! I realised today how few photos we have taken of her.

She now weighs 5.1kg and is 57.5cm long.

She's sleeping pretty well though is keeping us awake with her grunting some nights. Last night Ryan declared that she will have to move into another room if she keeps it up. Daddy needs his sleep.Here she is enjoying her book from Aunty Michelle and Uncle Damian and Sophie. A little research too on those things called sheep which apparently there are a lot of in this country her parents call 'home'.

This is a photo of Abbey having some fun with shaving cream. We've had a lot of rain and were stuck indoors and my sister reminded me of this great indoor activity. Shave play! just let them draw in it and squeeze it through their fingers. Easy to clean up and they smell great afterwards! Abbey loved it.

3 Weeks... almost 4.

2009-01-04T11:56:00.027Z

Time continues to tick along and with it Lucy starts to lose her newborness and is chubbing up nicely on some good home brand milk. I have no idea how much she weighs now as with Christmas and New Year holidays there's not been the opportunity to weigh her again so that's on the agenda for this week.

I'm loving the snuggley cuddly time with little Lu. It's so nice to have her floppy little self snuggle in and sleep so soundly on my chest. I hope it lasts. Abbey seemed to grow out of it so quickly and hasn't been big on cuddles since. She does treat us every once and awhile and she and I usually sit down and have a little cuddle just after she's woken up from her midday sleep but other than that she's usually too much on the go to stop and snuggle.

Abbey continues to be intrigued by Lucy. She seems to understand who she is and if I ask her if Lucy is awake or where Lucy is she will go and look for her in the cot or in the rocker. She's been pretty gentle with only to odd thump or slap. Lucy is very tolerant of her older sister. And Abbey still plants spontaneous kisses on Lucy which is just lovely to see. Here they are having some play time together though I think Lucy has nodded off again. Abbey must have been practising her counting and it all got a little boring. Christmas morning was delightful with us all piling into bed in the morning. Abbey really enjoyed opening presents. At one stage we wondered if it would be New year before she got through them all as she would rip a little piece of wrapping paper off and then hand it to Ryan to dispose of appropriately and then another little piece. Despite our encouragement of her to just rip into it she was very reserved to start with so we helped her along.

The Christmas/ New Year break has meant having Ryan at home again which has been wonderful for the girls. Lucy has woken up from her newborn slumber in the last week so it's been nice to have a bit more 'interactive' time with her. As you can see Ryan is clearly chuffed! That Elmo t-shirt seems to bring out his inner child =)

Getting the hang of juggling life with two children!Lucy's first bottle feed with dad. And the post milk drunken state. The title of this next photo according to Ryan is 'A rose between two thorns' HAHA!We've also had my little sister Angela visiting which has been fab and so nice for the girls to have some more Aunty time. Abbey missed out on all the relational cuddles with us being in the UK and so we're looking forward to them having more of it when we move back to NZ in March. Here they are at a wildlife park we visited getting friendly with a snake.Abbey is fast approaching the 18mth mark and is teaching us new things about herself and is absorbing more and more each day. She's getting a lot more assertive and at times a little stroppy when she can't have things her way. Usually it's got something to do with food. As in she goes to the pantry and wants you to get her something to eat and you won't. Or she gets given a biscuit and then wants another... and another ... and another. We've had to employ tactics to keep her out of the fridge now too. So far the little safety clip is working but she has tried to pull it off already!

Abbey has also picked up on "no". I'm hoping to catch her on video because it's quite funny the way she says it. It's not just the words but the facial expression and body language and matter-of-fact -ness that accompany it. No other developments in the vocabulary department but she continues to surprise me and how much she understands of what I say or ask her to do.

One of the things I do around meal times is pop her up on a stool next to me as I do the veges or bake. Recently we were baking a cake and Abbey has helping. She rather liked the chocolate mixture and got stuck in and then a little carried away resulting in some great face painting. There's a fantastic video on our facebook profile where she discovers that flour is not really that tasty on it's own and perhaps little finger should stay away!

We've also reached a stage where she's wanting to walk everywhere and not wanting to hold our hand. I've had to put my foot down at times with this one as obviously it's simply not safe. I may well end up buying kiddie reins so that she can still feel like she's going it solo but isn't.On a recent weekend away with Ryan's work we stayed in an old hotel which had a large staircase up to our room. Abbey hasn't had much experience with stairs thus far and decided that she quite likes them. Especially when we can count our way up and down them! Here we are on our hundredth decent down this flight when exploring the rain forest up Baron Gorge. At least she is willing to hold my hand on stairs!Basking in the cool shade while the rest of us take a dip to cool off.A little sisterly bonding..

Well that's all for now folks I hope you enjoyed the photos. Ryan is back to work today so I'm going solo again! I think I'm doing ok though it's currently 7:51am and both girls are up washed and dressed and Abbey is onto breakfast. And I have time to blog but have done none of the above myself! Must make myself presentable to the world.

One week on...

2008-12-16T02:57:00.012Z

...and we're doing ok!

Now in the mornings it's four in the bed and that's delightful. Abbey snuggles up next to Lucy sometimes planting a kiss or two on her little cheeks and then devours her morning milk.

As you can see in this photo Lucy is looking a little jaundice but that's on it's way out now that milk is through and she's flushing out the system with it's goodness.

I've been trying to involve Abbey when I can and at least make sure she can see what I'm doing with Lucy. She was more than happy to help with bath time the other night which was very cute. She did her best to ensure that Lucy had a squeaky clean tummy.

Catching some Z's with dad.

Here's Lucy at one week old sound asleep. And no the blankets aren't because Cairns is going through a cold snap! It's been pretty hot and so we've had the air con on. She's been sleeping well and feeding well and doing all things well thus far! Last night she slept from 1030pm-330am-6am

Ryan is back at work now but it's been fab to have him home and I felt this morning that I was ready to go solo. Abbey has really enjoyed having him here. They've had lots of fun together in the pool getting up to all sorts or crazy things and just having a blast of a time really! Her swimming continues to come along amazingly. She now likes to go on her tummy with her face in the water 'swimming' without using her arms (hasn't quite grasped their use when swimming yet) with her head in the water, blowing bubbles with her eyes open!!

One handedTwo!

Great to see the father-daughter relationship flourishing. She wasn't too happy at nap time the other day when he had to go into work for the arvo and cried which is both sweet and a little difficult as there was nothing i could do. In the end I got her up for a while and then she went back to bed a little later. Abbey looking like a true Pom in her Man U outfit we bought for her a very long time ago and which finally fits! Amazing what you find when you clear out the wardrobe! Her football skills certainly need some work but I reckon she looks pretty darn cute in that gear!

Right time to feed!

She's Arrived!!

2008-12-11T05:44:00.006Z

Lucy Emma Monastra!

Born 9:23pm Tuesday 9th Dec

Cairns Base Hospital

8lb 2oz

She has hair!

And is long! 54cm.

And Abbey thinks she's just wonderful.

For more go to http://www.meznmo.blogspot.com/

'D' day

2008-12-06T05:16:00.000Z

Yep gosh it's here again.

Our due date has arrived but unfortunately as yet there's no 'D' for delivery. It is in sight... well it better be! This baby can only cook for so long.

I can understand it wanting to stay away from this tropical heat but I'm sorry that is just not a good enough excuse for this perspiring mumma. 34C and air so thick you feel like you're breathing though woolly tramping socks (that was just the first thought that entered my pregnant brain) is getting a little trying. I realise summer hasn't even got to it's worst yet. I'm trying not to think about that but surely with this baby out I will be a little bit cooler.... surely.... dear God please!

Anyway so in celebration of D day and because we've not done any week by week photos of this expanding belly and growing newbie. This is me. In my glorious glowing (because I'm so freakin hot!) 40 week pregnant state.

Next update hopefully an abundance of newborn photos!

It's getting hot in here!

2008-12-01T02:56:00.002Z

North Queensland heat is setting in. Humidity is on the rise and with it the battle to find comfort in the heat. Nap time hasn't been going down so well and I can totally understand why. It's just not easy to sleep when everything is sticking to you. Fans help yes but they don't quite cut the mustard.

We found Abbey the other night after already moving her bed so that it was under the fan more perched on the end of her bed obviously having found the spot that allowed her to find rest.

Poor thing. Just look at her! Needless to say we've decided that it's time to aircon. You just can't acclimatise to this heat. We only have aircon in two rooms of the house and so we'll move her into the bedroom that has it (we're in the other one). She needs her rest. I need her to rest. There's not point battling this heat when we have the luxury of not having to.

The latest

2008-11-25T06:12:00.016Z

A very original title for this blog entry I know. My mind is a little jelly like. I've just woken from napping along with Abbey in the heat of the day. It has done me a world of good the days I've made myself do it. Not to mention the relief my body sighs when I go and hibernate in the air con environment for a couple of hours. I must try and continue to do so when number two arrives (which is hopefully very soon).

Speaking of number two... I've been contemplating for some time how to address the transportation issue. As in: will we need to trade in the mountain buggy for something double friendly or somehow can we make it work with one in the sling and Abbey in the pram. Well the heat here has convinced me that the less time there's a babe up against my body the better for us both. So I've been on the look out for a toddler seat compatible with the MB. I wasn't having much luck and then my sister saw this Steelcraft one at a Salvation Army Family Store. So I went and checked it out and low and behold with a slight adjustment to the MB it fits and it fits safe and securely!! And guess how much it cost... $10!!! BARGAIN!! And better still Abbey loves it! We'll need to buy a little parasol umbrella so that she can get some shade rising high like that but the babe will still be nice and shaded with plenty of airflow.

Abbey is absolutely loving swimming. Now with her floatie vest on she's able to 'swim' around the pool on her own. With me there of course Despite it being stinking hot here in Cairns and being pregnant on top of that we've still managed to get out a little. definitely the exploring has not been as frequent but recently when away for a Christmas doo weekend we got to go for a couple of walks. The day we drove up to Youngabarra we had a lovely lunch at Lake Barrine a fabulous spot.Abbey particularly enjoyed Ryan's milkshake!

We went for a very short walk while there to see two large Kauri trees. Look at that pregnant belly! There was no info about how old they were but no doubt centuries.

On one of the walks we did Abbey seemed determined to walk by herself, despite not having shoes and the ground being rocky and rooty. She must be tougher than us because she coped just fine. Here's a few shots from a walk we did to a crater and a couple of small waterfalls just out of Atherton.

Perhaps our last family self portrait before number two arrives!

Walking with dad.I can do it on my own though!

The joy of living in a tropical climate is although it is very hot there's still the ability to get out and be sheltered beneath the rain forest.

I like to Rock!

2008-11-07T08:44:00.006Z

Whether it's to music..

On a swing...

On a see-saw...

Or on a horse...one thing is for certain. Abbey likes to rock!

It's Official....

2008-11-07T07:13:00.002Z

I've now spent the longest time away from Abbey since she was born! All 16mths ago!

This morning was not your typical one in our household. Granted Abbey still woke up on the dot of 7am (no alarm clock required here) but Ryan didn't go to work and Abbey didn't go to her gymbaroo session. We all had our breakfast together out on the verander which has become the enjoyable norm and Abbey helped Ryan water the plants as is their special father-daughter daily routine. She came to me with three freshly plucked cherry tomatoes and delight on her face. I graciously accepted this fruitful offering but obviously they weren't for keeps and it seemed were just for me to admire before returning into her little budding gardener hands. Gosh I love her. And gosh I love what Ryan is instilling in her in showing her dedication and TLC produce something beautiful. I have much to learn and put into action myself.

After the washing was put out for the day, the dishes done and a little tidy up we were all dripping from the heat - may I add that it's only 9am by this point! - we all went for a swim. So so glad that we're able to stretch the budget a little to afford to rent this house with a pool. Yesterday I was in it on three separate occassions. Instant relief from this 30C+ heat and seems to be so much more satisfying and refreshing than jumping in the shower. Abbey is coming along amazingly well I think in the swimming department. She's got so confident now and is holding her breath really well under the water. She loves going back and forward between Ryan and I both skimming across the top of and under the water. I would love to take her to infant swimming classes but they are on the expensive side and so the books and our own pool and lots of pool time will suffice. Seeing as when no.2 arrives it will be even hotter (God help us!) hopefully we can all get in the pool and we can start the next munchkin off even younger. From what I'ver read the younger the better it seems.

Anyway back to today. After the swim it was dressed and Abbey's lunch made and final checks before making our way to the airport. Abbey and Ryan were off to NZ. Are off... are presently most likely boarding their flight from Brisbane to Wgtn. And yes I'm here in Cairns and this is the longest ever that I've been apart from my daughter.

It's all a bit strange really.

My routine is not required.

I can eat when I like, swim when I want, read when I want.

I can stay up late knowing that tomorrow there's a garuntee of a sleep in - unless my body is cruel to me and it's 7am wake up is so engrained now that i will wake up then regardless.

And you know all this is great but...

I miss them both already.

My life is so about the two people I love.

Ryan is my star. He was just saying yesterday how his favourite time of day is first thing in the morning when we three are all piled in bed together after Abbey joins us. We laugh and we smile and we gaze on our daughter as she blows raspberries on her bump of a brother or sister. And feel delighted yet exhausted before even getting out of bed having been used as a jungle gym. It is absolutely delightful.

I would second that and also add that my other favourite time is at the end of the day when he comes home. Abbey hears the back to click and looks at me with her big eyes. And I say "who's that?" "Is it dada?" and she runs to the back door and on seeing him - often sweaty and hot after biking home - she has the biggest grin on her face and just wants him to pick her up. Makes me all emotional just thinking about it.

So they're gone for the weekend. It is indeed a fleeting visit. Ryan was needing to go home on business and Abbey wasn't going to cost a thing. So as a wee treat for our daughter the socialite and for her Grandma and Grandpa especially the Monastra side who haven't seen her for 8mths we decided it was worth it. I'll probably be the only one with separation anxiety and Ryan may have it a little tough for a few hours on the plane.

I'm excited for them all and grateful for some reflective time to myself. There's 4 weeks to go till we meet no.2bie maybe more... maybe less... and i'm trying to savour the moments and think of the change and I think i've not allowed myself enough down time, me time to do that.

So speaking of which. It's time for some dinner and dvd's!

Here's to motherhood and the absolute blessing and challenge that it is. And here's to dad's, in particular my husband who is there for me all the time and who enriches my daughters life one hundred fold.

2008-10-26T07:00:00.012Z

Thought I'd better do a little catch up on Abbey and what she's up to. More and more she's turning into such a little girl. The babyish side to her is fast disappearing and in it's place a fearless, self confident, outgoing, cheeky, delightful little girl is emerging. This is a pic i took of her the other morning. She's been enjoying 'dressing' herself in my clothes. It is the cutest thing. And she parades around the room. The other day she picked up my handbag too and had that perfectly positioned over her forearm. Next she'll be breaking out the stilettos and getting into my make-up (actually she's already been into my powder foundation - dropped the case and it all shattered into a million pieces. There goes $20).

Some days she just seems to be growing so fast. We've had to move items in the pantry as she's starting to climb the shelves and spots the biscuits. Amazing how selective she is already! Though she did go for the baking soda one day and discovered it wasn't worth all the effort after all!

A shame her hair doesn't seem to be advancing at quite the same pace but here's a close up pic to show you that she at ;east does have some! There's definitely more at the back than there is on the top and so it usually looks a lot less in all the photos with a front on view. No where near enough for clips or bobbles or bows or plaits but we have years for all that. I should be grateful at how maintenance free it is.She is getting increasingly independent which is great to a degree like at meal times she can now easily feed herself and better still not get much on the floor in the process. She even says 'spoon' in her own little way but hasn't quite distinguished between that and a fork. It is great at this age that she can have the same meals as us. We've taken to setting aside a couple of portions for her most meals and most of them go down a treat. Certainly the times when we've been stuck and out and about and had to get her supermarket baby food she hasn't been too keen. Glad those taste buds are developing. Bought baby food is just disgusting in my opinion and it shocks me a little to see mums with toddlers who are stocking up on jars. It's so simple to make a toddler dinner.

When we're out and about i try and let her walk to get some exercise and burn some energy but this is proving a little problematic at times in that she just takes off. It's incredible how far she will walk away before she even takes a glimpse back to see if you're following. This child is well beyond the attachment phase:

"With the third phase of attachment (seven to 24 months), the infants possess a strong attachment to their caregivers and suffer from separation and stranger anxiety. Their strong relationships with their caregivers are formed in tandem with the development of their motor ability to move towards their caregivers for safety and verbal skills that enable them to socialize with their caregivers on a more complex level than before."

and has progressed into the final stage.... well we have been trying to convince people that she's quite advanced...

"During the final phase that starts typically from age two, the young children have acquired representational and memory skills that allow them to relate to their environment in an active way. Thus, they do not require the constant attention of their parents. They also begin to adjust their perspectives of various situations and understand the points of view of their parents. At the same time, they are able to cope with short periods of separation from their parents."

I'm pleased and not at all surprised to read that children secure in their relationships with their parents..

"succeed in the academic and social spheres of their life. They enjoy exploring their environment and exhibit self-confidence. Furthermore, they are also able to form healthy relationships with their peers."

Anyway needless to say I'm glad that she is comfortable in her surroundings and certainly to date she has warmed to new faces very quickly but there needs to be some sense of how far is too far and I guess that's where we as parents take the reins and maintain safety and control. I does amuse me the way she runs the moment I make a move in her direction though. I have a feeling that in a month or so I won't be so amused and we'll have to look at a way of keeping her from taking off. There's always the child reins option! Actually friends of ours in the UK had one of these for their little girl and it worked a treat http://www.littlelife.co.uk/out-about/1/index.htm

Here's Abbey having a 'big girl' swing and loving it.

It has been great Abbey having her little cousin John around and she's slowly but surely learning the need to be gentle with him. We babysat the other night and I had them both lying on Abbey's bed for story time. Abbey at one stage rolled to her side and kissed him on the head. It was very sweet. Look at that size difference! Gosh how she's grown. John is 3mths and Abbey is 15mths.

And here's a bump shot of me as Mikaela and I both carry our babes out front. Having a little play on the confidence course on the way down to check out Mungalli Falls up in the Tablelands.

Well that's my computer time up for the day. So will leave it at that.

The latest

2008-10-16T03:22:00.003Z

So this is the latest and I think the only belly shot I have posted throughout this pregnancy. 32 weeks. We spent the weekend in Cooktown north QLD.

I saw the midwife on Tuesday and all is well. Next appointment in three weeks time. We'll be heading into 36 weeks by then! Good golly! Excellent!

Wondering if I should make some frozen dinners this time round...We never bothered when we had Abbey. It's probably not a bad idea. Except we don't have a freezer big enough to store them! Actually it's probably a better idea to ensure there's meals for Abbey because if she's fed and off to bed then we'll have some calm space in which to think about what to feed ourselves.

Golly it's hot today. i'm off for a wee kip alongside my sleeping daughter.

To prevent children from going bump in the night

2008-10-15T03:34:00.000Z

Secure the perimeter with a high-tech defense mechanism...

Things that go 'bump!' in the night..

2008-10-07T23:47:00.002Z

Abbey falling out of bed!

OOPS!

31 Weeks

2008-10-07T10:38:00.003Z

I realise that I've not blogged at all about this pregnancy really but I assure you all that it is still in progress!

We're heading towards 32 weeks and it feels like the end is in sight but probably not as comfortably close as I would like! As expected the belly is expanding. The ribs are being tickled, the child within does rolly pollies and uses the walls of my womb as a boxing bag. Or perhaps he/she is just breaking out the latest dance moves. Who knows but this baby is on the move. Which is a good thing.

I have really had such a great pregnancy again. I've had some pain issues with my SIJ:

During pregnancy, female hormones are released that allow the connective tissues in the body to relax. The relaxation is necessary so that during delivery, the female pelvis can stretch enough to allow birth. This stretching results in changes to the SIJ's, making them hypermobile - extra or overly mobile. Over a period of years, these changes can eventually lead to wear-and-tear arthritis. As would be expected, the more pregnancies a woman has, the higher her chances of SI joint problems. During the pregnancy micro tears and small gas pocket can appear within the joint.

Ryan has got in and released trigger points around the SIJ which is excruciating (and he gets utter delight out of doing so) but it does help and so I am grateful (but he still deserves a slap!)

I've not been too tired yet and Abbey keeps me on my toes for sure but she's also a great distraction from counting days like I did with her. It's been wonderful too that she seems to understand a little about this baby. When I ask her where the baby is she lifts up my top and pats my tummy. Oh and her latest cute big sister thing is to blow raspberries on my belly instead of a little kiss like she used to. We've got a neat book about the 'New Baby' given to us by Caleb and Theresa who have been there with number two and I think Abbey is at that age now that she's grasping it a little. We were reading it the other day and pointing to the pregnant mummy in the book and then to my belly and I think she got it.

Tonight we went for a tour of the Delivery Suite at Cairns Base Hospital where this baby will hopefully be born. There are also refresher courses for second time rounders but I've decided that all the info is fresh enough and as long as I know where I'm heading and Ryan knows and we know the facilities them we're good. And it's not a bad spot to hang out really. The delivery rooms are huge and there's a nice bog lazy boy chair for Ryan although hopefully it will be quick enough that he doesn't have time to sleep. There's a family room if he needs some air with facilities for tea and things - must pack some milo - and for heating up food or whatever. There's a TV in the room! So I can watch Home and Away while pushing the sproglet out! YAY and bathroom and then they bring in bean bags and Swiss balls and birth mats for the floor etc. So yeah it was great. I came away excited and looking forward to having this baby.

We've got some more name ideas so narrowing down on that one. It's kinda weird this time not knowing what we're having and not being able to decide but still exciting. Really looking forward to the surprise.

I've already been getting a bit of the nesting bug. Have bought another cot mattress and set the cot base at the higher level and made the bed up. Abbey likes the mobile (her old one) and obviously still feels at home in the cot as she lay down and pretended to sleep when I put her in there. She is so full of cuteness. I've even been thinking about hospital bags and an Abbey bag. Have yet to set in concrete how it's going to work when it comes to going to the hospital but depending on the time of day Abbey will either come with us and be picked up from the hospital or maybe if it's the middle of the night Mikaela or John (probably more practical for it to be John) can come over then we don't have to wake Abbey. I dare say she'll find it a little strange when he walks in in the morning and not Ryan but at least she knows him and enjoys his company. Other than those plans we just wing it. I said to Ryan this arvo that the delivery room is big enough for Abbey to be there too. We can hide her away in the cupboard if necessary. Hmm not sure she'd quite understand the labour process and I don't want my daughter to be scarred be such an experience. Certainly feels like it could be a long drive to the hospital is we leave it too late and I know Ryan is a little anxious that this time round will be even faster than last. We will make it though..... i hope.

I'm going to order a car seat from the ambulance service soon. You can hire them for 6mths for a mere $65. We were going to buy Abbey a new car seat and the little one can have hers but apparently there's going to be some law changes here at the end of the year. When I went for a browse the other day the woman in a shop who told me about it said she would wait because there's bound to be new designs come out to cater for the law change.

Right well success at getting through each day is a good nights sleep and so at 9:39pm it's 9mins past my bed time =)

14 Months One Week and One Day

2008-09-22T03:28:00.019Z

Well another month rolls by and Abbey is like a sponge. I can see that very soon it's going to be hard to keep up with her development and all that she is taking in and attempting to communicate back. And as my belly expands also keeping up with her literally as it seems that if you simply look at her she thinks you're going to set off and start chasing her. It's very cute and often I do but soon I'm going to be slowing down.

As the weather gets warmer in Cairns we've had more and more froliking in the pool. sometimes twice a day even. It's still on the cooler than cool side but does wonders for a quick freshen up and cool down pre midday nap. Abbey seems to be comfortable enough in the water and I've no doubt that the more we're in there the more she'll enjoy it. Just yesterday i tried to see how she would be walking along the step ledge and she was happy to do so holding onto the side of the pool and was even keen to walk off it into the deeper water. I'm waiting for a book to come off reserve at the library so i can read up a bit more about teaching her to swim. We've also been down to the Esplanade a few times and played at Muddies a water play area for children. There's fountains and water for them to run through and play with. Abbey seemed content to just stand over the various fountains and feel the sensation of the water.

About a month ago now Abbey rediscovered her thumb (she sucked it for a brief stint at a few months old) and so she's often found with it in her mouth and the other hand playing with what little hair she has. I must say it has meant some much quieter car journies! Any attempt to remove the thumb is not followed by tears but instead a big grin and a game which is apparently quite a lot of fun where the thumb is removed and inserted back into the mouth numerous times.

My parents have been over visitng for the last two weeks which was a real treat and will be treasured as we're not sure when we will be back in NZ again. I'm not sure that Abbey remembered them but she soon got used to them being around and enjoyed showing them her cheeky ways. Here she is having a giggle with Grandpa Vince and cheese tasting with Grandma Gwen.

The more we see of Mikaela and John and little John the more Abbey is getting to know them and recognise them. She certainly seems to make herself at home whenever we're around at their place. So many things to pull off shelves and discover! We're trying to teach her to be 'gentle' with John and hopefully slowly but surely and with minimal damage to her new cousin (!) we'll get there. So far he still has two functioning eyes despite Abbey poking them! eeek!

The photo to the left is a cousin shot at John's baptism - he's not too impressed with Abbey touching his head but look at the glee in her eyes!! below a much nicer and more content John just chilling out on the couch

We try and read to Abbey every day and she does enjoy a good book. The variety at the library hasn't been great so far but it doesn't take many books to entertain a 1yr old. The favourite for a while has been Hairy Maclary from Donaldsons Dairy. She likes going back to the bit where Scarface Claw comes on the scene. She's also enjoying songs at Gymbaroo and I took her to check out a Mainly Music class last week and that was great. So we may go back there in a term.

Sometimes having a 1yr old around the house you feel like you're tidying up after a cyclone has hit three times a day. Abbey is pretty consistant in her destruction. We have the plastics cupboard seen in this photo which is great for taking everything out and putting it on the kitchen floor. She is learning to tidy up though. Then there's the bottom drawer just to the left of the cupboard which has baby bottles in it which she likes to take out and sometimes suck on. And then there's the second shelf on our book shelf which apparently looks much better without books! Anyway it's all discovery and harmless and we have clean up time at the end of the day where we sing our 'tidy up time' song which is nothing too fancy but does the trick at letting her know you gotta put all this mess away cos muma ain't doing it all!

Also in the last couple of months she has taken a strong liking to two of her teddy bears and to anything that can be carried like a hand bag. Here she is with my one which she can be found wandering around with it perched on her elbow. Another day she did the same with our camera bag and another day she attempted to do the same with a full bagof groceries! that was rather comical but the determination was impressivei must say.

Our biggest achievement of late has been graduation to her bed. Ryan designed it and we both pitched in to make it. We also made the coloured shelves you can see which have added some more colour and spice to her room. So far Abbey seems to like it and hasn't showed any desire whatsoever to be back in her cot. It is cot mattress size and lower than a single bed. She sleeps in a sleep bag and so far whenever she's worn that to bed she's not got out of bed in the morning but simply called out. And when it's been too early ie before 7am and we haven't come straight away she just sits there and talks to her teddy or looks at the books i've placed at the end of her bed. It's great! We're so glad it's been so smooth.

Next is potty training! I've started putting her on the potty if i can tell she's about to do no.2s and yesterdaywe had our first success with that. So perhaps with a few more results and over the top praise of her good works she will get the picture and want to do it more. She's not really one to sit still so we could be in for a bit of a challenge.

Well that's about it for this update. I feel like the last 10 weeks of this pregnancy may well pass byin a flash - or perhaps as the weather heats up that is what i'm hoping. I will try and blog before then though. Until then I leave you with my smiley little beauty.

My little washer woman.

2008-09-02T10:20:00.002Z

My little washer woman. Ain't she cute! Abbey is certainly getting the hang of this walking business. She's been going solo all week more often than not. Still has days where she does the four legged thing just cos it's quicker. She does enjoy holding your hand and going for a stroll today she even thought running was a bit of a laugh.

Good times.

Great memories.

Time for an update!

2008-08-20T10:20:00.036Z

Time has once again got away from us and a lack of broadband has impeded me from keeping up this blog as i would have liked. But now we're settled in Cairns, reconnected to wonderous broadband and I'm looking forward to some blogging. Abbey has changed so much. She has achieved. She has laughed and cried and all of it has been wonderful in it's own special little Abbey way.

I'm now 26weeks pregnant with babe number two. Feeling pretty good and grateful for the advances in independance Abbey is making as we get closer to having two little people to care for.

Here is Ryan with Abbey in the trolley he made her. We weren't so impressed with the wooden ones on offer in the stores so Ryan decided we would make one and the end result is fabulous! Abbey enjoys pushing it around however gets into a little trouble when she gets to a wall as she hasn't worked out how to turn it round. This used to result in Abbey collapsing on the floor and bursting into tears but now she's toned down to a little tizz.

And before we knew it a year had passed by and we were celebrating Abbey's first birthday!

Early morning present opening.

And the cake which I was determined to make despite having to move into out new place the sameday as Abbey's birthday.

She seemed to enjoy it and wasn't at all phased by moving yet again.

By that evening we had her in her own cot again and I think it did her the world of good. It was a real blessing to be able to stay with Mikaela and John (my sister and bro-in-law) and Abbey is quite comfortable around them now and her new little cousin John.

Since arriving in Cairns we been out most weekends exploring the countryside. We picked up a child backpack for a bargin at a garage sale one weekend when we were looking for furniture. It was $80 and looks like it's never/hardly been used. We also spotted a bike seat at a garage sale for $15 and Abbey has enjoyed going out on the bike. Unfortunately as I'm getting bigger it's a little bit uncomfortable now for me but hopefully she will get out with Ryan before it gets too hot. At least we have the pool to cool off in after such rides though!

Our first walk with the backpack was the Blue Arrow Track which goes from the Botanical Gardens here in Cairns. A tough walk with a lot of uphill so Ryan got a good work out that day but great views and Abbey seemed to really enjoy being able to see everything.

We also did a walk which was basically an hour uphill from Crystal Cascades to Copperlode Dam. Wonderful being in the rainforest though and it makes the views at the end so much more worth it. You can drive there of course and when my mum and dad arrive in a couple of weeks I dare say we will be chosing that option. They woek out enough on the farm in NZ each weekend so will need a nice relaxing break. There is the added bonus of a cafe at Copperlode Dam where Abbey tasted her first ice block. It went down a treat!

We've explored the Tablelands area and went for our first camping trip since Abbey was born. It was only one night but it was great to get out and she took to it well. She enjoyed supervising Ryan putting up the tent.

Not so much the evening wash which was rather essential post pooy nappy and very dirty child. Have you ever seen such a face?! (oh and if you think you can spot a black eye you'd be right. Our first nasty fall at home one day) Hopefully it didn't put her off the camping experience. She settled to sleep quite happily in the tent in the evening which was fantastic allowing Ryan and I a lovely relaxing evening under the light of a full moon.

So other than the weekend explorations life goes on and each day brings something new. Our latest cause for concern is how to explain to Abbey that screaming will not be tolerated. We've decided to give 1min timeout a go. Yesterday we did it twice placing her in her room on her mat and closing the door. She burst into tears and waled making as much if not more noise than the ear piercing screams but maybe she will make the association i don't know. I've not looked at any books in regards to child discipline and perhaps at such a young age it is futile.

Dinner times are getting a bit better with Abbey now able to use the spoon. We do still see a fair bit on the floor though and rogue weetbix is found in hair and ears hours after breakfast is over and we thought we'd washed her properly! This second picture was taken just the other day when we went with playgroup to a kids play place called Squeekers. They had a party there and Abbey got to have her first taste of fairy bread. It didn't seem to have any adverse/hyper effect but i think we'll stick to a less sugary lunch menu.

She's now fully off breast milk and enjoying the cow variety without any problems so far. She weaned very well. We had one occassion one morning though which was quite funny. We usually bring her into bed with us in the morning and i would give her the first feed of the day. Well this morning we offered the bottle only to have her push it away and start pulling up my top trying to get to my breasts. As if to say 'don't try and give me that imitation stuff I know where you're hiding the good stuff. So we realised we had to change the association of morning milk and Ryan got up with her and gave her her bottle out in the kitchen. She's adjusted in a couple of days and now I'm all dried up and she obviously thinks the cow variety is just fine.

We have found Abbey to be a real helper. She will often get in the way but she's just so interested and wants to help. Here she is helping washthe car and getting a little too close as Ryan cuts some fronds.

We have been taking her along to Gymbaroo which is a childrens dance and movement class based around developmental stages. they have all sorts of equipment for the children to play on and Abbey loves climbing. The only downside is that we don't have that equipment at home and so she climbs whatever she can from vege trays to glass louvre windows!!! eeek!

A beautiful sound

2008-05-27T10:57:00.003Z

Two beautiful intentional sounds came out my daughter's mouth today...

"Mum mum"

Oh how I love her!

It’s been a while

2008-05-26T07:38:00.009Z

Hi everyone who reads this blog. I apologise for how long it has been since I blogged anything. We’ve only got dial-up here in Australia (was the cheaper option for three month use) and so it’s impossible to upload photos or email them even if I do remember to downsize.

Anyway enough of the excuses. I’ve come into Ryan’s work so that I can get this blogged and show you what our little principessa has been up to.

Abbey is now 10mths and boy oh boy is she a girl on the go. Ryan’s boss took us to a music group one day not long after we arrived here and there was one other girl besides Abbey the rest were boys. I couldn’t believe how relaxed and chilled out all the boys were, Abbey on the other hand was go go go. When it came to a quieter stiller time in the session she just wanted to chase after one of the little boys and investigate every corner of the room.

(Somehow she even get's onto the shelves!... ok so maybe she had a little help... our version of Where's Abbey)

We’ve been limited to what we’ve been able to do since arriving here as we haven’t had a car and so there’s been a lot more time being at home. At times this has been hard, not lonely but more just so limiting. There’s not much shade around the house and so we can’t get outside and play when we want to. The house is fairly empty as there’s hardly any furniture and it’s a four bedroom house with a large open plan kitchen and living area. Because of the emptiness I’ve found it hard at times when Abbey has been teething and crying/ screaming and it feels like it’s bouncing off every wall as it reverberates around the house. Thankfully it doesn’t last long but it can’t just be tough until she settles down.

While we were in NZ her crawling just got better and better and now all she wants is to be on her feet. I don’t know how long it will be before she’s ready to walk on her own but her legs are getting stronger and she’s doing a lot more coasting where she can (a bit limiting without the furniture to hold onto) She pulls up onto chairs, drawers, cabinets etc and is now pretty steady when we hold her hands to walk.

Probably because of all this activity she’s eating like a trooper. I worry some days about how much she eats but then I reassure myself that it’s all healthy and she is VERY active and is by no means over weight so her body must just need the extra sustenance.

She’s started trying to do actions to Twinkle Twinkle and Incy Wincy Spider. They’re much the same in that she waves her hands about and wriggles her fingers a little but it’s very cute.

She has waving down to a fine art and often pre-empts Ryan leaving the house in the morning waving to him as though she’s saying ‘C'mon dad shouldn’t you be on your way?’ but then funnily enough when we go to the door to actually wave goodbye she just stares. However once he’s out of site she will wave. Maybe she’s savouring the moment knowing that she won’t see him till the evening which must feel like an eternity.

In the evenings when he gets home she gives him big beautiful smiles which are just wonderful. It is great to see the love she has for us.

In the sleep department she’s doing pretty well. Day time sleeps wax and wane. She’ll manage a morning nap but has been waking from her post lunch sleep after and hour or hour and a half and won’t settle herself or be settled no matter how hard I have tried. Over night she’s sleeping from 7/7:30pm- lately 6am on the dot. I’m not sure why she suddenly stopped waking at 7am, her room doesn’t seem that light at that hour. Maybe she’s just had enough sleep. Trouble is…I usually haven’t… I don’t really want to put her bedtime back any later so we’re going to just have to deal with it or perhaps do some research on early rising children and how to change the pattern.

She enjoys her books, especially the flap ones or the tactile ones and so we’ve made a few trips to the library so that we have a bit more variety. I’ve also bought a couple on sale from the book store. Getting to and from the library was that much harder catching the bus but now that we have wheels (as of the weekend) that will be a lot easier. It will also mean we’ll be able to get to the pool. Ryan and I bought her a little paddling pool the other day just to splash about in on days when we were stuck at home. It doubles as just a play pit with 50 colourful balls.

Well I’ll leave it at that and get uploading the photos. They’ll be what you want to see anyway!

Once we’re up in Cairns we’ll get broadband and be able to do updates more often… promise. Until No.2 comes along that is…. Then I may disappear off the face of the earth!

Plus One and Another!

2008-05-26T07:34:00.001Z

I woke up this morning and just like last time decided something told me we were having a baby. Why is it that I get this feeling at 5am in the morning?? So I fumbled around in the dark through the vanity drawers and found the test I had.

It take a mere three seconds for a pregnancy test to tell you whether your life is about to get just that much more amazing but boy at that hour it feels like a long three seconds. I sat there with my eyes closed thanking God for the beauty of life. Whether it was positive or not I was feeling so grateful for the family I have and very much excited that we may be welcoming another beautiful creation into our world where there will always be room for one more.

Opening my eyes and adjusting to the light….. I I ….. two beautiful lines. How many women have yearned for two lines and only got one or I guess plenty have yearned for one and got two. Two lines mean HELLO BABY! Welcome baby to the beautiful place, warm and cozy known as my womb! Settle in. Make yourself at home. Your big sister Abbey has been there done that and it seemed to agree with her. Liked it so much did she that she stayed an extra 9days. Feel free to turn up when you’re ‘meant to’.

So as the sun was preparing to get up I was slipping back into bed. This time unlike last I didn’t wake Ryan but lay there and cherished the moment just for myself. Something that’s precious about being a mum is being first to know about new life. Needless to say I didn’t get much sleep after that.

Before I knew it Abbey was awake and calling for a play mate. She joined us in bed and proceed to let out excited squeals and crawl all over us. I told Ryan she was excited that she was going to be a big sister! And the biggest most beautiful Monastra smile spread across his face and your dad started falling in love with you too.

That whole day so many wonderful exciting thoughts went through our minds along with resolutions to find the right job and the right place to call home so that we can welcome you in comfort and not locumming limbo.

P.S I’ve been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks now and haven’t got round to it. We’re now 14weeks pregnant and I’ve been feeling fine. The odd bought of morning nausea which is not always pleasant but nothing debilitating. I was praying for that wondering how I would get on if I was really sick and having Abbey to care for an play with.

Ryan has secured a contract in Cairns and so we’re moving up there at the end of June. It will be great to be near my sister and brother in law and Cairns in a nice city.
Once we’re there I’ll be almost 20 weeks so we’ll find a doctor and get a scan done. We’re not going to find out the sex this time. It will be great to have a surprise.

Friends are like Flowers

2008-02-12T22:39:00.000Z

I was reminded as we were walking with friends in Wollaton Park of a song I learnt as a child. I have an uncanny ability to remember childhood songs as Ryan will account for. Today it was...

Friends are like flowers, Beautiful flowers

Friends are like Flowers in the garden of life.

Are you a Daisy? Are you a Rose? Are you a Dandilion?

You can be what you are and I'll be what I am

We can be friends in the garden of life.

A silly little song from when I was about 7yrs old and yet very true.

Abbey has a bunch of lovely friends and today we spent the afternoon with one of them. Not Daisy or Poppy or Rose but Rosie.

Rosie is turning 1 next week and she is a delight. She and Abbey seem to get on well as do we with her parents Andy and Jess who are good fun to be around.

So today we went to the park and had a lot of fun and laughter with our darling little girls.

Here's some candid moments captured.

Playing Ball

Congratulating each other on their great ball skills with a high five

Abbey trying to stop Rosie from escaping just yet

All of us with Wollaton Hall in the background

Mummy and Daddy's Little Girl

2008-02-12T22:08:00.000Z

You little child light up our world

Like a beam of light finding its way into every corner of our hearts

You fill us with Joy, with Love, with Laughter and with Thanksgiving

You little child who light up our world

You are just so loved.

The Latest and Greatest

2008-02-12T19:51:00.000Z

Well more time has passed and there's been more growth in our little girl. She sure is getting heavy and putting on the pounds a little to give herself that nice plump baby look.

She has two bottom teeth now which has both excited me and brought me to tears - yes I've been bitten and it is not nice at all! It's happened a few times now and so I'm trying to 'disipline' her by quickly taking her off and saying "No Abbey" and all she does is give me the big joker grin!! Haven't managed to get a pic of her teeth yet becasue she just pokes out her tongue so I'll keep trying.Abbey at dinner time in her fab plastic bib

She's not quite moving yet but has worked out how to get herself up on all fours and jig about. There is a sense of reassurance in knowing that she will not move when I put her down and have my back turned at the moment but I'm on guard knowing that that could change anytime.

I've found lately that Abbey and I are starting to speak the same language. I feel like just in the last few weeks I've really tuned into her and can tell the difference more in some of the different noises she makes giving me more of a clue in what she wants. Like "up!" I say it to her everytime I got to pick her up holding my hands own to her and getting her to lift her hands up to me to show me that that is what she wants. And now she has definitely started making an 'uh' noise when she wants picking up. And there's another noise she makes when she wants help but I can't remember what it is.

Past-times: There's a bunch of things that abbey appears to enjoy in life. In no particular order.

1. Spending time with mum and dad - OF COURSE

2. Listening to the sound of her own voice - or should I say squeel!

3. Being read to.

4. Swimming - She loves the water and likes being on her front kicking her legs. She does forget sometimes that if she dips her head she will swallow a mouthful of water so we have the odd cough and splutter but she doesn't seem to mind. Ryan recently came to the Parent and Toddler session with us at the pool. He felt a little out of place being the only adult male. But said he got the feeling that some of the little boys appreciated the boost in testosterone that he contributed to the group. haha. He learnt the words to a few more nursary rhymes that morning, or more to the point that he did not know most of them!

6. Holding onto her feet

7. Having a naked bum =P

8. Playing peek-a-boo

9. Looking at herself in the mirror - I wonder where she gets that from??

10. Smiling - surprisingly especially in the mornings - which she doesn't get from us!! but does infect us.

11. Bathtime! - I only need to turn the light on in the bathroom at bathtime and she's kicking her legs and making excited little noises.

12. Sleeping - most of the time anyway.

Getting ready for sunshine

2008-01-23T09:12:00.000Z

I was going through Abbey's drawers yesterday sorting through clothes, what will fit in a months time and what needs to be boxed. We decided to have a little dress up and make sure her cool shades (c/o Bex) still fit.

We are good to go!

6 MONTHS TODAY!

2008-01-14T21:21:00.001Z

There was a day not so long ago when my belly was so gloriously pregnantly full that it stuck out as much as Abbey is in this but now I have her beautiful little self out here with me and it's been wonderful.

This is us this morning about 7:30am having a bit of camera fun and thanking God for the 6 months of her life that has brought joy and happiness to us all.

Ryan commented the other day that he's 56 and I'm 50 times her age! Kinda bizarre when you think of it like that. It's amazing that she's been with us for half a year already and even more amazing the changes in her over that time.Here's a few photos of the change in our little girl over the last 6 mths

BIRTHDAY!

FIRST MONTH

SECOND MONTH

THIRD MONTH

FOURTH MONTH

FIFTH MONTH

SIXTH MONTH

Food, Glorious Food!

2008-01-14T20:35:00.000Z

I've been trying to upload a video of Abbey eating but it's just not working for me so this pic is the next best thing.

So far she seems to be thoroughly enjoying the taste and texture of everything I have offered her.

The menu has consisted of:

Baby Rice

Pear

Apple and Cinnamon

Banana

Kumera

Butternut

Courgette

Potato

I need to get into Brocolli and Cauliflour next and then start getting into meat to up her iron intake.

So fun fun fun!

2008-01-14T18:23:00.000Z

Sitting up

2008-01-07T22:15:00.000Z

So Abbey and I were playing today with her little friend (on loan) the caterpillar I was sitting and she was sitting and Mr Caterpillar was going back and forward between us.

That's RIGHT Abbey was SITTING! Granted she toppled over very gracefully... twice but otherwise managed to keep her balance really well.

I think she might be onto something here.

Woohoo another milestone in one the ladder of human development.

I'm a proud mummy today.

Updated with more photos and yip she's definitely onto something. Abbey's very happy to sit on her own. The world will be taking on a whole new appearance for her which must be exciting

Giggles with Daddy

2008-01-06T17:33:00.000Z

Christmas Time!

2007-12-20T17:59:00.000Z

Today our antenatal group got together for a bit of festive feasting. Our first Christmas as mothers and something worth celebrating. So we dressed the kiddies up in appropriate Christmas outfits and got together for lunch. The babes seemed to enjoy themselves as did we.

(From Left to Right: Laura and Alec, Jo and Meg. Jane and Edward, Michelle and Caden, Abbey and I)

Alec, Edward, Meg, Abbey and Caden

Meg (aka Mrs Clause), Edward (chief Reindeer tamer), Caden (aka Santa), Alec (Santa's little helper and body guard) and Abbey (elf)

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL and BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR

Peekabooo and Play

2007-12-17T19:50:00.000Z

Giggles

2007-12-17T11:08:00.000Z

After keeping the giggles at bay for sometime it seems that they're backand we're loving every minute of it!

We hope you enjoy!

Work That Camera!

2007-12-03T16:54:00.000Z

Graduated into....

2007-12-03T16:36:00.000Z

About a month ago now Abbey made the move... well technically I made it for her into her own room. She had hit the four month mark and with hope that being in her own room might encourage her to sleep through I decided it was time.

So I cleared up the single room, dismantled the single bed sorted through bits and pieces that we had been storing under the bed and found new homes for them. And with Abbey watching by from her jolly jumper and then the bouncer I moved her cot and change table from our room to hers.

I'd forgotten how much more room there was in our bedroom before she came along! I could have my bedside table and lamp back and Ryan could have a bit more room to get out of bed.

It was kinda strange that night not having her in our room and she did still wake up just the once but we certainly weren't as disturbed by her various sleepy noises, from grunts to snorts to farts we didn't hear a thing!

Her room is a lot darker than ours which has been good i the middle of the day for her sleeps and also in the mornings she doesn't have the sun streaming in the window waking her up and so consequently I think she's sleeping a lot better.

Abbey has photos of her Aunties and Uncles, cousins and friends on the wall so that eventually when she gets to meet some of them she will smile instead of scream.

Oo0o0o o0o0o and guess what.... she has a new trick!!

YIP SHE'S SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!

I felt like a new woman after two nights of 8hrs sleep! It's amazing how much the body needs that rest to function. Unlike the bottle she has taken to sleeping through with much more Consistancy and it definitely hasn't just been a once off. She still has her dreamy feed at 1030pm and then we tuck her into bed, kiss her goodnight, close the door and don't see her till 7am! Absolute bliss! I'm praying that once we hit the full on teething stage that she's still going to be able to sleep but just in case I'm making the most of it and enjoying it while it lasts!

Poor Baby

2007-11-26T22:19:00.000Z

Today I stared into my baby girls eyes and had so much love for her that my heart was melting and I started to cry. She was looking at me with her big hazel eyes and smiling and then just starring at me as I cuddled her little body.

She's a strong little girl. This weekend she has picked up a bug and has been vomiting. And yet she's not grouchy with it, she hasn't been crying she's just been vomiting and wanting cuddles and I'm ever so happy to oblige. But gosh it's still hard to watch her when she's sick and her poor little body is rejecting the milk she suckled just an hour earlier.

I've called the doctor and he's said if she's still not well to take her in tomorrow morning. I'm hoping and praying seeing as dinner seemed to stay down that she will be better in the morning.

Back on the Bottle!

2007-11-05T18:14:00.000Z

Well it's taken a lot of perseverance and persistance but I think we might have made it! I've been encouraging Abbey to take the bottle again by expressing partial feeds during the day to try and get her to take the bottle and today she finally took it.

As it turns out it might have had something to do with the flow of the teat. I finally found a size 2 teat and so bought it and thought we may as well give it ago. The guidelines say that from three months the size 3 teat is suitable but it appears that the flos is too much.

Anyway the footage says it all...

YAY!

Jolly Jumping

2007-11-01T21:38:00.000Z

Abbey has always had very good head control and she really loves being on her feet and so we've tried her in the Jolly Jumper a few times now and I think she's slowly getting the hang of it.

Here's a wee snippet

Smiles

2007-10-31T21:14:00.000Z

Some smiles from Abbey before bedtime.

Sleepy head

2007-10-23T08:12:00.001Z

I love my daughter more and more each day and she is just getting cuter and cuter. Watching her develop and discover new things. The latest excitement or scoring high on the cute factor scale is that she now sucks her thumb! And when I say suck I'm not talking a nice gentle motion I'm talking suction people like one of these new vacuum cleaners that can suck back stuff that's been hidden for years. I'm a little scared she may actually loose a useful digit if she carries on in this vain! I've been trying to upload a video of her sucking her thumb but Blogger is not being very cooperative so I'll have to try again another day.

On the topic of sleep. Nope she's not sleeping through the night yet and I'm not even sure if we're close but I'm not too worried about it really. I can handle waking up once a night and so I'll treasure the middle of the morning snuggles for as long as they last and I will look forward to the first 8hrs sleep I get.

I'm wondering if Abbey will sleep better once she's in a room of her own. Or more so if we will sleep better. I am a light sleeper and so i do tend to wake straight away when Abbey gizzles or stirs so it might be better for me if I'm not so close to hear these noises. We'll see.

Can't help but love her

2007-10-17T15:32:00.000Z

There's something in your eyes

As you see the world around you for the first time

They are wide with excitement, with anticipation, curiosity

I hope what you see, at least in me, is pleasing to your sweet soul.

There's something in your eyes as you stare up at me

A twinkle, a glisten, a sparkle, a joy known in the innocence of childhood.

You know nothing more than what we show you,

No more words than the ones we whisper.

I hope what you hear is pleasing to your sweet soul.

There's something in your eyes that makes my heart overflow with love

I will do everything to love you as i should

To do you no harm and show you what is good.

To pray for your soul as you grow and are transformed into a beautiful child of God.

That something in your eyes, that which draws me in,

that something that makes me want to love you... it's a touch of heaven

You are our gift, so small, so needy, so pure and so so precious

and we were blessed by God to welcome you into our hearts and our lives.

Above all else what I see in your eyes I'm sure is a knowledge of God

Knowing that the maker of the twinkling stars made you with that sparkle in your eye

And as I look into your eyes with such love, He looks deeper still

He loves you to the core of your being, the depth of your soul.

And for as long as you are sure of that there will always be that 'something' in your eyes.

Play Time

2007-09-30T19:12:00.000Z

As Abbey is now a lot more alert and able to focus on things much more I decided it was time to get her playing some more on her own. Up until now she has managed a bit of time in the bouncy chair and a little tummy time and a little time on her back. The only problem with being on her back was that there was nothing for her to look at but the roof.

We had been given the frame for a play mat by a friend but there were no toys for it and so i hadn't used it or got round to making things to hang from it. So the other day i finally got to and set it up. I discovered that the Pooh bear mobile, which i had taken down in favour of the spring black and white cow Rosie gave Abbey, had figures that were simply tied on. So i untied them from the mobile and tied them onto the play mat framework. They worked a treat!

So now Abbey is able to entertain herself for that little bit longer.

In other activity news...

Tuesday last week we started a baby massage class run for 4 weeks for free at the local health centre. I have been giving Abbey massages after her bath and she does like it. Especially the bottoms of her feet! There were only two other mums on who turned up four were missing but it was quite nice that it was just a small group. More mums might turn up next week.

Once this has finished we might start swimming at the local pool. They have a designated time for mums and babies/toddlers. Abbey seems to love the water and so it would be good fun I think and some more activity for her.

Thursdays - are usually reserved for our antenatal group get together. This week we're going for a walk and coffee. We usually catch up for lunch and compare notes, get advice and just chat. I think one week a couple of them went to the babes and mums session at the cinema. There seems to be only one cinema in Nottingham that has these viewings which is a bit disappointing.

This is a photo from our reunion with the lady that ran the antenatal course

(not the best one of me)

Friday - Trent Vineyard church has a Toddler Haven group that meets from 10-1130 on Fridays where mums and dads can go with their children for a bit of play time with other mums and kids. They have a bit of organised play with dance and songs and then free play. Tea and coffee and cakes for the mums too. I went last week with Jess a woman who runs the small group we have started going to on Wednesday evenings. She has a 7mth old. And actually she's thinking of starting up a group this side of town as it is a bit of a trek to Vineyard which is on the other side of town. It would also be good to get to know more local mums. So we'll see.

I'm endeavoring to get out for walks with Abbey in the buggy I even managed a walk-run the other day and was pleasantly surprised at how well my body took it at the time. The next day I was a little achy though but nothing more than I would be normally after not running for some time.

Ryan, Abbey and I went for a drive last weekend up into the Peak District for a walk by some reservoirs. Lovely scenery - The kind of England we love.

We're all going on a summer holiday

2007-09-22T19:40:00.000Z

On the 24th August Ryan and I set out on a journey that we started planning at the start of the year. Many people told us were were crazy to set out travelling with such a little baby but we (despite having never had a baby, let alone travelled with one) told them they were wrong and everything would be sweet as. Well I'm pleased to say that we were right and everything was fine and I would even recommend travelling with a new baby.

Abbey had her passport photo taken at two days old - unfortunately for her she will be stuck with this picture for the next 5 yrs. And the passport arrived the week before we were to leave. We took with us a travel cot, baby car seat, buggy, nappies, baby clothes etc etc. I was sure I would forget something but I think if anything we may have taken too much. Abbey had so many beautiful summer dresses and with the English summer not looking at improving this seemed to be the only use they may get. At this age she didn't need a truck load of toys and it was great that we didn't have to worry about her running off anywhere.

I did wonder how she would take the heat and how my boobs would survive not only the need for extra hydration but also the 6wk growth spurt Abbey was likely to go through. We attempted before we left to get her to take cooled boiled water from a bottle but she has not been keen and still isn't. We survived and we did our best to keep her as much out of the sun as possible to avoid her getting too hot. In the process we ourselves returned from three weeks in the sun looking like pasty white brits... but hey, with a bit of luck we'll have less chance of skin cancer.

Flying - no problems here the flights were just under three hours and she slept most of the way. She didn't seem disturbed at takeoff or landing and wasn't interested as i did what i was told and tried feeding her to stop her ears from blocking.

I was grateful that on the return trip we had a spare seat next to us so when it came to changing her I just used the change mat and did it on the seat next to us. On the way over I had taken her to the toilet and used the fold down bench but it was quite a task. As you'll know there's not much room in airplane toilets and there's certainly even less when you're trying to change a baby. Our mums can recount numerous places where Abbey has had her nappy changed not all of them entirely appropriate but when your child has poo leaking out her nappy and down her leg and you're at the top of the dome of St Peter's Basilica what can you do!
Buggy - My mum brought a NZ Mountain Buggy over with her which has so far served us well. When looking at buggies we discovered that it would be cheaper for us to buy one in NZ and for my mum, with the extra baggage allowance, bring it over with her.

The mountain buggy was great at the Plitvice Lakes where we walked on kilometers of boardwalks, through the streets of Split and Dubrovnik and Rome. The sunshield a must, the rain shield thankfully not needed.

Sling - We took the trusty sling with us and it certainly was handy. In cities with many stairs - like Dubrovnik where there was 537 between the town and our accommodation not to mention the 700 along the city walls, on the mountian in Medjugorje and through the streets of Pompeii the buggy just wasn't suitable and we needed to have the option of carrying her with ease. I discovered one day as we walked the walls of the Old Town in Dubrovnik that she could sit quite nicely over my bag on my hip. She seems to be a lot more content when she can see what's going on and so we've got to master the front pack style of the sling.

Feeding:

I have to say I was totally grateful the Abbey and I have worked out this breastfeeding business. Without it I think travelling with her would have been just that bit harder. Being able to feed her when she needed it and not having to sterilise bottles along the way was a real blessing. Subsequently she seems to be so used to the breast now that I'm a little worried about how long it's going to take to get her used to the bottle again.

One of many photos taken of Abbey and I having a 'tit stop' -this one beside one of the canals in Venice.

There's blogging to be done!

2007-09-22T19:02:00.000Z

Goodness I hadn't realised that I hadn't blogged anything since July! It's been almost two months since I blogged last. Ironically the last blog was about how well Abbey was doing at taking the bottle... well now she won't take it at all. Argh!

So what's been happening in the life of our little Abbey.

Now 2 months old we think (according to the airport scales with Ryan holding her) she weighs 5.5kg (that's 12lb 2oz). We'll get the official weight when we go to the doctors on Monday. I was too busy before we went away to get her weighed and having been away for three weeks it's now been over 5 weeks since she was last weighed. As well as getting weighed on Monday we will both have a check-up and Abbey will get given her first dose of immunisation. I'm praying that she will take it well and not be too unsettled with it. I'm glad that none of us remember when we got our jabs as infants because I'm not looking forward to the upset and horrified eyes that may stare back at me after I hand her over for the nurse to stick her. So I'll let you know how it goes.

As I mentioned we have been away for three weeks and it has been amazing to see the changes that have occurred in Abbey during that time. Firstly she has grown so much. On the days when we needed to carry her more our arms were starting to ache. Just before we left I noticed that she had started focusing more and was often looking up at her mobile watching with interest as it turned above her head. She was also starting to follow me if i moved slowly from one side to another in front of her. Now she is smiling at our familiar faces and it really is heart warming when your child give you a beaming grin when you pick her up after her sleeps or as you poke your tongue out at her while you change her nappy. On two occasions we have almost had a giggle out of her. She has let out a little chuckle but it has yet to develop into a full blown giggle - something to look forward to!

Abbey is very expressive in her eyes. She has beautiful big eyes and they really light up when she's happy and she does this cute little thing with her eye bows. She has started crying tears now too. It's cute how her eyelashes get all stuck together with the wet tears.

She's fast growing out of her clothes and I am trying to get her into each outfit at least once before she grows out of them. As the grandmas found out on their visit to us Abbey has more than enough clothes to get through. Friends and family have been so generous she has simply gorgeous clothes.

So here's our latest family portrait.

Time Flies By

2007-08-21T12:15:00.000Z

It is 1pm and I have grabbed a moment in my day to do a little blogging update. I was going to try my best to keep this one going for the folks back home but as those of you with children will understand time is precious and spare time is not that abundant.

Norah Jones is playing in the background along with the intermittent grunt from my child. She's cute like that. She grunts baby grunts in her sleep and it is entirely cute. I could use this time to put out more washing, read a book, sleep, eat some more each equally as worthy, some more of a necessity than blogging but oh well. Blog it is!

This Saturday Abbey will be six weeks old. I can hardly believe it and yet at the same time in a wonderful way it seems like she has been in our lives for a while and I can hardly imagine life without her.

So how has it been over the last month...

Well all in all I think we've taken to parenthood pretty good thus far. By no means is it a walk in the park but we've taken the chilled out approach and just let it happen. Abbey has been wonderful and broken us in gently to the world of parental responsibility and having a little person so dependent on you for everything.

These are a few of the things we get up to

Eat - She has taken well to breastfeeding and it's quite delightful to see her excitement when she's just about to start feeding and she can obviously smell the milk. She gets all excited at the impending feed and starts throwing her head around with mouth wide open in eager search of dinner but in the process totally misses.

Sleep - we're getting there with sleep. From day one I haven't found it too too hard to cope with the lack of sleep. Perhaps it's being used to adapting to different times or hours of sleep which working nights as a nurse brings, I don't know, but i only find it too much if a few rough nights are combined with over active days. We're slowly finding that balance. We have been trying to keep to a bit of a routine and Abbey sticks to it fairly well having a nap in the morning and afternoon and a longer sleep in the middle of the day allowing me to get a few things done and have some lunch in peace. She's in bed by 7pm so we get dinner without interruption and then awake again at 1030pm for a feed that hopefully lasts her till about 3/3:30am and then sleeps till 7am. We've had a few nights where she's been waking at 2am and 5am but last night we got back on track so hopefully she will just wake once again tonight. It seems like we have had it pretty good as far as lack of sleep goes.

please note: we do not endorse co-sleeping, this was just a snuggle time and actually it is Ryan who is asleep

Ryan has employed earplugs and they seem to do the trick. She's not that noisy in the night but we have had the odd problem with a bit of wind which is obviously very uncomfortable for the poor wee soul.

Play - As Abbey becomes more alert she's coping with more time on her mat or in the bouncy chair but it's still not much. I noticed the other night when I put her to bed that she is starting to follow her mobile as it goes round and round above her head. She is able to follow us a bit more too. If you talk to her and move slowly she will track you with her big eyes.

Bath - After a couple of weeks bathing in the sink we progressed to the much more styley bucket which served us well and then just yesterday we graduated to the baby bath (no I haven't cut my hair short and gone totally grey - Grandma did the bathing honours tonight). Abbey has loved the water from day one and really seemed to enjoy a good kick in the bigger bath. I'm sure she'd stay in there a lot longer than I allow her if she had the choice.

Outings -We try and get out and about a bit making the most of sunny days and sleep times as the moment Abbey is put in the pram or car she'll be out to it. We bought a sling which has been fab. There's various ways to carry your child in it and we've tried most of them that are suitable for her at this age. She seems to like it and it is wonderful to have her so close and snugglely. It's great being hands free too. We can go for a walk to the shops for a few things and I can carry her and bags in each hand.

Video: Bottle Feeding with Dad

2007-07-28T08:14:00.000Z

We've decided to introduce a bottle feed in the evening so that Ryan can have some time with Abbey and also so that I can go to bed a bit earlier and get some shut eye. I wasn't too sure how she would find the teat but she has taken to it very well as you can see.

Video: Kick Time

2007-07-26T08:11:00.000Z

Abbey enjoys a bit of a kick on the play mat.

Video: Sleep glorious sleep

2007-07-24T16:12:00.000Z

"Good night, sleep tight, time for a lullaby

Dream sweet dreams, as the world goes by

Stars so bright shining down on you

Goodnight, sleep tight may all your dreams come true."

Bye Bye Bex

2007-07-24T16:00:00.000Z

She arrived on our due date and had to endure the agonising wait for Abbey.

She was there when Abbey was born

And she has been an angel and great friend for the 10 days since then.

But today we had to farewell Bex. She's off on the next adventure of her life. On her way to a place called Borgen in Norway.

Bex it has been an amazing time, a blessed time and it was made all the more special by sharing it with you.

Thank you once again for everything you've done to help us as we go through this transition. For the melting moments and the magical moments (which you captured on camera at the birth), for the the chocolate cake, the dinners, for the washing, the cleaning up and the cuddling of Abbey. For the chats, the laughs, the deep thoughts, the tears. You are a great friend.

Self portrait of the three girls before Bex left (unfortunately we realised this afternoon we didn't get a single photo of the four of us =(

Video: Time in Bed

2007-07-22T19:49:00.000Z

Video: Little Miss

2007-07-22T19:47:00.000Z

ONE WEEK!

2007-07-22T18:03:00.000Z

Hi there all

Well in what seems like the blink of an eye we have had Abbey in our presence for a week now.

It has been a magical week and I think it is slowly sinking in that this amazing little person is our daughter. We think she is beautiful and since joining us she has not ceased to bring a smile to our faces.

Not a day goes by that we don't marvel at her little features or spend an hour or four just staring at her wondering what is going through her little mind. Wondering what that cry might mean of if she's going to sleep a little bit longer tonight.

Despite the broken sleep we're coping and when she's screaming the house down at 5am every part of you just loves her through it.

Ryan has taken well to nappy changing and volunteers his sevices even when it's become evident that it's not going to be a pleasant experience.

It feels like we've packed a bit into week one. Perhaps a little to much but somethings really had to be done.

Number one on the list was getting Abbey registered as the birth certificate is needed for a few things. Our need in particular is a passport for her as we're going to be going on a 3 week holiday in August. The poor child is going to be stuck with a baby photo for 5 yrs on her British passport but I don't think she'll mind too much. So that's being sent off tomorrow.

We had a visit from the paediatrician who checked her out for clicky hips and listened to her heart and lungs. All was well and Abbey was given a full bill of health.

We took her into the hospital on Friday for her hearing test. She was a bit too noisey to start with but with a milk-full breast waving in her direction it was too good to refuse, a marvelous distraction and she soon settled down. The test showed no problems with her hearing.

It's been great having Bex here. As aways she has been great compnay and we'll be sad to see her go on Tuesday but also excited to see her off on the next part of her journey.

A big thanks to all our family and friends who have sent us texts and emails with good wishes and congratulations. We're just delighted to be able to share this magical time with you all even though many of you are so far away.

FYI: IT'S A GIRL

2007-07-15T19:01:00.000Z

ABBEY ELISE MONASTRA

Born: Sat 14th July 8:50am

Weight: 7lb 14.5oz

YES! (to all my family who convinced themselves to the contrary) IT'S A GIRL!!!!

Labour - it's ok I won't add any pictures!

My waters broke at 3am Sat morning and early morning trip to the loo proved that we were going to have a baby! I celebrated that she was definitely finally on her way.

And then... the contractions kicked in! They weren't too bad at first and it was amazing how one minute I really had to employ those breathing techniques and the next I felt totally fine. We rang the hospital to let them know what was happening and how I was feeling and how far apart the contractions were. The midwife said to stay at home a little longer and see how we go waiting for them to be a little closer together and longer in duration. So that's what we did. I tried to take the time between contractions to reflect on what was ahead and to thank God for this moment and pray strength for the labour ahead.

We managed to stay at home for a couple of hours but by about 5:30am the contractions were getting pretty intense and so we rang the hospital again and they said to come in. So Ryan got the car out and I waited for one contraction to be over then dashed out the door, only to have to stop along the way to breathe through another one before getting myself into the car. Suddenly the 5min journey to the hospital seemed like it was going to take an eternity. A couple of contractions along the way showed that they were coming a lot faster now.

On the labour suite we were seen by a midwife who did the usual admission bit and also checked to see how dilated i was. 3cm was the answer to that one. Suddenly 10cm was feeling like a lifetime away but i was glad she hadn't said 1cm. We were left for a bit while the midwife handed over to the morning staff. My contractions started to get a lot more intense and I got an urge to push that I really couldn't control. Ryan was very encouraging probably feeling as helpless as anything and I tried to breathe through it for a few contractions but it was really uncomfortable/painful and I just didn't understand how I was going to breathe through this for another 7cm! Suddenly an epidural was looking rather appealing. It all got a bit much and I got Ryan to go and get the midwife. The new midwife arrived. Rosemary was her name and she was absolutely wonderful! She examined me again and said "Well if you want to push you can push!" In the space of an hour and a half I was now fully dilated and Abbey was on her way.

The only pain relief I had had up till this point was 1g of paracetamol at home and all I could have now was gas and air. It's gets to a certain point in labour where you're really restricted as to what analgesia you can have and we had arrived that that point rather quickly. So we got hooked up to some of that which was fantastic. More than anything it helped my brain to chill out a little as I got a bit worked up i think worrying about this feeling to push and thinking i wasn't going to be able to for some time. Being able to push was fantastic. I could now go with what my body was wanting to do rather than fight it. Yes it was still painful but still a relief.

And with about an hour and a bit of pushing Abbey was born. Cord was around her neck and she had had a hand under her chin which is probably what caused the small tear I got but who cares! She was here!! And the joy in that moment was the best analgesia anyone could have offered me!

This at last...

2007-07-15T11:48:00.000Z

One of the readings Mez and I chose for our wedding was a passage from Genesis where Adam, on seeing Eve exclaims "THIS AT LAST is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bones..." We would have been happy to leave the reading at just that line, cos it really summed up how we both felt.

I think though, that in life we are blessed with more than just one of those moments. Certainly my wedding day (or maybe it was the time I first laid eyes on Mez) was one, but today was definately another. On seeing my daughter for the first time, in a very sleep deprived state, one's mind wanders about all over the place. But most of all I felt a quiet, peaceful, contentment.

This at last is flesh of my flesh.
This at last is what I was created to do.
This at last is selflessness.
This at last is some idea of how God views me.
This at last is innocent beauty.
This at last is where my future lies.
This at last is a reason for not only living, but thriving (not that there weren't reasons before).

This at last...
This at last...
This at last... is Love.

I wonder what she's thinking...

Blind Date - (dad's first entry on the blog)

2007-07-14T17:55:00.000Z

I've never been on a blind date before, so last night I thought i'd take the plunge...

Strange experience really, though one i'm certain i will never forget.

We met in a well lit room so there was no chance for anything dodgy to go down.

I can't remember who was the first to speak. I think it was me... needless to say she probably didn't think much of whatever dribble came out of my mouth... some astonished gasp followed by "gosh, you're beautiful!" I don't think she was overly impressed with my shameless flattery, but she gave me a glance that assured me i'd at least get a second look in with her.
By the second sentence I was promising her things i'd often felt unable to commit to.

Like unconditional love for a lifetime.

That I would work my life to ensure she was happy, well fed, and clothed. I even promised to teach her everything i know, if she'd care to listen and learn.

I guess I just got a bit caught up in the moment. After all, it's not every day you get to meet the woman of your dreams.

Well at least the last 9 months dreams...

I know i'm already married and all, but from now on it seems i'm a two woman man... the beauty of this situation of course is that Mez is totally sweet with it. We three make quite a harmonious family really.

This mystery woman then has even taken my name for her own, and moved in with us. I'm sure you're as keen as I am to welcome Miss Abbey Elise Monastra to the world and this extraordinary privelege we call life (in the better moments).

She's kinda short,

Kinda cute (in a squashed newborn kinda way!)

Kinda bald (Like her great Grandad (Monastra) but without the side bits), Though she has dad's widow's peak hairline...

Kinda Smelly (in a good way after a bath, in a bad way after... you know)

She has a mind, heart and beautiful clean soul all of her own, God saw her and was pleased, I had to agree, and i'm sure you will too... (and if you don't - keep the opinion to yourself, back in the day I was pretty good at constructing flawless arguments - don't make me do the one-eyed parent thing!)

We're home now after a great first date, and looking forward to many many more...

41 Weeks

2007-07-14T17:29:00.000Z

And two girls trying to find ways of passing the time.

So we got out the camera and had a little fun!

Instructions on which way is out because this baby obviously is unaware.

Just so we're clear on who will be doing what around here..

It continues to be a hard wait for no other reason than that we just want to meet our baby. The midwife has come and given me a little 'tickle' to help things along. We'll see what happens over the next 48hrs.

Possible reason why Ryan might not make it to the birth..

2007-07-11T21:45:00.000Z

My husband has developed an addiction recently.

In an attempt to distract himself from the days that are dragging by, accompanied by the lack of business on the work front, Ryan has moved on from Solitaire and found a new love in Spider. Computer card games that have an amazing ability to distract him for hours!

And I mean HOURS!

Bex is responsible for introducing him to Spider. She is forgiven, but is in charge of ensuring the computer does not make it's way to the hospital.

We love BEX!

2007-07-11T21:43:00.000Z

If the smooth sweet soounds of the voices of it's mum and dad isn't enough to coax this baby out then perhaps this is!

The sweet smell that Bex produces when left in the kitchen!

Melting moments!

How very appropriate!

There's a lesson in this waiting I'm sure...

2007-07-11T08:30:00.000Z

For 41 weeks now we have looked forward to the arrival of a certain special bundle

We have watched with amazement and awe as changes have occurred physically - the obvious belly expansion accompanied by the inability to put ones shoes on with ease. Oh and then there's that first moment when from the outside you see the movement from the babe within.

The contraction of the 'clumsy virus' where you can't help but drop everything that finds itself in your hands.

Emotionally - random moments where, for no apparent reason, one finds the need to burst into tears. Some things just hit that emotional nerve connected to my tear ducts.

Mentally - preparing the mind for motherhood and sometimes feeling like you're losing it along the way. The pressure of choosing a name that your child has for the rest of it's life!

And spiritually - no matter what anyone says I feel like has got to be one of THE most amazing, miraculous experiences we will have (and we've yet to even meet this baby!). We feel truly blessed to have been granted the gift of life. I have been in awe of the process of development of a part of me and a part of Ryan into what is bound to be a beautiful specimen of human kind.

Anyway that's enough of the deep-meaningfuls but I do mean every word!

Back to the waiting bit...

Tuesday Ryan was super quiet at work and we (Bex and I) were needing something fun to get out and do and so we all jumped in the car and headed out into the English countryside.

So despite being 5 days overdue, 41 weeks pregnant I was still up for some rock climbing along with everyone else! So here we are living life to the full!

I know you can hardly tell but I am pregnant in that photo. The angle hides my belly. Speaking of the belly over the last week it has definitely expanded over the last week. I hope this baby doesn't overcook too much!

Here is evidence that apparently pregnant women are not meant to get out and enjoy the countryside at this stage in the process. I couldn't get through sideways or front-ways or anyway for that matter apart from bump along with the rest of me being lifted up and over!

It's strange to think that soon, hopefully any day now that belly is going to be a lot smaller and instead daddy will be carrying the little one! YAY!

Another Day Rolls By....

2007-07-08T16:55:00.000Z

and there has yet to be a moment where I'm looking like this...

And yes I'm sure Ryan will look exactly like that! A cheesey grin will expand from ear to ear as the moment when he will get to hold his child, is finally on it's way. Unfortunately for my sake this could also be how I look, but for now this is entirely staged.

Ryan was obviously out of luck with 7/7/7. We went to bed ever hopeful that things would kick off but unless I was to have a very short labour there was no chance that this baby was going to make an appearance.

So our strategy has been to make plans so that rather than waiting on bubs to make a move we can be taken by surprise and the days, between now and whenever we're actually going to have this baby, go by a little faster.

So last night we went to Mass. This morning we went to Vineyard church and we've not long got back from a picnic at a nice spot called Rufford Abbey. A great day for a picnic. This is the second day now that there has been no rain and it really was fabulous.

Really it's not too bad being overdue. For sure we're all hoping that it doesn't go on for too much longer because we just can't wait to meet this baby!

As far as this pregnancy is going I still couldn't ask for better. I have no back pain, no swelling, I'm peeing more, yes (sorry if that's too much information!) but it's not every 5 minutes. I'm sleeping relatively soundly (at least when I am asleep) and not waking up too drained. I'm still able to eat as much as Ryan dishes me for dinner (which is phenomenal for a non-pregnant woman let alone a pregnant woman with no-where near as much space in there!) without feeling sick. I don't suffer from reflux and I can still manage a 45 minute walk without feeling like I'm going to collapse from shortness of breath.

We definitely think this baby is piling on the weight though. My belly is getting stretched that little bit more each day and there doesn't feel like there is much more than one ever growing child in there. In fact I had a dream the other night that I gave birth to quite a big baby. It came out looking like an 8mth old, no new baby look about it at all, no wrinkly baby skin. Round and chubby fingers and toes and full cheeks. Thank goodness it was just a dream!

So we wait. And we will try and enjoy the waiting. I do hope we don't make it to Thursday.

If our baby is born today the 8th July it will share it's birthday with Aunty Tracey (Ryan's sister in NZ who recently had a little boy. Yay a cousin for our little one already!). If it's born tomorrow, 9th July, it will share it's birthday with my brother-in-law to be (Nick) and Caleb a great friend of ours (who was best-man at our wedding and who is expecting his second baby in Oct). On the 10th July is our friend Ruth's birthday so if this baby wants a birth date of it's own then Wednesday is looking like it's the only available option at this point. Although there are lots and I means lots of July birthdays on my dad's side of the family so it's quite possible there's nothing free for another month! DEAR GOD please let our child be the sharing type!

YOUR ENTRIES

2007-07-05T19:07:00.000Z

We will update this as entires come in.

Caleb - GIRL, 11 July, wt 7lb 8oz

Matthew E - BOY, 12 July, wt 7lb

Wendy - BOY, wt 6lb 12oz

OUT OF COMPETITION (for right birth date anyway)

Aunty Ellen - BOY, 28th June, wt 7lb 3oz
Aunty Mikaela - BOY, 26th June, wt 7lb 60z
Gwen - Grandma McBride - GIRL, 23 or 24th June, wt 6lb 7oz
Vince - Grandpa McBride - BOY, 23 June, wt 6lb 3oz
Aunty Angie - BOY, 1st July, wt 6lb 60z
Cynthia - BOY, 1 July, wt 6lb 7oz (3050g)
Judy - Nannie Monastra - GIRL, 1 July, wt 6lb 12oz
John - Grandpa Monastra - BOY, 1 July, wt 6lb 12oz
Aunty Michelle - BOY, 2 July, wt 7lb
Denis & Dorothy - BOY, 2 July, wt 7lb 3oz
Clare S - BOY, 3 July. wt 7lb 120z - Long and skinny bod with pianist fingers
Paul A - BOY, 3 July, wt 7lb 10oz
Trev - GIRL (because the belly is rounded as opposed to pointy), 4 July (Feast of St Elizabeth of Portugal), wt 8lb (becos Mez does look quite large)
Dean & Helen - BOY, 6 July (Dean's Bday too!), wt 7lb 7oz
Ryan - Gender Known, 7 July, wt just right
Theresa - BOY, 7 July, wt 7lb 5oz
Di - GIRL, 7 July, wt 7lb 5oz - curly dark hair and two nostrals! (great!)
Monica - GIRL, 9 July, wt 8lb 2oz
Nick - BOY, 9 July, wt 8lb 1oz
Uncle Tony - Beautiful GIRL, 10 July, wt 'About that'

EDD DAY

2007-07-05T07:59:00.000Z

Well it has arrived! No not the baby but the 5th July our DUE DATE.

The date that every parent-to-be circles on the calender (well the women probably do anyway!). A day of great anticipation and excitement and yet probably for many just another day. It's not many parents that greet their new baby the day it is due. We're happy to be the exception to the rule though so I have been encouraging this baby to start making a move.

Today is also exciting for us as Bex arrives today. She will be a tired soul by the time she gets here having left NZ 38hrs before arriving in Nottingham. I think both she and I will need a nap this afternoon. So in all honesty it's quite alright if bubs doesn't turn up today.

Ryan is still betting on the birth date being the 7th of July. I'm not sure that I've said but he had a dream not long after we found out we were pregnant. This dream wasn't specifically about the baby but was along the lines of his world changing on the 7/7/7, so it was decided that this must be the day that our baby arrives as obviously from that day on our world will never be the same. It would certainly be convenient if bubs arrived this weekend giving us all, especially Ryan, chilled out time with the little one before he has to go back to work.

So come baby come!

Enter the world!

Begin the journey of your lifetime!

I know it's cosy in there but out here is just as good.

We have lots of love to give you.

We have hugs, we have kisses

We have eyes that will be content to simply gaze on you...

Hour upon hour, upon hour.

I look forward to the touch of your skin

I look forward to the softness of your hair

I look forward to discovering you

Your wrinkles, your toes, your fingers, your sparkly eyes

Your grin (no doubt as cute as your papas)

I look forward to the joy of seeing the creation of our love

And most of all of feeling a sense of touching heaven when we see and experience all this for the very first time.

Go well precious one.

See you as soon as you're ready.

Love ma

Midwife Visit

2007-06-30T10:23:00.000Z

This latest midwife visit could perhaps be the last before we welcome our little one into the world. Not because things are particularly progressing but because things have been going so well that they don't feel that I need to be seen unless I go beyond the due date (Please God no) and they need to come and sweep the membranes to get things irritated and set off labour.

So I had the usual once over. Blood pressure all good. I told her of the events of last week and how there had been no changes over the last week. She examined my belly and said the reason why this has most likely been the case is that the baby is lying Occiput Posterior (OP) or sunny side up!

Here's a little info from the ever informative Internet

The 'occiput anterior' position is ideal for birth - it means that the baby is lined up so as to fit through your pelvis as easily as possible. The baby is head down, facing your back, with his back on one side of the front of your tummy. In this position, the baby's head is easily 'flexed', ie his chin tucked onto his chest, so that the smallest part of his head will be applied to the cervix first.

The 'occiput posterior' (OP) position is not so good. This means the baby is still head down, but facing your tummy. Mothers of babies in the 'posterior' position are more likely to have long and painful labours as the baby usually has to turn all the way round to facing the back in order to be born. He cannot fully flex his head in this position.

If your baby is in the occiput posterior position in late pregnancy, he may not engage (descend into the pelvis) before labour starts. The fact that they don't engage means that it's harder for labour to start naturally, so they are more likely to be 'late'.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

So that's where we're at. If the baby had been in the right position it is likely that labour would have kicked off by now because the cervix is fully effaced and ready to dilate.

So what to do. Well the midwife said that although the baby is quite low there is still enough room for bubs to get jiggy with it and turn into the right position. She suspects that once that position is found then the increase in pressure will set things off.

She has given me exercises to do for as long as I can as many times a day as I can tolerate. I've got to get down on my hands and knees and sway my hips or sit straddling a chair leaning forward so as to open up the pelvis and give the baby room to turn. Or I can kneel and lean against the Swiss Ball. No more couch as the slumped/slouched position just encourages the baby to chill back facing my tummy.

I have done as she said all yesterday afternoon/ evening and to some degree things do feel different when I'm in those positions but whether it has/will turn the baby I'm not sure. The only way I will probably be able to tell is an increase of pressure on my pelvis.

I have read that really this process can take a few days and the exercises may not be enough for baby to turn. Spontaneous rotation to the anterior position occurs in 90% of cases so there is hope it's just that labour may take a while to get started.

We already feel like we're overdue!

So I've been doing some stern talking to our child saying that it really would help everyone concerned if he/she made the move into the right position. Prayer is also figuring in here quite a bit. We know that God has the perfect hour ordained for the arrival of our child but we can still do all that we can to make that arrival a little smoother. I for one do not wish to endure a drawn out painful labour.

So wait with us. Perhaps we will be waiting until the 5th after all.

Week 39

2007-06-28T07:55:00.000Z

Well I've just done a count and so far BOY entries outnumber GIRLs by 13 - 5!

Another day dawns and it's a beautiful one today. The sun has decided to shine so I have decided to get some washing done before the rain sets in. Hopefully it will stay away altogether though.

I got Ryan to pump up the Swiss ball last night because it was getting a bit soft - must mean I'm getting a bit heavy!

I've found the Swiss ball quite comfy to use. A girl from work recommended I get one to bounce about on during these last few weeks before the birth. During pregnancy it is recommended because it helps promote pelvic mobility through swaying, circling and rocking movements which also encourages the baby to move into the optimal position for birth (that's what we want!)

Swiss balls, or birthing balls as they call them at the hospital are commonly used during labour these days too. Whether you have it on the bed or on the floor it has proved useful in finding comfortable positions. This then encourages relaxation and mobility of the pelvis to facilitate the descent of the baby. Sitting on the ball supports you in a good, upright position for birth, with the pelvis open. Tilting forward or leaning over the ball whilst kneeling helps to relieve backache and allows massage of the lower back - that's where Ryan comes in!

So we've got this one here at home so that when I/we do go into labour we can hopefully find those nice relaxing, pelvic opening positions!

We recently purchased the essential nappy bucket!
Not much point having the cloth nappies if you can't soak them. I was thinking the other day that I had better take to the whole cloth nappy thing well. It is going to be a bit of a task but at the end of the day it is helping make this world a better place for our little one. Advice given by the midwife at the hospital antenatal class was to start using them asap. While in hospital they use disposables and so she recommended getting started with the cloth nappies as soon as we get home otherwise we might be inclined to not be bothered.

Right well I've done enough bouncing and enough looking at this computer screen. Time for a walk. Ryan and I went for about a 45min walk last night at about 7:30pm when the sun finally decided to come out and the rain had stopped. I felt really good getting the blood flowing a little more. I'm keen for another dose so I'm off. And if it brings on labour....

OH WELL

QUE SERA SERA!!

38 Weeks + 5

2007-06-26T16:39:00.000Z

I'm this BIG!

Right well I've been a bit slack for the last couple of weeks. Not exactly sure what I've been doing to be honest. There is an abundance of time now to do such things as blogging. And I must say it is nice to get emails asking me what's up because the blog hasn't been updated lately.

So firstly Week 38 started off with a rather big event...

I turned 25!!! I made it to a quarter century! YAY!

This is kinda significant for me when it comes to the impending parenthood. Sometime ago after entering my 'adult years', (some would question whether I actually have reached these in maturity but that's another blog - probably one my husband would enjoy writing) -anyway I digress..... Sometime ago I decided that I really would like to be a mum by the time I was 25yrs old. I'd decided that firstly by this time I would have met 'Mr Right', secondly that my body would be in good shape and in near peak condition to take on pregnancy and thirdly that I would have had a chance to work for a couple of years and decide whether I really did want to have children at 25.

So as it turned out I did find Mr Right - or did he find me? and in due course we decided that we'd quite like to spend the rest of our lives together. I was 22 going on 23 when we got married - best thing I ever did!

I've done my best to keep in shape. Ryan has definitely helped keep me motivated with this department. I definitely still struggle with it but have realised that as he says I have to want to do it for myself and find something I enjoy doing. Despite wanting to look in shape for him I need to find the motivation in me.

In the work department I think to be fair and honest I'm not quite where I wanted to be. I would have liked to have done some further study perhaps started on a masters. I had the opportunity to do so in NZ but then we decided that we both were keen as anything to explore the world and there's plenty of years to study but in terms of doing some travelling on our own there weren't so many years available.

So I found myself thinking about these things the day I turned 25 and came away quite happy with where I'm at in life and stoked that this baby is on the way.

We will be able to climb mountains together, bike mountain tracks, run, perhaps even enter some races, hang out, travel and hopefully be good friends. And then as Ryan and I age hopefully we will have that second wind at enjoying the travel... just the two of us.

So that was Monday.

Tuesday - The much talked about Hospital Bag was made complete with the purchase of nursing bras!!! woohooo! oh how smashing! Actually they're not that bad really. Don't worry I'm not going to go overboard and post pics of them. They're comfy and will do the trick and God and baby willing I will pull off this breastfeeding thing and they will be money well spent.

Thursday - Midwife Appointment. Pretty uneventful really. BP 110/60. Baby still head down, bum up - still active. Baby's heart heard beating that's always nice. I'd had one headache and there was a bit of protein in my urine and so the midwife decided she wanted me to be seen on the weekend. So I was to expect a phone call re that.

That night I had some quite sharp pains and did wonder whether they were contractions. I tried to keep sleeping and did nod off but they eventually disappeared. Good thing I didn't wake Ryan.

Friday - Felt quite noticably uncomfortable today really quite achy so when the midwife rang I just asked her about it. She said that she thought I should go in and see the GP just in case I had an infection. So I got an appointment. Saw the GP who thought it wasn't an infection that i was definitely tender there but thought I should go for further assessment at the Maternity Assessment Unit just in case...

So I came home and told Ryan. It was about 6pm by this stage and having worked in a hospital on an assessment unit I decided we should definitely get some food into us becasue we could have a wait ahead of us. Put the bags in the car and made our way there. It was a bit of a test run for Ryan in the car and I was quite amused by the fact that he managed to take the wrong round-a-bout. But to be fair he was probably on auto pilot a bit from many days picking me up from work. We would have got there eventually.

At the assessment unit they hooked me up to a monitor and I had a button I was to press whenever I felt the baby's movements. Sat there for about 30mins with that going, pondering what (if anything) may be going on within this body of mine. The midwife came and had a look at the reading and asked if I had any pain - I didn't. She said "because you are having contractions" - "oh" I had noticed tightening but I guess I relate contractions with a little more discomfort than what I was experiencing. She took my observations - all fine. Then after a bit more of a wait the Doctor came and saw me and decided to examine me. This to her surprise and ours revealed that I was 100% effaced (= the cervix had flattened right out) and 1cm dilated. She said she could feel the baby's head very low.

Wow! So that was exciting but what exactly did it mean? Well both the doc and the midwife seemed to think that we would be back on the labour suite in the very near future like that weekend!!!!

FAR OUT!!! We're having a baby!!!! We bounced our little excited selves out of there and went home to prepare for this big arrival.... sometime soon.....

As you can see it is now TUESDAY NIGHT! That's a whole 4 days since we were at the hospital and absolutely nothing has happened!! I wish that they hadn't said anything now. I had already started to feel like I was in 'waiting' mode and the last few days have been even more so. So I'm trying to just switch off and go back to thinking that we're heading for the 5th July - although I do hope that it's not going to be that long.

We're almost up to Week 39 and so unless our bugalugs does arrive I won't have much to report between now and when the midwife is coming to visit this friday.

Keep the entries coming in for gender, arrival date and birth weight it is keeping me amused.

Week 37

2007-06-14T10:31:00.000Z

Ok so I know that this is a bit late but there you go I'm a busy non working woman now.. I don't have time to update my blog!

So this is a side on pic from week 37 over a week ago now.

My belly is certainly big!

No changes noticed really. I keep up the belly rubbing keeping it moisturised in the hope of keeping stretch marks at bay. There are some showing round my belly bottun now as it all gets stretched out that little bit more.

Friday 15th - Met the other women from Ante-natal group. We thought only one of them had had her baby but then Michelle turned up with her baby boy! He was born on the 9th but not due till the 26th June! So he was pretty small. I think about 6lb 30z. So so so cute and the little precious slept for the three hours we were there. The difference was incredible between him and the other baby who was now three weeks old and weighing around 8lb. There's a big difference between 6 and 8lb!

We all met at 2:30pm at a local cafe and I didn't expect that we'd be there long with the tired new mums and babies but we didn't really have a choice in the end and didn't leave till 5:30pm because the weather was so aweful.

There was torrential downpour after downpour, thunder and lightening, the streets started flooding and there was just no way we were going out in that rain. Especially the mums with with babes and prams to get into cars that were a little walk away in the local carpark. So it was a great excuse for more coffee and chats.

I've got to say that there's nothing better than hearing first hand experience when it comes to labour. Some people tell you not to listen because every labour is different but I know this and it was just nice to have others to ask about all the little questions that had been floating round in our heads. Hearing what it was like when labour kciked off etc. Both mums babes and dads were home within 6 hrs of giving birth which i think was fab. I think we will do that if I'm comfortable with breastfeeding.

They both seemed to be doing really well which was great to see.

So now as we've reached 37 weeks this pregnancy is considered Full Term! Wooohooo that means this little one is ready enough to handle life outside the womb. So when ever you're ready bubs ...

According to Baby Centre - a great source of knowlegde the baby probably weighs a little over 6 pounds at this point and measures between 19 and 20 inches, head to heel.

GREAT! sounds like a good time to exit!

So what's the verdict?

2007-06-13T15:50:00.000Z

When will I arrive and how much will I weigh?

Place your bids today for the chance to win

an all expenses self paid trip to Nottingham England

Staying at the exclusive Monastra Resort!

To enter this competition email us or leave a comment.

Winner will be announced on PLUS ONE post baby arrival.

Lady of Leisure

2007-06-13T12:53:00.000Z

Well at least for a time anyway!

Today I got my first sleep in for a while. Lately even on the weekends we've had to get up to get some things done. It felt so good to not be woken by my alarm clock at 5:45am. Although I did get up three times last night. Up until now I've been quite proud of my bladder for holding out but last night i was up at 2:30am, 4:30am and 6:30am! What's with that! Perhaps I was well hydrated after all.

My last day at work was fairly busy but we found time to nibble on some morning tea treats together. I was due to finish at 1:30pm so took a late lunch break. A couple of my colleagues had already given me/baby/Ryan gifts that morning and so I was totally blown away when, while on my lunch break, they appeared with this!

A huge basket, over flowing with loads of goodies! Outfits, soft toys, creams, wipes, smells, nappies, knitted cardigans and jumpers. Because it was so full I only skimmed the surface of it while I was at work. I thought it would be nice to go through it together with Ryan once we were home.

Our baby has so many clothes now! Thankfully most of the outfits from work peeps are for 3-6mths and beyond so will last the distance. I have heard so many tales of babies getting the most gorgeous clothes and not even wearing them because they're either born too big in the first place or they grow so fast that they don't have time to wear them. With bubs being born in summer and with a trip to Italy and Croatia scheduled I'm not sure our little one is going to be wearing much clothing.

Needless to say the generosity of others continues to overwhelm us.

So for my first day as a lady of leisure I have done the following:

Got up at 1030am

Washed, showered and breakfasted.

Walked to hair dresser and enjoyed a nice hair wash and cut care of Emma who was somewhat surprised at how much I had grown since she had last seen me. Truth be told it had been a good three months and a lot happens in that time!

Wandered to Boots and had a browse - bought some steriliser sachets for the bottles that we have kindly donated with bottle wash kit by Diane and Ron. After that I stopped in at a health shop and picked up some raspberry leaf tea - I'm allowed to drink it now to get the uterus in shape. It's quite safe from 36 weeks onward.

I stopped in at Ryan's work briefly but didn't see the man himself. Continued to wander home.

Made it home. Sat down, had a drink.

Been blogging and playing with photos for a few hours.

Went for another wander to meet Ryan to deliver some paperwork he needed.

And now I'm back home, have had some lunch and am about to depart again to go and collect our car from the garage. Hopefully this will be the last time it is there for a while. We've had to get a few things fixed but the guy seems to think it will last us a while longer yet. Here's hoping!

Once I've collected the car I will come home and have a lie down on the new comfy sofa - a great investment!

As for tomorrow.... I have no plans. I'm thinking book + sun = relaxing day.

Until then.

Big loves from me and the 'bucking bumpo' - the latest name for our child (care of it's papa)whose favourite pass time appears to be kickboxing - 20 points for the ribs, 10 for organs and 5 for anywhere that gets mum squirming!

Hospital Bag/ Labour Bag/ THE BAG!

2007-06-07T18:28:00.000Z

My boss was the first to ask and since then there has been a string of people - actually that's not true just my mum!- who have asked have you packed THE BAG yet?

The short answer - Nope.

I'm not putting it off as such, it's just one of those 'get round to it' jobs. I have started but according to this list I've found online it's far from complete. Mainly because I need to buy a few things and secondly because I'm still using some of the things I want to take

Labour bag

A clean T-shirt or front-opening nightie, dressing gown and slippers - plus bed socks if you have a tendency to get cold feet
Drinks and snacks for you and whoever's going to be with you
A small facial sponge, for dabbing and sucking on
Body oil, fine talcum powder or lotion for back rubs
Music tapes/CDs and a battery-operated player
A hairband and brush, soap, towel and flannel, toothbrush and paste, other toiletries as desired
Maternity pads (night-time sanitary pads will do) and knickers
Keep a water spray in the fridge until you leave for hospital. It's great for gentle cool-downs during labour.
You might also want to take a camera or camcorder. Check with the hospital first, as some units don't allow filming.

Hospital bag
A front-opening nightie (easier for breastfeeding)
Comfy clothes (such as a tracksuit and T-shirts)
Sandals or easy-fitting footwear
Nickers and maternity pads for heavy bleeding after birth
Nursing bras (at least two, as you can get sweaty in hospital and if your milk comes early your bra may get wet)
Towels (take one or two - your partner can bring in extras if you're required to stay longer)
Toiletries and cosmetics
Breast pads (to absorb leaks of colostrum and milk)
Phone card/coins (you can't use mobile phones in hospital)
Magazines and books
Writing materials
Personal music player/radio
Biscuits and snacks
Favourite breakfast cereal
Favourite tea bags
Fruit juice/mineral water
Nightie and nappies for the baby

Fairly extensive isn't it! Exhausting just looking at it! Any suggestions of things of things to add or things on the list to just totally disregard are welcome.

I will get round to it very soon. One more full day of work and two half days and then me and the hospital bag will get intimate and make ourselves best friends.

Right now though... time for bed. Along with a packed Hospital bag I need all the sleep I can get.

"Pregnancy suits you"

2007-06-07T16:45:00.000Z

Well those are the words of the midwife today... and I don't think I would disagree with her.

I have had and am having a wonderful pregnancy. It started off well and has gotten better as the months have gone by and now this journey is almost over. I have wondered if, what many women have said to me is true - "you grieve for your pregnancy". Such a concept seemed all a bit strange to me initially but now I think maybe I understand how it can be so. Pregnancy after all is a very intimate process. As the body undergoes physical changes like it never has before the mind is also thrown into a spin of thoughts and questions. The emotions are mostly stable but certainly resemble the motion of a yo yo at times - full credit and a certificate of achievement to Ryan for so graciously living through what mood swings I have had. And then once the movement starts you really start to realise that there really IS a body in there. You are not only looking after yourself but you are the lifeline to another person.

The child within me is relying on me for everything it needs to live. From hormonal balance, to nourishment for growth I am provider and deliverer and some days it is somehow easy to forget that.

I hope our baby has enjoyed the journey from within. I hope bubs hasn't minded my singing, my talking, my groaning, my poking and prodding.

Today as we waited in the reception area at the doctors there was another pregnant woman there looking radiant and enjoying the company of her toddler, and there was a mum who arrived with what looked like a fairly new baby. And I couldn't help but think how truly beautiful new life is. The whole room felt as though it was drawn into the wonder and awe of it. We all gazed at this little one, distracted from our conversations because new life really is just SO MAGICAL! MYSTICAL! WONDERFUL!

And I couldn't help but think of you baby. I couldn't help but wonder what you will look like and the way in which you will so easily mesmerise us. I couldn't help but look at Ryan, your wonderful papa and think how more than grateful I am to God for the gift that he is and this journey we're sharing together.

Four weeks from today we hope to meet you in the flesh. Four weeks from today.... WOW.

Today's Visit
BP 127/80 - that's because we power walked there! My legs simply do not move as fast as they used to no matter how much I want them to. And although I refuse to admit that I'm waddling, when I try to speed up I certainly feel awkward.

Fundal height: 34cm - should be 36cm but the midwife isn't too worried. If it's still behind at the visit in two weeks then they may send us for a scan. It's likely that we're just having a little baby.

Relation to Brim: 4/5 = the top part of the head is in the pelvis.

Still head down: Don't I know it! Can feel bubs' little butt up by my ribs on the right and feet and heels getting well aquainted with the left side of my abdomen!

Baby's heart heard loud and clear.

Bloods taken to check my iron levels - fairly sure I'm not anaemic.

Next check up: 21st June.

Well Ain't It Good to Know that You've Got a Friend

2007-05-27T12:39:00.000Z

I would like to introduce you to our good friend Rebecca aka BEX.

Isn't she a beauty!

Ryan and I have known Bex for... well quite a while now. I think I met her about 7 years ago and Ry got to know her a little later.

She has been one of my best friends, confidants, personal entertainer and bridesmaid (the pic is from a fitting session before our wedding).

Expecting our first baby and being on the other side of the world from all our family and close support people has been a source of anxiety for some people over the last few months. I think I had just been psyching myself up for Ryan and I 'going it alone' (in terms of not having those close family supports here) Ryan on the other hand was quietly worried about me being at home alone. As he is self-employed it is quite tricky for him to take time off around the due date (especially as bubs could be early or up to 14days late). He's already taking 3 weeks off in Aug when our mums are here (HAVE I EVEN MENTIONED THE FACT THAT OUR MUM'S ARE COMING!!!).

So Ryan was worrying, as were our parents, and I was just blissfully unaware!

And that was when God decided to insert Bex into the picture. She has just completed a stint in Norway with a group called Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and actually visited us with two others and spent Christmas with us last year. She has decided that Norway, and the opportunity to share God's love through the mission of YWAM, is calling again and so she will soon be heading back there.

To our delight she is going to bypass Nottingham for a little over two weeks to stay with us!

She arrives on our due date (5th July) and will leave for Norway around the 24th. Our good friend is truly an answer to prayer. Not only do we love Bex like a sister, she is one of the most fun loving people I know. She's fab with children - before she went to Norway she was helping our friends Ruth and Brendon as they had just added twin boys to their family. And before that she worked with autistic children. So I will feel completely safe leaving her with our new baby and going shopping. haha not! We'll all go shopping! Oh and did I mention she's a great cook!! I'm going to request she bake her secret-recipe-chocolate-cake every week!

So a big THANKS to the Big G for sending Bex our way. We will be forever grateful.

Can't wait to see you Bex! 38 days to go!

(oh my goodness! that means 38 days till we're due! ahhhhhh! and at the same time YIPPEEE!)

34 Weeks

2007-05-27T11:49:00.000Z

Well the baby bump continues to grow as per pregnancy guidelines.

We had an appointment with the midwife this week and so got to meet another cheery part of the community midwife team. So far we're delighted with the midwives here in Arnold, they've been bubbly and fab. Thank you God!

So results from that appointment

Weight: 74kg (that's 11kg deposited since pre-bubs days)

BP: 110/60

Fundal Height: 32cm = where it should be

Positioning: head down

Baby heart rate: Strong as an Ox!

Not sure what the actual rate was but it sounded fast enough.

Movement: Lots. I get elbows, heels and I'm guessing other body parts kicking me and pushing into the walls of my abdomen. It can get REALLY uncomfortable.

So all is well, the dream pregnancy continues.

The midwife gave us some info on breastfeeding which is really good so I've had a read of that. At the end of that day despite all the information and picture guidelines it's going to be a case of give it a go and see how you get on. Oh and persist, persist, persist!

This weekend I attended an antenatal class at the hospital we'll be having the baby at. Ryan was away at another soccer tournament so I went it alone. It was a good class and the midwife showed various short clips on video. Two births one of which was a water birth the other just an on the bed job. The whole room cringed as they showed the moment of crowning. It was funny to look around at all the guys faces and see their expressions. I'm sure they were all thinking "man I'm glad that's not going to be me!" and fair enough too. It does not look like the most enjoyable part of giving birth.

We talked through all the pain relief options again and the midwife also discussed varous positions and equipment for use to aide an active birth. I think I will make the mos of the birthing balls and pillows and bean bags. they seem to offer great support. I booked a TENS machine although Ryan may be able to get one. They're 15quid to hire and you pick them up at 38 weeks and return them at equivalent of 42 weeks. The midwife running the show did say that they have had very positive feedback from women who have used TENS. It does need to be used from the beginning in order to be effective and so a lot of mums put it on at home and just having some form of 'pain relief' seems to help keep them at home a little longer. So perhaps we'll give it a go.

Despite all the videos and instruments (for assisted delivery) we were shown I found myself coming away from the day very much at peace about the whole thing. I feel like I'm not placing any pressure on myself for things to go a certain way and I think that helps.

It was kinda strange driving up to the maternity ward and thinking about what the day is going to be like that we're actually going because we're in labour. A few of us joked about how they should get rid of the speed bumps on the roadway leading up to the labour suite entrance because surely you'll be uncomfirtable enough without your nervous husband driving over them at 80 mile/hr!

WORK

I've got 9 full days and two half days to go!

The job I'm doing is getting busier and busier actually and I think I'll be more than ready by the 13th June which is my first day of leave. I came home from work the other day and had a 2.5hr 'nap' it was bliss and I really should do that more often.

I've organised a night out with the girls from work for this weekend. So there's a bunch of us going out to dinner on the 2nd. It is going to be quite strange finishing up work really. Due to the maternty leave option I am taking I will be returning in about 12mths time but a whole year without work is strange to contemplate. I'm sure I will love every minute of it and fill it with all sorts of baby focussed woderful things.

NESTING

I'm not sure if I've hit this phase in pregnancy or not but, despite being tired and just needing to rest at times, I'm finding myself wanting to get the ironing done and cleaning the kitchen, getting washing out, organising baby bits. It hasn't got to an extreme state yet and I've not been on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor. I left that task to my lovely husband =) However I just can't seem to just sit still. There's a little sense of guilt I think at not doing. We're suh a 'doing' couple and so to be just still and chilling out is a little foreign. Although I think I cna slip a little more easily into this than Ryan can.

This week I even got back into the baking and much to my delight made a fab batch of cookies. Ever since we moved ot this new place I have not managed to pull of much decent baking. I was horrified one day to find out that Ryan had taken some slice I'd made to work. Normally I would give him a box to take and share but this batch was not good. Teeth pulling material even. and yet they so politely told me how wonderful it was.

I found this online about Nesting:

The nesting urge in pregnancy is thought to be caused by both biological and emotional factors.

Most females in the animal kingdom experience similar patterns of cleaning and preparation when they are pregnant. From birds to bears, female animals appear to have an intrinsic need to prepare ahead of time for their new arrival. It is believed that females are programmed to experience this nesting instinct in order to ensure that their offspring will be cared for properly after birth. By having your baby’s room ready, all her clothes organized, and her meals planned, you are ensuring that your baby will have the best chance for growth and survival after birth.

The nesting instinct probably also involves emotional components as well. Pregnancy is a time of intense hormonal fluctuations, and these changes can cause you to act in crazy ways! As your hormones settle down in the second trimester, you may feel increasingly energized and excited about your baby’s birth. This can incite many women to begin cleaning, organizing, and planning for their baby’s arrival.

So there you have it. However looking around the house at this present time the whole cleaning part of nesting obviously hasn't been too strong!

Well on that note and while my hubby isn't here I might go clean!

Ciao

Who ate all the pies?

2007-05-20T19:58:00.000Z

Ryan's attempt to mimic my pregnant belly!

Pain Relief

2007-05-17T21:21:00.000Z

So far we have had three antenatal classes. The third class was on pain relief options and so we talked about all the options from entonox, to pethidine, to epidural. I have thought about the different options from time to time and am not really making a firm decision about anything. I have decided that I would like to go through labour as intervention free as possible. I don't think that women who make it through labour without any form of pain relief are any more special or stronger (though in some cases I guess they are) than those that have all that is on offer. Despite this there is this desire in me to make it through as naturally as possible.

I'm not too keen on an epidural I think primarily because I don't really want a catheter and I don't think I want to have no feeling from waste down. And as much as epidurals can help to relax your muscles more this in turn can also mean you can add an hour to labour... eek! Isn't it long enough already? Having never had any opioids before I don't know how I'll take to pethidine. It might be nice for getting a little shut eye but I don't want to be totally out of it either.

So my plan...

Entonox - gas and air is pretty tame and can work wonders.

Ryan - my right had man and I will certainly take advantage of his smooth loving hands and get rubs downs.

Water - birthing pool if available (but not to give birth in or just hot shower. Bath while at home

Breathing - kinda essential anyway but I will endeavour to make it effective.

Having said all this at the end of the day if it gets too much I'll go with whatever makes me happy.

I wonder if it will come to this?!

I have however been thinking more lately about the role of prayer in labour. Having our baby is going to be one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. God has blessed us with this opportunity and there is not doubt that He will be with us (and already is) from that first contraction through to greeting our little bundle. God has never said that life was made to be cruisey and so I don't expect labour to be pain free but I do think that if I focus on Him then maybe I will feel His abundant love over the worst of the pain.

Emotions

2007-05-17T20:44:00.000Z

I will quite happily admit (and Ryan will quite happily testify)to the fact that even before pregnancy I would be one to cry pretty easily. Plant me in front of a touching movie and I'll quietly hide the tears and try to cover up the quivering lip.

Pregnancy does seem to make this 'condition' even worse though. I haven't quite got to the point where adverts on t.v are making me cry but I am crying easily. Maybe the most pathetic is still to come!

I have found 'Baby Zone' on televsion. Care of cable I can watch three hours of baby programs one after the other! They follow women through the final stages of pregnancy and childbirth. Anyway the other day I burst into tears as I watched a father cry himself as he held his child for the first time. The emotion from such an event just oozes in goodness and joy and we can't wait to experience it. I think I will cry and if it's not from pain it will be from the shear joy, wonder and awe of putting a face to the name; of seeing the legs - no matter how long and skinny they are - that have been kicking me. I can't wait to have that baby smell filling the house - the nice ones!

Other than that I think I've been fairly mentally stable throughout. Ryan would describe me as 'Mostly stable'. I'm happy with that. I've had the usual bouts of irritability but then everyone has those every now and then. I did get a bit owrried the other day about what type of person I'm going to turn into during labour. On one of the forementioned programs I watch a wife snap at her husband for doing his best to sooth her with a cool flannel on her forehead. I don't want to turn into a horrible person in what should be the most incredible experience of ones life. When the male must feel so hopeless as it is it just doesn't seem fair to get snappy and horrible like that. I can but try. Ryan can report later on how it all goes.

So that's it on emotions. For good measure there is the odd bout of homesickness that still likes to show it's face but that hits both of us. Somedays we're ready to just buy a ticket and wing our way back to Aotearoa but that is just not going to happen at this point. Besides just as the midwife talked about how contractions are a series of peaks and troughs so are those grey feelings of homesickness and they pass.

33 Weeks down ... 7 to go.

2007-05-17T18:17:00.000Z

WHAT's GOING ON WITHIN:

Baby is inhaling amniotic fluid to exercise his or her lungs.

Some babies have full heads of hair by now; others have only a bit of fuzz. Ryan's not sure but I don't think I was born with a full head of hair. Either way my conclusion is that it will be cute. No not just cute but VERY cute!

Your baby has a normal waking and sleeping pattern. Many times, your movement throughout the day will lull him or her to sleep; while you are inactive at night, it is a chance for him or her to be awake and active. You got that right! Far out! I think our baby is starting to enjoy a lot more awake time. Today at work I had numerous kicks that literally make me jump and this evening eating dinner mouthfuls were taken in the breaks between a kick under the ribs, perhaps a heel in one side and a punch on the other. Joy of joys. One thing is for certain, you baby have limbs that are working just fine. I hope your mind is just as active.

Your baby can listen, feel, and see. Excellent. Despite this, the child does not always understand. Like when I put on a nice but slightly stern voice and ask politely not to be elbowed/kneed/or kicked in 'that spot'.

I should do some more singing to the little one. Pick out my favourite tunes and hope he/she likes them as much as I do so that I can use them postpartum for that soothing effect.

The pupils of the eye can detect light and constrict and dilate. All the better to see us with my dear.

Your baby's lungs are almost completely matured. In other words: 'Ready to scream the house down' NOT!

Fat will continue to be deposited on your baby's body for protection and warmth. At our last midwife appointment - which i don't think I've mentioned - the midwife said our baby has long legs and needs to put on some weight. So fat deposits, Go For Gold! But remember it's summer soon and bubs will be fine with just a little less than requirements.

Your baby's skin color turns from red to pink. And if this baby is anything like his/her daddy - to brown with a little bit of sunshine.

By week 33 of pregnancy, you will have gained between 10 and 12 kilos from your pre-pregnancy weight. I neither confirm nor deny. Was too busy at work today to check my weight (no scales at home)
Your belly button may "pop" anytime from here on out. I just don't have much of a belly button any more now. It's flat. Maybe yet to pop.

Other symptoms of late pregnancy you may be experiencing:
Excessive tiredness I wouldn't say excessive but I did enjoy a two hour sleep this afternoon and am certainly all the more tired these days.

Confessions from the husband: Ryan confessed this week to being kept awake by yours truly. Apparently I am breathing rather heavily these days and it's enough to wake him. The cramps I wake up with also wake him. As I roll around groaning in pain and as my calf seizes causing intense pain his sleep it disrupted. So sorry honey.

I tell him that all these disturbances are for his own good because pretty soon it will be the sound of a whimpering/ screaming child that will be waking him rather that of his groaning, heavy breathing, tossing and turning whale-like wife. hehe

We both gave each other a bit of a horrified look as, at our antenatal class, the midwife mentioned how we would be getting by on 4hrs sleep soon. Poor Ry. I hope he's going to be able to function OK at work.

Braxton Hicks Contractions Nope don't think so

Pelvic aches (from the pressure of your baby). Yip

You may have strangely vivid dreams. Yeah I have been dreaming quite a lot lately and mostly they are pregnancy related.

Love your daddy.

2007-04-30T18:59:00.000Z

Cos he gives mummy nice massages.

Massage = relaxed mummy
Relaxed mummy = happy mummy
Happy mummy = the best thing for baby and for daddy

This is the one of many many reasons why you baby will love your daddy.

I popped into Ryan's work after I finished work today and he kindly filled his 20 minute break by giving me a back massage. Luxury! The first I've had while pregnant and it was fab. I walked home from there feeling a little looser a little lighter and a little happier.

Perhaps tonight I will have a nice relaxing bath too! Or maybe I'll leave that till Wednesday so as to spread out the luxury indulgences. On a recent trip to a place called Matlock we bought a bunch of bath bombs to use as time goes on and the comfort of a nice warm bath is simply fabulous.

Psalm 139

2007-04-29T21:46:00.000Z

For you created my inmost
being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from
you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in
the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your
thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

A Spot of Shopping

2007-04-29T17:55:00.000Z

Well we figured this weekend that while we had the time we would buy a few more of the essential items required for when the little one - who is accumulating a LOT of stuff - arrives.

Ry has picked up some extra weekend work which means he and possibly I will be away for 3 out of four weekends in May and seeing as we just don't know when our baby will decide it's time to move on from my womb it pays to be prepared huh. So we can now safely bring bubs home and have nappies to cover his/her cute little bott.

So here's the car seat we opted for. Concord Ultimax - sounds impressive eh? And well it is. Safety features are good and bubs will be snug as a bug in this seat. Instead of a dinky car seat, which may be slightly more practical in that you can remove them from the car and, in some cases, attach them onto a pram , we opted for one with a long term vision. This one is suitable for newborns to 4yrs. It also has another insert for a snugger fit for a baby (not shown in picture). The covers come off and are washable. The seat has different angles for rear facing and front facing with a flatter angle for when you've got a baby strapped in. We had the demonstration at the store of how to fit it and so hopefully when the time comes we can manage that again ourselves.

Next for another essential item. Nappies. It wasn't a hard decision at all to go with washable nappies. With growing concern for the environment in which we live and what the future is looking like for our children I figure that we really need to do all we can to not add to the destruction.

The NZ Green party has some pretty interesting facts:

It takes one full cup of CRUDE OIL (!) to make the plastic for each "disposable" nappy. SCARY!!

1.3 million trees a year are felled for NZ babies in disposable nappies. Disposable nappies use 3.5 times more energy, 8 times more non-renewable raw materials, 90 times more renewable materials than reusable nappies. We already need to plant a few (hundred!) trees for the carbon emissions we have contributed to flying to and fro between UK and NZ.

It takes as much energy to produce one disposable nappy as it does to wash a cloth nappy 200 times. Must remember this on the days when I really can't be bothered doing the washing.

Disposable nappies take up to 500 years to decompose in landfill sites and can harbour up to 100 different types of virus, including live polio virus from vaccines. Hmm not good.

I'm not sure if I've even mentioned the fact that we're booked to go on a bit of a holiday end of August when our bubs is 2mths old. We've had mixed comments from people about this. Some think we're crazy others say "Go for it!" we just listen to the latter. Anyway we're really excited about this trip. We're heading to Croatia and Italy and will be joined by our mothers which is going to make it all the more special.

I think it's going to be great to do some travelling so soon and to introduce our child to the joy of travel at such a young age. Also to show that it can be done and probably that to do it so soon is the best option. We met a couple on a recent trip to Sardinia and they had a 4mth old who had been to 20 different destinations since birth! Inspiration!

So anyway to ease travel and in the hope that our child will sleep well when we travel we decided to buy this travel cot. It's like those kiddie tents that fold up tight and spring out. Comes with a good mattress and mosquito net. Best thing is it weighs less than 1kg and so won't take up too much of our luggage allowance. I can't believe they even call those solid cots 'travel cots' they don't seem very portable to me. We' will put bubs in it a few times before we go so she/ he gets used to the feel and smell of it so that it's familiar enough that bubs will want to sleep in it when we're away. That's the plan anyway...

And there you have it. Hopefully the last of the big spending on this little being. It's been fun and there's plenty more fun to be had.

XO Mez

30 Weeks Pregnant only 10 to go!... perhaps

2007-04-28T07:28:00.000Z

Well baby... here we find ourselves at the 30 week mark. Well done us huh! We've been having such a blessed journey. I've enjoyed most of it so far and I take it, by all your grooving around in there, that you're pretty happy too. Or perhaps you've actually had enough and are trying to break out! Not just yet babe you've got a little more growing to do. We don't wanna be stuck in hospital for too long when you arrive. Despite my working in one I don't wanna hang out there more than I need to and neither will you.

I feel like you've been doing some growing over the last week or so. I have no idea which way up or down you are lying but you feel a little heavier and strangely (close your eyes if you don't want too much detail) I seem to be able to pee more! Not more often but greater amounts. Very grateful for the not so frequent trips to the loo. So if you've done that for me thanks!

Tiredness is still my not so friendly friend at the moment. Can't get enough sleep. I think that you're trying to tell me just to rest a little. Sometimes getting home from work and feel like there's things that need doing for the day and then to get dinner ready. In reality a lot of these things aren't essential and I need to at least slot in time to get horizontal and chill.

I managed to do just that the other afternoon and as I lay quietly you baby decided to show me your latest gym routine! Far out! Never seen my belly move so much! You were rolling all over the place. I couldn't help but smile. You are a little wonder in there, a miracle of creation, you are a child of God, here for a reason and a purpose. So far it seems that your sole purpose is to make me and Ryan smile and stare. To make us ponder our lives and the choices we're making now, that will affect your future.

This parent stuff isn't easy and you're not even here yet! The last week has left us discussing a variety of things and trying to work out a bit of a plan for the future. Any ideas? Where to live? Where to work? This side of the world or the other? We're at that place again of reassessing our lives and with what purpose we are living them.

So photos of my 30 week pregnant belly
Fundus height is 26cm which is about right for this stage.

ANTENATAL CLASSES

2007-04-21T10:28:00.000Z

You won't believe what a mission it has been to find a class to join before our child is born!

NOTE TO ALL EXPECTANT MOTHERS: Do NOT leave it too late to book yourselves in!

We'd just totally overlooked it with March being such a busy month and so when last week I realised that it really needed to be done I found out that there were hardly any slots available. The free sessions run by the NHS were full. The ones run by the National Childbirth Trust were all full with the next one we could go to not till mid June which is a little late when our baby could really turn up any day by that stage.

So I've search around and have found a few run by independent midwives and I'm going to book us in today to one. It's just a tad expensive but I've got to the point where I don't really care. At the end of the day I want to be informed as much as I can and I would like the opportunity to meet others also expecting and perhaps form some friendships and a bit more of a support network than we currently have.

This www.meandmybaby.org.uk is the website of the classes we will be taking as of the 1st May. Every Tuesday night from 6pm-8pm.

So we'll look forward to those. And I'll be at peace that by June we'll be all clued up on the whole process in case bubs decides to make an early appearance.

YAY!

29 Weeks

2007-04-19T05:21:00.000Z

Another week rolls on by.

We went to see the new midwife on Tuesday but ended up getting a stand-in as the midwife was at a meeting. We didn't mind too much. The change of midwife came about due to our recent house move. We've had to change GPs and so changing midwife seemed the best option especially for follow-up. To be honest we were quite happy for the change. Our last midwife wasn't exactly energising. I felt she never paid much attention to Ryan in the process and I guess had got so used to being a midwife and involved in the new life process that she had become a bit numbed to the beauty and excitement of it all.

Ryan: Actually that is probably generous. She was crap. Crap interpersonal skills. Crap at making eye contact. Crap at asking any useful questions at all, like "how are you feeling?" Crap at giving us any semblance at all that she actually gave a shit... which clearly she didn't.

That comes across as really harsh but I guess she just wasn't the right person for us. We have no guarantee that our new midwife will be what we need but I hope she is. Certainly the stand-in we had on Tuesday was totally refreshing and I was grateful for the warm way in which she interacted with BOTH of us.

It was a fairly simple and straight forward appointment really. Measurements all appear to be normal. I had some blood taken to check my blood type and for any antibodies. Also to check my Hb to make sure that I'm not anaemic - which I don't think I am.

Next appointment is in three weeks time and then we will get to meet the new midwife. As it is, in the UK, the midwife you have antenatally does not deliver your baby also. She does see you post natal though. During labour we will just be dealing with the midwives at the hospital. Speaking if which this is the labour suite where our bubs will be born. It doesn't look that impressive actually, but I've seen some of it and it's not too bad. At the end of the day as long as it's clean we probably won't notice much else about it when it comes to being admitted.

So how am I feeling...

Well the belly is growing and I am starting to notice the restrictions just that much more.

"It's only when the rigidity of advanced pregnancy sets in that you appreciate fully how useful it was to be able to bend at the waist"

- Audrey Hull -

Isn't that the TRUTH! I'm now realising how uncomfortable and at time difficult simply putting ones socks on can be! So far I have only had to enlist the help of my beloved once.

Sleep: Not the best at the moment. But we'll get there. After work on Friday I had a few things I could have gone and done but then I decided that really what my body was asking for was just to rest. So I got comfy on the couch and closed my eyes for a little and then watched a bit of telly. I didn't prepare any dinner either which perhaps i should of because then Ryan got home at 8pm and had to make some. I just need to make sure I find that balance between resting and not becoming blobby or lazy. I don't expect Ry to wait on me hand and foot. I'm not sick. Far from it in fact! I'm more full of life than I've ever been!

Exercise: Last weekend we went and bought a soccer ball, Frisbee and some swimming togs to accommodate a pregnant belly. So on Wednesday I decided to christen them and went and checked out the local pool. It was great! I loved swimming. It's been quite a while since I've been for a swim actually. I braved the ocean while we were in Atlanta and realised then how much i had missed it. Being pregnant it really is the best option for exercise. It almost made me forget I had a big belly! I did some lane swimming and then made up my own little aqua aerobics exercises. So I'll be back.

I still need to get onto more pelvic floor exercises to strengthen things up in preparation for the big marathon too.

Work: I've now switched to Mon-Fri 7am-3pm until I go on maternity leave on the 13th June. By that stage we will be 37 weeks so the hours are a lot more pregnancy friendly. My manager has been fab at looking after me in this regard. These hours also make it easier to get to Midwife appointments and also to antenatal classes which we will be starting soon!

Food: Getting a little more hungry these last few weeks and am doing my best just to much on more fruit but chocolate and sweet stuff is still so appealing. Ryan had his Easter egg on the bench for a whole week and I tell you it took everything in me to stop myself from finding it a better home!

That's about it really.

I'm going to start doing proper measurements now. So rather that belly circumference I'll record the more significant Fundus height. Starting from next week. At 29 weeks preggers I'm this big.

Ciao

196 days/ 28 weeks/ 7 Months!

2007-04-12T20:50:00.000Z

Woohoo!

We've made it through another month. The baby belly grows, the belly moves, the belly keeps me awake at night, the belly tickles, kicks, rolls. this baby in my belly is someone special. I still love this baby despite the kicks in the middle of the night when I really would quite like some sleep. After all this is how it works. We're the parents, bubs is the child. By nature of that relationship we need to learn to give more. To give, and give and give some more even if all we receive is a kick in the ribs.

What I'm feeling tonight is tiredness and it kinda scares me that this is nothing compared to the tiredness we're in for come July. Then we will be able to understand what that word really means. But I have this sense that... some days at least... it's a tiredness that you gotta love. Just as when this baby starts rolling around when I'm tucking myself in for the night and starts tickling me under the ribs. I giggle a little as more than the discomfort I relish in how utterly fantastic it is and more to the point what an amazing blessing it is to bare this child. To carry this child.

WARNING THE FOLLOWING PHOTO MIGHT BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS!

But really it's quite beautiful...

So the weight gain over the last month now sees me weighing in at 72 kg.

Mount Mini MeznMo measure a whopping 101cm

We got right into the swing of this baby business when we got back from our holiday. It was time to do a bit of shopping so we got to and we bought our precious bubs his/her cot and also a handy change table. They were a DIY job so 'someone' needed to put them together. That someone wasn't going to be me because it has been proved time and time again (apparently..) that I'm no good at following instructions and getting it right so that left.... hmmm... RYAN.

He politely asked me:
"Now Mez did you want me to put these together now or do you wanna wait for another day?"
HA! Too cute!

So in true male fashion he got to with his nails, hammer, screw driver and other boy tools and managed to follow the instructions himself and produce the following!

Check out that beaming smile! One happy boy right there!

So there you have it.

Magic!

Loving this journey.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

If I know what love is, it is because of you. - Herman Hesse

Travel with a growing bump

2007-04-09T20:18:00.000Z

Hey ya'll

Feels like ages since I've made any entries on here but in reality it probably hasn't. Which makes me wonder how fast the next few months will actually pass by. Will they actually disappear in no time or will it just feel that way and in reality be a fair while until we welcome our new addition.

This new addition has got a few names I realised that I hadn't mentioned any. Not talking real names. That one is a secret (although we do have one picked out). These are names that we give our baby or which others have.

Bubs
Real name + 'ster' on the end. EG Mezzster
MiniMo - as in Mini Monastra (not mini Ryan as Ry was known as Mo at uni. Although this child is bound to be like him in one way or another!)
Tike
PomKi/ KiPom (as in combinations of Kiwi + English Pom)
I'm sure there's more but they've slipped my mind.

So anyway we've just got back from a trip to America. We were there for a wedding which was fantastic to be a part of. I wasn't sure how I would find it travelling at 27 weeks pregnant but you know it wasn't that bad.

I did a little research a while back about travel insurance. Travelling in America I wanted to make sure that we would be fully covered should, God forbid, anything happen and I find myself in hospital. I rang a few insurance companies and found that good old Marks & Spensers covers pregnant women up to 30 something weeks. Many I looked at only covered up to 26 weeks. So that all sorted I felt a lot better about travelling that far.

The flights weren't too bad. I was going to take anti-thrombotic stockings to help my circulation while flying but forgot in the end. The 8hr flight from Paris to Atlanta was good cos we had great leg room. Somehow we got upgraded to what seemed like superior class which had just that much more leg room. We hadn't realised at the time that we'd been upgraded and thought Air France was great for having so much space. However on the way home we were in economy and the lack of leg space was immediately noticeable. So not so comfy on the way back which was not so great as we were flying overnight and this was the time to get some sleep.

There was also a little someone who decided that it was time to wake up and do back flips and somersaults and to use mum's abdomen as a punching bag just when she wanted to sleep!! Despite being tired I couldn't help but smile and thank our child for this lesson in selflessness and patience. I am not the centre of the universe and soon there is going to be a little body that is going to want our attention. He/She will not know what time of day it is, or that we're exhausted, or that this is 'quiet time' and that is that. And so I loved our little one through the kicks and punches and tried to get some shut eye.

We had a great time in Atlanta and I managed to keep up with the crowd most of the time. I was most proud of the fact that I didn't need to ask for an extra toilet stops while on the road. I did however use every opportunity to ensure my bladder was empty.

We went on a couple of walks in the woods. On one of the walks I started getting some strong cramps in my pelvic region. I hadn't had these before and so I decided I better stop and have a rest. So I sat and contemplated the beauty of God's creation while Ryan and the other three with me went on just a little further. The cramping went away after my 5 min rest, then returned on the walk back a little but then disappeared. It didn't scare me but was enough to tell me to slow down.

The second feat was this mountain. We all took it pretty slow... well either that or everyone was letting me lead so as not to wear me out. We made it to the chilly top of Stone Mountain and back. Great views and it was fantastic to see the views, get some exercise and breathe in the fresh yet freezing air.

So this is us with Stone Mountain in the background ready to be conquered!

And then minus Ryan (who was taking the pic) with the rest of the crew having made it to the top! Check out that bump! My top only just zips up now.

So that's our last big trip until after bubs is here. I'm glad we did it. Totally achievable at this stage in the pregnancy.

From now on our focus can shift a little more to this little being. Time to prepare for as much as we can for parenthood! AHHH!

More updates tomorrow as we reach 28 weeks.

24 Weeks

2007-03-16T17:58:00.000Z

So week 24 - Wow 6mths!

I find myself excited, I find myself scared and yet at the same time I find myself reassured that we do not travel this road alone. We have each other and we have the Big Man upstairs.

All appears to be going well with the little one. Measurements seem to be on track.
Heartbeat sounds as strong as ever. Movement is everyday and I'm feeling pretty good really.

Only thing that's been a bit of a pain (literally) lately is cramps. I've been getting really nasty calf cramps that often wake me from my sleep. Most likely due to my terrible circulation perhaps also a need for a little more calcium in my diet. So solution is obviously a bit more exercise and getting into the cheese and milk.

My skin continues to get dry really easily and I've had the odd rash or two randomly come out of nowhere only to disappear just as quickly.

I'm feeling hungry a little more I think. My weight has not changed and my 6mth belly measures in this afternoon at 98cm which is about 38.5inch. I'm not going to measure the bust for fear that it may have expanded more!

Apparently by the end of the 24th week bubs is around 10 inches from crown to rump and weigh 2 pounds which is almost 1kg. So tiny. Stay there baby. Grow some more, enjoy the warmth of my womb and join us in the warmth and beauty of Summertime.

I've been thinking about how far away July feels some days and then how incredibly close it is too! Wondering too how big am I going to be by the end of this journey. And how big this baby is going to be that somehow (ok so we know how but lets not go there just yet!) has to find it's way out of me and into this wild and wonderful world.

I've been eyeing up little outfits and although we've yet to buy anything yet I'm really looking forward to it. Once we've moved into our new place this weekend and returned from our trip to the States at the beginning of April we will be able to start the nesting process. Should be fun!

Until next time I will leave you with this little Chinese Proverb to ponder..

"To understand your parents love you must raise children of your own."

You got me thinking

2007-03-16T16:36:00.000Z

I've been thinking about you lots baby. Knowing what gender you are has been wonderful. I love talking to you like I do and just babbling on about this and that. Then it strikes me that you have no idea what I'm talking about.

You've never seen the sunshine that today is lighting up my day.
Or a beautiful sunset as that same day draws to a close.
You've never experienced the beauty of Spring or the bite of Winter.
You've never seen me or your daddy and so you just have to take my word for it when I tell you that he's the hottest daddy around.

I've been thinking about the different ways in which we're going to love you, laugh with you, hug you, nurture you. I can't wait to share our hearts with you and to pray with you and for you.
And then I realise that love is something that we're going to teach you... yet it can't really be taught so we're going to show you. WE will be LOVE to you. I hope that you can feel the warm fuzzies of our love already as we talk about you and look forward to you joining us in July.

Yip baby we're a little scared. We've never cared for something so precious and small like you. We've never had the sole responsibility of teaching you all that we know, of leading you in the way you should live a good life. So all I can promise is that baby we will try.

I found this quote today:

"All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." - Danny Thomas.

I think of all the ways we could be successful in this life. Setting up a business, discovering wealth, completing courses, degrees, masters. And yet really, truly, it all does seems to be insignificant in comparison to the opportunity that we have as the parents of our child. The opportunity to nurture our child, moulding and encouraging him/her in life. Being there in their hard times, celebrating in the good times, going out of our way to show them the true meaning of love. Whether they choose to love us back is irrelevant. When WE choose to love through thick and thin means everything.

I truly believe that the best thing that Ryan and I have to offer our children is the best relationship ever. Not with them but with each other. For them to see the love of a woman and a man, of a wife for her husband and vice versa. I think we should crave those moments when our children say "ewwwwwwww grose!" and leave the room after catching us making out. Not that we should go out of our way to embarrass them but because it's important for us to put our relationship at the forefront of our parenting. To care for each other whole heartedly. To be an example, to have the support and the strength to get through the hard stuff, to remain a lover and best friend.

Ryan is my everything. He is the sunshine in my sometimes cloudy day. He lifts me up when I'm low. He knows me more than anyone. And he loves me more than I could ever have imagined being loved. And as I feel this child move within me I can't help but think of the man I love. I can't help but think of this little life that has been created out of the love that we have for each other and when I do... it simply blows my mind.

Splish Splash Feel Like You're Taking a Bath...

2007-03-13T19:47:00.000Z

...in my expanding womb! Rub dub just kicking my tum...

That's what it's been like this week! Lots of kicking and moving going on in there. It's such a magical thing to feel your child, another person altogether, moving around inside you. Having obvious times of sleep and wakefulness. Saying 'hello' when you least expect it.

This week the major highlight has been Daddy Mo being able to FEEL our Mini Mo! The other night I was chillin out on the couch and could feel bubs moving about and kicking inside so I put my hand on my tummy. Then 'kick' I was sure that I could feel it on the outside as well as within so I got Ry to put his hand on my belly. First of all he couldn't feel a thing and then when bubs kicked again I told him the area he should be feeling it. Nope he didn't think he'd felt anything. Then again the baby kicked harder this time. "There!, There! Ryan did you feel that??!!"
"Hmm maybe I did.." it took a few more kicks or punches from the wee one to get through to dad 'I'm here!'

When he realised he could feel the baby I was so excited I started to giggle. I've been waiting for this moment. For Ryan to finally feel that little bit closer to our little one. To actually FEEL our little one at all. Very special. We sat there for about half an our. Me trying not to laugh so that my abdominal muscles didn't tense up and Ryan trying to feel for those precious movements.

Major highlight in this pregnancy journey.

Today too I was sitting at work listening to one of the research nurses explain to us about a trial they starting and had my arms resting on my belly. Then BAM! I actually jumped myself cos I wasn't expecting it and let out a little squeel. One of my colleagues asked if I was ok and all I could do was giggle and smile and resist interupting the meeting by explaining.

Another Midwifes appointment today. They really are a bit of a non event really. I could do half the stuff myself. Blood pressure and urinalysis to check for glucose in urine - in case of gestational diabetes. Then she measures the fundal height to make sure the uterus is at the height that it should be and that's it. Ryan has come along to each of the appointments but I can see why many women just go on their own. It really is a non event. The best part is hearing the heartbeat each time.

Because we're moving this weekend we will be out of the zone that our Medical Centre covers and so we'll be changing GP's and also midwife. No biggy really. Midwives here that see you antenatally don't actually deliver your baby. That is done by the hospital midwives so the relationship is a little differnt.

This is a picture of us on our recent trip to Sardinia. Can kinda see the expanded belly. Though I tend to get a little bit distracted by that cutie standing next to me!

22 Weeks

2007-03-02T08:48:00.000Z

Boy does time fly!

The last couple of weeks work has got in the way of play a little and so I haven't managed to blog anything about our detailed scan last week.

So THE SCAN!!

I was working that day and so Ryan came and met me at work. I got to introduce him to my workmates which was nice. Then we headed down the long corridors of the hospital to the maternity wing. After my bladder hadn't been idealy full on the last scan I had been determined this time to have it full as full so that they could get the best picture. As a result of my stunning efforts I only just made it to the ultrasound without bursting. Kept telling Ryan to slow down because I felt like any moment my bladder was going to give way! But thankfully we made it and I made it through the scan despite the prodding of the probe.

Jelly on tummy and there's our baby!

Once again a beautiful and amazing experiece to be able to see the little one moving about inside and to see the growth that has occurred over the 9 weeks since our first dating scan.

We saw him/her from back to front, top to bottom, left to right, inside and out. The brain -there! phew! and looking like it was working overtime. The heart with atrium and the ventricles filling and emptying. And even the vavles doing a stupendous job at opening and closing. Absolutely out of this world amazing! The bones were looking nice and strong and the expected size at this point in the development. The sonographer did not mention any sign of big feet or crossed over toes so there's hope for this child yet!

One thing is for sure. If this child carries on the way it's going it will certainly need a physio for a dad! The whole scan he/she was standing on his/her head! looked terribly uncomfortable! And to think that it's only going to get more cramped in there on the insuing weeks. Poor thing. Word of advice to baby: arrive on time not a day late and you can be out of there and have the whole world to float around in!

Nearing to a close there was one piece of information that we hadn't been told and so Ryan asked the question he was so looking forward to the answer of. And so yip we know what this little one is! And it's our little secret (well until we slip up maybe). It was sureal finding out and wonderful. Walking away with big grins on our faces now know and being able to connect with more of who this little person is who will be joining us in 18ish weeks!

(We might post the scan pics but they're not as clear as the first lot.)

Bubs continues to move about which I'm getting used to and it might not be long now until bubs is big enough for us to see the movement on the outside and for Ryan to feel it. That will be very neat.

I'm definitely putting on the weight now. As you will have seen from the last post the belly is there. I'm now 70kg! shoc horror. They say if you're a healthy weight before pregnancy then expect to put on about 11-16kg. So at half way through I've put on 7kg. Hopefully I'll stay at this pace. I do need to get out walking a bit more. Feeling like I walk all day though and so the motivation is hard to find. I get home from a day at the hospital and all I want to do is to lie down especially after long days. But I do need to take care of myself. It's easy to much away on unhealthy snacks so I gotta start favouring the healthy options or I will balloon. I know weight gain is inevitable but it does take a little getting used to when you have always been a stable healthy weight (not that this is an unhealthy weight... but you get what i mean?)

Measurements:
Weight 70kg
Waist 97cm
Bust 95 cm

Right well now it's off for a weekend in the sun... well hopefully anyway. Celebrating our 2nd wedding aniversary in Sardinia. Should be grand.

Blessings to you all.

20 Weeks! HALF WAY!!

2007-02-17T11:08:00.000Z

Wow! We've made it to the half way mark - counting on bubs arriving bang on the due date that is. In a way it doesn't seem like it's taken us long to get here but thinking that there's 20 weeks to go seems a while.

Looking at our calander though there's plenty to keep us occupied between now and then.

Measurements
Waist 93.5
Bust 94.5
Weight 69kg

This coming week we have our detailed scan. The current discussion is whether or not to find out if we're having a boy or a girl. Up until now we'd decided to keep it a surprise. You don't get too many big surprises in life. But Ryan thinks he really would like to know. For the father of the child within there isn't much they're able to do to feel connected to the baby really which makes it hard. Knowing whether it's a boy or a girl gets some sort of connection established and I so I understand where he's coming from. It's not that I don't want to know it just that it will be exciting to find out on the day. But I get to experience lots of other exciting (and not so exciting..) things which make me feel connected with this baby everyday. With our detailed scan I think we're both going to be curiously observing the screen to see for indications of the sex of our baby. I don't think I could settle for Ryan knowing and me not knowing. And there's no way that he would be able to keep it a secret from me for the next 20 weeks! So we'll see... I imagine if we DO find out we won't be able to contain ourselves and will let you all in on the secret.

I feel like we've had a bit of a growth spurt this week. I've been tired again and also had a day at work when I wasn't feeling that flash and was with a patient and started to feel faint and nauseated. BP was fine. But i just wasn't feeling grand at all. Had a little lie down in the staff room but my manager came in and said to go home. I insisted I just needed a rest but she insisted. So I caught a taxi home and put myself to bed. I had a great sleep inbetween the phone ringing. Our home phone doesn't ring often at all and so I've never bothered taking it off the hook. Even when I was doing night shifts but today it kept ringing! A couple of times it was the Real Estate Agent ringing about references as we've found a new two bedroom flat to rent. Another time it was an automated message from some phone company. And two other times I didn't answer it. Despite all this I did manage to get some sleep but still woke feeling very tired and worn out.

There's a couple of pairs of trousers that are definitely tighter too. I had a pair that have been loose on me for a long time and pre baby days I really had to wear a belt with them to keep them up. BUT NOW... I can only just do them up! Can't really afford to be buying new trou at the moment and I'm a bit worried that in the next month I'm going to expand greatly and I don't want to buy clothes and grow out of them in 4-6weeks. Might see if I can find those things that you insert into your trou so you can keep wearing your old pairs for as long as possible.

I can still feel baby moving... infact right this instant! Little tingles erupt and I feel that little movement down there. I'm noticing it most when I'm sitting still or lying on the couch. Pretty cool indeed.

So yeah in light of this litte one joining the scene and in light of the fact that our one bedroom apartment is just not big enough we decided we needed to make a move. Over the last few weeks we've been scanning the paper and the internet for two bedroom furnished flats. It's been a bit of a long search mainly because many of the places had very minimal furnishings. We were willing to buy things like a bed and other furniture if the rent was low enough but most weren't. But good things come to those who wait and we've found a place. Paid the deposit and now we're just waiting for our references to be accepted and for the move in date of 18th March. It's a two bedroom place in another part of town and it's quite nice. Small kitchen, large lounge, conservatory, back yard!, upstairs are two bedrooms and the bathroom. The 2nd bedroom will just fit a single bed but will be perfect for baby. There's various furnishings with the place which is more than we'd found at any of the flats, it's in a nice area and practically right outside the front door there's a huge park which will be wonderful in summer for just lying in the sun! So we're excited about that. It will also be great that it will probably only take us a morning to move rather than a whole day cos we just don't have stuff! This is probably the way to live really. We're looking forward to the change aswell, though there's nothing at all wrong where we currently are. Change = new beginning.

Went for a run this morning with Ryan. He took the long route and I took the short route. And I got to say although it took a little bit to get into the rhythm of things it felt really good to be moving! Been slobbing around for all of winter and my body has missed the exercise. We went for a really nice walk together the other night too so will try and keep that up. It does help that the evenings are getting lighter now and it's not so cold. So here's to health and fitness in pregnancy!

And on that note I'm off to eat some choclate cake!! ha ha

Latest pic for you

19 Weeks and You Move Me!

2007-02-10T11:30:00.000Z

I've either convinced myself or this is in fact the real deal.

I'm sure this baby is moving!!! AND I CAN FEEL IT!!!

All day yesterday at work I kept feeling 'something' down there. I can't describe it. So many people say different things like - "it feels like butterflies" "it's like popcorn popping" "a goldfish swimming around"... They say all these things like you already know what the sensation of a goldfish swimming round i your belly would feel like!!!

So all I'm going to say is that it's pretty amazing. Each time I've felt this baby move it's sent this warm fuzzi through my veins. And I just wanna giggle at how utterly cool it is that this baby is having a good ol' time floating around in there!

The whole pregnancy experience is still a little surreal to be honest. The belly is growing but that is just leaving me feeling a little fat at the moment. However this movement, this awareness that there something more than just gas rumbling in my tum is something else! Oh to have Ryan experience it. Grow baby grow so that he can feel you moving.

Cute Clothes

2007-02-07T17:36:00.000Z

We were in Scotland last weekend and were making a stop at one of the tourist information places. As it turned out it was not open but much to Ryan's delight the sports shop next door was open and so we went in for a browse.

Well we emerged about an hour later having looked through loads of soccer gear with a little outfit that Ryan insisted me MUST buy for our child. Never mind if it's a boy or a girl, or the fact that it won't be able to fit into it until it's 9-12 months old. We had to buy it!

So we did. And I must admit it is kinda cute. Sam my nephew would love to play soccer against his new cousin in their soccer outfits I'm sure (we bought him one for his last birthday and he loved it). To be honest I can see a very cute little girl with pig tails in it.... or a boy. Either way gorgeous!

Also thanks to the Thomson Tribe who sent us a wee parcel in the mail. Love them! Thanks. They're soooo snuggly warm and soft! and Unisex!!! They have handy little feet bits too which can be folded over to cover the toes or folded up as cuffs.

So you know that we have yet to buy this child a single item of anything! Not one thing! Doesn't mean we're not excited about this baby I think initially I thought it was too early to buy anything, we're not supersticious about such things at all but it just didn't seem like we needed to jump in and start buying stuff. I have looked at lots of different outfits though and cute toys but have held off buying. Who knows how big or small this baby is going to be and if we go buy things now it might not fit him/her!

The fact does remain though that baby clothes are CUTE with a capital 'C' and daddy's who get all goo gaa over buying their baby clothes are just as cute!

18 Weeks

2007-01-31T17:45:00.000Z

I couldn't seem to get my act together at week 17 so we've bumped ahead a couple more weeks from my last entry.

A sense of change in in the air. In the last few weeks my body has changed and my mind is playing funny tricks on me.

First thing that I noticed was that my skin seemed to be getting really dry. Especially my hands. Being a nurse i wash my hands a lot during the day but I haven't before had such dry skin. The water in England we have noticed since we arrived is not of the premium standard one will find in wonderful Aotearoa and so hasn't been kind to our skin from day one really. So the marathon of moisturising has progressed from the belly further north to hands and arms.

Then if dry scody hands - to the point where I wondered if I was developing eczema - wasn't bad enough next thing I notice is that I'm having a break out!!! ZITS! Usually my skin is pretty clear and so I didn't appreciate this too much. I think they're on their way out now though and hopefully if I up my facial skin care routine (haha) they will stay away. I'm pretty slack when it comes to cleansing and toning but I'm trying to be a bit nicer to my skin and then perhaps it will be nice to me.

Other bodily changes include and expanding belly. Measurements as of this morning...
Weight: 66kg
Waist: 93cm
Bust 93.5cm

I'm wondering... maybe semi hoping that I'm going to be a pregnant woman with a cute little bump cos from pics I've seen women seem to be a lot bigger than me at this point. I have a feeling that over the next 4-6weeks I'm going to have some major expansion going on but for now I'm just fine and happy with this rate of progression. My skin is not getting such of a skin stretching hammering that way. I've got enough stretch marks from my puberty induced growth spurts I'd be happy without any more.

I was intrigued and had a bit of a giggle the other night as I examined my belly a little closer. Honing in on the belly button I was fascinated by how much it has obviously been stretching in the last while. It seems bigger (as in more open cos the skin has started to stretch) and shallower.

That's pretty much all in the body changes.

Next to the mind! As if I wasn't crazy enough to start with it appears that what logic I had is disappearing, what co-ordination I had is possibly on it's way out the door and I'm just plain forgetful! The usually trust worthy grey matter has been letting me down lately either that or these hormones are wreaking havoc up there!

Example: This morning I hopped on the bus on my way to work. Looking outside the window I noted the usual surroundings as we drove on by. The bus bell goes and off hops a whole lot of nursing students. They usually get off the stop before mine. So I thought right next stop. Then as the bus went on I kept looking out the window and was totally bemused by that which was passing by. Traffic lights? there's none on the street I get off on! The bus continues a lot further than it usually takes to get off at the next stop. I get off and realise that I'd totally, and I mean totally forgotten that I was on the brown bus and not the purple one which travels a totally different route!! Luckily this morning I was actually early leaving home and so had the time to traipse back down the street to the stop I was MEANT to get off at and into the hospital! Ahhh!

At work we write down relevant information about our patients on a piece of paper. Somehow I am managing to lose this paper far too frequently. The other morning I was at work less than half an hour before I'd lost it. I looked high and low. I'd only been in a certain area for that time so it couldn't have gone far. Anyway it showed up tucked into my patients notes.

Then there's the certain incident involving the controlled drugs cupboard keys which I will not go into for fear of losing my job! (no, really, it wasn't THAT bad! but I am concerned about how this baby hormone (I will not admit that this is just me being forgetful!) warping of my mind is going to effect my safety at work!).

The clumsiness. Hands up all the pregnant women who suddenly couldn't hold anything without dropping it at least once especially if it's covered in some substance that is bound to make a mess??? MEE!!! I admit to being messy in the kitchen. When I bake flour MUST cover every surface possible. Ryan will contest to this (annoying) truth. But all this dropping of things is even starting to annoy me! baking contents on the floor. Pasta, flour, milk, juice which also managed to spill into the fridge. Even eating my kiwifruit the other day as I exerted a bit of pressure with my spoon to get loose that annoying white bit in the middle (probably means it's not ripe) I managed to then watch my nice slice of kiwi fly across the room. and not once but TWICE!!! YES KIWI's CAN FLY!!!

Oh and speaking of baking... even last night as I was measuring out flour to go into my banana loaf I measured it (albeit the wrong amount! - mistake no.1) into a measuring jug then instead of pouring the contents of the measuring jug into the sieve I proceeded to pick up the packed of flour and pour that instead!!! WHAT IS WITH THAT????!!!

Even boiling the jug. I filled it up at the tap and then put it on the stove ready to light the gas then I realised it was the jug not the pot and kicked myself again for being so absentminded and put it on its own element to boil.

PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Then last night I had a dream which was all very nice. I was examining my belly and it had obviously got to the stage where the baby was big enough that we could clearly see it moving round ad it was poking it's limbs here there and everywhere. Then in my dream it was like my transparent and we could see like and x-ray him or her except instead of a cute child all curled up what was there stretched itself out only to reveal a centipede!!! Warped! This baby may end up with big feet but 100legs and a freaky non-human likeness I think NOT.

I bought a Pregnancy and Baby magazine the other day. Had some really interesting and informative article in it on all sorts of topics. I got engrossed in it while Ryan was engrossed in the tele... but the other night as I was doing something he actually picked it up and was very quiet reading it for a long time..

After his reading later in the evening as I was talking away to my belly he informed me with his new found knowledge that the baby could in fact NOT hear me yet thank you very much. And he is right - his/her ears will no be structurally complete apparently till about 24weeks. Despite this I insisted it could and babbled on =)

So it's been an interesting couple of weeks.

Most exciting thing of all is probably the fact that we're almost half way!!! WOW! and also that in 3 weeks we'll be having another ultra sound and get to see minimo in more detail and more up close and personal.

Ok I will try and do the old self portrait picture. Cos Ryan isn't here to be camera man.

Blessings to you all. Those with children and without.

Mez and the Beloved Bumpalicious!

16 Weeks

2007-01-18T20:34:00.000Z

Well another week rolls by. I won't take my measurements just yet because Ryan has just filled me up with a delicious meal.

I think i'm starting to process the reality that I can't suck in my belly anymore. It is growing and it will continue to grow until this whole amazing process is over then hopefully it will shrink!

We went to the midwife on Wednesday. Pretty uneventful really

My bloods had come back all good...
HIV -ve phew!!
Hb 13.9 (12-16g/dL is normal)
Every else was all good.

We've decided not to do any further test for Downs Syndrome, Spina Bifida etc. This child is a creation of us. Unique and precious no matter what. Some people I guess would just like to know. Many of the major abnormalities are likely to show up on the next ultrasound so we'll wait to then. At the end of the day this baby is still on it's way and we're totally looking forward to meeting this little one.

Next midwife appointment is not until March 14th after our ultra sound scan on Feb 20th.

Until then we grow... and grow... and grow.