Just over two weeks to go (37w;6d)

"I'm accumulating meconium, and my belly is as big as my head now!"

The last two weeks have been great - although, having the time off work has let my body unwind and for the first week, I was quite tired simply because I think my body was adjusting to the 'rest' period. As I had hoped though, basically everything is now organised for the baby - only a couple of minor things here and there, but they will no doubt continue even after the baby has arrived.

I've been focussing my energy at the moment on breathing and hypnobirthing techniques for the labour, which are very relaxing and I hope to use when I give birth. I'm pleased to have started them as they certainly make me feel a lot more confident about what is to come, and what my body can do, before the time. I'm also allowing myself to remain completely positive about the lead up to the birth as well - I am absolutely convinced that my baby will come when it's ready, and so there is no point in me dwelling on due dates or getting myself worked up if the baby doesn't arrive 'on time'. I also want to focus on the fact that this pregnancy has gone so fast, and will so very shortly come to an end, so I want to enjoy it for as long as possible. I'm also happy with the possibility that if I do go over my due date, and end up having to be induced, then that is what is meant to happen for me and the baby.

Had another check up with my obstetrician today - I'm now down to weekly appointments so I go back to see her next week. Things are all looking good, although I definitely haven't dropped yet as I am still carrying quite high. This may also be another indicator that labour is still a fair way off - but who knows!

Lady of Leisure (35w;6d)

"I'm getting fatter and fatter, and could drop at any time!"

Now that I'm on my first official day of maternity leave (after the Easter long weekend), it's all starting to sink in a bit! I've decided to try and get a lot of the running around for bits and pieces as much as I can over the next week or two so that I can leave the last couple of weeks before my due date to try and relax, as much as possible.

I can't believe the final stretch is in sight now... it feels honestly like only yesterday when I found out I was pregnant, and now here I am a month (or there abouts) out from meeting our baby!

I also had an appointment with my obstetrician today - she doesn't want to see me again for another fortnight which I guess is a good sign. Baby is still head down and all other signs are looking nice, so hopefully things will remain that way. Getting very tired and still experiencing quite bad hip/pelvic/back pain but all in the name of a good cause!

Last week at work... (34w;5d)

"I'm five and a half pounds, and quickly running out of room in here!"

I can't believe it's arrived so quickly. I was driving to work this morning thinking that I could quite easily stay another week or two. My OB might have a different opinion (she's always tsk tsking me knowing I'm still at work) but I think a part of me is a little scared about not working. This weekend is Easter so it seemed like the perfect time to stop working at this point, and to not return on Tuesday after the long weekend.

Since the day I turned 15 I have had a job in one form or another. I have never not worked, unless I've been on annual leave and the biggest break I had was the couple of months I took off in 2000/2001 to go backpacking overseas with Deb. This transition is quite scary - up until now, I suppose I've been so excited at the prospect of having a break from work, it's only now starting to hit me that I won't be back for a very long time. I'm sure this feeling will pass (very quickly! I'm sure I'll be laughing about how stupid I felt in no time) but it's this feeling of uncertainty and not being in control of my working life that bothers me.

In any event, the reason I'm doing this is obvious - for bigger and better things in this world, and with just over a month to go until I'm due (that's right... a month!) time will no doubt continue to pass extra quickly.

Our anniversary was lovely - Miss Saigon was fabulous! Although, I must admit I had a small heart attack when I found out they changed most of the words to the opening number and thought I would be watching the musical afresh, but luckily it was mostly only the first song!! It was so lovely to get out and see the show, I really missed doing so! And I'm sure I'll miss it even more once the baby is here (no more splurging on show tickets, that's for sure!).

PS What I love about being pregnant...

I love knowing that there is a beautiful little person growing inside of me, a person that I helped create, a person that I will be forever bonded to because I helped bring them into existence.

I love the emotional bond and connection I feel for the baby before I've even really seen it, know what it's personality is like, who it takes after, what quirks it has... just knowing that I am responsible day and in day out for this little one for my immediate future is such a privilege.

I love the feeling that we are both learning more and more about each other as time goes on. I learn what positions my baby likes me in and what it doesn't. I learn what foods it likes and dislikes and what can give it the hiccups. And I learn day by day that every day is a learning process and different from the last.

And finally, I absolutely love the fact that I'm even here in this position and what a blessing it is to be in my shoes. I was reading over this blog the other day, and I'm still flabbergasted that here I stand, almost 34 weeks pregnant and I'm soon going to be a mum. Statistics and medicine showed I should not be pregnant, but yet, here I am! I honestly thank my lucky stars every single day that goes by and reminds me what a wonderful part I'm playing in this world of ours.

Happy Anniversary to Us! (33w;6d)

Happy anniversary to us!

That's right, it's our three year wedding anniversary today (my, my... three years... time certainly does fly when you're having fun!)

I'm only here at work for half the day as this afternoon I have to make my way into the hospital for my 34 week check-up with my obstetrician and then tonight, we're going out to dinner and off to see one of my all-time favourite musicals, Miss Saigon! I put the full version of the CD on in my car the other week, and as the music began to play... I realised how much I had missed it! (and how I knew every single word to the whole thing... very sad!). I can't wait for the show tonight, really looking forward to it.

The main things are now complete for the baby - now it's just a matter of getting all of the little odds and ends together and start packing hospital bags, putting car seats in etc. "They" say this should all be done by around now (in case the baby decides to make an early entrance) but my guess is most of it won't be completely ready until I finish work (7.5 working days... not that I'm counting or anything).

As for the baby, well - it seems to be a bit more active of late, which is strange as I figured there must be less and less room in there every day! Nonetheless, it's definitely enjoying itself in there, and letting me know when I'm not in an 'ideal' position for it (ie - it kicks and kicks until I sit/lay the way it wants me to...!) which is great as I feel its our way of communicating with each other before its born. I'm amazed at the wonderful bond I feel for this baby without even meeting it yet. The closeness I feel knowing it is growing away inside of me is astounding, and just knowing that each day it's getting bigger, and better and healthier is a wonderful feeling! Aren't women clever?!

Baby Shower (32w;5d)

I had my baby shower yesterday, and it was a lot of fun!

It was so lovely having everyone together and being able to see and speak with everyone anyway, but made it even more special for the fact that we were all gathering to celebrate the fact that a new little life is due to be born into this world very shortly.

The baby received some lovely gifts (as well as some for mummy too!) - clothes, blankets, toys - lots of lovely things which made me feel very very spoilt!

My friends also organised some games for us as well, which was a great way to spend some of the time and got people laughing and having fun. For food, I had organised things like fairy bread, little mini hotdogs, chicken pieces, cheeses, biscuits, and I had also made up some cupcakes that I iced with pink and blue icing - and then forgot to take a photo of it all! Champagne was also served for those who could drink it (!) and I made up some punch for those (like me) who couldn't enjoy the alcohol.

All in all, was a great day and pleased it went well and everyone enjoyed themselves.

So, I guess we're experts now? (32w;1d)

"My skin is turning from red to pink, and all 5 senses are functional!"

We finished the last of our hospital classes last night.

The Labour and Birth class was quite good. I think David enjoyed that the most simply for him to learn about what is going to happen and what to expect, so I'm really glad he got a lot out of it. It was also nice for me to learn from the hospital's point of view what is expected, or provided for labour etc.

The Breastfeeding class was last night. My obstetrician warned me it was a bit of a nazi class, and she was right! The midwife taking the class started by saying that if you didn't want to breastfeed for whatever reason, then let them know and they'll support you whatever you decide. Then she proceeded for the rest of the class to go on about how bad bottle fed babies can be, and how sick they get... blah blah blah. If I was one of the parents wanting to bottle feed (I suppose, not that you would have gone to the class but still...) it didn't do much for your confidence, that's for sure. In any event, breastfeeding is a really important part of raising this baby for me and I really want to keep it up for as long as I possibly can (ideally up to 12 months) but will have to obviously see how I go with the baby once he or she is here!

I have my baby shower on the weekend and I'm really looking forward to it - it's again set in motion the feeling that this is all going to happen very soon, and I'm quite sad - I don't want this pregnancy to end, but at the same time, I also am so excited to meet our little one I can hardly sit still with excitement!

Moving along! (31w;3d)

"I'm up to 4 pounds now, and my toenails are complete!"

I read this morning that apparently I have 60 days to go into the baby arrives (yesterday, I was officially 7 months pregnant). 60 days... unbelievable. I know I sound like a broken record about this pregnancy and how wonderful I think it all is, but it's true. It is an absolute blessing and privilege to be in the position that I am in now, and I want to cherish every moment!

This week coming up we have another appointment with the obstetrician on Tuesday, as well as our two remaining hospital/birth classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Tuesday session is our Labour and Birth class, and the Wednesday session is a Breastfeeding class. Really looking forward to both of them.

With the long weekend in Melbourne this weekend, I'm trying to take advantage of the extra day and get things in order around the house. I've just started washing all of the baby clothes this morning, which will no doubt take all day. Oh - the wardrobes have gone in and look great. David has put together the cot and the change table, and now it's a matter of deciding where everything is going to go and fit! We're also off to Ikea tomorrow to have a look at shelving etc, so things are all starting to come together and it really is a lot of fun. I love the paint colour we've chosen for the room and it looks lovely against the offset of the white furniture.

First Hospital Class (29w;6d)

We went to our first antenatal class on the weekend - Prenatal and Early Parenting. It was held at the Sofitel Hotel and went for around about 3.5 hours.

The class itself I thought was great. The midwife there who took the class went through everything to expect in terms of the birth, hospital admission and what to do once you bring the baby home. All of the husbands had to get down on the floor and change a baby, as well as learn how to fold and change a cloth nappy (which David loathed... hates being told what to do if he's not getting it right... not that he'd admit it, but boy he was stinky!!!) All in all I thought the class was great though, and it was lovely starting the class and feeling like everything is coming together for the final run.

I'm 30 weeks tomorrow and really feeling like I'm on the home stretch. It's hard to believe that I'm even here... I have no idea where the time has gone! I adore being pregnant - for me, it's not about getting upset because my clothes don't fit, or the wonderful stretchmarks that have appeared all over my belly as I grow, or the excrutiating pelvic pain when I walk... it's about why those things are happening... and THAT, is just the most wonderful feeling of all. All of those things are temporary, albeit uncomfortable, but they will pass. What is lasting and brilliant is the beautiful life that's growing away... and will meet us far too soon!!

Rollin' rollin' rollin' (29w;1d)

I've just noticed now as I've been sitting here with my hand on my belly that I can feel movements on the outside, without feeling the baby move on the inside. It's the first time I've noticed this.

The movements aren't kicks - they're almost like gentle (and I say gentle because, I can't feel them!!) rolling movements under the skin. It's quite weird to feel them on my hands or even see my skin moving, but not feel it much at all!

The rib kicks I get too I have noticed only happen on my right side in general, and rarely on my left. I suspect the baby may be leaning with his/her legs towards that side of my belly and why the movements only happen in that area... times like this I wish I could see what was going on in there!