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!

Positive results (29w)

"I can open and close my eyes and I weigh almost 2kg!"

I called my obstetrician yesterday to get the results of my GTT as I still had not heard (although they said they would call me if there were any problems, I did want to make sure myself) and apparently they're all fine.

I am completely relieved about that one, and glad we don't have to look into further testing for any risks of gestational diabetes. It was one thing that was worrying me at this point.

The baby is moving around still quiet regularly although the movements are feeling a lot different now that obviously it has less and less room to swim! Lots of rib action happening, which isn't exactly what I would call a 'pleasant' experience, but am loving every moment of it nonetheless!

I'm feeling generally well - a little on the tired side, but nothing out of the ordinary. We start our first antenatal class this Saturday and then have our remaining two hospital classes in a few weeks from now. Our wardrobe for the nursery is being installed in a fortnight and after that we will be able to start moving everything in and getting it all set up.

Painting is done (27w;5d)

Over the last week we've managed to complete most of the painting in the nursery. We have little bits to fix near the top skirting (painters originally only used one coat of paint which meant the tape we used ripped off some of the paint from the skirting... not happy Jan!)

The feature wall colour we chose looks far too similar to the other three walls so it blends in - not that it matters, but it would have been nice to actually see the difference after being so careful with painting that wall by itself! Ah well.

We'll be organising wardrobes this week and they should take around 2 weeks to make and install. After that gets done, we can start putting everything into the nursery and getting it all set up which I can't wait for - it will be lovely to see everything finally go together!

Tomorrow I have my next visit with my obstetrician and have my GTT (glucose tolerance test) which I'm feeling apprehensive about. The test is designed to see if I'm at risk of gestational diabetes after which I would need to have another test (long GTT) to determine if that's actually the case. Won't count my chickens yet, but very nervous about tomorrow, but probably won't know the results until either the end of the week or sometime next week.

Third trimester... here I come! (27w)

"My eyes are completely formed and I can recognise Mummy's voice too!"

Well... third trimester starts today!! VERY EXCITING!

Hubby wished me a happy 27 weeks this morning (like he does every Wednesday when I start a new week) and mentioned he couldn't believe how quickly the time had passed... and I agree!! Why can't it slow down?!

I think back to 13 weeks ago when I was 14 weeks and I remember at that time, hubby and I were discussing whether or not to find out the sex of the baby at the 19 week scan. I still remember it like it was yesterday but that same timeframe is yet to come and that will be when we get to meet out little one (or at least, the estimated time of when we get to meet our little one!)

It is interesting to see how the baby can have quiet days and busy days, just like me. Some days it moves around wildly and takes no shame in reminding me that it's there, and getting bigger! Other days it barely makes a peep and I have to poke it every once in a while just to make sure it's there (lazy like it's mum, I'm sure). I find it fascinating... almost like they have their own little personalities and they aren't even born yet! I still love feeling the baby move and I'm still in awe every time it happens - so much so I usually have to stop what I'm doing and just stare at my belly as I watch it jump around all over the place. I tell you, it's the most wonderful feeling in the entire world!

Third trimester countdown (26w;5d)

"My brain is growing quickly, and my eyelids are opening this week"

The start of another week, and only 2 more days to go until I'm in my 3rd trimester. I can hardly believe it. I am so excited to be a mum to this darling baby of ours - how is it possible to love something so much that you haven't even seen? Why does someone make your heart ache with missing them before you've even met?

I'm also gearing up to the 3 month countdown this Friday which will mark exactly 3 months before my official due date. So much to do and so little time. We started painting the walls of the baby's room on the weekend. We decided to go with a neutral brown/stone colour on the walls. We bought a slightly darker shade for a feature wall but as it turns out, it's almost the same colour as the other walls, so I guess it doesn't matter - it will just all blend in now.

We will then need to finalise the wardrobes and get them organised and installed. Once they are in, we will then begin putting all of the furniture etc in and get things happening. Can't wait for that!