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.