Sleep...what is that?

My beautiful little boy was born on the 17th July at 8:09pm, weighing 3.86kg (8lbs 8ozs). It was an induced labour of 13 hours but I would go through it all again to get my precious little boy. As people have told me in the past, it's one day out of your life or much less if you have a quick, swift delivery.  Here's a cute picture of our little boy's feet, from a photoshoot last week. We are currently quite sleep deprived but still very much in love.

My little man was determined to be stubborn (like his parents) and wouldn't even say when a hot curry or raspberry loose leaf tea was consumed. My birth plan was always to go with the flow but avoid pethadine.

For those interested, this is the birth story:

• I was admitted into hospital on the 16th July at 9pm and had prostaglandin gel inserted to get things moving. Unfortunately this did nothing for me and with no beds available in the maternity wing that evening, my husband and I slept in the labour ward, which wasn't very comfortable
• At 7am, my obstetrician visited and broke my waters. I was then put on oxytocin to get my labour progressing even faster
• Within 1.5 hours I was trying the exercises from my antenatal class and using fitness balls and massage techniques
• By mid morning the pain was more intense and I opted to try the gas
• My obstetrician came back to check on me at lunch and I was still only 4cms dialated, at which time he suggested an epidural and I readily accepted. With contractions 1 minute apart, I was in quite a bit of pain at this stage. The worst bit about this was waiting for the anaesthesist and keeping still while having contractions
• The epidural was a godsend but it did slow my labour right down...by about 5 hours
• When it came time to pushing, it was difficult, as I couldn't feel my lower half. However, I still managed to do so. Bub started having fetal distress because he was coming down on an angle, so I had to have an episiotomy during the 2nd phase of labour
• Bub had to have a little oxygen when he came out but fed straight away and knew what to do there
• Daddy did get to cut the umbilical cord and if you're wondering what that feels like, I was told tough calamari
• Everything else went fine, including winning the State of Origin that evening :).

My hospital, husband, doctors and most midwives were fantastic on the day and made the hardship of labour just that bit easier. 
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Will the Duchess beat me to it?

Today is the 2nd July, which means bub is due in 9 days. I am now off work and on the countdown. I'm a mix of excitement and nerves but very much looking forward to meeting my little boy. My 2 yr old Labrador is enjoying cuddles with him too at the moment.

The kitchen is now also functioning as a kitchen...just in time. I'm quite happy with the results but now must do the nesting thing to get the place cleaner. As you can see, the floor needs sanding and we have to knock out the old kitchen, which sits next to the new one.

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby Shower

Last weekend my sister held a baby shower for bub and I was quite overwhelmed by the love and generousity shown to myself and family-to-be.

My sister had remembered that I loved the very hungry caterpillar story and themed the entire party around this. As you can see from the photos below, the decorations speak for themselves.

 Note the onesies on a line in the background

 A grown up baby shower comes complete with champagne

 Consistency in theme

 The cake took pride of place

 An image of the cake by Story in Time Photography

 My wonderful mum had taken the time to make this nappy cake. I think I will

definitely have to try this for friends in future - what a great idea!

 A mobile for above the cot

My Bubba Blue cot, sheet set arrived this week and it's finally meant to be sunny in Brisbane this weekend, so I can't wait to wash everything and finally dress the cot. I just heard what I wrote and I think I have officially developed the nesting syndrome!

Where did my feet go?

On the way to work this morning, I realised I couldn't really see my feet for my stomach. Not surprising really with just over 6 weeks to go.

The kitchen is also getting there. Here's an image for those of you who actually read my blog. As you can see, both sides now have carcasses and the splash back stud work is done. The electrician has also roughed in. The benchtop is being ordered this week and we will start to work on the drawers this coming weekend probably. The painting is just about done too. I'm very thankful I still have a working kitchen (as you can see in the background), while the new one is being built. The bench behind the splash back is probably being demolished very soon.  

Almost 32 Weeks!!!

This Thursday marks the 32 week point in my pregnancy, which is a little scary. It means there are only 8 weeks left until bub comes. At the same time, that is a very exciting prospect for darling husband and self. This also means that things are starting to come to a close like my antenatal classes.

The 6 week course, which was run by a lovely midwife at the hospital (and thankfully covered by BUPA), ended last night. It was an eye-opening 6 weeks and I would definitely recommend an antenatal course for first time mothers. I found it very useful and if nothing else, it gave me reassurance that darling husband is now be up to speed and can give me a hand with things once the baby is born.  We were told to bring a plate last night to celebrate, so I made mini cupcakes with a cream cheese icing (Australian made cheese) and caramel chico babies.

I also wanted to give a quick plug to 'Starts with Legs'. I have been fortunate enough to be part of a maternity trial via Kidspot for their French Gerbe tights and was very excited when these beautiful packages arrived via courier late last week. These have to be the most comfortable maternity tights I've worn. They have a nice thick denier, heels built into the foot area and a waist belt to help keep them up.  

Cuteness for Your Thursday

I found this one snuggled up on our bed last night. I believe a certain husband may have allowed her to jump up there before I came to bed last night. Thought I'd share this little bit of cuteness with you on this Thursday.

 

So today I have officially reached the scary, third trimester. I am now 27 weeks, with 13 left to go! I have started antenatal classes this week too. 

I also did my gestational diabetes test yesterday for pregnancy, which measures sugar levels in your blood. It's unfortunately fairly common to get gestational diabetes in pregnancy, so I have my fingers crossed that all the Easter chocolate hasn't effected things.

It's not the most pleasant of tests when pregnant because you have to fast from 10pm the night before (hello pregnant woman NOT eating) and then stay at the medical centre for 2 hours during testing. They take a blood sample initially, then make you drink this wonderful concoction below and take two more blood samples from you on the hour. That equals three needles, nauseousness and 2 hours of your life you're not getting back. Results aren't given straight away either, so I have a nervous wait until next week.    

Baby Room Done and Dusted

After finishing the master bedroom last weekend, this weekend was devoted to getting the baby's room done and moving the study to the old bedroom space. This involved a trip to IKEA, a trip to Baby Bunting, darling husband moving furniture and lots of allen keys. The end result was a constructed cot, change table and chest of drawers, in addition to putting together two new study chairs and a desk. The study is still a work in progress but here's some photos of the baby's room. All that's missing are some paintings and blinds.

 Very happy with the end result

  Already spoilt with choice thanks to rellies and friends

 

The picture that facebook didn't get to see, as gender is more obvious

Fashion Dilemma Solved!

My mission over the weekend was to find a formal, maternity dress for my friend's wedding. With the help of my mum yesterday, I was able to do just that. We visited Mama's Home in Newmarket, one of my favourite maternity stores and found this number. The only difference between the image below and the dress I picked is the length. My dress is floor length.

A big thanks to mum for her generousity and helping me find a dress. I hope I can find another occasion other than this wedding to wear it in future - it's such as beautiful dress!

 

Love and Loss

My blog post today is short and sweet and dedicated to a loved one, who shall remain unknown.

Miscarriage is a topic that often gets swept under the rug but is so important to talk about. Please talk to those experiencing it and let them know that you're there for them, even weeks later. Grief and heartbreak is never something that should be experienced alone. To my someone special, please know that I am thinking of you and will leave you with this poem (which I think is beautiful, even if you never get a chance to read it): 

'The world may never notice if a flower doesn't bloom or even pause to wonder why petals fall too soon but every life that ever forms or ever comes to be, will touch this world in some small way for all eternity.'

Baby's Gender Revealed

And the results are in...

Source of photo: http://itsnevertoolatealthoughimalwayslate.blogspot.com.au

16 Weeks Today

16 weeks today and the bump is looking bigger. People are now noticing that I'm pregnant and not just fat, which I suppose is a blessing in disguise. I'm glad I got to hear the healthy heartbeat again yesterday. It's always nice to hear when appointments are few and far between at the moment and I'm not quite feeling kicking as yet.

My darling husband is now calling my bump 'Joey', whereas I have gone with bub.

Guess the Project

The Material

The Pattern

Can you guess what I'm making?

Just in case you've ever wondered what pregnancy looks like in 90 seconds, here's a video I stumbled upon on ninemsn today:
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8433560/couples-time-lapse-video-captures-pregnancy