Owen at 9 Months...

Owen at 8 Months Old....

On Holidays at Our Caravan - 7 Months Old.....

Owen's 1st Christmas!

Owen's Holiday to Queensland at 6 Months Old.....

A Rollover Milestone - Nov 28 2007

Owen rolled from his back to his front!! He's been able to do it for about 6 weeks but has been unable to get his arm out from under him so he was completely on his belly. BUT, last night he did it! And he thinks he is so very very clever (and of course we agree that he is!!).

Our Big 5 Month Old Boy

Our precious little boy has turned 5 months old!! It has just flown by. He is now reaching out for things, like toys or our hands, and of course everything is going into his mouth straight away. He is still such a delight - always happy & never crying. Just a little precious bundle of joy.

4 1/2 Months Old

Owen has started rolling! He hasn't managed to completely roll from his tummy to his back or vice versa, but he has worked out how to roll from side to side, which enables him to wiggle off his blanket is he is on the floor. We have to keep an eye on him at all times now, as I have often left the room only to come back & find him with his feet under the couch, or right up against the TV cabinet! Very scarey!!

Owen's Christening

Yesterday was Owen's Christening. It was a lovely hot day (33 degrees) and after the ceremony we had a BBQ at my Mum & Dad's house, as they have a great outdoor entertainment area.
I had bought Owen a cute little suit with smocking on the front for the occasion, but he ended up (at the spur of the moment) wearing a little suit that Greg wore when he was a baby. It was a little baby blue 2 piece outfit with matching shoes, that unfortunately were too small. It was very cute & in great condition considering it was over 30 years old!!
My mother-in-law made a lovely Christening Cake and Owen was very spoilt with lovely gifts.
We were all exhausted by the end of it, but it was a lovely day!

Immunisations

Poor little darling Owen had his 4 month immunisations yesterday, and he has been miserable since. He had a high temperature overnight, and woke every 1 1/2 hours for a comfort feed. He is extremely grizzly and just wants to be held. He was such a little darling at the Health Centre. He gobbled up all the oral vaccine, didn't flinch for the first needle, let out a little cry for the second needle, and then when he had the third, he let out the loudest & saddest cry of all. It was heartbreaking!
And Monday night (8th Oct) he slept for over 7 hours!!! His biggest sleep yet in his life! It was absolute bliss let me tell you!!!!
Following are some photos taken the other night when he was wrestling his toy crocodile. Owen - The Crocodile Hunter!

October 9th Update

Owen slept for over 7 hours last night!! WHOO HOOO!! It's the biggest sleep he's had yet, although he has been sleeping for about 6 hours throughout the night a lot more lately. BLISS!!
He's been chuckling a lot more lately too, and is extremely ticklish and will cackle when being tickled, or if he knows a tickle is coming. Just gorgeous!

We had the Health Nurse appointment yesterday, and Owen has put on nearly a kilo, as well as grown in length by 6cm. And his head is HUGE!! So, all is well & injections this Thursday unfortunately!!

Owen is 4 Months Old!!!!

Our precious little boy was 4 months old on Thursday. I can't believe it has been a month since I have last posted - I am very slack!!
Owen was sick for a while with a cold a couple of weeks ago. The doctor believes he is teething, which at first we thought was a load of bullshit, but he is definitely showing all the signs of it - dribbling & chewing on his fist or anything he can get in his mouth. I have been keeping an eye out for tooty-pegs, but nothing has shown up as yet.
Sleepwise, he has been having lots of 6 hour sleeps, then grizzling for a feed, having a quick 5 minute snack, then back to sleep for another 3 hours. I almost feel human!!! It's wonderful, and I almost can't remember how horrible that first month was!
The latest trick Owen has is to save up for a big poo only once a day. And boy, is it a big poo! Without a doubt it will go right through his nappy, through his clothes, and onto whatever he is lying on. And he does such a good job that it cannot be cleaned with just wipes - a bath or shower is necessary IMMEDIATELY!
He has started grabbing onto toys now, and everything goes straight into his mouth! And he kicks his little legs non stop for hours - it tires us out just watching him!
Fortunately Owen is still a golden child! Just an adorable baby who hardly ever cries & is always smiling & laughing. We are extremely fortunate!
The last 2 weeks have been difficult due to me having ankle surgery. I have been unable to carry Owen, bath him, attend to much of his needs, so it has been quite stressful, but thankfully we have gotten through it, and of course Owen hasn't noticed at all - as long as he gets his "boobie drink" he is happy!

Owen is 3 Months Old Today!!

I know I say it in every post, but seriously the last 3 months have just flown. And we are still all besotted with the little boy! He is ADORABLE and such a happy smiley baby all the time! He's had a few nights of sleeping for 6 hours straight - what bliss! But lately it is back to the feeding every 3 hours.
Owen has also started to blow bubbles and drool. He talks in his gorgeous baby talk and I can have a conversation with him for a few minutes. He has also once rolled from his front onto his back - quite an achievement!!! He's gone up in clothes sizing from 000 to 00 - what a big boy! (haha!). Ah, motherhood is wonderful!!!!

12 Weeks Old

11 Weeks Old

Our gorgeous boy is now 11 weeks old! And he is just beautiful. He is smiling and laughing all the time now, and I could just watch him for hours, he is so adorable!
I don't know what I did all day before he came along. He is still sleeping well throughout the night, but wanting a feed every 3-4 hours. I cannot wait until the night feeds are over & done with. I love my sleep and can't imagine how good it will be to sleep right through a night!
Every morning about 5am Owen decides to become unsettled. I am not sure yet as to what is causing it, but hubby & I call it "The Witching Hour". I usually bring him into bed with me & he goes back to sleep in my arms, but often he will toss & turn, grunt & moan, until we get up at 7am. I try desperately to keep him quiet so as not to wake the kids.
We are heading down to our caravan this weekend for a night, so it will be Owen's first night out of his cot. Not sure how he will settle, but I am prepared that I may be sleeping on the couch with him all night!!!

The Little Man is 10 Weeks Old Today

Owen is 10 weeks old today. It seems like he has been a member of this family forever!
What a little gem he is. He is at the stage where he smiles and laughs all the time at us, and when I am breastfeeding him and he looks up at me & gives me a huge smile, it just melts my heart! And I had forgotten how fantastic a newborn baby smells!
Both Callum & Paige still dote over him. They absolutely adore him & shower him with kisses whenever they can. I think they are enjoying the fact that he follows them with his head & eyes now & also that he will smile at them when they talk to him. Unfortunately they have forgotten that some times they need to lower the noise level to accomodate him!!!
Owen is still feeding every 3 hours, and I am still suffering from sleep deprivation, but have just learnt to live with it now. He had his first immunisation needles last week, and was off colour for a few days. He slept for long periods without feeding, had a slight temperature and was first constipated, and then had the runs. He seems to be getting back to normal now.

8 Weeks Old Already!

6 Weeks Old & The Poor Little Man Is Sick!

I still can't get over the fact how quickly the weeks are passing by & how big Owen is growing. I am officially now able to drive a car, vacuum & pick up anything heavier than my baby - yeah right, as if I could live a normal life for 6 weeks after a caesarian without doing any of that!!
Unfortunately poor little Owen has a cold. He has a very snotty nose, and the mucus is obviously running down the back of his throat when he is lying down, as he has trouble breathing. We have been putting drops from the chemist up his nose to clear it, and have him sleeping elevated to help with it. Poor little thing still manages to smile at us even though his is miserable!

One Month Old Today!!!

Owen is one month old already - it has just flown by! And he is such an adorable little baby. He is no trouble at all & happily sleeps & eats, and only cries when he is hungry or needs a nappy changed. And he smiles & laughs at us all the time - just beautiful!!!
He seems to be growing up before our eyes! Every day he looks bigger, and we notice the changes in him. He follows us around the room with his eyes, and if he hears a voice he will look towards it.
Breastfeeding is going well, and he is still feeding every 3 hours. Getting up during the night is still a killer - I am being naughty & bringing him into bed to feed a bit too often of late, but I just can't drag myself out of the warm bed!
And I had forgotten how beautiful the smell of a new baby is. And when he nuzzles his warm soft head into the crook of my neck, there is nothing better in the world!!!

A photo of my three babies......

Week 3... Falling Through the Days

WOW! Owen is 3 weeks old already. Although it has flown, it also feels like he has been a part of the family forever. Things are certainly improving, and I seem to be getting used to the sleep deprivation. Unfortunately we already feel like we have outgrown this house, and may need to move in the near future. Owen makes so much noise grunting and groaning in his sleep, and although I am so exhausted most of the time, I find it difficult to sleep with his cot right beside our bed.
As with our other 2 kids, Greg & I take turns in having a bath or shower with Owen. It is just so much easier than using a baby bath, and he loves it, although most of the time sleeps through it. He is just such a little adorable boy.
I have started back on Weight Watchers today. I am 7kgs heavier now than when I fell pregnant, so am looking forward to shedding that, and an extra 13kgs by Christmas. And then hitting my goal weight the following Christmas. Greg gained nearly 20kgs during my pregnancy (he always goes out in sympathy with me), so he is back on WW with me as well.
Breastfeeding seems to be going well. We are still getting used to things, and sometimes Owen has difficulty latching on, especially during the night when we are both half asleep, but we are nearly 100% right with it.
I am still sore around my tummy wound, and it is slightly weeping, but seems to be on the improve every day. I notice it when I bend or when I turn over in bed.
Following is a photo of Callum & Paige, with Owen in Paige's dolls' pram! Very cute!

Week 1 & 2.... The Baby Blues

I am writing this post 3 weeks after the birth of Owen. The first two weeks of his life are a blur.... I had honestly forgotten how terrible the sleep deprivation that comes with a newborn is! I am breastfeeding & Owen is waking every 3 hours for a feed. I had also forgotten that they feed so much early on. In fact, I have forgotten most things associated with newborns!! Luckily, he is a good baby & hardly cries except when hungry.
Unfortunately the "baby blues" hit me hard when I arrived home from hospital for about a week. The thing that upset me the most was that none of my friends visited me in hospital. I had chosen a hospital that was quite a distance from home, so I assured many friends that it was okay to wait until I came home to visit. It never occurred to me that NONE of them would visit, and I found the evening visiting hours at the hospital on my own quite upsetting. It wasn't that I felt lonely or anything - I just felt sorry & guilty for Owen, being the third child & not having any visitors. Even looking at the cards received with gifts, there are only about a quarter as many as Callum (our first born) received when he arrived. Thankfully the "blues" have passed, along with my stints of crying to myself in the shower or toilet for no particular reason, probably just out of sheer exhaustion.
Hubby Greg has been a wonder, especially with the cooking of dinners. But I still don't think he realises just how hard it has been for me with the healing from the caesarian & the lack of sleep, as well as trying to get the breastfeeding down pat.
The kids are besotted by Owen. They absolutely adore him & have accepted him into the family, which is a blessing. I thought it would be a more difficult process, especially with Paige.

Owen Gordon Born 4th June 2007

He's arrived! Our newest addition - Owen Gordon, born at 11.51am on Monday 4th June 2007. Weighing a healthy 8lb 7oz (3820 grams) and measuring 51cm in length. He is perfect in every way, and an absolute dead ringer for his older brother. He is named Gordon after Greg's grandfather who passed away last year.
The caesarean delivery went well, with no complications. Unfortunately hubby fainted before the procedure when there was talk of what could go wrong, but otherwise everything went without a hitch. My girlfriend Chris was my support person throughout (Greg hasn't been into see any of the births due to the fainting issue!) and she was fantastic, although she was nervous about what to do. Things have changed slightly since the birth of my daughter 4 1/2 years ago, and this time I got to hold the baby for a lot longer (which I did for as long as I could until my arms went weak) and they also had a large TV screen up for me to see the measuring/weighing & dressing of the bubs - it was brilliant.
After a quick stint in recovery, I got back to my ward to be reunited with bubs & my family. Paige was a bit weary of both Owen & myself. I expected her not to warm to the baby straight away (after all he is taking her place as the baby in the family). She warmed to me eventually, but it may have been the distant memory of seeing me in hospital after my car accident, or just seeing me with a drip & in hospital whites that put her off. Callum was (and still is) absolutely besotted by his little brother. He just wants to touch him & look at him all the time - it's very VERY cute & was quite unexpected. Dad is overjoyed & it's hard to get a hold of the bubs when he's around!
Will post more shortly, when I am functioning on more sleep, and will add some photos of the gorgeous babe!

One More Sleep to Go.....

Well, it's 5.30pm the night before the bubs is to arrive. I have a load of washing on, half the house to vacuum, ironing to do, and then I should be happy enough to sit down & relax. I plan on going to bed late as I know I won't be able to sleep much at all.
I have just come home from dropping the kids at my parents' house. I hated leaving them, but they were quite content with the full attention of their grandparents. They have no idea what a change they are in for!!
Greg and I were discussing last night how it really hasn't sunk in for us that we will have a newborn tomorrow. It just doesn't seem real - we are so used to being a family of four. I am sure in a couple of weeks time it will seem like we were always a family of five!
Anyways, LOTS to do & not much time to do it. I am glad to be rid of all the huffing and puffing, and groin pain, back pain, sciatica, extra weight, etc. However, I will dearly miss the feeling of kicking inside me and watching my tummy move when a foot, arm or baby's bum protrudes out.

It's a Whopper!

Had my last check up at the hospital today, and the Doctor commented that the baby is a whopper. He also pondered as to why I have big babies (Callum was 8lb 4oz and Paige was 9lb 3oz)!! All in all, the day at the hospital was quite frustrating. I waited over an hour to see the doctor, who then informed me I should have had an appointment with a pre-admission nurse, so I then waited another 2 hours to see her to get all the paperwork done for the surgery on Monday. She informed me that I was supposed to be booked in by the Doctor for bloods to be taken, and also I should have filled out all the consent forms with the doctor. ARRGGHHH - how annoying! This all has to now be done on Monday morning before the caesarian! It was very upsetting as I felt like I didn't really know what was going on, and to make matters worse Paige was climbing the walls with boredom after waiting around for over 3 hours, so she was playing up and I couldn't concentrate on what the nurse was telling me.
Only 6 sleeps to go now and panic is slowly setting in . I have organised for my parents to take the kids the night before & then bring them into the hospital after lunch on the day the baby is born, but I still can't help worrying about them. I have written a HUGE list of all the things to be done before Monday, so hopefully I won't exhaust myself before then!!!!

Week 37... The End is Drawing Near

Only 10 sleeps to go... and I am so bloody tired. I just seem to crash & burn in the afternoons, and then again after dinner. I am praying that I don't go into labour early, as I have so much to do in the next week. I have a heap of housework/uncluttering and running around to do. I am taking the car to get new tyres on Monday morning. Tuesday morning I have a hospital check up. On Friday morning I am taking the car to get a service. And in between all this I want to have the whole house spotless, and have to run around the kids & Hubby with school, kinder & work (ah, the joys of being a one car family!!!).

14 Sleeps to Go....

These last few weeks are just draggggggggginnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggg by!!!! I am so anxious to have it all over with now. I have only started thinking about the surgery side of things, and the recovery, which is making me nervous. I am extra keen to get on with the weight loss side of things though. I was in the shower yesterday when I realised I would have lost over 40kgs by now on Weight Watchers if I hadn't of been pregnant, which made me slightly sad, but hubby was great and supportive & told me he knows I will be back on it again in no time after bubs is born.
Yesterday we cooked up a storm. Greg made three trays of WW sausage rolls, which we had for lunch & they were beautiful, and a huge pot of WW potato & bacon soup, that we had for dinner. I made a zucchini slice and a pot of Chow Mien, and froze the two of them for the upcoming weeks when I am in hospital or when I come home from hospital & we can't be bothered cooking.
Both the kids are currently at home from school and kinder, as they have colds with terrible coughs. Callum is still not 100% after his bout of gastro last week, and I haven't been feeling the best the last 2 days, and am hoping I am not coming down with anything! I spent a lot of time yesterday dry-retching into the bathroom sink & struggling not to be sick!
Everything is prepared and ready for the arrival of bubs. Bags have been packed for weeks, and I just need to pack my stuff with things such as knickers & pajamas.

Week 35/36 Hospital Check Up

Yesterday I had my usual hospital checkup with the doctor. Blood pressure was fine. He did a mini ultrasound on me & confirmed the baby's head is down & ready to go (not that it matters considering I am having a caesarean!!). Also checked out the baby's heart which was perfect - made me more anxious to meet the baby when seeing it again on the screen!!
Only 19 sleeps to go now. This morning I was lying on back in bed and Callum had his head resting on my belly. The baby was hiccuping, so Callum was hearing & feeling it all with wide eyed wonder. It's those sort of moments I am going to miss about being pregnant!

21 Sleeps to Go.....

Oh God, not long to go, but it feels like forever! I am sooooo over being pregnant! I am so exhausted and sick of waking up during the night every 2-3 hours for the toilet, or getting up to heat up my wheat pack in the microwave for my aching ribs! And I have that terrible feeling of PANIC and wanting everything spotless, but because of my severe sciatica pain, I can't bend so am unable to vacuum, clean the bathroom, or pretty much do anything - and it is driving me crazy!!! Poor hubby is doing so much around the place, but is as grumpy as hell because I am nagging him about things that need doing, or things he hasn't done properly. ARRRGGGHHH I just want it over!!!!
Otherwise, everything is going well. The kids are excited with the countdown to meet their new sibling. I am worried about Paige and how she is going to handle not being the baby anymore. She has become extremely clingy of late. And I am on a mission to have at least a few meals (or at least a few containers of pasta sauce or something!) in the freezer to make life easier once I am home from hospital.
Bubs is still constantly moving. It feels like he is digging his way down into my pelvis. I have been having a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions the past 2 days. He's now not kicking, but rolling, and every now and then a bum or leg will protrude from my belly. And he gets the hiccups all the time as well - very cute! I can't wait to see what he looks like (and pray he doesn't have red hair like his father!!!).
Following is a picture of my enormous belly (and stretch marks!!!) as taken by Paige a couple of days ago.

26 Sleeps to Go......

I have woken up this morning very optimistic and in the right head space to get back on Weight Watchers after the baby arrives. I am really looking forward to it. I weighed myself this morning & have gained a total of 12.3kgs whilst pregnant. Not too bad, but disappointing considering I didn't want to gain anything!!!!
Only 26 sleeps to go and I get nervous every time I think about the pending arrival. I just keep trying to imagine situations that arise, and what they are going to be like with a baby!! The kids are extremely excited, and last night were fighting over who the baby will love more. Very cute!!!

Sciatica... What a Pain in the Bum!

27 Sleeps to go and counting. Unfortunately I am in extreme pain with the baby sitting on my sciatic nerve causing extreme shooting pain in my right buttock and down my right leg. I have been for a very painful visit to my Chiro today, and have to see him in another 2 days time to see if there is any improvement.
Unfortunately it causes me grief when driving (since it is my right leg that accelerates & brakes), so much so that I was in tears today when driving. Poor Paige came out with "stupid baby" as she knows it is the pregnancy causing the pain, so I had to explain I was like this when pregnant with her and her brother as well!
On the subject of Paige, she is very clingy of late & I am worried I am going to have a lot of problems with her being jealous of the baby when it arrives. We'll just have to deal with it as it arises I suppose.
A Mum I know whose son goes to school with Callum has just miscarried at 16 weeks. I have been thinking about her for days, and finally saw her this morning. She had a little cry, God love her, and she told me some things her son had said, which were just beautiful, especially "When the baby gets to heaven, maybe God will fix him and send him back to us". It made me have a little cry too - he is a gorgeous little boy.

31 Sleeps to Go!!!

I have just called the hospital, and I have been booked in to have the baby on Monday 4th June!! The reality has finally hit me that I will be having a baby! At least we can FINALLY give the kids a date to count down to!! Very exciting!

Week 34 - When Will It Be Over??

I am TOTALLY over it now. I am sick of getting up every 2 hours during the night to wee! I have been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions that double me over in pain. My sciatic nerve is playing havoc with my lower back & causing great pain. My bad ankle is the worst it has been in a very long time! And I am just absolutely exhausted all day long!
Anyway, enough of the whinging! I am really enjoying not working & it has been so lovely being able to have nightly baths with the kids & snuggle up with them on the couch infront of the TV and read with them, etc. I never realised how much I missed all of those before-bed activities.

My fortnightly check up with the Doctor went well. Blood pressure, etc is all fine. He said I should know within the next fortnight when I am being booked in for the caeser, but I won't hold my breath!

I have asked my girlfriend Chris to come in to the surgery with me to see the baby born. Hubby was unable to come in for the previous births due to his tendancy to faint around anything relating to blood, needles, etc (which unfortunately has been inheritated by Callum), so I needed a support person. I originally asked my Mum, but she politely declined, and Chris was more than happy to take her spot!

In regards to my weight, I was naughty and weighed myself the other day, and was shocked to see I have put on about 6kgs in about 4 weeks. I know that the baby plumps itself up in the last month or so, but I was very shocked & disappointed. I have now resigned myself to just go with it, and worry about it after bubs is here.

Photo of my beautiful kids.....

Week 33 - Finishing up at Work!!

I had an ultrasound this week, which was just to check the growth of the baby since that scare a few weeks back when they thought it may have been too big. Baby is of normal size, and currently weighing in at approx. 4lb 3oz (how cute!). It is definitely a boy, as I asked them to check & so I was shown all his bits & pieces! I have a large amount of amniotic fluid, but nothing to be worried about - at the high end of the scale. All of baby's organs were checked & everything went well, which is such a relief.
Yesterday was my last day at work. I was soooo looking forward to finishing up, but when the day finally arrived, I felt very strange, and I don't think it has yet sunk in that I won't be going there for a quite a while. I am hoping to take up the 2 years maternity leave my work offers, but of course it will all depend on the finances and if we can afford for me to stay home.
I have been feeling more & more puffed out as the days go by. And just exhausted, which I am sure will ease up now I am not working. I am going to try & make sure I have plenty of early nights, as I seem to be getting up at least every 2 hours through the night for the toilet, and then I'm feeling shattered in the mornings because of the broken sleep.
My bad ankle has been really playing up, and the pregnancy waddle I have is worse because of my limping! My weekly physio visits help, as does icing it every night or whenever I get the chance.
The kicking from the baby is easing up a little. I guess the baby is slowly running out of room, so I am now feeling more of a big rolling and turning movement, rather than the frequent sharps kicks in previous weeks. I am still eating a lot, and I have decided to keep away from the scales because it has been depressing me putting on weight. I have been having brekkie, then a second brekkie (like a Hobbit from Lord of the Rings) about an hour or so afterwards, as I seem to be starving in the mornings.
Anyways, counting down the days until this little alien comes out. The kids can't wait, and I just want it over & done with now so we can get on with things. It's all very exciting though, and what a change it is going to make to the family to have a new baby here!!!

Week 32 - The Countdown is On....

We had a lovely holiday, but it was so very nice to get home back to our own beds! It is also nice to be back into the school, kinder, work routine again.
Speaking of work, only just over a week to go! I can't believe it! Very excited about it, although slightly worried about the lack of money we will have once I am on maternity leave. I am sure we will survive!
I have been feeling very tired, and am getting puffed out a lot quicker than usual. I can now not bend down to do up my shoelaces or pick something up.
Had my fortnightly hospital check up & all is well. Bubs is still breech (head up), and the Doctor filled in my paperwork for me to be booked in for a caesarian.

Week 31 - On Holidays

Callum and I taking a dip in the pool!

30 Weeks - Happy Easter

I had another check up at the Hospital this morning. I am now seeing the doctors and not the midwives, and the one I saw this morning was terrific. He explained that all my tests came back with terrific results and there is nothing to worry about. He said I obviously just have a large uterus, but the baby is not overly big. The baby is still in breech postition (head up) and sitting very high up on me. I am to go back in 2 weeks time for another check up, and then for an ultrasound (just to check on the baby's growth) in 3 weeks time. Phew, what a relief! All that worry for nothing!
I am still feeling really great, although very tired throughout the day. I have only 9 shifts of work left which I am very excited about, but I take 2 years maternity leave! We are heading off for a 10 days Easter holiday in a couple of days time and we cannot wait! I am just looking forward to lazing by the pool with the kids and doing not much but relaxing!
HAPPY EASTER!!!

29 Weeks - GTT and Check Up

This week I had my 28 week GTT done (Glucose Tolerance Test), which involves 3 hours at the hospital. I am given a blood test, then have to drink a glucose drink, have another blood test an hour later, and then again another hour after that. I had to fast from 10pm the previous night, and by the end of the 3 hours, I thought I was either going to pass out or eat my own arm off!!!
I also had my check up with the midwives, who were concerned about my fundal height, which is the measurement between my pelvic bone and the top of my uterus. I started to panic when the midwife called in another midwife for a second opinion, and then she in turn called in a doctor for a final opinion. I ended up having a AFI scan, which is an ultrasound to measure my amniotic fluid index, just in case I was suffering from pre-eclampsia and was retaining too much fluid, and also had the baby's heart rate monitored. Bubs and I passed both tests, thankfully.
So, the outcome is I am back in a few days time to get the results of my GTT test, and to see a doctor. They think that there may be a few reasons for the large fundal height - I could have gestational diabetes, which causes the baby to be large; I could just have a large uterus due to my previous pregnancies; there could be something else wrong with the baby, causing it to be larger than normal; or I could just have a very large baby (fingers crossed!!!).
So, Tuesday was a bit of a horrible day, with a few tears, but I am more positive after reading up on the net about fundal height, gestational diabetes, etc. I have however decided to be prepared in case it is the worst case scenario, and for some reason I am admitted to hospital. I have washed all the baby clothes & cot sheets/blankets, and I have even started packing my suitcase for hospital. JUST IN CASE!
The cot was delivered last week, and I set it up with some help from the kids (hubby was off doing the Oxfam Trailwalker 100km walk), and I absolutely love it! It is set up next to our bed, and I find it extremely terrifying to look at it and imagine a baby sleeping in it - OH MY GOD!
After the upsetting appointment at the hospital, I decided that I would finish up work 3 weeks earlier than expected. I am just so exhausted and am really struggling with all the running around I am doing with school, kinder & taking hubby to & from work, which is the difficulty with being a one car family. I am really finding it difficult to be bothered, or even have the time to cook our dinners at night, and although I don't enjoy cooking, I feel guilty about it!
I am therefore finishing up at the end of April and taking 2 years maternity leave. Very scary, but I am soooooo looking forward to just being a Mum & housewife. Hopefully the finances won't be too stretched and I will be able to enjoy it. The kids are looking forward to me not going to work too. Not sure hubby is, as he is stressing about the xBox time he will miss out on now!!!

Week 28 - Panic Stations!!!

Oh My God - only about 10 weeks until this little person arrives, and I have started to panic! I am worried that I won't have everything ready in time.

I have been madly cleaning, but unfortunately get so tired so quickly and my ankle has been playing up, so it takes me days just to do the vacumming - very frustrating!!!!

Week 27 - I Have Exploded!

My Lord, you should see the size of me! It seems like this last week someone has cut open my belly & stuffed a watermelon in there! Talk about a growth spurt! Nothing is fitting me, I can hardly move without puffing and I am just enormous! My groin is now starting to ache ALL THE TIME, not just when I am sitting for extended periods. I don't just look overweight anymore, I definitely look pregnant! And of course, I love being pregnant - there is no better feeling in the world to feel the movement of your baby inside you!

I weighed myself today (which I am trying to avoid as the inevitable weight gain is depressing me), and I have put on 3.4kg in 2 weeks! ARRGGHHH!! I was horrified, but as hubby so kindly reminded me, this is the time in the pregnancy when the baby starts piling on it's weight (as do I!). I am pretty happy overall that I have only put on 6.6kg in total since conceiving - and I will try not to put on too much more (I say as I munch on a Tim Tam with my cup of tea!). So much for my goal of not gaining any weight at all!! It's so hard when all you want to do is stuff your face all day long!

Well I have been definitely "nesting" as in getting prepared for the baby, and my excitement is definitely growing (along with my belly). I have ordered a new 3 wheeler Bertini jogger pram, in the hope once I have my ankle surgery I will be able to walk every day like I did before my car accident. I have paid for and will have next week a second hand cot & matching wardrobe. I have been buying lots of boy's clothes (God help me if it turns out to be a girl!) and some new cot sheets, blankets, etc and a new bouncer, which is now sitting proudly in Paige's bedroom with a stuffed bunny in it!!! She says she is minding it til the baby comes.

Week 26 - Walking Like a Baby Hippo!

We are heading away for the Labour Day long weekend to our caravan and I am sooooo looking forward to a three day of relaxation and sunshine - cannot wait!

Week 26 today, and I cannot believe that I will have a baby in just 3 months time - very daunting, although exciting. We have 2 friends who we have just found out in the last couple of weeks are pregnant also and they are both due in September, so lots of babies on the way!!

Apparently the baby is now about 35cm long from head to toe and weighs about 950 grams with a good chance of survival should it arrive early. I am suffering from the dreaded sciatia (the shooting pain down my right buttock and leg), which I had when pregnant with Paige. It is terrible when for some reason I lie on my back or if I have been sitting for too long. I have also started weeing a lot more now, especially during the night when I can't get comfortable and the baby pushes up against my bladder. Ah, the joys! And, just walking from one room to the other has made me start to puff!!! I am unable to bend down now as my belly gets in the way and find I am starting to waddle when my broken ankle becomes sore. I honestly feel like a baby hippo!

Paige is giving the baby (well, my belly) daily kisses and cuddles. I can't wait to see how the kids are going to be with a baby. I know I will have to give them a few days off school and Kinder when I first get home from hospital as they will be so excited. My sister told me that when I was born (she was 4yo) she didn't want to go to Kinder as she wanted to stay home with Mum & the baby - very cute! Following is a pic of Paige with the chalkboard. Will get a recent photo of Callum & post shortly.

Week 25 - Feeling Great!

Had another checkup a the hospital this week & everything is going well. I have only gained 400g in the last month according to the scales there (yippee!). Paige and I listened to the baby's heartbeat, and everything checked out fine. I am going back in 4 weeks time to have my Glucose Tolerance Test and another check up. I will be then nearly 29 weeks! The time is really flying by, but probably so because I am feeling so well!

The one thing that is knocking me about it tiredness. If I don't get the right amount of sleep then I am absolutely ruined for the day and struggle to get through it. Otherwise, everything is fine, sore boobs and all.

Week 24 - Sore Breasts!

Well, my breasts have become larger (which I didn't think was possible) and incredibly sore! I think I have to shop for some new bras ASAP. My nipples are incredibly sensitive and sore to touch, and I have started ALREADY to leak colostrum!!! It's unbelieveable how quickly they turn into milk making factories!
I have been sick for the last week with a sinus infection/cold and am just completely exhausted to the point when I am struggling to keep my eyes open. I have had the week off work & am trying to rest up as much as possible, but I must admit that it is a struggle with two kids, hubby and a house to maintain.
The kids are still as excited as always about the impending arrival and they constantly talk about it - what it is going to be like when the baby arrives, who will be sharing a room with it when it grows bigger (Callum will be getting bunk beds), how they are going to have to keep small toys away from the baby so he doesn't choke, etc. All very gorgeous, and I am glad they have accepted that there will be another body in the house! Callum is already talking about how the baby is going to love Star Wars when he gets bigger, just like he does!!!

Week 23 - The Excitement is Starting.....

A mother at my daughter's Kinder commented the other day how great I looked and how I have had a great pregnancy, which I agreed with. She jinxed me! The next morning I woke up sick with a sinus infection/cold/sore throat, etc. And spent one WHOLE day in bed (except for a trip to the doctors) and had to take a night off work. The Doc gave me a prescription for some drugs he claimed were safe to take whilst pregnant, but I am a bit weary about it, so have decided I will stick with the Panadeine for a bit of pain relief.
Otherwise, the pregnancy is going fantastically! The baby kicks non stop, especially when I get into bed at night he will keep me awake with his gymnastic performance. I have slowly being purchasing items for boys - blue growsuits, bibs, socks, etc, and it is all becoming a bit exciting.
I read Kaz Cooke's "Up the Duff" during my previous 2 pregnancies, but of course had given it away since I didn't expect to be needing it again. So I purchased a second hand copy from eBay and have been reading away crazily for the last week to get up to Week 23 so I can read along weekly with it as my pregnancy progresses. I had so many pregnancy books, but found this one the most informative, witty & realistic!
My boobs and tummy seem to be growing at an alarming rate! And I can tell the old breasts are preparing themselves for breastfeeding again as they have become heavier and fuller.
Today was an uncomfortable 38 degree day, so I am over the moon that I will be 9 months pregnant during the winter time and can get snuggly infront of the heater, instead of trying to keep cool in this un-airconditioned house!

It's a................... Boy!!!!!

We had our next ultrasound today, where they checked out the heart in great detail, due to not being able to see it last week because the baby was being difficult! And, we found we are having a BOY! It was a strange feeling, as I wanted to have a boy, but everyone said I was having a girl.
It would have been nice to have a girl - another one to dress up, but I really wanted Paige to be the only Princess, considering she is the middle child, and I am soooo very worried about "middle child syndrome".
Hubby is very happy he will have another son to share his love of all things sporty!
Following is another ultrasound photo of bubs head & chest (lying on his back looking up).

New Counter - 15 Weeks of Work Left

I have given notice to work of my intention to finish up work on the week ending 20th May 2007. 15 weeks to go - whoo hooo! Have started a new ticker/counter to count down, as per above with the grass & lady bug.

Revised Due Date and Ultrasound

I had my 20 week ultrasound a couple of days ago. Unfortunately the baby was being difficult and we were unable to find out it's gender. Hubby and I were so excited to know what we were having, so it was a big disappointment to come out of there without knowing. However, I have to go back next week for another one, as they were unable to do all the checks and measurements they usually do.
My due date was confirmed as 15/6/07. Not sure how that works when they go by the last date of your period (which would make the due date 10 days earlier) but they know what they are doing, and the scan says I am 21 weeks, not 22 weeks.
We were able to see the baby's lips and palette, so it was confirmed it doesn't have a cleft palette or hair lip which is a relief since it runs in my husband's side of the family.
Following are a couple of pictures of the baby - it's face and one of it's feet. Unfortunately they are not very clear.

Quick Update

Long weekend for Australia Day public holiday this weekend, and I just wanted to note down (so I can look back at this in disbelief in 15 weeks time when I am exhausted and feel terrible) that I FEEL FANTASTIC!!! I don't even feel like I am pregnant!! And if it wasn't for the constant kicking and rolling of the gymnast in my belly, I wouldn't even think I was pregnant!!!
Counting down until the ultrasound next week. It's a bit nervewracking because this is when we find out that the baby has all its fingers and toes, and that everything is alright.

21 Weeks - Over Half Way

Well, this pregnancy is flying by! Probably because I didn't realise I was pregnant until late in the pregnancy, and also because I am so busy with the other 2 kids that I don't have time to think about it.
I am feeling really well, and the only downside I have at the moment is getting up numerous times to wee during the night. Last Friday (19/1/07) I felt the baby kick for the first time on the outside of my tummy, but of course the kids waited patiently for it to kick their hands, but to no avail. I can't wait for them to feel it!
I think I am finally bonding with the baby and have started to get excited about being pregnant - yes, took me long enough! I honestly don't think it had really sunk in with me that I was having another baby until the last fortnight, probably because we weren't expecting it and it was such a shock.
We finally settled on a boy's name for the baby, but can't agree on a girl's name, which is very frustrating. We have the scan in another week's time, and I am in 2 minds about finding out what sex the baby is. On one hand, I would like to NOT know, so that it will be a surprise when we have the baby. On the other hand, I would like to know so we can sort out a name if the baby is a girl, and I can prepare when buying baby clothes, sheets, etc. Decisions, decisions.
The kids are still excited and we often talk about what it is going to be like when the baby comes, just to prepare them. I don't think they realised it would take so long for it to arrive!!! They are constantly amazed by my growing belly and can't believe that my belly will be getting even bigger!!

19 Weeks - Nearly Half Way!!!

Well I have been terribly slack with this blog. I kept diaries with the pregnancies of my other two kids, but I just seem to be unable to find the time to write these last couple of weeks with Christmas & Paige's 4th birthday. Hectic, hectic, hectic.
So hectic in fact, that most of the time I don't even feel pregnant, and don't even think about it. It is funny, because with the first pregnancy, it seems every waking moment was spent thinking about the baby & my growing belly. With the second, I was busy with Callum, so only had half as much time to think about the pending arrival. With this third child, I haven't had much time at all to think about it. I must say I do enjoy laying in bed at night & touching my tummy & feeling the baby kicking (which I have felt for about 5-6 weeks now).
I had an ultrasound at about 12 weeks, and they believe my due date is 15/06/07, which makes a 10 day difference with what my period date is giving as the gestation. I am going to go by the original due date (5/6/07) until my ultrasound in a couple of weeks time, and then I should have confirmation.
I have had 2 appointments at the hospital, and everything seems to be fine. I have started to feel terrific and normal with no nausea, although I am getting extremely grumpy & start to feel sick when I am tired.
The main thing bothering me at the moment is the amount of times I need to go to the toilet during the night - about 2 or 3 times! It drives me mad!!!!
Fortunately (especially for hubby) my sex drive has returned!! Unfortunately so has my appetite, so I have to keep a close watch on that so that I don't put on any weight at all. I happy to stay the same weight I am now, give or take a kilo or two.
The kids' excitement about their new sibling has died down a bit. I don't think they realised it would take quite so long for the baby to arrive. Paige loves telling everyone new she meets that Mummy has a baby in her tummy, and that she would like a sister.
I honestly don't think it has sunk in 100% with me that we will soon be a family of five. I am struggling to be excited about it, especially when I know I should be thankful as I have friends who are desperately trying to conceive, and here I am not even wanting to! I feel guilty that I am not over the moon by it all, but I guess it was just such an unexpected shock, that it is taking a long time to sink in. I was also disappointed initially because I was finally getting something done about my bad ankle, and now I won't be able to have an operation until after the baby is born. And I was also doing so well with the weight loss on Weight Watchers (22kgs down, over 40kgs to go!!). However, I know when I see the baby for the first time all my doubts will disappear.

11 Weeks Pregnant Apparently!

Had my pregnancy confirmed at the local GP and apparently I am 11 weeks pregnant, with a due date of 5th June 2007. I have an ultrasound in a couple of weeks time just to confirm.
I am feeling absolutely exhausted and am napping throughout the day EVERY day. And I just feel really terrible, so I have to nibble on something all day long to take nausea away. Fortunately this time around (with me being on WW), I am sticking with fruit & vegies for my snacks, with the odd jam sandwich thrown in.
My back between my shoulder blades is absolutely killing me, especially in bed. And my stomach suddenly looks huge like I have swallowed a cantaloupe!!! It just popped out over night!! And I usually sleep on my belly, but it had gotten to the stage where it is uncomfortable. AND I am getting up to pee about 10 times a night. My boobs are still aching and sore to touch. AHHHHHHH, the joys of pregnancy - I had forgotten all about it! (Photo from birth.com.au).