Thursday 13th December
6 pm to 7pm
So, I think it has all started. Last night as I was cooking dinner I had one particularly bad contraction. I had been having stronger ones all day, but still didn’t want to get my hopes up. Arcris was just outside the kitchen on the phone (we received several bogus tax invoices for advertising and he was following them up) and I was making chicken and asparagus risotto – note: don’t make risotto while in labour as it takes a lot of standing up (back ache) and constant stirring (difficult while having a contraction).
I just leant over the kitchen bench and tried my best not to panic. Arcris was on the phone for ages and my risotto was getting gluggy, flies kept coming in from outside and I was in pain. I believe it was me screaming “Get out of here!” at a fly which landed on our dinner which brought it to Arcris’ attention that I wasn’t coping. I then kept yelling and chasing the fly to get it out until I began to get hysterical. I calmed down a bit and we managed to eat dinner – although the risotto was a bit gluggy.
I then went to the bathroom and noticed some blood – yay! – bloody show. Never was I so happy to be bleeding from down there. For the next hour or so I kept returning to the bathroom so I could check for more. I didn’t have too much blood, it was a bit red and mixed with mucous.
7pm to 9.30pm
After calling the hospital to let them know about the blood, I kept timing the contractions and checking on the baby’s movements. I was a bit confused to see that the contractions were 5 minutes apart and lasted about 45 seconds; however, they were not very painful. I know 5 minutes apart is when the hospital said to come in, but I wasn’t in too much pain and still felt I could be ‘crying wolf’.
I called them back and spoke to mum, everyone thought it best to stay at home and wait and see. At 9.30, I decided to get some rest. I thought I might be in for a long night.
9.30pm to 6.00am
Through the night I slept well enough, but would have 5 minute contractions when I woke. Arcris finally came to bed at about 2am, he hadn’t wanted to before in case he was needed to drive me to hospital.
Friday 14th December
6.00am to 8.00am
When I woke up at 6am, I was starving but remembered we didn’t have any bread and not much milk. I wasn’t having many contractions and was disappointed… so I made pancakes! I figured moving around and being upright suited labour more than lying down.
So then, my challenge was to stay upright and active until labour really takes hold.
Was having stronger contractions at this point but at 10 minutes apart.
Saturday, 29 December 2007
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
It's a boy!
At 5.56am on Saturday the 15th December 2007, we welcomed baby boy Xavier into the world. 14 hour labour, natural birth... (will fill in details when I have the chance)
no drugs at all!!!
He's a gorgeous boy (aren't they always the apple of our eyes) and we're smitten already. After a brief stint in special care, he's doing very well at home with mum and dad.
Photos to come.
no drugs at all!!!
He's a gorgeous boy (aren't they always the apple of our eyes) and we're smitten already. After a brief stint in special care, he's doing very well at home with mum and dad.
Photos to come.
Monday, 10 December 2007
Bump not yet a baby
OK, today is the day... I am 40 weeks pregnant... did you hear that baby? Time is up, out you come now...
Sure I know that 40 weeks is an approximate measure, but surely bubs will arrive on time, no?
I have risked a visit into the library to check email and check every one's blogs, maybe that will tempt fate and bubs will decide that breaking waters on library floor would be hilarious!
I have spent the last 4 weeks of maternity leave gearing down, it has been great and I am so happy to have had this time. I thought I was ready soon after leaving work, but it has been great to just have down time before I know life will be turned on its head.
The only downside is the waiting (and of course the endless phone calls and messages inquiring if I have popped yet!). Each night I ensure the house is 'visitor' clean before going to bed; I go to bed at a decent hour each night just in case it happens through the night and I want to be properly rested; each day I wait, and wait.
Mondays I change the bed sheet (each time thinking 'These will probably be the sheets my waters will break on to'); Tuesdays I do a load of washing ('Hope the weather holds while I am in hospital'); Wednesdays I fold the wash ('Thank goodness I got them in before all the visitors arrive to see the baby'); Thursdays I scrub the bathroom ('Phew, thank goodness the post-baby visitors won't have to see that mess'); Fridays I vacuum ('That will be lovely for the the visitors who visit the baby'); Saturdays we grocery shop ('Better stock up before bubs arrives, but not too much perishable in case it goes off while we are hospital').
However, the baby hasn't come yet, the visitors aren't coming until bubs is here, and my house just keeps getting cleaner!
Sure I know that 40 weeks is an approximate measure, but surely bubs will arrive on time, no?
I have risked a visit into the library to check email and check every one's blogs, maybe that will tempt fate and bubs will decide that breaking waters on library floor would be hilarious!
I have spent the last 4 weeks of maternity leave gearing down, it has been great and I am so happy to have had this time. I thought I was ready soon after leaving work, but it has been great to just have down time before I know life will be turned on its head.
The only downside is the waiting (and of course the endless phone calls and messages inquiring if I have popped yet!). Each night I ensure the house is 'visitor' clean before going to bed; I go to bed at a decent hour each night just in case it happens through the night and I want to be properly rested; each day I wait, and wait.
Mondays I change the bed sheet (each time thinking 'These will probably be the sheets my waters will break on to'); Tuesdays I do a load of washing ('Hope the weather holds while I am in hospital'); Wednesdays I fold the wash ('Thank goodness I got them in before all the visitors arrive to see the baby'); Thursdays I scrub the bathroom ('Phew, thank goodness the post-baby visitors won't have to see that mess'); Fridays I vacuum ('That will be lovely for the the visitors who visit the baby'); Saturdays we grocery shop ('Better stock up before bubs arrives, but not too much perishable in case it goes off while we are hospital').
However, the baby hasn't come yet, the visitors aren't coming until bubs is here, and my house just keeps getting cleaner!
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Still waiting
Ok, so I know I am still early, but I hear so many times a day that 'it could be any day now' that even though I know it is unlikely for a first born to come early, I think I have started thinking it could be any day!
I had my 36 week appointment today, with an OB. What a disappointment. I have had all my other appointments (except 20 weeks) with a midwife. The midwifes are lovely, they love their job, they love our babies, they love our belly and care about our feelings. A midwife appointment takes longer than half an hour, and they are always running behind because they spend so much time with each patient.
Can't say the same thing about the OB. Apparently 'baby is down, but not fully engaged yet', 'baby has heartbeat', 'blood pressure is fine', and 'you need to take iron supplements' are the only thing needing to be conveyed during an appointment, and this exchange need take no longer than 10 minutes.
Oh, well 38 week one is back to midwifes, I will let them know home much I appreciate them next time!
In other news, I can't believe they are going to let me take a baby home to take care of. Last night hubby and I light a couple of candles (not for romancin' but to get rid of smell of the prawn dinner we had eaten earlier) and then we to bed. Hubby bounded out of bed this morning at 7 a.m. after remembering about them. They have burned themselves down during the night and all was fine. But my confidence is shattered. How can I take care of another human being when I could have burnt house down last night?!
I had my 36 week appointment today, with an OB. What a disappointment. I have had all my other appointments (except 20 weeks) with a midwife. The midwifes are lovely, they love their job, they love our babies, they love our belly and care about our feelings. A midwife appointment takes longer than half an hour, and they are always running behind because they spend so much time with each patient.
Can't say the same thing about the OB. Apparently 'baby is down, but not fully engaged yet', 'baby has heartbeat', 'blood pressure is fine', and 'you need to take iron supplements' are the only thing needing to be conveyed during an appointment, and this exchange need take no longer than 10 minutes.
Oh, well 38 week one is back to midwifes, I will let them know home much I appreciate them next time!
In other news, I can't believe they are going to let me take a baby home to take care of. Last night hubby and I light a couple of candles (not for romancin' but to get rid of smell of the prawn dinner we had eaten earlier) and then we to bed. Hubby bounded out of bed this morning at 7 a.m. after remembering about them. They have burned themselves down during the night and all was fine. But my confidence is shattered. How can I take care of another human being when I could have burnt house down last night?!
Friday, 9 November 2007
So long (for now)
Today is my last day at work before maternity leave. I am excited and anxious about the unknown world that is the 'stay at home Mum'.
As archaic as this sounds we currently have no internet at home, so I will only be able to check in on everyone and update my own blog when I visit my in-laws. Depending on when Pudding decides to come and how often I visit the in-laws, my next post could well be the birth... only time will tell.
I will miss reading everyone's blogs for a whole and hope all goes well for everyone!
As archaic as this sounds we currently have no internet at home, so I will only be able to check in on everyone and update my own blog when I visit my in-laws. Depending on when Pudding decides to come and how often I visit the in-laws, my next post could well be the birth... only time will tell.
I will miss reading everyone's blogs for a whole and hope all goes well for everyone!
Thursday, 8 November 2007
What not to say to an 8-month pregnant woman
Pregnant Woman: Darling, if you could, would you choose to have our next child yourself?
Husband of Pregnant Woman: No, I couldn't bear the labour and delivery.
PW: OK, excluding that, would you choose to experience the pregnacy itself? To grow in places you would rather not grow, feel the nausea and any other pregnancy complaints? But also experience the feeling of closeness with your child and feel it move inside you?
HoPW: Yeah I would, I mean, the pregnancy compalints, they are all a matter of perspective.
PW: You mean you think it is easier than women let on, that you could do it easly withour complaint?
HoPW (ignoring dangerous look in PW eyes): Yeah, as I said pain is a matter of perspective...
Cue teary, hormonal pregnant woman and extremely apologetic husband for the rest of the day.
Husband of Pregnant Woman: No, I couldn't bear the labour and delivery.
PW: OK, excluding that, would you choose to experience the pregnacy itself? To grow in places you would rather not grow, feel the nausea and any other pregnancy complaints? But also experience the feeling of closeness with your child and feel it move inside you?
HoPW: Yeah I would, I mean, the pregnancy compalints, they are all a matter of perspective.
PW: You mean you think it is easier than women let on, that you could do it easly withour complaint?
HoPW (ignoring dangerous look in PW eyes): Yeah, as I said pain is a matter of perspective...
Cue teary, hormonal pregnant woman and extremely apologetic husband for the rest of the day.
Friday, 2 November 2007
The kitchen is open!
Some exciting news - I have started to notice the smallest amount of wet spots on my bra when I take it off!
Yay, these things are not just for show, they seem to be real, live, functioning body parts!
Ready when you are little one - Mumma's kitchen is open!
Yay, these things are not just for show, they seem to be real, live, functioning body parts!
Ready when you are little one - Mumma's kitchen is open!
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
My Birthday
It is my birthday today. I have been thinking about my Mum all day.
As I was going to sleep I thought ‘She already knew I was coming 27 years from now, I wonder how she was feeling’.
Each time I woke up for the bathroom in the middle of the night I thought ‘She was still going through labour this time 27 years ago’.
And then when I finally woke up at 5.30 in the morning I thought ‘She was getting her first look at her first child this time 27 years ago’ (I was born at 5.20 a.m. on 31 October 1980).
When she called today to wish me a happy birthday I nearly cried telling her how I had been thinking about her. She said ‘Now do you understand why it is so important to a mother to see her children on their birthday?’.
This is the first year that I have realised that my birthday is so important to someone other than myself.
Sitting with my husband eating breakfast this morning we were playing the ‘this time last year’ game (e.g. ‘This time last year we were still planning the wedding’, ‘This day 3 years ago you asked me to marry you and we had just bought our apartment’, etc).
This of course turned into the ‘this time next year’ game. I wanted to cry (noticing a theme here? Crying has become very common to me!). This time next year my baby will be crawling around the house; this time next year I will not feel my baby kicking inside me as I eat breakfast; this time next year I will not be with my baby for the entire day; this time next year other people will be able to hold my baby rather than just me; this time next year my baby will (sometimes) find more joy in a pile of toys than it does in me.
Ok, so I know it was way over the top, however, it made me realise, that as uncomfortable as I am at the moment, I don’t think I am ready for the pregnancy to be over. Of course I look forward to holding the baby in my arms, but I am almost dreading waking up and not having the baby completely attached to me.
As I was going to sleep I thought ‘She already knew I was coming 27 years from now, I wonder how she was feeling’.
Each time I woke up for the bathroom in the middle of the night I thought ‘She was still going through labour this time 27 years ago’.
And then when I finally woke up at 5.30 in the morning I thought ‘She was getting her first look at her first child this time 27 years ago’ (I was born at 5.20 a.m. on 31 October 1980).
When she called today to wish me a happy birthday I nearly cried telling her how I had been thinking about her. She said ‘Now do you understand why it is so important to a mother to see her children on their birthday?’.
This is the first year that I have realised that my birthday is so important to someone other than myself.
Sitting with my husband eating breakfast this morning we were playing the ‘this time last year’ game (e.g. ‘This time last year we were still planning the wedding’, ‘This day 3 years ago you asked me to marry you and we had just bought our apartment’, etc).
This of course turned into the ‘this time next year’ game. I wanted to cry (noticing a theme here? Crying has become very common to me!). This time next year my baby will be crawling around the house; this time next year I will not feel my baby kicking inside me as I eat breakfast; this time next year I will not be with my baby for the entire day; this time next year other people will be able to hold my baby rather than just me; this time next year my baby will (sometimes) find more joy in a pile of toys than it does in me.
Ok, so I know it was way over the top, however, it made me realise, that as uncomfortable as I am at the moment, I don’t think I am ready for the pregnancy to be over. Of course I look forward to holding the baby in my arms, but I am almost dreading waking up and not having the baby completely attached to me.
Friday, 26 October 2007
Photos
Ok, have decided to come clean... I am cheating on this blog with another. I guess the thing is that it doesn't matter if this blog finds out about the other, but the other one (which I send to family) should never, ever find out about this one. I would like to keep this one as a place to vent and would rather no 'real life' friends and family find out about it.
On the other blog I post photos of my growing belly and a (very dorky) weekly update about how Pudding should be growing, I don't write personal stuff on that one and only really update it when I get the chance to download pictures. You are all welcome to come and view the other blog if you want to see belly shots, and then bookmark it if you wish to see baby and family photos once Pudding has arrived.
Please be aware that I don't want friends and family finding out about this blog, so if you wish to comment on the other blog, please don't mention this one!
OK, so here it is:
http://babygalang.wordpress.com/
On the other blog I post photos of my growing belly and a (very dorky) weekly update about how Pudding should be growing, I don't write personal stuff on that one and only really update it when I get the chance to download pictures. You are all welcome to come and view the other blog if you want to see belly shots, and then bookmark it if you wish to see baby and family photos once Pudding has arrived.
Please be aware that I don't want friends and family finding out about this blog, so if you wish to comment on the other blog, please don't mention this one!
OK, so here it is:
http://babygalang.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Wrong way out
I think my baby thinks that it can somehow find a way out of my belly through the belly button area. It has been constantly trying to kick/punch a hole through there for the last week.
Baby is head down which is good because I doubt there is much room for it to turn around, and has its back on my left side facing my front which I hear is a great position for the birth. I get most of my kicks and ounches on the right side and occasionally a shoulder or elbow on the left.
On the advice of my midwife (backed up with google research) I have started taking Raspberry Leaf Tea. It has a stimulating effect on the uterus and I have definently noticed BH since then (was too sure I was even having any before have the Raspberry Leaf Tea). Here's hoping it reduces my labour time and the need for intervention!
The advice I found on google was this:
In a study carried out in Sydney, Australia, 192 first-time mums were given at random either a 1.2g raspberry leaf tablet or a placebo twice a day from 32 weeks of pregnancy. The herb had no harmful effects on mother or baby, and those women who had taken raspberry leaf tablets were found to have a shorter second stage of labour and a lower rate of forceps delivery (19.3% versus 30.4%). It is believed that raspberry leaf, if taken regularly through pregnancy and labour can:
· Ease the symptoms of morning sickness.
· Sooth and prevent bleeding gums which many pregnant women often experience.
· Relax the smooth muscles of the uterus when it is contracting (Burn & Withell, 1941).
· Assist with the birth of the baby and the placenta.
· Calm cramping of the uterus.
· Provide a rich source of iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium. The magnesium content is especially helpful in strengthening the uterine muscles. Raspberry leaf also contains vitamins B1, B3 and E which are valuable in pregnancy.
Raspberry leaf is also used for the following:
· To aid fertility.
· To promote a plentiful supply of breastmilk.
· To help stop excess bleeding after birth.
· To treat diarrhoea.
· To regulate irregular menstrual cycle and decreases heavy periods.
· To relieve sore throats.
· To reduce fever.
Baby is head down which is good because I doubt there is much room for it to turn around, and has its back on my left side facing my front which I hear is a great position for the birth. I get most of my kicks and ounches on the right side and occasionally a shoulder or elbow on the left.
On the advice of my midwife (backed up with google research) I have started taking Raspberry Leaf Tea. It has a stimulating effect on the uterus and I have definently noticed BH since then (was too sure I was even having any before have the Raspberry Leaf Tea). Here's hoping it reduces my labour time and the need for intervention!
The advice I found on google was this:
In a study carried out in Sydney, Australia, 192 first-time mums were given at random either a 1.2g raspberry leaf tablet or a placebo twice a day from 32 weeks of pregnancy. The herb had no harmful effects on mother or baby, and those women who had taken raspberry leaf tablets were found to have a shorter second stage of labour and a lower rate of forceps delivery (19.3% versus 30.4%). It is believed that raspberry leaf, if taken regularly through pregnancy and labour can:
· Ease the symptoms of morning sickness.
· Sooth and prevent bleeding gums which many pregnant women often experience.
· Relax the smooth muscles of the uterus when it is contracting (Burn & Withell, 1941).
· Assist with the birth of the baby and the placenta.
· Calm cramping of the uterus.
· Provide a rich source of iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium. The magnesium content is especially helpful in strengthening the uterine muscles. Raspberry leaf also contains vitamins B1, B3 and E which are valuable in pregnancy.
Raspberry leaf is also used for the following:
· To aid fertility.
· To promote a plentiful supply of breastmilk.
· To help stop excess bleeding after birth.
· To treat diarrhoea.
· To regulate irregular menstrual cycle and decreases heavy periods.
· To relieve sore throats.
· To reduce fever.
Monday, 15 October 2007
Jewellery
I do beleive that my wedding rings and my watch have indeed grown smaller throughout the course of this pregnancy. If they shrink any more I shall have to wear my rings around my necklace...
Possum update
I think an Australian of the year award is in order - for my humanitarian work (towards possums - not humans).
On Friday I finally got brave and... wait for it... you will be amazed by my bravery... I quickly opened the front door, ran to the side of the balcony and put a broom over the side so that the little one could climb up it and escape (what it was escaping to I have no idea - city traffic perhaps?).
Of course as soon as it escaped (it took it about 15 minutes to figure out what to do) I was hit with the realisation that rats could sneak through small holes - maybe possums could too. So I boarded up my front door just in case. Yes I boarded up my door to escape from a 10 cm possum.
So guys, start the nominations coming for Australian of the year!
BTW, I have my first birthing class tonight - looking forward to eating out with my husband (we haven't really been out to dinner alone since I fell pregnant) and then meeting other pregnant women in the same stages as me.
32 weeks 2 days
On Friday I finally got brave and... wait for it... you will be amazed by my bravery... I quickly opened the front door, ran to the side of the balcony and put a broom over the side so that the little one could climb up it and escape (what it was escaping to I have no idea - city traffic perhaps?).
Of course as soon as it escaped (it took it about 15 minutes to figure out what to do) I was hit with the realisation that rats could sneak through small holes - maybe possums could too. So I boarded up my front door just in case. Yes I boarded up my door to escape from a 10 cm possum.
So guys, start the nominations coming for Australian of the year!
BTW, I have my first birthing class tonight - looking forward to eating out with my husband (we haven't really been out to dinner alone since I fell pregnant) and then meeting other pregnant women in the same stages as me.
32 weeks 2 days
Friday, 12 October 2007
Terrified
Am currently sitting at my kitchen table (ahh work from home!) too terrified to go outside because of an animal lurking out the front of my ground floor apartment.
Ok, maybe I exaggerate, but I seriously can't tear myself away from the window and am too scared to go outside. There is a little baby possum which seems to have decided my ground floor balcony is its new home.
That's right... a possum!!
I live in the city - what is a possum doing lurking around my house?!
Those of you from overseas may not quite understand my terror, a possum, though admittedly quite cute, is just really like a big rat. Seriously, an Australian native RAT!
A rat that it is illegal to kill/hurt/relocate even when it is in your house!!!
The cute/scary little thing keeps climbing up my window frame, presumably in an attempt to get out of the balcony as the other sides are brick... I don't know what I can do about it, I know it is scratching the crap out of the frames but I am not allowed to (read: too scared to) do anything about it.
Oh man, the things that happen when you stay at home to work (this so would not have happened in my high rise building I work in!).
Ok, maybe I exaggerate, but I seriously can't tear myself away from the window and am too scared to go outside. There is a little baby possum which seems to have decided my ground floor balcony is its new home.
That's right... a possum!!
I live in the city - what is a possum doing lurking around my house?!
Those of you from overseas may not quite understand my terror, a possum, though admittedly quite cute, is just really like a big rat. Seriously, an Australian native RAT!
A rat that it is illegal to kill/hurt/relocate even when it is in your house!!!
The cute/scary little thing keeps climbing up my window frame, presumably in an attempt to get out of the balcony as the other sides are brick... I don't know what I can do about it, I know it is scratching the crap out of the frames but I am not allowed to (read: too scared to) do anything about it.
Oh man, the things that happen when you stay at home to work (this so would not have happened in my high rise building I work in!).
Thursday, 11 October 2007
Skinny - minnie
My belly has become skinny again... well sort of. For ages the baby was lying horizontally and it was causing a few problems sleeping (it really didn't like me sleeping on either side). But recently it has turned so it is vertical, ahhh. My belly looks much more out front and less wide!
I can't tell if the baby is head up or head down though... will have to wait until next Thursday's midwife appointment so that she can tell me!
I can't tell if the baby is head up or head down though... will have to wait until next Thursday's midwife appointment so that she can tell me!
Monday, 8 October 2007
Shower and christening - ROAR!
My baby shower on Saturday was lovely. My Mum and sisters had gone to such trouble, decorating the house in blue and pink ribbons and balloons, and Mum had made a table centre piece from baby nappies (diapers) and pink and blue nappy pins and dummies (pacifiers). My sisters had organised games and prizes, all baby themed of course.
It was just the girls there but then my husband came back after a couple of hours and we opened the presents together. We got lots of lovely presents from friends and family, and I spent yesterday evening playing with all the toys and folding and re-folding the new clothes!
Yesterday we went to a musical with my Mum, Grandma and MIL. Thinking back there was a funny moment when my husband called me over to the conversation because he overheard my MIL telling my Mum and Grandma to book my Grandma’s church and hall for MY baby’s Christening because she wasn’t able to book her church for Christenings!!
I had to do my best not to go into full Lioness, territorial, mode and ROAR that it was our family now and we will be choosing the church – and the RELIGION, no less (my husband and I are different religions – both Christian, but he is Catholic and I am Church of England)! I had to bite my tongue because I know that she was only doing because she cares, but I really do draw the line at someone other than us choosing our baby’s religion. It is really funny to start feeling all these territorial feelings about our new little 3 person family!
BTW, am getting really, really fat now! Just saw some pictures of myself at the baby shower and I almost don’t recognise myself! I feel ‘normal’ until I see photos and then I get a shock! LOL, oh well, only 9 more weeks of growing and then I hope to start shirking back to my former self!
31 weeks!
It was just the girls there but then my husband came back after a couple of hours and we opened the presents together. We got lots of lovely presents from friends and family, and I spent yesterday evening playing with all the toys and folding and re-folding the new clothes!
Yesterday we went to a musical with my Mum, Grandma and MIL. Thinking back there was a funny moment when my husband called me over to the conversation because he overheard my MIL telling my Mum and Grandma to book my Grandma’s church and hall for MY baby’s Christening because she wasn’t able to book her church for Christenings!!
I had to do my best not to go into full Lioness, territorial, mode and ROAR that it was our family now and we will be choosing the church – and the RELIGION, no less (my husband and I are different religions – both Christian, but he is Catholic and I am Church of England)! I had to bite my tongue because I know that she was only doing because she cares, but I really do draw the line at someone other than us choosing our baby’s religion. It is really funny to start feeling all these territorial feelings about our new little 3 person family!
BTW, am getting really, really fat now! Just saw some pictures of myself at the baby shower and I almost don’t recognise myself! I feel ‘normal’ until I see photos and then I get a shock! LOL, oh well, only 9 more weeks of growing and then I hope to start shirking back to my former self!
31 weeks!
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Lioness and her cub
I was reading recently about how a woman suddenly somehow reverts to her animal instinct to protect her young and her ‘new family’ when she has her first child. The woman is supposed to get very territorial over her new family, however, at the same time, the ‘old’ lionesses also get protective over the extended family and it can end up in an all in lioness battle!
I think I know the feeling.
I have never really had a problem with MIL or my Mum overtaking and pushing opinions, even during the wedding planning everyone was very careful not to step on anyone else’s toes. I even lived with MIL for a few years while hubby and I saved for our place. Suddenly, throw a baby cub into the equation and everyone gets all competitive and possessive!
Between MIL, Mum and my Grandma seemingly competing in a ‘who can buy more presents for the baby’ and ‘who can guess the gender of the baby’ (and buy the most clothes in PINK and BLUE for the baby – as if somehow the gender of the baby will change depending on how many outfits await it!) and the endless stories of how they brought up their children (hint, hint, this is the best way to do it isn’t it?!) I am starting to get very protective of my new little 3 person family.
I, along with hubby, would like to be the one to decide how my baby is raised and would like everyone else to back off!
That sounds so nasty doesn’t it?
I am trying my best not to show anyone how stressed they are making me (just moaning about it to my husband in the car on the way home!) because I know that ultimately they have all of our best interests at heart, and I really do appreciate all the gifts (maybe hold the pink and blue until the baby is here though!). I just keep dreading how they will behave when the baby is here.
I have nightmares about them tearing the baby limb from limb in a bid to be the first to hold it; and am already anticipating getting stressed when they all pile over for visits all weekend when I just want to make sure that the 3 of us get ‘family time’.
I think I should stop thinking about it – probably just the pregnancy hormones stressing me out!
I think I know the feeling.
I have never really had a problem with MIL or my Mum overtaking and pushing opinions, even during the wedding planning everyone was very careful not to step on anyone else’s toes. I even lived with MIL for a few years while hubby and I saved for our place. Suddenly, throw a baby cub into the equation and everyone gets all competitive and possessive!
Between MIL, Mum and my Grandma seemingly competing in a ‘who can buy more presents for the baby’ and ‘who can guess the gender of the baby’ (and buy the most clothes in PINK and BLUE for the baby – as if somehow the gender of the baby will change depending on how many outfits await it!) and the endless stories of how they brought up their children (hint, hint, this is the best way to do it isn’t it?!) I am starting to get very protective of my new little 3 person family.
I, along with hubby, would like to be the one to decide how my baby is raised and would like everyone else to back off!
That sounds so nasty doesn’t it?
I am trying my best not to show anyone how stressed they are making me (just moaning about it to my husband in the car on the way home!) because I know that ultimately they have all of our best interests at heart, and I really do appreciate all the gifts (maybe hold the pink and blue until the baby is here though!). I just keep dreading how they will behave when the baby is here.
I have nightmares about them tearing the baby limb from limb in a bid to be the first to hold it; and am already anticipating getting stressed when they all pile over for visits all weekend when I just want to make sure that the 3 of us get ‘family time’.
I think I should stop thinking about it – probably just the pregnancy hormones stressing me out!
Friday, 28 September 2007
S e x
A good point was brought up by Nina on a blog I read ('Ben and Stella'), se*x...
I do wonder sometimes how many pregnant women are getting any, how many are wanting any and how many are just generally thinking about it at all. It may seem strange to care about other people private lives in that way, but I just want to know how normal Mr G and I really are.
I don't believe my drive has changed at all since getting pregnant. Ok, the first trimester was a major downturn, but since then I think I would like it as often as usual.
However, whilst it does sometimes upset me ('Am I such a turn off these days?') the thought of his little darling baby experiencing every moment of our se*x does manage to turn my husband off to such a degree that I don't know the last time we were intimate.
The thing that does worry me is when is the next time we will have time and energy for it after the baby is here anyway?!
Am I doomed to be forever officially 'not getting any'?!
29 weeks 4 days
I do wonder sometimes how many pregnant women are getting any, how many are wanting any and how many are just generally thinking about it at all. It may seem strange to care about other people private lives in that way, but I just want to know how normal Mr G and I really are.
I don't believe my drive has changed at all since getting pregnant. Ok, the first trimester was a major downturn, but since then I think I would like it as often as usual.
However, whilst it does sometimes upset me ('Am I such a turn off these days?') the thought of his little darling baby experiencing every moment of our se*x does manage to turn my husband off to such a degree that I don't know the last time we were intimate.
The thing that does worry me is when is the next time we will have time and energy for it after the baby is here anyway?!
Am I doomed to be forever officially 'not getting any'?!
29 weeks 4 days
Friday, 14 September 2007
Invitation
Come one and all to the disease playground hosted by yours truly.
Ah, work college with the throat infection of course you are welcome. No don't bother staying home from work just because you are sick, by all means, cough and splutter around here as much as you like.
Oh, and Master runny nose I see you have brought your friend stuffy head. You must have heard that throat infection was passing by and thought you would join us.
Why sir, what a surprise, I have heard many dangerous rumours about you. Mister fever please let me introduce you to some other guests, sit over here by my 2 paracetamol friends.
And who do we have here? Well really, at long last, I was beginning to think you would not join me. You have surely visited every other pregnant woman I know except for me. Come right this way Mr heartburn you have been expected for some time.
Now that you are all gathered here, let me just say it has been a delightful week at home on sick leave. But if you don't mind, kindly f$%k off and leave me and my precious baby alone.
Ah, work college with the throat infection of course you are welcome. No don't bother staying home from work just because you are sick, by all means, cough and splutter around here as much as you like.
Oh, and Master runny nose I see you have brought your friend stuffy head. You must have heard that throat infection was passing by and thought you would join us.
Why sir, what a surprise, I have heard many dangerous rumours about you. Mister fever please let me introduce you to some other guests, sit over here by my 2 paracetamol friends.
And who do we have here? Well really, at long last, I was beginning to think you would not join me. You have surely visited every other pregnant woman I know except for me. Come right this way Mr heartburn you have been expected for some time.
Now that you are all gathered here, let me just say it has been a delightful week at home on sick leave. But if you don't mind, kindly f$%k off and leave me and my precious baby alone.
Friday, 7 September 2007
Whose body is this anyway?
I am falling apart...
My ankles are swollen by the time I get home in the evening (something only sitting for an hour with my legs elevated seems to solve), but worse are these odd red patches that have recently made an appearance of each of my ankles. It is so bizarre, in the evening they are bright red patches of squiggly lines about 5cm round which are not itchy but are prickly and warm to touch. They then get less red by the morning and slowly flare up during the day.
I can't for the life of me think of anything I have been doing differently (other than gaining pregnancy weight and swelling as a result!). Does anyone know what they are???!!! My friend Google doesn't seem to help me on this one.
Other signs that my body is falling apart:
My ankles are swollen by the time I get home in the evening (something only sitting for an hour with my legs elevated seems to solve), but worse are these odd red patches that have recently made an appearance of each of my ankles. It is so bizarre, in the evening they are bright red patches of squiggly lines about 5cm round which are not itchy but are prickly and warm to touch. They then get less red by the morning and slowly flare up during the day.
I can't for the life of me think of anything I have been doing differently (other than gaining pregnancy weight and swelling as a result!). Does anyone know what they are???!!! My friend Google doesn't seem to help me on this one.
Other signs that my body is falling apart:
- I also noticed red spots on my stretch marks (embarrassingly stretch marks are on thighs rather than belly as one would assume) which I have read are common during pregnancy.
- I wake at night in a hot sweat at about 3 a.m. and have to dry the sweat from between my new found crevices between layers of flesh (mostly between and under my HUGE boobs!). It is a new experience to me as Melbourne is really mild weather all year round and I have never had a problem like this even in Summer, I have taken advice from people living in more tropical environments and apply talc which does help somewhat.
- My wrists have become fat. No one agrees with me, but I can notice the difference. I hate it.
However, there have been some benefits to my body caused by pregnancy changes:
- I love my cleavage. Not so fond of my boobs when bra is off (veins and huge nipples), but they look great in clothes!
- I have gone from using countless expensive face care products to... sorbolene! During my first trimester when I felt like crap it was all I could do to wash my face with soap and then use sorbolene whenever it felt 'squeaky'. My skin has become used to it and now looks great and blemish free with little care needed!
On the whole, I think my body is worse off than pre-pregnancy, however, I am sure the little life inside me is better off for all the changes to little old me.
Monday, 3 September 2007
Another friend for Pudding
On Saturday night I had dinner with my 5 best friends. The girl whose wedding I was going to in March the day I found out I was pregnant announced that she is pregnant too. She is only 5 weeks, so I know it is really early, but I am so excited for her and so excited for my baby that it will have a little friend to grow up with!
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