Half Way Mark

Well as of today, I'm half way through this pregnancy. 20 weeks today and it really has flown by. I think a lot of that is down to not being able to enjoy the pg as much as the first one, simply because real life must go on. I must work, cook, clean and take care of Caitlin. Last time round, I was afforded the luxury of being able to lie and read *every* pg book available and constantly monitor each stage I was at, whilst making Ivan do everything for me

I was starting to get worried about the lack of movement I'm feeling but last night my tummy felt like it was on a rollercoaster for about 4 hours. I finally think it's starting and I know that in another 4 weeks I'll be cursing the elbows and feet in the ribs!

My baby bump has taken on a life of it's own this week I'm starting to get *big* This week, I got one stranger asking me when I was due and another stupid silly bitch in work asking when I was due and then saying "OMG, you're massive. Are you sure you are not having twins!" No ~ I'm just having a BIG baby.

Anyway, I'm going to be brave and post a 20 week belly pic. Last time I post a belly pic was @ 16 weeks. What do you think?

20 Weeks

20 Week Belly Pic

My Little Picasso

Big Girls Bed

A Blissful Retreat

I've booked for us to stay in a hotel overnight tomorrow and I'm soooooo looking forward to it. It's a bit of a belated Valentines gift And probably the last time we'll get away together on our own for a while!

We are staying here :: www.armaghcityhotel.co.uk OK, so it's not far from were we live but it's a break and that's what I feel need right now.

Caitlin is going up to stay with her Nana overnight and she is already looking forward to it! She can't wait to pack her rucksack. I might take her swimming in the morning to help tire her out. I'd hate to hear that she didn't sleep and kept them up all night or something ~ they mightn't want to have her back, lol.

Woo Hoo :: 1000+ Visitors

Who would have thought that I'd get excited over this, lol. Over a thousand visitors to my little blog.

How vain am I?

18 Weeks

I've not been on for a while but all has been well.

Last Saturday I was just about slipping into a depression filled weekend when Ivan pulled it out of the bag at the last minute, lol.

After some huffing, stomping about and tears (all from me) he told me to go up and get ready to go into town. We drove in and he then said he was taking Caitlin for the afternoon and would pick me up later!

I was in town, on my own, to shop, for myself. I had not done this in a looooooooooong time!!

It didn't take long to get my grove back I got maternity jeans, lots of tops, a sports cardy and new shoes. I felt like I was walking on cloud 9 when Ivan came to pick me up. (I've also ordered a lot of stuff online that I'm hoping will arrive this week ~ look's like I've been bitten by the shopping bug).

On Sunday, Caitlin and I popped up to visit my mum for her birthday. My sister said that it looked like I'd lost a lot of weight and my bump was more pronounced. She also said I was *blooming* That is great coming from her.

Lots of people in work mentioned my bump this week. It is growing. When I breath in it doesn't make any difference now I've also noticed that I'm running to the toilet a lot more now. My internal bits and pieces must be getting pushed around a bit. The joy's of pregnancy!

I got the results of my Triple Test back on Friday and they are all good. In relation to the risk of having a baby with Downs, the apparent score for my age is 1:500 but my blood test showed a risk of 1:1400. That is a relief but I still find myself worrying about other things. I think that is only natural. At the minute I'm not feeling a lot of movement. They say with your 2nd+ pregnancy you should feel movement earlier but except for the odd flutter, I'm feeling nothing. Even with the flutters, they've passed before I realise. I'm hoping the next few weeks bring about a change.

MW Appointment

Today was eventful to say the least. Caitlin had a little rash on her tummy yesterday morning and I took the "wait & see" approach. By the time I got home from work it had spread so first thing this morning I took her to the doctors. Turns out she has Shingles!

The doctor was very impressed! Never seen or heard of it in one so young. The doctor is hoping it won't cause her too much discomfort given her age. She thinks the older you are the worse it can be. We've got an antibiotic cream and that's about it. Caitlin may develop the flu and be out of sorts but we can deal with that.

I guess the main thing is Caitlin is ok and there is no risk to me or the baby.

We were back at the doctors this afternoon for my midwife appointment. It was quick and painless. My BP was great and my urine was clear.

I heard the heartbeat for the first time. Caitlin heard it too. She said "who is making all that noise?" when we said that it was the baby, she said "baby's banging in there" The MW couldn't compose herself!

Antenatal Appointment

Had a hospital appointment yesterday afternoon to get the Triple Test done and should get the results in about 10 days. Ivan came along too and we were lucky enough to have another scan. It was great to see our little bubba kicking and punching around. He/she looked safe and happy. Really active, yet I couldn't feel a thing!

I think I'm feeling the odd bit of movement depending on how I'm sitting or lying. It feels like little flutters down deep in my tummy. I can't wait for the big ailen rolls, twist and turns. I can't wait for Caitlin and her dad to be able to feel the kicks too.

I have a midwife appointment at the GP surgery tomorrow. Usually they just check bp and urine. If I'm lucky they will use the doppalar and listen for the heartbeat. If so, this will be the first time I've heard it.

I took a funny turn a tea time yesterday and ended up going to bed with Caitlin! I thought my morning (noon & night) sickness had passed! All day I had been really looking forward to a baked potato with bacon and melted cheese. I was dreaming about it and tasting it all day but as soon as I'd made it and sat down to eat ......... ugh! I just couldn't bring myself to eat any. I felt sooooo ill. I was asleep by 8 pm, right through till this morning and I think I'm off baked potato's now!

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16 Weeks

Can't believe it's 16 weeks today.

I've seen my body change shape over the past week. My tummy is getting hard to the touch and although I've only put on about 6lb my waist line is getting bigger, lol. I've had a few twinges this week too. Say if I move or twist to one side, I can feel a pulling low down in my tummy. I'm just counting the days until I can feel the baby move. I think I've felt a few little flutters but I can't wait for the twist and turns. I can't wait to share them with Ivan and Caitlin but I love those first few weeks when only I can feel the baby move.

I got a bundle of maternity clothes in the post this week. I'd ordered online and unfortunately I've to send everything (bar one top) back! I hate trying to find maternity jeans/trousers. I tried on a lovely pair the other week but the soft panel went right round your tummy & back. It meant that I felt the trousers were falling down. I'd be forever trying to hitch them up! I am planning on going shopping, minus Caitlin, sometime next week ~ I must book a day & time with Ivan! He will be on babysitting duty.

Oh, good news on the bed front. Caitlin slept in her bed last night. She went straight to sleep and never even got out of it this morning ~ she was sat up in bed shouting for me at 8.30 am. I was so proud of her and when I made a fuss, she was so chuffed. Actually, she is napping in bed right now as I type! Must go and wake her or I'll not be able to get her back down tonight, lol.

16 Week Belly Pic

Big Girl = Big Bed ~ or not !!!

Caitlin's new bed arrived on Wednesday afternoon, she even rang me on my mobile to tell me a man had brought a big, big, big, big bed. She was delighted. When I came home from work she ran to meet me at the door and took me by the hand to see it. Dad had done a great job putting it together and re-arranging her bedroom!

I had brought home new bedding and Scooby Doo pj's for her, which added to her excitement. She showed us how she could climb in and out of it and asked us to turn off the light and close the door! And this was all before dinner!

Great, I thought. Easier than expected, I thought. How wrong was I.

When I went to put her into bed that evening she asked if she could sleep in her cot! After all that excitment. That is were she is sleeping this evening too, lol. I really don't mind and I'm not going to push her. I'm happy to let her decide for the next few nights and I'll try her napping in the bed at the weekend. At the minute, we talking to her about taking the cot down and putting it away for the baby. When she seems to understand what we mean, we'll go for it.

Preparing the Big Sister

I also wanted to add that things have been going great with Caitlin. We don't bombard her but we do talk about the new baby coming and she seems to have grasped the idea! She has a baby in her belly and her baby-doll has a baby in it's belly too, lol.

If you ask her what is she going to do with her dummies ~ she says she is giving them to the new baby. She only really has the dummy going to bed but if she hasn't threw it away by July, I hope to use the arrival of her brother or sister as a way to get rid! You never know, they might just buy her a big surprise for being such a good big sister!

If you ask her about her nappies ~ she says she is giving them to the new baby and she is getting Big Girl Pants! I'm hoping to take time of over Easter to try the potty training thing! At the minute she will sit on the toilet or potty but we've not really tried hard with this issue.

If you ask her about her cot ~ she says she is giving it to Daddy to put away for the new baby and she is getting a Big Girls Bed. We ordered the bed the other week and I should get it delivered within the next 2 weeks. We've bought the duvet & pillow and I want to take Caitlin shopping and let her pick out her bedding. I think she will be ok with this change. She sleeps 12 hours+ at night and has no problems with going to bed. So fingers crossed on this one!

AWOL ~ but I'm back!

I took a break from the internet before Christmas because of some shit happening IRL. A so-called friends gossiping left me hurt, confused and angry but I'm over it and that's all the time I'm allowing it on this page!

Well, as you may have noticed, I'm 15 weeks pg today. I can't believe it. It seems to have flew by so quickly. I've left the sickness behind and for the most part I'm back to normal. I get tired sometimes and still can be a bit moody but, heh, that's normal!

I had my first antenatal appointment on 06 January. Talk about comprehensive!! First off we had the scan and like everyone else feels, I was just so relieved to see the little heartbeat. Makes everything seem so real. The pictures aren't that clear cause the printer was broke but I'm happy with what I saw on screen.

Next I saw a Midwife who took all my details and entered them into the computer. She took blood (enough for several tests) and did my bp, which was fine. Then we went to see a Parentcraft Midwife. She discussed the options regarding the classes and give me a folder full of leaflets and books regarding your health & wellbeing during pg.

Lastly, I had a great appointment with a Consultant. She went over Caitlin's delivery notes with a fine toothcomb and noted everything that went wrong last time. We discussed this in-depth and as a result I was doing “Shared Care” (Hospital and GP visits) but now it's Modified Shared Care and I’ve to visit the hospital every two weeks in my last trimester. Fine by me. I’d go everyday as long as the baby is ok.

I will be monitored more closely this time round as the chances of having a *big* baby again are very high and they don't know how this was overlooked last time. There is also a high chance I'll have an early c-section and will bleed out again but now they know what to expect they will take action to prevent it. They are arranging for me to see an Anaesthetist to discuss if I did in fact have a reaction to the epidural and what this will mean next time round. I feel sooooooo reassuared & happy for the first time in a long time.

I think I was worried about the appointment and this was part of the reason I felt so down over Christmas. I'm delighted to be pg and can't wait for another baby but I was really worried about the birth. I didn't know if I could go through that part again after what happened last time But now after speaking to the Consultant, I'm happy and relaxed. She said she would prepare for the worst and hope for the best!

It's hard to believe that my little bubba can grasp, squint, frown, grimace and even suck his/her thumb! I've to go for the Triple Test on the 31st January and will hopefully get another scan then.

Mood Swings & Dreams

I've been really ill this week and I've not been at work since Monday. At first I thought is was pregnancy related but now I think it's a bug of some sort. I feel really bad, sick, tired, shakey. As if I'd been run over by a bus!

I'd a midwife appointment on Wednesday but nothing much happened. I wasn't expecting much either so I wasn't disappointed. Because I have no notes yet and have not been 'booked in' by the hospital, they could only test my blood pressure and urine sample. Both were ok. We had a little chat but that was it. I've my hospital appointment for 06 January, so not long now until I can see my little baby for real.

My mood swings are so, so bad this week. They started last weekend. I didn't see it coming, *The Bitch from Hell* just snuck up on me! I was so angry all day long. It just decended like a red mist in the morning. Then after a few hours ~ the tears started! We had to cancel a trip into town and everything. I feel so sorry for Ivan & Caitlin. I was such a wacko! I was never this hormonal last time. I just wanted to be on my own, in my own company and preferably in my own bed with the covers pulled over my head. I think I'm a bit more stable now but who knows when she will strike again. It's like living with another person.

I've been having the usual weird dreams on and off but last night I dreamt that my hair was coming out in clumps! I put my had up to my fringe and the whole lot just came away. I nearly died with fright. You know what made this even more weird ~ I didn't remember until I went to wash my hair and seen lots and lots of hair in the bath !!!!! Is my dream comeing true?

Some Festive Spirit

Snaped these at the weekend. Caitlin got a Santa hat and loves to wear it every chance she gets. She is also into dressing up at the minute!

This is my Little Princess x

First Christmas Party of the Season

Well I attended my first Christmas Party of the festive season today. I'd a travel industry lunch to attend. It was quite an important day for me cause I am Vice President of the club next year and I'd to go on stage to get my chain of office etc. Nice job by the way !!! J-Lo's bling has nothing on me now.



Our Company took a table of 10, so I'd a few guests to look after. Usually I'd have my first drink at 11.30 am and go onto 11.30 pm but things are different this year! I'd to pretend I was drinking up like everyone else to avoid questions but I carried it off. I'd a white wine spritzer followed by many of the same without the wine! I'm a good faker! Just made sure I was going to the bar for the drinks, lol.

I was back home before 7.00 pm and I'm ready for my bed! Shattered.

I've to do it all over again on Monday evening but this time it's a night out with the real rowdies. At the same party last year I fell and broke my ankle!

Sharing the news with family

We told our families at the weekend. Ivan's mum was shocked but my family broke into a chorus of “I knew it, I told you so” “What did I say, eh?” “I knew that’s what you were going to say!” They thought we would have announced something on Christmas Day but I just couldn’t hold it in that long.

In the eyes and minds of children, our announcement was met with varying degrees of excitement!

We told my niece, Victoria who is 4 and she just fell about laughing. She loves the idea that I have a ‘baby in my belly’ (her words not mine). She believes it is growing inside me until it is big enough to come out. When I was pregnant with Caitlin and Victoria was only 2, she use to put a balloon or ball up her jumper and pretend she had a baby too! She’s very advanced for her age!

My other niece, Olivia who is 3, just screwed up her face and asked “Why?” Then ran off to play, no interest there then!

Then we asked Caitlin if Mummy should get a new baby boy or a new baby girl and she said “Baby Girl” then ran off to get me one of her dolls. If only it were always as easy as that!

Everyone is delighted and so are we.

I’m 7 wks + 3 and the baby is about the size of a small bean, about a half an inch long. Apparently, the baby has an oversized head in proportion to the body. The facial features are forming with dark spots where the eyes are, openings where the nostrils will be, and pits to mark the ears. Protruding buds that will become the arms and legs are more noticeable now. The hands and feet look like tiny paddles. You can't hear it yet, but the heart is beating about 150 beats per minute (or roughly twice the rate of mine.)