one month old

my little one is a whole month old.
she is growing up so fast.


She likes
the vacum cleaner
cuddles. All the time
her mama. I'm pretty much her favourite person now that Myl is back at college... but that might be just cos I'm the one with the milk.
the milk.
smiling. this one could smile the pants off a rhino.. if it were wearing pants.
rubbing noses with her dada.
kisses on the belly.
The song "Amazing Grace" don't we all?


 and not so much?
bathtime today was no fun
being left alone for longer than 10 mins except at night sleep time.
having stuff yanked off her head. onesies, tshirts etc
being too hot or too cold.
the pram when hungry/with a full nappy. We had one crazy pram ride in the rain coming home from FMG.

We went shopping, out to coffee, to church, to growth group, to FMG, for a stroll through Sydney uni and on a bus for the first time.

I am enjoying this little one so very much. My scar is healing nicely and I'm regaining my strength and energy. I took Lucy for a crazy pram ride because I thought it would be easier (on my poor achey scar) to go a long distance in the pram rather than the sling but ended up jogging quite a bit of the way to get my wailing child home so it didn't really work out so well. I love her.

we don't like doctors

Today we went to our 6 week doctors appointment. It wasn't a lot of fun.

Everything is well. I am recovering well and Luce the goose is getting bigger like she should.
She is now 5.2kg and 57cm long. Her head is 34cm around.

All was well for the weighing and the checking but there was one last part of the doctors appointment... the injection.

This was not fun. I felt nervous as the doctor and nurse descended on my little girls thighs, needles in hand. My littlest one was smiling up at me, suspecting nothing. The needles went in and there was a moment of quiet, a look of disbelief, a reddening in the face and then a scream. Oh my poor sweet baby girl. I held her tight and told her to breathe. She settled down a little and then had a lovely long feed. Ah sweet milk. Her loving friend and comforter.

I had an equally un-fun test myself. We both left the doctors office feeling a little sorry for ourselves and have been cuddling ever since.

packed!

I finally packed my bag for the hospital this week.

I'm assuming that I will be going straight home after the little one is born so I haven't packed extra clothes and things. I think if I decide to stay longer I'll just get Myl to bring the extra clothes.

And why am I crazy enough to not want to stay in hospital longer than I need to? Well a few reasons.

- I have my super midwife/early childhood nurse mum coming to look after me when the little one is born.
- Husbands aren't allowed to stay overnight at the postnatal ward unless you are lucky enough to get a single room. I don't anticipate being that lucky. I can't really handle being without Myles for that long. Especially when there is something as exciting as our baby in the world.
- Husbands are only allowed in during the hours of 9-11 and 2-8. (regular visiting hours) I know I will probably need sleep and things like that but I function so much better when someone I love (Myl) is around. He doesn't need to be in the same room.
- It's a hospital. It's cold, sterile and just not my comfy bed.
- I get to learn how to be a mama in the place where I am going to be a mama.
- The hospital has an excellent early discharge program.

Of course if there are complications I will stay in the ward. I have a room booked. I'm just hoping to not need it.

So anyway.

Here is what's in the bag.

Toiliteries
-makeup removal pads (for witch hazel)
-bar of soap
-massage oil
-comb
-face wash
-shower gel
-shampoo and conditioner
-witch hazel
-deoderant
-toothbrush
-toothpaste

-underwear x5
-maternity pads x4
-breast pads x4
-hairbands
-bobby pins
-headband




-oversized tshirt
-bikini
-singlet top
-pyjamas
-swimming shorts for Myl
-singlet bluey for Myl
-change of clothes for after birth. Very comfy dress.
-baby dress
-baby onesie
-baby wrap






-massager
-fruit and nut bars x6
-packet of poppers
-Frankie magazine
-computer and speakers (music)
-pregnancy folder
-camera
-mobile phone
-wallet
-Active Birth







Some of the things I haven't put in like my phone and wallet but I have written out a list of the last minute things to put in and put it on the top of my bag so that when the time comes we can just slip them in and off we go.

I also wrote on the sheet the number for the birth centre in BIG letters and what to do when I am in labour (for Myl). It says
-call the birth centre
-call my mum
-pack the last things into the bag

All set! Now all we need are contractions.

click click? I'll love you forever.

all clear

Once again my pregnancy fears have been taken away. My test came back normal.
No cholestasis for me. My hands and feet are still itchy as ever and I look like I have developed some kind of tropical disease. Maybe I have?

Whatever it is though it doesn't mean I will need to be induced at 28 weeks. Praise God!

I've got these crazy sleep patterns where I wake up at silly o'clock. Haven't checked the clock but it is still dark. When I wake up I can't get back to sleep so I just hang out for a while trying not to scratch my feet. Then I go back to sleep for bedtime number two.

I'm waiting for that real nesting feeling to come in. At the moment I have been cleaning very half hartedly leaving most of the house looking like a big baby bombsite. There are itty bitty clothes to wash, a half packed hospital bag and things I have been sewing all over the place. I just can't seem to stick with one task and keep starting new jobs.

Lucky she's still got 4 weeks left in there!


I'd love it if you voted.. 2 clicks

womb eye candy

We had an ultrasound today.

All is well with the little one. Her placenta has moved up to the top nicely which means I don't have to have a c-section. (At least not because of the placenta)

They checked out all her other bits and...

- yes she is a girl.

- she is looking really healthy.

They are sending a report to my doctor which will also tell us how big she is. 

And now for the best bits. Unfortuately we have a very shy little one in there and she wasn't too much the fan of taking a cute snap. But we love her still.

 I think she looks like an orangutan in this one but it is really just her hand poking up in front of her mouth making her face look longer than it is.

Big foot! Maybe she is a monkey?

Another hand in front of her face. Could we have a thumb sucker?

It was lovely to see our little one again and we thank God that all is well.

checkup.

I just got back from my 29 week checkup. The first of the fortnightly visits.

I feel awful.
I was feeling all sprightly and well this morning as we left. When we got there I got to see the midwife pretty much straight away. She was really friendly and lovely.

I was supposed to have my glucose test (for gestational diabetes) before Christmas but it just didn't happen so I had it done today. They got me to drink the sweetest drink I have ever tasted. It was thick and syrupy like cordial without the water in it. It had a slight fizz. After drinking that I was feeling even more sprightly.

The midwife took my blood pressure - 120/65 (perfect she said)

She felt around for the little one but couldn't figure out where she was. I think she was sleeping at the time. In the mornings I don't really feel her. She is moving right now and I can tell exactly where she is.
She found the heartbeat and said it was good.

Then I had to wait an hour to get my blood tested. I sat in the waiting room and read a book about babies. I began to feel a bit drowsy. It felt like I was coming down from that sugar high. Myl went to move the car and when he was gone the time came for the blood test.

I felt pretty good about the needle. I could tell this midwife would be really good at blood tests. But I was still feeling a bit drowsy. As soon as the needle went in (which I barely felt) i started to feel dizzy. I told the midwife and she told me to drop my head and keep my arm still.

She finished up the test and gave me some iced water. I felt so dizzy. The water helped. Myl came in just at that moment and gave my head a pat. I like that.

She told me to lie down next time.

After finishing my water I went out to the car where Myl was waiting. I began to feel a bit queasy. When I got to the car I felt like I needed to vomit. You know that horrible feeling in your throat. I wound down the window and contemplated running into emergency for a vomit bag. Feeling woozy we drove on. I was holding an empty packet of shapes (just in case) and had the window wound right down. Myles started to pray for me and I started to feel better. Crisis averted.

I still feel a bit under the weather. It's a cool day today. So odd for Janurary. So we are having a nice little relax in the lounge room.

It's nice. More water I think.

What's up Doc?

I went to the doctor last Thursday to get my thyroid results and have a checkup.
My TSH is a little low still but within the normal range which is awesome!
Seems like that little pill I take each morning is working and I don't need to change my dosage.

Our little girl is having a lovely time inside.
My blood pressure was 114/67 which the doctor said was perfect.
My belly is as big as it should be at 25cm.
Baby's heart is beating at 150bpm and she is head down.
She is likely to stay head down till March. I hope she doesn't get bored.
She has been kicking up a storm especially when I sing or play music or when we are at church.

Our little girl is really starting to become part of the family. She has kicked her aunt and uncle and even been given a name. (Still undecided on whether it's going to be announced to the world.)

ALSO

I had such a lovely weekend with family. My brother Ben is getting married on Saturday and on the weekend was his bucks day and his fiancee Evies hens weekend.

My sister and I went along to the hens on the central coast. It was so lovely.
It's very exciting to be getting a new sister and through the weekend I got to spend so much time with the one I already have.

I wish I had taken some photos. It was really quite lovely.

Oh the burn

This morning I woke up with heartburn.
I had a bit of it before but now it is back with a vengeance.

It's really painful and I have had pretty regular bursts every five or so minutes.
I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to get my thyroid results so I'll ask her about it but I found a few helpful tips.

1. Eat smaller and more frequent meals. In stead of three big meals eat six half size ones throughout the day.

2. Don't eat before bed.

3. Avoid fatty/spicy/acidy/tomato foods.

4. Don't stress.

5. Drink a small glass of milk with honey in.

So on this very rainy first day of summer I'm gonna take it easy with my wonderful husband and try get rid of the burn.

engaged no more

Remember my engagement ring and how it wouldn't come off?

Well it's off now.

I was sitting happy as can be at the It's a ...   party. When my sister came up to me with a cup full of ice.

"Put your finger in this" she said.
I could tell where this was going. But as she had a large container of dental floss in one hand I figured this was as good a time as any. I sunk my finger into the ice cold water till it hurt and then gave over my hand to the mercy of my sister.

She was somewhat familiar with the procedure but needed a few tips from nurse mama.
The technique goes a bit like this.
Gem wound the floss under my ring and then round and round my finger the first time she had done it with too much space in between the bits of floss. She needed to start again. I inspected my finger. It looked a lot like a salami. You know the ones with bits of twine around them. I decided I probably shouldn't look from now on.

Quite a crowd had gathered. Onlookers were a little freaked out but not enough to look away.

Take 2 was more successful. It was a bit painful having my finger forced into a tight band of dental floss. But I endured the winding. It would all be ok in the end.

That was until the pulling off of the ring started. Theory goes that the floss makes the finger smaller and then you pull the ring off using the floss in the same way a screw works. (Yes my finger was a giant screw.) This part really hurts.

No really.

I'm usually ok with pain but I was telling begging my sister to stop and it was ok we could get my rather expensive diamond ring off with bolt cutters instead.

She said it was ok she was a quarter of the way through. A QUARTER! Not what I wanted to hear.

Also what I didn't want to hear was.

"Uuughhh!"
"Oh that looks bad."
"It's turning blue."
"Mum what do I do!"
"No, it's really blue."
"Don't look Erin."
"Wow that is one blue finger"

etc.

I started to make pain noises. Ow, Aiii, Eeee, Ugh are some of those. And then I needed Myles. I needed to hold him and for him to tell me it didn't look to bad and that it was all ok.
He was called for and did exactly that.

It was about then that the whole experience was likened to the very one I will be experiencing in late March. The pain, the begging for the end, the husband by my side saying "You are beautiful" and not "Oh wow there is quite a lot of blood." or "Wow, that thing is blue."
Maybe there will be less gathered friends and family?

Finally there was some relief. I could feel that the ring was almost over my knuckle.
"Is it almost off?" I asked
"Almost." Came the reply.

I relaxed and off came that ring. There was a cheer and my blue finger went straight into the ice again. Mum came and inspected and when she said it was no longer blue I had a look. It was quite red and pretty numb and sore. But ringless. Hurrah!

It's still a bit swollen and red and there is a dint in the bottom where it used to sit but all is well.
I now wear my ring on a chain round my neck. The wedding band on the other hand will need to come off soon as well I guess. It'll be off before it cant come off anymore.

silly sick and sad

I am all three of these things this week.


Silly - I'm sure you are all aware of the term "comfort eater." I am not a comfort eater. I really like food and cooking and reading Jamie Oliver cookbooks but in order to enjoy I have to be happy. Most of the time I am happy so this is not a problem. But in the morning or lunchtime if I am at home on my lonesome the desire to cook is not within me.

This presents a bit of a problem when there is not one but two to feed. I keep needing to remind myself that I need to eat lots and regularly and healthily because it is not just me I am feeding. So my morning ritual consists of;

Wake up
have a shower
feed the bobbin... etc

I need that mindset otherwise Myles comes home and I realise that I am starving.

Its very silly... hence the title.

Sick - I think this would also be correctly labeled as silly but for the purpose of a cool title lets leave it as sick. I have hypothyroidism. It's not a big deal. I just take a pill a day. Easy right?

Well... these are special pills. The chemist told me to keep them in the fridge. (Quite a few times actually) But did I listen? Well yes... and no.

 I looked at the packet a little while ago and read that after 21 days at below 25 degrees you must discard all extra pills. In a packet of 200 I thought that sounded harsh but figured that meant you kept one blister pack in the fridge and the rest in the cupboard so they don't need to be thrown out?

Actually I'm not so sure what I thought.

But in reality it just means you can have them out of the fridge (below 25 but higher than cold cold fridge temp) for 21 days and after that chuck em out.

So I have had my pills in the cupboard with one pack in the fridge. That pack is almost gone. I am very silly and need to go get a new pack. Lucky they only cost me five bucks! Thanks PBS!

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.


Sad - these silly and sick things make me sad. They sometimes make me feel like I will be a bad mother and forget to feed/medicate my child. Mostly they just make me laugh at myself at how rediculous and imperfect I am.


Hmm maybe I should just blame it on being pregnant and rename this post. When you get pregnant your brain turns to mush?

Booked!

This morning I called the very in demand RPA birth centre.

The birth centre is a place for women to have their low-risk babies in a natural kinda way.
I think I'll write another post on my ideas about natural childbirth sometime down the track but to cut a long story short I'm pretty sure I'm going to go au naturale.

There are three rooms in the centre that are set up just like a bedroom at home with a double bed and couches etc. (They do kinda look like cheap and nasty hotel accomodation but its nicer than a hospital bed.)

There is also a big birthing tub. I've read a few stories about giving birth in water. It seems pretty nice. I'm glad that I have it as an option. There are also mats, beanbags, birthing balls and birth stools.

It's apparently booked out really quickly so I was a bit nervous when I called them this morning at exactly 9 weeks. But they let me in. I'm all booked. I get to go check it out in early September and then have a midwife check in October. The time is really flying now that people know about the little one and things are getting busier. I'm sure it will be March in no time.

I'm pretty happy about it. It's staffed by a team of midwives. My mum is a midwife and I feel pretty safe in their hands. I think its a nice idea of the sisterhood helping you to give birth.

So. stoked!

Image Credit: Huffington post. Film Nine Months

sick

I went to the doctor today.
All is well... mostly.

My doctor called me up at 8am and said some of the levels in my blood test were a little abnormal and that it would be good if I could come in so she could give me a prescription/chat about this. Her tone was pretty calm. I felt nervous but not especially worried.

Myles had a youth meeting on so he couldn't come with me. We were all set to go to an engagement party afterward and I was feeling wrecked. Tickly throat and feeling really really tired. Its so sad to feel so yuck after such a wonderful day yesterday.

The doctor said I had hypothyroidisim. Which means my thyroid levels are too high but they are like this because there is not enough thyroid (hormone?) and so my body is over compensating. It seems a bit complicated but she said I shouldn't be worried. So I have to take some thyroid tablets for the next few weeks to regulate and they are running some more tests. I'm hoping and praying that nothing comes of it as it could potentially be an auto immune disease. Not fun.

It's not really good for babies but its manageable.

On top of that I have low iron and Vitamin D. (from the sun) I have never had this before. I think I need to get stuck into the red meat and get out more. I'm taking the blackmores pregnancy gold vitamins in stead of just folic acid. Its a huge tablet. I like to call it the horse poo tablet because it is big enough for a horse and ... it looks like a ... poo.

Ah well. It's all part of life's rich tapestry. I'm alive and reasonably healthy and very loved.

I had the best nap this afternoon. It was very needed. I think I'm going to have to get better at napping/sleeping from now on. (Says I writing this at 12:18)

And the best part of my day was seeing my dad who is up to visit to help my brother move house. That was nice.

Dr. Who?

I went for my first dr/baby appointment this morning.

It made me more excited for my little one.

I felt really proud as my doctor went through all the things to consider and I had already thought of most of them already. (Food not to eat etc.)

She checked my temperature and blood pressure. Slightly high on both counts. (She didn't say this was a major issue.) She gave me a whole lot of pamphlets. I like pamphlets. They are full of information on things like where we are going to have the baby, antenatal classes and things like that. It makes it all very real.

We got a pamphlet on all the pre-birth tests that you can have. There are so many. Not just ultrasounds. I have heard of a few before such as the nuchal translucency test and amniocentesis. They are to see if your baby has abnormalities. I don't think I want these tests. Not unless the little one can be fixed or helped by the knowledge. I'd like to hear more opinions on this though. The book I am reading on gentle mothering says to not even get an ultrasound. I think maybe the author is a bit over the top. She seems to be overly cautious about most things but I think it is because she wants her births to be completely natural.

I had a blood test to make sure I've got enough iron etc. I was feeling really emotional this morning. Like really emotional.
Actually last night is when it started. I was coming back from nannying and picking Myles up from our house to go to bible study. I gave him a quick call to let him know I was there and he could come out. I think he took about five minutes but in those five minutes I began to get really angry. Like not usual angry at all. In fact, previously I doubt I would have cared about this at all. Well.. im going to blame it on being pregnant anyway.

So because I was so emotional, just before the lady jabbed me for the test I asked her if I could get Myles. I'm not sure why he was sitting outside anyway because he came to see the Doctor with me. So he came and held my hand and it was ok.

This morning I had a very scratchy throat. The kind of throat that makes you cough and when you cough, feel like vomiting. Fun stuff. I'm not sure if its a pregnant thing or a flu thing but I'm starting to wear. I'm getting tired and my throat is all scratchy. It makes me all very emotional at times. But its weird because I understand that I'm just being emotional and that its not a true emotion?!

Dr said to keep the fluids up so I will do so.

I've been very blessed with very little nausea so far. I can thank my little one for not making her mama so sick and I hope it continues!