Love, bubs and life on our little farm

Well my obs appointment went well - got a clean bill of health as usual including some blood test results which all looked good. Little Miss appears to have pushed her head even lower down - hence all my pelvic pain. And after examining me - the Dr proclaims that she is in perfect position and it could be anytime now... yeah well nothing I didnt already know! But he then states that he may not be seeing me at next weeks weekly appointment because he will be seeing me before then at the hospital!

Hmm well I dont share his optimisim! But I did warn hubby to wrap things up at work and let mum and dad know... I am having all night braxton hicks which suck! and a lot of lower periody ache in my back but no other giveaway signs than that...

Well it has inspired me to book my hair appointment in! Could be the last for awhile! I have the farrier coming tomorrow and an afternoon of shopping planned with Mum and Dad so hopefully being on my feet that much wont kill me!

Here is my 37 week pics.. Maybe my tummy has slightly dropped? Am officially the size of a house now!

I have been so lucky with this pregnancy :) I have been trucking away - fairly mobile, generally sorest at night because I have been on my feet all day.. but in the last week - wow I have had to slow down! Waddling is the major form of transport these days ;)

I am getting lots of braxton hicks - man are they tight across the top of my bump, I generally find it hard to breath when they start! Poor bub must be getting pretty squished in there. I am savouring these last chances to feel her move around in there - its pretty special. Although I am DYING to see her! I have no idea what she will look like - but its exciting to imagine :)

I have made great progress on my labour and hospital bags and am feeling pretty organised - which is great as I am now 37 weeks and that is officially full term! Our little one is cooked - wow!

I couldnt sleep last night and was reminicising over the early pregnancy days - remembering the shock/horror/amazement that i had when I saw that second line on that test! The only way I could express it was in physical movement - hopping around and dashing around. Hubby thought I was mad! It was all just too real but so maddeningly surreal at the same time :) Its a magical memory for me now.. made sweeter as the things that were stressing me back then are all sorted - I have my wonderful permanant job and am loving my blissful maternity leave.

We had our breastfeeding clinic on the weekend - it was lovely to learn from woman with babes in arms and to talk and share experiences that are never included in textbooks. I am hoping to join in a few social occaisions with these woman and to meet some people in our local area..

Today involved a lovely sleep in - actually involved me being a coward and staying in bed as I had some lovely lower pelvic pain! And then joining the local library and stocking up on books to read - I have a few weeks of coherence left where a book will still seem like a viable leisure activity! And a slow grocery shop - why does everyone have to stare at me like I am about to have the baby right there! Sigh everytime I am an object of interest and comments on the size of my poor old tummy! Still its enough to tire me and lead me to an afternoon on the lounge - sigh once I was so darn active and fit!

Tomorrow is my weekly obs appointment - I have hope that he might shed some light on how long this waiting game will go but I doubt it! I just have to let my control freak nature go dont I!

Well obs appointment went well - blood pressure is staying steady and not dropping anymore.. my belly is now measuring 40 weeks - she is clearly growing well! The obs says bub is in the perfect position and it could just be any time.. but not that I am looking like I am going soon - no obvious signs :)

I am getting so many braxton hicks and lots of pains in the lower pelvis so my body is definitely practicing away.. I am really tired these days - am quite blown away with how tired I get doing so little during the day. I can manage a morning of working away round the house and then I am super tired!

Yesterday was lovely - Hubby took the afternoon off and we went bub shopping after the obs appointment. Hubby was cute - grabbing all sorts of newborn things - I think the reality of a baby arriving soon is starting to sink in! We are pretty organised now - just a few random things etc..

We had our last antenatal class last night after a nice dinner out for hubby and I (hey have to make the most of the couple time while we can!) I feel a little calmer about what to expect with the birth and the days afterwards - although walking into that maternity ward does make me tense up! We swapped phone numbers with some of the other 36 weeks along couples and might meet them for a coffee which would be nice.. the midwife wasnt impressed to hear that I havent packed my hospital bags yet but its so hard! I mean I have lists on the fridge (come on as if I wouldnt have a list or two written!) and some things in bags for labour and hospital stay.. but most things I am still using and want to up until birth ie clothes, maternity bras, toiletries.. so it will just have to wait!

I bought a fit ball to bounce on - meant to be good for positioning bub.. it really helps my back pain which is great!

I have a massage booked for tomorrow - cant wait!

Yep bub is still cooking away but on top of that I have been enjoying getting the chance to take the time to put some effort into preparing meals and cooking goodies. HUbby has been treated to trifle and biscuits and rock cakes so far!

Tonight I am feeling good after making a yummo potato and leek soup - perfect for this colder weather!

In my internet trawls for nice recipes (cause our million cook books arent good enough!) I found this lovely blog - tis a feast for the eyes :) http://pinchmysalt.com/

Tomorrow is a busy one for us - I have bloods being taken in the morning, obs appointment in the middle of the day, some shopping with hubby, a rushed dinner out and our last antenatal class in the evening - whooo - much faster paced then I am getting used to anyway!

doing my best but still feeling a little at sea with doing "nothing" - feels funny trying to be patient and just sit and feel little bubs growing away :)SO much pelvic pain going on - I think bubs is doing her best to bust on out..

managing to fit some little bits of cleaning and work in of course ;) and had a lovely shop yesterday afternoon - treated myself to a new doona cover - always exciting for me!

Off to find a recipe for caramelised onion and tomoato chutney to jazz up our homemade burgers for dinner :)

Loving maternity leave - as much as I have still worked from home every day this week. It has been really peaceful and really good on my body to rest and be sitting down so much :)

Bub is feeling huge and I think she is getting mighty squished in there! My poor old belly wobbles and strains with her moving bits around all the time! I finally understand the "get it out" attitude of due pregnant women! I honestly feel like my abdomen could explode and my back has given up the ghost from carrying it all around!

I have booked a pregnancy massage for next week and I cant wait - should be bliss!

We had a great antenatal class the other night and went through all the interventions etc. Hubby and I discussed our best case scenario birth plan - active natural birth - no pethidine and no c-sections or epidurals. But of course whatever the course of birth actually takes will be fine by us - no pressure to have the perfectly planned labour!

There was a death in Hubbies family so he has flow to Newcastle - I was very sad that I couldnt go and support him and his family... I am under strict instructions to not go into labour while he is away ;) Mum and my brother are my emergency contacts while I am alone out at the farm. I am taking it pretty easy and not doing my usual whirlwind of cleaning that I would normally be up for! Tomorrow I do however have some shopping planned :)

Here is my 35 week pics - Symptoms - sciatic nerve pain in lower right of back, tight tight tight belly, sore achy legs and feet and a fair slug of fatigue :) Weight gain so far - is 9-10kgs which is OK... am hoping not to go over 70kg but I think its out of my control these days ;)

Its been pretty nuts recently - lots of farm work on tanks and drains etc which has been taking up our weekends.. and on top of that work has been so demanding and by the time I arrive home I am too tired for anything but a whinge and falling into bed :)

BUT that all changes now as I am ON MATERNITY LEAVE!!! Yay!! I am quite excited as I havent had any time to get my head around this new stage of our life and I am really looking forward to nesting and preparing to be a mum :)

That said - I did bring home a whole wheelie suitcase of work lol - I am planning on easing out of work with a few days working from home finishing things off :)

Things finished in a fun hectic way - I was working late on the Thursday night lecturing for a Masters uni course and then Friday work through a huge morning tea for me - SO much food and over 35 people! Work got me a lovely farewell gift of a beautiful baby book that they all signed and a gorgeous pure indulgence spa voucher with a facial, back massage and pedicure -mmm great for pampering a new tired mum! Then I had to rush off from work as hubby and I had to meet Ben and Rhi and Mum and Dad down the Gold Coast for Mums Mothers Day dinner. That was lovely and good way to celebrate for me :)

Bubs is hiccuping away as I write this - so cute :)
TOday I was quite antsy I am afraid - despite a very decadent sleep - in with hubby, I was tired, sore and spent the day being grumpy and trying to do to much!

Oh well plenty of time to learn how to relax ;)