Sunday 24 April 2011

24th April 2011 - 17 weeks

Another week has flown by and I'm getting closer to the half way point now! Have my 20 week scan booked for the 11th May. Been planning the nursery this week and have now decided on the cot - it's this modern cot bed from Izziwotnot -

And have also ordered this funky changing mat from Hoppop - 


And for the pram - I think we've finally decided on The Quinny Buzz 3 in the Natural mavis colourway - 

Which works really well with the coloured snow Maxi Cosi car seat - 

I'm not a big lover of babies in black prams and car seats - and was almost going to go for the red Quinny as it is a nice bright colour but then I opted for the least practical pale colour! If Quinny had a lime green or a turquiose in their new range I would have been very happy indeed - but it seems as if they have decided to play it safe with their 2011 colours.

It's been really hot again this week which has meant I was able to wear my new summer dresses - although one of them made me look about 8 months pregnant! I still don't look pregnant though, and even though Bumpy is growing every day and feels much bigger every day it isn't obvious to anyone yet, but I'm hopeful that it won't be too much longer as he is definitely rising up and will hopefully fill in the gap in between my top and bottom bulge!

Here are my measurements for this week -


Bust  - 51.5 inches (no change)
Waist - 49 inches (+ 0.5)
Hips - 55.5 (+0.5)
Weight - +0.6g

So a small increase and I've got a feeling that this is the start of the great expansion!

Symptoms
  • more energy
  • hip pain
  • increased appetite
  • crying easily!
And finally the weekly shots -

17 weeks plan view

17 weeks side view

Sunday 17 April 2011

17th April 2011 - 16 weeks

Wow - 16 weeks!! How did that happen!! I've got a feeling time is going to really fly by now! Another non-eventful week, feeling good generally. Noticing how my emerging bump (still hidden in the flubber for now) is changing how I move - especially bending over, which I can still do of course but now I feel a restriction on how far and how quickly!

I've had a couple of dizzy spells, mostly after rushing around. These pass pretty quickly, but I guess it's a reminder of how I need to be more aware of what I am doing. But on the whole I'm feeling good, fewer headaches, less queasiness and a general more positive outlook. Started thinking about my maternity wardrobe - not an easy thing if you are over a certain size! You are restricted pretty much to looking online, to places like Simply Be, Bon Prix, Fashion World and eBay. Amazingly Evans do not run a maternity line anymore so it can be a slightly depressing experience trying to find clothes that fit and flatter!

As most of my pregnancy time will be during the warmer weather my staple wardrobe will consist of empire line, cotton summer dresses in a variety of colours with little shrugs and sandals. Due to the recent sunny spell I've been able to practise this look already and find it makes me feel much more feminine and comfortable. I will probably be able to wear most of my old summer dresses during the pregnancy as they have room to grow, but I've also bought a few dresses in a size up for when I'm huge, which I'm sure won't be that far away. I also believe that this style of dress will help make my B bump look more like a D bump!

It is a shame that us larger girls have so little choice when it comes to plus size maternity wear - the only specific maternity wear I have bought so far a leggings from Simply Be and a couple pairs of jeans from eBay. The small ranges that do exist online are often very limited in style and very much vere on the safer side of fashion - if only I knew how to make my own clothes! I even emailed Evans to tell them that they really need to consider a maternity range - and a range not solely consisting of legging, work trousers and humorous t-shirts! Not heard back from them though . . .

Want to get my creative juices flowing in another way soon - once I find out the sex of Bumpy on the 11th May I will try making some clothes, a mobile and bumpers for the cot. It's been a while since I did some proper sewing, if I make anything half decent I'll post photos on here!

Been thinking alot about the Nursery, determined not to follow tradition and will avoid pastels at all costs!! My house is very modern and I love the scandinavian look with simple white furniture, bold wall colours and quirky colourful textiles - here are a couple of rooms I am using as my inspiration (apologies for not linking back to the original sites - I have these in an ideas folder on my desktop and have lost track of the original sources.





Loving the grey walls - never would have thought it could look so good - works so well with the white and splashes of colour!

Oh almost forgot - have my 16 week appointment with my midwife on Tuesday - must remember my little wee bottle ! :0)


Here are my measurements for this week -

Bust  - 51.5 inches (no change)
Waist - 48.5 inches (no change)
Hips - 55 (-1)
Weight - -0.3g

So I've lost weight again this week - amazing considering my friend made us a giant dish of cheese and sour cream covered nachos followed by cream cakes on Friday! Don't feel like I have been eating less than usual.

Symptoms
  • same as last week really just with extra dizziness!
And finally the weekly shots (still don't look any different!) -

16 weeks plan view

16 weeks side view

Sunday 10 April 2011

10th April 2011 - 15 weeks

A slightly less eventful week than previous - thank god! Now that everyone knows I am feeling a little more self conscious - especially at work where I feel I am the focus of attention. Even choosing what to wear in the mornings has become trickier as I don't want to suddenly start dressing like a pregnant woman, but it's been so hot this week I've had to crack open my summer wardrobe which involves empire line dresses which even in my non-pregnant days looked a little like maternity wear.

Still no visible bump, my lower tummy is sticking out a tiny bit and my top tummy feels a little firmer. My hubby says I look different but I think you will see from my weekly shots that I still look like I've always looked. Really hope that my B bump turns into a D bump at some point soon. Every morning I love being able to clearly feel the shape of the ever growing uterus pushed up by my bladder.

Went to see a midwife for a healthy eating appointment also during the week. Thought I might get lectured, but after a lovely chat the midwife said - well you look very healthy to me and your weight isn't a concern to me, just avoid putting on too much and don't each the same portions as your husband (my main issue I think as otherwise we eat really well). Am really keen not to gain more than a stone - hence keeping a close check every week - which is realistic. If I do put on more then I will just have to work harder after to get it off, but if I limit myself then I'm not going to feel any more cumbersome than I need to!

Have taken to talking to "Bumpy" a lot more, teaching them already about the outside world, singing to him in the shower apologising in advance for my lack of parenting know-how! Like I said last week the cloud of fear and negativity has lifted, not that I'm not still a little apprehensive, but now it is balanced with excitement and love. Went to look at push chairs today. Have been looking online but that really doesn't help, so we went to a large Mothercare store to see what they had. The hubby liked the Bugaboo Cameleon, which I took an instant dislike to once I saw the cot attachment - it just looked too boxy, and the colour choices weren't great either. After an early love affair with the ridiculously expensive Stokke Xplory I realised I also liked the slightly more affordable Quinny Buzz 3. The assistant showed us how to attach all the bits, took it for a test drive and tried folding it down. Loved the fact it raises itself up hydraulically and the colour choices were nice also.

Hubby wants to buy a second hand one as he says that we buy second hand cars, so why not a buggy, but apart from the cost saving I just don't like the idea of putting our new little person in someone else's grime - maybe I'm being irrational, but I think babies should be surrounded in newness and soft clean things!

Lets see who wins the argument!


Here are my measurements for this week -

Bust  - 51.6 inches (+0.5)
Waist - 48.5 inches (-0.5)
Hips - 56 (-0.5)
Weight - -2.8g

So weirdly after my big increase in weight last week I am now lighter than I have been all year - trying to figure out why, the scales are right as the hubby weighs himself at the gym and home and they always tally up. And I always weigh myself after going to the loo every Sunday morning. Maybe it's water retention, like I said it's been hot this week and I've probably not been drinking enough.

Symptoms
  • Still feeling sick if I eat or drink too quickly in the mornings
  • Flipping around alot in the night, trying to sleep on my sides but have been getting a little more hip pain.
  • Have also noticed that I've had more hiccups than usual.
  • Very runny nose and sneezing - so could be hayfever - not sure.
  • Still quite tired and have had to go to bed early a few nights this week.
And finally the weekly shots -

15 weeks side view

15 weeks plan view

Sunday 3 April 2011

3rd April 2011 - 14 weeks

Well good news - everything looked ok. Had the scan first thing Monday and heard baby's heartbeat straight away. The sonographer couldn't see any reason for the bleeding. Also - the scan didn't hurt, despite a very full bladder! The baby was in a funny position with it's head tucked down, and it was even using my placenta as a pillow!

I guess I knew deep down it would be ok, maybe a mothers intuition - but to have it confirmed was a big relief. Then on Wednesday I had my NT scan. Which also didn't hurt, although where my skin is badly damaged by old stretch marks at the very bottom it did feel sore afterwards from the pulling. At the end they even let a trainee have a go and she managed to get some good pictures - here's my favourite -


After the scan I then had a blood test then my blood pressure taken. I then had to wait to see the consultant. I saw a lovely Doctor who studied my medical history and seemed quite concerned about my Pulmonary Embolism five years ago - so it was decided that I would need to inject myself with Fragmin every day up until 6 weeks after the baby is born. I wasn't overly surprised by this and I had been concerned myself considering the extra risks involved - so in a way it's kind of peace of mind. The injections aren't too tricky either, they sting a little, but are much easier than the Clexane injections I had to take when flying. 

So the next day the hubby and I went into work (we work at the same place) and told the bosses! My boss the MD was a little freaked out - he relies on me too much, and also uses me as an emotional crutch some times when times are tough. I've been there 11 years now and despite getting married last year my boss was in denial that I would ever want kids as he thought my career was too important to me. My career is important, but not at the cost of my life as a whole. He will get used to this, but I just hope now that I still have a worth at the company - I now have the fabulous job of advertising and interviewing for my maternity cover! 

Then of course we let everyone else know - colleagues and the obligatory facebook announcement - which I was dreading as I worried that I wouldn't get many comments but it went crazy and everyone I hoped would comment did - with a few extras thrown in as a bonus. I've been feeling more positive about things recently too - I think the first part of my pregnancy I've been either in denial or dare I say it regret. But I'm blaming my hormones now as every morning I rub my growing bump (still small in comparison to my existing belly) and smile. I think I'm getting used to the idea of having a baby now - maybe it's taken me a little longer than most, but it's starting to sink in. I've even been planning the nursery - something a few weeks ago I had no interest in. I guess I'm not a natural mother, and worry that my life will change for the worse, but I have to remind myself of how I would feel if I had just carried on as normal, my life would have been more financially secure, my house tidier, my marriage emptier. God I sound so depressing! This is coming out all wrong - this little miracle was completely planned and wished for - but I guess a big part of me never believed it would actually happen - it only happened to other people - adults! I still feel like a 13 year old half the time!

Hmm  - on that note lets tie this us and get on with the stats!

Here are my measurements for this week -

Bust  - 51 inches (-0.5)
Waist - 49 inches (no change)
Hips - 56.5 (no change)
Weight - +2.3g

Not happy about the weight gain - that's 5 pounds in a week! A week having granola for breakfast and cous cous for lunch! The week before I had three cheese baguettes and cakes at work for three people birthdays! Maybe my scales are on the blink as my measurements are pretty much the same - hmm . . . 

Symptoms
  • the bump feels so much more real this week - and is starting to be noticeable when I'm dressed too. Still small in comparison to the rest of me but it has potential!!
  • headaches have gone, I'm feeling more energetic and positive and generally better all around
  • Still have a little queasiness, and can feel dizzy if I overdo things
And finally the weekly shots -


14 weeks side view

14 weeks plan view (+ cat)