Indiana's 20 Month Update

29.7.15

The 26th July marked Indiana turning 20 months old! I think every month I just can't believe how grow up she is, and now she's even closer to turning two... too crazy to even think about! She's now the age she's going to be when she becomes a big sister which is equally as crazy; especially considering she'd only just turned one when I became pregnant.

We really think she's ready for this huge step and this month has been great proof of this. She's absolutely obsessed with her baby (she pretty much sleeps, eats and breathes with her now haha). She'll try to change her nappy, feed her milk and even put her to bed. It's heart melting to watch, and just gives us hope that she's going to love having a real baby brother around.
She's got herself into a pretty structured weekly routine now and it's making our days much easier. She wakes any time after 6am; we play, eat breakfast and get ready for the day. She then watches Mr Tumble and once he's finished she goes down for her nap. This usually lasts 2hours but can be slightly longer or shorter. Around 12ish we eat lunch and we then either go out, play, etc until dinner time. We eat dinner at around 5.30pm which is followed by a bath or more play - this is her and Jack's time which she loves. She's in bed by 7pm - and then we repeat!

Her language again is coming on in leaps and bounds. Sometimes she just comes out with a word as if she's always been able to say it, much to the shock of Jack and I! If you follow me on YouTube you'll see just how chatty she is and how many words she does know. We do think she's developing a little lisp though, not that it's a problem, it's pretty cute haha. Her new favourite is 'cuggle' which although started off sweet, gets quite annoying when she's screaming at your feet when you're trying to make dinner haha.
This month she has become absolutely obsessed with Cbeebies and a couple of their shows. We've never really put it on before but she's picked it up from her time with my mum - Monday mornings once a week haha. She LOVES Mr Tumble and constantly asks for 'mumble' on and she is mesmerised by the Twirlywoos and the dreaded In The Night Garden (all to Jack's displeasure haha).

We've been teething again this month which has resulted in a lot of poor nights sleep and loads of dribbly cuddles. She developed a nasty teething rash too which has luckily gone down mostly now. We noticed she's got her second set of molars coming through on the bottom. The dentist said she wouldn't get these until she was between 2 and 3, but according to my mum we were early teethers so I think Indie must be too.
She loves to run, dance, jump, play and is quite the little entertainer haha. She's very bossy and will get you to join in with whatever she's up to - she still loves to drag you places to get you to do what she wants haha. She can do puzzles well - she knows where all the letters go in her alphabet one and does this herself - builds huge towers and loves to play make believe. She's very independent and sometimes I just look at her and can't believe how grown up and clever she really is!

What was your little one up to at 20 months?

38 Week Pregnancy Update | Baby #2

26.7.15

38 weeks pregnant and baby boy is still well and truly snuggly inside haha. I've still not started believing that we'll have a baby soon even though it's so close now - just like when I was pregnant with Indiana! Baby is now the size of a leek at around 6/7lbs and measuring roughly 49cm. I really cannot wait to see how big this little man will be; from the start he's felt big, but just how big?!

This week my nesting instinct finally kicked in! On Mondays Indiana is at nursery so I had the whole day to tidy and sort (as well as getting lots of wedding planning done). All I've wanted to do is get all his bits ready and prepared and I definitely feel better now they are. All of Indiana's old bits - bouncer, playmat, etc, have been washed and got back out. The base and car seat are now installed in the car too, so all we need now is our baby!

Apart from that it's been a pretty average week. My ribs still haven't been getting any relief, and this baby loves to stick out making hilarious shapes of my belly. A number of times this week he's been sticking limbs out of the sides. We then play a game of me poking them back in and him popping up in a different spot haha.

I've got the midwife again tomorrow for my 38 week appointment. Hopefully she'll have more positive news and baby will still be heading in the right direction! I've woken up today with a horrible cold and feeling sick - hopefully this goes if baby does plan on arriving anytime soon haha.

My Birth Preferences - Labour For The Second Time

21.7.15


Now I'm classed as full-term I've been thinking more and more about the birth, and how I want it to be. Being a second time mum I know that plans don't always go the way you want or expect them to. If you've read Indiana's labour story you'll know I had a pretty rough time; 32 hours, not progressing, ventouse delivery followed by high levels of blood loss - not exactly the 'perfect' birth.

This time instead of writing a birth plan I've just told Jack the things I DO want to happen, and written preferences instead of a structured plan.

Water Birth - I really want to try a water birth this time instead of being laid on the hospital bed. When I was in labour with Indiana I remember laying in my mums bath whilst people were talking to me. Although the pain didn't disappear completely, it did help. I also loved how weightless and relaxed it made me recently at the Spa, which has made me want to try it even more. After reading other people's water birth stories I'm even more excited to try, so fingers crossed this can happen!

Jack To Cut The Cord - With having a ventouse delivery it meant there was a doctor in the room helping me out. Once Indiana was born he cut the cord himself, and no one even asked us who we wanted to do it. This time I really want Jack to be the one to do it; it's such a special moment that I feel was taken away from us last time.

Immediate Skin-To-Skin - I actually got this with Indiana, she was born straight onto my chest. It was such a special moment and one I want to experience again. I'm wanting to try breastfeeding this time as well and I know this really helps towards it.

No Hospital Visitors - I know this is technically after the birth, but it's something I feel really strongly about this time. I felt really unwell after Indiana was born, but felt as if it was our duty to let people into visit us. I was unable to really move, in my PJS and looking horrible - not exactly how I want people to see me! This time we're hoping to be in and out as quickly as possible anyway, but the only person I want to visit us at the hospital is of course Indiana. I think this will also be a lovely time for Jack and I to spend some quality time with baby boy, before we're thrown into life as a family of 4!

That's about it for the main things I really want. From previous experience I know I have to go with how I'm feeling at the time. I'm not dismissing any pain relief apart from pethidine (personal preference) and I will accept help if it's necessary. Most people have said that second labours are quicker - anything less than 2 days will be good with me haha - but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

37 Week Pregnancy Update | Baby #2

19.7.15

Hello full term! I can't believe I'm at this stage already; baby boy really could make his entrance any day now (still don't think it's going to be anytime soon haha), and we are pretty much completely ready! Baby is around 49cm, over 6.5lbs and the size of a honeydew melon - there's lots of melons with these fruit comparisons haha.

I had my 36 week midwife appointment on Monday which went really well. All was ok with my urine, blood pressure (110/60) and my general well being. My bump was measuring a week ahead at 37cm which I was really surprised about; I don't think it's really grown if I'm honest. He was also head down still and to my surprise again 2/5ths engaged! I know this doesn't mean much for second pregnancies, and he's probably popped out by now, but it's still exciting and a step in the right direction.

This week I've had constant strong braxton hicks and pretty intense lighting pain. Not a day goes past now where I don't get a few braxton hicks in a row now. They're still not painful but they really take my breath away and stop me in my tracks. The lightning is bloody painful though haha. I'll just be walking along when it suddenly feels like he's going to fall out.

His movements are still pretty strong which is great. I've noticed he gets hiccups quite a lot too which if I'm honest, are slightly annoying haha. Especially as he seems to get them when I wake up in the middle of the night to wee (which is becoming a routine of around 2am and 5am).

My bags are finally packed and ready to go, and we're going to install the car seat base back into the car this week. The only thing we need to get is the moses basket off of my sister and then we're completely ready. Let the baby eviction plans commence haha!

What's In My Hospital Bag?

16.7.15


I've been putting it off for weeks and weeks but I've finally packed my hospital bags! With this being my second I have definitely not been as rushed and worried this time, and I've certainly not packed as much as I did the first time. If I'm honest I'm looking at my bags thinking I've missed something haha, but I've got all the essentials.

Our hospital is also only a 5/10 minute drive away from our home and a Tescos so if worse comes to worse, Jack can always go get anything I need! We're hoping to be in and out as quickly as possible anyway this time so didn't want to over-pack either.

For my bag I've used the same one we used with Indiana; a simple holdall with perfect amount of room for everything. For baby's bits I've used our trusty Pink Lining 'Yummy Mummy' changing bag. It feels so strange to be using this again as Indie hasn't needed a 'proper' changing bag for quite a few months now!

So here's what is inside my bag:


Maternity Notes 
Pampers size 1 nappies - these wouldn't fit in baby's bag
Light dressing gown
Bikini top
Old & dark towel and flannel
Flip flops
Slippers
Maternity pads x2
Empty carrier bag for dirty clothes


Nursing tops x2
Comfy dark jogging bottoms
Fluffy Socks
Cheap dark underwear x3/4
Maternity sleep bra
'Going home outfit' - Leggings and a nursing top


Wash Bag (mostly travel sizes for convenience):
Deodorant
Shower gel (decanted into travel bottle)
Shampoo
Dry shampoo
Nursing pads
Lansinoh Lanolin nipple cream
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Chewing gum
Hair bands and kirby grips
Hairbrush
Lipbalm
Face wipes

I remember definitely over packing for baby with Indiana. I took in so many sleepsuits/vests and a 'going home outfit' that just wasn't necessary! It's also been slightly different this time as Indie was a winter baby and this little one is a summer baby. You need more for a winter baby I think due to more blankets, more layers, etc.


Nappy bags
Sudocrem (small pot just in case)
MAM dummies x2
Socks x2
Hats x2
Teddies x2 (the grey Jellycat one will be Indie's gift to baby boy)
Recieving blanket
Light cardigan
Waterwipes
Muslins x3
Short sleeve vests x6 (3 in First size, 3 in Newborn/Up to 1month)
Sleepsuits x6 (3 in First size, 3 in Newborn/Up to 1month)

There are a few things I still need to buy and add at the last minute including:

Nursing bras x2
Arnica tablets
Painkillers
Straws
Snacks & drinks
Makeup bag (just in case!)
Phone/camera/chargers
Pillow
Jack's bits (change of tshirt/deodorant/toothbrush)

Looking at it laid out like this makes it look like we've packed hardly anything haha, but I'm sure we'll be fine! Let me know if there's anything you would add / takeaway. It's always good to hear other people's opinions as there's surely something I've forgotten. 

36 Week Pregnancy Update | Baby #2

12.7.15

How is it just 1 more week until I'm classed as full term?! Thursday was the 9th making it just one more month until my due date, so it's a real countdown in days now (28 days to be exact haha). This week baby weighs almost 6lbs and is around 47cm long - close to the size of a romaine lettuce.

I'm seeing the midwife again tomorrow for my 36 week appointment, so hopefully baby is still head down. He's done a couple more HUGE movements this week which were bloody painful haha. Jack had his hand on my stomach and was laughing at how crazy it was. It was as if he was doing roly polys while also trying to dive out - ouch!

Nothing much is new this week, it's been pretty much exactly the same as last week; tired, uncomfortable, sciatic pain in my right bum cheek/leg, etc. I have noticed my moods have been a bit all over the place, more than usual. Indiana has really been testing my patience, and I've found myself snapping at her a lot more often. I hate doing it and as soon as it's happened I've got upset and feel awful. We've been enjoying lots of snuggles though and still gives 'baby' lots of kisses which I'm really going to miss.

I've finally purchased the last bits for my hospital bag, so I'll be packing that during the week - keep an eye out for the post. I definitely feel more relaxed than I did last time (there will be no ironing of the baby clothes haha), and I don't feel in a rush to get things done. I'm just enjoying the last bit of time with just Indiana before baby arrives, and making the most of her nap times haha.

With both my hen do, and Jack's stag do out of the way now it really is just countdown for baby. You're free to come whenever you like now little man!

35 Week Pregnancy Update | Baby #2

5.7.15

35 weeks pregnant and I'm definitely feeling it! Baby is roughly 46cm, weighing over 5lbs (the size of a coconut which I don't understand haha) and is basically fully developed; he'll just mainly be piling on the pounds until he's born. His movements have really changed and there's a lot more jabs and pushing compared to rolls. There's constantly limbs poking out here there and everywhere which is quite painful at times, but so amazing to watch.

This week has been HOT! We've been experiencing a heatwave the past week and it's been hard to cope with, especially being this pregnant. I've not been able to go anywhere or do much as it's been just too hot to function. I've had to sleep with a fan on full blast all night just to try and cool me down, and I've been downing water like crazy. I'm hoping it will cool down a bit soon so I can at least feel comfortable in clothes haha, but who knows!

I saw my midwife for my 34 week appointment on Monday and all was well. My blood pressure, urine and baby's heartbeat (140bpm) were all perfect, and bump measured bang on 34cm. She confirmed baby boy is head down too, and has given him a good talking to to stay there haha. I'm now seeing her every 2 weeks so it's only another week until I see her again which is crazy - you know it's getting close to the end when those appointments get closer together!

I noticed this week that my boobs have actually starting leaking slightly! I never had this with Indiana so was really shocked to notice it while in the bath. Just another step to prove baby will be here so soon!

The week really ended on a high with my celebrating my Hen Do! I was treated to the most amazing spa day on Friday, and a very much needed pregnancy massage. I'm now feeling super relaxed, but I'm sure being back with Indiana will change that very soon haha.

I can't believe it's only 2 more weeks until we're classed as full term. One of these days soon I'll actually pack my hospital bag and get prepared - baby could really make an appearance at any moment now (not that I'm expecting him to come on time at all haha).