9 months pregnant. Wow! Although I feel as if I'm in the "I feel as if I've been pregnant forever" bubble now, I really do think I'll miss my bump when it's gone. Especially as this is definitely the last time I'm going to experience all the ups and downs of pregnancy.

HOW FAR ALONG?

36 weeks & 5 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
Girl!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - baby girl is roughly the length of a romaine lettuce this week, weighing around 2.6kg and measuring just over 47.4cm long. She's now shedding what's left of her downy lanugo hair and vernix - both of which she'll then swallow, which will then become part of her meconium poo.

I saw my midwife for my home-booking appointment yesterday, as well as my 36 week antenatal check. It made everything feel a lot more real, especially talking through where the pool is going to go, and the procedures. She also dropped off the home birth box, and the birth pool is being delivered this week too, so we're nearly 100% ready to go now! In regards to antenatal checks, everything was perfect. Baby girl is still well head down, and now 3/5ths engaged... and boy can I feel it!

WEIGHT CHANGE?
I don't even want to know anymore.. especially with Christmas just around the corner!

SYMPTOMS?
The constipation is back.. yay! I think it's due to the iron I'm taking, as well as the fact everything is so squished up now. Either way I'm hoping it passes soon, as it really makes you feel miserable. 

Braxton hicks are almost constant in the evenings now, and usually accompanied by period like pains too. I'm hoping it's a sign that my body is getting all prepared, so when labour does come it is a little quicker. Although I'm still certain she's going to be late!

SLEEP?
Sleep is pretty awful if I'm honest. I'm waking so much to go to the loo, and rolling is just impossible. I'm finding I'm waking in the night randomly too, and then struggling to get back to sleep. Which is incredibly frustrating when you have your husband peacefully snoring away next to you...

CRAVINGS?
Nothing of note recently.

HOW I’M FEELING?

Exhausted, achey, heavy, and pretty bloody huuuuuge. I am oh so excited though! My sister, who was due a few weeks before me, welcomed my nephew into the world this week. Meeting him and having those newborn snuggles has made me even more excited. I still can't believe I have a baby just like that in my belly though!

MISS ANYTHING?
Feeling 'normal'. I have completely forgotten how it feels to be able to walk around and not feel tired and out of breath. I just want to sit on the floor and play with the littles, but everything hurts too much to do anything. 

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
I recently worked with JoJo Maman Bebe, reviewing some of their lovely maternity clothing. I think my favourite piece is this maternity and nursing top - it's so clever, and stripes are my favourite!

BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
We've got everything prepared for baby! We have built our co-sleeper, the clothes are all washed and put away, and I have my home birth box / hospital bag sorted. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO?

Enjoying our last Christmas, and hopefully New Year as a family of four! We have so much to look forward to in 2018, and I just want to enjoy every last minute with Indie and Parker before she's born.

You can see how this pregnancy compares to Parker's (my second) here.

Christmas Maternity Style with JoJo Maman Bebe | Review

At the beginning of the year I had the pleasure of working with my local JoJo Maman Bebe. The beautiful new shop had so many lovely items for little ones that I lusted over, and a maternity section that I dreamed of browsing one day. So when JoJo Maman got in touch a few weeks ago, I was absolutely thrilled!

I was sent some of their beautiful maternity items from the winter collection, and I've loved styling them over the last few weeks. I'm now 36 weeks pregnant, so buying maternity items this late wasn't something I thought I would do. But I've found that with a lot of JoJo's items, they're designed to last beyond your bump. So I know I'll be wearing nearly all of these items once baby girl is born!

Maternity leggings are something I kept putting off buying. But oh my goodness. I have been most definitely missing out! These comfy cotton maternity leggings are so soft and comfortable to wear. The bump band can be worn over or under the bump (I'm an over the bump kind of gal though!), and where it's seamless you can't notice it under clothing. The biggest thing I love about these leggings is that they're not see-through! A huuuuge plus - especially during pregnancy.

As it's so close to Christmas, of course I didn't want to miss out of the festive clothing. I thought this ruffle maternity jumper was the perfect subtle way to embrace Christmas - but not be too garish. The knitted red jumper is not only comfortable and soft, but it is lovely and warm to wear too. I love the pretty ruffle sleeves, and because it has been designed to fit all throughout pregnancy, I know this one will definitely be staying in my wardrobe once baby is born.

I practically live in snuggly jumpers in the winter, so just had to choose this ribbed maternity jumper too. It comes in a range of colours, but I opted for the pink as it's my favourite colour! I was a bit surprised by how oversized the jumper is, and I do think I could have probably sized down. But the slouchy fit means it's really comfortable to wear, and I can just throw it on with some jeans and feel dressed down, but still stylish!

The final piece of clothing that I chose was the lovely striped maternity and nursing top. Stripes are my absolute wardrobe go-to, so I was drawn to this top straight away. It wasn't until it arrived though that I realised how practical and clever the top actually is!

Designed to last throughout pregnancy and beyond, the top features cleverly concealed feeding slits to make breastfeeding (whether at home or out and about), that little bit easier. If you didn't know though you wouldn't notice - and I think this striped version makes the slits that little bit more discrete too.

Overall I have loved all of the pieces I received from JoJo Maman Bebe. They've been worn, washed and worn again on repeat for the last few weeks, as they're just so lovely! Their clothing is on the more pricier side, but the quality really does show. And the fact that so many of their items are designed to last beyond pregnancy, means that they're worth spending that little bit more too.

Disclosure - I received these items of clothing in exchange for this review. All opinions are honest and my own.

36 Week Pregnancy Update | Baby #2

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!