As much as I wish I wasn't haha, I'm still pregnant, and now 39 weeks. My due date is just 7 days away and I really cannot believe it! I know I still could go over due, but at least I can definitely say I'm having a baby this month - crazy! Baby now weighs over 7lbs, is up to 50cm long and is the size of a watermelon (and boy can I feel it haha).

I still don't reckon baby is on his way any time soon if I'm honest. The only slight sign that he's going to make his arrival, is that I've been having period like pains most evenings. They never last though and I've honestly just been ignoring them haha. Hopefully they are a positive sign though.

I saw the midwife Monday for my 38 week appointment. It wasn't my usual midwife but she was lovely and gave me some pretty helpful info. All checks on me were great - my belly was measuring 40cm though so this big boy is measuring 2 weeks ahead now! She also said although he's still 2/5ths engaged he is laying sideways (he is on the right and facing the left instead of my spine). She said this can make labour slightly longer, so to try rocking on all fours to try and move him. I also asked whether she reckons he's a good size, and she has estimated him to be over 9lbs haha - ouch!

Not a pregnancy symptom as such but I've had the worst cold all this week! So not only is my sleep long gone from needing the loo, being hot and so uncomfortable, but also from not being able to breathe... lucky me haha. It seems to be on it's way out now so fingers crossed it's fully gone before labours starts.

That's about it for this week. I feel absolutely gigantic now and I can feel myself waddling whenever I walk anywhere. We've done lots of walking the past few days, and Jack and I enjoyed our final meal out as a couple before he arrives. We just want him to arrive now; come on little man!

Hopefully I'll have a baby announcement next week, but I have a slight feeling this boy is going to be stubborn, just like his mummy haha.

Preparing Indiana For The New Baby

When we first found out we were expecting Indiana had only just turned 1. She was still my baby and if I'm honest I was slightly worried about the age gap. However now she's 20 months old and baby can arrive any day, I'm not as worried anymore.

Indie's very caring and loving; her recent nursery report even said how she helps out with the younger babies in her room, giving them their dummies when they're crying. She loves her baby doll and enjoys feeding her her bottle - followed by patting her on the back and putting her in her bed to 'sleep' and trying to change her nappy too. Although she seems pretty ready by herself, these are the few things we did to help her understand a bit more, and to get her involved with the pregnancy.

From day one we explained to her about the baby in mummy's tummy. As my bump has grown she now refers to it as 'baby', and the second it's on show she runs over to give it kisses and cuddles. We talk to her constantly about her baby brother and if you ask her about him she nearly always points at my tummy. It's so so sweet and I do think she has some sort of understanding about what's going on.

We have also read a number of books to her about babies and being a sibling. My personal favourite is 'There's A House Inside My Mummy', which is all about a little boy and the baby in his mummy's tummy. I'd definitely recommend it! She now points out the people in the story as well as pointing at the 'baby' when it's a bump, and when it's finally born at the end.

I've let Indiana listen to her brother on the doppler a number of times as well. Her little face lights up with awe when she hears the heartbeat through the headphones. She's now taken to getting it out herself and bringing it to me to listen, I even caught her trying to listen to her own baby in her belly the other day; too cute!

Indie's come to most of my midwife appointments with me too. She never takes her eyes off of me when the midwife is doing her checks, and she absolutely loves hearing his heartbeat on the doppler. I think this is great as it gives her even more understanding of what is going on. It's also taught her to sit pretty well in her pushchair while mummy is busy - hopefully something she'll keep up when her brother has his jabs and appointments.

Finally we've let her help with sorting out his baby things. We've now washed and got out all of her old baby equipment such as the swing and bouncer. She's loved putting her baby in them and 'playing mum' and although not the best, she's even been enjoying the bouncer for herself haha.

We think we're as ready as we can be for baby to arrive now. A 20 month age gap still does seem a bit scary - two in nappies, double pram, a demanding baby AND toddler - but I think we're going to be just fine. Any tips would be amazing though, and wish us lots of luck haha!

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!

30 Week Pregnancy Update | Baby #2

Wow 30 weeks, just 10 more weeks to go which is absolutely crazy! It really feels like the countdown is on now; we should probably start getting more prepared haha. Baby boy is the size of a cucumber at almost 3lbs, and will be putting on 1/2 pound a week from now on apparently!

This week started lovely, the weather improved slightly so we got to enjoy the sun again (although it's swiftly left again haha). My bump is getting so big now my belly button can be seen through my clothes! My nephew had great fun pulling it and poking it, which I must admit makes me feel a bit sick haha. Indiana has also been loving her baby brother this week. She even ran up to me one day with the Doppler, popped it on my belly saying baby. It was unbelievably sweet and it makes me even more excited for them to meet.

Then on Friday my sciatica pain decided to come back with a vengeance! It's always down my right side, and leaves me limping if I'm out walking haha. I'm quite glad Indiana is still in her pram as leaning on it does give some relief when we're out.

The only other symptom I've been having for a while is pressure/pain in my bump. It's odd - it really feels like he's trying to escape out of my stomach, and I can always feel body parts if I touch my bump! I don't remember ever feeling Indiana this much so I'm not sure if it's because of my anterior placenta, whether he's bigger or if he's just in a different position! Any ideas?

We'll be in single figures next week! I will start thinking about my hospital bags, birth plan, etc in the next few weeks so look out for those posts. 

26 Week Pregnancy Update | Baby #2

Another week has flown by and I can finally say I've had a week of feeling pretty good... YAY! Pip is now the size of a butternut squash and is gaining lots of fat this week (and apparently I'm going to be gaining a lot in the next few weeks too haha). He is around 36cm and weighs a little more than 760g.

After spending all of his time buried on the right hand side of my bump (and in my ribs) this week he actually finally moved! He's now been wiggling all over on both the left and right sides which suggests he's laying across my bump. It's been a lovely relief for my ribs and I even managed to capture some of those movements on camera too!

I have been a bit achy in places this week when walking long distances. I've noticed it's more when I walk to/from work than with the pram - it must add some support for my hips. I even had swollen feet on Sunday which I never experienced with my first pregnancy; they were not a pretty sight haha.

Another aching area - warning TMI coming up haha - is my downstairs. It really feels like there's pressure pushing against it a lot of time which is SO uncomfortable. I just generally feel swollen sometimes as if he's been kicking me 'down there' which again, is something I never experienced with Indiana.

Ending on a high this week I have officially booked and sorted my Maternity Leave! I've only got 6 weeks left at work before my annual leave starts on the 15th June, and then my actual leave starts on the 6th July. I can't believe I'll be finishing work next month, but I really think I need the time to prepare and enjoy quality time with Indiana before he arrives.

I can't believe I'm almost in the third trimester already; time is flying!