Happy's Journey

So, we have finally decided on the travel system we want, and honestly our decision wasn't swayed in the slightest by the offer of £150 off . The buggy we have chosen is the Graco Symbio Travel System (see below for demo clip). We went to Toys R Us to check it out, see how manoeuvrable it is, make sure the height is right for us both, and that it really is as simple as the video.

Symbio Video

We didn't try all the bits, but removing the buggy from the stand was so easy and it was light enough to pick up in one arm too. We ordered it online, expecting a delay, but The delivery time was 8am - 9pm in the next 4 working days. We've paid a bit extra to get it delivered on Saturday morning, as otherwise you can guarantee it'll arrive when there's nobody home!

So, we are £450 poorer but we will soon have a buggy! I can't believe this Baby is coming in two months (possibly less) and so far we have only spent £500 on equipment and clothes! Even Christmas is taking a back seat, only 4 weeks and we haven't even begun to think about it. I asked Hubby what he wants for Christmas, and he said 'to spend the day with me' so that is a done deal! I'll just find something small to go with me!

I just hope the buggy lives up to the Hype! We shall see.

I think I must be suffering from this, but I am not sure. I am not getting any nasty acid reflux, but there is a discomforting heat from the back of my throat and lower. Tis probably the 3rd or 4th day of noticing it. And really it is only discomfort, I feel bad moaning as so many people suffer from worse.

One week and one day of work! I do hope my boss isn't expecting me to be productive next week, coz it so isn't happening! I will be sad to see the back of a good few people, I was really starting to make some decent friendships, but I think I know who I will keep in touch with, and who will say they'll stay in touch but actually wont.

It doesn't even matter, life goes through these cycles, and the people I love will make the effort. I am off to a brand new experience, off the hamster wheel of working life for a bit. Although I have remembered to book the 2 weeks over Christmas 2010 as holiday!

I realise I have disillusioned myself. I am much bigger than I picture myself. The undressed me is massive. I might even find the guts to post a suitably flattering picture in the next few weeks.

Nightly toilet trips have now increased to twice a night, rather than once, but I am managing to sleep quite heavily between times, so that's alright. And when I finish work there will be plenty of time to nap too!

I've finally handed in my notice of cancellation at the gym. I will be sorry to leave it behind, but I have started a little research into leisure/gym facilities in our new neighbourhood. I'm thinking of using birthday money to pay for a year up front, then I have no excuses post Bump. And by the end of a year I will know if I'm returning to work, and if so how much disposable income I'll have after childcare.

Interesting times. Interesting times!

No other news really, head overloaded on Sunday with antenatal class stuff, tired and overemotional, cant wait to finish work.

Happy

x

I have 11 weeks until my little one is due to leave my body and meet us in the outside world. I am certain that he or she will be healthy, but I have started to read about little things like labour, and I'm getting somewhat scared. Before, I purposely skipped past the section in books giving info on labour and the details of what could go wrong. Is that so very naive?

I find myself breathless more and more, and I really am struggling to focus at work. Not to mention losing my memory constantly. I'm actually dreading these next three weeks. Still I guess at least I have the choice to leave now, I coulda carried on until the end of December, but it seems pointless to give myself additional stress, after all we've still gotta find a house!

We bought some more baby clothes on Friday, a set of 3 vests, 3 babygrows and some other bits, but in newborn as I've been told 0-3 mth clothes will swamp him or her. I'm pretty sure Bump is a boy, but if I am wrong I will get a nice surprise! We've pretty much decided on a Boys name, we visited the Grandparents today (to say goodbye essentially) and his Grandpa inadvertently suggested a name which I really like and we hadn't even thought of. I won't give it away just yet.

I'm gonna try to go swimming again, I enjoyed myself and it gave me a chance to exercise and relax at the same time. I really don't fancy Yoga for pregnant ladies, but I might give the aquanatal class a go whilst I still have my gym membership.

I seem to have rambled on, tis my concentration again, that and the fact I started this post more than 3 hours ago! Have a good week everyone!

Happy

x

This story may embarrass (or be too much information for) the male reader - you have been warned!

As a result of too much excitement and sugar last night, this morning I was over emotional and tearful. After the father in law had fixed the car (it was the battery) Instead of going to visit my mother in law and Hubbys grandparents I ended up crying on the sofa, followed by snoozing for an hour under a big duvet whilst Hubby played on the X Box.

When I woke at 3pmish the sun was still shining: I figured I should get out and enjoy it. I decided (eventually) that I'd go for a swim. It took me twenty minutes to find my swim gear, and then when I tried it on I discovered that I'd let myself get a little 'overgrown' .

Rather than scare the kids at the pool I figured a little trimmage would solve the problem, got out my razor and I was set. Except, I couldn't for the life of me see my bikini line to trim. I'd push the Bump to one side, only to realise my chest was in the way, then push the chest out the way to find the Bump in my view. I ended up grunting in frustration; so loud that Hubby could hear from the other end of the flat and came out to investigate what was wrong.

I felt so undignified, but in the end Hubby had to take care of the triangle and get me looking tidy once again. It wasn't til he was nearly done that I discovered I'd slashed myself to pieces and was bleeding like a stuck pig too! Ah well, at least he was prepared to help, and he'll soon enough see me in even less dignified positions!

Anyhow, once that was over and I was ready to go, I had to sit down for ten minutes and get my breath back. . Eventually I made it out the door, and again the ten minute walk made me want to give up when I got to the leisure centre. Feeling self conscious and huge I made it into the pool, only to discover that the pool has grown longer (honest I haven't gotten outta shape!). In the end I managed ten lengths instead of my pre-pregnancy 18-24 but by then I was knackered and my arms were aching, so I conceded defeat, got dressed and trudged home. It's hardly as taxing as a 3k run, but I figure at least I'd been and got me some exercise!

Wednesday evening Hubby went out and I chilled by myself, right up until Bump started going crazy in my belly, jumping around like a Mexican jumping bean. It felt like he was fighting me to get out, and I did get a bit freaked out. Either that or he was having a boxing match with an imaginary opponent?

Hubby got home just as I went to bed, and I thought he could lay his calming hands on me, and relax the Bump, but no. Thumpage just kept on, it was so violent that even Hubby was a bit spooked, and eventually stopped cuddling me no matter which way I turned all I got was abuse.

I don't know if Bump stopped fidgeting or I fell asleep, but I don't think I slept well. Thursday at work I was a nervous tearful wreck. Thankfully the bump has settled into a less erratic pattern now.

Yesterday lunch time I met Hubby for lunch and we decided to get a few more baby bits. Well, another pack of vests/babygros from Mothercare, but this time in 'newborn' as we have been told by a few people now that 0-3 month clothes will swamp a new baby. It still doesnt seem real!

At my party last night, one of our friends turned up with a pair of bootees and gloves that his mum (Hubbys known them all for ages) had knitted - oh so cute, I can't even remember her name to thank her. I can't wait to put them on my baby. That and the AC/DC t-shirt!

Early this morning I woke up with an awful cramp in one leg, ow it bloody hurt . Couldn't remember how to fix it, so woke Hubby up to be told to flex my ankle, before he promptly fell back to sleep. That was 5 hours ago, my leg still feels sore now, but hopefully I won't get too many cramps over the next few months. We shall see!

... And all went well. Almost. Baby is fine, strong heart beat, larger than expected - 29 centimetres rather than the 28 I was expecting - could mean I'm a week further along! Eeep.

Booked in for antenatal class - yay! result as I could never get through to the people who organise it, but the midwife had a separate number she got them on!

I weighed myself - unneccesary for the appointment but required by my curiousity - 79kgs from 74kg when I was booked in at 12 weeks (that's 11st 7 to 12st 4 - eeew that sounds worse)

We heard Bumps very strong heart beat but he didn't kick away the listening device this time - barely had a chance!

My urine shows nothing of concern - all good - and she poured the sample in the sink instead of giving it back to me to take away (to dispose of) as they usually do.

The only bad thing? She tried to take my blood to check for anaemia. Now I don't like needles at the best of times, and when she'd last taken it I'd been accused of having 'spidery veins' even though she'd found blood. This time however? Well my eczema has been bad and I've scratched up my elbow joints, so with all the rough skin she wasn't able to find a vein she could plumb. After an attempt in each arm she gave up - I felt queasy as, and said 'nope - you'll have to go to the pathology lab when you get a minute' as if they're gonna have any better luck I'll just get to sit around for longer, and I'll have to go alone

So all good news really, I'll just have to get over my fear of needles and blood.

G'night (i really am going now )

Hubby and I went into town today. I persuaded told him to buy a cutesie set of 7 vests from Boots, followed by a layette set (one vest, one babygro, one hat, one set of mitts, one set of boots, one jacket) from Mothercare. So now, I figure we're ready for Bumps arrival!

Ok, so we've still gotta get a cot, a buggy, a house, minor things like that, but we have a few outfits to choose from! Job done!

I've been trying to call through to the hospital people to get booked in for antenatal classes, but it is a voicemail message and someone is supposed to call back. I can't have my phone on at work, so that's always handy. Also trying to see the breastfeeding lady about a 'session' as I really want to breastfeed when the time is right. Again, leave a message. I hate voicemail!

x

As this move up north is becoming more real we have started telling people other than family, to mixed reactions. A couple of colleagues (who would've become good friends if I'd been staying here) have expressed upset about seeing me go.

I rang my closest friend who's just had her baby, we are real close, and whilst she was happy for me, she ended up crying down the phone too, still a bundle of hormones 11 days after her baby. I ended up crying from my end too. We'd expected to do lunch and play dates with our littl'uns but this won't be happening quite so easily now.

I think it is starting to sink in what a monumental move we are undertaking. But, while there is sadness this is also an amazing chance for me and Hubby to see a bit more of the world together and for him to get more recognition and kudos across the company with which to build his knowledge and career progression.

I want to only see opportunity in the move, and I know there are plenty, but I will be sad to see the back of many people. The one thing I won't be sad to see the back of is work! Oh no!

So, tears of relief, of joy, of sadness and happiness will all be mixed up together. I will be a hormonal mess these next few weeks and months!

doesn't seem to agree with Bump. We had the Hot Chilli con Carne sauce for tea tonight, and Bump is kicking out something chronic. Last time I had it was the first time Hubby felt Bump move as he was kicking me so violently (Bump not Hubby ).

Just need to remember to avoid chilli when I am full term. There's another 12+ weeks of brewing to go on inside of me before my baby is allowed out to play!

I had the fun this morning of discovering that my breasts were leaking inside my sweater as I walked around the house, so I've had breast pads in all day, not taking any chances about wet patches at work!

Last night we had a couple of friends around, and in the background we had a metal CD on, and baby was rampaging inside of me. He doesn't seem to feel anything at all for Pink, Christina or Mariah, although I've been kicked whilst listening to Whitney - I tend to listen to her in the bath so it could be my tuneless warbling that Bump is objecting to? Who knows?

G'night

x

Oh dear, last night once again I was awake at stupid times, worrying myself sick. Having spent all afternoon telling my friend to look after herself and that her health is more important than money I realised I need to listen to my own advise!

I have now decided that I will start my maternity leave in December rather than January, it will be too stressful trying to do my job in a strange environment without my friends around, whilst also trying to sort out a home/hospitals/mortgages etc. The only downside is that I may have to return to work earlier than I was hoping, but my stress levels have to be more important than planning 12 months into my future, and my worries will filter through to Bump. Not good.

So, one less thing to worry about. But still a million other bits, but they will start to make sense soon. Sleep deprivation is something I'm gonna have to get used to anyway, so why not now?

Have a good day

x

I have things I need to organise, but I can't be bothered. I have to book in for antenatal classes and to have a session with a lactation specialist (breastfeeding expert) as well as make enquiries about changing hospitals for the birth of Bump.

It all feels like effort.

Bump is very active lately, we think he might be lying across me as I was getting movements on opposite sides of my belly on Sunday. As long as he turns head down in the next 12 weeks all will be fine

Made the mistake of watching Jersey Girl last night, had vivid dreams about me dying in childbirth and Hubby bringing baby up alone. Not the best film choice ever then!

Had my review at work yesterday, went better than I had thought, same areas to focus on, and big manager has agreed I can work out my year in Birmingham should I chose to. Now its up to our HR department to get back to hubby and advise him on what relocation he is entitled to. Our HR are the most useless ever. You can't phone them, everything has to be done through a website. We might hear back in the next week!

I've to decide whether to cancel my week off in November or not, use it in December if I am not starting maternity early, but the thought of 5 weeks without a break seems a bit crazy. We shall see.

Despite being full of enthusiasm for the move up north I am also crapping myself. I know I'm the queen of panic and should know better, but I can't help worrying. In terms of finding a house and Hubby settling into job I am not too concerned. Where I am worried is getting transferred in to a new hospital, how can we chose if we don't know exactly where we will be living? Also I haven't yet done any antenatal classes. Will I get time to do them now? Will I be able to manage withouth them if not? I guess I'll have too. What'll I do without my mother living round the corner when I do go into labour?

I know it'll work out, and if we can get a decent sized home I am sure one Mother or t'other will come spend some time with us. But tis still scary. Just hope I don't lose any nights' sleep over this. I can only do what I can. I'm thinking though that the easiest option right now is to take my maternity leave from the beginning of December rather than from my EDD. It means using 8 of 14 full paid weeks maternity leave before my Bump is even born, but it also gives me time to adjust to my new area, to househunt and find my feet, without the stress of trying to work from a different office from all my friends, without having to do a strange commute, well who knows. Tomorrow Hubby will hopefully find out what he can get in the way of relocation packages, and we can make firmer plans. My bosses big boss who can make the decision re working remotely is back next week too. He can say no to that, but thankfully I still have time to bring my mat leave forwards if it comes to it. Baby has to come first! Money worries aside, people manage.

Time shall tell.

is what we have been doing this evening. I have Dr Spock's childcare handbook, or some such similar tone. I like his approach to child rearing (gawd that sounds awful!) and the book is in nice bite size chunks. I borrowed it from the library and am thinking of buying it, but hubby pointed out we already have a couple of childcare books.

Out of curiousity I got him to get down the other books so I could compare and contrast. We had a film running in the background but to my surprise he sat down with the other book and got stuck in. This is the first time he has voluntarily started reading pregnancy/child care stuff so I guess it is starting to feel less abstract and more real for him too.

Admittedly his book had lots of pictures and step by step guides, but he is interested (possibly intrigued) and kept reading snippets out to me . He also asked the question (as I browsed the mothercare website) how much use we would get from a baby carrier, and was able to give his opinion on the style he would prefer we got. Luckily he favours the same style as me. The ones which are more like a papoose dont appeal to either of us!

I've started a 'wish list' on the mothercare website, so even if we dont get our purchasing done before the move we have a fairly comprehensive list, and he can then (if it comes to it) go buy the stuff straight from mothercare or surf the net to find the same/similar products elsewhere. I guess later on we'll also let the mothers have a link so they can buy stuff we want, rather than stuff we don't.

We've had conversations about sex (or the lack of it) both now and post Bump, the books say we should continue to talk, be affectionate etc and I think we both know this will happen regardless. And also conversations about breast feeding vs bottle feeding.

Less than 14 weeks is all that remains til Bump is born. Oh my gosh!

G'night

x

I need to get a new photo up here, but I seem to have expanded some more this last week without realising it. I am now as big as my friend was full term, except she and her man are both quite petite which I guess makes a difference.

I'm now in 42E bras the cup doesn't fit but I'm sure that it soon will. Tis nice to be back on the smaller catchs again, I have room to grow. Phew. Less claustrophic at work.

Seeing my friends baby was sooo cute. I can't believe that in 14 weeks I will be holding my own bundle. Hers was soooo cute. He just slept whilst I held him. She was like a natural with him, despite being a mum for less than a week. It gives me hope. I'm sure we'll be fine. And in a few months we'll be able to do lunch! I'm looking forward to that bit of motherhood.

Ok, work calls.

Have a good day

x