Bouncing belly aerobics

I am now about 25-26 weeks, depending on which due date I feel like going by. So our baby is about 22cm from head to bum. And while my belly is getting quite massive I am still amazed that our baby is curled up in there and still growing fast!

The frequency and power of her kicks are increasing by the day. We are now starting to see my belly bounce after a good hard boot, usually while I am relaxing on the couch or trying to sleep. I think I will soon be able to rest Chewy's ball on my tummy and have bub kick it to him all by herself. Well it saves me having to exert any energy right?

Brett keeps saying, when can we do the Malteasers add? You know the one where the pregnant chick puts a Malteaser on her belly and when the baby kicks it bounces up into the air. Well I think that time is upon us hunny! So you better get a super size packet Burnsy, because you know how our little bub LOVES chocolate.

Cankles anyone?

With pregnancy comes all sorts of weird and wonderful side effects. From the most acute sense of smell and random cravings to a hairy belly and uncomfortable indigestion. But my least favourite is the propensity for my ankles to swell into cankles on hot days and when I spend too much time on my feet!

Last night we frocked up to go to Brett's work Christmas party. It was a black tie affair in a swish function centre overlooking Darling Harbour. So after the angst of finding something to wear (thanks Em) I spent an hour or so dolling myself up, threw on Em's 'save the day' frock and managed to squeeze my feet into a pair of hot peep toe pumps. Quite a mean feat (get it???) after a long day at work!

However my feet are just not used to big heels at this stage of my pregnancy, I pretty much live in ballet slipper, open toe sandals and flip flops. So after an hour or so my feet started to swell and spill over the sides of my shoes. How very attractive! Luckily it was a formal sit down affair and the only time I had to show my feet was on the 20 or so occasions throughout the dinner that I had to get up to go to the bathroom.

You would think this warrants a foot massage or rub from Brett, but he somehow always manages to get out of it!! Wish me luck, I am about to go ask for one now!!

22 weeks

We saw our little girl today. Although she didn't stay very still, so there was not much to see except legs kicking and arms waving. But the important thing is she is very healthy and doing everything she should be.

Been a bit lazy lately. Not much writing as too busy eating. I try to keep it healthy with lots of fruit, salads, rye bread, nuts etc. But then there's the chocolates, mince pies, chips etc that come my way and last only a matter of seconds. The OB says my weight gain is average but I am not sure if he realises just how much food I am putting away! Thank goodness for Chewy, if he didn't need to be walked every day I'd probably be too busy eating to exercise!

Gotta run, it's late! Now pass me another mince pie please Brett....nom nom nom

The cat's out of the bag! It's a ......

After what has felt like a very long, long wait our little baby peanut finally got past all the shyness and modesty. Bubby has decided to stop hiding behind the umbilical cord and finally reveal the true identity at the 20 week scan last week. Yay!!

We now know we are having a little girl!! She is healthy, has everything in tact and is just the right size. I have been feeling lots of movement so we know she is an active little girl, unlike her father who at times prefers to laze on the couch with minimal movement for hours on end!

We are thrilled and have both felt all along that we were having a girl. I had not bought anything as I would always lean towards pretty dresses, so I went out this week and bought a cute little white onsie and a pink 'I love Daddy" bib to celebrate. Lucky for our credit card I was too tired to really hit the shops!

Like my Mum says, there is just something special about little girls.

HORMONES

Pregnancy can certainly be one big roller coaster ride! From amazing highs where I am overwhelmed with happiness to sudden and unexplained floods of tears, not to mention the extreme shits at nothing in particular.

Last week was Halloween and the goths were out in force, celebrating and getting into the spirit of things! Driving down Enmore Road I spotted 2 beautiful horses and a medieval carriage. I squealed with excitement to Brett, "OMG look at those stunning horses, hunny I wish I had a horse". I just love horses, they are so majestic and they remind me of being a carefree teenager. Seeing them amongst the craziness of Newtown on a Saturday afternoon really made my day.

Then suddenly I burst into uncontrollable tears. I blubbered for a minute while my clueless husband tried to ascertain what the hell was wrong with me. A moment after seeing the horses I realised the cart was carrying a coffin. "OMG someone died" I wailed. Then, "and I have hormones I can't control". I think at that point Brett was ready to drive the car onto the railway line or get in the coffin himself...

Brett tried to explain it was Halloween and that it was all part of the festival but the hormones had taken hold. And the worst thing was I could see how irrational these emotions were, but I was powerless to control it. Seriously, there is nothing worse than crying uncontrollably and laughing at your idiocy at exactly the same time. It just results in hiccups and almost weeing your pants.

Today has been totally different again, I have had the shits at everyone and everything all day. I snapped at my staff, a colleague, an account manager, the IT dude, my boss, my dog and finished off my day by snapping my husband. I also left a very curt note on the windscreen of a car that blocked our driveway. I have no reason to be angry, because I have everything I ever wanted and more! Fortunately the anger is rare, if only the tears were as rare.

Time for a relaxing hot shower and a cup of chamomile tea. But not before I have another rant and leave an additional note for the idiot who is still blocking our driveway!!! Grrrrr!

Meet the peanut

So here is our little peanut! Once again we were unable to find out what flavour our peanut is. The umbilical cord was between the legs obscuring the view, Mum says maybe we are not meant to know.

But most importantly we were assured our baby is healthy, growing at the right rate and has a strong heart beat. Length from head to bum is almost 14cm now and weighs approx 250 grams. The books tell me the other 2.5kgs I have gained are placenta, uterus etc however some of that has definitely gone to my butt!

The scan also confirmed yet again what a wriggler our baby is!! Peanut did not want to stay still for one second throughout the scan, which is why the last few scans have been a bit blurry! So I guess Brett will have to put up with another fidget in the family. :)

19 weeks down!

We saw our baby yesterday, so amazing to see the little one waving and swimming around!! All that activity explains the many flutters I feel these days. Will post pics asap if they scan in ok!