14 weeks and 2 Days

I am now 14 weeks and 2 days pregnant. The baby is approximately  9 cm long and weighs around 375 grams. Fingerprints and toe prints have developed, the baby can suck his or her thumb, and the placenta is fully functional. Arm and leg bones are getting harder and hey are moving - soon you may even be able to feel this.

Wow ..... so much is happening in my belly. When you read all of this, it seems quite amazing that our bodies can create such a gift. 

Unfortunately I am not really having the dream pregnancy I had hoped for, but it could be much worse. I have had mild asthma for around 18 years now. Normally I do not need medication, however I am now taking a preventer in the mornings and Ventolin as required. Now I am on regular doses of medication i am not nearly as short of breath, but still am very aware that it is there - especially when I have a long conversation with someone.

The other thing that is happening is low blood pressure. Quite often in pregnancy people suffer from high blood pressure, but instead mine is really low. I can not make any sudden movements, and have to be really careful going from laying down to sitting up. As a result of this I have stopped work. I decided it was in the best interest of the baby and me to take some time out and not rush around. The low blood pressure is making me fatigue very quickly, so I have short bursts of doing something and then I take a rest. Apart from all of that everything is really good. 

We are driving the 800 kilometres to Broome for Easter and staying just a 5 minute walk from the magnificent Cable Beach. We have had many trips to this spectacular place while we have lived here - great restaurants, beautiful beaches, a selection of nice shops, and a fantastic place to relax. 

I think I have rambled enough now. xxx

12 Weeks and 4 days + New clothes

Well I have not felt too bad the last couple of days. I think the morning sickness is really starting to go now. I still have to make sure I pace myself - and if I don't the consequences are not so good.

Even though Junior is going to be born in Perth, I still have to go to the hospital here for ante-natal appointments in case something happened before hand. Yesterday was my first appointment. All routine things covered so not that exciting, but the most exciting bit was I got to hear Juniors heart beat for the first time. It was at 164 beats a minute - I know when mine is at this sort of pace I am working pretty hard, but it is normal for a baby to have a much faster heart beat. Junior also had the hiccups when she was taking the heart rate - quite funny to think a little one just 6-8 cm long can have hiccups. 

I have to be a little careful - i have really low blood pressure. It is normally on the low side but due to the pregnancy it is even lower. No quick change of direction or getting up out of a chair too quickly.

The pictures above are of some of the maternity clothing I have purchased already. Yes I have had to start in maternity clothes already - I am already showing - I don't remember this happening so early with Tucker. At least now people do not just think I have put weight on for no reason.

Tucker and I have just had library time so I am going to head off now and read him his new library books. 

xxx

12 Weeks and 2 Days

Today I had my 12 week scan and here are some pics of our bundle of joy. Everything looks really good, 2 arms, 2 legs, and a string heartbeat. Little junior was having a fair kick and wriggle about while he was trying to take all the necessary measurements. 

It might sound really funny, but there have been a couple of moments in the past week where I would almost be certain that I could feel Junior moving. They say for the second one that you feel it at around 16 weeks, but I am wondering if you are in tune with your own body whether it is possible to feel it sooner.

Tucker came with me - he was so excited. Straight away he said "look mummy I can see the baby!" I think it is really starting to sink in now - and I am feeling really excited about the coming months and the arrival of junior in September. Mike and I have been trying to think of names we both like. We have come up with a couple but nothing too set just yet. We still have many weeks to decide so plenty of time. 

Tucker goes to an occasional care centre on Monday mornings. Normally I work while he is there but this morning I did not have any clients. I decided to not go near and went to the pool for a swim instead. I ended up swimming 26 laps of the 50 metre pool. I am going to try and do this twice a week now as it was really enjoyable. 

Better go dinner needs to be prepared. I have been trying out a few new recipes so we are not having the same thing all the time, and this means a little longer in the kitchen. 

xxx

How Exciting!!!

It is now less than 200 days until I have the baby. One milestone passed!!!

Worked until 8 last night - boy oh boy was I beat by the time I got home. It was straight to get my pillow off the bed and hit the couch straight away.

Tucker is having a good quiet time today - some days he seems to want to tell me so much at that time, and its not like I do not want to hear, but i do like to have an hour of total peace.

Just jumped on here quickly so see you all again soon. xxx

11 Weeks and 2 Days

Wow.... where has the last week and a bit gone. I can't believe it has been a week and 4 days since I posted last. Mind you, I have been spending a fair bit of down time on the couch trying to rest, instead of on the computer. 

I am feeling a lot better than I was but this whole pregnancy pacing myself business is really tricky. I seem to try and do a few things and then fall in a huge heap because I am exhausted. The nausea seems to have almost disappeared now, thank goodness. 

I have returned to work - I really missed my clients so much while I was away. They have enjoyed having me back as well. I work no longer than 2 hours at a time, and this seems to be working really well. 

Well we are up to 11 weeks and 2 days. Today I had to give blood reading for Ultra sound to test for downs syndrome next week. I am not a big fan of having blood taken but it seems to be a bit less painful than I remember. 

Training is happening again too now. I aim to do something every second day. When I train weights I train my full body, keeping weights light and reps high. I always wear my heart rate monitor to maintain heart rate at around 140 bpm.

Mike Tucker and I are off to Perth again onthe 20th March for the weekend. We were given tickets to go and see Dralion by Cirque Du Soleil. This will be the third time i have seen these amazing performers. I am also going to have another appointment with my Obstetrician. 

I had better go, need to make a trip to the shops. We have purchased a Miele Dishwasher from Harvey Norman 3 weeks ago and it appears 

to have disappeared into thin air. If you hear a big rumble in the sky this afternoon it might be me shouting at the shop assistant over incompetence!!!!