Week 34

My emotional and hormonal state have reached a balance over the past few days, and I feel so much better for it. The patch I went through a couple of weeks ago was horrible. It's a real strain having to cope with that and the tiredness. Anyway - for the time being I feel pretty much my normal self for the most part. I do have the odd day where I feel a little blue or down in the dumps. Doesn't tend to last too long, especially if I get myself out of the house and do something.

My friend Emma popped over on Thursday. She's 4 months pregnant with her first. After we had lunch in Left Bank, we popped down to look at the prams in baby Planet. I am really pleased I went. Solved a major issue of mine that I had with our pram. I can't believe I've only just discovered the solution - nearly two years down the line.

It was always a concern of mine that when Stefan (as a baby) was lying in the pram, he was facing away from me. Unless he was in the travel seat (which did face me, but could only be used for a maximum of two hours) I couldn't see him, he couldn't see me and it always felt like he was open to the elements. Anyway - the very nice lady down there showed me how to turn the hood around and she put a 'nest' into the seat area which baby lies on. It's exactly what I wanted. Just a shame I struggled a little through the first few months with Stefan not being entirely happy. Good that I can do this for baby No.2 and have him/her facing me.

Saw the midwife this week. I have low blood pressure, possibly down to tiredness, and I am still measuring four centimeters too big, so I am booked in for a scan on Monday to see what's going on with the amniotic fluid situation. I'm trying not to worry about it.I got quite concerned while I was sat with her, and while she was talking to me, I couldn't hear what she was saying as my mind was doing overtime and by the end of it all I was too frightened to ask anymore incase it was bad news. She did say that carrying too much amniotic fluid was usually just 'one of those things' and was nothing to worry about, although it can mean some abnormalities. I might have to ring my friend Chris, who had the same issue when she was carrying. My iron levels are spot on apparently but I do have a small amount of protein in my wee.

I've been thinking about packing my hospital bag, and have got a few bits already prepared (shop loads of maternity pads!) Although it wasn't so long ago that I had Stefan, I've drawn a blank as to what to pack. Putting it down to absentmindedness of pregnancy. Will have to get a book out and do a check list again. I can be a little more prepared this time as I know when I am going in and what to expect and I won't have to pack a bag of 'birthing aids' like last time. I think I over packed last time......typical of me.

I've got more clumsy recently, as the cat will tell you. She's constantly spitting at me as I keep booting her out of the way. I just can't see her! I've also felt myself toppling to the left and right and loosing my balance. Stefan has also got into the habit of hiding under my bump (between it and the cupboard) when I'm washing up at the sink and I sometimes forget he's there. He goes flying if I move.

Stefan has been poorly again this week. An ear infection on Monday - got antibiotics for it, and on Wednesday the nursery called me to fetch him as he had a raging temperature. He wasn't a well little boy on Wednesday evening and was very feverish - hot, then shivering with cold and sick in his cot. Such a worry knowing what to do for for him? We have been through this once before, so we were a little bit more clued up as to what to look out for and what do to. He did eventually go off to sleep and slept till 6.30am. Very subdued the following day, tired and thirsty for most of it, and just wanting to sit with me and be cuddled. I've never watched so much Winnie The Pooh!

We've also made progress with the patio situation this week too. Got Tony from Creative Landscapes coming - hopefully before baby arrives - to work wonders with the patio area and a path up to the shed. Going to be lovely and 'curvy' apparently! I can't wait. Will make the summer months more enjoyable without having to worry about either Stefan throwing the exsiting shingle or the baby choking on a stone (or mistaking one for chicken poo - ugh!) and will make the winter months easier without having to squidge across muddy grass to get to the hens.

Bizarrely, we woke to snow on Sunday morning. It soon melted to sunshine.

















5 weeks to go. And counting. My pelvis feels like it's about to snap in two. Gave a good loud 'crack' the other night in bed. Makes me cringe just thinking about it, nevermind the agony. What I'd give for a pain-free, good night's sleep. Well, actually, I'd give birth.