Bump Watch 2014: 36 Weeks

So Monday I went to my first acupuncture appointment and was really hoping for good things. Obviously it is me and nothing is ever "normal" so that didn't happen. Almost right away I started feeling really warm and light-headed and then things got a little fuzzy. When the physio (who was lovely) took my blood pressure it was low and when she had me sit up it was even lower so it was off to maternity assessment for me.  They did a trace and checked my BP every 15 minutes and eventually it started to come back up again. An hour and a half, two cookies and a glass of milk later they let me go home.

It could just be I'm very susceptible to acupuncture, maybe I hadn't eaten enough--they don't know but I'm going to try again on Monday and make sure I have a good sized lunch. The rest of the week I've been busy. My contract got extended and maternity cover approved so it is nice to know I will have some work post baby. Just have a lot to do before baby first! I also went to my first Parent Council (like PTA) meeting at BB's school.

To round off the week I headed in to Debenhams AW14 press show to check out what's on tap fashion and beauty wise for the rest of 2014 with Steph and then we headed to check out some BBQ at The Raven a new bar in Glasgow. It was definitely way too much standing and hobbling for me but it was really nice to get out and see people and hopefully the mental health benefits outweigh how freaking sore I am today! 

*How far along?: 36 weeks

*How big is baby?: Honeydew Melon (BB says that looks like a delicious melon)

*Maternity clothes?: Is there anyone who doesn't wear maternity clothes at 36 weeks?

*Sleep?: I got 7 straight hours Wednesday night but was up and down all of last night.

*Best moment this week?: Even though I'm sore as hell today it was great getting out to the Debenhams AW14 preview with Steph last night.

*Movement?: Yup; I totally creeped Steph out in the elevator when I pointed out a bump ripple.

*Food cravings?: Still just stuff I can't get to easily. I contemplate driving for Krispy Kreme every so often.

*Labor signs?: No, but a mom at the PTA/Parent Council meeting thought I looked lower.

*Belly button in or out?: Shallower, but innie.

*What I miss: Being able to run in to the shops if I want or need something.

*What I'm looking forward to: NotBlondeHusband has the next few days off in a row

*Milestone: I had my last midwife appointment

Like to compare/contrast? Here is Blondie Boy's 36 week update from 2009.

Let's be friends! Find me here:

What I Wore Wednesday: Maternity Nightwear

So given I have a c-section scheduled in less than four weeks I figured I should try and get a move on getting a hospital bag packed. When I was pregnant with Blondie Boy I bought new PJs for the hospital as well as a night gown for labour, neither of which got used. The nightgown was fleece and I had it on all of 2 seconds before I was too hot and the PJs irritated my c-section incision so they were a no go, too.

So this time I still want special new pyjamas but I know to get something that's breathable and won't bug my incision (not to mention the fact post surgery I'll have a catheter so pants aren't really an option anyway). I can't really get around very well because of my SPD so I've been doing most of my shopping and searching online (mostly just places that allow me to return in store) and to be honest the nightwear options out there SUCK.

First I looked at maternity specific nightwear and umm WTF. I'm of the opinion that no grown ass woman in her right mind would ever want to wear anything with Winnie the Pooh on it but apparently the maternity retailers of the UK would beg to differ. If the maternity options don't have a cartoon character on them they have spaghetti straps and as a busty gal that isn't going to be an attractive look.

So I decided to try regular sized PJs but in sizes larger than I normally wear. I struck gold and fell in love with was a white waffles night shirt from New Look:

First off waffles are amazing, fact. Secondly it reminds me of Leslie Knope and anything that reminds me of Leslie Knope is awesome. I ordered the biggest size they had (UK18) but while it is loose in the body it is REALLY short; there is no way I could wear it around a hospital ward without wondering if my cheeks were hanging out. So now I'm back to square one and considering the following options.

Next Red Flannel Nightshirt, £22

I feel like this is the slightly nicer version of stealing my Dad's XXL shirts to sleep in. It looks long on the model and I feel like I could wear it without a bra and not look awful.

Next Dreamer Nightshirt

I love Tie Dye and upon further inspection this probably isn't tie dye but it looks sort of similar to tie-dye so I like it. It also goes up to a UK size 20 so I should be able to get it large enough but I can't tell how thin the material is.

Nordstroms Nightshirts, $20-$68

Nordstroms has some cute options but I'd have to get them shipped to my Mom's and then hope that they fit (and that baby stays put until she gets here). It's not the best option since I had issues with length in the first nightshirt I tried.

Where is your go-to place for comfy and cute (but not saccharine) PJs? What would you do?

An InLinkz Link-up

Let's be friends! Find me here:

Bump Watch 2014: 35 Weeks

This week I've had a lot on work wise and NotBlondeHusband has been working more hours than usual (11 days straight) and throw in having to take Blondie Boy to the children's hospital and needless to say I'm exhausted. This was BB's last week of half days though and starting Monday he will be in school 9-3 which will be a big help when juggling my work load and child care.

Blondie Boy also went back to his pre-school this week to be the secret reader and I was so proud of him reading an entire book to all the kids. I'm not a mom who likes to brag on their kids but BB's literacy skills are just amazing for his age and I love how much he loves to read.  His teacher did an assessment on him this week so he'll be getting different homework from the other children that is more on an appropriate level for his ability.

Otherwise I'm still sore and the fact my bump is entirely out to the front isn't helping things. Finding a comfortable way to sit and sleep is not the easiest. Good news is my pelvis wasn't twisted out of place for the first time this week when I saw the physio. So while my pain isn't getting any better, it is not getting any worse. I start acupuncture on Monday so fingers crossed. I also see the midwife for the first time since July next week so it will be interesting to see how that goes!

*How far along?: 35 weeks
*How big is baby?: A coconut
*Maternity clothes?: I've really not left the house so I'm mostly wearing XL vest tops and maternity sweatpants. I've been trying to find cute pajamas for the hospital but am striking out. So if you see cute, but long, night shirts let me know.
*Sleep?: Ugh.
*Best moment this week?: Blondie Boy went back to his pre-school and was the "secret reader" and read an entire book to the class. He showed them the pictures and got every word perfectly.
*Movement?: Yup, painful movement and appendages sticking out.
*Food cravings?: Baked goods. Brownies, cookies, cake--but nice American style ones.
*Labor signs?: Nope.
*Belly button in or out?: Innie
*What I miss: Not being in pain and delicious coffee beverages. 
*What I'm looking forward to: Acupuncture on Monday
*Milestone: We've (and by we I mean NotBlondeHusband and his Dad) painted the nursery and Blondie Boy's room and yesterday NBH's Mom and her husband came up with a twin bed for BB so the cot bed is now in the nursery as well. The kid isn't going to have to sleep in a cardboard box!

Like to compare/contrast? Here is Blondie Boy's 35 week update from 2009.

Let's be friends! Find me here:

What I Wore Wednesday: Liz Lange Maternity Wear

It's been a looooong afternoon. Long story short our doctor sent Blondie Boy to the children's hospital for blood tests unexpectedly today (all came back fine) so we are both exhausted. He was super brave and the staff at the hospital are great (BB got to watch a DVD, colour, build lego...) but it was still a long wait and I'm sore as all get out from sitting on a wooden chair.

So I'm kind of repeating myself slightly with this post; technically I've never posted this outfit on What I Wore Wednesday but I did post it on one of my Bump Watch posts. I don't know if there is tons of cross-over between those two audiences though so hopefully y'all don't mind the repeat if you have already seen it.

 

Black Maternity Dress- Liz Lange for Target

Black Leggings- New Look Maternity

Black Ballerina Pumps- Hotter

My Mom sent me over this dress to wear for work from the US and I've worn it twice now when I've had parliamentary meetings. When she first sent it and I tried it on there was so much excess fabric in the bump area but not even slightly now! It is perfect for days when I have to be at Parliament for meetings and need to dress up but is still comfortable.

Normally I'd have a bright accessory to break up the all black but what aren't in frame are my crutches with the purple and silver tape and they are bright enough on their own!

An InLinkz Link-up

Let's be friends! Find me here:

Bump Watch 2014: 34 Weeks

I'd like to say something nice and positive and upbeat but honestly I'm just feeling really defeated. There's nothing more really the physio or the GP can do for my SPD which they are now calling severe SPD. I'm starting acupuncture September 1st but other than that I'm pretty much SOL. I'm just finding it so frustrating that I can't get around and do things on my own and need to rely on NBH so much which isn't fair on him or BB.

I worry about going anywhere full stop because I don't know if we will be able to park close enough, will there be a long walk, is it going to rain (I can't carry an umbrella).....etc. I know I'm very lucky it is only temporary but it is still really painful and really frustrating. Fingers crossed the acupuncture helps alleviate the pain some. I'll be getting acupuncture once a week and seeing the physio still every 2 weeks until bebe arrives.

Otherwise things keep moving on. Blondie Boy is loving school and he'll start full days from the 1st of September as well.  My once-weekly commute is on hold during the pre-referendum recess which helps since I can work entirely from home.  We still need to find a way that I can get comfortable downstairs as right now I'm spending most of my time up in bed.

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer it's just been a rough week and while I don't like airing everything online I can't pretend things are all rainbows and unicorn farts either, y'know?

*How far along?: 34 weeks
*How big is baby?: Butternut Squash

*Maternity clothes?: I had to go and buy longer tops today b/c my under bump is hanging out. Only found one top but still better than nothing. HUGE thanks to NBH who came with me right as the mall opened so we could park close and he could carry anything I wanted for me.

*Sleep?: Yesterday I woke up at 5:44, today 3:44. Longer stretch of sleep once I eventually fell back asleep last night but still creeped out about the :44 bit.

*Movement?: Yup; you can also lift up my bump and feel that you're lifting the baby. It's heavy.
*Food cravings?: No
*Labor signs?: No
*Belly button in or out?: Innie
*What I miss: Getting out and about on my own

*Milestone: NBH got the office cleared out so it can become the nursery.

If you like to compare/contrast here is Blondie Boy's 34 week update from 2009.

Let's be friends! Find me here:

What I Wore Wednesday: School Boy

So a week ago Blondie Boy started primary school. In Scotland if you turn 4 before the end of February you can start P1 the following fall. Blondie Boy is one of the youngest in his class but we knew he was more than ready for school. He's loved going to Montessori preschool and he's reading ahead of his age level so it would have been silly to red shirt him.

We made the right decision as he's totally taken to school like a fish to water. He's only on half-days through the end of August before starting full days in September but he loves school. He lined up and ran straight in no looking back that first day and hasn't looked back since. I'm so glad he's loving school and as much as I didn't think I was a uniform person (uniforms are standard in all schools) he looks pretty freaking dapper in his!

Blazer- Tesco

Shirt- Marks and Spencer

Trousers- Marks and Spencer

Shoes- Clarks

Tie- School Shop

I've blurred out the school logo on his blazer for privacy but we got all of the embroidered items (his blazer, polo shirts and sweatshirts) from Tesco online. It was way cheaper than the place the school recommended AND they donate 5% back in cash to the school so win-win!

Since he's got a teeny, tiny waist I wanted to make sure he got trousers with an adjustable waist so we hit up Marks and Spencers; their button down shirts also have velcro instead of a button at the very top so it's more comfy.

Clarks are as always our go to for nice, durable shoes. They measure kids' feet using an iPad now which BB found pretty cool, too. He also got gym/indoor shoes (they call them sand shoes here WTF?) at Clarks.  I'm happier to pay a little bit more for higher quality shoes because I know they will last him a lot longer.

He loves getting dressed and ready for school and especially is in love with his blazer. Most days he just wears a polo top and sweatshirt and as long as it's not raining his blazer as a coat. I never wore uniforms to school so it's totally new to me and even though I wore a tie for 3 years waiting tables I still don't know how to tie one so that is a job for NotBlondeHusband!

Did you wear uniforms to school? Do your children wear uniforms?

It's your last chance to enter my Jord Watch giveaway as it closes the 22nd!

An InLinkz Link-up

Let's be friends! Find me here:

Linked:

Bump Watch 2014: 33 Weeks

I copy all the questions from my posts back in 2009 and damn we were way more prepared last time than we are now. This time around though we are both working full-time and throw in a 4 year old who just started primary school and it gets a lot more harried. Not to mention my mobility is in an understatement, not great. I just got back from the physio and had a 3rd different kind of manipulation; seems my pelvis likes to mix things up and is rotated or stuck in a different way each time I visit. She thinks the next course of action might be to try acupuncture and I'm willing to give anything a try.

Blondie Boy started primary school and took like a fish to water. He went straight in the past three days, no clinging or crying or anything. We are so proud of him and he seems to really love it.  I don't have a bump picture this week even though I was all dressed up with pearls and everything for a parliamentary meeting earlier this week; I didn't get home until 7:30 and forgot to get a picture before I stripped off into PJs. Just look at last weeks picture and imagine I look more tired, round and haggard and you'll get the drift.

*How far along?: 33 weeks
*Total weight gain: 17.5 lbs; I know I haven't been doing this but I weighed myself today thinking that I'd have put on a horrendous amount of weight but the average weight gain for 33 weeks is 22-28lbs so I'm below those limits! I feel MUCH bigger this time so I was surprised that I'm below average. I did have a heavier starting weight than before I got pregnant with BB but still I'm pleased the overall gain during pregnancy isn't anywhere as near as bad as I thought it would be.
*How big is baby?: A durian---a fruit so smelly it's banned on public transportation in most of south-east Asia. I once brought my co-workers back Durian flavoured candy from Thailand because I left it until the last minute and that's what was at the airport. They tasted like gross cheese.
*Maternity clothes?: I'm going to have to buy new maternity tops. Pretty much all of mine are already too short; thanks for that bump and boobs; no one wants to see my under belly.

*Sleep?: If I go to bed before midnight (which my body always wants me to do) I wake up at 5am so I'm trying to make myself wake up.

*Best moment this week?: Blondie Boy started primary school!

*Movement?: "If you want to feel the bebe move all you have to do is stick your hand on my bump; the kid doesn't like people up in their space" I didn't even have to change what I wrote 5 years ago; exactly the same now as it was then

*Food cravings?: No real cravings; I'm really thirsty so just very, very cold beverages.
*Labor signs?: No
*Belly button in or out?: NBH lost my belly bar after my scan on Tuesday (on purpose? possibly) so I have to decide to order a new one or let it grow over.
*What I miss: Being able to go wherever I want to go without thinking about accessibility. I know I'm very lucky that my SPD issues are temporary but my eyebrows are a hot mess. The salon I go to is in town in Glasgow and you can't park right outside and there is no guarantee I could get parked even within a block so I'm struggling to figure out how I'm going to get rid of my Bert (roommate of Ernie) eyebrows.
*What I'm looking forward to: My first nieces/nephews/niece & nephew arriving in February! My sister has announced she is expecting TWINS!

*Milestone: Hitting the 8 month mark

If you like to compare/contrast here is Blondie Boy's 33 week update from 2009.


Let's be friends! Find me here: