11 days to go apparently

The count down has begun...well it began a few weeks ago, as I thought this little one would want to arrive at 37 weeks, then at the beginning of 38 weeks. Today it is 38 weeks and 3 days, and I have lovely pain, but still not in a regular burst. If it goes as it should, I hope that tonight I will be in full on labour and pushing out the melon that is this baby.

I have been doing a little crocheting and knitting. I am trying to make a beanie for Miles and it is going slowly but I have been using this as good practice on using dpns. So far it is about 3 inches in height, so just another 2 1/2 inches to go and then I can start on the decrease. The pattern is from Charmed Knits.

I am planning on making a glove/mitten thing for History of Magic for the house cup, but at the moment, I am just not feeling the love there with the pattern and not really in the mood to do it. Luckly I am doing the Zen Quest and doing what I want to do for the cup. No, OWLs this term either. I just dont want to tackle a big project if I am not going to finish it off in 3 months. Maybe in a few terms, I will attempt an OWL!

I did manage last month to crochet a filet bunny afghan in forest green for the baby. It was huge and I am so pleased that I made it. It will fit nicely in the cot and on his bed when he moves onto a big boys bed. I still have to make an afghan/blanket for William. I was thinking about either a starghan or a log cabin style blanket just for him. Most likely in some bright colours.

Photos of some of my projects can be found on my flickr page or on ravelry.

Countdown begins

With only a few weeks left...lets face it, the weeks are currently flying by. I have 13 weeks to the official due date, but I think that he might come early, so anywhere in from 9 weeks to 13 weeks, he is coming out. I cannot see him going over. The first one was overdue, the second one was 2 weeks early, so anything is possible.

At the moment, the baby is very active. Tossing and turning and giving me a kick whenever he feels like it.

I think I will have another healthy 3kg+ baby.

I have a few more hospital and doctors appoinments to do until then. Tomorrow, I think I will go and get the glucose test out of the way. Need to stock up on water before hand, as finding my veins is becoming harder as I age. I dont understand why they go into hiding when the needle comes out, as I am not afraid of needles...just bee and wasp stings! They can be potental killers.

Nesting stage has started to really set in...I had to re-arrange the lounge room yesterday, I just had too. I like how the room looks too, it looks bigger! Have been working on the kids room as well, but that is still a demo site. Just got to fix the cot, change table, and the clothing! I want to get rid of some of the boys toys too. But they arent being very helpful with giving up their toys. But it will get done, sooner or later. Fingers crossed it will be sooner. Will be starting William in his own bed tonight, it is going to be a bit of a shock for him, when he wakes up in the morning and sees that he is able to escape from the bed, as the cot he couldnt get out and roam about the room. Not going to be too happy about that part, especially if I am sleeping, but it will be better for him in the long run, and for me with getting the cot ready for the baby.

I am a little concerned about the crying waking the boys up, but I dont know what this baby's routine is going to be. I am hoping that it will be a good 4 hour stretch between feeds. I just hope that the baby crying doesnt disturb the boys too much. Miles is already excited about the new one arriving soon, and William is still not sure what is going on, but he knows that there is a baby coming and that mummy has a big tummy. He thinks it is from eating my dinner, but I know that isnt the case.

Still craving Japanese food, and candy corn. But I can wait until I get some. I really love my sushi and sashimi but not whilst pregnant. Hopefully when holidays come about, I will be able to eat as much as I want when I want. Can only hope and dream.

18 weeks and counting

Next week I go for an ultra sound to check on the development of the baby and hopefully find out if it is a boy or a girl. This is so exciting, because hubby is going to be coming with me this time, and he hasnt seen an ultrasound before. Due to having to work at the time, but he managed to get the day off from work so that he can come along with us.

Its amazing to think, that I am already at the half-way point of the pregnancy. There is still a lot to do and prepare before baby #3 arrives in late June or early July.

We have already decided on a girls name....we chose it over 5 years ago when I first got pregnant. But we are having a hard time thinking of a boys name. I am sure that if it is a boy, that something will come to our minds.

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I had a bit of a slump in Nov/Dec, and have just started to get back into crocheting. I have a few items that I have to finish soon, I have only a few weeks before my cousins wife is due with her girl, so I want to make her something for the baby, and a doily for my exchange partner who has been waiting since Nov/Dec for it. I am a bit slack, but i am hoping to get it over and done with in a few weeks.

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Miles has started school. He loved his first day at Prep and has been enjoying himself with all his friends. It is good to see him having fun and learning new things.

Introducing William!!!

Here are some photos of the lastest edition to my family
....William....
He was born Friday, 22/08/2008 at 3.10pm in Toowoomba Hospital
Weight - 3290grams
length - 51cm
Head - 34.5cm

It was a very short labour. I started getting contractions around 4.30am Friday morning, and by 9am, they were about 10mins apart and lasting for about 30-40 seconds. I was told to head up to the hospital, but I had to wait for Jumpei to come home, and when he got home, he arrived about 2 hours after I called for him to come home...well it felt that way, it might have been only an hours wait...
When we headed off to the hospital (an hours drive away), my contractions were coming closer together from between 5-10 minutes apart. When we got to the hospital, I was already at 3cm. By 1.30pm-ish, I was moved into the birthing suite. By 2.30pm, I was at 6cm, and it was too late for me to have drugs to kill the pain. It was too late for me to have an epidural to kill of the pain. The contractions were coming hard and fast by then, and I was told that "this baby is going to be here before the drug would take affect!" Not something that I wanted to hear, but there is nothing that can be done when you are at that stage. By now I was at 9cm and told that when I have the urge to push to go for it. I didnt want to push, BUT he just had to come out. I dont really remember much, as the process kind of blows your mind, but I dont think that I was pushing for too long, as at 3.10pm his head was out and I had just given birth to our second son.
It is just amazing how the body forgets the pain that you have just gone through immediately, as there is no way that I can describe the pain, I know that it took a lot of concentration at times to push and do what the midwives wanted me to do. But in the end, I am pleased to have my little boy at home with me. He is still a bit yellow, from jauntice (sp?) but it seems to be clearing up now. Hopefully, by the end of this week, he should have a nicer complection.

Pregnancy update - A busy day at the hospital

Today I went to the hospital for my usual checkup...but it was anything but usual. The night before, I had contractions from 4pm to 11.30pm, and then every now and then during the day. I wasnt really worried that, as I think that it is just the body practising for the actual labour. I mentioned it to the nurse that was taking my blood pressure, and would you believe, my blood pressure was 145/99!!! That is really high, but I think it was wrong, due to the fact she was using a smaller cuff then the one I usually use. So from there I was seen by a midwife, he took me upstairs to the birthing suites and I didnt even have time to get my mother who was in the waiting room (she was there for 2 hours before she decided it was too long for me to be with the doctors, and finally found me upstairs after being told I wasnt there). Poor old girl...I know, she isnt that old really but when your waiting for 2 hours and then told your daughter is not there, I am sure she was very confused. By 4pm I had to get going to collect Miles from Kindy, as I couldnt get my husband at home, he was still at work! So I had to quickly leave the hospital, with my high blood pressure, which I was checked 3 more times before leaving, and had a trace placed on me for 1.5 hours! The baby is fine, by the way, good heart beat and movements. I had to get back to the hospital as the doctor who was with me, during my time there, had to rush next door to the other room due to an emergency. All I heard was the work Prolapse and a woman crying and a lot of running around and the incubator in my room being taken away quickly, and my doctor not returning as he had to go into emergency surgery. So after getting Miles, feeding him and Jumpei coming home, we headed back to the hospital just after 5pm, where I was sent back up to the birthing suite and the trace placed on me and my blood pressure taken again. This time, it was back to normal, I think it was something like 135/84, so just after 7pm we were able to leave the hospital. But I have to go back there on Friday morning, but i have call first, as there could be another emergency, but the nurse is hoping for an uneventful morning. If I am lucky, I might be having this baby soon.

Pregnant me...the photos

Finally some photos of me pregnant!

Side shot...I am sure that he is going to be bigger then Miles. Miles was 3.65kgs when he was born. I am thinking about a 4kg baby.

Miles and me. He just loves to have his photo taken.

The countdown is on...

Really I have been counting down the days since I first found out I was pregnant. Now I only 14 days to go before this month is officially finished and my due date has arrived. I have been waiting patiently, but I dont know how much longer I want to wait for this baby to come.
I know 14 days doesnt sound like a lot, but it is when you consider that:

• when your sitting on the floor, it takes a lot more effort in trying to get up again.
• hip joints are not your friends at this late stage in the pregnancy game.
• rolling over to change positions in bed, is now a marthon sport.
• having your son, think your going to give him a horsy ride cos your on your hands and knees trying to get up off the floor, is the most terrifying thing that could happen to you.
• putting on trousers is now a choice of insanity, and it is just easy to wear a dress in the freezing weather.
• hot showers are a god sent, but getting out and getting dressed is one thing that you wish you had spray on clothes for. It would be so much easier then trying to get your undies on.
• you want to eat your burger, your hungry for your burger, and yet you can only manage 3 or 4 bites before your full and too tired from feeling sad that you didnt finish your burger (only your husband is excited cos he practically gets to eat 2 burgers!)
• you want to sleep on your tummy, but there is a big bump in the way. You imagine yourself as a human see-saw if you attempt it.

So anyway, my countdown is on. I have pains, aches, a moving baby, and sometimes contractions, but nothing yet to say "hey it is time for the hospital, let's get a move on". But I know it is only a matter of time before all of this will be over and I will have a baby at home, and be doing all the things that need to be done for him, and my family.

Nothing happening

Even with the aches and pains at night, nothing is happening. I thought earlier this morning that the baby had dropped down a bit further, but I fear he is teasing me! I have my next appointment on Wednesday with the doctor, so it might be interesting to see if I will have any news, apart from "that is good" or "all seems well".
During most nights, I am in a lot of pain, but I wouldnt class some of the pains as labour pains, but there are a few that are getting close to that amazing pain. Jumpei is on edge when ever I have a pain, and wants to rush me to the hospital, but it just isnt time yet. I think he is getting excited for the baby to arrive. Miles has become more needy over the last couple of days, so my guess is that he can sense the change that is coming. As most nights, he climbs onto my lap and goes off to sleep, or he wants cuddles all the time. As he so proclaims, "I'm so so lonely" in a very soft, weak voice. Which translates to "I want a cuddle and you to look at me for the next 10 minutes or so". Not that I am complaining, as I really like him.
He is very helpful in the kitchen too. He likes to help me all the time in the kitchen. The other day, I had him make meatballs whilst I cooked them. He was so proud of himself, and has asked again since to make them. But I just dont want meatballs for dinner. He gets so excited about helping me out in any way. I have him taking his dirty clothes to the washing machine as well.
Tonight, I think that I might surprise him with an amigurumi toy, if I get the time. I am working on his Origami Turkish Socks. I am onto the second sock, and it is almost finished. I have to just finish the body and heel of the socks and then sew them together. I just hope that I did the measurements correctly, so that they fit my boy's feet. He wants to keep trying them on as I work on them but since it is an origami style sock, it is a little hard to work out if it is the correct size or not, but it looks right for now. If not, then I will have a pair made for William when his feet are large enough.
I hope to get photos taken of the socks before I sew them. I am enjoying the crunch stitch that is used in the pattern. I normally stay away from stitches like that, as I am not sure how I am supposed to get them to the same height, until I realised that it doesnt matter about the height, it is all about the effect of the stitch texture on the final object.

Updates...on everything

Since it has been a while since I have posted anything here, I will do a quick rundown of what is happening.

Pregnancy
I am now 37 weeks along. So that means "anytime now"!! Tomorrow, I go for a check up, so that should be fun. All seems to be normal, his position is correct, he is getting bigger, as I have been able to eat a bit more! Finally, I can eat a hamburger and not rely on Jumpei to finish it off for me. Normally, I can only eat a few bites and then I am full, now I can eat the whole lot! Happy for me, sad for Jumpei.
I have the car packed, with the baby seat in place, baby clothes, and a bag for me, which is half packed. I really dont know what I am going to wear for the birthing, I cannot remember what I wore last time. Need to pack my pjs in too, but I dont know if I will stay overnight, or just the day, or even a few days. I dont think that I would stay a long time in hospital, as I dont know how Miles would take that, so the shortest possible time is what I am planning.

Crochet
I am trying to get my Seraphina's Shawl finished before the baby arrives. It would be nice to have it completed and in use for when I am breastfeeding. I have just started on my 3rd ball of yarn for this project. It is coming along nicely. I have been thinking what it would look like if I had some homespun or some bulky yarn, it would be a nice warm shawl for sure.
Also, working on the Origami Turkish Socks, as part of a CAL on crochetsocks. I am making them for Miles in red heart yarn. So far they look good and interesting. I just hope that they fit his feet when I am finished. I am sure that I did do the measurements correctly. If not, they will fit the baby when his feet grow bigger.

Knitting
Still working on my squares for my knit-ghan. So far, I have finished all the leftover yarn in Pink Camo, that I received as a RAK. I have casted on some more leftovers, so it is coming along nicely. Once I have a few more made, I will take a photo. I dont know what arrangement I will make with them, but most likely "random" will be the theme for this knit-ghan.
I also have a tawashi on another set of needles, next to my bed, but I havent had a lot of time to work on that one.

Health
Miles is getting over a case of Pink-eye! That is so horrible!!! Nothing like what they showed on South Park! But it is clearing up now, so he can go back to Kindy tomorrow. Hopefully, he wont get it again.
Jumpei has a case of the flu and Tonsilitis.
Me, just a really sore throat and stuffy head, but I really cant take anything for it, apart from lemon and honey drinks and maybe a panadol, but I think that Jumpei just had the last one.

Pregnancy update

Went to the doctors today, and have my check up, everything is going good. The baby is the correct size and is in the correct position. I have only 6 weeks to go to the due date, as well. My next check up isnt until the 30th and then I think I go every week after that for a check up. I am wondering if this little one is going to arrive early sometimes, as I have labour pains every night, but nothing that keeps reoccurring for a long period of time. He seems happy and moves about quite freely (well as freely as a baby with his head down can move) inside.

One of the worst things ...

about pregnancy, is when you want to clip your toe nails, you can't bend down to reach them. LOL I wish someone would do them for me. (^_~)

Updates

Check up
Went for my check up today. Everything was good, although I do have a bit of high blood pressure, 133/83, but the doctor wasn't worried about it, and told me not to worry about it. So I'm not worrying about it. The baby has also moved down a bit, or dropped, I think that is the correct term for it. He is moving around a lot at the moment, so that is really good. I don't think I will be waiting too long for him to arrive. The doctor put me at 30 weeks along, even though my calendar says that I am at 29 weeks and 3 days. I am now going to have to go to the doctors every 2 weeks now, and then in 6 weeks I have to go to Toowoomba for my antenatal appointment. So all is good in the land of the "damn I cant roll over" pregnancy.

Crochet
Whilst at the hospital, I had taken mum with me, and like clockwork, she tells me once I am in line that she will go and see the doctor too, so I had a long wait in the waiting room. Knowing that this was going to happen, I brought along my Seraphina's shawl to work on. I think I did quite a bit of it, in between looking at people, TV, and watching the ambulance person walking around looking for an elderly lady. I did tell him where she was, when I grabbed his attention, since the staff members where busy and had not realised he was looking for her.

Knitting
This morning I did some more knitting, on my simple knit neck warmer that I am making. I think that I am getting a hold of it now. I have knitted 7cm so far. I did have to frog, as I forgot which direction I was going and knitted almost a whole row before realising. Lucky for my trusty crochet hooks, I got a small one and used it to pick up the stitches as i put them back on the needle. So I am so happy!

Miles
Yesterday, I went shopping, and since Miles has been good in his own kind of way, I brought him some strawberries, as he loves them. Later, when I brought him home from kindy, I told him I had some strawberries for him. Off he ran to the kitchen, and extracted a tube out of the fridge and walked back into the lounge room like he had won the lotto! He sat down and ate almost the whole tube before returning them the fridge. This morning, I asked him if he would like to take some to kindy, and he said yes! to that, so I ended up packing some into his lunchbox, and he ate some of them for breakfast too. He is really happy about strawberries!!! We are going to try and grow some of them this year, but I am not sure how well we will go, however, we are going to give them a go! I would really love to have a strawberry patch out the back. If only raspberries would grow here, I would be so happy! I love them, but I think our soil or climate is not good to grow them. I will have to ask dad about that, as he is the plant-all-knowing person, just a little better then mum. Nursery folk!
Well I might go and collect my little man from kindy, it is very overcast here at the moment, and I am feeling too lazy to get a jumper on, so I better go and get him before we get any rain, or it gets really cold.

39.2 degrees

That is not the temp. here, but what Miles is at the moment. He is burning up but I have given him some medicine, and he seems to be feeling a little better. He wont be going to kindy today though, as I think that he might not be too good today. He is happy to lay on the couch and watch some news (but I think that he is holding out for me to put on some cartoons...lol)
Jumpei is also sick today too. He is in bed and I think he has what I had yesterday. I had lots of cramps and throwing up too. The cramps were like labour pains, and coming every 10 minutes, so Jumpei has it. Not fun at all.
I am so glad that it wasnt labour pain, as the baby is only 28 weeks along now. As of today, I only have 11 weeks and 4 days to go before the due date. I am so excited. The baby is kicking about a lot more and is rolling about and doing stretches. Both Jumpei and I have a feeling that this one might come early. I hope that he doesnt come too early. I hope that he doesnt come in the 35th week, as I will be going to Brisbane to see a friend of mine who is coming over to Australia for a short holiday, from Japan. So I am really looking forward to that.
Next week, I have to go and see the doctor for a check up. I think that everything should be fine. I will have my blood pressure checked and all that stuff. ^_^ I dont hink that I have to worry about my blood pressure, as it has always been good, even with my pregnancy with Miles. So I am expecting much of the same with one.

I havent been doing much crocheting over the last couple of days, as I havent been feeling well and have been trying to get the baby clothes all washed and sorted. I found where I had kept all of Miles's old baby clothes, and have gone through them to find the ones that I need. I think i might have enough, and won't really need to buy any more, but I will double check and make sure that I have enough of the right sizes and hopefully they are warm enough for him, as Miles was a summer baby! This one is going to be a late winter/autumn baby. So it will be windy around that time here.
I have another load of washing to put out on the line that is full of baby clothes in the sizes 00000 to 000. That should have the baby covered for atleast 4 or 5 months. ^_^ Depending on how big this one is.

My tummy, Miles, and dinner

Tummy moving and rumbling, but I'm not hungry! The little one is moving about so much today, it could be because I had to drive into Toowoomba today. A long drive when you are 27.3 weeks along. I only have 12 weeks and 4 days to go before the due date of August 31st!!! I hope he arrives sometimes in August and not before. I want to take a few days off driving but I have a feeling that there is more driving about in store for me. ^_~ I dont mind doing it so much, but it does start to take its toll on me, as I am finding that I am more and more tired during the day. I havent had my afternoon nap today, as I have been busy cleaning my house (with some help from mum). I have got to get into Miles's room and get it ready for when the baby comes. I have to organise his toy box and reduce some of the toys, as he has a lot of bits and pieces that he doesnt play with, I will give them to the local charity so that some other child can get some use out of them. But I have to do this when he is out at kindy or I will never be able to get the work done, as he wants to "help" me.
Miles did have another great day at Kindy. He did a few paintings and coloured a few pictures. I can tell he has been in the sandpit, as there is sand in his bag and shoes!!! He loves the sandpit a lot, but we aren't going to get him one, as next door has a cat that likes to come into our yard. There is also another cat that likes to sit in our yard too, so the idea of having Miles playing in there and one of these cats coming and using it as a personal toilet is something that I just dont want to have to think about. We are going to get him a swing set after the baby is born, as it should be getting nice and warm by then and it would be good for him to be able to play outside in the yard after his day at kindy, and on the weekends. We still have to decide where to put it, as I want it somewhere where I can see him on it. I want to get him the one with the slide attached onto it, as he loves to slide and climb!

crochet news
I am onto round 7 now of Miles's hat. I hope to be able to get most of it done tonight, that is if I don't fall asleep. I hope to have it atleast 50% finished by tonight. Fingers crossed.

dinner
I thought that I would say that I am cooking a fish for tonights dinner. This is for hubby more then me, as I dont really like eating fish because of the bones. I can eat sashimi, sushi, smoked salmon and other raw fish, but cooked fish gives me headaches, as I normally get a fishbone stuck in my mouth or throat. Not fun at all. But hubby likes fish, so it is going to be fish for him tonight with a warm steaming bowl of rice. Miles is going to love it too, as he will eat fish and rice with no problems. He wants to be just like his father, and will often copy him at the dinner table. ^_^

^_^ Updates ^_^

I thought that I better give an update on what I have been doing and how far my pregnancy is.

Pregnancy and Miles
I am now up to 27 weeks today!!! That means there is under 13 weeks to go before the little one arrives. He is kicking like mad and rolling about. Sometimes it feels like I am rolling around in rough seas, but not too bad. I am sure that this one is going to be as active as Miles was when he was little. ^_^ (I am being kicked at the moment) My tummy is looking very big too!
Earlier this week, I went to have the glucose challenge test. It took 4 jabs of the needle before they got enough blood out of me! I have 3 little bruises on both arms!
Miles is coughing again. The weather has changed to very overcast and windy, with spots of rain and thunder. Tomorrow, Miles starts at Kindy. He will be going there 5 days a week. I am sure that he is going to enjoy it. We went shopping yesterday and he got a little Brisbane Broncos sprayjacket. He loved it so much!!! He wants to play for the football team when he gets older.

Crochet
I am still working on my seraphina shawl, I havent touch it at all this week, as I am trying to get the Husband's hat finished for my husband. It is almost finished. He loves it so far. He really likes the colour of the yarn that I am using. It is Red Heart Multi in the Woodsy colourway. It is a very mascline colour combination. I really like it. I hope to finish off the husband's hat tonight! Fingers crossed.
I am also working on items for my Secret Pal from CrochetX. I won't mention what it is just yet, incase she is reading my blog, but I am really enjoying making the items for her.

I was also looking at a few patterns on ravelry, and there is a cute little wrap called Oberon's Lace Wrap. I am going to try and workout the pattern and see if I can make something similar. It is really cute and simple looking. It will also give me a chance to work on the back post stitch. I hope that is what it is called. I hope I work it out. ^_^

Seraphina's Shawl

Well I have finally done it, after over a year or so of looking at that shawl. I have it on my hook!
Yesterday was Mother's Day, and my husband said I could grab some yarn, we were at the Warehouse and I saw this really pretty yarn in white/pink/dark pink colours. It is called Pink Snow. It is coming along nicely. I am up to row 9, as of 12pm! I can't wait to get it finished. I am hoping that it will be finished sometime this winter. So fingers are crossed.

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I am now 24wks pregnant, so only 16 more to go. The baby is kicking and rolling about so much that I feel as if someone has placed an octopus on my tummy...not a nice feeling sometimes. But it is good to know that he seems to be healthy and very active. It will be interesting to see if he arrives on the due date or earlier. I have to go for a doctors appointment sometime soon, but I dont like the doctor in my area, so I am not sure what to do...I might end up going to her for this for now and keep my eyes open for another doctor. She seems to be a bit arrogant for my liking. Not a real people person, as she spends too much time on her computer then looking at her patient! Just my feelings on her!!

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My other crocheting news. I have finished a few projects last week, I managed to do a doily, a square, a little apron and a bookmark. I have a few more things that I want to make, but I just havent as I have the shawl on there at the moment, however, I do know that I will be adding a few more items onto my hooks before this week is out. ^_^