You thought you were feeling heavy at 36 weeks - well, hahaha! The wisdom of hindsight.
You were still relatively light back then, now - NOW - you are heavy. No more outings. No way. No more swims. No more interacting with public; which strangely believes itself to have acquired new and unprecedented rights to comment on your appearance.
Examples from today:
"You look like you are about to explode!" (Followed by hormonal crying on husbands shoulder)
"Oh My God!"
"You need to get on a trampoline." (Right - I can barely walk thank you very much)
"That baby hasn't even dropped yet, at least a week to go." (Last things you want to hear; and by the way - who made all of you bloody experts on pregnancy?)
Time to take yoga teachers advice and simply stay at home. Protect self and baby from ill considered comments, well meaning or not. I try, I try, I try to remember - did I used to treat pregnant women like cute dogs or similar that are more or less available for cuddles and smartass comments? I hope I didn't.
Being pregnant sure has been great, but now... we are ready for step 2. Birth. When? It's torture not knowing when it will start - will it ever start?
My mother is here from Sweden. And hubby's family from down south. After Byron Bay's worst summer ever (I am guessing, but it was pretty bad) I have been delighted to show them a beautiful, sunny, clear water Bay with swims everyday.
Thank you Byron. Without all that beauty I might have felt really down by now. As obviously the guest of honour at this party has failed to show... yet.
Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pregnancy. Show all posts
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Week 36, Business End
I struggle with motivation. To write, to go for walks, to do anything around the house really. Partly because I'm rather lazy of course. But anything involving moving around really is hard. Do not wish to understate this.
Clearly I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled to be having a baby. To be so lucky and so fortunate.
But my knees are literally buckling under the pressure. Finding myself watching Biggest Loser (nothing else was on, ok!!!) and instead of laughing heartlessly at the contestants feeling a great deal of... empathy? It's bloody hard to walk, let alone do proper exercise, with all this extra weight on one.
Apart from knees, having some aches and pains in joints and bones just in general. But if this is the only thing then I am still very fortunate.
We're almost there with all the baby-stuff! Have got all the essentials and only missing some bits and pieces - which will all come together I'm sure.
In the outside world, the Bluesfest is on. We had tickets. We sold tickets. For a long time I was hoping I would be able to go, but when I started to be unable to walk - and grew out of all my shoes and boots (around 20 weeks) I abandoned this hope. Hubby, however, got a job at the festival instead, so will be able to catch some music.
When we bought the tickets (April last year, early-bird special) I said, and I remember this like it was yesterday, "I can't think of any reason we would not be going!"
Well, there was one!
Clearly I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled to be having a baby. To be so lucky and so fortunate.
But my knees are literally buckling under the pressure. Finding myself watching Biggest Loser (nothing else was on, ok!!!) and instead of laughing heartlessly at the contestants feeling a great deal of... empathy? It's bloody hard to walk, let alone do proper exercise, with all this extra weight on one.
Apart from knees, having some aches and pains in joints and bones just in general. But if this is the only thing then I am still very fortunate.
We're almost there with all the baby-stuff! Have got all the essentials and only missing some bits and pieces - which will all come together I'm sure.
In the outside world, the Bluesfest is on. We had tickets. We sold tickets. For a long time I was hoping I would be able to go, but when I started to be unable to walk - and grew out of all my shoes and boots (around 20 weeks) I abandoned this hope. Hubby, however, got a job at the festival instead, so will be able to catch some music.
When we bought the tickets (April last year, early-bird special) I said, and I remember this like it was yesterday, "I can't think of any reason we would not be going!"
Well, there was one!
Monday, 11 March 2013
The Role of Babies
I finally got a new phone - my very first smartphone! So excited about it, and spend hours glued to it every day. Tried to update blog from phone and upload photos. That didn't work at all. Why??? No idea. Oh well. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Nursery area is almost set up! Just missing the mattress and sheets. And probably a million other things hubby and I are not aware of but that, no doubt, are essential.
Was thinking about all the things we buy for our babies and children these days. Was wondering what used to happen - what did our grandparents get for our parents..? I know mom used to play in the pig-pen... And more so, what did our great-grandparents get for our grandparents?? A teddy-bear nightlight, a changetable with a bamboo-underlay, an ergonomically correct baby-bath and some paraben-free baby-wipes? Yeah right. More like the dog's old blanket.
The role of babies in our lives have definitely changed. I guess they used to be an almost unavoidable necessity; something women might sigh about "oh no not again" sort of thing, but know it was best to have six or seven, because a couple might not make it. And so they just used to come along. Exist. Hang out in the background and make use of the available resources (dog's blanket, pig-pen and so on).
Unlike nowadays when they tend to be planned, longed for and arrive like precious gifts to be treated like princes and princesses; like the most beautiful thing that may ever happen to us.
Of course, that is how I think about Beanie. Already so longed for and loved - naturally I am going to buy you that expensive organic cotton cot-blanket, precious baby.
Nursery area is almost set up! Just missing the mattress and sheets. And probably a million other things hubby and I are not aware of but that, no doubt, are essential.
Was thinking about all the things we buy for our babies and children these days. Was wondering what used to happen - what did our grandparents get for our parents..? I know mom used to play in the pig-pen... And more so, what did our great-grandparents get for our grandparents?? A teddy-bear nightlight, a changetable with a bamboo-underlay, an ergonomically correct baby-bath and some paraben-free baby-wipes? Yeah right. More like the dog's old blanket.
The role of babies in our lives have definitely changed. I guess they used to be an almost unavoidable necessity; something women might sigh about "oh no not again" sort of thing, but know it was best to have six or seven, because a couple might not make it. And so they just used to come along. Exist. Hang out in the background and make use of the available resources (dog's blanket, pig-pen and so on).
Unlike nowadays when they tend to be planned, longed for and arrive like precious gifts to be treated like princes and princesses; like the most beautiful thing that may ever happen to us.
Of course, that is how I think about Beanie. Already so longed for and loved - naturally I am going to buy you that expensive organic cotton cot-blanket, precious baby.
Monday, 18 February 2013
9 weeks
...to go. Am feeling a little mental.
Only 9 weeks!!! I'm not ready. Haven't got cot yet. Haven't ordered the mattress and sheets for the cot. What if baby comes? Can baby sleep in stroller for a few weeks? Oh my god how am I going to cope for another 9 weeks?
On physical side am still struggling with elephant-sized ankles and feet, alongside a charming condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. This makes your hands tingle and freeze up, and be generally too weak to open most things from the fridge. Atleast it matches up with the sciatica which causes similar symptoms in legs.
Strangely, I am no longer hungry all the time. Thankfully (hmm) this decrease in calories has not affected weight-gain.
I am really, honestly, not too bothered by any of this. Have kind of stepped back from it and taken on the role of the observer. Hmm, I think. Interesting! Look at that. How curious. Getting out of bed for the 5th time at night to go to the loo - process takes 10 minutes with the backache, leg-cramps and sore hands - fascinating.
Everyone says this is nature's way of teaching you how to exist on little to no sleep. I think nature has got that backwards - surely it would be better to sleep now and have more energy when baby comes - rather than not having slept for 7 months already..?
Also hubby seems to be spending his entire life in hardware stores or in garden chopping and pruning things whilst I am standing at safe distance pointing and shouting "that one, and that one - kill them ALL!"
Hubby is struggling to live up to my expectations of house and garden suddenly looking perfect, in spite of always having been total disasters before... Apparently this sort of behaviour is called nesting.
As if baby will care one way or another about our lattice...
Only 9 weeks!!! I'm not ready. Haven't got cot yet. Haven't ordered the mattress and sheets for the cot. What if baby comes? Can baby sleep in stroller for a few weeks? Oh my god how am I going to cope for another 9 weeks?
On physical side am still struggling with elephant-sized ankles and feet, alongside a charming condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. This makes your hands tingle and freeze up, and be generally too weak to open most things from the fridge. Atleast it matches up with the sciatica which causes similar symptoms in legs.
Strangely, I am no longer hungry all the time. Thankfully (hmm) this decrease in calories has not affected weight-gain.
I am really, honestly, not too bothered by any of this. Have kind of stepped back from it and taken on the role of the observer. Hmm, I think. Interesting! Look at that. How curious. Getting out of bed for the 5th time at night to go to the loo - process takes 10 minutes with the backache, leg-cramps and sore hands - fascinating.
Everyone says this is nature's way of teaching you how to exist on little to no sleep. I think nature has got that backwards - surely it would be better to sleep now and have more energy when baby comes - rather than not having slept for 7 months already..?
Also hubby seems to be spending his entire life in hardware stores or in garden chopping and pruning things whilst I am standing at safe distance pointing and shouting "that one, and that one - kill them ALL!"
Hubby is struggling to live up to my expectations of house and garden suddenly looking perfect, in spite of always having been total disasters before... Apparently this sort of behaviour is called nesting.
As if baby will care one way or another about our lattice...
Saturday, 9 February 2013
6 kilo baby?
The very essence of Murphy's Law, I believe, is this:
Decide to put nail-polish on toe-nails, do not put newspaper underneath bottle for first time in entire life, because - after all - have never spilled any before.
Spill.
Try to save floor and get nail-polish all over hands.
Do not fetch newspaper, figure instead there is no way you will spill twice.
Spill again.
Then, after having spent 7 months avoiding chemicals as much as possible - end up with nail-polish and nail-polish remover all over your hands.
So I was doing some pedicure... realised it might be the last time for a while. Oh dear. Had hoped to arrive in hospital, in about 10 weeks time, with beautiful looking feet and newly shaved legs. Unfortunately, each added kilo is making this seem more and more like a far fetched dream... Am only 30 weeks and can barely reach my toes. Pregnancy really is beautiful and unique experience. But there are things they don't tell you about. If they did, there would be fewer babies in the world.
Think most women are not as big as I am, surely. Suspect 6-kilo-baby. That will be a fun day. Luckily I will come prepared with yoga poses, meditation techniques and chants. Oh yes. No epidural here. And no morphine either, though admit would be fun... might be bad for baby though.
Weather cooled down, thanks be to the Universe. But feet still resemble bricks more than feet and ankles have transformed into thighs, and thighs... actually, never mind.
Starting to get some stuff organised. Pictures to come. When done. Which, hopefully, will be in the next few weeks.
Decide to put nail-polish on toe-nails, do not put newspaper underneath bottle for first time in entire life, because - after all - have never spilled any before.
Spill.
Try to save floor and get nail-polish all over hands.
Do not fetch newspaper, figure instead there is no way you will spill twice.
Spill again.
Then, after having spent 7 months avoiding chemicals as much as possible - end up with nail-polish and nail-polish remover all over your hands.
So I was doing some pedicure... realised it might be the last time for a while. Oh dear. Had hoped to arrive in hospital, in about 10 weeks time, with beautiful looking feet and newly shaved legs. Unfortunately, each added kilo is making this seem more and more like a far fetched dream... Am only 30 weeks and can barely reach my toes. Pregnancy really is beautiful and unique experience. But there are things they don't tell you about. If they did, there would be fewer babies in the world.
Think most women are not as big as I am, surely. Suspect 6-kilo-baby. That will be a fun day. Luckily I will come prepared with yoga poses, meditation techniques and chants. Oh yes. No epidural here. And no morphine either, though admit would be fun... might be bad for baby though.
Weather cooled down, thanks be to the Universe. But feet still resemble bricks more than feet and ankles have transformed into thighs, and thighs... actually, never mind.
Starting to get some stuff organised. Pictures to come. When done. Which, hopefully, will be in the next few weeks.
Monday, 21 January 2013
Exercise Ball
Got one of those exercise-balls, you know the ones. Not really for doing exercise, as such. More for... sitting on? Have heard / read lots about modern day lifestyle being responsible for babies ending up in breach, or facing the wrong way - making birth more difficult. Modern day lifestyle meaning sitting down on comfy lounges and sofas with feet up, mostly. Which is an easy thing to do when feet look and feel like bricks...
But anyway. From now on have got giant ball to sit on when watching TV, instead of lounge. Three months to go. Hurrah.
Time to start organising some things. Like, a buggy. Nappies. And a carseat. And something for baby to sleep on. Oh god. Hate shopping. Hope there is still plenty of time..?
Had a tour around the hospital yesterday. Admittedly have never seen any other hospital, but it didn't look very fresh to me. Also hospital super-busy. What if we get there and no rooms are available? Come back tomorrow? Feel free to have baby on floor in toilet?
I'm sure it will be fine. Fine, fine, fine.
Mother once more points out that I look like her work-colleague who is nine months pregnant with twins. It's the heat, you see.
But anyway. From now on have got giant ball to sit on when watching TV, instead of lounge. Three months to go. Hurrah.
Time to start organising some things. Like, a buggy. Nappies. And a carseat. And something for baby to sleep on. Oh god. Hate shopping. Hope there is still plenty of time..?
Had a tour around the hospital yesterday. Admittedly have never seen any other hospital, but it didn't look very fresh to me. Also hospital super-busy. What if we get there and no rooms are available? Come back tomorrow? Feel free to have baby on floor in toilet?
I'm sure it will be fine. Fine, fine, fine.
Mother once more points out that I look like her work-colleague who is nine months pregnant with twins. It's the heat, you see.
Monday, 14 January 2013
Heatwave
Have not had loads of energy to update.
Australia is in the middle of a heatwave - and days have consisted mainly of finding ways to cool down. In particular hands and feet have been on fire. Totally uncharacteristic - my hands and feet are usually freezing regardless of outside temperatures.
Have also had a house full of guests - always nice, unfortunately house did not agree and stuff has been breaking down at unprecedented speeds. Think plumbing, for instance.
Interestingly, plumbing decided to cark it at around 4pm on a Friday afternoon. This is Byron Bay. Forget getting anything done at 4pm on a Friday. Haha. Plumbers all sitting merrily having schooners at the pub. No worries and all that.
So have had interesting weekend of showering using garden hose; when 35 degrees in shade - not showering is simply not an option.
House has so many issues sometimes feel like banging head against brick wall might be a constructive idea? But always calm down and realise there are also many reasons to LOVE house. It's a wonderful place, really. As long as one is not too fussed about minor renovation-projects and, well, working plumbing...
Australia is in the middle of a heatwave - and days have consisted mainly of finding ways to cool down. In particular hands and feet have been on fire. Totally uncharacteristic - my hands and feet are usually freezing regardless of outside temperatures.
Have also had a house full of guests - always nice, unfortunately house did not agree and stuff has been breaking down at unprecedented speeds. Think plumbing, for instance.
Interestingly, plumbing decided to cark it at around 4pm on a Friday afternoon. This is Byron Bay. Forget getting anything done at 4pm on a Friday. Haha. Plumbers all sitting merrily having schooners at the pub. No worries and all that.
So have had interesting weekend of showering using garden hose; when 35 degrees in shade - not showering is simply not an option.
House has so many issues sometimes feel like banging head against brick wall might be a constructive idea? But always calm down and realise there are also many reasons to LOVE house. It's a wonderful place, really. As long as one is not too fussed about minor renovation-projects and, well, working plumbing...
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Friday, 28 December 2012
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Hungry
10.30 am and just had my lunch. Still hungry though. Suppose it's too early for dinner..?
Yet this hunger is nothing compared to the first 14 weeks, as have mentioned. Where is the hunger coming from? And what are we craving?
Mainly: pasta, bread, corn, rich tomato casseroles on mash... and apples.
Had really strange dream last night that I was drinking whipped up raw eggs, this was referred to as eggnog. Clearly I have no idea how to make eggnog, there has to be more to it than raw eggs. Anyway - point was I didn't know it was raw eggs. Then woke up in panic for having done something to harm the baby. (If you didn't know, raw eggs are to be avoided in pregnancy)
Guess am feeling anxious about the holidays - we are going to a couple of parties and staying with friends and family - which means a lot of other peoples cooking. Watch out Beanie!
Yet this hunger is nothing compared to the first 14 weeks, as have mentioned. Where is the hunger coming from? And what are we craving?
Mainly: pasta, bread, corn, rich tomato casseroles on mash... and apples.
Had really strange dream last night that I was drinking whipped up raw eggs, this was referred to as eggnog. Clearly I have no idea how to make eggnog, there has to be more to it than raw eggs. Anyway - point was I didn't know it was raw eggs. Then woke up in panic for having done something to harm the baby. (If you didn't know, raw eggs are to be avoided in pregnancy)
Guess am feeling anxious about the holidays - we are going to a couple of parties and staying with friends and family - which means a lot of other peoples cooking. Watch out Beanie!
Saturday, 8 December 2012
Week 20
... and feeling good.
Going to my yoga where we discuss possible acrobatic birthing positions - assuming of course one does not opt for an epidural. Do not think epidural is the done thing amongst Byron mothers...
Am undecided. Before turning life around and becoming a bit of a hippy - my dream-birth involved a team of doctors, a drip, and some abdominal surgery. Now... Would like for it to be natural. But also know self, and know I cope extremely badly with pain. Anyway is too early to start thinking about that...
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Hippy Yoga
Hubby would like to clarify that he never laughed and said "no" when asked if I looked ok. And if he did do that - which he didn't do - then he meant it as a joke. Besides, he probably wasn't listening to me.
See baby, am fair to you on blog.
Pregnancy yoga today. Totally different from Bikram. No similarities at all. This is more about introducing oneself, connecting with baby for a little while, focusing on breathing and doing some light stretching. Last week a woman was there whose due date it was. She got to lie down on a rug in middle of room and we all got to give her a massage. Felt a bit hippy-ish - but she was not there today so guess it worked.
Worrying statement made by yoga-teacher: "Your jaw is strongly connected with your pelvis. Through opening your mouth wide, your pelvis can open - and you may deliver your baby."
Yikes!!
As avid reader of this blog you may know about my deformed jaw-bones. Cannot open mouth very widely at all, and not for long periods of time. In fact, thus far in pregnancy - concern about my jaw has been my biggest fear in relation to giving birth.
I mean, the rest of it I just haven't thought about.
But if my jaw locks, I will panic. No two ways about it, they will have to put me under.
So tentative plan had been to get a little plastic biting-ring, such as babies use when teething, to bite down hard on so as to prevent opening mouth at all during delivery.
But if what yoga-teacher says is true, then this plan has some serious flaws... shit... who can I speak to who is an expert on deformed jaws as well as childbirth?
See baby, am fair to you on blog.
Pregnancy yoga today. Totally different from Bikram. No similarities at all. This is more about introducing oneself, connecting with baby for a little while, focusing on breathing and doing some light stretching. Last week a woman was there whose due date it was. She got to lie down on a rug in middle of room and we all got to give her a massage. Felt a bit hippy-ish - but she was not there today so guess it worked.
Worrying statement made by yoga-teacher: "Your jaw is strongly connected with your pelvis. Through opening your mouth wide, your pelvis can open - and you may deliver your baby."
Yikes!!
As avid reader of this blog you may know about my deformed jaw-bones. Cannot open mouth very widely at all, and not for long periods of time. In fact, thus far in pregnancy - concern about my jaw has been my biggest fear in relation to giving birth.
I mean, the rest of it I just haven't thought about.
But if my jaw locks, I will panic. No two ways about it, they will have to put me under.
So tentative plan had been to get a little plastic biting-ring, such as babies use when teething, to bite down hard on so as to prevent opening mouth at all during delivery.
But if what yoga-teacher says is true, then this plan has some serious flaws... shit... who can I speak to who is an expert on deformed jaws as well as childbirth?
Monday, 5 November 2012
Beautiful Hair and Glowing Skin
Part 2.
Genuinely thought this might happen. What's a little nausea and a bit of weight-gain in view of thick hair and beautiful skin..?
But no.
Hair looks like always.
Skin is terrible. Feel like am 14 again. Bad skin has appeared in sections of face where even teenage-Anna could boast smooth flawless skin. The glow, possibly, is simply lost underneath all this mess?
Hubby is enjoying having a "fat" wife. After having a skinny vegan one for so long perhaps? Put on an outfit yesterday and hopefully enquired "Does this look OK?" Hubby laughed wholeheartedly and said simply "No."
He did later say I look amazing. Amaaaazing. Yeah.
Actually want to add... none of this matters one bit. Am happy to put up with whatever as long as it means Beanie is OK. Beanie is our working title for the future baby, named so around week 6 when size of a bean. Is just a bit of fun to keep track of the joys of the journey...
Genuinely thought this might happen. What's a little nausea and a bit of weight-gain in view of thick hair and beautiful skin..?
But no.
Hair looks like always.
Skin is terrible. Feel like am 14 again. Bad skin has appeared in sections of face where even teenage-Anna could boast smooth flawless skin. The glow, possibly, is simply lost underneath all this mess?
Hubby is enjoying having a "fat" wife. After having a skinny vegan one for so long perhaps? Put on an outfit yesterday and hopefully enquired "Does this look OK?" Hubby laughed wholeheartedly and said simply "No."
He did later say I look amazing. Amaaaazing. Yeah.
Actually want to add... none of this matters one bit. Am happy to put up with whatever as long as it means Beanie is OK. Beanie is our working title for the future baby, named so around week 6 when size of a bean. Is just a bit of fun to keep track of the joys of the journey...
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Sleep?
Common pregnancy symptoms that do not apply to me, part 1.
Sleep.
Many pregnant women will let you know how tired pregnancy makes you - especially first part. Whilst I find this to be true - have never been so exhausted - for most women this is followed by an ability to sleep anytime, anywhere.
Me? No way. That would be too easy.
Last night was fifth night in a row sans any sleep at all. Actually last night was shaping up to be OK, had fallen asleep and been asleep for all of - maybe - half an hour, when hubby saw fit to wake me up to say goodnight.
No sleep for Anna after that.
Why Sleep, why? What have I ever done to you?
Is difficult to be active, outgoing, clever and gorgeous when brain is chanting "sleep sleep sleep" on repeat...
Sleep.
Many pregnant women will let you know how tired pregnancy makes you - especially first part. Whilst I find this to be true - have never been so exhausted - for most women this is followed by an ability to sleep anytime, anywhere.
Me? No way. That would be too easy.
Last night was fifth night in a row sans any sleep at all. Actually last night was shaping up to be OK, had fallen asleep and been asleep for all of - maybe - half an hour, when hubby saw fit to wake me up to say goodnight.
No sleep for Anna after that.
Why Sleep, why? What have I ever done to you?
Is difficult to be active, outgoing, clever and gorgeous when brain is chanting "sleep sleep sleep" on repeat...
Friday, 2 November 2012
Mommy Blogger?
Have not written a lot here lately. Why the silence?
Well, the cat is now out of the bag. The blog will, much like outdoor furniture, get a fresh start. A new life. Was thinking of becoming - not only brilliant and witty Swedish expat blogger; but also Australia's new Mommy Blogger.
That's right. Am knocked up.
Expecting new addition in April next year.
Regarding early pregnancy; the closest comparison I can make is really - it's a bit like being hungover. You know; feeling tired, feeling like you might throw up at any second, yet feeling strangely hungry and able to consume family sized pizza with extra cheese on own.
Food cravings definitely exist, mine are varied. In the beginning it was strawberry-frenzy, then cucumber-madness - now mango, apples, corn and bread with cheese are very popular. Hubby is holding up the vegan end. Am sorry. YOU try being pregnant and vegan at the same time, then we'll talk.
Well, the cat is now out of the bag. The blog will, much like outdoor furniture, get a fresh start. A new life. Was thinking of becoming - not only brilliant and witty Swedish expat blogger; but also Australia's new Mommy Blogger.
That's right. Am knocked up.
Expecting new addition in April next year.
Regarding early pregnancy; the closest comparison I can make is really - it's a bit like being hungover. You know; feeling tired, feeling like you might throw up at any second, yet feeling strangely hungry and able to consume family sized pizza with extra cheese on own.
Food cravings definitely exist, mine are varied. In the beginning it was strawberry-frenzy, then cucumber-madness - now mango, apples, corn and bread with cheese are very popular. Hubby is holding up the vegan end. Am sorry. YOU try being pregnant and vegan at the same time, then we'll talk.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)