The one with my theory test result!

So I passed my theory test! Woohoo! Not with such a good score as last time but who cares, a pass is a pass!! Now for the really scary part – my instructor says I should be ready to take my test mid August so it’s booked and paid for NOW! Very very nervous – still I have about 6 more lessons before then so I should be fine. I hope. I really don’t want to have to pay another £62 to do it again.

I’m almost 24 weeks now. TWENTY FOUR. It’s completely surreal. Our little man is actually viable in 3 days time! I don’t know how this seems to anyone else but to me it’s crazy that I’m already this far along. I expected the whole pregnancy to draaaaag because I’m such an impatient person by nature (we both are) but, excluding the first 12 weeks… and likely the last 4…. It’s completely whizzed by.

Pip still wiggles a lot, I’m still waiting for some proper thumps/kicks though, other than the handful I’ve had – he also has quiet patches of a day or two which sometimes make me nervous but I try not to worry about them. I have my next midwife appointment in a week or so, she will listen to the heartbeat and that will hopefully reassure me that Pip is ok in there although I’m feeling pretty happy about that to be honest. Intuition don’t fail me now :-)

I do think I am having a fairly comfortable, straightforward pregnancy (touch wood!) to be honest – nothing major to gripe about. I feel quite heavy and cumbersome these days but nothing I can’t handle (and certainly nothing that won’t get a lot worse!!), I am still sleeping fine except for the inevitable ‘bathroom breaks’, in general my err.. digestive system is still functioning pretty well which I know it often doesn’t around this time. In fact, my only ‘major’ complaint is hay fever but even that could be worse. Except for the times when I’m hormonal and crazy (which is not often I promise) I love being pregnant and am still keeping hopeful for minimal (but healthy) weight gain, for my blood pressure to stay low and not to get any yucky things like varicose veins, swelling feet/hands/face, and all those other common complaints that I’ve managed to avoid so far.

One thing that really bugs me is that I do seem to have developed a sort of fear of actually having a bump. I mean obviously, I have a bump now and I do like how it looks on me (David LOVES it) but I get really paranoid about other peoples comments and judgments on it. Like right at the beginning when I was really waiting to show, it really annoyed me when people (namely the MIL) kept going on about how I wasn’t showing and how small I was, and now when I’m showing fairly obviously (although still quite neatly for 6 months, seems to be general opinion), I feel really defensive when people point out how ‘big’ I’ve gotten. I know it’s just the sort of thing people say, just to be able say something but still. I wish my size wasn’t a topic of discussion all the time. I find myself saying things like “Oh it’s probably just this top” (which to be fair, that day it really was lol!) or “Well I am almost 6 months now” and then I’m annoyed with myself for trying to make excuses for having a bump when I should be happy about it. And I am happy about it, I stick it out all the time when we’re at home haha I think it’s just the constant comments and feeling of judgment from others that I don’t like. I’m just thankful that most of what I get is complimentary, my poor supervisor has gained a fair amount of weight (admitted mostly her own fault) and keeps getting compared to me as we’re only 4 weeks apart. I would get severely hacked off with that if I were her. Anyway.

This turned out a bit ranty lol, I just wanted to check in and jot down a few bits! Tomorrow it’s July. This year is just going by way too fast.

The one with my theory test tomorrow!

There’s so much less to write about when you’re happy and everything is going smoothly... I am so thankful for it though! Long may it continue please!

Just a quick bullet pointy type entry as I don’t have long.

First up – I am *almost* 23 weeks! Yay! According to this table, Pip would have a 10-35% chance of survival RIGHT NOW! (Well in a couple of days). Obviously 24 weeks is the proper viability milestone but that isn’t very long away. And every week just keeps getting better from now... I can’t believe my body is so clever that it has already grown a baby that is technically capable of living in the outside world. Crazy. Please stay cooking until at least 36/37 weeks though Pip! You’re not ready yet!

Infant Survivability Rates by gestational week

Up until 21 weeks: 0% survival rate
at 22 weeks: 0-10% survival rate
at 23 weeks: 10-35% survival rate
at 24 weeks: 40-70% survival rate
at 25 weeks: 50-80% survival rate
at 26 weeks: 80-90% survival rate
at 27 weeks: greater than 90% survival rate

Second point. I made the mistake of eating half of a big bag of Skittles yesterday afternoon. I’d been worried as Pip was having a very quiet day or two (although this isn’t why I ate the Skittles, I just wanted them!) but then later on yesterday evening he started wiggling like a crazy thing (I still don’t often call them kicks yet, they’re still too nice and soft!) and it’s the last thing I remember falling sleep to (sooo nice!) and then I woke up this morning and it was as if he was still going! I know he probably would have stopped during the night but still. Funny boy :-) and he’s still wiggling a bit now so I’m thinking either growth spurt (majorly increased appetite on my part yesterday) or sugar rush from all the Skittles…. Or just a bit of both haha!

Thirdly – I have my driving theory test TOMORROW! Argh! I have been doing some practice tests and hazards on the internet although I haven’t had time to do as much as I’d like… I’ll just have to hope that my natural intelligence (!) will carry me through like it seemed to last time! So I need lots of luck please…. We are hoping that I might be able to take my test sometime in August which would be perfect as I will hopefully still be a reasonable size for driving hehe. I will be glad to just get this lot over with, not least because it’s costing us a fortune but also I don’t particularly enjoy my driving lessons although I’m progressing well and my instructor is lovely… I think I’m just not someone who has the driving bug, you know? So I really see it more as necessity than anything else, plus fairness to David who has driven me everywhere for the last three years. Although I am so excited to be able to take Pip swimming in the cute little trunks his nanny has already bought him!!!

Anyway that’s about all my news for now…. all I have to say is TGIF! Or even TFIF after 9pm :p

The one with the pretty new template

I thought it was time to beautify my blog. I <3 this template. This girl has made loads of amazing ones but most of them were seasonal and i don't want to have to change it very often!

So. Other than a few hormonal hiccups (I don't seem to get irritable as much as just cry for no reason and watch my baffled husband try and figure out what on earth he's supposed to do!) I'm feeling great! Pip is a little wiggler now, David has felt him quite a few times. I even SAW my tummy move this morning, right near my belly button (which is still very much an inny, contrary to what all the pregnancy apps are telling me at this stage!) which was magic!!

We rearranged the flat a bit today while cleaning, to make our dining area more practical when including the high chair (which we got off the classifieds at work the other day, exactly the one we wanted for only £25). I think one of the most exciting things is actually seeing Pip's stuff all around the house just ready for him to use - he even has his own cupboard where all his bottle paraphernalia, breast pump, baby food blender etc. are stored. His pram is in the coat cupboard, his bath is in the airing cupboard and all his bedroom stuff, clothes and toys are in his bedroom waiting for us to decorate (4 weeks!) and get the furniture in... yay! Of course we haven't put the Moses basket in our room yet, although that's where it will go because there's no point it taking up the space before bubs is even here! I guess we may be over organised but I'd rather that than suddenly freak out because we don't have loads of stuff at the end.

I have started swimming with Emma again - I know you're supposed to feel weightless in the water and I do, compared to when I'm out of it but it's surprising how much heavier I feel when swimming actually. I guess because I'm swimming on my front and there's all that baby/uterus (which is the size of a football now by the way) pulling me down. I do love swimming though, I can't wait to take Pip. His nanny (MIL) bought him some teeny weeny absolutely adorable Tigger swimming trunks with a built in nappy all ready for me to take him when he's ready. SO cute :-) they have a lovely baby pool at the swimming pool I use to so I'm really looking forward to it.

Tonight David and I are going on a date :-) My best friend got us one of those Red Letter Day experiences for a wedding present, the theatre and dinner one - so we are going for dinner and then to see 'We will Rock you' in London. I know we've already seen it about 4 times but I still can't wait to see it again! Plus we're BROKE beyond broke for the rest of this month so it's nice to have a free night out... I love spending time with my David and I know we need to make the most of such occasions before little Pip is here taking all of our time and attention ;-)

I'll end with two dates of note (for me!) - next Saturday (25th) I have my driving theory test so I need to study for that... fingers crossed! I also booked my 25 week midwife appointment (already???) for the 14th July at 2pm, which is the day before we (well David haha) start decorating Pip's room. Arg so excited!

The one with sexy new jeans!

Feeling good today :-) my new maternity jeans for work are here and make my bum look rather fab (for now!) if I do say so myself….. I’ve had a mini MOT over the last couple of days (doctors on Monday, dentist on Tuesday) and all is looking good! The doctors was an impromptu last minute visit (TMI alert!) as I was a bit worried about a rather strong ammonia smell emanating when I went to the loo. I know ammonia is a sort of normal wee smell but it was really strong and I knew I wasn’t dehydrated as I’m a pretty good water drinker, I get through about a litre a day and that’s without any other drinks I have! Plus I KEPT needing to go. Like as soon as I’d just been, but there wasn’t really anything left. I had put this down to the fact that at the scan apparently Pip’s head was grinding nicely into my bladder but combined with smell, it made me wonder. Anyway the doc tested my urine and pronounced it clear for everything but he has sent it off to be tested anyway.

The dentist was much the same… he said my teeth and gums seemed fine, a little sensitive in some areas but that’s to be expected while pregnant I think – I was basically told ‘Keep up the good work!’ and ‘Keep flossing more!’ so I’ll try to be good about that.

Pip is fast becoming a proper little wriggler… speaking of which, David felt him move on Monday! Properly, quite a few times too! He kept kicking (or kneeing, or punching…) David’s hand :-) it was very cute so that was a lovely mushy moment for us. I haven’t noticed proper patterns to the movements yet (he just seems to be awake most of the time!) and I don’t think I’ve noticed hiccups yet either, although I’ve wondered a few times, so those are my next milestones! Well those and seeing the midwife in 4 weeks (25 weeks!!) and actually seeing the baby move from the outside but I know it could be a while for that one!

I’m doing better on the hormone front (I think!), and I feel less frustrated in general… perhaps because those little niggles that were worrying me have now been checked which is reassuring. Plus on Saturday my in laws came over for dinner and brought Pip lots of presents which was super exciting :-D

I think that’s all my baby related news (and lets face it, I don’t have any other!) except to say that the driving lessons are going well and we’re hoping to get it done in the next month or two! Very exciting! I have my theory test next Saturday and I’ll be insured on the car from the beginning of July to practice so definitely heading in the right direction.

The one with Braxton Hicks!!

Wow! Weird!! I wasn't sure if I'd feel these, or even know what they were as I know a lot of women don't but there you go :-) It's taken me a few days to remember/work out what they must be but thats what they are. Braxton Hicks contractions. Looking back I'd say I've probably had four or five noticeable ones, the most obvious ones being a couple this morning - my belly was like a rock hehe!

I'm starting to get super excited about getting the nursery sorted out... David is going to do the painting in about 5 weeks time when we have a long weekend and hopefully we'll get the cot and chest of drawers sorted soon ready to go in there once it's painted. I really should start adding patches to Pip's blanket too, honestly you'd think I'd threatened my lovely nan she's been knitting them so fast for me! Still, I intended for him to use it when he's older really so I guess there's no major rush, I just like to have things finished! I'm such a fussy girl for things like this anyway, neatness and organisation etc. but you add the nesting instinct to that and.. well.. oh dear. Lol.

I just wrote a bit more but blogger weirdly lost it and as I'm writing on my phone, I'm far too lazy to write it again! So until next time....

Pip Scan #6 (20 weeks and 5 days)

I don't have time to update much, I just wanted to say that the 20 week scan went fine :-) Pip looks perfect on all counts!! The pictures we got weren't as nice as the 16 week ones, in fact only one is worth posting but it's a lovely profile shot so that's good!! Will update more soon I promise!

The one where I'm 20 weeks and 2 days

I am feeling GRUMPY today. People seem to be winding me up (they probably aren’t really) and I just have no patience with it and I either answer rather shortly (if they’re lucky) or just plain snap at them (if they’re not). I guess it’s hormones as, although at the time I feel completely justified in whatever it is that’s annoyed me, when I think about it later I can’t help thinking I’m overreacting. At least I’m rational enough to see that I suppose ;-)

Pip and I are doing well, I’m happy to have reached the halfway mark! It’s counting down from here woo! He moves around a fair bit now, which (I have now realized) I am lucky to be feeling as I was re-reading my 16 week scan notes and noticed that I have a high (yay!) anterior placenta. This means my placenta is at the front of my uterus rather that the back, which is completely normal and causes no problems (as far as I’m aware!) but it means it acts as a sort of cushion between the baby and my stomach and can muffle the baby’s movements for quite a long time. So that fact that I was feeling occasional movements from this little munchkin at 12-13 weeks (which is pretty amazing in itself!), means that if my placenta wasn’t anterior… well goodness knows what this would be feeling like now haha! Busy little bee. I love him :-) He has one movement which I don’t like/am still getting used to which I suspect is him turning some kind of somersault or back flip in there. It makes my whole tummy feel swirly, kinda like I’m on a rollercoaster at the upside down part! It feels very strange.

The other morning was very funny, I woke up to find my bump completely lopsided with a hard lump on one side! It looked very strange I can tell you, David couldn’t believe it! All this kinda stuff makes the bad stuff (which I will cover in a minute) seem worth it. We are so looking forward to our scan on Friday (probably the last one *sniff*) and, having had a sneak preview at 16 weeks I’m less worried about them finding something scary. Still worried of course, but less so at least.

The main problem I’m having to be honest (somebody kill me for this please) is dealing with my changing body shape. I know, I know. I’m not getting fat, there’s currently a baby almost as long as a 30cm ruler in there – where did I expect it to go?? Actually the bump itself doesn’t bother me, it’s the terrified paranoia of gaining weight elsewhere that is the problem. I always knew I was going to find this hard (major issues with weight since the early teen years remember?) so I’m trying really hard not to care but with everybody constantly scrutinizing your size and making comments (hence the grumpy Facebook status a week or so back) it’s not like you can push it out of your mind.

Having seen other 20 week bump photos I would actually say I’m carrying fairly small (so far) but it doesn’t stop me having days where I feel like a hippo. And a word of advice for everyone - it doesn’t help when I’m complaining, for whoever I’m complaining to, to helpfully point out “Well you are pregnant, it’s ok!!”. Funny, that had completely escaped my attention! Thanks for that. I’m still wearing my (pre pregnancy) size 10 jeans for work with a hair tie around the button as I haven’t had a chance to buy any maternity trousers for work yet and they still fit fine but I’m convinced that they are feeling a smidge tighter than they used to around the thighs and I just can’t help but panic. I know I’m being stupid and that weight gain is good for my baby and I can’t expect to wear my pre pregnancy jeans forever but there’s nothing worse for a former anorexic(ish!) than the complete loss of control I’m experiencing over this. I’m being reasonably good with food (last week has been a bit of a lapse but oh well) and any weight I have gained anywhere has been gradual so I know I’ve done everything the best I can, I just need to try and keep rational about it. I’m sure the hormones aren’t helping.

Oh a quicky before we move on to nicer things – I’m experiencing a few teeth issues (despite having very good oral hygiene other than very lax flossing), my gums feel a bit irritated and bleed easily. I know this is very common during pregnancy so I’ve got a dentist appointment scheduled for next week, hopefully he will sort it for me! Now I’m terrified of losing teeth as well even though I know the situation would have to have progressed far further than this for it to be a risk. I think.

Hehe so they’re my few moany things. Other than that I’m doing very well I think, generally really enjoying being pregnant and being very thankful for the fact that (comparatively at least!) I seem to be having a fairly easy time of it so far. I’m touching so much wood right now :-)

Will update again Friday with some pics hopefully!