Wednesday 31 August 2016

33 weeks pregnant with Baby Pritchard

How far along?
33 weeks + 6 days although after last weeks delay it seems far too early to be publishing another update!

Total weight gain?
Not a clue still. Maybe that's a good thing.

Maternity clothes?
No new maternity clothes. There was a 50% off offer at work over the weekend so my sister picked up a pink bomber jacket and a brown pair of boots for me. I'm trying to buy things at this point that will take me into Autumn rather than only fit me for the next six weeks.

Stretch marks?
Another week gone and still none.

Sleep?
Let's not talk about sleep. It's a thing of the past, or at least a good nights sleep is. If it's not my hips and pelvis giving me grief it's getting up to pee. Four times the one night! It probably doesn't help that I take a pint of squash to bed with me, but I wake up that often with a dry mouth I'd be hobbling backwards and forwards to the kitchen in the dark every few hours. 

Best moment this week?
The weather on Monday was beautiful, so we decided to have a BBQ on the decking when Kyle finished work with his friend Joe. The sun started setting so we decided to take Sach and Joe's two dogs to the beach. We both agreed we've maybe taken being so close to the beach all summer a little bit for granted.

Miss anything?
I can't think of anything that I've thought this week that I've really missed. I can't wait to be able to lie on my front again. I know I've said this before but so many times I go to just chill on my laptop or watch TV on my front and then remember about the little passenger inside my bump that would end up squashed.

Movement?
I woke up this morning to Kyle tapping my tummy trying to wake up baby. It did make me smile, I guess I forget that just because I can feel baby moving all day everyday doesn't mean that everyone else can. It does make me a little sad that there's not long left until I won't feel that.

Food cravings?
Last weeks episode of Bake Off made me want all the cake so we made a mad dash to the shop for Jaffa Cakes. Maybe I should buy some biscuits before this weeks episode just in case.

Anything make you queasy or sick?
Nope. There's been no poops in the caravan thank god!

Gender?
Still a mystery. I've had two dreams in the past week, one where it was a boy and one where it was a girl. The boy didn't have a name but the girl had one of two names that I'm not willing to share because they've both got potential. It's strange though because in both dreams I didn't give birth to them. The boy was lay in a Moses basket and I kept asking when I was going to have to give birth but Kyle went out and found the little girl and brought her to me in bed. Oh if that was how it really happened.

Labour signs?
Still just Braxton Hicks. They started off really low down but now my entire belly goes rock hard.  

Symptoms?
My feet and ankles have started to swell; in all fairness I haven't really got ankles at the moment. I had to pop to the out of hours doctor the other day for a minor case of thrush, but I still think I've got a water infection to go alongside it as yesterday there was a little bit of blood in my pee. I'm keeping an eye on it at the moment and if it gets any worse I think I'm just gonna go home early. 

Belly button in or out?
Out.

Mood?
Still feeling happy, and excited. Neither of us can wait to get home now.

Looking forward to?
I watched Love Actually last night, and I'm so excited for cosy nights in with our new born. October to December is by far my favourite time of year. Summer lets us down every year but autumn is always beautiful and November and December always sparkle.

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Friday 26 August 2016

32 weeks pregnant with Baby Pritchard

Better late than never I guess! I'm actually 33 weeks + 1 now but I've been trying since Wednesday to get a good enough internet connection to upload this. I tell you what, it's like coming to the end of the earth here. There's also no photos again this week, because it would probably take a week just to upload them. 

How far along?
32 weeks + 6 days.

Total weight gain?
I still haven't been able to weigh myself since I've been here.

Maternity clothes?
Most of the maternity tops I bought early on in my pregnancy in a size small are starting to look quite tight now. There is nothing I hate more than tight tops stretched over my bump so they'll probably have to retire soon. They've served me well though, I've got one stripey top that I bought in a medium which is still mega loose on me so that's good, and H&M's long basic t-shirts are great.

Stretch marks?
Still going overtime on the Bio Oil. I really am shocked I've managed this far without any on my belly.

Sleep?
I have to get up now at least once a night to pee. Which is fine whilst we're in the caravan because there's a door straight into the bathroom from the bedroom, but I hate it at home when it's dark and I have to run past the stairs in case the monsters get me. 
Best moment this week?
There hasn't been one defining moment this week, but these last few days I've been really grateful that we've managed to spend our last summer as a twosome up here by the beach. It was quite bittersweet with things at work to begin with and Kyle's moaned, I've moaned and we've fallen out, but we'll always have these memories before little one comes and I'm so glad for that.

Miss anything?
My little kitty. Mum keeps me updated on his mischievous behaviour everyday but I can't wait to curl up on the sofa with him. He's going to hate Sacha coming home, he's been King of the house for the last 5 weeks so he's definitely going to have to learn to share again.

Movement?
Me and Kyle got up to some funny business the other night (TMI, sorry!) and I spent pretty much the entire next day worrying that something bad had happened because normally when I wake up so does baby. It didn't move until the afternoon and I was so ready to head off to Bangor hospital. Lazy bones finally woke up though and has made up for it since.

Food cravings?
All I ever want are ice lollies. I don't care which as long as they're sweet.

Anything make you queasy or sick?
Just the giant dog poo that Sacha decided to drop right behind my feet when I was washing up the other day. Luckily the kitchen in the caravan is vinyl so Kyle cleaned it up no issues. She's being such a monkey at the moment!

Gender?
Usually a conversation with someone new starts with them asking me how far I am, then they'll ask if we know what we're having, then they'll ask if we're gonna find out the sex. I find that such a weird question, like I've got less than two months left why would we bother now. I'm still so glad we never found out. The only problem now though is a name...

Labour signs?
No signs, just Braxton Hicks still. I get asked a lot if I'm scared about labour, but I'm not, at the end of the day it's got to come out. The only thing I'd hate is if my labour lasted for ages. 

Symptoms?
Heartburn is still nasty at night time, and my little toes have looked a little more like cocktail sausages the last few days but other than that I feel good. 

Belly button in or out?
Out.

Mood?
Happy and content. We're on the home stretch now so I can't complain.

Looking forward to?
A potential trip to Ikea when we get home, via Mamas and Papas. Their new collection is such beautiful autumn colours - perfect for an October baby's bedroom I think! I could literally spend all my money in Mamas and Papas, and on Stokke products, their stuff is my all time favourite.

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Thursday 18 August 2016

31 weeks pregnant with Baby Pritchard

How far along?
31 weeks + 6 days.

Total weight gain?
I'm not actually sure this week. I'm in Wales and haven't been able to weigh myself. I'm still being told I look quite small which is a bonus I guess.

Maternity clothes?
I actually took some photos for an outfit post which I'll probably try uploading on Friday (if the wifi is on my side). I thought I'd share one of my maternity looks that I've been wearing quite a bit.

Stretch marks?
I'm still doing good on this front. I bought a new bottle of Bio Oil last week which will hopefully last until after baby arrives and I'm just moisturising religiously. My skin is so itchy at the moment though but I'm putting that down to my support I was given at physio for my SPD.

Sleep?
Gone are the nights of great sleep, although the physiotherapist said there isn't a position at this point in pregnancy that will be comfy all night. It's just secretly our bodies way of preparing for all those night feeds and nappy changes. At the moment it hits about 2.30 and I start flagging and I'm ready for an afternoon nap.

Best moment this week?
Mum bought a load of wool back in April and gave it to my Nan to work her magic. Her and Grandad visited Friday with a box full of cardigans and blankets and I was so over the moon. Amy visited on Friday too which was lovely and I had a visit of Charlotte on Monday. A lot of people go on about their friends who don't have children losing interest when someone becomes pregnant so I'm feeling very lucky to have so many incredible people around me. 

Miss anything?
I could say I miss being at home. I think Sacha does too. Any chance she gets the last few weeks she's legged it out of the caravan and ran away she even jumped over the fence on the balcony the other day, she's either bored or senses that the baby's coming and is rebelling. I wish I could take her for a walk in the day whilst Kyle is working but she pulls on her lead too much and my pelvis just couldn't handle it.

Movement?
Same as it was. I drank a can of that Kia Black Grape stuff yesterday and baby had hiccups for about 15 minutes. I rested the can on my belly and it kept jiggling. I thought going swimming would get it a little excited but nothing.

Food cravings?
Not this week. I've even ran out of tip tops in the tiny caravan freezer. 

Anything make you queasy or sick?
Not this week, thank god!

Gender?
When Nan visited she did the needle test on my belly. To begin with she did it on my hand and it was swinging side to side which means a boy. Then she did it again on my belly and it was going round which means a girl. I've had so many people this week telling me it's a girl though. Charlotte even turned up at mine with frilly socks, I had to remind her that it could still be a boy.

Labour signs?
Still just the occasional Braxton Hicks, I'm not even peeing as much as I thought I would be by this point. The student midwife said on Friday that baby is still head down but not engaged yet which is a good sign. One thing I'd really hate is for baby to come before 37 weeks, I'm already worried enough with my blood group, iron levels and GBS so at least baby is doing what it's meant to in there.

Symptoms?
Nothing new. I can sometimes feel the heartburn in my throat but nothing that a couple of spoons of Gaviscon can't clear. My iron levels had gone from 99 to 101 at my last appointment and the midwife said she'd check them again at my 34 weeks appointment. I'm just struggling with iron rich foods at the moment but I'm still on my tablets. 

Belly button in or out?
Out.

Mood?
Tired. I'm not sure that's a mood but I'm feeling a lot sleepier than I used to. Impatient as well. I'd never wish baby out before it's due date, I really hate when people do that but I feel like I've had 8 weeks left for the last two weeks.

Looking forward to?
The baby swing I ordered last week arrived this morning at home so I can't wait to start setting things up. It's grey melange, just like my pram, and I love it so much. 

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Thursday 11 August 2016

30 weeks pregnant with Baby Pritchard

How far along?
30 weeks + 6 days.

Total weight gain?
I'm still sitting at 10st 12lb, which still surprises me especially with how little walking I've done compared to a few weeks ago. I have quite literally jumped in my car to go everywhere.

Maternity clothes?
I've not bought anything new, I don't really want to now if i'm honest. It seems I have expensive taste in baby items so I'd much rather spend it on that than on clothes that I'm only going to wear for the next couple of months. Some people tell me I'll wear my maternity clothes after baby is born, but I bloody won't be! I'm giving myself a couple of weeks grace in maternity clothes but you won't catch me wobbling round for months after in them.

Stretch marks?
We're still doing good on the stretch mark front. I don't think my belly button is going to ever fully recover but hey ho. 

Sleep?
The pain in my pelvis has meant I spend most of my night rolling from one side to the other. It's okay though because now I've finished work I tend to have a nap every afternoon. I don't even feel guilty, especially since the doctor told me last week that if I'm at home watching TV to lie on the floor. Yeah sure, I'll just spend the next ten weeks lay on my living room floor...

Best moment this week?
It wasn't the greatest week, 30 weeks started quite emotionally on Thursday after I got signed off from work. I spent all day in tears on and off with Mum demanding the doctor sees me then I eventually saw my midwife after two days of trying to get hold of her. So many people kept telling me I needed to rest and look after myself and baby but I was determined to do my last two weeks at work. You just gotta admit defeat sometimes, there was no way I could manage two more weeks of eight hour shifts on my feet all day. But anyway, seeing Kyle running towards when I arrived back in Wales on Thursday night was my favourite moment, boy had I missed him.

Miss anything?
It might seem really lame but I miss work. I've worked at H&M for the last five and a half years so to go from that to nothing without even any notice is so rubbish. I feel like I've been cheated out of my last day, especially with my little Amy, I feel like I've just abandoned her. 

Movement?
I'm currently sat here with a little foot stuck in my rib; I think it's taken up residency in there. It's still as wriggly as ever though, but apparently it should pretty much stay how it is for the next nine weeks.

Food cravings?
Not really.  

Anything make you queasy or sick?
Not this week, thank god!

Gender?
I had another dream last night that we had a girl, and some lady in the swimming pool yesterday told me it's a girl because I haven't really popped out. Everybody has their own theories though don't they so I just smile and nod at people now.

Labour signs?
Still just the occasional Braxton Hicks. Mum's started to panic me that because of the SPD and me being small framed I might go into labour early. My hospital bag is being packed in the next few days just in case!

Symptoms?
I've started getting heartburn more often in the evening, luckily Mum managed to sort me a big bottle of Gaviscon on my prescription with my iron tablets, I tell you what, that lady has been on fire this last week! I've also developed SPD which is a real bummer. I hate that sometimes I can feel okay then all of a sudden it'll come back with a vengeance. I thought I'd be okay popping into Barmouth for some food shopping on Sunday and I'd hobbled half way across the car park before realising that I was going to have to get back to the car with shopping bags. I managed four things and practically crawled back. I got back to Kyle who was working and just cried in frustration. My midwife has referred me to physio so hopefully they can fix me up sooner rather than later because I've got so much to do in the next ten weeks and 'resting' isn't really on my agenda.

Belly button in or out?
Out.

Mood?
Frustrated and bored. I hate saying I'm bored because I always have to be doing something but I've been so cautious not to overdo it this last week as I really don't want to end up on crutches. The midwife has already warned me that if my iron levels don't pick back up I won't be well enough to look after baby when it arrives. 

Looking forward to?
Getting back to my love. But not until a busy day tomorrow and a couple of appointments on Friday. I've got my whooping cough jab first then an appointment with my midwife straight after. 

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Wednesday 3 August 2016

29 weeks pregnant with Baby Pritchard

How far along?
29 weeks + 6 days.

Total weight gain?
10st 12lb I'm surprised this isn't more, I've pretty much spent two days this week sat on my arse.

Maternity clothes?
Same old. When I'm at home I still live in the joggers in the picture above. Kyle joked the other day that I don't dress up for him anymore. I told him that's because I have about four pairs of bottoms that fit me, about seven tops and two dresses. I've got a whole wardrobe full of clothes folded up in a box waiting to be worn!

Stretch marks?
Still no new ones. I'm being really vigilant with the Bio Oil though, twice a day minimum these days. The midwife gave me a well done when I lifted my top up the other day, I warned her there's still time!

Sleep?
It's weird that without Kyle in the bed it's kind of uncomfortable, like there's too much space. There's nobody to curl up into. Oh how I'm looking forward to tomorrow night.

Best moment this week?
It's been a bit pants since Sunday but a couple of things that stand out are taking the puppy for a stroll on the beach on Saturday, and hearing baby's heartbeat again when the midwife came round on Friday.  

Miss anything?
You know what, I miss being able to sleep or just generally chill on my belly.

Movement?
So many! There seems to be a little foot wedged in my rib most of the day, but thankfully the midwife said baby is head down now thank god! I was sat with my sisters and Mum earlier and they could all see baby moving, I love that the movements are big enough now to see.

Food cravings?
Nothing really. I bought some frozen yoghurt when I went shopping the other day, I don't know if it's just a fancy word for ice cream because it seems the same to me. 

Anything make you queasy or sick?
I was so impressed with myself on Tuesday when I got home from work and cleaned the cat sick up. My sister did warn me that he'd been sick on the dining room floor and I may have cried because I'd had such a rubbish day and lumpy cat sick really topped it off, but I manned up and cleaned it up without heaving.

Gender?
I really have convinced myself this baby is a boy. I don't know why, it's not even that I want a boy over a girl, it's so hard to explain. I think I'm having a boy and my sister who is due boxing day is going to have a girl. Watch this space...

Labour signs?
Still just the occasional Braxton Hicks, but nowhere near as much as I was getting them

Symptoms?
I've had such bad pain in my pelvis since Saturday. I was complaining all day Sunday about my hips and I ended up staying off work on Monday. I braved Tuesday, but I really wish I hadn't, I was doubled over from a pain all across my pelvis, I felt so defeated by the time I'd shuffled home. I ended up not going in again today and I think I'm going to try again tomorrow but I'm absolutely dreading 8 hours on my feet. I tried to get in contact with my midwife but she's not in until tomorrow, I just feel so useless when I struggle to even put my own underwear on.

Belly button in or out?
Out.

Mood?
It's been a lonely old few days, Kyle's working in Wales for the summer holidays as a lifeguard so I'm here on my own with our little kitty. I can't wait to go back and see him for a few days. Luckily my family live next door so there's always someone nearby if I need them. 

Looking forward to?
Going back to see my love tomorrow. I really do feel lost without him. Although the house has never looked so tidy, he's like my tornado.

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Monday 1 August 2016

Afternoon Tea anyone?

H&M dress
Primark bag
Primark shoes
Primark sunglasses

It's all been quite baby focused around here lately so I thought I'd share something a little different for a change. I don't know why but whenever the weather is warm I just want to flock to Ironbridge for a stroll. The first day I met up with Kyle we went for a stroll around Ironbridge with Sacha, little did I know he's not good with heights and seemed extremely underwhelmed by the bridge and practically ran across it. We then ended up walking through woodlands for about two hours, completely unaware of where we were going. It was lovely.

Back in June I was back here playing tourist with Mum and my two younger sisters. It was thankfully not too busy considering the weather was so beautiful. We had a walk along the high street and around Dale End Park, which I can't help but think would be perfect for an afternoon picnic with a little baby toddling round and the puppy running around the grass.
We then headed to the Maws Craft Centre just across the river in Jackfield. I've not been here before but it is such a quaint and pretty location. The tea room was just as beautiful. One of the reviews on Trip Advisor said that "if you like Cath Kidston, you'd love the tea room". They weren't wrong! I could imagine Amy from work being in her absolute element in there.

We arrived and picked our sandwich fillings and what cake we'd like and the rest was pretty standard, but still so delicious. My sisters both had milkshakes and although I don't like them myself they looked totally Pinterest worthy. We didn't wait long for our food, Mum had booked in advance with Groupon and it cost about £31 for four of us (that's a guess, don't quote me on it). 
I'd never been for afternoon tea before so wasn't sure what to expect, but all in all it was a really lovely afternoon. It seems to be all the rage at the moment so if you're looking for something to do this summer and live in the area I'd definitely recommend paying this little tea room a visit.

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