Books I have read lately

Okay, so not many books lately.

I have read some books lately.... but not many intellegent ones.

I have read a lot of brainless romance books, but I have also read a lot of baby books.

I have read some bad ones, and some good ones.

There is one: Calm Baby, Calm Mum by Simone Boswell. It is a great, practical book full of routines and stuff. I am sure that having a baby isn't all about routines, but it will help me get my bearings, hopefully.

And another: Baby Love by Robyn Barker. This was recommended to me by a friend who has just had her second baby and said that it was a good reference book, answering lots of questions and giving practical advice.

Hopefully, sometime soon I will be able to read something that is intelligent and not baby related, but until then, I will cope

An updated list of characters

The list:
My husband - Husband
My best friend - Sarah
Sarah's husband - Voltron
My sister - Rebecca
Sister's husband - Edwin
Youngest brother - Daniel
Eldest Brother - Stephen
Stephen's fiancee - Louise
Eldest brother in law - William
William's wife - Deanne
My second Brother in law - Wittle
Wittle's fiance - Angelica
Youngest brother in law - Matthew
My eldest niece - Princess
My eldest Nephew - Mate
My youngest niece - Sweet pea
My youngest nephew - Ryan

I can't believe that I forgot!

I cannot believe that I forgot to mention it....

I have another nephew! He was born in October last year. His name is Ryan and he is beautiful. He looks like Mate and was over 10 pounds when he was born.

He is lovely and the other kids adore him.

More baby news

My sister-in-law, William's wife, Deanne is also pregnant. She is due 6 weeks after me. She has found out that she is having a baby girl.

Which still makes my baby the first grandchild of Husband's family (unless she is very early). It will be wonderful to cousins so very close in age.

Speaking of which, Sharon, Husband's older cousin (he is the second oldest cousin), is pregnant and due with a girl two weeks before me.

And yet another pregnancy....
Sarah is pregnant :)
She is due July, and, yep, you guessed it, another girl!!!

So, I will be surrounded by babies, and at least 3 of them will be wearing pink.

It is soooo exciting, I am so very happy that Sarah and I are pregnant at the same time. It is wonderful that we get to share the experience together (well, more or less).

My Darling Husband

Husband has been wonderful during this tough time.

He has cooked, cleaned and generally made my life so much better.

If he wasn't so wonderful, I do not know how I would have managed this pregnancy. It hasn't been fun for him, but he is wonderfully supportive.

He is excited and a little apprehensive about the baby. Excited, because he wants this baby just as much as I do, apprehensive because the baby will change our lives forever, and Husband is now the sole wage earner. While we have planned and budgeted for this, it is still obviously stressful for him to be the only source of income for the house.

I love Husband and my life wouldn't be the same without him.

GP shared care in Pregnancy

Throughout this pregnancy I have been on what is called "Shared Care". It is where I see me local GP for most visits and then see the midwives or OBs in hospital for certain milestones/checkups.

My local GP is a wonderful lady, she has been so supportive throughout my depression, fertility struggles and difficult pregnancy. While I haven't had the more serious complications that pregnant women can have, hyperemesis is enough for me.

I have been visiting the public hospital's Antenatal/Postnatal clinic for the 18, 26 and 36 week checkups. They have also been great, supportive and are happy answering any and all of my questions.

I am so very glad that it is all covered by Medicare, as will be my hospital stay and after care. While Australia's health system has many problems, I think that this is something that they have gotten right.

I did have to pay $150 for antenatal classes, where the midwives went through labour, pain medications, complications related to labour and birth, as well as what to do with a newborn once it arrives.

As well as having great care, I am also glad that the midwives are very supportive of "alternative" birthing positions (ones where the mother doesn't have to be on her back) and bonding before medical checks (as long as the baby is healthy).

Baby update

Well, at the moment I am 36 weeks plus 5 days, and baby is progressing nicely.

I am huge, hands and feet are really swollen, as well as the obligatory large breasts and belly.

I have been on a medication since early September, called Ondansetron hydrochloride dihydrate or Zofran. It is really good at minimising, and on good days, eliminating nausea and vomiting.

While the medication helps, it doesn't really stop the sickness, I can only eat certain things and in certain amounts, but I am much better. Thank goodness!

Baby has progressed well. It is growing within normal limits, and is very active.

We don't know if the baby is a boy or girl, the suspense sometimes gets to me, but I am looking forward to finding out when the baby comes. I have an idea that it may be a boy, but we will have to wait and see.

So, hopefully soon, we will be able to meet this little person, who is already responding to Husband's voice and touch.

Yes, I am still alive

I haven't written in my blog for way too long.....

Throwing up all day will do that to you. I am on medication to stop the vomiting, but it only works to a certain extent.

I am now at 36 weeks + 4 days and baby is doing really well.

A funny passive agressive site

http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/

This is a great website if you want a laugh