Week 36 (9 month milestone and my bday :)

Hi baby,

We've hit the 9 month milestone and boy, do I look it! Everytime I see someone, they exclaim how huge I look and ask whether I'm ready to pop yet. Well, realistically we still have 4 more weeks to go but after next week, you'll be considered full-term and it will be safe for you to greet the world! 

There were a couple other milestones that we hit this week, firstly it was Mummy's birthday on Friday and as everyone kept reminding me, my last birthday to enjoy before becoming a Mum. So, I went to the hairdresser with Grandma, got a pedicure with your Auntie Mandy and then we had a family dinner at a yummy seafood restaurant in the city. Oh and Daddy got me a beautiful diamond ring as a b'day/mummy gift which will hopefully fit once you arrive and all the swelling in my hand goes down.

On Saturday, Aunties Kathy and Pumi popped over and decorated some onesies for you, they look so adorable!

Personalised onesies

I also spent 2 days making a playmat for you, it's really nicely padded so you can practise tummy time on the floor. I chose coordinating fabric with giraffes and elephants, which fits in perfectly with the safari theme of your nursery.

Playmat

We have gone into full-prep mode for your arrival - I finally packed my hospital bag, we got the baby capsule installed in the car, and we are going to pick up the stroller and the little cot for you to sleep in from Grandma and Grandpa Tran today. The only other thing is to set up your nursery with the full-sized cot and buy a dresser for your clothes, though these things don't need to be done straight away since we are planning for you to sleep in our room for the first 6 months anyway.

Week 36 bump

How far along? Week 36. You're the size of a honeydew!
Measurements: 70.6kg (another milestone, over 70kg!) and that's 1.5kg increase since last week...a bit too much in 1 week I think. I'll have to monitor my diet and exercise a bit better.
Cravings: Not really
Symptoms: Even more swelling this week, which is quite common for this stage of the pregnancy. I've been trying to put my feet up more to help the swelling go down and watching my diet. My back was also really sore yesterday as well, again all normal at this point in the pregnancy.
Obsessively researching: Ways to reduce swelling

Week 35 (our weekend away to the Central Coast)

Hello baby,

Daddy and I just came back from our long weekend away to the Central Coast. We had such a relaxing stay at a boutique hotel called Bells at Killcare. I've posted some photos below showing how pretty the grounds are. We had a lovely couples massage there, dinner at a one-hatted restaurant called Manfredi and lazed around at some nearby beaches.

I also enjoyed the first week of maternity leave this week - it was lovely pottering about the house, cooking, making things. I've started exercising more regularly and reading the 'Pink Kit' which was recommended to me. I still have lots of it to read but am feeling a bit more prepared. What else? Oh, I also did lots of research into baby things like bottles, breast pumps, nappies. I went into research overdrive, I guess it's hard to give up using the computer so soon after finishing work

I also went to see the Dr on Thursday. He did an ultrasound and said you are doing well, still fully engaged but a good size. I finished writing up the birth plan and discussed with the Dr. Now I just need to start packing the hospital bag and install the baby seat and we'll be ready...well as ready as I can be.

Here are some pics of our weekend getaway on the hotel grounds:

Me and Daddy walking around the hotel

Passing by a cute little bridge and pond

Here is a pic of me and Daddy at McMasters Beach, a short drive from the hotel:

At McMasters beach

No bump photo today (Sunday) as Daddy was tired from the drive home and is taking a nap.

Here's a blurry bump photo that Daddy took of me last night (at 35 weeks + 3 days) after dinner. I felt so big and uncomfortable yesterday! I had to waddle to the Thai restaurant very slowly for dinner last night, I think it was from all the sewing and candle making I did during the day that made my back ache and made it harder to walk.

Week 35+3 days bump

How far along? Week 35. You're the size of a coconut!
Measurements: 69.1kg at 35 weeks + 1 day (that's an increase of 1kg since last week)
Cravings: Not really
Symptoms: Still lots of swelling...hoping the swelling will go away after I give birth. Also started experiencing some light braxton hicks contractions which are quite normal at this time of the pregnancy. I can't believe we only have a month or so before your arrival...!
Obsessively researching: Bottles, pumps, nappies, wipes, what to pack in the hospital bag...and lots more!

Week 34 (our first wedding anniversary)

Hello my darling,

Daddy and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary today. We are keeping to the tradition of lighting our wedding candles every year on our anniversary.

Our first wedding anniversary

 Mummy is on maternity leave now! Yay!!! Time to prepare for your arrival, rest up as much as possible and spend more quality time with Daddy. I'll be starting the week with a 2 hour massage tomorrow, then we have our next appointment with the doctor and then Daddy and I head to the Central Coast for a 3 day weekend. Our last weekend away with you in my tummy :)

We had our last prenatal class yesterday. Daddy learnt how to swaddle, he'll get lots of practise! We've also decided on your name....! Let's see if we stick with this name when you arrive, I think we have a couple options :)

Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie Mandy departed for their 2 week holiday to Singapore and Malaysia today, your Auntie Katrina and Uncle Daniel are meeting them in KL for the weekend - it's a full Banh family affair

Week 34 bump

 How far along? Week 34. You're the size of a butternut squash. Daddy keeps exclaiming how big my belly looks!

Measurements: 68.1kg today (a decrease of 400g) - seem to be fluctuating these past couple weeks

Cravings: Not really
Symptoms: Still lots of swelling...hoping the swelling will go away after I give birth
Obsessively researching: Changing table dressers

Week 33 (a durian fruit!)

Hi sweetie,

You are definitely getting bigger in there...I feel you shifting around a lot! It's Mummy's last week of work before I go on maternity leave - only 3 more days left, I'm counting down.

Daddy and I attended our first prenatal class on the weekend to prepare ourselves for your arrival....we saw 3 birthing videos - very scary! I hope our labour is easy but I'll be reading up and preparing during my time off from work.

I've been addicted to making baby bibs for you! I even made 2 extra bibs for a friend who's sister just had a little boy. The bibs are so cute! I bought more snaps to make more bibs, I heard babies will need lots of spares!

Handmade bibs

Today was so hot - one of the hottest days in Sydney! I don't know if that is the reason why my ankles have swollen up into balloons....I have cankles now! Ugh....

Cankles :(

I don't have a bump photo this week because we didn't have time to take a photo.

How far along? Week 33 + 2 days. You're the size of a durian fruit!

Measurements: 68.5kg today (an increase of 2kg which is a bit too much). My belly measurement before breakfast on Sunday was 101cm, an increase of 2.5cm

Cravings: None this week
Symptoms: Cankles!! and lots of swelling
Obsessively researching: Making bibs