The rest of my pregnancy

Hi Joshua!

As I write this, you are already 3 months old and sleeping in the baby carrier while I carry you. I am writing while standing up because you are quite fussy and don't like it when we sit down while carrying you in the carrier. You love to be carried or held...but before I go into how you are in the first 3 months, let me catch up with a blog post on my pregnancy while I was pregnant with you. It feels like a blur now so I better write down my thoughts while I still remember.

I didn't take photos for every week that I was pregnant with you but you can see my growing belly. Your big brother Lucas was good at reminding me to take belly photos on Sunday and he even took on the responsibility of writing the week numbers on the chalkboard.

Here is week 16 - I think this was the first week that I stopped feeling nauseous!
Weight: 58.9kg

Week 16

Week 18 - my birthday week! So here's a photo of my dinner date with Daddy in the city. Mummy got all dressed up :)

Weight: 60.5kg

Dinner date with Daddy for my 40th birthday

Week 19 - photo of Lucas writing the week on the chalkboard

Pregnancy symptoms:

I had pretty bad nausea and fatigue from week 6 to 16. All throughout the pregnancy I had to do blood tests every month, sometimes more than once to monitor my overactive thyroid (Graves disease). And then by week 23, I got diagnosed with borderline gestational diabetes - which meant I had to check my blood sugars 4 times a day and adhere to a special diet. 

Most of the pregnancy was the same though the thyroid issue went away in the third trimester so I didn't have to take any meds. Around week 36 at the OB's office, I was told my blood pressure was too high and had to be monitored and start meds. So I then had to go to the hospital twice a week to get something called an ECG which checked your heart beat and my blood pressure. 

During my hospital visit on Daddy's bday, my blood pressure went too high and I ended up staying in the hospital. We were supposed to have a bday lunch with Daddy but in the end, I was in the hospital getting some tests done. I told Daddy to get a massage since it was his bday and the nurses told me the blood tests would take 2 hours to do. As soon as Daddy left for his massage, the nurses came back and said I had to get a caesarian operation on the OB's orders! Poor Daddy was on the massage table and had to rush back to the hospital, just in time for you to be born that afternoon. So a very exciting day on Daddy's bday and from now on, you and Daddy will celebrate all your birthdays together.

Week 12: And it's a.....

BOY! We had our gender reveal on the weekend. Though Daddy cheated and saw the colour of the balloons before the actual reveal. Lucas was super happy to have a little brother. Most people (except Grandma) also guessed boy.

Weight: 58.9kg (no change, even a slight drop on some days when I weighed)
Symptoms: less nausea (puking) but still dry heaving. Surprised the morning sickness is still not over yet. Hopefully it will be over soon bc I'm starting work next Wed...
Cravings: fizzy soft drinks - you're definitely daddy's boy
Researching: Xmas presents

Lucas graduated from his child care on Friday. Here is what he wants to be when he grows up :)

Week 11 - skipped a week

I had my NIPT scan on Friday and based on the size measured during the scan, I was actually at 11 weeks 2 days. We got busy over the weekend and didn't end up taking a week 11 photo (yes, we've skipped week 10). I'm quite happy being further along bc hopefully it means my morning sickness will be over in a few more weeks.

I'm still suffering from morning sickness, still nauseous and tired. I'm taking meds that are reducing my immunity as well, so I've had a cough and flu-like symptoms for 2 weeks already.

It's been wonderful being able to rest the last couple weeks though. I'm not sure how I would have made it through working for a full day.

This week Lucas went to Luna Park with Daddy and was so brave to ride the big rollercoaster.  It was also Grandpa's birthday so we celebrated over lunch and dinner.

Weight: 58.5kg - I think the nausea has stopped me from gaining weight. I checked online for acceptable weight gain during the first trimester and it's only 0.5kg-1kg, so shouldn't be gaining much anyway. I am starting to show a bit though can still wear most of my regular clothes.
Symptoms: nausea, tiredness, random things make me puke and dry heave
Researching: xmas present ideas

11 weeks + 2 day scan

Such a brave boy!

Grandpa's birthday

Week 9 - finally some rest

I resigned from my job this week so was able to rest at home from Wed to Friday. Of course, Murphy's Law also means I got struck by a cold on Wed and have been coughing and feeling sick since then. On Wed when I was at home, Lucas was so sweet and told Dave's parents that he wanted to stay home to look after me and the baby.

I am glad I have the next 3 weeks to rest before starting my new job. These few weeks will see me through the first trimester. Hopefully I'll get my energy back for the 2nd trimester and I'll be able to feel more normal again.

Weight: 58.9kg
Cravings: fruit, cheese - this baby has the same tastes as Dave!
Symptoms: still extremely tired, have difficulty sleeping with all my coughing in the night
Researching: bought some maternity clothes today bc my clothes are starting to feel tight, my tummy is starting to show a bit now

Week 8 - Take 2

Went to the OB earlier in the week and was told my estimated due date is a week later than we thought on 28 June. This means we had to do week 8 photos again. Had an appointment with the endocrinologist and found I also have an autoimmune disorder. So now am on meds to control it.

This week was another very tiring week. I don't know how I am getting through the working days as I am vomiting at work and constantly need to nap.

I weighed myself on the weekend and found I've actually lost weight, just a kilo. It's been a tough week of more tiredness. The OB said the morning sickness will get worse before it gets better by the end of the first trimester. So another 4-5 weeks left to go!

Weight - 57.9kg
Symptoms - extreme exhaustion, headaches from the meds, not able to sleep at night, my body temperature seems to be quite hot
Craving - fruit! Cold drinks
Researching - nothing much. Trying to just make it through the day without feeling too bad.

Week 8 - nausea and fatigue

I was too tired to get dressed and take a photo last week. Lucas was asking about our Week 7 photo but it just didn't happen. Today he was super excited when I took the chalkboard out and wrote Week 8. He's loving the thought of being a big brother. He gives me kisses on my belly and asks when he'll be able to see his baby brother or sister. It was very easy to tell him because he had already figured it out when we took our first weekly photo. He actually told Grandpa the news and said: "Mummy has a 6 week old baby brother in her tummy".

In a way, it's good that we have 4+ years as an age difference. He's able to look after himself more now and he's very understanding when I tell him I'm too tired. On Thursday we had a long day with walking around Macquarie Centre in the evening waiting for Dave to travel down from work. By the time we got home around 8.30, I was crawling into bed. I told Lucas I didn't have the energy to read him bed time stories, so while I was in bed, he came into the room and asked to give me a good night cuddle before he went to sleep. I'm really glad to see how mature he is.

How far along? 8 weeks
Measurements: not sure. Last week was 58.9kg
Cravings: cold drinks, mints, congee
Things that make me nauseous: room temperature water, smell of onion, smell of the fridge, floral smells
Symptoms: so so tired, needing to nap constantly, nausea and dry heaving, diarrhoea (I know, ugh. Last week was constipation. I think it's my pregnancy vitamins)

Latest news from me - I have verbally accepted a new job offer. Thankfully once I resign from my job, I'll be able to rest through the first trimester at home. That will be such bliss. One more week of work to go.

Retrospective for baby number 2! (Week 5)

I am so excited to be starting this journey again. After a couple years of trying and a few months of Lucas asking us if he can have a baby brother or sister....we are finally on our way to meet baby number 2!

It is still very early days, only 5 weeks into the pregnancy. I am scared, excited and a bit hesitant on whether to start blogging again but after seeing how interested Lucas is in seeing the weeks when he was in my tummy, I thought I would do this again so baby number 2 can have the same experience.

We found out we were pregnant last Sunday after I did no less than 4 tests! This week has been spent getting a few more blood tests to make sure everything is ok. I've already booked an Obstetrician and also the maternity hospital. I'm much more efficient the 2nd time around!!

How far along? 5 weeks
Measurements: 58.6kg
Cravings: None
Symptoms: None yet. I'm hoping to keep morning sickness at bay!

Lucas joining in for the first weekly photo :) We've decided to give Lucas the news when things have settled down a bit. Last week (before we found out we were pregnant), Lucas wanted a baby sister and wanted to call her Emily Curtis. This week he wants 2 baby brothers, one called Richard and the other called Rosie :)

Week 37: My model baby

You are such a fun baby to photograph, so photogenic and smiley. Here are some of my favourites from the past few days:

Week 36: Lots of videos and photos

I've been quite busy during the days now that we've moved into our new house, so have been neglecting the blog for a bit. I have been taking lots of videos on my phone though! So here are the videos I've taken in the last week.

You've recently learnt to shake your head, though you're not saying 'No'. It's just random shaking and sometimes nodding of your head. It's quite funny, especially when we ask you a question and it looks like you're saying no to us.

You're still not crawling yet but you have learnt to shuffle backwards. I found you shuffled right under the couch the other day!

On the weekend, you got the case of the giggles whenever we made the shushing noise. For some reason, you found it hilarious!

 You're much more stable standing now -

Week 34: Lots of packing

We are finally getting ready to move into our new home! Here are some pictures after we got the keys yesterday:

With Aunty Mandy in the empty house

This morning while waiting for the carpet to be cleaned

Napping in our lovely garden

Here is a video and some photos from the last few days:

Week 33: Our NBA basketballer and weekly round-up

You look so cute in this NBA outfit that Aunty Katrina & Uncle Daniel bought you - looks like you're ready to play :)

Those big armholes are perfect for me to tickle you. It's so cute the way you anticipate being tickled when you see me reach towards you and then you make these loud belly laughs!

That middle finger again...

Standing up so well!

Week 32 weekly round-up

The weather was nice and warm earlier this week, so I gave you more nappy-free time. You haven't had any accidents with the nappy off, maybe I've just been very lucky :)

Here's a video of you playing, again during nappy-free time:

Is there a surprise here for Mummy?

Swinging at the park:

Week 29: Mid-week round-up

Each day seems to speed by now that we are nap training. It feels like an endless cycle of eat-play-sleep. You're only supposed to be awake for 2 hours so I watch you closely after 2 hours to catch your sleepy signs. As soon as you yawn or rub your eyes, I whisk you away from your play mat and put you through your nap routine. It feels like an endless cycle of putting you down in your crib, saying good night and walking out then hearing you cry and shriek and having to go back in and comfort you. You seem to know it's nap time and you really try to fight it. Let's hope you will learn soon as I really need time to start packing up the house while you take your naps!

I think I forgot to mention that we bought a house last week. I can't believe I forgot to mention it! For you, the new house will be the only house you know but we actually became a family of 3 in this little 2-br townhouse. All 3 of us have been sleeping in the main bedroom together. It's a little cosy especially after you got too big for the bassinet and we had to get a new crib that would fit the room but I like having you right next to our bed when you're sleeping. I don't randomly get up in the middle of the night to check you anymore but I like being able to reach out and comfort you if I hear you getting up. You've actually done the same and reached out to touch me through the bars to let me know you're awake! It was so cute.

Anyway, all of this background is to explain why I haven't had time to take that many photos or videos this week! I've been busy packing and cleaning up. Still, I do have a few photos from what we've been up.

You started trying pears this week and you love it! Here's a video of Grandma feeding you pureed pears for the first time. I've never seen you lean forward to eat more until you tried pears.

Photos from this week:

Trying pears

"I want to feed myself"

Going out for a walk and watching Grandma talk on her phone

Week 26: Trying papaya and weekly round-up

I was cutting up some papaya this morning and thought I would mash some up for you to try. Here's a video of you trying papaya for the very first time. It was quite funny because after a few mouthfuls, you refused to open you mouth to eat any more! Such a stubborn boy!

What are you feeding me, Daddy?

No more, Daddy!

Here's a round up of photos from this week:

Week 22 and 23 Round-up

For the past few months, our weekend routine has been going househunting on Sat and then having family time on Sunday. Here are some photos from last weekend when we went to the Bay Run. Mummy and Daddy used to go running around the bay a long time ago, so that place holds a special significance for us.

It was so cute dressing you up in a little cap and overalls. Your Auntie Katrina said you resembled Russell from the movie Up!

Week 21: First day of school

5 months old and Mummy already making you go to school!

I took you to your first baby class (gymbaroo) yesterday. There were 7 other babies in the class ranging from 3 months old to 6 months (non-crawler class). The teacher led us in songs, exercises, we even did some dancing! The 2nd half of the class was using the play gym where there were lots of fun baby equipment to help you do more exercises.

Excited for first day of baby class!

The very first exercise in the class involved doing tummy time, which is not your favourite thing. All the other babies did tummy time with their heads lifted up. You were the only baby with your head lying down on the mat the entire time. So funny! I told the teacher you hated tummy time, so she gave me lots of tips to help you do more tummy time, which we have been doing today.

The class was only 45 minutes but it was still quite tiring for you because you fell asleep in the car-ride home and then took a really long nap when we got home. You only woke up to feed and then fell asleep again. Too much excitement in one day for you!

Asleep in the car