#BlogBumpClub - 35 weeks + 5

Apologies for not posting last week - things have been pretty full on as we are trying to do as much as possible (panic!) before the baby arrives.

Last weekend we decorated our bedroom as this will be where the baby sleeps too. In hindsight, it was a terrible weekend to attempt any kind of DIY, as the temperature was over 30 degrees but Wiss was staying at his grandparents so this was our only chance to get it done. We weren't able to completely finish our Weekend Makeover but the wallpaper is up, all woodwork glossed and 3 of 4 walls are painted. Where was DIY SOS when we needed them?!

I've also been spurred into action (panic!) to get my hospital bag packed, and to actually get some things ready for the new arrival. I have ordered a Bednest, which I am very excited about, I have borrowed a TENS machine, and have bought a nightie and some PJs for after the birth. Totally ready now, huh?!

I finish work next Friday (yay!) so I am hoping to get lots more sorted when I'm off. Plus I have lots of things planned for me to do for fun before Wiss finishes nursery: a pregnancy massage because my back is killing me, a trip to a vintage market, a swim at the Lido, pregnancy yoga, lunch in Whitstable with the husband...oh, and finish painting our bedroom!

Although I would love this fantastic summer we are having in London to continue, the combination of heat and the final stages of pregnancy are zapping all my energy at the moment. I have had to scale back my expectations of what can be done in favour of early nights, and maybe even naps while I can! Plus I am totally addicted to ice cubes at the moment. I know this isn't just weather-related though as I had the same thing when I was pregnant with Wiss, in December!

Lists have become my bible and I have written them out for everything: Things to Buy, Things to Do, Things to Pack, Things to Do With Wiss, Names to Consider (yep, we're still not sure of any of them!) Tell me I'm not alone in this obsession? How organised are you being during your pregnancy? Is it normal to be more 'relaxed' with subsequent pregnancies or should I really be starting to panic? Help!

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Congratulations to Chelle from Chic & Unique and her brand new baby boy! Don't forget to check up on all the other members of the #BlogBumpClub here:

#BlogBumpClub - 33 weeks + 3

The time is really flying by now - 33 weeks?! My bump is starting to look slightly hilarious now - it's all out front so when I turn around it looks slightly unreal. I am tripping over lots of things on the floor as I can't see my feet, and Wiss has found that he can hide underneath my tummy and I can't see him!

I had another scan this week to check on the position of my placenta. It has moved up, thankfully, so there are no issues there and the baby is head down (spine under my ribs and legs kicking my right hip!)

All in all, I am still feeling very well. I have noticed that the tiredness is starting to creep back in after a day at work so I am alternating early nights with productive nights! We still haven't done anything by way of preparations for the new arrival (eek!) but we will be decorating our bedroom next weekend. Once that's done I can start to get the 'nursery' (really just a corner of our bedroom) ready. We will be using much of the stuff we have already, although much more minimalist this time, but I have been coveting the Bednest and have been hearing really great things about it.

I have been trying to make sure I look after myself properly - eating well (I'm addicted to avocadoes and olives at the moment!) and moisturising everywhere. I love the Stretch Butter from Nom Nom Skincare, and it seems I'm not the only one. It won the Gold award in the Free From Skincare awards! Nom Nom is a new company (based in Crystal Palace)making Organic skincare products certified by the Soil Association. At the moment the product ranges are specially for Pregnancy and Babies but there will be others soon. The gift sets would make an ideal treat...#justsaying!

Photo credit: Nom Nom

There's also some great diet advice on the Nom Nom website (Jayne is also a nutritionalist) and I have copied this section as I've been getting heartburn a lot recently:

"Nutrition - Here’s how to eat for a better night’s sleep. 

If your nightime is regularly disturbed by pregnancy heartburn you may benefit from eating smaller more frequent portions and eating your last meal at least a couple of hours before bedtime. Eating this way also helps to balance the hormones and transmitters which regulate sleep.

A carbohydrate rich dinner using wholegrains can increase the production of serotonin a calming neurotransmitter. To further boost your serotonin levels add poultry, dairy products, nuts, seeds, legumes, soy products, tuna and bananas to your diet as they are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid used in its production. Give these food combinations a try: chicken salad on whole wheat bread, nut butter and banana sandwich, banana and yoghurt/soy milk smoothie, prawn and egg fried brown rice, wholemeal pitta bread and humus.

If you’re frequently woken by leg cramps you may be low on calcium and magnesium which are important for their calming effect on nerves and muscles. Increase these by including dairy, nuts and green leafy vegetables.

 

Being well hydrated is important for a good night’s sleep but to avoid increasing the frequent nightime trips to the loo, which can become an issue in later pregnancy, try to get more of your water quota earlier in the day. 

In addition to the above, caffeine should of course be avoided.

Sweet dreams……"



There have been some #BlogBumpClub new arrivals already - congratulations to Amy and Sara-Jayne and their new little boys. You can check out their posts plus those from all the others here: