Week 33: The magnificent SEVEN

Seven weeks remaining, that is. Yes, today I hit 33 weeks and as I do each week, I sighed a bit of relief that we have made it this far. Now, I know I said I was going to do fortnightly updates but last week (when I should have posted) was a bit crazy. We had Gabe's one year anniversary. It was a lot to deal with and although each time I sat at the computer I had every intention of blogging...it just didn't happen. So here I am.

To all those who sent their love and support last Monday, I hope you know how much that meant to Dan and I. It was comforting to realize that not everyone has forgotten Gabe and that the support we need is STILL out there for when we need it. It was a difficult day to get through, tears came and went. The boys picked out flowers and balloons for the cemetary. We released balloons into the sky, each with a special message written for Gabe (an idea Max had last year) just as we did at his funeral. I think it was a lot less traumatic then we expected it to be. I think Baby Louey has a lot to do with that. It's comforting to know that life does indeed go on, and that we will be happy again.



All is well in the land of bump. Baby Louey is growing great, right on schedule. Aside from the "normal" pregnancy aches and pain, momma is doing well too. I am off to see a physio this week as my midwife has told me I have "pelvic instability." In other words, when I walk, stand, or even move my left leg, great pain follows. It's apparently common, but the only way to solve or "cure" it, is to not be pregnant anymore. I'm working on that...




We have tried (in vain it seems) to start and get ready for this baby's arrival. But aside from being huge and tired, I always seem to hit a snag (and I'm not talking sausages.) We are not any closer to getting the addition built, which is holding up the great "shifting of the bedrooms." The builder says three weeks, which is okay, since we've got 7 left. And as for building while pregnant...we moved into this house 3 days before I had Ashton, so a little reno doesn't scare me! Yesterday, when we lost power for a few hours, I thought it was good time to go through all the baby clothes and sort out the 'keepers.' I knew we had already bought a few new things and wanted to see what had/needed. Well, we need NOTHING!!! and have too much of everything. I've already told a good friend of mine, who's expecting a boy a few weeks after me, that she can have whatever she wants. It's good to share.

The dropping of the bump

Here's the bump from last week (week 30) If you compare it to the photo under (from week 28) you can see how the shape of my bump has changed. That's because my darling baby has flipped around, sitting head down. I can certainly feel the difference (read: foot under my rib, not nice.)

Week 30: As the world turns...

So does my baby!!!!! That's right folks, Baby Louey has come to his senses and flipped around, upside down. The way he SHOULD be. Can I get an "amen?" He has saved his poor mother lots of worrying and heartache.

I have been freaking out about the possibility of him not turning, and therefore, me having to have a c-section. I have been kneeling on all 4s, floating in the pool, trying every exercise I could to help. In case you don't know my "birth history" (and why would you?) over the past three births, I have tried everything. I have gone into the "Baskin Robins" of birthing options and tested each flavor and topping. So I think that I am more than able to make a rational, informed decision of what I want and what I don't. I want (read: NEED) a quick recovery, as I already will have a 5 and 7 year old waiting for me at home. They won't understand "sorry boys, mommy had her insides removed then shoved back in, she's too sore to set up the Wii." Plus, to be honest, I want my fairytale ending. I think I deserve it. I started with the crappiest birth story with Max, and I've gradually gotten better with each birth. Now, all that said, I of course will do whatever it takes to bring Baby Louey safe into this world, regardless of how they may slice and dice me.

A trip to the midwife clinic this week started off as scary (I had to go by myself) but turned out to be a good trip. I not only learned that Louey had turned but also that I do not have gestational diabetes (didn't think I did though.) My blood pressure has gone from "low" to "normal" however, my iron is really low. The midwife even thought that that could have contributed to my fainting episode the other week.

In case you didn't hear me complaining last week, we had some of the HOTTEST weather here. We had a week of 40*+ weather. For you people who don't work in celcius, the weather peaked at about 113*F. Hot. Very hot. Freakin hot. If I heard one more non-pregnant person complain to me that they were uncomfortable, I was going to scream. Day after day of extreme heat with no relief. It was really hard to cope. I think I could have stood naked, wet, in front of an A/C and STILL not felt any cooler. It was that hot. This week has been much better but they are saying Saturday will be over 40* again. God help us. I knew there was a reason I enjoyed Max being a winter baby. Damn!

We all figure that the next ten weeks will fly by. Christmas/summer holidays are over and we are all back to work, school, sports and activities. Baby Louey is actually due during the Easter break in April, so we figure we'll be there before we know it. Both my big boys started back at school and kinder this week. Max returned to school a big grade 1 kid and has enjoyed his first week. Ashton started kinder and is loving it. I start back to teaching next week which means I've had two kid-free days this week!! And I loved every minute of it. I will have a totally kid-free Tuesday for at least this first term of school. I think I'll call it "kara day."