Me and Mine - December 2016

Happy New Year from the 5 of us!

Siblings - November 2016

So, my two beautiful girls have been joined by a lovely little boy. 

They adore him. 

I think he could be the most kissed baby ever. 

They've had three weeks together - well, just shy of that due to him and me having to go back into hospital for a couple of days. 

Me and Mine - October 2016

We are five. 

For less than a week we have been a family of five, and it has surpassed the rest of the month. 

A little boy, a son, a brother. 

Silent Sunday - 30th October 2016

A Brief, but Miraculous, Update

A Ray of Light Shining Through

We had a scan.

The Sonographer was so friendly.

We saw a little hand. And the cutest little foot, attached to a chubby little ankle.

40 Weeks - Still Pregnant

I was wrong.

The baby didn't arrive the day I thought it would.

I'm still pregnant.

40 Weeks Pregnant - Clearly, my womb is comfortable!

And I'm angry.

Like this enormous ball of pregnant rage.

Siblings - October 2016

No baby yet, so these girls are still a twosome. And you know you'll get a third sibling in my next Siblings Project post. 

39 Weeks - Counting Down the Days

39 Weeks Pregnant

For once I feel I can report a positive week of pregnancy. 

I feel completely upheld by the prayers of family, friends, and strangers who read this blog. 

Gradually I am gaining a sense of peace. A peace which is beginning to dwarf the fear.

38 Weeks - Approaching the End

Bump at 37+4

I feel I owe you all an apology.

I intended this pregnancy series to be a positive and helpful account of being pregnant with Gestational Diabetes.

And it has been anything but.

Me and Mine - September 2016

Unless I go totally overdue, this will be our last Me and Mine post as a family of 4.

We had a lovely holiday together in September. It was great to spend time together, with days out and lots of laughter. No nappies to change either, since M toilet trained herself, so my need to go to the loo constantly was useful for making sure the kids went too.

I don't know how bringing a baby into this foursome is going to work. The girls are excited, but I worry about them feeling left out, forgotten, ignored. M is quite a bit older now than B was when she was born. Will the greater age gaps be a good thing? They're both quite capable, so I'm hoping they'll be able to help out a bit more than B could.

The dynamics will change. That is certain. But I'm looking forward to seeing the new relationships forming, and to having new adventures.

This month...

The Hubby has enjoyed:
Running

Getting our issues with the Consultant sorted

Our holiday

Hot weather

Watching "White Collar"

I have enjoyed:
"The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
Finally getting myself and the girls to a Home Ed meet
Our Norfolk holiday
Crabbing - I caught 5!
Spending time with my grandparents

B has enjoyed:
Getting a beautiful, red bike from her uncle
Visiting her cousin
Colouring
Meeting some Home Ed kids
Her Alice in Wonderland Birthday Party
Our holiday and the chance to spend time with Grandparents and Great Grandparents

M has enjoyed: 
Writing letter Ms
Drawing around her hand
Visiting her cousin and playing with her kitten
Seeing the Seals at Blakeney
Spending time with Grandparents and Great Grandparents

36 Weeks - Polyhydramnios

Due to birthdays, M getting chicken pox, our summer holiday and party prep, I haven't had a chance to let you all know how our meeting with the Consultant went.

Bump at 35 Weeks + 4

Before the meeting I wrote down everything I wanted to ask her, and some facts and figures I felt could be helpful to me.

It was a really positive meeting. We came away feeling heard and cared about.

The Consultant assured us that she would make sure that the safeguarding referral would be either removed from my notes or that she would get something inserted to say that the referral should never have been made.

We talked about possible reasons for polyhydramnios.

Siblings - September 2016

Look at these two. They're playing a lot better together recently, which is wonderful. There are still fights, but they seem happy to help each other with problems, to work together, and to interact more pleasantly. M wants very much to be like B, which has resulted in her toilet training herself  and trying to write her own name. They enjoy dressing up together, especially as Wonder Woman and Supergirl, and competing against each other in just about anything that can be competitive.

I think they're going to be amazing big sisters. They're so excited about the baby, and often talk about what they're going to do to help out. The baby could be here before my next Siblings post. The sibling dynamics will change, and I'm looking forward to seeing the new relationships forming.

33 weeks - A Brief Update

Not a great deal to report this week.

We saw our midwife, and she explained everything she knew about polyhydramnios, but she also recommended that we talk to a Consultant.

As I have maintained all along that I would see a Consultant if any issue arose with my pregnancy, then I could hardly refuse!

Me and Mine - August 2016

This is likely our penultimate Family Portrait before we become a family of five, and here we are with our best friends. 

Yes, that's right, we couldn't get ourselves organised to do a photo of just the four of us, which doesn't bode well for when we increase! 

32 Weeks - Colostrum

Gaviscon - the acceptable pregnancy cocktail

Two new arrivals this week. One more welcome than the other.

First, Heartburn.

It is here.

I thought I'd escaped, but I was wrong.

At least I got into the third trimester before it raised its ugly head.

Must hunt down some cocktail umbrellas to make the Gaviscon bottle a bit more exciting.

31 Weeks - A Rollercoaster Week

The week began badly. I had a day when I didn't feel the baby move, so, reluctantly, I had to go into the hospital to get checked.

I was a little worried about the baby, but more anxious about going in to the hospital.

It's become a place that terrifies me.

I shouldn't have to feel afraid to go into the hospital. It should be a place of safety and comfort.

When I haven't felt baby move, my worry should be that there might be something wrong with them, not a fear that the need to go into the day unit will be used against me in some way.

Typically, as soon as I lay on the bed to get the CTG straps put on, the baby jumped.

Pilsbury Dough Belly!

Still, I had to lay there for half an hour while  baby's heart rate and movements were monitored. Of course, the little tyke didn't stop moving the entire time, and hasn't since. I've felt more movements since being in, than I have all the rest of my pregnancy!

Siblings - August 2016

30 Weeks - Hope and Despair

When I told my midwife at my first appointment that I would be refusing consultant-led care, I thought that would be it. They would respect my wishes and my pregnancy would progress in a positive manner.

That was 19 weeks ago.

I was wrong.

Me and Mine - July 2016

July has disappeared so quickly. I honestly don't know how we've gone from June to it being August tomorrow. Perhaps the realisation that we have only 3 months before the baby arrives, with a to-do list that is growing longer, has made time speed up. Everything always goes quicker when you have lots to do.

It's funny to think that we probably only have two more Me and Mine shots before our family increases to five.

28 Weeks - Heading into the Third Trimester

Ee, the aches and pains of pregnancy.

It's not all glamour, you know!

28 Weeks Bump

I get cramp, frequently, and not just your run of the mill nighttime leg cramps. I get cramp in my right bum cheek.

Siblings - July 2016

 

As we get closer to the new baby's arrival, I look at these two and see them getting bigger and bigger. The age gap doesn't seem as great as it has before. They can play make-believe games together, and M can join in properly. It makes me all the more aware how different life will be with a baby in the house again, and how old the girls will both seem.

With M's speech and language so clear and developed, I often find myself forgetting that she is still so young. 2 years and 8 months. But because she can hold her own in a conversation I often expect her to understand much more. I think B finds that difficult too. She doesn't always understand why M isn't behaving the way she wants her to, and I have to remind her that M is still so little.

25 Weeks - The Wall

I've reached exhaustion point.

Hit the Wall in this Pregnancy Marathon.

And it can only get worse. 

I'd dream of sleeping, if I could only nap!

Me and Mine - June 2016

Visiting the church I grew up at, and where B was baptised

23 Weeks - Nothing Extraordinary

The Hubby felt the baby move this week.

It's always an exciting moment when I get to share the movements I've been feeling. Another step along the way to a baby feeling real. 

It won't be long until the girls feel it too, and I can't wait to see their faces when that happens.

22 Weeks - No Publicity!

B thinks we're having a boy.

No publicity!

Siblings - June 2016

Parenting these beautiful girls is not the easiest job in the world at the moment. Two completely different individuals, each  determined to be their own person. Gone are the cuddles and affection of previous months, and in their place is rivalry. Competition has entered the arena. We have battles and tears. Others assure me it's a mix of their ages and the fact that they know they have a sibling on its way. My girls are unsettled, and wanting to mark their place, their territory. It's hard work. 

And then, at other times, I find myself in peace and I realise that they're playing beautifully together. I have to resist the urge to burst in and tell them how wonderful it is to witness them enjoying each other's company. 

They're strong and stubborn and they know their own worth. Difficult to parent, but one day they will be women who know what they want and will have the character to go out and get it. And I know they will be each other's biggest supporter. 

21 Weeks - Low Carb Recipe Round Up

It is a truth universally acknowledged (to steal a quote from Jane Austen) that your children will always find a way to make you look like a liar!

Baby's on the move

Last week I was bemoaning the fact that I had felt very little movement, but within an hour of publishing the post, baby no. 3 was jumping around like a lunatic. 

Typical! But reassuring. 

I saw my midwife this week. We discussed the letter I had received from the consultant, and she read my response as she hadn't received hers yet. She and her student midwife were quite shocked by the contents of the letter. 

I am yet to receive a reply from the consultant. If it takes too long, I'll be contacting Birthrights again for further advice. I'll keep you updated.

20 weeks - Just About Half Way

This hasn't been a pregnancy like my others.

Many of my symptoms have been different, feeling more like PMT than pregnancy. My wisdom teeth have been playing up; I've had headaches, and what feel like pre-menstrual cramps; and I've been grumpy.

Baby's movements are very faint, and very irregular. I've felt a bit disconcerted by this, as I feel sure that I was feeling more movements with the other two by this stage.

Me and Mine - May 2016

We took this month's photo in such good time that I almost forgot that we had it! Here we are at the baptism of a friend's baby, where I became a godmother for the 7th time. A great honour.

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18 Weeks - Pressure

The last week began on a high as I had my first appointment with Mandy. It was so good to see her. I immediately felt at ease again. She gave me a huge hug and was so great with the girls.

We heard the baby's heartbeat.

She mentioned that Sharon hadn't put up much of a fight when she'd asked if she could take over my care. Apparently Sharon was terrified of me and my unwillingness to go to any consultant appointments! 

So, it's comforting to know I'm now being cared for by someone who has confidence in my ability to make decisions on my own care. 

My First Date

Eight years ago today I was at work. Nothing unusual in that. It was a Monday. I don't remember which lessons I was supporting in. But I remember not being able to concentrate. I tried my hardest, but I was nervous and excited in equal measures. My brain just didn't have space for Learning Support.

I was going on a first date that evening. Not just the first date with this fellow, but my first date ever. 

Yes, I had reached the grand age of nearly 25 without ever having been on a date. 

There I am, looking hot, 2 days before he asked me out,
with my friend who helped me realise I fancied him.

17 Weeks - A Bit of a Surprise

That's me - flying high

Sometimes, every once in a while, God answers a prayer that you hadn't even thought to pray.

I got a text last week from my old midwife, Mandy. Totally out of the blue. She was doing relief work for my midwife, and had spotted my name in the notes, so she wanted to congratulate me. It was the most thoughtful message - Mandy even remembered B & M's names. I was really touched by her consideration.

But, that wasn't it. When I responded that I missed her, and that I had been disappointed to discover she'd moved surgeries, she asked if I wanted her to be my midwife again!

I absolutely jumped at the chance.

It wasn't something I had even considered a possibility, other than by discovering which surgery she was based at and swapping my GP. I really didn't want to do that - our GP is great.

But God heard the silent cries of my heart.


Seriously, I have been walking on air since we made the new arrangements. I didn't have any major issues with Sharon, but the opportunity to have a midwife I know, and who knows me, is not one to be sniffed at. It will feel good to be comfortable.

Along with that, it's been a fairly good fortnight. I'm exhausted, and I got 4 consultant appointments - and a rescheduled Diabetes Clinic appointment - through the post, but I'm pretty confident that my sickness has gone. Lots of phone calls to cancel appointments.

Baby is the size of a chipmunk. Cute.

My appetite seems to have disappeared somewhat, though my research says that can be common during second trimester, as the digestive system slows down. I don't remember this being an issue during my previous pregnancies. Not during the second trimester anyway.

I've started testing my blood sugars, and so far, so good. The aim is to keep them between 4 and 6mmol/L an hour after starting to eat a meal. And 7.8mmol/L is the absolute maximum, though I set my own maximum of 7mmol/L in both previous pregnancies, and will continue to follow that. However, as none of my readings are yet to reach 5.5mmol/L, I'm fairly confident.

Lots of salad!

I often find meal planning quite hard - and that has been the case when I'm not pregnant too - so I intend to keep a record of meals we've had and enjoyed, and I will write a post on these in the future. Inspiration can be hard to find, especially when you've got dietary requirements.

I'm hoping to start feeling the baby move soon. I felt B at just past 18 weeks, and M at 17+1.  I still feel doubtful that I'm as far along as the scan put me, so to feel movement this week would be reassuring. I had anterior placentas with the others, but no mention of that this time, which makes me think I should have felt the baby already. But, as we know, all pregnancies are different.

Weekly Statistics

Average blood sugar: 4.9mmol/L

Weight: -2lb



Catch Up: 15 Weeks
Next: 18 Weeks 

Me and Mine - April 2016

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