Pregnancy Update ~ Second Baby (Week 39 - FINAL UPDATE WOOHOO!)

Well (finally) I have almost reached the end of my pregnancy - woohoo! As of today I am 39 weeks pregnant and booked in for my c-section at some point next week....although only a few people know the exact date. Got to have a bit of mystery haven't we ;)

Despite the majority of my pregnancy flying by, this past week has just been SO slow. I did originally try not to make too many plans and attempt to take it easy but that plan didn't work, I've been out and about pretty much every day - anything to pass the time!

I had my last clinic at the hospital last week so I don't have to see the dietitian regarding Gestational Diabetes again - which is good because I cannot tell you how much time I have wasted sat in the waiting room waiting for my appointments!! I spent over 3 hours at the hospital last week and my appointment lasted about 30 seconds...grrr. Still, that's done with now. I'm still testing my blood sugars 4 times a day and taking medication to control my levels but the hospital are very happy with my numbers...phew!

My final appointment is my pre-op meeting. I didn't have one of these last time as I ended up having an emergency c-section but I've been told that they will just take some bloods, get me to sign consent forms and go through what will happen on the day. Exciting/scary stuff!

I've been feeling quite tired this week but apart from that, really well. I'm sure by this point in Elliot's pregnancy I was in hibernation mode and really suffering from a bad back. I stopped driving a few weeks before he was born too as a) it was uncomfortable with a big bump and b) my Nan said I shouldn't be driving whilst so pregnant hah! But I suppose with a second pregnancy, life has to go on and there's another person to think about already! Elliot still needs to get to his swimming/sports classes/parties so I'm still driving......sorry Nan ;)

I've been fending off the inevitable messages this week from friends enquiring if I've had the baby yet - I know they mean well but I have to be honest, it does drive me up the wall! I've even started to purposely check myself into places on Facebook when I go out so people know I'm not in labour yet and jump to conclusions! #noImnotinlabouryet

We're out! I'm not in labour!

The supermarkets all seem to have baby events at the moment so I stocked up some more nappies and wipes this week. I also picked up some items such as bath toys, sudocrem, back seat mirror and a really lovely play mat. I think I have everything I need now but my theory is the shops are open 24/7 so if we're desperate, we'll be ok! My kitchen is starting to look like a shrine to Tommee Tippee - we were lucky enough to be sent a big box of items to test out such as an electric steriliser so look out for some reviews coming over the next few weeks once baby is here and we find our feet :) (And read the instructions...)

So that's it, my final update - this time next week we should be a family of four! I'm so excited to start the next chapter and looking forward to blogging my way through the baby years. I'm just hoping we manage to get some sleep!

Pregnancy Update ~ Second Baby (Week 36 - The End is in Sight!)

Happy New Year to you all! Well, so much for my regular pregnancy updates - looking back, my last one was around 28 weeks. I'm now almost at 37 weeks! The time has just absolutely flown by and I can't believe our baby will be here in 3 weeks time - eeeeek!

Gestational Diabetes

So in my last update I wrote about gestational diabetes and to be honest, that has taken over my life a bit. But not in a bad way - just it's always there, I'm always thinking about it and thinking about what I should be eating/not eating. Thinking about when I next need to test my blood sugars. I have appointments most weeks at the hospital so I feel like I'm constantly there sat in the waiting room! But I've got used to it all and it's becoming second nature to whip out my finger pricker thingy (there must be a proper name for it?!).

I've had to change the way I eat which was actually not as hard as I originally thought - I've taken alot of advice from http://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/ and I've basically been following a high fat/low carb diet. Which is the complete opposite of what I'm used to with Slimming World - it still feels really naughty to be having full fat cream and luxury full fat mayo! I've cut out cakes completely (well except a small slither of Mum's Christmas Cake on Christmas Day!) and I've been eating nuts and cheese like there's no tomorrow. Eating out hasn't been too challenging, I just make sure I avoid any sauces and go for something meaty. I hear that alot of ladies who have GD stick with this diet after their baby is born but I have to say, I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth into carbs again. And unlimited fruit will be such a treat!!

How am I feeling?

I've actually been feeling really well over the last couple of months and I've had lots of energy in the daytime. I'm sure by this stage of my last pregnancy I was in hibernation mode but I feel quite sprightly at the moment!

I get weighed at the hospital at each appointment and I've lost weight so there's the silver lining of gestational diabetes! I dropped 5 pounds last week and that is the first time in my life where I haven't put on weight over Christmas! I'm only a few pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight so I'm really intrigued to see what happens over the next few weeks and if I end up weighing less when the baby is born. It certainly gives me a good head start for when I return to Slimming World :)

What have I been wearing?

Fashionwise, I'm not going to win any awards for maternity wear! It's either leggings and a shirt or leggings and a dress. I have about 4 outfits that are on rotation! I did treat myself to a lovely maternity dress from Yours Clothing before Christmas which I wore to my choir performance - it's quite dressy though so I doubt I'll get the chance to wear it again before baby comes. Which is a shame because I really liked it!

I'm a bit camera shy when it comes to bump pics but here's me on the far right in my lovely Yours Clothing dress - good job you can't see my baggy tights and chunky ankles ;) 

How's Baby?

We had a scan last week and she is growing perfectly - she currently weighs 6lb 5oz so my money is on around 8lb at birth! (Hopefully not another 10lb+ baby like Elliot was!) . She is SO active in the evenings - I guess in the daytime I'm busy so don't notice it as much but when I sit down on the sofa I can feel her doing all kinds of flips and kicks.

What next?

I've now been given a date for my c-section so it's become very real now! It's forced me to finally pack my hospital bags and today I finally got round to sorting out her drawers and putting all her new clothes away in their new homes. I didn't think I had many outfits for her but actually sorting it out made me realise that she has plenty for the first 3 months at least! I've bought lots of things in the sales recently and picked up some lovely bits in Morrisons last week. Sabrina from The Mummy Stylist also sent me some lovely girly bits passed down from her baby Lily and I can't wait to dress our baby girl in these!

Elliot is still really excited about the impending arrival of his baby sister and has now taken to counting down in days.. "how many days now Mummy!". I think he will be a really great big brother and I have no worries about how he will be when she arrives. I think he'll love helping me out but has already stipulated that he won't be dealing with any dirty nappies ;)

Christmas Gift Guide for Babies

Maybe your Christmas shopping is done and dusted and your presents are wrapped and ready to go. Perhaps (if you're like me!) you've been making lists for the past month but not actually got going and are now feeling a little worried that Christmas is just around the corner....

Hopefully this gift guide will give you some ideas for the little people in your life! 

1 // Elf Sleepsuit, M & Co  - £12

I just cannot resist an Elf costume and I've already subjected poor Elliot to one since he was a baby! I love this cute little sleepsuit, festive enough to look the part but practical enough to snooze in. 

2 // Snowman Rattle, Toys R Us - £6.99

This cute toy is suitable from birth and makes a lovely keepsake gift of baby's first Christmas

3 // Chicco Baby Steps 2 in 1 Activity Walker* - £17.95

Perfect for those little ones who are about to take their first steps, this walker will play a fun melody when the baby starts walking. As soon as the baby stops walking, the music will stop and hopefully encourage a few more steps! The Online 4 Baby website is the UK's cheapest online baby megastore and definitely worth checking out for all the latest deals - my shopping list for the baby has grown substantially since finding this website! 

4 // Ella's Kitchen Jingle Belly Christmas Dinner pouch - Various

There's no reason that the babies should have to miss out on the all important Christmas dinner when Ella's Kitchen have produced this yummy creation. 30p from the sale of each pouch will be donated to Save the Children who are promoting the importance of family meal times and the positive impact it can have on a child's development. 

5 // Miffy in the Snow book - £3.75

Little children will love Miffy and these simple stories will be a big hit with parents who remember Miffy from their childhood!

6 // Dr Brown's Special Edition Gift Set - £29.99

I have heard great things about Dr Brown's bottles and their ability to reduce wind related colic due to the unique internal green vent system. This cute little gift set comes with three bottles, a butterfly soother, bottle brush and a Flexees teether. I shall be testing these bottles out in the new year once our baby has arrived so look out for a review and a giveaway! 

7 // Penguin Stocking, John Lewis - £12

I love penguins and this grey fleecy stocking from John Lewis is perfect for baby's first Christmas

8 // New Baby 4 Piece Gift Set, Boden - £38.50

This 4 piece set would make a fab gift for new parents as it contains all the essentials - sleepsuit, bodysuits and a bib. I adore the bear print on this! 

Hopefully that has given you some inspiration - I certainly have a few more things to add to my list now! 

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