Summer Heat

It's been a couple of weeks and here in the UK we've been experiencing a rare heatwave. Whilst the weather is glorious, it does mean I'm suffering somewhat in the heat. I'll be 25 weeks pregnant tomorrow and not only is my bump getting rather large, but combined with the weather and lethargy, it is starting to get quite challenging to get up from the sofa or bed and move around. I've been feeling more breathless again and having to take things slowly. 

Peanut seems well though, he woke me up last night by bouncing rhythmically on my bladder, which meant I had to get up and use the bathroom. And he was still thumping away in there way into the early hours. We have bought a Pre-Natal Listening Device to hear his kicks and heartbeat, but to be honest, it's not massively effective. It just see to pick up the noise from my fingers holding the thing in place! 

We have our antenatal class booked for a whole day on Sat 24th August. I am looking forward to this, although not watching the video of women giving birth (eek!) I know what happens and there'll be plenty of people in the hospital who know what's going on, so I don't see why I need to watch a person coming out of another person! The midwife who is giving our class is meant to be very good though, so I hear from other mums-to-be at my local Aquabump class. I have been to this a couple of times now and love the chance to socialise with our expectant mummies and cool down in the water. 

Baby shopping is well underway now. We have our baby wish list up on Amazon, to which I'm constantly adding things to:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/baby/1QCX5EVPM8GA

This is because I hope to have a baby shower in September / October so will hopefully get a few bits as presents!

My nan bought us this beautiful Moses basket from Mothercare on Friday, which I love. I am also loving the Jools Oliver 'Little Bird' range of clothing and accessories in Mothercare too and have a few bits from the range. At first, shopping for the baby seemed so daunting but now I'm loving it!

In just a few weeks I'll be in my third trimester. I can't believe how quickly it's going - the time is just flying by and we still have so much to sort out! Poor J spent this weekend clearing more bits in the spare room and kitchen so we now have room to add some cant things, but I think I'll feel less panicky once the spare room is gutted and cleared and we can behind painting and assembling all the nursery furniture. It will all seem even more real.

Well, Kate Middleton has just gone into labour and an old friend from school gave birth last week to a little girl. My hormones are so shot to bits I cried both times! I am so excited about being a mummy myself though, that any news of other women giving birth just sets me off. And before long it will be my turn! I cannot wait for me and J to have a little family of our own.

Babymoon

Weeks 21 - 23 have been spent relaxing in Sharm el Sheikh for our babymoon!

We stayed in a 5* resort and tried to avoid ice, violent protests and anything remotely healthy that may have been washed in tap water. Even still, both of us had poorly tummies and got exhausted by the heat. The first week we were there it reached 48 degrees! J also suffered with a nasty cold he just couldn't shake the whole time, so it didn't quite live up to our expectations, however, the best thing was to just relax together with no chores to complete or places to be. We also got to go snorkelling too in the second week which was AMAZING! We saw sting rays, angel fish, lion fish, conch shells with weird alien type things living inside them. The coral reef was beautiful and out of this world. I am so thrilled that we got to discover a newfound hobby together and see so many crazy, beautiful things under the sea. It was magical and something I'll remember for the rest of my life. 

In other news, Peanut has grown enormously since I last wrote and J has finally been able to feel a kick or two! Peanut is an active wriggler now who kicks and somersaults everyday. He also enjoys bouncing on my bladder which means I'm also having to go to the bathroom every hour :-/ 

Something freaky happened a few days ago too - I'd just had a shower and was blow drying my hair (topless - as you do) in the bathroom of our hotel room when I noticed a shiny drip down my breast and belly. At first I thought it was water from my hair, though by this point I was completely dry and when I touched the shiny trail it was sticky... And then I realised that I've started lactating! After about 30 minutes of freaking out, I realised (whilst J desperately tried to reassure me) that this was completely normal and healthy and calmed down. Now most mornings I notice a dried up milky patch in my t shirt or on the bed from where a small amount of milk has started to leak. It's a strange feeling, but I'm pleased that it seems to be healthy at this stage. I really do want to breastfeed if I can but I just have to get over the sensitivity of my nipples! 

I will leave you for now with a photo of Peanut and I about to go out for dinner on our 23 week anniversary.