30 weeks

The baby has grown to be about 42 cm long from head to toe (16.5 inches) and approximately 1,500 grams (1.5 kg) in weight (3lb 5oz).
The baby's brain is increasing in size and complexity and the pupils of their eyes can now respond to light, allowing the baby to focus more readily and see dim shapes. The baby now has definite sleep and wake patterns, although they may sleep up to 95% of the time and have noticeable rapid eye movements (REM), which indicates they may be dreaming! Many women notice their baby tends to be more active when they are resting, perhaps because when you move your body naturally rocks your baby to sleep.



well I am 3/4 of the way through my last pregnancy and the way I feel at the moment it cant end too soon. I feel huge and I know I look huge because strangers ask how over due I am or am I having twins...this is so not funny any more.

That's enough of my whinging, I know I should be grateful that I have a happy and healthy baby kicking inside me....

29 weeks and a catch up...

At this stage the baby weighs about 1,350 grams (3 lbs) and measures about 40 cm in length from head to toe (15.75 inches).
The baby is now developing a special layer of fat called brown adipose tissue (or BAT). BAT is the baby's main source of heat production after birth (similar to the fat of hibernating animals). Newborns have a limited ability to shiver, sweat or move to regulate their own body temperature. By 40 weeks, BAT makes up 2 to 7 % of the baby's total body weight. Premature babies have trouble keeping warm after birth because they lack BAT. This is why they are cared for with overhead heaters or humidicribs in intensive care nurseries.


So apart from a ever expanding girth ( will get a photo on soon, I promise) I am doing OK. The pregnancy is going well and the little man is moving all the time. I am getting extreme back pain when I sleep and try to turn over or get up. I have spoken to the doctor and its just my ligaments stretching and not being happy about it. Apparently its going to get worse not better..lucky me.
The heart burn has settled down and apart from being tired late in the day I am feeling good.
I have started to nest. We have moved Meg and Matthew around. Matthew is now in the smaller bedroom as he is by himself and we have moved Meg into the big room as she will be sharing her room with the baby once he goes into his cot, as well as Sharon (Darian's sister) will be sharing with Meg when shy flies from South Africa in May....

I have done all the shopping I need for the baby, apart from nappies. I Will get them once I know how big this boy will be...

The girls are doing fine, they love their new school and have started walking too and from. This has been making my life a bit easier.
Eloise is loving her riding lessons. She has started to canter this past weekend.
Talia's big news is that I finally got her seen by a orthodontist....and just after her birthday she will be fitted with a plate to start moving that front tooth back. She will still need top and bottom braces but not until she is 13 or 14.

Matthew has just had a growth spurt, he has gotten tall all of the sudden and his speech is slowly getting better. He is seeing a O.T once a week who is not only working on his fine motor skills but is working on his balance and coordination.
Matthew has also started going to daycare one day a week, he has only been once and enjoyed it. They are aware of his delays and are really good with him....

So that's it in a nut shell. I will get Talia to take some photos this afternoon and post them.... :)

27 weeks.......

The baby is now 37cm long from head to toe (14.8 inches) and weighs about 1,100 grams (2lb 7 oz).
The baby is now developing their immune system, as natural antibodies pass from my blood stream to them through the placenta. The baby is now capable of coordinating a suck and swallow action, needed to drink milk after being born. However, this reflex does not fully mature until about 34 to 36 weeks. The baby may look around and is capable of distinguishing light from dark and tracking movement.

First Day Of School

Today is the first day back to school for the girls, Talia starts year 5 and Eloise starts year 2.
Not only is it the first day for the school year but their first at their new school.
It didn't start off good. I was up until 5am with Matthew who had nightmares all night
(ahhh 3, the age of fears) so I was a cranky mummy. I hate feeling like that, so the girls fed off my crankiness.

They both did not want the first day of school photos taken. So we have cranky kid photos


We arrived at the school early so that we could settle in. Talia found her desk, all of them had their names on so it was easy to get her settled. She is sitting with 3 other girls. I said good bye and went to Eloise's class.
This however did not go so well. She ended in tears from nerves and of course with all the pregnancy hormones running through my body I ended up crying too. I managed to wait till I got out of the class room before breaking down in racking sobs....Matthew had a good play on the playground while I composed my self...

3pm came quickly and I was glad to see a smiling Eloise at the end of the day, she even made some new friends as did Talia....I even got "Mum we don't want to leave this school"

So after a horrible start the end was good....

26 weeks.....

By this week, the baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 35 cm. Remember that is only from the top of his head to his bottom and does not include his leg measurements! Your baby weighs almost 950 gms and is beginning to put on weight.

The baby would now recognize my voice and may be calmed by the sound of it (observed by their heart rate slowing). They may also recognize his dad’s voice and different types of music. When observing unborn babies with ultrasound they can respond to relaxing music by turning towards it, and curl up and away from very loud rock, rap and pop type music. Studies have also shown that newborns may be soothed by particular sounds after birth (as long as the baby is not hungry). One soothing sound is 'white noise', a mixture of low, middle and high tones from the full spectrum of the human ear. White noise can be created by the sound of a vacuum cleaner or the inside of a car traveling

25 weeks......

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is about 33 cm and the weight has increased to around 800grams and fat is still being deposited at a high rate.
The baby's eyelids are no longer fused, so they can now open their eyes and blink! It is also possible for the baby to respond to bright light (such as shining a torch through the belly). Newborns have vision that is perfectly focused from about 20 to 30 cm, usually as far away as the face of the person holding them!

24 Weeks......

This week the baby's crown-to-rump length is around 22 cms and the baby will weigh approximately 1.2 pounds. Although it weighs a little over a pound at this point, the growing baby is still tiny. The baby's face is basically complete now. The fetus's eyes are close together on the front of his face and they are still shut. The baby's ears have moved into their final position on the sides of his head. Where they are now is where they will be when the baby is born! Hair will continue to grow on his scalp and his eyelashes are well developed. Most of the baby's features look the same as they will at birth. Because the growing baby is getting plumper, he no longer has room in your tummy to do cartwheels and somersaults.

23 Weeks....

This week the baby's length, from crown-to-rump, is approximately 20 cm and the growing baby has finally reached one pound. The baby is about the size of a small baby doll and looks very human. The baby's face and body look similar to that of a newborn at this time.

Fat is still being deposited at a rapid rate, but the baby still looks red and wrinkled. Skin is being produced at a higher rate than the fat is, so the skin hangs loosely. The baby looks red because the skin is losing its transparency and pigment is beginning to form. I am able to feel the baby moving quite a bit throughout the day as he kicks and punches the uterus walls. Babies also run their hands along the umbilical cord and touch their body parts while they are in the womb. The baby now can suck his thumb for real, where he was just sticking it in her mouth. He will continue to swallow amniotic fluid and recycle it as urine. The liquids and sugars that the baby retracts from the fluid is a supplement to the nutrients that the placenta delivers. The pancreas is developing and it will responsible for insulin production, to help break down sugars.

Eloise first riding lesson....

Eloise had her first riding lesson today. She was very excited but scared at the same time. Her little head did not fit any school helmets so we had to borrow the instructors daughters.

Eloise was wonderful. She learnt to mount up, walk on, halt and started the basics of sitting and rising trot...

After the half hour she was exhausted but excited about going again in a fortnight...

22 Weeks....

The baby is approx 26 cm in length and weights 550 grams

The baby’s body continues to grow and develop every day. The organ systems in the baby's body are becoming specialized for their particular functions. The fetal liver produces different enzymes than it will produce after delivery. The liver is responsible for breaking down billirubin, which is produced by the breaking down of blood cells. Because the life span of a fetal red blood cell is shorter than that of an adult, a fetus produces more billirubin than adults do. Billirubin passes from fetal blood to the placenta and then into your blood. Your liver helps get rid of fetal billirubin. A newborn baby that has high levels of billirubin may show signs of jaundice. Jaundiced babies have a yellowish tint to their eyes and skin and are often treated with phototherapy.

The baby's senses are developing daily. The fetus now has a full complement of neurons in the brain and is learning about his body and surroundings through touch. Touch is one of the first senses to mature and the baby may stroke its face or feel his arms and legs.

2007.... A Year in Review

Ok so I did this last year and thought I would carry on the tradition

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Flew to South Africa....
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
i dont make them
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I became a great aunt to Paige Maree
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No
5. What countries did you visit?
South Africa
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
cant think of anything
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 11......my wedding day
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting married...can that be an achievement????
9. What was your biggest failure?
I dont think i had one this year...
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nah not really
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My wedding dress and passport
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one really
14. Where did most of your money go?
Our trip to South Africa and wedding...though the exchange rate helped
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Marrying the love of my life and my honeymoon to Shamwari....game drive
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Making a memory - Bon Jovi
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier...and in love
b) thinner or fatter? The same.....
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Nothing really I am pretty happy with what has been this year..
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
wasting time
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it with my Fam.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
every morning when I wake up next to my hubby
22. How many one-night stands?
NONE
23. What was your favorite TV program?
CSI Miami
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think I actually Hate anyone ... dislike what some people do .. yes ... but don't hate anyone
25. What was the best book you read?
OHhh my sister introduced me to a great series...Laurell K Hamilton....Anita Blake(Vampire Exicutioner) BLOODY FANTASTIC
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nothing off the top of my head...
27. What did you want and get?
My happy ever after
28. What did you want and not get?
not bringing my wedding dress home
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
dont know
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I cant remember LOL.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
nope cant think of anything...
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
EKKKK horrible....
33. What kept you sane?
coffee....lots of coffee
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
cant think of any.....
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Nothing really don't pay any attention to all that stuff
36. Who did you miss?
My new family in South Africa....they are so far away
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Darains best friend Wayne and Wife Miriam in SA
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Good things DO happen
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
umm cant think of any at the moment...will work on it though

Christmas 2007

Christmas day this year Talia and Eloise spent Christmas eve with their dad so we only had Matthew and Megan Christmas morning. My mum and her husband George came and stayed with us over the holiday period which was really nice.

The two older girls were dropped off at 1pm and we were then able to open up all our presents. I received some beautiful gold ear rings and a gold bracelet from Darian and we gave each of the girls a scooter each. The kids had so many presents.

Matthew had the hang of opening presents this year and it was so nice to see him getting into it. We ended up having lunch at 4.30 ish and had a nice quiet Christmas night.

21 Weeks

At 21 weeks the baby is 25 cm long and weighs about 1/2 a kilo.

The baby's skin is being increasingly covered by vernix. This is a thick, white, greasy cream that protects their skin in their watery environment. Vernix disappears by about 40 weeks, but if the baby is born at 39 weeks or less, you would notice it is still on their skin. The baby's eyelids are still fused shut but the retinas of their eyes are fully developed and they now have distinct eyelashes and eyebrows. The baby's hair follicles are now pigmenting to give them hair colour, looking dark, fair or red!
The baby's blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture the baby. The placenta is now almost equal in size to the baby.

The baby's different organs and systems are maturing. The fetal digestive system is functioning in a simple way and the baby can swallow amniotic fluid. After the baby swallows the amniotic fluid, he is able to absorb water and sugars from the fluid and then the waste is passed as far as the large bowel. The baby swallows the amniotic fluid in order to prepare itself for life outside of the womb. Some babies consume as much as 17 ounces of amniotic fluid in a 24-hour period. The baby already has a high number of red blood cells and the white blood cells are beginning to be produced. Taste buds are being formed on your baby's tongue this week also.

Yes its been a long time and I am slack!

I have been neglecting my blog lately, does anybody read it anyway????

So I am 19 weeks and 3 days pregnant. All is going well and my belly has seemed to stop growing a bit so I don't feel HUGE for my dates anymore. Darian and I went and had the anatomy scan on Monday and everything is looking good and bubs is healthy.

The big news is that it is a BOY.....

We were not bothered what sex the baby was as long as it was healthy but knowing makes it easier to but for and the kids can now talk to their brother....all the girls wanted a brother so they are happy. Matthew is in his own little world so I guess he doesn't really care.

I finally went and had my hair cut and coloured on Wed, its only been about 9 months since I had a hair cut. It turned out ok. Darian and I went to his work Christmas function that night at the Left Bank Fremantle so getting out and about without the kids was nice. Mum came up for a few days and baby sat for us.

Other than that the kids have finished school for the year, their last day was yesterday and I have enroll led them into the local school next year which is walking distance. Eloise was a bit sad about leaving her old school so I am hoping she will be happy next year.

So that's been the last few weeks in a nut shell I will try and keep up with the weekly baby updates too :)

19 Weeks.....

The baby's crown-to-rump length is 5.2 to 6 inches this week. The baby weighs approximately 7 ounces and will increase its weight more than 15 times between now and birth!

One of the most amazing aspects of your the baby's growth and development is that of the fetal brain. The baby's brain is one of the first organs to appear. The baby's oversized head shows the brain's importance in his development. Because the nerves that connect the muscles to the brain have grown into place, baby's movements are consciously directed. The baby's ears stand out from the sides of the head and the buds for your baby's permanent teeth appear. The baby's arms and legs have reached their relative proportions and his feet are approximately one inch long.

18 Weeks......

By week 18 of the pregnancy, the baby's crown-to-rump length is 5 to 5.5 inches long. The baby continues to develop fat layers and weighs about 5.25 ounces. The baby will continue to grow and develop, but the rapid growth will slow down for a little while.
There is still space available in the uterus and the baby will be active for periods at a time. The baby may sit cross legged or turn somersaults.

Around this time, the baby becomes more sensitive to the outside world and shows her presence through powerful kicks and prods. The bones through which sound is passed to the inner ear have hardened and the part of the brain that receives and processes nerve signals from the ears are developing. This means that the baby can hear now. The baby will get used to familiar sounds, such as the mothers heart beating, familiar voices, blood rushing through the umbilical cord and other daily routine sounds. The baby will become startled if he hears a loud sound.

17 Weeks......

The baby's weight has doubled in two weeks and now weighs about 3.5 ounces! The crown-to-rump length of the growing baby is 4.4 to 4.8 inches.
The uterus is moving up and is now approximately 1.5 to 2 inches below the navel.

Huge changes continue to take place within the developing baby. This week fat begins to form and will continue to do so until he is born. Fat is important to the body's heat production and metabolism. Right now, at 17 weeks, water makes up about 3 ounces and fat 0.018 ounces of the baby's body. In a baby at term, fat makes up about 5.25 pounds of the total average weight of 7.7 pounds. The placenta is continuing to grow at an amazing rate. The placenta will continue to develop in tandem with the fetus and it will weigh more than a pound at birth! By this week, the placenta is large and well established with a network of blood vessels that exchange nutrients and waste.

The eyes are facing more forward. The ears are now close to their final position.

The baby is more flexible with ability to move head, mouth, lips, arms, wrists, hands, legs, feet, and toes.

Fingerprints are forming now.

16 weeks 2 days

Yay today a electrician came to fix the oven. It stopped while I was cooking a roast Sun night and its fixed now. I hadn't realized how much I used it until I couldn't.

I got Talia to take a photo of me this morning before time got away again and the pregnancy was over and no pregnancy shots. So here I am 16 weeks and 2 days.

I have felt the baby move for about a week now and cant wait till its strong enough for Darian and the kids to feel it. We went and bought a change table on sat and I managed to pick up a bassinet on eBay. I like to get things early as I know when you get big and heavy the last thing you feel like doing is shopping....
So we are basically ready for the baby, just a few things like a rocker and clothes...they can wait...May baby....warm going into cold....tough one. I will have to get a bit of everything.

All the girls are so excited, every day Eloise asks if the baby has grown and she has even started to talk to my tummy.

week 16.....

At this point of the pregnancy, the baby is approximately 17cm long and weighs 200grams. Not only is the baby growing, the uterus and placenta continue to grow to accommodate the growing baby! The amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby is increasing and there is about 7.5 ounces of fluid.

The child can grasp with his hands, kick, or even somersault.

At this time, the baby is holding her head erect. Because her muscles are developing, she can make some faces now. The baby is able to squint, frown and open its mouth. There is enough calcium in the bones that they will show up on an x-ray. The baby's fingernails are well formed now and the legs are longer than the arms.

Week 15......

The baby's crown-to-rump length is approximately 4 inches and it now weighs approximately 1.75 ounces. The baby is close to the size of a softball

The baby is growing at an amazing rate and looking more like a human every day. Because the baby's skin is so thin, you are able to see blood vessels through the skin. Lanugo hair covers the baby's body, but it will be gone when baby is born.

The hair on the eyebrows and head continues to grow. Some babies are born with little or no hair and others have a head full of hair! If I were have an ultrasound at this point, I might be able to see the baby sucking its thumb. Even though the eyes continue to move to the front of the face, they are still widely separated. The baby's ears look like normal ears and continue to develop externally.
The bones that have already formed continue to get harder and retain calcium. The baby is very mobile and flexible at this point. It can bend her arms at the elbows and wrists and she can also make a fist with her hands.