And now the snow is gone...

Gone, and nowhere to be seen. The lawns are green once more. Boring! Just as it was time to put the Christmas decorations up, the snow thaws away. Ah well, it's better for my pains that the snow is gone. I've not been in more pain this week. The redirection of my route to the bus has paid off, thank God! This weekend will be spent shopping, cleaning and decorating. Maybe some baking as well. Still need to get a few bits and pieces for Peanut, a nursing bra for me and perhaps some Christmas presents. I really need to start packing the bag I'm bringing with me to the delivery room. It's just a month until due date! Jikes! Where did the time go?

My mother kindly informed me that she had bought a fluffy little cover all for Peanut. One of those that looks like a polar bear with ears on it. S/he's gonna be so cute when we leave the maternity ward!

They have also decided who's replacing me during my maternity leave. The one we had here last week and didn't want back. She didn't fit in here, or could manage the job. We said that. But they apparently didn't listen. My poor colleagues!

w 35 - Is the baby ready when the belly button pops out?

I visited the midwife again yesterday. I've actually gained 2 kilos since last time! :-O Ah well, only 8 kg so far, not much really. We talked about my pain in pelvis and back, but to get a sick note to be home the last two weeks. But then I need to go see my house doctor, so I'm thinking of waiting and see if it's just the snow that has messed with my body. Today I took another route to the bus stop and I'm not in such pain as I was yesterday. then I almost started crying as I reached the bus stop.

Everything else looked just fine. Peanut's head down like last time and the head is still movable. Apparently s/he still has lots of space to move around on. The heart ticked with 146 beats/min.
I noticed that my belly button is well on its way to pop out (see above!). :) That means that the baby is ready to come out, right? ;) My darling called me Chewbacca the other day, not very nice, but he's right. My belly is really hairy! ;)

Your pregnancy: 35 weeks
Peanut: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight. See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

Me: Your uterus — which was entirely tucked away inside your pelvis when you conceived — now reaches up under your rib cage. If you could peek inside your womb, you'd see that there's more baby than amniotic fluid in there now. Your ballooning uterus is crowding your other internal organs, too, which is why you probably have to urinate more often and may be dealing with heartburn and other gastrointestinal distress. If you're not grappling with these annoyances, you're one of the lucky few.

From here on out, you'll start seeing your practitioner every week. Sometime between now and 37 weeks, she'll do a vaginal and rectal culture to check for bacteria called Group B streptococci (GBS). (Don't worry — the swab is the size of a regular cotton swab, and it won't hurt at all.) GBS is usually harmless in adults, but if you have it and pass it on to your baby during birth, it can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis, or a blood infection. Because 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women have the bacteria and don't know it, it's vital to be screened. (The bacteria come and go on their own — that's why you weren't screened earlier in pregnancy.) If you're a GBS carrier, you'll get IV antibiotics during labor, which will greatly reduce your baby's risk of infection.

This is also a good time to create a birth plan. Using our form will help you focus on specifics — like who'll be present, what pain management techniques you want to try, and where you want your baby to stay after you deliver. It will give you a starting point to discuss your preferences with your medical team. Childbirth is unpredictable, and chances are you won't follow your plan to the letter, but thinking about your choices ahead of time — and sharing your preferences with your caregiver — should take some of the anxiety out of the process.

What I like about men in cravats...

So being snowed in has it perks... you have lots and lots of time on your hands to make music videos... This I made yesterday. I'm trying out a new editing program, hence the text in the middle of the frame. My regular program is not working at the moment. It's most vexing! But this new one is very good, with lots and lots of different effects and transitions. This I made yesterday:

The buses are still cancelled

So we'll have to see if I get to work tomorrow or not. The buses around here are still cancelled at least until midnight I suppose. I called work and warned them that I might not be able to come tomorrow either. It's almost half a meter snow at some places! :-o I haven't seen this much snow in years! And in the end of the week it's gonna thaw away again. :(
Some jerk that didn't bother to drive he's car in to his parking space again. No wait, I'm leaving it here, in the middle of the road. That's a good idea. NOT!

Snowed in

Nope, didn't get to work today. When I woke up this morning, I thought it best not to. According to the traffic rapport my bus was delayed or cancelled. I had snow up to my knees when we went out with doggie. So both me and my hubbie thought it best to stay indoors at home today. If I hadn't been 9 months pregnant, I might have gone to work later today, but as it is now, with this giant belly, I prefer to stay at home. Better to be safe than sorry.

I just got an email from work saying they wrote a vacation day on me today. Good, that way I don't loose any money for staying home due to the weather. It's snowing again. Not as heavy as before, but still.

Mummy wants!

I was surfing around on amazon the other day since I've gotten a email from them regarding a nice christmas sale. I found the coolest t-shirt I just have to buy for Peanut! Isn't it awesome? they had lots of cool t-shirts with funny things on them. Luckily enough I found a christmas present for my hubbie as well so I have a reason for purchasing things all the way from UK. It was quite cheep as well! Only £10,30 which is like 125 skr, very acceptable you konw. I so have to buy it!

Very pregnant Bambi on ice

It's not enough that we pregnant women have a hard time getting around as it is, but now the roads are very slippery as well! Took a walk with the dog last night and almost fell over. Like it's not enough that I'm aching as it is, now I'm very tensely walking around, trying not to slip. I think it is time to get the winter boots out I guess.

w 34 - Where has the time gone?

It feels like it was only a few weeks ago I got the positive result on the pregnancy test. Now I've gone 34 full weeks! Seriously!? Not long until Peanut is resting in my arms. I'm really getting emotional just thinking of it. The little life I've been carrying under my heart is soon out here in the real world, with us. I'm getting all misty eyed! I'm really longing to meet the little one in my belly!

Listening to the people that is having due dates in December most of them are getting tired of being pregnant and wishes their babies where on their way already. I can wait. Really. I'd rather have and early 09er than a very late 08er. I'm probably change my mind along the way, the closer till due date we get.

I've been suffering from heartburn and some Braxton Hicks contractions. Nothing serious though. But at this stage, any pain that is not usually there is nerve racking until you understand what it is. The heartburn is worse! I woke up last night with heartburn, and had to go get something for it. Like getting up to pee isn't enough! ;) And I'm looking more and more like a duck when walking. And I cannot walk as fast or as far as before. Getting to the bus in the morning is really taking it's toll on me. Only three more weeks to go, then maternity leave!

Your pregnancy: 34 weeks
Peanut: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

Me: By this week, fatigue has probably set in again, though maybe not with the same coma-like intensity of your first trimester. Your tiredness is perfectly understandable, given the physical strain you're under and the restless nights of frequent pee breaks and tossing and turning, while trying to get comfortable. Now's the time to slow down and save up your energy for labor day (and beyond). If you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, causing a temporary drop in your blood pressure when you get up that can make you feel dizzy.

There is an alien in my belly!

I have finally gotten a really good shot of Peanut moving in my belly! My darling is very sad that he cannot see it. He doesn't even want to try and feel it anymore because he claims he cannot feel anything. Everybody else who has put there hands on me has felt Peanut very well. I'm so sad that he doesn't even want to try. :( I want him to feel a part of this to.

Better late than never...

I have totally forgotten to tell you about my antenatal clinic visit on Wednesday. Perhaps the funeral got in the way, and I have been feeling a bit poorly. I've been home now yesterday and today, just taking it easy. I was so tired and thought I might be coming down with a cold, but nothing seems to be happening. My back was killing me on Wednesday and so did my pelvis, I could hardly walk. Better safe than sorry I called in sick.

Anyways, everything seemed normal according to my midwife. Peanut's head is down but still movable. Just as it should be. I haven't gain anything since last time, rather lost a kilo. But I was there in the morning without eating before, so I guess that doesn't really count. But it's still very good. :-) I give everything to Peanut and keeps nothing for myself! ;-) hehe. How very unselfish of me. Peanut's heart beated with 146 beats/minute.

It's been quite nice being home these last two days. Most of the time has of course been spent in front of the xbox and Guitar Hero Aerosmith that my hubbie bought the other day. Dangerous shit... Very addictive... ;-)

Another type of craving...

Most people gets some kind of cravings during their pregnancy, most often something food related. But not me. Ok the occational sweet tooth or chocolate, but that I get all the time. Yesterday the biggest craving of the all hit. And it has nothing to do with food. No, I crave Mr Thornton in Elizabeth Gaskell's novel North and South. Or rather Richard Armitage playing Mr Thornton in BBC's version. Perhaps he's more known as Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood.

I blame the craving on a friend online who had just found N&S and fallen in love. After that the discussion was unevitable. Perhaps it was led in the wrong forum (Becoming Jane Fansite) but we hopless romantics stick together even across the literary borders. The book has been sitting on my shelf for quite some time actually, but it wasn't until I stumbled on the adaptation on Youtube when I remembered it. I bought it years ago in Englind when I work there, in hope of it being the book behind North and South from the 80s with Patrick Swayze, but alas I was mistaken. I think I read about a chapter before giving up. This was not the civil war in America, this was somewhere in England. So I quit. If Mr Thornton had been present I'm sure I had continued, but he is not introduced until later. So I missed qoutes like this:

“Oh, my Margaret--my Margaret! no one can tell what you are to me! Dead--cold as you lie there, you are the only woman I ever loved! Oh, Margaret--Margaret!” Inarticulately as he [Mr Thornton] spoke, kneeling by her, and rather moaning than saying the words, he started up, ashamed of himself, as his mother came in. She saw nothing, but her son a little paler, a little sterner than usual.

Who doesn't want to be spoken to like that? Serious hotness! Unfortunate the object for this passionate speech is unconcsious after being hit by a rock meant for Mr Thornton. This is not included in the adaptation, however. But the look in Armitage's eyes after kneeling by Margaret's side is awesome.

I have now read the book and it is one of my favourites. I am a hopeless romantic and always will be. So now it is time for a N&S marathon before my hubbie gets home. Do you think he can manage a date with Armitage for me? Perhaps not...

All pics are taken from Richard Armitage Online.

w 33 - new stretch marks...

OMG! Less than 50 days till due date! What happened with all the time I had? I discovered new stretch marks on the bottom of my belly when I inspected the newly taken pics of my belly! :-o Horrid thought. Luckily enough what's causing them is the most beautiful baby in the world! ;-) Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I've very few stretch marks compared to other people. And my pregnancy has been very easy. I'm very satisfied. I was sure I was going to be more of a hippo by now, but I haven't gained that much weight.

It's only a month before I go on maternity leave. Honestly I'm really looking forward to it. I'm quite sick of working at the moment. I'm really tired at the moment and my mood is swinging like the 50's. Seriously, one wrong word and I'm biting your head off or close to tears. I don't like it. Then it's good to have hormones to blame everything on! hehe...

Your pregnancy: 33 weeks
Peanut:This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

Me: As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

Many women are still feeling sexy at this stage — and their partners often agree. You may need to make some adjustments, but for most women, sex during pregnancy is fine right up until their water breaks or their labor starts.

My maternity leave is ok!

Yes, sir! About a month left before I'm off! I work my last day 12 of December. It's gonna be so nice to go home and prepare for birth. I haven't exactly said when I'll be back, but that I don't mind working in the summer when the others are on vacation so that my darling can get some time off as well. Then I can take some more time off in the autumn before going back to work. It's a whole science about the maternity leave and how to get the most of the days you are entitled to. Ah well, I'm sure it will work out just fine.

Peanut's been having hiccups from time to time now. My whole belly is shivering when s/he starts! ;) Poor little one. Yesterday I picked up one of my darling's cats (which are living with my father in law), the one that is constantly talking and put her on my belly, she was meowing away like crazy and Peanut started hiccuping! Star was almost falling off my belly because it was shivering so! ;)

Most of those I've talked to thinks I'm expecting a little boy. I myself is on the fence. My darling is pretty sure he saw something on the ultrasound that points in that direction. ;) Only a few thinks it's a little girl in there... Ah well, not too long until we get to meet the one whose hiding in there! I can't wait! ;)

I've lost my husband to the xbox

My darling turned 30 the other day. He has been craving a xbox 360 for some time now, and since he got money from his mother he was not late in going and buy one. Since then, midday on Friday, I have scarcely gotten two coherent words out of him. ;) We got Fable II as a first game to the console. I too want to play! He's got first dibs of course, seeing as it is actually his present. I can't wait to get Guitar Hero! Then me and Peanut's gonna rock all night long! ;)

When we were in Gävle to buy the console I got to go to IKEA at lest. Checked out what they got for Peanut and so. Good to know until next time. The internet site can only do so much. I want to feel the materials. I've got a pretty good clue on what I want to buy for the cradle now and other small bits and pieces that we'll be needing.

At least it will not be a giant baby!

Got to see the little miracle today! Just to make sure that I'm not having a giant baby I got an extra ultrasound. Peanut is now weighing 1879 grams and everything looked just fine. So it's not a giant baby in there, but a slightly smaller than normal one. I really don't mind since I'm the one giving birth to it! ;) No new pic though... :(

Tonight we're going up to my father in law. My darling's 30th birthday is tomorrow so we decided to take a few days vacation. It's gonna be soooo nice and much needed. ;)

w 32 - The wheat pillow is my friend

After having a quite nice pregnancy without much pain or other symptoms, my back has started aching and some undefined ache in the bottom of the belly. Almost as before my period. Hopefully it's just something to do with partying this weekend, along with sleeping in a not too comfortable bed. I have used our wheat pillow now since Sunday on my belly and on the back. Nice and warm and soothing. Helps a bit anyways.

Peanut's been rummaging around in my belly like crazy. Perhaps that can explain some of the aching as well. It's like I'm getting tired in the stomach from all the kicking. I know I shouldn't be complaining since I've had a really easy pregnancy so far.

I have also begun worrying about not knowing when the labor starts. My darling thinks it's one of those things you just know. Like an instinct. I know that he's right, but still I worry. Silly me.

Tomorrow it's time for my second ultrasound. I'm really looking forward to see Peanut again! I hope I get a little picture as we did last time, but it didn't say anything about it in the letter I got.

Your pregnancy: 32 weeks

See the big picture

Peanut:By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.) Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

Me: To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often. You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

I now pronounce you man and wife...

Yes, the big secret is now out. We became Mr and Mrs A last weekend, the 25th of October that is. Very naughty of us of course. Only our two witnesses knew about it. We were marrid in Norrtälje Rådhus at one o'clock. After that we went to our country house to take some pictures. We ate dinner at a Chinese restaurant, then spent the night home with bubbly and friends.

This weekend we invited our friends to our country house to celebrate that my husband turns 30 on Thursday and letting everybody know we are now married. I was a bit worried that they would get a bit cranky, but everybody seemed genuinly happy for us. From the beginning we had planned to get married on Saturday, but the man who was marrying us was not available. So there was really nothing we could do. The whole thing was revealed by a cake with a bride and groom on it. It turned out to be a very fun party for all! Pics are found here. Of course the guys will drag my darling out on a post stagnight. But that's ok. Hopefully the girls will do something for me as well, but I'm not counting on it.


Peanut was not on his/her most social side, but was petted anyways. At the moment it's not so much that s/he is kicking, but moving around making the tummy take funny shapes. So if you touch it you can feel a hard behind. ;-)