Me, Myself & I

...

2009-07-26T20:16:00.002+02:00

Okay so I've been working for two weeks now. Very busy indeed... ;) Or not. But still, not really had the time to update this blog. I'm not sure if anyone's reading anyways... If there is any soul out there checking in from time to time, please leave some love or else I will end this blog and forward you to my Swedish one where there is a translater and updates several times a week.

Ah, well, here's last week's pics anyway, in case anyone accidentally drops by... ;)

Cutie

2009-07-12T11:23:00.001+02:00

No words necessary...

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-07-09T22:10:00.001+02:00

Yup I was born 29 years ago, 1:33 pm. Yey me. One more year to the big three-o...

Last week's pics

2009-07-09T07:37:00.001+02:00

Was going to publish this yesterday, but being alone with three kids isn't very easy, although two of them is most of the time managing their own business. Éomer has been a real screaming monkey when he's getting tired. As soon as he is close to fall asleep he starts screaming and crying as if one has put a knife in him. I don't get it. It's very tiresome indeed. Especially when I know there's nothing wrong with him...

Last week's pics and update

2009-06-30T23:17:00.001+02:00

Okay, so the heat has come to Sweden. And it's HOT. I kid you not. Around 30 degrees C. Not easy with a little boy who can't run around in the water, but has to stay in the shadow. It's not so appreciated from time to time. He hate being left in the shadow, well, at the moment he hate being on his own, period. He has to be held all the time. It's not easy to do things around the apartment with a son, turned koala. He is not satisfied for more than five minutes at the time, and rarely sleeps. It's too hot to sleep. Bleh!

Were at the doctor's for a 6 months check up today. Everything was fine, the doctor found Éomer to be a lively little boy. And directly asked if we picked the name from Lord of the Rings. Hehe. Not the same as the last time. He was totally clueless. ;) Éomer had grown a bit. Is now 66,5 cm long and weighs 6750 g. Not the biggest of babies, but a bundle of joy to us! When he's not whining or screaming that is. ;)

So here's some pics from last week.

Last weeks pics

2009-06-15T23:25:00.000+02:00

The week before last's pics

2009-06-15T17:02:00.001+02:00

Have finally had the time to sit down and do some scrapping for you! :) Enjoy!

It's been some time

2009-06-12T22:17:00.003+02:00

Been busy with the move and everything and haven't really had time to hang in front of the computer. On top of that we don't have a real internet connection in our new apartment so I had to get a mobile broadband. But I got a little mini laptop too. And quite cheap too. I like it.

So Éomer is growing as usual. Have been to the nurse a couple of times, I had to come back to get the vaccine because when we were there the first time he had had a fever the day before. He is now 65 cm long and weighs about 6,5 kilos. He had actually lost about 20 grams the first time we were there, but he gained 215 in a week. Hehe, I've started giving him porridge and some purées since it seems my breast milk isn't enough anymore.

We are all settling in in the new apartment nicely. We still have some stuff in the old apartment and need to clean it before we hand in the keys. I'm hoping we'll be able to fix that this weekend. Then I can really feel like we've moved. We have really nice neighbours, one of them I met at the open daycare a couple of months ago. It's really nice to have people you can talk to and ask for help really close. I got to babt sit her two eldest yesterday when she had to go to the doctor. :)

So, today Éomer turned from back to tummy for the first, and then second time. You know he turned the other way about a month ago, and hasn't really done it since. Well, he did actually once on Tuesday when my neighbour was here, she was also the one who witnessed the last turns! Good influence or what?

last weeks pics

2009-06-02T15:38:00.000+02:00

Congrats, Éomer 5 months

2009-05-29T23:25:00.001+02:00

Éomer is talking seriously!

2009-05-25T21:29:00.001+02:00

Last weeks pics

2009-05-25T15:30:00.000+02:00

Cutie pie

2009-05-23T15:46:00.001+02:00

In new clothes and everything! :)

Last weeks pics

2009-05-20T15:05:00.000+02:00

Better late than never... ;)

Ridiculously proud mum!

2009-05-15T18:16:00.004+02:00

Yes, it's insane how proud you get as soon as you little one makes the tiniest progress. But turning from belly to back is a big deal. It's kind of huge actually! At least in my book. ;) And today Éomer turned not once, not twice but three times from belly to back! It's ridiculous how proud I am. I mean I wanted to tell a complete stranger that he had turned today! How silly is that? ;) I managed to get it on camera at least! Yey!

I also give you a cute pic from yesterday's photosession in bed. ;) Although it's a bit out of focus I absolutely adore this picture of Éomer.

The mystery of laughing and new sounds...

2009-05-09T20:16:00.003+02:00

Éomer has not yet fully mastered the art of laughing, but he is on his way! And is really ticklish!

The farting sound is Éomer's favourite at the moment...

New best buds

2009-05-04T13:51:00.001+02:00

I give you a cute pic with Éomer and his newest friend Erik!

Éomer 4 months

2009-04-30T12:04:00.003+02:00

Time flies when you're having fun. How true. I often find that there's not enough hours in the day for everything I really need to have done. For some reason I get caught up in Éomer. Just watching him, admiring him, playing with him... I mean, I even forget to eat!

Now the little one has turned 4 months, and has grown considerably. He now weighs 6330 grams, is 64 cm long and his head is 41 cm around. :) Not the biggest of children, but just perfect for us.
I have been bitten by the digiscrap bug. It's so much fun!

Mama's big boy!

2009-04-28T20:53:00.007+02:00

My little darling is sitting up! It's sick! Well, perhaps not totally on his own, and perhaps not for very long, but still! He's sitting up! He's been trying to get up from the sitter for some time now, so yesterday I placed him on the sofa, and sure enough, he sat a few seconds before he fell to the side.And today, I rose him up in the pram and there he sat, with a little bit of help from the cover, for quite some time. He even almost fell back once, but rose up again! :-D I'm so proud. I mean, he's only four months old!
Isn't he cute?! I can't believe how he's progressing. A bit too fast, perhaps. But I cannot be anything else but proud of him!

This weeks pics

2009-04-26T16:40:00.002+02:00

I am as usual too lazy to update this blog. But I have at The Éomer - Experience put in a translator for those of you who wants to see what I'm up to. Ok so the translation sucks, but it gives you kind of an idea anyways. Better than nothing, right?

Anyway, I give you this weeks pictures. :-) I've become interested in digi scrapping, and have used some of those techniques in this collage. Enjoy!

Home again

2009-04-14T10:43:00.002+02:00

This years Easter is over and we're home again. As always with these Holidays you eat too much and do very little else! ;-) But that's ok. They don't happen too often. I've only gained 200 grams since last week, so that's ok. :-) I'm trying to lose about 10-15 kilos. All the pregnancy weight is gone at least, and now it's the weight I gained when I stopped smoking I'm trying to walk off.

Let's see what else is new... Well, we're moving in the beginning of June. Have found a larger apartment not far from where we live now. Éomer is going to have his own room when he's big enough. :-) Thanks to the open daycare center I've met two women who lives there. We've started taking walks every night. Long walks, like hour long walks. Very good for the figure. :-)

Happy Easter in PJs

2009-04-10T09:45:00.003+02:00

Éomer got this cute PJ from his grandmother the other day. He really likes it! :) And it is so darn cute!

Small toes need not freeze!

Happy Easter!

Éomer three months old!

2009-03-29T21:51:00.002+02:00

Yet another month has gone by without me hardly noticing it. I'm quite busy with being the mother of a most wonderful son. Well, not he's not wonderful all the time. He's got quite the temper... It's kinda weird to think that I was on the hospital three months ago, laying in the recovery room all alone, longing for my hubbie and baby. I had only seen him for a short time after the c-section before being whisked away to the recovery room. But then after eleven they came to visit me. The most beautiful thing in the world. I'm getting teary eyed just thinking of it!

Isn't he just the cutest thing you ever saw?!

Baby in training

2009-02-28T18:37:00.002+01:00

To celebrate the fact that Éomer is now 2 months old we bought him a babygym. We found a really nice one from Tiny Love at Babyproffsen, where we had a gift certificate. Éomer was thrilled! He lay for a while and just watched all the new stuff that hung down towards him before setteling for a favourite. After that he kept busy, chirping and laughing away on his own.

our little farty!

2009-02-25T18:59:00.002+01:00

I don't know if it's because of my medication or what, but Éomer has gotten very farty. But he's still the cutest!

Went to the open daycare again to day. Got back the inprints of Éomer's little hand and foot we made two weeks ago. So cute!

Look who's talking

2009-02-22T20:02:00.002+01:00

Éomer has started to communicate more with us. It's wonderful!

Bad, bad me!

2009-02-21T22:07:00.006+01:00

I've neglected you again. Ok, I'm not sure how many there are out there who actually reads this blog, but I'm hoping a few souls anyways. The thing is, I regularly updates my other blog, the one in Swedish, but then I forget about this one. Of course it's double the trouble of writing the same thing again, but in English. But also a great way to practice my English.

On top of being a fairly new mum, I'm sick. It started with my darling being sick, then I caught what he got, but recovered quite quick. My mum was here visiting, we had a dinner party for two of our couple-friends. Éomer was of course the center of attention, but as soon as he fell asleep, the xbox got the attention and we all played Guitar Hero. Awesome party game actually. Anyway, that week me and Éomer along with my parent group went to the open daycare across the street. A great way to meet other parents on leave. And for the kids to play of course. Éomer is a bit to little so far, but it's good to go anyway. So on Sunday I got sick again. Really sour throat, headache and sniffles, a really bad cold so to speak.

On Monday me and Éomer took the bus down to Täby to go meet an old friend of mine. She's living in the UK nowadays, but was visiting Sweden with her family. She has a daughter that's six months. I haven't seen her for ages. I had to go, though feeling ill.

Me and Éomer 12th of Febuary

On Tuesday Éomer got to see the doctor for the first time. He checked that everything was fine with Éomer, which it was. He is now ruffly 58 cm long and weighs about 5 kilos. Our little boy is perfect! :)

Joshing around with daddy today

On Tuesday night my left ear started hurting. I took two painkillers and krept into bed, not thinking more of it. The next day, the ear felt fine, though blocked. I feel slightly better, so I go to see the parent group. We talked about sleeping routines and how to get there. Still, Éomer is too young to really have routines. But he sleeps really good, eats one to twice a night, and I think that is ok.

On Thursday my throat is really killing me and I'm really having trouble to swallow anything. My mum tells me to go to the doctor. I hesitate. I know what they are going to say. It's just a really bad cold, it's something that is going around these days... I've heard it before. But later I decide to go to the doctor anyway. It's better to know than not. Yes, I'm actually sick. But it's not my throat, but my ears. A nasty earinfection on both ears. Thanks a lot!

So there you have it. I'm on medication and slowly starting to feel better. Éomer is luckily enough well and happy and that's the main thing.

Éomer is one month old!

2009-01-30T12:46:00.002+01:00

Yes, time flies... He's already one month old my little darling. He is now 55 cm long, weighs 4205g and his head is 37,2cm around. He's getting big! We were at the one month check up today and everything looked great. His reflexes are where they should, he can fixate and follow objects held in front of him and he is really trying to crawl when lying on his belly!

Éomer is now sleeping in his cradle during night time, well sometimes during the day also. It's a bit sad to see him "leave" our bed, but he has to learn sometime! I'm still getting up several times during the night just to see if he's breathing, or jumping up for odd noises coming from the cradle. I'm so afraid I'm going to miss something! ;-) But I'm learning to hear what noises means what now. Which is very good, since my darling doesn't hear anything... Well, he needs his sleep since he's gone back to work. I have the night shift. Or rather, the whole enchilada-shift! ;-)

yes I am the worst blogger ever

2009-01-23T12:26:00.004+01:00

At least on this blog. My Swedish one is updated more often... Sorry... It's that with translating and writing everything twice... I rarely have the time anymore. My fanfiction is also suffering for it. But I'm trying to keep up!

Well, we are finding some sort of routine at home now anyway. My darling started working again on Monday. He hates it of course, leaving us sleeping in the morning. And Éomer is rarely awake when he gets home in the evening. Well, he wakes up, gets a new nappie, eats and then falls asleep again. Not very social in the evenings anymore...

I had the first meeting with the parent group on Wednesday. We were 6 women in different ages, half of us had our first child. It's good to get to know more people around here. We have most of our friends in Stockholm, and out of reach... ;-) I also went to see our nurse on Wednesday. Éomer had gained 440 g since last time and is now weighing 3850g! The nurse was sure I have just cream in my boobs! hehe... well that's nice to know. He's eating as he should and my milk is great!

A little videoclip of my sweetheart. He's got the hiccups the poor thing...

Babybubble

2009-01-10T15:52:00.003+01:00

I am so sorry that I have neglected you for so long. I'm in some sort of bubble at the moment. Between nursing, sleeping and changing... Well, that's my life's story at the moment. Éomer is very easy going at the moment. The nursing is finally coming along great, and he has gained the weight he lost during the first week. He's sleeping most of the time, but is starting to stay awake for longer than just breast feeding. He's so cute! I'm so in love with him!

Today we gave him his first bath. Not very impressed, I must say. Perhaps it was because his mummy was a bit to generous with the baby oil that his father had to change the water and fetch the soap to get it out if Éomer's hair. ;-) Ah well, we are all beginners.

Right on schedule

2008-12-31T22:03:00.003+01:00

On Monday at 7:05 pm (swedish time) our son Éomer was born through c-section. Not what we had planned but it was what was best for the baby. He got really stressed in the end and they decided it was the best alternitive.

I will write a longer more detailed note on the labour when I have more energy. I have hardly slept since half past three on Monday morning.

w 39 - Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T18:21:00.004+01:00

It's quite weird to think this is the last week really. I mean, at Christmas last year I was quite depressed and very un-pregnant and we decided to take a break from everything even remotely connected with making babies. When I think about it we only had sex once under those fertile days and that was enough. Especially since we did our best to have as much as possible before we took the break and it didn't work. ;-) It took eight months to create this miracle that is now growing under my heart. Now all that is left is to see when it decides to grace the world with its presence. ;-) I rather hope it will be fashionably late and come after new years. I have promised my mother in law, who is working for the hospital driving ambulances around here not to go into labour while we are here. She has never gone on a labour call before. And seriously, I don't wish her to be there when I go into labour, my darling will be just enough. ;-)

My feet has gone hobbit-size now. It's not a pretty sight I promise you. But I'm ok. I try my best to sit with my feet up to prevent them from getting bigger. My hands are also larger than usual. But I'm ok with that as long as Peanut decides to stay inside until after New years. ;-)

My darling bought the first Christmas gifts for Peanut today. One of them is a bear which will be packed in the bag we're taking to the delivery room, the other I don't know because I had left the store when he bought it. I'm sure it's something cute.

Your pregnancy: 39 weeks Peanut: Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. 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: At each of your now-weekly visits, your caregiver will do an abdominal exam to check your baby's growth and position. She might also do an internal exam to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). But even armed with this information, there's still no way for your caregiver to predict exactly when your baby is coming. If you go past your due date, your caregiver will schedule you for fetal testing (usually a sonogram) after 40 weeks to ensure that it's safe to continue the pregnancy. If you don't go into labor on your own, most practitioners will induce labor when you're between one and two weeks overdue — or sooner if there's an indication that the risk of waiting is greater than the risks of delivering your baby without further delay.

While you're waiting, it's important to continue to pay attention to your baby's movements and let your caregiver know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown in activity could be a sign of a problem. Also call if you think your water may have broken. Membranes rupture before the beginning of labor in about 8 percent of term pregnancies. Sometimes there's a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there's only a small gush or a slow leak. (Don't try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak.) If you rupture your membranes and don't start contractions on your own, you'll be induced.

We have arrived

2008-12-22T10:43:00.002+01:00

Or actually, we arrived saftely to my father in law on Saturday. But I've tried to be as social as can be and therefore not had the time to update here. I'm trying to take it easy and just rest and let everybody else do the hard work for once. Luckily enough my brother in law's new girlfriend is activating the children, making candy and stuff.

On the downside my car, which I lended to my brother in law, broke down just as they arrived up here. I'm glad they at least got here. Not that it's my fault really, but I still feel responsible! I really don't have time to worry about that as well. :-(

I'm glad to say that Peanut doens't seem to want to come out early at least. I so hope for the baby to stay in until after New Years... Well, one can dream, can't one? :-)

My midwife cries rest!

2008-12-19T17:19:00.002+01:00

Yes, my blood pressure was a bit higher than usual today. We tried taking it three times, but it wouldn't come down to a satisfying rate. But she didn't think it was any problem. Just some need of good rest. So she said to lay down a bit more than I have this week. Easy for her to say! It's Christmas next week! Who has time to take it easy? We leave for the north tomorrow to go and stay with my father in law and visit my darling's relatives. I have said that as soon as I feel it's getting close to starting we're leaving! But I am still pretty sure Peanut won't come until next year. But you never know...

Otherwise everything looked great. Peanut's little heart beat with 151 beats/ minute, the poor thing had the hiccups! The head was still not fixed, but movable, but it's likely to stay that way even if labour should start. I got another time for a meeting on the 7th of January. God that feels like ages away! If peanut's not out yet we have to schedule to induce labour before the 12th. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Ah, well, I'm off to the couch again then... I will keep you posted on what's going on!

w 38 - Maternity leave

2008-12-17T12:03:00.003+01:00

"So, how does it feel to be on leave?" The question started coming on Friday even before I went home for the day. Yes well... I haven't been really off yet, have I? Today it still feels like I'm off sick or on vacation. I can't really say. But it's kind of nice just being home, minding my own business, taking it easy. Of course it feels weird not to get up in the morning, getting ready for work as usual. But my schedule is kind of full this week anyway. Yesterday I had dinner with the girls. Lots of baby talk of course, today I'm making sheets for the cradle out of old sheets from grandma's, tomorrow I'm going to take my picture for my new drivers licence and visiting a friend at work, and on Friday I'm off to the antenatal clinic again and checking out the Christmas market at Skansen. So it's not like I'm getting bored just yet. And next week, well it's Christmas!

My mother's bought a coverall for Peanut. One of those fuzzy things with ears and a little tail. Very cute. S/he won't be cold when we drive home from the delivery room anyways. :-) We have also finally ordered the car seat from our insurance company, we decided to rent throughout the first years. Much cheaper really and the last chair we get to keep. Very good indeed!

Your pregnancy 38 weeks:
Peanut: Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

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: For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

Happy Birthday Dear Jane Austen

2008-12-16T14:41:00.002+01:00

It's Jane Austen's 233rd birthday today and of course I've made a video for her! Take a look!

w 37 - I am a zebra

2008-12-09T20:03:00.003+01:00

Yes I am. The stretch marks is just getting more and more. Ah well, it's good to know that it contains something wonderful! ;) even if the wrapping is getting striped. The belly must have grown quite a bit because today I got the first reaction from somebody I didn't know. "Oh dear, when are you due?!" this comes from a woman I actually met in the corridor like last week. She hasn't said anything before now. ;) That's ok. But according to the midwife the womb is only one centimetre larger than last time.

Everything went well at the midwife's today. Peanut's head is now less movable than before, but not yet fixated. I asked if it was ok to go away for Christmas, and she didn't see any problem with that as long as I brought my journal with me. If it should start all you have to do is to call the nearest clinic. Nemas problemas. But after and around the due date she thought it best if we stayed at home. But hopefully Peanut will not make and entrance into this world until next year. That would be the best really. Of course I'm longing to meet him/her, but still, it's so much easier to be born early in the year than very late.

Peanut's heart beated with 133 beats/minute today, the slowest yet. My bloodpressure was good as always, I've gained one kilo since last time which brings me to a total of 9 kilos so far. That's ok I think.

Your pregnancy: 37 weeks
Peanut: Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away. Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

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: Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some "bloody show" (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.) Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn't yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you'll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.

While you're sleeping, you're likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

Still going strong

2008-12-08T11:15:00.002+01:00

Last week of work! Yey! I'm really getting tired of going to work every week day. Most people I've talked to think I'm crazy for still working. ;-) But my work entail sitting on my ass answering the phone all day, nothing more nothing less. Not really hard work. ;-) I could really go on being pregnant a while longer, but that is probably because I've had a really easy pregnancy. And even though I long to meet the little miracle who's hiding in my belly, I hope s/he stays until at least new year's morning.

Apparently my belly has grown quite a bit the last week, at least according to my collegue who has been away for a week. I'm not so sure... We'll have to compare with the new pics tomorrow. It's also time to visit the midwife again tomorrow. It's gonna be fun to see what the scales stops at tomorrow. I think I haven't gained that much since I've been quite on the move the last week. My darling's been working late and I had to walk both to and from the bus, like one extra mile a day.

My mum is really getting anxious to meet her grandchild. She encourage me to take long walks, walk staircases, cleaning and so on anything to make the labour start. I say no! I'm really taking it easy right now... Spends lots of time on the couch. ;-)

w 36 - I think I'm taking in water...

2008-12-03T09:37:00.002+01:00

Yes, my feet are really expanding, my hands as well. I'm feeling like a blob. But that's what's suppose to happen the last month of pregnancy right? I mean, I'm lucky who has been spared so far. My dear co-workers was astounded by the size of my belly yesterday. They said it had grown just over night. I believe it was due to the top I was wearing. It's empire cut under the bust. Very cute, and very belly-friendly. And to add to that this was just after munching down a kebab with fries for lunch! ;-)

It's really a blessing to know that I only got this week and next left to work before going on maternity leave. You don't want to mess with me right now. I flare up very easily!

I am now finally Mrs A. There was some mix up with the names before and my middle name was still there, but now I'm just Mrs A. At last!

Week 36:
Peanut: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

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: Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you're full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn't broken, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity or think you're leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.

And now the snow is gone...

2008-11-28T09:10:00.002+01:00

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?

2008-11-26T10:34:00.005+01:00

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...

2008-11-25T10:05:00.002+01:00

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

2008-11-24T19:46:00.002+01:00

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

2008-11-24T08:51:00.003+01:00

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!

2008-11-19T14:31:00.003+01:00

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

2008-11-19T08:36:00.004+01:00

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?

2008-11-18T20:03:00.002+01:00

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!

2008-11-16T16:52:00.002+01:00

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...

2008-11-14T22:01:00.003+01:00

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...

2008-11-14T14:13:00.002+01:00

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...

2008-11-11T21:35:00.003+01:00

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!

2008-11-10T09:10:00.002+01:00

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

2008-11-09T10:26:00.002+01:00

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!

2008-11-05T14:52:00.003+01:00

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

2008-11-04T09:43:00.006+01:00

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...

2008-11-03T09:42:00.003+01:00

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. ;-)

Visiting the antenatal clinic

2008-10-29T17:09:00.002+01:00

So I went to see the midwife today. Everything looked fine. At the moment Peanut is lying with his/her head down and bottom up. I thought so since I've gotten kicked upwards. She could even feel that Peanut often lay on the right side under my breast kicking! Hehe. Peanut got a little upset when she wanted to listen to the heart beat and started kicking and boxing for a while. S/he's a little shy at the moment I guess. I didn't have to check my blood sugar today, but will have to do it next time.

Peanut's heart beated with 144 beats/minute today, and my blood pressure was just fine. I haven't gained any weight since last time, which is kind of a relief. Everybody says you gain most weight in the last trimester. The belly keeps on growing and the womb is now 31 cm. Which is just normal.

Got a appointment but I have to change the time because I'm at a funeral that day. Hopefully I'll get an earlier time the same day.

Can't wait till my ultrasound next week!

Goodmorning!

2008-10-29T08:49:00.003+01:00

What weather that greeted us this morning. Fog and slippery roads. A bit scared to cross the road when I don't see the other side. It's not easy to slip around like Bambi on ice when you are pregnant, let me tell you! You have to try to be even more careful than usual. I really need to switch to my winter boots soon if this weather keeps on.

I sent a message to my hubbie telling him to take it easy in the traffic this morning. Anything can happen. My co worker spun around on the parking lot when she tried to turn. ;)

Belly pic w 31

2008-10-28T18:09:00.001+01:00

Yes, it has gotten bigger... and isn't it a bit lower?

w 31 - Best to start early...

2008-10-28T11:10:00.006+01:00

I accidentally drank a beer on Sunday, you know a strong one! I took one of my darling's Heinikens instead of my alcohol free Carlsberg. He laughed when I said I felt a bit strange. Well, nearly eight months of no alcohol does that to a woman I guess. ;) I felt so ashamed! Seriously. Poor Peanut. Well, best start early I guess! ;) I don't think any harm's done, but I still feel like a very bad mother that cannot see the difference between a Carlsberg and a Heineken.

Peanut is now most of the time wedged in under my ribs and kicking upwards, making my boobs jump! ;) Feels very weird. And if s/he's not up there, s/he's down lurking around my blatter, making me feel the need to pee all the time. Most annoying actually, and not really comfortable. But hey, I'm not complaining. I like that s/he's moving!

A new pic of my belly will be posted later today when I've gotten my darling to take one! ;)

Your pregnancy: 31weeks
Peanut: This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

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: Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!

If you're having a boy, you and your partner will want to take some time to think about whether or not to have your baby circumcised. Find out the pros and cons from your doctor, and what the procedure involves.

ps: and very very secret. My darling's finally made an honest woman out of me. We got married on Saturday! ;) wee I can now call myself a wife! Check our pic out here!

Fridays are always the best

2008-10-24T13:30:00.002+02:00

Yes, after a week of hormones messing with my head. I slept very badly in the beginning of the week, but now I've gotten two whole nights without any heartburn or toilet visits or a darling that doesn't appreciate my snoring. Ah well, now it's Friday and weekend! ;) That is enough to make anyone happy.

Yesterday we went to Danderyds hospital for a lecture on how it is to give birth at their maternity clinic. The midwife talked about what kind of pain relief there was to chose from and so on. I would so like to try to give birth without any drugs, but my darling thinks I'm crazy. Just because he knows how low my pain threshold is. But I believe this is a different pain that you can endure as a mother to be, but he thinks I should take the drugs just because. Luckely enough I'm in charge! ;) My body is built for giving birth. I'm gonna make it. I'm sure of it.

30 full weeks - jikes!

2008-10-22T08:50:00.003+02:00

Well, today it's 30w1d. I forgot to update yesterday... Lots on my mind as of late. I've been starting to think about how we're supposed to get by on just one full income when I'm on maternity leave. I get like half my income when I'm home. Then my co worker got the brilliant idea of me working over the summer when the other ones are on vacation. I get like two full months pay and my darling can be home with the baby. I thought it a very good idea, to save maternity days. And besides, I cost less if I work than my darling because he takes the car everyday and gas is so not cheap here in Sweden. Ah well, I guess we'll manage somehow. We always do. ;)

Tomorrow we're visiting the maternity ward at the hospital where I'm going to give birth for an open lecture about giving birth there. My midwife thought it good we go to see what kind of options we will have once it's time to give birth. It's going to be very interesting, I have no idea what to expect when it's time... And to be honest, I'm trying not to think about it too much. I'm sure it will work out just fine once I'm in there. ;-) I mean my body is built for carrying children then I'm sure it knows what to do when it comes to that! hehe...

Your pregnancy: 30 weeks

Peanut:Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

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: You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

This week the information is brought to you by babycenter.

w 29 - A little rascal in my belly

2008-10-14T20:31:00.002+02:00

Peanut doesn't give me much time without kicking nowadays. It feels like s/he's constantly on the move. Kicking here and there, knocking the head against my ribs or just I don't know, break dancing? Or sneezing, because that's how it feels. It's not easy to concentrate on ones work when you have a little rascal in the belly that keeps on kicking you! ;-) I'm just caught with a silly smile on my face, rubbing my tummy. My darling thinks I'm weird. I don't blame him. He's a bit frustrated at the moment because every time I tell him to feel for kicks, Peanut goes very still. Not very nice. And thinks it's a bit scary I guess, kind of alieny or something. Feels weird to feel something move inside my belly. What a wanker! ;-) Ah well, I love love him anyways! ;-)

Week 29: To pee or not to pee...

Peanut:If you’ve been feeling butterflies moving around in your belly, it’s not just your run-of-the-mill pre-birth performance anxiety. No, it’s your amazing baby with a case of the hiccups: a fairly common occurrence at this point resulting from practising breathing for their big birthday. In addition, to getting a round of butterfly-like hiccups, your little swimmer has arduously managed to accumulate enough baby fat to account for nearly 3.5% of their overall body weight. Yeah, compared to we adults, it’s not a lot, but when they’re little like that—it’s certainly a healthy (and warming) accomplishment in its way. Another fantastic accomplishment: your baby's spleen is now in charge of hematopoiesis—the 10 dollar name for the process involved in building up certain important blood components. Another fantastic-accomplishment: your little monkey has been peeing into their amniotic sac for a little while now (this is why potty training takes a while) and if you didn’t know, actually swallows it along with the rest of the amniotic fluid. Although the concept is nasty, their urine is sterile and as part of the amniotic fluid base, is replaced several times throughout the day. So if you didn’t know before, now you can tell people, that yes, you drank your own urine—you were still in the womb, but nonetheless, you’ve been there.

Me: Here’s another new-parenting-issue that you probably don’t have the time or energy to handle: the decision whether or not to breastfeed. If you thought this was one of the obvious ones (stick out breast, attach child, feeding commences!), think again. Right off the bat, there are women that simply cannot breastfeed for medical reasons—and have no choice in the matter but to opt for formula-feeding. Then there are the women who attempt to breast-feed and run out of milk, or the baby won’t latch on (they even have breast-feeding classes because despite the apparent animal-easiness of the behavior, some babies just don’t take to breastfeeding).

Now, if you are planning or deciding whether or not to breastfeed, here are some of the big reasons why it’s a great thing for you and your little “sucker”: breastfeeding actually releases a hormone that will help you relax (and if you don’t nurse milk production will actually cease: i.e. use it or lose it!). If you choose to breastfeed, your body will produce oxytocin—(no, not Oxycotin, Rush Limbaugh already took care of that), which actually increases uterine contractions to decrease post-birth vaginal bleeding.

And the vain reason to breastfeed: all that charming excess body fat you’ve gained is used for milk production, thus making it MUCH easier for you to return to you pre-pregnancy weight. Also, nursing mothers’ bones re-mineralize faster than those who don’t and are less likely to contract ovarian or uterine cancer before and after menopause. Not to mention the fact that breastfeeding means you’re directly bolstering your baby’s immune system. For even more reasons why your child will benefit from breastfeeding, visit womenshealth.gov.

Old Betty

2008-10-11T19:03:00.002+02:00

This morning we went to fetch the car that my father in law had found for me. An old Ford Escort. In really good shape, only one devoted owner. :) I like it. I therefore named her Betty. Or in Swedish: Bettan. It's so nice to have a car of my own, finally! Freedom! ;)

We also went to pick up a box from Pampers that you get for free. Which included some diaper samples, a toy and some other stuff. Free stuff is always welcome! But it didn't contain as much as they had said on the website, so I'm thinking of writing out another recite for my darling to go to another store to pick up. ;) Very naughty of course... ;)

'Lost in Austen'

2008-10-09T14:16:00.005+02:00

So, I found a new tv-series worth watching if you are an Austen-fan. It's called Lost in Austen and is about Amanda who is totally in to Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. One day she discovers the heroine Elizabeth Bennet in her bathroom, getting through a door in time and space. They accidentally change places and Amanda is caught in the book. Her presence of course induce some different twist and turns to the well known story. I really liked it. Darcy was as hot as ever and the pond scene alone makes the series worth watching. ;-) Most amusing.

It was a bit embarrassing from time to time, but all and all it very worth watching. I would so want to be in Amanda's shoes. ;-) Elliot Cowan makes a very good Darcy, perhaps even better than Colin Firth. Cowan wins the wet shirt contest any day. Yep I will totally by the dvd asap. Until then you can watch the series at youtube. Unfortunately you have to do some detective work to find the next part, but it is worth it. I promise.

pics taken from itv.com

Visit to the antenatal-clinic

2008-10-09T08:57:00.003+02:00

So my darling surprised me with following me to the clinic yesterday. He could get off work a bit earlier than usual and thought it would be nice to see what I'm doing ever so often. I'm getting another ultrasound since I'm a bit overweight and they wanted to see that everything is fine and that the baby is growing properly. Well my uterus (Symfus-fundus) measures 28 cm which is just over average and I've only gained 6 kg so far. Not much at all. Just perfect for a girl my size! ;-) Peanut's heart ticked away with 152 beats/minute, which is just normal. S/he is really up in my ribs all the time now.

I have to remember not to look too closely at the ultrasound since I don't want to know what gender the baby is... How am I gonna manage that? ;) I'm really longing to see my little one again! :)

w 28 - Peanut has found my ribs

2008-10-07T13:06:00.002+02:00

Yeah so all of a sudden I get to kicks right in the middle of my ribs. Hard enough to make my boobs jump. ;) Weird but kind of cool at the same time. S/he's really been busy today. Really been all around the belly. ;)

Tomorrow I'm off to the antenatal clinic again.I'm longing to hear my little one's heart beats and too see that it's growing as it should. I will write more about that tomorrow. :)

I'm really soon in desperate need of a new jacket. it's getting really cold and nothing I have at home fits. I'm thinking of buying a cheap one just to have until Peanut arrives and then a more expensive one after giving birth. I think that's the wisest way to go.

Week 28: Why, you look positively bovine!
Peanut: You know how you’ve been feeling a bit like a barn with legs? Well, that feeling won’t subside before… well, you know, when you finally give birth. For the time being, you’ve got yourself a baby in the business of collecting fat and lots of it! In spite of the dubious joys of being a human-barn, this baby fat business is very serious and you’ve got to put up with it because it’s going to keep your little porker warm and healthy after birth. Other good stuff from inside: their eyes are doing lots of blinking this week because they’re now able to respond to light and dark. Also, their industrious little bone marrow is now a major construction site for developing red blood cells, while their super-cute adrenal glands are actually producing androgen and estrogen—which will stimulate your hormones to begin milk production. Can you say, “Moo?”

Me: If you’re not already fully entrenched, it’s just about time to head into the Name Game field. If you haven’t yet landed on “the perfect name”, there are only about a trillion books (check them out at Amazon.com) and websites with head-spinning lists of name possibilities. You can always opt to invent a name as well (like say, “Thygor”). Obviously, naming isn’t always the most straightforward or easy process and not every couple has a name for their child even after birth. Really, just take your time and try to consider any possible mean nicknames they might be inflicted with once they hit adolescence (i.e. What happens when you name your kid “Willy"?).

As if we have to tell you: their little “cute” kicks are getting stronger these days, but just pay attention. If you notice a significant drop in the number of kicks experienced per hour it would be a good idea to tell your physician or mid-wife. But before you start getting anxious, keep in mind that during the final weeks of pregnancy your in-house-football player will be kicking significantly less as they will lack the space to move about as vigorously.

the days just flies away...

2008-10-06T13:35:00.002+02:00

I haven't updated in a week! :-o Well, perhaps that's because nothing new has happened really. We were at a market on Thursday, didn't buy anything really, just some snacks for us and doggie. Didn't find anything fun for Peanut either.

On Saturday I was at Fia's for a girl's evening with food and singstar. Very nice and fun company. Didn't get home until half two I think... ;-) Suitable for a mum to be? Perhaps not...

Today I've become a caro wner for the first time in my life. A little Ford Escort is coming home with us this weekend. It's from '82 but has only had one owner, my father in law's boss' mother. ;-) Got it cheap and it's supposed to be good both on the inside and outside. Very grown up is it not?

27 full weeks and last trimester!

2008-10-02T12:16:00.003+02:00

So it's now less than three months left to due date. Oh, dear! It feels totally surreal that I'm gonna be a mommy in less than three months. A little baby is going to invade our life and make it totally different. I cannot imagine how it's gonna turn out, I have absolutely no clue. But I'm pretty sure we're gonna make it. ;) In one way or the other! ;)

The belly keeps on growing. At the moment I think it's just the right size, but it's inevitable that it's gonna get bigger and bigger... But that's ok. :) I like my belly and keeps caressing it all the time much to my friends' annoyance. ;)

Week 27: I'm a survivor, I'm gonna make it!
Peanut: Your not-so-tiny-anymore brilliant baby(about 2 pounds and 14.5 inches long!) is slowly rotating in preparation to “head out.” Obviously, this doesn’t happen overnight, but when you start to feel an unfamiliar pressure on your cervix, you’ll know you’ve got a fully flipped baby locked and loaded for the countdown to their birthday! Even now, at the beginning of the third trimester, their little lungs are already capable of breathing air while the pulmonary vascular system can provide sufficient gas exchange and the central nervous system can generally regulate rhythmic breathing as well as their basal body temperature. For what it’s worth, at this point in a healthy pregnancy a premature child (with intensive care) could easily win on the show: “Survivor: The Early Years.”

Me: You’ve worked hard, done your research, endured a plethora of joyless symptoms and would like nothing more than to have wonder-baby on the outside. Well, dig in for the final endurance round and say hello again to the familiar but not-so-lovable faces of fatigue and nausea. You guessed it, the dratted hormone factory is once again running at full-tilt (and causing rapid hair growth), sigh…. Your (“yaaaawn”) fatigue stems from several factors, including the proverbial weight gain, shortness of breath and of course, sleep deprivation. (See week 29 for tips on how to alleviate fatigue!).

Yes, ladies, you’ve finally reached the infamous “live-on-the-toilet” stage. Your feet are bigger, your breasts are bigger, your belly is bigger, even your baby is bigger—and something’s gotta give. Annoyingly, nature didn’t choose your butt and instead opted to compress your bladder, which is now being completely squashed by your-super-sized-baby... all day long. So your best shot is to just accept the fact you’re going to need to urinate every 10 minutes (and if you manage to go longer, thank the good lord).

Of course breast tenderness is also very common at this phase as milk production is kicking in. Other thrilling third-trimester symptoms include more swelling (known as edema) and feeling like you live in a sweat factory as a result of increased basal body temperature. Thank your baby: this temperature increase stems from their body heat coupling with your own, which of course all adds up to one hot mama!

Just in case you don’t have enough things to stress out about: we’d like to remind you the third trimester is really a time to kick your baby-on-the-outside preparations into high gear: baby-proof the home or apartment, buy a car-seat, get a stroller, dress up the nursery and plan a space for diapering, keep mulling over possible names, and try to enjoy this time… when you’re not nauseous, constipated, running to the toilet, or just plain wiped out. (And don’t forget to get your sleep, be active, and eat well! Phewee! we're tired just thinking about what you're going through!)

He calls me Obelix

2008-09-29T11:22:00.002+02:00

Yes, my sweet darling, my hubbie, to be calls me Obelix when seeing me in my maternal clothes. That's so sweet of him, is it not? Well not really. When I put on my maternal stockings on Saturday he laughed and said it was only the stripes and braids missing. Thank you very much. Not. ;-) Is that really so clever to say to the woman who is carrying your child?

Today I'm wearing my black leggins I bought earlier. I'm going to see my mother who is currently staying in town, because her boyfriend is sick in the hospital. I hate hospitals, but I really have to go. If not for her sake. She's the only one who can be with him all the time.

On Saturday we were celebrating the fact that N and H had become wife and wife. It was a great party and we had lots of fun, getting home rather late. I still haven't gotten over it. ;-) I really can't be out as late as I used to! ;-)

what is Peanut doing in there?

2008-09-26T09:31:00.004+02:00

Sometimes I wonder what the little one is up to in the belly. Peanut has now gone from being a kick boxer to a, I don't know, a flamenco dancer? I get kicks and hits everywhere at once! It is best portraited by the dancing baby of course. I can easily picture Peanut looking like this:

Sometimes I have to tell the little one to slow down in there. I can't concetrate on my work! ;-) I sent my darling, who is ill btw, to the library yesterday since he was going that way anyways. I got me a really good pregnancy book that I've been recommended by a couple of friends. It seems really good so far. A bit more lighthearted than other books.

Today I'm going shopping. I have a gift certificate for Lindex that is burning in my pocket. I need to get some stockings made for preggos and then I can spend the rest on baby clothes. That's gonna be sooo easily done! ;-)

w 26 - Kick off in the belly!

2008-09-23T12:55:00.002+02:00

You can really tell that Peanut's muscles have been growing stronger. S/he usually wakes up when I do during the night, and when I get back from the toilet s/he makes me aware s/he's in there with three quick kicks in the side. :) Then I can fall asleep again with a smile on my face.

The good news is that my so called chocolate craving has passed. The bad news is that yesterday I suffered two blasts of low blood sugar, render me very weak and feeling nauseous. But after two cookies I was ok again. I really need to remember to bring fruit with me on my way home.

Week 26: Eye see YOU!
Peanut: At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or watching Oprah or something). In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and you little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!

Me: This is the final week of your second trimester. We won't go on and on about the joys of constipation, but if you’re curious why you’ve got to put up with this much-less-than-fun blockage, it’s basically because you’re producing higher levels of progesterone, which relaxes muscle tissue throughout you’re producing higher levels of progesterone, which relaxes muscle tissue throughout your entire body, including the G.I. tract and ultimately slows digestion down… waaaay down. Not to fear, there are plenty of natural remedies for the joys of constipation, including: increasing your standard fiber intake with fruits and veggies, oatmeal, or whole grains (such as millet, rye and wheat). Another way to get things moving "down there" is to get yourself moving! If you haven’t been very active, try putting some time in walking or swimming. Increasing your general activity levels often inspires a bowel movement without requiring a suppository. Many women also experience restless and jittery legs during the second half of pregnancy. It’s a common condition known as Restless Leg Syndrome (or RLS—not a very creative name). Cutting out caffeine, stretching your calf muscles slowly, and some nice and deep muscle massages are generally effective ways to help deal with RLS.

Peanut is kicking in the belly!

2008-09-21T15:16:00.002+02:00

I manage to capture Peanut kicking in my belly on film! :) Sweet!

Less than a 100 days!

2008-09-21T13:33:00.003+02:00

Oh darn it, I missed the 100 days mark yesterday! Oh, well, shit happens. Time has just flown by recently. It's kind of cool, but a bit frightening regardless. I really need to start shop for babystuff now! ;)

Yesterday I was, as the pregnant lady that I am, out and about until half past two in the morning! We started with Afternoon Tea with M and C at Lady Hamilton. Really stuffed myself with scones, marmalades and cookies. Took a stroll through the Old Town in Stockholm afterwards, looking at tourists and in some stores. After that it was time for me to got to Gröna lund to meet H for her Hennight. We did pentathlon and I managed to win at least one of the games! The one that you have to hit logs that comes up out of holes! No, no hidden aggressions here. ;) We had a really good time and I finally got to eat a Langos. It's an Hungarian speciality, very tasty, but probably very unhealthy seeing as it's deep fried bread with stuff on it! ;) I did go on two attractions, The Blue train and The Lovetunnel, while the unpregnant went for Kvasten and Jetline. I really wanted to go on something more eventful, but Peanut is too little yet.

After the amusement park we went home to J. We had planned on buying some food to cook on the way, but all the grocery stores were closed so we had to order take out. We went to Vapiano, an Italian restaurant with a different concept. Very chic and sooo good food! Home at J's it Singstar was on the schedule. It was really fun and entertaining, though the songs that we got was really hard. But we had loads of fun anyways. It was a really successful night on the whole. The bride was happy and we were happy. Just as it should be!

Today I feel that I was up on my feet for most of the day yesterday. So I'm taking it really easy today! ;)

w 25 - and a stretch mark!

2008-09-16T19:27:00.004+02:00

Yes, it is true. The first stretch mark is now visible on my belly. Darn it. Of course I knew they would come eventually, but I hoped I would be spared. But no. There it is.

I was at the prenatal clinic yesterday. Got to listen to the heartbeat, checked my blood sugar and HB again. It looked just fine. I do not need extra irontablets. My bloodpressure was fine. It was nice to hear the baby's heart again. Not that I'm worried, but still. I had only gained another two kilos since last time. Felt good. Though I'm in a bit of a sweetstreak now. Almost craving chocolate. I'm trying very hard to resist. It doesn't work all the time.

Peanut seems to be more calm at the moment. Perhaps it's because I've felt at ease for a couple of days. I guess they react to mom's temper also. Right now I'm just enjoying the pregnancy as much as possible. ;)

Week 25 - Turn it around... and around
Peanut: Your little grower’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child is born premature now they’ll be more likely to survive without too much trauma as their lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery. Keep up the fabulous work mama! This week they’ll be scootching slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating (already!) into a better position for exit during their birth. Their head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed down towards the birth canal. Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask)—just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human.

Me: Trimester two is finally almost over, which means you have that one final trimester of pregnancy to enjoy (and suffer through). You could celebrate this landmark passage by purchasing some piece of clothing designed to make your curvy body look as gorgeous and classy as possible... and don’t let the price tag stop you, this is an act of self-love not book-keeping. But before you max out your credit card, remember: you’re only going to get larger, so buy smart. Speaking of larger, you’re obviously carrying more weight now and your back is going to let you know. Don’t let this get you down or make you feel like a weakling—it all comes with the territory of being preggers. Try to practice good posture—it will alleviate some of the back fatigue as slouching is actually harder on your back. It’s also common for women to experience leg cramps during this period. Go ahead, strong arm someone who loves you into giving you a massage. Or if you're lucky enough to have the extra bucks, head to a spa that specializes in pregnancy massages and get the full-treatment.

You may have already noticed that your hair seems fuller, thicker, more plentiful and darker-- especially your body hair. There are two basic reasons for this: 1) you're shedding much less (head) hair than you usually do and 2) your body's hormones contribute to the way your body hair is growing right now. Not to worry, all the hairiness will return to normal after you've delivered your baby.

Thank God it's Friday!

2008-09-12T09:33:00.002+02:00

You have no idea how long I've longed for the weekend. Seriously, I've been waiting since Tuesday. That's not right is it? But I've been waking up just before my darlings alarm goes off in the morning all week now. It's really annoying. There's nothing else I love more in the morning than just be able to turn and sleep on. But when I wake just 20 minutes before I'm supposed to go up, I'm never able to fall asleep again. And further more, I always wake up some time between half past two and half past three every night and have a very hard time falling asleep again. There are so many thoughts rummaging through my head these days that I cannot really relax. There's things we need to get for the baby, but since we don't know yet if we are moving or not there's really no use in buying a lot of stuff. I called the other couple yesterday but there was no answer. It would be so nice to move before Peanut arrives.

I have begun to wonder if it isn't time to start playing a song for Peanut everyday. Something for s/he to recognise once s/he's out. But how do you choose? I mean we are both listening to hard rock, Maiden and stuff and is that really suitable for a baby? Does it really matter? Would it be better if I sang a lullaby? What would you do?

Since I lack energy this weekend will be very calmly spent at home. Maybe I'll do some baking. I really need to do some shopping also, but I think we'll go right after work to day actually, just to have the weekend free...

w 24 and I am leaking

2008-09-09T09:03:00.004+02:00

111 days to go to due date. Time flies when you are having fun. ;) I have started leaking also. I woke up this morning with wet spots in bed. Hmm... Not sure if that is a good thing or not.

The weekend was spend with my future father in law, I was taking it easy on the couch most of the weekend while the men were out in the forest mushroom picking or fixing cars. We went to see my darling's grandparents and his mother. His grandparents seems more excited about the fact that they're getting a great grandchild than his mother becoming a grandmother. She didn't even ask how I was doing. *mumbles*

Week 24: Breathe baby, breathe!
Peanut: This is another big week for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist the your baby's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case you’re curious, your submerged baby is still breathing in amniotic fluid, preparing and rehearsing the lungs an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. By the end of this week, your child will be weighing around 2 lbs and 14 inches long. Your cutie-patootie may even be a little more plump, but isn't anywhere near their full baby-fatted cute-self. Most of the “filling out” is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester. Woo-hoo! Get ready!

Me: Your little one is moving (spinning, kicking, pirouetting, shimmying, and maybe even doing a bit of the Can-Can) so much these days that if you invite your friends and/or family to touch your belly there’s a good chance they’ll get a milder sample of what you’ve been experiencing . You’ve may have experienced the oddity that is strangers who feel a protruding pregnant belly is public property and a silent invitation for belly touching. We recommend taking the belly-touching calmly and if it really offends you, just say something like: “I just fell in a large vat of anthrax.” Or perhaps something a little less aggressive, like, “Please, at the very least, ask me before touching my body.” Still, there are many women who enjoy sharing this touching ritual with others. Find your comfort zone and good luck with the rest.

Scary stuff you should be aware of: The danger of getting preeclampsia (a.k.a. Toxemia) during pregnancy is significantly higher and is characterized by significant swelling of the hands and face, excessive weight gain, blurry vision with severe headaches or abdominal pain. Obviously, swelling is common during pregnancy, but should be monitored closely, and sudden ongoing swelling to the hands and face could be a concern. Talk with your physician for more information. Preeclampsia can also be diagnosed by high blood pressure and the presence of certain proteins in your urine. Again, high blood pressure alone does not mean you are affected, but it might be something you and your physician will want to/need to monitor throughout your pregnancy. Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood, thus depriving your baby of essential nutrients and lower oxygen levels, possibly resulting in low birth weights and other problems. There are several websites dedicated to preeclampsia education such as: http://www.preeclampsia.org/.

23 full weeks - I need some sleep!

2008-09-03T21:45:00.003+02:00

Due to my pelvis pain I'm having trouble sleeping. It hurts when I turn in bed, it hurts when I stand on one leg putting on trousers... What shall I do? Tonight I will try to sleep with a extra pillow under my side because it goes numb when I lay to long on the same side. Very uncomfortable, I can tell you! If that doesn't help I'm forced to lay on our extra inflatable bed instead, because I know our mattress is quite hard. Well, at least my darling doesn't have to be woken up my snoring at night! ;-) That is a plus I guess.

The belly keeps on growing rapidly. I'm half in shock every time I catch my image in a mirror and there's a big bump in the front! Peanut is really lively in there, boxing and kicking away. It's now possible to feel it from the outside. But still Peanut is shy from his/hers father. I can't tell you how much I long for it to be December and due date! I want to meet the little one in my belly like, yesterday! ;-)

Week 23: Dancing baby alert!
Peanut: At this point you’ve pretty much adjusted to the fact you’ve got a moving little gymnast inside of you, but now they’re going to kick up the party a notch because they can hear and react to sounds from the outside world. Sounds from your alarm clock, a thunder roll, or that darned car honking at you across the intersection can actually jar their little ears enough to elicit a kick or violent bout of squirming. Of course this also means that their little ears are picking up the sounds of your voice and those near you. So go ahead, sing a lullaby to your little angel—if they start kicking, it’s likely they just want you to stop… or maybe it was a kick of approval? You decide. Your baby's tiny taste buds are still growing and their bones are continuing to ossify (harden), their tiny veins are visible through their translucent yet wrinkly skin. (Think of it this way: they’ve been swimming in the equivalent of a long hot bath for the past 23 weeks, so you can’t blame them for being a little prune-like.)

Me: If no one warned you about the joys of the pregnancy-sleep-challenge, you’ve probably already started to discover just how difficult it can be to find adequately comfortable sleeping positions. The good news is: some people actually invented pillows specifically designed to give a pregnant woman a better chance of sleeping through the night. There are a variety of different designs, but inevitably you’ll want some sort of belly support as well as a body pillow between your legs and under your belly to relieve a bit of the discomfort you're sure to be experiencing right now. If you choose to buy the (rather spendy) pregnancy pillows they've got on the market, make sure you keep the receipt as some women still have problems sleeping and fare better with their own unique pillow collection and set-up.

As if there's not enough to keep track of already, are you remembering to drink lots of fluids? Plenty of good ol’ fashioned H20 (water) can help reduce swelling in your poor ankles and feet-- resulting from the pressure your now over-sized uterus is putting on your pelvic veins, thereby slowing fluid circulation to the lower half of your body. Also, if you want to further reduce the dreaded appearance of pregnancy “cankles” (calf-ankles) try to avoid sitting for long periods of time—and for the hundredth time: don’t forget to stay active! Keeping your fluid intake up is also good for your little resident swimmer as dehydration is frequently connected with premature birthing. Yep, it’s a lot of responsibility, but you can do it! You’re almost two-thirds of the way there already! Keep up the good work mom!

I'm sick...

2008-09-01T13:46:00.002+02:00

I woke up with a very sore throat on Saturday. No house warming party for us. :( But I found out that our friends are having a baby late April. That was fun! Congrats!

But back to me, little ole me. Sneezing with a runny nose and coughing my lounges out. Well, not entirely true, but it feels like it. I'm home from work of course, lying on the couch feeling utterly sorry for myself. Will be home tomorrow as well. My throat still hurts and I think I have a fever. NOt fun at all. Especially since I've begun experiencing pains in the pelvis area due to the gaining weight and growing uterus. Not fun at all. I've been wining about not having enough symptoms before, and now it's payback time as it seems. Well, thank you for that!

22 full weeks - Where did the belly come from?!

2008-08-28T09:56:00.003+02:00

Every time I walk pass a mirror I'm flabbergasted. There's a big bump in the front. Where did that came from?! And when? It's just been sneaking up on me and suddenly just exploded! Seriously.

Otherwise Peanut is kicking away in there. Make mum wonder what's going to become of him/her. My darling got to feel a smallish kick the other week, but since then Peanut has been shy again. I can feel it rummaging around in there, but as soon as my darling puts his hands om my belly Peanut goes still. It's kinda weird.

I got a package from my darling mother yesterday, filled with presents for Peanut. And I went shopping for some baby clothes on Monday to celebrate everything looked fine at the antenatal clinic. :-)

Week 22: Welcome to raisin country!
Peanut: The grow must go on! No wonder you’re getting so big, you’re now housing a wonder-baby who weighs nearly a pound and measures nearly a foot in length. Their perfect little pancreas is now further developed and they’ve also started producing their own hormones! Your baby's future in the circus as a world-famous tight-rope-walker is secure: their inner ear is now developed to the point that they have their own sense of balance. Lucky for your little explorer, balance also promotes physical dexterity, which has them actively feeling out their surroundings where skin, body parts, and the resident umbilical cord are the big sensory experiences. Your foot-long baby, is looking a bit like an oversized raisin right now as more and more wrinkles are showing up each week. Not to worry, all that excessive wrinkling is just their skin’s way of planning ahead for the time when they’ll start piling on that irresistible baby chub.

Me: Take a moment to think about this: your uterus has now stretched to such unholy proportions that it extends beyond your navel! The not-so-exciting part of this remarkable fact is that growth like this tends to leave stretch marks and can itch like nobody’s business. If it makes you feel any better, stretch marks on the belly are extremely common. Don’t get suckered into buying really expensive creams that supposedly make stretch marks ‘magically disappear.'Stretch marks are scars on your skin and won’t disappear with a topical cream . But feel free to apply all the aloe-vera (and other anti-itch lotions) to alleviate the itching. In terms of preventing their appearance, cocoa butter-based creams and creams full of Vitamin E have a reputation for helping-- but there's still no guarantee that those pesky stretch marks won't show up despite your best creaming-up efforts.

Also, your doctor may offer you a glucose screening test sometime in the upcoming weeks. The test checks for a high blood sugar condition that some women are susceptible to during pregnancy. At most, 5 percent of women actually test positive for this problem, but if you do, you will probably have a few more follow up tests to be sure. If you end up with a positive test, make a plan with your physician or nutritionist for treatment. Untreated, the high sugar content in your blood enables the overproduction of baby fat for your little one, and often results in overly high birth weight which can induce premature birth and/or the necessity to deliver via cesarean.

Visiting the antenatal clinic and checking my bloodsugar

2008-08-25T11:24:00.002+02:00

So today I went to the antenatal clinic again. Finally. It's been ages since I was last there. Today I had to drink a sugar drink and than wait two hours to check if my blood sugar was normal. And it was. We also listened to Peanut's heartbeat, it ticked on with 149 beats per minute. Very good. I have also only gained one kilo since last time. That's very good. :) I'm impressed. Well, since I'm a bit on the chubby side I'm not supposed to gain too much wait. My blood pressure was also excellent. I'm so healthy! ;)

So everything looked fine! Now I'm off to the city to visit a friend and perhaps do some shopping. I'm in desperate need of new bras. Both mine recently broke. Not good.

21 full weeks and Peanut knows how to make mummy happy!

2008-08-20T18:15:00.003+02:00

I had a dreadful time getting home yesterday. The bus I usually take didn't show so I had to cramp in with all the other people on the next bus. No seats left. So, do you think anybody got up to offer me, the pregnant one, their seat? No. I had to stand all the way from Uni to Rimbo. That's like one hour. It sucked. I thought I was going to faint several times. I was so close to call my darling and ask him to pick me up at half way because I thought I was going to fall down. God I thought I was going to just break down and cry. But I got home and once in the car just cried. My first pregnancy breakdown. It was horribly. My whole body ached from standing in a rocking bus for an hour. I was so pissed off. I mean, I usually give up my seat when somebody needs it better than me, but what do I get from that? Nothing.

But later that night Peanut decided to give me a sign that s/he's in there. I have taken to sit wiht my hand on my tummy, just in case I feel something, and suddenly I felt a kick right under my hand! Oh what a feeling! It was so awesome! It really made everything right again! :)

My belly has completely exploded! Check it out:

Week 21: Look Mummy, I'm dreaming!

Peanut: Your beautiful little miracle-gro baby will be putting on a full ounce and a half this week (and weighing up to 16.5 ounces), but that’s just the beginning! Within the next five weeks, they’ll really be packin’ it on! For now, we’re pleased to report the addition of rapid eye movement (REM) a key component to any healthy baby’s sleep schedule. While in the dermatology department: their thin soft skin is very red, rather translucent, and a bit wrinkled. Not to worry, it’s not a premature aging disease. It's just their clever little body setting them up with extra space that will smooth out once your little one starts packing on the baby-fat. That won’t be for a few more weeks, though. So for the time being, your munchkin is still a little lean mean growing machine! The beginnings of what is commonly called “brown fat” is just starting to fill in to help your baby retain some body heat, which is crucial as they’re not yet capable of regulating their own body temperature.

Me: We’ve hit trimester two and you're in full-swing pregnancy mode. Most moms are feeling pretty good right about now. Funnily enough, you may already be noticing some mild uterine contractions—don’t panic, this is completely normal. Actually, your uterus contracts throughout your whole life—only now that there’s enough pressure on the uterine muscles you can feel them more distinctly when they contract.

If you’re still deciding whether or not to buy gender-specific clothing, it’s time to bite the bullet and head in for an ultrasound... unless you’re not the planning type. Now that we have the technology, it’s fairly obvious to modern couples that determining the sex early on makes it easier to plan ahead, prepare the nursery, inform the family and purchase the right colored cigars. Of course to some parents, that’s not the point. You're going to love your little one whether they've got a cheeseburger or hot dog. Really though, many couples enjoy the suspense and choose to leave the sex as a final surprise. Talk with your partner and figure out what feels right for you. Just keep in mind that once you know, you can’t turn back!

A baby pram richer and 500 sek poorer

2008-08-17T20:39:00.003+02:00

I am happy to tell you that we have made the first real purchase for the baby. And a bargain to that. A very well kept brio duo pram with very nice pattern. I fell for it when I found it on Blocket. And it was very cheap, only 500 sek, compared to a new one that will cost you about 6000 sek for everything we got with it. We got the seat unit, rain cover, mosquito net and a nursery bag. I am so pleased! One thing less to worry about. I think we really need to make a trip to IKEA as soon as possible. Lots of other stuff to buy...

A trip to Skansen

2008-08-14T12:17:00.002+02:00

So Peanut's been to Skansen for the first time. Not really sure what Peanut thought of it. No reaction to speak of really. :) We looked at most of the animals, well tried anyway. The lynx for example did not show itself. But other animals we got to see was the elk, seals and peacocks. Watch the pictures here. After that it was rock 'n roll the rest of the night. Backyard babies was quite alright, I think I had heard about four songs before...

Backyard Babies on stage

Between Backyard babies and Takida they thought it wise to have a sort of middle act. Firebreathing freaks or something. It was entertaining for like five minutes and then it got boring. So we sat down and eyed the public, lots of different styles and ages. Very amusing. ;) Then it was finally time for Takida to enter the stage. And oh, what a show. I'm phyched. This was absolutely not the last time I'll go see them.

Takida

Peanut, however, did not seem impressed. Not a kick during the whole night. Perhaps it was because its father contantly kept his hands on my belly to feel if Peanut decided to kick, maybe s/he is shy. Well today at the bus s/he could kick lots of times. Hmph! No wonder my darling feels left out...

Halfway!

2008-08-13T11:42:00.004+02:00

Yes, I am halfway! 140 days to b-day. Yikes! I started panicking yesterday when I realised all things we have yet to buy. And basically, that is EVERYTHING. We haven't bought anything yet. Yesterday I called our housing office to ask for a bigger apartment. That's big. That's grown up. It's really scary to know that in four and a half months time there is a little person arriving, totally dependent on us. You cannot really prepare for that. You have absolutly no idea about what is going to happen, or how you will react. Yes, I am freaked!

Well on to more happy thoughts. Tonight me and my darling is going to see Takida and Backyard Babies on Skansen. It's gonna be great! Fun to walk around Skansen and check out the animals and stuff. I haven't been for ages! I'll probably check out some shops as well because I'm in desperate need of another pair of trousers and sweaters that cover my whole belly... ;)

Week 20: Congratulations, you now have a mini-baby!
Peanut: This week you're carrying about 10.5 inches and 10.5 ounces of solid baby-miracle-goodness! Their little delicates bones continue to ossify and toughen while their itsy bitsy finger and toe pads are finishing up. Your little monkey now has teeth buds, although they’re hidden beneath the gum line. And finally! Their limbs have reached their relative proportions—no more alien baby! Their cute pink lips are more defined, and might be helping out in a bit of prenatal thumb-sucking. If you have a little boy, then their tiny testes are descending, though they have not yet passed the abdominal wall. What’s more, eyelashes and eyebrows are also visible. At this point, your little one really looks like a miniature baby—and we do mean miniature as your little swimmer currently weighs a mere eighth of their final birth weight. With half the pregnancy behind you, the most significant gains are yet to come!

Me: Not that we need to tell you, but your baby may sometimes seem like a kick-boxer in training with no appreciation for your exhausted-pregnant-momma sleep needs. Still, before you start yelling at them to calm it down in there, remind yourself that your busy baby really have no idea if you’re rolling out of bed or cozying up to your partner for a good nights rest. Unfortunately for your sleep schedule, your little independent thinker will continue to operate on their own time table throughout the rest of the pregnancy. And you thought rebellious behavior only started around puberty!

Have you enrolled in a Lamaze course yet? The now-renowned courses teach various alternative birthing and breathing techniques, not to mention the oh-so-valuable lessons involved with natural pain management. (Visit http://www.lamaze.org/Default.asp for more information.) If you have already enrolled in a Lamaze course, consider coupling it with either a swimming or yoga course (or both!). Both forms of exercise focus on controlling your breathing (a large part of the Lamaze philosophy), while at the same time increasing blood flow, strength and flexibility. What’s more, many yoga studios and swimming pools cater to pregnant women (and couples) offering low impact sessions perfect for you and your partner.

There was a mail...

2008-08-07T11:24:00.002+02:00

I got an email forwarded from the Becoming Jane Fansite. One of my fans had written about my video Hopelessly Devoted to You and wanted me to make a video based on the song You're the One by The Carpenters. Happy to oblige I looked up the song on youtube and fell in love. Pat was right, the song fits perfectly with Becoming Jane. Of course I sent a reply back to the lady in question and found out she was a 67 year old lady from USA, a hopeless romantic and after watching Becoming Jane decided to make a trip to England and Ireland, to follow in Jane Austen's wake. Of course I had to make a video!

19 weeks - Time Flies!

2008-08-07T08:52:00.003+02:00

I'm as shocked as you! Very soon I'm half way! Unfortunately I have started experiencing a major heartburn from time to time. It really hurts. But it disappears as soon as it starts. I'll have to ask next time I talk to the midwife if there's something I can take to ease the symptoms.

Tonight I dreamed that I gave birth to a boy whose name was John. I would not call my son John. Never. Not on my list at all! ;) Fresh picture from yesterday, what's it gonna be? Is it a boy in there? 19+0 days:
The guess list:
Me: Don't know
Darling: boy
Linn: boy
Robin: boy
Sussi: girl
My mother: boy
Ann: ?
Katja: girl
Brother in law: boy
Mother's boyfriend: ?
Jenny: boy

I'm beginning to feel the baby more often now. Seems to be a lively one! ;) It's nice to be able to say it's the baby for sure, and not just air. My darling keeps on pressing my belly in hope of feeling Peanut kick, but nothing yet. I tell him not to worry, I don't really feel the baby! ;) He will.

Week 19: The Poop Factory is now Open!

Peanut in week 19: Your amazing little baby is now around 10 inches in length! If this seems a bit shocking, you’ll be relieved to know they’ve not actually grown over 3 inches, but that their little legs are now straight enough to be measured. This is when doctors begin measuring fetal growth from head to toe, (no longer “crown to rump” or CR). Lanugo (little hairs) covers their whole body now, trapping that charming cheese-like vernix caseosa (see week 18) to the surface to the skin. This week your lil’ fetus will start on an appetizing diet of amniotic fluid which they are now capable of swallowing, digesting, and passing the fluid as far as their tiny “large” intestines. Fortunately for you, this nice little lump of baby-poop won’t be coming out while they’re still in your womb. Some time shortly after they’re born, this fun lump will become the first in a long line of baby poops. (What finally comes out— commonly known as “meconium” to the science world, will be black and sticky, and you’ll be very glad it happens only once!)

Me: Unlike generations of women before you who were taught pregnancy was practically an ailment (10% of women DID die in childbirth back then), we now have scientific evidence that exercise is a good thing when you’re pregnant. In fact, most physicians recommend continuing or starting a pregnancy-friendly proper exercise regimen. Walking, running, swimming, weight training and yoga (see week 20) are all good for your heart and overall physical stamina during this physically challenging time. Not to mention proper exercise can do a lot towards increasing your overall flexibility (at a time where your body wants to stiffen up) thereby somewhat reducing the pain and tension during labor. Last but not least, exercise can keep you from gaining unnecessary amounts of weight (which you’ll have to fight off later after birth if you don’t do it now). Obviously, you’re going to want to avoid sports where you are at risk of falling or being hit in the stomach. Basically, stay away from sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, and skiing. Instead, opt for the pool, weight room, and/or yoga class. We’re not saying you should stress yourself out trying to be a world-class athlete, but if you’re eating right and getting enough sleep, exercise during this health-critical phase of your life, will keep your collective energy levels higher and increase your feeling of well-being, as well as ensuring that you and your baby are in top physical and mental condition.

New hair and my darling giggles...

2008-08-03T13:03:00.003+02:00

(the new hair)

Well, not because of the hair, obviously, then I would whack him or something. But because I have today used my maternity-jeans for the first time. They are a bit big and with large waistband that allows the belly to grow, and well, the actual waistline then is drawn up till my breasts. He thinks I look like a clown. Evil man. I think my belly looks awesome and very round and beautiful in the pants. It's nice to have a pair of jeans now that it's starting to cool off.

(the belly in w 18+4 days.)

I have seen the miracle!

2008-07-31T11:32:00.004+02:00

There is only one baby hiding in my belly. That feels good to know. Everything looked fine and Peanut seems to be a lively one. Kicking as the thingie pressed onto it. ;) It's just so wonderful to see your baby for the first time. The birth date still remains, so I am now 18 weeks plus 1 day. That's ok. Babies tends to come out when they feel ready anyways. Hopefully Peanut likes it inside so much that it doesn't come out until January. We'll have to see. ;)

It's kind of weird that you can love someone you haven't even met yet. Seeing the little baby on the screen was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I got all teary and full of love for the little thingie. It's just a miracle!

w 18?

2008-07-30T11:55:00.003+02:00

Yes, I write it with a question mark. We're going to the ultrasound tomorrow and anything can happen. A friend of mine was today and was moved from the 31th of December till 6th of January. So we'll have to see what date we get. I wouldn't mind to get a date i January.

I'm longing to see the little one in there tomorrow. Can time move any slower? I want it to be tomorrow now!

Anywho, I'm back at work. It's quite tiresome, but ok. The four weeks of vacation have done some good anyway. Not much to do at work actually. Quite nice laid back start. ;)

Week 18: Your cute little greased piglet.
Peanut: We have two more ounces! Your "getting bigger-n-better by the minute baby" is already up to 7 ounces and 6 inches! This is a big week for their baby skin. There are now two distinct layers—the epidermis (or the surface skin) and dermis. Currently, their skin is covered with a greasy, waxy, cheese-like substance, known as vernix caseosa. Sure, it sounds pretty nasty, but this mixture of fatty secretions covering your little swimmer from head to toe is the best way to protect their oh-so-thin skin from bruising and abrasions as well as chapping caused by amniotic fluid exposure (and your little one is swimming in that stuff!). Still don’t like the fact your little darling is currently slathered in fatty cream like a greased pig? Well, you know the birthing process? Where you have to push something the size of a watermelon out a hole the size of a grape? That adorable little greased piglet would have a lot harder time getting through the birth canal without the vernix caseosa. Fun fact for momma’s with baby girls: it’s a uterus within a uterus! Your little girl will have developed a uterus and vagina canal by the end of this week.

Me: POP! If you haven’t yet, you will soon be seeing the last of your inn-y belly button—until after you’ve pushed your little monkey out. If it’s getting difficult to breathe, you can thank your not-so-small belly for squishing your lungs—which will be more and more cramped for space as the pregnancy progresses. Not that this is surprising as everything else in your mid-section is getting properly squooshed as well. (What else is new?!!). Keep in mind that as you grow (and grow and grow) in size you produce more blood (for both of you), which lowers your blood pressure. So standing up quickly and/or occasional fast movements may cause slight dizziness or lightheadedness. This is totally normal, but means you shouldn’t be too quick to jump to your feet when your team scores a goal. It's better to just punch the air in excitement or clap gleefully. One more fun pregnancy symptom to add to the list: you are producing more melanin, which can cause dark patches of skin to occur on random parts of your body. Don’t worry—these dark spots (unlike your parent’s age spots) will retreat soon after birth.

The last weekend before work and treasurehunt...

2008-07-27T18:40:00.003+02:00

We were only four that met up at our country house. We were supposed to be six, but the last couple was feeling ill, fever and a sour throat prevented them from coming. Very sad indeed. They always seems to be preoccupied or sick when we are supposed to meet. One cannot but wonder... ;) But there will be other times, the country house still stands, for now.

I was happy to find that the neighbour's granddaughter was out with her little daughter Emma, whose just turning one in a month or so. Adorable with carrot hair and very blue eyes. I just had to come over and tell her the news! Last time we talked we were just beginning to plan the baby making. This time we finally exchanged email addresses so we can keep in touch.

My belly looks so pretty in my new dress!

My father came out for a couple of hours. We changed gifts and I got a gift certificate on H&M. Very handy indeed, time to buy some mama clothes. And in due time, baby clothes.

There was of course a lot of baby talk since M and C, newly weds and all, are starting their baby making. I hope the get pregnant soon so that I have a coffee buddy later! ;) My drink for the night started with a non alcoholic bubbly strawberry wine and then non alcoholic beer. It's good to find tasty surrogates for alcoholic beverages for these more festive occasions. Then we barbecued, played kubb and some boardgames. It was all and a very pleasant evening. M got a bit tipsy and had some trouble with the balance from time to time. ;) Made us laugh.

Today I went for a treasure hunt in search of the cradle my father told me was up in the attic. It has apparently been in the family for generations and both me and my sister has slept in it when we were babies. It is very lovely and has only one name written on it, belonging to my great grandfather Ehrnfrid. So one could easily paint it white as I want and then paint the name back there, accompanied by mine, my sister's and Peanut's, whatever that may be.

17 full weeks, 23 to go

2008-07-23T19:58:00.005+02:00

Ok so 17 full weeks just gone. Sometimes time fly when you are having fun. Soon halftime. ;) But I wonder where my beautiful preggo-belly has gone to? Still seems like dough, its still soft. When does it get hard? What if it's only air in there? I'm a bit worried. I do not have that many symptoms either. Well, lately I have had a slight ache, undefined. Bet it's because Peanut is growing. I read somewhere that they start growing like hell right about now. I'd like that. Only one more week until the ultrasound. Great start on the first week back at work, hehe, just a four day week. I took the day off for my ultrasound. My darling has the late shift, but doesn't start until noon during the days. Lucky bastard.

I want a bigger, more distinguished belly. Not this fatty blob...

I just have to show you a picture I took of my darling's beer bottle just now. It's really not allowed for pregnant women to drink it. ;) I thought the symbol was just so adorable. Should be on every alcoholic beverage!
Week 17: Grow Team Grow!!
Peanut: Don't be too shocked but... your baby is EVEN bigger than it was last week, not to mention getting cuter, and smarter every day! As you’ve come to expect, there’s no shortage of growth and development this week: your fantastic little bean stalk has added yet another half inch to their overall height-- making them nearly half a foot long! Their little limbs have reached (or are within one week of) their relative proportions, and will continue to grow evenly with the rest of the body after this week. Reactive listening has begun for your baby, even though their ears are not yet structurally complete or fully functional. Meanwhile, different parts of their astonishingly complex brain are developing to process your little one’s hearing and other senses, (you know, sight, smell, taste and touch). Mind boggling factoid of the week: if you’re having going to have a little girl, her ovaries have already produced millions of primordial egg cells, which, within a few weeks, will develop into actual eggs! Phew… just wait till she’s a teenager eh?

Me: Even though the second trimester is often characterized as the most enjoyable of the three, you can count on a few ailments (see week 14 for additional tri-2 symptoms). This week, or in the coming weeks, you may be privy to the uncommon joys of “round ligament pain.” These not-so-lovely symptoms can include bellyaches, pain in the lower abdomen and sharp shooting and/or stabbing pains, most often expressed at the end of the day. Your suffering is due to stretched ligaments and muscles that support your ever-growing uterus. This is to be expected and is perfectly normal (especially since your uterus is only getting bigger!). Some doctors advise sleeping on your left side as lying on your back can compress your pelvic veins, decreasing blood return to the lower half of your body. Lying on your left side relieves this pressure thereby allowing normal blood flow. If this doesn’t do the trick, go ahead and consult your health care practitioner, but try not to punch them when they serenely tell you it’s normal to feel stabbing pain during this time. As we all know, violence never solves anything.

It's a rainy summer we have...

2008-07-21T21:02:00.003+02:00

I was sitting calmly playing Neverwinter Nights at the laptop when suddenly all hell broke lose outside. The heavens opened and thundering and all. It was raining cats and dogs. Not sooner had it started raining than it was actually HALING! Seriously. What kind of weather is that for the last week of vacation? So just to be safe the computers were switched off and we enjoyed the spectacle outside. I had hoped for some more sun so that it really will show that I have had a four week vacation, but no... It's HALING! Jeez. My hopes goes to the rest of the week and the weekend. So the weekend is going to be spent in the country house. A few friends are coming over for some barbecue and drinks. We're going out with a bang. Well, they are, I'm sticking to the soft drinks. ;)

In memorial

2008-07-18T13:16:00.002+02:00

Jane Austen died 191 years ago today. And since I have too much time on my hands I've made another BJ-fanvid in commemoration of her death. I believe that Jane and Tom loved each other throughout life and this video is devoted to that... Hopelessly Devoted to You:

Too much metal for one hand...

2008-07-17T17:08:00.002+02:00

I've only got one thing to say. Awesome! Maiden rocks! I finally got to see them! I should have seen them in Gothenburg in 2005 when I turned 25, but money was scarce so we ended up watching it on the telly. But this time nothing could stop me! And pregnant as well! Wonderful! I think Peanut appreciated the music, I think I felt it making some movement! My body was not too excited over standing up for hours, and my back was totally killing me. But it was worth it.

Unfortunately my darling could not find his Maiden t-shirts, so I was more than happy to find that one of my magazines had sent a black tank top with this month's issue. Thank you, Glamour! I got Micke to promise to buy a t-shirt for me as a present. Hehe, thank you, Micke!

This was so not the last time I went to see Maiden. I'm totally hooked. They are so in love with Sweden and its people. Loving every minute of their stay. It's just too bad that Stockholm doesn't have an arena that doesn't take more people in than Gothenburg's Ullevi. We'll just have to build one for their next visit! ;) More pics found here!

week 16

2008-07-16T10:33:00.003+02:00

So we're 16 weeks gone. I'm five months pregnant. Weird huh? Well I think so anyway. Time flies. Two weeks until my ultrasound. I'm glad I'm on vacation since it makes time go so much faster! ;) I'm a bit worried that the ultrasounde will only show a air bubble. I'm having a hard time dealing with not having so many symptoms. I still just look fat, not pregnant. People doesn't even dare ask if I'm pregnant. Oh well... all in due time I suppose...

(my belly when sitting down, two days ago)

Week 16: Time for ye olde ultrasounde
Peanut: Over the past three weeks your astounding growing baby has managed to stretch yet another 2 full inches (totaling about 4.5 inches) and weighs around 3.5 ounces. Yessireee, that’s some pretty serious growth... and with it comes several physical developments! For starters, their head to body ratio is finally starting to even out a bit as the rest of the body is actually growing faster than the head at this point. Yes, your little light bulb is not so top-heavy. Their adorable little limbs have lengthened, almost reaching their normal proportions which they will have at birth. Their eyes are still closed but moving and if you had an ultrasound, which many doctors recommend you have at about this time, you may even see your little one sucking on a thumb, not to mention the necessary signifiers to let you know whether you’ve got a wee lad or lassie.

Me: Along with an ultrasound, many practitioners recommend administering the “Multiple Marker Test (MMT)”, which is also known as the “Triple Screen Test”. This very common procedure checks your blood (not your baby’s) for specific protein and hormone levels as well as informing you about any potential risks of genetic or birth defects. Before you start breathing in that strained fearful way or furrowing your brow in concern, you should know that even if you do get a positive test this hardly means your little trooper is in trouble. Only about 3 to 5 percent of women yield positive results and of those women, only 10 percent actually have any sort of complication to report. Obviously, a positive test from the MMT will mean further testing for you, including amniocentesis and more ultrasounds. Although this test sounds like a bit of a dud with the high percentage of false positives coming back, it's popular because it has and can effectively identify a majority of all neural tube defects as well as babies with Down Syndrome. So despite its obvious drawbacks, you’ll still want to arrange to take the test to better prepare you and your family for the fact that anything is possible.

yeah yeah, another one of my fanvids...

2008-07-16T00:04:00.002+02:00

I just couldn't help myself. I just had to make a video about Atonement. So without further ado, here is Leave a Light on:

Wednesday is D-day!

2008-07-14T09:53:00.003+02:00

Not only do I add another full week to my pregnancy but I am going to see Iron Maiden at Stadion in Stockholm! It's going to be awesome! I have been waiting for this since last autumn some time when M called us and asked if we wanted tickets. I always said I was going to be pregnant come concert time. In the beginning I was a bit worried I would miss the whole shebang due to labour, but that, as we all know, be not the case. Of course I thought the belly would be larger, but one cannot have everything. It will be very interesting to see if Peanut decides to make itself known to the world. I have felt some obscure flutter in my tummy before, but recently no action at all.

(Pic from aftonbladet.se)

Now there is only two kids around, and it's calmer than last week. Unfortunately they told me last night as the came over that they have lice. Why, thank you for that information! They do not come near me. I've never had them and I do not intend to have them now. The parasites has probably been in their hair for some time but it doesn't look like I've been infested, thank god! Thought it a bit unnecessary for them to come over when they had lice but, well... what is done is done...

just because

2008-07-13T18:29:00.002+02:00

Well, since it's been raining and thundering all day I had no choice but to be inside, and where do I find myself then? Yes, at the computer. I tried to write a while, but no inspiration came. My muse has vacation it seems. But my video making muse came instead and I made this Becoming Jane fanvideo. Enjoy!

One year older

2008-07-10T13:31:00.004+02:00

The inevitable has happened. I am now, since yesterday, one year older. The only good thing is that my darling is turning 30, and that is way worse than 28 ;) At least I will have achieved one of my goals before turning 30. I have always said I wanted my first child before I'm 30, and I will. That is something at leas! ;)

I have now reached week 15 in my pregnancy. I have lost 2 kg, I wonder why? It's not like I have been eating healthier or any thing... Perhaps the belly is only filled with air? Well it hasn't grown much either. Much smaller than two weeks ago. Perhaps it's because when I took the picture I was famished?
Week 15: Your little hairy baby
Fetal development in pregnancy week 15: Your nearly four-inch long gymnast is happily mobile inside your womb and if you're really lucky, you’ll notice a point when your sneezing, coughing or laughing results in a little kick here or a poke there. Still, many women don't feel anything until the 17th week or later. Although the poking and kicking isn't very charming during sleeping hours, it’s a good sign as it means your baby is actually reacting to outside events. Yay! You’ve got yourself one active healthy baby! Their little elbows and knees are bending more freely this week and their little legs are finally growing longer than their arms and getting pumped up for prenatal Richard Simmons. Many of their major organ systems are increasing in capacity—particularly that amazing tiny heart and complex circulation system, which is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood per day, and will increase to a very impressive 200 quarts per day by the end of the pregnancy. As far as hair goes, we’ve got some new scalp patterns beginning to develop on the head, although actual head hair is not yet present.

And how's mom doing? Have your cheeks been rosier lately? (No, no, no-- we’re asking about your face.) Are you feeling especially radiant? This famed “glow” is brought to you courtesy of the pregnancy fairy who has waved her magical “rosy tinge wand” over you. Seriously though, your body is experiencing an increase in blood flow and you probably do have flushed skin and cheeks. Just be aware that increased blood flow might cause your blood vessels to expand, resulting in a series of not-so-magical nosebleeds for some women, which although perfectly normal, are a bit gory if you’ve got a day job. If you find the nosebleeds especially irritable, consider purchasing a humidifier to ward off future nose bleeds. Also, do your best to avoid irritants, such as aerosols, smoke, and dust.. Even though the placenta is regulating your babe’s hormones, you are still producing additional estrogen, which often causes swelling of the mucosa membranes, leaving you with a stuffy nose—potentially throughout the duration of the pregnancy. These are just a few of the charming physical experiences you can chalk up to the pregnancy fairy!