Week 35 / Little Olive Update

All stations are go in preparation for Baby Olive – even though there's still a few weeks to go, the final countdown is definitely on. We're got almost everything we need to sustain a little person (for the first few months at least!), sans a bath which Aunty Rachael said she wanted to kindly giving us, and some final furniture arranging which we'll complete in the next couple of weeks. The stroller that Ma and Pop (Jo and Geoff) gifted to us arrived this morning – looking forward to putting it together later on! At the moment our cot is looking rather odd, chilling out in the lounge. It will feel really exciting once the cot is in our room! 

Also, I love that it's February and we can say that we're having a baby next month (even though if baby came early, it would actually be THIS month... but I'm sure it'll come late)! People often comment on me when I'm out and about. A couple of days ago, Ben and I were walking Juno and a man expressed his surprise that we didn't have an ambulance following behind us. Haahaa, good one mate.


How far along?
35 weeks. Holy crap, in 2 weeks I'll be considered full term, and bub will be finished. Just putting on the final touches – a few brain connections, a little more chub, last eyelashes....

Symptoms
Pelvis pain has not been fun. I'm really glad that bub is head down and getting in the right position, and that all my muscles and ligaments are stretching to accommodate for that, but the pain is unbearable sometimes. I've come close to making a physio appointment (and that's saying something!), but at the same time I know it's normal for many women at about this time in pregnancy. I just hope I don't have to deal with this pain as well as labour pain on D-day.

Aside from that, feeling more practise contractions (Braxton Hicks), and generally being a bit more uncoordinated. Being clumsy and forgetful are now truly on the agenda. Again, I thought 'baby brain' was a myth, but I'm discovering it to be true!

Maternity clothes
Just the usual, although I'm starting to sort out what I'll pack for the hospital, what do wear in labour and wear during my recovery days. Lots of loose, comfortable clothing... and granny panties! Picked up my first set this week, what a milestone!

Stretch marks
Perhaps some tiny ones on my tummy but they're not very visible.

Sleep
A couple of wake-ups per night where I stumble around towards the bathroom. Leg cramps haven't been as bad this week.

Best moment this week
We had our first hypnobirthing class last Saturday – it was really neat meet some more like-minded people who are wanting to approach birth in a positive (rather than fearful) way. Our tutor Sarah has a magnificent Jamaican accent; I know hearing her voice in my head during labour will be calming, haha! Click here for a summary on what hypnobirthing is all about.

Worst moment this week
That pelvic pain, bro.

Movement
Baby is just doing it's usual, fascinating us both. It's always party time at around 10:30pm though! Here is a video I snapped of baby's hiccups.

Food cravings
No cravings. Trying to eat small, frequent meals to help my poor squished stomach out, eating lots of healthy foods, and getting my fix of dates! 

Anything making you feel sick or queasy?
Not this week.

Gender
No idea, I guess we'll wait and see. Really excited for either scenario. I think we've got our names sorted, as well!

Belly button in or out?
It's pretttty stretched. Kind of looks like a cats bottom (sorry, not sorry)

Happy or moody?
Happy!

Looking forward to...
Final preparations for baby.

This week's tune:
Exile's remix of Flying Lotus's Infinitum.