HEARTBEAT - 17 WEEKS, 4 DAYS

I have to rewind slightly as I realised I haven't posted the video of when we heard the heartbeat.

The appointment was on Friday 30th September and Leo, Ellis and Rob came along too. It was really nice being there as a family.

I had my blood pressure done and I was told that I didn't need to give any blood as I had had an Oscar scan so the blood screening wasn't necessary. Then I laid on the bed and after a few seconds we heard the little squishy noise of Nugget's heart.

Last night I'm pretty sure I felt some movement. It was more like a kick actually but I haven't felt anything yet today. Rubbish!

Went to my physio appointment yesterday. She was really pleased with my muscle tone and said they were very strong but that the split in my tummy muscles would happen again and that we just needed to keep an eye on it. I have my exercises to do and for now I don't have to wear my stretchy bandage. If I have any pain I have to put it on and book an earlier appointment. My next appointment is the end of November when I am 25 weeks. By then my uterus will be pushing up past my belly button which is where the stretch is measured from. She was quite pleased though which made me happy.

Okay then so here are the 16 week bump picture. Take into account that Ellis took the bump picture this time.

I have also put my current measurements and what I was last time. The "from Leo" means an increase or decrease from the same stage as Leo pregnancy.

This time...

Weight = 12st 4lbs (+8lbs from Leo) (+9lbs this pregnancy) SHIT!

Tummy = 93.5cm (+2.5cm from Leo)
Upper arm = 29cm (+2cm from Leo)
Upper leg = 61cm (+2cm from Leo)
Ankle = 24cm (.5cm from Leo)
Neck = 34cm (1.5cm from Leo

Leo Pregnancy...

Weight = 11st 10lb (+4lbs)

Tummy = 91cm (+6cm)
Upper arm = 27cm
Upper leg = 59cm (+2cm)
Ankle = 23.5cm
Neck = 32.5cm

I'm not worried about the increased measurements. My starting weight was a lot higher than second time around and I didn't control my eating for the first 4 months this time either so I'm not surprised. My appetite has diminished in recent days and I'm starting to eat healthier. Better late than never I suppose.

Hoping to feel more movements in the next few days. Will post an entry if I do.

OSCAR SCAN - 12 WEEKS 4 DAYS

What a very, very exciting day! Naomi came over this morning and I was going to tell her about Nugget when she produced a scan picture of her own little baby! I am so happy for her! I thought she might have been after a few things that were said/not said and done etc but obviously not 100%. I am 5 days behind her. How cool is that.

After congratulating her I told her I was too! She was so pleased and we chatted for ages about it all and she genuinely seems excited about going through it all at the same time together. I discussed AB classes and she is interested in attending so that will be even better.

She thinks she is having a girl but I am so sure it is a boy. Of course I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure I won't.

This afternoon Rob and I dropped the kids off with Saskia and Rory and went to the hospital for the Oscar scan. I went in to have some blood taken and then we walked over to Jaidan and Leighton's house for a cuppa and a chat before going back for the scan. The doctor was running late so we had to wait for a bit and then when we did go in it was a bit rushed. Good but done in a hurry.

I was really, really nervous that there would be nothing there, or something there but no heart beat. The picture came on the screen and I could see the sack but no baby, then there was a very big babies head on the screen as it was really zoomed in. He quickly zoomed out and I instantly saw a little heart fluttering away. The baby was moving a lot and the picture on the screen was really clear. The pictures didn't come out as well though, which is a shame.

He showed us all the important bits and then said we could listen to the heart. I wasn't expecting that so was pleasantly surprised. It was the sweetest sound.

I left the room so happy! I still can't quite believe it and I even said to the doctor I don't believe it.

Rob came out the room and said, "I'm worried about my foot". Typical bloke! He was well happy though and just as relived as me that everything was okay.

I have my dating scan and consultant meeting on Tuesday and Rob was going to take the day off work to come with me but there really isn't any need for him to come again. I would like Mum to come with me but I'm not sure who else can watch the boys. I'll think of something.

Just want to tell everyone now but would like to do it face to face as it's lush to see peoples responses. Sally suspects for some reason so she won't be too surprised and I think my Dad may be suspicious, but that's just his nature.

Will post new pics and scan pics once the PC has been set up again.

We told Ellis when we got home and showed him the pictures. We asked him to guess what the pictures were. First was a cat, then a dog, an owl and 4 foxes. We explained to him what it was, where it was etc and that Mummy's tummy was going to get big and I would go to hospital and come home with another baby. He was totally fine with it and said he wanted a baby sister. We asked him what he thought and he said, "i see, Daddy put the telly back on". Funny bugger.

I can't stop thinking about it now. Looking forward to the next few days.

LOTTY - 12 WEEKS, 3 DAYS

Told Charlotte today as she is on holiday for 9 days now and although I wanted to tell them all together, I thought it would be nice for her to know before she gets back.

Finally sorted out the time for getting the old folks over to tell them on Saturday. What a farce! Rob had double booked himself and I just wanted everyone to be happy, so I rearranged for everyone to come at 4pm for a few hours instead of coming over for the evening. Going to sort out a little something to thank everyone for all their help with the house move. Think Dad is a bit suspicious though.

Telling Lotty made it seem more real for some reason. I was really nervous telling her and I got all blotchy. She was really surprised which was lush.

This morning Lotty came over with a lovely card and a gorgeous gift. It is a box frame filled with pictures taken of us in and around our old house. Also in the frame is a heart shaped piece of map with our old road on and tiny beads spelling out our old road name. It was so sweet and I cried. She wrote a lovely letter too. It was brill.

Feeling shattered and haven't really thought too much about the scan yet. Probably wont until I'm on my way there. I hope all is well in there. Not long until we find out.

HOW BIG?

Oh my God I'm huge! I seriously don't think I can get away with this for much longer. I can't get over how big I've got, and how quickly.

Boobs are slightly bigger too which is great as I hate the saggy things I had before.

Hopefully the scan will go well, we can tell the folks on Saturday and then I can tell everyone. Not really sure how to tell my Mummy friends. I really wanted to tell them all together but pretty sure I wont be able to. The next evening together isn't until I'm about 16 weeks, when I will look about 8 months pregnant by then.

We have now moved house, and it was pretty hard work. I'm sure I was lifting stuff that was too heavy. I am glad no one knew at the time of the move as they would have been faffing over me I'm sure.

Looking forward to telling the boys. Leo won't have any clue but Ellis is going to love it. He is always saying he wants another baby brother.

Can't stop thinking about the scan. Hopefully post the pics on the weekend.

OSCAR BOOKED

I don't feel pregnant. I almost wish I woke up every morning and puked just once so that I know stuff is still going on.

My belly really is starting to get big now, to the point where I think there must be 2 in there! I just hope there is one in there growing nicely. Not long to find out.

My Mum must be loosing it! She keeps saying to me that she thinks I've lost weight! I'm huge and I don't know how much longer I can hide it!

I noticed tonight that my boobs seem a tiny bit fuller but they don't tingle any more.

I'm starting to see the issues with my stomach muscles already. I have funny pains and sensations but I am doing my exercises all the time so I am trying to keep it sorted. Pelvis has started to sting a little bit right at the front and to the right. It's only been in the last 2 days or so but I have been quite busy getting ready for the house move.

I finally booked the OSCAR scan for the 3rd Sept. Saskia has kindly agreed to have the boys which is ace as she is lush. I have to arrive at 4pm to give some blood then go back at 5pm for the scan. I so hope all goes well. We have the parents over in the evening to tell them. I think I'm going to say something like, "Rob and I have had some photos taken today, wanna see them?" and then just lay the scan pics out somewhere for them to see. I would love to video their initial response as you can never get it again. I might try and set that up too. This of course all depends on things being okay. Fingers crossed.

FFS! I just sent a text to Rob saying about hearing Nuggets heartbeat at my next appointment and when I checked back, it said I sent it to Charlotte! OH NO! Rob got the message too so I'm hoping it's just my phone being funny with me. I will have to wait and see.

Moving house in 1 day! Quite excited, bit sad, bit scared, bit happy etc. I just hope it goes smoothly and doesn't rain too much!

CHECKING IN

Apart from the ever expanding waist line, being pissy, tired and groggy all the time, I'm not really having any symptoms!

The weight is going on big time! My whole mental attitude towards food and eating changes drastically as soon as I receive that positive test result. I switch from diet coke to full fat, I buy full fat micro meals, crisp intake increases, I start to eat chocolate and actually look forward to having a dessert, I eat sweets, finish off the kids food and just generally eat a hell of a lot more than I normally do. No wonder I'm going to pack on the pounds! It's strange cause I get sad about getting too big but I don't do anything about it.

Touch wood, no pelvis issues yet, which is a good sign.

I had my checking in appointment with Judith last Tuesday and I now have my orange book! It was such a long appointment. I had left Ellis with my Mummy friends at the soft play and told them I was going across the road for a doctors appointment at 3:30. I left at 3:10 and didn't return until 4:40pm!! I had sent them a couple of text messages saying that the doctors were running late etc so I think they bought it. Time will tell.

The appointment went ok. Leo was screaching for most of it. The bloody student kept faffing with the computer and it just took forever! They had 3 attempts to take my blood too. I told the student where the vein was and where the best place was to insert the needle but she did it about 2cms too low. Then Judith had a go and she was too far left so eventually they listened to me and got it. Good job I don't care about needles.

Judith mentioned the previous c-section and the fact that I will never forgive them or let them forget how they messed up with Ellis, and she is right.

I made a fuss about being in a normal room at the hospital and Judith booked me into the Birthing Suite to see if we could get away with it.

I asked to be referred to the Physio lady again as I want to get a head start on the stomach muscle issue but she said I had to attend a class at the surgery first before I could be referred. Again I kicked up a fuss and said that the lady knows me, I saw her during pregnancy and for 6 months after so I'm pretty sure me attending an hour class telling me what exercises I need to do isn't actually going to help me. She backed down and said she would refer me. Good job I know what I'm talking about and I don't mind speaking up and asking for it.

I told her we were moving house and she said that I could stay with her or move to Marcia. I really would like to have Marcia because I like her but Judith knows me, and knows what I want and how much I want it. I think it may be best to stick with her as much as it pains me to admit that. Must give it some more thought. I have time, my next appointment isn't until the end of Sept.

Received my scan date letter today which isn't until 7th Sept! I can't wait another 3 + weeks to tell my folks. Hopefully going to get an Oscar scan booked in before that but with the house move on the 27th, not sure how we can fit it all in.

Struggling a bit at the moment. Boys are playing up, a lot, and it's really taking its toll on me. I just can't seem to cope with it at the moment. Hopefully things will get better once the move has been done and Ellis is settled back into going to pre-school. It will give me a little bit of a break too.

Going to be needing a lot of child care over the coming months. I hope my friends don't desert me as I really need them right now.

OFF THE SCENT

The other night Rob was talking to his friend Huw about having another baby. He basically said we were seriously thinking about it and that we would have an Oscar Scan this time. I will post about this later on.

Not feeling scared about it now actually. Feeling rather excited about the prospect of adding to our family.

Recently I have started to put people off the scent that we will have any more children. Mainly my Mum and close friends as I would like to surprise them. I've told Mum that Rob and I talked about it over Christmas and have decided not to have any more. I even went as far to say that I was thinking of getting rid of the baby stuff in the loft etc.

I haven't managed to get my weight down yet and still have 1/2 a stone to go. I'm not really trying that hard yet though. Need to get on with it and start some fitness too. I was talking to Charlotte today at Mummy afternoon and I think I may try and go to circuit training on a Wednesday night. Will look into that.

My periods haven't returned yet and I suppose that's because I'm still feeding Leo about 4 times a day. I feel like they should though. I get hot flushes and aches and pains in all the right places and I'm quite sure I get mood swings and spots once a month, although Rob would argue I always have mood swings.

I want to try and keep these entries short and sweet so that when I tell people about the new blog, they wont have too much to read back on. Not that any of my friends will have any time or interest in reading back through it.

I'm not putting myself under any pressure to keep up to date with this blog either. I might not even share it and just keep it as a private diary. I'll think about it.

I so know that I want more kids. Yeh it's well hard work and some days I have no idea what I am doing but I do love it and I'm sure it will be easier as they get older. Obviously the teenage years are tricky but I can do it. I do not want to wish the time away, it will go soon enough.