Lucky blue button

It must be a good sign. 

Found on La Trobe Street

34 weeks

A breakfast date this morning, where my whole team surprised me. The farewells have begun.

34 weeks and wet tents in the backyard

Busy times. The parenting & breastfeeding class last week (three-and-a-half hours!), hospital tour tomorrow night, Mama Shanti workshop this Sunday and of course the excitement of assembling the stroller. And returning the crib when they sent the wrong one.

Pinterest as my note keeper for all the things we're doing and wishing around the place. My Dad, brother and dear friends assisting and offering and generally making themselves useful and life sweet. It's a strange and lovely time.

Name preference: Scout or ...
Best activity: Autumn sunshine walks
Adventure dreaming: One day we'll go to the west coast
Random worry: Sometimes, none, sometimes, all the worries of the world. Is it too late to get stretch marks? Do I ask too much?
Reading: Pulitzer Prize winner from 1960.

High Country Family Adventure

Snowgum by Picture Point

The high country welcomed us back with rain and brilliant colours on the snowgums. A weekend of camping and touring around with some precious cargo: newbie camping family in the form of Charlie's uncle, aunt, and their two lovely kids. We camped Friday at Sheepyard Flat, Saturday by Lovick Hut and in between we toured around and tried to show them a good time. Damper in the hut by a roaring fire on Saturday was a treat.  

33 and whale

Just this past few days I've started to feel quite massive. My email update confirmed this is a tipping point time for many women. Well. Technically I haven't gained weight since Easter, maybe 1 kg in the past month, but there has definitely been a redistribution.

Important to note the climbing wall in backyard!

This week I have finally bought the crib and the stroller. Both were selected a while back but getting across the line seemed difficult for me, I think when they arrive it will seem like s**t has gotten real.

Next Cosmos appointment this arvo, and first childbirth class tomorrow night at the Women's.

Anniversaries

I love marking anniversaries. Marking, more like, another excuse to remember. This time of year there's a lot of memories of people past, another reason to be tearful.

This Saturday past, the first weekend of May, is the 'anniversary' of buying this forever home. That Saturday was planned out as being really our first concerted effort toward 'house-hunting'. Somewhat belated, yes, after a 18 months of so-called house-hunting.

Sensibly, Charlie asked me to refine my long list into a short list so we concentrated our efforts in ONE neighbourhood (instead of the three I had listed: Yarraville/Newport, Moonee Ponds, Thornbury). We picked four in the west, and resolved to take our bikes to move around between the addresses.

It was a bright cool day and we were chipper as leaving Werribee, where we'd been housesitting for the Good Doctor. First house was tidy and under a flight path, ended up selling for more than $100k over the top of the range. Not for us. We rode on.

Next, to Newport. Along the waterfront which is now so familiar, by the power station, under the big bridge, by the refinery. Smelling a distinct 'industry' fume, Charlie commented that Newport wasn't going to be for us. Ha. And he loved the first house we looked at there, despite the fact it was almost uninhabitable. It has big wet holes in the wall, the floor was crazy, cats sat around throughout the inspection, the dining room with exposed bluestone was amazing. A project house. Charismatic.

Back on bikes to Yarraville where we met up with Mum and queued to get in the next house, feeling like we were at an awkward party. I liked it but it was hard to think with all the people crowded around. We went to lunch. Frying Pan joined us, no idea why she was local in the west that day. The sun was bright and delicious. We decided not to go to the Footscray listing due to Mum's intel on the railway expansion. Good call.

At Lady Moustache for a sustenance stop. 

Back on the bikes with Mum leading the way in her car. This final listing was my favourite. We still had energy for inspecting. Up the driveway. Greeted the agent, stood inside, walked through. Everything was good. Yard, floorboards, kitchen/lounge area, high ceilings, character. Um...

32 and panting

Generally feeling quite lovely and happy, with occasional pangs of sadness about missing the high country and camping this winter. Also tearful when watching 'Call the Midwife'! Picture me in my pjs on bed, legs up the wall, iPad resting on my belly, tears rolling down my face when Charlie comes to bed.

My weekly email updates provide a long list of 'physical changes' and discomforts to be felt at this stage and I feel lucky that it's really only shortness of breath that is in evidence. As she might gain anywhere between 1-2 kilos in the final couple of months, things could get interesting though. I went for a run yesterday, the same 2kms down to water, along and back, and felt no pains, just shallow breath.  

32 weeks and the climbing wall under construction

Rainy warm day and the scan

32 week scan

Feeling quite happy and excited. The scan showed us all good news, she has her head down, the placenta has travelled and given clearance and her size is bang on 'average'. Of course it was just lovely to see her little peaceful face, that nose! and her brain and heart and stomach all working away. Love. Nothing more to say.

Back to work

Back to work after ten days off. Now five weeks of work to go. Scan tomorrow to see if my placenta (her placenta?) is blocking her exit or not. Excited to see her on the scan again.

Shed update, as of Friday tools down. Hopefully finished this week.

Charlie trims the apricot tree to accommodate the new shed frame.

Name preference: Elkie
Best activity: Riding to the city on Anzac Day, nearly 11kms in 40 minutes
Adventure dreaming: Snuggles in winter tent
Random worry: Nope, no worries.
Reading: Work emails and mothering blogs

XXXI and the Backyard

Heading off to yoga while the workers toil. 

Day two of the second session of backyard work. Early rain cleared by 9am to glorious sunshine. Shed, guttering, paving, planting, digging, tree removal, neighbour consulting, marble retrieval, and much mud tramped through the house.

Yoga was great though my arms and shoulders felt weak and tired. We did partner work - a massage called 'rub the love in'. Yep, pretty delicious. Then I found a blog post in my inbox about motherhood and yoga. Perfect.

Name preference: Scout?
Best activity: Planting grass
Adventure dreaming: High country cool air
Random worry: Having no muscles
Reading: The local paper at our bench

Cape Conran at Easter

Christmas at Cape Conran has become a tradition of sorts. This past summer we missed out on the ballot and it felt strange to stay home all through Christmas, without the usual packing, cooking and heading off on the long drive.

Easter is a different matter, no ballot, we just reserved a spot. Mum, Jack and us+1. We weren't sure what to expect, without the beach plans, with the possibility of rain... Arrived Good Friday and left Easter Monday. Quite a relaxing few days with reading, snoozing, beach walks, good campfire food and laughter.

Saturday was the Marlo Primary School Fete, our key activity, which yielded jams, baby knits, a few plates and jars of homemade sweets and much entertainment. A hot chocolate as we sheltered in the park and discussed plans for the shed at home.

Marlo Jetty

Sunday we walked along the boardwalk, gazing into rockpools and out to the big breaking waves. Weather was bright, or windy, or grey, and great for walking with no time or purpose. Mum arranged some rocks, Charlie found a beautiful driftwood stick and on the way back there was a kids' sand sculpting competition being judged by a huge rapturous audience.

Conran view

Packing up in the gorgeous morning sunlight, my plan was to visit Salmon Rocks before we left. Mum and Jack had reported wild winds from their visit after the Fete, but it was clear and as I remembered. Charlie explored for bouldering possibilities and we recalled the pleasant visit when Jack fished and we met a cheerful family travelling around the country. We took some profile shots. Ahem.

30 weeks and full of love

30 is a big round number

Ran this fine morning and it felt good. Same pace as a few weeks back.

Still canvassing mothers for their headline advice. Latest: Be flexible, don't invest physically or mentally in things going a particular way.

This is our theme of the week, as we've tried to make some configuration decisions around the house. We settled on building a shed for the camping gear and our archives, which will free up the gear room.

My thinking is to have a nursery corner set up (still not sure if this is in ballroom or gear room) that has the double futon, change table, baby clothes, nappies etc. This would be for day sleeps. Our room would have the crib (attached to our bed) and be the night sleep place.

Thirty weeks tomorrow. And an Easter-Anzac break of ten days starts. Lovely.

Cosmos and Adelaide

Dad asked me who gets to choose his grandfather moniker.

I'm up eating vegemite toast at 5:20, taxi is coming in 20 minutes to convey me to the airport. Perhaps my last plane trip before I become a parent?

Yesterday was our second Cosmos appointment. As we waited to be called, we both weren't sure what the appointment was for. Then I remembered that when you're pregnant, you simply have 'routine' appointments. It went really well. We got called in by a lovely French accent and met another of the 'team' of four midwives who look after me. She was warm and earnest, very intently telling us that babies eat every two hours in their first ten days at home and that it would be impossible to keep usual sleeping pattern and that there's nothing you can do about it as "there is only one master - the baby".

She took my measurements and listened to the heartbeat. Charlie saw the little one punch out, first time.

I asked about supplements and was told I could cease taking any (!). She said it's just a business and that if I eat well I can stop. So I'll just take iron as that's low and low is normal for third trimester.

Overall it was a strangely reassuring visit. Weird when I was already calm. Glad Charlie met one of the midwives.

29 weeks and some advice

Interesting to take solicited advice. 

Speaking with some other newish mums and the top tips were: don't gain too much weight and ask for help. The giraffes really are everywhere. 

Been feeling my most tired yet, but this could be busy days at work too.

29 weeks and 10 kgs gained. Grass growing slowly. 

Will stay home this weekend and try to execute some domestic tasks. Attack the gear/junk/baby room. Order the crib. Write a list of clothes needed and check against those we already have. See if we can take backyard project to next phase. Buy a front door handle.  

28 weeks and feeling chipper

Back from a run. There is more darkness around and it feels like I'm only home when it's night time. Very pleased to wake up on time this morning and lace up my shoes to head off. My runs are down to 2km, really just up to the waterfront and back. A feeling of stretch or ache down my side, and feeling like going to the toilet are the main reasons I'm not going further. My breathing is ok.

Stretch mark aversion is one reason to keep running. They are yet to appear on my rounded belly, but I think my teenage marks from hips and thighs may have increased. Following my Cosmos blood tests, I'm now taking iron and vitamin D supplements in addition to my pregnancy multi. My iron had fallen to low and my D is normal, but apparently I should stay on D anyhow as I'm pregnant. Curious.

Today I'll start interviews for my replacement, just one year after I was interviewed myself for the role. It's a strange process, and one I'm grateful my boss has let me take the lead on. More navel gazing as I figure out what makes someone effective in my role.

Grampians three months out

Back to Grampians again for rock climbing. Well, I'm watching and just enjoying being out of town. Kangaroos at breakfast. The great starscape. Seeing Charlie in his rock element. 

Pocketed Wall

27 and a seat on the train

It started last week. I got offered a seat on the train. Now it's been five times or more. The shock of 'showing' is easing. All the seat offers have been from young women. Around my age or younger. Why is that?

Name preference: Delilah (Ma's) and Cassie (Charlie's)

Best activity: Scheduling in yoga sessions 

Adventure dreaming: Swimming at Cape Conran 

Random worry: Missing Charlie snuggle mornings 

Reading: Applications for my replacement at work  

XXVI end of second trimester

Beautiful light in the morning. 

Twenty-six weeks marks the end of my second trimester. I can see why it is called the honeymoon trimester. Heaps of energy has been the most marked characteristic of the past months. Good sleep too. We've been thinking a lot about what kind of sleeping arrangement for the little one, and finding out we have some differences of opinion... 

Wednesday I had my first Cosmos appointment with the midwife who'll be with us from here through the birth. Had my diabetes and tests for iron etc, which I'm very interested to get the results for.

Thursday was my long-awaited Mama Shanti experience. In exploring hypnobirthing, I read about active birthing and then found Mama Shanti, whose classes include partner workshops, retreats and yoga classes. After getting my photo taken, I left the house late and had a stressful trip, turning up late in a taxi to Kundalini House for the class. 

The class was amazing and inspiring and so worthwhile. All movements and poses were perfectly relevant to my body and state of mind and I felt totally energised and relaxed. 

26 weeks and a visit

Charlie held a baby for the second time. Eight weeks old and a darling, she came to visit with her parents, Mr & Mrs C. It was such a delight to get an insight into their new life and we dredged for information.

Our major line of inquiry is regarding sleeping arrangements: what do we need and where. I've been researching many options, including the low-bed approach of Montessori. We have bassinets offered and also like the idea of a Snuggle Bed.  

Today is my first appointment with the Cosmos team at the Royal Women's, and I'll have my diabetes test.

XXV or thereabouts

A classic New Zealand landscape and brilliant weather.  Lake Pukaki. 

Seven days in the South island, four camping nights and two nights at AirBnB accommodation. Sleeping on a Thermarest was not as comfortable as a month ago, but I still had great nights' rest and wouldn't have done it any other way.

Our first tent night we camped near Arthur's Pass after Charlie bouldered at Castle Hill, selecting an out-of-the-way spot with lots of sandflies. The next two nights were at 12 Mile Delta just north of Queenstown, on the shore of Lake Dunstan. It was being at a music festival, minus the entertainment. Witnessed (but failed to photograph) the best sunset ever. Our final camping night we arrived late into Moke Lake and only got a short time with any light left. It was a priceless few hours though: the campground manager chipper and warm, the mountain silhouette beautiful and shooting/falling stars on show.

Moke Lake campground.