Blog Challenge (24): Your Dream Job

I am a qualified primary school teacher which I absolutely love however I am not working in that sector at the minute. Once baby arrives and I'm settled I will most definitely get back into it. I think it is so important to find a job that you look forward to going to every day.

My absolute DREAM job would have to be:

Stay At Home Mummy - If we could cope comfortably on just one wage then this would most definitely be my dream job. I am taking a year off work however, I would love to be around to watch every second of our son growing up but it's just not financially possible. Going back to work 3 days means that we can still enjoy life's luxuries, pay our bills and I can spend 4 full days with baby C.

A calorie-free chocolate tester - most women's dream job! It would have to be calorie free though as I may end up a half ton woman confined to my house!

A wine taster - self explanatory really :)

Blog Challenge (23): The Best Thing to Happen This Year

The best thing to happen this year (not just this year, but my whole life!) is most definitely this:

Strictly speaking, I found out I was pregnant on 30th December 2011 so actually it was last year however the journey that has followed since finding out has been the best thing to ever happen to me.

Baby C was very much planned although to be honest, until the day that those 2 pink lines appeared before my eyes, I didn't expect that it would happen! (I bought a cheapo Tesco value test which was how I found out I was pregnant and then sent Mr C to the chemist the very next day for a more expensive Clear Blue as I didn't quite believe that a 99p test could possibly be correct!)

Sharing the journey with Mr C has been super exciting. He has been more supportive than I could have ever imagined and now the end is near and D Day is fast approaching, I am more excited than I ever imagined! We cannot wait to meet you Baby C! x

Weekend Wishlist...

I have been indulging in a spot of internet shopping today but, seen as payday was last week, it was strictly of the 'window' variety! Here is my weekend wishlist...

River Island White Leopard Heat Embellished Tank

£20.00

This will be perfect for covering my ever increasing bump. I've found that all my current t-shirts have suddenly turned into crop-tops which is not a good look!

River Island White Heart City Print Burnout Tank

£16.00

Light Brown Woven Sandals - River Island

£45.00
NOW £20!

Bargain! As a professed shoe-aholic, I LOVED my heels pre-pregnancy however swollen ankles and 6" heels aren't a good luck so i've been stocking up on lovely comfty sandals for the summer!

Bambeano Baby Beanbag - RRP: approx £46.99

I read a review of these beanbags on a mummy blog and was really impressed! I had never seen anything like it before and trust me, i've done A LOT of baby shopping these past few weeks. I am most definitely going to purchase one for Baby C as, even though we've purchased a bouncer chair for him, these look amazingly comfortable for a tiny baby!

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

I am a big fan of Urban Decay products, specifically their eyeshadows. The range of shades in this palette are extremely wearable and perfect for both night and day. I find that all Urban decay eyeshadows have a great consistency and are long lasting. Perfect for a yummy mummy to be ;)

That is my weekend wishlist... I think a shopping trip may be in order!

Preganancy Post: 32 Weeks

32 Weeks. What's happening?

Your baby

• If you’re feeling rather heavy and immobile now, spare a thought for your baby, who has less room to move by the day.
• Movement in the womb is important though as it encourages bone strengthening and helps build muscle mass.
• Pregnant at 32 weeks, your baby is now gaining layers of fat so they will appear less skinny, and the skin will now become pinker and less transparent.
• Scans show that babies have brain patterns like adults in dream sleep, indicating that babies do dream in the womb at this stage

You

• As a 32 week pregnant mum-to-be, you may notice more Braxton Hicks contractions and could start to get more anxious about the approaching birth.
• Don’t worry if your belly button is protruding, it’s caused by your growing uterus and will go back to normal a few months after pregnancy.
• Keep yourself hydrated and make sure you are eating healthily.
• Make sure you are supporting your growing body. You may be experiencing back pain so take the appropriate steps to alleviate the stress or, your breasts as they change may feel full and heavy – make sure you’re wearing a well-fitted bra.

 

Things to think about:

It’s a good idea to pack your hospital bag now. Even if you’re planning a home birth, pack one just in case!

At your antenatal appointment, your midwife will have a look at your baby’s lie and presentation on an ultrasound. If your baby is still in a breech position in weeks 35 onwards, you may have to have another scan in weeks 37-38 to see if he’s moved.

During labour you will be offered pain relief. Make sure you know what’s available to you.

Have you decided on a name yet? A lot of parents don’t decide until they meet their newborn but it might be an idea to have a few in mind.

Our 32 Week Story

The past few weeks I feel like we should pack our sleeping bags as I feel that we have practically moved into the hospital. Like most, pre-pregnancy, I was a complete hospital phobe so I am feeling VERY proud of myself and how I have coped. My love for my unborn son has outweighed any fear that I could ever have about hospitals! At the minute, I am also feeling super excited and positive for the labour as it means that we will finally get to meet our little man!

We have been back and forth to the hospital as our 'little' man is not so 'little.' In fact he's rather big! He has been measuring about 2.5/3 weeks bigger since around week 18 so it didn't come as a suprise that he is currently measuring 34.5 weeks when he is in fact 32 week gestation. I have been for additional growth scans that have backed up what the consultants have previously said and have had 2 Gestational Tolerance Tests which have both come back normal. I went through a period of contstant worry however, after much discussion with the consultant, I now have a re-newed sense of relief that he is just a big boy like his daddy. Mr C is 6ft 7" so apparantly we have 'big genes'!

Myself and Mr C attended our 3rd Parentcraft session last night. I will post in more detail in a further blog post however, last night was the tour of the labour ward. Mr C's face was a picture! I think he expected seeing women running around screaming covered in blood like headless chickens... he was expecting scenes from a horror film, bless him! In reality, although full to bursting, the labour ward was very organised and suprisingly, tranquil and peaceful! Some of the mums said that, post visit, they were left feeling more worried than before however, I was left feeling quite relaxed and the fear of the unknown was diminished! I was also pleased that all the rooms came with en-suite bathroom/shower and there was a TV! (In labour, I'm sure watching Corrie will be the last thing on my mind but, at present, it gave me a wierd sense of security knowing that I wouldn't miss any of my favourite soaps whilst in labour!)

The tour prompted us to discuss the labour process and pain relief although the consultant is unsure of whether i'll need to be induced early or have an elective C-section because of baby's size. This will depend on the additional fortnightly growth scans I am booked in for so we have decided that I am not going to get my heart set on any particular delivery method/pain relief. At the end of the day, baby's well-being is my main priority and as long as he arrives safely then I aren't too fussed on his method of delivery!

In other news, we have the bedroom furniture which Mr C is going to attempt to tackle this weekend... exciting times :)

info from Bounty. click here to visit the site.

It's time to give us women a break!

This week I found 3 purple stretch marks on my ever expanding bump. At first, I thought I was going to go into melt-down mode! Later that day, I then read an article about Hilary Duff's post baby body. She was pictured looking, in my opinion, bloody well fabulous in a bikini, just three months after the birth of her son Luca. 'It'll take 3 lifetimes for me to get back into a bikini' I sighed sadly to myself!  But there is a twist... Was the author congratulating her for her managing to slim down in record time? Were they condoning it and saying women should face less pressure to look good so shortly after birth? NO! This was an article full of criticism over her new apparently 'unperfect' body!

'A month or so ago I was concerned that she wouldn't even try to lose weight,' wrote one online critic. 'Now I'm convinced she doesn't even care how she looks, gross!' 'She's turned into her mother. That happens,' wrote another.

I am currently nearly 32 weeks pregnant and up - to - now have only put weight on on my tum. (*Touch wood* I am very aware there is still time!) I have consciously been watching what I've been eating however this has been more for the sake of baby's health and well-being rather than my own waistline. Saying that, I have had to be careful as I would quite readily embrace the whole 'eating for two' regime as a permanent life style choice if I could so I've had to restrict my cream cake intake massively!

As a young female and a regular reader of glossy magazines, I find that, as women, we are constantly bombarded with photographs of new celeb mummies who leave the hospital in their size 0 designer jeans and high heeled Louboutins. This unrealistic expectation is ridiculous; I for one will be leaving in my sweat pants and a pair of old converse! Becoming a mother is not an excuse to let yourself go but as women, we should be cut some slack! You have just brought a new life into the world and endured labour; how your hair looks should be the least of your worries! As a mummy, I want to concentrate my focus on my son and ensuring that he has everything he needs rather than panicking as to whether I have perfectly manicured nails!

These pictures of Hilary Duff are 3 months after the birth of her son, Luca. She looks fabulous, right? Well apparently, Wrong. Critics have slated her to pieces.

Now, I know I'm not likely to be papped coming out of Asda whilst I'm doing my weekly shop and I certainly aren't going to have my post-baby bod and make-up free face slapped all over the tabloids however, seeing pictures of 'perfect' celeb post baby bodies combined with the fact that any celeb who doesn't live up to this ideal is slated horrendously, can be really dangerous for a new mummy.This pressure co-incided with the huge change that has occurred in a woman's life could be disastrous for a woman's self-esteem!

Who the hell are these people who think they have the right to slate all and sundry? I sincerely hope they aren't women! Whatever happened to the 'sisterhood'?! We should be sticking together! Every stretch mark and wobbly bit is a reminder of the precious cargo that we have carried around and nurtured for the past 9 months. We should be proud and embrace the changes, not be worrying about whether we have slimmed down to our pre-baby jeans within 4 minutes of labour! It's time to give ourselves a break!

And with that rant... I'll reach for another Hob Nob and I'll worry about my baby body later!

Blog Challenge (21): Your 10 favourite foods

I LOVE food. I like to think of myself as something of a 'foodie' who know's good food however I am partial to a Pot Noodle or two! (I think this spells back to my student days!)

My 10 favourite foods are:

1. Mushrooms
2. Cottage Pie with cheesy mash & veg
3. Chocolate
4. Lemon Citrus Torte
5. Chicken Fajitas
6. Chinese food
7. Cheesy chips
8. Homemade chips in chunky bread with lurpak!
9. Rare steak with asparagus
10. Cauliflower

Mmmm, this has made me SO hungry!

Blog Challenge (20): A difficult time in your life

A difficult time that I have faced recently is that of my mum having a cancer scare. It was truely the most horrific time ever, full of dread and worry. I would hate to ever go through that again as it was a constant weight on mine and my families shoulders for a long time whilst we waited for tests and results.

My mum is a mountain of strength, the strongest woman I've ever known. Thank god she was fine but I know for some people, their prognosis is not so bright and I cannot even begin or want to imagine how we would have coped then.

I admire anyone who faces this sort of struggle with a smile. It must be so hard, especially when it's you yourself that's fighting something as terrible as cancer. My thoughts are with anyone who is going through anything like this at this time.