Third Trimester Pregnancy Journal: Week 37

Well, here I am at full term!  Of course, it's always better if baby can stay until 40 weeks, that's still what we're hoping for, but at least I know we have both made it this far.

We are finally feeling ready for her.  The nursery is pretty much complete, our house renovations are done enough.  We are settling into a rhythm of waiting, which is fine.

We had a good long weekend which included swimming outside twice and we took the doggies swimming too.  We also picked about 20 L of strawberries to freeze for the coming year (we love having fruit smoothies and ran out of berries last year, so this year we are packing away even more). 

Our garden is coming along and contains lettuce, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onion, cucumber and zucchini.  Wow.  Listing it all out there makes it seem much more ambitious than it actually is.  Although it could all use a good weeding.  It's been very hot, which means I can't really spend much time outside to do that sort of work.  Ah well, it'll all keep well enough.

Mostly I feel okay, although sleep is getting harder and harder.  My energy levels are good enough during the day, and I am always finding something to keep me busy - even if it is just resting.  Resting is part of my job at this point, and I'm okay with that.

I hope all my Canadian friends had a great Canada Day, and I hope my American friends had a great 4th of July Celebration too.

36 Weeks - Maternity Photos

Studio photos are great, but I always love photos that include both me and Alain.

Here are photos done by Elizabeth Fulton Photography during week 36.

My absolute favourite photo was an idea conceived by Elizabeth.  She knows what a big knitter I am, and was really excited to be able to incorporate that into a photo. 

This photo is going to be blown up and put on a canvas for my studio.  I'm super excited to see that done!

35 Weeks - Maternity Studio Photos

Last week I had the chance to do some maternity photos with a friend of mine.

I'm so pleased with the final results, I had to share a few here.

All photos are courtesy of Elizabeth Fulton Photography, Ottawa, Ontario.

Slowing Down...

I am 36 weeks now and quickly approaching full term.  I am one tired mama! 

I try to keep up with my husband, but it's just not possible anymore.  At least things on the home front are much more settled these days and our renovations are pretty much complete.

I have been cleaning and organizing and preparing for baby, but if she were to turn up today, we'd be okay (except for diapers, we don't get our diaper service diapers until July 4th, but it is unlikely she will turn up this early, after all). 

This weekend we installed the carseat and I pulled together most of what we will need for our homebirth.  We're waiting on a birthtub, which I won't get until early July, but again, it's pretty unlikely that I will go earlier than that.

I am still knitting, although slowly these days.  It's more about the process than churning things out.  I have to admit, it's nice to slow down. 

I recently finished this dolly, for an informal knitalong with the Itty Bitty Knits group on Ravelry.

The pattern is from Itty Bitty Toys by Susan B. Anderson.  I am currently working on her little dress.  I think she will be the perfect companion for baby (eventually).

Here is what my craft studio is looking like these days.

Last week I made 2 fitted crib sheets.  I'll share those soon.  This week I need to make some wet bags.  I've decided to use this pattern from Little Birdie Secrets.

I should also share some updated photos of the nursery.  I'll do that soon too, I promise!

Busy Weekend

My parent's came to visit over the weekend and we kept ourselves very busy.  I am paying for it today since I am quite tired, but it's rainy and gray and a good day for lying around.

We went to a picnic with Alain's family on Saturday and had brunch and did some shopping on Sunday.  On Friday I finally picked up the crib mattress with a little help from Mom.

We made sure to take some photos of us out and about, so baby can see how she looked visiting with her Grandpa and Grandma before she was born.  I feel like I look massive in these photos, but that's 35 weeks for you!  My weight is staying the same, so it's clearly the baby that is growing and not me!

At the Picnic

Family photo - minus my sister :-(

Alain and I

Third Trimester Pregnancy Journal: Week 32

Wow!  The third trimester really flies by.  Even being done with work, I feel like I don't have enough hours in the day.  Of course, I am resting lots, but there is also a tonne going on in this house in terms of renovation, organization and general baby preparations.

I have so much to share it is getting a little overwhelming.  I had to specifically put "Blog" on my list of things to do today in hopes that I might actually get around to it.  And here I am.

During week 31 I celebrated my 30th birthday.  It is a milestone birthday, but went by pretty quietly.  My sister came to town to visit, which was great, and Alain's family hosted a little get together for me too.  I hate getting this sort of attention (I will cry if I am singled out to be sung to at a restaurant, for example), but I tried to be a good sport and even let them sing to me.

Here are a few photos of the big event:



I got a stacking planter, which was all I really wanted.  It has already been filled with lots of yummy herbs (I got money for the herbs for my birthday too!) so I am a happy girl.

I also got 24 strawberry plants that will hopefully bring us yummy strawberries for many years to come.  That was my gift from Alain. 

There are obviously lots of baby expenses at this point, so we didn't go too crazy in the gift department this year, which is totally fine with me.

Finally, here are the belly shots:

Third Trimester Pregnancy Journal: Week 30

I have been sick with a cold the past few weeks.  Alain brought it home and felt only a tickle in this throat.  It took over my immune-suppressed body and has held on tight.  I ended up giving it back to Alain, and he suffered miserably.  I was surprised, since he's usually a tough guy and doesn't get sick very often.  He got to take the medicine to help though, I didn't really take anything.

I'm mostly better now, I just have some residual sniffles.  No big deal.

Life has definitely gotten more difficult though.  I am more tired, and not sleeping as well.  I am sore, and my body can't seem to repair.  It's mostly hip, back, groin stuff, which I know is totally normal. My body is stretching and preparing to deliver this baby, that's gonna hurt.  Still, it's been hard.

I was surprised to see the differences in my belly between week 26 and week 30 (week 28 we did the outdoor photos).  I haven't actually put on much weight, but baby sure is growing!



26 Weeks



30 Weeks

Everyone that sees me says I am all belly.  I guess it's true, but of course, I see differences in my body all over.

Since I have been so sore, Alain and I decided it was time for me to finish up with work.  This Friday is actually my last day!

I wish I could say that I feel like I will be less busy, but I have a massive list of things I want to accomplish over the next 8 weeks.  I'm also doing prenatal swimming, yoga and going to the midwife and chiropractor every other week.  I feel like my schedule will be quite full, but of course, I'm taking lots of time to put my feet up and rest too.