Me and LP - Weeks 17-20

Week 17
Busy weekend us as we started to organise ourselves and the guest room for Busters parents who were going to look after our house and cat while we went to New Zealand for our last "Couple" holiday or as I like to call it "Babymoon".

They say that my uterus is now about the size of a honeydew melon and is increasing to accommodate your growing baby. My stomach is now starting to look more like a baby bump than looking like I’ve just over eaten.

LP - Sized at approximately 12 cm (head to rump), LP's organs are starting to function, albeit within the amniotic fluid world it lives. At approximately 100 grams in weight. LP’s weight will increase approximately six times over the next four weeks. Good to know I won’t be the only one tipping the scale.
LP’s sense of hearing is developing and they say that I should start to feel him react through movement if it hears a loud noise; however I haven’t felt him move yet.

Week 18
I been waiting for the day that I would feel LP move. It finally happened on the 16th January, I felt 3 sets of movements within a short period of time. As I've read and been told it felt like butterflies - bring on the butterflies. It brought a smile to my face, told Buster and who was happy but as his unable to feel LP he misses out on the level of excitement. Give it time and I will start to feel like a football I'm sure.

We head off for out "Babymoon" this week, I'm looking forward to spending time reading and resting. One thing I'm not looking forward to is the air travel, due to the fact that I suffer from travel sickness. Doctor gave me some pills for nausea but I have my doubts about them working.
Flight to Christchurch - made it in one piece!

Flight to Queenstown - mmm and I'm looking and feeling green. Poor Buster and the other passengers (on the plane and the bus)

Part of the reason for the "Babymoon" is a wedding of one of John's friends. As I was packing the bag I changed my outfit. On the actual day of the wedding (just a week latter) the outfit was not looking quite as good and wish I had something else to wear; I was feeling fat. While quite a few knew I was expecting, my tummy wasn't really looking like a baby belly - more like I had a beer belly.

LP - At this stage, he is about 13 cm long and by the end of the week will weigh roughly 140-180 grams. His fingerprints are now formed as well his ears which are now facing forward and can actually hear us talking.

Week 19
Our last week in New Zealand, and while it has been good to get away I'm looking forward to returning home. I miss my comfy bed and pillow, not to mention the list of all the things I want to get done before LP arrives.
Flight to Christchurch - made it in one piece!
Flight to Melbourne - mmm and I'm looking and feeling green. Poor Buster and the other passengers.
Our last scan (providing pregnancy goes to plan) this week, the day we return. Before you ask; from day one we decided that we wouldn't find out the sex. In today’s world everything is planned to an inch of its life. It's good to have thing happen that are unplanned and unknown it keeps us on our toes and spice to our life. So while I call LP a he, the baby could easily be a she, only time will tell.

Belly has now popped out nicely and when I'm wearing a fitted top I'm looking and feeling pregnant.
I’m starting to worry about money now that holiday is over and the credit card bills will come in (not to mention the doctors next week) as well as only having 1 more month of regular employment left.

LP – his approximately 15.5 cm (head to rump), your weighs nearly 200 grams with a resting heart beat of 134bpm. Ears are now in their final position and eyes are pointing forward, rather than to the side. His kidneys are also fully functioning and producing urine this week, which means lots of diapers in the near future.
LP is busy growing a layer of fat called 'brown fat' which helps to keep him warm after being born, and will soon be covered in a waterproof layer on top of the skin called vernix (a sebaceous gland excretion that is usually gone by birth, unless his born prematurely) that protects him from the dehydration of the amniotic fluid. LP’s tastebuds have developed to the point where his aware of the flavours of different foods in my diet.

LP's cute little feet!

Week 20
Joined a walking group since I'm limited to the exercise I do. For a group of older ladies (50-65year old) they set a mean pace. I'm able to keep up with them at the moment, but in a month or so I'm not so sure.

Officially I now have 1 month left of work and half way through the pregnancy, yippee. My hours have been reduced from 4 days a week to 3, working Tue-Thu. However I receive a phone call early Monday afternoon from the manager asking if I would like other week off. While it was hard to get them to agree to have 2 weeks of to start with, I wasn't going to complain. So now there are only 3 short weeks to go, YIPPEE.

I'm now weighing it at 70kg. Only put on 4kg.

Received 2 compliments this week even though I have been feeling a bit flat - I must be now at my glowing stage :)

LP - approximately 14-16 cm (head to rump), and now weighs approximately 285 grams. With all of the developing done, it is now time for LP to just grow! He continues to grow hair and it's tiny fingernails and toenails develop further. Lungs continue to develop, but are not strong enough to be viable out of the womb.

And the bump appears

Babymoon

All expecting parents are told to take time out for a holiday.
And while it wasn't intentional, it sort of all just fell into place nicely. What can you say; 'it was meant to be'.

One of Butster's friends had set the date for their 2010 wedding back in the middle of 2009. As the wedding was going to be in New Zealand it gave us all time to organise ourselves (and our bosses). When we found out we were expecting the trip to New Zealand worked out to be perfect timing. I wasn't going to suffering from morning sickness (fingers crossed) and I wasn't going to be too big not to be able to enjoy it.

When it comes to holidays my job is to book all the plane tickets and hotels etc etc. However this time I was slightly worried that I would stuff everything up. In the back of my mind there were all those stories I had been told about, expecting mothers and their crazy/forgetful minds. I think I must have checked all the dates and tickets/bookings a dozen times before confirming each thing. The frequent checking must have worked as all bookings were fine!

Those that know me, know that I'm not one for sitting around and doing little but noting. So when it came to travelling to place that was known for its "Adventure Sports/activities", first of all I was looking forward to it. We had been to New Zealand about 5 year earlier and I regretted not parasailing of the Queenstown Gondola. Once I say I started thinking about the holiday I realised that once again I wasn't going to be able to do the parasailing. I was somewhat disappointed, but I was pregnant and that was far more important. However as the holiday came closer and the countdown began I realised that there might not be much that I would be able to do. Once we arrived I found one thing that I thought could be okay, after all you would be all rigged and tided in safely as you zipped down the cable on the flying fox. mmmm Buster didn't think it was a good idea, but when one of his mates said he would go with me, Buster didn't stop me from inquiring about it. Lucky for Buster's nerves, they wouldn’t let me do it. Even the massage I ended up settling for was softer that what I normally enjoy, all due to the pregnancy.

While I was limited to what we did, we did enjoy the time out. We walked, slept and read a lot and while I really did miss some of the adventure it was good to be forced to relax.

Relaxing by Queenstown Lake

I don't think Buster liked this shot.

The wedding was a lovely relaxed affair and took place on a hobby vineyard. The bride was designed her own dress and hat which suited her perfectly. The groom seemed to take the day all in his stride and enjoyed the whole day or should I say the week long celebrations.

Me and LP - Weeks 13-16

Week 13
Into my second trimester and feeling all the better for it!! No morning sickness but still lacking some energy . Spent the weekend at my parents for her families Christmas party. Saturday was a long day and my attempts to take a little cap nap didn’t quite happen - It was a long day/night.
The tummy is starting to pop and while my clothes still fit they are starting to feel a little firm. I have already picked up a few items of clothing when “Soon” was having a warehouse sale. Will have to start wearing them now.

Buster has for some time now rubbing moisturiser on the my tummy every now and again. But now that more people know it’s becoming more real to him and his started to worry a little bit about what our life’s will be like come end June. Sleep, money, time alone and even time for just the two of us is on his mind.

LP – weighs about 20grams and is nearly 7.5cm long. He can now make a fist and even suck on his thumb (if he chooses), oh and he also has his own unique set of finger prints

Week 14
Sick again this week, hopefully it’s the last time.
Doctors appointment Christmas Eva and his happy with my progress, however he did say if he didn’t know any better by looking up me (and pocking my bump) he would think that I was 16 weeks. He did say not to worry at this stage as everyone is different, LP better not be too big is all I can think off. I’m hoping in 4 weeks time his still not saying I big.

Christmas day is at our place and while Buster asked if it was a good idea I insisted that it would be fine and that I would rather it this year than next year when we have a 6mth to look after. Lucky for me most of the family leant a hand were they could. Dad and Buster were great always in the kitchen washing up after each meal, couldn’t have done it without them.

LP – weighs about 30grams and is nearly 9cm long. Now that the “big stuff’ (like skeletal and organ development) is done he will start a rapid brain growth and start to build up fat and detail work. His finger nails are fully formed and all his limbs and joints can move freely (won’t be long to I start to feel these movements) Oh and the most important part, the doctor was very happy to report that the chances of Down Syndrome was very low (so low that the results were almost of the chart :))


Week 15
After Christmas day at our place with my family, Boxing Day at Busters parents with his family I spent the next day tidying up. By the time the 28th came along I was completely flat and spent the day on the couch. Sick twice this week, but I’m thinking that it’s due to not eating enough now that baby is growing. Must start to eat more! Some may think this can’t be hard but trust me, when everything you look at isn’t taking your fancy it’s hard work.

LP – weighs almost 90grams and 10cm long. Although his eyes are sealed shut he is able to sense light and his eyes and ears finally look like real baby features now. Fine hair called lanugo has started to grow to help insulate the body. He is also learning to breath.

Week 16
Sick and had bad headaches twice this week – really MUST eat more food and drink more water.

I'm weighing in at 68kg. The weight gain; and this is where it all begins.

LP – is about the size and weight of an avocado (100grams and about 11.5-12cm in length). His skin is still translucent and wrinkly, not unlike an old man, but more fat will soon accumulate under the dermas to plum him out.