Me and LP - Weeks 25-28

Week 25
Spent the weekend with my sister doing bits and pieces and went to the baby show on Sunday. Was a little disappointed in it as I thought the one that Buster and I had gone to a year or so ago (different venue) was bigger and better. Anyway I picked up a few things including a couple of different cloth nappies, baby wrap and some bathing bits. My sister started to realise how much babies cost and wondered how her friends were going to cope with the cost as well as the everyday stresses of raising a child (they are 21). Sister was very excited to be able to feel LP move.

Picked up some freelance work so will be working 3 days a week most weeks right up until the end of March. So much for a quite month to spend getting ready for baby.

Had another doctor’s appointment on Tuesday. LP has slowed down on the growth spurt as my belly was is measure only 2cm over size now (measuring in at 27cm). I’m still very happy with my weight gain of about 8kgs, making me 72kgs.

We too John’s parents to see ‘Cats’ on Wednesday, it was their Christmas present. It was a great show, shame we were too far away to really see the costumes and the fantastic makeup.

Painted the ceiling of the nursery, so have the window and architraves left to sand & protect and the wardrobe to paint.

LP - Sized at approximately 23 cm (head to rump), and weighing approximately 720g. LP is awake and moving most nights now about 8.30pm. His adult teeth have formed by now, in readiness for when his baby teeth start to fall out at around age 6. LP hands are now fully developed and he spends most of his awake time groping around in the darkness of my uterus.

Growing Bump

Week 26
Started the last week of my second trimester with a group physio class at the hospital on Saturday. It was all about the pelvic floor mussel; it’s function and how to strengthen it with exercises. Then went to a 50th fancy dress party with the theme being Harry Potter, most of the guests went to a lot of trouble and the hosts had the house well decked out, Funny thing was we almost didn’t have a Harry Potter, lucky one turned up towards the end of the night.

As well as the 3 days a week freelance work I also picked up some design work for Fri and Saturday. I also fitted in a photo shoot of my growing bump, I decided that a photo of the bump would be a great birthday present for buster. And as the it turned out there would be a perfect one to give to my mother and mother in-law for mothers day.

After a long fight with Alzheimer’s Grandma finally passed on Thursday. She had spent almost 9 years in care, which meant I really had lost the grandma that I knew and loved well over 9 years ago. The best thing is that Grandpa can now move on and enjoy the rest of his life (he turns 80 in May). LP would have been Grandma’s 8th Grandchild.

LP - Sized at approximately 25 cm (head to rump) and weighs approximately 690-780g (a quarter of the final birth weight). LP’s spine is strengthening and eyelashes, along with more head hair, are developing. He has 150 joints formed and more than 1,000 ligaments and his heart is beating at approximately 150 beats per minute. If he was born now, he would have approximately 80% survival rate, with medical assistance.

Week 27
Busy week which started with Grandma’s funeral followed by full week of freelance work, however the light at the end of the tunnel was the massage. I’ve had a few massages now while I’ve been pregnant but I was a little worried how my tummy was going to go as it had grown quite a bit since the last time. I could rest easy though as it fitted nicely in the specially designed pillow. The masseuse was very happy with how my body was handling everything. Said that most women at this time of the pregnancy are showing a little fluid retention, so whatever I’ve been doing to keep it up. I’m putting it down to trying to see my personal trainer at least once a week.

Started standing the window this week, have to finish the sanding before Easter so I can give the sander to Buster’s Dad. Buster’s parents are concerned that I’m doing too much and have offered to help by starting with the cot. Buster’s Dad offered to start with the ceiling but he was a few weeks late.

I find that I run out of breath easier these days, might have something to do with my uterus being up around my rib cage now.

LP - Sized at approximately 30 cm (head to rump), and weighs approximately 1 kg. His starting to plump up, appearing less wrinkly as the subcutaneous layer of fat forms. The placenta has fully developed and will be benefiting from the antibodies crossing through, ensuring some degree of immunity against infections in the first few months of life. Some experts think that by this stage babies are having dreams, hope his dreams are not as weird and fare fetched as mine. LP is now fully formed and if he arrived today he would have a good chance of surviving.

Week 28
Had my parents visit this weekend, Dad helped me by putting together cubes for the bathroom. While they are not baby related they have been ready to put together a few years and now that they are in place it will give us more room in the linen cupboard and also make the bathroom look nicer (once I have finished decorating).

A couple more days of freelance and I finished the sanding and protecting the window and architraves.

Buster celebrated his 39th Birthday.

Happy Birthday

Your loving wife and little footy mate

LP - Sized at approximately 34 cm (head to rump) and weighing around 1.2 kg. LP will be busy looking around and opening its eyes. Other senses are also nearly fully developed. His eyes also have colour now but it may not be the colour he ultimately ends up with.

Me and LP - Weeks 21-24

Week 21
Started the weekend with a baby shower for a girlfriend. She all ready know what she's having which made a little gift all that much easier to make and buy. I made her a stretchy worm and brought a little romper; the worm was a hit. Sunday we had a BBQ at Busters best mates along with some close family and friends. Their friends had a couple of sweet little girls, the sort that make your heart melt. We have a fingers crossed for own little angle.

Had a doctor visit and I'm still weighing in at 70kg. While have personally haven't put any weight on (since last week), little LP is growing rapidly and the size of my belly is 4cm over size measuring at 25cm. Oh and I’m starting to have a lot of weird dreams, some I remember and others I just wake up and think ‘what the’.

LP - Sized at approximately 18.5 cm (head to rump), and weight approximately 280 grams. Since LP is still only 10% of what it will be at birth, it's no wonder that people are commenting on the size of my belly. LP now looks like a mini-version of what he will look like when born, all facial features are formed and hair is growing starting to grow. LP's brain is now linked to the nervous system and muscles are fully developed, and sucking, swallowing and blinking reflexes are all in place.

Week 22
While I haven’t officially finished work and started freelancing, I picked up my first freelance job and will spend most of the weekend working on my first ‘designer’ freelance job. Very exciting, hence was not able to sleep, so spend most of the weekend and night working. My best friend visits on Sunday and as it’s the first time they have seen me with my new belly, her husband couldn’t wait to pick on it. His lucky I’m use to him and can give it back.

LP - Sized at approximately 19 cm (head to rump), and weight approximately 280 grams. LP is now able to recognise my voice, and his skin is no longer transparent (now opaque), and sweat glands are developing. For girls, the vagina, uterus and ovaries have formed and for boys, the testes will be dropping into the scrotum this week, with testosterone and juvenile sperm already active. LP has started growing taste buds and may be able to detect strong flavours in the amniotic fluid

Week 23
A full weekend is planned, Saturday we see Jersey Boys which was wonderful (I’m a sucker for 60-70’s music) and Sunday go to a baby market and pick up a second had cot which will need a sand down and a stain/oil. I tell John that I should have time in March to do this as I don’t expect to pick up much freelance work until April.

Buster felt LP move for the first time on the very last day of work. LP must have been very excited to finish up as well.

LP - Sized at approximately 20 cm (head to rump), and weight approximately 520 grams. LP’s teeth appear as buds within the gum line and your baby's skin is quite saggy. This is simply because the skin grows faster than the underlying fat. Bones now have marrow and are equipped to contribute to the formation of blood cells. LP has a while to go before her lungs will be ready for air and is practicing his "breathing" on the amniotic fluid—sucking it in and out.

Week 24
First week of March and the first week of not working for a boss; so to speak off. I catch up with this and that and while I take it easy the week is full with one thing and other. One of the days I go back into work and have a going away lunch were, they presented me with muslin wraps and a $200 voucher to Baby Buntings. We put the voucher towards buying the pram which is slightly on the pricy side but we need a one that folds down small due to our small cars we have, and there are only a few to chose from. My sister comes down at the end of the week and helps me with a few things as well as shop for bits and pieces (muslin wraps, baby wipes and a cute little romper set).

I’ve started sleeping with a long pillow and a little one shaped like a bit of a wedge that sits snugly under my belly. Helps a bit I guess but sleep it doesn’t help with having to get up to the toilet each night now; normally about 3-4am. While I haven’t started looking swollen my legs are differently starting to cramp and sometimes have a life of their own as they jump every now and again as they sit resting on the coffee table.

LP - Sized at approximately 21-22 cm (head to rump) or 30 cm from head to toe, and now weighs approximately 570-700 grams and can open his eyes. Whilst LP’s lungs have developed enough to sustain life outside the womb, there would be only 50% chance he would survive even with intensive care and a high percentage rate he would have disabilities.