The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 37

Dear Baby Loxton,

Mommy is as sick as a dog still but we are another week closer to meeting you my Little boy! That is so exciting...one more week closer to me holding you in my arms and you are FULL TERM as of 37 weeks...another milestone I would say!

Even though I have mentioned many times before that I am feeling "huge", truth be told as of this week I am feeling the most pregnant I have ever felt and I didn't think that would ever be possible! So, besides being sick with Bronchitis and having to work most evenings until 7 pm to get all my work complete before I hand over to the lady taking over from me when I go off on maternity leave, everything is starting to ache more and more each day. My fingers ache now the entire day due to my joints being so swollen, the lower back pain and severe pubic pain which are now the reasons I am struggling to walk ( my walk now resembles a shuffle, as I refuse to waddle) or sleep even less than I have been throughout this pregnancy.

This week has been one of many emotions for me. I think it has something to do with the lack of sleep and then also the fact that your due date is nearing and I am getting nervous, scared and at times I feel overwhelmed but I know this is probably pretty normal for most first time moms. I have at times felt like I would just like to keep you safe inside my belly forever. Don't get me wrong, it is not that I am not excited...I am SO excited but this is all so surreal....I am sure this feeling is totally normal?!

Meet you soon and love you so much.

Your Mom

37 Weeks ( and growing)

Every week is a little different than the week before but I am so chuffed that I am still able to shave my own legs - BOOM! Who would have thought that I would be so proud of myself for being able to shave my own legs...lol!

I am still waiting to feel these Braxton Hicks contractions that everyone speaks of, I feel somewhat left out in that department, I guess God feels I don't need a practice run before the real deal?!

I started to feel mild "period-like" pains around Thursday morning this week and they come and go. Sunday when Wayne and I went shopping they were the worst, I can honestly say that I hated every minute of that 5 hour shopping spree but I have been told that getting a good walk in wont hurt. I have not given these pains much thought...this could be it, this could mean we still have to wait another few weeks...who knows. I think this waiting game and not knowing how much pain to expect is what is freaking me out.

How far along: 37 weeks

Baby fun facts: He is "FULL TERM" this week. I wonder if he will make us wait until 40 weeks or 42 weeks to make his appearance. You know Wayne always says...great things take time...so when he is ready then that is okay.

 
Pregnancy weight gain: Will weigh myself again closer to my due date. Honestly the last thing on my mind right now is how much I weigh. I am stressed out enough as it is.

Sleep:  Hardly any right now due to the increased pain I feel at night. I am so uncomfortable it is scary. I am honestly starting to wonder if I will ever feel normal again?!

Food cravings:  None

Food aversions: None

Gender: Baby boy

Highlight of the week: Getting the good news Wayne and I have been waiting for since we found out we were pregnant - Praise the Lord! He always comes through for you when you least expect it. This week we are officially debt free! Such a financial relief and major weight off our shoulders!

 Movement: Mild movements this week. Nothing major, this little boy is so chilled and I often wonder if that is going to be the case when he is out of my tummy or if it will all change.
 
What am I looking forward to: Finally holding this Lil guy in my arms.

What I miss the most: Feeling myself.

Worried about: Same as last week  - freaked out about this delivery.

Most excited about: Being debt free and getting another chance to "get it right" - we are SO blessed!

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

 Grateful for: God and his provisions!

 

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 36

Dear Baby Loxton,

As I am typing this I am just on 36 weeks and 6 days, I like to write my weekly posts once I have experienced the week I am referring to. This means that you are due in less than ONE month...LESS than ONE month!

I literally cannot wrap my mind around the fact that you will be here soon. A part of me wants to keep you comfy in my belly forever but the other part is filled with such excitement that soon I will be holding you in my arms! WOW...mind blowing!

I've been so sick with Bronchitis this week and stayed in bed most of the weekend which got my mind racing and of course, me being me, I started to have a mild panic attack - what if I am not ready. Silly me...of course I am ready, I may feel nervous because I am going to be a first time mom and there will be loads of "firsts" for me but it's ok...I've got this. I keep reminding myself that I am going to try my best and my best will be good enough for you.

Sunday your dad and I "celebrated" our one year anniversary. I say "celebrated" because I was too sick to really celebrate but I managed to get out of bed and get dressed to take a drive to the beach and have some ice-cream...I couldn't taste much but getting out was a dream after being stuck in the house for a few days...doctors orders. We have decided we will celebrate when I am feeling 100% better.

Enjoy your last month inside.

Love

Your Mom

36 Weeks

How far along: 36 weeks

Baby fun facts: The size of a watermelon...sounds about right by the way I look in the above picture! He is getting closer to breathing on his own and as of next week he is "Full term"

 

Pregnancy weight gain: Didn't get on the scale this week. It is far too depressing.

Sleep:  Hard to sleep when you can't find a position you are comfortable in for longer than 30 min at a time. For the first time I wished Wayne and I had separate beds..just until I give birth and don't need so much room as he takes over the bed most nights and me being the light sleeper that I am feels his every move etc.

Food cravings:  I felt like ice-cream on Sunday, does that count as a craving?

Food aversions: No major food aversion.

Gender: A boy

Highlight of the week: Our one year anniversary

 

Movement: Starting to become uncomfortable. The slightest move from him hurts quite a bit but I don't want to sound like I am complaining. I welcome these movements as I know he is alright inside there still.
 
What am I looking forward to: Besides holding my baby boy in my arms. I am looking forward to going on leave.

What I miss the most: Gym!!! Feeling and looking as fit as a fiddle.

Worried about: This delivery has gotten me a bit shaken. I think it is because I am now waiting and not sure what I am waiting for or how eina this experience is going to be. Also everyone I know from week 36 starts to go for weekly check ups and my gynae is like...."No I will see you again in 3 weeks"...um hello that is like a week before my due date...what if I go into Labour...lol well then I guess i just go to the labour ward but a part of me was hoping I would have some form of warning from her when she does her examinations. They usually tell you, your cervix has thinned out or you have dialated slightly but I will get non of this! I am slightly freaked out...can you tell?

Most excited about: Too much to mention.

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

 Grateful for: What is there NOT to be grateful for!!! BOOM..life is great...bronchitis and all!

 

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 35

Dear Baby Loxton,

I have taken a slight blogging break due to the increased work load here at work the last few weeks. I need to make sure everything is sorted and in its place before I depart on my journey to become a mommy ~ to YOU!

My days seems shorter and my nights seem so long. I think it has to do with the fact that I have way too much work to fit into my 9 hour working day and I am in terrible pain at night when I sleep so the hours at night seem to drag on forever.

Monday was a Public Holiday and I took full advantage of it. A day spent chilling out and boy did I sure enjoy every minute of it.

Tuesday was a very special day, it was the day that one of mommy's dearest friends gave birth to her baby boy Elijah James Esser. He is such a cutie and I cannot wait for you boys to one day meet each other. They live in China so you won't get to see him often unfortunately but I am so excited for you to meet him.

Friday we took another trip to the gynae for a check up. I was 35 weeks and 5 days on Friday. You were head down still ( a good thing) and weighing in at 3kg already! All was fine and you seem rather cozy in there...no signs of you making an appearance anytime soon. You often back your bum high up on my right side and almost tuck yourself away under my right rib cage. Your daddy and I have this little joke that you perhaps see light down below, seeing that you are head down and then you back up as if to say..." No, sorry I am not ready to leave yet" Truth is you have a few more weeks left in there so you sit tight for as long as you like.

This week, come to think of it was quite a busy one. Saturday I had breakfast with some of my girl friends and then you attended your first Kiddies party with us. I hope I ate all the sweets and cakes that you enjoy lol. McKenzie turned 6 years old - WOW time sure does go way too fast. It feels like she was born just the other day. She can't want to meet you, every time I see her she rubs my tummy and hopes to feel you move but you never do.

Sunday your daddy and I went on a mini date day. We went to the movies to watch 22 Jump Street. It was so funny. Your daddy and I have decided to try spend as much QT together before you arrive as we know we are going to have to adjust the first few weeks of your life. We are so excited for that!!!!

Until next week Lil man...

Love

Your Mom

35 Weeks and it looks like I am storing nuts in my cheeks for the winter LOL

How far along: 35 weeks

Baby fun facts: Weighing in at 3kg this week and they say he should gain, according to the chart that the gynae has been mapping his growth out on, roughly 150-200 grams per week so we are looking at a birth weight of approximately 3.7 to 4kg that is if I carry him to full 40 week term. This of course isn't accurate and I feel he will weigh around 3.8kg at birth and not over 4kg as the gynae has been predicting he might. He is responding to the music I play in the car on the way to work. I assume those must either be the songs he enjoys or he is telling me to please turn it off...hahaha!

 

Pregnancy weight gain: I got on the scale this week and I nearly had a heart attack! 18kg and I say that with tears in my eyes. I managed to lose 2.2kg during the week but I can guarantee I gained it all again at McKenzie's party with all the cake I ate. Rather depressing thinking of the baby weight I am going to have to lose when he arrives but once again, I wouldn't change this experience for the 18kg I have gained.

Sleep:  Terrible

Food cravings:  No major cravings. This pregnancy has been pretty boring when it comes to that. I haven't been one of those women who want to eat pickles dipped in ice-cream for example and I guess I can be thankful for that as I might be 40kg heavier then.

Food aversions: No major food aversion.

Gender: A little Prince

Highlight of the week: The birth of Baby Elijah James Esser

 

Movement: I am starting to believe that this really depends on his mood because some days he never stops moving and the other days I freak out as I feel hardly any movement at all. Without fail he hiccups at least 5 times a day and it is a rather weird feeling considering that he is head down...I shall leave the rest to your imagination.
 
What am I looking forward to: The day he decides to arrive!

What I miss the most: Gym. The last few weeks all I have wanted to do is hit an epic gym session, the kind where you leave the gym not able to walk and looking as though you took a dive in the gym swimming pool - you know that kind of session?! Being told to take it easy from about week 18 has killed me slowly.

Worried about: Mmmhh surprisingly nothing this week. I have made peace with the fact that my gramps is going to pass away one day and I have promised to prepare myself as much as possible for this day but to not worry about it anymore. He is here still and each day I have on this earth with him still alive is the biggest blessing from God.

Most excited about: Baby Loxton's arrival and getting back to gym!

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

 Grateful for: God's constant blessings over the last 35 weeks! Man, He blows my mind on a daily basis with his blessings!

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 34

Dear Baby Loxton,

We getting closer and closer to term, eeeeekkkk, cue freak out!

This week, even though it was another great week I definitely started to feel more along the lines of 60 years old vs. the 31 years that I actually am! The aches and pains have definitely increased and I feel as though I have arthritis in my fingers and they look like fat little sausages BUT on a high note my cankles have returned to ankles again, I am over the moon about this!

Our hospital bags are packed and ready to go just in case you decide to arrive early and I am just glad that, that is out of the way. I still have one or two things, like my UIF forms to complete but then I am pretty much ready and waiting to just go on leave from work and CHILL out...because I can. LOL who am I trying to kid knowing myself this won't happen though as I will end up spring cleaning the house...I do not know how to sit still.

I was pretty bleak this weekend as your dad and I had these big plans to go and watch Armin Van Buuren in JHB, he is one of mom's favourite DJ's but we had to sell the tickets as I was told I couldn't fly at the risk that something may go wrong or I may go into labour. Such a let down BUT I soon got over it at the reminder that you are almost here...that made me smile...enough said! Daddy and I also went out on a date night which was awesome and much needed.

We celebrated father's day at your great grandparents house, your great gran cooked up a storm and we all ate like Kings. It was so yummy and I could tell that you sure enjoyed the meal by the amount of kicking and movement going on in my belly while I was eating - nothing better than a home cooked meal!

My mind has been consumed lately by the thought of "When will he arrive, when will he decide he wants to make his way into the real world" - I wish I knew the exact date you would be arriving, I am not really one for surprises but I have accepted the fact that I just have to wait it out.

Enjoy your last few weeks in there Lil man.

Mom loves you!

34 Weeks ~ You can stop growing Lil man! Mom is big enough!

How far along: 34 weeks

Baby fun facts: Weighing in around the size of an average spanspek, feels more like I am carrying a bowling ball around in there. Most of his organs are matured at this week except for his lungs, which continue to produce surfactant and practice breathing movements for his BIG arrival day.

 

Pregnancy weight gain: Not even interested to get on the scale. HUGE is the only word that comes to mind.

Sleep:  Last week was better, this week...not so much! Struggling with major joint and pubic bone pain. Every time I move the sound of my bones cracking wake me up as I moan from the pain.

Food cravings:  A bit of a sweet tooth this week but nothing major

Food aversions: Nothing

Gender: Baby Boy

Highlight of the week: Date night with Wayne and spending fathers day at my grandparents and seeing my gramps smile like a little boy when he opened his gifts. No matter how sick he is, he managed to tell my gran she may not touch his treats, those are his. SO Typical lol!

 

Movement: Lots of movement and now he is starting to stretch his legs and arms out and it is the weirdest feeling ever. Wayne was "high-fiving" him the other night, most amused by the way our lil guy was pushing his hand out in my belly...it was kind of a gross feeling for me.
 
What am I looking forward to: Baby Loxton's arrival.

What I miss the most: Feeling 31 and not like I am 60

Worried about: My gramps :'(

Most excited about: Having this baby, being at home and hitting the gym!

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

 Grateful for: Having a roof over my head this winter. It is so cold outside. Poor homeless people.
 

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 33

Dear Baby Loxton,

33 weeks and that number keeps climbing really fast...I struggle to get my mind around it! This week we had the pleasure of seeing your chubby cheeks and tummy on a scan at another check up....jeez I am getting SO excited but just trying to calm myself down to a panic as you are not due to come for a while still and; well the Doc seems to think that even though you are "head down" and not breech, you are pretty cozy in there and there are no signs that we will be seeing you sooner than we should.

So at 33 weeks and 5 days you were weighing in at 2.580kg and if the doc maps it out correctly on her chart, she reckons you will be about 3.8 - 4kg at birth...so you are not yet classified as a "macrosomic" baby ~ shew! Mom is sure happy to hear this! You are growing a lot these days and I am surprised at the size of my belly. When I wake up in the morning it is definitely bigger than the night before. I swear the other night as I lay in bed I felt my belly grow as I lay there - bizarre!

I feel pretty great right about now, no major complaints besides the pubic bone pressure I am experiencing. My pinched nerve has disappeared and it was another good week.

We visited Aunty Luba for coffee this week and she gave you a gift ~ spoilt yet again Lil man! It was so nice to see her after such a long time and her two little girls are beautiful and they are growing up so fast - you will meet them one day soon!

Saturday your dad and I decided to have a potjie at our place and invite a few friends over to watch the rugby, eat, chill, drink and be merry. I do wish I could make it past 10 pm in the evenings though and not feel as though I am about to pass out when the clock strikes 10! Yawn!

I must just let you in on another little secret...your daddy is so amazing. He looks after me so well, massages my feet and back,runs the bath for me, helps me up off the bed if I am in too much pain and I struggle - he really is going to be such an amazing daddy. You are so blessed and you are not even born yet!

The only thing that has made mommy really sad this week is hearing the news that your Great Gramps' cancer count has increased. Still praying and asking God to allow him enough time on this earth so that he gets to meet you and hold you in his arms...this pretty much breaks my heart every time I think about it.

All my love

Your Mom

How far along: 33 weeks

Baby fun facts: He is keeping his eyes open while he is awake now...I am interested to see what colour those eyes are going to be! Our Lil man is weighing 2.580 kg already..what a Lil champ!

 

Pregnancy weight gain: Not sure but probably close on 18 kg by now.

Sleep:  Better, strange but true. Just the pubic bone discomfort waking me up often in the evenings.

Food cravings:  Nope. Feeling very full lately but this still hasn't stopped me from eating.

Food aversions: No.

Gender: A boy

Highlight of the week: The potjie and good laughs with my dear friends, sure needed the laughs after my stressful week.

 

Movement: Loads and loads right now but this makes me happy as that makes me think you are happy and healthy in there...maybe squashed but happy.
 
What am I looking forward to: Going on maternity leave.

What I miss the most: Same, same - feeling my normal self and being thin!

Worried about: My gramps :'(

Most excited about: Meeting this baby boy of ours!

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

 Grateful for: Having an easy pregnancy thus far. I know other women have it bad and I really cannot complain.