tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29828751018372496272024-03-20T12:15:17.327+13:00Erin's Ever AfterA Lifestyle blog including details about wedding planning, arts and crafts, travel and living abroad.Erin's Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915063987642191302noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-20266046719929271052020-04-04T20:04:00.000+13:002020-04-07T12:36:07.177+12:00Ninety Minute Cinnamon Rolls || My Favourite Recipes | Foodie Friday<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Ingredients</span>:</h2>
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Dough</span>:</h3>
3/4 cup almond milk<br />
1/4 cup margarine (soft)<br />
3 1/4 cup flour<br />
3 teaspoons bread yeast (or 1 packet of instant yeast)<br />
1/4 cup white sugar<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
1 egg<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Filling:</span></h3>
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)<br />
1 Tablespoon cinnamon<br />
1/4 cup margarine (soft)<br />
1/2 cup softened apples or raisins.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Method:</span></h2>
Heat almond milk in small saucepan until it bubbles slightly, remove from heat. Stir in margarine. Then cool<br />
In large bowl, mix 2 1/4 cup flour (leave 1 cup free), yeast, sugar, salt. Add almond milk mix and egg.<br />
Add remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time.<br />
When dough has just pulled together turn onto floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.<br />
Cover dough with damp cloth for 10 minutes<br />
<br />
Mix margarine, brown sugar and cinnamon together to form a paste (add small pieces of fruit if desired)<br />
<br />
Roll dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle<br />
Spread on brown sugar mix<br />
Roll rectangle carefully pinching the ends of the tube.<br />
Cut roll into 12 equal sized rolls. Grease 12 muffin trays. Place rolls into trays and let rolls rise for 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 190<span class="st">°C</span><br />
<span class="st">Bake in oven for 20 minutes until brown (you may need a tray beneath the muffin tray to catch any spilled sugar mix)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">Prep: 20 minutes</span><br />
<span class="st">Cook: 20 minutes</span><br />
<span class="st">Reading in 1hour 30 minutes (90 minutes) </span><br />
<span class="st">Removed from muffin trays to cool </span><br />
<br />Erin's Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915063987642191302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-31348725275399797162018-12-20T11:50:00.000+13:002018-12-21T15:08:42.407+13:00Hazel's 5 month update || Baby diariesHazel turns 5 months today and boy has it been a fun month of changes
for her. She has mastered the art of rolling over in both directions
which means she hasn't been get as frustrated with being stuck in one
position. Consequently she is now on the move as she can roll over and
over in the same direction and can make her way across a room in a
surprisingly short amount of time. Along with the rolling she can also rotate
on the spot and shuffle backwards. Fortunately she is yet to figure out
how to go forwards, and I'm in no hurry to teach her either. Slow down baby girl, you're growing up too fast! She has been
gaining dexterity with her hands, passing toys from hand to hand or
putting them into her mouth. She now speaks "wookie" with a relentless
stream of gurgling, pigeon noises, coos and squeals.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rOWo-fqXzHAAktxYMncN_xdjxSZey1jTGPxL1C0OW5MI4QxMqX_RYGL-Ezrp9eoLu96CkuHGiOP2Td2iP09-1AR9pMP74ZhJIIfmr1iVjVIbKlCub45AgL86IckmKpv04pTkREO8Me45/s1600/IMG_20181129_181429_995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rOWo-fqXzHAAktxYMncN_xdjxSZey1jTGPxL1C0OW5MI4QxMqX_RYGL-Ezrp9eoLu96CkuHGiOP2Td2iP09-1AR9pMP74ZhJIIfmr1iVjVIbKlCub45AgL86IckmKpv04pTkREO8Me45/s640/IMG_20181129_181429_995.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Teething has been
hard on her this month, although none of her pearly whites have popped through
yet. I can see that her gums are inflamed and she loves a good chew on
the frozen teether toys we keep in the fridge, especially on hot days. <br />
<br />
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<br />
She still loves and is fascinated by her toes and hands and likes to hit/slap them hard against everything (faces/floors/toys etc). This means that her favourite toys go flying across the room and if I dare to drink from a glass while holding her, there is a good chance it will end up on the floor if I'm not careful. Textures are also intriguing for her, and she is constantly scratching the wood at the top of her bassinet, stroking Chris's beard and squishing anything that could possibly be squished. <br />
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<br />
She still thinks her Dad and Auntie Holly are the most hilarious people ever and never fails to crack a huge smile when she sees them. She hasn't laughed as hysterically as when she first did it at 4 months but we do get the odd chuckle and squeal. She loves it when we hold her up high over our heads, with her eyes sparkling and mouth open wide, a long mozzarella drool often greets us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0vzqaV8OjxjlDFp-3jvc7chiwlxqQx7cdyj5vDWMW6BvHSeAre_sT3b1Ny7O-SBBpQMD6IU0GilUUwNV13YL5FEVmRJTpwW0y1G_7ZI1W93hB6FoKxbh8vQBmnxfvMC1r_CQrO9ErmOA/s1600/IMG_20181209_154222_560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0vzqaV8OjxjlDFp-3jvc7chiwlxqQx7cdyj5vDWMW6BvHSeAre_sT3b1Ny7O-SBBpQMD6IU0GilUUwNV13YL5FEVmRJTpwW0y1G_7ZI1W93hB6FoKxbh8vQBmnxfvMC1r_CQrO9ErmOA/s640/IMG_20181209_154222_560.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
In the last day or so she has started saying " Mum Mum Mum" while having a grizzle or trying to get my attention. I'm not entirely sure if she actually is asking for me or if it is just a natural sound she's making by chance, but either way my heart swells when I hear it.<br />
<br />
Hazel has started reaching out to Chris when he comes home from work and
gets so excited to see him. She also reaches out when she wants to get
out of her bassinet or wants something I'm holding, most commonly my phone.<br />
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Hazel has now decided that she likes to sleep on her tummy. I have been trying to prevent her from falling asleep like this, as it's not as safe as on her back, but she is a determined little bean and keeps on flipping herself over. I have spoken with the Plunket nurse and she has reassured me that she has good enough neck and upper body strength that she is unlikely to be in danger in this position, so we now let her be in what ever position she likes best.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCEPrER5n-__8RsU1oa7x7scCEYpseD0KhRP35y9tmrPsg2zDUFTnLKKcUGLtIBkh4rR-2df8GYJ6BZoI4PJZmbNMUl_nEr11oXanfICjMAf9aeSKih5cM6ErnSZD1kfUt5jlgyZCcaMn/s1600/20181202_193358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCEPrER5n-__8RsU1oa7x7scCEYpseD0KhRP35y9tmrPsg2zDUFTnLKKcUGLtIBkh4rR-2df8GYJ6BZoI4PJZmbNMUl_nEr11oXanfICjMAf9aeSKih5cM6ErnSZD1kfUt5jlgyZCcaMn/s640/20181202_193358.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
We purchased an Ergo 360 carrier which she seems to enjoy (ie. falls asleep in) and we have been taking her on sunny day bush walks (places where the buggy cannot manage). This has opened up a whole range of local walks we were previously missing out on.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMLP0shjGDfK6rMsXIx3_0XsVsTUr6riHubWQ9AQUuT_aV_5-Q_vGx8VjquKggFWYUP_8TBo-t4qrJFpGg1hZwkQAIwEPASI6xmvh-sRU2SPsveEz7pMhqkyml8Zjn9otdjSHyzFOd1y5/s1600/received_194662458149324.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMLP0shjGDfK6rMsXIx3_0XsVsTUr6riHubWQ9AQUuT_aV_5-Q_vGx8VjquKggFWYUP_8TBo-t4qrJFpGg1hZwkQAIwEPASI6xmvh-sRU2SPsveEz7pMhqkyml8Zjn9otdjSHyzFOd1y5/s640/received_194662458149324.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Hazel has developed strong legs which she likes to stand up with and has recently
decided that sitting up is WAY better than reclining, although she can't
sit herself up without assistance yet. </div>
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We finished the month with our usual Pop-in-portraits and both of these photos make my heart sing. She is both the picture of innocence and mischief all rolled into one.<br />
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<br />
A few other things that I want to remember about this time are, that her
hands are as soft as velvet, she always smiles after she sneezes and
sneezes normally come in threes (just like her mummy).<br />
<br />
We are gearing up for the festive season now so expect an extra post about Hazel's First Christmas in the coming weeks. <br />
<h2>
Five month stats:</h2>
Height: 62cm<br />
<br />
Weight: 6.9kg<br />
<br />
Sleeping: Mostly sleeping from about 10pm until 5:30am or after (I'm one lucky mummy). We did have a week or so of sleep regression which had her waking once during the night (usually between 1-2am) but it didn't last long.<br />
<br />
Eating/Feeding:150ml tends to be a pretty good amount<br />
<br />
Sizes: 3-6 month sizes <br />
<br />
Milestones: Rolling over (both ways), laughing<br />
<br />
Nicknames: Bubba, Darling, Gorgeous, Poppet, My Girl, Miss Madam, Hazy-daisy<br />
<br />
Likes: Smiling at us, making her mobile spin, getting
her nappy changed, singing along with me, rolling over, tummy time, blowing raspberries, sucking on her toes/hands, being lifted above our heads/being superman<br />
<br />
Dislikes: Waiting for a feed, feeling left out while taking a nap, teething Erin's Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915063987642191302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-73329863749078768402018-11-21T20:20:00.000+13:002018-12-19T20:27:26.054+13:00Hazel's 4 month update || Baby diariesWe have a roller! Hazel rolled over this month (3.5months) from back to belly. She actually did it for the first time and I almost missed it in the early morning the day of our friends wedding. She had been trying SO HARD for the week prior, spending most of her time awake on her side but not quite completing the roll. She was so stoked with herself when it finally happened and so was I. Now that she has done it once, she will not stop rolling over, her tummy is her favourite place to be and now she is only on her back while sleeping or playing on her playmat. <br />
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<br />
Hazel is still sleeping next to us in her bassinet but as I was cleaning her room (currently our guest room) I put her in her big girl cot and realised just how little she looked. The day is coming when she will grow out of her bassinet but for the time being I like having her right by my side at night. <br />
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She's developed lovely chubby cheeks which you can't help but want to smoosh and her personality is blossoming. She is still a lovely chill baby who gives us lots of smiles and is pretty easy to figure out what she needs when she is upset. Let's hope the dreaded "Four month sleep regression" doesn't change all of that.<br />
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<br />
Just prior to Hazel turning four months old, her Uncle and Auntie returned from their adventures in Europe and stayed with us in Auckland for a week while they recovered from jetlag and got their affairs in order. It was an adjustment for Hazel to have so many people in our small house but she also absolutely loved all of the extra attention. Holly and Lee have a great report with her and she found it hilarious when Holly would blow raspberries at her, so much so that Hazel started blowing bubbles ALL OF THE TIME and gave herself dribble rash in the process. Hazel also laughed for the first time while they were staying with us. She had been awake for way longer than usual (due to all of the excitement) and was overtired but still in a good mood. As I was changing her nappy I was blowing raspberries at her and she started cracking up hysterically. The other three ran into our room to share in the moment, it was such a good feeling and we all laughed along with her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqE8v7bQctJo2VCZpq9v3C0DvvRwWPggTt7ln197VHR_PIoCCLL4OwK64EM7_pOUuKXHVoJQ6ZUFU_FEu7A0nZC4m47ybI8m3xxuREyEcByOkk8WaELWKtFtb_Q2yIgtzwRCgo9HFNNoyk/s1600/IMG_20181102_171454_654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqE8v7bQctJo2VCZpq9v3C0DvvRwWPggTt7ln197VHR_PIoCCLL4OwK64EM7_pOUuKXHVoJQ6ZUFU_FEu7A0nZC4m47ybI8m3xxuREyEcByOkk8WaELWKtFtb_Q2yIgtzwRCgo9HFNNoyk/s640/IMG_20181102_171454_654.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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Hazel's 4 month pop-in-portrait was a little more difficult than usual as Hazel had some serious stranger danger going on, and took a dislike to the photographer (who was really trying her best to get a good smile). We ended up getting a slouchy half grin and one of her chewing her gums (sore teeth) hopefully next month will be more cheery. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuF6LXEq9-srjv2MCTGx4tKR1n45MiPOnHo0VV2OlxAXVvVqF28JKVgnZ52Elnr1LAAG7DzRe03Dz72D-mIE1c5mHc7JJGTDHCtd66Q4I_JnGuM2VBZ_WrHr75uNVJwAaSqgubP191FjT/s1600/Pop-in+Portraits+New+Lynn+Monthly+Pop-ins+23+Nov+2018+94592+Printable.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuF6LXEq9-srjv2MCTGx4tKR1n45MiPOnHo0VV2OlxAXVvVqF28JKVgnZ52Elnr1LAAG7DzRe03Dz72D-mIE1c5mHc7JJGTDHCtd66Q4I_JnGuM2VBZ_WrHr75uNVJwAaSqgubP191FjT/s640/Pop-in+Portraits+New+Lynn+Monthly+Pop-ins+23+Nov+2018+94592+Printable.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdCRnOl7l5Cwu_ZiCEj19DLMcOyBFCpMScD6mQ-x5CdOTuqAxMLj6pJR5wr9C3IQXhztb-lfKmD21ZZLv18allflwcE-aRtLG2hPu0BtJRco58iO8IHXMOjlDf_ibNk2ODuExFWxftq2s/s1600/Pop-in+Portraits+New+Lynn+Monthly+Pop-ins+23+Nov+2018+94590+Printable.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdCRnOl7l5Cwu_ZiCEj19DLMcOyBFCpMScD6mQ-x5CdOTuqAxMLj6pJR5wr9C3IQXhztb-lfKmD21ZZLv18allflwcE-aRtLG2hPu0BtJRco58iO8IHXMOjlDf_ibNk2ODuExFWxftq2s/s640/Pop-in+Portraits+New+Lynn+Monthly+Pop-ins+23+Nov+2018+94590+Printable.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<h2>
Four month stats:</h2>
Height: No measurement this month<br />
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Weight: No measurement this month<br />
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Sleeping: Mostly sleeping from 10pm until 5:30am<br />
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Eating/Feeding:150ml tends to be a pretty good amount<br />
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Sizes: Some larger 0-3 month and smaller 3-6 month sizes <br />
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Milestones: Rolling over and Laughing!<br />
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Nicknames: Darling, Gorgeous, Poppet, My Girl, Miss Madam <br />
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Likes:
Smiling at us, making her mobile spin, getting
her nappy changed, singing along with me, rolling over, tummy time,
blowing raspberries, sucking on her toes/hands<br />
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Dislikes: Waiting for a feed, feeling left out while taking a nap, waiting for us to roll her from tummy to back Erin's Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915063987642191302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-7509757091716163112018-10-24T12:24:00.000+13:002018-12-02T15:49:06.051+13:00Hazel's 3 month update || Baby diaries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ajQYQvJiGprmKyyHIlSAR07Rcwy2cHVpy7m9Xrw-KhF_sZIBE9rFE8Y1Gy1Qu-b0J7dUrhpDl4wAJ9L6tSbEtQOe3nNwFFMJdmCeqm7riYRiOWEFQw6L3Oe6xWxfKafKtscxnkjYJXA9/s1600/11+weeks+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ajQYQvJiGprmKyyHIlSAR07Rcwy2cHVpy7m9Xrw-KhF_sZIBE9rFE8Y1Gy1Qu-b0J7dUrhpDl4wAJ9L6tSbEtQOe3nNwFFMJdmCeqm7riYRiOWEFQw6L3Oe6xWxfKafKtscxnkjYJXA9/s640/11+weeks+%25282%2529.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11 weeks old</td></tr>
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I know I said the same thing last month, but this month has been my favourite and has gone by so fast (is it just going to continue like that?). I have started becoming more confident as her mother and we have all been pretty happy. Hazel and I have been getting out and about, enjoying the warmer spring weather and admiring the spring blossoms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dEPDvsQZGGEvpfQZo_wCPSrw9epIxSVPug6MVcjAPDG-N24JN2XPvo4rwJLhvtlYh01_dU17ObKkpzMJQHyVFjyzsdRP0yhjioi0S9PhTyQXRC1ql7fW7Pacca97xmHAHvLUNFL2shxV/s1600/2018-09-21+Hazel+9+weeks+old+playmat+032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dEPDvsQZGGEvpfQZo_wCPSrw9epIxSVPug6MVcjAPDG-N24JN2XPvo4rwJLhvtlYh01_dU17ObKkpzMJQHyVFjyzsdRP0yhjioi0S9PhTyQXRC1ql7fW7Pacca97xmHAHvLUNFL2shxV/s640/2018-09-21+Hazel+9+weeks+old+playmat+032.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
Hazel has become even more interactive this month with a pretty constant string of ohh's and ahh's and general babbling. Her jibber-jabber is at its peak while I sing to her, which can be a mix of radio hits, nursery rhymes and general nonsense I make up on the spot, and she just tries to sing-along. She gets very excited and waves her arms and legs around when I sing the songs she knows, her favourites seem to be the ABCs, Row-your-boat and You are my sunshine. She still loves her play mat and being on the change table too. Along with all this babbling she is now dribbling more, blowing spit bubbles and chewing on her thumb (or entire hand). I've heard that this can be a sign of teething, as this coincided with her recently (11 weeks) starting to chewing her bottom lip. This makes me think that her lower gums are a bit sore, it hasn't seemed to affect her mood yet but knowing that I got my first tooth at 4.5 months, she may be the same.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZHAeldqzBKzF1o3TxMDvENEwHQazPdpZf3Hvite7RuSUOjC1uNwSixpk_KPrln-38oBdzzoBu2fA_g3zIzCKC1ACUuwaeiUZhbI8pF6fnnPRPkND394xjU-tTWDI3t86NoZ-ZECBtgsv/s1600/20181015_160003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZHAeldqzBKzF1o3TxMDvENEwHQazPdpZf3Hvite7RuSUOjC1uNwSixpk_KPrln-38oBdzzoBu2fA_g3zIzCKC1ACUuwaeiUZhbI8pF6fnnPRPkND394xjU-tTWDI3t86NoZ-ZECBtgsv/s640/20181015_160003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocking that tummy time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgornOIQw9ka3uIXFO5f70ZQoTYZsv5fKqL9H_XG_2EBaRqO102TmhlcPLYnwSzI3ywuZUEEEd90Nyq9_aWNhi-TJNFkZ_ZZe8IILUASUbWVQ-992QY5seJTbUPZL6hpCBh6STEVIhwCvOm/s1600/IMG_20181015_161505_675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgornOIQw9ka3uIXFO5f70ZQoTYZsv5fKqL9H_XG_2EBaRqO102TmhlcPLYnwSzI3ywuZUEEEd90Nyq9_aWNhi-TJNFkZ_ZZe8IILUASUbWVQ-992QY5seJTbUPZL6hpCBh6STEVIhwCvOm/s640/IMG_20181015_161505_675.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These dribble bibs have been coming in handy</td></tr>
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Sleep has been the other big change this month which we are super pleased about. Our little angel was sleeping 6-7 hour stretches during the night and smaller sleeps during the day at 9 weeks old, which we were pretty impressed with already, but she has recently started to build upon this. At 11 weeks she started occasionally sleeping 8 hours during the night (10pm to 6am) and by 12 weeks she is sleeping 7-9 hours most nights, which gives us a full nights sleep (as long as we aren't silly and don't stay up past our own bedtime). She has been taking much shorter naps (1-2 hours max) late in the day in preparation for her long sleep at night, which just gives us more cuddle time with her when Chris finishes work. She is still generally tired after about an hour and now lets us know when she wants to go to bed by having a little grizzle, rubbing her eyes, and yawning.She sometimes will yell out suddenly in her sleep, but then will return
to her dreams as if it never happened. While Chris and I have been startled and almost
jumped out of our skins waiting to see if it continues, ready to jump out of bed and get her. <br />
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I had another lactation consultation this month (week 11) where she introduced a feeding tube. This is a device that gives extra milk through a tube while the baby sucks at the breast. However, the nurse could see how reluctant Hazel was to breastfeed and how much stress is caused both of us, so she reassured me that it would be a difficult road ahead and not to feel bad if we decide that it's not for us. Which I am relieved about as I have been feeling guilty and inadequate about not being able to breastfeed her properly, I know this is silly and that "fed is best" as she is still getting all the nutrients she needs to thrive. In order to banish these bad feelings I have been reminding myself that a happy mum and happy baby is the end goal and I give her lots of extra cuddles and one-on-one attention to compensate. While bottle feeding my expressed breast milk, we have introduced "paced feeding" and still use a newborn teat in order draw out and slow down to process to stop her guzzling it in one go. She has now become more contented and patient with her feeds, and she knows the routine of getting fed when she wakes up, so she is happier to wait and smile at us first, rather than going straight into meltdown mode.<br />
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<h2>
Postpartum Recovery </h2>
As for an update on how I am doing. Postpartum hair-loss is no joke. I am shedding like a Samoyed in spring-time. You could weave a rug from all the hair I am losing at the moment, and with having fine hair it's all the more concerning as I can't afford to lose it as it is. I just hope it looks okay at our friends wedding next month. Fortunately I know that this is completely normal and is nothing to be concerned about. It is just the hair that you would have lost during pregnancy, but didn't due to the extra hormones you produce during that time, starts to shed once your body starts returning to its normal cycles. <br />
Talking of cycles (TMI warning) I think I may have got my first mini period at 12 weeks. It only lasted like half a day (which I am grateful for) but it looks like my body is gearing up for making a bigger family already. Chris and I however, are not making any plans to expand anytime soon, and we will need to be very careful until or even if we change our minds. So don't go asking when Hazel will be getting a sibling any time soon. Understood?! Okay, good. <br />
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Oh yeah, I don't own a scale so I'm not sure when it happened but I am now back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I also tried on my old jeans a couple of weeks ago and they fit too. Woohoo! It felt good to dig through my clothing storage bins and add a few pieces back into my wardrobe. Although my body has certainly changed and my tummy doesn't look the way it used to, I'm not putting any pressure on myself to "bounce back" since it took 9 months to get to my biggest, it's only fair to allow 9 months to return to normal. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't resist dressing her up in this pumpkin outfit for an early Halloween. Don't mind the substitute orange jack-o-lanterns, we didn't have any mini pumpkins to hand so I improvised.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpiLBGt-z7TLt425iu6WX6rpjyhXSfhIkTq8ixLD_vLsxBG06QebGf2G045-ZyW8SHnpm8nV9wK606sFnIARuHuTzVLbXuMinNo0z_VuPCTiuRJ3Dv0UsmGaWQhVtg17tW0OPrG2PUwc1/s1600/IMG_20181007_085940_121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpiLBGt-z7TLt425iu6WX6rpjyhXSfhIkTq8ixLD_vLsxBG06QebGf2G045-ZyW8SHnpm8nV9wK606sFnIARuHuTzVLbXuMinNo0z_VuPCTiuRJ3Dv0UsmGaWQhVtg17tW0OPrG2PUwc1/s320/IMG_20181007_085940_121.jpg" width="275" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi9H1lOCWk6bYMEljb3y8NSGcYq1c0DuCwfWBf76c2s8Vwx-V9bA6N-CAbbUI9nb0XeyIv3drzxPn5HN5el0vGWji7gc3wVJUsnY2x2MV3N2V_IXdVyCn9Ik9ILAWFYD-CiNbd3DRdlf1/s1600/IMG_20181007_085940_125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi9H1lOCWk6bYMEljb3y8NSGcYq1c0DuCwfWBf76c2s8Vwx-V9bA6N-CAbbUI9nb0XeyIv3drzxPn5HN5el0vGWji7gc3wVJUsnY2x2MV3N2V_IXdVyCn9Ik9ILAWFYD-CiNbd3DRdlf1/s320/IMG_20181007_085940_125.jpg" width="275" /></a><br />
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Just as Hazel hit the three month mark we took a trip down to Taranaki for a family reunion which was a really fun experience and good to catch up with everyone but it also totally altered our usual routine/schedule. So it was interesting for me to see how Hazel responded to the changes. I was very grateful to have family there who we all too happy to comfort her when she was over-tired and allow a bit of extra wiggle room in their plans to allow for some longer naps. We had a busy schedule of long car journeys, walking and adventure activities. All of which had Hazel on the move and sleeping and feeding on the go. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BdLfpWnpDldLQ9UI0YnS-1qTvetJzHIgkbuP3TPIN6qYoTZoMwnzGN0kOjySqz1A-I8koTeFyB-tnC6SEw1ukQ4E8fPY9glBmwM7p9YuKRAucZhSZOIWntQxgS9Cqn7imZLHgExZAzp1/s1600/IMG_20181019_125431_255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BdLfpWnpDldLQ9UI0YnS-1qTvetJzHIgkbuP3TPIN6qYoTZoMwnzGN0kOjySqz1A-I8koTeFyB-tnC6SEw1ukQ4E8fPY9glBmwM7p9YuKRAucZhSZOIWntQxgS9Cqn7imZLHgExZAzp1/s640/IMG_20181019_125431_255.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazel with her Nana (my Mum) with Mt Taranaki in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_BgnhFgFYh2fzXfaMKlaO9LaOk5kmzEqAcNxsWfbiQm1nYMRgk3rRL34gL4uQ1pit9BzahVn2XanYByorMmCs01n-iiBCvjczhpqgucvefxx_vUoJ13YIu3IlBAVo3HmxLeKnyybNvBy/s1600/IMG_20181019_125734_452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_BgnhFgFYh2fzXfaMKlaO9LaOk5kmzEqAcNxsWfbiQm1nYMRgk3rRL34gL4uQ1pit9BzahVn2XanYByorMmCs01n-iiBCvjczhpqgucvefxx_vUoJ13YIu3IlBAVo3HmxLeKnyybNvBy/s640/IMG_20181019_125734_452.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Taranaki</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMiAkGzEc0QGEp5aezEbMYFZwtHKKxvzep0Ixu605sdfUmHqkHGOl32fP-h8AS_-IMxzCBeFQ50eAJcbOA_tMfXvSkerw6q3WgrUTEpkQxwBpSKRSV5jWKYJ3YYb2X-_UPD12YCsCJLaf/s1600/20181019_185535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMiAkGzEc0QGEp5aezEbMYFZwtHKKxvzep0Ixu605sdfUmHqkHGOl32fP-h8AS_-IMxzCBeFQ50eAJcbOA_tMfXvSkerw6q3WgrUTEpkQxwBpSKRSV5jWKYJ3YYb2X-_UPD12YCsCJLaf/s320/20181019_185535.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping like a starfish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNOPQpbLOvEEG7SvZvEqLdGtOS3Dt0oCnpuMkGF3qAXyxgXR3SPPV8tprcpsRQp8vUcIXf4BMfjqgSh3tb3SVSrE_1QTVBz_97SOOnvqThF4BCTKgaEnIx1LMPR-auhl0EwzC8HI0MDZ8/s1600/IMG_20181019_192627_961.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNOPQpbLOvEEG7SvZvEqLdGtOS3Dt0oCnpuMkGF3qAXyxgXR3SPPV8tprcpsRQp8vUcIXf4BMfjqgSh3tb3SVSrE_1QTVBz_97SOOnvqThF4BCTKgaEnIx1LMPR-auhl0EwzC8HI0MDZ8/s320/IMG_20181019_192627_961.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still in a good mood even after a long car ride</td></tr>
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</h2>
After spending a few days at the family reunion in Taranaki we all loaded up our cars and drove to Taumarunui to go on the <a href="https://forgottenworldadventures.co.nz/" target="_blank">Forgotten World Adventures Tour</a> (Hazel included). Golf buggies on rail tracks took us along the forgotten world railway, through old pitch black coal tunnels (where we could see glow worms on the tunnel ceiling) and through the lush New Zealand country side.<br />
<h2>
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</h2>
We arrived back in Taupo on the Monday and took Hazel out for her first time on the boat the following evening. We caught 3 good sized trout and threw the small ones back, all while enjoying a beautiful sunset. Hazel was no trouble and the gentle rocking of the boat sent her straight to sleep.<br />
<h2>
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</h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Some people call the first three months of your baby's life "The Fourth
Trimester" as your body goes through another huge set of adjustments and
changes just like during the pregnancy. Getting your baby into the
world safely is the first step, getting your baby fed is the second and
figuring out what else your baby needs is the third but it doesn't stop
there. Over the last three months my body has (almost) returned to
normal, but it has been a long process to get there. My milk supplies
have now balanced and I don't leak any where near as much as I used to,
as my body knows how much my baby needs now. My sleeping schedule was
all over the place in the beginning but we are now into a much nicer
routine. My hormones have not been affecting me and my anxiety levels
have returned to normal (low). We have settled into a good routine and I
feel like we are winning at this parenting thing. Although, don't
worry, I have been told that as soon as you feel like you've got it
sorted, Baby will change things up. So I am not feeling too smug, but I
am ready and waiting for Hazel to through me a curve ball, but keeping
my fingers crossed that we'll make it work. </span> <br />
<h2>
Three month stats:</h2>
Height: 58.5cm<br />
<br />
Weight: 5830g<br />
<br />
Sleeping: 7-9 hours at night! Woohoo! Then she will have another long 4-5 hour nap first thing in the morning, and as the day progresses the naps get shorter. <br />
<br />
Eating/Feeding: 150-220ml <br />
<br />
Sizes: 0-3 Months (000)<br />
<br />
Milestones: Much the same as last month, but she now likes to talk to herself (babbles and coos) while in bed or in her stroller. She has also discovered her hands and will occasionally stare at them and is starting to reach out to grab things.<br />
<br />
Nicknames: Darling, Gorgeous, Honey Bee, Poppet, Hazel Mazel Mouse, Miss Madam.<br />
<br />
Likes: Smiling at us, watching her mobile spin, getting
her nappy changed, looking at the world map on our wall, getting a
bath, me singing to her<br />
<br />
Dislikes: Waiting for a feed, feeling left out while taking a nap. Erin's Ever Afterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15915063987642191302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-49961332802477827582018-09-27T18:45:00.000+12:002018-10-14T09:04:18.064+13:00Hazel's 2 month update || Baby diariesThis second month has been so much more enjoyable than the first. Hazel has found her little personality and we are getting lots of smiles, coos and babbling without much prompting. She doesn't really feel like a newborn anymore. As a newborn she would happily fall asleep in our arms or against our chest, soothed by our warmth and heart beats, it didn't matter what was going on around her as she wasn't interested in anything else. This has not been the case this month as now she doesn't want to fall asleep in our arms any more and always wants a clear view to see what's happening around her, which includes wanting to watch our TV, much to our disapproval. So we have had to turn our screens off for her to focus on what she is meant to be doing. With this new awareness she has also become so much more interactive and whenever she gives me a big gummy smile it makes my heart sing. These smiles are some-what difficult to capture on camera as they also come with waving arms and legs which often make for a slightly blurry, out of focus photo. Hazel's favourite spots seem to be her playmat and her change table of all places. Where she likes to wriggle and wave her arms about as much as possible.<br />
<br />
She has developed a nice strong neck which she uses to headbutt me when I burp her. So while burping her on my shoulder I have suffered a few headbutts to my face while tuning my head to see what she was up to and getting the message loud and clear.<br />
<br />
She has a healthy appetite but not a lot of patience, so breast feeding has become more difficult. She wants milk, lots of it, and she wants it immediately and unfortunately that's not how (my) boobs work. Unfortunately she needs to work a bit harder to get fed than with a bottle. So if she doesn't see results within one or two sucks she gets very upset and refuses to nurse any further, which prompts us to resort to my expressed breast milk in a bottle, which she guzzles quickly. I am coming to terms with the fact that breast feeding may not work out for us, as I now find it very stressful and have lost confidence in it, knowing that it will most likely result in a melt down, causing her swallow air which turns into a gassy, crampy tummy later on. The good news is that I still produce and can pump a lot of milk, which is actually way more than she currently needs. So we are both keeping happy and healthy.<br />
<br />
Being bottle fed means that we can fill her up to maximum capacity, keeping her fuller for longer. She is now sometimes able to sleep up to 6 or 7 hours straight during the nights, although most of the time it's still 4 or 5 hour stretches, however the 7 hours overnight is a nice treat. It's not all smooth sailing in the sleep department though, as she now thinks she has the stamina to stay awake longer and be around us more, which is nice in theory but then she gets tired and doesn't want to go back to her bed, which results in her getting overtired. This always seems to happen right around dinner time or when Chris gets home from work (witching hour). Most nights we can get her back to sleep within an hour or two but there have been occasions when it takes much longer for her to settle. I have cut out eating broccoli and spicy foods as eating these seem to coincide with her getting a gassy tummy.<br />
<br />
Chris celebrated his first Father's day when Hazel was 6 weeks old, we didn't do much except spend time together as a family, which we all enjoyed. Next year will be a bit more eventful with a toddler I'm sure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 weeks old</td></tr>
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<br />
She has taken a liking to her video monitor camera and because of the night vision, when she smiles up at the camera it is equal parts cute and a little creepy.<br />
<h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl7khokYdF4NpjTfeWwhfUTFfXigKKZOGB4P2S6o3DzUCp-FrXWLrspaI-IAEV8o9rb8tlnGin5AffjYQLQV1C2joUKlICbxfHqfAofPwlrrgD3uVWmVOmUChgoXyZsBzPj7mRB0DBiwE/s1600/40427077_238750526837421_7974625684410597376_n+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl7khokYdF4NpjTfeWwhfUTFfXigKKZOGB4P2S6o3DzUCp-FrXWLrspaI-IAEV8o9rb8tlnGin5AffjYQLQV1C2joUKlICbxfHqfAofPwlrrgD3uVWmVOmUChgoXyZsBzPj7mRB0DBiwE/s640/40427077_238750526837421_7974625684410597376_n+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a> </h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 weeks old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C7vuf1fArw2MqF153RnPLbNanLr4YuBw67TbAmOCWf4geqrmgvvZi7d90lQAvuuFkYD_LaUI3wiewd5LQBGiFESRnH-75pbuv0wclCZukd5G2-GMBgy8gJrA4b0wKkfKEBhrqxdnSV68/s1600/2018-09-10+Hazel+7+weeks+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4C7vuf1fArw2MqF153RnPLbNanLr4YuBw67TbAmOCWf4geqrmgvvZi7d90lQAvuuFkYD_LaUI3wiewd5LQBGiFESRnH-75pbuv0wclCZukd5G2-GMBgy8gJrA4b0wKkfKEBhrqxdnSV68/s640/2018-09-10+Hazel+7+weeks+055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 weeks old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1LkRhAxBOKY5c2R0OSbUGNTQNyNzDP9BTUIAN5AxIgrdPBqQO_pPZqOHSaJfELY9_h8I3XMcSIw0YJWVYHLDoV3p80HTWx70HJfyrVhn5LTEXN0cxO9HZV_zc5SJcw61wUHIEGYMx1Cf/s1600/2018-09-10+Hazel+7+weeks+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1LkRhAxBOKY5c2R0OSbUGNTQNyNzDP9BTUIAN5AxIgrdPBqQO_pPZqOHSaJfELY9_h8I3XMcSIw0YJWVYHLDoV3p80HTWx70HJfyrVhn5LTEXN0cxO9HZV_zc5SJcw61wUHIEGYMx1Cf/s640/2018-09-10+Hazel+7+weeks+063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
At almost 8 weeks old she has grown out of her newborn
clothes and is now in size 0-3 month (000). This has been bitter sweet for me
to pack away her teeny tiny onesies which hold such precious memories
but it's also very rewarding to know that she is growing nicely and now
gets a hold new wardrobe.<br />
<br />
Hazel did
brilliantly at her first photoshoot with Little Annie Monthly Pop-in
Portraits. This happens once a month where a professional photographer opens their
studio for the day and each participant pays $20 to get a nice photo. It
only takes a few of minutes and doesn't break the bank. I took along her teddy bear that she got from her Grandad as a size comparison to show how much she grows every month.<br />
<h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYEkVGNV05d2F_cBkNqVLl1xm4zgIAGnpXTQB6Vtt1zz0mGBf1pSAGXiETwqGrYJZBJJzD32Mgf_iDhwTLSorE4Ku6vlRbzlFfXzx5vGvHjrS3t51GyxFuyuH_QHd0deZR9ojfTWOwzxM/s1600/8+weeks+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYEkVGNV05d2F_cBkNqVLl1xm4zgIAGnpXTQB6Vtt1zz0mGBf1pSAGXiETwqGrYJZBJJzD32Mgf_iDhwTLSorE4Ku6vlRbzlFfXzx5vGvHjrS3t51GyxFuyuH_QHd0deZR9ojfTWOwzxM/s640/8+weeks+old.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazel at 8 weeks old at her first photoshoot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</h2>
That weekend she also had her first road-trip to Taupo to visit the grandparents and she met her Nana's two dogs for the first time. <br />
<h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyv282TXb7OMgljTTkrdx2p9XI_rt2p-h0OKXyE310RSeumDEf0fejHCfTP4S17NL5ToAYq9tLfk9nANnKoO5l83Cx7fTrltfalfGPbdWbZMUCFPwUaDU0flFumemg8fkkvVoOCWYQ7Z7/s1600/2018-09-15+Hazel+visits+Taupo+%25288+weeks%2529+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyv282TXb7OMgljTTkrdx2p9XI_rt2p-h0OKXyE310RSeumDEf0fejHCfTP4S17NL5ToAYq9tLfk9nANnKoO5l83Cx7fTrltfalfGPbdWbZMUCFPwUaDU0flFumemg8fkkvVoOCWYQ7Z7/s640/2018-09-15+Hazel+visits+Taupo+%25288+weeks%2529+024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for a walk at the lake with Nana and the dogs, Cello and Abby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ad7IojW1UKiXJ_Q7AdsBnWFdvXtW5WxuJNYYBAkdHjqlYmv27m9wmzsZzncZLst69oxmrkOyb0dh5q28R7ReU_vGUeaKXPqFiEwyCmpo7WoY6C7h-U81UKU_jJ2BWyLoie3W20uOjcJm/s1600/2018-09-15+Hazel+visits+Taupo+%25288+weeks%2529+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ad7IojW1UKiXJ_Q7AdsBnWFdvXtW5WxuJNYYBAkdHjqlYmv27m9wmzsZzncZLst69oxmrkOyb0dh5q28R7ReU_vGUeaKXPqFiEwyCmpo7WoY6C7h-U81UKU_jJ2BWyLoie3W20uOjcJm/s640/2018-09-15+Hazel+visits+Taupo+%25288+weeks%2529+046.JPG" width="640" /></a>
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</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwZnzWg9xvox624P6t1heMmHmIMGnbQ8G1moSm6wMk35oJWJSk8AATCN_BuDQiApCcGGYRxz1Dmemn_Fx3k02WBe0rEsxvKv1JVcvKvINsH9vgIpL_Ni-WMvpwDFNawsDNvOOK9SzZWA-/s1600/2018-09-18+Hazel+and+Bunny+%2528+8+weeks%2529+046.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwZnzWg9xvox624P6t1heMmHmIMGnbQ8G1moSm6wMk35oJWJSk8AATCN_BuDQiApCcGGYRxz1Dmemn_Fx3k02WBe0rEsxvKv1JVcvKvINsH9vgIpL_Ni-WMvpwDFNawsDNvOOK9SzZWA-/s640/2018-09-18+Hazel+and+Bunny+%2528+8+weeks%2529+046.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<h2>
</h2>
At her two month Plunket nurse appointment she got weighed and measured and I am thrilled with her growth, she is now a healthy almost 50th percentile in weight and height. All that good breast milk has been doing the trick and she finally has the chubby cheeks and thighs to prove it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
Two month stats:</h2>
Height: 57.5cm<br />
<br />
Weight: 5.190kg <br />
<br />
Sleeping: Generally 4 hours during the day and 5 hours at night<br />
<br />
Eating/Feeding: 150-200ml <br />
<br />
Sizes: 0-3 Months (000)<br />
<br />
Milestones: Rolling/tipping over (front to back), lots of smiles and babbling <br />
<br />
Nicknames: Darling, Gorgeous, Honey Bee, Poppet, Hazel Mazel Mouse, Madam.<br />
<br />
Likes: Smiling at us, watching her mobile spin, getting
her nappy changed, looking at the world map on our wall, getting a
bath, me singing to her, tummy time and her playmat.<br />
<br />
Dislikes: waiting for a feed, getting out of the bath, gas bubbles, Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-11106896966143007772018-08-29T10:24:00.000+12:002018-09-04T11:59:18.570+12:00Hazel's 1 month update || Baby diaries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpx5OT7HX1w5tyIRcY05ugWWFRQJXHOymNsen-LERSZaE-bfCzkIh-e3JN413K11liAc4oZ9I84xUI46Tuqy4cWoaaXdPJgN2fkhr2XHjOo9Kf3wMN7Wsi4HK2-LJcUW2lkOO-36YVPhB/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1600" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpx5OT7HX1w5tyIRcY05ugWWFRQJXHOymNsen-LERSZaE-bfCzkIh-e3JN413K11liAc4oZ9I84xUI46Tuqy4cWoaaXdPJgN2fkhr2XHjOo9Kf3wMN7Wsi4HK2-LJcUW2lkOO-36YVPhB/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One week old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our baby girl has grown and developed so much in just one month it's crazy. We have noticed changes in her size, demands and personality every week.<br />
<br />
When she was born, she had a low birth weight and so our main goal in the first few weeks has been to fatten her up as much as we can, which she has done really well at. Putting on weight every week since birth (most newborns lose weight in their first week) Her cheeks have started to fill out and so has the rest of her. At one month old she weighs 3.8kg which is almost a whole kilo more than her birth weight. Although she is still only tracking along the 25th percentile for weight. She is getting exclusively fed breast milk, either straight from the source or expressed and fed by bottle. <br />
<br />
Hazel was born measuring a petite 47cm long, but she has been growing like a champ and is now 52cm (50th percentile)<br />
<br />
Her eyes were dark and steel blue-grey when she was born but they are now lightening to light blue near the pupil and dark blue at the edges of her iris.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bMtyB4d71QfmRpLFWYZ3wVCZsINyGl-0eifuHl8EonB6spxsQuXvmOhI6x0IctsIBUkZRAVYvdt_Wa1I8XRGrc8qwIsqmP7MkMV8tTwQ_LYYjtCFxj4KoLilr_Mu7oluT_TFfNS8eTpJ/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1204" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bMtyB4d71QfmRpLFWYZ3wVCZsINyGl-0eifuHl8EonB6spxsQuXvmOhI6x0IctsIBUkZRAVYvdt_Wa1I8XRGrc8qwIsqmP7MkMV8tTwQ_LYYjtCFxj4KoLilr_Mu7oluT_TFfNS8eTpJ/s400/2018-07-22+Hazel+102.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDqYJTOpaoEZfao_zFd25zD3gRhZ91x6FupNLbLn3eGWk6Zfm836egXLOledEZGr3fMsfLfwnBTvlhXpKSd4Wp6uEUCu3vSyBwkLzWziL3IztZ6W9Dy6qk3XBgj2fg1Xm6cB65RWjx1at/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDqYJTOpaoEZfao_zFd25zD3gRhZ91x6FupNLbLn3eGWk6Zfm836egXLOledEZGr3fMsfLfwnBTvlhXpKSd4Wp6uEUCu3vSyBwkLzWziL3IztZ6W9Dy6qk3XBgj2fg1Xm6cB65RWjx1at/s400/2018-07-22+Hazel+122.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCUYXCJhXM-m7SqX3LDCnAIFkbQXfc7atZpD4SsWARBDpnCGh_KMeDCZf4-VhWDklcaOCVNrgu89Mzg8laBjgSn4lt7LRaJa7v62qYKcrCnBkM47X_ZxSm9SL0OHB7nrApVicxILG-eDn/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCUYXCJhXM-m7SqX3LDCnAIFkbQXfc7atZpD4SsWARBDpnCGh_KMeDCZf4-VhWDklcaOCVNrgu89Mzg8laBjgSn4lt7LRaJa7v62qYKcrCnBkM47X_ZxSm9SL0OHB7nrApVicxILG-eDn/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+126.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One week old</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGenihDExftbBb-xEyP_3gN_QQQlqK1TsDsTwc_OsFEJNxb7bFvFMsAgEOZZYeOB8srPhGvCC0OYO_6CDWbTXz5Jegyf8OmjozIQJk4VqdpMe3KSRshFWuvYRL9hfCA6rFrnFkmyUfkKV/s1600/2018-07-30+Hazel+10+days+old+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGenihDExftbBb-xEyP_3gN_QQQlqK1TsDsTwc_OsFEJNxb7bFvFMsAgEOZZYeOB8srPhGvCC0OYO_6CDWbTXz5Jegyf8OmjozIQJk4VqdpMe3KSRshFWuvYRL9hfCA6rFrnFkmyUfkKV/s640/2018-07-30+Hazel+10+days+old+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 days old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmckt1Ib-_bhq9Q84jvNy9Ht6AvV0AdYWH5-HQX-IfKFn4Kpko8Iy_i9kc6liYNcVfh3dcc5IH9HKrBRfxKe57s7iI2409JR2go9K0bu-x6TS-LUlivcE1vcgbHhYKfe8MhvBpamUmRniU/s1600/2018-07-30+Hazel+10+days+old+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmckt1Ib-_bhq9Q84jvNy9Ht6AvV0AdYWH5-HQX-IfKFn4Kpko8Iy_i9kc6liYNcVfh3dcc5IH9HKrBRfxKe57s7iI2409JR2go9K0bu-x6TS-LUlivcE1vcgbHhYKfe8MhvBpamUmRniU/s640/2018-07-30+Hazel+10+days+old+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 days old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGySmoryuUKxgO_cO7hO3k8gx2uDbCLkYxCKMV9TJU2N8iLb3EQPE5HFBxyCckGkFIxXbH2BAmg6ILZHgD4NnSxSsdac7fSqoMgruE1qig_6zi6m_wzT63AXmZ9pfhOvSorqr53ine09w9/s1600/2018-08-15+Hazel+3+weeks+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGySmoryuUKxgO_cO7hO3k8gx2uDbCLkYxCKMV9TJU2N8iLb3EQPE5HFBxyCckGkFIxXbH2BAmg6ILZHgD4NnSxSsdac7fSqoMgruE1qig_6zi6m_wzT63AXmZ9pfhOvSorqr53ine09w9/s640/2018-08-15+Hazel+3+weeks+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three weeks old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYa3VXDOWavL9xvCl2HUsLLrLjysNWJ7Axcgus6J8LUfA2ncZiu76-DR4xqiXdF2XwGLx4GjOxSoHHonMEXUbNHvx6pqQOKGEH_-q0OLMt1PNX2jgcBmnToqrv1oXbcTSHwfw_RbIvE9v/s1600/2018-08-15+Hazel+3+weeks+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1025" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYa3VXDOWavL9xvCl2HUsLLrLjysNWJ7Axcgus6J8LUfA2ncZiu76-DR4xqiXdF2XwGLx4GjOxSoHHonMEXUbNHvx6pqQOKGEH_-q0OLMt1PNX2jgcBmnToqrv1oXbcTSHwfw_RbIvE9v/s400/2018-08-15+Hazel+3+weeks+027.JPG" width="255" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkZLNfzDd8SSrk6ayh_I0dkjS8iKHWMKz1iEuB_3n9d4j4_QFZSZCmwxRcMNP4SUhRK-EbMHBgGRqNhRRiwYciUxub9N-gGZZPr1Hi-3ClsiEMWmua6AI_aOb-plKePhj0lgPQEnVPH7s/s1600/2018-08-15+Hazel+3+weeks+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkZLNfzDd8SSrk6ayh_I0dkjS8iKHWMKz1iEuB_3n9d4j4_QFZSZCmwxRcMNP4SUhRK-EbMHBgGRqNhRRiwYciUxub9N-gGZZPr1Hi-3ClsiEMWmua6AI_aOb-plKePhj0lgPQEnVPH7s/s400/2018-08-15+Hazel+3+weeks+055.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three weeks old</td></tr>
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<br />
She started smiling at four weeks old which always makes my heart
flutter and brings a huge smile to my own face. She likes to coo and
gurgle after a feed and especially while getting her nappy changed.
Hazel now studies our faces while we hold her and moves her head to
follow us if one of us walks past. She has very expressive eyebrows and often has us laughing at her funny expressions.<br />
<br />
<br />
Just as her skin
was getting over being so dry and flakey she started to get "baby acne"
or hormone spots at three weeks, becoming worse over the next week or
so. This was caused by residual hormones from birth and my breast milk
but they didn't seem to worry her. At one month old thankfully they are starting to clear up.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four weeks old</td></tr>
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<br />
We have been giving her lots more "tummy time" while she has been awake after feeding and she really likes it. I get lots of smiles and coo's while she bobs her head up and down. Which is no easy feat considering her head is measuring in the 98th percentile, that's a lot of weight to hold up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhV5nxLgSvRCUKdCCouB68gOggL3RRejm6Pz6QoSIc2MmJc9Xq7Ek-fRzjDEkWPYckA4u8tAK7MwrgO1ETytgvShO7PcigC4eaE0o6kCz6pVWcDnejn9nnqxXnLy7hy4qhSrjNxOv_pjXT/s1600/2018-08-28+5+weeks+tummy+time+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhV5nxLgSvRCUKdCCouB68gOggL3RRejm6Pz6QoSIc2MmJc9Xq7Ek-fRzjDEkWPYckA4u8tAK7MwrgO1ETytgvShO7PcigC4eaE0o6kCz6pVWcDnejn9nnqxXnLy7hy4qhSrjNxOv_pjXT/s640/2018-08-28+5+weeks+tummy+time+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 weeks old</td></tr>
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She has slept like a champ from the get-go, getting 3-5hours sleep at a time. This is wonderful at night time as we only need to wake once or twice during the middle of the night to feed her most time. I normally feed her at approximately 10pm before we go to bed, 2-3am for her middle of the night feed and then again at 6-7am before Chris goes to work. We have not put her on a sleep or feeding schedule, this is just how it normally works out and is purely determined by her.<br />
<br />
So far she has been a lovely and easy baby, which is fortunate considering neither Chris or I had any experience with newborns prior. Once her Dad and I started to figure out her needs and signals we have all been doing really well and can't wait to watch her grow and develop. <br />
<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
One month stats:</h2>
Height: 52cm<br />
<br />
Weight: 3.8kg <br />
<br />
Sleeping: 4-5 hours (Day and Night)<br />
<br />
Eating/Feeding: 120ml or more<br />
<br />
Sizes: Newborn 0000<br />
<br />
Milestones: Focusing on faces, getting better at latching, first smiles and gurgles <br />
<br />
Nicknames: Darling, Honey Bee, Sweet Pea, Bobble head, Poppet. Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-43240004156371311492018-08-22T17:00:00.000+12:002018-09-04T12:14:47.901+12:00Adjusting to motherhood | The first 4 weeks || Baby DiariesThis past month has been a kaleidoscope of emotions. On one hand, I have felt more love than ever before, both for my new born daughter and for my husband, and on the other, there has been more fear, anxiety, exhaustion and a few tears. Where on the odd occasion I have held my baby in my arms as I cried out of frustration. It's funny how time works as the last month has felt both long and short. Each day has felt long, as I have waited for bed time or Chris to come home from work, but the month itself has gone quickly when I look back. <br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Week 1 </h3>
The first few days while we were still in hospital was such an intense learning curve. I knew a fair bit about babies in theory before having one of my own, whilst not having actually handled any so new. The hospital midwives were excellent and taught me so many lessons and techniques and corrected wrong assumptions I had picked up along the way. It was a blur of day-time naps, hand expressing, soothing, changing and very occasionally getting a moment to reflect on it all, and on how much things can change in an instant.<br />
<br />
After four days we brought her home which was so incredibly intimidating. I had become comfortable with looking after her, while knowing that knowledgeable and friendly support was at hand 24/7, but now it was all down to us. We tried to put the structure and systems we had learned in the hospital into place in our home straight away, as we knew these things worked. We settled into a routine and Chris slowly adapted to sleeping in the same room with a wriggly, snuffling, snoring newborn. He ended up opting for an eye mask and ear plugs, while I would check on her after every little noise to make sure all was a-okay. We made a feeding/changing/pumping diary to track her schedules since every time we saw a midwife or doctor they instantly asked how many wet/dirty nappies or feeds she had had, and on only a few hours sleep that sort of information disappears into thin air unless it is written down. She put on weight in her first week and was up to 3kgs at her first weigh-in.<br />
<br />
Coming home gave me a good dose of anxiety, where I was so paranoid about breaking her, or SIDS that I couldn't relax enough to enjoy the journey most of the time. Although there were moments when she was sleeping safely in one of our arms that I could soak it all in and I could have looked at her and snuggled all day. <br />
<h3>
Week 2</h3>
We felt like we were getting the hang of things early on in week two, breast feeding was starting to get easier and we weren't startling at every noise she made while sleeping. Until she started spitting up, coughing, grunting and on occasion power chucking on us or the wall next to her bassinet. We ended up taking her to the doctors to get check-up just in case. He checked her and confirmed that she was a perfectly happy and healthy baby, but was having a hard time keeping her food in her tummy while lying flat. So we inclined her bassinet mattress a small amount and tried our very best not to "over feed" her. Which is a hard task when she is demanding way more food than her little body can handle. With these small adjustments she started sleeping much more soundly, with less sound effects. She is regularly sleeping 4 -5 hours during the day and night which I hear is not the case for most newborns. Our record for feeding, burping, changing and settling her is 45mins but it can often take 1-2 hours due to her being so alert after her long nap. Motherhood is sometimes a funny paradox. As when she is awake and content after her feed I'm hyper aware that she needs her sleep and I try anything to get her there, while shortly after we lay her down in her bassinet I start missing her and look forward to our next cuddle.<br />
<br />
Her skin is still a bit dry and flakey from being in the womb for longer than necessary (41 weeks), but we are putting coconut oil on her at change times and it seems to be getting better. We also cut her finger nails as she was scratching us and herself with those sharp talons. This was nerve wracking for me, so we waiting until she was blissed-out on on milk and while I held her, Chris did the tricky task of cutting those little suckers which she didn't notice one bit (good job Dad). She continued to put on weight in her second week, weighing 3.2kgs at her second weigh-in, having put on 340g since birth.<br />
<br />
We went on her first "outing" to the park down the road and to get some food items from the local shop. She slept the whole time. This was about the extent of what my new-mummy nerves could handle and I was exhausted by the time we got home, but it was a good test to see how our new capsule-stroller works and the things we might need when heading outside in future.<br />
<br />
So far I have not had any "baby blues". Yes, I have had a little cry here and there out of frustration at not being able to feed her fast enough or get her to sleep, but this has been fleeting. I think a big reason for my good emotional state is because I have felt so supported by Chris during this changing time in our lives. He is very supportive and complementary of my mothering and efforts, and I feel it makes a world of difference to my out-look. Speaking of Chris's efforts it has surprised me how much more I appreciate him now (not that I didn't before), but seeing him look after and love our daughter adds a whole new level to the love I feel for him. I get butterflies and sometimes teary eyes seeing him interact with her. He is an amazing Father. <br />
<h3>
Week 3</h3>
Chris had a car event this weekend and went back to work this week, which was hard and scary for me to be alone with a newborn baby, but also hard for him to be away from us. Fortunately once she is asleep I can get a lot done in 4 hours so we have been managing okay, but I am still too concerned about her well-being to shower while I am alone and have not managed to take her outside myself yet but that is mainly due to my own paranoid and mind-set, but it does sometimes feel like something always gets in the way.<br />
<br />
We have been "mixed-feeding" where I have been expressing breast milk to feed from a bottle as well as breast feeding. I use a nipple shield and have been trying to introduce the breast more at every feed, as I can now stand to feed for longer and she has a better latch. Although now that she is used to the speed at with my expressed milk comes out of the bottle, when she is really hungry she will sometimes get frustrated at the boob and pull away crying, so we are trying to figure that part out. It's a process but we will get there in time. She continued to put on another 250 grams this week. Which makes me a very happy mummy.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Week 4</h3>
We are starting to get the hang of this breast feeding business. She is latching well and I can manage to feed for for 15-20mins stretches on each boob before it gets too sore (no cracked nipples yet). We had a lactation consultation where she suggested some minor adjustments and our plans for the future, to wean us off the pump and nipple shield gradually as she gets bigger.<br />
<br />
Hazel still sleeps for 4-5hours most stretches but has been getting a sore tummy (lots of gas) which can make her hard to settle. She has also become accustomed to falling asleep while we are holding her (as we like to get all the cuddles we can get) so we are trying to break this habit and have her fall asleep more often in her bassinet. She is doing quite well at this, although sometimes it takes a few goes. As new parents, we are getting better at recognising her "tired signs" rather than just cooing at her cute little expressions. This means we can put her down to sleep easier before she becomes over-tired. Which is the only times I have been in tears with her, after missing these signs, having her become over stimulated and over-tired and trying to get her to sleep for 2 hours and not knowing how to fix it.<br />
<br />
She is eating way more this week, she will often spend 10-15mins on each boob and then takes another 100mls from the bottle. I know my milk flow is quite fast so I imagine she is getting quite a bit from me.<br />
<br />
She is focusing on our faces more and is very alert. Her eyes are lightening and look like they are turning a shade of blue. They have lightened the most near the pupil but we will have to wait and see if that continues. It's also hard to get a good photo to reflect these changes. Her dry skin is mostly gone but it has now been replaced with "baby acne" which has started appearing on her cheeks and forehead. This is not a major concern and doesn't bother her, it should fade over the next few weeks.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
This month has been full of changes which is why I wanted to break it down into development over the weeks. Her weight, eating and sleeping have all been getting progressively better and her little face and expressions is constantly changing. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Since birth she has put on a substantial amount of weight every week but we haven't measured her length yet. As that will happen at her 6 weeks Plunket appointment. She has grown into fitting her "Newborn 0000" clothes really well.</div>
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<h3>
Postpartum Update</h3>
My recovery is going really well in my option. My uterus contractions are not hurting me anymore, but my stomach is still shrinking. I was getting some strong aches and pains as it contracted in the first couple of weeks, so I'm pleased that has ended. My stitches have healed and so using the bathroom again like normal, although I am still bleeding, it's nothing more than a normal light period. My mood is very stable. I think any emotional days that I do have are determined by the lack of sleep I get the night before as opposed to hormones. The majority of the time I feel back to my normal self and am looking forward to becoming more active in another week or two. <br />
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-87345403586275901052018-08-15T14:38:00.000+12:002018-08-15T14:38:12.597+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Postpartum Recovery and Breastfeeding<h2>
Postpartum Recovery</h2>
I spent four days recovering in hospital after the birth. We had a lot to learn about caring for our newborn as well as allowing me to heal and monitoring me after my significant blood loss. They also did a few tests on her due to her low birth weight. The hospital midwives were amazing and taught us all the things we needed to keep her happy and healthy. <br />
<h3>
Tearing </h3>
As I mentioned in my Labour and Delivery post. I suffered from second degree tears during the birth. Fortunately these were internal tears and so were not as easily disturbed as if they were on the outer parts. I did have some fear when it came using the toilet, so for the first three days after, I would only urinate while in the shower, using the shower head to dilute the urine and make it sting less. Fortunately the hospital also supplied me with plenty of "Ural" which is a drink additive powder that makes your water fizzy and neutralizes the acid in your urine making it less painful to pass.<br />
Using "padsicles" (a.k.a Maternity pads which have been dampened and put in the freezer) also took away the inflammation from the area.<br />
<h3>
Sleep</h3>
Sleeping is something I still haven't quite figured out. The first night after birth I did not sleep a wink, instead opting to wait until Chris's return the next morning to relax and get a few hours shut-eye here and there. The overnight hospital midwives are well aware that new mums have difficulty relaxing enough to sleep so they offered to look after or soothe my newborn for an hour or so, allowing me to know she was well looked after and put my mind at ease for a wee while. It's a bit different when you leave hospital as you have the same concerns yet a fraction of the help and advice but we are figuring it out.<br />
<h3>
Uterus Contractions</h3>
After giving birth your tummy does not instantly shrink back to it's pre-pregnancy size, or even pre-pregnancy plus a few extra kilos. Most women find they still look 5-6months pregnant for a while after giving birth as their uterus is still enlarged. When breastfeeding or expressing I could feel my uterus contract a little bit each time. Sometimes they were barely noticeable, other times it hurt quite a bit. This continued for a few weeks following the birth at varying degrees becoming less noticeable as time went on. This is what causes a lot of the bleeding following birth, and it can persist for weeks until it has returned to normal. This also allows your body time to rearrange all of the organs that got shunted out of the way by your growing child.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgCVuKwsM0D9fjOj28szUxSOp2m3tcTmgx9APbCsliRLD_cgIk6lJC14YIBvfsK4AhmsEn3Ba-2WWk_tdwD1M7MaJKhotspG8Lyf44lXGgBQEy2hv38GovoZdCak2dVuVOqyS6NaDCU7M/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgCVuKwsM0D9fjOj28szUxSOp2m3tcTmgx9APbCsliRLD_cgIk6lJC14YIBvfsK4AhmsEn3Ba-2WWk_tdwD1M7MaJKhotspG8Lyf44lXGgBQEy2hv38GovoZdCak2dVuVOqyS6NaDCU7M/s320/2018-07-22+Hazel+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 days postpartum, having a baby AND a bump</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3>
Breast feeding</h3>
Breast feeding is another thing that I am still working on. Within the hour after birth, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their new born babies. I did this through hand expressing. (TMI warning) However, I was at a disadvantage having "flat nipples" as opposed to "erect nipples" which are the ideal for breast feeding attachment. Our daughter would not recognise my nipples for what they are and so would not latch, as their was nothing to touch her upper palate and stimulate her suckling reflex. We continued to hand express my milk bit by bit for each feed in the days following the birth. Keeping in mind that a newborn baby's stomach is the size of a marble and colostrum (the early milk) is thick and nutritious. I had assistance from the hospital midwives who showed me exactly how to get the right technique and would collect together the little droplets produced into a 1ml syringe to give to my baby at her next feed. Over the following days my supply increased to a few milliliters and then again to a few dozen mls, which was when we introduced the breast pump. This increased my supply dramatically and allowed me to get plenty of food into my petite wee girl. I had a few consultations with a lactation consultant who advised that when my daughter gets bigger she will be able to take more of my nipple into her mouth and suck more effectively. We introduced a nipple shield, which is a piece of plastic that suctions onto your nipple, drawing it out into the protrusion, giving your baby something to latch onto. This was not always effective at first but we are starting to get the hang of it at 10 days old, so things are starting to look up. A number of the midwives were very impresses with my milk production. I have actually been producing way more than she can manage at one feed, so we started refrigerating the excess in the hospital and now that I am at home I have started freezing a few bags for later down the track. My intention is to exclusively breastfeed eventually, but whether it comes from a boob or a bottle, fed is always best (and that includes formula for those who choose it). <br />
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-83257866492790040422018-08-08T15:18:00.000+12:002018-09-04T12:17:06.278+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Introducing our daughter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our daughter was born at 7:15pm on Friday 20th July 2018. She weighed 2.860 Kgs (6lb 5oz), measured 47 cm long and had a head circumference of 34.5cm.<br />
<br />
For my pregnancy diaries and bump shots with her please click this <a href="https://erins-everafter.blogspot.com/search/label/Pregnancy" target="_blank">link</a> or click this <a href="https://erins-everafter.blogspot.com/2018/08/pregnancy-diaries-labour-and-delivery.html" target="_blank">link</a> for her birth story (including photos of her just after she was born).<br />
<br />
Shortly after she was born we decided on her name. We had been thinking about this name since we found out she was a girl at her anatomy scan at 21 weeks and I couldn't get it out of my head, but we wanted to hold off deciding upon it until we met her.<br />
<br />
I wanted to give her a name that would suit her as a baby, as a little girl, a teenager and as an adult. Something that was feminine but not meek. A name that was somewhat unique but people would know how to spell it without asking. A name that would inspire her to be an adventurous, confident and caring person.<br />
<br />
We settled on the name, Hazel Maree. Hazel just felt like it suited her and the image I had built of her in my head. There wasn't any memorable moment when I found it and had an "ah-ha" moment, but the name wouldn't go away as we experimented with other options, it was always my favourite. Maree is my middle name as well as my mothers, so she has a little hand-me-down from us too. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxPj7fLvxqeW5I6tzXHbz94fsRwjSAiCmPvqQC-2Be8ugI7t7dglXL3GgGqWVhDC-ZMSu6EOnuEP8ycj5noQunxf8b1mHIlv3WZzmjdlmmEMDgL-y0PZHkHhhMA2KLL-3JnEQwRZvdnJ5/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxPj7fLvxqeW5I6tzXHbz94fsRwjSAiCmPvqQC-2Be8ugI7t7dglXL3GgGqWVhDC-ZMSu6EOnuEP8ycj5noQunxf8b1mHIlv3WZzmjdlmmEMDgL-y0PZHkHhhMA2KLL-3JnEQwRZvdnJ5/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+017.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 days old</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBEKkaNUBMPelh8HDNF0PE9zoBkvsO5Cw5l_73xIRbbnc4l_0lxPqATTShYMxIZYReaZav9YG5aIw1HwGIauGs6-wFPmMM0QT-pi_ZCsVhv29hp4TpPCtw4b-DvWdiNyTyqT97bPl8KKH/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBEKkaNUBMPelh8HDNF0PE9zoBkvsO5Cw5l_73xIRbbnc4l_0lxPqATTShYMxIZYReaZav9YG5aIw1HwGIauGs6-wFPmMM0QT-pi_ZCsVhv29hp4TpPCtw4b-DvWdiNyTyqT97bPl8KKH/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 days old</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zvKc4l7egUytPOggcMgT_b1IRqxnbUW4-jP7y8ZWrMFCmeAG79X9eANf-HIxV6svSz8Xi1aqZw6SAPuZL16opc3mm0vgq_g3Say_NbMa0Pp2WMyT-PJBS8eWBgE1mdbOLF0VQHhkiC7t/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1039" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zvKc4l7egUytPOggcMgT_b1IRqxnbUW4-jP7y8ZWrMFCmeAG79X9eANf-HIxV6svSz8Xi1aqZw6SAPuZL16opc3mm0vgq_g3Say_NbMa0Pp2WMyT-PJBS8eWBgE1mdbOLF0VQHhkiC7t/s400/2018-07-22+Hazel+027.JPG" width="257" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBC6ieYHZFvLMDfqhSKVqWT-zZBdySaRHt1a45WRxsKIokhGe5NHNHMg8h_beRvzajpluClt9xswEliruGRHSBExxCIdhy8uqYF-TzfQ0GaYHqe0UaPDJWyLHmobQYYUgjrOM1PV2x0qo/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBC6ieYHZFvLMDfqhSKVqWT-zZBdySaRHt1a45WRxsKIokhGe5NHNHMg8h_beRvzajpluClt9xswEliruGRHSBExxCIdhy8uqYF-TzfQ0GaYHqe0UaPDJWyLHmobQYYUgjrOM1PV2x0qo/s400/2018-07-22+Hazel+030.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5_MND5et0PRKLmVJYaxfBxJwVIgXuhLqQQwaFyzh_vjq8upChwSz-nxHqnFseGlLyII1DXkdB0BwdhyqkHZ1oMF_G9CPEMcjph2GZFAquAdWUJNZi-ExZJK1NOea4POqbyV-4bBIjmA_/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5_MND5et0PRKLmVJYaxfBxJwVIgXuhLqQQwaFyzh_vjq8upChwSz-nxHqnFseGlLyII1DXkdB0BwdhyqkHZ1oMF_G9CPEMcjph2GZFAquAdWUJNZi-ExZJK1NOea4POqbyV-4bBIjmA_/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+038.JPG" width="411" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 days old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBBYP0h31S1-NjVEB_M7x12g8n98lBhPv-RlhXp_LqFVFGVzya69S0zSFGvGaZ7hXV4Ip_tZ2GFyWrIhKTmk6anMnfxcZKxot_5SMXBc7QxUJJpV3OO-7Yhs2WvEv9795dghtAqbDnMH9/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBBYP0h31S1-NjVEB_M7x12g8n98lBhPv-RlhXp_LqFVFGVzya69S0zSFGvGaZ7hXV4Ip_tZ2GFyWrIhKTmk6anMnfxcZKxot_5SMXBc7QxUJJpV3OO-7Yhs2WvEv9795dghtAqbDnMH9/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+057.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 days old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Upv3r1WD9IrVaXwUizIuWjBD-1cH4mYHNfqhOekVUW3riIlnLzpVML8yk-lobwUyJpJVUWMmZ8uFjQNnPeK_vpFOhhhdv4sk-ymNB82-SCxjfazcs-AXunhTGhh50uCwXasst1cdOUv/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Upv3r1WD9IrVaXwUizIuWjBD-1cH4mYHNfqhOekVUW3riIlnLzpVML8yk-lobwUyJpJVUWMmZ8uFjQNnPeK_vpFOhhhdv4sk-ymNB82-SCxjfazcs-AXunhTGhh50uCwXasst1cdOUv/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing her home at 4 days old </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxwkaFNQwaZ91CywaBaFvVv-SZg6YQksxiyhkKL8YRS1hi4OotvJWpaFgT5zyXWcISrD9TWELsC7yeiq3E_9pOZfbL_BwZ2mtUfiQgonIznQIeN6EPSt0gEDHw8gJPf7Ve3ZX6yo0yl08/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxwkaFNQwaZ91CywaBaFvVv-SZg6YQksxiyhkKL8YRS1hi4OotvJWpaFgT5zyXWcISrD9TWELsC7yeiq3E_9pOZfbL_BwZ2mtUfiQgonIznQIeN6EPSt0gEDHw8gJPf7Ve3ZX6yo0yl08/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 days old - mid burping session</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqCmpXtT2P_7nGuhY3a_MdyGwSj1EBK5u-oTkp_b48PAXWQ3ki5cC7W2rUcYOK52HhnWLjB37LyDAl2_w5kiH2gspQ4rzDj13sTeLca4nqsyWwhKpRIyb76RTryRyUirU_as8KsZOlOp2/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqCmpXtT2P_7nGuhY3a_MdyGwSj1EBK5u-oTkp_b48PAXWQ3ki5cC7W2rUcYOK52HhnWLjB37LyDAl2_w5kiH2gspQ4rzDj13sTeLca4nqsyWwhKpRIyb76RTryRyUirU_as8KsZOlOp2/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 days old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaWIEka9bjaaDLTSuJFA9WixjZKw0Otco12GmSCdvC8A5-y3CsU9iUrEkd96ndGBef0lTQl7bV3H7IeYPc85hJU6S4kP33r0fX9mF0JEndCgb_idSfaQa6ws1bmbJ2Qg5Nz4hglt8EQiG/s1600/2018-07-22+Hazel+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaWIEka9bjaaDLTSuJFA9WixjZKw0Otco12GmSCdvC8A5-y3CsU9iUrEkd96ndGBef0lTQl7bV3H7IeYPc85hJU6S4kP33r0fX9mF0JEndCgb_idSfaQa6ws1bmbJ2Qg5Nz4hglt8EQiG/s640/2018-07-22+Hazel+121.JPG" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 days old</td></tr>
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She currently has dark blue/gray eyes which are beginning to lighten. Her father has blue eyes and mine are hazel brown so she could get either of those or somewhere in the middle. Her hair is a light brown which glows blonde in the sunlight. We think she currently looks a lot more like me than her father but there is definitely some of him in her too. We think she will have a nose similar to mine as well as my long fingers. There might even be a hitch-hikers thumb developing too but we will have to wait and see.<br />
<br />
All-in-all we love her to pieces and think that she is absolutely gorgeous (not that we are biased or anything).<br />
<br />
She is quite a contented newborn who loves to feed and has a good strong suck. She can sleep solidly for 5 hours and is quite happy to settle back into sleep if she wakes herself up mid-way through. She likes to be swaddled while also having access to her hands. She is very alert and our biggest trouble is getting her back to sleep after changing her, as she would quite happily just stare up at our faces all night.<br />
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-77093312544981934612018-08-01T17:00:00.000+12:002018-08-01T17:00:15.014+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Labour and DeliveryTo see more about my pregnancy journey follow this <a href="https://erins-everafter.blogspot.com/search/label/Pregnancy" target="_blank">link</a><br />
To read more about the reasons why I needed an induction follow this <a href="https://erins-everafter.blogspot.com/2018/07/pregnancy-diaries-week-40-41-waiting.html" target="_blank">link</a><br />
<br />
For obvious reasons this post contains a TMI warning (Too Much Information) if you don't want to know very personal details about my birth story please read with caution.<br />
<br />
We
both woke up at around 5:30am super hyped that today could be the day
we become parents. Last minute items were packed into the car, a good
solid breakfast of eggs on toast was enjoyed. Winter woollies were
donned and we were in the car on our way to Waitakere Hospital by
7:30am.<br />
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We
arrived at the hospital by 8:00am and they hooked me up to a CTG to
monitor baby's heartbeat, movements and my contractions. Then inserted a
wrist IV for those "just in case" moments. Vitals were taken and the
hospital midwife was happy with the monitoring of baby's heartbeat and
movements. She inspected my cervix, and told me I was only 1.5cm dilated
and gave me two doses of <span class="ILfuVd yZ8quc">hormone prostaglandin<b> </b></span>gel
to ripen my cervix, begin my induction and bring on more contractions. I
was already having contractions prior to this, they were just mild.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyWGJcyprKbxgIaRD6vouzlBtYx7j-1GwbFlLs654TgRXNm8kI-WlFLdID3IxEP49vzzwHvD95EW3JcTuq2vJuguz16I1SQjHS9JWwsWdNuGeAxFybGWzMFoS9hXiKZXKv22iElkZHkma/s1600/2018-07-20+Hazel+hospital+017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyWGJcyprKbxgIaRD6vouzlBtYx7j-1GwbFlLs654TgRXNm8kI-WlFLdID3IxEP49vzzwHvD95EW3JcTuq2vJuguz16I1SQjHS9JWwsWdNuGeAxFybGWzMFoS9hXiKZXKv22iElkZHkma/s640/2018-07-20+Hazel+hospital+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Shortly
after, we discovered an unexpected symptom of my induction was that my
body did not want to keep food down, as soon as my body started
responding to the gel and getting more forceful contractions I suddenly
started feeling very nauseous. Which lead to Chris running around
frantically looking for something for me to hurl into and a reusable
shopping bag was deemed the best option-to-hand with not a moment to
spare. This reaction meant that I needed to stay attached to the monitor for longer to check on baby.<br />
<br />
By
10:00am I was disconnected from the monitor and allowed free roam of the
hospital. We went and sat in the morning sun in the garden next to our
room and took a walk around the maternity wing.<br />
An hour and a half later contractions were certainly picking up but were still manageable.<br />
<br />
I
had a small lunch, that decided to reappear as we were walking through
the hospital garden. So with little to no warning I threw up for a
second time, straight into the garden, after another strong contraction.
We covered it up with leaves and slunk quietly away. Sorry. After this
the midwife gave me some medicine to reduce my nausea, although I did
sick-up again later on after eating a few mouthfuls of banana. I guess
my body just had other ideas.<br />
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After
lunch my contractions were getting way worse. I was still periodically
getting fetal monitoring to check baby's heartbeat and it was
interesting to see the rise and fall of my ever increasing contractions.
Chris found the monitoring helpful to know when I would be in pain but
it sucked that I had to lay down on the bed, as that was the most
uncomfortable position to be in.<br />
<br />
I found distraction was
my best ally, so as a strong contraction was coming on, I started
touching my thumb to each of my fingers quickly and scratching at the coarse
hospital pillows right next to my ear, as I could not get into a
comfortable position and writhing was not compatible with the fetal
monitoring. Adding tactile movement and loud noise was a way to distract
my brain from the pain.<br />
<br />
A few of my friends have
asked what contractions really feel like. So the way I can best describe
what I was feeling, and everyone can feel them differently, is that the
"false labour" or braxton-hicks contractions I was having pre-labour a
few weeks back would start as an ache in my lower back and gradually
wrap around my sides towards my belly button. I would feel my bump get
firm and baby would brace against it on the inside. As soon as the BH
contraction was over, she would become very active again. These were
like medium strength period pains and could be eased with a hot water
bottle. The contractions I was feeling during active-labour were much
the same but very centered on my lower back and their was no comfortable
position or way around them, you just needed to endure them until that
particular contraction finished. Distraction is key, and I did find that
having Chris rub my lower back quite firmly was a good distraction and
got me through until the end, which once it was over I was completely
fine and could talk and joke around just like normal. <br />
<br />
I
got checked at around 4:30pm and was told that I was in active labour,
which was much sooner than the hospital midwife was expecting. As it can
sometimes take up to three days to achieve that progress. At this point
I asked if I could get some "gas and air" just in case it gets too much
and my nurse told me that I was doing great and wouldn't need it. Ummm,
ok sure. I had my waters broken at 5:00pm, which was far less dramatic
than I had expected as only a small amount came out, and was then moved
into the delivery suite half an hour later.<br />
<br />
The LMC
midwife I have been seeing during my pregnancy then arrived and started
prepping the room for the main event and coaching me through my
contractions.<br />
<br />
I found that standing while leaning over
the bed was my only some-what comfortable position at this point. Every
time I could feel a contraction coming I would call out to Chris to run
over and forcibly rub my lower back for its duration. Still no pain
meds as I really wanted a pool birth. Pacing around the room, or sitting
on a tall stool were the only things I wanted to do. My waters released
bit by bit as I would move from a seated to standing position between
contractions, but there was no big "gush" like in the movies.<br />
<br />
As
baby girl worked her way into my birth canal I actually found the
contractions reduced their concentration in my lower back, and so
briefly found them more manageable. This didn't last long however as
quite soon my body felt the need to push. My midwife checked my dilation
and I was only at 8cm, she was able to move my cervix to 9cm but told
me that I had to pant my breath whenever I felt the need to push as I
wasn't quite ready. I was still asking to go into the birthing pool at
this point but it was deemed to late. There had been another birth
taking place in the birthing pool next to my room just prior and they
were still re-filling it for me to use shortly. However, my body wasn't
willing to wait and so we never made it to the pool.<br />
<br />
Instead
my midwife instructed me to get onto the adjustable bed, we propped the
bed up and I was facing backwards on my hands and knees leaning up
against the top of the bed. I just barely made it to 10cm dilation
before my body fully took control and I could do nothing to stop the
urge to push. I was quite bizarre. There was only one occasion where my
midwife asked me to do only a "little push" which I did, all the others
were completely out of my control. Fortunately our baby had moved into a
good birthing position the previous day and so was coming out the
correct way. The midwife warned me that I was about to feel the "ring of
fire" and I casually joked about no one mentioning anything about
Johnny Cash (still no pain medication) and she told me to go as slowly
as I could. Baby girl did have the cord loosely wrapped around her neck
as she emerged, but my midwife quickly fixed that. Once her head was out
all it took was one more push at 7:15pm and the rest of her body came
out easily.<br />
<br />
Chris who was holding my hand loosely at
the front of the bed says that he could see her as she came out and that
it was absolutely the most amazing thing to witness. It was at that
moment he truly got emotional and exclaimed with me that we had a
daughter with tears in his eyes.<br />
<br />
(TMI warning) The tender moment was
rather short lived as all of a sudden 1.2 Litres of blood gushed out of
me and my midwife needed to push the emergency button to summon all of
the available midwives in the hospital wing for assistance. I was still
over-whelmed by it all and didn't even hear the alarm. So when about
half a dozen additional staff were surrounding me getting me to move,
putting things in my IV, removing my gown, I just went with it. I was
holding my brand new baby girl and as far as I was concerned nothing
else really mattered. Sure there was pools of blood all around me but I
was quite distant from it all and my midwife stayed calm, so I did too.<br />
<br />
Crisis
over and cleaned up, I lay back with my daughter on my chest and my
legs in the air. We had delayed cord clamping, and Chris cut the cord.
She had breast milk which was hand expressed within the first hour. I
had saved some delicious dairy-free chocolate which one of my best
friends had sent me from Australia for a special moment. This was deemed
a good time to finally get some food into me and keep it down (for the
first time that day) and I don't recall anything tasting as good as that
dark chocolate peppermint creme egg did in that moment.<br />
<br />
Our
daughter was weighed and measured, her <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apgar_score" target="_blank">APGAR </a>scores were 9-10/10 and a
mere 10 minutes after the birth I was expressing my surprise that it was
easier than I had expected. Despite not having the pool birth I had
planned or any pain relief or additional intervention. I finally had my daughter
in my arms and all was right in the world.<br />
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(TMI warning) I had second degree tearing which my midwife was concerned has opened
my urethra, but upon further inspection by the obstetrician they decided
that it hadn't gone that far and was in fact a very "good" tear (as far as tears go) in that
it was only in a single spot but had spread three ways. By-the-way, I have never been
told by so many people that I have a "beautiful vagina" (thank you?) that was a bit
weird but comforting that I was in good hands. After the bleeding slowed
and I was stitched up we got wheeled back to my recovery room for the
night, to get some bonding time and hopefully some rest.<br />
<br />
Partners are technically not allowed to stay overnight in the shared rooms but
they are quite lenient, especially on the first night,
so Chris didn't end up leaving until about 1:00am and even that felt too
soon.<br />
<br />
I didn't sleep a wink that night. As I am a
first time mother and every noise she made concerned me, plus I still
had a surge of hormones and adrenaline rushing through my body from the
birth. She was
quite mucousy, as her voyage through the birth canal was rather quick
she didn't have time to get thoroughly squished, and so she still had a
small amount of liquid and mucous in her lungs. This meant that every
now and then she would spit up, or start what seemed like choking on
some
mucous which meant that I was super paranoid about leaving her to sleep
without me watching her like a hawk. After chatting most of the night
with the lady sharing a room with me about her birth, family and other
personal details, seven o'clock finally rolled around and my knight in
shining armour returned to me, to take the reigns and give me some shut
eye, knowing that my newborn was safely being cared for.<br />
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-49530004777848775472018-07-25T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-31T17:38:29.885+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 40 & 41 - The Waiting Game<h2>
Week 40</h2>
We have reached 40 weeks so it's time for an eviction notice! "You're 40 week lease is past due. You are hereby requested to vacate the premises within the next two weeks. Failure to cooperate will result in an induction. Other living arrangements have been made and eagerly await your arrival."<br />
<br />
This week consisted of stretch and sweeps, dilation checks, red raspberry leaf tea, hot curries, long walks and bouncing on my Swiss ball for hours on end.<br />
<br />
On Thursday (40+1) I had my first "stretch and sweep" which can help bring on labour if baby is ready and in the correct position. My midwife said that my cervix is soft but only 1cm dilated. <br />
Later that day Mum arrived to visit for a few days. We took lots of walks around the neighbourhood to try get labour going and just to get some fresh air. It was nice having her around and she helped me organise a few last things around the house before everything changes.<br />
<br />
We went down to Point Chevalier beach at sunset and took some mother-daughter photos. As it was her last night with us and I wanted to capture this special moment in time with her.<br />
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<br />
<br />
(TMI warning) I lost my mucous plug the following morning, which is a snotty mucous mass that sits at the entrance to your uterus and helps protect and block it from infections. When this is lost it is a good sign that my cervix was further ripening after the sweep. No further progress though. <br />
<br />
<br />
Mum went home the next day, and I went to get my second stretch and sweep. I was still only 1 cm and soft so nothing had really changes and baby wasn't ready, but she was pleased to hear that my mucous plug was continuing to come out.<br />
<br />
<br />
I went on to have my third stretch and sweep with Midwife, still no dilation change. I had started feeling a lot more back pressure and twinges in cervix though.<br />
<br />
On the 17th, Chris an I spent a good amount of the day trying to turn baby into good position. Using "Rebozo" technique, of me being on all fours and Chris standing behind me with a large scarf suspending my bump, sifting it from side to side. This was to turn baby from an OP position to an Occiput Anterior (facing towards my back) position, which in the ideal way to birth. Supposedly the reduced pressure on the pelvis and change in gravity can help babies get into their optimal position for birth. I also spent a lot of time with my knees up on the couch and my head down on the ground. Again, getting gravity to help me out a bit. It was all quite technical, exhausting and somewhat un-dignified for me, but let's face it. What part of pregnancy is dignified at this point.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 40 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, no way around it now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like a volcano sometimes, so is that my version of an outie?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Getting harder. Found it difficult breathing properly a few nights ago</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Hanging out with Mum</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Getting uncomfortable stretch and sweeps with no change</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>: Being in control of my own body</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>:
YES! She's got a good set of strong legs on her that's for sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>: Nutrigrain, Mandarins (like 6 per day) and Dark chocolate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>: No.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Meeting our little one and hopefully getting labour started before induction.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Impatient </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Early Labour Signs?</b>: Mild Contractions and losing my mucous plug<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Week 41</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had scheduled a 41 week ultrasound in advance just-in-case we got this far, but was hoping I would be able to cancel it prior to this week arriving. Unfortunately, here we are, 41 weeks and still waiting. I went in for my ultrasound on Thursday morning (41+1) and the ultrasound tech was acting different than her usual bubbly self. She was concerned about baby's growth rate and stomach size. After taking all of her measurements and plotting them along her previous growth chart (where she was 50th percentile for everything at 36 weeks) she found that her growth rate had dropped significantly and her stomach size had gone from 50th percentile to only the 5th. So she was very concerned.I got my results and went to my midwife appointment that evening.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My midwife had received the news by this point by phone call, which is unusual, as the ultrasound tech said that had deemed it urgent enough to give her the news straight away. My midwife had already consulted with the hospital next door to her clinic and they were happy to do some fetal monitoring on me then and there. So we took an un-expected visit to Waitakere hospital to get baby checked out on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiotocography" target="_blank">CTG monitoring machine</a>. She was happy and healthy with a good heart rate and movements. They could also track the mini contractions I had been having on and off for the past week. I had another thorough stretch and sweep and was advised to come back the next morning (41+2) for an induction.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 41 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, and now hospital gowns</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like a volcano sometimes, so is that my version of an outie?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Getting harder. Found it difficult breathing properly a few nights ago</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Seeing my baby on the ultrasound for the final time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Being super anxious that my baby might not be growing properly</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>: Being in control of my own body</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>:
Yes, movement felt and also detected on the fetal monitors</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>: Mandarins and Dark chocolate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>: No.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Meeting our little one </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Anxious, nervous, excited and scared</div>
<b>Early Labour Signs?</b>: Mild Contractions and losing more of my mucous plug<br />
<h2>
</h2>
</div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-21855139499596093632018-07-11T20:08:00.000+12:002018-07-12T20:33:12.020+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 39 - Lightening crotch<h2>
Week 39 </h2>
(I'm currently bouncing up and down on my swiss ball as I write this post. Just F.Y.I)<br />
<br />
I have been feeling a lot more pressure in my pelvis, and Braxton hicks contractions have picked up again this week, some hurt while others have just been a tightening of my bump. <br />
<br />
Chris has become increasingly attentive and somewhat protective over me in these last few weeks. Every time I groan or make a noise as I bend over or stand up, he is checking on me to make sure I am alright. I have tried to tell him not to worry, as when something is actually happening I will let him know, but it is quite endearing. He tells me that I don't need to be so tough and that he can do certain tasks for me instead, which I'll happily oblige. I'm very lucky to have him as my husband and as our baby's daddy.<br />
<br />
Our midwife appointment this week showed that my blood count and vitamin levels are great. The baby is descending slowly but is in an "OP" <span class="st">(Occiput Posterior) fetal position which means that her back is against my back, which is not ideal for natural birthing. My midwife has given Chris and I a series of "exercises" to help the baby turn before I go into labour. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">"Lightening crotch" is a funny name for a symptom I have been experiencing quite a bit this week. Whenever I get up and walk, sit down, or move in almost any way. I get sharp bolts of nerve pain in my lady bits. It tends to fade if I walk more than a few blocks but it can really take my breath away and makes me stop in my tracks. Fortunately it disappears a moment later, just like lightning. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">This week we have reached my original due date (9th July), which was calculated from my previous menstral cycle, but we haven't had any real signs of labour yet. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">I have scheduled a 41 week ultrasound just in case I do go past my due date and need to be checked before induction. Fingers crossed I will be able to cancel this appointment before then, but it's better to be prepared. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">Next midwife appointment I will be getting a stretch and sweep to help induce labour. I'm a bit nervous about it as some people say it hurts or can be uncomfortable. I guess we'll have to wait and see. </span><br />
<span class="st"> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 39 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, no way around it now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like a mini volcano sometimes, so is that my version of an outie?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Getting harder. Found it difficult breathing properly a few nights ago, as baby is getting bigger.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>:Going out for dinner and a movie with Chris</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>:Getting serious "lightening crotch" while walking</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>: Working out or exercising and being able to push my body and feel good about it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>:
YES! She's got a good set of strong legs on her that's for sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>: Nutrigrain, Mandarins (like 6 per day) and Dark chocolate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>: No.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Meeting our little one and hopefully getting labour started before induction.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Getting a little impatient, I want to avoid a medical induction if at all possible and if we don't get this going soon, that's exactly what will happen. Also a mix of nervous excitement. I'm not completely "over" being pregnant by any means, but the idea of meeting our little girl and becoming a first-time parent has me over the moon and hiding up the table at the same time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Early Labour Signs?</b>: Mild Braxton Hicks Contractions and Lightening crotch</div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-31952433650284851742018-07-04T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-05T17:05:11.684+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Weel 38 - Finishing work & False Labour? <h2>
</h2>
<h2>
Week 38</h2>
This is my last week of work and I am so pleased that it has finally arrived. I have been enjoying working so far, as it makes the days and weeks go by really fast, but in the last few days it has become MUCH more draining. I am training my replacement and trying to tie up any loose ends which can take a lot out of a preggo. Sleep is again a bit more difficult, with me waking up in the middle of the night and laying awake for hours but otherwise not uncomfortable. When I finish work this week I will be able to sleep in or take naps and I <u>can't wait</u>!<br />
<br />
We have midwife appointments every week now but they tend to be much more straight forward as I have less questions and no abnormal symptoms. Check blood pressure, weight and baby's heartbeat and out the door. It generally only takes about 15 mins which is good when I need to get back to work asap. We have discussed the birth plan and everything seems to be on track, so far, so good.<br />
<br />
A new symptom, or should I say a more exacerbated symptom, is that I am SUPER gassy this week. Poor Chris! I guess it's because space is restricted in that area but as long as I don't have to hold it in (which I don't at home) I'm still comfortable.<br />
<br />
My last day at work was wonderful. My colleagues put together a farewell morning tea baby shower. We had a selection of 5 kinds of cake (2 dairy-free especially for me) and lots of other nibbles. A number of people gave me gifts (teddy, clothes, and toys) for baby and pamper products for me. It's a good thing I decided to drive in on that day, as it would have been difficult taking all of that back on the bus home. Which is what I had still been doing up until then. I received hugs and well wishes from almost everyone in the office (and it's not a small office). It was the perfect way to end the week, my face ached from smiling all day. It's a weird feeling to know that I won't be employed for an entire year. I mean obviously I will still be "working" and busy looking after baby, I know that it's no easy task, but this is all new to me and I'm still a bit weirded out by it all.<br />
<br />
My belly is measuring at 112cm around my belly button now and we get to meet our baby this month (July) which is crazy to think. It's also weird to know that at any point I <u>could</u> go into labour. Not that it is likely right now as my bump is still high and baby's head is not engaged, but it could happen quite quickly at any point. So I am looking out for labour signs every day.<br />
<br />
On Sunday (38+4) I woke up (after a somewhat restless night) and promptly threw up, like I did in the first trimester. After which, I was fine and my day continued as normal. Nausea can be considered an early labour sign but nothing changed throughout the day. Until I went to bed that night. <br />
<br />
Shortly after we went to bed that night I started feeling contractions. I was laying in bed trying to ignore the gradual build to a peak and then fade of what felt like strong period pains. Starting in my lower back and moving across either side of my belly towards the centre. Baby was moving a tone until they would start and then would brace against my muscles contracting. These moderately painful contractions continued for over an hour until I feel asleep. When I woke up in the morning I felt fine, so they must have come to a stop while I was sleeping. My thoughts the night before were that if I was about to go into <u>actual</u> labour, I should try get as much sleep as I possibly can, but it was a false alarm. I texted my midwife the next morning telling her what happened (as it was the first contractions I had felt) and she said that it was Braxton Hicks or a False Labour Start. Where, when I actually go into labour, that is what it will start like, except in actual labour it won't stop.<br />
<br />
I spent the morning (on my first day of maternity leave) getting blood tests done to check my vitamins and antibody levels and then got fitted for my new nursing bras at a specialist "big boob" store, "Avokado". As normal retailers can't even stock my size #bigboobproblems. My old size at the mid-way point of pregnancy was a 12G, but to accommodate for when my milk comes in, they measured me as a 12H!!! That's crazy, I never thought they would be that much bigger, a G was big enough in my opinion, but pregnancy doesn't work that way.<br />
<br />
The rest of the week I have been feeling more Braxton Hicks tightening in my belly (which do not hurt) and pressure in my pelvic area. I wonder if baby is dropping, although my bump still looks the same. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 38 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, no way around it now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: Hasn't changed, still looks like a pouting pair of lips.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Broken, mostly due to stressing about work, rather than anything pregnancy related. Now that I am on maternity leave it is MUCH better. Naps are amazing too!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Taking all the naps I want.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Throwing up</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>:Having the energy to do all the tasks that are in my head or on my list.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>:
YES! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>: Anything sweet and snacky</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>: Just the once.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>:Meeting our little one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: For the most part I'm very happy and positive</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Early Labour Signs?</b>: Braxton Hicks Contractions and a bit of nausea</div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-8007059667947471192018-06-27T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-04T12:00:08.151+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 37 - Nesting<h2>
Week 37</h2>
<br />
I think nesting has officially started this weekend. No, I have not become a cleaning freak just yet, in fact I resent bending over so much now, that anything that lands on the floor which I cannot pick up with my toes is "dead to me". I have however been feeling the urge to organise the baby room and make it her own. I have put all of her new bedding in her cot, even though she won't actually be sleeping in there for another 6 months, well that's the plan anyway (we'll see). On her cot bedding their are lots of little woodland animals which I think are adorable and decided to bust out my old paints, which have been sitting un-loved in a box since before we went to the UK back in 2014. I made some little pieces of wall art to hang around her room. It was a good feeling and I can see more painting happening if I find myself idle after I finish work this coming week.<br />
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<br />
We are taking the advice of other parents we know and we out for dinner (just the two of us) for what may be the last time in a while. We went to a Irish pub as we haven't had a good pub meal in what feels like a year (probably since we left the UK to be fair). I got super excited when I saw Pimms on the drinks menu, went to ask for it and then realised that I can't have it anyway. Dammit! Cue new craving of the week.<br />
<br />
I have packed the baby bag for when I go into labour, it's ready and waiting at the door, but I haven't put together my own yet. As I still wear all of the maternity gear (and anything else that fits) on a daily/weekly basis so if I did pack it, I would also need to live out of a bag for the next few weeks. Or however long it is that I have left. <br />
<br />
My sleeping has been a bit harder this week, I have been waking up at 1am, 2am or 3am and lying awake for a few hours thinking about work and or what life will be like with baby. This always makes the next day harder but fortunately it's not every night and it's not because I'm uncomfortable. I just can't shut my mind off.<br />
<br />
Baby girl's movements have become a lot slower as she runs out of space. I still feel her all day but rather than quick, sharp kicks, I now get slow rolling and stretching movements which are somewhat more comfortable and easier to work around. Her hiccups have become stronger also which are rather hard to ignore due to their strength. <br />
<br />
This is a bit random but worth mentioning for other Mums-to-be. A few weeks ago I went out and got some Maternity underwear and I have been so much more comfortable ever since. The ones I got were from Kmart and have extra wide, extra stretchy waistbands. So when I am sitting at a desk all day at work I am not having them cut into my waistline like my old ones were before. It means you don't have to go up a size and have them be too big in other areas or fall down. They are like yoga pants but for underwear and I am a complete convert. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 3<b>7</b> weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, no way around it now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: Hasn't changed, still looks like a pouting pair of lips.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Seeing baby's room coming together</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Being tired at work</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>: Walking through a room without everyone looking at my stomach. I'm more than just a baby bump people... nah just kidding it's not so bad, just something I have noticed these days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Movement all day. She's getting way stronger and has a lot less room so I get a bit of a shock sometimes when she thumps me good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>: A good Pimms cocktail and ice-cream </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Having Mum come visit on the weekend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: For the most part I'm very happy and positive</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Labour Signs?</b>:
None so far, not even Braxton hicks (practice) contractions as far as I
can tell. </div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-36436326902892722342018-06-20T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-03T16:58:30.690+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 36 - Final ultrasound & at home photoshoot<h2>
Week 36</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had our final ultrasound this week to check babys measurements and position for birth. The midwife had noticed that it seemed like she was laying transverse (horizontal) across my belly rather than head-down, bums-up ready for birth. By the time our ultrasound appointment came around though, she had moved into a much better position for birth, which is comforting to know. The technician also re-measured and checked various parts of her body. Revealing that her weight is bang on where it should be 5lb 15oz according to her measurements, although they often over estimate. She has a slightly larger than average skull, I blame her father, as Chris has a large head and mine is practically child size. Her heart and stomach look perfect, and her femurs (leg bones) are just a little shorter than average, but not abnormally so, she will most likely catch up in another few weeks with the average measurement.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We saw her moving around, sucking her hands and feet. We got a good view of her profile (like in the anatomy scan) and also a few good shots of the front of her face too. She is big enough that we could see details like her ear and her finger pointing around the place.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWWpfDV5nAIBzxMJN_hTEjVH1G3q3OfkRPzrLVpjeX5qwMIJiUs3fSoqcu8pvGjN8jBii1R_KNl4Z7NYocWGKhIYnwseFwvyBP0GQkW0nriipWR6-8KG_aj5pc51iJzhV3m1ofrB-7Ndq/s1600/36+week+profile+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="542" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWWpfDV5nAIBzxMJN_hTEjVH1G3q3OfkRPzrLVpjeX5qwMIJiUs3fSoqcu8pvGjN8jBii1R_KNl4Z7NYocWGKhIYnwseFwvyBP0GQkW0nriipWR6-8KG_aj5pc51iJzhV3m1ofrB-7Ndq/s400/36+week+profile+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side profile and hand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWuyPolNQeNNSyVE1_rzt4Ltm1rl6xZfU5PUNMQQSrwy3eMyeUzKlLsPAadgwtRVXNAfr0rC48QFoadSFVDEf4ZtkFcn5BTdbhguWshpsA2_xQwUihciq5rHFrUe13kZMHXmI15imo389/s1600/36+weeks+Front+face+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="543" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWuyPolNQeNNSyVE1_rzt4Ltm1rl6xZfU5PUNMQQSrwy3eMyeUzKlLsPAadgwtRVXNAfr0rC48QFoadSFVDEf4ZtkFcn5BTdbhguWshpsA2_xQwUihciq5rHFrUe13kZMHXmI15imo389/s400/36+weeks+Front+face+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view of her face</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0ziscWub6TNhpI01mo30O1EDWNeo8znDlTo5JZJasA_SbO15AlfcGDkz1QLFQQ1NuVHM9UQzZf5m7SD7BTvv-zv4pgNL_9ZmAKc7rIXq52PzJvvGFbdIVxmxShtKYgIH2ndOk-Bt85vv/s1600/36+week+ear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="546" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0ziscWub6TNhpI01mo30O1EDWNeo8znDlTo5JZJasA_SbO15AlfcGDkz1QLFQQ1NuVHM9UQzZf5m7SD7BTvv-zv4pgNL_9ZmAKc7rIXq52PzJvvGFbdIVxmxShtKYgIH2ndOk-Bt85vv/s400/36+week+ear.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ear and shoulder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRuPvid8qunzjaSYrSNx4nlNYGZQJ5PxyhLuhIIinNcHdj5bAWJVszOOlsU99RPeHjdXNU5pUv9nyBRD3VTHQ1OOrYGfK_-Zoe_SJY3eIkC6OOCU5uGgO_CI-dsBL9aZtAOT1yA4vLeGW/s1600/36+week+finger+in+mouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="541" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRuPvid8qunzjaSYrSNx4nlNYGZQJ5PxyhLuhIIinNcHdj5bAWJVszOOlsU99RPeHjdXNU5pUv9nyBRD3VTHQ1OOrYGfK_-Zoe_SJY3eIkC6OOCU5uGgO_CI-dsBL9aZtAOT1yA4vLeGW/s400/36+week+finger+in+mouth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sucking her finger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ezloc4QfRP0k0TCcKQRHTbvr07UTFj5SY8QdcJ3DtQuCGt_T03ox3SrMg8jOQG70trobxGRl56ivc8GtpBLsD1tmXShhEKg_SspV3XvB_7LAg1sxMMV2M8aIAwfxaDLxAfi7mK1WOVG5/s1600/36+week+leg+and+foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="543" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ezloc4QfRP0k0TCcKQRHTbvr07UTFj5SY8QdcJ3DtQuCGt_T03ox3SrMg8jOQG70trobxGRl56ivc8GtpBLsD1tmXShhEKg_SspV3XvB_7LAg1sxMMV2M8aIAwfxaDLxAfi7mK1WOVG5/s400/36+week+leg+and+foot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foot and leg pushing against the womb</td></tr>
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<br />
This weekend we organised more of the nursery and washed all of her clothes (my clothes line has never been so pink) it's starting to feel real, although I don't feel ready quite yet.<br />
<br />
We made the most of a lazy Sunday afternoon by having an at home DIY photoshoot with our new camera. I saw a few photos on Pinterest that I really liked and we tried to replicate them. I'm pretty pleased with the end result, although a little self conscious about my body as well. This is by far the heaviest I have ever been, but it is the most body confident I have ever been as well, as I love my baby bump and how my body has changed to accommodate her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbhR9h6AbqMYlo2PyxAa4Ab_5ygKmKXf_oWfwIljmCUBHmVXR57V-mV1gutx_AUGBNb-dt_D2EvX1vaEy8K1sLFBZTW0XajPWXY-5EEWqOlcdtHNlR0TuodL89T5_aRdF2toXI5R1C0LE/s1600/2018-06-17+36+weeks+pregnant+photos+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbhR9h6AbqMYlo2PyxAa4Ab_5ygKmKXf_oWfwIljmCUBHmVXR57V-mV1gutx_AUGBNb-dt_D2EvX1vaEy8K1sLFBZTW0XajPWXY-5EEWqOlcdtHNlR0TuodL89T5_aRdF2toXI5R1C0LE/s640/2018-06-17+36+weeks+pregnant+photos+058.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby "name removed"</td></tr>
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We went for a walk up Mt Albert later that evening and watched the sun go down. We are trying to soak up these last few weeks with it being just the two of us but we are also so looking forward to becoming a family in the near future.<br />
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<br />
<b>How far along?</b>: 36 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, no way around it now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes, and my belly is itchy again so I'm keeping a close eye on them</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: Hasn't changed, still looks like a pouting pair of lips.</div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Seeing our baby again and seeing how much more developed she is now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Being tired at work</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>:Yawning to maximum capacity. I get to a certain point in the yawn and then have to stop abruptly because my lungs won't expand past my bump and it hurts. Very unsatisfying since I am yawning a lot these days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Movement all day, where my belly visibly undulates when she pushes against it</div>
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<b>Cravings?</b>: Peanut butter on muffin splits (just like I did as a teenager) </div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Meeting our little one in only a handful more weeks</div>
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<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: For the most part I'm very happy and positive</div>
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<b>Labour Signs?</b>: None so far, not even Braxton hicks (practice) contractions as far as I can tell. As far as I know, Braxton hicks are meant to feel like a non-painful tightening of your belly, but since my bump is rock hard and tight most of the time I don't think I can tell.</div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-19634430212641021542018-06-13T17:00:00.000+12:002018-08-13T18:21:29.837+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 35 - Taking our own maternity photos<h2>
Week 35</h2>
It has been another good week. Lots of people at work are commenting on how big I am getting and have been asking how I have been. They are often surprised when my response is "Good! Quite good surprisingly, just a little tired" as I have very little to complain about at the moment. Yes, my sleep is a bit disrupted, but not too bad, and yes, my hips sometimes ache, but that doesn't stop me from doing anything major and really isn't that bad either. I'm feeling very fortunate with how pregnancy has been for me so far and grateful for every day that passes without fear or pain. I'm pretty chill about birth and can't believe how quickly the time is passing. 5 weeks to go!!! (or so)<br />
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My belly is getting itchy again so the stretch marks might be getting worse but I'm not too fussed over it. What will be, will be. Still, my bedtime routine is to take my vitamins and slather my belly with cocoa butter every day/night. This means that I have also received a few complements that I smell really nice, or that I smell of chocolate from the Cocoa butter I use. Haha, an unexpected bonus I guess.<br />
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I have cut down my hours at work a little bit, just a few hours here and there. This has made a big improvement to my energy levels, just being able to start a little later and finish at the normal time, rather than working late, like I was before.<br />
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We decided to make the most of a beautiful Saturday sunset by taking some photos of my bump down at Western Springs park. We have recently got a new Sony A5100 digital camera as an early birthday present for me, and so we wanted to try it out. Here are a few of my favourite shots.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLAAXcjzx52A226VUf5fjshJ9q6WYPJOBBAzdZ0nbq3fpeObFOqDnJYWRosSfogSOSRltZqN2nvOzz-fnJGV47wXO48W1jxB1DnQub5PWgUK3Hc-YXB_DtAZ4_LTG_1xfNHF78PAEQOv-/s1600/2018-06-09+35+week+bump+in+Western+Springs+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLAAXcjzx52A226VUf5fjshJ9q6WYPJOBBAzdZ0nbq3fpeObFOqDnJYWRosSfogSOSRltZqN2nvOzz-fnJGV47wXO48W1jxB1DnQub5PWgUK3Hc-YXB_DtAZ4_LTG_1xfNHF78PAEQOv-/s640/2018-06-09+35+week+bump+in+Western+Springs+110.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.asos.com/bluebelle-maternity/bluebelle-maternity-short-sleeve-bodycon-dress/prd/8382972?clr=multifloral&SearchQuery=&cid=8799&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=2&gridsize=4&pge=2&pgesize=72&totalstyles=825" target="_blank">Bluebelle Maternity Dress</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 35 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, no way around it now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes, but they haven't got any worse lately</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a pair of lips" but hasn't popped yet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Spending a beautiful evening taking photos </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Being tired at work</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>: Mulled wine. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Movement all day, where my belly visibly undulates when she pushes against it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>:Not really</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Meeting our little one in only a handful more weeks</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: For the most part I'm very happy and positive<br />
<b>Labour Signs?</b>: None so far, not even Braxton hicks (practice) contractions as far as I know </div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-53201697046104319002018-06-06T17:00:00.000+12:002018-08-13T18:32:29.968+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 34 - Baby shower<h2>
Week 34</h2>
Only 6 weeks until my due date, where did that time go? Ahhh!<br />
<br />
We had our baby shower this weekend. Which meant squeezing 24+ people into Mum's living room. It was a blast, with some fun games and lots of good conversation. We received such lovely and practical gifts from our friends and family.<br />
<br />
An added surprise for our friends was that we revealed our baby's gender, which we had been keeping private up until that point. As this pregnancy has progressed I have realised that I am a terrible liar and have such a hard time using equal he's and she's or his and hers when talking about the baby, so we may as well celebrate her in style. We did this by popping a big black balloon to reveal our baby's gender with pink glitter confetti (which managed to spread throughout the entire house on peoples feet). I have a lot of friends who have baby girls so they were very excited for me to join the girl gang. It's going to be fun when all of our kids get older and play together.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 34 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl, and now our friends finally know!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, dresses and maternity leggings are my saviour! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes, but they haven't got any worse lately</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a pair of lips" but hasn't popped yet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Revealing the gender of our baby to our friends</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Being stuck in a car for 4 hours between Auckland and Taupo. Fortunately I won't be doing that again before baby gets here, it's too far away from our midwife and just plain uncomfortable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>: Mulled wine. As the weather gets colder it would be really nice to wrap my hands around a nice warm mug of it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Movement all day, where my belly visibly undulates when she pushes against it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>:Not really</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Meeting our little one</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: For the most part I'm very happy and positive</div>
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-20056462995221577962018-05-30T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-03T16:57:40.591+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 32 & 33 - Baby Hiccups & Checking out the Birth Centre<h2>
Week 32</h2>
Our baby has the hiccups! It took me a minute to figure out what this rhythmic popping was, but after looking it up online I'm pretty sure it is hiccups. Right on track according to our midwife too, as baby practices for breathing on the outside. They are cute but get a little repetitive and distracting after the first 30 mins of pop, pop, pop, pop etc. <br />
<br />
We had our second antenatal class this week, which was equally as insightful as the first. This one focused more on breastfeeding and taking care of baby when they get here.<br />
We even bumped into some of the other couples outside of the classes later in the week, which was fun to catch-up.<br />
<br />
We did a major baby shop at the Baby Factory, so I feel like we are getting more organised which helped put my mind to rest knowing that we have mostly everything we need, at least when she first gets here.<br />
<br />
I'm back to a relatively normal appetite, no bad symptoms to complain about. Still getting up 2-4 times each night to go to the bathroom but at least that means that I'm hydrated, right?<br />
<br />
We met our backup midwife at our appointment this week, as our LMC was in Rarotonga getting married. She seems very nice and knowledgeable and I would be perfectly comfortable with her being at my birth.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 32 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, dresses are my saviour! Not having a waist band cutting into your bump is the best. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes, they are gradually spreading further and but seem to be fading a bit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a pair of lips" but hasn't popped yet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>:Getting ready for baby to arrive</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>:Being tired at work, as I'm still there full time. I might look at cutting back my hours soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>: Not really, pretty content this week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Movement all day, where my belly visibly undulates when she pushes against it and of course her cute little hiccup sessions too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>:Not really</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>:Taking a tour of our birthing centre</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: For the most part I'm very happy and positive<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Week 33</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On Saturday morning we took a tour of "Birthcare" where I will hopefully be birthing if all goes to plan. It was comforting to ask them questions and visualise the birthing experience. The temperature has plummeted this week, winter hit with full force, well at least by Auckland standards. It feels like 2 degrees most morningw so I am trying to rug-up, even though I can't actually <u>do-up</u> any of my winter coats over my big belly. And no wonder, my bump is now measuring 106cm around my belly button, so that's a big ask for an old winter coat to get around. Baby girl is moving ALL THE TIME which is great but sometimes makes it hard to get to sleep with a tornado in your tummy. We can now feel babies body parts through my belly. It is sometimes hard to tell the difference between her head and bum (large bulge) or whether it is one of her arms or legs, but you can definitely use your imagination and figure it out.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How far along?</b>: 33 weeks! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, dresses and maternity leggings are my saviour! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes, but they seem to be fading a little bit</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a pair of lips" but hasn't popped yet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>:Seeing the birthing centre and feeling more prepared</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>:Being exhausted at the end of my work day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Miss anything?</b>: Fitting into my old winter clothes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Movement all day, where my belly visibly undulates when she pushes against it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cravings?</b>:Not really</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking forward to?</b>: My baby shower next week!!!</div>
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: For the most part I'm very happy and positive</div>
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-79863471880392223102018-05-16T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-03T16:57:19.225+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 31 - Starting antenatal classes<h2>
Week 31</h2>
Early in the week I was feeling sharp "zinging" electric pain from mid bump to cervix. Are these Braxton hicks contractions or round ligament pain? Because they hurt and I don't think BH are meant to hurt. Baby is busy bopping around, moving and grooving so I can assume she is doing just fine, it's just my body that is having the hard time.<br />
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We started our first free DHB antenatal class this week, which goes for 3 hours after work (6-9pm), which is a really long time for a preggo to sit and retain information after a long work day. It was a really good experience with lots of useful information and laughter. We learnt about the labour and birth process as well as the safest way for baby to sleep and travel etc so I would highly recommend doing it. We have the second session next week.<br />
<br />
No other symptoms this week, but my belly is growing and so are the stretch marks. At this point I am putting cocoa butter on every morning and night but I doubt that it's making any difference. *sigh*<br />
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<b>How far along?</b>: 31 weeks </div>
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<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, dresses are my saviour! Not having a waist band cutting into your bump is the best. </div>
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<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes, all over the sides of my bump</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a pair of lips" but hasn't popped yet</div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
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<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Meeting all of the other expectant parents at the antenatal class</div>
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<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>:Those weird zapping pains I was feeling early in the week, still don't know what it was. </div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b>:Summer, it's getting cold here</div>
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<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Lots of movement and strong kicks </div>
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<b>Cravings?</b>:Not really, just normal stuff</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Starting to buy more baby stuff</div>
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<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Wonderful, for the most part I'm very happy </div>
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-81182986416851846602018-05-09T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-03T16:57:00.374+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 30 - Getting vaccinated<h2>
Week 30</h2>
The big three oh, means that I am 3/4 of the way there, hopefully! Unless I go past my due date.<br />
<br />
Lee and Holly visited again this weekend. Initially I had a pretty good week again with no new symptoms and very little to complain about except for being a bit tired. If you feel like I am sugar coating pregnancy due to my lack of symptoms, I'm trying to be as honest as possible I swear. It just hasn't been a bad experience for me so far. My Mum loved being pregnant, in fact straight after she birthed my brother she joked that she could be a surrogate. A comment that her doctor didn't see the humour in. So apart from me getting morning sickness during the first trimester and already being the size she was when she was full term (me and my brother were little babies). It sounds like I am following in her foot steps.<br />
<br />
On Tuesday I got my Flu vaccination which is strongly recommended for pregnant women to get, as it helps to protect the baby when she is suddenly exposed to all of these new germs and viruses, as she already has built up some immunity. A few hours after the jab I was feeling very tired and went home from work early, heading straight to bed when I walked in the door. I woke up the next morning and almost didn't go into work due to a pounding headache, back ache and nausea. I pushed on through and made it through the work day, just. My body has never responded that way to a flu vaccine before so I guess it's either pregnancy related or that this years strains are stronger than normal. Although a few of my work colleagues (who aren't pregnant) had similar symptoms, so I guess it's just this years dose. Still no regrets in getting it, as I would prefer my mild symptoms over my baby getting a full blown flu when she arrives in the middle of winter. I'm tough, I can hack it.<br />
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<b>How far along?</b>: 30 weeks! </div>
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<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes, dresses are my saviour! Not having a waist band cutting into your bump is the best. </div>
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<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes, they are gradually spreading further and getting darker</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a pair of lips" but hasn't popped yet</div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
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<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Hanging out with my brother and his girlfriend</div>
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<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Feeling crappy after the flu shot</div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b>: Being in control of my own body, it doesn't feel much like my body anymore.</div>
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<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Lots of movement </div>
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<b>Cravings?</b>: Hot chips and tomato sauce</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Starting antenatal classes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Wonderful, for the most part I'm very happy </div>
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-18988339603666170012018-05-02T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-03T16:56:40.486+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 28 & 29 - First stretch marks and friends wedding<h2>
Week 28</h2>
Woohoo! Hello Third Trimester! Only 12 weeks to go! You know it's getting close when you start counting down rather than up. Random, I know, but we weighed my boobs tonight, yeah don't judge me haha. They aren't even particularly swollen at the moment but they weight 1.8kgs each! So I have 3.6 kgs of boobage to carry around with me every day! I wonder how much heavier they will get when my milk comes in.<br />
<br />
The first of the dreaded stretch marks have started. They are faint and dark blue, I actually thought they were just veins at first. They have started on either side of my bump, near my hips. I think in generally they are determined by genetics and how big you end up getting so there's not a lot I can do about them. I will just try to stay hydrated and moisturize as much as I can, but I am kind of resigned for them to get worse. Oh well. It's only skin deep.<br />
<br />
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<b>How far along?</b>: 28 weeks </div>
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<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes and it's practically all I can wear these days</div>
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<b>Stretch marks?</b>: *sigh* Yes, here we go.</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a puckered pair of lips" rather than an innie like it used to be </div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Some nights are good, others not so much. In general I am more tired though.</div>
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<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Just reaching the third trimester feels like an achievement.</div>
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<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Getting stretch marks</div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b>:Fitting into my old clothes, I am rather limited in what I wear these days</div>
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<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Lots of movement </div>
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<b>Cravings or aversions?</b>: Tacos! and Lemon water</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Visiting family and friends next week</div>
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<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Wonderful, for the most part I'm very happy<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Week 29 </h2>
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We went to Taupo for ANZAC day holiday which we extended until the weekend. We spent a lot of time just hanging out with family, and going Op shopping with Mum for good second hand baby gear. We found lots of nice clothes and cloth nappies from Facebook Buy, Swap, Sell and got some pretty awesome deals. I'm not the biggest fan of pink, but as we scored such good deals on the bits and pieces we found I don't mind that her wardrobe will consist of mostly pink for her first few months. She has the rest of her life to wear the rainbow. </div>
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We went to our friends wedding, ate some amazing food and spent the night dancing. It was great to have a chance to talk with my "mum friends" about everything baby related. The good, the bad and the cringe worthy. We also went to Paige's (our friends baby) first birthday which was super cute. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hxj5dZNBoAiTfwK2_0em8L1VrKrCnbcL894y1tCQAh2p2uOhn_h_W197jsnrcqLu9t3UKDP76UvDvdsV7sK3OjfcKcLnixObzgwPpVHHPhyphenhyphenbh4P_-3SJBPY5CHpJ2jlG3ToZVBFzriOA/s1600/31417150_2130117897028950_4752838099975798784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="534" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hxj5dZNBoAiTfwK2_0em8L1VrKrCnbcL894y1tCQAh2p2uOhn_h_W197jsnrcqLu9t3UKDP76UvDvdsV7sK3OjfcKcLnixObzgwPpVHHPhyphenhyphenbh4P_-3SJBPY5CHpJ2jlG3ToZVBFzriOA/s640/31417150_2130117897028950_4752838099975798784_n.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
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We came back to Auckland with a car load of pink baby gear, picked up my new prescriptions of iodine, iron and ascorbic acid (vitamin c).</div>
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My belly button is pushing out a bit further but still looks like a pair of lips are opposed to an "outie" as it hasn't "popped" yet. I still sleep quite well and can't really complain as the aches and pains aren't too bad. I mean, I did spend all evening dancing at our friends wedding (in heels) with no problems, so I count myself lucky. Every day that I feel well I count as a blessing, as everyone keeps on reminding me that now I am in the third trimester it will only get worse and that the bad symptoms may hit me at any time. So I'm living in the moment and so far enjoying it. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>How far along?</b>: 29 weeks </div>
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<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes and it's practically all I can wear these days</div>
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<b>Stretch marks?</b>: Yes, they are gradually spreading further and getting darker</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a pair of lips" but hasn't popped yet</div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Mostly pretty good, but I do get more tired throughout the day than I used to.</div>
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<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Spending time catching up with friends and family</div>
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<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Seeing my stretch marks spread and knowing that I can't do anything about it.</div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b>: It would have been nice to enjoy a glass of champagne at the wedding</div>
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<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Lots of movement </div>
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<b>Cravings or aversions?</b>: Meat, anything meaty sounds pretty good right now</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Starting antenatal classes</div>
<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Wonderful, for the most part I'm very happy </div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-3010424017612085832018-04-18T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-03T16:56:17.706+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 27 - Glucose test<h2>
Week 27</h2>
I spent most of this week sick with a cold that has been going around our office and finally got to me. It wasn't so bad considering I only needed two days off work, while other staff have been off all week, but it does make this week rather uneventful.<br />
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I had my Glucose challenge test when I was feeling well again. This was to test if I had gestational diabetes. The drink they gave me tasted like flat, syrupy lemonade. Not terrible but not particularly nice either, especially when you need to drink it within 5 minutes. Skull! Skull! Skull! I will be getting the results next week, and after my recent weight gain I'm a bit nervous to be honest. (edit: I don't have diabetes but my levels are on the higher side of normal, so midwife said to keep an eye on my diet)<br />
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My belly is hard and bulging. I am feeling the baby move all the time, especially when I am sitting down. I do wonder sometimes when she gets a chance to sleep with all that movement going on. I can see her move my belly quite dramatically when she kicks strongly, bulging in one direction or another. Most often near my right rib-cage.<br />
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Random people that come into work and attendants in shops are now confidentially asking when I am due. So I think it's pretty obvious that I am pregnant at this point, but they have more guts than me. I wouldn't ask unless the lady was practically in labour.<br />
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<b>How far along?</b>: 27 weeks </div>
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<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes and it's practically all I can wear these days</div>
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<b>Stretch marks?</b>: No</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: Looking like "a pair of puckered lips" rather than an innie like it used to be. </div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Some nights are good, others not so much. In general I am more tired though.</div>
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<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: This week was kind of average, so it would be the nice conversations my bump starts up with friendly strangers.</div>
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<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Being sick with a cold</div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b>:Fitting into my old clothes, I am rather limited in what I wear these days</div>
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<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Lots of movement </div>
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<b>Cravings or aversions?</b>: Tacos! and lemon water</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Getting my glucose test results, fingers crossed I don't have anything to worry about.</div>
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<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Wonderful, for the most part I'm very happy </div>
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-60128695015705753702018-04-11T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-03T16:55:55.410+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 26 - It's Facebook official<h2>
Week 26</h2>
We had our midwife appointment this week. I am by far the heaviest I have EVER been and now the same weight as Chris. Gulp. She measured my fundal height; the length from the top of my uterus to my pelvic bone, and I am measuring at 32 weeks! No wonder so many people have been saying I am getting big. Although she said that this may be because I have a long torso and we will see how it changes over the coming weeks.<br />
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Baby is doing well and measuring just a tiny bit bigger than average. I am also feeling pretty good this week, with not too many aches and pains. Although every morning I wake up with milk stains on my PJ's and I can't seem to sleep-in any more. 5:30am - 6:30am seems to be my new wake-up time, even on weekends which is very unusual for me. Lots of movement as always.<br />
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We signed up with a new family doctors not far from our house and Chris got the DPT vaccine to help protect baby from whooping cough when she arrives. I will get mine in the next few weeks hopefully.<br />
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We have finally announced the pregnancy on Facebook this week, so all of our extended family and friends now know our news. <br />
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<b>How far along?</b>: 26 weeks </div>
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<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes and I love them. </div>
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<b>Stretch marks?</b>: No</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: It looks like "a pair of lips" rather than an innie like it used to be </div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Some nights are good, others not so much. In general I am more tired though.</div>
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<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Announcing our news of Facebook and seeing everyone's reactions to our photos.</div>
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<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Feeling self-conscious about my weight gain and getting told how "big" I am by everyone</div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b>: Being as active as I used to be</div>
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<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Lots of movement </div>
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<b>Cravings?</b>: Hot Cross Buns and chocolate (a hang over from Easter?)</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Feeling my baby get stronger.</div>
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<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Wonderful, for the most part I'm very happy</div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-50461445050951019682018-04-04T17:00:00.000+12:002018-07-03T16:55:29.200+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 25 - Easter weekend and anniversary photo<h2>
Week 25</h2>
So my uterus is the size of a soccer ball, and it shows! My belly button mole is officially on the outside of my belly button (it used to be deep inside) and my stomach is starting to feel rather tight and stretched. My boobs are leaking more frequently but only a little at a time. My brother (Lee) and his girlfriend (Holly) came to visit this Easter weekend. They took our anniversary photo (even though it's well past our anniversary date) as a tripod and timer just wasn't going to cut it this time. And they both felt the baby move. We went swimming at Bethels beach in my new bikini and I felt quite confident rocking the baby bump.<br />
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I have been starting to get occasional sciatica after sitting, lying down or overdoing it for too long. It seems to go away with movement though which is a relief. I hope it doesn't get worse because it means I can't walk or stand up properly, and leaves me hunched over like an old lady. We measured my bump size while my brother was here at his request and it is 105cm round at the belly button.<br />
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<b>How far along?</b>: 25 weeks </div>
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<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes and I love them. </div>
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<b>Stretch marks?</b>: No</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: Starting to look like "lips" rather than a cavern.</div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Some nights are good, others not so much. In general I am more tired though.</div>
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<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>: Hanging out with family.</div>
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<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Getting sciatica after sitting for too long</div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b>: Being as active as I used to be<span class="ILfuVd yZ8quc"></span></div>
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<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Lots of movement </div>
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<b>Cravings?</b>: Hot Cross Buns and chocolate (it is Easter after all)</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: Feeling my baby get stronger.</div>
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<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Wonderful, for the most part I'm very happy</div>
Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982875101837249627.post-40799812616755058182018-03-28T17:00:00.000+13:002018-07-03T16:55:07.467+12:00Pregnancy diaries || Week 23 & 24 - Working away from home<h2>
Week 23</h2>
Again, lots of movement this week. I spent a good amount of time away from home at a work training event where everyone was fussing over me and my baby bump. I took some nice long baths in the hotel and ate way too much food. Even with the long baths and early nights I definitely needed to catch up on sleep when I got home.<br />
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<h2>
Week 24</h2>
This was another week away from home, where I was staying on a Marae as part of my work place diversity and cultural understanding training. This again meant eating way too much excellent food, combined with long days and sleeping communally in the Wharenui. I was pretty exhausted at the end of it.<br />
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I have been feeling a tonne of movement throughout the day but she calms down at night time. Her kicks are getting a lot stronger, to the point where my whole bump moves when she kicks, although it is only noticeable to me most of the time. Her favourite spot is my right rib cage just under my boob, so we will see how that area goes as she gets stronger. Chris is getting to feel her kicks a lot more now too which feels great.<br />
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I bought some new dresses off ASOS and of the ten which arrived, three could actually fit my massive boobs. The ones that a kept I like a lot and are very comfortable. Which is a top priority these days.<br />
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Still no heartburn, headaches or constipation but I am starting to get a bit of hip and back cramp when I have been sitting or lying for too long. Although this does go away shortly after I get moving.<br />
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My boobs are leaking?!? Apparently it's completely normal but it came as a bit of a surprise. I was sitting around after a shower, looked down at my breast and a drop of milk was hanging off the end of my nipple (TMI?). I have also noticed the occasional wet patch on my t-shirts when I wake up in the mornings too, so that would explain it.<br />
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<b>How far along?</b>: 24 weeks </div>
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<b>Gender?</b>: Girl</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes?</b>: Yes and I love them. Bought some new dresses which I know I will get a lot of wear out of.</div>
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<b>Stretch marks?</b>: No</div>
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<b>Belly button in or out?</b>: In</div>
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<b>Sleep?: </b>Some nights are good, others not so much. In general I am more tired though.</div>
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<b>Best Moment of the week?</b>:Finding some new dresses I love</div>
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<b>Worst Moment of the week?</b>: Sleeping in a room full of people, some of whom snore like a tractor</div>
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<b>Miss anything?</b>: A cold glass of <span class="ILfuVd yZ8quc">wine</span></div>
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<b>Movement?</b>: YES! Lots of movement for most of the day.</div>
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<b>Cravings?</b>: Dumplings and Hot Cross Buns.</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick?</b>:No</div>
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<b>Looking forward to?</b>: My bump getting bigger</div>
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<b>Mood/emotional state?</b>: Wonderful, for the most part I'm very happy</div>
<br />Erin Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08924425676751930576noreply@blogger.com0