2 days late + Harriers' sweeptstake

So I have officially joined the 70% of folk who have their baby post due date and as I am incredibly crap at waiting (you should see me at a bus stop waiting on a bus!) I think poor Al is in for a tough few days /weeks. See that is the problem, it could be tonight, it could be another 12 days and I'm not very good at that. I must try to see it as an opportunity to practise the art of patience, but when your back is aching and your belly is so low it is practically down to your toes, it proves quite difficult indeed, so to keep e from grumping too much, I thought I'd sit bouncing on my birthing ball and write a blog post!

On Friday I did 40 mins Pilates and then used the opportunity to get all my staff''s holiday pay and payslips all sorted out as well as paying any outstanding bills for the centre and recording the accounts, so I guess at least that is all sorted out and I don't need to worry about that post baby! Al and I then went out for dinner and generally I did a good job of keeping my mind busy.

Yesterday I was absolutely exhausted for some reason, so chilled out as much as poss. Al and I went to Auchterarder for lunch and then up to Crieff to put some stuff to the charity shops and generally pootle around the shops so that gravity could get to work. I got 4 books in one of the charity shops for £6! Bargain! So that should help to keep me busy. My mate had a really good idea of getting out all my photos that need to be put into albums and start to organise them. Great idea, but I don't have any empty albums and so hoped to buy some yesterday, but to no avail!

The harriers now have a sweepstake on when baby will arrive, it's weight and sex which is really quite funny. The thing I find really strange is the weights people are guessing. There is only 1 above 7lbs! I am a bit concerned about their opticians because my stomach is quite clearly enormous! I know I'm teeny, but my belly ain't!

When we were in Crieff my mates Wendy and Lawrence went past in their camper-van as they set off on hol and waved hello. I got a text from her later that said that she didn't want to peep the horn in case she made the baby come and lost her guess on the sweepstake! LOL!

Today I have felt pretty fed up, but doing my pilates (40mins) has cheered me up as did watching the village gala parade! There were loads of mums accompanying their children as there is a fancy dress contest and I thought, gosh that could be me soon! Actually it was a bit of a shame as we have had absolutely no rain for about 2 weeks solid and although it was dry for the parade, it then rained after while the fair etc was on! Typical! poor old Muthill!

Right, I will do my best to 'enjoy the quiet while I still have it' - yup, you guessed it, I've heard that quite a lot recently!

Due Day Tomorrow!

Last day of 39 weeks today and I thought I'd do a post just on the off chance I am one of the very few people who are actually on time, although I really don't see that happening.

Exercise

Exercise is still going well:

Mon: 1.8km swim (90 lengths) ~ 4.5 miles

Wed: 4 mile walk/hike

Thurs: 50 minute gym session - 5min walk teadmill, 20 min XTrainer, 10 min arm bike, 10 min XT, 5 minwalk treadmill ~ equiv to about 4 ish miles

I think tomorrow I'll just do Pilates (if I'm not getting a much harder workout in the labour ward!) and if baby is still happy in my belly I'll hop on the bike on sat.

Hike + Midwife

I had a lovely hike with my mate Wendy on Wed. I had to laugh at the end as she said: "Well thanks for that pootle, Luke" (her dog who is quite slow) "really enjoyed that." to which I replied: "It might have been a pootle for you; that was a full on workout for me!" and it really was as there is a lot of uphill on that circuit which I simply have to plod up. LOL!

Before I met Wendy I had a midwife appointment to check everything was Ok. All was well with baby and a good strong heart beat. It is always so reassuring to hear that. I had been a bit worried on Mon as baby was quite quiet, but it seems to have woken up again. Despite that though the movements are definitely different - much more pushing rather then whizzing about, so it's obviously getting a bit more cramped in there - let's hope that encourages it OUT!

Fatigue

I have felt a lot more tired than I have done the past few days and have found myself being very lazy in the afternoons - taking advantage of being able to sit on my butt and reading a book before all craziness breaks loose. Definitely want to have enough energy for labour!

Crossing my fingers for tomorrow as I'm getting very fed up of painful Braxton hicks with nothing to show for them!

4 Days to Due Date

Yesterday I got up and joined mum at her club for a swim I nearly gave the life guard a heart attack when he overheard that I am due on Friday. I promised him to be sensible and that mum was with me if I had any problems! Hee hee! He definitely looked more than a bit concerned!

As it was all was uneventful. I managed 90 lengths (1.8km as oppossed to 100 (2km) so I have slowed down a bit, but not bad I reckon!

It was another gorgeous day so mum and I had coffee sitting outside in the sun before we thought we'd better get on with something a bit more productive! Dish washing, hoovering, online shopping etc done I headed outside to sit in the back garden and finish book number 3. It was called Twilight and as some of the main characters are vampires I probably wouldn't have have even looked twice at it, but a friend recommended it, explaining it was more of a love story, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is part of a series so I may try and get hold of the next one.

Today I had a coffee morning organised via the NCT classes. After the lessons, the first 3 coffee mornings are organised for us by our host and then we take over organising them at our own houses which I think is a great idea! I was a bit concerned as I had to drive down to Stirling for it (30mins) which is the longest I've driven for in quite some time and I'm definitely starting to feel like I don't want to go to far from home. None the less there were no emergency calls required en route in either direction so I'm glad I went as it was nice to see Claire and Katherine. Fe didn't make it and as she is due on Thursday, we were wondering if maybe her D-day has come around!

I had plans to do my Pilates this afternoon, but I feel really tired (2 pretty bad nights in a row) so I think I'll just rest instead.

I have a midwife appointment tomorrow and hopefully I'm meeting my mate Wendy at some point in the next few days to go for a walk (really think I need to have company now).

It is a really weird time; you make plans, but you don't know if you'll be able to do them or not. Definitely odd.

39 Weeks!

39 weeks today - 7 days to due date! OMG!

I was really hyped up to deliver during my first 2 weeks of maternity leave, but now I just feel - whatever - it'll happen. I'm very glad I didn't go straight away actually as I feel really quite relaxed now and feel like I have the energy to 'enjoy' the whole experience.

It helps when you have a great day like today - coffee in the morning with a my mate Liz, lunch in the back garden with Al while he was on his lunch break; an unexpected visit from my mate Ali while she was out on a wee bike ride, so more sitting out in the back garden (perfect temp today); 40 minutes Pilates and then before I knew it Al's finished work for the week and it is a gorgeous Friday evening.

The only fly in the ointment - the dishwasher seems to playing up, but Al's going to have a really good look at it over the weekend and hopefully he can fix it.

GOOD LUCK to all those running the West Highland Way this weekend. I hope the weather stays nice for you and the midges are kept at bay.

Baking and Lunching!

Baking

Yesterday I whiled away the afternoon doing some baking. I made some yummy muffins and cookies.

Raspberry, Blueberry and Almond Muffins (9 nice sized Muffins).

250g Rice flour

170g Whole Rye flour

225g Frozen blueberries and raspberries

50g Caster Sugar

1 large egg

170g Silken tofu whizzed to make paste plus splash of soya milk to thin to a more yoghurt consistency

Juice of 1 lemon + rind grated

half a cup of Pineapple juice

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda

80g Flaked Almonds

1 teaspoon Vanilla essence

Sift flour, baking powder and bicarb of soda. Add fruit and lemon rind and mix.

Mix tofu (could use yoghurt), sugar, pineapple juice, vanilla and lemon juice in another bowl.

Add wet to dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Beat 1 egg and add to mixture and mix through.

Spoon into muffin trays.

Bake (200degreesC/400degreesF/Gas Mark 6) for 15 mins (Fan oven 15 mins is plenty!)

These are so good and as a bonus really healthy too as loads of fruit + nuts and low fat! I was really pleased how these came out as I had adjusted and combined a few recipes. They are fab for all times of day especially breakfast with a little jam!

Peanut Butter Cookies (25 cookies)

I don't know if theses could be described as low fat or dead healthy, but yummy; yes! The best thing is I made 15 cookies and put the rest of the mix in the freezer so I can easily bake some more (10) at a later date.

130g rice flour

100g rye flour

1/2 teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

100g Dairy free margarine

130g Crunchy Peanut butter

170g soft brown sugar

1 teaspoon Madagascan vanilla essence

1 teaspoon water

100g dry roasted Peanuts (I used 50g plain whole Almonds cut into three chunks as I didn't have any peanuts and 50g seemed plenty!)

The marg, PB and sugar were creamed in a bowl and then half the dry ingredients and half the eggs, water and vanilla mixture were added and stirred in to make smooth consistency. The second half of dry and eggs were finally added and re stirred to smooth texture. Finally the nuts and stirred through.

Balls of dough were put into greased baking trays and flattened down with floured fork.

In oven (180degreesC/350degreesF/gas mark 4) for 15 mins. I have a fan oven and they possibly could have been taken out a little earlier, but they seem pretty perfect to me.

Lunching

Had a great lazy lunch with the girls from my NHS classes. We met at 11.30am, had lunch and after gabbing away for quite some time decided it was time for some pudding! We eventually decided we should get on with something a little less indulgent at 2.30pm! We haven't arranged anything for next week as Claire is due on Monday, Fe and I are due on Friday and Lyndsey the following Tuesday. I wonder if we'll go in the correct order or if in 3 weeks time I'll finally be begging to be induced!

Spinning

Mum was shattered this morning so I 'hopped' on the spinning bike and did a great 45 min workout - 21km so equiv of 4 mile run - before meeting the girls for lunch.

Heat + Books

It was so hot today. I made the mistake of shooting up to Crieff to get my glasses fixed while still wearing my jeans - ugggh! As soon as I got home it was summery frock on and relaxing in the garden - well the shade with book number 2. I must say, it is rather nice to be getting a chance to read - completely guilt free!

38 Week Midwife Appointment

I had my 38 week midwife appointment which went well. Tummy has grown another 1cm. A lot slower growth (1cm in 2 weeks as opposed to 3cm in 2 weeks) but still growing none the less. Head down, butt out and legs still flailing around. In fact it was moving about so much this morning that it took a while to get the heart beat. It finally calmed down and let us hear it's wee heart beating away.

I was wondering when I would have my next appointment as they are still meant to be every 2 weeks, but because we live so rurally I can only get appointments on a Mon and Wed so my next appointment would have been after my due date which I thought was a bit strange. Anyway I was told I should come in next Wed as that was 2 days before my due date and check that everything is OK and then if I still haven't gone into labour, the following Wed and they will check me out and see if there is anything that can be done to get things moving along.

Exercise

I took the decision to not bother doing any exercise yesterday and I think it was a good choice as I feel a lot more energetic today and went for a lovely 4 mile hike/walk today around the Knock and Wishing well. I did it in the reverse direction to last week as I figured if I was tired after the circuit of the Knock I could bail out and head home, but although I was quite tired I knew I was fine to add in the extra mile. I must admit though, I'm getting a bit twitchy about heading out on my own now. I knew there would be other people walking around there at that time of day but even still I phoned Al just as I was about to head off and when I got back. It was really muggy today and so I had to take it really steady up the hill as it was just so warm. As I came down the other side I was looking out to Loch Turret and the hills that guard the water below and was thinking 'did I really used to run over them on a regular basis?' It seems hard to imagine at the moment, but I'm sure I'll get back to it soon enough!

Tomorrow I am meeting the girls from my NHS classes for coffee/lunch, but if I feel OK I will try to get some exercise in before we meet. If mum is up to it I''l go to the gym with her, but if not I will either spin at home. If I can't face it in the morning I'll do it in the afternoon, but morning is usually better for doing cardio for me.

Friday I am meeting Liz for coffee in the morning so I'll probably do some Pilates later on - we'll see.

Sat - if Al wants to go to the speed session (shin splints flared up a little after last week's session) I'll tag along and go for a walk like last week.

That's the plan, but I'll definitely play it by how I feel each day as I really don't want to feel like I did on Monday.

Nesting

I'm feeling quite chuffed with myself as yesterday I finished my 'spring cleaning' and so the house is fully nested! Well I could always start painting the hallway (I know I wanted to get it done in the Easter Hols) but I don't think it is a good idea to start as I can't go up any ladders at the mo'. Hopefully it will stay dry today and Al can mow the grass as we seriously have the Serengetti Plane for a back garden. No joke - the grass has gone to seed and is waist height - hilarious! I reckon the next door neighbour is astounded as he cuts his grass after a cm growth! Thank god it can't be seen from the front or we would be seriously letting the village down on it's quest to place in Britain in Bloom (we qualified last year from doing so well in Scotland in Bloom).

So now it is on to baking! I'm feeling like some muffins need to be baked! Oh and better water those hanging baskets too! Mustn' t let the village down! Ha ha!

12 days to go or is it more?

Monday 14th June

Got up this morning to meet mum for a swim. Had had a bit of a dodgy night with feet in diaphragm and sore tum and it was quite a struggle to get up and going.

Thought I would just do 30mins or something but managed 50 mins in the end (74 lengths).Not my usual 100 but that was honestly enough as my tummy just wasn't happy and I had hideous heartburn too which I haven't had for a while.

I thought I would feel much better today after resting all day yesterday on the sofa - honestly it was a truly a mega lazy day and it felt great - but no I still feel a bit odd so I think I'll be taking it easy this afternoon too.

Exercise

At this point I don't even want to make any exercise plans for the week as I'm really uncomfortable, but when I'm feeling a bit more chipper I'm sure I'll be out walking, on the spinning bike and doing my pilates in an attempt to get this baby out!

Crazy Baby!

The shapes my belly makes now is quite phenomenal depending on the position of the baby. Then it moves and it really freaks me out, because it is insane. I know people who have said that they would rest a tea cup on their bump and the baby moving would make the tea cup move - well I wouldn't dare rest anything on my belly as it would half way across the room in the blink of an eye, contents splattered over the walls!

Right, back to my trashy novel to ensure I rest and not overdo things!

38 Weeks Today + Pics!

So I've made it to 38 weeks and with that landmark have drawn a line under his week's shennanigans.

Done and Dusted

The Admin A who promised the day before to help out for an extra couple of days has now pulled out of that (I was half expecting it) but in many ways it is just better as I can just get back in control of the situation and not rely on her. I am still hacked off with having to do a whole heap of work for seemingly nothing, but I couldn't have not done the work. My teaching staff have been amazing and are rallying around and helping out in every way they can because they know the efforts I went to to ensure everything was as organised as possible for them. That is completely different to just abandoning them - not that I ever would. Things I have learned - I must insist on a month's notice and that it is their responsibility to train the next candidate as once I am back to teaching I can't do it. I am miffed that I will have to lug down to the centre to interview and train with baby in tow (as I'll still be feeding) only about 6 or so weeks after birth, but I am determined not to dwell on that just now and just enjoy my maternity leave and my baby coming. I will admit to feeling pretty low the past few days and a lot of that joy had disappeared. However I not going to miss this joyful time in my life because of someone else's inability to honour their word. So mum is going to call me from work definitely on a Tuesday and maybe everyday and I can give her reminders and instructions about what needs to be remembered. The other staff are staying on when they are not teaching or coming in early so that they can answer the phone as that is a nightmare while teaching and is the thing that stresses mum out the most. Basically we will muddle through and I am just really thankful for fantastic teaching staff.

Exercise

So far this week, despite everything, I have had some good exercise - actually it has really helped me to stay semi-sane.

Monday: 65 min swim - 2km - equiv to 5 mile run

Wednesday: 4 mile walk/hike with hills

Thursday: 50 min gym session including 30mins on X-Trainer: equiv to 4 mile run

Friday: 40 minutes Pilates

Tomorrow I will either go for a hike while the club does their training or I will get on the spinning bike - may be weather dependant or baby dependant who knows - frightening!

Full Term Photos.

These were taken a couple of days ago so not quite 38 weeks, but certainly full term. I'm huge and so low. Yesterday I had my belly support on for the gym and I could see how much my tummy had grown from where the waist strap reached compared to before. I think because the belly is so low now too, that also adds to the added girth.

What do I look like! Ha Ha! That is rhetorical question by the the way - no nasty comments please!

A Better Day!

Well after yesterday's nightmare I've managed to negotiate some extra days from my admin assistant. Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination, but better than nothing. So far from best pleased it is unbelievable. To work so hard and have nothing to show for it is extremely frustrating, but more than that to be left in the situation where payments may not come in because you or your assistant is not there to ensure it happens is worrying in the extreme. Add to that the worry you have about your mother's health in having to cope with too much results in one stressed mamma! I'm amazed at people's lack of loyalty at times. I could not have made the consequences of these actions clearer at the time of the interview. Hours of sleep last night probably were about 2. Hours of stress 7! Can't do anything else at this point so have to hope for the best and trust in my teaching staff and just try to relax so I don't stress out the baby. Only 3 weeks until the end of term and then I can re-group over the summer hols.

Meeting with Ladies from NHS Classes

This morning I met with the girls I had met at my local NHS antenatal classes. We met for coffee at my favourite coffee shop/ Deli in Crieff called Delivino. On the way to that I popped into my hairdresser and she had an appointment for today at 1.15pm or not one until the 23rd so I thought I'd grab the chance to get my haircut today. This meant coffee turned into lunch with the girls. It was really nice to have my mind off my stresses for a while and laugh about the indignities of pregnancy. We all really enjoyed it and have booked another coffee slot next week, this time in Auchterarder where one of the other girls lives. Really looking forward to it already!

Getting my haircut was really nice too. At least my hair won't be too mop like for the first few weeks after babba is born.

After some bits and bobs I needed to do in Crieff I didn't get home to 2.30pm. I had wanted to get on my spinning bike today, but I was still a bit full from lunch and to be honest, as I had to phone to confirm arrangments with admin assistant at 3.30pm I couldn't really settle to it. Luckily the weather had really cheered up this afternoon so once Al finished work we headed out for a walk around the Knock via the Wishing well. It was a good walk, but boy are hills hard work now. I reckon it was at least 3.5miles but probably nearer 4 miles so was pretty pleased. Tummy tired at end though.

Had some cracking Braxton Hicks tonight - God they can hurt, but they eventually passed after about an hour so D-Day not arrived yet! OK I'm tired now and want to join mum at gym tomorrow if she is up to it so I'm awa' to bed!

A bad day!

Today, after having a lovely time at my class on how to express milk, I came home to a work email explaining that my admin assistant had handed in her notice to the temp agency and was finishing with us at the end of this week as her other job had upped her hours!!!!! As you can probably imagine this is a total nightmare. I have just spent the best part of the last 3 weeks training her up! This would be annoying enough if I was still working and had the energy to train another, but I'm exhausted, on maternity leave and am now having to think about how to sort this out.

It is especially crap as I had just started to unwind and feel more ready for baby to come. If I'm honest I could quite happily sit here a bawl my eyes out! Not my finest hour, but honestly I worked my ass off in order to be able to be ready and I just feel so disappointed.

Hopefully something will come to mind about how I can sort this out, but for now I feel a little bit too shell shocked!

Hope every body else is having a better day than me!

1st week Of Maternity Leave

All in all it's been a good week. It has taken me most of this week to settle into maternity leave. I've been quite twitchy and tired and frustrated about not being very spritely, but today it really hit me that I should just try and enjoy each day I get to relax. I think it was when I was at church and the family in the pew in front asked how long I had to go and if it was my first (they had 2) and the mum said, "Do something nice for yourself while you can." That really hit home and I thought, 'If I get the cleaning done, great; if not, que sera sera!' So with that in mind, I've made a list of what I want to do and I can target 1 or 2 things a day around doing things for me, rather than feeling like I have to get it all done in a oner!

I think it also helps that we have got our bedroom sorted and thoroughly cleaned so that there is room for the baby's crib when it decides to make an appearance.

Exercise

Tues: 45 min bike:equiv to 4 mile bike + 30 min Pilates

Wed: 3 mile walk

Thurs: 65 min swim: equiv to 5 mile run + 2 mile walk

Sunday: 40 mins Pilates.

It has been nice being able to get back to some exercise after last weeks' dearth of any exercise.

Next Week

I'm going for a swim tomorrow with mum and thenon Tues I have an 'expressing' class with girls from my NCT antenatal classes. Kathryn has had her wee boy and is still happy to host it, while Claire delivered her wee boy this morning so won't make it. I'm quite jealous of Claire as we were due on the same day, but due to early waters breaking she needed to be induced!

On Wed I am meeting the girls from my NHS antenatal classes for coffee so that will be nice and then on Thurs I'll go for another swim with mum, so I've got some nice things to look forward to that will hopefully keep my mind off when babba is going to come.

On that note at a family dinner tonight for my dad's birthday they were all having a sweepstake on when I'll pop. Ian thinks the 14th, My dad thinks the 20th (father's day), Al chose the 13th, mum took my due date the 25th and my sister just howled with laughter at the thought of everyone betting on my discomfort! Ha, Ha! I refused to bet but would be happy with either Al's or Ian's dates!!!!

Right off to bed with me - far too late!

37 Weeks - Full Term!

So I am full term today!

I'm telling you, this baby can come whenever it wants. I'm so over being pregnant now! I want my body back, I want to run - hell I just want to be able to pick something up off the floor without having to be assisted by a crane!

The ironic thing is, you really look forward to maternity leave, but by the time it comes, you're too big to be able to enjoy it. I'm all for womens' lib and doing it for ourselves and all that, but there is definitely something to be said for not being able to work past 11 weeks to due date (the lady in the village petrol station gave me that fact).

Rant over - feel better now!

I had a great swim yesterday - 65 mins - 100 lengths - 2km.

The water rocks - it is so nice to get rid of that weight for a while.

It was my dad's birthday yesterday so he came round in the afternoon for tea and cake. We got him cinema vouchers for his birthday and he really liked them, so that was a relief. It was a gorgeous day yesterday so we sat outside in the sun. boy was I glad I had exchanges that dress on Monday because it was perfect for sitting in the sun. I'm also glad I very diligently put suncream on as even with doing so I have a tan mark today.

It was such a lovely evening that Al really wanted to go for a run rather than on the spinning bike, so I went along too and plodded along Lady Mary's while he ran out to the monument and back. It was rather nice walking along at what I call a tourist pace. LM is really leafy in the summer and it helped to keep me cool and the river sparkled in the sun as I pootled along. The only thing was I was really quite tired by the end (walked about 2 miles) as I think my swim was more tiring than I had realised. by the time I got back to he car, tourist pace would have seriously burned me off! Still it was better than sitting about all uncomfortable for the evening. I was asleep very quickly last night - well until 12.30 and then the cycle of loo, snooze, readjust position started!

The Harriers are off on their weekend away today. I'm so envious - not that I could do anything at the mo'. I know it is only temporary and I'll be back to it soon enough, but.... being pregnant is hard work! Truly a blessing, but hard work!

Come on little one - I want to meet you!

36 Week Midwife Appointment - 4/5ths engaged!

I had my 36 week appointment today - even though I will be 37 weeks on Friday. I was really looking forward to it, but I had the same midwife as I had 4 weeks ago and while she is polite and pleasant enough, she is just not very enthusiastic. Both times I've seen her I've been in and out within 5 minutes! Everything is checked and she asks how you are etc, but doesn't really give any thing else. All the other midwives I've seen are very enthusiastic and encouraging and really, it seems, want to know how you are and offer advice. I've been quite nauseous recently and very uncomfortable after a meal, despite eating small portions. It seems veggies, although not salad bizzarly cause too much bloating as every time I eat a meal with veggies I honestly feel like my stomach skin is going to split open. Last night I had a chicken and veggie stir fry with buckwheat noodles. I can't emphasise enough how small the portion was and I was in agony after! I felt so sick and vowed, not for the first time recently, to never eat again! Honestly I was saying: "That's it, all I'm having from now on is soya milk!!!!" I've actually seen me throw half an apple away recently because I just can't be bothered finishing it as I can feel it starting to really fill me up. The trouble is, you still get very hungry and want to eat. However, the midwife didn't offer any advice or ask me to explain further. At least I've managed lunch today and it doesn't seem to be causing to much discomfort.

Anyway despite the lack of interest, all is well with babs. Back is lying on right hand side for a change, HR healthy and head is now 4/5ths engaged!!!!! Also 37cm uterus and not quite at 37 weeks yet - let's hope babba is on the way.

I then met up with my friend who is finally looking like she is on the mend form a broken leg. The poor thing has had a torrid time - she broke the leg almost a year ago and first it didn't knit, then she needed metal put in which got it to mend but then needed to have the metal out as she couldn't flex her ankle and in amongst that she got an infection when they put the metal in that has only just cleared up but the wound is still open. What a nightmare! Anyway she is walking so much better and we had a lovely 3 mile walk around Lady Mary's and we were pretty perfectly matched for pace which was great.

This evening Al and I are going to watch the Auchterarder 10K, another Harriers' club champ race. Poor Al has decided to give it a miss as he is just running on trail at the mo' until he has managed to completely knock the shins splints into touch. It's nice to go and cheer folk on even if you can't run, especially as it is the Harriers' weekend away this weekend and we simply cannot venture all the way to Gairloch! Totally gutted not to be able to go, but the thought of giving birth up there aided by various medical members of the club just does not bare thinking about! Can you imagine! I'd never be able to look them in the eye again!

Thursday

I plan to go for a swim tomorrow and then Dad is coming around for a cuppa as it is his birthday. Why are Dads so hard to buy for! Finally got something so I can relax now!

Friday

Mum is coming round to help me with the spring cleaning again. I managed to do the kitchen cupboards and oven yesterday as well as the bathroom tiles, but that was enough, so I appreciate mum's help so much. I think I'll set Al to tasks over the weekend too so that if babba hasn't arrived next week I can enjoy my relaxation!

Sorry, Claire. I know I promised no more to do lists, but, if you can go into uni after a head accident.... hee hee!

Enjoying Maternity Leave

Yesterday I was going to go for a swim with mum at her gym, but I couldn't shake the fact that I wanted to get my last bits of baby stuff and that if I went down to town with mum I wouldn't have to drive (becoming less and less comfortable as the days plod on) so that is what we did.

I got my nursing bras. 32 E!!!!!!!! My GOD! Never in my wildest imagination would I ever thought I would be buying a bra that size - it is hilarious!!!!!! The cups are massive. Not bad going for a wee slip of a lass usually with an ironing board chest of 32 A (JUST!). I totally cannot even remember what I looked like pre-pregnancy. I can't remember what it is like to have flat tummy and a wee chest. Here's hoping I find out again!

I also got some more sleep suits as I didn't have many of them. People have given me short sleeve suits with no legs but hardly any all in ones so I really wanted to have some more.

The last time Al and I went to town I bought some trousers and vests for taking to hospital and for the days after, but I've actually been wearing them loads as they are the most comfy trousers and don't dig in when I sit down. The vests are also really long and pretty summer colours so again I've been wearing those too so I haven't been able to pack them. Therefore I wanted to get some replicas so I could have them in my bags and not worry about them being in the wash the day I decided to go into labour! On the same last trip I got snacks for my bag from Holland Barrat so I would have wheat and dairy free things in Hospital, but I ate them all!!!!! Ha Ha! Well it is really hard when you are really off your food and the only thing you can face is a tempting treat calling at you from your bag! So I went to H+B yesterday and got stuff for my bag PLUS extras for just now! Lastly I wanted to change some clothes I had got for New Look. In a moment of baby brain stupidity I managed to pick up 2 items that that were a size 14 /16! What an idiot - they were a like a tent - in my defence they were on an 8 hanger - but needless to say I needed to change them and figured I'd better do it asap before baby comes and I don't even get a chance to wear them!

Any Hoo! while queueing up in H+B my back and tummy started to really ache so after a wee spot of lunch, mum and I headed back to the car and drove home. I was firmly told by mum to sit down and put my feet up when we got home while she (God bless her) started on cleaning my Kitchen. I kept thinking I'd get up and help, but no, rest was definitely required.

Eventually in the evening Al and I packed my bags properly and pinned a piece of paper to the front with the things I need to collect at the last minute, like pillows, MP3 player, water etc. Feel good about that actually.

Tuesday

This morning I felt a lot less tired than yesterday - think I'm slowly catching up on some of my sleep - so I got on my exercise bike for 45 mins and then did 30mins Pilates. It was really fun on my bike - I haven't been on it in ages, but it was really good. As Al is working from home, he dragged it through to the living room and I watched TV while I worked out. I really wanted to do some Pilates too so I could stretch off so did only 45 mins so I could combine the 2. I did my standing pilates, full body workout and stretching Pilates routines and it was perfect. I've given up on the core workout as it simply results in a lot of beached whale thrashing about on the floor! I do like the leg workout, but as I'd been on the bike, I'd figured that would be enough leg work for today.

Oh and my changing bag arrived today - very cool!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I have a midwife appointment so hopefully I can find out if babba is no longer back to back. I'm then meeting a friend who is recovering from a badly broken leg and we are going for a walk.

Right I'm off to buy dad a birthday pressie.