Week 25

How far along are you? 

25 weeks.

How big is the baby? 

The baby is about the size of a cauliflower. Zebi-Debi is about 13.6-14.8 inches long and weighs around 1.5 - 2.2 pounds. 

How I’m feeling: 

I was a bit under the weather all week and so was Dave. We both had colds with a bit of congestion and a cough. 

Healthy eating? 

Yes, I've been pretty good this week. Although I may have had some Easter chocolate! BUT not as much as a certain someone I know… 

Food cravings: 

I haven't felt very hungry because of my cold.

Food aversions:

One night Dave started talking about Cheds, one of his favourite crackers from childhood. This possessed him to place an order online for a wide array of Australian treats including Shapes (BBQ & pizza flavoured), Burger Rings, Minties, Butter Menthols, and Kingstons.

I am not a fan of savoury snack crackers besides those made with cheese. The look and smell of the Shapes and the Burger Rings totally grossed me out!

Exercise: 

I taught five yoga classes this week. All the other classes were off because of the four day weekend. 

Total weight gain/loss: 

+ 19.5 pounds

Sleep: 

Not too great. Between the acid reflux, common cold symptoms, and frequent trips to the loo I didn't get a lot of quality rest. Saturday and Sunday night I did sleep fairly soundly because we worked so hard during the day.

Maternity clothes?

I put on the clothes I reserve for messy tasks like painting and it was very amusing. There was NO WAY I could even come close to zipping my jeans and my belly barely fit under my t-shirt. I ended up switching to an old pair of maternity pants a friend gave me which were much more comfortable. 

Stretch marks?

Not yet.

Best moment(s) this week: 

I have a new niece! Lizzie gave birth to a baby girl named Jonquil the morning of April 17th. 

Isn't she sweet? Congratulations to Ant, Lizzie, and Sylvester! I'm so excited to welcome her to the family. It is going to be awesome for Zebi-Debi to have a cousin so close in age too! 

On Good Friday we went out to dinner at Rabot Estate for our anniversary. The theme of the menu is cacao and chocolate. One of those elements was in every dish on the menu. The food was creative and delicious. 

We made really good progress on the baby's room. Our long weekend was spent sanding, cleaning, and painting the walls of the nursery. While the work was exhausting, we were both happy to make big strides in completing the redecoration. The walls still need one more coat of paint but we're almost there! Hopefully we'll have pictures up soon. 

Movement: 

Yep, lots. 

Belly button in or out? 

My navel peeked out from under a t-shirt the other day and Dave said "whoa, your belly button is getting wide!" So, I guess that is the best way to describe it - wide!

Symptoms: 

Acid reflux. 

Some round ligament pain. 

Gender:  

Lately I feel like it is a girl.

Labor signs: 

No, thankfully.

What I miss: 

Deep sleep.

What I'm looking forward to:

We're off to Berlin to catch up with our Australian friends Smithy and Lauren! I've never been to Germany but my maternal grandparents spent a lot of time there when I was a kid so I've always looked forward to going some day.

Weekly wisdom: 

I am really glad we are getting ourselves organised several months in advance. I think that will save us a lot of stress later on. 

Milestones: 

We now have a boppy, baby bath, and Moses basket with a stand thanks to our friends across the street. Their daughter is nearly a year old so they offered us their used items which we accepted gratefully. 

Dave's take: 

He's been a real trooper about all the painting and put a lot of time and energy to getting the baby's room finished.

Week 24

How far along are you? 

24 weeks.

How big is the baby? 

Zebi-Debi is the size of an ear of corn. The baby is almost 12 inches long and weighs around 1.25 pounds.

How I’m feeling: 

Great! We ticked a lot of things off our to do list last weekend and that's given me a bit of extra energy and motivation. 

Healthy eating? 

My sweet tooth hasn't disappeared but I am doing a better job of eating this type of thing in moderation.

I teach until 9:15pm Monday - Wednesday and we eat afterwards. Lately I prep some veggies for roasting and Dave chucks them in the oven so we can have dinner as soon as I finish work. This seems to be an quick and easy solution for us and helps me get my daily veggie requirements met.

Food cravings: 

Yogurt with honey. Melon and other fresh fruits. 

Food aversions:

Fried foods. 

Exercise: I am now teaching eight yoga classes. Starting two new classes at 23 weeks pregnant is a really bright idea, isn't it? But I didn't go to Zumba on Saturday because the carpet fitters came, I didn't go to prenatal conditioning on Sunday because we went out to eat instead, and there was no Zumba on Monday or Yoga for Birth on Tuesday because it is half term/Easter break. 

Total weight gain/loss: 

+ 18 pounds

Sleep: 

I keep waking up around 4am but I manage to fall back to sleep around the time Dave leaves at 6:15am. 

The crazy dreams are back! Some are completely bizarre (like Dave and I kicking a ball back and forth with baby elephants until they stampede and we have to hide in a tennis court surrounded by chain link fence). Others are nightmare newborn scenarios (I need to take the baby home from the hospital but don't have a carseat, I don't know how to breastfeed, and I don't have any diapers, blankets, or baby clothes…). 

Maternity clothes?

Half regular stretchy and half maternity. 

Stretch marks?

No.

Best moment(s) this week: 

The guest room is painted and the new carpet is in. I love the way it turned out! The next step is to order a bed with built in storage underneath and get a shade for the overhead light. We're almost there!

Also, a builder was in on Monday to strip the wallpaper and plaster in the nursery. He knocked it out in one long day. Now we're just waiting for the walls to dry. We'll prep the walls for painting this weekend. Hooray for progress!

Saturday we went to see the comedian Miranda Hart's My, What I Call, Live Tour at the O2 Arena. She is VERY silly and known for her awkwardness and physical comedy. We love to watch her sitcom Miranda. It's filmed like a traditional British comedy and is so funny! You can find a compilation of her show's most amusing moments here.

Sunday morning was sunny and beautiful so I suggested we ditch the gym and go out for breakfast down in Camden Town. First we went to Ruby Dock for a hot beverage and then on to Made in Camden for breakfast. Afterwards, we took a little trip to the Jewish neighbourhood of Temple Fortune to pick up some bagels and fresh cream cheese. The area was abuzz with people picking up foodstuffs for Passover. The deli we visited also had new green cucumbers in a jar. I will definitely have to return one day to get some of those!

Movement: 

The baby isn't playing hide and seek anymore. Zebi-Debi's movements are pretty obvious to Dave now. 

Belly button in or out? 

In, but stretching. 

Symptoms: 

Acid reflux around the clock. It's a pity that I love tart, acidic foods so much (lemons, limes, mandarins, tomatoes, cranberry juice, etc). Plus, treats like chocolate and decaf coffee are also to be avoided. I'm starting to watch and see what my triggers are so I can cut back or avoid them all together. I also checked with a pharmacist who said it's okay to take an antacid as needed. I'm only taking it at bedtime if I am really uncomfortable.

Gender:  

Only Zebi-Debi knows… 

Labor signs: 

No, thankfully!

What I miss: 

Moving quickly and easily. 

What I'm looking forward to:

Friday and Monday are bank holidays because of Easter. Good Friday is particularly special for us because we had our first date that night. So, we'll do something special to celebrate NINE YEARS together! Preparing the baby's room this weekend will also be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how far we've come since our early days together.

Weekly wisdom: 

Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. I am healthy and happy, Dave and I are going strong, the house is coming together, a vacation on the horizon, and a baby on the way. There is so much for me to be thankful for!

Milestones: 

Dave saw my belly move when Zebi-Debi kicked.

I did not have my "Baby on board!" badge on and a stranger on the bus said "you look very well". Later that day went out for Chinese and as I leaned back from the table our server said "oh, when are you due?" I told her August and she got excited and said "a Leo!"

Dave's take:

The talk at his office about babies continues. This week the menfolk were discussing paternity leave and the early days of life with a baby. It's interesting to hear their take on things. 

Week 23

How far along are you? 

23 weeks 

How big is the baby? 

The baby is the size of a grapefruit. It measures about 10.5 inches and weighs around 12.7 oz.

How I’m feeling: 

I feel like my belly is starting to pop a bit, especially after a big meal! I am aware that I need to be mindful of my posture now to minimise back problems during the rest of this pregnancy. 

While I am still trucking along, our upcoming vacation is sounding better and better. My energy levels are still pretty reasonable but the thought of slowing down sounds increasingly appealing. 

Healthy eating? 

Aside from the oatmeal cookies I made again this week I've done okay. I was on track most of the time. 

Food cravings: 

Fresh foods like strawberries and cucumbers taste extra delicious at the moment. 

I still like sweets but I'm not craving them quite as much as I did over the last month or so. 

Food aversions:

Fried foods like fish and chips don't sound appealing at all. 

Exercise: 

I completed my normal routine of teaching plus Zumba x 2, Yoga for Birth, and prenatal conditioning. 

Total weight gain/loss: 

+ 17.5 pounds

Sleep: 

Good. 

Maternity clothes?

I started to pack up some of my non-maternity clothes like jeans and non-stretchy shirts to store until after pregnancy. 

I'm definitely down to stretchy non-maternity wear and maternity clothes now. 

Stretch marks?

No. 

Best moment(s) this week: 

I met Ria on Friday on Oxford Street, a very busy shopping area in London. She said hello to me and then got right down by my belly and greeted Beagle (Baby Eagle, as she like to call it). I laughed so hard and I'm sure people passing by thought we were crazy! We headed to Amanzi Tea to catch up on all the gossip. In addition to a huge range of hot teas and coffee, they also have frappes, bubble tea, and mocktails. I had a Passion-Fru-Tea-Ni with a slice of orange polenta cake and Ria had a Lycée-Mar-Tea-Ni with a slice of carrot cake. It was so yummy! We chatted for ages and then had another round. We split a Vanilla Chai frappe and a Green Tea Chocolate Mint frappe. Oh, man - they were just as delicious! We'll be back for sure. Now if only they had a happy hour! 

Dave's mom has sent us several thoughtful baby gifts but my favourite has to be the gorgeous cot blanket she made us. As you can see it is yellow and white, just like the nursery will be when it's finished. It will look so cute in there and I'm sure we'll use it all the time. Thanks, Pauline!

Movement: 

Zebi-Debi is on the move a lot and I love it. When I am curled up in bed next to Dave with the baby sandwiched in between us Zebi-Debi goes wild. Hopefully this means it likes cuddles! 

The movements have spread out. Some are quite high up beside of my belly button and others are still down low. I've felt them high and low at the same time. 

Belly button in or out? 

In, but stretching. 

Symptoms: 

As the baby is growing I feel more weight and downward pressure in my abdomen. It feels like a rock is resting in my belly. It's not uncomfortable but does mean I make more trips to the loo than in previous weeks. 

My skin is not very itchy. 

The acid reflux is pretty persistent, especially at bedtime.  

I'm starting to slow down physically. Moving from lying down or sitting to standing is not as easy as it used to be. 

Gender:  

Your guess is as good as mine! 

Labor signs: 

No, thankfully. 

What I miss: 

The house is still pretty disorganised from all of the work we've had completed recently. While it is never perfectly tidy, I miss having most things more or less in order around here. 

What I'm looking forward to:

Our attempt to take down the wallpaper ourselves didn't go as smoothly as we hoped it would. The previous owners applied it directly to the sheetrock/plasterboard which made it a bit of a nightmare to remove. So, it looks like we'll have a tradesman in again to remove the wallpaper and plaster. He's starting early next week. We'll paint ourselves. We're both looking forward to painting the room. It'll be a wonderful way for us to bond with each other and prepare for the baby's arrival. 

We did manage to order carpet for the guest room (on sale 25% off no less!) and it will be installed this Saturday. Hooray! One more thing off the checklist. 

Weekly wisdom: 

Although it was tempting to lounge around on the couch half napping during my free time, I am glad I went out and about instead. I saw a lot of good friends, ate some tasty meals, and felt recharged by those experiences. 

Milestones: 

We received our first hand-me-down baby item from some friends of ours. We are now the proud owners of a baby activity gym! 

Dave's take: 

He came out to the studio to keep me company while I set up for a yoga class. I rolled out yoga mats, and set out props like blankets and blocks like I do every day. This requires a lot of bending over and standing upright again, which is growing increasingly difficult. In fact, this up-down business is harder than doing the yoga itself. Dave said "you're breathing so loudly!" I think he was genuinely surprised that this "easy" effort was taking my breath away. 

As we said good night to each other one day he said "thanks for nourishing our small one". It was really sweet and I really appreciated his kind words.

Week 22

How far along are you? 

22 weeks. 

How big is the baby? 

Our baby is the size of a papaya. It is between 10.5 inches and 11.2 inches in length. It weighs between 12.7 oz and 20.8 oz.

How I’m feeling: 

Stretched a bit thin and more sensitive than usual. Now that the term is starting and the builders have cleared out things should settle down. 

Healthy eating? 

This week was definitely better than the last. 

Food cravings: 

The builders were here until 7:30 pm Friday night so we decided to have our end of week dinner date locally. We went to Delisserie, a Jewish New York style deli a couple of suburbs over in Temple Fortune. I had mini latka balls (which turned out to be not so mini) with applesauce to start, a chicken schnitzel as a main, and a side of sliced new green cucumbers (AKA dill pickles). It was so satisfying. Total comfort food. I had hoped to fit in some cheesecake but I was absolutely stuffed!

Then I had my first real crazy pregnancy craving. I told Dave that I wanted to come back one day and get a side of latkes, a side of sliced new green cucumbers, and a chocolate thick shake. No more, no less. The perfect combo of salty and sweet.

I still love sweet things. A couple of dark chocolate squares takes the edge off. 

Food aversions:

Nothing out of the ordinary. 

Exercise: 

I stuck to my normal routine except for skipping prenatal conditioning on Sunday. After six days of early mornings because of the construction I really wanted to sleep in, so I did! 

Total weight gain/loss: 

I didn't weigh myself this week. 

Sleep: 

We crashed on a mattress in the living room all week. Not an ideal set up but I managed to get some good rest. The early mornings coupled with the time change have proved a bit of a challenge. It's a real luxury that because my work starts and finishes late I can normally sleep in. Having that advantage during pregnancy has been amazing. 

Maternity clothes?

The maternity clothes I ordered arrived from the States. Thanks for sending them, Lauren! I now have a second pair of jeans which is so helpful. 

Stretch marks?

No. 

Best moment(s) this week: 

While this week was chaotic with all the builders in, we did manage to find a bit of peace in the sunshine on Saturday. We spread a blanket out on the lawn, ate brunch, and then stretched out to rest and read. That evening we went out in the city and had a delicious meal.  Both scenarios were a welcome change to the sound of saws and drills, the smells of plaster and paint, and the general hubbub inside our house. 

The work is finally done! Hooray! Most of the tasks were boring, practical jobs rather than gratifying, visually exciting changes. Still, it's so nice to have problem areas sorted. One less thing to deal with after we have a child. 

The biggest changes were in the ensuite bathroom and guest bedroom. 

The bathroom 

Before

 It was a dark, unusable space because the lights and fan did not work. Basically, the electrics were not up to the standards needed for a wet room. 

After 

That is all fixed now. Cosmetically, everything in this room was in fairly good condition except for the floor and flaking wall paint. So, we replaced the floor tiles and repainted the walls white. Not massive changes but freshening up the space. 

Dave left me in charge of picking the tiles. I couldn't resist bringing in a little bling! 

The guest room 

Before 

This was the first room we tackled when we moved in. We patched the cracks and painted the walls a dark grey. As time passed, the colour palette of the interiors changed to lighter, brighter colours and then this room didn't feel like it flowed with the rest of the house. Plus, the dark grey highlighted the unevenness of the walls and the damp patches caused from the gaps in mortar between the bricks outside. 

After 

Now the missing mortar has been repaired, the walls have been damp-proofed, plastered, and painted. The colour makes the room feel big and airy. It's hard to tell in the photos but it's pale blue-green. We still need to replace the hideous blue carpeting but that should be an easy, inexpensive fix.

Movement: 

Yes, lots. It reminds me of when you throw a stone in water and there's an epicentre and then  waves rippling outward. 

Belly button in or out? 

In, but stretching. 

Symptoms: 

Holy hormones! At the grocery store I picked up some tulips and daffodils. Somehow they didn't make it down the conveyor belt and I only realised after we'd left the store. This triggered the water works and a bit of a meltdown. Suddenly, EVERYTHING was wrong and then a few minutes later I was fine. 

My skin is not as itchy which is a relief. 

There's still a bit of heartburn now and then but it's manageable. 

Gender:  

Still taking bets… 

Labor signs: 

No, thankfully. 

What I miss: 

Nothing, really. 

What I'm looking forward to:

It's time to tackle the baby's room! This weekend we're going to clear the space and start stripping the wallpaper. We are both so ready to have this room sorted. 

Weekly wisdom: 

Some of the wild pregnancy stories you hear about are true. For example, a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream at the same time is a real thing! 

Milestones: 

I was sitting downstairs on the bus when a mom rolled the coolest pushchair in. Then she did the craziest spin move seen in the first few seconds of this video. It was so cool! I started to stare at the base to find the brand. She saw me and my "Baby on board!" badge and immediately engaged me in conversation. She told me it is called the Mothercare Orb and it is awesome. People can be really grumpy on public transportation here, especially if they feel inconvenienced. Even some of the sweetest people I know have complained about how prams and pushchairs take up too much space. So, the fact this pram can swivel around and out of other commuters way easily is really brilliant. In the two stops together before I exited, she also suggested a couple of bottles she likes. One of the moms from class told that London becomes a very friendly place when you're pregnant. This was my first experience with a total stranger chiming in about our baby's arrival. 

(Tangent - Here there are prams that typically face you and are for babies, pushchairs/buggies that generally face out and are for older babies and toddlers, and strollers for toddlers. Quite a minefield for parents to be!) 

Dave's take: 

Dave told me he's becoming very aware of pregnant women on the train. He's now making an extra effort to watch out for them and offer a seat as needed. 

He has also come home a couple of times this week and mentioned conversations he's had during the day about his pregnant wife and expected baby. These chats haven't just been with close colleagues but others he doesn't know as well. It makes me really happy that he's so excited to share our news. 

P.S.

Folks, I know I owe some of you an email. I hope to catch up this week. Keep an eye on your inbox!