34 weeks (tomorrow!): spinning baby

I had an appointment yesterday with my midwife and am happy to report that all is well!  We heard a nice strong heartbeat and everything looks normal . . . well, except for his position:  he's transverse.  This means instead of being head down (as he used to be) he is now lying sideways across my belly.  The good news is that he apparently has plenty of room to move around in there and he is likely to go back to being head down by the time he's ready to greet the world.  However, if he hasn't moved by 36 weeks then things get a little scary.  I will be referred to see a consultant who will attempt to turn him the right way around.  If that doesn't work I will be scheduled for a C-section.  Having a C-section is basically my biggest fear when I think about giving birth (second to the baby or me being not well, of course). 

So please pray or send the baby some spinning vibes or anything else you think might work to get this little guy in the right position!  I'll be doing my part by checking out this website that a friend recommended about how to "spin your baby" into position.  It supposedly works wonders!  

31 weeks: hiccups

All ready to sing the second half of a concert at 30 weeks!

Only three more days until I'm at 32 weeks!  Between Thanksgiving (which we hosted the weekend before the 28th), a holiday in France, my 33rd birthday and general busyness, things are still absolutely flying by.  I'm so glad I started preparing for this baby early because I'm running out of energy and time in this home stretch.  

All is well with baby and mama.  The one real update is that we've both got hiccups like nobody's business.  His hiccups come about two to four times per day and feel like the belly equivalent of an eye twitch.  I try to think of it as a gentle, persistent reminder that he's happy and well in there.  My hiccups on the other hand, are loud, aggressive and totally random.  I usually have about three at a time and they are far from being lady-like.  In fact, they sound more like a croak than a hiccup.  I never had these with Charlotte and have no idea why I've gotten them this time, but hopefully they will soon pass.  All-in-all very minor things at this point which I'm quite happy about!

28 weeks: ducks in a row

Even though we still have eleven-and-a-half weeks left, we're already getting the house ready for the new baby.  We just set up the crib in Charlotte's room and have moved the dresser/changing table into our room for now (their room is too small to accommodate both!).  The baby won't be sleeping in the crib until he's sleeping through the night, but we figured it was good for Charlotte to get used to having it in there.  We'll have a co-sleeper in our room which is essentially a little crib that attaches to my side of the bed for easy overnight feeding and safe sleeping.  He'll be sleeping in that for the first three to six months.  I've also already washed and organised all of the baby clothes and they are now in their new home in the dresser/changing table in our room.

Overall I'm feeling very prepared!  The only big thing left is to get a comfy chair to nurse in for our room.  I looked into getting comfy cushions made for the wooden rocking chair in Charlotte's room, but decided a new chair would be most practical.  I'll be sure to keep you all posted once we get it all figured out!

-Bethie

PS:  Family and friends have generously started asking what else we need, so I've made an Amazon Baby Wish List for the remaining things we could use.  You can find it by clicking here.  It is through the UK Amazon site so you don't have to pay ridiculous shipping!  Thank you!!

PPS:  While I was at it, I also made an Amazon Wish List for Charlotte for Christmas and her birthday for those who've been asking!

Week 27: THIRD TRIMESTER!!

I am thrilled to report that I am now in the third trimester of my pregnancy!  Wahoo!!  We are slowly but surely getting ready for our new little one's arrival and are still a bit in shock as to how quickly this has all gone the second time around!

I owe you all a few updates.  First of all, I posted earlier about needing a dress to wear to sing the Messiah solos in.  By the time I was this big with Charlotte, all of my gigs were requiring black so I didn't need to invest in a colorful gown.  This time around black wasn't going to cut it, but I also couldn't stand the thought of spending a fortune on a dress I was going to wear one time.  Enter my local mum's Facebook group.  This group has been amazing for buying and selling baby/kid things and plugging into the local mum/kid community around our neighborhood.  I posted a request for a maternity gown and, amazingly, a lovely woman offered me the use of this dress and asked absolutely nothing in return!  I still can't believe it.  I offered to pay her or to repay her in some other small way and she has decided not to say no to some freshly baked cinnamon rolls.  Not only was the dress gorgeous, but it was also SO comfortable!  It felt like pajamas!  No joke!  If you are in the UK and in the market for a dressy maternity gown, check out Tiffany Rose.  I promise they won't disappoint!

Lastly, an update on my sciatica.  I am happy to report that since returning to London, my sciatica has more or less gone away!  I think the problem was going from the very active lifestyle I have here in London to a very sedentary lifestyle for the ten days I was in Miami.  I had two massively long plane flights and then lots of sitting for rehearsal and even more sitting to drive two and from rehearsals and performances.  I noticed the sciatica was always much worse after sitting for a long period of time and I was mostly sitting while in Miami.  But the good news is that I'm back to walking around a mile a day and chasing my toddler and it seems to be just what the doctor ordered!  Let's hope things continue to be comfortable as I still have three months left!

xoxo

25 weeks: sciatica in paradise

I've just returned to London after ten days in Miami singing with Seraphic Fire.  I had a fabulous time and got to sing some spectacular music, but I came back home with much worse sciatica than when I left.  I was only able to stand during our performances with Tylenol (not ideal, I know) and butt massages (don't tell Jason).  My guess is that all of the sitting I did in both rehearsal and in the car really did me in.  I just saw a doctor today and got referred for physical therapy, so hopefully that will help things.  The pain has already improved since my activity level has returned to normal, but I'm still pretty uncomfortable.  Mostly, I'm worried about things being this bad at six months, what will it be like at nine months!

Last night I read this article on a design blog about a friend of a friend who miscarried at six months (which is where I nearly am in my pregnancy).  I bawled my eyes out and was reminded of the three little ones I lost so early on.  Losing babies just seems like the most unfair thing that anyone has to live through and I will never understand why it happens.  Life is delicate and unpredictable and sometimes just really unfair.  It breaks my heart to think about miscarriage, but it is a good reminder to try to enjoy every moment of this pregnancy, even the painful bits, because this may be the only time I have with this sweet life within me.  That being said, all is well and I got to hear his little heartbeat again today which is always a comfort.  I can't say that it is because I am blessed (because your'e not blessed if you miscarry?) or that I am anything other than simply lucky to have this little life in me.  With this in mind, it feels silly to be concerned about any pain or discomfort when the whole picture is considered . . .

23 weeks: profile pic

Isn't he cute?!  I had to go back for another ultrasound when they couldn't see the bottom of his spine at my 20 week scan.  He is still very strong and healthy and his spine checked out just fine!  While I was there, the technician got a great profile shot of our little guy.  For comparison, here is the profile shot we got of Charlie in utero:

I'd marvel at the similarities, but don't all ultrasound pictures look about the same?

All has been well this last week, though I'm starting to get some more frequent sciatic nerve pain.  I was told I could ask my doctor about a referral to a physical therapist so perhaps it's time I do that.  Last time my sciatic nerve pain got so bad that I literally could not walk.  Jason would wheel me around the house in an office chair and had to get up with me in the middle of the night to lift me onto the toilet.  It was a humbling experience that I'd prefer not to repeat.  The worst of it only lasted a few days to a week, but I did have to sing a concert with my medieval trio from a chair.  It was such a hassle getting me on stage and in the chair that I just sat there during the intermission!  Talk about embarrassing!

I leave for Miami a week from today, so my next update will hopefully include a belly shot of me look tan and svelte in a bikini on the beach!  (Yeah, right!)

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was five months along with Charlie!

  

22 weeks: keep on keeping on

score study with the big guy

Five months already!  According to my What to Expect When You're Expecting app the baby is going to double in weight by the end of the month.  Woah.  That means I'm going to have to retire my cute skinny maternity jeans soon.  Boo hoo.  

In other news, I'm going to be pretty busy in the next month as I prepare for a gig here in London and then head to Miami to sing with Seraphic Fire for the last time this season!  (I sadly had to cancel my other gigs with them, as I want to be sure this little one is born here in London and not on an airplane!)    

I'm not looking forward to a long plane ride in my condition, but perhaps if I look pathetic enough at check-in they'll upgrade me.  Maybe?  Well, in any case, I'll bring my Kindle, lots of knitting projects and will load my phone with episodes of this American Life.  That paired with the specially requested vegetarian Indian meal and lots of junk food snacks should keep happy . . . even if I am stuck in a middle seat!

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was five months along with Charlotte!

21 weeks: large and in charge

Yes, I know I look enormous.  No, there are not two babies in there.  Or three.  Just one super active little boy!  In fact, he's so active now that I can see my belly moving when he's going at it in there.  Jason felt him moving the other day, but Charlie hasn't yet.  It's only a matter of time as he's a busy little guy.  I find that every time I have a moment to rest, he decides it's playtime.  It hasn't yet gotten to the point where it keeps me up at night, so I'm still treasuring every bump and nudge he gives me.  It really helps ease my anxiety about how he's doing in there!

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was 21 weeks along with Charlotte!

It's a Boy!

We were so excited to find out our big gender news last week that I completely forgot to put the big news up on the blog!  Charlie is going to have a little brother!  Truth be told, she was a bit heartbroken about it as she was certain that the baby was "a girl called Bee."  Poor thing.  She's warmed up to the idea now and likes to talk to her baby brother and give him kisses.  Sweet thing!  

I've already gone through all of Charlie's baby clothes and dug up anything that was gender neutral.  I thought I had more than I actually do, but I've had a couple of friends offer to lend us some of their things, so that will help a lot.  I also have a friend who has six-month-old twin baby boys so she'll have quite a few things to get rid of as well.  The babe will eventually be sharing a room with Charlie and luckily things are pretty gender neutral in there:  the walls are grey, the dresser is green and the cot/crib is dark wood.  

We also learned from the scan that the baby is nice and healthy and all the organs and the brain look normal.  The ultrasound technician couldn't see the very bottom of his spine (he's sitting too low!) so she booked me in for a follow up scan.  She said there is absolutely nothing to worry about, she just wants to get a good look at the bottom of his spine so she can check it off her list.  Frankly, I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to see him again, so I don't mind one bit!  Maybe this next time we'll get a nice profile picture to share!

PS:  Charlotte's gender scan!

19 weeks: what to wear?

photo taken last weekend

How on earth are we already at 19 weeks?!  This pregnancy has absolutely flown by.  Seriously.  With Charlotte I felt like every week took an eternity and with this one I'm shocked every time I realise another week has passed!

--Those not interested in maternity clothes resume reading at the bottom of the page.--

There isn't much to update except to say that I've nearly grown out of two pairs of maternity jeans. (Though I've  still only gained a pound or two. Odd.)  I swore I wouldn't buy more maternity clothes this time around amd instead only buy things I can also wear post-baby. I have loads of maternity clothes from my sisters-in-law and loads that I bought last time around but I've had give in and update a few items to keep things interesting.  

I'm currently living in these charcoal grey maternity leggings, this dress and this shirt (both non maternity but in larger sizes than I normally wear).  I can easily change it up by pulling a shirt on over the dress to make it look like more of a skirt or can switch things up by adding different cardigans, etc.  But honestly, I don't switch it up as often as I should.  The uniform is comfy as it is and I still feel like myself (which can be difficult to do in maternity clothes).  I also broke down and got another pair of maternity jeans, but hopefully they will get me through to the end!

The other maternity clothes issue I'm currently facing is what to wear for some solo gigs I have coming up.  I have loads of black that I wore for gigs throughout my last pregnancy, but I don't have anything fun and colourful that I can wear as a soloist.  (I sing, by the way.)  My current plan is to wear an empire waisted dress that I have and wear some sort of wrap to hide that I can't zip it up in the back (!).  But the more I think about that, the more I worry that I'll be more concerned about my wrap slipping than singing the right notes!  I could invest in a beautiful maternity gown (like but the thought of buying a dress I can only wear a few times is hard to swallow . . . even thought some of them are really tempting!

source

source

Other options would be to rent a dress, buy a used one, etc. but I don't know that I want to be bothered.  I'll probably end up dressing up a long skirt and dressy top (like this gorgeous one I bought to perform in when I was prego with Charlie) with some fun jewellery.  Any other ideas?

--Dad, you can resume reading here.--

The other big news is that we were able to move up the date for the gender scan!  We're setting aside any superstitions and accepted a date for Friday the 13th (ack!).  Jason and I are going to the appointment together.  I wish Charlie could come but she'll be in school!  We'll have to think of a fun way of telling her.  We keep telling her it could be a boy or a girl and but she still insists that the baby is a girl called Bee.  Jason and I both are thinking it may be a boy.  We'll find out who was right in less than a week!  We can't wait!

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was 19 weeks along with Charlotte!

18 weeks: loosey goosey

How on earth did two weeks pass from my last post?!  I guess time really does fly when you're having fun!

Charlie has lately become even more fun and entertaining to be around and is already shaping up to be a fantastic big sister.  The Belly gets loads of kisses and snuggles and she talks about how she will teach the baby to walk and talk once it comes out of my belly.  Sweet thing.

I've been back to see the midwife and all was well.  I'm also feeling a lot more movement from the baby during the day which is such a comfort.  As far as symptoms go I've been feeling really good!  My food aversions have gone down and I'm eating like it's my job!  Apparently my joints have gone all loosey goosey as I briefly dislocated my knee this morning before it loudly popped back into place.  Ouch.  I was squatting on the floor picking up toys and it just popped out.  It reminded me of how I dislocated my finger shortly after Charlotte was born.  I had to go to an urgent care clinic and get it popped back into place.  Apparently loose joints are caused by a hormone called relaxin that loosens joints and ligaments in the body in preparation for delivery.  Looks like it's already doing it's job!

Still no gender news as my next scan isn't until September 19th!  (Truth be told, it was initially scheduled for Friday the 13th of September, but I rescheduled.  Who knew I was so superstitious!)  If I can't wait that long, the price of getting a private gender scan is now only £40 (as opposed to £80 to get it done before 18 weeks).  There is absolutely no rush to find out, but I sure am anxious to know what we're having!!

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was 18 weeks along with Charlotte!

16 weeks: ready . . . set . . .

This is from last week when Jason and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary!

I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is flying by!  I'm already at 16 weeks.  That means only four more weeks until we find out the sex of the little one!  I'm anxious to find out so I can either start getting rid of Charlotte's old clothes, or organising them to see what we need.  (Because shopping and organising is really what having kids is all about, right?)  ;)

Speaking of shopping, since we moved to London when Charlotte was only three-months-old, we ended up getting rid of a lot of the things we used when she was first born:  a co-sleeper, swing, bouncy chair, nursing chair, etc.  We'll have to replace those and I'd also like to invest in a new batch of cloth diapers.  Other than that, there are really just little things we need.  Since Charlie is now in a big girl bed, her crib is empty and ready!

Other than my shopping list, there isn't much to do at this point other than rest when I can and try to keep my iron levels up.  (I'm already feeling MUCH less dizzy than I was last week!)  I see the midwife again this next week and will give another update after that.

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was 16 weeks along with Charlotte!

Anemia? Anaemia? Anenome?

(picture from www.freakofnaturefitness.com)

I have officially hit 15 weeks today!  When I was 15 weeks with Charlotte I was still dealing with major dizziness whenever I was in a grocery store.  Perhaps it was the high ceilings or simply just the large space, but I got dizzy and nauseous whenever I grocery shopped.  I ended up solving the problem by wearing a baseball cap and staring at the floor as much as possible while slow-rolling my cart into whatever lay ahead before resorting to just ordering groceries online!

I haven't had that problem this time, but I have had dizziness.  A lot of dizziness, actually.  Every time I stand up, I get so dizzy that my vision sometimes goes black.  I therefore wasn't surprised to learn after a recent blood test that I am "severely anemic" (or "anaemic" as they write it here).  Oy.  I'm now on iron pills and instructed to consume foods that are high in iron (though apparently not in conjunction with foods that are high in calcium as calcium inhibits the absorption of iron.  Right.)

My neighbour is a natural foods chef and nutritionist and she is popping down tomorrow to chat with me about upping my iron without upping my meat (which currently makes me one to upchuck--unless it were an Arby's Roast Beef sandwich which, sadly, I can't get here).  She said that vitamin C will help with absorption as well, so I also need to up that.  She's going to bring some recipes for me as well.  (I LOVE having nice neighbours!)

PS:  A local private ultrasound company offers 16 week gender scans for £80.  Is it worth it?

Better Late Than Never . . .

When I was pregnant with Charlotte, I dutifully blogged about the pregnancy in detail:  what foods I was craving, where I bought my maternity clothes, there was even a post from the delivery room!  But this current pregnancy, despite being 15 weeks along, hasn't gotten any of that attention.  It isn't because I'm now so busy with a two-year-old that I no longer have time (which would also be true) but because this is actually the fourth pregnancy I've had since Charlotte was born.

We started trying to conceive a sibling for Charlie over a year-and-a-half ago and it has just been heartache after heartache as we lost our three pregnancies all around six weeks.  By the time I was referred to a fertility specialist, I was already pregnant with this current pregnancy, so they couldn't run any tests on me.  The doctor suggested, given that I had one healthy pregnancy already and that I have no other risk factors (smoking, drinking, weight, etc.) that I was probably just unlucky.

Regardless of the reason we lost our other babes, we are thrilled that this current pregnancy is a completely normal and healthy one!  I've already had around four or five scans and have gotten to see the little one wiggling around.  I was also in yesterday and got to hear the heartbeat again.  I'm grateful for all these checkups because it helps me feel less anxious.  Though according to the specialist I saw yesterday, there is no reason I should be anxious about losing this pregnancy given that I'm already in the second trimester.  At this point, we've told all of our family and friends and are enjoying planning and dreaming about the future!

Over the next few weeks I'll try to catch up on what I missed during the first 15 weeks of this pregnancy.  I'll also write about differences between using private healthcare in the US verses the public (and FREE!) care I'm now receiving with the National Health Trust (NHS) here in London.

15 weeks down and 25 to go!

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was 15 weeks along with Charlotte!

Better Late Than Never . . .

When I was pregnant with Charlotte, I dutifully blogged about the pregnancy in detail:  what foods I was craving, where I bought my maternity clothes, there was even a post from the delivery room!  But this current pregnancy, despite being 15 weeks along, hasn't gotten any of that attention.  It isn't because I'm now so busy with a two-year-old that I no longer have time (which would also be true) but because this is actually the fourth pregnancy I've had since Charlotte was born.

We started trying to conceive a sibling for Charlie over a year-and-a-half ago and it has just been heartache after heartache as we lost our three pregnancies all around six weeks.  By the time I was referred to a fertility specialist, I was already pregnant with this current pregnancy, so they couldn't run any tests on me.  The doctor suggested, given that I had one healthy pregnancy already and that I have no other risk factors (smoking, drinking, weight, etc.) that I was probably just unlucky.

Regardless of the reason we lost our other babes, we are thrilled that this current pregnancy is a completely normal and healthy one!  I've already had around four or five scans and have gotten to see the little one wiggling around.  I was also in yesterday and got to hear the heartbeat again.  I'm grateful for all these checkups because it helps me feel less anxious.  Though according to the specialist I saw yesterday, there is no reason I should be anxious about losing this pregnancy given that I'm already in the second trimester.  At this point, we've told all of our family and friends and are enjoying planning and dreaming about the future!

Over the next few weeks I'll try to catch up on what I missed during the first 15 weeks of this pregnancy.  I'll also write about differences between using private healthcare in the US verses the public (and FREE!) care I'm now receiving with the National Health Trust (NHS) here in London.

15 weeks down and 25 to go!

PS:  Here's what I was up to when I was 15 weeks along with Charlotte!