4 days...

Sorry about yesterdays mock-up, I was deranged by sleepiness =)
And, it actually was past midnight, so technically it was 4 days then too *LOL*

Arms/hands/joints have been a pest this past night (as they have the 2 before as well) and I'm seriously considering calling the delivery ward to get another acu-appointment. I'm just dreading the waiting time there.

Sauna last night was SO nice! Walking home wasn't as pleasant. Hips kept hurting, though they've stopped stabbing, so I'm thinking some of it's preggie-related after all. But I guess it's only to suspect it'll hurt here and there with 4 days left to go (+ - 14-18 days depending on who you listen to...)

5 days...

Today I've been really productive!

• I started out by going to mom's place and change the tyres on the car, so now we're ready for the snow/ice/winter
• next was the paint store and some more paint for the crib
• acupuncture was a disappointment, they were so swamped they had to cancel, telling me to call tomorrow. I'm not sure, I mean, it took them 10-15 minutes to figure out they were too busy... It always take so much extra time just in waiting going there...
• washed the dishes
  
• cleaned out the cabinet in the big bathroom and then rearranged the rest of the room
• folded the laundry
  
• rearranged the shrubbery, so that I could fit the sitting part of the pram/carriage in.
• took away all summer clothes from the hallway and exchanged them for winter-wear in the shrubbery
  
• tidied up some in the computer room
  
• got another coat of paint on the crib

A few more things to do tomorrow, but that's not much.
Just vacuum, iron some stuff, patch a pair of jeans and fix a t-shirt.
And then I'm going to my cousins birthday party. Mmmmm... cake =)

6 days...

I was just told that I am to under no circumstances other than actually giving birth allowed to miss to update on the blog ;) especially since I'm counting down the days now.

Today have been semi-productive, so better than usual at least.
Woke up to face severe period-pains and whilst reading the newspaper (under my duvet where it was nice and warm) and also experienced my first pre-labor-pains. Only three of them, far apart, but still.
That upset my pup who gave me a few real kicks and then began sulking and refused to move =)

Got dressed and tottered over to Ålands Museum. I've been planning to go since I went on maternity leave, so it wasn't just because they were serving cake to celebrate the 75th anniversary. Then on my way back I passed one of the local newspapers offices, and lo and behold... they were handing out cake as well =D Who is this preggo to say no *LOL*

Then I happily rolled home and got the crib it's first layer of white paint. It'll need two more to look good though. Puppy better stay inside for two more days so I can finish it.

Now I'm going to pick up MS and we're going ouyt to T's place. Why I'm not sure, I'm just driving...

7 days...

Today D went to work for another week... He comes home the night passing to 4th of November... That's calculated date of birth just so you people are with me...

The nurse-appointment went well, pup's head down but still not fixated, so she thought I'd last another week. I'm not sure if I like that or not, though I would prefer D to be home when the action starts.
Blood pressure: 122/82
SF-measure: 36
HB-level: 118
Pup's heart rate: 130-134


Belly shot =) 8 days to go when picture taken

I want this if we have a boy! It's just the style D wears, so if I pop a boy, then this will be my first purchase!

And speaking of purchases... I went (second hand) shopping today...


The pile...
2 binders/files (marimekko, nice), 1 black fall/winter jacket that looked waterproof and closed over the belly (good for when tummy don't do instant vanish after delivery I think) and reached to my knees, 1 pair of green overalls with frogs, 1 green silky shirt (for me), one green wooden rattle with really nice and soft sound, one green handbag and one green sack 'n seatMr. Longears shows how the Sack n' Seat is used.
And what do you mean I buy a lot of green? That's ridicoulus! I hardly have anything in green, or at least not enough anyway...

8 days...

I want my baby to have these!!! Anyone good at crocheting? D thought they were adorable too.

The baby changing station (OK, I know that's not the proper name, but that's what all signs in public toilets say. I guess translating signs to English isn't a very well payed job...) And it folds down, by the way.

Mr. Longears was a bit big... Let's just hope the pup fits it better =)

The nursing-pillow with it's brand new cover. Lovely color, don't you think ;)
and there's white fabric with green dots left over, totally adorable...

The car is out!!! Here's a picture of the hole. They made a gravel-slope over the green concrete wall seen here, to move their excavator in and at the same time we got our car out.

10 days...

and name-searching is the game of the day...
We decided early on not to decide a name before pup is born, to wait and see who it is so to speak. But we should have some suggestions at least... So far we haven't come up with any boy names we both like *sigh* girl names we have a few. There we both like old names from a few generations back, but for boys... that's just hard!

Hope you all remembered to set the clock back an hour (towards the summer) this morning!

11 days...

It's getting closer and closer.
A part of me don't mind being this preggers, I mean, I have no preggie related problems except the numbing arms, and I had a bit of that before too. But another part of me just can't wait for this to be over with, the delivery to start (heck, I'm even looking forward to the pain in a strange way) and to finally get to snuggle my pup for real.

Pup's making up for lost rummaging time/space yesterday by rearranging shims living quarters. Yesterday after the excessive cheese eating there wasn't even room for pup to twinkle a toe, and I think that continued through the night, but now shims making up for it...

12 days...

Today was a different day...

First out, they're still digging (well, not right now, but the hole/trench is still there) in our yard, completely blocking every possibility to get the car out. Sigh. My hopes are now for middle of next week.

That resulted in me riding my bicycle to my sister today, that's 10 km/6,2 miles one way, and back again. Most of the way back I was so tired I could cry, but too tired to actually do so. I said to D it felt like I was a muscle car that had run out of gas... I could feel my muscles having the strength to pedal, but there was no energy left to send there...

Then we were going down to load the laundry machine in the basement, hamper getting full again. When I checked the drying room I thought it was odd, the laundry drying had been booked yesterday, and was still dripping, but I figured someone else had washed in between, it's allowed. But going back to the machine I noticed the floor being all wet. And then I saw how there were still water inside the machine as well, like up to almost hatch level... So we decided we'll wait and see. There was another laundry time booked tomorrow, we'll see if that empties the machine, if not, then we'll have our own back home soon.

And a little later D wondered if maybe we'd have some cheese and crackers (and for him, wine) and that sounded just splendid. So this is what we piled up and gorged ourselves with:


Is it gluttony when you're so full that you can't breathe deeply without it hurting, but still are incapable of keeping the fingers out of the candy-bowl? I think it is... I probably gained another 6 kilos tonight, but every single one was sooo tasty...

13 days...

I thought I should sum up the betting from the lexily homepage, and I'll do it here because it's easier to find here than on there...

Date (and for some, time) of birth:
24.10 Sid girl
27.10 Honey (evening) boy
28.10 Maria girl
28.10 Janny (2:nd choice) girl
31.10 Ally boy
01.11 Ally boy
02.11 Lily (2 PM) girl
03.11 Janny girl
05.11 Sarah (14:31) boy
05.11 Misty (mid afternoon) girl
06.11 Teddy
11.11 Liezie (11:11) boy
- -. - - Becca boy

boy : 5
girl : 6

my baby she wrote me a letter...

or well, my Becca-boo sent me a package, but you get what I'm aiming at...

As usual, packages are opened in bed

pretty stamps

The content of the package =)

There was a card and a fridge magnet (but wouldn't Wing Envy have been more appropriate?)

And the cutest body for the pup.

I just love the duckie feet =) and D loves the color (he's all about orange and brown *eye roll*)

*LOL*

Now, this girls know me so well it's scary. I seriously have dibs on her, no matter what Terry says, Becca (and Misty) is mine, mine, MINE!!!

And in case the clothes and sticker wasn't enough, she sent me ♥SKITTLES!!!♥ and there were ♥♥♥SOUR SKITTLES♥♥♥

14 days...

Nurses ap. today went without a glitch.

Well, one minor, pup decided to hide form her. Yeah, you read right. Pup, now the size of a baby, inside my tummy (aka filling it pretty good) tried to hide... She had a really hard time detecting the heartbeats (she tried to position the baby LOL) because someone was so far in... like, totally hiding as far back as possible... Oh puppy...

I had lost 1,9 kilos/4,2 pounds since last week =)
Probably nothing but water, but it still felt good, so good. I was only hoping that my daily 1 hour (or more) walks had payed off so that the weight was standing still. So this was a really nice surprise.
Makes me feel better about eating the chocolate chip cookies I made today =) Well, it's the same recipe I used for D's birthday and failed with twice, so I decided to give it a final go before I either toss it or write it in the recipe book (nothing gets in there untried!)

blood pressure 122/75 (a bit higher than usually, but then again I was really excited about the weight issue)
SF-measure 36cm
Pup's heart rate 130 (down some... that's the first time in half a year)
Pup's head down and adjustable (though not easily) it was almost fixated, so we're getting there

Borrowed a TENS machine so I can learn how to use it before the delivery starts. Since that's one of the painkillers I've chosen, I guess I don't anything jeopardizing me getting to use one!
I don't have any pains now, but D does. Guess who gets to be guinea pig... *LOL*

15 days...

and the betting is on =)

Those silly online friends of mine have started betting on what gender pup'll come out, and also when. Some of the hardcore ones even set time to their bets...
But it's actually kinda cute.
I keep dittering between hoping pup will be early (I want my pup in my arms...) or wanting shim to be 1 day late (according to calculations) and arrive the fifth. Just 'cos theres just no day to be born like the 5th...

Acupuncture yesterday exceeded expectations. I didn't even freak out a little, though she placed 6 needles in each of my hands. And left me with them for 15 minutes, only to come back, twist them and then leave me for another 15 minutes. It wasn't pleasant, but acceptable. Good to know since that's one kind of pain relief I'm considering for the delivery.
New appointment on Thursday, so I'll most likely miss the yoga session. Darn...

17 days...

and still in one piece.
Me and pup went out dancing, it was a really... interesting... mix of people out. A lot off oddballs, to say it nicely.
We were early, so we had some time to pester the personnel, poor bartender... Or not, he seemed to enjoy himself at our expense =)
The band wasn't half-bad, definitely exceeded the expectations. Too bad the music played between sets sucked BIG TIME!!!
Cleaned the kitchen today. Going for a walk now. I didn't walk yesterday, tried to blame it on going dancing but I don't think that was much of exercise really =) So it's a really looong walk tonight.
Tomorrow I'll try to get the computer room in order... weehoo

18 days...

tonight was a bad night.
I went to bed a little after midnight, only to wake up well before 3 AM, very worried because of dreams. I know I was awake until at least 4, but was too tired to do anything but lay in the bed. I drifted in and out of sleep until I woke up properly at 6, and then again at 7, until I gave up around 9.
The dreams concerned the delivery, and was very hazy. Every time I woke up more properly I had to feel around me so the water hadn't broke, it was so hard to separate hazy awake from hazy dream. In the middle of the night I had really strange sensations from the bump, not quite contractions but not pup moving around either. It was freaky considering the dreams.

so I haven't slept much, and again I'm feeling feverish and hot (but my temperature is at a stubborn 35,8 C or 96,5 F) so I'm not sure if I'll be up for any dancing tonight. Maybe if I get a few hours of napping in the afternoon.

Tried a nap, but just ended up freezing even more, and my arms wouldn't stop aching. UGH!

19 days...

So, I'm back in my teens...

Today feels like it will be a day like yesterday, where nothing gets done. I'm freezing(ish) but not really. Almost like you feel when you have a fever, but I'm not hot or anything...

Yesterday at aquagym my wrists went from aching to actually being in PAIN! and I don't mean a little either. I didn't bother size down the weights I was using though, because it was the movement itself, not how "heavy" it was that hurt.

Ankle's a bit sore still, but at least it's neither swollen nor blue, so I think I'll be OK to take a walk tonight.

Gotta go to the store and find me some rubber boots. I saw that they had a pair that could fit when I was in Monday, but haven't been able to organize the energy needed to go back there and try them. I suppose I'll need a pair though, I mean, with a pram you can't just walk around puddles and such. And babbies usually don't care if it rains if they wanna go for a walk.

20 days...

I feel a bit better today, but am still mopey.
Haven't got anything but embroidery done all day. Not even sure where all the time went. And I have a hard time caring.
Yoga was acceptable, aquagym was boring. Afterwards I decided to go drop off a bill for mom that cam to us, to get that daily long walk I have to start taking. But just 1½ block after I turned up that road I stepped crookedly on my left foot. I hit the ground and scraped my hand catching myself. Just a light sprain on the ankle, but with the blisters from yesterdays walk fresh on my heels, a aching hand and sore ankle I decided to head back home. But all in all at least I got about 45 minutes of walking out of it.

21 days...

the nurses appointment went OK, for all but one issue.

Blood pressure on both me and pup was the normal 110/70 and 140
HB level 116
SF measurement 35 (not sure if it's the same in Eng, so it's how high my womb is, 13,8 inches)
Pup has shim's head down but it's still movable

The nurse wrote me a prescription for acupuncture, so I tottered over to the delivery ward and booked the time (they're the ones who perform it). Hopefully it'll work and starting Monday my numbing and aching arms will be just a bad memory.

Only problem was/is my weight. I'm seriously depressed by this. I've gained almost 6 kilos (12 pounds) since the last appointment not 4 weeks ago. I'm honestly shell-shocked. It doesn't feel in my body like I've gained more than before. So now I broke the top weight I thought I'd keep under, 3 weeks before estimated birth. I could have 5 freaking weeks left, I'll be way past hippopotamus and a full-on elephant by then!
I guess gaining too much weight is considered one of the "better" side effects of pregnancy, but honestly... When you give birth the pains usually stop, but you don't loose 30 kilos/60 pounds at birth. And if you would, then I wouldn't wanna be the one to pop that kid out.

FUCK! Excuse the language, but that's just how it feels right now.
I don't feel like I deserve this. I've been training 4-5 times a week, even if it's just aquagym and yoga, it should do some good, shouldn't it? I mean, I gained this much during my summer vacation, but then we had the wedding party and were eating party-food leftovers for weeks. And there were NO training whatsoever. So then I could totally understand it. It was unnecessary but fair enough.
I know I've let myself go a little, allowing treats a bit too often, but not this much...

I made myself go for a long walk before the evening aquagym (yeah, I had one class this morning as well) and it was a 1 hour pity-party. Me, myself and I walked and moped and beat myself up really good mentally. Almost at the pool I met F, my former assistant coach (now head-coach for "our" kids) and we talked for just a minute or two, but it was good. It snapped my head out of the mopey run it was on. I still felt awful, but at least I wasn't at the verge of tears anymore. And there was no risk of that 17 year-old boy would ever ask me about the pregnancy.

picture (p)update

So, I guess my belly finally "popped". I've noticed it sticking out more since last week, and wwell, the picture proves it.

Another "view from the top" picture. I really had to bend around myself to get my feet to show...

Our balcony, from the outside. Black plastic bags to cover up the windows while D painted, but still needs more paint, so the plastic is still up... Looks kinda suspicious, like we've had some kind of "better" party...

22 days to go...

that's all I really have to say.
Can't wait!

24 days...

from now on I think I'll the remaining amount of days as title for my posts.
Unless I have something I really need to say there (which I usually don't)

Yesterday was nice, but jeez was I tired...

Friday turned out completely different than planned, as we had dinner at Indigo, they apparently serve sushi on Friday nights. So me and D (and his friends J and A) sat there for a few hours, eating talking and drinking. The food exceeded all expectations, the sushi was really good (yeah, they totally pigged out on me and ate 15+9pieces, and D ate 3 of mine after he had ordered me to take the 15 menu as well...) and I finished with ice cream whereas the boys finished with whiskey, both at Indigo and then at our place.
The guests were out of the house before midnight, but my dear hubby was a bit tipsy (and when he is, he gets talkative) and wouldn't stop talking to me until it was past 1:30... I might add, I had crossed over the mortifying tiredness by then and was wide awake.
Giving a very tired Ninna having to wake up at 6 when the alarm sounded. VERY tired Ninna. At least i forced D to walk me to the boat.

The fair was nice, not as awesome as it has been, but still really OK. They had cut back on the scrapbooking (thank cheeses) but instead there was very many selling quilting apparel. But that's fine by me, at least that has to do with sewing, even though I'm not the least bit interested.
Unfortunately, the cross stitch seller I wanted wasn't there, and neither was another big embroidery shop. Too bad! Oh well, I got me some fine even weave and a little butterfly kit. And I found new livingroom curtains.

We also ventured down to Kista Galleria (a mall close by) for some extra shopping and food. The line at the venue's cafeteria was mile-long, and there didn't seem to be any seats either, so I'd say the 5 (in preggo-speed 10) minutes walk was well worth it.
I found PJ-pants for D, some bedsheets that I'll sew a nursing pillow cover from, conditioner and masque that my hair adores but no-one here sells anymore, and then some other little trinkets.

Do I need to say that after 8 hours or so on my feet (minus about half an hour for lunch) the buss was mighty comfortable on the way back home? Didn't get any sleep though, I was feeling very non-tired... Didn't sleep on the boat either, but then the road home started to feel really looong. Good thing D came to pick me up and walk me home, or I might have tumbled over and snuggled up in a bush beside the road.

Today is just another lazy day with no plans. Well, one... Shover...

slow Thursday

no big plans for the day. D's gonna fix the balcony as soon as it gets warm enough (and he wakes up *smug smile* wonder which will come first) and I'll get going on the bedroom. Not too much needed to be done really. Most of the crap on the drawer don't really need to be there, and then it's just to move it 90 degrees and load in pup's drawer.

Maybe we'll go pick up the crib? only 27 days left now... I'm debating whether to wash the rest of pup's clothes or not. It's a barrier, and I know it, but no matter what, I'll have to use the house machine soon, 'cos we're running low on clean clothes ourselves...

We checked out new washing machines and tumble dryer combo's yesterday. Bye bye tax-return money is all I can say... Maybe that would be a better project for the day, getting the old one to the repair shop (they'll charge 35€ to see what's wrong with it) and hope it'll be something small and cheap (yeah, right...) and then get the combo next year. Feels a bit unnecessary for some reason. Though, we'll bring it along when we move to a house, but still.

puppy-scan

We had a growth scan today. Everything was absolutely fine. Pup's growing like a weed, and has a good amount of fluid to swim around in.

Head was facing the right way, but nowhere near going down. Doc agreed that my long torso and the fact that there's still plenty of room can be a reason for that.
Estimated weight was 2739 grams, which would give 3,5-3,7 kilos of baby to pop in the beginning of November. Right on scale.

Pup was discreet enough to not flaunt any private parts, not that we could recognize at least. Then again, what I thought to be a hand and arm (I saw the fingers, I swear!) turned out to be the thigh-bone... Lucky I didn't become a doctor, that's all I can say...

pictures again

"Everyone" on my "home forum" FL, the November thread talks about how their tummy's shrunk or lowered... I hope mine doesn't! I mean, I've just began to show properly. I still look just plain old fat if I wear something baggy. Guess I have myself to blame, so much of what I wrote in "Definitely dropped.." have come true for me (let's hope I don't give birth in the forest hunted by wolves). Didn't know what I was doing apparently =)You see what I mean? I have 30 days left, shouldn't my baby-belly be obvious no matter what I wear? I think so... And it would make me feel better... Maybe if I eat ALL of the cinnamon buns I made yesterday?...
Not much better like this either. Haven't changed that much since the pictures from week 29, that's 7 weeks ago, almost 2 month...

mr. Longears barely fits into the pram... Just in case anyone wondered how big he really is. All the pram-parts are now dry, and mostly assembled again. Feels nice to have it done! I just need to fix the parts that needed some sewing attention (2 pieces) and then find a sheep-skin.

the bakery...

this baking comes from tomorrow being "the day of the Cinnamon Bun"As you can see, I've decided to please all tastes. From slightly charred through golden brown to pale white =) The golden ones are the first batch, weirdly enough. I had them all just as long and on the same level... my oven is weird.
Wish you could smell them, it's divine!

pictures

The pram/carriage is home =)
And everything fitted into the trunk of the car. Gotta love the station wagon
This is the carrier I spoke of earlier (don't know if I did that here though). Like this it's pretty obvious that the colors don't match, but there's a "lid" to the basket and when it's on you can't even see the carrier, so it doesn't matter. Perfect fit, bot in the basket and the sitting seat. But I thought it would be, since they're the same brand.
The padding on the handle was broken. I don't understand how they could stand to have it like that. It took me all about 2 minutes to find my super glue and some tape and do this:
All patched up. I'll re-do the tapeing with some black duct-tape later, so that the frayed edges won't crumble.
This is how a pram-in-pieces look =)
All scattered over the heaters in the bathroom.
To no use I might add. The dirtiest parts were still dirty, so I had to re-do them today, in the big machine downstairs. Now they look really nice. I left them down there to dry, because I washed up the hood and it needs all of the towel rack to dry properly.

Just for reference as to how dirty some of the parts were, they have been used for 3 years by a an active kid... Imagine the rest =)

sorry...

I know I said pictures today, but I'm too tired now.
And it's past 11pm, so I won't push it, then I'll just pass that wall and then I'll be up until morning, and that's not got for me or my pup.
Happy Friday everyone!
Here's a song for those of you (like me) who like to dance: Back to the 80's with Aqua

no pictures today

you'll have to wait until tomorrow.
I'm too tired, like I guessed I would be.
But the pram/carriage is in the living room (and on the balcony, and drying in the bathroom), the carrier fitted perfectly. Well, that was kinda given since they're both the same brand, and they can't have changed the dimensions that much, their prams have always been enormous =)

Yoga was quite nice today =)
Part being that she had an easy program since there was colds going around, and part 'cos my body knew what was going on and realized what it was supposed to do (relax...) so the only painful parts today was leaning on the back knee, and that has nothing with how relaxed or not I am, that's the old injuries talking.

Now me and pup are going to bed.
Good Night, and
Happy First of October!!!
only 2,5 months left until x-mas XD