My Amazing Husband

I don't have a huge amount to write in week 18, but now that I know Tom's reading this regularly I thought i'd write a bit about how amazing he is (happy now baby?)

I seriously don't think I could have gotten through this year without him, he's been my absolute rock, he's been there for me when its all gotten too much (and believe me I was close to the edge of complete melt down more than once) held my hair back when I've had my head down the toilet, worried about me through every scan, hugs me on the sofa, drives me to yoga and various other baby related activities, strokes my head when i'm stressed and the list goes on.

Our first year of marriage really did prove our vows worth - through sickness and health, for better and for worse, as a consequence we're even stronger now than we've ever been and Sparty and his journey allowed us to have us that gift.

I know that this year has been very difficult for him too, and the fact that i'm going to have been pretty much pregnant for about 15 months when this is all done, is not that nice for a lonely husband, so this post is to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You are going to make such a amazing daddy and father to Loppy and we both appreciate all that you have done and continue to keep doing for us.

Love Helen and Loppy
18+3

16 Week Midwife Check

My '16 week' midwife check was actually done at 17+3 but never mind, turns out that it might have been better being a bit later as we were able to find Loppy's heartbeat straight away!

I saw another different midwife this time - Leslie, and she's the nicest one so far! - she was much more sympathetic about my situation and didn't hesitate to have a listen for the heart when I asked her too.

She did my blood pressure (all good, and lower than last time) and checked my urine (fine) and then went through my blood results (normal) and then listened for the heart.  She only put the probe on for about 5 seconds and there it was, beating steadily away, it sounded amazing.

I'd been getting slightly panicky a few days before as the flutters and tiny prods that I've been feeling over the weekend has reduced and paranoid Helen was a bit worried.  Typical that in the hours since the appointment, I've been feeling Loppy a bit more - not complaining though.

So the last week or so has been pretty quiet really, not much to report:

* My back ache remains a little twingy
* Sickness has definitely decreased, still have the odd queasy moment but not been sick for ages now.
* Flutters, tummy flips and tiny kicks happening sporadically
* Cravings increasing I think, I love having nice things to drink, particularly fresh lime and soda and non-alcoholic Becks - I think its the refreshing feeling that i'm craving.
* Food wise, I don't think my appetite has changed that much, maybe a little bit of an increase.  I find it hard as when I'm hungry there's not much that I fancy or want to eat.  I still suffer with things that I loved before - especially Chinese that i'm just not crazy about now.
* My bump has stayed the size now for about 3/4 weeks so I think i'm evening out which is nice

I can't think of anything else and those listed above are nothing too much to worry about really.

I've definitely started thinking more about when Loppy will be born now, we've had  little think about names again and also i'm looking at Vic's list more and thinking about the practicalities of having a baby! This is quite a big step for me I think, allowing myself to do this.  I've also bought Loppy's first thing - a gorgeous little white snow suit.

We've got two 20 week scans coming up soon - i'm going to be very nervous for them both, but after that i'll have gotten past the Sparty milestone when we said our goodbyes- i'll be counting that from 20+5, as although we didn't say our final goodbyes until 2 weeks later, that dreaded day was our real goodbye when everything changed.  So once i'm at 20+6 I'll be such a happy girl.

Fingers and toes crossed everyone!

Love Helen and Loppy
17+4

Weeks 14 and 15

Things that have happened since 14+1:

• Rachael's Hen weekend, which was lovely fun but I totally overdid it by wearing heals too much and walking too far.  Couldn't do the main event on the Saturday night as I was just exhausted and looked rather puffy - I think/hope Rocky understood; I was upset that I couldn't go but knew that my body was telling me that I needed to rest
• Sickness Returning - what's all that about?  My sickness had virtually disappeared but came back with a vengeance over the long bank holiday weekend, its still there a bit now, frustrating!  Really bad sickness too that's really hard to manage - feel better today though so that's good.
• Sense of smell increased again - yesterday in particular, I think this is linked to the above
• Starting to feel flutters and rolls - this is amazing! I think its Loppy or something Loppy related moving around in there, it's in the same spot as last time and just feels like my tummy is flipping, like being on a roller-coaster, or in a lift.  It's very weird but an unmistakable feeling that I remember - the kicks come next - yayyyyyy!
• Getting a tiny bit apprehensive for my 20 week scans - its just a little niggle at the moment, I need to learn to control it so that I don't drive myself mad over the next few weeks.  I think feeling increasing movement will help with that
• Beginning to feel more and more uncomfortable - god what am I going to be like in 5 months time!? - my back now aches when I'm in a position for too long, I'm getting cramps in my thighs at night and certainly feel uncomfortable in the stomach region when I've eaten too much or towards the end of the day.  I'm still getting RLP and lots of twinges but I'm coping (I realise this sounds really moany - sorry)

Loppy is beginning to hear sounds this week, which is awesome and makes me want to talk out loud to him all the time.  When I saw Freddy on Tuesday, he put his little face up to my tummy and said loudly 'Hallo Baby!' I hope Loppy could hear his big cousin talking to him!

Overall so far I'm enjoying it much more now I know that the little heart is all good.  I cannot wait to meet my little baby and learn all about being a mummy.  I'm thinking about the reality of it all much much now, although I'm still holding off from buying anything until after 20 weeks.  I just love the anticipation of what's to come for the rest of my pregnancy and beyond.

Love Helen and Loppy

15+4