(less than) 9 weeks to go...

Here we are this morning at 31 weeks. It's finally starting to not look like a pot belly, though some people are still very surprised when they are told I'm pregnant. Some of the Japanese ladies didn't even realise?! Seriously?! Maybe they are just being kind.

I'm kind of ready to throw the towel in this week, which isn't really a good thing. Billy gets more active by the millisecond, and I feel like I am going to fall asleep as I write this. On a more positive note, we went to a joint 2nd and 4th birthday party today. Billy had a ball and I overindulged in lots of delicious children's treats. Win - win for all!

30 weeks...

... or thereabouts. (I swear I am a little further along!)

I had a check up on Friday. A very thorough one! I was moved from room to room (I think I counted 7 all up!) for an ECG, body check, apointment with obstetrician... It went on and on! But, everything is going well; I am in good health, and so is the baby. The only thing - I must wear socks! (Not for swelling or anything... to keep my feet warm!)

She is measuring at the top end of normal/average size, however the doctor reassured me that this average is based on Japanese babies, who are generally a lot smaller than western babies! At 1600 grams, she is healthy, and we are thrilled.

My next appointment will be in 2 weeks, and I will have a meeting with an English speaking midwife. I am going to start compiling a list of questions now, as the only information I have so far has been via word of mouth! So far they are -

How much is it all going to cost?

(Apparently you are roughly $5000 out of pocket, with $3500 given back on National Health Insurance after baby is born.)

How many days will I be required to stay for a normal delivery?

(I think it's 6 days, and apparently the food is divine, with menus designed to help you drop weight as quickly as possible.)

What are my pain relief options if I need them?

(I've been told the midwives offer a foot rub!)

Wish me luck!! Here's the belly with less than 10 weeks to go.

Beautiful things..

There are lots of beautiful things over in Japan, but there are also lots of divine western things that we miss out on. Consequently, I have become very good (too good) at online shopping. I just had to share a few things that I am coveting at the moment... And for once, it's not food!

These beautiful Santa sacks are by 3 Blonde Bears, and I found them on Not on the High Street - a gorgeous website that is not too dissimilar to etsy. I have actually ordered one for Billy, and one for his little sister, and I can't wait for them to arrive!

Somehow I came across this organic baby skin care range by Little Pumpkin Organics, and the products sound so nice! The ingredients are good enough to eat. I love this Arctic Berry Newborn gift set. They also make a Night Time Snuffle Balm, and an All Weather Protective Balm, both of which caught my eye as we are heading into the freezing months of the year!

I was actually looking for a good quality, preferably organic, towel for our baby due in January (I just want one girly one, as everything else we have is boy colours!), and found these Breganwood Organics ones that just became available in Australia this week! They are a bit big for a newborn, but lovely for Billy's age and older so Mum has offered to get Billy one for Christmas. The bird one, of course (he loves 'birdies'). Tick! They also make Bath Mits too.

I just adore all things, particularly the art prints, by Belle and Boo. I know it's impractical for us to buy things like this at this stage, as who knows how long it will be before we are properly settled into our 'own' home, but I would just hate to miss out... This print is called Muddy Morning, and I have fallen in love with it. I'm not sure if I will be able to resist buying it for much longer!

And here are some other beautiful things from their site.

These Raggidy Rag Dolls are SO lovely, and I would love to get one for Billy to give our little girl as a gift when she is born.

Billy would love this armchair by Incy Interiors. I wish I could get it shipped to Japan! He loves having his own 'grown up' things and I can just imagine him reading his stories in it.

And finally, this is what I'd like the presents under my tree, and my Christmas table setting to look like. Jo Malone... Ahhhh.

I'm allowed to dream!!

29 weeks

Here's a quick update with some 29 week belly pics. I'm feeling quite big, but constantly being told how small it is.... I think you can't win when you're pregnant!

Generally, I'm feeling pretty good. Eating like a horse - all the wrong foods, of course - but I'm trying hard to be good. I'm still loving my chocolate pastries, and croissants, and all sweet things in general. Maybe I'll go and bake a cake...

Tough week.

As the title reads.

For the first time since being over in Japan, I'm really starting to struggle, and notice the lack of car, support and extra hands. The past two weeks have been particularly tough, as Billy and I have both been hit with colds, and Nug has, literally, not been home. Emotionally, I can get my head around it all (well, sort of) - I know it's not forever - but, physically, I'm not really sure how much my body can take! And when Nug doesn't have a day off in the next two weeks, I have to say that it's hard to 'lift yourself up' and look to the future. Big sigh, and everyone feel sorry for me, please. (Clearly, it's not our fault that I'm pregnant...)

I am doing my very best to try and enjoy the pregnancy (as it could very well be our last little one), and really appreciate the little (big) kicks and her movements, before I get too big, but it is almost impossible not to get frustrated when it's a struggle to pick up Billy, squeeze in between all the bikes, carry the groceries up the stairs, and run around after a toddler! Also, as winter arrives, they have turned up the heat in the shops, and on the trains, which makes me feel very faint, almost instantaneously, and I have had to sit myself down a few times in the past few days for fear of passing out!

But, Nug and I do love lying together on our couch of a night time, feeling her bounce around, and talking about what she'll be like. We feel quite happy and content that we have a name (95%) chosen. Actually, the whole naming process seems to have been a fair bit easier and more relaxing this second time round. It wasn't hard, as such, with Billy; we just had a few front runners. With this little one, there is a solid front runner, with a few others that we also like, just lingering in the background.

Another thing - someone asked me about paternity leave the other day. I didn't mean to be rude, but I had to laugh. In Japan, the woman usually goes and stays with her parents, and the parents help out, while the husband stays at work, goes about his normal life, and is generally no where to be seen! This seems to work for them, but I'm not sure how it would go down in Australia/western society! Anyway, I don't really have any idea what to expect in terms of when Nug will be around - there's no point in asking - though I know he certainly won't go a day without being expected to be at work. So, do as the Japanese do, and fly your mother over from Australia to help out!

Here's the big tum - hanging out nice and low, just as Billy did. I'm hoping this means she'll come a little early aswell.