Made the Finish Line!

I've made it!

Yesterday was officially my last day at work, and I'm now on maternity leave. I still can't believe it's here, I've waited so long for it! No more getting up early, taking on extras, behaviour management, yard duty... yes!

However, I became a little teary on the way home. My workmates, or I should say, my friends, are amazing. I was so spoilt yesterday. They gave lovely speeches at morning briefing, I received more gorgeous presents for both myself and chickpea, and they even covered an extra that was given to me today (which would have given me a 4 on day on my last day- not cool!). The PE office also bought me a chocolate mudcake from the Cheesecake Shop so we all shared that at lunchtime- delish!

My beautiful year 10 form group are equally amazing. They put together some money and bought me a huge hamper full of baby clothes, Huggies products, and fleecy wraps with a gorgeous card.

I'll definitely miss this side of my job. I'm a very lucky girl to be able to work with such wonderful people.

This is the End...

It's the last day of work!!!! *Happy dance*

33 Weeks Today.

Hmm. Feeling pretty woeful today. I will do an update concerning my baby shower and how spoilt I was, but just can't muster the energy to do so right now. As I mentioned before, I've had Braxton Hicks all weekend, and I had a lot of pain last night across my lower back and pelvis from about 3am onwards.

So, I stumbled into work today, got through what I had to do bleary eyed (with constant achiness) then got home and crashed for about an hour and a half. I am sooo relieved that this is the last week of work.

I'm taking tomorrow off, as I'm worried about the pain and what may happen if I push myself too much. However, the good news is that I rang my massage lady to ask what I can do about the aches, and she's fully qualified in pregnancy massage so she'll see what she can do for me tomorrow at 3pm. I'm looking forward to that!

Little Update.

A few updates:

• Getting around at work is hard. I have one more week to get through.. with LOTS to do.

• I've been having a few Braxton Hicks contractions that started on Friday night- not painful, but lots of tightening around the top half of my belly, which becomes quite uncomfortable!

• I've been practicing my calmbirth breathing every day since the course.

• Chickpea is moving around CONSTANTLY and feels like he/she is sitting right on my diaphragm- I feel like I'm always short of breath!

• My baby shower is today.. unfortunately mum and Lan can't make it (as poor Lan had her tonsils out and is quite sick, so mum had flown to Melbourne to be with her), but they'll be here when Chickpea is born for sure!

We also had the capsule installed in the car yesterday. It's so surreal to look in the back seat and see it there!

33 weeks on Monday.. 7 to go!

Anxiety and Fear.. Banished.

Last weekend was one of the most empowering and wonderful weekends of my life.

Deon and I flew to Melbourne where we attended a Calm birth course run by Lainey Pedley. I adore her. I'm in awe of how open, friendly, confident and warm she is. I wish I could bottle her and have a dose of her every month. I knew the moment I met her that I could relax and trust in whatever she had to offer. Not many people do that for me.

Without going into too much detail, the course involved breathing and visualization techniques, and how birth is something to be anticipated and become excited about. It should NOT be something to be feared or anxious about. It amazes me how many messages are out there in the world that birth and labour is something negative, and will be a 'horrible' experience. Our midwife who runs the antenatal class even said that if we're planning to use oils, don't bring our favourites as we'll never want to smell them again after due to being linked to such a 'traumatic' experience. Lainey was horrified when she heard that.

I'm practicing my breathing and visulisation techniques every day. The huge benefit out of all of it is that these techniques will help me for life- it's not just going to stop after chickpea is born.

The other part of the weekend that was so special to me was Lan being able to feel chickpea for the first time. Amazing to think that next time they meet, Lan will be able to hold her little niece/nephew! (I'll blog about the beautiful gift Lan gave chickpea soon, I just have to photograph it!)

This weekend has also reinforced how much I love Deon, and has strengthened the bond between the three of us. He was so wonderful, and I was so incredibly happy that he got as much out of this weekend as what I did.

Thank you Lainey. You are AMAZING.

A Few Things I Love...

Jolly Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Nici

Barnaby Button Play Mat by Mamas and Papas

Enchanted wood Bookends by Cocoon Couture

Little Bear Cub Hat by Esty seller simplybasicdesigns

Mittens by Seed

Toggle Cardigan by Seed

Happy Mothers Day!

You mean more to me than words can say.

I love you past the stars xxoo

Wednesday Thoughts.

Feeling a bit anxious about going back to work today. Think I'm still just very tired. Hopefully I'll feel a bit more alert by the time I get there.

Two good things though... my Storksak bag came, and I LOVE it! It's perfect. Even Deon threw it over his shoulder and modeled it. Lovely chocolate colour with stacks and stacks of pockets, and the best bit- it looks like a handbag, and not a nappy bag.

Next, the wall decal I ordered came from Etsy. It's very cute, and will match the room perfectly. We've decided to place it on the pelmet just above the blind.

Little Elephant Family

Oh, and one more thing (which technically makes it three things). mum was showing me yesterday all the fabric she has for the cot quilt, and it's just gorgeous. I can't wait to see it when it's done.

Minkis.. PULs.. AIOs.. A Whole New Language.

Mini Lala

Cloth nappies are... puzzling. I feel like a real dill saying that. I mean, really, how hard can they be to figure out? But all this talk about minkis and boosters and PUL's and bamboo and a whole heap of other stuff has me slightly baffled.

Very, very different to the terry toweling and safety pins mum used on me when I was a baby. Deon and I have been talking about what to use, and we've decided to go the cloth route. More environmentally friendly, and so cute too! Lots of gorgeous prints and colours to choose from.

After doing lots of research, I've decided to go for the BabyBeehinds, and ordered a trial pack today in unisex colours. If we like them, then we'll stock up on some more. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it pretty quickly!

My other favourite site.. MiniLala. Unfortunately they're not recieving any orders at the moment, but hopefully they will soon!