The last week

So, we have officially arrived at what is "the last week of my pregnancy". Can't believe it...The last two months suddenly went by very fast.
Tiny N is still dutifully practising every single night, for about an hour. This is becoming "Giving birth in as many episodes as possible".
Last night, P and I had one more session with the fysio, and we did another practice-drive to hospital (which we really need, as it's about 1 km from our place ;-). I have a feeling the little guy is going to come now in one of the following days, somewhere between tomorrow and Sunday - but we'll see. For all we know, he may decide to stay put for another week.
From time to time, it's as if my body is producing "home-made" tranquilizers; keeping me calm even in times of extreme stress. Like yesterday, when my mother was in a very bad state, and had to go to hospital. So I guess nature is taking care of things, in its own way. And visiting friends with chocolate cake, tons of magazines and a pile of DVDs help as well, of course!

Waiting

My belly looks as if it has taken the elevator and gone two floors down. Funny sight.
And probably one step closer to getting this baby out, eventually.
I don't know how many more nights our little guy wants to "practise" before he finally decides he's ready for the real thing...I just hope I won't be completely tired out by then.
Weight has gone down again...we're back at + 7kg instead of + 8 kg. I can't even manage a complete cupcake...Now there's something to be ashamed of :-) !

P has started writing the addresses on the envelopes of the birth announcements, which felt like a pretty scary moment to me."Oh, so you mean this is really going to happen?!" Sometimes denial is the only way out of this...

Other than that, I've filled my days with watching TV, long phone calls with friends, an occasional walk around the block, staring at my computer screen, playing patience, and, highlight of this week, getting a pedicure. And reading, if I manage to concentrate on something for more than a minute.
Let's just say I'm very happy that it's finally weekend again, and that P's home.

Wires and graphs

I spent the morning in hospital, all wired up, to monitor what exactly is happening with Tiny N (and with me, obviously). The little man is doing great, nothing out of the ordinary. Mommy is having contractions, irregular in time and intensity. And mommy is completely exhausted from yet another sleepless night, but there was no graph to show that.
Now I'm basically "trapped" indoors. Walking has become quite a challenge with sciatic nerve pains, so even a walk around the block is not an option. And god knows when the next intense contraction might strike - let's just say I don't want to be standing in line at the local supermarket when it does.

Already, I'm completely bored out of my mind. I can't concentrate on anything more substantial than some reality tv, every little nook of the house has been cleaned, I can't seem to focus on any book, and I'm too wound up to sleep. Summary: I'm going crazy. These are going to be loooong days.

The things P did

Some of the great things P did this weekend for me and Tiny N:
- hold us (the best painkiller)
- waking me up with flowers on Sunday morning
- surprising me with a completely assembled Bugaboo, standing in the middle of the garage when I wanted to park my car.
- switch bedsides so that I can sleep on his fancy (and very comfy) tempur-mattress.
- And then, yesterday : spreading out what looked like a beach towel on one of our terrace chairs. For me to sit on, I assumed. Which I did. Then I started to notice a nasty smell....The beach towel appeared to be his swimming- and fitness towel of last week, which he had put there to dry. Appears there's a limit to being pampered ;-) !

Let's practise

That's what Tiny N must be thinking these days...
Saturday evening after a nice relaxing bath and last nigth at 2.00 AM : contractions. Each time for about half an hour, and then it stops...as if nothing has happened.
P has been there for me every single second. Can't do this without him.

A life for a life

Becoming a mother and losing your mother.
Can anybody tell me how you have to do them at the same time?
Yesterday the doctor told my parents there's nothing left they can do for her.
And here I am...facing what is supposed to be nothing but bliss and happiness.
This morning I barely had the strength to get up and dressed. How can I give birth, and take care of tiny N?

Tiny N has a name!

The last things on our to-do list are checked! Meaning we have birth announcement cards, and "suikerbonen" - a typical Belgian sweet (what else but chocolate), given to family and friends whenever a baby is born. AND.....we have a name!
Apparently our little man decided to dance the night away to celebrate this event, leaving his mommy completely and utterly exhausted to start her last week at work...

A month, a week

Less than a month until my official due-date (26 days, to be precise), and still a week at work to get through.
Our little man is getting heavier every day - it feels like my life is one big continuous work-out session. And I honestly can't remember what it feels like to be NOT tired.
With his growing, there's simply no space left for anything else in my belly.Food goes in in tiny portions, if at all. And his slightest move makes me run (well, more waddle) to the bathroom.
But it is so great to feel how he's "ready". He reacts to noise, touch, voices,...and sometimes it definitely feels as if he's trying to find a way out! Let's hope it takes him a few more weeks to figure out how...