35 weeks!

35+2 weeks today, less than 2 weeks until I am 'full term' and only 4 weeks and 5 days until my due date! Here is an interesting little comparison to my bump at 24 weeks and my bump now-I thought I hadn't grow much (please excuse my giant arms!) but looking at this, wow!

 

I am feeling so incredibly heavy right now. I can't lie down without seeing little baby body parts sticking out and I can't bend over without feet in my ribs! She has been an active little lady recently which has made us very happy. I really feel like my body is getting ready now, as scary as that sounds! I've been getting stomach cramps on and off now for a few days, definitely not contractions, but I've had a lot of immense pressure and I think that may be baby getting ready to engage any day soon now! I imagine whilst I'll be able to breath easier, my penguin waddle will be even more enhanced. I'm trying to limit myself in what I do but I find it so boring just staying in and find myself constantly nesting! My hospital stuff is 90% packed, or should I say mini suitcase (which is full to the brim!) and all I need to pack now is last minute stuff like change of clothes, toiletries etc. It's rather scary seeing the suitcase standing by our bed all ready to go if anything happens! 

This past week I feel that, despite the discomfort (and let me tell you, this stage of pregnancy for me is the toughest) I am just floating around in a bubble of happiness simply waiting for our little girl to arrive! Time is going quickly and it may sound cheesy but I feel a lot more at peace with the process of giving birth now, well as calm as I possibly can be! The unknown is horrible and as a first time mum, I can only go on what people have told me what labour is like. I have heard such a variety of birth stories which tells me that labour really is different for everyone, no two births are the same. I desperately want to meet our baby so this pain is something I will have to go through but it is a GOOD type of pain because every hour that passes will be one step closer to being with her.

We had our antenatal class last weekend which was fantastic and highly reassuring for me. The midwife talked about contractions and compared them to mountains which I thought was a great analogy and helped me visualise it all a bit more-the pain will reach its peak at the top of the mountain but once you are there, you know it will 'come down' and end soon. I like to be able to visualise things like this because it will help me deal with the pain. We also learnt lots about breastfeeding, something I really hope to do and how to look after a newborn. It all made me very excited to meet her next month and I think I am truely ready now.

xoxo

p.s: Despite saying I have bought everything for baby, I still have been naughty and bought some clothes. Here are a few bits I've bought.