Ella’s birth story

The way our beautiful daughter came into this world, wasn’t quite how I had planned, but yet I feel it was still the perfect way that God had planned all along. It was hard and incredible and healing in a lot of ways.

I had an appointment at the hospital on the Friday afternoon to check that Baby Meade was still doing ok growing and that we would be able to continue until 42 weeks without any issues. Before this appointment I had decided to have a stretch and sweep done in the Birthing Centre in the hope that it could start something, as at this stage I was 9 days past my due date, and more than eager to finally meet our little baby, I was advised that I was at 1cm dilated which was very exciting for me as I realised things may get started now. As we started to have the testing done I started to feel some contractions, different to ones I had felt before, they felt more like a growing wave and then would subside. We were watching these on the monitor and started to get pretty excited. We had to interrupt that testing to have an ultrasound to make sure the placenta was still functioning as normal and I continued to feel some contractions which weren’t too uncomfortable but I could definitely notice they were there. We were told that Baby Meade was measuring at 4 and a half kilos, which needless to say scared the heck out of me! When we returned to finish the testing of her heart beat the contractions became a bit stronger and we could again see them very easily on the machine. We started to time them at 4pm and noticed that already they were only 5 minutes apart and 1 minute long! I secretly thought this might mean that we would have a very quick and easy labour!

At the hospital for the appointment, realising that maybe this could be it!

At 5pm we had finished all the testing and headed back to the Birthing centre to follow up on the results. We advised them of the contractions I was having and they said we may as well stay rather than try and drive all the way home and then come back again. This was really exciting for me. This way finally it! Rory and Mum were so excited too and we quickly began to unload our things from the car and get a bit settled in the room. I started to roll around on the fit ball in the hope of keeping things going and to possibly speed things up. It definitely intensified the contractions I was having but another two hours went by and I hadn’t really had contractions any closer together. They were still every 5 minutes lasting around a minute each. Mum had gone home by this stage and we all thought when she left that there would be a phone call in the early hours of the morning advising her of our new baby. Rory and I even placed bets on what time the baby would come. I had guessed either just before midnight or just after, he thought it would be before 1am in the morning. It was really fun to have this time together to bond and work through each contraction.

At the birthing centre, during labour, before it started to get really intense.

Another two hours later at 8pm my contractions were finally only 3 minutes apart and lasting for a minute each and I really had to focus on each one. At 9pm I was checked to see how far I had dilated in the last 6 hours, to my upset I was still only at 1cm and Baby hadn’t fully engaged still! I felt quite defeated at this point and the midwife suggested that we try and have a sleep as we would need energy to keep going. This was a very interesting feat to try and undertake to nap in between very strong contractions. We managed to have a slight nap in this manner for about 2 hours when I really decided that the pain was getting a bit much to just lie down and I wanted to use the shower to help with the pain. The water felt so fantastic and did really help for quite a while.

Through all of this Rory was the most incredible support and encouragement, at every moment he was there with me to help me in whatever way he could, even after having worked a full day at work and being so tired. We were checked again at 2am in the morning and I was still only just at 2cm! I couldn’t believe it! At least this time baby was engaged and the midwife thought that things would start moving quickly now, which gave me a little bit of hope. I was quite exhausted already. Through all of this Ella’s heartbeat had been completely steady and she had been completely un-phased by this long time of contractions. At 5am I started to feel that maybe things might be getting closer and I really wanted to hop into the bath. Hopping in was the best feeling! It felt so nice to be weightless and in amongst such warm water. I stayed in there for an hour before I needed to be checked again. This time, at 6am, I discovered I was finally at 4cm! In active labour! 14 hours after starting contractions! This really encouraged me as I felt that things really could now move quickly and maybe we would meet our little baby soon. The contractions started to become very strong and very close together at this point and I asked to get back into the bath again.

Rory was incredible! He held my hand from the side of the bath through each contraction, he fed me cold water and wiped my forehead with a cold flannel. I have never felt so incredibly loved and looked after. While I was in the bath this time I felt that things weren’t progressing and I wasn’t coping with the contractions well. They seemed to come very close and not give me much relief in between and I asked if it was too late for an epidural. I persisted through another 2 hours after asking this. They were a really hard two hours. I felt totally and completely out of it, I was very tired at this stage having laboured all night so far and still not feel like I was close. I remember being angry at God for a little bit wondering why this had been so hard when I had prayed for so long to have a short and relatively easy labour. At 10am I was checked to find I was still only at 4cm, that I had made no progression in 4 hours. This is when things started to quickly change. Our midwife, Leslie was incredible. She quickly said we needed to break my waters and then get me up for an epidural to be able to give both me and Rory rest so that we would have the energy for the final stage. In my delirious and tired state I demanded that no I would not get this baby out and they would take me for a c-section as I wouldn’t do any more, quite hilarious when I think back now. Thankfully Leslie was incredible, and she firmly told me that I had no need for a c-section and that I would feel really proud when I had got this baby out myself.

Having my waters broken took the contractions to a new level! By 11am I was up in the hospital and the epidural had been administered. I finally felt like my normal self again and could laugh and smile and thank the midwives who had been helping me. Through all of this Ella’s heartbeat remained completely steady and at a really good level, and the midwives joked that she was the happiest one in the room! At 12pm I was finally at 7cm, I had reached this all on my own without any pitocin to speed up the contractions. I could feel each contraction as pressure but didn’t feel the pain of them. Rory and I then napped for an hour to an hour and a half and we were advised if I was at 9cm by 2pm I wouldn’t need to have any pitocin and they would let me get to full dilation on my own. I was determined that this would happen. In this time, after being so scared of heading to the hospital, I actually felt so completely calm, and I realised that this was what God had planned all along. He wanted to heal my fear of hospitals, to let me know it was ok, and that He was actually with me. Our midwife that helped in the hospital, Anita was incredible. She listened to all of our requests and was fine when I asked if I could push on my knees or all fours rather than lying on my back, she had read our birth plan and respected us wanting to discover what sex baby we had ourselves and for Rory to cut the cord and for us to have skin to skin time uninterrupted for at least an hour. I couldn’t have felt more blessed to have the midwife we had. By 2pm I had actually completely dilated and was at 10cm and could start to feel the urge to push. We were told to wait an hour and then it would really be a good time to push.

Rory and I had some time just to ourselves in this next hour which I will treasure, those last moments of just us two before our family was going to become three. Looking at each other knowing we were finally going to meet this little person that had been growing inside of me for so long. I felt so loved and so in love with him looking at him and knowing what an incredible support he had been this whole time. I still boggle at how God has completely blessed me with this incredible husband I get to share life with. At 3:30pm Anita came back from dinner break and it was time to start pushing. This part really excited me, I knew it was almost over! Rory says he will never forget the look on my face at how excited I was at this stage. As she was coming out the midwife announced the baby had blonde hair, and I looked at Rory and said “it’s a girl then”, I probably would have gotten a complete shock if it had been a boy! I had always pictured the entire pregnancy that if we had a girl she would have strawberry blonde hair and Rory’s green eyes, and if we had a boy he would have brown hair and my blue eyes, don’t ask me why that is. After 42 minutes of pushing at 4:12pm our beautiful daughter, Ella Grace Meade, had arrived! It was a completely surreal moment. To have a little baby placed across my belly and know that she was ours. It’s something you can’t prepare for no matter how hard you try. To my surprise when I looked, her hair wasn’t even blonde, but strawberry blonde!!!! We both cried and couldn’t stop looking at this little (rather large at 3.96kg and 54cm long) baby. Rory cut the cord with a big smile on his face and we became a little family.

Ella being weighed a couple hours after she was born.

It was a very long and hard 24 hours that we travelled together. I truly believe looking back though that it was a blessing from God. We worked through something that was quite difficult together and grew together more and fell more in love with each other. In the process as well I feel there has been a healing for me and hospitals, that I don’t need to feel afraid of them. If we hadn’t ended up at the hospital I still may have that feeling of fear. God really was looking after us the entire time and I know that was the perfect labour that He had planned from before we even knew we were expecting a child.

I was reminded the other day quite randomly that a year before Ella was born, almost to the day Rory told me he felt that God had told him we would have a child within a year or maybe two years. At the time we kind of laughed and thought maybe that meant we would start trying to have a child. God is so incredible, and He has our paths laid out before us before we even know what the path is.

Finally, a verse that I believe has strongly been spoken over Ella’s life. It came up so commonly during pregnancy and then again on the day she was born and on her first trip to Church, all from different and random sources. I am so thankful for the God that we love, and that He loves us just as much and that He has love that is so incredible for our little daughter.

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)

Her beautiful little face, all wrapped up and ready to head back to the Birthing Centre
Proud Daddy, having a cuddle with his daughter
Big nose and little nose, so adorable
Our family all together ready to head home.

Month 8

36 Weeks and 4 Days.

So I know I have been totally totally slack in keeping up with this. So I am catching up and doing an overall post for the month. I think I will do a general post and try and include the questions in what I have been up to, but without doing the actual questions as they relate to weekly things.

It has been an awesomely busy month! So much happiness and excitement. I have stayed at pretty much the same weight the entire month actually. I am at 73kg which I will be pretty happy to have stayed at that weight till the end, I figure it will be alright to work that back off.

I still haven’t had any stretch marks appear, and baby has been moving around just as much as ever. They are head down and swap between anterior and posterior quite a lot which is good and bad, being posterior means it can be a little harder, but it is encouraging that they are still swapping to anterior quite commonly so that makes me feel a little better. We actually got to see baby again in an ultrasound that we had at 35 weeks + 1 and it was incredible to see baby again. They were playing with their little feet and practising swallowing! We even got to see baby’s face and it is the most adorable little face, with chubby cheeks and beautiful lips! Made us very excited to be able to meet them so soon!

I haven’t really been craving anything in particular, still having smaller meals when I can because heartburn is a killer. I am looking forward to that leaving! I have been sleeping generally better which is nice, and a blessing before I am doing middle of the night feeds and barely sleeping at all! I have had the nesting instinct kick in about a week ago. At 10:30 at night one night I decided I just HAD to vacuum the entire house, which scared Rory slightly. I managed to hold off until the next morning so that I didn’t wake the neighbours, but I enjoyed the cleaning so much I surprised myself. I am guessing that’s a good sign that the end of pregnancy is approaching! That is probably the main symptom, apart from having some mood swings, from being quite ok and enjoying pregnancy to just being so over it I want it done and over with. I can also get a little teary sometimes, which Rory has handled much better than I have, I can get into a funny state where I cry because I am crying! Quite hilarious when I think about it really!

We have been so busy, so it has been hard to pick a best moment in amongst it all. Rory and I had a trip down south for a birthday / anniversary / baby-moon type trip and it was the most incredible weekend. Was just what we needed before baby arrives. We had a really special three course dinner at the restaurant where we were staying and then on Rory’s birthday we spent the day with our friends Adam and Taree, we started with a trip to the underwater observatory at the Busstleton Jetty and then the boys did some segway fun! We also had a lovely lunch with them in the Margaret River region at the winery Rivendell, which was highly appropriate because on Australia Day we all did a Lord of the Rings marathon together. We are so thankful for the friends we have in them. Rory also managed to get in a sweet ride at Dunsborough skate park and it was awesome to watch him pull some awesome tricks!

We also had our prenatal classes and made some really great friends and learnt some new things. Was nice to get to giggle and laugh with other women going through the same thing. Made it all seem pretty realistic seeing a room full of other pregnant women expecting babies too. Very exciting.

In the last month we have also celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. I can’t believe a whole year has gone! It seems to have disappeared in the blink of an eye. We had a beautiful dinner out together to celebrate together. I always love spending time with Rory, and it’s so nice getting times like this together alone before this little baby arrives. I so appreciate having my best friend to spend each day with to have giggles and laughter together. I am looking forward to when baby gets here and we can share those moments together as a family, and having times when Rory and I can giggle together not knowing exactly what we are doing.

It has been a pretty hectic month, but one I have enjoyed so much! I can’t quite believe another month has gone and that we are so close to meeting little baby. I can only really have a maximum of 4 more weeks as they will induce me if I go longer than that, so that’s a pretty bizarre thought.

I will aim to keep up to date now with the next few weeks as long as baby doesn’t have an appearance.

Here are some photos of the last month that has been and gone.

A montage of our weekend down south together, fabulous friends, food and fun!

Rory’s creativity in creating a gun out of toilet paper rolls, seriously most amazing dad!

Little baby in their last ultrasound before we meet them. Little fingers and a little foot and their beautiful little face. 35 Weeks and 1 Day

A photo I took one was when we first found out when we were expecting Baby Meade, and one at 36 weeks almost ready to meet them in real life.

Handsome Rory and I going out for dinner for our anniversary dinner. 35 Weeks + 6 days
Our food that we had for our beautiful dinner to celebrate our anniversary

Rory being a mighty pirate and showing he will be an awesome dad and have fun with a daughter too!

Belly shot at 37 Weeks and 3 days.

I seriously use my belly as a table so often, I had to take a photo just to remind myself that I could do this. I will miss having this portable table once it goes.

Some photos of our wedding day I put together for our anniversary.

A beautiful montage of photos of our first year of marriage that Rory put together for me for our anniversary.

Beautiful flowers and chocolates that we were given to help celebrate our anniversary. So blessed with the people surrounding us!

34 Weeks

34 Weeks and 4 days, one shot from our maternity shoot to recreate a similar look to our wedding day.

How far along? 34 Weeks and 6 Days
Total weight gain: I am up to 12.3kg, which isn’t too bad I guess. I don’t have too much longer to go and I have only really put on 2.5kg in the last 5 weeks so I am ok with that.
Maternity clothes?Still nothing new :) I’m hanging out to fit back into my old clothes now though, my nice skinny jeans and shorter singlets, without a belly hanging out underneath.
Stretch marks?Thankfully still none, I am aware though they could still come in at any stage and I am prepared for that.
Sleep: It is still up and down, we had a few cool nights here though which was actually incredible! To sleep with a doona on was like bliss!
Best moment this week: Our maternity photo shoot! We had a fairly busy week actually, Rory and I had a lovely weekend together where we went for a drive to a random location just to see what was out there and have some fun and plan some more of our trip, which was so nice, and so nice that the temperature was cool enough for me to be out of the house. On Sunday we then had our maternity photo shoot which was so much fun! Some of the preview photos she put up are here for this week. Was great to celebrate this little bump and have a good reminder!
Miss Anything? Just feeling generally comfortable is something I am missing, it’s weird having a big bulbous bump hanging off me at some points and can definitely get in the way of sitting comfortably at the best of times, so I am looking forward to just fitting under a table easily and being able to hug Rory from behind without a massive bump stopping me from getting close, although it is providing amusement at the moment!
Movement:Still so much movement! Especially when Rory talks to baby or rubs belly or around meal times. Baby seems to know that it’s daddy talking to them which is so precious. I am guessing baby will love food seeing as they tend to tell me when it’s time to eat by how excited they get!
Food cravings: No cravings :)
Symptoms: I tend to find the indigestion I get is in relation to slightly greasy food or spicy food, so I have been more careful with that and it hasn’t been as bad, still not awful or anything though which is nice. Rory and I were placing bets as to whether baby would come out with hair because I have had indigestion.
Labor Signs: Still feeling these increased pains, not all the time but fairly commonly. Like an advanced Braxton hicks. I’m sure I will know pretty clearly when I do actually go into labour though so that’s alright.
Wedding rings on or off? Still on and I still have ankles too which makes me happy!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Still a happy chappy over all, if I haven’t slept much or napped, then I get slightly more emotional than I would normally be, so I just need to make sure I am rested up!
Looking forward to: Rory and I have a “babymoon” / birthday weekend away this week which is going to be lovely! Having some time together before baby gets here is going to be so special. We are both really excited for it!

We wanted to recreate a similar look to our Wedding day as it is almost one year on to the day and so I wore a long white dress with my hair piece and Rory wore his wedding shirt and vest. Was so special and we love how the photos we have seen so far have turned out!

I love this shot, Rory truly makes me so happy and I love him so much!

This was the idea I had seen on Pinterest to recreate a similar shot and then put it against one from your wedding. Seeing as we got married in Adelaide and these were taken in Perth I think it came out well with a fairly similar pose really. Such an incredible story has been written for us and I am so thankful for that.

In the Word : Week 6 & 7

I let procrastination get the best of me last week and didn’t get around to posting my verse for the week, so I am doing a big bout and doing two weeks in this post.

It has been a great couple of weeks. I have had some really great answer to prayer which I am thankful for, and have really been reminded to rely on God’s strength for this baby and the labour to bring them into the world, which is timely seeing as it is coming up soon!

Monday February 11th

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3 NIV)

I really need to hand over to God anything that I am wanting to do or have planned. This then allows Him to plan it out and establish the things that need to happen for it to come to fruition. I feel this ties in with the devotion Joyce Meyer had where she talked about us needing to be able to make plans but then be OK if God changes them. I feel God saying that if I commit to Him my plans while continuing forward in them, there is a peace which is given knowing that I can’t fail. If something changes along the tracks it is only for the better.

Tuesday February 12th

For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. (2 Corinthians 4:11 NIV)

This verse has slightly confused me. I feel we are constantly living in a world where we are open to temptation and sin, whether that is the death that is being talked about here, and then the victory when we overcome that temptation or sin is allowing Jesus to be revealed in us, I wonder if this is what God is revealing through this verse.

Wednesday February 13th

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. (Micah 7:18 NIV)

This is so true, there is no other god who is so giving and forgiving and loving. I am so blessed to be under his mercy and love.

Thursday February 14th

My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! (1 John 4:7-12 MSG)

This is a great verse which went with todays Joyce Meyer devotion. It was all about giving love. How appropriate on valentines day. Today I have felt a real side of that. I am learning to speak Rory’s love language and he is learning to speak mine. He left me beautiful little bible verses with notes hidden around the house today along with a poem, a beautiful card and some chocolates. It really spoke to my love language and I ended up in tears at some stages just feeling so loved and cared for. His love language is touch and one I have never really fully understood. It seems such an easy thing to do to just give him a back tickle, it doesn’t seem like I am doing enough. I was determined tonight to really focus on that even though it doesn’t seem enough to me, and sure enough he kept commenting on how loved he felt. We are called to love others. God loves us in the way we need loving and so we need to do the same with others. We can’t just love how we would like to be loved, but how they are going to feel most loved.

And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue. And the Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say. (Exodus 4:10-12 AMP)

This is a verse from the parenting devotion and it really showed me that relying on God’s strength and knowing that He has a plan for this child regardless of what we do is really comforting. He has called Rory and I to be parents even though we are totally overwhelmed and a bit freaked out by it all. He wanted us to parent this child. The verse is also very encouraging because it shows that God really does have a plan. If something goes wrong or doesn’t seem perfect He had a plan all along.

Friday February 15th

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. (1 Peter 4:8 AMP)

This verse came up in some study I was doing today and I felt this really needed to be my verse for the day. That it is a verse to base our marriage on. Particularly for me to focus on. To continue to have unfailing love. That is a huge thing. Love that never fails and never dies means it never gives up. I think it has become all too easy to give up on love and search for the next best thing. I am called to have an intense and unfailing love with Rory, how romantic!

Saturday February 16th

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:13, 14 NLT)

This verse actually came from the parenting devotion but I feel it relates. Fear is something that I have struggled with, especially now with a baby coming I have sometimes been fearful for what will happen to them and their life. I needed to be reminded that God is in control of all things and that I need to trust Him. Fear will make me doubt and trap me, whereas trusting in God will free me.

Sunday February 17th

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. (1 Peter 3:15 NLT)

But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. (1 Peter 3:15 AMP)

I am called to be open to share my faith without fear. While doing this I need to make sure it is in a respectful manner, to bible bash someone is not helpful to either of us. I need to remember this and to just be honest and speak with love from my heart. This ties in with church’s sermons at the moment and the thought of being gate crashers by meeting people where they are at currently. It’s a great reminder.

I can really see in this week that God is trying to calm me for the role that is arising. To allow me to have peace being a parent, rather than constantly being afraid. He wants me to be strong and trust in Him that He has always had a plan for this child and that He will follow through. I am deeply encouraged by that!

Monday February 18th

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV)

This is encouraging, even when I feel like I may be walking in a dark place or don’t understand, I can be confident that I am still walking in light. That Jesus is light for the world, and that He will never leave me even if I don’t understand the path I am walking at that stage.

Today’s Joyce Meyer devotional was again about worry or worship. A reminder again to not worry. I can choose each day whether I will worry or whether I will worship. I feel the more this is revealed the more I know this is the area I really need to work on the most with God’s help.

Tuesday February 19th

Does not my word burn like fire?” says the Lord . “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29 NLT)

God’s Word is powerful, it’s not something to take lightly. It’s something I can find strength in and trust in. It has more power than a mighty hammer to smash a rock to pieces, thats a pretty powerful tool!

Today’s parenting devotion was a really fabulous reminder for me as a parent to remember as our children grow up. Discipline, when done with love, is necessary in growth for a person, or a child. God is the same with us, He forgives us instantly, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t consequences for when we have done something wrong. Whatever that consequence is, it is always done with love too knowing we have been forgiven is fabulous, and knowing that what we are going through is all done with love helps me to get through whatever I need to. It is how I need to parent. If something is done that is wrong, I need to forgive lovingly and instantly, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences.

The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’ (Numbers 14:18 NLT)

Wednesday February 20th

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. (Psalms 82:3, 4 NLT)

We are called to look out for the people here who can’t look after themselves. I am not sure what this looks like for me personally at this stage, but it is something to remember in what we are doing each day.

Thursday February 21st

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)

This is something that I really used to struggle with, being in amongst people who didn’t mind. Making a conscious decision for myself to change my language has been a really fabulous thing. I feel this verse is also talking about encouraging words coming out of my mouth, not just being careful not to swear or be vulgar. I need to ensure that the words I am speaking are ones of encouragement and not words that tear down.

Friday February 22nd

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV)

I feel this is really relating to labour and parenthood. Having had some really intense pains tonight I know I was afraid of what may happen if I went into labour this early and that I couldn’t have the option of the birthing centre that I want. This reminds me that God has it in control and that I need to rest assured in that rather than being timid and afraid of something I need to face it knowing God’s truth and His greatness.

Saturday February 23rd

How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 MSG)

The wording in this verse I absolutely love. God put the wrong on Him. He definitely didn’t have to do that. Yet He did, He placed the sin that we have all on Him just so we could be close to Him again. How thankful am I for that gift.

Sunday February 24th

O Lord , I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them. (Isaiah 25:1 NLT)

God really does do incredible things. He had everything planned for what I am going through now before I was even born, and here they are coming to fruition. I am so thankful that He has had this planned and that as I have been walking He has been directing my steps down this path.

I really enjoy reflecting back on the week of verses that I have had, and what God has been saying to me. This has really shown me an area I really feel God is wanting me to work on. An area, when I look back, has always been something that He has wanted me to work on, but I never really have. I am thankful that this has been revealed to me and is something that I cna get to work on allowing God to have and work on me.

a.m.
xx

33 Weeks

33 Weeks and 6 Days

How far along? 33 Weeks and 6 Days
Total weight gain: A whopping 12kg now! Hoping I don’t put too much more on, although I can feel my belly is really heavy these days so I’m guessing its baby growth.
Maternity clothes?Nothing different to last week! Mum made a comment that maybe I could get through the entire pregnancy without buying maternity branded clothes, which I almost have pretty much! Apart from one t-shirt, one pair of tights and a belly belt!
Stretch marks?Still none :). I thought I found some on the under side of my belly in a quick mirror glance, I got Rory to have a close look and it wasn’t any stretch marks it was just a crease where my belly is getting heavy.
Sleep: Seriously, one day it will be quite good and the next I barely sleep. I am so thankful that I am at home and can nap when the need arises, and it seems to arise quite often these days!
Best moment this week: Definitely without a doubt my baby shower I has here in Perth. I was so incredibly blessed with the shower that Taree threw, she is an incredible friend. It was lovely and cool for the first time in ages too which made it so comfortable. Baby Meade has been so spoilt and blessed from both baby showers it is incredible! The clothes and books and toys are all so adorable and cute! I will post photos of both Baby Showers once I get the photos of this Perth one. It truly has been so incredible being blessed and loved on by everyone and I have appreciated all the love so much, as I’m sure Baby Meade will too once they are born.
Miss Anything? Being able to walk without a waddle. I am so glad that Rory gets amusement out of it, which makes it slightly more bearable, but walking around with a waddle definitely makes me feel quite large and heavily pregnant.
Movement:This little wriggle pot is amazing. Last night darling kept Rory amused for quite a while putting on a show of movement. Rory eventually went to sleep but baby decided mummy hadn’t seen enough of their tricks and kept going till midnight, moving so much that I couldn’t sleep through it. I got to a point where I just had to giggle because it really is quite funny. Susie came over today too and Baby got excited and she could see my belly moving around so easily which was enjoyable to share.
Food cravings: No cravings :)
Symptoms: A sweet pregnant waddle, a bit of a zombie look from lack of sleep and I think I’m starting to get a bit nesty wanting to clean up and really get everything sorted.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really queasy, but I have noticed a larger amount of indigestion and heart burn this last week. It can make me feel full at dinner from lunch sometimes, especially with really rich meals, so I am being more careful now.
Labor Signs: I had some pains which started on Thursday night of last week which didn’t really ease, but came with no consistency or regularity and didn’t get any worse, so figured I wasn’t in labour. I have been trying to rest as much as possible since that and not spend too long standing as I want baby to cook as much as possible.
Wedding rings on or off? Still on, so thankful that I haven’t suffered crazy swelling yet, I even still have ankles!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Generally pretty happy. Baby makes me giggle and Rory is incredible, I have felt so incredibly blessed to have such a lovely husband who is so supportive and eager to do the best he can. Makes everything so much easier!
Looking forward to: This week we have our maternity shoot which I am so excited for! To get all dressed up nicely and have some proper photos taken will be a real treat. Pinterest has definitely given me some ideas for what I would like so hopefully we can recreate some of those and have a fun time. It’s really not long now until baby is here! Only 6 weeks until due date and 3 weeks until I am full term. I even realised that if I went two weeks over that’s still only 8 weeks which is still only a single digit! Crazy! Both Rory and I are so excited to finally know if baby is a boy or a girl and what they look like and everything. It’s going to be incredible!

“Oh my goodness, look at my belly!!!”

A photo Rory took of me slightly unknowingly during the week and I just like it.

In the Word : Week 5

This week I really have slacked off. I allowed myself to get distracted and didn’t make this time a priority. It is so easy to allow day to day things to distract me. This is a habit I really want to kick. To really make a change and follow through on that change. I know that it is a process for me to get to that change, it also takes great persistence from me and strength when it seems easier for me to just relax in front of the TV and watch some shows for amusement while I am at home. I heard a really great speaker this week who had a great challenge. We each only get each day once, if we don’t do something to help grow or make ourselves better, we have wasted that day and also lost ground. If I am not moving forwards, I am moving backwards. Even if the step forwards is only small, it is still a step forwards. If I let go of that opportunity each day to grow then I am not allowing myself to be the best person I can be when I live my last day. I don’t want that to be the case for me.

So based on accountability I am admitting that I didn’t spend the time I have been normally really seeking what God is telling me or talking to me about, and that is no ones fault but my own.

Monday February 4th

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9 NIV)

Am I really a peacemaker? I imagine a peacemaker as someone who will do whatever is necessary to allow peace to come through a situation. I know there have been times when I really don’t do that, I can stir the stress or frustration rather than allowing peace to flood the situation. The Bible tells us that when the Holy Spirit enters our lives we become more and more like Jesus with His help. This is an area I really need to hand over to God more and allow His peace to really flow through me.

Tuesday February 5th

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28 NIV)

We are all one. We should all be loving each other as brother and sister. There is so much division that is seen within the church these days, so much pointing with “you believe this and thats wrong”. This gets back to the heart of it all. We all trust and know that Jesus is the Son of God and therefore that makes us all one and all brothers and sisters. It’s got nothing to do with the politics behind it. I need to remember this and not allow the enemy to niggle this when a Church may do something differently to how I am used to. We are all called equal and to love each other, its up to God to convict where He wants to convict, not me.

Wednesday February 6th

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NIV)

This has been repeated quite commonly since starting these verses, and it is a principle which is found a lot in the Bible I need to remember to put myself in to the other person’s shoes and then treat them as I would like to be treated. I find I can get upset by someone who I has felt has been a little unfair or not treated me quite rightly, I don’t want to be the cause of someone else feeling I have treated them in that manner.

Thursday February 7th

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV)

This version of this verse is so short and yet powerful. I wanted to make sure that I was interpreting it correctly and went to look at the AMP version.

For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul). (1 Corinthians 4:20 AMP)

This backs up what felt God was saying. It’s not just about what is spoken about and the Kingdom of God isn’t something which is just a fairy story which is talked of. It is shown through action, action which speaks of God and it is something which is truly real and can be seen at work through the actions of others.

Friday February 8th

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15 NIV)

I am called to have a heart of compassion for people. To meet people where they are at. If someone is rejoicing and is excited about something then I need to meet them on that level and rejoice and be excited with them. When someone is going through a hard time and is upset about something then I am called to meet them on that level. That is what I feel compassion is about. It’s not pitying or being jealous because someone else has what I want, it is truly being there to celebrate or cry with another. To let them know I am there for them and can love on them where they are at.

Saturday February 9th

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20 NIV)

This is a very suitable verse for today, having been at a conference around many wise people. It is so true that who I surround myself with and let enter into my mind is what I get out and reproduce in my life. I need to really work on filling my life with people who are godly and wise and filling my mind with the Word of God and good books which help me grow. If I am to be a better version of myself today than I was yesterday this is something I really need to adopt.

Sunday February 10th

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Hebrews 6:11, 12 NIV)

I can’t get discouraged and lazy in following what God has called me for, if I truly desire change and growth, I need to persist constantly.

That is my week in the Word, as it’s probably easy to see, I really didn’t spend the needed time each day with God. In allowing myself to get distracted I haven’t fully gotten what I feel I normally would have gotten out of this time. I am just thankful that I have a forgiving Father and that this next week is a new week and a new opportunity to put my priorities in focus again. Just re-enforcing that it is a process that continually takes place not a project with a finish date of “Ah-huh and now I have become perfect in this area, onto the next!”

a.m.
xx

32 Weeks

32 Weeks + 6 Days

How far along? 32 Weeks and 6 Days
Total weight gain: I haven’t weighed myself this week in amongst being so busy so I am not exactly sure. I would guess I haven’t put on that much since last week, I hope?
Maternity clothes? I am still thankful that I fit into clothes I fitted into before I was pregnant, although I am glad to be able to fit into them once baby is born without a massive bump!
Stretch marks?I have started back using the pregnancy skin stick from the Body Shop that I had been using and it seems my belly has been sucking it up, so it must be keeping the stretch marks at bay!
Sleep: It hasn’t been too bad, I think my body is getting used to sleeping on my side. Sleeping in the heat the last few days has been quite challenging, but that is the blessing of being at home and not working, I can nap in the afternoon or during the day, which is amazing!
Best moment this week: I have really enjoyed being able to spend time with Mum and Dad this last week. Sharing our place with them and getting ready for baby. Mum and I spent lots of time getting all the blankets we have been given nice and clean and washing all the little baby clothes. It’s so crazy looking at the little singlets and clothes and knowing that our little baby will fit into them!
Miss Anything? At the moment I am missing the cool weather. I can’t wait for winter!! To sleep under a doona again will be so lovely and snuggly, and even better it will mean we have a little baby to enjoy too.
Movement: I am so enjoying spending time just sitting and watching baby move around inside me. I wonder about what they are doing in there and whether they are having fun and keeping amused. It’s definitely kept me amused during the long days at home.
Food cravings: No cravings :)
Symptoms: Becoming sleepy again like I was in the first trimester, and an ever expanding belly.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope :)
Labor Signs: I am getting the occasional Braxton Hicks still, they aren’t too bad at this stage. It’s starting to get me ready for real contractions I am sure.
Wedding rings on or off? Still on for sure :)
Happy or Moody most of the time: I haven’t been quite as weepy this week as I was last week, which is nice. I never like feeling super emotional so it’s nice to feel a little more normal. I still have moments where it hits me that I am about to become a parent which freaks me out and then I go from being overwhelmed to being super excited, so I guess I am still a little hormonal.
Looking forward to: I am so excited for my Perth Baby Shower this weekend! I know it’s going to be so special and I can’t wait to celebrate this little baby with friends and family over here. So many good things coming up in these next few weeks, which will help keep my mind occupied. We start prenatal classes tomorrow which will be really great and we have our maternity shoot coming up and then a babymoon / birthday weekend away for Rory.

Beautiful little baby clothes!

31 Weeks

31 Weeks 6 days

How far along? 31 Weeks and 6 Days
Total weight gain: 10.5kg
Maternity clothes? Still no “maternity” clothes, just clothes that have good stretch or long singlets seem to be what is best.
Stretch marks?Still none :) I did hear this last week that people can end up with them in the last few days though so will see what happens!
Sleep: Hasn’t been too bad this week. I do still toss and turn a little bit and my hip is getting a bit sore because of the extra weight which is placed on it when lying on my left side only. Even when I wake up in the middle of the night though it’s worth it because I can feel our little baby moving around and amusing themselves and its lovely to feel that.
Best moment this week: This last week I really haven’t done too much. The heat has been really extreme and has left me sitting at home with the fan on me. We did make a trip down to Mandurah which was lovely and great fun to have a swim around in cool water. It’s amazing how much lighter I feel swimming in water than I do walking around. My parents also arrived which is so nice to have them here, and finally show Dad where we are living! I also had a funny moment where I realised my belly is big enough to sit something on it even while I am sitting up straight, I hadn’t realised it had gotten that big! Will have to post a photo next week!
Miss Anything? I am still missing the cool feeling. It’s surprising how doing so little can make me really overheat!
Movement: Still such an active little baby. I heard a few new noises this week and I was a bit worried because they sounded like little bubbles popping in my belly. After some research, I found out its just little baby’s joints making noise as they kick and move about, just like ours do sometimes. It’s really crazy when I think about that, it becomes a lot more real.
Food cravings: Still not really any particular cravings. Because I am at home now I am being careful to not just spend my entire day eating, which can be hard, because at the moment I am feeling hungry all the time!
Symptoms: I am a little more hormonal than normal now, but hey, I think I did pretty well to get this far without being too bad! A belly that moves independently of me is another good symptom. Sometimes I just have to giggle when I can see limbs coming out at different directions and wonder what other people are thinking when they see it!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope :)
Labor Signs: Not anything which is actual labour, hopefully not for another few weeks! I can’t believe that I will be full term in only 5 weeks though! That seems crazy!!!!!
Wedding rings on or off? On :) and still quite comfortably
Happy or Moody most of the time: Still a bit weepy like I was last week, although not as bad as last week. I think I have been resting more this week and listening to my body so maybe the hormonal side isn’t as bad? I am definitely happy though! I can’t wait to meet this little person!
Looking forward to: This next bit of time with Mum and Dad being in Perth. Also finally getting to meet this little baby very soon! It seems crazy that it was almost 30 weeks ago that Rory and I found out we were expecting this little darling, and that now we will be meeting them soon. We finally got our names sorted (don’t ask, they are being kept on the low down until baby is born) and we are so excited to finally know if baby is a boy or a girl!!

In the Word : Week 4

Another week has gone by already, and into February we go. I can’t believe that we have gone through the first month of the year already! Seriously where has that gone? I was looking back at the weeks and I thought “My goodness, I have no idea where the 5 weeks have gone doing these verses”. I am so thankful for the encouragement I have received already and for what God has been doing through this both in me and what He is allowing to happen for others. He truly is such a faithful God. You may notice a few of the Amplified version verses in here. I am really loving them and the depth they can add to a verse, and how God can use those to really deepen my understanding of what He is wanting to teach me. I never really used to read Amplified and only recently have looked at them, but how God has used this version so much already to open my mind and teach me.

Monday January 28th

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. (Psalms 105:1 NLT)

We are meant to shine for God. We aren’t meant to hide away and just keep it to ourselves. It’s something He wants us to show the world. Am I really shining enough for God at the moment so that the world would know what He has done for me? He really does deserve great thanks and proclamation!

Joyce Meyer hit it on the head today. I am always a person who likes to plan and see where my future is going, and I can often get unsettled by a change in plans (for example getting pregnant about 2 years before planning to). What she talked about today was that we need to be people who make plans, yes, but if God changes them or does something different, to be ok with that as well. I think I have really struggled with this fine line. I wonder “well whats the point in making plans then if they could all just fall through” but it’s the balance between being productive and not just sitting around and doing nothing and being open to, “yes I may have made plans but if God has changed them it must be for something far greater than I could have planned alone.”

Tuesday January 29th

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

This is pretty cool. As a little girl I always wanted to be a princess, here God is reminding me that I am part of royalty. His family. I am a special possession of His. One that He treasures. This also gives me responsibility to sing His praises and again be a light for Him, because I no longer am in darkness, why would I try and hide the light that I live in now?

Wednesday January 30th

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. (Proverbs 28:6 NLT)

I was actually just having a discussion about money today. This is such a good reminder to not let money rule us. I believe it is ok to have money and for God to use that money for blessing in others lives, this is just the reminder that I can’t let money be the controlling factor. It also shows the importance of honesty. In all areas. I can’t be honest in most areas and neglect one area of our lives. I must be honest in all.

Today Joyce talked about blessing those who have done wrong by you, a verse I have always struggled with. The way she tackled it though and the discernment she brought to the verse was something I had never considered.

When you forgive, it opens a door for God to heal you, but honestly, it doesn’t do much for the person who offended you. But when you bless them, you ask God to bring truth to them so they can repent and experience the real freedom He provides. Forgiveness sets you free…blessing your enemies sets them free.

Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. (Romans 12:14 AMP)

I never really understood why God would call us to bless the people who have hurt us. I guess I always thought it was for our own good and healing of our hearts and probably some of it is. This makes so much sense to me though that it would give the opportunity to set them free too. Who knows what other people feel when they have wronged me, they may be unaware or feel totally guilty. Either way its incredible what God can do to release someone or convict and teach someone through us just blessing them.

Thursday January 31st

Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. (Psalms 63:3, 4 NLT)

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:3, 4 NIV)

Both of the wording of these verses is so beautiful. I love the image of lips glorifying God and I love the image of unfailing love. So often can we be failed by other people, even when they do love us. That is human nature. I love that God’s love is unfailing. This is conviction for me also. Just the other day in the couples devotional bible we read about different areas of prayer and what parts we can neglect and what parts we can often fall into. For me, I know I don’t praise or thank enough. I often have found myself praying desperately asking for something to work and then when it does happen or come through, I forget to endlessly thank Him for that, I take the blessing for granted. I feel this is a real area I need to train myself in almost. To notice the small things God has blessed me with and be thankful for every small thing as well as the larger things and truly have my lips glorify Him.

Friday February 1st

But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. (Galatians 5:16, 17 AMP)

I really feel reminded that it is important to follow what the Holy Spirit is telling me, and to seek God on all decisions so He is the one that is guiding me. Especially when it comes to this little baby. So often my own human flesh desires are the ones that come through and if I am to grow and deepen and develop I need to rely more on the Holy Spirit and on God than what I have been. It’s a good reminder also that it’s ok if I sometimes stumble, as there is a constant battle taking place.

Joyce Meyer’s devotional couldn’t have fit in better with this daily reading if they had tried. I am really loving when God does this, I read one thing and get a sense of direction from it and then it is completely backed up by a separate source. He is so good in all that He does to speak to me and comfort me.

As our Lord, we can trust Him to lead us down the right path every day.

Psalm 48:14 says that God will be our guide even unto death! How wonderful to know that we have a guide to get us from one destination in life to the next.

The verse today for the parenting devotion :

But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation. But if [the whole] were all a single organ, where would the body be? (1 Corinthians 12:18, 19 AMP)

This is so funny that this has come up, as Rory and I were just discussing spiritual gifts and how he is gifted in having complete unwavering faith in God. I really struggle with that area and like to be able to see the path planned out or the idea ahead and struggle to let go completely to just allow God to do what He needs to do, I know that sounds ridiculous. Anyway God showed me the other day that because Rory is strong in that I can trust if Rory says it’s going to be ok that it will be, because he has such incredible faith in that area. Its great to be reminded and encouraged that everyone has different strengths and that God created us especially that way. I am thankful that God has blessed me with Rory, to help me in an area I have always struggled or been weak in. I really want to undertake the questionnaire now to see where my strengths lie.

Saturday February 2nd

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40 NIV)

Again it comes back to the ” if you believe” we have to have trust and faith in God, and know that what He is saying is truth. This could almost be something that Jesus is saying directly to me. I can so easily question what God is saying or doing, even after having had such clear revelation. It’s like Jesus is reminding me, if you believe Anna then you will see. I need to really practice more in my faith and trust, rather than needing to see everything first. If I believe first, THEN I will see.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5, 6 NIV)

This verse tied in with the parenting devotion and I love that if we lack wisdom, which I so often do, I can come to God and He will give me His wisdom. This doesn’t just apply for parenting, but also in relationships and normal day to day life. I need to practice asking for God’s wisdom more and having less of my own wisdom.

Sunday February 3rd

Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually! [Earnestly] remember the marvelous deeds which He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered [as in Egypt], (1 Chronicles 16:11, 12 AMP)

This is another great verse, if anything that is really happening from reading all these verses, it’s my love for the Word is growing deeper and deeper. There are so many fabulous verses that can be found in the Bible. It’s like a book full of inspirational and encouraging quotes. I need to continue to seek God’s strength, not my own. I am reminded as I write this of the verse which tells us that when we are weak that is when God can be strongest. Sometimes my own strength is not what is required, it is God’s strength. How incredible it would be to be in God’s presence constantly. I have this capability, yet I don’t take advantage of that. It still is something which I have taken for granted. I wonder how differently I would have lived if to be in God’s presence I had to sacrifice animals and make sure I was ceremonially clean. It’s incredible how easily I can let ‘life’ get in the way of time with God. I had this discussion with my good friend Kat the other day. We both have times where we just are so at awe and amazed at what God is saying to us and teaching us and we are in the Word each day and so enthusiastic, and then somewhere along the line ‘life’ drops in and we feel like we don’t have as much time for this or that so we will skimp here and there, and the next thing we know we wonder where our time with God has gone and when we get back into the Word, we wonder why we had stopped as much. It’s definitely something so easy to take for granted and I feel that is why God is saying here to remind ourselves of all He has done, keep it in front of me, don’t let me forget it, because in remembering what He has done and answered, it helps to encourage me continue to set that time aside for Him.

Another fabulous week in the Word! I can’t believe that 5 weeks have gone already! I get the feeling that this year, along with much growth, will pass way too quickly for my liking.

a.m.

xx

30 Weeks

30 Weeks and 7 days. ( I saw this type of photo on Pinterest and really wanted to recreate something similar)

How far along? 30 Weeks and 7 Days ( I am being sneaky again after a fabulous date night with Rory last night)
Total weight gain: 10.5kg
Maternity clothes? Because I am not working anymore I am just lounging around in anything that fits and is cool, so not technically in maternity clothes.
Stretch marks?Nope nope :) Rory assures me that there aren’t any in places I can’t see anymore either too!
Sleep: Have been sleeping pretty well recently. I toss and turn a little bit at night to get comfortable but its not too bad, and there isn’t too much longer until I can sleep on my back again!
Best moment this week: Probably one of the best moments was our midwives appointment where we got told baby is head down, and in the best position they can be for labour. Made me so happy as I had been concerned with my scoliosis they may not have been able to get into that position easily. We also had a fabulous Australia Day weekend spent with incredible friends doing a massive Lord of the Rings extended versions marathon. It was a solid 14 hours of film time, and we had so much fun getting through that. Rory and I also shared a lovely date night down at the beach enjoying some fish and chips, I seriously appreciate our time together so much and really enjoy having fun and giggles with my best friend.
Miss Anything? I’m missing feeling cool at the moment, its been so so hot in Perth and staying cool has been a little bit of a feat with a portable heater in my stomach!
Movement: So much beautiful movement. We can feel little feet and hands now which is incredible. Its so much fun to watch the movement through my belly, it’s a crazy view for sure.
Food cravings: Not really any particular cravings which is fabulous! It was definitely an interesting feeling being a bit of a slave to cravings so it’s nice to eat what I want to eat, and not just what my stomach will allow.
Symptoms: A massive belly now. I get comments from people when I go out that I must be about to be ready to go into labour, and I have found myself just agreeing with them now as it’s easier than saying I have two months left and seeing their reaction and surprise. I also have a great waddle, which Rory finds endless amusement in. I’m so blessed to have such an incredible husband who enjoys all the aspects of me being pregnant.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope :)
Labor Signs: I have had some good braxton hicks, but not as many as I used to when I was still working so that’s nice.
Wedding rings on or off? On, they will never come off haha!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Oh man, I have been dreading this question. I am happy inside but still pretty weepy for no real reason (thanks hormones). It’s only hormones that I can put it down to really, as one moment I can be so happy and then the next moment having a sob about nothing, it must be pretty funny to watch really.
Looking forward to: I am looking forward to my parents coming over next week and getting to spend more time with them, and show Dad our house. I also have my Baby Shower in Perth coming up which I am so excited about! There is so much to look forward to!

I love you so much already dear child.