Book vs real life: 26 weeks pregnant
November 23, 2016
The baby is currently having a disco in my tummy. Admittedly I have just eaten a packet of white chocolate buttons, but her reaction seems a little OTT. Maybe she’s going to be a dramatic child. Brilliant.
It’s so weird how we start attributing personalities to our babies before they’re even born. For some reason, I feel like this little girl is going to be thoughtful, and introverted, and kind. Partly because I fear she’s not going to get the chance to speak when her big sister is around… This is making the search for a name increasingly tricky, as I want to call her something strong to counter this fictional temperament I’ve already given her, so anything remotely ‘mimsy’ (one of my favourite words) is out, and I’m on the hunt for a real girl power name. Just not Geri, Mel C or similar. Any ideas, send them my way. I’m struggling…
It has been a really good week, and we had a fab family weekend. If you haven’t been to the Dinosaur Park and Glow Garden in Zabeel Park, do it! Especially if you have a little dino lover. Phoebe walked around in wonderment, saying ‘roar’ to the animatronic T-Rex, then had popcorn for dinner. I’m pretty sure it was the best day of her life. Check out my facebook page for photos and more info.
Energy-wise, I’m feeling pretty good, but I’m looking massive. I keep catching sight of myself in profile and getting a shock. Note to self: don’t wear black leggings and a black T-shirt again – I just look like a fat mime. Emotionally, I’m not such a shambles as last week, though did get a bit tearful at Les Miserables (okay, tears were streaming down my face during ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ and the woman sitting next to me looked really concerned).
On the practical front we’re in organisation mode, and starting to dig out Phoebe’s baby clothes. This poor child is going to be The Hand-me-down Kid. I don’t really need to buy much this time around, thank goodness. But I suspect that won’t stop me. Check out my post on storage for children’s rooms for some ideas on clearing the clutter here.
We’re thinking about taking a babymoon, but I’m in two minds about going away. I’ve heard a few stories recently about women going into labour early and giving birth in pretty inconvenient/desperate situations, so if we do go away, it will likely be UAE-based. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
This week, The Bump tells us what’s happening with baby and body, and I respond with what’s really going on…
The book says…
Baby’s eyes are forming, and the eyes will soon start to open. And eyelashes are now grown too.
I say…
Please let her NOT get my stumpy eyelashes. I keep getting extensions then regretting it a few days later when I pick them off, taking my own lashes with them and looking like I’ve just been born.
The book says…
Baby’s getting his or her immune system ready for life on the outside by soaking up your antibodies. Baby’s taking breaths too-of amniotic fluid, not air. But still, it’s good practice!
I say…
*quickly googles antibodies* SO it seems to I should be eating lots of fruit and veg to give the baby a good chance of being healthy and NOT white chocolate buttons. I’m taking a criminally expensive supplement by New Chapter (seriously, it’s about Dhs280 and seems to last a fortnight…) so that is hopefully making up for my less than perfect diet.
The book says…
The closer you get to your due date, the tougher it might be to get some rest! Swelling. This also might not let up for a while. Headaches, due to hormone fluctuations or stress. Pregnancy brain—is it getting tricky to remember stuff? Braxton Hicks contractions. These are different from labor contractions because they’re irregular and milder. Slightly higher blood pressure. That’s normal at this phase of pregnancy.
I say…
So all good news then… Preggo brain is on another level (but check out my post on the unexpected upside here) and I keep buying Christmas presents and forgetting about them. I’m getting headaches sometimes. No Braxton Hicks yet, though they’re supposed to come earlier with second babies. The weird numb/fuzzy leg continues. I keep forgetting to ask my doctor about it. Hope it doesn’t fall off.
In conclusion…
I think the third trimester starts soon, but until I get to 30 weeks I’ll be in blissful ignorance/denial about another child joining the family. It just doesn’t seem real, and in moments where I’m laden down with bags, trying to hold Phoebe’s hand while getting car keys out, or while wrestling her out of the bath and into pajamas, I can’t imagine how it’s even possible to do all this with a newborn. But people do it, so I’ll just get on with it.
There are, however, a few issues with Phoebe that I want to get under control before the baby arrives, so Super Granny is paying us a visit next week. Sharing is the big one, especially after a mortifying playdate, and I need to cut back on dummy time. And I have no idea about potty training, or how to talk to her about having a little sister. I’ll report back. I’m ever so slightly scared of Super Granny…
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