Bun in the Oven - Part Trois

Previous photos can be seen here.

 and what I looked like at 5 weeks! (OMG I was skinny!):

Bonding with Bubs - Week 28

Size: approximately 38cm and weighing around 1kg.

What's Pecan Up To: getting fat! About time too seeing as this Mama is putting on weight like there's no tomorrow; fingernails are appearing and Pecan can now turn his/her head towards light.

Symptoms: another leg cramp so I don't think they're going to be one off's (BOO!); I think I may be having the start of Braxton Hicks but not really sure it's just like uncomfortable period pain and has only happened once so far.

Cravings: Fruit juice, strawberries

Keep that away from me: chicken

Weight: Still sitting around the 80kg mark

 

Feelings: Excited, it's finally 3rd trimester WOO HOO! Also today I had a completely unknown little toddler grab hold of my leg like a koala to help him get off the ground - I can't wait until our own little koala enters the world.

Random: I failed the first glucose test :( it was the week of honey sandwhiches which didn't help but I was exactly on the border which pissed me off. So this meant I had to do the full on glucose test. They said to fast from 10pm but seriously who eats at 10pm so I wound up fasting from 7.30pm - first lot of blood taken at 8.30am (along with sugar drink sucked down) then next lot at 9.30am and then at around 10am I felt like fainting and apparently turned really white. Luckily Mum had offered to come with me and she and the nurses got me on a LazyBoy (those things are so ugly but so damn comfortable!) for the last 30mins before my final bloods were taken. I also forgot to mention that the first lot of bloods the nurse (who did it because the student didn't feel confident) couldn't get at my vein until the 3rd go :( So now I look like a junkie but at least that's proof I needed the Friday off work. Now to wait for the results and cross fingers and toes that it doesn't come back positive for Gestational Diabetes!

Saturday Sunshine and Laughs

Saturday was dedicated to picnics, baking, sunshine and laughs with a little bit of 'must-do' food shopping thrown into the mix as well as a short dog walk (gotta get my steps up for the Global Corporate Challenge as this is our beat your personal best weekend!).

After finishing our food shop I hurriedly started to bake using a yummy sounding recipe I found via: Chocolatesuze (anything with super easy in the title is a winner for me and I'll be posting the recipe on my food blog). Plus they were CHEESE muffins and because Hubby hates cheese I never get a chance to really cook with it :( Luckily my uni girlfriends love cheese and they were a big hit (although would have tasted better hot out of the oven slathered with butter!). We gorged ourselves on home made treats with yummy Old English scones, delicious mini-quiches (probably not on the list of recommended eating for pregnant people but YUMMO) and the most amazing macaroons (we were telling my buddy she should try out for MasterChef her baking skills are amazing and I know she and my scone making friend are both Baking Whizzes who would love nothing better than to open a little shop).

I ate too much and I think Pecan was battling my food baby because I didn't feel too good after that, probably not the best thing to do (gorge on food) after fasting on Friday for the second glucose test (more on that in my later Bonding with Bubs post). It was funny because I kept doing pathetic yoga poses trying to get comfortable but nothing other than walking/rocking worked (thanks basketball belly) but at least I look pregnant and not like some crazy person...

So after we'd gossiped and stuffed our faces full of food we all trundled back to my friend's house and then made our ways back home. I think I collapsed on the couch for all of 5 minutes before taking the dog for a walk. I figured I needed it after all that food but I was still so uncomfortable that it was only a short walk (which was annoying and not conducive to an increased step count, fingers crossed for a big hike today).

Then after feeling sorry for myself and lazing about on the couch Hubby and I went to see Josh Thomas' new show 'Everything Ever'. Now, I'm not a fan of the Australian 'game-show' like show he's a part of on TV (Talkin' About Your Generation) but I do like his sense of humour. After seeing Dylan Moran live last month and being slightly disappointed I didn't go in with high hopes for Josh but I was laughing the entire time! I don't know if it's because he's in my age demographic or because he's a dinky di Australian (or just because he was poking fun at his life so much) but I really enjoyed the show. The Q & A bit at the end was stupid (too many idiot young people trying to be funny and asking Harry Potter questions!) but I can see that it would have worked in other situations. I definitely recommend going to see him if you ever get the chance but be prepared for a very politically incorrect show. As we were driving home I told Hubby we'd have to go again next time he's in town but that we'd need a babysitter...Hubby said it was crazy how we were now having to think of things like that and it really is but in a super awesome way :)

Miss Abigail!

A huge congratulations to Sammie at Marriage Motherhood And... on the birth of her gorgeous daughter!

Yay for cute newborn baby photos that make me want to melt!

You know you're pregnant when...

• You try to zip up a jumper which fit two days ago and is now incredibly tight!
• You can't stop eating and even after a big meal you're still hungry (of course this only works if you're not nauseous non-stop).
• You're constantly rubbing your bump, even when it's barely a bump.
• You're greeting everyone with your belly first.
• As soon as you make yourself comfortable someone decides to do karate in your belly.
• You've never seen so much of your belly button!
• Rubbing lotions on your belly becomes second nature.

Just a short one today :) PS: Check out my food blog Tak For Mad if you're stuck for any recipe ideas!

Bonding with Bubs - Week 27

Size: approximately 36.6cm and weighing around 875g.

What's Pecan Up To: kicking/punching/rolling when I'm in bed reading or in the middle of the night or at around 530am (plus throughout the day as well); he/she is opening & closing their eyes and maybe sucking their thumb.

Symptoms: after tempting fate (& saying woohoo not for me everytime I read somewhere about leg cramps) I got my first leg cramp last night, it wasn't too bad though, especially compared to ones I've had before getting pregnant. I still can't push myself too much either and bending down/rolling over is starting to get uncomfortable. I'm also finding that I can't sleep-in anymore which I guess is good for the housework on the weekend (and why I'm writing this post at 720am on a Sunday morning!).

Cravings: FOOD!!! Constantly I'm non-stop hungry even after eating a big meal.

Keep that away from me: nothing really.

Weight: Finally bought a set of scales, I'm 80.3kg *gulp*

 

Feelings: Excited and now eyeing off every other little baby or kid in sight!

Random: off to my Mum's Godson's 3rd birthday today - very excited we haven't seen him or his older brother in awhile and I love the boys to pieces. Plus it means we'll be able to pick up the second-hand pram and car seat.

Cocktails and Holidays

On our Honeymoon

Ok so at the moment they're only in my dreams but with all this Winter weather I am craving a hot escape. I would love to be in some tropical place sipping a cocktail and lounging by the pool. I know everyone wants this when it's Winter (unless you love the cold weather and I used to fall into that category!) but it's hit me like crazy and I guess it's because I'm pregnant and restricted.

I've been dreaming about holidays at the moment and just want to go ahead and book something. But Mum wants to organise a big family holiday next week so I need to wait to find out where/when that is happening. Originally it was going to be Africa but apparently that's too difficult with a baby (I was all raring to go though damn it) and now my little sister and I are pushing for Hawaii...we can dream right? I expect it will wind up being something like Thailand which I would love even though I'm always visiting there.

I know it's crazy to be planning overseas getaways before I've even become a Mum and begun to understand just what that title entails! But I can't help it, I've kind of made a promise to myself (which I've broken this year) that I will always go overseas each year (no matter how short the trip). So next year (no matter what) Hubs, Bubs and I will be jetsetting somewhere!

Introducing Betty

Betty is my beautiful bright red KitchenAid that I got courtesy of my in-laws as a wedding gift. She doesn't get used nearly as much as I should but I'm going to try and change that.

On the weekend we had said in-laws over for afternoon tea and enjoyed a very yummy Donna Hay cake which reminded me of my Mum's Icky Sticky Toffee pudding (well the caramel sauce part at least!).

Caramel & Brown Sugar Sponge Cake

Serves 6-8.

• 2/3 cup plain (all-purpose) flour (sifted 3 times)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Icing

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup whipping/pouring cream

1. For caramel icing, stir the brown sugar into the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, until dissolved. Increase the heat slightly, till it begins to boil, then reduce heat and continue to simmer rapidly, making sure it does not boil over, for 8 minutes, or until the caramel thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. (I cheated and did this step last and then put it in the fridge to 'quickly' cool it, no harm done!)
2. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease an 8 inch springform pan with butter and line the bottom with non-stick baking paper.
3. Sift the flour and baking powder three times in a small bowl. Set aside.
4. Beat the brown sugar and caster sugar with the eggs for 8-10 minutes, until it is thick, pale and tripled in volume.
5. Sift half the flour mixture over the egg mixture and gently fold in. Repeat with the remaining flour.
6. Pour the mixture into the springform pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cake is springy to touch, and comes away from the sides of the pan. Remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool.
7. Spread the cooled caramel icing over the cake to serve.

PS: Remind me next time to take up the pathology lady's very generous offer of a lift home! Even though I live 5 minutes away from where I did the glucose test the rain came pouring down 1 minute in! Fish could now live in my shoes and then once I was almost safe inside the umbrella decided to attack my finger. All in all a fun afternoon.

Bonding with Bubs - Week 26

Size: approximately 35.6cm and weighing more than 760g. (that 100g extra may explain why I've been eating everything in sight)

What's Pecan Up To: making my belly move (except when I choose to try & watch!) and his/her eyes are starting to open.

Symptoms: Not managing long walks just feeling generally gross towards the middle of them and I'm getting to the stage where I can't sleep heaps either.

Cravings: anything and everything including honey sandwhiches.

Keep that away from me: chicken to some extent

Weight: in our rush to get out of Target I forgot to pick up scales *hmpf*

 

Feelings: A bit nervous now, our lives are really going to change at the end of the year but as Hubby said it's for the better. Our pram arrived as well so now the only big ticket items I need are a breast pump and a sling (we're getting a used Baby Bjorn from the SiL but that's not until Christmas time and I think I'll want a sling before then).

Random: I semi-finished my pom-pom mobile, revisiting my wedding planning best friend the hot glue gun. Now we just have to hang it up and hope that it all stays together. At least if anything does break and fall on me or Bubs it will be soft ha-ha. I'll take a photo once it's up.


Today we're off to the Pregnancy, Baby & Children Expo and by we I mean my Mum and I (wish us luck!). After that the in-laws are coming over (they were whinging about not being over in ages and are off to the USA next weekend) so I better get started on that cake and tidying up. For some crazy reason I woke up on a Sunday at 6.30am...I hope I'm this bright and perky when Pecan arrives (pfft as if).

Picnic in the Park

After my first mini-pregnant meltdown because time ran out on Saturday afternoon to do a planned picnic (poor Hubby I blamed him entirely!) We finally got to go out on Sunday, I'd been worried because everyone had been saying the nice weather was only going to last Saturday (therefore the mini-meltdown!) but thankfully Sunday was beautiful as well.

Hubby had gotten fruit the previous day so I made a fruit salad and we each made a sandwhich (me honey, him tuna). I took the yummy marshmallow we'd bought from Rochelle Adonis for dessert and soda water/raspberry & apple cordial. It was so nice to be out in the sun (even if I did almost get hit by a football -woah hello Mama Bear I wanted to kill those boys but I was good and didn't say anything).

I was so glad we got out for our mini-date and we'll definitely be doing it when Pecan makes his/her debut:

Oh and before I forget here's a pretty Saturday dressed up photo and my necklace!

Bonding with Bubs - Week 25

Size: approximately 35cm and weighing more than 660g!

What's Pecan Up To: karate, including kicking Hubby in the back! Apparently responding to light as well.

Symptoms: Dizziness is still sticking around but I managed to do a shopping trip with my little sister and food shop and it didn't kick in!

Cravings: Still citrus fruits and coffee.

Keep that away from me: big meat dishes

Weight: Um...

 

Feelings: Excited, we went to see the midwives and all is good. They'll send me for a free 32 week scan so hopefully my placenta will have played nice and moved by then. The student midwife (not the one we're using she forgot...not a good first impression, damn MiL for suggesting her!) and midwife reckon we're having a girl but that's based on that whole heartbeat thing haha

Random: I finally got noticed as pregnant by a waiter when I was out to lunch with the girls :) Granted it was to warn me not to eat the yummy aoili (I thanked him but still dug in...naughty me!) but that was pretty cool, I look pregnant not fat YIPPEE!

Easy as 1,2,3...

Emmie over at Desert Darling posted her ABCs so I figured I'd follow the trend:

Age: 25, quarter of a century!
Bed size: Queen but after sleeping in a King bed in Melbourne I dream of upgrading.
Chore you hate: Definitely ironing.
Dog: Loki our little fluffy white bitsa.
Essential Part of your Day: a nice hot shower
Favourite condiment: vinegar (I'm slightly insane about it)

Gold or Silver: silver (or white gold)
Height: 176cm

Instruments you play: I used to play the flute and piano but I'm not really musically inclined.
Job Title: Human Resources Officer
Kids: one baking

Lives: In Perth
Mum's Name: Heather

Nickname: Jess

Overnight Hospital Stays: Only once (unless my parents are hiding something from my childhood!)
Pet Peeve: people who are unreliable
Quote from a movie: "go fuck yourself" from the Wolverine cameo in the newest X-Men movie (ok so maybe not terribly appropriate)
Right or Left Handed: right
Siblings: one little sister who I'm finally getting alone with and am super impressed by!
Time you wake up: anywhere from 6.30 onwards
Underwear: maternity wear oh yeah :p
Vegetables you dislike: Squash (I concur!)
What makes you run late: having to wash my hair/not deciding on an outfit ahead of time
X-rays you've had done: lots of dental ones, chest x-ray, leg x-ray
Yummiest food you make: cinnamon tea cake

Zoo Animals: poor things but at least the breeding programs are doing some good!

Spoilt

Hubby is very naughty! I kept teasing him because he bought a vintage leather jacket - wish he would take me vintage shopping! So I kept asking when am I getting my present, only joking of course, I'm not one of those gimme gimme gimme wives.

I was very surprised when I was upstairs getting ready to go shopping with my sister and Hubby asked if I had seen my present. I looked at him like he was crazy, why had he got me a present I didn't deserve it and I told him I wanted him to save his money/spend it on himself. But he pulls out a little box wrapped in christmas paper and I know I'm going to be spoiled. I opened it the wrong way (he purposefully tried to hide the Georg Jensen because he's always buying from there) and was very happy. Apparently I'd pointed it out whilst we were in Sydney and then he'd ordered it all online. My man may be off with the fairies a lot but he is good at remembering the most random things that I point out. It is beautiful and looks like to wings over an egg, the perfect pre-push present (as he lovingly referred to it). Now all I have to do is tell him I'd be quite happy with some sushi as a present once the baby is born! But I'm not complaining, now I just have to figure out what to get him for his 'congratulations you've finally finished uni' present.

Sadly I can't find a photo of it on the website but when I can I'll post a photo.

In other news there was mention of a full-time position becoming available for Hubby at the end of the year. Sure it would screw with our plans for Hubby to have months off with me and Pecan but it would be for the best and he's made sure to let them know that he does want some time off. But still early stages so no cracking open the champagne just yet but it's exactly the direction we were hoping this job would be moving in!