If it was just the cold it wouldn’t be so bad but at about the same time I started getting a sharp strong pain on my ribs on the left side. The result is that I can’t sit down unless I’m leaning backwards and the worst of all, I couldn’t sleep on my sides. Right or left. Sleeping on my back is not advisable especially at this point in the pregnancy and it certainly isn’t comfortable. Worst bit even? Asthma came back and together with the blocked nose the result is I can’t sleep on my back! So I couldn’t sleep! I got to the point of desperation!

Fortunately the asthma eased and the pain in the ribs decreased so I can now sleep on my right side for short periods. But I still have a blocked nose and a pounding headache. But much better than before

My bump has dropped considerably (might have helped with the ribs) but it’s still growing and Tubbs is certainly still moving a lot. I think more than ever. And it’s really funny how she responds to external stimulation

One thing that I’ve noticed is that whenever Russ puts his hand on my bump she calms down. Guess who will be putting her to sleep?

Anyway I have been reading lots about babies and found some books that are a bit more real and prepare you for what can go wrong even with breast feeding. Until now the picture was painted as a perfect one. It is slightly concerning but I think I prefer to be prepared for it than to be caught off guard and feel like a failure or like I’m not a good mother.

I’m also getting quite impacient! I can’t wait to see what she looks like and to be able to hold her. I mean she is inside me but I can’t touch her.

I already packed my hospital bag (I like to be prepared) and realised that she has loads of clothes but only up to 3 months. Nothing above that! We are going to have to do some shopping. We have almost everything else. All we need is some sheets and  a mobile for the cot, some towels, a thermometer and a couple of toys she can look at and touch.

34 weeks tomorrow

Well we have been on holiday and very busy with setting up the business and looking for houses. All still in the process of being done.

The holidays in Portugal were great although I did confirm that flying doesn’t agree with me both mentally and physically. My legs looked like tree trunks!

In the 10 day I was away my bump got a lot bigger (no doubt it also has to do with the fact that we get fed till we drop of culinary goodness)

I realise a couple of things:

- I can’t sleep without my maternity pillow! Terrible nights I had with lots of back pain.

- I only have 4 tops left that actually cover my bump

- I now have to tie my trainers sideways cos I can’t reach them by leaning forward.

- It is also very difficult to lean or reach things that are close to the floor.

- I will have to ask Russ to cut my toe nails at some point which will be interesting (I can’t stand anyone touching them)

- My feet and ankles are not skinny any more

- And…

I felt the baby move!!! What an amazing feeling! I can feel it more when I’m lying on by back and it protests when it gets to tight in  there.

I can’t wait ’till Russ is able to feel it too

In the mean time people gave us clothes for the baby to had to what we already bought and Tubbs now has more clothes than me

It was also nice to talk to my mum. I asked her if her bump was big as I have noticed mine is quite big comparing to some other pregnant women. She told me she was thinner than me when she was pregnant and had a huge bump. Even the doctor was wondering if there were twins. Of course I was 8.5 pounds when I was born which might have something to do with it as well.

Tomorrow starts my 20th week (half way through, Woo-hoo!) and I have an appointment with the doctor and an anomaly scan on Thursday. I can’t help but feeling nervous because they are going to check for anomalies but I also can’t way to see Tubbs again

Now that I had an expert in babies next to me I could finally know what to buy. And I bought, and bought, and bought. Grobag, body suits, sleeping suits, bibes. They are so small and cute! And I didn’t spend that much. I think I have ore than enough now for the baby’s first few day. Of course I will shop much more but I will wait for the January sales

I the mean time Russ was left in charge to meet someone who works at the OU and had a travel system to sell. It was a great one as it also included the car seat. New its costs close to £400. The person was selling it for £90. It was a bit used of course but after a good cleaning it looks perfect! It has all the accessories like feet warmer, rain cover, sun cover and it’s a lovely navy blue colour.

When Russ joined me in Derby on Friday he even had another surprise for me. One of his colleagues had given him a travel cot, same colour and everything. We are all kitted up!

Now the only problem is where to put all thins. we definitely need a bigger house. It’s All cramped up in one corner of the living room and together with all the toys his colleague gave us it means we can’t reach the dining table. Lol. I think we’ll be playing with the toys later

Just looking at the clothes left me worried. There were all these different sizes like 0-3 months, small baby, tiny baby and I realised I have no idea what to buy for the new born. I don’t know how big they are, what they need, how many they need

Not to mention the chairs and trolleys. There are so many sizes and shapes it will be very confusing to choose one. Never been around babies in my life so I don’t have a clue about them.

I’m going to need the help of more experienced people. Luckily Russ’s family is full of experienced mums 

So I bought some comfy pregnancy jeans and some tops. Even Russ said today looking at my tummy that I can’t hide it anymore

Sleeping has become a lot more difficult though. I keep waking up to go to the toilet and then I can’t go back to sleep. It’s also becoming more tricky to find comfortable positions to sleep.Last night I had to sleep with a pillow between my legs but even like that is gets difficult. So now we are hunting for pregnancy pillows. There are so many! Russ wakes up because of me moving around and the pillows are so big he is saying he might have to sleep in the sofa

In the mean time we got the blood test results back from the hospital and it seems like the baby is in very low risk of having Down’s syndrome. That was good to know .We have a midwife appointment on Tuesday and she’ll be taking some more blood out for further tests like spina bifida. It’s always a bit nerve recking thinking of everything that might go wrong but positive thinking!