Wow, my first pregnancy..what an amazing emotional rollercoaster! Hi, my name is Mandy, i'm 23 & my partner's name is Garry, he is 24. We are totally estatic & really looking forward to meeting our precious little one in May 2008. The due date seems so far away but the weeks are going so fast!! So far, i have had a healthy pregnancy with morning sickness being the only downside.

Best Wishes to all the other mum to be's & those TTC!!

Thursday, 20 Dec

I was a little concerned about the size of my little bump but my midwife told me to enjoy it because the baby is fine. I started to take pics at 14weeks, there was no noticeable change before that.

Friday, 28 Dec

Had an ultrasound today & they confirmed that i am actually 18weeks (not 19weeks like we first thought). It was also very clear that it's a boy. He is healthy & very active, we were totally amazed while watching him. We also got a cute hand gesture from him.

Wednesday, 9 Jan

Well, the little guy is constantly on the move. I first started to feel the flutters at around 16 weeks but now he's training for gear changing in Daddys race car! Its amazing how long i can sit & watch the movements for & still react at each one like its the first. Its the most awesome feeling!!

Thursday, 21 Feb

How exciting! Im now counting down from 100 days. Everything is going really well, except i have been tired alot (again) & getting the odd headache every so often. I've put it down to the weather over the last few weeks, I hate the heat!! I have my 28 week check-up along with the glucose test on the 11th March & then my hospital visits become every 3rd week...I cant believe how quick its all happening. Baby's room is almost fully prepared & the Baby Shower is planned for the 6th April.

Thursday, 27 March

Ok, so its been over 4 weeks since I updated..(wow...it REALLY doesnt seem that long ago)!! I had my glucose test & bloodwork done with no issues. My next appointment is next Tuesday, which is just a routine checkup. We have the baby shower in 2 weeks, have booked the ante-natal class for the 19th April & I'm starting my maternity leave on the 5th May! It's definately all becoming very real now. He is always moving around & I can now almost distinguish between his head & bum or hands & feet which is very cool!

Thursday, 03 April

Today I had an ultrasound to check the little man's progress. He is in the breech position at the moment but im not concerned right now as he has plenty of time to turn. It took a while to get a good profile pic as he was rubbing his eye, sucking his hand, touching his nose then scratching his forehead...lol, it was so cute! We managed to get one just as he moved his hand away before putting both hands back over his face :) The best part about the U/S was - the sonographer confirmed that everything is looking great, he isn't gonna be a 'monster size' baby & he still is a 'he'.

Wednesday, 23 April

I am 34weeks & 4days today. Went to my ante-natal checkup today & the midwife checked his position to try & find out what was where.....She said he is head down & becoming engaged in a good spot!!

Thursday, 08 May

Almost 37weeks now. I had my last blood tests done on Tuesday before my ante-natal checkup. Bub is head down still but is pretty comfy in an almost posterior position at the moment (he only needs to do a 1/4 turn before birth). Everything is going well, strong heartbeat & constant movements :)

Sunday, 25 May

YAY!!!!!!! Less than 1week to go! It's an excellent feeling knowing that as I'm now almost always uncomfortable & irritable. I am no doubt scared of the whole labour/birth ahead of me but totally excited about finally meeting our little boy.

Saturday, 07 June

Well, I am now a week overdue & have been booked in to be induced on Monday 9th June @ 4pm unless I go into labour before then. I had a doctors appointment on Thursday & was 1.5cm dilated, then yesterday morning I had a small amount of show. I haven't felt much more than usual Braxton Hicks or the slight quick twinge here & there. Not long now!! Hopefully everything goes well.

Thursday, 10 July

I haven't updated in a while but I'm confused as to why I don't seem to have any spare time because he sleeps so much! For those small 4-5 hours out of a full day that he is actually awake, I am busy with him...then I spend the other 20 hours waiting for him to wake up..lol.

First night home from hospital was terrible! We woke in the early hours of the morning for a feed & found my breasts had become so engorged there was no possible way for him to latch on..I was in tears & trying not to scream, it was SO PAINFUL!! I managed to express enough for him to settle for a little while but we had to buy some formula so he could have a good feed. I refused to give him a pacifier so I had to comfort & soothe him...I felt as though I was going to lose it over those couple of hours! I really did not want to give him formula but it was out of my hands at that point in time. I had a lactation consultant visit me that morning & after doing everything she suggested, I was expressing up to 100ml the next day almost painlessly!! :-) Now, we are breastfeeding with no issues at all. I also express milk for top-ups & when we go out or for when Garry is watching him while I run errans. It would of been so easy to give up breastfeeding right then & also give in to a pacifier but I'm so glad I didn't.

Then he started having bad wind at 1week..absolute nightmare watching him cry in pain. I started to give him Infacol at each feed & he was sounding like a grown man when he burped (within seconds of finishing a feed)..there was no more crying & he settled into deep sleep within minutes.

He had his 4week checkup today & is now 57cm long & weighs 4380g. I am so amazed by him..EVERYDAY. He has started smiling & cooing which is so cute. It really is so rewarding to know he is happy & healthy. I can't even imagine myself without him now.