Top 4 of my most read & loved posts.

Just a re-share of all of my most popular and most read posts!

Busy Bag Ideas



If you need some busy bag swap ideas, I quickly did a little post for future reference and it's my most loved post! At almost six thousand views!

Baby Tiley - 8 Weeks.



One of my very first posts is one of my most loved! What a flashback!

Baby Tiley - 37 Weeks.



Another Baby Tiley post, just a week before the little man arrived! Plus, my final birth plan.

Eczema & Hazelwood



One of my favourite posts too, the amazing transformation of my son when he wore hazelwood to cure his eczema.


Thank you for reading!!

Baby Tiley - 38 Weeks

Baby Tiley This Week:
I think every site I look up to find Baby Tiley's around about weight and height tells me different measurements. The majority of websites say around 7 pounds and alot of them state that boys will tend to weigh more then girls! My own guess, if his born this week, he will be around 7.5 pounds. I think he will be about 8.3 pounds by the time 40 weeks come around.
They are also saying that he would be anywhere between 19-21 inches now (48-53 centimeters)... yep, the websites seem to have no idea now, it's all at a guess! My guess is he will be around 50 centimeters when his born.
Tiley would have lost most, if not all, of the vernix and is now starting to shed the lanugo, the fine hair that's been covering his skin.

Tiley's Movements:
I've been nick naming Tiley 'flop' this week because he has been flopping to the one side. If I'm laying down I have to sometimes move him to the middle so I can get up, which absolutely kills my pelvis. It's quite hilarious though looking at my bump all to one side.
Tiley's been getting into my ribs SO much. He really likes to kick his leg through them and often when I'm laying down I can see his foot protruding out!

Being 38 Weeks:
Well, It's NOVEMBER!! Due month has arrived and I'm still pregnant! I actually can't believe I'm still here! I start drafting these posts a few days before I publish them so I was a bit reluctant to start this one, just in case I would be waisting my time.. apparently not!
I know every pregnant person wishes they would go early, but with all the contractions and going into early labour two weeks ago now, AND being told that it will be a few days to a week, almost two weeks ago, I was dead-set baby would be out by now. Every Saturday that passes (If you remember our 'Saturday theory', if not, take a peak at Week 23) I'm on high alert... 'ohhh was that a contraction'.. 'what was that?'................... Hopefully this Saturday ;).
All in all, this week has been fairly good actually, besides being slower, fatter and dopier (lots of baby brain moments!!) I'm not in as much pain as I have been, or I've learnt to handle the pain better, either way, I've enjoyed being pregnant most of the time this week.

Weight Gain:
Do I go there? Ekk, okay. I've avoided writing about my weight gain since I was probably three/four months pregnant because I put way too much on. I have put more on then I hoped, I think I hoped for about 10 kilo's and I've put on 14-15 kilo's depending on the day. I'm pretty happy with that though. So I'm actually at the same weight I was at 32 weeks, so no weight gain for the last 6 weeks but I figure I put so much on mid pregnancy to make up for it ;).

Reminiscing:
As my pregnancy ALMOST (hopefully!!) at an end I've been dying to mimic one of my friend's blog posts. Check it out here Young Mum's Guide To Survival - The A-Z of my first pregnancy.

Here's my A-Z of my first pregnancy:

A is for Achne! Oh lord, mid pregnancy I seemed to get alot on my back!
B is for Bones! My bones have been SOO achy at the end of this pregnancy.
C is for Cervix! My cervix has bled alot during this pregnancy.
D is for 'Do's & Dont's'! Everyone tells you what you can and can't do!
E is for Eat! I had terrible morning sickness at the start so I would eat alot.
F is for Friday's! Working while pregnant, I could not wait for Fridays!
G is for Ginormous! Enough said. I am huge!
H is for Husband! I don't think I've ever been so in love with him!
I is for Indigestion! I have had terrible indigestion at the end.
J is for Jydan! The name we have picked for our son!
K is for Kick! My favourite moments are seeing the kicks on the scans.
L is for Life! Can you believe I'm actually making a life?? Seriously?!
M is for Marks! I have got so many stretch marks!
N is for Nesting! I never realised how disgustingly dirty my house is!
O is for Obstetrician! I've seen one for about 10 minutes this whole time!
P is for Pressure! My blood pressure has been a concerning this pregnancy.
Q is for Quickening! The first movements felt, I was around 13 weeks!
R is for Relaxin! The terrible hormone causing my pelvic pain.
S is for Sleep! I cannot sleep at all!
T is for Trimester! Passing the first trimester was amazing!
U is for Ultrasound! At 6, 10, 11, 20, 21, 29 & 36 weeks!
V is for Vulnerable! Be careful, hormonal woman on the loose!
W is for Waddle! I've only just started to waddle in the last few weeks.
X is for Xander! Xander is the name Tim wanted to call our little boy.
Y is for Yawn! I am ALWAYS yawning (I even yawned writing this!!)
Z is for Zoo! I've loved preparing our zoo (safari) themed nursery!

Symptoms This Week:
-Fatigue
-Breast Pain
-Insomnia
-Heart Burn
-Swelling
-Headaches
-Baby Brain
-Lower Back Pain

Labour Signs:
-1.5 Centimeters dilated (1/2 a centimeter this week!).
-Contractions.
-Lower Back Pain.

Contractions:
Thursday night/Friday morning I experienced another 'false labour'. These contractions lasted from about 8:00pm the Thursday night till 3:00am the Friday morning.
At the start they started of mild, just like a stitch. I didn't time them because they weren't really painful yet. By 11:00pm they had got worse so I thought that I should try and sleep them off before they get too bad. But then came my first painful, painful contraction. So I went to bed, but definitely couldn't sleep.
The contractions were about four-five minutes apart at this stage. Even in my false labours my contractions come quite frequent so I wasn't fussed with them being so close together. At about 12:00am I yelled out to Tim, who was still awake in the lounge, to come rub my back and hold me. He held and rubbed me and was so patient with me for another hour (see, i'm just training him for the real labour ;) ). These contractions between this time were the most painful one's I have felt yet. Tim then put the hospital bags in the car and waited for me to give him the 'okay' to call the hospital. I timed my contractions and they were now lasting about a minute and about two minutes between. To everyone else, contractions this close would be a big warning sign, but my false contractions come hard and fast. I was though, beginning to not cope with the pain. I said that we will go to the hospital in about an hour, that was around 1:30am... but, by the time 2:00am hit, they started dying down, becoming less painful and spreading out. I think my last one was near 3:00am and that was it. So here I am again, still pregnant and no baby. Everything had stopped AGAIN! :(.
I still get 3-4 a day, mostly in a row 10 or so minutes apart and then they stop. I'm beginning to think I'll never know what true labour is because of my contractions!

Midwives Appointment:
Tim was able to attend this appointment again, which was good :).
The midwife we got was the one that dealt with my contractions at the hospital last week so it was good that she knew what was going on with my early labour. Even though I find her rude.
Bubby was measuring a week and half ahead, which is still in the normal range but because last appointment he was measuring a week behind, it means that there was a 6 & half week size difference in just 4 weeks. They discussed about sending me for a scan because of the huge difference but they chose not to in the end.
The midwife also said that she thought she could feel more of his spine too, so his trying to turn out of the posterior position, hopefully!
His heart beat was between 130-150bpm (the average fetal bpm around this gestation is 120-160bpm)  so perfect, he gets complimented on how great his heartbeat is and how happy and healthy he is all the time, I love it! It makes me so proud.
My blood pressure was okayish, at 132/84, it seems to be climbing up again.. ho hum... so we will just see! But it is 'fine' for now.

Progressive Shoot:

We did another progress picture on the weekend, my last of these photos during the pregnancy, we have one more to go in 6 weeks time with baby! Check out the different seasons during my pregnancy too, it's been such lovely weather lately making some gorgeous sunny photos!

Baby Tiley - 37 Weeks

Baby Tiley This Week:
Well I am officially 'full term', and have 22 days to go. I've made it! I can't believe it that I've made it through this week and my dear little boy will be at least born safely and at full term!
We had ANOTHER scan of baby Tiley and his decided that he would be in the posterior position, so his back is on my back. I didn't think much of it until I researched it... and holy moley I hope he turns. Apparently it can make labor alot worse, alot of back contractions, longer labor, stop and start labor (which I'm experiencing), water breaking early... so lets hope he does flip! His been moving so much lately so I think his trying!
Baby would be around 6 and half pounds according to the average fetal size, which is about 3 kilos (so we have a couple of 00000 outfits just incase he comes this week). His a bit over 19 inches now too, about 50 centimeters. Wowee.. his soo big now! His head diameter is about 9 centimeters too.
His shredding his waxy substance now, the vernix, although there will be some traces at birth most will disappear.

Tiley's Movements:

Wow, last night little Mr was right into my ribs, he would kick a foot right out into them and leave his foot in them for a while until he decided he had enough of hurting his mummy. We were laying in bed so I told Tim to feel his little foot, hopefully giving him an idea of what I complain about all too often. He was amazed. Tiley's foot was pushing his hand out through my ribs, he was giving my ribs a good whack.
When bub has the hiccups now they are big hiccups, before it was that I could just feel them in the inside of my belly, now my whole stomach jumps! It's amusing to look at ;).
Okay, so his movements are really starting to hurt now... but I can guarantee I will miss it!
Like I said above, Tiley has been moving so much lately. He is going absalutely crazy!

My Bump This Week:
I decided (don't know why??) to share a 'bare bump' photo this week, after all, this is all part of my journey... I didn't think I would rip so much, and I don't know how much my stomach can take! Here's my very ripped bare baby bump.

Yes, they can be as painful as they look. When they come I can feel a sting and my skin rip. It's a real unusual feeling, and I definitely don't like it. I guess I will keep you updated with the fading process after baby is born.

Symptoms This Week:
-Pelvic Pain
-Fatigue
-Sore Muscles
-Nesting.
-More Frequent Urination.
-Painful Legs.
-Nausea

Labour Signs:
-Contractions
-Cramps.
-'False' Labour.
-One centimeter dilated.
-Lost the 'plug'. (I think??)

Contractions:
I am still getting at least 3-4 contractions a day. After Friday/Saturday I had quite a few more contractions on Sunday night/Monday morning for about 6 hours at about 10 minutes apart. I've experienced some today at 20 minutes apart, and still, I'm not in labor. Waiting, waiting, waiting. I am only impatient now because on Friday the doctor said that it might take a few days or a week. So now I'm waiting for my time.

Finalising The Hospital Bag:
The hospital bag is completely finalised and finished now, I am ready!!

The Hospital Tour:
Well, I didn't end up going to the hospital tour because I had my own little tour throughout the week (if you missed it, read HERE)

The Final Birth Plan:
After our taste of labor my birth plan has changed/gone!! There's somethings that I still want to keep, but everything else I will just 'go with the flow' and see what happens.

Support People:
My husband, Tim, and my mother, Kelly, will be my support people during all stages of labour. Other support people will be visiting during the first and second stages of labour.

 Communication:
I would like to be told what is happening, how far I am dilating, if the baby is crowning, if there is any complications and anything else at all times.

Delivery:
Tim would like to watch the baby being delivered, from the crowing to the full delivery of the baby. Kelly will be by my side during delivery.
Tim will be cutting the baby’s umbilical cord.

Contact:
I would like to hold the baby as soon as possible after delivery.
Tim would like to hold the baby after the baby is cleaned.
I would like skin-to-skin contact and to attempt feeding after the baby is cleaned.

 Visitors:
Our family members will be allowed back after the baby and I are cleaned, and the baby is fed. This could possibly be a couple hours after birth.
A photographer, Tanya, will be arriving to take photo’s of the baby as soon after the birth and depending on her availability. We will let staff members know.
All other visitors will not be welcome to at least 24 hours after the birth.
 If I change my mind regarding visitors I hope that it could be respected.

Dummy:
I do not want a dummy offered to the baby.

Injections:
I would like the baby to have the vitamin K and Hepatitis B injections

C-Section:

 Although I prefer a natural labour I would like the decision for a c-section made as soon as it’s needed. Please do not wait for improvements in the baby or my labour to determine an emergency c-sections but rather take immediate action.

 I would like my husband, Timothy with myself in the theatre room.
I would like an epidural.

Three Weeks 'Till Baby Is Due.

Baby Tiley - Pre-Term Labor.

An extra post this week, but wanted to share with all of my lovely readers (just incase I don't make it to my next post either ;) )

Pre-Term Labor:
Well... Friday afternoon about 2:00pm I found a few blood spots. I decided to take a nap and see if anything else came of it. At about 5:30pm I found more blood so called the hospital who said to come in to get checked out. After I got off the phone, about 10 minutes later, I started getting some cramps so I called my mum to take me to the hospital incase Tim was late home from work.
Tim ended up coming home about 30mins later so I got my mum to meet us at the hospital.
When I arrived at the hospital, it turned out my 'cramps' were actually early contractions and coming about every 15 minutes, they found that the bleeding was from my cervix thinning, which is fine, but there was quite a bit of blood. I was also one centimeter dilated. I was in very early labor.
Because I was only 36 weeks, they wanted me to stay (where they would normally send someone in so early labor back home). I was moved into a maternity room to watch my contraction progress.
My husband and mum stayed for awhile but weren't aloud to stay the night.
At about 12am, now Saturday early morning, the contractions went to about every 5 minutes and was starting to get fairly painful and consistent. I had two panadol's. They were still consistent at 1:30am, so I was moved to a delivery room on the labor ward. I texted my mum for her to come back, and she arrived about 2:30am.
We turned off the lights and tried to rest with my contractions still consistently 4-5 minutes apart. I couldn't sleep at all, and the midwife continued to offer me sleeping tablets (triazepam). At 6am I finally said yes to the sleeping tablets to try and get some rest, but that was unfortunately terrible timing because just after I had the sleeping tablets, by about 10 minutes, my contractions got bad.. very quickly. They became every 2 minutes apart and VERY painful.
We were convinced that it was time to call everyone that it was a go-ahead now. I got a catheter put in my hand ready for some anti-biotics because labor was well and truely established. I told my husband to come back in, by sending him one word text messages.. I was in so much pain, that's all I had the energy to do. I told him to call the family members too. He arrived about 7.15am.
After about two hours of these contractions I had two panadeine forte. I had actually asked for more panadol and the doctor insisted I take panadeine forte instead, because he believed the contractions were about to get much worse.
I had another physical check at around 8.30am.... and was still only one centimeter dilated. I was not dilating.
My dad had now arrived, because my husband had called him earlier. Now, apart from my contractions, I was just not progressing, so they were going to send me back to my original maternity room.
After the midwife returned I asked her if I could just finish up at home. If I was still only one centimeter it's going to take a LONG time and I could get some sleep at home. The doctors didn't want me to go, but the midwife asked for me and they decided to let me go home.
At home they were still painful but started dulling down about 12:00pm, so I went to sleep. When I woke at about 1:00pm I had about 6 or 7 continues sharp contractions and that was it, so I went back to sleep about 2:00pm. I woke again at 4:30pm feeling incredibly sick... realising I hadn't eating ALL day. Contractions had become very mild too... almost at no pain but my stomach was still tightening. Some leaving a sting. After eating (and deciding it was time to finalise my hospital bag) my contractions had finally completely stopped at around 8pm. So that was it... everything had finished... I am still pregnant, baby is still happy inside my belly but we are almost certain he will come before his due! A doctor even said it could take a few days or a week.

If you don't see any regular post's for a while, here's why!

Dad's Thoughts

From Daddy

Well we are getting quite close now to meeting our little fellow. I'm so excited and can't wait to meet him. I think we have everything organised for him. As you would see from earlier posts by my wonderful wife. He has some of the cutest little outfits, one of the coolest nurseries I've ever seen, some pretty cool toys, an awesome pram and car seat that work together and lots of modern cloth nappies, there is so much stuff that we have gotten for him either ourselves or from family and friends that has helped us out, we are so thankful for all the gifts we have received from family and friends.

I'm pretty sure that I'm ready to be a dad. Not that there is a test to take that tells you whether or not you should be a parent. Although I did come across this today and had a chuckle about it: Think You Are Ready To Have Children?  as much as a lot of this may be true the sheer joy and unconditional love a child gives their parents will outweigh any of the negative aspects of being a parent. Spending time together and watching our child grow is going to be some of the best moments in our life and I can't wait.

Baby Tiley - 36 Weeks.

Tiley This Week:
Baby is gaining around about 28-30 grams a day now and weighing in at around 6 pounds (2.7 kilos)! His grown another centimeter too, 48 centimeters / 19 inches. I can really feel his length now because my insides and lungs feel SO squashed. I can't wait to see how he actually measures compared to the stats!
Tiley's fat layers are starting to build now and his starting to look like a chubby, rolly little newborn. He may even be forming his little dimples on his face, knees and elbows, how cute!
By now, many of baby's systems are pretty mature and just about ready for outside life like his blood circulation and immune system. His lungs and digestive system still need to be perfected. In fact, his digestive system wont fully mature until after birth!
Monday marked exactly one more month to go!! One month 'till the 22nd of November when baby is due. OH.MY.GOODNESS! Today marks 29 days to go :).

Tiley's Movements/Routine:
Lately Tiley has been moving alot more. His been really active and seems to be awake much more then usual. He is probably awake around three times during the night now, where before I would never wake to his movements. His awake till about 10-11pmish, then again around 3am and then again around 6am. If this is his newborn routine, I can deal with that.
I've felt Tileys hiccups this week more then I have the whole pregnancy, I think before this week I only felt them about twice or three times, and this week I've felt them about four or five times!
During Week 34 I wrote about how Tiley found my very uncomfortable left side... and yet again he has. Although he mostly kicks on the right side or the middle he seems to go into my left ribs every couple of days, If I place my hand on my rib I can feel him pounding it, I can feel his foot pushing into them.. His so strong!

Naming Ceremony:

The hall we are wanting to
book for the naming ceremony!

I have started organising baby boys naming ceremony which is still months away and will be on the 23rd of March. Tiley will be around 4 months!

A naming ceremony is a non-religious celebration of the arrival of a new child. An alternative to a dedication or christening. It is a way of welcoming the child and officially introducing him/her to family and friends.
During the ceremony, important mentors for the baby/child are introduced. Poems, readings, speech's, wishes for the baby, gifts from the parents are presented, signing of a certificate and anything else symbolic that you choose to do. Basically you can do whatever you would like to represent the beginning of your child's life.
Naming ceremonies are often held by a celebrant but as they have no legal status or anything we are going to run the ceremony ourselves with family.

Symptoms This Week:
-Heartburn.
-Pelvic Pain
-Fatigue
-Mild Back Pain
-Insomnia
-Increase In Allergies
-Out of breath.
This week 'pregnancy' has really hit my body. I'm not 'over the pregnancy' but I have struggled to be comfortable this week. At times I feel incredibly weak physically because I can't bend properly or move quick enough. I'm quick to get frustrated at myself and I'm always asking Tim if it's frustrating that he has to help me out all the time... yes ladies, his always quick to say 'not at all' ;).
I am really thankful for my husband, his always quick to help me out. Pregnancy is really a team effort thing!
Besides that though, this week has been another incredible learning experience :).

Labour Signs:
-Sharp Pains 'Down There'.
-More Painful Braxton Hicks.
-Baby More Active.
-Stomach's Changed Shape.
Still could mean that labour is 4 weeks away, or I may even go over but I thought I would start documenting my labour signs!

Breast Feeding Class:
Monday we went to a breast feeding class at the hospital I'm going to give birth at. It was much more informative and helpful then I expected. Tim came along with me too. At the start there was only one other male (we thought Tim would be the only one, so that was good) and then another male came late. It was great to see the males supporting there partners! Tim probably felt awkward at the start but afterwards when we spoke and debriefed about the things we had learnt it sounds like he really took alot in. We not only just learnt about everything breastfeeding, like how to position the baby, how the baby should suckle, how often around about baby should feed but also what and what not to feed/ give to drink baby when his a little older, and about baby's teeth when his older.
Everyone that were there, but two people, were due in November as well. There was one lady due on the 7th of November and then the next due was ME!! There was the 24th, 26th, 27th and 29th (Friends of ours), so we were all due around the same time.
While we were there I booked into do a tour around the birthing unit for next Tuesday.

Packing My Hospital Bag:
It's official, the hospital bags are 'almost' all packed and ready to go. I am finally parting with my dressing gown for a few weeks!! I'm waiting on the baby's first outfit to come in the mail and then it can be officially organised! There are the last minute things to do, like charge my camera and put it in my hand bag ready to go along with my birth plan, phone charger and other last minute things.
Inside the bags:
I've put a 00000 and a 000 suit just encase, two outfit's in 0000, two wondersuits in 0000... singlets (3), socks (2), bodysuits (2), beanie (1), mittens (1) and booties (1).
Nappies (20), wipes, apricot oil, bags for soiled nappy's, photo shoot items, face washers.
Two tracksuit outfits, underwear, two packets of maternity pads, breast pads, toilet paper, ural, lanosah, jumper, dressing gown, slippers, thongs, shampoo, conditioner, comb, toothpaste, toothbrush, plastic bags, moisturiser, winter socks (3), Nighty and a hot water bottle.

The Capsule:
The capsule is now in the car and ready to take the baby home! Probably a little early but we are just so excited and it's one thing we could tick off our to-do list. Yeeyy!!

The Nappy Stash:
Our Newborn & Small MCN stash is complete now, all washed and ready! And all ready for someones cute hieny! We have a few OSFM (one size fits most) too...

One & half weeks 'till we do our next progressive shoot!

Baby Tiley- 35 Weeks

Tiley This Week:
Baby is weighing in at about 5 & 1/2 pounds now and boy can I feel it! I don't know how I'm going to cope with another two pounds (hopefully!!) on top of that! But then again, two weeks ago he was supposedly only 4 & 1/2 pounds and it doesn't feel all that much different. Tiley has grown another centimeter this week, and will continue to grow a centimeter each week until around 38 weeks until he stops completely while in my tummy!
Baby is beginning to co-ordinate his reflexes now, his always accomplishing something each week.
For some reason I have been really looking forward to making it to 35 weeks, I couldn't wait to make it, and to be able to say only five weeks to go. Tuesday marked me being 8 months pregnant! Woohoo! Today marks 36 days left till my due date! woohoo!

Hospital Appointment:
Last friday I had the hospital appointment to check my blood pressure again. It was 145/75 which they said is fine because the most concerning number is the bottom number, and 75 is perfect. The top number is an indication of stress, and not a major concern, and the bottom number doesn't tend to go up too much at all with stress. The second number, the diastolic number is under 90 at the moment so it's not a concern.
I spoke about my concerns with feeling faint, dizzy, blurred vision and bad headaches which I have been feeling for a few weeks and have let them know about with the last three appointments. It seemed they finally listened and tried to figure out what was causing these symptoms. So the lady then again took my blood pressure but with me standing up! My blood pressure dropped to 100/65! Because of the huge changes in my blood pressure when I stand up I'm getting all these symptoms, and the 'bad headaches' are actually migraines.
I was just told to take my time getting up, sit down when I feel like I'm going to faint and take some panadol.
Because my blood pressure isn't a concern for now, my next appointment was made for when I am 37 weeks.

Symptoms This Week:
-Pelvic Pain
The pelvic pain, although it is terribly painful, I'm getting quite use to. Besides, nowadays, if I feel I'm in too much pain to do something, I can just say no and rest at home, so it's not overly terrible.
-Blood Nose
This week I was blessed with my second blood nose (not!), with these migraines and blood noses I feel like everything in my head is going to burst!
-Insomnia
My lack of sleep has actually improved this week. I'm only waking up twice through the night for bathroom/drink/quick eze trips and the first time I can easily get back to sleep.. I can deal with that ;).
-Heart Burn
My heartburn has increased this week, is there a limit to how many quick eze you can have a day???
-Migraines
My major symptom this week has been the migraines. This I think is all to do with my blood pressure going so high and then dropping so low as I mentioned above. I had never had a migraine before and just thought I was getting 'bad headaches'.. yep, very bad headaches!
-Swelling

My SUPER swollen feet!

>>> Check out my swollen feet! There not always like this, by the end of the day they are swollen but not this bad, but with my extreme business, this is what they looked like by the end of last week. They think they are pregnant too!
-Faint
So this is to do with my blood pressure getting so low too. A rest stop normally fixes this but has the tendency to make for some very embarrassing situations. During our maternity shoot I had to ask if I could sit and rest for a moment.

Amber Jewellery:
So I've just bought an amber anklet for Tiley, and wanted to share some information about them, if you know much or not much about them, they are so interesting! They have been increasingly popular over the last year or so and are suppose to be a relief for the pain associated with teething. If it does or doesn't work for our baby, I think it's worth trying.
The amber anklet I bought is made of raw baltic amber which comes from tree raisin that grew in the forests of the baltic region, especially Europe, millions and millions of years ago. It's said to be extraordinary amber. This particular amber is still sold in pharmacies and health shops in the baltic region, especially in Germany where their herbal remedies, natural therapies and medications are more advanced then Australia - I even take a German herbal iron liquid - so, so far it is not on the Therapeutic Goods Australia register.
Amber is thought to work by realising natural oils through the skin into the blood stream. Baltic amber contains about 8 % succinic acid, also known as the spirit of amber or amber acid, which is thought to be a natural antibiotic.
The raw amber is unpolished amber that has not gone through chemical shaping and cleaning so they have more natural oils.

Maternity Shoot:
Saturday was a pretty fun day, the morning started off with getting my makeup and hair done, all organised by our maternity photographer and we had our maternity shoot by TK's Photography. Here is a sneak peak image of our shoot.

I'm so happy with Tanya's work. I had major doubts about getting these photos done, from my pregnancy weight gain, to me carrying so low, but I thought with how much of a treasure and miracle it is to be here right now, the unknown if there will be number 2, and being our first, I knew one day I would look back at them and be thankful I got them done. But, with Tanya's amazing work I'm looking at this photo NOW and so thankful I got them done. Definitely much better then I thought they would turn out, my doubts of myself seem so silly now! So definitely check out her website,  http://www.tksphotography.com.au/.
I can't wait to share more images with you but I believe that will be in a few weeks time. Thankyou Tanya!
Tanya from TK's photography will also be doing fresh newborn photo's of little Tiley!

Masquerade Party:

Last Wednesday was my lovely friends 25th birthday and she had a masquerade! It was a fantastic night and my word, did her venue make some delicious mocktails! I thought I would share because I had spoken about getting a mask and dress organised in a previous blog post that you can see HERE. Not quite like the masks I shared but I suppose it was similar to the first mask on the previous blog post. Still gorgeous. My darling hubby bought me the gorgeous mask to wear so I didn't have to make one in the end :)


5 more days 'till out breastfeeding class!

Baby Tiley- 34 Weeks.

Baby Tiley:
I just can't believe how big our little boy is now, his not that far off being a newborn heigh. He would be about 46cm from head to toe now (based on if he is 51cm at birth). That's only 3cm smaller then how big I was when I was born! No wonder his stretching out a lot - I'm sure his so squished now!

His also about 2.4 kilos now / 5.2 pounds. I'm secretly hoping that he will only put on another 2 & 1/2 pounds, around about. But I don't mind :D.

Tiley's working on his muscle development this week, and will be turning his head from side to side, opening and closing his eyes and moving those gorgeous little muscles.

My Bump This Week:

Tiley's Movements:

Tiley often has his legs up towards the right. I especially only feel him get into my right rib but a couple of days this week I felt him all in my left side. For some reason too, the left rib kicks hurt alot more then the right ones! He seems to have settled back into his usual position now, he must prefer his legs and being flipped onto the right side, thank goodness - I know I certainly prefer him being on my right. Before he was too squished and would flip and rotate alot I seemed to have never liked him being into my left side, it was always so painful and uncomfortable, I wondered if it was anything to do with the way the curve in my spine went.

Tiley had some massive work-out days this week, I don't think he slept for about 30 hours! Or if he did, it was only 5 minute naps! He definitely took all my energy and I was exhausted because I couldn't get to sleep at all! He does this around once a month or so and goes absolutely nuts for a couple of days straight -  and then so quite, that he has a lack of movements! Last time it happened, at 30 weeks, it made me quite concerned even though it has been happening throughout the whole pregnancy and I went to the hospital for lack of fetal movement, all was okay of course :). Although he would go very quite he would also stick to his routine of most movements around 6 am and then 8 pm. My guess is his going to be a very routine baby... gee! I know so much about one little tiny tummy baby.

High Blood Pressure:
I mentioned a few weeks ago about my pre-eclampsia scare (you can read a little about it HERE) and then my blood pressure dropping back down and all being okay the next week (Which you can read more about it HERE)
Well, here's an update;

I have been keeping a very close eye on it, and checking on it about every two days. If it's high I keep checking it until it goes down and even give the hospital a call if I feel it's too high. It goes up really high each week and then goes back down again - it's so unsteady!

Monday it had gone up again so although I have just had a midwives appointment last Friday I am booked in again this Friday. I feel that weekly appointments are more fitting for my situation as along with the blood pressure there is protein and SOMETIMES (It does go away too!) sudden swelling. If my blood pressure was high all the time I would be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, but it seems I am only pre-eclamptic a couple of days out of the week... my body can amaze me by making my beautiful boy and then frustrate me for not doing it perfectly!

Symptom's This Week:
-Heartburn
-Increase In Allergy's
-Pelvic Pain
-Insomnia

All in all, I do not feel ' 34 weeks pregnant'... I feel great! Possibly only 24 weeks pregnant. I feel I can do this pregnancy thing for more then the next 6 weeks (but baby WILL be coming on time!!!). I often get the comments now of 'oh you must be over it', 'oh I bet you can't wait until it's over'.. but i'm not.. Am I normal?

Realising I've ONLY got six weeks to go, I'm really making the most of it. Videoing every circus act Tiley does, taking many bump pictures, showing off my bump with tight clothing, spending quality time just rubbing and 'ahhing' over my belly and his movements and doing double takes of every time I look in the mirror with my belly exposed. I'm not ready to give up being pregnant yet.. I'm secretly hoping the next 6 weeks don't go too fast  (Possibly coming from the unknown fact if we can have #2) but on the same hand I am more then ready and mentally prepared and excited for this baby to come!

Midwives Appointment:
Tim actually got to go to this appointment which is the first midwives appointment his been to, besides our scare at 11 Weeks and all our scans but none of the midwives or doctors appointment. It was amazing to see him involved. He loved hearing bubbys heartbeat because our home Doppler doesn't pick it up as loud and strong.
My fundal height is measuring a week smaller, I can't keep up with this fundal height business! but that's still pretty perfect :).
Other then that, we chatted about what to be on the look out with regarding pre-eclampsia and what to pack in my hospital bag.

Does anyone know what pres.part & station means??

Itti Bitti Modern Cloth Nappy Review:
So I HAVEN'T tried these cloth nappies on bub yet, obviously. We've washed them a couple of times with Tri Nature Washing Powder snapped and folded them all up and they are ready to go. Tim and I sat for a couple of hours feeling, snapping and chatting about our favourite nappy's, which ones we do and don't like and our favourites were definitely the Itti Bitti's. We've bought many brands so we can see what we like best, what suits baby's bum and what we will continue buying. Just a reminder, we have not used them on baby yet - this review is just based on thickness/thinness, drying time, waterproofness, matching boosters/inserts and size. I will do another review when baby actually wears them, and we will see if our favourites or thoughts change.

Itti Bitti's come in so many gorgeous colours and patterns. They also have sales on so often. Itti Bitti comes in three different styles, the Itti Bitti D'lish (sized nappy's), which also come in Snap-In-One's or All-In-One's, the Itti Bitti Tutto's (One-size-fits-most) and the Itti Bitti Boo's (Night Nappy's). We have the the Itti Bitti D'lish's, and the Itti Bitti Tutto's.

Itti Bitti D'lish Snap In One's (These are our favourites):

• They are very quick drying, the quickest of all the nappies we have.
• You can use the nappy as a shell/cover without the boosters for other nappy's that are not waterproof.
• You can 'snap in' the boosters for a complete nappy.
• If only the boosters are wet, you can just replace the boosters, snap in new boosters without changing the nappy.
• You do not have to unsnap to wash, they can be washed all together!

Itti Bitti All In One's:

• These are so easy and convenient, they come with everything inside and sown into the nappy.
• You don't need to worry about finding the correct boosters or anything, they are all-in-one!

Itti Bitti Tutto's:

• These are One-Size-Fit's-Most and go from size's small to extra-large which are bigger then the d'lish comes in.
• These can last forever!
• These work just like the Snap In One's that we love!
• They come with three different boosters that snap in. You can use all three for night-time or choose whatever boosters best fit your baby's wetting and pooing habbits.
• Tutto's come with hip snaps to avoid fabric rubbing on baby's hips.

3 days till my maternity shoot!!

P.S I have been working on my blog.. is it looking better?

Baby Tiley- 33 Weeks.

Tiley This Week:
Bubby boy is about 4.4 pounds now (2 kilograms).
Tiley's skeleton is hardening now. His bones have been hardening for the last 5 weeks or so which probably explains my cravings for milk the last few weeks! Except the bones in his skull which aren't fused together and will now remain slightly overlapped (until baby is a few weeks old, and they wont completely fuse together until young adulthood) to make it easier for baby to get through the birth canel. Tiley's lungs are starting to mature and his practicing breathing in amniotic fluid in the womb (and peeing it out!).

Symptoms This Week:
Indigestion:
My acid reflux this week is more indigestion then heartburn. Burp Burp Burp, I feel like I'm always burping! How embarrassing.
Nesting:
I realised that I've been nesting for a while... stocking up nesting. Apparently nesting doesn't just refer to the irresistible urge to clean everything in sight but stocking up on food and supplies. Our shopping cost has been huge lately and hubby suggested that maybe were preparing for when baby comes.. and it's true! When I researched nesting it came up that, that was a form of nesting too! But now the cleaning nesting bug has hit...I can honestly say, the half of the house that I've so far worked on has never been so clean! Scrubbing, Jiffing, Windexing, Sugar Soaping, Disinfecting and Bleaching... They are my new friends at the moment ;). I think hubby's even gone into sympathy nesting mode because he sugar soaped the bathroom too! haha.
Aching Bones:
This symptom has been lingering for a while but I've definitely felt it more since nesting! My bones are on extreme aching mode and I don't just woddle I do a kinds I do a woddle limp by the end of the day. A warm shower at the end of the day often fixes this or makes it at least so much better.
Braxton Hicks:
I've had quite a few braxton hicks contractions this week, they don't bother me at all and only very rarely are they are uncomfortable... never painful for me. Sometimes annoying when I'm trying to do something and the tightness stops me but other then that, a symptom I don't really mind :). I seem to have a automatic reaction to rub my tummy when I get a contraction. I'm sure in true labour I wont want to be touching my tummy at all!!
Low Iron:
After my 26 week blood tests I got told that my iron was low. I started taking an iron liquid that really helped, helped so much that I stopped taking it after about a month - silly move! My iron has now dropped again so I'm back on the iron liquid. I do however highly recommend the iron liquid I'm on. It's called floradix and everyone who takes it highly recommends it too.

Tiley's Movements/Routine:
Tiley doesn't kick much at all anymore.. I don't think I've felt a BIG kick for about two weeks. His just running out of room now but he still moves around alot. His famous move is sticking a leg out and leaving it for a few seconds and then putting it back into position. Like a big long stretch :).
His still has his same routine, moves around in the morning the most around 6:00am and sometimes on and off until around 9am! It's been nice while on maternity leave to soak up his morning movements without being busy and rushing off to work. His also still active in the evening too after about 8pm. I love it when his active then too because I get to share it with Tim after he finishes work :).
I felt the hiccups for only the second time on Monday :). During the day he will do little moves and turns, but nothing too big in fact his quite inactive, even when his having his active times during the day his not overly active.

Those Who Have Felt Bubby Move:
I looked after a gorgeous little boy on Thursday night and he got to feel baby move, so here is our updated, and very exclusive list:

Tim (Daddy) 10th of June.. 16 weeks & 3 days.
Jyle (Uncle Jyle) Jarrett (Pop) Jordan (Uncle Jordan) 17th of June.. 17 weeks & 3 days.
Graham (Poppy Cocks) Pam 23rd of June.. 18 weeks & 2 days.
Kelly (Nanny) 26th of June.. 18 weeks & 5 days.
Bradon 27th of September... 32 weeks.

Tiley's Bed's Ready:






Tiley's bedding is all washed and his bed is made up in our room. Such a wonderful thing to look at next to our bed every morning and night. We often get an 'awwww' moment when going to bed just staring where bubby will sleep.





The Nursery:
To see the progress of our nursery look HERE (Week 20) & HERE (Week 23).
The only thing that's left to get is a nappy stacker :)




The cot!! (and the bouncer)

Tiley's first Teddy's that match his room
and cot bedding that his daddy bought
him.

The green bins for his dirty nappies
for mummy to get to and wash and
another bin for his toys.

Bubby's drawers.

Inside the cane baskets.



Tiley's clothes so far, inside the drawers and inside his
closet.... (lots on the way too)



Progress Of The Hospital Bag:
Well, the baby bag is almost done! He has his visitor outfit, going home outfit, a spare outfit, a 000 outfit, gro-suits, body suits, singlets, mittens, socks & beanies. Blanket, apricot oil and face washers for burp cloths.
Were still waiting on his first outfit (I received it but they sent a 000 instead of a 0000), newborn booties, more gro-suits, the rest of his going home outfit & his photo shoot cocoon.
Out of my bag... well... all that's packed is maternity pads, nipple pads, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, soap & bed socks. I haven't packed anything else because I don't know if I could part with my dressing gown, slippers and clothes for the next seven weeks... I think I'll pack the rest of my bag with only a month to go.

Seven Weeks Till Baby's Due!!

Baby Tiley- Week 32

Tiley This Week:
Tiley would weigh in around 4 pounds (1.8kilo's) now, give or take around half a pound. He weighs around half of what he will at birth. Hopefully he actually weighs over half, were hoping for a 7 pound 9ish baby :).
Tiley's also around 43 cm now and I just can't imagine him that tall. I still often reminsce on the days where his whole body was the size of my finger nail!
Tiley's producing more fat in his skin this week and his skin is starting to look more like a newborn!
Some babies have a head of hair all ready, some don't - I wonder if Tiley will or not? His daddy was completely bald and has bets that Tiley will be too. We so can't wait to see!

The Progressive Shoot:
Well.. we did do the shoot this week but while hubby was taking the photos my camera died so we had use my phone... but it meant that the photos weren't exactly the same as the other shoots (you can see the progress shoot's here (week 26) ) So this is Take One of the 31 week shoot which were not using as the progressive pictures. We will do another shoot this week to get the exact angles, heights ect and use them... Here's a picture anyway because I promised them :)

Pregnancy Symptoms:
Pelvic Pain:
It's fair to say that I did not expect this pain! I've been shocked with a lot of things this pregnancy but the pain from my pelvis.. wow. That's not fun. Tiley's head has been down since 29 weeks (I've also heard that first baby's engage alot sooner) so that would be why I have pelvic pain early... but goooddness me. I'm not impressed at all. So, It's official. The pregnancy woddle has begun! I'm also sitting like a man - legs apart and am sooo slow when I walk. I cherish everything about my pregnancy, I really love every moment but it would be an extra bonus if this pain disappeared all together ;).
Leg Cramps:
The first time I got a leg cramp during pregnancy was at 20 weeks and I haven't had one since, but I had one again this week. I'm quite surprised, I expected them more often. I think because I've been getting hubby to massage my legs and I always have a warm shower before bed it's been helping with the circulation in my legs. Hopefully no more for a while!!
Heartburn:
The heartburn is still lingering around and it's starting to get to the stage where NOTHING helps but avoid every food on the planet. The biggest thing that gives me heartburn is water.. water?? Apparently it's not, it just sti's up your stomach acids. Lovely!
Nose Bleeds:
This is a new one, as of today I have caught the pregnancy blood nose. I have noticed in the last week that my veins are so visable now and I've been given some varicose veins on my legs (so pretty, huh). The increase of blood flow has made my legs feel so heavy and now it's too much pressure for my little nose.

This week has been a great week though, one of my easiest weeks so far, I've loved every moment of it, I've had some great happy hormones to go with it too. All these symptoms are for the greater good of my baby, which make them so worth it :)

Washing Tiley's Clothes:

Since we now have everything ready for baby and are officially COMPLETELY ORGANISED with everything. Clothes. Nappies. Blankets. Towels. Bathing Equipment. Toys.. - it was time to start washing all of his clothes and everything else.
I think it will take the next 8 weeks to actually get through it all!... but maybe it's because I'm super picky on washing everything. I always wash whites and colours separate, but with Tiley's clothes I've put each load on TWO gentle cycles, except for his towels and blankets I put on two heavy cycles. I've been so picky about what to wash with what too - First load, whites. Second, reds, Third, light colours, Fourth, dark colours, Fifth wool. I'm either being very careful about dye in clothes running and trying not to ruin his new clothes.. or I've started nesting :S. And wow, how many body suits does this bubba need?! I still don't think he has enough clothes, in fact Tim & I went out and bought another outfit on Monday and suspect that we will keep doing so until this little man starts paying for his own clothes, hehe.

Preparing To Leave Work:
One more day left... tomorrow is my last day! woohoo!.. I'm so glad to leave but I'm dreading tomorrow, how will I say goodbye to everyone? Last week was my last work meeting and I received these super cute gifts! A gorgeous bunch of flowers, a card everyone signed, hand made beanie, bib and mittens set and a cute teddy!.. naww.

The Nursery:
The nursery is finally finished!! and it looks so gorgeous! You will have to wait till next week for some pictures because as you know were in the middle of washing all of baby's clothes, so they're in Tiley's cot in piles of sizes to sort out. So I will share some photos when the room is all tidy of tiny clothes :)

Two weeks till my maternity shoot.