Category Archives: daily

Comic Relief Was Last Night

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And they raised: £57, 809,938.  It has to be a record.  A small part of that is from Simon and I.

Of course, being pregnant, I was a puddle through most of the show that we watched.  I mean, I usually get sad at the stories of poor babies around the world suffering.  But add in pregnancy?  Total puddle.

Bits of the show were brilliant.  French and Saunders’ send up of Mama Mia was hysterically funny.  Especially if you know that Dawn French auditioned for the roll she lampooned and didn’t get it because they thought she couldn’t sing.  Yeah.  And Pierce Bronson can?!?!?

People can still donate, if they want.  And no, I do not in any way, shape or form work for Comic Relief.  I just think what they do is amazing.  To donate.

On Infections and the Possiblity of PND

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So, woke up this morning.  Had breakfast.  Took a shower.  Threw up.  Went to Doctor.

Being investigated for a possible infection.  Or could be the vomiting bug that’s going around.

She is sending a referral to psych for me, just in case this antenatal depression turns into post natal depression (PND).  Its not guaranteed that it will, but it is, of course, possible.  This way I will be on psych’s radar again and will get treated fairly quickly if it becomes an issue.

She also said ‘it is better to bottle feed and be functioning on drugs than to insist on breast feeding and not functioning at all.’  She has a point.

I really want to breast feed, it is so good for baby and for me.  But if I can’t, I can’t.   I will come to terms with that, sometime in the next 15 weeks.

So I’m off work for at least the next week, until the possibility of infection is cleared up one way or another.  If I do have an infection, then I may be off another week, not because I’ll be contagious, but because I’ll need to take care of myself and the baby.

I’m sure work is thrilled.  I know I would be, if I was them…

I’ve Been Debating About Whether Or Not To Write This

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Since my American family reads my blog, but its too immediate and important to ignore.

Last Saturday night there was a dissident republican attack on a local army based.  Two soldiers were killed, two others and two civilians injured.

Last night a policeman was killed, also by dissident republicans, so far as anyone knows.

Last week, there was a bomb scare at Victoria Square, our newest City Centre shopping center, although, apparently, no bomb.

Its been 10 years. Is it starting again?

No one seems to know for sure. It is obvious they are targeting Military, not civilians.  It is obvious they are trying to piss off the ‘other side’ enough to get them to retaliate.

It is also obvious that this is a small splinter group of the IRA.  Sein Féin has condemned their actions.  Gordon Brown has condemned their actions.  Stormont (our local parliament, run by ‘both sides’) has condemned their actions.

Am I scared? Not really.  Am I sad? Oh hell yes.

I remember Simon and I have a little bit of a rejoice in the middle of the street about 3 years ago when we realized all of the closable gates around City Centre had been removed.

I remember, about a year ago, looking with pleasure at the new park in front of the County Courts building, which replaced the guard house and fence.

I remember, just last week, smiling at a store security guard who actually wished me good morning, as opposed to looking at me suspiciously.

Obviously, I was not here during the Troubles.  They officially ended about 10 years ago, I’ve been here 5.  But I’ve seen the aftermath.  The decade it has taken to get to the point where we can build new shopping centers because new businesses want to move into Belfast.

So, please, if you happen to be one of the people who are part of this splinter group, and you happen to be reading this blog.  Think about what you’re doing.  I’ll quote my husband here who said, “Whether you believe in a united Ireland or not (I don’t), what we have here is a small minority trying to deny the rest of us a chance of living our lives in peace.”

Letter to My Baby – Gestational Age 25 Weeks.

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Dear Baby

Will you look at that…only 15 weeks to go! Practically the 3rd Trimester!

Mummy hasn’t had an easy week again.  One of her friends lost their baby last week.  Their baby was about as far along as you are right now.  Mummy was very sad for her friend and a bit worried.  But then she realized that you have been kicking her like crazy!  And we had two scans last week!

Mummy’s OB (that’s the doctor who specializes in babies, BTW) decided to scan you just for the heck of it during her 24 week appointment last Tuesday.  So I got to see your legs (which look very muscular, OB says that’s normal!) and your hands waving at me!  And your heart beating.

And, speaking of your heart, mummy and daddy got to go have that scanned on Friday.  You see, my darling, because your mummy has diabetes, it can cause your heart to be too large.  So around 24 weeks a specialist (called a foetal cardiologist) does a very close in scan and measurement of your heart.  So daddy and I got to go see your heart and hear it beat and everything. There is also some additional concern with your heart because your Uncle J was born with a hole in his heart the size of a quarter.  But nothing was found in yours! And it measured right on size. 🙂

So, how big are you anyway…well mummy’s book says you weight about 720 g and are about 22.5 cm long.  You can hear what I and your daddy say to you, as well as other sounds from outside mummy’s tummy.  I knew that, because Daddy was watching Matrix the other day and you were kicking like crazy during the fight scenes! Definitely mine and your daddy’s baby!!

Counting down the days, as always my little love.  And buying you some clothes to wear.  And daddy got you your first elephant this week!

25 down…15 to go.

Love

Mummy

Loss

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So one of the women who I have been chatting with on Mumsnet through the Due in June thread had a stillbirth on Friday.  She’d been having some severe pain in her bump for a week or two and the doctors were just calling her a worry wart and neurotic.  My heart is breaking for her and her family.  She was due about a week before I am, so it hit very close to home.

So many people ask me how I can call people I’ve never met my friends.  Well, because I care about them.  I am crying for my friend at Mumsnet.  We’ve spent the last 24ish weeks talking about nausea and heartburn and baby movements.  We’ve discussed furniture and labour and birth plans.  We’ve laughed at each other’s cravings and worried when one of us didn’t post for a few days.  We are friends.  Just much friends as people I actually see every day.

And now my friend is grieving.  And so are all the women who post on the June thread at Mumsnet.

Why Am I Always The Last To Know These Things?

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I mean that US is going to Summer time tonight?  We don’t go there until the end of the month.

I only know because someone one on my Facebook friends feed mentioned it.

So why am I always the last to know about these things?

In other news, went baby clothes shopping today.  Bought some cute stuff, and some practical stuff.  It was fun!  Nothing as adorable as little socks and hand mitts and hats!!!  Just wish I could predict the weather for June.  Impossible to do in this country.

Other than that, just a quiet Saturday with quesadillas for dinner.  And hot chocolate pudding for dessert. 🙂

So Last Night Was A Roaring Success

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Last night was the dinner to celebrate 10 years of NISP, where I work.  I organized a dinner for 53 people, including a speech by  Minister Arlene Foster, who is the Minister for the organization that first funded NISP starting 10 years ago.

A good time was had by all. Even me. Although today I am totally exhausted!!

Also today Simon and I are heading to the hospital to have a detailed scan done of the baby’s heart. Diabetic mummy’s can give their baby’s enlarged hearts, although it is apparently very rare. This is a ‘better safe than sorry scan’ so if there is an issue a neonatal cardiology paediatrician can be there for the birth. How’s the for a specialist in medicine!

So watch this space. Possible more scanned pics (if they give us any) and definitely a report on the baby’s heart coming up!

Letter to My Baby – Gestational Age 24 Weeks

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Dear Baby

Well, mummy scared herself silly this week when she tripped over a curb at City Centre and nearly landed on you.  Her mummy instincts kicked in, though and she twisted to her side, landing on her arm and knee.  I seem to have missed you completely, not even a light bruise, but it was very very scary.

You were pretty much instantly comforting in that you kicked me very hard once I was home and calmed down.  So I knew you were okay.  According to some, you probably enjoyed the ride!!  Don’t get used to it kid!

Daddy and I went and picked out your cot on Saturday, although we haven’t actually bought it yet.  Everyone keeps saying to me, why do you need a cot when you are getting an Amby hammock?  Well, I don’t think I agree with this rooming in for 6 months idea.  I am hoping to get you to nap in your cot from the beginning so that when I do transition you to your own room after a couple of months, it will be easier to do so.  I may transition you into your own room in your Amby, but I really think I will mostly just use that the first couple of months and then use it to take up to your grandparents after that!  At least until you get too big for it!

Everyone is being very generous to you.  Your Grandma Shelley and Pops Burt have paid for your pram.  Your Grandma Grace and Grandad Tom are buying you your cot.  And of course you received two loveys, one from Grandma Karen and Pops Bill and one from Aunt B and Uncle J.

Speaking of Uncle J, Mummy was talking to him on IM earlier today and mentioned that you were kicking me a lot.  Uncle J said to tell you ‘good job’!  But that’s how brothers are!

So this week, you are finally viable outside of mummy.  But, as I’ve said before, keep put for about 16 more weeks, okay?  Its nice to know if something happened and you came out you could survive.  But let’s not try that.  You are about 21 cm long and weight about 630 grams.  You’re turning into a real baby in there!

So 24 weeks gone, 16 weeks to go.

Love

Mummy

P.S. Happy Birthday to Grandma Shelley!!!