Claire's baby diary #1…

June 09:

Back in April I found out that I was pregnant with our first baby!!

It wasn’t a complete shock although it was a bit of a shock at the time. It’s something Nicky & I were talking about after the wedding and decided on New Years Eve that 2009 would be New Year, New Baby! Obviously all being well.

At the time of writing this I am 14 weeks so still early stages but pass the 12 week stage. I’m pleased, and somewhat a bit smug, to say that so far all is going really well. I’ve had no morning sickness or anything just uncontrollable tiredness!!

We found out that we were pregnant at just 5 weeks! 3 tests at different times confirmed it! We didn’t quite believe the first test – which apparently is normal! We kept it to ourselves for a week or so before sharing it with my parents who were pleased to know they were going to become grandparents in December. We didn’t tell anyone else until after my friend Sabrina’s wedding as I didn’t think it would be fair and wanted her to enjoy her preparations, wedding day and mini-moon although un-beknown to me she admitted when she was home after her post wedding break that she actually knew that I was pregnant when I’d told her that I was on antibiotics meaning I couldn’t drink at the wedding!! The old excuse is not always the best…LOL!! I’m glad we kept it to ourselves though as it meant we had a little secret between us. Also, there is no way that I would have told Sabrina until way after her wedding as I think it’s unfair when people steal the thunder from friends or families on such important events!

Anyway, after we told Sabrina we told our families and friends who were all equally excited. My grandparents are excited at becoming great-grandparents and also my great aunt is going to become a great-great aunt!! I’m not sure if that is a bit unusual today.
At this point I was only 6 weeks pregnant so it felt a bit naughty to be telling people but the way we see it is that ‘what will be, will be’. We only told people that we would feel confortable telling if something went wrong…thankfully all seems to be going well.

I had a doctors appointment and was sent to have a scan as the doctor wanted to check that the baby was where it should be as I was feeling tender and pain in my side. Later that same day I was laying on a hospital bed with cold jelly being poured onto be tummy holding Nicky’s hand with both of us staring at this little black and white kitten shaped ‘blob’ on the screen!! It was crazy but lovely at the same time.
At that point baby Sullivan received the name ‘Kitty’…due to it’s shape which made the sonographer laugh as she had never heard it referred to as a kitten before! However I would like to point out that this is not a name we will be choosing, despite it being a lovely name. The baby names have been decided however we do keep changing our minds so until ‘kitty’ is here we will not be revealing the name that we will choose.

So, over the next few weeks I am careful with my diet and drink plenty of water, fruit juice and chocolate milkshake!! I also have an ‘urge’ for fish. Now, I never, ever eat fish – can’t stand the stuff usually – but somehow this pregnancy has affected my tastebuds and I now love it accompanied by the obligatory batter and chips!

The next ‘hurdle’ is the 12 week scan. This made it more real! We saw ‘kitty’ jumping around on the screen, so much so that the sonographer couldn’t get a clear picture until I said ‘smile’ which is when kitty promptly stopped and posed!!! Must be the fact that mummy is a photographer! LOL!!
We now have a perfect scan picture in which we can clearly see the nose, lips, chin, eye sockets, hands and feet…and all on a little baby that is only 4.8cm long! How mad is that???!
Nicky and I came out of the hospital frantically texting our family and friends…telling them that everything was normal. We couldn’t stop smiling on the way home, and me, I can’t stop rubbing my tummy.

That was 2 weeks ago and my little baby bump is now starting to grow. Luckily I can still, just about, fit into a few pairs of jeans and trousers. I sometimes use an elastic band on my jeans to hold the button together because despite trying on a few pairs of maternity jeans and trousers I am finding that they are all too big for me still. But yet, most of my stuff is too tight. I can’t wear two pairs of jeans and lots of my normal trousers. I have tried on some trousers which are the next size up to me however they are way to big everywhere else. So, the elastic band will have to do the job until it either breaks or I can’t fit into my jeans anymore which is when I will have to give in and buy maternity clothes. I already have a maternity shirt which I bought…but is too big yet I know I will grow into it and it’ll fit fine. My other tops I can get away with for at least a good few weeks as they are ‘tunic’ type tops which are brilliant!!
At the moment I just look like I’ve eaten too many cakes. I can’t wait until I actually look pregnant so that it’s obvious that I’m not just putting on weight.

I went to the hospital yesterday for the ‘booking in’ appointment. This is where the midwife takes blood and does tests, takes all the family history and books you in for the 20 week scan and books you into the hospital on the expected due date….3rd December. Whilst there I saw a few heavily pregnant mums to be and a couple of newborns too. I felt like a bit of a fraud sitting there waiting to be seen as I don’t look pregnant. Still the next time I’m there I will have more of a bump.

Tiredness is a killer. I normally love my sleep and can drift off anywhere if I’m relaxed but since I found out I was pregnant it’s got worse. I nap during the day for at least an hour and by 7.30pm I’m falling asleep again. Bed at around 10.30pm with broken sleep until I get up the next morning! Apparently I will start to feel more alert and awake in the second trimester….just waiting for that to happen!
Also, spots! Blimey…I’ve never really suffered with spots, all through my teenage years I was quite lucky but now I have a new one it seems like every day. My hair is dry too which I hate because it’s short so little bits tend to stick out where they shouldn’t!!

Anyway, I can’t complain too much. I was told today that someone who is 10 weeks is really suffering badly with sickness and that I look positively blooming compared to her. Mmmm, I wouldn’t tend to agree but I am thankfull that I haven’t suffered with the sickness…I just hope that this is a sign of good things to come!!

Until next time…

Claire x
+ bump