Week 37 - The Count Down Really Begins

I've finished work! A very strange sensation to hand over your job for 6 months to someone else, knowing full well it won't be the same when you come back - but by the same token , fully expecting to come back. I've handed over when I've resigned but its quite different this time around. And while I was completely ready not to be there anymore and delighted to have finished up, this morning has felt a little strange. So as any good workaholic does, I've launched myself into my admin tasks so I feel like I'm busy and important and have stuff to do.

• AU Tax - Done.
• Name change (yes it's still going) with CommSec, HSBC Insurance, and Allied/Generali more in progress than they have been in months.
• Bills - paid.
• List of things that will help when baby has arrived made (e.g. a bigger washing rack) - done
• And plans for the week on how to spread these meager shopping expeditions in between lunch with friends - made.

Now what to do.... This is going to take some effort. It's even harder to do when there is someone else diligently cleaning your flat because you are home and she needs to show that she's working hard.... Thinking there might need to set some guidelines around 'face time' while I'm home, otherwise, I'll never succeed at this relaxing business.

Anyway, moving onto more important things. We had our check up on Friday - everything is good with the bub and me. The baby is head down, partly engaged and they are happy that it's game on whenever the baby decides it is. Thankfully, I go back to having check ups at the medical centre for the next two weeks rather than the hospital (QMH: 2 1/2 hours: SYPMC 1 hr), and if the baby hasn't arrived by 11/11/11, then we're back to QMH to discuss next steps. They also confirmed that generally they don't let babies go more than 10 days over, so we can probably bank on having a bub by 19 Nov at the latest. That's less than a month. That's not very far away!!

But as everyone has asked, we are ready (as ready as you can be for a journey you have no clue about); we think we have everything we need (again for a journey we have no clue about) and if there are things we don't have, we can always get them - after all there is a supermarket, pharmacy and several baby shops in the complex below our flat. So, now it's just the waiting and growing game.

As the QMH is public, they don't do scans or tests unless they think there's a reason, so we're in the dark about how big and when they think it's going to turn up. I know for some women this would be concerning, but I'm actually glad - as far as I'm concerned, it's going to have to come out regardless of how big, and it will turn up when it's ready. So, while we didn't choose QMH for this particular reason, it has been nice to have the alignment in the approach. That said, The Baby Bookie has been receiving your predictions, with the following spread in results:

1. Sex: 66% of you say boy
2. DOB: 27 October through to 17 November
3. Weight: 2.5kg-4.1kg/ 5lb 8oz-9lb

By the end of this week, I'm sure I'll be wishing/ hoping those of you on the early end of the scale are correct, and that the weight correlates, but I do understand the logic of those towards the other end (just hope you're wrong - nothing personal of course). The baby is now fairly snug - the nice kicks up under my diaphragm and the carefully positioned punches to my bladder, let me know the kid is doing well, but it is certainly less than comfortable. I have also felt/seen the odd limb (pretty sure it was a leg) slide across my belly, while at other times there's a solid rump hanging out the side - very strange sensation, but one which Trent enjoys given a good pat and poke to see what happens next. It's lovely to be able to entertain them both so easily! :-)

So that's about it, will keep you posted with weekly updates now and of course on any big news that happens.

Lots of love,

Nik & Trent

ps here's the latest preggers chick photo - needless to say it wasn't taken in a studio under carefully controlled lights, nor was it on a very good camera but it will do!