1 month to go!

That's right I'm 36 weeks today! Crazy to think how different life will be in a month's time. I haven't yet reached that point of 'get this baby out of me' - I think mainly because I have so much left to do. I also have two more weeks at work left, a big part of me is wondering why I'm not finishing sooner, but I know I'll be glad to have those two more weeks next year at the end of my maternity leave. Anyway, I thought I'd first share a photo, which my family has been asking for. So this is me a few days ago:

I've generally found pregnany quite enjoyable. It's amazing to think there's a little boy growing inside. He's been making his presence known as well. Kicking and stretching out all over the place.  I think I've been having more (non-painful) braxton hicks contraction this week. We learned on our course that you have contractions from about 20 weeks onwards and when your belly feels compact and hard, that's most likely a contraction-well a practice contraction anyway. Pregnancy hasn't all been fun, of course, there's been some weird and not-so-wonderful aspects which I think are probably related to pregnancy. I've probably shared some before, but here's a little list (particularly for the many friends I've just found out are expecting this summer!):

• excessive trips to the bathroom to pee (first and third trimester)
• leg cramps-side and back of calves (all 3 trimesters)
• occasional sciatic nerve pain in lower back (first and third)
• sneezing (first)
• occasional lower abdominal cramping (all 3-only very painful once)
• decreased fitness, shortness of breath-especially going up stairs (increasing over pregnancy)
• difficulty rolling over in bed or getting off the floor/deep sofa (third)
• groin/pelvic pain-making crossing legs or standing up after sitting a long time painful (since running through airport at Christmas)
• dry eyes/contacts feeling irritated (6th month only)
• itchy rash on lower legs (for last week)
• shortness of breath when talking quickly! (new this week-particularly when I'm first on the phone to someone or kicking off a meeting)
• wine (particulary red) tastes cheap, and still no cravings (all 3)

To be honest, none of those are particularly bad and I don't seem to mind-especially wen you compare it to all the fun things about being pregnant-I'll try to post about that another day. 

A fun weekend ahead with a baby shower tomorrow and our last ever Valentine's day as a childless couple! And, Monday is our last ultrasound and consultant appointment (about the fibroid), and I also have my first midwife appointment at my new GP in Bromley, so expect more news next week!