20 Week Scan

I hadn't been feeling quite right since my curry night with the girls but had nothing to show for it other than cramps, pains, and just generally feeling a bit sick.

Unfortunately it got rather worse on Friday which was a shame as it was the day of our 20 week scan (at 21+4 days).

In the morning I was in 2 minds about going to Leo's Sing and Sign class but I made it and just sat there as still as I could. Leo ran around but wasn't too bad. As long as I was sitting still and not singing I felt okay.

I had a piece of toast for lunch and that was all I could manage.

Mum came over at 2pm to take care of Leo and to pick Ellis up from school so that Rob and I could go for the scan.

We got to the hospital and there were plenty of parking spaces which was lucky.

We signed in and paid for some pictures. I wanted 4 and they were £4 each! Rob couldn't believe it when he received his change from a £20 note.

We sat waiting, me huffing and puffing because I felt so rotten and Rob huffing and puffing because of the cost of the pictures, before being called in quite quickly.

The ladies name was Tracy and she was very friendly. We went into a scan room we haven't been in before which was nice and I got up on the table and we could soon see our little Nugget on the screen.

Rob's face was about an inch away from the monitor as he was trying to hunt down the male or female parts. I really didn't want to know and was so determined not to find out but after showing us the skull, brain, eyes, mouth, heart, kidneys, there it was. Both Rob and I said at the same time "it's a boy then?!" I've seen it's got a willy. Tracy laughed a bit nervously as she hadn't told us to look away etc and it was pretty obvious as she was zooming up and down the babies legs to kidneys area. We spent a long time talking about it being our 3rd little boy and how my life was doomed to be seriously outnumbered, forever blue with toilet seats up and rowdy boys running and jumping around. Rob quickly turned to me and said "don't think you will be getting a 4th because of this!".

Tracy took some pictures and at the end said she had gone a bit overboard taking pictures and not to tell the front desk. I was quite excited about that but she actually only went overboard by 1. We had 5 pictures and 4 of them are the same front on view of the skull. No hand or foot, side on profile, body, nothing. I wish I had thought to ask at the time but we were so busy talking about it being a boy that I forgot.

Back at home we told the boys and Mum the news which was all rather exciting and then I started to receive text message replies to a message I had sent out telling everyone else what had happened. I had some lovely responses back and one from Sophie (AB) made my Mum and I cry. Lush.

I had a lot of messages saying, better luck next time, have to go for a 4th then etc but I think 3 boys is enough for anyone thank you. Chances are the 4th would be a boy anyway. There was only a 1:4 chance of this one being a boy.

Mum stayed for a while but after she left I still wasn't feeling right but was determined to get out to see some fireworks. I had talked about it with Ellis for a while and he was quite excited, especially as his cousins were going to be there too.

Rob wasn't up for going but when I asked him to tell Ellis that, he soon changed his mind so we wrapped up warm and packed all our waterproofs as it was tipping down with rain.

It took a while to get to the venue but we parked up fine and made it to the marque for some cover.

The fireworks were brilliant! It didn't cost anything to go and see them but they were amazing. The bonfire was huge! The boys were totally fine with it and Leo didn't even jump once.

The fireworks were going on for ages and the boys got a bit bored. Luckily Nanny and Auntie Karen were sat in the pub which is on the grounds so the boys went inside and I stood with my Dad and brother Craig watching the rest of the fireworks. It went on for so long but it was very impressive. I would definitely go again next year.

We didn't stay too late and put the boys in their pyjamas before we left so it would be easier when we got home.

They both fell asleep so we put them to bed and I followed shortly after.

I had the lie in on Saturday which was great as I really needed it. We didn't really do anything. Rob and Ellis blobbed around and Ellis fell asleep for a bit so I went out for an hour and a half with Leo which was nice.

Sunday was supposed to my turn doing the early shift, but after getting up and falling all over the place because of feeling dizzy I realised I would be safer in bed and asked Rob to take over. It wasn't that early, just gone 8am but it still robbed him of some sleep.

I didn't get out of bed until 2pm and I just sat on the sofa doing nothing all day. Poor Ellis was stuck in all weekend so after dinner I asked Rob to take him out and about to the shops etc so that at least he had a different view for an hour.

Rob came home with a Chinese take-away which I scoffed down as I hadn't been eating properly for a few days and I just needed some stodge. It was delicious. I hadn't been fancying it recently so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

I was back in bed again before 10:30pm, hoping to get as much rest as possible before Rob went to work the following day.

Monday morning I wasn't 100% but improved from the weekend so I was able to cope. I got Ellis to school on time and then at home pottered around clearing up and doing some housework which was way overdue.

I've been trying to do this blog entry for days but just haven't had the energy. I am feeling really really tired at the moment so I'm thinking of getting myself checked out. I feel tired a lot but not like this.

Can't do any more. Be back soon.

Photos in the Park

A week has gone by already since my last blog entry! The days whizz by and I end up behind again.

Saturday we stayed in most of the day but did take a walk down to the park in the afternoon and took some pictures with our big camera (Nikon D80).

The boys had a great time at the park, and I couldn't tell you how many times they went down the slide.

I loved the pictures we took, especially a few I got of the boys together.

Rob got some good ones of Leo and I too.

The light was fading fast and we had been at the park for a while so we took a leisurely stroll home, through some leaves.

In the evening Uncle Dave came over to baby sit and Rob and I went out for our first Date Night. Ohhh exciting! Basically I decided that we needed to go out just the 2 of us to make time for our relationship. We are hoping to go out once a month and take it in turns to pick where we go and what we do. I had picked a nice curry place which was a little way away from home but we got to chat in the car on the way there and back too.

The meal was great and we had good fun. We talked about kids and babies mainly but I had a lovely time. I really wanted to go bowling after but Rob didn't want to so we went home instead. When it is my turn again to pick I'm just going to go bowling ;o)

We managed to make it to Ikea on Sunday. We had to take two cars though so we could fit the furniture in my car. This meant the boys got to go in Daddy's car for a change, which they loved.

We got all the stuff really quickly and were in and out in no time.

Rob had a fault come up on his car and I needed to do some more shopping so he took the boys to see his brother (Uncle Dave) to have a look at it while I went shopping on my own.

I had a fab time. Loved every minute of it. I walked around slowly looking at all the clothes, tried some things on and stopped in a cafe for a muffin as I was feeling a little dizzy (possibly brought on by the pure euphoria of being child free for an hour). I bought some things for the boys for Christmas, found a girls going home outfit for Nugget (but didn't buy it) and I bought some maternity clothes including a new costume so I can now go swimming again. Still don't really fancy putting a costume on though.

We didn't do anything for Halloween this year. I was really boring for some reason. We only had 2 trick or treaters so the next day I sent Ellis to pre-school with a bag of sweets to hand out.

After Leo had his nap I went to see Sophie, Maggie and Ted who I haven't seen for ages and ages. I had a lovely lunch and a great chat.

Picked Ellis up from school and he had a good report which is always nice to hear.

Nothing happened Tuesday. In fact we stayed in all day and just pottered about. Bit boring but needed to be done.

In the evening though Rob was home nice and early from work so the boys all ate together and then Ellis gave Daddy a hand to fix his roller blind.

Then it was time for snuggles before bed.

The boys all went to bed, and I mean all, and I went out to Sally's house for curry night with my Mummy friends. Had an amazing time. It was such good fun. Everyone was just chatting non stop and I managed to get rid of some of my charity shop stuff to the girls.

Before leaving we were all being a little bit silly and started to hide stupid things from my charity box stuff around Sally's living room. There was a leopard print picture frame, 2 cat picture frames (one with a photo still included) and 2 DVD's. We were giggling away like school kids.

Wednesday Ellis went to school and I took Leo to his Music with Mummy class. He is getting better every week and understands the hand shaking intro and some of the songs which involve movements. I love spending the one on one time with him.

We picked Ellis up from school and he had an even better report than Monday! 2 different teachers said that there were no problems and he was good and helpful! His keyworker Lisa and Tonia the session leader, who I have been speaking to the most about him seemed very happy, which in turn made me very happy. I was so proud of my little guy and kept telling him so.

Ellis has been really good recently. He has been helping me out at home, playing nicely with his brother and just generally being a pleasure to be around. He is still having issues sleeping though and it is tough going for the pair of us. He still isn't sucking his thumb either but has started asking me if his thumb is better now and can he suck it again. I just said the baddy was nearly gone which he seems to accept. Sometimes I think maybe that will help him sleep better but then if it doesn't, how will I break the habit again?!

First thing this morning we went to Ellis' pre-school to have some photos taken of the boys together. It's a nice opportunity to get some more photos of the 2 of them together and it also helps with the fund raising for the pre-school.

It was really quiet, with only a few kids there and Ellis asked to stay. I asked if he wanted to go on Thursday mornings too and he said yes. I don't see why not as we don't do much, if anything on Thursday mornings, so maybe.

The photo session was quite funny. Leo sat on Ellis' back at one point and he loved it! I'm not sure if she managed to capture a good one but we will see.

Ellis had his swimming lesson again, which went really well and then we went to Nanny and Grandad Rennolds' house for the evening.

Ellis wasn't that well behaved and played up quite a bit but I think he was just very tired and a bit mad at me for telling him off and taking Grandad's computer off of him. He didn't want to eat his dinner either but we soon bribed him into eating something.

The boys fell asleep in the car on the way home so I just put them into bed and sat down to do this blog entry. My eyes are drying shut so think this is a good time to stop and go to bed.

Wordless Wednesday

Still in Vancouver.