Twenty-five weeks one day

I saw the midwife again today and she says everything is normal and she found the heartbeat right away. She actually did a home visit--very convenient for me. Except I have to make sure the house is tidy before she arrives... Actually I have been maintaining tidyness for several weeks now and don't dread unexpected visitors at all. Not that I ever get any unexpected visitors.

Partner's parents came up for a four-day visit and brought us loads of baby things, including clothing, a changing mat, a carseat, and a bassinet/moses basket. The cover for the bassinet is bright pink, so I'm thinking I may make a new one. Or maybe not. He'll only be in it about six months. Partner's mother brought several little cardigans she had knitted, and I understand she's on a roll and plans on making more. I have knitted one little cardigan with only a few hardly-noticeable flaws. I am also nearly finished with a nice crocheted cotton blanket. I've worked on it less than a week and I may make another. I'm thinking I would like to make something for a good friend who is also pregnant with her first, and this blanket has gone so quickly and easily, it could be the very thing.

I woke up with a terrible cramp in my thigh yesterday morning. I've never had one before, and it was so painful I couldn't even concentrate enough to cry or do anything more than gasp. I felt like I would faint. Luckily Partner woke up immediately (probably from my flailing about) and pressed hard against the muscle and it eased up after about a minute. I was worried about Franklin, as the pain extended to my abdomen and back, but he gave a little reassuring wiggle after I'd calmed down.

From the way he wiggles now, I think he's going to be so much fun after he's born. My mother asked me if I thought he had ADD; I think he's just a little jumper. I can't wait to see his face for the first time, and see his eyes and hair and expressions. Will he look like me or will he look more like Partner? Will he be a little brown-eyed boy or a little blue-eyed boy?

Twenty-three weeks four days

I got myself a fabulous coat from the charity shop which will fit me during pregnancy and I will still be able to wear afterwards as well. It's a lovely emerald green cashmere Givenchy coat: and it cost £20. During the same shopping trip, Partner also found a very smart tweed wool overcoat for the same amount. He loves it.

I've noticed that Franklin doesn't like me to use the hand dryer in the ladies' at work. He starts squirming when I put my hands under it. I understand, though; I don't like loud noises either. The other night Partner put some Bach harpsichord music on and Franklin got very active. I've been practicing my piano for him; he seems to respond.

People at work have been commenting on my growing bump. One said that it looks like I get bigger every time she sees me. I'm also starting to get wary about people coming too close to me if they're not paying attention. I feel like the baby is a lot more exposed and I don't want to get knocked into or knocked over. I have only two evening shifts left at work, then a week off (Thanksgiving week) and I go onto breakfast shifts full time. Then I won't have to worry about people running with knives and pans of boiling water (I've seen both).

I'm still keeping up my bi- or tri-weekly walks with the dog to keep a bit active. I keep up a good pace and try to push myself so I'm out of breath. I'm also doing some light gardening mostly every day, and of course I do a bit of light housework as well. And I have gone back to eating most foods, even runner beans, though I still can't manage fatty meats, including ground beef. I feel pretty healthy, and I feel like I'm doing the baby good. Which is the main thing.

Twenty-two weeks three days

I went into the closet a few days ago and tried on every single coat and jacket I own. As I like my coats close-fitting, only one of them still goes around me. Unfortunately, this is my special going-out coat which I only wear on a limited basis as it's entirely made of white faux ermine and is absolutely huge. I call it my movie star coat. I love it but simply cannot wear it to work if I want it to stay nice. I've had to drag out my old chenille wrap which I haven't worn in more than five years. It's ragged (I call it bohemian) and sheds a bit, but it's warmer than just a cardigan. Luckily all my cardigans still work, even if only buttoned at the top.

Franklin's movements are a lot more noticeable now; I'm feeling him every day, though not big kicks every day. The other night in the bath he kicked so hard my tummy was visibly moving up and down. But then all the next day I was so sore in my middle; it felt like he was trying to force his way out of my stomach. One side was poking out more than the other, even.

I'm only seeing my midwife now, as the obstetrician thinks everything is just fine. We listened to his heartbeat and she measured him: he's a big boy already. I think he'll take after me and be a tall one. Well, Partner's not short either. He's probably the tallest in his whole family, just like I'm the tallest woman of all my relatives. But I don't care if Franklin turns out to be a little shrimp. Just so long as he's smart, caring, athletic, creative, honest, and handsome.

Partner plays all sorts of music for him now: I sometimes play piano for him or sing. I try to remember the words to all the art songs I know, the ones I used to sing for competitions. Partner either puts on a cd or breaks out the guitar.

Partner's parents are coming to visit for a few days at the end of the month and his father has warned him that his mother has gone overboard with baby stuff. But we don't mind. We want all we can get.

Twenty-one weeks

This morning in bed I felt little kicking, and said to Partner, "Quick, put your hand here!" I don't think he was quite awake, but he felt the kicking too. It was really exciting for me, for sure. I mostly feel him moving softly every day now, but this is the first time Partner's felt him.

I'm at the halfway mark now. In some ways it feels like ages, but in others, it's really flown by. I can hardly believe it's November now, certainly. March still seems a long time away, but it's only four months now. Now my chef jackets are even getting a bit of strain; I don't think I'll be fitting into them for much longer. I guess it's time I discussed maternity leave with my boss. I'm thinking I'll work until the end of December. I have a feeling that since it'll be a lot quieter at work, there won't be so many hours available for me anyway.

My mother is making plans to come for several weeks after the birth; she's been asking me what I want. She says she'll get me a baby sling and has plenty of clothing. I think the only thing I want now is a bed of some sort and bedding, and a carseat. Well, I don't have many clothes either, or diapers/nappies. I'm making a woolly yellow and blue cardigan; it actually looks ok without too many obvious mistakes. I think after I finish this one I'll make another a few sizes bigger. This one ought to fit a newborn but I know they grow quickly.

Still feeling good, with heartburn as my only unpleasant symptom. I'm finding it difficult to bend over and also to lift big things like the laundry basket. It's not the weight that's the problem, but I can't balance it against my waist any more.