34 weeks and 34 years old

I'm 34 years old and 34 weeks pregnant this week!

I've been so behind on taking profile shots and doing the updates for 32 and 34 weeks, I thought I'd just do an autumn photo catch-up now, ahead of Christmas pictures. I'll  also do a separate house renovation post with before and after shots of each room, once we're finished (hopefully soon?!)

George's first day of school--I asked him to pose in his uniform, and this is what he gave me...

Otley vintage transport extravaganza

George gets a "clean plate" sticker on most days at school!

Church family day out at Flamingo Land

Baby meerkat!

My broken arm--thankfully I only had the plaster cast on for a couple of days, before my assessment with the fracture clinic. They took it off and had me just use the sling ("cuff and collar") for a few more weeks. It's mostly healed up now, just occasionally a bit sensitive if I carry something heavy or George pulls on my arm.

Assembly is one of our new favorite places to eat in Leeds--it's like Trinity Kitchen, with street food stalls all in one place. The Falafel Guys and Pizza Authority are both awesome, and I love that it's kid-friendly, too.

On the day we got the keys to the new house!

Light Night 2019--this one was a flying ballerina

Biscuit's 6th birthday

28 week check-up!

George participated more in carving his pumpkin this year

I carved my pumpkin after George went to bed and he was thrilled when he saw it in the morning and recognized it straight away--"It's a Captain Hook pumpkin!"

Riding the funfair rides at the Christmas Light Switch-On

Off to the States for Thanksgiving break!

Our layover was in Dublin this time--George's first visit to Ireland (if we count airports...)!

George had so much fun playing in the snow in Minnesota!

He also loved celebrating Little Christmas and opening his presents early!

It was so fun getting presents for Baby Paul, too!

I was a little nervous about flying solo with George while being 32-33 weeks pregnant, but it was absolutely fine--George was a champ and slept really well on the long haul flight back to Dublin (4-5 hours out of 8!), and I felt totally fine, just drank lots of water and wore my flight socks

Savouring my proper Mexican food!

I also loved having my usual at Cracker Barrel--so yummy!

George is playing the Star in this year's nativity at school

George dressed up in his Lederhosen for my birthday dinner at the Alp Chalet!

He got lots of attention from the waitstaff and the musician--and a friendly little girl who grabbed his hand and ran around with him for the rest of the evening. He was thrilled--he's been asking us to go back to the German market so he can see her again!

"Zum Geburtstag viel Glueck!" 

('Much luck on your birthday,' the German version of the "Happy Birthday To You" song)

28-30 weeks

Just like that, we're in the third trimester and November is already half over! These pics are more like 29 and 31 weeks, as I've been falling behind in both the blog and the pics--but we had our family portraits done at 28 weeks, so there's a good visual record of that 2nd/3rd trimester moment. My belly is feeling very big these days, though I know it's only going to get crazier from now on. I started using my maternity pillow again at around 28 weeks and it's fabulous--very comfortable and supportive, and it really helps me fall asleep. The heartburn has been getting even worse lately, and I've had to start carrying Rennies (like Rolaids/Tums) in my bag.

We've been so busy working on the new house, and I'm hoping next week we'll be able to start decorating the baby's room. I've bought a few outfits here and there, but it's not like last time--I feel very behind on my prep! I think a lot of the fun nesting stuff is going to happen over Christmas break, when I'll be 37+ weeks. For now, we just need to get the bathroom, carpets and decorating sorted so we can move in!

26 Weeks

We're officially at the 6-month mark now! Everything's been going well so far. I had my Glucose Tolerance Test on Monday and haven't heard back from them, so apparently I've passed that and I don't have gestational diabetes. I didn't think I did--I didn't have it last time, and my diet/exercise habits are better this time than they were last time anyway. My next midwife appointment is at 28 weeks.

Baby Paul is moving more these days--the GTT made him kick a lot, and there's usually lots of movement in the evenings after dinner, too. George has been talking to him and asking to change the calendar pages so it will be January now. One day George was annoyed at us and said he was "not talking to Mummy or Daddy, only Baby Paul"--at least he's in George's good books for now!

I've still been feeling pretty good, but it's starting to get more uncomfortable--heartburn, dizziness if I get up too fast, shortness of breath (the hill up to school is very steep!). Obviously with looking after George and doing up the new house, I have no choice but to be active. I'm just taking more breaks and going to bed early. I fell asleep while watching a movie the other night...I thought we were past that kind of fatigue by now! Where's that second trimester energy boost?!