Welcome Chloe Ann Wyatt

Hi there! How are you all? I'm well..... tired, but well. My life's been a blur since I last wrote! As many of you may know little Chloe Wyatt arrived (promptly) on the 23rd of August, despite being sure she would be fashionably late, as less than 5% of the world's pregnancy's actually occur on the due date. But against the odds she turned up on time, but I suppose having J and I as parents, who pride themselves on being where they say they'll be when they say it, what choice did the little one have?
 

Anyways, the 'labour' story goes like this... At about 330am on the Thursday (23rd) I woke up with bad tummy cramps, nothing warranting to wake J, so I just went to the toilet thinking that was the problem. But bubkiss! So I dismissed it and tried to go back to sleep... by 415 the pain hadn't left so I went back to the toilet and had a little 'show'. At this point I woke J and told him I was pretty sure we were on. He bolted upright in bed and started to move about asking me what I wanted him to do and asking should he call the midwife. I basically felt it was far too early to call Lara, so we waited till 5. By 5am I was in agony! We were using a contraction counter on my phone and basically they were coming every 3 minutes and lasting about 40 seconds. I was sure it was not suppose to be like this, all the books and parenting classes said the start of labour was like a warm up. Which on reflection I now think I slept through... Anyways we rang Lara and gave her the news. She was very positive, asked us to continue to monitor them and call her back if nothing changed by 530. After we hung up I couldnt handle it, so I jumped in the shower and beat my stomach with the hot water... Jarratt peered over the top of the shower, monitoring and counting the contractions... by 6am the contractions were still every 3 minutes, but lasting ALOT longer. We rang Lara and she said to head into hospital. We arrived at hospital at 7am, with Lara arriving after at 730am... she was shocked at how far along I was being my first pregnancy... the next 5 hours are a blur... But at 12:49pm Chloe arrived.... and we fell in love with her immediately!

 

We were then given some time to spend with our new family - its magical those first few moments, you forget the pain and suddenly there is this little person in the room.. who miraculously knows how to breathe, cry, feed and fill your heart with love til it bursts - its incredible! After about 3 hours, Lara returned and announced that there were no beds on the ward... and how did we feel about transferring to Sutherland. After a few questions and a frank discussion about the services at Sutherland, on Lara's recommendation we agreed. She then followed this quickly with "Now, my next question is... is your capsule in the car?" At first I thought she was kidding... she wasnt! A passenger transfer could take hours, so it would be faster for us all to head over to Sutherland together... in our own car. So off we went.... in peak hour, in a storm, 5 hours since giving birth.... Jarratt didnt even crack under the pressure and it wasnt til the next day that I really realised the stress that he would of been under. Sutherland hospital was lovely... alot newer than St George and on the first night I roomed with a mother of 3 who was very supportive and relaxed, for which I am incredibly grateful as I bumbled my way through the first night of motherhood. On the second day, Chloe had her first bath, had her hearing checked and was given some injections. We were also moved into a private room! Score! Which was great as the second night was so much harder... as Chloe was cluster feeding - not something I had read about or expected... basically from 8pm-2am she was on the boob. By 2am I was going round the bend, so the midwives took her to settle her, as every time I tried, she smelt the milk and was in a frenzy if I didnt give it to her. Thankfully the midwife was able to settle her and she 'crashed' til 8am the next morning! After 48 hours in the hospital I was ready to leave, dont get me wrong the midwives were great and the facilities amazing, but the constant revolving door of advice was doing my head in. Each midwife had their own way of doing things which was different to the last midwife and with shift changes every 6 hours it was enough to make even the non-sleep deprived mother dizzy. Plus an added bonus of heading home within 48 hours was having Jarratt there around the clock and home visits by Lara.

 

So... we arrived home... it was a crazy first night as Chloe refused to sleep alone. The only way we could get her to sleep was on Jarratts chest, which I knew could become a problem. Second night... same thing. So Monday morning Lara arrived and we discussed the problem. She basically gave two suggestions 1. a heater (as the room was a little cold) and 2.some sound. Employing both strategies worked like a charm and despite waking for a feed the following night, Chloe slept alone, in her crib! The time between then and now is a blur of nappy changes, feedings, bath time, cuddles and so on. We've managed to get a routine going for feeds and sleeps, etc. Despite some initial teething issues Chloe has gone down the last 2 nights at 7pm a treat, we feed her at 930pm and again if she wakes (last night she woke at 410am! which gave me a good solid 5 hour sleep - the most in 4 weeks!) then I wake her at 7am and we start the cycle again. I know its a little controversial to feed her to a routine, but if I've learnt anything this last month is that you need to do what feels right and works for you and your family! We have had our fair share of challenges, with good and bad days, and things are constantly changing and we're always trying new things... it can be stressful at times, but I only have to look at her and its all worthwhile! She is so gorgeous and I'm so in love with my little one. And despite the lack of sleep and the soreness - I wouldnt have it any other way :)

 

Well... I think that about wraps it up.  Enjoy, Bec xxx 

 

You'll always be my baby, xxx

Hi There!

Well, its the final week! How quickly has that come around? Although I am sure that Bubba Wyatt will be fashionably late. They have moved my date forward so much throughout the pregnancy that I dont think its possible to go early now, despite almost every pregnancy I've heard of recently having their little bub arrive early. I think I'm definitely going to buck the trend. hehehe. So its just the waiting game now.

I finished up work last Friday which was really surreal. I still dont feel like i'm on Maternity leave but I think thats because I get so many regular holidays throughout the year as a teacher. I dont think it'll feel real til it all kicks off. You may well laugh at that when you see the size of my tummy now as its enlarged a fair bit and does serve as a constant remind of Bubba Wyatt's impending arrival... and I'm sitting here saying it feels surreal. hahaha.

But I have had a hard time turning my school brain off, luckily the lovely girl who has taken over debating has kept me plugged in to the next debate. Which is great! I know I should be relaxing and putting my feet up but I think I'll go batty if I dont keep some sort of challenge going, for the interium anyways. The midwife sent me into a little bit of a tailspin at my last appointment when she asked what I planned to do after birth.... I honestly thought it was a trick question and answered 'I'm going to look after the baby' She smiled and said , yes but what are you going to do to keep yourself mentally challenged?.... you are going to go from being around people all the time and planning activities, as a teacher, then its just going to be you and the baby..... I completely understad why she raised this with me as postnatal depression can be quite a prevalent issue these days. But whilst she was trying to be reassuring, it just made me focus on it more and completely become analytical about the whole thing.... lol, which is so unlike me ;)

So for the last two days its played on my mind a bit and I've tried to come up with a project for myself to do in those times when I need a little 'mental stimulation'.... beautiful Keelyann has been the winner as she pointed out all those amazing photos we took during our three years of travel remain unedited, unorganised and in need of some real attention... so YAY! anxiety subsided!!! But if you have any project ideas for me, send them my way - I figure the more the merrier! At my last appointment the midwife also told me that she'll induce me if I havent had bub by 42 weeks, which is the 6th of September..... Gosh, that feels like AGESSS away! But what can you do!?

I have also been 3/5s engaged for the last 3 appointments, which doesnt mean much as your first bub can sit in your pelvis for weeks and not come out. Which is great for bub, as it means its not too big to come out the natural way (hehe) but bloody uncomfortable for me as having a 3kg watermelon sitting in your pelvis all day can make you waddle and in a fair bit of discomfort by dinner time.

Since I last emailed we've also attended the second of our two parenting classes... which was very full on with information. They jammed alot more into the second day which covered, breastfeeding, bathing and general parenting skills. We again proved to be interesting participants, particularly when Jarratt put our baby on the floor, under his chair and walked off to make himself a coffee - lol - the midwife was a little concerned when J just shrugged and said 'yeah, but its a doll' when she pointed out what he'd done. I also grabbed the emails of the ladies in the room who were not crazy to keep in touch with and about their little bundles; then perhaps even set up a mothers group in the future. Of the 6 we befriended, 2 have already had their babies, both going 10 days early.... which slightly freaked me out as I'd mentally prepared for going over not under. It inspired me to pack my bags so we're all ready to go. Thanks Viv, I took your advice and have invested in a more Bec friendly pair of undies, not the Granny panties that had been freaking me out. I feel really prepared and ready, and surprisingly calm about the whole upcoming process.... we'll see how that carries through once I'm in the swings of contractions lol.

Anyways, thats basically my life in a nutshell.
How are things in your world? I hope this update finds you well and that the next time we chat I'll be able to introduce you all to a little Wyatt. YAY!

Lots of love, Bec and bump!

PS - Thanks to Nath who took some of the photos below for us to document this final chapter before our lives are changed indefinitely for the better, xxx

 





1 month to D-Day!!

Where does the time go? Crazy, crazy to think its exactly 1 month today til d-day (delivery day). Its all getting VERY real! But before I get into that I'll do my typical life stuff update :)

On the school front, we've just started Week 2 of Term 3, and I plan on working until end of Week 4, so only 14 days working left! Feels like ages, but I'm sure it will fly! I have a few responsibilities in the next few weeks, 2 debates (one as a coach, another to adjudicate), education week assemblies, then class stuff. I've managed to set myself a rather crazy challenge of having the kids script, rehearse, perform, film and edit their own drama films. All within 14 days.... oh my, what was I thinking?! Anyways... it is what it is. We'll see how we go!

At home, we've well and truly finished the renos, however the cornice in the kitchen still needs a lick of paint - but that's a result of J working most Saturdays and afternoons for himself now. Which is great - but means the little jobs at home are that much more difficult to get to. Plus he's caring for his heavily pregnant, lazy wife. There are a few minor aesthetic things to do for the baby's room - like the curtains that Mum has made. But the chair etc is in and it's pretty much ready for Bubba Wyatt arrival!

In preggers news alot has been happening - feels like its all things baby now! Since we last spoke, I was thrown a beautiful Baby Shower, which many of you attended. It was held at Masonic Club in Mortdale and luckily (despite some rain earlier in the week) the weather wasn't too bad. We were on the front balcony, which can be quite uncomfortable, but with some fancy decorations (Thanks Lin and Nic), it was transformed into a beautiful baby shower oasis. I had an absolute blast and was bowled over by how generous everyone was. Bubba Wyatt is clearly very loved and is going to be one spoilt child.

We've also been to the first of our two parenting classes run by St George Hospital in order to better prepare us for the arrival of bubba and to be parents. It was all on the stages of labour, pain relief and generally what to expect of birth. It was pretty relieving for both J and I as I'd done a fair bit of reading which we had discussed and made decisions about together, so when we were questions we were well informed and on the same page....This Saturday we have the second class which covers breastfeeding, bathing etc - Should be fun :)

In myself I've started to balloon - and not just in my belly. My feet are pretty much full of fluid by the end of the day that they look like pillows. I no longer fit in most of my shoes, I'm wearing J's thongs and have invested in a pair of HUGE shoes. I hope my feet dont stay like this! The waking up to pee over night has accelerated and I am lucky if I can get 2 straight hours before I need to get up again. But I guess its good prep for feedings etc.

Also, after much convincing (Kehlet!) I've finally sat down and started a list for what I'll need to take to hospital for labour and the stay in the maternity ward afterwards as I've been told from week 37 you can go anytime!!! But I've been looking pretty carefully at some of the scarier stuff on my list that I had been refusing to deal with - like large Granny style undies and maternity pads! (So sorry if that's an overshare). So in the next few weeks we'll make the final purchases and pack said bag. Jarratt also seems to be feeling the impeding doom as well as on Sunday morning he fitted the baby capsule in Max and put some vital materials in the boot in case I give birth in the car (LOL), like a big blanket, a few towels and a 2 litre bottle of water..... I seriously cant stop laughing about it! We literally live 10 minutes MAX from the hospital, but I guess you can never be too prepared.

So, thats all in my world.

Hows things with you all? I hope this post finds you happy and well. Lots of love, Bec and Bump. xxx

12...11...10...9!!!

Wow, where does the time go? Less than 10 weeks til we can introduce you all to little bubba wyatt and I can't wait!!!! Since I last posted, not alot has changed life wise - however my belly has well and truly popped, but more on that in a bit...

Firstly, school continues to keep me on my toes, I've got 8 more get ups until the holidays, which I'm desperately hanging out for. Not just because I'm preggers, but because it has been such a busy 8 weeks. My debating team won their second debate and are due to compete in the third round this week. NAPLAN was a stressful week for the kids, parents and teachers alike but my Prac student teacher turned out to be a bit of a god sent and I spent most of her final days kicking back and relaxing. I have completed all my reports and have parent teacher interviews next week along with two planning days to organise stuff for next term. I've also met my replacement for when I take leave, his name is Ben and seems like a really sweet guy, very new to teaching, but I know the Stage 3 boys will appreciate having a bloke on staff. In regards to my Maternity leave, I plan on working into next term a little bit, everyone I speak to who has had a baby thinks I'm nuts! As it is I've said I'll work until Week 4 of Term 3, which puts me at 38 weeks. Eeck! But, we'll see how I go.

At home, the renos have pretty much finished up, the kitchen now just needs the final lick of paint over the cornice and the baby's room is pretty much done, we are tossing up some shelves or storage, but its not desperate. A few Saturdays ago J and I put up a border print around the walls of the nursery and it nearly ended our relationship, haha. It was a very stressful experience, but I think you'll agree it looks great! I know its a little impractical, but I don't care. In other news the washing machine we've had as long as we've been together finally died, and on a very chaotic Sunday we bought a new one and a laptop, which I'm writing to you on now. But we managed to sell Zeke, 2 days after advertising it online for 6000, so there is a little cashola in the bank to splurge with!



In pregger news, my tummy has started to expand, but I still am not huge, considering I only have 9ish weeks left. But nonetheless I have needed to invest in a new pair of jeans. I've also suddenly been penalised for all my cruisy months of being pregnant, by getting every niggling ailment you can think of. I've experienced heartburn,  I'm running to the toilet pretty regularly now, I've started to waddle, my balance is starting to feel the effects of my belly and I find picking things up off the floor is quite difficult now, I've got a bit of swelling in my fingers which means I have resorted to not wearing my wedding or engagement rings, sleeping through nights is no longer possible and I've become the laziest lady ever! Jarratt's been an absolute prince! I really don't know how people do this on their own. I mean, despite working 6 days a week at the moment (5 for switch, 1 for himself) he is still cooking EVERY night, keeping the house tidy (I do some chores, but its minimal), basically keeping me comfortable and telling me I'm beautiful despite how unattractive I feel! Also, I have yet to vomit, yay!!!!

Oh... actually I lie. I recently went to Port Stephens with Mum, Rob and J to do a Whale watching cruise over the long weekend and normally I'm fine on boats and never get sea sick but about 2 hours into the cruise I began to feel quite queasy! I decided to follow the captains advice and move from the top outdoor deck to the inside middle deck and as soon as I opened the door to enter the cabin - a smell of sick washed over me and that was it, I took off to the bathroom and ... well, you know. I then decided I was better off being queasy on the top deck than sitting inside with that smell! The cruise was great though we saw about 7 whales from a distance, but I don't know if Bubba Wyatt is going to have the same sea legs as its mum and dad. oh well....

But in all other things Bubba Wyatt, he/she is kicking along,I'm sure the little thing is going to be a soccer player or something! Its incredibly active!!! Now when it starts kicking and flapping around my stomach actually changes shape - sometimes like a tent or an elbow sticking out. Nothing clearly defined yet, like a foot or anything, but I'm hopeful hahaha. Its like something out of alien, like my stomach is about to burst open, its kinda freaky really! I've also had a lot more people throwing their two cents into the debate of boy vs girl. So far most opinions and even some of the old wives tales point to boy. My wedding ring rocking back and forth over my stomach on a chain, the way I'm carrying, all that stuff. Its fun to listen to the craziness, but at the end of the day - that's all it is, craziness! I honestly don't care either way.... I know that's cliched, but I can see pros and cons for both. I just cant wait til its here and I can hold it and share it with all of you! :)

We've got a midwife appointment tomorrow, but at the last appointment we were in and out in about 15minutes. With a quick check of a heartbeat and a push and prod we were given two thumbs up and sent on our way with more paperwork for more blood tests! This time it was another round of check up ones and a new one called the glucose test. Basically to check if I have diabetes. It was the worst one I've ever done! I had to drink 50ml of like syrup, wait an hour then have more blood taken. And they do take a bit, let me tell you! Made me feel quite light headed and dizzy. So we get those results tomorrow - fingers crossed all goes well.

Well I think that's it!
Hope everything is well in your world.