I've also enjoyed some shopping - I still have no willpower to resist a Country Road spend'n save (in my defence, they were hospital necessities), lunch and coffee dates with friends, a girls night to see a The Other Woman (hilarious) and even a movie date with S to see Captain America - surprisingly, I'm a fan and enjoyed it!

I could get used to this life I tell you ... Hanging with E every day is a blessing but it hasn't been without its trials of course. As great as my first week was, it was tempered by a toddler who seemed to be suffering a early life crisis with nap refusals, tantrums galore, meal rejection and rivers of tears. It started with a bout of croup detected early by his attentive kindy carer on Thursday before Easter so I raced him to our GP that night and got him dosed up before it set in. Thinking we were on top of things, I was caught out on Monday when E presented with bright red cheeks... I suspected Slap Cheek/Fifths Disease and had it confirmed by our GP on Tuesday. Nothing serious thankfully, just cold like virus symptoms with red cheeks once the virus passes. He made a full recovery by the end of last week much to our relief but just to keep things interesting, B2 decided to get us on our toes and we spent Anzac Day afternoon at the hospital being monitored and assessed. False alarm but it the positive is that my bags are now fully packed and I have kit ready for E too just in case he ends up needing to go to my inlaws (plan is for him to stay at home with my parents watching him).

In biggest news, E had his first haircut ... And yes, I held back tears. We took him to my dad's barber who was brilliant - quick with no fuss and the alternative method of using a shopping trolley to keep E seated and at the right height. Hey, it worked a treat with no tears, tantrums or similar from E and He looks like a big boy now with such a neat head of hair instead of those wispy baby curls I loved. 

Here are some pics of our fun:

Pics of E's first haircut

Lots of lounging around including matching daddy in Giggle & Hoot pjs

My Country Road haul - button down winter nightgown & jacquard robe for hospital, long sleeve tees and a too cute to pass up jumpsuit - that may end up being switched for blue

Easter fun and park play with uncle J

Thermomix baking - homemade crumpets and the best scones I have ever made or tried

My brother and sister in law meeting the Duchess of Cambridge - I was and am totally jealous ;)

How far along? 36 weeks ... And I'm officially on mat leave! Hooray for some time out before our world gets turned upside down in the most amazing way.

Its scary to think that in just 3 or so weeks, our family of 3 will become 4 and E's whole little world will be rocked. I may be overthinking it all and I really hope I am but knowing my beautiful sensitive little boy, I know that he is gentle and emotional and doesn't yet comprehend sharing 'mummy' with anyone, not his cousins, his daddy or grandparents. He becomes distressed when he cant have my full undivided attention and he is too little to reason with when it comes to emotions.

I have a whole lot of plans and tips I hope will help us in the early days (I will share these in another post) but also, finding and reading this has given me some comfort (and lots of tears) ...

Loving Two

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/baby/loving-two-children

So while I'm anxious about what lies ahead for us, I'm also excited and I know that ultimately S and I will have more than enough love to share with our children. There will be a period of adjustment of course but giving E the gift of a sibling is pretty special and I know that with time, he is going to love being a big brother.

How far along? 35 weeks ... Where the heck has time even gone? I'd hate to think how fast any subsequent pregnancy would pass if we were planning any more.

How far along? 34 weeks ... OMG I'm having a baby in a month give or take!

How far along? 33 weeks ... only 2.5 weeks till maternity leave starts and 5-6 weeks before we meet B2! S actually had a mini freak out earlier in the week exclaiming we hadn't done anything to get ready for the baby and its all snuck up on him. Cue laughter from me and the reassurance that all we have to do is put the capsule in the car, everything essential has been done/organised otherwise.

How far along? 32 weeks ... Boy, girl? Arghhhh its killing me! I'm feeling so disorganised as I have 2 enormous boxes of newborn clothes - one pink, one blue - and I don't know which to unpack so they are just sitting in the nursery awaiting D-Day.

How far along? 31 weeks ... I'm now hanging out to know if we are having a boy or a girl! I still can't believe I've managed to last this long without giving in.

How far along? 30 weeks ... we spent the weekend trying to get our heads around the fact we will have a newborn in around 8 weeks! Time really has flown for the most part this pregnancy and I guess a lot of that is because I have E as my main focus rather than the pegnancy itself ... chasing a toddler doesn't leave much time for reading pregnancy books and thinking about the changes to come.

How far along? 28 weeks ... the 3rd trimester is almost here!.

How far along? 27 weeks ... the 3rd trimester is almost here!.

How far along? 26 weeks ... I'll be on mat leave before I know it at this rate.

How far along? 25 weeks ... and counting down. 

How far along? 24 weeks ... the end is near... enough! Only about 10 weeks of work to go. 

Stretchmarks? my Mothercare cream is still doing its job, none.

Symptoms: lots and lots of Braxton Hicks contractions this past week and more than a little uncomfortable. Particularly if I don't drink enough water. The heartburn is also showing no signs of abating. 

Sleep: not great as the toddler is teething I suspect and crying out on and off. He's also had dirty nappies overnight which is extremely unusual :(

Miss Anything? oh how I'd love an icy cold Stone & Wood Pacific Ale in this heat!

Movement: baby never stops wriggling and its kicks are becoming a little more forceful as time goes on. You can definitely see some movement from the outside clearly now.

Stretchmarks? None... my magic cream is working thus far..

Symptoms: Just the usual tiredness and heartburn but its to be expected I guess. The doctor has ordered some bloods this week to check all levels to be sure the ongoing exhaustion is nothing more than running around after an active toddler while pregnant. 

Sleep: last night I had a solid 9 hour sleep and for the first time in forever, I woke up feeling rested and well rather than as  though I hadn't slept at all.

Miss Anything? I have thoughts of Camembert and Brie in my head constantly not to mention a craving for a McDonalds chocolate sundae - no kidding, I never eat these but they were all I could think of when pregnant with E and I ate them every night for a week after he was born and haven't since.

Movement: baby still feels really low but my bump is high with lots of rolling movement and hiccups ... loving every little flutter.

Stretchmarks? No sign so far.

Symptoms: tiredness but that's probably more to do with the early rising of camping plus the heat wave we've been having. The killer heartburn also seems to have kicked in and even water is an agitator.

Sleep: completely out to it once I get to bed. I love sleep!

Miss Anything? Camping definitely wasn't quite the same without midday beers and joining my mum and sis for wine and bubbles.

Movement: lots of kicking and wriggling from the little bean... Feels like it's quite low.

 It started off not so bright with a visit to the doctor - a checkup for me and 18 month immunisation for E. Poor baby was more traumatised by the weighing and measuring and coped better with the actual needle - could be the chocolate milk I brought along and gave him to sip before the needle was administered. Either way, no more needles now till 4 and the doctor was pleased with the high five E gave him when we left while the receptionists literally melted at his whispered garble of 'merry Christmas' and the kisses he blew them.

As he was in good spirits and it was only 10am, I decided to take him to Visit daddy at work knowing what a kick S would get to see him and show him off. The decision was a big hit all round, especially as E is in a stage of adoration with his 'dadddeeee' more than ever. I overhead several of the women that S works with comment how much they'd love to take E home ... I told them there were some days they would be welcome to but today wasn't one.

It was a stinking hot Gold Coast day and with no signs of tiredness after his daddy visit, a Swim was the order of the day and the shrieks of delight and accompanying splashing indicated another popular choice by mummy. I actually expected tears or a tantrum getting him out but after a decent spell he was pretty happy to get dry and I was blessedly cool. The lure (bribery?) of his favourite berries might have played a part in his easy acquiescence but hey, you've got to use whatever you've got in the mummy arsenal.

And here's where the day hit its peak for me... Nap time. Yes, us mums adore nap time but today was extra special for here. Since weaning, E flat out will not sleep for me. I can rock him, lay with him etc and all we get is hysterical tears till we admit defeat. Needless to say, it's been a tough and heartbreaking time feeling like a failure. Today I was determined to nail it and E must have known as I told him it was nap time and put on his Tomy light/lullaby star. He laid next to me, cuddled in and went right to sleep. I cried... Yep, I lay there watching my perfect precious little guy and I cried for the corner we had just turned and the blessing I had been given. Then I tried to call my mum to share my triumph... but of course she wasn't answering so I contented myself with a peaceful lunch and writing up some more Christmas to do lists.

The boss woke up a little later as happy and playful as can be so I popped him in the car and we went to deliver a Christmas gift to my mum's best friend. E was thoroughly spoilt with homemade biscuits and an ice block while I enjoyed catching up with a wonderful lady. The rest of the afternoon we spent doing water play in the yard and playing cars/trucks in the playroom ... I'm getting pretty good with the cars if the spontaneous cuddles, cheers and claps from my playtime companion are anything to go by.

How did you spend your Saturday?