Magic Bean Update: 5 weeks to go!

It's hard to believe, but today, we are exactly 5 weeks away from meeting our littler man, Magic Bean!

This pregnancy has been harder than the first, with a very active 3-year-old to chase after, as well as dealing with all the rigours of life. But, we wouldn't have done it any other way.

The pregnancy itself has been great. I sailed through the first weeks (and, in fact, the entire pregnancy) without having to deal with any morning sickness, which is a huge blessing - I didn't have morning sickness with Sean either. I've lost weight as a result of craving fresh vegetables, just like I did with Sean - living healthier because of the pregnancy has its advantages. My health has been better than ever, and Dr Baber couldn't be happier with the progress - perfect blood pressure, good blood work, etc.

At the end of November / beginning of December, I was almost decimated by a cold. It took me around 7 weeks or so to shake. That was about the worst of it. My back is doing its best to keep me upright, but by the end of the day, it really does need a lot of tender loving care, and very fortunately for me, Jonathan is more than happy to give me a nightly back rub with scented massage oils to relieve the aches. There have been some weird / odd pangs around my belly over the last couple of weeks, but Dr Baber doesn't seem to be too concerned. We're putting it down to the baby trying to get into the right position for these final weeks.

Crazy as it may seem, we have started some minor renovations / additions to our house. The works kicked off late last week with the removal of the huge frangipani tree in our backyard, which was replanted at the house of our friends from Mothers Group. We really hope the Turners will enjoy the gorgeous tree for many years to come. The Turners also took our pavers from our "courtyard" side of our backyard, to be used down the side of their house. In place of the pavers, we are adding a gloriously huge merbau deck, with the dining room window being replaced with French doors to access this wonderful space. Earlier this week, the wonderful people from Brander Constructions came and tore down our old wooden fence and replaced it with a huge new Colorbond fence. The new fence is about 300mm higher than the old fence, which is giving us a slightly great sense of security and privacy. Whereas we were once able to see the main road from our house, I now need to stand on a step or a chair to see over the fence. What little noise there was emanating from the main road is also cut down somewhat by this higher fence. We love it!

Integro Carpentry will start works on the deck and the new doors next week, and hope to be able to complete the job by 21 February (or thereabouts). We would love the works to be completed by then, so we would have a week or two to clean and tidy up and enjoy this added 14m x 3m living space before Magic Bean arrives.

To think, I was 34 weeks pregnant with Sean when we moved house, into this lovely little house of ours. And now, at 34 weeks pregnant with Magic Bean, we are undertaking what we consider to be major renovations. This is what is known as "Extreme Nesting"!

There are still so many things to do before Magic Bean arrives. Jonathan and I need to pull down all the itty bitty baby things from the attic storage space and go through what we have to work out if we need to buy some new things. I need to wash what we have and rejig the drawers in Sean's bedroom to accommodate all the itty bitty baby things. And we need to turn the bassinet back into a bed for the baby - it is currently being used as the "overflow basket" for my clothes and coat hangers!

I've been away from work for 2 days this week, due to the fact that I've barely slept and everything hurts. I can't wait for my maternity leave to start at COB on 21 February. I'm looking forward to not having to sit on a bus for 2 hours every day getting to and from work.

Two weeks ago, Sean had his own lightbulb moment, when he finally felt the baby kick in my belly. Up till then, we're not sure how much he understood - probably a heck of a lot more than we give him credit for, but he was so pleased and surprised and happy to feel Magic Bean move. The look of delight on his face when Sean felt his baby brother move was absolutely priceless. Now, every day, Sean puts his ear to my belly and waits for Magic Bean to move. And every day, Sean continues to be delighted by the little kicks and rolls Magic Bean does in my belly.

We've been so busy that we have not tracked the progress of Magic Bean's belly bump as closely as we did with Sean. But here are some photos nonetheless.

Magic Bean @ 13 weeks

Magic Bean @ 19 weeks

Magic Bean @ 19 weeks

Magic Bean @ 20 weeks

Magic Bean @ 26 weeks

Magic Bean @ 28 weeks

Magic Bean @ 34 weeks

Magic Bean @ 34 weeks

5 weeks to go. We are so looking forward to meeting our littler man on 7 March!

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Dear Magic Bean,

We only have 5 weeks to wait till we get to meet you, all perfect and squishy, just like your big brother was when he was born!

We have picked out your birthday - 7 March - a special special day indeed. You will be born in the Year of the Horse, and we are told that the Horse and the Tiger (which is what Sean is) get along famously. We certainly hope so. We would love to meet you on the day, but not any earlier, because your crazy Daddy and Momma are making the house bigger and better for you and Sean, and we need you to stay put until all the dirty dust is cleaned from the house.

Your big brother is very much looking forward to meeting you. Daddy and Momma have tried our best to tell Sean what you will be like when you first come home - how little you will be, and how much you will need to sleep, and how much you might be crying, that sort of thing. We've also told him that it will be his job to teach you all the awesome things he knows, like how to eat, and talk, and walk, and run, and climb, and tickle. And in return, we've told him you will give him lots of cuddles and kisses for being the world's best big brother. We truly believe you two will be the best of friends forever.

Sean finally felt you kick and shake in Momma's belly two weeks ago. Every night, Sean gives you a big kiss and hopes to feel you move, and you haven't disappointed him yet! Daddy loves to feel you rolling and kicking and moving in Momma's belly too - he giggles every time you move!

Oh, our littler man, we are so very excited about your impending arrival. In 5 weeks, we will be holding you in our arms, giving you lots of cuddles and kisses. There are so many others waiting to meet you too, so be prepared to be passed around for heaps of cuddles and kisses!

We love you so much, little one. Stay well, and see you very soon!

Hugs and kisses,
Daddy and Momma