Pregnancy - Week 38, 39

One thing has to be said about the final 2 weeks of pregnancy. If you think that the weeks leading up to this final stage could not get any more tiring or have you seeing more changes to your body, you are so wrong.

I stopped working last week and by the end of week 38, my tiredness has doubled, my ability to walk has slowed to 1/3 of its previous speed and the heaviness I'm experiencing on lower abdomen has just about tripled. I had somehow managed to pull some muscles or strained some ligaments and it now hurts each time I stand up to take my first step. I can't even turn in bed without it hurting.

The best thing to have at this time is help. Lots of help. Even the simple act of washing dishes brings so much soreness to your lower back you will appreciate all the help you can get. This is why I'm so glad my sister and her boyfriend are here in Canberra for a short holiday and to also lend 2 pairs of hands around the place. Now that they have left we have lost 2 valuable helpers!

Their trip was planned way before we knew about the pregnancy so Alex and I tried our best to show them the sights and sounds around Canberra which included a short trip to Sydney. I stayed home from the Sydney trip but I got my bottom moving for the sights around Canberra. Here are some pics of this very pregnant lady doing things a pregnant lady probably shouldn't be doing i.e walking at the markets, visiting museums, walking at the botanical gardens, feeding swans and even cycling! :) I did think twice before taking on all this activity but hey, they are only here for 2 weeks and I wasn't keen on missing out on the fun. So persevered I did and I think baby is in no way traumatised by all the action.

The very swollen mama to be, on a night out having hot chocolate in winter at Koko Black

The papa to be enjoying all the noise and company visitors bring

My sister and Ying plus my mother in law cracking their heads over Samurai Sudoku accompanied by hot chocolate.

A picture with the hubs at Regatta Point - a 'must' visit if you are in Canberra. Check out the belly! And I'm wearing black too! (Black minimizes.. if you get my drift)


After church service on Sunday with my sis.

We took a drive up Mount Ainslie for the sights. Very appropriate that the biggest person in this picture is standing furthermost from the camera :)

We took them to all you can eat Dim Sum. I don't think the many plates of dim sum made much difference to the circumference of my belly :)

At the National Museum, they had free access to wheelchairs. I jumped at the opportunity of having Alex push me around. Who wants to walk when you can be off your feet?

Enjoying my ride. I was so very glad I didn't have to tour the place walking.

Even then I was very tired at the end of the tour.

This is Scrivener Dam. Canberra has seen a lot of rain these past few weeks (a very rare occurence in this dry state) and by chance we saw the flood gates open, pouring water into the river below. A very rare sight. Many cars stopped for picture taking.

We decided to take our two guests cycling around Lake Burley Griffin. The sky was very blue and the sun was shining. It was a perfect day for the activity and this 'nutty' mama decided to not miss out on the fun. Pedal cars are so much fun!

Our two guests prior to push off.

If you are in Canberra on a beautiful day like this, you have to hire a bike and do this. Its something you won't regret.

The views on the bike path are breathtaking.

The wheels on the bike go round and round...

The next day we took them to feed some swans at the lake.

Before they left, we had a steamboat dinner at the house.

Nothing beats a steaming pot of communal soup with lots of ingredients cooking in it in winter. Its the perfect set up for conversations around the table. Fresh food cooked slowly and eaten slowly encourages the building of relationships at the dining table.

Thats me at 39 weeks and 3 days. I look tired and rather washed out in all the photos because I really do feel tired and washed out most hours of the day :)

We were really glad to have my sis and Ying Kai around these past 2 weeks. Them being around brought a little festive atmosphere to the house and added extra anticipation to whats about to come. Its too bad they had to leave before baby arrived. We now await my parents arrival in Canberra and hopefully baby will make an appearance on time.

Come on now baby! Its time to come out...!

cheryl