Charlottes 6 week update!

My little lottie bear is 6 weeks old already. Its like ive blinked and time has just gone by. She is the sweetest little thing. She is a very quiet and content baby apart from the silent reflux.

She is so much more alert now and is starting to smile. She has the biggest gummy smile its adorable. She loves to be carried around and see whats going on.

This year was her first Christmas and even though it was busy with all the visiting she was so good and slept through most of it. 

She is growing so quick and is in mostly all her 3-6 month clothes now. We have both our 6 week check ups next week so it will be interesting to see how much weight she has gained.

She still has her heart murmur which she had when she was born and the hospital weren't concerned with it but we will be getting regular check ups to make sure it stays harmless.

We are also getting her belly button re checked because we think she has a hernia. Im keeping it clean and we have cream to stop it getting infected so im hoping they say its still ok when we go back.

As much as it has been so hectic and such hard work, i am so glad she is in our lives. She is just such an amazing little girl and i cant wait to see her changing again over the next few weeks and see her smiling and laughing.

1 month postpartum!

I cant believe i had a baby 1 month ago. It has gone so fast, feels like we waited forever for her to get here. I am finally starting to feel some what back to
normal now.

                                                        4 days postpartum                                                           

         
                                                4 weeks postpartum



I was 12 stone 4lbs at 40 weeks and i am now 10 stone 8lbs. So far ive lost 24lbs. I havent really dieted yet or exercised so its mostly all the baby weight gone. I actually cant wait to get to the gym in the new year when im 6 weeks postpartum and the doctor says its ok to go ahead.


It has been a hard recovery this time because of the episiotomy, the first 2 weeks were so hard to even walk. My stitches have dissovled and i am almost healed now and the pain is finally gone. Its been tough not being able to rest as much with having sofia aswel, i think thats why its taken me this long to recover.


Finally my milk dried up so im not leaking anymore TMI ha. Im relieved i didnt get an abcess again and everything seems to be ok.


Apart from being extremely exhausted it has been a massive life change but we have adjusted very quick and charlotte has settled in straight away to our family. I love seeing the bond already between her and sofia.

Labour and delivery, baby number 2!

Our beautiful daughter Charlotte Everly Crowson was born on the 20th of november 2015. She arrived at 2.18pm and weighed 9.12 ozs.

I had an appointment on the 18th in the clinic and got the stretch and sweep done. When she did it it wasnt sore at all and she said my cervix was so far back and not even dilated. I was so upset because it had worked on sofia. The following morning i had the show so i knew then by the weekend i would have her.

Luckily we got my mum to have Sofia on the thursday night because at 3am friday morning i started getting contractions. They were so irregular so i waited till 5am when they were 10 minutes apart and we headed to kilkenny.

When i got there they hoocked me up to a monitor and got me to click all charlottes movements. She checked me and i was 3cm so we went straight to the delivery suite at around 7am.

We had the nicest midwife Eimear she was really listening to what i said i wanted. She checked me at 9am and i was 6cm. I was advised to carry on labouring on my own but i had such a traumatic time with Sofia that i wanted the epidural. We agreed she wouldnt break my waters until the doctor was there to do the epidural.

The doctor arrived at half 9, he got me all ready on the bed and matty was told to hold my legs while they put in the needle. He had to go and sit down because he nearly passed out ha. Once the epi was in i got relief within 10 minutes and my contractions were pretty much on top of each other.

At 11 she checked me and i was fully dilated so she had said we would wait an hour for charlottes head to come down a bit more. So the hour passed an she checked and we agreed to wait 1 more hour so it would be less pushing for me.

Once 1pm came i was so nervous knowing i had to get her out. By that time the epi had started to wear off. The first pushes didnt hurt too much but once her head was starting to come down i felt excruciating pain. I was getting so frustrated because i kept pushing but her head kept going back again.

I was so mean to the nurses and swearing and shouting it was so embarrassing now when i think back. However they kept me going and reassured me i could do it. The doctors had came in to intervene because an hour had passed but my midwife didnt want to do the vaccum like on Sofia. They gave me an episiotomy and her head came out soon after.

After her head was out i gave a few more pushes and she shot out onto the bed. I was in shock still and completely exhausted when they put her up for skin to skin. She was completely covered in the vernix so she was all white. They took her straight away then to check her heart as they detected a murmur during labour. The doctor gave her the all clear and matty spent some time with her while they stitched me up.

They brought her over then to weigh her and she weighed 9lb 12.5 oz. We couldnt believe the size of her. She is such a quiet little thing and we are so happy she is here. Our family is now complete with our girls. I am so amazed by her. She is the image of her daddy with her dark auburn hair and has blue eyes like me.

40 weeks pregnant!

I am now full term. I new after all the doctors telling me id go early that i wouldnt. She is still head down and fully engagaed. I am getting the sweep on wednesday in the clinic so hopefully that gets things moving.

How far along: 40 weeks.

Symptoms: major heartburn, back ache, tons of pressure, braxton hicks.

Next appointment: i have my clinic appointment wednesday so they will do the stretch and sweep and see if i am dilated at all.

Labour signs: so much pressure and cramps.

This week: we had sofias party for her second birthday and i was so glad i didnt go into labour so we could focus completely on her for the day before she has to share us forever.

37 weeks pregnant!

I am finally classed as full term ☺ only 22 days till my due date i cant believe its so close. I have to say these last few weeks i have really struggled, i am in so much pain all the time.

How far along: 37 weeks.

Symptoms: So much pressure now she has dropped so low. Mini contractions. Pain in the top of my stomach where her foot is wedged in. Heartburn.

Weight gain: i have gained a total of 27lbs. I started at 10 stone and im almost 12 so im happy with that. At this stage last time i was up to 13 stone.

Appointments: I actually missed my 35 week doctors appointment because Sofia was in hospital for 3 days with hand, foot and mouth. I had my 36 week check up in the clinic on wednesday and they started to talk through the next few weeks. They werent happy with the constant pain ive had in the top of my stomach for a few weeks so they sent me to kilkenny to be monitored.

In the hospital they hooked me up to a monitor and baby was doing great i was even getting mini contractions. They put the pain down to position of the baby and that it was her foot. They said i will have it now till i deliver because her head is already engaged so she probably wont move.

Next appointment: I have my 37 week doctors appointment wednesday and then the following week i am back in the clinic. I have been getting my bloods done at every appointment because my iron has been so low.

Labour signs: so many now im constantly getting pressure and pains but nothing regular yet.

33 weeks pregnant!

Wow only 7 weeks to go and 4 weeks till im full term 😮 A few of my friends and family's had their baby's this week and it just makes me so excited to have our little one here. According to my baby app she weighs around 4lbs this week and i can really feel it now, her kicks are starting to hurt and i feel tons of pressure.

How many weeks: 33 weeks.

Weight gain: At my doctors appointment last week he said i was 70kg so i haven't gained an over amount i was 60kg when i got pregnant. Im happy with the steady weight gain.

Symptoms: Heartburn, i still get this every day. Pressure, so much pressure now she has dropped so low and i still head down. Lightening crotch, this is so painful and a bit awkward when your out in public. Tiredness, i feel like im exhausted all the time it doesnt help looking after a 2 year old and working still but i go off on maternity leave in 2 weeks.

Appointments: I had my 32 week check up at my doctors he was happy with my blood pressure and weight gain. He said she is head down and looks like she will stay that way with how low she is. I have my clinic appointment at 34 weeks and then i will alternate every week after between the doctor and clinic till my due date.

Labour signs: No contractions just tons of pressure and braxton hicks.

Maternity clothes: Im starting to out grow all of my normal clothes and im so sad my maternity jeans finally gave up on me and ripped 😕 i really dont want to buy another pair just for 7 weeks so im living out of leggings and long tops.

Nesting: I cant stop cleaning its ridiculous, i finally have mostly everything organised for her now and we got our double pram yesterday. When i get further along i will do the last few things like sterilising the bottles and getting her bed ready.

30 weeks pregnant!

The countdown is officially on 10 weeks till im a mum again. This pregnancy is flying by  really cant wait to meet my little girl Charlotte.

How far along: 30 weeks and 2 days.

Symptoms: major heartburn every night im living off rennie tablets and milk. Leg cramps mostly during the night they are so painful. Braxton hicks are coming on full force now all the time and back pain.

Gender: still a girl :) Charlotte Everly Crowson.

Appointments: we had our 28 week appointment 2 weeks ago and everything looked great. They suprised us by saying she was going to be a good size baby because my bump is so small i wasnt expecting it. She was measuring 2 weeks ahead buti think she will just be long like her sister. They also double checked and confirmed it was definatly a girl.

Weight gain: ive gained just over a stone this whole pregnancy so im happy so far i started out at 10 stone so i dont want to go over 12 stone this time.

Movement: she has gone so strong lately and i can feel her rolling around more than anything. There are times i can feel her limbs like a leg or arm sticking up.

Next appointment: i have a doctors check up next week and then a clinic appointment at 34 weeks. After that i will have one every week.

Best moment this week: i finally finished packing my hospital bags, i only have a few small things to go into the bag but i feel very organised this time.

29 week bump.

25 weeks pregnant!

I am officially 6 months pregnant. Which now means if baby did decide to come at any stage she has a good chance of surviving ☺ i cant wait to meet this little girl in 3 months time :)

How many weeks: 25+2 weeks.
Gender: baby girl Charlotte.
Weight gain: 1 stone.
Appointments: we have our next scan in 3 weeks so we can double check that we are definatly having a girl.
Symptoms: heartburn! I have it all day everyday its horrible. Pains in the top of my belly where its stretching its so sore and i usually have to sit down to relieve it.
Movement: loads now shes getting so strong. She mostly moves at night, she is definatly lazier than Sofia used to be.
Cravings: milk, i think its just because of the heartburn though.

Im so excited for these next 14 weeks to go so i can have a little sister for Sofia.

20 weeks pregnant!

I cant believe im already halway through this pregnancy already! I definatly feel like im more relaxed this time around and im just trying to enjoy every week.

How far:  20 weeks!
Symptoms:  Ive been very fatiged and exhausted this pregnancy i think its from running around after Sofia aswel as working. Ive had heartburn and backache alot just like i did on Sofia too.
Weight gain: 5lbs. I was exactly 10 stone when i got pregnant so im happy enough this time with the slow weight gain.
Movement:  yes! Ive been feeling Charlotte move alot now more so at night time when im lying still. She is a strong kicker.
Cravings: None really mostly milk or chocolate same as last time.
Gender: Girl! We had our gender scan and found out we are having another little girl. Charlotte Everly Crowson.

Baby number 2!

I am so excited that we are expecting again. I really did not expect to be pregnant as quick because it took a year to concieve Sofia, so it was a plesant suprise. We decided from her first birthday we would see what happened if i got pregnant we would be happy but if not we wouldnt stress ourselves like last time.

We wanted our kids to be 2 years apart so it was nice that the new baby is due 1 week after Sofias second birthday, we literally couldnt have timed it better.

The baby is due November 16th so i will have 2 November babys.

I dont feel nervous this time around for when the baby comes, we have done this once before and i still remember everything for a newborn since it wasnt that long ago. I feel confident this time and i know not to worry over everything like i did with Sofia.

I am opting for an epidural this time around i had a very traumatic birth with Sofia and i feel so anxious even when i think about it. I felt like i didnt get the experience i was hoping for doing it all natural and i homestly regret it because i was too exhausted after to care for her. I know i can do it without drugs but if ive learnt anything its that you dont have to prove anything to anyone. As long as the baby and i are safe that is my plan.

We are finding out the babys gender in 4 weeks and i really cant wait. We are both convinced its a boy but we dont mind either way. We had the gender scan with Sofia in Dublin and we found it amazing there so we will be going to the same place again. We have our names picked out finally but we wont be telling till we know the gender.

14 week bump!

Sofia's 18 month update!

My little baby is 18 months, what the hell!
Shes a proper toddler and so advanced for her age im amazed by how fast she learns something just by being shown once. She has a very cheeky personality and certainly loves the attention.

Potty training!
Very early i know but Sofia has shown a big interest she knows what a potty is and to sit on it. She understands wee wees and will go into the toilet as soon as you say it. For now we are just easing her into it and praising her when she sits down. She almost had her first wee yesterday but didn't make it in time and she was so upset but we assured her it was ok. I am wishfully hoping she is day trained by 2 but im just going to let her do it in her own time.

Chatterbox!
Sofia never stops talking and mumbling away she can say lots of words and put 2 or three together at a time. She knows our close family all by names and can decipher between everyone. She is constantly learning new words and understands everything we say to her. It can be a good and a bad thing because she has just learnt how to say no!

Playschool!
A month ago we had strongly considered taking her out of creche but within a few weeks she has taken to it so well and shes a better child for it. She was very socially shy and wouldn't go to anyone but family and we were getting a bit worried. We didn't want her to grow up that way so we decided as young as she was it was better to put her in now a few days then have her crying going to school later on. As soon as we get there she runs straight in and plays with all her friends and she loves her 2 teachers they are great with her and have really brought her out of her shell.

Milestones!

• She has started potty training.
• she loves Minnie mouse and playing piano.
• she sleeps from 7 till 7 on a good night.
• she only has 1 bottle before bed now.
• she fits into nearly all her size 2-3 clothes
• her shoe size is a 5, she has big feet like her mama.
• her favourite food is carrots and fish.
• she is very affectionate and also very hyper.
• she had her first holiday to England this month.
• she is a complete tomboy.
• she is going to be a big sister this year 😊