Now that the cows have all had their calves, I seem to be the only pregnant creature left on the Farmlet. The baby is due in just over two months, so my belly is pretty big by now. Fortunately I’m still feeling comfortable, despite being a lot bigger and fatter than usual. When Kevin wanted to take my photo, I started thinking about the photos he took of Esmerelda before she calved, and wondered what kind of caption he would put on the photo: perhaps “woman the size of a mini-van in the morning light”?
Becky in the garden
As well as sorting out the garden for spring, we have been busy preparing for our new arrival. Several months ago, we found a good deal on a second-hand rocking chair in the local paper. The rocking chair was in perfect condition, except for the cushions, which were looking very shabby and dusty. I’ve finally finished washing and re-upholstering them. Nobody who knows anything about uphlostery would be fooled into thinking that a professional fixed up that chair, but we think the result looks like a very comfortable place to rock a little baby. Actually, the rocking chair has already become a popular spot for Kevin and me to relax.
Rocking chair, with baby wraps and wipes
I’ve also been busy sewing cuddle rugs, muslins, and re-usable cotton baby wipes, as well as a selection of baby slings and carriers. It has been good to work on these projects over the colder, rainier months, and it’s nice to have things almost in order now that spring is here and the due-date edges closer.
Becky,
I don’t know what the cushions looked like before your handywork but rocking chair/glider looks brand new as if it was off the store showroom. What a great find.
I think the one thing that helped me with feeding/sitting/propping/tummytime/playing/supporting is the Boppy Poppy pillow. The links to various position is on the left side of the site http://shopboppy.com/use/feeding
It was an enormous help. Seeing that you’ve reupholstered the rocking chair beautifully, I can’t imagine it being much more difficult to recreate something like the Boppy Poppy. Or, there is the Boppy Lounge http://babychic101.blogspot.com/2005/11/boppy-lounger.html
As you get closer to the due date and more uncomfortable, try being buoyant whether it be in a tub or a pool. It will take some pressure off some areas. Sleeping can be a challenge and so lots of little pillows for between the leg and under belly or a long snake of a pillow to wrap around you.
You look so radiant and happy. From here on and way after birth, I hope you receive many back and feet massages.
~Cindy
P.S. FYI, the glider/rocker ended up in the garage during the curious toddler years for my daughter. She became too interested in the inner workings of the bottom portion of the chair. There were a few close incidents where she could have lost her digits. Also, feet rubs were great but make sure it’s gentle because there are pressure points on areas of your feet where it can trigger contractions.
Hi Becky!
You’re are looking so wonderfully healthy and what a wonderful life your baby will be born into.
I started a few new crafts this year and one of them is knitting/crocheting. I’ve managed to whip up a number of really cute (if I do say so myself) soft toys and would love to send your soon-to-be-born taonga something. If you have a P.O. no., or address that you could send me, that would be great!
Kia ora,
Sonya
You’re tiny! And you can rest easy in the knowledge that you are definitely not ever going to get as big as esmerelda. 🙂 Congrats, the baby belly is adorable.
Hi and thanks for the helpful comments and kind wishes.
@Cindy: Thanks for the info and links for the cushion. I was just thinking of using a bunch of plain old pillows, but that round cushion looks really neat. If I can find a suitable piece of foam or something, I may try to improvise one.
I’d never thought of pressure points on the feet triggering contractions. Yikes! But it figures. . . Still, I’m hoping for lots of foot and back massages, whether I feel uncomfortable or not!
@Sonya: What a kind offer! I’ve done a bit of knitting and crochet, but have never tried making soft toys before. I don’t want to put our postal address out here on the website, but if you go to the top of the page and click on “contact,” you can send me an email. Then I could email you back with our address if you like. Sorry about the hassle.
@Gaile: Thanks for the reassurance! Esmerelda is gorgeous, but I’m glad not to be getting quite that large.
Kia ora and best wishes to all,
Rebecca
Have you made breast pads? Just a thought.
Oh the breast milk stories I could tell.
Hi Becky!
My email address is [edited for privacy] if you would like to email me your postal address. I’m having a senior moment and couldn’t work out how to email you via the contact details.
Sonya
Hi Michelle,
Breast pads? Actually I was thinking of using the same muslin I’m using for the wipes, since it’s really soft.
By the way, I was just on your blog enjoying the sheep photos. They look beautiful!
Cheers,
Rebecca
Make a bunch. You get that let down thing going,
and leak everywhere for the first few months.
Thanks for the compliment. Poor sheep just got
rained on a bunch, it makes them very cranky.
Michelle
you look fantastico! it seems like only a month ago you broke the news, my, how time flies.
try to squeeze in all the indulgences that will be hard to pull off once bambino arrives: quiet candlelit dinner with hubby? concert? movie? you fill in the blank.
Hi Mims,
Not much going on in the way of concerts and movies in this neck of the woods, but we are certainly enjoying our quiet dinners together while we can!
Time is certainly flying.
Cheers
Rebecca
You look great, Becky! I’m with Michelle; lots and lots of breast pads. I don’t think muslin will do it; the ones I had were folded flannel, which is far more absorbent. I also have a few OH MY GOD!! leakage stories… 🙂
kermujin
Hi Kermujin,
Thanks for your kindness and your advice. I actually have a whole lot of flannel sitting around still, so could easily enough use some for that purpose.
Cheers,
Rebecca
Hi Becky, I don’t know if you’re still reading comments on this entry — been meaning to write for weeks, but life races on and haven’t had the chance. Two tips I wanted to add. One, I minimized my need for breast pads thanks to the following trick — if you feel letdown happening and you want to stop the leaking, press down hard on your nipples. That almost always stops it. This trick came in handy in restaurants where all I had to do was rest my arms on the table and lean forward a little bit! Tip two — you will be spending a lot of time sitting in a chair as you nurse. To take away any possible impatience or sense of tedium, buy yourself a cheap folding music stand and place it in front of your chair to hold books and magazines. In the US they cost about $13 – $15. Most models even have little fold-down arms to hold the pages down. All that reading/nursing time will seem a great luxury in retrospect once the little one starts running around. Good luck!
Hi Fansma,
Yes, we’re still reading the comments on this entry. Thanks so much for the tips. They might well be very helpful to me before too long!
Cheers and all the best,
Rebecca