Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Last weekend we flew to the Sunshine Coast for our babymoon :)

We stayed in the LOVELY town of Noosa Heads where this gorgeous beach was just steps from the main street!

We took a walk through the nearby National Park on the 'coastal walk' and saw a ton of hidden lovely beaches

Me on the walk

On the way back we saw this goanna crossing the path - he was massive!

Gorgeous beaches, good for swimming too - the waves were pretty calm close to shore.

We stood and watched these boys for awhile - they devised a fun game

Duck - it's a wave!

Totally covered!

Some bizarre bug

It really is such a lovely area!

We took advantage of our relaxing weekend & even made it to a few movies (3!), something that we just don't seem to have enough time for lately. On our first trip to Noosa Junction (we later realized it was only a 10 minute walk, so didn't take the bus again!) I had Murray take this picture - cause how often do you see surfboards on a bus? lol

Between movies we went to a local Italian place for dinner. They make all of their own pasta and oh my GOSH this vegetarian lasagna was AMAZING!!!

The pudding wasn't bad either:)

All in all a wonderful weekend. We ate, we walked, we shopped, we movied, we swam and we just relaxed. It was lovely! Hot and quite a bit more humid than Sydney, but gorgeous. I'd definitely go back to Noosa again - great place for a family holiday!!

Happy M&M Day to us :)

Today is our 10 year dating anniversary!!! Way back when we first started dating we decided we wouldn't celebrate valentines day, but instead would celebrate what we decided was our first 'real' date - Feb 24th, 2000 - which we call M&M day.

We went out for lunch together which was lovely, and mid afternoon Murray called me at my desk to say I still hadn't wished him Happy M&M day:( Opps!!!! I blame pregnancy brain. I did buy him a present the week before, but it just slipped my mind on the day!!

Anyhow, Murray made some lovely lamb on the BBQ for dinner then we exchanged gifts. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dress he got me. So thoughtful after my complaining last week that I am running out of casual things that fit! It has a lot of room for the bump and is SO cute!

Wow - 10 years - I can hardly believe it! I love you Murray :)

Week 21

*How far along?: 21 weeks

*Total weight gain: 5.5 kilos - which is about 12 pounds

*How big is baby?: Sparky is now the size of a banana Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!

*Maternity clothes?: I have officially outgrown all of my summer work shirts now, so it's on to maternity & stretch tops! Luckily I have a few flowy shirts & lots of stretch ones that I can wear with a black sweater, so that should last me for awhile:)

*Sleep?: Starting to be uncomfortable. Last night was the first night I slept with a pillow to support me on my side - both to keep me sleeping on my side (you aren't supposed to sleep on your back, cuts blood flow to the baby cause of the weight) and just to be more comfortable. It seemed to work - so that's the plan from here on out.

*Best moment this week?: Going on our Babymoon trip:)

It was a LONG week - Wednesday night I got rear ended by a scooter - at VERY low speed (so barely any bump to us) and Bruce only got a bit of scratched paint - but it was still upsetting. Friday a bus kicked up a stone and put a chip in the windshield of Betty -lovely. Then Friday at the airport I forgot to take my mini swiss army knife off of my keychain and they made me throw it away. I cried because it was inscribed with my name & was pink & Murray got it for me years ago when we went to Switzerland:( So after that long week a babymoon was just what we needed. We had a LOVELY weekend in Noosa - we ate, we walked around the gorgeous surroundings, we went to movies & we relaxed (post to follow soon)!

*Movement?: Yup - every day. Some days stronger than others. Not often many kicks in a row though - usually just 1 or 2 here & there all day long, which makes it hard for me to tell Murray when to hold his hand on my belly to feel them!

*Food cravings?: Well I have been starting to quite like walnuts. I have been snacking on them for a few weeks because I read they are excellent for brain development & also a good source of protein, and I'm starting to really like the taste! But ALL I can ever think about at food time is Mexican. I was CRAVING enchiladas our first night in Noosa & we found a Mexican restaurant that TOTALLY hit the spot!!

*Labor signs?: too soon for that!

*Belly button in or out?: Innie

*What I miss: nothing really

*What I'm looking forward to: Hearing Sparky's heartbeat at our doctor's appointment next week.

*Milestone: People now notice I'm pregnant:) Well, as long as I'm not wearing a super baggy shirt! I did go to a baby store at the mall last week and I said to the girl who was working there 'There aren't many gender neutral things are there?' She replied - 'yes don't you hate it when people don't tell you the sex? Makes it SO hard to buy!!' Ha ha. I responded 'Wellllll I'm buying for my own, but yea it's kind of frustrating when almost all of the cute stuff is pink or blue! I still like the idea of a surprise though:)' She was a bit embarrassed, but really I understand the frustration! Just because we decided a surprise would be the best for us doesn't mean I'm not dying to buy cute little pink & blue clothing!!!

Week 20

*How far along?: 20 weeks

*Total weight gain: 4.5 kilos - which is about 10 pounds

*How big is baby?: Sparky is now the size of a cantaloupe (rock melon)

Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid.

*Maternity clothes?: Yes of course, belly seems to be expanding by the day. I'm glad I'm still not too big to wear my own t-shirts though, well - the ones that have some stretchiness to them.

*Sleep?: Weird dreams continue - I will give you an example of my weirdest dream this week. I dreamt that Murray & I were renewing our vows. For the ceremony I was wearing a purple mini skirt & purple top and had a wedding dress over it that snapped in the front (I remember thinking in the dream - ewww Monique - awful outfit)! Anyhow, so I look back into the audience & our friends Heather & Jason are there - and I thought - oh isn't that nice that they came! I noticed Heather brought her friend Brittney Spears (ha ha) and Brittney brought her sister Jamie Lynn and Jamie's date is Brian Austin Green (from 90210). But then, rudely, Jamie Lynn & Brian got up & left early, leaving in a motor boat. Then I woke up - going huh????????

*Best moment this week?: Getting our new pram (or as I would call it, stroller)!!! We were worried maybe it was a bit too soon for such a big purchase, but then some of the pieces weren't in stock & had to be ordered - up to 12 weeks for them to come!! So I'm glad we DID order!

We got a Mountain Buggy 'Urban Jungle' in the color 'Chilli'

We also got the bassinet so Sparky can face us for the first 6 months! (it's also just a nice bassinet!). I love that the seat or bassinet snaps off the frame easily - gives you lots of options!

Oh and another highlight this week was the 'Preparing for Parental Leave' course that work sent me on. I got to spend the day with 15 other pregnant ladies & learn about how to negotiate your leave, and how to balance your baby & work when you come back, how day care works here - all the options & what to ask when you interview them, and what government benefits are available. It was VERY interesting, and I started the day with a ferry ride & a Starbucks chai - fantastic day!

*Movement?: Yup - every day now - so nice & reassuring!

*Food cravings?: Nothing new

*Labor signs?: too soon for that!

*Belly button in or out?: Innie

*What I miss: Fitting in my summer shorts - it has been HOT and humid lately! But my stretchy maternity skirt is the next best thing I guess, it's just a bit long for a HOT day!

*What I'm looking forward to: I'm looking forward to more regular movement so Murray can feel it more than once & awhile.

*Milestone: Reaching the half way mark!!! 20 weeks is half way to the average gestation of 40 weeks!

Holy COW it's hot!

I just walked for 15 minutes to get some lunch and I thought holy cow it's hot. Even in the shade it's HOT!!! I got back a bit sweaty and saw the temperature gauge says 36c!! (102f!)

Whew

Anyhow, back in work's air conditioning now..... lovely:)

Last night we went to see Diesel perform at The Basement. It was a late night, but WOW is he a great performer - fantastic voice and an amazing guitarist! He played his favorite covers as well as some of his hits! Sparky kicked along to a few of the songs with a lot of bass too:)

The Basement was SUCH a cool venue too - Dad you would have loved last night - we are definitely taking you there next time you're in Sydney!

Sherlock Holmes

Last week we went to the Outdoor Cinema to see Sherlock Holmes
Me & Murray (and WOW what a view!)
Me & Helen
Finally after a bite to eat it started to get dark
Just enough for the downtown Sydney (or as they call it - the CBD - Central Business District) - to be all lit up - lovely
Waiting for the movie to start! We were lucky Helen got there early and snagged us these comfy director chairs in the front row (the rest of the seats are hard plastic and uncomfortable)! They have a good system so when you come in you are given tags you can put your name on and reserve a chair, then go get a drink & bite to eat!
A lovely place to see a movie - that's for sure!

Week 19

*How far along?: 19 weeks

*Total weight gain: 4 kilos - which is about 9 pounds

*How big is baby?: Sparky is now the size of a Mango


Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

*Maternity clothes?: Yup - rocking the stretch waist clothing now -nothing else fits!

*Sleep?: Still having weird dreams, but otherwise sleep is still going well.

*Best moment this week?: The positive ultrasound we had this week telling us Sparky is growing well!! Also Murray actually felt a kick this week - very exciting:) (and No we didn't find out the sex!)

*Movement?: Yup - every day now - so nice & reassuring!

*Food cravings?: Nothing new

*Labor signs?: too soon for that!

*Belly button in or out?: Innie

*What I miss: Nothing really

*What I'm looking forward to: Officially getting to the half way point next week!

*Milestone: A positive 19 week Structural Scan, I was so so happy about that.

Why I'm feeling kicks so much - this is the first view we had during the scan! (feet!)

Kind of freaky looking - but this is Sparky's mouth & nose (that's baby's nose on the right side). Sparky was drinking amniotic fluid - we could see him opening & closing his mouth to drink!

Waving Hello!

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Last Saturday we also went to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natual History Museum. It was FANTASTIC!!!

My favourite - Borneo Baby

Murray's favourite - The Full Lion