When will we meet you?

Your sister came two days earlier and I think with lots happening, building a new house and Daddy's new job everyone thought you would possibly come two weeks early. But two weeks came and went and then we reached two days before your due date and there was still no sign of you making an appearance. Like normal we have been going for lots of walks and with a new house we have been putting in gardens but none of that seemed to make you want to enter our world. So we decided to take Olivia for a swim and hope that it would also help you to wriggle down and get ready to arrive. Two swims in a matter of days plenty of hot curries and your due date has come and gone. From 26 weeks you have given us lots of false alarms with braxon hicks. As your due date approached Daddy was often away and while he was in Dunedin, after a day at the zoo, I felt like maybe you were on your way. But false alarm after false alarm we are beginning to wonder when you are going to arrive. Daddy even jokes that you must be a real 'Smithers' because the 'Head' side of the family are never late. I have had our bags packed for the last month sitting in our wardrobe ready for when you are ready.

Saying hello again.

We had to have a late scan at 33 weeks to check you were growing as you should be. While your kicks and punches can be felt inside and outside seeing you brought a wide smile to both Daddy and I's face. We saw that you had all the right things in all the right places and could certainly tell this time that you were a boy from what was between your legs. But the best part of the scan was getting to see a 3D version of you. Daddy knew the lady who was doing the scan and so at the end of doing what she needed to do, she sneakily took a 3D photo of you for us. Your face definitely looks more like a little boys face and it looks like you have a wide Maori nose. But one thing is for sure you are very cute and we can't wait to meet you in the flesh.

30 Weeks

Looking back at photos my belly is definitely bigger with you than it was with Olivia so hopefully this doesn't mean that you are going to be a big baby boy as my stomach looks more and more like a watermelon! You are squirming around but quickly running out of room to make these movements, so often my tummy can start making some unusual shapes as we see the round bump of your head protrude out one side or a smaller arm or leg movement temporarily warp my stomach shape. With Daddy's new job he is away a bit travelling with the cricketers so went to Whangarei with him recently. One night while we were up there I started dreaming of your arrival so we are obviously getting closer and getting ready to meet our little boy. Olivia is starting to notice you more and is really interested in other babies. Every time we see one she will point and say "Bubba." Then at home if we ask where is "Bubba?" She will lift up my top to find you. She even gives you a little kiss on my belly showing that she will make a great big sister and love you to bits! You won't just have Daddy and I protecting you but your big sisters (Olivia and Ava) as well.

Wonderings

Early on Daddy and I could see my tummy start to expand and by 20 weeks you were certainly noticeable and your movements could be felt by others on the outside world.
Reaching 20 weeks is that half way milestone and it is crazy to think that in only about four months time we will get to meet you.

This time the big question boy or girl is answered but we still wait and wonder....
-I wonder if you will be as active as Olivia?
-I wonder if you will have my dimple in your chin?
-I wonder if you will have blue or brown eyes?
-I wonder if you will be bald like your sister or have lots of hair and what colour it will be?
-I wonder how small you will be born?
-I wonder if you will have olive skin?
-I wonder if you will have a cute button nose?
-I wonder if you will be a hungry boy?
-I wonder (and hope) you will be a content baby and a great sleeper?
-I wonder if you will suck your thumb or not?
-I wonder what your favourite thing to do will be?
-I wonder what your favourite bedtime story will be?
-I wonder if you will love Ava (your furry sister)?
-I wonder what your first word and phrase will be?

Getting Ready For You

What a busy time it has been since finding out we were going to have another baby! We have sold our first family home and are building a brand new one for our expanding family to grow up in and Daddy has got a new job. So when people have been asking how we are and what we have been up to lately we can say we are great! A new baby, new house and new job all in the making.
Not finding out if Olivia was a boy or a girl meant that Grandma knitted a few woollies for both boy and girl so you already have some snuggly jerseys and a beanie which we know you will look super cute in. But it wasn't long before Grandma was knocking those knitting needles together again and making you some brand new woolly singlets of your own. Aunty Courtney and Uncle Blake were excited by the news and have brought you a cute construction plate for when you get older and start wanting to feed yourself. Grandma saw a cute little bunny toy and brought it for you and is starting to think about colours for making your very own quilt. Nana has renewed by Treasures magazine subscription with lots of ideas on how to keep you entertained and the different stages a baby goes through.
We had some names for a boy already picked out and now we are revisiting those names. Do we still like them? Will they suit you? What other boy names are out there? The name game is a tricky one!

Finding Out The News!

The time was right. Daddy and I's life was richer for having our little girl Olivia in our live's and we couldn't wait to have another child, son or daughter. Someone to play with and become best buddies with Olivia while also making our hearts that much bigger again! On the morning of July 5 I eagerly took the test and it came back positive. We were going to have another baby! We went to the Hamilton Farmers Market with Grandma and Poppa and looked around at all the delicious fruit and vegetables, while Olivia danced to the buskers. After a while everyone sat down with some tasty treats and we shared the exciting news with Grandma and Poppa who leapt up and gave us all a huge hug. The test had only just been taken but the news was far too exciting to keep a secret. Later that morning we called into Nana and Poppa's and finally after a couple of tries both of them were home and we could tell them the exciting news too! We then quickly text Therese James, the midwife we had for Olivia, and asked if she could be our midwife again so that you could have the same wonderful care and start to life that Olivia had. But with all the excitement in taking the test early it was hard to tell just exactly how far along I was and when exactly we could expect to welcome you to our world. An early scan meant that we got to say an earlier than usual hello, and with the sneak peak we got to see your tiny head and body and the beginnings of limbs starting to form. It was confirmed that your due date would be March 12, 2016.
On August 18, 2015 we had our first visit to Therese and we got to hear the sound of your heart beating. You were only ten weeks and three days old but already we were in love. Olivia was busy playing but stopped once she heard the chugga, chugga, chugga sound of your heart and looked up smiling like she knew you were going to be her lifetime playmate.
On .....we had our 12 week scan and just as we suspected you were perfect; ten fingers and ten toes and while jumping about initially you then decided it was time for a rest. You rolled your tiny little body over and dozed off. Olivia started to get restless and wanted to explore the machinery that allows your image to appear on the screen and you just wanted to rest. It was kind of cute like you were both trying to say we want to play initially and now we have had enough of each other. I am sure there will be plenty of moments once you arrive that you can't get enough of each other and other moments where you want to be left alone to play.
On September 24, 2015 I was sitting in class taking a group for their reading. You either liked the story they were reading. Or perhaps you were putting your hand up to answer the question? But that was the first time I felt you begin to move. After that my hand would often find my tummy and a smile would appear as I felt you say hello with stretches as you wake up and get comfy or as you exercise your kicks.
October 27, 2015, you were 20 weeks and four days old and we had our next scan. We never found out if Olivia was a boy or a girl until she was born and wondered what to do this time around. Daddy wanted to find out with Olivia and I didn't so Daddy agreed he would have a surprise too. This time Daddy was unsure, he liked the surprise but also wanted to get your room all ready for your arrival and to know if Olivia was getting a brother or a sister. We still weren't completely decided and in the car only minutes before the scan we agreed we would find out. After checking all the important things we asked if we could find out and it was confirmed that this time we were having a little boy. While we weren't really too concerned if you were a boy or girl, a son or daughter, a brother or a sister, a grandson or granddaughter we walked away almost feeling like you were somewhat more real now that we knew and were excited to start telling people that soon we would have a son to add to our family.