No, I can’t believe it either, but it is that time again!

Time for a quick pregnancy update.

This morning as I walked back to my car after dropping Elsie off at school, I realised that I’ve now officially got the pregnancy waddle. Yep, walking has become somewhat more challenging as this bump seems to be getting bigger by the minute, never mind day.

(Just call me Katie Duck.)

I’m on the homestretch now and still can’t get my head around how quickly time has gone. Here’s how bump and I are doing, with less than two months to go…

How far along?

33 weeks! Baby now apparently weighs about 4.5 pounds and oh how I can feel it. I and the baby are basically getting HUGE!

Days until due date?

48!

Weight change?

I never weigh myself but to be honest I don’t need to, as I can definitely tell I’ve put on weight over the past few weeks.

My bump is well and truly out and proud now, my breasts are the biggest they’ve been in years (not such a bad thing granted!) and my face has got a certain pregnancy podgyness to it. Still at least this year at Christmas, I can take comfort in the fact that it won’t just be down to eating too many mince pies!

Stretchmarks?

Apart from a few that linger from my first pregnancy which I think have been stretched a little more, no new ones that I can spot, yet!

I’m moisturising the bump most days now (when I remember that is) and am using my brilliant Secret Saviours anti stretch mark support band every single day. I’ve a while to go but I definitely think it’s helped / is working. (With Elsie, I had stretch marks appear at around 24/26 weeks.)

Cravings?

Nothing new but I have gone off certain foods again. At the moment I just cannot stomach cheese and cups of tea make me feel horrible after. Weird huh?

Symptoms? 

Just my top three: tiredness, bit of occasional back ache and heartburn. I really am so fortunate.

Sleep?  

A little better than it was. Thankfully the freakish nightmares that I was having have now stopped but I’m still having lots of broken sleep.

I’m also struggling to nod off quickly too as my mind is full of birth and motherhood worries! I think my brain is beginning to process the reality that soon – all being well – we’ll be a family of four and our son (!) will be with us.

Movement?

He’s still a very active monkey which is wonderful, although getting a little painful at times! Last night I felt a little foot or hand pressing against my skin which was, well, a bit weird, but also rather magical.

At my last midwife appointment a few weeks ago, I was told he was head down but in the back to back position, so I’m now busy trying to encourage him to turn around! In an ideal world I do NOT want another back to back labour, noooo thank you.

Belly button – in or out?

Out. Definitely out.

Wedding rings – on or off?

Amazingly still on.

Best moment this week?

Realising that I’m on the home straight now and that soon – again, all being well – he will be here. I’ve also been testing out our new pram and matching car seat that has been so kindly sent to us by Cosatto and I’m just in love with it!

It’s this one bright and beautiful one here and I’ll try and share a first impressions post very soon.

Best style moment this week? 

Ah I’ve been pretty rubbish at dressing the bump over the last week, so let’s go for today’s attire. My favourite grey wrap around maternity dress from Topshop that’s similar to this one. (See pic above from a few months ago when the bump was much smaller!) Super comfy, easy to wear and looks great.

Worst moment this week?

I had a couple of horrid days over the weekend where I just felt pretty low and fed up. After ‘Googling’ it, it appears to be really common at this time in pregnancy, thanks to a late hormone surge, so I’m hopeful that it was just a temporary blip. Hormones ey? They have a lot to answer for!

Miss anything?

Yes, decent sleep! I’m fast running out of days to get in some good sleep and nappage (totally made this word up) before baby arrives so if anyone has any tips for catching more zzzz’s please let me know!

Looking forward to?

Christmas, naturally and finishing off the nursery and baby clothes shopping!

Mood?

Excited but also anxious. As the clock ticks and the days whizz by, this baby business has suddenly got very real indeed. Just seven weeks to go (or less?!).

Wowzers.

READ MORE OF MY PREGNANCY POSTS

I’m so proud to now write a weekly column for the fantastic BabyCentre website about pregnancy and my second pregnancy experience. This post ‘10 Parenting Rules I’ll Live by With my Second Baby‘ received over 76,000 hits on one day alone! (And yep, I totally did a little jig in the kitchen when I learned that!)

Last week I also wrote about how hard it is to decide on a name and shared some of my top tips to get it right.