I'm feeling pleased with myself this morning for the little things I've managed to do or keep doing so far in pregnancy. I didn't think I'd be able to keep going with Spark this long in my pregnancy but it has been invaluable to me. I thought that because I'm not trying to lose weight now that I wouldn't find so much use for the whole website but being surrounded by the positive articles on a healthy diet and making me think about what is going into my body has helped. Of course blogging and my Spark Friends have been wonderful and definitely the best bit I haven't done great with my diet and exercise so far in pregnancy, all I've really managed is gentle exercise and the reduction in my high intensity exercise probably hasn't helped me with my weight gain. The other thing I have struggled with is my diet, I have always either been trying to limit what I eat or not worrying at all. Pregnancy had highlighted to me the importance of a healthy maintenance (or gaining) diet. I have big plans for after I've had the baby and I intend on taking things slowly so that I can stick them out for the long term. I know the first few weeks or months after the baby is born are going to difficult, probably in ways I can't even imagine right now so that's why I've planned to take things slowly.

I've also been working hard on the house, we have two rooms left to plaster (well Matt has anyway) and I have those two rooms along with the hall stairs and landing left to paint. The house won't be completely finished by the time the baby is born, I can't see us being able to afford new flooring and all those other bits. But the important bit is that we get the damp dusty and smelly work done as soon as possible. This week I have been stripping the banister down and I'm hoping to begin painting it on Friday. I also painted inside the cupboard under the stairs, not the easiest thing to do with a growing belly! but there's just a few touch ups to do in there now, and then we can start storing coats and shoes in there reducing the clutter in the living room and dining room. I feel like things are going in the right direction, even if it does seem to be going at a snails pace!

The baby appears to be growing fast this last week or two and I've had lots of annoying pains in my belly especially at night. I was thinking of making a wedge shaped pillow to support my belly with while I sleep, right now I'm finding I have to tuck something against my belly for support and the stuffed bear just isn't the right shape! I don't feel as tired these last few weeks and I'm making the most of it before I edge in on the third trimester (5 weeks til the 3rd trimester) I always knew I wouldn't enjoy being pregnant, don't get me wrong I love what my body is doing but I miss my old body, the one that did flying sidekicks and tumbles and usually had a few bumps & bruises (well I still have one bump!) Pregnancy feels so long and as much as I try to enjoy it I find myself looking forward to meeting our little girl and having my old body back. I love to feel her kicking and seeing her on the scans was amazing. Others can feel her kicking from the outside now but usually she stops as soon as anyone puts their hand on my tummy!

It's hard to believe it's the end of November already, preparations for christmas are well under way although we have warned most people not to expect much from us this year because we're renovating the house before the baby's born and I was made redundant in August so money's a bit tight. I hope everyone enjoyed thanksgiving, I don't really know much about it because it's not celebrated in the UK but I enjoyed reading all of the thanksgiving blogs. Have a good week everyone