Hi All,  
I hope you are all well.
As many of you will know from my Facebook post earlier today, we had another scan this morning and were informed that we are having a little BOY. Whilst the most important thing was that the baby was healthy, those of you who know Louie will know that deep down he wanted a little boy so we are both very happy. The name is not being revealed until after he is born. He is growing nicely and we heard his heartbeat for the first time which was lovely.
Since I last blogged, I have been feeling quite well in myself. I am still horse riding and keeping active. I must admit the hill from work to the station is getting a bit tougher but it is good to get my heart rate up and try and keep fit. I did have some lower abdominal pain a couple of weeks ago but this was confirmed to be bladder irritation caused by the baby moving out of my pelvis. As I am so small, there isn’t much room In there. The doctor thinks the baby maybe kicking my bladder. I have been reassured that as the baby moves up, the pain should settle
I am starting to develop a bump now and  I can feel bubbles when the baby is moving which is all very exciting.
I have noticed that I cannot manage big meals anymore so I need to eat and drink little and often. Even a can of coke is too much for me now which is saying something given how much I love my coke.
As mentioned in my previous blog, carers currently help me twice daily but sadly my current agency is not able to help me when I have the baby as they don’t have insurance to be in the property with children unless an able bodied adult is present. The council is therefore recruiting for a Personal Assistant to work with me doing household tasks and taking me and baby to baby classes. I would be grateful if anyone in the Bristol area would keep an ear out for anyone looking for around 20 hours a week of work. Timings are flexible but would need to be when Louie is at work in the day.
Thank you to everyone who messaged me after my last blog with suggestions for car seats to go on the front of my chair. Unfortunately, the only ones that are on the market are basically prams that clip on the front. The reviews are terrible as they can only go in a straight line. They are similar to the shopping trolleys that clip onto the wheelchair at supermarkets. I have used these before and they don’t really work on the flat let alone on a hill. I have now found a charity who are making attachments so that a car seat can be fitted to my wheelchair frame, no extra wheels needed. I am also having a stair gate made that will work with my stair lift. We are buying a cot and then the side will be cut and made into a door so I can open the door and reach to pick up our baby. This is much safer than the drop side cots which are no longer deemed safe and are being discontinued. I have even found a baby bath on a stand that will mean I can bath the baby without having to reach down. So all in all, I am feeling quite positive. All I need now is some duck egg bedding for the nursary.
We have another scan at 20 weeks and due to my size, a scan will be done every three weeks from 28 weeks.
I am currently having a night away at Celtic Manor with Louie to celebrate.
I will blog again soon but if anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I want to raise as much awareness as possible.