Welcome to the 3rd trimester!

I am currently 29 weeks pregnant. I am two thirds of the way from the finish line. Two thirds away from a life changing moment. Dan and I both have mixed feelings. We are partly excited and partly nervous. Things are becoming a little more "real" now.

We recently participated in the hospital tour at Amstelland Ziekenhuis. This was a fantastic experience that I totally recommend. For the expats reading this blog, Amstelland Ziekenhuis does a tour in English. They explain everything from pain relief options to parking regulations. You visit the labour rooms and meet the actual nurses and clinical midwives. I must say that it totally helps to put your mind at ease. We even met a really nice South African couple! What are the odds?

I have received my "kraampakket" from my insurance company. It includes all the necessary "bits and bobs" for a home birth. You get this free of charge and if it is not used you can donate it back to a charity in Africa. Everyone gets this automatically. I also got my free "zwanger box" from Prenatal. This is a free box of baby goodies, samples and reading material. Really cool! I got some newborn diapers, Sudocreme, a baby outfit, washing powder, a bottle, a dummy, alcohol-free beer and magazines.

We also started our childbirth class with "Bump and Beyond". It is run by a British lady who has been living in Holland for MANY years. Ironically, my boss and his girlfriend are also in the same class! She is due a few days before me. It is a little strange having my boss participate in these types of intimate discussions but at the same time, it also helps him understand everything I am going through. We have quite a mixed bunch of participants which makes the discussions super interesting. One of the couples (from Israel) are expecting twins!

Baby is packing a punch now! Sometimes it is really uncomfortable...particularly when Im trying to sleep! Initially it is fascinating but after a while it just gets a little tedious. There is nothing fun about being kicked in the bladder.

I have started purchasing some of the items I need for my hospital bag. There are still a few things outstanding but I reckon I still have time...I hope. You wont believe how hard it is to find "button-up" pyjamas this time of year. I have also been looking for a beautiful baby journal to record all those special moments. I have not found anything suitable yet. I want an English book that is not too girly. I will have to order something online but you never know what you will get...hence the search continues.