Monday, December 20, 2010

35 weeks and tiling

Oh girls, have you ever heard of an almost 8 month pregnant woman tiling a bathroom? Me neither... but lets start from the beginning.

Mike came home on wednesday morning from Mexico, it went very well but he was quite tired and jet-lagged. With the attic nearing completion, Mike had one job to do. Tiling the bathroom. It was a project, he never did such a thing before and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Now, the builders are out of the house as of this morning, the painter is in till wednesday to decorate and that's it. The plumber was called on friday to see would he be able to come today to fix the sanitary-ware if Mike could guarantee the bathroom was ready by 8 am this morning. The plumber could not be 100% sure but said unless there is an emergency call he will be in. So as of wednesday afternoon of last week Mike was on the project. And I was too. I have to say this is a much bigger job than we though and part of the problem is that Mike is a total perfectionist who needs to plan for ages before actually get going. After deciding where to start on thursday we had the first few tiles up. Note that while tiler generally tile around pipes projecting from the wall, Mike drilled holes into the tiles so that each tile would fit like a glove around the pipe. Do you have any idea of the amount of measuring, cutting and cursing that this take? By the time it was friday I started to help with the project. We had to have it all tiled by saturday evening to be able to grout. Despite working till 2am on saturday we had not finished. Up early on Sunday, and worked until we dropped. I gave up at around 1am saying "feck the bathroom, we have three in the house already, this one can certainly wait until January", Mike decided to stay and try and get the floor grouted. He finished at 4am this morning. We had not been given enough grout. We still don't know even if the plumber is coming today! What we know for sure is that a tiling job this perfect has never been seen on Hearth and we are aching and tired from head to toes... Pictures of the whole development will be posted as soon as we move back in and I have broadband again!

And I'm 35 weeks pregnant let's not forget the important bit. Picking up a pencil from the floor to mark a tile for a cut is no easy task let me tell you. I'm absolutely exhausted. The heavy job didn't seem to bother Elvis the least though, he kept moving and poking and rolling and stretching! Braxton Hicks were as always (I thought all this extra work could have induced early labour but obviously not!) no more and no less. The kicks are now right up the rib-cage and can be quite uncomfortable to be honest. I thought how to describe the feeling of the rolls and I think I found the perfect example...it's like those chairs that massage your back! Except it's in your belly! What do you think?
The scale tells me I've now piled up a total of 16kg. And I feel them all. I'm heavy and can't put my boots on without being out of breath. Not complaining, just stating!
As for other symptoms the sleeping is often interrupted by pee-breaks and generally a stuffed nose as soon as I put my head on the pillow! The lungs feel squashed and so does the stomach, Ithink I'm being a bit nauseous at times too. Still no stretch marks on the belly and have a look below...it's certainly stretching! Week 34 is missing from the series boohoo but you can see the progress.



Finally I want to apologise for my lack of commenting, you are all in my thoughts I'm hoping to get back to my usual self in about a week time!

22 comments:

HopeBPatient said...

Oh my goodness! You guys are crazy! :-) But I guess I'm not surprised that you would have had an active pregnancy from beginning until end. Glad you're doing so well!

Life Happens said...

Oh my, that was a lot of work!! I hope the plumber showed up! It's like you said, there's other bathrooms in the house, that one can wait!

Love the bump pictures. You are so close now!!

Kim said...

We had people do our bathroom tile for us, and that was so much work (they were there for days) and I am so glad we didn't do it our self. You guys are troopers for sure.


You have one of the cutest baby bumps I have ever seen! xoxoxoxxo

Michele said...

You look great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kakunaa said...

Honestly, I cannt imagine tiling now, and I am only 22 weeks, LOL. Things on the floor stay there, LOL. No worries about commenting. I am about to not get stuff done because I need to get other things completed or else! HUGS! Almost baby time!

Momasita said...

Wow - good for you for helping out with the tiling.

5 more weeks! It's going to fly by!

Alex said...

You're one crazy momma getting all that done! But I know you wouldn't do too much - Elvis would tell you! You're looking great!

stacey said...

Ahhhh...I remember that rolling feeling:) You look fantastic!

tireegal68 said...

As the English say, you're a complete nutter, but an adorable hard working one! You look great for thirty five weeks!!! I remember the snotty nose and such but not the rolls - sounds like you're doing great! Can't wait to see the finished project! And that would be Elvis too of course!
PS word verificTion is nestedst!!

Eb said...

Oh you have the perfect pregnancy belly!! Take it easy mamma - 35 weeks is important growing time - the kid needs the energy not the tiles ;-)
Ok, I'll step off the soapbox.
You look wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you did tiling! Elvis had quite a ride, going up and down and round and round as you worked! And you know what? I suggest you ask Mike to put your boots on for you from now on! Really. I had my DH putting on my socks and shoes when I could no longer reach my feet comfortably.

Well, I'm glad the project will be done and you can finally rest - just in time to have your baby! You look wonderful, 16 kg and all!

Cape Girl said...

I am hysterical!!! My husband is EXACTLY the same way!!! Although every project is completed perfectly the amount of energy that he puts into even simple tasks amazes me.

You look amazing by the way!!!

Nick and Kristi said...

Oh lady jane...Glad you got it done safe and sound but no more tricks like that:)

I have a hard time just getting my boots on so I have no idea how you did this

Lovin the bump you look so cute and as for this weight you keep putting on I think your scale is broke because I dont know where it is...You look great!!!

Flower said...

Girl...you better take it easy!! Oh how cute is that belly???? so nice!!!! Love ya :)

Clare said...

Well done Fran - you are doing so well. xx

Adele said...

Well done on the tiling, Fran! Your mister sounds like a perfectionist extraordinaire, but it also sounds like you have a bathroom that no professional could have tiled better.

35 weeks!!! Woohoo! I have a hard time believing it. The time has flown (for me, though I'm guessing perhaps not for you:) I can't wait to welcome Elvis to the world.

jill said...

Wow I bet that tile work is awesome! I can't believe you were able to do all that! My husband and I are definitely not do-it-yourselfers - it's crazy how much more work projects are then what you think at first.

You and elvis look great!

Mrs. Misfits said...

I cannot imagine 35 weeks and tiling. But, I have to express how very impressed I am with both of you being so handy. I cannot wait for the before and after pictures.

Blondie said...

Hello hello! J and I have been taking a nice, long break from TTC (and all things related, included blogging), but I thought I'd swing by and check in on my old blogger buddies. I just wanted to say how thrilled I am for you! 35 weeks!! Have a very, very Merry Christmas :)

Anonymous said...

Wow what an amazing effort you've both put in!! Can't wait to see some photos of the project Fran...

And your bump is beautiful. YOu may hate me for saying this because i can hear how tired and big you feel, but you still look wonderful. Totally awesome baby bump you have.
xx
Happy new year

BB said...

Oh Fran, I can't believe you are 36weeks right now! I am so so excited for you! As long as it seems, I hope you have 4 more weeks under your belt! I need to get you/your baby something during my trip!

Love your bump! Good Luck and looking forward to your updates (sorry, I have had limited access to the www)!

Stefanie Wolfaardt said...

May you have a Fabulous New Year!