Pregnancy Update

Hi everyone.. Hope you are all doing well.   For those of you that regularly check in here I apologise for my silence of late.  On top of computer related issues being a pain in the ass, things have been very emotionally tough for me this past week or so. Suffice to say that I have not been in the mood to blog – I have been reading your blogs as always, but have not always commented as I usually do.  Anyway, I am in the mood for writing now and so I here I am.

I am now at 24 weeks pregnant, which means I am well over halfway there.  We went for another detailed scan today and again things are looking great.  We had a few glimpses of 4D, but my little girl is either very shy or very naughty as she had anything she could possibly find shielding her face – both hands and feet, the cord and the placenta was in the way too!  From what I did see she is an absolute beauty, knobbly alien head and all! 

For Steven and I, going for these detailed scans – or fetal assessments as they are called – is a bittersweet experience.  The little room we have the scan in is the exact room that we were in when we were told of all the issues that Sarah would have.  We remember vividly the look on the doctor’s face when they discovered something wrong – that look of dread and pity.  Even now that we have been for two we are still studying her face carefully and with trepidation, in case the relaxed smile turns into something else.  Also in that room I had the procedure called cordiocentesis – that day was the worst one of my life – being told there may be a serious problem, and then having to keep dead still while a long needle is inserted into your pregnant belly – it has to be inserted exactly into the umbillical cord at the entry – there is not margin for error.  Having to lie still while going through a storm of emotions and feeling your baby kicking you in distress does not a pleasant experience make.  I am sure some of you are wondering why we would go back there – there are other places we can go.  Well, after the experience we had with Sarah, we trust these doctors more than anyone else.  We know that being armed with the information that we had saved our daughter’s life, and that is why we would not go anywhere else.  If there is something wrong, I know they will see it and we will have a plan of action in place for the day of her birth, like we did with Sarah.  And as you all know, all’s well that ends well – our Sarah is a healthy, strong, gorgeously cute and happy little imp.  The reward of having her far outweighs the drama we experienced. 

But, our little girl is growing beautifully in the womb – they are still extremely happy with her and everything is ok.  We have one more assessment to do at 30 weeks, when her little bowel will be fully operational – this is just a precautionary measure to be 100% sure that it is in working order.  Also, with my placenta out of the way, the 4D scan will be more successful. 

I am beyond excited to meet this little mystery girl.  She moves so much inside me, always reminding me that she is there – and I do need reminding.  One’s second pregnancy is not as leisurely and relaxing as the first.  There is no option to go and have a three hour nap in the middle of the day or just relax and put your feet up when you have a busy toddler demanding constant amusement.  How I wish I had treasured those moments more and not taken them for granted.  I can’t wait to see if she will look a lot or a little or nothing at all like her big sister.  I can’t wait to get to know her personality and mannerisms.  And most of all I really can’t wait to have a little newborn to hold again – this time around I will appreciate that more too – and hopefully I will get to have her at home for the first 6 weeks of her life, rather than have to go and visit her in the hospital.  I know it will be hard and I will be tired, but I am going to try my best to cope and ask for help when I need it.  Sarah will be going to a small creche in the mornings as from January, which I know a lot of people don’t approve of – but I have my reasons and I know that they are the right ones for my little girl.  I will of course be devastated when the time comes (nothing has made me more aware of what a control freak I really am than having a child), but what I am very happy about is that when the new little one arrives, I will be able to spend at least a little time each day bonding with her and giving her my undivided attention, as I have been able to do with Sarah. 

I am feeling really healthy and good in this pregnancy.  I am getting very tired and uncomfortable but not to an extent that I can’t manage.  I have started doing some prenatal/restorative yoga, which I hope to do more regularly.  (Thanks Caz - just the one session has been more beneficial to me than you know).  So, although other areas of my life are extremely tough at the moment, I am actually very content and happy on the whole.  Being pregnant is such a wonderful experience and I am very grateful for it.

I hope that you all have a good week – lots of love to you all xxx

Meatless Mondays

I have been wanting to start doing Meatless Mondays for a while, but every time Monday comes around I forget about it and end up eating whatever.  Well I have finally remembered and intend to do so every Monday now.  Did you know that:

If every South African had one (extra) meat free day a week for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking close to one million cars off the road for a year.

You can read more about all the benefits of doing this here.  Thanks to Caroline for the link. 

Tonight I am going to make Sandra’s Asparagus and Herb tagliatelle dish. 

It feels good to know that I am doing just a small little something towards a very big cause. 

Have a happy week everyone xx 

 

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Rediscovering Rumi

“In your light I learn how to love.

In your beauty, how to make poems.

You dance inside my chest,

where no one sees you,

but sometimes I do,

and that sight becomes this art.”

Halfway there..

Today I am 20 weeks pregnant – which is technically the halfway mark.  Since I will definitely be having a Caesar I will have her at least a week before my due date, and so (assuming she isn’t premature) I am actually more than halfway to meeting my youngest daughter.  How strange and wonderful it is to say such a thing.

The attitude around here has shifted temendously.  We are all so excited.  Steven was not really that into this pregnancy as he was with Sarah.  I think it just didn’t feel real for him – and to be fair not to me either.  But now there is a constant atmosphere in the house that something truly amazing is going to happen.  When we watch our tv programs and there is a baby in it – we cuddle up closer and look at each other with total joy – it’s like we can’t believe how lucky we are.   We are really really very lucky. 

We have decided on her name.  Well, about 95% decided.  And it is amazing how many times we hear the name now!!! I just realised that the little girl down the road of about Sarah’s age also has the same name.  I mean, I knew she did, but I just didn’t realise it until yesterday.  Does that make sense?  The more I hear the name, the more I love it – which is strange because usually I get sick of a name that I like when I hear or say it too many times.  But, like with Sarah – it just feels right.  Yes, we are still being ‘that annoying couple’ that is not going to tell the name until the day she is born.  There are a few reasons – one being that we want to announce it on the day – make it something special for everyone else.  Also, now we won’t have to hear others’ opinions on the name.  If they don’t like – tough – they will have to learn to like it. 

My pregnancy is going very well.  I am feeling great in general (although I have been quite ill since Thursday – I am starting to finally recover).  I feel I have more energy and the weird thing is is that I actually want to be healthy.  I am enjoying going for walks and eating healthy things – I want to enjoy the feeling of nourishing my baby from within.  I know…. who is this person I hear you chorus!!! I will try and get my hubby to take a nice picture of me and my bump so I can share that with you all .  Me and photos are still sworn enemies I’m afraid.. oh well!

Due to the sickness, I am suffering once again with a bit of cabin fever.  Being someone that suffers with mild depression, I find it much easier to cope when I have a full week planned out with little outings here and there to look forward to.  So now that I have been home all day every day, I am really having to give myself a good talking to every day so as not to fall into that metaphorical pit that I sometimes tend to do.  

That’s about that as far as what is up with me at the moment.  I hope that you are well and happy.

Sending lots of love from me and my girls

xxx

On A Lighter Note..

Please read Moody Mabel’s latest post – it had me crying with laughter..  I sooo needed that!!

A Heavy Heart

There is so much going n in my life right now.  I have a lot on my mind – mostly about things that I can not really talk about on this public platform but also things that I have absolutely no control over.  I guess that’s what makes it the hardest to deal with.  What I am learning from the events and issues that have arisen this year is the following (and please let me just add here that I am not referring to anybody in particular or trying to sound self-righteous – I am always the first person to raise my hand and admit my faults – I would not ever even wish to be a perfect person).

-  if you have an opinion about somebody or something, keep it to yourself – unless it’s good. I can’t even understand why one would ever inform somebody of their negative opinions – it’s only hurtful and doesn’t show you in a very good light

- Be very very careful of judging people – I am a living example and there are many out there – that one day just maybe you may find yourself in the very position that you are judging about

- as regards parenting:  we are all trying our very best, we all love our children more than anything in the world – and the proof of the pudding is that even though our styles of parenting may differ, we all have very happy and healthy little children – this means that none of us can be doing anything that wrong!

- some people just love drama – they can create a whirlwind of trouble and then walk away while everyone else has to pick up the pieces – from now on I am choosing to cut such people out of my life

- at the end of the day, all you really have is your family – cherish them whether you want to or not – you may regret it if you don’t

- the friendships that i have formed are true and lasting ones – even those that I don’t see often enough  – each and every one of you is so special to me and have made me into the person that I am now – I love you all for this more than you can ever know

- i am learning a lot about the person that i am and overall I like me!  I believe in myself – i think that I am a good person, friend, wife and mother – and I am learning slowly to stand up for myself a little bit more

- Related to above:  I don’t really care that much anymore what people think of me – I am who I am

- being sad sometimes is part of life, sometimes shit happens – it’s how you deal with it that counts

 

Ok there is my list.  Sorry if it seems harsh or heavy – suffice to say the things I am dealing with right now are making me very sad.  What I do know is that I am truly blessed.  I am so lucky to have a wonderful and supportive husband, and a little girl (and one on the way) that makes me smile and laugh every single day and makes life absolutely worth living and more.  I hope I can be a good example to them as to what kind of person they should be. 

Lots of love everyone xxx

-

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Jumping on the Bandwagon

Because I can!!  Pia , Wendy and Caroline have recently put this up on their blogs.  It’s one of those questionnaires that one routinely gets in your email inbox.  I have done them many times, but I always find them fun.  I’m sure most of you know most of these answers about me by now, but here it is anyway..

 

1. What time did you get up this morning?

6.45  – latest Sarah has woken up in aaaages – thank you my girl

2. How do you like your steak?

Not the biggest steak fan, but I would say medium to well which means I can’t have it while pregnant – because well done is just tough

 3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

Hm. I think it was The Reader – it’s been so long since I’ve been to the cinema I have forgotten. 

4. What is your favorite TV show?

So many – out of what’s on at the moment – SYTYCD, Strictly and Trust Me (if you guys haven’t seen this you should it’s really really good).

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Cape Town – I’m happy right here although I could do with no crime

6. What did you have for breakfast?

Cheese on toast

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

Italian and Thai/Asian

8. What foods do you dislike?

You’d be here all day if I actually wrote the list – my worst is peas and beans (except jelly beans)

9. Favorite Place to Eat?

My mom’s house, Saigon, Primi Piatti

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive?

Hyundai Tucson

12. What are your favorite clothes?

shlumpadinka clothes ie pj’s trackies anything comfie

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? 

UK, the rest of South Africa, USA and Europe

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

I’d like to think I’m a glass half full kinda gal, but I admit sometimes things get me down

15. Where would you want to retire?

A small little dorpie somewhere quiet

16. Favorite time of day?

Seeing my daughter’s face for the first time in the morning, other than that – bedtime!!!

17. Where were you born?

Bloemfontein – sorry…

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

Extreme sports, rugby when it’s a big match

19. Bird watcher?

Naa, I like boys

20. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Being pregnant means I’m not much of a night person at the moment – but under normal circumstances it’s definitely night.  I do not like mornings – I’m very grumpy and miserable in the mornings – especially Monday mornings.

21. Do you have any pets? 

Two dogs, five koi and four goldfish

 22. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?

Not really… I’m going to Yzerfontein this coming weekend.. that will be good

23. What did you want to be when you were little?

A ballerina or a lawyer..

24. What is your best childhood memory?

The times my dad would take me to the ballet as a little girl – I watched The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and many more

25. Are you a cat or dog person?

Dog – no question.  Dogs know exactly what unconditional love is and they never judge

26. Are you married? 

Yup

 27. Always wear your seat belt?

I never used to but road safety is now a very important thing to me and I actually do it automatically now even on the few occasions I don’t have Sarah in the car

28. Been in a car accident?

Yes unfortunately I did have a nasty one in 2002 I think it was

29.  Any pet peeves?

Judgemental people, pretentious people

30. Favorite Pizza Toppings?

olives, mushrooms, pineapples, tomatoes, garlic, spring onions

31. Favorite Flower?

Rose, tulip, orchid

32. Favorite ice cream?

Good quality chocolate ice cream… i would like to die in it

 33. Favorite fast food restaurant?

Simply Asia, Steers

34. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?

None

35. From whom did you get your last email?

My mom – thanking me for letting her look after Sarah and then a long paragraph about how amazing cute and wonderful she is – my mother is slightly obsessed with her granddaughter.  It’s really sweet

36. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

Woolies or Nine West (not that I actually own anything from there)

37. Do anything spontaneous lately?

Yes.  Steven and I are always doing spontaneous things.  But it is a bit harder to be spontaneous when you have a kiddie in the mix. 

38. Happy with your job?

It is both the best and the hardest job I could ever do.  On the whole, I absolutely love it.

39. Broccoli?

As fussy as I am, I do love broccoli

40. What was your favorite vacation?

Plett summer holidays – but the best time I ever had was my honeymoon in Zanzibar… hmmmmmmmmmmm….

 41. Last person you went out to dinner with?

My mom, stepdad and stepgran whose birthday it was (Steven was there too but he was very sick)

 42. What are you listening to right now?

Megan playng with Sarah and the dishwasher humming

43. What is your favorite color?

Durrrrrrrrr – if you don’t know this, then you don’t know me

44. How many tattoos do you have?

None. Sadly. I will have on one day though

45.  What time did you finish this quiz? 

9.18am

46. Coffee Drinker? Oh HELL yes. (oh how I miss it)

 

Would love to see all of yours please!! Just for fun

 

xx