Turkey Day

Its so much fun getting to celebrate American Holidays and today will be my first proper Thanksgiving with lots of turkey and family.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

100!

This morning when I logged into my blogger account I saw something that I think is pretty cool.

This little blog of mine has hit it's first milestone. 100 Followers! 

Sure, it may not be a HUGE number like some blogs with over 2000+ but I still think its pretty awesome. 

I just love my little corner of the web where I can express myself, ramble on and of course I love all of you guys who stop by for a visit! 

Thank you everyone for supporting A South African in New York with your comments and emails. I love being a part of this blogging community and you all make my heart smile. 

Bring out the fireworks!

18 weeks

How far along? 18 weeks, 4 days

Maternity clothes? Nothing new, I'm down to my 1 pair of maternity jeans and leggings.

Stretch marks? None

Sleep: It's really annoying having to wake up at least 2 times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.

Best moment this week: I think I felt the baby moving. It was so ticklish.!

Miss Anything? Not really

Movement: Felt it once. So funny!

Food cravings: None this week

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still getting bad headaches. :( 

Have you started to show yet: I think so. Its still not totally obvious though.

Gender: 2 weeks till the next try.

Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: When I have my headaches, I'm miserable. But besides that, happy!

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving. Move over baby I need some room for turkey!

Thankful

Thanksgiving is this Thursday and I couldn't be more excited! 

Have you bought your turkey and written out your cooking strategy? 

As a South African, Thanksgiving is a very new holiday for me and although I have lived in the States for almost 3 years, this is the first year that I will be celebrating it the proper way surrounded by family and a big ol' turkey.

I wanted to kick off this week on a very thankful note so I have made a little list of things in my life that I really appreciate.

I am thankful for... my husband of course! Our 1 year wedding anniversary is coming up and it has truly been the best year of my life. He offers me support, makes me laugh and most importantly cleans the ferret cage! I feel so lucky to get to share my life with this amazing man. Mike, I love you with all my heart.  

I am thankful for...  the little Llambok that is growing in my belly! Although he/she might have come as a little bit of a surprise gift but we are so excited for this new chapter in our lives. I know how hard it is for some people to start a family and am very grateful for a healthy and (almost) smooth pregnancy thus far.

I am thankful for...  my parents who offer so much support even though they live so far away. It is sometimes not easy being a whole ocean away from your family, but with parents like the ones I have; distance is not an issue.

I am thankful for...  my sister who is always fun and cheers me up. I missed your wedding this year because immigration wouldn't let me leave the country. It was the saddest moment, but you looked beautiful via Skype anyways. I can't wait to make up for it next month when we visit you in Cape Town.

I am thankful for...  the safe return of our fur-son Gumby a few weeks ago after he was lost for a couple of days. He is such a clown and always makes us laugh.

I am thankful for...  having friends. No matter how far away you are.

I am thankful for...  the apartment we are moving into at the end of the month. We have lived in our shoebox for far too long now! 

I am thankful for...  having a job in this economy. Although the 11 hour days are much to be desired, I love my job.

I am thankful for...  living in America and also having the experience of living in and visiting so many different places and countries.

Package Pals

I was very lucky to get to participate in Gentri Lee's Package Pals Party where we were partnered up with a random blogger who we got to know and then exchange little parcels with.

I got to swap packages with the very adorable Michaela who blogs over at Typewriter Keys. Michaela lives in Iowa and is super talented in the sewing department as you will find out.

I wanted to send Michaela a New York themed box of goodies and decided to make up a New York survival kit in case she ever visits this side of the country.

1. A note pad and pencil to record her journey.

2. Hand sanitizer. It kills 99% of New York germs. This comes in handy, especially when riding the subway.

3. NYC lip gloss for when you need to glam it up on the Manhattan streets.

4. Candy (sour gummy worms - M's favorite) to keep energy levels up

5. Yankees rain poncho because the NY weather is very unpredictable.

6. Everybody needs a I (heart) NY t-shirt as a souvenir.

I was just thrilled when I received such a big juicy box in the mail! Gumby was very curious as to what was inside and really enjoyed all rummaging around in the stuffing it came with.

Look at all the goodies she sent! An Iowa T-shirt and a little Iowa onesie, a packet of Gladcorn (this stuff is amazing, and I'm now totally addicted!), vintage key, scented candle (I just LOVE the name, hehe! And it smells absolutly delicious), a picture of her favorite tree, Iowa magnet and (drumroll please...) a baby blanket that she sewed herself! I'm soooo impressed.

I loved everything about the package I recieved, especially the very thoughtful baby stuff for my little future Llambok!

Thank you Michaela for being such an awesome person to exchange packages with and a BIG thank you to Gentri for putting together such a fun project. Keep 'em coming!

17 weeks

Baby Llambok was a little camera shy yesterday and wouldn't "spread 'em" too well when we did the ultrasound scan. At first the doctor thought it was a girl and then changed her prediction to a boy and finally said that she just couldn't tell and we would have to wait until our next scan to find out. 

For someone as impatient as me, this was disappointing news and the next few weeks are probably going to drag on! But our little one is jumping around in there as happy as a clam which makes Mommy and Daddy very pleased. 

How far along? 17 weeks, 4 days

Maternity clothes? Still rocking the maternity jeans, I need to buy some long shirts.

Stretch marks? None

Sleep: Still not the greatest

Best moment this week: Signing the lease for our new apartment with lots of space and 2 bedrooms. :)

Miss Anything? 

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Chili Cheese Burgers

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really

Have you started to show yet: A little

Gender: Baby A was hiding the goodies :(

Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Moving at the end of the month (and not having to do any of the heavy lifting, hehe)

What will it be?

Today is the day that I've been waiting for for almost 4 months. 

In a couple of hours we will be finding out if our little Llambok is a boy or a girl and I can start dreaming up either a pink or a blue nursery. 

To say that I'm excited would be an understatement.