Packing

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Most of the time I enjoy packing because it usually means that I'm going on a trip. After living in a bazillion (that's a real number) different places all over the globe, I'm pretty much a packing expert by now.

But, when you realise 3 days before you fly that the international baggage rules have changed and now only allow for 1 checked suitcase and you've already promised your friend that you would bring over a whole suitcase of theirs that got left behind when they left the country, well, that is a bit of a challenge.

So I've managed to squeeze 3 weeks worth of clothes, shoes and accessories for both Mike and myself into 1 small shared suitcase that is already 3/4 full of Christmas gifts and hoping that the seams hold out for the 16 hour journey.

Here goes nothing!

21 weeks

How far along? 21 weeks, 4 days 

Maternity clothes? Nothing new. Just wearing maternity jeans or leggings with my regular shirts.

Stretch marks? Still nothing

Sleep: Its impossible to sleep without a pillow supporting my belly. Also, if I sleep on one side for too long my hips hurt so I'm constantly tossing and turning.

Best moment this week: The arrival of our mattress! Even though the bed frame we ordered was out of stock, its so nice to be sleeping on a real mattress after being on a pull out couch for so long.

Miss Anything? My core strength, I feel like I have absolutely NO abs muscles left. Also, its getting colder and at this time I would usually be planning all my snowboarding trips for the Winter.

Movement: She is definitely moving in there!

Food cravings: Fruit Loops

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing. I've noticed a big change in my body this week and I'm finally feeling pregnant.

Have you started to show yet: Yes.

Gender: ITS A GIRL!!!!!

Labour Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In. That thing runs deep, so I'm guessing it's not going to pop.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, unless I'm at the mall Christmas shopping!

Looking forward to: Flying to South Africa on Friday to spend the holidays with my family.

Ooooooh! We're halfway there.

The weeks are diminishing and as I enter the second half of my pregnancy I can hardly believe that in 4 short months I'll be a mommy. 

Besides the occasional heartburn, painful lower back, an emotional outbreak (or two) and having to refuse that glass of wine at dinner, I've hardly felt pregnant up until this week.

All of a sudden the belly is getting bigger, my core strength has disappeared (nothing makes you feel more pregnant then having your husband pull you out of bed) and a grocery shopping trip leaves me feeling like I have just run the comrades marathon.  

Since finding out that we are having a baby girl, it has all of a sudden become a lot more real. We have had a girl name picked out for a few months (which we are keeping secret until she arrives) so it's been fun practicing saying it out loud and thinking of all the times we'll be yelling calling that name out it in the future. Another factor that adds to the reality of this whole 'baby in the belly' thing is that I've started feeling her move more and more. At first I had no idea what I was feeling because it felt like a very faint muscle twitch. A week later I felt stronger movement which made me burst out laughing because it was so ticklish. At the 20 week scan I was looking at the monitor when I felt a "twitch" and saw her move her arm at the same time which reassured me that I wasn't just making it all up, this little human being was squirming and very much active in there. After that, I started feeling both the legs and arms moving about on both sides of my belly, lets hope that with all this activity she loves swimming like her Mama or is a tennis star like her Dad. Sometimes I prod back and talk to her which makes her move more and makes my heart sing! I can't wait for Mike to start feeling his daughter too.

With 19 weeks left until baby Llambok arrives I feel ready, yet so unprepared. 

To be done

Move to bigger apartment with a room for the nursery

Paint nursery

Decorate

Purchase crib and mattress (on sale for Black Friday, woop!)

Buy baby's 1st stuffed animal (a big grey elephant)

Begin baby registry

Find out sex

Choose a name

Pick a middle name

Make space for baby's clothes in the closet/drawers

Pick out bedding

Make sure we have receiving blankets, burp clothes etc.

Set up changing table

Get all the big stuff like car seats and strollers

Get as much sleep as possible before baby arrives

Research and book hospital classes (birthing/breast feeding/parenting)

Tour the hospital

Stock up on diapers

Pack hospital bag

Make a plan for someone to feed our fur-son while we're in the hospital

Get calling card to call South Africa on D-day

Choose pediatrician

Is there anything I'm missing?

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas (in New York)

Its December in New York which means tourists, traffic gridlocks and slushy streets. A little bit more exciting though is the sparkling decorations, holiday window displays down 5th Ave and the world famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

It's a magical time to be in New York City and after spending the whole day soaking up the atmosphere, I am well and truly in the Christmas spirit.

20 weeks

How far along? 20 weeks, 5 days 

Maternity clothes? Loving the maternity jeans this week since my regular leggings are too tight.

Stretch marks? None yet (knock on wood!)

Sleep: Waking up around midnight every night and then it takes forever to get back to sleep.

Best moment this week: We found out the gender!

Miss Anything? Blue cheese and smoked ham.

Movement: More this week. :) Such a funny feeling! At the scan I felt her move and then saw it at the same time.

Food cravings: Clementines. I eat them 5 at a time!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing too bad this week. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes.

Gender: ITS A GIRL!!!!!

Labour Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Sometimes I can get a little irritated too quickly, but generally happy.

Looking forward to: Our trip to South Africa in less then 2 weeks!!!

Its a ...

Yip! No frogs, nails or puppy dog tails here.

Baby A cooperated yesterday and we found out that we are expecting a

BABY GIRL!

Allow me to introduce you to my beautiful daughter

This whole time I had a hunch that the little bambino was a boy.

I guess that motherly instinct hasn't quite kicked in yet.

But I'm excited for all things pink, flowery and sparkly!

Then and Now

12.04.10                                                                                                   12.04.11