Sitting in bed

We’re well on our way to becoming good bakers. After the Chocolate Yoghurt Cupcakes last week, this week I’ve decided to make use of the leftover spotty bananas lying in the kitchen and leftover quick oats to make my first ever batch of Banana Oat Muffins. They look pretty good so far and smell heavenly. My house actually smells like a warm home with lively notes of cinnamon. Taste test still pending but proud of how these have turned out so far! Now back to the oven!

Is it normal for pregnant women to wake up because of their baby’s kicks? No one told me about this one! Back pain, swollen fingers and toes, nausea - I’ve heard of them but this is crazy especially for someone who loves their sleep. I’m gonna force myself back to sleep before this becomes routine!

Those who know me, know I love my sleep. But here I am, wide awake at 7am having slept at 1am because the little gymnast inside me decided it’s time to play and maybe also get something to eat! I suppose I shouldn’t complain and use this as practice for when the baby actually gets here! We’ve had breakfast, some tea and now it’s nearing 8am and I’m thinking I might try to get a short nap in before it’s time to go meet a friend later. But will Baby T let me? 💤

Your daddy’s out watching football tonight with his friends while mommy’s home alone with you. I’ve been trying to sing lullabies to you but to be honest, I think I’m pretty awful at them.I’m good at humming and I’m hoping that will be enough to put you to sleep when you get here. If that fails, I have plan B - YouTube!

So don’t worry, my precious little button, you’re going to be well looked after.

Lying in bed right now thinking how different things will be when you’re old enough to watch football games with your daddy. I’m sure the two of you will be watching all the games together and talking about football all the time!

Your daddy’s a really good player - he’s been playing since he was little and has won several trophies. You’ll see them when you get home!

One thing’s for sure as soon as you’re old enough to walk, your father’s going to teach you to play football!Not that you need much teaching - judging by the way you’ve been kicking me lately I already think you’ve inherited some of his moves. He’ll teach you all there is to know about the game - it’ll be your special thing with daddy.

Meanwhile, I’m wondering what me and you will do together? What’s our special thing going to be? I was watching Junior Masterchef the other day on telly and couldn’t help but tear up a little as I watched little kids as young as 9 and 10 cook so well, having learned it from their mothers. I can’t really cook like their mothers but I have been trying a few new things in the kitchen lately - so hopefully by the time you’re old enough to cook I might have a thing or two to share with you.

I’d like to say that I can teach you something as exciting as football - but I don’t play sports. I’ve walked/run the 10K a couple of times but that’s about it.

Let’s see, what do I do well? I love photography and can’t wait to start taking photos of you as you grow - that’s something I can teach you. I love writing about things that matter to me - i.e topics close to my heart. (I used to love it more before it become my job - writing boring B2b stuff that made me start hating it). But I hope you like to write and read - I’ve already bought you you first book!

Funny story - when I was younger, my mother (your grandma) used to write my essays for me in school. I vividly remember her writing one in particular called “My Magic Carpet”. I would  memorise what she’d written and rehash it during my exams and do really well.

I know this seems like a terrible example but I learned a lot from her and I think getting those good grades because of what she’d written really motivated me to start writing my own essays well when I grew older. She helped build the foundation and really got me interested in writing and eventually writing my thoughts down in a diary.

I hope, you and I, have a story similar to this to share some day…

I’m glad I wrote this post, rather than just mulling it over in my head because the more I write, the more I realise that I do have a couple of fun things that I could teach you - just like your father.

I don’t know what kind of a mother I’ll be to you but as you can see there’s a lot that we need to figure out along the way together. No matter how much your Mummy and Daddy plan, we’ll probably do a shockingly bad job sometimes but I hope, if nothing else, you always know how loved and special you are to us.

Goodnight, my little angel. See you in 106 days!

Week 24 – Had a routine checkup with the Dr this week and glad that everything’s going well and that our baby is growing well. Have to do a test for gestational diabetes in a couple of weeks which has be a little concerned because my sister’s had it with both her pregnancies.

How I’m Feeling: A little worried about how this baby is going to come out. I can’t understand how it’s physically possible but I’m also very happy that our baby’s growing so well and getting bigger every day. Been reading about other people’s labour experiences and hoping everything goes well with mine. If there’s anything I can do to make sure that things go well - I’m determined to do them - like eating well and exercising. Just want our baby to be healthy and for me to have an incident-free delivery.

Gender: Boy

Names: Ethan - Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Ethan is “firmness, long-lived”.

Maternity Clothes: Let’s just say I’m not going to win any awards for best dressed any time soon and I’ve made peace with that! I dress for comfort.

Weight: 60kgs!!! That’s the first time I’ve ever weighed this much…was a little worried but the doctor and nurses assured me it would go away after the delivery. Either way, I’ve started working out - an hour on the treadmill every day. I hope I keep it up till our baby gets here.

Fetal Movement: Maybe I’m imagining it but I do think our baby tends to kick me more, and harder when my husband’s around.

Cravings: I did crave a hotdog this week - but instead of having one I had a Subway sandwich! How’s that for self control?

Aversions: All the things that made me sick when I had MS – Salmon, for example.

Sleep: Got the Snoogle and well I’m not sure I like it - won’t admit that to my husband after having spent a whole lot of money buying it online and getting it shipped from the US here!!! I’ve slept without it the last couple of days  but do find that the my upper body near my ribs tends to hurt and I have to keep tossing from one side to the other. I often wake up in the middle of the night and find myself sleeping on my back - which I know is not good but hey! I need to sleep…

What you miss: Sleeping through the night without having to wake up to pee!!!

Best moment this week:

• Seeing our baby during the routine ultrasound this week - always a treat!
• Getting a Mothers Day message from a friend!
  

Look forward to: Holding our baby! Seeing us become parents.

How your baby’s growing (Babycenter): Your baby’s growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he’s almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he’ll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing “branches” of the respiratory “tree” as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.