Bump Shoot!

It was an absolutely beautiful day in Cape Town today. Clear skies, sunny and warm.... who would've guessed it is Winter!

Perfect weather for our outdoor maternity shoot!

Have to say I am relieved it's over. I'm very nervous in front of a camera and I'm sure it showed. Hubby on the other hand was a natural.  Hopefuly we'll get one or two nice piccies!

Well, even if I wasn't the best model I definitely couldn't complain about the location:

@Newlands Forest, Cape Town, South Africa

Should have some pics to share in about 2 weeks! Here's hoping for the best!

xxx

Baby Shower invites

I was asked to post some pics of the baby shower invites :) (Here you go LM!)

This was the original design. The top (picture) part is actually a fridge magnet. Don't want anyone forgetting the big day!

And this is how they turned out. I think they turned out quite well and they didn't cost an arm and a leg.

Please excuse the black splotches. Had to remove some personal info.

Invites designed and printed by Mandy @ http://www.savethedate.co.za/  I actually used her to make our Save the Date magnets for our wedding more than 3 years ago!

So now the big search for decorations start. I don't even know where to start looking. At least it's going to be FUN!

Update: Week 30

I know, I know.... I've missed a few weekly updates but things have been a bit crazy around here. It's 6pm and I'm waiting for hubby to return from a 2 day trip away, can't wait for him to get home so that he can just hold me. All I'm saying is building a boundary wall in front of your house with 10 weeks to go before your due date is NOT a good idea, especially if you have the worlds most idiotic, arrogant, rude and just plain nasty building inspector :( It has not been fun!

Anyhoo.... we had a scan last week Wednesday when I was just shy of 29 weeks. Baba was doing well. He weighed in at 1.369kg and Doc estimated a birth weight of about 3.4kg :) I think he calculated that by an average gain of 200g over 10 weeks. I have a feeling this mister is going to be a bit bigger!

How far along: 30 Weeks. Only 70 Days to go!

How big is baby: 1.369kg at last scan

Weight gain: Have not yet weighed myself again since last update so unsure.

Bump measurement: 98cm

Belly button: a Half outie? LOL

Cravings: Nothing in particular. I enjoy smoked olives and can eat a whole packet but then I get so sick of them that I don't want to see them again for ages!
Aversions: I'm off a lot of things but not because they make me feel sick or anything, I just don't like the "idea" of eating them. Okay, that doesn't make sense at all... haha
What do you miss: Sleeping without getting up 3 times a night to pee (it's too cold!)  I could really do with a good glass of Pinotage.... yummmmm

Movement: Still loads. I'm not really doing the whole counting of foetal movement thing because this little one moves about 10 times per minute, never mind 10 times per hour.

Symptoms: Back ache and heartburn but it's not unbearable. Hubby would probably add moody and irritable ;)

Sleeping: Not too bad. I have to turn sides quite frequently and my back is really starting to ache when I lie down for a while.

Next Appointment: Wednesday 15 June (We are already going for fortnightly scans, don't think it's necessary yet but I just do what the doc says)

Things to do: Currently organising the baby shower (It's a couples shower, hence the reason why I'm organising it!) Invites have been made, just need to send them out. Need to organise decorations, cake and food. Need to sort out gift registries. (I feel so bad putting this on the invite but there are still loads of small things we need, we definitely don't need any more clothes!)

Looking forward to: Maternity photo shoot on Sunday. Shoe wee I'm quite nervous about this! Don't know what to wear, how to look, what to do! I know I'm over thinking it as always but I'm not the most photogenic person :)

30 week Bump pic



Bloggerversary

I've just realised that I completely missed my one year Blogging anniversary on the 17th!

Wow, Blogging for a year already!

It still feels so surreal to think that this blog was started a year ago as a way for me to put my thoughts and emotions to (virtual) paper as we started the daunting journey of our 1st IVF. And look where I am now.... almost 29 weeks pregnant with our miracle from God.

A year ago I was filled with hope, wishing and praying that IVF would be the answer to our prayers. Never did I think that the IVF wouldn't work and at that time I would never in a million years have thought that I would be pregnant less than a year later!

Not a day goes by that I do not think of my IF friends. I still log onto the forums and their Blogs daily but sometimes it just doesn't feel right to post or comment there anymore. All of a sudden my 2 year struggle with IF seems insignificant, what gives me the right to try to offer hope and support to those still struggling? Somehow I feel like a traitor, like I turned into one of the pregnant women I despised when my heart so longed for a baby. And yes, sometimes I feel bad for posting preggy updates and bump pics and scan photos on Facebook but you know what.... for 2 years I did go through that hell and for now I get to enjoy every single moment of being pregnant.... I just hope and pray that all my IF friends will get to experience this very very soon.

29 weeks scan bright and early tomorrow morning. Quite excited to see how much Luca has grown in a week, he was 1.2kg last week. I just hope Doc is a bit more thorough with his scan this time.

Full update to follow tomorrow!

xx

Hospital bed booked & 4D Scan!

Sjoe, what an early morning.

We were up bright and early to get to the hospital in time for our 8h30 4D Scan. We arrived about 45mins early so I took the time to book my bed at the hospital. Now just to decide if I prefer a semi-private or private ward.... mmmmm

Glad that is done now. One less thing to worry about.

Then it was time for the 4D Scan. I was really looking forward to this but just as I thought, Mr Luca wasn't keen on co-operating. After about 30 minutes of poking, prodding and even jumping up and down! we managed to catch a small glimpse of his face before he squashed it into the placenta again to get away from the staring eyes! Seems like he definitely takes after his mommy - he is just as shy!

He also has quite a bit of hair, which is impressive since Daddy is already sporting a nice bald patch at the not so ripe old age of 30!

Baba's current weight at 27 weeks 6 days is 1.2kg.

I'm glad we went for the scan but I'm also glad that it was free. Sjoe, can't imagine spending a fortune on a scan where baba doesn't co-operate.

All in all the photos didn't come out too bad though....

Love this face

Trying to hide by squashing my face into the placenta



Hiding behind his hand



Cuteness!

I almost completely forgot to add that I felt him hiccup for the first time last night. It was like a rhythmic beat, every 2-3 seconds, much more frequent than "adult" hiccups. It only lasted about 3 minutes and hubby missed it but I'm sure it will happen again.

xx

Disco Fever!

I'm lying in bed staring at my bump, watching Luca have his own little Disco in there :)

It looks so funny! My bump is literally moving from side to side, I even made a video to show to DH tonight.

I'm loving these constant reminders that my little miracle is in there, and apparently he is having a ball too!

Only 2 more sleeps before we get to see him in all his 3D/4D glory! I can't wait!!

And 3 sleeps before we enter the THIRD TRIMESTER!! Wow......

xx

Update: Week 27!

Almost missed an update this week but here it is :)

How far along: 27 Weeks!! I can't believe that in 3 weeks we'll be at 30 weeks already!

How big is baby: No idea. Waiting for next scan to find out.

Weight gain: 9kg's (Oh my gosh) At least I can say I don't know where it's all going, my butt looks a bit bigger but overall I still look about the same... guess most of it is my bump.

Bump measurement: 95cm

Belly button: Starting to look strange now but still an innie.

Cravings: Still carbs and mostly sweet things. I could eat cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My faves at the moment: Corn Flakes, Weet Bix and Wholewheat Pronutro.

Aversions: Still most meats. It's not that I'm totally put off by it, it's just that I'd much rather eat bread, rice and veggies and skip the meat part.

What do you miss: A comfortable nights sleep (I guess that is definitely a thing of the past!) Being able to put on socks and shoes without such a mission.

Movement: Hubby has now renamed Luca as Ninja. He is practicing some serious martial arts in there!

Leg cramps and other symptoms: The leg cramps have gone since I started drinking my calcium supplement religiously. Other symptoms: slight heartburn, back ache and just general discomfort.

Sleeping: Still okay. I still manage to sleep on both sides comfortably but my back is starting to ache from lying to much.

Next Appointment: 4D scan on the 25th. Can't wait!

Things to do: Paint a few things for Luca's room. Organise baby shower (couples shower) and send out invitations. Gift registry for baby shower.

My mom and I finished the cot mobile today and I'm very happy with the way it turned out. I bought a cheapo mobile because I only wanted the musical part. Then we made the some fishies, the same ones that are on the linen and the canvases.

BEFORE

AFTER

And lastly.... 27 week bump pic. According to some friends, already a big difference from a week ago, definitely more ummm..... rounded :)

xx