As of today, I have 13 days of mommy-daughter time with Lily, just the two of us. It seems strange that we have had almost 2 years of just being the two of us (during the day while daddy's at work of course), yet it seems like I'm grasping at time for us to be a "twosome" like we haven't yet had enough time alone together. This time in 2 weeks, we will no longer be a family of 3, but a complete family of 4...
So in the mean time, I am making the very most of our time together just us girls. Two days ago saw me jumping on a jumping castle with my 8 month belly (must have been a sight!) and the following day I was on a jungle gym showing Lily how it was done (I didn't quite do the slide though for fear of it collapsing under my weight!). I suppose I will need to take it slowly but I just want to take in and enjoy every single second of our precious time together.
I find myself staring at her and my heart melting at the cute little things she is doing. For instance, usually I am one for impecable table manners, but watching Lily chew away at her food with an open mouth making little chewing sounds just melts my heart! Who would have thought? I find myself wanting to capture these moments in time and treasure them forever. Thank goodness for the technology of today where I can grab my phone and record these moments to relive whenever I desire.
Lily is really stringing her words together and communicating beautifully. She is significantly linguistically advanced when compared to her peers and is quite a passionate communicator like her mom! She seems to understand what we say to her too, although not always willing to listen... Definitely starting to practice her independence and own free will!
Otherwise she is still the light of my life and makes every day so worth living. I know once her brother arrives things will be different, but I know my heart will only expand with the amount of love I am going to be giving them both. I cannot believe that we will be a family of 4 in as little as 14 days!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Emotional day...
My poor husband was expecting a nice sit down lunch at Ocean Basket earlier when I suddenly became overwhelmed with emotion and the tears started streaming down my cheeks. I felt so silly and couldn't quite pinpoint the cause of all this emotion, but after just watching my precious little Lily sitting so sweetly at the table in her big girl chair, I realised that I'm full of guilt and anxiety...
I'm feeling guilty in that our time together as just mom and daughter is almost over. In about 2.5 weeks, she will always have to share me with her little brother. I am incredibly excited to meet him and to have him in our lives, but it is a huge adjustment and difficult to imagine with him still snuggled safely in his incubator.
I'm feeling anxious about leaving Lily for almost 4 days - the most I've left her for is 1.5 days. I want our last day together to be just the two of us - I don't want to share her with anyone. I'm taking that day just to be with her and to take in every single precious moment. I know I'm going to be emotional leaving the house in the quiet darkness as we head to the hospital before 6am without saying goodbye as she will no doubt still be sleeping. On one hand I'm going to be thrilled and excited to meet our little prince, but on the other, I'm leaving behind my little princess for what's going to seem like forever...
Such a bitter sweet time. I'm really battling with all these emotions today.
I'm feeling guilty in that our time together as just mom and daughter is almost over. In about 2.5 weeks, she will always have to share me with her little brother. I am incredibly excited to meet him and to have him in our lives, but it is a huge adjustment and difficult to imagine with him still snuggled safely in his incubator.
I'm feeling anxious about leaving Lily for almost 4 days - the most I've left her for is 1.5 days. I want our last day together to be just the two of us - I don't want to share her with anyone. I'm taking that day just to be with her and to take in every single precious moment. I know I'm going to be emotional leaving the house in the quiet darkness as we head to the hospital before 6am without saying goodbye as she will no doubt still be sleeping. On one hand I'm going to be thrilled and excited to meet our little prince, but on the other, I'm leaving behind my little princess for what's going to seem like forever...
Such a bitter sweet time. I'm really battling with all these emotions today.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Baby Shower
Wow, what a wonderful afternoon spent with close friends and of course special family members. My sister and mom did an incredible job of organising the shower from the eats and snacks down to the games we played. I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we definitely all shared a few laughs together! A special thanks to my close friend Nicky who brought special "baby boy" plates, serviettes, sprinkles and decor all the way from America! Really spoiled.
So now baby boy has some amazingly stylish new outfits, beautiful blue blankets, towels, much-needed vests and toys. If it weren't for my friends, who knows, he may have been dressed in a pink outfit or blanket here and there (much to his father's extreme disapproval)!
Here are some pictures of the lovely baby shower celebrating our little baby boy...
So now baby boy has some amazingly stylish new outfits, beautiful blue blankets, towels, much-needed vests and toys. If it weren't for my friends, who knows, he may have been dressed in a pink outfit or blanket here and there (much to his father's extreme disapproval)!
Here are some pictures of the lovely baby shower celebrating our little baby boy...
Friday, March 16, 2012
35 week scan
On Monday we had yet another scan - we have now "graduated" from a once a month scan to a biweekly doctor visit. Little Boy Aufrichtig is still very much in the breech position with his head comfortably inbetween the top of my ribs with his little legs giving mommy a few hard pelvic kicks every now and then! So due to the position still being unfavourable for a natural birth, our c-section date is still on the 12th April at around 8am...
The doctor always mentions the fact that our son has a significant sized head which he attributes to his intelligence. He also said he is now weighing around 2.3kg and has given a slightly lower estimate on his birth weight of around 3.1-3.2kg. I won't hold him to that estimation though as Lily's estimated birth weight was far lowe than she actually was in the end. I suppose weight estimation based on a few simple measurements (head, abdomin and legs) aren't an exact science and only time will tell how much he in fact does weigh.
I am feeling pretty good for an 8 month pregnant woman which I'm truly grateful for. I did have an episode where my lower back was aching, but it lasted a day, nothing a reflexology session couldn't rectify. I still have my energy and haven't slowed down at all. I suppose having a toddler doesn't allow for any rest anyway so I'm truly grateful for the fact that my body is keeping up!
Whenever I tell people I have 4 weeks to go they always say that I look tiny for someone so far along in her pregnancy. People said the same thing when I was pregnant with Lily. It used to scare me during my first pregnancy as I was concerned about how well Lily was in fact growing, but as it turned out she was an absolutely fine size, so this time I'm not letting the comments get to me - I just obviously carry well or carry small babies!
My baby shower is tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to an afternoon of just relaxing and chatting to good friends. It is our time to celebrate the imminent arrival of our precious baby boy xxx
The doctor always mentions the fact that our son has a significant sized head which he attributes to his intelligence. He also said he is now weighing around 2.3kg and has given a slightly lower estimate on his birth weight of around 3.1-3.2kg. I won't hold him to that estimation though as Lily's estimated birth weight was far lowe than she actually was in the end. I suppose weight estimation based on a few simple measurements (head, abdomin and legs) aren't an exact science and only time will tell how much he in fact does weigh.
I am feeling pretty good for an 8 month pregnant woman which I'm truly grateful for. I did have an episode where my lower back was aching, but it lasted a day, nothing a reflexology session couldn't rectify. I still have my energy and haven't slowed down at all. I suppose having a toddler doesn't allow for any rest anyway so I'm truly grateful for the fact that my body is keeping up!
Whenever I tell people I have 4 weeks to go they always say that I look tiny for someone so far along in her pregnancy. People said the same thing when I was pregnant with Lily. It used to scare me during my first pregnancy as I was concerned about how well Lily was in fact growing, but as it turned out she was an absolutely fine size, so this time I'm not letting the comments get to me - I just obviously carry well or carry small babies!
My baby shower is tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to an afternoon of just relaxing and chatting to good friends. It is our time to celebrate the imminent arrival of our precious baby boy xxx
Friday, March 9, 2012
Another busy weekend
After a very busy wedding weekend last week, we have yet another wedding this weekend as well! However, this time, it isn't family, it is an old friend of hubby's who hasn't included children at his wedding. Fair enough - I didn't want children at my wedding either and it will be more enjoyable just being the two of us without having to run around after Lily, but I just hate the thought of having to leave her behind...
Yes, she is being left with her wonderful grandparents who she absolutely adores so I have no doubt that she will be more than ecstatic with the arrangment, but it is me who has the issues. Firstly, I have terrible separation anxiety and hate leaving Lily for too long. I miss her SO much! Secondly, I know it is a morbid thought, but it is one I'm sure all mothers have... What happens to Lily should something happen to hubby and I on the long 4 or 5 hour journey to and from the wedding?
When Lily was smaller, we asked hubby's brother and sister-in-law to be Lily's guardians in the unlikely event that something should happen to us. I know they would love her and take good care of her, but the thought of her having to go to them at this stage of her life truly upsets me as she doesn't really know them. Comparing how happy and content she is with my parents just makes me feel like she should go to them. I have spoken to hubby and although he agrees that Lily would be happier at this stage of her life with my parents, he thinks it is wiser to let her go to his brother as they are young, can provide for her and will no doubt love her...
It is honestly the worst thing to have to think about, but I sincerely hope that should something happen to hubby and I and Lily were to be left in this world without us, that my parents would be allowed to hold onto her for a while and slowly introduce her to my brother and sister-in-law. I would also hope that my parents and my sister would be fully and totally involved in her life as they no doubt love her so very much.
These are the the things I've been thinking about this week and as a result have been feeling very emotional about it all. This wedding and weekend cannot end fast enough with our safe return home to our little angel pie xxx
Yes, she is being left with her wonderful grandparents who she absolutely adores so I have no doubt that she will be more than ecstatic with the arrangment, but it is me who has the issues. Firstly, I have terrible separation anxiety and hate leaving Lily for too long. I miss her SO much! Secondly, I know it is a morbid thought, but it is one I'm sure all mothers have... What happens to Lily should something happen to hubby and I on the long 4 or 5 hour journey to and from the wedding?
When Lily was smaller, we asked hubby's brother and sister-in-law to be Lily's guardians in the unlikely event that something should happen to us. I know they would love her and take good care of her, but the thought of her having to go to them at this stage of her life truly upsets me as she doesn't really know them. Comparing how happy and content she is with my parents just makes me feel like she should go to them. I have spoken to hubby and although he agrees that Lily would be happier at this stage of her life with my parents, he thinks it is wiser to let her go to his brother as they are young, can provide for her and will no doubt love her...
It is honestly the worst thing to have to think about, but I sincerely hope that should something happen to hubby and I and Lily were to be left in this world without us, that my parents would be allowed to hold onto her for a while and slowly introduce her to my brother and sister-in-law. I would also hope that my parents and my sister would be fully and totally involved in her life as they no doubt love her so very much.
These are the the things I've been thinking about this week and as a result have been feeling very emotional about it all. This wedding and weekend cannot end fast enough with our safe return home to our little angel pie xxx
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The wedding
After all my apprehension, anxiety and nerves, the wedding weekend actually went exceptionally well! Our little angel was an absolute delight to everyone when she excitedly noticed and pointed at all the "eloplanes" at the airport. She kept on saying "there eloplane", "eloplane airport!" Luckily her excitement continued onto our actual flight with her looking out of the window, fiddling with the buttons on the arm rest and calling for "ganny & boka".
Thankfully Lily was an absolute angel on the flight (with a little thanks no doubt to the iPad for keeping the entertainment coming). She sat the majority of the time inbetween her "ganny" and "boka" leaving mom and dad to relax a little. Upon arrival in Johannesburg, Lily had a nice nap once we had taken receipt of our hire car - we had barely left the airport when her little eyes gave in and she nodded off.
The sleeping arrangments were one of my main concerns with us all in one small room and with daddy's snoring. My worries were unfounded as although the room was small, Lily had a little alcove where we placed the camp cot and she happily went to sleep both nights and for her day nap! I was so relieved. Daddy did snore as predicted, but it only affected me - Lily slept right through.
The wedding was a little bit more work for us and for Ganny though. Lily likes to chat so we had to go out of the church for the majority of the service. She did sit still during the reception and speeches so at least we got to enjoy that part of the wedding. The iPad throughout the entire weekend was a life saver providing plenty of entertainment - we will never venture away without it! Our flight home was also taken care of when we were delayed by 3 hours and Lily had to miss her day nap. I was quite anxious about the flight seeing she could possibly be rather miserable from lack of sleep, but she was an angel and sat nicely playing on her iPad for the majority of the 2 hour flight.
So all-in-all, we had a fabulous weekend away and Miss Lily Pie was a true little angel!
Some more pictures from our weekend away:
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| Looking out the window at the other eloplanes! |
The sleeping arrangments were one of my main concerns with us all in one small room and with daddy's snoring. My worries were unfounded as although the room was small, Lily had a little alcove where we placed the camp cot and she happily went to sleep both nights and for her day nap! I was so relieved. Daddy did snore as predicted, but it only affected me - Lily slept right through.
The wedding was a little bit more work for us and for Ganny though. Lily likes to chat so we had to go out of the church for the majority of the service. She did sit still during the reception and speeches so at least we got to enjoy that part of the wedding. The iPad throughout the entire weekend was a life saver providing plenty of entertainment - we will never venture away without it! Our flight home was also taken care of when we were delayed by 3 hours and Lily had to miss her day nap. I was quite anxious about the flight seeing she could possibly be rather miserable from lack of sleep, but she was an angel and sat nicely playing on her iPad for the majority of the 2 hour flight.
So all-in-all, we had a fabulous weekend away and Miss Lily Pie was a true little angel!
Some more pictures from our weekend away:
Thursday, March 1, 2012
33 week scan
Our little guy now weighs an estimated 1.8kg! He is still very much in the breech position and the doctor still highly doubts he will be turning. With this news, I decided to book my c-section date to ensure I am his first patient of the day and thankfully he operates in the mornings. So instead of waiting ALL day like I did for Lily's arrival (she arrived just before 5pm), I should be a mommy for the second time by about 8:30/9am on Thursday, 12th April 2012. That is exactly 6 weeks from today.
Should he turn by some miracle in the interim obviously we will reassess the situation for a natural birth. The doctor doesn't seem convinced that this is going to happen.
So although to everyone else this pregnancy seems to have flown by, it definitely hasn't for me. I think for the expectant mom, you definitely know that you've been pregnant for 33 weeks and as per usual, the last trimester seems to take the longest! I am getting more and more excited to meet my little boy, but I'm also making note to enjoy all the hours of sleep I'm getting as I realise they will soon be coming to an end... at least for a little while! But I honestly am more excited to have him in my arms than I am about having decent sleep. I can't wait to see who he looks like and to start our lives as a family of four.
Should he turn by some miracle in the interim obviously we will reassess the situation for a natural birth. The doctor doesn't seem convinced that this is going to happen.
So although to everyone else this pregnancy seems to have flown by, it definitely hasn't for me. I think for the expectant mom, you definitely know that you've been pregnant for 33 weeks and as per usual, the last trimester seems to take the longest! I am getting more and more excited to meet my little boy, but I'm also making note to enjoy all the hours of sleep I'm getting as I realise they will soon be coming to an end... at least for a little while! But I honestly am more excited to have him in my arms than I am about having decent sleep. I can't wait to see who he looks like and to start our lives as a family of four.
A big day!
Tomorrow we are all heading off to Johannesburg for my cousin's wedding. My parents, sister, brother-in-law, niece, hubby and of course Lily will all be on the same flight. As I've mentioned before, Lily is obsessed with planes and helicopters so I cannot wait to see how she reacts to the large "eloplanes" at the "e-port"! I am actually quite excited about our morning at the airport waiting for our flight.
I am however, rather anxious about the rest of the weekend. Firstly, hubby, Lily and I will be sharing a room for the first time. I don't know how the sleeping is going to go - I can only hope and pray it goes well. Lily's dad is known to snore every now and then and apparently, during this pregnancy, so have I! So I sincerely hope we don't disturb her... Perhaps some Aterax "assistance" will be necessary? I am going armed and prepared!
Secondly, I'm anxious about the actual wedding. Lily is an extremely busy little toddler and will most certainly not sit still during the ceremony and speeches. Hubby and I have decided to take turns with the babysitting so at least one of us gets to enjoy part of the ceremony and part of the speeches. We will have to have Lily with us throughout the evening, but luckily our accommodation is at the venue so as soon as things get out of hand or too late for our little munckin, one of us will go back to our room with her.
So holding thumbs, this weekend isn't TOO busy like I envisage it being...
I am however, rather anxious about the rest of the weekend. Firstly, hubby, Lily and I will be sharing a room for the first time. I don't know how the sleeping is going to go - I can only hope and pray it goes well. Lily's dad is known to snore every now and then and apparently, during this pregnancy, so have I! So I sincerely hope we don't disturb her... Perhaps some Aterax "assistance" will be necessary? I am going armed and prepared!
Secondly, I'm anxious about the actual wedding. Lily is an extremely busy little toddler and will most certainly not sit still during the ceremony and speeches. Hubby and I have decided to take turns with the babysitting so at least one of us gets to enjoy part of the ceremony and part of the speeches. We will have to have Lily with us throughout the evening, but luckily our accommodation is at the venue so as soon as things get out of hand or too late for our little munckin, one of us will go back to our room with her.
So holding thumbs, this weekend isn't TOO busy like I envisage it being...
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