Yesterday we had our 29 week checkup at the gynae. I am really enjoying the fact that the appointments are now getting closer together - Its always a sure sign that the big day is getting closer.
Yesterday we also had to confirm with him that he is happy to do the delivery at Constantiaberg and isn't overly concerned about there being any complications with the baby. He assured us that he is confident that all should go well and if there is any problem for some reason we can definitely request that the hospital transfers the baby to Red Cross Children's Hospital. You are probably wondering why on earth I am worried about all this, and if you have read any of my previous posts you will know why. So it is a relief to know that if baby needs High Care we wont have her sitting in Constantiaberg for weeks running up an enormous bill. We are of course trusting and believing that all will go well and all this worrying would have been for nothing.These are all just back up plans - always good to have! Especially cause with Emily I refused to have a back up plan and things went horribly wrong. So call this over compensating if you like, I would rather be overly prepared than going in clueless.
So baby weighs 1500 grams at the moment. Doc expects that baby will be about 3,4 kgs when shes born, which makes me very happy! A nice change from the 4,1 kgs that Emily was when she was born. I am also very happy that I have only put on a total of 5,5 kgs so far in the pregnancy. I think for 7 and a half months that is pretty impressive. With Emily I put on about 30 kgs so I am REALLY happy that this time I have managed to keep it down. I hope that I don't start ballooning now towards the end though.... Will just have to try stay away from those yuuummmmmy hot chips!
Next thing on the to do list for next week is to take my hospital admission form in and book my bed. I am also wondering how soon I need to start washing baby clothes - Maybe wait for a couple of warm sunny days...... I think that's wishful thinking though, after all we are heading towards winter! Will just keeping waiting patiently for a tumble dryer.... sigh!
Hope you all have a fabuliss day! Enjoy the sunshine if you have any, and if its cold where you are - enjoy a good book and some snuggle time!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Klupklake please!
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| taken by Bernice Griffiths. see www.bettybake.co.za |
So on Thursday, Leon got home from work and was doing his usual looking around the kitchen thing for something nice to nibble on. He came through with a cupcake that he had found and was thoroughly enjoying it. Emily saw this and was rather perturbed that she didn't have one. She looked at Leon and rather earnestly decided to ask him for one. Being only 2 and feeling rather desperate, her plea came out somewhat entertainingly! She ran to Leon and said, "daddy, can I have a klupklake please." At first he didn't really hear her and it was only after the 3rd of 4th time that he realized that she was asking him for something. In the meantime, her gran and I were in stitches as we watched this little desperate attempt to get a cup cake, oh sorry, I meant to say klupklake. She naturally couldn't understand what was so entertaining and was totally surprised when her dad eventually turned around and gave her a little, playful pat on the bum! After all, she was asking for a "klup-klake."
She did eventually get her klupklake... after all, how can you ignore that!?
So thats just something small and cute to hopefully warm your heart and make you smile!
P.S, yes, you do say it like you spell it :p
Mwah
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
7 months and counting
This week is the official start of my 7th month. Time has gone so fast with this pregnancy and I am slowly starting to realize that this baby will be here soon soon! Last week was a very stressful week as my hospital plans got changed without me being able to do much about it. What was meant to happen at False Bay Hospital as a semi private C-section, then changed and I was told that I could not have it there and it had to be at Groote Schuur Hospital as they are the only government hospital that specialize in Diabetic Deliveries. My wonderful, caring husband then decided that no, I will be having the baby at Constantia berg Medi Clinic. So as you can imagine, with all this happening and all the hormones raging in my body, I didn't do very well last week, hence the silence. So sorry to all my eager readers :)
With the new hospital plans and the realization settling in that I am having another baby and this time it will go smoothly, I have started to think more about all the little preparation things that I need to do.Things like actually book my hospital bed... would be a good start. I have finally managed to get the baby's cupboard and chest of draws sorted out and its all neat and ready. Well, it will probably all need to be washed again before the baby is born, but that is something that I think that I can handle.
As for Emily this week.... I think there is something in the air making her slightly crazy! For a child that is normally fairly chilled- ish, and who normally listens pretty well, something is blocking her ability to listen and hear this week and I think that I am going to go crazzzzzyyyyyy! I don't think that I have EVER repeated myself soooo many times in a day before and am starting to detest the sound of my own voice! What was very entertaining this afternoon though, was Emily was being rude and cheeky and having a tantrum, so instead of talking to her a thousand times I decided instead of wasting my breathe I would just take her straight to her room and put her on her bed to sit there until she had calmed down. Every time I walked away, she got off her bed and ran behind me screaming. I would then turn around and put her back on her bed. Saying nothing. She was so annoyed by the fact that I wasn't talking to her that eventually she was pleading, "talk to me mommy, please talk to me." My plan had worked!!! I won! She soon realized that her behavior was not going to be rewarded with endless negotiating and debating. If she wasn't going to listen I was going to ignore her until she did! and it worked! She quickly calmed down and apologized. And the house went back to peace.... for a little while anyway!
So I think that this is how I will be trying it for a while! .. mainly because I am running out of words! Please don't get me wrong, we so do believe in hidings!! I just don't think that everything deserves a hiding because they become numb to it and eventually the hidings stop working! ...besides, hidings from dad always seem to work a little better!! ;)
There you have it, that's my story for now! Sorry if it wasn't very exciting but I'm tired and going to be going to get some sleep! well between the hot flushes (if you can call them that), the toilet trips, the bouncy baby in my tummy, the slight carpel tunnel syndrome I have in my wrists at the moment, and all the strange pregnancy dreams! Not exactly peace and tranquility if you ask me!?
Anyway, night everyone!
With the new hospital plans and the realization settling in that I am having another baby and this time it will go smoothly, I have started to think more about all the little preparation things that I need to do.Things like actually book my hospital bed... would be a good start. I have finally managed to get the baby's cupboard and chest of draws sorted out and its all neat and ready. Well, it will probably all need to be washed again before the baby is born, but that is something that I think that I can handle.
As for Emily this week.... I think there is something in the air making her slightly crazy! For a child that is normally fairly chilled- ish, and who normally listens pretty well, something is blocking her ability to listen and hear this week and I think that I am going to go crazzzzzyyyyyy! I don't think that I have EVER repeated myself soooo many times in a day before and am starting to detest the sound of my own voice! What was very entertaining this afternoon though, was Emily was being rude and cheeky and having a tantrum, so instead of talking to her a thousand times I decided instead of wasting my breathe I would just take her straight to her room and put her on her bed to sit there until she had calmed down. Every time I walked away, she got off her bed and ran behind me screaming. I would then turn around and put her back on her bed. Saying nothing. She was so annoyed by the fact that I wasn't talking to her that eventually she was pleading, "talk to me mommy, please talk to me." My plan had worked!!! I won! She soon realized that her behavior was not going to be rewarded with endless negotiating and debating. If she wasn't going to listen I was going to ignore her until she did! and it worked! She quickly calmed down and apologized. And the house went back to peace.... for a little while anyway!
So I think that this is how I will be trying it for a while! .. mainly because I am running out of words! Please don't get me wrong, we so do believe in hidings!! I just don't think that everything deserves a hiding because they become numb to it and eventually the hidings stop working! ...besides, hidings from dad always seem to work a little better!! ;)
There you have it, that's my story for now! Sorry if it wasn't very exciting but I'm tired and going to be going to get some sleep! well between the hot flushes (if you can call them that), the toilet trips, the bouncy baby in my tummy, the slight carpel tunnel syndrome I have in my wrists at the moment, and all the strange pregnancy dreams! Not exactly peace and tranquility if you ask me!?
Anyway, night everyone!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Dont insult the "mummum"
For those of you that know my daughter, you'll know that she calls her bottle 'mum-mum.' Its a word that she came up with all on her own, and in fact Leon and I were sitting thinking last night about when and how this happened and we really cant remember!
Anyway, the reason I'm writing about the mum-mum is that something happened yesterday, that was not the first time and it really annoyed me!
I was standing in a queue in Clicks yesterday, Emily was tired because it was getting close to her nap time - so she had asked me for her mum-mum. So there's my two and a half year old sitting drinking her bottle and yes I know that at two and a half she should be off the bottle. But I also know my child and I know that for the most part at home she drinks out of a cup. I also know that as much as I have tried, she does not like those sippy cups - I have tried virtually every kind. So this is not something that I am stressed about. We allow her to have her bottle for nap time and bed time, and then through the day she has it mainly when we are in the car or out.
ANYWAY, this is the annoying part! What is it with people, mainly woman, who seem to have this urge and think that its OK to look at my daughter and say things like, "oh my, you still drink out a bottle," or " why do you still drink out a bottle, you are a big girl!" Do they seriously think that my child, or an other child that they might direct this at, gives two hoots whether they should or shouldn't be drinking out a bottle or not. Do they not realize that this comment that is 'supposedly' directed at the child, is in fact directed at the mother, and do they not realize that the mother is fully aware of this! All this person is doing is creating an enemy (slight exaggeration) for themselves because they have just insulted the mother in so many ways! Firstly, they have judged the mothers child raising way and ability, probably without even knowing it! Secondly, in making this comment they have not acknowledged you as a mother standing there, and any attempt that you might make to create eye contact is totally avoided. Making the situation even more annoying and offensive!
Why can these people just walk past and comment on her adorable curls or beautiful eyes? Why do they feel they have a right to pass some sort of judgment (be it small), on you and your child!? I cannot explained how when this happens I have to tie my feet with imaginary straps to the ground, and not fly at this person and in the end leave her standing there as a grown woman with a massive bottle and dummy stuck to her face! Super glued in fact! Yes, yes, I know I m hormonal and pregnant , and you are all probably shaking your heads in disbelief that something so trivial could annoy me - but it does!
So just a tip to any of you that tend to like to make comments like this in passing - DON'T! For your own sake! If you want the world (of mothers) to be a happier place - don't insult the mum-mum!
Moans aside - hope that you all have a brilliant weekend doing whatever it is you plan to do! Thank you for reading!
Bye :)
Anyway, the reason I'm writing about the mum-mum is that something happened yesterday, that was not the first time and it really annoyed me!
I was standing in a queue in Clicks yesterday, Emily was tired because it was getting close to her nap time - so she had asked me for her mum-mum. So there's my two and a half year old sitting drinking her bottle and yes I know that at two and a half she should be off the bottle. But I also know my child and I know that for the most part at home she drinks out of a cup. I also know that as much as I have tried, she does not like those sippy cups - I have tried virtually every kind. So this is not something that I am stressed about. We allow her to have her bottle for nap time and bed time, and then through the day she has it mainly when we are in the car or out.
ANYWAY, this is the annoying part! What is it with people, mainly woman, who seem to have this urge and think that its OK to look at my daughter and say things like, "oh my, you still drink out a bottle," or " why do you still drink out a bottle, you are a big girl!" Do they seriously think that my child, or an other child that they might direct this at, gives two hoots whether they should or shouldn't be drinking out a bottle or not. Do they not realize that this comment that is 'supposedly' directed at the child, is in fact directed at the mother, and do they not realize that the mother is fully aware of this! All this person is doing is creating an enemy (slight exaggeration) for themselves because they have just insulted the mother in so many ways! Firstly, they have judged the mothers child raising way and ability, probably without even knowing it! Secondly, in making this comment they have not acknowledged you as a mother standing there, and any attempt that you might make to create eye contact is totally avoided. Making the situation even more annoying and offensive!
Why can these people just walk past and comment on her adorable curls or beautiful eyes? Why do they feel they have a right to pass some sort of judgment (be it small), on you and your child!? I cannot explained how when this happens I have to tie my feet with imaginary straps to the ground, and not fly at this person and in the end leave her standing there as a grown woman with a massive bottle and dummy stuck to her face! Super glued in fact! Yes, yes, I know I m hormonal and pregnant , and you are all probably shaking your heads in disbelief that something so trivial could annoy me - but it does!
So just a tip to any of you that tend to like to make comments like this in passing - DON'T! For your own sake! If you want the world (of mothers) to be a happier place - don't insult the mum-mum!
Moans aside - hope that you all have a brilliant weekend doing whatever it is you plan to do! Thank you for reading!
Bye :)
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| Photo taken by Bernice Griffiths. www.bettybake.co.za |
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Rain Rain Go Away
So I think that today was probably the first really rainy day for the year so far and a definite sign that winter is approaching. I was very chuffed that I managed to accomplish everything that I set out to do - including clean the garage and clean the inside of my car.
Emily on the other hand was not that impressed with the weather and this morning at about 8 o'clock stood standing at the sliding door, in her cute little barbie panties and her too short T-shirt - singing in the saddest and slowest voice she could muster up, "rain rain go away, come again another day. Barneys friends all want to play, rain rain go away!" I think she may even have sniffed and wiped away an imaginary tear at the end of the song! (Wouldn't put that past my daughter and her dramatics!)
Anyway, so at about 9 o'clock she was still moaning about the weather so I decided to let her have a little rain experience. Out came the wellington boots and her big pink jacket and my enormous umbrella. Her face lit up with so much excitement when she realized that she was going to get to go and play outside in the rain.
So out she went, singing her little song to anyone that could or would hear her.
Yes, you are probably wondering how long the umbrella holding lasted.... not very long. She soonish realized that it was far to heavy for her little arms and if she put it down she would not only have two hands free, but she would also get wet!!!!! Double excitement! An exciting, muddy morning!
So that was our rainy day! Hope you enjoyed yours!
Emily on the other hand was not that impressed with the weather and this morning at about 8 o'clock stood standing at the sliding door, in her cute little barbie panties and her too short T-shirt - singing in the saddest and slowest voice she could muster up, "rain rain go away, come again another day. Barneys friends all want to play, rain rain go away!" I think she may even have sniffed and wiped away an imaginary tear at the end of the song! (Wouldn't put that past my daughter and her dramatics!)
Anyway, so at about 9 o'clock she was still moaning about the weather so I decided to let her have a little rain experience. Out came the wellington boots and her big pink jacket and my enormous umbrella. Her face lit up with so much excitement when she realized that she was going to get to go and play outside in the rain.
So out she went, singing her little song to anyone that could or would hear her.
Yes, you are probably wondering how long the umbrella holding lasted.... not very long. She soonish realized that it was far to heavy for her little arms and if she put it down she would not only have two hands free, but she would also get wet!!!!! Double excitement! An exciting, muddy morning!
So that was our rainy day! Hope you enjoyed yours!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Potty training 101
After spending the last few months wondering how on earth I was going to potty train Emily - totally terrified and overwhelmed by this thought, she has totally surprised and proven me wrong this last week. I have read a gazillion things on potty training. Bought every magazine that claimed to have the 'ultimate potty training solution', and bought books and read blogs on how to "in 7 days." All still very overwhelming. Honestly, I came to a cheat solution and decided that I would leave it up to my gran to try and do when she comes in June to stay for 3 weeks to help me with the new baby and Emily. Something to keep her and Emily 'busy' while I see to baby!? haha, lame, I know!
Anyway, Emily started showing an interest last week in using the potty. She has made wees on it before - but not consistently. Last week her interest became fairly regular and I thought, 'OK, well, lets see where this goes.' So every time she asked to wee, I humored her and sometimes she did and sometimes she didn't.
But as the days this week have progressed I have realized that she is very serious about this... so I decided to get serious too.
So half a day yesterday and so far this morning she has not worn a nappy and has done really well. She tells me when she wants to wee on the potty and yesterday told me she wanted to poo. When she did, she got a huge fright and was totally grossed out, but none the less, she did and I explained to her that making poos on the potty is good. She was a little less freaked out after that. Of course, at this point she is still wearing a nappy for nap time in the afternoon and in the night. Impressively yesterday when she woke up her nappy was bone dry and she went straight to make a wee on the potty. This morning as well - well it wasn't dry, but she went straight to the potty.
Last night when Leon got home, he made her a toilet step so that she can get onto the toilet nice and easily, rather than using the potty. She is just loving it - only problem is she has become a little bit of a toilet 'hogger' - which has made life very entertaining. Especially when her and Leon argue about who needs the toilet more! LOL!
So in conclusion, I have realized that there is no point in stressing about potty training. Your child knows his or hers body and will know when they are ready. So many times we make potty training a massive issue - and both you and your child get totally stressed out. We have a need to compete with the person down the roads kid that is already potty trained and is young than your child. We cant compare our child and the pace that they go. Boys and girls are different and, EVERY child is different. We need to step back, take a deep breath and realize that everything will happen in good time and just enjoy the journey with our little "Bounce-A-Lots".
So I hope that this has encouraged any of you that might find yourself in this place. And for those of you that haven't gotten there yet - hope it gives you some peace of mind. For for those of you that have been there and done that and never doing it again - I hope that it makes you smile.
Have a sunshiny day everyone!
Anyway, Emily started showing an interest last week in using the potty. She has made wees on it before - but not consistently. Last week her interest became fairly regular and I thought, 'OK, well, lets see where this goes.' So every time she asked to wee, I humored her and sometimes she did and sometimes she didn't.
But as the days this week have progressed I have realized that she is very serious about this... so I decided to get serious too.
So half a day yesterday and so far this morning she has not worn a nappy and has done really well. She tells me when she wants to wee on the potty and yesterday told me she wanted to poo. When she did, she got a huge fright and was totally grossed out, but none the less, she did and I explained to her that making poos on the potty is good. She was a little less freaked out after that. Of course, at this point she is still wearing a nappy for nap time in the afternoon and in the night. Impressively yesterday when she woke up her nappy was bone dry and she went straight to make a wee on the potty. This morning as well - well it wasn't dry, but she went straight to the potty.
Last night when Leon got home, he made her a toilet step so that she can get onto the toilet nice and easily, rather than using the potty. She is just loving it - only problem is she has become a little bit of a toilet 'hogger' - which has made life very entertaining. Especially when her and Leon argue about who needs the toilet more! LOL!
So in conclusion, I have realized that there is no point in stressing about potty training. Your child knows his or hers body and will know when they are ready. So many times we make potty training a massive issue - and both you and your child get totally stressed out. We have a need to compete with the person down the roads kid that is already potty trained and is young than your child. We cant compare our child and the pace that they go. Boys and girls are different and, EVERY child is different. We need to step back, take a deep breath and realize that everything will happen in good time and just enjoy the journey with our little "Bounce-A-Lots".
So I hope that this has encouraged any of you that might find yourself in this place. And for those of you that haven't gotten there yet - hope it gives you some peace of mind. For for those of you that have been there and done that and never doing it again - I hope that it makes you smile.
Have a sunshiny day everyone!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
No more quack quack
After a lovely weekend of relaxing, gardening and a nice braai - we had a sad end to it all. For anyone who knows my little family, we have some chickens who lay eggs for us every day and one rooster who does us the honor of letting us know its morning at 5:30AM everyday - and he doesn't quite know when to stop. Sometimes at 3 in the afternoon he is still going! Sorry neighbors!
Anyway, its all fun and we love our mini little farmyard - and Emily loves her chickens too! About 3 weeks ago I couldn't resist the urge to get us a little white duckie! Totally adorable! I brought her home and the first evening we put her in the chicken coop but in the morning, we found she had been a little hen pecked so we decided to let her just live in the garden. She found a little spot in the hedge near our sliding door that she slept in, and Leon built her a cute little duckie pond. Everyday she would sit and sleep outside the sliding door, a bit like a little dog.
As soon as Emily was in bed in the evening, the duckie would sense the calm and she would slip into the lounge and find a spot on the carpet near the TV and dose and sometimes keep one eye on the TV while grooming herself and spreading fine little white feathers everywhere. Very cute and very much a special little pet. Sadly last night as we were getting ready for bed, Leon heard the duckie quacking outside - nothing out of the ordinary. Then suddenly he heard a thud against the door and as he got there and opened the curtains, he saw that the tyrant cat in the neighborhood had the duckie in his mouth. :( Whereas most cats would see someone standing over them and drop the bird and run, this evil thing ran off with the duckie in his mouth. Outside our property is bush and mountain so the cat and the duckie were gone into the dark. Leon tried for ages to try and find the cat and duck in the hope that we might be able to still rescue it but to no avail. They were both gone - as if nothing had ever happened.
So as you can imagine, this really was not a cool way to end our long weekend and we have both been feeling rather sad about it today. The thought of getting another one has crossed our minds but how do you replace a pet knowing what happened and its not the same one. Cant really get my head around that.
So that's my story for today - hope that you all have happier ones!
Anyway, its all fun and we love our mini little farmyard - and Emily loves her chickens too! About 3 weeks ago I couldn't resist the urge to get us a little white duckie! Totally adorable! I brought her home and the first evening we put her in the chicken coop but in the morning, we found she had been a little hen pecked so we decided to let her just live in the garden. She found a little spot in the hedge near our sliding door that she slept in, and Leon built her a cute little duckie pond. Everyday she would sit and sleep outside the sliding door, a bit like a little dog.
As soon as Emily was in bed in the evening, the duckie would sense the calm and she would slip into the lounge and find a spot on the carpet near the TV and dose and sometimes keep one eye on the TV while grooming herself and spreading fine little white feathers everywhere. Very cute and very much a special little pet. Sadly last night as we were getting ready for bed, Leon heard the duckie quacking outside - nothing out of the ordinary. Then suddenly he heard a thud against the door and as he got there and opened the curtains, he saw that the tyrant cat in the neighborhood had the duckie in his mouth. :( Whereas most cats would see someone standing over them and drop the bird and run, this evil thing ran off with the duckie in his mouth. Outside our property is bush and mountain so the cat and the duckie were gone into the dark. Leon tried for ages to try and find the cat and duck in the hope that we might be able to still rescue it but to no avail. They were both gone - as if nothing had ever happened.
So as you can imagine, this really was not a cool way to end our long weekend and we have both been feeling rather sad about it today. The thought of getting another one has crossed our minds but how do you replace a pet knowing what happened and its not the same one. Cant really get my head around that.
So that's my story for today - hope that you all have happier ones!
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