The things people say...

My LO is the size of a large aubergine.

Bit on another more pressing topic: When I was recounting to my sister and a few colleagues about the insensitive things people have been saying to me, they laughed - incredulous. Lori, who had a baby about a year ago shook her head knowingly. I guess you get over it, but it's a really sensitive time. When I had to cancel a dinner arrangement two hours before it was due to take place with our friends Karin and Karl, I almost burst into tears. Karin was just too sweet and understanding. People who know me know it takes a lot to move me to tears. Lately, I have to bite them back at times...

So when I came across this site after someone said to me, 'Shame, you seem to be growing sideways rather than this way,' she said motioning with her hands and smiling all the while, I smiled to myself with arched eyebrows. I honestly don't think people are that aware how much it hurts at the time... but it's really like saying to someone who's not pregnant: 'Wow! you've out on sooo much weight since the last time I saw you'. for the record, no pregnant mother wants to be told their baby is going to be big by the looks of things or how big their nose has grown or how chubby and round their face looks or being told they're glowing only after you've revealed to them that you're pregnant. It's plain insincere! 

I'll try not to take such insensitive comments too seriously in future and think of this when next I feel teary.

Here are a few of my favourites from http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pemotions/0,,toptenlist_b107mgb6,00.html

* A woman at the pool said, 'You must be having a girl — they say that girl babies steal their mother's beauty.'

* A week before I gave birth to my first baby, these two snooty women walked up to me and asked me to my face, 'Why aren't you wearing maternity clothes? Do you not believe in them?' And then they walked off laughing at me. I was wearing maternity clothes! They had just stopped fitting at that point!

Ideas

My dear friend Penny sent me this great link called www.pregnancyfashion.com It has a great photo gallery of some pregnant celebrities and what they wore, some useful and inspiring tips and ideas for what to wear for your shape and ideas for nurseries... 

Now I know I did mention that we really liked the Doctor Seuss theme but have decided against murals on walls but rather framed photos and paraphernalia around the room so that LO (little one) can change when she gets older...

I thought this one was quite sweet - not too cluttered... but instead of the bear I'd definitely put a sheep. I've always loved cartoon sheep!

Time to exercise

Baby can feel and touch now and apparently is starting to bulk up now... They say this is when you start growing the most - and there's nothing you can do about it. And because I've never been a skinny girl, I'm probably going to look like a house by the end of the third trimester, which is a mere two weeks away. I'm already at the heaviest I've ever been in my whole life - a whopping 70kg! I know I have been eating more than usual but to have gained a whole 10kg is scary! I need to get back on that exercise bike that taunts me every time I get under the blankets. We had moved it out of the guest room into our bedroom after we had guests staying and I didn't want to miss a day of exercise. Now look! It just sits there staring blankly at me, waiting. Patiently.

And then at the same time I keep telling myself I need to just calm down and enjoy this time. There's far too much pressure on moms to look fabulous all the time, even during pregnancy. And yes, I wanted to look fabulous too. But now I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm not going to be a yummy mummy. I just don't have the budget! *sigh* I must just focus on baby girl now and stop being so vain. Like Hein and Ingrid always tell me: 'What do you expect? You're pregnant!' 

Image www.pontesis.wordpress.com

Family legacy

My grandfather turned 80 last year and this weekend was his birthday and thanksgiving in East London. It was lovely to be with the extended family and am so grateful to have such a large contingent but truth is, I love my nuclear family to bits. My sisters and I have grown up very close and for most of our lives it was the six of us. Christmases and Easter weekends and some school holidays were spent visiting family in Kimberley and in the Eastern Cape and it was always such an amazing time! Sometimes they'd come see us. But truthfully we all sighed collectively when we finally came home to our own space, even though we missed the banter, the company and the laughter. 

Seeing all those generations in one room, watching my parents interact, and how my grandparents are still very much in love reminds me everyday how blessed I am. And what a wonderful legacy my daughter will inherit. 

Once again, after a 9-hour drive back to Joburg, I exhale with relief. Glad to be home in my own space and eating normal healthy food again. Well, trying to anyway...

Picture of my grandparents taken by my brother-in-law Stephane Polteau at our wedding in September 2008. Natal Midlands.