We're homeowners

We're officially homeowners! Yep, we got the keys to our place yesterday and wondered around the house, dreaming of all the possibilities and of course, seeing all the cracks for the first time.

My heart leapt into my throat a couple times talking about all the things we wanted to do to the place post haste and both agreed, painting main bedroom, nursery bathroom and kitchen is top priority - before baby comes; then putting up shelves in bathroom, tiling; and then fixing domestic quarters. And then we started talking about putting in a pool, braai area, gazebo, extra bathroom (which is a must as there's only one)...

For us, a happy home equals nice bathroom, main bedroom and kitchen. The rest of the stuff can wait. that's a pic of the main bedroom over there...

Bed booked

My bed is finally booked at Genesis Clinic. Yes, after all the uhming and aahing, going on a tour of the facilities after my now bi-weekly midwife visits, we booked on the spot. The people are nice and it feels like you're in a very basic, airy B&B. And the rooms are big, fridge stocked with juice and water (MUST NOT FORGET CHAMPERS), hifi system for music, huge sunken bath. Mom gets a bag with the following:

* basic toiletries - shampoo, body wash and soap

* bath salts - probably not the scented kind!

* linen savers

* maternity pads

* 12 breast pads

* 3 stretch panties

* vaseline

* wet wipes

* wecesin powder

* baby wash

* bum cream

* cotton wool balls

All I need to bring is clothes

for me, clothes, three blankets and a towel for baby plus snacks, camera, liquid beverages, candles and music.

Photos www.genesisclinic.co.za

Melon-size baby

My LG is the size of a melon. No wonder I'm in such pain and can never find a comfortable position for long enough without grunting in pain when I have to get up or change positions.

Xoli, my midwife says it's because LG has already locked in position and is lodged in my pelvic area, never to move again until birth while her head grows larger and larger in an area which is not meant to expand. Typically this happens just before birth so this is quite early, Xoli says and by week 36, I'm going to experience even more discomfort. She says this is a good thing though. *Zodwa and Hein widen their eyes in horror* What can possibly be good about it? And it's probably not going to be 'discomfort' as she so sweetly puts it rather than intense pain, more so than now.

Xoli says that the more pain you experience before labour, the easier and less painful your actual labour will be. I bloody well hope so LG!

Why was she in such a hurry to get down there in the first place? Well, at least there's no chance of a breach baby - that's when she comes out legs first. Ouch!

Don't worry LG, mommy still loves you...

Baby registry

It's funny how the wheels have turned. About a year ago I dedicated an entire opinion piece moaning about how cheeky baby registries are. Well, actually, it was about baby showers in general - how people are telling guests what to wear, what to bring and most audaciously, what to buy! Via gift registry nogal! I cringed when I received my first invitation telling me to wear all white and the various items I could purchase from the various expensive boutique stores. She wasn't even a friend of mine - not someone I'd meet for coffee let alone invite over to my house for a bite either.

I remember (with embarrassment) how I would buy acquaintances and office colleagues and friends newborn baby grows or blankets as gifts. I would wander round a kiddies' store and select the cutest thing I could find. something I would buy for my child, without considering the mothers' needs. What a waste. And so here I sit, mother-to-be with cap in hand, having spent two hours with hubby at Baby City on Sunday, making my baby registry official. I know I'm going to be a particular mom. Like I don't like Avent stuff but love Nuk. and the fact that I prefer the smell of Johnson's to Elizabeth Anne is a preference I can't explain... My baby is not going to wear just anything - I've already told you how much I hate polar fleece, the pink and blue combo and anything to do with Winnie the Pooh when it comes to baby stuff! We've already bought a lot of newborn clothes (which they quickly outgrow I've been told) and newborn nappies, so we thought it would be best to include stuff for six months and up - from toys to functional equipment to dummies on the list:

* basic white vest body suits

* bumbo seat

* Nuk bottles

* Sleep sheep (makes a comforting snoring sound to help baby sleep)

* bath towels

* rattle

and more...

I hate to admit it but they were right when they said, 'You'll understand when you become a mother'.

Having said that, my sister Zanele and good friend Karin have organised a secret baby shower for this weekend. I have no idea what it's all about save that it's a destination baby shower. Yay! If my hen party was anythign to go by, it's a going to be another killer day! Plus I get one day off all the packing and moving house which is officially happening on Monday, July 6th. But that's what Hein gets for going to play squash for three hours AND going to watch the rugby on Saturday afternoon when it should have been a dedicated packing day! Nxa!