Earlier today..

After some window shopping on Marylebone High Street and taking Sean to the library, we popped in to nearby Zizzi for an early dinner

Hubby surprised me with the excellent colour combination he put together :-)

I'm 34 weeks pregnant today, with 42 days remaining until my due date 

As the indigestion has returned, I have to be careful with what I eat (and drink), or else my upper torso feels like it's on fire!

Remember, remember, the 27th of November :-)

Bear and I set the alarm for 6am, got up and prepared toast with peanut butter and a hot chocolate for Sean, and surprised him with singing 'Happy Birthday' as he was pretending to be asleep 

Ta-dah! The custom-made hedgehog chocolate cake that the young man chose himself

Blowing out the five candles

When it's your birthday, a little slice of cake is allowed before going to school :-)

I can't quite grasp that I'm soon about to feel the same strong motherly love I have for Sean, for another little person!

My dashing little man changed in to this outfit after school (here he is talking on Daddy's phone to his Auntie Keri, who's wishing him happy b'day)

And off we went to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park 

WW provides endless entertainments incl rides that suits all ages

The entrance is free (although everything is very expensive there so make sure you have cash with you as they don't take cards!), and you will never go hungry or thirsty with numerous stalls selling all kinds of food and drink.

Daddy taking a break from all the rides, with a German beer and sausage, in the Bavarian Village 

Sean in his new black glossy hooded puffer coat from Moncler - providing stylish warmth when the temperatures falls - so much so that he had to take it off at one point for being hot lol 

In a taxi going home after all the fun - tired, but very happy :-)

Hurrah, she's turned!!!

Bear and I went for an appointment with my consultant at The Lindo Wing this afternoon, and a scan showed my baby has turned around and has her head first now :-) What an incredible feeling - I can't even begin to describe what a relief that is Whoop whoop, I am so happy!!!!

Sent from my iPhone 

Sean 5 years today

27 November 2008 - Sean, here only a few hours old 

We were sitting on the bus together the other day, and I was stroking Sean's head, like I always do, looking at him and remembering the first time Mum and I took him on the bus (with our big "Rolls Royce" of a pram, the 'Emmaljunga') to Kilburn, back when he was just five days old. 

My Mum stayed for six weeks back then to help me with my new mummy-role, but after that it was just me and him everyday, going on adventures around London town, and developing a child/parent relationship, and I remember I did everything to keep him safe and sound. 

Sean introduced me to parenting and all the wonderful things that come with it. He is really funny and smart, and personally I think he has a sense of humour, well beyond his 5 years.

My favourite thing about him, though has got to be his big heart. He is so compassionate and full of love. He shares, is often selfless and it makes me so incredibly proud of him. 

Yesterday he brought home a gift from school for his baby sister, a prize he had won for completing a task. And he decided to pass it on to his unborn sibling  -  how thoughtful is that?! Also, I honestly can't count on two hands how many kisses he gives me daily!

He has made me a better person, a more patient person that's for sure, and these have been the fullest and best five years of my life. 

Another thing that I must highlight before I go is that he has taught me that there is such thing as unconditional love, and I am grateful for every single day I get to spend with him!

Happy Birthday my darling son, my flesh and blood, my treasure - I love you immeasurably ♥

Now let's get the celebrations started shall we?! 

My little school boy

Sean this morning, wearing his new duffel coat -  another compulsory purchase for the Winter school uniform, as the cold weather is fast approaching

Baby kicks

Video of my little busy bee kicking 

The one where I'm sobbing

Today bump is 33 weeks

Lately I've been super duper emotional.  A news story about a child hurt or dying will make me sob uncontrollably. 
In fact ,the smallest thing can set me off, and early this morning I sat and stared at the new cot that we just assembled with all the pretty pink bedding etc, and I couldn't stop sobbing. Those were not sad tears, but still... 
I remember being emotional at the tail end of my previous pregnancy, but nothing like this! 

I'm also anxious about anything from my baby's health, the delivery, and how I will cope afterwards if I have a caesarian, about cot death, how Sean's gonna adapt to not being the centre of attention all the time.. well the list goes on... Oh and the most pathetic one was yesterday when I sobbed after dropping my glove, and there was no one there to help me pick it up! All part of the hormone overload I suppose....  

Did I mention my latest addition the list of my preggo problems? Well here you have it; varicose veins - Sweet lamb of divine they H.U.R.T! ( (sob!). I went and got measured at a pharmacy yesterday for a pair of very sexy surgical compression stockings which should at least ease the pain a bit, and reduce risk for blood clots. 

Last but not least, as I am not allowed to air travel, my boys have gone to Scotland without me, to visit Bear's family for the weekend  (yeah, that's another sob story LOL!). However, my other two favourite fellas, Erik and his bf John, are coming over for some Swedish mulled wine later- that should no doubt help me snap out of this pregnancy roller coaster -  well at least temporarily :-)

Cheerio

xx

Hello from the Swedish Christmas Fair!

Don't miss the traditional Swedish Christmas Fair at the Swedish Church in Marylebone. Apart from today, it's also on this weekend and at £2 a head (children goes free), you can come and enjoy Swedish mulled wine, saffron buns and gingerbread snaps and traditional handicraft. Or if you're anything like us, get here simply for those delicious hot dogs - Yum!



Sent from my iPhone

Fetal Wellbeing Scan

Bump today @ 32 + 3 weeks

bump side view - with 53 days remaining until due date

My little bambina covering her left side with her hand, really resembles an alien more than anything on this 4D scan from Friday lol! However, in my eyes, the most beautiful little girl I've ever seen and who makes my mummy-heart melt already :-)

32 week ultra sound scan results 

On Friday I had a 32 week growth scan, and I felt mixed emotions, i.e so happy to see my baby again and see her little heart beating away, but sad to see that she is indeed still footling breech as I thought. 

That uncomfortable lump I can feel between my belly button and under my ribs is her head, and the constant kicks to my bladder confirms she has her feet wedged firmly down there. 

So far I've tried a couple of positions at home (lying on back with my hips elevated on cushions, as well as the Forward Leaning Inversion which means kneeling on the sofa with my head on floor), to try and turn her, but I'm more and more convinced that many of these methods are old wives tales, and I am thinking that it's probably more a coincidence if they do turn. 

The sonographer said she already weighs 2 kilos and which is more than Sean weighed at this stage, and her predicted birth weight will be around 3.8kg if I deliver at 40 weeks (Sean weighed only 3.2kg, and I was 12 days over-due when I gave birth to him!)

 Length wise she measured about 6 days ahead of schedule, but it's all perfectly good and within the 5th to 95th centile. 

Bear and I was told that everything looked very normal and her growth was also consistent and in line with the graph from the 20 week Anomaly Scan. My eyes welled up from relief, and I looked up and smiled at Bear, and grabbed his hand just a little harder that second ♥♥♥

Footling breech in week 32

Pics taken today before I found out that my girl is (footling) breech

Today, at 31+4,  I had an antenatal appointment with my obstetrician at the Lindo Wing. 

Unfortunately when we looked at my baby, its showed that she is now footling breech (feet first), which apparently is quite uncommon.

I'm guessing this must have happened in the last week (she was head first, 3 weeks ago during my last scan), and explains why I've felt discomfort under my ribs and has become easily breathless as her head presses up under my diaphragm. 

Doc said that it's unlikely that she will turn again with the limited space, but that it's not impossible, and that we will talk more about it if she's still in that position when I see him again in two weeks time.

It's such a set back and has really got me down, and now this is all I can think about :-(

I've spent the whole pregnancy preparing for a vaginal birth - I had not even considered Caesarian!  I seriously do NOT want a Caesarean (even if it's a planned one), but breech deliveries are notoriously difficult and can be also dangerous, so obviously I will take the advice given to my by my doc and get my baby girl out safe. 

I now pray to any higher power that she will turn around in the weeks leading up to the birth, and I would be grateful if anyone has any experience on the subject with any advice to offer xx

Baby in footling breech, i.e feet instead of head first

(Weekend) iPhone images

Clockwise from top: Family pic//Blue skies in Regents Park//Friday night in with "Pic n' Mix" sweets from Totally Swedish//Camel spotting outside London Zoo//A face-painted Sean//Sunday stroll amongst stunning Autumnal colours//At the newly refurbished local playground//Rachel 'S Club 7' Stevens, second from right @ Plusher Baby Show on Saturday

Bump @ 31 weeks - side view

Our baby girl now weighs about 1.6kg and measures roughly 42 cm in length

So what's new in terms of symptoms? 

Not much apart from I've noticed that she isn't moving around as much now, most likely because she's running out of space in my womb. I can literally feel how my organs are being squeezed, which explains why the heartburn is still raging on, getting worse by the day. 

Also, I get breathless very easily - stairs are such a killer, and my belly can at times tense up and become rock hard, which feels very awkward.

I am of course, trying to rest and put my feet up as much as I can, but today we're going to this upmarket baby show -  as I still have a long list of things to buy before she arrives!

This morning's school run

So I decided to make an effort, and skip the pair of leggings that I basically live in these days, and put on a pair of jeans instead.

All well and good, but what's up with my chubby cheeks? I look like a puffer fish! (oh the joys of pregnancy..)

-Is my face pregnant too?!!

Sent from my iPhone

Bump fascination + a blog tip

Bump @ 30 + 4 weeks this morning

One thing that's been a support to me whilst being pregnant, is following the journey of others during their pregnancy, either through their blogs, or via Twitter. My fascination with bumps is so big and I simply love how they come in so many different sizes and shapes!

One blog (in Swedish) I'm checking on a daily basis is by this gorge young lady, a mother of one with another one on the way, who has an envious wardrobe, gives top fashion tips, and simply with her blog she makes a rainy day feel sunny :-)

Through the keyhole

Living room with ceiling height over 3.5 metres 

Kitchen - part of living room, i.e - open plan

Study/Office

The boys' bathroom (hence no beauty products on display LOL!)


Here's a sneaky peak into our central London home that we bought and moved in to nearly six years ago now - I can't believe how time flies! (and yes, the cleaner has just been, ha!). 

- Still to come are pics of Sean's room, our sleeping loft and the second bathroom (read MY bathroom)

Half term holiday happenings

During Sean's half term last week, we had a really fun family day out in the country side. We spent time at this farm, where we saw and fed some animals, played mini golf and Sean ran around the huge play area the also have.
Afterwards we drove to a nearby gorgeous little 17th century country pub, for a late lunch by their cosy log fire. Sean and I love it when Bear takes time off work, to spend with us.

THIRTY WEEKS

I'm now three quarters of the way through the pregnancy, I can't believe how close it's getting! According to my pregnancy app, my baby girl is actually fully baked on the 21st December, even though the due date is not until 11 January.  

Symptom wise, the exhaustion I experienced in the first trimester has returned in full force, so I've re-welcomed a daily nap into my routine.

Also I'm suffering A LOT of pelvic pain.  Getting up from a sitting position makes my eyes water!

Yeah I know, pregnancy is a wonderful thing, and I'm grateful don't get me wrong. Just the thought of having a little bean growing in your stomach, is just incredible! And touching your tummy, talking to your unborn baby is very special and most likely you feel absolutely fab…... for about eh... four months! 

Apart from the unbelievable highs, you also have to put up with the emotional hormonal  side, and let's not forget all the physical changes your body goes through...

I am lucky enough to not have any stretch marks, but Holy Moly I am turning blue! My veins, mainly on my right thigh, looks like they're about to explode! Hopefully they will go after giving birth.  My feet also puffs up in the evening and stays like that until first couple of hours in the morning. 

Ok, enough ranting, for now anyway - I feel all I do is complain, but I can't get over the fact how different the pregnancy is this time around. One thing that cheers me up though, is buying clothes for my baba, and here is my latest purchase: 

Cable knit turtle neck dress from Gap - perfect for a Winter baby