New outfit from Paris

Evening! Have not been feeling well today. Vomited this morning. Not sure why, if it's a bug or if this is what happens one week after giving birth.. Thankfully I have my mother here who has been a real a star. Not only did she look after Sean for nearly three hours when I caught up with some sleep during the day, she also got me lunch, did my washing etc. Feeling slightly better now but am worried it was a stomach bug and that I will pass it on to Baby Bear through breast feeding him. Pictures from yesterday when Sean was wearing the gorgeous outfit my brother got him from Dpam Bebe in Paris. Have a nice weekend. Puss

NEW: prams by Marc Jacobs Bugaboo Cameleons

Now some news for the very fashionistas mothers out there; Marc Jacobs designed a stroller for Bugaboo! Designed is a way of putting it, since he only done the fabric details, and that’s the print, actually. So, what Marc did, in fact, was designing a fabric print for Bugaboo strollers!

It seems that Bugaboo will be releasing only 15 limited edition Marc Jacobs Bugaboo Cameleons with Little Marc signature fabric. So where can you get it? Better get in line now. Started Nov. 26th, four will be at Colette in Paris. Selfridge's in London and the Marc Jacobs boutique in Dubai get two apiece. One will be for sale in Amsterdam (not sure where, I guess Marc Jacobs?) and six will be for sale at Marc Jacobs NY (not sure which store though). It's going for £1000 if you've got the cash.

Additional patience

My jewel

Good morning! Hope you've slept well, cause I know I certainly haven't. Baby Bear slept through most of the day yesterday and decided to wake up at 1am. I don't know how many times I've breastfed him hoping it would put him to sleep, but with no luck. By 6(!)am he finally feel asleep on my chest. But one mustn't grumble.. I take one look at my son and forget all about sleep.

I have a theory, and I believe that I am on to something here……I’m certain that when you give birth to your first child you are awarded with an area in your brain called ‘additional patience’. This is a wonderful thing, as if we all had the same amount of patience we had prior to giving birth then all manner of havoc would ensue.

Today is a beautiful day in London and therefore no excuse to stay indoors despite feeling knackered. I am waiting for the window cleaner to appear, then mum and I will walk to Kilburn High Street, where I'm hoping to pick up loads of bargains. Have a great day! XOXO

shopping in town

Yesterday Mum and I took the pram for another spin around town, where we met up with my brother Erik. We bought a bouncer chair for Sean and then stopped at Pret a Manger for a coffee.
So far me getting used to being a Mum here at home is going really well and the breastfeeding, which I was particularly worried about, is running very smoothly, to both mine and Sean's joy.

Marylebone Lane X-mas shopping night on Thursday

As a local resident, I have a particular soft spot for Marylebone Lane and its line-up of fashion, shoes, interiors, beauty and accessories, and on Thursday December 4th, is the Marylebone Lane Christmas shopping night, from 4-8pm.
I will then definitely take mum and Sean there to escape the crazy crowds on Oxford Street and take advantage of great discounts (including a 15 per cent discount at Content Beauty/Wellbeing and 30 per cent off all purchases at KJ's Laundry), festive food, drink and a brass brand. I’ll also be checking out VV Rouleaux for some pretty ribbons to decorate my brown-paper Christmas parcels :-)

Pretty ribbons at VV Rouleaux on Marylebone High Street

SEAN EUPHORIA

I am lying in my very comfy bed, so incredibly tired, and all wrapped up in my arms is the most beautiful thing I have every laid eyes on.
MY SON

I keep looking at him, stroking his lovely little face, just to make sure he is real and not some vivid dream.
I love him so much it hurts, I have only had him for 5 days but if I even so much as start to think about my life without him I want to start crying.
For as long as I live, my soul purpose in life is to keep this amazing human being safe and happy, any way I can.
Every book you read, everyone you speak to before you have your baby, goes on and on about how you will be hit with this overwhelming feeling of love for you child, but until it is actually your time you can't even begin to imagine what they mean. You are instantly transformed into this fearsomely protective Mummy, it truly is overwhelming and it grows.

Every day since Sean was born I find myself loving him more and more I think I might burst with pride just from looking at him.

Pram Premiere

Opposite Selfridges in central London

Proud mum

Our first lunch in a pram friendly restaurant

First and foremost; I would like to say a huge thank you for all the wonderful messages I have received here on the blog. It's great to know so many people have followed my pregnancy journey and have taken such a close interest .

I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging but it will take some time until I've got in to a routine here at home with baby Bear. I'm hardly sleeping at the moment but so far, I don't mind at all. After I've slept, and wake up, I'm in such a good mood and think "I know there is something I should be happy about", and then remember Sean, and rush to see him.

It is odd how you can watch a face for hours on end without growing tired. When Baby Bear is sleeping, that’s what I catch myself doing time and time again. Bear and I created this little person - and it is so unbelievable, in every sense of the word.

Today was the "pram premiere", and Bear and I walked down to town for lunch at St Christophers Place. We probably looked ridiculous because we had this huge big smile on our faces, and I just felt like shouting to everyone; "look here, I'm a parent now, this is my baby, we made him, and he is wonderful".

My angel

He has arrived!!!

Well, the waiting is over and our beautiful baby boy is here. Sean Alexander was born on Thursday 27 November 2008 at 10.34pm without having to be induced and with normal delivery and no complications. He weighed 3.21kg (7.1 lbs) and was 51 cm long.

Just got home from the hospital now and as you would expect, I am totally exhausted but I feel like the happiest woman in the world right now! Will get settled now with my boys and as soon as I feel stronger I will post here again. Here are a first few pictures of our miracle.

And here we go... finally!

Just a little note from me, Catharina's brother - baby Sean is finally on his way. Catharina left for the hospital this morning at 5.30am, and fingers crossed that everything will run smoothly.

Will keep you posted.

Erik

Induction

It's now been confirmed that I'm going in to the Lindo Wing tomorrow to be induced. Well that's if nothing happens tonight of course. I'm very very scared, nervous but excited at the same time.
It can take up to 12 hours to just get the labour starting so I'm guessing that by Friday night or at least on Saturday I will be holding baby Bear in my arms. I'm not sure how I will be able to sleep tonight but Bear and I are both going to bed early to try and get lots of rest in preperation for the big day. Good night, all. Wish me good luck! PUSS PUSS

30% off at Gap from now until Sunday 30 Nov

Dream outfit from BabyGap for my Sean

Ok, so yet again there is 30% off in Gap, but ONLY by clicking and printing this voucher, filling in a few of your details and using it in stores from now until Sunday. If I'm feeling up for it I will definitely go there tomorrow as I've seen this fabulous drivers cap in BabyGap, that I've been looking for, for quite some time now. Hurry up! :-)

The end is near...

I was examined yesterday and it appears my cervix is 1 cm long, i.e. I am not qualified to be induced by doing the sweep which I originally wanted. That means that I'm left with only one option, when they use Prostaglandin vaginal gel. It is an artificial hormone; similar to the hormone your body produces to cause labour to start, and it softens the cervix and causes muscles of the womb to contract. Labour usually starts 6 to 12 hours after insertion of the gel but sometimes more than one dose may be necessary.

My consultant told me that I need an end in sight as it's draining me both mentally and physically and that we should book me in to the hospital for the induction if nothing has happened naturally before Thursday or Friday depending on when there is available space. He will call me today to confirm which of the two days. Ideally I do not want to be induced but on the other hand I just want it all to be over and meet my son, so to know now that by Sunday the latest, I will be a mother, is such a relief.

I'm attaching pictures below from yesterday afternoon when mum and I went to town for some shopping.

Strolling along Shaftesbury Avenue, Picadilly; 41 weeks +2 days

Marylebone Underground Station

False alarm... *big sigh*

The contractions that I felt this morning, new ones, which I haven't felt before, didn't take off the way I wanted them to. I still have these period-like pains, and maybe it's a sign that something is happening, even though it's a slow start.. Well I'm desperate to cling on to anything not to lose my hope.

I managed to go to sleep eventually with my electric heating pad placed on my back, and have slept until now. Guessing because I was so tense. It's a huge disappointment and I'm not sure how to deal with it all. I really had such big hopes but now I just feel depressed...We will carry on the reflexology today and then I've got my doctor's appointment at 5.30pm. Will be interesting to see what he says.. Bye for now and sorry for the false alarm...

Could this be it?

I woke up up at 4am with some period like pains and from these tightenings that I've had before, only this time they are some what painful. Full of excitement and anticipation I'm wondering if this could be it...
Mum did some more reflexology on me last night, we walked up and down the stairs and I also slid down the stairs whilst sitting and felt the bumpy ride in my pelvis on each step, in the hope that it would start something. She then stood at the bottom of the stairs and picked me up each time. The things you do when you're desperate, eh? :-)

I'm now sitting in the kitchen in complete darkness, with only the light from my laptop. Mum and Bear are sleeping and I have no intention of waking them up.
I just really wish thatI don't have to go to my weekly appointment this evening to see Mr. Wright, my consultant at Harley Street, but that I will see him later when he will deliver my baby instead! Not sure if I can sleep through this but don't know how to make the time pass now.

Will update ( or have my brother do it) here later if anything changes. Keep your fingers crossed that this is it, this is the beginning of when I will meet my son! xoxo

Gorgeous baby clothes from H&M

On my wish list for Sean

Sunday Breakfast

Bear popped out this morning to our local favourite German bakery and got some fresh baps and coffeee. As usual he bought the Sunday Papers incl News of the World which has a front page story today of the famous chef Gordon Ramsay playing away from home!! Can't wait to read it now. Have a nice Sunday.

Thank You

As I've said before, being overdue is hard. Emotionally it really does take its toll and I would just like to say a huge Thank You for all your comforting emails, texts and your kind comments here on the blog. They really mean a lot to me during times like these.

Mum feeling Sean kicking

Ice Skating

One week overdue today.... and while every day I don't have my baby seem like an eternity, he really will be here soon, cause I can't be pregnant forever, right?!

I am of course more than ready, but apparently Sean isn't quite done enjoying the comfy digs I've provided him.

Thought to mention that on Wednesday was the opening of Somerset House's ice rink, and it stays open until 25 January.

Somerset House is my favourite ice rink in London - and it's always that little bit more fun after a glass of spicy mulled wine! Mum has been to IKEA with my brother today where she bought just that (my favourite one is with cognac).

Swedish mulled wine

Christmas lights up London

Sparkly lights at St.Christopher's Place

Good Morning, Friday! Another night with on and off contractions, but no baby... Now I'm nearly a week overdue and I'm not sure I can bare any more comments such as "Oh you're still pregnant? When will you have that baby?" ..


Last night my mum did some reflexology on me which we will do again today, and we then made ham and cheese crepes with the leftover pancakes from the other day. Today me and mum are tidying the flat and she will then go for an 80 minute deep tissue massage at the Elizabeth Arden Spa in Mayfair. I'm not envious oh no...


I know it wasn't long since I posted pics of Selfridges window decorations, but yesterday when I was out and about with mum, I noticed they have already changed! Here are some of the newly decorated ones:

Santa doing the laundry

Santa taking the tube

Santa gets a beard trim

Out and about in London

Today's outfit includes my new ear muffs from Burberry which I've only just now started to wear because of the chilly weather :-)

Mum test driving Sean's pram

After many ifs and buts, I came to the conclusion that I chose the wrong colour of the nappy bagfrom Longchamp and that I should exchange it to a black one instead. Mum and I thought it would be a good idea to walk all the way to the shop on New Bond Street and back, to get some exercise and to kick start contractions and labour.

We stopped over at a cosy pub near James Street, W1, for lunch. Not sure though, if the long walk has contributed to anything more than me now being completely knackered... *sigh*.

mum indulged in a glass of wine with her lunch

bangers and mash

gammon steak and fries

Domestic goddess

Making pancakes

with happy cheery mum right beside me

"I wonder if this is my last meal before Sean is coming"

Yesterday evening I decided to be a domestic goddess to try and cheer up myself and the people around me. First, instead of throwing out those brown bananas, I made a banana cake, and then I made some yummy pancakes (all with a little help from mum of course).

banana cake