New moses basket on rocking stand and cable knit blanket

There are quite a lot of items to consider when you're expecting a baby. Some things I consider must-haves, some are would-be-nice-to-have and some not-at-all-necessery. And for me, the Moses Basket is definitely a must-have!

I used a Moses Basket for Sean, and what I really like about it is that it is portable. He could be getting a bit tired downstairs, so I would then gently put him down in the basket on it's stand and rock him to sleep in it. Then I'd easily carry it upstairs to our sleeping loft, without disturbing him the slightest.

Once they outgrow it, it makes a great kids' toy basket, or like this time around, a baby doll bed for when my little girl will be a little bigger :-)

And this is our new Moses Basket, that now sits in our front room. I also bought the softest prettiest little pink cable knit blanket for it. I makes me so happy just looking at it! 

Same due date!

My really good friend Anna who is also pregnant and miraculously have the same due date as I!

We regularly meet up for play dates with Sean and Nick, but now we also share pregnancy tips and experiences which is extra nice :-)

First we went to the hospital where Anna had an antenatal appointment, we then treated our boys to a happy meal and ice cream in McDonalds (which btw had a very funky wall paper, don't you think?!) 

Country bumpkin or city slicker?

For weeks Andrea and I have been looking online at properties in Beaconsfield, and last week we arranged an appointment with the estate agent who's been assisting us.

So yesterday Sean and I got on the train from Marylebone to Beaconsfield where Andrea picked us up in her car. First we had brunch at Beech House, which was recommended to us, and then the viewings began.

The train journey itself only took an incredible 22(!) minutes from the west end of London to leafy Buckinghamshire,  and for the same price as the Marylebone Village mews house that we've been to see several times recently, this is what we would get:

Well the big question remains; do we pack up and leave central London for more space, with another baby on the way?! Country bumpkin or city slicker? Only time will tell.... ;-)

First ever pink shopping!

After our news on Friday, I just couldn't resist doing a tiny bit of shopping for our baby girl  :-)

Pub lunch & house viewing

Popped out locally to grab a bite to eat before viewing a town house for sale here in Marylebone, that has a self contained flat in the basement, with its own entrance (ideal for my Mum in other words! 😊)

Cecconi's

Andrea and I had a girly afternoon yesterday with shopping and giggles around Bond Street, then a celebratory lunch in one of our favourite Mayfair hang out spots, Cecconi's,

We're having a baby.....

At 9am this morning we went for my 18 week scan at the Lindo Wing, and the thankfully the baby was in a very good position where we got a clear view of the private parts!

 It was the most beautiful little bambino to ever grace an ultra sound monitor..... Oh yeah btw... we're having a BABY GIRL!!!!

I am over the moon excited! Now, time to celebrate with a pit stop in the baby section in Selfridges to shop pink, then lunch at Cecconi's with Andrea.

What a fabulous start to the weekend,
and a fabulous Friday indeed :-)
♥♥♥

Tummy tip, lunch & craving

Being pregnant, dry itchy skin comes with the territory.  Belly is obviously stretching to accommodate the growing baby, and our skin then pays the price... 
Im rehydrating my skin and smother myself in Bio Oil at night (on bump, hips and boobs). 

I discovered it in my last pregnancy and I luckily I escaped any stretch marks (although that might very well have to do with hereditary).  I've also been using it religiously when not pregnant, on any uneven marks on face, dry knuckles, cleavage and on sun burn. Highly recommended!


Now something completely unrelated, today's lunch was a healthy tuna egg salad:

followed by an afternoon treat to fulfil my current craving; Maltesers ice cream:

Pregnancy parka

I'm wearing my 5 year old parka (which I've kept from my previous pregnancy), as I'm about to take Sean to play-scheme this morning

Sent from my iPhone

Bump at 17 weeks + 3 and baby movement!

These pictures were taken this morning, but from slightly different angles. The one on the right is more representative of  how I look now!

Maternity jeans or no jeans, that's how I roll these days ;-) Today I'm wearing my fave skinny ones from Topshop

I might look grumpy, but I'm really not!  In fact, yesterday I was feeling plenty of wriggles and kicks, and that alone brings me immense joy! 

Sunday in Dalston

On Sunday we drove to the impossibly hip and up and coming area of Dalston/Hackney, where my brother resides these days.
We had lunch at a place which is only accessible from the Regent's Canal towpath, and where ducks, passing cyclists and dog-walkers are excellent entertainment (especially as one guy and his Boris bike had an accident which resulted in him falling in the water right next to us!)  
After lunch we strolled over to the Swedish bakery Fabrique for coffee with delicious cinnamon and cardamon buns. Us Swedes really do seem to get everywhere, LOL!

Park play and pregnancy symptoms

Despite 31(!) degrees I've dragged myself n' bump & lil man to the park to grab some lunch and to let Sean kick his football around and play with his water pistol.

Current symptoms:  really intense vivid dreams, sense of smell in overdrive and lower back pain 

Grandpa Laurie visiting

This weekend we had the pleasure of a visit from Bear's Dad, (and Sean's Grandpa) - Laurie. Sean refers to him as 'The giant' as he is 198cm(!) tall and just loved spening time with his farfar :-) 

We spent the weekend eating out at various restaurants such as Ishtar and Summerhouse  and after a traditional Swedish breakfast that I prepared at home. Bear also took his Dad and Sean for a lovely al freso lunch on the lawn at Stoke Park.

It was lovely for us to have the three generations together and we agreed that we must do it more often.. 

Oh, and here is my favourite pic that was simply too good to shrink for the collage:

Father and son, with the envious genes..
Pretty unbelievable to think that these two handsome men are 48 and 73 years old! Now that, you wouldn't have guessed, right?! 

Surprise!!!!

12 weeks

 baby bump no 2, starting at the top with 12 weeks to 16 weeks at the bottom

Ladies and gentlemen, first off....I am currently 16 weeks pregnant (at the age of 37), and our baby is due early January 2014 :-)

Bear and I are simply over the moon, and  I am feeling so ready to give Sean a sibling now.  It’s just starting to hit me though that all the seats at our kitchen table will be used up soon :-)   The adjustment, now that Sean is so independent and sleeps well etc, will be an adventure no doubt, and I'm not sure if I'm ready for the sleepless nights (I don’t do those very well!), but boy I am feeling so happy and excited! 

The first trimester was very different to last time, and the early pregnancy symptoms (like fatigue and nausea) have been stronger the second time around. 

My waist has expanded very quickly and I started showing as early as 8 weeks and had to switch to elastic waistbands by week 10. I've experienced sharp headaches (I still get them daily) and food aversions. 

Some days though I have a truck driver's appetite and can suddenly feel hungry enough to polish off a whole pizza PLUS the garlic bread AND dessert! But having said that, I am completely overjoyed to be pregnant, and am already getting impatient to meet my little miracle baby and welcome it to this world xxx

Precious moment

This morning there've been endless kisses & cuddles from my boy, and on top of that; strawberries with cream for brekkie, YUM!

 - I love being your mum Sean ♥

Raise a glass to toast the new royal arrival!

Sent from my iPhone 

New watch

Today's post is pictorial.  After all, it speaks for itself :-)  

Pepperoni pizza & Pinot Grigio

Mummy - I'm not sure I like spicy pepperoni!

Friday night at Sandy's- weekend pizza and Pinot Grigio Blush in the evening sunshine - bliss..!

Midweek Quality Time

Brunch with the man in a local cafe after a power walk around the park.  Omelette with onions, peppers, ham & cheese which keeps u full for hours on end :) 

Sent from my iPhone 

British Summer Time

Friday @ the BST, Hyde Park 

Snaps from Mum's last days