New Blog

Although this blog will remain my main blog I have started a new blog with the arrival of my son, called "Letters to Noah".

This blog is dedicated to my son and will be thoughts, events and lessons gleaned from being a new mum, each post will be in the form of a letter to Noah. 

Inspired by Kelle Hampton an amazing mother of 3. She writes with such love and positivity.  Her blog "Enjoying the small things" is a reminder to love each moment and each other.  I wanted to be positive too, but that doesn't come naturally to me, since becoming a mother I worry constantly, to the extreme! My son is such an unexpected miracle that part of me is afraid that this is too good to be true.  Instead of worrying about what might be and what could happen I have decided to create a place where I can recount my blessings, share the wonder of being a new mum and remember those special moments instead of letting them get drowned out by negatives.

If anyone has a letter to Noah, a memory, an introduction your welcome to submit.

Mothers

                                                                 My mother and I

While simmering away in my Clary sage and Lavndar Bath one of my final attempts to naturally induce labor my thoughts turn to the day of inducement. Only a day away now. 

I have the unwavering support of my wonderful husband who will be at my side, my constant attendant and  birth coach thanks to the information and guidance he received at our Bradly Method Classes a must for dads that want to be more involved and understand the process.

But something is missing. The presence of a maternal woman.  A mother. 

During my pregnancy the absence of my mother has hit me in way I never expected.  Now as I am about to give birth I feel it very much.  The absence of a women, a mother.  I feel I need the reassurance of experience, the understanding of a someone who has carried a child, sacrificed and given her everything push that life out and the solidarity of a women at my side. 

I have always had that maternal figure throughout my life in one from or another. When I was young it was my mother, she encouraged my creative side, birthed 9 children and became a sign of strength and endurance.  As a young adult it was Hazel who nurtured my spiritual growth and helped me heal from emotional scars. Now entering motherhood myself I feel absence of a mother figure when I yearn for it most.

It seems we never stop needing the comfort  and reassurance of a mother. Even if we think we can handle life without it, something comes along (like becoming a mother yourself) and pulls at those strings, the ones you thought you had cut years ago and reminds you of much you have to learn, how much you need guidance and how much you need that love that only a mother can give.

Induction ahead ?!

Its funny how circumstances change your perspective on everything.

We had a slight scare last week. At the  moment I am having fetal monitoring twice a week due to the risks associated with being Diabetic.  Last week I had day of reduced fetal movement. I barely felt him move all day, dinner came and nothing! bed time came and i tried moving my tummy, playing music, drinking cold fizzy drinks. At 1.30am I called my doc and we where told to come in to the hospital.  A very silent drive 40mins into the city.  I remember thinking, if they find any kind of distress, cut me open and get him out! I was so ok with a c-sec at this point. His life, his health was paramount. I'm terrified of having a c-sec but on the way to the hospital I was calm and knew exactly what I wanted.  The good thing is as soon as they hooked me up to the monitors he kicked like crazy. Little Tyke!!

So im now 38 weeks and even though everything is looking good, we had the induction convocation at the OB today. I knew it was coming. In all honesty Im ok with it.  I would prefer to go into labor naturally but carrying him longer than 39 weeks has to many risk factors and most they cant cant control.
Am I scared? yes!  Am I a little disappointed? yes.  Having taken Bradly Method classes anything other than a natural childbirth was villainized. But I have a wonderful Douala and she helped me see that although, yes natural is better if it can be achieved. Highly specialised doctors have tools like pitocin as just that tools to help labor.

Don't get me wrong the Bradly classes where very informative, I loved the people I met there and feel more in control because of being informed. BUT!  balance is needed epically if there are risks associated with your pregnancy.  Its more against the trend of c-sec for convenience and to posh to push attitudes.  It can put you at odds with the medical field if you do not maintain an open mind and are flexible.  Each birth experience is different and you cannot control yours.  Trust me I tried with a 2 page birth plan and my Doula looked at me and said "control freak much" lol.  We modified it to 2 paragraphs.

I highly recommend a Douala above all things epically if this is your first child. 

So in a week and 3 days if I havent gone into labor I will be induced! 6th of May here we come!

Noah's Nursery

We moved last weekend which meant I could finally organize Noah's things and create his Nursery.

Most of the accessories are from my shower and things people have made. The blanket is made by Sarah Rose Lynn Beal, the penguins are made by Kristi Boswell Mollet, the grey blanket for the changing mat is from Leslie Clark Dykstra and the Elephants spelling Noah's name, the paper lanterns and the "you are my sunshine are all from Cmn Photos  accessories from my wonderful baby shower.
  
The Crib is from walmart. The lamp was from big lots. The frames are from Ikea and the art work I found on pintrest and is on my board "Nursery" I copied some using craft paper from Micheal's and others I photocopied and drew over.   The blank frame will have a picture of Noah once he is born.

This is just a wall in our bedroom as we live in a one bed apartment but its his space and it makes me happy to see it.

Welcome Timothey William - Sarah's baby is here!

Sarah had her son 2 days ago now. He was a healthy 6lbs 12oz.  

My Baby Shower

My friends threw me a baby shower two weeks ago. They did an amazing job it was simply elegant and fun.  We got tons of gifts. Baby Noah will want for nothing.

Harriettes Wedding

My little sister Harriette got married recently. I was unable to be there as I am very pregnant.  I was able to see her getting ready via facetime and I called her during the reception where she stepped outside and simply gushed to me down the phone how happy she was.  It looked amazing, she looks so happy.  I cant  tell you the amount of times I teared up at seeing my little sister so in love, happy and beautiful.  I leven got to be in the video below look at my sister Madeleine holding the phone to the mirror while Harriette is having her hair done, and later there is a image of Harriette sitting in a arbor talking on the phone, She is talking to me.

Harriette and Andys Wedding





Harriette & Andy {Wedding} from Maureen Du Preez on Vimeo.