BabyNews.co.za

11 Weeks and counting.  Although I haven’t been for a scan, I would love to know whether this little one is a boy or a girl.  If we are still in South Africa around the time they would be able to tell us, we will definitely have to visit the Gynaecologist to find out!  We have a definite girl name, but not yet a boy name, although there is one that I favour above all.  I don’t like calling my baby “Baby” or “Little One” or any other one of those.  The minute we found out with the first pregnancy, I spoke to the Nathan continuesly calling him by his name.  See now, at the age of 4, when he is in trouble, he knows exactly who I am talking to!  Looking at the development of the baby by Week 11; baby is now +/- 4cm tall.  Organs are beginning to function – Fingers and Toes have separated – The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practise contractions that digest food.  At last someone can help to digest all the additional food I’ve been consuming!

The official state known to many as “Baby Brain” has kicked in today.  Is that what you call it?  Can’t remember now... O well.  My creativity is at an all time low, while the weather is at an all time high.  Its 40 degrees C+ with no air-conditioning.  So isn’t it then so that for a pregnant woman it actually feels like 50 degrees?

A good thing though is it seems that with routine (eating 3 Marie Biscuits before lifting my head in the morning, accompanied with a Vomifene Tablet) and proper meals throughout the day that I’ve managed to cap the morning, afternoon and evening sickness.  This heat however is not really helping at all.  I am thinking that a different province might be something to consider.  Dry Cape Summers with soaring temperatures are not good when constantly feeling queasy.

Being pregnant also has the added benefit of “Super Smell / Scent Definition”.  Good and bad.  Yes, you can smell the sweetest scent of a beautiful flower travelling on a breeze from far away.  You will however also know if the neighbour’s dog’s digestive system doesn’t agree with the new No Name Brand dog food range launched at the local grocery store.  I for one struggle to open the refrigerator door without readying myself for a stance one would normally assume as a child just before jumping into a swimming pool.  You know the one where you use your forefinger and thumb to close your nose, unless your parents had money, and thought it important enough to buy you one of those little nose clips with the elastic band that you really wanted.  I’ve heard other pregnant ladies complain, not only about food smells but about scents such as that of their shower gel that they’ve been using for the past ten years, alcohol & nicotine (the latter probably a good one to complain about).  I must admit that perfume, cream and shower gel scents are much stronger than what they would normally be so I’ve stopped using some of the products, which will be applauded by various individuals.  However, yesterday I found a little shop that sells products with beautiful scents.  Warning the shop owner as I walked in that I was pregnant and that she mustn’t let me smell anything with a strong scent, I found there to be nothing with a super strong scent.  Their range includes Body Butter’s, Body Milk, Bath Salts, Perfumes, Bubble Bath etc.  The names of the products include those such as ‘Happiness’ and ‘Bliss’ which in its own drew my attention.  Scents include Rose, Lavender and Lemongrass to name a few with Caramel and Death by Chocolate for the more daring.  So even though I would normally never spend money on creams and things (although I gladly accept them as gifts), I spoiled myself and bought a bottle of Happiness Body Milk.  Must be the reason why I feel so happy today because the scent just stays on your skin forever!  I am well pleased with my purchase of this bottled happiness (since I needed some).  Pregnant or not, this beautiful soft scent is a perfect gift.  Bottled and packaged beautifully, ready to give to someone special. (Manna – Scent from Heaven.  Located just outside of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Tel:  +27 71 677 0363)

We are still awaiting our visas to Canada… Yawn.  I’ve given up on the feelings of frustration (or it might be the new ‘Happiness’ Body Milk).  Venting anger in a negative way won’t help us to get the visa any faster.  We would however like to remind everyone that has been a part of this journey so far, to please stay positive with us.  We do not need any negative thoughts or words at the moment.  Negative = “Perhaps it was meant to be that you stay in South Africa.”  Please guys, the battle is not over yet.  We’ve given up everything, literally everything to better our future.  Keep the positive words coming!  I am a strong believer in the Power of the Spoken Word.  It’s doesn’t seem to work where the lottery is concerned, o no wait… what is the slogan for the lottery again… “Be In It to Win It”.  Ah… I get it now.  Anyways, please don’t try to sugar coat a future in SA for us because even though that might be your journey, we strongly believe that it is not ours.  Everyone who has been truly involved in our venture will know that “We ARE In It to Win It”.  We’ve done everything possible, sold everything possible and given up everything possible.  You will also know that until now everything has worked out perfectly so only positive thoughts, prayers and words guys.  I would like to use that phrase now… “That’s what friends are for”.  We would love to give not only Nathan, but this new baby who is unaware of everything that we are surrounded by on a daily basis, a fair chance in life.