The cutest thing in the world

...according to me

Little K is here!

This week was supposed to be my last week at work. Oh boy was I in for a surprise! I worked from home on Monday and was going to do the same on Tuesday but while in bed reading about giving birth, my water broke. We had to go straight to the hospital and confirm it and then we were given a time to come back in case I didn't go into active labour on my own within 24 hours.

I started getting painful contractions and had them all through Tuesday, but it wasn't enough to get me into active labour we found out in the hospital. So I got the hormone drip to get it started and by this stage I had already had the epidural - couldn't take more after 24 hours of painful contractions. A decision I don't regret! Finally I was able to sleep and D too as he had been up with me through each contraction masssging and soothing me. A few hours later, at noon,  we found out things were progressing in a good pace, just 3 more hours and we'd meet our son. Just after 2 hours I felt he was coming... He came out to greet us at 3:30pm on Wednesday the 16th of January - the happiest day of my life.

2012 was a special year

 The most important day of 2012 was when we got this piece of news

2012 was one of the most special years I have ever experienced. I was pregnant most of the year and it almost feels like I can't remember anything before that, looking back. It's like it's the only thing that matters now. The only thing I think about day in and day out. It makes me happy.

The first few months I felt like I was going to explode unless I told someone, but at the same time I felt scared in case things didn't go well. Family were told within the hour of us finding out ourselves, and close friends were told within a few weeks time.

At 3 months (July) we went to Majorca for holidays and told our closest friends there, and weren't we surprised when we were presented with the same news from D's closest friend (the one who did out matchmaking in Dublin) - they are expecting in the same week as us! We were all so happy about the baby boom that was happening within D's group of friends. 5 babies were born in 2012 and 4 more will be born in 2013 whereof 3 are due in the same week! It's almost like the group of friends planned this all together!

It wasn't until the 5th month I felt like I could start enjoying the pregnancy and worry less. I also started feeling the movements of the little one. It was the coolest thing ever. I also started telling colleagues at work as my bump was quite small during this time as well. Everyone has been very supportive and kind at work as well. Around this time I also found out that another colleague of mine was pregnant. So happy for her and her other half as well. For them it's the second one. At this time we had the 2nd scan that confirmed we were expecting a boy and on this day D felt his kicks for the first time as well.

At 6-7 months, time just flew by. My bump was more evident but I still felt great. I was still going to the gym doing mild cardio and some lighter weights and feeling fine. In the beginning of October we went with D's family to Bilbao and the north of Spain. It was my first time there and we were so lucky with the weather. It was amazing. At the end of the month it was time for another first for me: Granada. We travelled there with two other couple of friends. There we weren't so lucky with the weather but we had fun nonetheless and ate so many tapas!

Boom! 8 months! I can't even remember how we got here. We had some friends over in London that made time fly by as well. My bump has started to affect me now. I can really feel how my centre of gravity has shifted. I was expecting to feel this much sooner in the pregnancy but it didn't happen until now. Probably also because I was doing back strengthening exercises in the gym and ate very well - and genetics maybe. Now my feet swell up if I stand for too long and my back aches. Getting tired sooner and having a big appetite are changes that I have felt. For Xmas my mum came over to London as i was not able to travel any more. Me, mum and D had a quiet but very cosy Xmas together. Mum and me went for some shopping and afternoon tea and we went for plenty of walks as well. On boxing day my mum went back to Sweden and me and D had 2 quiet days at home before D's family arrived in time for the new year's celebrations. As they were 5 coming over, it was impossible for us all to stay in one flat and fortunately my close friend M said we could use her flat while she was celebrating Xmas and New Year's in Sweden. She lives close by so it was perfect for us. After a few intense days of shopping with D's family- they absolutely LOVE the London sale shopping, we were both exhausted but happy. We had a good time. However, the energy we spent had to be recuperated and I caught a stubborn cold as soon as they had left.

Pictures by Victor Tse Photography

So here I am now in 2013 on the sofa trying to recover myself from the cold without medicines and just rest. 2012 was such a special year but 2013 will be even more special as our 2 -person family will expand to a 3 -person family. We couldn't be happier!

Stockholmsbordet - The Stockholm table

 

A little short film of the table that my mum engraved for Svenskt Tenn has been published on Youtube. I think it's a very beautiful clip of how the table came about and how much work and precision it involves. You can see my mum at workin the clip as well. I'm so proud!

The first presents from us

Today we bought the first pieces if clothing from us to our little one. We have already received clothes from family and friends but we hadn't bought anything like that ourselves. Today we found an adorable pair of socks that I just couldn't resist buying... so cute and small! Also perfect for going home from the hospital.

A few pictures from November

 Me sleeping in the plane to Majorca - as usual when travelling. D thought it would be good to capture the moment...

 We went to sea front for a walk with Boby - the family dog - it was amazing to be in the sun for a change!

 Boby was taking charge and deciding where to go

 We met up with some friends and one of the couples is also expecting - in the same week as us! 

Bump connection!

 Palma in the afternoon. The X-mas lights are beautiful over here

 We also met another new member of the group of friends little J

 Of course he was the centre  of attention! D's sister A is very used to babies as she's a midwife. She gave us   very useful baby and birth lessons while we were there

When we came back we were invited to a kids X-mas afternoon tea at a friend's house. Very good learning experience for the future :-)

Alex came to London

My dear friend Alex, who I shared a traditional Japanese house with in Kyoto back in 2003, came to visit me last weekend. It was so good to catch up as I hadn't seen her in about a year. We were like sisters when we lived together and I have so many great memories from that time and after as well. We went for some Japanese afternoon tea last Saturday at the Hilton by Tower Bridge. Very oishii!!

More movements...

Now I'm 29 weeks pregnant. The movements of the little one have changed as he's growing and has less space to move. Now I feel more powerful but slower movements as well. Maybe a few hiccups now and then. He also reacts when I drink something warm or really cold, trying to get away from it. Such an amazing experience!

Mum's masterpiece

I found this picture of the table my mum engraved for Svenskt Tenn - a famous interior design firm that go way back. I'm so proud. Beautiful artwork on a beautifully designed table.

Is it... an alien?!!

I recorded this one with my mobile last week (week 25 of the pregnancy) in the evening. D was already fast asleep but our little one was wide awake. Very active. But as many times before - when I start recording, he stops. This one was my third attempt and originally it was a clip of 2 minutes! The only recorded movement was in this time frame of 15 seconds. What a little cheeky monkey! Just like his daddy.