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My lovely lady bumps..

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At 17 weeks pregnant with baby number 1 I was still managing to conceal it pretty well..I had a bump and my chest was ahem ..starting to swell but it wasn’t hey smack you in the face noticeable.

This time around my bump is huge. Really. I’ve only gained 4lbs due to LOTS of sickness but my belly is BIG. My boobs are definitely a good deal bigger than last time too.

A lot is different the second time around:

1. I was sicker earlier and far more severe than the first time.

2. My stomach popped very quickly… Apparently this is normal as your muscles remember the first pregnancy. But really – should I have been showing at 6 weeks? Madness.

3. My chest is bigger.. and ouch more tender. Removing my bra is an incredible relief.

4. I felt movement earlier. Flutterings started weeks ago but proper definite movements started this week.

5. I’ve been more tired – I didn’t really notice the tiredness last time at all. This time woah I’ve been exhausted .. I’m guessing a combo of extra sickness, stress due to the scares we have had and having an exuberant toddler has contributed to that.

6. I’ve only bought 1 baby item thus far. Last time I didn’t go overboard but by this time I had bought lots of gender neutral newborn bits. This time it’s been a combination of not wanting to buy things I don’t really need until we know the sex and being scared to buy anything until we past the 20wk scan.

7. I worry more.

Now don’t get me wrong whilst I am definitely finding it harder in many ways than last time there are some definite positives:

1. We are a family now. We felt complete as a family before we found out I was pregnant but this has truly brought us all together.

2. It had made me and my OH even closer as we have dealt with some tough times. Stronger.

3. I have an absolutely amazing toddler who makes me laugh each day no matter what has happened. She hugs my belly and talks to the baby ( I don’t think she actually gets it) and I just know she will be a fabulous older sister.

4. I’m pregnant again. So lucky to be. I will be a mother of two in just under 5 months.

5. When pregnant with Izzy I didn’t know anybody else (locally) who was pregnant or had a newborn. This time I have two real life friends ( one who just gave birth, the other due before me) and a whole heap of online support from twitter and fellow bloggers. A HUGE thank you goes to the wonderful women/men who have answered my questions, sent positive messages and just generally been awesome on twitter and via the blog so far. You know who you are.

Here is a bump pic update for you who have asked to see:

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And an Izzy pic.. Just because she is so darn cute.

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PS. If anybody knows why lately I can’t seem to write a blog title without using song lyrics then please let me know. Can I blame baby brain? Sure I can.

Xxx

Simple Slaw

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Being pregnant can be awkward at times.. Food such as prepared coleslaws in supermarkets often doesn’t state whether the mayonnaise contains pasteurised egg or not and therefore it’s probably best to avoid.

That being said I ended up making a very simple slaw at home last week..it didn’t have any mayo so instantly the calories are reduced (not that I’m currently counting) and it just tasted very light and fresh so without further waffle here you go:

Simple Slaw

1/4 of smallish red cabbage (thinly sliced or shredded)
1/4 of smallish white cabbage (thinly sliced or shredded)
1 small red onion (finely sliced)
1 carrot (grated)
4tbsp of natural yoghurt (I used low fat as that’s what I had)
1.5 tbsp of white wine vinegar
1tbsp of olive oil
Seasoning – I used sea salt, cracked Sichuan peppercorns and a teeny amount of dried chilli flakes

The method is easy – combine your yoghurt, vinegar, oil and seasoning in a bowl and mix well before adding the remaining ingredients. Stir well until your dressing is a pale purple colour.. Pretty! Add more vinegar/seasoning if required.

This served two adults as an accompaniment to a main meal with a little leftover for a light lunch the next day.

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Prose4T – You are

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For the first time I am linking up to #prose4T which you can read more about here

This is a poem I wrote quite a while ago about my OH who even when times are rough is such a great support:

You are my ray of light
on a winters morning
my hot chocolate
on a cold rainy night
a warm caress
when I’m feeling lonely
the love of my life

You are a calming ocean
when life gets too much
a place to go to rest my head
you have the answers
when I just dont know
you always say
what needs to be said

You are there when
I open & close my eyes
even when you aren’t here
you are right at my side
I could talk forever
and never explain
You..
my friend,my love, my soulmate

Prose for Thought

Nobody said it was easy

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When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter I was already nearly 8weeks along and it was a complete shock. This time around I found out at the earliest possible time.. Approx 3wk5days pregnant. Crazy huh? How I wish I had had those extra 5 weeks of being worry free this time around.

My first pregnancy wasn’t easy due to sickness and the usual aches and pains but it wasn’t full of worry and stress.. At least not about the baby. I was in a bit of a dream world I think where miscarriages and early pregnancy scares happened to other people. I had 1 trip to EPU due to an over cautious (but lovely) midwife as I had a bit of side pain but even while sat there waiting to be scanned I didn’t really contemplate there would anything wrong with my baby and I was lucky as there wasn’t. She is 21 months now – funny, bright and a bundle of energy who I simply adore.

This pregnancy has been fraught with worry. More or less from the day I became pregnant I not only felt really unwell but I had problems, scares which have on more than 5 occasions led us to worry that something could be wrong with our baby. Today was that 5th occasion. Today at 17wks when first trimester worries are supposedly behind us and I had just last night experienced feeling the first proper kicks. At the moment it seems that all is ok, the baby’s heartbeat was heard and that galloping sound has never sounded better but I’ve been referred to consultant care and I am hoping for some final reassurance from him/her in a few weeks.

I am being positive and feeling that everything will be fine but it has made me think a lot about pregnancy in general. I definitely believed prior to this year that although uncomfortable and at times unpleasant it was generally a time of happiness and excitement but really for lots of women (and their partners) it’s worry, stress and even worse guilt. Did I overdo it yesterday? Am I really looking after myself in the way that I should? Of course I know the answers to those and I know I’m doing just fine but it does make you question yourself.

Straightforward pregnancies aren’t actually that common it seems..

Of the 10 women I currently know that are pregnant ( locally and twitter friends) 7 have had at least one problem in the first and second trimesters. Some still have ongoing problems and others are coping admirably with tough news. Pregnancy is far from a time of joy and gluttonous eating for most.

Even so with all the anxiety of the past 3/4 months I can still lie here in my bed stroking my belly, feeling the slightest of flutterings and looking forward to a day in November when we will meet our strong little baby and well I just may just give him/her the biggest squeeze.

Super Seraphine – a review

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I was very lucky recently to be sent a pair of very lovely black bootcut maternity jeans from Seraphine. They are a pretty cool company specialising in maternity wear and they make some really pretty clothes. Yes maternity wear can look good don’t ya know?

The jeans ..on a model obviously:

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On my last pregnancy I wasn’t a fan of maternity wear at all. I wore my normal clothes until I literally couldn’t handle it anymore and then went more along the buy a larger size route than much actual maternity clothing. The things I do buy were cheap and not especially comfortable.

This time around my belly popped pretty much the day after conception (slight exaggeration perhaps but close) and I just couldn’t bear the feeling of any horrid waistbands digging into me. I also thought it would be nice to try and look pretty and emphasise my bump rather than hide in tent like clothing.

These uber comfy jeans from Seraphine arrived just in the nick of time and I have worn them so much over the past few weeks.. I promised to share very honest reviews of all my maternity goodies so here is what I thought:

The jeans look and feel like they are good quality. The stretchy over the bump band is very soft and a little like a hug for your skin. The sizing is generous which I think is great as I have a little comfort room now and know that when my legs (inevitably) start to swell later on that they will still fit. Yay. I chose a size 12 as that’s what I wore in normal jeans prior to getting pregnant and they are just ever so slightly loose. They are long on me and only come in 1 length but I am pretty short (5ft4)so would probably be fine on you normal size people. I had no problem adjusting the hem. The colour hasn’t faded at all in 5/6 washes – I have a toddler who loves to come at me with sticky hands so they are washed more than normal probably.

They look good on, in fact my (non pregnant) sister liked them a lot and wanted to buy some until she realised it was maternity wear. Ha. I’ve worn them with heels and smart tops and also with Vans & a vest so easy to dress up or down.

The jeans on me:

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I will try and take a better pic soon!

Overall I’m pretty impressed. Only 1 thing with which I could pick a fault and I have to mention it so that if you buy them then you know what to do. Until I washed these jeans twice they picked up EVERY bit of fluff imaginable so in my opinion wash before wearing. Not really a fault but good to know yes?

If you are pregnant of planning to be its definitely worth checking out the Seraphine website

Ooh on another exciting note (for me anyway) the lovely people at Seraphine are also sending me a dress to review for festival season! Woohoo. So far I’m leaning towards this one:

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What do you think?

* I was sent these jeans for free in exchange for an honest review.

Is Baby Brain for real?

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I’m just over 16 weeks pregnant and it seems that with the arrival of the second trimester a sizeable chunk of my brain has decided it no longer needs to function.

Which makes me ask the question.. Does baby brain exist.. Or is it just an excuse?

In the last week I have lost numerous items..as in completely lost them. There are only so many places that 6 placemats can hide surely? I lost a half full jar of pepper and literally pulled my kitchen apart looking for it – this morning my OH asked me why there was an EMPTY jar of pepper in the fridge. Which means that not only did I forget where I put it but I also forgot I had used it all up.

I constantly forget to reply to emails, texts and tweets – Sorry about that. If its important do not feel you are being rude if you need to give me a nudge.

I almost put a chocolate fudge cake in the oven without adding the eggs. Kinda crucial ingredient.

According to scientists these days:

Forgetful mothers who prove the ‘baby brain’ really does exist

It is a condition familiar to any woman who has been pregnant.
It has now been confirmed by scientists – ‘baby brain’ does exist.
An increased risk of losing things is just one of the many odd effects pregnancy can have, researchers claim.
They found that women in the later stages of pregnancy tend to suffer a loss of spatial memory – the recall of locations and positions of objects.
The problem was apparent in the last six months of pregnancy and lasted at least three months after a woman had given birth.

So there it is – it exists.

I don’t remember it being quite so bad on my first but maybe it’s being pregnant and having a toddler combined which accelerates it?

Did you suffer with baby brain? Do you still? Any tips for helping to stay organised?

Meat free Monday

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I try to have at least one day a week which has meals which are not meat based. Not only does it save money but it makes a nice change and as long as it doesn’t happen too often nobody moans. This recipe was created by throwing a few ingredients in the slow cooker (at the end of the month when I really needed to go shopping) whilst hoping for the best and it turned out so well I will definitely make it again.

Slow cooker Red Thai veggie curry – simplified

1 tin of coconut milk ( I used Levi Roots version)
2tbsp of red Thai curry paste
150ml of vegetable stock
1 tin of new potatoes chopped in half
1 tin of chickpeas (drained)
2 handfuls of frozen broccoli
Seasoning

Turn your slow cooker onto high and tip in your coconut milk,stock and curry paste while you get the rest of your ingredients ready. Tip in your potatoes, chickpeas and broccoli along with any seasoning you wish to add and give a quick stir and leave to cook on high for approx 4-5 hours.

You could add any vegetables you had hanging around the house or lurking in your fridge or use butter beans instead of chickpeas. I served with rice and flatbreads.

This had just the right fiery kick for me but if you are a little braver you could definitely add more chilli paste or chop a fresh chilli in. Also at the end it was a little too thin for my liking so I added a paste made with cornflour to thicken.

A super simple meal for those evenings when you are feeling a bit lazy but what a home cooked meal. Fed 2 hungry adults ( 1 pregnant) and there were leftovers for the next days lunch.

*Tip – don’t turn your nose up at tinned potatoes. I always have a few in my cupboard for emergencies ( when I forget to go shopping) and they are great in stews, curries or sautéed.

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Don’t tell me what I want

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Since I announced my pregnancy at 12 weeks the question I have been asked the most is do you know what you are having yet?

This is fine although a little early as I won’t find out until the 20wk scan.
What has annoyed me is the most popular comment that obviously I want a boy. In order of course to *complete* my family. Grrr. Just because I have a girl doesn’t automatically mean I am now desperate for a boy. I’d love a boy. I’d love a girl. I can honestly say this time around that I have no preference. Believe it or not. A girl would be fab and wahey I have all the gear.. A boy would be adorable and I do like blue but I’m telling you the truth I don’t mind. I see your face when I tell you this and you just smile and nod but I had 2 months of worrying that my baby would not make it to this point so I’m not being cliched when I tell you I just want he/she to be healthy. In fact I don’t even really want to find out. My partner does and so I will as I don’t have strong feelings against it but please don’t think I will be disappointed ( as one well meaning family member suggested ) if I have a girl again.

We do have some neutral clothes:

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My baby was planned. Not that it’s really any of your business. Yes you .. Lady in the local playgroup who asked if it was an “accident” that I got pregnant so QUICKLY after my first. Quickly being nearly 18months and actually after a really tough 6-8 months of wanting to be pregnant. Even if it wasn’t planned it would not have been a mistake or would I ever call it an accident. My first child was a shock.. Mainly as I had been told I couldn’t get pregnant naturally and so to find out I was nearly 2 months along was a very wonderful surprise but even then no mistake.

Yes my belly is showing already. It’s normal. Second pregnancies show earlier than first as your body remembers what to do and yes I’m sure there is only one in there.

6 months pregnant with my daughter:

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To my work colleagues and to many others who really don’t get it – morning sickness doesn’t just happen in the morning, ginger doesn’t always help and crackers may work once but give it time and they will surely make you heave. Morning sickness is a rather silly name for a truly horrible experience for many women – it’s not made up and really I’m not exaggerating how crappy I have felt. Sitting outside for 5 minutes to catch my breath will not automatically relieve my nausea – I’m not drunk, I’m pregnant.

First trimester sucks:

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If I say I am planning anything.. Festivals, meals out etc – I get the answer of ooh do that now as you will not be able to do that when the baby comes. Really? Will my life end when the baby comes? Yes it will be tough. This I know and harder still with two but remember when you told me I would stop travelling when I had Izzy and then we went to France, Portugal and 3 festivals in her first year.. Well that.

In France:

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At Camp Bestival:

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Chatting to twitter friends it seems we all get questions/comments we don’t like..what is it about pregnancy that makes it ok to actually be quite rude? When is it ok to comment on someone’s weight or marital status? These seem to be the common themes.

Whilst I’m having a moan – HANDS OFF THE BUMP. Unless I know you quite well or you ask then I may get a little annoyed. Sorry but if I gently stroked your stomach wouldn’t you find it a bit well..personal?

The bump as it looks right now:

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And finally yes I know I should sleep now as I won’t get ANY when the baby comes. For once nosey lady in the bank I agree.

*PS I love talking about babies/pregnancy so don’t stop chatting but from me and all pregnant women think before you speak.