Finally, an update

Well, where to begin? I suppose I should explain the reason for my long absence, though it's quite easy to guess... Yep, I'm 13 weeks pregnant! I didn't want to jinx it all so wanted to avoid posting the news until the first trimester was safely behind us. As of yesterday we have visual proof that the baby is alive and well (and moving around like crazy, although I can't feel anything yet).

It still feels crazy and slightly hard to believe. Especially as we got pregnant straight away, which I wasn't expecting to happen - needless to say the father is extremely proud of himself ;). We got a positive pregnancy test on November 22nd, confirmed by a visit to the doctor and first short ultrasound on December 4th.

First ultrasound on Dec 4th, with heartbeat, 6w, 0.43 cm

Second ultrasound on Dec 19th, with heartbeat, 8w, 1.98 cm

 

Third ultrasound on January 23rd, 13w, 7.43 cm

Third ultrasound on January 23rd, in 3D, 13w

The images don't really do justice to the moving ones we saw on the screen, especially this last visit, where baby was jumping all around the place and hitting the walls with its hands, but it's amazing to see how quickly it grows. I can't believe how big it will be by the time it's ready to come out!

Weight-wise, I put on 2lbs the exact day I suppose I ovulated and/or conceived, and since then another 1lb, which is really decent. The doctor was happy with the result yesterday in any case. I'm hoping to keep weight gain down to a minimum, hopefully less than 5kg/10lbs, but we'll see how that goes once the (mild) nausea dies down and I regain my appetite!

In the meantime, we went on our trip to New Zealand, where we had an amazing time, with a big family Christmas (in the sun) and a stunning road trip round the South Island. I am so glad we escaped the snow here - though we very nearly didn't get away due to the Eurostar hell and our flights leaving from London. Luckily I was able to book us on a flight from Brussels to London as soon as I found out the trains were cancelled - a few hours later they were sold out. It looks like Eurostar will be compensating us for that now, so I'm so glad I made that decision. I'll rant about the absolutely dismal communication on their behalf some other time...

 Christmas Day in the bush with my sisters

Our hike on the Fox Glacier

Queenstown

We got back on Tuesday and I've been slowly recovering from the jetlag since then. Starting work again tomorrow, though it will be as a freelance still as I explained my situation before leaving on holiday and told them I wouldn't be signing a contract as after the birth I want to be able to work closer to home. So it's all working out the way I wanted it to on that front too :)

Week 45, 46 and 47 WI, babies and knitting

Okay, I have shamefully neglected my blog for the past 3 weeks. No idea why I wasn't inspired to post more often, as I've been reading everyone else's blogs daily.

Over the past 3 weeks I have managed to lose an astonishing 0.1 kg / 0.2 lbs.
I am definitely an underachiever on the weight loss front. I did however get a silver 7 despite this ridiculous result. That's 2.5 stone gone since I started. Not the greatest loss for almost a year, but I haven't been tracking for the past 6 weeks and I'm not putting weight back on. That's an achievement in my book.

Loss this week (well, last week actually): - 0.1 kg / - 0.2 lbs
Total loss: - 15.9 kg / - 35.1 lbs

Other news: babies. I am currently having unprotected sex for the first time in 13 years.
Yes, I've come to terms with my fears. Well, almost. But I am truly excited about the whole process and eager to make it happen. Watch this space for updates (except if you're reading this and you're related to me, then I'll tell you in person).

Not sure if this is related to the previous bit of information, but I've started knitting again.

This is the result so far. It's a scarf. The first 10 rows represent the time it took me to remember I needed to alternate front stitch and back stitch. I'm thinking of it as my practice piece, that way it will exceed any expectations I have of it.

I am already wondering whether I will have enough wool to finish it though and am trying to imagine what else I could use it as if I run short before it's a decent length.

Other than that, the past 3 weeks have been pretty uneventful. I have given up alcohol and haven't had a drink in 17 days. An absolute record. I have decided not to drink at all during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so I still have a year or so to go, but I'm trying not to think about that.

Oh and our trip to New Zealand is now planned out and booked. 7 weeks to go till we leave!! I am really looking forward to it - I'll be spending Christmas with my mum and sisters for the first time in 21 years, how crazy is that? And it will be summer over there, yay!

Time to get some work done, hope you're all having a good week.

Last of the New Zealand photos

Our last few days were spent on the West coast, first in Waitomo to visit the glowworm caves.









In one of the caves we saw the 1000 year old bones of a Moa, an extinct New Zealand bird.



Tomos are holes in the ceilings of caves, leading up to daylight.
Sometimes cows fall through them.



We stopped off at a waterfall on the way to Raglan.




Raglan is a very laid-back surfer town.








On the way out of town we stopped off at the Bridal Veil Falls, 55m high.




Our final stop was Auckland, where we stayed with my cousin Laura in a pretty suburban house.

We cruised Auckland Harbour on a replica of an old ship, passing under Auckland Bridge, nicknamed the "Nippon Clip-On" because of the extra lanes built on to each side of it by Japanese engineers.




Auckland's Sky Tower is impressive, although you would never get me jumping off it from 192 metres up!




Nice views though.








Yes, that deserves a drink.

More New Zealand pics

Moving South, we arrived at Tauranga, where my grandmother lives, for a 3-night stay.

We visited my grandmother in hospital where she was recovering from a hip injury. She is 92 years old and still in very good shape. She recognised me straight away, even though she hadn't seen me for some 18 years!

We stayed at her house and enjoyed some nice meals on "The Strand", before braving the elements and climbing Mount Maunganui.



The view from the top, on a particularly cloudy and rainy day:



Mount Maunganui, seen from Nana's house:




After that, we spent a night in Rotorua, the Geothermal Valley of New Zealand. We visited Whakarewarewa, where we also participated in a cultural Maori evening.



Bart got on stage to perform the Haka.




The next day we went to Wai-O-Tapu, a huge and beautiful Geothermal area.














We stopped off at the Huka Falls on our way to Napier:






In Napier, an Art Deco city completely rebuilt in the 30's, we visited the Aquarium.














Bart on the beach at Napier:

New Zealand - Bay of Islands and Northland

Our trip to New Zealand started off with 10 days of relaxing at mum's in the Bay of Islands.

Mum and Stewart's beautiful house (and garden).







Our first day trip was to Kerikeri's Stone Store, Mission House and reconstructed Maori village.






We also went for a walk at Opito Bay




These are some views of Russell, where Mum and Stewart live. Russell has the first church of New Zealand.










Mum works at the Pompallier Mission House, giving wonderful guided tours. We were really impressed with her hour and a half explanation on tanning, printing and book binding. This is her at work.




Kumera chips and sour cream on the deck of Russell Radio after the Gallery opening.




A day on the yacht. We caught 3 fish and fried them up for lunch.








Ahipara Beach was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.



Lunch with a view.




90 Mile Beach was just around the corner.








A day out wine tasting with mum.