29 Weeks Update

Size of baby: BC is the size of a butternut squash. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, i'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium.

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained an extra kilo I'm now 55kg I'm climbing the scale surely. 

Sleep: I'm very restless, with all the aches, my knees are very sore and so are my hips especially at night. 

Best moment this week: Being able to spend time with my hubby.
Movement: Still very very active at night and the early hours of the morning.

Food cravings: Baby salad leaves. I drink a lot of water about 5 liters a day I'm always thirsty.
Gender: It's a girl
Labor signs: None
Maternity clothes: some maternity and someof my normal tops.
Belly button in or out? Its out and there is no turning back, its actually tender when I touch it. Dont know if that is normal.
What I miss: Every thing about not being pregnant.
What I'm looking forward to? Catching up with house work, ohhh alot to be done before the mo ve to Durban and I  dont think im looking forward to it but getting down with writing my exams  yikes!
Weekly wisdom: None

Weekend and Dr.Appointment

Saturday was hectic, thanks to my lovely hubby this year for my bday I got a Nikon D3100. So I had to attend lessons for it. It turned out quite pleasant.  He mowed the lawn and we headed to church to clean the chapel,  to do our bit and found the other people hadn't bothered to pitch up to clean. Wayne had to sms the ward to ask for volunteers bless them people turned up and helped clean by the time we left it was 7pm exhausted and all. And Sunday night Wayne dropped me off at the airport at 8pm and met mom and dad the other side after 10pm.
Monday morning, mom, dad and I headed out to our first appointment which was for the 4D scan at the Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Center, BC kicked all the way to the hospital, typical Cook style and when we got there she decided it was time to sleep.

BC's stroller and carry cot arrived about amonth ago just waiting for her :)

Chance and I had a little bit of play time before we left for hospital

 As soon as I lay on the bed, she stopped kicking we were just in time to watch her yawn and cover her face with her hands and have a snooze through out the whole ordeal. We poked her and shook turned side ways. We were able to see her face though we not sure who she looks like. And it was really exciting seeing her and having the technician confirm she is a girl.
After seeing our lil girl we had a mini tour of the maternity rooms. We are definitely getting a private room and we couldn't go into one because they were occupied but their general rooms are just as good. Its two people in a ward.

Maternity ward(general ward)

mom infront of the hospital

After we headed to see our favorite gynae in the world Dr. Berios, he was happy with BC's progress , she is right o n track and was sitting perfect her heart beat was perfect, and she now weighs 1.164kgs and hoping she will start gaining more weigh as the weeks go by.
My maternity leave forms were filled in and we are sorted, well almost sorted out. Our next appointment is at 34 weeks. And we shall have moved temporarily to Durban.

After the Dr we were heading back to the airport and dad suggested we go to sibaya casino none of us had been to it so we went to pass time it was beautiful, we had lunch and dad played and I got to have a one on one with mom chatting and relaxing .

And as they say time flies when you having fun , we headed to the airport, and dad decided I had to eat again, by the time I boarded I was in pain from being too full. But it was worth it, spending time with our wonderful parents.

Saying bye at the boarding gates

I was so excited to see my babe again and he was so excited abut the scan and we sat in bed watching our girl and called it a day. It was great to snuggle with my man again  feel complete. It reminds me to always count our blessings - my hubby; as I'm filled with gratitude.

28 Weeks Update -Third Trimester

I'm so excited woohoo, we are now in the third trimester. Very little time with lots and tonnes of stuff to do. Last night as we chatted at dinner I told Wayne how I'm so behind I haven't started on the nursery and usually by this time lots of people are done. He answer "babe those people are crazy! I will help you if it means me picking up from where you left its all good. Will do my best", I have the best husband in the world.
This morning he was leaving for work and yeah believe it the pregnant lady asked for pictures to be taken. Which was going to make him definitely late but he agreed and took them it was 6am. So hopefully by end of this weekend, I will have moved all the baby stuff to her room.

Size of baby: As of Monday BC was weighing 1.164kg. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained an extra kilo I'm now 54kg not so bad.
Sleep: I'm very restless, with all the aches and a very needy cat.
Best moment this week: Seeing our little girl on the 4D scan. To blog more about that.
Movement: Yes very active at night and the early hours of the morning.
Food cravings: Baby salad leaves and potatoes
Gender: It's a girl
Labor signs: None
Maternity clothes: some maternity and someof my normal tops and pants thanks to the belly band.
Belly button in or out?Its on the fence not in not out just hanging in there.
What I miss: Every thing about not being pregnant. I'm still having some bouts of nausea and its dreadful. I'm clogged up  thanks to my sinuses being blocked. Apparently its one of the side effects of pregnancy. And I can't get anything for it.
What I'm looking forward to? Finishing tidying our home and setting up her room before we leave for Durban.
Weekly wisdom: I don't have any except instead of worrying about stuff that needs to be done, I'm just going to freak out!!!

Have a lovely weekend.We hosting the young married couples pudding evening tomorrow night, hopefully it will be alright and having guests over for the night from Durban.

27 Weeks update

It's been a good week overall, not very productive but progressive. I'm happy :) to have my hubby  back. Time is flying and we are almost in the third trimester.


Size of baby: BC now weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, her brain is very active now.

Total weight gain/loss: I have not gained any weight this week still the same 53kg
Sleep: I'm very restless, tossing and turning seems like the norm with aches all over.
Best moment this week: Having my hubby around :)
Movement: Yes very active at night and the early hours of the morning. Hope it changes when she arrives. As mommy and daddy will need to sleep.
Food cravings: Baby salad leaves and potatoes
Gender: It's a girl
Labor signs: None
Belly button in or out? I give up its back in so I'm not sure whats it's all about any more.
What I miss: Being able to touch my feet, sleeping normally and eating enough food to fill me up. They say, I should snack but its not working for me I need to be full.
What I'm looking forward to?  the 4D scan on Monday, spending time with mom and dad, getting back home to my  babe. Getting our home in order. I had a mini freak out, we have about 13 weeks and BC will be here and out of that I'm left with four weeks before I relocate. I have desks and closets to refurnish/distress/paint. I need help.

Weekly wisdom: I have no idea, it's nice to have one's spouse around. I think the preggo roll is over rated. They don't make them for petite people. It's like climbing over a hurdle while trying to sleep.
On a good note, Happy weekend everyone:)

26 weeks update

Size of baby: BC's network of nerves in her baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both our voices. Her inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. And she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches
Total weight gain/loss: I haven't gained any weight this week. Still same 53kg
Sleep: I don't want to even go there, tossing and turning and moving up and down because lying down is sore and very uncomfortable.
Best moment this week: Having my wonderful husband back home. I'm so happy happy happy!!!! And he is so thoughtful, bought me a stool to use in the shower since its getting harder to reach my feet. I just adore him :)
Movement: She is moving quite a lot both day and night and I'm loving it and so is her daddy.
Food cravings: I'm craving for baby salad leaves.
Gender: It's a girl
Labor signs: None
Belly button in or out? It's definitely out!
What I miss: Being able to eat as much as I want, my stomach is so small.
What I'm looking forward to? Going for the 4D scan next week and just spending this week with this weekend we start to assemble the nursery.

Weekly wisdom: Not to over eat before going to bed, last night we had a delish dinner I couldn't resist helped myself and boy did I pay, my tummy was so sore and I battled to get some sleep.

Sunday Dinner - sweet and sour pork

I can't express how happy and grateful I am, my wonderful  husband got back home on Saturday afternoon. After trying my level best to catch up on all the house work to ensure the house was perfect when he got home so all we could do was chill. As usual, it didn't work out, it turns out cleaning after renovations is no joke especially if it's being done by a some what physically challenged pregnant woman. I did the best I could. Cleaned the areas I knew we would spend more time in that part of the house. And was at the airport half an early to fetch my man.
I'm happy did I say that, yes I'm a very happy and blessed girl. It feels so good to have some one to talk to and hear them reply, some one to cuddle up with  and have descent conversations and laughs echoing in the house. Much better than talking to animals. They are also settled and happy since their dad is back.
Prior to Wayne's trip, his hard work was acknowledged and it got nods from his bosses. I'm so proud of him. We didn't get the chance to celebrate so I decided I would make Sunday dinner special.
I tried out a recipe I have used before for sweet and sour pork.
I altered some bits here and there to suit us.
Ingredients
Pork strips- I we buy the pork steak and cut them into strips about 3 inches by 1inch
3 carrots not so chunkily sliced.
One big onion cut into thin slices
1 tomato or tomato puree
1.4 teaspoon Crushed ginger
 4 table spoons of Cooking oil
Green, red and yellow pepper cut into thin slices
2 table spoons Soy sauce
1/4 cup of vinegar
1 can of pineapple
2 table spoons of Corn starch
1/4 cup of Brown sugar
2  table spoons of teriyaki sauce




Add onions to hot oil in pan and stri until golden brown.
Add pork strips to pan and saute in hot oil over medium heat until light brown. I did add teriyaki sauce to brown the pieces of pork

slices of pork 3 inches by 1/2 i nch

Drain pineapple and reserve the juice,  combine pineapple juice, 314 cup of water, vinegar, brown sugar and pinch of salt. Pour over pork in pot and cover and let it simmer till pork strips are tender.
Add strips of pepper to the meat
Combine 2 table spoons of corn starch to 2 tables spoons of water stir till smooth and add to pork mixture stirring constantly until mixture is thick.
Add pineapple chuncks and let the pork simmer for 10 mins while striing constantly.
Then serve sweet and sour pork over white rice.

And it was delicious.
Happy week everyone.

25 weeks Update

Time is flying, we are 25 weeks and 5 days today which marks 100 days left. I took a half day's leave today to make sure the carpenter and is delinquent crew get the job done. I'm so over living like a hoarder in our home.
Anyways its exciting, Bc is being spoilt left right and center. When I went to Spring I found Ouma and oupie had gone on a shopping spree for this little angel of ours. We feel so blessed and feel all this love. It's amazing.
For the 25 week update I don't have pics, Wayne is not home to take the pic and I don't have anyone to do so, I guess I could ask someone but so not worth the energy of posing in front of a stranger.
Size of baby: Bc is the size of a rutabaga

Total weight gain/loss: I haven't gained any weight this week. Still same 53kg
Sleep: It's been a struggles especially now that Wayne is not around its worse.
Best moment this week: I know it will be Saturday, oh wait I have had great moments surprise phone calls from Wayne while he is on the trail. Somehow he found signal so it may end up being only two days without talking to him.Which has been the longest since we got married.
Movement: She is moving quite alot both day and night and i'm loving it.
Food cravings: Irish potatoes with chilli and fresh veges, Im having it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Gender: It's a girl
Labor signs: None
Belly button in or out? It's definitely out!
What I miss: Being able to just spring up and bending without huffing and puffing.
What I'm looking forward to? Having my Hubby back, I miss him. And having the closets finished today.

Weekly wisdom: None, just filled with lots of gratittude for the many blessings.
Nice day everyone

Half way there

Yesterday, I got a surprise call from my dear hubby, he is doing great and enjoying every minute of the otter trail. I was pleasantly surprised since there is no network in the area and where they are hiking they could only get network on Thursday. His words, "Babe this place is so stunning you would really love it except for the cold showers and long walks". He does know me too well, I would rather drive than walk, at the malls or any parking spot he usually tries to find the nearest parking to the door.
It's been quite lonely without him and we miss him, hence the count down. Some might say it's good to have some me time but gees an hour with out him is enough me time.
Fudge is so lost with out his daddy, poor boy has been defying all my orders of going to his bed in our room and opting to sleep by the entrance into the house waiting for his daddy. Last night I felt terrible and ended up carrying his bed and placing it at the main door. I think he slept alright.

Poor fudge tucked in bed by the door, waiting for daddy to come home

On the other hand Jiji cant be bothered, she is enjoying her space on the bed.


Our dirty Jiji on the other hand couldnt be bothered (this cat enjoys rolling in the dirt) 

Unbelievable I'm still fighting with the carpenters!!!! Such incompetent people. Anyway here is to four more sleeps. Have a good day all.

A baby shower and an accident

On saturday morning I headed to springs to meet up with Ouma and go for Wayne's cousin's surprise baby shower. I got lost on my way I took the wong off ramp, I dont know why we actaully go to spring once every month. Blame that on pregnancy brain.
The shower went went the little Jasmine was spoilt and got lots of lovely stuff. It was wonderful to sit and chat with ouma.

Another Grandmother



grandmother and great grandmother



Big brother

After the shower, ouma and I headed back to oupie and had lunch, as we chatted and I took some pictures, I always look forward to ouma's garden as she has the most amazingly manicured garden and beautiful flowers.



The got a new dog Charlie, quite a little catch. The family seems complete now. Buddy has a friend.



we just love these two


It was soon time to leave, they were not happy with me leaving and insisted I spend the night but our babies were home alone. They waved and we said our goodbyes, off I headed content and happy at how the day was turning out.

Then I took the wrong turn drove for about 3 kms and noticed what had happened, I reversed back to the toll and made an illegal turn to get onto the right route. As I drove confidently with peace and quite in the car out of no where what looked like abox feel infront of my car, it wasnt a box it was a cupboard , it fell off a pickup truck that was loaded with household stuff. I could nt swerve to the right two cars , couldnt break the guy at the back was on my tail and he would have run into me, I couldnt go left there was a barrier so ofcousre I had to run into the cupboard. I stopped and cried while on the phone to ouma and oupie who  told me what to do, got the guy's details. Luckily I was in the  big car, I do have a few scratches but we are ok. I had my first experience with reporting and accident thanks to granpa and jenny, and my good friends Soh and Thobs came over to check on me. They are such a blessing, I'm glad I listened to the inner voice that insisted I take my car in the morning as I wanted to take Wayne's instead. Grateful for those inspirations.

All in all the weekend was good.
Happy week everyone!!!

The count down begins



Thursday afternoon last week, I went for a family friend's funeral, Bro Les. It was a lovely ceremony, I think I needed it, knowingmy mom's anniversary was today. I had mixed feelings about attending. And I'm glad I did the talks given by Elder Mkhabela and Elder Bricknell of the area seventy spoke straight to me. Its amnazing how the knowledge in the Gospel blesses us even with out our realisation sometimes.

I then headed home to pack and see my babe off for his trip cant wait for next week friday.

Family pic before he left(excuse my under garments showing)





Glad we have good friends, Simon droppped him off at the airport cause he was worried about me driving in the dark bless him.

As always when Wayne leaves something has to  go a miss!!!

Electricity went off for about three hours, french toast has never tested better in the dark.

Candle lit showers are a must to experience.

Thanks to Fudge, I'm so tired because he paced all through the night waiting from daddy to come home.

 Note to self. Need to take him today to the vet to have his claws clipped.

Hopefully the freaking closets will be done with today.

14 years, I miss you mom & Love you always

I still recall very clearly the sound of your voice, your laugh, the stern warnings and the acting you performed. The day you came to visit me in school with your pink dress and twirled around so I could see how gorgeous you looked, you had just had your hair braided. It's so vivid in my mind, yet its been 14 years since you were called home to be with our Heavenly father. I rejoice in this day today, because of the knowledge I have that we shall be together some day.
There days when I feel you around me and the comfort it brings is trully a blessing. I love our chats during walks to the park and all the time. I'm so glad you bore me, I lift my head high filled with pride celebrating the life you lived, the legacy you left behind and will continue to remember those wonderful lessons and beautiful examples you set and try to be like you.
We are having BC this December I truly wish you would be here physically to hold her and just experience that wonderful moment with us. I know you have met her though she won't remember when she comes.

Thank you for everything I love you mom always. I hold you close to my heart. You are such a great blessing.   

flower from mom's garden.