I can hardly believe you'll be born in less than five weeks time! It's been a while since I've written about you on this blog, but I think you know (because you've felt it) how much we're looking forward to your arrival. From hypnobirthing classes to appointments with Angela Wakeford, our midwife, to seeing your dad paint your room, put up Winnie-the-Pooh wallpaper, assemble your pram, cot and compactum and buying nappies in bulk! We are ready for your arrival little one and are now in the process of counting the days - of which there aren't many.
These are the things I hope I never forget about you...
I hope I never forget how it feels to have you grow inside my womb.
I hope I will never forget the moment we told our parents about you - as a surprise photograph at your Great Aunt Ruth's house one afternoon in February.
I hope I will never forget the morning sickness the overflow of hormones gave me in the first trimester...
I hope I will never forget our visits to Vincent Palloti and the excitement we felt at seeing you on the screen, looking more like a little worm at first - or alien - and then growing into a baby... and never knowing your gender - until your big birthing day!
I hope I will never forget how you made me crave for chicken mayonnaise sandwiches, cucumbers and hot chocolate!
I hope I will never forget how sleepy you made me in the afternoons - or how hungry!
I hope I will never forget the first time I felt you move - 2 days before my birthday on the 13th of May 2011. What a miraculous moment!
I hope I will never forget the look on Jeremy's face when he first felt you move and the light in his eyes, how beautiful.
I hope I will never forget the sweet baby shower I had and the friends who were all there to give me support and spoil you with some fabulous pressies!
I hope I will never forget the love from our families and their tangible excitement for you as their first grandchild, niece and nephew to the family.
I hope I will never forget how you hiccuped every time I ate a juicy pear or red apple.
I hope I will never forget seeing your dad overloaded with nappies, baby bum creme and more nappies after a day of shopping at a baby expo.
I hope I will never forget the sweet moments of your dad holding me and telling me it would all work out just fine - just wait and see - and that I shouldn't worry about a thing!
I hope I will never forget the irritation I felt at seeing my first few stretchmarks, but then realising they're nothing compared to the joy of having you in my life!
I hope I will never forget how tired I got of the maternity dress I am wearing right now.
I hope I will never forget how your dad carried around a suitcase full of props in Newlands Forest to make for a beautiful maternity shoot, even after stepping into a mountain of doggy poop.
I hope I will never forget the laughs we've shared about the terrible names we could give you - but never would!
I hope I will never forget the joy of knowing you're there, right there.
I hope I never forget how it will feel to birth you in water in a few weeks time.
I hope I will never forget the first time I see your face, or touch your skin against mine, or hear your first cry.
I hope that I can store all these memories away in my mind forever.
I hope I will never, ever forget!
A blessing for our baby - Week 34
A blessing for our baby ~
May the long time sun
Shine upon you,
All the love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on.
-A Kundalini Yoga farewell blessing
All words have a vibration. May this prayer reach you my dear little one.
Henna artist, Chandra working magic on my belly.
Nappy Daddy
Shopping at the Baba Indaba at the CTICC!
Daddy Jeremy spending his hard-earned money on nappies for the baby. Craig Davids (on left) is Jeremy's friend from OpenBox, who is having twins... he needed to buy double the amount for double trouble!
And...after a looong day of shopping...
Dad and Max take a well-deserved nap!
And...after a looong day of shopping...
Haiku: My husband smiling
my husband smiling
gives me a kiss
the baby kicks.
Here daddy sets the pram up for baby. I could just eat him up!
Opening the heart
The haiku form of poetry:
"A fine haiku presents a crystalline moment of heightened awareness in simple imagery. This moment is a deep reminder for us to pause and to be present the the details of the everyday. It is this way of being in the world with awakened open-hearted awareness - of being mindful of the ordinary moments of our lives - that I've come to call the 'haiku mind'... When we can pause and relax in the moment, that is our haiku mind: the awakened, open-hearted awareness that we can always tap into. Every good haiku captures such a moment and is a reflection of our haiku mind. Here haiku mind includes both mind and heart in a non-dualistic whole, as in the Chinese character for mind-heart, where there is no separation. When we read haiku, it allows us to pause, which allows a small opening to occur, to see things beyond judgement of good or bad, things are they are in their nakedness: the pear in the sunlight. For when we can relax our mind, we can feel a sense of open-heartedness and peace." - From Haiku Mind by Patricia Donegan.
I have shared what it means to write a haiku and how it allows for an opening in the heart space - a sweet pain - as an introduction to the haikus I will be sharing on this blog :-)
I never knew I loved you this much...
I never knew I loved crystals so much
until I saw the light catch deep within them
far into the recesses of their infinite formations
and sunsets with you…
sitting side by side, holding hands, licking softserve
watching the sun sink its head below the horizon,
which reminds me of dad
who will die one day leaving everything behind
I never knew I loved him so much
He always said: you’ll only know how much when you have your own children…
and now, I do. Deep within my womb, it’s you.
Warm, soft and totally dependent on me.
I can’t see my life without you
I never knew I loved you this much.
Baby Shower Time!!!
Is it a girl or is it a boy?
When they arrive they bring so much joy.
10 tiny fingers and 10 tiny toes,
All soft and cuddly right down to their nose.
Baby Shower
A big thank you to all the ladies who came to spoil Baby West with pressies!
Everything will come in handy!!!
And a big thank you to Susannah, Michelle and mom for organising a fabulous baby shower.
It was a special day never to be forgotten.
Everything will come in handy!!!
And a big thank you to Susannah, Michelle and mom for organising a fabulous baby shower.
It was a special day never to be forgotten.
Beautifully Born Hypnobirthing
[Article to follow about hypnobirthing: classes commenced on Wed 1st of June 2011]
Even Max-Cat relaxes to the hypnobirthing relaxation cds.
You're 21 weeks and 2 days!
You're 21weeks and 2 days (technically!) and you're growing well.
We are so proud of you and happy to be your parents.
Keep on growing little angel! We can't wait to meet you!
Baby West's face in 4D.
Beautiful Baby West's profile, lying on back.
Little Westie's legs and feet.
Daddy practicing how to hold a newborn!
Daddy practicing how to hold a newborn!
The Older Sister's Question, by Paulo Coelho
When her brother was born, Sa-chi Gabriel begged her parents to leave her alone with the baby.
They refused, fearing that, as with many four-year-olds, she was jealous and wanted to mistreat him.
But Sa-chi showed no signs of jealousy.
And since she was always extremely affectionate towards her little brother, her parents decided to carry out an experiment.
They left Sa-chi alone with their new-born baby, but kept the bedroom door ajar so that they could watch what she did.
Delighted to have her wish granted, little Sa-chi tiptoed over to the cradle, leaned over the baby and said:
“Little brother, tell me what God is like. I’m beginning to forget.”
-Excerpted from http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2011/04/06/daily-message-112/: The older sister’s question - Published on April 6, 2011 in 20 SECOND Stories.
Just Look: No More A Little Spot!
just look: no more a little spot!
or a grape...
or a small lime!
or a grape...
or a small lime!
three months and counting...
thank you for your presence.
thank you for the blessing.
we are so grateful.
we
love
you.
baby west's profile
baby west lying on the back. arms and feet are visible!
baby west from the side, lying on the back, tummy and spine visible.
cutie baby west profile
baby west's brain development - another brainy box westie!
18 March 2010: Date of the first scan (13 weeks& 4days), Vincent Pallotti Hospital, Dr Dumbrill.
Things Always Seem To Happen All At Once
things always seem to happen all at once.
new beginnings.
there seems to be chaos all around me,
but even through the chaos,
i feel
such peace
such quiet
such contentment
such happiness
it actually amazes me!
i've finally realised how nothing else around me -
all the stress...
all the stuff...
all the chaos...
is quite meaningless,
except as a means to survival.
my
little
spot:
you are number one.
the highest priority.
nothing else compares to this responsibility.
now i understand the meaning of that which is meaningful and that which is meaningless.
my
little
angel.
i
love
you.
I am grateful to
you
for giving me this gift of infinite love.
thank you for the blessing of life and love:
life growing from within.
28 January 2011
Five Weeks Old
five weeks old
you're in there: tiny, yet full of soul
miniscule, yet full of life
you're dividing cells
growing by the second
expanding and contracting
as the need for your development arises.
i can't wait to see your face.
i can't wait to see your eyes.
touch your hands.
touch your feet.
see you in all your perfection!
i am ecstatic at your living.
choosing me as mother.
choosing him as father.
what could be more beautiful, more miraculous than this?
the infinite well of unconditional love i feel for you.
my
little
sweet
spot
i
adore
you.
you make me so full and fat -
but in a divine sense of elation
at the miracle that is
you
taking place.
27 january 2011
you're in there: tiny, yet full of soul
miniscule, yet full of life
you're dividing cells
growing by the second
expanding and contracting
as the need for your development arises.
i can't wait to see your face.
i can't wait to see your eyes.
touch your hands.
touch your feet.
see you in all your perfection!
i am ecstatic at your living.
choosing me as mother.
choosing him as father.
what could be more beautiful, more miraculous than this?
the infinite well of unconditional love i feel for you.
my
little
sweet
spot
i
adore
you.
you make me so full and fat -
but in a divine sense of elation
at the miracle that is
you
taking place.
27 january 2011
Just One Of The Many Ways
just one of the many ways we can talk:
a letter. the sound of my voice. my feelings.
hearing my voice.
every moment of everyday.
sensing my emotions: which must now be kept in check.
please stay? full-term.
baby. young child. loving adult. old and grey.
i'm so happy to be the base from which you spring.
happy to be your mother.
happy to be your father.
you ask: what is it like on the planet?
my dear
little
soft
spot,
it is an incredible space from which to laugh, to cry
and experience a rainbow of emotions
physical feelings
and the beautiful earth.
it is a beautiful planet.
i hope i can give
you
the best.
i
love
you.
26 january 2011
a letter. the sound of my voice. my feelings.
hearing my voice.
every moment of everyday.
sensing my emotions: which must now be kept in check.
please stay? full-term.
baby. young child. loving adult. old and grey.
i'm so happy to be the base from which you spring.
happy to be your mother.
happy to be your father.
you ask: what is it like on the planet?
my dear
little
soft
spot,
it is an incredible space from which to laugh, to cry
and experience a rainbow of emotions
physical feelings
and the beautiful earth.
it is a beautiful planet.
i hope i can give
you
the best.
i
love
you.
26 january 2011
One Month Today
one month today since we conceived you
love flaming, burning all our cells
that very moment, i knew you were there
i felt you deep within my womb
warming up my insides as you wriggled into place.
welcome
my
sweet
little
spot
in the warm little space of my womb!
i hope it is roomy enough for you.
welcome too to your angels.
share with me your hopes and dreams for the future.
i am so conscious of your presence,
my beautiful little baby...
from the moment you started out as the minutest cell - until forever -
i will always love you.
thank you for being here.
between me, your father, God and the angels
thank you
sweet
little
spot
i
love
you.
24 january 2011
love flaming, burning all our cells
that very moment, i knew you were there
i felt you deep within my womb
warming up my insides as you wriggled into place.
welcome
my
sweet
little
spot
in the warm little space of my womb!
i hope it is roomy enough for you.
welcome too to your angels.
share with me your hopes and dreams for the future.
i am so conscious of your presence,
my beautiful little baby...
from the moment you started out as the minutest cell - until forever -
i will always love you.
thank you for being here.
between me, your father, God and the angels
thank you
sweet
little
spot
i
love
you.
24 january 2011
Today, I Found Out You're Really There
today
i found out
you're REALLY THERE!
welcome to the world
my
sweet
little
spot.
i
love
you.
the positive pregnancy test!!!
happy and proud NEW mom and dad!!!
22 January 2011
Are You There?
in limbo...
waiting for the two weeks to pass
to know if you're really there... waiting
to
be
born!
are you there?
or am i speaking into an abyss of emptiness, where nothing is sprouting?
an abyss of lifelessness, silence, nothingness?
or, are you growing, little by little each day, sprouting new cells by the minute?
are you there?
can you hear my voice when i speak?
my thoughts when i think?
my feelings when i feel?
one with me, yet totally separate,
connected only by a thin line of life.
if you are there, i hope you're comfy...
so welcome to the world my little angel!
i will take care of you with my life...
if (of course), you are there.
21 january 2011
waiting for the two weeks to pass
to know if you're really there... waiting
to
be
born!
are you there?
or am i speaking into an abyss of emptiness, where nothing is sprouting?
an abyss of lifelessness, silence, nothingness?
or, are you growing, little by little each day, sprouting new cells by the minute?
are you there?
can you hear my voice when i speak?
my thoughts when i think?
my feelings when i feel?
one with me, yet totally separate,
connected only by a thin line of life.
if you are there, i hope you're comfy...
so welcome to the world my little angel!
i will take care of you with my life...
if (of course), you are there.
21 january 2011
When Change Comes
when change comes
will i be ready?
a sweet little baby...
new faces. new happiness. new pain
all at the pace of a brisk walk.
sense that happiness in the cells.
change keeps coming at a steady pace.
there in the centre of the water,
my body lies floating.
moving to the rhythm of the ripples.
the ripples encircle me
quietly moving me to a lullaby
in a pool teeming with life.
silence in a space of chaos
change is inevitable
and encircles the body
like ripples.
12 november 2010
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