He's carrying on like he's read the baby growth manual :)
He's like clockwork! My baby app says I should feel fine from now, and I do. It says I'll feel hungry, and I do. And today, it says I'll start feeling him move, and what do you know... As the gynae explains it, "it'll feel like gas bubbles". Nice.
Power of suggestion? Who knows - but that would be very powerful! I prefer to think that the universe has given me the easiest baby in the world, knowing all my trepidation and resistance to the idea beforehand. I've not had to deal with any of the really debilitating side effects (nausea, weight, swelling, cravings, food avoidance), and for that I'm very grateful.
I also realised my surgery last year has made me immune to just about everything that would ordinarily have freaked me out - scans, probes, expanding uterus, the birth. When you've had a 2kg fibroid removed, how different can this be?
You sneaky, sneaky universe! I see you at work...
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lifestyle. Show all posts
Peach Kelly
So this morning we went for my 12 week scan, officially the end of my first trimester - whoopee! They say the symptoms you're experiencing should ease up in your second trimester, and mine seemed to work like clockwork. One day I was queasy, the next day I wasn't. Thank you very much.
It did, however, leave me with a disconcerting feeling akin to "hello, you still in there!?!". Which is why this morning's scan was a relief. All is still in order, Peach (so named now, because he/she is approx 7cm long, the size of a Peach) is still there, growing swiftly, and - oddly - doing the macarena. I didn't know babies moved so much at this stage! We could actually watch on the scanner as Peach bobbed, weaved and did everything except help the gynae get her snapshot.
So we're on track for April 2012, and all the pandemonium it brings with it.
It did, however, leave me with a disconcerting feeling akin to "hello, you still in there!?!". Which is why this morning's scan was a relief. All is still in order, Peach (so named now, because he/she is approx 7cm long, the size of a Peach) is still there, growing swiftly, and - oddly - doing the macarena. I didn't know babies moved so much at this stage! We could actually watch on the scanner as Peach bobbed, weaved and did everything except help the gynae get her snapshot.
So we're on track for April 2012, and all the pandemonium it brings with it.
Olive Kelly
We have a baba on the way, due in April next year. Did I just say that?
It's name (it hasn't decided what gender it wants to be yet) isn't Olive, that's just what size it is right now. A green olive to be precise, 2.54cm long. That's according to one of the many apps I've found on pregnancy in itunes. It seems the mobile revolution Apple brought about with their iPhone is even changing the traditions of motherhood. Wondering whether you can eat that delicious looking camambert? Look it up online! No more having to read a book, call your gynae or ask your mom. And no, by the way, you can't eat it.
Which surprised me actually. Although I really thought the list of foods to avoid would be a lot longer, but the only ones I've really had to give up are sushi, cheeses like Camembert and feta and cold meats like ham. And, of course, alcohol. Other than that, there's really not too much change to your daily diet. Other than the fact that you eat like a horse all of a sudden. I can go from full to famished in minutes, and it's bloody hard to keep up! I've taken to carrying a bag of carrots or an apple around with me. You never know when the hunger is going to strike.
The only other symptom I can complain of right now is fatigue. Severe, debilitating fatigue. If I'm not in bed by 9 every night I won't make it through the next day. Quite an adjustment for R, who's wondering what to do with himself when I want to tootle off to bed at 8.30, but I've learnt this lesson the hard way.
And I guess that really isn't all that bad. For the moment. I've managed to skip morning sickness, bloating, constant peeing and most of my clothes still fit. Stupendous.
Right now my What to Expect app is telling me that I have 31 weeks and 2 days to go, and apparently Olive has officially moved on from being an embryo to a fetus. He/she has a new liver, spleen and gallbladder. My Pregnancy Today is telling me I should start taking belly photos this week, but there really is nothing to take yet, so that'll have to wait for a bit.
It's name (it hasn't decided what gender it wants to be yet) isn't Olive, that's just what size it is right now. A green olive to be precise, 2.54cm long. That's according to one of the many apps I've found on pregnancy in itunes. It seems the mobile revolution Apple brought about with their iPhone is even changing the traditions of motherhood. Wondering whether you can eat that delicious looking camambert? Look it up online! No more having to read a book, call your gynae or ask your mom. And no, by the way, you can't eat it.
Which surprised me actually. Although I really thought the list of foods to avoid would be a lot longer, but the only ones I've really had to give up are sushi, cheeses like Camembert and feta and cold meats like ham. And, of course, alcohol. Other than that, there's really not too much change to your daily diet. Other than the fact that you eat like a horse all of a sudden. I can go from full to famished in minutes, and it's bloody hard to keep up! I've taken to carrying a bag of carrots or an apple around with me. You never know when the hunger is going to strike.
The only other symptom I can complain of right now is fatigue. Severe, debilitating fatigue. If I'm not in bed by 9 every night I won't make it through the next day. Quite an adjustment for R, who's wondering what to do with himself when I want to tootle off to bed at 8.30, but I've learnt this lesson the hard way.
And I guess that really isn't all that bad. For the moment. I've managed to skip morning sickness, bloating, constant peeing and most of my clothes still fit. Stupendous.
Right now my What to Expect app is telling me that I have 31 weeks and 2 days to go, and apparently Olive has officially moved on from being an embryo to a fetus. He/she has a new liver, spleen and gallbladder. My Pregnancy Today is telling me I should start taking belly photos this week, but there really is nothing to take yet, so that'll have to wait for a bit.
pedal power!
This one's for all the cyclists out there - or for those who know cyclists. I never dreamed I'd be amongst that group, but there you have it. My hubby is a cyclist, and apparently I'm a cycling widow :)
Apple has once again filed one of those patents that get everyone all excited and hot under the collar with expectation. We've seen music in your pants, music in your shoes, now they're bringing music to your bike! And so, so much more.
The Apple smart bike promises to integrate not only your bike and your tunes - but all the metrics riders are so keen on measuring on each ride - how far did I go, how high did I climb, what was my heart rate? All the things that right now they measure with crappy little Garmin devices.
There's even a patent mention of, ahem, a holographic or 3D display. Curious. But then Apple always are.
Apple has once again filed one of those patents that get everyone all excited and hot under the collar with expectation. We've seen music in your pants, music in your shoes, now they're bringing music to your bike! And so, so much more.
The Apple smart bike promises to integrate not only your bike and your tunes - but all the metrics riders are so keen on measuring on each ride - how far did I go, how high did I climb, what was my heart rate? All the things that right now they measure with crappy little Garmin devices.
There's even a patent mention of, ahem, a holographic or 3D display. Curious. But then Apple always are.
ipaddington
Recently, hubby surprised me with the gift of the year (ask any digital blogger). An iPad! What every girl wants, right? Ignoring all the hype, the fact that I *love* apple, and that it's a first generation product many nay sayers said would need improving - it's awesome!
In the short time I've had it, we've become joined at the hip. And through the usual barrage of useful/fun/amazing apps, I'm able to turn it more and more in to my must-have daily companion. I watch TV on it, read books, shop on eBay (but more about that later), keep up with facebook and twitter, play games, store presentations, display photos, check mail, and get tailor-made news from all my favourite blogs and websites. Tailor-made being the key. It personalizes everything I need and actually becomes a completely customized tool through the apps that I choose to load. My iPad is a very different creature from hubby's iPad.
I'll blog my list of favourite apps soon for those who don't want to browse the store for days on end *hoping* for something useful. But for now, I have to go check what the exchange rate is so I can do some more shopping on eBay ;)
*sent from my iPad
In the short time I've had it, we've become joined at the hip. And through the usual barrage of useful/fun/amazing apps, I'm able to turn it more and more in to my must-have daily companion. I watch TV on it, read books, shop on eBay (but more about that later), keep up with facebook and twitter, play games, store presentations, display photos, check mail, and get tailor-made news from all my favourite blogs and websites. Tailor-made being the key. It personalizes everything I need and actually becomes a completely customized tool through the apps that I choose to load. My iPad is a very different creature from hubby's iPad.
I'll blog my list of favourite apps soon for those who don't want to browse the store for days on end *hoping* for something useful. But for now, I have to go check what the exchange rate is so I can do some more shopping on eBay ;)
*sent from my iPad
today is...
etsy bitsy
Just because you spend your life online and surrounded by tech in this digital age doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate a good handcrafted quilt. Or ashtray. Or bag. Or any number of items made carefully and lovingly by those with the talent to do so.
Etsy brings you all these handcrafted goods in a format you can understand – a website. It’s also given me a goal to reach with my new-found hobby. *plots and schemes*
Etsy brings you all these handcrafted goods in a format you can understand – a website. It’s also given me a goal to reach with my new-found hobby. *plots and schemes*
red [LV] relief
Iconic brand Louis Vuitton recently gave six well-known professionals the opportunity to design their ultimate carry-case in keeping with their professional needs, and the aesthetic of the world-reknowned brand.
Celebrity chef Ferran Adrià, photographer Annie Leibovitz, musician Gustavo Santaolalla, painter Damien Hirst, fashion designer and Louis Vuitton’s creative director Marc Jacobs and family heir Patrick-Louis Vuitton all designed leather trunks and bags to be created as once-off pieces to go on auction in aid of the Red Cross.
To commemorate the event, LV also designed a limited edition Red Cross medical kit (pictured). Just what every home needs in case of bumps and bruises.
Celebrity chef Ferran Adrià, photographer Annie Leibovitz, musician Gustavo Santaolalla, painter Damien Hirst, fashion designer and Louis Vuitton’s creative director Marc Jacobs and family heir Patrick-Louis Vuitton all designed leather trunks and bags to be created as once-off pieces to go on auction in aid of the Red Cross.
To commemorate the event, LV also designed a limited edition Red Cross medical kit (pictured). Just what every home needs in case of bumps and bruises.
do you poken?
You Google. You text. You chat. Do you Poken?
That what the guys at Poken want to know as they launch their new product to those addicted to their online social lives. Pokens offer a link between your “real world” life and your “cyber” life. Meet someone new, touch Pokens, and you have all the cyber data you need to be able to find them online – their MSN, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, whatever. The Poken caters for over 30 different networks, allowing users to customise the information that they give out when they “Poken”.
These “social cards” can by synced to your Outlook contacts or your Apple contacts, allowing other people to control the information you have about them – it’s always up to date, as they’re keeping it current for you.
Pokens can be bought in various shapes and designs to meet your tastes, and it’s likely the options will expand over time (think Mimobots). While it’s still a fairly new wave waiting to be caught, Pokens do offer an interesting look into what’s to come as people try to link up their two social lives – online and in reality.
View the welcome video here.
time honoured
This is one of the most amazing clocks I've ever seen - and super stylish too. The Qlocktwo by Biegert & Funk tells the time in simple words rather than numerically, in 5-minute intervals - FIVE TO TWELVE, or TWENTY PAST THREE. It's comes in six striking colours, and they've even made allowance for language - you can order it in German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, even Russian.
And there's an iPhone app to match.
And there's an iPhone app to match.
rock around the clock
The triple-story Brooklyn Clocktower is for sale. To live in. At a cool price of $25million.
It's a truly spectatcular residence and i envy the SOB who bags it - check out the beautiful clock-face shadows that are cast in the large, modern, fully equipped apartment:
More pics and full features of the apartment here.
It's a truly spectatcular residence and i envy the SOB who bags it - check out the beautiful clock-face shadows that are cast in the large, modern, fully equipped apartment:
More pics and full features of the apartment here.
bring on summer!
It's only spring, but you can feel it in the air - holidays are fast approaching! And I'm ready already dammit - bring it on! I have my new Letarte summer outfit (read: bikini), my new Kate Spade beach bag, and my handbag camera for all those hot holiday snaps. What more could a girl possibly need?
makes you think, doesn't it
There's a very apparent split in SA right now between those who are bubbling with excitement for the coming elections, and those who go "when is it again? really? oh.". I suspect - but don't hold me to it - that that split also follows a similar line to that between those who support the ANC and those who don't. I could be wrong though.
What I've encountered is the latter - people who are resigned to the outcome of an election that has yet to happen. People who accept that Jacob Zuma will be our next president. And even if they are determined and excited about South Africa as a country, the opportunities it represents and living here - they're finding ways to do it in spite of the ANC being in power. Not because of.
I've read two articles this morning that again highlight for me the disparity between our country and what is effectively the first world. The world out there. I live here, and make my life here, and make the best of what we have here (it is a beautiful country with many opportunities, don't get me wrong). But I can't help it on days like today letting my mind wander to what it would be like living in another country...
The first article made me smile, and made me think about how something as simple - and universal - as childbirth can be approached so differently in different countries and cultures. I marvel at a culture that can make it seem so hip and inviting. This article makes me want to *be* French.
And while I'm musing on how fabulous this one little (but not so little) change in approach to something so intrinsic must make your life if you happen to be a French woman as opposed to, say, South African, I read this. A scathing portrait of our next (let's be real, shall we) president. A president with four wives, a rape charge, an angry dead wife. A portrait of a country not heading closer to the first world, but further away.
In less than two weeks I will cast my vote. And do what it may, the election won't take my mind from wandering elsewhere... Wondering if it can't all be done just a little differently. A little better. As a young woman living in South Africa, I'm unlikely to be offered la rééducation périnéale après accouchement or given a prescription for abdominal muscle training after childbirth. But that's what I want dammit!
So, a state that labours over discussions on the "true" causes of HIV and whether beetroot helps or not? Or a state that's moved on to other pressing matters, like getting my tummy back in shape after kids?
Flippant? Yes. But that's how I'm feeling today.
What I've encountered is the latter - people who are resigned to the outcome of an election that has yet to happen. People who accept that Jacob Zuma will be our next president. And even if they are determined and excited about South Africa as a country, the opportunities it represents and living here - they're finding ways to do it in spite of the ANC being in power. Not because of.
I've read two articles this morning that again highlight for me the disparity between our country and what is effectively the first world. The world out there. I live here, and make my life here, and make the best of what we have here (it is a beautiful country with many opportunities, don't get me wrong). But I can't help it on days like today letting my mind wander to what it would be like living in another country...
The first article made me smile, and made me think about how something as simple - and universal - as childbirth can be approached so differently in different countries and cultures. I marvel at a culture that can make it seem so hip and inviting. This article makes me want to *be* French.
And while I'm musing on how fabulous this one little (but not so little) change in approach to something so intrinsic must make your life if you happen to be a French woman as opposed to, say, South African, I read this. A scathing portrait of our next (let's be real, shall we) president. A president with four wives, a rape charge, an angry dead wife. A portrait of a country not heading closer to the first world, but further away.
In less than two weeks I will cast my vote. And do what it may, the election won't take my mind from wandering elsewhere... Wondering if it can't all be done just a little differently. A little better. As a young woman living in South Africa, I'm unlikely to be offered la rééducation périnéale après accouchement or given a prescription for abdominal muscle training after childbirth. But that's what I want dammit!
So, a state that labours over discussions on the "true" causes of HIV and whether beetroot helps or not? Or a state that's moved on to other pressing matters, like getting my tummy back in shape after kids?
Flippant? Yes. But that's how I'm feeling today.
a birthday to remember
This past birthday has been one of the most memorable of my life. I've never been a big birthday kinda gal, but I think I must have been saving up for this...
On the Friday morning before, I woke up to breakfast in bed and a note from R explaining that I was on my way to Cape Town (!) to be escorted around and about town for a jolly old time. I had no clue about this! I spent the morning packing wondering what on earth was in store for me, and which party dress to take with.
Imagine my absolutely surprise when I got off the plane at CT airport, looking for R's cousins to come fetch me, only to be greeted by my two schoolgirl friends from Durban! He'd flown them there to meet me! Arrgh! There were tears and laughs and more tears, but it was one of the most amazing moments ever. "Hey.. she looks just like... hang on! She is!"
The first thing we did when we got to the flat was open a bottle of champagne to sit and enjoy the view with. It really is a good view. Then it was time to sparkle ourselves up and off to a dinner where we wined, dined and laughed at the bad plastic surgery and cork wedges around us. Good times. And this is where the pictures start...
Saturday morning we spent at the Old Biscuit Mill - awesome food and my new favourite way to spend a Saturday morning. After stuffing our faces, Vanessa bought a camera which is really shit, which makes it really cool. Yeah, I'm working on that one myself still :)
Then it was off to the Design Indaba - but not before taking down Spar's rudely placed sales posters which were stuck right over Vanessa's head! How rude!
The must-do Cape Town sun-downers on Camps Bay followed...
Which, naturally lead on to a night of showing our stuff off in CT. The three Durban brunettes rocked, let me tell you.
It was a fantastic trip, and my birthday didn't end there - but more about that in another blog post as it's taken me long enough just to do this one :)
It was great to see Vanoodle and Nadja, and yes, we need to do that again.
A huge special thanks to my wubby, who gave me the most awesome gift ever. It's a weekend I'll never forget, and one I know he put a lot of work into. Thanks W. xx
[ps: there are more pics in my facebook gallery]
[pps: vanoodle has some beautiful pics on her flickr - you want to see them just to see them]
On the Friday morning before, I woke up to breakfast in bed and a note from R explaining that I was on my way to Cape Town (!) to be escorted around and about town for a jolly old time. I had no clue about this! I spent the morning packing wondering what on earth was in store for me, and which party dress to take with.
Imagine my absolutely surprise when I got off the plane at CT airport, looking for R's cousins to come fetch me, only to be greeted by my two schoolgirl friends from Durban! He'd flown them there to meet me! Arrgh! There were tears and laughs and more tears, but it was one of the most amazing moments ever. "Hey.. she looks just like... hang on! She is!"
The first thing we did when we got to the flat was open a bottle of champagne to sit and enjoy the view with. It really is a good view. Then it was time to sparkle ourselves up and off to a dinner where we wined, dined and laughed at the bad plastic surgery and cork wedges around us. Good times. And this is where the pictures start...
Saturday morning we spent at the Old Biscuit Mill - awesome food and my new favourite way to spend a Saturday morning. After stuffing our faces, Vanessa bought a camera which is really shit, which makes it really cool. Yeah, I'm working on that one myself still :)
Then it was off to the Design Indaba - but not before taking down Spar's rudely placed sales posters which were stuck right over Vanessa's head! How rude!The must-do Cape Town sun-downers on Camps Bay followed...
Which, naturally lead on to a night of showing our stuff off in CT. The three Durban brunettes rocked, let me tell you.
It was a fantastic trip, and my birthday didn't end there - but more about that in another blog post as it's taken me long enough just to do this one :)
It was great to see Vanoodle and Nadja, and yes, we need to do that again.
A huge special thanks to my wubby, who gave me the most awesome gift ever. It's a weekend I'll never forget, and one I know he put a lot of work into. Thanks W. xx
[ps: there are more pics in my facebook gallery]
[pps: vanoodle has some beautiful pics on her flickr - you want to see them just to see them]
an urban dweller
Discovery have a lovely set of promos on their channel - random little two minutes pieces about a person of interest. They never tell you who they're featuring so unless you recognise them or their work, you're in the dark, but intrigued.
The first one I saw was of a night club owner, the next a local artist Gregor Jenkins (him I recognized). Last night's was of Jackie Kwan, a young Asian guy living in Johannesburg practicing that strangest of all sports, Parkour. It's beautiful to watch, and you can't help but be in awe of him. And with that, I also felt a certain sense of pride in Johannesburg, the bustling edgy city that it is.
It's a simple video of a small piece of urban culture tucked away in an enormous city where only those who are looking really hard, will find it.
Unfortunately, the only version I could find online of the vid has been dubbed, but you get the idea:
The first one I saw was of a night club owner, the next a local artist Gregor Jenkins (him I recognized). Last night's was of Jackie Kwan, a young Asian guy living in Johannesburg practicing that strangest of all sports, Parkour. It's beautiful to watch, and you can't help but be in awe of him. And with that, I also felt a certain sense of pride in Johannesburg, the bustling edgy city that it is.
It's a simple video of a small piece of urban culture tucked away in an enormous city where only those who are looking really hard, will find it.
Unfortunately, the only version I could find online of the vid has been dubbed, but you get the idea:
play nice now everyone!
This is essentially a rant about social media.
While not many people use the incredibly stoic phrase "social media", it forms a part of most of our everyday lives. In fact, blogging right now I am "engaging in social media". It's intrinsic to almost everything we do, and more and more the "mainstream" sectors are starting to wake up to the power of this "social media" - cellphone networks have their own networking sites, fizzy drinks have mobile sites, ad agencies are making made-for-mobile TV shows, and PLENTY brands exist on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace to name a few.
My issue today, then, is that I am a digital native. I live and play in this world everyday. I love exploring new platforms, new arenas, new playrooms - I'm in Second Life, Club Penguin, I use Skype, MSN, Twitter, I'm trying to sign up for Habba... and my end frustration is - NOTHING TALKS TO ANYTHING ELSE!!!
For example... in order to Twitter on my iPhone, I need an application of some sort. There isn't an official Twitter app, so I download Twinkle - like Twitter, but allows for photo update. Great. Then I realize, the people available on Twitter aren't necessarily available on Twinkle. Those are Tapulous people. Not Twitter people. In several instances, they operate in both environments, but only if you physically cross over. So when I made a friend on Twinkle, it didn't reflect on my Twitter. Annoying.
Then, I see other people are using Twitpic to upload pics to Twitter. So let's try that. Issue NOW is, if I twitter a pic on the move, using Twinkle, it doesn't go to my Twitpic collection. I have to go back and upload it there if I want that stream to be a reflection of all pics I've uploaded. Annoying.
I'm working on different platforms - mobile and online - why can't my applications and logins reflect that while I needed to use different apps to access the system on each one, they're happy to talk to each other and play along? Why on earth, in this day and age of rampant personal publishing, internet stars and brand-agnosticism, do I have to remain true and faithful to one app? Huh? Tell me that.
And don't even get me started on my blog that wouldn't let me in because I used a different Google account for my Gmail than I used for my blogger....argh!
While not many people use the incredibly stoic phrase "social media", it forms a part of most of our everyday lives. In fact, blogging right now I am "engaging in social media". It's intrinsic to almost everything we do, and more and more the "mainstream" sectors are starting to wake up to the power of this "social media" - cellphone networks have their own networking sites, fizzy drinks have mobile sites, ad agencies are making made-for-mobile TV shows, and PLENTY brands exist on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace to name a few.
My issue today, then, is that I am a digital native. I live and play in this world everyday. I love exploring new platforms, new arenas, new playrooms - I'm in Second Life, Club Penguin, I use Skype, MSN, Twitter, I'm trying to sign up for Habba... and my end frustration is - NOTHING TALKS TO ANYTHING ELSE!!!
For example... in order to Twitter on my iPhone, I need an application of some sort. There isn't an official Twitter app, so I download Twinkle - like Twitter, but allows for photo update. Great. Then I realize, the people available on Twitter aren't necessarily available on Twinkle. Those are Tapulous people. Not Twitter people. In several instances, they operate in both environments, but only if you physically cross over. So when I made a friend on Twinkle, it didn't reflect on my Twitter. Annoying.
Then, I see other people are using Twitpic to upload pics to Twitter. So let's try that. Issue NOW is, if I twitter a pic on the move, using Twinkle, it doesn't go to my Twitpic collection. I have to go back and upload it there if I want that stream to be a reflection of all pics I've uploaded. Annoying.
I'm working on different platforms - mobile and online - why can't my applications and logins reflect that while I needed to use different apps to access the system on each one, they're happy to talk to each other and play along? Why on earth, in this day and age of rampant personal publishing, internet stars and brand-agnosticism, do I have to remain true and faithful to one app? Huh? Tell me that.
And don't even get me started on my blog that wouldn't let me in because I used a different Google account for my Gmail than I used for my blogger....argh!
more storage options
In my search for bookshelves I came across this. It's not especially pretty or fabulously designed, but it is an interesting idea in using space you hadn't thought of before to store your stuff if you're space-anorexic.
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