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For anyone who is still wondering, the answer is – we don’t know.
Unlike most of our generation, we wanted to find out, and actively sought an ultrasound to check. Why? Because thinking up 1 set of names is easier than 2, and much as I hate buying gender-specific clothing, the annoying shops of Australia have distinctly pink or blue clothing. (Rather than the dark grey, moss green or pale yellow offerings all over Europe. Why I didn’t buy more clothes there, I don’t know.)
Anyway, the ultrasound was inconclusive. Baby was covering its crotch with its hands, then had its little legs crossed on top of it, just to make life difficult. The sonographer’s final verdict was “60% girl” because he “couldn’t see any boy bits.” Which, as far as we are concerned, is as good as saying 50/50.
So we wait with bated breath.
The next “natural” question that I have been incessantly asked is “What does it feel like?”
Honestly, I don’t understand that question. Granted, it is fun to wonder. But when someone (ie – many women I meet who comment on my belly) starts to take such things too seriously, it really annoys me. Besides, if you are a stranger, why do you care?
So, what am I supposed to be feeling??? Firstly, no: I can’t feel a little penis or vulva rubbing against my uterus: which is a muscle, not a sensory organ, in the first place. Secondly, how the f*ck does a male or female fetus feel like? The unscientific nonsense about boys being more active, and girls being more …I don’t know what… is yet another sexual label that I hope not to impart to my child, whatever sex it ends up being. Thirdly, how does what I dream about have anything to do with what sex the child will turn out to be? Believing in dreams is a bit like believing in organised religion, good for some but not my thing. And fourthly, how does what shape my stomach is, what food I crave or how my face looks like have anything to do with it? If someone can find me evidence that such “methods” are consistently proven successful in predicting the sex of an unborn child, please let me know.
If you are going to ask me questions, I think the emphasis should be on how mum and dad are doing (Great!), what our dreams are for our child (Many!), or some other meaningful question about my health, how I’m looking after myself, and how well and happy I look. Or better yet, talk to me about me, rather than my baby. Because my existence doesn’t stop at being a mother or having a child. I would like to hope that I am still a capable member of society (on top of being a sleep-deprived milk mamma) with interesting ideas and valued opinions. If you care about me (and us) please keep that in mind.
On 4 Dec 2008, the day after my birthday, I did a pregnancy test.
It was positive. I was about 2 weeks pregnant.
I broke the news to P, and spent the rest of the week feeling really tired and laying on the couch at every opportunity. If I wasn’t worn out, I was eating way more than I normally do, and if you’ve eaten with me you know I have a very healthy appetite!
Other than needing to sleep more, I’ve been pretty much my normal self. I feel great, my body is changing in a way that is magical (Oh god I sound just like I am frolicking barefoot in a leafy forest) and I am loving being pregnant.
I don’t have much nausea, and only puked once from eating too much muesli and yoghurt. My body is craving lots of Asian food and noodles, and as long as I’m not eating muesli or Sultana bran for breakfast, I feel great. I’ve been cooking rice porridge in my slow cooker (aka crock pot) overnight, and the welcoming smell of rice and ginger in the morning has been a delight.
At 12 weeks, I had the ultrasound and saw his/her beating heart, little limbs and big head. Baby was about 6cm (tiny!) and I am still wearing my tight jeans (WooHoooooo) but probably not for much longer… (Thanks JW for keeping me company and being as thrilled as I was!)
Our baby is due in mid-late August 2009 and P will return from Timor when I am approxiamtely 22 weeks.
Apologies for the long absence.. P has been away and I am coping or shall I say, getting by. However, now that he is coming back, I’m getting a new surge of energy and finally emerging from my little shell.
Also, I got some great news yesterday: my permanent residency has been approved! Yay! I’m now mostly Aussie.
Wednesday is always my favourite TV day. 2 of my favourite cooking shows are on back to back.
Who needs Nigella Lawson when you have the lovely Maggie Beer cooking with the cute Simon Bryant in “The Cook and The Chef“? Simon is a spice nut, and they cook some adventurous, interesting things that I would love to taste. They also use odd things like tripe and sea cucumber (both of which I don’t mind eating), and they certainly don’t follow fashion nor any sensibility other than to celebrate the fresh produce they find. Some people complain that they aren’t using any accessible ingredients or easy cooking techniques, but the ideas they give me are so inspiring I don’t really care!
The mouthwatering odyssey is enriched by Food Safari, with succulent cinematography and great recipes. Some of my favourites are guacamole, paella, Spanish tortilla and last but not least, the tiramisu (my favourite dessert) which I will have to compare with this earlier recipe I found. The recipes are authentic: cooked just like how my Mexican and Spanish friends make it. One day I’ll have to get an Italian to show me how they really make tiramisu.
Then my life will be complete…
Today I got 2 emails that said “hello friend”. One from an old friend, and one from a new friend. On top of that, I got a very pretty card from an eBay friend. It’s a great boost, especially when I’ve just had a rough day at work and am tired and sleep deprived. I just wanted to tell the world I’m happy today. I don’t often share much about how I feel or what makes me happy, and this will probably not happen again for a while.
So long for now. Back to being silly-smart-odd.
First, I quit work. The day after that, I celebrated my birthday. And the day after that, I flew to Christchurch, which is where I am right now!
If this is the first you hear about me quitting, it’s been a long time coming and I’m so glad I’m not working anymore. I’ve never been this happy about leaving a job, but it’s a long story and you can ask me via phone, email or IM if you really want to know!
I also had a wonderful birthday dinner, with very yummy tiramisu from Madonna’s Pizzeria for a birthday cake and had an unexpectedly large amount of presents so THANK YOU to everyone who brought me something. And thanks for making my birthday absolutely brilliant.
I barely had time to enjoy being old before I was off again, first thing the next morning! I flew to Christchurch yesterday and have been relaxing with my CouchSurfing hosts here all day yesterday. I was just too buggered to do anything else.
Today, after a good night’s sleep, adventure awaits! More news, and photos, when I get organised! Stay tuned!
