beloved bel

For some time I was toying with the idea of a maternity photoshoot.  A part of me said "nah, you don't need it", but the other part longed for some lasting beautiful memories.  When I chanced upon this particular German photographer's maternity pics on Instagram, I fell in love with her works and reached out to her sometime in October.  Turned out her prices were pretty reasonable by London's standards.  Katharina's based both in Cologne and London, and she requested that I pay a deposit of £50 first, and we agreed on a date for the one hour shoot.  With that I hoped that she would turn up on the agreed date, time and place.  To be honest it was quite a mission and when she was uncontactable leading up to the day, I told K that my £50 has probably gone down the drain. Finally on a sunny wintry morning in Danson Park in Bexley, Kent, she turned up with her family no less.  See, she is a stay at home mum, and for shoots such as this, she will always...

So two weekends ago before the weather warmed up, we woke up to a light dusting of snow, which got me all excited if you know me by now.  It was pretty light but the weather forecast showed that it would snow more throughout the day.  Oh how fun! K prepared breakfast for both of us in the kitchen and the whole time I was so mesmerised by the falling snow.  I even Facetime'd my family to show them the falling snow and my cutie pie niece asked me "is it raining cats and dogs?"  (Ok, I am pretty sure I didn't know this phrase when I was 3). And they had to explain to her that no, it's snowing in London, not raining.  She was clearly more interested in the presents under the tree at great grandma's that afternoon. The snow got heavier nearer to lunch time and it was such a nice fuzzy feeling to be wrapped snugly and warmly in the house looking outside.  I think that is how baby girl is feeling right now too. Washed all her cloth...

*cue Christmas carols in the background *cue some snow I thought I'd be blogging much often now that I'm nesting at home, and taking it (very) easy.  Concerned friends have been texting me asking if I have any news yet and for that, I am very thankful for the love and concern, especially from back home.  K is very envious of my life these past two weeks.  Well at least until the baby arrives. I do wake up when K wakes up at 730am, sometimes taking a toilet break.  He kisses me goodbye and leaves for the 7.46am train.  Sometimes I will check my phone for overnight WhatsApp messages, or scroll through social media until my eyelids feel heavy again and I doze off, waking up around 10am.  (Does anyone else agree with me the dozing off feeling is the best?!)  I will slowly waddle to the kitchen to make breakfast (some toast and a cup of tea, or some breakfast cereals and a cup of tea) and put on the radio or Christmas songs.  Oh did I tell you we...

This is it.  I said a temporary goodbye to my colleagues last Friday, and to be honest, last week at work I didn't do much.  My manager wanted my maternity cover to do most of the work whilst I make sure he does it correctly so I was just busy meeting up with people for coffee catch ups, showing off bump (heh) and saying good bye.  Baby is doing well, and growing well too, so well that a lot of people were very concerned when they found out we have not packed our hospital bag.  Karen the team assistant, keeps reminding me "Belinda, oh look at that bump!  Not much space left!  You need to pack that hospital bag!"  And Phil who sits beside me, keeps reminding me that his daughter came a month early and they were so ill prepared he doesn't want the same thing to happen to us.  I always laugh and say "ok yes we will Phil.  This weekend!" and he would always smile and shake his head and reply "if it happens, you know I've warned you.  Yes I a...