9 Favourites for 9 Months

LADIES please take note: It has been rather up and down the first few months of my our pregnancy and I went through emotions and things I wouldn't wish on any human being but being pregnant is nothing short of amazing, I would do it all over again, yes even the nausea and vomiting. My second trimester has definitely been better than the first. IT DOES GET BETTER, maybe not sunshine and roses like it is for some pregnant ladies but hey we are ALL different.


I often sit back and think or even discuss it with my pregnant friend Cat - there is a tiny human growing in my/her belly - WOW...mind blowing to say the least...I finally get why anyone would call a baby a miracle.


Lil Loxton you are mommy and daddy's little miracle, God has truly blessed us and we love you SO much already! THANK YOU for changing mommies life for the better. One day I will get to tell you exactly how.


Today I thought I would share with you some of my favourite pregnancy essentials thus far.

1. One of the first things I purchased was Bio-Oil. I can't say that I love the feel of oil all over my skin but it has made my skin feel soft and some what smoother. Here is hoping that it helps to keep the stretch marks to a minimum. I am so freaked out I get more stretch marks - being "big" for most of my life I managed to accumulate enough of those but I don't want them to get worse during my pregnancy.
2. Easily one piece of maternity clothing I have worn the most! I have this top in 4 different colours.( LOL can you tell I like it?) They work well, I can wear them to work or as a casual top. They are so comfy as well. I bought them at Cherry Melon  - and they are currently having a sale - get on it!
3. Aaahh the Baby Sense book - this was recommended to me by my cousin and a few other friends who have already had babies. While I have done most of my reading/research on the internet this book sure is informative. Just keep in mind EVERY baby is different and books are simply guidelines to help you cope.
4. Pregne Creme is something I bought to use for those dreaded stretch marks, I use this in the morning so that my clothes do not get ruined by the Bio-Oil. Pregne Creme feels amazing and smells great. Let's hold thumbs that it works. I realise that if I am prone to stretch marks I am going to get them but like I have said many times before I am willing to try anything and everything to just keep them to a minimum.
5. PregOmega Plus Vitamins. I was told to use these by my gynae. Hey I have never been one to say Vitamins make me feel so amazing and give me so much energy but these are doing their job and are loaded with all the right stuff that baby and I need.
6. Woolies two pack t-shirt bra's...I have worn these pretty much since I had boobs big enough to put in a bra and well they have been working well so far. I just have a problem,my boobs are starting to get larger and I am struggling to find the size I need...frustrating to say the least. I have seen similar looking nursing bra's at Woolworths and I am hoping they have my size soon enough so I can buy them. A friend of mine has bought me some bra's in the UK and her sister is bringing them down for me this week. I am SO thankful to her...you actually have no idea how difficult it is to find a bra to fit, well a big bra that at least looks decent and that doesn't make you look like your boobs are muffining over hahaha, I mean why if you have big boobs should you be subjected to wearing something that not even my grandmother should be wearing.
7. THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD...My Preggi Pillow. This thing has honestly been the BEST buy so far and has saved my life - NO LIES...ask Wayne he will even agree. Last night he tried to steal it from me. HAHAHA I share but this is one item I refuse to share.
8. Pegasus nausea tabs, saved my life in the first trimester. My friend told me about these and I cannot thank her enough. Every time I felt slightly nauseous I popped a few of these and felt loads better.
9. Pegasus sleep tabs. Another item that is top of my pregnancy list. I went from no sleep to sleep the first night I took these tabs!

There you have it, some of MY best buys.

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 19

Dear Baby Loxton,

My little angel, we have had a great week! Besides how big my tummy is getting I can tell you sure are growing, because I am really hungry lately...like ALL.THE.TIME!

Yes, ok lately I have been a little emotional too but you can't blame me...I definitely feel a lot better in this second trimester though, these weeks have been the best so far!I even FELT YOU MOVE!!

Words will never be able to describe that moment! On Saturday I was laying reading a book and I felt something but I really couldn't be sure so I just ignored it but then on Sunday in Church - you kicked that I felt my hand move and my tummy shake...a tear ran down my cheek ( yes I have been rather emotional as you know) when I realised it was really YOU and all my worrying has been for nothing as you were just chilling out until now!

Honestly, it was the coolest thing I have ever felt and the most special moment in my life!

Lots of love!

Your Mom

19 Weeks

How far along: 19 weeks

Baby fun facts: Baby is weighing about 200grams this week and is roughly 15cm long from head to bottom! Baby's hearing is well developed now so he/she can hear us talk - SO awesome!

Pregnancy weight gain: 7kg now in total and climbing, so 370grams per week so far if you break it down. Decided to stop stressing and just enjoy my time being pregnant. I will say I am probably gaining due to the lack of exercise! Exercising three times per week or when I feel like it is just not good enough anymore! NEED TO GET MY ACT TOGETHER, no matter how tired I am!

Sleep: I have never been the best sleeper but having this pregnancy pillow does help somewhat. I have been feeling a tad bit uncomfortable lately though. No matter which side I lay on I feel pain, not a bad pain but I can only put it down to perhaps my uterus stretching to make more room for baby.

Food cravings: No, I am just hungry 24/7! I literally need to eat every two hours and if I miss that two hour mark you can guarantee that my stomach WILL be grumbling!

Food aversions: No major food aversions anymore. I am eating little bits of chicken every now and then.

Gender:We will find out soon!

Highlight of the week: Feeling YOU move!

Movement: Felt baby kick and from that day onwards I now feel baby move around 4am, 11am and around bed time. The movement is still subtle at the moment - I assume baby likes to be chilled like Wayne but when he is feeling feisty - I will feel a massive thud! Could we have a little future football star in there?! So cool but weird at the same time!

What am I looking forward to: I can't wait for Wayne to feel baby move! I am SO excited!

What I miss the most: Besides sushi and my normal clothes fitting - nothing much.

Worried about: Nothing this week. I am being more hopeful and trusting of late.

Most excited about: Finally buying items for baby's room so we can get our decorate on!

Making use of: Bio-Oil, PregoMega Plus, Vitamin C, USN Pure Protein, BCAA's, Pegasus Sleep and my PREGGI PILLOW.

Grateful for: I am grateful for all the wonderful things God has given me in my life and I am not referring to material things. I am grateful for the experiences, I am a better person because of them. I think God was simply preparing me or this miracle he has now blessed Wayne and I with...Baby Loxton.

Mediclinic Pregnancy Educationals

So we've decided to have baby at Mediclinic Panorama

They have a program called Mediclinic Baby and they host educational evenings,antenatal classes, give you a free Baby bag when you are in hospital for your delivery etc...go and check them out over here -  http://www.mediclinic.co.za/mediclinicbaby  

Being new to this as first time parents we will definitely commend them,they know their stuff. We have been to two educationals and we really have learnt so much in just a few hours from SIDS,Skin to Skin contact to post natal depression and the list goes on.

Each educational was not only informative but we got included in lucky draws and got given some great baby sample products.

Some of the samples received at the Pregnancy Educational

 

Thanks Mediclinic baby - this first time mommy(and daddy) sure feel more at ease.

Another HUGE thank you for my Huggies Hamper, those will sure come in handy!

Huggies Hamper

 

 

 

 

Little man or Little Miss?

Source of image

 
We know you have all been waiting patiently to find out if we are having a boy or a girl.

Truth be told Wayne and I have known since our 13 week nuchal scan.(sorry)

It has been tough to keep it quiet and to be honest even tougher now that I have moved my next appointment to the 13 of March, which means we will only reveal PINK or BLUE, once the doctor confirms it at that scan. The reason we decided not to announce it and rather wait until a second confirmation is that sometimes they can be wrong, very seldom but we decided to play it safe.

About 2 weeks after I found out I was pregnant I was sure of what we were having and well...you will all just have to wait another 3 weeks to find out.

PINK or BLUE, we LOVE you!

Stay tuned...

Valentine's Day

The day where couples express their love for one another. All around the world romantics traditionally exchange candy, flowers, gifts and perhaps reminisce about memories they have made together...well usually...

For most of my life I despised Valentine's day and used the excuse that Valentine's Day should be every day, simply just to cover up my hurt feelings, I guess simply because the guys I dated never bothered or it just so happened that I was perhaps single when Valentine's day came around.

The three years before I met Wayne I never really celebrated much and wasn't made to feel special at Christmas or my birthday by the so called guy I was seeing, but this year that all changed ~ Thank you Wayne :)

The morning of Valentine's Day: I was woken up to a beautiful card and Valentine's Day Coupon card...but that we shall keep to ourselves, after all not everything needs to be shared :P

V-Day Card

The afternoon of Valentine's Day: I was surprised at work with a surprise visit with hand delivered flowers and chocolates!

Flowers

The evening of Valentine's Day: I was taken to Rhebokskloof for a surprise picnic and outdoor movie night ~ it was so much fun to watch everyone all loved up and getting to spend an evening under the stars with the man of my dreams...THANK YOU again my babe! It was truly AH-mazing

Rheboksloof Valentine's Day Picnic

It didn't end there...on Saturday while at a braai with friends I was given yet another bunch of flowers followed by a massage voucher as a 'post' Valentine's Day gift to share with one of my best girl friends!

Way to make a girl feel special. I am not the type of girl who ever expects such treatment but boy did I sure feel special...it is amazing how your view of a certain day due to past circumstances can be changed in an instant when you have someone who loves and cares for you and is willing to show you exactly what you mean to them and how much they appreciate you.

I am still wearing that smile you left me with Wayne Loxton.

I love you...

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 18

Dear Baby Loxton,

The weeks are seriously just flying by baby! 

I hope you are getting as excited to meet me as I am to meet you.

Your uncle Jared leaves for Thailand soon and I am so excited for him but also sad that you may not get to meet him until you are much older and that kind of sucks but we can't hold him back from exploring and we will travel to Thailand to visit him. 

I can't wait for you to explore and to see Thailand with us....it is the most beautiful place (to me), well besides your beautiful soon to be home town, Cape Town, Thailand is just amazing.

Love you SO much,

Your Mom

18 weeks

 

How far along: 18 weeks

Baby fun facts: Baby is weighing about 190grams this week and is roughly 14cm long from head to bottom!They say the size of a sweet potato to be exact, I guess they mean a large sweet potato.

Pregnancy weight gain: Oh dear we are up to a whopping 6.6kg with roughly 22 weeks to go - KILL me now. They say from week 20 you should gain around 0.45g per week...HELLO! That will mean that I gain 16.5kg in total...I think I feel sick to my stomach.

Sleep: Nothing has changed much in this department

Food cravings: Could Food in general be a craving, if so then yes..any food and I will be your best friend. Hungry is just an understatement these days.

Food aversions: I have managed small amounts of chicken and salad - so maybe this will get better. This isn't a food aversion but bad smells are really getting me gagging lately..so strange!

Gender: Soon Soon.....

Highlight of the week: Spending time with my grandfather!This may sound boring to you all but our family cannot be sure of how long my gramps has left to live so each day with him is a highlight in my life and a gift.

Movement: Just those muscle twitches I reported last time.

What am I looking forward to: The Doctor to confirm that my dad just has a cyst on his brain and that it is benign....we are holding thumbs!

What I miss the most: My clothes fitting comfortably.

Worried about: Sometimes my list of worries seems to go on forever but worry gets a person nowhere. Even though my list of worries is long, today I am going to say nothing because God is in control.

Most excited about: This may sound strange - but my little brother leaving for Thailand. I am going to miss him SO much, we have really become close the last 5 months but I am so excited for him to start this teaching adventure in Thailand...and I must confess I am slightly envious of him as this is something I always wanted to do yet put off because of people not wanting me to go or people telling me it isn't a good idea...yes you get my drift, most of my life I have lived trying to please people and not myself....I am working on this every day.

Making use of: Bio-Oil, PregoMega Plus, Vitamin C, USN Pure Protein, BCAA's, Pegasus Sleep and my PREGGI PILLOW.

Grateful for: My family!

 

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 17

Dear Baby Loxton,

You and mommy have had one busy week!

We have been back and forward to the hospital, visiting your great grandfather. We enjoyed a picnic with dad, a braai with Aunty Monique and Uncle Martin and you attended yet another educational :)

I hope you are learning as much as I am from these educationals....then you can help me out when you arrive hehehe or is this wishful thinking on my behalf?!

It has been a good week, a few times I have even thought I felt you move but I cannot be sure.

Lots of love

Your Mom

17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks

Baby fun facts: Baby is weighing about 140grams this week and is nearly 13cm long from head to bottom!

Pregnancy weight gain: 5.4kg to date! So roughly 0.31grams per week so far. Weight is climbing at a rapid rate and if I keep this up I will be feeling about as sexy as a hippo in a thong :-/

Sleep: Same story different day. I long for those nights that I used to be able to fall asleep easily and sleep until 11am...those days are definitely a thing of the past and baby has not even arrived yet.

Food cravings: I think it is safe to say from the amount of cheese we now go through in the house that this is definitely what I am favouring during this pregnancy...it is SO delicious!

Food aversions: Still Chicken but hey hey..NEWS FLASH, I ate a little bit of salad this week - YOU GO GIRL!

Gender: I bet some of you wish the 13th of March would just hurry itself up already!

Highlight of the week: Spending time with my grandfather!

Movement: Feels as though I have muscle twitches around the left side of my belly button and some days it feels as though I have things crawling under my skin on my belly -  but I cannot be sure if this is baby or not. It is difficult to tell when you don't know what you are waiting for.


What am I looking forward to: Besides the scan on the 13th of March, I cannot wait to start decorating babies room!

What I miss the most: To be honest, I can't say it is something I really miss because as we grow we lose friendships and life goes on but this week I sat back and reflected on life in general and it saddened me in a way to realise who my true friends are but it made me happy in another sense because I now have a life filled with real wholesome friendships and I smile knowing my life just gets better and better every day.

Worried about: My grandfather, but casting my fears onto God, it is totally in his hands.

Most excited about: Becoming a MOM and the Anomaly scan coming up!


Making use of: Bio-Oil, PregoMega Plus, Vitamin C, USN Pure Protein, BCAA's, Pegasus Sleep and my PREGGI PILLOW.

This week I want to add a "Grateful for"section...

Grateful for: My mom and Wayne - they have been nothing but supportive, loving and my best friends during this time.

 

Styling "The Bump"

Let's get serious for one second...when you feeling large and frumpy who wants to get up, dress up and show up right?!

This is THE best time to actually dress up and embrace this feeling that you are going through! So style that bump ladies, get outside and rock it!

Here are some tips to styling "The Bump"

 

Wear black - Ok, ok not all the time but on the days you feeling on the chubby side, wearing black always makes you appear slimmer.

Style your hair and do your makeup - I have been curling mine and styling it as opposed to leaving it straight or tied up and it does wonders. So does doing my makeup.

Accessorise - Accessories always compliments an outfit and shows the world you haven't given up completely yet! There is nothing worse than someone who doesn't care about their appearance.Make an effort.

Maxi dresses or Maxi Skirts - Sooooo comfy and suits the preggi look, it isn't comfortable wearing something you can't breathe in or that squashes your stomach.

Belt it - Accentuate that belly, belting it will show where your belly begins and may avoid people thinking you just had an over share on the buffet lunch.

Fitted jackets - Layer it and who cares if it doesn't zip up or close

Maternity Leggings - Invest in a pair, once you do you will understand why I say so ;)

Avoid baggy pants - These may leave you looking larger than you actually are 

Wear fitted tops - Bulky is not a good look

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 16

Dear Baby Loxton,

So you are the size of an Avo now they say...Avo I love Avo, especially on pizza. I hope you like pizza one day just as much as your dad and I love pizza!

Your dad and I were talking recently about traveling. We have traveled the world a lot already, but separately unfortunately we have not yet had the opportunity to travel together. We were hopefully going to plan a trip this year but we have put that on hold and are anxiously awaiting your arrival. We look forward to traveling the world with you soon!

The world has so many opportunities and places to visit. It makes me sit back and wonder what you will be and do when you grow up.

The world is your oyster my baby!

Love you more each day.

Your Mom




Um, hello! 16 weeks already?!

Would time mind standing still for just one second..if that is not too much to ask of course. The fact that I have been so busy at work has made the time seem like it is going by at an extremely fast pace. I haven't had much time to myself lately, feel as though I am on the go ALL the time.

I have been rather miserable and on edge this week. I reckon it is due to the fact that I feel as though I have cravings but I have no idea what I am craving..strange but true. Perhaps I am just really hungry lately.

It has also been a rather emotional and sad week for me. My grandfather ( aka Beeba) has been diagnosed with stage 3 Liver Cancer and Doctors have given him 3-6 months to live. I write this with tears in my eyes as it breaks my heart. I couldn't picture my child growing up perhaps never even meeting this man...a true legend in my life. I love him with ALL of my heart!

Moving on to a happier topic - I went for a checkup at my gynae this week. All is well, we heard babies heart beat and Doc was happy with all at the visit. Mom is healthy and so is baby. Smiles all around! (No he did not scan, that we will do on the 13th of March)

16 Weeks

How far along: 16 weeks

Baby fun facts: Baby is the size of an Avo this week and weighs around 100grams.

Pregnancy weight gain: Weight gain after just the weekend was a whopping 1.4kg! Possible due to the fact that I ate like a pig and had a large pizza all to myself...miss piggy!

Sleep: Better but still nothing to write home about. My dreams are crazy but I am only getting up once a night to wee now - yay for that!

Food cravings: I think I am craving FOOD in general...I want something but I cannot for the life of me tell you what that is - so frustrating.

Food aversions: Still Chicken and anything salad!

Gender: Almost there...3 more weeks and then you will know.

Highlight of the week: Spending time with my grandfather! Appreciating the fact that I have had him in my life for over 30 years. I tell you I am one lucky girl to have him as my grandfather!

Movement: Nope....



What am I looking forward to: The scan on the 13th of March.

What I miss the most: The gym...training at home when I have the energy just isn't the same..think it is time to change that.

Worried about: They say you shouldn't worry, cast your fears onto Jesus and he will take care of them for you.

Most excited about: Getting confirmation on Baby Loxton's gender.




Making use of: Bio-Oil, PregoMega Plus, Vitamin C, Supashape Diet Whey, USN Pure Protein, BCAA's, Pegasus Sleep and my PREGGI PILLOW.