Our Maternity Shoot

I am loving the pictures we had taken in the month of May at the Kirstenbosch forest in Cape Town.

We originally had it planned for the Saturday but as Mother Nature would have it, it stormed a few days and the night before our shoot. I was so bummed and I couldn't imagine prancing around the forest knee high in mud with a massive belly and the photographer Samantha from Sunkissed Studio agreed!

We opted to watch the weather and move the shoot to the Sunday. The weather seemed to work with us (YAY) but I was still concerned that the pictures may not come out that nice as the ground and trees were still a bit wet and well I of course felt "whale-like" and swollen; but obviously my worries were pointless....they came out great!

This isn't the first shoot that we have done with Samantha so it is my own stupidity for worrying so much, as I knew we were in good hands...she did a fantastic job!

On the day we had a few laughs, I am sure Sam will agree...me with my rather large belly not as quick and agile as I used to be and Wayne with his bad back from the car accident he had, had the week before were not the best combination and helping each other up off the floor at times was just too hilarious for words!

All in all it was a great maternity session...have a look for yourself...these are some of my favorites...reminds me of some sort of Fairy tale...

 

~ The End ~

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 32

Dear Baby Loxton,

This week was yet another busy week but this week was also an exciting week, your mom turned 31 years young and your great grandma turned 70!

For a 70 year old she sure looks amazing ~ Still Fabulous at 70!

So on Wednesday we celebrated my birthday at Pancho's in Observatory with the family. This is one of my favourite Mexican restaurants and it was your dad and your first time there! I hope you enjoyed the food as much as I did!

Friday we met with our Birth Photographer, her name is Marysol from Blomerus Photography. Her work is absolutely amazing. I came across her website after a friend of mine sent me a link to a birthing video. All I can say is if people do not cry looking at her work or watching her slideshows - they have no heart.

I have had her contact since January and I also had her price list since then but truth is we didn't really have the extra cash to hire her until one day I sat back and thought - this is such an important moment in our lives how could we not do it. I made a plan and we are hoping with everything, that all runs smoothly the day you decide to arrive and she manages to capture the special moment which will be your BIRTHDAY!

After meeting with her on Friday evening things just felt even more real for me and I left the meeting filled with excitement but fear set in, fear of how painful this birth might be, fear of something going wrong but most of all fear that I may not be a good mom and I want to be the best mom when it comes to you. I just keep reminding myself that your dad and I will be the best parents we know how to be and that will be just fine!

Saturday I had a belated Birthday breakfast at a place called Isabella's with a few of the girls. It was so nice to catch up with them all and the food was divine. Trying all these new places with me hey -you certainly get around Lil man lol.

After the breakfast I raced home as we were hosting a "High Tea" for your great grandma's 70th - that was a hit and it was really awesome to catch up with the family and get a skinner session in with the cousins....girls will be girls.

Sunday was Church and this time Aunty Megan joined us. Was so good to share the word of God with her and our friends Catherine and Clinton. In church you gave me quite a scare though. I honestly thought.."This is it" we are going into labour and I crossed my legs waiting for my water to break,but you were just teasing i reckon.

All in all, regardless of the excruciating pain I am in - it was a good week!

49 days to go until we get to meet you!

Love you madly

Your Mom

32 Weeks - Every week I look worse in these pictures! Terrible!

How far along: 32 weeks

Baby fun facts: Baby is the size of a squash and it is definitely getting "squashed" in there! He is getting ready to make his way into the world and last time we checked he was in the head down position. Next weeks check up will let us know if he is still in that position or not - holding thumbs that he is because he feels like he is all over in my belly at the moment..I cant really tell where is head is, he moves way too much.

 

Pregnancy weight gain: Judging from the picture above - you may make your own assumptions and I will not hold it against you lol!

Sleep:  Still nothing. I want to cry...I now have a pinched nerve in my back and I have now tried to sleep sitting up - that was a huge cramp in my neck...fail!

Food cravings:  Nothing.

Food aversions: No.

Gender: A boy :) I cant wait to call him by his first name!

Highlight of the week: Loads this week! Getting spoilt on my birthday, meeting our birth photographer, spending time with my girls and celebrating my grans 70th birthday.

 

Movement: Big movements and often now. I can feel when he gets irritated if I am sitting in a position that he perhaps feels too squashed in.
 
What am I looking forward to: His arrival!

What I miss the most: Cry me a river..fitting into my really thin clothes, walking without the pain of a pinched nerve, sushi...the list is endless this week.

Worried about: I am worried about a few things but no point in worrying...my body was designed for this thing they call "Birth"

Most excited about: Meeting Baby Loxton...come one man.

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

 Grateful for: The amazing friends and family I have!

 

Baby Loxton's Baby Next Picks

So...I just have to share! 

I am totally in LOVE with Baby Next Clothing. A friend of mine came down from the UK and bought our Lil guy an outfit from Next and well one thing led to another and I just couldn't resist so I purchased some (ok, ok his grandmother purchased some - I just chose them) items to get the ball rolling hehehe

Purchasing on an overseas online store can really rack up your "plastic" and what I mean by that is the items may only cost you R420 but Customs here, in lovely SA will charge you a whopping R275 to just release the parcel that is technically yours because you bought and paid for it already! They are so scared you might sell it and make money...quite pathetic if you ask me.

No matter what you purchase be it R5 or R5000 they will charge you R19 handling fee and then they will add a 40% customs fee as well as add 14% vat on to that figure - something like that, I got bored listening to the customs official when he was trying to explain it - I just wanted my goods man!

Anyway, enough ranting. I got the goods and they are so darn cute! I cant wait to dress Baby Loxton in them. Deep down inside I actually want to write - I can't wait to play dress up with Baby Loxton but then you might all think I am going to be a bad mother and I think I am giving birth to a doll or something LOL

Our Lil man is going to look so handsome in these items and I can't wait to purchase some more of their clothing...I have to control myself otherwise I might purchase one of each item they have on-line!

I think I have an obsession with stars - this poor child

These lil high tops are just to die for and are going to look SO cool with his jeans Aunty Catherine bought and his Jacket Aunty Leigh-ann bought!

 

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 31

Dear Baby Loxton,

I know, I know I am a bit behind with these....I don't have a real excuse for this. I have been extremely busy at work and working late most evenings BUT that doesn't constitute as an excuse...I guess being busy at work + third trimester = lazy and zero motivation!

The weekend we met up with Aunty Kerry at Treats, a little coffee shop in Durbanville and oh my gosh the cake was AH-mazing! Cheesecake of all things, your mom is not a cheesecake fan but since being pregnant with you, I love cheesecake - go figure?!

Your movements are getting really intense and a lot more these days which I am guessing means you are running out of space in there. I wish I could talk to you and find out how you doing in there but I know we will have plenty of time to "talk" when you are born. I don't mean to sound impatient but it feels like that day is forever away.

We are officially in the single digits though as far as weeks go....SO crazy right...it blows my mind every time I think about it.

As much as I want to have you here, in my arms, rest nicely in there my Lil man...just for a little while longer.

All my love

Your Mom

31 Weeks

How far along: 31 weeks

Baby fun facts: Baby is the size of a pineapple this week. My boy feels like he could be about the size of two pineapples next to one another lol...I am feeling BIG. All five of his senses are in working order and his irises now react to light - how cool is that! Such a little miracle in such a BIG boy!

 Pregnancy weight gain: All I am going to say is I can feel my stomach has gotten bigger but I am still not weighing myself.

Sleep:  Still nothing. To be honest this has gotten even less due to the Pubic bone pain and coccyx pain I am experiencing now....terrible, just terrible.

Food cravings:  No, I just want to eat but it feels so uncomfortable when I eat. Even a cup of coffee feels like too much right now. My food often tries to make the great escape via my throat...I often have a lil vom in my mouth - Oh the joys lol...I STILL wouldnt trade this for the world though - call me crazy.

Food aversions: No.

 

Gender: Still a boy :)

Highlight of the week: When the weekend arrived. Sounds lame right but I look forward to my weekends these days as I need to rest after my long work week. Receiving my baby shower pictures were also a highlight this week for me.

Movement: His movements are very intense and are a lot more than usual. His movements at times hurt me. No more of those cute little fluttering feelings. He full on jabs me now.
 
What am I looking forward to: My birthday next week

What I miss the most: Feeling thin :(

Worried about: The birth. I don't know what to expect and I am starting to worry again if I am going to be a good mom or if I am going to get this right!

Most excited about: SO much but especially OUR future!

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

 

 Grateful for: Having a roof over my head in this COLD CPT weather

 

A love and appreciation letter to my Baby Daddy ~ Wayne

Dear Wayne,

I say so many things to you but I rarely say the one's that matter....

I ask you to help wash the dishes or hang up the washing.

I ask you to pick up my vitamins from the pharmacy when I run out but what I don't tell you is...

I love the way you hold me tight even when you feel my ADD self pulling away to go and do something more practical.

I love the way that no matter what pregnancy hormones are surging through my body, you simply smile and tell me how much you love me.

I love the way that when we bicker you are the one to say you are sorry first, most of the time - and I know this is because no matter what, fighting with me is one of the worst things for you in the world.

I love the way you tell me every day how beautiful I am and you don't get upset or stop telling me so when I reply by saying I think you are blind.

I love that you would drop what you are doing in a flash to do something for me.

I love that from the word go you have been a hands on dad (to be)
 
I love the fact that you want the best life for us and you will stop at nothing to make that happen.

I love the fact that you would give your last just to see a smile on my face but most of all

I love the fact that you want to be the perfect dad for our Lil guy...in my eyes you already are and I know in my heart he is going to feel the same.

I appreciate you more than words can say and I love you to the moon and back.

Love Tarrin

Project Nursery

This is a very exciting post for me to write. In the month of March we began to work on our Little Boy's room. I cannot wait to show you a few shots of our baby boy's finished nursery.{Coming soon}

Shortly after finding out we were expecting. I started searching on Pinterest (here) for nursery ideas. We settled on the colours white, grey and aqua with an Elephant theme. I was so flooded with ideas and I wanted to decorate the room with all of the things we love until he is old enough to decide and make the room into something he would like ( I hope he likes what we have chosen) to avoid total chaos with all my ideas, I made a mood board and we took it from there.

Pinterest Mood Board

We converted the old office in the house into the baby's nursery.We were so excited to transform it! We removed the built in desk and some of the furniture in the room. It already had laminated wooden flooring so basically we had to remove the curtain and curtain rail, close up all the holes and cracks in the walls and then paint the entire room white.

See my previous blog post on the first phase of the nursery (here)

I really wanted to  have a grey and white stripe feature wall in the nursery but the shops here just wanted to charge ridiculous prices for wall paper so my mom suggested that we try paint the grey stripes that I wanted and well it came out perfectly.

See my previous blog post on the second phase of the nursery (here)

At first when we decided on the Nursery theme we were not aware that we were having a baby boy and we didn't want to go with your conventional boy or girls nursery so we chose something neutral for now until he decides to pin up Superman posters and have Batman bedding (if he is anything like his daddy and that is ok) BUT for now mommy, daddy and granny were the interior designers so we just went with our hearts on this one.

I am not the best when it comes to Interior design. I always see ideas that I like, have the vision in my head of how I want something to look but being the Gemini that I am I can never quite stick to finishing the task that I start.

So I made a list of steps to follow and this sure helped me to stick the the plan.{ Maybe this will help you, maybe it won't}

1. Find inspiration on Pinterest or other websites and base your idea around one feature or theme.
2. Measure the space you have to work with.
3. Create a digital mood board
4. Decide on the colour scheme.
5. Decide on your focal point and work around that ( In our case the Grey and White Stripe wall)
6. Buy your key furniture for the nursery. (Cot, compactum,rocking chair,toy box,floating shelves,crib) See the blog post I wrote on some items we bought or received as gifts (here)
7. Clear out the room, fill cracks, paint and let the room dry and air for a few days.
8. Spring clean the room before you move key items of furniture into the room.
9. Order the wooden blinds.
10. Decide on what other accessories, bedding and furniture you need.
11. Go search for those accessories on line, at shopping malls and even antique shops if needs be.
12. Order accessories if you need to and make sure you leave enough time for manufacture and delivery so the items arrive on time.
13. Think about whether you would like a rug in the room or not.
14. Consider your storage options for clothing as well as toys.
15. Once you are all shopped out then think DECORATE, so get to arranging and hanging etc. 

So other than a few custom made bits and pieces, this room is pretty much set. Wayne, my mom (and I) have worked hard and all had a part to play in the completion of this little guys room. We still need to get the items up on the walls, so as soon as they arrive we will do so and then take the pics to post them for you all to see.

All I have had in my mind the entire time is: "We need to get this nursery done before baby arrives" and I am SO glad we have managed to do that, now I can focus on packing hospital bags and awaiting the arrival of our little one. Even though he won't be sleeping in his own room for the first few months as he will be in our room in his Bassinet, I just have peace of mind knowing it is complete (well almost barring the few items we need to hang up which will not take long to do) and we won't have moments of chaos in the house just after he is born.

I really have so many people in my life to thank when it comes to this nursery. Firstly, the man in my life, Wayne - he has been really amazing helping out with the painting and styling of the nursery. He helped pick out a lot of the items and he was really hands on with the entire project. I am just so thankful that he wanted to be a part of it all - no bribing needed.

My mom for being our project manager and also my mom and gran for buying a lot of the baby nursery items that we needed - what would we have done without you?!

My dad for helping to put up the shelves and giving his five cents on our painting techniques (LOL)

My best friend for giving us the rocking chair and last but not least, Wayne's parents for buying us the baby monitor for our Little Boy's room!

I just feel so thankful that I can now go deliver this baby with a big smile on my face knowing that everything is done and in its place.

Mood board of actual items I bought for the Nursery

I am so happy with the outcome and now we sit and wait for the arrival of our baby boy.
We cannot wait to walk into the hospital as a COUPLE and walk out as a FAMILY. We are so blessed.

We cannot wait to meet our 'Lil Wayne'...

Project Nursery Phase # 4 ~ final touches

We have been waiting for the last few custom made bits and pieces to arrive so we can put them up on the walls in the nursery.

I am not the most patient person so this has KILLED me ( tick tock, tick tock). So far most of the items have arrived but I am still waiting on one wall Vinyl which seems to be more tricky to create than we had imagined. We have gotten someone to draw a picture of what we wanted and now we are just waiting to see how the vinyl print turns out...holding thumbs.

Here are some pictures of the last few finishing touches and once the last Vinyl arrives, I shall take final pictures of the nursery to post them here on my blog for you all to see.

 

So Wayne put the final touches into the nursery like the champ I know him to be...I am SO in love with him!

1.  He hung up the mobile
2.  He put up the vinyl quote on the wall
3.  Hung up the star banner by the window
4.  Hung up the picture that our neighbor Aunty Natalie made for us.
5.  Stuck up baby's name on the wall (we are not revealing his name until he is born so I won't show
     you a picture of that just yet.)
6.  and he installed the wall heater for our baby boy to keep him warm this winter when he is born.

 

So thanks my angel (Wayne). I appreciate it and I know your unborn son appreciates everything you have done for him thus far....we love you!

 

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 30

This week I welcome myself to the BIG 30!

Dear Baby Loxton,

We have made it to 30 weeks my Lil guy! Whoohoo, this feels like a massive achievement...another 10 to go but hey who is counting....ME! I am so excited to meet you.

Enough about that though, this week got me thinking about what a blessing you are. I know I have said this a thousand times over but what I mean is, you have given everyone, not only me a new sense of life!

You have gotten your dad doing handyman work (and he said he wasn't that good at it, not sure who he was trying to fool). Your great grandmother is knitting after who knows how many years. Your grandmother has taken her sewing machine out and has made pillows for your room, I haven't seen her sew since I was young. Your grandfather has helped put your shelves up and assembled your cot and I haven't seen him do anything but sit on a chair for the last year, he has had no motivation to do much since the cyst started developing on his brain.

Your dad and I sat this week and spoke about a lot of things but one of the topics were we wonder how it will be when you are here or even how you will be, your personality etc.

My boy, you have changed everyone's life and for the better and you haven't even made your appearance into the world yet.

We love you.

Your Mom

30 weeks

How far along: 30 weeks

Baby fun facts: So this week we went for another check up and he was weighing 1860g and he was facing down which the Doc seemed happy about. I just cannot get over our lil guys chubby cheeks, too funny and cute! Hi brain is getting wrinklier - to make way for all his essential brain tissue.

 

Pregnancy weight gain: Not weighing myself. My belly has definitely made its way into a few conversations and well some are not so pleasant. Hearing my grandfather joke and call me fatty all the time has gone from being funny to just plain depressing at times. When people ask if I am having twins I sometimes feel like I want to high five them in the face.

Sleep:  I have never been a great sleeper but I struggle more now than ever. I can't lay on one side too long as I get pins and needles due to the fact that baby is laying on a nerve. For obvious reasons I may not lay on my back and well you try laying on your stomach with a water melon attached and then we shall compare notes LOL

Food cravings:  Not this week.

Food aversions: No.

Gender: Boy!

Highlight of the week: Hearing my great grandfather say he cannot wait to see this baby. I pray every day that the Lord spares him until our Lil guy arrives!

 

Movement: His movements feel a lot different these days. I can't seem to tell if he is just moving around or actually kicking. When he does move, the movements are quite intense but I get days where he hardly moves and my gynae told me to relax, maybe he is just chilling.

What am I looking forward to: The next few weeks to fly by so I can just hold my Lil guy tight and love him.

What I miss the most: This week, that would be Sushi.

Worried about: Nothing really.

Most excited about: Getting my baby shower and maternity shoot pictures.

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

                                                                Grateful for: Wayne!

The Lil Loxton Bump ~ Week 29

Dear Baby Loxton,

So much to say and do and I feel as though I am running out of time as these weeks just fly by!

I have been pretty sick with flu this week. It seems mommy's immune system is taking a knock or perhaps it is just the change in season as winter has arrived, well I think the weather is confused to be honest as one day it is raining cats and dogs and the next the sun is out!

The rain was really bad this week though and daddy had a tiny car accident but don't worry your little self because he is okay, the car is a little eina but that is getting fixed.

We  had our maternity shoot over the weekend. We had to reschedule it to the Sunday due to the rain.Even though I felt like a whale prancing around Kirstenbosch forest having pictures taken I kept reminding myself all these changes that have happened to my body are so worth it because YOU are growing inside of me and I can't wait to have you in my arms! Your life is far greater than the few kg's I have gained.

Two parcels arrived this week as well. One from the UK, your grandmother ordered more clothing for you online..these onesies and high tops are too cute for words! The most important parcel was one "From China with Love" ~ Your Aunty Catherine, Uncle Justin and baby Eli sent you such beautiful clothing..I can't wait to dress you in them and send them pictures!

Aunty Catherine included some pregnancy goodies for mommy in the parcel too as I cannot get them here in SA and I am ever so grateful to her for these items - she is such a life saver!

Love you little guy.

Your Mom

29 Weeks ( Still half asleep in this picture)

How far along: 29 weeks

Baby fun facts: Roughly the size of an acorn squash ( feels more like a watermelon to be honest). At week 29 some websites claim that he will triple in weight before he is born. I sure hope not as he is above average at the moment! Can you imagine we would be looking at nothing less than a 5kg baby! Like they say websites are just estimations and all babies develop differently.

 

Pregnancy weight gain: As I stated in my week 27 post I will not be weighing myself. Seeing the scale climb weekly is depressing. I will let you know what I gain in total once baby has been born.

Sleep: None what so ever this week. I nearly feel asleep at my desk a few times.

Food cravings:  Anything spicy. Samoosa's were on my mind practically every day this week.

Food aversions: No but still not really eating much salad.

Gender: Boy!

Highlight of the week: Maternity photo shoot. Well I was excited until the day that is, I felt rather huge...oh well!

 

Movement: Intense movement from our little guy this week. It is clearly becoming cramped in there.

What am I looking forward to: The birth of our baby boy. Okay please don't get me wrong, I am not looking forward to any of the pain I am going to experience but I just want him here already. Every night after work I walk into his nursery and potter about in there all the while thinking about how it is going to be when he is here.

What I miss the most: GYM, GYM, GYM and feeling fit and toned!

Worried about: Nothing!

Most excited about: Putting the last goodies up in the Nursery. Holding thumbs they arrive soon! My brother arrives home next week ~ teaching in Thailand wasn't for him and boy am I sure happy about that! I missed him!

Making use of: Palmers Butter,Vitamin C, Preg O mega Plus Vitamins. 

Grateful for: What is there to not be grateful for! When there is nothing, God provides - you just have to believe. This little baby has been such a blessing. He has brought this family closer and I am so grateful for that!

My beautiful Baby Shower

So where do I begin...this was one of the most special occasion's in my life and one I thought I wouldn't be having for many years to come. My Baby Shower breakfast was held at the beautiful Cassia Nitida Venue over looking a gorgeous view!

My mom took it upon herself to arrange everything and each tiny detail was just perfect! She was helped on the day by Lauren from POP! Events who assisted with the stationery items and setting up of the sweet table.

No amount of words would ever be enough to express how thankful I am that this day was made so special JUST FOR ME!

This day reminded me of just how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful family and friends.

As I have said above, everything was perfect from the invites sent out...

to the decor, to the sweet table, to the baby wishes when we let off the balloons into the sky...and the GIFTS...Oh my word - SPOILT is a slight understatement.

To Monique my dear friend, thank you for helping my mom and to another dear friend Leigh-ann, once again thank you for the delicious cupcakes you made for the sweet table.

To my mom, Michelle...I love you and you certainly outdid yourself yet again! Baby Loxton and I are so blessed to have you in our lives.

I will let the pictures that Taryn Nicol took of this special occasion speak for themselves...

Thank you to each and every one of you for making it a day I will never forget, for spoiling Baby Loxton and I and for just being a part of my life!