Last weekend

Last Sunday Seb and I woke up to a sunny day and slightly cooler weather. Saturday had been in the 90s with 78% humidity and I actually never left the apartment. So on Sunday we decided to take advantage of the beautiful day and took the subway up to the park. No Citi biking for me at this stage.. I think Seb is more worried about my biking skills and lack of safety concerns than I am worried about keeping balance. We had a delicious breakfast at Le Pain in the park, indulging in Hazelnut flutes with their Nosiella spread while admiring all the gorgeous puppies around us. Seb was mostly looking at all the babies, suddenly they are everywhere!

Then we walked around for an hour before heading up to the farmers market and a mexican lunch. We took the subway back home and crashed on the couch eating homemade pizza and watching football like the americans we are becoming. 

How far are you along? I'm 39 + something. Starting to lose track, all I know is that it can start anytime now. Due date September 23rd, which still feels an eternity away. But when I start counting days I realize that it's coming closer. 

Total weight gain? 45lbs. 20kg. As you can see in the picture above, my feet do not approve. 

Any stretch marks? One little tiny purple mark above my belly button. It hurts bad when the baby decides to have a party! 

Are you having a lot of movement? Yes, same as before. Just not enough room for the baby to move. I can feel his/her frustration when it can stretch out. 

Food cravings? Not in particular. I'm just trying to eat so I have energy if the baby decides to come. 

Maternity clothes? Well, stretch at least. All I want is to wear jeans again!

Belly button in, or out? Neither. It is completely flat. Looks really strange, but I thought I would spare you with an image. My belly has dropped a lot just these past two days so the shape is really strange. 

September

September is finally here, and although it is still 90 degrees out, I can't help but dream about pumpkin muffins, long walks in Central Park, seeing in leaves change and finally being able to wear clothes again. I can't wait to wear my jeans again!

This pregnancy is almost over and I feel bitter sweet about it. I am so curious to see who the little fellow is and I am completely over this weight gain/ feeling so sluggish all the time. With that in mind I am also nervous about what is coming. There is no way for me to prepare mentally for having this life change, I try to visualize Seb and I with a baby this fall and it is difficult. For some reason I think it is easier looking 10 years down the road and seeing us as a family. I'm looking forward to being on the "other side" of this pregnancy and having this experience. It will definitely change me as a person and my priorities will most likely change. I just wonder HOW it will change me. I will most certain love my mother even more, if that is possible…

A lot of people ask me if I'm afraid of giving birth, or being in labor which sounds more accurate. I walked passed a woman on the street last week, she was clearly in labor and her partner was trying to wave down a cab. She looked terrified. I can't say that I feel scared. I don't know what to expect. So far this pregnancy I have always excepted the worst and the reality has not been so bad. A lot has to do with attitude and of course I'm very thankful for having such a smooth ride. At this point I look at the birthing part as a competition. Blood starts rushing in my body and the feeling I get is just like before a important game or a heavy lift at the gym. I get pumped and can feel the adrenalin. We'll see how it actually will feel once it starts.

I got treated to a baby shower on Saturday with my volleyball friends. Janelle, who hosted, is also pregnant due in January and could not believe that showers weren't apart of the swedish tradition. I feel so blessed having so many wonderful and generous people in my life. It is difficult being here "alone" going through this big change in life. I miss my family and I miss my friends. Although we have each other, sometimes we just need someone to take care of us. I guess we will always be kids and need that comfort. So having the girls get together and treat me to a delicious meal, giving me (the baby) gifts that they think/know/believe I need is such an amazing feeling. I am so incredibly thankful and feel a little more prepared now than I was a few days ago. They spared me all the silly games which I was very thankful for! As a swede my thoughts of this event is mostly, why is it only the woman that gets a baby shower? I felt a little bad for Seb, I don't know if he would appreciate opening gifts filled with baby clothes and blankets, but for some reason it feels very old fashioned. I am all for girls night out and such, but this baby is a part of both of us and is our responsibility. I also think it is hilarious when I see how uncomfortable many people are that we don't know the sex of the baby. Here it's either a baby girl or a baby boy. All the products are merchandised that way and if it's a surprise it is yellow. The stores and the people have string opinions on what is for girls vs. boys. So when I say I love grays and navy people assume I'm having a boy. Because why would you dress a girl in navy? Well dear readers.. We'll see in 1-3 weeks. Week 38 here we go.

Sköna dagar

  Idag uppdaterar vi från en solstol nere vid vattnet. Känns lite som semester faktiskt. Den senaste veckan har varit väldigt lugn. Alla mina kunder är på fest i the Hamptons eller Fire Island och ingen av dom bjöd med mig. Lite märkligt kan man tycka, men men... I morse hade jag sovmorgon och började inte jobba förrän 7.30. Efter en hel timmes jobb stod jag där och funderade på vad jag skulle göra med all min tid. Det blev en sväng till Chelsea Piers med min vackra hustru och sen en lunch på piren i solskenet. Där sitter vi nu och njuter. 
  Vi har ju varit tillbaka efter vår Sverigeturne ett tag nu, men det känns ändå lite konstigt. I vanliga fall är sommaren rätt slut när man lämnar Öland sista gången. Så när vi kom tillbaka hit igen kändes det konstigt att det fortfarande är 30 grader varje dag och att det forhoppningsvis är några varma, sköna månader kvar innan vinerjackan åker fram.
  Det blir en spännande höst nu när det är lite nya äventyr på gång. Svårt att veta hur det kommer bli. Hur trötta vi kommer vara, hur svårt det är och hur mycket man kommer orka jobba. För er som inte vet syftar jag såklart på att jag och Emily vill lära oss att prata spanska. Det blir en utmaning, men vi är taggade!
  Och för er som är nyfikna är min navel också inåt fortfarande.