December 2003 Archives
My festive season has been different from the kind I'm used to. There has still been the copious amounts of cold beverages, socialising and general merryment. However, instead of being safely ensconsed inside I have been sitting around in the sunshine, absolutely baking. I've sat on beaches, mountains and in the middle of nowhere, all the while being roasted. It's been great.
Currently I am in Blantyre pondering whether I can get back to Arusha for hogmanay. Who knows. A couple of thousand kilometers can take a while to cover.
Best of the season to you, and if I don't see you before then, happy new year.
Well hello again :o) been to my big 22 week Ultrasonic Scan and it was truly amazing!
We could see everything so very clearly...legs kicking, heart beating, jaw moving, the umbilical cord, even the blood pumping round the little one's body! This scan is done to check that everything under the sun is ok....making sure that the spine is complete, baby has all it's wee bits 'n' pieces, has plenty of fluid to swim about in, that the placenta is normal etc etc.
Everything is great but little Jnr has decided to turn itself upside down...way way down low...its little feet are just below my belly button now! So the Radiographer couldn't see everything she wanted to (like eyes and fingers etc) and wants me to go back in 2 weeks time. The poor wee thing was comfortable down there and this woman comes along and starts prodding about...baby was having none of it lol. She wanted to find out the sex too but couldn't as baby wouldn't open its legs! The scanner thing on my tummy was actually starting to hurt me as she was pushing down for so long so I was glad when it was all over....but mostly glad because baby is well and comfortable and kicking away :o)
Everybody is telling me that it is going to be a boy...because it is being stubborn....because it is lying low...because I crave savory things....because I have heart burn.....well I think that's all silly old wives tales and we'll just have to wait and see. I know I have been hoping for a little girl but I really don't mind....I just can't wait to be holding our little one in my arms. Paul is really getting into the whole thing now....he was at the scan with me and was blown away like I was....he has even been searching through my Babies' Names book!
Have a brill Chrimbo everyone and a fun filled New Year...catch you on the flip side! Lots of Luv, Nikki xoxoxox
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Hi folks :o) sorry it's been a wee while since I last posted an update.
Well things are fairly different now....you certainly go through many different stages during pregnancy!
I had a bout of the flu last week, and being the anxious expectant Mother that I am, I called into the hospital for a wee check up scan. The baby hadn't been kicking as much as usual you see and my vision was a wee bit blurred with all the sore heads (and they always tell you to check these things out) but of course as soon as the Doc put the scanner on my tummy, baby started doing somersaults....the Doc said that those scanners make liars out of the Mummies lol. They were all really nice about it. But everything is great now and I'm feeling lots better...just a little tired...but most importantly baby is doing really well :o)
I purchased my first batch of maternity clothes last week and god am I glad of them...very comfy indeed...I no longer have to hold the waistband of my trousers together with an elastic band! And now that I am wearing the maternity gear people are noticing my bump a lot more and I'm getting regular pats on the tummy. It's still not overly big but it's definitely there! And I thank god that the maternity stuff out there now is lovely and trendy..nothing like those horrible smocks/tents they used to wear ewwwww!
Well baby is kicking regularly now....usually late at night when I settle down or when there is a lot of noise about....like when I'm on the bus or in amongst people. I thought I had felt movement before, but nothing like this!...you know when you get those wee palpitations in your heart...well it's kinda like that..only in my tummy...a very strange feeling indeed but lovely all the same. Baby seems to pick up on me chatting to Paul or my Mum and makes lots of movement as if to say "I know you are talking about me out there" lol. I just wish I could see in there to see exactly what Jnr is doing! But I go for my big scan this Monday so I'll be able to see exactly what mischief baby is getting up to in the mama ship.
Paul and I have settled well into our apartment and are looking forward to Christmas…then come the New Year we'll be seriously preparing the baby's arrival in April.
Have a great Christmas everybody. I'll update you on Monday after I go for the scan anyway.
Oh and baby measures roughly 18cms now....about the weight and size of a banana!
Love Nikki xox
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As we say in the Old Country. Off to Norway tomorrow - all I seem to have done this autumn/winter is fly back and forth. Fantastic! Hoping for freezing weather with lots of ice and snow (skating, which I do badly and skiing, which I'm ok at) but nae such luck. Cold but no downpours on the west coast.
Have a fantastic holiday and Godt Nytt Ar!
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Over the festive season, I am going to Malawi to visit some friends. In my infinite wisdom I decided the best way of reaching there was by bus. However, it is rather a long way.
Currently I am in Morogoro having spent my whole day yesterday on a bus accompanied by a moumental hangover. This was all made that little bit better by temperatures of about forty degrees.
My hangover had been anything but my fault. I put the blame firmly at the feet of football. Celtic vs Lyon was all too much. I found a pub that was playing it, but due to the three hour time delay, the game did not finish until 12.30. By the time I eventually got home, it was late. A few hours sleep later and it was five am. Time to get up, and go for the bus.
Anyway, tomorrow I am going to Mbeya, in the south of Tanzania, before heading for Malawi. This is the middle of summer and it will be absolutely roasting. If only there was a bus with air conditioning.
Thank you for all your great comments about the programme, it seems to be the general consensus round the building so I can safely say we're chuffed with that. Did the blog give you any insight into the making of a feature?
Would be fun to do another blog stylee programme, from a totally different perspective. Any suggestions?
Have I told you about BBC's other blogging project? Check out www.bbc.co.uk/islandblogging
Martin from The Copydesk was telling me World Service are also getting involved in blogging. Will have to check & find a link to that.
Am updating a feature I made in August, due to go out on 2/1-03. It's called "After the Raid", it's the story of Karen Serir and her husband who were arrested under the Terrorism Act earlier this year. You see? no rest for the wicked. In between I'm planning Xmas presents.
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This was the last week of school before the Christmas break. So, we had a variety show. I taught some kids in my class a few Beatles songs and a David Bowie number. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves, belting it out.
It really is tough when term is only twelve weeks long. I've got a whole month off now before school resumes. The hard life of a teacher.
It's done! Blogday is now up and running and sounding good. Tra la la...
Had some techy problems tonite dubbing programme onto CD but Graham saved the day. Graham aka superwhizz editor (production coordinator in BBC speak) fused all the funky sounds together. Many thanks!
I know tomorrow is going to be a bit of an anti-climax after days and weeks of putting this all together. Kinda strange that no one is left in the office either. Probably means more time to read and write blogs I expect.
It's late so I'll be scooting off home, think I'll sleep late tomorrow... mmm...
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"I've got Blogday down to about 1hr 26 mins per this lunch time. That means over an hour to lose by tomorrow hopefully. Have decided not to use the audio blogs. Listened again this morning, content in some of them is great but quality is not. Shame.
Faz is in the process of finding archive and clips for me, have got some funky music but can't begin to experiment with that until I've chopped the programme down some more.
It is very difficult. I've now met some of you and am familiar with all your voices and stories. Maybe we should have made a two-parter? Will try and include everyone.
Has anyone heard the trails? There are currently 3 versions, one on the language of blogging, one with Polkadot and another with Heartland.
Hopefully, this is me online again.
Going for a wander down Byres rd to get some lunch, usually make my own but wasn't really inspired this morning."
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Hello there :o)
18 weeks preggars now and growing....my bump has just appeared from nowhere! I was showing a little but over the weekend it has formed into a right wee round mound....and im all happy :o) I'm also happy because Paul and I are now in our new appartment and things are going really well...I feel a lot more content...so does he. I called over to Mum's last night to get some things and my Dad was like...huh has he thrown you out already...lol.
I start taking my iron tablets today...which will make me feel not so knakkered...although this past while i have been feeling grand...maybe it's cos I have so much going on with the new appartment and that...my wee mind is always active..therefore I don't get bored and tired? Who knows! But the main thing is I feel great, unstressed and relaxed...and baby is healthy.
The blood tests that I got taken at my 'Booking In Appointment' where all clear which is great news. Now I can sit back and chill and let nature take it's course :o)
That's all for now folks....Nikki xox
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