I have lots on my mind to blog about for a change, but first things first I need to introduce the newest member of family van Niekerk to you:

Erin Julia, born at 11:22 am, Wednesday 08 December 2010. Weighing in at 3.25 kg’s and at 52 cm’s long, and too beautiful for words.

1. The super-nasal’s have kicked in. I remember this from last time. Of the 5 senses I think a heightened sense of smell is the only one that’s just not cool.

2. My brain is taking strain. I was adamant in my first pregnancy that the much spoken about pregnancy porridge brain was a myth. I felt I actually proved it was by holding down a full time job, changing job role and studying part time – graduating top of my class to boot – and only loosing my keys once. This time I don’t have the studies, but I do have a toddler and perhaps that swings the scale. I ran the washing machine last week with detergent, fabric softener and … No clothes. I left the basket of dirty clothes right next to the machine and walked away.

3. More sensory anomalies: I am so noise sensitive. I get riled up at the first hint of a repetitive sound and I can not tolerate 2 people talking at once. Both quite unavoidable circumstances with a 2 year old in the house.

All is well with our household though, our new house household (at last), and mom and baby are growing well. We are closing in on the last straight, 7 weeks to go from tomorrow, and I wish it were sooner, except for the part were nothing in the nursery is ready…

1. Less awe at baby’s development – we are no less amazed at the miracle growing inside me, but this time it isn’t like discovering a whole new thing. I was 12 weeks before I subscribed to a pregnancy calendar

2. Less fear of doing things wrong – I know this time that it’s difficult to break a baby. Not that I am taking unnecessary risks, but if something happens (Like catching myself several mouthfuls into the Biltong before remembering ‘Oh hay, this is dried raw beef’) I don’t beat myself up about it.

3. People treat you as less special. People swoon over first time pregnant women. Your second child? ‘Oh, that’s nice’

4. You treat yourself as less special. Let’s face it, there is a house to run, a job to do, and a toddler who wants your undivided attention. There is less time and energy to be spent on feeling and behaving pregnant. Because if hubby does meet you at the door, you’d rather he entertain the toddler for a few minutes than fret over him not carrying your bags like he did in the last pregnancy.

5. Less silly purchases – in baby stuff and in maternity clothes. By know you know what works for you.

6. No guilt free eating – last time I shoved my face full of everything I felt like, because of course I would be able to loose it all after. But 4 times as much fat as baby does NOT simply drop off when baby is born. And newborns put terrible constraints on your exercise times.

7. I have become painfully aware of how little weight some other pregnant women pick up – women who look fantastic 5 weeks, and 12 weeks post partum, and it took me 14 months and some drastic measures to get within short-sitedness of my pre-preg weight.

8. Enjoying my boys last few months of being a single child. He has no idea how life is going to change! And I can let him grow up without lamenting the loss of my baby boy, because he doesn’t need to be my baby anymore.

9. Knowing I will cope. I was a complete novice last time – no baby experience at all – it’s good not to be so worried about coping.

10. Where are my fantastic finger nails? My nails were the best they have ever been last pregnancy. This time they re their same old brittle splitting selves.

We told Aidan this week about his new sibling on the way. He is 21 months old, so has no idea what we are on about, but tries to repeat what we say anyway, with some amusing results:

“Aidan is getting a yittle mister”
“Aidan is getting a master”
Before finally pulling of “Aidan is getting a sister”.

But the reaction of laughter he got from the “Aidan is getting a master” comment means that he still deliberately uses that mispronunciation sometimes

Yes my boy, we are all getting a new master, if my recollection of your early days is correct!

What happens if I have a baby girl who isn’t as beautiful as my little boy?

A baby girl!

We found out today that Aidan is getting a little sister and we’re getting a whole world of chaos all over again.

Estimated due date 18 December, so for anyone wondering that makes me just past 16 weeks

We’re so happy!