This week, I’ve started to sing to my baby girl. It started
because someone paid me a flattering comment about my “natural talent” that
should be developed…and made me realize that I don’t sing hardly enough (like I
used to).
Also, I started catching up with season three of The Voice (my first
time watching it) and am really enjoying it, singing along when I know the
song. And maybe dancing too…
This week was Thanksgiving in the USA, and we celebrated it
South African style. We met up with the same American friends as last year, and
had a braai (BBQ) of lamb, chicken, and boerewors (a type of sausage).
I made all the sides: Camembert mashed potatoes with garlic and fresh herbs,
steamed green beans, and glazed carrots (with orange juice, cinnamon, and
pecans).
Hubby and I were talking about tradition and the customs
that we want to pass on to our daughter. With her possibly growing up in South
Africa, we feel it will be very important to make sure she is connected to the
American and Mexican cultures and traditions. She will be a third-culture kid,
and every culture will have is place in our lives.
The
Bump and Baby
Center say this about Week 23:
“Turn on the radio and
sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby
can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just
over a pound (about as
much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your
clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing,
and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing
her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now —
such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't
faze her when she hears them outside the womb.
 |
| 23 Weeks: Baby is the size of a large mango. (source) |
At 23 weeks, baby’s really getting ready for her big debut,
listening in on what’s going on in the outside world. At about 10.5 to 11.8
inches and about 12.7 to 20.8 ounces, baby's not just getting bigger, she's
getting even cuter. She's forming little nipples (yeah, really!) Her face is
fully formed now -- she just needs a little extra fat to fill it out. She's
listening to your voice and your heartbeat -- and even to loud sounds like cars
honking and dogs barking.”
Pregnancy
Tracking Questions
How far along: 23 weeks
Size of Baby: Mango or grapefruit.
Sleep: Hubby has been waking me up at
4:00 a.m.; then I have fitful sleep until the alarm goes off. I’m having
trouble sleeping on my left side (recommended for adequate blood circulation),
and often am on my back.
Maternity clothes: I definitely need them! Most of
my normal shirts are not looking right anymore, even with the Bella Band. I
think my shirts from Target are going to go into heavy rotation now. Pants: I have
been using the Bella Band with my regular jeans, however, the jeans are not
feeling comfortable anymore and I have to adjust the band more often now. I can’t
wait to get home where I can buy some new and used clothing for cheap.On a side note, I think my face is filling out a little...
Stretch marks: Not yet.
Best moment this week: My belly dance performance. I’ll
have a post on that soon.
Miss anything: Turkey, cranberry sauce, candied
yams, and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving!
Movement: Hubby started to really be able
to feel her jabs and kicks this week. Brought a lot of joy to his eyes.
Cravings:
Cheas Naks. I talked about them here. They are my “crack” and I’ve limited
myself since being pregnant, because they don’t last more than two days in this
house.
Anything making you queasy or
sick: Nope.
Belly button in or out: In.
Looking forward to: Buying maternity and baby
clothes soon.
Song
of the Post: Wake Up (Dreaming of You) by Mark Haze. I wanted to highlight
another South African singer this week- He was runner up on the 2012 Season
Seven of SA Idols and is very talented (Even Simon Cowell liked him! See here).
The first video is an acoustic version of his first
radio released song, the second is the “official video” (but I don’t prefer it
because you can’t see him perform it really). What do you think?
6 comments:
Happy belated Thanksgiving! Those carrots you made sound delish!
Hope you are feeling well and not too homesick this time of year :)
I had never heard of the term "third culture kid" before. My kids are also
third culture then. Before they were 6 they spoke 3 languages as well, although a couple of months after we left Germany where they were born, they totally forgot German.
I love the African blackboard where you write the info about the pregnancy, so cute.
Hi, love your blog! And congrats on the baby you guys are starting on a great journey. I was wondering if I could email you privately as moving to CT from London next year and had few questions. Will try not bore you;)
Fi
I love how you incorporated such South African-ness into your Thanksgiving celebration! :)
Your child is going to have such a wonderful, rich heritage, third-culture kid indeed! Maybe the phrase tri-continental also describes her well. :)
Bringing some American traditions into our family is something that is VERY important to me! I find it hilarious because people here always think we American's believe there are Lions roaming the streets (only if the win the Curry Cup right!)and are therefore very naive about South Africa! But you won't believe how many South Africans I've met who believe Americans don't have a culture! My sons must know about my culture and traditions too! Keep it up! I think you've got a great thing going!
PS I'm also loving this pregnancy because it's the most photos I get to see of you! xoxox
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