Antonis Tritsis Park

A few weekends before James was born, we were stuck for ideas on what to do on a gorgeous day in Athens with a toddler. Museums, planetariums and amusement parks were out of the question as Henry's still too young to really appreciate them (and stay entertained!) and while the zoo had been a big hit, we had gone quite recently.

I knew our requirements: sun, shade and a big field for Henry to play football in. We had visited quite a few parks on our location scout for the short film Hubby and I are in the process of finishing and one of our favourites was the Antonis Tritsis Park in Ilion.

The park had everything we wanted: wilderness, a large pond with ducks and turtles (which Henry loved), canteens scattered around for easy access to snacks and water, an environmental education centre, a mysterious abandoned railway track, picnic tables, lots of trees and an unexpected reggae festival. It was so fun to bop around to Bob Marley with Henry, the sun shining and a beer in hand (well, Matt's hand!).

On the weekends they also hold an organic fruit and veg market where you'll also find locally produced honey and other bits and pieces. 

The park is definitely worth a visit for a chance to get away from the hubbub of the city and suburbs -- and it's great for small and older kids alike. We'll definitely be going back with our new addition!

All photos taken with my iPhone and edited with the Afterlight app.

Do you have any recommendations for Athenian excursions?

Welcome!

So, this happened on May 22 2014 at 3pm. I'm writing this from the hospital bed with my little angel asleep next to me. He's more adorable than I could have ever imagined. I'm trying to soak up every second of him as a newborn. I wish I could bottle up the newborn baby scent. I hope I'll never forget the wise look on his puffy little face, and his slow kitten-like movements. He's so quiet. Like a little mouse.

We're taking him home today to meet his big brother. I can't wait to make the introductions!

The Last Time

If all goes to plan, this will be the last time I'm ever pregnant. I  haven't even given birth yet and already I feel nostalgic that this stage of my life has come and gone so quickly. Admittedly, we did plan it this way as I always wanted my children to be close in age (and I only ever wanted two), but I never expected to feel so melancholy about it.

After this baby, I will never feel what it's like to pee on a stick again and wait nervously (excitedly!) for the results.

To feel what it's like to have a little secret no one yet knows.

To feel the miracle of having a new tiny little life growing inside of you.

To go to the OB/GYN to see it for the first time; a small black dot on a screen that means the entire world.

To watch my belly grow with every passing month. To feel new life moving and kicking inside of me. 

To moan about heartburn from morning until evening. 

To monitor his size by comparing it to fruit. 

To receive kind smiles from strangers and to be able to cut to the front of the queue. 

To wonder about what he'll look like and who's funny traits he'll inherit.

To wait patiently for his arrival; keeping myself distracted with little things. Excited to think that he could come at any moment...

And then there's the whole newborn stage. I'll be reliving all of that again very soon -- but for the moment, it's pregnancy I'm already missing.

Henry was not a happy bunny in these pics! Photos were edited using the A Beautiful Mess Lightroom presets.

Take a look at photos from my last pregnancy here.

We've Got News!

Yep, there's another bean on the way! Henry's going to be a big brother! I can't imagine him being a big anything but, yep, it's happening!

I always wanted my kids to be close in age, one reason being I want to try and recreate the relationship I have with my sister (we're only 18 months apart). So as soon as my doctor gave us the ok, I knew we would start trying right away. Much like the first time around, I never expected it to happen so quickly! I fell pregnant when Henry was about 5 months old. Having kids with only a 14.5 month age gap just sounds crazy to me. But so exciting too!

I also like the idea of going through the baby years all in one go. It's going to be tough with two under two for the first couple of years - gosh, I know that - but after those first few years, I'll be able to throw myself right back into my career and into trying to get my body back to looking somewhat like what it used to. I'm not going to complain. I don't think I've actually had it THAT bad as far as my body is concerned. I think my boobs still look great (even though they do look like someone else's boobs entirely which is something I had to get used to), I haven't spotted any stretch marks and the baby weight was slowly but surely falling off.

But, now, that's all changing! I don't need to worry about losing the weight just yet and I can bask in the happiness that is pregnancy once again. I loved being pregnant and I just hope that this pregnancy is as good as my first one. So far, so good! Actually - even better. I had nowhere near the amount of nausea this time around as I had with Henry. Let's see how the rest of it goes...

We had our 13 week ultrasound today, and I was really hoping they would be able to tell the sex. The technician did have his initial suspicions but I won't share those just yet...

Yet another thing to look forward to!

4 Weeks

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We hit the 4 week mark today. This little man entered our lives in a funny little whirlwind, and here we are, 4 weeks later and I can't imagine what my life was like before Henry. I'd thought I'd be getting these weird moments where I'd look at him and wonder who and what this strange little person is doing in my home (like I often do with my husband!) but funnily, that has yet to happen. I feel a closeness to this little dude that I've never felt with anyone before. I feel like I've always been a mother.

And there I was, almost a year ago, wondering and questioning whether I would ever develop maternal feelings. I had these doubts right up until the last stages of my pregnancy. But the minute he showed up, that all went out the window. 

He is so loved and we are so deeply loved up!

P.S. I'm not sure how many posts it will take before I stop gushing!

Did you ever have doubts about your maternal instincts?

*****

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In Love...

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Who knew such a love existed? I am completely and utterly, one hundred percent, head over heels in love with my little man. He arrived right on time - naturally and quickly and painlessly - just like a true gentleman (he IS half English after all). 

His big brown eyes and full head of hair charmed us all instantly. And every day he changes. Getting stronger (he has SUCH control over his head movements!) and bigger and looking more and more like a little human (luckily, he bypassed the alien/grumpy old man look as a newborn). 

We're so proud of our little bean. He is wonderfully perfect. So innocent, so sweet... and we intend to surround him with love always. He's made us so happy and we intend to do just the same for him.

Welcome to the world little guy. We can't wait to get to know you!

*****

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Almost There

 Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Mini Cupcakes from Vinta Truffles

 This is it! The final stretch.

Two more days until I check into the hospital for my induction. That is, unless this little guy decides to make an appearance before then! While I understand the reasons behind having to be induced, I'm also kind of sad that I'll miss out on the element of surprise of a completely natural labour: the false alarms, the frantic rush to the hospital, my water breaking in a humiliating way... Who knows? That may all still be in the cards!

What a week, though! After suffering an excruciating toothache since Wednesday last week, I finally took the plunge and had an emergency root canal done yesterday. A root canal and labour in one week! No one can possibly question my high threshold for pain. I am so thankful that I won't have to greet my little man with all this pain going on in my face. I can finally focus on his arrival!

Next time I post, I may just be a mama...

*****

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The Last Weekend...

Today, it's hit me...

This is the last weekend hubby and I will spending on our own. My due date is fast approaching (March 8), and while there's a good chance our little bubba will turn up before then, he will not be staying cosied up with Mommy past that day. Whatever happens, we've scheduled an appointment for an induction on Friday March 8. We were recently told that our little guy has got his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice, and while the doctor is not worried about this at all (almost 50% of babies are born just fine with the cord wrapped around their necks) he's advised against going past the due date in case the extra weight gain causes complications.

So, this is it! We will definitely (all being well!) have a baby to cuddle this time next week. It probably sounds like I'm exaggerating when I say that it still hasn't sunk in, but I'm telling you, this is all so surreal! And yet, I really can't wait to meet this little companion of mine of the past nine months.

What will he look like? Who will he take after? What sort of disposition will he have? So many questions which will soon be answered. 

How did you feel when you were expecting?

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