frombrotherswithlove

He was 10 days early on a Thursday night and a full moon in the sky.

After 3 days of leaking water (I thought it was pregnancy incontinence), I finally went to the hospital full of excitement, joy and absolute dread of the first time.

But there was nothing that could have prepared me for what was to come. The birth itself was a doddle, really, I pushed 3 times and it was over. But deciding on a natural birth, the 5 hour contractions were absolute hell. I could always channel the pain away, but they just kept coming ever stronger and faster. Horrendous. The baby arrived at 11pm.

‘It’s a boy!’ “Thank God for that!”

The next half an hour was just a blur! I was shown the pictures afterwards with black mascara down my cheeks and a baby boy in my arms and I have no memory of them being taken.

‘Next time I want epidural!’

‘Your favourite – carbonara with wholewheat pasta and baby spinach salad!’

Given a choice between white and brown I’ll go for bolognese wholewheat pasta with fresh parsley, mince beef & brown rice filled red peppers, rye bread with pumpkin seeds…anytime. Love a good steak (medium) and liver with lots of onion and fresh basil and parsley. Turkey roast or risotto with broccoli and chicken also my favourable choices.

Green tea with lemon and an espresso on waking up, musli with walnuts, brasils & almonds for breakfast. Fresh fruit for snacking on, especially got a taste for freshly squeezed Orange juice! And lots of Water! Pure and simple!

I was taking a folic acid supplement (vitamin B) for the healthy spine of my baby, even though I was 4 months gone. And that was the only difference to my otherwise healthy diet of everyday life before the baby.

My sin – chocolate (every day still) and occasional glass of red wine.

But never ever did it cross my mind to eat for two!

‘Congratulations! You are just over 4 months pregnant!’
‘Wow! I’m expecting a baby! What? What do you mean just over 4 months?’
I simply didn’t know. It was just after winter. My cycle was regular, I wasn’t sick once, my weight didn’t go up…..well, not a lot, just the winter blues.
After I gave up the pill turning 30 ( I was on it for
9 years), I was expecting a baby at the age of 32.
So exciting, I was over the moon and very much ready! Perfect time for me.

The boys, Leo and Raph, started their journey of life in a mountainous village in the Alps, where they led a very active life from the moment they took their first steps.

Now living in England, they are discovering the gorgeous Essex town living through school, sports, new friends and the deep love between them.

This is their journey in words and pictures which I am trying to make as fun, uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.

Love you forever!