Photo: taken by my fabulous sister J. with my dad's fabulous underwater camera.

When I booked my trip to Spain a few weeks ago, numerous people called me "brave" and articulated their concerns of me traveling at 31+ weeks pregnant. I'm so glad I didn't listen to any of them and just did what mini-me and my heart had told me: Get out and go!

Indeed I have not felt any better during my entire pregnancy than now. Warm sand has calmed my aches, mediterranean waves have rocked my baby, some of my favourite people have snuggled my belly and mini-me now responds to outside stimuli in such an impressive way. I couldn't possibly be more relaxed or happy.

I spent four days at the beach with my dad, my stepmother and my three siblings before my older sister and I took a bus to Barcelona and spent half a day shopping and half a day at the pool of our hotel in the city. I then settled over to dear friends for three days, spent my mornings and nights with them, great food and conversation, while using my days to stroll the streets, spent hours on subway trains or sitting on benches, observing city life around me. (Plus, I collected a bag full of smiles and winks and blinks by people passing by.)

It felt so right to be traveling again, which makes me optimistic for future plans (dreams), showing my baby the world and my special way of exploring it. Against all odds.

Mini-me decided to kick hard towards my back as soon as I sit or lay down today, so I'll be walking through Berlin all day, possibly taking a bunch of photos. Catch me if you can.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf via iPhone

♥

(I went to see a different doctor a few weeks ago just for once to get a nicer picture. He had to beat him hard to even show his face, but BAM!)

I went to see my midwife today and got to hear mini-boy's (YES! It's a boy!) heartbeat. Sounded like a real Berlin summer rave par excellence, I'm happy and convinced he's super fine. I got a bit worried yesterday after my doctor's appointment, but the midwife took away all my worries (thank you, thank you).

Today I am half way through my pregnancy, expanding like yeast dough and looking forward to everything to come.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

Status: g.r.o.w.i.n.g.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf via iPhone

Mini-Me just waved at us and danced around my belly. We're completely smitten.

(I have to say my doctor is not the most talented photographer in the world, but I love it, anyways.)

Time is flying and I lost my mind somewhere in between. Finally, my appetite is going crazy and the belly might be called a bump pretty soon. I had the loveliest company for the past few days and was treated with lots of love.

Things are getting more and more real every day, though I still cannot imagine where all this belly is going to grow to in the next five months.





All photos: Carolin Weinkopf via iPhone

So I've reached the state where it's starting to get hard to hide that belly, but at the same time it just looks like I ate 14 brickstones, but not as if I am pregnant (yet). The hormones are completely messing up all my thinking and all my doing, I always thought I would be this supercool, superrelaxed preg. Now I cry most of the day, read stupid mommy blogs and dream of baby clothing all night long. I've officially gone crazy and hope this stops really, really soon - or I might have to shoot myself.

Today we looked at really cool apartments we might actually get and might be able to afford (fingers crossed) - plus I bought the best-in-the-world rocking chair on ebay for unbelievable 3,83€. We're nesting, and it's actually fun (shoot!).

Since the hormones have also really messed up my usually quite crappy sleeping schedule, I might have to go to bed now and wake up fresh and fed with one more brick stone tomorrow morning between 5 and 6 am. Good night and good luck.




All photos: Carolin Weinkopf via iPhone

Maybe I secretly do have an idea what kept me from posting and writing for the past weeks... I just couldn't have kept it a secret.

It's incredibly hard to imagine and looking into the mirror I can hardly tell myself, but there's a baby in my belly, growing rapidly.

This wasn't planned and really surprised and confused me when we found out the day I went to Macedonia weeks ago, but by now the thought brings nothing but a big smile to my face. My bellybutton started sticking out a bit a few days ago and yesterday the doctor said we'll be alright.

The past weeks have been exhausting, but I'm glad that mini-me has already gotten a taste of Turkey, Macedonia, Israel and Palestine and has met such incredible people by the tiny age of 12 weeks. I can only hope that everything stays as uncomplicated and relaxing as it's been so far. I can't wait to see my belly grow. This is beyond exciting.