Very well, thank you.

Hello hello, first of all!

I can't believe about 15 weeks have passed since the last we met here. But then again, I also can't believe that I'm not 15 kilos lighter after carrying what seemed like a baby elephant few hours a day, 7 days a week for the past 4 months; so let's just get a move on, shall we?

Where should I start, really?

The last you know, I had a baby. And now I have something new for you; he no longer just sleeps and eats.

Erm.. surprise surprise?

Yes, baby had started to talk to us, play with us and most importantly, he's a master at manipulating us, the nerve! He's lucky he's got beautiful cheeks..

He's grown so much in such a short time that I'm afraid soon he will no longer be my little baby. But on the other hand, I can't wait till he feeds and cleans himself ;)

Perhaps when that happens, I would finally be more alive in this blogsphere! Amen to that!

Here's him with chunky thighs and my favourite round little toes. I love his bum although I must admit his farts are deadly with a capital D.

Goodbye, my loves. We will meet again when my next augmented few hours present themselves.

The bunny named Benjamin..

Timing of my contractions..

Was the wait worth it? I hear you ask.

Was the 9-month-long-food-abstinence worth it? Again, you asked.

Was the ripping pain all worth it? Too many of you asked.

Baby Benjamin, born 18th February 2011

Well worth it, I would gladly say ;)

After Benjamin arrived, it's hard to remember back on days of my pregnancy, except I had a big ball for tummy and that it kicked. And I was huge. And clumsy. And wanted cakes all the time.

Now, our world has decidedly changed. Mornings are love affairs when he smiles and yawns and demands food. Noons are often calm and peaceful with occasional coos from the baby in his cot.

Come night time or dawn, we pray he sleeps through a good 4 hours. As all babies should.

So far, the baby has been amazing. And I can read his signs better now; I just can't stop smelling and kissing him, that precious little darling..

I also should rest from all this talk about my newborn. For now, that is.

3 more weeks till after my confinement. Thanks for all your kind wishes.

I craved for it

A calm change has taken over the city. It's visibly brighter for a longer period day by day. And I love it.

Every morning, when I lift the checked curtains to take a peek at the temperature, my heart skipped a beat. Could it be? It must be!

I have survived my first winter in Oslo. Gone were the constant dip beneath zero degree. Of course, we do have days when an unexpected -7deg fell over the city, but instead of pouting like a grouchy old grandma, I kind of welcomed the cool.

Along with it, I also welcome the arrival of fresh pears in our local supermarket.

And because pregnant ladies can never have enough cravings, I baked a cake. A pear cake, to be precise.

It was a deliciously moist cake with sweet chunks of pear quarters sunk into its depths, spreading an aroma so luxurious, you would have thought it's fall all over again.

For that reason alone, I should tell you I've enjoyed my past weekend tremendously.

Well actually, no, not only that, I've also sorted our baby's closet. We now have tiny piles of 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, winter, 'Norway' summer and 'Asia' summer clothings neatly arranged for the near future. One can really get a kick out of organizing these miniature things, I'm telling you.

Oh, I should also update you guys that I'm officially as huge as a whale beached on the shore. Apart from getting all maternal seeing and touching baby's stuff, I really just want to plop on the couch and have Baby Hubz be my slave.

I politely asked and he declined the good offer, that evil love of my life.

But that's ok. I can always count on my backup feel-good plan: a hot cup of coffee and a slice or two of baked heaven.

There, feeling all better already ;)