Hi Mom!

Hi Mom,
As you requested, here is a photo of my growing belly. 25 weeks. Not that much further to go. Am I really that big? Yikes. Enjoy! :-)

Fall Weekend in Scotland and a visitor!

It has been so nice to walk through the park this week. The weather is crisp and 'fall-like'.

Highlight of this week.. a special visitor from London! 

My good friend Pablo came into town to see our new digs and experience Glasgow. 

We had a great day yesterday visiting St. George's Square, the Glasgow Cathedral, the Modern Art Museum, the Hunterian Gallery and dinner out at a local pub.  Today we took a tour of Brent's School - which is a popular tourist attraction!

Friday Checkup

I visited Southern General Birthing Hospital yesterday.
The campus is sprawling.. old buildings next to new buildings and a lot of current construction going on however... one of the new buildings is the Maternity building (below). Hurray!

I visited with a midwife who gave me LOADS of information on parenting classes, books on pregnancy, coupons, all sorts of goodies. I had some blood drawn, a scan (baby's face is now really developed - a real little person!), filled out paperwork and visited with a doctor.  Everyone was very friendly.
Although I am giving birth at Southern General (a 15 minute drive from our place), I can take parenting classes and have my next checkup at the Western Infirmary - which is located just on the other side of the park from us. 

My next checkup is in 4 weeks and I think the parenting classes (starting in January) will really give me a chance to meet some new mums like me (as this neighborhood is baby central in Glasgow.) That's about all for this week.  Brent and I saw the town last night.  If you haven't seen it.. HIGHLY recommended.  Not only is my good friend from high school's husband in a leading role (he's "the driver"), there is a scene with my actual high school in it (as well as the final scene takes place in the McDonalds parking lot where we would all hang out after school).

Very cool!
xo

Geeking Out in Scotland

Last night, I went to a dinner at the University of Glasgow sponsored by Girl Geeks Scotland. It was super! I thought of it as a great opportunity to meet other female entrepreneurs, tecchies and media geeks.  They have 1 meeting every month all over Scotland and luckily, last night was Glasgow. There were women speakers - American Venture Capitalists from California - currently living in Glasgow - as well as an owner of a Creative Agency based in Glasgow. Everyone was super friendly. Below is a photo from an Edinburgh meet up.

Shopping! and moving on..

We have been doing a little shopping this past week in baby prep.
First we visited Ikea to check out beds, matresses and other things they have to offer (a 15 minute bus from our place).  Did not buy anything yet but, still managed to spend 80 pounds. How did that happen? Damn you IKEA! (fist shaking whilst typing this)

Yesterday, I visited the Glasgow Pram Centre. They have upscale brands, middle of the range and everything inbetween. I went with my new friend Michelle from Montreal, who is due mid January and her partner is at Glasgow School of Art with Brent. Funny, right?!  We have spent quite a bit of time with them and have really enjoyed eachothers company discovering a new city together. The Pram Centre is located in a LARGE warehouse next to an auto garage.

Michelle finds one she likes. It is a good deal too!

The finalist! I'm a little 'over' the whole stroller shopping debate therefore, am ready to get one and move on. The babystyle Oyster referred to my via my friend Elena in London. It tested #1 on the UK consumer reports site which.co.uk and most importantly, it the most lightweight in the market (with a nice basket for shopping).
Not a bad looking stroller either.

I have my first midwife appointment this upcoming Friday. They are going to do a checkup, scan and give me a major amount of info of parenting classes.  At least I have the CPR covered. :-) ps: if you know anyone in Glasgow looking for a CPR class, let me know!

Girls Just Wanna Have....

I know I've kept the pregnancy posts to a minimum however, over the past few days I feel I've had a dancing baby in my tummy ALL DAY (and night) LONG.  I imagine her dancing around to 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' bopping and jumping around like Cyndi Lauper.  I forgot how absolutely fun this video is.. worth a watch (and some bopping and jumping) for everyone.