Dear Johannesburg, it’s always so good to visit because I get to see my family and a few friends. It is strange though… I don’t feel like this is home anymore. Johannesburg was my birth place and my home for 30 years, but when I return, while everything is familiar, I feel like a visitor now. I do always feel nostalgic waking up in my childhood home and my childhood bedroom though. I love it. Sox arrives today, as we have a wedding later on. It’s going to be so much fun. We return home to Cape Town on Wednesday morning.

Dear Lori and Ilan, I wish you a lifetime of happiness as you get married later today. I’ve never been to a wedding on a Monday and I can’t wait to celebrate with you – bump and all.

Dear Duke, I love your squishy Bulldog face, your grunts, little snore and your little whine when you want something. I miss you every day, but I know I made the right choice of not uprooting you and taking you to Cape Town. You bring such joy to my Mom and Dad, and let’s face it… You are treated like a Duke KING here with your bum in the butter! Super spoiled. You got to meet the bump and it was amazing how you sniffed at my tummy and licked it with your slobbery tongue. I think Baby G and you are going to be besties!

Dear Baby Bump and Baby G, you are getting bigger and bigger and I actually can’t believe my skin/tummy is able to do this. I keep thinking I can’t get any bigger, even though I have 3 and a half months still to go. At the same time, you must grow and get strong and big. My Mom keeps saying that since I can still see my toes, when I look down, I’ve/you’ve still got lots of growing to do. I sometimes wonder how it is possible to get any bigger.

Dear Strangers who gawk at my bump and say things like: “Are you sure your doctor hasn’t missed another baby in there?” or “You can’t be carrying only one baby in there, right?” I’m having some fun with my responses and I’m not even sorry. I have a deadpan face when I reply, dryly: “I think you’re right. My doctor is in idiot. He must have missed a baby or 2. Should I change doctors?” or “I’m actually carrying 4.” It’s so fun to see peoples faces. 

Dear Baby G, your kicks are the best feeling in the whole world. I love feeling them get stronger and stronger. It’s like you’re saying: “Hi Mom! I’m here!” I get emotional every time I feel them. Every. time. I’ve also figured your pattern out and you’re awake every 4 hours or so.

Dear Nursery, I cannot wait to start putting you together. I think it’s going to be my favourite part of our home. I want to start getting you ready sooner rather than later, so I can relax more as I get heavier and more tired. I can’t wait for the proper nesting phase to set in. I’ve experienced little bouts of it, but nothing too major yet.

Dear Gaviscon. Thank you. Your liquid sachets are quite gross, but I’ll suck them down to relieve the heartburn that keeps me awake at night and uncomfortable during the day. Luckily, my heartburn comes and goes and stays away for a while, but boy, when it comes back, it’s like a dragon! Apparently it means Baby G will have hair… I guess we will see; I always thought it was an old wives tale. I think it really is just because all my organs are squashing up, my stomach has squashed and the acid can only go up, but I can’t help picturing what Baby G is going to look like… dark like his Daddy, or blonde like me?

Have a wonderful day!