Ah! Nostalgia...

Today is my sister's birthday and I miss her.

I missed it this morning when Papa and Mummy would have greeted her and then we end up tearful.I'll miss it tonight when there is no supper to go to like when we went with Shanaaz & Junaid to Jai Pur Palace in '04 or in '07 when we went to Ocean Basket ordering so much food that we ate ourselves into a coma. I missed it when she opened her gift from me.

Birthdays were unique in our home - we would have Mamma & Hattie dressed to the nines and Uncle Eddie attend our party and then a shoot as Papa would video us opening our gifts and blowing out the candles. Every year, batteries would be placed in the birthday bunny and when we sang he would play the tune. My mom would always be the life of the party. "Here we go! Here we go!" Trying out Yumna's new bike.

We would put on those small singles of "On my own" as well as LPs of Michael Jackson :( and District Six. Papa would cut roses from the garden and put it in a vase for the table or clip it in our hair. We would both get gifts so that the other one does not feel left out and it wasn't high-tech, guitar hero, ninteno Wii type of things - it was simple. A doll. A teaset. Come to think of it now, not even the simple gifts matter. The best gift on your birthday is love.

The love of your parents. The love of your husband. The love of your children. The love of your sister. And no matter where in the world you may be, Yumna, may my love surround you now and always. Insha-Allah.

Happy Birthday Sis.

6 months

I can't believe it!

I think for these past 6 months, I didn't fully believe or comprehend what is happening.

It's like I am in my own zone. My own world.

It was only during the drive to work today that I realised I have about 12 weeks left...to get the baby's room done, to finalise the finances (first of which is to STOP with the unnecessary spending and yet today I'm having my hair done!), to do this, to do that.

I also realised that it's the last few weeks my husband and I will be sharing as a couple. Kinda bittersweet, but am both J & I are so excited.

This was taken just before I attended a 21st birthday, finally looking pregnant and wearing Ayesha couture.

5 months and 3/4

I think this was just before we headed out to Baby City, Treehouse and Babies R us.

I think this was also the day where reality struck. We were suddenly exposed to cots, compactums, nappies, prams, thermometers, bum cream.

It became a bit more real to me and my expanding belly more evident.

5 months

I had days where I showed and days where I didn't.

Or as Nadia would say "who's a pie thief"

4.5 months in Greyton

With hubby at Abbey Rose restaurant in Greyton.

Still able to wear "normal" jeans with an elastic band.

(Thanks to Naz for that trick!)

4 months exactly

Taken before work.

Yes I still have time for a quick photo shoot :)

This was also the day that I had to run around and organise

a shoot with Shahrukh Khan and the Knightriders for the IPL.

It was also the last day I wore heels as my back was in its chops!

Just over 3 months

With my other preggy friends Nazreen & Mariam on my birthday in April.