Miss Kolka

So Today was the first preparation class for the Birth (apparently something I am ready to think about now) That amongst others things, like breastfeeding and child-care when going back to work. It might seem a bit early but in a big city like Paris you rather be more organised that not - or you'll end up being forced to act like a Kengaroo when its back-to-work day. that is make a pouch on your stomach and keep a 4 month old baby there hidden, latched on a nipple. Not the ideal first day back but hey... There is still some way to go to avoid that. (and I am lucky to still have my vacation left at work so I get a bit more than the 8 weeks planned by the french state in maternity leave)

Pan has been a real trooper - smiling when the mother-to-be has been crying over leaking water in the bathroom, listening when I complain over specific spices in exotic food or just waiting for my episodes to pass when I get annoyed over laundry or other mondain things, which can be often, too often. Not easy for him. And sometimes I don't even think it can be blamed on the hormones. Lets hope the relaxation technique I learned today with 6 other very prengnant women can help to ease my tention so I can smile back. Smile back and laugh at his silly jokes (like the ones the little students love, but then again they are only 7 years old) and also remember to give back some love and affection in the form of a wonderful, warm chocolate cake. Because thats the only way I know how.

We're thinking of this bag for the little one. Its not because you can't walk or talk that you can't be fashionable. Its never too early to be a fashion victim!

Its official and now scientifically proven: Women's brain stop functioning normally during pregnancy but - wait for it- in the long run having a child does boosts female brain power! That is great news. And its not all. Men also become kinder and and smarter when they have children. (although I can not imagine a kinder and smarter Pan).

You dont believe me? - read it for yourself:
“Pregnant women do undergo a phase of so-called baby brain, when they experience an apparent loss of function...Women often report problems with memory and reasoning after they become pregnant. A 2002 study by Angela Oatridge of Hammersmith hospital, London, reported that brain scans of pregnant women showed a 4% decline in size. Last year, two Australian researchers reported that pregnant women consistently performed worse on tests for memory and verbal skills.”

AHA, I have noticed that I look more for my words, especially in french, but I thought this was because I wasn't speaking it so much, since I haven't been to work for over 3 months now. But it's all worth the trouble.. since apparently I can expect to become five times faster at finding food (ok I don't think going to the supermarket takes that much time?)  and I might also become braver - which is lucky seeing my last name.

and later on the article goes to say that  “if anything employers should be seeking out women who have a family.”

That is terrific and frankly makes me very happy. I have always believed in science. The evidence didn't say however, if these brain powers get better every time you have a baby - if it does, then my plan of having eight little ones doesn't seem that crazy anymore, does it?

The other article about Kinder daddies is not all positive though... Some fathers become so over-sensitive that it can affect their behaviour:

“ A growing body of research shows how new dads undergo a series of hormonal changes that may boost their nurturing instincts, make them kinder, more concerned and attentive to the point of obsessiveness... New dads aren't mentally ill, but they do tend to fuss - often on typically male matters such as whether the car seat is strapped exactly right. Over-attentiveness can be one problem - and postnatal depression is another...As far as Mother Nature is concerned that's small price to pay for turning millions of men into smart, caring parental partners.”

I dont think that this is going to be a problem in our case... Pan worries sometimes that he had pregnancy-like symptoms in the beginning of the pregnancy such as a little bit of weight gain (like 90% of men have actually according to a new study) but since he is totally back on track I am sure he is going to handle fatherhood perfectly. Motherhood, on the other hand worries me sometimes. Will I be attentive enough and talk enough to the baby (talk? talk? but in which language???? French or Icelandic??swahili perhaps?) or will I be so obsessed by my new "brain powers" that I will go off to try to save the world?

The neighbours are driving me crazy. Well, the neighbours in the building or the restaurants all around the block or maybe both. Its clear we are in France, people are cooking ALL the time! And not some just scandinavian dishes like smorrebrod, cold sandwiches, smoked salmon or "hafragraut"  for lunch, that is things that dont smell - at least not into other peoples appartements. No,  here it has to be some roastbeef with onions and carrots, or roasted chicken or lamb curry.. I could probably guess the menu of the week just by SMELLING it.  Even on sundays when the local brasserie is closed - then its the grandma on the other side of the corridor making lunch for 4, starting half past ten in the morning. Or the little old lady next door making butter chicken... who knew butter had such a strong smell? She should beware of too fatty foods actually that old one. (A few nights ago we heard her almost choking in her sleep- making strange sounds and screaming at 4 in the morning. I was out in the corridor in my bathrobe ready to check up on her when I realised by the rythm of her breathing that she was fast asleep. And since then she has reappeared alive luckely.) I should be happy though that we are not in a spicy country like India or China.

Why am I so annoyed by these smells? Maybe its because they make me nauseaous... and I know its part of the wonderful pregnancy cycle (even the lady next to me at the doctors smelled weird, of coffee and I swear cigarettes - and when I asked her about her belly she was 5 and a half months pregnant! shame on you!). But perhaps its also because we cannot cook whatever we fancy ourselves. For weeks now the heating plates in our living room that pass for a kitchen have not been working properly. We bought new ones and thought rather naively that now we could cook two things at the same time, lets say pasta and sauce. But little did we know that it would take around 45 minutes to get the water boiling and that the heat does not stay on. I have started to cook now around four o clock in the afternoon so we can eat around 8. Is that really what you want to do to a pregnant woman? Really? Think again and in the meanwhile you nasty neighbours - Cut it off!

 

I might have a lot of time at home but that doesn't mean Im the perfect housewife. How can these briefs be so big? They are supposed to fit a 0-3 month old baby. Ok I know we are having a viking but COMMON!

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