Glasgow Queen's Park in Snow

It was only the first week of freezing temperatures and did not want to miss this year's snow. We did not know that it was there to stay for much longer by that time, at least more than we wanted it to be!
As you can see I am trying to make my bump more visible as if it's not that obvious!!
The swans remind me of Ankara Kugulu Park (Swan Park in Ankara).
My husband moaned all through the park realising that he could have sledged if only he had brought one!
PS: Photos are in reverse chronological order.

X-mas Lunch

I haven't had the opportunity to mention about my recent cooking adventures here yet; but getting prepared for the xmas lunch was mostly due to my new enthusiasm for trying new recipes (recipes are not new, they are just new to me:)).
We did not have any guests, so I was quite relaxed for the menu. I decided to go with a turkey leg. I know there's nothing fancy about roasting a turkey leg; but as it was my first attempt to cook turkey it was exciting for both of us. Maybe, one day we'll have the whole family together and I'll be cooking a whole turkey:)
Anyway, here comes the menu (not quite a festive food but it's healthy and yummy:)):
- Roasted Turkey Leg
- Rice with Pine nuts & Currants (Ic Pilav without the chicken liver as it's not good for me at the moment)
- Celeriac cooked in olive oil
- Stuffed vine leaves (OK, I won't be lying to you, this was readily made and frozen by my mum and all I had to do was cooking it)
-Chocolate soufflé (Here comes another confession it was readily made by Gu:) You do not expect me to cook every single item from scratch, right!)
At least, I have some evidence within the pictures.

Simple Joys of Pregnancy

Although you get bigger and bigger everyday after this many weeks (it's around 27th now), you don't always feel or think that everybody looking at you sees a pregnant woman. Maybe at some point, you get used to the feeling so much that the pregnant you becomes the normal and you do not feel any different. Anyway, despite my bump, I still try to squeeze in between the cars and realise all of a sudden that cannot fit in anymore or still try to keep my pace on the stairs and feel dizzy when I get to my desk (which is just on the first floor!)

I might well extend the below instances later on, but as you will notice it's all about people's courtesy and I am the lucky one:)

- Being let into the toilets whilst cleaning is in progress and everbody else is being diverted to toilets on another floor.

- Shopping and not carrying any bags (special thanks to my hubby)

- Moving offices but not carrying a single leverarch yourself (special thanks to my colleagues)

- Travelling with four luggages and carrying only your purse (special thanks to my hubby)

-Being offered a table at coffee shops when it was actually packed. (thanks to the nice couple)

Winter Fest Glasgow

December became one of my favourite months in this country. Although it's cold and miserable most of the time, the spirit of the season warms you. Christmas decorations, late night shoppings, colourful gift sets and people hurrying for shopping... It must be difficult for people, who live in places where the normal closing time of the shops is 10pm, to grasp the joy of late night shopping (extended shopping hours from 6pm to 8pm). It's not that I'm a shopaholic looking forward to longer hours of shopping, but more like enjoying and sharing the excitement.

In addition to the Christmas decorations, George Square of Glasgow had another attraction: Winter Fest!

It's either the child in me or simply me loving funfairs and colourful lights, I can still get excited and be happy. I can hear some of you saying "soon you'll have enough of places like this". Maybe it's true, but this time it was fun for just the two of us with some warm mulled wine (mine was non-alcoholic).

Anyway, you can join the joyride with the video below.

Room for the Baby

During the first months of my pregnancy, I was wondering why I was not into baby stuff, yet. Now, I definitely know.
First of all, you do not know how far you will be going (you try not to think of the evil but you never know). Secondly, you are mostly interested in yourself, your mood, early transformation etc. Finally, you do not know what to buy exactly. I think there is a learning curve and like every other miraculous event there is a reason for the nine months spent during pregnancy.
Anyway, now we are into baby stuff without doubt. Less than 14 weeks are left and taking into consideration that I would not be able to move as comfortably as I do currently, say only 10 weeks are left. So, it's high time to take some action.
As it's not possible to fill a place that is already full, we decided to start with some decluttering Being able throw away things (either charity or thrash) is really an art. I can't say I'm very skilled at it but at least we have enough space now:)
It's Sunday and I'm already looking forward to the next weekend to have some rest!

Week 25

Right at this point of my pregnancy, 62.5% of the "works" is completed:) Our baby is presumably weighing around 700 gr. He is almost triple his weight since his last scan in Turkey on the 3rd of October. It is not yet enough to explain the recent 5 (five) kilos I gained since this day though, but at least it's a partial cover:)

During the first four months, it really did not occur to me that I would have gained this much weight within such a short period. How could I be this naive?

It's not that I make a big fuss about it, but I really cannot comprehend how it all happened to me. Although it's pretty normal, it still feels amazing to see your body transforming. I think as you do not see major external changes within your body during the early weeks of your pregnancy (mostly the first trimester) but being still very excited about the news you start exaggerating every small change. However, with the sudden acceleration on the pace of progress during the second trimester, you simply panic.

Despite searching through many internet sites, guidance books etc and being told by friends, I kind of had a resistance to understand what's gonna happen. I hope I won't have the same lethargic response when the baby is born as well!

Week 14: Me acting as if I have a bump:)

Week 25: No need to emphasize!

Saturday Night Fever

As you can see, things (i.e. my tummy:)) started to change pretty quickly. I now feel obliged to update my blog more frequently.

Anyway, my brother in law came over with his brand new BMW last weekend (unfortunately don't have a photo) and we have been to Mother India Cafe (it's more like a small curry restaurant) to find out about our boy's response to curry. Oh, btw this is me before the curry, not after!! He must have liked it as his mum slept really tight that night.