Today is the first day of my congé maternité. I'm actually glad because I'm starting to feel the weight of the baby and this strange cloud of fatigue often surrounds me and the only thing I can think of doing is sitting down and closing my eyes for a bit. The baby is moving around a lot and often makes my stomach look like a lopsided egg. He's snuggled head down with his little tushy right up by right rib cage. I will officially be 32 weeks tomorrow.
Check out that claoptis!!
Eight more weeks to go before we get to meet out little guy. So, to make the most of my maternity leave I've left a few home projects to keep me busy. The crib and the baby's room needs to be set up. I won't be putting the crib together, of course but will be making curtains and finishing a few other crafty projects for the baby's room. We still need to buy a new sink and cabinet unit for out kitchen. We can't decide on what we want but we better get moving so that maybe we can take advantage of Les Soldes which will be going on until mid next week. And finally on my quest to stay active during my maternity leave, I've decided to try to walk every other day to a discover a new place in Paris. Yesterday, Julien took me down to the Port de Paris which is located near Bastille for a leisurely walk towards the Seine.
Crue = montée de des eaux de fleuve or flooding riverbanks.
We watched boats enter the port, admired les peniches, daydreamed what it would be like to live on a boat and enjoyed a rare moment of silence in the middle of this busy city we live in. We continued our walk along the banks of The Seine to the Quai de le Gare next to the Gare Austerlitz. At the corner of Gare Austerlitz and boulevard Vincent Auriol there is an amazingly cute retro cafe called Lili & Marcel. We stopped in for an apéritif and to rest our feet before heading home.
Not sure where tomorrow's walk will take me but maybe I'll find something on iToors. Maybe a walk in the steps of Hemmingway in Paris?
You look just beautiful! I vividly remember those restful/exciting weeks before Kevin was born, and I feel excited for you all over again!
Enjoy your leave and get plenty of rest! xxx
Posted by: Antipodéesse | February 05, 2007 at 13:22
You look fantastic. Beautiful Clapotis too!
I want to go to Paris so badly.....
Posted by: Scoutj | February 05, 2007 at 14:57
Damn. 8 full weeks *before* the baby is born?! You are lucky. It seems like you've filled up those 8 weeks with plenty of things to do! Enjoy!
Posted by: Veronique | February 05, 2007 at 15:50
Wow...I am still working until March 1(if the drs let me)! And I will be 37 weeks then...and the only real reason I am stopping is to make an easier transition for my students...but of course I only work 2 days a week...and home days are not more restful...
lol...you know Sarah! Hugs, and enjoy your walks...
MA
Posted by: Mary Anne | February 05, 2007 at 17:50
Wow...I am still working until March 1(if the drs let me)! And I will be 37 weeks then...and the only real reason I am stopping is to make an easier transition for my students...but of course I only work 2 days a week...and home days are not more restful...
lol...you know Sarah! Hugs, and enjoy your walks...
MA
Posted by: Mary Anne | February 05, 2007 at 17:51
Bella! You looked so good. You belly shots are amazing. Enjoy this time and I cannot wait until we see pictures of the little guy.
Posted by: Katherine | February 05, 2007 at 19:40
Love the belly! Love the clapotis. Makes me want to re-start mine! (I'm thinking about it in another yarn!)
Have fun on maternity leave! I'm enjoying it. I can't wait to meet your little one!
Posted by: Robyn | February 05, 2007 at 20:46
Great photos! Thank you for sharing them, the walks sound very nice.
Posted by: Jules | February 06, 2007 at 00:34
You look great! Enjoy this time before the babe is born!
Posted by: Alison | February 06, 2007 at 01:17
Nice bump! Coming along nicely.
Posted by: andre veloux | February 06, 2007 at 19:55
You are all aglow! :)
And I think we might have matching clapotises.
Posted by: Jessica | February 08, 2007 at 03:33
Love that bag!
Posted by: scarlet | February 08, 2007 at 03:42
You look gorgeous! Good for you for staying active...I will read about your walks and then pretend I did them (although that's not exactly fair, now, is it?).
Posted by: Pardon_My_French | February 09, 2007 at 06:51
If you walk a lot during your pregnancy, be prepared to walk a lot more after the baby is born. He may have to be in constant motion to be able to calm down or sleep.
I walked a lot during my first pregnancy - forest trails mostly. My baby didn't need to be held much, but we had to stroll her a lot. Thank goodness for sidewalk restaurant seating; we were able to take turns strolling her when she cried during dinner.
With this pregnancy, I've done very little walking. I wonder what the baby's going to be like?
Posted by: shakesrear | February 09, 2007 at 08:44
You might be the cutest pregnant woman I've ever seen. Absolutely adorable!
Posted by: C | February 12, 2007 at 02:30