33 Weeks-15 in 5

What a trip! Adding 15 kilos to my weight in the space of 5 months has been an absolute pleasure for me (well, the idea that our Seahorse grows because of my indulgences is what I thrive on; not the indigestion and occasional heartburn I endure, let alone the broken back that comes with an unevenly distributed, rapid weight gain).

For this great increase in size is all for the good of a bebe who at first struggled to cling on, then with much tenacity (and all the right ingredients in place, love and nourishment), found a foothold in my billowing belly and made a home. Fast forward to now, at 33 weeks, I eat with abandon and with a relish I’ve never known. In fact, this third trimester has opened my appetite, causing a unprecedented frequency of snacking (not to mention stomach distention and bloating).

Our wee Seahorse clinging to life, at 14.8 weeks

Our wee Seahorse clinging to life, at 14.8 weeks

So what did I munch on today?

Truth be told, before I do put food to mouth, each morning I begin with a tall glass of mineral water bubbling over with a fizzy B-group vitamin tablet, Berocca. Its all I can muster, at 7:30AM. Forgive me!! This gives me wherewithal to shuffle to our pool and do laps, dress, commute to work, make pleasantries with my team, fire up the computer and begin the day’s tasks. O and then deal with the boss.

Mix of Lebanese (green) and Greek (Kalamata) olives, from Spectrum on One, Fairmont Dubai

Mix of Lebanese (green) and Greek (Kalamata) olives, from Spectrum on One, Fairmont Dubai

Today I nibbled my merry way through a fistful of walnuts and another of dried apricots. Next was a tub of Greek strained yoghurt, then a banana, then another yoghurt, then seaweed rice crisps, then jellies (bad Alice), then more jellies (work was overloading me and I was stressing), then more cardboard-tasting, nutrition-less rice crackers, then another yoghurt. All eaten / slurped in haste, at my computer.

Cooked winter veges from Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall

Cooked winter veges from Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall

Really late I left the office, my spine feeling pinched and contorting, I made my way into a hot bath but not before submitting to the contents of the fridge: olives, tomatoes, onions, an Arabic yoghurt drink, packed with probiotics, known as laban went down easily too. It sounds an arbitrary coalition of flavours and indeed it is; there is no accounting for tastes nor predilections when one is preggers.

Hard boiled eggs with cayenne pepper from Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall

Hard boiled eggs with cayenne pepper from Galeries Lafayette, Dubai Mall

On the hob I stirred a warming soup: broccoli, chickpea and onion. OJ the beverage of choice. Desert was as simple as a ripe orange. Finally down the hatch goes a pregnancy vitamin. Done for the day. Seahorse – go forage! Surely there is something among this mixed buffet that you shall fancy. Be you son, be you daughter, I bid thee bon appétit.

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