30 days till my life changes!

Today marks one month till our due date - Friday the 13th of November. Yep, our lucky day! I'm getting so crazy excited for the arrival of our baby. I feel ready for the labour and delivery, whatever it brings. I know the only predictable thing about childbirth is that it's unpredictable, so once I resigned myself to that then I considered myself prepared. I feel as though if I keep on course with what I've been up to all 8 months prior we are going to do well. That means I'm continuing with cardio to keep my stamina high and doing my prenatal yoga poses daily. Lots of hip-opening and side stretches. Woah, am I limber these days! This is one perk of pregnancy I wish I could keep.

Since we are heading into the end of the pregnancy, here are some things I have going down to get ready for our baby:

• Final purchases.
It's crazy to imagine out of all this loot there are still things we need before the baby arrives. I mean, who'd be in a rush to buy a breast pump? Not me! But I'll have to break down and get one if Nuno and I ever want an evening out again in the next year.

• Nuno is helping me pack my bag for the big day.

• We are sorting through all the newborn clothes, receiving blankets and washclothes and making sure everything is nice and clean.

• Last minute classes in car seats & breast feeding along with a hospital tour.

• We are now cooking meals and freezing the majority of our dinners. So far I've stocked frozen pesto, chicken pot pies, vegetarian chili, lasagna, tuna noodle casserole, swedish meatballs, enchiladas and macaroni & cheese. Before the end of the month I'll probably get around to making portions of shepherds pie, baked penne, eggplant parm and chili chicken taco filling. These baked dinners are my favourite type of dinners to eat and the timing of the pregnancy and baby's birth couldn't be any more perfect for reheated freezer meals.

• Nursery, nursery, nursery! Probably the most rewarding room redo I've ever done and I can't wait to share the results.

baby shower #2

This past weekend was a wonderful baby shower thrown by my in-laws. It was loads of fun and part of all the excitement was....

our first time meeting our niece Paige! Here she is with Joe, Sara & Grandma! She's a wonderful baby. She doesn't seem to cry and makes wonderful eye contact with everyone she meets. And her coo's... sigh. I can't wait till our little guy arrives! And it's nice to have a sister-in-law who's recently been through all the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and first time motherhood. Like, unless you enjoy pain, don't give birth in Calgary! hehe I won't get into that.

Some baby clothes are so funny. It looks like we'll have a little miniature Nuno running around since so many of his clothes look like something Nuno would wear.

Kinda cheesy photo of Nuno and I cutting the baby shower cake. This is the first fondant cake I've ever had for a party.

Who'd have imagined the day Joe would be conducting a how-to on Baby Bjorn's.

So, Nuno, are you convinced you need one of these? Lets see if he finds one on Kijiji!

this weekend's baby shower

Katie and my mom held an awesome baby shower this weekend. I am so humbled by the number of people who came. Some from far away and stayed in hotels just to be there!

The food was amazing, pretty much a dream spread.

The games were tons of fun too especially since everyone got into them. Our most super-competitive ladies in the house won the prizes which were hand-painted bird houses.

I love my little belly in this shot. I think the baby is ready for some cake!

Gifts galore! Baby gifts are so fun to open as everyone ooohs and ahhhs over how cute, sweet and small everything is.
There were piles and piles to go through. And when we thought it was over even more arrived! And so many creative gifts! Leslie hand painted 5 frames in "Hey Diddle Diddle" theme. I'll post photos of those once we have them hung in the nursery.

Check out these sweet finger puppets Jess made. Nuno, Erin & Baby!

And she made these bibs!

My mom gave us the cool swing I was talking about weeks ago. I couldn't help myself but go home and assemble it right away.

Katie knitted the robot toy for the baby. So he's a stand-in until the baby arrives to claim him as his own.

Katie's blog entry about the shower is awesome so click here.

pregnancy scare

I've been having a really rough week this week. Monday was an obstetrician appointment which is the usual blood pressure, baby heart rate check and belly measurement. For those who don't know much about the belly measurement, they basically check the size of your tummy in centimeters which corresponds with the number of weeks pregnant you are. I'm 33 weeks and when the OB measured my tummy it read 27! His immediate reaction was, "Your baby is not growing. It may not be getting enough nutrition." He then asked, "Have you felt him move lately?" My response was "OF COURSE!" He then explained that this situation is called 'small for dates' and he had to send me for an immediate ultrasound. This set me in a real panic and I begged that they get me in as soon as they could. I went home and cried, of course. I did what I know I shouldn't and read on the internet about this. Of the many number of things I dwelled on - the fact that the OB said my baby wasn't getting enough nutrition meant my placenta and/or uterus was giving out and they would have to induce super early. It also meant that there could be something wrong with the baby. I had everyone at work telling me he's probably a small baby since I'm a short girl. So I was hoping that was what the result would be.

Man, I had to try and sleep on all this, which is already difficult enough without this sort of stress! While trying to get some much needed sleep the little guy kept kicking me and letting me know he's still there and I kept hoping he will still be with us after all this. Two nights like this until I could hear the results Wednesday. It was rough.

So finally today we had the results from the ultrasound. The OB said, "Looks like your baby is hiding". "What's that mean?" "Your baby sits very low in your pelvis." Basically this belly measurement doesn't apply to my type of pregnancy (and, when/if you see me I'm not with a huge belly - but certainly look pregnant). I figure it's because I've been trying to stay fit and doing yoga (especially squats) which opened my hips right up. He then said the baby is four and a half pounds! This is exactly as he should be. The results of the ultrasound show the baby is already right in the correct birth position. He's engaged! This little ordeal went from the worst prognosis to the best news ever!

All along I've felt like this was the perfect pregnancy. Monday really burst my bubble, but now I'm right back to thinking this little guy rules! I'm so happy I'm back feeling this way just in time for the baby showers!!

30 week meme

So since we're at a pregnancy landmark this week, I thought I'd give a rundown on how things are going with this pregnancy meme.

Man, why are my clothes so wrinkled? I look like such a raggamuffin. Trust me, I don't roll out of bed and decide to take my pregnancy photos. I'd do a re-shoot but... oh, who cares...

How far along? 30 weeks.
Total weight gain: 6 lbs total at my last week OB weigh in. I know, it's unheard of - surprised me too.
Maternity clothes? Not yet since the baby is still so high up. Jeans still fit but I like to wear roomy shirts. Actually, this is a nice time in fashion to be pregnant because so many items work in pregnancy - LEGGINGS - A Pregnancy Godsent!
Sleep: Not that great. I have a fortress of pillows around me just to feel an ounce of comfort. I wake up 3-4 times per night just to pee and everytime I do the baby thinks it's party time and gets active.
Best moment this week: Seeing all the things Katie and my Mom are doing to prep for the baby shower.
Movement: He's having loads of fun. He's even responding to Hot Tot's barking and Nuno touching my belly.
Gender: Boy.
Labor Signs: None.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and having full lung capacity.
What I am looking forward to: The moment after delivery.
Weekly Wisdom: Taking the Activia Challenge really works wonders.
Milestones: The nursery is painted and the wall mural is underway!

two thirds in!

Today I went for a check-up at the OB's. It was fairly routine and pleasant and I was in and out in no time. My blood pressure is great and the baby's heartbeat is exactly where they want it to be. I had my first tummy measurement - 25 cm at 25 weeks (um, this is a vertical measurement - not circumference) - which they told me is right on and will grow one centimeter every week from here on. Can you imagine - me with a 40 cm tummy? But I'm certainly feeling the baby slowly taking over my body. I'm no longer jumping in and out of seated positions and I'm slowly inhaling and exhaling getting into bed and the car... oh, even the office chair. By no means am I trying to be dramatic, if anything it's embarrassing, but it's what I've got to do. One last point to note - the OB told me that I'm now officially in the third trimester. 15 weeks left and a pound to gain each week. It's exciting to have made it this far - the final stretch!

22 weeks and what a difference!

No denying I'm looking pregnant now! I look like I've got a cantaloupe up my shirt. But believe it or not the baby is just high enough that I'm still in my small jeans.

At this point I feel very connected to the baby since I can see and feel him. It's really neat to feel him moving around. These two changes have eased my mind completely so that I don't feel any more stress wondering if he's OK. He's in there having his daily 4am dance parties and that's just fine with me.

I had my first pregnancy meltdown!

I feel as though I've spent a lot of blog time talking about how wonderful and exciting it is to be an expectant mom, and I don't really draw to any not-so-great points. Trust me, you don't want details on some of the embarrassing changes, you'll just have to go through it yourself to see where I'm going with that. But I thought I'd share with you a horrible moment yesterday when I felt totally out of touch with myself.
Now, I have to stress here - when your pregnant and your hungry you must eat. I don't even play with this one. I have to eat at certain key times during the day so I'm always doing well.
We decided to go to Olson's for lunch yesterday. By the time we arrived it was 1:30 (I usually eat right at noon), so I was famished. Then there weren't any tables, so we decided to wait it out till something cleared. The entire place was a zoo and you could feel the stress from all the employees madly racing around. Olson's has recently changed since we've been there last. We used to go up to the counter and order our food and they would eventually bring it out to you. Now there is full table service. Once we found a seat, I was feeling really strange and I couldn't really talk. Since we had been standing waiting for a table by the counter, I was set on their turkey sandwich (which I always order, no fail). At about 2pm we were finally waited on and we decided to place the full order on the spot and I asked for one of their sandwiches. GET THIS - The server said I couldn't have it! It was a take-out menu item only and I had to order off this fancy menu (which might have been OK at any other time but since I'm totally pregnancy obsessed craving over sandwiches on a daily basis - this just was totally devastating). I looked up at her and said I hadn't considered the menu and begged her to please see if she could bend the rules for me since I was so set on just this one item. She looked at me and barked - OK THEN, SANDWICH! Yes, I felt like such a primadona. She pulled quite the attitude. Given their volume, I'm sure someone like me just made her day all the more aggravating. So after she left I basically sat there wishing I'd never arrived for lunch there, totally mortified and basically tearing up. All these feelings were compounded by this intense starvation like I'd never felt before. Nuno said I should have explained that I was pregnant and unfortunately starving and he was sure she'd understand. I was too embarrassed to make excuses for myself and play that whole "I'm pregnant" card. But after the way I felt yesterday I have quite an understanding of the out-of-touch emotions an expectant mom can feel. Yeah, maybe if you explain to people they will infact understand. Oh well, I'm still so embarrassed this morning and I'm not really sure I want to show my face at Olson's again.


edit: I just have to say, in telling a story like this on a blog - it would be very different if I was telling this to you one-on-one. In recounting it I would be cracking up and if you are close to me you'll understand it's quite funny because of my obsession over "sandwiches".

the results are in....

And here HE is! Yep, our little baby boy!! The ultrasound technician isn't allowed to make a positive i.d. on the spot, but she decided to give us the money shot - and clear as day was our little guy's wenis. He's quite the wild little guy. Of course, I always feel him squirming around in there, but the technician was getting a kick out of how active he was. My biggest fear was that the baby would be asleep in an awkward position and we wouldn't get a clear sex determination. So I thought I'd try something I read which recommended drinking some orange juice because the babies love it and go wild. I can definitely say there is truth behind it.

So I'm just absorbing the idea of raising a boy since I don't have any brothers and most of my cousins are female, I grew up in a female dominated family. So our son is definitely evening the sides a bit. I've got tons to learn and I can't wait to meet him!

20 weeks

Here we are at week 20! Half way through, half way to go.
Dispite taking this photo before ironing my shirt, I must admit, my bump is pretty cute. Don't worry, I haven't turned into a frumpy pregnant girl - at least not yet. Still in all my normal clothes and I'm not sure how long this will last. My mom said with me she was in maternity clothes by 5 months. I'm four and a half now, so we'll see.
Tomorrow is the big ultra sound. We find out if it's a boy or a girl *hopefully*. I'm not sure if I'll be able to think and dream of much else for the day.

bump time?

Alrighty, ask and you shall receive. I definitely think that this is the real baby bump! I have been feeling a whole lotta stretching in my tummy this past week (17). I think the baby is growing bigger, even right now as I type this. But it's still quite undetectable unless I'm wearing tight fitting shirts. I don't know how many times I walk into work and have people asking why I'm not showing yet. Oh well, soon enough I'll be a house and wishing for these days of wondering about the bump.

One really cool thing that's happened since getting pregnant is the craziest flexibilty. For years during yoga I had my limitations, but now - woah, different story. Not an ounce of resistance in my joints. I love the feeling of being able to stretch my arms far and wide in every direction and have pain free squats for hours.

incredibly strange best worst movie

Katie had her second Incredibly Strange Movie night at our place this past Friday night. It's the one year anniversary of our legendary Troll 2 Party. The party that made it into the documentary we watched, Best Worst Movie!

As you can see we had everything set-up outdoors, but right before 9pm, the rain started. It was a wash-out, but it wasn't a problem to move everything indoors.

I was happy to be able to make it through most of the movie this time around. In the evenings lately I end up getting exhausted without even realizing how tired I really am and I barely remember getting into my pajamas and into bed. Pregnancy can be exhausting, but I know I'm a pretty energetic expectant mom in comparison to what most women go through. Maybe it's my morning coffee - the one habit I just can't drop.

Sunday my brother & sister-in-law flew in from Calgary. We held a shower for them and their soon to be baby girl. It was exciting to see an expectant Sara and compare pregnancy notes. Come to find out there are very few similarities between my and her pregnancy. I think mine is just atypical. I had a lot of family mentioning how they'd never know I was expecting - no baby bump. Trust me, I wish it was there. Last night at prenatal yoga, the instructor calls me the 'big belly of the class'. But I was reassured by the instructor and every mom in the class that I'll be there soon. One day I'll just pop.

let's let you in on our big news....

I'm so thrilled to finally be able to share the news that Nuno and I are expecting a baby! I'm probably still living on the high cloud of expectant mom-ness even though I've recently entered the second trimester. I was told before conceiving by my doctor that there was no such thing as the 'glow of pregnancy', but I feel like I've been one of those lucky few who is living proof of it.
We had our second ultrasound just this week where the technician showed us all the little baby parts. Face, head, arms, legs - even all ten toes and fingers. It was incredible!

I've been writing about the pregnancy for months now privately. I was thinking, now that our news is revealed, I can open up a few for every ones amusement. And, yes, this journal will be totally over-the-top pregnancy and babyness from now on. Up until now, I never really could understand how people obsessed over stuff like this - but let me tell you, when or if it happens to you, you'll understand. It's the most magical thing.

ultrasound #2 & prenatal yoga class

Yesterday was a big day for the baby and me. We had our second ultrasound and it went so well! I was so suprised at how much our baby has grown! We went from a flicker of a heartbeat in our first ultrasound to the technician showing us the baby's head, face, abdomen, arms, legs, feet and hands. There were 5 fingers and toes already! I don't know how to explain it, but when it's yours, it's the sweetest little thing in the world.
We even got a great photo of the baby's profile. The whole experience is so reassuring. All the attention to healthy eating, prenatal vitamins, being active and getting lots of rest - it seems so worth it when you know the baby is developing so well. So now I have half a year of continuing on this path, and from what I've heard, the second trimester is the time I can expect to feel my best during the pregnancy.

Then yesterday evening was our first prenatal yoga class. It's been 5 years since I've seen Yoga by Sarah, so it was a nice reunion. She's moved into a new building in a much better location. The class was full of mom-to-be's. I'm the least showing of all the girls, with only 2 other girls around the same place as myself. Most girls are 20+ weeks, and I just can't wait to be where they all are. I'm very pleased with how the class is run. We are instructed by a RN/Doula/Yoga Instructor who is very involved with her students. The class spends time discussing what to expect during pregnancy, breathing and relaxation techniques and a lot of intense yoga poses. Should be a great way to feel more in touch with the pregnancy and I hope to feel able to deal with everything that will happen.

cravings continue...

The cravings are still going strong. This is probably the most intense and characteristic pregnancy symptom I'm having on a week to week basis. So here's my running tally of food I had to eat or I could not continue - salads, broccoli & cheddar salad, avocados, Italian wedding soup, chocolate milk, buffalo chicken wraps, falafels, fruit smoothies, breakfast for dinner, rich tomato sauce over pasta. Being pregnant is so unpredictable, and it may sound silly to feel this way - but it's fun.

I sometimes wonder if I'll start to feel a bit more isolated from friends with our new baby. In the short term, I'm wondering if it'll be strange to be the only pregnant girl. I know only a couple of people who've been through pregnancy recently and I'm not close to anyone going through it right now. So in that respect, I think as I grow I'll make an effort to put myself out there more. It would be nice to meet other new moms and make friends with people who could potentially be friends. My plan is to take prenatal yoga which I just signed up for beginning in early May. I'm really looking forward to it because I haven't done any yoga since discovering I was expecting (ashtanga yoga while expecting - not a good idea, right?). I'll also be taking prenatal classes - probably as many as a can because I need a major parenting crash course. I trust my instincts and common sense, but I'm open to as many pointers as possible.

This may sound totally selfish, but I wish with all the planning I'd done to get life in order for the baby that I'd planned a pregnancy with a friend. Is that too Gloucester Massachusetts High School pregnancy fiasco of me? I guess I see the attraction of it.

monthy photos

Yesterday was the day Nuno and I decided to share the happy baby news with my grandparents. Our baby will have three great grandparents on my side and one great grandmother on Nuno's. I'm so excited for them to get the chance in their lifetime to be great grandparents. They were all so pleased. We had a few requests to have the baby named after them. We like old fashioned names, but I'm not big on naming children after family members. I want our little one to have their own identity.

My sister-in-law, Sarah, who's also expecting (she's midway through her pregnancy now) has sent all of us belly shots to see how she's growing since we don't get to see her (she lives in Calgary). I thought it would be cool to do the same thing so I took a shot this morning. I don't think I'm showing yet, I'm the same size from the start. So here's the establishing shot - only to grow bigger!! Can't wait!!

cravings and maternity clothes

This week I'm having strong cravings for lunch meat. Last week it was cream cheese and the week before it was fruit smoothies. This latest one concerns me. I swear my body is playing chicken with me because I'm quite aware of the warnings of pregnancy and listera. But I can't feel satisfied without having a Subway sub. So I'm having them toast it and hopefully the heat will better our chances.

I did a lot of shopping for maternity clothes this week. I know, totally silly right? Well, my reasoning behind this is that I want to buy up all the winter items from the stores while they are discounted seeing as how I'll be at my largest in the fall and winter. So this plan has been working out great. I've picked up super cheap maternity clothes at Thyme, Motherhood and Target ($5.00 shirt!).

Being pregnant has made me so happy. I'm almost thinking I'm the happiest I've ever been. I swear it's the hormones or the multi-vitamins but I feel incredible. My thoughts are always so pleasant. I'm so excited, I just love life and am charmed by everything around me. I do a lot of thinking and planning and the future is so bright and happy.
Feeling this way is just so unexpected to me. I anticipated the same old thoughts I've had for the past 15 years - the pain, morning sickness, getting really big. I felt it just couldn't be worth it. Wow, does your perspective ever change. I can't believe the way I thought before this, I'm almost ashamed. But, I had my sister in law say to me, you know when the time is right.