Countdown

The weeks left until my due date are quickly becoming days. Fourty-one days to be exact. I only have 9 days of work left. That's scary. No more alarm clock, no more curriculum sheets... it's going to be really strange.

Baby Shower

So it's not that I haven't wanted to write, I've just been so busy with so many other things lately. Things like the baby shower that was last weekend at Sheri's. We received so much wonderful stuff for the baby; I said to everyone that it's a little overwhelming that there's so many people who support our having a baby. Many babysitters and advice givers. Donna bought us a playpen. We think we're going to leave it with Mum and Dad since we really don't stay overnight anywhere else. Everybody in town, even if they babysit, is close enough to either come here, or we can set the baby up on the floor or surrounded by pillows on the bed.

Today Craig and I are going to Niagara Falls with Wayne and Leah and Lisa and Matthew. Leah has packed a picnic lunch for everyone. The weather's supposed to be beautiful.

Only 7 weeks to go... hard to believe!!

31 Weeks

31 weeks. Where are the days disappearing to??

Ohhh, the heat!

This week has just been brutal weather-wise. Every day has been 28 to 30 degrees Celcius with the humidex in the high 30s. It's 38 today. I've been managing but really suffering. The poor cats. Kitty just came into the baby's room panting. I brought her outside and she peed in the garden. Maybe she was panting because she was so desperate to pee. I'm going to see Dr. Raby on Thursday this week. Hopefully by then it'll be a bit cooler outside. Things are supposed to get back to normal on Tuesday... let's hope! Now Pokey's laying in the dirt in the garden - must be cooler in there.

Feeling Bittersweet

Wow, June already. It seems like spring just arrived and now in 2 1/2 weeks it'll be summer. It's funny that on one hand, this pregnant feels like it's lasting forever and all I want to do is meet our new baby, but on the other hand, 29 weeks is done already. I'll never have those back. It's sort of sad.

So the results came back from my urine test. Turns out I have a bladdar infection. Strange because when I was little I had one but I actually was uncomfortable. This time I wouldn't even have know. Good thing I said something to Dr. Raby though because my book says it can bring on preterm labour. That would have been okay, maybe in early August, but not now. It's too early.

I've been running around to hardware stores for the past couple of days trying to find pieces for the change table. No luck so Craig finally just screwed it together last night. It looks wonderful!

I did the glucose tolerance test yesterday. The sugary drink you take is ust orange pop. I was expecting something horrid since they give you 5 minutes to finish it. I was thirsty, too. It was pretty yummy.

So there's 7 weeks left until I begin maternity leave. Tonight I hope to write the letter to Shelley explaining the reason for my LOA and then next June I have to let her know when I plan on returning, if at all. I'll have to double check on the internet for all the time requirements for filing for maternity leave. I've checked it before but I can't remember all the details.

I'm gradually collecting things for the baby: diapers, wipes, shampoo. I still need washcloths, bibs and all the baby's clothes still have to washed. I'll have to buy some Ivory Snow laundry soap for that... less irritating to baby's skin.

Having Contractions Already!

So I think Craig jinxed me yesterday morning. I told him I had an appointment at 10 and he jokingly said he'd see me at the regular time. Turns out, Dr. Raby DID have another delivery and I finally got to see her at 2, after I dropped Craig off.
I had been having contractions all morning but not the kind that women in my prenatal class describe. Their's wrap around their belly and mine were just in my uterus. Dr. Raby ended up doing an internal exam to check my cervix. It was still really thick and closed, just like it's supposed to be.
She is sending me for a urine test for a bladdar infection and for the routine blood tests. The blood test is an hour long because I have to drink a sugary drink, sit around, then have my blood drawn and hour later. I guess it's to see how well my body processes the sugar. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.

Cancelled Appointment

So much for seeing Dr. Raby this week. Every time I had another appointment scheduled she had to leave to do a delivery. Tuesday - 11 AM, Thursday - 10:15, 11:30, Friday - 10AM. Now I have another one for Monday at 10:15. There's no way another woman will be delivering. As it was, I was surprised that 3 of her patients delivered this week (the 4th was an on-call delivery).
Today was our first of 2 days of prenatal classes. Just like we thought, I didn't learn too much but I know that Craig did. We figured that the classes would help hom more that me. After seeing him in action supporting me when I wasn't even in labour, just faking, I know he'll be a terrific support. I predict we'll use a lot of "in your face" supporting and focusing. I just know I'll be fine as long as he's calm. If Craig doesn't freak out, I won't. We'll see... 12 weeks to go.

Stupid Parents!!

This morning was another appointment with Dr. Raby. Craig got to come this time because it was a bit later in the morning than usual - 11 AM. When we got there the waiting room was completely full so I knew she was behind. There was this moron of a woman in there with a child who was at least 2 1/2. Probably closer to 3. The child was whining and complaining the whole time. The mom kept giving threats but never followed through on even one of them and she would get into yes-no battles over everything. It's mind boggling to me that a parent as spineless and retarded as she was would choose to have another child. The most frustrating for me was that this child was named Faith. I would assume by that name that the parents just spoil her rotten.

Poor Craig was getting so frustrated just listening to them go at it, we ended up waiting in the hallway outside the office.

By the time I finally got weighed (I was 175) and into the examination room we had waited 45 minutes and then Dr. Raby got called to deliver a baby so we had to leave and reschedule. It was a really frustrating morning.

So my next appointment is for this Thursday at 10:15. Hopefully she's not behind that early in the day... let's hope.
I've been using the Terbinafine cream on my face since Friday morning. Actually, maybe Thursday - anyway, it seems to be working well. I called Dr. McKinnon to make an appointment to get a refil but since I haven't had my initial consultation with him yet, they're just going to call in the prescription. Works for me.

Oh, I almost forgot: we should get the crib and change table this weekend. YAY! And Grandma, Ciocia, Helen and Natasha are all coming to the shower. DOUBLE YAY!!

27 Weeks

I haven't had another dizzy spell since that one in Home Depot. Hopefully I won't get anymore. Probably wishful thinking.
It's Friday of the May long weekend. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous for all day Saturday and Sunday. Monday will be a bit cool and cloudy but 2 out of 3 days isn't bad.
You've been extremely active for the past 3 days or so, baby. You must be taking advantage of the space you have to move around. It won't be this way for much longer.
Everything I read says you weigh about 2 lbs and are 14 inches long. Amazing that just 6 months ago you were the size of a poppy seed and smaller! In just a few months you'll be 7 lbs and just busting out of me.
The prenatal classes start next weekend on Saturday and continue for the first Saturday in June. I'm anxious to get them over with. I hope they don't scare me! Grandma and Grandpa Jambor are coming tomorrow for dinner. They're going to a wedding in Hamilton first and will be here around 4 or so. It'll be nice to see them... and show them how much you've grown!

The Room is Done!

Finally, your room is finished! Daddy and I did the very last of the painting this afternoon and it looks terrific! Slowly I'm beginning to picture you in here... your crib, the way it will smell (good most of the time I hope!). The idea that in 3 months we'll be daddy and momma is starting to sink in.
We were at Home Depot today picking up some wall outlets and faceplates and I got another dizzy spell; just out of nowhere. It was a bad one too. It lasted about 5 minutes. Again, I have no idea what triggered it. All I can thikn of is that my pants (the first ones I bought from Thyme) were too tight or the smell from the aisle we were in (we were looking for baseboard). Other than that, I'm stumped. Hopefully though the distance between spells lengthens. It's been 3 1/2 weeks since my last one.

Friday The 13th

Ooohhh, it's Friday the 13th. I'll have to make a trip to the cemetary and... gimmie a break. All this spooky Friday the 13th stuff is garbage. What a joke and a waste of time!
I never mentioned - Craig called Dr. McKinnon last week and asked the receptionist if the Dr. would take you and me on as new patients. She called back a day later and said that was fine. So now I finally have a real family doctor here in Kitchener. He seems pretty cool, too. Craig really likes him. So I have an initial visit with him on June 1 to go over some paperwork and sign consent forms so he can get all my records faxed over from Dr. Hawthorne. You know, it hurts a bit that I'm not going to be able to continue seeing her. She's been my doctor since moving to London. I have a lot of history with her. Oh well. I'll be seeing plenty of Dr. McKinnon and I guess I can make a history with him.
Aaron from across the hall was talking to Craig yesterday and mentioned that they have a baby swing for us. We're giving them the futon frame so it's more than a fair trade. I'll have to see the swing before accepting it, of course, but they seem to have pretty nice stuff so it'll probably be a good one. I seem to remember Melissa saying that Alexander hated the swing. Maybe they're counting on baby #2 hating it also. Whatever the reason, they don't want it.
I've been feeling pretty good these past few days. Very tired and achy but remember I've been painting too. Tonight I hope to finish all the painting - closet, trim and hopefully the ceiling. Once that's all done the room can be put back together. It looks so cozy in there at night when the hockey night light is on. It's going to be a great room.
Grandma and Grandpa Jambor are hoping to come before the end of May to pick up the matress and boxspring and then Auntie Sheri will bring your crib and change table. That's all your room needs besides a toy box and that can come a little later anyway. Everyone's doing so much just for you... not that you don't deserve it!!

Another Dr. Appointment

I've decided to leave this book in plain sight so hopefully I'll write in it more frequently. It seems to be working so far.
I had another appointment with Dr. Raby today. My weight was up 4 pounds from my last appointment. It was 171. That's okay. I just have to remain conscious of what I'm putting in my mouth and decide if it's the best choice I could make, or not. My blood pressure was normal, as it has been throughout the pregnancy and my belly measured 25cm, right on target. (It's 1cm per week we can expect it to grow.) Dr. Raby showed me the results from the bloodwork and echocardiogram. The echo was normal, as she expected. Bloodwork was also normal except for my thyroid. She said I'm on the very low end of normal for thyroid (whatever that means). She said we'll keep an eye on it. As far as the dizzy spells, I haven't had one in over 2 weeks but Dr. Raby said that if they change (frequency, I pass out, etc.) or if they start to really worry, to come to her right away. You know, she's a no nonsence doctor but she's growing on me.

25 Weeks

So here I am, 6 months pregnant, feeling absolutely huge but enjoying this time with you more than I ever thought. Yesterday I went for the echocardiogram. It was amazing to watch my heart pumping and see the blood flowing through the valves and vessels. God truly created wonderful things. It's so surprising that people can see stuff like that and still believe in evolution; like everything has come about by chance.
The condo corporation is having a huge yard sale tomorrow and we've also rented a great big bin for larger items like beds, furniture, BBQs, etc. It'll be nice to clean out the basement finally. I'll have ot go through the house tonight and see if there's anything worth selling tomorrow or if it's all going in the dumpster.
Mother's Day is on Sunday. Lisa, Donna and Grandma Irma are coming for lasagna. Hopefully it's good!

Dizzy Spells

So I figured it was time to update this a little. Tomorrow I'll be at 24 weeks. I know it's a little cliche but I can't believe the time is going by so quickly. In 3 days it will be May and before I know it I'll be starting my maternity leave and then you'll be here! It's so scary to think of myself as a mum. I know we'll be fabulous parents but I just worry about stuff... money mostly. I bought the stroller on Monday. It won't be delivered until July 11. We're counting on you not being an early baby because we won't have a carseat to take you home in!!
I also went to see Dr. Raby on Monday. My weight was 168... a lot higher than I wanted it to be at this stage but not unexpected. I haven't been watching what I've been eating at all. I've recomitted to healthy eating. After all, I only have 6 months to lose the pregnancy weight so I don't want to be as big as a house...
Dr. Raby sent me for some bloodwork becaue of my dizzy spells and I'm going for an echocardiogram next Thursday for the same reason. It's like a heart ultrasound. She doesn't expect anything abnormal but wants to check just in case.

Baby, I feel you all the time. You're definitely reminding me constantly that you're in there. Lisa says you'll get annoying but I don't think so. What a miracle you are. I still find it unbelievable that I am growing a HUMAN BEING inside me. It's simply incredible!

I added the photo from 23 weeks too.

22 Weeks

22 weeks

The Halfway Mark

Almost 21 weeks pregnant. That means almost 5 months. It's hard to believe I'm over halfway through. We've been taking belly photos every week, though, so I'll be able to remember this easier hopefully. I wish I could call back the feeling of being pregnant whenever I want once the baby's born and then have the feeling go whenever I want.

I'm beginning to feel stronger kicks more and more but it's just one at a time; never more that just once.

We leave for Mexico on Saturday. Just 4 sleeps away! Craig's sister Lisa and her husband Chris are going to stay here and feed the cats. We're giving them use of the car for the week too. Lisa just has to drive us to and from the airport. Pretty good deal, I'd think.

On Sunday on our way to Grandma and Grandpa Jambor's we spun out (it was so scary!!) on the 401. The front passenger tire came right off the rim and the rim got all scraped up. We had to put on the spare tire and drove on highway 2 all the way to mum and dads from Woodstock. We were hyperventilating and everything. Quite an experience! And not one we ever want to repeat!

Let There Be Life

Well, my son, I am practically halfway through my pregnancy with you (19 weeks). My job of growing you is almost done. Hard to believe it's gone so quickly. I went and saw Dr. Raby again this morning. I was wearing a great big sweater and had just eaten a great big breakfast. I was up to 162 when Lisa weighed me. Dr. Raby said though that I'm doing a great job growing you. Everything seems to be going well.

Last night around 12:45 AM I was laying on the loveseat on my back watching TV with Daddy. I was feeling hungry and then my belly gurgled. A few seconds later it did it again. After the second time I realized it wasn't my belly; it was you! You finally moved enough that I could feel it. I whispered for daddy to come over so he could feel it too. You even moved again but daddy's hand was in the wrong spot. We went to bed right away so daddy could hold his hand on my belly but you must have fallen askeep because you didn't move again. But you woke me up again this morning with a tap-tap-tap. Almost like you were letting me know you were hungry or something. I excitedly woke up daddy but he was too sleepy to say anything more than mmmmhmmmm. :) It was still really early. Even as I'm writing this you're kicking me. I can feel it at the top of my belly on the left side. Now that I know what it feels like I've been feeling it a whole bunch. You're a pretty active baby!

Daddy and I have been thinking about names for you. Our favourite right now is Shawn Anthony Martin. I'm starting to think of you as Shawn.

We went to the mall on Saturday and daddy picked up a couple of outfits for you. Wait until you see how small the shoes are! I'm getting so excited to finally meet you!

The BIG Ultrasound

I can't believe that 2 weeks have passed since my last entry already. SO much has happened... I'm going to be writing for a while.

First, about a week and a half ago I had my first baby dream. You were a girl and Craig named you Cassandra Daisy. The labor and delivery were easy, quick and painless. In my dream I was shocked that women scream and yell because I was just "chillin'". I was sharing a room with another lady and her husband. She had a boy and named him Tarrence Devin but he was black and both she and her husband were white. Needless to say there was lots of shouting. Once our baby was born I went for a walk downtown while the baby was sleeping at the nursery. I told the nurse I'd be back in time to feed and change the baby. By the time I got back to the hospital I had bled through my hospital gown and I'd been gone so long the nurse had already changed the baby's diaper and fed her a bottle. She gave me a really hard time, saying the baby was soaked, and blah blah blah. When I woke up it took me a few seconds to remember that there's not a baby in the next room to go change or anything... yet!

Second, I'm so glad Craig and I are taking weekly belly photos. I am shocked at how quickly my belly is growing. It seems to be bigger every morning when I'm standing in profile in front of the mirror. This baby's growing so fast.
Third, Craig and I are officially a year older. Craig turned 26 on Saturday and I was 24 almost 2 weeks ago. That's not so young to have a baby! Sometimes when we tell people they react with such scock that we're "so young". Hey, we have a house and a car. All our bills are paid. Money in the bank. We're just really young to be so smart and in such great financial shape.

Finally, the biggest news of all!! We had our second ultrasound this morning. The baby was moving and twitching like crazy on the screen but I can't feel the little monster yet. The technician took a whole bunch of photos. I was in the room for about an hour before Craig was asked to come in! Craig and I had decided on the weekend to ask the technician the sex of the baby if she was sure. Initially she said it looked like a boy but wasn't sure because the umbilical cord was in the way. But once she got a better angle she got a straight on shot of the penis and scrotum. So, without a doubt, we're having a BOY!!

I'm going to pick up groceries tonight at Zehrs and I'm going to look at boy clothing. Preparing for this baby is going to be so much easier now!!

16 1/2 Weeks

This morning was my second visit with Dr. Raby. She's very much a no nonsense doctor - really quick. I heard your heartbeat for the first time! It was really faint and Dr. Raby had to ask that no one use the toilet for a minute so we could hear it. You're still sitting really low and on the right side.

I asked about a hepatitis immunization for before we go to Mexico. She said to talk to Dr. Hawthorne about it but I think she said that because she thought I wanted to know where to get the shot from. She never said anything about benefits or risks so I think I'll get it. Dr. Raby did say to only drink bottled water. Not even ice cubes. I guess getting sick can be pretty serious for the baby.

The next ultrasound has been booked for 2 weeks from today at a place across the street from KW Hospital.

I was shocked this morning when I was weighed. After eating so much at Mediterraneo last night I was sure I'd be up a couple of pounds this visit but I was the same exact weight as three weeks ago: 151. But Dr. Raby didn't say anything so I guess that means it's not serious enough to worry about. I would think, though, that if I'm still not up by my next visit in 3 weeks she may start questioning what I'm eating.

Daddy and I spent the weekend that just passed getting more of the house ready for your arrival. We gave Moe the old coffee table and bought a new one from Zehrs; one that holds backets on a shelf underneath for diapers and toys. We also found a cheap ($25!!) bookshelf to put in your room to hold all the books you're going to have.

I'm still looking for the perfect baby book though.

16+1 Weeks

So much for finishing that entry last week. Craig and I have been sick and in bed since Friday night with cold/flu symptoms. We were home from work on Monday and Tuesday; we couldn't even get out of bed. Yesterday a man came from Handyman Connection and installed the railing. One more thing to keep you safe, baby. I've been feeling fine baby-wise this past week. Almost not pregnant. Very soon I'll be feeling you!