Dedication

This Sunday, we had the joy of dedicating Finn to God in front of some of our family, friends and church family. Through the years I've seen many babies get dedicated on the stage of our church and I've always imagined myself standing there with my husband and family doing the same, so it was wonderfully strange to finally do it ourselves. Finn did so well! He quietly sat in Pastor John's arms while he prayed over him. Here is something that might add a chuckle in your day: literally just when Pastor John called us to the stage, Finn decided it to be a great time to load his pants.

 

 

In other news, Finn is smiling so much now. Pretty much whenever you smile at him, he smiles right back. We love it! Farting noises also work well. He's already such a boy.

 

First Halloween

Finn's first Halloween was a gas. The three of us went over to Travis, Jessica and Cohen's house to hand out candy and eat dinner then went to the family festival at church. Finn was supposed to dress up as a tiger, however the costume was too small. His arms didn't make it out the arm holes, and he couldn't stretch his legs out...he was a good sport letting mom put it on anyway for photo's sake.

Month One: Down.

 Wearing a new little outfit complete with big pants and little train shoes!

One of Finn's first smiles, caught on camera!

I'm not sure if I have ever experienced a month that went by faster than this one! It's been a wild ride and I think we're getting used to the craziness of parenthood. You know, the nights of less sleep, the crying and soothing, the diapers, and everything else that goes along with this life. So what has happened from September 21 to today?

Family Visits

Some of Finn's grandparents (he has 12 in total) came from out of town to visit. The only downside was when they all had to leave! First we had Jim and Karen from Edmonton (Papa and Granny) fly in. They stayed just for the day...it went by too fast!

Then we had Karen and Mike from Prince George (Grams and Grandpa Mike) in the next week, when Finn was three weeks old. We wish all Finn's grandparents lived closer!


Thanksgiving
Finn experienced his first holiday - Thanksgiving - at Grandad's and Grammy's (Bruce and Karen's). It was great except Finn decided he wanted to eat the second mom sat down to have dinner with everyone, thus causing mom to miss out on dinner with everyone. Sigh - such is life.

We're pretty pumped about what the next month will bring to the Doucette household - lots of smiles and laughter!

Finally - Finn Prentice Doucette is here!

Finn Prentice Doucette | September 21, 2009 | 11:43am | 8lbs 9oz

Well, it's been almost two weeks since we birthed a healthy baby boy called Finn. Personally, I am delighted the first week is over - so full of nerves and learning curves (that will never end, I know) (also, that rhymed which is sweet) and learning how to breastfeed and changing diapers a billion times a day. Here is the birth story if you would like to know it:

Let's start with the fact that I was 13 days past Finn's due date and things were getting a tad frustrating. Going to the midwives office for appointments were a little disappointing - hearing that girls that were due after me were already enjoying their newly formed families, and I was here enjoying the gift of more stretch marks and peeing every half hour. I would sometimes get emotional talking to Chris, feeling like this baby was never going to come.

At my last prenatal appointment with the midwife, they gave me a recipe for a 'labour cocktail' that involved Castor oil, almond butter, mango juice, and lemon verbena. I choked this all down (in stages - first the oil/almond butter, then the juice/verbena followed by a carbonated water chaser) around 4pm. After that our friends came over (see photo!). Before dinner we went for a walk and that's when I started to feel my back hurting and tummy cramping. Could this be it, I wondered? Finally?

A couple hours later after dinner around 8pm and Travis and Jessica had left, the contractions started. When we started timing them shortly after, they were already coming at no longer than 4-5 minutes apart, so we called the midwife. She said to wait a bit when they were more regular, so we called again later when they were consistently 2-ish minutes apart. She told us she would meet us at the hospital.

After rushing and packing last minute things in the suitcase, we hopped in the car, me groaning with every contraction. Upon arriving at Surrey Memorial, I got checked and was already 6-7cm dilated. I got into my room (the last one available!) and pretty much hopped in the shower and there I stayed for the next three hours. Again, groaning. Long story short, after three hours I went to the bed and was now about 8-9cm! Around 7:30am, I was 10cm and the midwife told me that when I felt the urge to push, I could. I started to cry - the time was here and I couldn't believe it! I asked how long the pushing usually took, and she said one, maybe two hours. Ha! From about 7:30am to 11:43am I pushed and pushed. Toward the end, Finn's heart rate suddenly went up and they strapped an oxygen mask on my face as well as the fetal monitoring belt. I was a tad nervous because I had no idea what was going on...but all resolved itself. I continued to push and finally, at 11:43am Finn was out and in the world. When the midwife put Finn on my chest, I could not believe it - we had a son! Chris was emotional, I was emotional, my mom was emotional...it was quite the experience.

40 Weeks.

40 weeks and one day. One day over the due date. Sigh.

Well here we are! One day over the due date. It seems as if our little Douce prefers to be warm and cozy in there instead of finding out what the outside world is like. I can respect that - but his/her father and I are getting a little anxious to meet him (or her...)! I wasn't really expecting to deliver early or on the exact day (it would be a lie to say that I wasn't hoping a little) but once that day we have been looking forward to has come and gone, it makes us a little antsy...especially now that we feel we're ready and have everything we need to accommodate this little human!

So, we wait. We wait because the only one who knows the exact date and time of this kid's arrival is God. I wish I knew...

Sweet Gear.

 

This is our stroller, a Phil&Ted's Sport Buggy. Chris is very excited about it. He takes it for little strolls around the living room every few hours. (I'm not kidding)

This is our car seat, a Graco SnugRide32. 

This is what our baby will sleep in. Not in this spot, though.

 
Here we are, on the eve of our due date. Everything is ready - we've got the bassinette, the car seat with the base in the backseat of our car, the stroller, the clothes, and the blankets. All we need now is the human.

39 Weeks - Just about there.

Trying to figure out what chocolate bar is smeared in the diaper! 

 Caitlyn won the bottle drinking contest.

Jessica and Jenna, the party planners!

Letting everyone see how big I am so they can guess with the string...my great grandma won!

My great-grandma, me, and my grandma.

Here we are, one more week until the due date. Technically, this kid could come at any time and that makes Chris and I both very excited, and nervous. Nervous in a good way though - I am feeling confident that all will go well and that this baby is going to come in to the world one way or the other! In other words, bring it on.

As the photos show above, my good friends Jenna and Jessica threw me a wonderful baby shower and boy, did we get spoiled! I was so blown away and we feel ready now for this baby. We have the car seat, clothes, blankets, a few toys, diapers, wipes, Diaper Genie (Chris' favourite gift), and more. We are so blessed!

38 Weeks

 

38 Weeks

Well, here I am at 38 weeks.

Today was my very last day at work, and I am now on maternity leave. It was a nice day...we had staff meeting and they brought out the sparkling raspberry juice, said nice things about me and toasted me. It was so nice! And they all pitched in and bought us our playpen. I felt very blessed. It was a strange feeling leaving the office today at 4:30, knowing I wouldn't be back tomorrow or Monday. It was a bittersweet feeling, actually...I can really say that I love my job and the people I work with so I will miss that so much. On the other hand I'm so looking forward to having this baby and learning how to be a mom and spending time getting to know our Little Douce! Change is in the air, and I'm going to embrace it.

37 Weeks | FAQ's

37 Weeks | 9 months 1 week

Here I am at 37 weeks, or 9 months and 1 week. (Apparently I am both huge and tiny - I've had both comments) This is considered to be full term, so if I were to go in to labour it would all be good in the Douce hood. We are slowly getting our place prepared for an extra person: cleaning closets, getting rid of junk, and buying insane amounts of food so I won't have to shop the week I have the baby. Last night I went grocery shopping for canned goods and jars of stuff as well as about 10lbs of meat that is currently resting in our freezer, waiting to be made in to Shepherds Pie, meatloaf or Shake n' Bake. (Thank the Lord for Costco) Next stop: Diaperville. We also have the bassinet, thanks to good pal Tammie! Our next priority is the car seat - we would love to leave the hospital WITH our child. Having this larger stomach, I expect people to ask questions. I have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (or, FAQ's, if you will) of what I get, and answers for your convenience:

1. Just about done eh? A: Yes, I am due September 8. ___ weeks/days to go! (refer to pregnancy ticker above) 2. How were you during that heat wave?? A: Pretty good actually...we were at a lake that week so it was more managable. 3. Do you know what you're having? A: No. (This is usually followed up by 'I think you're having a boy/girl because you're carrying all in the front' - it's always changing from person to person. Who knows.) 4. Have any names picked out? A: Yes. Well a couple. And we're not telling, na na na na na naaaaa. 5. Got the nursery set up? A: No. We don't have a nursery because we live in a one-bedroom condo, but we will be getting the baby's 'corner' ready ASAP. 6. Got everything you need like a crib and stroller and carseat, etc.? A: No. We have nothing. (as of August 17 - sure to change very soon) 7. Do you have any cravings? A: Yes, pretty much just lemon-lime carbonated water with lots of ice. Also, just ice. 8. Are you excited? A: Yes. Duh!

If you have any more questions, just ask!

Earning My Stripes.

I personally have reached a new milestone and feel that I am now really earning my stripes, so to speak. I tell you all that I have spotted the first stretch mark.

I will admit that I was not happy upon detecting this shiny little scar-looking thing which has made its permanent home just above my belly button. However, I keep telling myself that it's there now, be friends with it and embrace it. It's here to stay. It might even let its friends move in and give birth to little ones of its own, so it's just something I have to accept. I'm working on it. Maybe I'll give it a name. Murray?

Oh Summer Fun...

Jessica & Travis, Chris & Me, Jenna & Koby

35 weeks and some odd days - out for an early morning stroll around the lake.

This is what I found on myself after walking around downtown Vancouver for a while. Lovely.

Oh dear - it's almost been a month since the last post. Shame! It's been a busy month, I will admit. Chris and I went away for a week with my side of the family to Loon Lake (Where is that, you ask? About an hour past Cache Creek) to bask in sunshine and swim in the lake and go to the bathroom in an outhouse. Then the next weekend we tripped up to Jolly Lake (Where is that, you ask? Why it is 45 minutes past Osoyoos) with some of our pals, Jenna and Koby, and Travis, Jessica and baby Cohen. That was the last trip away until the baby comes! What is new in baby world? Not much (and at the same time, a lot!) but I can tell you about what the baby is doing to ME:

1. My iron stores are still low despite me taking supplements...I'm not sure how they keep going down when I'm taking more than I normally do daily.
2. I'm apparently big. Someone asked if I was "sure" I was due in September because I am huge and then asked if I was carrying twins.
3. Legs are starting to hurt in the night. I don't know if they're cramping per se, but they're just sore, mainly in the hips so I wake up and turn over and I'm good for about an hour then I repeat until morning comes and I'm thankful to be out of bed. Also, at times it feels like I am walking as if I just got off a horse.
4. My feet and hands are slightly swollen at times (see photo above). In fact when I make a fist it hurts, especially in the morning. It's strange and I feel like an old woman with arthritis, but apparently it's normal. Nothing I can't handle.
5. Craving: carbonated water with lots of ice. BONUS if it's lemon-lime. That's it. Right now I go through about 4 litres a week, and that's restraining myself a little bit. If I spill a little, I don't think about now I have to clean it up, I think, 'Waste!'

**If you are reading this and you have kids, what did you crave?

Fun in the Summer Sun!

The Douce and I at English Bay!

Close up. Brandi-Lee at 31 Weeks & 4 days

I'm not sure if this weather could get better - not too hot, and definitely not too cold! Some friends and us took a little jaunt to English Bay, had some 'dunch' (lunch/dinner) and just hung out on the beach. It was lovely!

Canada Day Fun

Just being really cool.

Ruby doing 'somersaults' - this is as far as she got.

Chris being the good sport he is, demonstrating for Ruby.

Destiny and I - she is three weeks ahead of me. I have awesome hair due to the breeze.

Yay for Canada Day! I admit the post is a wee late and the magic of it all might be dead but truthfully I didn't get these photos in my possession until Tuesday. Anyway, we celebrated Canada Day with a couple of our friends and their kids at Belcarra Park in Burnaby. Twas a fantastic day. Our intention was first Buntzen Lake, but the lot was full by 10:30am and it was the same story for White Pine Beach! Our third choice was Belcarra, where we swiped a picnic table, ate hot dogs and layed in the sun. Glorious!

31 Weeks | 7 3/4 months

I have recently been finding it harder to bend over and do up my shoe, put socks on, and I let out a long exasperated "UGH" whenever I drop something (which is often). I think the child has officially taken over and made residence in my entire front half, and I know it's just going to get worse. Feet in the ribs, backed in to my lungs. Head butting my bladder! Geez, kiddo.

30 Weeks

30 Weeks | 7.5 months | 3/4 done!

Thirty weeks along, and three-quarters of the way through. Time goes by fast! Yesterday I had an appointment with our midwife and am happy to say that I am diabetes-free! Not that that's a surprise or anything. However I do have to get one more test because I apparently have low iron - so here we go again. It's a good thing I'm not afraid of needles! She told me to eat more red meat, dark leafy veggies, etc. Good excuse to fire up the BBQ for a nice juicy steak. And I do love steak... As I drove back to work from the midwives clinic I thought how funny it is that your kids start taking from you even in the womb - at the beginning they take your energy and trade it for nausea, then you get your energy back and they take it again. And, they take your iron supply for themselves, sometimes leaving you almost depleted! After they're born they again take your sleep, then starts the cash doling. I just found that funny. Obviously as a mother I'm more than willing to give and sacrifice. :) Right now I am off to Baby's World to search and conquer the world of strollers and car seats! Wish me luck.

29 Weeks

B at 29 weeks | Just over 7 months

We're 29 weeks along, or just over 7 months. Getting bigger all the time, it feels like! This morning I went in for my glucose testing - to see if I have gestational diabetes. Basically I go in, sit and wait, drink an orange pop-like beverage, wait an hour in the waiting room, get blood taken out of me, and leave. The orange drink wasn't so bad...I hadn't had an Orange Crush since I was a kid so it was a nice in a nostalgic way...

Random photo: Chris sleeping. Notice how many pillows are needed for comfort.

Not much else to report! Chris and I went to Coldplay with some friends last weekend and it was one of the best concerts we've ever been to. Loved it! We're looking forward to U2 in October. Anyone want to babysit??

27 Weeks | Third Trimester

27 Weeks - Week one of 3rd trimester! (and I'm not wearing black, grey or orange)

Here I am at 27 weeks, and the first week of the third trimester. The homestretch! It was odd realizing that this is the final third of this pregancy. Both Chris and I realized that we have a lot to do ahead of us: buying a stroller/car seat, cleaning out our closets to make room, not to mention trying to sell our apartment again. Last night I had a dream the baby came early and we had nothing! Yikes. So what's new with the baby? Apparently it's around 2lbs and about 14.5 inches long. I feel it turning and squirming all the time - especially at night and the morning, or when I'm just sitting at my desk at work. At first it was a really cute feeling, and it still is, but sometimes it feels a little creepy. For instance when I know a limb is going from one side to the other...I half expect it to burst out of my stomach, kind of akin to the movie Alien. I feel like my tummy is just growing more and more every day, and I still have so much more to go. Summer's going to be a hot one.

Baby Clothes 2

My favourite are the sunglasses! $3 shirts - how could I not?

Kinda unisex!

These are from my mom and we thought Chris' dad would like the shirt on the right, being a pilot and all.

Again, some may appreciate these baby clothes posts more than others, but whatevs. If you are noticing that these are boyish clothes, please note we still don't know what we're having, but I feel so drawn to the boy clothes! Perhaps that's motherly instinct? Who knows. If we have a girl, she will either look like a boy for some of the time or our friends with boys will be getting some nice new clothes!

24 Weeks

Brandi-Lee at 24 weeks | 6 months

Well here I am at 24 weeks, or 6 whole months! I can't believe it. He or she is moving around so much now, and Chris can even feel it. We have also seen my stomach move! It's a crazy feeling and it makes the whole experience more real. The first time Chris felt it was when we were about to go to bed one evening. The baby had been moving around but when Chris went to feel him/her they stopped moving, of course. So we decided to jostle my stomach around and Chris started making noises at my stomach ("WAKE UP, BABY!") and it worked! Chris put his hand on my stomach and felt a little knock. He looked up at me with a big smile on his face and I was so happy he could finally feel what I have been feeling for the past few weeks. It was definitely a 'moment'! So what else is happening? Well, apparently the baby is almost a foot long (like at Subway) and over a pound. Some great news is that I haven't seen any stretch marks yet...and I'm looking often...so I kind of hope it stays that way. (And all the girls who have given birth are probably rolling their eyes and saying, "Honey just you wait"...but a girl can hope, right?!) Apparenty the baby has no pigment in their skin or hair, so basically I am carrying Powder, minus the special powers. I'm also suspecting that my feet have grown a half size...I no longer fit a 6 at Aldo. I bought my first bottle of Tums today, as I've been feeling that slight acidic sensation in my throat. Ugh! What else will be in store for me? Time will tell...

My First Hormonal Almost-Meltdown

There's a stereotype out there of hormone-driven, cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat, war-path trodding pregnant women. Yesterday, I fit the bill. And it was over something so trivial...cookies and spilled water! I had a glorious day off after an awesome women's conference at our church, and I was quite enjoying my day of grocery shopping in the morning and hanging out at home. At some point in the afternoon, I decided to bake my Cookie Monster husband some tantalizing chocolate chip cookies, using a new recipe deemed to be 'The Best'. It got four and a half stars on AllRecipes.com, so it had to be good. I followed the directions pretty much to the tee and the first batch came out hard as rocks. Not burnt, but I could probably have used them as a defense (ninja-star style) if we were to run in to those Surrey punks again. Next batch, I put them in for less time. Still hard. Next batch, hard. Finally on the last batch they were satisfactory (not great) but the emotional damage was done and my mood was sour like the old yogurt in our fridge. After much encouragement from Chris and reassurement he would eat them all, I decided to tackle dinner. Spaghetti was an easy choice. I still had a grudge against these crap crisps that masqueraded themselves as cookies, but I knew I had to move on with my life. I asked Chris to fill a pot of water for the noodles, which he did wonderfully, but I wanted a tad more so I filled it up just a bit more. Turning from the sink to stove I knocked the pot on the edge of the counter and the water waved to and fro, spilling water on the stove, counter, floor and my socks. That was the breaking point. Tears spilled forth. I ripped off my wet socks, threw them across the room and bent down to sop up the water, all the while weeping. For some reason I didn't want Chris to know I was crying over spilt water so I collected myself in the bathroom, but he got 'mad' I didn't ask for help. He's a good guy. After that, I was okay. All is now well in my world.

Baby Clothes!

This one is in honour of our child's father.

I guess this one is too...

So is this one. Dang!

Here is the first of many things we have bought for our baby. Well, I bought it. Chris just went, 'Oh, neat!'. The last one "Born to Rock" was our very first thing we ever got, and it was given to us by our good pals Travis and Jessica. I just noticed that they are all something to do with cookies or music...are there are any 'graphic designer baby' onesies out there? Hm? No? Shoot. And yes, I know they all look like boy clothes, but OH WELL. We have no idea what we're having, but the clothes were too cute to pass up.