17 Weeks

Brandi-Lee at 17 weeks! Not much change from the last photo...

Not a load to update right now, but we are very excited to have booked our 20-week ultrasound for April 16. I don't know if I can wait that long to see a little Douce in there with actual arms and legs, and a head...a little more than Mr. or Miss Blob we first saw at eight weeks! This Thursday we also have our first meeting with the midwife, which we're also pretty pumped about. The downside is Chris won't be there because he's off playing guitar at a conference in Red Deer. I'm happy he gets to go but bummed he won't be here for the first meeting. There will be many more to come though! On another note, I'm pretty sure I may have felt a little movement in the tummy. It's that fluttery type of feeling every once in a while. I'm sure if you have ever had a baby you might know what I'm talking about. (I guess that would apply to girls only...) It's just hard to tell the difference between that and if it was the piece of pizza I ate! HAVE ADVICE? One thing we are trying to figure out is how we're going to organize our bedroom once the baby comes. We have buttloads of purging to do in our closets to make room, but our actual room is tight as it is, nevermind with yet another human plus their bedding supplies! Any suggestions on how to make it work? So far we have thought about getting rid of our dresser and just using the closet. If you have tips on having a child in a small one-bedroom apartment, we are open!

15 Weeks

Brandi-Lee at 15 weeks and 2 days!

Hey y'all! Well we're at 15 weeks now, and I think it's safe to say I've got a bit of a belly going on! Apparently, our little Douce is about the size of a large navel orange, and is moving around in there even though I can't feel it yet. Some people have been asking how I've been feeling, and for the most part it's been pretty good! Here are some of the symptoms I've had or been having:

• 'gaggy-ness' - especially when brushing my teeth. I've only been 'sick' once, so I'm pretty thankful for that.
• occasional nosebleeds (I was a little surprised at that one)
• stuffy nose
• minor back aches (only on my right side?)
• drier skin and more zits from awesome hormones!

That's it for now, anyway. More to come I'm sure!

Learning About Parenthood

Mmm...broccoli!

Since becoming pregnant, I find myself observing parenting techniques of my friends and others that have kids. My latest observation is how much patience it takes to do everything. I have always heard it takes patience to raise kids, but I've really started noticing this in many simple situations. Take eating for example. I have observed our friends, Destiny and Josh at dinnertime on numerous occasions with their almost-two-year-old, Ruby. The other day we were at a friends house for a birthday dinner and Ruby was eating her lasagna with a side of broccoli. Of course, like most kids, she ate all the lasagna first, leaving two or three florets of broccoli untouched. Now, all parents want their kids to eat their veggies so they get their nutrients, but kids don't understand the concept of nutrition and you can't just tell them, "Eat your veggies so you don't get rickets!" (Well you can, but whether they will understand or not is left to wonder) Sometimes parents have to give the old, "Eat two more bites and then you are done.", which Destiny did. But kids don't just nod their head and quickly stuff the two bites in their mouth...there's stalling, trying to pawn it off on someone else, trying to dump it in their juice, taking a bite then spitting it out again...all the while mom is trying to get her to just eat it. Finally, after about ten minutes of Ruby taking her last two bites (and making us laugh), she's done and off playing. It was actually a humourous scene, but I know it takes much patience to do that three times a day, every day. I will be praying for patience for Chris and I once the Little Douce comes along...I know we're going to need it!

We've Got a Midwife...WOOO!

I just got a call today from Sage Midwifery (did you know it's pronouncend 'mid-wiffery'? It sounds weird to me.) saying that they have an opening for me. I am SO excited! I was beginning to think that it wasn't going to happen, that I would have to deliver with some odd-ball doctor I didn't know that's obsessed with the Fonze (anyone watch Friends?). Last night I just prayed that a door would be opened and that having a midwife would still be a possibility, and this afternoon I get that call. Yeah! Our first appointment is on April 2. In other news, today marks the day that I am officially out of my first trimester and in to my second! I am 13 weeks today. Still not showing too much, but maybe a little. At night. Or after I eat...