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...

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!

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.

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...

21 Weeks

Banana Baby. Brandi-Lee at 21 weeks, Chris at approximately 1,436 weeks.

Today I am 21 weeks along, or for those that don't like counting by weeks, 5 months and 1 week. My tummy is definitely growing, and I mostly really like it for various reasons: first of all, people can kind of stop wondering if I've just put on a few pounds. I actually look pregnant. As you can see from the banana, that's what size our little one is...about 10.5 inches. (I was so confused why the baby jumped from being 6.5 inches last week to 10.5 inches...apparently they measure from crown to feet now, and not crown to rump. Something I learned...) He or she has little fingernails and hair, and they are able to taste the amniotic fluid in which it lives in! Tasty. Apparently what I eat affects the flavour of said fluid: Studies show that after birth, babies are most interested in tastes they've already experienced through amniotic fluid (thebump.com). So I guess I should start eating more veggies. We also had our second appointment with our midwife, and Chris was able to come! Nothing crazy to report, but basically she checked my heart beat, lungs, kidneys and all that jazz by poking me and listening with a stethoscope. She measured my uterus (again by poking around on my tummy). We also got to hear baby's heartbeat which sounded like galloping horses. It's in the 150's, which we're told is also good. So basically, our baby is doing really well and is healthy! Thumbs up for our little Douce.

20 Weeks | Half Way There!

We have now hit the half way mark! I am now 20 weeks (or 5 months). Also, our baby is apparently the size of a small cantaloupe. I like that they measure children to the size of produce. In other news, I am feeling more little kicks and flutters, mostly in the evening when I go to bed. Also, sometimes when I'm sitting at my desk at work. And sometimes he or she will rest somewhere in my bladder region and I tell him or her to do something else. Sometimes he or she listens, sometimes not.

19 Weeks & Ultrasound

Brandi-Lee at 19 weeks

Our baby! (a picture of a picture...)

Another photo of our baby. Let's face it, it kind of looks like something that would haunt you in your sleep.

Today was fantastic! Chris and I went for our ultrasound and it was incredible. Again, it was tough to drink all that water and not pee, but I persevered and all was well (I didn't wet my pants). After my time with the technician, him pressing HARD on my stomach at some points, he called Chris in. The baby was moving all around, nodded it's head and moved its arms...so cute! I was so happy Chris was able to witness that. I can feel some stuff in there when the baby moves around so it might feel a bit more 'real' to me, so the fact that Chris was able to experience that made me happy. As we looked at our baby move around it was hard to keep the smile off my face...it was almost surreal to think that was our baby! OURS. Wow. Chris' thoughts on seeing the baby: So a lot of the time the reality of us being pregnant doesn't seem to set in. My body isn't the one that's changing (at least due to pregnancy), I don't feel anything move in my belly, I don't have nauseous spells or weird cravings so the fact that there is a child growing in B's tummy often slips my mind. Even looking at a photo of the ultra sound doesn't seem real. That being said, today I saw my child moving in Brandi-Lee's uterus and it was RAD! Good to see lil' Deuce rolling around in there, snug as a bug, having it made in the shade. To see life, real and healthy is what I think I needed to see to help me somehow connect with my child. Now if I could start teaching guitar chords in utero...hmmm Mugging News - totally unrelated to pregnancy. If you haven't yet you can read our mugging store here. As we drove back from our appointment, I saw a guy riding his bike wearing a black hooded coat, wearing a black hat. He looked over his shoulder for some reason and it hit me - "Chris! That's him" I said. "Who? What are you talking about?" Chris looked around. "The guy that mugged us! That's him!" I was yelling by this time. Chris asked if I was serious and stopped the car, got his phone out and took a photo of him! He then proceeded to drive and yelled out the window, "I GOT YOUR PICTURE BUDDY! I GOT YOUR PICTURE NOW!" (George Costanza style) I wasn't looking (half out of embarassment) but Chris said he put his hood up and looked the other way. I have no idea if the RCMP will even care about the photo, but if nothing else comes from it, I hope we scared the pants of that dude.

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!

10 Weeks...

Well, we've hit the double digits! Sometimes I think I am showing, sometimes not. I'm feeling a little sicker than I was before, and I am hoping it doesn't get any worse! I know I have been so blessed because I haven't felt too sick, just a bit nauseous here and there. I have some 'food aversions', and so far the only smell that drives me insane is onions! (Even thinking about it makes my stomach turn...blech) Today I was on the phone with a couple of midwife places, trying to see if they have room for us come September. So far it sounds okay...I am first on the waiting list for one and the other will be calling me back in the next couple weeks. We're asking that you please pray for us to get a midwife that we will 'get along' with, and soon!

8 Weeks!

Chris and I went for our first ultrasound today. I think the hardest part was consuming 32 oz of water in an hour and not being able to pee, but it was definitely worth it. As you can see, he or she is but a little tiny blob amidst a sea of...whatever is in there. In the middle of that little blob, we could see a tiny little heartbeat. It was incredible to see, and we both keep looking at this photo on our fridge and thinking about what a miracle life is...that God has this little one's life in His hands already. Wow.

New Year, New Beginnings!

I think it's safe to say that 2009 will be the most life-changing and busiest year of our lives as of yet. Over the Christmas holidays two sets of people extremely close to us got engaged and we are in both wedding parties. And, on January 1st we learned that we are going to be parents. That sounds so strange to say - PARENTS. Yikes! On New Years Day morning, I got up before Chris was awake and peed on the stick. I honestly had my doubts, because I didn't feel super different, but there was just something that made me think to take it. So, I while I was waiting I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and took a peek. There it was - that extra little line, indicating that that were was indeed life inside me. Even when I saw that it didn't seem real...I didn't feel sick or anything! Two days later we went to the doctor (the fourth walk in clinic that day that wasn't closed, full, or had a two hour wait) and he confirmed it with another test, and for some reason it seemed more real. It has now been almost a week since we've known about this and now I'm feeling a bit of the nausea and I feel like I'm always hungry. I know I'm in for a lot more!