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.