Massage Therapists are Angels on Earth

I would like to extend a personal thank you to each and every massage therapist out there who works on pregnant women throughout the duration of their pregnancies. You are fabulous people, providing a very valuable service!!

I went for my first Mommy-To-Be massage on Sunday morning, and it was pure Heaven! The positioning was a little strange to get used to, being propped up on a support pillow, but once the lovely Luda started working on my hips and upper back...I just closed my eyes and enjoyed every second of the 50 minutes.

Typically after a massage, I'm a little sore in the spots where the knots were, but this one just left me with a feeling mixed with relaxation and energy. With "the girls" growing at a ridiculous rate (as if they weren't big enough already...), having my shoulders and neck worked on was fabulous. She stretched my feet and arms in different positions, which gave much relief to my joints. Absolutely amazing, and to any Mommy-to-Be's reading this...go for one!!

This week brings some pretty amazing developments for Bug. At just over 5 inches in length from crown to rump, mylen tissue is starting to cover the nerves and fat is being deposited to make for a fleshier future. Still flexing and stretching, I'm feeling movement more and more often, especially at story time (though we're still waiting for C to feel it from the outside). By the end of the week, Bug will be about the size of a sweet potato, which is big enough for us to feel...and see...movement from the outside!

Daddy's Surprise

We were all snuggled in for story time on Christmas Eve, eagerly anticipating a story from the Curious George collection, when Daddy surprised us with a new...and yet old...story.



Story time must be Bug's favourite time of the day as he/she kicks and squirms, rolls and flips the entire time that C is reading the story. When I haven't felt Bug moving about all day, I know that story time we'll get some action going and Mommy's mind will be put the ease.

We're safe and sound in Florida now, and while it's a little chilly, we're definitely thankful to have made it here with no issues, no stress and to have some time for our little family to relax. For the entire 2 hour plane ride, C kept squeezing my hand asking "Are you okay? Is the baby okay?" Thankfully, the baby kicked almost the entire two hours and I didn't feel any stress from all of the travelling.

Today we're off to the spa for a Mommy-To-Be Massage and pedicure, and then hopefully tomorrow some shopping for clothes that actually fit. I can only live in my yoga pants for so long (I wish I could forever, they're so comfy, however...slightly unattractive when going out for a nice dinner with C!). We're keeping our fingers crossed for some sunshine so that we can read our new book by the pool!

Merry Christmas!

From the three of us, to all of you out there...have a very Merry Christmas! We hope that yours is filled with the laughter of children, warm hearts and open homes.

We will be building some new traditions this year, and continuing on with some old ones as well. Tonight we have plans to stay in, snuggled up on the couch to watch Season 5 of LOST and then Daddy will be bringing out a new book for story time...



Then Santa will come and in the morning, we'll open our stockings and enjoy our last Christmas without a little rugrat crawling around!

It's a little crazy to think that this time next year, under the tree will be filled with crazy baby toys and contraptions...snuggly cuddly stuffed animals and super cute clothes. It brings tears to my eyes just to think of this little Bug's eyes lighting up when we turn the Christmas tree on for the first time, and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy to leave out cookies for Santa next year.

So from the three of us, to all of you out there, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

16 Weeks and Counting

We're fully finished 16weeks now, and are entering into our 17th week! The morning sickness still creeps up every now and then, especially when I don't eat on a regular schedule, and the sleepless nights are getting increasingly difficult.

Toss and turn, waking up feeling like my ribs have been broken, waking up on my back...there are so many factors that are contributing to restlessness at the moment. Well, I guess it's just preparing me for 3am feedings, 1:30am changings and 5am cuddling sessions!

Today's also a sad day - the last day of the turquoise shirt. There won't be any need for it next week while we're on vacation, and I really don't want to stretch it out too much. So...goodbye Turquoise Shirt. You have served us well!



I don't notice much of a difference from last week's picture, however...it makes me wonder if I'm going to pop by the end of the week! It's all very exciting!

Week 17 developments are also pretty amazing. The skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to harder bone...I guess that means that I had better up my milk intake! Weighing approximately the same as a turnip, Bug is busy stretching and kicking...though I can still only feel it internally and we're anticipating the moment in the next week or two when we can feel the kicks from the outside. By the end of the week, Bug will be about the size of a large onion - a huge jump from the tiny speck of a poppy seed that we started with at 4wks pregnant!

Nursery Preparations

One quick trip over to Rona on Saturday, and our colours are chosen! Daddy's job for the new year is to paint the nursery...we'll see how that one goes! He definitely doesn't have confidence, but I told him that it's just like painting primer! One the base colour is done, we can get to taping off the horizontal stripes and voila - our nursery will be painted!

Here's the before picture of the lovely mossy green (yuck) - view from the door. Around to the left is the closet and to the right there's about maybe 3ft. more of space, so it's not really a tiny narrow room like it looks in the picture.



The colours will be.....



Almond Cream is the base colour for the walls, and then about 3ft. up from the floor there will be a 1" Amalfi Coast (darker turquoise on the left) stripe, 1" Almond Cream, 6" Rich Mocha, 1" Almond Cream, 1" Amalfi Coast.

The Amalfi Coast colour is more green turquoise than blue turquoise, so if we need to add a little pink here and there the colours are still coordinated (Split Compliments with neutrals to throw out an artsy term!).

The light fixture is already on a dimmer and matches with everything else in the house, but I sort of want to change it to something a little funkier so it matches with the elegant decor we're going with for the room (ie: the baby's name will be spelled in Alphabet Photography over the crib, black and white maternity pictures will be framed and on the wall over the dresser, a black and white picture of their Poppa on the dresser).

Maybe something like this...



We'll see what Daddy says! I'm so excited!!

Story Time

C did just about the cutest thing ever on Saturday night after we got home from GodMomma's Christmas party. I was all snuggled in bed and I had been telling him that Bug now has ear canals and can recognize our voices. So...he went to his side table and pulled out a story to read to us.



It was so funny to see him all snuggled up to my belly, insisting that my shirt was raised just enough so that he could speak clearly and loudly to the baby and then putting his ear to my belly to see if he could hear anything. Sadly, it was just Mommy tummy gurgles that he heard!

He must have really enjoyed the bonding experience because he informed me that we are going to be stocking up on story books over the holidays! I have a few titles in mind of ones that I really enjoyed when I was little, but I'm excited to see what ones he will pick (and unwrap on Christmas morning!)

My Lovely Baby Bump

Well....I guess part of the curse of being 5'2" is that there is no where for my bump to go but out! Not only is it growing out, but it's smoothing out as well and my little hourglass dip is almost gone...*sigh*



I have a feeling that this may be the last picture in the turquoise shirt. With it riding up over my waistband of my pants, and it bunching at the back - it's looking less and less likely that it will be making an appearance on the blog next week.

Daddy comes home tonight and he's not going to recognize us I think! Even in the span of 4 days, the bump has grown, the baby has fluttered and flipped about, and Mommy's become increasingly emotional as we get ever closer to Christmas.

Perhaps a trip to RONA to pick out nursery paint colours and decor is in order to cheer me up! (I'm sure much to Daddy's chagrin) On his to-do list for next week is to get the nursery base colour painted so that we can swoop in after the holidays and do the chocolate and turquoise horizontal stripes. Then it'll be off to Babies R' Us to finish off the baby registry and order the crib! It didn't occur to me until yesterday that the crib wouldn't necessarily be "in stock" and that we would likely have to wait a few weeks for its arrival. Hopefully by mid-March, the nursery is entirely set up and looking fabulous!

More Gifts From Grandma

As mentioned, Grandma bought Bug some of the cutest onesies, sleepers, booties and cuddlies that I've seen in a long time! They're just so tiny and perfect!




We were back at the doctors this morning to see Dr. Gloria. She was a little concerned last week with my heart rate (it was 110, with a bp of 110/70) so she wanted to be sure that it was dropping before we hop on a plane in a week! Good news! Mommy's heart rate today was 94, and the bp was 118/80! Dr. Gloria was very happy, and is confident that my heart rate will drop a little bit more as we get settled into the second trimester.

Then, she gave me an early Christmas present. With Daddy away in silly Las Vegas right now, I've been feeling a little lonely and our house feels very empty without him. Dr. Gloria brought out the doppler this morning and I was able to hear Bug's heartbeat again! What a great Christmas gift!

15 Weeks Down...

Onto week 16! The cat is officially out of the bag and we've shouted from the rooftops that we're expecting our little one in June 2010 (or before...we'll see what the babes has in mine!). It feels really good to have the news out there, and now we can just focus on the great and amazing things that will be happening soon!

We celebrated Family Christmas yesterday with C's parents, brother and girlfriend, and my Mom. It's always nice to get everyone together to share in some food, laughs and open gifts. Bug got some really cute onesies with elephants on them from Grandma, and even a super cute and cuddly purple and pink Heffalump. The onesies and undershirts are so tiny and cute! And there were a pair of cute little white booties - I'll have to post pictures tomorrow.

Week 16 is here and Daddy is off in Las Vegas for some stress relief (and hopefully big winnings!) which made for a very emotional night last night when I went to bed. He'd only been gone about 4 hours and I was an emotional mess (gee thanks hormones!). Only three more nights of sleeping with a bunch of pillows and the cats...just three more nights.

As far as Bug's development goes, by the end of the week he/she will be as big as an avocado with a heart that is busy pumping 25 quarts of blood everyday throughout its body. Eyesight and eyelashes are rapidly developing, and hair will soon start filling in. Tiny bones in the ears have developed, which means that the baby will soon be able to hear our voice and will likely start responding with a few kicks here and there (I've felt some flutters and rolls, but we're waiting for a kick!).

Daddy better start brushing up on his reading! He's been anxiously awaiting the moment when he can read to my belly, and it looks like that time is here! Time for "The Hockey Sweater", "Z is for Zamboni" and "50 Below Zero" to make their way to the coffee table!

The Ever Growing Bump

I am going to try to use the same outfit for as long as I can...though as you can see, I probably won't get too many more pictures out of it before it's stretched out beyond belief and becomes unwearable!

This was this morning, 14weeks2days, a little more round and much more pronounced than last weeks picture!

One Sick Momma

If it's not the sinus cold that I've come down with this week it's the morning sickness creeping back up to pay a visit. This really couldn't be happening at a worse time either - we have our housewarming party on Saturday!

At least Benedryl is approved by our doctors - it seemed to really help to stay home yesterday, get some rest and take Benedryl on a good schedule. The 4 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon probably helped as well.

The morning sickness has been creeping up little by little but I'm trying to manage it by eating slowly throughout the day so that my tummy always has something in it. It's such a catch 22 - I don't want to eat when I feel like I'm going to throw up, but I know I need to eat so that the baby will get the nutrients it needs to grow big and strong.

Now that we're further along than what we originally thought, Bug is just about the size of a naval orange with arms and legs that are proportionate to how they will be once born. Becoming increasingly sensitive to light and touch, if we were to shine a flashlight at my belly, Bug would scoot away to get to somewhere dark.

4am rolled around today, and I felt something rather interesting - a tiny little flutter...almost like a somersault when I rolled over to get comfortable. When I put my hand on the spot where the movement was, the movement kept happening three or four times. What an amazing feeling!

Oh Baby, Oh My!

Today marked what we thought was our typical December prenatal checkup. A few notable things happened.

First...my weight. I was terrified that I was going to be up 20 lbs or something crazy, and since my belly is clearly showing at this point, I thought for sure that I was going to tip the scale. Not so much! I lost another 5 lbs, so in total I have lost 20 lbs. Eeek!

Next...blood pressure and heart rate. While my bp was low as per usual, my heart rate was pretty high. Dr. Gloria left the room, thinking that would maybe help calm me down, but after seeing the Doppler machine on the counter and hoping that we would hear a heart beat today...I don't think any meditation, breathing, or "calming down" would have worked. BP was 110/70, heart rate at 110. We go in next week to have that monitored.

Finally...the Doppler. She advised us that we might not hear anything at this point, but she said that she would try and hoped that I wouldn't be too disappointed if we didn't catch it this time around. Well...we did and it was positively the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. I'm actually welling up right now just thinking about it. When she looked at me and smiled, saying "Oh! Momma's happy!" I couldn't stop crying.

Having that reassurance is truly amazing, and I am so thankful for the care that our doctor's and nurses are giving us. We've been given the green light to fly at Christmas, even though I've been told to still take it easy and that my heart rate will need to be monitored for the next little while to make sure that everything is okay.

Our due date has changed as well! It's official! We're 14 weeks along at this point, which is a big jump from the 13w2d that I thought we were! June 8th, 2010 - here we come!

Our Stockings

Here are the pictures that wouldn't post yesterday!

Close up....

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care...

And next year, the one on the middle will have a name on it! (picture to come tomorrow - computer is not cooperating!)

We are finally into our new house, and couldn't be happier, though C had to do pretty much everything on his own (dr's orders for Mommy to rest and take care of Bug! No lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, unpacking, bending, squatting....oh my!)

The new couch is in place, TV hooked up. The Christmas tree is sparkle and lovely. The wine bar is set up, our washer and dryer are here. It's actually starting to look like we live here, which is really nice! There is still an awful lot of work that needs to be done, lots of organizing and unpacking, but little by litte it's looking like we're home.

Things in the belly department are ever growing, and at 13weeks today, I have more stretch marks than I'd like to have but that's all right. I'm back to getting sick in the morning if I don't have something to eat right away, and I wake up between 4:00-4:30 every morning these days. Daddy's getting worried that I'm not getting enough rest, but I'm thanking my lucky stars that this baby is still with us and growing stronger everyday. I'm also very thankful for afternoon naps!

As we work our way toward 14weeks, Bug is becoming increasingly expressive! That's right - squinting, frowning (enough of that Little One!!), sucking their thumbs and even peeing! (That really grosses me out, but whatever) He/she has the ability to grasp and make fists now, and by mid-week will be the size of a large lemon. Ultra-fine hair will start covering its tiny body this week as well, and Bug now has a distinct neck (which we saw on an ultrasound last Thursday, very cool!) The spleen will start making red blood cells this week, and the liver starts to make bile as well.

Soon we'll be able to feel kicks and punches, and the baby is already responding to the little pats, pokes and strokes that we give my belly. I can't wait to feel the responses!

There's No Denying The Bump

No matter how hard I try, there is no denying the ever growing bump that is throwing off my balance and making me dizzy throughout the day. There is no amount of "sucking it in" at this point that is taking the little bulge away...and I couldn't be happier!

My regular clothes are becoming increasingly tight, and I'm starting to worry that they will lose all of their shape. If I can just wait 4 more weeks until we're in Florida at Christmas...that would be great! I'm really hoping to score some good deals on shirts, jeans and pants for work...and might throw in a new handbag or some funky flats for the spring as well if I am fortunate enough to find some good deal on everything and don't blow the budget.

Anyhow, here's the bump!

I can't tell you how much I absolutely adore it! Even with the dizzy spells, and feeling like a freight train when I roll over in the middle of the night, I wouldn't trade this healthy bump for anything in the world!

Old Toy Trains, Little Toy Tracks...

I haven't been able to get this song out of my head, and it just makes me smile every time I hear it! (I actually sent a request to 97.5 ezrock this morning to see if they would play it for me...just waiting and listening now....)

Old toy trains, little toy tracks
Little toy drums, coming from a sack
Carried by a man, dressed in white and red
Little boy, don't you think it's time you were in bed?

Last night over at the new house, I anxiously awaited the arrival of a very special box - the Christmas box! Much to my delight, C and his friend, T, brought it over so that I could decorate the tree, put our Toy Soldier wreath on the door and hum Old Toy Trains to myself while they watched hockey and ate pizza on the floor.

Such priorities! C just wanted to get the cable and Internet hooked up, figure out the surround sound (which he did! I'm very proud!!) while I just wanted to decorate the tree that will bring some magic into our new home.

And what a beautiful tree it is! Red glass balls....mouth blown clear glass balls....gold metal angels...white lights...our glass angel from Malta....green and gold sparkly ribbons....cream and gold sparkly ribbons....and a few homemade ornaments from my childhood tucked in here and there like Hickory Dickory Dock, my white Unicorn, and my little fairy that is painting a snowflake.

Now if only I could remember where I put the snowman family ornament! This "baby brain" is for the birds! I can't remember where anything is!

Happy December!

Today could not be more perfect! I woke up this morning to C grumbling and looking out the window. Excitedly, I woke up, knowing that it could mean only one thing: Snow!!

Sure enough, there was a light dusting of snow and ice on the car this morning, and the ground was covered in the fluffy white stuff. How badly did I want to take the day off today and get the Christmas tree over to the new house!?

It brings to mind some Christmas traditions that I had growing up; putting up the Christmas tree with my Dad on December 1st while listening to Mario Lanza on the cd player, helping him paint and detail the white silhouette Nativity scene cut outs that adorned our front lawn .... wrapping presents on the pool table and trying to get the corners just right.

Christmas morning was the absolute best; waking up rush down to the fireplace to get our stocking, and excitedly watching my family open their gifts before enjoying some sticky, gooey Cinnabons for breakfast. This is a tradition that I've kept going with C's family, and in the past when we've been in Florida for Christmas morning, they've snuck Cinnabons down to surprise me.

I can't wait to start creating our own traditions with Bug. There's already a stocking on the mantle for them, and their Christmas decoration collection will start next year with a "Baby's First Christmas" ornament. Throw in a Christmas family photo or two, and voila! New memories!

Since this is going to be our last Christmas as "just the two of us," we've decided to head back down to Florida for a much needed break. Only 25 days and I'll be lounging at the pool with a good book, while C will likely be out golfing and getting some much needed stress relief. I guess that means I better "become one with the belly" and embrace that it will continue to grow, regardless of what bathing suit I attempt to sport!

Happy December, everyone! May your holidays be magical, filled with memories and joy!