Warning...Bare Belly Ahead!

Everyday on The Bump I see these beautiful pictures of lovely bare bumps at 24+ weeks when they are perfectly round and wonderful. I thought maybe it was time to take a bare belly picture since my bump is nearly smoothed out - there's just a little dent along the line of my belly button...and a few stretch marks.

All in all, I'd say it's a pretty nice bump. My stretch marks are all pretty low (which doesn't surprise me at all since they had started before I got pregnant from weight fluctuations over the past few years) and it's really funny to see where he's sitting sometimes. This morning, for example, he was all squished over to the right hand side. The left hand side was practically flat, and you could see the outline of his body. So cute!!



Last night, Maggie was snuggling with him and purring up a storm...which sent him into a kicking fit that was really fun to watch! I could see elbows and knees...feet and his body....all squirming under my skin! C watched in amazement from across the room, and Bug continued to be a squirmy worm for about three hours!

Every time Maggie would squirm and snuggle up, he'd kick her. It didn't seem to bother her much last night, as you can see from the video (he kicks very hard at about 11seconds, and you can hear her purring very loudly!). She was so snugly last night for the full three hours of kicking.

Week 28?! Hello, 3rd Tri!

Wow, I almost can't believe it! We're entering week 28...which puts us at the beginning of the 3rd trimester. We've made it! I'm so thrilled and feel so incredibly blessed to be where we are now.

Bug's developments over the weekend were just crazy - from increased fetal movement (who knew that it could increase?! ahh!! He's so incredibly active!) to feeling hiccups...he's really starting to form a little personality in there! He responds when I talk to him at night before bedtime (or at least I like to think he does...), still doesn't kick when someone's touching my belly but kicks up a storm when C is in the room and talking, or when Maggie is snuggling up next to him and purring up a storm.

In terms of symptoms, I've been feeling more energy lately and have even taken pleasure in unloading the dishwasher. For anyone who knows me, I typically hate unloading the dishwasher. I mean...the dishes are clean, and put away...why unload it!? I've been happier throughout the day, which is great. My issues seem to come in the evenings, where Bug is very active, my legs get crampy and I can't seem to find a comfortable position to sleep in. I wake up about 4-5 times per night, either to get comfortable again or because I've been kicked in the bladder, and am pretty sleepy in the mornings...when he's super active again.

From about lunchtime until dinner time, he's pretty quiet and those are certainly my favourite times. Napping....resting....relaxing...I'll take what I can get, when I can get it!

Entering week 28, I thought I'd take a few different pictures...

Mommy's view down...



Please excuse the Bud Light in the background...



Mommy and Daddy - who wasn't cooperating. I think this is photo #3...he kept making funny faces from angry to sad to overly excited...



Thanks for the pose idea, MrsHollyMatesh!!

My Hospital Bag List

This seems to be something that is asked about every few hours on the 3rd Trimester board over at The Bump. "What do I pack for the hospital?" or "Help! Let me see your list!!"

Without much of anything happening yesterday or today (aside from T and C setting up the crib after dinner tonight!! Woohoo!!), I thought that I'd take a minute to discuss some of the things that I've mentally checked off my own list.

Tennis Ball
We learned at class this week that a tennis ball can do wonders when rolled across your back, to help with muscle relaxation as well as back labour, and can give Daddy's hand a break after Mommy squishes it too much!!

Stress Ball
I know that it's not going to be super effective to crush C's hand for the duration of some of the contractions. Realistically, he may be at work when they start! So...my backup will be a stress ball - but a firm one so that it doesn't give too easily!

Ipod
I'm already starting to go through all of the tunes that I have on there, get rid of the abundance of Christmas music I have (sorry K! I promise to have it back on for when Christmas rolls around, and vow to start playing those songs on December 1st!) and put on my guided meditation CD's to help with my focus and visualization.

Wembley
Yes, from Fraggle Rock. My Dad gave it to me when I was pretty little and he used to "steal" it all of the time. It was sort of our little inside joke and I've taken him to many a university exam, job interview and even Dad's funeral. I think I even held onto him while getting my hair done for our wedding!



Slippers
I had thought about bringing my cute bootie slippers that C got me for Christmas...you know, the ones that look knitted with the tie at the top and pom poms at the sides? Well...after hearing birthing stories and whatnot on Tuesday night at class, I think a trip to Walmart for some cheap-and-cheerful slippers that can be thrown away prior to bringing baby home from the hospital is in order!

My Pillow
I know that might sound a little crazy, maybe even anal...but it just seems so comforting to me to be able to sleep with my own pillow after he's born. Like a little piece of home.

Dad's blue-striped sweater
Again, just one of those comfort things. Anyone who knows me very very well will know the exact sweater that I'm talking about. I'm actually thinking about taking a bump picture in it, because I have a picture of my Dad wearing it (approx. in 2003/4) all zipped up, belly and all. Whenever I feel really down in the dumps, sick, lonely...that's the sweater that I reach for. It provided alot of comfort in the 1st trimester when I was battling morning-sickness and dehydration.

Blow dryer, hair products, straightener etc.
Again, I know it sounds ridiculous and I likely won't care what I look like in pictures after he's here, because really...come on...it's about him! But what if I do care? What if my hair is an uncontrollable mess from a ridiculously long labour and all I want to do, rather than sleep when he's sleeping, is have a shower and do my hair to feel like a human being? I'd much rather have my gear with me than not!

Obviously, there are more things that need to be packed like clothes for me and Bug, tooth brush/paste, bathing suits (for showers during contractions if that comfort measure works once we're there), snacks for C, diaper bag gear - but the list above are sort of my "in addition to..." essential items. They are things that I can't imagine not having there (right now anyhow) and things that will hopefully help me to stay calm, feel like a human being and be in the best positive mood that I can be throughout what is going to be the hardest experience of my life!

The Sweetest Thing

This song popped into my head last night when I was drifting off to sleep for a few reasons. I'll try not to get too emotional on all of you, but that's getting more and more difficult the closer that we come to the end of this pregnancy.

Last night, C excitedly told me that his grandmother gave us a gift last week for the baby. I was so touched by her generosity, it just made me so happy and I knew that it would be the perfect blog entry for today.

You see, Grandma Maria lives in Montreal, so we really don't get to see her as often as we'd like. We've been to Montreal 3 times in the past few years and always make sure to work in a visit. Thankfully, she was there when we told our families about our pregnancy and that meant alot to me to have her there. (Queue water works! Gosh these hormones are crazy!) She's just such a lovely lady, and she's raised such a beautiful family that I am so proud to be a part of.

I wanted to say a big big big thank you to Grandma Maria. We're going to be getting the mattress for Bug's crib this weekend with your gift - something that he will have for the next few years while his crib converts into a toddler bed. Thank you so much!! We love you!

The song popped into my head last night as well, and all I could think of was the following lyric


Blue eyed boy meets a brown eyed girl


In my head...it sounds more like Green eyed boy meets a brown eyed girl - and there you have C and I. I've found myself falling more and more in love with him with every day that passes. I'm not sure that he knows that, but with each day that passes, with every kiss he gives my belly and every reassuring word that he says to make me feel beautiful...I fall a little bit more in love with him.

Last night was one of those nights where I just starred at my bare belly in the mirror, and was just about in tears over how much it grew in just the few hours after dinner. Thankfully though, he rushed to my side and reassured me that it's a beautiful belly...because our son is in there. He hugged me, kissed my belly and reminded me why I love him so very much.

I could go on and on all day about how I love my boys (gosh it feels so good to say that!), but today I'll leave you with my 26week2day belly picture

Holy Prenatal Day, Batman!

What a whirlwind of a day we had yesterday! C picked me up for our appointment, only for me to realize that I had left my list of questions on my desk in my rush to get out of the office. Great start to a busy afternoon!

Well...let me tell you...the appointment was by far the best one that we've had to date! Some facts and figures for you...

Weight Gain: 3.5lbs since February 2nd (that's a whopping total of 4.5 lbs gained in total...which makes me giggle)

Bug's heartbeat: 140bpm

My blood pressure: considered "good", no figure given but as long as it's "good" I'm happy!

Great information to get, and I really like our new resident - Dr. Lesley. She actually went to high school with C and his brother! Small world!

I asked about kick counting. Since Bug is such a little ninja for almost the entire day, I've been worried that perhaps he's too active and if there is anything I should be doing to get him to calm down. I counted his kicks last Friday, and when I got to 7 kicks in one minute (rest for a few minutes, repeat) I realized that he kicks approximately 200-400 times per hour. That's alot of kicking!

Thankfully, Dr. Jordan was very happy with Bug's activity and said that it's actually a good thing. If at any point it's less then that, I'll at least notice and be able to be monitored right away. Apparently, 6 kicks per hour is considered "normal", so Bug's doing just fine!

Off to prenatal class we go...

Last night, we learned how to have babies, what different comfort measures are available, birth plans, what to pack for the hospital and viewed the birth video (wasn't ready for that one!!).

It was good and I definitely learned alot. Did you know that the placenta secretes a hormone called Relaxin that helps the pelvic bones and joints to relax so that they don't get broken when the baby is bring born? Hmm! Good to know!

And that for back labour, a tennis ball can be used to apply pressure while Mommy is sitting on a "birthing ball" (aka yoga/exercize ball)? Fantastic! I was even able to sit on one last night to see if it was comfortable, it took just that little edge off my back...I think we may have a winning coping strategy for back pain and contractions! Thankfully, we have one at home so that I can practice doing squats against the wall, centreing my gravity and rocking back and forth to find a comfortable rythm!

Jake...You Broke My Heart

Today's blog entry is going to be very short, due to the fact that I have a broken heart. Jake...you're a horrible person. How could you do that to Tenley?! It's like watching you kill a puppy...

Being pregnant, I have absolutely no control over my emotions. At first, when he was talking about how perfect she is and that he really values her morals etc. I was thinking "maybe it will be her!" But then...all of my hopes and dreams were crushed when I looked at her quivering lip. Queue water-works from the pregnant lady.

C's friend Tewks does a weekly recap about the Bachelor from a male perspective. I can't wait to hear his view on it this week, and to hear what he and C have to say on the podcast tomorrow. I mean...Vienna...really?! She looks like a man!

Today marks a really busy day in the life of us soon-to-be-parents....C's picking up the crib and setting it up with our good friend R, then we have our 26wk prenatal appointment this afternoon, and prenatal class tonight! Busy, busy day - but one that will be very positive!

I'm so excited to see the crib when I get home from our prenatal appointment this afternoon. It's a beautiful dark stain, curved back...just lovely! And it even converts into a toddler/twin/double bed so that it will grow with Bug really for the rest of his life (if he wants to keep it in the future that is!) Once it's set up, we can move the rocking chair in (we still need a chair pad for that) and this weekend we can get the dresser stained and up in the nursery!

My goal for next week is to finalize what we're doing for art and get all of the decorative touches figured out. We already have a lamp, bookends, Dad's drum sticks (tied with the picture that hung on my bouquet from our wedding), curtains, name art that will go over the crib (but won't be shown until June!). Just need a few masculine touches....

GO Canada GO!

As two avid hockey fans, you can bet your bottom dollar that we were glued to the television yesterday afternoon. Well...C was moreso jumping in and out of his chair, falling on the ground, screaming at the top of his lungs, and then....jumping up and down in the largest man-hug I've ever witnessed, cheering when Team Canada brought home gold for Men's Hockey yesterday afternoon.

I mean, I enjoy a good hockey game...but c'mon...a man-hug? It was pretty funny to watch though, I must admit!

It was debated, however, amongst all in attendance yesterday that our son would be named after whomever scored the winning goal (only if Canada won of course).

Everyone was calling with Sidney Szem by the end of the evening, which just doesn't sit right with me. Try saying it with a lisp...poor boy.

Now Crosby Szem...that's a name I could get used to! So, being the ever inquisitive one that I am, I googled "meaning of name Crosby."

The boy's name Crosby \c-ros- by, cr(o)- sby\ is of Scandinavian origin, and its meaning is "at the cross". Singer Bing Crosby.

Hmm...then again...maybe not!

This week marks some pretty miraculous changes for baby Bug, and my ribs are hurting pretty bad today to prove just how much he's growing and kicking right now. Not only are his eyes open, but he's working on a sleep pattern, sucking on his fingers and will weigh 2lbs. by the end of the week. Measuring in at a whopping 15inches, his lungs would be capable of functioning in the outside world, though with alot of medical help and long stays in the NICU.

And we even hit a milestone this weekend! We're down to double digits...only 98ish days left to go until our little boy is here!

PS: he has a name...and it's not Sidney or Crosby...and no...you won't know until he's born!