The Good...The Bad....and The Ugly

What am I talking about, you wonder? Two words.

Nursing. Bras.

I went out yesterday, goal in mind, of finding two comfortable nursing bras...one white and one black. Part of my goal was to not spend a tonne of money as well, and to try and get a couple of them that didn't make me literally feel like a cow.

Well! Let's start with The Bad.

They're horrible!!!! The selection is awful....two styles! Really!? That's it!? One with lace and one without. Oh...well I suppose there were three styles if you include the cross over maternity sports bra...but let's get serious. Why in the world would I pay over $20 CDN for a sports bra that is identical to what I have now!?

The Ugly...well! You try stuffing your boobs, which have grown, and then shrunk....only to grow again, into these stupid things made of cotton that have flaps for easy access. The Playtex version...wow! Hello, torpedo boobs! At 40D...I definitely do not need torpedo's protruding from my body!

Now onto The Good...because there is some! After trying on a variety of sizes to ensure the most comfortable fit and taking into consideration that the girls will grow again due to engorgement (yippee do!), I quickly fell in love with the easy-access-flaps and the smooth styling of the Warner's maternity bra. While, yes it makes me feel slightly awkward and not all all girly, they're extremely convenient and will certainly make my life easier and support me want to breastfeed. They didn't give me torpedo boobs either, which was nice!

And it gave C a good laugh when I modelled them when he got home from work!

Permission Granted!

Oh, I had the funniest conversation with C this morning when I finally got my butt out of bed.

He took one look at me, and must have known that I was tired and sore. "How are you feeling today?" he asked.

Done. I'm feeling like I'm done and that I want this child out of me. I'm tired of being sore, of my back hurting, of my sides and stomach hurting, of feeling nauseous. I'm done.

He sort of laughed, and then said that once the car seat comes in (note to self: call BRU today to see if it's in!) and we make it to being full term at the end of the week....I can do whatever I need to get this child out. Well...within reason of course!

Spicy chicken sandwiches, taco's, fajita's, walking, red raspberry leaf tea, reflexology pedicures, butt massages...oh gees...what else can I do!? I definitely will be trying to accomplish a few things this week.

First and foremost, nursing bras. I will be going off on a search for at least two comfortable nursing bras today

Secondly, the bathrooms are in desperate need of a cleaning. Thankfully, we use all natural products, so I have no qualms about cleaning them myself (other than the showers...it's too tough with all of the reaching, bending and stretching...so C will have to get on that one).

I also have to decide on my outfit for Saturday's baby shower, along with shoes and accessories. I think I know exactly what I would like to wear, but I have no clue if the dress fits, or will look ridiculous over my big belly (well not so big, but it sure feels huge these days!).

I'd also like to make a few casseroles and get them into the freezer, so we at least have something prepared if we have to rush to the hospital sooner than we think. I suppose we should hook up the big stand up freezer as well...thank would probably be helpful!

Then there's kick counting a few times a day before our Friday appointment, vacuuming that needs to be done (C will take care of that one though), car seat that needs to be installed (again...C to the rescue!), laundry to take care of, grocery shopping like usual...

The list goes on and on, and I should probably get started on it!

Update From The Doctor

Like the crazy pregnant woman that I have become, I explained all of the symptoms to Dr. Leslie - sharp pains, pressure against the pelvic floor, sore back, occasional radiating pain from back to front, or front to back. I told her that I didn't want to overreact, and that's why I didn't call immediately after the ridiculous back pain that had me on the floor, on hands and knees, on Thursday morning. She assured me that I haven't been a whiner to this point (I think Godmomma and C may have a different outlook on that one!) so that when they got my call, they wanted to be sure to get me in as soon as possible.

She checked my blood pressure, which was fine (I didn't ask the number...I didn't really care)...checked the urine for everything imaginable, which was fine...and then palpated my stomach to check Bug's position and whatnot. Again...he's grown...A LOT, and is head down as I suspected. Everything is sore because I am completely out of room to give him...and yet he's still managing to grow, which is cause for his decreased movements and the pain and pressure on the pelvic floor.

We have our regular OB visit this coming Friday, which will include the Group B Strep test as well as our first internal exam to determine if I am in fact dilated or effaced at all, and I guess Dr. Jordan will be making a judgment call about when we're going to go into labour etc.

The feeling that I have right now is twofold. In one part, I am happy to have peace of mind that everything is fine, Bug is doing well and that he's at least in position. On the other hand, I was really hoping that they'd check things a little more in depth (internally) and say "wahoo! you're dilated!"

Fingers crossed that we get that news on Friday!

Update!

We're off to the doctor's this afternoon at 2pm to see Dr. Leslie.

When I called and let them know about the sharp cramps, decreased movement, backache and nausea...they wanted me to come in today to make sure of what's going on. Even if it only gives me some peace of mind...I'll take it!

I will update accordingly this afternoon, unless they send me to the hospital to be monitored etc.

36weeks Down...

which means that we're full-term at the end of the week! The big question on our minds is...will we make it to the end of the week?!

I mentioned to C on Saturday "only 30 days left!" and he was quick to say "ya...I've sort of thrown that time line out the window." To be honest, so have I. We've been keeping track of contractions over the weekend, and while they never last more than a minute or are ever closer than 5 minutes apart, they're coming on no matter how much water I drink, how often I lie on my left side, how stressed or relaxed I am. The nausea is still there, the backache is constant and...Bug's movements have decreased.

Yes...I admit that I was completely and entirely wrong. He barely moves anymore, and it's starting to freak me out. He used to wiggle and squirm, kick and punch the whole day through, and now I'm lucky if I feel him kick once an hour...

After reading our book from the hospital, we're supposed to be feeling him 10 times in 2 hours, with routine and consistency. Ya...not feeling that at all. He'll be quiet for the entire day, with the exception of the occasional roll over, and then will have these crazy frantic movements. The book says that's not good, and to call your doctor.

So...I'm going to be calling the doctor shortly. The contractions/pains/cramps/backache have stayed since Thursday, and have gotten increasingly uncomfortable and painful...to the point where they take my breath away and make me nauseous.

In any event, since this could be our last belly picture...I leave you with 36 weeks...on mother's day

Happy Mother's Day!

Wow...my very first mother's day! How awesome is that?!

C treated me to a really special day today, and while I don't typically blog on the weekends, I thought that I would post because I am so freaking excited!

We went to Cheeky Monkey this afternoon to....pick out a diaper bag! When we got there, we were told about fabulous discounts, draws and they had an aesthetician on site from POSH Pedicure Lounge to give mommy's a hand massage! Woohoo! It was lovely, and my hands are silky smooth and fantastic feeling now! She even said that they have Baby-Friendly Wednesday's for mom's to get manicures and pedicures, with babysitters on staff! (must investigate further...)

C spent alot of time looking over the diaper bags, going over options with the sales staff, and tried to keep in mind that I am ridiculously girly when it comes to accessories (think purple leather purses with ruffles and things of the sort).

We settled on....the Skip Hop Via bag...18 pockets, change pad, and stroller straps in black with a silver lining. C really liked the style, and it will match the stroller perfectly, which keeps me happy! Tonnes of storage, and like C said...we don't need something super girly..."let's be serious here, S...who's going to be carrying this thing around most often?" Oh bless your heart, C!



Here's the super exciting part...it's all packed!



Warm blanket from Auntie Debbie, 10 diapers (the hospital only supplies 6...), two receiving blankets, HABS going home outfit (in case it's warm out), monkey going home outfit from Godmomma (in case it's chilly), nursing wrap, soother, two pairs of socks, two white onesies

After our trip to Cheeky Monkey, we headed to the grocery store...for ice cream.

If I Had 1,000,000 Flavours anyone?



Thanks C, for a fantastic mother's day!

Notes from C

Another version of Notes from C...and again, he has great timing. I'm off at the Women's Conference today (well...Friday) with the bakery and I am praying that the contractions don't get any more consistent than they have been for the duration of the day.

Happy Friday, and happy reading everyone! If labour, false or not, progresses throughout the weekend...we will update as necessary!

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I’ve always been quite a hit with the ladies, so the positive response to my initial foray into the The Family Szem blog was not the least bit surprising. Nonetheless, the positive words were welcome, and I appreciate the feedback.

What did, however, surprise me was hearing that my thoughts and words were not what most people were expecting. Truthfully, I thought what I wrote was pretty generic:

- Say you’re excited
- Talk about sporting events to which you want to take your son
- Make a few jokes
- Compliment the woman carrying your child

Those were my notes before writing the blog entry. Seems pretty standard, no? Ok, we all know that I’m not organized enough to actually make notes, but that’s basically what I was thinking before writing it. And it’s not that what I wrote isn’t true (it all definitely is….), but I didn’t expect it to be surprising to anyone.

Regardless, I’m back (by popular demand) for another go. I’ll do my best to provide more regular entries now as we get closer and closer to D-Day (hopefully he comes a bit early so I don’t have to think of that many intelligent things to write about).

What I thought I’d talk about today was my biggest – and most illogical, and completely impractical (and ultimately irrelevant) – FEAR as we are about to have a brand new baby boy.

What if our son is a Leafs fan?
(*dramatic pause*)

Honestly, the thought of this is absolutely devastating to me. It’s not that I “dislike” the Leafs per say, it’s just that I wish everyone in (or associated with) the organization nothing but continued failure and mediocrity in both their personal and professional lives.

As many of you are already aware (or have become aware through reading this blog), I am an extremely devoted Montreal Canadiens fan. The last month or so has been a rather interesting ride. Our house has been filled with emotions, mood swings, groans, aches, pains, yelling, and potentially a soiled couch cushion or two – plus my wife is pregnant!

I have been a Canadiens fan my whole life, which I attribute to the excellent parenting of two lifelong Habs fans (both of whom grew up in La Belle Province). But our familial situation serves as the perfect backdrop for my fears. My brother – initially a Habs fan when he was younger – became a Leafs fan once he was old enough to develop his own allegiances. He actively chose to support the “other” team in hockey’s most storied rivalry. He often likes to remind me of this, and suggests that this very situation could be brewing with my yet-unborn son (especially if he gets a chance to influence the decision. SIDE NOTE: All future gifts from Uncle “B” to Bug will be vetted to ensure “Leafs-free” content).

What if, however, all of my plans to “condition” my son to being a Habs fan eventually backfire? (Apparently they’ve done some studies, and kids like to rebel against their parents.) Truthfully, it won’t be the end of the world. It may even turn into a fun rivalry between us. The actual concern here, and the reason I bring up these points is all about “shared experiences”. I think that the reason I want so badly for son to share my passion for the Canadiens is that it will mean we will share a strong, specific, bond – something that helps to define our relationship through shared emotions and experience. As I prepare for fatherhood, a big part of me wonders how well I will be able to relate to our son, and what kinds of things we will have in common.

I am a sports fanatic. The Canadiens are – easily – the largest personification of this fact, as I basically live and die with every shot, save, penalty, missed call, goal, etc. But the larger point here is that my passion for sports is a big part of defining who I am. If you ask anyone close to me to explain what I am like as a person, I have no doubt that “sports” (in some regard) will have been mentioned within the first 15 seconds of the description.

So what if my son is into music and computers, and doesn’t particularly care for sports? Or he likes science and the environment, and thinks that professional sports are dumb because the carbon footprint of an NHL arena is too big? It obviously doesn’t mean that I’ll love him any less, or want any less success for him. What it does mean, however, is that I won’t share this specific bond with him. That’s hard to envision. I’m not asking for a little clone of myself (there’s simply no way this world is ready for another one of me), but I certainly hope we’ll have some things we can share and both enjoy as he grows up.

At the end of the day, none of this really matters. I’ll hopefully find a way to relate to him regardless of what he’s passionate about. 90% of parenting is showing up (I made that statistic up 10 seconds ago), and I’ll support him in whatever he’s doing.

And hey, if he’s a Leafs fan, he can always go live with his Uncle.

C