It's our DUE DATE!

Our due date has arrived.... but baby boy has NOT! (Ok, so to be fair, we had 2 due dates given to us. The one based on the 9 week ultrasound is today, the one based on my dating, is Jan 14th) The waiting game is killing me, but I have a feeling it will all come to an end (and a beautiful new beginning!) in just a few days! I’ve been trying my best to exercise patience, but if you know me well, you know it’s not my strong point.

Speaking of patience... I’ve seen a lot of people choosing specific words as a way to sort of represent their new years resolution and I’ve decided that mine will be “patience” for 2013. On an obvious level, being a new mom will require a ton of patience, but on a more introspective level, I need to learn to be more patient with myself and my husband, as well. I’m the type of person that wants things done “yesterday” and I’m not very good at adapting to things being done on anyone else’s schedule. I also have trouble being patient with myself and sometimes “beat myself up” about certain things I wish I could have done better, or sooner, or more effectively, or just differently. Hopefully, with this as my focus for 2013 (among other things.... MANY other things!), I can learn to be more patient with myself and others.

Back to the whole “baby thing”... One reason I’m starting to get impatient about his arrival is because I have a fear of going a week or two overdue, and having to be induced. I’ve read a lot and heard some stories from others about their own induction, and it just doesn’t seem like a pleasant experience. From what I understand, induced labours can cause much less gradual contractions and be way more painful, which is scary! There is also an increased chance of cesarean delivery with induced labours that fail to progress. Another reason I don’t want to be induced is because I want to know that my body can do what its supposed to do and go into labour on its own. I know it sounds silly, but I don’t want to be a failure at being able to deliver a baby without that kind of medical intervention. Anyways, I know that only 50% of babies are actually born by their due dates, and another 30% are born the following week (without induction), so my chances are good that I’ll go into labour before the end of the week... before the end of the day would be nice! LOL.

Sorry for such a short post, but there are a few things I want to get done around the house today! Here is my “Outfit of the Week” for week 40. Dan and I went out for Chinese food last night and then had some friends over for a hilarious game of Balderdash!

Dress: Joe Fresh

Tights: Seraphine Maternity

Purse: H&M

Boots: Aldo

Have a great weekend everyone! Hopefully, my next post will feature a few pictures of a beautiful baby boy and the story of his birthday :)

In the home stretch now!

What a crazy week! We did a TON of running (well... driving) around for various Christmas celebrations and I’m officially exhausted! Last Friday I went solo (Dan had to work) to a Christmas potluck that some friends of ours hosted. I honestly cannot remember what I did on Saturday, but I’m sure it was busy lol. Sunday we went to Georgetown for another Christmas dinner with 2 other families that we do every year. Monday (Christmas Eve) was spent with Dan’s side, and Christmas day, with my side in Georgetown. On Boxing Day, I went out for breakfast with my two best friends and then relaxed the rest of the day. Thursday we did some shopping for the last few baby items on our list and then I had my weekly OB appointment. Dan worked yesterday and I did MORE shopping (this time for myself!) and we took down the Christmas decorations. Today we ran some more errands and bought and installed a new toilet for the powder room and new track lighting for the family room. I think I need to crawl into bed and hibernate until I go into labour! LOL. 

Christmastime is so exhausting, but this year it was truly amazing! I’m so thankful that I get to spend this time of year with my family and closest friends, exchange gifts, eat delicious food (and gain 5 pounds in 2 weeks! EEEKKK), and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I can’t wait to celebrate Christmas next year with our almost 1 year old son! So crazy!

I had every intention of documenting this years Christmas festivities by taking hundreds of photos, but I hardly took any! I guess I was just enjoying myself too much to remember to take some photos... very unlike me! Anyways, here's a photo of my parents tree on Christmas morning (before the opening began). A little excessive, right?! Next year, I will obviously make up for the lack of photos this year!

Alright, so in terms of pregnancy updates - we’re 38 weeks pregnant today! Baby boy will be in my arms in 2 weeks (and not a day later! Noooo way!) It’s still totally surreal to me that I’m going to have a baby in a few short weeks, and be a mom for the rest of my life! I’m so excited and nervous and anxious at the same time!

I’m feeling very prepared physically, having completed everything on my “To-Do” list (posted here back in October). Feeling mentally prepared is a different story, entirely. I’m so unsure of what to expect when contractions begin, during labour and delivery, immediately after he’s born, and of course when it comes to being a mom and the new responsibilities it entails! I suppose these feelings are completely normal for new parents, but it still doesn’t make it any less nerve-wracking! I know I’ve done everything I could have to prepare myself, so I’ll just have to trust that that’ll be enough (and that my motherly instinct will kick in when it needs to!)

I’ll leave you with a ‘Bump Photo’ for comparison (I seriously didn’t think it could get any bigger than it was in my 36 week pic, but alas, it has grown (and dropped!). I blame it on the delicious Christmas food!)

 

... And my “Outfit of the Week” - what I wore today. Gotta love a casual Saturday!

 Sweater: Old Navy

Jeans: Seraphine

T-shirt: ?

Scarf: Winners

Purse: H&M

Boots: Sorel (Tivoli suede)

I won’t be posting again until 2013, so I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Years!

Cheers to a great year, and an even better one to come!

Less than a month to go!

Another week has flown by and we’re officially less than a month from our due date (28 days to be exact!). Next weekend I’ll be 37 weeks (considered full-term), which means baby boy could come at any time! Am I ready? HECK YES! (Well, there are a few things I still need to buy, but they can wait - I’ve got all the necessities!)

In other news, Dan and I both got sick this week - sore throat, congestion, cough - us and the rest of the world, it seems. I taught a bunch (it was my last week!), did some Christmas baking with my mother-in-law and sis-in-law, and finished my Christmas shopping (and wrapping!). This afternoon is Family Christmas #1 with my dad’s side of the family - and the holiday rush officially begins! OH YA - we also got a new vehicle! Check out my “Mommy Wheels” :) 

Here’s an updated bump photo to compare to the others. This last month is going to show some significant growth, I think! 

... and a frontal version - ha ha ha - it actually looks like I swallowed a watermelon!

  

I figured it’s time for another “Pregnancy Journal” entry considering I haven’t done one since 31 weeks!

  Pregnancy Journal for Week: 36

Size of Baby: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (let’s be honest... ours is probably already 20”!)

What's baby up to?: He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

Total weight gain/loss: +27 lbs

Pregnancy symptoms: Fatigue, backaches, occasional heartburn, frequent urination (like... way more... so annoying!), pelvic pressure/pain (combined with easier breathing, I think that means he’s “dropped!”) One thing that seems to have gone away are Braxton Hicks contractions... or maybe I just haven’t been feeling them like I was before?

Maternity clothes?: Yep, mostly everything. Even some of my maternity jeans are starting to feel uncomfortable like they’re digging in to the bottom of my belly. I’m pretty much living in leggings!

Stretch marks?: Nothing  - fingers crossed it stays that way!

Sleep: about 9 hrs during the night, with the occasional afternoon nap.

Best moment this past week: Since I didn’t have an ultrasound or OB appointment or do anything “baby related” this week, I’d have to say that baking with Dan’s mom and sister was the best moment! We made a ton of delicious Christmas goodies, and I had a blast doing it :)

Miss Anything?: Not really! I’m surprised I don’t miss my morning coffee more, but tea has really grown on me!  (I switched when I found out I was pregnant, since it’s got less caffeine).

Movement: Still lots of movement! It feels different though. Less “kick-like” and more like he’s trying to roll around in there. His movements are usually very obvious from the outside and I can see my belly bulge out to one side! So strange.

Food Cravings: My sweet tooth is back! Dark chocolate, clementines/oranges, milk!

Exercise: Lots of walking (...more like waddling).

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope.

Gender predictions: It’s a boy!

Labor signs: The past couple of weeks, I’ve been feeling constant pelvic pressure, which I think means that “lightening” has occurred (ie. he’s dropped and ready to rumble!)

Belly Button in or out: Mostly out.

Wedding rings on or off: On! (I haven’t experienced any swelling at all...)

Happy or Moody: Happy! ... although more easily irritated than usual.

Looking forward to: MEETING OUR BABY BOY! I just cant wait to see what he looks like, hear him cry, kiss him, and bring him home! It’s been such a long 9 months and Dan and I are ready to welcome the most precious addition to our family.

 ______________________________________

Lastly, my Outfit of the Week. This is what I'm wearing for our family Christmas get-together this afternoon, at my aunt and uncles. We're leaving now! 

Top: Smart Set

Sweater: H&M

Pants: Dish

Boots: Aldo

Necklace: Suzy Shier

Nursery Decor and Delicious Cravings!

It's been such a busy week! Between dropping my husband off at Police College, photographing a wedding and an engagement session, editing a bazillion photos, going out to eat (on multiple occasions!), hanging out with friends, and remembering to take a moment to relax, the past 7 days have flown by and here we are beginning week 23! Only 17 weeks left! Thinking about how fast the first 17 weeks came and went, it's a scary thought that I only have that many remaining in this pregnancy!

Luckily, I've been feeling fabulous lately! Still on the Diclectin to control my nausea, but thats really the only symptom thats persisted this week, so I can't complain.

Speaking of pregnancy symptoms, I had a mean craving for chocolate chip banana bread the other day, and finally got around to making it today! I've included the recipe and a few photos of the step-by-step deliciousness! This is the moistest, most chocolatey, and flavourful banana bread recipe I've tried, so I know you'll love it!

CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA LOAF

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

4 bananas

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Heat oven to 350C

Combine and mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

Place batter in a greased bread pan (bottom only) or in muffin tins.

Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes then remove from pan. Complete cooling on a wire rack.

Serve & Enjoy! 

(I like to warm mine in the microwave for about 15 seconds, so the chocolate chips get all melty... nom nom nom!)

I had a million photos of nursery ideas/inspiration I wanted to post today, so instead of inundating you with random pictures, I made a little inspiration board for the baby's room! (Yes, today wasn't quite as busy as the past week!) I'll be ordering the bedding in the next few weeks, taping and painting the walls (hopefully this weekend), and shopping for art, accessories and other cute pieces to complete our little mans room! Knowing the rate that I work at though, it won't be completely done until the winter. Oh well - 4 months is plenty of time to make it just perfect!

Now for my outfit of the week posting! I went out for dinner last night (Indian, YUM!) with my two closest girlfriends, so we took a few snaps of my casual look for the bloggy! The striped top is non-maternity, but the skinny jeans are from Seraphine Maternity, and they're amaaaaaaazing! The perfect length, perfect colour, and they're super comfy! The elastic waistband is just the right thickness, so I can wear them after baby arrives as well :)

 Jeans: Seraphine Maternity

Top: Max Studio

Cardigan: H&M

Sandals: Birkenstock

Purse: Aldo

Until next week!