Now I can say "I'm due NEXT MONTH!"

This week started out with our prenatal class on Sunday. It was instructed by a perinatal nurse at the hospital we’ll be delivering at, and there were 2 other couples there in addition to us. The instructor was very knowledgable, to the point, and helpful, and both Dan and I are glad we went! We covered topics about late pregnancy, all the stages of labour and delivery and newborn care. There was a DVD with some helpful info (and a few graphic scenes lol) and we got a magazine/book type thing with everything that was covered. We had to “breastfeed” dolls with crocheted boobs (the guys too!), which was hilarious, we also went over diaper changing and bathing, and a few other newborn things. For those of you who live in our area and are expecting, let me know if you want any information about the classes, and I can send you all the details.

The following evening, on Monday, two of Dan’s aunts (with the help of his mom and sister), threw me a really nice little baby shower. It was great to see some faces I hadn’t seen in a while, eat some delicious treats, and receive some beautiful gifts for baby boy! We got some adorable outfits, a BabyBjorn carrier, some nursing necessities, toys and stuffed animals, and various practical items. Dan’s sister Becky went above and beyond with her gift - I absolutely love it. She MADE a custom onesie for each month of his first year of life, for a photo shoot to show how much he grows! Such a thoughtful present from his favorite auntie! 

And here are a few photos from the shower :)

Wednesday night, I went to a dinner banquet with Dan at Police College, to celebrate his graduation. The food was delicious, and I got to meet some of his new friends! On Thursday, I went back with his parents and siblings to watch his actual graduation ceremony called “march past”. I’m so proud of my hubby - It was a long and difficult three months, but he did an amazing job and I know he’ll make a wonderful police officer. 

Today, we decorated for Christmas! I always try to get all my decorating done at the very beginning of December, since it takes so long to do, and they really don’t stay up that long! I think it turned out pretty nice. It’s crazy to think that this is our last Christmas with just the two of us (and Lucy of course). Next year is going to be verrryyy different! Here are a few pics of our decor.

After such a busy week, I totally forgot to do an Outfit of the Week post. Whoops! I did take an updated belly shot, though, to add to my comparison strip thing. Here it is - I feel so huge at 34 weeks! 

That’s all, until next week. Happy December everyone! 

Mad nesting...

Nesting: “an uncontrollable urge to clean one’s house, brought on by a desire to prepare a nest for the new baby, to tie up loose ends of old projects and to organize your world.”

                                                                                                                                       - Parenting Weekly

It has begun. So far today, (and its not even suppertime yet), I’ve rearranged the art on my walls (why this was necessary, I don’t know, there are surely more meaningful things I could be doing with all of this energy!), wiped down and sanitized every surface in my kitchen and bathroom, cleaned out my closet, organized the spare room, filed a bajillion bills, receipts and various paperwork, rearranged the books on my bookshelf (again - WHY?), did 2 loads of laundry and the dishes. I still plan on vacuuming and cleaning the floors, windows and coffee/side tables in the family room, cooking dinner and going to my husbands hockey game. And then I will sleep. Sleep until it goes out of style. 

This past week was not so productive. I taught all day Monday and a half day Tuesday, and then I got an awful flu/stomach bug which had me in bed (and hovered over the toilet) all day Wednesday, and part of Thursday. I had my OB appointment Thursday afternoon, by which time I was thankfully feeling better. Everything was fine - My blood pressure was a bit low (which it has been since I got pregnant, so nothing new there), my weight was only up a 1/2 lb (probably would have been higher had I not puked the entire day before) and my fundal measurement was spot on for 32 weeks. I was given a requisition for another ultrasound which will be on Dec 3rd, to check on the placental abruption. I asked my OB what would happen if it looked worse, and she said they would consider bed rest or early induction, so fingers crossed it’s gotten better, rather than worse. As much as I’d like to meet this little guy soon, I think he needs another few weeks of cooking! On Friday, I taught another half day and then Dan came home for the weekend, we had dinner and did some major vegging (the opposite of nesting - go figure!)

Tomorrow, we have our prenatal course from 9 a.m - 3 p.m, which I’m really looking forward to, and will report on next week!

Here is my outfit for today. Over night, we got our first dusting of snow! Lucy was VERY excited so we strapped on her boots and winter coat, and took her for a walk. Add that to my list of accomplishments for the day, LOL... And who says you can't wear red lipstick to walk the dog!?

Hat, Mitts & Scarf: Roxy

Coat: Guess

Top: Aritzia

Jeans: Seraphine Maternity

Boots: Joe Fresh

...and Lucy's coat is from Roots and her boots are from PetSmart :)

Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your weekend! (and if you got some of the “white stuff” like us, enjoy the snow!)

Updates Galore and Bump Comparison!

So, I think I’ll start off this LONG post of updates, with a belly comparison shot. The first is from 9 weeks when I started “showing” and the last I took today, the start of week #29! Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell if I’m growing since I see myself everyday, but when you compare photos, side by side, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed in the last few months! I’ll probably do another 2 or 3 of these over the next 2.5 months to compare the belly throughout the entire pregnancy! 

Alright so, I had a super productive week and I’m finally starting to cross things off the “To-Do” list! You never know when baby will choose to arrive (HOPEFULLY it’s at at least 37 weeks so we know he’s finished cooking!), so it feels good to get things done now while I can still move comfortably and the weather is decent enough. 

My mother-in-law and I went to order the stroller and car seat last week, and to my surprise, the carseat I wanted was on sale so I bought it in stock and got 15% off! (sidenote: don’t you hate when you write a long sentence and forget enough high school grammar to remember where to put the commas?... Whatever. I’m only an elementary school teacher. Deal with it).  

On the weekend, Dan and I cleaned out the garage and reorganized the furniture in the spare room so we can fit the glider. My large computer screen is in clear view so I can turn on a movie to keep me awake during late night feedings. The bed is also an option if I’d rather just fall asleep.... LOL is that safe?! I’m just resting my eyes, I swear!)

What else... OH, I made a birth announcement (Well, the template really, since we obviously need to wait until he’s born for the photos). I found the idea on Pinterest and just made my own in Keynote. It’s pretty darn cute. We plan on sending it as an email, rather than mailing them out. Who uses snail-mail anymore, let’s be honest!) 

I also wrote a letter to our little dude, during a sentimental moment the other day (I may or may not have just finished a good cry during TLC’s A Baby Story, LOL). I think it’ll be really cool for him to read, when he’s old enough to understand. Dan’s working on one as well (what a good daddy!).

I had my first appointment with my obstetrician on Monday afternoon. It went very well, other than the 2 HOUR wait to see her! I even arrived 15 minutes early (as I always do for appointments... I hate feeling rushed), only to be sequestered in the smallest waiting room known to man with no book to read and, worst of all, no snacks! Talk about a “hangry” preggo lady! Anyways, she seemed lovely and very knowledgeable, once I finally met with her. I’ll be going every 2 weeks until I’m 36 weeks and then weekly until baby is born, so hopefully the wait isn’t so awful all the time. Luckily, Dan’s cousin and her hubby were there as well, so I had someone to chat with. She’s overdue by a few days now, so hopefully their little girl arrives soon! 

I read in “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” to start counting kicks once you’re into the 3rd trimester, so I started keeping track of how long it takes for me to feel 10 movements. I feel him most when I first get into bed, and so far, it hasn’t taken longer than 9 minutes to feel 10 movements! My OB said if I haven’t felt 6 within 2 hours, to go to emerg... so far, I think I’m good!).

Dan and I also registered for a prenatal class at the end of November, which is a 6 hour course on a Sunday. My OB recommended it and it’s run by two perinatal nurses and a lactation consultant from our local hospital. It’s supposed to cover topics related to late pregnancy, coping and pain management techniques for labour, birth and the post partum period, as well as breastfeeding. Hopefully it’s useful and worth the money! 

The nursery is coming along nicely! I won’t be showing any photos until it’s completely done, which will definitely be before December! I hope it’ll be worth the wait. Personally, I love it and it’s coming together just as I imagined. 

No OOTW post today because I’m saving my outfit for tomorrow night. My mom is hosting a jewelry party and I have a cute dress from Seraphine Maternity to wear. I’ll post it on Friday, I promise! For now, here’s a picture of my hospital “clothes!”  A new fleecy leopard print robe from Winners and the softest pink PJ’s from Zellers! At least I’ll be comfy... well... as comfy as one can be pushing out a child! LOL.  

Have a great week everyone : )