High Five

Today is the five month mark. Happy birthday Seven. It's been quite the adventure so far and I am sure it is only the beginning of adventures. That makes me smile. We have already been showered with blessings and know so many have been praying for us. All very much appreciated that is for sure!

Bryan has the room done enough now to unrobe the dresser where I am currently displaying the cute baby items that keep be given to us. I admit that every time I see the room and the adorable baby stuff I smile. I smile big. :D Like that.

And now here is a picture so you can smile too.

Green Baby Steps

In our society there are so many products and options to consider, if you wish, when having babies. Something my unmarried-childless mind always wanted for 'when the time comes to have children' is cloth diapers. I suppose minimizing garbage and using more natural fibers really hit a chord with me. Now married and soon to have a child in my arms I am definitely curious if these ideals from my youth will match our reality.

I have put in some time doing research on the extensive cloth diaper options. One weekend I think I really overwhelmed both Bryan and myself crunching numbers and comparing the more then 30 choices in diapers! We took a break from the research and then made a decision. Natural hemp prefolds with smart attachable snaps (in the place of the diaper pin) and covers for Seven at the very beginning. Then moving into all-in-ones (meaning the soft thirsty diaper and shielding cover come in one unit instead of two) that have so many snaps to help them fit well from a couple of months old to 35lbs. They have changed a little since my Mum cloth diapered me 30 years ago! If you are interested to see what these look like you can find them on our registry @ www.bynature.ca

With a little help from my friends Emily & Laura, and inspiration from Meredith who introduced me, we are also going to give reusable cloth wipes a whirl as well. I found simple instructions online [Make Reusable Wipes]. Emily & I found receiving blankets that are now in process of being transformed into wipes. The solution we are going to use with them is by Laura and can be found on the Durham Region Kids (Homemade Baby Wipes That Work) blog.

So we will see. I think we have to choose our battles and follow our passions when it comes to these decisions. I just hope that this is an area where our ideals mesh well with the day to day realities of life with Seven.

Growth & Development

As Seven seems to be growing, growing, growing... we've been working at preparing for our August introduction as well. Bryan and his brother Craig have turned the awful coloured third bedroom into a bright, beautiful baby's room. Bryan has put a lot of hours into making this room the way it is now and I am so thankful! If you saw the room before, then this picture that shows a room in progress, then you will definitely see a big change here. :)

The last Doctor's appointment (last Thursday - 17 wks) went really well. Bryan was able to join me and I am so glad he could. Hearing the heart beat, and little kicks really helps put everything into perspective. Just like last time Seven was moving and shaking so the nurse was on her toes trying to count the heartbeat. The measurements, heartbeat, and my blood pressure were all good which is such a gift! We are definitely thankful and are looking forward to the ultrasound. I am pretty sure every eligible woman in Barrie is pregnant right now so we are having to wait 5 weeks for the ultrasound. With how well the pregnancy is going though we are not worried to wait, just eager to see Seven!

Road Trip

Last weekend Bryan and I left Barrie Friday morning for the Ottawa Valley. It had been since Christmas that we have spent time with my parents and figured they would enjoy a chance to see this growing belly of mine. My Mum fed us amazing meals while my Dad played paparazzi (so I now have a picture to add here); we also spent a lot of time tracking everything that was happening in Japan. The Japanese exchange student who has become a part of our family, Takaki Kosakai definitely made our concern more personal for what was (and continues) occurring in Japan. Certainly we continue to pray for our dear friends, but also the entire country as they journey through these absolutely awful circumstances.

My high school friend Kelly-Anne just happened to be home that weekend as well so her and her Mum met my Mother and I at a coffee house in the near by town. It was so nice to connect with these special women and of course have them rub my tummy. I also enjoyed an impromptu barn visit with Lisa. :)

On the drive home we were able to share a couple of hours with the crew at Tait Family Farms. Always an entertaining pleasure. And then wrapping up the weekend with Sunday Family Dinner in Port Perry.

It was a great weekend spent with so many we love and care for. All of this driving really makes me hope that Seven enjoys car rides as much as we do!