Full Term-Areno

Today we are thirty-seven weeks into this pregnancy adventure so I thought I should celebrate with a post and picture. I saw our Obstetrician, Dr Causey on Tuesday and she played the mean doctor trick of telling me I could go into labour any time now. Of course she meant it honestly, kindly wanting us to realize that the baby is where it needs to be for this to happen. So we will see if Seven is the kind of person that gets to meetings overly early but then is patient to hang out and wait. Or is Seven eager and excited to get out and about? Time will tell. For now I am apparently walking like a penguin and enjoying four days at camp. We've been blessed by many and have the essentials we need for when the little one arrives. So in some ways we are ready and in some ways a bit more time would be good too.  Either way we are pretty aware that we will not be deciding the timing.

The pic was taken by a great photographer friend with my lame-o blackberry camera, thus the poor quality. But it gives you the basic idea of what you'd see if we were hanging out today.

Two Trips to Kemptville

The Canada Day long weekend and two weekends later, I got to spend time with my parents at their place near Kemptville. They were both fantastic visits filled with surreal moments of my parents getting to feel the baby kick, being pregnant at my parent's house on my thirty-first birthday, having the baby kick up a storm as I swam around their pool, and being surrounded by amazing women from different parts of my life connected to the Ottawa Valley.

Here are some pictures of belly growth from those weekends. The purple dress pic is me before the baby shower,  and the swimsuit pic are both from the first weekend at 33.5 weeks. The other two pics are from the  second weekend at 35.5 weeks. There is one of my in a dress after the garden tour with my Mum. The second is taken by me with all of those in mind who keep telling me how tiny I am - it is all in the eye of the beholder... this is how I see it. :)

Enjoy!

The First One

Back on June 18th a group of ladies from Muskoka Woods gathered together to throw the first baby shower for us. A small group of women came together and really reminded me how much of a loving community we have around us. It is funny how in times of struggle we can feel so alone... but I we are not alone at all. Two tangible reminders they sent me away with is an album with advice and sayings from each who were there, as well as a quilt that everyone put at least a few stitches in. Some days I seem so determined to not reach out or ask for help in fear of how those requests or leaning will be received. How silly!

The second shower thrown for us in Kemptville had such a similar feeling - a smaller group of women gathering together letting us know how excited they are for us. It is impossible to leave a party like that and not feel so loved!

We are so very thankful to every person who was involved in the planing, purchasing, and prayer. I know not everyone who wanted to attend could make the showers... please know how much we appreciate you too! :)

I have just acquired a few pictures from the first shower so will post those below. Bryan has said throughout this pregnancy that my highs are higher and my lows are lower. The showers definitely brought me into high emotions - have you ever seen ANYONE this excited about a farm puzzle and bibs? :)

Into the Eighth Month

This past Thursday we hit the thirty-two week or eighth month mark. Crazy business. Last week I had a few days where I felt quite overwhelmed for this upcoming journey of being a parent. Perhaps nine months is a bit long for me to mentally maul over what is to be. I am trying to focus my thoughts more on the present again. And the present has many good things to be thankful for that is for sure. We do not have the need we did before for a c-section so are back to planing on a natural birth. My liver and kidney function are back to normal now that my gallbladder is being managed. And the second diabetes test confirmed that I do not have gestational diabetes. Seven continue to poke, kick, and flip back and forth in rapid succession at times, which even when it is shocking or a little painful makes my heart overflow. Yes many things to be thankful for.

Speaking of focusing on the present, here is a picture from today just before we left for church. Enjoy!

The Adventure Continues...

In the last post I mentioned that I almost did not join Bryan for our vacation to North Carolina. I was having painful attacks that started at the end of April. By the end of May not only did we still not know what was happening, but the attacks were getting longer and closer together. The baby was moving so much during this time which helped me not worry about Seven. Much thanks to my family Doctor who joined in on this journey to help figure out that the attacks were not just heartburn but my gall bladder. Apparently some stones and sludge in my gall bladder to be more specific. Yeah sludge... gross eh?! A low fat diet has made a world of difference which is such a blessing. On Sunday it will be two weeks since the last attack and I certainly hope this streak continues.

Due to the attacks I lost weight but all measurements continue to show that Seven is thriving. Another answer to our prayers! I actually just had another ultrasound today so will stick the picture below that I took of the screen. Not the greatest picture and to be honest kind of looks like a blob to me, but the ribs and spine are pretty obvious. Seven is already in position which makes me feel hopeful that this baby doesn't want to be in there longer then it needs to be. :) But of course at 31 weeks tomorrow I do hope Seven's content for another nine weeks.

Until next time...

The Difference Six Weeks Make

The last two times I was 'done up' I had Bryan take a picture of me as most days I'm not feeling the Kodak moment vibe. I assume, though, that just as I peak through Facebook to see my friend's latest bump pictures I should give you some more updated pics to view.

The picture inside is around 22.5 weeks along all ready to go to my cousin Michelle's special birthday at the Hillebrand Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake. What a time to be pregnant! But I still enjoyed the time with friends and family, eating some very delicious food. Yum!

Six weeks later the outdoor pictures were taken in North Carolina. A great vacation, although one I almost didn't go on. You see my body has been sort of spazzing out as Seven grows bigger. But I did end up going and had such a relaxing time hanging out with Meredith and baby Ivy. Bryan and Will got Nascar crazy camping and whooping it up trackside in Charlotte. When the races were over the guys came back and we joined Meredith's hospitable Mom and step-Dad for their annual Memorial Day cook-out. The picture in the dress was taken at the cook-out. The picture in the tank top is being put on here as it is Bryan's favourite, definitely wasn't 'done-up', and he took it outside of our favourite place to stop in the states - Panera!

It has been quite the six weeks between pictures. The baby has grown from (approximately) the size of a spaghetti squash to small head of cauliflower. The movement has changed from shooting around from side to side like an Olympic lap swimmer, to grabbing and kicking like a rock climber. Although the movements can take me by surprise, they are a great remember that Seven is not only there but thriving. :)

Room for Improvements

We are more then half way into this pregnancy, just shy of six and a half months. Some days it feels like it is flying by and other days it feels like it is taking its sweet time.  :)  But time is a gift especially as we try to wrap our heads around what is to come. 

The room is really starting to take shape. I was able to spend some time in it yesterday removing the remnants of the work that had been done in there, giving it a good clean, and setting it up. The pack'n'play is set up in there now ready for a newborn, and has the change table attached and ready to go. We set up and then tried out the two-way video monitor that we were given as well. Bryan at one point informed me that I didn't need to speak so loudly, and then thought I should coo and cry so he could test how well the monitor picked up the sound. It was comedy as per usual living with Bryan.  :)

As you will see in the picture below, any clothing we've been given that is on hangers are still hanging randomly around the room so I can see them as I walk by. I cannot make myself put them away in the closet just yet.  :)  

We see our OB, who will be our doctor until after the delivery, tomorrow.  So more posts to come soon.