This is long overdue, but better late than never!
Joel and I finished prenatal classes on his birthday, which was especially nice for me as the dads had to buy the moms a small gift and give them a 20 minute foot rub. Joel even packed my favourite mint smelling foot cream to use. He is so thoughtful sometimes!
This month started terrible.... We had to put down our youngest dog Chaos on February 1st. After having him just shy of a year, his Wobblers Disease was getting worse and worse with each day. Joel had taken him to the vet and in less than a month he had lost 5 lbs! He was not eating the same and was very slow to get up after falling. Joel took the little guy in and stayed in the room with him. The vet was so good to them; they even found another spot to inject him because of how he was lying on Joel. When Joel came home he put down Chaos’s collar beside the boys food dishes. Monster immediately started playing with it just like he played with Chaos. Jumping around it, biting it, to see this in action, you would swear Chaos was still wearing the collar. We told Monster that Chaos was not coming back, and he put the collar around his leg and cuddle beside it on their mat in the kitchen. I spent the next 3 days crying, but I know we did the right thing for him. It would be selfish to watch him in pain.
Enough with that though….
The following day I had nutrition counseling for the research study I am a part of. Basically the meals I eat are fine; however the portion sizes are too large. I have always had a large appetite so this did not surprise me at all. She also suggested when I drink coke, that I mix ½ coke with ½ diet to save some calories. Oh and that I need more milk and milk products in my diet. I do not drink milk, and although I eat cheese and yogurt, I need to find other ways to incorporate more into my diet.
I also attended the Manitoba Heavy Construction Conference which is a safety conference held at the convention centre. I could not believe how many people were in attendance! I took my first aid/CPR training from St. John’s ambulance. I actually just received my certificate yesterday in the mail. I plan to attend next year even though I will likely still be on mat leave when the conference is on. They have a lot of great classes that I would love to take advantage of and it will be a good way to get back into the safety groove.
I have spent a few weekends now making freezer meals with my mom. We started by making lasagnas and meatballs which although doesn’t sound like a lot, was a ton of work! The following weekend we made stuffed chicken breasts, steak calzones, pizza dough, maui wowii pork, and pork sate. We worked the entire day making these meals, but from all the advice I have received, this is the most consistent. The following day I made a BBQ pork chop recipe and Joel made an onion pork chop recipe so we have those in the freezer too. I probably have enough meals for 3 weeks or so. There is some variety, but a few duplications too.
After making all those meals, Joel and I had our friend’s wedding social to attend. I got to visit with many people I had not seen in a long time, and received lots of advice about the upcoming arrival. There was a lot of belly rubs and predictions on gender too. Although we only danced to one song because my feet were so sore, both Joel and I really enjoyed ourselves. My parents even won a prize!
Joel and I spent our 3rd Valentine’s Day together this year. Crazy to think 3 years ago I was visiting him in Victoria and now we are married with a baby soon to come. Joel made me dinner this year which consisted of engagement chicken (this is one of the recipes he makes a lot better than I do), lobster, crab, asparagus and Caesar salad all served on a candle lit table with orange juice in wine glasses. He amazes me sometimes! I made him fortune cookies this year so we shared a couple of those after dinner. They all had personal messages in them, and he seemed to appreciate the effort it took to make them.
The following day (a holiday called Louis Riel Day here in Manitoba) I spent with my mom. We went out for lunch to Olive Garden (I had reservations at Maxime’s but they were closed ~ they didn’t even call me to tell me they were cancelling my reservation!) then we were pampered at Ten Spa. Joel had bought me a gift certificate for Christmas, so I booked a “signature pedicure”. WOW! I couldn’t believe how nice it was. They offered so many extras to a normal spa. For example, no matter what service you are getting, you are asked to change into a robe. Once you have, you can head over to the Zen lounge which features multiple white leather couches, chairs, and 2 private beds while also offering a variety of snacks, teas, and bottled water. You can order dessert or Champaign, however those would be extra to your service. If you aren’t ready to head to the lounge, you are free to take a steam in the steam room, or a private shower in one of the 4 offered in the women’s change room. The showers have the rainforest taps, so besides a traditional shower head, you can elect to turn on a variety above you. All of your showering products are located right in the shower for you; shampoo, condition, body wash, body cream, and there is also shaving cream and razors available. There are large mirrors for you to freshen up which have supplies on the counter. Everything from blow dryers, Paul Brown hair straighteners, elastics, bobby pins, spray deodorant, gel, hair spray, and/or volumizing products are available for you to use. Once in the room for your spa service, you are wrapped in a large duvet blanket. The pedicure is completely waterless in that you do not soak your feet in a traditional tub. The pedicure lasted about an hour and was one of the most relaxing experiences ever. I am hoping for mother’s day this year I can go back with my mom, Sarah and Barb.
I am now officially 37 weeks! Any time now our little one could make an appearance, however I have a feeling I still have awhile to wait….. I am getting anxious as I am not sleeping well/at all, the bathrooms trips are at least every hour all day and all night, and my belly is in the way of everything. I almost had a breakdown on Tuesday trying to put on socks, so this morning Joel helped me before he left.
I was up all night gagging with a terrible headache so I opted to sleep on the couch so I didn’t wake Joel. Monster stayed downstairs with me which was nice, although he still will not cuddle on the couch. My headache is gone now, but I am still not feeling well. My stomach is all over the place. I will head over to my mom’s for lunch so I can sleep on her couch for about 30 minutes before I need to come back to work. Hopefully that might help.
Joel installed the car seat on Monday, so I will head over to the fire department later this week or on the weekend to have them inspect it to confirm it was installed correctly. Since we only have one vehicle, and it will only take them a minute, I figure there is no harm in asking them to check it.
I am counting down to my maternity leave. Not because I do not want to work anymore, but because an afternoon nap would be so nice! Also, staying in one of Joel’s t-shirts would be nice too as even my maternity shirts are becoming too small.
Well I think that is all the updating I can do for today. For now, enjoy ~
