Delayed!

I don't start work until Tuesday - yay! I know it is only one day, but it is a bonus day to spend with Meeks. 

I had a wonderful evening out last night with Joel. He planned the whole night as a Christmas gift. (long story, but he did well in the end) He took me to Inferno's Bistro.  We have been there once before without a reservation, so we were unable to have the full experience. (our table had a reservation coming in only an hour so they warned us we might be rushed)  It is a great restaurant with lots to choose from ranging from pastas, to bison and elk, to sandwiches and more. We started with frogs legs and duck spring rolls (the frog legs were ok, kind of like chicken thighs, and the spring rolls were delicious!), followed by baked french onion soup, followed by our entrees.  Joel has bacon wrapped bison which I tasted and immediately regretted not getting.  I had a NY strip with scallops.  I know, I know, what a boring choice at such a restaurant!  It was the last special and it threw me off.  I really wanted the elk, but for some reason that's just not what I ordered.  After dinner we headed to Rumor's Comedy Club.  Joel has never been, and I used to go every year for my birthday.  I laughed so hard and remembered exactly why I loved going.

The new room has been started....... oh my how I hate renovations!  I just wanted our front and back finished first, but I guess that will have to wait. Luckily with Meek's new room it is only a matter of painting, we decided not to change any of the baseboards/framing this time.  This makes the whole pregnancy a lot more "real" for me, and as the room progresses, I know it will even more. My goal is to have Meeks in her new room for her birthday, but we will see.  I have recruited my mother in law to help me (she is going to regret it I'm sure) make Meek's new bedding.  I bought a crib sheet so I just wanted a comforter.  More for when she is a toddler since right now I only use sleep sacks.  I also plan to make the wall art and will probably do that with Joel next time he is home. (it is a 2 person job!)  

In other good news ~ I found my double stroller!  I have been debating for a long time about what I wanted in a stroller and I finally found one that meets my needs!  It is WAY too expensive, but it will make my life easier, and therefore I can justify the cost.  I tried out the Graco Duo Glider, but I just wasn't happy with it.  There are some other neat tandem strollers out there, but I am so short that I feel overwhelmed with the size of them. (I know there are not much longer than the stroller I have now, but I just feel that way)  So I finally found a side by side that fits my car seat and is only 5 inches wider than my stroller!  It will fit through doorways and I shouldn't have a problem steering it - especially since it has fully rotating tires in the front.  Anyways, we will not buy it for another month or so, but I am excited that I finally found one.

Still can not find a crib I like (that is not insanely expensive), but one will come up. I just have my eyes out and will keep looking online too.

I am feeling some what unprepared for this birth, which may sound weird since I just went through it 10 months ago.  I can't really explain it any better than that..... maybe once I start working again I might feel a bit more like....well myself I guess. 

Anyways, off to cuddle with my monkey! Enjoy ~

hi ho, hi ho......

So my last post got more comments than I was expecting - people calling me, facebooking me private messages, etc. I really appreciate the support and kind words.  I loved hearing that this happened to them (Thanks Mrs. M), that they wanted this experience to be positive for me (Thanks Mrs. T) and that overall they were happy for me/us (Thanks mom).  Anyways, I am still feeling like some family and friends are more excited for us than others, and I am still hearing some negativity swirl, but just know that I am just as excited for Bug's arrival as I was for Mika's. 

But now the real reason for the post - I am going back to work in one week!  I can't believe 10 months has flown by and that in one week I will have just finished my very first shift back.  My position has changed, and many of my coworkers have as well.  I have been in the office for training this month, and although there are many changes, there are many things that will be the same.  I am looking forward to focusing a little more on things outside my house and enjoying the time I do have with Mika when we are home together. (not that I don't enjoy it now, but you have to be positive about this kind of thing)  My mom will be watching Meeks for the 5 months that I am back which could not be a better situation. (at least for us.........) We are really lucky to have one set of grandparents that is retired and is interested enough to volunteer to do this for us.  I have searched high and low for daycare and nothing has worked out.  I still have my eyes open, and am thinking about a nanny 2 days a week to give my mom a break, but we will see what happens with Joel.

Joel is back to Bissett next Wednesday and will be gone for 2 weeks confirmed.  He believes it will likely be 3 weeks, but we will cross that bridge when it comes.  He will then be home for at least a week.  I did really well while Joel was away and even hosted 2 dinners at my house.  Okay so one was delivery, but I still get credit for having the house "company ready".  I have a new respect for single moms, but overall I think I managed very well.

Mika's first Christmas was more exciting for me than for her, but as a family we really enjoyed ourselves.  I bought everyone some really good gifts this year.  Joel got (among other things) a CAT dump truck, boot warmers, side cutters, the game Risk, and Mario Kart for Wii.  My parents were surprised by their gift and although Barb's was fairly low key in terms of excitement, I had fun picking out Martin's. Walnut even saw a gift or 2 from Auntie Ash and Uncle Joel this year. Mika was beyond spoiled and plays with about 1/4 of her presents.  But I am rotating her toys so she won't see the others for another 2 weeks. I did bring a few over to my moms as well since she will have her 5 days a week I thought it only fair to at least supply some toys that she can return once Meeks is home.

Today we did some much needed shopping for household things - 2 shelving units for Mika's toy room, primer for her new room, the fabric for her new bedspread, new outdoor lights, and some odds and ends.  The only place that was really busy was Walmart, but that's really to be expected.

Anyways, here are a few of my favourite pictures ~ Enjoy!

Mika with her new Black and Decker tool set from GG. Daddy made her wear the safety glasses

My little present!



My 3 monkeys opening gifts together

 

Daddy sharing his CAT dump truck with Meeks

Meeks watching her new train from nana and papa

Meeks preparing for Bug's arrival with a book from Grams and Grumpa

Just saying......

Ok, here is my rant for the week.  It is long overdue as many of these things have been going on for awhile, but today is the day! It is about various comments I have gotten since announcing my pregnancy, which is also why I don't often talk about it..... well, enjoy ~

• Bug was planned.  Just because we always wanted our kids close and you happened to have waited a couple/few years, doesn't mean it our choice was a mistake.
• Thank you for the math lesson, but I have figured out Meeks and Bug will be 15 months apart. I know that is close to some, but it is perfect for our family which is really all that matters.
• I am not crazy and if I hear that one more time, I think I might just go crazy on someone.
• I do get mat leave, I am returning to work early, but even if I didn't, I would still get mat leave.  I called Service Canada myself, so yes I am sure.
• Yes I will be busy, I am now too.
• Yes I look pregnant, you have a kid and stretch everything out and then get pregnant again right away. Your body doesn't hide it well, add to that I am 5 feet tall with a short torso and where do you expect the baby to go.  I have been measured and weighted by the doctor (and continue to every 3 weeks) and there are no concerns.  But thank you for yours.
• We are not finding out the gender.

Well that's some of the comments that drive me crazy. But I hope you have a good day ~

Missing him

Joel was hired back shortly after he quit but was transferred to a new job site.  Unfortunately that new site is in Bissett, MB.  Which means he lives in camp, eats 3 meals a day, has a private room, shared showers, and no computer. Luckily he has cell service, so we text throughout the day, and talk every night. (with the exception of tonight as Joel was very sick and needed to go to bed before I could get Meeks ready) Joel is working 12 hours a day (6am - 6pm) however there have been a few hours spent in the work shack due to how cold it is up there.  Joel is making good money for being away from his family and although I am managing just fine, to him I know it is not worth being away.  He misses his little girl, and tells me throughout the day and on the phone. He was able to hear her say "dada" the other day (she started saying it the day he left) which I think only added to how much he wants to be home.  They aren't exactly sure when they are returning but sometime between the 19th and 23rd.  Luckily it is only a 2.5 hour drive, so he will work his shift then come home assuming the weather is okay. I use to wondered when I was pregnant when Joel would realize this baby was coming as he seemed so disinterested and distant from my belly, but the minute she arrived he couldn't take his eyes off her. He is such a great dad and husband, I just can't imagine life without him. I am looking forward to our Christmas holidays together and am glad we have only committed to 2 days of family events. 


As for bug, everything is going well.  I am feeling great and looking forward to an upcoming ultrasound.  We have requested it be at HSC. Heartbeat has been strong the last 4 weeks ranging from 130 - 135 bpm. I made Bug (my mom helped me because I am not super crafty, which means that she pretty much did it) a shirt today. It is actually a maternity shirt for me, but has little multicolored footprints going up it. I tried to print "You have already left footprint on my heart, and will forever more." but we couldn't get the printer to print it mirrored.


I had to work today, only for a few hours, but it was awful.  I didn't want to go, and seriously considered calling in. But come January I will have to return if I like it or not, so it was okay to be back in the office.  I was fairly new to MTEC when I went on maternity leave (I worked there just over a year), so returning for such a short period is hard as I am kind of "out of the loop".  There are 4 new staff members (out of 10!) who I have only recently met, and the other girls are fairly new to me too as I worked upstairs and will now be working with them downstairs.


I am having the families (mine and Joel's) over for dinner Wednesday. A great excuse to play with Meeks and enjoy some adult conversation.  Plus Martin has a story I am dying to hear!


Everything else is good, just missing my hubby like crazy.  And what's a post without a picture or 2?!

First Santa Visit

Even though it is a yucky old belt of Joel's, their faces are priceless!

Today we remember

Today we remember Ward Putnam - Joel's grandpa.  Although I did not know Ward long, I was always left laughing at his quick and witty comments, his "advice" to Joel about marriage, or even better his advice to Mika about getting your parents to do what you want.  I know this house will always remember "what else can I do to help honey?" after everthing is done, and Mika has listened well to calling for mommy in the middle of the night instead of dad.  Ward had great stories about his proposal to Jean (his wife of 66 years), the war, golf, curling, his career, Charleswood, his dog Caesar, Jean going into labour (we can't quite go to the hospital yet Jean) and raising his 3 girls. Ward you will be missed.

Sisters

I remember the very end of my wedding ceremony clearly.  I looked right at my maid of honor and new sister and in stereo we yelled "sisters!"

Today reminded me of how much I love having Sarah in my life, and wish she lived closer.  For those of you who have the privilege of knowing her, you know what a kind hearted, caring and thoughtful person she is.  I find myself completely open and honest with Sarah and she is an amazing listener.  She often has wonderful insight (maybe that goes back to her education) that brings me back to reality about any situation.  She has a perspective that I respect immensely. 

I have vented to Sarah about everything from getting a house, to switching jobs, to being pregnant, to breastfeeding, to sleep issues with Mika and everything in between.  It always surprises me how even where Sarah may not have had personal experience (yet), she was able to offer real solutions that didn't make me feel like a bad mom, or a selfish wife, or just a bad person.  She has no judgement and such empathy.

Today after a visit with her, I am reminded how much I love her and being apart of the Hayward Family.  I am quick to express my worries sometimes, whether it be about the lack of daycare, the sleep issues, going back to work, having another baby coming so close together, or Joel quitting his job, that I thought it was time for a positive post.  Besides being extremely grateful for the family Joel and I have created (and that he supports), I have been lucky enough to marry into one that has "taken me".  I won't go into a ton of examples, but I feel completely accepted and loved by them. They are quick to help out in (renovations, watching Mika, mopping my floor!) and offer support in any form they can. 

Obviously I am just as thankful for my mom and dad, but I will save that post for another day......

Stress Management

Today Joel quit his job.  I am not sure things will work out, but need to trust they will.  With an almost 9 month old and one on the way, things must work out. But for now, I will sit and stress while thinking of all the worst case scenarios......