Mika and I packed up Saturday evening, made a quick trip to the mall to pick up Auntie Mel and headed out to Lilac for a weekend away. Last year Joel helped my dad build a new deck and room onto my parents seasonal site. This weekend proved the room is exactly what they needed. Mika happily played in the addition with some toys, place mats, water bottles and goldfish crackers. (She ate an entire bag in 2 days!)
It was nice to spend time outside and have a change of scenery, but I was also happy to be home. I wasn't feeling great all weekend (When I talked to Joel on Friday I told him I thought Bug would make their appearance this weekend just from how I was feeling - no such luck!) so I am hoping a good nights sleep in my own bed will cure me. or Bug will come. :)
Sunday I went to visit Chris and Sarah (and Ryan of course) in Steinbach and had a great time. Mika couldn't get enough hugs and kisses from Chris. I think she really misses daddy and Chris was a good stand in. (Camping Daddy) We walked around the block, but with both of us being pregnant and it being 22 degrees outside, we decided some inside air conditioning was needed. I am so thankful to not be pregnant the entire summer - I don't handle heat well normally, and adding a little furnace to the front does not help!
Tomorrow I see my midwife again. I'll post that update soon.....
Peanut & Lady "Bug"
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Just for Fun
When I was pregnant with Meeks, I did a lot of fun little quizzes to help predict the gender. We don't know the gender of "Bug", but I thought it might be fun to complete another quiz based on one I had done with Mika. The first answers are Mika's, the second are todays. I have hit the 36 weeks mark and besides being tired and huge, I am feeling great.
Sleep Position
Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? Your pregnant with a girl.
Verdict: Boy.
Verdict: Girl.
Upset Stomach
Little girls aren't always sweet. Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.
Verdict: undetermined. Demends on the day and how they classify "extreme"
Verdict: Boy. I had minimal morning sickness.
Soft or Dry Hands
If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Boy
Food Cravings
Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl.
Verdict: Boy. I have not craved anything citrus.
Verdict: Girl
Adult Acne
If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl.
Verdict: Boy. My skin has actually improved for the most part.
Verdict: Girl
Graceful or Clumsy Pregnancy
If you feel as though you're gliding through they day, you'll have a girl. Stumbling? It's a boy.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Boy
Face Weight Gain
If your face gets fuller, it means you're having a girl.
Verdict: Girl.
Sugar and Spice Food Cravings
Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way. Need a little something sweet? Ice cream, chocolate, and candy means you're having a girl.
Verdict: Girl. A slurpee a day.......
Verdict: Girl
Mood Changes
If you're experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon.
Verdict: Girl
Verdict: Girl
High or Low Pregnant Belly
If you're carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy. If it's high, you're having a girl.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Girl
Baby Weight
If you're carrying baby in front, it's a boy. Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle? It's a girl.
Verdict: Girl
Verdict: Girl
Pendulum Test
Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.
Verdict: Boy. Thank you Mindie.
Verdict: Girl.
Model Your Hands
"Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Boy
Toddler Advice
Get baby advice from a nephew or friend's little boy. If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl. If he ignores you, it's a boy.
Verdict: undetermined.
Verdict: Boy
Eat Garlic
Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores it's a boy. If there's no scent it's a little girl.
Verdict: undetermined.
Verdict: Girl
Key to Pregnancy
If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy. If it's by the long end? A girl.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Boy
Even and Odd Numbers
If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy.
Verdict: Boy (24 and 2009)
Verdict: Boy (25 and 2010)
Baby's Heartbeat
If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it's a boy.
Verdict: Boy (131)
Verdict: Boy (between 140 - 150 the entire time)
Stress Test
A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.
Verdict: Boy. Joel is always less stressed than me. :)
Verdict: Boy
Dream Meanings
If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.
Verdict: Both. Dreamt about having a girl at about week 8 and a boy at 19 weeks
Verdict: Girl. I dreamt about having a boy twice now
Breast Size
If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, it's a baby boy.
Verdict: undetermined. Will have to ask Joel...... ;)
Verdict: Boy.
Sleep Position
Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight. If you prefer sleeping on your left side, you'll have a boy. Right side? Your pregnant with a girl.
Verdict: Boy.
Verdict: Girl.
Upset Stomach
Little girls aren't always sweet. Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.
Verdict: undetermined. Demends on the day and how they classify "extreme"
Verdict: Boy. I had minimal morning sickness.
If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft -- expect a girl.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Boy
Food Cravings
Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is. If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl.
Verdict: Boy. I have not craved anything citrus.
Verdict: Girl
Adult Acne
If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl.
Verdict: Boy. My skin has actually improved for the most part.
Verdict: Girl
Graceful or Clumsy Pregnancy
If you feel as though you're gliding through they day, you'll have a girl. Stumbling? It's a boy.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Boy
Face Weight Gain
If your face gets fuller, it means you're having a girl.
Verdict: Girl.
Verdict: Girl
Sugar and Spice Food Cravings
Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way. Need a little something sweet? Ice cream, chocolate, and candy means you're having a girl.
Verdict: Girl. A slurpee a day.......
Verdict: Girl
Mood Changes
If you're experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon.
Verdict: Girl
Verdict: Girl
High or Low Pregnant Belly
If you're carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy. If it's high, you're having a girl.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Girl
Baby Weight
If you're carrying baby in front, it's a boy. Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle? It's a girl.
Verdict: Girl
Verdict: Girl
Pendulum Test
Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm. If it swings back and forth: boy. In a circle: girl.
Verdict: Boy. Thank you Mindie.
Verdict: Girl.
Model Your Hands
"Show me your hands." If you would hold your hands palms up it's a girl. Down? You're having a boy.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Boy
Toddler Advice
Get baby advice from a nephew or friend's little boy. If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl. If he ignores you, it's a boy.
Verdict: undetermined.
Verdict: Boy
Eat Garlic
Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic. If the smell seeps out of your pores it's a boy. If there's no scent it's a little girl.
Verdict: undetermined.
Verdict: Girl
Key to Pregnancy
If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy. If it's by the long end? A girl.
Verdict: Boy
Verdict: Boy
Even and Odd Numbers
If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's girl. One even, one odd means a boy.
Verdict: Boy (24 and 2009)
Verdict: Boy (25 and 2010)
Baby's Heartbeat
If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl. Less than 150, it's a boy.
Verdict: Boy (131)
Verdict: Boy (between 140 - 150 the entire time)
Stress Test
A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.
Verdict: Boy. Joel is always less stressed than me. :)
Verdict: Boy
Dream Meanings
If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.
Verdict: Both. Dreamt about having a girl at about week 8 and a boy at 19 weeks
Verdict: Girl. I dreamt about having a boy twice now
Breast Size
If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl. If the left is larger, it's a baby boy.
Verdict: undetermined. Will have to ask Joel...... ;)
Verdict: Boy.
Monday, May 16, 2011
I have the pictures to prove it....
My friend Dawn from Sunrise Mosaics is super talented. (check her out on facebook) She is the one who made Mika's birthday cake, my mother's day gifts to my moms, and now has taken these amazing pictures of my family. Dawn is a stay at home mom of 2 little kidlets so where she finds the time, I'm not sure, but I do know she barely sleeps. I met her because Joel was working with her husband. Once I saw a sample of her cakes, I knew she had to help me with Mika's cake. From there I have seen how much pride she puts into everything she does. She is one of the nicest people you have ever met - honestly. (Joel says her husband is the same way) So today I am here to show you that I have a beautiful family and the pictures to prove it! Just look.....
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| My family |
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| Grams and Grumpa gave this book to Mika before she was born. It makes me cry every time. Dawn picked these quotes herself and added them, I had no idea, but I love them! |
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| We don't officially know it is a girl, we just think it is |
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| Just look how much he loves me! |
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| I'm a Big Sister shirt on |
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| Waiting for you "Bug" |
Sunday, May 15, 2011
My Peanut
My peanut and I spent the day outside playing in the park, exploring the world around us. Mika loves being outside and is eager to learn by touching and tasting everything in sight. I just love making her smile!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
New Stroller!
The last piece on my "to do" list was crossed off today. I purchased this stroller - The Baby Jogger City Select. It is beyond sweet. Ok Bug, you can come anytime now, we're ready for you!
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| I totally bought this today (minus the bassinet attachment) and couldn't be more excited! |
Friday, May 13, 2011
Yep, it's true....
Yep, it's true, Mika misses her daddy! It is made clear when the first night when I listened to heartbreaking hopeful cries of "da da" while pointing at her bedroom door, followed by endless (or what feel like endless) sleepless nights - for both of us! This has created a whole separation anxiety problem that is already so common for this age group. So what am I doing about it? Surviving! How? By doing something I thought I wouldn't do again.... I brought Mika into our bed. Ok, so I've only done it once - last night at about 3am, but I could tell the night was headed in the same direction as the previous and quite frankly I was just too tired to care. She was waking every hour (literally I could time it)
I have read a lot about sleep since Mika was about 3 months old, trying different suggestions from various sources but she just hasn't mastered this sleep thing. Staying positive we have made a few milestones which our family is proud of. She went from only sleeping in her swing to in her bed. (this was a long time ago, but it was a big deal) She went from crying for what felt like hours when she was put into her crib, to just going to sleep. She went from a really inconsistent nap/bedtime schedule to a solid one that works for our family. She went from an early bedtime to a later one which allows a little more time in the morning for mommy to sleep. So we have made improvements.
I would love her to sleep longer, but she is little. Her world is changed every 4 weeks and then again in 2 weeks. (repeat continuously) She doesn't have a lot to depend on in terms of helping that separation anxiety and although "momma" tries to comfort her, the nights following Joel's departure are just terrible. I wish she was old enough to follow a calendar, to cross days off, or even just understand that "dada" will be home again, but she's just too small.
Of course this affects other things too. Her attitude the day he leaves is always cranky and tests my patience. I have told Joel repeatedly that my biggest lesson in having children so close together will be patience. I know there will be ups and downs and I am fully prepared for at least a few mental breakdowns. (from both myself and Mika)
Onto more positive and exciting things - we are 5 weeks from our due date! This terrifies me and makes me happy all at the same time. If "Bug" will wait, Joel is scheduled to be home when I hit 39 weeks pregnant. Mika was born at 39+1, and if my midwives experience is any indication, it should be close. (she keeps telling me, if you were early with the first, be prepared to be early with the second. However this is of course no guarantee. Bug will do whatever they want)
We had a midwife appointment on Wednesday. (it was scheduled for Monday which Joel would have been able to attend but after being in the delivery room all night with another mom, the midwife called to reschedule) All went well, nothing exciting to report. Head is still down, I measured on target, hb was 142bpm, and my blood pressure was again 100/60. (it has been this for the last 4 visits and has only varied twice - once to 102/60 and once to 110/60) I did the GBS test and will get the results in 2 weeks.
I do have a backup plan in case Bug decides to come early. Obviously I will call Joel right away, but while he drives from Bissett to Wpg, my bestie from grade 1 has agreed to be my "on call" partner. Dana and I were friends from when I started at BH in grade one. I have great memories of Dana and I from junior, middle and senior school, and I know she is the positive and comforting support I would need if Joel couldn't be there. Dana is calm and encouraging and I am comfortable with her.
This weekend I am getting the new stroller and we will finally be ready for "Bug". I went into Lux for Sprouts on Corydon yesterday and started talking to one of the girls about double strollers. I had the one I wanted picked out for some time now (I did A TON of research on them, reading reviews, comparing styles, safety, etc.) and was really prepared to go in there, order it, and pick it up 2 weeks later. That all changed once we started talking. She made me really think about a double stroller and why I want(ed) one. She explained how it may seem like the only option or practical for when the baby first arrives, but what happens when Mika is 3 and "Bug" is 1.5? Would I still need a double - likely not. she told me about the doorway issue....super common in double strollers, but hey, what can you do i thought?! Well what you can do is purchase a new single stroller with a toddler seat attachment. There are some down sides to this option too, but for long term this plan seems much more realistic.
Everything else has been good. I'm tired and huge, but love watching Bug move. I get a weird feeling that sends shivers down my spine when (s)he twists these days as there is not a lot of room there. I had a dream (twice now) that we were having a boy. I would be totally shocked, but you never know..... For now we will just wait for Bug's arrival and countdown until Joel is back home.
I have read a lot about sleep since Mika was about 3 months old, trying different suggestions from various sources but she just hasn't mastered this sleep thing. Staying positive we have made a few milestones which our family is proud of. She went from only sleeping in her swing to in her bed. (this was a long time ago, but it was a big deal) She went from crying for what felt like hours when she was put into her crib, to just going to sleep. She went from a really inconsistent nap/bedtime schedule to a solid one that works for our family. She went from an early bedtime to a later one which allows a little more time in the morning for mommy to sleep. So we have made improvements.
I would love her to sleep longer, but she is little. Her world is changed every 4 weeks and then again in 2 weeks. (repeat continuously) She doesn't have a lot to depend on in terms of helping that separation anxiety and although "momma" tries to comfort her, the nights following Joel's departure are just terrible. I wish she was old enough to follow a calendar, to cross days off, or even just understand that "dada" will be home again, but she's just too small.
Of course this affects other things too. Her attitude the day he leaves is always cranky and tests my patience. I have told Joel repeatedly that my biggest lesson in having children so close together will be patience. I know there will be ups and downs and I am fully prepared for at least a few mental breakdowns. (from both myself and Mika)
Onto more positive and exciting things - we are 5 weeks from our due date! This terrifies me and makes me happy all at the same time. If "Bug" will wait, Joel is scheduled to be home when I hit 39 weeks pregnant. Mika was born at 39+1, and if my midwives experience is any indication, it should be close. (she keeps telling me, if you were early with the first, be prepared to be early with the second. However this is of course no guarantee. Bug will do whatever they want)
We had a midwife appointment on Wednesday. (it was scheduled for Monday which Joel would have been able to attend but after being in the delivery room all night with another mom, the midwife called to reschedule) All went well, nothing exciting to report. Head is still down, I measured on target, hb was 142bpm, and my blood pressure was again 100/60. (it has been this for the last 4 visits and has only varied twice - once to 102/60 and once to 110/60) I did the GBS test and will get the results in 2 weeks.
I do have a backup plan in case Bug decides to come early. Obviously I will call Joel right away, but while he drives from Bissett to Wpg, my bestie from grade 1 has agreed to be my "on call" partner. Dana and I were friends from when I started at BH in grade one. I have great memories of Dana and I from junior, middle and senior school, and I know she is the positive and comforting support I would need if Joel couldn't be there. Dana is calm and encouraging and I am comfortable with her.
This weekend I am getting the new stroller and we will finally be ready for "Bug". I went into Lux for Sprouts on Corydon yesterday and started talking to one of the girls about double strollers. I had the one I wanted picked out for some time now (I did A TON of research on them, reading reviews, comparing styles, safety, etc.) and was really prepared to go in there, order it, and pick it up 2 weeks later. That all changed once we started talking. She made me really think about a double stroller and why I want(ed) one. She explained how it may seem like the only option or practical for when the baby first arrives, but what happens when Mika is 3 and "Bug" is 1.5? Would I still need a double - likely not. she told me about the doorway issue....super common in double strollers, but hey, what can you do i thought?! Well what you can do is purchase a new single stroller with a toddler seat attachment. There are some down sides to this option too, but for long term this plan seems much more realistic.
Everything else has been good. I'm tired and huge, but love watching Bug move. I get a weird feeling that sends shivers down my spine when (s)he twists these days as there is not a lot of room there. I had a dream (twice now) that we were having a boy. I would be totally shocked, but you never know..... For now we will just wait for Bug's arrival and countdown until Joel is back home.
Friday, May 6, 2011
It's almost time to say good-bye?
It's true. It's almost time to say good bye to my husband again. He was home for a short 6 day turn around which has been a whirl wind of visits, little jobs here and there and trying to find time for each other.
Tonight we have invited Joel's cousins over for dinner. Ang is the only babysitter Mika has had besides grandparents and Aunty Sarah/Uncle Jay. She has done such an amazing job with her daughter that I don't worry about Mika when Ang has her. They both love Mika so much and it shows when they are with her. Plus Ang and I have had a lot of really good heart to heart talks when I was on my last maternity leave, and she gets me. She offers an ear without judgement. I have been lucky that she has Fridays off and we were able to develop this relationship.
Tomorrow morning we are heading out to Riverton to visit our nephew. I'm excited to see the little squirt as a hospital visit is just not the same as spending some real time with him. This will be the first time Joel meets him and I think he is really looking forward to it. We will head out around morning nap to try and keep Mika's schedule and we will leave after dinner when it's Mika's bedtime. (again trying to keep the routine as much as possible)
We have had a few rough nights and being almost 9 months pregnant is making my patience run thin. I am glad Joel is home this week to help, but I also wonder if he is the on causing the disturbance. Mika by no means sleeps through the night, but usually I can get up with her briefly and get her back to bed. It's like she is checking to see if I am still there. Sometimes it's to eat, but still it usually isn't a long ordeal. This week has been full of night wakings - like I'm talking every hour, sleeps on the couch with Joel, and various other bad bed time adventures. Mika has really developed her attitude and Independence lately and has started these little temper tantrums. I'm not sure what to do about them. They consist of screaming and crying when she doesn't get her way, throwing herself on the floor and just generally being a brat! I want to correct this and quick, but I'm not sure how........
Other than that, things are great. My house is painted, my bedroom and bathroom have been redecorated, the house is clean and in order and things are going well. We have a doctors appointment Monday to find out more about Bug so I'll leave that update for later.
Tonight we have invited Joel's cousins over for dinner. Ang is the only babysitter Mika has had besides grandparents and Aunty Sarah/Uncle Jay. She has done such an amazing job with her daughter that I don't worry about Mika when Ang has her. They both love Mika so much and it shows when they are with her. Plus Ang and I have had a lot of really good heart to heart talks when I was on my last maternity leave, and she gets me. She offers an ear without judgement. I have been lucky that she has Fridays off and we were able to develop this relationship.
Tomorrow morning we are heading out to Riverton to visit our nephew. I'm excited to see the little squirt as a hospital visit is just not the same as spending some real time with him. This will be the first time Joel meets him and I think he is really looking forward to it. We will head out around morning nap to try and keep Mika's schedule and we will leave after dinner when it's Mika's bedtime. (again trying to keep the routine as much as possible)
We have had a few rough nights and being almost 9 months pregnant is making my patience run thin. I am glad Joel is home this week to help, but I also wonder if he is the on causing the disturbance. Mika by no means sleeps through the night, but usually I can get up with her briefly and get her back to bed. It's like she is checking to see if I am still there. Sometimes it's to eat, but still it usually isn't a long ordeal. This week has been full of night wakings - like I'm talking every hour, sleeps on the couch with Joel, and various other bad bed time adventures. Mika has really developed her attitude and Independence lately and has started these little temper tantrums. I'm not sure what to do about them. They consist of screaming and crying when she doesn't get her way, throwing herself on the floor and just generally being a brat! I want to correct this and quick, but I'm not sure how........
Other than that, things are great. My house is painted, my bedroom and bathroom have been redecorated, the house is clean and in order and things are going well. We have a doctors appointment Monday to find out more about Bug so I'll leave that update for later.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Another project complete!
The house got painted this weekend, and I am super happy with the results. Joel will put up the artwork when he is home on Tuesday, so I'll post the living room ones soon. But for now, here is my latest project! I am SO happy with my adult bathroom.....
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| Before, my orange monkey themed bathroom |
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| Grey and Purple themed new bathroom |
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| finished project |
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