Why it was removed

Some may have noticed I posted an entry titled "A little bit of honesty", but after sleeping on it, I removed the post.  It sounded like I was complaining and blaming others for my feelings when that was not the intent.  It explained my baby blues, which luckily have pasted for the most part.  I'm not quite up for writing about them yet, but hopefully someday soon I will be able to share.

For now, enjoy some pictures of our ever changing little peanut ~

Back on Track

Pre-pregnancy I had worked really hard to get my body into shape. Joel and I were planning on having kids shortly after our wedding in February so I knew my body would need to be prepared.  I joined a golf league with my mother in law and was going to the gym 5 times a week in the mornings.  I even biked to and from work a few times which was 25km.  I was starting to feel better about myself. (I didn't like the way I looked in our wedding video, but when you have 3 days to plan your wedding, losing that much weight isn't going to happen)

Then the first trimester hit me! I remember the feeling so well even though it was almost a year ago - how tired and drained I was.  I had no energy to wake up in the morning never mind hit the gym.  Joel cooked almost every night, and the nights I did manage to make meals, they consisted of simple unhealthy meals.  Many rainy Monday mornings I remember being thankful for as I knew golf would be cancelled.  When we did go to golf, I remember telling my mother in law about going to see a naturopathic doctor as "things just didn't feel right - I shouldn't be this tired".  When the pregnancy test came back positive and all was understood, I thought I could try to push myself to stay in shape.  Well, that goal died and my appetite increased and before I knew it I was at my heaviest I hope to ever be!

Today I started what I hope will put me back on track.  I joined the YMCA.  I have committed to going with my friend Mel 2 days a week and by myself 2 mornings a week.  By myself, I will be attending 2 aqua classes.  One in deep water and one in shallow.  With Mel, we will use the cardio and weight equipment.  My father in law also arranged to get me the Sketchers Shape Ups from the states to save me a little money. (they are $150 here! ouch!)  He will pick them up while he is down there this weekend, and I will wear them when I go for my walks with Mika.  I feel better already taking the first step to finally feeling better about myself!  Having a little one makes it easy to put yourself aside and focus on their needs, but a happy healthy mom will make for a happy healthy baby so I know I need to do this for both of us.

Anyways, a post wouldn't be a post with a few new pictures!  Enjoy ~

Pictures are worth 1000 words.....

I have nothing exciting to write about, so I will let the pictures do the talking!
Enjoy ~

6 weeks old

Update

Life is falling into a routine. Mika has been an amazing addition to our lives. She is a pleasure to take out as for the most part she quietly watches the world pass her by or sleeps. One exception was our recent trip to babies r us, but after a quick feed in the parenting room, we were back out and shopping again. She is awake a lot more now, and has developed fairly strict sleeping and eating patterns.  There are always exceptions, but for the most part we can not complain.


Joel and I made our first trip out to Lilac where he helped my dad clean up the site from the fall. Joel and dad had taken apart the deck, but left the wood scattered throughout the site. They used some shelving and stacked it in the corner of the site for now. They still have a lot of work ahead of them, but it will all slowly come together. They were out again this past Sunday moving the trailer from out of the swampy bush.


This past weekend was filled with family time. My sister in law was in town for spring break and spent a couple of days with Mika and I. She even came with me to a doctor’s appointment. The appointment turned out to be a waste of time since it wasn’t with my normal doctor and the fill in was, well less than helpful. It was still nice to have the company though. As always, Sarah and I spent hours talking about everything and anything.


Friday Joel and I drove north to look at some property however nothing caught our eye, but the drive together was enjoyable. Friday night we had the Hayward Easter dinner at Martin and Barb’s condo. Joel’s grandparents joined and were happy to hold little Mika. Actually I do not think she was put down the entire dinner. That night at about 3am, Joel took over for me on baby duty so I could get some sleep. He stayed with her until the early morning, only waking me for feedings. It was a nice break for me.


Saturday we had Easter dinner with my parents and grandma. It was almost the exact same meal, but we enjoyed it. Mika has already been spoiled for Easter receiving books, clothes, stuffed animals, bibs, socks, etc.


Joel also worked on our back entrance this past weekend and installed the lino we had bought months ago. It is so much easier to clean and I am enjoying it! (even though it is temporary)


Yesterday Mika and I made our first trip to Steinbach to visit Sarah and Ryan. It was a good afternoon, although Mika slept most of the time. Ryan sure is an active little boy now! In the evening we headed over to Kevin and Mel’s for a visit. Mika was awake for part of the visit, and stayed up late last night.


Anyways, that is all for now! Enjoy ~

Long overdue!

Ok, so this is long overdue, but it isn't because I am too tired, or don't have the time, it was simply because I was waiting for Joel to proof our labour and delivery story.  As most of you know by now, on March 5th at 6:37pm we welcomed our beautiful little girl Mikaela Caty Hayward.  Mika has been amazing, and both Joel and I can not imagine what life was like before her.  Joel took a week off of work after I gave birth, but is back there now.  Monster has been great with the baby.  He checks on her constantly and worries when others come into our home to visit and hold her.  He listens much better and is learning more everyday!

Now for why this took so long, this is how my labour/delivery went.  Joel still has not proofed this, so it is completely based on what I remember. 

I woke up Friday morning around 3:30pm with some cramps. Like period cramps, but I just thought they were braxton hicks or something. I waited for like 30 minutes and decided to take a bath to help ease the pain. I ended up loosing my plug after I got out of the bath but from everything I read, it could still be weeks before real labour set it.  By about 4:30am though Joel was awake (he heard me in the bath and figured we would be going to the hospital) and started to time my contractions. I was having them every 3-5 minutes lasting only 15-30 seconds but my water had not broke. I decided to shower and "get ready" (basically just killing time at home) before going to the hospital. We got there around 8:30am. They checked me at triage and I was 4cm dilated.  They ran a test to see if my water had broke, but it was still in tact. They had a machine on me to monitor the baby's heartbeat and my contractions. The contractions were only showing at about a 30 on the machine, and were surprised I could even feel them! They debated about sending me home, but after I started to feel sick and eventually throw up, they decided it was better to have me stay at the hospital. They asked me to walk the halls for 2 hours and come back to see if I progressed. I checked back into triage in between throwing up and was checked again.  This time by the doctor scheduled to deliver our baby.  I just wanted to lie down, so I asked that if I was not going to be admitted that I would prefer to go home so I could at least lie down. She told me they would admit me (this was around 1pm) and gave me a private room. I had access to the birthing tubs so I asked that they set one up for me. I sat on a birthing ball and bounced for 30 minutes while the tub filled up. I was in the tub about an hour sleeping in between contractions. They were coming every 3 minutes, lasting anywhere from 20 sec - 50 sec. I stayed in the tub until about 4pm when I decided I wanted to go back to our room. The contractions were now causing me a lot of discomfort so they called the doctor to check me again.  They hooked me back up to the machine and my contractions were now peaking between 130-140!  I tried 2 different positions while waiting for the doctor to come and check me. Around 5pm when she arrived she found that my water still had not broke but I was 9cm! She used the scalp clip and broke my water for me. I started pushing after 6pm and had her at 6:37pm! The doctor had called into our room (knowing I was pushing cause she broke my water) to see if she should come around 6:20pm. The nurse told her no, that the head was still a ways up there. One push later and Joel started to yell at the nurse who was charting (seriously they didn't even have everything set up for her arrival in the room yet) when he saw her head coming out! She called the doc in a panic and pulled the emergency cord.  3 nurses rushed into my room!  The charge nurse took control and had me breathe through 2 contractions before I couldn't anymore, the baby was coming!! 2 pushes later and I heard the baby crying.  It was amazing.  The doctor walked in to find them cutting the cord. She was so unimpressed because she had called minutes before to see if she should come. Besides the room not being completely ready, and being delivered by a nurse, everything went so smooth. The doctor stitched me up (which I couldn't feel at all although I think they might freeze the area) as I had 3rd degree rips. Mika started to breastfeed quickly after delivery and they left her with us (everything happens in these rooms from labouring to delivery to recovery to postpastum stay) on my chest while they cleaned up. After about an hour they gave her a bath. Around 10pm our parents and Joel's sister and brother in law came into the room (they had been waiting for awhile) to welcome her. Auntie Sarah even came with gifts! She had gotten a book and had the family sign it while waiting to meet her.  I read her that story often as it has become one of our favourites.

I have been doing really well.  I have showered everyday since bringing Mika home and Joel and I have managed to have at least 2 meals together.  All meals have been hot for at least one of us and we have only used a few freezer meals. I have gone out quite a bit, shopping, for walks, to the doctors, etc. and we have spent a fair amount of time at home cuddling too.  Mika sleeps beside us, but when I wake to feed her I move into her nursery and use our rocking chair.  After she eats, I rock with her for 10-20 minutes and then we are back to bed.  I have managed to get enough sleep and use the weekends to catch up a little more.  Breastfeeding was challenging at first.  I was trying to be very technical with it and follow the instructions from each and every nurse.  By our third day at home, I gave up on the "right" way and did it my own way.  It is just a different hold, but for me it was much more comfortable.  I figured at that point I had nothing to loose.  It actually has been going much better now, and although I get sore, I have not yet had any cracks or bleeding.

Life is good! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy ~

1 week old

This is the first day home from the hospital

Taken by my talented cousin Sasha!

Mika watches hockey (the Flames) with her dad

Team Canada onsie with skirt and headband from Sheree and Sasha

Me and my little girl!

P.S. my mom wins for having her prediction closest to delivery date, and Aunty Sarah wins for correctly predicting gender and closest to her weight. :)

Predictions

Well my prediction has come and gone as I thought we would have our little peanut on March 1st. I figured between the full moon last night and the Braxton hicks, foot rubs, pineapple, red raspberry leaf tea, and other natural ways to induce labour we would be at the hospital right now, but I have accepted I was wrong.....



Next up on the list is my mom’s prediction of March 3rd/4th. I have a doctors appointment March 3rd where I have been told they will likely do an internal exam to see if we have any progression.

After that here is where everyone else is guessing……


Dawn: March 9th 2010
Barb: girl March 11th 2010 7lb 7oz.
Jobina: girl March 13th 2010 7lb 5oz.
Sarah: girl March 13th 2010, 6 lbs 8oz
Joel: boy March 14th 2010
Jay: March 15th 2010
Shannon: March 17th 2010
Martin: March 18th 2010
Christine: March 18th 2010
Ang: March 21st


Will keep everyone posted, but for now still feeling good.

What's Up

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 ~