Baby Shower

I just wanted to thank everyone for their company and generosity. I'm looking forward to putting everything to good use.

Sorry I didn't say a thank you speech but I was afraid I would cry. I would like to repeat what Ben said so well. Thank you all for you support and prayers through this stressful time. It is incredible to feel so loved. I am happy our daughter will be embraced by such an amazing community of family and friends.

When I would feel overwhelmed with worry I would pray and visualize God's hands wrapping around our baby keeping her safe. I felt so helpless. It was a hard lesson to learn to have faith and depend fully on God's grace and mercy. Now I am at 35 weeks and she is still growing and dancing safely in my belly.

I would like to request continued prayer, especially when I get the stitch removed on Saturday, January 31. Thanks again for all your love and support!

Pet Peeve

Not too much happening right now. I'm starting to do a little more at home, like helping to prepare dinner. This time next week the cervical stitch will be out. I'm pretty nervous about that, I don't know how much it will hurt or how soon I will go into labour after that. The first week of February is crazy busy for Ben at work, so I'm not "allowed" to deliver then. Ha Ha.

I just felt like sharing a pet peeve. Being on modified bedrest hasn't been super fun but I do realize that much worse can happen during a pregnancy. I've also had help. Ben has been a great supporter, my mom has cleaned like crazy (she even cleaned my dishwasher with Q-tips), people have visited and provided books and movies to keep me entertained. But a few people have made the comment (I don't think anyone who reads my blog did), "Well, enjoy the rest now because your life will change once the baby is here. You'll be wishing for this time back."

First, I understand raising children is exhausting, frustrating and a lot of work but I hate it when people only focus on the negative. Between the midnight feedings, diaper changes and crying babies smile, giggle, study your face and cuddle. Also, I'm sure I'll have a day or two of rest in the next 18 years somewhere.

Second, I don't believe they understand that I can't DO anything. Anyone who knows me knows I like to be busy. If I'm not actively doing something I'm planning or making a list. But now I can't go shopping or quilt or help with cleaning and cooking. I have to watch an exhausted Ben come home from work and still have to make dinner and clean up and spend his free time grocery shopping, cleaning the house and washing the car (and now spending hours with the GNF taxes, but I would be no help with that). All the while I feel guilty because I'm bored but I can't do anything about it.

It's like telling someone to eat until they are sick and then starve for a week. I'm sure they didn't enjoy the last meal that made them sick, it's too much of one thing only. And it doesn't help them prepare for the lack of food during the next week. (It's kind of like when people have told me they wish they were nauseated all the time like me so they could lose weight.)

On a happier note, I'm looking forward to the shower tomorrow. When it's past I'll be able to PLAN and pick up anything we still may need for the baby prior to, or soon after, her birth.

One step closer...

34 weeks! The baby's lungs should be developed and shouldn't require any assistance to breathe. I am officially off bedrest and allowed to do light activities. I'll probably still restrict what I do until I get the cervical stitch removed in two weeks. The thought of the potential risk of injury if I go into labour and don't make it to the hospital in time is motivation enough to take it easy. Although, I am getting really antsy! Both Ben and I are excited to meet her.

In all the books I've read about pregnancy they say fetal movement peaks at 32 weeks. Well, it feels like she's trying to see how far my tissues will stretch. We've tried to catch it on tape because my stomach takes on the weirdest shapes but it seems like she knows when the spotlight is on her.

I'm really looking forward to our baby shower this weekend. It'll be great to see everyone. It's also nice to have activities to anticipate and mark key milestones.

Milkshakes

I have not had a milkshake since the first year Ben and I were married. We were living in our first apartment on St. Mary's and we splurged one evening for A&W. Since I am unable to cook, Ben needs a break and we got coupons in the mail we decided to pick up some A&W. (I think it's the third time since we have been married that I have had fast food due to allergy/cleansing diets.) I was so excited to have a milkshake, as anyone who knows me I LOVE ice cream. I even prepared for it during the day. I did not eat any other sweets and made sure I was hungry when Ben came home.

When Ben arrived home with "dinner" he did not have a milkshake. Apparently, A&W was "out of" milkshakes. I couldn't believe it. It's been over 4 years since I've treated myself to a milkshake and now I was denied that pleasure. Oh well, it's an excuse to get one another time.

New Year's 2009

New Year's resolutions are a funny thing. I have only ever made one, and of course it was to exercise regularly. It was my first year of physio school and I made it to mid-March when the greulling exam schedule caused me to quit my exercise routine. Neither Ben nor I made a resolution this year, our focus is on bringing a healthy baby girl into the world.

We had a great time at Ryan and Nicole's on New Year's eve. Our parties sure have changed. The children almost out numbered the adults. We had a blast playing Wii fit. Ben looked HILARIOUS trying to do the hola hoop. I was crying I was laughing so hard. I thought I would share a clip of Ryan.



I really enjoyed having Ben home for the holiday week. I'll miss him when he returns to work on Monday. He was much more relaxed and for the first time ever we slept in until 10:00 all week. (I usually wake up early.)

I went to the obstetrician today and he scheduled the removal of the cervical stitch. I'll be going into St. Boniface triage on Saturday, January 31. I'm supposed to call prior to going to see if they are too busy, at which time I'm not sure what happens.

I think our daughter is already showing some personality. The nurse was palpating my belly to feel the position of the baby and the baby started kicking and moving like crazy. The nurse laughed and said to make sure we try to video tape her moving. The nurse then took the baby's heart rate with the doppler machine and her heart was racing. It only took a few seconds for her to calm down. So, our daughter seems to be a little feisty.

One thing that surprised me was I gained 4 pounds in 2 weeks. I'm happy that our little girl is growing healthily. And, only one more month of bedrest!!!

Christmas 2008

Highlights of Christmas...

• Ben decorating the house for me.
• Chris and Karen visiting from Minneapolis.
• Michele's sticky buns (which I now have the recipe for!)
• Ben bought a closet organizer and installed it in the baby's closet.
• Reaching 30 weeks of my pregnancy!

This is probably the first Christmas ever that I am not sad it has passed. I am anticipating so much more in the coming months. Ben and I will start prenatal classes in January, we will be "oriented" to St. Boniface labor and delivery ward, doctor's appointments every 2 weeks, a baby shower and, of course, the birth of our daughter (and the end of bedrest). It is hard to imagine we will have a 10 month old child this time next year!

I will leave you with a few Christmas pictures.

Milestone Reached!!!

30 weeks!!! 10 weeks ago when we found out about my high risk of premature delivery I was told I needed to be on bed rest until 30 weeks. It felt light years away at that time and now it's here! My obstetrician has extended the bed rest until 34 weeks. I think he just splits things up so the parents aren't so overwhelmed. I have also completed half of the medication to help delay labor, scheduling the removal of the cerclage has been discussed (last week of January or first week of February), as well as labor and delivery. I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Every 2 weeks is a milestone now. At 32 weeks the survival rate is 97%, at 34 weeks the baby's lungs are fully developed, at 36 weeks the baby would be small but most likely able to avoid a stay in neonatal ICU.

Christmas is this week!!! Christmas is my favourite holiday. I've missed out on a lot this year but I'm looking forward to the family gatherings and celebrations. I love the decorations and I can now listen to Christmas carols without Ben teasing me. I am continuing to enjoy winter from my warm spot on the couch. Merry Christmas to everyone!