Making a Grand Entrance to Life

Note: I apologize again if there is a lot of rambling & everything is all over the place but please enjoy.

think we were given three different due dates throughout the pregnancy and in the end not one of them ended up being correct.  There was the initial one which was May 26th then the dating ultrasound one for May 22nd, followed by going back to May 26th then a c-section date of May 17th only to welcome the ninja wiggler on May 10th, 2011.

May 9th was going to mark the beginning of our final week before parenthood and was supposed to be the time we were going to get everything organized, including: learning how the car seat works, packing the hospital bag, tidying up the house, going grocery shopping, doing my performance appraisal at work and looking at a new place.  Little did we know, none of that was going to happen in the time frame we had allotted, if ever.

Sunday was mother's day and somehow we got treated to dinner by my parents at the Boathouse.  I was feeling a little off that night but nothing major so had a very nice evening and came home to relax. On Monday May 9th, I went to the dentist for one final cleaning then went to do some paperwork with my mom for the Golf.  Throughout the day I was getting these cramps or shall I say experiencing some discomfort but again, didn't think it was anything of concern but rather a normal occurrence so just continued on with the day.  At times I would get these sudden hot flashes where I guess my face would go bright red and my mom would ask me if I was okay.  Ya, I'm fine, I get these sometimes, nothing to worry about.  Ha, like my mom wasn't going to worry so she continued to watch me that afternoon and make little remarks here and there.  At one point she was ready to take me to the hospital but of course I refused, all was okay.  I got a call from my OB's office wanting me to go get some more blood work so I said I would pick up the req tomorrow as I had an ultrasound at 8:30 and a non-stress test at 9am.  I didn't see the point in racing to get it done when I could go ahead and do it all on the same day...my mom again was insistent I just go get it done but reluctantly accepted my refusal.  After signing the Golf over to her, she suggested we head over to Delany's before I headed home.  I never thought anything of it but looking back I think she had alterior motives and wanted to make sure I was okay.  Afterwards I was on my way, again my mom reluctantly let me go and insisted that this was going to be the last time I drove as she was worried about me.  Ya, ya, fine, I'm fine, lol, just some discomfort.

Needless to say I got home just in time to watch the hockey game before heading out to Antons for dinner.  I was deadset on going to Antons before the due date as I had been wanting it for quite sometime and knew it would be a while before I would get out there again.  Throughout the hockey game I was feeling even more off and the discomfort was getting worse but yep, you guessed it, there was nothing to worry about in mind.  I had a c-section booked the following week so why would I go into labour or anything like that...baby must just be kicking up a storm in there.

I went to bed at about midnight, discomfort getting worse but there were no other indications of anything in my mind so no need to worry.  I was able to doze off from about 12:30-1am so I was convincing myself there definitely indicating labour at this point as I wouldn't have been able to fall asleep if there was something else going on.  However, at 1am it started up again so at 1:15 I got up to try to go to the bathroom and also look up on the computer if constipation felt anything like contractions.  I had no convinced myself I was just constipated so tried to go to the bathroom.  I remember coming out of the washroom and having to lie down on the floor because I was feeling some real discomfort and that seemed to help.  I then lied on the couch for just over an hour and in my "research" came across a contraction timer so started to look at it.  Well I was getting these "discomfort pains" every 5 minutes and they were lasting for about a minute.  I was in some pain but still thought it was maybe just some constipation again.  However, I brought myself back to reality a little more and just after 2:30am went back to bed and finally said to Ted, um, I think we need to do something...maybe just call the hospital.  I told the nurse I was just experiencing some really bad cramping and had a c-section scheduled for next week but that at my last non-stress test they had said if I feel anything to call.  Well the nurse simply said..."well, ya, maybe you should come in then"...so off we went.  Kind of nice driving on the highway at 3am, no traffic whatsoever.

We must have got to the hospital at around 3:30 am and I had to get into a gown to be examined...on the way I just told Ted they would probably check me out then tell me to go home and take it really easy...riiiiiigggghhhttt.  Next thing I know, the OB is telling us that I am 3-4cm dilated...doh...guess I was in labour all day...stupid, stupid, stupid.  My indication was always going to be my water breaking or the sight of blood but none of that happened so to me nothing was going on.  It wasn't until that point that I did see a little blood but reality still wasn't setting in.  Ted quickly called my mom who I guess raced to the hospital & bbm'd everyone she could, "baby's coming".  4:30 am and there was one person who responded, Meg, you rock, lol...sorry to the rest of the Davies household who were sound asleep only to be woken up by Megan spreading the word.

I was all prepped and off I went to the OR...Ted following shortly after in his scrubs and the camera in hand.  I was given an epidural and the surgery was about to begin.  Apparently by now I was 8-9 cm dialated but a vaginal birth was far too risky, mainly because the ninja wiggler was deemed a frank breech.  You have to love it when you are lying there having them cut you open while the anesthetist is asking me about my sister being a med student and we started up a conversation.  It was actually a great distraction as I wasn't focused on what was happening on the other side of the drape so never fully grasped everything.  I couldn't feel any pain but I could certainly feel them tugging inside and then a sudden release and the ninja wiggler was out but there was no sound.  As I said before I never clued in, I was in such a daze that I didn't realize my child was born but I couldn't hear anything.  At 4:54 am the docs told us we had a baby girl & that was it, no more info.  Ted went off with the baby and I remained lying there while they sewed me up, still no word.  Thankfully Dr Broker came back to let me know that baby was being taken to the special care nursery, she needed some help breathing initially but was now breathing on her own.

I was wheeled off to the recovery room downstairs but thankfully got taken past the SCN so was able to hold my little girl for a minute and was very relieved to see Ted and my mom in there with a great nurse...they all assured me everything was okay.

An hour later I was brought up to our room but the baby wasn't there, still in the SCN.  I had to wait until the afternoon to see here because I needed to remain on my back.  My mom stayed with Jade in the SCN to remain updated as the pediatrician ordered and ECG because he believed he had heard a murmur.  All these things were being done with our baby and I didn't really know any of it but thankfully my mom was able to capture the moments and her and Ted were on top of it all.  Ted was back and forth between the nursery so I was given updates and knew things were okay.  When I was finally able to see my baby girl, my emotions were numbed.  We already had her name picked out so it was written on the little card in her bed...Jade Gayle de Volder.  I was sooo happy but this wasn't real to me, things happened sooooo fast.  It was kind of hard seeing her with a little IV in her hand and still so quiet.  I never saw her open her eyes on that first visit either, it wasn't until the evening when I finally got to see her beautiful eyes.  After a short visit we went back to the room and the pediatrician came in to tell us what was happening.  (I may be off in my sequence of events but it all happened at some point).  Jade's blood sugars kept dropping and thus they needed to keep her on the IV to stabilize them.  The doc also requested to be able to feed Jade some formula to keep her stabilized and get the nutrients into her.  We didn't even hesitate to say yes, whatever was going to make our baby girl healthy, then please do it.  Jade remained in the SCN until Wednesday evening when she came to room with us and by Friday we were both given the okay to head home :)  I knew they always checked to make sure parents had approved car seats but I never knew what happened when the baby was under a certain weight.  Poor Jade had to be strapped into her car seat, hooked up to the oximeter and spend an hour in the SCN so they could monitor her oxygen levels for the ride home.  We had to take a few receiving blankets to create little bumpers to put along side her so she would not move around in the car seat.  It sats dropped a couple of times which had us wondering what would happen but thankfully Jade passed and we were allowed to head home.

It wasn't until my last day in hospital and really when I got home that everything that had happened over the past week hit me.  I looked through pictures and would just start crying realizing everything that had happened, Jade not crying at birth, having to spend time in the SCN...these are things that are "never going to happen to me".  Now though, I just am thankful we have a happy & healthy baby girl and will cherish every minute.

Born May 10th, 2011 at 4:54am weighing 5lbs 7oz, Jade Gayle de Volder was discharged from hospital on Friday, May 13th weighing 5lbs 2oz.  She had her first doctors appointment on May 17th, and she has already returned to her birth weight so is doing great. I guess that is what happens when she is woken up every 3 hrs to feed.  Being the hockey fans we are, I must note that Jade waited until after the Canucks finished off the Predators to cause me any extreme pain.

I am so happy I delivered at Lions Gate.  I guess the main reason was that my parents were able to really help us out when needed and my mom continually stopped in to bring us food or whatever else might have been needed; as well as sending home premade dinners for us for our first few nights at home.  I still don't know where we would be if it weren't for all the support they gave us in so many different ways.  I often feel very guilty for what they have done but I guess that's where their hearts are.  We both have families who have been alongside us throughout the pregnancy and have been of great support.  In addition to family, we also have some pretty amazing friends and definitely consider ourselves pretty lucky.

For me, Jade is a miracle and a dream come true that I never thought possible.  Life throws us some real curve balls along the way and it is so easy to strike out, which I was all but certain I had done. I feared my past had taken my childbearing abilities away and I would never be able to experience a pregnancy or give my parents a grandchild.  Though born May 10th, Jade will be celebrated each and every day.

Already to go in for surgery

Ted's first sight of Jade after she was pulled out by her butt

Proud new dad

Jade waving to the world

First time holding Jade for more than a minute

Getting ready to try breast feeding for the first time

IV now removed, Jade is released from the SCN

Daddy getting to give Jade her first bath

One of my favourite pics...my mom & Jade, my guardian angel & my little angel, with huge smiles...

All bundled up and ready to head home

Stubborn as a Bull...Stubborn Just Like Me :)

Ninja Wiggler at just over 36 weeks

The past week has been a busy one, challenges to be met, new information to be learned & decisions to be made. As a result, yesterday/today's blog is more informational then anything else.  I guess it really started last Friday with yet another ultrasound which my mom was a part of.  Ted and I figured there was no sense in him having to race to get to the ultrasound when we don't want to risk seeing anything & the purpose of this one was to ensure the baby's size was good as well as ninja wiggler receiving enough nutrients.  Thankfully everything turned out a-ok and I think my mom was close to tears when she saw a clear image of the baby, but of course, no secrets were discovered.  We had a good laugh though & Ted loved to know it, this one may be a little on the smaller size but its feet will be nice and big like his...in fact, one foot was measuring 7cm...ahhhhh, lol.

One 7cm Foot

Nose & Lips

Monday started with Ted's appointment for his MRI...woohooo, finally he got one.  Of course the results won't be available for a week but one step closer to figuring out what is going on there.  We had sometime to kill in between so we went to the notorious Tomahawk for breakfast as Ted had never been before and all I was wanting was plain old pancakes.  I think both our palates were more than pleasured there.  After breakfast brought about our meeting with the OB due to my elevated blood pressure and also the discovery that our ninja was breech.  So we walk into the office & I had a good laugh as Ted walked in first (keep in mind the type of office it was) & I was trailing a little behind.  He proceeded to sit down & commented on the chic magazine which drew a giggle from the receptionist; of course he was just joking around.  Anywho, the doc talked to us about a process called inversion where they lube up my tummy and try to externally maneuver the baby to flip out of the breech position.  After some discussion and info gathering we decided we would give the procedure a try.  The risks involved were very minimal and there was a 50/50 chance of having success as the butt hadn't settled too far into my pelvis and one foot was in the pelvis.  Thus, we agreed to meet again the next day after another non-stress test.  Now we knew the baby might be coming sooner than the due date & we needed to get our arses in gear with certain things around the house.  The baby's room is all but ready now as Ted built the crib to end our Monday.  Now all that is left is to put up some decals and I think we are set in there :)

Tuesday rolls around and so began a verrrrry long day.  After the non-stress test we went to attempt this inversion thing but hit a roadblock as the doc wasn't too comfortable with the fluid levels as she could not find any big pockets on the small ultrasound screen so wanted me to go for another ultrasound.  Of course that is not instantaneous so we had to wait 3 hrs but thankfully had my parents place to go relax at while we waited.  We return for the ultrasound & now they have no req for me; have my name but no paperwork, so I took that as a sign...but finally we were called in.  Ultrasound went well, ninja wiggler lived true to its name & moved the entire time.  Next up, back up to try this procedure....well let's just say this is where we discovered just how stubborn the little one is.  The doc tried & tried to get under it's butt & help it to flip but the bugger was having no part in moving an inch.  Every time the doc got in deep, the monkey would give her a nice boot & by the end everyone was laughing.  The doc thought it would be possible initially because the baby was sitting quite high up but that had no impact as our little one was not going to do anything for anyone...hehe.  The other funny part was that on Thursday at the other doctors, the wiggler booted the doppler off my tummy when the doc applied it to listen to the heartbeat.  After the attempt of inversion, I had to stay for a bit to be monitored to make sure there were no contractions or bleeding or anything.  Yep, I continue to be oblivious to anything I am supposed to be aware of as apparently the machines showed I had a few little blips but one bigger contraction that caused some concern; one which i never felt...doh.  There was a little scare that I would be delivering that night but thankfully the nurse decided I could go on the condition we were going straight home, I was going to drink lots of fluid and no matter what was happening in the Canucks game, Ted agreed he would bring me right back if anything were to happen.  It was hard for Ted to agree, but he relented and said he would :)

Thursday was physio for Ted then back to the regular doctor where everything stayed status quo.  My blood pressure was high again yet on Tuesday during my test it was fine so who knows what this bp of mine is doing.  Thankfully it also brought about yet another win by the Canucks.....woooohoooo to that as well.

bedrest thing.  Ted has given me very strict orders but for those of you who know me well, know not doing anything when there is so much I can do is flippin hard.  If you don't see me on the computer on Sunday night or Monday, then you will know I have failed miserably & Ted has strapped me to the couch with no use of my hands.

Hittin the Home Stretch

Well I guess it has been a few weeks since I last wrote so I better get on top of it and give you all an idea what's been happening here.  I have real habit of saving things such as this to write when I will have nothing to do but when that time comes I either forget what I was going to do or find something else to do, kind of like I do when I have nothing to worry about, I always find something else to worry about.

I am definitely experiencing baby brain so bare with my rambling here as I try to remember what has happened or if I have already mentioned it.  Just under a few weeks ago there was a little shower held at my parents place with some of my close friends & of course some hockey gals.  Yet again my parents far outdid themselves as did those who were able to make it.  I must make special mention of the decorating which my dad did as it was very nicely done :).  First thing I see when I walk in the door is a new stroller with a huge basket full of care products for both the baby & I which my mom had put together.  Not to mention the gifts lined up along the fireplace....mom, you did a great job to emulate Cecil :).  A few games were played...Val, nice job on guessing my belly circumference (Ida, come one now, could you have been any further off? lol) & Leanne on naming the most baby items.  The baby pool is still sealed in the envelope so the winner of that, of course, will be announced later.  Overall it was great afternoon with some great people who I could never show enough gratitude for nor could I ever make them feel as important as they all made me feel. Thank you Ladies!!!!

The next day was a trip to Galiano, which as crappy as I looked, I found very relaxing.  Sure I didn't get up to a whole lot but the one thing I was able to do was sleep lots, relax and also see what my mom has been up to.  WOW!!!! I mean I knew running a facility was going to be tough but the work those ladies are putting in is excruciatingly stressful.  Such a serene and calming place to go to though, I am still kicking myself for not visiting the place more during the summer.

Wednesday was a great day to be at work when another shower was thrown for us.  I know it was supposed to be a surprise, but don't worry Mary, it was surprise enough for me and meant a whole lot to me too.  You gave a good laugh that morning when you apologized for not knowing I was having the shower that day, all I had to say was "either did I" and the look on your face was priceless.  Needless to say it meant the world to me to have something like that done and to receive some great gifts with a scrumptious rolo blizzard ice-cream cake...you ladies know me all too well. I believe Sandra and Laine were the master minds behind it, so big hug and gratitude to you gals.  As I said, it really meant a lot...I know my facial expressions are very communicative but I don't know how many times I said to my family, it's really great to know I work with some awesome people who care about me like the do.

In the long run, thankfully the work shower was held that day because Thursday marked an unexpected end for me, an end to a great deal of freedom, lol, and work.  We had an appointment and the doc had some concerns about my blood pressure as she thought the initial reading was high but had a tough time getting 2 other readings and immediately said you are done work and now on modified bed rest...doh...this ninja wiggler started costing me lots at the hearing of those words, j/k.  See I was all set to work 2 night shifts which would have equaled a full double stat shift (thanks to Kate) as well as a stat shift on Monday but those were no longer happening.  Yes, I know it was great for the management as they were saved a bundle, but, but....no really, it is worth it and I actually didn't really mind.  With that appointment I was also scheduled for a non-stress test which was conducted this past Tuesday with good results.  For those who don't know what that is, a non-stress test is where they hook my belly up to the monitors to take my blood pressure & the baby's heart rate for at least 20 minutes. 

Today marked a week of this modified bed rest thing (lying down at least 3x/day for 2 hours each time, most I can do around the house is a load of laundry and maybe go for a 20-30 min stroll).  Those who know me well, know how hard it is for me to sit for any extended period of time so imagine me doing this...have caught up on my shows and slept a lot but one can only do that for so long, lol.  All those things I wanted to do or planned to do around the house before the baby comes, I can't do...ahhhhh!  I feel horrible that someone has to do everything, I hate being tended too....OK, I'll be honest, I don't hate it but I don't feel it is fair or necessary for those who are doing the tending.  Sorry babe!

vunderful!  Everything else is pretty much status-quo so we go for another non-stress test on Tuesday as well as an ultrasound tomorrow (Friday). 

On the non-baby front, the Canucks are certainly not helping the blood pressure to go down at all.  That game 7 was a nail biter but thankfully I was not alone watching it and had a great cuz to watch it with who is not nearly as intense as someone else I know.  That loss on Easter was not a pretty one!  Ted had the pleasure of working the game 7 and although he wasn't able to see much of the game, he was still able to experience the atmosphere and see some pretty awesome people.  Would be so neat if this Canucks run took after the one in 1982 but with a better outcome.  I guess it already has started in that direction seeing as the last time we beat Chicago in a playoff series was 1982 :)

Ted is also picking up some more shifts which is awesome!  This also means that I will likely be spending more time at my parents, just so someone can monitor me and two people can be assured I am being looked after, lol.  Pretty awesome though as my dad as said done up their "den" for me so I have a relaxing room that I can lie on the couch, watch tv and take in all the sun there may be.

Anywho, I should probably stop here as I have just been asked if I am writing a paper so thanks for reading to those of you who actually made it this far.  I should also get this hiney to bed seeing as I have an ultrasound at 8am...doh, early appointments I tell ya...

To those of you watching the Royal wedding, enjoy, otherwise to everyone else, have an excellent weekend...GO CANUCKS!!!

CODE YELLOW!!!!

Whooooaaaa!!!!  Can't believe it but as of Sunday we have reached the 34 week mark and apparently the ninja wiggler is weighing about the same as a canteloupe.  I will admit that I always thought people exaggerated the need to pee more often (I know they did but it was to what extent) but my golly, I take back that thought.  I have never had to pee this much in my life, I swear I go to the bathroom more in one day right now then I normally would in like 5 days combined....ahhhhh. Far too many code yellows occurring.

Ninja wigglers movements aren't so much of the kicking type but more of the wavey motion type in which you can see my stomach move.  Can't say we can see clearly defined body parts like some people have but it is still pretty neat.  I would have to say one of the neatest moments that has happened in the past little while was when Ted placed his hand on my stomach then I placed mine beside his and it was when we touched that ninja wiggler began to move.

As the time passes, more and more discomfort begins to settle in.  I have the usual pelvic pain, some hip pain and now it's hard to get comfortable when lying down.  I used to like lying on my side but I swear that when I lie on my side ninja wiggler follows my lead and completely stretches out...hmmm...maybe I am squashing the little space there is.  Also starting to find I am not able to eat some of my favourite foods again...like grapes.  I wasn't desiring ice-cream for a little bit there but that has returned....mmmmmm.  Maybe it was because after an incident at work, a coworker brought dilly-bars in and it seemed to have the perfectly calming effect I sought.  I will say though that spaghetti with meatballs is still probably my favourite meal right now and I think I could eat pasta most nights of the week; unfortunately though that is not really fair to Ted.

Not a whole lot to report in our lives over the last couple of weeks, well at least not that this absent mind of mine can remember.  Hmmmm...oh we did our hospital visit last week and that made things even more realistic.  All I can say is that I am very thankful I am delivering at Lions Gate and very close to my parents so I know if we need anything at all, they are right there.  Not to mention, as soon as anything happens, we have somewhere to go that is very close to the hospital and close to family.  Of course the way my mind works though, doing the visit has created a whirlwind of everything that needs to be done before the labour begins as well as the whole process and remembering it all.  Overall though, very good experience.  Oh, we also took a trip over to the Island to visit my inlaws for a night. Was able to have some authentic home-made Indonesian cooking and catch up on some court t.v. with Mr d :)

I don't know exactly what it was but I got this overwhelming feeling of reality and pure excitement today when we met a good friend and her daughter for coffee.  To be completely honest, I think it might have been how relaxing it was and I don't know what other word I could use to describe it...natural?  None of the negatives or the perfections or the, well this is what happens and this is what you do....it was all, just me, felt like the way I would want to do things and let things happen naturally.  Yes, that was a terrible description but that is me and how I write sometimes.

For all you that have watched Jersey Shore, I need some help in preparing an outfit so please send me some ideas or if you have anything I can wear, let me know.  We are going to celebrate a friend's birthday on Saturday night and I figure I will be the pregnant grenade but many of you know my dress selection so can probably understand my need for assistance.

Anywho I should wrap this debacle of a blog up and will do so with a couple pictures taken April 5th (33 weeks) in my other Canucks maternity shirt.  The Canucks definitely won't be winning the Stanley Cup on the delivery date but no doubt they will be well on their way to doing so :)

32 Week Jicama...:)

Well I realized that I haven't really updated this thing for a little while but don't be angry as I have had every intention to...OK, well I may have forgotten along the way.

So we have reached the 32 week mark today, man oh man does time ever fly....and as it does fly by, things seem to become more and more realistic.  I guess the idea of things becoming more realistic could also be due to the fact the tummy is growing and apparently I actually now look pregnant; that is rather than just feeling it.

This past week was one of celebration for a couple of reasons.  One the progress we have made in checking things off our list and two, it was Ted's birthday on Tuesday.  I think we had a pretty nice day overall considering I am brain dead and often more frustrating to deal with than usual, lol.  We tried a new restaurant to us, Crave on Main, which we both enjoyed.  Ted also got the call from Lions Gate about his MRI that day so that was a bonus...his MRI is booked for May 2nd which means one step closer to knowing what is going on inside that knee of his.

Over the past few weeks since the last post, we have actually been getting somethings done in preparation.  my awesome brother in law guided Ted through the painting process of the nursery and I give the job my full approval; very happy with it.  Can't say I want to know what was said or all the things they did during the day as I am sure there many humorous moment, but I can say I am very happy it is done.  With the room painted, we have now been able to start looking at arrangement possibilities and also move somethings in.  One of those items is the dresser which thankfully my dad was kind enough to help go pick up, and then will be delivering the crib they purchased us soon enough.  Two major items for the nursery down, the items of clothing we have been given can now be watched and nicely put away rather than stockpiling in the t.v. room.  I guess it has also motivated me to start building a registry as several people have been asking if I have done it....so the answer to you all is yes and it is at Sears.  This baby shopping is tough though, checking at everything there is to offer in all the different stores but not knowing exactly what we need or what is the safest.

Biggest thing we purchased was a car.  Everyone knows how stressful that can be at times but it took us a week of research, browsing and taking the advice of my parents and Tim to find exactly what we wanted.  We ended up with a 2007 Mazda 6 GT with a mere 48 000 kms on it.  Best part it is, full leather interior with heated seats; okay, well I guess in a guys eyes maybe the best parts are the Bose audio system and 18" alloy wheels plus the power and ease to drive it.  In terms of baby wise, tons of room both in the back and trunk area as well as built in parts for the car seat.  For any of you who have driven in the Green Golf, you will know how nice a new car must feel to be in.  I can actually drive through an intersection without feeling as though the car is going die in the middle of it....ahhhh, the ease.  Ironically we were debating whether we were even going to go look at this dealership as we were getting tired from going at it all day long but thankfully we did.  Great people there, no pushiness, no pressure and very respectful...unlike some dealers who are often the more common ones.

Guess some of you are more interested in the whole pregnancy and what is happening there.  Well everything seems to be progressing nicely and the doc is pleased.  Despite the return of the nausea that happened early on, all has been fairly good I would have to say.  Well, I will admit that I do get pretty sore sometimes in a couple of areas.  For a while my pelvis and groin area were feeling like I was working out daily & also super tight but seems to be getting a little better.  Now the pain is in my ribs, I swear ninja wiggler is grabbing my ribs with its toes and just hanging there.  The movement is rampant as so many have felt and seen; sometimes kind of feels like a wave or something, other times flutters and other times little boots.  Had to laugh the other day when I was telling Ted to feel part of my stomach because certain areas are really hard so he did, then he told Tim to do the same and it wasn't until Tim touched my stomach the the ninja skills came into play and he received a boot to the hand.

It's still so priceless to see other's expressions when they feel my tummy.  Not to mention it is still so surreal to actually feel the movements myself and know there is something alive in there that will be breathing the same air as us in no time at all. 

As the due date draws nearer the thoughts of my grandma become stronger and the wish she were here to witness her first great grandchild.  Unfortunately that dream will never become reality for me to see but I will always know that it will be a reality to her and she has been and will us be with us every step of the way.  I know my mom makes up for the empty void of not having her here so that really helps. I also look at my parents and how they have continued on their road together and stayed strong; quite evident in the fact they are celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary on March 28th....whoa!!

I am curious if you are all wondering what the title is all about.  Well every week I get an email from baby center to tell me about what the ninja wiggler is becoming and what fruit or veggie would be a good comparison.  This week's comparison was to a jicama...unfortunately we don't have those here so no purchasing that one this week.  At least last week it was easy, 4 navel oranges.

I really think I am just rambling now so I shall bring this piece to an end and bid ya'all adieu until the next one.  I am adding a couple of pictures...one taken March 13th to display the tummy & a not so great one of me in 1 of my 2 maternity Canucks shirts taken on March 16th (next pic will be other one shirt :))

March 13th, 2011

March 16th, 2011

Baby Bump Expansion

27 Weeks

 

 

There you have it, for all those that have been asking we have finally taken another picture of my expanding tummy :)

Monday was our first time at a prenatal class which we will be going to until the end of March.  We both walked out of there looking forward to the next one and I was thankful my life line kept pushing me along to finally register....:)  We made our grand entrance in style...ahhhhh, walked in at 7:05 (thanks to hitting a train then every red light on the way)  & of course the class had started and the teacher made sure to announce our names.  Yep, you all know how much I love being noticed in front of a whole group of people, especially ones I don't know.  It was all okay though, ended up sitting beside a nice couple and I swear the guy has the exact same sense of humour as Ted so should be fun times.

Ninja Wiggler is making it known that he/she is in there with lots of constant bursts of energy.  The fluttering and boots are feelings I can't describe with words, and the fact Ted has got to feel them from the outside is even more indescribable.  Utterly amazing....:)

For those of you that see us frequently, you often get to hear about how psychotic our cat
is and that is only seeming to continue.  From the inability to eat her food without someone seeing her start or by taking out a piece to bat around the kitchen before eating it to the non-cuddling to randomly staring at walls, weird, weird, weird.  Many of you have seen the video of her chasing Ted around the house which only seemed to be a thing she did to him but now she has taken to doing it to me, but for me it is holding me hostage in the washroom.  Spray bottle cant' be used because somebody, lol, used it all too frequently and she became used to it; stern voice or fingering waving only makes her more psychotic so now Ted has taken to picking her up, and putting her on her back as he says no.  Surprisingly, this seems to be doing the trick so hopefully she will learn very soon.  Another things she likes to do is jump in any box or bag we place on the ground....well, that trait has expanded to other objects we bring home.  Nurse Ronald was super kind and gave us a baby seat/rocker which I placed on the ground in the t.v. room when I got home from work.  I must add that in the days it was at work (between the days Ron & I worked) it became known as the CAPE overflow bed, man do I hope that is not an omen.  Anywho, we are watching t.v. and start hearing these noises when we both look over and take a wild guess what the noises are.....

Yep, apparently we can't leave anything out there for the baby which she can get into...lesson learned :)

There are still 3 months before the due date and we have already been very lucky to receive some baby items from people at my work, including books, DVDs & maternity books...Thank you guys :)

We also are starting to get some little onsies :):):)  SOOOO CUTE!!!  Not to mention this awesome, stylin' diaper bag from my fashion advising aunt down in Vegas...THANK YOU!!!!!

With all that said and the current time, I must go peruse through my new wardrobe, courtesy of my mom with assistance from my aunt & sis, to figure out what I am going to wear to work tomorrow :)

Until next time all...

Third Trimester Here We Come....Are You Ready for Us?

Can't believe how fast time is flying by nor how much movement something so small can do.  We are 26.5 weeks along which I guess puts us pretty much in the third trimester...CRAZY!!!!!  Not a whole lot new to report though so don't be expecting anything overly amusing in this post.  We went to our monthly check up last week and all went a-ok, with again, the now normal comment, "you have one happy little baby in there, he/she seems to be moving around a lot".  Guess being at the point we are at, it is time for the glucose testing to be done so that is on the agenda to do over the next few days.  My blood pressure has been stable but for some reason the doc thinks it is going to shoot up near the end which was not really what we wanted to hear but will go with it and not worry until it does as it may never.

We went to my parents for dinner the other night and something happened that was kind of cool.  We were all sitting on the couch, watching t.v. and my mom had her hand on my tummy in hopes of feeling ninja wiggler do it's thang.  She would get the odd quiver here and there but it was not until we started talking about names that the movement really started, okay, so movement to one name in particular.  Every time my mom said this one name, her hand would get a boot...does that mean it's a liked name or a hated name???  No idea, you tell us.  Interestingly enough, I used that name another time when a friend at work wanted to feel things and same reaction, weird, weird, weird.

I have to say feeling this much movement now is pretty surreal and indescribable.  I often get asked if I mind people touching my tummy and the response I would give is, not at all, I want to share this experience with those around me.  I love seeing people's reactions when they feel ninja wiggler give their hand a little knock....friends at work (you know who you are), Ali, Meg....the excitement in their reactions always brings a smile to my face when I think about it. 

It's pretty neat when Ted will have his hand on my tummy as we watch a show and get to feel everything I do, only from the outside.  Just know that we created this thing together and will be raising it together forever is unbelievable.  For me, truly unbelievable as I never knew if I would ever be able to have kids after what my body went through with my illness.  May 17th is my 29th birthday, May 19th marks 11 years free of treatment and May 22nd is when our little one is due....May is going to be one amazing month!

To stand on stage the other night at the Looking Glass Gala and say where I am at in life and the people that have seen me through it all, especially my family, Ted and friends was a nerve racking but proud time.  Saying that I survived and am bringing another life into this world was a huge thing....unfortunately I didn't have the nerve to stand up there and rub my belly as my darling husband so desired. :)

On a non-baby note, Ted got hired for security by the Canucks so things are moving forward and it really can't hurt to be paid to be in the building where the Canucks are playing :)