we're off {... and home again}

To the hospital we go! 8am appointment for this induction ... see if we can charm Baby to come out today. Tragically we won't have internet access while there so there may be "radio silence" til I can get back on - so sorry.

Keep us in your prayers!

Noon update: We are home again now. I started the induction process close to 10:30 this morning, and was monitored for an hour after the gel was inserted. Thankfully the on call Doctor who did this is a "big city Doc" and is used to the practice of sending the Mums home for 6 hours instead of having to stay and be monitored every hour. Apparently I'm the first this has happened to and if we would have had any other Doctor this morning then I would have been simply expected to stay ... so I'm so grateful to be able to come home for a time. Feeling a bit of discomfort now but nothing that I can truly identify as contractions, perhaps just sore hips and back from lying on my back most of that time. I know it may take some time to get this party started but I'm hoping to make the most of this home time to relax, stretch my hips and ligaments often, and work comfortably through what is to come soon. The real deal!

ready for baby

A show and tell of the completed nursery finally!

Except for the white drapes we are waiting on to be cut and tailored and a few more framed photos on the walls once Baby is here, we are done and ready and loving our bright, welcoming, and cozy room. This is certainly the smallest of all our four bedrooms and we have used all the space possible, but then it's only fitting that it's the Baby Room and we aren't tempted to clutter it up with random bits and bobs we wouldn't need anyways. A simple crib, a changing/cloth diaper area, a wee table for future games and projects, some shelves for books and Mum's pretty things, and a deliciously comfortable and modern glider and ottoman for those hours of feeding and snuggling with Baby. A cozy place by the window for me to read and watch the snowflakes fall.

If we have a wee lassie to bring home then I have a few more feminine touches to add - prettier crib sheets, some vintage photo frames, and these eyelet paper lanterns to hang above the crib with colourful ribbons as a sort of homemade mobile. Otherwise we like this more gender neutral look, fresh and bright, and able to work for either boy or girl. I'm certainly not a "theme" lover and will never have too frou-frou of a look, if it is a girl, or an overabundance of sporty or car/truck paraphernalia for our boy. But in time, in time, their personalities will shine through and Mum's tastes will have to be set aside for all those wonderful trinkets that they love and want to be surrounded with!

update and a date

Had a consult with an OB/Gyn this morning. My Doctor's been concerned that some of the ligaments in my pelvis have been very tight and are not loosening up and wanted a 2nd opinion as to whether progressing with natural labour would be the best route, before we set out a time for an induction. {'Cause Baby's just settled in quite nicely still, thank you very much!} I've known about this for a few weeks and have not been told to be worried, but to be aware that this may put a slight hiccup in my 'no c-section' plan. The OB considers the shape of my pelvis "borderline" and yet thankfully he is willing to let me try to labour on my own, though knowing that we may only get so far. I know this only gives me a greater drive to not be forced to labour and push on my back, but to use gravity, movement, and more squatting/vertical positions as those are proven to open up one's pelvis by up to 30%. I'm so grateful that it was not a cut and dry forced c-section decision and debate and Sam and I are optimistic and trusting in the power and potential in my body to allow Baby and I to work together. Still, I'm glad too I know the risks and the potential for a completely different experience and I am ok with that. Ok - but ready to fight first.

So unless Baby makes a move this weekend we are scheduled for an induction Tuesday morning at 8am. See if we can still sneak in a September birthday! And with either Tuesday or earlier, I'll post on here when we have to head off to the hospital ... so stay tuned!

tuckered out

Sam came home last night from teaching Intro Psych to a very quiet house and this scene upstairs. Library book tossed aside, Bear smooshed, and Wife, Cat, and Baby all sound asleep. Well before my usual bedtime. (Must have been the insomnia and the only 3 hours sleep from the night before!) I had a good laugh when I came across the pictures on the camera this morning.

My sister says, the tiredness, get used to it!

40 weeks on the button

Here's me and my 40 week Belly, in all it's glory! I couldn't decide which photo to share as I like the inside one but it has too much shadow and is rather misleading - or the outside shot which certainly leaves no size o'girth to the imagination. Due date is here and it's been amazing to marvel that I'm actually experiencing September 23rd today, as we've been looking forward to that special date for so long. No hints, or indications, or niggly feelings to report ... Baby and I are still just happy to hang out together and so I'm as curious as you are as to when. My Doctor will only allow me to go to 41 weeks so after another appointment this Friday we'll book an induction for Monday or Tuesday, if I haven't gone into labour on my own by then. But here's hoping!!

Thanks so much to all of you who've written or called in this past week to let me know you're thinking about me ... that means so much and I love it that you're as excited as we are (ok, maybe not as excited, that's just not possible!) to finally meet our boy or girl. And believe me, we can't wait til we have some news to share! Soon, soon, soon ...

blissfully unaware

Ha! - I am so the person who's making note of my cat's birthday, yes I am! I remembered this evening that this is Sophie Roux's 1st birthday -- as we got her when she was 12 weeks old in December and so arbitrarily picked her birth-day three months before that. Still no furless brother or sister for her yet! ... now only days away from "The End" and still Mumma's feeling no signs of any action except for a very heavy baby-in-the-belly pressure when I stand up and the occasional aches and pains. I must admit, I'm certainly enjoying the anticipation and the wondering wait but I'm also savoring the knowledge that it's not quite yet. It's hard to let go of this wonderful Family of Two we have now, which is all we've ever known, and it's also hard to let go of the idea of being pregnant ... as I've really loved being pregnant! But I'm also getting dreamy about holding my babe soon and knowing that he or she will be all mine, mine, mine. And we'll be a new family. It's Sophie's birthday today, but when will the next family birthday be?

can aunties have brag books too?

Just because I'm the proud {and faraway} Auntie ... the only Auntie! ... to wee Isla, I just had to show off a few more photos! (Stolen from Bethany's Facebook ... hope you don't mind, Beps!) Love the picture of my parents with their first grandbaby! - I've never seen quite a smile like that on my Dad before.

Everyone's home and happy now - and now the family focus and waiting has shifted to us now. We're soon next to see who Isla's cousin is going to be! Into my last week of this 40 weeks countdown and I'm simply willing my body to go into spontaneous labour on its own before the end of the month, when Doctor will then push an induction. (Which I would love to avoid and am praying against a c-section too ... but I know, I know ... nothing may go at all as I hope and plan ...) Nothing major to report from yesterday's checkup, just now waiting and relaxing and enjoying these last few days or weeks. All the while, still feeling amazing. (How did I get to be this lucky?)

Thankfully we're having a week of utterly gorgeous, sunny, hot weather and that's enough to make anyone happy. My oh-so-modern chair and ottoman are apparently en route to being delivered as we speak and Sam and some neighbor friends are going to lug up our 400lbs each radiators tonight, plus the guest room furniture. So nice to check those off the list and bring this house into even a little more normalcy as each day passes.

And I've got to stop procrastinating and pack my hospital bag today! And recharge my ipod ...
But that's it. Oh, and read my library book out in the sun. Mumma needs to relax!

life is uncertain. eat dessert first.

Are you a wee bit jealous?? We're digging into some fantastic cake here tonight!

Happy 35th Birthday, Sam! I love you so much and can't wait for all the excitement and changes and big surprises coming in the next few weeks.

practice parenting and the diaper dude

Lots done off the list this past week ... feels great! And I'm under strict orders to "rest, relax, and have fun" each day from my Doctor here at home and I'm certainly happy to oblige. No more painting for me ... I'm simply not allowed to help anyways! Trim and moldings are now cut, painted, and fully up in the guest room and around the bay window in our bedroom so that we can get our radiators back in later this week. Weather is gorgeous right now but we've felt the nip of autumn already and with the Baby a'coming it's certainly advantageous for us to have some heat to put on soon.

More Baby prep today too ... Sam installed the car seat and we had quite a moment sitting back and realizing that we'll be bringing home a little 'us' by the end of the month. All curled up and cute in that car seat. Probably crying - and that will be just the parents! Sam woke up on his day of days to a special present ... The Diaper Dude, a very manly diaper bag for the hip new dad. Even hipper that it comes in a brown tweedy herringbone style. My guy will be the best lookin' stroller pushin', diaper changin' (I said yes, that comes part and parcel with receiving this gift!!) dad in town. So we took the full ensemble out for a test drive around the lawn. And Sophie assures us the bassinet option to the stroller is pretty wonderful.

Our niece is here!

I can finally announce our niece's birth and details as Daddy Glen has just sent on an email with pictures ... seeing as it's their news to share first and I know some family reads my blog!

Little Isla Rose Macdonald (pronounced 'eye-la') was born yesterday, September 11th at 4:26pm, weighing 8lbs 6oz and 21 inches long, via c-section after a very long and difficult induced labour. Our Mum was there as well, which we were all glad about, and Bethany and Glen are understandably completely smitten with their little girl. It's so exciting to finally see pictures and I can hardly wait to hold Isla myself and to introduce her to her soon cousin! We're next ...!

Congratulations Bethany and Glen ... she is beautiful and I'm so proud of you for bringing her into the world safely. We love you!

even better than a sheepskin rug

I finished pre-washing all of our bamboo and organic cotton diapers today, 3 times washed to release some of the natural oils and up to 10 washes before they attain their full absorbency. But oh my, even now, are they ever soft. And cute. Baby bum cute. While Sam and I were practicing how to clasp them together for the tightest fit, Sophie jumped on the bed too and nuzzled herself into the softest bed she's ever been lucky enough to find. And promptly went right to sleep.

We just had to take a picture.

38 weeks

• 3 weeks max to go!
• 31 lbs gained and I'm still loving my big-bellied body.
• No stretch marks {yet!}
• Did lots of baking and cooking yesterday so the freezer is full!
• Our little Baby Beluga is still happy inside.
• No dilation at last check.
• Last day of non-motherhood for my sister!
• Sam's home today to get house stuff done ... and I'm getting dirty painting again.
• The sun is out and it's a beautiful September day. 

baking and blah-ness

Feeling a bit crummy right now. And tired. Just blah and tired. You know. The weather's been overcast today (though the sun is peeking through right now, as it happens) and it's kinda chilly inside so I'm just feeling blah and unmotivated and wishing I could curl up in bed instead. Which I guess I really could. Oh, and I feel the heartburn coming on. Nice.

Was somewhat productive this week and am thinking ahead to my "schedule" for this coming week. The to-do's on The Lists are slowly being crossed out but not fast enough for my liking. This past week seems to have kept me in the kitchen a great deal as I'm trying to fill up the freezer for those 'not wanting to cook post-baby days'. I reckon this is the smartest thing I could do. So far I have 3 huge lasagnas, a banana bread loaf plus more banana muffins, a batch of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies (really, really good ones!) and a batch of Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip cookies, courtesy of of my must-read blogs One More Moore. Sam quickly deduced that these were one of the best choco-cookies he's ever had and I must agree ... they're pretty phenomenal. The cookies are mentioned here and the recipe is here. You won't be disappointed. I'm planning on making up 2 big Shepherd's Pies tomorrow plus more of the cookies as well as a batch of Monster Cookies (that makes about 8 dozen!) this week. Anyone realizing that my hubby sure loves himself some homemade cookies??! {well, and me too, I won't deny ...}

This week too: Wash all the cloth diapers. Twice. (Helps with absorbency.) Install the car seat in the car. Pack hospital bag. Go over all my preferences on my Birth Plan with Doctor. Paint second and final coat on the last of the windowsills. Read, read, read. Get Ikea drapes in to seamstress to tailor them for all the bedrooms. Cheer on Sam as he puts up all the trim and moldings in the guest room and part of our bedroom so we can get the radiators put back in the rooms. But first, help paint same trim and moldings beforehand. Make Sam's birthday cake. Wait for news of my niece's birth either Wednesday or Thursday ... Bethany will be induced then. Oh, and apparently ... rest, relax, and have fun ... my husband's orders. Am I really almost at 38 weeks? oy vey.

37 weeks

3 weeks to go ... or anytime in the next 4 weeks, really! Baby is now considered full term and so we are so thrilled that he or she has progressed this far and is still happily growing. Moving and tumbling around more than ever - and running out of room, I dare say! I'm still feeling great, generally, but am feeling large and more uncomfortable and sore each day. Walking around like an old woman when I get up from the couch, trying to get those hips to work as they should, and don't even get me started on the effort it takes just to roll over in bed! I've taken on the added discomfort of having incredibly itchy skin, from my belly down, and it's been almost intolerable sometimes. I'm quite sure I scratched throughout my entire sleep last night, the sides of my ankles being the worst. Where do these strange pregnant side effects come from?? Still, we're so thankful for the pregnancy this has been and the amazing realization that we're so close to the end now.

We've just returned from our hospital tour and pre-registration ... the big 4 minutes drive to get there! {Love that!} I'm home with mixed feelings. Thankful that we'll be able to take advantage of the very recently new hospital facilities, but realizing that if I had a choice I would certainly not choose to labour and birth in a hospital setting. A home birth or even a home-like birthing centre would definitely be my preference. Still, this is what we have to work with and so I will be grateful for the support and care we do receive there.

Today is my sister Bethany's birthday as well! My sister who's officially overdue now and has no indication when Baby Girl will actually make her big debut! Someone in there is just content to hang out with Mama for as long as she can. So it looks as though the two cousins will definitely both have September birthdays ... it's just a matter now of how close those birthdays will be! I wonder ... Any predictions out there??

baby room/baby steps

Progress is being made ... and I promise more and better pictures than this sneak peek once everything's done. {Can't wait!} Still waiting for my oh-so-comfy and modern chocolate brown glider and ottoman to arrive in the next few weeks and need to get the Ikea drapes we bought taken in to be cut and tailored. Still, it's looking wonderful now. Almost there. Sam put up the wall shelves last night so I need to fill those today with books and nooks and colour and pretty things. Sigh ... I love setting up.

From the top: A few of Baby's board books for daytime snuggles and nighttime stories ... A favourite vintage picture I love ... Brown Bear from Kim and lovely handmade wee hats and a 'specially-asked-for blanket from my mother in law ... Two of the newborn sized Kissaluvs diapers ... Giraffe pushalong and playtable from my childhood ... And some of the washed and ready cozies to dress Baby in soon enough!