Introducing the bebe's crib!!!
4.11.08
So...here it is!
And the matching change table!
Baby's next big purchase...
This is the sweest stroller out there. It's called the UPPA Baby Vista stroller. And it will be mine [and Baby Boy's too]!
I'm getting picky...
28.10.08
Here's the boy bedding that I like. I need to find it in Canada. Since the Canadian dollar has plummeted, shopping in the US doesn't seem like a wise option anymore. Now I need to find a crib. Below is a modern crib from US Babies R Us that I kind of like.
Below is the zebra wood crib that I REALLY want, but can't afford. Seriously, who wants to spend $2000 on a crib?! But it is truly gorgeous!!!
13.10.08
So tomorrow is my 4th u/s. It's one of those 3D/4D u/s. It should be cool to see how the baby's developed in the last couple months. We get a CD w/ approx. 30 pics on it, 2 4x6 photos, and a DVD of the baby's movements during the u/s. Gotta love technology! My mom was laughing with me that when she was pregnant with me, she saw the doctor only twice before giving birth, and she doesn't recall having any u/s at all.
As far as the gender assessment goes, I'm hoping for the best but gearing up for the worst. It feels like I've been waiting forever to find out this baby's gender. Apparently people find out at 12 weeks, and I'm now going into my 29th week with NO luck so far. I'm pretty frustrated. The baby's moving A LOT - so many backflips, kicks, and swishes that s/he better be on his/her best behaviour tomorrow! I'm totally drinking a bottle of coke before my u/s too - orange juice won't cut it this time!
Late last night I got into a nesting frenzy, that I channeled into cleaning out my scrapbook room [which will soon become the new guest room] - apparently there is going to be less room for "art" in my life once this kidlet comes! I should clarify that I didn't CLEAN or even ORGANIZE, I just "sorted out" and "re-discovered" what was in unlabeled boxes leftover from our move 18 mos. ago. I found some important docs that were never correctly filed. I found LOTS of junk that just needs to be thrown out once and for all. But I also found a box of my art, writing, awards and photos from grade school! Literally from kindergarten up to grade 6, I found these amazing little gems. So many new things to scrapbook before the baby comes! It was just to lovely to recall old friends from Alberta and northern Ontario. It was actually pretty cool to see how I've been able to keep in touch with these friends from my past via FB etc. - these are the important things in life. As a soon-to-be mommy, I can now see how vital it is preserve these precious photos, tokens, trinkets of my babe's life. Better to start sooner than later. Time sure flies!
suburban cliche
4.10.08
I realized a funny thing tonight. I went for a walk tonight [actually AMAZED I had energy!], wearing my new velour track suit, pumas, and carrying a Coach wristlet. I am officially a cliche. I used to wear knee-high stiletto boots and fishnets to go dancing on a Saturday night; now I'm doing Wal-mart runs for the new SATC dvd in loungewear. Good grief!
I shouldn't be too hard on myself. It's been a tough week for me - physically. I'm finally feeling better today. The hubby and I went to a fancy party last night in the city where he won an award for a project he was working on. Then we stayed at a fancy hotel for the night. I don't know why, but I finally had a great sleep. We slept in, then went to a diner in our old neighbourhood for breakfast. After our delicious food, we went shopping! The husband treated me to a new ipod [the yellow one I've been coveting!] and some new fall clothes! It was such a nice, relaxing day. I really needed the rejuvenation.
28.9.08
things to remember when i'm a mom
01. read to them and let them read to me. even if it takes forever.
02. paintbrushes and a bucket of water on a sunny sidewalk creates instant and harmless masterpieces.
03. call the babysitter and tell them how much fun the kids had with them the other night.
04. don't try to do too many things at once. be present in the moments. don't rush the doing.
05. carry snacks. and bubble gum.
06. believe in the power of the bribe.
07. don't assume that every restaurant and/or home is child proof. watch them close.
08. let them make decisions. (but not every decision. remember who's in charge.)
09. make a journal, documenting things they say. it's too easy to forget.
10. take pictures. not just when they are dolled up on sunday mornings but even on the days when they dump rice krispies all over the sofa.
11. eat around the table together more often than not.
12. praise them. say sweet things about them on the phone when they're still in the room.
13. keep dating my husband. try to find more subjects than the kids to chat about. remember to ask him about his life too. even if mine gets super overwhelming. remember what it's like to be thick in a career.
14. make family traditions. even simple ones like kissing them before they get on the bus, cutting their sandwiches in silly shapes or going on sunday evening walks.
15. create cute nicknames for them.
16. write notes and stick them in their lunchboxes. even when they are too old for lunchboxes, leave it on the bottle of orange gatorade in the fridge.
17. volunteer at their schools. be available to bring forgotten homework or to fix their wig for the halloween parade.
18. hang up their artwork. put favorites in frames that descend down the staircase wall.
19. go on trips with and without them. let them see the grand sights of world. but remember to be a person all by myself too.
20. remember what's really important: children wearing hannah montana sneakers, not that important; exercising agency, very important.
21. buy them the book of their choice; let them learn to love to read.
22. sing them each their own lullabye and say prayers every night.
23. be on their level. play with them on the floor. hold them in my lap. ride roller coasters together.
24. tell them all the reasons why they are special. again and again and again.
25. say i love you. because you can never say it enough. yet refrain from yelling it to them from the car window on the first day of junior high.
PS: this is borrowed...i'm not this creative.
21.9.08
Now that I'm about six months into this pregnancy gig, I'm getting kinda bored. I think I can describe this emotion as "Preggo Fatigue". Being pregnant is a full-time job. It's all I can think about night & day.
When I "sleep" [and I use that word VERY liberally as I can hardly sleep through the night], I'm worried that I'm going to kill my baby. I once read that I should sleep on my left side, so when I wake up on my back or my right side I stress that I've killed my bebe. OR when I actually maintain the left side sleeping position, I'm aching from pain. I've got a body pillow, but despite my best efforts, it ends up on the floor.
In the daytime, I'm constantly worried about everything - from the food I'm eating [or shouldn't be eating!], my LACK of exercise, my growing belly, little aches, and exhaustion management. Further, I find myself constantly answering questions about my pregnancy to strangers: "When are you due?", "Oh, a New Years baby! You'll get your picture in the paper, won't you?", "Do you know what you're having?", "Are you planning on a natural birth?" That last question is probably the most offensive - I mean, when is it ok to discuss my vajayjay with complete STRANGERS? How about NEVER? It's like a pregnant women's body is all of sudden an open book, with any topic up for discussion. I don't mind most questions, but asking personal questions about my birth plan is tasteless.
Oh! Another one of my "favourites" is when strangers give you their unsolicited opinion re: finding out the baby's gender. Some people are so judgmental about finding out the baby's gender. This also includes U/S technicians. They always tell me, "I don't understand why women want to know. It's more important that the baby's healthy." My response is that these inquiries aren't mutually exclusive. I get the impression that they think I'm a bad mom because I'm curious whether I'm having a boy or girl! Of course I care about my baby's health!
Since I'm getting bored of constantly thinking and talking about my pregnancy, I need some combat strategies. I'm teaching and dancing a lot, and I'm busy with my church calling. I'm going to start reading the "Twilight" series too. I've been also keeping myself busy with my scrapbooking and paper crafts. Any other ideas to fight preggo fatigue???
Modern Baby High Chair
I know it's against my religion to covet, but this high chair is to DIE for. I must, must, MUST have it! LOVE the orange. This reminds me of the old chairs at church, but much cooler! I'm definitely digging the retro vibe of this high chair!
19.8.08
So - halfway through my pregnancy now. Woot! Woot!
I met w/ my OB for the first time today. Part of the meeting consists of weighing myself. I saw a number I haven't seen in years. More than 4 years. It was a little hard to see at first. I feel fat. I feel round. But I came to the realization that my rounding shape is OK because I'm 5 months pregnant. I didn't have an excuse before! I'm starting to enjoy, well, at least get used to my pregnant shape.
I'm feeling really good lately. I wouldn't use the word "energized" - but I'm loads better than back a month or so ago. I danced for 3 hrs the other day, and I'm building up my stamina for when I start teaching again in the fall. A few months ago I couldn't even get off the couch, so this energy is quite amazing to me.
Read more...
I met w/ my OB for the first time today. Part of the meeting consists of weighing myself. I saw a number I haven't seen in years. More than 4 years. It was a little hard to see at first. I feel fat. I feel round. But I came to the realization that my rounding shape is OK because I'm 5 months pregnant. I didn't have an excuse before! I'm starting to enjoy, well, at least get used to my pregnant shape.
I'm feeling really good lately. I wouldn't use the word "energized" - but I'm loads better than back a month or so ago. I danced for 3 hrs the other day, and I'm building up my stamina for when I start teaching again in the fall. A few months ago I couldn't even get off the couch, so this energy is quite amazing to me.
Closet Shock - In need of retail therapy
17.8.08
With my expanding and rounding belly, my clothes are no longer fitting. I blogged about this back in July, but as expected when you're expecting, I am continuing to grow. I came to the realization this week that absolutely NONE of my pre-preggo clothes fit. I am officially relegated to the maternity department for the time being.
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So today I got serious. I cleaned out my entire closet of non-fitting pre-preggo clothes. SHOCKING. For those of you who know me, I'm a bit of a "fashionista" - clothes, shoes, and image are important to me, so I have A LOT of clothes. Once I cleared out today, I had a handful of shirts, 2 pairs of pants, 2 capris, 3 dresses, and one pair of casual pants. No jeans. My huge closet looked so sad - unhappy to be so empty.
BUT - the thing I've learned since falling pregnant is that other yummy mummies SHARE their maternity clothing! This week I've had 3 friends lend me their clothes. Today I went through them to vet the fashionable, wearable items. What a goldmine!!!!! One of my girlfriends gave me 4 suits [nice ones!], 5 dresses, 4 pairs of jeans, several work-appropriate and casual tops, sweaters, and even some workout wear. I'm beyong thrilled as now I should be set for the next while. It's a bit of a relief to not have to wear the same pants to work 3 out of 5 days a week! I want to ROCK my time in maternity wear, so I'm now so excited to be able to change it up a bit.
BUT - the thing I've learned since falling pregnant is that other yummy mummies SHARE their maternity clothing! This week I've had 3 friends lend me their clothes. Today I went through them to vet the fashionable, wearable items. What a goldmine!!!!! One of my girlfriends gave me 4 suits [nice ones!], 5 dresses, 4 pairs of jeans, several work-appropriate and casual tops, sweaters, and even some workout wear. I'm beyong thrilled as now I should be set for the next while. It's a bit of a relief to not have to wear the same pants to work 3 out of 5 days a week! I want to ROCK my time in maternity wear, so I'm now so excited to be able to change it up a bit.
After months of feeling "blah", I think I'm finally starting to feel better. I'm now planning the nursery and getting really excited for the bebe.
I drove down to the US yesterday because their selection of baby items is so much better than Canada's. I ended up buying the adorable bedding set pictured in this post. The problem is that it's for a GIRL! And I don't know what sex my bebe is just yet.
My u/s from a few week's ago was tragically inconclusive. The naughty alien bebe had it's legs crossed [so lady-like and modest!]. I still think it's a girl, so I bit the bullet and purchased the gorgeous, modern, Moroccan-tile inspired, and deliciously un-kid-like it is. I'm not a fan of crazy animals, boring neutrals and pastels, and other supposedly "cute" kidlet bedding. So ugly! I figure if I have to spend a lot of time in this nursery, the decor better be chic and sophisticated. I also read that bold patterns, like this black and white print, is both mesmerizing and stimulating for the little bebe.
I SHOULD find out this Saturday re: the kidlet's sex. I booked an u/s at a private clinic - $100 for 10 mins! This baby better not act up again. Maybe I'll drink a can of coke first to ensure the baby is lively!
My mom was worried that I'm hoping too much for a girl and I'll be really disappointed if it's a boy. Not true. I'll just be happy KNOWING one way or the other. As for my crib bedding set, I'm delighted that I got exactly what I wanted, but it's easy to return if necessary. Just another trip back to NY - and who doesn't like another shopping trip???
Still Raq'n for a Preggo Lady!
27.7.08
Last night I had a paid solo gig! It was soooooo fun. I wore my green costume which covers my belly a bit, but it's form fitting so my rounded preggo shape is highlighted.
I danced a 15 minute set, then an hour long class. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I thought I'd be exhausted by the end, but to the contrary I was totally energized. I even went for Thai food with my hubby after the gig.
Since falling pregnant, I've been so tired that my dancing has fallen by the wayside a wee bit. I remembered how much I love dancing [and how good I am at it!]. Dancing is my passion.
Confessions of a Pregnant Lady
24.7.08
Don't get me wrong. This isn't a complaining rant. This isn't a "woe is me" post. This is just a brief rambling on my experience of pregnancy.
I feel like my life is not my own. I want to run another marathon. I want to train. I want to drink Diet Dr. Pepper. I want to feel AWAKE. I want to feel alive. I want to feel lighter. I want to feel better. I want to feel like myself. Again. I know that this is going to be worth it.
I'm super excited about my baby! I saw my doctor again today. I had a minor freak-out because my friend who was due the week after me lost her baby yesterday. I was supposed to schedule an appointment for last week, but I went out of town for a couple of weeks, then just put it off. But when I heard my friend's news, combined with my own worries that I've not "popped" yet and I've been having weird sensations in my belly, I scheduled an emergency appointment with the doctor today. He was very kind. I heard the baby's heartbeat again, and the doctor assured me that all is well with my normal, boring pregnancy.
The time will soon come when I can train for another marathon - maybe New York 2009 or Miami 2010? Drinking Diet Dr. Pepper isn't all it's cracked up to be, compared to giving birth. I imagine that giving birth will definitely make me feel ALIVE - what could be more dramatic in the human experience? And I know I will definitely feel lighter after delivering my baby. Yeah, this pregnancy is definitely worth it. What I may now feel like I'm giving up, is nothing compared to the blessing that will soon be a new part of my world. This is so me.
14.7.08
I am in LOVE with maternity clothes. I know I'm not supposed to be. I know I'm supposed to complain that they're ugly, unflattering, and not stylish. I'm compelled, however, from my first-hand experience to tell you that maternity clothes are amazing. Where have they been all my life? I should've got knocked up years ago. Admittedly, they may not be the sexiest items of clothing in my closet, but they sure are the most comfortable. Who knew how amazing would be not to have to fiddle with buttons and zippers on pants? Just pull 'em on and they have this WIDE band that covers your whole belly! Tops are loose and comfortable. Basically, maternity clothes are designed by women for women. They conform to a woman's shape - round, curvy, and voluptuous.
I will admit that there are drawbacks:
Selection is limited. Not many stores carry maternity clothes, and you must be choosy about the maternity options. You must search diligently for the chic items, while wading through the plethora of frumpy frocks.
You must also get used to patterns. For a gal like me who thrives on her chic, classic [black and white solids!] staples, trying out "patterns" was a challenge. Not only are the clothes mostly patterned, but they are also wildly colourful! I'm really embracing this new style though. I'm rockin' the patterned clothing!
Sizes vary and you must try everything on with a strap-on belly. You can't just buy a top or a pair of pants because your body changes almost daily.
All in all though, I'm contemplating wearing maternity clothes for the rest of my life!
22.6.08
The show was fantastic today. Once I got home, my husband made me a delicious dinner, and then we watched Pilot Guides' Marrakesh City Guide on tv. The delightful memories of our time in Morocco flooded back. What an amazing time we had on our trip! It seems so long ago now, but as the tv showed the Djmaa el Fna, the maze of souks, the enchanting mella, the Ketoubia mosque, Jardin Majorelle, and the medina tannery, the images seemed so fresh in my mind.
The husband and I would love to return to Morocco. We often speak of it. I still follow up on local news and read Moroccan blogs. Living in Marrakesh would be a dream come true. I'd love to open a riad. A riad [Arabic for "garden"] is a traditional home. It doesn't look like much of anything from the outside, but inside it's Eden. The house is built around an open air garden, ideally with a pool or at least a fountain at the centre. Truly paradise. We would eat our breakfast [bread, cheese, yogurt and freshly squeezed orange juice of course] out on the rooftop patio, overlooking the city.
Now all the husband needs to do is find a job in Morocco. He mentioned there's a big project going on in Algeria, but I'm not sure that'd be the same. I was strong-arming him last year to apply for a position in Libya, but I'm happy to report he turned me down on that one. My heart is set on Morocco for now. Or Dubai. I could easily live in Dubai. What it lacks in culture, it makes up for plenty in shopping!!!
"You still got it, kid"
Back in September I auditioned for a dance company for "dancing professionals, not professional dancers." It's a cool philosophy that you're never too old or too busy to put on your dancing shoes. I made the cut and since then, we've been rehearsing like mad for our show week in the City. It's been amazing to rekindle the passion I had for dancing as a kid. The rehearsal schedule has been arduous, especially considering that I already have bellydance rehearsals 5-6 hrs/week and I'm 13 weeks pregnant! But it's been worth it to strap on my tap and jazz shoes, and get back into the "swing" of things. I'm in 6 numbers, which is plenty considering my schedule. It's been so amazing to meet other professionals with the same passion and commitment for dance. Today is our last performance of the season. I'm so grateful to have been a part of this incredible dance company for this season and will look back on this time with the fondest of memories.
150 is my new favourite number!
19.6.08
I went to the doctor's today for a follow-up appointment. I didn't expect him to have used the doppler today to look for bebe's heartbeat. Before we started, he warned me that because I'm only in my 13th week that we may not be able to find it. Lots of women apparently cry over such things, but I assured him my bebe's sticking considering how crappy I feel. It didn't take long to find the quick little heartbeat - 150 bpms. According the old wive's tales, anything over 140 is supposed to be indicative of a girl! I joked with the doctor about this, and of course, he says that it's not true. I said that it better be a girl because I'm getting uglier by the day! [Girls are also supposed to steal their mummy's beauty and I look wretched lately]. If this little thing is a boy, I got plenty of problems!
The doc also said I have zero risk factors ;) The only thing is that I've lost 2 lbs! ME!!! Lost 2 lbs! He said he was worried about me not eating enough! I assured him that I'm the queen of pasta and poutine, and he's got nothing to worry about. I honestly think I put on a little weight as soon as I became preggo, and now I'm eating more healthfully so my weight may be balancing out. It was just ironic to hear from a doctor that he's concerned I'm not eating enough!!! SO far from the truth I say, as I enjoy my soft taco supreme - thank you Taco Bell!!!
**This isn't my bebe in the pic.
16.6.08
My blog has been on hiatus for some time now. Given my current "condition", I'm lacking the requisite energy to keep up with it. Since "falling pregnant" [as the Brits would say], I've had a few retrospectively funny experiences. I've fallen asleep twice while driving - it's scary but true. I've taken to sleeping in my car at particularly inopportune times - once was through an entire block of church. I've had several episodes of incessant vomiting. I can't eat, smell or even think about chicken - just writing the word makes me gag a little. I don't like cooked vegetables. I haven't gained weight, but it's unfortunately redistributing to my already padded mid-section. The exhaustion is crushing. All in all, I've come to the conclusion that my baby bean is poisoning me. But hey, despite all my complaints, I'm delighted to be a mum-to-be. It can only get better from here...
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Whirling & Twirling out of my 20s
13.4.08
I'm now 29. There are so many things I want to do before I turn 30:
1. Lose 10% of my body weight
2. Get knocked up.
3. Decorate my house.
4. Travel somewhere exotic and fantastic!
5. Take French classes.
6. Save $5000.
7. Invest in RRSPs.
8. Deepen by Bellydance Study.
9. Get my business off the ground.
10. Relax more and stress less!
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