What would be week 42 is Day 1...

Last night (October 20th) at 6:46 pm, our little girl made her way into the world.

Me with my brand new daughter!

Daddy and his princess!

Grandma and big brother saying hello

Welcome to the world little one!

~A

This month will end before the baby gets here...

...at least that's how I'm feeling.

We're at 10 days post "due date" and other than 3.5 frustrating hours of false labour the other night (where contractions were coming 5 minutes apart and getting stronger) this baby has shown no sign that he/she wants to make their way out of the comfy little coccoon called my uterus.

I'm not happy.

In fact, I can't remember a time I've been this cranky with everyone around me.

Sure I've got the fake smile pasted on, and I've almost perfected the fake laugh for when the millionth person says:

1. Have you had that baby yet? (Or worse, WHY haven't you had that baby yet?)

or

2. Did you know that sex induces labour? (or any other labour-inducing tale)

NOTE: Just so you know, my sex life has NEVER been an acceptable public conversation topic, so why on EARTH should it be one now?!?

So here I sit, bored, tired, and extremely uncomfortable, just trying to find something to take my mind off the fact that I've still got a LOT of work to do before I can meet this baby. Except now, the only work that's left is getting the baby from inside to outside. And that's the least fun part.

However, I have found a few distractions.

1. Halloween Costumes.

We picked this up the other day at Old Navy for Monkey. He had seen it there before, and spent days asking for it, so when some birthday money came for him, we knew what to use it on.

We were really lucky that of the 2 left in store, 1 was his size.

This will be for the baby. I'll wear my chef jacket, and we'll find some way to dress up a red sleeper... I laughed so hard when I saw this, I only hope it's possible (and not too cold for a Canadian Halloween)

2. Ravelry

This site has almost 4000 free crochet patterns... and I'm sure I've downloaded about 100 into my "I'll make this someday" folder.

I have made a few, but mostly I look there to waste time.

Check out this awesome Beard Hat I made for Monkey!

3. Baby Names

Even though I've read every book and searched every site I could find, Hubby and I still can't agree on a name. We've got it narrowed to 2 possibles for girl first names (with no middle for either) and 1 possible first name for a boy, but since we still don't know what baby #2 is, we don't have either name set.

But as much as I fill my time up with all this stuff now, I am trying to make sure Monkey gets the best of me too, because when our next little one finally does show up, I'm sure I'll be giving our first the worst of me, or just whatever is leftover.

Here's to a short wait!

~A

Three Years Ago...

...I met this little man, and he changed my life forever.

...I watched the sun rise on life as a mama.

...I was blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

And all because of my little monkey.

Happy 3rd Birthday little man!

I love you to the moon and back.

~Mama

40 Weeks (and STILL no baby)

There are so many different websites or apps that have weekly statistic updates on how big your baby is, or what exactly your baby can do each week, and I've subscribed to a few of them on facebook or by email, and I've read many of them, but the last few weeks I haven't read them at all.

Then this afternoon, I was checking my email, and by accident I clicked "next" or something, and one of these updates opened. What did it say?

"Welcome to the world, little one!"

And the evil angry pregnant monster who seems to be creeping up more and more regularly snarled at the computer,

"My baby isn't here yet!"

And while there is a large part of me (a very UNCOMFORTABLY large part of me) wishing that this baby would just magically appear outside my womb without any pain or hard work, I know that this baby is safe and healthy and will come whenever the time is right, even if my calendar says it's "late".

And I'm reminded that there have been so many blessings throughout this pregnancy, so I should focus on the things I'm grateful for, and stop thinking only about all the things I'm looking forward to being done with.




Here is a list (no particular order) of things I can be grateful for:

-This baby is full term. In the past few months, a few friends have had pregnancies end a lot earlier than expected. Some had healthy babies who were born much earlier than expected, but some had babies who didn't make it. I cannot complain about a healthy baby who is still living, even if it means I might wait longer than the normal 40 weeks to meet this little one.

-This pregnancy I haven't had any complications. With Monkey I was hospitalized for 4 nights with a severe infection that caused my face and eyes to swell so that I lost my ability to see for a few days. This time, the only swelling has been my feet, and even then, it's not anything more than a discomfort.

-This pregnancy I've been able to stay active and eat healthy, leading to a much lower weight gain than my first (I've gained less than half this time what I gained with my first)

-I have had amazing, consistent, supportive medical care all the way through this pregnancy, unlike the disjointed and sporadic medical care I had with Monkey, missing the first 4 months because I was overseas, and then being shipped around to 3 other doctors before he was born.

-I have been able to clean, organize, and even decorate my home for the arrival of this little one, unlike the last pregnancy when I didn't even have a place to call a home until 6 weeks before Monkey arrived.

-I have fantastic and supportive friends and family who are celebrating this little one already, and who already are thankful for the blessing we are soon to welcome to this world.

We are such a blessed family, I can't complain when I have so many things to be thankful for. And I'm thankful especially as this weekend approaches (Canadian Thanksgiving) for the many blessings that we have on top of this new baby.

There is still hope that we can meet the baby soon, but I know that God's timing is perfect, and whenever our little one arrives will be the perfect time.

~A