Little Big Girl

     We're a week away from being 8 months old. There are so many smiles from this little girl that I can barely contain my love for her. Every day, I see so much growing up in her.
     She loves to stand and crawl. If there is something she wants and isn't supposed to have, she can crawl super fast. She recently has started to growl at everything - mostly the kitties. She's even taken a few steps while holding onto fingers or a laundry basket.
     Yesterday morning, we had a lovely play date with a friend that moved to Ottawa. Kaelynn played with a most adorable 11 month old girl. Daddy was even social, and this was his first time watching his daughter interact with other babies. "She's a good little player", he said after everyone was gone home. During the visit, we received a walking toy. She loves it. She plays with the knobs and spinners on the front, even if she still is too short to walk with it (that's what laundry baskets are for).
     Speaking of laundry baskets, they are the best baby toy ever. They make boats for when they decide the floor is lava and don't want to be put down. They are walking tools. Flip them on the side and they are caves. Place a blanket under the meshy part and the child is confused and determined to get the fabric. Plus, they are awesome for bath time, when you don't want to worry about your kid falling over or toys escaping.

     Hallowe'en is coming up and mommy loves dressing up and making things. I got crafty and made her 2 costumes. She will be a Moogle and a mermaid. I purchased an H&M suit and added my own details of wings, larger ears and a pom pom. I crocheted the mermaid costume (tail, bra, netting hat with starfish). For her 8 month photos, she is going to be fully dressed up.
     With Hallowe'en approaching as well, we have a move coming and are looking for some place to go.

Sept 21st, her grandpa John passed away from cancer. We are looking for some place to house us 3, sister in law and their dads BFF (who is basically family). We've already started packing yesterday, until we ran out of boxes. Kaelynn slept the whole time. We'll see how the rest of packing goes. 

Keep Calm and Crawl On

 

  We've entered the stage of randomly screaming at the top of her lungs. Not just any type of screaming either, high pitched, making the cats' ears go back, screams. These, on top of teething screams, are making this a deaf household.

     Today was a horrible teething screaming morning. 15 mins (I know, I know that's not a long time) of inconsolable scream/crying while trying to get ready to go to the park. I managed to get her all ready and with J's help we put her in her wrap. Snuggled in close, she fell asleep a block from home. Once we got to the park, she woke up. We played with my friend and her new dog, and everything was right as rain. Back in her wrap for the walk home and she was out again. Today was the first time I had managed to pee while baby wearing. NOTHING SHALL WAKE THE BABY! I did need help removing my sandals though.

 

 The other night in the bath tub, we had lots of snuggles. Seeing how big she is getting is making me sad and proud at the same time. She's doing SO much. She's growing SO much. She's getting SO much hair. I have a feeling I will be one of those moms that cling on and hug extra long. The embarrassing kind of mom that everyone hates but loves at the same time. I kiss and squeeze her so much, and as often as possible. People say their spouse is their true love, wait til you have a child.

     I have also realized that I had taken her not moving for granted. This morning I was making tea and heard the coin candle holder jingling. I thought she was just playing with it. I look out the door way and YELL at her. She had pulled herself up onto the TV holder and was trying to get the XBOX charger station. Our TV center is one of those cubicle kinds from IKEA, I still see little finger prints in the dust by the XBOX. J asked me why I was yelling at her. He said from now on she's not allowed in the living room unsupervised and has to be put in the Ring of Neglect (exersauser) or brought along for the ride wherever we're going. I have a feeling as she grows older and more adventurous, he is going to be the super worried type. I am already "as long as she's not going to lose an eye or limb, she can try it out" type.

     As for crawling, I have a feeling she is going to skip that all together. When she is getting super fussy, just hold her up in the middle of the room, or flip a laundry basket so she can stand by herself and she is happy. According to Grandma L, J skipped crawling. Crawling is for chumps!

Getting somewhere slow

     In 6 days, little miss will be 6 months old. There has been much improvement in how she gets around. We have a barrel rolling genius.

     I have marked with her cat where she started and that is where she got. She's also gotten into the habit of trying to push off with her legs against something and pushes her head along. She never gets very far, and at least she is on the foam.

7(39 weeks) and 6

     My due date in theory is just around the corner, so how about a naked belly picture?
Today it's a two for one blog. Yesterday was semi busy and I just didn't get around to it.

7
     My day started off with breakfast and dishes. Exciting, I know. A friend and her little girl came over to visit for lunch. I was dropped off at my moms house where I visited for a bit. I brought my brother his belated bday scarf and make him a cheesecake.
Afterwards, I came home and finished washing the clothes that were donated to us. Then, was dinner and watching crappy TV before bed.
     It doesn't seem like alot, but between pleasant visiting and waiting for the washer/dryer

6 Valentine's Day
     Today has been interesting. I folded and put away the baby clothes. Good thing she has lots, but the problem is space. They're all nice and sealed in the bedroom closet. I did dishes and laundry. It was/is also the first day of contractions.
     I've not really felt anything strong, but today was like someone just kicked me down the stairs and stomped on my back. When people compare them to period cramps, I have nothing to really base them against because I usually never got them. It feels like everything in my front is all twisted and my back feels like when you have to take a large BM. I am peeing so much. I've had them since about 230 and now its almost 630.  I am still able to walk and breathe and talk, which is a good thing - meaning not REAL labour yet.
     I even tried to take a bath, but Bandit would have none of it. She kept walking along the edge of the tub and fell back legs in. She ran away.  Came back and repeat. When she came back again, she was rubbing her tail against me and pawing for attention, yet freaked out when I went to pick her up. I was never scared of her totally freaking out and scratching me. She's now sitting on my yoga ball while I write this from the chair. She loves me. I have spent the majority of the afternoon walking and bouncing trying to find some relief. At least lil K is kicking harder. I can imagine her screaming "let me out", well, if babies could scream in words.
     The Raynaud's in my right arm has been acting up today too. I have no idea how to describe it. It feels like when you smack your limb off something and twist your elbow and wrist. Basically, this whole day has made me want to float in a warm ocean.

38 Weeks (almost)

     Tomorrow is 38 weeks, so I thought I would post now since I had a doctors appointment yesterday. Weight: 214lbs. Everything went well, except I was 2 days too soon for a membrane sweep. I have a feeling I will go over and not deliver on February 20th because it feels like nothing has happened yet. She's not even engaged yet. Maybe she's like me and stubborn (which I think because she doesn't kick when others want to feel her). Everything else seems good. She's measuring to term and her heart beat is good. The one thing I am worried about is she will actually be a he. I know I need to trust my gut that said she was a she (and the ultrasound), but it's hard.

     On Sunday afternoon, Cezar, came over and helped me make a belly cast. I had to pick up some more plaster and re-enforce it yesterday in spots (since I had the day off). It needs to possibly be sanded and definately painted. I wish I had painting skills. I have no idea what I want to put on it. I saw some neat ideas on Pintrest. I really liked a zebra print one (she has so much zebra clothing) and there was one that was painted white and just had simple stenciled flowers on it. I want her name, date, weight, etc on it too, but nothing too flashy. I really disliked the casts that had everyone at the baby shower sign it or the information right in the centre.

 

     Saturday, I went out with my dad and he got me belated baby/Christmas presents. I had no idea what I wanted for Christmas, so we just went clothes shopping. I managed to snag a $30 diaper bag for $16. Excellent.

 

     When it comes to her movements, she's been mostly squirmy and hiccupy. Kicking, not so much due to lack of room. She's currently squirming as I write this...or it could be from my Dr. Pepper/yelling at the cats. I have found out she does not like loud noises (ie: if I drop dishes at work or Jake coughs/sneezes). There are random thumps and gurgles down below that I feel and have no idea what's going on. I just pretend she's belching like Barney Gumble. No more BHs, unless I no longer feel them and they happen at work when I'm up and running around. I feel some back contractions when I lay down and go to sleep, no matter what side I sleep on.

 

    I have only 3 more days of work, Friday. Then I plan to focus on organizing the house and her room. The crib is built, and the clothes she will be wearing the most are put in the dresser. Her knit clothes are put in the 3 tiered plastic drawers and her 12-18mth clothes are all put away in a clear storage bag. Her diapers/inserts need to be washed and in a home of some sorts and I need to pick up a container from the Dollarrama to hold her wetbag. The TV in the bedroom needs to be moved and the crib needs to be placed in our room (Yea, I gotta measure that). Is it bad I was thinking of putting the TV in the nursery (swapping it out with the crib), so I will have something to do? Even if I can watch the TV in the livingroom as I nurse etc?? We'll see, since Jake needs to do another dump run at some point. (And as I type this, him and Aaron come through the door with 2 boxes of yarn for me and start to head to the basement to organize and pitch/ditch. I locked all 3 cats up, after fighting with Vodka. Apparently, he knows if a cat goes in the bedroom and the door gets closed, he has to run).

 

     Tiffany put up pictures from the baby shower. I went through and picked some of my favourites from the baby shower, better than putting up all 80something.

 

 

     And since I now have 2 boxes of yarn in my livingroom and a bolt of camo fabric, time to go snoopy...and here I was wondering where I would get $100 to buy the yarn from one of his coworkers. (And I've spent almost an hour writting this rambling).

36

     Only about 4 more weeks left, if on time. Cramps have started, as much as that sucks, it's a good thing. Her movements have been more squirmy than kicking. Some days she moves more than others. On the non-movement days when she's minimal, I get worried. I then feel the need to drug her up with Dr.Pepper, a warm bath, and sometimes a poke and a flashlight. I feel I have been good with the caffiene, so now it's just a stimulant to get her kick'n.

     Saturday afternoon is my baby shower. An update and pictures after that. I can't wait for the party to be over, so I can update with some of the gifts for people I made (they could be reading this).
 My poor cat, Tugger, has a cold. He's the last of the 3 to get sick. He's been a sleepy head and he sneezes funny - it sounds like a zipper. If he;s like the others, it will last a week and then be over and done with. Until then, I feel bad laughing whenever he sneezes.

     Yesterday it was -24*, felt like -35*. Brrr. I am creeping through my Flickr and am determined to pick up photography again.
Feast your eyes on some greenery, to get away from the cold.

    

  
      A badly lit picture of my new hair cut(and no, I don't like to smile -specially when tired) (better pics from the baby shower, etc). My boss at work did it. It's back to my natural colour, with no damaged ombre/bleachy residue on the bottom.
      While she was driving me home from her place, we had to stop off at the mall for the bank. She made a detour to shop and came back with a gift for me/baby K: a onesie with a pink cat on it, pink polka dot pants, a cat hat with ears, and socks to match..<3

     Time to start thinking about something for dinner, Jake is home from work around 10 and it's almost 8:30 now. Plus, I'd like to be in bed early-ish. Tomorrow, I am working 8 hours (definately longer than my 5.5hours that usually kick my butt) and then a trip to the grocery store. Hopefully afterwards, home to just melt into the couch with some kitties and some snacks (or probably an easy to cook dinner).
    

    

A promise is a Promise

     I just spent about 28 minutes trying to upload the picture of my stash. I know how long because pizza was cooking in the oven. The uploader failed. I went and logged into my Flickr. Turns out I haven't used it in over a year. Now with blogging, I hope to change that...but everything seems to have an Instant Uploader. Anyway...
I have 24 diapers. The suggested amount, but when it comes to these kinds of things, the more the merrier. I have no idea what are good diapers and what are bad. Seems like most of the ones I have are all One Size Fits All due to the snaps and they take microfiber insterts. Definately going to have to get the man to deal with those after cleanings. I can't stand the feel of them "sticking" to me.

     Today was my doctors appointment at 3. Everything seemed fine. Her heart rate was 140bmp. The doctor/resident/whatever seemed shocked/pleased that I was experiencing Braxton Hick's already. "Its just your body getting ready...sooner than some". As long as it's not all the time and not super debilitating, I should be good. It's only off and on. I stop. Breathe. It goes away. Plus, K is head down.
My next appointement is in 2 weeks. I just hate how due to my work schedule it cuts into work hours. Thankfully, if no one lied to me, I already have all my EI hours. The resident/doctor that I saw today was super nice. It wasn't the one I was used to because rotation was over. I was dreading the man doctor/res I wasn't too fond of (simply because he never told me anything and dismissed my concerns). Instead, I got a cute female Asian. She told me what was going on, where she thought my baby's parts were, and what she was doing. She even offered to help me off the bed. I hope I see her again.

     After the appointment, I met up with a friend and we went to Michael's to pick up notebooks. The type I wanted was about $30. Yikes. I settled for 2 mini sketchpads for a total of $6. I came up with the idea of 365 Days Of Happy Things. Everyday (backdated to Jan 1st), write/draw down the one thing that's made you the happiest. Perhaps if/when money gets better I will get my black hardcover and transfer it all over. I am excited for this, even if I can't really draw well.

     A picture from my Flickr from June 15, 2011. One of my many garden manids. This was my first batch we ever tried. This was a few hours after they were born.

     And since I uploaded the babies from the season before last, here is a mantid from this Summer. Upclose and personal...

                                        

Warm Feet/Warm Heart

33weeks

     As I write this, I am soaking my feet. Mmm warmth. Lately after work, my legs and feet have been hurting, but I think part of that is I need to buy insoles for my sneakers.My feet were also cold from the snow in my back yard. The front door keeps freezing, but thankfully the back door doesnt. Also thankfully, my neighbours truck wasn't in their spot because I knew I wouldn't have fit through into the alley. Bouncing through about 3 feet of snow, it was inevitable that snow would get in my boots. So, soaking and possibly filing the bottoms (if I can reach).
I was also out in the cold longer than normal today on the way home from work because I went to city hall to pick up a garbage tag. Not thinking, and using my pocket change, I could have picked up more. On the way back up the street, I stopped into Shoppers and picked up some baby bathtime supplies for cheap -4 bottles for $13. That also got my Optimum Points up to almost 48,000 points. I need 50K for $80 off (all of which I am planning to use for baby stuff)

     Friday at work, I am pretty sure I had a Braxton Hick's contraction. I had just returned from the bathroom and was prepping sandwiches in the corner. Suddenly, I felt a strong tightening in the front. It took my breath away and I had to stop what I was doing and change my standing position. Everything was ok after less than a minute, then it happened again. At least it was quick.

     At work today on my break, I made my appointment for the hospital tour. Jan. 13th at 130. Exccciting..

     Boo! It's been only about 15-20 minutes and my water feels cool again. Tomorrow is my doctors appointment. I suppose I could have waited to post, but I shall update tomorrow too. I will find my camera and take an updated picture of my diaper stash.

Blurbs from my boyfriend:

"K, by the way things are looking so far, you have more stuff than me".

Large & In Charge

I am starting to feel larger and like my belly is getting in the way of everything I do. At work, it's a tight squeeze when passing or being passed. 31 weeks and counting...

She's currently being all squirmy because dinner is cooking.

Christmas is really soon. I have started working on a baby blanket as well. Beside me, I have some embroidered presents to add to some gifts. It was my first time doing it. Hopefully they're recieved well. I made them out of felt and penciled in what I was going for.

I feel like I am becoming a cow. Mooo!!!

30 Weeks

 

     Hello 30 weeks and dry skin! My hands feel like they're made of sandpaper and are getting peely patches going on. I guess it doesn't help that I wash my hands constantly at work - but at least I don't get sickly. I have been feeling the comings on of a cold, but nothing has actually hit me yet. It's probably our quickly changing weather in Ontario. In our town, we had our first "snow" fall that lasted over night. I mean "snow" because it melted by the afternoon and was just ground cover.

 

     The one thing that no one talks about during pregnancy is the feeling that someone kicked you between the legs. Oh pressure and stiffness. Plus, I was notified by a friend that I also have the preggo waddle going on now. Earlier this week,I stopped into my old job and an ex-coworker said it looked like I was having twins. I think for 30 weeks, I am still looking tiny. I can manage to wiggle and creatively wear my own clothing.

 

     I have a feeling she's starting to move up. It feels like there is a blockage/nerve endings being poked under my right ribs. It doesn't hurt or anything, it just feels awkward.

 

     It's almost Christmas. Time to put the presents I picked up recently either in bags or wrapped. Just so I can say it's been done and over with (and make coffee for the bf and some tea for me). The kitties are all napping, perhaps its a wake up forced snuggle time for them!

 

     Tomorrow is a check up. The start of 2 week check ups (I think). Update after that. I am sure everything is fine.





29 weeks

     Hello tummy and flat buttocks!

     Today I am not working in the morning, same with tomorrow. Because I am not at work, I feel her moving around more. I think all the movement at work puts her to sleep and she'll sleep basically until dinner time. There is also less room in there for her, so her larger kicks/punches aren't really felt.  I have been feeling bubbles and a strange clawing like sensation. When it comes to bed time, I don't feel anything really, except for restless legs and stiffness in my hips. It causes me to toss and turn basically all night. I am still not used to fully sleeping on my sides.

     A very lovely best friend of mine got me an early Christmas present: 12 randomly coloured diapers, 10 liners, and a wetbag. I have 3 diapers coming in the mail from eBay, as well. Thanks to these presents, I don't have to buy one diaper per pay anymore (I can if I want..but I can save the $14-20 for groceries and other things).

     More people at work know I am pregnant, and I don't know how I feel about this. I don't like most of the people in the building. It's like we just make their food and we're their slaves. Yes, they get abused on the phones, but that doesn't mean they can come downstairs and take it out on us. At least us in the kitchen can take it with a grain of sugar and find a bright side to it.

     The baby's room is still a random spare room. Her stuff is piling up in a corner where my sewing stuff used to be. The other parts of the room are desks and a work bench for paintball stuff. I've asked boyfriend when we'd start to work on the room and he said "February". That's all fine and dandy, but she's also due then. We're waiting on one of his friends to move house (he has a crib and possibly other stuff) but we can start to clean stuff out and sell things we don't use *desks*. Ah well, I have a feeling things will work out anyway.

                           "In three words, I can sum up everything I have learned about life:

It goes on"

-Robert Frost

Busy Day Off

    
     Yesterday was a long day. It was my day off from work, USA Thanksgiving. It started with me just sorting laundry and chilling at home. I had to leave for a 2pm doctors appointment, dropped off my forms at the hospital for giving birth, hung around the ER with a friend for about an hour, went for a pedicure, and then shopped at the mall.

     Everything at the doctors went well. I even had the female resident that I like. Everything seemed fine. When she was doing the dopplar, K was even kicking the machine constantly. The one thing that's always amazed me is just by them touching they can assume where the baby is (my boss said she could feel the baby too). I touch and all I feel is my fat.

     I hopped a bus and dropped my forms off to be admitted. A semi-private room is $215/night vs $255/night for a private room. Our insurance is 100% coverage, so we will get the money back anyway. for $40 difference, I'm getting a private room. Hopefully it wont be lonely.
I then walked around the corner and met up with my friend and her friend. She had to drive her friend to the ER because she had stomach pains. We actually had to leave her there alone. Turns out, she needed her appendix out (and is still there - I'm texting her).

     Afterwards, we went back to the school where we took Esthetics and had the new students do our pedicures. We got spa pedis (scrub and paraffin) and just hung out. Yes, it was nice because someone was able to paint my nails for me (even shaving my legs is getting complex), but it was $22. It was nice being able to see some of my old teachers/technicians. They said I didn't look pregnant. HAHA.

     At the mall we went looking for somethings for my friend's engagement photos. We picked up a shirt and jeans for her. I also managed to pick up my boyfriend's Christmas present at a store I had been eyeing for a while. I am still dubious if it will fit. I have 7 days to fully return it, so I am going to try it on me and see if it fits. For a LARGE, it looked smallish. Good thing I am great at keeping reciepts.

     This coming Monday, my shift at work changes and I start at 10am. I will lose money, but I am hoping I did the math right and still make maternity leave. I used if I made 20hours/week, I would make it (but have to work until Feb8th). My coworker who has her last day today is going on mat leave and did some math for me too- if I work 15hours/week, I will still be working about 2 weeks until birth. Its definately better than not making it at all, and good thing the job isnt all that hard and my time walking will be knocked down (specially in the dark winter). We will have a new manager, so we'll see how hours go.

     Boyfriend has today off and is still in bed (its 10:38am). I am going to go put on some coffee for him...and maybe throw Bandit at him. K is hiccuping all over! I guess she liked her Cheerios.

What Ifs Are Murder

     I feel like I am worrying needlessly yet most importantly about the one thing that makes the world go round; money!
      In about 2 weeks, the other girl at work leaves to go on maternity. Today, my boss hired someone to fill the gap. I could continue working 1:30pm to 8:30pm, but in this town, I don't get home until 10pm (and that's after a 30 minutes walk). I, of course, had the option to switch shifts or work starting at 10am. Even though I could possibly lose hours, I chose 10am start because it seemed safer externally and internally. I would no longer be walking in the dark in the oncoming winter and I wouldn't be on my feet all day, plus the 30 minutes walk home. It's usually on the bus ride half way home that I start to feel discomfort.
      Currently, the woman working the middle shift gets about 20 hours a week, I get 32.5. That's a loss of about $100 per pay. I am really hating the choices of safety over security. Now, if the bus ran later than every hour, I would be fine. Likewise could be said if we had a working vehicle (and my license/someone to drive me), reliable rides from my dad nightly, or even $35/week to spare on cabs.

          I had wanted to use cloth diapers to try to save money and have just recently started to accumulate them. So far, I have 2 AMP all in ones. I had it so it was one bought per pay. We'll see how well I budget them in now. I might have to switch to disposables. Well, I was planning on half and half anyway. I didn't fancy the idea of dirty diapers in my purse if I was out someplace.
I just feel overwhelmed and like any decision I make screws us over!
 

*****

I wrote that at work. When I got home, I talked about my earlier start with the man, and he agrees safety over monetary security.

 

Blurbs from the Boyfriend

"I just thought you should know that the other night K kicked so hard I could feel it through your back. No wonder you woke up right after saying your back hurt, your kidneys were a trampoline"

Looking smaller, feeling larger

     Hello 26 weeks, and the end of second trimester. Looking at this picture compared to last weeks, I look smaller, but I feel larger. Rolling over in bed is getting more labourous and bending down has become a chore -mostly at work because things are kept low under the counter, so its constant bending. I've also noticed lower stomach achiness. It's not a bad feeling, it just feels awkward. After work lastnight, I decided to take a cab home after work instead of walking 30 mins.

     She's been kicking/punching more and more aggressive. I feel little pokes over on my left side now. I was in the bath the other day, and was just watching my belly earthquake. Afterwards, I was sitting on the floor and my boyfriend was on the chair behind me. I got him to watch, and he was like "I just saw it wiggle, is that it?". I laughed at him.

    I've had a dream that he was even pregnant, not so he can have the achiness that I have (aside from that, I've had no complaints, no moodiness, still sleeping good, no real PAIN), but so he can feel the movement from the inside. I've also been having dreams where he up and leaves. The only explaination in the dreams are "I can't do this" and then poof.

   It's Thursday. That means it's almost Friday and the weekend off! I've counted my estimated days left of work, because I don't know when I want my last day to be, and its about 56 days left. 104 days until Feb.20th, due date!

21 weeks

 

 

Oh hello 21 weeks.

I can feel her kicking more, even if it's sporatic. My boyfriend said that when I was asleep, he could feel her kick too. Unsure if he would be able to feel anything from the outside, I Googled it. They said it could be possible. When she's bigger, he will definately be able to feel it.

 

I am really hungry, so I am going to make some lunch. This isn't a very informative post, but nothing much has changed.

Wiggle room

      Last night I had a grilled cheese and garlic pickle sandwich for dinner, followed by a glass of milk.I felt a weird sensation in my lower belly.
Todays lunch was the same thing -because it's easier when making Thanksgiving treats. Same thing happened.
I have been pretty sure that I have been feeling K kick and wiggle for a while, despite what other people have been saying I should be feeling; and what I said was feeling was wrong.

     Talking to my coworker who just passed her 26th week, I described awhile ago what I was feeling as someone just lightly flicking me. She said that could be it. A 36 week woman at work said it couldn't be and I would know when I felt the flutters. Well, no flutters for me. Since May (apparently when I concieved) I have been noticing a giant pulse in my stomach that seems to take over. If there were any flutters, I had a feeling that they got lost.

      Being the curious kind of person I am, and wanting answers, I turned to Google. I am pleased to announce that I did infact feel her move, specially when my brain said she was moving.
It feels to me like a muscle twitch, like the feeling when your eye spasms ALOT.

Blurbs from the boyfriend

"What?! You mean she's not dead?! YAAAY"(always looking on the bright side of things)

My Google find