Baby's First Picture

So here it is - Dill's first picture! And the biggest question put best by my auntie Donna is 'Does Dill have a baby Dill?'.... We won't know until delivery. James and I opted to not find out the sex of the baby. We told her this before hand so she told us to close our eyes during certain parts of the ultrasound. I swear I didn't peek!

She assured us that the baby is developing normally and that everything looks good. I am now conviced we are having a boy as I sm sure I heard her say 'he' at some point. James thinks I am silly. I also checked the baby heart rate site which is supposed to tell you the sex of the baby based on heartrate (I know.... it is fake but so irresistible). This site also suspects a boy.

Here is another cute picture of Dill's hands - fingers to be specific. I just love how you can see so much detail.



We got a disk of 25 pictures all of the different body parts. But I must say these 2 are my favorites!

Week 18

This week the baby is about 6” long, double the size of last month, but still only weighs 225g. Amazing that this little ‘Dill’ can be so small but still make my pants to small. We were eating dinner with the R's last night and James was eating these baby dills and decided that the baby was about the same size. So today the baby has been renamed Dill. Well at least for the time being.

Today I had my first ‘closet breakdown’ as Deena warned me about. I put on pant selection #1 and could barely get the button done up. Of course, this is when James walks in and sees me staring at my poor pants that no longer fit with a very sad expression on my face. Up to now it was just more comfy to put on the bella band and leave the pants undone… now it is a necessity as they won’t do up! I think that baby Dill has had a big growth spurt in the past 2 weeks! What a great reason to hit the mall on Saturday for some new pants!

On another note… watch for our ultrasound update as we head for one tomorrow. I hear we will finally get a picture of baby Dill – so stay tuned!

First Big Baby Purchase = DONE!

So the crib and dresser have been officially purchased this weekend. Boy does it feel good to have the biggest purchase done. It should arrive in mid February which is much earlier than I expected. That will give us (James) lots of time to get it put together. Next we move on to the stroller... if any of you moms out there have any tips - send them my way.

We are actually planning to get the nursery painted next month. I am doing my last trip to PA before baby is born and we figure this would be a great time for James to paint. Yes you heard right - James wants to paint the nursery himself! We have chosen a light yellow and then will accent with an alphabet stick on border. After all the wallpaper I took down in the house - I will NEVER put up wallpaper... EVER! Here is a sneak peak at our nursery theme as of today.

First Maternity Outfit

So here it is... my first day in Maternity clothes. I really like this shirt as I have room to grow with it. It isn't unusually large in the stomach area like some - it is really just longer which seems to be what I need at this point. Also - it allows me to show off a little cleavage - pregnancy does have some benefits. I am noticing the changes in 'the girls' lately... ALL good. Although I must say that the second you put on a maternity shirt you do look pregnant - there is just something about them... Why hasn't anyone come up with a shirt that works the opposite way? You put it on and you appear to have lost 10 pounds!

PS - I am still in my regular jeans wearing my magic Bella Band - a must have during pregnancy!

This morning I also registered for our prenatal classes. We will be going to birth and babies where you attend classes for 5 weeks before the baby is born (starting May 20) and 5 weeks after. I have heard nothing but good things about it as you get to meet lots of people having babies at the same time of you. Apparenty as people start having their babies they bring them to the class and they tell the birth story. It should be quite enlightennig to say the least. James may not enjoy this part as much as me!

I also registered us for infant CPR. I figure this will be a good one to have under our belts as well. This class is only one night and we are registered for May 12.

Week 17

So today marks the beginning of our 18th week of pregnancy. The baby is now 5.5" which doesn't sound like much... but if you actually look on a ruler it is bigger than you think! I am really starting to notice the roundness of my belly - even with clothes on I am starting to look round. Thicker at the waist I guess. I feel I am stuck in the stage where I don't look pregnant - I just look like I have put on a few pounds. I hope to have that pregnant look real soon. I think if I start wearing all my new maternity clothes I may make the shift... however I am trying to hold off wearing them as long as possible.

I am still waiting patiently to feel that first kick. From my understanding it is normally between week 18 and 21. I hope to feel him/her real soon. From the ultrasounds we have had the baby is pretty active so shouldn't be too long.

James is Home!

So James returned from Pheonix yesterday with a big bag of loot all for me and baby! Apparently there was this great (aka cheap) store that had a wide variety of decent maternity clothes. Marla, being the great mother-in-law she is, went to town and came back with a large assortment of clothes that all of you will be seeing in the next few months! I would also like to thank Bo for being such a great sport and trying on all the clothes and screening what I would and wouldn't like. I am happy to report that everything fit and is a keeper! There were also a few cute items for Baby in the stash. So very cute and small. This baby is being spoiled even before he/she is born!

When the husband is away.... the wife will play

This is what happens when you have not shopped in over 2 months and your husband leaves you at home alone for 5 days. It was snowing all day, I needed to get out, do I really need an excuse for breaking the seal on my maternity shopping??? I think not! Besides - it was a great sale at Ella Bella, a local maternity store. I got 3 items for $15 dollars each and the other 2 at 50% off. I hope to make it back next weekend as they are having a blow out of last spring and summer clothes...... Shopping Christy is back!

Week 16

As promised.... I have updated my picture on the side bar! I can tell that I have grown as I am slowly grown out of my pants and am now a slave to the belly band to keep my pants comfortable. I have not yet made any maternity purchases. There is lots of time for that. Last time I looked I had gained 4 pounds.... but I don't weigh myself very often!

My weekly updare said that the baby is now the length of an avocado but still really skinny. Just about 5 inches long. The next three weeks are supposed to be a huge growth period so maybe my belly will pop out then??? Right now I really want to show - in 2 months I'll be ready to be back to my pre-pregnancy weght. Go figure.

i also found out that our next ultrasound is on Jan 31. It is at this one where they can potentially tell the sex of the baby. I still do not want to know, but James is a walking time bomb - one day he wants to, the next day he doesn't. Who knows - maybe Baby R is shy and won't let us take a peak. I'm still set on the surprise on baby's birth day.

Baby Gear

We found a crib that we are going to buy at Bo Bebe a local baby gear store. They were fantastic! A man basically greeted us at the door and answered all our (my) questions. James was ready to buy right then and there.... but being the responsible person I am - I insisted on sleeping on it. It is on sale until the end of January, so we will be heading to make the purchase shortly. The first big baby purchase..... very exciting! Here are some links to the crib and dresser pictures.

Crib - Tammy Criv in java color (dark brown)
http://209.217.80.193/caramiafurnit/index.php?catId=49

SHangai Combination Dresser - again in Java
http://209.217.80.193/caramiafurnit/index.php?catId=51

Doctor's Appointment Today

Today was our first prenatal appointment with the baby doctor. James was able to take the afternoon off which was really special as we got to hear the heartbeat! I had been told it sounded like galloping horses... and I must admit it did. Our little one still is in the high end for heartrate at about 160 bpm. Old wives tales say that means a girl.....

We also found out that Dr. Denesuk will be my primary OB/GYN. Apparently she wasn't available today so we saw Dr. Monaghan. It is nice to meet as many doctors as you can because you never know which one will actually deliver the baby.

So our next appointment is scheduled for Feb 12. We will likely have our third and final ultrasound between now and then. Then no more ultrasounds unless there is a problem. Overall it was just an information gathering session. So nothing else to report.

On a more exciting note - I caught James staring at my stomach yesterday. He thinks that you can actually see my baby bump now. So anyday now it will be off to the maternity store for this mom to be. I have actually made one maternity purchase to date.... a bridesmaid dress!! Cheryne's wedding is set for May 17 when I will be 7-1/2 months pregnant. And we discovered that they actually sell maternity bridesmaid dresses. So if anyone every needs one... I have a red one you can borrow!

Stay tuned for the Week 16 belly picture later this week!

First Prenatal Appointment

I finally got the call from the maternity clinic that will be delivering Baby R. The clinic is called South Maternity and Family clinic. Check out the site at www.southmaternity.ca/. It is basically a group of 6 woman doctors and one of the 6 will be on call when our baby is born. I have been allocated to Dr. Monaghan so she will see me on all office visits and then we'll see what happens on the big day. My appointment is at 1:20 on Monday... update to come after the weekend! YEAH!

Week 15

This post is for my brother who informed me he is annoyed when he checks the blog and it is not updated. Who does he think I am?.... Wonder Woman? He, and my mom, and John just left after a quick visit to see what has been referred to as a sh*tty hockey game. Hey, the tickets were free and you can't choose the game. I think the men had a good time overall.

While they were attending the hockey game, Mom and I headed out for some stroller shopping. What an overwhelming experience. I thought I knew what I wanted.. and now I am not so sure. Not only do the features vary substantially - so do the prices. And unfortunately for James, I have expensive taste when it came to strollers. I discovered that I want a light weight stroller after seeing how heavy some of them are. The heaviest weighed in at 45 pounds!!! So after 3 stores I am no further ahead than I was before. Mom was a great person to have along as she knows all the right questions to ask. Not only that but she would test the weight but would barely let me touch the things as they were too heavy. I can't wait for her next visit so we can go shopping for more baby stuff. I just have to keep her away from all the yellow and green clothes!

Every week I get an update that says what is going on with the baby's development... and this week is said that I could start to feel baby kicks any day. Although I know that is a little optimistic - I am so anxious to be able to feel the little critter inside. It sounds very creepy as I write it - but I'm sure everyone understands what I mean.

Cribs, Cribs, and more Cribs!

James and I headed out to e-children yesterday, a local store that carries a wide variety of baby things. Being little miss organization, I am well into planning what needs to be done over the next 6 months and I have decided to start with the nursery. What an overwhelming experience. Who knew there would be so many choices! We managed to narrow it down to 2 crib and dresser sets that we both liked. So far our idea for the nursery seem to be on the same page... not like the name selection - but that is another story. I plan to go to a few more stores and chat with a few friends before making the final decision but it always feels good to know you found something you like. I have decided that our baby is going to cost a fortune before he/she is even born! It will be well worth every penny spent. One item that caught my attention at the store was a 'Juicy Couture' sweat suit for a child under 1 year old for the bargain price of $170! Can you beleive it?? Don't think I'll be shopping for baby clothes there anytime soon!

Week 14

Today I told my boss our little secret. He hugged me. So I think he is OK with it! It actually was really nice to be able to share our news with my co-workers as I spend so much time with them and they were all so happy for us. One of them had even called me on it a few weeks back when I was complaining about how tired I was and how rotten my sleep patterns were getting. So she laughed when I told her and said she was right after all. We also joked around that I am the third person in our department to get pregnant in the past year – so watch the water you drink in the office! We are accountants – what else is there to do! All in all, it was a very unproductive day! I am OK with that.

PS - the baby is the length of a lemon this week