Becoming 4

Posted in Baby #2, Family, Pregnancy by

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The screenshot of the countdown on my phone kind of says it all. In 30 days (maybe more, maybe less) our happy little family of three will become four.

It’s still so surreal to think that we’re going to have another little one in the house again. Even more surreal to think that everything is set along the exact same timeframe, right down to the due date. I haven’t had to do any shopping to prepare for this little one – no buying new clothes, no painting of the nursery, no nothing except for buying the “usual” stuff like diapers, bum ointment and lanolin.

While nothing much has changed as far as preparations for the baby arriving goes, that doesn’t mean none are on the way.

Isla will become a big sister. As much as she says she can’t wait to meet her baby sister (which is adorable), I’m more than certain that she doesn’t quite grasp what this really means. Part of me is worried that she’ll act out because she won’t have my undivided attention anymore. It’s been her and I for the past 3 years and now it will be her, I and Baby N. How am I going to help her with the potty when I’m strapped to the couch nursing her sister? How can I tell her that she can’t blast her music and sing at the top of her lungs when her sister is sleeping? I just don’t know sometimes …

I know I’m not the first parent out there to go from being a family of three to a family of four, but I’m certain that I’m not the first one to have apprehensions about making that “leap.” I knew I wanted more than one child, but now that it’s actually happening it’s a “Holy crap” kind of realization; very similar to the one I had when it finally settled in that Isla was due to arrive.

Despite all of these thoughts, I know that when the moment comes, when Baby N decides to make her grand entrance, everything will fall into place. Just like when Isla arrived, I’ll figure out my new role not as a new mom, but as a new mom to two. Winging it seems to be my style, so that’s probably what I’ll end up doing this time.

So, until these 30 days are up (which could be even less than that – I’ll be full term in 9 days), I’m just going to cherish the moments we have as a family of three. I want to savour every moment I have while it’s still just Isla and I at home while Kyle’s at work, and remind her that I’ll always have time for just her.

October 2012

October 2012

I know I’ll probably miss the simplicity of being a family of three, but I know that I’ll love our family of four even more. I cannot wait for this baby to arrive for so many different reasons, and I’m looking forward to all the challenges that may arise.

TGIF v.17

Posted in TGIF by

The high of my week was getting the nursery finished, as far as decor goes. Everything is FINALLY put together and in place and it as really relieved a huge amount of nesting stress for me. It was great that we didn’t have/need to paint the room, so it was a matter of just getting the furniture put back in and the new curtains hung. (Actually, after this photo was taken I ended up getting a different curtain rod because the cheap one I bought at Walmart sucked. Surprise surprise!)

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The low of my week was waiting an entire day (it seemed) for my car to be fixed at the dealership on Wednesday. I took it in for the headlight to be replaced, a vibration in the steering wheel to be fixed, and the mystery behind my 12V outlet to be solved, at 10:30 and didn’t think it would take them until 3 pm to get 2 of the 3 issues resolved. I got sick of waiting and just took my car back from them without the 12V outlet issue being figured out. The headlight and the steering were the major issues and got fixed, so I just wanted to go home. Luckily I just hung out at mom’s with Isla and my stepdad while I waited; they live just over 1km away so Isla and I walked there – which was the longest walk ever in the heat and being 35 weeks pregnant. Live and learn!!

An internet find I loved was this Etsy listing for instant downloadable & printable wall art. I’m holding off on buying them until after Baby N arrives, but the nursery walls are in desperate need of some art and I’m thinking these in 8×10″ will go wonderfully in the room.

Full disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for sharing this listing.

The best money I spent was on a couple of toddler art classes for Isla that start in June! A bonus? The class is run by my amazingly talented friend, so I’ll be able to get in a visit with her while Isla paints her heart away. Yay!

My favourite Isla moment was just seeing how much she really enjoys her dance classes. I debated a lot about whether or not I should continue down the path of Dance Mom, but seeing how excited she gets to go to class and how happy she is when her lesson is done, the answer was clear. I pre-registered her for the next level of classes starting in September, so here goes nothing!

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The song that has been stuck in my head is “This Summer’s Gonna Hurt …” by Maroon 5. Downfall? It’s not available on iTunes in Canada yet AND the chorus isn’t exactly car-friendly when I have Isla with me. I guess it’s the censored version for me when it becomes available here.

My favourite meal of the week was the crockpot ribs I made on Wednesday. I was planning on doing them on the barbecue but we ran out of propane Sunday (a not-so-fun surprise in the middle of dinner-making), so I had to re-think my dinner plan. I ended up using this recipe for the rub and then this standby BBQ sauce recipe for the sauce, plus a couple cups of water, and the ribs turned out SO good.

My plans for the weekend are birthday shopping for Isla on Friday, and Kyle’s dad will be in town Saturday evening. I also have an appointment for a pedicure with my mom Saturday morning (YAY!) and there’s a pregnancy/baby expo happening on Sunday that I plan on hitting up as well!

What songs have been stuck in your head lately?
What’s going on for you this weekend??

Pregnancy 2.0: 36 weeks

Posted in Baby #2, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Update by

36 weeks

Size of Baby: She’s about the size of a ripe papaya, and nearing almost 6lbs. I’ll be happy if Baby N is in the 7lb range at birth, so we’ll see what happens.

Feeling: Very “nesty.” I’ve been nesting like crazy and I think it’s scaring Kyle a little, haha. In the past week alone I’ve got the carseat base installed in the car and ready to go, washed all of Isla’s old clothes from newborn to 6 months, packed my hospital bag, packed the baby’s bag, baked muffins, and got a start on some freezer meals. Whew! It’s no wonder why I’m so exhausted and sore by the end of the day.

My feet are also starting to feel a little … plump. While I can still see my ankle bone, whenever I curl my toes they definitely feel a bit swollen. Same with my fingers. I’m trying to avoid eating a lot of salty foods and am trying to drink more water, so hopefully that helps.

Craving: Frozen yogurt! I’ve yet to make an effort to treat myself and indulge, but that’s all I’ve been wanting. I blame the frozen yogurt tubes I’ve been giving to Isla at breakfast.

Other: The end is SO near! I have my prenatal appointment on Friday and then I believe I’ll start going to weekly appointments since I’ll be FULL TERM (!!!) on Wednesday next week. I also think I’ll post the remainder of my pregnancy update posts every week since I have a sneaky feeling that this baby is going to come early. (I’m totally jinxing myself when I say that though, right?) I’m not sure if I just feel that way because time seems to have gone by so much faster with this pregnancy than with Isla, or if I’m just ready do be DONE, but either way, I’ll happily deliver a week before I’m actually due. No earlier though, I have plans! ;)

We’re actually having an early birthday party with just family for Isla in a couple weeks since I’m sure I’ll be in no shape to throw a party for her on her actual birthday (June 29), especially if I’ve just given birth OR still pregnant. She’s still young/naive enough to not realize that the day we’re celebrating isn’t her actual birthday, so it shouldn’t be too bad. Besides, what kid would say “No” to cake? (Not me!)