Here we go...

Hey there Baby,

Well, we've tried just about every trick in the book to get things going as the Doctors are really wanting to get you to come out in the next few days but nothing has worked so far... They just aren't comfortable leaving you in there longer than 42 weeks (which is coming up here... New Year's Eve!).

So we're scheduled for an induction tomorrow afternoon sometime (I'm still going to try the walking-up-a-steep-hill one in the morning to make extra sure that you won't decide to come on your own after all).

I can't wait to meet you face-to-face and welcome you to the world, my darling child.

We can do this!

Loving you so very much already,

Mom

making us wait

Hi Sweet Pea,

Guess it's just too snug and warm and comfy in there to come out just yet, hey?

Well, that's just fine with us. The ultrasound today reassured us that you're doing just fine so you go ahead and take as much time as you need.

Meanwhile, Mommy & Daddy have been busy... visiting friends on both Saturday and Sunday nights, and having Christmas dinner at Grandpa Up-High's house tonight. Tomorrow we're headed to Auntie Barb's (unless you suddenly decide that tonight is the night to make your appearance, that is)... I am looking forward to it and to giving everyone their gifts.

You are my gift this year, little one.

Love you!!

Mom

Disco Belly

Hello Little Squirmer!

Here's your parents at Mom's Company holiday party, which just happened to be on her last day of work before her maternity leave started. Talk about good timing! We got to stay in the same hotel where we spent our honeymoon night- it was a lot of fun. Except maybe the 40 minutes mom spent trying to get her fake eyelashes on!!

Love you!

Mom

two weeks

Hello Baby!

We are almost ready for you to come out :) Two weeks till your 'official' due date, it really is anyone's guess when you are going to decide to make your arrival. I love feeling you move around in there, and Daddy has gotten to feel a few strong kicks lately too.

Keeping busy around the house, doing laundry, cleaning out the fridge, getting thank you cards written... It's so nice to have some extra time to do these things in a relaxed way. I am heading out to the pool shortly and then will pick up some groceries before it's time to meet Daddy for a photo session at Brenda's. We want to capture this big belly of mine with you inside it.

We are all very excited to meet you face to face... when you're ready, of course!

Love you.

Mom

at the zoo

Here's your mom and your cousins David, James & Fraser at the Calgary zoo being silly.

It was great having them visit for Grandpa's 65th birthday last week!

They can't wait to meet you, little one. Me neither.

Love,

mommy

butterfly/angel

Hi Little one!





Here's your Mom (and you in there, at 34 weeks), getting into the *spirit* of Halloween at Rhonda's house on Saturday. The funny thing is, I ended up putting on that blue wig that she is bringing me and going to meet Daddy and Auntie Barb at the pub (where nobody else was dressed up). You should have seen their faces!

Speaking of Auntie Barb, here is another photo from a couple of weeks back:




... and that's Uncle Jeremy in the middle.

My tummy (and you) are getting a lot of rubbing lately, with all the family in town for Grandpa's birthday!

You are still kicking a lot- it's almost like you are getting impatient to come out and join all the fun! Can't say I can blame you ;)

Much Love,

Mom

cravings

Mmmmmm. Mommy went out for lunch with her friend Cari and they treated themselves to some crepes. Mine had a banana in it, as well as nutella and chocolate syrup, and yes, those are two scoops of vanilla ice cream on either side... So basically, I really can't blame you if you come out with a HUGE sweet-tooth built in!

Other cravings have come and gone- fresh fruit (especially mangoes), perogies, sauerkraut, veggie burittos, pumpkin pie... Now I'm hungry again!

Ma & Pa

Hi Sweetie,

This is a photo of your Mom & Dad at a wedding for their friends Rob & Tracey last weekend. That's Dad's friend Dave's arm in the way... It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun night- we were sitting at the 'party' table with Daddy's friends and his friend Paul's two kids, Connor & Katie (ages 15 and 18). This was the only dress in Mommy's closet that would fit- a black velvet stretchy number. Don't we look nice all dressed up?

Loving you,

Ma

p.s. Dad is looking concerned 'cause I had just turned around and bumped into him with my big belly. You are very well protected in there, though- you probably didn't feel a thing!

early riser

Hi Baby,

Well, you've quieted down now but you sure were active this morning! Starting at about 4:30 am and for the following four hours or so was the most active you've been yet in there. Guess you're getting me ready for when you're on 'the outside'...

Grandma came to visit yesterday and brought your crib, along with a bunch of toys and things that your Auntie Cathy had left behind for you. Now we have to get over to Grandpa's house and choose a colour to paint your nursery and we'll be ready to begin setting it up for you. What do you think- blue, green or purple? (give me one, two or three kicks...)

Henna Belly

Hi Baby :)

A couple of weeks ago I got together with the Goddess Group that I founded and we had a henna party. Mommy was very patient and wait until all the other ladies had theirs done (on their hands and feet) and then she had her turn:

I have no idea why that is all underlined above and I'm too tired to figure it out right now. Mommy needs her rest! Goodnight and sweet dreams, my love!

p.s. I figured it out really quickly... click on the underlined part and you get the BIG SCREEN version of the picture... my belly on the WHOLE screen :) Now I see why your auntie Barb says my belly button looks like a black hole!

a present!

Hello my little sweet pea,

You sure have been moving around a lot the last day or so! It's such a neat feeling when it happens. I think you were enjoying the reggae music on the radio on my way to work... we'll have to try some other music out and see what you like best!

Guess what? We got a gift in the mail today from my friend Julia in Toronto. We used to work together at Emerald Lake Lodge but I haven't heard from her in awhile. Of course I had to take a picture to show you:

SO cute!! Just like you.

Love,

Mommy

wee one + 1

Hello Sweet Thing,

I thought I'd share with you a little game that my workmates and I were playing the other day... there is a program on the net where you can create a mini version of yourself. Here is how mine turned out (and you're there too, in my belly!)

thumb sucker

Well hello there!

It's always such a treat to get to see you on Ultrasound... today we had another opportunity to do just that. Daddy and Grandma were there too, and for most of the time I had to watch their faces to see what was going on as I couldn't see the screen from where I was lying down! This is my favorite of the pictures that were taken, cause it looks as though you are sucking your thumb.

Nice to see you little one!

Byebye cousins three

What a busy time it has been, little one! For one, you're not so little anymore... Mommy's tummy has definitely 'popped' and you are growing (moving around in there) more and more each day!

While you've been busy getting bigger and stronger, Mommy and Daddy have had their wedding and honeymoon. And did we ever have a fabulous time!! I have the feeling you really enjoyed the snorkling- especially when we saw the sea turtles!

Today was a sad day though- we went out to High River and said goodbye to your cousins and Auntie Cathy and Uncle Gord. Your Grandma and Auntie Barb were there too, and they all took turns rubbing my belly.

We will certainly miss the Robinsons and will look forward to visiting them in Nova Scotia. What an adventure that will be, Sweet Pea!

Love you so much,

Mom

pictures of you

Well, baby, here you are on film... It was so neat to see you bouncing around in there today. The ultrasound technician kept calling you names "little turkey" & "squirt" because you kept moving around when she wanted to take pictures and measure you.

Such great news- everything looks perfect so far. You are perfect, little one.

Milestone

Hello Baby!

You and I have reached an important landmark... three months!

I am starting to feel better and have more energy- in fact we went swimming yesterday at the outdoor pool at the health club. I have the feeling you & I (and the snazzy new maternity bathing suits I picked up) are going to be spending A LOT of time there this summer...

Tomorrow I meet with Naomi the personal trainer (who is seven months preggers herself), who is going to show me how to work out safely as not to squish you. :) One of the first things she said was "no abs" and I liked her immediately.

Here is a photo of how the "belly progression" as your Daddy and I are calling it is going so far:

May Flowers

Well hello there little one!

I hope you had fun at yoga class last night. It was so good for Mommy to finally breathe and re-connect. You will get very used to yoga class, as I plan to take full advantage of their unlimited summer offer. You will be a yoga baby for sure!

I just wanted to say Happy May! It's one of my favorite months as spring is my favourite season *and* it's my birthday is a few weeks. I have asked Daddy for lessons with personal trainer as a birthday gift. I was leaning towards a new mountain bike but... things change ;)

And change, and change...

Apple-onia land

T'was a sad sad day today, Peanut.

For I found out that your Aunt Cathy, Uncle Gord and cousins Fraser, James and David are going to be moving to Nova Scotia in August.

When I found out about you, one of the things I immediately thought of was how nice it would be for you to have them to grow up with close by.

However, life (and better job/Master degree plans/Homes with Acreages) sometimes have other ideas in store.

They will be sorely missed, but they better get used to the idea of having their family come to visit, because we will!

Hugs to you,

Mom

The Beating of our Hearts

Hi Baby!

We got to see your heart beating for the first time today.

A tiny little flutter on the ultrasound screen... but there it was.

We were so relieved that everything is ok.

I told my team at work today about you. They were all very excited and happy to hear the news.

Ginger. Ginger is my best friend right now.

For all the nausea that is and may happen, you are SO worth it!

Mom