So here we are at 39 weeks and this is how the bump is looking:

I am convinced this little Peanut is a girl. Peanut is wanting to arrive on her(his) own terms and I am wanting Peanut to arrive now! I can't handle much more of this false labour. Contracting for hours on end and then everything stopping and starting up again a few hours later. It's a vicious cycle and I'm not amused. They say that babies come when Mother Nature is ready...well Mother is ready so Nature better hurry up!

Sunday I had a great lunch with a few of my good friends. It was really nice. We met up for lunch and instead of having a traditional shower for me, they organized a freezer party. Everyone brought food that was freezer ready so that we wouldn't have to worry about food for the first few weeks after baby. Anyone who knows us, knows that G doesn't cook very often. Give the man a recipe and he can follow it so I would say he just chooses not to cook. I even tried getting him to commit to one night a week but I got sick of pasta with sauce so gave up on that dream.  Our freezer is now fully stocked and I can cross off worrying about making more meals for the freezer.

I like to be prepared and I think we're pretty ready. Bassinet is layered (for anyone who doesn't know this trick its sheet, waterproof change pad, repeat. It was probably one of the MOST useful tricks  I learned with Austin. With several layers of sheets and waterproof pads, you don't have to worry about changing a bassinet or crib if baby spits up or a diaper leaks. You just peel off a layer and go on with the night. It's great because you end up only having to haul the crib mattress out of the crib once a month or so to re-layer), clothes are washed, bags are packed and diapers are stuffed. I just wish I knew when this baby was coming. I can't go to work with all these contractions because it is way too distracting and staying home is a bit annoying because I make work to keep myself busy. I seriously need to learn how to just relax.

Off to walk the track and see if I can't get things to progress a little more.

Making Progress

Remember that crazy to do list that I posted in April. I realized today that it now looks like this:

1. Home renovation (I'm planning to have G move a wall but if that doesn't happen there is still a lot of painting to do!)
2. Write the birth plan and talk to my doctor about it
3. Maternity photos
4. Spring clean the house
5. Set up bassinet and change table
6. Wash small and one size diapers
7. Pick up new one size diapers
8. Make and freeze several meals and muffins 
9. Pack bags for the hospital 
10. Pick a name 
11. Get everything wrapped up at work.

Yeah for having things accomplished. I admit that the Spring cleaning isn't totally done but I've got cleaners coming June 6th to finish that up (Thank you Dealfind!). Gordon painted the hall and dining room wall and it looks spectacular. I'll post a picture when it's all finished later tonight.

We're still trying to decide on a girl's name. The boy name is in the bag, which leads me to believe that this baby is a girl. So do the three and a half days of false labour that I've had this week  It's driving me crazy. The way things were going on Wednesday and Thursday truly led me to believe that I would have been holding my newest addition right now. So disappointed when everything cam to a halt on Saturday morning. I'm currently making my way through the list of all the old wives tales about how to get this baby going! I'm open to every and all suggestions so please leave a comment about what worked for you. Help a girl out!!

 

A very special birthday

A few weeks ago, we had the honour of being invited to celebrate the first birthday of a very special little girl. We're so blessed to have shared in her special day. I've always had faith that we would be celebrating her big day and every night since her birth Austin has always added a request for God to take care of his friend Kay.

Working at the IWK, and having been engaged with families who had similar stories, I thought I was prepared when I rushed to the 5th floor to check in on our friends Lisa and Pete and see how everyone was doing. Baby Kay (as Austin always calls her) was born early and weighed just over 2lbs. Pete was so excited and couldn't wait to show off his new daughter so the two of us headed down to the NICU. I thought that I knew what to expect and didn't anticipate that I would have any issues. I walked in, scrubbed up and met Kay.

When my eyes fell on her, I held back tears. I couldn't believe how tiny she ways. I glanced up at Pete and he was just looking at her with absolute adoration. She was so adorable and was being a trooper laying in her incubator wearing her little shades and kicking her little feet to let everyone know that she ready to fight.

It's been a tough road for Lisa and Pete and through it all they have been incredibly strong and positive. I admire their courage. They are incredible people and Gordon and I are honoured that they include us in their circle of friends. I felt guilty so many times that I wasn't able to provide more support in person. Austin had a bad spell with germs and it seemed like someone in our house was always sick. There was no way that we would risk exposing Kay to anything that might potentially harm her, so I dropped by when we were well, cooked when I had the chance to feed them and prayed everyday.

Kay and her mom and dad have spent more time at the IWK in her first year of life then a classroom of kids combined. But despite it all, they are still smiling and are currently enjoying having their precious little one home with them. Kay is doing so well and I just love every chance we get to visit with her. I have to admit that I hogged her for a while at her party, I couldn't help it and neither could you if you had the chance to be there. 



Love those bright eyes!





 Happy Birthday Baby Kay and Happy Anniversary of becoming her parents Lisa and Peter. We love you and can't wait to share so many more memories with you!

One proud Papa!

"I really am your gift. I am not just a little person who needs to be "raised" and taught, and taken to activities....I came to the people in my life to bring a message: slow down. Feel. Be. Over and over again. When you do, you will notice immediately, that I am not an obstacle to your work, or inconvenient to your daily life. Instead, you will come to appreciate my honesty, humor, presence and love." -- Bruce Scott

I just love this quote. Because it is true, becoming a mother has taught he to slow down and soak in life's moments with not only my children, but with my husband, family and friends.  I spend less time worrying about the state of my house and what others will think if my sofa has a spot or there is dust in the bathroom. The laundry piles up until I have to suck it up and get it done and we've eaten more take out then we should BUT my boy is happy, I am happy. Memories are made and hugs and kisses are given out freely. Austin makes G and I laugh and makes us able to really laugh at ourselves. He speaks his mind and shows his emotions. Gordon and I are amazed with him each and every day and look forward to what the next day will bring.

Faces get dirty but adventures are had and those adventures are what make life worth living. Happiness is like bubbles, at least to Austin. There is something about that bubble, how it's made, the smile it brings and the wonder that comes from chasing it up to the sky when all a little boy wants to do is pop it and laugh at the accomplishment (rain or shine).

Yup in the hockey game of life, we've scored big time! Now I'm going to turn off my laptop and finish watching the game.

Baking

I have been baking despite my lack of posting about it. A few of my recent creations:



A special cake for a special girl!



 The cake and cupcakes were for Baby Kay's first birthday party. The cake was made with the cake recipe below and I had some fun with fillings. The top tier is filled with peanut butter icing and tiny peanut butter cups. The bottom layer was filled with a dark chocolate buttercream. Hungry yet? The cupcakes were topped with seven minute frosting(like marshmallow fluff only WAY better) Thanks to Janice for making all those flowers and sugaring the tops of the cupcakes. I would never have gotten this all done without you!

Here is the cake recipe:

Black Magic Chocolate Cake


Heat oven to 350. Grease two 9" round pans which you'll fill 3/4 full, no more than that.
Make ahead the coffee by adding 2 tsp. of instant coffee in 1 measuring c. of boiling water
and let cool. (I used brewed coffee and got a great flavour)

Combine in large bowl getting out the cocoa lumps by whisking together:

2 c. sugar
1 3/4 all purpose flour
3/4 c. cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baling powder
1 tsp. salt

Next add the wet ingredients:

2 eggs
1 c. strong cooled black coffee
1 c. buttermilk (or 1 c. milk & 1 Tbsp of vinegar, this makes the milk sour)
1/2 c. veg. oil
1 tsp vanilla
Beat together for 2 min. until mixed on med. speed.

Bake 40 mins. at 350 or until tooth pick comes out clean



Peanut Butter overload anyone???

 Yeah this recipe is from the Tasty Kitchen blog....An absolute must try!

Maybe some baking will get this baby on the move....off to the kitchen!

Poppy he's getting ready!

To join you on the green...

A great day on the Farm

The sun came out and it turned into a pretty perfect spring day after all, so we did what any self respecting family who wasn't cooking a turkey today did....we took our boy to Hatfield Farm to hunt for Easter eggs. Mayhem and pure joy followed!

searching for eggs!

Adding the slapshot to golf...a la Happy Gilmour!

Austin had a blast and we enjoyed knocking over the other littles to get the most eggs (just kidding but man some of the parents need to get out of the way and let the kids play!) playing hockey/golf with him and just making a few great memories.

The Buzz: Sisters, big brothers and new babies.

Sue Siri is an incredible photographer and once we found out we were expecting another baby, there was no question that we'd be booking our maternity and newborn pictures with here. She's posted a preview and I really don't know how we're going to choose!!

The Buzz: Sisters, big brothers and new babies.: "I have been so busy lately that I have not been updating the blog as much as I would like. Today I will remedy that with not one but two ent..."

Giveaway!

http://www.homeiswheretheysendus.com/2011/05/giveaway-precious-frocks-bag-or-shirt.html?spref=fb

Jen's giving away some pretty nice items and I want to win! :) I've shared her blog before but it's worth sharing again. Not just for the free stuff either. She is an incredible mom of 3 and shares her experiences on her blog on a very regular basis...unlike me.

I swear people I am trying to keep up but at 37 weeks I'm been a little busy...more on that to come.

L