Baby's first official toy

Some things are just sentimental and cute to remember, for when we look back. Peanut's first stuffed animal is one of those keepsakes, given by big brother/cousin-to-be Nashaan.

 

And...I'm off

I have started my first official maternity leave, for a year!  What a surreal feeling to step out of the working world you have spent so much time building, and into a world of the unknown. Basically you are preparing for a job you really don't know how to do, with no experience, and no one has screened you for.

My first morning off consisted of me waking up at 630am... looks like it will take me a bit to get used to.  The next day I woke up early again, not as early this time, but decided to, happily, make hubby lunch and plan out what I'm going to cook for dinner...ok I better make sure hubby doesn't get used to that.

I'm a fairly organized person,  well I do project and operational management for a living so I have to be,  so I planned out things I had to do each week. So other than a few things such as washing and putting away my new baby things...I am pretty good to go. Once I finish all that, for the first time ever, I won't really have a scheduled list of things to do.  No list to cross items off of...well I suppose I can create one that lists: have baby,  stay calm, slap hubby so he remains calm, raise kid.  Eeeeeks,  now that makes me nervous yet excited at the same time.

I will be 37 weeks this weekend.  This means the baby can come anytime from now to 3 weeks (more if overdue). So it's so interesting to be here trying to relax,  and for the first time ever just not knowing when to expect what.  Having said all that, my body is happy to be chillaxing...while peanut grows and picks up weight and dances on mommy's bladder.

Now I just enjoy my final weeks of pregnancy before we get to meet our baby and start this new line of work that we hopefully don't screw up! ;)  One thing is for sure,  nervous or not, I already think this new gig, athough may have the steepest learning curve, will be the most rewarding one ever.

I hope.  No....I know ;)

Countdown is on baby poolers!

Showered with Love

It becomes all the bit more real when you experience one of the fun milestones of pregnancy... the baby shower! I was a lucky girl and got spoiled with two!

 

The first was a surprise at work. I was told to come to an impromptu announcement in the boardroom, when I got there I see a spread of treats prepped by all my co-workers, balloons, gifts, and sparkling juice...so cute and touching.  I definitely didn't expect that, given knowing how busy it has been, but meant so much. Also impressive that they surprised me...they are lucky I am so slow that I guess they knew I would take the longest to walk in. Good eats, lovely gifts and a hilarious round of baby games...it is entertaining to watch your new VP have to draw the word "breast pump" in baby Pictionary. A good time and I was moved. This made me further realize what a great team I work with, truly.

 

My second shower was thrown by my moms and sisters on June 2nd.  It included all our close family and friends...what a turnout!  Everything was so beautiful; the cake - made by Cake Therapy (my sister) was amazing,  the monkey and colourful decor (by my sister-in-law) was so cute as I love monkeys, all the fancy and delicious food and treats brought by everyone, cake pop giveaways also by Cake Therapy, and  of course a room full of all the beautiful ladies in my life... and my cutey patutey nephews and niece. It's an incredible and warm feeling to see those you love do this just for you and all the smiles sharing in on this excitement. Hubby also contributed with his specialty surprise bouquet of gorgeous flowers, which ironically matched my outfit. Prizes and games contributed to the fun, and I can't believe the amazing gifts... everyone went so over the top with prezzies for peanut.  Words cannot express the love and gratitude I felt. What a spectacular day,  thank you,  I cannot say it enough. 

 

Showered with love, eats, and baby gifts...all looking forward to the arrival of peanut.  We are so fortunate. 

 

Love you all.

Xoxoxo (times a million)

 

Daddy's Little ?

Well friends, third trimester is a bit different...full of swollen feet, tiring much sooner, uncomfortable sleeps, feeling huge and making things like bending to pick up something a challenge. Also, much to my amazement, pregnancy brain is a real phenomenon!

However, some of the most amazing things happen too.

Peanut moves a tonne, and on top of just feeling kicks, you can literally see this munchkin moving about, often what looks like a jump! The craziest is when one night I felt this lump, hard, just on one side; sure enough I found out that was peanut's head, hubby freaked out...I must admit very trippy indeed. Sometimes I can see my belly stick out on one side when peanut is chilling in a particular area. I often catch myself just staring at my belly, wondering "hmm what are you going to do next?"  I know I'm a freak, but I love this entertainment.

Now interestingly enough do you know when peanut is most active? You guessed it...party hour, late night, shutting the club down time, hence why I'm blogging so late. Dancing or "ripping it" in mommy's belly, clearly, this is Vick Jr. So with peanut already kicking up a storm and ripping it, boy or girl, we may have trouble, and some kleats to buy. Oh just like Daddy it seems.

We decided to try a 3D ultrasound. A very cool experience, which I definitely recommend. So after we pay for this and go in and see peanut live...this homeboy/girl decides to sleep! My party animal baby was all curled up, hands and feet covering its face, not wanting to move at all. We tried to wake peanut and managed to see, only for a bit, the face, a big yawn, and eyes open and close! Amazing! But sure enough peanut didn't want to move and back to comfortable sleep he/she went. Stubborn and sleeping in weird positions...also just like Daddy.

I wonder what traits of mine peanut will have? So far my baby is really resembling hubby, but time will tell.  I guess I better rest, I may have my hands full very soon.

7-10 Weeks left...tick tock.

Xoxo

Something to keep in mind...

Love this article on parenting, hopefully I will remember to stop and think when I need these solutions in the future...

The 5-Minute Solution - by Scott Noelle, Parenting Coach

Energy Flowing

To me life is about energy, the flow of it, removing the negative, cultivating the positive, and keeping that flowing. It can be a challenge but the trick is to find those that contain positive energy, and making time to spend with them.

I wanted to remember this day as one massive surge of positive energy.

I woke up to my loving husband, who explained to me how I was crazy last night, not that I remember, but his sweetness made me want to just hug him and apologize. He then spent the morning making me laugh and gave me shopping mula just for me...positive energy times 2. My day continued with brunch with a friend and hubby, a walk at the farmers market, then a shopping trip with my mother in law. After a catnap, my brother came over to pick me up to hang out with him my mom and my grandmother. Last but not least I finished my day with a heart warming visit from my sister and my cousins, complete with cupcakes and them relishing in  excitement over peanut kicking. On top of that, through the whole day, I got messages or calls from other friends and family sending me love or just seeing how i'm feeling.

Yes, lots of love...the best type of energy.

As i'm getting ready for bed, I feel so fortunate, blessed and happy. I truly have a loving supporting network of people.  It is true that you will, at times in your life, have to learn what connections in your life foster the best energy for you, and rid yourself of situations creating anything but that. I feel content that my journey, thus far, has landed me in the circles of some amazing people. Just seeing and hearing from a few of those people today reminded me of how lucky I am, and how lucky our baby will be to be born into a network of love and good energy.

Peanut, you are going to be so loved...you don't even know.

Love you all...xoxo

Goodies!

I received this basket of pregnancy pampering goodies from my lovely cousins...hot chocolate, fuzzy blanket, nighty, pop chips, cocoa butter, hot water bottle and more. I used everything and then stored all my pregnancy books in the basket.
Thanks ladies! Xoxo