On June 3rd, I received wonderful news. My cousin (Daryl, Nathalie and their family) offered us beautiful pine nursery furniture (crib, dresser and change table). Mike and I were overwhelmed by their generosity and support, and we accepted gratefully... A nursery? Isn't that a place for gardeners? Nope!!! Thanks Cuz...we love you and appreciate your help...xoxo!
Later that same afternoon, Mike and I interviewed a Doula (also a Registered Massage Therapist and Childbirth Educator). Her name is Christin and she works for Maternity Wellness Ltd. Christin was recommended to us by a co-worker. Christin shared a little bit about herself with us: her birth views, her role as a Doula, her education, her experience, what we could expect, etc. She recommended that we interview 1 or 2 other Doula's, just so we would be sure that we were choosing/hiring based on the right fit for our personalities. We both liked Christin right away, and would think about it for a while...
On June 8th, I received my very first "parents-to-be" card from Laurissa and Chris. I was so excited! One day, I'll read it to Fetus-Reali...
June 11th, two days before hitting the 16-week mark, I noticed for the first time a "baby bump". Fetus-Reali was already cute! Also, IPS #2 test this morning.
June 12th was a busy baby day... In the morning, I pre-registered at Markham Stouffville Hospital. I got lots of information. I received a great resource: "Before, During & After Birth - Caring for yourself and your baby - 2nd Edition: Your Guide to the Childbirth & Children's Centre Blue Book". I received a birth plan (to be completed), I registered for Prenatal Breastfeeding classes, and got my first pack of newborn diapers (a pack of 24) for $5!
That evening, Mike and I went to a Cells For Life Information Session in Markham. We took in lots of information about umbilical cord blood stem cells collected at birth. Another decision to go away and think about...
June 13th... 16-weeks... Fetus-Reali can hear!! I was so excited, and told everyone. My co-worker, Jo-Anne (a.k.a. Blues), sang Fetus its first 2 songs: Robin In The Rain and I'm a Little Teapot. Another colleague, Diane Purdy, had the first conversation with Fetus-Reali (it was appropriately about shoes). My good friend, Barb, suggested that I expose Fetus-Reali to its very first Aerosmith song. Thanks Barb; can't believe I didn't think of it myself. Alone in my office, I blasted Dream On, while Steven Tyler and I took turns singing the lyrics for Fetus. From this day forward, Mike and I talk and sing to Fetus every chance we get...
On June 14th, I hired Christin to be my Doula/Massage Therapist/Childbirth Educator. I didn't feel the need to interview any others. I was confident that Christin was the perfect fit for us. I also booked HypnoBirthing (The Mongan Method) prenatal classes through Christin, and was on my way towards "a natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing"!
June 15th was an evening to note: my first time at a nightclub pregnant! I had a great time with the girls (especially the late-night pizza that followed...yum)!
June 17th was Father's Day. We had all the Reali's over for a BBQ lunch (we celebrated with my Dad the weekend before). My nieces, Cassandra & Melissa, were so cute (and they are very excited about a new cousin). They went to each family member and asked them to predict the date, sex and weight that "Phetus"-Reali would be born. I'm hoping my "Phetus" won't be as early as some of the dates on their chart predicts...
On June 18th, we received a baby-to-be gift from a teacher (Tracey) at Mike's school (someone I never met). It was very thoughtful...I was touched. I sent her a note the next day to express my gratitude.
Aerosmith swag arrived that week...June 19th, June 20th and June 22nd...
On June 25th, I had my regular monthly appointment with my OB/GYN. She confirmed with me that my IPS results were within normal limits. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat again...a beautiful sound and comforting feeling. I told the Doctor that I was not happy with how much weight I had already gained...18 pounds at 18 weeks. She said I was only a bit over what she would expect, but went through my daily diet with me anyway. It appears I'm eating very healthy, but she recommended a couple minor changes. First, I'm consuming too many of my calories at breakfast, so I should spread my total calories out more evenly in the full day. Second, I'm eating lots of healthy fruit, which also comes with lots of natural sugar... So, less fruit...more veggies. I'm up for the challenge...
I was surprised by another sweet gift this morning...from Alex (my co-worker, Debbie's, daughter). Isn't it precious?? When Mike saw it, he asked if I could request a matching hat for Daddy. Alex is working on it for Daddy's big head...
The parents-to-be / baby-to-be gifts kept on coming late June... I met my girlfriend Armanda for ice cream at the Village Ice Cream Shoppe on June 27th, and was again touched by such sweet sentiment... Fetus-Reali's VERY FIRST rattle and a unique resource of books for Mike and I. We love all the Browns and are already enjoying our reads... Thank you!! xoxo.
June 30th was a busy day! We spent the morning emptying what WAS the home office, and is now the baby nursery. It felt so good to do...both of us were extremely excited. We will leave the colour of the nursery as is for now (blue and buttermilk yellow), and will decide on a change (if any) once we know if Fetus-Reali is a boy or a girl.
At 2:30 p.m., we headed over to Jean & Gary's for the Stouffville Strawberry Festival, dinner and Canada Day fireworks. Little did we know there would be more wonderful gifts... The kindness of friends is unbelievable! Mike says thanks for the Stella, his favourite beer. Words are not enough! xo! Lisa/Chris (and their kids), along with the Browns, joined us later in the evening to end the night off with "a bang"!
At the end of June, I was 18 weeks, 3 days pregnant (and a bit heavier than I had hoped). However, I discovered something. Maybe it's not the extra calories at breakfast, or all that fruit throughout the day? Perhaps it's my CRAVING (there, I said it) for ice cream! I think about it everyday. I want it everyday. I have it "almost" everyday (fine, twice on the 27th). I take pictures of ice cream. I tweet about ice cream. I even dream about ice cream. There was one day, and just one day, that I didn't even think about ice cream........until I read TJ's Facebook status (he was having Dairy Queen). Guess what? I had ice cream that day. It's official...I'm with child and I crave ice cream! I hope my indulgence balances out with the 45-60 minute walk I try to get in everyday. Hey, I even walk for ice cream! The top three ice creams I crave: 1: Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Peanut Butter (118mL personal-size, spoon inside). 2: Kawartha Dairy Chocolate Peanut Butter (from the Village Ice Cream Shoppe). 3: Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich. Coming in at #4, thanks to an introduction by Natalie S., vanilla milkshakes on Unionville Main Street.
As I write this, on the hottest day of summer'2012 (a day that broke records), I have still not had an ice cream. I guess you'll have to wait until next month's post to find out what happens...
