Halfway! Month 5 - July 2012.

I started off the month applying to be a pregnancy blogger for YummyMummyClubCA.  The opportunity seemed a perfect fit for me...something I'd really love to put my heart and soul into.  Thanks Heather!  Fingers crossed...wish me luck!

I also had to start off the month with a foreign ice cream.  I walked to Longo's for my regular Haagen-Dazs peanut butter, but it was sold out!!!  This is what I tried...it didn't compare:

We spent the lovely Sunday afternoon of July 8th with our good friends, the Amorosis:  Victor, Kathy, Matthew, Victoria and Sarah.  It was a beautiful sunny day spent outdoors.  We enjoyed each others' company, and the delicious eats from the charcoal grill.  We were grateful for their wonderful "parents-to-be" gifts.  Books for baby, books for Mom & Dad, and Fetus-Reali's first security blanket!  We are blessed indeed.  That night, Mike and I read Fetus his/her very first book:  "Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go" (a book to be read in utero, adapted by Tish Rabe, from the works of Dr. Seuss).  

On July 10th, I dreamt that I felt the baby move!  I wanted this SO BAD!!  

On July 11th, I was officially halfway...20 weeks.  Kathy surprised me that evening.  She stopped by with a tub of Haagen-Dazs peanut butter ice cream and some delicious nitrate-free prosciutto!  She's obviously been pregnant before, and knew the way to my heart...  

On July 12th, Mike and I celebrated reaching "halfway".  We had a delicious Italian dinner at the Unionville House Restaurant, followed by dessert at the Old Firehall Confectionery.  We strolled the Main Street; me with my vanilla milkshake and Mike with his death-by-chocolate ice cream.  This pregnancy thing is pretty sweet!!

On July 13th, more excitement!  My 18-20 week ultrasound (and my last ultrasound).  Mike and I were so excited to see our little one again!  We saw the hand (in a small fist), a leg (bending at the knee), toes, heart, stomach, spine, nose and tongue.  We saw Fetus open his/her mouth to drink the amniotic fluid.  So cool!  We will never forget that day.  Here are a couple of the great pics we got from the ultrasound.  Fetus-Reali is looking right in the camera for one of them!  

We spent July 14th and 15th at Joanna's cottage near Picton.  It was a fun weekend with Joanna, Gillian, Sergio, Steph, Shant, Andre and Nicolas.  It was Saturday night that I felt my very first flutter!! It was probably around 10:00 p.m.  Everyone was playing cards and I was sitting on the couch reading.  There it was!  The most subtle flutter, but a flutter nonetheless.  It would be a week before I would feel anything again...

On July 16th, Jen surprised me at work with a sweet Peek-a-Boo bear.  She said she saw it at Niagara-on-the-Lake, and had to get it for the baby.  When you squeeze the foot, the bear says "Peek-a-Boo", giggles and puts its hands in front of and away from its eyes.  Thanks Jen!

On July 17th, Kathy loaned me a bag of maternity clothes!  I didn't realize how ready I was for them, and who knew how comfortable they could be??!!  I think everyone should be wearing maternity clothes.  Thanks Kathy!  At this point, I can still fit into all my own clothes except for pants.  The shorts, capris, jeans and sweats were most welcome!

On July 18th, I was 21-weeks pregnant.  I went to Healthy Planet and bought coconut oil.  Stretch marks or no stretch marks, that is the question.

On July 20th, Kathy dropped off more maternity clothes for me.  Happy 10th Anniversary, Kathy & Vic!  xo!

Saturday July 21st was a big day!  We assembled the crib and mobile...very exciting!  We went over to my cousin's place for a BBQ dinner (Alana, Michael and Mitchell).  Not only did we have a great visit and delicious meal (fit for a king, I might add), but we also came home with a van full of baby hand-me-downs (clothes, a bouncy chair, a swing, a Jolly Jumper, a baby bath, an exersaucer, toys, you name it).  We are overwhelmed by all the love and support of family and friends.  Thank you!  Late that night, and for what seemed like hours, I felt a tiny vibration in the same spot (over, and over, and over again).  When I described it on Facebook, friends commented that Fetus-Reali might be hiccuping!  My first 2 "feelings"...a week apart...on Saturdays!  A party animal?!

On July 23rd, I had my monthly OB appointment with Dr. Peters (and a resident, Dr. Lougheed).  The 18-20 week ultrasound results were normal, and my placenta is clear of my cervix.  I did learn that I have an anterior placenta, which means the placenta is between me and the baby.  This explains why, at 22 weeks, I still haven't really felt the baby move, jab, kick.  The baby has a "soft pillow" to kick instead of my tummy.  I will eventually feel it, but it will take time.  I'm waiting...  That evening, I completed my registry at Babies"R"Us (except for bedding and a diaper bag, which I simply could not "settle" on).

On July 24th, Gabriella (a co-worker), introduced me to Dream A Little Dream Baby Boutique in Markham.  How did she know I needed her?  I immediately found my bedding and diaper bag.  I was ecstatic!  And, I can register...  So, Skip Hop was what I needed after all.  How precious is this bedding?  I must have been really excited, because I had no ice cream today...LOL.

22-weeks on July 25th!  Alex finished the matching owl hat for Daddy.  Isn't it ironic that the "owl" from Skip Hop Treetop Friends is now my nursery theme???  I can't wait for Daddy and baby to wear their matching hats home from the hospital.  Thanks Alex!  I also want to thank my co-worker, Lisa, for generously giving us her Graco playpen.  Another exciting day and no ice cream...

Guess what I discovered on July 26th?  PC Loads of Peanut Butter!  OMG!  That's all I can say.  Go out and try it for yourself.  You really should...you really must.  Yes, it tops Haagen-Dazs peanut butter ice cream!

On July 27th, I met Miss Olivia Elizabeth.  At 2.5 months, she is just the sweetest thing.  Precious!  It was a wonderful feeling cuddling her...thinking this would be me and my baby in exactly 4 months.  It was great seeing you, Gillian, thanks for the visit.  You have 2 beautiful children!!

On July 28th, I met with some Moms-to-be from my Facebook November 2012 Birth Club group (GTA Meet & Greet).  It was wonderful meeting Kim, Emma, Charlotte and Angie.  I think Angie and I were all ears listening to stories from Moms-to-be for the 2nd time, Kim and Charlotte.  I enjoyed the sunny afternoon...feeling like I belonged, and look forward to our next get-together!  And, what a cutie that Emma is!!

The end of the month was my last day at 22-weeks.  The end of July also brought one of my only pregnancy-related symptoms to date...heartburn.  Other than that, I'm feeling great...I still don't really feel pregnant.  I'm glad I got a preview of what Fetus-Reali "feels" like, even if only by way of a subtle flutter and a mild case of the hiccups.  I look so forward to all that lies ahead...

You'll find that this world's

a great place to begin,

but it could use some help,

which is where you come in.

So now, as my voice

burble-urps in your ear,

with a bump-thumpy sound

that is not very clear-

the words I am saying

you hear in your heart,

and know that I wish you

the very best start.

It's a scrumptulous world

and it's ready to greet you.

And as for myself...

well...

I can't wait to meet you!

15-18 Weeks! Month 4 - June 2012.

June started off with a baby shower.  No, not mine...  The shower was for my cousin's wife, Melissa (who is due in July with her first...a boy)!  It was a special, exciting event for me.  Being pregnant gave me a different perspective on Melissa's special day (by the way, she was glowing)!  I think maybe I was feeling a little bit of what she was feeling?  The excitement, love and well wishes she received that day was something I indirectly shared with her.  It was fun to be with my family that day, and as she opened her wonderful gifts, we were probably both thinking about how very real this was all about to be!!  I was glad to be a part of her day, and I hope she doesn't mind that I shared in the experience with her!

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 12:30 p.m., my cousin Daryl came from Kingston to deliver the crib.  We got to catch-up and enjoy lunch together!

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...

Come on 2nd Trimester! Month 3 - May 2012!

What a great start to May!  From May 3-6'12, I enjoyed a Girls' Weekend at Carriage Hills Resort with Joanna, Erin, Melissa, Lo May, Lindsay, Kelly and Gillian!  What happens at Carriage Hills, stays at Carriage Hills...except for some things.  The girls surprised me with mommy-to-be cupcakes (so sweet...in more ways than one).  A memory I will forever treasure (and documented forever in my blog).  We went on a couple nice walks, we soaked our feet in the jacuzzi tub, we pampered ourselves with manicures and facial masks, we played games and we ate!!!  It was a different girls' weekend for me...I was drinking milk while the ladies were hitting the booze, but I had just as much fun.  Thanks for making the weekend special for me ladies...xo.

I think I had my first craving on May 8, 2012.  It was after dinner that Tuesday evening, around 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., and all of a sudden I HAD to go get ice cream.  Mike tried talking me out of it, saying it would pass, but to no avail...I was going...with our without him.  I hopped in the car (solo) and headed to The Village Ice Cream Shoppe for a single scoop of chocolate peanut butter!  Fulfillment!

May 10th was the Annual Nursing Week Bowling Challenge at Markham Bowl.  Our team, The Ballers (me, TJ, Eddy, Justin, Steve, Brandi and Molly), won!!  And, no, we did not cheat!  Eddy bought me a Scotch that evening...I fake-drank!  Sorry Eddy, but I do appreciate your generosity!

Early the week of the 7th, I got an e-mail that I did win something at The BabyTime Show (I knew I felt lucky)!  I won admission for 2 to Baby Bump-Apalooza @ Cineplex Odeon Queensway Cinemas.  Mike and I had a great time...he loves free stuff!  We got our photo taken, we got to eat at the following crave stations (Cupcake Crave Station; French Fry Crave Station, Pickle Crave Station, Frozen Yogurt Crave Station)!  Yum!  There were tons of vendors on hand and we got SO MANY great samples!  The best had to be the Britax Baby Carrier ($150 at Babies"R"Us)!!  We also got to enjoy an advanced screening of What To Expect When You're Expecting!  It was happy, funny, sad, you name it.  I'm glad we got to share the day together...the 3 of us!!

On May 13'12, I got my first ever Mother's Day gift...flowers from Mike!  A very thoughtful sentiment; one I will always remember!  I'm a Mother!!!

The day I had been waiting for finally arrived!!  Getting to May 15'12 felt like 24 weeks instead of 12 weeks.  My first appointment!!  I needed to know that everything was in the right spot.  I needed to know me and my baby were healthy and doing fine.  I needed to know how many were in there...LOL.  I needed to reach 12 weeks so I could share my news with the world!!!  I had a complete physical and Integrated Prenatal Screening (IPS), which included an ultrasound...my first!!!  Mike and I were excited and nervous.  We got to see Fetus-Reali (yup, only 1 in there) for the very first time.  Fetus-Reali was very active that day...bouncing all over the place.  Also for the first time, we heard a very strong heartbeat at 170!!  There was a sense of relief after hearing and seeing our baby.  We were already a family!  Our technician did tell us that we were a couple of days too early for her to take the measurements she needed, and she booked us to come back on Friday May 18'12.  I was happy...another chance to see Fetus-Reali!

On May 16'12, I shared the news with my co-workers!  I was shaky and nervous, but the response and surprise was amazing!  It's real!!  We can tell the world!!  And, I did...  This was my Facebook status that very day:  What is 12-weeks old, 2 inches long, weighs half an ounce and is comparable to the size of a purple plum?   I received 103 beautiful comments and 46 likes.  I later posted, I am overwhelmed by all the love received today after sharing the big news! Thank you all so very much! We are blessed in so many ways! I still cannot believe that I'm going to be a Mother..., to which I received 51 comments and 41 Likes!  I also received so many (more than I can count) e-mails, Direct Messages, Tweets, Wall Posts, Text, Voicemails, visits, etc., etc.  Hearts all over the world!! 

On May 18th, I saw my baby again!  This time Fetus-Reali was sleeping so peacefully.  A calm came over me; it was a sweet feeling.  One of the things the IPS measures is the fluid in the baby's neck.  This is to check for Down Syndrome.  After the ultrasound, I took a picture of the Nuchal Translucency (NT) score with my iPhone.  Back at home, I googled this measurement.  Within Normal Limits.  Ecstatic!!!  Here is Fetus-Reali's first ever appearance:

That night we had dinner at Gary & Jean's!  Fetus-Reali got its first nickname on May 18th..."Bounce"!  Thanks, Jean, for the clothes and thank you both for the love and support (and steak)!!!  Oh, and Fetus-Reali LOVED its first Bombe!!  

On May 20th, I joined the Cornell Moms Photo Walk group!  It felt legit...I was a Mom...I was officially part of this group!  I met Rebecca and Nassim on a lovely Sunday morning.  We took and shared some beautiful pictures.  I'm looking forward to our next photo walk!!  

From May 21-28'12, Mike and I took "Bounce" on his/her first vacation...to Negril Jamaica!!  I believe there were 31 of us (Di Ruscios, Realis and friends combined)...32 with Bounce!  Peter and Daniela married on May 24'12.  It was a beautiful beach wedding surrounded by love and happiness!  I bought Bounce his/her first ever item in Negril...it was a onesie that represented how his/her Mother was feeling the first couple of days in Jamaica.  I think I was just getting used to a new lifestyle (no drinking) back at home, but on the island it hit me all over again.  I felt like I was no fun...it was baby in the corner watching all the fun happening around her.  So, Bounce, you will wear this, but it will represent me:

It was time to go home, and I was ready.  This was the first vacation ever where I was so looking forward to getting back.  Home is where the heart is!!  Before we left, Mike bought me my first ever "baby" gift.  He got this for me at the Pandora Duty Free in the Sangster Airport.  I wear it with pride!  

We finally arrived home, safe and sound!  To our surprise, we had a beautiful baby gift (our first) waiting for us in our living room.  My brother (Roland) and my sister-in-law (Maria) got Bounce a beautiful bassinet.  It's precious.  Seeing it there hit us...we're gonna have a real baby asleep in it.  Thank you Uncle Rollie and Tia Maria!!!  xoxo.  

On Tuesday May 29th, it was back to the Family Doctor for results!  The Doctor told us that everything came back fine!  We were happy and healthy!  The Doctor did report that the ultrasound technician did find 2 uterine fibroids during the scan.  Both were small and outside of the uterus (so, would not interfere with Fetus-Reali's eventual exit).  However, a note was made in my file to watch the fibroids' growth, if any.  That night, I again joined the Cornell Moms (legitimately) to discuss Fifty Shades of Grey.  I'm a Mom!!!

On Wednesday May 30th, I had my first appointment with my OB/GYN.  Mike and I spent almost 2 hours with her.  She was very thorough, informative, professional and personable.  We both liked her right away and felt comfortable in her taking over our care.  We got lots of information (regular appointments, ultrasounds, blood-work, pre-registration, prenatal classes, nutrition, exercise, etc., etc.).  It was a lot to take it, but we gulped it all up.  We're growing!!!

At the end of the month, I was 14 weeks pregnant!  It was a busy, eventful May filled with so much!!  From cravings, to contests, my first Mother's Day, the first time I saw and heard my baby, our family's first vacation together, and sharing our news with the world.  We felt anxious, nervous, hungry, secretive, lucky, special, healthy, relieved, loved, overwhelmed, emotional, grateful and blessed.  We're having a baby, world...glad you can join us for the ride!!  

Looking ahead to the 2nd trimester...stay tuned!!  

xo.