Halloween 2010

What to do for Halloween when you have a giant belly?

This was a tough one - wasn't sure what to do but settled on being a beer-bellied trucker. I felt like I was disguised as none of my co-workers at the party we went to even recognized me - all walked straight past. Mostly I just dressed in Rob's clothes, but I made the mudflap girl shirt and bought the glasses and a fake goatee.

Rob happily went as John Lennon (his little button says I Heart Yoko). This shirt was actually his Dad's in the 70s - do you recognize it Bernie?

We had a great time and I can't wait until I can plan costumes for 3 of us next year! I love this creative holiday (and with a little arm twisting Rob is starting to enjoy it too).

Hope you all had a great time on Halloween as well!

Things I miss

While this pregnancy has been pretty blissful (no throwing up, no massive weight gain, no muscle cramps yet), this little Mamma has to admit there are a few things she is really starting to miss over 5 months into this journey.

Top 3 would have to be

1- Red Wine (the taste with a nice meal and having a nice big glass after a hard day at work).

2- Sushi - the real stuff

3-Sleeping on my stomach - I've always been a stomach sleeper, and have trouble falling asleep without my face squished into my pillow, so I sleeping on my side has been a big adjustment and I'll value the day when there is not a baby between my front side and my bed again.

But despite all the things I miss, there are far more things that are fun and exciting, and so many things to be grateful for. And one of those is the fact that we were able to get pregnant, there are many of our friends out there (as we are finding out), that have had trouble, and I'm sure those women would be grateful to have to give up wine or stomach sleeping...

So Sprout all in all you're worth it!!

Blast from the Past

So when Rob was a little boy he couldn't say "Snoopy" so he called the lovable cartoon pup "Noosy". So Rob's dad got Rob a little t-shirt of his very own with "Noosy" on it. This is a well loved t-shirt but it has been passed on to our little Sprout to wear when he/she gets older.

Also here is a little bit of shopping mom and dad have been doing for Sprout - a little bunting bag with bear ears (couldn't resist), some mini-birkenstocks (have to make sure Sprout keeps up the hippy family theme) and a Sophie the Giraffe (a really popular toy loved by babies around the world, totally non-toxic and made from natural materials that is great for chewing on when teeth are coming in).

And the moment that you've all been waiting for - the updated bump shot!! Don't mind the bags under my eyes, I was sick with a cold when we took this shot.

Here I am at 20 weeks (5 months). I'm measuring 20 cm according to the midwives and this is right on target (we learned today that I should measure 1 cm for each week that I am pregnant at this stage so 20 weeks = 20 cm is right bang on).

I had my first congratulations from a stranger this weekend, so the bump is obviously out for all to see. I feel movement from Sprout everyday, and Rob finally got to feel a kick for the first time last weekend (he was pretty excited).

Thanks Grandmas!

There is already some Grandmas who are pretty crazy about a little Sprout they haven't even met yet! Grandma Lynne went to Montreal and got Sprout some great French goodies and Grandma Nola went to Baby R Us and started shopping in gender neutral colours. The green blanket is chenille and so soft (mom isn't unwrapping it, as she may be tempted to use it herself).

Given that these two Grandmas work in the dentist profession, baby Sprout already has newborn tooth cloths and an orthodontic approved soother.

Meet Sprout!!!

This morning was so exciting for us. We got to go for our first (and potentially only) ultrasound.

We were so excited, but nervous to make sure that all things were accounted for. And much to our relief, we were told we seem to have a "perfect baby".

Sprout wasn't too cooperative for the first part, sleeping curled up in a ball facing Terra's spine, but eventually came around after some prodding and showed us arms. legs, hands, feet, spine, all 4 heart chambers, profile, kidneys, umbilical chord and bladder. The ultrasound technician said baby has really big feet!

We steered clear of the pelvic shot in order to keep the gender a surprise.

Sprout is at a tenth of his/her weight at 8 oz and the fetal heartbeat was 139 bpm which is great.

This was just another one of those milestones for us that really makes parenthood feel a bit more real.

Oilsands and Chariots

Well, Terra and Sprout are off to Fort Mac!! Ohhh, Sprout's first trip to the Tar Sands. Watch out for those trucks in that big sand box!!!

Needless to say, it will be a little quieter around the house now with them gone and I will miss them both. The latest excitement is that sprout has started to kick. Terra first felt a kick a week ago at our midwife appointment, but started getting some real kicks on Saturday at our friends BBQ. It is so exciting and I can't wait to I get the chance to feel it and more so, can't wait for our first Ultrasound on Friday.

Terra and I have been searching Kijiji high and low trying to get all the things we think we need for Sprout. Going along with the Canoe theme, we wanted to get a Chariot for sprout. This is a multi carrier that can be used as a stroller, bike carrier and a cross country ski carrier. Just by chance on Sunday, we happened across one and it was in the neighbourihood and the best price we have seen. When we contact the owner, he had already received 9 calls that day, so we jumped on it. We walked Kona over in the dark and it was perfect. It is about 8 years old but basically brand new with no damage or wear. I am pretty excited by it as I see it as another way that we can expose Sprout to the great outdoors!!