A wonderful weekend in Cape Breton

This past weekend, Ron and I took a chance and drove 4 from Halifax (and my hospital) to visit his family in Cape Breton, and I'm SO glad that we did! I hit 39 weeks on Saturday so more than a few people told me I was crazy, but it was so nice to get away for the weekend and to finally meet everyone. I had never been to the Cape Breton highlands before, and his family owns a resort right on the Cabot trail, called the Lakes Resort. It was a busy but wonderfully relaxing weekend. Most of his family headed to the resort on Saturday afternoon for a little get together to see him and to meet me and we had such a great time getting to know each other. That night we had a fantastic dinner at the restaurant and then went back to his sisters place where we stayed up late talking. On Sunday we got up and drove out to the Cabot Trail, had lunch on the wharf in Cheticamp at Wabos pizza and then hit the beach for the rest of the afternoon. Unfortunately Monday morning we had to hit the road early so we could get back to Halifax in time for Ron to work. It went far to fast, but I am grateful for every moment we had.

Here are just a few pictures from the trip - as well as a special little gift from Ron's aunt Debbie.

I can't help it...

I LOVE baby shoes! How can you not resist.

like mother, like daughter

look what arrived today!

Our orbit baby stroller and car seat! I am SO excited. Looks like we have another new project to put together.

Getting settled

I haven't had a chance to post in a few days as things have been a little bit hectic! I left Toronto on Thursday morning and flew to Moncton for the weekend. Yes, I flew at just under 38 weeks - but with my doctor's permission. It was my dad's 70th birthday and I am so glad I was able to be there. Ron was able to be there too, which was really special. It was the first time he met my family and I certainly kept him busy running around and introducing him to everyone.

On Sunday we drove to Halifax with a car FULL of our stuff (I cannot believe i didn't get a picture of it...there were even things piled up on my lap). We moved into our new place that evening and I absolutely love it. It's only temporary - we have it for the next two months - but it is the most beautiful place I have ever lived, and I wish I could take it with us!

Today we put together our pack and play. Since we will only be here for 2 months, she will be sleeping in this next to us. It wasn't to difficult to put together (thank god for the directions) and now it is sitting right next to our bed. I love it. Every time I walk into the room I feel a rush of emotion. I am so excited to meet her and am so happy we have such a lovely place that will be her first home.

Last day of work

Yesterday was my last day of work before our baby girl comes. 24 hours later it still hasn't sunk in. I did go in this evening to finish up a few things I hadn't gotten to in the past few weeks, but as of now I am completely done.

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it yet. My work has always been such a big part of who I am, and a major part of my identity. I know it probably shouldn't be - but it has been. Anyone who knows me knows that I place way to much importance on what I do and i worry way to much about how its going.

But all that changes now. I'm sitting here - resisting the urge to check my web mail. Trying to force myself not to worry or wonder. And thinking - is this feeling ever actually going to go away? Right now I still feel like I'm taking a few days off. It hasn't hit me that it will be spring or summer before I go back. That all the jobs I was working on will be finished, and all new ones that I know nothing about will be underway. That some of our clients will still be with us, and that others will have moved on. I'm hoping in a few days I can relax, let go, and get ready for the most important job of my life - being the best mother I can be to my little girl.

37 weeks pregnant = a full term baby!!

I can't believe it, but yesterday marked 37 weeks, which means I am now full term! Our little girl could safely enter the world at any time. I still have 3 weeks to go before her due date on September 4th, but if she decided she was ready there wouldn't be anything to worry about.

Right now she is about 6.5 pounds, and will keep growing, but at a slower rate. My midwife told me she is measuring right on schedule so they aren't expecting her to be a big baby or a small one, just a perfectly normal sized new born. She has been VERY cooperative and is still nicely positioned head down. There isn't really enough room in there for her to get out of that position now, so once she drops she should be ready to go.

I really can't believe how soon she could be in my arms. I'm excited and nervous and delighted and scared, all at once. I can't wait to meet her - to see this little girl we have created and spent the last 9 months dreaming about and preparing for. But at the same time I have really enjoyed this pregnancy and don't feel rushed to 'get her out'. I'm ok with her hanging out in her current home for a few more weeks (provided she doesn't grow TOO much bigger during that time) so that we have just a bit more time to get things ready for her arrival.

I know she'll come when she's ready - and when that day comes, whenever it might be - I'll be ready too. Waiting with open arms to hold her, cuddle with her, feed her, and kiss her. I may not have met her yet, but she is already one loved little girl.

The sweetest dream

Almost every pregnant woman or pregnancy book will tell you about vivid dreams throughout your pregnancy. I can honestly tell you - until last night, I hadn't had any. Maybe its the fact I can't sleep long enough to get into dream state, or maybe I just don't remember them in the morning, but I haven't woken up with any recollections of dreams this entire time.

Until now.

Last night I had the sweetest dream about our little girl. I dreamt about the day she is born and holding her for the first time. It made me think a lot about how excited I am to meet her. I can't stop wondering what she will be like. Whose eyes she will have, whose nose she'll end up with. I wonder how her personality will develop and when she will smile for the first time. I wonder what type of woman she will grow up to be.

For now though, I just wonder what it will be like when Ron and I get to hold her in our arms for the very first time. I can't believe how quickly that day is coming.

I love you baby girl - and I can't wait to meet you.

Camera shy

I think my little girl is camera shy. It's amazing how active she can be. I can sit and watch her move around in my belly for hours. Yet the moment I pick up my camera to try and catch her on film - she stops. I have literally sat, with the camera ready to go, for 10 minutes and nothing. No movements at all. I put it away, and my belly starts moving again. I am determined to catch these movements on video someday and will share it when I do.

Going out to eat - with a baby?

One of my favourite things to do is to go out for food - breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon drinks/snacks on a patio, dinner - it doesn't matter. I LOVE going out to eat! It's also something I am looking forward to doing with our baby girl... well, I thought it was something I was looking forward too.

I recently read an article in a local evening newspaper by Toronto radio host John Oakley. The post was about a mother who was refused entry to an upscale wine bar in Ottawa because she brought her 3 month old along with her. He states that when people are going out to dinner at a non-family restaurant (such as Chuck E. Cheese), that they have the right "to enjoy an evening away form the incessant mewling and puking of other people's children".

While I don't necessarily agree with some (ok most) of his comments - it did get me thinking about the concept a bit more seriously. I have never been bothered (even before getting pregnant) when seeing anyone with baby in a restaurant, regardless of how classy the restaurant was, so long as the child was quiet, and the mother took the baby out if they started to fuss too much. In fact, I've often admired these mothers! One of my favourite mommy bloggers who is an inspiration to me, Georgie Girl (if you don't follower her blog already, do! She really is amazing), often goes out to dinners with her husband and their beautiful daughter and the three of them enjoy wonderful evenings out in NYC - much like the ones I hope our family can enjoy. I asked her how she manages this, and she was kind enough to share:

"I tend to only go to restaurants that I have been to before. So I kind of know whether or not they will be receptive to a baby. At this young age we tend to go anywhere but we go much earlier than we used to. Last night we headed out for dinner at 6.30pm whereas we used to eat at 9pm."

I really appreciate her advice, and would love to know, whether you're a mother or not - what are your thoughts on babies in restaurants?

I love how much he loves her

There is nothing in the world that makes me happier than knowing how much Ron loves our little girl. Last weekend when he was in Toronto he bought her this adorable little jean jacket for her. I know he can't wait to see her in it.

A lovely lunch

Even though I still have two more weeks of work (which right now seems like a lifetime), my co-workers took me out for a lovely celebration yesterday. My boss surprised us all with lunch at Horizons 360, a revolving restaurant at the top of the CN tower. We had a wonderful time together and enjoyed some great conversation and amazing food while taking in some breathtaking views of the city. My job is stressful, but I have been fortunate to work with a great team and some pretty fantastic clients. There are days I feel really lucky to be able to do what I do, and yesterday was one of them.