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.

Men, babies, it doesn't matter. Were soulmates.

The AMAZING women who I was able to celebrate with last weekend in Los Angeles. I couldn't have asked for a better group of friends. I have so much love and respect for each and every one of them.

The most wonderful weekend ever

This past weekend was probably one of the best of my life. I've said it before, but I have an AMAZING group of friends in California. I spent only a year and a half there, but forged some friendships that will last me a lifetime. I've always felt blessed to have these people in my life, and this past weekend they showed me just how much that friendship meant.

Many of my friends and former coworkers pitched in to get me down to LA for the weekend. It was a quick trip but they absolutely showered me, and my baby girl with love. I was blown away by the number of people that contributed to getting me there and the generosity they showed us.

Although every moment of the weekend was perfect, the highlight was definitely the shower on Saturday to celebrate our baby girl. There is so much I could say about the entire afternoon, but I thought pictures might do it better than any words I could write. Below are just a few of the pictures from the day.

My wonderful friend Kat (top left) hosted the event, and 10 of my dearest friends came out to share the day with me. We played silly shower games, ate AMAZING food, caught up on two years of life and enjoyed just being together. One of the most special parts of the afternoon was our 'craft time'. Everyone was given a onsie to decorate and each of the girls designed a special custom made gift for our baby girl. I couldn't have imagined how beautiful they would turn out! I can't wait to dress her up in them all and tell her all about the amazing woman that made it, especially for her.

Thank you to Kat, Eleah, Shawn, Janelle, Michelle, Kim, Susan, Janet, Liz and Emily for blessing me with such an amazing afternoon. Thank you to Lyric, Melanie, Dama and Tamara who couldn't be there but still sent lots of love. And thank you to everyone else who helped make it possible to be there and sent gifts and well wishes for our little one.

I cannot wait to bring her back to LA to meet all of you, and I feel SO blessed to call you all friends. I love you. xo

On may way to LA

I am actually blogging from 37,000 feet, and am somewhere over Kansas. I'm on my way to Los Angeles and I couldn't be more excited. A few weeks ago I mentioned that I happen to have the best girl friends ever. I used to live in Los Angeles and when I did was SO blessed to get to know a group of amazing women. They have each had a profound impact on who I am today, and I feel so fortunate to have each one of them in my life. As soon as they found out I was pregnant, they decided they wanted to celebrate with me. So they are flying me down for a weekend that is all about my baby girl.

It's hard to believe that the day is finally here - but I'm on the plane and in just a few more hours will be on the ground in the city I love with with the girl friends I couldn't live without. It is going to be a GREAT weekend and I can't wait to share the pictures and stories when its all said and done. I just have a feeling it's going to go by way to fast.

A weekend in Halifax

I have been a terrible blogger this week! All of our stuff has been packed up and loaded onto a truck - including my modem so I'm left with an air mattress, a few articles of clothing and the worst part - no Internet. This week I plan to spend a few evenings at Starbucks so will hopefully stay in the loop a bit more. For now though, since it's always better late than never, I wanted share a few pictures from last weekend.


Ron started his job in Halifax last Monday so I went down to take advantage of the hotel they put him up in and some much needed time together. We had a great weekend together, despite the rain on Sunday. We enjoyed the city, we REALLY enjoyed the hotel, but most importantly we enjoyed just hanging out. Our work schedules lately have meant that we haven't had much time together and this was the first weekend it was just he and I in a very long time. It's amazing to think how few of those days we have left. In just a few weeks time it will be the three of us!

Only two more weeks and Ron and I will be together - finally. I can't tell you how anxious I am for July to be over and August to start.

Beautiful Victoria Day in Niagara Falls

Today was a MUCH needed holiday Monday, so Ron and I decided to head down to Niagara Falls for the day. It couldn't have been more perfect! The weather was amazing and we had such a great day together. We did a little bit of shopping over in Buffalo - including lunch at the cheesecake factory then headed back for an afternoon by the falls. Here are a few of the highlights from Niagara.

Comparing my belly with the hershey kiss'. This is me at 25 weeks!

A much needed refreshment on a HOT summer day!

Me and baby girl at Niagara Falls.

It was a perfect day.

I seriously have some of the best friends ever

My girlfriends are throwing my little girl a baby shower in LA at the end of July. I am so blessed to have such an amazing group of friends. I cannot wait to get back to LA and to see them all. Only two months to go!

Highlights from Cuba

If you know me, or you read this blog, there is no way you didn't know that I spent last week in Cuba. For my 30th birthday, Ron took me to Varadero for 8 days and it couldn't have been more perfect! We stayed at Breezes Varadero and I couldn't find a bad thing to say about it if I tried. The beach was the most beautiful I have ever seen and the staff were outstanding. When we checked in and the front desk agent realized I was pregnant she immediately upgraded us to a king suite with an ocean view. All week long, they chatted with us about our baby and went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and happy. Since we didn't leave the resort until 8pm on Saturday they gave us complimentary late check-out to ensure I had a cool place to rest throughout the day. It was wonderful!

During the week we mainly just relaxed by the ocean. The resort always had plenty of tiki huts so it was easy to stay out of the sun, and the ocean was only steps away to cool down. I have never seen water so clear, and the beach extended for miles. We had planned on doing a few excursions, but in the ended only took the day trip into Havana. The city was incredible and we had such a great day exploring it. Around dinner time they took us to a local hotel to shower and change and then we went to see the world famous Tropicana at night. It was outstanding!

I could rave about the trip for ever and have a million pictures I could share, but instead, here are a few of the highlights from our vacation.

The beach

A catamaran out on the ocean
Ron LOVED the beach

The pool

Ron making sure mom and baby were always ok.

Dinner at Martinos, our favourite restaurant at the resort.

A typical street in Havana

There were classic cars everywhere in the city, since new cars can't be imported. However only 18% of the population actually own a car.
Enjoying traditional Cuban music in Havana.
Before heading to Tropicana
The sun setting over Havana
Tropicana - a once in a lifetime experience. The show was incredible and Ron actually felt the baby kick for the first time during the show. I think she liked the music.
Baby girl and I enjoying the sunset and the ocean on our last night in Varadero. I can't wait to go back.

Back from Cuba

We arrived back home at 4am this morning after an amazing 8 days in Cuba. It was SO hard to come back. I'll post a few selected pictures once I have had time to go through them all, but for the time being, here is the perfect shot for mother's day.

Originally posted on May 9th

Ahhhh...vacation

I guess you could say Ron and I are taking a baby moon - one last getaway before our baby girl is born. It wasn't planned like this - in fact, this incredible trip was my 30th birthday present, but it turns out the timing couldn't have been any better. We are heading out in a few hours for 8 days in Veradero Cuba and I couldn't be more excited. We will have no phone or Internet the entire trip, but I will update with pictures when I get back. For now, I'll leave you with a picture of Varadero Beach...

Originally posted on May 1st

A beautiful day in Vancouver

Today has been a very long day, but the beautiful weather and amazing skyline have made it all worthwhile.

The Vancouver skyline from the offices of BC Cancer Agency.

The torch from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics

And the best part of work travel...room service.

Originally posted on April 28th

Packing

I'm packing for two trips tonight - the left is for Saturday's trip to Cuba, the right is for tomorrow's work trip to Vancouver. Guess which one I'm more excited about?

Originally posted on April 27th