This week, baby girl is the size of...

I am now 26 weeks pregnant - the final week of my second trimester! On Saturday, I'll be on the home stretch. Baby girl is now about 15 inches long - approximately the size of a cucumber, and weights just over 2lbs. That's double her weight from just 4 weeks ago. It's not hard to tell she is growing as my belly is rapidly expanding to keep up.

Baby girl's hearing is progressing as the network of nerves to her ears are maturing. Sounds are muffled but by now we should be able to recognize both Ron and my voice. As silly as it seems, we both spend time talking to her and sometimes singing to her, and in the next few days I plan to start reading to her.

Her taste buds are developed now and she can actually taste the different flavours of the foods I eat. That's even more motivation to eat well...although I have a feeling she is quickly going to grow fond of chocolate ice cream during this heat wave we are getting in Toronto.

I'm still amazed every day by this miracle developing inside me and I cannot believe that in less than 14 weeks I will get to meet her.

"Your Best Birth" by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein

When I found out I was pregnant, I went to see my doctor and he sent me to an OB. I have been seeing him for over 4 months now, and planned to continue to see him up to the birth of our little girl, who he (providing he was on call) would deliver. It seems simple and routine, and it is certainly the way things have been done for years.

Then my friend told me about a documentary she watched called "The Business of Being Born" by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. This film changed everything for me. I picked up a copy of their book "Your Best Birth" and have been reading it over the last few weeks. The book challenges mother's to be to consider all of their options and to plan the kind of birth that is right for them. I learned so much reading this book and would recommend it to every mother-to-be. After reading the book, I truly believe that they way a baby is born can affect who they are, and I want to have a say in how our baby girl enters the world. I have decided to speak with a mid-wife and am excited for my first appointment on Tuesday.

Here is a brief description of the book from their website:

YOUR BEST BIRTH is an empowering childbirth guide packed with crucial advice from medical professionals, delivered in a down-to-earth, engaging, and honest voice. Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein reevaluate the pregnancy process, renew expectant mothers’ confidence, and place the control back where it belongs: with parents-to-be.

While I certainly appreciate that you always need to leave room for the unexpected, I feel so much more confident, empowered and even excited about the miracle of birth.

Best package EVER

I don't know if I've said it on here before, but I have a pretty amazing man in my life. Unfortunately, the last 6 months he has been working out of town, which means we have been doing the long distance thing. Well, today that all comes to an end and he's coming back...which makes today a pretty spectacular day. Just when I thought it couldn't get much better - I came home to find the best package ever in our mailbox. It was addressed to our little girl, from her father and of COURSE I ripped it open right away. Inside was the most precious little bath wrap, some teethers and a BEAUTIFUL card celebrating the upcoming arrival of our little girl. I'm pretty in love with two people right now, and I'm not going to lie, am feeling pretty darn lucky.

Oh, and since the package did come addressed to our little girl, I had to blur the name. While we have pretty much narrowed it down - we arn't telling.

It's Friday!!

It's finally Friday and I am SO relieved. It was a short week, but sometimes those end up being the most stressful. I took an advanced excel training course on Tuesday and Wednesday, which unfortunately meant work piled up while I was out of the office. There has been a big mountain to get through, but 5:00 signals the light at the end of that tunnel.

And to make this weekend even more sweet - Ron comes home today. Not just for the weekend, but for good. This is really the start of a new chapter for us - being here together, and preparing for the birth of our little girl. I'm excited, relieved, and ready to see what life has in store for the three of us.

The perfect patio date

I don't know many people here in Toronto so I've been working on developing a network of friends, and now that I'm pregnant it is actually becoming easier! I've been going to bootcamp bellies and yoga at Baby & Me Fitness, and in addition to getting a great workout, I have been LOVING meeting other pregnant ladies here in Toronto. Well, tonight I went to my first meetup with the New Toronto Mom's and Mom's to Be Group. It was mom-to-be patio date, and the perfect way to spend a hot, summer evening. Being able to talk with other women about their pregnancy journey is one of my favourite things about this experience. I am going to love going to more of these events in the coming months, and hopefully making lots of new-baby friends for our little girl!

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!