19 weeks pregnant!

Monday January 26th,
Big shout out to dad (Grandpa Simpson)- Happy Birthday!

Well we went to the ultrasound today and the results are in- We are having a baby! 147 BPM. I thought I saw some nuts and bolt but apparently girl parts look the same-ish in an ultrasound sooooo team green!
Today we started our gift registry, too many decisions. We will need to get it together another day because today was way overwhelming. Belly shot is at the very end of today's post

Anyways here are the picks with our interpatations for your viewing pleasure:


**Mischa's after note on the nuts and bolts- aparently the 3 lines I saw that I thought were boy parts have been associated with girl parts.....and boy parts. I will stop obsessing publicly now as it I am 1/2 way there to finding out. Yay- 20 more weeks. Adam has also informed me I am not an ultrasound technician.***





















Wednesday January 28th,
It is like Christmas!!!!! My diapers are here!!!! And a possible lead on the zooper stroller for cheap.

Friday January 30th,
I woke up to an 4.5 earthquake at 5:30 this morning although I thought it was all a dream until confirmed later that morning. We now have a major wind storm passing through. By major I mean it was strong enough to push a pregnant lady along.

here is what it looks like inside right now:


PS Holy swollen feet Batman! my ankles have a roll and as of this morning my boots suddenly don't fit thanks to water retension. Not my fancy boots-they haven't fit in weeks but my big comfy purple boots I bought for exactly his reason :(

Saturday January 31st
Well we bit the bullet and settled on a stroller which we got in amazing shape used. Although it is not "pretty" it has amazing features and is definitely what we need. Boring pictures to follow...

18 weeks pregnant

The. belly. is. HUGE!
How freaking big is it going to get when my uterus pops forward!
18weeks
total 6lbs gained (3lbs lost in last week- why, I don't know)


Tuesday January 20,
Today sucked big time. My bladder was being blocked by my uterus and I couldn`t pee. The midwife told me a bunch of exercises to help make my uterus come forward and I had to call them back in 5 hours. Well the exercises didn't work and this evening my midwives decided that it was time for a catheter. Screw a home Birth I had a home catheter- something most women don't get to experience until well into their last years! Lucky me.
Junebug you better appreciate this....
Well I am to continue exercises and with an empty bladder hopefully the uterus will move forward.

Wednesday January 21st,
Well I am home today to do my exrcises all day to make sure I don't need another catheter tonight. I would just like to say now that I am past the drama of my first catheter that I am soooo greatful that we are using a midwife. Readers: try to remember the last time your doctor did a house call...at supper time! I am so impressed. Julia (MW) called me first thing this morning to check up on me. I am lucky to have a doctor's update after 2 weeks! In this rant I think we need to reevaluate the kind health care we would like. I realize it is highly unlikely to change and we are very fortunate to have any healthcare in Canada but midwifes show that maybe we should consider alternative ways to practice as an option.

17 weeks pregnant

Belly is looking smaller?


Monday January 12th

Baby is on the move-all around my tummy! I ordered my cloth diaper kit in size 2 (10-22lbs). I decided that the newborn size might not have as much use as word on the street (cloth diaper forums) is to use disposables for the first couple "fun" weeks as newborn poo is the worst to get off cloth diapers. The diapers (not yet sewn) should be here in 2 weeks! I got the primary colour kit and added olive to the palette.
http://diaperkit.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=6

On Saturday we are picking up our crib in Duncan. Both sides come down & we will refinish it in a mod black and white. I figure the baby won't remember it's nursery theme and I will be spending a lot of time there so it should look like somewhere I want to hang out except it is full of too small clothes and age-inappropriate toys.No pastels for Junebug's room--> A modern black and white with green accents, sprinkled with toys. White isn't cool with the baby set anymore so it is easy to get furniture used very cheap and bonus -I hear black doesn't show poo, food, juice stains!!!!

On Thursday Adam and I are off to the midwife.

Mischa

Tuesday January 13th

bruschetta, hummus, tzaziki- the holy trinity of dips with pita and a balanced meal.

Thursday January 15th,
TMI warning. Today Adam and I went to the midwife. My uterus is measuring 19cm which is couple weeks ahead but no big deal. My bladder is pretty sore. My uterus is retroverted and has not straightned its self out yet. The midwife says it should happen by the 20th week at which point I will "pop". Until then it is lying directly on my bladder which makes it feel bruised and requires me to pee a zillion times a day. Another result of the retroverted (tilted) uterus is it makes it difficult to hear the heartbeat when the baby decides to retreat to the back. This time at the midwifes again I heard the dreaded words "Have you noticed if you are still having pregnancy symptoms" as the midwife keeps searching for a heatbeat. Finally she found the baby doing fine at 150bpm. (OLD WIFES TALE ALERT: over 140BPM a girl. DOCTOR VOICE OF REASON ALERT: The only difference between the sexes happens AFTER the onset of labour)
Other than that all is well. Had a big run around to get our used stuff. We picked up about 20 pairs of fitted cloth diapers free in amazing condition, a mobile (I am taking of the teddy bears and add graphic images), an infant car seat (up to 20lbs), some sleepers and a baby bjorn carrier in case I end up not liking the sling. I am finding a lot of free paterns for stuff to sew but I'll start with the diapers before I jump into anything else.

Saturday January 17th,
We are off to Duncan today to pick up our crib and get paint supplies for it. See you later

Well we got the crib and the first coat is on. I am also getting our mobile ready http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/mobile.html . We picked up a baby-signs kit at liquidation world today for super cheap- 15$. We hope that using the baby signs in conjuction raising he or she bilingual will give them an opportunity to comunicate earlier on. http://www.amazon.com/Hooked-Baby-Learn-Sign-Language/dp/1604990171
I must say despite how it might seem I am a thrifty/cheap mom. So far I think we have spent under a $150. The big ticket item will be the stroller used or not.

I will take a picture of the crib once it is all dry tomorrow. Keep in mind we still have to buy a mattress for it so it is going to look a little off.

Baby is very, very active today. We went to Boston Pizza to celebrate Adams promotion and I think Junebug likes pizza.

Well time for Supper.
Mischa

Sunday January 18th,

Well here is the crib painted:

16 weeks pregnant!

Monday January 5th
Big shop- $200 worth of groceries. I am amazed at how the stuff I want to eat is good for me for the most part with the exception of skinny cow ice cream sandwichs now and then. Oh and most shockingly of all my most hated meat has become a friend as of today-HAM! It started with a delicious dream that ended with a 3am craving and wondering out loud "why the hell don't we have ham in the house!" Needless to say $150 of our shop involved stocking up on ham.

Tuesday January 6th
Why the hell is everything in reruns...I am bored and lazy.

Wednesday January 7th
Well it is now 4am- I am wide awake and I have decided to be productive. At 3:30am I finally got up after lying in bed for an hour. Adam was then woken up ("Honey, where is the camera?") and hired as photographer so that you can see my new highly rounded belly in all of its glory. I am now either feeling the "quickening" (baby moving) or my tape worm is giving me a hard time. My next midwife appointment is next week and our big 1hour ultrasound is on the 26th of Jan. I put a classified up yesterday titled "Setting-up shop for June baby, debt-free" listing what we were looking for and the prices we are willing to pay and we have already had 3 responses in 2hours. One lady is giving us for free a bag of cloth diapers (usually not cheap)!
I have been looking into prenatal classes and will need to book soon. I am lucky the "Midwife patient" prenantal class is allowing Adam and Diane my labour coach to attend I just need to get my act together and register.
I am hoping to go on a vacation to Seattle or down the coast before mid March but we will see what happens.
Well I should try for bed again.

Here is the belly shot at 16w2d.
Notice the belly is rounding higher up as the uterus raises the roof!
5lbs gained although it looks like 20. Camera adds 10 pounds ...right?



P.S. 5am Just wanted to add I just checked my email and 10 people have now replied to my baby stuff ad. woo hoo!

Adam's thoughts on week 16

As part of being a loving and caring husband, I have contributed to the ease of Mischa's pregnancy in a few tangible ways.

1. Installed a new oak toilet seat in the bathroom. Our old one was put to the test over the past few months, and it needed a sturdy yet comfortable upgrade. Plus the wood looks fancy.

2. I have become obsessed with baby strollers. If I see one on the street that we like, I have to stop myself from asking the owners where the bought it, and for how much.

3. Temperature control. If I think it's hot, then it must be too cold. If it's cold, then Mischa is colder.

4. I will eventually accept the fact that it is all my fault. All of it.

Other than those points, I really do believe that I have the easier job in this pregnancy, and hope it stays that way.

Cheers,
A

15 weeks Pregnant!

Rocking the full panel 5 hours short of 15 weeks:



Monday Dec 29
Off work, Shopping!

Tuesday Dec 30th
Off work, downloading music

Wednesday Dec 31st
Back to work.....so much stuff to do at work.

Thursday Jan 1 2009
Happy New Year!

14 weeks pregnant!

Sunday December 21st

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know officially tomorrow is 14 weeks but after being gone from the Victoria office for a week I somehow doubt I will have a chance to post tomorrow. Well we were dumped on last night. Adam woke me up at 6:30am to let me know the car is stuck in the lane on his way to drivet to work. No taxis or busses were running do at 8:30 a tech came and got him. It is madness on the road. Thank god we got groceries yesterday even though we had to wait in line for 45 min with everyone else preparing for the storm. Victoria is not known for it quick snow removal (those 2 plows work hard though!) I finally took a picture of my belly for our dear readers. Well I'm off to go shovel snow.
Mischa





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1pm

Well 1hr 1/2 later the driveway has been shovelled only to be recovered by the snow. Apparently it is to continue snowing until Christmas. Check out the snow man!

Killer Snowman

Killer Driveway



Oh here is the 12 week 4 day Ultrasound. It is really difficult to tell what the heck is going on in it but the head starts in the upper right quadrant.

>

Monday December 22nd,

Well yesterday we smashed the old record of 15cm with 32cm of snow fall yesterday on top of what we already had. Remind me that shoveling snow is pointless.

Wednesday December 24th

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family!

We look forward to spending next Christmas with you and Junebug.

Friday December 26th,
Adam and I did the early morning boxing day madness in order to get a great new computer. Next stop Walmart for a digital camera.

Sunday December 27th,
I have given into the full panel and I like it. For those of you not familiar with the full panel it is the large stretchy fabric on maternity pants that goes all the way up over the belly as per below:
(Mischa's note- photo moved to week 15 post since it is one day short of wee 15 and not belly photo avail due to camera malfunction)
Cool no, comfterble yes.
Proper 15 week belly shot is to come tomorrow when we get our new camera.

On a sadder note Lily has taken up smoking. Cigars are expensive!

13 weeks pregnant!

Sorry guys i didn't know I would be in montreal this week. I will write when I am back.
M

Here is my crossing Canada via photos.

The trip was busy with 9-10 hour days working so I wasn't able to explore much more than room service so the photos are from my flight out to Montreal. On my way there my flight was delayed an hour as the plane needed a "jump start". On the way home my flight was delayed by just over 2 hours due to a winter storm. I missed my connector and was put standby on the last flight home. Exhausted and weepy they found a spot home for me and I arrived home after travelling for 13 hours. I am so happy to be home

Pacific Crossing

Vancouver touch-down

Rise and shine Vancouver

Alberta rockies

Saskatchewan prairies

Manitoba fades into Ontario

Sun sets into Quebec

12 weeks pregnant!

Time to update again...

Thursday December 4th,
Planned my first event and it was great! For our staff party we had a bus take us up island to Chemainus for a really nice dinner and then a play.

Friday December 5th
Learned the only thing that can bring back morning sickness after it goes away is Tom Hanks, 6 stories tall, in Polar Express at the imax theater.

Saturday December 6th,
Lily got her pictures with Santa-she looks terrified. Adam and I went for a hike and a drive up to Sidney.

Sunday December 7th,
Lily and Adam went to the beach while I went for a spa day with the girls and got my hair cut and coloured. Adam seemed glad to have the alone time, Star Trek is very important.

Monday December 8th,
work work work. Adam refuses to go to the doctor despite his hand has turned into a large angry rash. Oh yeah 12 WEEKS PREGNANT!

Tuesday December 9th,
Did you know that there is delux Kraft Dinner. for 4 times the price you can have a different version of processed cheese....but oh so good

Wednesday December 10th,
Apparently I am going to Montreal for a week on Monday to help out with work....ooops I guess Adam will have to field all of the calls when all of the relatives open their cards on the 15th.

Thursday December 11th
Scary day. I had to rebook my my midwife appointment to today or else my next appointment would be at the end of December. When I went the midwife was concerned she couldn't hear a heartbeat with the doppler. She immediately arranged for an ultrasound today at a colleague of hers clinic. The next 3hours were awful. Adam was out of town with work and thankfully Kristin could drive me. Well Junebug is ok. The baby was wiggling around,waving and hiccuped. The platenta is in front of the baby right now and my uterus is still tipped so it makes it difficult to hear the baby apparently.
We are very thankful today.
M


12 weeks pregnant! Adam’s version

Time to update again...


Friday December 5th
I've learned IMAX 3D makes Mischa sick. There goes my Dark Knight night down the tubes.

Saturday December 6th
Santa did not look like the Santa I imagined. He was covered in dog drool.

11 weeks pregnant!

Wednesday December 3,

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…. It has been a week since I last wrote but life has been a bit crazy so here is the Coles notes version:

Nov 27 nothing to report

Nov 28 Major melt down on my part resulting in the total fear of pregnancy.

Nov 29 Adam takes me shopping to every maternity store/consignment to find a jacket as mine won’t do up anymore. Apparently they sell out in September- I have settled for an enormous sweater. Ended up buying more well needed clothes for Adam than myself.

Nov 30 Went for lunch with Aunt, Uncle and family. Attempts to not mention pregnancy resulted in an awkward lunch.

Dec 1 First of the month was insane at work with ½ the staff

Dec 2 Continuation of yesterday except it ended with cranberry goat cheese, the loudest, longest burp in history and a bath. (not all at the same time)

That brings us to today. I have been pregnant for 80 days according to google. That means 200 more to go … does that sound right?

Anyways general concerns:

My enormous belly – what the hell I am not supposed to start showing for weeks. I have only gained 2 lbs but my stomach looks like I am 20weeks along!

The amount of time between appointments- It will be 5 weeks by the time I see the midwife again on the 17th. What have we done to screw up the baby in the 5 weeks?

Housing Situation- Where the hell will we live once the baby is born. I don’t want to live in a rental. I want a nursery, a yard, a stove. I need to spend my days there for 1-2years straight. I do not want to be in a rental.

Lily- Will she ever be 100% housebroken!!!!!!

Christmas Party- Will the goods stay in the package (ie low cut dress) Thank god I can’t drink.

Neurosis aside tomorrow is my Christmas Party. I organized a trip to Chemainus for dinner and then theatre which means minimal drinking & bitching amongst the coworkers I hope.

Well more to come on Friday.
M.

10 weeks pregnant!

Monday November 25th

I am excited to make it to double digits today.

TMI-I am home today with severe constipation. I would definitely recommend intervention before it gets to this point. I fell off the toilet last night I was in so much pain- Lol. I got a call from my big boss letting me know my manager has been laid off so that I wasn't shocked when I got to work tomorrow. She wants me to see her tomorrow. She must of sensed I was freaked because she told me not to worry it was good news. Lets hope a raise!

I am a little jealous of those finding out the sex of the baby. I went to a huge childrens swap and there was a ton of super cute gender specific clothes but very little gender neutral. I bought maternity pants instead.
M.

Tuesday November 26th,

I am back to work and got a raise- woo hoo!
M.