Another Blood Test

Another blood test, another meal at Terroni's. Yummy.

Maternity Clothes -- Crossing Over

Only a few weeks ago, I very optimistically ventured that I might be able to get away without buying any maternity clothes until fall.

Still, within six pounds of my pre-pregnancy weight, I don't look pregnant -- at least not to the casual eye. However, this does not mean that the midsection hasn't changed. Maybe not so much visually but just spatially. It just doesn't want to fit into my normal pants anymore.

Therefore, with a reluctant heart, I went maternity clothes shopping. Mall staples like Thyme and Motherhood were scary and made me depressed. But then, I happened on Rhonda Maternity in Yorkville, and my mood lightened. A bit more pricey than the mall stores but with infinitely more wearable stuff, its Yorkville location belies its reasonable prices.

Bought white sailor pants that I'll wear all summer long, a green jersey dress, and a brown drape-y skirt. Regular tops are still fitting me fine, thank God, so I'll do maternity on the bottom and normal on top.

Midwives, etc.

Yesterday Jon and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. He made a point of telling me how happy he's been these last few years, which was very sweet. I'm glad we found each other. He's pretty much my best friend. Check out the cute fuschia Vanessa Bruno knit dress I wore. Jon is pointing to the wee baby underneath. Check out us on our wedding day. Handsome chappie, huh?

We visited with Magnolia in the morning. She is very wee and adorable. I love the way she scrunches up her face and looks like she's thinking things over. She's a bit jaundiced right now but that will pass soon. Liz seems very happy and natural with her daughter.

Today, I met my midwife Robyn for the very first time. She reminds me of the actress Laura Linney -- very nice, with her dimples and cheery demeanor -- but also very capable-seeming and knowledgeable. I ended up signing my care over to her, then and there at the office, even though I had a week to think it over. It didn't seem necessary to wait, as I am absolutely sure that this is what I want for me, the baby, and Jon.

Afterwards, I visited briefly with Liz, Jane, and Magnolia (I took Liz some homemade seaweed soup which is supposed to repair one's reproductive organs and bring up iron levels). Magnolia was sleepy and made her funny faces again.

The last stop of the day was Dr. Dixon's office so that I could tell her that I was transferring my care to a midwife. She was very understanding -- she seems to "get" midwifery -- and she'll continue to be my family doctor, which is great, since she's, by far, the nicest doctor I've ever had. She used the doppler to check the baby's heartbeat - 140 (which is good), and she confirmed that the ultrasound and bloodwork from 4 weeks ago looked great. I'm to go in for another blood test this week or next and then an ultrasound 2 or 3 weeks after that. The triple screening will, then, be completed. And, oh yeah, I got weighed today -- I'm 131 pounds, which is pretty much on target. Looks like everything is going really well.

Baby Magnolia

Big news! Liz had her beautiful baby girl Magnolia Emily Jane yesterday afternoon at 4:48 pm, which means that Jon and I now have a niece. Liz bravely endured 29 hours of labour, which she said felt like somebody shoveling her insides out. Despite all the pain, she managed to remain even-keeled throughout, joking at times and just generally projecting self-assurance. I hope I keep it together as well as her when my time comes.

Other notes: (1) The midwife appeared to provide good care to Liz, which was nice to see, since I'm thinking of switching over to a midwife as well. (2) I got to see the placenta after it was delivered. It's got this system of blood vessels on one side of it that looks a bit like a tree with a lot of branches. They call this the tree of life.

As for Magnolia's cousin, he or she might have kicked me this evening while Jon and I were waiting in line at the supermarket. I felt a rapid pop-pop-pop on my left side. The books say it feels like bubbles or popcorn popping. But, at sixteen weeks, it seems a bit early yet. I'll have to wait and see if it happens again to feel more certain. Will keep you posted!

House for Sale

Today we vacated our house for what feels like the 27th time since putting it on the market three weeks ago. On the one hand, it sucks to be driven from your home with what is usually very short notice. On the other hand, you can make a date out of it and go eat somewhere you haven't before or indulge your Starbucks craving.
Somebody better buy the house soon. Poor Jon's been working like a dog in this summer heat to make it saleable.

I've been helping as much as a pregnant lady is allowed to.

Here's a terribly old photo of the dining room from about five years ago.

Baby on board and on track

I wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth, so I put in a call to the health centre to inquire about the results from the ultrasound and blood tests that were done a couple of weeks back. I asked that they leave a message at home for us. And, later on in the afternoon, much to my great pleasure, Jon called from work to tell me that he'd picked up a message from the doctor's office stating that everything looked "very good."

Have told a couple of people at work by now. My parents and Jon's parents know, although none of the extended family know yet. My closest friends know. Our siblings know. Chewing over whether or not to make the general announcement at work soon. A good progress report for Baby-O makes it easier to go down that road....

Oh, and ta-da! The first belly shot -- week 15.

Liz's Shower

Liz's shower was lots of fun. She has great friends who obviously care a lot about her, and she seemed very happy all afternoon. When Magnolia arrives, there are going to be a ton of happy people.