Pregnancy Update

Last week at my check up my midwife was thinking that my tummy is still a bit small and suggested that I have an ultrasound just to check on things. What pregnant mother would pass up a chance to have a little face time with their baby? I had the ultrasound yesterday and found out the although the baby is the exact size that it is supposed to be, it's swimming pool is a bit short on water. I had to go for another ultrasound, a non-stress test, and a consult with an OB Dr. today. The tests show all is good with the baby but apparently there is still cause for concern as I have to go back for more tests next Thursday and the Thursday after that. On the second appointment I will meet with an OB Dr. again and he will let me know what the course of action is. No one has been able to tell me what this means exactly so we aren't worried. I haven't been put on bed rest and no one has said that I can't continue life as normal. It sounds to me like we need a few weeks of information in order to decide why the fluid is low.

I'd just like to say that there is no part of a non-stress test that is 'non-stress'. First they take two big elastic bands and strap them over your belly. They attach two big disks to the bands; one to monitor contractions and one that records the babys heart rate. Next they hand you a Jeopardy-buzz-in looking device and tell you to press it every time you feel the baby move. I had to lie there for 30 minutes and listen to the baby's heart beat louder than I listen to the radio in the car. In short bursts it's a very sweet sound but when left alone in a strange room and hearing it begin to race and then slow down it's stressful. The baby then got the hiccups and I had to decided if I should record every single hic. The nurse then came in, looked at the results and said "Hmmm, we should probably get you to lie on your side" then after settling me but before I could ask questions she disappeared again! Now I got to lie on my side and stare at a numerical read out of the babys heart rate. I got to watch it race up to 160 and then drop off to 130. I couldn't feel the movements as well on my side so I started to second guess myself. The whole time I kept worrying that they had forgotten me! Eventually the nurse came back in, looked at the results, and smiled. "These look fantastic". ahhh, I began to breath again.

Now that I've been through one I imagine they won't be as stressful. Still I think it's a misnomer.

The OB I met with today confirmed that everything with the baby is great. I'd love to be able to say that I am completely worry free however ... I'm trying my best. Because no one has been able to give me anything to do or to change I can only continue on as I have been. I have pledged to drink more water. The Dr told me that wouldn't change anything but I'm sure that it can't hurt either. I have also promised myself that I won't google it. There is scary information on the net and it's not always reliable. I have 8 shifts left at work and then I start 5 weeks vacation which leads into my mat. leave. I have been already taking it easy around the house but I will make an effort to be lazy during the hottest part of the day. Mostly I am going to try to forget about it until next Thursday and hope that the fluid amount increases and the baby keeps doing great!

How lucky am I?

How beautiful is my family? These two crack me up constantly. I am the luckiest Mumma/Wife in the world!

colgate smiles

Handsome and Beautiful

I've finally starting buying 'things' for the baby. The hiking backpack and bassinet arrived this week. Sofia wanted to try out the backpack and Grant was nice enough to wear her around for a bit. Sofia quickly decided that she didn't want to be the 'baby' and once she was let down she tried to wear the backpack herself! If I play my cards right I am going to have one very proud and helpful big sister!

I've started talking with Sofia about what's going to happen "when the baby comes". I have a book from the library that we've read a few times. Sofia is VERY excited about coming to the hospital to visit Mummy and meet the new baby. I'm not delusional and I know that she doesn't "get" what is about to happen but the more we can talk about it and prepare her the smoother things will go. I'd be more than happy to hear your advice on introducing your older child to the new baby. My Mom has suggested that we have a present with us at the hospital to give Sofia from the baby and we plan on doing that. I'm trying to keep her as involved as I can and she likes to read stories and sing songs to the baby. Grant and I are pretty organic parents and take most of our cues from Sofias needs. Although I'm a bit nervous I feel we are going to be fine.

8 months down 8 weeks left!

I took my own pictures today, I'll try to see if I can get Grant to take some better pictures later this week. It has been so hot here it's brutal! We are not used to +30 weather and it shows. I was starting to have some trouble sleeping because of the baby belly but this weather has made it so much worse. Sofia is getting molars which means she's awake 3-7 times a night. And Grant who is a hot sleeper anyway, is tossing and turning even with an AC window unit beside him. In short, everyone in my house needs a good nights sleep. I'm a big fan of summer, normally I love hot, usually there is only one or two nights here a summer where it is too hot for me to sleep... This is rough.

OK enough of the weather. I'm 8 months pregnant!!! I have been trying to appreciate every day , be mindful of every kick and bond with every foot in the ribs. I LOVE all of it! There have been a couple of times I've been a bit annoyed with the acrobatics that are taking place in my belly and there a been a few movements in my girl places that have felt just plain wrong but overall I enjoy every sign of life that comes from my baby. I am in such a unique position and I recognize what a miracle I have been blessed with. As my "due date" draws near I am getting sad, I will miss feeling this little 'dude' moving around. I am looking forward to meeting this person and welcoming them into our family.

As per some comment requests I will be having a contest to see who can guess the gender and birth date of the baby. Look for that to come in a couple weeks.

Swiper?

The conversation while I was putting Sofia down for her nap today:

S: "Where cat?"

M: "I'm not sure"

S: "ah NO! Swiper!"

M: "Oh, do you think Swiper took cat?"

S: "Yeah Swiper take cat."

M: "ah no"

S: "That sneaky fox!"

'Sneaky fox' sounds like 'neaky bock' which makes it even funnier. Sofia continued to say "that neaky bock" until she drifted off to sleep and I just sat beside her and giggled. In reality I had just left cat downstairs and it's too hot and I was too lazy to go get him/her. I told Sofia that we could look for cat when she wakes up. Sofia only gets to watch Dora once or twice a week depending on our schedule but she does have a few Dora books with Swiper cameos in them. Seems he's made quite the impression on her!

Marshmallows!

Who doesn't love a toasted marshmallow?

I love summer!

Imagine Adoption

Last week I found out that the adoption agency we used to bring Sofia home has filled for bankruptcy. It has taken me some time to mention it on this blog and that is mostly due to the fact that I am having a really hard time digesting the information. I have spent hours scouring the net for news and on the facebook group supporting families of the agency following every discussion and news release. I am heartbroken for the families that have been left in limbo and disgusted by the business practice of an agency that we trusted.

Frankly I have started a post on this a couple of times but I keep thinking "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." If you have any questions or would like information you can contact me through the comment section of this blog.

Dybdal Family Reunion

Grants Auntie Anne and her cousin organized a family reunion. It was a great time! There were only a couple missing cousins and one missing uncle, lots of family even traveled over from the main land.

Cousins; Beckett & Sofia playing air hockey

Gorgeous lake front cottage

Grant trying out wakeboarding

Sofia watching her Dad wakeboard

I spent a good portion of the day swimming, the lake was so warm and the day was so hot. It was such a treat for me to be able to float. It was nice to hang out with Grants cousins and their kids too. Since then there has been another baby born and two more to come before the end of the year!

Canada Day

My inlaws always have a big Canada Day celebration so Sofia, Poppops and I headed down there before nap.

Sofia blowing bubbles with a HUGE bubble wand

Sofia & Uncle Andrew watching some dancers perform

Poppops giving Sofia a maple leaf tattoo

We had a fun day. Maybe next year Sofia will be a Canadian citizen. lol I think I said the same thing last year.

I love this girl!

Sofia wearing a "necklace" she made at daycare.

Sofia being 'cute'

Sofia loves hats!

Sofia loves wearing her sunglasses but insists that they are supposed to be worn on her forehead

Our nature girl checking out a gigantic starfish

Uncle James & Auntie Kiki are married!

The Dybdals

aka the Flower girl, the Best man and the Matron of Honor

The Dybdals & The Campbells

Vincent, Elijah, & Sofia

These pictures are from my Dads camera. I have seen some previews of the photographers photos and I'll be sharing those as soon as I can get my hands on them! They are amazing! We had a busy day but the wedding was lovely. The bride was glowing and the groom was beaming.

Confessions of a 26 month old

Today while cuddling at bedtime...

Sofia: PopPop go on boat see Uncle Ben

Mumma: yes

Sofia: PopPop go on airplane and see Magra

Mumma: yes

Sofia: I miss PopPop

Mumma: yes, I miss him too

Sofia: I sorry

Mumma: why are you sorry

Sofia: I sorry I hit PopPop

Mumma: yes, hitting isn't nice

Sofia: I love PopPop

My Dad left last Tuesday, he took the ferry over to Vancouver to visit my brother and then he flew home to Ontario. In the last few days he was here Sofia was having trouble keep her hands to herself. I don't think that this is then end of that behaviour (I won't allow myself to be that naive) but I'm sure that it's a good sign she is feeling sorry for it.

These little insights into my daughters world amaze me. I feel blessed that she is able to express and share thoughts with us.

A few more Botanical Beach pictures

With Grant just starting back at work at the beginning of June there won't be any summer vacation this year. We have been trying to do day trips as much as possible though. With beaches as diverse and amazing as this one only 2 hours away it makes it easy.

Today I feel grateful for the region of Canada that I chose to live in. Some days I wish I lived else where. It would be nice to live near my parents again or my brother. I miss thunder storms and winter too. However when I stop and look around me and take a deep breath of ocean air from my front porch in the morning I remember why I moved here. I am so happy that I am going to raise my kids here.

I have lots of pictures to post from the last few weeks. I've been lazy lately, my babies have been consuming a lot of my energy. My 'inner child' seems to be in a growth spurt and my older child is teething which means she's not sleeping through the night. Despite it I couldn't be happier, I feel so blessed every day, even when the "good mornin' Mummas" come at 515. Don't let my grumpy exterior trick you I know how lucky I am! So far inner child hasn't been keeping me awake at night although last night I did experience the mother-of-all-leg-cramps that had me dancing around the bedroom for 10 minutes trying to soothe it. I promise the pictures and posts are coming. Thank you for still stopping by and checking, your patience will be rewarded soon.