Calming before the storm(ing)

[caption id="attachment_1975" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Snuggles for siblings[/caption]

Our current "child" is needy, high energy and relatively spastic most times.  When it is just G and I at home she calms down and is the snuggle bug we know and love.  When we have visitors? She won't settle, wants to jump and leap and lick everyone and just get all the attention from all the new people.  It is so overwhelming both for us and for those coming for a visit. We have been making such a huge effort with her lately to calm that wild spirit and get her to just relax.  We want everyone else to get to enjoy her the way we do...a snuggley, tooting, snoring, sweetheart.  Not a wild eyed, jumpy, nibbly, excited tinkler.

 I feel bad because lately she has been hearing a lot of "down, no, off, NO" from us...and yes I realize she is a dog, but she sure has the puppy dog eye look down pat to make us feel bad after we reprimand her.  We both just want her to be a good girl, and not accidentally smother/jump on the baby once that big change happens.  Everyone tells us how quickly the pup becomes second fiddle once a baby arrives, and I can definitely see that happening...I am just hoping we are able to keep working with her over the next two months and tame some of that wild puppy spirit.  I tried explaining to her this morning that she will be spending a LOT of time in the newly fenced in yard if she doesn't simmer down, at least a little.  I am sure once Gus starts eating some real food, Brooklyn will realize that the baby is her meal ticket (or snack ticket I guess?!) but until then I just sense her getting annoyed that someone else has her parent's full attention.  (I guess I should say owners?  But it's hard not to think of her as our fur baby..maybe that is the problem hahaha)

Weekend Report---crafting with mama edition

Garret was away this weekend so I went to my Mum's and had a lovely weekend crafting, ice cream eating, napping, snuggling with my nephew, chasing Brooklyn, organizing, laughing, reflecting and hanging out.  Friday night my sister in law and nephew were there as well so we had some laughs, and girl time--was wonderful.

[gallery columns="1" type="square" ids="2038,2029,2031,2032,2033,2035,2034,2036"]

As always these weekends that I so look forward to fly by and my list of  what I hope to accomplish doesn't quite get crossed off.  I tend to forget I am a mere mortal and like everyone else only have X amount of hours in the day.  Aaaand like many other pregnant ladies I need to schedule "napping" somewhere in between crafting, movie watching and dog walking.

I do have a nice feeling of accomplishment from the weekend though, which I am hoping to use to push me through this week of things to do.  My Mum and I went through some of my old boxes of "stuff" at her place, as well as a box that was my Dad's.  My boxes were fun, we got to laugh at old pictures, weird things that I just HAD to keep once upon a time (and I could finally at age 33 be convinced to throw out)

 It is unsettling to try to take a step back and examine ones life based on the items that remain behind. As we were going through my father's things I couldn't help but wonder who will be the one going through my things one day when I am gone. There were so many random things that had obviously meant enough to the man to cart around with him for years and years, but held no meaning to me. Pictures of people I don't know, matches for restaurants I have never been to.  Memories that just don't belong to me.  I guess I felt a bit sad that there are those parts in his life I will never know anything about....and to be honest  it also gave me a creepy sense of my own mortality. I thought of one day, my children, or Garret, going through boxes wondering why I kept some of the things I did, a Radiohead concert ticket from '96, random childhood toys, my weird treasures that could only mean something to me.  It is just interesting to see the physical manifestation of what is left behind when you are gone.  Everyone has their own personal memories of you, but you will still have left a footprint, a mysterious paper trail of what once meant something to you.

Here is a picture of Brooklyn so I can end this on a more positive note:

[caption id="attachment_2041" align="aligncenter" width="388"] iStalker 2.0...still a-snoozing[/caption]

iStalker

My friend Harrison and his parents gave us a really cool shower gift.  This baby monitor from Apple...we set it up last night and it is really cool.  We were playing with it last night and decided it set it up in the kitchen today so we can see what Brooklyn does while we are at work.[gallery type="square" ids="2025,2023,2024"]

It is no wonder why she is all pumped up and raring to go when we get home! She spends the day in her bed.  This is definitely a fun piece of technology that is going to be really neat to have to spy on the baby..oh wait I mean keep an eye on the baby.

How I'm feeling lately (Vol. 3)

[caption id="attachment_1980" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Granted I am wearing Birkenstocks not Givenchy, but the feeling is the same[/caption]

Image found here

[caption id="attachment_1981" align="aligncenter" width="388"] I feel like I could fall asleep anywhere at any time.[/caption]

Image from here

I think it has just been the heat the past few days but holy smokes I am just feeling all kinds of swollen and tired.  I had a doctors appointment mid day yesterday so took the day off work.  When I got home I hit the couch and forced Brooklyn to snuggle with me for a glorious nap.  I know that exercise is so important when pregnant, but the past few days it has consumed all of my energy just to remain standing and awake while necessary.   REALLY looking forward to the heat breaking later this week.  Again, extremely thankful for the bedroom air conditioner my Mum got us!

How I'm feeling lately (Vol. 2)

[caption id="attachment_1971" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Gus vs Bladder[/caption]

The past week or so I have been spending an insane amount of time peeing.  (sorry for the TMI y'all)  When I look at the amount of liquid intake vs how often I have to go, the numbers just don't add up.  It would seem that Gus Gus has taken up residence chilling on top of my bladder.   I was joking around with G and told him I would find a picture to accurately highlight my feelings.  Gus is angry looking kid in the yellow, my bladder is the whiny one all arm-barred into submission.

Father's (to be) Day

Father's day is coming this weekend and it has suddenly taken on a whole new meaning to me.  I am pretty gushy sentimental (as if you couldn't guess) so I wanted to do something fun/special for he who I am about to make a father.  All of my ideas involved a bunch of money which isn't so practical at the moment so instead I bought a gift that is sort of for G but mostly for the babe

[caption id="attachment_1925" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Starting Gus's love of reading as soon as possible[/caption]

There was a Father's Day section at Chapters where I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to pick out the perfect book. So obviously I ended up with two. A super cute animal one and then one about  building a dog house with Daddy.  I couldn't pass up either one.  I just thought G could read them to Gus when s/he arrives and I will just melt into a puddle of hormonal goo at how cute that would be.

I like the idea of starting some sort of Father's day tradition(s).    Letting him sleep in will likely be gift enough at that point!

Anyone have any fun/fond memories of things they did with their Dads when they were little?  One of my nicest memories is watching The A-Team with my Dad.  Fun and full or Mr. T,  but not necessarily what I  have in mind.

Weekend Report--the Ontario Road trip edition

This past weekend was amazing but not all that restful.  We (mostly Garret) did a lot of driving and had some great adventures.

Friday night I stayed downtown after work and went to see the NKOTB, Boys II Men and 98degrees concert.  My friends husband was given box seats which he generously bestowed upon us.  My Mum took me to see the New Kids in '91 or '92 and it was my first concert, and now 20 odd years later it was Gus's first concert too!  G is slightly worried I am skewing the babes musical taste, but really who doesn't love 90's music?

[caption id="attachment_1917" align="aligncenter" width="388"] The girls and Gus enjoying snazzy seats at the ACC. Anxiously awaiting our former teenage dreams hahaha[/caption]

Saturday morning my throat was sore and I think G was embarrassed on my behalf to hear that I was actually screaming my head off all night.  I am sorry but when Jordan Knight tells you to scream? you SCREAM with all you have.  Michelle and I drove back to Barrie and didnt get home until 1am (which for this pregnant chick is crazy late)

Saturday morning we were up early and drove up to North Bay to celebrate G's Grandma's birthday--I will have to upload pictures from the other camera.  It was a long trip, but definitely worth it to spend some time with family and eat a ton of baked goods.  We drove home Saturday night and just took it easy on the mega couch.

Sunday morning we headed off to Niagara with some friends for a prebooked Wag Jag night away.

[caption id="attachment_1918" align="aligncenter" width="388"] This was the only way we could figure out a "falls view" room. hahaha G is very creative.  We actually overlooked a gorgeous parking lot...oooh fancy[/caption]

We walked around for hours and took some pictures of the falls and had some relaxing time on a very loud (and grossly sticky) patio

[caption id="attachment_1919" align="aligncenter" width="388"] First family photo in Niagara[/caption]

I also made a valiant attempt to recreate a photo we took 6 years ago but kind of missed the mark:

[caption id="attachment_1920" align="aligncenter" width="310"] the top picture is from 2008 when Garret surprised me with a night away for my birthday. Side note: I am wearing the same sunglasses, and he is still crazy handsome. [/caption]

We got back to Barrie on Monday afternoon and did some house work (thrilling as it sounds)  G moved the bed out of our spare room and we moved the crib (gulp) up in it's place.  We haven't built it yet, but this gets the giant box out of our hallway so that is a start.

[caption id="attachment_1921" align="aligncenter" width="388"] One step closer to being a room ready for a baby.[/caption]

It seems that each day something happens to make us feel a little more ready or freaked out or "ermagerd this is actually happening"ish.   While we were watching a show before bed Gus was being particularly active and G finally got to feel a kick/jab (or "upper cross" if you ask him)  These things happen and then we look at each other and query if this really is happening? We are having a baby?! Then we laugh and make jokes about the babe and try to enjoy these last glimpses of what soon shall be 'what was'.

It's a....

Baby...ha, we didn't find out. But here is your first glance of our sweet babe Gus:

[caption id="attachment_1873" align="aligncenter" width="388"] And for inquiring minds: That is a leg thankyouverymuch[/caption]

It was  unbelievable to finally get to see what this little one looks like. When we had our earlier ultrasound it looked like a sea monkey. Still exciting but very less babyish.

This time the technician was laughing and asking me if I could feel "all that movement" I said only a little bit, and she turned the screen towards me so I could see the wiggling pile of baby that is Gus.  She said that the baby was having a dance party in there (clearly my child!) After she did all the measurements she called Garret in to have a look.  It was really awesome to see his face as he saw our baby.  It was an emotional moment for us and I think really drove it home that we are having a BABY.  Also reassuring that I am not just getting fat and emotional for no apparent reason! haha

Of course we think that Gus is perfect looking with a beautiful nose and lips, we are so happy the profile picture turned out so well!  Watching the babe flip around and stretch in there was just the neatest thing--I could have watched for hours.  I love that we now have an idea of a face to put to this little thing boogieing around inside me all the time.  It is magical and yet oh so strange to love something so much that you can't quite comprehend even exists.

Long weekend Run Down

[caption id="attachment_1860" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Livin' Young and Wild and Free[/caption]

As thrilling as this likely seems....the above is (what I hope) a breakdown of this upcoming long weekend.  We have been out and about the past few weekends and have more events coming in the next few weeks. As a result our wee house is feeling a bit neglected...AND my early onset nesting nestyness is freaking out.

G and I tend to have a slight time management disagreement disorder.  He feels it is entirely possible to watch 5 movies, hang out with friends, go away over night and still somehow manage to accomplish 500 home related tasks.  I have learned that this is not even close to the truth and tends to leave me just annoyed drowning in a pile of laundry and grocery bags at the end of the weekend. And so my to do lists have been coming out to help keep us focused when we try to plan home things.  I get that a long weekend is kind of a downer weekend to be stuck at home working, but if I have to deal with the pile of lumber that has been taking up half my small hallway any longer, I will lose my ever loving mind.  (ed note: it has been there since Feb when we first discussed doing built ins for our room)  

In order to make these tasks fairly weighted between the two of us I am tackling the bathroom reno with the help of my Mum and her trusty favourite paint brush.  I figure over three days we can pretty easily get all the work done (I am thinking it will just take most of one day to paint and reassemble the new vanity etc in bathroom)  I will take some before pictures of the weird purple colour and impractical vanity that was left there from previous owners...I think that this point anything will be an improvement!

Wish me luck in us accomplishing all of this..or at least luck with me keeping G focused for three whole days hahaha

19 weeks and counting

[caption id="attachment_1854" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Thar she blows[/caption]

When I first found out I was pregnant I couldn't wait for the three month milestone. It seems to typically be that sacred point when you can relax and just enjoy being pregnant. Start telling people, and stop worrying that every little thing means something might be wrong.  This past week I have started sporting a little belly and wee Gus has begun to move more often.  I am loving feeling these randomly timed bumps and nudges reminding me that this is actually real.

Honestly...there is a lot of down time in the beginning where it doesn't feel real.  Maybe I have just been eating too much and am getting a belly?  I couldn't actually believe that there was a baby in there for a long time.

Now that I am nearly at the halfway mark I want time to slow down.  October will be here before we know it and I want to enjoy these months where Gus and I are always together.  I look back on how fast the past few months have gone...and I know that the next few will fly by as well. I am typically the type of person who is always excited for what is to come, but with this pregnancy I just want to enjoy every second and not wish too hard for the next stage.

Expressing Ourselves

When we first found out we were pregnant we had lofty plans for how we would tell our families that we were having a baby.  But then we were way too excited and told them in a pretty straight up "guess who is having a baby"? type of way.  Our Mums lucked out and each got a framed pic of a pregnancy test with the words "Baby Walsh" on the bottom....classy right?  I think our excitement trumped our creativity there.

We tried to make plans  to put a little more effort into it when we told some of our friends...but my graciously turning down wine at Garret's birthday weekend was enough of a tell for all the guests there.  As we started telling more people we made time to make a few fun things.  Two of our friends are REALLY into the Grumpy Cat Meme so we made this to send:

My friend Harrison texted me immediately after laughing saying "I thought you were telling me you are pregnant"  then two seconds later another text "THAT IS YOUR WEDDING RING"  Definitely some good laughs there.

I had been bugging Garret for a few weeks to make something cute we could send to his family to tell them.  I was thinking something along the lines of a picture with one of our favourite Iphone Aps to snazz it up.  He spent some time goofing around with his phone and when he sent me what he made I had to laugh.  Not quite what I had in mind

[caption id="attachment_1755" align="aligncenter" width="388"] Ice Cube is obviously delighted for us[/caption]

Granted I found this hilarious and so did several of our other friends, but I am pretty sure none of his family listens to Ice Cube so the novelty would have been lost.