Second time around

It's interesting the things that come like second nature once you've been a mom for a while and that you really wish you knew the first time. I've realised lately how many Rookie Mom mistakes I've made when it comes to buying baby gear that I wish I could take back or will do differently now. Take for example the stroller I bought. It never dawned on me 2 years ago when I bought it that buying a stroller without swivel wheels on the front was really stupid. I've been using it every day since I've been down south and am hating it more and more every time I get it out. But for the amount that I use it (only when we travel) it's not worth buying another for this baby. Then there's the diaper bag. I bought one that I thought would be great, one that Nick wouldn't be embarrassed to carry if he needed to and one that had all the things I thought I needed. Wow, was I wrong. That particular item I've gone ahead and replaced because even though I don't use it often, having a one that is big enough for 2 kids while you travel is a must. I think the one I bought is going to be great although I don't love it from a style point of view. At this point, storage capacity and organizing ability is so much more important to me.

There are quite a few things that I'm realising now were bad choices. From what I packed or didn't pack in my hospital bag last time to the types of sleepers that I bought Oliver that I would never buy this time around, I guess it's a perfect example of how you live and you learn. I'm sure I'm not the only one with these types of stories. Motherhood really is an interesting ride.

Family

Nick's Mom and Sister hosted a baby shower for me today with members of both mine and Nick's family. It was a really nice time and I enjoyed seeing people I haven't seen in a while. Once again I was spoiled, or I should say, the baby was spoiled with many beautiful outfits and other useful and cute baby items. Thanks again everyone for all the great stuff and thank you Dale and Meaghan for your hard work!  

My mother suggested we take a picture of me with Nick's Grandmother, Mom and Sister. I have so few pictures of his side of the family so I thought it was a great idea.

Then we did the same shot with my family. I think they both turned out nicely and I'm glad to have them. More shots for the family wall!

At one point in the afternoon Oliver and Erik got really quiet and of course I feared the worse. This is what I found. The were all by themselves is Oliver's room.... reading! Too Cute!

It was a great day. Thanks again!

Take a guess

Yesterday I went to the hospital to have an ultrasound to get an idea of the baby's growth. At my regular appointments my belly (fundal height) has been measuring all over the place so they wanted to get a more accurate idea of what's going on in there. The results were scary.

As of today I am officially 36 weeks and 1 day. The ultrasound said that by the baby's measurements it would guess that I'm 37 weeks and 3 days. Not a huge difference and of course there is a 2 week margin for error at this point. The scary part is that they predict that he already weighs 7 lbs and 3 oz with 4 weeks left to go! Again, there is a margin of error on that measurement too but I don't really find that comforting. They say they could be off by about a pound either way... that means he could already be 8 lbs 3 oz!! I'm choosing not to think about that.

I posted about this on Facebook and friends started to post their predictions for the little guys weight at birth. It was fun seeing what people though so I decided to start a pool. If you wanna play, post your prediction in the comments section or send me a message and I'll make a note.

So far I have predictions anywhere between 8 lbs 3 oz and a very mean 11 lbs 2 oz. Kara, I will never forgive you if you're right!! Thanks for playing!

Little white lies and good natured torture.

My name is Morena and I'm a BIG FAT LIAR!!!

I've mentioned several times that we are having a hard time choosing a name for our new baby boy and he is yet to be named. Well, I'm lying!! Wow, that feels good to get off my chest!! I admit to you all now that this little guy has actually been named for a few months but I find it easier to tell people that he doesn't have a name yet rather then have to tell them we're not sharing it. I always thought people where strange when I heard they were keeping their name choice a secret but here I am, doing it too.

There are two reasons we have chosen to keep the name under wraps. One- Since this time we chose to go the route of finding out the sex of the baby and doing the 3D ultrasound where you get to see what he looks like, we figured that the name was the only surprise left. And two- I'm not sure the name is going to be well received by many members of our families so not telling means not having to listen to protests and attempts at changing our minds. Nick and I really didn't agree on any names at all, that part of my lie wasn't a lie at all. When I suggested the name we are going with and Nick liked it too the search stopped right then and there.

I have since realised there is a third, very fun reason that keeping this secret was a great idea. It's killing my mother not to know! I usually tell my mom everything and she is tortured that we are not telling her this very important piece of information. I'm enjoying holding it over her immensely. Mean?... probably, but I know my mom. If she didn't like it (and I suspect she won't), I would hear it. And I know me, if I heard enough protest, I would start second guessing the choice.

So, sometimes torture can be a fun thing. Sorry mom :) I'd due in 29 days, the wait will be over soon.

A Nice Surprise

Look what I had delivered yesterday! Nick's not really the 'send flowers' type of guy so it was a really nice surprise. He even remembered that tiger lillies are my favorite but they didn't have any so I got pink ones instead. I'll take a lilly of any kind, and the fact that he remembered that piece of trivia is the cherry on top. Thanks honey, it was a nice pick me up after a crappy day. Love you.

A little taste of home

The other day I went to Rockwood park in search of the new playground they built there. I initially went the wrong way and this is what I found instead.

A little piece of home!! It's always nice to see the Nunavut flag when you're not in Nunavut. But that brought the question of why is there a NU flag flying in a park in Saint John NB. I didn't have my camera at the time so I went back later that afternoon to get a shot of it and went right up to the pole thinking that there should be a monument or something telling me why. Sure enough....

The answer wasn't on the monument either. It commemorated the incorporation of the territory but that was about it. I later ran into a friend of mine who told me if you go through that side of the park there is actually a flag and a monument for every province and territory. So the answer was very anti climatic but it still made me smile to see it. I always feel that way when I see a New Brunswick flag when I'm somewhere else as well. There is something about seeing that piece of home that brings a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Oh, and yes, I found the playground. It was on the other side of the park and O had a great time there.

And yes again, the monument is on it's side. Obviously some yahoo's decided to be jerks and knock it over. Vandalism makes me crazy.

What I've been up to lately

Since I've been down south this summer I've really been a bad blogger. My posts are few and far between and I've posted little other than pics of Oliver cause frankly, this is the summer of O. My whole life is revolving around taking him places, getting him to try new things and trying to keep him on a schedule as best I can. It's funny how nap time in the north is so sought after that I don't even think of doing something other than being home in the afternoon. Since we've been here, naps have become almost an inconvenience as we try and plan our day around them. If I go up to my parents place (about 20 minutes away) I have to drag the play pen and all the gear that goes with that so he has a place to nap. Otherwise, it's back to our apartment to his room. I will admit that I'm sometimes guilty of planning our drives to and from someplace around nap time so at least he can doze in his car seat. Not exactly a proper nap but better than nothing.

The other kink in my plans for being home has been Oliver's unexpected case of sever separation anxiety. I guess it's normal at this age and since he's always with me up north it shouldn't be a shock but wow, it caught me by surprise. For the first few weeks I couldn't go to the bathroom by myself without a major meltdown occurring. He is getting better but it has put a damper on some of the 'me time' I'd planned to have. Don't get me wrong, I'm getting out on my own as much as I can, but I'd hoped it could be more. You may remember I had plans to put O in day care one day a week and that idea went out the window when he was still having meltdowns with both grandmothers after 2 weeks of being here. I figured if he couldn't deal with being with them, introducing another stranger to his life wasn't such a good idea. 

I have been able to get out and get a leisurely hair cut and color. I've been out to a party. And I had one night alone with Nick when he arrived... although he arrived at midnight and we picked up O the next day at noon but hey, it was 12 hours and I got to sleep later than 730 so I guess it counts. Thursday I've made an appointment to have a prenatal massage and a manicure as well so there's another O free afternoon for me to look forward to.

Over all, we're having a great summer and I'm really glad to have this time with Oliver. We have been super busy though and I feel like we're always on the go. Not that it's bad, it's just such a change from my life in Nunavut. O is really thriving as well. I can't believe how much he's changed in such a short time. He's learning so much. I discovered he is mad about slides. He's turned into quite the climber and will attempt things that the playground that he has no business doing at a year and a half. He doesn't always make it but he sure is going to try! He's also learning to play with other kids and to share. I have to say he's pretty good about the sharing which is a surprise being he's never had to do it before.

We are on the countdown now to Nick coming home for his long vacation (in 22 days) and the final countdown to our new arrival (5 weeks today is my due date). At this point I think I'm more looking forward to having this pregnancy be over and I'm not sure if I care if Nick makes it in time if it means being done. On the other hand, I'm not looking forward to the stress of sleepless nights and learning to breastfeed again so I guess maybe I can wait.

Until I blog again.....

A day with the Animals

For once I don't mean the kids. Yesterday we hung out with some very cool animals at the Magnetic Hill Zoo in Moncton. It was a beautiful day, the kids where well behaved and the animals where all out for us to see so it was a great day.

This was the first animal we encountered.

 

All the roads where marked by what I assume where sponsors and friends of the zoo.

My favorites of the day where the jaguars. I think it was getting close to feeding time cause they kept stalking this door.

 

Another favorite was this Mandrill. His face was so colorful.

This one's for you Clare. They are partridges of some kind and the color was fantastic.

As my sister put it... A good Canadian zoo animal.

Mama lion just chillin in the sun....

If you are ever in New Brunswick I highly recommend the zoo. We had a really great day.

Update

Nick made it home this morning after the plane took off from Iqaluit subject to weather in Pang. Things worked out and he's home. The saga is at an end. I hope this doesn't happen again when he comes home in September.

The date weekend than never was

I thought I had the worst luck when it comes to travelling in the north but it seems I've been dethroned. Unthroned?? Whatever, you get it....

Nick and I had been apart for 23 days when we had a date weekend planned for Halifax. A good friend of Nick's was getting married so he'd planned a few days vacation, Oliver would stay with my mom and I would meet him on Thursday night. Well of course the travel gods and mother nature had other plans. The flight was cancelled leaving Pang Thursday morning so he wasn't going to catch the Air Canada flight to Ottawa and make it into the maritimes. Turns out the flight Friday morning was already full so again, he wouldn't be able to catch Friday's flight either. He was able to get a seat on the later flight on Thursday but since the morning flight was cancelled we suspected the later one wouldn't go either. That prediction turned out to be right when that flight was cancelled too. Luckily it had already landed in Pang (the weather this time was Iqaluit not Pang) so it was there for the night guaranteeing that it would leave in the morning.

Things where looking up. Nick left Friday morning at 7am so he was going to be there with lots and lots of time to make the Ottawa flight..... but then the Air Canada flight cancelled. Now what to do? At that point we where going to miss the wedding anyway so was there any point in continuing? But since it was already too late for him to get the flight back to Pang, he was in Iqaluit for the night anyway. Finally on Saturday at midnight he was able to get himself to the maritimes. Since it was too late to make the wedding he came right to Saint John and we where able to get 2 full days and 3 nights together. It's not the 3 kid free nights in Halifax we'd hoped for but we'd take it.

For the short time it was, we really had a great time. It was nice to see Oliver and Nick together again and I'm really glad we had that time. It made me happy that Nick got a chance to see the changes in Oliver that I get to see everyday. He's talking so much more and I'd say that his vocabulary has doubled. He says something new every day. Being around lots of other people as well as my nephew who never shuts up, he's learning so much and seems so much more grown up.

After the whirlwind trip Nick had to leave yesterday morning and headed for the airport at 430 in the morning. The flight was delayed an hour. He got to Montreal just in time to run on to the next plane which was then also delayed 45 minutes. He landed in Iqaluit late but with lots of time for his connection. But alas, the flight to Pang was cancelled. So once again he was sitting in Iqaluit for the night.  

I'm now waiting on flight tracker to tell me if he's going to get back to Pang today . The weather forecast is showing fog so I'm guessing the chances are slim, at least for this morning. By now I'm sure he's just dying to get back home, I know I would be....

The saga continues.

Tormenting My Brother

This photo was taken by my mom specifically to torment my brother. Ryan is what you would call a die hard Leafs fan and this shot of his nephews promoting his arch rivals would really upset him. It's been a long time rivalry in our house with the men always cheering for the Leafs since my dad grew up in southern Ontario. My mom, having grown up in Montreal has always been a Habs fan so my sister and I jumped on her bandwagon growing up. My mom picked these shirts out for the kids last time they where in Montreal and we couldn't help but take the opportunity to tease Ryan just a little.

His response when he was emailed the picture? He threatened to call social services and report child abuse. 

Taking Advantage

I did something yesterday I swore I would never do. Something I always made fun of and honestly still think is really silly but still... I did it. I'm slightly ashamed. But I can't say now that I've tried it I won't do it again. I.... parked in the 'Mommy Zone'.

Photo credit: Jen Eichenburg

I didn't plan it, it just happened. I pulled into the mall and it was a sea of cars. I drove around looking for a spot and finally found one but as I hurried to get there, someone else took it. Don't you hate it when that happens?

Then I saw it. Like a beacon of light from above.... the space right up front. I saw the sign and I though no, I just couldn't. Then I looked back and saw Oliver snoozing in his car seat. Then I looked down at my ever expanding midsection and said to myself, "well, if I don't qualify, who does?"

So I pulled in. It fit like a glove. I liked it.

Beach Day

Just short of a year ago I did a post called Beach Day Dorset Style. It was a beautiful day in Nunavut so Jen and I hit the beach with the kids and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon. Today I post about todays trip to the beach with my sister and nephew. Other than the company, the big difference this time around is that Oliver is in a bathing suit and is actually in the water instead of long pants and sleeves and is no where near the water cause he'd come out a popsicle.

Some things don't change however, he still tries to eat rocks.

Happy New Brunswick Day everyone, I hope you had a great long weekend.\