Disappointment

We were expecting visitors today but true to northern travel, they are stuck in Iqaluit for the night. Jen and Phil, we hope you are enjoying your time exploring Nunavut's largest community and look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Hopefully.

Confirmed: Deuce not Deuce-ette.

I had my mid-way ultrasound yesterday and the verdict is.... BOY! I guess, at least in my case, the Intelligender test was right. I of course was given the old, 'Ultrasounds are not always 100% correct' speech from the tech but she checked 2 different times and she saw penis both times. Since as I've said before that Steeves don't don't know how to make girls, I'm 100% sure even with the disclaimer.

With this news comes many mixed feelings. Of course everyone is just hoping for a healthy baby no matter what kind it is. However, the grandmothers are sad cause they were both hoping for a girl this time. Deuce will be the fifth grandson between them so a little pink to break up the sea of blue was high on the wish list. Soon after O was born Nick announced that he hoped the next go round would be a girl because he was enjoying his boy so much he wanted to see what a girl would be like. And for me, I'm sad/happy. Before I started thinking about having kids I always said I wanted two boys, I thought that would suit me best. Once I had a boy, I too started wishing for a girl to experience the other side of things.

Now that I know it's a boy, I keep thinking of the things I'm going to miss out on not having a girl. I'm obsessed with that show 'Say Yes to the Dress' and I think about how I'm not going to have that moment with my daughter. I'm never going to plan a wedding with her. Can you tell I love weddings? I'm most likely not going to be the 'go to' person cause it seems young couples tend to gravitate to the wife's family. You know that saying... A son is yours till he takes a wife but a daughter is yours for life. Who will I pass of my love of sewing and crafts to, most boys aren't into cross stitch. Spa days, mother daughter weekends.... And oh god... I'm way outnumbered on the 'do we have to watch the baseball game again tonight?' fight.

When I stop mourning those losses I remember there was one big reason that I was hoping for a boy. I know boys can have close relationships with their sisters too but I think of the great bond I have with my sister and can't think of anything more special than giving Oliver a brother. And the thought of watching Nick rough housing with 2 boys like he does with O now brings tears to my eyes. On the practical side, I think the teenage years are going to be easier with boys, less hormones to deal with. And another old saying.... I'll only have 2 dicks to worry about rather than hundreds. (Don't know how old that saying is but it makes a point) I also figure I can make a conscious effort to be the cool mother in law so I can maybe be included in the wedding prep. 

So the verdict is.. IT'S A BOY, and we're all thrilled. 21 weeks till we meet you little Deuce. Now to come up with something better to call you than Deuce. Any suggestions?

Dog Free Space

When we first got Tank we bought a few dog training books to help us get through the puppy stage. One of my favorite bits of advice was when it said the best way to break a dog's bad habit is to move. New house means new routines so it a great time to implement change. I always remembered that so when we knew the move to Pang was coming, I gave fair warning that my nights of playing blanket wars and being woken by snoring that isn't my husbands will be ending soon. For those of you who don't know.... Tank, slept in our bed for the first 2 years of his life. I blogged about the hassles of having that forced on me in one of my very first posts..... "but he's so cute sleeping here".... "but look, he's soo cozy'' Yeah Nick, cute and cozy at 15 lbs. Not so much at 70!

It's been over a month that we've been dog free in bed and I can't explain how happy we both are about it. And the book was right, it was a very easy transition. In the past, any time we tried to change this behaviour he cried at the side of the bed till you let him up. We were weak and gave in every time. This time, we showed him his bed, got in ours and that was about it. He did wander around most of the first night, and 'asked' to come up a couple times but by the next he was sleeping soundly on his own bed. He's been content there ever since.

Knowing that nobody was going to drool on it or chew it, I treated myself to some new bedding. I love it and the kitties like it alot too. So ok... the bed isn't completely a pet free zone. But at least the girls accommodate you and not the other way around. They are much better bedmates than their brother was.

Christmas Shopping

It's the time of year again when I bust out the shopping lists and start deciding what we need on sealift. Otherwise known as Christmas in July. As much as I love lists, trying to decide how much spaghetti sauce and pizza mixes you're going to need in a year is not the easiest thing. I try and go by the numbers I used the year before but that's not a foolproof plan either because 2 years ago we went through all the taco kits and then some and this year, we have lots left over. Then there is the toilet paper we bought the first year that will long outlive our time in the north. And I don't get me started on corn.

Since some of you out there are probably starting to think about your order I wanted to make a recommendation. Check out Ishop4u.ca. We've used them since we got up here and can't say enough about their service. Just send them an email and they'll send you a shopping list for Costco and for Loblaws to shop from. Anything you want that's not on those lists, they will go get it for you. Toys R Us, Ikea, Walmart, The Brick.... I could go on but this list is long.

The other great things about shopping with them:
-Why pay for 12 of something when you only need 2? You don't need to buy in case lots.
-Picky about brand? You can choose brands you like, not just whatever brands are available on the list.
-They pack stuff really well so smells don't transfer and leakage doesn't happen.
-No hassle. They take care of booking the crating and the confirming boat, all you have to do is pay.
-Gerri and Bruce are amazing people do deal with.

Anyway, if you are less than happy with your current sealift situation, check them out. You won't be disappointed.

Just relaxing

While unpacking our things I put the parts for the baby swing in the new baby's room. Oliver has adopted the chair part as his own place to lounge and watch his favorite show. He's obviously way too big for it but technically the swing is good for babies up to 22lbs. Since my scrawny son is only 21lbs, I guess he's good.  

A great day to be outside

It's been a beautiful weekend here and we got the kids out to enjoy it. Oliver really liked the playgound at the elementary school and Tank loved getting to run free out by the reservoir. I think spring has sprung in the north.... yes people, I am knocking on wood as we speak.

Google Earth

Darcy from Northland Adventures did a post yesterday with photos from Google Earth. I thought it was really neat so I downloaded it myself and decided to check out my own neck of the woods. They say immitation is the sincerest form of flattery so I hope Darcy will take it that way when he sees that I've basically stole his post idea for myself.

This is the overall view of Pang. It's much more compact than Cape Dorset was. Even the runway goes right though town.

A closer view of our neighborhood.

And this is where I am in reference to you.

I've never checked it out before but Google Earth is pretty cool!