There may be hope.....

I finally got an email back from my builder... They just might.. And it is a big maybe have the house finished at the end of June... Hopefully the people who picked dates in July for baby to be born in our baby pool at work are right.

I am hoping and secretly want nothing more for my house to be somewhat ready before my first baby comes.. I must say that I love stress or something as John and I always seem to do the most stressful things in life at the same time. We built a house and planned a wedding and now we had to see if we could out do ourselves and build another house and have a baby. Wow some might call us smart even!

So keep your fingers crossed for me and hope that house comes before baby..

New Addicition ...Ebay

So my friend has been raving about how great EBay is and all the great cheap stuff she has bought for her wedding. She has been telling me to try it out for some time now. Thing is I was/am a chicken. I am still one of the believers of not putting your credit card number on the Internet. It just freaks me out. Never mind that I pretty much do everything else online like online banking.

Okay since work has been extremely slow I thought I will just search for some baby items on EBay. What's the harm? Well this just opened up a whole other world. I can bid on a new Baby Bjorn for like $5.00 they retail for like $150.00!!

Wow now what?? I start to search for a cool diaper bag.. I find this wonderful hand made silk bag and the starting bid is $2.00. Okay I can do this I figure worst case scenario I lose $2.00. So I set up an account and place my bid... Yeah I am the current highest bidder at $2.25. So I watch all day and track other items I am watching. So this becomes a great time killer its even better then face book.. The auction closes and I win my beautiful bag for the great price of $2.25.

Now I have to pay and this is where I learn my first lesson of EBay.. Dumb me doesn't look at shipping or anything else for that matter. My new $2.25 bag now has a shipping price of $18.00. WTF? Why so much to ship from the States... Well now I see that the item is from China.. Good job.. So what I thought was a steal has now become a little more pricey then it should have been.

Oh well my bag is pretty. Now I just have to convince my husband to carry it... He seems to think that because we are having a boy that we need a boy bag. But my theory is I am the one carrying it so I get to have whatever type of bag I like!!!

I guess my lesson is and live and learn.. Now I must say shipping is the first thing I check.. I now have a bid in on a Baby Bjorn ..

Ultrasounds

So we had our third ultrasound. We booked the 4D one. I must say I was a little disappointed. I fully expected to see my baby exactly the way he is supposed to look. He was not in the mood to cooperate and most of the shots were of his feet or hands. My thoughts at the time were that baby is trying to be funny.

We did mange to see the side of his face but it was not very clear and I was thinking gee I wonder who he looks like as I don't see any resemblance to me or my husband at this point. Well maybe I just had really high expectations. I kind of expected him to you know turn strike a pose and maybe give a wave.

The examiner was not the most friendly of ladies and made the whole process awkward. Neither one of us said anything, this is not what I pictured as we were so looking forward to the 4D ultrasound. We were hoping to get a CD but the clinic doesn't do that. So we just looked on in silence while the monotone lady expressed this is baby's spine, foot, head.... At least the pictures were in 4D and they are still pretty amazing...

Also since I like to self diagnosis myself I have decided that baby is breech at this point, his feet are down and his head is up. I am not to concerned about it right now as he can still turn. Keep in mind this is purely a self diagnosis, I will give further details when I actually go to the doctor next week and get my real results.

Oh well at the end of the day all that matters is that baby has two legs and arms and the proper amount of toes and fingers. He is doing well and weighs about 3.5 pounds. Funny how baby weighs that much but I have gained 20lbs!!

Yet Another Blood Test

Really.. I have to get another blood test?? This is just getting silly now.. I have had 4 blood tests in less then 6 months. Good thing I am pregnant and have more than enough to give.

The latest test is for Life Insurance. John and I decided that instead of getting the typical mortgage insurance we were going to be smart and get life insurance instead. It pretty much costs the same but you get better coverage and more cash.

So anyway some random lady from Clairica is going to show up at my house (well my parents house) and go through my health history and then draw some more blood. Soon I will be a pro at this and just start taking my own blood tests. Or maybe I could do this for a living! Yeah that was pretty funny. I still think it is pretty gross.

I have already started thinking about my plan of action .. I need to figure outwhere I am going to lie down, which direction I should face and hopefully I won't scare this poor women and start crying. But I can always blame hormones!

Gee sometimes it sucks being responsible!! I don't want to give any more blood.... Can't they just take my word for it..

Car Shopping

Gee what a way to spend a few weekends. Running around to car lot after car lot to try and find a vehicle that I am not sure I even want. I know the Jeep needs to go but am I happy about this? Honestly no. I love my Jeep. I have no idea what kind of vehicle I want I have always wanted a Jeep and that was that.

Then there is the cost. We just had to purchase a car for John as his was starting to cost more in repairs then it was worth. So we already have a nice car payment. Realistically buying another car right now is not the best timing but I guess I can not be at home with baby and a car that is pretty much useless to us.

I think the stressful part of the whole thing is going on mat leave and making like pennies a day and having to pay for all of this stuff. Never mind groceries and diapers..

My first experience at the whole car wheeling and dealing ending up with me crying in the sales guys office. I guess that is one way to get out of a deal. But I was really being pressured into a vehicle that I did not love, felt was too expensive and to me the worst was it was heavily smoked in and it was all I could smell.

Well I guess the right vehicle is out there I just have to find it!

So after looking and looking we finally bought me a nice 2005 Jeep Liberty. I must say I love my new car. While it was a sad day handing in my keys to the TJ I am super excited to have a vehicle that has power windows,locks and heat. WOW what a treat.

Tis The Season

So the wedding season is fast approaching. It seems that every year I am involved in some sort of shower and or wedding. Last year I think was a record where every weekend in the spring and summer was filled with a baby or bridal event. All of my friends have hit the magic age where we are experiencing huge life changing events.

It always amazes me how much planning and organizing can go into one day. I was one of the smart ones that escaped to Florida and had a beautiful bed and breakfast plan the entire day for me. The only thing we had to worry about was going down a few weeks earlier and obtaining a licence. Most stress free experience of my life!

Most recent my friend for at least 20 years is now getting married so the endless parade of events begins. Don't get me wrong I love participating in events where I get to see my friends get married and would pretty much do whatever I can to attend or help out. For example we drove 13 hours across Saskatchewan and sat at a table with just me and my husband as we knew nobody except the bride.

The one thing I love about weddings is talking about all of the goofy things brides do - like wearing your veil around the house as soon as you get it. It doesn't matter if you are in sweat pants and vacuuming you could never look or feel better then that!

We just had my friends stag on the weekend - wow do the ladies know how to party. We had a wonderful time and I love seeing my friends have fun, seeing that I could not partake in the drinking festivities!!

My only piece of advice for brides to be is to remember what the day is really about. It is not about flowers and centrepieces so when the little things go wrong you just need to think of why you are really there.

Ohh The Scary Blood Test

So I went last week to have my ever scary and hopefully last blood test. This one was my best performance so far. Not a tear was shed and I was calm and collected. A pleasant surprise for the staff members that have to deal with me on a regular basis.

The first test (being my first blood test ever) begins with me sitting in the waiting room sobbing, crying while waiting until I hear the dreaded call of my name. I tell the nurse that I need a bed to lie down in as there is no way I am sitting in one of those creepy chairs hanging my arm out for needles to be stuck in.. To me it looks sort of like an electric chair with its special arm rest... No way am I getting in that contraption!! So after I get an eye roll or two from the collector I lie down pull up the arm on my special "needle shirt" (this is the one sweat shirt I own that I know the arms are not to tight and I can roll them up) place the Walkman in my ears as I do not want to hear nothing and place my free arm over my eyes as I do not want to see anything either. Seems like a lot of work for one simple test that really takes 30 seconds out of my life!! Oh well the test begins and keep in mind I am still crying. Okay I am thinking this is not so bad it hurts a little but really birth is probably going to be a lot worse so I begin to calm down.. Its over the collector leaves me alone and I think okay that was a little embarrassing for a 31 year old!! But great it is over and I get to leave hoping to never come back again..

Guess I am not so lucky I have had to get 4 blood tests for this pregnancy - most people only get two but I seem to have a doctor that likes to order random tests for something fun to do!!

Test 2 went a bit better I cried but for the most part only while driving to the clinic and I did manage to calm myself down before I walked into the clinic, then during the test I started to cry again.. This time the collector was a sweet little English lady who just chalked up my crying to hormones. Little did she know I am an irrational person when it comes to getting a needle of any sort!!

Test 3 goes okay I am mad at this point as I have no idea why another test is being ordered and nobody can tell me why either. So I go into the room lie down start the preparation procedures and then my eyes start to well with the inevitable tears.. But hey I think to myself I getting better at this if I can do this I can do anything..

Test 4 best yet - This is the glucose test where you get to go to the clinic and drink some sugar, which is a great thing as right now I crave sugar in any form, and sit for an hour then get the test. You can not leave the clinic for this hour you just sit in a back room and wait. Smart me I brought a book so I sat in this room and read. It was nice and relaxing, then I hear my name.... YIKES it is time. So the ritual begins, I prepare for the inevitable, Okay so this one hurts a little more then the others, I am thinking the arm band might be to tight, but soon enough it is over.. I am free... And not a tear, not a single one and this truly is a great moment for me..

Hopefully that is the last one for this pregnancy. I think I am good and needled out..

Let the Nesting Begin

It is true - Expecting mothers want to nest. Who knew?? I have been madly and well honestly sometimes irrationally wanting to buy things that I may or may not need.

I have no idea what I need or where to start. Who knew babies needed all this stuff... Thankfully the wonderful ladies at KaczKids gave me some kind of checklist or I would probably still be standing there gazing at the vast amounts of things one tiny little baby may need.

I get the basics of crib, car seat and stroller but there are clothes, socks, bottles, diapers, diaper genies, swings, carriers, then there is what size, how many, this can be very overwhelming. Especially for a non-maternal one like me!!

I feel a lot of this stems from my house not being ready and at this point we are not even sure of a tentative date. It is hard when you finally buy the crib and accessories but have to put it into storage instead of setting it up in a nice nursery where you have planned and decorated.

Oh well I am sure I will figure it out - Our next major purchase will be to get me another car... I guess the Jeep just won't do there is no room for a stroller.

What does your birthday say about you

***Your Birthdate: November 18***
You are a cohesive force - able to bring many people together for a common cause.You tend to excel in work situations, but you also facilitate a lot of social gatherings too.Beyond being a good leader, you are good at inspiring others.You also keep your powerful emotions in check - you know when to emote and when to repress.
Your strength: Emotional maturity beyond your years
Your weakness: Wearing yourself down with too many responsibilities
Your power color: Crimson red
Your power symbol: Snowflake
Your power month: September
What Does Your Birth Date Mean?http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/

Maternal One

Who would have thought that I would ever be a mother. In 3 months.. yes 3 months I will be. Funny thing is I have never seen myself as the "maternal one". The panic attacks have now set in. Never mind the fact that he has to come "out" in 3 months --- I have no idea what do do with a baby. All of my friends who are mothers reassure me that some kind of instinct will kick in but I have yet to believe this theory.

I have one more ultrasound coming up in April. We are looking forward to it as we booked the 4D one. So we should be able to see him and I guess confirm one more time that it is a him.. I think this will assist me in picking another name as we only have one at this stage of the game.

I just got back from Houston, my last trip until he comes. I went to go and buy some maternity pants, in black of course as they are so much cheaper down there. My main mission was to find a dress for my friends wedding as I can not imagine paying $200.00 for a dress I will only wear once. I managed to get a great dress in Houston (see pic) for $35.00 now that is more like it.. I will mention that I ended up spending 150.00 as I also bought 3 other dresses and 2 pairs of Capri pants but that is okay all of that for the same price as a dress here!!

I have been lucky so far and only at this last stage of pregnancy I now am having to wear maternity pants. I must say they are pretty comfy! This has been a very easy pregnancy so far (knock on wood) as I never got sick and have been very healthy- I am now showing I have a nice little bump and have only gained 15lbs.. Aside from my low lying placenta every thing looks good. This may require me to have a C-Section but we will deal with that news if need be after the ultrasound. Baby is healthy and looks good, he is becoming more and more active daily.

Although I am kind of sad that there are only three more months left. This could be because I still have another blood test and the ever scary presence of birth looming ahead. Before it seemed like forever away and I could just ignore that fact. But now I have no choice we are in the home stretch. This is going to be a wonderful journey and I am looking forward to every moment of it. Scary stuff and all. Well maybe except for the needle and gory parts.

Day Dreaming

So after becoming addicted to reading my friends blog I have decided what a great idea and have decided to start my own.

I was told today to stop dreaming and live in reality so that is where the idea for the blog started. Just a way to express my random thoughts dreams!!

I live in a dream world where I live in a climate with sunshine all year round. The subject has come up many times with anyone who knows me. I want to live where there are beaches, palm trees, sun, sun oh and did I mention sun. The plan was always to retire somewhere hot but that is still 25 years away. Can I wait that long???

If my husband and I were smart we would consider living in our house (which is still currently being built) for a few years, sell and move somewhere cheaper and be mortgage free. But my thoughts on this is where else in Canada can I go that offers me better weather and no snow!!

Don't get me wrong Calgary has been a wonderful city and I am a rare born and raised Calgarian but do we really need to have weather that reaches -30 without factoring in a windchill.

I am one of the fortunate ones to have owned property before the big boom so as most people we are cashing in and building a dream house.. Then this is where I start to dream about being mortgage free. We could cash in again after a few years move to ??? where we could just work at jobs that are interesting not jobs because we have to. Like working at a pet store or opening a pet health food store. Playing with dogs all day in a city where the weather is good. This sounds like fun!

As I sit here and stare out my office window with the snow falling down I can't help but think 25 more years of this. Why??? There has to be another way!

But I guess no more day dreaming. It is back to reality as I should be doing some work so I can pay for my mortgage!! I guess I should also stop staring at my calendar of beaches .. Mind you who says that just because I am married, 6 months pregnant and building another new house I can not think about what could also be...