Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Both annoying and slightly humorous

I can no longer cross my legs comfortably. Annoying in that I prefer to have my legs crossed - especially when wearing a skirt. Humorous in that I still try on a regular basis only to feel my crossed leg slide off the other. You'd think I'd remember from the last time I tried - mere moments ago.

Monday, August 29, 2005

So, here's a question for you.

I've recently replaced my obsession with Rockets (the candy) with jelly beans in the hopes of getting a few less sores on my tongue and gums. And so, when I get a sugar craving (which happens a LOT with this pregnancy) I pop a few jellybeans in my mouth.

I'm the type of person who eats whatever jelly beans my hand scoops out of the container. I do save my favorite colours for last but I still eat all of them. But, I passionately HATE orange and green jellybeans. I basically chew them enough to be able to swallow them thinking all the while of my favorites (purple, red and black) that are soon to grace my tongue.

The question is: Why do I bother eating the orange and green ones? Why don't I just throw them out? It really makes no sense. Is it something so ingrained from my childhood about "eating everything on my plate"? I understand that in relation to veggies or healthy food but jellybeans? I mean, I'm not doing myself any favours by eating them.

'Kay, inane rambling done now.

Changing perspective

We had our 4th ob appointment this morning. 4th appointment and met our 4th resident. At some point you'd think we'd start seeing the same ones over again but not so far. We've been "seeing" this ob for several months now and have yet to have him present for one of our appointments. This has frustrated both of us more than just a little but this morning we decided to change our perspective. NOT seeing him is a good thing. Him sending in his residents means that everything is going well and our pregnancy is just completely routine and by the book. See? How's that for turning the situation around?

Oh yeah, and another rather exciting thing: I only gained 1 pound in two weeks! Woohoo! Considering the standard is about a pound and a half a week at this point I'm feeling pretty good about being below average (for probably the first time in this pregnancy).

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Tsk, tsk

Apparently Pat forgot to put on his WWJD bracelet on Monday.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

NY, NY (a few photos in no particular order)

Typical NYC scene - a street vendor. Purses seemed to be one of the most common this time with sunglasses, skirts and watches coming in close behind.


And that, my friends, is a happy girl. I find the photos of me that I like the best are of me when I'm on trips or at my wedding - a time when I'm about as happy as I can be. (Hanging out in Greenwich Village.)


My boy hanging out by Yankee Stadium.



I love bridges and the Brooklyn Bridge has got to be up there as one of my all-time favorites.
Sorry about the angle. This is the play we saw while in NYC. Liev Shrieber (to Alan Alda's left) was phenomenal. I mean, everyone was great but he just stood out and it makes sense that he got a Tony for his work.
Ahh, Letterman. Our hotel was just around the corner from here.
The outdoor flower market just outside our hotel.

A shot of us doing the uber-romantic (but uber-expensive) carriage ride around Central Park. Not quite sure what our driver is focusing on but c'est la vie.

Just something I'm thinking about today

Some days I wonder if I've really had such a rough pregnancy or if I'm just super whiny/negative?

Note: I don't think I actually want you to answer the question as I don't know that I'll be able to accept the answer.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Missing it already

My husband and I love to go for walks. It is not at all rare for us to go for 3 or 4 walks in a week. It's time for us to unwind, talk and even get a little exercise. And the cool thing is, we live in an area that is IDEAL for walking. We get to walk through some quiet, residential streets but then we also get to walk along one of Winnipeg's coolest, trendiest, busiest streets to people-watch and window shop.

We both realized the other day that this will probably be the number 1 thing we miss when we move to the new place. Yes, there will be other walks on other streets (cue Billy Joel's Famous Last Words) but I don't think they'll be quite as fascinating or changing. And (excuse me while I get nostalgic) they will never be by our first home together. Our honeymoon suite.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Argh!

What the @#$@(& is the matter with this camisole?! No sooner do I get it straightened out when it twists itself around again so that one strap is nearly resting under my armpit and the other is right up by my neck. Or, is it my belly or my boobs that are lopsided? Gosh, I hope not or I have bigger problems than I thought.

And, in other news: I spent yesterday with about 25 children between the ages of 5 and 11. And once again, received a reminder that I, ccap, am NOT meant to work in childcare fulltime. And for those of you who do, let me please come over and kiss the very ground that you walk on. I nearly came home and started the adoption papers on my OWN unborn child. Crazy thing was, the kids were really not behaving that badly, they're just quite overwhelming (to me) in mass quantities.

Monday, August 15, 2005

Too grouchy even for a title.

I REALLY want to post a happy post today. I want to post something frivolous and cheery on here. I want to rave about my weekend or my baby or my life in general. I want people to come on here and read a post and be jealous of how insanely happy I am. It's summer time, I'm not working a full week this week, I didn't wake up screaming over a leg cramp last night, the ob appointment went well. It should be easy.

And yet, all I REALLY want to do is make it through the day without bursting into tears.

What I will consider an accomplishment is if I don't torture, kill, maim, yell at... anyone today.

And it just figures that my two best ears (translate: two people who read and respond to my emails the best and most frequently) are both off this week.

Frankly the words my mother used to say to me "don't feel sorry for yourself or no-one else will" are dead to me today. I WANT to feel sorry for myself so harumph! I'm going to!

Friday, August 12, 2005

Cute hubby story

'Kay, others go on their blogs and tell cute baby stories. Well, I don't have kids yet so that's not really an option for me. One day I'll get to embarrass them but for now I'll just have to settle for their father.

Last Saturday we got up bright and early to go to a few garage sales. I'm not that big on garage sales but thought it might be a good start for reasonably priced baby stuff or things for the nursery. He, on the other hand, had never been to garage sales. Or, if he had, it hadn't been for a very long time. I don't think he was that keen on going the first time I mentioned it but does enjoy hanging out with me (go figure) so off we went. Well, as I mentioned a few posts ago, it was a successful trip.

And now, my friends, a maniac has been created.

He has become mildly obsessed with garage sales. He is already planning our trip out tomorrow and dreaming about what we might find while driving around this city of ours. It's quite cute to hear him with sentences like "we can do that when we get home from the garage sales" or "maybe we can find that at a garage sale tomorrow". He may try to deny it and claim it's all in jest but I can see the glint in his eye when he talks about rising early or bragging to people about the cd player that he bought for $12.50.

So far in our marriage I am happy to report that neither of us are packrats. PLEASE don't tell me that's changed. I shudder at the thought of our home being filled with crap we don't need.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Kitchen stuff

We are moving. We have found a place and although we haven't paid our damage deposit yet (we're renting) we both like it and feel it's a good fit for us. So, I'm already dreaming. It's what I do. I like moving to new places. Scratch that, I like living in new places, moving holds as little appeal to me as it does for 99% of the rest of the population. I like imagining what will go where and thinking about walking around the neighbourhood (with a stroller this time?!). I like thinking about how I'm going to decorate it and how for a few moments it will likely be clean.

I know that this time around I should be dreaming about the nursery, and believe me, I have to a degree. But, anyone who knows me well knows that the kitchen is the most important spot for me. I love to cook and beyond nearly everything else I own, it's my kitchen utensils and unique serving dishes that give me the most pleasure. Sadly, this place has a smaller fridge and a small oven so that will take some adjusting. But, I'm trying not to fall into my typical negativity. It has more counter space! And, there is enough room in the kitchen where I (we) can have a shelving unit for the microwave and toaster oven and (fingers crossed), I can get the cookbooks off the bookshelves in the living room and into the kitchen where they belong.

But, back to the counter space...

Excuse me while I zone out for a moment.

Ahh, more counter space.

Lovely.

More room to roll out dough, more room for chopping vegetables, more room for giant soup pots to be out on the counter at the same time as the groceries needed for said soup.

But, beyond that, perhaps even enough room to fit two things I've dreamed of having for some time. Nothing fancy or spectacular but special to me.

Monday, August 08, 2005

Steps to a good weekend

(1) An early start to garage sales.
(2) A $20 rocking chair that my husband manages to get for $15. Yay!
(3) Buying a stroller that comes with a car seat (for nearly half price - second hand). Trying out the car seat in the van. Everything suddenly becoming so very real.
(4) An awesome Folklorama pavilion with a close friend.
(5) Oh yeah, and 2 delicious empanadas at said pavilion.
(6) A full church, seeing people that I haven't seen in awhile and a good message.
(7) Lunch outdoors with friends.
(8) Barbecue supper complete with cucumbers fresh from the garden, potato salad and a moist zucchini pan cake for dessert.
(9) Laughter with the in-laws.
(10) Reasonably early bedtime.

Friday, August 05, 2005

Ooh, another good quote

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea.
- Isak Dinesen

Lightbulb moment

For quite a few days now I have been having trouble with sores on my tongue and gums. Annoying. Do you think it might be from all the Rockets I've been eating? I end every lunch with about 4 packages. Hey, I never said I was the sharpest tool in the shed.

Friday

Just sitting here at my desk smiling in the warm afterglow of a pleasant evening. A good supper, friends I've seen far too little of this summer, much laughter and visiting.

And this from one of my dearest friends who happens to know about my love of dragonflies: "I think it's perfect that there are so many dragonflies the summer you're pregnant with your baby."

Sigh.

I do believe I am one of the luckiest people alive.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Dear Baby.

Please start kicking your father's hand when he puts it on my belly. I know you probably giggle with delight at the fact that you can always tell and stop moving the second you hear him approaching but I think he's starting to get hurt feelings. If you're going to play tricks on ANYONE it should rather be me than him because I'm more liable to pay them back and he'll just always take them.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

I'd heard about it...

but I just experienced it for the first time. That feeling of the baby kicking my bladder. I know there will come a time when it will annoy me but this first time kind of made me smile. I know, twisted.

Of course, keep in mind that I haven't been cursed with the incessant need to pee that most pregnant women get. In fact (don't hate me) I still sleep through the night without going to the bathroom ONCE.

Tag, I'm it.

I have been tagged and since I'm not really in the mood for work right now anyway here we go:

What I was doing 10 years ago today:
Wow, I always thought I had a good memory but suddenly I'm stumped. I know I was working in the accounting department of the Holiday Inn Airport West. I know I was living in an apartment on Gertrude Avenue with Wendy. Attending the same church I am now. More than that I can't really remember.


What I was doing 5 years ago:
August 2000 I was in Australia. Good memories.


What I was doing 1 year ago:
Not much. Newly married, enjoying summer. Working where I am now.


What I was doing Yesterday:
Working. Perhaps as hard as I am now. ;-) Took work home. Lazy evening with my boy (with the exception of us both having some work to do).


What I will be doing Tomorrow:
Yay! Tomorrow I am having my Thursday night gang over for supper.


5 Snacks I enjoy:
Salt & vinegar chips, ketchup chips, ripple chips and dip (sensing a theme?), (to mix it up a bit) cherries and cookies with milk.


5 Adult Beverages:
Well, during the pregnancy: milk, water, one cup of coffee a day and LEMONADE.
Otherwise: I don't drink alcohol very much so my drink of choice would tend to be water (I know, how dull). Other than that I do like Coke on occasion and if I were to drink alcohol it would be vodka mixed with something (preferably Sprite and cranberry juice).


5 bands I know the lyrics to:
Simon & Garfunkle, The Nields, the waifs, Jann Arden (not a band, I know), Barenaked Ladies


5 Things I would do with $100,000.00:
At this point I'd probably be selfish and put it towards a house.


5 Locations I would run away to:
Not a good idea to think of this one while sitting at my desk at work. Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Oregon and a warm, quiet park with a book.


5 Bad habits I have:
Oh no, confession time. I'm sure my boy would have an easy time filling this one out for me. Eating too much, not answering the phone when I'm not in the mood, squeezing blackheads on my boy's back, being lazy, not cleaning out my fridge often enough. (I have many, many more but these are the ones I can think of at the moment.)


5 Things I love doing:
Going to movies, traveling, reading, being with friends, listening to music.


5 Things I would never wear:
Gosh, I'm just not sure. Seems to me saying anything too strongly can come back and bite you in the posterior. (I've even worn pink during this pregnancy.) String bikini, tube top, a lot of makeup, stilettos, pants where my underwear is intentionally showing.


5 TV shows I like:
Scrubs, e.r., Survivor, The Amazing Race, Trading Spaces.


5 Movies I like:
At this point you're laughing, aren't you, J-L? "As IF she can pick only 5!" The Princess Bride, The Usual Suspects, Sliding Doors, An Ideal Husband, Grand Canyon.


5 Famous People I would like to meet:
Yeah, I got nothing here. I really have no desire to meet anyone famous unless it were a comfortable situation which you don't get upon first meeting someone. I really have no inclination to utter the words "I'm a really big fan" or something equally as inane.


5 Biggest joys at the moment:
Contrary to the whining I've been doing on here: feeling my baby inside me. Other 4: driving with my boy, enjoying the summer weather, hanging with my friends, reading blogs.


5 Favourite toys:
Toys? I'm completely puzzled. What do I have in the way of toys? The only one that is coming to mind is my camera and that would be on the top of this list no matter WHAT other toys I may have that I'm not thinking of. Anyone want to help me out with this one?


5 people I tag:
Yeah, I'm not tagging anyone. If you're interested, go nuts. And then be sure to comment on here that you've completed it as I love reading these things.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Honesty

Warning: The contents of this blog may be offensive to some readers. Too bad for you. 4 nights of less than stellar sleep brings out the cheeriness (translation: bitter sarcasm) in the author.

There are days I want to come on here and wax romantically about this pregnancy. I want the glow and I want to be one of those people who just raves about pregnancy and the miracle of it all. In the past I've gotten weary of women who have whined their way through their pregnancies. I wasn't going to be one of those women. I was going to feel blessed all the time. But then again, I was also only going to gain about 20 pounds and THAT didn't happen. And, when it comes down to it, honesty is something I strive for and something I respect in other people.

Let's recap:

First came the sore breasts. Swollen, growing, painful.
Next came week after week after day after hour of nausea. Whoever deemed it "morning" sickness must never have had it. The idea of "morning" sickness seems almost bearable to me. 24/7 sickness, not-so-much.
Somewhere in there exhaustion kicked in. Seemed odd since the baby is the size of a peanut. But, there it was. Pure exhaustion.
Second trimester came along and thankfully, both the Exhaustion and the Nausea took a back seat. Unfortunately, Back Pain and Other Aches in General were both quite willing to clamber into the front seat.
And the leg cramps. Oh yes, those make me glow too. It's just oh-so-lovely to be woken up in the middle of the night by a searing pain shooting its way through my leg.
Oh yes, can't forget the weight gain. That's fun. It gives me warm fuzzies just thinking about the fact that I won't be able to fit into all of my maternity clothes towards the end of this thing. No, not necessarily because of my stomach growth but rather the other parts of my body that have also grown exceedingly well.
Space already seems to be an issue. I still have 3 months to go and already I feel as though I can barely breathe at times. It feels as though Peanut has shoved his/her way into my lung space. Not sure how much more room there is in there. And yet, apparently, he/she is going to grow another 5 pounds or so. Yikes!
And then there's the moodiness. Mmmm, how I love that! It is just so gosh darn much fun to burst into tears at any given moment. To push my boy away who is only trying to comfort me. To cry for long stretches of time for no reason in particular. It's just the best!


Apparently, after all this is done I get to be in the worst pain of my life for hours on end. Yippee!

Oooh, good quote.

And sometimes even music
Cannot substitute for tears
- Paul Simon