Mat leave: Day 1

Today is my first official day of maternity leave. I feel like I've been counting down to this day for so long but now that its here, I don't really know what to do with myself. I started the day early(ish) with a trip to the OB for my weekly checkup. No more weight gain but I did grow another inch. Then I took a little break at Tim Horton's for a snack and made my way to the mall to pick up some granny underwear. After seeing the size of the pads I'll be wearing in my prenatal class yesterday, I knew my usual undergarments weren't going to cut it. (The entire class gasped when the instructor pulled it out and showed everyone.)

Now I'm back home and enjoying some quiet time all alone. I've done a little dusting, tv watching (A Baby Story on TLC which I've decided is not a good thing to be watching because I keep crying whenever they pull the baby out!) and I think I'm ready for a nap. There's a nice long to do list waiting for me upstairs but seeing as how its only my first day, I think I'll save my list for tomorrow and enjoy my nap time instead...

In the blink of an eye...

Last night I met up with a couple of my best girlfriends, Susie and Sally for dinner. Coincidentally, we all happen to be pregnant at the same time. Sally took a few photos last night and ended up sending us this collage she had made of the 3 of us since we were kids. I've known these girls for about 30 years but when I look at the photos, each memory seems like just yesterday. I will always feel like we're the carefree school girls from grade 2, with nothing to do but chit chat and figure out which game to play next. Sometimes its like the realities of real life are just "in the way" of our play time. Luckily we had one last opportunity last night to resume play time before the reality of parenthood sets in. I only have a week and a half to go before baby arrives and then a month later it will be Susie, and a month after that, Sally's little boy will make his big appearance. Our lives might be changing but I have a feeling that when we get together in the future, we'll still be those 3 girls from the playground.  

Week 37

Baby Begonia's Baby's Shower

Saturday my sister and best girlfriends Susie, Sally and Saadia (the 4 S's!) threw me and Baby Begonia an almost surprise baby shower. Even though I ended up finding out about it, it didn't ruin any of the fun or enjoyment. As usual, everyone went all out, the decorations were adorable (thanks Sooky and Sally), the baked goods plentiful (thanks Carol and Mel) and the games were creative and entertaining (thanks Saads and Sooz). I got to see friends who I haven't seen in a long time and I was touched that so many people made it out and brought us such generous gifts. Baby Begonia will be well outfitted for her first year, that's for sure. Again I'm reminded how lucky I am (and how lucky our baby will be) to be surrounded by such love and thoughtfulness.

Today Gerwyn and I got up early and went to our first prenatal class, Preparing for Labour and Delivery. It was a long all day class but we did learn a lot. Luckily we are taking the class with Susie and her husband as well so it makes the time pass a little easier.Next week is our last class which focuses on after delivery and breastfeeding. After that, just one more week to go until the big day...eeeeek!

Dinner at the Keg... with adults!

Tonight Gerwyn and I decided on a spontaneous dinner OUT. Although we eat out often, its usually take out from one of our local spots, nothing fancy. Seeing as how our time out of the house alone will soon be very limited, we decided to use one of our gift certificates to have dinner at a newly renovated Keg on the Esplanade. We were joined by fellow adults Mel and Norm and 3 hours later, we emerged with very full bellies! I had the prime rib and king crab combo. Due to limited stomach space, I made sure to eat all of my deeleecious crab and took the prime rib home for tomorrow. This allowed me to even have room for dessert, Billy Miner pie, YUM!

Prior to dinner we met quickly with Mel's sister in law who has 3 kids all delivered "au natural". She gave me a little pep talk about going sans epidural. It is something I was hoping to do and seeing that she was able to go through 3 deliveries and was still an advocate, it gave me hope that I might be able to do it too. 3 weeks left to go, let's hope I don't change my mind...

My newest toy...

This is my newest toy courtesy of my sister: Flip Video. Its a video camcorder that is as small and as easy to use as a camera. I'd say its even easier actually. You literally point and press one button. It comes with direct usb and records up to 2 hours in HD, what more could you ask for? I'm still playing around with it but will post my first "test" video shortly once I figure out how to upload it to Blogger. Thanks for the cool gift Sooky, I'm sure it will get A LOT of use in the next little while...

Week 36... woah

This may not be my "usual" pose but I thought this time I'd give you a point of reference. My belly is more than twice the size of Gerwyn's head and definitely bigger than a basketball. There's only four weeks left and I'm starting to get to that "uncomfortable" stage, just walking down the street seems like the hardest workout. As terrified of labour as I am, I'm looking forward to letting go of this constantly moving bowling ball weight in my belly.

In other news, my mom and sister arrived from CT on Wednesday and its been a whirlwind of activity ever since. Friday Gerwyn spent the day with the fam while I was at work. They went for Vietnamese for lunch, shopping on Gerrard Street (old Chinatown) and then we all met up for dinner at Wah Sing for lobsta, spicy squid, soft shell crab fried rice and cantonese chow mein, all the favs. My belly was so full after I had to sleep sitting up to make sure I digested. My mom's been cooking up a storm as well, Korean ribs, bbq'd fish and mon-doo (dumplings). Seems like she's always doing something in the kitchen. (I'm not complaining!)

Today we took a little tour of the city, seems that in my mom's 35 years in Canada, she's never even been to the CN Tower or Harbourfront! So after a quick visit of Sooky's temporary condo, we walked to the tower and then the waterfront. It was beautiful out but with this belly, I barely made it to Harbourfront before feeling like I would pass out. I had to sit down and let my mom tour the rest of the boardwalk on her own. Luckily we met up with Sooky again so she could drive us home. Now we've settled down with a Korean movie courtesy of Rogers on Demand. Its called "An Eye for an Eye" and although labelled as "Korean with English subtitles", it seems to be missing the subtitles so I'm blogging instead. As of this Tuesday, I'm down to 3 weeks left before our little lady makes her big appearance. Maybe I should get started on getting my hospital bag and baby's room together...

Going on a "Journey"...

Do you remember when you were a teenager and you'd see "adults" raving about "their" music and think "geez, how lame..." or get SO embarrassed? As a child of the 80's of course I have a greater appreciation and fondness for music from my own generation. But recently a certain someone in my household has become enamoured with the band Journey. Yes, I remember a couple of their songs, and yes, they are in fact, making a bit of a comeback. But when I see that Journey concert dvd getting pulled out yet again for our latest houseguest to "experience", I can't help but think to myself that someone is making the transition into becoming "that guy". The father who drags their child (and any unsuspecting friends) to watch/listen to "real music". I can picture our daughter's eyes rolling already...