38 Weeks (POMERANIAN/SPAGHETTI SQUASH) - 2.0: Apr 24-30

Photo-bomber in action!

• This is the last week that I have photos from my pregnancy with Dom. I made it to 39W1D before going into labor, and we did take 39 week photos, but they got lost at some point. I'm still sad about that, but interesting anyway!
• Another midwife appointment this week! I was thinking maybe we wouldn't have this one, but alas... No baby yet!
• My Weight: 145 (+25.5lb from start; +2lb from last week)
• My BP: 105/67
• Fundus: 39cm (This was a higher measurement than I was expecting as I've been measuring small all along, however we saw a different midwife this week, so maybe Jen just measures differently. Either that or my baby is really the reason I've started packing on the pounds the last two weeks... Come soon then!)
• Baby HR: 135 BPM
• Jen, the midwife, commented on how low my belly is sitting. Tell me about it! It's causing me intense back and hip pain!
• The midwife asked what our plan was for postpartum care. We said David could take a couple days off work, and then maybe get some help from my mom and/or his mom as well. Apparently it is recommended to have someone basically full-time to watch the Toddler and take care of all the household duties for the first TWO WEEKS so I can just focus on the new baby and myself. That is the optimal situation for healing and avoiding complications. Um... hello! That sounds incredible, but also slightly unrealistic(?). Unless you already live with your parents and they're retired, or your husband can just take two weeks off work and magically be able to do ALL the things around the house! Haha. We will see what happens... 
• She did comment on how good my veins are. She said, "Well... I hope you don't need an IV, but if you do, you're all set!" Or something to that effect. I've always had veiny hands/arms, but with the added blood volume from pregnancy it's like a gross road map!
• Baby's movements have still been pretty regular, but different. Much more subdued. Baby is running out of space and can't do those big movements anymore. 
• I feel like Bambi. My hips and pelvis are SO loosey goosey. When I walk I feel like my legs are just going to give out and I'm going to be splayed out on the floor. Obviously this isn't likely, but it is a rather uncomfortable existence. My SI belt seems to help a little with feeling more sturdy, but doesn't help much with the pain. 
• As much as it is easy to complain, I try really hard to keep a good attitude about everything. I am healthy and my baby is healthy. Everyone is uncomfortable at 38 weeks pregnant!
• One night I thought maybe my water was leaking, so we talked about our labor plan and made sure everything was ready. We went to bed as usual, and didn't notice anything else going on. I guess I just peed a little... haha!!! Oh third trimester. You really know how to take a woman's dignity!
• I think my belly is past the point of being "cute", and is now just scary. I was walking down an aisle in the grocery store, and a man entered the aisle and apologized to me and backed out... just because I was in the same aisle... I'm not THAT huge! He was still a bigger person than me! Haha. I also saw him gawking at the giant belly on his way out of the store. Yes. yes... I know... small frame, huge belly, how do I not fall over. 
• 38 Weeks Pregnant with Dominic - Katrina, this is the week we did side-by-side shots of Dom & Sam in our bellies!
• 38 Weeks Huggies Graphic
  

Dominic - 16 Months

So hard to pick a favorite photo this week. There were so many good ones.

He was in a real posing mood this morning

He's saying, "DEEES!" (Cheeese!)

Weight: 31lb (100+ percentile). 
Length: 32 inches (65th percentile)


Likes:

• His blankets. His two knitted blankets are his primary items of comfort. He (sadly) now insists on pulling loops out of the knitting and wrapping them around his fingers as part of his routine. I hate seeing him pull them like that, but it really makes him so happy... I guess a blanket like this just shows how well loved it is. 
• Watching me prep and cook meals. We're going to be building him a step stool thing that is safe(r) for toddlers so he can stand at the counter with me and watch or help. I cannot WAIT for this. 
• "Jumping". This is really him just doing squats, but it's pretty adorable anyway.
• Playing outside on our patio or in our yard. This will be so nice for the summer and Spring. 
• Trying to pick up the ball and throw it for Sherlock using the chuck-it. He will even tap the chucker on the ground when Sherlock is running because he's seen us do that to get Sherlock's attention again. 
• Pom Poms, pots & pans, and his little IKEA utensils. His quiet time activity of choice right now is to scoop the poms from one pot to another using the ladle. 
• "Buppa" and "Daddy". They are the first words out of his mouth when he wakes up in the morning, and pretty much the last words when he goes to bed. 

Dislikes:

• Teething. Dom has been working on two more molars, and another few teeth this month. He currently has 10 teeth, but we're waiting on another molar and his canines I think he's working on. He gets very sad and needy at times when he's hurting. He still sleeps great 95% of the time though. Yay!
• Not getting his way. He throws himself to the floor in a tantrum if we take something away from him. I usually avoid this by not having anything lyring around that he can't have. Helps when I don't have to spend all day saying, "No."

Notes:

• We've stopped doing the baby oatmeal and feed him regular oatmeal with some honey or cinnamon in it instead. Always, of course, followed by a banana. He would never let us forget the banana!
• He has gotten to the age of testing us. He will try out different ways of getting his way. Whining, charming, tantruming, saying "please" (which is really either a sign or something that sounds like nyu nyu nyu!), or just going for it. I'm trying very hard to be patient and consistent and not to give into his whining. He is most often trying the charming way with me. Sweetly coming to my legs and saying, "Mama" with big puppy-dog eyes, and very excitedly asking for help to take out the vacuum... every. single. morning. 
• He is learning something new EVERY day. It is unbelievable. All of a sudden yesterday he asked to take out the puzzles, so I took them out and he did them... as if he'd done them a thousand times... I've never once seen him so confident with the puzzle. So proud!
• I find he's more into signing than talking, but he does still use both to communicate. His new words I can think of off the top of my head are: Blankey (Nanny), and please(?) or I want that(?) (Nyu nyu). 
• His new animal sounds/signs include fishy (he has a great fishy face), crocodile, hippo, bunny, birdy, penguin, crab, and probably some more I haven't thought of. 
• He's learning new body parts. He can identify eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, feet/toes, belly-button, and hair (ironic... I know)
• He is totally introverted. He would MUCH rather sit and observe than get in on group action at the toddler/kid groups we go to. He will just stand there with his fishy crackers looking all socially awkward and watch the other kids play. A man after my own heart :)
• He points out cars and trucks everywhere. VROOM VROOM!!! 
• He is SO observant. He watches and copies everything we do. It's time to start watching ourselves for bad habits. Some examples... Putting vacuum hose in vacuum, getting medicine for him, turning on/plugging in the sound machine, washing dishes, sweeping, cooking/stirring/chopping, going to oven/microwave when it beeps, going to let dog in/out when he's whining at the door, blowing our nose, eating with utensils, drinking out of cups, bringing things to the garbage, using keys to unlock doors. Basically anything a grown up uses or does is more exciting to him than his toys. I put him to work with the vacuum the other day and he was very thorough, although it got a little heavy for him.
• He is becoming more and more snuggly as time goes on. He is starting to show affection with hugs and cuddles (finally!). I love it!
• He has figured out how to open some of our cupboards with child-proofing on them as well as pulling out the wall plugs. Sigh... 
• Does "Cheers" with his water bottle.

A Typical Day:

700 - wake up

715 - breakfast (oatmeal & banana)

Play-time

930 - occasionally a small snack

1100 - lunch time

1155 - 10 minutes of Paw Patrol

1215 - nap time

245 - up from nap

3/330 - snack if needed

500 - dinner time

630 - bath (on bath day), jammies, and some wind-down play time. 

7/715 - head upstairs for bed!

He does this when I say, "Hi Yi Yi!"

I swear these photos took VERY little instruction. He was just hamming it up big time!

This morning, an hour before we did the official photos, I brought the bear down to get ready, and Dom immediately crawled on to the couch, said, "CHEESE!" and started posing. Here are a few phone pictures from that little session. He makes me laugh every day. 

Seriously child... What is this face?! Maybe he SHOULD be in commercials. Haha

Thankful Thursday - 130

This week I'm thankful for...

1. My Besty from the Mid-West(y). Janine made a quick last-minute trip to town this week and I got the privilege of spending a little time with her! Her and Jaia came over one day for some play time with Dom and it was so fun watching the two kids interact. Dom kept walking up to her and just smiling or trying to share toys, and she gave him all the shade at the beginning. Good work, Jaia! Don't let all the boys charm you too quickly haha!
We also had a chance to go out for dinner with just the two of us. That was one of the most fun days I've had in a while, and I was really grateful to be able to do it!

Dom & Jaia, born just 2 days apart.

2 day age difference... 10 lb weight difference. Is Jaia not the most beautiful girl ever? She's got the brains and attitude to match too!

Finally starting to play together

2. Some outings before the baby comes. I've been trying to get out at least once every day, but lately it's been even more than that. It's easy to get out when it's so nice out! 

We've been trying to get out to Storytime at church on Thursdays. Dom LOVES the sand bucket. This time he didn't even try to eat any! He did however, steal many other kids' cups of fish crackers...

Saturday morning Dave and I took Dom to IKEA to pick up a few things. After we got home and Dom had a nap, we went downtown to meet up with Jeff & Marta and to have some pizza with them. Here is D discovering Jeff's guitar. Lots of fun!

Walking to pick up the pizza. It's amazing how close everything is when you live in Vancouver. We went to Chapters which was a 5 minute walk, then went to pick up the pizza and walked home. I was less tired after that then walking around IKEA in the morning.

Super grateful we thought to bring the stroller!

D-man snarfing down some 'za

Selfie with Uncle Jeff & Aunty Marta

On Sunday I went to a baby shower for my cousin Brad & his wife Anita to welcome Charley into the family!

I got happy awake cuddles with this little 3-week old! She's such a cutie <3

On Tuesday we were invited for dinner & dessert to my Oma's house (Oma-ma(?) to Dom). We all devoured the food, as usual, and then we sat on her balcony to enjoy dessert.

Wednesday morning I went over to David's parents' house to have a visit with Gramma! It was super gorgeous out, so we had lunch and then played in the sun for a little bit before packing up to head home for nap time. 

I think Dom needs a bigger hat for this season...

3. Feeling (relatively) well all things considered. Some days it doesn't work out to be out all day. I take a nap every day while Dom naps, varying anywhere from 20 minutes to almost 2 hours. I don't feel overly exhausted or uncomfortable. The temperature is perfect for a skirt and a tank top, which is about all that fits me now anyway! Come check in with me in a week if this baby is still inside. I may feel differently ;). 

It's a mess, but he's quietly scooping pom poms out of this pot with his mini ladle from IKEA.

This picture does not do the Magnolia Trees in our complex justice. I peeked out our master window after taking a nap and saw all the gorgeous pink!

Snuggly snuggles on the couch

Pretty impressive getting both feet in the pot!

With the beautiful weather I laid out a blanket on our patio and let Dom & Sherlock have in/out access while I got some stuff done inside. 

37 Weeks (STRIPED SKUNK/HONEYDEW MELON) - 2.0: Apr 17-23

Last pregnancy I did my last bare-belly photos at 37 weeks, so I thought I'd do the same this time. Might as well show off those stretch marks. Battle scars.

• I have started picking up my activity levels a bit now. Doing some pelvic exercises, walking more, bouncing on the yoga ball, light supported squats, etc. Not trying to get things going yet, but all very useful in getting baby in best birthing position! 
• I have never-ending hunger, and a REALLY never-ending sweet tooth. It is so bad. I've been making myself what I call "trail mix". It's really just a little bowl of chocolate chips, marshmallows and craisins haha! Occasionally I'll add some pecans or cheerios for crunch factor. 
• Hospital bag(s) are all packed and ready to go. I have a list in the top of each bag with the "last minute" things to pack (my nightguard, David's toiletries, etc.) We also have a rough plan of what we're going to do with Dom when we go into labour. It's hard to make a set plan because there are so many variables and you never know when it's going to happen or how quickly it's going to progress! At this point, my mom is on call and she will come over and hang out with him here. That way we don't have to worry about packing for him to stay elsewhere too much :)
• My belly is itchy this week. This is when I really started getting stretch marks last pregnancy, so I'm curious to see how many more I'll get in the next few days/weeks until baby comes.
• My feet are starting to swell a bit by the end of the day. The last couple weeks of my last pregnancy I started swelling and retaining water weight as well. Just another reminder this is all happening! 
• Oh hormones... I got mad and cried one night when we went to bed. Baby had been going nutso for 3 hours, and lots of punches to the cervix so I was uncomfortable. We went to bed and David laid down and started falling asleep immediately. I got super upset that he was able to just go to sleep while I had this constant disco dance party in my belly and lightning crotch keeping me awake. I decided in that moment that pregnancy was totally unfair, and I was completely just in being mad at David for this. Haha! I fell asleep eventually and was only up 3-4 times to pee that night *eye roll*. 
• I also get a panic almost every night thinking about going through labour again. I re-read Dom's birth story this week and it made me feel better, actually. I can do this... I did this... I survived!
• Walking or activity of any sort, or certain positions gets the contractions going. Nothing regular, but they're starting to come more often with more cramping as well. Maybe I'll just do half the effacing and dilating without actually being in labor. That would be nice... Every day I wake up and think, "Well... today could actually for real be the day!"
• Weekly midwife appointment!
• My Weight: 143 lb (up 23.5lb from the start; up 3lb in just one week!)
• My BP: 100/60
• Baby HR: 150 BPM
• Fundus Height: 35-36cm
• Really not a lot to report from this week's appointment. She gave us a handout on when to call and when to go to the hospital, etc. when labour starts. I am supposed to go when I have been having contractions every 5 minutes, that last 1 minute, for at least 1 hour (5-1-1 rule). With my first pregnancy I was supposed to go when they were every 3 minutes, for at least 2 hours, lasting 1 minute (3-2-1 rule)... I didn't actually go until they were every 2-2.5 minutes and lasting 1-1.5 minutes. Oops... They do not want me to do that this time! 
• 37 Weeks pregnant with Dominic. I now realize how cute my belly looked at this point last time compared to this time. I now have all the stretch marks from Dom, plus a bunch of new ones from this baby. Not so cute... A little bit scary! We were talking about going swimming last week. I think if we go swimming while I'm still pregnant I might wear a t-shirt. Don't want to freak anyone out! Haha
• 37 Weeks Huggies Graphic

Can't forget about my photo-shoot buddy! He just likes to steal my thunder ;)

People often stop me when I'm out grocery shopping or the like to tell me what a gorgeous baby I have. Glad to know I'm not just biased ;). It's the bald head, big ole cheeks, luscious lips and blue eyes. It also helps that he's generally happy and a total cheeseball nugget.

Dad, you're boring me!

Now I'm angry!! (This was actually Dom caught mid-sneeze, but I think it's hilarious)