Isaac Aidan Ricci… (the love of my life along with his daddy)
Born on September 16, 2008, 1:35pm. 8lb, 0oz. 20 inches long. Beautiful, amazing, and God’s gift to us.
Filed under: Contentment, I'm gonna be a Mom?!, Waiting, boy or girl?, pregnancy symptoms, well meaning strangers
Today I am 39 weeks (and one day, since we’re going with the 8th as my due date).
Today is the first day I am staying at home. I had my last day at work. I’m not going back. It feels weird. And sad. And weird. And did I mention that this is a very strange feeling?
I have been wanting this for practically my whole life, and today is the first day. Oh my… no pressure or anything though! I guess the REAL job starts when I bring baby home… but today feels significant to me anyway.
How I’m doing: I am soooo tired, and yet I can’t lie in bed too long, because I can’t stay comfortable, and it’s difficult to even roll over. My whole pelvic area is sore, because there’s so much pressure from the baby… and my belly is so heavy! I am definitely ready to be done being pregnant! I wouldn’t say I’m miserable…. in fact I am trying desperately to enjoy these last days, since everyone tells me I will miss it (being pregnant). But I really just want to meet this baby!!!
It certainly is interesting, being about to pop. I kinda feel like a circus attraction. People don’t really know what to say when my giganticness comes waddling by. Most people are pretty nice though. Here’s what most people ask me:
1) How much longer? To which I say… only ____ weeks/days…and yes, we’re very excited!
2) Oh wow… so are you ready? To which I say… umm.. the room is ready… but mentally I have no idea how to be ready… how can you be ready for the complete unknown?
3) How are you feeling? To which I give a vague answer of ok/good/tired (do they REALLY want to know all about my sore pelvic joints, or my gigantic swollen ankles, or the fact that I feel like the biggest wuss ever when I can’t walk further than a block without being totally exhausted?? probably not…)
4) Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl? To which Chris says, yes, it is. And then grins cuz he thinks he’s clever. And then has to explain that no, we don’t know the gender, but we’re figuring that yes it’s one or the other. haha.
I can’t think of a number 5, so this will have to suffice. These are the main ones. And am I allowed to say that I’m getting tired of answering them? No, I probably shouldn’t say that. Those are the grouchy pregnant hormones talking. Honestly though, it’s been nice to know that so many people care and are interested in this little babe inside me.
It’ll be nice when all the attention is on baby though. And that can happen ANYTIME now as far as I’m concerned! (Did you hear that, God?)…
anytime…
Filed under: Contentment, SO EXCITED!!!, Waiting, YAY BABIES!, doctor stuff, milestones
Apparently I’m now full-term (Full-term is 37 weeks according to my doctor), so I’m “allowed” to have this baby any day now. It’s such a weird feeling, going to sleep at night wondering if I’ll wake up at 3am with contractions! I’ve been having lots of Braxton-Hicks contractions, which doesn’t mean anything about when I’ll go into labour… but they sure do make me think about it more!
I don’t really feel anxious to get this baby out though. I’m kind of enjoying these last weeks/days. I am trying to burn into my mind how the kicks and bumps feel, so that I never forget. This is my first pregnancy, and it’s such a special and amazing time in my life. I don’t want to take any moment for granted. I’m also working for one more week, so hoping to get at least that far.
I had a doctor’s appointment today, which took all of like 6 minutes to determine that everything’s normal, and that baby is welcome to arrive anytime he or she pleases. I am certainly thankful for an easy and complication-free pregnancy. What a blessing!!!
I get to meet my baby soon! YEAH!
Filed under: Contentment, I'm gonna be a Mom?!, Waiting, YAY BABIES!, milestones, pregnancy symptoms, yikes!
Wowsers! I am 37 weeks pregnant today. Honestly that felt like FOREVER away when I first found out I was pregnant. And finding out I was pregnant feels like FOREVER ago. I can’t believe it’s so close!!!
Here’s what the good ol’ interweb has to say about my little monkey as of today (or an average of all little monkeys everywhere): Your baby weighs close to 6.5 pounds / 2.8 kilograms and may be about 20 inches / 50 centimetres long from head to toe. No wonder it’s a huge procedure just rolling over at night! This baby belly is h-e-a-v-y!!!
And here is what the average 37 week fetus (aka unborn baby) looks like:
The babe
Isn’t she/he adorable? lol.
By the way, I am so stinkin’ confused about my due date. You’d think I’d have figured this out a while ago. But I am confused nonetheless. Is it the 8th, the 9th, or the 10th? I don’t know. I think I’m gonna go with the 8th, because I want to have the babe earlier rather than later! I’m hoping I can have the baby early enough that I can see all the PM’s, especially Geoff and Kim & new baby Madelyn, before they all go home on the 13th or so. But really, I know, it’s all up to baby! (or God, actually!)
I am feeling pretty good… I mean I have the usual complaints related to being 37 weeks pregnant, like it hurts to walk, and I’m humongous, and I pee every hour, and don’t sleep well… not to mention the swollen ankles and water retention…
BUT all that means pretty much nothing when I think about the amazing miracle that I’m going to meet soon!
(And yes, as of now, I still want 5 kids! But I guess I’ll wait until I’ve gone through labour to say it again!)
Oh, and my wonderful mother-in-law is coming over to clean the house (which is amazingly sweet and incredibly helpful)… and my mom is coming over to help me with some other projects and more “getting ready for baby” stuff on Saturday. I’m so glad to be close to family right now!
One last thing… my mom thinks I’m gonna deliver early (she thinks around Sept.1, so we’ll see!!). Yikes!!
(Just as I’m pressing “publish”… baby is having hiccups again…)
Yep, I did! We went to Balsam Lake Provincial Park with our best friends, Mat & Naomi, and Jason & Katrina. We were there for 4 nights, and we tented! I slept on an air mattress, and it was ok, especially since hubby willingly brought along the 4 pillows I now require for sleeping at night. We sat around the campfire, cooked yummy food on the fire and the campstove, got freaked out by raccoons at night, and basically relaxed (I started to re-read the Harry Potter series – now on book 2).
Chris and I also went canoeing for an hour, and I found a life jacket that fit around my belly. Yay! It was really nice to paddle around on a beautiful day under the great big sky in a gigantic lake, talking about what life is gonna be like in 10 weeks, and what we are planning for the future. We have lots of big dreams, and are excitedly waiting on God to work it all out. The thought of becoming parents together is terrifying, exhilarating, and awe-inspiring, all at the same time.
Then on the way home, we stopped to go strawberry picking (Chris did most of the bending while I sat on a bucket to pick a few, took pics, and more or less looked cute).
We also got rained on the first night and morning. Alot. The boys put the tarps up in the rain so we could cook breakfast, and I attacked a loaf of bread and a banana in the meantime to keep from starving poor baby.
I am very proud of myself for going camping at 29-30 weeks pregnant, and surviving. I was a bit of a wimp here and there, like sitting on my butt while everyone tore down the tents and stuff, but overall I think I did awesome, and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again!
Yay me!
:):)
Before I got pregnant, I mostly just dreamed about what it would be like to have a baby to love and raise – to be a mom.
The fact that it takes nine months to grow one went in one ear and out the other. In our society of instant gratification, we expect that we can get things instantly. Hence, when hubby and I decided we wanted a baby, I had no idea just how long nine months could feel.
For the record – it feels like forever. In some senses I can hardly remember what it’s like to have a waist, a non-sore back, or visible ankle bones (I know they’re in there somewhere).
But in another sense, it feels like time has hurtled past like summer vacation when you’re 10. Know what I mean? Maybe not. That’s ok. Chris will probably just chalk this post up to “incoherent baby brain ramblings” anyway.
I mean, seriously, I’m having a baby in 11 weeks? WHAAAAAAATTT?????
The baby is a real person. I mean, a brand new human being with it’s own DNA, personality, and ideas. Baby is already like 2.5lbs (give or take, depending on which website you check), and around 15 inches long! I feel kicks and punches all day long, here and there, and am constantly reminded of the little baby that currently is using my abdominal cavity as a personal gym.
It’s quite amazing how I can love someone so much that I haven’t even met yet.
Filed under: Contentment, YAY BABIES!, farewell feet, pregnancy symptoms, yikes!
My feet and ankles have been nicely swollen and puffy these last few weeks… especially when it’s super-hot & humid outside. Tomorrow is supposed to kick off the summer of humidity with the temp in the mid-30’s and feeling like 41 with the humidex! YIKES! It’ll probably pretty much be like this from now until I give birth. And thus it begins… Wish me luck & pray I survive
In addition to my large feet and ankles (not to mention belly), I am trying very hard not to have over-inflated expectations about the whole “rest of my life” thing. I mean, I have no idea what to expect, so I’m trying to be totally open about it, but I really can’t help dreaming and thinking about how I picture life as a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom). I have this excited feeling down in the pit of my belly (or is that baby doing a tap-dance?? haha!) that I’m going to love it so much… even as much as I love being married to Chris. If that’s the case, then I’ll be a VERY happy person indeed.
Oh my. This pregnancy is going by faster than a… uh… I can’t think of a good analogy, so let’s just it’s going by super fast. I can’t believe there are only 17 weeks left!
Life has been good lately. True to all the experts’ predictions, I have enjoyed my second trimester very much. I pretty much enjoyed the first one too, except for being falling-asleep-during-supper exhausted the whole time. My latest “symptom” is swollen ankles. They are gigantic, and it’s kinda creepy the way I press on them and it leaves a big indent for like 10 minutes. Apparently I’m retaining water. Which means eat less salt and elevate your feet, being sure to go for walks (which seems to make it worse). Easier said than done.
Last night I started my very first class of my graduate studies. Haha! I say “graduate studies” like I have some grand plan or something. Really, I’m just taking it as an “occasional student” and am not registered in any program officially (yet). I’d love to work towards a Masters some day, but who knows… no pressure. I’m basically just taking it because I happen to love the prof who’s teaching it, and I know it’s a required class for most of the M.Div’s at Tyndale. Also, I love the topic! “Gospel, Church and Culture: Preparing Missional Leaders for the 21st Century”. I think I should be able to make disciples in my own culture before I go to another one (Africa) to do the same. This class (I hope) will help equip me in that!
My mom thinks I’m a little nuts – taking this class while 6 months pregnant. It’s every single night, Monday – Friday, 6:30-9:30pm, for 2 weeks (with a week break in the middle). I also work full-time during the days. OK, so maybe I am a little crazy, but when did I ever claim not to be? ha!
In baby news (since that’s who this blog is supposed to be about, and here I am blabbering on about myself) – my beautiful baby is over the a foot long now, and weighs over a pound! Amazing! I’ve heard that 23 weeks is the earliest a baby born prematurely has ever survived. I definitely don’t want to give birth anytime soon, but it’s amazing to think that already this little baby is basically a fully formed person!
I’ve also been feeling the kicks and flutters for the last 3 weeks or so, and Chris has been feeling them for about a week now. It’s becoming sort of a nightly thing – just before we turn out the light, as we’re lying in bed, he puts his hand on my belly for a little Daddy-baby bonding time. We can also SEE the baby move, as my stomach jumps and pokes in strange and amazing ways! I laughed out loud the first time I saw it!
Still trusting in God…
Dear baby,
I don’t yet know your name, but somehow I know you. I’m your mom. You aren’t born yet, but the days and weeks are slipping by so quickly, it’ll be that time before we know it. You’re getting so big & growing so quickly. You’ve been developing for almost 20 weeks now, so you’re halfway to your birthday! How exciting! The web says that you are probably around 7 inches long now, plus your legs (that’s just how they measure it right now). I hope I’m giving you everything you need to grow healthy and strong.
I already am in love with you. I know we haven’t officially met, but I can’t help it. You are my baby, and I’m your mom. I just know I’m gonna be in love with you forever. “They” say that motherhood is difficult. Kids grow up, are strong-willed, make decisions that their parents don’t like, and sometimes get hurt. I’m still gonna love you. I’ll love you no matter what you do or don’t do, say or don’t say. I’ll love you just because you’re my baby. I hope I’m a good mom. I hope you always know how much I love you.
I love being pregnant with you. It’s an adventure (especially because you’re my first). You are so special. I’ve been waiting for you my whole life. Ever since I was old enough to play with dolls, I knew I wanted to be a mom. God has been preparing my heart for you ever since he first created me. One day, when you’re all grown up, and wonder how I felt when I was young and pregnant with you, know this: I love it! It’s the most amazing gift that I’ve ever been given.
Your daddy can’t wait to see you. Soon I hope to feel your kicking and moving, and to let him feel it too. He loves you so much, and gives you kisses through my belly every day. He’s an absolutely amazing person, and is gonna be an incredible dad. He will love you with a love that is unfathomable. We love each other so much, it takes my breath away sometimes. I just shake my head and wonder how in the world I got so lucky! We have the ultimate example in God’s love for us. I hope you love God when you grow up too. He is the one who gave you to us, and who sustains us. God loves you so much my baby, and he always will. Even more than us, your mom & dad.
You are loved baby. You are loved by so many people, even now. Your grandparents, great-grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends all are waiting eagerly to meet you. But don’t grow up too quickly baby, because I don’t want to miss anything. I am grateful for each day God has given to us to be together. You are beautiful already because you are God’s creation. I pray we always cherish you like the gift from God that you are!
I love you already,
love, your mom.
Well, life’s been crazy lately. Actually I kind of prefer it that way. I’m not sure what “not busy and nothing to do” would look like, or if I might just waste away my days being an unproductive member of society, eating and watching daytime television.
Nonetheless a few days off is always a blessing (and more appreciated when it’s in the midst of the busyness). That’s what I got to do last week.
Two weeks less a day ago, I flew to New Brunswick. My Nana and Grampa picked me up at the airport at 11pm. I spent Thursday with them (spent several hours looking at old pictures of relatives from the last century or so. My Nana is trying to put them all together with dates/names, etc. so that it’s not “lost history” when she’s gone). On Friday, Georgina and the Steeves’ picked me up and we headed down to Halifax for the Halifax MissionsFest (called Jesus to the Nations). I helped with booth duty in representing AIM and talking to people interested in missions. Chris flew in Friday night to Halifax to help us. Then we all drove back to NB Monday morning. They dropped us off at Nana and Grampa’s house, where we stayed until EARLY Thursday morning. It was a wonderful few days of domino matches with Nana & Grampa, Roger & Judy (great-aunt & uncle), being spoiled with Nana’s cooking, sitting around reading, sleeping in, and enjoying the quiet. One day we went to a sugar camp to show Chris how maple syrup is made. It was too bad they weren’t boiling yet due to the lateness this year of the season, but it was still fun. I also got to see my 17-yr-old cousin, Shawna, and her new boyfriend, Adam. They are adorable! I feel stinkin’ old though… I remember the day she was born. I said that to my Nana, and she said “how do you think I feel, having a pregnant grand-daughter!!?” haha!
We got up at the ungodly hour of 4am (3am Toronto time) on Thursday morning to catch our flight back to Toronto, where our awesome friends picked us up at the airport at 7:27am! We went home, did a load of laundry, patted our very needy kitties, and hit the road again for our BABYMOON (like a honeymoon, but done as a “last vacation before baby comes” thing)!!!
We went to Niagara-on-the-lake to a B&B (John’s Gate B&B, which we now highly recommend!). We were there until Sunday. It was such a glorious time! I can’t remember the last time I felt that relaxed and spoiled! There was a gourmet breakfast waiting for us every morning (and I mean seriously gourmet – Saturday had 3 courses!!!), we had a king-size bed, an ensuite bathroom with a tub for bubble baths, a chocolate on our pillows each night… and the list goes on! The weather was gorgeous (except one day was rainy). We went to a dinner theatre one night, the spa all day one day, the Shaw Festival to see Wonderful Town (AMAZING!!!), walked around on historic Queen St in the town (2 minutes from the B&B), and went for a fancy dinner at a fancy schmancy pants restaurant (I was classy enough to sneak a few pics though, so I’ll be scrapping them)… there were so many little things that just made my day each day, but it would take a long time to write them all down. I’m gonna scrapbook the weekend, so you’ll have to just check it out when it’s done!
Anyway… if you’re pregnant, I highly recommend a babymoon. It’s good for the soul!
If you’re not pregnant, go to Niagara-on-the-lake for some other reason. It’s such a cute little town.
And last but not least….
I am 18 weeks pregnant today! Haven’t felt any movement yet (that I can confirm is definitely baby). That’s apparently normal, but I could start feeling it pretty well anytime. Looking forward to that!!!
