11 Days Old

I was thinking of doing a weekly update but the first week of Owen's life has already flown by in a blur so I  am doing an 11 day old update. 

Jennifer our midwife stopped by yesterday for a check up on us both and as we had suspected our little Owen is not staying little for long. He was born weighing 6lb 11oz, the three days in the hospital and not to much success in latching he had dropped below 6lb, a bit to much weight loss for them to let us go home. Luckily our nurse during that shift was very empathetic to my burning desire to go home and suggested we feed him a bottle of formula. She gave us an hour and came back to weigh him again. It worked and we were free!

Once home and with minimal interruptions and distractions (it felt like there was always someone poking or prodding us at the hospital) we were able to start our lives together. He has been a great eater from the get go, awake and hungry every two to three hours but still no success with latching. I was pumping and finger feeding him for the first eight or nine days and thankfully we have had a breakthrough and now able to breastfeed. 

Both Rob and I have seen the changes in him every day and he is filling out quite quickly. His delicate hands are becoming paws, his wee little toes are filling in and his beautiful round cheeks continue to be just that. Yesterdays weigh in measured 6lb 14oz, a fantastic feat in just 10 days. They usually allow two weeks for babies to get back to their birth weight.  

Some of the may feeding faces 

36 Week Bump Update

Quite suddenly and unexpectedly at 36 weeks and three days Pip decided that it was time to join us. 

Not that we would have had it any other way. 

The three of us have been getting to know each other. Rob and I have spent every waking hour, and there are many of them, just staring at our beautiful son, admiring everything about him and wondering how we ended up with such a fantastic child.

Owen Samuel Arthur Fletcher

April 18, 2012

18:34

6lb 11oz, 50 cm 

Stay tuned, the story of Owen's arrival to follow shortly.

Best Baby Carrier Ever

Image can be found here

Looks like I found the answer for travelling on my scooter with Pip. 

Meet Mr. Floppy

Rob was out for dinner with a friend the other night and had some time to spare and ended up walking around the Distillery. As you can see, the adorable guy above caught Dad to be's eye and so happily came home with him.

Dad's first toy for Pip.

Rob, you rock.

And yes, I cried.

35 Week Bump Update

Oh how the time is is flying! We are nearing one month left as a family of two before becoming a family of three.

After 10 years married (our anniversary is in about two weeks time, just sayin) it seems crazy to think how much is going to change yet at the same time it feels so right.

Pip is still head up so I am ramping up the acupuncture treatments as well as being more consistent in doing the moxa treatments at home. I am now seeing the midwife on a weekly basis and we will talk more serious about options if Pip remains breech. I was informed at our appointment yesterday that they are not trained to do a breech delivery even if it is a frank breech and the OB on call at the hospital will take over if we arrive in labour this way, most likely resulting in a c section. Definitely not a favourable option.
I suggested that we have time and would like to talk about this next week. No need to stress now!

As for my favourite obsession, my belly button, it remains flush with the belly but am sure that with one good kick it's all over and will pop out. If you hear a scream, it's probably me!

Just like Mom and Dad

So the ultrasound confirmed that Pip is indeed breech. Even after all the convincing that Rob has been doing and the crazy things I have been doing the little one is being stubborn just like Mom and Dad, guess that's to be expected!

I meet with my midwife on Monday and we will talk more about it but in the meantime it looks like I am going to ramp up my foot burning and hip elevations.

We were told that Pip is Frank Breech which means that it's bum down in my pelvis with legs pointing straight up to the head. From the images, we were able to tell that Pip's head is facing my left side and tucked down so I feel confidant that a flip or roll is coming soon! I have been told that this is a good kind of breech to have, what ever that means, and it is possible to deliver with this position. I think I'll wait until I chat with my midwife to see what she says.

In the meantime here is a shot of some incredibly sweet baby toes. With the head in such a tucked down position and the feet up by the face getting a clear face shot was pretty difficult. Guess we will all have to wait a bit longer to see who's in there.

Wee foot measures 7cm long!

34 Week Bump Update

Well, another week down and closer to Pip's arrival. I have really noticed a slow down this past week, getting tired so much earlier and easier. I am also finding it hard to stay in on one position for too long either standing, sitting or lying down, as my upper back is getting sore and the belly is getting bigger. Speaking of the belly, I noticed that for the past week or so I was bumping into things more frequently which is not like me so figured it was time to get the measuring tape out. Sure enough the belly has grown two inches since the last measure, thank goodness I'm tall otherwise I'b be standing back a foot from the counters while trying to make dinner!

With my diaphragm now pushed waaayy up into my ribs my voice has changed. Kind of like puberty but not! It's become raspier, a bit deeper and when I try to sing most of the time nothing comes out. I'm guessing for some that's a good thing.

Still doing what I can in order to turn Pip but to be honest I really don't know anymore what direction Pip is in. There are so many lumps and bumps that it's pretty difficult to figure out what is what. Guess I'll have to wait until Wednesday for the ultrasound to confirm. Fingers crossed.

It seems that I can not get enough liquids this week. I'm drinking almost three liters of water a day but still feel like I'm very dehydrated, always thirsty, dry mouth and lips. Guess I just need to keep drinking!

We finished our prenatal classes and can not say enough about how fantastic they were. The instructor, Leslie, was amazing. She was very inclusive of the partners at all times, even during the breast feeding class, which really enforced the idea that this is a partnership and not just what mom says. She also covered all the questions we had and didn't know we had in a very open and honest manner, a lot of common sense and excellent solid advice on all the topics she covered.

Now I understand that I have not given you any details about the classes as this would be the longest post ever, but am more than happy to tell you about it if there are questions. If you click the link below then click the prenatal button on the top of the page it will direct you to an outline of what is covered in her classes.
I think Rob said it best; the only advice he will give expecting Dad's or parents is just go to these classes, don't bother with anything else as you will be wasting your time.
You can link to her website here http://www.birthspirit.ca/ as well, I have put a link to her web site under my links header.

More Smoothies

I love smoothies! Even before I was preggo smoothies were a quick and easy way to get a good punch of nutrition quickly and easily. The only change I have made is the removal of caffeine, either espresso or macha, but all the other ingredients have remained the same. So, here are two that I have made up in the past two days. As you will see they are very basic but quite yummy.

Chocolate Banana


1 or 2 frozen bananas
Small handful of oatmeal
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 tablespoon almond butter
Top up with almond milk

Blend away.

Cantaloupe  Smoothie

Half a frozen banana

Half to three quarters of chopped cantaloupe

Small handful of oatmeal

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 tablespoon chia seeds

Top up with almond milk

Blend and enjoy.

Burning My Feet

As mentioned earlier, Pip is in breech position and we have started to try some alternative methods of turning the baby.

I have been going for acupuncture treatments for over a year now for a variety of different reasons and was aware of the Moxa treatment that was given to help turn a breech baby. Last week I went in for a treatment and to be honest, it felt really nice. I was all warm and cozy while Pip was dancing away.

Essentially it's a cigar size stick of mugwort that is lit up and placed over your pinky toe. This stimulates the uterus by improving blood flow to the area thus stimulating the baby to move around. By doing this daily there is a better chance of the baby turning on it's own as opposed to an external version, which I am hoping to avoid at all costs as I have heard that it can be quite painful.

This is a very simple procedure and so was given a stick to take home so Rob can do it for me. Now I will admit that waving a burning stick over your feet to turn a baby sounds very odd but it doesn't hurt and after doing a quick bit of research it appears to be a fairly regular treatment for breech babies. Convincing Rob took a bit but he is a great sport and played along with my request.

I am also laying down every day (when I remember to) with pillows under my hips to elevate them for 15 min. This helps Pip raise out of the pelvic bone area and being top heavy, as in head is much larger that the rest if the body, will hopefully flip around.

We shall see what happens. The good news is that my midwife has sent me for an ultrasound late next week to confirm Pip's position, I'm not going to argue! We are pretty excited to be able to see Pip again as we were only expecting the two ultrasounds early on so this is a great bonus.

Stay tuned for any updates as they occur.

33 Week Bump Update

It has been a really fun week for us. Over the weekend Rob and I went to a surprise birthday party which was a blast. Even though I was wearing three inch heels we both ended up on the dance floor disco dancing and got home around midnight. Needless to say, I was a zombie all day Sunday. Pip sure loved the dancing and was hopping along with us. It also felt wonderful on my lower back to move and groove, will have to remember that during labour.

Last night after a day at the office Rob and I did a bit of car seat shopping as this is the only item (I think) that is left on our have to purchase list, they wont let us home from the hospital with out one. As there are four different kinds that fit into our stroller we checked them all out and both agreed on one. Will probably head back in the next week or so when we are not so hungry and pick it up.

While in the store we were very quickly overwhelmed with all the stuff that is out there, sensory overload. We did find a great high chair that will adapt and grow with the baby until they are about five years old, is mostly of wood construction and has a small footprint. Bonus on all accounts.

I have really noticed myself slowing down in the past week, my walks are getting slower and I am starting to look for benches to sit on while I'm out. I am still doing a 5km walk on the weekends along the lake, I consider this more exercise than just out enjoying the day as I try to push myself a bit more than during the week. If you look closely at the pic above you may see the suggestion of a tan line on my shoulder. It was stunning last week, above 20 degrees for several days, so I was out in a t shirt and my capri running pants catching some rays. What an ego boost to be able to fit into my running pants, I so did not want to take them off, ever.

Pip is still moving a dancing like crazy and is breech or head up still. There are a few more weeks before this becomes an issue but have started trying to turn the baby now. This involves another post so check back in a couple of days and I will have an update on the crazy things that we have been doing.

Nesting

Seems the warm sunny weather has kicked in my need to nest. We have not really done much to set up a nursery for Pip, not that we don't want to, it's just lack of space. The plan is to keep the baby in a bassinet for the first while in our room and then figure out what to do next, and trust me, I am very happy with this arrangement. It means no stress what so ever in doing up a nursery or feeling the need to sew everything myself.

For some strange reason today I have this burning desire to get everything ready for when Pip arrives, crazy hormones! So, to appease my needs I have cleaned the balcony and pulled out all the potted grasses from last year, hopefully some will come back after such a mild winter. Cleaned the patio windows and doors and washed the patio furniture. Washed the living room floor and have now started washing all the baby clothes and diapers that I have so far. 

Hoping this will tucker me out and bring me back to my senses! 

Hello Spring!

Mother Nature has treated us kindly this week and we are welcoming spring today with near 19 degree temp, clear blue skies and almost no wind. I have just come back from a 4.5 hour walk which included a break in the park on a sunny bench, and wish I was still out there. Actually, I really wish I was on the scooter all day!

So looking forward to taking Pip out for a spin in the stroller in a few short months.

If only I had a water gun

Bump Update

Again, I did not realize how time has flown by and it's been over a week since my last post, it feels like everything is on fast forward.

I also had no idea how pointy I have become, the belly does change shape frequently but it has definitely gotten bigger. I think I say that every time I post as well. Pip has taken to hanging out head up or horizontal when head down is the preferred position. There are a few more weeks to go before it becomes a concern but we have started to talk to the belly and make suggestions that head down would be much better for everyone.

Speaking of my belly, as of today it is now being referred to as the belly as it has become big enough to be it's own entity.

With eight (or so) weeks to go I still feel pretty good but am noticing that I'm slowing down again. Finding a comfortable position to sit is becoming more difficult as I have a fair amount of discomfort across my back in the mid rib region. Not sure if its from my ribs being pushed out or all the weight pulling in the front, as you can see from above. Trying to do yoga more frequently, not so successful but trying as well as keeping up with going for a long walk most days. With the weather changing and the sun shining it has been easy to go out, in fact, I took the belly for an hour long walk along the waterfront this afternoon while Rob went for a ride. So fantastic!

Lastly, I finally pulled the pregnancy card for the first time and didn't feel too bad about it. Yes, I parked there.

My sister and I went to Babies R Us and Toys R Us earlier in the week, she needed to do some research for a project and I had never been so it seemed like a good idea. What an eye opener! I had no idea how divided everything is into very girl or boy, clothing I can understand (sort of) but the toys, wow. Even the lego was made for either girls or boys, I just found it so foreign. Does it make me old and curmudgeonly to find this so strange?

Pip's First Toy

Pip is one lucky baby and has already been receiving gifts ever since the news broke, we are so touched by everyone's love and generosity. I think that it's safe to say that mere moments of hearing the news, Oma's knitting needles were on fire and Pip already has a gorgeous collection of clothing and blankets that she has shipped to us that I'm sure are just the tip of the iceberg!

Before this past fall I really did not know anything about babies or all the stuff that comes along with them, it has been a big learning curve that I'm sure we have only just begun. With such great family and friends we have a great source of experience and knowledge available to us.

Coming home one afternoon after a lovely fall walk I was greeted with a package form my Aunt Carol and Uncle Don. Of course I was unable to wait until Rob got home from work and opened up the box to find two fantastic fleece blankies and a very cute giraffe toy and teether. She had made up a girl and a boy blankie, just to be safe, as well as having a back up for when one will need a washing! Now in regards to the giraffe, I had never seen them before and my aunts note explained that her grand kids love them have been well used, especially during teething. Being an experienced Grandma I was very happy for this insight.

Well, fast forward a couple of months and I came across the above video explaining Sophie's origins and history and can now appreciate why Sophie has become such a popular toy and love the fact that Pip has one to call their own.

Bump Update

Did not realize that it has been three weeks since my last bump update, I guess that's what happens when you get knocked on your ass for a week with a cold! Finally starting to feel myself again even though the picture is a little rough looking.

Hitting another milestone, I am now 30 weeks along out of 40, so yes, 10 weeks to go! It's getting so close yet it still feels so far away.

Pip continues to grow and is weighing in around 3lbs and 17 inches long from head to toe and with the larger size comes larger kicks. It feels like it's almost continuous now with the jabs, kicks and rolling around, in fact it going to be really strange to not have them in a few short months. It's quite entertaining to see my belly moving around and changing shape while I sit here and type, very alien like.

Today was a stellar day, sun shining, blue sky and temperature around 15 so I went for a nice long walk along the water, my old running route to be exact, and it felt amazing. I was so happy to be out and really looking forward to taking Pip out in the stroller every day to check out the waterfront and get active again.

And in another sign that the wee one will be making an appearance soon, last night Rob and I attended our first prenatal class. It was fantastic! It is through our midwife clinic and the woman teaching it is great, she is very knowledgeable, experienced and informative. She is also quite good at keeping our attention for two hours and presenting the information in a way we can understand and relate to. Best part, no crappy and horrific videos to scare everyone. Her approach to birth seems very similar to the way I am approaching it which is encouraging and exciting for me. (More on that later, that's for another post). It was also exciting to hear that Rob felt the same as me in regards to our instructor and what we are going to get out of the next three classes.