39 Week Update

This week I started my maternity leave. I thought relaxing would be a lot of fun, but after 2 days, I am going stir-crazy! It hasn't helped that the weather here has been frigid.... around -25 or -30 degrees with the wind chill. I don't have a proper winter jacket that fits my large belly, so the daily walks I had planned have not been happening. I tried a balance ball exercise from YouTube and quickly realized I am waaaay beyond sit ups on a ball. Oh well. My goal today is to get out of the house. Maybe to a mall, where I can walk!

Other than that, things on the pregnancy end have been going ok. I have been having some sciatica pain (it comes and goes!) but otherwise feel pretty good! I am definitely at the stage where it is "The Waiting Game". I am getting antsy, and so are baby B's grandparents! 

I've been thinking more about the sex of the baby lately. For most of my pregnancy, I was SURE it is a girl. Lately I've been feeling more like it may be a boy. After telling Joe last night that I thought it is a boy, I had a dream that it was a girl. What it comes down to is... I have no clue! I no longer have that instinctual feeling. Whether a He or She... baby B will be the perfect match for our little family! I can't wait to meet him/her. I'm feeling really glad that we didn't find out the sex, as I am feeling pretty excited about the moment that Joe and I find out. It will be so special! Our midwife even said that she'll leave it up to us to figure it out (instead of telling us), which I think it great! 

Anyway, here are some photos!

39 Weeks 

And even though I was SURE I would never publish a photo of my bare preggo belly... here it is. I couldn't resist! It really is quite amazing... 

One week until Due Date! Although I have a feeling this little guy or gal may decide to take his/her time coming out... I will keep you posted!

36 Weeks!

Today marks 36 weeks!

That means I'm starting my 9th month. Scary! And exciting!

Joe and I have definitely been talking more about the reality of what's coming...and fast! It is starting to feel really real! It has always felt like Baby Barlen's birthday is off in the distance, but now it is feeling like it is around the corner. I can't wait to meet the little munchkin, and see what he/she looks like! 

Pregnancy Update: 30 Weeks!

I am 30 weeks today. Only 10 more to go!

I think I'm officially in panic mode... 10 weeks doesn't seem like a long time any more! And there is so much to do.

Angle #1

Angle #2

Answers to commonly asked questions:

1. How are you feeling? Tired... heavy... but excited! And anxious. 

2. Are you sleeping? Sometimes yes. Sometimes not so much. Which adds to the tired.

3. Do you have names picked? Yes! But they are a surprise!

Other cool facts:
- The baby weighs over 3 pounds right now. Whoa!
- If it were born now, it would probably survive and be completely OK.
- I can sometimes feel a knee or elbow sticking out from my belly! Wierd!!
- My grade 2 girls are obsessed with my belly. It gets more attention than I do some days. I'll be sad to say goodbye to my little munchkins when baby is born :(

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Today I am 27 weeks. Only 13 to go!

And here is a picture of Joe. Creepy!!

20 Weeks!

Well, we officially hit the half-way mark of our pregnancy yesterday. 20 weeks!
It is starting to feel real that we're having a baby!
Today we went for our 20 week ultrasound, which was super exciting. Baby Barlen was apparently moving around like crazy, but the ultrasound tech managed to get a few good shots. We stayed strong and didn't find out the gender. There is something so fun about guessing!

Here are some photos of myself and baby for your enjoyment :)
(Thanks to my good friend, Kate, for lending me this cute maternity dress!)

And the super-cute ultrasound shots :) Is it weird that I already think it looks like Joe?

Foot

A hand!

 Here's hoping that the next 20 weeks go by fairly quickly, because I'm getting antsy to meet this little munchkin!

Random Updates

Time has flown since I've really posted on here. As seen in my previous post, life has been busy with getting ready for school next week. So, here are some random updates on the other stuff that is new!

1. Pregnancy update:

• I am 18 weeks 5 days along! It's hard to believe that I'm almost half way there! I had someone ask me today when I'm due! It was very exciting. 
• I felt Baby Barlen moving this week for the first time! Now I feel him/her all of the time. Things are starting to become real! 
• We have decided not to find out the gender of the baby. I think it's going to make the birth that much more exciting! But it'll be hard to wait!
• Don't worry, Pamela...I'll post some belly photos soon... that is, whenever my belly becomes a little more obvious!

2. Remember this post, where I talked about a Mourning Dove that has taken residence in our front hanging basket? Well... we were worried she was injured. We even gave her a name: Odette! Then, the other day, it became visible why she was there. There are 2 reasons :) Babies! But now we can't water the plant, or move the planter...so it will just die and look funny on our house... Oh well!

3. I've been loving Pinterest for recipes lately, especially as I've been having cravings for strange ingredients. (High on the list: Avocado and Cilantro...) I pinned this recipe for Black Bean Fritters with a Cilantro dipping sauce.

I had to have them! And we just happened to have most of the ingredients on hand. So, we gave it a shot. However, the recipe wasn't perfect, and they needed much more flour/egg than the recipe called for in order to stick together. They ended up being so-so. But the dipping sauce was good! I wouldn't make them again, though.

4. We got together at my Mum and Rick's place to celebrate their wedding with extended family last weekend with a Pig Roast. It was good times, and great to catch up with people.

5. We've been trying our best to enjoy our last few days of summer. Last night we walked through McLennon Park (aka Mount Trashmore) to watch the beautiful sunset.

6. I've been reading the book "Reading with Meaning" by Debbie Miller, as suggested by a coworker. It is a great read for any Primary teacher, and I'll definitely be using many of the ideas in there in my reading program.

That's all for now!