Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Dragons and Sheep

Looks like Peanut may be taking after P a little more than I thought. Seems that this is a big year for the Chinese Zodiac and little Peanut will be one of the lucky Dragon babies born this year.

Its interesting to read up on some of the traits of the two signs that will be making up my home. Some are very telling, others are WAY off (bold):

Daddy & Peanut
Dragon –  /  () (Yang Fire, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Wood): Magnanimous, stately, vigorous, strong, self-assured, proud, noble, direct, dignified, eccentric, intellectual, fiery, passionate, decisive, pioneering, artistic, generous, loyal. Can be tactless, arrogant, imperious, tyrannical, demanding, intolerant, dogmatic, violent, impetuous, brash.


Mommy
Sheep –  () (Yin Earth, 4th Trine, Fixed Element Fire): Righteous, sincere, sympathetic, mild-mannered, observant, artistic, intellectual, ingenious, innovative, creative, mothering, peaceful, generous. Can be indecisive, over-passive, worrier, pessimistic, sensitive, shy, weak-willed.


No wonder P and I are so good together - We are literally YIN & YANG.









Friday, January 20, 2012

Rant Part 2


In a email exchange with a  WONDERFUL friend of mine (and a MOM), I found myself expressing my thoughts quite well so I wanted to share. Seeing that my rant yesterday was a bit longwinded - this I think sums up my complaints a bit better :)


All know-it-all-Moms who force out opinions are those that are, what I firmly believe, be insecure, upset with their own experiences and generally uneducated or mis-educated.

I hate that I get crap for reading up on ALL SIDES of a topic and then making a choice that is right for me and in this case I DIDNT EVEN share my choice. It was the presumption that I was casting a negative and judgmental eye over everyone that really got me riled up. Attack me when I open myself up to it, otherwise you simply appear to be upset and defensive over nothing. I could care less if anyone had medicated births vs natural, c-sections vs vaginal, midwives vs OBs, home births vs hospital - Everyone has to chose what is right for them and HOPEFULLY those choices work out and the entire experience is what they hoped for, because unlike what was insinuated, I am more than aware that even the best laid plans can go pare shaped when the time comes.

UGH UGH UGH!!!

I could unleash a shit ton of opinions and feelings on people but I choose not to, I could jump on everyone that I don’t align with and attack them with my opinions but I don’t and I just want the same courtesy provided to me.


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Hyper Critial

Listening to an amazing spot on CBC Radio 1 right now ... all about how judgmental, critical and know it all Mothers are. It is so enlightening and SO true.

I find that as I move through this pregnancy people feel open to taking the opportunity to tell me what to think, feel, act, expect. I am assuming this is simply because this is my first child (however many of them forget or are not aware that this is NOT my first pregnancy), and I am to take most of what is said with a massive box of salt. I try so hard to stay open minded when given opinions or reading/listening to comment come my way but shit, sometimes it's hard .

The part that really gets me is that I don't pass judgement on anyone else's parenting choices, I stand firm to the belief of  TO EACH THEIR OWN. So what the hell possesses people to openly suggest that I be open minded (I AM!!), DO THIS, DON'T DO THAT ...

AHHHHHHHHH

Last night it came to a head: A friend posted an article to my FB page about epidurals. I read it, I didn't comment on it one way or the other, however a SLEW of comments were posted to me suggesting that:

  • I don't know what I am in for
  • I am trying to be a hero and will not be given any awards for doing things naturally
  • I need to be prepared for anything and not to rule any option out
  • I need to be aware that things never go as planned, don't be upset if things end up differently than planned ...

Ummmm, I know, I agree and I NEVER said anything to suggest otherwise. I never said anything about my birth plan, my hopes for what my L&D would be like, I never opened up about a single thing - There was just a shit ton of presumptions happening ...

WTF?!

I am used to this happening when my veganism comes up and I am asked me asinine questions and have to listen to idiotic comments relating to health and wellness. I have become accustom to brushing these moments off and letting the morons talk their nonsense, leaving my mind to float to something more interesting and entertaining.

This kind of thing usually stems from the discomfort others feel about my personal choices. Not that I am pushing or preaching them, but the simple fact that I have have made them inadvertently puts others on the defence of their choices, when neither were up for discussion.

And as much as this has been part of my life now for almost 3 years this crap still gets my blood boiling. Who the hell are these women to suggest that I don't know what is best for me, for my child  and that THEY DO?

No one will be the expert on my experiences other than me
No one will be the expert on my child other than me
No one will be able to tell me what to expect or how things will play out
NO ONE ASKED YOU FOR YOUR OPINION or YOUR ADVICE!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Nesting


And so it begins: The Nesting.

Nesting: Around the fifth month of pregnancy, the "nesting" instinct can set in. This is an uncontrollable urge to clean one's house brought on by a desire to prepare a nest for the new baby, to tie up loose ends of old projects and to organize your world.

I am a natural organizer, tidier and planner - some may even suggest a little anal retention, or OCD may be at play. Whatever, I like my lists, boxes, calenders, and charts. That is just how I roll.

And today it was in full effect:

  1. Bought a car seat from Babies r Us - for $100 off - sweet deal
  2. Picked up a rocking chair from Craigslist posting - $50 and 30 minutes well spent
  3. FINALLY decided on what new sofa we were going to order - and it was $200 off 
  4. Hit up Ikea for some organizing supplies - all my travel memories are now in their own lovely memory boxes
  5. And ended the day with a inventory and organizational bonanza in the Nursery - all of Peanut things are sorted (for now, till more is accumulated)

All and all, a nice, little sunny, snowy Sunday in the 'burbs.

22wks and feeling fine :)

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Bump


Over 1/2 there and no its no longer a secret ... 


Yup - I got me a case of the babies alright


21w5d
It may be out there but I can still just see my feet - though I suspect that will change over the next few weeks

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Adorable This Is



A special request has been put in for Nana to start up her needles again and try her hand at this beauty.

May the force be with you Mom

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Hiiiii-YA!

Jab, kick, gurgle, bubble
Jab, kick, gurgle, bubble
Jab, kick, gurgle, bubble
Jab, kick, gurgle, bubble

Yup - it started on Tuesday as I sat at my desk. For hours on end my little karate master was getting their exercise. Such a crazy, amazing feeling. Hoping that P can feel it soon, still a little too light to sense from the outside, but there is defo a party going on on the inside.





Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Year and Half Way There

January 1, 2012. The New Year has arrived and what a year it is shaping up to be.

2011 is finally behind me and I am more than happy to see it end. Yes, there were some serious ups like eloping with my true love in utter romantic craziness in Las Vegas, buying our first house together and finding out our little Peanut was going to join the family, but there were also some serious downs. Multiple miscarriages, serious family health issues, and distressing personal safety concerns made for some very challenging times.

It was a true roller coaster of emotions, with massive peaks and cavernous drops. But we got through it all, and are better and stronger because of every moment, good or bad. And 2012 is holding such promise:


  • We are safe and secure in our new home and are surrounded by normal, kind and friendly neighbours. 
  • We will have the opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family this year and I expect to share in a million laughs, giggles, smiles and dirty diapers. 
  • Our little Peanut is due to arrive around May 21st, and is growing well and strong. Hard to believe that we are now officially half way through the pregnancy now and its all systems go! I am on such edge to meet this little person, see who's nose they have, who's eyes, and what kind of personality P and I managed to create together. 





I simply cannot wait. I have nothing but positive vibes for 2012 and I wish the best for everyone out there. Cheers to the New Year!