There's a tree surgeon in my yard. He's taking down the tree that's creeping under our foundation and threatening our pipes and our roof.
First off, it looks like fun... he gets to climb trees for a living, and then he gets to pull out his chainsaw and take them down. It looks like even more fun than demolition... and it happens out in the fresh air!
Of course, all of his ropes and harnesses are a reminder that it's actually a dangerous job. His chainsaw is strapped to his waist and dangles when he climbs. He has to find a place to anchor his harness - and it's not like my roof is equipped for wall-climbers.
This guy really earns his money.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Hospital tour. Ew.
Tonight we toured the birthing unit of our hospital. All I can say is, ew.
Okay, that's not all I can say. If it was, I probably wouldn't even bother blogging about it.
First off, the birthing unit has a definite hospital smell... disinfectant and old urine.
The room is about the size of a small private dorm room, with a toilet and sink in an area smaller than most powder rooms I've seen. There's a hospital bed, some really cheesy "mother and child" paintings, and all the medical equipment right there in plain sight. There's maybe three feet of floor space on either side of the bed. The clock on the wall ticks very loudly.
This is where my child will take his or her first breath? Ew. Is it too late to give birth in the woods or something?
I'm making a list of things to bring to make the labour room more homey:
- some happy pictures that I can stick to the wall
- many, many pillows - to build a fort on the bed
- a boom box and lots of CD's
- my own blanket (or duvet)
- a nightshirt that I don't mind losing (so that I don't have to wear the blue gowns)
- a bottle of vanilla essence or some other natural (non-chemical) substance that will make the room smell better
- a sign to put on the door, to the effect of "welcome to my happy place. we thank you in advance for helping us maintain the positive, homelike mood in our room."
- the most important tools for transforming the room: a sledgehammer, some drywall compound, and a gallon of paint
Then again, that would make for a pretty full bag. Better leave out the nightshirt.
Okay, that's not all I can say. If it was, I probably wouldn't even bother blogging about it.
First off, the birthing unit has a definite hospital smell... disinfectant and old urine.
The room is about the size of a small private dorm room, with a toilet and sink in an area smaller than most powder rooms I've seen. There's a hospital bed, some really cheesy "mother and child" paintings, and all the medical equipment right there in plain sight. There's maybe three feet of floor space on either side of the bed. The clock on the wall ticks very loudly.
This is where my child will take his or her first breath? Ew. Is it too late to give birth in the woods or something?
I'm making a list of things to bring to make the labour room more homey:
- some happy pictures that I can stick to the wall
- many, many pillows - to build a fort on the bed
- a boom box and lots of CD's
- my own blanket (or duvet)
- a nightshirt that I don't mind losing (so that I don't have to wear the blue gowns)
- a bottle of vanilla essence or some other natural (non-chemical) substance that will make the room smell better
- a sign to put on the door, to the effect of "welcome to my happy place. we thank you in advance for helping us maintain the positive, homelike mood in our room."
- the most important tools for transforming the room: a sledgehammer, some drywall compound, and a gallon of paint
Then again, that would make for a pretty full bag. Better leave out the nightshirt.
Addicted to the sauce
What is it about apple sauce that is so addictive? I love the stuff! It's almost better than ice cream (gasp). Yummm...
I am so beyond tired, it's not even funny. I need to lie down and take a four-hour nap. Of course, I can't really do that. The window installer is here and the tree surgeon should be showing up shortly. And then I have a shrink appointment. Think she'll let me nap on her couch for the whole hour?
My morning routine has fallen by the wayside, but it takes me the exact same amount of time to get up and about in the morning... because I routinely fall asleep on the can. What a basket case I am.
At least the fridge is full. Grocery G.ate.way saves the day again.
I am so beyond tired, it's not even funny. I need to lie down and take a four-hour nap. Of course, I can't really do that. The window installer is here and the tree surgeon should be showing up shortly. And then I have a shrink appointment. Think she'll let me nap on her couch for the whole hour?
My morning routine has fallen by the wayside, but it takes me the exact same amount of time to get up and about in the morning... because I routinely fall asleep on the can. What a basket case I am.
At least the fridge is full. Grocery G.ate.way saves the day again.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
the worm has turned (34 week update)
Okay, not the worm. The baby. Lumpy is now head-down. My doctor says that babies who are head down at this point usually stay that way. Hooray!!! I do plan to keep playing music in my pants, though, because it's so cool the way Lumpy moves and grooves to it.
Vital stats:
Ute measurement - 35 cm (only one week ahead)
Lumpy's heartbeat - 150 bpm
My weight gain - steady at 1 pound per week - 24 pounds so far
So it's all good. Really good.
I hired a doula last night. She rocks - when she left our house, I wanted to hug her. I'm really looking forward to the birth now... as long as I can get my music mixes finished by then!
Vital stats:
Ute measurement - 35 cm (only one week ahead)
Lumpy's heartbeat - 150 bpm
My weight gain - steady at 1 pound per week - 24 pounds so far
So it's all good. Really good.
I hired a doula last night. She rocks - when she left our house, I wanted to hug her. I'm really looking forward to the birth now... as long as I can get my music mixes finished by then!
Monday, November 26, 2007
I feel so grown up...
A few weeks ago I received a package in the mail from a cousin I'm not generally in touch with (no reason, we're just not that close and she lives far away anyhow). It contained a book I'm actually excited to read, and a lovely note.
Bucking my tendency to procrastinate and to ignore social niceties that take too long, tonight I sat down and wrote a thank-you note. I even addressed and stamped it. It goes in the mail with the bills tomorrow morning.
Yup, I feel like a grown-up. Maybe I'll buy myself a fountain pen and some sealing wax for all the eloquent thank you notes I'll be writing from now on everytime someone does something nice for me.
Or maybe, after Lumpy arrives, I'll be lucky to find a pencil and scrawl a note on the back of a junk mail flyer: "Dear relative/friend/well-wisher; thank you for the lovely gift you sent for us and Lumpy. We can't wait to use it/wear it/sit on it/give it to Goodwill. Do visit us in a few weeks when we've settled in. Bring food."
Bucking my tendency to procrastinate and to ignore social niceties that take too long, tonight I sat down and wrote a thank-you note. I even addressed and stamped it. It goes in the mail with the bills tomorrow morning.
Yup, I feel like a grown-up. Maybe I'll buy myself a fountain pen and some sealing wax for all the eloquent thank you notes I'll be writing from now on everytime someone does something nice for me.
Or maybe, after Lumpy arrives, I'll be lucky to find a pencil and scrawl a note on the back of a junk mail flyer: "Dear relative/friend/well-wisher; thank you for the lovely gift you sent for us and Lumpy. We can't wait to use it/wear it/sit on it/give it to Goodwill. Do visit us in a few weeks when we've settled in. Bring food."
Sunday, November 25, 2007
a squash in my bed, and a party in my pants
It's pretty much what it sounds like.
We've decided to try co-sleeping with Lumpy, since both Mr. December and I are lazy-asses who'd rather just roll over and take care of the kid than get vertical to take care of the kid. Mr. December is totally paranoid about rolling over on Lumpy and insisted that we get a safe and secure co-sleeper to minimize the risk. Then he insisted on testing to make sure that it worked. We needed a stand-in for Lumpy... and so squashy was born. Four pounds of butternut squash swaddled and topped off with a cute newborn hat. Of course, we'll miss him when he turns into four pounds of butternut squash sauteed with garlic and pureed into a soup, topped with diced chives. But he'll have served his purpose.
As for the party in my pants... as far as I know, Lumpy is still breech. Coming up on 34 weeks, I've decided we might need a little enticement to move into the head-down position. As a music therapy student I learned about mothers who have turned their babies by putting a tape player or headphones in their underwear and playing music. Intrigued by the sounds, the babies turned themselves to better hear the music. Result: head-down and musically educated babies.
So this afternoon, as far as Lumpy knows, there's a ceilidh going on in my pants. Yup, celtic fiddles and drums. What, you expected me to play mozart? What kind of over-parenting freak do you take me for?
Lumpy won't be exposed to any Spinal Tap in utero, though. I don't want to risk a headbanging accident or a mosh pit mishap.
We've decided to try co-sleeping with Lumpy, since both Mr. December and I are lazy-asses who'd rather just roll over and take care of the kid than get vertical to take care of the kid. Mr. December is totally paranoid about rolling over on Lumpy and insisted that we get a safe and secure co-sleeper to minimize the risk. Then he insisted on testing to make sure that it worked. We needed a stand-in for Lumpy... and so squashy was born. Four pounds of butternut squash swaddled and topped off with a cute newborn hat. Of course, we'll miss him when he turns into four pounds of butternut squash sauteed with garlic and pureed into a soup, topped with diced chives. But he'll have served his purpose.
As for the party in my pants... as far as I know, Lumpy is still breech. Coming up on 34 weeks, I've decided we might need a little enticement to move into the head-down position. As a music therapy student I learned about mothers who have turned their babies by putting a tape player or headphones in their underwear and playing music. Intrigued by the sounds, the babies turned themselves to better hear the music. Result: head-down and musically educated babies.
So this afternoon, as far as Lumpy knows, there's a ceilidh going on in my pants. Yup, celtic fiddles and drums. What, you expected me to play mozart? What kind of over-parenting freak do you take me for?
Lumpy won't be exposed to any Spinal Tap in utero, though. I don't want to risk a headbanging accident or a mosh pit mishap.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
I'm better than fine
I'm on vacation.
Mr. December had to go to Ottawa for business. Seeing as the hotel and his travel were already paid for, I decided to go along with him and take the opportunity to rest, incommunicado. I had no idea what kind of hotel we were checking into.
The lobby has free wi-fi. The hotel has a spa which offers, among many other things, prenatal massage by a registered massage therapist. There's a starbucks and a lovely bright area on the main floor. One of Mr. D.'s co-workers has family connections here, so we're being upgraded to a "balcony suite". Granted, it's snowing and cold here so the balcony isn't much of a draw. I'm just hoping for a huge, clean bathtub I can soak in.
Right now I'm in the lobby, next to a roaring fire, with a chai latte next to me and my trusty macbook. The colour scheme is delightfully in tune with what I love right now - aqua, turquoise, and various neutral shades. I can feel my whole body keying up and winding down at the same time. Is this what a vacation is? We must do it more often!
Oh, and we took the train - quite a civilized way to travel, if you ask me. VIA rail has wi-fi in all of the train cars and every row of seats has an electrical outlet so you can plug in your laptop.
TTFN...
Mr. December had to go to Ottawa for business. Seeing as the hotel and his travel were already paid for, I decided to go along with him and take the opportunity to rest, incommunicado. I had no idea what kind of hotel we were checking into.
The lobby has free wi-fi. The hotel has a spa which offers, among many other things, prenatal massage by a registered massage therapist. There's a starbucks and a lovely bright area on the main floor. One of Mr. D.'s co-workers has family connections here, so we're being upgraded to a "balcony suite". Granted, it's snowing and cold here so the balcony isn't much of a draw. I'm just hoping for a huge, clean bathtub I can soak in.
Right now I'm in the lobby, next to a roaring fire, with a chai latte next to me and my trusty macbook. The colour scheme is delightfully in tune with what I love right now - aqua, turquoise, and various neutral shades. I can feel my whole body keying up and winding down at the same time. Is this what a vacation is? We must do it more often!
Oh, and we took the train - quite a civilized way to travel, if you ask me. VIA rail has wi-fi in all of the train cars and every row of seats has an electrical outlet so you can plug in your laptop.
TTFN...
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
I'm dizzy
What the hell? I was just standing up, talking to the electrician, and then suddenly I needed to lie down RIGHT AWAY. As in, feeling like I was about to faint. Now I'm horizontal and I still feel like shit.
I ate breakfast this morning - oatmeal made with milk. I've already drunk about a litre of water. What's going on here?
Going to lie down in bed now. This couch just isn't doing it for me. Don't worry about me falling - I'll crawl.
I ate breakfast this morning - oatmeal made with milk. I've already drunk about a litre of water. What's going on here?
Going to lie down in bed now. This couch just isn't doing it for me. Don't worry about me falling - I'll crawl.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Okay, now I get it.
I spent last Tuesday and Thursday with my friend X and her twin 10-week-old daughters. All I can say is, I get it now.
I finally get what is completely illogical and sounds ridiculous to the uninitiated: that it is entirely possible to be home from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and barely have time for a shower. That feeding, burping, changing, and consoling a baby really does take up your whole day. I must admit, it always sounded a bit suspect to me before... but now I get it.
I'm also relieved to have learned that my diapering, swaddling, burping, and comforting skills are up to snuff. I also know how to fold a Gra.co twin stroller, use the infant car seats, and sterilize bottles. I've learned to tie a moby wrap, and mastered the skill of doing everything - even peeing - with a baby strapped to my chest. In all of these ways, I'm ready for Lumpy.
But in a different, more commercial way, we're nowhere near ready.
I went to the Snug.abye factory outlet yesterday with my mom. We had the intention of buying 8-10 sleepers, but only came away with 3. Why? Let's just say that everything there was heavily gendered, except for the few yellow pieces and the green pieces that looked more like puce than like a pretty baby green. Mom promised that as soon as Lumpy is born she'll drop everything and buy some pink or blue sleepers. So much for going neutral.
For the record, if you're in the GTA it's well worth shopping at this outlet store. We bought 3 sleepers (two of which came with little baby hats), a fleece sleep sack, a baby hat, and three pairs of baby mittens for under $50. Score!
I finally get what is completely illogical and sounds ridiculous to the uninitiated: that it is entirely possible to be home from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and barely have time for a shower. That feeding, burping, changing, and consoling a baby really does take up your whole day. I must admit, it always sounded a bit suspect to me before... but now I get it.
I'm also relieved to have learned that my diapering, swaddling, burping, and comforting skills are up to snuff. I also know how to fold a Gra.co twin stroller, use the infant car seats, and sterilize bottles. I've learned to tie a moby wrap, and mastered the skill of doing everything - even peeing - with a baby strapped to my chest. In all of these ways, I'm ready for Lumpy.
But in a different, more commercial way, we're nowhere near ready.
I went to the Snug.abye factory outlet yesterday with my mom. We had the intention of buying 8-10 sleepers, but only came away with 3. Why? Let's just say that everything there was heavily gendered, except for the few yellow pieces and the green pieces that looked more like puce than like a pretty baby green. Mom promised that as soon as Lumpy is born she'll drop everything and buy some pink or blue sleepers. So much for going neutral.
For the record, if you're in the GTA it's well worth shopping at this outlet store. We bought 3 sleepers (two of which came with little baby hats), a fleece sleep sack, a baby hat, and three pairs of baby mittens for under $50. Score!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
32 weeks... holy cow!
I had another checkup today:
weight gain: 2 pounds in 2 weeks ("perfect", says my doctor)
ute measurement: 34 cm - 2 weeks ahead (doc wants to know if dh and I were big babies. gaa.)
lumpy's heartbeat: 150-160
blood pressure: 110 over 60.
I love my doctor. She really pays attention. While measuring my belly, she said, "looks like baby might have had a growth spurt. Those stretch marks are new, aren't they?" Indeed they are. Amazing that she noticed and remembered.
So yeah, I'm now officially eight months pregnant. Holy crap, is all I have to say.
weight gain: 2 pounds in 2 weeks ("perfect", says my doctor)
ute measurement: 34 cm - 2 weeks ahead (doc wants to know if dh and I were big babies. gaa.)
lumpy's heartbeat: 150-160
blood pressure: 110 over 60.
I love my doctor. She really pays attention. While measuring my belly, she said, "looks like baby might have had a growth spurt. Those stretch marks are new, aren't they?" Indeed they are. Amazing that she noticed and remembered.
So yeah, I'm now officially eight months pregnant. Holy crap, is all I have to say.
Monday, November 12, 2007
I'm still here...
Sorry I haven't posted all week. Bad blogger.
Everything is fine. We started the final renovations on Wednesday - the furnace room and the downstairs bathroom. There's a dumpster parked in our driveway, which is loads of fun... we've been throwing stuff in left, right, and centre. The furnace room is going to become a livable hobby room/workshop. We will finally have two toilets. YAAAY!
Lumpy-wise, it's all good. You know, aside from the heartburn. Here's a little investment advice for the rest of you: buy stock in Tums. They are saving my sanity.
I made a list, but haven't bought any baby stuff yet. And then over the weekend I realized how stupid I've been. It's ALMOST CHRISTMAS, people! That means crowded malls, limited parking, cheezy muzak in the stores, long lineups at the cash... why, oh why didn't I do my shopping in October?
Don't misunderstand me. I don't hate the Christmas season... I just avoid shopping for the duration of it. I love the smells, the sounds, the taste (Godiva gingerbread truffles immediately spring to mind)... just not the standing in line forever, and emerging to discover that I have no idea where I parked. And then schlepping my purchases around the 30-acre parking lot, all the while wishing for my couch, a fire, and a nice cup of hot chocolate.
My, I do sound like a grinch. Maybe I should embrace it and go ahead and steal Christmas. I bet I'd get a bunch of great baby stuff along with it... right?
Everything is fine. We started the final renovations on Wednesday - the furnace room and the downstairs bathroom. There's a dumpster parked in our driveway, which is loads of fun... we've been throwing stuff in left, right, and centre. The furnace room is going to become a livable hobby room/workshop. We will finally have two toilets. YAAAY!
Lumpy-wise, it's all good. You know, aside from the heartburn. Here's a little investment advice for the rest of you: buy stock in Tums. They are saving my sanity.
I made a list, but haven't bought any baby stuff yet. And then over the weekend I realized how stupid I've been. It's ALMOST CHRISTMAS, people! That means crowded malls, limited parking, cheezy muzak in the stores, long lineups at the cash... why, oh why didn't I do my shopping in October?
Don't misunderstand me. I don't hate the Christmas season... I just avoid shopping for the duration of it. I love the smells, the sounds, the taste (Godiva gingerbread truffles immediately spring to mind)... just not the standing in line forever, and emerging to discover that I have no idea where I parked. And then schlepping my purchases around the 30-acre parking lot, all the while wishing for my couch, a fire, and a nice cup of hot chocolate.
My, I do sound like a grinch. Maybe I should embrace it and go ahead and steal Christmas. I bet I'd get a bunch of great baby stuff along with it... right?
Sunday, November 04, 2007
You're still reading me?
I feel like I have so little to say right now. Everything is fine, thank God. Lumpy is moving around like crazy. We're working on the house, trying valiantly to finish the fireplace and the bar so that we can put that room in order.
Over at one of the foster parenting blogs I read, there's some sad news. If you have a minute, please go over and offer Fosterabba and Fostereema some support.
I'm starting to realize that we should maybe get some basic things ready for Lumpy's arrival... but anytime I go to a store or look at baby stuff online, I feel so overwhelmed. Do I need all of that stuff? Does anybody? I think Lumpy will just sleep in the laundry basket until he outgrows it.
Over at one of the foster parenting blogs I read, there's some sad news. If you have a minute, please go over and offer Fosterabba and Fostereema some support.
I'm starting to realize that we should maybe get some basic things ready for Lumpy's arrival... but anytime I go to a store or look at baby stuff online, I feel so overwhelmed. Do I need all of that stuff? Does anybody? I think Lumpy will just sleep in the laundry basket until he outgrows it.
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