One more week until my due date! I can't believe we are almost there!!!


This photo was taken last week, but it's still pretty accurate.
Yesterday, my dad took me on a pre-maternity leave lunch at my favourite restaurant here, The Chase. He even ordered a special dessert!


Tomorrow is my last day of work before I take maternity leave. I can't believe it's come so fast! It feels like just yesterday that we learned about Baby. Now, baby will be here in less than a month!

My feelings about maternity leave are mixed; I'm excited to be able to stay home with baby, but I know I'm going to miss my job. I hope to have time to blog, etc., but I keep hearing how that won't be the case. Somehow I doubt that. Yet, it's still of concern that everyone keeps telling me.

Even though Husband and I don't celebrate Christmas, this time of year is so fun for us. The plan is to play some Cards Against Humanity and Monopoly with family, see a movie and eat some yummy food. Next week is a pretty big day, since we're getting some of the last furniture pieces we need, I'm looking forward to sitting in front o four fireplace and just relaxing. This would be better with some alcohol, but since I'm not okay to drink yet, that will have to be put on hold.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

I'm term!

I should just leave it at that, but I won't.
Still craving so many sweets - today, it's jelly beans. Also: LEMONADE IS LORD. But, it must either be homemade or Simply brand.

I'm starting Mat leave on Christmas eve barring any early appearance of baby. (Please child, stay in there until January!) House is prepared; we even unpacked the change table, mattress and bassinet. The crib, etc. are in place and the hospital bag for baby is packed. My stuff isn't, but at least we have baby basics. Except wipes, I have to remember to get some portable wipes, the ones I got at Costco are way too massive for Husband's diaper bag.

Since I'm so type A, I've even started some draft baby announcements on Paperless Post. The e-mail list is pre-populated and we can announce baby as soon as we are ready.

What's left to do? We still have some furniture being delivered December 22. Ugh, the rugs are ... I don't know what they are, but they haven't come yet; it's irritating. Also, finishing off the last minute reno stuff is taking FOREVER.

Well, I made it: We're in the home stretch!!

Let's see: I'm measuring perfectly according to my Dr. Love my Dr. and his staff. I've checked off almost all the bits and pieces I needed to get ready for baby:

Nursery furniture is in. Crib, bassinet, change pad, change pad covers, diaper genie, diapers, wipes, towels, sleepers, bath wash, bath tub, and receiving blankets are all washed and in place. Cord blood banking (yes, we opted in.) kit is ready to go. Just have to pack the hospital bag, which we are planning on doing this weekend.

All but four and a half of the boxes have been unpacked and all the furniture that has been delivered (still waiting on a couple pieces) is set up and ready to go. It only took us a month and I may have worn myself out a couple of days, but we are done or as nearly done as possible all things considered. I can't unpack the last four boxes, all books, because our house painter is still using that cabinet to store paint.

The last four weeks have been crazy. My office staff threw a double baby shower with my colleague who left for maternity leave already. I am planning on working until Christmas. Frankly, I'm probably going to be working while on leave.

My appetite has returned with a force. Baby is growing and moving. OMG, is baby moving around in there. It's so weird; it's not quite painful, but sometimes very uncomfortable. Labour is imminent. Thankfully, between my Dr., my husband and my sister (the OB/GYN resident), I'm about as informed as I could possibly get. Baby sister is planning on coming in to the city as soon as my labour starts, if it's possible for her. She'll be number one on our call list. How cool would it be for her to deliver her niece/nephew?

Still don't know the gender; Husband is really into this surprise thing. I'm freaking out, since we don't have a boy's name (we have mostly settled on a girl's name). Surprisingly, my dad is also pretty adamant that we should opt for the surprise. Thus far, it's a surprise. I strongly suspect our little soccer player is a girl though.

Morning sickness has abated but not disappeared, so that could suggest a girl. Cravings have been insane too. Today, it's fruit; sour, tangy fruit like gooseberries and pineapple. And lemonade. All the lemonade in the world. It makes baby move around though; weird, right?

I even bought a few non-essentials for baby, like a keepsake book. Husband and I are both excited to fill that out. He's positively beaming with excitement. And worry - the man worries about me ALL the time. It's... unusual, but pleasant. He's been doing an amazing job taking care of me. I have a hard time getting in and out of bed, putting on my socks, etc. I can do it, but it's easier with a hand.

Once we finally got his man cave sorted out (this place is amazing!), we started watching movies and stuff down there together. My craft room is up and running too, so I can spend the last week of my pregnancy (or before) sewing a new blanket for my own little baby. Need to pick out the rest of the fabric for that one. Might wait until after baby is born and stick to "girl" or "boy" colours and then embroider it with baby's name. I have a patterned fabric all ready for the front.

Finally, a belly pic from yesterday:



Getting close! Getting large - I feel like a cow, seriously.