Toronto to see OZ folks

No- not the little people from the wizard of Oz – relatives from Australia. My uncle Peter and his granddaughter Laura (my first cousin once removed) swung through TO last week so Andrew and I headed down there to surprise them with Belly. Meeting us there were my brother Tom (up from New York) and Jack- Peter’s grandson (another first cousin once removed). Although I feel as big as a house I apparently haven’t changed a bit since I last saw my uncle- 7 years ago- but after pointing out the big growth on my belly smiles were flowing. Later that evening Nancy (looking remarkably fabulous after a torturous 20 hour stint to complete a legal factum) and her partner Attila met the whole gang for dinner. We ate heartily of Indian and Nepali foods- overwhelming the poor waitstaff with our lack of organization. Andrew and I slipped home to Guelph and the rest partied on?

Easter Visits

What else could one possibly need to be perfectly happy? (Samarra)











Uncle Andrew and Uncle Bryan show Samarra the real Ernie and Bert show.




Where else should one wear peepee teepees? (Karl and Adriana)





Zoe and Belly look at their future (Zoe, Caryn and Oliver)







We headed back to our old stomping grounds for an Easter long weekend visit. Wednesday straight after work took the rented tank (aka the Dodge Magnum- very pimped out) and headed down the 401 to Perth. After a relaxing evening with Andrew’s parents we headed out Thursday morning to visit with Andrew’s old lab mates at the University of Ottawa and my friend Kris (with 1 month old Will). Completely overwhelmed by Will's cuteness we forgot to take any photos. That evening we dined on duck confit and choucroute at Chateau Leah and Donald. Later that night we headed across the border to Chelsea to bed down for the night. Friday morning we hung out with Andrew’s brother Stephen, his wife Neerja and their daughter Samarra and their wheaten terrier Ramona. Samarra is 2 and half years old and expecting a younger sister in the next few weeks. She got quite a start that morning when she discovered Andrew snoring in the room her grandparents normally stay in- but she warmed up to us eventually. Back at the Burt Srs in Perth- yep a lot of driving- we shared a fabulous steak dinner- sure Jesus was crying – red meat on Good Friday- oh well. Saturday back to Ottawa to IKEA for Swedish baby stuff. Andrew has developed a wee obsession for receiving blankets- luckily none to be found at IKEA. For lunch we visited Karl, Caryn, Adriana and Oliver. Adriana is almost 3 and very loving towards her 2 month old brother (who isn’t really sure what to think of all the hugs and kisses). They are such a cute family. After lunch more baby shopping and return to Perth for a well deserved break from driving. Sunday we hung out with middle bro Bryan, his wife Elisabeth and puppy Poppy (so big- picture Clifford the big red dog –slightly smaller and black instead of red). Then the whole family was there – Chelsea folks, Kingston folks, us Guelph folks and of course the hosts- the Perth folks. We all went for an afternoon walk and when we got back “surprise” an unshower. Lots of baby stuff – now it really seems like we are having a baby. Salmon for dinner and off for a long nights rest- not before a viewing of Andrew’s grandparents’ and parents’s wedding movies- everyone one so young and retro. Monday pack up tank and back to Guelph- whoah what a trip!!!

Last day and prenatal class

I just informed my supervisor that May 19th will be my last day of work. After that I’ll be on maternity leave. Hoping I will still have enough energy to get all the projects I have planned completed. I have tried to think of things I can do that do not require too much bending etc. Is 5 weeks long enough to decide on a name?

This past weekend Andrew and I attended our intense weekend long pre-natal class. First day was all about labour and pregnancy. Second day - post partum stuff like breastfeeding etc. Really useful and interesting- mostly for Andrew who has been concentrating on corn and not baby breeding. We had a chance to meet other expectant couples- including one couple who is putting baby up for adoption. Very interesting. Watched 3 different births- not as graphic as I expected. Everyone seemed so calm (except the mother I guess). Reaffirmed decision to have no video equipment near me during labour. Yikes. One woman laboured in her hot tub for awhile- outside. With all her neighbours looking on (well not really but I could just imagine). No thanks.

This Wednesday Andrew and I are heading back to the Ottawa area for Easter celebrations. Hoping to visit with some of the new babies (and older babies) we know. Hope we don’t get caught on the 401 for too long through Toronto- my bladder is no longer a marathon holder.

New babies we know

At Christmas it seemed like almost everyone we knew was pregnant. Now all those pregnant ladies are Mommies. Oliver – pictured here in dashing brown (I think I had a similar outfit for my cabbage patch kid way back when). Born February 16th he is the second young addition to the clan joining his big sister Adriana (now almost 3). I am trying to convince parents Caryn and Karl to write a book entitled “How to raise a chill baby”. Adriana and now Oliver (so far) are sleeping through the night incredibly early. Here’s hoping all my serene and calm thoughts result in such a babe. Next is William looking smashing in stripes. He was born March 14th and is the very first child for Kristina and Chris. The new parents seem to be adjusting well to “the most life altering experience ever”. Let’s hope Andrew and I manage just as well.

One of those days

It just wasn’t my day yesterday. First off- I tried to close a bank account. I did this a few weeks ago at another bank and it took 10 minutes-tops. Apparently Scotiabank is still in the dark ages and since my account is back at a branch in Ottawa they had to fax off the request to transfer it to Guelph- then they could close it. So I guess all those banking fees they charge aren’t going towards technological advancements, eh?
Head to my midwives appointment with my bladder full ready to pee in a cup for testing. But……my appointment was cancelled as my midwife was attending a birth. The nerve of someone to go into labour on my appointment day (just kidding).
Since I had my whole afternoon scheduled to a tee- this put a real crimp in my plans. A whole hour to waste before my hair cut. Oh well. Haircut went fine. Just as I was leaving the salon with my new hairdo (achieved after much primping, blow drying, straitening, product etc.) a snow squall blew through and you can guess what happened to my new coiffure……
Then I burnt dinner. Can you beat that?
Anyway here is a picture of me, my new haircut post blizzard and, more importantly, my belly at 28 weeks.