THE REALITY CHECK

So last week arrive to prenatal class and we look around to see one of the fathers sitting by himself. No one is necessarily aknowledging this, but I'm sure most of us notice. The instructor begins by announcing that she will let him speak once she gets through her first bit of info. At this point (I know I was) we are all thinking "where is his wife? oh god, did something terrible happen?" I'm not sure I was evening listening to what the instructor was saying.

After what seemed like an hour, she addressed him and he spoke up to say "On Monday Kyla had our baby!" DOH!!!!!!!!! HOLD ON A SECOND????????? AREN'T WE ALL DUE IN JUNE?

Turns out she was 2 weeks further along than me. Which means she had her baby a month early. Good thing, the little guy was already 6pounds 9oz. The inspiring part was that everything went well and they had a fantastic delivery, healthy baby and mom.

But now the reality that we are in the zone when it could really happen anytime. We weren't really thinking about that. I think Bill began to understand my anxiety in wanting to get things done around here.

Even though June 29th is the date........it's really up to the baby to decide when it wants to join us.

Stay tuned. You never know what you'll read next here!


EEEEK

Jennifer

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

There are decisions galore in this whole baby business and an abundancy of advice (solicited and un) as to what we should do.

CIRCUMCISION: Up until this point in my life, this was generally untalked about. But now I'm finding myself randomly discussing it with anyone I know who had a boy. I'm not even embarrassed to say the word loud enough for the person at the next table to hear. God, is this me turning into one of those "mother" type people who have no shame - discussing poop, genitalia, etc? oh no

VACCINATION: Please don't express your opinion on this, I'm confused enough. There is so much information out there and most of it seems to be black or white. This one is still on the table for discussion.

DIAPERING: I have been told that cloth diapering is great. The aspiring environmentalist in me is ready to jump on that ride. One thing for certain, I am NOT contributing to the demise of this earth by using disposables. No, not I/we. I am told that having the baby for the first while is overwhelming enough and that a diaper service would be good to have. Well, I look at this way - Bill and I have all summer to try out our new parenting skills and get into the swing of things. Our friends are doing their own diapers at home and seem to be doing well. See, I don't MIND doing laundry and our laundry room is generally not that busy. So doing a load every couple of days doesn't seem too bad. In comparsion, it is more cost efficient and more environmentally sound. We're just going to go for it. There are some great products out there that make things easier. See link below on a comparison: (cut and paste the link below...the link options isn't working on my blog for some reason)

www.hipbaby.com/Text/1179334396312-5830/pC/1156784512794-8781/Shop-Change



THANK GOD WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CONSIDERING THIS FOR OUR NEWBORN: (cut and paste here too)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYzCcxF2IzE


Today is my birthday. Perhaps the last hurrah before someone else begins to steal the stage at this time of year. I'm so lucky to have so many great people around me that it's more like a birthWEEK. I had appies and drinks with friends on Sunday night, this morning I was serenaded on both of my voicemails by Auntie Sharon & Uncle Henry(apparently they called a wrong number between and sang to a stranger?),my sister put a funny video birthday message on facebook (amongst the pages of birthday wishes there), had a great chat with my mom and dad, Bill has planned to have people over to share birthday cake with us tonight, and Saturday night 3 of my close girlfriends are taking me out for birthday dinner.

Spoilt with a capital S.

Happy Birthday to me and thanks everyone, for reading along with us in our adventure.

xo
Jennifer

APRIL/MAY SHOWERS

show·er: –noun
1. a large supply or quantity: a shower of wealth.

2. a party given for a bestowal of presents of a specific kind, esp. such a party for a prospective bride or prospective mother: a linen shower; a baby shower.

3. a fall of many objects, as tears, sparks, or missiles.

–verb (used with object)
4. to bestow liberally or lavishly.

5. to deluge (a person) with gifts, favors, etc.: She was showered with gifts on her birthday.

Wow, how lucky can you get. I have so many generous people in my life that I believe our kid will not do without.

UMBELLICAL BEANIE: From Sarah & Michael. Way back in December, before New Years (see other post)

BRONWEN'S BABY BLANKIE: See other post for picture.

LOOT BAG OF VARIOUS TREASURES: Kendra, Eric and Baby Larkin gave us a whole bag of clothes, a bjorn and a bouncy seat from their collection. The never ending flow of baby things. I hope to keep the flow going to someone else. Thanks for sharing the train of goods!

SWING: See my post about Auntie Sharon & Uncle Henry and the swing they bought us.

THE YELLOW AND WHITE ALL ENCOMPASSING BABY WINDFALL: My mom and dad were down recently and my mom bought us several onesies, a hooded towel, blanket, receiving blankets, little mitts, sleepers, (one that says "I love my family" on it)a few nightgowns, and the bonus pack of Penaten. Thanks Grandma.

GRACO PACK & PLAY: Thank you to my crazy Tuesday night tap gang "TAP GEEKS" for surprising me with a Graco Pack & Play. I'm sure they have an ulterior motive - this is so I have somewhere to plant the baby when I come back to teach in September. (see the picture)

TEETHING TOY & BLANKET: Cute little duck teething toy and a nice snuggly white blanket. From Anne in my Saturday tap class, so sweet of you!

GOLDEN TREASURY BOOKS: One of my tap students, Diana spotted these at a weekend garage sale. I love these little books. (There's actually a funny recording of me at about 5 or 6 years old reading through the list of books in the back of one, telling the listening audience which ones I personally owned)

I've had comments saying that we don't have any BIG stuff on our list. Well, here's a few reasons why:

STROLLER: See other posts. We won a fancy shmancy one. No need for purchase!

BASSINETTE: See other post. We have Bill's bassinette and we have had a mattress made for it.

CRIB: Our friends Jill & Greg with kids Thora, Tova & Jonas have given us their great convertible crib (converts to a toddler bed) from Ikea. Leksvik collection. We may end up getting more of this line of furniture once we have moved to a bigger place and can accommodate more furniture.

Really, how much could one little, tiny person need? In the day and age of trying to minimalize and be environmentally aware, I'm trying to collect less things. That being said, I don't want to poop all over the excitement people have for buying baby gifts. Some of the things out there are pretty irresistable.

Your participation in our adventure is really the most amazing thing we could ask for. I feel like we have so many great people around us for support, we are so lucky. What more could we need?

If you are still really stuck and feel the need to contribute in some way, I have started a savings account for the baby. It is in my name at Vancity Savings. Once the baby is born, we will be looking into some RESPs etc. #871798 (remember, we won't ever have to pay for piano or dancing lessons!!!...but maybe hockey????? who knows)

xo
Jennifer