my baby.fruit basket.10

Well it's official, we've now reached the end of the produce aisle for documenting this baby's progress!  I was hoping it wouldn't come to this... comparing my baby's size to a watermelon.  Hence, I opted to use a 'baby watermelon' for fear of heaving a full size one into this picture...

...am I the only one freaking out right now?  (Oh wait, my husband is rocking back and forth in the corner too...).   I'm not sure how many more reality checks are going to hit me before the labour pains do their share - but today was another one of those moments.  

The secretary for my midwife's said today "so you'll come in next week - for Feb.1st then?".

"Feb.1st is next week?!" I gasped

"I'm having a baby next week?!!"  (my due date is the 5th...)  and it suddenly hit me again how quick this moment is approaching, and I swear I've lost a week recently because it's not supposed to be February already! 

Ok. Deep breaths.  I am ready to sink my teeth in... er, metaphorically speaking.

My midwife said today that he's dropping, but the head is still not quite 'locked and loaded'.  I'm starting to notice more practise contractions as well - a good reminder to relearn how to embrace breathe through pain instead of running from it.  

One final word on this lil' guy's progress: his heart arrhythmia was ruled out as being any real issue of concern for now - even today he sounded a bit more 'normal' - but the Dr. assessing us said he's likely going to be a "big boy" (9lbs+)... argh!

Sure, our daughter Azriel was 8lbs 11oz.. (you can laugh at my pain - her birth story - here)... but I'm just hoping for a small measure of grace this time around!  Think light thoughts everyone! :o)

Thanks for following our journey through the produce aisle of my baby.fruit basket.

Maybe I'll post a bonus edition if I'm still preggo in 2 more weeks (10 months!).

Melon Mama,

Mel ;o)

 

my baby.fruit basket.9

Somebody hit the 'pause' button... we're suddenly entering our ninth month here!  It's all starting to become more of a reality now... there's a new addition and he's coming soon.  The majority of my pregnancy was a dazed stupor of not really acknowledging that this baby is for 'reals'... call it being distracted by the baby outside the womb - namely, this sweet gal Azriel... 

 Yep, she's pretty distracting with her daily chatter now of "whatcha got here mommy?" and "snugg'oh me" and "what doing mommy?" etc.  I think she - and the cats - are still convinced I'm just growing them a 'perch' to sit on... with all this combined weight I'm sure the babe is forced downward.  Though he still seems to have room in there to thump and bump all day long lately.  I feel like a clothes dryer with a bowling ball and cue balls being bashed about inside... goodness.  Anytime I put Ben's hand on my belly to feel the rumble he shakes his head and states "that will never not be weird".  

Weird and wonderful.

Two defining terms for this family I'd say....

To be honest, I still have no clue how this nest will change soon.  

Sure, there's the obvious lack of sleep.. and surplus of diapers..  but I'm still not sure how this heart will transform again.  How this birth will cause another 'doubling' of love and delight for a new member of our crew.  How my patience will be tried by two voices crying for attention.  How our marriage will stay priority in the wake of these changes...

I'm not sure how my heart can handle anymore love to gush out on this newest babe... but I know its here, growing like my belly each day, waiting for the moment when I see his wee face and overflow in affection for him!

Sweet moses... I'm having a baby!

Melon mama,

Mel ;o)

P.S... you can follow this baby's progress down the produce aisle here.

my baby.fruit basket.8

Yes, we're officially into our eighth month of pregnancy here.  

I've hit that stage where everyone starts to go "woah, you're really pregnant"

or

"must have eaten a big Christmas dinner, eh?"

or

"so when are you due.... anytime now, right?"

wrong.

The 'go' date is Feb.5th... but I'm going to guess we're going later than that (since my first babe took her sweet time and had to be ordered an eviction notice). Either way, it does seem to be just around the corner now.. and that's a whole wild mix of emotions for us.

Yes there's the pineapple sized baby bump now... and I'm really in the market for pants that can pull up over my head at this point - since the belly still wants to fly free in the cold winter air.

I've also hit that stage where I want to be a big 'wuss-bag'... I want to groan about the awkwardness of heaving my daughter into bed for snuggles.  I want to whine about the barrel-roll it is each night as I fitfully sleep in 'rotisserie' mode.

I want my feet up.  Back-rubs.  Chocolate.

Oh right...  Motherhood is about unconditional. sacrificial love.  I need to remember to embrace every sour note because it marks the sweet reality that a miracle is forming in me.

A 'fat' mama means more to love.

Mel ;o)

P.S... You can follow this baby's progress down the produce aisle here.

 

my baby.fruit basket.7.

So, myself and the lil' guy are officially into our seventh month now... they say that puts him at the size of a butternut squash but I still feel like a pumpkin!

Lately it feels like he want a 'womb with a view' as my shirts keep inching up over the belly... and my pants keep sliding down under... that boy wants to peek out!  I'm still trying to get my wardrobe figured out for a winter pregnancy...

I should probably practise holding something so small again too.  

Our gal Azriel is two going on twelve lately it seems... especially when I try to heave her (and myself) up the stairs.

Only two more months and we get to see our new addition to the family!

I'm so curious to see who this guy is going to be... he definitely has a strong right-hook currently as he punches my kidneys.   But I don't think he'll be a brawler... there's a musical side to him as he seems to enjoy performing some version of Riverdance on my bladder!

You can follow our baby's growth through the produce aisle here.

Growing mama,

Mel ;o)

 

my baby.fruit basket.6.

Oh what's in a name?

Just a whole barrel full of pressure to pick the right one!  The one that rolls around your mouth in a pleasing way.  The one that rings a certain tune when used in conjunction with your family name...

Currently I have exhausted boy names from all different cultures and races.  I have tossed a few favourites at Ben... only to have them vetoed (and vice-versa).  I've gone through a baby's name book bigger than a phone book and still found it lacking....

Why is it that every name reminds you of someone that once pulled your hair in grade two, or picked their pimples in grade ten?!  Association in this scenario is just as sloppy as Pavlov's dog drool I find.

But no worries.. we at least have three names picked at this point (and for the curious, they all happen to end in "on"... so that's something....).  Once I see the his face I think we'll decide which one fits best.

Do you put much stock in name meanings?  I won't let it cancel a vote, but the meaning behind a name sure helps make it enticing sometimes... and then there's my name Melissa which means: honeybee.  whoopity-dee.

Want to keep up with the buzz on my baby-progress... you can follow this guy's growth down the produce aisle here.

Mel ;o) 

my baby.fruit basket.5

What better way to document our baby's size than a festive pumpkin of the Thanksgiving season?

Granted most sources say the average baby is the size of a winter squash (8-11inches) at this stage... but we can pretend.

Lately I've been feeling like my belly is more the size of a 'prize-winning' pumpkin than this wee lil' wonder...  (sigh) now for the next 3-4 months left of heaving it around with me.  You know that stage where you want to roll over in bed - but you have to swing your gut first? 

The cats are starting to think I'm growing a 'perch' for them to sleep on again too.

My first pregnancy with Azriel was during the heat of summer... so this will at least be a different season to be baby-full for... how does one wear maternity layers for winter?

I guess I should invest in some hideously huge knit sweaters or something and resemble a Sasquatch.

Happy Thanksgiving lil' guy,

your growing.glowing mama,

Mel ;o) 

P.S - to follow my baby's progress down the 'produce aisle' you can catch up here.

It's a......

 Yes friends, we're seeing 'blue' instead of pink around here lately!  I just can't keep these kind of secrets (even from myself)... I know not all moms want to 'ruin the surprise' and find out their baby's gender - and that's cool - but I just love being able to relate better to who's brewing inside.  Technically I wasn't even told by the doctor doing the ultrasound.. it was clearly evident!

I was tempted to announce the gender by painting my face blue - a 'Braveheart' baby lets say.  Not feeling so clever, I opted to mark this moment with our blue 'chucks'.  I think I have a pair of these for every stage our daughter Azriel has hit so far... and now to pass on to her lil' brother.

Swoon... the thought of having a son is so exciting now!  I was convinced we'd be having another girl (but a boy was my second guess... really!).  Being a tom-boy growing up, I'm excited to have a lil' guy I can wrestle around and get messy with - not that I don't already with Azi. ;o) 

Ok and I just have to show two outfits I had to thrift for this guy.  I figured holding them up to my belly is a good way to measure if they'll fit... right?! 

Here's a mushroom sleeper from H&M that I adore!  Cute lil' squirrel pants too.... eep.  I'm sure he'll end up in a lot of Azriel's clothes - my aversion to pink has helped keep some threads more 'unisex' looking (in fact the whole idea of attaching 'gender' to certain colours is a bit lame.. but don't get me started).

Now to the real fun of coming up with name ideas... we had some picked from before, but not sure which direction we're headed this time.  Having picked a more unique name for our daughter - Azriel - there's a bit of a precedent set to keep being... unique... versus "Hello, here's our kids: Azriel and... Bob".  I don't know, we'll figure it out.

In five months these little feet will be entering a whole new world!

If you have any awesome boy names you want to suggest, feel free.

Thanks for sharing our joy here,

bouncing my boy belly,

Mel ;o)

P.S - later this evening I'll post one of those rare 'fashion' editions... based on today's outfit.

Stay tuned.. if you're into that kind of thing... 'fashion' or the attempts thereof.

my baby.fruit basket.4.

Today was quite the hilarious experience friends.  We went to get our 'almost 5 months now' ultrasound.  Ben and I sat in the quiet waiting room with other expectant mothers... and then Ben started to rummage.crumple.crinkle into the bag of chips he brought - well I got a case of the giggles from his loud munching - and the pressure to not giggle in a quiet room.

Then we got in to the ultrasound room and I was giggling more - which made the Dr's gadget bounce around on my jiggling baby gut!  Fun times.

I also guessed the gender as I watched the screen - and that's wild too!  I'll let you good folks know soon enough, don't worry. :o)

And did I mention that my baby fat has now officially popped out over night?  I suddenly am 'seriously showing'.

An exciting.funny.enlightening day had at this nest.

baby mama,

Mel :o) 

P.S. to follow my baby's progress down the produce aisle you can catch up here.

my baby.fruit basket.3

Is anyone else confused that I am already 4 months pregnant here?  I sure am.  I tell you, being pregnant with the second child is nothing like your first.  I was so focused on this 'new experience' the first time... watching what I ate, cradling my belly, 'willing' love down through my cells into it's little form.   But this time I tend to even forget I'm pregnant most days - now that life is focused on the 'first one' who's running around outside the womb!

The reminders are starting to show up though, my pants are getting tighter... I still get nausea if I try to wean off the Diclectin... little flutters that I think are kicks (or maybe just gas?!).

Anywho, ready or not - our lives are kicking it up another notch in 6 months!

Avocado mama,

Mel ;o)

*You can follow my baby belly down the produce aisle here.

my baby.fruit basket.2.

Well the first trimester has come and gone.. wowsers!  I seem to be one of those mama's that gets blessed with the extreme nausea.up-chucking mode while I'm preggo.  Sure, they like to say it means your kid will be a genius... (and I'm not going to say that Azriel isn't).... but really?  I think it's just a statement to justify feeling like junk for months.  Anywho, I am still super thankful for a day and age where they have Diclectin (the wonder drug of anti-nausea for pregnant women)!  I keep trying to just get by on the minimum dose (I don't like meds in general)... but this baby insists on making me hate eating.  I know one key is to have a continual series of snacks on the go - but the very thought of any food makes me start to heave.  One of my midwives said Almonds have a good amount of Vitamin B - the anti-nausea trick... so I'm eating those like a chipmunk!

I hope I'm not complaining,  I know things would be a lot worse if I couldn't keep my meals down at all.  So yes, I'm thankful for even this stage - since it marks the miracle of new life.

If you want to follow me down the produce aisle of this baby's development, you can find the past post(s) here:

-------------------------------------------------------------

week 6 & week 11

And if you're really a birth junkie.. and you missed Azriel's birth story.. you can find it here.

I better go snack now,

Mel ;o)

my baby.fruit basket.

With this being our second pregnancy.. I've been inspired by fun ways to 'document' our baby's progress.  I hope to do a monthly 'baby.journal' entry that tracks his/her development according to the corresponding 'fruit' size and thoughts/experiences we're having.  Call it my baby.fruit basket.  Although it seems this baby may prevent some fruits from staying down - but that's a whole other icky post!  Here's the first two editions to said baby journal.

I think the baby is closer to a kumquat size they say around now.... but who the heck can find that at a grocery store... so we're going bigger - to the lime, for now.  Lets just pray I don't end this journal holding a watermelon!

Have a beautiful weekend friends!

slide show sunday coming at you tomorrow.

Mel :o)