Monday, July 30, 2007

Nifty Nimbler Names!

I found this really fun and interesting baby name site called Nymbler! It is so modern, and much more fun than a baby book! I would give it a try!



Here are the names that were generated for us for a girl when I plugged in:

Catherine, Cameron, Claire, Carly, Catrina and Caroline (you can plug in six names at a time!)


Here are the top 5 girls names that I like from that long list:

Clementine

Cordelia

Cara

Cora

Claudia



Here are the names that were generated for us for a boy when I plugged in:

Clifford, Cameron, Claire, Carly, Catrina and Caroline (you can plug in six names at a time!)


Here are the top 5 boy names that I like from that long list:

Callahan

Corbin

Clayton

Curtis

Cadel (that is for you Mom, as I know you want us to name a son that if it is indeed another boy! - and funny that he was 2nd place in the tour de france, and this would be our second born son!




(our chosen names may or may not be in that list - You will all find out soon enough anyways! - We are not spilling the beans lol)

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Week 22 of Pregnancy

Hello, Catherine! Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out. Your baby's eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks some pigment. Your baby's lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. You won't actually see her first tooth until she's around 4 to 7 months old, unless she's one of the rare babies who are born with teeth.
______

I think I have found the perfect name for our baby!

Cranberry!

What do you think? I think it is perfect! Cranberry Apple for a Girl and Cranberry Soda for a Boy! Most likely this baby will be born right around the American Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Well, maybe not. We are kidding, but at the time it was quite funny. I was eating a favourite sandwich from our local Starbucks. The turkey pesto with cranberry bread. Yummy! My MIL thinks we are calling the baby if it is a boy Cranbrook! Not. We have two lovely names all ready to go! Now, we just need a baby!

I am feeling pretty good! The baby is moving all about. Usually moving when I hit the sheets at night. And in the morning. This baby loves to be "played" with. Meaning, when baby is moving I can rub in the same spot and the baby seems to play right back which is really exciting. Cliff thinks he felt the baby moving last night too, which is exciting.

Not much to report, but hard to believe that I am getting so close to the third trimester.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Doctors visit today - 21st week

I had my prenatal appt. I am 21 3/7th along. Baby is doing well, and the doppler read a heart rate of 156 bpm. So nice and high and healthy. Baby was kicking at the doppler, which was making me laugh and then in turn making the doppler bounce on my stomach.

I also did my registration at the hospital. Things are rolling along. My doc can't wait to see what we are having. We know one thing for sure...it's a baby!

Oh, and I gained another six pounds bringing my grand total up to 14 pounds.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

21 Week and 1 Day Belly Photo

This was taken tonight...my latest belly photo!
A change from three weeks ago that is for sure!

21 weeks and 1 day...

Your baby now weighs about three quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long. If you're having a girl, her vagina is formed now, though it will continue to develop until birth. Your baby is really on the move now. Fetal researchers say babies move about 50 times an hour even while sleeping. All that movement helps stimulate your baby's physical and mental development. You may not notice 50 kicks, punches, and twirls during the day, but as you're settling down at night, don't be surprised if your little guy seems ready to dance the night away.

____

Yes, I am in my 21st week and I am feeling a bit more pregnant. I seem to get winded a lot when walking up the stairs more (especially when I am carrying this belly and another child in my arms.) I notice my belly feels heavier, and more out there now. I seem to notice the baby belly more at the kitchen sink, and around the counter tops. Belly gets in the way!

The movements of this baby are become more and more strong. Last night I was laying in bed. Cliff shut the light off in the bathroom and closed the door and the baby must of startled and started moving around for a bit. And, this morning I felt quite a bit of movement. I really love that feeling.

My veins are hanging in there, they feel really heavy but this is the last time and they will hold until the baby is out lol. So no worries there.

I have been thinking a lot about whether this baby is a boy or a girl. I am stumped. I seem to change my mind every day!!
I have been thinking about what I really "need" and what I may want for this baby. I recently gave away all of my boy clothing, and my sister has all of my girl clothing. But, I know lots of friends and family with boys ;D so I should be covered. I know there is a brand new baby boy outfit waiting (has been passed between my sister and I for a 1st outfit many times lol!) and I will purchase a brand new girls outfit. And, I will buy a couple of gender neutral sleepers. I know I have all of my girl receiving blankets (well my sis has them) and I think my Mom has all of my boy ones. So I am covered there.

I am going to buy a new pack and play for the family room (and to match the room, and our new sectional sofa that will be here in 6 weeks! YAY!)And, I am going to get a 5 in 1 baby bassinet called Carry me Near this time around to keep in our room. But, it can be moved around like an infant seat. I have never seen such a nice little cozy bed before like it.

I will buy Kotex overnight pads (thanks Kidswap mamas!!) and I will buy my favourite breast pads (thanks to Cynthia) the Lansinoh brand! Love those. I will also FINALLY buy nursing bras. I threw my old gungy ones out even before I finished nursing. Some of them were almost 6 years old. Talk about gross.

I have a small wicker basket of "infant" toys. I will borrow an exersaucer and bouncy chair from my sis when the time comes. I can even get the bumbo too if it is a girl again. I have a diaper bag, so I will buy some new baby cloths for bum washing, and several packages of newborn and size 1 diapers to be prepared. I have an infant seat that I will continue to borrow from my cousin for this baby (she okay'd that for me! lol)

That is about it. I am not going to be stressed about this baby. The baby is going to come into our lives in the most stressful of times. A month before Christmas. So, I am not going to stress.

I will get the baby a first Christmas ornament (like all of the other 5) A baby book/and or Calendar, and a hand print kit and a bin. Keep it the same as the others right! And somebody will pick up a newspaper from the day he or she is born. (Like all of the others) And, my MIL will make a "C" quilt that fits the baby perfectly! Can't wait to see it!That is about it.

Baby will stay in our room in the bassinet and probably our bed lol! Thank goodness for our king size bed!! Yay!!

When we have this baby I will figure out where to eventually put this baby. If it is a girl, Catie will move to her big girl bed, Caroline will stay in her crib and baby will get a new crib. The three would room together.If it is a boy, we reconfigure Cameron's room and a crib will go in there eventually. I found cute boy bedding that I love, and cute girl bedding that I love. I gave my sis the yellow gingham pattern when she had her daughter, and this time I want to buy brand new.

After I will pass it on, or donate to a Mom who really needs the stuff.

Thankfully both rooms are large enough to accommodate all of the kids. I still cannot believe another baby is on its way to our family. Will it be the bookend, or will we have a fifth baby girl to complete the family? Stay tuned and we will know sometime in the month of November!

We will have 2 boys and 4 girls (nice and balanced and even just like Libra like me likes things), and I will be able to say Boys and Girls!! and, if we have another girl....well that will be 1 boy, and 5 girls. Very unbalanced lol, but still awesome. But, I will STILL have to say Boy and Girls...

Friday, July 20, 2007

Pregnancy Photography

I am definitely going to capture this last pregnancy with some photography. Too bad all of my photography friends don't live here. Darn it.

I want to do some photos around week 36/37. And I want to have naked full on shots of this belly and some done with clothing. Then, once baby "C" has arrived one of the whole family, and the baby alone. And one with all six of the kids together.

I have also decided that when I finally get my varicose veins done, and I start running again and get down to my goal weight I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get a photo done as a pin up girl! I think that would help me transition from Mom to Wife again. It will be a very interesting time in my life to go from almost of decade of pregnancy, breastfeeding and babies. To actually not be pregnant when the baby the baby in my uterus is nine months old. It will be different not to be pregnant at the First Birthday party. Because usually I have been pregnant. That will be a very weird feeling in deed. But, I will embrace this change in my life, and feel grateful for all that we have been given. And move on, and watch the kids grow up! Life is good!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

The Most Beautiful Pregnant Woman I Know...

This is what Cliff tried to tell me yesterday on the phone. He called me from City Hall and said I just saw a pregnant woman, and she has nothing on you.

Then, last night in bed he said to me Cathy, when I called you today I was trying to tell you that you are the most beautiful pregnant woman I know. You look so beautiful pregnant. You do pregnancy so well, and proceeded to rub my belly and told me that he loved me. He said that he doesn't say that enough to me. Those words brought silent tears to my eyes in the darkness of our bed. I choked back I love you too.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Half Way Baked!

I am in my 20th week already, which means I am less than 20 weeks to go until my due date. Seems so far away, yet so very close.

I have been feeling a bit more movement, but not all the time yet. Today, baby was really quiet, but then I felt a bit of movement this afternoon and tonight.

My belly is growing, my veins are filling out (yuck) and well it is really hot in this heat we are having. I am just thankful to be in the 2nd trimester instead of the end of the 3rd! (good timing lol.) I have noticed swelling at times in my ankles and legs but not too, too bad.

I went and bought some more shirts/tanks and a new denim skirt. I now have 3 and I just love them! So comfy and breezy.

I was supposed to have my appointment tomorrow, but it was cancelled. I am now going next week.

Not much to report.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

3 rings

I needed to take my wedding band, engagement and my millenium ring off yesterday in the heat. In place, a mexican opal surrounded with sterling silver from a trip to Mexico back in my "single days."

I hope to wear those rings again hopefully in January!!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

My boyfriends back...

hey la, hey lah...my BOYFRIENDs back!

I broke down and purchased a brand new body pillow and a pillow case in white to match our bedding. I am already finding my hips hurting, and sometimes my sciatic nerve acting up already. Especially after a full night of sleep on one side.

Cliff calls these big pillows my boyfriend! Sometimes, I have more than one boyfriend! Like at one point I had 4 boyfriends! The bed was crowded, and I never could see Cliff on the other side of the bed! Now, with our king size...I think it will be even more so!

Here is to good sleep tonight! Now, can the heat disappear for a bit too?! It is too hot for my taste!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Creation

My baby quivers inside my belly

and my world stops.

Around me, clouded and fuzzy,

Computers whirr,

Errand boys run,

Telephones ring.

Hustling and bustling,

the office carries on.

But I sit,
seat pushed back

from my desk

with my hand on the future.

-Marlene Anne Bumgarner (Mother Poet)
____
from: Mothering Magazine's Having a Baby, Naturally by Peggy O'Mara
Large and Lovely

Now I know my body

Is really a vessel,

Able to transform itself

At the service of life,

Able to stretch big

With life,

To swell small breasts

Large with milk,

To grow narrow pelvis

Open for birth,

To reach open arms

Out for comfort.

-Peggy O'Mara

Saturday, July 7, 2007

19 Weeks

19 Week Belly Shot


The view from above, looking down (I cannot see my feet anymore)

19 Weeks
Taken from babycenter.com

Your baby measures about 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. The hair on his scalp is sprouting. If your baby is a girl, she already has 6 million eggs in her ovaries. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. He may be able to hear you as you talk. Research shows that he's learning to distinguish your voice from others, and he'll soon show a preference for it.
_________

Not much to report, other than I really am starting to feel this baby move about more often. Not every day yet, but sometimes I feel this baby about three times a day! I love this part of pregnancy that is for sure. I know this is the middle trimester, which is typically called the "honeymoon trimester" but I still feel really tired, and I still gag every time I brush my teeth. I still am affected by strong smells like body odour, cigarette smells and poop! Diapers still make me gag. I usually change diapers on my bedroom floor, but that is not going to happen for much longer. I am finding it difficult to get up from the floor already. I am experiencing Braxton Hicks at times already (oh uterus, how you practice earlier and earlier each time helping this uterus to do the "job" ONE more time!!) I remember when I was pregnant with Cameron I never felt one at all. And then, with each successive pregnancy they got stronger! I will expect the same thing again this time. Except this time earlier than I can remember!

I am feeling very happy and content this time around, and I am thankful for a healthy baby inside of me, I am thankful for the love and support of my family and friends. Especially to my dear hubby Cliff who helps me in so many ways. I love the way he rubs my belly, and tells me how big it is getting! I know he is getting excited about this baby too as he can see the growth of my belly. He keeps asking me when he will be able to feel this baby move. I keep telling him soon, hunny really soon!

I cannot believe that in one week I have reached the half way mark already! I just feel like I found out. I guess because my life is very busy with my 5, and my hubby and life. I just want to take a bit of time to bond with this baby, and to enjoy this feeling for one last time. I know before I know it, school will be back in session, we will have birthdays and Thanksgiving and then Christmas prep! And then, baby will arrive. I know this time around I will really miss this so I will savour this time. Enjoy this pregnancy. Enjoy my life and take the time to feel this baby as I know I will miss that wonderful feeling the most.

We have been chatting about a vasectomy date for Cliff. Working on the details. Hopefully very soon. As you all know we are a very fertile couple and for that we are grateful. BUT, we don't want to have a seventh baby. This is my seventh pregnancy, I have been pregnant, breastfeeding and doing diapers for almost eight years now! It will be a decade dedicated to my babies after I finish breastfeeding and diapering this baby.

I have a hard time believing that I am having my sixth child. I would have never chosen this path for myself, but I am truly amazed at how wonderfully my life has turned out! My sister April said the other day on the phone that we are so lucky to be able to see six individual kids, and have the chance to see how all of the kids can look as siblings! I am just excited to watch them grow up now!

Thursday, July 5, 2007

This ultrasound was analyzed by my friend Hope, who forwarded this photo to me yesterday! Thanks Hope!
Thank goodness there is only ONE badger in there!
And, I hope this badger does get some blue eyes!!

A phone call this evening...

I received a wonderful phone call this evening at 7:30 pm from my Doctor himself. He said he was going through a whole bunch of paper work on his desk, and he saw my ultrasound results already. He was happy to share with me that our baby is VERY healthy and growing right on schedule! The dates are right and everything! He wanted me to know that before my appointment so that I would not worry for another couple of weeks! I just love my doctor! I feel that he goes above and beyond for me. I love that.

I said to him on the phone, oh good! I can send Cliff for his surgery now...and he said? Why now? You mean there won't be a CHANCE of number seven? And, I told him NO WAY!! He is sad!

I thanked him for calling me, and he said he was surprised to hear that I was not nervous when the phone rang tonight from the office. I just knew everything will be OK this time around!

So, that is our good news tonight! I feel soooooo excited for November! I am so excited to meet this little baby!

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

It's a BABY!

Here are the first glimpses of our sweet baby number six!
Will it be a boy or a girl??

Ultrasound was done this afternoon, and Cliff was able to make it. She was a really nice tech, and she said we had a very uncooperative baby! I had to roll on both sides as baby wouldn't move around enough. I told her, and Cliff that this baby truly will fit in very nicely then! We saw the spine, the two parts of the brain, the ribs and the umbilical cord! And sweet little legs and feet!

Well, it's a baby in there! And during the scan when Cliff was there, she called the baby "he!" I wouldn't get too excited people!! I know a lot of you out there are rooting for a boy, but I still say girl! She probably calls every baby "he" when doing her scans. Anyways, we didn't want to find out the gender, just the health of the baby. I am just happy there is one baby in there. I will have the results of this (long) scan in couple of weeks at my next doctors appointment.

It was a very exciting day for us all, and I cannot wait to show the scan photos to the kids on Friday afternoon when they get back from camping with Aunty Amy and Uncle Tyler!

Ultrasound Appointment today!

Today I go get to get an "inside" look of the baby growing within. I am 18 weeks 3/7 days today.
I always love to have the "sneak peek" and just hope and pray for a great ultrasound appointment and results! I know this is a totally different pregnancy and I am thankful that this one has gone rather smoothly.

And no, I will NOT be finding out the sex. I just LOVE the surprise at the end of a hard nine, well make that ten months of pregnancy. There is no greater surprise in life to me! I am not so much about the sex of the baby, but much more about the health of the baby. It has been that way for each and every one of my pregnancies! Boy or Girl, this baby will be loved!

I am hoping my hubby can join me, but we will see. I will be sure to post a photo when I have one in my hot little hands!

Later Baby!