What a weird day

It's been a good day for getting stuff done. Got Duncan off to Nikki's, went grocery shopping, sorted through Duncan's clothes to see what's too small and make more room for a bunch more of stuff we just rec'd. I picked up some stuff from a freecycler, had lunch, unloaded the dishwasher - and don't worry there was a certain amount of vegging in there too.

But it's so odd b/c I'm doing all this every day stuff and it's like "tomorrow I'll just go have a baby'. Like it's a normal week. Like we do this all the time.

But it's all good. Of course we're really excited to welcome Bean tomorrow, and although it's going to change our family all over, we both agree it's an awesome change. Like we could be any more awesome. :)

I had doctor's appointment today - my last one! We discussed the plan for tomorrow, and it's no where near as daunting as I thought it was going to be. See with Duncan when they induced I basically had to lay down for 7 hours and wait it out - I wasn't allowed to walk around or anything. Today the doctor says I'll be going home about an hour after they induce - for 3 hours or so, before going back to see how things are progressing. This is nice b/c it will be easier if I can move around, and while Mom is totally ready for us all day, she can go to her Pro-D day thing for at least a bit - she's only about 5 minutes away. Also, my doctor needs to leave at 3, but then the doctor taking over, if Bean is not there yet, is the other doctor who has done all my prenatal care - so two people I know and am familiar with.

I don't expect I'm going to sleep too well tonight. Going to be pondering tomorrow too much.

Other than baby stuff, I was just watching last night's Idol results show. I knew who had been booted, but I like to watch it anyhow. You can tell I'm hormonal b/c there is one point where Kris Allen's Dad is hugging him and telling him how proud he is of him, and here I am getting all teary eyed from it. I'm thrilled with the top two. I love them both. Adam by far is the consumate performer. I would rather listen to a CD with Kris singing on it, but I've loved Adam from the start. So I'm happy with this year's show!

Thanks everyone

I want to thank everyone for chiming in on my post yesterday. Even my Mom told me I was being silly and she would have sent us if she could have. I guess I'd just been thinking that quite often there is a response from people of "you're home and you're sending your kid to day care?". Mind you, I think you get grief no matter how you parent. I got grief b/c when I went back to work it wasn't my Mom watching Duncan. See, in some cultures it is the Mom, or MIL who watches baby during the day- which I get, but not our culture, and my Mom works full time! And then you get people who give you grief for going back to work at all, and then if you decide to stay home, you get grief b/c you're not working. Don't you find that to be the truth?

But you are all so good to me, and supportive - so thank you. I'm glad I'm not being silly.

Otherwise... D and I had an awesome day together. I took him to drop in time at the Leisure Centre ($1, can't go wrong), in hopes that it would tucker him out, and perhaps my running around after him might get labour going... ha, not so much! Well at least not yet. He had a good time, but it was a zoo in there. Well over 50 kids.

Hockey is over - yay! Don't care for it.
Election is over - yay! Let's move on.
Up next - baby!

Mom Guilt

Okay, as much as we all like to think so, none of us are perfect Moms. Some of us are pretty awesome at it, but it's an art, not a science, isn't it?

I've been feeling guilty about daycare. Here's the thing - Duncan loves to go. He puts on his shoes (boots) and jacket, waits at the door "Alright! Let's go!" I drop him off, get a quick hug and he is gone. So I know it's not like I'm sending my child to some place he dreads.

But as I have this year off work, I'm still sending him 2 days a week, and I feel like I'm cheating. Isn't it though? Everyone tells me how smart we are to still send him - gives me a break, he gets to play with his little friends, and from the practical stand point, it's keeping his spot in daycare until I go back full time next year.

But isn't this the easy way out? Am I cheating? I love him, and I love the time I spend with him. I think staying home full time with your kids is a lot more work, and so am I less of a Mom, or a cheating Mom for sending him, and enjoying that I can get stuff done, and not worry about him two days a week? I'm grateful to live in a country where the gov't sends us money each month to help with daycare costs (which makes this possible). However, it still feels like the easy way out.

Full time stay at home Moms - I'd love for you to chime in. Be honest - am I being "smart" or am I "cheating"? Just looking for a bit of a thought/direction/input.

Monday, No baby.

Nope, no showing up of Miss or Mister Bean yet. Yep I'm trying much of the conventional methods of induving labour. I am going for walks, bending over - cleaning the floor on your hands and knees apparently helps - I think picking up toys is as good as, walking up and down stairs... and other stuff not need be mentioned here.

I have not, and likely will not, take castor oil, will not be having a pork roast dinner (although it sounds delicious!), nor a lobster dinner (sounds even better!), drink/take any variety of herbal remedies. I figure this kid will show up when they are good and ready - unless it's Friday, at which case we know he/she is showing up.

I had a few contractions earlier today - no more than I have in the past week or more, but I thought perhaps it was the start of things, but apparently not. But as Bill told me today, if it is Friday, he will be off until almost June, which will be great.

Otherwise, I have a non-stress test tomorrow at 10:30 AM. So I switched Duncan going to Nikki's to tomorrow, so we got a good day together at home today. He still loves going there. And it also gives me a chance to do stuff. And once Bean is here, I think it will be a nice balance for him. Mind you, if he was home full time we'd love that too, but this is how it works out.

Remember how I got to product test a bunch of Christie Snack Pak stuff about a month back? Well today I got another product test in the mail for Polysporin Spray to go and some bandaids. I didn't even know I was getting it, so this is cool and I think it is going to be a great little thing to have on me especially with Duncan getting a lot more daring. For those interested I got this through Go2Girlz through UrbanMom. You answer surveys and if you qualify you get sent stuff. Apparently I was also chosen for a Yoptimal product test, but there was a mix up with the coupons and I didn't get them. Oh well.

Mother's Day was fantastic. Duncan, courtesy of Bill, got me a great card and gift card to spa I like (woo hoo!). I got to sleep in, had breakfast made for me. We went to my parent's place in the afternoon and had a really good time visiting with them and my siblings and their families. It was a really nice day.

And that's it here! Babywatch 2009 continues!

Saturday morning

Good morning everyone! Duncan was up early. Not that I'm sleeping too well anyhow. But the 1st thing he asked when I went to get him was if he could watch Robots. So cute. So sure, we can watch Robots. Gives me a chance to read email, blog, have tea, and listen to Ewan McGregor. Not a bad thing.

We're going to do advance voting today b/c I don't want to miss out next week if Bean is showing up. Get out and vote friends! I'll never tell you how to vote (of course I have an opinion, but that's not the point) but I just think we should all do it.

We're also finally going to go get our new BBQ today. It has been 4 years at least since we had one, and every time we smell other people grilling it makes us jealous. We have cash saved up and we're taking the plunge. Also with Bill's Dad and Brother coming out in July, I think being able to grill will be a perfect option. Now I need you all to help me get Bill doing the grilling b/c he doesn't.

I'm hungry. Duncan has asked for pancakes this morning, and he doesn't know I bought some chocolate chips to put it them. I think he'll love that.

Update on Bean's pending arrival

Okay, so I am 39.5 weeks pregnant. Unless things happen pretty quick, I'll be running at least a little over due. I'd been hoping before Mother's Day, but oh well! Not too late for that, just unlikely.

I had my appointment today. Bean is good. Heartrate is good, position is good etc... I'm just not getting much in the way of contractions. So the doctor said they like to schedule an induction for later b/c you don't want to wait until it's 42 weeks along and then have to schedule it.

So unless Bean makes her appearance sooner (let's hope she does! I do not want to be induced, and no I don't know for sure that Bean is a girl), I'll be induced next week Friday May 15. It seemed to work for scheduling on a lot of levels. It's rather funny you can schedule a baby that well. Mom has a Pro-D day, it's a long weekend, I can make arrangements for Duncan's day care if needed... I have a Non-stress test on Tuesday, and next doctor's appointment next Thursday.

And yes, I am doing many of the things people suggest that help bring labour on, but I'm not sure I believe them all.

Anyhow, that's where things are at over here.

Nothing new

Ahh... Saturday afternoon. D is down for his nap and we're just vegging on the couch. There all these things I think I could be doing, but it's either sitting here watching House Hunters on HGTV, or take a nap. Maybe I'll still try to take that nap.

I made a pattern to make slip covers for my nursing pillow, so that's the other thing I'd like to work on, and also clean more upstairs. Always a lot more to do! But vegging in some respect is winning.

Nothing new on the Bean front. I had a few contraction-ish things yesterday, but nothing significant, and they stopped over night. I'm now due in 8 days. I really hope I don't go 2 weeks over b/c I think I'd have a hard time with "is today going to be the day?" for another 3 weeks. And hey, a glass of Vino on Mother's Day would be really nice. As I type that Bean says KICK KICK KICK! *grin*

We're on the search for a BBQ. We've been looking around for a while now, and found one that Bill likes at Zellers. Now, I'm usually the one who does the grilling, but I admitted to him, if we get one he likes, then perhaps he'll step up to the plate and learn how to grill. What man doesn't love grilling? Oh, mine doesn't :)

D has a bit of a cold, poor kid. But he slept well last night, and went down with out a peep for his nap. He's such a good kid. I hope he does okay with the baby. I mean I know he will over all, but it's going to be hard for him at first.

Oh, and finally, we went stroller shopping yesterday. Well, Ronnie and I did. I was looking for a double stroller, but really want something that will fit in the grocery store, or through the door into Starbucks, or whatever, and we found this one called Joovy Caboose Ultralight. It's a Sit Stand stroller - so the toddler has a little jump seat in the back, or it can slide back and he can stand. I think this is perfect for a toddler who prefers to walk, but you know will need the option to rest - say if we're at the Aquarium, Zoo, etc... The reviews I've read are positive. Now the price - under $300, which I think is decent for a double stroller that doesn't feel like a cheap piece of plastic. I've looked on Craigslist, and there are some out there, but in Richmond, or Abbotsford, etc... and that seems a little far to go. So we'll need to decide how far we're willing to drive for a used one, or spend the extra few bucks and get it new and nearby. TJ Kidds also sells it, a bit cheaper, but for us the drive down to Marine Drive is a hassle.

So that's it! Okay, I think no nap, perhaps I'll sew. Have a blessed weekend!