Adventures in Calgary

Here I was thinking I'd beat the dreaded stretch mark. My belly wasn't going to be covered in nasty purple marks - oh no! I was better than that. I was moisturizing with thick creams twice daily. And I haven't gained THAT much weight.

WHATEVER

They started showing up on the weekend. They're not large but they're multiplying. Tiny purple marks along the bottom of my belly. None anywhere else YET but at this rate who knows. I've also noticed that while I don't officially have an 'OUTIE' I'm getting damn close. I guess this is what happens in the final days.

Luckily I'm still feeling good though. My sleep is not the greatest - lots of vivid dreams and BH contractions to contend with - but that's hardly a complaint.

Well, it must be getting close to my delivery date because the weather has finally turned and winter is here. I may even have to go out and shovel. I guess it's a good thing we kept the snow tires on after all. At least now we should have some hope of getting out of Tuscany and to the hospital without skidding out of control on the ice and snow.

Last night Noel and I went out for a lovely Valentine's date. We're not usually ones to celebrate St. Val but we figured we should splash out since it's our last one as a family of 2. We went to Ric's Steakhouse for a change (Noel usually insists on the KEG) and it was sooooo good. I haven't eaten that much rich food in ages! And best of all I have left overs for lunch today. There was a couple with a 6 day old baby there for dinner as well. I like looking at new babies and comparing them to my belly. It's still so strange to think I've got a person in there!

I think all the rich food got to me. I had a terrible time sleeping last night. I kept dreaming that my water broke (and no it didn't and no I didn't even pee the bed). I guess it's not too surprising that all my dreams seem to revolve around labour and delivery. I'd just really like to have some idea of when it's coming...I'm a planner and I can't plan this!!!

Noel has started a "Birth Prediction Pool". He's calling for Feb 20th I think. I'm predicting March 3rd...but I've been saying that forever. I'd still prefer if Molly came late - then I'd have more time to stock food away in the freezer!

So here it is in all it's glory. I took this self portrait this morning after realizing how much I liked seeing other people's bellies when they were pregnant. Not exactly a Demi Moore shot but then again I'm no Demi Moore! Apologies to all those who feel this is just too much...

Yesterday we reached a pregnancy milestone - 37 weeks (aka full-term). Molly can come any time between now and week 42 and be considered "on-time". She's got everything she needs to survive on her own outside the womb now. She's a genuine baby!

We had a great doctor's appointment yesterday. Noel was able to come along to talk to Dr. Oyebanji about our birth plan. Turns out everything we want is pretty standard stuff and nothing that will ruffle any feathers come the big day. After much thought and talk we are going to attempt to do the birth naturally with our doula by our side but we are under no illusions that this may not be what happens...I just figure I'd rather go in trying. My doctor is awesome in this regard - no pressure for induction or epidurals there. She did warn us yesterday that the nurses working might not be so open to the option.

One of my requests in the birth plan is that people try to NOT offer me any drugs at all and just let me ask for them when (if) I feel I need them. I realize I'm not made of steel and in the grip of contractions my resolve may be weakened so the last thing I need is people holding drugs and relief out in front of me like some sort of carrot...they wouldn't hold chocolate out to a person fasting so why offer me drugs when I've already said I'd rather try without? Hopefully Noel and Tania or Jen will help to keep these comments from me and/or remind the people in the room about the "plan" and our wishes.

Noel's big thing is that he doesn't want to be pressured into more involvement than he is comfortable with. He wants to be there with me but he wants to control where he is and what he's doing. Again, the last thing he needs is well meaning people trying to coerce him into catching the baby or cutting the cord if he's really not comfortable with that role. And really, I'm cool with that so why shouldn't everyone else be???

Part of me wants to simplify our wishes to these two requests and print them in 72 pt type just to reinforce how important they are to us. Then I realize that the entire experience is somewhat out of our control so we may as well just take comfort in the fact that we've tried to make our wishes known and accept that whatever will be will be!

I still find it hard to believe that this pregnancy is actually coming to a close and that any day now we could be at home with our new baby. I keep making plans for the weeks to come...for projects at work or for dinners out or lunches with friends but somewhere in the back of my mind I know that all that can change at any point if Molly decides its time to see what the world is all about. I can't say I'm in any rush for her arrival. I still enjoy being pregnant (even when I'm bored with taking it easy) and I'm really enjoying these last few weeks with Noel all to myself. But I am getting more interested in meeting our baby and getting to know her personality...it's all such a mystery!

Another package arrived from Hamilton on the weekend - a package full of love from Grandma Cookie! My mom has always enjoyed crocheting for me, for my friends, and for their babies. Homemade baby blankets have been leaving Hamilton for points all over Canada for the last few years. In fact, when it was time to tell mom about our good news I did it by telling her I needed another baby blanket...her response? "Who's pregnant now?!?!" She never suspected it would be me. And so it began...she's been a crochet machine ever since. I can't wait to wrap Molly up in all this love. Noel and my favourite of the new duds? It's got to be the bunny ear hat.

It is so soft and cute and it even has a bunny tail on the back. Molly is one lucky baby to have such a talented Grandma.