reflections of a life you once lived...

2008 has been quite the year for us. At times heart-breakingly difficult and at other times joyously happy. I look forward to 2009, knowing that it will be a very different year for me, with new and exciting challenges. Here's hoping you that you and yours have a fantastic 2009!

what a difference a day makes...

Well it's been quite a day.

I had my weekly checkup with the obstetrician today. My blood pressure was a little high so she decided to send me to the hospital for further tests as a precaution. She assured me that she thought everything was fine with Em and me but she would rather that I have some tests done just to be certain. I think I managed to remain calm until I left her office but then panic set in. The 3 minute drive from her office to the hospital felt like 3 hours. I called Steve to let him know what was going on and tried to sound as relaxed as possible so as not to frighten him. I reported to hospital admitting as instructed and they had my chart ready to go, since my doctor had already called over to let them know I was coming and what she wanted done. From there I headed to the labour and delivery ward, where I met Casey, the nurse who would take care of me. She was awesome from the get go. She got me settled in a room, explained that they would take blood and urine samples, take my blood pressure again and hook me up to a fetal monitor. Her demeanor really helped to calm me down and push all the horrible "OMG there's something wrong with my baby" thoughts out of my head. I was hooked up to the monitor for about half an hour and Em performed brilliantly. (Yeah, Em!) She took my blood pressure twice during this time and it was normal. All I had to do know was wait for the results from the blood and urine tests. Luckily, there was TV in the room to keep me occupied. I started to doze off, likely because I had only slept about 4 hours the night before, and Casey came back in with a lunch tray. She said they had an extra tray and thought that I might be hungry. I could have hugged her. I was ravenous, but didn't even realize it from the combination of exhaustion and panic I was feeling up until this point. Casey informed me that they were just waiting on a few more results but everything looked really good so far. Once all of the results were in, she talked to my doctor and both agreed I was good to go. The whole process took about 2 hours, which is exactly what my doctor told me to expect when I left her office.

I realize that what I went through was a very minor bump in my pregnancy experience. I've been lucky to have a relatively easy pregnancy with no major concerns along the way. This experience only further reminded me of how lucky I have been. I'm not sure how women with high risk pregnancies cope. I guess you just do what you have to do. I'm just thankful that Casey was so awesome during the whole thing. It gives me confidence that we will be in good hands when the time comes for Em to emerge.

like a bowl full of jelly

For the morbidly curious, here's how I'm looking these days, at approximately 38.5 weeks pregnant.


Seriously, I should be renting myself out to play Santa Claus at Christmas parties!

'tis the season...

It's hard to believe that I've already been off work for a week and a half. Between preparing for the arrival of Em, Christmas and ongoing home renovations that we're trying to get done before the 25th, time has really flown by. I was just starting to get stressed about it all last night when there was knock at the front door. Before I could waddle my way over to open it, I heard a chorus of young girls singing Christmas carols. I opened the door to find a group of about 8 girls ranging in age from 8 to 14 gleefully serenading me. And they were good! I don't know who they were but they all seemed to have the same logo somewhere on there clothes that had the words "dance" and "academy" in it. They were collecting donations for the food bank and as I gathered a few cans from the pantry they continued to sing. It was a reminder of what this holiday season really should be all about. So today, as I finish my shopping and run all of my various errands, even though the malls will be crowded with cranky last minute shoppers, I will think of my happy carolers and smile.

writing on the wall

I spotted this at the corner of Bloor and Bedford in Toronto on Thursday. Totally cracked me up.

hello, hello...

I am so thankful that the labour and delivery ward at my local hospital does not look like this.


There is actually a hospital in Taiwan that features a Hello Kitty themed maternity ward. Seriously. And it's not just the rooms. The staff are actually dressed in pink Hello Kitty garb. The nursery is adorned in Hello Kitty decor. It's all Hello Kitty, all the time. I have nothing against Hello Kitty personally but would I want to give birth surrounded by all of this pink cuteness? Definitely not.