Presenting: The Stevensons

Well, here we are. A bonafide family.

Kyle Matthew Olyn Stevenson arrived on Thursday, April 28th at 11:01am. It was a very quick delivery and mama and baby did great. Dad was (and continues to be) an amazing support. We have spent the first month learning and loving and getting acquainted.

He is the new Centre of the Universe.

Due Date

Today is the calculated due date for the arrival of Baby S.

And since the current OB thinking is 40 at 40 (meaning, they don't like mamas over 40 years old to go longer than 40 weeks because the chances of something going wrong fast increases dramatically) and the Easter Bunny was not in cahoots with the Stork, we are going to the Valley Regional at 9am to begin the process of induction.

Apparently an hour and a half walk yesterday didn't work!

*****

PS- Apparently, there are to many babies and not enough doctors and L&D was too busy for one more. I was on the monitor for an hour and then they sent me home. We didn't quite know what to do with ourselves today. They will call and ask us to come in tomorrow morning or Wednesday. Which is good because it means Baby S still has a chance to come on his or her own but bad because I was mentally ready to do this today!

Birthday Mama

So I've been celebrating my 43rd (YIKESARAMA) birthday all week!

Troy was scheduled to go to Truro on Sunday night to begin a week-long water course for his profession, so on Sunday my in-laws met us at church and then we all went out for Brunch at Rosie's. It was a lovely time and there was even cake :) And then Sunday night before he left, my husband made me dinner (complete with a baby sized cake!). On Monday, I rec'd lots of calls and emails and cards and ecards and had dinner out with Evelyne and Janet at Pizzaz (I really like that place). And then yesterday, my sister-in-law took me out for a latte! And tonight, I'm going to the movies! Troy will be home tomorrow.

I've enjoyed the time of solitude this week. No meals to plan and no feeling guilty about disturbing Troy when I'm roaming the house at 4am. The crib went up on Sunday so now it really feels like the room is ready for a little person.

I've been creating, connecting with friends and napping. Macy is, of course, my constant companion and LOVES being able to sleep on the bed at night. She is banned when there are two of us.

Not much longer now...I'll be 40 weeks on the 25th and the OB says the rule is 40 at 40 (ie those of us over 40 are not recommended to be allowed to be overdue as there is a dramatic increase in statistical possibility of something happening to the babe) so the Baby S mystery will be solved by the end of the Easter holiday. YIKESARAMA!

PS: Like my toes? I had a pedi (by Jane, of course...she is the absolute best...you can find her under Jane's Esthetics in the phone book) for the first time since last summer and could not resist an over-the-bump shot.

Photo Shoot

Check these out :)

Photos By Trish (she was our wedding photographer, too).

The Waiting Game

Hard to believe, but Friday was my last day at work. I have decided to use a little bit of my accumulated sick leave to take the time to rest and get ready for Baby Stevenson.

Which make Macy Mae Louise Sanchez DeHavlin very happy as she does not have to spend the day in her crate. She is a Lady Of Leisure. Her favourite parts of the day include The Walk, Naps and Couch Time. I took this photo via iPhone the other night and could not resist sharing it. Mama Tummies apparently make great pillows.

I must admit. Friday threw me for a bit of a loop which I was totally not expecting. I put in the whole day because I had lots of tidy up to do and when I got home I sat on the couch and was so bone-tired I could barely move. I did manage to take the hound for a spin and we had a little talk along the way (as we usually do...she is the World's Best Listener). I was a bit sad, actually. And then I figured it out. I worked so hard to get to where I was and here I was on the brink of the unknown. Trading yet another part of myself for a role I am totally unprepared for. Yikes. However, once I was past that, I enjoyed the weekend and the prospect of not having to drag my butt out of bed on Monday morning. Which is difficult to do when you have been up several times in the night or are having trouble getting comfortable! So I say, sick time well spent.

Clearly, we have the resting part down. And then there is the getting ready! Baby's room painted? Check. Thank you Kim and Shane for your wonderful gift of time! Baby's laundry done? Check. You should see the piles of fluffy blankets, cloth diapers and clothes on the bed in there! baby gifts taken out of the packages and the gazillion plastic taggies removed? Check. So many wonderful gifts...in addition to the shower that was hosted by Sandi and Sonya, there was also a lovely shower in Middleton hosted by Grammie Marilyn and Auntie Tina. And a surprise pot-luck lunch shower given by my work colleagues in Dartmouth! Thank you, everyone :)

Tonight is our last prenatal class and I am responsible for the snack. Apparently it has to be healthy. I wanted to bring cup cakes, but my uber-conscience husband says banana bread and fruit better. Hmph.

Shower at Sandi's

Do you remember how on our wedding day a dear friend in the neighbourhood invited us girls to get ready at her house? That would be Sandi. She thought it only fitting she would throw a block baby shower for us! She and Sonia, her next door neighbour, hosted. So. Incredibly. Thoughtful.

Practically the whole neighbourhood was in attendance along with both Grammies and Auntie Tina! it was a lovely afternoon spent in the company of lovely people :)

And cake. Somehow if you take an image to Sobey's, they will scan it and print it on rice paper. Sandi took the jungle-theme invite and viola! There is was on the cake (and you can eat it!). There were lobster sandwiches and spinach dip and egg curry sandwiches and veggies and the most amazing fudge.....oh, my.

There was baby trivia and guess the mommy's belly size (which, thankyouverymuch, was NOT the highest number guessed). There were amazing gifts and some great laughs and awesome conversations....a treat of a way to spend a Sunday. Thank you, Girls...it was a wonderful gift :)

Yes, so I'm 33 weeks as of today. Yikesarama. The next step is the nursery prep...painting is scheduled for the 20th. Between donations and lends and gifts to set up, we are slowly collecting the necessities. I'm feeling great but slowing down to accommodate the girth...a few more weeks to work, I think. Troy and I have been learning lots in the pre-natal classes.

Bermuda Jenn is here for a pre-baby visit this weekend. We attended a fundraiser for the KCA playground on Friday, hit the city for shopping yesterday (I REALLY needed more body butter...that stuff have SAVED MY SKIN this winter) and went to see our evil friend Tim in Dial M for Murder last night followed by a post play gathering at the pub. Late for mama to be out, but SO worth it to spend time with some of my fave people.

Life is good. And getting better. Pinch me.

Snug as a beagle in a nest. Clearly, Macy really appreciates our new Queen size duvet.

Hard to believe, but it is the beginning of another month in 2011. February will be a busy time in these here parts...three birthdays and an anniversary, a business trip to Moncton, safety training for Troy, finishing up the kitchen revamp (hopefully), beginning prenatal classes, a family trip to Halifax to roll all those celebrations into one event (we have tickets to the Gold Medal Game for the Men's Canada Games Hockey Final!) and then the regular things like yoga and french and BookClub and hockey. And getting together with friends :) We are off to see Jon Duggan perform at the King's Arms tonight (Cranberry soda for me. Whohoo. Getting a little tired of THAT)...he was the dude that played at our wedding reception.

Yes. So once the kitchen is done, attentions will be directed to Baby S's new quarters. I'm still in a quandary about that. The first step will be to clean it out. The second to paint (yay! As a gift, my talented friend Kim is going to do the dirty work!). And then let the games begin. We have a kid book library to install (thank you E and E and O!) and a crib to collect and set up (thank you J and P and I!). There have been a few queries about things we may need so I have established a wish list on the side bar of the blog if anyone wishes to consult. I will try to keep it updated. We have also registered at Go as you Grow in New Minas and for three things at Babies R Us. Still planning on trying the cloth diapering thing and have purchased the covers we will need.

And for inquiring minds...I'm feeing great. Almost 29 weeks now and sporting a Buddha belly (thank heavens I don't have the Booty to match...yet). Passed the glucose test with flying colours and all was well at the last appointment. Iron a bit low, but a prenatal vitamin is taking care of that. Still managing to do lots of walking and prenatal yoga (LOVE the new yoga studio downtown!). Nails brittle, but hair is fan freaking tastic!

Valentine's Day is next week...we are going to the Blomidon Inn for dinner to celebrate. That makes me happy. Thank you for the gift certificate, Gerry and Barb! As does all the other things that are planned for this wintery month...which is nice because usually February bites the big one.