Florida

I have been terrible at keeping up over the Holidays - meh - its been a much needed lull from my normal (and boring) toronto Routine.

Christmas was an insane blur (as usual) at trying to see everyone we rarely see and travel from place to place. We left for Florida on the 27th - REALLY early - and couldn't get here fast enough. I have really been enoying this trip with Jonathan and my Dad. Again - learning a lot in the process.

My dad and Jonathan both seem extremely intrigued by my every growing belly. They keep flattering me with tons of compliments. Its been nice.

Today we vegged on the beach all day - I couldn't be happier. I have been dying to relax and thats all we've been doing. I saw 4 Dolphins today too - It feels like thats all I need in life. I've finally been sleeping too - its been awhile.

I've also learned how different each State is - and that the US of A in general is a weird-ass place. the good news in vacationing in the land of over weight white people from snowy places is that nobody gives me a second look when walking down the beach 19 weeks pregnant (5 months on Sunday). Besides - my dad looks more pregnant than me so its acceptable.

Anyway I have to fight to stay awake to Midnight - hanging out in the sun is exhausting!!

Happy New Year Everyone! I KNOW 2009 is going to be far better than 2008!

SNOW~

This week has been insane but GREAT all at the sametime. I love this snow! So its impossible to get anywhere (besides work of course) but it makes it feel more Christmasy! I have terrible at Blogging this week - its been a mixture of being so busy - plus not having anything overly exciting to write about. I wouldn't want to bore my followers (all 4 of you!)

So last night I went to bed kind of late - Jonathan was working at the ACC and I wanted to wait up for him - plus I was reading so I lost all track of time. It took me awhile to fall asleep -then I woke up to a huge crash in our Condo at 3:30 am - I knew almost immediately that it was Jonathan's shave mirror in the shower - however it didn't stop me from swearing a bit - or a lot. It scared the crap out of me. Jonathan responded to the commotion by telling me our baby's first word is going to a bad one and that I should "set a better example". Clearly he knows thats not a safe comment so I was baffled as to why he'd say that- he yells at my belly afterall - then he told me that we needed to start packing. I am thinking he stayed asleep through the whole thing. I admire his amazing ability to sleep through almost anything.

After 4.5 hours of sleep I am exhausted but I somehow feel exhilarated by this gorgeous winer storm! Of course it makes it hard for going out and accomplishing anything - like CHRISTMAS shopping. But I know I will survive....either that or my loved ones are shit out of luck. we'll have to wait and see.

We still do not have our car back which is making Christmas that much more stressful. I just need something to work out easily for me...I am sure it will!

I think I might go outside and do some snow angels on my lunch - its an amazing relaxation technique.

Melis

Monday Monday - I want Friday Friday

Today is Monday. Mondays blow - however this one marks the last week before my two week Christmas Work Hiatus - therefore I am thrilled to be here!

I am still driving the rental Matrix - our car is still not fixed. But I am liking that car! I actually don't really want my car back - its going to be lame to drive now ; (

I cannot WAIT for Christmas to get here! Excitement is an understatement. I have lost all of my funny today - I am blaming it on Hormones - I am happy yet still very edgy. I have a lot of Christmas Shopping still to do ; ( not looking forward to it - I suffer from acute indecisiveness. No joke.

I watched a friend devour A double Big Man and then a regular Big Mac today - I have never been so proud. this cutie-pie makes me look obese and is a doll - I think I should have recorded this and put it on Youtube!

Stolen Food - NEVER ok.

Missing:

The remaining 80% of my Siam Noodle. Was in fridge for me to take to work - however it is now missing. Siam Noodle is a signature dish from "Salad Kind" and is a most amazing treat. I could not finish eating my dinner last night due to my husband making "eating sounds" therefore leaving it most vulnerable for theft.

If you have any information - go ahead and call Crime Stoppers - or send pictures of the culprit to my attention. The perp MUST be brought to justice.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Its amazing how a missing container of leftover food can be so devastating for a pregnant lady that has been struggling with eating (everything grosses me out - or comes back out my nose in 10 minutes). I feel violated and unloved....I hope I catch the villian. This week has royally sucked my arse - but next week will be better (in the vacation countdown).

I just learned I have to study LEEDS credits to become the resident Green person in my office....I guess I should buy a SHAM-WOW and stop buying paper towels. Its very ironic - we have a very wasteful work environment!

Anyway back to "work"!

Drama Mama!

My goodness the past 2 days have been insane!

As if I wasn't overly spastic enough - I walk to our car yesterday - drudging going to work - and I notice I am missing the entire back window - not just missing - it looked like my window simply exploded. Also - our car as filled with snow - which then turned to freezing rain - so all in all it was a great morning.

Being smart - and not wanting the car to become anymore damaged - I moved it to our underground parking spot so it would be away from theft and the elements. Once all the snow melted off - I realized that the window was the least of my problems. It appeared from the scratch marks - and the dent that almost removed poor Faris the Yaris' roll-cage - that something much taller than Faris the Yaris - literally drove over the top of back end of the car. Poor Faris didn;t stand a chance.

So after freaking out - come on you would've too! We drove the beat up car on the Don Valley Parkway all the way to the accident reporting centre (in a downpour of freezing rain in order to file a police report or our insurance. While there - many kind police officers snickered or out right laughed at the sight of our car - me not so much. If only Officer Miller was there - maybe things would've been different. Seeing as how Jonathan was there as well - I didn't think it appropriate to negotiate Faris' sweet justice by using our baby as a bartering tool (AGAIN.)

After calling the insurance company - I learned that since I can't prove who did it - I have to pay our insanely high deductible. You're right State Farm - I drove over the car myself....whatever.

After much speculation - and cussing - I found out from one of our amazing neighbours that will be getting an enormous Christmas Gift - they witnessed the whole event - meaning insurance will HAVE to take care of it. Now we find ourselves with fingers crossed that Faris the Yaris' Roll Cage is beyond repair so we can pick out a new car to love! I even called the goon that hit Faris (in front of 2 witnesses) giving him a chance to pay my deductible instead of my having to go through insurance - magically he only called me back after my insurance company called him - and he said I SCREWED HIM?! welcome to Toronto Friends! The dumbass tries to pull a hit and run with 2 people seeing him - then leaves me to pick up the tab for his mistake..shaaaa right. Whatever happened to the good ole days of hit and runs - where the dink would just leave their license plate at the scene.

Anyway just more stress a.k.a. excitement for us to add to our list! I heard our babies heart beat again at the doctors this morning and it instantly cheered me up! I totally feel like its going to be a boy - Officer Miller will be proud!

Melis

Monday Morning! 4 more days until FRIDAY!

Ah! A Beautiful and snowy Monday morning! I love the snow and today its falling like something out a Christmas Movie!

I realized I don't tend to write in my blog on the weekends - mainly because I actually tend to have more of a life on the weekend and I try to rest as much as possible. This weekend in particular was awesome! I went to the Mackay Wong Christmas Party and for the first time since i was about 16 - I got to experience Sober Partying. Note: I was pretty much the only sober person, which was actually not so bad! I loved seeing all of my old co-workers and some new people have fun and dancing.

I was a little worried when I first started dancing because it was the first time I felt inhibited by my bump - this baby kind of threw off my groove.....but I got the hang of it eventually.

I obviously knew that choosing to have a baby meant I was agreeing to my life changing in all sorts of ways...this latest "change" came this weekend. I purchased my very first full support bra. Yup - its true. Although to be completely honest, being the small chested gal I am for the duration of my "post puberity" years, I am very much enjoying the gals - I have NEVER had big boobs and I sure do now - so much so they need FULL support! Awesome! Full support is sexy - maybe I'm just telling myself that....

Anyway back to gagging down my lunch!!!

Stories....

I've been hearing so many baby stories. Some of them much better than others.

I really enjoy all the stories I've heard about quick and easy labour, breastfeeding that was easy and enjoyable etc. Its the stories of 8 days of agonizing torturous labour and tears from here to China that make me cringe.

Don't get me wrong - I want to know the entire truth. Nothing is worse than people saying they're being honest but later "add" details after the fact. For instance: Oh yeah - I forgot to tell you, when I said it didn't hurt that bad and I didn't feel the tear, it was because I was gased to high heaven and my epidural was in full-steam. oopsy!"

I want to be in the "know" going into not only child BIRTH but more than anything raising our child. I've been doing some reading - and I think I have very honest friends and family that have been keeping me up to speed so far, so hopefully I'll experience the best case scenarios - but be prepared for the worst.

I am very tired today. I felt like I slept a lot while I was sleeping, but now I am not so sure...mmmmm..bed. I actually look forward to getting into bed and falling asleep - WOW my life is one huge ball of excitement! I am excited for the part where my energy picks right back up...... that better not be a myth.

Christmas is approaching so so quickly! I can't wait for my 2 week break from work! I need some non-work time to relax and unwind and perfect the art of abstaining from everything festive in the Strong Family List of Traditions....booze. I'm going to be everyone's DD ; (

There will be no drunk caroling for me this year - I'll leave that up to Jordyn. Pity.

Did I mention how much I want to sleep?

Can the baby hear?

Jonathan is determined he is going to be involved in everything Baby. I really enjoy this seeing as how most men could careless. I am doing my best not to make it hard for him to be involved, especially if he has questions etc. Lately I feel like he is more read-up on baby science than me, I find him answering many of my questions.

So last night I am making good use of our sofa ( as I do on work-nights) when Jonathan cuddles up next to me and asks "Can I talk to the baby?" Wanting to be supportive and realizing he was semi-serious I said "sure". Before I could say anything else he smushes his face against my belly and YELLS "BABY - ITS ME, YOUR DAD! CAN YOU HEAR ME?" I started laughing so hard I was snorting.

1) No need to yell
2) The child is going to be born traumatized not only from delivery but also from his father yelling at him (or her) already
3) Even IF the baby can hear him, I am almost positive the baby can't respond.

I guess this isn't what I pictured Jonathan would say (or Yell I guess) to our child. Of course he wanted to try again but I was laughing so hard he didn't get the chance. He has to be the most fun person I know. He has been keeping my abs in shape for years from all the laughing. I am lucky.

I wonder what tonight will bring. I will surely be back on the couch being my lazy mon-fri self. The week sucks all of my energy. I really really really need a vacation - at least my house somewhat resembles a loonie-bin and if thats not entertaining I don't know what is!

Babies come out of WHERE?

Babies come out of vagina's.

MY baby is planning on coming out of MY perfect va-jay-jay and for some reason this is just sinking in TODAY. Of course I have always learned this, however I missed the birthing video in highschool - then educated myself on the ever-so-educational Youtube.....I saw a baby being born. OMG.

Perhaps there is no trauma-free way of delivering a child...c-section is just as bad!


I did not think this through.....


p.s - I won't be going to youtube anytime soon either - well besides to make Jonathan "the Rock" witness the said video.

Decaf Coffee - my lifesaver

I switched to Decaf. At first I couldn't even stomach any type or smell of coffee - but I can now. I fully understand the Placebo effect now. Just drinking a hot Coffee makes me feel better and more awake without the stomach jitters - who wouldn't want that.


I need a vacation BADLY - for my welfare and the welfare of others, I need a break. I am still uncertain how I survived yesterday. Looking back on it I did a very good job zipping my mouth when truly necessary and nobody was physically hurt - so thats always a sign of a successful day.

I got home and totally vegged - then watched Heroes on TV. I can't tell you how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE that show. Its so amazing. Brilliant people....maybe I should go work for them?! Just a thought.

My Belly is slowly getting bigger and bigger - however at 15 weeks I am already finding myself hoping this is as large as I'll get. I know - hopeful thinking. I watched the Britney Spears Special - if she can get her shape back after two kids back to back and more Venti Frapp's than what should be legal - I should be fine.

I love Britney....I know its weird, but I do!

Melis

Its Monday - super duper.

ah yes, MONDAY.

I didn't exactly sleep last night. My dreams are driving me crazy - not to mention my neighbours didn't help.

I read in my "Pregnancy Bible" that I may experience vivid dreams - what an understatement. Those of you that know me well (or have ever slept beside me) know that I am very active in my sleep - I toss, turn , kick , punch and I talk - sometimes I wake myself up talking so loudy...then I realize it was me and pray Jonathan didn't notice. LOL

Well with this joyous overdose of hormones and stress etc - my dreams are out of control! I am not exaggerating - these dreams are insane. Last night I was dreaming so many weird things that kept waking me up - I feel like I haven't slept in ages. The worst part is that I have to sort through these dreams to make sure I know which is reality and what has been dreamed. I keep waking up mad at Jonathan - no idea why, but I am pretty sure this has to be some sort of abuse to my husband. The poor man can't even escape me in my sleep - or his for that matter (the kicking and punching).

I think maybe instead of registering for baby gear - I should beg for a king sized bed!!!

I need to go get a pretend (or decaf) coffee

Pregnant people only get fat due to others people's crap...

I am sure of it.

The only time I want to eat - is when I am looking for an excuse to the get the hell out of my semi-retarded office. I work with pretty fantastic girls in fact, I wouldn't survive without them - however the few minor issue that arise with "the others" make me want to hide out in a McDonalds Buried in a MC Chicken Sandwich (or 10). Therefore I concluded - that IF I gain 90 pounds - but only have an 7 pound baby - its the stupid jerks that made me fat.

I have approx. 97 more work days left before my Mat Leave....I seriously hope I can survive that many more! I guess if I am allowed to take my 2 weeks vacation - I'll only have 87 work days left!

Today I am really craving a Rice Noodle Bowl! I wonder where I can get one....I wonder if thats considered balanced eating? Who cares....

I also happen to love Citrus - Have I told you yet about my passion for Ruby Red's?

Thank GOD its Friday!

Practice makes perfect!

I've been warned that in a few short months I will no longer have time to get ready and sexify myself. I can see how that can happen - having to rush, needing to get ready in 10 minutes or less, being heavy-boobed and sleep deprived...soooooo - I made a plan.

I will call it the "No baby will make me a frump" plan. If this works - there may be a book in my future. So I am going to practice ahead of time - create glam outfits that are comfortable and buy some wigs....maybe tattoo on some make up(for that classy look). Today for instance I woke up around 8:30 - I start work at 9:00 and I look FABULOUS! I think it will take some dedication and lots of prep but I can do it.

In all honesty - I am starting to see how some people find Moo-Moo's an appropriate clothing choice....but I will fight it, I promise. This blog will come back to haunt me otherwise.

I am so HUNGRY. My massive amounts of tiny Christmas-season Citrus fruits are not holding me over....I find myself lusting after Crispy Creme Donuts....I won't do it (talk about a direct path to above mentioned Moo-Moo's!) I hate when I am hungry and some dumb-ass suggests "why don't you have a yogurt?" Seriously. When has thick milk product fulfilled the needs of a grown woman....stupid stupid suggestion! Yogurt has never solved world hunger. Sure I'll have one - they are yummy and healthy, but I might team it up with something else (like fruit and a croissant and a tea) now we're talking...

A baby is a get out of Jail Free Card!

So....

Tuesday is worse than Monday. I am somewhat kidding - today was a very comical day.

I had the new girl from work in my car with me - showing her the ropes so to speak - When I get pulled over making an illegal right hand turn from Bay St onto Richmond. I literally had NO idea I couldn't turn right there....I am adding this to my list of things I dislike about Toronto.

So if getting pulled over in front of the new girl wasn't bad enough:
- He then informed me he disliked women - I assume he was kidding
- I told him I was pregnant and irritable and I would really appreciate the fine without the loss of two points
- After promising I would say hello to my baby from him as soon as it was born AND that I would name it Miller (his last name) I got off with nothing.


I am almost positive this means I am evil. What kind of mother-to-be offers up her child to get out of a ticket. THIS ONE! Deal with it. And when Baby Miller enters the world I will have some 'splainin' to do!

Oh yeah - the kind Police Office didn't pull me over in a car - he stood in front of my car which I took as a sign to go around him (cops always help construction sites) turns out he needed me to pull over....lesson learned. I am surprised he was so nice after that. Wicked sense of Humour that man!

I've eaten 4 Clementine's today....I even enjoy the seedy ones. For Christmas I might ask for Citrus!

Monday Mornings

Pregnancy and gutting one's home are NOT a good mix.

I am so grossed out by the construction-zone we call home! It's making me crazy - the smells, the mess, the MESS, the smells, the NO RUNNING WATER on the main floor - and have I mentioned the smells?

I was pretty much miserable all weekend...all I could smell was my house ; (

On Saturday we ventured to Etobicoke to see the family I used to Nanny for. They are more like my GTA adopted family. I love them so much. Seeing their boys made me realize how quickly my baby (that isn't even close to being born yet) will grow up, start losing teeth, reading, spelling etc. It really is quite amazing. My 26 years of life have felt very long, and yet they have passed so so quickly. I have a feeling that a child is going to age me faster than I think.

I bought myself some boots yesterday. This was a very big feat as I am shockingly indecisive as of late. I finally have equestrian boots that I love. I really was afraid of getting shoved into some frumpy scary pregnancy friendly attire...barf

Thats all for now. Somehow talking about boots I remembered I need to call our Mortgage Broker....I am ALL over the place!

Ruby Red Grapefruit

I love them. I don't know why but Ruby Red ( and I mean the REALLY red kind) make me so happy.

And no this is not JUST because I am growing kid.

After researching various Citrus Fruits I have concluded that the best limes are the ones from Mexico (while there vacationing of course and you can pick them off of a tree)the best Oranges AND Rube Red's come from Florida.

Maybe this is where I need to live - a warm citrus-growing country. Why I think I might just do that one day. Here's hoping Jonathan shares my adoration of citrus....you can marry the love of your life but never really know HOW they feel about fruits, importing and such until you ASK them I suppose.

We're going to a friends house for dinner tonight - I am always afraid my heightened sense of smell and extremely tricky puke reflex will make me a terrible guest....ask Eric F. he knows.

Love.

____ May harm your Unborn child....

So I know to watch out for smoking, drinking, soft cheese, cat litter, certain herbs, cat scratches, gum disease, raw meats, undercooked meats, not enough meats, unwashed vegetation, stress (riiiight), tape worms, heart worms, advil - well almost all medications.....then I got to thinking....

Nobody ever warns pregnant women about external factors. What if I am surrounded by things like AFO or White Snake or En Vogue and its turned up REALLY loud and I can't escape it? I will be exposing my child to very unhealthy music. Why just today my bitch Britney came on the radio, and even though I tried to fight it, I was groovin' right along....I may have even been singing....I will never be able to measure the effect this has on the baby. If in 20 or so years he / she marries a married background dancer while clad in jumpsuits then I guess I have my answer.

I have to be more careful turning on the radio - what if NKOTB were to come on? Thats all I need those freaky little has beens effecting my fetus and given it images of 40 year old men making out with teenage girls on the beack....ewww. Who knew there were so many dangers to babies! In my mothers time she only had to worry about artists like Annie Lennox, and Rita McNeal.....life was simple then.....

I'm going to go home right after work and listen to Band Of Horses, She & Him, OLD weezer, and the Fratelli's perhaps I'll through in a lil Beatles....this baby will be born with decent musical tastes.....

SWEEEEET!

OMG - I just realized this will be the first time ever that I am legitimately use the mothers parking spots at the malls!!! I might actually LOVE Christmas shopping this year! If you've ever been to Yorkdale Mall you understand...

There are SO many perks to having a baby!!!!!!

I knew today was going to ROCK!

Thursday - the third day. Monday (one day) Tuesday (two day) Wednesday (what day?) Thursday (the third day!)

Ahhh its THURSDAY. I love Thursdays! I love them almost as much if not more than Fridays! Maybe because I know my week is almost at an end and it gives me something to look forward too.

OR - Maybe its because Thursday has a great TV line-up AND Jonathan finally comes home for good after his month in London! WOO HOO!

So - I've been realizing that even though we are in 2008 people still very much treat pregnancy as an illness. Its true. I've looked up the definition of being Pregant:

preg⋅nant
1   /ˈprɛgnənt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [preg-nuhnt]
–adjective
1. having a child or other offspring developing in the body; with child or young, as a woman or female mammal.

2. fraught, filled, or abounding (usually fol. by with): a silence pregnant with suspense.

3. teeming or fertile; rich (often fol. by in): a mind pregnant in ideas.

4. full of meaning; highly significant: a pregnant utterance.

5. of great importance or potential; momentous: a pregnant moment in the history of the world.


At work everytime I make a good point (which is often as I am GREAT at my job! haha) people say things like " You're just saying that because you're pregnant."

When I get annoyed with shockingly stupid clients, I hear things like " You're just mad because you are pregnant". NO - what I am really ANGRY about it that I am smart, they are not and just because I am capable of breeding does not make me mentally unstable....today anyway.

So thats it for now - Pregnant ladies aren't sick - they're just plain old KNOCKED UP. Its been going on for years - DEAL WITH IT! ; )

Have a good day!

Melis

p.s - My favourite definition is #5. Damn right I am of great importance and potential! I need a cookie...

Dinner

I had cookies for an appetizer again tonight - and I managed to eat a few forkfuls of Pasta (rice of course)....nobody warned me that I would have a lack of appetite - this is a first for me.

I wonder what our friends and family will act like when our baby arrives....I already know my sisters will teach them important things - like about plucking and shaving and shopping. Lets hope somebody can offer up some sound worldly, advise..

Do you think if you watch Family Guy every single day for the duration of human gestation, a baby's first words would be witty one liners like "I'm obligated to keep loving you."? If thats the case I'll have to deal with it when the little thing starts to speak - I really enjoy family guy (I'm from Chatham, are you surprised?)

Good Nighty - yes it 9:30pm DEAL WITH IT!

A Baby eh?

So I've decided to keep a blog throughout this pregnancy. I figured its a good way to write about it - with out making FORCING anyone to listen or read it. Fair right?

So I am now 13 weeks pregnant. Until now I have never understood why people counted in weeks, it seemed almost silly, but now I understand. Any form of counting that can make you feel further along or MORE pregnant than the week before is a very good thing.

The past 9 weeks of knowing I was actually a Fertile Myrtle have felt excruciatingly LONG. But now the secret is out and I assume almost everyone knows ( Thanks Facebook ).

Last night I hung out in bed trying to figure out if I could actually feel the baby moving - or if the cookies and milk I ate for dinner were causing some recourse....I still don't really know.



I am very excited to meet our baby - and to be totally honest, Have a beer. Its the only part of my birthing plan I have completed. For some reason its the only strong craving I have been having...like really strong. Do they have in Vitro Alanon?