Nursery

So your father and I spent an amazing amount of time getting your room ready for your big arrival! Dad and Granma painted the room for, and I brought you all the stuff and bossed your poor Dad around. I hope you love it as much as we do.

I saw stripes on a website that someone else had done up for their nursery, and me and your Dad just loved it, so we decided to do that as well. We choose apple green and white as your colours  cause it's bright and cheerful. Plus, Mommy has never been one for gender specific colours.

So, Mommy actually wanted a cartoon monkey on the walls, but me and your Dad couldn't find the decals anywhere so we went with this nursery rhyme instead. Dad did an amazing job on your room didn't he?

Me, Ba Wai and Di Diana hanging out in your room. They approve!

Here's your big brother Rhino testing out your crib for you. He wanted to make sure it was safe for you to be in. Isn't he the best?

Baby Shower

So your Auntie Mary and Ba Wai threw us an amazing baby shower. Here are some pics from that day that your Auntie Mary took.

We got to play baby nursery rhyme Jeopardy  This is when your mother realizes she didn't know any nursery rhymes at all.

Everyone had a fun time playing this one.

Me and your Auntie Linda. She had the most amazing basket stuffed full of stuff.

Your Granma with her big bag of goodies.

Auntie Chantal and the book she added to your library. I remember reading this one to your Auntie Diana and Uncle Matthew when they were little.

Auntie Martha with your first aid and grooming kit!

Your Autie Diana with her never ending box of presents for you. She started buying stuff the day she found out about you.

And Auntie Mary, who brought you some amazing onesies and threw a party for you. She did an amazing job.

Me and your big brother Rhino wants to thank everyone for making this day special and for building your library. Hopefully, it will be as big as your Mom's one day.

31 Weeks!

How far along? 31 weeks. They moved the due date to Jan 2 instead of Jan 8. 

Total weight gain: 12.5 pounds. 

Maternity clothes? Nope. Just buying clothes in large and extra large.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks yet. This makes me happy!

Sleep: Sleep? What's that? I haven't had a good night sleep in forever. 

Best moment last week:  Getting the nursery all done up! All I need is some good decals for the wall. 

Miss Anything? Nope! 

Movement: She likes to kick whenever I am trying to sleep or nap still. 

Food cravings: Anything with carbs. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when I have had nothing to eat yet. She seems to like everything. Sometimes if she doesn't, I will puke it all up. 

Gender: It's a GIRL. =)

Labor Signs: Had a scare with gush of liquid coming out of me. Ended up in Labor and Delivery but it turned out fine. The membranes weren't ruptured.  

Symptoms: Still my lower back hurting. Sometimes my legs start to cramp up. 

Belly Button in or out? It's still and innie, but I can feel it moving outwards.

Wedding rings on or off? Off. They are now on a necklace around my neck. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody. Very moody.  

Looking forward to: Getting some much needed time off to relax. Doc might put me on bed rest. 

Maternity Pictures

Dear Aria,

So me and you and Daddy decided to do a maternity shoot to show off how excited we are to have you. Your big brother Rhino also came along for the ride. Your Dad and Grandma Blondeel have started your nursery, and it looks great so far. I can't wait for you to get here.

Love,

Mom

27 Weeks!!!

How far along? 27 weeks and one day. 13 more weeks to go. 

Total weight gain: 10.5 pounds. 

Maternity clothes? Got the Bella Band and loving it so far! I'm on the small size so I have been just buying clothes in Large.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks yet. This makes me happy!

Sleep: Sleeping well and like a dead person. Though sometimes it is hard to fall asleep. 

Best moment last week:  Seeing my family for Thanksgiving!

Miss Anything? Nope! 

Movement: She likes to kick whenever I am trying to sleep or nap still. 

Food cravings: Anything with carbs. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when I have had nothing to eat yet. She seems to like everything. Sometimes if she doesn't, I will puke it all up. 

Gender: It's a GIRL. =)

Labor Signs: None yet. Let's keep our fingers crossed here.  

Symptoms: Still my lower back hurting. Sometimes my legs start to cramp up. 

Belly Button in or out? It's still and innie, but I can feel it moving outwards.

Wedding rings on or off? Still on. They come off and on easy still.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happier then last week!

Looking forward to: Nursery getting painted this weekend. Finally moved hubby's stuff out of that room. 

A Mothers Love

Dear Aria,

Growing up me and your Ba Wai, didn't always get along. Especially during my teenage years. She was always holding me back, and I felt like her backward vietnamese way thinking annoying. Girls should be seen and not heard. We should know how to cook and clean, no man is going to marry you if you don't know how to do these things and on and on. What I didn't stop to realize was that she grew up differently. She was only doing her best, the only way she knew how, and I didn't understand it at that time. Sure, I do expect you to hate me as you gradually get older. Unfortunately, that's how teenagers are. I'm going to be that mean old lady that doesn't let you do anything fun. Hopefully, it'll be different and we'll have a good relationship. I didn't really appreciate your Ba Wai till I was in my twenties.

Now that I am on my way to being your mother, I want it to be different. I want you to able to come to me with your problems and that we can work it out together. I don't want to suffocate you, but I don't want to give you free reign either. I hope as you grow up, you'll understand that every generation is different, but a mothers love is always the same.

Love,

Mom

23 Weeks!

How far along? 23 weeks and 4 days. Only 16 more weeks to go!

Total weight gain: 7 pounds. One pound at a time.

Maternity clothes? Not yet. But I am going to get one of those belly bands this week. 

Stretch marks? No stretch marks yet. 

Sleep: Finally got some sleep in this past weekend. Had a bunch of naps too. 

Best moment last week:  Putting the remote on my belly and finally seeing her kick it off. 

Miss Anything? Nope! Besides me sister seeing my belly pic and saying I am fat. =(

Movement: She likes to kick whenever I am trying to sleep or nap. Practicing keeping me awake. 

Food cravings: Still just wanting milk and cake.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when I have had nothing to eat yet. She seems to like everything. Sometimes if she doesn't, I will puke it all up. 

Gender: It's a GIRL. =)

Labor Signs: None yet. Let's keep our fingers crossed here.  

Symptoms: Still my lower back hurting. Not as much as last week. Had a bad Friday, nothing I ate wanted to stay down and nausea was kicking my butt.

Belly Button in or out? It's still an innie for now!

Wedding rings on or off? Still on. They come off and on easy still.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happier then last week!

Looking forward to: Nursery and buying more girlie clothing.