The Finish Line

"The Finish Line is just the beginning of a whole new race."
- Ryan Ebersol

This was a quote from a young boy (age 14) who died in a plane crash. He wrote that quote as part of his grade 8 autobiography that he had to write for school.

New Preggers pics

Here's some pics of me from 2 weeks ago, at 30 weeks. Taken by Ada Chan. She is a friend who is doing some freelance photography so she took these for us as a baby gift, but also she'll be using them as part of her portfolio. Here's a sample...

Wednesday Words

It is Wednesday evening and i am sitting on the couch, watching the early news, with my laptop perched on my knees (not my lap - it doesn't fit) and my feet up on 2 cushions on the footstool. They are so swollen these days, I'm trying to get them to become less like sausages, and more like little weiners, or something like that.

Today has been a rather boring day. I've been reading the latest Kinsey Milhone book - O is for... I don't even know what O was for. But anyway, I do like mystery books. I started it yesterday and couldn't put it down. I was still reading at 12:30 but finally turned out the light at 1AM. BUT, then I woke up at 4AM and couldn't go back to sleep. So I got up and read more. Finally going back to sleep at 6AM. Would you believe that someone phoned at 7 AM???? So I've had very little sleep, and none of it continuous. I'm really tired, but plugging away. I'm trying not to nap so that I can be sure to sleep tonight. Problem is that it is really hard to sleep more than 2-3 hours in a row! If I'm not in pain, I have to go pee, or roll, or I'm getting kicked to bits from the inside, or I'm hungry, or SOMETHING. So, I'm not sleeping very well.

What did I do today? I finished the book (which I'd picked up for $1.50 at Sally Ann - gotta love a bargain!), took the dog to get her nails clipped, picked up a pkg I'd got from my "Secret Stork" yesterday but I wasn't home to get it so had to go to the purolator depot on the OTHER side of town to get, walked the dog in the park, went to the dollar store to get some baby hangers...

Speaking of which, I did some serious retail therapy yesterday wtih my neighbour Kim. I spent probably $200 on baby stuff - none of which I was registered for so I don't feel bad about that. I bought a ton of cheap baby outfits, curtains for the closet door (I hate bifolds), a little "baby is sleeping" sign for the door, and, well what else? Can't think right now. But I had a ton of fun "nesting" yesterday and now I feel prepared. I washed and put away all the clothes that I'd purchased or been given to date. Nesting is fun!

That's enough for Wednesday's words.

Oh but wait - I talked to my sister too and her son might come out this summer! what fun! That gives me something else to look forward to. He's a good kid.

The ABC Meme...

Accent: Ottawa Valley?

Bible book I like best: Wierd question I have to say... but probably Matthew. Whenever I get the urge to read the Bible, I usually start here and don't get too much farther.

Chore I Don't Care For: Folding laundry or vaccumming!

Dog or Cat: DOG of course! And Casey-dog in particular.

Essential Electronics: laptop, or any computer really.

Favorite perfume / cologne: whatever is perfuming my deodarant this month. I used to love DUNE, but haven't worn it in years. It is a luxury I have been able to eliminate from my always meagre budget.

Gold or Silver: Gold. I'm partial to traditional yellow gold.

Handbag I carry most often: I've only got one. But besides that, I actually prefer my knapsack. It just doesn't look very fashionable. I suspect that my handbag in the coming year will be a diaper bag!

Insomnia: I don't have insomnia... I just like to be awake at 3 and 4 AM writing in my blog! Okay, Okay, i admit it! I have become an insomniac!

Job Title: Technically, until June 30, Executive Director. However, for the coming 52 weeks, I'll be a Mommy! Go figure.

Kids: Yes. I'll have some in a month or so. Two as a matter of fact.

Living arrangements: A one-level townhome in a Housing Co-operative.

Most admirable trait: Interesting question. I would say - empathy for others. Not sure if others would agree, but that's what I think.

Naughtiest childhood behaviour: sneaking into other people's stuff. I was always so curious about how other people lived, and what other people thought, and I could NOT stand secrets... I would snoop thru drawers and papers to find things out. Problem is, I occasionally found out things i did not want to know. Finally, finding out something i really didn't want to know, put an end to that and I have always felt guilty about knowing this secret about this person, and they don't know that I know it.

Overnight hospital stays: Yes. To have my gall bladder removed 3 years ago.

Phobias: hands on or near my neck and shoulders; small elevators; enclosed spaces - I have a large personal space - please don't invade it unless invited.

Quote: "I wish I wish that I could know/ the places I have yet to go..."

Religion: United Church

Siblings: now that is a complicated question in my life! I have 2 siblings - Tim & Gillian, both older than myself. I have 2 half siblings - Dean and Ann, both older than all of us.

Time I wake up: These days... I wake up at 1 AM & 3 AM to pee, 4 AM for an hour or so to eat, 8 Am to pee, and then 9:30 AM for the day. I usually nap mid-afternoon too.

Unusual talent or skill: I can turn my feet inside out (stand with my feet facing backwards) tho that is getting harder as i get older; I can twist my tongue into 4 tubes (like 2 w's side by side)

Vegetable I refuse to eat: Brussel sprouts - I ask only why? why would I eat something that tastes so nasty. Any beans - my one exception is green beans and then only if they are fresh and cooked properly.

Worst habit: messy. I leave my things all over the place. I like piles of paper - as long as they are straight piles I am okay with them.

X-rays: Many in my lifetime- of ankles, fingers, wrists, dental... nothing significant though.

Yummy stuff I cook: dinner most nights! I do like to bake cookies but we have stopped eating them so I don't bake them as much. Tonight, i really felt like baking bread! But seeing as how it is 5AM, I thought that might be a little crazy to do!

Zoo animal I like most: Kangaroos & Koalas - can I go to Australia to go see them again???

why doesn't it show?

I just spent a 1/2 hour creating a new blog entry and it doesn't show up? Why is that?

FYI-
This weekend I should get some new baby belly photos to share with the world. Stay tuned!

It's time...

It's been a while since i've written here and I am taking the opportunity this morning since I am awake at 5 AM!! I've been up since 4 and have read thru my sister's blog, emailed my mother, and surfed the "What to Expect when you are Expecting" board, of which I am a member. Now - it is time to update my blog.

What to tell though? That has been the challenge recently. Not a whole lot to tell. Everything is progressing as it should and all is well.

I've been really tired in my last month at work and it has honestly been a challenge to get through the day there. I persevered and probably put my health & babies health at risk. My doc wanted me off work at 26 weeks. I negotiated to work thru that weekend (it was our AGM and pretty much the biggest responsibility my position has for the year so i felt an obligation to fulfill my responsibilities there.) and then to work from home for a week, but to be off 100% as of 27 weeks. Here it is, I'm at 30 weeks, and still working from home. I had my last day in the office this past monday (and yet, somehow, I was at the office yesterday? hmmm? How did that happen??) I'm supposed to be working only until Friday from home and then be off but getting paid still to end of month. The extra 2 weeks of pay are in lieu of the number of calls I'll get in the coming year. Bacially, I'm going to be on call for the next 12 months.

The days that I've worked in the office, I've ended up really ill. This is what clued me into the fact that there really is more stress going into the office and that I really do need to listen to what the doctor says! He really DOES know what he is talking about! So I begin to listen finally. I have discovered that I have a hard time relaxing and letting go of things that I feel I should be able to handle. But the fact is, many (majority?) of women carrying twins are on bedrest at 26 weeks. I'm at 30 weeks and still doing relatively well.

Okay, baby update. Babies, as of this afternoon, each weigh in at 3 lbs 4 oz - on the big size for singleton babies! They are both head down and prepared for a vaginal delivery. Doctor figures I'll go at the end of July / beginning of August. Yikes! Not a lot of time is left now. Still much to do. I have gained 45 lbs so far, which is more than I'd like but not ridiculous. My BP is fine, tho I was convinced it was going to be high b/c of some symptoms I've had in the past couple of weeks. What else? No groovy new pictures so share. They don't really give me pics at ultrasounds anymore b/c all they do is measure my cervix (to make sure it's still closed and therefore no pre-term labour), the amniotic fluid levels, and the babies' abdomen & head circumference, and thigh bone length... in order to get weight / size approximations. Occasionally I get a glimpse of a face but generally not. I have finally been able to identify parts of the body by ultrasound - a rare skill!!!

Shoot - the lightbulb just burned out in the living room. That was a little disconcerting. it felt like there was a ghost in the room with me.

Well, should I go to bed now? It is 5:15 AM. I think I'll let the dog out for a pee and then watch the early news and THEN go back to bed!