Little men

We have a full race team now.

Zachary Harris joined our team 2 weeks early on December 16, 2015. 

He is a spitting image of his brother Thomas, whom actually adores him.

Zac is a snuggler that is full of smiles... As long as you're holding him. His nickname is scream machine, for obvious reasons.

He keeps us on our toes. 

Thomas F. Pridham

First an introduction to my little man.

 He arrived 2.5 weeks early on July 29th, 2013. He is amazing. He is 21 months old right now and a ball of giggles. He has a sassy personality, a huge goofy smile and the biggest bluest eyes. 

He is my little man. He jumps, sings and says 'I love you'.

Thomas loves Donald Duck and Elmo. He loves balloon more than anything else in the world and strawberries are his favorite.

He will direct you when to come, when to go and where to sit. He dances to music and asks for milk. he says 'Thank you', 'Achoo' and 'Upstairs'.

He announces when he has poo'd and when he wants to sleep. He loves water and swimming and is completely fearless.

Thomas is passionate and challenging, aggressive and loving. He sleeps a lot and loves his blanket. His best friend is Jerry the elephant and he loves anything with wheels.

Thomas came in and stole the show.

Even now in this moment I miss him and wish he was here with me.

I love him the most (more than anyone else will ever love him).

xo

34 weeks.

Well, well, well... look who it is, little Miss 'I love writing' is back on her blog... I don't know how I am SO bored, but can't find the time to update this happy little blog.

Week 13 to 22

So much has happened in the last 14 weeks.... not to mention the HUGE belly I am carrying around or the bags beneath my eyes, but TWO showers, an appointment with an OB, a new midwifery student, a cottage trip and movement... LOTS OF MOVEMENT!

So I can't go back, because my memory won't allow it. I can summarize and include pictures and then go forward... into the great unknown.

On April 20th Cassy hosted an adorable Dr. Suess themed baby shower for my girlfriends and I. We decorated onesies, played with Candy, filled in the blanks (one fish, two fish, THREE fish, blue fish - Oh Mallory). It was a great afternoon... so thank you to Cassy... the ultimate Melanie/Richard/Baby party hostess (She's 2 for 2). 




Oh yea... before that I turned 30, with a relaxing weekend at home. On my actual birthday I spent the day at the spa... a prenatal massage, facial and wax. Mmmm... I got Yogurty's on the way home and was surprised by flowers. We had a romantic dinner (thanks to Mum for the GC) and then retired. It was lovely... but don't fret there will be a GRAND party post baby. 

Richard also had a birthday tucked in there... and he is now 28, we gathered for Gourmet burgers at the works and learned our first lesson about 'Booths and Bellies'... mainly that a pregnant belly doesn't really FIT in a booth anymore. 

We all had shirts made! Thanks Mum!

We spent the long weekend up at my Dad's and compared bellies... Dad's is still BIGGER, but he is VERY excited about being an Opa (he is already a Grandpa, but with this round he thought he would change things up, because that isn't confusing AT ALL.)

On the baby front... Zilla started moving around in May, like without a doubt wiggling around in my belly kind of movements... no mistaking it for gas. Richard finally got to feel the kicks after a few weeks of trying... Baby Z, seemed to still every time Richard approached. I teased it was because he loved me more, but Anita assured us it is because Richard has a calming affect on me and Z can feel it... hopefully this continues after birth. 

I have a few videos of my belly dancing around... and love 'playing' with Zilla after work, because during work I plead with him to keep still. 

I celebrated my first PRE Mother's Day with beautiful flowers and a yummy brunch... 

And Richard celebrated his first PRE Father's Day with his favorite breakfast and a shopping trip to SAIL. 

Richard finally met Anita (after missing an appointment to golf, which she knew about... which didn't go over well... despite them always ignoring him when he DOES tag along, which is more often than not) and Veronica joined the A Team... which I guess is now the AV team (I don't like it as much). 

I met with my OB (my just in case OB, but let's hope we don't need her, because she is not all that pleasant.) She told me I was fat and should consider a diet. Thanks. She set me up with Fragment shots for the 6 weeks after Zilla arrives (it's going to be a BIT chaotic).

We started a Baby Pool at www.babyhunch.com (if you haven't voted yet, you should)

I had my last meeting with my endocrinologist and my levels are good. I have all my post delivery details and she told me not to come back, but in a nice way.

I did diabetes testing and passed with flying colours. 

I also got tested for allergies (and was forced to give up Dilectin *sigh*) as it turns out I am NOT allergic to anything... including penicillin. Yay!

Liz hosted a beautiful baby shower in early June for family. It was lovely and decorated with a million little outfits (I am not EVEN exaggerating). Everyone was unbelievably generous and supportive. Mum and Solstice even made the day trip to attend. 

Afterwards that we spent the GC's at Babies R Us and got everything we needed, including the much discussed Pack N Play for Zilla to snooze in for the first couple months... Zilla is all set, just a few more weeks to cook and then BAM we're parents.

We have a third ultrasound scheduled for next week, because Z is living up to his GODZILLA status and is a bit large... surprise, surprise. I am just excited to see him again. Every test we've passed with flying colours, my blood pressure is on point, I've gained 45 pounds (which I am already plotting to lose) and his heart rate is strong, plus all the kicking... Ye-oww! He is strong. 

We've done the hospital preregistration and an online prenatal course through Alberta health (werid, but free, online and VERY informative). 

I have told Richard I would like the self administered laughing gas and the big bouncy ball for delivery. Can you even imagine??

Just in case you can't... 

Umm... what else is going on? I got distracted by the doodle.

Richard turned our family into Biker Hobbits with Zilla's new riding gloves (see the entire story here... *insert link*)

And we explored the waterfront. 

Solstice did her best impression of my belly and I did my best to copy her PRICELESS expression.

We only have 6 weeks to go and plenty of things to fill the days... including a surprise anniversary celebration (I can't believe its already been 12 happily ever after months since the wedding), Grandma's 60th birthday party and my last day of work! Yay!

I'll leave you with my latest BELLY picture... Enjoy!

My Belly at 32 weeks... I know I am BEHIND, again!

Almost half way!

I should be writing more, but I don't like to drone on about the same things... although THIS post will be NEW stuff, like our ultrasound last Tuesday in which we found out... I AM HAVING A BOY! We practically hi-fived the technician, who wasn't the nicest women in the world... it didn't matter WE ARE HAVING A BOY!

We both wanted a boy first, although I was warming up to the idea of a daughter. 

We weren't going to find out, when we were but only us, then that all went down the drain when she zoomed in on his little bits and told us it was a HIM. We barely left the appointment before we were telling everyone!

I liked telling all the girl predictors they were WRONG.

On top of this little 'Zilla has started swimming around... I can't feel him ALL the time, but when I do it is obvious he is trying to be felt. When I lay down on my left side, especially when Richard cuddles up he starts dancing up a storm. He's not big enough to feel on the outside, which sucks for my DH, but soon. 

I have a midwife appointment to hear his little heart and get all my test results. I haven't seen anyone since early February. It's time... the appointments keeping getting delayed because of live births, which I can't argue or compete with. 

What else??? Ummm... we got the crib! Mum showed up this weekend with Solstice and a BIG giant box. We spent most of Friday night putting it together. Its bigger than I expected, but perfect. 

The building process... 

The severed arm shot... not sure what is happening here

Ta-da!

We haven't made any further headway on the nursery, because we can't seem to stay focused on a theme. Before we had picked Dr. Seuss, but couldn't find any bedding so... we talked about Pooh bear, which I didn't like. We talked about Eeyore, which I loved, but ran into the same issues as the Dr. BUT NOW that we don't have to keep it neutral everything BOY is the theme... better said RICHARD is the theme. We've got Ninja Turtles, Motor Cycles, Maps, guitars... everything a little Richard would need to be happy. Its less limiting than a theme... if its cute we buy it. 

I loved this, but there was no other pieces...
it would look very lonely as the only piece of the Dr. in the room.

We still need to find the accent colour so Mum can get started on the sewing projects, she is making curtains, pillows and bedding. I think it will be in yellow, but I can't seem to make up my mind... SURPRISE.

Oh yea... and in the past two weeks I have found my new favorite store: Once Upon a Child... its a consignment store for kids, most of the stuff still has the original tags on it, but its priced at 80% off. I have spent $100 so far and can probably dress my SON for the next 9 months. 

This is Richard's favorite outfit so far... its SO small.

I love baby shopping... I need to reel it in, though. We have to work on savings for while I am off work. Apparently the Government hates parents... we are getting NO help for 12 months and things will be tight, but it will ALL be worth it.

Love!

PS - I learned to crotchet so I could make this little sheep for my little one!

His name is Henry... 

And I love him!

Just for fun... me and Zilla at 16 weeks.
I really need to take a new shot this week.

Approaching Week 18

You are currently 17 weeks and 5 days old... although I hope my dear sweet Zilla never reads this blog. Sometimes it is peppered with frustration.

Today I am happy to say I feel good. I refilled my Dilectin prescription which is working better than I realized (two days of unmedicated nausea will do that). I think Zilla is fighting a battle in my belly... or I have really awkward gas, but based on where my intestines are currently located... its my child working out. 

Not much new to report... we meet with Anita again next week and in less than two weeks our last ultrasound (fingers crossed). This is also the ultrasound where we have the potential to determine whether I am carrying a little girl or a little guy. 

It's funny... from the beginning of the idea to conceive I assumed a boy would be first. I always assumed a boy. It never crossed my mind that I could parent a girl, not that I wouldn't love a little Melanie running around. It just never occurred to me that a girl could be exactly what we get, not until my good friend Angie made her, almost never wrong, prediction of a little girl. 

Even then I still laughed at the idea... I was clearly having boys. 

Now I don't know... all the wives tales point to girl (9 out of 10), but I still dream of having a son, which has to mean something. I am happy either way to have a bouncy bundle of love float into our lives, but a girl changes the game. I am more afraid of raising a girl. I know how much work I was. I know the challenges with a girl vs. a boy. 

That being said... I would love to have a daughter. My mother drives me crazy, but I love her and would be lost without her. I see Richard's mother and all the struggles she faces, because she doesn't have that bond with a daughter. She wants it with me, but its not the same and it can't be forced. 

Having a daughter means baking together, gossiping, talking about boys, planning a wedding, sharing a pregnancy and all the other mother daughter things, Richard's mothers will never have without a fight. That makes me excited to have a little girl... maybe she will love dresses and flowers, maybe she'll love dirt bikes and mud. She will own mine and Richards heart for her entire existence... her poor little brother (hoping for one of each... hehe). 

And the relationship between our little girl and her Dad... it melts my heart to think of him with her... learning about ballet and princesses, sitting down for tea and nursing her first broken heart. He'll work to teach her about tools and oil changes so she'll never depend on a man for anything... no man other than Dad. She will look at him like he's a hero and he will look at her like she owns his heart. 

That is why having a girl would be amazing... the teaming up on Richard, because GIRLS RULE is just an added bonus. 

Now having a boy... it just seems so natural. A special little guy to snuggle with, to watch him grow into a man like his Dad would be the best accomplishment I could have. Helping him prepare for prom and tie his shoes (those are backwards, I hope by Prom my little guy can tie his shoes... although its family rule to slip into DCs). I can't wait to hear him say he loves me and I am the only girl for him, knowing its not true; kissing his scrapped knee as he tries not to cry. 

Teaching him the right way to treat a girl and the benefit to having a softer side. Playing in dirt piles and learning about trucks. Watching him and Richard get all greased up in the garage upgrading his dirt bike. Hearing his stories of bad guys and hero's. 

Aw... I am all full of emotional goo today. I just can't wait to whom ever floating around on the inside. 

Love!

The spare room is no more.

Well sleep over buddies, you're going to have to find new digs. The spare room is officially the nursery. Although we just call it the baby room, nursery sounds too grown up, which we're still against. Richard and I may be adults, home owners and future parents, but I still wouldn't classify us as 'adults'. 

Any who... this past weekend was FAMILY DAY. What better way to spend it, then prepping for our family. On Friday we hummed and ha'd over the 'spare room', finally Richard took action and started taking things apart and loading them into the car. First the desk, then the futon. I worked at clearing out the closet and finding new homes for things. 

Then we drove to our storage unit AKA, the basement in Acton and dropped everything off. The room was still in shambles, because nothing had a home yet. Sadly, this room will be shared between baby and linens/storage. We just don't have the space anywhere else in our wee little home. 

Saturday we puttered around cleaning the rest of the house and finally on Sunday we went to Ikea. We have been putting this off for weeks, we can't afford it, but we needed something to offset the loss of storage in the closet and under the desk.

We found a PAX wardrobe (I love PAX) that would become out 'linen' closet. Richard managed to get it into his car, while I stood and watched. Making a person has rendered me useless. The 8 foot tall box hung out the back of his car, while I crammed into the front seat. I was literally sardine'd in. We tried to take pictures, but none could accurately portray my discomfort.

Finally at home we waited for Dad to help with the unload. We have lots of stairs and this 8 foot box also weighed a tonne and I again, I was of no help except gentle encouragement. 

By 7pm we had the monster constructed. Dun Dun DUN!

We took a break to eat and celebrate Dad's birthday at Chaps! yum! And when we got home we loaded it up with everything... towels, electronics, bedding and stuff. 

It really cleans up the room and makes everything seem much more prepared for the baby.

Mum is ordering our crib for us! (Yay! And Thank you!) and everything else will be coming from Richard's childhood bedroom after a fresh coat of paint, which has to wait until the spring time.

It feels good to be on track.

It was an exhausting weekend, but truly worth every ache.

Love!

I look pregnant!

 I knew it would happen, but then it didn't... but 14 weeks and I have my baby bump.

This weekend went by in a blur... like all weekends. Saturday I went up to Cheryl's to relax with the girls, luckily for me the girls didn't show up and I got to hang out with one of best friends. Cheryl is all about babies, but hasn't been able to have her own just yet... which means when her friends get knocked up she is over the moon excited and has tons of questions. It was funny... she just kept saying 'You're going to have a baby.' and then looking at me in awe. 

We had a lovely chat about all the scary things going on in my body and even some of the gross things... I love little 'zilla more than I can express, but its still weird to think of a little person growing inside of me. 

Sunday brought on the shop... it was finally time to buy maternity clothes. The guys at the office could only tolerate my unbuckled pants for so long. I have been putting it off, because its expensive, I hate shopping and I have felt bloated, which I guess is now a good thing. 

I asked Richard to drop me off at Old Navy, while he ran to Canadian Tire. I love that store and they have a pretty cool maternity section that isn't insanely expensive.

I popped in and wandered around, several times getting sidetracked by the 'normal' clothes, which may fit snugglie today, but will not fit in a couple weeks. I finally ventured into the maternity section and everything looked funny. All the jeans are zipperless, all the shirts have gatherings and are incredibly long. I grabbed a couple pairs of jeans, a few tank tops (I will be the most pregnant in late spring/summer) and a sweater. 

I made it in to the change room and tried stuff on... the funny jeans and weird shirts fit SO well. They even made me LOOK pregnant. And believe it or not they were comfortable. 

After my first outfit my phone buzzed to say my dear husband was just outside. I was excited to show him and share this experience with him, what I didn't realize was he was excited to see me as well. At first he sat quietly, but eventually he ventured away and started bringing me outfits. He picked some super cute tops and even some dressy bits. 

Every time I opened the door he had another armful of things for me to try. 

He even found some baby things including the smallest little jeans ever! They even had a button and zipper... although the zipper was only an inch long. We giggled and played with them, before he found an even smaller pair!

It was so nice to share this experience with Richard and see the growing excitement within him.

I love that he sees, and loves, my belly. 

This is the outfit Richard picked for me.