It's Been Awhile

Sorry for leaving everyone hanging for a week but I figured that a blog a day was a bit much....
A new video has been added to "Our Videos" along with some new photos.

Well the countdown is on for real now, only 29 days till Christmas... and 2 days till the "official" due date for our mystery baby.

I took this picture at work (the orange building in the background is the one I work in - for those of you who don't know, Riverview is HUGE, some 200 acres, with many buildings). The hospital is going through Accreditation, and has very wisely spent money on signs to post along the highway (beside the also 'wise' $30, 000 Riverview Hospital signs) to "tell the world" about it. Just so happens that my due date is the same week, so at least I get a kick out of it. Unfortunately for me, the snow today will let everyone know that I didn't actually take this picture today, but on Friday. Still, if I post it today, it's accurate, and no one will remember that it was snowing 'on this day in history' right? (maybe they will if they are reading this and look at the next picture which shows what today really looked like)

I'm officially on "High Alert" and to be honest am hoping the baby wants out in the next 24 hours so I can take the next two weeks off, as winter has hit the lower mainland in earnest and a cold air mass moving in behind looks to drop the temps (and some snow) down to "real" winter conditions (I can hear the Albertans saying that's not cold but unless you have actually been on the coast when the temp drops you don't realize how unpleasant it can be when the thermometer reads in minuses with humidity). I fondly remember making fun of Vancouverites whenever snow fell on the city and the chaos ensued on the roads but I now understand why it get this way. Today for example about 3 inches fell in the morning and by lunch was beginning to melt. Only problem was it continued to snow on top of it and then the temp started to drop and this slush level began to freeze while snow built up on it. By supper the roads were rinks with another 6 inches of snow covering it, not fun road conditions and when you factor in a city populace that only 1 in 10 have tires other than summer tires look out. Funny how all my posts start with weather updates...

I think that 1 in 10 is an overstatement. I for one hope that we don't have the baby tonight, although the snowplow has now made it up our hill, which means that we should get to the hospital safely if we need to go. Ironically, I just got new tires on Monday. I say ironically because I only got them because I also got a flat tire and HAD to! I do appreciate John's lack of enthusiasm for working outside in this, though. Hopefully it doesn't all melt tonight and we can go play in it tomorrow for a while.


Back to the anticipated birth of our second child, Karen had a doctors appointment on Wed. (and one every Wed. until birth) and things seem to be in a holding pattern and the doctor expects to see Karen again this Wed.(I'll allow Karen to fill in the details). Things around the house are in full prep mode with all bags packed and ready to go, phone numbers on speed dial, and all those little details being completed. Karen has a binder full of the A to Z of birthing ready for me to peruse over, got hand it to her she is one prepared momma, unlike me who I think like most men looks at this day as something similar to going to a movie... wheres my popcorn?

Yes, Doctor expects to see me on Wednesday in her office, which would make me one day overdue. Saturday held some promise, but ended up being NOT magic time. My doctor is on call this weekend, and then not again until December 4, so maybe baby will wait for her? Plans were fairly well set with John's parents scheduled to arrive today, and then, as you read John's weather update, all hell broke loose and they are forbidden to drive here for a few days anyways. So auntie KC is still on call, and will begin checking in daily with her location tomorrow (she's working for a temp agency right now, so is in different places daily).

As John said, I think we are officially as ready as we will ever be. I think I finished off the last of the packing and writing today, just some last minute items to add and we are off!

Truth be told I've reading some of the countless books Karen has around the house on the subject (can never have too many books beside the throne), and am pretty confident that I'll be as or more prepared for this birth as I was with Grady. I've just got to get Karen to relax and get her rest... but that ain't going to happen.

In regards to the sex of the baby (for all those poolies), Karen has been getting some strong GIRL vibes this week. As for now, I'm still thinking my heavy coffee addiction will hold sway and Grady will have a little brother to pound on.

He's probably right. I had a vivid dream a few nights ago that I had a girl. Almost all of my dreams have been of a girl, and usually one who sleeps well. A newborn who sleeps well? I AM dreaming! Told John that I would be surprised if I have a boy. But that coffee thing holds sway with me...

Grady is, I believe, fully advanced into the terrible twos a month early as he seems to be getting more unruly as the days pass (perfect timing). Hes still the most important thing in our lives but I think both of us have wondered what a blue eyed blond haired Caucasian is going for on the black market (funny you can't just google that...). Like everyone says and the books all tell you, your child is going to have a period where they seem to regress back to infant stage behaviour and that he has, especially with eating. No longer is time in the chair for eating but more a experiment in how far can I push mom and dads buttons.

On a lighter Grady note, I have to write about his counting ability. Apparently traditional counting bores him and he has combined some numbers, as well as using words for more than one thing. His version goes like this "one, two-ee, four, fries, senen, eight, nine". Occasionally we get ten, but often skip right up into firteen, etc. It's so sweet, we can't really correct him yet, although we try to. Grady has also started saying his own name, something that melts my heart. We knew when we named him that he wouldn't be able to get it right at first, but it is still cute to hear him say "Gwady". We show him pictures of himself as a baby (also in preparation for the baby) and say "who's that?" just to hear him say it. He also seems to be very affectionate with me right now, and I am LOVING the kisses and "I love you"s that he is dishing out. maybe it's his way of saying "I know how difficult I can be sometimes, and I'm glad that you love me anyways". Now I just need to get John to do the same...

I'll finish this installment with another list....
Ladies, do you think he really GETS how much that back hurts?? This is from a newspaper clipping I found a long time ago...

IF MEN GOT PREGNANT
+Maternity leave would last two years, with full pay
+All methods of birth control would be 100% effective.
+Morning sickness would be the worlds no. 1 health problem.
+Natural childbirth would become obsolete.
+Children would be kept in hospitals until toilet trained.
+Sons would have to be home from dates by 10pm.
+There would be a cure for stretch marks.
+Paternity suits would be a fashion line of clothes.
+Men would be eager to talk about commitment.
+They wouldn't think twins are so cute.
+They would stay in bed during the entire pregnancy.
+Women would rule the world


Cheers John & Karen