Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Kicking it in my bouncy chair





Sunday, May 28, 2006

Sunday, May 28th

All this eating is exhausting



Mom's Little Monkey


My first walk in my new stroller

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Lazy Days of Summer

Awww Mom, do I have to wake up ...






It looks like Summer has finally arrived in Ottawa. It was 28 degrees and sunny in Ottawa today. Today was our first day on our own. Nanny Lush left this morning. We were a little slow getting going this morning, but managed an outing to Starbucks and Staples this p.m. I am also learning to do lots with one hand, since after 16 days of being constantly held, Xander just doesn't want to be put down.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Two Weeks Old


Relaxing with Poppy






My favourite position on Poppy's belly


My first outing to Uncle Chad's and Aunt Joanne's - it was very tiring


Resting with Daddy



My weigh-in at the midwives - 8 lbs, 9 oz.




I can't believe it's only been two weeks since Xander came home. He's doing very well. He definitely takes after the Lushes - he likes to eat very frequently. He is usually very pleasant and only cries if he is hungry or is getting changed. Although he has his days and nights mixed up. He likes to sleep all day and party all night. He likes getting a bath - but doesn't enjoy getting out and getting dried off.

He had a very nice visit with his Poppy Lush who left yesterday. Xander spent most of the week snoozing on his Poppy's belly.

We had a 10 day appt. on Wednesday, May 17th. He was already weighing 8 lbs and 9 oz. Here are a few pictures - although I'm sure we've taken a 100 this week.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Online Photo Album

Hi everyone. We've posted an online photo album of Xander so far...we've taken more pictures in the past few days than we have in two years!

You can see the pictures by clicking here

Or copy and paste this link into the web browser:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=19mhrtfa.faocyly&x=0&y=-wapjuw

I think you can also order prints, etc... from the site if there are any that catch your eye. We will update it regularly.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Introducing Xander Peter Somerton








After a very long night Xander Peter Somerton was born at 6:59 a.m. yesterday morning, weighing in 8 lbs, 1 oz and 21 inches long.

The midwives were absolutely fantastic. I'm not sure I could of done it without them. I certainly wouldn't have managed with just laughing gas. We arrived home at about supper time yesterday evening. Everyone is doing fine, just catching up on some much needed sleep. Today Mom feels like she ran two marathons in a row, and that someone then kicked her in the arse all the was to Darcy McGee's pub.

Here are a few pictures of our new bundle of joy.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Let the Games Begin

My water broke this morning at about 6:00 a.m. I wanted to go back to sleep and call the midwife a little later. John was adament that "the sheet" the midwife gave us said to do something after your water broke and he was pretty sure it wasn't go back to sleep :-) So, we called Kristin and she said she would come by after breakfast to do an internal exam. She came by at about 11:00 a.m. and said I'm dialated 2 - 3 cms. Now, it's just a waiting game. I am having some mild contractions. If I'm not in active labour by 6:00 p.m., we'll likely have to go to the hospital and be induced. Hopefully, nature takes course before than. Either way there'll be a baby soon ...

Friday, May 05, 2006

Friday a.m.

We received an unexpected call from the midwife last night. She wondered if I'd like her to come by this a.m. to do the membrane sweep. I guess it wasn't a busy weekend for her and the other midwives and next weekend she's away on a conference, so she's hoping the baby comes before then. Me too. She does have back-ups. But I kind of hope she's available when the time comes.

She came by this morning and did an exam and the "sweep". When she did the external exam this morning all she could feel was the baby's neck. When she did the internal, she could actually feel the baby's head - so he's getting pretty low.

The sweep wasn't that bad - not what you would call fun - but not terrible.

Now it's just a waiting game. Basically, the membrane sweep won't really induce labour, but it will hopefully speed things along (e.g., if you would go Wed, this could speed things up to Monday).

If nothing happens before Monday, she'll do another sweep at my appt.

It's a beautiful day in Ottawa so Verna and I are off for a walk. We'll keep you posted of any developments.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Still Waiting and Growing ...


39 Weeks - Sunday, April 30th

I had my appointment with my midwife today and all is well. My blood pressure has returned to normal as I've been sure to avoid Canadian Tire this week. My belly was measuring 38 cm, so I grew a cm this week. The baby seemed to be a little lower than previously, but not what you would call dropped. The midwife discussed our options if he ends up being overdue. I have another appointment on Monday, since I will be 40 weeks on Saturday. If nothing has happened before then, the midwife may sweep my membranes. Who knew such a thing even existed.

The midwife basically "sweeps" a finger around the neck of your womb (cervix). The aim is to separate the membranes around your baby from your cervix. This releases hormones called prostaglandins, which may kick-start your labour.

A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start within 48 hours. Although hopefully I may go on my own before then.

Other than that, I'm feeling pretty good. Still swollen and very uncomfortable especially my hands, but I seem to have gotten a burst of energy the past few days. My stomach issues seem to have also passed. Too bad walking around the mall didn't induce labour or the baby would definitely have arrived this week. I also wish I had a dollar for every person who stopped and asked me one or all three of the following questions:
- When is your baby due?
- Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?
- Do you have a name picked out yet?
If I did, I'd say I'd have enough to put the kid through university. Although, I'd say the lady working at customer service at Walmart who rubbed my belly today was my most interesting experience of the week.

I also applied for my "pogey" today. I can't get the tune out of my head they used to sing on the Wonderful Grand Band years ago, "It's UIC standing in the long line, It's UIC waiting for a cheque...".

I'm very happy that car seat/stroller combo and our dresser has arrived. So, I am now fully prepared. I think John is getting anxious for me to have something or rather a little someone to keep me busy. I'm practically combing the house looking for clothes to wash. When he gets up in the morning the shirt he wore to work the day before is already washed and hanging in the closet. I haven't resorted to taking the shirt off his back to wash - just yet.