A Day in the Life of MaryJane Strange

Do Wonderful Warriors Wear Tiaras?

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 18:02:00 +0000

In my stronghold, you will find Anna, Elsa & Olaf. Or , Wonder Woman, Katana and She-Hulk.

As mother to 3 curly-haired girls under 4-years of age, the goal is to raise wonderful women! What does this mean to me exactly?

My list is so long. I want them to be resilient. I want them to walk with their heads held high. I want them to be true to themselves. I want them to play, read, learn and travel. I want them to apologize and forgive. I want them to be independent problem-solvers and thinkers. I want them to be positive. I want them to be present and live passionately. I want them to embrace multiculturalism and diversity. I want them to be inclusive. I want them to be nice to all, and to model empathy. I want them to smile and say hello. I want them to stand-up for themselves, speak their minds and defend their values. I want them to be charitable and involved. I want them to always take care of themselves and know that they are more than just a body. I want them to learn from their mistakes. I want them to be safe. I want them to be healthy. I want them to love and be loved.

Disney Princesses vs. Superheroes. A decisive battle? I don't think there is a losing side to surrender or a winning side to reconsider. The defining characteristics of the overall fight are dynamic.

What traits do Disney princesses model that I feel would help raise wonderful women? Princesses are intelligent and thirsty for knowledge. They are caring and kind. They are hopeful. They are adventurous, curious free-spirits. They are brave and fierce. They are humble.

The strength of character and goodness displayed by a Disney princess makes for an admirable opponent.

Did I mention that "the fairy tale is all about the shoe in the end"?

What qualities do superheroes display that would contribute to my goal? Perseverance!! A strong moral code. A fighting spirit. Courage. Motivation. Responsibility. Respect. Self-defense. Commitment. Service. Extraordinary power and ability.

These exceptionally skillful, successful heroes measure up well on the attack.

Not to mention a secret identity, superhuman senses, omnilingualism and the healing factor. Wouldn't that just be the catwoman's meow?!

The results of this combat appear quite even.

I feel confident that they are benefitting from their exposure to both Disney princesses and superheroes.

Now, what about the puzzling nature of life and existence? How do I set an example to show them that the remarkable possibilities are what they themselves make? I hope that by observing what I do, they draw conclusions about what I think is important in life. My values...

Discipline. Spiritual strength. Respect for nature. Communication. Friendship. Imagination. Leadership. Awareness. Sportsmanship. Teamwork. Potential. Possibility. Will. Power. Determination. Family.

In the end, there is no winner. Although the current focus for my children are Disney princesses and superheroes, this beautiful world is full of "characters" that are wonderful. I hope to expose my daughters not only to Disney princesses and superheroes, but to real-life child visionaries, to parents who inspire, to creative professionals, to determined and motivated athletes and to family and friends that do their best every day.

If I show them the world; wonderful women they will be.

What's your secret to raising wonderful children?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although this TED Talk is geared towards boys, it's a worthy watch for all parents. "Force, and so little yellow brick road."

Double Trouble: The 3rd Trimester (February 25'14 - May 2'14)

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Fri, 16 May 2014 13:43:00 +0000

Although I've been working at Markham Stouffville Hospital for almost 17-years, I started off the 3rd Trimester with a tour of the "new" Maternal Child Department. It was 4-months away from completion/opening when Lorelai was born. What a state-of-the-art expansion! Although I am forced to birth in the Maternal/Child Operating Room, due to having twins, I'm confident that I will be receiving the best care with the latest and greatest technology!

Early March, there was lots of tests: Glucose Tolerance Test (I passed), blood-work, RHOGAM shot, and still attending ultrasounds and prenatal check-ups every 2-weeks. On March 13th, Fetus-A was weighing 2 pounds, 13 ounces and Fetus-B was weighing 3-pounds (both babies Breech). On this day, I also reached eligibility for maternity leave...phew!!!

By mid-March, I had 3 cribs and 3 mattresses...all with a little help from my friends (and even some strangers). By mid-March, Mike had had his 2nd and 3rd "boy" dreams! Intuition? Wishful thinking?

On March 22nd, the twin nursery was ready and we began transitioning Lorelai to her big-girl bed in her new big-girl room!

On March 25th, I was 31-weeks pregnant. Fetus-A was weighing in at 3 pounds, 14 ounces and Fetus-B was weighing in at 3 pounds, 12 ounces (both Breech). I started taking an iron supplement.

On March 26th, my maternity leave replacement, Leanne, started training with me. Leanne will fit in nicely, and my only hope is to hang around long enough to provide her with proper training!

On March 28th, my co-workers surprised me with a baby-shower-luncheon, which was nice to share with Ashleigh (also expecting in May). If you recall, Ashleigh covered my first maternity leave. I guess she sat in my chair too long...LOL. It was a long day...and long night (I also hosted Book Club), which probably relates to my first case of swollen ankles/calves.

On March 30th, Mike, Lorelai and I met my Doula, Jesse, for the first time. I wasn't going to go with a Doula this time around, because Christin (my Doula with Lorelai), was on maternity leave. However, a co-worker approached me... Her best friend's daughter needed 3 expectant Moms to follow to complete her Doula certification (at no cost to the Moms). I jumped at the chance to get back into the positive head-space I was in when pregnant with Lorelai. Jesse is very personable and knowledgeable. I immediately felt comfortable with her, and was glad to have her support. I hope she gains from our experience together, and I know she'll make a great Doula upon completion of her certification!

On April 2nd, I was experiencing some "incontinence" throughout the day. This continued on April 3rd, so I decided to get checked out at Labour & Delivery to be sure it wasn't a slow amniotic fluid leak. I was assessed and happy to hear it was just urine! A bed-side ultrasound showed that Fetus-B turned into the head down position (which might have been a reason for the extra pressure on my bladder). I was also swabbed for Group B Streptococcus (GBS).

On April 6th, the Boucheres celebrated Easter early. I had a feeling that I might not make it to Easter and didn't want the added stress of hosting, cleaning, cooking, etc., being so close to my due date. It worked out great! Although I didn't do much of the work, I was pooped after a full day and a full belly!

On April 8th, I had my ultrasound and OB check-up (which will now be weekly going forward). Fetus-A (Frank Breech) weighed in at 4 lbs., 6oz. and Fetus-B (back to Breech-oblique) weighed in at 4 lbs., 4 oz. Mom, babes, growth and fluid all looking great. I'm GBS positive, which means antibiotics for me at delivery. My OB informed me that if Fetus-A remains Breech, we're looking at a C-Section in about 3.5 weeks time. Now, how do I get that baby to flip? Did someone just say 3.5 weeks????

On April 13th, I had my first "boy" dream.

On April 14th, I had my 2nd prenatal visit with my Doula, Jesse.

On April 15th, I started my weekly ultrasound and OB check-up. Fetus-A and Fetus-B both scored 8 out of 8, but still remain Breech.

On April 17th, as per Doctor's orders, I finished my last day of work.

On April 18th, I went to L&D to be assessed. I was again feeling a constant urge to pee and I was experiencing a pinching sensation every so often in my cervix. It didn't last...each one was only a split second, but each one stopped me in my tracks. Better safe than sorry... In the end, all was well. I guess the weight and pressure of twins in my uterus was causing what I was feeling. It's amazing the relief I felt once hearing the good news...

On April 23rd, I got a call. I did have a UTI, which was the reason for my frequent urge to pee last week. I started a course of antibiotics...

On April 24th, I had my ultrasound and OB check-up. Fetus-A, Breech, weighed in at 5 and a half pounds. Fetus-B, head down (oblique) weighed in at 5 pounds. Mom, babes, growth and fluid perfect!

On April 28th, I had my Non-Stress Test in L&D. The twins tested "awesome" and were very active. The Nurse predicted boys.

My next routine ultrasound and OB check-up was on Thursday May 1st, and I was in for a shock. Mom, babes, growth and fluid were still all measuring perfect. My OB originally thought to book a section for May 7th, which would mean me coming in every 2 days for ultrasounds and NSTs, as things can quickly change with MoDi pregnancies around the 37th week. I was either to be "overly" monitored, or deliver the twins. She checked to see if the 3rd or 4th were available, but the OR was booked. The secretary found an opening...the next day...Friday May 1st. My OB said, "Let's have these babies tomorrow". I couldn't believe it. I called Mike. Mike called his work. I went for pre-op blood-work. Then, I went home...the last time as a family of 3!

Mike and I cleaned and prepped for the big day! Bags officially packed! Peter and Daniela arrived that evening, and my parents were expected in the morning.

It's midnight now...it's birthing day, and of course, I cannot sleep. Here I sit, updating my blog, expected to arrive at L&D for 5:00 a.m. I'm gonna snuggle with Mike and Lorelai for about 4-hours before our next adventure begins...

And, here it is... Take a long, LAST look at Simone being pregnant (36 weeks, 3 days). This book will officially close tomorrow morning. I have had 2 amazing pregnancies and will always have my blog to remind me of just how amazing!!

We arrived late...at about 5:20 a.m. I met my Doula, Jessie, and Mike went to Tim Horton's for a quick breakfast before meeting us up on 4WF (L&D). I thought I would have a long wait before my 7:00 a.m. C-Section, but I was taken in right away for prepping (vitals, IV fluids, etc.). I can't believe I'm posting this awful pic...

I was in the operating room just before 7:00 a.m. I was terrified about the spinal (and the whole process, really), but Dr. Hussein (Anesthesiologist) was amazing!! He wanted me to ask him all my questions, which I did, and his honest answers really helped my fears subside. The spinal was in, and it was not as horrible as I expected. Right after, Mike and Jessie were allowed in the operating room and were by my side. Dr. Christyne Peters and Dr. George Arnold were my surgeons and at 7:00 a.m., the incision was made...

At 7:14 a.m., we welcomed Gia Marie Reali into the world. She weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 oz. Perfection!

At 7:15 a.m., we welcomed Remi Marie Reali into the world. She weighed in at 5 pounds. Perfection!

We were healthy! We were happy! I missed Lorelai...

I was in Recovery for most of the day. My room was ready, but the floor was busy and a nurse had not yet been assigned to my care. I arrived in my room mid-afternoon. I finally got to see Lorelai. She was not at all impressed by her new sisters, but at this point, was still happy to see her Mama! It was so hard being away from her for the very first time. With the help of my nurse, I was up that evening for the first time. My Mom spent the first night in hospital with me, as I wanted Mike to be home with Lorelai. From then on, it was my mission to keep up and moving...

On Saturday, my IV and catheter were removed. I continued moving and walking. Family and friends visited throughout the day. Lorelai visited again, and this time, she was not too impressed with either her new sisters or her Mama. I was hoping the new arrival would not affect her, but she was definitely faced with a tough transition...it was written all over her face.

On Sunday, our hope was to go home. Gia had lost over 9% of her body weight, so she had to gain wait the same day before we could be discharged. We had to supplement both girls until my milk came in. We did, and it worked...both girls gained! The twins had to have a car seat test (90-minutes each), which they passed with flying colours!

Mid-evening on May 4th, we were discharged home...best news ever!! A new adventure about to begin for our family of 5!!!!!

PS - 8-days after birth, Lorelai warmed up to her Mama and new sisters.

We would like to thank "everyone" for their love and support throughout both our pregnancies. We are surrounded by family and friends, that without, would make our adventures impossible. From the Realis to all of you, thank you and we love you!

Although I have my hands full, I hope to continue blogging...stay tuned!

Double Trouble: The 2nd Trimester (November 19 - February 24'14)

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:28:00 +0000

The 2nd trimester didn't start off without worry! I woke up bleeding the night of November 20th. With sweet Lorelai fast asleep in her crib, I headed to the ER all by myself. I was scared. I knew this wasn't good, but at the same time, I still sensed my babies were there. The Emergency staff at Markham Stouffville Hospital were quick and efficient! The ER Doctor that saw me immediately told me that this type of bleeding was not uncommon in this stage of pregnancy. She also told me that in the worst case scenario, nature is at work and I was not at fault for any of its mysterious ways. She managed to calm me with her words... After a quick exam, some blood work and a Rhogam shot, I was scheduled for an ultrasound the next morning. I headed back home and snuggled up tight beside my 2 loves. The morning of the 21st, I headed in for my ultrasound. Again, the technician in Diagnostic Imaging at Markham Stouffville Hospital was wonderful. As soon as she put the wand on my belly, she immediately let me hear 2 strong heartbeats within! I was able to relax and let her finish the job. In the end, reports were sent to my Family Doctor and my OB, and there was never any reason found for the bleeding.

On November 25th, my baby girl turned 1 and I was fully able to celebrate her milestone birthday with family and friends over the weekend!

On December 2nd, my maternity leave was officially over and I returned to work! As was the case with every transition in Lorelai's short life, this one was just as easy! It was easy for me too knowng that Lorelai would now be with her Daddy during the day. She was getting the best of both worlds and Mike and I were grateful.

Between December 10th and February 11th, ultrasounds and OB check-ups were every 3-weeks. The bleeding never returned.

Early December, we received a free crib (needing still 1 more to make 3). I also got my first full pay cheque since returning to the office. Now, that was refreshing! On the 18th, I had my first gender dream...boy/girl, which cannot be...hmmmm! With Lorelai, we both dreamt "girl" on more than 1 occasion.

Early January, our anatomy scan revealed two healthy Fetuses and all their perfect parts! The anatomy scan is when gender can be determined, but we're hold-outs for the big surprise on the big day!

Late January, I pre-registered with Markham Stouffville Hospital for delivery, and saw my belly move for the very first time.

On February 4th, Fetuses A&B reached viability!

Mid-February, 2 more dreams. Mike dreamt boys and I dreamt girls!

On February 15th, my sister-in-law hosted a grilled-cheese, diapers and wipes shower in my honour. It was such a great day, and I was blessed with the love and support of family and friends.

On February 20th, we had our infant car seats installed by Baby Car Seat Installers in Markham. Our bus is ready!

As of February 25th, ultrasounds and OB check-ups were regularly scheduled for every 2-weeks. Fetuses-Reali were growing right on track!

Thus far, its been a great twin pregnancy. I'm feeling good...I'm feeling energetic. My only real pregnancy symptoms have been very chapped/sore lips, some moderate heartburn, swollen gums and "frequent" trips to the ladies' room. I'll take it!

Heading into the 3rd Trimester at 27-weeks! Next blog you read from me will end with an introduction to my twin babes... Stay tuned and wish me luck!

Double Trouble: The 1st Trimester (August 20-November 18, 2013)

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 17:13:00 +0000

I'm back! Here we are, 1-year later...

We have spent the last year learning to be parents, and becoming a beautiful family! We have enjoyed every second with our baby girl and are in awe of her everyday as she grows, experiences and learns! She is something so special that no words could ever describe...

Somewhere between August 30th and September 3rd, the magic happened! It was a busy week...LOL. This time was different...I knew instantly, but I can't explain how? Bam! Pregnant! But, never did I fathom...

I do know that much has changed since last time and now. Blogging monthly?? How does a new Mom do that? I'm back at my computer blogging, but even finding time to blog "per trimester" is proving difficult. Gotta start somewhere, so here goes: Double Trouble: The 1st Trimester (August 20-November 18, 2013).

Mid-September a pregnancy test confirmed my suspicions...I was pregnant. So, we celebrated with dinner out. We knew we wanted to complete our family...we wanted Lorelai to have a sibling close in age, and let's face it, I wasn't getting any younger... I wanted 1, Mike wanted 3, and we compromised on 2.

The first to know (before even confirming my pregnancy with a blood test) was my November 2012 Birth Club, the Amorosis and my management team at work. My November 2012 Birth Club is a group of amazing women/mothers across Ontario who all came together when we were expecting our November 2012 babies. What a network of support, and such a valuable resource...not to mention the many friendships formed! As a first-time Mom, I was so lucky to be a part of them (and continue to be to this day). Mrs. Amorosi had her suspicions. I was buying the maternity clothes she was selling even before I was pregnant...LOL. We were having a "sangria" dinner party late September...she had to know, but I think she already did! Early October, on the same day my pregnancy was confirmed by blood test, I told my management team at work. I was due back from maternity leave on November 25th, and it was only fair that they could plan accordingly. It was hard. On the one hand, I was so happy to be expecting, but I felt guilty going back to work pregnant. I assured them that the next time I returned, I was never leaving again!!

Thanksgiving 2013, we announced our pregnancy to our families. As we went around the table disclosing what we were thankful for, Lorelai revealed her shirt..

On November 5th, I was shocked to the my very core! I was at my IPS ultrasound, and the technician asked me if I was ready for the good news. I was confused and told her that I was already here for the good news. She said, "it's double the good news". I was floored...I was numb. Mike, Lorelai and I were having twins...

I never even imagined this possibility...it never even crossed my mind. For the next 2-weeks, Mike and I were reeling. It was a surreal feeling that I don't think either one of us could explain. Was it for real? It felt other-worldly...

Then came the questions... Could we do this? Could we afford this? Is our house big enough?

I will admit, I was a bit down at first. I had this perfect little baby girl that was my whole world. For her whole life, everything I had was hers to give. How could I continue to love and give the same to her? How could I love 2 more babies as much as I love my first? How would I share myself with my husband...MY 3 KIDS, and still have time for myself? It didn't take long for me to feel my heart open to Fetuses-Reali. Love only gets bigger and stronger. Love makes us better. By adding more to my life, I was adding more to all of their lives too. I felt my love overflow and I knew everything would be just fine! I am blessed with abundance, and for this I am grateful.

Mid-November, a few more people needed to know (due to circumstance...usually involving alcohol)...like the Fiorindis, the Scagliones and even the Noseworthys! I had my first OB appointment and this was REAL!

On November 18'13, we went public!

153 Likes, 171 Comments, Numerous E-mails & Texts, Phones ringing off the hook!

Never did I think I could shock the world again, but I did (and the world shocked me too)!

Hang on to your hats...Fetuses-Reali coming Spring 2014!

The Home Stretch... Month 9 - November 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:15:00 +0000

I'm preparing for the next step in my life, while enjoying the last few days of pregnancy! Some of my plans, before baby arrives, include pampering myself, slowing down, focusing on myself, practicing inner peace, getting good rest, drinking lots of water and embracing what was...what is...and what will be!

I started off the month with a weekly OB appointment, and discovered that I was GBS positive. Group B Streptococcus is one of many different bacteria that normally live in our bodies. Approximately one third of us carry GBS in our intestines without knowing. It is estimated that 15-40% of pregnant women are carriers. Women who are GBS positive can be given IV antibiotics during labour to prevent infection from passing to the newborn.

The beginning of November...this 9th month of pregnancy...finally brought me some discomfort. Pelvic girdle pain, sometimes called sacroiliac joint pain, and sometimes confused for sciatica. During pregnancy, my body is producing a hormone called relaxin. Relaxin softens the ligaments in my pelvis and other joints, which will help the baby to pass through during birth. My pain has mostly been in my right butt cheek area, and feels the worst when trying to get out of bed, walking first thing in the morning or when making a sudden movement. I am trying my best to embrace the pain, which is one of the signs that baby's head is engaging or moving down into the pelvis! I get some relief by wonderful massages from Mike, feel good stretches/yoga positions (recommended by my doula), warm baths and sitting on an exercise ball! I still cannot complain!

Mike and I attended a Breastfeeding Me class on November 3rd. This class is offered to women who are between 36-38 weeks pregnant, and prepare Moms-to-be to manage the first minutes, hours, days and weeks of breastfeeding.

In early November, I started packing my hospital bags and began Christmas shopping. Mike put the artwork and wall decals up in the nursery, and we are both so in love with the finished look! The room is ready!

On November 5th, I went to Seneca (YorkU campus) for a maternity photo shoot! I spent a couple hours as the subject for Marc's photography students! I can't wait to see their work. A special thanks to Kathy for applying my make-up early that morning! For someone that doesn't wear any, I was very happy with the subtle outcome!

Lots happened on November 6th. I met Ashleigh! Ashleigh will be covering my maternity leave and we started training together today. After only one day together, I felt confident that I would be leaving the program in good hands! Still, it feels weird to know that I'll be leaving a place I've been coming to every day for the last 15-years!! Bittersweet. I was also spoiled today with a very generous gift from a co-worker, Jen! I think she single-handedly stocked my baby inventory: onesies, receiving blankets, baby blankets, wipes, washcloths, disposable diaper bags, cups/plates, books, and the list goes on. Blessed and grateful! I ended my day with a weekly OB appointment. My blood pressure was measuring high, so I was sent for blood work and asked to do daily blood pressure checks until my next appointment. I was also told to go to Labour & Delivery if my blood pressure was reading higher than 140/90.

On Wednesday November 7th, I was 37-weeks and full-term! Good thing because my blood pressure reading was 142/90 (on the left) and 155/90 (on the right)! Up to Labour and Delivery I went, where I spent the entire morning. I had a urine test (looking for protein) and a non-stress test. A non-stress test evaluates the baby's condition (monitoring baby's heartbeat/movement and uterine contractions). They also retrieved the results from Tuesday's blood work (which was to determine how my liver was functioning). In the end, it looks like it may be a case of gestational hypertension. Because my urine, non-stress and blood tests all came back normal, pre-eclampsia/toxemia was ruled out. It was recommended (and prescribed) that I take meds (Labetalol) to lower my blood pressure until at least next week's OB appointment. This was a struggle for me to accept. My entire pregnancy had been going along so "text book" and the last thing I wanted was to introduce drugs into the baby's system. I spent the entire evening researching this online, speaking to a nurse/friend, e-mailing with my Doula, discussing with Mike/family/friends and calling The Hospital for Sick Children-Motherisk. The decision I came to that evening was to give it one last "natural" try before checking my blood pressure again Thursday morning. So, I had a low-sodium dinner, rested all evening/night (on my left-side with my feet elevated), drank lots of water and meditated on all the positives.

Woke up on November 8th with a blood pressure reading of 144/92 (left) and 150/99 (right). I took the Labetalol. By 1:00 p.m. that afternoon, my blood pressure was 130/80. It was working. Although I couldn't "feel" my high blood pressure, I know the numbers were dangerously high for me. So, I instantly felt better in my head knowing it was back under control. I also wanted Fetus-Reali to continue cooking, and without meds, I may have been facing early induction.

On November 10th, my hospital bags were fully packed and at the ready!

On November 14th, I was 38-weeks pregnant. My weekly OB appointment went well. Blood pressure was normal, so we would continue on with the meds for at least another week. My OB scheduled a biophysical for the following week as well. The biophysical profile test is comprised of a non-stress test and an ultrasound. The ultrasound looks at breathing movements, body movements, muscle tone and amniotic fluid. A score of 0 to 10 will be given based on the information from both tests. I'm looking forward to seeing Fetus-Reali again, as the last time was 20-weeks ago!! I must make sure NOT to look below the waist.

On November 15th, I received Fetus-Reali's first Christmas gift from Jen S. I so love the owl!

I spent the rest of the afternoon at Ashgrove Spa pampering myself for what I believed to be the last time before becoming a Mother. I enjoyed a facial, mani, pedi and massage! I felt brand new. I hope I'm still glowing for my first meeting with Baby-Reali!

Wonderful gifts from co-workers kept coming. Thank you!

On November 22nd, I had a biophysical ultrasound followed by my weekly OB appointment. How amazing it was to see Fetus-Reali again after 20-weeks! I saw his/her tiny heart beating and saw him/her drinking in the amniotic fluid! Must be thirsty, because my OB told me that my fluid was low and that my placenta had reached its maturity. She also told me that Fetus-Reali was measuring small, at approximately 6-pounds. The course of action she recommended was a non-stress test for the next morning, and induction in the next few days. What overwhelming information to receive! I called Mike and had a bit of a meltdown. I scared him since I couldn't even communicate what had happened through my tears. I must have worried him in the worst way, and felt horrible about it later. Of course, he was my rock and supported me as always. That evening, I got a call from Labour & Delivery informing me to come in for gel (to optimize/soften my cervix) on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and then to return at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday for induction (IV oxytocin/oral prostin?). I couldn't believe what was happening, and I didn't tell a soul. My Doula, Christin, came over that night to debrief with me, listen to my feelings, discuss our new options and support us. The 3 of us did a "fear release" HypnoBirthing script, and Mike and I felt much better after her visit. I admit I was scared. I have read about induction vs. the body being naturally ready to birth, and wonder if my labour will be much longer, if contractions will be more intense, if my chances of a C-section are greater. However, I also know that being faced with induction does not mean my plans for a supernatural pain-free HypnoBirthing experience are lost. Chin up!

On November 23rd, Mike and I headed to Labour & Delivery for a non-stress test. Fetus-Reali is as "happy as a lark" the nurse told us. Heartbeat was fast and strong! He or she was moving around so much! I needed to hear this more than anyone can know. I needed this reassurance that all was well with Fetus-Reali inside of me. Mike and I left happy and proud of our baby! I came to the realization that today was my last day at work, but still, I couldn't tell a soul. I don't know why. I completed my Employment Insurance online, and put on my Out Of Office Alert. I called my Mom that night. I couldn't even tell her about the gel for the next day, but did report that I was being induced on Sunday. I still didn't know what was holding me back? Fear of the unknown, perhaps?

On November 24th, Mike and I stayed in bed for hours. We put on the HypnoBirthing Rainbow Relaxation CD and meditated on the positives. We were so relaxed, that we both fell asleep for a couple more hours. Would this be our last day together, just the 2 of us? I was told to call Labour & Delivery before heading in, which I did. The unit was busy and I was told they would call me back when they wanted me to come in. Mike headed out for a bit of grocery shopping so we could stock up for the days ahead. I stayed home to wait for the call, but kept myself busy with laundry, a bit of cleaning and some final packing. We got the call and were told to come in at 7:00 p.m. We did quite a bit of waiting before being seen (shift change). Mike had a coffee from Tim's and we shared a donut. I was monitored pre-gel and post-gel, about 30-minutes each. The OB on-call was great! Mike was with me the whole time. I'm so glad he got a newspaper, comfortable reclining chair and television (we were watching Austin Powers). We were out at 9:00 p.m. and on our way home!

We woke up just before 6:00 a.m. on November 25th. Mike slept soundly through the night. I was up almost every hour...not in pain, but feeling a crampy...heavy...pressure-type discomfort. But, in the morning, it was pretty much gone. Would this be our birthing day? Mike made me French Toast for breakfast (my favourite)!! I called Labour & Delivery to confirm arrival for 8:30 a.m., and was asked to come in at 9:00 a.m. At 9:15, we had another non-stress test. After the test, my OB checked me. The gel had worked. My cervix was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced.

I was admitted to Room 2140 at 11:00 a.m. I had my last bite to eat before baby! At 12:00 p.m., I had blood-work taken, IV antibiotics for GBS, IV Oxytocin and fetal monitoring. My OB said the average I was looking at was 12-14 hours of labour...even longer being that this was my first baby.

Although the Nurse told me I was having contractions throughout the afternoon, I didn't feel any. Around 4:00 p.m., I finally started to feel cramping/contractions, and called my Doula to come (she had a 40-minute commute). The next thing I know, these cramps/contractions that I just started to feel became crazy intense. I went from the bed to the birthing ball, and Mike was massaging my lower back...he wasn't allowed to stop. The pain was severe and I moaned, writhed and vocalized (more like primal screaming) through each new, frequent contraction. I was ready to throw in the towel, as I still thought I had hours to go. My progress had yet to be checked since being admitted. The OB came at that time. I was 8cm dilated, and 10 cm dilated only seconds later. We were having a baby!!!!! I breathed my baby girl into this world at 5:16 p.m., only minutes after my Doula arrived.

Welcome Lorelai Marie Reali!

6 pounds, 6 ounces of sweet perfection!

Soon after birth, pretty much everyone from my family and everyone from Mike's family was there to celebrate the birth of our first born! I was feeling great! I enjoyed Mike's homemade Tortellini alla Panna for dinner...delish!

Mike and I didn't sleep that night! We were in love and overwhelmed by emotion! We had our baby girl, she was perfect, and all was right with the world!

I took a shower first thing the morning of November 26th and felt amazing! I truly believe that having a natural birth was the main reason I was feeling so "normal". I had no pain, and I was up and about to accept MSH visitors all day! I couldn't wait to go home, but had to wait for blood tests that had to happen 24-hours after delivery. That evening, Mike and I took our precious baby girl home! A new adventure had begun! We were a family! We were so happy and so emotional. All we could do was look at her with love, through happy eyes (and tears of joy). I will never forget the magic of my wonderful pregnancy and childbirth. I had the most wonderful nurse that cared for our new family, and Dr. Peters delivered my healthy bundle (who came out smiling)! She has smiled everyday since, and so have I. We have a daughter! We did it!

The journey continues...

Nesting. Month 8 - October 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 17:18:00 +0000

"Nesting refers to an instinct or urge to prepare a home for the upcoming newborn(s). It is commonly characterized by a strong urge to clean and organize one's home, and is one reason why couples who are expecting a baby often reorganize, arrange, and clean the house and surroundings." Nesting Instinct

October was definitely a month of "getting ready". From purchasing and receiving so much of what was needed...to instructions, to tools and assembly...to LOADS of laundry...to disinfecting and sanitizing. We've been busy in the nest!

We were also overwhelmed by the generosity and support of others this month, as they also helped us to prepare the nest!

Early in October, I finally got to meet Phil's wife and son (Claire, and sweet baby-James). I got the most useful baby supplies: wipes, diapers, disposable change pads (who knew?), washcloths, etc. I also got lullaby CDs, and I hear only great things about Jewel's CD. Thank you so much, Noseworthy Family, for your thoughtfulness!!

My Mother-in-law bought me my baby shower outfit! If you're ever in need for chic maternity apparel, be sure to visit Seven Women!

On October 12th, Mike and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary! Most of this day was spent planning and prepping for the best gift we could ever give each other...Fetus-Reali! We brought both our vehicles in for the whole kit and caboodle! We wanted to ensure that our rides were maintenanced and safe for our soon to be precious on-board cargo! After that, I had a bi-weekly appointment with my OB. That afternoon, we had our 2 baby car seats installed, 1 in each vehicle. I would highly recommend Baby Car Seat Installers in Markham (http://www.carseatinstallers.com/). At first, I wondered if I was being silly looking to a professional for installation. After all, how hard could it be? However, Mike and I learned a lot (some things we didn't even think of) and received clear instruction, demonstrations and hands-on practice! I feel confident that my seats are correctly installed, and it puts my mind at ease knowing I'm ready to take my baby on his/her first journey (home from the hospital)!

On October 14th, I celebrated my big, fat, multicultural baby shower with 78 of my closest family and friends! What a wonderful afternoon at the Rouge River Community Centre, overlooking the Autumn splendor of the Markham Green Golf Club! I wish to acknowledge my beautiful hostesses: my sister-in-law Maria, my sister-in-law Lisa, and my forever friend Kathy! Without them, the event would not have been possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I want to thank everyone that came to celebrate and support me. I am blessed, and truly grateful! I was showered with so much love, generosity, thoughtfulness, wisdom and joy! With everyone's help, I feel ready for the arrival of my first born.

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."

On October 17th, my all-staff meeting turned out to be a semi-fake! They fooled me! It was a mini baby shower complete with games, gifts and cake! Thank you CDP! I was 34-weeks pregnant!

Mid-October, we started receiving and assembling baby gear: Play-yard, Mamaroo, Monitor, Mattress, Diaper Bag, Crib Mobile, Wipes Case, Highchair, Infant Car Seat Frame, and the list goes on and on and on...

With finally a bit of time, we celebrated our anniversary during the 3rd weekend of October! Friday night, we enjoyed dinner at The Melting Pot, a unique, interactive fondue dining experience (The Melting Pot). We spent the rest of the weekend on a bit of an anniversary shopping spree! I'm glad the two of us got this time to spend together before baby makes 3!

The 4th week of October, I had my last bi-weekly appointment with my OB (GBS swab). I also met with my Doula, Christin. We talked about our birthing day, the birth plan, placenta encapsulation, being ready to bring baby home (nursery, support, etc.).

On October 26th, my Markham Stouffville Hospital colleagues hosted a wonderful baby shower in my honour! 20 of us were together celebrating what they have all been waiting so long for! It was a fun-filled evening of games, delicious food and dessert, beautiful gifts, thoughtful tokens and wise advice! A special thanks to the 3 hostesses - Carol, Debbie and Marianne. I'm in love with my Skip Hop Treetop Friends crib bedding set, the homemade nursery artwork (courtesy of Nancy) and all the other wonderful surprises of the night! Since May, Carol has been cross-stitching a blanket for the baby, and she's still going...unbelieveable!!

We celebrated Mike's birthday (October 29th) on Saturday and Monday! I can tell you one thing, cake is not out of style! Mike was born on a full-moon, and his birthday this year was a full-moon. Fetus-Reali's due date is also a full-moon...interesting...

With Peter, Daniela and Melissa

With Cheryl, Lisa, Paolo, Cassandra, Christopher, Andre/Nicolas

On October 28th, Mike and I took a 4-hour Child Lifeline Workshop. This informative, interactive class focused on choking, breathing and bleeding emergencies, seizures, falls, accidental poisoning, burns, CPR, First Aid and prevention. The dynamic presenter made the content fun-filled and relative! I'm confident I can retain this valuable information!

At the end of October, Halloween 2012, I am 36-weeks pregnant! 1 more week to be considered "full term" and 4 more weeks until my estimated due date. I have chux pads in my car and on my bed...I'm ready to go...LOL! I feel fantastic. I'm full of energy...no fatigue. I'm still wearing heels! I have no aches, pains or pressure. The only symptoms I am experiencing, which are very mild, are ankle swelling (when I'm not being a healthy eater that day) and the occasional heartburn flare! Oh, I do feel the need to pee much more often! I'm not waddling yet, no practice labour that I am aware of, and still no stretch marks (still using coconut oil daily)! I have yet to experience any constipation, headaches, leg cramps, a protruding naval or back pain. Pregnancy does my body good! In saying that, I better sign-off and get that hospital bag packed!

HypnoBirthing. Month 7 - September 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:56:00 +0000

The month of August ended with me having to track my food and weight, due to a sudden gain in those 4-weeks. Not only did September bring my favourite Autumn weather, but it also brought relief!

I saw my OB/GYN on September 4th, and I was down 4.5 pounds since our last visit!! Tracking what I was eating was quite the eye-opener. What did I learn? Dining at a restaurant, ordering in, or picking up take-out caused me to retain water and swell...almost immediately. So, I stopped. No more processed foods. I started off the pregnancy so healthy, at the lowest weight I could recall. Remember? When did I veer off track? I guess I was using the excuse, "eating for two". I was glad for the wake-up call, and thankful that my care provider was accountable and professional! Now, 3-weeks later (and being really good), I'm down another 1.5 pounds. Healthy, home-cooked meals never tasted so good. I won't lie, I miss the chocolate-peanut butter ice cream, but I choose my days to celebrate and indulge now. September 26th was one of those days...mmm, the "dolce bombette"!!

On Sunday September 2nd, I started HypnoBirthing. The Mongan Method is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques. It allows women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing. It is presented in a series of five classes, two-and-a-half hours each. "HypnoBirthing is as new as tomorrow and as old as ancient times". Of 1227 HypnoBirthing mothers surveyed, over 83% gave birth without any pain medication whatsoever. HypnoBirthing mothers have a 50% reduction in C-section rates. I hope you're not judging. I realize this is not for everyone. I'm not trying to be a superwoman. In all honesty, the thought of the epidural scares me more than the thought of labour does. The possibility of a pain free labour through better pain management, the potential for a drug free birth, less need for medical interventions, the reduction of post natal recovery time, reducing the chance of post natal depression, and generally shortened length of labour are the motivating benefits driving me. I hope you'll cheer me along, whatever your beliefs! My Doula, Christin Mandalentsis, teaches the class and Mike and I have met 3 other wonderful couples: Helen & John (due in October); Camille & Chad (due in December); Dolly and Anthony (due in January).

That night, I dreamt for the first time that I gave birth to a baby girl. Mike already had this dream...also about a baby girl. Were our dreams trying to tell us something? I guess only time will tell...

On September 7th, I picked up my kit from Cells For Life. Mike and I have decided to donate my cord blood to the Victoria Angel Registry of Hope Public Bank (http://www.cellsforlife.com/victoriaangel/). They say give and you shall receive...

Well, I guess I did. That same day, I received the car seat from my registry. No matter what happens now, Baby-Reali can come home!! Thank you for your generosity Angie, Laura, Rosanna, Lily, Antonella, Emma and Kayla! I also want to thank Barb for the "Ipood" onesie...how fitting. I can picture Baby-Reali wearing this outfit with purple boots on (just as Mommy would do). xo.

The generosity of others continued... On Saturday, my sister-in-law (Lisa) brought me a bag full of maternity clothes. And, just in time! I was going to a 50th birthday party that night, and needed something that wasn't casual or business attire. I rocked new jeans, a beautiful green v-neck tunic and my sexy cowboy ankle boots.

On Sunday, Kathy gave me a carseat that Sarah has now grown out of. Thanks to her kindness, we now have both vehicles covered! xo.

On September 9th and 16th, we had HypnoBirthing classes 2 and 3. We were learning how to prepare our minds and bodies for birth, how to go into deep relaxation easily and quickly, guided meditations, special breathing exercises and massage, birth positions, releasing negative emotions, fears and limiting thoughts. It doesn't come easy...we had to practice everyday!

I started to feel the baby move differently, and in a new spot, the week of September 17th. Since I first started feeling Fetus-Reali, it's always been low (bottom of my belly), and it always felt like jabs or kicks. This week, it feels like Fetus-Reali is moving (not jabbing or kicking), and I feel it high (at the top of my belly). Head-down, perhaps??

September 19th: 30-weeks pregnant. Bought more coconut oil...still no stretch marks!

On September 21st, I received my "secret Elfster" gift. My November 2012 Birth Club Group on Facebook organized a gift exchange, and I received mine from Lindsay Piggott! Thank you for the bibs, rattle and card. What a nice surprise! My cousin that keeps on giving paid us another visit today...this time with a toddler bed, dresser and night stand. He already has us prepared for 2 or 3 years down the road. Daryl, I can't keep up with the thank-yous...we love you so much!!

On September 23rd, we had HypnoBirthing class 4. Mike was sick and had to stay home. I was on a solo mission. We discussed our birth plan/preference sheets, birth rehearsal imagery, fear release, and labour.

On September 25th, I received another gift from my registry. Jane purchased me a Fisher-Price Take Along Play Blanket, books (I Am Small, Goodnight Moon and I Love You Through and Through), and a duck bath thermometer. I can't wait to read to Baby-Reali!

On September 26th, I had my last "monthly" appointment with Dr. Peters! 31-weeks pregnant and only 9-weeks to go! Fetus-Reali's heartbeat was strong at 156 bpm. I'm measuring within normal limits, and Fetus-Reali is head down and ready to go! I go back to Dr. Peters every 2-weeks now...on the home stretch!

That same night, I think Mike and I got a little bit closer to narrowing down names (for a boy and a girl). It would mean a compromise for both of us, and is still not set in stone.

On September 27th, Mike and I went to a workshop: You, Me & Baby Makes 3 - Milestones from Birth to 6 Months. Jillian, a paediatric Nurse at Markham Stouffville Hospital, was a fantastic instructor for Markham Prenatal! We also met Catherine & Matthew (due December 4), Alicia (due October 2), Amy & Brent (due January 18) and Natalie & Joel (due December 17). The content was informative and important: sleep; bonding; eating; off to the Doctors; Here I grow (development and milestones). Mike and I really valued the information presented in the workshop, and you could sense that everyone else in the class felt the same.

On September 28th, we received a feeding chair from our registry. Thank you Susy!! We love you, and will miss seeing you at the shower. A gift was not necessary, but we appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. We also put the rocking chair in the nursery today. This was the rocking chair my mother-in-law used with my baby-Daddy when he was just born! Such sentiment! Looking forward to dressing it up with Skip Hop Treetop friends pillows and throws!

September 30 - Our final HypnoBirthing class! We discussed practice labour and moving into birthing; positions for descent and birthing; breathing baby down to birth; birth rehearsal imagery; family bonding with our baby. We're ready!!

September...my 7th month and still feeling great! Still no symptoms to report... My swelling and weight are under control; no stretch marks; hardly any heartburn; no real fatigue, no back pain, no leg muscle cramping. I feel healthy, energetic and happy (oh, and my hair doesn't fall out in the shower)! I have been blessed with a wonderful pregnancy and feel like a lucky lady! Here's hoping my luck continues into labour and delivery...

The 2nd Trimester Comes To An End. Month 6 - August 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:18:00 +0000

August started off with so much fun and excitement! Add to that, some pitting edema.

Keswick-Fest 2012 took place from August 3rd to August 6th. My brother (Paul), sister-in-law (Joey) and niece (Alexis) were honoured guests...here from Nova Scotia on vacation! The last time we saw Alexis was on her 1st birthday (on the East Coast), almost a year ago to the date. I think she enjoyed her first Keswick-Fest: swimming, the beach, cousins, friends. Isn't she beautiful??

I had already been experiencing a bit of swelling, meaning my body was holding onto too much fluid, caused by the extra blood circulating in my body. Between 50-80% of healthy pregnant women have it; hot weather making it worse. I was willing to accept it, especially because I've really had no other pregnancy symptoms. However, what I wasn't prepared for was my "shin indent" (also known as pitting edema). I hadn't heard of it and when I saw how "weird" my leg looked, I freaked out a tiny bit. If I pressed on my skin, the skin didn't spring back right away...it was like there was a hole...yikes! I'd elevate my feet and in no time I was back to normal. This only ever happened at Keswick-Fest and never since. Moms, friends and professionals have told me this is also normal, but that I should mention it anyway to my OB at my next visit. I didn't take a picture...I never wanted to see it again.

In early August, I made my first purchase of new maternity clothes from Thyme Maternity. I bought 4 tops and 1 pair of dress pants. It was overwhelming at first, but once a shopper, always a shopper...I fit right in! What's with the expensive price of maternity clothes, by the way?

Also in early August, around the 10th, is when I finally started to feel the baby move. I felt slight kicks, or jabs? I felt them low...under my bellybutton. I was SURE! From then on, I continued to feel the baby move. Sometimes everyday...and sometimes 2 or 3 days without anything. This trend continues today. Because of my anterior placenta, it could be dependent upon the position of the baby.

On August 13th, I was lying on the couch and felt the baby begin to jab/kick. It was about 10:00 p.m. I looked down at the spot on my belly and actually saw my belly "jump" with each jab/kick. I can't explain how happy I was to see this! I felt like I had been waiting so long! My baby was there...I could see and I could feel. Mike saw and felt the baby for the first time that night. From that moment on, everytime I felt something, I could not take my eyes away from my belly. Mike would watch for a while, then be distracted back to the newspaper, television or whatever he was doing at the time. I kept re-directing him back to the main event. LOL. Nothing could ever be more important now!

Paul, Joey and Alexis spent their last day in Ontario on August 12th. The Boucheres got together at my place for a goodbye BBQ lunch and dinner. We feasted, to say the least! The Boucheres all predicted the date, sex and weight of Fetus-Reali (we even called Mom & Dad in Fort Erie to get their vote). My Dad wants his baby-girl to have a big, healthy, ripe baby...LOL!!

On Saturday August 18th, the Daleys came to Markham (Daryl, Nathalie, Liam, Brandon, Meagan and Zachary). They brought us the dresser and change table for the nursery. They even offered us Meagan's toddler bed. How amazing is family?!

On August 19th, we met with our Doula (Christen) at home. She just came to check-in on us, see how we were doing/feeling and answer any questions we had. Mike and I are both looking forward to starting HypnoBirthing classes with her in September!!

On August 20th, I had my Glucose Tolerance Test. I've heard lots of complaints about the sweet orange liquid, but I liked it! It tasted like the old school McDonald's orange drink. Hoping for a pass...

On August 23rd, the first gift was shipped to us from one of our two registries. What a gift it was!! Fetus-Reali's first ever wheels! Fetus-Reali has a very special CC Peter, Zia Dani and Cousin Melissa. Thank you so much...xoxo!!! We assembled it the very next day - Britax B-Ready 2012. We're ready!

On August 26th, I hit Motherhood Maternity and purchased a maternity skirt and blouse. I also got a free Johnson's Take Along Pack (oh, the things that excite me now...). A member of my Facebook November 2012 Birth Club group informed us of a an App called My Baby's Beat (http://www.mybabysbeat.com/). It works with my iPhone's mic, and headphones, and acts like a doppler. I immediately installed and tried it, and it worked! I instantly heard Fetus-Reali's heartbeat. I was able to save the recording of our first listen, and would insert if here if I knew how...

On August 27th, I'm completed the Victoria Angel Registry of Hope that will allow me to publically store my cord blood and stem cells. I also completed my employer pregnancy/parental leave form. It hit me just how close we're getting... Today, I was 26 weeks and 5 days pregnant (2 days before the start of the 3rd trimester). Here I am...

On August 28th, I had my monthly OB appointment. I passed my Glucose Tolerance Test and was scheduled for my RHOGAM shot later in the week. The babies heartbeat was 157, and my OB called Fetus-Reali a "trojan". Mike really liked that, and it was the first time I felt pride for my baby-to-be! Fetus-Reali got his/her first hug and kiss today...LOL. A co-worker (and friend), Pat, actually hugged and kissed my belly. It was so sweet. I think Fetus-Reali felt the love!! I know I did. And more love came that evening... The Amorosis came by for a spontaneous evening visit and brought the baby his/her first Italian outfit (the Amorosis just returned from a 3-week vacation). How fitting is this? Perfect for a photographer's child. Wondering if this should be Fetus-Reali's "homecoming" outfit, and perhaps first "beautiful photo"??

August 29th! The start of the 3rd trimester (and 27-weeks)!

Dr. Peters' office called me over today. Apparently, my weight in the last month spiked suddenly! I was told to track my food and weight daily until Tuesday September 4th, which is when I would see her next. Of course I started to worry, knowing this was to check/rule-out preeclampsia, but was hoping and praying it was due to over-eating and water retention. My blood pressure is perfect, which is the #1 symptom of preeclampsia.

On Friday August 31st, I ended off my 6th month (and 2nd trimester) with a RHOGAM injection "where the sun don't shine".

Stay tuned for what the 3rd trimester will bring...

Halfway! Month 5 - July 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:47:00 +0000

I started off the month applying to be a pregnancy blogger for YummyMummyClubCA. The opportunity seemed a perfect fit for me...something I'd really love to put my heart and soul into. Thanks Heather! Fingers crossed...wish me luck!

I also had to start off the month with a foreign ice cream. I walked to Longo's for my regular Haagen-Dazs peanut butter, but it was sold out!!! This is what I tried...it didn't compare:

We spent the lovely Sunday afternoon of July 8th with our good friends, the Amorosis: Victor, Kathy, Matthew, Victoria and Sarah. It was a beautiful sunny day spent outdoors. We enjoyed each others' company, and the delicious eats from the charcoal grill. We were grateful for their wonderful "parents-to-be" gifts. Books for baby, books for Mom & Dad, and Fetus-Reali's first security blanket! We are blessed indeed. That night, Mike and I read Fetus his/her very first book: "Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go" (a book to be read in utero, adapted by Tish Rabe, from the works of Dr. Seuss).

On July 10th, I dreamt that I felt the baby move! I wanted this SO BAD!!

On July 11th, I was officially halfway...20 weeks. Kathy surprised me that evening. She stopped by with a tub of Haagen-Dazs peanut butter ice cream and some delicious nitrate-free prosciutto! She's obviously been pregnant before, and knew the way to my heart...

On July 12th, Mike and I celebrated reaching "halfway". We had a delicious Italian dinner at the Unionville House Restaurant, followed by dessert at the Old Firehall Confectionery. We strolled the Main Street; me with my vanilla milkshake and Mike with his death-by-chocolate ice cream. This pregnancy thing is pretty sweet!!

On July 13th, more excitement! My 18-20 week ultrasound (and my last ultrasound). Mike and I were so excited to see our little one again! We saw the hand (in a small fist), a leg (bending at the knee), toes, heart, stomach, spine, nose and tongue. We saw Fetus open his/her mouth to drink the amniotic fluid. So cool! We will never forget that day. Here are a couple of the great pics we got from the ultrasound. Fetus-Reali is looking right in the camera for one of them!

We spent July 14th and 15th at Joanna's cottage near Picton. It was a fun weekend with Joanna, Gillian, Sergio, Steph, Shant, Andre and Nicolas. It was Saturday night that I felt my very first flutter!! It was probably around 10:00 p.m. Everyone was playing cards and I was sitting on the couch reading. There it was! The most subtle flutter, but a flutter nonetheless. It would be a week before I would feel anything again...

On July 16th, Jen surprised me at work with a sweet Peek-a-Boo bear. She said she saw it at Niagara-on-the-Lake, and had to get it for the baby. When you squeeze the foot, the bear says "Peek-a-Boo", giggles and puts its hands in front of and away from its eyes. Thanks Jen!

On July 17th, Kathy loaned me a bag of maternity clothes! I didn't realize how ready I was for them, and who knew how comfortable they could be??!! I think everyone should be wearing maternity clothes. Thanks Kathy! At this point, I can still fit into all my own clothes except for pants. The shorts, capris, jeans and sweats were most welcome!

On July 18th, I was 21-weeks pregnant. I went to Healthy Planet and bought coconut oil. Stretch marks or no stretch marks, that is the question.

On July 20th, Kathy dropped off more maternity clothes for me. Happy 10th Anniversary, Kathy & Vic! xo!

Saturday July 21st was a big day! We assembled the crib and mobile...very exciting! We went over to my cousin's place for a BBQ dinner (Alana, Michael and Mitchell). Not only did we have a great visit and delicious meal (fit for a king, I might add), but we also came home with a van full of baby hand-me-downs (clothes, a bouncy chair, a swing, a Jolly Jumper, a baby bath, an exersaucer, toys, you name it). We are overwhelmed by all the love and support of family and friends. Thank you! Late that night, and for what seemed like hours, I felt a tiny vibration in the same spot (over, and over, and over again). When I described it on Facebook, friends commented that Fetus-Reali might be hiccuping! My first 2 "feelings"...a week apart...on Saturdays! A party animal?!

On July 23rd, I had my monthly OB appointment with Dr. Peters (and a resident, Dr. Lougheed). The 18-20 week ultrasound results were normal, and my placenta is clear of my cervix. I did learn that I have an anterior placenta, which means the placenta is between me and the baby. This explains why, at 22 weeks, I still haven't really felt the baby move, jab, kick. The baby has a "soft pillow" to kick instead of my tummy. I will eventually feel it, but it will take time. I'm waiting... That evening, I completed my registry at Babies"R"Us (except for bedding and a diaper bag, which I simply could not "settle" on).

On July 24th, Gabriella (a co-worker), introduced me to Dream A Little Dream Baby Boutique in Markham. How did she know I needed her? I immediately found my bedding and diaper bag. I was ecstatic! And, I can register... So, Skip Hop was what I needed after all. How precious is this bedding? I must have been really excited, because I had no ice cream today...LOL.

22-weeks on July 25th! Alex finished the matching owl hat for Daddy. Isn't it ironic that the "owl" from Skip Hop Treetop Friends is now my nursery theme??? I can't wait for Daddy and baby to wear their matching hats home from the hospital. Thanks Alex! I also want to thank my co-worker, Lisa, for generously giving us her Graco playpen. Another exciting day and no ice cream...

Guess what I discovered on July 26th? PC Loads of Peanut Butter! OMG! That's all I can say. Go out and try it for yourself. You really should...you really must. Yes, it tops Haagen-Dazs peanut butter ice cream!

On July 27th, I met Miss Olivia Elizabeth. At 2.5 months, she is just the sweetest thing. Precious! It was a wonderful feeling cuddling her...thinking this would be me and my baby in exactly 4 months. It was great seeing you, Gillian, thanks for the visit. You have 2 beautiful children!!

On July 28th, I met with some Moms-to-be from my Facebook November 2012 Birth Club group (GTA Meet & Greet). It was wonderful meeting Kim, Emma, Charlotte and Angie. I think Angie and I were all ears listening to stories from Moms-to-be for the 2nd time, Kim and Charlotte. I enjoyed the sunny afternoon...feeling like I belonged, and look forward to our next get-together! And, what a cutie that Emma is!!

The end of the month was my last day at 22-weeks. The end of July also brought one of my only pregnancy-related symptoms to date...heartburn. Other than that, I'm feeling great...I still don't really feel pregnant. I'm glad I got a preview of what Fetus-Reali "feels" like, even if only by way of a subtle flutter and a mild case of the hiccups. I look so forward to all that lies ahead...

You'll find that this world's

a great place to begin,

but it could use some help,

which is where you come in.

So now, as my voice

burble-urps in your ear,

with a bump-thumpy sound

that is not very clear-

the words I am saying

you hear in your heart,

and know that I wish you

the very best start.

It's a scrumptulous world

and it's ready to greet you.

And as for myself...

well...

I can't wait to meet you!

15-18 Weeks! Month 4 - June 2012.

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:38:00 +0000

June started off with a baby shower. No, not mine... The shower was for my cousin's wife, Melissa (who is due in July with her first...a boy)! It was a special, exciting event for me. Being pregnant gave me a different perspective on Melissa's special day (by the way, she was glowing)! I think maybe I was feeling a little bit of what she was feeling? The excitement, love and well wishes she received that day was something I indirectly shared with her. It was fun to be with my family that day, and as she opened her wonderful gifts, we were probably both thinking about how very real this was all about to be!! I was glad to be a part of her day, and I hope she doesn't mind that I shared in the experience with her!

On June 3rd, I received wonderful news. My cousin (Daryl, Nathalie and their family) offered us beautiful pine nursery furniture (crib, dresser and change table). Mike and I were overwhelmed by their generosity and support, and we accepted gratefully... A nursery? Isn't that a place for gardeners? Nope!!! Thanks Cuz...we love you and appreciate your help...xoxo!

Later that same afternoon, Mike and I interviewed a Doula (also a Registered Massage Therapist and Childbirth Educator). Her name is Christin and she works for Maternity Wellness Ltd. Christin was recommended to us by a co-worker. Christin shared a little bit about herself with us: her birth views, her role as a Doula, her education, her experience, what we could expect, etc. She recommended that we interview 1 or 2 other Doula's, just so we would be sure that we were choosing/hiring based on the right fit for our personalities. We both liked Christin right away, and would think about it for a while...

On June 8th, I received my very first "parents-to-be" card from Laurissa and Chris. I was so excited! One day, I'll read it to Fetus-Reali...

June 11th, two days before hitting the 16-week mark, I noticed for the first time a "baby bump". Fetus-Reali was already cute! Also, IPS #2 test this morning.

June 12th was a busy baby day... In the morning, I pre-registered at Markham Stouffville Hospital. I got lots of information. I received a great resource: "Before, During & After Birth - Caring for yourself and your baby - 2nd Edition: Your Guide to the Childbirth & Children's Centre Blue Book". I received a birth plan (to be completed), I registered for Prenatal Breastfeeding classes, and got my first pack of newborn diapers (a pack of 24) for $5!

That evening, Mike and I went to a Cells For Life Information Session in Markham. We took in lots of information about umbilical cord blood stem cells collected at birth. Another decision to go away and think about...

June 13th... 16-weeks... Fetus-Reali can hear!! I was so excited, and told everyone. My co-worker, Jo-Anne (a.k.a. Blues), sang Fetus its first 2 songs: Robin In The Rain and I'm a Little Teapot. Another colleague, Diane Purdy, had the first conversation with Fetus-Reali (it was appropriately about shoes). My good friend, Barb, suggested that I expose Fetus-Reali to its very first Aerosmith song. Thanks Barb; can't believe I didn't think of it myself. Alone in my office, I blasted Dream On, while Steven Tyler and I took turns singing the lyrics for Fetus. From this day forward, Mike and I talk and sing to Fetus every chance we get...

On June 14th, I hired Christin to be my Doula/Massage Therapist/Childbirth Educator. I didn't feel the need to interview any others. I was confident that Christin was the perfect fit for us. I also booked HypnoBirthing (The Mongan Method) prenatal classes through Christin, and was on my way towards "a natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing"!

June 15th was an evening to note: my first time at a nightclub pregnant! I had a great time with the girls (especially the late-night pizza that followed...yum)!

June 17th was Father's Day. We had all the Reali's over for a BBQ lunch (we celebrated with my Dad the weekend before). My nieces, Cassandra & Melissa, were so cute (and they are very excited about a new cousin). They went to each family member and asked them to predict the date, sex and weight that "Phetus"-Reali would be born. I'm hoping my "Phetus" won't be as early as some of the dates on their chart predicts...

On June 18th, we received a baby-to-be gift from a teacher (Tracey) at Mike's school (someone I never met). It was very thoughtful...I was touched. I sent her a note the next day to express my gratitude.

Aerosmith swag arrived that week...June 19th, June 20th and June 22nd...

On June 25th, I had my regular monthly appointment with my OB/GYN. She confirmed with me that my IPS results were within normal limits. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat again...a beautiful sound and comforting feeling. I told the Doctor that I was not happy with how much weight I had already gained...18 pounds at 18 weeks. She said I was only a bit over what she would expect, but went through my daily diet with me anyway. It appears I'm eating very healthy, but she recommended a couple minor changes. First, I'm consuming too many of my calories at breakfast, so I should spread my total calories out more evenly in the full day. Second, I'm eating lots of healthy fruit, which also comes with lots of natural sugar... So, less fruit...more veggies. I'm up for the challenge...

I was surprised by another sweet gift this morning...from Alex (my co-worker, Debbie's, daughter). Isn't it precious?? When Mike saw it, he asked if I could request a matching hat for Daddy. Alex is working on it for Daddy's big head...

The parents-to-be / baby-to-be gifts kept on coming late June... I met my girlfriend Armanda for ice cream at the Village Ice Cream Shoppe on June 27th, and was again touched by such sweet sentiment... Fetus-Reali's VERY FIRST rattle and a unique resource of books for Mike and I. We love all the Browns and are already enjoying our reads... Thank you!! xoxo.

June 30th was a busy day! We spent the morning emptying what WAS the home office, and is now the baby nursery. It felt so good to do...both of us were extremely excited. We will leave the colour of the nursery as is for now (blue and buttermilk yellow), and will decide on a change (if any) once we know if Fetus-Reali is a boy or a girl.

At 12:30 p.m., my cousin Daryl came from Kingston to deliver the crib. We got to catch-up and enjoy lunch together!

At 2:30 p.m., we headed over to Jean & Gary's for the Stouffville Strawberry Festival, dinner and Canada Day fireworks. Little did we know there would be more wonderful gifts... The kindness of friends is unbelievable! Mike says thanks for the Stella, his favourite beer. Words are not enough! xo! Lisa/Chris (and their kids), along with the Browns, joined us later in the evening to end the night off with "a bang"!

At the end of June, I was 18 weeks, 3 days pregnant (and a bit heavier than I had hoped). However, I discovered something. Maybe it's not the extra calories at breakfast, or all that fruit throughout the day? Perhaps it's my CRAVING (there, I said it) for ice cream! I think about it everyday. I want it everyday. I have it "almost" everyday (fine, twice on the 27th). I take pictures of ice cream. I tweet about ice cream. I even dream about ice cream. There was one day, and just one day, that I didn't even think about ice cream........until I read TJ's Facebook status (he was having Dairy Queen). Guess what? I had ice cream that day. It's official...I'm with child and I crave ice cream! I hope my indulgence balances out with the 45-60 minute walk I try to get in everyday. Hey, I even walk for ice cream! The top three ice creams I crave: 1: Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Peanut Butter (118mL personal-size, spoon inside). 2: Kawartha Dairy Chocolate Peanut Butter (from the Village Ice Cream Shoppe). 3: Oreo Ice Cream Sandwich. Coming in at #4, thanks to an introduction by Natalie S., vanilla milkshakes on Unionville Main Street.

As I write this, on the hottest day of summer'2012 (a day that broke records), I have still not had an ice cream. I guess you'll have to wait until next month's post to find out what happens...

Come on 2nd Trimester! Month 3 - May 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 22:34:00 +0000

What a great start to May! From May 3-6'12, I enjoyed a Girls' Weekend at Carriage Hills Resort with Joanna, Erin, Melissa, Lo May, Lindsay, Kelly and Gillian! What happens at Carriage Hills, stays at Carriage Hills...except for some things. The girls surprised me with mommy-to-be cupcakes (so sweet...in more ways than one). A memory I will forever treasure (and documented forever in my blog). We went on a couple nice walks, we soaked our feet in the jacuzzi tub, we pampered ourselves with manicures and facial masks, we played games and we ate!!! It was a different girls' weekend for me...I was drinking milk while the ladies were hitting the booze, but I had just as much fun. Thanks for making the weekend special for me ladies...xo.

I think I had my first craving on May 8, 2012. It was after dinner that Tuesday evening, around 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., and all of a sudden I HAD to go get ice cream. Mike tried talking me out of it, saying it would pass, but to no avail...I was going...with our without him. I hopped in the car (solo) and headed to The Village Ice Cream Shoppe for a single scoop of chocolate peanut butter! Fulfillment!

May 10th was the Annual Nursing Week Bowling Challenge at Markham Bowl. Our team, The Ballers (me, TJ, Eddy, Justin, Steve, Brandi and Molly), won!! And, no, we did not cheat! Eddy bought me a Scotch that evening...I fake-drank! Sorry Eddy, but I do appreciate your generosity!

Early the week of the 7th, I got an e-mail that I did win something at The BabyTime Show (I knew I felt lucky)! I won admission for 2 to Baby Bump-Apalooza @ Cineplex Odeon Queensway Cinemas. Mike and I had a great time...he loves free stuff! We got our photo taken, we got to eat at the following crave stations (Cupcake Crave Station; French Fry Crave Station, Pickle Crave Station, Frozen Yogurt Crave Station)! Yum! There were tons of vendors on hand and we got SO MANY great samples! The best had to be the Britax Baby Carrier ($150 at Babies"R"Us)!! We also got to enjoy an advanced screening of What To Expect When You're Expecting! It was happy, funny, sad, you name it. I'm glad we got to share the day together...the 3 of us!!

On May 13'12, I got my first ever Mother's Day gift...flowers from Mike! A very thoughtful sentiment; one I will always remember! I'm a Mother!!!

The day I had been waiting for finally arrived!! Getting to May 15'12 felt like 24 weeks instead of 12 weeks. My first appointment!! I needed to know that everything was in the right spot. I needed to know me and my baby were healthy and doing fine. I needed to know how many were in there...LOL. I needed to reach 12 weeks so I could share my news with the world!!! I had a complete physical and Integrated Prenatal Screening (IPS), which included an ultrasound...my first!!! Mike and I were excited and nervous. We got to see Fetus-Reali (yup, only 1 in there) for the very first time. Fetus-Reali was very active that day...bouncing all over the place. Also for the first time, we heard a very strong heartbeat at 170!! There was a sense of relief after hearing and seeing our baby. We were already a family! Our technician did tell us that we were a couple of days too early for her to take the measurements she needed, and she booked us to come back on Friday May 18'12. I was happy...another chance to see Fetus-Reali!

On May 16'12, I shared the news with my co-workers! I was shaky and nervous, but the response and surprise was amazing! It's real!! We can tell the world!! And, I did... This was my Facebook status that very day: What is 12-weeks old, 2 inches long, weighs half an ounce and is comparable to the size of a purple plum? I received 103 beautiful comments and 46 likes. I later posted, I am overwhelmed by all the love received today after sharing the big news! Thank you all so very much! We are blessed in so many ways! I still cannot believe that I'm going to be a Mother..., to which I received 51 comments and 41 Likes! I also received so many (more than I can count) e-mails, Direct Messages, Tweets, Wall Posts, Text, Voicemails, visits, etc., etc. Hearts all over the world!!

On May 18th, I saw my baby again! This time Fetus-Reali was sleeping so peacefully. A calm came over me; it was a sweet feeling. One of the things the IPS measures is the fluid in the baby's neck. This is to check for Down Syndrome. After the ultrasound, I took a picture of the Nuchal Translucency (NT) score with my iPhone. Back at home, I googled this measurement. Within Normal Limits. Ecstatic!!! Here is Fetus-Reali's first ever appearance:

That night we had dinner at Gary & Jean's! Fetus-Reali got its first nickname on May 18th..."Bounce"! Thanks, Jean, for the clothes and thank you both for the love and support (and steak)!!! Oh, and Fetus-Reali LOVED its first Bombe!!

On May 20th, I joined the Cornell Moms Photo Walk group! It felt legit...I was a Mom...I was officially part of this group! I met Rebecca and Nassim on a lovely Sunday morning. We took and shared some beautiful pictures. I'm looking forward to our next photo walk!!

From May 21-28'12, Mike and I took "Bounce" on his/her first vacation...to Negril Jamaica!! I believe there were 31 of us (Di Ruscios, Realis and friends combined)...32 with Bounce! Peter and Daniela married on May 24'12. It was a beautiful beach wedding surrounded by love and happiness! I bought Bounce his/her first ever item in Negril...it was a onesie that represented how his/her Mother was feeling the first couple of days in Jamaica. I think I was just getting used to a new lifestyle (no drinking) back at home, but on the island it hit me all over again. I felt like I was no fun...it was baby in the corner watching all the fun happening around her. So, Bounce, you will wear this, but it will represent me:

It was time to go home, and I was ready. This was the first vacation ever where I was so looking forward to getting back. Home is where the heart is!! Before we left, Mike bought me my first ever "baby" gift. He got this for me at the Pandora Duty Free in the Sangster Airport. I wear it with pride!

We finally arrived home, safe and sound! To our surprise, we had a beautiful baby gift (our first) waiting for us in our living room. My brother (Roland) and my sister-in-law (Maria) got Bounce a beautiful bassinet. It's precious. Seeing it there hit us...we're gonna have a real baby asleep in it. Thank you Uncle Rollie and Tia Maria!!! xoxo.

On Tuesday May 29th, it was back to the Family Doctor for results! The Doctor told us that everything came back fine! We were happy and healthy! The Doctor did report that the ultrasound technician did find 2 uterine fibroids during the scan. Both were small and outside of the uterus (so, would not interfere with Fetus-Reali's eventual exit). However, a note was made in my file to watch the fibroids' growth, if any. That night, I again joined the Cornell Moms (legitimately) to discuss Fifty Shades of Grey. I'm a Mom!!!

On Wednesday May 30th, I had my first appointment with my OB/GYN. Mike and I spent almost 2 hours with her. She was very thorough, informative, professional and personable. We both liked her right away and felt comfortable in her taking over our care. We got lots of information (regular appointments, ultrasounds, blood-work, pre-registration, prenatal classes, nutrition, exercise, etc., etc.). It was a lot to take it, but we gulped it all up. We're growing!!!

At the end of the month, I was 14 weeks pregnant! It was a busy, eventful May filled with so much!! From cravings, to contests, my first Mother's Day, the first time I saw and heard my baby, our family's first vacation together, and sharing our news with the world. We felt anxious, nervous, hungry, secretive, lucky, special, healthy, relieved, loved, overwhelmed, emotional, grateful and blessed. We're having a baby, world...glad you can join us for the ride!!

Looking ahead to the 2nd trimester...stay tuned!!

xo.

Confirmation...I'm pregnant! Month 2 - April 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:04:00 +0000

The day I took the pregnancy tests (March 29), I called my Family Doctor and made an appointment to confirm pregnancy. On April 2nd, I went in for my blood test. My Doctor also told me that my blood type was O-negative; therefore, Mike's blood type would have to be tested to determine Rh Factor.

On April 3rd, I got the call! "Congratulations, Simone, you're pregnant"! I was happy, scared, excited, nervous, shocked and still in a bit of disbelief! My first baby is due to arrive on November 28, 2012!

We needed to share our news! We wanted it to feel real! We wanted to know we weren't dreaming!

The time of year was perfect. It was Easter, and we'd be celebrating with our families that very long weekend!

On April 7th, we had Reali Easter. We normally take a family picture just before sitting down to eat on special occasions. Today was even more special! So, we were all seated. Mike was at the head of the table and told everyone to look at the camera for a picture. Then he said, "Happy Easter...Simone is pregnant"! It was a classic reaction, and I'll treasure these memories forever:

On April 8th, we had Bouchere Easter. We did the same as above, but nobody in my family really believed Mike at first (except my nephew's girlfriend Polina). They just started eating after Mike took the picture...LOL. I can't say I blame them...they've been waiting for so long. I'm trying the find the picture anyway, but can't seem to locate it...working on it! My parents were over the moon. My Dad has been waiting for this moment his whole life. Although he has 3 beautiful, wonderful Grandchildren...I guess there's something about his only girl...his baby...having a baby!! We also texted Paul, Joey and Alexis in Nova Scotia to share the wonderful news with them.

We received so much love that Easter long weekend... Was it starting to feel real? Yes...a little bit more!

On April 11th, Mike went for a blood test to determine his blood type. On April 13th, the Doctor called and told us that Mike was A-positive. So, we are Rh incompatible. This means I will be given 2 Rh immune-globulin shots; one at 28 weeks and one 72 hours after the baby is born. Rh immune-globulin acts like a vaccine, preventing the mother's body from producing any potentially dangerous Rh antibodies.

The rest of April, we had lots of social events scheduled with close friends. We wouldn't have been able to hide the truth from some of our really close friends without them suspecting. So, slowly...we let a few people in on our precious secret.

On April 14th, we had dinner with Victor, Kathy, Matthew Victoria and Sarah. We hadn't seen each other in a long while, and everyone was excited. Kathy was ready for a Margarita night...LOL! She handed me my first Margarita, which I proposed a toast with before sharing with them that I was pregnant! They're happiness and emotion was evident as they congratulated us on what was a big surprise and shock!!! We enjoyed the rest of a great evening...

On April 18th, I was meeting up with my girlfriend Armanda at Starbucks. She had a birthday gift for me, and I had a birthday gift for her daughter Sam. We hadn't seen each other for months. I've known Armanda for over 16 years and she has always asked me when I was going to have kids. With each of her 3 kids, she expressed how great it would be if we could be pregnant at the same time. Although it didn't work out quite like she had hoped, she was elated by the news of a baby Reali on the way.

On April 22nd, Marc, Joanna, Dexter and Bonnie (along with my brother and sister-in-law) came over for a BBQ. It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and the drinks were flowing. I also got a beautiful birthday gift...pearl earrings and a bottle of Jameson...LOL. Again, I couldn't hide it. I was just about to spill, but Marc guessed it before I could reveal. LOL. He knows me so well. They were ecstatic. Like the rest of the world, they have been waiting for this moment so long.

On April 26th, I had plans to go to the movies (The Lucky One) with Lindsay, Erin, Joanna and Tonya. The following weekend, we were all going away on a girls' weekend. I had to tell them, because this girls' weekend (for me) was going to be totally different than any other that came before. I must be sounding like a lush at this point...LOL. There was no way I could hide not drinking on a 4-day girls' weekend up north. I was nervous...I had to get it out quick. "I have to get this over with...I'm pregnant"! Erin let out a scream, there were tears welling up in eyes and hugs came from all around.

Then, on April 27th, I thought I could fool them! And, I did...ha!!! I had a dinner evening with Laurissa, Chris, Fiona and Karen. I had my whiskey flask in my purse, and I pulled it out like I would any other time. All night, I "pretended" to take swigs from my Jameson flask. LOL. They bought it...I pulled it off. Wouldn't they be later surprised?? Love them!

On April 29th, Mike and I tied-up month 2 by attending The BabyTime Show at the International Centre. He was a great sport, and a great support. We were overwhelmed by all the "stuff" we needed to think about and "things" we would have to get. We wondered if we were given these 9 months so that we could wrap our heads around all this. We enjoyed taking it all in and went away with lots of samples, and lots of information to later peruse. Oh, and I entered lots of contests...I remember telling Mike that I felt lucky! We ended the afternoon with a picnic lunch in the parking lot, watching the planes at Pearson take-off and land overhead! Our spirits soared just as high!

In April, it was beginning to feel real. We felt the love, support and happiness of those closest to us. We're expecting a beautiful baby! Wow!

Creating new life! Month 1 - March 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:07:00 +0000

A little background... Mike and I first met in Grade 9, September 1990. We officially became "high school sweethearts" on June 25, 1994 (our prom). We were married October 12, 2002. I've known him for over 21 years, have been his partner for over 17 years, and married now almost for 10 years.

It's been a long time coming...

March 7th was when the magic happened. Our baby was conceived. We'll leave it at that...

I did a lot of "partying" not knowing what was taking place inside of me...just sayin':

March 10 - Luigi & Lauren's wedding. A beautiful family celebration, and me at my lowest weight since I can remember...

March 14 - Pizza Party (is that what they called it?) in West G.

March 16 - Dinner with Athena, Barb, Susanne and Karen at my favourite restaurant...Ambiyan. Did I mention they have my favourite drink - giant, delicious Sangrias?! Cheers!

March 17 - St. Patrick's Day BBQ at Joanna's new house. Enough said! Everything was green!

March 22 - My birthday dinner with 2 friends I've known the longest in this world, Diane & Susy. It was red wine to celebrate!! Cheers!

March 25 - Daniela's bridal shower. Lisa and I were hitting the homemade wine. Cheers!!

Then, on March 29th, 6 days late (after Mother Nature was due to arrive)...I decided to put my mind at ease. I bought an ovulation/pregnancy kit. The kit contained "many" ovulation tests and 3 pregnancy tests. Wouldn't this come in handy? I was in the upstairs bathroom, and Mike was in the downstairs bathroom (sorry...TMI). I took the test. An unfamiliar line appeared. This line would indicate I was pregnant. Could this be? I ran half way down the stairs and told Mike through the bathroom door. He told me to take another one. So I did. Same unfamiliar line appeared. Yikes! Mike was on the couch now...we just stared at each other. He tells me I should go to the store and get a different brand...LOL, so I do. Not only did I get a different brand, but I went digital! This is what it said...

PREGNANT 2-3 WEEKS! OMG!

We were just stunned! We only just started trying in January! Could it be? Was this real? Was I pregnant?

We were more numb than anything else, but we decided to celebrate. We went to my favourite restaurant (Ambiyan) for dinner. Over dinner we just let our minds dance around what might be happening...we kept dancing...LOL. After dinner, we hit the Markham Chapter's and bought 2 books: What To Expect When You're Expecting and Baby Names.

The last 2 days of March were more of the same...disbelief, surreal...

On March 31st, we celebrated Earth Hour with Daniel and Jane (dinner). Now with the possibility of a baby on the way, there was no way I could take one more sip. I had to tell our "wine buddies" that I was abstaining from alcohol for Lent (the Catholic in me was feeling guilty inside for telling this fib). They bought it and we enjoyed the night.

What would April bring?

Where Have I Been Lately?

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:51:00 +0000

Have you been worried about me? I started this blog back in October, quite enthusiastically! For the last three months, I've been missing in action...

Well, I'm back...and better than ever. I hope you haven't given up on me, because I'm here to stay!

Back in the Fall, I realized that I wasn't taking care of myself. It's true that you can't love anyone else if you can't love yourself first. I was overweight, not eating properly, not exercising, sleeping a lot, and not happy with the relection in the mirror.

I decided to take some time to take care of me. I asked myself, "What is important to you?" The answer was clear! Living a long, happy, healthy life...surrounded by family, friends and love! But, where to start?

To begin, begin!

I got a small group of colleagues together at work, who I think may have been feeling the same way I was feeling, and banded together with them to secure a supportive network of sharing. We began a routine of communion...sharing recipes, positive quotes, wellness articles, weight management strategies, goals, successes and even failures. There was strength and accountability in numbers!

I wasn't looking to fall into a diet trap. I love eating and never wanted to go without. A good friend of mine introduced me to Clean Eating. This approach fit with what I was looking for...consuming whole foods in the most natural state..."improving my life one meal at a time". I am still living the Clean Eating lifestyle. The Clean Eating recipes are delicious! Flavours burst!! Some of my favourites are: Shepherd's Pie with Buttermilk-Chive Mashed Potato Crust; Mac 'n' Cheese; Purple Sweet Potato Latkes; Balsamic-Glazed Pork Chops & Grilled Peaches; Chocolate-Spiked Oatmeal Cookies; Individual Chicken "Pot Pies"; Maple-Glazed Sweet Potatoes. This was not so bad! This was GOOD! My husband, the amazing chef in our home, was supportive. He was supportive of me making this change, he was excited by the interest I was taking in food, he was enthusiastic about tasting new dishes and he never once complained about me taking over "his" kitchen. I shared these recipes with my support network, and guess what? They started sharing back with me. It was contagious!!

I also set a fitness goal for myself. Thirty-minutes of exercise a day! They say you make time for the things you want, so I scheduled fitness into my calendar as a priority. It worked! I started jogging, which was easy to do this mild Fall/Winter of 2011/12! If the weather was bad, I would hit the gym instead. For variety, my husband and I would go on hikes through the beautiful golf course in our neighbourhood. It felt peaceful here...communing with nature. On some of these strolls together, we saw deer, beavers, herons, hawks and even coyotes! Nature is wonderful indeed!

I also began using My Fitness Pal. My Fitness Pal is a free online tracker for food, exercise and water. It allowed me to set goals and track progress. I have over 20 friends on My Fitness Pal now, and together we face challenges and successes.

So, now, here we are! I still have my focus, determination, inspiration and focus. I choose to live well! I still have my supportive network at the office, and those I rely on with My Fitness Pal. I'm eating clean and exercising daily. I have lost "almost" 20 pounds! I feel alive, awake and full of energy. There's a phrase..."a bounce in your step"...I found it! I look in the mirror and I smile. My skin appears younger. I no longer see bags under my eyes. My body has changed so much. I have lost 10.5% body weight (24.6% from my highest-highest)! I feel like a new woman! On the eve of my birthday, I look forward to a celebration in grand style! Like I said, I'm back and better than ever!!!

So, what now? Well, I will definitely strive to maintain this healthy lifestyle forever. I will encourage and support others, whatever their goals may be. I make a promise to blog...blog...blog! With time, you might not even remember that I was ever missing in the first place! I now belong to a Social Media Working Group. In this group I have met wonderful professionals and parents; from them I have lots to learn! I'm hoping these mentors will guide me along as I work to promote my blog and master the Twitterverse. I hope you'll come along for the ride, and I will take any help I can get!

Gratitude...

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:59:00 +0000

"It's the classic dream story of finding something unexpected in your attic that'd been gathering dust for decades." Or something like that...

MaryJane's Gratitude Journal

I kept a Gratitude Journal from 2005 to 2007. I found it in the dusty depths. I'm glad it has been resurrected. It was so nice reflecting on the things I was grateful for during those 2 years. I thought I would share some of my entries...

crazy laughing fits with Mike
Barb's birthday at Johnny Bistro's
baby Jake
peanut butter and bananas
Woodpecker!
the most loving parents in the world
Nature's pallette
Armanda's expecting!
Seeing Paul and meeting Joey!
the purple sunset
ROLO ice cream
Lady Jane
living in Canada
manicures and pedicures
Aerosmith coming to town
income tax refunds
garlic
a doe and her fawn
my magnificence (that was Mike's entry on May 5'07)
breezes
the generosity of friends
Nancy & Sean are expecting

Excerpt

Gratitude: the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy

I've decided to start journalling again...

So where's my inspirational message?

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:49:00 +0000

An anonymous user commented on my very first blog..."where's my inspirational message?" So, I thought I'd share what inspires me...

Fauja Singh, the 100 year old marathon runner, inspires me! Fauja credits his vegetarian diet for his stamina and longevity. It took him more than eight hours to cross the finish line! His accomplishment inspires me. "Spirit...has fifty times the strength and staying power of brawn and muscle".

My parents give me inspiration! At 78 and 70, my Dad and Mom are happy, healthy and hard-working! My Dad keeps going...he never stops. He puts up his own Christmas lights; he mows the lawn and landscapes the most beautiful gardens (every year since I can remember); he commutes 2-hours one-way to visit his grown children...often; he spends hours baking the famous family Christmas cookies each holiday season. My parents both try to maintain an active lifestyle...they walk regularly at the local indoor track, and meet other active community members. My parents are so giving! They both worked so hard, and continue to give everything they have for their children. They set an example for the four of us, showing us always unconditional love, teamwork, unselfishness, generosity and support. They are always there for us (more than you can ever know) and they taught each of us to be good people...to ourselves and to everyone we meet. Everyone loves my Mom and Dad, and so do I! Inspiration!

My husband inspires me! Mike is amazing! His positive thinking, positive attitude and rational thought are conductive to his success as a unique individual that everyone is immediately drawn to. He anticipates happiness, joy, health and a positive outcome of every situation and action. So much from him has rubbed off on me, but after 21 years of knowing him...I still continue to learn what comes so naturally to him. I am so lucky to have someone so patient in my life, someone who stands by me...encourages me...loves me! Mike inspires me to always visualize favourable and beneficial situations, even when negative thoughts and perceptions creep in. He is the love of my life and my very best friend! XO.

Autumn...my favourite season inspires me! The crisp, fresh air renews me. A cozy sweater comforts me. The colours of the falling leaves, so vibrant, make me feel happy inside and out! A may have been born in the winter, but I live for the fall! "Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns." Inspiration!

Music and dancing inspire me! Music seems somehow the very essence...the very soul. Where there is music...there is spirit! Dancing expresses what cannot be said. Music dwells inside of me...I feel it! "Dancing is like dreaming with your feet!" Music can change the world... In John Lennon's Imagine, we were asked to imagine a place where things that divide people did not exist. If you listen to it, you will see that much better place! Inspiration!

Shoes inspire me! A shoe to me means personality, character, attitude, sex, friendship, love, quality, comfort, passion... "Not diamond, but heels are a girl's best friend." Inspiration!

The sky inspires me! Sunrise, sunset, clear blue, gloomy, threatening, dark, grey, cloudy, starry... "We all live under the same sky, but we don't all have the same horizon." Everyday the sky is different...a new painting, a recent photograph, an old memory, a vivid dream. Like our moods, the sky is ever-changing, but there is always a new dawn...a new day! Inspiration!

So, there you have it! Some of my inspiration... Anonymous User...you also inspire me! Your question inspired my response! Your witty, friendly personality inspires me. Your candidness inspires me. Your determination inspires me. Your dedication inspires me. Your professionalism inspires me. Your honesty inspires me. You inspire me! Thanks!

My very first blog post!

noreply@blogger.com (Simone Reali) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Welcome to A Day in the Life of MaryJane Strange. Why did I decide to blog? There are many reasons...

~ A blog is in many ways a continuing conversation ~

~ Blogging is the new poetry ~

~ A blog is merely a tool that lets you do anything from change the world to share your shopping list~

~ Your blog is your unedited version of yourself ~

~ The personal nature of the blog is what they find appealing ~

~ A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world. ~

I hope my blogs provide for you: enjoyment; humour; interest; insight; motivation; inspiration; information.