Just a trumpet player

Moving on...

2010-02-02T16:13:00.011-05:00

Time to move on.

I have moved to a new address.

If you're nice with me, I might even give it to you...

It is in French. Yes, in French.

Why ? Because I can...

xx

Health

2010-02-01T11:08:00.010-05:00

I am learning not to panick at new medical terms. I'm also learning not to Google every single one of those new terms. It is a slow process...

Meghan had, or so we thought, a residue infection from a cracked lip from birth that led us to the ER, which led us to an emergency consult with a specialist the following day, which led us to an invasive treatment 4 days later.

(Before anyone comment: we aren't bad parents who didn't noticed something was wrong. We followed every steps from consulting the government issued book (Tiny Tots to toddler), calling the Info-Santé service, asking advices from the pharmacist who recommended we see an ER ped, which would speed up the road to treatment, if needed...)

The verdict:

Meghan has a very fast growing ulcerated hemangioma on her bottom lip. No, it is not life treatening. But it is hurting her, a lot. It also makes feeding quite difficult and painful. And it makes my heart bleed to see her in so much pain.

We are fortunate enought to live 30 minutes away from one of the best children hospital in North America; also the only one that can treat that kind on hemangioma in Eastern Canada.

Laser treatment was started last week as well as injections. We can already see an improvement. We are also applying Lidocaine on her lip before feeding, which helps her.

We'll meet with the specialist again on February 9th, to decide on the next steps...

A little update...

2010-01-19T14:46:00.005-05:00

Things are going wonderfully over here. Kiddo is now on a routine and we've mastered to understand most cries:

I'm bored, do something about it!
Hey you, can't you see that diaper is dirty?
Feed me.
Leave me alone. But don't go too far.

And the popular:

I know there's something I want but I just can't figure out what yet, so let's hang out until I do...

We now have 3 new best friends: the swing 'O matic, the Bumbo chair and baby cereal (more on that later...).

What else? We're theeting over here! Top and bottom. No cries involve, fortunately, but lots of drool and some crankiness...

Facts...

2010-01-06T11:06:00.004-05:00

Facts about Little Miss M:

- She's grown 9 cm over the last month

- She's gained 4.5 pounds

- Breastfeeding is a no-go for us: She ended up with a badly cracked lip, and I, with very blody nipples. Giving her her first bottle was very, very emotional for me: She was a champion at latching from the get-go! But I didn't have enough colostrum and the milk never came.

- Little Miss M doesn't like a dirty diaper and boy, will she let the world know as soon as something hits that diaper!

- Belly time has been a challenge since day 11: she'll flip on her back in less than 5 seconds! Finding ways to streighten her neck mucles hasn't been easy.

- She is a huge farter. HUGE! It still amazes me how much air can come out of such a tiny body. Daddy is very proud.

The labor story...

2009-12-21T16:24:00.008-05:00

This could be a long post...

I had an appointment with my OB on my due date, Friday, November 20th. All of our plans of having an induction on that day or over the weekend were rapidly bashed: my cervix was still rigid as a plywood plank and an induction would mean at least 72 hours of labor. We just had to be patient and wait a bit more. The next plan was an induction the following Friday night...

Fast forward to Tuesday. I got a hunch something was coming when Moka the dog spent the entire day by my side, whining and looking strangely at me. I finally went to bed at midnight but never managed to fall asleep: I kept tossing and tossing. And then at 1:05am, I heard a strange pop and felt a gush of the weirdest liquid ever. I woke Bob up, we both took a quick shower, called the hospital and on our way we were!

Although there was no denial that my water broke, the nurses and on-call OB were dumbfounded by it: my cervix was still very, very hard... I was admitted and put on Pitocin at 2:45am. Within 15 minutes, I had stage 3 contractions every 2 minutes. Fast-forward to 1pm. I tried the bathtub: definitely not for me! After the longest 30 minutes ever, I had to get out. Just had to. When we got back to our room (I say our because Bob was co-sleeping with me and well, that particular new hospital only has private rooms... ) my amazing nurse had everything ready for an epidural. I didn't have to ask. She just knew it was time: I had been in full on labor for 12 hours and was still barely at 1cm.

The rest of the day and evening are kind of blurry. I know it involves a lot of pain and the epidural running off a couple of times.

I finally managed to get to 10cm after 26 hours of labor. I was still a -3, but the OB decided I should still try and push. After 3 hours of pushing, he realized the baby was rear-facing and that a skull fracture was eminent. I needed an emergency C-section. Of course, by that time I was totally out of it, just wanted the baby out and wanted nothing to do with a C-section...

It took a lot of focus on Bob's part to make me realize the urgency of it all and to make me realize that having a C-section didn't mean failure. It only meant, for us, having a healthy baby girl***

15 minutes later, little Miss M was born...

***Have I ever mentionned I love that men? He was a troupper during the entire labor adventure. That men running for ice chips, warm blankets, more gatorade? That was him. Also the greatest back rubber, focus coach and overall best partner I could have chosen...

Bragging...

2009-12-07T09:07:00.003-05:00

I am that bitch that could fit loosely in her pre-pregnancy clothes 9 days after giving birth...

I actually weight 5 pounds less than before becoming pregnant.

Sorry. I just had to brag.

Introducing...

2009-12-01T19:17:00.004-05:00

Please meet Meghan !

Labor was hard. Long. And not at all like it was supposed to be.

After 26 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing, an emergency C section was performed.

But it was all so worth it...

2009-11-15T22:43:00.001-05:00

Yeah...

2009-11-04T09:07:00.007-05:00

Bob, in the doorway with his coat still on:

'' Wooooooo ! Your belly is so huge that your boobs look tiny tiny !!!! ''

I'm actually a 36H. The belly IS getting out of proportion.

You might be comfortable in there little baby but I'll have to kick you out soon ...

The waiting game...

2009-11-02T14:24:00.013-05:00

Yup; still pregnant !

My OB actually compared my cervix with a house ready for a hurricane: that plywood plank is so well nailed, it won't go anywhere... We know one thing for sure: if nothing happens before then, I'll be induced on Novembre 20th. Which means we've got at most 18 days to go. Almost there !!

I am also officially on leave ! For the ones not familliar with our system over here: we are lucky enought to get 18 weeks of paid maternity leave, followed by 34 weeks of paid parental leave (that can actually be split between the 2 parents. We won't go that route). That means I'll get 52 weeks of paid leave to be with the baby !!!!!! Bob will also get a week off, paid by his employer, when the baby arrives and will then get 5 weeks of paid paternity leave... How awesome is that ?!

We are also the mean ones that requested to our friends and familly, to get absolutely no hospital visits. No phone calls will be transfered to our room neither. No phone updates will be provided by the nursing station (they have plenty of work to do and are not our personnal secretaries...). We will call everybody once the baby has arrived. And we promised to do it in a very timely maner. No flower delivery (if they really want to spend that kind of money, they can buy toys for the baby instead of spending loads of money on something that'll be thrown in the garbage after 72 hours...) I know, we are mean. Our point is: we want to get to know the baby on our own schedule and I want to be able to rest and heal and whine if I feel like it, without having 20 people in the room as witnesses. The baby will, hopefully, be there for the next 80 years. They can wait a week before visiting. In exchange, we will send them pictures as soon as we get back home...

What else ? Well, the baby's room has been ready for a few weeks now. For some reason, I never got around of posting the pics... What do you think ?

Now you know...

2009-10-12T09:29:00.000-04:00

Some familly members and close friends kept bugging us about a baby registry. So we did registered. At one of those baby chain stores.

But the one thing Bob and I agree we'll need the most doesn't seem to be available in those stores:

Updates...

2009-10-08T11:38:00.008-04:00

Still 5.2 weeks to go! This got to be the longest pregnancy ever! Well, it surely feels like it anyway...

We've had a couple of serious discussions with friends and familly about some parental duties. Funny how couples or individuals who are already parents or in the process of becoming parents seemed to agree the most with us. The ones without children seemed to have real issues with some of our decisions...

- We've decided that for the first few months, I'll be the one in charge of diaper duty. Bob has issues with newborn diapers and I respect that. What's changing a few extra diapers even when he's home? In exchange, he'll be doing the dishes and will be on bathroom duty. And believe me, I'd rather change a diaper than do any of those chores! And I'm pretty conviced Bob can get plenty of quality time with the baby other than by changing it's diaper... Just my opinion...

- I'll be in charge of the night shift. I don't need anybody holding my hand while I breastfeed the baby. And as mentionned by my friend V, a sane person in the house could be kinda usefull... Bob will be working during the day and will need some sleep. I, on the other hand, will hopefully be able to rest a bit when the baby sleeps... Hopefully.

That is not to say that when needed, Bob will be more than available to pitch in for those two chores! He will be a hands on dad. And a good one at that. We're conviced that there's plenty other stuff he can do other than changing a diaper... or breastfeed... ;)

Life...

2009-09-22T13:15:00.006-04:00

3 of us desperately sat in a bar on February 14th 2007, on a very bad snow storm evening, watching 2 friends play in a band, while bitching about the lack of men in our lives. All 3 of us where desperate...

During a break, one of our friend from the band, Pat, came and chatted with us. In an attempt to boost our morale, he proclamed that from what we knew, in a year, we'd all have a man in our life and we'd all be talking about houses and babies.

Where are we, 2 1/2 years later?

Well...

One found the man, got the house and is currently trying for baby # 2.

One found the man (well, got her man back...), got the house and is due to deliver her first baby in about 8 weeks.

One got the man, got the house and is planning on starting a familly real soon.

I guess Pat wasn't that far from reality after all.

Funny how life works, isn't it ?

Facts

2009-09-18T13:53:00.003-04:00

- There is still 8 weeks to go before the smurf makes it's appearance.

- I have been eating shepherd's pie for lunch and diner for the last 4 days. I apparently can't get enough of the stuff. Weird.

- We've been attacking and playing with the baby's feet. Hey ! the smurf if attacking my ribs and bladder; I've definitely earned the rights to grab it's feet from time to time.

- I've been having contractions for the past 6 days. Something tells me I'll definitely have an epidural when it's finally time to deliver...

- Speaking of contractions: Moka has been following me everywhere since they first started. Everywhere. Even in the bathroom ! She keeps going into the baby's room and sniff everything and is now sleeping cramped in between a wall and the stroller.

- I've been having the weirdest dreams lately. Last night's ? I was in full on labor and delivered 4 puppies. Hum...

Oh oh...

2009-09-09T15:25:00.004-04:00

I'm screwed.

I discovered the joy of maternity leggins.

Anything else as magical as those I should know about?

Really ?

2009-09-01T09:07:00.005-04:00

Conversation we had over lunch this weekend:

Guy: I'm positive you'll be having a girl
Bob and I: Really ? How come ??
Guy: Well, women pregnant with girls stay cute. Women expecting boys become butt ugly.
Bob and I: ?????????????
Guy: I'm telling you !
Me, trying to stay focussed: I recall your fiancee is also expecting ! Do you know the gender ?
Guy: Yeah. A boy.

JERK.

I actually had to leave the table.

He should know by now: don't piss off a pregnant lady. Just don't.

Bob and I happen to actually believe that all pregnant women are beautiful. Each in their own way. Something to do with the glow... and the belly !

I failed...

2009-08-28T14:52:00.004-04:00

I failed the GLU tests.

I have Gestational Diabetes.

Crap.

And me thinking only people putting on a lot a weight were at risk...

I know, I know...

2009-08-25T08:51:00.009-04:00

Yup ! I've been away for quite some time ! Summer's been quite hectic: Bob had 7 weeks of vacation and we made the most of it. And that meant being away from the computer... which I don't regret for one second ! Well, except... Anyway. (Sorry Audrey...)

So here's what happened since I last posted:

- We'll be having a delivery surprise !

- Apart from a few bedrest episodes, the pregnancy is finally going well ! I am now in my 28th week. The baby is kicking like crazy and the belly is getting huge ! It actually measures 4 weeks ahead... The boobs are also getting ginormous: as in 36G. You read it right: I'm now a size G. Holly crap! I have gained a grand total of 4.5 pounds so far, which I am quite pleased with ! Some people could say that it is by far not enough, but as my OB so gently mentioned, it is not as if I didn't have good fatty reserves before... Ahem...

- We bought a kiddy pool for our backyard. One big enough so I can sit in the pool and have water up to my neck. 'Cause my pregnant self and heat don't go too well together... The pool has some funny drawings on the side:

Which means that babes on all 4 are not allowed in the pool ??

- Seen in the same building, sharing the same entry hall: a daycare center and a XXX club. Am I the only one who's weirded out by this ?

- We bought ourselves an old baby grand piano ! I must admit that we were really in the market for a used apartment piano but this one really caught our eyes and was actually beggin us to please take it home. So we did. And we love it ! Moka isn't so sure about that new big brown thing sitting in the living room though !

- We were lucky enough to find a daycare center. For the ones not familliar with the process of finding a daycare center over here: as there is a governement runned program, available to everyone, allocating spots at $7 / day for daycare, there is usually a waiting list of 18 months, up to 3 years, depending on the area. The ones not fortunate enough to find such a spot have to pay up to $80 / day for the same services. But we did find a daycare center. 5 minutes away from home, starting in September 2010. Right on time for the end of my maternity leave.

We were also fortunate enough to find a familly doctor. Which is almost non-existent over here. Bob asked his doctor, in a leap of faith, if he knew of a pediatrician who could still take on new patients (a rarity over here as well, as the government has legislation on how many patients a physician can take on...). Turns out that, well, his doctor is also doing pediatric ! And just to see how far his luck would go , Bob also asked if, well, he had opening for the me... Turns out that he'll take the whole familly. Phew !

We rock ! Well, Bob rocks, as he's the one who had the guts to ask... ;)

But that lifted a huge weight on my shoulders: we have a daycare center. We have a familly doctor who'll take on the whole familly. Even if we eventually add to it. And I have a OB/GYN who'll take me as a regular patient, as well.

- As we are the last ones to have kids in both our famillies, we were fortunate enough to get a lot of free stuff ! Some people seem to have isues with used furniture and stuff. I definitely don't. Hey ! It's free !! And beside: your baby used it once. It is now, well, used... Same thing. Just a different owner. I made a list of things I though we'd need, called my sisters, and cratched most items from my list as I quickly learned that they were more that happy to get rid of all that baby stuff hanging in their basements! To only thing left to do is to set up the room. But as Bob starts working again this week, I'll have plenty of time to do that !

That, and to update this blog more often...

About that...

2009-06-18T09:33:00.007-04:00

Here's a list of things people should mention before you get pregnant...

- Bed rest: With no internet access. Booo...

- Thirst: I usually drink 12.5 litres of water a day.

- The peeing thing: see thirst.

- Constipation: Enough said.

- Cravings: I need fruits. At all time. And be prepared to hear me whine if I can't get any when I want them.

- Mood swings: Why in hell am I crying while watching 'Say yes to the dress' ? WHY ?? I don't even know these people; why am I caring so much ?? And why am I getting so angry about that ??

- Bionic nose: I can smell weird things miles away. Not kidding.

- Food aversion: The things I couldn't live without before ? Suddenly can't stand them. We're talking about mayo, chocolate and candies here. What's up with that ?

- Belly touchers: Strangers practically attacking your belly and touching it. Why. WHY ????

- Lineups: Had bloodwork done last week. The clinic is open beetwen 6:15am and 9:15am. Thinking we were being smarty pants and that we'd be back in bed by 6:30am, we got there at 6:05am. People were lining up OUTSIDE the building. We'll have to work on a strategy for the next time. Cause a pregnant women with a full bladder and an empty stomach waiting in line to be pocked by needles ? Nobody want's to see that.

Anything else I should add ?

** I must admit: Bob has been a great sport since the beginning of this adventure. And has not complained much about my numerous demands. And the greatest thing is: He asks questions. Talks to the baby. Rubs my feet and puts oil on my belly. Will be co-sleeping with me at the hospital. Has not laught once at my cravings and tries to find what I want, even when I can't even put words to it. And by seeing him be as excited as I am about this whole thing, I know he'll be a great dad.

-

The secret is out...

2009-05-21T11:58:00.010-04:00

I did it again: I disapeared.

I had this huge secret and couldn't talk about it and didn't know what else to talk about so instead, I just didn't write anything.

I can finally talk about the big secret so here I am !

The big secret ? I am pregnant. In my 14th week.

I didn't know if I'd be comfortable talking about it over here: I fell very protective for some reason. And then there were so many chances for the pregnancy not to stick around that we decided to save ourselves from the hearthache of having to announce to everybody that there wouldn't be a baby after all. We've even waited quite a long time before announcing the big news to our familly and friends. A bit too long actually (Sorry Rachel...).

But then I realized: We actually had less than 0.0003% of ever conceiving. And we did it. And I stayed pregnant. So I should be proud of it. I should even be able to brag about it a little ! I know someone's quite proud of his little guys ! Ahem... Yeah. He likes to brag about it...

My energy level is finally up. I had major morning sickness that actually lasted all day long for 8 weeks. Not fun. I have a newfound respect for women who have to endure that all through pregnancy.

I also have the weirdest cravings ever ! There I was thinking I'd have to fight the urge for Ice Cream, chocolate or anything sugar and little do you know, the smell of them makes me queasy ! I actually salivate and would kill for fruits and tomatoes. I've been eating a cantaloup a day for the past few weeks and eating toasted tomato sandwiches as if my life depended on it.

The belly is already out: some people could argue that I've had a belly all along but this one is actually firm and cute ! That also means the maternity clothes are already out ! Speaking of clothes: What is it with maternity stores that want me to either look like a sex kitten or a tent ? Why can't I just look like my regular self, but with a belly ?

Tell me. Please.

The Friday Tradition...

2009-03-20T13:23:00.002-04:00

I haven't done it in a long, long time so I'll give it a shot...

Here we go:

I am...
- Still slowly losing weight

I want...
- A familly. One day.

I have...
- A great support system.

I hate...
- That there's absolutely no ways of getting a Starbucks Coffee around here.

I fear...
- That I might never have that familly that I want so badly.

I search...
- For that perfect pair of stockings that'll fit perfectly.

I wonder...
- If I'll ever be dept free.

I never...
- Leave the house without nail polish on my toes.

I rarely...
- Say what's really on my mind.

I cry...
- When I'm pissed off or really stressed

I am not always...
- The most politically correct person

I'm confused...
- About my need for gadgets. Really.

I miss...
- Starbucks. Do I need to say more ?

I need...
- To shave my legs more often...

I should...
- Start believing in myself more.

Confession...

2009-03-11T09:46:00.000-04:00

My teaching contract ended a couple of weeks ago and while waiting fo the next one to start, I've been enjoying some quiet time at home. A bit too much...

I have a confession to make. And a huge one...

I've been playing a housewife since the end of the contract, and well, I'm loving it. Cleaning the house, preparing lunches, making diner and taking care of my man. Oh ! And the laundry ! I've apparently become a laundry fairy and can't seem to get enough of the stuff !! Yes, Bob likes to make fun of me about it.

The funiest thing is: I used to be the most independant and messiest person ever ! And I now seem to take proud of the cleanliness of my house and in making sure everything is in order before my man comes back home. Weird.

I think the lack of Starbucks is finally getting to me...

Back...

2009-03-09T12:33:00.009-04:00

I know, I know... I kinda dispeared from the face of the earth.

This might be the reason:

Don't get the wrong idea though: it is not an engagement ring. There won't be any wedding planning going on. But it is a ring. On that important finger. And I can't seem to be able to look away from it. Yes, you are allowed to call me dorky.

That ring also helps me put things in perspectives, at moment where I would rather just abandon ship and go far, far away. No, things are not always perfect. I don't think there is such a thing as a perfect relationship anyway. But then I look at that ring and remind myself that, even though it doesn't always look like it, that the person who gaved me that ring loves me. Really. It is up to me to see past the angriness or the sadness and reming myself of that.

Not always easy though...

About that...

2009-01-14T09:58:00.001-05:00

It is freaking - 39 C (or -38.9 F) outside.

Holly crap...

Hum...

2009-01-12T13:44:00.001-05:00

We just did our first major purchase as a couple: an upright freezer.

Most couples would either buy a couch or a bed frame as a first purchase.

We bought a freezer big enough to fit a body.

Hum...