Sweet Dreams

Tonight, I unpacked some of the boxes as I organized our den into an office when I stumbled upon something that put a big grin on my face - one of my Sweet Dreams romance novels from my early teen years!

I remember cleaning out my old desk years ago and it was hard to part with my collection of teen romance novels. I thought it would be silly to keep them all, but I'm so glad I decided to keep one for memory's sake even though I got rid of the rest.

I don't know if these were popular here in North America at the time, but they were huge in Manila, where I grew up! They were definitely up there as one of my favourite things!

Guess what my bed time read will be tonight? I'm curious to see how I would enjoy this read now, as an adult and almost ready to pop a baby out! Can't wait to be brought back to one of my happy places which I haven't visited in a long while... so excited!

Sweet dreams, everyone!!! =)

I Heart French Cookies!

Today, a colleague came back to work after a couple of weeks vacation in France. He brought back two kinds of French cookies for the office. Both were good, but these orange butter cookies were simply delish and I couldn't stop eating them! I think I ate 4 out of the 12 that came in the box. What can I say... as a pregger, I think I get special privileges!

Wish I could find these here. Mmmmmm...

Home Stretch

This is me at 33 weeks and 1 day.

The last three weekends were super busy; I am now looking forward to some time at home so I can organize the office and eventually move on to organizing Maddi's room.

I think the belly is finally getting larger. At my last doctor's appointment, Maddi was already head down and in good position for birthing. She's also getting so much bigger, I can always hunt her down in my belly and give her a little rub.

Braxton Hicks started a couple of weeks back I think, but they were fairly mild compared to what I started feeling last Friday. I was told, they will also get more intense as it gets closer to the date. I guess they will be good for my Hypnobabies training. Also, I started getting tired a lot like I did during the first trimester.

I can't believe I have just a bit over a month to go at work... I'm a little sad at the thought, but perhaps I would feel differently when the times comes.

What's Under the Kilt?

This is Angus. One of Sean's Uncle Tom's prized possessions. Auntie Kathy, on the other hand, thinks he's an old pervert - Angus, that is.

Sean and I crossed the border today to visit with his Auntie Kathy & Uncle Tom for a couple of hours as well as pick up some baby stuff we got shipped to them. They just moved to a new place three weeks ago and got rid of a lot of stuff in the process; I'm glad to see that Angus made the move.

I bet you're now curious to see under Angus' kilt!

Exploring Clayburn

Last night, Cathy served us a wonderful dinner of avocado & tomato salad and gnocchi with LOTS of cheese. This morning, she made fresh orange scones and we got freshly picked blackberries for breakfast. Then, we got ready for our private tour of Clayburn Village - complete with meeting some of her neighbours. Such a neat place... I love how cute and quaint everything was. We got the full country hospitality!

I've said it many times - she lives such a romantic life... and this is the perfect place for her.

Old Treasures

Tonight, we made the trek to Clayburn Village to visit our friend Cathy. She lives in one of the original houses that was built in 1906. It is so cute, it feels like playing house being in it. She's also got just the right touches sprinkled around the place.

These were her parents' ice skates. During one of her visits with her parents, her dad was ready to throw these away. She decided to take them and it makes for the perfect decorations to hang by her entry way.

Almost

It feels like I haven't been outside for a while. Other than the trip to the Okanagan and the camping trip, most of my daily photos have been of just stuff around the house. Before I get even lazier with my daily blog, I thought to invite hubby for a walk tonight since it was nice out.

After dinner, we took our cupcake desserts to the park near our house for a mini date. Hubby's just recovering from being sick, so he didn't want to be out for very long and we are both also feeling pretty tired. I keep looking around and asking for what the universe's message is for me today... I want to take my picture outdoors today!

On our way home, I saw this bush with yellow buds and the more familiar white cottony balls that I would blow on. I did not realize those cottony balls transformed from yellow flowers! Neat - you learn something new everyday! So, I took a picture of it.

Further, it also made me think of Maddi. Not to compare my baby to a weed, but I thought it was a neat message from the universe to view her as a small bud that soon will blossom into a thousand wishes! Babies symbolize such a great start, a blank page, a future with infinite possibilities!

p.s. I shared my thoughts with Sean and he said, "So sucky." I said, "What did you say?" He replied, "So sappy." LOL =P

Maddi's Ride

Sean was sick and stayed home today. When I called this afternoon to check in on how he's feeling, he said he's feeling much better and he's already at the beach hanging out with some friends who are playing beach volleyball. He told me he won't be home when I get home from work, but that there is a surprise waiting for me.

I wondered what it could be, but he wouldn't give me any clues. When I got home, I saw that Maddi's stroller had arrived and he's assembled the whole thing! Such a handsome ride, isn't it? And it's even equipped for strolling in Vancouver weather!

Hypnobellies!

Tonight was the last class of our Hypnobabies prenatal class. We had a birth rehearsal, which was great as it really gave me a rough run through of how it would be like during my birthing time. It was awesome we got to have our doula Alicia come to participate in this class.

Although the classes in the last 5 weeks have been pretty jam packed and there really wasn't much time for socialization... it felt a bit odd saying "good luck on your birthing" or "keep in touch" instead of "see you next week" to the other couples after class tonight.

Hopefully, we do get to plan a reunion of sorts when babies are out of the bellies - and we'll make sure there will be the opportunity for socializing, both for adults and babies alike!

Ticket for Two

When I checked the mailbox tonight, this was the most exciting piece of mail we received today - a boarding pass invitation to our friends Nat & J's Mexico wedding! So fun, what a neat idea!

It's unfortunate that we won't be able to join in the festivities as the wedding is less than a month after I'm due to have Maddi. However, if we get bumped up to first class... there might be a chance we'd make it. Just kidding! =P

The Sascrotch Crew Plus Two

Since our first camping trip together, Ryan, Amy, Nat, J, hubby and myself had called ourselves the Sascrotch Crew. This year, Lev and Marina joined us.

Yay to no fire ban... we were able to stay up and hang out around the camp fire.

It was a great weekend with friends... making food, hanging out at the beach, playing Beans (albeit some tense times), making s'mores and hobo pies.

BIG BERTHA

After breakfast, we spent the afternoon at the beach by our camp site. This was the awesome view we had.

There were a couple of boats and even a float plane at one point parked on the shore... Big Bertha was attached to one of the boats... and was the biggest tube I've ever seen.

Enroute

Having had trouble sleeping the last couple of nights, and hubby feeling like he's coming down with something... we almost had to bail on a camping trip with friends which we've been looking forward to for weeks.

However, I guess the massages worked their magic and Sean felt better by the morning. As for me, all I wanted was an air mattress that didn't half deflate by the morning. Hubby went and got a new one... so we ended up making it to our last pre-Maddi camping trip.

Here, we are on the road out to the camp site... to enjoy the weekend with friends and simply relax... away from phones and Facebook.

Relax... Take Two!

Hubby has been having a sore neck the past couple of days and I've been complaining of a sore back. A date at the spa was just the perfect cure. This time, I managed to relax... although we both could have used a few more hours of it!

Relax... NOT!

Lately, I've started to feel some aches and pains, especially on my back. I've never really been much of a bath person, but the thought of one appealed to me. I figured it'll soothe the soreness. So I proceeded to draw myself a bath. Babies can't regulate their own temperature so I was being careful that the bath water wasn't too hot.

Soon as I soaked myself in the water... Maddi started moving a lot! I wasn't sure if she was liking it or hating it. Although the water is not as hot as I normally would make my baths, I was paranoid that it was too hot for Maddi. I tried, but I couldn't relax. I was in and out in 10 minutes.

Bigger?

This is me at 31 weeks and 2 days. The picture still doesn't seem to show that I'm getting any bigger... but the doctor said that I'm definitely growing!


I do feel different. I get short of breath easier, I seem to need to relieve the bladder more often and I am starting to get more tired again.

Since Sunday night, I've also noticed Maddi moving a lot more!

And since Saturday morning, during the first half hour from when I wake up... I've been enjoying the Maddi show. I lift my shirt up above my belly and I can see her move under my skin!

Pretty amazing, I must say!

Treats From The OK

These are the purchases I made on the OK road trip with the ladies.

From left to right: Framboise Fortified Wine (Elephant Island), Cassis Fortified Wine (Elephant Island), Pink Elephant Sparkling Wine (Elephant Island), Apricot Dessert Wine (Elephant Island), 2007 Riesling (Lang Vineyards).

I didn't taste any of what I bought from Elephant Island, but I did swirl and spit the Riesling from Lang Vineyards. It was my priciest purchase, but it was soooo good!

I can't really handle much at all when it comes to alcohol... but I can't wait to enjoy these bottles, no matter how long it takes for me to get through them!

Elephant Island

Since I am pregnant, I didn't do any of the tastings at all the wineries we stopped at; hence, I didn't purchase any wine.

When I got to Elephant Island however, they all just sounded soooo good... I can't help but at least have a sniff at all the wines the other ladies were tasting.

Just from sniffing and with a little help from the ladies, I ended up purchasing 4 bottles from this place!

Looking forward to making cheesecake and pouring some of the raspberry or cassis fortified wines (or both) on it! Will have to wait a couple of months for this... but I have a feeling it'll be worth the wait!

NK'MIP

After an eventful night last night, today's agenda was a little more chill.

We got up, got ready and enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the b&b. When we checked out, we headed for the lake and hung out there for a little while before we started on the winery tours.

Nk'mip (pronounced Inkameep) was the first winery we stopped at. We actually got a tour of the winery here, then a tasting of their wines. No, I didn't participate; I was the designated driver and official photographer - very important job! We decided to have lunch at the restaurant in the winery, and this was the amazing view we got to enjoy with our food.

We visited a couple more wineries, then got on the road again towards Naramata, where we booked ourselves into a nice 3-bedroom vacation home. After settling into the house and resting for a bit, we drove out to have dinner at Salty's in Penticton. I was happy to be impressed with great food and excellent service.

OK Bound!

OK bound, 32 degrees outside and 5 ladies in a car... sounds like a good start to a great weekend!

When we finally got to Osoyoos, we checked into the bed & breakfast we booked ourselves into. After spending some time relaxing on the b&b's patio with some fresh Okanagan fruits, the ladies all dressed up and went out for a nice dinner at the Watermark. Apparently, we were "interesting."

After some good food, good laughs, a couple of rounds of shots (non-alcoholic for me, of course), and some chill time playing by the beach... we headed back to the b&b and had to muzzle Jaz a couple of times to keep quiet so we don't wake the other guests up.

All My Bags Are Packed

This weekend, I'm going away on a girls' road trip to the Okanagan for my friend Nat's stagette. My bags are packed but I was not quite ready to go...

It is a bit strange as I don't usually have a trouble being away from hubby for a few days... but as fun as I think the trip would be, I had a hard time peeling myself away from home and being away from Sean this weekend. I think it's the pregnancy hormones... but I eventually did manage to leave the house and drive to Nat's for a sleepover tonight before we drive out tomorrow morning.

Flag Overload!

The Hypnobabies classes are not to be taken lightly! They are jam packed with good information and we're also sent home with quite a bit of homework. They are actually called Home Play... so as to condition the brain to view it not as work, but as something fun.

I will say that everything in the Home Play list is actually good - they help me relax, the physical exercises condition my body to be ready for birthing, the hypnosis exercises are training to prepare me for the big day, and the reading is really full of good information. However, I will admit that a lot of times, it does feel a lot to fit into a day and can be overwhelming!

I'm already behind in my readings by 2 weeks, plus I have this weeks readings to do too! Ahhhh!!!! I just need some good stretch of time to read a good chunk out of it!

MUST. GET. RID. OF. FLAGS!!!! =P

Bloop!

Bloop! It's the sound Sean often makes when he touches my baby belly. =)

I'm 30 weeks and 2 days today! Can you believe it?!

Even though looking at the pictures I've been taking of myself, my belly doesn't look like it's gotten that much bigger from since I was about 20 weeks... it certainly has gotten heavier for me because walking has been a bit more of a challenge.

I get tired easier, I often feel out of breath, I can't walk as far and my legs hurt after a while. Although I've been advised not to stop walking, but simply to take it easy and take lots of break in between stretches within my walks.

A Pregnancy Favourite

Mandarin oranges have been a favourite throughout my pregnancy... ever since the early months when I was getting super frustrated with food and my friend Amy's mom said she loved them when she was pregnant. I decided to give it a try and I was hooked! It was such a relief to find something I like when it seems things I used to like I all of a sudden developed an aversion to.

I didn't have any food problems after my first trimester, but mandarin oranges continued to be one of my favourites. Sooo refreshing!

Wild

Today, I went out with my arty ladies for a photo walk artist date. For some reason, these berries caught my eye. It's not the first time I've seen them, but perhaps this time... because I've gone through so much change in my own body from being pregnant, I am just a bit more aware.

These plants, often not catching most of our attention, quietly go about their natural business... flowering, then transforming the flowers into fruits. Seems simple and insignificant... they are small, and often inconspicuous... yet I can't help but imagine how much "science" and/or "miracles" happen in that little and insignificant bit of nature.

Considering that... I think to myself, "Wild!"

The Works

Hubby and I don't really care much about seeing the fireworks. We've seen it years ago and it seems to be all the same. However, we were at a BBQ with some friends and the agenda was food, fireworks, then dessert. So, we tagged along and went to the fireworks after dinner.

Without a tripod to facilitate long exposures, plus not being at the ideal spot... this is the best I can do. 

I still think it's pretty neat to have captured the grand finale where they seemed to have let it all out in the end.

FYI, on the way to the beach... I realized that we were going down a steep hill on Bute and made a mental note that that would be hell to climb on the way back. I told Sean about it... and he ended up pushing me from behind, and it actually worked! I got up that hill faster than I could've imagined!

Holy Crap

Two weeks ago, over the phone

Jenn: Hey, Anne. I saw this cereal blend made by a couple from Sechelt, BC on Dragon's Den. I've seen it at Urban Fare, and it's supposed to be very good for you! I want to try it, but I'm not sure if it's ok for preggers.

Anne: Oh, really? I should try it.


Last weekend, while hanging out at Jenn & Sean's patio

Jenn: Hey, Anne. I got Holy Crap. It's sooo good!

Anne: I got it too! I had it for a week, it's all gone now. It is good!

Henry: So tell me, ladies... what's the verdict? Is your crap holy or unholy?!

Everyone: LOL

The Last Of The Langley Bleuettes

Last weekend, my friend's mom visited her from Langley and brought a tub full of blueberries to give me. So sweet! And the blueberries were so good!

I got them on Sunday and I've been stuffing my face with them all week. I ate about a bowl a day and this is my last bowl - so sad =(

I'm saving them for tomorrow.

Obstructed

Hubby decided to take me on a walk last minute to see if there's anywhere on the Yaletown side of the seawall where we can see the fireworks at English Bay.

The first bit looked promising; they must have been pretty high because we could see them from the seawall through the trees in the park. We hurried to get ourselves to the park and sat there waiting to see some more of the high ones; but disappointingly, the rest of them were low and this was our view for most of the fireworks show.

Oh well, I still think it was romantic that hubby took me on a walk. It's the thought that counts.

Babe - I love going on spontaneous dates with you!

Oh, Belly!

At 29 weeks and 2 days, my body is starting to feel some aches and pains - perhaps from the extra weight I've had to carry around.

Maddi is moving a lot more than she was before, too.

About a week ago, I started noticing when she gets the hiccups - very neat, very cute... but also freaky and alien-ish!

Two weeks ago, I went for my gestational diabetes test. Thank goodness, I am not gestationally diabetic. However, I was pretty close to the top of the range... so my doctor had asked me to stop drinking juice and pop, and reduce my pasta, rice, potatoes and bread intake.

We have also now been to 3 of 6 of our Hypnobabies prenatal classes. Learning lots, and have been busy with quite a bit of homework that it comes with. It does help to make me feel more confident and prepared for when Maddi's birthing time comes.

Pamper Me

It's been a while since I've had any self-pampering... and for the last few weeks, I've been wanting to get some "pamper me" time in. Earlier last week, I called my trusty esthetician for a home service appointment. She's the best!

I love getting spa services done... it's one of my favourite things, but sometimes, it's even better when you can get them done in the comfort of your own home.

Almost four hours later... mani/pedi - check; waxing - check; facial - check! I feel so good! By the way, the colour on my nails is a combination of OPI's Tickle My Fancy and Celebration.

Now, the only thing I have yet to do is book myself in for a massage.