Still waiting

Today was my 'due date', but no sign of baby. My dad had been here since the beginning of the week, but headed home for the night since nothing was happening. So, we are hoping the baby waits until he gets back to Mississauga.

Had quite a busy few days as my dad and I did lots of running around and work around the house. We had a quick visit with his godfather yesterday. That was pretty cool as he is around 90 and was at his work and then showed us his sailboat. He's sailed around the world multiple times.

Hopefully the next update will be news of the baby.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Google Chuck Norris

OMG but this just made me laugh out loud (and due the pregnancy I almost peed my pants).

The list universe today (and it has been great this week) had stupid criminals (including a Darwin award winner). The number one on the list is great! (http://listverse.com/2010/07/16/10-truly-ridiculous-criminal-acts/)

But, the best part was reading the comments and one of the commentators suggested going to google and searching on 'google Chuck Norris' and selecting 'I feel lucky'.

Last Day of Work

Today is my last day in the office before I go on maternity leave (I have three days of vacation before my official last day of work). And what happens? I find a problem with a spreadsheet I had designed, so I had a bit of a stressful morning while I fought with Microsoft Excel to figure out how to fix my issue (damn sorting screwed up my formulas). But, I figured it out. Of course, I did :) It's pretty rare that I don't figure out a solution (now I have just jinxed myself).

We have a corporate meeting in about 15mins and then I'm done... for a year! I can't wrap my head around that. I really can't.

I'm hoping the baby doesn't make an appearance at least until next Friday. It would be really nice to have a week off to myself to get some things done around the house and to relax. Plus, my coach is off to a cottage for a week and I rather not go into labour during her vacation.

Customer Support Post

The List Universe had an excellent post this week and their #2 is very much my #1 (and I actually posted about it earlier this week). The list was about time-wasters and their comments on 'customer support' were so bang on!

With that being said, I actually had a half-decent support call with Petro-Canada yesterday. Granted, they haven't followed up like they said they would and I don't know if the issue has been corrected, but I didn't want to throw my phone across the room when I spoke with them so that's already 100 times better than my normal customer support contacts with other companies (this week: Dell and Creative Memories top my list of crap support).

http://listverse.com/2010/07/10/10-most-annoying-time-wasters

Crap support

I really don't understand how companies can have such horrible customer service. Today: creative memories. I really don't understand why I continue to use their products considering how frustrating and non-existent their customer service is!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bootie

The first bootie!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Hat for baby

Just finished knitting the hat that goes with the sweater for the baby. Next up... Booties



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

8 Days and Counting

There are only 8 more working days for me. Of course, I'm a little worried that this baby will then be late (and even bigger), but I'm definitely feeling the need to rest. It feels like I've been go, go, go for last couple of months. This coming weekend is somewhat quieter than the past 6. I have my baby shower and a poker night, but that's it. I've taken Friday off from work and looking forward to a relaxing day.

I woke up this morning and was thinking that it didn't really seem that cool in my condo (considering how much lower my AC is set than years past). Hmmm, that doesn't appear correct. The temp is 10 degrees warmer than what the AC is set to. I am definitely feeling the heat more this summer than I have in the past, but I am really glad that I'm normally so cold or else I'd probably be dying with no-AC. I think my cats are not at all happy.

My dad is coming down to help me with a couple of things around the house this week so I suspect all of those other things will be put on hold so that he can check out the AC. Fingers crossed. I will probably want it working for after the baby is born.

This past weekend I headed up to Goderich do some 'camping' with friends. I say 'camping' because I actually slept at my Grandmother's each night. Everyone else was actually camping. It was really great to get back to a campsite. I have missed it. This was the first time we camped at Point Farms and I think we are planning to do it again next year because it was a fabulous site. The beach was excellent as well. We had 3 sites and there were about 17 of us (plus 3 dogs). The kids had a great time. The only issue: we didn't get our picture! Heidi, Cara, Teresa and I almost always try to get a picture of the four of us (and often times including others) when we get together. Of course, I didn't think of this until the next day and it was too late.

Ultrasound

I had an ultrasound yesterday and I seem to be having a big baby! The tech asked if the father was tall. Why? Because she measured the baby appears to be at 37.5 weeks instead of 36! She thinks the baby is already 6 lbs 12 oz. Normally at this stage the baby would gain a pound a week. That could mean a 10 lb (plus) baby!

Besides that the baby had a perfect ultrasound (I always did like tests - so maybe my genes are in there). Lots of movement, as always, and it was difficult to get all the pics.

Now I'm kind of hoping for an early labour.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Difficult Reads

One of the blogs that I consistently read every day is 'The List Universe'. Today I read their list of the most difficult reads and was intrigued to find out who has read any of these.

http://listverse.com/2010/06/07/top-10-difficult-literary-works

I have read only one of these: 'The Sound and The Fury'. I believe I read this in university after Lisa had read / recommended it. I don't remember hating it and actually believe I liked it (but I really can't remember the story).

I know my Dad has finished War and Peace and I'm sure my friend Lisa has read a number of these (and would probably like to add Hearts of Darkness to the list - or maybe just add that to a books I hate list).

After reading the list, I have absolutely no desire to pick up any of the other books on this list. I used to think I would try 'Atlas Shrugged', but I think I'm past that and have way too many other books on my shelves to put myself through that kind of misery (at least it sounds like misery).

Make The Itching Stop

Two weeks ago I developed a rash on my stomach, arms and hands. It then spread to my feet. It was really itchy and I decided to have an oatmeal bath - big mistake! That caused the rash to explode on my legs and back. My OB said it was hard to diagnose rashes (but it was definitely not this one specific pregnancy rash) and she thought it was a heat rash (as it did start when we had our heat wave in TO), she gave me a script for some cortisone cream and told me to take some benadryl. Unfortunately, those didn't work (well, they gave me some relief). This past Monday I made it in to see a dermatologist. She thinks it is one of the other pregnancy rashes (I don't know the names of them). She did a biopsy on my leg, but it takes two weeks for the results. Not only do I have an insanely itchy rash, I also have itchy stitches.

Regardless of what it is, the consensus seems to be that it will stay until the baby is born. That's about 7 weeks from now. I'm not sure I can handle it. I look diseased, which is really great since I go for maternity photos on Saturday (I really hope they are good at the air-brushing).

On a donor related note: I found out today that my donor is all sold out. I know there has been at least one other pregnancy reported for my donor so my baby will have at least one half-sibling out there. I definitely plan to pay to keep my other sample in storage (just in case).

Task

Picked this up from Sharon's blog:

Rules:
* Grab the book closest to you.
* Go to page 56.
* Find the 5th sentence.
* Don't go looking for your favourite book, or the coolest one you have - just grab the closest one.

'She never wed.'

At this point in my life that sentence seems very apropos.

Too Busy

I've been so busy with baby stuff I have been remiss in keeping my blog up to date! Quick rundown:

Work is insane! Been working alot of weekends and travelling to a client site in Kitchener (good news - I get $100 in expense money for each day I do that trek - I've ordered a new laptop with the money from April trips).

I started my third trimester last week! The baby is moving around a lot and kicking up a storm. There have only been two times when I could feel / see the baby move on the outside. This week I go for my gestational diabetes test (hopefully everything goes well).

The baby room was painted this weekend and it looks amazing. I huge THANKS to Teresa, Heidi, Karen, Kevin, Mike, Dorie and Lisa for all their help over the past couple of weekends. I hated not being able to help with the painting and everyone was awesome in giving up their weekends to help me out. The room is yellow and burgundy and I can't wait to finish decorating.

Mike and Kevin carried the new dresser up the three flights of stairs (yes, the stairs are horrible). I can now start moving clothes from the closet into the dresser and start setting up the room. I still need to get new window treatments, though. The blinds have been there since before I moved in and they are pretty disgusting.

I'm about to start on the next baby knitting project: a lace type covering for the bassinet. When I was born my mom's friend gave her a wicker bassinet (so it's over 37 years old). Unfortunately, she was killed in a plane crash shortly after that. My dad is building a rocker and a new custom mattress has been purchased. Now, I just need to figure out how to knit the 'shawl'. I really hope it works out.

That's about all I have time for today!

Baby sweater

Just finished the baby sweater! It looks better than I hoped.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fug Girls and the Next Harrison

I couldn't resist reposting this! As many of you know I LOVE Harrison Ford. Han and Indy? Hello? The fug girls have a slideshow up about who Hollywood thinks will be the new 'it' guys. I loved this post about Chris Pine being the new Harrison (the comment on the whip did it for me).

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/04/fug_girls_slideshow.html#photo=3

Mini Strikes Again

Just when I thought my finances were in order my car has a service need. I knew there would be a service required in July and that it would not be easy on my finances, but I didn't realize that I would also have to replace the brakes right now. I guess it's better that the brakes went before I was on mat leave. Who knows how I would pay for these things when I'm not working. I love my car, but the Mini is so expensive to service.

They weren't sure they would be able to do the brakes today (the red light came on this morning while I was driving to work) but once I played the pregnancy card they said they could do it today. The last time I had a red warning light my transmission had gone on my first mini and I had to buy a new car. So, the red light freaked me out.

I've also been having problems with the drivers side window. It takes 5 or 6 attempts to get the window to stay closed. Apparently, this is a known issue with the minis (as the service guy knew exactly what I was talking about). They can't fix that today (well, they could but I don't have time to wait around for that). I really hope that one is under warranty. My car is not even two years old so I'll be really annoyed if I have to pay for that one.

Ah the joys of owning a BMW / Mini. I love my car, but I do not love how much it costs.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

This year is a little different for me on the St. Paddy's Day front. Normally, I take the day off work, get a group of friends together to hit Failte (Irish pub in Mississauga) for an entire day of drinking green beer. This year there will be no beer for me. I'm half way through my pregnancy and alcohol is frowned upon. But, I must say I am tempted to have some Guinness today (but won't).

So, for all my friends who are partaking this year - please have a green beer (if possible from the Guinness family) for me!

Lost Boy

Very sad news today about Corey Haim. I definitely had a multitude of Corey posters on my wall in high school. Silver Bullet was one of my favourite movies (plus it was Stephen King) and then the lost boys may have started my love of the vampire genre.

It's sad that all the news is mostly about his drug use. I'll remember him for how much I loved his movies (and how I watched them over and over again).


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Canada Vs. Russia Here I Come

That's right I'm heading to the Canada / Russia Olympic men's hockey game! J and J and I ended up with a set of quarter final tickets in our olympic package and it turns out to be this game! Now my brother thinks I should sell my ticket and make a ton of money (which I probably could), but I didn't come out here to sell all my tickets.

I ended up not going to the victory ceremony last night (even though I had a ticket). The first one I went to was fine and I'm glad I went, but I didn't feel the need to go again. Megan's friend was in town for the olympics and didn't have tickets to anything so I gave her my ticket so that should could experience some of the olympic fever first hand. Now, I did not realize at the time that Canada would win gold yesterday in Ski Cross and that I would miss the raising of the Canadian flag and a stadium singing our anthem. Instead I was with my brother's family and was giving my niece a bath. I guess I really am pregnant because I'm not all that upset about missing the victory ceremony.

Tomorrow is the gold medal women's game: US vs. Canada and that's what I'm really looking forward to.

Vancouver has been alot of fun, but I am looking forward to getting home and seeing my babies (apparently I did not leave them enough food - thanks Christi you are the best!!!). Of course, I'm not looking forward to going back to work. It's been really nice to have this time off and just relax.

Men's aerials was definitely a highlight this week. Excellent commentary throughout the event. The best of all the events, I'd say. It was really cold, though. After over a week of beautiful weather out here in Vancouver the temp started to drop. We were sitting on metal benches and they were chilly! We were supposed to be going to women's aerials tonight, but we'll be at the hockey game instead.

We've seen a ton of curling. I believe we've been over there 4 times and still have the bronze medal women's match to attend. My favourite part of the games has been at curling - Norway's Pants! (pics to follow)

Gotta go to the game!

Speed Skating, etc.

After the Whistler event, we had to rush to get to speed-skating back in Vancouver. The bus driver turned on the air conditioning half way back to the city and it was soooo cold on the bus. A ferry ride and another bus got us to the Pacific Coliseum. I will not say the bus got us close. I'm really surprised by how far away the buses are from the actual doors we can get in to the events. The buses were not stopping at the stop near the entrance to the venue so we had quite a bit of a walk to get to security and then another walk to get to the doors. So far, UBC Thunderbird arena probably has the best seating (ie enough room to not feel squished).

We missed the first event of speed skating, but did get to see 500 m women's short track and Canada won silver. We also saw the men's relay semi-finals and the men's 1000 m heats. Very exciting with lots of crashes, false starts and disqualifications. There was some stupid guy in the stands who kept yelling after the racers went to the start (even with all the notices to be quiet at the start of the race). The entire place starting shhsh'ing him. If you ever get a chance go see some short track speedskating live.

Yesterday I had a day off due to my snowboarding half-pipe tickets being cancelled. Apparently the conditions for standing room were dangerous. So, Jason still had the day off (since he was going to go with me) and we headed to the aquarium. Fiona loves the fish. We saw the sea otter (my fav) and the beluga whale show.

A nice relaxing day and a gorgeous day. We are having beautiful weather here in Vancouver and Megan, Fiona and I are about to head out for a walk while the sun is still out.

Tonight: my first men's hockey game. Norway vs. Germany.