Holidays and Overdue...

40 Weeks, on my last Due Date

I had three (ish) Due Dates for this pregnancy. The first was December 23rd which was supported by the ultrasounds, December 26th a random date that popped up at an appointment, and the last December 29th based on the LMP. The 29th is the date that is in my chart and that my Doctor is using for my care. I know not to put too much stock into Due Dates, especially since I had three this time around. However, I think that having a few made it a little confusing and challenging to figure out what my expectations could be. But at this point, all my Due Dates have passed and I am now in the two week countdown. Henry and I know we can handle another two weeks, we've done it before, but we admit we are excited and eager to have this part all wrapped up and finally start life as a family of four. At the same time, there is a strong possibility this will be our last pregnancy (as much as you can know these things at this stage) and I'm wanting to savour these last moments. I adore feeling the kicks and squirming, I love how at this stage you can watch your belly dance as baby wiggles and jockeys around in there. I'm also trying to take in the moments with Zoey as an 'only' child and spend some quality time with her since I know that my attention and energy will be spread a little thinner once Roo does arrive. It's a mix of emotions. So I'm trying to savour it all and be patient as we wait for potentially a few weeks longer, and at the same time be mentally prepared for the possibility that Roo could absolutely come anytime now. As Henry left for work this morning, I asked him, "In the unlikely event I go into labour today which phone do you want me to call?". Then we laughed since it's not really unlikely anymore. We just don't know what it's like to go into labour 'naturally' since it was kick started last time by breaking my water at the hospital. I would love to experience it a little more gradually this time, but as long as we all end up healthy in the end, I'm game.


As for holidays, Henry had a week off for Christmas again this year and has another week saved up for after Roo arrives. It's the first time off he's had in at least a year that we've been able to relax and spend together as a family. We were so grateful and blessed that our basement was complete and it allowed us to host our family and friends for meals and hockey games, as well we spent a lot of time with Zoey playing with toys and snuggling on the couch. The time was also used to run errands together and go on coffee dates as a couple and with Zoey. Zoey absolutely adored having Daddy around and completely smothered him with attention. She insisted on Daddy putting her to bed every night. I don't think she would have let him go the entire week if she had the chance. I decided to give Henry a bit of a break and took Zoey to Walmart myself to grab a couple things and as we pulled away from the house and she realized Daddy wasn't coming, she whimpered until she fell asleep. It means so much to all of us that Henry had that time with her and that their bond is so strong. When Henry left for work this morning, he asked for a hug and she was too upset with him to oblige. Having your child love you is a pretty okay problem to have.

Helping us with the instructions for Racko

Just terrible

Daddy helping with her boots before church

Making Daddy's hair smell like Green Apples

Just doing some light reading

Out for lunch and colouring with Daddy

So for now we wait and pray that all goes well, and if at all possible, things happen on their own. And until then, we'll savour the time in between together and even sleeping through the night! :)

A Merry Christmas, But No Christmas Baby...

39 Weeks

Zoey snuggled up on Christmas Evening

A change in expectations can really take the pressure off. I had my last check on Christmas Eve and for about a week we have all been waiting, thinking with the symptoms and constant Pre Labour I was having, that Roo could come any minute. I don't think there was anything wrong with that, but it sets you up for some pressure. I was wanting Roo to come while my Sister in Law was here for Christmas and early in Henry's Christmas holidays. After chatting with Henry early Christmas morning, we realized that we had put a lot of pressure on ourselves, and honestly, the one birth we've experience was 2 weeks after the Due Date. It's not to say that Roo couldn't surprise us and come this week, but the likely hood seems low at this stage. I reminded myself that I know how to go 2 weeks overdue and I'm really okay with that. Other than sore hips and rotating 3 outfits as my belly outgrows all my clothes, I can't complain too much. With this new perspective, we have a plan in place that ensures Henry has enough time off after Roo is born and until then we can relax and enjoy the family time that we have. I think the stress of the end of work and the unknown factor in planning for the Christmas Holidays was more than I had anticipated or expected. But we have some pretty incredible family and friends who are more than accommodating as we wait.

Setting up her own mini Christmas Tree

We had a great visit with Henry's sister and her husband, Henry's parents, and my Mom and sister. It was a fantastic Christmas and Zoey loved it all, and was completely exhausted by the excitement! She was, as usual, totally spoiled with thoughtful and generous gifts from family. She LOVED opening them this year, her little hands frantically searching for edges to tear. She was sweet enough to help open everyone's gifts this year. Henry and I decided this year to do a smaller Christmas (in regards to gifts) with me going on mat leave right away, etc we thought we would like to keep it more low key, which really has always been our goal. So we were excited to pick out a World Vision gift as a family and a few smaller things for each other. It was really nice doing things that way this year and I think regardless of our circumstances, that's how we want Christmas to look in our house with our children. Focuses on the reason for the season, Jesus.

So with a change in perspective in regards to Roo's arrival, I am far more relaxed and honestly expecting baby will come sometime in January and I am completely okay with that. My Christmas Eve appointment told me there was very little change despite the continuous Pre Labour contractions. But as I said before, I'm feeling pretty good, exhausted, but good. I know that once Roo is here, I'll feel exhausted in a whole different way.

We are so very appreciative of all the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. Keep them coming and I'll be sure keep you posted!

So Many Babies....

So many of my dear friends have had or are expecting babies! It's been amazing to witness. It's also left me thinking about my baby, and how much she's grown over the last year. These photos are from last Christmas. Look at those sweet chubby cheeks. She was moving around a little at that time and she really got a sense and skill for unwrapping presents as well.

This year my girl is running everywhere, eating solid food (a little picky but that's typical), chatting up a storm, and pushing through her 2 year molars. She seems so grown up, more independent than I even imagined, loving, and emotional.

So with all the new babies around I've started to miss the 'Baby' in my baby girl. But only for a little while. Don't get me wrong in the middle of all the work and sleeplessness, I savored all the moments in the first year, and I do miss some of that. But my little girl still wants to cuddle with her Mommy and Daddy, she regularly brings her blankie and stuffie and will crawl on my lap and declare she is sleepy and curls up and falls asleep. I will continue to savor these moments and I think she will always be my baby girl. Even my mom still calls my sister and I baby girl. It seems to come with the territory.

As for adding a new baby into our lives.....would I be up for doing this all over again?
















In a heartbeat, but until then, Henry and I are soaking up every moment with our precious Zoey.

Sooooo Far Behind!

I am very sorry it has been forever since I have posted anything! I realized this past week that the last post says, "7 Months!" and well, Zoey is almost 9 months old now! A lot can happen in the short amount of time.

The teething has finally taken a break. The poor girl was teething for almost 2 months straight. In that time 7 teeth popped through! It was a painful time for her, but she handled it like a champ. Since the teething has stopped she is really starting to take better to the cereal. I think it also helps that we are being diligent about feeding times with it. Before it was a little scattered when we would attempt it, but now, Lunch and Supper start with a little bit of cereal. She's doing really well. She has her 9 month check this week so I will be asking what other foods to introduce. We are excited about seeing what sorts of things she will like.



Zoey has also started crawling! Time to get my running shoes on :) She doesn't get very far yet, but she is definitely mobile. It's crazy to see how these things happen. I've been working in Early Learning for years now and it never ceases to amaze me how these little bodies just know how to progress. It's even more amazing to see in your own child! We are starting to work on BabyProofing the house. The gates with go up, moving furniture, covering outlets.....so much that needs to get done! Christmas holidays are definitely going to be full in the Duiker home.

Last night we also had our first night out with Zoey staying with a babysitter. Auntie Bailey came to watch Zoey at our house while we went to an Elders Christmas Supper. It was great! I was obviously a little sad about leaving her but I knew she was totally fine. She hasn't been going to bed any earlier than 9:30 lately so we had time to be with some good people from the church. It's nice to know that she is fine if we are out for a few hours. So we are hoping to ease into that a little more here and there :)

We are very excited about Zoey's first Christmas! Christmas is my favorite holiday of them all! It's just fantastic and makes me very happy. We can't wait to see her open some of her gifts. We know she is going to be VERY spoiled this year :) But I think it is more for all of us rather than her, since she would usually prefer the box or paper it was wrapped in!



I will update you all after the holidays, fingers crossed :)

Wishing you all the very best and a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Hokie Smokes!

I've pushed myself pretty hard this week to get what needs to get done before we wrap this course and go on Christmas Break, sweet sweet break! Anyways, I set a goal and finished last night which means I have fewer things on my plate today and less stress....which leaves me time to blog :)



We were up this morning at 4:30am. I kept thinking, 'I'm going to have to get used to this, I am going to have to get used to this.' Oh man. We drove my sister to the airport this morning which is the reason for such an early morning. Before that though we exchanged some of our gifts so she could be here when we opened them. I was super stoked about Season One and Two of Pushing Daisies! I have only caught a few episodes but the ones I did see I really enjoyed. I've been chattering about it since but I know very few people who have actually watched it. So yay! The timing is great as well as today is the last day before holidays.

I'm very much ready for a break and some time to fully allow myself to nest like I want too. Also I am really excited for time with family and friends and some time with Henry. My body is ready for some rest as well I think. Even though my job is unfortunately pretty sedentary, I find that sometimes it is harder to sit in one spot for a long period of time. I am hoping the warmer weather holds so I can get outside and move around. Otherwise I'll do some walking on the treadmill and watch Pushing Daisies :) Have to keep the weight gain stable! I found a new stretch mark....sigh....it's not a bit deal but I don't know any female that is stoked about finding something like that! I think moving around is going to help me feel better overall. Sitting has been tough on my back and my ribs due to the positioning. But at the same time, if I am on my feet for too long I get quite tired and sore. I am looking for a healthy balance of the two!

Well according to BabyCenter this is the last week of my Second Trimester. Kind of unbelievable! 90 days left. I'm impatient and at the same time I know that this whole thing is going to fly by so so fast! And there are so many things that we need to get ready before this little girl comes....so hence...the Hokie Smokes comment :)