Pregnancy

I am now 24 weeks pregnant, or about five and a half months and well over half way there. I am in no hurry for this pregnancy to be over. Like clockwork, the major fatique and nausea subsided by 12 weeks, but shortly after I became sick. There is a good chance it was the H1N1 virus, as I've heard that anywhere from 50 - 90% of the flu cases in this area have been. My symptoms would indicate that it was.

On the worst day of the illness, I was to host Anneka's second birthday party, and of course, I had made life difficult by planning to make homemade pizzas on the BBQ for 15 children and adults. I had to call my mom to come up from Vancouver the rescue me; there was no way I was going to pull it off on my own. The party was at 5:00 (was a huge success - Anneka had the time of her life) and by 7:00 I was sitting in the rocking chair in Anneka's room, sweating, coughing and barely able to move. That bug progressed from one thing into the next for the next four weeks until my nose was so red and raw and cracked, that my doctor thought it could have turned into a case of allergic rhinitis. Indeed, I had been sanding and filling in the basement suite for days. Within days of her giving me a cortisone nasal spray, I was better. The headaches that plagued me from the beginning of the pregnancy also decreased majorly.

So, finally, the last few weeks I have been feeling really good. Some days I can't even believe how high my energy levels, but other days, like to day, my activity catches up with me. I've taken a job at Pure Frame and Flower store to boost up my maternity hours. It is super fun and I am learning all about framing. That combined with Capilano U. has me working around 30 hours a week. Right now, I am loving it and feel really good about both jobs. They compliment eachother so nicely. Cap, is my career job and the framing definitely massages my creative/hands-on side. I have been so, so lucky this summer and fall.

I hope my luck continues. Paul and Anneka have been very sick since Wednesday. On Thursday night, Anneka's fever was so high (39.6) that the nurse at 811 recommended I take her to emergency right away. After working 10 hours, I was not back home until midnight, and the trip wasn't really necessary - the Tylenol had brought her fever down. For the next two days we administered Tylenol when she'd begun to heat back up and her and Paul rested and slept. They seem to have both turned the corner now. I have not yet got sick. I hope, I hope that they just got what I had previously and that I have some immunity now, because I do not want to go throught that again - especially the night time coughing.

As for little baby; I really believe that she/he has been well protected from all of his/her mother's ailments. My belly is big - bigger than it was with Anneka. This time, I had strangers comment on my pregnancy by 11 weeks. I carried Anneka way out front too and showed quite early, but after looking at pictures of me pregnant the first time at 24 weeks, it is obvious I am displaying this baby even more obviously. I squished myself into the jeans I had on in Anneka's belly shot and even wore them to work - that made me feel better.

Baby was really busy during the 19 week ultrasound, constantly chewing on fingers and waving arms and legs. I have been comforted with Baby's movement all along, never a day passing where I didn't feel movement. Today the movements feel really strong. Just moments ago, I was watching my belly and watching baby pushing or kicking just to the right of my belly button with strong solide movements. It is so cool to watch this knocking on the uterine wall. It reminded me of Anneka, because her shape and position in side of me was unusually clear (according to my midwives). I feel really good about this baby inside of me - it just seems that he or she is resilient and hardy and thriving. I love this little baby so much already.

Thanks!

It felt great! I had a little retreat on Mayne Island over Thanksgiving weekend. I was skipping, breaking out old dance moves, grinning from ear to ear. I felt rejuvenated and juvenile. I drank fresh air and ate up the scenery. I rode my Dad's road bike all over the island which only has hills that go up.

I arrived, biked to the cabin in the dimming light, made a fire, went for a walk and gazed at the stars, took myself out to dinner, then lay in the true black quiet - no street lights, no street noise, only the hum of nature's night life.

Back at "Gamma's" on Sunday evening, devouring turkey and gravy and stuffing, I was in love with my family. It was something to be thankful for.

October 1st Update

The irony of that last post, is I kind of lost my cool - just a little - at city hall days later.

We had been told we needed a variance for something which (after jumping through all the hoops) it turned out we didn't. That set our plans back...oh about a month. People just aren't sure of things over there in Community Development and Planning resulting in nobody wanting to make a call about anything. For example, we have a little problem with the Flood Construction Level, and we're asking for some leeway. Nobody has said "no", but nobody has said "yes" either. So we continue to wait.

Meanwhile, the little baby in my belly grows bigger and stronger every day.

It's OK though...I think, I think, I can handle it all. An infant, a construction zone, a toddler, cramped and messy quarters and maybe even a little bit of work at Capilano U. I think. I think I have the support I need. But I forget, don't I? I forget what having an infant means... Oh Well - we all survive.

In the meantime we are gutting the basement suite. Our tenants moved out for September. It was so gross and smelly down there. We've torn out the carpets, washed the windows, repaired and painted the trim, replaced some drywall and it already feels (and smells) better. It needs a lot more work. I plan on painting the ceilings this morning.

I'm not getting much work with the School District. I think it is because of funding cutbacks. Still, Anneka is now going to daycare four days a week. She's doing quite well with it, but it is too much. And we've seen some new, negative behaviours as a result. They could be her response to the added stress. I'm trying to get some other work...anything. When I get this sorted out, I'd still like to try to take her out of daycare for one day. I think at this age, for Anneka anyways, two days is good, and three is OK. My job at Capilano University is great, but it is only 10 hours a week.

And that's an update!