Baby on the way

So I've had like 3 hours sleep in 72 hours.. so you can only imagine how crazy town it is over here.  I curse like a sailor and cry my eyes (simultaneously), at the drop of a hat. So basically let this be your warning... watch your mouth, and get out of my way because I am a mamma on a sleep deprived mission.  I spend my days readying for this new baby, chasing the child I have, and nights trying to get that same child to sleep. God help me. And him. He's now been warned that I make the rules here, and this 'up all night crap' will indeed come back to haunt his life when he wants to do something like borrow the car,  or borrow five dollars, or be removed from his crib tomorrow morning.

With that off my chest, I can happily tell you that I am SO amazed by the doctors and hospital staff here in Almonte. They have dashed any concern that I wouldn't get the same (or WAY better) care than I did at one of Toronto's biggest hospitals. AND... they are all just SO nice. They take the time to explain things they don't have to, they don't rush me out of appointments, they pleasantly chat with me while taking pints of blood from my body, and they spend extra time showing me things during ultra-sounds that are totally unnecessary just because they think, I will think, it's cool.   Speaking of ultra-sounds... I had my first 4-D ultra-sound on Saturday. It.was.so.amazing.  I basically got to see my child's face and his/her little arm curled up beside their face.  Sleep deprived and all. It made me smile and cry (without cussing).

So, here's the real shocker. I had a doctor's appointment today, and I am already starting to dilate. Whatever that means right?  That discovery was promptly followed by a discussion reminding me about the stages of labour, and handing me some pink piece of paper (which I probably should read) to take to the hospital with me SHOULD I go into labour this weekend. For real.   Now that I wrote that though I probably won't have the baby until April.  In other good news, I somehow lost 4lbs between this week and last.  No sleep and toddler mayhem will do that I guess.

XO

Winter in the Valley

Winter actually means snow here... how strange. Do you think these two will make out ok as valley boys?

Cousin Play-Dates!

The greatest part about living close to family... play-dates.! Today in fact, it saved my sanity.  Entertaining a 20 month old who is more "two" than 20 months these days, while this pregnant, is definitely exhausting.  If I didn't master "sleeping when your child sleeps" during my mat leave, I am certainly getting the hang of it now.  With that said,  I am SO glad to have this time with Rory.  

The weather is finally getting nicer... the grass is starting to peek through the snow (as I write this we're expecting 10cm tonight - haha).  We had a great day  playing with cousin Nate. Rory is only a head shorter than his older cousin now.  It's going to be so fun to watch these two grow together.

A few more shots of us enjoying the new house... on our front porch.

Family Day

On the Mississippi...

Learning how to skip rocks.

and release! 

Home Sweet Home

It has been a while... we have been without a computer and it's been a crazy month of packing and moving and unpacking. But here we are, and I feel like I have so much to say... and nothing to say at the same time. I am exhausted, so this is going to be short and sweet.   We're so happy to be here. All of us together.

We're home.

Our new home is so beautiful, we wake up to sunshine and a river view everyday, we see a sky full of stars every night, and we have family and friends within walking distance who have all dropped by to lend a hand or with a friendly 'welcome home'.   What more could a little family ask for?  Almonte is such a bright, vibrant little town... and for a town that I grew up in, I am surprised by how much I didn't know about this place. It amazes me each day.  There is SO much going on here. So many new things, places, and people to meet and explore.

We're slowly making this house feel like ours, and with each passing day we become more "ready" to welcome someone new here.   I am 34 weeks pregnant, going on what feels like 45 weeks... and very much ready to meet this little person. As soon as I get some pyjama's washed and diapers bought. :)

I will post pictures of the place once we're fully unpacked. So expect those in the next year for sure. Ha.

Here's a few from the way we see things now...

Literally the view from our front yard.

With a closer lens

Our favourite room in the new house, the side porch. 

We spend every morning enjoying the sun here, and Rory's sand box.

Some Mommy-Daycare Art we made for Valentine's Day. 

Man you have to be organized to keep a toddler busy all day!

Rory's first Almonte birthday party as an "Almontonian".  

Clearly enjoying Clementine's 3rd birthday treats! 

First 1/2 sleep-over with cousin Jenna

New kid on the block

Look out Martin Street, there is a new kid on the block!

Yesterday we FINALLY got the keys to our new house, and I took Rory for his first glimpse of the place we will be calling home. From the amount of laughter and squealing as he ran from room to room with his cousins, I can safely tell you that the place was a BIG hit.

There was a lot I didn't remember about the house, as is often the case when a house actually becomes YOURS.  One thing I was particularly grateful for yesterday, was the big doors that close off many of the rooms. Gosh, this house is ENORMOUS compared to our little cozy home in Toronto.
SO. MANY. PLACES for my child to RUNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!

T-2 days until moving day!

Coming in the front porch with aunt Stephanie

Checking out the back staircase

Dancing with my cousins in my NEW ROOM!

I think I am going to like it here!

I am just wide-eyed with possibilities of places that I can run to Gram