Tuesday, September 28, 2010

40 Days and a Baby Class Haze


Hi everyone, Kristin and Baby Weezie are going great, 34 weeks and counting. It is getting close, each time I go to my iGoogle home page I am reminded via a countdown app, today it says 40 days to go. Time has really flown by so far.



Last night we did a Baby Basics class were were learnt to swaddle, change and feed a baby, it was informative and a little daunting. Last week we did the Great Expectations class where we were put through our passes with all the labor and pre/postnatal stuff, this class was more intense, I was sure not to ask any really dumb questions.


We encourage everyone to go to www.bebepool.com/kawowen, Kristin has created a bit of a guessing game there, where you can predict Baby Weezie's measurements, date/time of birth, eye and hair color. The prize will be the envy of your peers.


Oh and in case anyone missed it the in utero nickname vote recently closed, the result was Weezie 17 Maisie 14. It was close but Weezie prevailed.


On a sad note, Kristin's Grandfather passed away late last week. Michael Blake was 94 years old. He served his country in WWII. We all called him 'Popi', he was such a good man, ever devoted to his wife (Nani), who passed away 2 months ago. We will always remember Popi and his songs, which we will be sure to sing to our Baby.











Friday, September 17, 2010

13 Flights and Counting

Richard and I with CN Tower. Richard is wearing
a new Canadian pullover with a Beaver on it.
Our nice, relaxing "Babymoon" weekend went by quickly but was a welcome respite for us all. It's always fun to explore a new city and only a cruisy hour flight away from Chicago, Toronto was the perfect locale to head to. We didn't plan much and took it fairly easy as I've been losng a lot of steam quicker than usual owing to the pregnancy, of course. We did get to see and do a bit, regardless, including checking out the famous St. Lawerence Market, just down the block from our hotel. We purchased some great local cheeses, marinated veggies and meat pies to have later that day at our hotel, which was more like a full service apartment with kitchenette, in the heart of downtown. The market was similar to the Vic. Market in Melbourne. I miss these sorts of places and only wish we had something similar here in Chicago. We did a bit of shopping along Yonge Street followed by some much needed and appreciated 'Mama-to-Be' spa treatments that Rich arranged for me - heavenly!

On Sunday we headed to the CN Tower, I believe this is still considered the world's tallest tower, for an early lunch at their 360 rotating restaurant. I definately recommend booking at the restaurant as opposed to waiting in line for the few hours to get to the top of the Tower like many, many others did. For $10 more than the regular admission to the Tower top you get a nice meal in a very relaxed setting and truly get to take in the sites of the city without feeling rushed or claustrophobic. We also got to take in the Toronto airshow while having our lunch (doesn't even compare with the Chicago Air Show). Toronto had some similarities to both Melbourne and Chicago, from some of the old Victorian buildings, markets and coffees in Melbourne to being a large city on one of the Great Lakes like Chicago (albeit I don't think Toronto takes full advantage of their proximity to the lake nearly as well as Chitown). 

On the quick hop home I had realized that Weezie has been on 13 flights in utereo including a few trips to Texas and NJ, NY, Florida, DC, and this last trip to Toronto; she's also been on a few road trips to WI, GA, SC, DC. Quite the lil' traveler already! If only we could accrue frequent flyer miles for her as I know through the years, she'll be traveling with us a lot more and the miles would come in handy for our trips back to Oz.

Date night tonight as Rich and I head on a dinner cruise on the lake downtown. Taking advantage of the last 7 remaining weekends as a couple sans baby. Tomorrow we'll be consumed by all things baby as we will be taking an all day "Great Expectations" class at the hospital. We'll be sure to send a follow up as to what we learned.

Oh yeah, this week's Drs. appointment went well. Met a new, great Dr. in the group, Weezie's heartbeat is beating strong at 160 bpm, she's head down but still moving lots and all looking great so far. Results of my 3 hour glucose test were all fine too.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Babymoon and Rookie Moves

Small selection of Weezie's closet
Tomorrow Rich and I leave for our weekend babymoon trip to Toronto, Canada. We love to travel, especially internationally, but I'm really thankful that the flight tomorrow is only about an hour as I've realized during last trip to Dallas that an hour is about the max I can manage these days without getting claustrophobic or uncomfortable on planes or the like. We are looking forward to this trip and I am realizing it is most likely the last flight we will take sans Weezie! We don't have many plans for Toronto except Rich booked me some "Mommy to Be" spa treatments at the hotel we are staying at - The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Spa- on Saturday afternoon. Can't wait! Will be sure to update the blog after the trip.
Only 9 weeks and 3 days until my due date! We are continuing to stay busy and had a great time with my family for our Godson and nephew - Jacob Liam's baptism in Texas a few weeks ago. My mom just left after a week-long visit. Her timing was perfect as I had to take the three-hour glucose test at the Drs. office while she was here as well as appear in traffic court to dispute a ticket and get my license back after making a right hand turn at a red light, an infringement that occurred while Rich's parents were in the car during their visit (note: first ticket I received since I was 16). Thankfully, the glucose test came out fine and I was able to get the traffic court case dismissed. Thanks to mom for her support and company during both experiences.
My friend Katie also hosted a great baby shower for me last weekend with my Chicago-based girlfriends. It was so nice to catch up w. everyone  and am grateful for all of the generous gifts received as well as the effort put into the day to make it such a fun time!
The baby's room is pretty much ready to go we have the crib put together, bedding in place, closet already full of gorgeous lil girl clothes and I've finished up the artwork for the walls (a few modge podges and chalkboards on special frames that I made). Pics to follow. I also recently realized that I have a new addiction of buying baby clothes. There are so many cute things out there for such great, reduced prices, I've pretty much wiped out all of the Baby Gap stores around the Chicago area and refuse to pay full price after seeing the crazy markups. The walk in closet and dresser drawers are already nearly full. She already has a few pairs of skinny jeans, her winter whites including a snowsuit, her first pair of Uggs, Paper and Denim Jean Dress, custom t-shirts and onsies that I've made, Bonds Wondersuits from Oz, a collection of Ralph Lauren winter and spring outfits and a gorgeous vintage wool dress from Ireland that mom kept from when I was a baby-just to name a few.  I just hope the clothes fit her at some stage and that I have the seasons right, esp. since most have already been washed and can't be returned. Rookie move, maybe.
Better get going Weezie is going nuts moving around lots, it's gotten to a cool point where I can see her moving and she shakes my belly, and I have to get ready to meet a friend for lunch.