2 Week Countdown

What do you do when the one thing you've wanted more than anything in the world for so long is just around the corner? When all that you've hoped, dreamt and wished for is almost in your arms?

12 weeks

Well after over 5 years of trying, a radio station contest, 1 round of IVF and 38 weeks we are almost there. Our little guys due date is coming up just around the corner and we couldn't be more excited!

Its been a bumpy road, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Even though I may have complained along the way, the struggle has made me appreciate every little moment. From the nausea and exhaustion in my first trimester, to the hip and back pain in my last; its all made this experience so real and every symptom and sign has reassured me along the way that I haven't been dreaming.

24 weeks

We are absolutely ready to meet our little miracle and I cannot wait till the day finally comes where my labour is real and I get to meet him; one false labour and a ridiculous amount of braxton hicks have me prepared. The nursery is done, bags are packed and he has a amazing amount of people who cannot wait to meet him.

We are so beyond grateful for the support we have received from family, friends and complete strangers. It has been sometimes overwhelming, but always welcome.

36 weeks

Getting to watch my sweet niece grow over the past 5.5 months has made me even more ready, excited and anxious to have our little one in our arms. If our little guy is anything like our hilarious little Harper we will be doing great!



Knowing that even if he goes overdue in less than a month we get to meet our little man is almost more than I can handle! So until he decides its time or the Dr decides he's overstayed his welcome I will continue to dream and wish for him.

Lotsa Love,
Natasha

A difference a month can make

What a crazy busy month it has been, so busy that I unfortunately had to let my writing slip. Well i'm hoping that things will settle a bit (lol) and ill have a bit more me time.

I have made it to my third trimester and am now just over 7 months. The baby is moving like crazy all the time, i'm not sure when he sleeps, but I love it. I'm hoping that what they say is true, Happy pregnancy Happy Baby.

Ryan and I had a blast picking out our baby registry at Babies R Us. It took us 2 hours and we were both overwhelmed by the end, but had a great time picking everything out. Hopefully our little guy is happy with mom and dads picks.

I've been busy working with the Ottawa Fertility Center and the other committee members planning out the Expressions of Infertility art competition starting August 23rd. Knowing what struggling with infertility feels like, this contest means a lot to me and I cannot wait to see how it takes shape.

We started working on the nursery and I cannot wait to see what it will look like all together. Ryan has started painting and our furniture is finally in. We are lucky enough to have a best friend as a designer Diana from Indulge Interiors is helping us make sense of my jumbled visions of my nursery. 
Everything is slowly coming together and I couldn’t be happier. November feels like its just around the corner.

Ryan and I had an amazing holiday together and celebrated 6 years married. This year we celebrated with the baptism of our God Daughter, what a great way to celebrate love. It was an amazing day filled with family and friends. Its exciting to think that next year our little guy will be here celebrating with us.

Its crazy to imagine that in just a few short months story time will be Ryan and I reading to our baby and not my belly. That we will finally get to hold him in our arms. Give him tons of kisses and love. I cant wait to meet him and to have him meet all the great people in our life.

With art competitions, baby shower, planning my maternity leave and everything else that life throws at us, I'm sure November will be here before I know it. Until then my dreams will be filled of the mystery that is, who our little man will be.

Lotsa Love,

Natasha

Taking time

In the busy lives we lead today how many of us actually take the time to appreciate the people in our lives that make things great? Most of us are so bus, wrapped up or ignorant to how great we actually have it. I think in a society that always wants more its easy to look past what we have that is so amazing, the great people in our lives.

There will always be things that we want to change, things we can complain about or things that may just suck, but on the other side there will always be good that can be focused on.

I have always believed that I am incredibly lucky when it comes to the amazing people in my life, but there are moments when I take a step back and get to truly appreciate how lucky I am. You hear stories of awful in-laws, mean siblings, untrustworthy friends or people who just don't have any kind of support to be seen. When I hear these stories or when I share some of my stories is when I get a glimpse of how great I really have it. I not only have the people in my life that celebrate the good, they are around 24/7 no matter what the mood. Through my struggles, strengths, most joyous moments or epic fails they are always around to cheer me on. When I speak about my wonderfully supportive husband, crazy loving family, generously warm in-laws or fantastically special friend's people tell me how amazing that is and I believe them.

Coming into incredibly unknown territory, parenthood, I am not nervous or scared, I know the kind of love and support that I get will guide me through all the interesting moments that my new adventure will take me. Knowing the kind of support I get makes me incredibly grateful each and every day.

I think everyone should take time to really take it all in, really appreciate all the people in there lives that make it what it is. I think far too often the people get overlooked and we can tend to focus on the things instead.

So take a moment and take stock of the fine people in your life. Who makes you laugh, smile or is willing to share a cry?

Lotsa Love,

Natasha

Who will our baby be?

As my pregnancy progresses I cant help but ask the question, who will he be? I'm sure that I'm not alone in this, that every parent to be has the same question. The absolute wonderment of the little human you are creating and will soon meet.

I wonder what he will look like, what features he will get from me or Ryan. Will he have Ryan's nose or my smile? Seeing as Ryan and I both have dark features, I'm assuming the baby will be the same, but then again who knows.

More than features I'm curious about who he will be, what his personality will be like. Will he be funny, kind, gentle, warm or serious? Will he like trucks, dolls, worms or tea parties?

After waiting so long to get pregnant and have our very own baby the wait of meeting him seems just too long. Even though time has been flying, I just can't wait for the day my little boy is in my arms and we finally get to meet the angel who picked us as parents. I'm sure the day will be here before we know it and ill be wondering where the time went, but until then I get to enjoy all the moments of pregnancy.

I have been lucky enough to feel him move fairly early on and now frequently. He's a mover and that makes me wonder if he will be once he's out. The ultrasound tech, at our last appointment, warned me that if he moves half as much as he does now when he's out ill be in trouble, ill be running lol. I fear that she may be correct. I'm not quite sure when he sleeps; all I know is he sure likes to move.

So until the day that he decides its time to meet us and I get to learn who he is first hand; I can day dream, hope and wonder.

Lotsa Love,

Natasha

And it's a.... Boy or Girl?

Nearly at the half way mark of my pregnancy we finally get to have the big ultrasound, the ultrasound where you get to find out if your baby is a boy or girl, if baby cooperates. Now not everyone wants to find this out, as they like the surprise. My husband and I on the other hand never wait to give gifts and cant stand waiting for news. We decided right away that we wanted to know what our little bundle of joy would be and have been counting down ever since. 

All guesses are in and most people are saying that our little bundle will be a boy, with the few that are standing by the girl prediction. We get asked all the time if we have a preference either way and most people don't believe us when we say that we don't. After waiting for so long and never knowing if our dream of being parents would come true for us a baby is the greatest gift no matter what the gender. We are so excited to find out the gender so we can decorate and shop, shop, shop. Time seems to be flying by and before we know it our little bundle will be here.

So did baby cooperate? Are we thinking hues of blues or pinks?

Our little bundle is a… . Boy! We are over the moon excited and are now talking baby names, nursery themes and planning out are shopping excursion for our little man. He more than cooperated and was moving around non stop. Even the ultrasound tech said he he's like this when he comes out I'll be running lol. 

Getting to the half way mark of my pregnancy flew by in a flash, I am very much so enjoying being pregnant, but cannot wait for the 2nd half to fly by so I can finally meet my precious little angel that we have been waiting for, for oh so long.

Lotsa Love,

Natasha

What pregnancy has taught me... So far!

We all learn from every life experience we have or at least we have the opportunity to learn. I try to take something from my experiences to keep growing as a person. Some deep and some fluffy.

Being pregnant for sure had its ups and downs, but for me so far it has been a fantastic journey. I'm 19 weeks pregnant, almost at the half way point and being my first time I'm learning a lot.

I learnt that maternity clothes are my best friend, they are built for growing bodies and are super comfy.
Not to take everything seriously I read online, my dr laughs at me pretty regularly.
Ask ask ask, always ask if your wondering, better ask a question and know for sure then not know and always be worrying or cause harm.
Find a comfy bra and buy a few when you do!
Bio oil and other creams are wonderful.
What you think are the most amazing things easily get replaced by a heartbeat, picture from an ultrasound or a kick.
Write everything down because your easily distracted.
Share your experiences with your partner to make them feel included.
Tums calcium is wonderful, always have on hand.
Get properly sized at a maternity store, walking in can be overwhelming and they are there to help.
Enjoy every minute of it, cuz time flies.

I feel so lucky that I get to experience the wonder that is pregnancy. All the good, bad and hormonal; I wouldn't trade in for anything. To know that in a few short months I get to meet the baby I have been dreaming of for over six years, feels surreal to me. I am also incredibly lucky to have an incredibly supportive and loving husband who kisses, talks, listens and loves the baby in my belly non stop.

When it all comes down to it I've learnt how much you can love someone you've never met, an idea, a dream. How much the people around you can get attached and invested to that dream. I am loving this journey and cannot wait to see what I get to experience next on it.

Lotsa love,
Natasha

First flutters

There are a whole whack load of changes you go through when your pregnant; physically, emotionally and mentally. Some difficult, not so fun and some magical.

I'm thankfully now in my 2nd trimester of pregnancy and loving it. I've made it through the 24hr nausea and exhaustion. Now I get to experience the fun.

Feeling the first flutter of my babies movements was an incredible moment, one made even more special because I was snuggled on the couch with Ryan and he was rubbing my belly. It was like that fast flutter was the babies way of saying hello to us. Seeing as I'm only 4 months the flutters are not very strong or frequent yet, but I still get those special moments a few times a day where my baby says hello. I cannot wait to have Ryan feel the movements, but that's still a little bit away.

I definitely have to say that pregnancy is one crazy and amazing adventure. What our bodies go through and can feel is incredible. I thank the lucky stars, the ottawa fertility clinic and hot 89.8 every day that I get to be apart of this adventure. I only hope that anyone who wants to experience this kind of blind love gets to some day.

Lotsa Love,
Natasha