Yup, Chad & I have been"together" for 3 years Sept. 17th....just three years ago he decided to give me a call and ask if I was busy that night or not... and there it began. What a full 3 years! We met the first, married the second, and now Baby B is on the way for year 3! Chad was sweet picking me up flowers on the way home and then we went to the Back 9 for supper. Neither of us had been there before and it was really nice!
We started off splitting sweet potatoe humas which was good but really really sweet. I think Chad was right when he said it would be the right thing to split with another couple, just giving you a taste but not so sweet you didn't want anymore. I think I'm a bit traditional with my hummas palate as well. Then we split a really really great Chicken Ceasar Salad, it WAS really good having just the right amount of everything, including sauce, I would definilty get that again. Then to finish off we split this great pasta dish with peppers and cream sauce....oh yum, again really good! The atmosphere (at least on Monday night) was really great, quiet, nice lighting and neat decor. I think probably it wouldn't be that way if there was a big game on or something with all the t.v,'s but it was perfect for us!
We managed to take a walk over to try some Bubble tea. Chad had some out west and thought it was great so he wanted me to try it. He said it wasn't as good as the one he'd had out west, it was ok in my opinion but I neat thing to try regardless. We went for a little walk along our beautiful river and headed for home. A perfect evening, and considering the crazy schedule we've been running lately-- a much much needed time to ourselves!
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Garganteous Baby Shower
We had our church shower Saturday, and there really aren't words to express it other than crazy, overwhellming...over the top....It was fun which was the prerequisite for me, none of these boring baby showers! Anyway, there were over 100 people show up, coming and going at different times. We started the "show" off with Pictionary boys against girls, this was absolutely hilarious with the girls winning of course, but I must admit the boys drawings were really really...interesting.
Then the girls showed off by winning the diaper races. In pairs we had to diaper a doll each with one had behind the back. Again, it was fun and people were really into it, so that was cool!Then came the gift marathon, and honestly it was really just way too much to soak in! I mean sometimes a person says that but this time it was really true. The mounds and mounds of gifts, the tons of people...I was exhausted and about halfway through I just couldn't really do it anymore. Chad kind of took over and I did more watching at that point. Our families and the real
keeners stayed till the end, 5pm, when we finally finished working through them all. Mom came up to me after and mentioned I looked exhausted. I told her I thought "I just needed to go home and have a good" and before I could say "cry" the tears started. Too much.Thanks to Grampy's van we got all of the loot home and in the livingroom, and within an hour of being in my own home with my family I was feeling good again. But wow, what a mound of stuff. Chad & Adam (my brother in law) put the crib & dresser together which was really exciting,
and Kaitlyn and Dad kept us entertained in ways that only they can do.It was late when everyone packed it up to head for Moncton but the nursery was nearly together, well at least the big furniture, the mounds of gifts were still in the livingroom in piles, but the nursery was starting to take shape. As I watched my family pull out of the driveway, from our doorway, my heart swelled, honestly with all of the love and kindness of all the church folks, what meant the most to me, was having my family around me, in my home, in my life here in Freddy, how I miss not having them here sharing my regular living, what a treat for me!
Harvest Jazz & Blues
Well we had our concert, opening for the Lee boys at the Harvest Jazz & Blues festival last Friday night and I must say it was tons of fun! Honestly I haven't had that much fun in awhile! Of course there were a few moments where things didn't go quite like we would have liked, but that's how it goes right! Regardless we had a blast and nearly sold out with just 42 tickets to sell that night! I even think we were better than the Lee boys, at least I'm pretty sure we had more fun then they did!It was a special treat for me because Mom & Dad came up to spend the night with us, and to hear the choir sing. I can't endorse our new CD "Change" enough, I think it's a great one! If you haven't heard it, come on out to our CD launch, free admission with a cash or gift card donation for the Superstore to help out the UNB clinic downtown, September 30th at 6pm at SSC!
Dad was hungry and I was a bit myself after the show so we took off for the Diplomat for a VERY late supper. Yum as usual, and then home and in bed by 1am for the big day, Saturday's baby shower!
Friday, September 14, 2007
At 5:30 AM this morning
Guess what I was doing at 5:30am today? Getting out of bed! Gross eh! Actually it was around time for my 3rd visit to the bathroom anyway so it wasn't so bad. We had to leave the house at 6:15 to be at the Mojo Tent for the CBC's Harvest Jazz & Blues Breakfast. They were charging $5 for a nice looking breakfast and 2nd Cup Coffee and admission into the tent which was full of great music like the SSC Choir!
It was COLD!!! We were on stage and singing at 7:15am, and I think it went great! I mean I have no idea what the mix sounded like on the radio, and honestly it is a little hard to believe that singing at 7am can be fun, but it really was! The people seemed to enjoy us! I'm just hoping they come out to the Playhouse for our show tonight! THAT will be a blast! I'm so excited my Mom & Dad are coming out!
It was COLD!!! We were on stage and singing at 7:15am, and I think it went great! I mean I have no idea what the mix sounded like on the radio, and honestly it is a little hard to believe that singing at 7am can be fun, but it really was! The people seemed to enjoy us! I'm just hoping they come out to the Playhouse for our show tonight! THAT will be a blast! I'm so excited my Mom & Dad are coming out!
Prenatal #2
Last night we had our 2nd Prenatal visit. This week we learned about different pain medication available during labour and C-births. All I can say is I really don't want one, but I knew that before the class. I was really suprised when we were learning about the different medications that an Epideral is actually the best pain relief option in regards to safety to the baby and relief. I was suprised. For some reason I always thought pain relief yes, but it must be bad for the baby. But compared to fentenal and demoral it's actually better because it's not a narcotic. The laughing gas is of course an option, and you can self minister it as you need it in small doses and it doesn't do any harm to the baby either. Our nurse WAS quick to point out that the nurses will be monitoring all the doses of narcotics and if need be they have a medication they can give the baby when it is born that will quickly reverse any effects of the narcotics on the baby.
We also saw the instrument they use to induce labour. Lets just say our! that looked nasty! basically it looks the equivilent of a long sewing needle! and then she told us about "scrapping the membranes", 'cuse that sounds nice! Or sometimes you can go in and the doctor will give you medication and try to turn the baby, when she mentioned medication I immediatly got the worst possible image in my mind of a doctor going up inside of you and trying to turn the baby. She quickly laughed (as did everyone else) and assured me that if they try and turn the baby it is from the outside! that was scary for a minute!
All in all a helpful, information wise, evening, especially the stuff about the different pain medication. I still have to wonder on the drive home though it it wouldn't be easier to just not know....which is funny for me because I usually like to have all the inside information....I continue to have myself psyched that I can totally do this thing! Last night I had a dream that we had the most adorable little boy, with these thin little elf ears! :) I'm so anxious to meet this little person...who is Baby Billington?
We also saw the instrument they use to induce labour. Lets just say our! that looked nasty! basically it looks the equivilent of a long sewing needle! and then she told us about "scrapping the membranes", 'cuse that sounds nice! Or sometimes you can go in and the doctor will give you medication and try to turn the baby, when she mentioned medication I immediatly got the worst possible image in my mind of a doctor going up inside of you and trying to turn the baby. She quickly laughed (as did everyone else) and assured me that if they try and turn the baby it is from the outside! that was scary for a minute!
All in all a helpful, information wise, evening, especially the stuff about the different pain medication. I still have to wonder on the drive home though it it wouldn't be easier to just not know....which is funny for me because I usually like to have all the inside information....I continue to have myself psyched that I can totally do this thing! Last night I had a dream that we had the most adorable little boy, with these thin little elf ears! :) I'm so anxious to meet this little person...who is Baby Billington?
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The Hospital Tour
Chad & I had the hospital tour of Labor & Delivery tonight. It was pretty neat, and informative too. Much easier on the head than the video we watched and the dialation chart we saw at prenatal last week!
We got to see one of the rooms we'll likely have the baby in. Kinda neat I guess, looks like a hospital room. It's weird, you actually have to be buzzed in to the labor & delivery section. We got to see the t.v. and reading area where a lady was attempting to watch t.v. and ignore her discomfort, and the shower area (but we didn't get to see the jacuzzi area, it was in a different spot). We found out where there is lots of ice, and where they keep the popsicles (all important!).
A man & his wife came in to deliver their baby and he saw Chad and stopped, pointed at "the bag" and mouthed the words, "Don't forget the bag!" to Chad. Sounds like they had a bit of a situation on their hands! LOL!
We also saw the nursery and learned about private rooms, vs. semi-private and ward. We saw where they do circumcisions and the breast feeding clinic.
We also walked by a room with a really really old lady sleeping in the bed and we were all a little alarmed at the possible fertility miricle before our eyes, but we were quickly informed that women with reproductive surgeries etc. were also kept in that area of the hospital sometimes.
So all in all a productive hour, if only our hunt for a not so expensive blind for our oddly deminensioned baby's room window was half as productive!
We got to see one of the rooms we'll likely have the baby in. Kinda neat I guess, looks like a hospital room. It's weird, you actually have to be buzzed in to the labor & delivery section. We got to see the t.v. and reading area where a lady was attempting to watch t.v. and ignore her discomfort, and the shower area (but we didn't get to see the jacuzzi area, it was in a different spot). We found out where there is lots of ice, and where they keep the popsicles (all important!).
A man & his wife came in to deliver their baby and he saw Chad and stopped, pointed at "the bag" and mouthed the words, "Don't forget the bag!" to Chad. Sounds like they had a bit of a situation on their hands! LOL!
We also saw the nursery and learned about private rooms, vs. semi-private and ward. We saw where they do circumcisions and the breast feeding clinic.
We also walked by a room with a really really old lady sleeping in the bed and we were all a little alarmed at the possible fertility miricle before our eyes, but we were quickly informed that women with reproductive surgeries etc. were also kept in that area of the hospital sometimes.
So all in all a productive hour, if only our hunt for a not so expensive blind for our oddly deminensioned baby's room window was half as productive!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Baby Border
Tonight we had "Uncle" Doug, and "Great" Grammie B in for supper and they helped us put up the border in the baby's room. I was pretty much devestated that Chad had left the camera at the church today, so I was unable to take a picture, I've been trying to catelogue the process and all those who have helped us get ready... so we are left only with words and memories.
We had fun and it only took a little more than an hour! and it is SOOOOOOooooooo cute! I absolutly love it! And Chad is getting more excited about it too which makes it more fun! So another step in the process completed. We'll rehang the valance tomorrow, and hopefully I'll find a blind I like and get to hang that as well. Then after our shower on Saturday we'll be clear sailing for putting the finishing touches on the room. Then we just wait, for Baby B to arrive! Man how I wish he or she would get whatever it is he or she has stuck in my left rib OUT!
We had fun and it only took a little more than an hour! and it is SOOOOOOooooooo cute! I absolutly love it! And Chad is getting more excited about it too which makes it more fun! So another step in the process completed. We'll rehang the valance tomorrow, and hopefully I'll find a blind I like and get to hang that as well. Then after our shower on Saturday we'll be clear sailing for putting the finishing touches on the room. Then we just wait, for Baby B to arrive! Man how I wish he or she would get whatever it is he or she has stuck in my left rib OUT!
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Our First Baby Shower
My Aunt Sue threw a family Baby shower for us this past Saturday just outside of Moncton. It was stiffling hot! In the pictures I look even more bloated than normal! Despite that though we had a good time and got some really adorable things for Baby B. and lots of yellow! I love baby's in yellow!
Some highlight gifts were definitly the blanket my Mom made for the baby. It is beautiful and unique and perfect if it's really cold, or you have to lay the baby down on a floor somewhere 'cuse it's thick too, or wrap it up toasty. It's one of those inverted quilt things where the ends are all snipped on the outside, but made with flannel. It's great, and it smells wonderful! I can't wait to wrap little Baby B in it and tell him or her how much his or her Grammie in Elgin loves him or her-- a like a warm hug from Grammie!
Another favorite was the most beautiful bonnet, sweater and booties my Nannie made for the baby. It is a cream colour and so gorgeous I can't wait to put it on the baby. It really is so beautiful and will be picture perfect...and so soft! Of course it was made with love from my Nannie so it is even more special. It is one of those pieces that will be kept lovingly forever!
My sister Angela, Adam & Kaitlyn gave us a neat basket from the heart with things that Angela found worked great with Kaitlyn. There was bedtime bath and lotion, a little bear blanket, some bum cream and 2 CD's of lullabys. Do you detect a theme?
My other sister April, & Trevor gave us a hilarious book called the Baby Owner's Manuel! I guess we won't be able to give this baby the excuse that he or she didn't come with a manuel! it is set up in a way that the baby is like a piece of equipment or something....really too hilarious! And a handful of cute bibs.
I obviously can't get into describing each item, but those were some definite favorites! One more shower next week at the church, and then we'll finish tackling the baby's room and getting everything all set up for the big day when we can bring this little one home!
Our First Prenatal Visit
Well Chad & I had our first prenatal meeting this past thursday. It was a little aqward walking in, well for me anyway, Chad loves new people situations, me not so much. So we arrived and Chad did offer me the comfy chair (they have it comfy, not so comfy chair, comfy not so comfy around the room) but I quickly lost it when everyone was asked to move down and somehow we got shuffled out of the good seats, or another couple was taking two or something.
First the VON told us a bit of ourself, and everyone was really quiet and strange. Then she got us to do an icebreaker game and I must admit it looked bad for awhile, but people warmed up and had fun. Chad of course knew two people in the class from before, and he was right in his element cracking jokes until they brought out the dialation chart. Yup, they have this massive chart showing the progression of your cervix as it dialates to 10 centimeters. They actually only go to 8 centimeters on the chart, we think because 10 is just too distressing to see!
Then we were all given a card with a question and answer on it which we were to go around the room and read aloud. Chad got the question about dealing with hemoroids, and I got the question about sex...figures. Chad thought he had the best question! LOL!
After that we had a break to stretch our legs and came back to.....hear the ominious, forboding music climaxing in the background.....THE VIDEO. Yup, they showed us a birth. It was pretty messed up to watch actually. Chad kept patting my knee and looking at me nervously. I was shocked. I mean I thought it would be push, out comes the head, push out comes the shoulders, push out comes the baby, but THIS BABY! it's head was stuck outside of the mom's body for ages as she worked to try and push the sholders out. So there it is, the Mom's belly and the baby's head sticking out for eons!
The VON nurse did a deep breathing relaxing technique thing with us, did Chad ever take the breathing seriously! I think you could have heard his deep breathing from across the room! and we called it a night. Next week we learn about different pain medication etc.
We got in the car and Chad asked me, what I thought of THAT, and I pretty much said, I was pretty sure I didnt want to do it. He said yeah he could see that! LOL! All along I've had myself pretty psyched thinking I can do this thing...the video and the cervix chart....didn't help so much!
I did learn one important thing though. They say you shouldn't drink Green tea 'cuse it can bring on contractions, so I figure middle of October you should be able to find me, hanging out at Tim Hortons with a new found appreciation for the tea, and smelling of grass!
First the VON told us a bit of ourself, and everyone was really quiet and strange. Then she got us to do an icebreaker game and I must admit it looked bad for awhile, but people warmed up and had fun. Chad of course knew two people in the class from before, and he was right in his element cracking jokes until they brought out the dialation chart. Yup, they have this massive chart showing the progression of your cervix as it dialates to 10 centimeters. They actually only go to 8 centimeters on the chart, we think because 10 is just too distressing to see!
Then we were all given a card with a question and answer on it which we were to go around the room and read aloud. Chad got the question about dealing with hemoroids, and I got the question about sex...figures. Chad thought he had the best question! LOL!
After that we had a break to stretch our legs and came back to.....hear the ominious, forboding music climaxing in the background.....THE VIDEO. Yup, they showed us a birth. It was pretty messed up to watch actually. Chad kept patting my knee and looking at me nervously. I was shocked. I mean I thought it would be push, out comes the head, push out comes the shoulders, push out comes the baby, but THIS BABY! it's head was stuck outside of the mom's body for ages as she worked to try and push the sholders out. So there it is, the Mom's belly and the baby's head sticking out for eons!
The VON nurse did a deep breathing relaxing technique thing with us, did Chad ever take the breathing seriously! I think you could have heard his deep breathing from across the room! and we called it a night. Next week we learn about different pain medication etc.
We got in the car and Chad asked me, what I thought of THAT, and I pretty much said, I was pretty sure I didnt want to do it. He said yeah he could see that! LOL! All along I've had myself pretty psyched thinking I can do this thing...the video and the cervix chart....didn't help so much!
I did learn one important thing though. They say you shouldn't drink Green tea 'cuse it can bring on contractions, so I figure middle of October you should be able to find me, hanging out at Tim Hortons with a new found appreciation for the tea, and smelling of grass!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
My Award Winning Photographer Husband (among other things)
I'm sooooo proud of Chad! He's been trying to get a bit of a photography side buisness off and running and in trying to get his name out there decided to put a few submissions in at the Fredericton Exhibition this week.
Well he came in first place for one of them and it happened to be in Portraits, which is where his interests lie anyway. It is a beautiful pic (antique style pic of an adorable little girl on a rocking horse) and I would have been suprised if he hadn't won something on it, but we were both really happy he won first!
You can see the pic, and a few other highlighted ones he's taken at http://www.chadbillington.com, along with some of his rates, check it out! And if you need to have some pics taken of your family, a friends' wedding or your own, or a special event, contact him! He's fun and his prices are crazy reasonable, not to mention he takes some great pictures!
Well he came in first place for one of them and it happened to be in Portraits, which is where his interests lie anyway. It is a beautiful pic (antique style pic of an adorable little girl on a rocking horse) and I would have been suprised if he hadn't won something on it, but we were both really happy he won first!
You can see the pic, and a few other highlighted ones he's taken at http://www.chadbillington.com, along with some of his rates, check it out! And if you need to have some pics taken of your family, a friends' wedding or your own, or a special event, contact him! He's fun and his prices are crazy reasonable, not to mention he takes some great pictures!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Just being stupid
Today Chad & I headed off to Houlton to pay that blasted bill of ours! But I was actually excited because we were picking up the rest of the Baby's wall boarder and some presents we had bought in the states. We started off at the market (which is always a good idea on a Saturday morning) and was it ever packed out! We did stand in line for the samosa's this time around, because I'd been craving veggie samosa's for weeks! Unfortunatly the vender I prefered to get the veggie ones from is no longer there. :( Chad also tried the kettle corn (which is realitivly new to the market) and it is really really good!
So we headed out, did some shopping and hoping for a rocker at Mardens and Walmart but no such luck this time around, so we came home and took a NAP. My how I LOVE naps now that I'm pregnant. Of course my nap would be better qualified as a sleep, but it was still great. And I woke up happy to be alive. That's one thing I've found about pregnancy,I really need my sleep and food when I'm hungry. If I skip out on either, I get really really down and just don't even want to exist! Chad has picked up on this as well and he is quite accomodating in trying to ensure neither of these things happen. Also, if I'm in one of these slumps, he's usually the first to suggest and remind me that I probably need some food or a nap-- good ol' hubby of mine!
Anyway, after the nap, Chad & I had decided for our long weekend festivities we were going to splurge and get some good steak (non of this marinate-drowning and simmering stuff) and corn on the cob (cuse I've been longing for this for weeks now!). And I must say it was one of the finest meals we've had in a long time. Both of us were groaning and moaning our way through this one! YUM!
After supper Chad returned to his sermon for tomorrow, and I remembered there was this shelf on sale at Walmart this week and if I wanted it I had to get it tonight. So I headed over. Of course, being the last day of the sale, they were all gone, but I got this brain wave that I would drive over to the new Walmart on the Northside and see if there was one over there, because of course there are less students over there sucking up all the shelves! So I headed over, feeling kinda smart. I got on to Brookside Drive, and suddenly I was ENTIRELY confused! I could see Sobeys and Zellers, even that Roxy place, but no Walmart. I'd been over to this new Walmart one other time and I knew it was here...so I drove around slowly...still no Walmart. So I start to panic a bit. My cell phone was dead so I'd left it at home so I couldn't call Chad....and I was starting to wonder if I was having one of those pregnant moments, and maybe I shouldn't even be driving! Feeling really confused and weird I headed for home, but the entire time before I got to the bridge I kept thinking I was missing something and I should turn around. There was no exit for anywhere other than that Pizza Delight, and then Brookside Drive coming back over, so again I thought I was having a Harry Potter moment, and maybe the Walmart had just disappeared.
Anyway, I got home in one piece, and Chad came out to help me with the shelf that I hadn't picked up, and I explained to him how strange an experience I'd had (I was on the verge of tears, feeling stupid and wondering what was going on, and feeling like I was missing something). Of course he filled me in that, you can only get to the "special" street the Walmart is on, going towards Brookside Drive, but it is before that. He tried to acknowledge my feelings by saying that must be frustrating, and he tried to make me feel better explaining how you could only see the exit from one side and that I'd only ever been there one other time in the dark...but I remain feeling stupid and a touch frustrated. So I crawled in my pj's and poured myself some nice hotchocolate to soothe myself, but everytime I took a sip I would start this coughing, gagging fit! hands raised for women who know coughing fits and nearly 8 months pregnant don't go so well together! anyway, lets just say I think it's about time I call it a day and take my sorry self to bed!
There was a day, I even remember it, when I considered myself a rather intelligent being!
So we headed out, did some shopping and hoping for a rocker at Mardens and Walmart but no such luck this time around, so we came home and took a NAP. My how I LOVE naps now that I'm pregnant. Of course my nap would be better qualified as a sleep, but it was still great. And I woke up happy to be alive. That's one thing I've found about pregnancy,I really need my sleep and food when I'm hungry. If I skip out on either, I get really really down and just don't even want to exist! Chad has picked up on this as well and he is quite accomodating in trying to ensure neither of these things happen. Also, if I'm in one of these slumps, he's usually the first to suggest and remind me that I probably need some food or a nap-- good ol' hubby of mine!
Anyway, after the nap, Chad & I had decided for our long weekend festivities we were going to splurge and get some good steak (non of this marinate-drowning and simmering stuff) and corn on the cob (cuse I've been longing for this for weeks now!). And I must say it was one of the finest meals we've had in a long time. Both of us were groaning and moaning our way through this one! YUM!
After supper Chad returned to his sermon for tomorrow, and I remembered there was this shelf on sale at Walmart this week and if I wanted it I had to get it tonight. So I headed over. Of course, being the last day of the sale, they were all gone, but I got this brain wave that I would drive over to the new Walmart on the Northside and see if there was one over there, because of course there are less students over there sucking up all the shelves! So I headed over, feeling kinda smart. I got on to Brookside Drive, and suddenly I was ENTIRELY confused! I could see Sobeys and Zellers, even that Roxy place, but no Walmart. I'd been over to this new Walmart one other time and I knew it was here...so I drove around slowly...still no Walmart. So I start to panic a bit. My cell phone was dead so I'd left it at home so I couldn't call Chad....and I was starting to wonder if I was having one of those pregnant moments, and maybe I shouldn't even be driving! Feeling really confused and weird I headed for home, but the entire time before I got to the bridge I kept thinking I was missing something and I should turn around. There was no exit for anywhere other than that Pizza Delight, and then Brookside Drive coming back over, so again I thought I was having a Harry Potter moment, and maybe the Walmart had just disappeared.
Anyway, I got home in one piece, and Chad came out to help me with the shelf that I hadn't picked up, and I explained to him how strange an experience I'd had (I was on the verge of tears, feeling stupid and wondering what was going on, and feeling like I was missing something). Of course he filled me in that, you can only get to the "special" street the Walmart is on, going towards Brookside Drive, but it is before that. He tried to acknowledge my feelings by saying that must be frustrating, and he tried to make me feel better explaining how you could only see the exit from one side and that I'd only ever been there one other time in the dark...but I remain feeling stupid and a touch frustrated. So I crawled in my pj's and poured myself some nice hotchocolate to soothe myself, but everytime I took a sip I would start this coughing, gagging fit! hands raised for women who know coughing fits and nearly 8 months pregnant don't go so well together! anyway, lets just say I think it's about time I call it a day and take my sorry self to bed!
There was a day, I even remember it, when I considered myself a rather intelligent being!
A Road Trip
Betty Anne, Shelley & I took off Sunday after church for St. Andrews. ROAD TRIP!!! Of course the trip started off with Shelley driving Betty Anne's new standard car, so just as I was about to down a great gulp of water from my Nalgene, she decides to shift gears and I'm suddenly SOAKED- thanks Shelley!Anyway the drive was nice, we talked like we haven't talked in years, and honestly it feels like it must have been at least that long since we all just sat down and jabbered outside of church activities! You know w
hat one of the things I absolutly love about sitting down with a handful of women for the afternoon (or at least the women I love to hang out with), we don't waste our time talking about trivial things, but dive into trying to solve the worlds problems! :)We arrived mid afternoon to Kingsbrea Gardens, a gorgeous place!
This is picture of the lily, unopened is one of my most favorite pictures! Doesn't it just remind you of people and potential beauty; haven't we all met people like this? haven't we all felt like 
this? Afraid to open up and expose ourselves, yet in remaining closed to the world we withold the deepest, most beautiful parts. I love this picture and I'm so glad I got it!
this? Afraid to open up and expose ourselves, yet in remaining closed to the world we withold the deepest, most beautiful parts. I love this picture and I'm so glad I got it! It was rather hilarious as we took off through the gardens. Betty Anne & I drawn by our eyes "oh look that's pretty!" and Shelley keeping her eyes focused on the map, making sure we saw everything and trying to keep us on track! How exhausted she must have been! LOL! Of course Betty Anne & I just laughed at her mulling 
through the map, trying to reorientate herself, and consequently trying to get "US" back on track. So we continued to laugh "ooooo isn't that pretty!"
through the map, trying to reorientate herself, and consequently trying to get "US" back on track. So we continued to laugh "ooooo isn't that pretty!"There were some really neat things to see, including water fountains, fruit trees, billy goats and peacocks, not to mention tons of SUNFLOWER (a personal favorite), and just a gorgeous array of flowers!
I would love to go earlier in the season another year and see things different again I'm sure! 
That's the great thing about gardens, really well kept ones always have something different and beautiful to offer each time you go see them!
That's the great thing about gardens, really well kept ones always have something different and beautiful to offer each time you go see them! And to sum the whole garden experience up, Betty Anne said it best. We stopped at the end of the MAP (yes the map Shelley!) at the cafe and restaurant for a cool drink and as Betty Anne told our waitress "A round of cookies for all!"
When the garden closed we headed downtown to mull about the shops, forgetting that it was Sunday and most of the shops closed by 5pm. So 
we wandered around a little bit and then went to my favorite place for dinner (well ok, maybe the only place I've ever been in St. Andrews for dinner, but it's my favorite non the less). It's this little place, you walk through this garden path to the back of the house, and sit out on the water, and WOW did we ever get a sunset! It just kept getting better and better and better! 4 times I got up from our table and sat down next to the rail to take pictures. I wish I could show you them all here, but I'll show you the best one. The colours just kept getting better and better! Definitly the highlight sunset of the summer!
we wandered around a little bit and then went to my favorite place for dinner (well ok, maybe the only place I've ever been in St. Andrews for dinner, but it's my favorite non the less). It's this little place, you walk through this garden path to the back of the house, and sit out on the water, and WOW did we ever get a sunset! It just kept getting better and better and better! 4 times I got up from our table and sat down next to the rail to take pictures. I wish I could show you them all here, but I'll show you the best one. The colours just kept getting better and better! Definitly the highlight sunset of the summer!Anyway, all said it was an absolutly GREAT day (one we've been planning for 2 years mind you!) although a late night coming back!
Grammie & Grampy Billington's 60th Anniversary Party
Saturday, Sept 25th, as many of the family were in town, the Billington clan got together to celebrate Grammie & Grampy Billington's 60th Anniversary. It was SUCH a hot day! What a shocker! Chad & I had enjoyed having Doug & Melanie & Nannie Whitaker stay with us throughout the week, but it was really great to get together with everyone for the afternoon and celebrate 60 years of marriage. Wow, I can't imagine what marriage looks like after 60 years together! Matter of fact, the chances aren't great Chad & I will even know 60 years together. He was 29 when we got married, so that would put him at 89, and I was 25, putting me at 85. We might make it that long, maybe longer if we're lucky!
Chad's Grammie also found the infamous Noah & the Ark tape that Chad had memorized as a little boy. It was quite a treat for Chad to be suprised by it! Something tells me our little Baby Billington will likely hear it a couple of times! :)
Savanna's 2nd Birthday
Savanna's 2nd birthday has come and gone. Poor little tyke woke up puking her guts out the day of her party, but thankfully she was feeling better by the evening for her big do, although she seemed a little more subdued than usual. What a spread of food! of course! There were mounds of food not to mention birthday cupcakes (so cute on that cupcake tower!) and birthday icecream cake--yum!She was so funny opening her gifts. She got right down to it. Opening each one and moving on 
quite quickly, getting the job done! LOL! We had struggled trying to decide what to get her, but she absolutly loved the container of artistic supplies we got her. I'm glad, I actually wanted one myself I thought it was so cool! :) Then, after she'd opened up all her presents, she was such a doll and went back over each thing, getting so excited as if she was seeing each thing for the first time!
quite quickly, getting the job done! LOL! We had struggled trying to decide what to get her, but she absolutly loved the container of artistic supplies we got her. I'm glad, I actually wanted one myself I thought it was so cool! :) Then, after she'd opened up all her presents, she was such a doll and went back over each thing, getting so excited as if she was seeing each thing for the first time!Hard to believe both our girls are two already! I wonder how fast it will all seem to go once we have our own little ones....actually I think I prefer not to think about that, as I sit here with Baby Billington kicking along inside of me and wondering what he or she will look like and be like!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Baby Billington's Bedroom
Well Chad & I tackled the baby's bedroom last week, painting it this lovely yellow. Well, ok I thought it was lovely on the colour swatch, it matched nicely with the boarder we got for the baby's room so I thought surely it would be great on the walls.
Lets just say that the first coat was horrific! I wanted to cry! The greyish colour underneath was coming through and Chad & I both realized just the extent of novices we really were at painting. I called Mom before the second coat went on, looking for moral support. Of course she gave it to us, telling us it would look much better with a second coat. Still we were skeptical. The second coat did look a lot better, but wow was it bright! it actually reminded me of a cool lemonade colour...and I still wondered if I would be able to bring the baby home to THAT! Poor poor baby. We thought maybe a few days would help it wear on us. Not so. Everytime we walked down the hallway it was like a slap in the face! Keeping in mind the rest of our house is done in earth tones you'll understand a bit of how crazy bright this was.
Well we decided to try to warm it up. I still wanted yellow, but not that cold bright yellow!-- yikes! So last night Chad & Doug (have I mentioned yet Doug is home from Europe? It is always great to have him around to help me tease Chad, he's here for a visit and to celebrate Savanna's 2nd birthday) tackled the baby's room with yellow colour #2. I was so thankful I didn't have to swallow fumes for hours this time around, and they had picked up another roller so things went a lot faster! The boys saved the day and Baby Billington is certainly indebted to them forever for not having to come home to THAT! It is still yellow, but much better. I'm so excited to get some furniture in there, and the boarder up! the Process begins! as much as I don't like process.
Someone asked me Sunday night what I thought of pregnancy, and as is characteristic of me, I decided to be candid about the situation. Pregnancy has it's cool moments for sure, but on the whole, I've got to say I don't really have much time for it. I mean all the aches and pains, the nauseousness, swelling, headaches and other unmentionables... but more than anything for me it is that cursed word "process". I'm kind of a jump in with both feet kind of girl, not too into waiting around for things to happen, or long transition times and guess what? Pregnancy is a LONG TRANSITION TIME! I'm sure in the end it's all going to seem totally worth it, I'm excited about getting to know Baby Billington, this little person who's bound to be so cool....I'm just impatient I guess. So the grand synopsis for me is generally that pregnancy means process, and for this Heidi-girl, process is hard to do well!
Here's a cute pic of the boys saving the day with the new paint job!
Kaitlyn's 2nd Birthday
Kids birthday's are just so much fun! Especially when they are your neice's. So Kaitlyn turned 2 last week. Hard to believe. She's so much fun, we were really looking forward to going down for her birthday party this past weekend.
Friday afternoon we drove down and picked ourselves up a Hungry Man's Supper (yes, Chad was so excited for his 1 pound of frozen food!), then I took a nap when we arrived in Elgin. Mom & Dad were later coming home so while Chad prepared for her sermon Sunday, I lazed around. When Mom & Dad arrived home, they had a Hummer with them. Dad was dreaming a bit I guess and wanted to see what it was like offroading. Chad had never been up to the top of the mountain to see the lights so we went for an Elgin icecream and then headed up to see the lights. It's actually really neat, you can see the Petticodiac lights, the Salisbury Big Stop lights and Moncton lights all from atop this mountain by the grave yard. Dad told us ghost stories of the area (heavily embellished by him) on the drive up and on the drive down (keep in mind it's close to midnight and pitch black on a country road) we saw this light down in the ditch/cliff thing. So Dad & Chad decide they need to go check it out and see if there is someone lying half dead down the ditch or something...no such luck (?). We went back home and Dad & Chad stayed out stargazing (how romantic- I saw a shooting star!) while I entertained Mom as she finished up Kaitlyn's poncho she was making her.
Ok so truth be told we stayed up until close to 2am while Mom finished it, but it was gorgeous, and if you know my Mom at all (and Chad informs me the apple doesn't fall far from the tree), late night projects symbolize so many special events and gifts of love throughout my lifetime!
Saturday morning arrived early enough after such a late night. We drove in town for Kaitlyn's party and she was anxious to show off her new "big girl bed". This was her major birthday gift and she loves having the room to move around, and of course the ability to crawl out of bed and poke Mom in the shoulder in the middle of the night!
She loved opening her gifts, although it became apparent that opening one gift and then moving on to the other to play later, just is a really strange concept, especially when you're 2!
My baby was kicking up a storm inside of me and every time April put her hand to my belly the baby would kick it so hard April's hand would jump! it was funny, I've never seen the baby react so much to someone's hand on my stomach! So April decided she should explain to Kaitlyn that Aunt Heidi had a baby in her belly. She took Kaitlyn's hand and put it on my belly hoping the baby would kick and Kaitlyn would feel it, but no luck. So April continues explaining about the baby in belly. Kaitlyn took the bottom of my shirt and tried to pull it up. I patted it back down and said I thought we'd keep my shirt down and then Kaitlyn started crying, great big aligator (however you spell that) tears. We couldn't figure what was upsetting her so much, she kept saying "Baby, Juicy, Baby Juicy". April & I kept staring at each other trying to figure out what was upsetting her so much, until Mom (with the most earnest look on her face) looks at me and says "Heidi, she wants you to give the baby a juicy! Now keep in mind my Mom would give Kaitlyn the moon if she could and you might be able to conjure up the look on her face as she said this to me. Just as serious I reply "But, but Mom...I can't give the baby a juicy", then and yes only then, does the hilariousness of the situation actually strike both of us (keep in mind we had very little sleep the night before) and we start laughing with absolutly no control, tears pouring down our faces. Poor Kaitlyn she didn't know what to make of it all.
All that said, Kaitlyn is now 2 and as cute and wonderful as always. We headed out for home after quite the feed at supper time finding it hard to believe that our little neice is now 2 years old. Wow, how these 2 years have flown by.
And Savanna is next! 2 comes for her in just a couple of days!
Friday afternoon we drove down and picked ourselves up a Hungry Man's Supper (yes, Chad was so excited for his 1 pound of frozen food!), then I took a nap when we arrived in Elgin. Mom & Dad were later coming home so while Chad prepared for her sermon Sunday, I lazed around. When Mom & Dad arrived home, they had a Hummer with them. Dad was dreaming a bit I guess and wanted to see what it was like offroading. Chad had never been up to the top of the mountain to see the lights so we went for an Elgin icecream and then headed up to see the lights. It's actually really neat, you can see the Petticodiac lights, the Salisbury Big Stop lights and Moncton lights all from atop this mountain by the grave yard. Dad told us ghost stories of the area (heavily embellished by him) on the drive up and on the drive down (keep in mind it's close to midnight and pitch black on a country road) we saw this light down in the ditch/cliff thing. So Dad & Chad decide they need to go check it out and see if there is someone lying half dead down the ditch or something...no such luck (?). We went back home and Dad & Chad stayed out stargazing (how romantic- I saw a shooting star!) while I entertained Mom as she finished up Kaitlyn's poncho she was making her.
Ok so truth be told we stayed up until close to 2am while Mom finished it, but it was gorgeous, and if you know my Mom at all (and Chad informs me the apple doesn't fall far from the tree), late night projects symbolize so many special events and gifts of love throughout my lifetime!
Saturday morning arrived early enough after such a late night. We drove in town for Kaitlyn's party and she was anxious to show off her new "big girl bed". This was her major birthday gift and she loves having the room to move around, and of course the ability to crawl out of bed and poke Mom in the shoulder in the middle of the night!
She loved opening her gifts, although it became apparent that opening one gift and then moving on to the other to play later, just is a really strange concept, especially when you're 2!
My baby was kicking up a storm inside of me and every time April put her hand to my belly the baby would kick it so hard April's hand would jump! it was funny, I've never seen the baby react so much to someone's hand on my stomach! So April decided she should explain to Kaitlyn that Aunt Heidi had a baby in her belly. She took Kaitlyn's hand and put it on my belly hoping the baby would kick and Kaitlyn would feel it, but no luck. So April continues explaining about the baby in belly. Kaitlyn took the bottom of my shirt and tried to pull it up. I patted it back down and said I thought we'd keep my shirt down and then Kaitlyn started crying, great big aligator (however you spell that) tears. We couldn't figure what was upsetting her so much, she kept saying "Baby, Juicy, Baby Juicy". April & I kept staring at each other trying to figure out what was upsetting her so much, until Mom (with the most earnest look on her face) looks at me and says "Heidi, she wants you to give the baby a juicy! Now keep in mind my Mom would give Kaitlyn the moon if she could and you might be able to conjure up the look on her face as she said this to me. Just as serious I reply "But, but Mom...I can't give the baby a juicy", then and yes only then, does the hilariousness of the situation actually strike both of us (keep in mind we had very little sleep the night before) and we start laughing with absolutly no control, tears pouring down our faces. Poor Kaitlyn she didn't know what to make of it all.
All that said, Kaitlyn is now 2 and as cute and wonderful as always. We headed out for home after quite the feed at supper time finding it hard to believe that our little neice is now 2 years old. Wow, how these 2 years have flown by.
And Savanna is next! 2 comes for her in just a couple of days!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
just another "ORDINAARY Heidi-day"
Yesturday I headed into the doctor's office to check out the swelling, blood pressure etc. issue from the weekend, that left me looking like Voldemort from Harry Potter with my red-slit eyes. There my doctor having gone over all my information said that it looked like some fluke sick thing over the weekend but he wanted to monitor my blood pressure and swelling for a few days to make sure nothing wonky was going down and they'd do a urine analysis. So ok, I guess that's fine, I just LOVE hanging out at emerge for days on end having funny tests run on me!
Well I thought I got started on the right foot today, until it came to breakfast (oh right that's not so far along is it?) Anyway, Chad was in a rush to get to Staff meeting and I had to go into Emerge for a blood pressure test etc. so he had made me some toast with peanut butter and LOADS of strawberry jam, for the road. I hope in the car, demon possesed eyes just a gleeming in my burnt orange shirt and slop, the whole thing right on my shirt, litterally the toast was clinging to my shirt. It was really quite disgusting. Chad contained himself as I quickly got changed and we headed in (he was only 4 minutes late, I thought that wasn't bad considering).
Then I went to Emerge, I wasn't exactly sure how it would work, I knew they told me to page my doctor who would come and take my blood pressure. So I did that, but they actually gave me the whole yellow band and everything treatment. Then I waited. My doctor arrived and checked my blood pressure and swelling which was great and told me my urine analaysis came back and the protein that had been showing was not a problem. Great! I think, off scott free! (well with the exception of the demon-eyes). Then he tells me the big old BUT. But they found sugar in my urine (or as I told Cherri today, urine in my pee--I really am loosing my mind) and he wanted to monitor this now. Even though I passed my sugar diabetes test 2 weeks ago, he thinks it's best we do it again and be sure. *sigh* I don't get it, what's the deal, lets just get over this hump and carry on people! Don't get me wrong I'm glad he's watching things, especially if there is trouble, it just seems like such a waste of time having these little problems, and it's hard not feeling like a looser, like you did something wrong...
So thats ok, I did a little work this morning, had lunch with Chad and then came home to do laundry and pack up for Willow Creek Conference and I'm left to face my peanut butter and jelly smeared burnt orange shirt, and I start gagging at the smell of it as I try to wash it out abit before I put it in the wash....and I can't help thinking to myself, is it not a bit of a freak of nature thing that I, ME, HEIDI DAWN CARSON BILLINGTON, and 7 months pregnant and going to be a Mom. I mean really, I know I'll love this baby to bits and do my darndist, but when it comes to general mothering skills, do I have what it takes? I mean I can't even keep the whites of my eyeballs white, and the sugar out of my pee, not to mention wash the peanut butter and jelly out of my shirt! What am I thinking! But thankfully you don't need a degree in peanut butter and jelly management to have a child, we'll just love him or her to death and pray he or she grows up smarter than us and can at least make fun of us a bit!
Well I thought I got started on the right foot today, until it came to breakfast (oh right that's not so far along is it?) Anyway, Chad was in a rush to get to Staff meeting and I had to go into Emerge for a blood pressure test etc. so he had made me some toast with peanut butter and LOADS of strawberry jam, for the road. I hope in the car, demon possesed eyes just a gleeming in my burnt orange shirt and slop, the whole thing right on my shirt, litterally the toast was clinging to my shirt. It was really quite disgusting. Chad contained himself as I quickly got changed and we headed in (he was only 4 minutes late, I thought that wasn't bad considering).
Then I went to Emerge, I wasn't exactly sure how it would work, I knew they told me to page my doctor who would come and take my blood pressure. So I did that, but they actually gave me the whole yellow band and everything treatment. Then I waited. My doctor arrived and checked my blood pressure and swelling which was great and told me my urine analaysis came back and the protein that had been showing was not a problem. Great! I think, off scott free! (well with the exception of the demon-eyes). Then he tells me the big old BUT. But they found sugar in my urine (or as I told Cherri today, urine in my pee--I really am loosing my mind) and he wanted to monitor this now. Even though I passed my sugar diabetes test 2 weeks ago, he thinks it's best we do it again and be sure. *sigh* I don't get it, what's the deal, lets just get over this hump and carry on people! Don't get me wrong I'm glad he's watching things, especially if there is trouble, it just seems like such a waste of time having these little problems, and it's hard not feeling like a looser, like you did something wrong...
So thats ok, I did a little work this morning, had lunch with Chad and then came home to do laundry and pack up for Willow Creek Conference and I'm left to face my peanut butter and jelly smeared burnt orange shirt, and I start gagging at the smell of it as I try to wash it out abit before I put it in the wash....and I can't help thinking to myself, is it not a bit of a freak of nature thing that I, ME, HEIDI DAWN CARSON BILLINGTON, and 7 months pregnant and going to be a Mom. I mean really, I know I'll love this baby to bits and do my darndist, but when it comes to general mothering skills, do I have what it takes? I mean I can't even keep the whites of my eyeballs white, and the sugar out of my pee, not to mention wash the peanut butter and jelly out of my shirt! What am I thinking! But thankfully you don't need a degree in peanut butter and jelly management to have a child, we'll just love him or her to death and pray he or she grows up smarter than us and can at least make fun of us a bit!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Vacation Camping Adventures
Well, as it is past time for bed, I have suddenly become inspired to blog about Chad & my vacation last week. Nearly last minute we decided to take one of Chad's weeks of offered vacation after all and go camping (saving the other 2 for 'baby time'). Ok, ok so I will NOW admit that camping at nearly 7 months pregnant might not be the most intelligent or informed decision, ahhh but how hindsight makes so much sense! But being Chad's "Adventure friend" as his Grammie B was introduced to me in our early dating days, it only made sense to embark on a "different", pregnant adventure.
Monday morning Chad & I got up after Mom & Dad got off to work, and I had a nice long bath (Mom & Dad have a massive tub and it felt so good to just float around in the water for awhile). Stealing a dozen cookies we headed in town for lunch and to pick up groceries. We ate at East Side Mario's, one of my favorite places, splitting a yummy dish. Groceries & Car packed up we headed for Ponderosa Pines in Hopewell for some camping. I was really excited, I love to camp, and Chad must have been too (it was so difficult to discern this though) as he was singing at the top of his lungs and making up songs about camping, pines and things all morning. We arrived late afternoon, took a good while deciding on our camping spot, set up and called it good for the day.
Tuesday we woke up bright and early, as only happens naturally when I'm camping. Chad cooked us a great FRIED breakfast and then we lazily went and got cleaned up for the day. I had the worse shower ever, Chad an amazing one that he tipped me off on for the next day (such a good man!).
Then we went for a walk and perused the giftshops, steering clear from the used bookshop, I so love those places it is a death trap for me!!! (Plug for the chicken barn in Maine! one of my most favorite places!) and then I had to take Chad to get a famous sticky bun as he'd never had one and it was always one of the highlights driving through Alma on the way to Fundy Park as kids.
Wednesday morning we woke up really early to go hit the low tides at Hopwell Rocks, Chad had never been there before. I must say I never remember it being that muddy. We had fun walking and climbing, but again I must admit that it is a lot harder to do when pregnant. As I was climbing over once bunch of rocks, one lady suggested I might not want to do that and go into premature labor. I'm sure I looked at least a bit rediculous, but did slow down sum realizing, falling as a pregnant lady wasn't so cool either. The hike back up the stairs and up the trail was a bit much and again with the overheating, sun etc. But we had fun! We had a picnic lunch and then went into the gift shop and information center, but I was whipped. Unable to find a spot in the shade to sit we called it a day and went for some
icecream. When we arrived back at camp I was soooo hot, we pulled on the bathing suits and crawled in the pool where we lounged, cooling off, until it was cool enough outside to carry on. It was here I also became the expert horsefly killer and Chad through all caution to the wind and got himself severly burned. That night the mosquitos were especially bad so Chad & I sat in the car reading until 10pm when he could finally venture out to build us our last campfire. How I love campfire! It seems we have the best time, and the best conversations around the campfire. THe moon was so beautiful across the bay too, and what a view we had!
Friday we got up and ran the roads for my pay check, visited Chad's Grampy B who turned 90 last weekend, and stopped off at Chad's Grammie B's as she had offered us her airconditioned car for our drive to Houlton for the baby's wall paper boarder. We were late on the road but had planned to have lunch in Houlton at our favorite little restuarant with Jukeboxes. Arriving near the boarder suddenly a storm came flying through, blackened sky, rain pellets and all the power and electricty GONE. We went in to get our money changed at the Border place, and there wasn't a lick of light, luckily they still changed our money for us but I couldn't go pee, the bathroom was pitch black, so I decided to wait for the restaurant on the other side. We sat in the line for at least 15 minutes watching lighting, thunder and heat lighting crash through the skies, rainings pouring so hard. It was quite the show.
Friday night we were supposed to head out to Elgin for a sleepover with my sister Angela, her husband Adam and my neice Kaitlyn at Mom & Dad's, and I had dreams of a campfire (we attempted one last vist but it wouldn't let up raining). We were all gathering there because Saturday was my sister April's housewarming party and they live near Elgin and it would be a chance to visit. But with the heat making me miserable, a full week, and a very busy work day Friday, and the prospect of packing up the car for a week of camping, by the time we got home I was unbearable and could do nothing but sit in a cold tub of water and cry away my heated misery. So we headed out Saturday morning instead, which as much as I wanted to go spend Friday night, was a much better plan for the ol' prego psychee.
Saturday we arrived and although it was hot and I was swelling despite my compression socks, we had a good time at April's housewarming. Angela & Adam headed up to Mom & Dad's to give Kaitlyn some supper before heading home to Moncton, but she fell asleep on the drive and they let her snooze, giving her a late supper and decided to spend the night instead of going home, 
which of course went over really well with all of us, we got our sleepover anyway! AND Dad put on a campfire for us (Kaitlyn's first) and we had a blast! (although I must admit that sitting for any length of time on a hard log bench by a raging fire on a warm night was not working so well with the pregnant lady. Anyway, I got my campfire in! Sleeping in aircondition, is a beautiful beautiful thing, ahhhhh how beautiful to pull a quilt up over this ol' pregnant body and enjoy the cool, artificial air.
which of course went over really well with all of us, we got our sleepover anyway! AND Dad put on a campfire for us (Kaitlyn's first) and we had a blast! (although I must admit that sitting for any length of time on a hard log bench by a raging fire on a warm night was not working so well with the pregnant lady. Anyway, I got my campfire in! Sleeping in aircondition, is a beautiful beautiful thing, ahhhhh how beautiful to pull a quilt up over this ol' pregnant body and enjoy the cool, artificial air.Sunday we had a lazy start (or at least I did). Chad went to the Elgin country church for a riverside baptism service and he said it was great. We visited and played in the afternoon and then Mom & Dad, Chad & I headed out for a country gospel concert in Petticodiac. I haven't heard music like that in quite awhile and I enjoyed a lot of it. The baby did too, kicking up a storm. I think he/she likes music, which makes me very happy! We hadn't had supper, so after we went out to the BigStop in Salisbury for supper and some good 'talk time". We also ran into Chris O and the gang headed back from prison visitation.
Monday morning Chad & I got up after Mom & Dad got off to work, and I had a nice long bath (Mom & Dad have a massive tub and it felt so good to just float around in the water for awhile). Stealing a dozen cookies we headed in town for lunch and to pick up groceries. We ate at East Side Mario's, one of my favorite places, splitting a yummy dish. Groceries & Car packed up we headed for Ponderosa Pines in Hopewell for some camping. I was really excited, I love to camp, and Chad must have been too (it was so difficult to discern this though) as he was singing at the top of his lungs and making up songs about camping, pines and things all morning. We arrived late afternoon, took a good while deciding on our camping spot, set up and called it good for the day.A couple things about camping in this particular area & pregnancy. I have NEVER seen horseflies like this before. The mornings were sooooo thick with mosquitos, only letting up in the afternoon for armies of horseflies (leaving massive welts everywhere imaginable, including my butt, how they got there I'm not sure) and hornits, letting up in the evening to welcome the mosquitos back until 10pm, when finally there was a bit of outside peace and we could have campfire! Also, althought the bathrooms are quite decent, for some reason they are located in the center of the campground closest to all the RV camping where they have there own bathrooms....leaving the tenters to the beautiful spots facing the bay, but with the worst managed outhouses I've seen. Couple this with the realization that in the heat of the day there is no where cool to go lay down when you're pregnant, and that if one does get down at any time to lay on the airmattress on the GROUND, getting up again is quite the workout and highly unrecommended if at all possible to avoid. I have been unable to make it through the night without at least one bathroom trip since I found out I was pregnant, but somehow in this instance, my body knew that is was just not feasable and it MUST wait until morning.
Tuesday we woke up bright and early, as only happens naturally when I'm camping. Chad cooked us a great FRIED breakfast and then we lazily went and got cleaned up for the day. I had the worse shower ever, Chad an amazing one that he tipped me off on for the next day (such a good man!). For some reason we often to do the friend potatoes, balognee (however you spell that), eggs thing for camping breakfast but I 
think once a year is really enough for this. Due to perhaps a bit less planning than ususal we ended up with several days of this kind of breakfast, and as great as it was the first day, it was equally gut rentchingly gross the last. Better planning next time!
We headed in to Alma where we'd heard about this great little pizza place called Saprano's, the decor inside is really really cool, with wanted posters up, and all their employees dressed up cool, and the garlic fingers was really the best I've had, if you like garlic
fingers you really want to go to Saprano's and try them. The dough is delich and the pizza was so pretty.
think once a year is really enough for this. Due to perhaps a bit less planning than ususal we ended up with several days of this kind of breakfast, and as great as it was the first day, it was equally gut rentchingly gross the last. Better planning next time!We headed in to Alma where we'd heard about this great little pizza place called Saprano's, the decor inside is really really cool, with wanted posters up, and all their employees dressed up cool, and the garlic fingers was really the best I've had, if you like garlic
fingers you really want to go to Saprano's and try them. The dough is delich and the pizza was so pretty. We got one with 3 different coloured peppers on it and it was obvious presentation mattered here. the serivice was also incredible here, I can see why their reputation is already hitting the high roads as the place to go for pizza!
Then we went for a walk and perused the giftshops, steering clear from the used bookshop, I so love those places it is a death trap for me!!! (Plug for the chicken barn in Maine! one of my most favorite places!) and then I had to take Chad to get a famous sticky bun as he'd never had one and it was always one of the highlights driving through Alma on the way to Fundy Park as kids. It has been years and years since I've been in that bakery and had a sticky bun, and I was so excited to get my hands on one(well ok, Chad actually insisted it made more sense to buy 6-- always the bargain hunter). Then took the windy scenic drive back to camp. A nap found me exhausted and overheated so we called it a day.
Wednesday morning we woke up really early to go hit the low tides at Hopwell Rocks, Chad had never been there before. I must say I never remember it being that muddy. We had fun walking and climbing, but again I must admit that it is a lot harder to do when pregnant. As I was climbing over once bunch of rocks, one lady suggested I might not want to do that and go into premature labor. I'm sure I looked at least a bit rediculous, but did slow down sum realizing, falling as a pregnant lady wasn't so cool either. The hike back up the stairs and up the trail was a bit much and again with the overheating, sun etc. But we had fun! We had a picnic lunch and then went into the gift shop and information center, but I was whipped. Unable to find a spot in the shade to sit we called it a day and went for some
icecream. When we arrived back at camp I was soooo hot, we pulled on the bathing suits and crawled in the pool where we lounged, cooling off, until it was cool enough outside to carry on. It was here I also became the expert horsefly killer and Chad through all caution to the wind and got himself severly burned. That night the mosquitos were especially bad so Chad & I sat in the car reading until 10pm when he could finally venture out to build us our last campfire. How I love campfire! It seems we have the best time, and the best conversations around the campfire. THe moon was so beautiful across the bay too, and what a view we had!Thursday morning, as much fun as I had I was glad to pack 'er up for home, bed, and flushing washrooms just down the 
hall. We drove into Moncton for ribs at Montana's (one of Chad's favorites, and a newly found one for me) and then headed for home. We didn't do much Thursday night, I honestly was pooped.
hall. We drove into Moncton for ribs at Montana's (one of Chad's favorites, and a newly found one for me) and then headed for home. We didn't do much Thursday night, I honestly was pooped.Friday we got up and ran the roads for my pay check, visited Chad's Grampy B who turned 90 last weekend, and stopped off at Chad's Grammie B's as she had offered us her airconditioned car for our drive to Houlton for the baby's wall paper boarder. We were late on the road but had planned to have lunch in Houlton at our favorite little restuarant with Jukeboxes. Arriving near the boarder suddenly a storm came flying through, blackened sky, rain pellets and all the power and electricty GONE. We went in to get our money changed at the Border place, and there wasn't a lick of light, luckily they still changed our money for us but I couldn't go pee, the bathroom was pitch black, so I decided to wait for the restaurant on the other side. We sat in the line for at least 15 minutes watching lighting, thunder and heat lighting crash through the skies, rainings pouring so hard. It was quite the show.
When we arrived in Houlton, EVERYTHING was down, streetlights, all power, EVERYWHERE, and I needed to pee soooo bad, I was regretting not going in the dark back at the border. Surely, I thought, someone will let me pee, but I was wrong, finally we got one man to open up the door of his gas station to tell him I needed to pee desperately and was nearly 7 months pregnant, but he refused to let me saying there was no water to flush. I couldn't believe it!!! I was in such agony!!! I threatened to pee in the parking lot, and he seemed quite fine with that but there was no way he was going to let me pee in his store without water to flush. Finally we found a tourist place where they didn't care and a gas station later down the road where we could purchase some munchies for lunch. A short visit, we returned to Fredericton.
Chad had it in his head that this was the night to buy and airconditionar, (of course I was not complaining!) so we went from store to store pricing them, comparing the, and finally at 9pm coming home with one. I was whipped! We got the house in order for Mom & Dad, Nanny & Grampy to come up the next morning to help us lay flooring and hit the sack. Until at 1:30am I woke up not feeling well. I got out of bed and debated if I was going to be sick or not, I don't vomit very often so it seemed like it wasn't going to happen, but I had horrific heartburn so went hunting for some TUMS, which I absolutly detest, but I thought anything was better than that heartburn. As soon as I took the TUMS in my hand, I knew I had seconds to make it to the toilet bowl, and I vomitted like never before. I felt like someone was ripping my face apart, it was horrific! Finally at 2:30 it came to an end and I slipped back into bed.
Saturday morning I woke up to find that not only was I an absolutly swollen mess, face, hands, feet, when I vomitted I had broken the blood vessels in my eye balls, turning the whites bloody red--- soo sooo gross! (they tell me I'll ONLY look this way for about 2 weeks as they heal) So, looking demon possessed I invited my family into my house to help lay flooring. Dad, Grampy & Chad worked their tails off all day laying flooring and I must say it looks great! Mom, Nanny & I did a bit of shopping and a lot of talking (and Mom even got to feel the baby kicking) and had a good, but very long day. They headed back for Moncton around 11:30pm and Chad & I hit the sack.
So that is the long and interesting adventure vacation I took as a pregnant woman. I must say I can probably summarize the entire trip with this one phrase I gave Chad when he snuggled up to me in the tent one night, "you want snuggling, you get this pregnant woman a hotel!". Having said that, the camping was totally my idea, and we had a pile of fun, even if I wouldn't recommend tent camping and pregnancy together!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
2 years married
It's our 2nd anniversary can you believe it! Chad spoiled me rotten this year (I don't mind at all though, lol!) About a month ago we finally found a China pattern we both loved, so we wrote down the name and hoped over the years to aquire a piece or two along the way, China is soooo expensive! Anyway Chad knew how much I wanted some China for our special dinners and stuff and this morning I woke up to a tea cup from our China set for our anniversary (Chad informs me that 2nd year of marriage is the China anniversary). I was soo sooo excited, for me this meant we were actually going to work at getting pieces over time and he was on board with the idea! I was so happy. So after oooing for a bit I went and had my shower, he had his and then came into the bedroom and asked me what I would think if he had another present for me.I wasn't sure if he was teasing or not, the china tea cup was so much anyway and we don't have much money for presents, but at the same time if he did have something else I didn't want him to not give it to me or take it back or something! So I told him as much and then he brought out another Royal Dalton box with the 3 other plates in it! I was soooo sooooo soooooo excited, and I thought he'd gone off his rocker spending so much money, and I couldn't figure out how he had spent so much when I take care of the money coming in and going out!
I carefully walked out to the kitchen to set it all up on the table to see what it looked like with our flatwear and crystal wine glasses! When I turned around he had put my favorite piece of all down on top of the plate, the soup bowl. (take a look at how pretty it is! It's my favorite!)
I was soooo overwhelmed and I love love love it! Since we found the set a month or so ago he's been putting a little bit down on layaway every chance he got, if he picked up groceries that cost $14 he said it cost $20, when he got his milage check from the church he didn't tell me about it and put it down on the dishes and then his camera he bought in April went on Sale and he got the difference back, and didn't tell me and put it down on the dishes! He's been hard at work for me to know nothing about it!
When I stopped gawking long enough, we packed up and headed to Woolastook for a picnic and swim. What a great time we had! We had a yummy picnic then Chad laid down for a nap, and I tried, but man it is really impossible to get comfortable lying on the hard ground when you're 6 months pregnant! So I sat up an read until he woke up and we went for a swim. Woolastook is great, not only is it where we got engaged, but it seems people have kind of forgotten it exists and there weren't very many people there. I decided against jumping off the bridge (seems I've lost a bit of my daring personality with my pregnancy) but we had a great time. We stopped in to visit Chad's Grammie in Upper Kingsclear on the way home and then headed home to clean up and go out for dinner.We went to this new little Italian place down on King Street. The decor is great and the food was awesome too! We had this snowcrab warm dip thing for appetizer, and then split this bell pepper, garlic, olive oil, rosemary, basil angelhair pasta thing-- it was sooo great! For dessert we ordered this warm chocolate ravioli (however you spell that!) stuffed with cream cheese--- oh my! I can not adequatly express to you how wonderful it was! AND because it was our anniversary they gave us the dessert on the house! We were both completly impressed with the place and will definitly go again and it wasn't that pricey! They have these $5 salads on their lunch menu that look great! and you can go and try their cheeses and fruit for just $5 as well. Sounds like we need another visit there!
After that we walked along the river for awhile before I had to pee too much to keep going. What a great anniversary. The day was absolutly perfect.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Chad felt Baby B kicking!
Last night after I went to bed Baby B was kicking up a storm! The last few weeks when I feel the baby moving I'll get Chad to come over and put his hand on my belly to see if he can feel it too. Up until this point he thought he might have once, but not since. Last night however, I had never felt the baby kick with such vigor before and Chad felt Baby B kicking! It was neat to be able to share that with him! So far it has just been me and Baby B, but it was really neat to be able to have Chad feel him or her kicking too, and man did he or she ever kick up a storm! It's so reassuring to feel the baby kick and move, I like it, even if it is a bit like "alien" or something!
Friday, July 06, 2007
So thankful for this dream...
I had a lovely dream last night. Have you ever had one that kind of brings things together for you, resolves something for you? I remember my Mom telling me of one she had during a really difficult time in her life. One of her most favorite Aunts came and walked with her in a garden in her dream, assuring her things would be alright. I remember Mom telling me how she drew so much comfort from that dream.
Last night I had something similar happen to me for the first time. I dreamed I was having lunch with Katrina in a beautiful garden, on a gorgeous day. I have deliberatly not written about Katrina on this blog until now, I guess things seemed unresolved for me up until this point, a tender spot, and honestly (although I try to be honest and myself on this blog) I didn't know that I could be honest about my feelings, so I chose to say nothing. I think I'm ready now.
I was telling Katrina, in my dream, that I had never imagined I would see her looking so beautiful and radiant and full of life again (I can't describe in words how wonderful she looked). I was telling her how it bothered me so much that they (the nurses in the hospital)hadn't let me in to see her, to talk with her when she was in isolation. I told her I was glad to at least have the memory of her big smile when Chad showed off my pregnant belly to her in the window of her room.
Then I started to cry and told her how I had really believed she was going to get her healing, from God, through the doctor's or a transplant..that I couldn't believe she was gone, it didn't fit with what I thought God had in store for her. I was sure she was going to get her healing. She stood up from the lunch table, so beautiful and radiant and came over and gave me a huge, tight hug and told me, tears in her eyes "Heidi, I have my healing." and I woke up. It brings tears to my eyes to think of it now, but I feel more at peace. How I wish she had been able to see our baby born. How she loved Chad & I and was so supportive. How full of life she was. And now she is with God, and she has her healing.
Last night I had something similar happen to me for the first time. I dreamed I was having lunch with Katrina in a beautiful garden, on a gorgeous day. I have deliberatly not written about Katrina on this blog until now, I guess things seemed unresolved for me up until this point, a tender spot, and honestly (although I try to be honest and myself on this blog) I didn't know that I could be honest about my feelings, so I chose to say nothing. I think I'm ready now.
I was telling Katrina, in my dream, that I had never imagined I would see her looking so beautiful and radiant and full of life again (I can't describe in words how wonderful she looked). I was telling her how it bothered me so much that they (the nurses in the hospital)hadn't let me in to see her, to talk with her when she was in isolation. I told her I was glad to at least have the memory of her big smile when Chad showed off my pregnant belly to her in the window of her room.
Then I started to cry and told her how I had really believed she was going to get her healing, from God, through the doctor's or a transplant..that I couldn't believe she was gone, it didn't fit with what I thought God had in store for her. I was sure she was going to get her healing. She stood up from the lunch table, so beautiful and radiant and came over and gave me a huge, tight hug and told me, tears in her eyes "Heidi, I have my healing." and I woke up. It brings tears to my eyes to think of it now, but I feel more at peace. How I wish she had been able to see our baby born. How she loved Chad & I and was so supportive. How full of life she was. And now she is with God, and she has her healing.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Canada Day Long Weekend in Elgin
I had a fabulous long weekend! As school just ended on Tuesday, and I've yet to find some work to hold me over for the summer and fall until Baby B comes, and Chad wanted to bring Angela's wedding pictures down to her, we decided to head off for Elgin (my parent's stomping ground) and Moncton for the weekend. It's been a long time since we've been able to actually go for a visit and not just a 24 hour run for an event!
Friday, Chad got off work early and we headed over to check out Sharon & Gary's new digs (Chad's parents). Very nice I must say! The bedrooms upstairs are huge! All new laminate flooring (I'm so jelous! we're looking at putting laminate in the baby's room this summer) and Sharon has a beautiful kitchen with lots of cupboard space and considering the fabulous cooking she does, she'll put it to great use!
Compression socks in toe, Chad & I headed out around 3pm for Moncton, but first we had to make (yet another) emergency stop at an Irving bathroom, for me (and a slushie of course!) and then back home because we'd forgotten the prints Chad had made for Angela to see what the pics will actually look like.
So finally on the road, slushie in hand, relieved of the bathroom and thinking we surely must have everything now we headed off. Arriving in Moncton around 5pm we stopped off at the Superstore for a few ingrediants as Chad was going to make a special stirfry for Angela, Adam & Kaitlyn in their new home.
Kaitlyn is such a doll! I love her to pieces! She of course entertained us (she's quite the actress) the entire time we were there, and I think Angela & Adam were very happy with Chad's work as photographer. He did a great job! I'm so proud of his work! Around 9pm Chad & I headed off for the mountains of Elgin where we stayed up talking with Mom & Dad until after midnight when we finally hit the sack. Poor Chad, after everyone was settled in, I thought he was snoring (he does this once in a blue mooon at home) so I poked him (which usually stops him right away) but he just kept on snoring and snoring, so I kept poking and poking until I finally realized it wasn't him that was snoring at all! LOL! Poor fella! Needless to say he was tired enough he didnt wake up.
Saturday morning we got ourselves together and headed in for lunch at Dad's favorite spot The Irving Bigstop. Here we had a yummy lunch (and onion rings!) and then met Angela & Kaitlyn to go shopping. We did a little looking around, Dad & Chad took Kaitlyn and Angela, Mom & I looked at Maternity and Baby things. Us girls headed off to the Motherhood clothing store where I was treated to great sales and some beautiful clothes! I laughed so hard as I tried on different maternity clothes. One pair of pants, i didn't understand went above your belly an I started laughing in the change room telling the girls we had a problem. I opened the door with the crotch of the pants hanging between my knees and everyone in the store got a good laugh as they explained to me that this pair of pants was not supposed to hang on my hips! Angela suprised me and bought me some nice capri's that do sit on your hips and mom got me this really nice two piece brown, blue etc. stripped outfit and I bought myself a shirt (that matches the capri's really nicely) and a white skirt. I walked away with beautiful clothes and I had fun adding up how much they would have cost if they hadn't been on sale, and how much I actually spent.
We then went to Costco so Chad could buy us a huge box of frozen chicken breasts, and the brought a pizza back to Angela's for supper and so Mom & Dad could see the pictures. Chad then headed back to Fredericton for church the next day and Mom & Dad & I headed back to Elgin. There we watched the movie Flika until late and hit the sack. I must say I had the best sleep in a long time that night, I was actually comfortable! and woke up around 10am to shower up before the new Lewis family came up.
It was so precious I wanted to cry. Angela & Adam & Kaitlyn pulled into the yard Sunday afternoon and Angela got Kaitlyn out of the car and gave her her little pink suitcase and she just came serious as can be all by herself, down the driveway to the house. She looked so cute coming for her first sleepover at Grammie & Grampy's since the wedding. Dad (Grampy) was going to set up the tent for them to sleep in (her first camping experience) and we were going to have a bonfire (her first bonfire too). All afternoon she and Dad (Grampy) played and worked together setting up the tent, bringing the garbage to the road etc. Finally she fell asleep for a nap in the wheelbarrow, that's our country girl.
Mom, meanwhile, was busy in the kitchen preparing food, cake, supper etc. for Monday when April & Trevor were going to join us all for a big Canada day bbq. She worked tirelessly and I believe I did at least 4 loads of dishes! and there were more than that done in that span of time! We all watched Barnyard, the movie together and then had supper and Mom continued on the cooking sprea. Around 9pm she was making Black Forest Cake and the cake was cooking in the stove and smelled so good I had to have some so she convinced me to make brownies instead (just a mix from the dollar store but they tasted soooooo good), so that was our bedtime treat by the time the cooled. I had been waiting to see if the rain would let off so we could still have our bonfire but just as soon as it would clear it would start to down pour again, so no bonfire this time around. We'll have to do that another time I guess. Dad & Kaitlyn entertained us playing bass and soprano recorder and harmonica. And Kaitlyn thought Chad (by this time he had returned from Fredericton) was just the best thing when he started stomping his foot and dancing around the livingroom with her! She says "Chad" in this matteroffact voice, and "Heidi" in this sweet little voice, and of course the more we laugh, the more she does it. What a clown! Finally we all went to bed.
Kaitlyn had had a full day and she actually stayed in bed until 10:30 Monday morning which meant we all slept in as well. Later in the day Chad & I went for a trek through the mountains and trails, Elgin is so beautiful. We scooped out the farm house going up for sale behind Dad's property and dreamed a little dream of having a family retreat for the summer. 10 acres of land are going along with it and there is a trail that meets between Dad's land and that one. It would be so nice to have...but alas it is unlikely it will be ours, but it is still fun to dream! We came back to Mom & Dad's and rested a bit (I MAY have overdone the walk a bit) and Mom got to getting things ready for supper (what a crazy worker!) April & Trevor arrived just as Dad was taking the burgers and pork ribblet things of the grill and what a feast we had! Mom had made my favorite potatoe salad and I must say I had way too much, but it was soooo good!
Anyway around 8:30 we tore ourselves away and headed for home. What a fun weekend! I'll cherish this one for years to come and close my eyes and see Kaitlyn coming with her little suitcase! I can't imagine your long weekend was as great as mine but hope you had some fun!
Friday, Chad got off work early and we headed over to check out Sharon & Gary's new digs (Chad's parents). Very nice I must say! The bedrooms upstairs are huge! All new laminate flooring (I'm so jelous! we're looking at putting laminate in the baby's room this summer) and Sharon has a beautiful kitchen with lots of cupboard space and considering the fabulous cooking she does, she'll put it to great use!
Compression socks in toe, Chad & I headed out around 3pm for Moncton, but first we had to make (yet another) emergency stop at an Irving bathroom, for me (and a slushie of course!) and then back home because we'd forgotten the prints Chad had made for Angela to see what the pics will actually look like.
So finally on the road, slushie in hand, relieved of the bathroom and thinking we surely must have everything now we headed off. Arriving in Moncton around 5pm we stopped off at the Superstore for a few ingrediants as Chad was going to make a special stirfry for Angela, Adam & Kaitlyn in their new home.
Kaitlyn is such a doll! I love her to pieces! She of course entertained us (she's quite the actress) the entire time we were there, and I think Angela & Adam were very happy with Chad's work as photographer. He did a great job! I'm so proud of his work! Around 9pm Chad & I headed off for the mountains of Elgin where we stayed up talking with Mom & Dad until after midnight when we finally hit the sack. Poor Chad, after everyone was settled in, I thought he was snoring (he does this once in a blue mooon at home) so I poked him (which usually stops him right away) but he just kept on snoring and snoring, so I kept poking and poking until I finally realized it wasn't him that was snoring at all! LOL! Poor fella! Needless to say he was tired enough he didnt wake up.
Saturday morning we got ourselves together and headed in for lunch at Dad's favorite spot The Irving Bigstop. Here we had a yummy lunch (and onion rings!) and then met Angela & Kaitlyn to go shopping. We did a little looking around, Dad & Chad took Kaitlyn and Angela, Mom & I looked at Maternity and Baby things. Us girls headed off to the Motherhood clothing store where I was treated to great sales and some beautiful clothes! I laughed so hard as I tried on different maternity clothes. One pair of pants, i didn't understand went above your belly an I started laughing in the change room telling the girls we had a problem. I opened the door with the crotch of the pants hanging between my knees and everyone in the store got a good laugh as they explained to me that this pair of pants was not supposed to hang on my hips! Angela suprised me and bought me some nice capri's that do sit on your hips and mom got me this really nice two piece brown, blue etc. stripped outfit and I bought myself a shirt (that matches the capri's really nicely) and a white skirt. I walked away with beautiful clothes and I had fun adding up how much they would have cost if they hadn't been on sale, and how much I actually spent.
We then went to Costco so Chad could buy us a huge box of frozen chicken breasts, and the brought a pizza back to Angela's for supper and so Mom & Dad could see the pictures. Chad then headed back to Fredericton for church the next day and Mom & Dad & I headed back to Elgin. There we watched the movie Flika until late and hit the sack. I must say I had the best sleep in a long time that night, I was actually comfortable! and woke up around 10am to shower up before the new Lewis family came up.
It was so precious I wanted to cry. Angela & Adam & Kaitlyn pulled into the yard Sunday afternoon and Angela got Kaitlyn out of the car and gave her her little pink suitcase and she just came serious as can be all by herself, down the driveway to the house. She looked so cute coming for her first sleepover at Grammie & Grampy's since the wedding. Dad (Grampy) was going to set up the tent for them to sleep in (her first camping experience) and we were going to have a bonfire (her first bonfire too). All afternoon she and Dad (Grampy) played and worked together setting up the tent, bringing the garbage to the road etc. Finally she fell asleep for a nap in the wheelbarrow, that's our country girl.
Mom, meanwhile, was busy in the kitchen preparing food, cake, supper etc. for Monday when April & Trevor were going to join us all for a big Canada day bbq. She worked tirelessly and I believe I did at least 4 loads of dishes! and there were more than that done in that span of time! We all watched Barnyard, the movie together and then had supper and Mom continued on the cooking sprea. Around 9pm she was making Black Forest Cake and the cake was cooking in the stove and smelled so good I had to have some so she convinced me to make brownies instead (just a mix from the dollar store but they tasted soooooo good), so that was our bedtime treat by the time the cooled. I had been waiting to see if the rain would let off so we could still have our bonfire but just as soon as it would clear it would start to down pour again, so no bonfire this time around. We'll have to do that another time I guess. Dad & Kaitlyn entertained us playing bass and soprano recorder and harmonica. And Kaitlyn thought Chad (by this time he had returned from Fredericton) was just the best thing when he started stomping his foot and dancing around the livingroom with her! She says "Chad" in this matteroffact voice, and "Heidi" in this sweet little voice, and of course the more we laugh, the more she does it. What a clown! Finally we all went to bed.
Kaitlyn had had a full day and she actually stayed in bed until 10:30 Monday morning which meant we all slept in as well. Later in the day Chad & I went for a trek through the mountains and trails, Elgin is so beautiful. We scooped out the farm house going up for sale behind Dad's property and dreamed a little dream of having a family retreat for the summer. 10 acres of land are going along with it and there is a trail that meets between Dad's land and that one. It would be so nice to have...but alas it is unlikely it will be ours, but it is still fun to dream! We came back to Mom & Dad's and rested a bit (I MAY have overdone the walk a bit) and Mom got to getting things ready for supper (what a crazy worker!) April & Trevor arrived just as Dad was taking the burgers and pork ribblet things of the grill and what a feast we had! Mom had made my favorite potatoe salad and I must say I had way too much, but it was soooo good!
Anyway around 8:30 we tore ourselves away and headed for home. What a fun weekend! I'll cherish this one for years to come and close my eyes and see Kaitlyn coming with her little suitcase! I can't imagine your long weekend was as great as mine but hope you had some fun!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Baby Billington's newest photo shoot
Here is today’s ultrasound picture. The technician said it was our “alien” picture. The head is on the left and the face is turned to face you, so you can see the two eye slots and where the nose is. Below those are the ribs on one side.Today the technician was just checking the heart and facial features. They could see the 4 ventricles of the heart pumping perfectly, the cavities in the brain and all sorts of things. When she was trying to get a picture of the baby’s lips and nose the baby kept moving it’s hand in front of it’s face, I think we have a tease in the family. Wonder where he/she gets that! LOL! It was neat to see his/her arms and legs moving!
Our summersaulting Baby B.
I've thought a few different times in the last weeks that I've felt the baby move, kind of like a large bubble moving around inside, but Sunday night I was absolutly sure! It was really neat acutually. I had helped lead worship and when I sat down I was hot and tired. I got comfy in the pew (if that is even remotly possible) and settled in to listen to Chad preach. I don't know if it was because the baby heard his/her Daddy preaching or what, but I could feel the "bubble" rolling and rolling around in my belly and it went on for a long time. I kept staring down at my belly, and putting my hand on it wondering if I could feel the baby moving from the outside yet, but nope, just on the inside, but did he/she ever turn and roll! it was really neat and it will only get more neat I think as the baby gets bigger and moves more often! It is hard not to get more excited now that I'm getting bigger, seeing ultrasound pics, hearing heartbeats and feeling movement. What an interesting, strange experience! Maybe the baby will do some flips for us tomorrow at our ultrasound! I hope we get some more neat pictures!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Compression Socks
So last Tuesday I had a follow up appointment after our intial ultrasound with our Doctor. We got to listen to the baby's heartbeat again and he measured my uterus, interesting fact, the amount of centimeters you measure should be very close to the amount of weeks you are pregnant! Anyway, we had all the other check ups including my blood pressure which still remains nice and low etc. We also discussed my "swelling".
Ever since Angela & Adam's wedding my feet have been swollen, to the point where most of my shoes don't fit. I don't want to stretch all of my good shoes out so I've been wearing mostly flipflops--very lovely! Anyway noone has said anything to me at work, I honestly think I can probably get away with a lot now that I'm pregnant. Anyway, the good ol' doc. tells me that I one thing I should invest in for the summer is compression socks, which he assures me are very fasionable and can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart. These socks are used to help against varicose veins, swelling etc, by pushing the blood back up into your legs. So especially where I'm on my feet a lot at school and stuff we decided it would be a wise investment. Now, I'm not so sure about my doc and fashion but I've got to say these socks aren't quite "MY" style! oh well. Now I'm an old grannie with compression socks that rise up to my knees!
Ever since Angela & Adam's wedding my feet have been swollen, to the point where most of my shoes don't fit. I don't want to stretch all of my good shoes out so I've been wearing mostly flipflops--very lovely! Anyway noone has said anything to me at work, I honestly think I can probably get away with a lot now that I'm pregnant. Anyway, the good ol' doc. tells me that I one thing I should invest in for the summer is compression socks, which he assures me are very fasionable and can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart. These socks are used to help against varicose veins, swelling etc, by pushing the blood back up into your legs. So especially where I'm on my feet a lot at school and stuff we decided it would be a wise investment. Now, I'm not so sure about my doc and fashion but I've got to say these socks aren't quite "MY" style! oh well. Now I'm an old grannie with compression socks that rise up to my knees!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Angela's Wedding
Angela is now a married woman! Although tired and sore in many places I am also so happy. Angela and Adam were married yesturday and what a beautiful wedding it was! There is so much I could say, but I am still so tired and not even really sure where to start. Angela was definitly the most beautiful bride, just radiating smiles. I know people always say this, but there was something so special and glowing about her. Adam too, was so happy, smiling and adoring Angela. He seemed stunned at her beauty and even overwhellemed at what they were committing to each other, but as the Pastor even said of both of them in the cermony several times they were both "so ready".
Saturday morning went relitivly well. None of us slept as late as we could have, all of us a little anxious to get the day started I guess. We were staying with Nanny & Grampy in town and Nanny had made us all a huge breakfast of juices, coffee, tea, milk, breakfast casserolle, some sort of maple toast casserolle thing...we were not walking away from there hungry!
Chad (the photographer and my husband) headed off to meet up with Adam for some early morning photo's and Angela, April & I headed off to get our hair done for a couple of hours. I always love this, having someone else do my hair! Angela's looked so sweet and I think we were generally all pleased. I took so long of course, as the hair dresser said "you have so much hair!" it amused her to find out I had had none for so many of my first years.
We arrived back at Nanny's around 11:30 to finish getting ready and Nanny (of course) had a pile of lunch sandwiches, cookies etc. for us to eat. Mom, Dad & Kaitlyn, Trevor and Chad had also returned so it was a full house! We ate up and then all started getting ready. Unfortuntly for me the new bra I bought with 4 different ways of using the straps was not working for this dress at all, in any of the strap positions! So Trevor (great brother-in law that he is) actually drove off to walmart to get me transparent straps just a half hour before it was time to go (did you know that was even possible! I certainly didn't) Besides that, things were running close to on time and April was highly amuzed that we had both bought the same black shoes without knowing it to match our dresses, and similar eye make up. Angela gave us both the cutest "bow" necklaces and earings, for standing up with her as she "tied the knot".
We arrived at the church about 10 minutes late (which really isn't bad at all, you have to keep the groom waiting a little while). But Kaitlyn was not in proper sorts (and likely way way over tired). She was quite cranky and wanted to walk down the aisle with Mom (Grammie to her), but then changed her mind. It didn't look like she would walk down with me (she just wanted Grampy) until the last minute when she grabbed my hand and started yanking. The pastor was trying to hold me off until the music started and I should have just taken Kaitlyn and started but I waited. The grand organ started and scared Kaityn to death and she started howling and only wanted Grampy, so much for that, she was not coming with me. I went down to the beautiful organ music and Kaitlyn's howls, then April followed and there was no way Kaitlyn was coming with her either, then Mom started back up the aisle a bit and Kaitlyn saw her, and howling she ran down the aisle for Grammie. Not ideal perhaps, but she got down there and Dad walked the beautiful Angela down to Adam. It was a beautiful cermoney (especially after Kaitlyn calmed down and began playing around the altar).
Then we took off for pictures. I'm excited to see them. Chad was doing their pictures and I think he did a fabulous job. When he gets home from church today he's going to unload the memory cards and we'll see what we have, but he definitly got some good stuff. It was such a treat to just watch Angela & Adam together, especially after everyone else left and Chad was just taking pictures of them. Really it is such an intimate moment (one of the most intimate that anyone else gets to see) and Chad just got to nearly pretend he wasn't there in some cases and just take lovely pictures. It also gave us a bit of time with them alone which was special.
Then to the reception for lovely food and some laughs at Fishermans Paradise. I had never eaten there before but it was great! I had the Steak dinner, wow it was nice and the soup and salad beforehand was amazing. There was Cheesecake for dessert with coffee but Nanny had made Angela's cake and it was far better. What a load of beautiful work Nanny did! Adam passed around the most unique Hershey's chocolate bars, that said HereTheyAre and their names on the front. Then on the back the ingrediants list was all percentages of love, laughter etc. Even the barcode on the back was their wedding date--- too cute! April & I did a combo speach thing with funny Angela stories and welcoming Adam to the family which was fun! April, I think should take up a job as Mediator or Contract Negotiator, you should have seen her trying to get everyone but herself up there telling stories about Angela! Soon enough we decorated the car with lilacs and toole and they were heading off for a few last pictures with Chad out with the sunset and river-- totally gorgeous! And the last Carson girl is married off, and very happy!
Tired, but happy Chad and I headed off to Nanny's where I got into my pj's for the drive home. I realized that there is a different tired when you're pregnant and lugging a nearly 5 month baby in belly around with you all day at a wedding, up early, down late. As I crawled out of the car into Nanny's to get into my pj's my body nearly spoke out loud to me with a "we're done", more of a statement less of a question! LOL! It was neat because although Chad was taking pictures for Angela & Adam he was showing me love by doing so. I was so proud of him, and so filled with love! Of course he is also amazing at what he does, he has a real talent for it, and I love to see him doing something he loves, even if he was exhausted and then had to head off to church early this morning.
A beautiful end to a beautiful day.... me snoring in and out of sleep on the drive home.
Saturday morning went relitivly well. None of us slept as late as we could have, all of us a little anxious to get the day started I guess. We were staying with Nanny & Grampy in town and Nanny had made us all a huge breakfast of juices, coffee, tea, milk, breakfast casserolle, some sort of maple toast casserolle thing...we were not walking away from there hungry!
Chad (the photographer and my husband) headed off to meet up with Adam for some early morning photo's and Angela, April & I headed off to get our hair done for a couple of hours. I always love this, having someone else do my hair! Angela's looked so sweet and I think we were generally all pleased. I took so long of course, as the hair dresser said "you have so much hair!" it amused her to find out I had had none for so many of my first years.
We arrived back at Nanny's around 11:30 to finish getting ready and Nanny (of course) had a pile of lunch sandwiches, cookies etc. for us to eat. Mom, Dad & Kaitlyn, Trevor and Chad had also returned so it was a full house! We ate up and then all started getting ready. Unfortuntly for me the new bra I bought with 4 different ways of using the straps was not working for this dress at all, in any of the strap positions! So Trevor (great brother-in law that he is) actually drove off to walmart to get me transparent straps just a half hour before it was time to go (did you know that was even possible! I certainly didn't) Besides that, things were running close to on time and April was highly amuzed that we had both bought the same black shoes without knowing it to match our dresses, and similar eye make up. Angela gave us both the cutest "bow" necklaces and earings, for standing up with her as she "tied the knot".
We arrived at the church about 10 minutes late (which really isn't bad at all, you have to keep the groom waiting a little while). But Kaitlyn was not in proper sorts (and likely way way over tired). She was quite cranky and wanted to walk down the aisle with Mom (Grammie to her), but then changed her mind. It didn't look like she would walk down with me (she just wanted Grampy) until the last minute when she grabbed my hand and started yanking. The pastor was trying to hold me off until the music started and I should have just taken Kaitlyn and started but I waited. The grand organ started and scared Kaityn to death and she started howling and only wanted Grampy, so much for that, she was not coming with me. I went down to the beautiful organ music and Kaitlyn's howls, then April followed and there was no way Kaitlyn was coming with her either, then Mom started back up the aisle a bit and Kaitlyn saw her, and howling she ran down the aisle for Grammie. Not ideal perhaps, but she got down there and Dad walked the beautiful Angela down to Adam. It was a beautiful cermoney (especially after Kaitlyn calmed down and began playing around the altar).
Then we took off for pictures. I'm excited to see them. Chad was doing their pictures and I think he did a fabulous job. When he gets home from church today he's going to unload the memory cards and we'll see what we have, but he definitly got some good stuff. It was such a treat to just watch Angela & Adam together, especially after everyone else left and Chad was just taking pictures of them. Really it is such an intimate moment (one of the most intimate that anyone else gets to see) and Chad just got to nearly pretend he wasn't there in some cases and just take lovely pictures. It also gave us a bit of time with them alone which was special.
Then to the reception for lovely food and some laughs at Fishermans Paradise. I had never eaten there before but it was great! I had the Steak dinner, wow it was nice and the soup and salad beforehand was amazing. There was Cheesecake for dessert with coffee but Nanny had made Angela's cake and it was far better. What a load of beautiful work Nanny did! Adam passed around the most unique Hershey's chocolate bars, that said HereTheyAre and their names on the front. Then on the back the ingrediants list was all percentages of love, laughter etc. Even the barcode on the back was their wedding date--- too cute! April & I did a combo speach thing with funny Angela stories and welcoming Adam to the family which was fun! April, I think should take up a job as Mediator or Contract Negotiator, you should have seen her trying to get everyone but herself up there telling stories about Angela! Soon enough we decorated the car with lilacs and toole and they were heading off for a few last pictures with Chad out with the sunset and river-- totally gorgeous! And the last Carson girl is married off, and very happy!
Tired, but happy Chad and I headed off to Nanny's where I got into my pj's for the drive home. I realized that there is a different tired when you're pregnant and lugging a nearly 5 month baby in belly around with you all day at a wedding, up early, down late. As I crawled out of the car into Nanny's to get into my pj's my body nearly spoke out loud to me with a "we're done", more of a statement less of a question! LOL! It was neat because although Chad was taking pictures for Angela & Adam he was showing me love by doing so. I was so proud of him, and so filled with love! Of course he is also amazing at what he does, he has a real talent for it, and I love to see him doing something he loves, even if he was exhausted and then had to head off to church early this morning.
A beautiful end to a beautiful day.... me snoring in and out of sleep on the drive home.
Guess Who? :) and ultrasound stories
I decided it would make the most sense to give myself some much needed rest the morning of the ultrasound. I had to have 4, 8oz glasses of water in by 9 o'clock, but I thought that shouldn't been to difficult as I drink a lot of water (of course I wasn't taking into consideration just how hard holding all that water for 2 hours was going to be). So at around 8:30 I got up and started drinking. I did really well actually. I figured after I got the water and some breakfast in I would take a nice, soothing, long bath to focus my attention on something other than the fact that I needed to pee.Now upon further contemplation I can see the lack of wisdom in taking a bath and sloshing around in warm water when ones' bladder is full, but at the time it seemed like a great idea. Anyway, needless to say I could hardly stand myself while taking the bath and decided that although it was a definite battle of the will and I would be victorious, I should nonetheless cut the bath short. This description hardly expresses the emense discomfort and selfcontrol I was trying to excercise at the time, as I spoke harshly to myself, prayed to God for help, it was quite the moment!
So I stood up to shower and when I did, I peed. It is mortifying, but I'm sure (NOW) that I'm not the only Mom who has peed, but at the time I was so upset with myself, giving myself a tongue lashing about being a terrible parent with no self control, and if I couldn't even do this right, and we got a terrible ultrasound picture because of my lack of self control, how would I ever be a good parent. As is often the case with me it was quite dramatic.
So i got out of the shower and for penance made myself drink all of the water again, hoping it would have time to fill up my bladder in the next hour before we had our appointment. Upon further reflection, again, I could have figure out that my bladder would probably still be full of water and this step was not so necessary, but in the heat of personal disgust, it made sense to drink it all again.
We arrived at the hospital just on time to sit in admitting, my bladder quickly filling, only to find out we should have gone right to radiology. Arriving in Radiology they have that pull tab process of getting signed in. We pulled tab even though there was noone in line and Chad was muttering, ok it was too loud to be considered muttering, about not needing to stand in line. I was trying to hush him down when another patient came through and took the next number and they called his. Chad then proceeded to flip out saying loudly "wait! we were next, wait!" Iw as mortified, as I believe the next patient was as he quickly said "oh, ok, you go ahead." Ah my overexcitable husband. he wasn't angry, just excited.
Then we had to wait, and wait we did, for 45 minutes. My bladder at this point hurt so much, I put my hands down my pants to pull my pants away from pressuring my stomach (cute picture eh?-right) anyway, I had decided that this was the ultimate test of parenthood and if I couldn't do this, I couldn't really be a good mother at all, so I was determined. Meanwhile Chad is trying to get me to have my picture taken infront of the ultrasound sign, or discuss some article, or what I would like for lunch, I could do nothing but concentrate on not peeing myself and the agony I felt. So instead, Chad makes friends with all the people in the waiting room, finding out when they are due, what their stories are etc.Finally! they called my name, I went in and laid down on the bed and it is true that it really isn't so painful when you're lying down. Anyway it only took the technician a minute before he informed me I was way too full (I explained what I had done and he shook his head telling me I would have likely still been full enough had I not drunk the second load of water) and he told me to go pee it off. I thought, with fear and trembling, he was going to tell me something crazy like I've heard them tell others about just peeing a bit off, I knew there was no way I could do that.
When I returned, feeling much relieved, actually like a new person in may ways, he proceeded to do his work for 20+ minutes until he called Chad in. Then he showed us the baby's hand and arm, foot and spine and head, also we saw his/her heartbeat beating nice and strong around 160 beats. It was pretty cool, although it felt way too short, I would have liked to have seen more. he then printed us off these two pictures and booked us for another ultrasound June 20th, because he didn't get as good a picture as he wanted of the heart. Pretty neat eh!
Baby Billington 17 weeks, 6 days: June 5th, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Friday, June 01, 2007
so tired
It's been an interesting week and I'm tired. Tuesday and Thursday night the choir was out at the studio recording. What an interesting process. I realize that some people really are not open to constructive criticism... I wonder how they make out in their jobs, relationships etc... I'm the strong opposite in this situation, I firgure if someone isn't telling me how to better do whatever I'm working at they are doing something wrong! that doesn't negate of course, the importance of delivery...but I'd really rather know if I'm doing something wrong then find out later in a worse way. So recording was interesting, and a very very long time to stand on your feet!
We saw yet another finale of the Marriage Course Wednesday night. It has been such a privilge to make this happen and offer it to people. It is a good course, the trick with everything is getting out of the rut and busy with putting it into action!
Tomorrow Chad & I go to a breakfast, usually a monthly mens breakfast in Upper Kingsclear but this time it is for wives as well. Chad is speaking at it. Should be a neat experience. Then friends of ours have a house warming in the afternoon.
There is more but...
I'm sleepy...I think I need a nap.
We saw yet another finale of the Marriage Course Wednesday night. It has been such a privilge to make this happen and offer it to people. It is a good course, the trick with everything is getting out of the rut and busy with putting it into action!
Tomorrow Chad & I go to a breakfast, usually a monthly mens breakfast in Upper Kingsclear but this time it is for wives as well. Chad is speaking at it. Should be a neat experience. Then friends of ours have a house warming in the afternoon.
There is more but...
I'm sleepy...I think I need a nap.
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