First Christmas

Counting down to Christmas

December 18, 2012

Lyla fills up our days with love, cuddles, and sometimes (actually quite often) dirty diapers and laundry. We love her so much, and are enjoying every new moment she experiences. Lately she has been able to focus her eyes a bit better. I love this because she makes eye contact with me, and it makes me feel like she knows I'm her Mommy. We are gearing up to head to Nanaimo to celebrate Christmas with my family. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Lyla Belle Phieffer

Born: NOVEMBER 9 11:46PM

41 weeks 2 days.... quick update

November 7
41 weeks 2 days

You know you're ready for baby to arrive when you go to bed HOPING to be awoken feeling labour pain!

I am making progress towards having a baby, but NOT IN LABOUR yet! 

Ultrasound on Monday came back showing a very healthy and active baby, and so as of right now there is no need to induce (unless I really really want to). With induction comes more concerns, such as increased c-section rate. I'm staying busy, keeping my house clean, and trying all the tricks to get baby out!
Thanks for thinking of us... stay tuned I'm hoping the next update is to introduce Baby PJ!

40 weeks plus a few days hiking at Bridal Veil Falls in Chilliwack

Took the truck for a bumpy road in Golden Ears Park

41 weeks - Golden Ears Park

40 weeks the waiting game

October 30
40 weeks

We are being closely monitored as we pass our official October 29 due date. PJ is incredibly active, but showing no signs of coming out yet.

Carving pumpkins with Sheldon and Ryan

Lions Park in PoCo

Counting down days not weeks!!!

October 12, 2012

38 weeks

You know you're pregnant when... you drop something and have to leave it because you know there is absolutely no way you can reach it!

At the Whitecaps Soccer game 4-0 WIN!!!

We've had a good couple of weeks. Trying to stay busy, and not wonder if each day is the day PJ will come. I headed to Nanaimo last Thursday, and on Friday my Mom and I headed to Duncan to meet with Alex and Sage. We found a fabulous spot for lunch, sat outside underneath a canopy of grape vines. Sheldon headed over after work on Friday, the ferries were crazy busy, but as soon as you hit the island you know things are going to calm down just a few notches. 

Love you guys!

Enjoying lunch under the grape vines with 'Grammy'

Ryan and Erin were heading over Saturday, so Sheldon and I headed out for a walk in the morning to kill some time. There are so many gorgeous houses in this area, and it's tough to find a house without an ocean/mountain view! It was so nice out on Saturday, we actually had Thanksgiving dinner on the patio! Some of us even got a bit of tan!!! 

Exploring the ocean during our walk

Sunday we had to work off all the turkey so Sheldon and I headed out for a walk around a local lake. Normally a 6 km walk would be a perfect start to the day, but carrying a bowling ball in your tummy changes the dynamics a bit, and I was feeling a bit sore by the end.

Quick photo op!

All in all we had a fabulous weekend on the island visiting my parents and celebrating Thanksgiving. Sheldon and I are always leave saying how spoiled we are, and this time we couldn't help but wonder if we'd ever be hungry again. (thanks Mom and Dad).

LOVE

Thanksgiving dinner on the patio... Amazing!

Monday was another great midwife appointment! PJ is measuring right on track, the only concern was with how much water I am retaining (pretty swollen). Oh and when we were on the island we took a pool for when everyone predicts baby PJ will arrive ($10 buy in and $60 to the winner). The due date is October 27... I went with the 29th, and Sheldon went with the 20th, and it ranged anywhere from October 20th to November 2nd. I believe the Ontario family also started a pool, but I think they may have multiple guesses on a few dates, we will have to wait to see who wins! In all reality I hope Sheldon wins because that means we get to meet PJ soon!!!!!

Walking around Westwood Lake with my Dad's dog Ryley!

This week I have been busy making spaghetti sauce and enchilada mix to fill the freezer. Today I plan on cleaning out my closet, and possibly making some pumpkin cinnamon buns! 

Any way we look at it, it won't be long until PJ is here. Although I am feeling great, and enjoying being pregnant, I am overly excited and ready to meet this little being and start our family!

A month to go - 36 weeks

October 1, 2012
36 weeks

You know you're pregnant when your maternity clothes start to become too small.

Love you

We had a midwife apt last week, and baby PJ did fantastic as always. Strong heartbeat, and measuring right on track! I brought up a few aches and pain concerns with her and each one was perfectly normal. That is great and everything, but at the same time there wasn't much she could do to help me ease my hip pain, or my sore knuckles. 

Sheldon caught this moment of back ache

A gorgeous evening for a beach picnic

Sheldon and I have been trying to keep busy the past week. We are both feeling like we don't want to stick around the house because time goes too slow. We have been going for lots of walks, bbqing dinner at the beach, and yesterday we even headed to the ocean for a small hike and we spent some time looking in the tide pools seeing what kind of ocean critters we could see! 

We are so grateful the weather has been fantastic. Not only has it been sunny, but it's been warm too! This not only allows me to enjoy doing things outside (which helps pass the time), but I'm also able to wear my summer dresses longer, and they are waaaaay more comfortable than maternity pants!

Short hike to the ocean to explore the tide pools

The biggest baby thing we did this weekend, was put the car seat in the truck. We want to get my uncle John to make sure it's installed correctly because he's a firefighter and certified to install car seats! We still need to pack our hospital bags. We know what we are bringing and PJ's things are all organized and just waiting to be put in. 

Proud Daddy installing the carseat

I've been trying to capture PJ's crazy flips and turns on video the past week, but it doesn't show on the screen very well. Needless to say I am constantly amazed at how forceful the movements can be, and the shapes my tummy can be become as PJ gets comfortable. 

Nice sunset at the beach

We have finally reached October, and I'm getting more and more excited to meet this little baby every day! Until that day comes, I will continue to enjoy the special moments with Sheldon and I will take full advantage of napping when I feel the need. 

Nesting at 34 weeks

September 15
34 weeks 

I love it! Thanks for everyones help!

Things are really coming together at the Phieffer household! My Mom and Dad (aka Grammy and Papa) were over last weekend painting the nursery and putting together the crib. Grammy and Papa also got us a pack and play for our bedroom. This is where PJ will sleep for the first few months (or until his squeaks and rustling become too much for me to sleep through. So it's also set up in our bedroom next to our bed. Following that busy Friday/Saturday, Sheldon and I started our prenatal classes on Sunday. I have been wanting to polish (this is the next level from clean) the house for the past month or even more. Unfortunately I didn't have the energy until yesterday! I have succeeded in washing the windows and screens, and weeding the planters. Still to do is the fridge/freezer, and a bit of stuff in our closet.

Thanks to a lot of patience from my Mom and Dad we got the crib put together!

The Pack and Play fits nicely in our room!

The weather has been fantastic here. Thursday I wanted to go out and enjoy the day so badly, so I sat on the couch, put my shoes on and then tried to work up the energy to go... after about 20minutes I realized napping was going to win, and I laid down. Thankfully it was still gorgeous out when I got up so I headed out for a walk along the river. I was surprised how sore I was when I returned. This time last year I was running 10 kms and now I couldn't go for an hour stroll and not feel sore. My hips are still incredibly sore and stiff, especially going from sitting/laying to standing. Yesterday a new symptom arose... sore toes and sore finger joints. Perhaps from the swelling, but I've also heard carpal tunnel happens in pregnancy.

Painting the nursery

My tummy is getting much bigger and I find myself rubbing it against things by accident (check out the Growing and Glowing page for belly pic updates). PJ has been his (or possible her) active self. A lot of sharp feet in my upper rib cage, and butt shoving in my right side. I continue to love every minute of it. I often take the time to talk to him when he's doing his ninja moves.

Break time from painting

Looking pretty even if she has to paint!

Sheldon was goofing around and wanted to put a diaper on my stuffed red dog. Little did I know it would turn into an educational experience. I know he has changed many diapers, from his own nieces and nephew to Lee's boys. I guess it's been a while because he put it on backwards. The newborn diaper even makes it a bit easier because it has the cut out for the umbilical cord. I pointed out a few logistics of why it is easier to do it the other way, and he should now remember for next time :)

Folding and putting away PJ's laundry... and I didn't even have to ask, he's just that excited!

We have our second of two prenatal classes tomorrow, and we have a bit of homework to bring with us. I thought we might be the couple who procrastinated the longest on signing up for the course (6 weeks before my due date), but there is someone who is due in just 3 weeks.

It's titled "Owl always love you"

I finished the owl mobile for PJ. It was inspired from the crib sheets. I also wanted to paint a picture for the nursery and so after about 4 attempts, I finally finished a hand drawn water colour painted owl. My Mom has said she has a surprise for the wall above the crib. I know she paints, and I know my Dad does woodworking, so I can only imagine what neat creation they will come up with. She hasn't finished it yet, and apparently might take her a few weeks, so for the mean time that wall is a bit blank.

Mobile to hang above the crib

We have our next midwife appointment next week, and after that we will go once a week right up until the birth! Sheldon and I love baby PJ so much already, I can't wait until we are a family!