Day 29 -March 20

Today is Saturday so it is a nice quiet day at home for the whole family. We got up fairly early this morning but we let your dad sleep in. Then we just all had a lazy day! You can see how relaxed you are in your picture... lol. Now that's relaxation!

Day 28 -March 19

Happy Birthday to you! Wow it is hard to believe that you are a whole month old today! It is very strange because it feels as though the last month has flown by but it is also hard to remember life before you arrived. We are so happy to have you here with us! Happy Birthday little girl!

Today your Nana and Grandpa came over to visit you. It is the first time your Grandpa has been able to hold you and he was very excited to do so! You liked to look at him and listen to him talk. Then your Nana stayed into the evening and spoiled you by holding you the whole time! You sure like having visitors come!

Day 33 -March 24th -Wednesday

Wow what a sleep last night! You wanted to go to bed a little later than yesterday but 10:30 is still a respectable time. You fussed a bit at 1 so I got up to get a bottle ready for you. When I came back you were settled in your bassinet and quiet so I climbed back in bed figuring I would hear you again in 10 minutes... you slept till 4:30!!! That's incredible! Then you were up at 7. I actually feel somewhat human today and it is nice!

Your Pepere and Auntie Madelaine came to visit this afternoon. It was a nice sunny day so we went out for a walk and Madelaine played at the park. Pepere brought and made dinner which was very helpful and welcome! While everyone was home right before they left, you were laying in my arms and you just started laughing! And then you did it again, and again, and AGAIN! I am not sure what you found so funny because you were facing my shoulder but it was really funny to listen to! You sure are growing up fast!

Day 32 -March 23rd

So last night was a nice sleep! You slept for 5 straight hours!!! We were also exhausted so we decided to go to bed at 9:30 after your bottle. Of course, you weren't tired and definately not interested in being in your bassinet. It was either get up and entertain you or let you into bed. Exhaustion won out and into the bed you came. You snuggled right in and slept like a dream. After your 1 am bottle you were fussing in your bassinet so again, into the bed you came and slept for 5 hours! That is more than I get total some nights! Sheesh I hope you learn to sleep like that in your bassinet soon!

Here are some of your funny faces!

Day 26 -March 17th -Wednesday

This morning when I looked into your bassinet you looked up at me and gave me a big smile! You have smiled before especially when you are sleepy, but this is the first time that you have smiled when you look at me. It was all very sweet and cute and made up for the lack of sleep last night!

We are going to go to the city for our first girl trip. We are going to the mall to go shopping! You were so well behaved and everyone was oogling you. You happily ate your bottle in the food court and sat contently in your stroller while i tried to figure out what size of clothes are going to fit me! It is a good thing you smiled this morning... lol. I used to be a 4 and now it looks like I am a size 10! aaahhh!!!

Day 25 -March 16th -Tuesday

You had a good sleep last night but we woke up to find that Dawn and Leah wouldn't be able to make it. Poor little Otis had an allergic reaction so he has to be watched closely today. We did get your dresser delivered today though. The first one was damaged when they moved it into the house. Your room is definately all set now!

I caught your first big smile on camera today. It looks like there should be a laugh heard with a smile that big!

Day 24 -March 15th

Today your daddy's co-worker Melissa came to visit you. She brought you some gorgeous outfits that say "my daddy loves me" all over it. You were a perfect angel while she was here and slept the whole time!

We also ran out to the grocery store which has become quite the process but we need supplies because Auntie Dawn and your girlfriend Leah is coming for a visit!

Day 23 -March 14th

Your dad spoiled me this morning. You were up really late last night so he got up with you this morning for your feeding and I got to sleep in! It was really nice and I think I was in bed until almost 11. Then we had lunch and switched. He had a nice long afternoon nap! Of course you had naps all day long...

Day 22 -March 13th -Saturday

Today is a busy day and last night was a long night. Wish I could get a nap in today but we are out of the house around lunch time. We are celebrating all of your auntie's and uncle's birthdays today. We are out of the house and off to pick up a couple of things while we are in the city. We left the house and you stayed awake in your seat in a moving car for almost 40 minutes! I couldn't believe that. Then we stopped in at Monica's for a quick visit. It was good timing because you were due for a bottle anyways! George got to hold you and feed you your bottle this time!

Then on to your Pepere's house for dinner and the birthday party. Everyone got a chance to hold you and Auntie Rachelle got an improvement on her picture with you. Unfortunately Uncle Joe had to work tonight so you didn't get a chance to visit with him. Grammie and Pepere enjoyed snuggling with you. When we left it was freezing rain out but we got ahead of the storm and the drive got much better. Your schedule was all screwed up though and you were wide awake until about 2 am!

Day 27 -March 18th -Thursday

Another gorgeous day out there! We went for a nice long walk to enjoy it. You liked the walk but did NOT like the hat. We walked all the way down to Timmies for a coffee but I didn't win anything on the roll up the rim.... sigh.

Your dad just messaged me from work. He says that he thinks he found your song.

Liviu says:

-the more and more I listen to this song the more it reminds me of Sophia...

-I think I found her song

-Just Breathe by Pearl Jam

-every time I hear it makes me smile... I feel like hugging and kissing something

How cute is that?! I think he loves you lots and lots!

Day 21 -March 12th -Friday

You are very calm and sleepy today. I wonder if it is because of the rainy weather outside. I like it when you are sleepy because it gives me a chance to just watch you. Your eyelashes are getting longer and darker and your eyebrows are starting to grow in. It could be my imagination but it looks like your hair is getting lighter too. I love the hair that is on your ears and the top of your shoulders. You are getting heavier we know but I think it is all going into length. Your feet are right at the end of your sleepers (when they are in the leg holes) but the width of the bodies are still so big on you. Your hands and feet are long but still so tiny and I like how tightly you hold my finger when you are eating which is one of the only times that you have a tight little fist. You smile when we lay you back and put your bib on to eat as well as when you are just waking up. You also always seems to spit out your last mouthful of milk when the bottle is pulled out as if you can't be bothered to swallow it. And you always seem to have something in your mouth when we are close and you sneeze. Not all your sneezes come out though so sometime you wind up for a big one that just ends in a big long sigh. It is pretty funny!

Day 20 -March 11th

Well last night I think the bath worked. You were sound asleep by 10:30. Unheard of! Unfortunately though you couldn't resist seeing 12:30 am when you woke up for 2 sucks on a bottle before going back to sleep... sigh. That was a lot of work for 2 sips! Then up at 3:30 and again (and for good) at 6 this morning. It is a good thing that your dad made a BIG pot of coffee when he got up this morning!

Today was absolutely gorgeous outside! You are sleeping well during the day today so out we went to walk and shop and enjoy the weather. I am hoping the fresh air will tire you out too! We were able to get diapers and formula and then some groceries before coming back home again. I am hoping that this nice weather sticks around! We will take a nice walk around the neighbourhood tomorrow!

You were very calm this evening. It was just the two of us because your dad was buying a treadmill (for the baby weight). You slept right up to your last bottle and went down in your bassinet at 11:00. You woke after a long sleep at 3:30 am for a bottle which is pretty impressive. When you started to fuss at 5:30 I thought you were back on your schedule but you weren't interested in eating. So, you slept with me fussing every 5 minutes or so until you woke to eat at 7. If your dad didn't have to work, I would leave you to fuss in your bassinet.

Day 19 -March 10 -Wednesday

Today you woke up at 7 for your breakfast and then slept very restlessly till 9 in my arms. After that, I gave up and got out of bed. You were very fussy for the day, not really taking a nap until about 3:00 this afternoon. That made for a very unproductive day on my part... I couldn't put you down without you fussing. Had to let you cry so that I could make you some more formula though. Dishes and laundry had to wait till your dad got home from work. I am hoping that because you were up all day today then you will sleep well tonight. I just hope that you aren't too overstimulated and then are fussy all night. You will be getting a nice relaxing bath tonight for sure!

Day 18 -March 9

Every Tuesday at the community center here in town, the public health nurses hold a well baby clinic. We got up in the morning and got everything together for our first trip out of the house for just the two of us. It took a little while to get everything together since we would be there around your feeding time. It seemed a shame to be running around the house when you were sleeping peacefully in your bassinet... I could really use a nap! I got you all bundled up in your chair and off we went.

The little boy in line in front of us at the clinic was born the same day as you in St Thomas. What are the odds of that? He looked to have a couple of pounds on you though. He was a big boy! Since this is the first visit we stripped you down to get your weight. You were 7'14 when you were born, 7'10 when we left the hospital, and 7'12 at your last doctor's appointment when you were 7 days old. Today, at 18 days, you weigh a whopping 8lbs and 4ozs. My little chunky monkey!

It was a beautiful sunny day today as well. I had some errands to run in town so I thought we would take advantage of the sunshine and warm weather and take out the stroller. I parked at the mall and we walked to the post office then back up to the mall to wander a little bit. When we got home we both had a nice nap on the couch together. All that nice fresh air must have done you some good because you slept pretty well last night in your bassinet. (after you were good and asleep in my arms of course).

Day 17 -March 8 -Monday

Today is the first day that we are on our own. Your Dad is back to work and we are on to our everyday routine. Jeff, Carrie and the boys stopped by today to visit you. Jeff and Carrie argued over who got to hold you next but the boys didn't seem too interested. They were much more interested in checking out the house. You ate just before they arrived so you were very sleepy and well behaved while they were here.

We got exciting news today too. Your Aunt Louise called today and she and your Uncle Dave had their 20 week ultrasound. They were able to find out that they are expecting a little girl! You are going to have a little girlie cousin arriving at the end of July! It is very exciting news and I can't wait to see her wearing all the little outfits that you have grown out of!

You were very fussy tonight. I was trying to keep you quiet since your dad is back at work again. This meant having you in bed with me for most of the night which didn't give me too much sleep...

Day 16 -March 7

Today was a little bit of a sleep in for all of us. After your morning bottle you went right back to sleep so we all stayed in bed! We had big plans for the day. We were meeting Louise and the family for her birthday at dinner tonight. It was decided that we would also make a couple of stops while we were in the city as well. We picked up a bouncy chair and a little gym for you at Once Upon a Child and saved so much money than if we bought them new.

We met at Spice Avenue for dinner which had very yummy Thai food. Your Uncle Matt was there as well as your Nana and Grandpa. This was the first time that he got to meet you since he was away when you were born! Unfortunately though he has a cold so he wasn't able to hold you. Your Nana skipped having an appetizer so that she could hold you while everyone else was eating. Your dad was worried about having you out for so long and going to a restaurant. You were such a good girl. You had your dinner before ours arrived and only fussed when you went back into your seat at the end of the night.

Day 15 -March 6 -Saturday

Another lazy day at home! These are nice! Your Dad took you downstairs this morning so that I could get a little extra sleep this morning since your day usually starts around 8 am. I payed back the favor when he took a long nap this morning. We did have big plans for the day but the biggest accomplishment today was that we finished season 3 of Dexter. We did get LOTS of snuggles in today too. I think your dad is going to miss you when he goes back to work!

Day 14 -March 5th

Hard to believe that you are 2 weeks old today! Happy birthday! It is amazing to think that you are already that old but at the same time it is hard to believe you have only been in our lives for that long. The sun is shining today and it is gorgeous outside despite the cold temperatures. I decided that we needed to get out today since we have been inside so much. We decided to go out to lunch and try a new restaurant. You slept in your chair the whole time which was nice since I got a chance to eat! We then returned some stuff at walmart before you decided that you were starting to get hungry. Definately not the most exciting outing but nice just the same!

You were quite awake after your bottle at 2 so we took the oppertunity to give you a bath. You are definately learning to enjoy it much more than you did at first. You love having your hair washed and once put in the tub, you hold onto my hand very tight with your little hand. You also decided today too that you didn't want to get your feet wet and sat for quite a while with your feet held up and out of the water. Pretty funny!

Day 13 -March 4th

Today was another day for the family at home! You slept very well through the day which started to make me nervous in the evening when you started to become a little fussy. You didn't seem to want to go to sleep tonight despite 2 FULL bottles right before bed (not exactly sure where you put those). The only time you seemed to want to settle was in my arms... sigh. Eventually though you did fall asleep after a long cuddle. Then you were up your usual 2 times for feeds. You seemed to sleep well after your 3 am feeding until we heard you fill your diaper. lol. Guess this means we all get naps today!

Day 12 -March 3rd

Well we have had a couple of lazy days! Your father is taking advantage of his time at home to get me caught up on the first couple of seasons of Dexter. We haven't been out anywhere and our only guests were Tony who agreed to hold you after a bit of protest and Steve who was dropping off a computer for your dad to fix. Other than that, we are just trying to get a routine down. Lots of diapers to change, bottles to clean and sleep patterns to get concrete!

Speaking of which, last night was your first night in your bassinet. You did quite well considering how spoiled you have been up to now. You got up for your regular feeds at 2 and 5 and were a little fussy while going back to sleep (which is a little odd for you). You were also up at 7 this morning being fussy. You weren't hungry and you didn't have gas... you just wanted some snuggle time and slept till your next bottle that way.

Your poor little hands are so peely right now. You will be able to see it in your pictures. Your feet are a little too but the rest of your skin is perfect. We try to keep your nails short because you do tend to scratch your face (which makes your dad crazy! If it were up to him you's be wearing gloves all the time!) You are also becoming quite the smiler! Most of the time it is when you are just falling asleep or just waking up. You do smile though when you get your cheeks kissed by me or when your daddy gets in nice and close where you can see him. They say it is just gas but I'd like to think that you are just a happy girl Sophia!

Day 10 -March 1st

Today was a nice and quiet day at home. Time to get caught up on bottles and laundry. The house still looks like a baby bomb went off though... lol. We are getting into mixing the powdered formula now which means a whole new routine. I am sure we will get into the swing of things soon enough!

We started with some of your "official" portraits today. You weren't that interested in being asleep though. So we got some very cute wide awake pics (funny faces included) and are hoping to get some sleepy pics while you are still all bendy and folded up! Here is a sample pic. We don't want to share too many because we have to save the best for your birth announcement!

Day 9 -February 28

Today is a home day. It is the last day of the Olympics in Vancouver too! There are big plans for the day that included watching the gold medal game between Canada and the USA. We, of course, won the game and got our gold medals. We also won the games with a new record of 14 gold medals! That is the most ever for a country at the winter games. There is a level of prinde that has surfaced in this country that is refreshing and comforting. I hope that it continues long after the games are over. We then watched the closing ceremonies in which Canada was able to showcase our sense of humor and the ability to laugh at ourselves. It was fun to watch and I do wonder what other countries thought of it as well. I am hoping that I will be able to find the videos of the opening and closing ceremonies for your book. I think you may enjoy seeing them when you are older.

Nana also stopped by for a visit this afternoon. Your Grandpa is still on his way back from the states from his annual golf trip. He hasn't had the chance to meet you yet but he is quite excited. He showed all the guys on the trip your pictures. Nana held you and fed you and you spent a long time awake and watching her. You are spending more and more time awake through the day which I figure is a good since you may sleep more at night! You were up at 3 and 5:30 for feedings and then right back to sleep

Day 8 -February 27th

Today is a real busy day for us! Daddy decided he needs a haircut especially if he is going to be in a lot more pictures with you. We decided that since we would be in the city, we would stop in to visit Pepere and Grammie since she couldn't come up to the house for a visit this week. Mary and Evelyn were there as well to meet you for the first time. Madelaine also decided that it was now ok to hold you for the first time. It must have been ok because she didn't want to let you go! It is funny seeing you with your Auntie Madelaine (or Auntie Cinderella as she now likes to be known) since she is only 3 years older than you are!

After Pepere and Grammie's house, we stopped in to visit your Bunicu and Bunica. They were so happy to see you since it had been a whole week since their last visit in the hospital. Bunica gave you a bottle and held you the whole time we were there. Bunicu liked all of the funny faces that you make when you are sleeping.

From there, we went to visit Beata and Costa for your very first dinner party! Dali, Laurie and little Carson were also there to meet you for the first time. Everyone loves how you are such a happy baby. You were very content to hang out in everyone's arms. Carson especially liked you and gave you lots of kisses on the top of your head. Carson also gave you a beautiful stuffed Minnie Mouse (also his favorite) and you like to look at her.

You must have been super tuckered out from all your visiting. You went to bed at 12:30 and didn't wake for your next feeding till 5:30. I kept waking up to check on you to make sure you were all right. Definately the longest you have slept through the night so far!

warning... out of order!

Well our little one has arrived! Through the hectic first week I haven't had time to post (shocking I know). So I plan on starting her posts now and then filling in the blanks when I get a chance. We, of course, have pictures of her for every day and want to make sure that everyone gets a chance to see them! We will be sure to get them in order for her book though and she will never know...

39 Weeks!

So we have made it to 39 weeks! Where did all the time go?! This past month though, I do have to admit, has been the slowest part of this whole experience. So for the technical stuff, she is about 20.5 inches long and about 7.5 lbs. She won't have much time left to get chubbier because SHE IS COMING IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS!!! We got her eviction notice. Her c-section is set for friday Feb 19th. Uncle Matt is quite excited that she will be born on his birthday. Perhaps he hasn't considered yet that he will be having princess birthday parties for at least the next 8 years... lol.

We are so excited to meet her (and super glad we got all the necessary things done in the house to be ready for her) I am excited to see who she looks like and count all her fingers and toes. I am excited to meet this little foot that has been causing all the kicks and making me jump when she slides it all the way down my abdomen. I am excited to see if she still gets hiccups twice a day in the outside world (once in the afternoon and right before bed). I am so excited to see how she fits into our family and our home and to see what the kitties think of her. There are so many things that I have to remember to write down in the next couple of weeks so that I don't forget them! I hope I am not too tired to remember!

Almost 38 weeks!

This past Saturday was my big baby shower. We had quite the turnout and everyone stayed around to chat almost right to the end. We (really she) got spoiled rotten with all the beautiful gifts that people had brought. It was a wonderful time and I am so thankful to all the moms for taking the time to put it together for me!

Yesterday we had our weekly appt with our OB. It seems that there are a lot of c-sections going on right now so the earliest available date is Feb 23rd... a day before my due date. The doc agrees that that is pushing it pretty close as I would have a good chance of going into labour myself before then! She is watching diligently for a date the week before... so we have a birthdate i guess... but not really... lol

37 Weeks!

Well tomorrow is a big day! Our little one 37 weeks and officially full term. She weighs aprox 6.5 pounds and is about 20 inches long. She should be head down and in my pelvis by now. She has definately dropped over the last week and I definately feel much more weight and pressure. I am still having a lot of braxton hicks contractions but am feeling well for the most part. (laying down floor in the basement gets me kinda sore but it is one of those necessary evils for this little one to have a bedroom)

It is also a big day for another reason. Last week when we went in for our appointment, this little one was found to be breech. That's right, head up and tushie down. Since then, we have been trying just about everything to turn her around. Tomorrow we have an appointment with another OB who is going to try to turn her around with force. It has a 60% success rate so we will have to see if it works. The only thing is, if she doesn't tollerate it well, they will have to do a c-section tomorrow. I can't believe I might be able to meet my daughter face to face as soon as tomorrow! However, she still doesn't have a room or any furniture so I would like to post-pone our meeting for one more week...

So I am left tonight excited and a little scared (I know that it will not be comfortable tomorrow). I just can't believe that after all these weeks we are here near the end and I will soon have my little girl in my arms!

These are from new years eve Dec 31 2009. 32 weeks. Liviu caught me with the p&s while in the laundry room...

These are from my brithday, December 21 2009. 30 weeks

33 weeks

We are getting closer... So this week our little girl is 4.2 pounds and is still about 17 inches long. She sure is adding on the chunk since she isn't getting any longer! I am up and writing this at 6 am which I think is way too early in the morning since I don't have a crying baby or have to go to work. I am just so darn uncomfortable in bed that at some point I just have to give up and get up. There will be a nap on the books for today! ;)

Now that the holidays are over, it seems like there is not much to do. At the same time though, 7 weeks doesn't sound like a long time away anymore and that's if she makes it till her due date. That means that there is so much to do! It is all a delicate juggling act right now though. The drywall is now done in the basement. We just need someone to come in and do the mudding on it. Hopefully they can come in very soon to take care of that! Then a couple coats of paint on the walls. We are going to be smart (I think) and paint all the trim in the basement on the crappy floor first since it is winter out there and then after that, put the floor down. At this point I don't even care how long it takes to get the trim in! lol. Then we can finally empty out what is now our office and start the transformation into our little girl's room. The furniture has arrived at the store so we will be able to pick that up ASAP once the room is painted. Hopefully that will leave me enough time to try to get the room at least a little organized before her arrival!

I washed the important things this week in case she is a little hasty about joining us. The car seat cover is all fresh and clean like new and her little outfit that her daddy bought her is ready to bring her home! Hmm I wonder when it is time to start thinking about packing a bag for the hospital... oh the lists that are constantly running through my head and then almost immediately forgotten... I hope I get my brain power back at some point!

Week 32

Happy New Year everyone! This is going to be quite an exciting year!

I missed last week with all the craziness of Christmas going on but I am back for week 32! This week this little pumpkin is 3.75 pounds and is 17 inches long. She is supposed to be gaining a lot now to double her current weight at birth. (that's a 1/2 pound a week!) This is all contributing to my difficulty in sleeping at night. If something doesn't hurt then I can't sleep because I can't breathe. Oh all the fun...

We started off the new year last night with friends. We wanted to make sure to go out for our last celebration with just the two of us. And although it was just one of us drinking (hint: not me) we sure didn't stay too long after midnight. Just long enough to get our "happy new years" in as well as a few hugs and kisses. It will definately be interesting next year with all the babies kicking around!

This morning of the brand new year was well spent in bed looking up baby names. Oh the decisions to make! We each have our own list and there isn't too much overlap! So Liviu decided to try them all on the baby to see which ones she likes. Apparantly she was sleeping and not interested in the naming process this morning. The unfortunate fallout from all of this however is Liviu's new obsession with my nearly outie bellybutton now though. He didn't seem to have any difficulty naming it. lol. Liviu did take a year end picture of me though so I may just have to include it to remember how huge I am and how it will, I am sure, pale in comparisson to my final photos.

Happy New Year everyone! Best of luck in 2010!!!