Hello, 29.

Yesterday was my birthday! I've officially entered the very last year of my 20's! When did I get so old!?   In previous years, we've used my birthday as an excuse to vacation (we were in St. Lucia this time last year)  but between taking care of a 9 day old baby and recovering from surgery, staying home seemed more suitable this year.  Thanks to my sweet little family and some of my awesome friends, staying home didn't stop me from having a wonderful day!  

For starters, my tiny daughter gifted me with a little bit of extra sleep the night prior.  I was still up feeding her and changing diapers in the middle of the night, but she settled quickly and woke less frequently... I'll take what I can get these days.  Morning rolled around and Ryan took both kids downstairs and made breakfast while I lazed around in bed a little bit longer. 

I eventually forced myself to get up and get ready so that we could get out of the house at a decent time of day.  My birthday would revolve around food, as most occasions do in this household.  Still a bit full from breakfast, we decided that we'd have ice cream before lunch.  I love being a grown up and making such decisions.   I didn't get Aaralee her own cone, but she was happy to share with mommy and daddy. Thank goodness for baby wipes... toddlers aren't the cleanest of eaters.  It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for ice cream, baby snuggles, and being outside. 

Next on my birthday wish-list was lunch.  I'd been longing for sushi since Briley's birth, despite the fact that I still ate it a bit while pregnant.  I wanted sashimi... real, delicious, raw fish. No guilt, no fear, because I'm finally no longer pregnant.  Ryan bought me a huge portion of it and we headed home to eat it while Aaralee napped.  

After lunch I cuddled my sleeping baby while Ryan went to Starbucks to get my free birthday drink.  Free obviously meant that it was necessary to get the biggest size possible, so I happily sipped my giant caramel macchiato and watched a movie.  A few friends came to visit and meet Briley, so we chatted for awhile before the left and it was time for dinner.  It was too hot to cook, so we ordered pizza.  I'm pretty sure that 2 weeks ago I vowed to eat healthier once my baby was born, but birthdays are an exemption. 

If you know me well, you are quite aware of the fact that I'm shamelessly addicted to the show Big Brother.  When I found out that the first episode of the new season premiered on my birthday, I knew exactly how our evening would be spent.  I invited over some of my best friends and fellow reality TV addicts and after Aaralee was tucked into bed we indulged in snacks, watched our show, and ate delicious chocolate cake!  It was a fairly low-key birthday, but it was absolutely perfect.  I have some of the best friends and family in the whole world and I couldn't have felt more loved.  Thank you to everyone for all of the birthday wishes! I can already tell that 29 is going to be a great year.    

Briley Amelia

On a sunny June evening after weeks of anticipation and 10 days past her due date, we finally welcomed our second daughter into the world. Meet Briley Amelia!  

She was born at exactly 7:00 pm on June 15, weighing exactly 8 pounds and standing tall at 21 inches.  We are so, so in love with her! 

 I might be a tiny bit biased, but I think that Ryan and I make beautiful children.  I can't wait to watch them grow together, play together, and do all things that sisters do! 

We are home now and settling into our new normal. Thank you for all of the congratulations and well wishes! Briley can't wait to meet you all! 

And Now We Wait...

Another due date has come and gone, and surprise, surprise... I'm still pregnant.  Although I was occasionally hopeful that history would not repeat itself, I really didn't anticipate that this baby would arrive in a timely manner.  Aaralee came into this world nearly 2 weeks past her due date, and only because she was forcefully evicted. What can I say? My babies love my womb!  

If you've ever been in this situation, you can probably appreciate the emotional rollercoaster that it can be.  You wake up each morning wondering if today will be the day that you go into labour.  You can't make many plans because they could likely be interrupted.  You ignore phone calls and text messages from eager friends and family looking for updates because there is absolutely nothing to update.  Everyone has advice on how to induce labour, and you politely nod your head when they tell you to walk more. Little do they know, you've been walking at least 10 kilometres a day for the past month, you've gone through 4 boxes of raspberry leaf tea and you spend your days camped out on an exercise ball.   Ultimately, your baby (or doctor) will decide when he or she is ready to make his or her debut.  

So what do you do to pass the days when it feels like you just might be pregnant forever? Well, let's start with Friday. Friday, the elusive, long awaited "due date".  I woke up that morning knowing full well that this baby was going to be at least a little bit late, so I spoiled myself.  40 weeks of carrying a baby is something to be celebrated!  I packed up Aaralee and we drove to a delicious little cafe for lunch with a friend.  I had pizza, an affogato, and one of each macaron from the pastry display.  I went for a wonderful, sunny walk and then returned home to spend the afternoon watching TV while Aaralee napped. That evening we met up with Ryan's parents for a glorious Chinese food dinner. I figured that if I wasn't having a baby on my due date, I may as well be enjoying the day to the fullest!  

We woke up on Saturday morning, and guess what?!  You guessed it... still pregnant. So instead of driving to the hospital, we got all dressed up, Ryan's parents came over to babysit, and we headed to a beautiful wedding.  Ryan's coworker (the groom) wasn't initially impressed with our timing when we announced our pregnancy, but we made it after all.  Open bars aren't very exciting when you are pregnant, but buffets most certainly are.   Especially buffets with perogies.  A good time was had by all, and much to my relief, I did NOT give birth on the dance floor.  

Sunday rolled around.  No sign of baby being eager to come out, so we carried on with our normal life. I went for a long walk with Aaralee and Ryan's mom.  Oh, and we bought a new (to us) car.  After a couple months of searching, we finally found what we were looking for and I'm now the proud owner of a Subaru Outback.   Space was running low in my Impreza, so we brought home our new car just in time.  We can fit so many groceries in the back, even with a stroller! Who needs a minivan? Not us!  

We spent the rest of our Sunday feasting on dim sum and shopping, and by the end of the day I was sporting some attractive swollen feet.  I sent Ryan to the grocery store for fruit and he returned home with a chocolate cake, so life was pretty good. 

It's Monday now.  I'm still pregnant. I have to pee every 5 minutes and I'm trying to keep up with a rather high energy toddler.  I'm trying really hard to enjoy these moments, but the fact of the matter is that I'm only getting fatter and more uncomfortable, and my desire for a sip of sangria is only increasing with each passing day.  I'm also pretty eager to snuggle my new little person.  I'm hoping that this pregnancy is over soon, but I know that the wait will be more than worthwhile.  I've made it this far, what's another few days?  

My baby's not a library book, 

So he's not overdue. 

My baby won't take too long to cook 

'Cause he's not veggie stew.

My baby's not an elephant.

And I am not fit to burst.

The time and date aren't relevant - 

We're blessed with days, not cursed.

My baby can't read dates yet 

Because he's very new.

There's no cause to fuss and fret 

If he doesn't come on cue.

So stop your worry.

Stop your asking.

There's no hurry.

We're just relaxing

In this golden pregnant time, 

This pause... just his and mine.

Now, you leave us be...

We are just fine.

~Rachel Pritchard