Travel bug grounded.

Everyone who knows me knows I have a serious case of the travel bug. It's not all my fault, it runs in my family. I say this as my parents are preparing to head on a two week cruise in the next month or so. It's become pretty standard in our family to go somewhere at least once a year, often even twice.

It wasn't always that way. I didn't know it as a child, but money was pretty tight in our family. My dad was self employed and my mom was at home with us. Somehow they managed to scrape together enough money to send us to a great Christian school, which left little room for other things. Camping! That was our family vacation every year and we loved it! We did manage one or two larger vacations on a serious budget, and they usually involved being gifted someone's timeshare condo or doing a lot of driving.

Later in my teenaged years my dad ended up becoming a supervisor for a large construction company. Things became financially more comfortable and my parents ended up buying into a time share. It's really been a wonderful thing for our family because it provided yearly opportunities to go away on a real holiday as a family. Holidays for us haven't just been about seeing new places and laying on the beach. It meant a full week or more of straight family bonding time and those memories stick out strongly in my brain.

Once I graduated high school and started working most of my money saved went to trips, with or without my family. Mexico, New York, Europe, California, I did whatever I could. Then I enrolled in college, met my fiancée and started flying to Ontario instead of the beach.

My husband was so not use to this travel lifestyle when he married into my family. He grew up in a small town that was a good 6+ hours from a major airport. And he had just finished a good 4 years in University as a poor student when we were wed. Suddenly he was thrust into a family where normal dinner conversation involved sentences like,"So where are we going next?" And "What's the plan for AFTER this next trip?" Sounds crazy I know, but when you are working with time share folks everything has to be booked far out haha.

We've been married for almost 4 years now and in that time we've been blessed to have gone to Hawaii twice (once for our wedding), Disney twice and on two cruises. Yes I realize that's not normal, thats why I said BLESSED! We aren't rolling in dough here, far from it. But we've managed to score some really good deals and as mentioned, the timeshare helps ALOT!y

But this year we aren't going anywhere. At all! Camping won't even be happening because I don't plan to sleep in a tent with a 2 month old. We've really got to buckle down and save now because our family is growing and we just won't have room for us all in a townhouse. We are trying to watch the budget extra closely so that we can achieve a different kind of dream - a detached house with a basement and hopefully a bit of a yard.

So this means the traveling I've become accustomed to will be gone, at least for a while. Yes, next year we plan to go back to Disneyland with the kids, but that'll probably be it for the next 5 years. I whole heartedly admit that that will be very hard for me! It'll be a lifestyle change for sure. I've gotta say though, having young children will definitely help me stay grounded. Hawaii with a toddler is just not as relaxing as Hawaii with all adults haha.

So here I sit, drinking my cup of Kona coffee, dreaming of the beach while a toddler runs around me making car noises, loudly bringing me back to reality. But that's okay, cause he is pretty darn cute and brings me joy in a whole other way that vacations cannot.

Turn baby turn!

Goober enjoying some piano time.

Pregnancy is still going good! I am starting to feel a little large and the requests have begun for back massages from my husband. The sleeping with a pillow to support my belly has started and thanks to my sore tailbone I am already waddling a bit. But this is all to be expected and I'm feeling well.

My only concern right now is little baby Ashers current position, which is breech. I know it's still early and he has lots of time to turn. But it was brought up during my ultrasound and It was the same during my 3D over a month earlier. I know he is still in that position now as all movement is very low in my belly. His bum is sitting right above my cervix and he seems quite comfortable there.

As I said, it's still early. I am in week 24 and he has another 10 weeks or so to turn before they would 'book' a csection for me and continue to monitor him. But just the fact that a csection has been mentioned and I have no control over his position has me nervous. Obviously I want what is best for him and for me and if that means we have to go that route then so be it. I can deal with 'surgery' and bring in help while I heal, but I do feel a little like I'd be 'robbed' of an experience by having a csection. I know I know, tons of woman have them all the time and have never experienced a vaginal delivery. As painful as labour is, it's also kind of a thrill when you have that moment of actually pushing a baby out and bringing them into the world. I'm scared to miss out on that moment with this one. And the other fear is that if I have a csection this time I know I'd be pushed to go for a csection for our third (but I'd want to go for a vbac!)

Don't worry, I am honestly not freaking out yet or all panicked. It's just on my brain and it's something I never expected to have to think about. I always assumed if I have a csection it'd be in the case of an emergency. It'd be so weird to walk into the hospital, not contracting, and to walk into a surgical room and come out with a baby an hour later.

Anyways, I am processing here and you just happen to be on the receiving end. Would love to hear some happy stories of babies who turned just in time or happy c section stories to give me hope if you've got em :)

No more egg allergy?

Could it be? Could it really be?

We very quickly found out once Noah started solids that he couldn't do eggs. Within a minute or so of eating them his face would break out in a horrible red rash. Sometimes it would spread down to his neck resulting in an uncomfortably itchy baby. We felt so bad for him and I struggled to come up with breakfast foods that he could eat without getting bored. It was also hard to eat eggs around him because he would want some.

He was diagnosed with an early childhood egg allergy but my doctor explained that because his reactions weren't severe (he could still breathe just fine) and because he could still eat things with fully cooked egg products in them, there was a decent chance he'd out grow it by two years of age.

The last time he had egg was in October while we were in Hawaii. It was in the form of salad dressing and sure enough, within a minute or two of tasting it he was getting red. Well, this morning, only 4 or so months later, I decided to feed him some of my breakfast (fried eggs and hash-browns.) Much to my surprise and excitement, NO rash! We cheered around the breakfast table and Noah rotated back and forth between daddy and I giving high fives and 'pound its.' I'm hoping this wasn't just a fluke incident so I plan on trying scrambled eggs in a few days again to check.

Here's hoping the allergy is history and we can enjoy eggs as a family :)

(You can see in this picture a horrible rash on his face after a breakout)

Feeling thankful

I'm feeling thankful today.

I had a good sleep last night and I think that put me into a positive mood (or maybe it was that cup of Kona coffee?)

I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who works hard every day to support our little family. He does so much for me that I really cant even begin to describe it all. he is unbelievable and I really am the luckiest girl alive to call him mine. I'm thankful that he had the opportunity to go to University and get a degree so that he could have the great job he has today. I'm also thankful that his place of work is only 15 minutes from our home. What a rare blessing in a large city like Vancouver!

Speaking of home, I'm thankful for our home. We own a townhouse, and its not huge (2 bedroom +den) but its ours. We have enough room to live our lives as a family, invite people over and take care of ours needs. I love the location and I wake up every day to a beautiful view of the mountains. How can I not be grateful for that?

I'm thankful for my family (immediate and extended.) There is just something so special about people you are related to (by blood or marriage.) You know they are there for you if you really need something. Even though I don't see a lot of them more then once a year, I just want them all to know how special they are to me. I love you guys :)

I'm thankful for my church family and friends. I honestly can't picture my life without that amazing group of people. They are my support, my encouragement and a group of people who always want what's best for me in every way. And they pray for me - that's pretty incredible.

I'm thankful for my sons. Noah, my rambunctious 1.5 year old who makes me laugh one moment and want to pull out my hair another. The one who can wake me up in the middle of the night but I can't help but smile when he snuggles into my arms. And I'm thankful for Asher, the little boy currently growing and developing inside my belly. His little kicks and punches bring joy to my heart because it tells me he is doing okay. I love him so much already!

There's a million other things that I'm thankful for too. Little things and moments that make up my day and all add up to this wonderful life. No, I'm not living in a bubble today - life is certainly far from perfect. But today I'm choosing to see the positives!

I'm thankful for the one who makes all these blessings even possible and that's my Heavenly Father. They all come from Him and I would not HAVE life without him.

My 27th birthday

First of all, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the Facebook messages, bbms, phone calls and in person well wishes I received yesterday. It was very sweet of you to take a moment out of your busy days to acknowledge my birthday. It meant a lot!

The day itself had many ups and downs. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at our ladies bible study in the morning. I was actually able to listen and be involved as my mother graciously offered to watch Noah for me up in the nursery. Unfortunately sitting for a full hour (even with my special pillow) resulted in quite a lot of pain for me for the rest of the day. By the afternoon I couldn't do much but rest on the couch much to the dismay of my toddler. He wasn't in a good mood to begin with and I don't think was overly impressed with mommas lack of mobility. There were a few meltdowns and much whining on his part. By 4:00pm I was exhausted and ready to have my own emotional meltdown. I'm not sure if that was coming from my hormones in being pregnant or just the frustration I am feeling with my tailbone injury.

5:15 rolled around and in walked my knight in shining armor, a.k.a my husband. He came with a massive bouquet of flowers, cards, hugs and Greek food. I must admit, the tears began to flow at that point. Noah decided to carry on his sour disposition throughout my birthday meal but after we were done hubby allowed me to head upstairs to soak in a nice warm bath. Meanwhile, Noah was played with and prepped for bed before being brought in to give me a smooch goodnight. By the way, if you are wondering how someone with a broken tailbone has a bath, believe you me, it's not easy. But the warm water helps the pain a lot so it's worth the awkward sitting position I must do.

I got out of my bath and Ahhhh... The house was quiet. I picked out a movie (Dan in Real Life) and my husband and I snuggled up on the couch with some leftover ice cream cake. A pretty great way to end a less then fantastic day I'd say.

Week 23

I am now into my 23rd week of pregnancy. My What to Expect app lovingly reminded me that I have 17 weeks to go. Labour in 17 weeks? Eek, that suddenly seems soon! But I am getting pretty excited to meet this little guy.

Pregnancy wise I'm feeling pretty decent. I get the occasional heartburn or nausea but for the most part I'd say this pregnancy has been easier. This whole damaged tailbone this has been, well, a pain in the butt but that really could happen to anyone. I'm thankful that I am mobile and able to function, but sure do appreciate any help I can get with Noah. Oh, and my house is kind of a disaster at the moment. I'm trying to look past it.

I think Noah is going to be an awesome big brother. Like actually. This morning he came up to me and asked to see baby. He likes to lift up my shirt, touch my belly and smother it in kisses. How sweet is that for a 17 month old!? He is also very much into our friends babies right now. He likes to touch their hands and feet, bring them toys and give them kisses. I can't wait to see him with little Asher!

Speaking of Noah, he is turning into such a boy!!! I had plans to get a bedding set for him of Curious George but at the moment he is ALL about Cars. And I do mean the Disney version of cars. Matt bought him a Cars table set and toy shelf yesterday for his room and he loves it. I'm sitting here wondering what happened to my cutesy little monkey. Ah we'll, two boys in the house and another on the way. I am out numbered!

Change in plans

This is so not how I saw this weekend playing out!

Today my hubby and I were meant to head off for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. We had reservations at a nice hotel in Washington state, plans to meet up with a few friends and plans to check out a great buffet for dinner. My parents were even taking Noah the whole time so that we could enjoy a night away. We had big plans to sleep in and relax!

But alas, it was not meant to be.

Yesterday morning during a play group get together with some friends I ran upstairs to quickly change into a t-shirt. I had just recently commented to the girls how I felt like my belly was bigger today and was feeling a shift in my weight and balance. When I began to head back downstairs my feet didn't hit the second step and I basically fell down the length of the staircase. I hit several times on the way down, thankfully all on my back end and not at all on my front.

The initial fall scared me more then anything, as I worried about the baby growing inside of me. I quickly realized that my tail bone had taken the brunt of the fall and the baby was probably fine. It hurt pretty bad to move, so my hubby came home in case we needed to take me to get checked out. We called the maternity ward where I was registered and they told me they wanted me to come in and be monitored.

Within a few minutes of being at the hospital we could hear little Asher's heartbeat beating away nice and strong, a great relief to mommy and daddy. My doctor from the prenatal clinic happened to be working at the time and came to check me out. After examining my tail bone region, aka my butt she told me that I appeared to have a broken tailbone. She wouldn't do X-rays as it wasn't good for the baby and told me there really was no way to treat it other then rotating ice and heat. Only medications I could take was tylonal, which probably wouldn't do a whole lot. She said I'd know if it wasn't broken if I start feeling significantly better within a few days. Here's hoping but were not counting on it.

Thankfully I can walk as long as its done slowly. Bending, lifting or straining of any kind hurts quite a bit, so I'm quickly learning what I can and can't do. I can't sit unless it's for a short period of time and on my boppy breastfeeding pillow (you know the ones with a hole in the middle?) Usually I am on my side. I'm grateful that this happened yesterday so that Matt is around for the weekend to help with Noah. I'm hoping that I will be feeling at least a little better come Monday.

Last night I was feeling pretty frustrated and sad. Yeah, I had a bit of a pity party for myself. I was really looking forward to a weekend away with my husband. And even with the offer from him of doing whatever I wanted to celebrate instead, we couldn't come up with anything that I could physically do at the moment. So that really sucked.

But I am trying to look on the bright side! Little Asher is healthy, I'm able to at least walk, and my his and is home for the weekend! My tail bone WILL heal and I feel like I can handle the pain. Like I said before, obviously going away this weekend wasn't meant to be. And I trust that God has a reason for everything, even when it's not comfortable for me in the mean time.