Twas the night before Norah...

I can't believe it that this is the night before Norah!  I am going to be a Mom of THREE kids... craziness!  When did this happen?  I am really excited about it though... to get back to being able to do things with the other kids and having Norah out in my arms.  The time has flown by... and the fact that it got moved up a few days really helped it along!  I had to get some blood work done today which went really well, and everything got packed up smoothly too!  We even got some doughnuts in the morning at the clubhouse which was an added bonus for sure!  :)

The kids loved this little girl because she had the same slippers that Lucy did

Momma was playing on the floor with Lucy... its hard getting off the floor... but this was my last day of it!

We hit up a library here for the kids so that they had something to do and have just been hanging out since.

12 weeks, 20 weeks, 39 weeks.  We are ready to go!

We did tell Ingrid about the change and she is good about not coming to the hospital... which was a huge relief.  We also put in the infant carseat and we look like a real soccer mom van now!  haha.  Out of all the available seating only 2 of them don't have carseats in the back... awesome!  :)  I am looking forward to the time spent tomorrow with Gaetan and Norah.  I am so excited beyond words.  Will update later with pictures hopefully!  :)

JVG

Barnes and Noble

So, we've been going to Barnes and Noble a lot lately.  Mainly because my children love books, but also because it's fairly easy to watch them there!  And, when you're looking for something to do inside this is a great place to go!  :)  The kids are really loving going there and it's free... so why the heck not? This particular outting we went out to eat first because I was tired and had done poor menu planning and had forgotten a key ingredient to the last recipe of the week so we just went out.

Goose going to town on salad

She really likes to wash her hands

We went to Olive Garden (per Dude's request) and the last time we went there we had to rush through dinner and I really liked what I got so I wanted another go at it... haha.  I swear Lucy ate her weight in their salad... and she was going to town on the raw red onion!  Whoa!  I couldn't believe how much she was digging them.  She was pretty smelly afterwards though... haha.  But, after that we went to Barnes and Noble and had a nice time til it was time to go to bed.  :)

She likes to wear this backpack around because its the same one she has at home

G thought this shot was funny because of my huge belly

I love that Dude will just sit with me and read books :)

Silly little things that make the kids happy and makes it easier for us to watch them run around and be crazy sounds like a win win to me!

JVG

Birthday Date

On Wednesday Gaetan and I also went out for his birthday.  Yes, I know it's not his actual birthday, but we go out when we can.  :)  So, we got to go to my OB appointment without the kids (well, Tristan and Lucy) and then afterwards we were gonna grab some dinner.  I had been craving sushi for a few weeks, and he's always up for it... so that was our plan!

Yum yum sushi!

We had quite the eventful appointment, as posted about before, and our dinner was great.  It is a weird phenomenon when you have kids that when you get to have a meal without them how much warmer your food is, and there isn't this sneaking feeling that you could get hit with any amount of food.  So, it was nice to be able just to focus on the food that was in front of us, and each other :)  No having to cut up other people's food or blow on it to make sure it isn't too hot... just a nice leisure time of it.

Gaetan's birthday date photo...

My birthday date photo!

On the way into the restaurant there was a lady on the street and she looked at me with big eyes, kind of chuckled to herself said, "ooh girl.  Congrats!"  haha.  I guess it looks like I could explode at any moment!

I was just happy that we got to have this quiet time together.  It doesn't happen very often... and especially with Saurus on the way it won't happen for quite some time.  Looking forward to having a little one around though... :)

JVG

Last OB Appt 39 weeks

On Wednesday I had my last OB appointment until we get to meet Miss Norah... and we got some really exciting news! We are actually going to be meeting her a few days earlier than we thought!  The nurse came in and started asking a bunch of questions about my c-section and I started to get a little nervous... turns out my Dr, Dr. Hartmann, was on vacation in CO and broke his pelvis while skiing... so obviously he will not be performing any surgeries!  I had the option of keeping it on Monday with another OB in the office, with whom I wasn't a big fan of, or I could have the Dr that was picking between (Leahy or Hartmann) on Saturday.  I think you can only imagine what this Momma picked... the Dr that delivered Dude and early?!  Win win!  I honestly think that was the best news I could've gotten.  I was worried they were going to tell me I had to wait a lot longer, which is fine because her due date isn't til the 28th, but mentally I was ready for the 25th.  So, that means we are just getting things ready a few days earlier (which is fine by me!) and that means we get to meet Miss Norah faster too!  Whoo!

At my appointment all looked well.  I only gained 1 lb this past week (What?!) which puts me at 181 total and 53 lbs overall.  The smallest weight gain with all the kids, but again, this is a week early, so who knows.  My blood pressure was good and her heart rate was a strong 142.  She was showing off her wiggly skills like mad, which made us all giggle a bit.

The kiddos kissing Norah Norah

My surgery is scheduled for 8 AM, which means I have to be at the hospital at 6... but that's fine!  That means Gaetan will have a lot of time with Norah during the day and I like getting things going instead of having to wait around.  Today is going fast already, with trying to get our house ready for being gone for a few weeks and just the excitement of a few more days is keeping me happy!

JVG

The last week...

Whoo!  I can't believe that in less than a week sweet baby Norah will be here!  I'm not gonna lie... I'm really excited.  For many reasons, but to be able to get back to doing things with my family!  I know that I will be out of commission for a little bit after she is born, but the end is near....

http://www.cafepress.ca/mf/62354535/running-out-of-wom_bodysuit
(A cute onesie that is oh so fitting for this occasion)

I have been starting to feel it more and more this week.  I've been trying to think of how this pregnancy compared to the end of Lucy's and I think that I've been doing better about not eating in the middle of the night and not eating a ton of sweets.  I have been fairly uncomfortable for the past bit, but I think that happens to everybody at the end of pregnancy.  Gaetan is still convinced that she is going to be the biggest one... and admittedly she has been the one that seems like the most baby and not water, so we shall see.  I have my last OB appointment tomorrow which will determine how much I've gained overall!  I have gained a little bit of water since my ankles are swelling but anything that is less than what I did with Tristan doesn't even pop up on my radar as anything impressive!  haha.

a little bit of edema... I could press into my ankle and it left an imprint...

We did get some last minute things for Norah Norah... like nursing bras, shirts and things of that nature.  I know, not very exciting, but they are for me!  And as much as I hate spending $$ on things like that the convenience of them is just so worth it.  And, honestly, if I played my cards right I will be able to wear them after I'm done nursing.... :)  I may look Korean, but I think I'm secretly a little dutch.

This last week is going to fly by I know it... seeing how it's already Tuesday night!  The rest of the week is pretty busy, so I will have my hands full trying to get things ready to stay at my parents and get this house ready to be vacant for a few weeks.  Soon and very soon, little lady... Momma is excited!

JVG

Happy birthday Husband!

My sweet husband is finally as 'old' as I am now haha.  I felt bad for him because this year he had an exam on his birthday... and who wants that?!  I also know that especially now birthdays don't really get the full celebration it should due to life happening around us!  If it was just us I'm sure we would've done something nice but that's not generally how our days go anymore.  I tried to do nice things for him, like let him sleep in, but on days he has class (which unfortunately, the only two days he has class his birthday fell on that one) it doesn't really matter.  It was also Pi Day... which I always chuckle and find humorous that he would be born on Pi Day, so I made him chicken pot pie.  We are planning to celebrate his birthday tomorrow by going on a date!  Whoo!  :)

I also know that this birthday has been especially difficult due to my lack of mobility and helpfulness around the house.  He's been picking up the slack with leaps and bounds without even a hint of contempt or giving off that feeling of "you so owe me after you're done with this."

So, here is to my wonderful husband who takes everything so graciously in stride... we love you.  You are our rock.  You are the strong foundation for this family.  We notice all the little things that you do for us.  And we know how much you love and care for us.  So thank you for everything you do and continue to do to better this family, yourself and the world.

Lucy doing her excited dance when she saw Papa coming

Baby Norah couldn't be luckier to have a Papa like you... and I know the our children know they are blessed to have you in their lives daily.  Oh, and me too :)  I love the heck out of you.

JVG

Healthy preggo snack

As I am nearing the end the need to feed has definitely intensified and I'm trying to not just eat all the sweet things that sound good to me... especially late at night.  So, when I saw this I loved all the components of it and they said it would keep you full for a long time! Sounds right up my alley!  And, to be honest, I love it.  The acidity from the tomatoes, the creaminess from the avocado and crunch from the cucumber was heavenly.  I would definitely eat this when I wasn't preggo, and I think that the kids would like it too.  I'm not super for cottage cheese, but this wasn't real offensive and it added a nice consistency to it.  So, I highly recommend for those looking for a healthy snack that is easy to throw together, healthy and will keep you full!  :)

http://www.fitsugar.com/Healthy-Breakfast-Photos-Instagram-23731074?slide=1

JVG

Wednesday visits

Before my Dr's appointment I got to have lunch with my teacher/friend Mrs. Nawrocki.  I picked up some of my favorite chinese food at Blue Dragon and met her at the school.  It was fun just to catch up.  It's funny that we are friends even though I was her student... but the time went to quickly!  Before I knew it I had to get going to my appointment.

Poor Goose fell asleep on the way to my appointment and then proceeded to sleep through most of my appointment.  She has been getting a lot of broken sleep lately, and with all our running around she didn't get much of a nap so when she did fall asleep she was out!  It was really endearing seeing her all snugged in on Gaetan.

She fell asleep with one foot up

I don't think I will ever get enough of sleeping kid pictures

She was hanging on so sweetly

After that my appointment we were going to go to the children's museum with the Schampers again, but Tomo wasn't feeling great, so we went over to their house to play instead.  I can totally understand not feeling up to chasing a kid around the children's museum and just being in the comfort of your own clothes and home... and the kids seemed to be really about that idea so we went over there and played for awhile.

They seemed to have fun.  Kai and Tristan are more about playing with eachother instead of around or near eachother.  I always find it interesting to see how other people parent their children in the privacy of their own home.  Lets be real, we try to keep it consistent but sometimes in public there just isn't the same atmosphere or feeling to be able to do it the way you would at home.  Kai was being a little bunda and I was interested to see how Tomo handled him.  She was at least consistent, but I had a feeling I would've done a few things differently... which is probably why our kids didn't melt down and get in trouble when things didn't immediately go their way!

Sakura monkey!

Gaetan thought this would be an amusing side by side picture.  Of me almost done and of Tomo just starting.

This is a hilarious chair that makes really funny sounds when you sit down and get up.  

The kids were having fun in their IKEA chair.  We'll probably end up getting them one soon

Sakura!

She was obsessed with 'fixing' this car with this screw driver

Dude and Tomo playing on this car rug

I was tickling Sakura on her new bed!

The last part of our day was having dinner with our friends Quebra and Dizzy!  They did come over last Saturday for the concert and ever since then Tristan has been asking where they are, when we were going to see them, if they could spend the night... etc etc.  He really likes them.  :)  So, we went over to their place, which is surprisingly close to the Schamper's for sushi.  Yum yum yum.  We made our own sushi which was delicious!  The kids enjoyed the ingredients to make sushi more than the whole thing (it was getting a bit messy) and really, what Mom is going to be like, "No kids, you can't have more vegetables and seaweed."  We had a lot of fun there, and it was so nice seeing them again so quickly.

By the time it was time to go we were all beat dead tired.  Our day started off running and didn't really stop until we got the kids in bed.  I had to make a treat for Gaetan's exam the next day, so that's what I did when we got home.  He was lucky enough to be able to study for his exam (ugh...)  So I would definitely take my responsibility over his!  haha.

JVG

38 weeks

I suppose technically I am 37.6 weeks (which means that I am one day shy of 38... so I just rounded up) but I can't believe that in less than a 1.5 weeks we will have sweet Norah here!  I'm not gonna lie... I am more than ready to have her out.  I am getting to the point where my hips are really sore all the time, partly, I would like to think, because my body is preparing to have a baby, but I'm not entirely sure that's what it is.  I am sure it probably has to do with all the weight gain.  That takes a toll on ones body!  This week I gained 5 lbs... putting me at 180.  My blood pressure was good!  Whoo!  No blood in my urine, so I think that I'm doing pretty good against the odds of getting kidney stones and Norah's heartbeat was 142.  She's been pretty consistent around that number.  I have one more routine appointment before all the fun begins!

Lucy was imitating me... she is much cuter

My hands are starting to swell a little bit, but honestly, after Tristan I don't think that I will ever complain about a little swelling.  My jaw has been locking up a lot more lately and has been painful at points.  I usually only get this when I'm pregnant and it always happens after I play my violin, which makes sense.  Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot that I can do about it.  I know that I could get a bite guard, but I don't see the reason because this is a symptom that shows up when I'm pregnant.  I think that this prolonged lock jaw happened (it started last Saturday) was because last week I played my violin a lot more than I usually do... so it was probably just catching up with me.

I have been getting a lot more hungry lately more frequently.  I felt like with Lucy I was waking up in the middle of the night to get a snack, usually a sandwich or a bowl of cereal, but I haven't had that quite yet with Norah.  I do try to get a snack in before bed though because I am so famished!  Even if I've just had a big dinner... crazy.  I have been using a humidifier at night time for a few months due to my chronic nose bleeds I would get... and it seemed to be working!  Until this morning... I had an epic nose bleed that lasted a few hours.  I looked hot with a kleenex shoved up my nose... Lucy kept giving me this weird look like, "Momma... what are you doing?!"  Then she would try to imitate me.  Awesome.

Well, the countdown has begun!  I have started compiling all the stuff that we'll need to take to my parents house and there is so much about newborns that I've already forgotten!  Like... burp clothes, little tiny socks... boppy!  But, it's coming together and as long as I don't procrastinate I think everything should run smoothly.  :)

JVG

Children's Museum combo

Last week during a routine OB/GYN appointment we decided to hit up the children's museum afterwards.  I mean, it just makes sense.  We are right downtown and we have a free pass to a place that will entertain our children for hours!  We invited the Schampers to come along too because the kiddos loving the other of playing with the others.  :)

This particular time was very interesting.  When Sakura got there she ran up to Gaetan and gave him the biggest hug.  In fact, she was snuggling in so much she just let him hold her for a little bit!  Which, is amazing!  She is definitely more stand-offish to strangers but it seems that Gaetan has broken that barrier and is a favorite of hers now.  It was really cute to see them together... I think Tomo was surprised.

We pretty much know that the more adults watching children, even if that means more children, is easier for some reason.  And, I know that Tomo hasn't been feeling that well due to her pregnancy, so we where just trying to help out as much as possible.  This ratio was nice because everybody had to be responsible for one kid, and then there was just somebody who had to watch two.  Kai and Tristan are getting better about playing with eachother and in the same area, so pretty much they stuck together.  :)

Had to take a lot of pictures of their cuteness of course.  I should just make a label for Children's Museum because we go there so often!  haha

Sakura was so funny as she would 'sneak' up to the mirror and look at herself

Our crazy kids in the elevator

Its a little blurry but all three kids were hanging upside down and I thought it was hilarious

Part of their balance exhibit.  Tomo was surfing with Dude

Our strong Goose rock climbing

She thought the different concave mirrors where interesting

Tomo and Sakura driving around in style!

All the ladies now!

This was right after she biffed it and split her upper lip...

JVG