Photos by Kay Warcup

Dance mom, dance student, and friend Kay Warcup took some belly shots of me today at 38.5 weeks pregnant. She's a budding photographer and wanted to practice photographing pregnant woman and asked if I would volunteer. I am impressed with the results...

View some of Kay's other photographs at: http://www.kdphotographystudio.ca

Out and About in the couple weeks before baby

I left work a little earlier with the pregnancy with the hope of spending a couple quality weeks with Kelsey before the new baby arrived. The nice weather has made it possible for us to get out and around. And despite a few behaviour issues (due to either me being home or the arrival of the new baby) we've been able to enjoy the sunny weather.

Piper Spit to look at the baby ducks and geese- Burnaby Lake Park

Enjoying a picnic lunch

We also got out with Kyla, Colin and Rowan to Maplewood Farm. What a perfect place to take a toddler, and the perfect time of year - so many new babies (sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens).

Kelsey in the rabbit enclosure

Sunning herself on the goat hill

Kelsey and Colin - best friends (sometimes)

Spring Has Sprung

Spring is here, and although we had more spring-like weather a couple months ago, we've been able to get outside and play a little more. Bear Creek playground and gardens are definately our favorite. A good place to walk and to play!

Kelsey balancing on the garden wall

Beautiful girl

In the flower garden and looking like she's up to no good

Fun in the flowers

Playing!

37 weeks

Well, getting close to the end and it looks like I've eaten a basketball! Could I get any larger? Not sure. Getting pretty uncomfortable now and would really like this baby out of me, but I certainly value my sleep and sanity and know I'm going to lose both when the baby comes. It's a no win, no win situation... just kidding (or am I?).

Baby's probably going to be big, although the doctor hasn't said as much. I'm measuring slightly on the large size (38" at 37 weeks), but still in the normal range. My guess is a 9 lb baby boy.

Blood pressure's good, baby's heart rate is steady and good (still between 130-140 beats), lots of movement...and still all the fun stuff- swollen ankles, G. diabetes that I'm finding harder to control this time, and lots of peeing all night long.

Baby is due to be born by C-section on Thursday, May 20th at 12:30PM. We'll see...

I'm off work now. Friday, April 30 was my last day at the Surrey Nature Centre. I will continue to teach up until the day I have the baby. Afterwards, Lorraine Graf is coming in to teach for me for a couple weeks while I recover.

I'm enjoying being at home. I will try to get the baby's room ready (although it's mostly done), and some meals prepared. And I really hope to spend some quality time with Kelsey.

Me and baby at 36 1/2 weeks (Saturday, May 1)

Easter at the Surrey Nature Centre

This year the Surrey Nature Centre hosted a large (1,100 people) Eco-Easter Egg Hunt event. I was working at the event, but Jim brought Kelsey for an Easter egg hunt in the forest and a meet & greet with the Easter bunny. Despite being very sick (fever and cough), Kelsey enjoyed herself and enjoyed meeting the Easter bunny.

At home we also colored Easter eggs, enjoyed 2 family dinners, and had fun with all the stuff the Easter bunny left us on Easter morning.

Mommy, Kelsey and the Easter bunny at the SNC

Daddy and Kelsey looking for eggs in the forest

Look, I found one!

This is fun!

32 weeks

Well, we're moving along quite quickly now! I'd like how fast time is going, but at the same time I want it to slow down. I don't know what to expect when the new baby arrives, and I'm now aware that my time alone with Kelsey is limited. This causes me some anxiety and some pretty wacky emotions. But on the other hand, I'm excited to meet our new family member and enjoy our new family dynamics. I guess all these feelings are normal.

At 32 weeks, I've gained exactly 20 lbs and have just been diagnosed with G. diabetes again, along with pregnancy related bleeding gums (yaaa, additional dental visits). Fun times all around! Baby's heartbeat is still between 140 and 150 and baby is exactly the size it should be at this time (although I feel massive).

I still don't have any "feelings" about whether the baby is a boy or a girl, and people seem to have mixed guesses as well. If I had to guess, I would say boy, only based on the fact that I think I'm carrying more out front, and it's someone's turn to have a boy. We've got names picked out for both, whether they'll be the final names we go with, we won't know for several more weeks.

I have a surgeon appointment on Friday, April 9th. Hopefully we'll learn more then about our baby's birth day.

30 weeks - March 21, 2010

25 weeks

Well, time's flying. Getting bigger and bigger, and already uncomfortable - not that I'm complaining. Being pregnant and chasing a toddler is harder than being pregnant and getting to come home and lay on the couch like the first time around. But, all in all, things are going well and I'm lucky to have an uncomplicated pregnancy. Baby is moving around all the time. It's probably most active in the evening after Kelsey goes to bed. I feel like it's a lot more active than Kelsey ever was, but maybe I just can't remember. Baby had a heart rate of 140-150 again during my last doctor visit. I gained another 3 lbs or so. So, I think I've gained about 12 pounds now (but it certainly feels like 50 lbs, especially going up and down the stairs). We'll know if I'm going to get gestational diabetes by my next doctor's visit at the beginning of March. Still no incling about whether it's a girl or a boy and we're not getting anywhere coming up with some names. At this rate, it'll be Baby Cressey until it's 4!

25 weeks - Feb 13, 2010