The tiny red stocking

This evening, I sit alone. And I'm savouring the quiet.

You see, Jon took the kids to the Santa Claus parade. I just wasn't up for standing (or even sitting) by the road for over an hour. I'm sure they're having a great time and I normally would love to be there, but instead I'm really enjoying the peacefulness of the house....especially knowing that any day now our lives are to get significantly more hectic...

We put up our Christmas decorations today and the house is so cozy with the white lights. Every year I love taking out all the figurines, ornaments, etc. and reminiscing about how each one was acquired. However, this year something quite remarkable and unexplainable happened...

As I was taking out the kids' stockings, I noticed a tiny stocking stuffed inside, one that might have contained a gift card or something. I have no recollection of getting this stocking last year, and I honestly am surprised I would have kept it at all...and the most shocking thing is that I had placed it with the other two stockings...who'd have known what "surprise" we'd have this Christmas?! Perhaps Santa knew;)

So now, on either side of the mantle hangs Ethan and Mary's stockings. And in the centre is the tiniest little red stocking for our wonderful upcoming Christmas present...

4 Weeks and Counting...

Somehow, my belly seems to have doubled in size the last week! It's getting hard to tie on shoes, put on socks, teach, etc. Thankfully, the baby has shifted so I'm not getting the shortness of breath which had been plaguing me recently, and the swelling has been limited to my right ankle only.

I know it sounds kind of strange, but I'm just this week realizing that I'm having a baby! I mean logically, yes, I knew there was a baby in there but I don't think emotionally I'd trully accepted it yet. Especially since I haven't felt a lot of movement this whole pregnancy due to the position of the placenta (in front). But this week - holy moly! I see bony protrusions sticking out, or sometimes my whole belly will "roll" in front of me as I'm on the computer. As I touch my belly, I realize that my hand is only an inch or so from our baby and I'm starting to get pretty excited about it (rather than deathly afraid!).

At my OB appointment last week I was thrilled to see I hadn't gained any more weight. Still at 180 which puts me at +50 exactly. It's amazing though how much more uncomfortable I feel this week even though my weight is the same. Must be the way the baby is positioned now - lower - and putting more of a strain on my back.

I have to say, I'm really looking forward to feeling "normal" and active again. The irony is that once you get your 'body' back to 'yourself', you don't have the time to go the gym, go running, etc. now that you have a newborn. However, I look forward to getting back to SOME kind of physical activity!