Dearest Baby,

Last week they couldn't find your head. Luckily, when they sent us in for an ultrasound, they found it.

And it gave us another chance to see you!

I can't believe we are going to get to meet you very, very soon. It seems like I've been pregnant for so long. But at the same time, it seems like just a few days ago that Daddy & I were staring at each other over the positive pregnancy test.

I feel so profoundly happy these days.

Love

M

:: Maternity Pictures ::

A couple of months ago, Jody & I had a maternity photoshoot with Jasalyn Thorne down at amazing Opus Hotel in Yaletown. I don't know where the time has gone because it seems like it was only a few weeks ago!

Jasalyn does some amazing burlesque photography (as well as maternity, wedding, etc) & just happened to have an extra spot avaliable for my maternity shoot... which meant I got to get my hair, make-up & nails done too!!! After feeling like a baby Orca lately, to get completely pampered was such a fabulous treat! And, being in a hotel room, we were able to do some silouettte pictures, which I was really hoping to be able to capture for my pregnancy.

Seriously, what an amazing room! The Opus Hotel is unlike any hotel I've ever seen. The design & architecture was unreal. Jody & I were in heaven!

We had such an amazing day! After the shoot, we wandered all over Yaletown, window shopped, saw the biggest "yacht" (think minature cruise ship!) ever, and had lunch at Salsa & Agave, which has now become my new favorite Mexican restaurant! It was recommended to us by a friend & not only was the service great, the prices REALLY cheap (especially for Yaletown), but the food was to die for!!!

I'm not really sure why my belly look so huge... as in humungous!... in these photos. Maybe I'm in denial, but I swear its the same size right now. A girl can always hope, right?! (I just looked up "humungous to make sure it was spelled right, and the origin is "monstrous" and "huge"... LOL. Ya, that's pretty much sounds right.)

Last week was our 7 year dating anniversary. During the first year of dating, we broke up a few times. We both had lessons to learn. But, it made us stronger. And we've always counted our dating anniversary as if we never broke up.

I was a good kid and he was a bad kid. It was a joke to set us up for a long, long time. We'd never met. I went on the first "date" for coffee to pacify my office manager; he thought it was a real date. He made me laugh.

Then we went to the arcade for our second date. He brought me blue roses. *shudder* I told him to never bring me blue flowers again. I wasn't very nice. Harrassing him was more fun. I won most of the arcade games. Surprisingly, he stuck around. And I'm really glad he did.

I.Love.You.

because you organize the house better than me...

because you make me laugh... often

because your hands are strong & worn...

because your hugs make everything right...

because you've always believed in me...

because you think I'm funny...

because your constant coffee house ratings make me smile...

because you always let me steal your last bite...

because you give me hope for the future...

because you surprise me with flowers & Lindt...

because you took me back...

because you love the Lord & push me onward...

because you love the craziness that is my family...

because you think i'm beautiful without makeup...

because you'll hug me when i'm really, really mad at you...

because I'm a better person today because of you...

because you love me just as I am...

My maternity leave started this Monday. I had an incredibly busy day cleaning, doing laundry and making freezer meals for once the baby arrives. Some call it "nesting", but I think its more likely just revenge for slacking in my household chores over the last few weeks. My Minnow, on the other hand, had a lovely day sleeping. All day. In the sunshine. I put her bed outside in the sun while I cleaned out the car and this is what I stumbled upon coming around the corner of the house. I just wish the picture had an audio application for her loud snoring. *smile*

:: The Nursery is Complete! ::

The nursery is finally complete! On Sunday afternoon, I went out to a baby shower and when I arrived home, Jody had put up all of the wall decals & finished decorating! I secretly was hoping that would happen...

I just love how everything turned out & can't wait to put our little man to sleep in here. Eventually. :)

Baby: An Owner's Manual

When we first got pregnant, I purchased a few baby books. I loved some & was frightened by others. Let's just say, I am most definitely getting a bikini wax before going into labor...

This book was given to us as a present & has been a favorite of ours ever since. Its written in "man language" with step-by-step instructions to infant care. It may not have the most practical of information, but has made us laugh many, many times. And it was probably more helpful to Jody than he'd care to admit. :)

Here's some of my favorite pictures:

We have been excitedly getting our nursery together. Our crib FINALLY arrived and Jody couldn't wait to start putting it together... Seriously, he loves projects. Little ones. Big ones. Any ones. When he's working on one, he's plotting the next.

We were able to use a lot of things we already had around the house, like the black & white area rug & the old 'pleather' rocker. Nothing a little TLC can't restore! :)

Our candelier. A steal @ only $30 from Home Depot! Jody swears its not too girly. Because its black and not shiny. I'm still not fully convinced.

This little piggy is wondering what is going on...

:: Saraya Joy ::

One of my best friends on the Sunshine Coast had a little girl a few weeks ago, Saraya Joy. My friend named her 'Saraya' to honor her mom who passed away a few years ago and I absolutely adore the name. We made her pose for a few pictures the other day... and I just love her sassy little grin.

Even though she'll be the older woman, Saraya is already in the running to be our little dude's future girlfriend! :)