January 30, 2010

Drum Roll Please...

Our 20 week ultrasound yesterday revealed that our baby is a...

Photo: my belly and our boy

We couldn't be happier!! Check out more pics and details over at the baby blog.

Fab Pick of Last Week... or the week before


You know how much I love swings, especially the sky swings found at fairs? This necklace by Camera Shy Photography pretty much captures my love for the swings perfectly, the fact that it sort of looks like a mushroom at first glance makes it that much better: I like mushrooms almost as much as I like swings. There are loads of other fab designs found on necklaces, earrings and rings over at Camera Shy's etsy shop so be sure to check them out.

20 Weeks

A boy!! A son!! OUR son! We're so excited!

The Big Reveal!

Yesterday was the big day: the 20 week ultrasound! We were super excited when we headed to the lab. I thought I might explode, literally and figuratively, I wonder if it was a man who designed ultrasound machines in such a way that a litre of water must be drank an hour before a pregnant woman has her bladder squashed?

The technician was absolutely fabulous! I wish every pregnant woman could have our technician, she was as excited as we were and made the experience that much better thanks to her bubbly personality. She took the time to show us all of Smidge's bits: fingers and toes, bum, spine, elbows and shoulders, brain, nose and eyes - we even saw the lenses of the eyes glowing. Seeing Smidge's feet was really cool - we could clearly see the heel and toes! Here's a shot although we saw them clearer than this:


At the beginning of the ultrasound Smidge was laying like this:


By the time we were half way through Smidge was breech:


Smidge definitely put on a show for us, flipping and waving and kicking and wiggling. I felt more movement from the time I woke up until the time I went to bed yesterday than I have on any other day - Smidge must have known it was an important day. The ultrasound was an amazing experience; one we will never forget!

Rather than have the technician tell us whether Smidge was a boy or a girl we asked her to write it down on a piece of paper for us and to tuck it into a little trinket box we brought. Our plan was to take the box out for an early anniversary dinner to open it together.

She loved the idea (thanks to Kelly for suggesting it) and obliged. When we left the lab we were giddy with excitement and of course, Murphy's law, we hit every red light and were stuck behind the slowest drivers on the road. We went to Wildcraft for a 4 o'clock dinner - seriously, did you think we could wait?!

We managed to hold off until our drinks were on the table and our meals were ordered and then we opened the box


And found out that Smidge is a...

Yes the pointy bit right in the middle of the picture is our little man's goods: he showed off his bits for camera just like we asked! Good boy!!

We couldn't be any happier than we are right now! Geesh it seems like I've used that line a 100 times in the last 5 months but each time it's true. Needless to say Mike was thrilled to find out we are having a son. It's crazy to say that: our son. Since I was a little girl I have always dreamed of having a son first, a big brother to look out for a future little sister or brother if we are blessed with more than one child. Of course we would have been equally as thrilled if Smidge was a girl. Now it's time to get planning, we have rooms to decorate, names to choose and a shopping list to pull together. Let the games begin!!

Big Mac for Wee Michael

Mini Michael wanted a new bag for all of his dance gear. Joanne and I decided that a bag similar to the Baby Ben would suit his needs.


His initials adorn the front.

Two magnetic snaps and a large flap will keep his gear safe inside

Pockets to hold four pairs of dance shoes and a large middle section for whatever else he needs. There's also a 7" zippered pocket that's hidden by the shoes.

Similar to the Baby Ben this bag is lined with nylon so that it will easily wipe clean. This style has a few less pockets (Michael didn't need them) and rather than using a heavy canvas for the outside we went with a heavy vinyl - again super easy to clean and really durable.

Hopefully the little man likes the bag! We'll be presenting it to him today at his 9th birthday party! Happy Birthday Michael!!

Baby Blankie for Baby Mac

Jessy and Colin's little guy will be arriving in about a month. Colin is a bike fanatic so I couldn't leave this fabric on the shelf when I spotted it a few months ago.

The minky has a dark green base to it which compliments the camo cotton perfectly. I have enough of both the cotton and minky left over to make a similar blankie for Smidge - lucky baby!

January 28, 2010

Yellow Submarine

I'm not a huge loose tea drinker but these tea subs are AWESOME.


Found via Swiss Miss

January 25, 2010

Baby Brain

Dear Smidge,

Mommy appreciates the fact that we need to share my goods in order for you to grow big and strong but could you please ease up on the brain draining? It was a VERY long day filled with one DUH moment after another.

Mommy wants you to be a smarty pants but I'd also like to keep my job and if I continue to write requests like "Please send keays to me as soon as possible" instead of "Please send Barney's SEA package to me as soon as possible." I might be looking for a new one. The reply to the keays email went a little something like this: "I am waiting on a copy of the most recent report card from Barney's teacher. Once I receive it I will let you know so that you can pick up the package. Who or what is a 'keays'?"

More of today's moments may lead to the end of compliments like the one my boss passed my way today: "Do you really need to take time off to have your kid? Can't you swaddle it and strap it to your back in September so that you can return to work? I need you." I suggested she should remember this comment and that she should still "need" me in a year so that I can return to this same position.

Smidge, Mommy loves you and Daddy does too. Keep sucking up all the nutrients you need but you can ease up on the gas production; Daddy doesn't believe you're the root of the problem but you and I know the truth.

Wiggle away little nut!

Love always,
Mommy xoxox

January 23, 2010

Sweet Prints

Loving the adorable fabrics used by ittikid designs





So many sweet choices!

Tick, tick, tick

It's hard to believe but my birthday is in just 28 days. 32 is quickly approaching and as of 5 minutes ago I had only crossed 7 things off of my list of 32!! I've now wiped a few more off:

31. volunteer - I spent an afternoon last weekend at my old university assessing applications (experience profiles and essays) from wannabe teachers. It was definitely an interesting experience and I wish I could share some of the highlights with you but I can't... let me just leave you wondering and imagining by saying the words: Santa's helper.

30. teach a class all on my lonesome - Welllll I haven't taught a full class of 20 plus kids but that's because I managed to snag a FABULOUSLY wonderful job as an itinerant hearing teacher. I teach hearing impaired students one on one but I'm knocking this off my list because technically I'm teaching a class - it's just a very teeny tiny class. I love my job and hopefully things will work out so that once my maternity leave is done I can return to the same position. Fingers crossed!

7. keep a diary for two solid weeks - I've been writing in a diary for the last three months! I certainly don't write daily and sometimes it's more like every two or three weeks but it still counts. The diary is for Smidge: I'm writing my feelings, thoughts and memories of my pregnancy. My plan is to keep writing once Smidge has arrived; I'll use the diary as a place to keep track of important dates and cute things Smidgie does.

12. make curtains - I made some semi-decent curtains for my bathroom upstairs so that Mike no longer has to worry about my nightly "shows" for the neighbours. I'll post pics soon!

Woo hoo! There are four more ticked off the list!

January 21, 2010

DJ Smidge

Mike had a crappy day yesterday so yesterday when I was at Walmart picking up some little goodies for a certain someone's (Jessy) baby shower and I spotted these little gems I couldn't leave the store without them. I knew instantly that these would bring a smile to Mike's face and I was soooooooooooo right.


Yes our child (boy or girl) is already being exposed to a plethora of musical selections and there's no doubt daddy will have him/her working the turntables as soon as they're old enough to steady a needle.


A future DJ indeed!

First Baby Gift

My girlfriend Kim gave us our first baby related gift before Christmas and I absolutely love it! I've snapped a picture because an explanation won't do it justice.


This beautiful little frame sums up how we're feeling while we anxiously await Smidge's arrival. Thank you for the beautiful gift, Kim!

January 20, 2010

Fancifying Your Blog

My second mom mentioned that she was interested in adding tabs to her blog so I thought I would see if I could figure out how to make this happen. The first thing I did was use this easy to follow tutorial and I ended up with some formal looking tabs that reminded me of the dividers you find in a binder. I was hoping to post a pic of the finished product for you but my computer isn't cooperating!

My second attempt involved using tutorials found at Tips for New Bloggers. Rather than going for tabs I created a navigation bar and then used this tutorial to move the nav bar into my existing header. The finished result is what you see on my blog today! I'm please with the result and think I'll keep it. I took the time to look up some additional basic html coding to ensure my links on the FAB BLOG page open in a new tab so you just have to close the page to return to Gingham Skies. I'll try to remember to add this code to all of the new blog/store links I list to make things easier for my loverly readers.

That's all for now! I'm in total declutter mode and my break is over so back to thinning out the house I go.

January 19, 2010

Cravings

People keep asking me if I'm having cravings. I keep saying french fries and leaving it at that. This evening I left my hair stylist after having this exact conversation and spent the drive home thinking of Starbucks tall decaf peppermint mochaccinos, Baked Lays (which I've mentioned to your Daddy 10 times in the last week), chocolate peanut butter ice cream with pineapple smushed into it (Marble Slab Ice Cream I think I would marry you if I was male and morman and if it was legal to marry an ice cream shop), Reese Peanut Butter Cups, green olives and cheese. I then drove to the grocery store and headed straight for the Baked Lays. I think I might be craving a few things other than french fries. *sigh* It's tough being preggers.

This Blog Rules! I mean THAT This Blog Rules.

My bro-in-law sent me the link to a new-for-me blog which definitely lives up to its name This Blog Rules. Paul's link led me to this crazy cool art (click on the pictures to learn more)


Of course I couldn't help but kill some time looking around the site after seeing this!

Definitely lots of cool things to see but the photos of animals in the womb took the cake. This one is my fav but there are a bunch of beautiful shots (the penguin is super cute and the dolphin too) to be seen if you click on the elephant.

Awesome blog! Thanks for sharing, Paul.

Incredible Photos

Absolutely phenomenal images of babies in their mama's womb. Let me make this clear: these are not photos of Smidge. I don't want to confuse anyone.


Amazing, aren't they?!

There are more amazing shots to be found at This Blog Rules (and it does) so be sure to pop over and check them out.

January 16, 2010

Yummy & Cute!

photo credit: Skip to My Lou

Check out these adorable rice krispie pops from Skip to My Lou. I definitely think I'll whip up some of these sweet and easy treats for my students for Valentine's Day. Fabulous!

January 14, 2010

Smidge, what are you?!

Photo credit: Julianol

I had another dream about Smidge last week that I forgot to write down. My dreams are so vivid I actually remember them weeks later now which is unusual for me but I'm chalking it up to pregnancy: one of the weird and wonderful things that comes along with growing a person in my belly.

The dream took place at the King & University Ultrasound place. It started off with Mike and I walking into the room where the ultrasound happens, as we walked in the technician turned around and snapped at Mike telling him he had to wait outside until she called him in. Mike left and I was turning back towards the technician when I spotted my friend Lori standing off to the side, she stepped over to stand beside me and the tech said nothing. There was another woman and a little girl in the corner of the room watching us, and I felt like I recognized them from the waiting room but I wasn't entirely sure.

Anyways the technician started pressing buttons on the ultrasound machine while I stood in front of the door and pictures started popping up on the screen. There were five photos on the screen one below the other and each photo was a different angled ultrasound shot of a tiny... penis! Hehe Yes, another boy dream. Lori and I looked at each other and said at the same time "It's a penis!". What the?! I dunno, I'm just telling you what happened.

The technician then left the room and brought Mike in, Lori left and the woman and child stayed tucked away in the corner of the room. It was just at this point in the dream that I actually laid down on the table and went through the typical procedure. Mike and I watched the baby moving around in my belly and then again those penis shots appeared.

Bizarre but true!! Now that I'm writing the dream down I am really curious about the woman and child in the corner... maybe Smidge is actually a girl and the little girl in the corner was a grown up version of Smidge watching a future ultrasound of a little brother?! Hmmmm... who knows!

Photo credit: Mattack

I'm sure my new wonderings have a lot to do with the fact that I had a dream about a girl baby last night for the first time. It was a terribly long and bizarre dream that ended with me on a hospital bed. I had been in the hospital for a few days and next to me was the sweetest little baby girl. Mike was sitting next to us grinning. The impression I got was that this was our new baby but she was awfully big for an infant and was laying on her belly creeping along the mattress with her head held high. Now I know Smidge is going to be a very advanced BRILLIANT child but creeping and holding his/her head up at a few days old? Anyways the funny part of the dream was that my cousin Connie came in (in a hospital bed too) and asked what we named her. I told her that we hadn't chosen a name yet because we wouldn't know whether Smidge was a boy or a girl until the 29th. Ooooookay.

A boy or a girl? That is THE question. I was very sure we were having a boy but now I'm starting to waiver... probably because I don't want to be wrong.

There are sewing machines shaking and knitting needles itching to start click clacking away... just two more weeks until we find out!! I can't wait! Remember to cast a vote over on the right hand side of the screen.

January 10, 2010

Fab Pick of Last Week

No matter how cute my wineglass charm is I never seem to remember which one belongs to me. These personalized ID drink tags found at Hattie Rex would definitely solve my problem, a tag with JAIME stamped on it would be impossible to miss... unless I forget my name in which case drinking from the wrong wine glass would be the least of my worries.

Carrier Covers

Cara and I took a trip to The Baby Depot on Friday, I wanted the opinion of a fantabulous shopper/friend who has recently been through the mommy-of-an-infant stage.

One of the things we looked at and spent some time discussing was baby carriers. Cara highly recommended the Baby Bjorn for baby's first three months - she found that it was one of the few carriers that allowed her to carry Rosie upright when she was eensie weensie. Once the Roser started packing on the pounds the Bjorn didn't provide enough back support so Cara moved on to the Ergo which has a padded strap that locks around your hips; the strap on the hips allows your hips to support some of your baby's weight rather than all of it falling to the middle of your back. There was a carrier similar to the Ergo at The Baby Depot but I want to hold off on spending a good chunk of change on a carrier until the baby is here - want the little nut to test drive it before I leave the store.

A Baby Bjorn will definitely be in our not so distant future, Cara recommended checking Kijiji or Ebay for a carrier since they're over a hundred bucks in the stores and a quick peek at Kijiji proved that she is one smart cookie: there are a pile of them being sold in my area for $15-50 bucks.

Of course I'll give the used Bjorn a good wash when we eventually purchase a used one but I think I might also make a custom cover for it because Lucky Kitty posted the link to a FAB tutorial that looks super easy!

I'm going to start sewing for baby VERY soon! There are so many fun things waiting for me to make them.

Baby Pottery

Check out this stunning pottery set for wee ones. It's gorgeous isn't it?! Well lucky Smidge, it was made by Auntie Cara for baby Smidge.

I love the colours; the blend happens down the sides of the plate and bowl as well. They are the perfect size for tiny people.

I watched Cara's beautiful daughter Rosie eat from a similar set the other day and couldn't help but wonder what our little peanut will look like when they are approaching their second birthday. *sigh*

January 9, 2010

Belly Chronicles - 17 weeks and counting!

This is definitely my new fav photo. :)



Quickly expanding!

Jungle Fever

A few of my recent finds... so many fun options for baby's room!

I'm a big fan of alphabet prints in a child's room and I think I've found the most beautiful set ever! JHill Design has created a stunning set of Animal Alphabet prints, each print is 9 x 9 and you have the option of purchasing the prints with or without a frame.

Here are a few of my favs

I can't get enough of the vivid colours and eyecatching patterns

A beautiful addition to any nursery whether it's the entire alphabet or just one letter!

This moose makes me laugh
Little Billy by Olli & Lime found on Design Public

And this monkey is adorable... would be perfect for my monkey Neve if it was pink and had glitter all over it.

Marcel the Monkey from Design Public

January 5, 2010

Thumper

photo credit: Bob Fornal

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions but all good when it comes to baby Smidge! Mike found out in the morning that his broken foot will remain as is unless he has surgery - unfortunately surgery will leave him with metal plates in his food and the foot fused to the joint which means he'll be able to move it up and down but not side to side. The good news is that with the help of physiotherapy he'll be able to walk and possibly, hopefully, run after Smidge. The bad news is his competitive soccer days are very likely over. I know things could be much worse but that doesn't make his disappointment dissipate.

Thankfully our day ended on a fabulous note when we went to Dr. Baxter for a prenatal appointment. I've gained about 7 lbs since our first visit 3 months ago which my doctor was happy with and the first round of test results from our early screening came back clear! My hemoglobin is normal but on the low end of the scale which might explain the light headed moments I experience over the holidays, she told me not to go any more than three hours without eating and to let her know if the spells return. Three hours?! Holy smokes, I don't think I go longer than one.

We heard Smidge's heart beat again and it was beating loud and strong! Of course I couldn't stop a couple tears from sneaking out... what an awesome feeling it is listening to our baby. The final bit of excitement yesterday was booking our 20 week ultrasound, assuming Smidge cooperates, on January 29th we'll find out whether we have a he or a she coming our way! Super exciting!

Be sure to vote on whether you think Smidge is a boy or a girl! There's a little poll on the right sidebar. :)

Baby's First Book

I was in Chapters today looking for books for a few little nuts I know and what did I spy on the shelf?


Yes it's a little board book titled Smidge, can you believe that? Obviously I had to buy it. I have a tonne of kids books but this is the first I have bought specifically for our baby and I think it's the perfect choice. Oddly enough our tiny Smidge probably looks a little like the monster on the front of the book right now - the awesomely fabulous BabyCenter.ca told me Smidge is about the size of an avocado right now and the Smidge on the cover looks like he would be about that size

I'll change the words on the final page of the story when I read it because I think the ending is booooring but I love the fact that there are words like "shmorgeous", "hyper-fizzy" and "mega-funky" found all on one fabulous page! The little oinker Smidge eats a tonne of yummy candy and turns a plethora of colours in the 10 pages, I love the simple yet colourful illustrations.

The book is written by Beth Soshan and illustrated by Jenny Arthur - check it out at Amazon.ca if you're interested in seeing more of the book.

January 1, 2010

New Beginnings

2010 is going to be the best year of our lives: Smidge will be joining us on the outside, how could it get any better than that?

For those of you wondering what the hell is going on in the picture above: we had an 80s themed New Years Eve party at our home last night and mullet Mike aka Big Daddy was giving Smidge a New Years smooch. Good times were had by all and needless to say there were a lot of laughs!

Five of my favourite girls spent the evening with us along with their amazing men plus a few fab singles and there was a whole lot of belly loving going on.

Happy New Year to our growing baby and to all of you!! Wishing you nothing but happiness in 2010!

Bringing in 2010 80's Style

Our annual friends gathering took place last night and it was a riot. Everyone came out in their finest 80s wear and wow were there some rad outfits. I had a hard time keeping my paws off of my husbands sexy mullet.

Mike, baby in the belly & I wish all of you a most fabulous 2010!! Something tells me this is going to be the best year of my life, I hope the same is true for all of you. xoxo

Lurve it

Loving these wooden tape dispensers featured over at Oh Joy




Mmmm office supplies.