Parenting Practice

It has been a crazy few weeks which we fully expect to be the beginning of an even crazier summer. Let's see...

John and I decided to get married on August 3rd and got our immediate family members to agree to a tiny ceremony in my parents' backyard. Everyone is really excited about our decision even though it does mean limiting the number of people invited to the celebration. Between the baby showers and baptism, there will be plenty of opportunity to celebrate little Rowan and our family. But, we wanted this celebration to be our own as selfish as that may be. It wouldn't happen if we had to have 150+ people present because a huge production of that kind simply isn't what John and I are all about. We are already committed, and despite what others may think, marriage is not necessary for us to feel like a family. However, we do realize that society doesn't exactly embrace families like ours and so, to make Rowan's life a little easier we thought a very personal and quiet affair would be nice. And that's what we are planning.

I have to admit, I am a teeny bit excited about the whole thing even if I have to wear a dress that makes me look like a hippo. I think seeing how happy John's parents were at the idea helped. It was important to them and I am glad we are able to give them what they have been imagining for John his whole life.

So far we have John's ring, canopies rented, a reverend booked, colours picked, table arrangements set and for the most part, our invite list complete. We now have to get our marriage license, get a dress, a suit, the food and the necessary rentals to pull the whole thing together in just over 2 months. No sweat for a woman who wants to make this her career someday even if she is growing a baby.

Speaking of hippos...I tried on dresses at a bridal store where the seamstress insisted that she could rebuild size 28 dresses into something beautiful that would hide that I am pregnant. First of all, I am not trying to hide this baby of mine because he is the best thing that has happened to me since John came along. Secondly, you can't tell me that it is appropriate to take a woman who is larger than she normally is, put her into a size 28 dress when she is normally an 8, pin her up and try to sell her a dress that is obviously hideous and not her style! It was the most god awful shopping experience of my life. I had half a mind to tell the seamstress that she should never accept pregnant clients again because she made me want to cry and it gave me serious anxiety. I have since tried on maternity dresses (not bridal) just to see if I would look as bad as I did all pinned up and, to my relief, there is a very big difference in the fit of a proper maternity dress. I am big, don't get me wrong, but at least I look like I belong on this planet and not floating in the clouds like a lacy balloon. I kind of wish I had taken a few pictures of myself just so that I could post them on the internet to help other pregnant brides avoid the humiliation. Getting a dress is going to be a gamble because the only appropriate wear I can find happens to come from the UK. I am crossing my fingers and praying for a miracle just so that I *can* look beautiful for John and so that Rowan won't feel it necessary to hide pictures of his parents' wedding day under the bed somewhere when he grows up.

John and I returned from Chicago after a long 3 days writing exam questions as part of an ABIH workshop. He got the chance to travel the city a little with Chris and Emily but Ana and I were stuck in the hotel near the airport the entire time. I am so glad that John is able to come with me on adventures like these even if they aren't that interesting. I don't like doing anything without him which is pathetic I know, but it's my reality now. I am looking forward to being able to go with him this year where ever his work will take him (with baby in tow!).

Darren and Nicole brought baby Carys to visit Ottawa the weekend of May 24th/25th and we had a wonderful time. We chatted and chatted and chatted while enjoying yummy lattes made by John (of course). John and I got to see first hand what caring for a 3 month old is all about. While they were here I was reading "The Happiest Baby on The Block" before bed and I would get up in the mornings and try a few of the recommended baby-calming-methods. I felt like a real mom when I was able to get Carys to stop crying and to start to fall asleep in my arms. She is such a little doll. I am so glad that they are in our lives.



Here are a few pictures of us being tourists in downtown Ottawa...

Something worth noting here: John's sense of direction has been really bad this month. And while I have come to anticipate and accept this little quirk of his, I have to say that he should NEVER EVER give directions to an 80 year old woman, dressed in black, resting with her walker again. I worried she was going to have a heart attack in the 30C weather while looking for tulips!

This coming weekend I am off to Minneapolis for another professional development conference with Ana. We are going without the families this time which will be nice too because girl time with her is alway fun. The hard part will be coming home to an emptier house if John is off to India for work at the same time. His schedule is still up in the air, but he may be gone for close to 2 weeks. He'll miss our next ultrasound if he goes this coming weekend.

I think that sums this blog up. The next one will be better I promise...

Learning to Worry

We had our second level 2 ultrasound a little over a week ago to get the extra pictures that the technicians couldn't get the first time around. While we welcomed the idea of seeing Rowan again, we worried for the two weeks between visits because we knew there may be something wrong with his little heart. The second ultrasound confirmed the presence of fluid but this time we were told that it was considered to be on the "upper end of normal". Who knew that a little boy could worry his parents before he was even born? I mean, you always fear that something will go wrong but it isn't until you hear or see the worry on the doctor's face that you truly understand the meaning of agony. The idea that Rowan will be born with some kind of heart problem or developmental delays is nothing short of terrifying. We will be going back for a third visit at the beginning of June. I suspect we will be closely followed until he makes his appearance into the world which is fine because we would rather be prepared and extra cautious than uninformed. This little boy will bring us unbelievable joy (he has already in fact) but, as all parents learn, joy comes at a cost...children are a great source of worry and concern and I believe, that worry and concern doesn't go away no matter how big and strong and independent they become.

On the bright side, Rowan is growing like a weed and all of his body parts are "perfect". He moves an enormous amount and we can see his punching on the outside of my tummy. He is a hard bump and we can't make out his feet or fists yet, but I know the day is fast approaching. I am 170lbs now (evident in the photo to the left). I am certain that I am going to gain too much weight, but after the fright that we had, I simply don't care as long as he arrives safe and sound.

We had Emily, Ana and Chris here for the weekend. We celebrated Mother's day together. They brought Rowan a Baby Bonkie with skulls (of course) and we loved it. Rowan is going to be so snuggly all bundled up come the fall. We had a great time watching Emily with the dogs. Jackson and Bailey were completely used to M's little feet by the end of the visit. They flat out ignored her, which in my view, was fantastic. We worry that Bailey will have a hard time with Rowan, but based on what we saw this weekend, I'd say that is worry we can happily put behind us. Bum Bum is the cutest thing on the planet. She fell in love with the chandelier and her Uncle John. She definitely likes her Aunt Jenny too, but she would sing Uncle John's name which made me want to eat her up. She is such a sensitive little girl, she knows the meaning of saying "I am sorry" which was evident by her big tears when she was told to apologize to her mom for biting. I felt so bad for her, but was complete astonished at the same time because she is so much more than just an 18 month old bundle of fun...She is a little person.

I was sad to see Ana and the family go. It is such an infrequent occasion that we get to spend time with my family and friends that it hurts a little every time we say goodbye. But, we'll see them again this coming weekend in Chicago and then a lot over the summer as we all get ready for the big day...

p.s. this picture captures M's love for dogs perfectly.