I miss being on holidays, for reasons other than the obvious

Ok, aside from the fact that holidays are a time to just RELAX (not that Donovan and I did much of that, what with getting the house ready for the baby.... will the baby really care that our dining room has been painted a new colour?! Oh well!), I had the chance to at least sit down and put my feet up during the day if and when I needed to.

It was during this time that I could become mesmerized by the hypnotic movements of my belly, as I watched my baby poking and kicking about. I could watch this for HOURS (well, minutes anyway, until it was time to tend to the kitchen fire that broke out on our stove, or something of the sort).

Now that I'm back at work, I don't have the luxury of lying back whenever I want to watch the baby. In fact, I hardly get to feel anything at all, because I'm always on my feet and always on the go!

The only time Donovan and I get to enjoy the little movements of our NOW 2LB BABY!!! is at night, when Mommy's ready to hit the hay after being on her feet for 12hrs straight. THAT'S when the baby wants to poke around and play!

Oh well, I'll take what I can get - and if it means I need to lose a bit of sleep just to enjoy my little hyperactive child, then so be it!

Loverboy says it best, pinpointing my emotions, with their hit "Lovin' Every Minute of It".

Yup, sure do!

Something new to enjoy!

We'll be at 6 1/2 months in 2 days, and as of yesterday, I've discovered the newest morsel of enjoyment that accompanies pregnancy - heartburn!

Hyper baby!

Baby Yaciuklet's become VERY active as of yesterday! Last night, Baba and Didi came over, and for the first time, Didi felt a kick!

All day today, my belly has been moving about - the baby seems to be having lots of fun swimming around and kicking his/her way about from one side of my belly to the other! It's such an amazing thing to watch, I can't look away! (makes driving difficult!) HA!

Baba felt you kick today!

I went to visit Baba, Didi, Uncle Chris, Auntie Leanne and cousin Alexis this morning, and Baby Yaciuklet became super excited with all this family around!

S/he just started kicking and poking, and Baba finally felt it! Then Auntie Leanne wanted to come over and join in the fun, and she was lucky enough to feel baby's hiccups!

(Cousin Alexis got a kick outta baby's kicks, too!)

Lots of fun, another milestone reached!

Future Gymnast!

It's Saturday afternoon, and I have heaps of things to do before I'm back at work on Monday, but all I find myself doing is watching my belly!

I can SEE the baby moving around - my belly swooshes from one side to the other, I can see the kicks and punches - it's AMAZING! And hypnotic! I can't take my eyes off my belly! (which is making typing this blog entry out REEEALLY difficult!)

Even Donovan's hooked - he spent a good chunk of time yesterday (and this morning) just staring at my belly with me!

This is one active baby! Sure to keep us on our toes once s/he's born!

You're 25 weeks old!

Just past the 6 month mark, and you're already so active!

Daddy enjoys reading to you every night - we've already picked up a few books from the Mr. Men series (that both Mommy AND Daddy enjoyed when we were little!), and you certainly do get a kick out of those stories! Literally!

Just a few nights ago, Daddy had his head on my belly, reading to you - and you literally hoofed him in the face!

Again, cute for now, but a habit I hope you break when you're born!

We saw the doctor yesterday, and she told us that you're doing just fine! You're growing well, you're healthy, and aside from a small fibroid in my uterus, you've got a great place to hang out for another couple'ish months before we get to meet you!

You gave us quite the scare, little one!

Wednesday, August 29th - 3:30am.

I got up to pee (because, that's all I seem to be doing now!). The day before, I had developed a cold, so I was doing a lot of sneezing and coughing. Anyhoo, since I was up and my nose was stuffy, I decided to attempt to blow my nose - and that's when I felt the pain.

A horrible, stabbing, cramp-like pain, right across my lower abdomen. I couldn't stand up straight. It was pretty sharp.

Had I pulled something? Did I injure the baby somehow?

Donovan wanted to go to the hospital right off the bat, but I didn't want to overreact, so we phoned Health Links - of course, they're not about to take any chances, and strongly recommended we call an ambulance immediately because it sounded as though I required emergency medical attention. No bleeding, just a cramp - I thought the nurse on the phone was over-the-top. I tried to stand up again, and I could this time, but now the pain had moved to my left side. I decided, "This is our baby, I'm NOT taking any chances!"

So we got dressed and took off for the hospital.

The nurse there, in obstetric triage, strapped a belt around my belly and with little Doppler pads, located the heartbeat. A good, strong heartbeat! Phew! And we could even hear the kicks (it was neat to hear what I felt - an amazing sensation!).

After a few tests, I was cleared to go. No definitive reason was offered as to why I was feeling the pain - ligaments stretching, perhaps? Or it might even be related to any scar tissue I may have from my surgery (since my internal damage is on my left, and that's where the pain was now). I was just told to stay off my feet and rest for the next few days.

And that's just what I've been doing.

That, and revelling in the glory of our little Ukrainian dancer kicking and poking about in my belly!

What a scare we had! But everything's ok - I can see now I'm definitely going to be one of THOSE mothers....y'know, the one who, when their child is 16, shows up at their school with a pair of mittens for them to wear in the middle of spring, "Just in case you pick up something hot!"

I can't wait!