tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78362731358491498002024-03-13T14:17:19.984-06:00a la Maxfielda la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.comBlogger364125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-29368723260448184682018-01-26T07:00:00.000-07:002018-01-26T07:00:47.299-07:00January Favourites || A Link Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pD-vGb3LZpQ/WmqZ2_gXsyI/AAAAAAAALrE/okuhjaea8sAyu5F8uP4iiqaUnLDw3-RawCLcBGAs/s1600/Monthly%2BFavorites%2BLink%2BUP.png" width="720" /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.southernsweetandsassy.com/" target="_blank">JORDAN</a> || <a href="http://www.mirandasouthern.com/" target="_blank">MIRANDA</a> || <a href="http://www.katiegini.com/" target="_blank">KATIE</a> || <a href="http://www.sunshineandholly.com/" target="_blank">HOLLY</a></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Make sure you check out each of these ladies' blogs for their January favourites! </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444;">Add your favourites to the comments below, too!</span></b></div>
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Oh hey, it's a post that isn't 100% centered around Abiageal. That's weird. ;)</div>
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But really, I miss blogging. I miss sharing everything with you. Mostly, I miss the community and connections that I made when I was really in the swing of things and posted 2-3 times a week. I've joined a Facebook blogging group with the idea that I'll find inspiration to post, but to be honest, it's all about finding, or making, the time to create. I'm certain that I can stick to a monthly blog post, haha! So here goes!</div>
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<b>1. Favourite place I went this month:</b></div>
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We didn't go anywhere this month, but I did go to my friend's house for our Christmas gift swap and brunch. That was fun!</div>
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<b>2. Favourite recipe I made:</b></div>
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Last night's dish, for sure! It was totally not healthy, but it was comfort food night. Rice, gluten free pasta, tomato sauce, canned corn, an onion, spices, ground beef, and LOTS of cheese on top. It actually turned out really well for something that was thrown together so last minute and didn't contain any vegetables. Definitely will make it again, and try different variations of it.</div>
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<b>3. Favourite outfit I wore:</b></div>
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I haven't worn anything fancy, but being back at work makes me appreciate how comfortable my pjs are, haha. It's my favourite!</div>
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<b>4. Favourite book/show/movie:</b></div>
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'm currently reading The Virgin Cure a page or two at a time because I fall asleep after that. It's really good though and I really like it! I'm just trying to figure out this whole mom thing while working full time again.</div>
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<b>5. Favourite kid's item:</b></div>
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Abiageal's baby book from <a href="https://www.lucydarling.com/collections/girl/products/little-artist-memory-book" target="_blank"><b>Lucy Darling</b></a>. It's so cute and really easy to keep up with! I really recommend these baby books to anyone who asks.</div>
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<b>6. Favourite beauty/skincare product:</b></div>
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100% my BeautyCounter day and night creams. They smell good and make my face feel so refreshed. I can also wear them knowing that I'm not putting so many harsh chemicals on my skin.</div>
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<b>7. Favourite date night: </b></div>
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Well, our last date night was on New Year's Eve. We went to Original Joe's for dinner then Rob went home and passed out (still recovering from night shift) while Abby and I went to a party for a couple hours.</div>
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<b>8. Favourite cocktail/mocktail:</b></div>
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My favourite mocktail is actually a Whole30 recipe! The rosemary berry splash. Raspberries, rosemary, lemon, and sparkling water. So good.</div>
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<b>9. Favourite Target find:</b></div>
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We don't have Target in Canada anymore, but I did find some discounted leggings from Simple Addiction. $4! I'll let you know what they're like when they arrive.</div>
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<b>10. Favourite activity:</b></div>
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Seeing Abiageal when I get home from work. So cliche, but it's the best feeling!</div>
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<b>11. Favourite restaurant/food:</b></div>
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My favourite food this month has been my <a href="http://alamaxfield.blogspot.ca/2016/02/smoothies.html" target="_blank"><b>smoothies</b></a>. They keep me going at work until I can have a break, and some days it's a couple hours until that can happen. I've also been adding some chia seeds and unsweetened vanilla almond milk instead of coconut water.</div>
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<b><i>What was the best thing that happened to you this month?</i></b></div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-56755411089943659102018-01-04T11:28:00.001-07:002018-01-04T11:28:30.861-07:00Abiageal || 8/9 Months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to parenthood and the holidays where I didn't find any time to blog, haha. Here's 2 months of updates, while she's 10 months old in like, 2 days. </div>
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8 Months: </div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">First Halloween! She was a pumpkin for the party and about a half hour of trick or treating. She wore a cute little onesie from Carter's during the day when we went and got her foot prints painted on a popcorn dish!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Sleep regression did not pass go, it did not collect $200. It hit us and stuck around even to today.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">She mimicked me and said "dada"! </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Abby started to give me a break and would play independently with her toys around the living room.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Started to stand without being held/help.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Generally, she gets the spoon full of food into her mouth but we have to give her another pre loaded spoon in order to get the first one back, haha.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Favourite things: Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you See?, our dogs, grilled cheese sandwich, and daddy.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Still fitting into 6-9 month clothes.</li>
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9 Months:</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Abiageal's first Christmas! Her 9 month photo was taken on Christmas day in her Christmas pj's from Santa :) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">As you can probably tell from the photo, it's getting more difficult to get her to lay still for these, haha!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Abby graduated from 2 teeth to 5. She has 3 bottom, and her two top teeth!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">I flew solo with Abby to Vancouver to visit my new niece, and Abby's new baby cousin (they're 1 day away from being exactly 8 months apart!), and the flights went really well. It felt like a breeze compared to our Scotland trip.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Decided to give me a heart attack by disappearing while at Aunty's house and we found her at the top of the staircase (a whole 9 steps!) all by herself. She was following their cat. Baby gate was promptly brought out of storage by Uncle!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Abby can walk with help! She can do it if you're holding her hands, then on the 30th of December, she received a push walker from her Grandma and Grandpa, which she pulled herself up right away and went zooming away.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">She's decided that opening cupboards in the kitchen is SO MUCH FUN. We now gate off the living room until we buy child locks or until I find a better place for our cleaning supplies from the kitchen.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">She growls. We hang out with our dogs too much, and she finds it hilarious when Spencer growls. I think it also really took off after her cousin. Nenna, showed Abby her growling dinosaur. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Started sleeping at night again! No more hourly wake ups, and is down to 1-3 wake ups. Really just depends on her day and what's going on. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Abiageal can clap! She also signed for "milk" (formula in this case). It's not 100% used in context and it gets confused with waving "bye" but we're getting there.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Favourite things: Definitely Gunner, family - she was on cloud 9 during the holidays with all the attention and visits with her favourite family members, cucumber - it feels so good on those sore gums, and finding floor treats. She gives us a run for our money when we go to another person's house or place, because she really does find every single piece of styrofoam, tape, foam, rocks, dirt, etc.. </li>
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After Remembrance Day (November 11th), I was waiting for my EI (maternity leave paycheck) and assumed it would be late because of the statutory holiday because the offices were closed. Log on to find that they made the decision to cut me off at the end of October because of a previous open claim, and they say you can only claim so much in 50 weeks. I called, in tears, and that's what I was told. I filed a reconsideration because I was told at the beginning of my maternity leave that while it said October 31st was my end date, I'd be fine until February 1st. We were left with only Rob's income for November and December, and forced me to go back to work for January 8th.</div>
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I finally came to terms with Abiageal being in child care, after a full day of on/off crying because I didn't want her to be in someone else's care. Today is day 3 of daycare for her! We found one that we really like and that made all the difference in coming to terms with it. She's extra tired and sensitive when she gets home for the day, but we're all still adjusting. I go back to work this coming Monday so I'm trying to use my childless time wisely in preparation for that.</div>
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On that note, do you have any <b>favourite easy week day dinners</b>? Preferably gluten free or a recipe that I can switch a few ingredients to make it gluten free. :)</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
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Photos c/o <a href="http://www.treasuredforeverphotography.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Treasured Forever Photography</b></a></div>
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a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-24997809889569444492017-10-18T11:41:00.002-06:002017-10-18T11:41:49.852-06:00Abiageal || 7 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I swear that she just gets cuter and cuter every time I post one of these updates! Also, why can't I back date these so that it seems like I have my life together and posting these updates on time. Going strong on the 2 week late update ;)</div>
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As of September 21st (6 month vaccinations!),</div>
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Weight: 18.4 lbs (75 percentile)</div>
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Height: 65 cm (35 percentile) </div>
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<li>We took our first vacation to Glasgow, Scotland and she was actually a pretty good little traveler! She slept for most of the 3 plane rides there, but it was a little more rough on the 3 plane rides home. </li>
<li>Abby is full on crawling now! She's slow, but she does know how to disappear quickly when I turn away for a minute.</li>
<li>On that note, separation anxiety has kicked in. She wants Rob, but usually screams and cries when I leave the room. She's hard at making decisions, just like me, haha.</li>
<li>The same day that she started crawling, she started pulling herself up to stand on things. After a full 4 weeks of toppling over like a downed tree, she's finally getting the hang of slowly dropping to her bum to get herself down.</li>
<li>Her screaming stopped, but it's back!</li>
<li>We both got a head cold for the first time (for me since I was 15 weeks pregnant!) but we survived!</li>
<li>She had a fun sleepover at my Aunty Kim's and apparently didn't sleep very well, but that's typical lately.</li>
<li>From 10 hour nights to the occasional 6 hour stretch before waking up for a bottle and diaper change, but she'll generally go back down pretty easily. </li>
<li>She's finally started to hold her own bottle! The Dr Browns bottles are a little harder for her to hold, but the Avent ones are easier.</li>
<li>Abby tends to not like purees and prefers little pieces of food. Yesterday and today, she enjoyed a chicken and strained vegetable puree though, so who knows! </li>
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It was so nice going on our first family vacation and things went better than I was anticipating. I worried about money and about being in a different country all together with what's been going in the world. We're home, we're safe, and we had a great time. Next on my bucket list is the wizarding world of Harry Potter but Rob disagrees, haha. </div>
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As always, Abby's monthly photo is courtesy of <a href="http://www.treasuredforeverphotography.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Treasured Forever Photography</b></a>!</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-32864506807166838892017-09-11T18:07:00.003-06:002017-09-11T18:07:45.813-06:00Abiageal || 6 Months (!!!)<div>
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Half a year already?! I'm not crying, you're crying. While I type this, she's going on a 2 hour nap beside me on the couch. Teething is hard business! I survived a 10 day trip to British Columbia to see friends and family. We drove there and back. I am so thankful that Analise drove with us on the way there, it helped ease my mind having her in the back seat while I drove and Abby cried, haha. The way home was a little smoother, despite it being an 11 hour drive in one day.
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Weight: 17.2 pounds</div>
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Height: 65 cm</div>
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<li>She is such a people person right now. All smiles for everyone! She's started playing coy by looking away and then smiling when someone interacts with her, it's so cute.</li>
<li>We transitioned to her crib and it went so well, and still is despite a 10 day trip where she slept in her playpen. Naps in her crib and playpen are not happening as smoothly, but she'll nap if someone is holding her.</li>
<li>The same night she slept in her crib, she cut her first tooth! 5 days later, she cut her second. So now she has both her bottom front teeth.</li>
<li>She had her second sleepover with Grandma Danyliw while mom and dad had a date night and a sleep in.</li>
<li>Only the occasional 9/10 hour sleep. She's back to waking up 1-3 times a night. Those darn teeth!</li>
<li>While on our trip, she started babbling. More consonant sounds and it's so cute when she's chatting to my hand or her toys, haha.</li>
<li>She also pushed herself from her belly to sitting on her bum, and sits so sturdy now.</li>
<li>Time for me to baby proof because she's found out how to take things from under our coffee table and she's pretty much crawling. Not quite, but she gets herself to that darn coffee table.</li>
<li>Officially in 6-12 month clothes! I still try to squeeze her in some of the cute 3-6 month clothes, haha ;)</li>
<li>She laughs at the dogs all the time. Gunner sat beside her and let her play with his paws, he didn't even flinch.</li>
<li>Abiageal is not a fan of green beans, butternut squash, or avocado so far. She's okay with rice cereal, rice cereal with carrot and pumpkin, carrots, and tomato. I haven't found anything she really likes, but I haven't introduced her to any really sweet stuff yet! </li>
<li>Not a fan of water. She aggressively bites the nipple of the bottle if I give her water. Might be best to find the right sippy cup for her to drink water from, rather than a bottle.</li>
<li>She's found her voice. My god, has she found her voice. She screams pretty much all the time. Sometimes it's happy screams, sometimes it's mad screams, haha.</li>
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We're excited for Fall and being able to go for walks in the afternoon now, rather than early morning or late evening. Next month, we fly to Scotland and I'm pretty nervous for the flights with Abby, but I'm trying to put positive thoughts out there.</div>
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xo. Nicole<br />
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All photos c/o <a href="http://www.treasuredforeverphotography.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Treasured Forever Photography</b></a></div>
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a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-82138513857167777672017-08-14T07:00:00.000-06:002017-08-14T07:00:00.189-06:00Favourite Baby Products + A Giveaway!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know how it was done back in the day when all these cool baby products weren't around. A few have been lifesavers and others have just been really helpful. Navigating being a mom isn't easy, and it really takes a village, but when that village isn't available it can get overwhelming. I wanted to share just a few of my favourite products that have helped me along the way!</div>
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Bath time is definitely one of Abby's favourite activities, second to her Jolly Jumper. I came across <a href="http://ca.live-clean.com/en/products/baby/calming-bedtime/calming-bedtime-bubble-bath-and-wash/" target="_blank"><b>Live Clean's baby body wash/shampoo</b></a> and fell in love with it! It's infused with lavendar, jasmine, and vanilla. Abby smells SO good after her bath, and with the scents, she's already rubbing her eyes when I'm just drying her off. Baths are part of our bed time routine and I want to say that the body wash/shampoo has really helped with getting her to sleep.</div>
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After bath, I use <a href="https://www.aveeno.ca/products/baby-eczema-care-moisturizing-cream" target="_blank"><b>Aveeno's baby eczema care</b></a> lotion. Their regular baby lotion wasn't cutting it, and the eczema care is a lot more moisturizing. No more rough patches on Abby's skin! It's also been helping my hands, which have just gone downhill since about 2 weeks post partum. Steroid creams don't seem to be helping, but switching wipes and using this lotion has.</div>
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We had a few episodes of big belly bubbles that left me in a panic while Abby screamed, and I had no idea how to help her. Gripe water didn't do anything, except they do help her hiccups now. My sister in law mentioned that <a href="http://www.ovol.ca/en/default.php" target="_blank"><b>Ovol</b></a> helped her a lot with her kids, so I gave it a shot and it really does help. Abby's getting better at burping on her own, but it definitely helped when I couldn't get all the bubbles out.</div>
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The green necklace in the photo is a teething necklace that's meant to be worn by me. It was gifted to us by Abby's Auntie Krystal! If I was nursing, it could be used as something for her to have in her hands while she ate, or it can just be used as a teether. I haven't really worn it but I attach it to her exersaucer so she has something to chew on. She popped her first tooth 2 nights ago so she's been going hard on this thing all week! I keep an eye on her with it and don't leave her unsupervised, even though I'm sure those beads are reinforced in there, I'd rather be safe than sorry. The oreo teether is from MilkBrain Baby!</div>
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A big thing that we both love are our <a href="https://www.milkbrainbaby.ca/collections/bandana-bibs" target="_blank"><b>MilkBrain Baby bandana bibs</b></a>! They're so cute, stylish, and functional. The bibs are double layered and have two snap sizes so Abby can wear them for a while. Drooling has been nonstop since she was 2 months old, and now at 5 months that tooth finally popped out! They're also SO handy when she's in her exersaucer or Jolly Jumper because it catches her puke and drool. The dogs clean up whatever it doesn't catch ;)</div>
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and now for the exciting part! Sarah from<b> <a href="https://www.milkbrainbaby.ca/" target="_blank">MilkBrain Baby</a> </b>is giving away two bandana bibs to one of you! Below is the entry form. Contest goes from today to the 21st, and the winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday the 22nd. Good luck :)<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="13e91de82" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/13e91de82/" id="rcwidget_4nuoz9by" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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xo. Nicolea la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-6408620397502771722017-08-10T07:00:00.000-06:002017-08-10T07:00:18.793-06:00Abiageal's Newborn Photos<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know you love how my blog has become all about Abiageal ;) Really, it won't be every post. I'm just pumping out all this fun stuff while I've figured out how to make time to blog, before Abby changes her routine again and I'm left with no time. Babies, man.</div>
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Anyways, Abby's auntie did her newborn photos! I believe when she was 5 days old? I totally started crying when we were posing in the picture with all 3 of us, staring at Abby, Rob holding me. I looked at Abby and thought, "it's finally my turn. We get to pose for newborn photos!" and that was the breaking point. Woo, hormones!</div>
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Photography by <a href="http://www.treasuredforeverphotography.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Treasured Forever Photography</b></a></div>
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<3</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-42349463413957789162017-08-06T07:00:00.000-06:002017-08-06T07:00:00.826-06:00Abiageal || 5 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here we are at 5 months already! And it's posted on her actual monthiversary ;) I was supposed to be doing a complete weeding job of our backyard today with my friend, but everyone who would be watching Abby for the day, are off camping...so I'll be jetting off with them this morning for the night. I was convinced to go, even with Rob out of town for work. Oh boy. But, it'll be better because I actually stay up for an hour or two after she's gone to sleep for the night now. I can socialize, unlike June's camping trip when I would pass out as soon as she did. Not fun, but worth it.</div>
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Weight: I dunno, 16ish pounds?</div>
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Height: Probably about 64 centimeters now?</div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">She's still infatuated with the exersaucer at Auntie and Uncle's. She even gave me a staredown and nasty look when I carried it out of their house on Friday to put in our vehicle. Taking it camping because I enjoy being able to relax.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">She's figuring out that she has other toys. She's not so focused on the giraffe and lion anymore. A lot of exploring!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We haven't had any 10/11 hour nights this past month, probably courtesy of teething, feeling like junk from vaccines (spiked a fever twice the next day!), and growth spurts. Who knows what else! She's doing pretty good with going to sleep for the night between 8-10, and waking up between 5/7am. There were a couple nights that she was up around 11pm and 3am.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We've learned to scream at mom, happy or mad. It's really high pitch, too.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Abiageal went on her hands and knees for the first time! She started rocking a liiiittle bit, and then she'd plop herself down. It ended up making her go backwards, but she wasn't crawling. Friday morning, she didn't move her hands but she slowly moved one knee after the other and went forward!!!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The week after she started going on her hands and knees, she could also sit by herself! She's quite wobbly most of the time, but sometimes she's just sitting no problem. So exciting!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Abby met my mom, her Grandma, and we survived a good overnight trip to Red Deer and back.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">She likes to not nap most days, a few 5 minute/20 minute naps throughout the day and be cranky. So that's been fun.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We went to her first splash park! We stayed about 2 hours and people watched. She loved laying in the shade, watching the leaves, water, and kids running around. I also got some adult conversation, so it was really nice!</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">She recognizes her auntie, uncle, cousins, and grandma Danyliw!</li>
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I'm gearing myself up for driving to BC with Abiageal at the end of the month. I'm so thankful, and really excited, that Analise will be flying up to drive down with us. We're making it a 2 day drive, so it should go relatively okay. I'm nervous, but we'll make it work.</div>
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Photo c/o Abby's Auntie, <a href="http://www.treasuredforeverphotography.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Treasured Forever Photography</b></a>!</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-434771777097229892017-08-04T07:00:00.000-06:002017-08-04T07:00:37.078-06:00March Sixth, Two Thousand Seventeen<div style="text-align: justify;">
Personally, I love reading birth stories. I loved reading them before pregnancy, during, and even now after experiencing my daughter's. While trying to conceive, they got me pumped (despite some scary ones) for my turn one day, and during pregnancy, they made me ugly cry. Seriously. So, I want to share Abby's birth story with you today. Partly because you like them (you ARE reading this post...), and for me to share with Abby one day. It's been almost 5 months (!!!) since this, and I really can't remember every detail now. I may be updating/editing this post as little things pop back in to my head!</div>
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<b>40 Weeks</b>: No baby. Just nausea, fatigue, and being impatient. I had a midwife appointment, they were weekly at this point. The weather was pretty decent, for it being February in Alberta. I go to my midwife appointment to have my first cervical check and membrane sweep. They were offered to me before, but I refused until today. I was 1cm dilated, and 50% effaced!! It was actually really exciting for me! I was told I could exercise, as it could help because I was actually dilated, and to try a few things. It took some time, but I finally tried the castor oil (yuck) because my midwife said they found it to have about a 70% effectiveness with their patients. I drank red raspberry leaf tea, took evening primrose oil, and dank castor oil twice. Trying to keep my thoughts positive, but I thought all the things to induce labour were bologna and silly.</div>
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<b>40 Weeks/4 Days</b>: I started losing my mucus plug! Although nothing happened as a result of the membrane sweep (if nothing happens within 48 hours, it "failed"), losing my mucus plug got me super excited! I immediately messaged Rob's sister, Lauralynn. She was, and still is, my go-to person for all this.</div>
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<b>41 Weeks</b>: Another midwife appointment. After all those silly Old Wives Tales to try and induce labour, I was still only 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. I remember feeling just so disappointed and knew what was coming. I was given the rundown on induction methods, and was told 41+3 is when they typically like to let pregnant women go, for safety reasons. If I chose to wait baby out, and not be induced, I would have to start continuous fetal monitoring. That meant going to and from the hospital every day until this kid popped out. It wasn't realistic for us, as we only had one vehicle and I was ready to just meet Abiageal. My midwife agreed to let things go how they were going, but if I wasn't in labour by Saturday evening, I would come in the Sunday morning for the foley balloon catheter. Cue driving home in tears. Also, crying randomly over the next 3 days and being a big ol' pregnant biiaaatch to anyone who gave me tips on how to induce labour on my own, and other such comments as "you look nice." Screw that noise.</div>
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<b>41 Weeks/3 Days</b>: Okay, now the story gets a bit juicy (ha). You ready? We (Rob and I) arrived at the midwife center for the balloon catheter around 10:30am. Nervous as helk, I laid on that table ready to start this party. I was still 1cm and 50% effaced. No change. Uggghhhh. I wasn't 100% sure what to expect, but I had the general rundown that it would get me to about 4-5cm dilated by "tugging" when I walked, and the hope would be that it just kickstarts my body to do what it needs to do. It took them about 45 minutes to finally get it in properly, while Rob giggled to himself as he texted his sister. Lauralynn was asking how it was all going so Rob decided to have fun with it. "I'm watching two women go elbow deep in my wife" + "This is the closest I'll get to a threesome". Isn't he a treat?<br />
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It was such a weird feeling to have it in. It wasn't too painful to get, it just got really uncomfortable because a 5 minute procedure turned into a 45 minute one. They couldn't see my cervix or something. Bring on the flashlight! I'm not kidding. It wasn't nice to sit, and to pee was another story. We went to Lauralynn's to keep myself busy, and she was also our birth photographer! The contractions started around noon but weren't too bad. Pretty manageable, I mean, I could walk and talk and breathe and cuss out Rob, sooooo. I had a couple contractions that were not nice at all, had me full on sweating, and wondering what the hell I got myself into, and wondering if I really wanted a med-free birth. A couple hours went by and while walking is what makes the catheter do it's thang, Lauralynn offered to walk the trails from her house to mine. I remember there being snow on the ground, but it was decent weather, and I had to pause or slow down a few times while she tracked the contractions on an app.<br />
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I got home and circled the damn living room and kitchen I don't even know how many times. Peeing was so uncomfortable because I had to move the tubes out of the way (they typically are in somewhere, but in this case, they were just hanging out and taped to my leg), and going from a standing to sitting position also tugged, resulting in dilation. In between contractions, I was able to lay on the couch. I was SO tired! Netflix was on, I had a comfy blanket, my pillow, and Rob and Lauralynn. Contractions came and went for a while, even while laying down. I was equally forced and encouraged to get up and move around so that the catheter could do what it was supposed to do. I think we ate McDonald's at one point? I think Rob's parents, Len and Cheryl, came by at one point too? Maybe they brought the food...<br />
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The contractions stopped around 9pm. I called my midwife who said maybe I just reached 4-5cm and my body was resting. She encouraged me to take a tylenol and a gravol, and to get some rest because tomorrow would "be the day." I did just that and had the best sleep I had had the entire pregnancy - highly recommended.<br />
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<b>40 Weeks/4 Days</b>: Off to the midwife we go at 10:30am to have the balloon catheter taken out! That was quick and painless, until they took the tape off my inner thigh. Hooollllyyy, that was definitely the worst part of that induction method. They said I was 4cm dilated and more effaced - exciting! But I had had no contractions since they stopped the night before. Basically, it didn't kick my body into labour mode, it just got me to 4cm. My original plan was to give birth at the Sturgeon hospital but they were full so we were sent to immediately drive from the midwife center to the Misericordia hospital. It was a surprisingly calm drive and I was relatively calm when checking myself in "for induction" while Rob tried to find a parking spot. Nothing, absolutely nothing, was going how I wanted it to. I still don't know how I wasn't just in a puddle of my own tears walking into the hospital. They sent me up to the third floor where I checked in again and was brought to my room. We got a pretty good corner room with lots of daylight and big windows!<br />
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After getting changed and laying in the bed, the nurse came in to take my information. She explained how the synthetic oxytocin worked and said I could eat now as I wouldn't be allowed once they hooked me up. Rob brought me some apple and orange juice, and a sandwich, which was actually pretty good for it being hospital food. When we finished, they got the IV going. No one told me it would be a giant friggin' needle going in to my hand, unlike the previous IVs from my two hospital visits at 12 and 15 weeks pregnant. They told me it's just in case I needed to receive blood.<br />
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Oxytocin was started at 11:30am and would be increased every half an hour until I reached the maximum amount. I remember seeing my midwives for cervical checks and support, Rob and Lauralynn joking and hanging around, Cheryl coming in for a bit, and the nurses coming in every half hour. They would adjust the fetal monitor if necessary and would up the oxytocin dosage. The day actually went really fast for just laying around and only getting a couple walks in. I wanted to avoid being strapped to a bed, because I know that one intervention usually leads to many interventions, which would result in a c-section. It was difficult because they were wanting to continuously monitor Abiageal because I was induced. I put my trust into my midwives and nurses because I really didn't know what else to do. I remember standing and just rocking so it wasn't just laying in the bed, joking that I don't feel anything and could totally play a game of cards at that moment. That all changed around 5pm (I think).<br />
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Midwives came in and broke my water at that time. Oh boy, things went from 0 to 100 real quick! It was honestly the worst pain. My body didn't get the chance to slowly build up to it, so a mix of maximum oxytocin and my water breaking just was like, BAM. I laboured through about 5 or 6 contractions before asking for the epidural. Lauralynn reminded me of the laughing gas stuff, but I declined and said to go straight for the epidural. She knew I wanted to avoid it, but I was at the point where I couldn't even talk or do anything. Rob joked that I sounded like a rhinoceros. The nurses gave him the side eye, but I'm pretty sure I let out a little laugh. I'm really surprised at how nice I actually was to everyone around me, haha. I knew going in, that men tend to feel helpless, so I kept my cool and wouldn't get upset or annoyed if Rob tried rubbing my shoulder or trying to help me because it was just really nice having him there to hold my hand. Also, holding the puke basin for me, haha! The apple juice didn't sit very well once the contractions hit.<br />
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The anesthesiologist arrived sooo quickly, I was super surprised and relieved all at once. The pain was really nothing to get it in, a quick sting, but it was hard to stay still when the contractions started while I was sitting. The nurse who held me was so amazing, I wanted to thank her before we left the hospital but we couldn't remember her name. She held me and whispered that I was doing amazing and I'd have a baby girl soon, that I got this, and all sorts of stuff that really, really helped. After the epidural, it was amazing. To go from that level of pain to being almost numb, was the best thing ever. Midwives did a check and I was 5cm. Uhm, what? After all that, I only dilated a CENTIMETER?! Given, it had really only been a short amount of time. In the back of my mind, I knew a c-section was coming. I didn't acknowledge it though, and continued on. They put the catheter in and let me rest.<br />
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Midwives came back a little while later for another check, I was still only 5cm. Dang. Long story short, they brought out this peanut exercise ball to get me in what felt like a million different positions that are supposed to help with dilation. While doing that, they had trouble monitoring Abiageal, but they were doing okay monitoring my contractions. Some of them peaked 3 times before they'd dissipate! Thank god for modern medicine. We knew Abiageal was head down, but she was sunny side up (face facing my belly, when they should be facing the spine), so it made it difficult to find her heartbeat. Eventually, they had me in a position where I was on my hands and knees with the peanut ball under my chest for support. I was starting to panic a bit because the epidural was wearing off, due to gravity. I said I wanted to just lay on my back because I was started to feel the contractions again. So, we moved me. They did another check after like, an hour or two of moving positions...still 5cm but I was 100% effaced and they could feel her head.<br />
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While watching the monitor, they realized that Abiageal was trying to push her head THROUGH 5 CENTIMETERS and was in distress. Well yeah, ow. My midwives said they were going to discuss with the OBGYN on shift and would get back to me, but it was looking like a c-section. I think they were trying to keep me calm and stuff, because the OBGYN came in right away and said they were taking me in less than 20 minutes, as soon as possible, for the c-section and needed my consent. As soon as they said it, I bawled. Hard. I don't think I've ever ugly cried like that before! A c-section was the last thing I wanted because I was so scared of it and the recovery. They gave Rob and I a couple minutes alone while I'm pretty sure the whole hospital wing could hear me crying, haha. They came back in and I vaguely remember them wheeling me down the corridor to the OR.<br />
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I don't remember what happened, but I'm pretty sure Rob wasn't allowed in until they were about to take Abiageal out. He wasn't allowed in the OR when they prepped or opened me up. Lauralynn was allowed in when Abby was out, too. Oh man, I was shaking SOO much and couldn't stop ugly crying while they did it all. The dude by my head had to hold my arm down for an accurate blood pressure reading and I'm about 90% sure they gave me Ativan at some point. I just couldn't calm down.<br />
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At 10:01pm, Abiageal was born!<br />
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I remember hearing her cry and then one of the nurses saying "he's beautiful!" I'd be happy with either or, but I was like "she's supposed to be a girl!" and they corrected themselves, haha. We got some quick skin-to-skin time before I needed them to take her because I was shaking and really, really nauseas. I had people and Rob around, but I didn't feel okay enough to hold Abby. While they were trying to stitch me up, I was puking and puking. They gave me anti-nausea meds through my IV and it calmed down eventually. Turns out that I lost almost a whole litre of blood during that. While Rob was holding Abby, and they stitched me up, Lauralynn came by my head and held my hand to keep me calm.<br />
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Suddenly, we were in the recovery room. I remember seeing Rob holding Abby, walking around the room, and sitting in the chair at the foot of my bed. They gave me water and I remember being just so out of it. I didn't want to keep my eyes open or lift my arms to get the water into my mouth. It turns out that Abiageal and I both had fevers. Her's was a mild one, but it went away with more skin-to-skin with me. I had the nurse and Rob stay right beside me during that because I was too nervous to hold her, and too weak. Mine was 100 degrees, I think. It eventually went away, but I remember wanting to just go to sleep.<br />
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Looking back at these photos helped a lot and I'm so thankful for them. Even though most of it was blurry, I can look at these photos and show Abiageal one day! The c-section recovery really wasn't as scary or painful as I thought, and was told, it could be. It took 8 weeks for my incision to fully close, but it's closed!</div>
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I can't believe this turkey is going to be 5 months old on Sunday! They change so much and she already looks so different. It goes way too fast!</div>
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While nothing in my "birth idea" went how I wanted it, like, literally nothing, we still ended up with a healthy baby girl. Honestly, it took me a while to be okay with how everything went. I still get a lump in the back of my throat when I mention it took an emergency c-section and that I couldn't experience a vaginal birth. I may attempt a VBAC if we decide to have another child but it's recommended to wait 24 months from birth to birth for that. I've come to terms with having another c-section, now that I know what to expect, but I'm 100% not ready to be pregnant or go through it again for a while.</div>
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Holy, wow, you read through all of that. Kudos to you! I pretty much rambled and made no sense for parts of it, but you pushed through ;) even if just for the cute photos.</div>
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All photos in this post are courtesy of Abiageal's Auntie, Lauralynn of Treasured Forever Photography!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.treasuredforeverphotography.ca/" target="_blank">Website</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByLauralynn/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></b></div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
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a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-54143794590984526712017-07-26T14:18:00.000-06:002017-07-26T14:18:03.823-06:00Abiageal || 4 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">As always, Abby's monthly photo update is c/o her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByLauralynn/" target="_blank"><b>Auntie</b></a></span></div>
Here we are at 4 months already (well, closer to 5 buuuuuut the photo was taken on her actual 4 month mark/day)! I'm probably going to say it every update, but it's seriously going too fast. </div>
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As of July 6/17,</div>
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Weight: 15.2 lbs</div>
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Height: 63 cm</div>
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Head Circ.: 42 cm</div>
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<li>She is still such a powerhouse in her legs and loves to be standing. </li>
<li>She is such a happy baby in the mornings, full of smiles!</li>
<li>One night, she slept 10 hours and suddenly couldn't fit in any of her 0-3 month footed pjs and most of her onesies. We've boxed 'em up and passed them over to my younger sister, who's expecting a baby girl at the end of November!!</li>
<li>After that sleep, she could also just grab a friggin' toy and bring it to her mouth pretty smoothly, compared to the day before.</li>
<li>Abby found her feet! We're about 99% sure that she's a lefty, and the idea has been further reinforced by the fact that she would grab her left foot with her left hand before she tried her right side.</li>
<li>She can roll both ways! And kind of scoot on the floor. I've found her outside her play mat after I've gone to the washroom.</li>
<li>She goes back and forth between which toys she enjoys. It's still a toss up between her yellow giraffe or her crinkly lion.</li>
<li>I think her most favourite thing is the exersaucer at auntie and uncle's house. </li>
<li>Her eyes are still blue but her hair has a red tint to it in the sunshine!</li>
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My younger sister and her husband got to meet Abby, and it was super fun! Abby and my mom meet this coming Friday for the first time and I am TOO excited! Abby and I also make it through 14 days at a time without Rob home, but he's home for 7 days. We push through, do face time, visit friends and family, and just do things to keep ourselves busy.</div>
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Well, I'll have Abby's 5 month update ready to go in 2 weeks. She's changed so much since this 4 month update!</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
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a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-55986445805901684782017-06-07T16:14:00.003-06:002017-06-07T16:14:21.283-06:00Abiageal || 3 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Photo c/o <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByLauralynn/" target="_blank">Treasured Forever Photography</a></div>
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Another month, another update! It's crazy how she changes and grows in such a short time span. She's graduated to a vertical picture, rather than horizontal, as Auntie Lauralynn couldn't quite get all of her in the shot ;)</div>
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Not sure of her weight and length, as we don't have a doctor appointment until beginning of July for her 4 month check up, and I haven't stepped on the scale in a while.</div>
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Favourite things:</div>
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<li>She still loves her baths! We have them every other evening, and now she scrunches her eyes closed + smiles when I wash her neck. So cute! </li>
<li>Even more of a powerhouse now when she stands, and she'll stand for minutes at a time. </li>
<li>Abby found her legs! She kicks them with her eyes wide and staring at them, while blowing bubbles.</li>
<li>She giggled for the first time! It was when I was playing and pretended to drop her. She friggin' loved it. I had her going again today, along with some happy screaming, by making funny sounds.</li>
<li>She woke up one morning and was suddenly grasping at toys and bringing them to her mouth, especially her giraffe. It's a teething toy, too. Exciting!</li>
<li>She occasionally sleeps right through 10 hours at night. We've had a couple hiccups of a 2:30am and 3:30am wake up call, but she's only 3 months - still relatively unpredictable. We're getting there!</li>
<li>Grandma and Grandpa Danyliw were here for a week and Abby was all smiles when she'd see them.</li>
<li>We're slowly out growing the 0-3 month clothes. Quite a few onesies still fit, but we're getting into the 3-6 month clothes.</li>
<li>Abby tries to hold her bottle and pulls it out of her mouth, only to get mad. Sometimes, she just stares at it and tries to pull it back in her mouth. She obviously knows what the bottle does ;)</li>
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Abiageal is such a blessing and I can't imagine my life without her. She's beginning to recognize us as well, and smiles when she sees me or her daddy in the mornings. </div>
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I'm looking forward to July when my younger sister comes to visit at the beginning of the month, and my mom may be able to finally meet Abiageal at the end of July! </div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-47618672452407690982017-05-11T07:49:00.001-06:002017-05-12T15:17:21.568-06:00Abiageal || 2 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCJnRmmy4e4/WRNa0dL1x0I/AAAAAAAAGYI/ugwlO0RpVQ0fR41RUa8uQPCRRLP4ElTDwCLcB/s1600/17968306_10158629087955052_979600859_o.jpg" width="720" /></div>
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Photo courtesy of my Abby's auntie, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByLauralynn/" target="_blank"><b>Treasured Forever Photography</b></a>!</div>
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She turned 2 months old this past Saturday, May 6th. It has been so fun watching Abby grow and learn! We've had our fair share of rough days, but overall, she's a happy and healthy baby. My c-section incision finally closed at 8 weeks postpartum after 2 skin infections that kept popping it open. I missed her one month update, but onwards! I don't remember which milestones she hit before 1 month other than the fact that she's been holding her head up since week 2!</div>
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Weight: 12 pounds, 8 ounces (+ 4 lbs, 7 oz since birth)</div>
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Height: 58 cm/23 inches (+ 1.5 inches since birth)</div>
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Favourite things: </div>
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<li>A lion on a crinkly toy that came with her play mat. They have some serious conversations, and her face just lights up when she sees it!</li>
<li>Baths</li>
<li>Family. She loves tracking her cousins around the room and doesn't play shy yet with anyone! So far, she's a people person ;) weird, because her daddy and I both aren't.</li>
<li>Standing. She is SO proud of herself when we hold her forearms and she pushes herself up to a standing position. Many bubbles are blown and smiles happen!</li>
<li>Changing. As soon as I lay her on the changing pad, she's all smiles!</li>
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She's been a belly sleeper since 3/4 weeks old and refuses to be swaddled or put to bed on her back. One morning, she woke me up because she had rolled onto her back and she was pretty darn mad about it. She's also sleeping through the night! Our typical night is her sleeping from 9pm to about 4am. Last night was 10:30-5:45 because it was immunizations yesterday and she was feeling pretty off in the evening. We both made it through that, though with a few tears from both of us.</div>
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She loves blowing bubbles and smiling when she sees me, Rob, or her lion + giraffe toys. Abby found her hands, and it was fun watching her figure them out because she was always punching herself in the forehead. Her arm movements are a lot smoother, but she obviously still has a ways to go. She's starting to open her fists a little more but is still swatting at her toys with closed fists. She's been grabbing my fingers and trying to bring them to her mouth. She's not there yet with toys, but I see it on the horizon.</div>
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She had her first chiropractor appointment and she did so well! She slept through my adjustment, then despite being woken up, she was a champ and just stared at the chiropractor. A few adjustments in her lower back and one around her neck, and she was good to go. He mentioned that she was pretty advanced in her strength for her age. Well, duh ;)</div>
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It's pretty surreal having her here and knowing that I'm her mom!</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
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a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-31179604043479738792017-04-26T07:02:00.000-06:002017-04-26T07:02:11.647-06:00Maternity Photos<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, it has been a hot minute since I last posted. My last post was a 39 week bumpdate, but I ended up going 11 days overdue and had Abiageal on March 6th, 2017, and now I have a 7 week old! I've been thinking about posting her birth story on here, to share and to keep, but it's probably going to be a while (let's be honest).</div>
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It's really been great, despite recovering from a c-section (helllllo house cleaner!), and our little chicky is so happy and healthy.</div>
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Anywho, I wanted to share the photos my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByLauralynn/" target="_blank"><b>sister in law</b></a> took of me! I was 34 weeks along in these pictures :)</div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0txdRoRiOfU/WQCYGDk_1OI/AAAAAAAAGX0/UUf1qsnzUxgNfuEJqGUxkEQ0jrrEB9kCACLcB/s1600/IMG_4120.jpg" width="720" /></div>
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All photos courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PhotographyByLauralynn/" target="_blank"><b>Treasured Forever Photography</b></a>!</div>
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I'll be sure to share Abiageal's newborn photos too! I somehow found the time to make this post because it's 7am and of course I'm wide awake while Abby sleeps soundly in her bassinet. </div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-81836437493134854922017-02-16T13:47:00.000-07:002017-02-16T13:47:16.302-07:00Bumpdate || 39 Weeks <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zo3ITcaclo/WKYMtt8rSOI/AAAAAAAAGSo/Fh4xcebMzrcO0KFOH_TJQxg56L9afPg2QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1714.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<b>How far along: </b>39 Weeks</div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Girl</div>
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<b>Belly Measurement: </b>38 cm as of Tuesday. My belly had stopped at 37 cm for 3 weeks, then bam another centimeter! It could also have been the position baby was in when she measured. I see my midwife again next Tuesday!</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Yeeeepppppp.</div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>Pretty frustrating. Up to pee, braxton hicks, and hip pain when I lay on my right side. Also, heartburn.</div>
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<b>Best moment this week: </b>Rob came with me to my midwife appointment, as he wasn't working, and he got to hear her heartbeat as well! I'm also negative for that group B strep thing, which means no IV for me if I can help it during labour!</div>
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<b>Worst moment this week: </b>Heartburn is going to be the death of me, or someone. I'm living off Tums! Knock on wood, but today hasn't been bad at all. Also, midwives suggested walking or swimming to help with labour, and I haven't been doing that (except walking around the grocery store and cleaning the house) so I basically got called out in front of Rob, lol.</div>
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<b>Miss anything: </b>Not having heartburn, and just not being pregnant.</div>
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<b>Movement: </b>Quite a bite. She likes to move her bum and feet along my bra line but it doesn't hurt. This past week or so though, she likes to push on my left side and it's actually a little painful. I try pushing her back to stop but it doesn't work. I was worried last night because I realized she had hardly moved all day, but she started moving around while I was bed.</div>
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<b>Cravings: </b>Just orange juice and berries still. </div>
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<b>Queasy or sick: </b>Yes. Taking my nausea meds in the morning as well as at night now.</div>
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<b>Looking forward to: </b>I believe the last bit of pregnancy is so uncomfortable so that you're okay with the impending doom of all that pain to get her out. We're ready for her to come, but we're enjoying our time together, the silence, and the ability to get out of the house whenever we want, but I am SO DONE being pregnant. It's taking a huge toll on me to constantly have heartburn and the other side effects. I'd be okay going into labour right now just so it could start being over with. So, in short, I'm looking forward to the pregnancy symptoms to be gone, but I guess you get a whole new set of symptoms after labour. </div>
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Hopefully this is my last bumpdate!</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-19475032199337254792017-01-29T13:36:00.002-07:002017-01-29T13:36:29.747-07:00Bumpdate || 36 Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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But seriously, how does Rob get toothpaste on the mirror every. single. time?!<br />
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<b>How far along: </b>36 weeks/1 day in the picture</div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Girl</div>
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<b>Belly Measurement: </b>As of Tuesday, it was 37 cm, so about a week ahead.</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Everything lol.</div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>Last Friday was glorious, I slept straight from 9:30pm-4:30am before a pee break. No such luck since. If I find a comfy position, usually a Braxton Hicks forces me to move, or I'm up to pee.</div>
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<b>Best moment this week: </b>I'm all done work! I'm officially on maternity leave :)</div>
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<b>Worst moment this week: </b>My gosh, the heartburn. It. Won't. Quit.</div>
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<b>Miss anything: </b>Not having heartburn and being able to dry my legs after a shower or put on socks without having to pee afterwards from bending forward.</div>
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<b>Movement: </b>Quite a bit, but her movements have become more gentle as she gets squishier in there. Rob saw my belly move yesterday and I've been seeing it a lot more! She doesn't move if I lay on my left side, so at night I try and sleep on my right side for a bit just to feel her move. Trying to soak it in as this very well could be my only pregnancy and it's almost over!</div>
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<b>Cravings: </b>As of lately, fruit! Mostly berries, grapes, and orange juice. A bowl of fresh fruit is SO good with cinnamon sprinkled on top.</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick: </b>Still occasionally nauseas some days, despite still taking meds. Can't wait to be done that!</div>
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<b>Looking forward to: </b>All the 0-6 month clothing is currently in the washer/dryer, so folding and hanging all of that today! I also have a baby shower next week on Sunday and I'm sooooo looking forward to it! As terrified as I am for labour, I'm also intrigued. I wonder how it'll start for me, how I cope, and when it will start. Last night after a pee break, it took a little while for me to go back to sleep because of an intense period cramp-like pain. It kind of set in that she could come any day now, so it kicked my butt in gear this morning to organize her room a little bit and wash those clothes! Also, time to start planning freezer meals.</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-5364565163624949522017-01-12T11:52:00.002-07:002017-01-12T11:52:42.912-07:00Bumpdate || 33 Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fugYIGnXFd8/WHfMHD_pxrI/AAAAAAAAGR0/gCXCLZHHTEIHHHMZ0apsNRPGphE-6aDGwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1641.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<b>How far along: </b>In this picture, 33 weeks/2 days. Today I am 34 weeks!</div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Girl</div>
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<b>Belly Measurement: </b>Unsure, but assuming all is great. My midwife is on holidays so I saw a different midwife and she just said "perfect!" when she measured this past Tuesday but didn't tell me the number. I also didn't ask, haha.</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Yep. Everything except the cardigans! My belly has juuuuust about outgrown a few of my maternity shirts, but I got more during our trip to BC over the holidays. I'm good now until she pops out of me!</div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>It's okay. Since my last bumpdate, we went to BC for 2 weeks and I found it difficult to sleep well as we weren't in our own bed. Being back, it's a lot better. Braxton Hicks contractions started last week and kept me up a couple nights because they'd only go away if I changed position. The midwife I saw on Tuesday said her head is really, really low so that could also be contributing to the cramping I've been having. Now I have a cold and woke up with a fever this morning, so sleep was hard but I did end up getting 10.5 hours (according to my FitBit).</div>
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<b>Best moment this week: </b>Coming home and being back into our routine and I'm able to start getting things done around the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Worst moment this week: </b>This cold! Rob and his mom had it for almost the entire time we were in BC, and it started hitting me the Sunday morning we flew back to Alberta. It's slowly progressing and this morning I woke up with a fever and a swollen throat. One symptom at a time apparently, but it's better in some ways because I'm not completely bed-ridden. I took today off work to rest and relax and hoping to go back tomorrow!</div>
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<b>Miss anything: </b>My energy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Movement: </b>Some times at night it feels like she's going to burst out the side of my belly, but it doesn't hurt. She's pretty active, and her little feet or bum keep pushing my bra up on my left side ;) She's still head down but facing posterior. I have some moves I'm going to start doing so she turns to face my spine for an easier labour.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Cravings: </b>Sweet things, but not necessarily sweets. Orange juice and fruit are big right now. My appetite has gone down a bit with this cold, but the raspberries I had with my lunch were divine.</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick: </b>Occasionally slightly nauseas but not enough where I feel like I'll puke. Still taking my nausea meds before bed!</div>
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<b>Looking forward to: </b>My last day of work is January 27th, then I can start making freezer meals and getting things done around the house! Also, maternity photos this coming Sunday, and baby shower on the 5th of February! Oh, and I guess meeting our baby and wondering when labour will start. ;)</div>
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<br /></div>
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I missed a few weeks (obvs) of bumpdates, but I did take a picture the morning we arrived in BC at 31 weeks/2 days!</div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bOTJ1lxexpY/WHfPX1S_ogI/AAAAAAAAGR8/Afl8nIvpqz4T0PoZTekV75qilygFAuxhwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1603.JPG" width="720" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-5749251816569212462016-12-01T13:58:00.000-07:002016-12-01T13:58:18.835-07:00Bumpdate || 28 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7XqzLFmSS0s/WECKgvqrb7I/AAAAAAAAGRM/70-8S8WvKh0vB5Xz6Gh6uBfbeaLed-qDQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<b>How far along: </b>28 weeks today!</div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Girl</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Wedding rings on/off: </b>Off - when I get warm, my hands have always swelled, which I think is typical for anyone, but I was scared of my rings getting stuck so I took them off this past Friday and have them in a safe place. It feels so weird being ringless after wearing them for over 4 years.</div>
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<b>Belly Measurement: </b>I see my midwife this upcoming Tuesday, but I'm going to assume on that day I'll be 29 cm</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Living in my Old Navy maternity jeans and the WalMart brand leggings my friend gave me</div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>Better than the previous bumpdate! I've just found, while it's fun to go and hang around friends, being DD is the worst on my sleep. We'd get home around 12/1am but I'd still get up to pee and still wake up hungry/not able to go back to sleep at about 7am on the weekends. I'd end up having a headache and no energy for the rest of the day, and I really hated my weekends being gone because of that.</div>
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<b>Best moment this week: </b>We purged more than half the things from the room in the basement (and have yet to take it to the dump...) and I sorted through all the hand me downs that we've received. I also finished our registry. Feeling a little better about the idea of a baby being in our house in ~12 weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Worst moment this week: </b>I took the glucose test this morning - yuck! I felt a lot better than I thought I would though, and the lady who drew my blood said I could consider that a good sign.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Miss anything: </b>Sleeping soundly, but I know I've hit the point of no return on that ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Movement: </b>Lots! She's also getting stronger. Rob hasn't felt her yet. We tried! She'd move and I'd put his hand on my belly, then she'd stop until he took his hand off. Attitude already!</div>
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<b>Cravings: </b>Not that I can think of really. I had one day where I just really wanted orange juice so Rob picked some up for me on his way home from work.</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick: </b>Holy, apparently I still can't go without my nausea meds at 7 months pregnant. Last Saturday morning I woke up feeling a little funny but I just thought I was hungry. Nope. Turns out I had forgotten my meds the night before because I had to RUN to the bathroom from the couch. Unfortunately, I couldn't hold it back and I heaved mid run - twice. Caught it in my hands the first time, then the second heave went down the front of my pajama shirt. Luckily I missed the rug and that my dogs are gross because by the time I was done puking in the toilet, there was no mess for me to clean up in the living room, hahaha! Sorry for the gross story! I ended up taking a gravol, as the water and granola bar came up shortly after my first episode and I could already feel myself getting a headache and I didn't want to end up at the hospital again. When I puke, I just don't stop apparently.</div>
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<b>Looking forward to: </b>Christmas! </div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-47088817150339257212016-11-17T17:18:00.001-07:002016-11-17T17:18:30.528-07:00Bumpdate || 26 Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tDKAi0YBXY/WC5GgH_Uq7I/AAAAAAAAGQ0/kxj4dulEhHI6ZLuax8dm1INjyRMDjNeWgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<b>How far along: </b>26 weeks</div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Girl</div>
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<b>Belly Measurement: </b>26 cm, right on target!<b> </b></div>
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<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Oh yes. My friend was super generous and when she gave us a ton of baby stuff, she gave me some maternity clothes too.</div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>It's not very good the past week or so - up every 2 hours super thirsty and needing to pee, so I'm going pee then having some water, therefore needing to get up again in a couple hours to pee. Oi vey! Along with some pretty vivid dreams that are borderline nightmares.</div>
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<b>Best moment this week: </b>Feeling more and stronger movements</div>
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<b>Worst moment this week: </b>Not sleeping very well but I manage well throughout the day despite my lack of sleep. So far.</div>
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<b>Miss anything: </b>Having more options to pick through when choosing my outfit for the day, haha!</div>
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<b>Movement: </b>Lots, and she's definitely getting stronger! Even with the placenta up front, I feel a ton.</div>
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<b>Cravings: </b>Not really. I seem to be more into baking, even if I don't want to eat it, and making biscuits or bread from scratch. It feels homey!</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick: </b>Still occasionally. Still taking 2 pills at night as I'm way too nervous to stop. </div>
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<b>Looking forward to: </b>Sorting through all the baby stuff that we've received! I wasn't feeling "ready" for a while there because while we were receiving a ton of stuff, I didn't have anything at the house. Now that our nursery/guest room is piling up with stuff, I've been feeling better and a little less anxious about how close I'm getting to my due date.</div>
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<br /></div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-78440734035992544572016-10-30T13:26:00.001-06:002016-10-30T13:26:03.236-06:00Bumpdate || 23 Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AYxqDMiGMRE/WBZFneN1eGI/AAAAAAAAGQg/ETWyWpT3BWUuKh6j8KtWDQcL9bCbDZd2QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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Happy Halloween! Last night I went to a Halloween party at a friend's house and dressed up as Winnie The Pooh :) It was comfy and easy to put together! I painted a mason jar to be my Hunny pot, which I drank virgin Shirley Temples (thanks Cali!) and water out of all night, and I used some felt fabric and sewed the ears on a cheap headband. The tops were found at Value Village! I could only find a cardigan in the right orange/yellow colour, so I wore it backwards and simply folded a small red shirt over top. Couldn't find a dress or the right colour bottoms, so I opted for my jeans.</div>
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<b>How far along: </b>23 weeks 2 days.</div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Girl</div>
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<b>Belly Measurement: </b>Assuming 23cm, but I'll know on November 15, my next midwife appointment.<b> </b></div>
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<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Definitely. Found a black tank top in my closet that still fits nicely even though it isn't maternity :)<b> </b></div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>Okay. Up once or twice to pee, as usual. My nose is constantly stuffed and I think having the furnace on now is messing up my nose, which in turn isn't letting me sleep as soundly. I was up early yesterday because I was super hungry, and up early this morning because my nose was plugged and my ears hurt. Time to try out a humidifier!</div>
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<b>Best moment this week: </b>Feeling movement with my hand for the first time the other night! </div>
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<b>Worst moment this week: </b>My nose/sinuses! It constantly feels like I have a cold. I swear I go through a box of kleenex every week, especially in the mornings. I've been asked at work if I've caught the cold going around, but I really don't think I have. Just pregnancy fun!</div>
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<b>Miss anything: </b>Nothing I can really think of.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Movement: </b>Quite a bit! Especially at night when I lay down, or any time I'm on my back really. She's getting stronger and I can feel her more, even with the placenta being anterior.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Cravings: </b>Nothing crazy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Queasy or sick: </b>Apparently I still can't go without nausea meds. I realized on Thursday, when I suddenly felt like barfing everywhere at work, that I had forgotten to take my meds the night before. I've weaned myself down to only 2 pills at night, rather than the 4-5/day and I apparently can't miss them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Looking forward to: </b>Getting all the hand-me-downs we're receiving and organizing it all (we have the best family and friends!). Also, only 2 months until we're in BC for Christmas!</div>
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<br /></div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-32077012971826552762016-10-20T17:01:00.000-06:002016-10-20T17:01:49.407-06:00Bumpdate || 22 Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuo1XRLvQqw/WAlJxd9tV3I/AAAAAAAAGQI/UShM4dz31xMiQg96XfLNDJF5IsaZcuLhwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<b>How far along: </b>22 weeks.</div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Girl!</div>
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<b>Belly Measurement: </b>K, so, I've changed this from Weight Gain to Belly Measurement because it's a huge (I hate using the word but...) trigger for me. It's hard seeing the number creep up after my almost 2 years of clean eating and exercising, even though it's a mixture of my uterus, placenta, water weight, breasts, etc.. I just don't think it's good for my mental health right now to focus on a number. My midwife agreed that it's best I don't weigh myself until around 37 weeks (for the hospital's knowledge just in case) and we will go by how I feel and my belly's measurement. I eat relatively healthy still and allow myself some treats. All that really matters is that my uterus and baby are growing according to my pregnancy. My body will also gain what it needs to gain for this babe. So, my belly is measuring 22cm as of 2 days ago, which is right on target!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Yep, definitely.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Sleep: </b>Pretty good still. Getting 8-9 hours every night and down to 1 or 2 pee breaks.</div>
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<b>Best moment this week: </b>Hearing the heartbeat at the midwife appointment.</div>
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<b>Worst moment this week: </b>Stepping on the scale at the midwife clinic but I'm ready to move on from that. </div>
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<b>Miss anything: </b>Nothing off the top of my head.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Movement: </b>Minimal, but hearing her heartbeat on Tuesday reassured me. She was moving around a lot after my 20 week ultrasound, then the past 4 days she moved maybe once or twice that I felt. I have an anterior placenta, so that may have a big part in it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Cravings: </b>It's random and if I smell something good, I want it. I can usually work past it and just deal with what I have in my lunch or what's in the house for dinner. </div>
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<b>Queasy or sick: </b>Occasionally nauseas still. I'm weaning off my meds and usually only take the 2 pills at night.</div>
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<b>Looking forward to: </b>Halloween! My first Halloween with a baby bump :)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-85759762796879933362016-10-08T11:29:00.000-06:002016-10-08T11:29:56.859-06:00Baby Maxfield Gender Reveal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XY1UBPLRmjc/V_kni4yWkzI/AAAAAAAAGPY/MaNiGlffeCURfRHn2NA3DnkqhV8_GulWgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" width="720" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, here we are in the 20th week of my pregnancy! I did a <a href="http://alamaxfield.blogspot.ca/2016/10/bumpdate-20-weeks.html" target="_blank"><b>bumpdate</b></a> for it the other day, but this week is especially special because we got to find out the sex! We had our family over for dinner last night before we opened the pumpkin to reveal either a small blue pumpkin, or a small pink one. Our friend Megan was given the sealed envelope, the big pumpkin, pink and blue paint, and the small pumpkin right after the ultrasound. She was sworn to secrecy, she wasn't even allowed to tell me!</div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3b-gD3xpS1A/V_kn5YfETyI/AAAAAAAAGPc/RncI5ngoRCU6BZgAGhyirFlkXVPJaf-BACLcB/s1600/IMG_1387.JPG" width="720" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most of the Old Wives Tales pointed to a girl. I have gotten so many people telling me "oh you have this symptom so it's obviously a girl/boy!" Well, no. All of those Old Wives Tales are just for fun! When you think about it, they have a 50% chance of being right, so a lot of people end up believing them. The signs and symptoms, like carrying low, the heart rate, the amount of all-day puking, acne, heartburn, it's literally just how your body does pregnancy. Despite all that, it was still fun to use the OWT's to guess the sex before we knew!</div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O6P0mcD0ezY/V_kow8w_LeI/AAAAAAAAGPo/dD4Pslgniuo0Ds5TPiybJEJ25QgUysY3gCLcB/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" width="720" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I tried to keep decorations at a minimum because really, all of that work for a 2 second pull-the-pumpkin-out felt like a waste. I also kept a small pumpkin theme, as we were finding out what our little pumpkin would be :)</div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yoJ_R9282Q/V_kpMBrDq9I/AAAAAAAAGPs/ptyJ1cybGmYhTlpCXjdSm9-SbNffsJp-gCLcB/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" width="720" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The ultrasound on Thursday morning was a long 45 minute one, but it was the anatomy scan. Baby was facing away from us and sleeping for most of it, so the ultrasound tech got plenty of the pictures she needed. She was determined to get the sex for us (and she needed baby to face us, or switch positions at least for the heart pictures) so she had me do some jumping jacks and try eating the candy that I had in my purse. Well, it worked because...</div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AyTHmhkSpkg/V_kq4yY5eHI/AAAAAAAAGP4/uu9QPALqVOsPFHxCrXqDJIXWY5YVty6cwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG" width="720" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a <b><span style="color: #e06666;">girl</span></b>! </div>
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It definitely feels different, knowing the sex. It feels a lot more real knowing we have a baby girl arriving in ~4.5 months!</div>
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<br /></div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-6402193650079691092016-10-06T17:24:00.000-06:002016-10-06T17:24:39.433-06:00Bumpdate || 20 Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38S1gVItAiA/V_bQjFa0T8I/AAAAAAAAGO4/uFwgDP8UFn0yDWl-N_NwnYirQTW4-ebVACLcB/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How far along: </b>20 weeks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Gender: </b>Unknown, we find out tomorrow evening at our Gender reveal dinner!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Weight gain: </b>Last known was 6lbs, not sure right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Maternity clothes: </b>Yep! Everything I'm wearing, except my cardigans, are maternity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sleep: </b>Pretty good! Getting 8-9 hours every night. For the past 4 nights I've been getting up at exactly 12:51am to go pee and then again around 3:50...so weird.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Best moment this week: </b>Seeing baby at the ultrasound this morning, knowing things are developing normally.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Worst moment this week: </b>For the past 2 weeks I've had gas and stretching pains that would kick in when I'd stand up. All for good reason because apparently it grew 4 inches this week. Baby's measuring 16 cm as of this morning :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss anything: </b>This week has actually been wine! Once or twice I've wanted it, but nothing major.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Movement: </b>Definitely. The ultrasound this morning confirmed that the placenta is at the front so it explains why I don't feel much, but I do feel the flutters really low. I can tell it isn't gas now!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cravings: </b>Nothing that sticks out this week.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Queasy or sick: </b>Occasionally nauseas. Too nervous to stop my meds completely but I can usually skip my afternoon pill now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Looking forward to: </b>Finding out the gender tomorrow night! I've prepped a little chalkboard (well, foam board) and a pumpkin for our reveal. My friend is currently painting the pumpkin the appropriate colour and will put it inside the big one! :)</span></div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYO5Tled4_E/V_bcdBPhqUI/AAAAAAAAGPI/eAZ782RZJgMeGbn5ghUaOSm_uIBkoa53gCLcB/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">xo. Nicole</span></div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-22669378175435508772016-09-24T10:17:00.000-06:002016-09-24T10:17:16.834-06:00Bumpdate || 18 Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NnRMLeT7KuY/V-aj8r3QkcI/AAAAAAAAGOg/i7vDjfsvl6MWfJbAkjg344NxDltR7aBwACLcB/s1600/IMG_1342.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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Sneaky break time selfie because I forgot to take a picture in the morning before work...again. My friend Allison recommended a selfie stick because it comes with the tripod attachment. May be worth it!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How far along: </b>18 weeks </div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Unknown</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Weight gain: </b>6 lbs</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Yep! I bought some from Old Navy, though I found the jeans are a little big right now. They keep falling down during the day, but it's nice to have the option.<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Sleep: </b>Pretty good actually! My fitbit says I'm getting over 8 hours and I'm sleeping pretty heavily with only one pee break.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Best moment this week: </b>Feeling movement that actually felt like movement on Wednesday or Thursday maybe? Haven't really felt it since, just the occasional jab at my bladder. When that happens, I don't feel the movement, just the sharp, not-so-painful feeling of it being hit.<b> </b>Also, Rob found a job and starts this coming Tuesday! Only 2 weeks of him being unemployed but it made us realize how badly we really need to start saving, especially if it happens again. With his new job, we'll also need a second vehicle before baby comes in February because I'll be without for 10 days in a row - not good for doc apps or emergencies.</div>
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<b>Worst moment this week: </b>I can't recall anything off the top of my head, which is nice :)</div>
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<b>Miss anything: </b>Same old, same old.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Movement: </b>Some obvious movement for a day this past week, but not so much anymore.</div>
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<b>Cravings: </b>Poutine, perogies, taquitoes, hashbrowns, cheese, oranges, and whatever's not in my lunch.</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick: </b>A few bouts of nausea and some wicked heartburn kicked in. Diclectin is still working well for me!</div>
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<b>Looking forward to: </b>Gender reveal in 2 weeks!! Rob still thinks it's a boy and I'm undecided. Half the old wives tales say boy, the other half say girl. In all the ultrasounds, it's been lying on it's back at the bottom of my uterus and kicking away. So maybe it is a boy! I've been finding myself wondering more and more and what it'll be like having a boy or a girl.</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-64666461185708606442016-09-18T16:06:00.000-06:002016-09-18T16:06:23.906-06:00Week's End || September 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a37n9yIMfKU/V98I63chJkI/AAAAAAAAGOE/c7_B8gOuQoESikLLiUX_OEvkX5RpwHNGwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1316.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<b>SNAPSHOTS:</b></div>
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<b>1||</b> I decorated for Fall a weekend or two ago and included some new artwork that I did with my friend. I also made a Christmas themed one, and a purple-y one that could totally go into the nursery if it's a girl.</div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HeHEVTDG8xQ/V98JqOMWAKI/AAAAAAAAGOI/Bc3CEECT-hoJC_Gtbuew9gDWzJGn-DTSQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<b>2|| </b>Coffee finally tastes good again! I repeat, it finally tastes good. During the first trimester, my body naturally weaned itself off by making it taste gross but I'm happy to report I can enjoy a cup in the morning again ;) I shared this photo on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicloemax/?hl=en" target="_blank"><b>Instagram</b></a> with a caption about getting sick and Rob being laid off. Stress!</div>
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<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uG_GzuWsk1I/V98KQfB8nfI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/QXBGV5VkvAoTXXlZR7mgVunRMQ80ZJ6OQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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<b>3|| </b>Spencer usually lets me know when it's bedtime ;)</div>
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<b>WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:</b></div>
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<b>1|| <a href="http://alamaxfield.blogspot.ca/2016/09/bumpdate-17-weeks.html" target="_blank">17 week</a></b> update! Maybe the <a href="http://alamaxfield.blogspot.ca/2016/09/bumpdate-15-weeks.html" target="_blank"><b>15 week</b></a> update, too?</div>
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This weekend has been a pretty lazy one. Today I did end up baking some Pilsbury Halloween cookies and made some <a href="http://jessfuel.com/2013/05/08/freezer-breakfast-sandwiches/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">freezable breakfast sandwiches</a>, so maybe not THAT lazy. I found some cheap maternity clothes at Old Navy yesterday and I'm looking forward to being more comfortable at work!</div>
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-80980641725147451732016-09-16T18:03:00.001-06:002016-09-16T18:03:13.802-06:00Bumpdate || 17 Weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8JAOlAfgP8/V9yC9aLGPPI/AAAAAAAAGN0/rGuvlk7z110zH3YCxtBEMV2498HuQuKFQCLcB/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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Again, no one to take the picture at 7:30 in the morning, so this is my makeshift selfie off a sugar jar on the kitchen counter to get a somewhat flattering angle, haha!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>How far along: </b>17 Weeks 1 Day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Gender: </b>Unknown - 3 more weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Weight gain: </b>4 lbs total</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Maternity clothes: </b>I found I don't like the maternity jeans that I bought and I'm desperate for some that actually fit well. Hopefully I can find a cheap pair that can be my go-to. I also am down to 3 tops that fit that I can wear to work. I'm in need of a shopping trip quick!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sleep: </b>Hilarious. I've been sleeping really well but I've been apparently waking up and mumbling nonsense to Rob and getting all mad when he doesn't understand what I'm trying to tell him. The texts I wake up to from him explaining the situation are so funny! I've only had to pee once in the night, but I think that's from my lack of water intake (oops!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Best moment this week: </b>Seeing baby on the ultrasound for a quick 30 seconds at the hospital.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Worst moment this week: </b>Oh boy. Well, I got hit with a nasty cold that sent me to the hospital because my old nausea meds stopped working completely. Then on Tuesday I woke up at 3am with a wicked headache that induced puking until about noon when Gravol stayed in me (as per hospital orders). Rob got laid off, so my maternity shopping is at a standstill until we know when EI will kick in or if Rob finds another job right away (but no one's hiring electricians :( )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss anything: </b>Not feeling like puking, haha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Movement: </b>I think so...I say that because I think I felt a flutter and then the usual "jabs" at my bladder. It's not even squishy in there yet! I definitely think he/she is laying low and getting my bladder because on the ultrasound, it was having a freaking party in there and I couldn't really feel it.<b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cravings: </b>Whatever I smell, apparently. A kid at work today had a poutine and now it's all I want. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Queasy or sick: </b>Yes. New meds are helping a lot, though the mornings are still iffy until I eat something and if I wait too long for my lunch break, then I feel queasy after eating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Looking forward to: </b>Finding out the gender in 3 weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">xo. Nicole</span></div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7836273135849149800.post-76155456469755658982016-09-05T13:01:00.000-06:002016-09-05T13:04:13.707-06:00Bumpdate || 15 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="alamaxfield" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i3SWx4gUTOE/V82-nTtDsaI/AAAAAAAAGNg/CuRPFN_-s40ISHNdbDHoyiFVS0YTauP4QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" width="720" /></div>
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My new favourite picture of us. It was taking over the weekend by my sister-in-law and it's totally "us".</div>
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<b>How far along: </b>15 weeks 4 days</div>
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<b>Gender: </b>Unknown</div>
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<b>Weight gain: </b>2 lbs so far. Our scale stopped working after Koshka slept on it for a while and I don't see my midwife until the 20th</div>
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<b>Maternity clothes: </b>Bought some used maternity jeans off a lady online and they work really well. I was hoping for straight cut, but unfortunately they're boot cut so they make me look bigger than I am.</div>
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<b>Sleep: </b>Relatively okay. I'm back at work so I'm up earlier, but I'm finding I have more energy after work!</div>
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<b>Best moment this week: </b>Maternity jeans, haha. Telling my boss at work about my pregnancy, it still feels like I'm lying to people when I tell them. And realizing I only have less than 6 months of work left ;)</div>
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<b>Worst moment this week: </b>I've noticed my back hurting at the end of the work day, so my midwife has recommended an osteopath.</div>
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<b>Miss anything: </b>Clothing fitting nicely</div>
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<b>Movement: </b>None, though I think it likes to kick my bladder already because I get a weird feeling followed by a not-so-sharp pang feeling</div>
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<b>Cravings: </b>Fruit and sushi - mainly california rolls!</div>
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<b>Queasy or sick: </b>It's come back! I've puked the last couple mornings, despite my pill, but then I'm better for the rest of the day</div>
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<b>Looking forward to: </b>Gender ultrasound on October 6th! Hearing the heartbeat again on September 20th, and more maternity clothes. I need some more for work rather than rotating the same two tank tops, haha!<br />
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xo. Nicole</div>
a la Maxfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15710564283014873146noreply@blogger.com0