Having had many friends have babies in recent times, I'm surprised how little I know about this thing called pregnancy. I always thought, what's there to it? You're belly gets big and then one day, out pops a baby. I'm fast discovering that there is more to this mystery of growing a child within the womb.
First of all, there's the unmistakable feeling of stretching that continues from the inside out, as your uterus grows to accommodate a quickly growing child. It's not painful, only remotely uncomfortable, mainly due to the fact that it's a new feeling. It fastly becomes familiar, however. Then there's the ligament pains. Sneeze or cough too hard, move too suddenly or roll over wrong, and you can be caught off guard with a sudden stab of sharp pain along the side and under the little growing belly. Who knew? Also, there's the crazy increasing appetite. I easily compete with Hayden these days, and sometimes even exceed him (which isn't too hard as he's a relatively light eater anyway).
As I hit week 15, Hayden and I hit the road and headed out West. Along with the refreshing feeling of adventure and family times to come, was the new sense of non-nauseasousness. For the first time I felt a little more "normal". What a relief. The entire week and a half of being gone was blissful, and the day after we arrived back home….nausea again. Ugh! Not as bad as before, but prevalent to be sure. We have since concluded that the heat of Medicine Hat is the main culprit.
Our travels took us on a ride out to Langley where we were blessed to stay with and hang out with our friends, Mark and Katy Hersey and their little munchkin, Charlotte. She is a perfect kid to hang around when you're on your way to having your own. She lights up the room with her presence and smile, not to mention her amazing sense of style (thanks to her stylish momma). They were a delight to spend time with and a great start to our trip.
The next morning we headed out to Horseshoe Bay to catch a ferry to the Island. We were blessed to not hit any construction delays or major traffic jams, but made great time and ended up catching one ferry earlier then expected. No waiting necessary as we drove right on, being one of about the last 5 cars to load. Being a beautiful day, the trip passed by quickly and pleasantly and before we knew it we were coming in to Nanaimo. We took off and drove leisurely up the old island highway, which follows the coastline. We stopped in Qualicum for some lunch at a seaside pub. Of course, one cannot help but order seafood, especially when you know it's been caught fresh and has never been frozen. I had the most delicious crab burger I've ever tasted.
We then took a nice walk up the beach for a ways and then headed back and decided to go in search of coffee for Hayden and ice cream for me. :) Plus, we were waiting for my parents to arrive, as they were spending the night in Qualicum. All 4 of us were heading to Courtenay as a surprise to the family, with only one Auntie knowing of our arrival.
After scouring the town centre, we found what we were looking for. A cafe called "Baily's". We ordered our delicacies and waited just a few minutes longer for the parentals to arrive. We enjoyed about an hour or so together and also meandered through the mansion they were staying at. It was like walking into the grand 1950's. We then said good-bye and continued on out way up the coast. We had a delightful 2 days in Courtenay and seeing the surprised looks on the family's face as each one saw us, and then again when mom and dad mysteriously walked through the door, was priceless. And of course, little latte was showing more now and thus got many a belly rub.
We then headed for Victoria in an entourage with my parents. They were driving a silver Dodge Charger and looking like a couple going through their mid-life crisis, and dad was driving like it! Mr. Speedy Gonzolas :) It was delightful to watch. They made a break from us at one point when dad raced through a yellow light. They then proceeded to catch every continuing light at a green, while we hit every single red light, one right after the other. We felt like we were in Medicine Hat again.
Victoria offered more sights and delights, one of which was the ever abundant black berry bushes that grew wild wherever the eye gazed. Our first day, however, eluded us of blackberries as we went to the hotel and got ready for the event in which brought us there, my cousins wedding. This would be little latte's first wedding and wedding feast. It was held at a state winery, the award-winning fruit of which I had to forgo this visit, but will be back to try again in the future. The evening ended with bellies full of an exquisite dinner, delectable dessert, and scrumptious wedding cake made into little squares that were decorated like gift boxes.
The next day brought some fun visiting with some dear friends of ours, Yusuf and Karina, and their little munchkin, Ishaya. It consisted of hours of talking and walking and viewing the beautiful island. Yusuf also showed us their favorite blackberry bush, because it's easy to access and there was always ripe blackberries, just waiting for the picking.
After our lovely endeavours and adventures, it was time for the family BBQ. This brought some good catching up time, along with a wasp or two trying to interfere with our delicious supper. Then it was off to Jes' for the night, which it turned out, she lived just one street up from Yusuf and Karina! I had a most relaxing bath in the best soaker tub ever! It was just what my soar back prescribed.
The next morning we were up and at it pretty early. We packed up, said our good-bye to Jes and headed out, but not before stopping to pick a giant ziplock bag full of blackberries :) We then headed to the ferry and caught the one just loading. We sure had some good luck with ferries on this trip. It was a shorter jaunt from Victoria and before we knew it, we were off and heading towards Clint, Laura and our niece, Lucy. But not before getting caught in some seriously backed up traffic, moving like snails in thick mud. Really, what is the perk for living in large cities again? I have still to find one. Ok, ok, besides the fact that there are amazing stores to shop in with usually easy access, beautiful parks to explore with massive trees (in Vancouver anyway), and quaint little Jewish bagel shops with tasty treats and eats. Other then that I can't see the point. :)
We finally arrived, the door opened, and I beheld my little niece for the first time in person. She was so beautiful and before long she was in my arms and I got a smile almost immediately! My heart was stolen from that moment on. The next two and a half days were utter bliss as I got snuggle after snuggle with this cute little peanut as well as watching Hayden become fully smitten with her and get some snuggles of his own. Words cannot even begin to express the love I felt for her. The power of the bond and the strength with which I felt it, was almost startling. We had a great time visiting with Clint and Laura as well. It was nice to have just "us" time, just the four of us. To see them in their element, their "neck of the woods....er....city" was delightful. I loved the walks we took, the exploring we did, the food we ate, and the laughs we shared. It was time well spent and a perfect ending to our adventures out West. To leave was one of the hardest things I've encountered in a very long time. The thought of not watching my little niece grow up, tore at my heart strings. Plus the fact that my preggo hormones were raging didn't help either. I cried almost the whole drive from their house to Langley, cried whilst in Langley and then cried myself to sleep later that night. That's a lot of crying :P
The next day dawned and we were off for home. Our travels were almost finished, but not before a stop at the Enchanted Forest was made! I've always passed it whilst growing up, but never had we been able to stop. So, Hayden said we could and boy was I excited! It was a fantastic little stop. I enjoyed the set up, the little houses, the giant tree house, all the nursery rhymes and figures in the forest to correlate. It was fairytale heaven....besides the fact that the figures looked as though they were made by people who had little to no artistic ability. :) It was delightful, nonetheless, and I look forward to bringing my children there one day. I'm sure little latte enjoyed it too. Even though they couldn't see anything this time, I'm sure they felt the joy that mommy felt while we were there.
Finally Calgary was in sight. The night was spent and home was just around the corner. But not before stopping at a baby store in Calgary and checking out the stroller that we are wanting, among other items. :) Then, home we came at long last. It was a grand trip that we are both glad we had the opportunity to take.
A few days later I had my second appointment, to which Hayden came along. This time he got to hear our little latte's heartbeat and it all became that much more real for him too. No movement, that I could perceive anyway, was happening just yet, but I was waiting patiently, as each new day dawned, and with it the possibility of feeling our little munchkin. Once that begins, and then seeing him/her with the ultrasound, a new wave of reality will hit I'm sure.
Well, this has been long enough to catch up to week 17 and all the fun that was had inbetween. As I'm away from my computer at the moment, there are no photos on this post just yet, but once I'm home, I will add them to this post, to help make the read a little more enjoyable.
Till next time!
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