a shave

does blogging get anymore exciting than this?

i think not.

so that emma may laugh

this is ridiculous.

The prominent scream you hear is not mine. The very female shriek belongs to Natasha. Natasha and Collin had some trees removed and pruned. i popped by and trouble ensued.

Collin did a fine job of filming the shame.

NOT my screaming. enjoy the dismount.

polar bear moment in churchill

The video was taken from a "taxi van" we were not able to get to the actual polar bear grounds. Which was sad. Then a big friendly (we'll say) male polar bear ambled over.

the other videos i took were horrible. this is as good as it gets. sorry.

Breakfast visit and pregnancy update

Gody and Emma came over early this morning for breakfast. Nana Shirley and then Auntie Des called to talk to Miss Emms but unfortunately she really wasn't too interested in talking on the phone. Here are two pics and one video of the morning.

We've added a new feature to the blog, a poll, where you can cast your vote on whether you think we'll be having a boy or a girl. Desiree told us today that she thinks we'll be having a boy, so I'll expect her vote the next time she visits the blog.

On Monday I will either be 21 or 23 weeks pregnant. I am positive about my dates which would mean a due date of March 21 but the ultrasound technician was as certain about her dates based on the ultrasound, which would mean my due date could be as early as March 9. I spoke to my midwife and I shared with her my "evidence" (my charts etc) so she's ready when/if she has to call an obstetrician for a mandatory consult once/if I exceed 40 weeks according to the early due date. This past Thursday I got the H1N1 vaccine. I did my research, spoke to my midwife, weighed the potential pros and cons and decided to get poked in the arm. The poll counts down to the earlier due date just in case baby comes "early".

End of October beginning of November visits

Last weekend Ab and Shirley blew in from the north and visited the Mitchell household for the first time. I'm sure there are pics to be viewed on Emma's picture site http://www.godystreit.myphotoalbum.com/
Shirley and Ab then spent the night at our house with Shirley tucking in for a few days in the city while Ab went back home. We had Breanna over Tuesday to attend work with me the next day (Take our kids to work program) and David whisked her away to see Zombieland. Unfortunately Miss Beans was sick and was only able to take in the opening program the next day.

Feathering the Nest

In my typical spirit of doing research and looking for inspiration before tackling a home renovation/design project, I picked up a book to help me with planning the nursery. Feathering the Nest is a beautifully designed and written book that has already been a source of ideas for the space soon to be occupied by the babe formally known as choo choo.

The colour will be gender neutral (of course) and I want to incorporate chalkboard, either a wall painted with chalkboard paint or have a chalkboard featured somewhere in the room.

I have also been (surprise surprise) researching baby gear, specifically infant seats, baby seats, strollers, baby slings and cloth diapers. I understand that it is highly recommended that one buys a new infant/baby seat as well as a crib and avoid the second hand route... And yes we are going to use cloth diapers.

I have not bought a thing for baby (it was hard enough coming to terms that I require maternity clothes- although it's partly a budget trick; once I buy one item it will be a quick downward spiral to out of control spending). I think I have narrowed down the choices with regard to the seats. I am contemplating the options for baby slings and strollers - or should it be baby sling Or stroller? Dave and I recently watched the timely (for us) movie entitled "Away we go" There is a scene where a radical mom (the fabulous Maggie Gyllenhaal) explains the child rearing philosophy of the Three Ss (no separation, no sugar and no strollers). I know a group of women who are passionate about baby wearing and who rarely if ever use their stroller. This summer Dave had fun spotting all of the men wearing their babies (surprisingly there are many). My neighbour offered to give me a lesson on baby wearing and will let me try out a few options before I select which type will work for me (very cool).

This post was a procrastination post - I must get work done before Monday morning but creating this post was a lot more fun.

choo choo

David decided it would be a good idea to give the baby a prenatal name and he settled on the name "choo choo", and then told me about it. I am not sure about the name choo choo but he's using it quite liberally, including with our neighbour down the street who brought over yesterday bannock and fried pickerel cheeks "for choo choo and you" she said! David had made the arrangements and the trade (he gave her grape jelly, jar of pickles and some elk meat) before he left for Churchill.

Our ultrasound at the beginning of last week went very well. The ultrasound technician ensured the baby had all of its major organs and that the heart was functioning as it should (check and check) Dave asked her (on behalf of Abby) whether the baby had all of its fingers and toes (check). The baby was moving around and it was amazing to watch it on the screen. This past week I have just begun to detect some movement, it feels like the baby is softly nudging the inside of my belly.

For those who are wondering about the sex of the baby, it is to be determined....in March when the baby is due.

We have some ultrasound shots but the quality deteriorates when I attempt to scan, so sorry I cannot share any pics online.

I have included a baby bump picture. For some reason, of the few pictures David has taken of my belly, I have a body but no head...