THE GOODS BLOG: Erika's Precious Little Life - September Edition
Updated: Jun 18, 2021
I refuse to think of summer as “over.” I’ll start worrying about that in October. It’s still very much summer here in Montreal, hot and humid, and usually in the high 20s on most days.
At the beginning of August, Tim left for Vancouver for work, like he often does, while Sarah remained with me in Montreal. We had a couple of days to recover from the madness of the music festival and to do a few more fun Montreal things.
Then she and I got on a train and went down to Ottawa. Once there we spent a couple of days doing some Ottawa fun things and we got to spend even more time with Laura, which was extra awesome.
Then Sarah, Enobong and I hopped on yet another train and went down to Toronto. The purpose of this trip was so that Sarah could wedding dress shop there, so we did a lot of that, but we also did a bunch of fun Toronto stuff too.
Once back at home we attended the Montréal LGBTA Parade, which I love, complete with our sexy PM. Unfortunately I was unable to rush him this time like I did two years ago due to heavy security... *LAME!*
Then we had some of Tim’s friends from Toronto stay with us, and then my parents arrived from Regina for two weeks! We went up to the Laurentians (a “mountainous” area north of Montreal) with them for a couple of nights, which was really nice. More lake time!
Then my brother also arrived from Regina to stay for a week, and I had my entire family in Montreal staying at my house.
It was awesome to have them all together in my city! We mainly focused our efforts on insane amounts of eating. I’d say that we succeeded in a big way.
And the icing on the Montreal food journey cake was when we went to Joe Beef, the #4 restaurant in Canada. We had an incredible meal, and chef/co-owner Dave McMillan was there, which is like meeting a celebrity for me!!
It was all an amazing time and then my parents and brother went home after what I hope was a super fun visit. It was so great to spend so much time with them!
BABY WATCH 2016:
I definitely look a lot more pregnant these days, but I also feel better than ever! I have now reached 21 weeks of pregnancy, which means that I have been pregnant for five months! Already halfway done!!
Month 5!
While I’m aware that this is only the tip of the iceberg, the baby bump seems to be large and taking charge!
I am now at 131 pounds, which means that I have now gained 17 pounds since this all began. I have never cracked 130 pounds before in my life!! I feel like I’ve put on a lot more weight recently. My body is totally fascinating to me right now.
This is what happened inside of my body in the fifth month...
I love how great I’ve been feeling! I’m just like my old self again, except with a bit of a belly situation, ha ha! I don’t feel tired anymore and can stay up to the usual hours that I used to, I’ve been getting solid sleeps at night for 9-10 hours straight, I’m full of energy and stamina, and my appetite is back to what it used to be where I can eat regular meals and don’t need to stuff my face all day long. I haven’t had any strange or specific food cravings or aversions yet. I don’t even have to pee all the time, just the usual amount. I also haven’t experienced any weird or irrational hormonal outbursts so far at all. I am still practicing yoga four times a week; a Level 2 class on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and a Prenatal class on Friday. One of my teachers recently said to me “it’s so nice to still see you practicing so beautifully.” So things are great! At this point in time, pregnancy is super easy. I hope that it stays this way!!
A pretty significant milestone started happening during the 17th week... I started to feel the baby moving!!! It was very faint and seldom at first, which made me think that it was likely just gas or general stomach rumblings. Ha ha! But the more that I felt it (especially while lying down), the more that I was sure that it was actually the baby. It feels like a little pulse once in a while. So that’s pretty insane. It’s a pretty neat reminder that he/she is still in there doing their thing throughout the day!
By week 19 Tim was able to feel the baby move as well! It took a lot of patience of him waiting for something to happen, but he was finally able to feel a faint kick.
On August 9th I had my second midwife appointment. It went well! It lasted for about 45 minutes and I was weighed, urine was tested, a blood sample was taken, and my blood pressure was taken. Kim (my midwife) remarked that I’m showing now and she said that since I can already feel the baby, it likely means that I have a posterior placenta. Kim confirmed that all of my previous tests came back with great results and that I have nothing to worry about! She’s saying that my due date is January 12th, so any time around the 10th, 11th or 12th seems to be what I keep being told. We also listened to the baby’s heartbeat and all was healthy! I’ve been scheduled for my next appointment in five weeks.
On August 13th and 20th we went to a Birth Essentials Prenatal Class at MotherWit Doula Care, the group that our doula works for. Both classes lasted 6.5 hours and we covered everything about labour and delivery. We were in the class with only two other couples so it felt like a very personal class. We talked about lots of different ways to help manage pain, what to expect through every phase, and Tim even learned some fancy massage techniques! I still feel pretty nervous about the whole experience, but certainly more empowered and informed after taking the class.
We made our first major baby purchase!! Our stroller/car seat! My parents bought this for us as our baby shower gift which we are very grateful for. It made more sense to buy it with them in Montreal where we actually live, instead of them giving it to us in Regina or something. We are very excited to have our first big baby item! We chose the Graco Modes Travel System with SnugRide Click Connect Infant Car Seat, which seemed to come highly recommended by basically everyone.
I also found out yesterday that my FAVOURITE celebrity yogini, Rachel Brathen AKA Yoga Girl is also pregnant!!! She is a bit behind me at 14 weeks!!! This is amazing news as far as I’m concerned because it will be so helpful to follow along with what she does in terms of her yoga practice, pregnancy in general, and even just being a mother! I feel like we’re pretty like-minded. I’m really excited to watch her go through the same journey as me at the same time. She even has a pet goat. (Instagram/Facebook/Website)
Now you’re completely baby-up-to-date!
What does September have in store? Hopefully a lot more relaxing.
We’re going back to Ottawa next weekend for Enobong’s baby shower!!
But other than that, there should be whole lots of nothing! I’m looking forward to taking it easy, doing a lot of yoga, eating super healthfully, and getting more organized for the baby.
THIS MONTH’S SHOUT-OUTS!:
September 6th is Zena Domanski’s 41st wedding anniversary!
The best example of marriage that I know! So glad to have my own parents to look to when it comes to a lifetime of happiness.
September 10th is Sarah Tasker’s 5th wedding anniversary!
Wishing you and Darren a wonderfully special day! Five years has gone by so quickly and so much has happened since then! Like babies!!
September 17th is Sarah Tasker’s 34th birthday!
I hope that you have a really wonderful day and take some time to celebrate YOU! I’m sure that things are pretty crazy over there right now with a new baby plus a toddler! You deserve some Sarah time and I hope that you get to have some and that Darren spoils you a ton! You will always be such a special friend to me that I cherish so much. I’m so glad that I get to spend more time with you these days. ♥
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