BAND CAMP!

This one time...at BAND CAMP...one of the clarinets passed out in rehearsal...

I wish I was making this one up, but today one of the young ladies in the band I am working with had a fainting incident which was a little scary for everyone. However, it seems she is fine, nothing serious, but it sure made us all wake up.

So, I am in week 2 of band camp in Red Deer, where I have three rehearsals a day, meals in the cafeteria and a shared dorm space. Not exactly luxury, but I must admit the food is not bad - there is a salad bar which I have taken huge advantage of, and even the worst meals aren't so awful. With my new memory foam mattress topper, sleeping in the dorm bed isn't so bad anymore either, and the rehearsals? Well, aside from some pretty severe swollen ankles, I am having a great time and making some great music with wonderful (if chatty..) kids. Not a bad way to make a living, even in the middle of July!

As for the pregnancy, not much to report. I am feeling quite good, which makes me worry that something has changed. Hopefully I am just a nervous nelly and everything is progressing just fine. I am awaiting the definitive "felt the baby" moment - I MIGHT have felt it, but I can't be sure that was what it was, and it hasn't happened in a few days now. We go for our amnio appt. one week from today, so I can hopefully be reassured by the ultrasound there. We then meet the OB/GYN on Thursday of next week, which will also be nice - good to know WHO will be in charge of bringing this person into the world! I have had very bizarre dreams, but that is hardly new, as I have ALWAYS had crazy dreams and remembered them the next day. These are mostly about holding the baby, nursing the baby, seeing the baby born and immediatley grow (giant baby dream was a scary one to me!!!) All over the map!

Anyways, as long as I am feeling good, I should celebrate and enjoy, so that is what I will try to do!

Boom, boom...

Just back from a doctors appointment where I got to hear the heartbeat for the second time. WOW! This is the third moment of "evidence" that gives me reassurance that all is well and the baby is truly "in there" (sometimes I'm not convinced...) and growing. I wasn't sure that we would try to hear it again today, so Geoffrey didn't come to the appointment, and is now kicking himself that he wasn't there. Such a devoted daddy already! So, next up is the amnio appt., of which I am very nervous but trying to be positive, and then the first appt. with the ob/gyn, and then the 18 week ultrasound, which I need to book. With all of that info, we should know by late August what the sex of the baby is, so if you intend to vote in our poll, get on it! So far, boy is ahead, but not by much. Just so it's clear, I could care less if it is a boy or a girl, just a healthy baby is all I care about! So, you won't offend!

Thanks for the comments and e-mails so far, the encouragement has been greatly appreciated!

The first tummy picture!

Well, it sure LOOKS like I am eating for two...this is the only dress I own that I am able to get into right now, and was a bargain buy last fall at $12.00! This picture represents Week 14, for those who are keeping track.

It was our 1st wedding anniversary yesterday, and Geoffrey and I were able to enjoy a lovely dinner at La Ronde, the revolving restaurant at the top of the Crown Plaza hotel here in Edmonton. After a really gray-sky day, the sun came out and we had a beautiful view while we ate a spectacular dinner - courtesy of our friends Rick and Julie, who sent us gift certificates for our wedding - thanks you two! Also, we were surprised to find waiting at the table a gift from our wedding photographer Rebecca - she had our completed wedding album waiting there for us, the sneaky girl! It was such a sweet surprise, and we are thrilled with the album. So, thanks to you too Rebecca!!

After such a wonderful evening, today was a pretty down day for me, another gray sky and a lot of work to do. I was quite productive for a change, but just didn't feel like myself. That has happened a lot over the course of the pregnancy, very moody and irrationally weepy. You'd think after being fed so well that I'd just be happy! I guess it's par for the course, but is upsetting to have no control over it. It defies logic and that is what is most frustrating. Again, poor Geoffrey - he is so patient with me, and constantly trying to put a smile on my face. All it takes is for him to sing a couple of bars from the theme to "Team America" and I will crack up. Such a simple girl!

Noses just shouldn't run!

My greatest pregnancy complaint thus far is the non-stop nasal congestion that rears its ugly head most mornings. I woke up today and have used about 40 tissues already (it's not even 10AM yet!). It's frustrating that I can't (read-shouldn't) use allergy medicine, the couple of times I have it has really drained me for a couple of days. Not sure what is worse, but I am really trying to avoid all medications - you just never know what might be harmful. So, I continue to flush my nose with saline rinse, and lie on my back to keep the snot from flowing. It's exhausting to blow your nose so much - it's one thing when you have a cold and you know you just need to stay in bed and let it pass...this could last the entire 9 months! AAGGHH!

Thank you to everyone who has sent their congrats in e-mail and on Facebook, every message means so much and I am so lucky to have so many friends and family who care . I know what you REALLY want to see is my belly...it's coming, I promise. Today is the start of week 15 - I am amazed to be able to say that! But, the bump isn't really a true "bump" yet, just a further expansion of my already expanded waistline. It's almost like I have 2 bellies - the top belly where all the food seems to be congregating, and then the lower abdomen where there is a subtle roundness that wasn't ther before. And then, the line in between created by my too-tight clothing - not enough elastic waistlines in my wardrobe, time to do some damage at the maternity store!

The word is out...

The word is out...I have sent dozens of e-mails in the past couple of days, and have such a strange feeling about it, as though if I tell people, something is BOUND to go wrong. I know that is very pessimistic of me, but that's what comes to mind, and I just keep praying that everything will be fine, so that I don't have to turn around and tell people bad news. I guess that's my personality in a nutshell - avoid conflict at all costs!

On the up side, I feel really good today, and have made some progress in other areas - I am gearing up for Musicamp Alberta in Red Deer - Band Camp for those who don't know, woo hoo! Should be fun, I am looking forward to being able to use the phrase "this one time, at band camp" - I never REALLY went to band camp, outside of a couple of days in jr. high, so this could be life-altering. I hope that's a GOOD thing!

Time to tell...

It's been a very long three months, and I am finally ready to go "public" with our happy news - Geoffrey and I are expecting our first child in January 09. We are obviously THRILLED, and cannot wait for our little family to grow. The first three months were pretty brutal for me, with plenty of nausea and exhaustion and other joyful symptoms. However, the last couple of weeks have felt much better and I am not quite so whiney...Geoffrey is certainly better off!

So, six months to go, and lots to look forward to in that time. I plan to work up to Christmas, and begin my mat leave in the New Year. That seems so far away, but I know the time will pass VERY quickly. I can't believe the summer is more than half over already, but having spent half of it curled up on the couch, I guess it makes sense. We have a trip to Hawaii planned for early August, our delayed honeymoon! It may be our last holiday as a twosome, and we are both looking forward to the time away.

I will post some photos once there is "something" to see...certainly feeling the changes in my clothing, but it may be a few more weeks before things really "pop". Something tells me that I have a rather large future ahead of me!!!

So, I'll do my best to stay current with this blog, and hope that it allows us to share this amazing experience with all of you.

Love to all!
A (& G and baby cupcake!)