Post Christmas/Pre New Years

Greetings all - just a quick update to let you all know that we had a wonderful Christmas and are now back in Edmonton. We spent about five days in Calgary mostly with the family, eating and sleeping and relaxing as much as possible. Mom went way above and beyond with the food prep, and there was MUCH great feasting and visiting. We had a lovely time, but since coming home have already spent four hours in the emergency department - not for me or baby but for Geoffrey, who has developed a terrible throat infection that progressed to a high fever and chills late last night. We went in to the hospital at about 11:45, and spent until almost 4 in the morning getting him looked at and re-hydrated with some IV fluids. His fever broke while we were there, and we came home and got some much needed sleep. He is a little better today, but still fighting a terribly painful throat. SO, we are grateful that Baby Pagel is not making an early "New Years" appearance - we need a little time to get daddy feeling better so he will be well enough to coach me through MY hospital time!
I saw the Dr. yeasterday, and she let me know that I am still "closed" at this point, so my due date is still looking like it might be pretty accurate. Time will tell - I wouldn't be sorry to be wrong and to get this little boy out as soon as possible - I just want so much to meet him and hold him and enjoy being mom to him. The best Christmas present that is still to come...!!!

3 weeks to go!

This post has been a LONG time coming...our home computer has not be plugged in for about a month as we did our renovations to the baby's room, and we are JUST getting back to normal. Therefore, an actual tummy picture for the "tummy tales" has not emerged until now. It has changed a little...we think we have a future NFL linebacker or "Baby Beckham" soccer player in my belly - he is feeling rather HUGE! And I am looking rather huge, too, but mostly happily so! I have had a few issues of late - some upper abdominal and back pain that comes out at night and makes me very nauseous and mimics a flu-like feeling. They are checking me for gallbladder problems that are likely being exacerbated by the extra squishing that this little guy is doing to all my internal organs. I get very short of breath - playing the trumpet lately has been disappointing as I cannot for the life of me take a deep breath and sustain any long or high notes! (You wind players out there will understand my frustration). Continued swelling of my feet and ankles and legs goes on, I find time every day with my legs up in the air to alleviate this, but they are mostly in a perpetual state of "puffy". SO attractive!

School is now finished for me, and I know it will be difficult to stay away. However, I know once the baby is here that it will probably be the furthest place from my mind as I get to spend my days with him at home. In this weather, I will be glad to stay in - I can't imagine taking a little one outside in these horribly cold temperatures anyways. I can barely get MYSELF to get dressed and out the door!

Geoffrey worked his heart out to finish the baby's room, and I have to commend him on a job well done. But for a couple of finishing touches, we should have a very "zen" place for our little man. There is a crib waiting for us in Calgary that we hope will get here to Edmonton in the next week or so - not sure how or when, but we'll get it here sometime soon. It will really feel like it is "time" once that final piece of furniture is in place. Geoffrey's parents are coming for a visit at the end of January - they found an excellent seat sale and will be here for a little over a week. We can't wait to have them here! My mom is planning to drop everything and drive to Edmonton once I go into labour, so she may be with us when he is born (though not in the room - some things are sacred even to moms!) So, we'll have some good help and advice in the early days when I am sure to be a little overwhelmed. Nothing like grandparents to ease the transition!

I am on weekly Dr. visits, and will probably follow this up MUCH more regularly, so check back for more emerging news. I really think he is a good three weeks away yet - but we are still hoping he might come just a LITTLE early. We'll try all the old wives tale tricks to see what we can "encourage", but it really comes down to him!