38 Weeks BB

Dear Baby,

Mummy and Daddy are so convinced that you're trying to get out, that yesterday we did a professional photo shoot to capture this phase of our lives.  Our photographer was the infamous Michael Turner (with tripod setup), and  the backdrop was the window in your room.  Mummy's outfit was donated by Baby Turner (you.. we used your swaddling cloths), and ta-da! Here's our family at just two weeks before your due date.

This time last week, we were all at Daddy's last triathlon before your birth.  He was the first in his age group out of the water, and we were there to shout this to him, although not fast enough to catch on camera.  According to the scoreboard, Daddy also finished first in his age group overall, but he says it's not true.. I don't know, scoreboards never lie.
What we did catch on camera was the partner/stroller cheering section, so we can prepare for life after your arrival.  Your Alaskan grandmum has donated generously for an adventure gift for you, and so BOB stroller here we come.

Baby, we can't wait for you to meet Maria.  This week she came over and made us some delightful food..yummmmy!  We are really looking forward to having her help us take good care of you.

So whilst at Lowe's last night.. shopping feverishly for fixtures for the garage appt.. look what greeted us at the front door!  Yes it's the beginning of October, but it's Christmas in the stores..

37.5 weeks BB

Dear Baby,

this is a very important mid-week blog.  Mummy is 1 cm dilated! Ok noone really knows what that means in terms of your arrival, but we know that you've made your first move.  You feel ready inside too, it's as though you're trying to say your current world is getting too small.

Your mummy is thinking that she has 4 OR days and 4 clinic days of people who would love to be seen one last time.. yet, we are at your mercy.  We will be ready to greet you how and whenever you decide to come.

Week 37 BB

Dear Baby,

it's a nice rainy day today (your 37 week day) and so there's no yoga class.  It's bittersweet, because it gives us a chance to stay home and pack for your arrival day, make an email list for your arrival day picture, do some laundry of your recent gifts, and oh yes, appreciate how quiet the house is.  On the other hand, Daddy has a triathlon tomorrow, so we're keeping our fingers crossed that the rain eases up overnight.  Baby you should know that your great grand mother did not believe in the expression of crossing fingers, she would say "how can you get any work done if your fingers are crossed?"

Anyway, I digress.  This past week, at Mummy's satellite office, the ladies threw you yet another shower, complete with ribbons having over Mummy's desk.  Mummy works with a nurse called Bonnie, who was the grand organizer and is just so talented both at nursing and craft.  Unfortunately since Bonnie was taking pictures with the rest of the group, there are no pictures of them.  Bonnie sent some pictures of the gifts.. you got a lot of great toys, clothes, blankets.. everything baby!

And the delicious rattle cupcakes (which you liked VERY much)..

Here's a closeup of the rattles that Bonnie sent home for Daddy:

Bonnie also made burp cloths with many special designs for you

At this point, the group asked for a side-profile.. owww Mama, you're getting big..and strong.  The books imply that by now it might be hard to feel you move since it's getting crowded inside, but you are definitely not having that issue.  In fact you seem to be quite happily playing around.  Mummy has the sense that she's slowly beginning to want you on the outside.  You've been a good tenant and all, but sometime in the next few weeks we'll probably both be ready for your grand exit/entrance.

PS the garage appt is coming along nicely.. a lot of plumbing and electrical work done this past week, and hopefully stairs next week so we can go up and down as we please.

Weeks 35 and 36 BB

Dear Baby,

look how mummy hasn't updated your blog in two weeks!

Well, we have been preparing diligently for your arrival, mostly with the help of your many aunties and uncles, and we'll show some pictures of that today.

Also last week you and Mummy finished the last week of being on call for work.. it was busy, we survived, and are thankful.

So, remember a few weeks ago, Auntie Achilia got mummy a baby k'tan for you, and this past week, Auntie Julina sent Daddy his.. he was a little more adventurous with his, and I have to warn  you, Jake really liked it!

Now before we show some of your other presents, here's an update on happenings on the home-front.  Behold, the garage apartment has taken shape, and is looking so real.  This coming week is when the stairs will go in, so mummy will be able to take more frequent trips upstairs (not on a ladder).

And not to forget our veggie garden.. here is our first produce.  We're so proud of it, we don't want to move it, or it might be that we don't know when you're supposed to pick it.. either way, we'll take pictures for the memory.

And now, for your Baby Shower #2.. Bajan style!

The first two pictures are of your gracious hostesses Auntie Connie..

And Auntie Keitha with her twin angels.. Thank you ladies it was great!!

Also thanks to Uncle Hayden for the wonderful pictures (ok and for feeding Mummy and Daddy today, cause we're heading there for lunch once your blog is updated!)

Uncle Barry, was in charge of cake, and speeches and toasting..

And then we had a great time opening lots for fun presents for you.. from Christmas tree booties..

To Barbados cricket onesies (Thanks Uncle Mark, host extraordinaire, and explainer of said onesie's title "Silly Mid On", in the back)

And the diaper dude bag, from Uncle Shoji/Auntie Ayana/Cousin Kai

Uncle Shoji also brought us a very special surprise, all the way from Barbados.. Thanks Uncle Patrick! We will make good use of the donation to the BabyLarrierTurner fund :)

Here's one lovely picture of several of the folks who came out to show their love for you.  Many of these aunts and uncles have known Mummy especially from before you were dreamt of, and we appreciate them greatly.

Week 34 BB - baby shower, gifts, laundry and yoga

Dear Baby,

Mummy and Daddy have been getting lots of presents for you recently, including a whole set at a shower for you last weekend.  

Check out this ensemble below.. Auntie Achilia gave us a Baby Ktan to carry you in.. despite the "ta-da" look on Mummy's face, it took us 15 minutes and a manual to get it on correctly.  In it we put an outfit that Auntie Jenni brought over for you the other day.  It's our leading contender in outfits to bring you home from the hospital in..

So we have a few pictures from your shower at Auntie Vicki's house..  here is mummy chatting away with Auntie Vicki, I think about raising gender-neutral children.. Auntie Vicki was the gracious host of a lovely shower for you.

We shared your shower with Auntie Nikhila, whose baby will be just one month younger than you.  These are some onesies hand-painted by the residents for you two.

 Ms Alice from the office made you a beeeautiful diaper cake.  She also made you a rose bouquet from diaper cloths, and cupcakes from onesies.. mummy's only question for her was why she's still working for TCH.

When we came home from the shower, Baby, we were so excited with all your little onesies, burp cloths, towels, sheets.. that we did your first (of many!) loads of laundry.

Ok and last but not least, in case you think ur parents are easy, we want you to know that we were still kicking it at 34 weeks BB.. Baby, you're in for a fun ride with us!

Weeks 32-33 BB - Dr. Bobo visit and home front updates

Dear Baby, we saw Dr. Bobo this week, and we are looking good! We're now up exactly 25 lbs.  You have done a very good job of taking all the iron you need to grow, and so Mummy will continue to supplement her stores.  Your heart rate is in the 150s, which is nice and confusing for all those who try to guess if you're a boy (supposedly 140's) or a girl (supposedly 160's)

Mummy took a pic of her fashionable maternity wear while waiting for Dr. Bobo

On the home front, we have made real progress in the past week.  The cement has been layed and they are assembling the steel frame for the garage as I'm writing this.

There was one day that we caught a patch of concrete that wasn't quite dry, and so Mummy drew a little something for Daddy:

The vegetable garden is growing by leaps and bounds, and the pumpkin has officially outgrown the box.

32 Weeks BB - belly popping, and Baby room

Dear Baby,
you made it!  Once you make it to 32 weeks, there's a really good chance that you will do well, even if you decide to come a little early.. but noooo rush!

Nowadays there are just occasional times that people can't tell how big you are getting (we think you're about 4 lbs now!):

But then.. boop.. there you are, popping right out..

And on a side profile.. there's nooo mistaking how well you're growing.

So we got to celebrate this week, by setting up your room.
Auntie Michelle wanted to make absolutely sure that we made your room look smart!  Mummy and Daddy learned what window valances are, AND they are part of a set of matching sheets and bedskirt.

Behold.. your room!
We put two adult chairs/recliners in the room, just acknowledging up front that we'll need a minimum of two adults to handle you at any one time.