Having a baby has become such a consumer-driven endeavor in recent years. There are so many trendy accessories, modern crib bedding choices, baby-wearing options and designer diaper bags to choose from, most of which are all astronomically priced. In today's economic climate, few us of are able to partake of such delicacies, but I'm going to let my mind dream about all the things I would buy for this next baby-raising experience, if money were no option.This Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag.  It's so classy and big and vintage looking! Love it!Some amazing crib bedding and furniture from Dwell.A post-baby boob... More »

I have been battling more anxiety about this pregnancy than I did for my first two. In my heart I wonder if three healthy children are too many to ask for, and if the odds are stacked against us that we'll suffer a loss, or find out our baby is sick at the upcoming ultrasound, or have something go wrong with the labour and delivery. I know there's no use in dwelling on such thoughts, but they're still there, lurking at the back of my mind.I still haven't felt this baby move (I'm 16 weeks along) and while I didn't... More »

I adore baby names. Growing up, I daydreamed about what the perfect names for my future children would be and had what I thought to be a pretty stellar list of possibilities.After being married for four years, my husband and I became pregnant with our first daughter and I was so excited to pick out her name. But as I started listing my suggestions, my husband pooped all over them, one by one. Similarly, the names he suggested made me throw up a little in my mouth and I was appalled by his preferences. Turns out our taste in names couldn't have... More »

To my first trimester, I say, "Good riddance!" I am now closing in on the 16th week of this pregnancy and it's nice to finally look undeniably pregnant and not have people silently wonder if I've just let myself go.See, I'm pregnant and I've let myself go. There's a difference.It's hard for me to believe I'm already this big so early on, but there's no stopping this belly. I hope my girth becomes a little less startling so that I won't look ready to pop when I've still got months to go, but my expectations are low. Everyone says the second... More »

I love my Momma. She's here visiting from the prairies right now and has been filling her days with child minding, cooking meals and cleaning up after her slob of a daughter. She is such a help and support to me and I am thankful everyday for the amazing relationship we share.When my first daughter was born, my mom came and stayed with us for two weeks and made the transition to motherhood a tad less traumatic for me. She was there to moan in empathy with me when I stood in the bathroom with my anvil-like boobs leaking milk... More »

Would you like to hear about my fitness plan for this pregnancy?Well, I don't have one. Chasing after two crazy kids and half-heartedly vacuuming the floor once per week is the extent of my physical exertion these days and I don't see that changing any time soon.With my first pregnancy I walked frequently and signed up for an aqua-size course at my local pool (that was quite the sight to behold; I don't suggest you picture an eight months pregnant version of me squeezing into a bathing suit and cannon-balling into the deep end) but still managed to gain a... More »

We are planning to find out the sex of this baby at our next ultrasound. We found out with both our girls and I loved knowing a little bit more about who they were before they were born. It gave my husband and me more time to bicker about names (that's another story for another day, however), pick out colours for the nursery walls and bedding, and connect with the baby on a deeper level since we knew she was a "she" and not just an "it".Most of my friends are of the "I want to be surprised at the... More »

You know that game, "Whack A Mole" where you have a big plush mallet and you get to smash little creatures when they pop out of their holes? Fun, right? Well, it's not quite so fun when the playing field is your FACE, and the moles are actually volcanic pimples elbowing their way to the tops of your pores. Just when I think I've gotten one of the flaming zits under control, two new ones will surface, and the cycle just goes on and on.Pregnancy hormones kind of suck sometimes. My skin is usually pretty clear, thanks to a steady dose of... More »

My body seems to have a Pregnancy Setting which is simply not worth fighting: I gain most of my weight in the first two trimesters, then hold steady in the final months and watch only the baby grow while my thighs finally stop increasing in their circumferences. After two pregnancies, I know this about my body, but it still doesn't make it any easier to watch the scale creep up at an alarming rate in these early weeks.I am just past 12 weeks and have packed on ten pounds. And you know what? It was effortless!  I can't wait to... More »

If you read my personal blog, then you'll know that last week I received a call from my doctor telling me that my ultrasound revealed I had actually been pregnant with twins, but one of them had been lost at six weeks. The surviving baby is healthy and strong and everything else looks fine.The news has been strange to digest, since I was never attached to the notion of twins, so I haven't been overcome with grief by the loss of the baby. Part of me feels a little guilty about that, but I think it's OK. But I can't help... More »