Archive for the month of February, 2008

2008 Feb 8

From Émilie

Expecting family

5am insomnia snacktime, with a hiccuping baby-to-be. As good a time as any to catch up on some family news:

Xavier
Xavier’s doing great. Language is a big focus for him this week; he seems to be getting quicker and quicker on catching new words. I think, just in the last week, he’s learned – and associated and remembered – ‘page’ (his own funny little creepy and focused and whispered version), ‘cucumber’ (as ‘cocong’), ‘toast’ and, at the babysitter’s there’s apparently a figurine named ‘papi’ that he likes to name. Other terminology to note includes ‘maman’, ‘scotzi!’ (our cat), ‘yayier’ (Xavier), ‘non’, ‘peepee’, ‘encore’ (more or again), ‘dodo’ (sleep), ‘banann’, ‘mum’ (for pomme/apple), ‘en bas’ (downstairs), ‘tortue’ (turtle), ‘en haut’ (up), ‘du lait’ (some milk), ‘là’ (there), ‘on cours!’ (“we’re running!” in French), ‘papo’ (“hat” in French – chapeau), ‘tâto’ (“coat” in French – manteau), ‘lilier’ (“shoes” in French – souliers), ‘toto’ (auto), ‘télé’ (tv), ‘inny’ (Jinny the babysitter), ‘ouar’ (Edward his daycare friend), ‘toutou’, ‘bye bye’…

We’re mighty proud.

(Well, Frank would really love for him to finally get a hold on “papa”, but Xavier’s determined to call him “maman”. What can I say… Frank’s a real good dad.

Other than that, well 1.5 year inoculation was Wenesday and it went ok. Oh, and Xavier’s been sleeping in his big twin bed for a week now, because we wanted to get the crib mattress back from the toddler bed for, well, the crib. So far, he seems to be sleeping even better there than in the toddler bed, it’s been great. He has more space to stretch out, and it takes him longer to climb out of it, so ultimately he’s more likely to stay in bed when we put him down for the night and when he wakes up during the night. I think the new location in his room is also helping (all safe along the back wall) and maybe, being higher up, there’s less hair and dust in the air (Xavier’s the type to cough during the night, but I almost haven’t heard him all week). So thumbs up for the new bed.

Baby to be
We really need to find a name for baby to come. (Yeah, we have decision-taking issues, and yes, we’ll keep the secret again when we do find a name.)

Baby is kicking – a little less so now than in past months, but I guess it’s all natural to get a little more sedate when space gets all cramped like it does in a uterus at the end – and generally very well, so far as doctor’s appointments can tell. In fact, yesterday was the first time we checked the cervix: sadly, only 1cm dilated (ie. it can be another while yet before we see her pop out). Due date is Feb.20, but my doctor is cheerily predicting Feb.29, that this pregnancy will end up induced like the first one. Who is she to talk? She’s not the one lugging around this huge belly…

Me
…which brings me to news about me. Once I get a few days’ rest, I’m quite ready for baby to come out. A belly like that is some trouble in the winter, I’ll tell you: just getting into my boots is some work. And the 28 pounds toddler to carry around isn’t helping.

Today is my last day at work (woot!), then I have a week and a half of relaxing planned before due date. My plans include naps, lounging, catching up on last season of ‘Heroes’, scrapbooking… Knowing myself, I’ll probably end up getting ahead on spring cleaning, make plans to redecorate the upstairs living room, cook some stuff for the freezer and get into various tasks and reorganization around the house, but I promised Frank I’ll try to fit some rest in there too.

Frank
Frank’s doing good. He’s a great father to Xavier – especially these days as pregnancy tends to drag on my efficiency – and we’re just both very much in “expecting” mode. We’re curious to see a new little face around, now.

We’ve near finished the children play room: just a trim to install on the playhouse, and I’ll post pics! (Another part of my plans for next week.) We also have almost all the preparations done for baby-to-come: misc.shopping, laundry, room prep, hospital bag.

Bring on the baby!

PS. Sorry this post is so long. In all fairness, I had a lot of catching up to do on family news.