Tag: second trimester

Braxton-Hicksville.

Braxton-Hicksville.

by Joanne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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The shape of things to come?

I have been dealing with Braxton-Hicks probably since early in month six. They have been frequent and uncomfortable from day one. In spite of the discomfort, the B. Hicks are usually mild and painless; my belly contorts and makes interesting shapes, much like the image above. Right now, though, I feel like I might be in the throes of early labour. It’s 6:49 am, and I was awakened not too long ago by a hard kick from Aisha, and severe pressure around my mid-section.

1. 6:49 am – 30 seconds.
2. 6:50 am – 31 seconds.

Because the sensation is more painful than usual, I am timing these cramps/contractions. They’re coming about a minute to three minutes apart and lasting for about 30 seconds. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m in more pain/discomfort than usual. I really hope it’s not labour.

3. 6:53 am – 35 seconds.

Perhaps I’m just dehydrated, and these are ridiculous Braxton-Hicks. I quickly consulted Dr. Google, and nothing he says indicates that this might be labour (no bleeding, discharge or anything like that. Will keep searching. And praying).

This can’t be labour. Aisha’s still kicking about in there. Read more ›

today is children’s day.

today is children’s day.

by Joanne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

international kids day
Were it not for Google doodles, I’d be pretty uninformed.

Apparently, Children’s Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1954. A globally recognized day, its goal is to promote the welfare of the world’s children – especially those living in poor conditions, or those who have suffered violence, discrimination and exploitation.

It’s fitting, I suppose, as today is also the day that one of my dear friends undergoes her second IVF harvesting. Round one was successful, and the result is an adorable, tiny yet feisty almost-two-year-old by the name of Naomi.

I am praying that the second round is successful. And that the result is a boy-baby. There’s too much estrogen happening among my friends and family (more than 10 little girls in the past two years, compared to a measly three boys). We are in dire need of some penis to make things a little more interesting – and a lot less pink – around here.

weekend wrap-up: ups and downs.

weekend wrap-up: ups and downs.

by Joanne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Ups-and-Downs
The week’s been more down than up, I’m afraid…

rise and shine…
I’ve been getting up and going to be early all week. Suddenly, I can’t find one good reason for staying up past 11pm. Truthfully, I hope it continues. The extra sleep has been soo good for me.

flying solo…
Speaking of sleep, I realized last night that this has been a pretty lonely second trimester. The boy has been working long hours – up at 4:30 and in bed by 8 once he’s had dinner and packed his lunch for the next day. I actually had to text him and tell him how I’m feeling, since we haven’t had much opportunity to talk.

baby show fiasco…
Against my better judgment, I asked the boy to come to the Baby Show with me today. I wanted to look at a few items, get some info on strollers, and maybe find a sling/carrier for Peanut. Also, because we haven’t spent a lot of time together, I thought it might be a nice afternoon, just the two of us. Read more ›

blogging for baby.

blogging for baby.

by Joanne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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I am a black mommy blogger. When did this happen?

I have been an intermittent blogger for about 12 years.

I have created (and deleted) blogs that run the gamut: my hair, fashion, sex & relationships, my life here in Toronto and while living in Montreal, random, pictures of interest (before Pinterest), my daily commute and work. However, I’ve never identified as a “black blogger,” where my race/ethnicity was paramount to my online writings. Sure, there were a few culturally-relevant or race-related rants, but my blackness in general was only a small part of having a blog.

I have followed bloggers whose race and experiences were varied and vast; I tend toward writers whose style and tone (and penchant for grammatical correctness) match my own. I also liked to read about travels and day-to-day experiences that were relatable, or aspirational. Ironically, I rarely followed mommy bloggers, as I was a childless singleton with zero interest in how these ladies balanced the demands of parenthood with daily life.

Today, I have to admit – while eating a steaming pile of crow – that the bulk of the blogs I read are about pregnancy, parenthood, Down Syndrome or food. I have come across a plethora of good blogs and great writers, and I know I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of them. As the soon-so-be black parent of a bi-racial child with special needs, I think it would be helpful to find more blogs from parents of colour who are dealing with some (or all of the challenges) I am about to face.

But why would race matter in this instance, you might ask? Read more ›

TMI tuesday: the view from here.

TMI tuesday: the view from here.

by Joanne ♥ 1 Comment

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Aerial view. Has anyone seen my toes? They were here a few weeks ago…

This isn’t so much a TMI as it is an update – although the attached image of me below, semi-clothed, might be a little more of me than some are comfortable with.

I haven’t been one for pictures during this pregnancy, but I thought it might be good to post a recent image of my current form. I’ve already posted about being too big to shave, but really, I just feel so big in general. It’s amazing how, in a few short weeks I’ve gone to half of my wardrobe fitting to nothing fitting at all.

I’ve spent the first five months of this pregnancy feeling pretty good. This Friday marks my entry into the 24th week, and I gotta say, I’m pretty much over it now.

I’m in a constant state of discomfort: I can’t sleep, I can’t breathe, I can’t eat without crippling heartburn or reflux. I have blurred vision and a bad memory. My bodily functions are out of whack, my centre of gravity is shot all to hell, and I hurt. Everywhere. All of the time.

I would give anything to be able to poop like a normal person. Read more ›

mini baby-moon.

mini baby-moon.

by Joanne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Some time ago, I’d made a suggestion to the boy that we get away for a weekend of grown-up squooshy time before Peanut’s arrival. He agreed, and we wound up booking a lovely-ish little two-day retreat in Niagara Falls.

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I found the boy’s Movember ‘stache distracting. I actually made him shave it off when we got home.

We chose one of the coldest weekends of the year to head down there, but the view from our room more than made up for the chill. I’d originally booked a suite with a dual-falls view, but when we got there, the concierge upgraded us for an extra $50 and we got the Presidential Suite on the 21st floor (yeah, baby). Read more ›

things i didn’t consider.

things i didn’t consider.

by Joanne ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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One good thing about taking little ones out for Hallowe’en: getting to steal monitor their stash.

Today is Hallowe’en, and someone casually remarked how next year, I’ll have my own adorable little Trick or Treater to wrangle candy from unwitting strangers.

As one who hates the day (the kids are cute, but only the really little ones. I also generally find the hype annoying), this comment made me think about all the other dreadful activities will I have to participate in because I am now part of the Parents’ Club?

The boy and I already agreed that he would do (translation: take her to) all of the sports-related activities. If she’s in any sort of skating, running around on a field after a ball, or anything that involves waking up super-early or standing out in the cold, he’s on-duty. I volunteered for any sort of Mommy & Me classes, painting, dancing, tumbling, or things that take place indoors appeal to my artsy side. Read more ›