Baby toy for PJs!

Introducing, Peanut Junior! He's from the new Last Minute Patchwork book that I bought recently, and he was *fun* to make. If you find it fun to struggle with a tricky pattern and instructions that clearly make less sense than Bush's second term... Jamie thankfully was the most help at figuring out what was what and we did some improvising to get around the pattern woes.

We figured the fabrics were gender-neutral (flowers - but wait, they're blue!!). We also modified Peanut JR a little bit from the original pattern so that he would be safe for little PJs - we skipped the woolly tail and used stitched-on fabric eyes that should withstand a baby's mighty grip. His nose looks great for nibbling!

Next up, I'm knitting a cream-coloured blanket for PJs and I will have to drum up another short-term project. You always need at least one longer term and one shorter term project, I heard!

The fridge

Since I love a good soapbox speech, I'll introduce a new feature area on the blog - the fridge... The name is derived from the familiar practice in homes everywhere of tacking up clippings of news articles of interest to the refrigerator door.

In the right hand column, (below "this week Jamie is:). I'll post links to various articles online that I find interesting... Right now it's just a couple of articles - one on the environment and another on an anti-war movie that won't be out until November, Redacted.

"The film's title refers to how, according to De Palma [the director], mainstream American newspapers and television channels are failing to tell the true story of the war by keeping the most graphic images of the conflict away from public opinion." -Reuters

Have a read! Or don't - it's your call, but they're there if you're interested and maybe going for a midnight snack. By the way - these two articles are kind of heavy, but I will also post some fun stuff too!!

So, do I get a "SANE" stamp!?

In browsing through the news at NY Times, I came across a link to the Sanity Quiz in this article. I don't put a lot of stock in psycho babble (I prefer common sense!), but I did it for kicks & giggles - and good to know - I seem fine! I had to answer a few questions with an "if I wasn't pregnant, this is how I normally feel" - I mean, sleep disturbances and such - hello, I am a pregnant lady who gets up to pee every 2 hours, not a mental patient! It actually asked some pretty good questions and gave results based on the answers specific to certain areas. Bored? Want a laugh? Need a session on the couch? Take the quiz...

My results: Your Sanity Score 19

Based upon your answers, you appear to be in good mental health. Congratulations! You may experience specific mental health concerns, relationship issues, or other issues that come up from time to time in your life, but your overall mental health score suggests that you deal with these well. People with similar scores are more resilient than most people, handle stress appropriately, have good relationships with others, and are able to cope with the in's and out's of everyday life with grace and ease. (The Sanity Score is based upon a scientific algorithm with scores ranging from 0 - 288.)

Yum, yum - new book!

Yesterday I picked up a tasty new book that I've been waiting for - Last Minute Patchwork... written by one of the owners of Purl Patchwork, a fabric shop in NYC, with contributions from the other women at the shop too. The book is fresh off the presses and could only find it locally at Indigo in North Van.

It's chock full of lovely projects - I am especially in the mood to make the adorable toy elephant, the baby quilts and flannel blankets and so much more for little PJs. It's given me a few great ideas for gifts too! True to the name, these projects don't take scads of time to make - divided into categories, they can be made in as little as a few hours. Larger projects like quilts are in the "more than 12 hours" category.

Check out a selection of the projects here.

Man, I could really do with an ice cold Pepsi...

Thirsty yet?

Here's a new and disturbing approach to subliminal advertising... It's not really any different from the targeted ads in any other communications medium - all magazines, tv shows etc sell ad space to producers of products typically consumed by the target market... I find the most disturbing part is that the majority of people won't know this and if they find out, won't even be disturbed.

Company Will Monitor Phone Calls to Tailor Ads
Companies like Google scan their e-mail users’ in-boxes to deliver ads related to those messages. Will people be as willing to let a company listen in on their phone conversations to do the same? [more...]

Week 10!

I am enjoying my pregnancy dreams - very vivid lately. Last night I dreamed first that PJs was born and he was an orange cat! A mischievous one at that too - we had to chase him around! Then I had another dream that we brought an adorable and squashy-soft PJs home from the hospital only to discover that we had forgotten to buy any diapers! Jamie laughed at both dreams, and told me the second scenario sounds likely, knowing us!

What PJs is up to this week:

Your baby will more than double in size in the next three weeks. He or she is now swallowing and kicking, and all the major organs are fully developed. More minute details are appearing too, like fingernails and peach-fuzz hair. The external sex organs are beginning to show and in a few weeks they will be developed enough to tell whether you're going to have a boy or a girl.

The fetus is only about 3 centimetres long from crown to rump and weighs less than 4 grams - the size of a plum. Even so, it's busily swallowing and kicking.

The vital organs -- the liver, kidneys, intestines, brain, and lungs -- are fully formed and functional, while the head is almost half the length of the entire body. The forehead temporarily bulges and sits high on the head, but later will change into a more human-like feature. If you could take a look at your baby this week, you'd be able to see the clear outline of his spine. Spinal nerves stretch out from the spinal cord.

All glory to the hypnotoad!

The hypnotoad, for those who haven't heard of it (this came up in discussion recently!):

The Hypnotoad is a large toad with oscillating multicolored eyes that emits a loud and ominous humming sound, and also emit a small amount of light. The Hypnotoad has the power to hypnotize almost any living thing it wants at will, ranging from sheep to humans. It can even hypnotize mass numbers of creatures with little effort. It first appeared in the episode "The Day the Earth Stood Stupid", where it won a pet show by hypnotizing the judges and the entire audience. Unlike the other entrants in the pet show, the Hypnotoad has no owner. [more...]

The long arm of Jamie...

Jamie is pulling me away from the computer on account of my cough. Apparently I must go lay down. I sure hope there's no more of that heinous apple cider & vinegar concoction coming up! Bye bye for today!

Apple-a-palooza!

Discussion yesterday about the best apples for eating - tops of my list: honey crisp is my fave of the moment and we always love fuji and braeburn. I also like those green transparent apples that come early on in the season.

Today Jamie and I drove to Kits & walked to the Granville Island Market to buy some more apples - honey crisps, of course. Super crunchy, moist & sweet-tart. Normally we walk from home, but I have a sore throat, so I'm being a sucky baby.

If you're in Vancouver (or coming for a visit!) I give you the best fruit & veg stand in the market. I am not even sure of their name, but the sign is in the picture above. They have a stand in the middle of the market right now between Duso's cheese shop and the atm machine, and they sometimes move around. Their fruit & veg are direct from the Okanogan, and they specialize in apples - all of which are unwaxed and very fresh.

As you can see, Jamie & I are super stoked about the big bag o' apples! Fall-tacular and crunch-ilicious!

Swell changing pad

After whipping through the first half of the project quickly (the nappy bag, finished last week), I'm finally done the other half of the Amy Butler pattern. The changing pad and tote case were less complicated - maybe I was lazier?! The changing pad tucks into the nappy bag, and has two layers of organic cotton quilt batting and a terrycloth side for the baby, with cotton on the reverse that coordinates with the bag of course. Some dashing lime & charcoal ties give it a little zazz!

Here we see the in/famous New Year's baby posing in place of an actual baby. See - there are no end of uses for that thing!

Yummy Saturday

Had a great day on Saturday - Jamie and I visited with Bonnie & Dave and Jasmine, and we went to White Rock for fish & chips. Soooo good! I'd been having a craving for them all week, since spotting them on a menu elsewhere. Cod is a better choice over halibut, as halibut has a higher mercury content. Next time you're in White Rock stop at Coney Island Fish & Chips - they are the best. Followed up with ice cream for some and a walk for all, down to the pier.

And a big thanks to Bonnie for all the delicious-looking vegetables from Dave's orchard (different Dave!). Can't wait to eat those beets, squash, carrots & broccoli, and much more! Going to tuck into them tonight - making roasted chicken & veggies for supper. PJs loves vitamins! And stuffing (hey, practicing for Thanksgiving!).

Music to my ears!

Today had a visit with the Doctor, and I got to hear little PJs heart beating! There is a doppler machine (somehow related to the weather thingy that all the TV news shows have!?) and she put it on my stomach and after a little maneuvering - pow - could hear little PJs heart just ticking away! It was just amazing - whoomp, whoomp, whoomp - fast and steady. It was such an inspiring moment!

Gingerlicious

Bought some Nairns stem ginger oatcakes yesterday morning from Capers. They're a traditional Scottish favourite and definitely now one of mine too. The regular oatcakes are also good but these are even better. So tasty and wholesome - nothing artificial at all - and the ginger was a real treat on the stomach. Check out their website for more info.

What to do with this?

I just couldn't resist buying this fabric a while back - who doesn't love a good sock monkey? It's a bit of a departure from what I'm usually attracted to (retro modern graphic prints) but honestly, it was too funny to leave on the bolt! Bought the blue even though it also came in an unsettling pink colour... I'll have to go gender neutral and pair it with some other colour, or else keep it tucked away for a while until we find out if we're having a boy or girl!

From wikipedia:
A sock monkey is a stuffed toy made from socks and fashioned in the likeness of a monkey. [interjection: well, duh!] Sock monkeys hold an important place in the culture of North America as a symbol of ingenuity. (more...)

I guess I didn't realize they came from a very specific type of sock? Just ordered a couple pairs of these socks so that I can make PJs a toy that gives me the willies (in a good way?).

Ahoy, mateys!

Just vast shout out to all ye scurvy dogs, imploring ye to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate day. Yes, a made-up holiday, but a funny one! You see, I have already run out of pirate-talk, but I don't doubt you may do a great deal better than me. Or at least have a noggin of rum or make somebody laugh when you share the news about Pirate Day. And ye had better, or I'll make ye walk the plank! Now, where's me parrot?

That is some hard-hitting journalism!

I remember basing an entire science fair project on this exact premise in Grade 8... My BFF at the time, Erin, and I went and bought a ton of gum and basically sat around for an afternoon chomping, gossiping and drawing on bristol board - all in the name of science! It was a lazy idea at the time, and while New York magazine's reporters may have invested slightly more in this go around (if only because their graphics are better), it's certainly no more worthy a subject now.

Check out the article Taste Test: Gum if you care to find out some important, relevant information about gum - I am sure it's not at all sponsored or endorsed by corporations! I for one would rather see more articles on important things - like why Dubya isn't being impeached yet and what the heck is holding up widely available solar power?

If you're not interested in reading but wish to be influenced in your future gum purchases, then skip to the end results...

Week 9

Yahoo - week 9! I am feeling confused about the various sources of information out there on the good old Interweb... My pregnancy ticker up top says 9 weeks. But the websites that I visit provide information based on your due date (April 23) and say that I'm 9 weeks pregnant and in week 10 (if that's how I "prefer" how to count it)... I'd rather know the facts, than go based on what I prefer! If it was up to that, I'd be eating my sashimi or that salami & mustard & relish on white bread sandwich that I am craving! Maybe it's my "pregnancy fog" (replacing my usual various fogs) but I am finding that a bit confusing...

Here's what PJs is up to this week:

At week's end, your fetus measures approximately 2.3 centimetres long. In both shape and size, it resembles a peapod and weighs less than 2 grams. The eyelids are fused and won't open until week 27. The wrists are more developed, ankles have formed, and the fingers and toes are clearly visible. Arms are growing longer and bend at the elbows. By week's end, the inner workings of the ears are complete. Though you can't yet identify the sex of the fetus by ultrasound, its genitals have begun to form. By now the placenta has developed enough to support most of the critical job of producing hormones.

Directions followed, with great results!

Well, I couldn't just stop at cutting out the pattern yesterday, or cutting the fabric. Or basting things together, or fusing the interfacing... I made the whole darn Amy Butler nappy bag in one go! It only took about 8 hours (or 4 episodes of Columbo, in practical time measurements) and I was up until midnight, but it's done! I run a mean sweatshop - unfortunately, I am my only employee. And I don't even get paid!

The bag turned out great. I'm quite proud of it actually - I am usually put off by patterns with lots of details and steps, but it was actually not hard to make (just a lot of direction reading and rereading). The bag is fully lined and has a canvas layer for stability. Inside, there are six deep pockets (presumably for diapers etc?!) and 2 baby bottle pockets too. Because it's all fully lined, I had to cut four pieces to make the bottle pockets, and before I realized that I was sewing two pieces together I remember thinking "four bottles? why do you need to carry so many?"... It also has a cell phone pocket on the shoulder strap, for busy (and chatty) Mums on the go.

Love it - the best part is that it doesn't scream "diapers" like some of those structured bags out there that I've seen people hauling around. It looks chic, and I could actually see using this for other things too, like the gym or groceries etc.

Super fly diaper bag for PJs (and me!)

I saw this Amy Butler pattern for a nappy bag online the other day and bought it today after a leisurely stroll through the fabric shop on a rainy fall morning... Also picked up some fun fabric... As of right now it's all washed and pressed, and I'm just about to dig in to the pattern... I am not super good at following directions, but I will do my darnedest to pay close attention so that I don't end up with some kind of crazy junk (or more accurately, the Sally Ann doesn't get a raggedy contribution!)... PJs and me are going to be so stylin' with our flashy sack o' diapers!

Here's the fabric I'm using for the bag... The gray & cream for the outside, the magenta for the lining. Doesn't matter either way for a boy or girl, I figure, since I am a girl, and I'm going to be the one carrying it! Oh, except when Jamie carries it, but he won't mind... :-)

The pattern also comes with directions for a sweet changing pad that rolls and tucks into a little case, so that I can keep PJs off of all the grossness out there in the world! I'll use some complimentary fabric that I already have in my vast closet-of-fabrics-I- love-and-haven't-made-anything-of-yet... Promise to post some photos once this is done!

BOO! HISS! Orbitz sucks!

This week we went online to buy our airline tickets for Ireland. Well, let me tell you - we had a terrible experience trying to buy our tickets from Orbitz.com (where they were a great deal). I will never, EVER use their site again. BLACKLISTED!

After choosing our flights and entering our information (a lengthy process!) I clicked to purchase. I was given an error message, saying I'd missed some details. OK, fine - I tried again. Same thing. Several times. Frustrated, I gave up. Then, later at night I double checked the credit card number and tried again. Error again, and then the next time I was told that the card was declined! I knew something was seriously wrong, because that should not have been the case by a long shot.

The next morning, Jamie (traveling and in Fresno) tries to buy breakfast, and the credit card is declined. After calling the bank, he finds out that the card is over the limit because of pending charges from Orbitz.

Of course, I call Orbitz up and find out through much prodding that apparently, they "soft charge" your card - basically a preauthorization. That soft charge goes through to check that the card is valid and you have the available credit, but then the site tries goes in again in the same transaction to actually charge your card the full amount ON TOP of the preauthorization charge! It may run through several "soft charges" if you have had errors in the buying process - amounting to several thousand dollars taking up your card's availability, even though nothing gets charged in the end. Confusing, no? Anyway, long story short... Jamie gets the bank to figure out the problem (eventually) and the charge was removed by VISA. Normally the "soft charges" take up to 2 weeks to disappear - tying up your credit and disabling you from going elsewhere to even try to buy your tickets. I'm glad we weren't doing this at the last minute.

Searched online and this is very common - lots of disgruntled folks out there - also reports of them double charging people for rooms and trips and cases of people being enrolled in some kind of "savings club" that continually charges your credit card $9.95 a month until you notice and force them to stop...

Boycott Orbitz - tell everyone! They are on my blacklist for sure now.

Sounds like GOOOOOOD eatin'!

I love the scrappy book, Milk, Eggs, Vodka, a collection of lost and found grocery lists.

If we are what we eat, then this book reveals deep and strange truths about the average food shopper ... not to mention more mundane facts like a lot of people love vodka and banana is actually very difficult to spell.

Check out the book, which is really funny. I have had a whole theory for ages now that you can tell a lot about a person from their grocery receipt - relationship status, gender, age, etc... For example, very few straight bachelors have things on their lists like "low-fat yogurt" and "chevre". It would be hilarious to match the lists (the shopper's ideals) against the receipts (the reality).

For a hilarious mini-break, check this story out. The author has posted a super short visual story about a fictional relationship from start to finish based on the discared grocery lists, and it takes just a few minutes to read. On the site, just click the arrows at the right edge of the graphic (they're invisible until you go over them).

Comments (Round 2 - DING DING!)

Scratching your brain about the comments area? You're not alone! I've heard so far from a couple of people that there are problems with adding comments... If you'd like to leave comments and have so far been unable to, try this:

1. Click on 'comment' at the bottom of the post
2. Under 'choose an identity' click on the "other" button
3. Just enter your name - unless you have a website that I don't know about!
4. Comment away!
5. Don't forget, other comments (if any!) are at the top of the pop-up.
6. If there are still problems please let me know!

Confused weirdos shown illustrating the point are from iStockphoto!

Week 8!

PJs is now the size of an olive, according to Fit Pregnancy magazine. They have a hilarious timeline in the print magazine (not intended to be so funny, I think) that gives interesting tidbits about the developing baby over 40 weeks. Most are quite helpful, but a few crack me up... I cannot wait until PJs is (as they have described) the size of a SMALL CAT! Hilarious!! I can't remember when that will be - I think it's several months away, but I'll be sure to post when the time comes! Meow!

Here's what PJs is up to:
Everything that is present in an adult human is now present in the small embryo. The ears are continuing to form externally and internally. The bones are beginning to form, and the muscles can contract. Fingers and toes are webbed but are growing longer.

The facial features continue to mature. The tip of the nose is present and the eyelids are now more developed. The embryonic tail is also disappearing, and your baby's body is beginning to straighten out. While your baby's gender has already been determined, the external genitals are still forming and cannot be clearly seen. One of the most exciting new changes is that the first signs of brain waves can be seen! The baby's heart is beating at 150 beats per minute. Nerve fibers are beginning to travel throughout the baby's body. Spontaneous movement begins (but can't yet be felt).

An unwinnable battle (like Iraq?!)...

Perfect for anyone with too much time on their hands or just a minute for a laugh, I give you KittenWar! Just like it sounds, it's judging photos of kittens against each other... To speed things up, check out the winningest kittens or the other categories on the top left.

If all those kittens don't make your day, you can always check out Cute Overload for an unhealthy dose of adorable animals and the weirdos who dote on them!

Helping us to visualize PJs!

Jamie and I and the baby received the sweetest card on Friday from Bryan, Michelle and my very best niece Robyn with a special drawing inside - this fantastic drawing of PJs. I think this is a much more favourable rendering than our dreadful mash-up concept! I especially love all the details - the little toys, the baby's clothes, the tooth! So cute - keep up the creative work Robyn! And thank you all - the card made my day!

YUM!

I am in love with yam/sweet potatoes lately, in fry form at restaurants of course and at home I make them in the oven. Well, all that pesky peeling and cutting-up of vegetables can be a real chore (sarcasm alert) and yesterday when I was grocery shopping out in the 'burbs after a disappointing trip to H&M in the valley, I found the best new product! Precut sweet potatoes! Not that cutting up veggies is such hard work, but sometimes a few shortcuts just make things so much easier. They're in the prewashed salad greens area.

Anyway, as far as preparing them goes, I just toss with a dash of olive oil, sprinkle on salt & pepper and whatever random spices I have on hand, like a little rosemary and chili powder. Bake at around 400 for about 25 mins. If you're feeling complicated, you can mix up a terrific dip: a dollop of mayo, a smidge of pesto, squirt of lemon juice and a dash of chili powder.

Any dieters out there shouldn't fear the fantastic sweet potato - it's super healthy, low calorie, good carbs (and not many of them even) and delicious too (nutrition info for this brand).

Gallery of the Absurd

I love Gallery of the Absurd - the artist, 14, has a wicked sense of humour and fantastic talent. Her usual material is spawned (spewed, one might say) from the pages of the glossy gossip tabs, but her latest post tickled my fancy something terrible... Apparently GeeDubya has been crying tears of self-pity every day (article link below) and seeing ghosts coming from the Lincoln bedroom (why is all the activity in that one bedroom?! Don't they have others?). Here's what she has to say:

This is the second image that came to mind after reading this article. Introducing the newest bottled water product, Tears of Bush. Each bottle contains the actual tears of President George W. Bush, gathered as they drip off the shoulder of God. He cries every day, so there's an unlimited supply. Pick up a case of Tears of Bush sparkling water today! Available exclusively at Wal-Mart. Supplies may be scarce in the Red States, but Washington and California are said to have excess supplies sitting around gathering dust in warehouses. Enjoy Tears of Bush in moderation as studies show drinking excess amounts may produce hallucinations such as ghost sightings or bumbling confusion when speaking to dignitaries in foreign countries. Medium: graphite sketch, digital color/text.

Four thumbs up!

Yesterday Jamie and I went to the 5th Ave. to see The 11th Hour - the environmental documentary produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. It was great - highly recommend it! Not only does it feature a panel of independent scientists and experts discussing the facts about the issue, but it goes on to link our consumption-based consumerist society and the corporation structure to connect the dots between the five w's. The film ends with positive messages about what is being done already and what individuals can do. Click the link to see the trailer. Am continuing on my winning streak of booing the PUSA every time his ugly mug goes up on a movie screen, by the way! Even if I'm the only one, I enjoy it! And on a personal note - WALK to the movie theatre or carpool and make it a double-date night! We walked from our place downtown like usual, and it was nice to know that we didn't expel any poisons in order to go to see an environmental film!

On a local note, those in Vancouver should check out Granville, the new city magazine from Canadawide, the publishers of BC Business. A friend of mine is the sales manager, and she hooked me up with the premier issue recently. It's great - all about sustainability in our local community. You can get a free subscription, but if you're close by me, just ask for my copy and circulate. Better to share than all of us ordering individual copies! Even though it's focused on Vancouver, it's got a lot of great info that would be good for everyone!

Sounds tasty

Just saw a recipe online for "non-alcoholic champagne". Sure it's no Cristal, but it sounds delicious and sugary:

3 cups sparkling white grape juice
2 cups pineapple juice
2 cups ginger ale.

Add pineapple chunks and lemon, lime and orange slices.

I will have to find a reason to buy all that stuff. I think I may already have some leftover bottles of sparkling white grape from our art show at work a while back... OMG - maybe I can put maraschino cherries in this!!!!

Good to know!

Here's a list of things I "may" be experiencing in the second month of pregnancy, according to the good folks at Canadian Parents magazine:

• fatigue & sleepiness
• nausea, with or without vomiting
• constipation
• heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, bloating
• food cravings
• breast changes: tenderness and fullness
• frequent urination
• occasional headaches
• occasional dizziness
• clothes may begin to be uncomfortable
• irritability, mood swings, weepiness, fear, joy, elation

I thought make the list a little more *fancy* by using a range of lovely colours! I call it the "feel-good rainbow"! Luckily, I am not experiencing all of these things - especially not the grossest digestive ones! OK, that list may be too much info for some of you folks out there (hello Grandpas-to-be!). Hey, at least I didn't say what was what!

My clothes are starting to get a bit tight, although I wish they would fit worse actually, so I'd have a good reason to start wearing more sack-like tops and blousey dresses with tights (or their evil second-cousin, leggings!). Rather, as it is, I just feel as though I am starting to be chubby! And I haven't even gotten that bean taco yet!

First Doctor's appointment

The first doctor's appointment went really well today! I had been feeling really nervous, but Jamie came with me and kept me company the whole time. Everyone kept referring to him as my "husband" which was fun (and will be true soon!).

The doctor was really nice - she has an established practice and has been at it for almost 30 years. We both had a great vibe from her. She weighed me (mortifying on any day, let alone now!), did the whole check-up thing and pronounced me in good health, sent me for various usual tests and I have my next appointment in 4 weeks. Do keep us in your thoughts & prayers as we get through these early stages of pregnancy.

Short post - kind of tired and about to go home for the day. Hope you all are well!

Mmmmm...

I am SOOOO in the mood for maraschino cherries and a bean soft taco supreme. Not at the same time, necessarily - that might be gross... But I think I am going to have to make a pilgrimage to the valley to get some Taco Bell this weekend! And a stop to pick up some cherries sooner than that! I've been eating exceedingly healthfully, but man alive, a taco and some cherries would suit me right.

Other things I've been in the mood for a lot lately: vanilla yogurt, peaches, coconuts. Together - so delicious! And Earl Gray tea mistos - you can make them yourself with hot milk and a water-decaffeinated tea bag!

Holiday planning

Am preoccupied today with travel planning for our Irish honeymoon! I had already booked our accommodations a while back in Dublin and Cork, and I'm ready to book our nights in Antrim, outside Belfast, at the 17th century Ballygally Castle - reportedly haunted by a friendly ghost! It was hard to figure out where to stay in N. Ireland - they're on the GBP of course (Euro down south), so it's quite expensive everywhere. Luckily, I am a wizard at using points whenever possible!

Next up - booking the flights! It's still an age away but Jamie and I are both really excited... We'll rent a car for the Northern Ireland/Cork portions of the trip - it's recommended so that you can get off the beaten path. Our favourite! That is as far as a plan goes, for me - I like to know where we will be sleeping, and how we are going to get home, but after that there are no plans! But... I may continue perusing my Ireland Travel guide!

PS - Was going to post a leprechaun pic, but I couldn't find one that wasn't clip-art atrocity, and thought a map might be more helpful anyway!

7th week!

I've been waiting for this week - my first real doctor's appointment is on Thursday and PJs is going to have a big growth spurt this week according to the good old Interweb:

This week your baby has an amazing growth spurt. At the beginning of this week, your baby is approximately 4 to 5 mm and by the end of the week it has more than doubled to 11 to 13 mm - about the size of a blueberry. Sounds pretty tiny still? Consider this for a little perspective: Your baby is 10,000 times bigger now than it was at conception a month ago.

The biggest growth this week is your baby's head (the better to store all those smarts in), with new brain cells being generated at the rate of 100 cells per minute. This week his or her arm and leg buds begin to sprout and grow longer (and stronger), dividing into hand, arm, and shoulder segments — and leg, knee, and foot segments (though the limb buds look more like paddles than hands or feet at this early stage). Also forming this week are your baby's mouth and tongue, nose and eyes begin to get pigment. And although your embryo is just one month old, it's already gone through three sets of kidneys. The ones in place now are the permanent set.

Pretty cool, eh? The photos show the hands development over the course of just three days!

Mash Up!

Jamie had a great idea - what if we could see what PJs might look like? Well, thanks very much to free software and a little spare time, here's a composite of what PJs might look like, assuming this is him or her at our age, and operating with the understanding that he or she will adopt our hairstyles of course! Click the picture for a close up - you will *enjoy* it. It's not even Halloween!

Poor kid! Don't fret - I am sure the baby version will be much more adorable!!

Bird Park Saturday

Jamie & I went out to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Ladner for a relaxing Saturday afternoon picnic & walk. We enjoyed best sandwiches from Thrifty Foods in Tsawwassen (I would move there for that grocery store!) and we ate them on a picnic table, with me huddled in a blanket because it was freezing - not because I was wearing short pants and flip flops on a chilly day! I could eat their West Coast veggie sandwich every day - it's crusty cranberry nut bread, cream cheese, jalapeno havarti, dijon, cucumbers, tomatoes, red peppers and red onions. SOOOO good! I am looking for lunch alternatives since I have read that pregnant ladies are not supposed to be eating any deli meats unless they are "steaming" - gross!

Anyway, sandwiches aside, the bird sanctuary walk was great. There are lovely nature paths through marsh areas and light woodsy groves. Lots of photo opportunities and cool breezes. The only problem is that Jamie & I are both pretty scared of birds ever since our trip into the deserted bird park in Playacar, Mexico, when we went into the toucan cage - which only had one entrance and exit, we found out when we were at the end of the path inside the cage, the exit door was barred, and we began to be attacked by toucans and scary Mexican vulture-like birds!! Anyway, since then we are scared of large birds - a weinery thing to be afraid of, you may think, until you're cornered by vicious birds and you're wearing flip flops!

At the bird sanctuary there are the good birds - ducks especially, and more than a few scary ones - especially those scary-aggressive Sandhill Cranes and some mighty ornery Canada geese. We were on a lookout over the marsh yesterday when five sandhill cranes flew in overhead, squawking like some kind of pterodactyls, and one cornered us. I should note there are all sorts of signs around saying they're aggressive and can hurt people, just so you know we're chickens but not out of our minds! Anyway, Jamie said 'run!' and we leaped off the lookout structure and I got my flip-flop caught on the stairs and flew, supergirl like, into a heap on the ground with a thud! As per usual, I kept the camera elevated above my head (I fall a lot apparently) and was trying to get back up with the camera and my tote bag full of water & blankets when Jamie helped me back to my feet. I couldn't help thinking when I was falling that a) that scary bird was going to get me for sure now and b) why, oh why, am I laying here on the ground like a girl in high-heels in a 50's b-movie. Seriously, I would be that person, breaking an ankle in the big chase scene when everyone runs away from the scary monster/alien/mutant vegetable! All was well in the end - we got away and enjoyed the rest of the walk! And Jamie got us some ice cream for our troubles on the way home!

We are looking forward, by the way, to having a baby carriage to stow all our junk in! And I should consider wearing better shoes sometimes!

Comments!

I wasn't sure why no one had left any comments (preference, shyness, lack of interest!) but I realized just today that no - it's none of those things (or at least not only!!) - I hadn't enabled the comments to work properly! If you want to comment on a particular posting, just click on the 'comments' link on the bottom of each post. You'll get a new pop-up window.

Short post for now - not feeling super great today. Kind of queasy around the edges... I'll post some more later on today.