Poutine Fest & Some Bed Rest

It has been a bit of a challenging week for me.  I have been having cramping/pain in my belly, sides and back more frequently this week.  I have been taking it easy and it seems to resolve itself for a while.  But it does seem to come back if I am not just laying around in bed (which at 26 weeks I am not really looking to go on bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy).  So I am going to try and mix rest with low activity and hopefully I can still remain a bit active for the last 3 months.

That being said the Hubs and I took advantage of "Poutine Fest" which was this weekend in downtown Ottawa.  It was such a fun time.  I ate crispy chicken poutine and finished it off with a Churro.  To complete the date night the Hubs and I watched the "Avengers" movie to freshen up on the past events and to get ready for the second Avengers movie coming out next weekend.

Excited to be out and getting poutine

The truck I finally settled on; Lou's Fast Food

My crispy chicken poutine.  So yummy and I didn't get any heartburn after.  WooHoo!!

Not a very exciting week since I have spent quite some time in bed with my feet up (yup that's how I currently writing this post).  But hopefully this is just a new symptom and will pass in about a week.  Until then I wonder if I can find an ice cream delivery service (aside from the Hubs).

Choose to be Optimistic.  It Feels Better

**Here are some more bump pics.  The little nugget is getting so big and is moving around a tons (my stomach looks like a alien is trying to get out)

21 weeks

23 weeks

24 weeks

25 weeks

26 weeks

April TopBox Review

It has been a LONG time since I have done a post on my TopBox.  But trying to stick with my resolution of being a better blogger I have decided to start my TopBox reviews again (since I haven't stopped getting the box).  So read on to see my April TopBox.

Every month I get a little surprise in the mail.  It's my monthly Topbox. 

Topbox is a monthly beauty service that delivers " luxe box of beauty samples for you to try out in the comfort of your home."

For about $15/month I get to try out about 5 sample and quite often full size products.  I LOVE getting my little present every month.

For anyone who is interested in checking out what they are all about go to Topbox

The products I got this month:

Deborah Lippmann - Luxurious Nail Colour - She Drives Me Crazy

What TopBox Says: "A luxury line of award winning nail lacquers, created working with iconic figures in fashion from Cher to Sarah Jessica Parker.  For best looking nails, apply 2 coats of polish."  - $20 for 15mL

What I say: This is a great summer colour for my toes.  Can't wait to give it a go.  I have used her polish before, they have great pigment and coverage.

Would I purchase: I would get different colours if/when they go on sale.

Me MAXEffects Naturals

What TopBox says: "Gently wipes make and impurities away while balancing the skin's pH." - $7.5 for 65mL

What I Say: I haven't tried these yet, but they are great for my travel kit.

Would I purchase: Maybe if I was looking for a substitute for my pre-moisten clothes.

Matrix Style Link - Smooth Setter Smoothing Cream **Full size product received**

What TopBox Says: "Your link to smoothness with control.  This cream textures delivers satin finish and doesn't weight down hair for a natural movement." - $16.25 for 118mL

What I say: This was great.  It made my hair very smooth and soft.  I used it on damp hair then went to sleep, the next day my hair looked pretty good. 

Would I purchase: Yes

Philosophy - Miracle worker overnight

What TopBox Says: "Apply after cleansing and treatment as a nighttime or daytime moisturizer." - $117 for 118mL

What I say: I haven't noticed a big difference between this face cream and my regular one.  Not a big fan that there is no SPF in it (something I think ALL face creams should include)

Would I purchase: No.  The price is just too extreme to justify.

**Bonus Item** Hawaiian Tropics Sunscreen spf30

This was a bonus item and therefore doesn't have a write up on it.  But it's a readily available sunscreen and with summer right around the corner I was very excited to see this in my box.

Would I purchase: It smells great and I would absolutely purchase.

Pancakes, Maple Syrup and some Fresh Air

It was a BEAUTIFUL weekend this weekend in Ottawa.  Originally suppose to be overcast and 12 degrees with maybe rain on Saturday, the day turned into 14 and sunny.  With my parents up visiting for the weekend we decided to take full advantage of the awesome spring weather.

When S tcalled?? about the Fulton's Pancake House and Sugar Bush located about 45mins away from Ottawa I was down for a Saturday trip.  I have done maple syrup tours before (in grade school) but it has been a really long time.  So early in the afternoon on Saturday the Hubs, 'rents and myself loaded into the car and took off for a drive and some maple goodies.

They had goats!!!! Even being snubbed by the goat is better then no goat at all.

The Hubs trying out an Aboriginal resting bed (he said it was pretty comfy)

A little demonstration of some Aboriginal tools used back in the day

The Hubs and myself in another shelter area.  Yup that's a butterfly on my face (I was fancy)

My dad checking out how "comfy" the facilities used to be

It wouldn't have been a trip to a maple syrup farm (is that what they're called?) without ending it with some yummy food.  I ate so much and was ready for a sugar coma to kick in. 

Pancakes and maple baked beans.  SOOOOOOOOO yummy

But we had passed a sign about a fudge store so we decided to take a little detour and pick up some fudge.  Unfortunately Penny's Fudge Factory was closed but the country drive was a lot of fun and I probably didn't need anymore sugar.

 A great way to enjoy the beautiful spring weather, and a visit with the 'rents. Plus I found out my mom had never been to a maple syrup place before.  So 1 check for her bucket list.

A Sense of Peace and Gratefulness.

I was laying in bed (watching bad for me reality TV) while fighting a bit of a cold/allergies this weekend.  The hubs was working hard turning his old art studio into the nursery and I was over come with this amazing sense of gratefulness. 

It's a feeling that I am a bit sorry to say I haven't had much of lately.  The whole act of "trying" to get pregnant (over 2 years) and also using a fertility clinic left me with less of a feeling of gratefulness and more of a feeling of failure and hopelessness.

Having a baby was something that I never really wanted in my life, but it was something that the Hubs has ALWAYS wanted.  There were lots of times that I had the thought that since I didn't want a baby before maybe that's why we weren't getting pregnant now.  And once we got our little one I have had a very difficult pregnancy.

But I have made my peace with my pregnancy troubles (and really since the vomiting has stopped it's been a LOT easier), and accepting that things are really not going to go the way that I want them to things have been a lot smoother/enjoyable.

So on this afternoon while sitting around trying to breath through my plugged up nose, listening to the Hubs paint the walls, I just feel so lucky.  My life is by no means perfect but the more I figure out how to be an adult the more I am finding that it's not about life being perfect, it's about finding the good and keeping the faith that you really are destined for happiness.

Our first Easter in our home

This week has been a pretty awesome week.  Sure it started out as hell week at work (end of the fiscal year = massive deadlines when you work in research and with the Feds).  But after a couple of harsh days (though I admit less stressful/long then I was actually expecting) the real fun started.

I was lucky enough to "work from home" on Thurs, which sorta translated into less work and more afternoon nap.  Though I did try and be a bit productive during the day, so I thought maybe I would make my first Passover Seder dinner. 

Now I admit that I am not too sure what you are actually suppose to have or avoid for Passover dinner, instead I decided to pick something to make that could possibly become a yearly tradition. 

I have a ton of bones in my freezer so I decided to give homemade Matzo Ball soup a try.  I made it all in the crock pot, and cheated a little with Matzo Ball mix but since it was my first attempt EVER I don't feel overly guilty about it.

I have to say it was pretty tasty, and super easy to make.  After the broth was made (5hrs in the slow cooker) I picked off the chicken, thinly sliced some onions and made the matzo balls.  I had read somewhere not to pack them to tight when your making them so they stay nice and fluffy.  I just put them into the slow cooker and let them cook for an hour.

Probably not a traditional Matzo Ball soup, but I say it was a really tasty first attempt.

Good Friday was a restful day that ended with a super fun date that the Hubs planned at The Keg Manor.  We go to this restaurant every time we want a romantic night out.  Usually we make dinner reservations for around 8pm, but since getting pregnant I can't eat dinner that late as that is usually the time I start longing for my bed. Thankfully the hubs knows this so he made the dinner reservation for 6pm. 

It has been a few months (probably around 5 months) since we have been there and I was so excited to get the Chicken Oscar or the Creole Chicken (which are basically the same thing except the Oscar has seafood mixed in a cream sauce over the chicken and the Creole is seafood with a tomato sauce).  But much to my surprise they had changed ALL of their chicken dishes.  This might not be a big deal to others but since I have a beef allergy my menu options are a limited there (plus I have a food aversion to strong smelling fish).

But our server was able to add an Oscar to a plain chicken for me so in the end I was able to get what I wanted.

mmmm creme brulee my favourite desert

But while I was super excited to go I have to say this time the food and the service was not up to the regular amazingness that we usually get there.  Not only had they changed all the chicken dishes but instead of getting really nice grilled veggies you now get yucky steamed ones (our waitress again was able to fix this for me).  Our service was ok, she did correct both of my "complaints' (I promise I'm not super picky) but I had to flag her down because she never checked on us, and I wasn't able to get a drink refill to about the end of my meal (which was a little crummy).

I admit that this night out was not typical of the Keg manor so we will absolutely be going again for another date night (hopefully before the baby is born).

Easter Sunday had to be my favourite day of the week though.
Not only was this our first Easter in our new home but my oldest and bestest friend and her husband stopped by on their way home from visiting family in Quebec.

K and J not only stopped by to see our home (and us) but also to have a mini baby shower for the baby.  K and J along with K's parents (who while growing up were like a second set of parents to me) spoiled the baby so much with their generosity.

 

Such a lucky little girl.

After some tears (both cards made me cry, which totally made K laugh) we all headed out for a late lunch, and some trivial pursuit 90's edition.  After we all settled into an Easter dinner (with M joining us for trivial pursuit and dinner).

To help with the stress of hosting a holiday dinner I tried to keep it super simple with baked ham, crockpot  potatoes au gratin and lemon meringue pie (that the Hubs and M made).

Good food, amazing friends and some quality time with the Hubs.  I have to say this was possibly one of my favourite weeks.

She believed she could, so she did. - Unknown

Pregnancy, Seriously?!?

Ok I'm calling it, pregnancy is not at all the magical ride I was thinking it was going to be.

Now I admit that I have not been kissed by the pregnancy gods and have had a rather tough go at it, and I have had friends who's pregnancy has been a wonderful and beautiful thing.  If that has been you, then take it from me, you are one lucky lady (and I am so very jealous of you).

This post is not going to be an ode to the joys of pregnancy, it's more about calling bulls***t on this notion that it is always a beautiful time in a women's life. 

The hubs and I were really excited when we found out that we were pregnant, we had been trying for a very long time (and had been under the care of a fertility doctor) and I was at the point where I was starting to think it might never happen.  However the joy was a little short lived because before we had gotten all the confirmation tests/ultrasounds back saying we were in fact pregnant and everything was ok, the vomiting started.

Ahhh Dec. 8th the day that will live forever in my memory.  I had a massive deadline at work that had a bunch of problems with it.  So while I was trying to be a team player and help out I was also getting sick about once an hour for the next 9hrs at work.  I called the clinic and they prescribed me some diclectin (a awesome and safe anti-nausea meds for pregnant women). 

Now I am very confident that the diclectin did in fact help with the "morning sickness" (seriously who named it this?  Worse Name Ever!!!) it really just turned it into bad morning sickness.  On the maximum dosage (8 pills a day mixed with gravol at night) and a part time work schedule for a couple weeks to rest, I still made 2 trips to the ER for fluid IVs, and was still sick multiple times a day. 

Thankfully by about 18 weeks my nausea was controlled with just 2 diclectin a day (YAY no more puking) and I had started gaining weight and most of my food aversions were going away (Though I still can't eat veggies raw like before).  I was so happy, now I will be able to really enjoy my pregnancy I thought.

Hahahaha what a foolish thought.  I started getting severe back and leg pains.  I did a little research (and talked to my midwife) and figured out that regular massages and a walk during the work day significantly reduced the pain.

Alright back in business of this beautiful miracle that is creating life.  Which I did get to enjoy for about 2 days and then an awesome (unknown to me pain) started happening.  Now I won't fully go into details but lets just say it's very similar to being kicked in the lady business.  I was expecting this type of pain but I thought AFTER the baby was born.

Now at 23 weeks preggers and starting to figure out how to make the lady pain less (so that I don't waddle when walking or yelp in pain from lifting my leg - which is feet up and lay down instead of sitting) I am excitingly awaiting my next super awesome pregnancy symptom.

For all the women out there who have had the Hollywood blissful pregnancy, rejoice in this fabulous time in your life.  For everyone else, take heart this too will pass (you can't be pregnant forever even if it feels like you are), and know that you are not alone in this.  Heck you could even send me a message I might have already had your symptom and might know a trick to dealing with it. 
But please if you are one of the lucky ones don't tell us how great your pregnancy has been.  We know that you don't mean anything by it at all and you are trying to understand our misery but with uncontrollable hormones, and constant pain/discomfort you might accidentally get punched. 

**I don't own any of the pictures posted, they were all found on pinterest