Pregnancy & Motherhood

Lukas is Almost NINE Months Old!

Oh. My. Goodness. Please don't give me judgy eyes, I KNOW I have been majorly slacking for the past few months; however, these have been some of the best few months of my life, so I am only half embarrassed that I have not been blogging that much.

Firstly, my little Lukas is not so little anymore. In fact, he now weighs a whopping 27-ish lbs, independently sits, crawls backwards, babbles a lot, and has started eating different types of purees, from mango to fully cooked eggs and beef. He has a personality to die for and is as sweet as the best dessert you can think of. He is so curious about everything and everyone around him and smiles all the time.

My happy baby now has six little pearly whites and has the most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen. He sleeps full nights and tries imitating sounds mommy and daddy make. He claps his hands, signs with his hands when he wants you to pick him up and twists his wrists to show he is dancing!

Ugh, I could go on forever (and I bet any mom can relate) but let's give a quick update on what has been going on over the past few months in the world of Alesia Dunn.

To begin, March and April were really tough on me. I had a mix of what felt like PPD and wanderlust, so much so, that I was very close to booking a trip to Florida with my baby boy (since daddy was busy working) just to get away and "break the routine". But instead, I called up some relatives in beautiful British Columbia and decided to head there in June! May was an amazing/quick-passing month. Like, it  f l e w  by. Matthew and I got to celebrate our first birthdays with mister Lukas, and I had my first official Mother's Day. On June 8th, I travelled with Lukeybear to Vancouver, and it was the first time I'd taken a plane without my husband since we started dating! (I will write a post on travelling alone with a baby and a comparison between +WestJet and +Air Canada in another post, because I think I have some useful information for mamas travelling alone with their kids!!)

Then in end of June, I did a road trip with my son. This time, it was to Niagara Falls for a meet-up with several moms I met through the +What To Expect forum board, which then became a +Facebook group, which then became friendships and meetups. So Lukey and I have been everywhere—my new travel buddy!

Oh, oh, and my baby boy got baptised last weekend! It was beautiful, and my boy was just a pleasure. Although he was tired, he was still smiley and ready to indulge in the good food, and even better company. I made all the centrepieces and the seating chart myself. (Let me know if you would like to see pictures and tutortials!)

So that's that for now. Man, I am kind of proud of myself for actually writing this post, I did not think I could finish writing it in one day!

Stay tuned for more :-)

-Alesia D.

Baby Lukas is Four Months Old!

Today, we are celebrating baby Lukey's 4-month old birthday. I can't believe it has already been four whole months since he has been in this world and that I have been a mommy.

I. Have. Learned. A. Lot. And something tells me I will only be learning more and more and more. He has also changed a lot and learned tons in these few, short month. It is really a beautiful thing to watch your child grow right in front of you.

He now:
  • laughs and giggles;
  • pays more attention to his surroundings;
  • presses buttons on his bouncer and toys;
  • reacts to and loves nursery rhymes;
  • babbles and coos a lot more;
  • tries to copy sounds mommy and daddy make;
  • likes to touch e v e r y t h i n g;
  • is very active;
  • reacts to his reflection in the mirror;
  • loves sitting up (assisted);
  • is extremely curious about the things we eat and drink;
  • has gone up another diaper size; 
  • tries to turn around onto his back from his belly; and
  • wears 9-month old clothing.
A few weeks ago, my baby caught his first cold, so it was my first time dealing with a stuffy nose, fever, and occasionally, a cranky baby. Poor little guy woke up congested every morning, so I quickly became good friends with his nasal aspirator and humidifier. His paediatrician recommended feeding him in small quantities (I still breastfeed) more often, as he vomited after each feeding. And he finally got better a week later.

I have also noticed him drooling more often. And over the past two weeks, he has been biting on his fingers as a way to perhaps soothe his irritated gums, so I finally bough him soothing teethers.

The month of February also gave baby Lukas the chance to have his very first Valentine (me!). I did a little DIY Valentine's shoot with him, and the pictures were a hit. (You can see them below.)

My hubby and I also discovered he has a thing for selfies. Every time he sees a phone, he stares into the lens and starts acting funny. He alternates between, laughing, acting tough, smiling, and posing. It's the cutest thing ever. And so far, it seems that we have a very social baby. As long as mommy and daddy approve, Lukas enjoys playing with others and is comfortable enough to be left without us. Thankfully, he enjoys playing with the caregivers at my gym daycare while I work out, and he always likes being with his grandparents, aunts and uncles.

I can't wait to see what else he will learn and do in his fourth month of being!

Thanks for reading!

-Alesia D.




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Mommy Time

As a new mom, I can relate to the feeling of wanting to be with my baby all the time. It is completely normal. I carried him in my belly for nine months, gave birth to him, and now I don't want to spend any precious moment away from him. It's completely understandable.

But I think that more often than not, us mommies tend to forget ourselves in the midst of motherhood and all that it brings into our lives. I know I was starting to experience that at first, any way. 

The first month is and should be about baby and creating a bond with him/her. But I think that a mommy should start doing things for herself and with her husband (or significant other) once she feels her "recovery" period is over. This could mean catching up with friends over coffee, going out for dinner and/or a movie with the husband or even just taking an uninterrupted nap alone. Find a reliable and trustworthy babysitter, such as your mother, other relative, a trusted neighbour or friend to watch your precious little one. Some adult time is good for the soul.

The first time I left Lukey alone, he stayed with my mother at about one month old. That day, I spent my time doing groceries, an activity I enjoy doing solo, and went shopping for some much-needed clothes. I made sure to do my makeup all nice and to wear clothes that made me feel good. When my alone-time was up, I had missed my baby, felt refreshed and was ready for him again.

It has been scientifically proven that when we do anything on an on-going or full-time basis, it is beneficial to take a time out every once in a while. This helps you rediscover yourself, regain perspective, increase your patience and even decrease your chances of getting post-partum depression. And remember, when you are relaxed, your children will be relaxed.

Since January, I have committed myself to the gym, and I strategically chose one with a daycare. It fits all of my needs. Every cardio machine has a TV where I can either watch a show or turn to the daycare channel and watch my son live. The caregivers know to call me if he has a diaper accident, is hurt, hungry or crying non stop, so I am always at peace when I go to the gym and know he is in good hands. And there is a nursery for breastfeeding mothers. Yes, it all costs extra (about $16 biweekly) but I am doing something I love wile feeling confident about whom my son is with, and that is priceless.

Plus, I want to show my baby and my future babies that only when we love ourselves can we genuinely love others.

What are your thoughts, mommies? I would love for you to share. :)

Thank you,


Alesia D.

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Almost six weeks in and I can finally say I have a handle on my life again. The first few weeks were quite an adjustment, what with being up all night, diving into the world of breastfeeding, and being a parent. I had waited for this for a long time. I, Alesia Dunn, was finally a mommy.

The night after having my precious baby Lukas was fairly easythe nurses were amazing and made sure I had all the proper tools and guidance to feed him and take care of him. Once I arrived home, however, I was no longer in the comfort zone the hospital had created for me and other mothers alike. The first night or two back home were a little challenging. Not only was I trying to master breastfeeding all on my own now without anybody's help, but I also realized that my sleep, my dearly beloved sleep, would be compromised from now on, and there was no turning back.

Being sleep deprived, this one challenge took its toll on me the most. I have always loved my sleep, and so it was hard on me emotionally and physically. I remember one night in particular, I was getting so beyond frustrated with my son's crying after being up for so many hours. But an inner voice peacefully reminded me that this is a new world for him and he is probably afraid. I was a mommy now, and this is where unconditional love and affection came into play. Once I was reminded of this, that night and every other night after that became easier and my patience grew from that night on.

Another challenge I faced was leaving the house on time. I remember being late for his very first follow-up appointment at the hospital and then being late for his first appointment with the paediatrician. Why? Well, it was only when I became a mom that I found out I could no longer take showers nor get ready when I pleased. Oh no. I learned very quickly that unless baby is fed, burped, changed and happy or sleeping, I could not do all these "me" things. And then there was the extra time needed to fully pack his diaper bag (and knowing what to pack), bundle him up, secure him in his car seat. But then also remembering to prepare myself a big bottle of water filled with ice, because that is what breastfeeding had led me to crave. Did I mentioned I was always famished? Nursing did that to me too.

Then there were all the little things I always took for granted, such as running into the grocery store to pick something up quickly, tidying up the house, cooking and even blogging.

And finally, another challenge I faced was giving my body the time it needed to recover from delivery itself. I am the type of person who loves going out and being active, but even walks proved to be a tad strenuous.




In the end, I would not change a single thing. I am so happy to have found motherhood and am thankful to have thisThe very moment I laid my eyes on my precious son, I knew I was in love, and I knew God loved me, for he gave me one of the most beautiful gifts one could receive. Even his beautiful little cry was mesmerizing. I love all the little things about my baby boy, like the way he searches for mama when he is in someone else's arms, the way he stares into my eyes when I hold him closely, the way he gets hyper and excited around mealtimethese are the little moments I will hold in my heart forever. And I can only imagine the fun times that are to be had in the future.

If there is one piece of advice I could give to a new mom, it is to take a deep breath and remember that things will only get better from here. Someone once told me to not forget the feeling of longing I had while pregnant. It's easy to think of the "now" when the baby is crying and won't go to sleep at 4 in the morning, leaving you tired and frustrated. But if you can focus on the days and nights you spent dreaming of being a mommy to the baby in your belly, it puts all things in perspective and helps you regain control of the situation.

-Alesia Dunn



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What were your challenges in the first few weeks of motherhood? What worked? What didn't work? I'd love to know!


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My Clever Pregnancy Announcement

Alright, alright, I know I was supposed to post this, like, ages ago, but let's just say I had a very pleasant surprise come my way. Baby Lukas was born, as a matter of fact!! And now, I finally have *some* time to blog again, after the readjustment, all the visits and sleepless nights. Here it goes!

Last March, my husband and I found out we were expecting. But since we lost our first baby at 14 weeks, we thought we would wait a little longer before announcing to a n y b o d y too soon. So we decided to make the announcement to our families over the Easter weekend, with everyone under the same roof. Oye, we were not sure if we could pull it off, but we gladly accepted the challenge, or shall I say, challenges.

Challenge #1:
Getting both families under the same roof at the same time, some time during the Easter weekend without our intentions being obvious. (If we were to suddenly be interested in reuniting both families for a "family night", I am sure someone would have caught on.)

Challenge #2:
Finding a unique way to announce our pregnancy: It had to be perfect and fun.

Challenge #3:
Keeping it to ourselves for almost a month and a half!!!

Okay. Now that you know of the challenges we faced, here is how we executed this whole thing.

Knowing that my husband's parents extended an invitation to my parents the Easter before, we thought we would somehow convince my mother-in-law (hehe, sorry!) to invite my parents again this year and then build on that. On the one hand, my husband was asking his mother if my family would make the invitations list that year and fabricated a story that my parents did not really have any plans this year, and on the other hand, I was asking my parents what they had planned over the weekend, and that they should really join us for a nice dinner and games. Finally, FINALLY, my husband and I succeeded in completing phase one of our plan. Our parents fell right into our trap!

Then came phase two of our grand master plan: Figuring out how to tell them!! Since my in-laws like playing Easter-inspired games when they host Easter dinner, I thought we could somehow incorporate a game of our own. ;) I did a bit of digging, many hours of pondering, and came up with a list of clever ideas. In the end, an Easter egg hunt is what we chose. But no ordinary egg hunt, oh no. I went to the dollar store, bought empty plastic eggs, and placed a number or letter in each one (along with a chocolate egg, of course) and hid them all in my in-laws' basement. Everyone was instructed to find one egg, bring it upstairs into the living room and wait until they were all collected before seeing what was on the inside. Once everyone found their egg, I instructed them to work together as a team and crack the code. *Note* I decided to switch letters for numbers and numbers for letters, and their only hint was D=5. My only exception was Z=0, because there is no letter "equivalent" for 0. So the numbers and letters they found were 14, 15, 22, 5, 13, 2, 5, 18, B, Z, A, E. These symbol, when arranged properly, made out the phrase "N O V E M B E R  2 0 1 5". It was soooo entertaining watching them struggle, but in the end, the tears were flowing as they found the answer. And all of a sudden, this Easter dinner became a lot more significant. It was just fantastic and so meaningful to have everyone who is important to us be the first to know that my husband and I were expecting. And now we have a sweet baby. <3

December 4, 2015

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Pack Your Bags, It's D-Day!

In the past few months, I have been asked about whether or not I have packed my hospital bag, what I put in it so far and what is left to buy. And in all honesty, I have only just begun putting my things together and assembling my thoughts (I am at 37+ weeks and have been putting off the thought of delivery and everything related to it for a while now. Oops!). There are some things, like makeup, undergarments and entertainment, that I have already thought of packing, but what else could I possibly bring with me?

I need to keep reminding myself that once I have that baby, I will no longer only be "Alesia Dunn", wife to a Mr Dunn. No, the moment I have that baby and step out of the hospital, I will be known as Mrs Dunn AND as Lukas's mommy. A mommy! Now, if that is not overwhelming and full of promise, I do not know what would be. Therefore, I need to pull myself together and ensure that my bags are packed in preparation for this special little gift from the heavens. I need to make sure that, while at the hospital and beyond, my motherly instincts kick in and that I pack the necessities for my sweet angel and mentally prepare to become someone's permanent caregiver. Not only that, but I also need to pack a few things for me, for hubby and a little something for the medical staff that will be helping me get through this delivery.

So without further ado, here is a short list of things that may slip your mind while you pack your bags.

For Baby
1. Newborn or Premie Diapers
     Excited you finally get to use that awesome diaper bag you just got?! Well, it is time to stuff it with a few diapers and baby wipes for your stay at the hospital. Nurses will definitely show you how to change your little angel's diaper while you enjoy your stay. I have heard that a small pack is recommended!

2. Baby's Going-Home Outfit
    I don't know about you, but I have been thinking of what my baby will be coming home in and how to make him as comfortable as he can be. And luckily, my mother-in-law saved my husband's going-home outfit for this very purpose. I bought a miniature onesie to replace the one my hubby wore on his very first day (so that our baby has his own) but the tiny knit jacket, socks and hat will be 28-year old classics on Lukey's hospital-release day! Mommies, I know you are excited, but be mindful of the season and of the weather in which you and your babe will be released. No t-shirts allowed in -5 weather, that is for sure!

3. Car Seat
    If there is one thing you definitely need once you have been discharged, it is a car seat, and a properly installed one at that. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully, and even get it checked out at your local fire station for extra reassurance. A lot of times, a nurse will actually accompany you to your care to ensure you have properly installed your car seat. So to avoid any stalling, get this item ready a few weeks before your delivery.

4. Baby's First Keepsake
    Ever heard of "Landmark Moments: Baby Edition" before? Well, it is a collection of baby cards from the U.K. that help document, you guessed it, milestone moments. This pack of 38 contains cards with landmark weeks, months and major occasions. Personally, I will be bringing the "Today I Arrived into the World" one for baby's delivery date. One drawback to this product, however, is that they do not ship to North America. It is unfortunate, since this product is thoughtful and would be perfect to give as a baby shower or home-visit gift. For a full list of what types of milestones are included in this pack, click here.

For Mommy
1. Health Card
    If you live in Canada, this one is a no-brainer.

2. Bag of Maxi Pads
    Right after baby arrives up until a few weeks post-birth, you will be needing these to protect your clothes from stains. I did not know this until recently, so I went out and bought some. It makes sense though, I do not know why I did not even think of it!

3. Toiletries 
    At first, I was only going to bring essentials, as in shampoo, condition, toothbrush/toothpaste and maybe some foundation to keep things simple. But then I started thinking about how great it feels to freshen up and get dolled up after a big workout or long, hard day. Delivery is no different. I know that after I have my baby, I want to look and feel fresh, and if that means bringing in a few extra products to boost my self-confidence (after learning first-hand how to breast feed, change a diaper, bathe a newborn and RECOVER from delivery) then it must be done! So my list quickly grew from shampoo, conditioner and foundation to all the items in this ------> picture. And to take care of my dry skin and clogged pores, I decided to bring my +Lush Cup O' Coffee Scrub, since we all know things can get pretty sweaty during labour. (So glamorous, right?) Oh, and don't forget the deodorant!

4. Nursing Bras
    First-time mom? Yeah, I think it is time for you to give up the +Victoria's Secret bras and trade them in for some good ol' nursing bras (and don't forget the breast pads). You will need these so that your newborn has full access to the goods when he gets hungry. That is, if you plan on breastfeeding of course.

5. Snacks
    Think the baby will come out right when you get to the hospital? Not necessarily. A lot of times, expecting mothers can be in the first stage of labour for hours. And in the meantime, nurses are working around the clock and sometimes well into their deserved breaks, just to help out. I did not know or even think about this until recently, but they barely get a bite in on the job. So to show your appreciation for their commitment and hard work, I strongly suggest making them some snacks (for them and for you, of course, since you will need energy for labour). So far, I have made banana bread muffins. For the recipe, click here. I also plan on making energy balls and bringing some vegetables, nuts and raisins. Do not forget to bring a water bottle (perhaps one for you and one for hubby)!

For Hubby
1. Toiletries
    Because daddy needs to feel fresh too!

2. His Own Pillow
    While mothers get to enjoy sleeping in a hospital bed, dads often get stuck on the sleeper chairs. To sort of improve the overnight experience that is sleeping in a hospital, consider bringing along a pillow. Or, if both mommy and daddy are okay with it, it may be wiser to send him home to sleep comfortably in his own bed so that he is energized and ready to take care of mom and baby when he returns to the hospital the next morning.

3. Chargers and Entertainment
    Again, since there may be loads of downtime at the hospital, it would be a good idea to pack the phone chargers and perhaps bring a laptop to enjoy +Netflix or a book.

4. Change
    Don't forget to bring some change for the parking meters! Your significant other would not want to be stuck without any change or his wallet. Obviously there are different paying systems depending on where you are located, but I suggest having both some change and a credit card handy.

5. Change of Clothes
    If your hunny decides to stay the night, remind him to pack extra clothes! A pair of jeans, shirts and socks will do the trick.

I hope this list helps anyone who is still struggling with what to pack or that it at least motivates some of you to get going.

Thanks!

-Alesia D.


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Not your first time packing a hospital bag? What were your essential items?

October 26, 2015
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Baby Shower Celebrations

This time last week, I was basking in the celebrations of my baby shower with dear family and friends.

I have been anticipating this event for monthseven for years (since I lost my first little one back in March 2014, see article on My First). And so it was very important to me that everything be perfect, and it was, thanks to the four loveliest ladies in my life: Mom #1, Mom #2, Sister #1 and Sister #2.

Their teamwork really showed in this project, and for that I am extremely grateful. The details in the decorations were fabulous, the food was overflowing and the whole set up was fantastic. Also, the weather could not have been any better.

As you read in my last post, I was having a hard time finding a suitable dress. Thankfully, that was all taken care of. But I also wanted to contribute to my baby boy's baby shower in some way to honour him, so I thought I would take care of making the table centrepieces, alphabet boxes making up his name, and some desserts, like rock candy and crème caramel cups. For the centrepieces, I thought of making tulle topiaries (a tutorial on that will be coming in the following weeks, as I begin to wrap things up at work). I will also be sharing a tutorial on how I made the rock candy as well :).

Where it was held:
My baby shower was held at my parents' house, in the backyard. They rented out four tables and 50 chairs and placed them outside, since A) there would not have been enough room to fit 50+ people in one room in their home, and B) it was a gorgeous day, so why not take advantage of Mother Nature's gift?! This gave off a nice garden party feel.

When it was held:
My family threw my baby shower when I was at 33.4 weeks. I think it is nice to have a baby shower around that time, provided that you are still feeling alright and not waddling around too much. Because then, chances are that you have a beautiful rounder belly than you did in your second trimester, and you get more admiration for that beautiful little creation within. And between you and me, I love the attention my little man has been getting, considering I did not get to experience that the first time around with my first angel. It is touching to see people love on your unborn child! So if you have a say in the timing of your shower, I would suggest you self-assess yourself and try to imagine how you will feel doing it at X-amount of weeks. And if this is a surprise celebration, as mine originally was, cross your fingers and hope they plan your baby shower when it is best for you.

Chosen games:
The ladies chose three games:
  • Word Restricting, which consists of restricting certain words like "Alesia", "pregnant", "baby", etc. When guests start coming in, let them know of these restrictions and give them all 1-2 baby pins. Each time someone catches someone else saying one of these restricted words, they get to steal one of their pins. Near the end of the shower, the person with the most pins wins a prize!
  • Mommy and Daddy's Secrets and Facts Trivia, which consists of asking a pre-determined list of questions to the guests, and the one with the most right answers wins. This game is fun since you get to hear all sorts of embarrassing facts about the parents-to-be when they were younger.
  • Guess the Belly Size, which is self-explanatory, consists of the guests cutting ribbon to reflect their guess of your belly size. Pregos, do not get offended if some people over-guesstimate. Truth is, most people have no idea how big or small a baby bump can be! And here is a funny fact for you, the winner of this game at my baby shower actually measured her own midsection to guess, and there was about a 0.5 cm different! Lol that was awesome.
And to top it all off, the winners received a tin can of different types of gourmet teas like iced wine tea (Mmmmm) and beautiful candles.

How much food to have & variety:
Lots. Think of it this way: You are better off having too much food than not enough. What is the worst that can happen if you make too much food? Leftovers? Oh, what a big deal, who doesn't love leftovers?! But be on the other side of the spectrum, and you will risk having complaining and hungry guests. Also, a lot of people end up spending a fair amount on a nice gift and take time out of their day to celebrate your pregnancy, and what better way to show appreciation for the turn out than by showering them with a lot of yummy munchies and desserts?! My family had A LOT to offer:
  • various types of mini pies (meat, pizza, feta cheese and tomato, spinach, cheese, etc);
  • kale salad;
  • hummus;
  • vegetables and dip;
  • feta cheese salad skewers;
  • salsa and chips;
  • three-layer dip;
  • cheese and meat platter;
  • grape leaves;
  • cheesecake cups;
  • creme caramel cups;
  • blue velvet cupcakes;
  • baklava;
  • fruit skewers;
  • other Arabic desserts;
  • baby shower cake; and
  • Oreo truffle bites.
Thank-you favours:
My family came up with such a cute idea for favoursthey thought of giving out loofahs :). There was a lot of thought that went into these favours, as they are very usable by anyone, and they fit the "shower" theme and colours perfectly!

And now, here are some pictures that were snapped during this beautiful, special day!

Thanks for reading!

-Alesia D.




Blue-velvet cupcakes, raspberry and strawberry cheesecakes, crème caramel cups and candy <3



Me with all those thoughtful gifts xo
It took my husband and I a full week to figure out where to put everything!!





Isn't this picture just gorgeous?!




All. These. Desserts. I. Just. Can't.





Lovely touch to send off all our guests. Bath loofahs!

October 4, 2015
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Hunting for the Perfect Baby Shower Dress

I have been wondering for months when my anticipated baby shower will be. My mother and mother-in-law have been teasing (more like lying to) me for weeks by saying there will be no shower. Here I was, at the end of August hitting 29 weeks of pregnancy, with no baby shower to look forward to. Talk about  summer-time sadness!

Anyway, to get my mind off of not having my own baby celebration, I decided to send a text message to my cousin, who is tying the knot very soon, to see how the wedding planning is going and whatnot. One of the first replies she sent back went something like, "When is your baby shower? I know the invite is at grandma's, I just haven't had the chance to up." My face lit up. I KNEW they were hiding something from me!

Immediately after that message, I felt a sense of excitement and called my mother. She seemed half disappointed that I found out, and half relieved, I think. I am pretty sure she was just dying to tell me.

Then, it occurred to me: I needed to find a dress soon! And trust me when I say this, the struggle to find the perfect one was very real.

My vision was to find a dress light in colour, perhaps in blush or ivory, that either hit the knee or fell to the floor, something that still gave off a comfortable, summer feel. I was looking for something with either a flowy appearance or that was form-fitting. Does that sound like too much to ask for??

I first browsed all the maternity stores that carried maternity-wear: +Thyme Maternity+Motherhood Maternity+Old Navy+PinkBlush Maternity and even turned to various online shops likes  Sammy Dress, which was a complete failure.
What I thought I was buying from Sammy Dress.
What I actually got and what it actually looked like.

Then, I thought of looking through regular clothes from +Hudson's Bay+Sears+BCBGMAXAZRIA+GUESS+Suzy Shier+DynamiteStyle, e v e r y w h e r e .

I must say, I tried on quite the variety of dresses, some of which seemed like they could have worked, and others that were complete no-nos.

From my many shopping adventures, here are some of my favourite "could have been" looks:
From BCBG, this dress looks stunning, but I was afraid it would make me look like a whale by the time the shower came around.


Also from BCBG, this was another gorgeous gown; however, because it is designed for a non-pregnant bod, it did not entirely sit well. 


And then this dress was very comfy, but I felt like I was 60-years old. It made me look slim from the front but looked baggy from the side. This dress was also from +BCBGMAXAZRIA.


Hello sexy mama dress! I so would have bought this had I not been pregnant, as the colour looked absolutely gorgeous against my summer skin tone. But I had to remind myself not fall into temptation. I am still dreaming about it!!


So as far as I was concerned, there was no dress out there for me. I was going to have to settle for something decent and could not look fabulous for my own baby shower.

And two weeks later (so a week and a half before my baby shower), I decided to go out to the mall and not come back until I found THE dress. Let me say, that attitude worked! Within perhaps half an hour, I had found it. It is an ivory crochet dress, goes down to the ankles and hugs all my mommy curves. Bonus #1: It is not a maternity dress, so I can wear it next summer if I wanted to!! Bonus #2: It was on summer clearance, which meant mama was happy and so was her wallet! Bonus #3: It still had enough room for me to grow in to over the next week and a half. 

The store that came to my rescue was Laura. I was so surprised because I never ever shop there, and yet, I found the dress when/where I least expected it. 

Finally, I felt one step closer to being ready for Lukeybear's and my big day!

For pictures of the dress I wore at our baby shower, stay tunedthat story is coming up shortly! All I have to say is that everything from the weather to the food and decorations was perfection. (But for a sneak-peak, follow me on Instagram at @chezalesiadunn.)

Did anyone else struggle with finding a baby shower dress or for any other special occasion? I'd love to know! :)

-Alesia D.
September 29, 2015
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Sleep Deprivation in Pregnancy

So last week, I was in my 32nd week of pregnancy, and this week, I have entered my 33rd (obviously). Let me tell you, it has made a world of a difference.

For starters, I actually slept this week. And I am not talking about sleeping for a few hours here and there. I actually went to bed early (passed out by 10 every night), had a full night's rest, felt no back pain, and woke up a total of once nightly, IF I even woke up at all. It was bliss, and my body is feeling great about it.

Last week, on the other hand, was a horrendously painful pregnancy week. I could not get myself to fall asleep earlier than 11 p.m. some nights and not until 1:30 a.m. other nights. And when I did finally get to sleep, I would be awoken to a pressing urge to use the bathroom, between two to five times a night, with the addition of the occasional startled wake-up (which is definitely out of the norm for moi).

I am wondering if it has anything to do with the temperatures beginning to drop or with the slight increase in the amount of "comfort foods" I have recently been consuming.

For example, my husband and I went out for a last-minute car ride late at night last weekend. It was a pretty cool time, actually. We went out for a nice walk in our downtown area, split some yummy +BeaverTails (relax, Canadians don't eat real beaver tails... They are simply deep-fried dough covered in cinnamon and brown sugar. Mmmmm) and then went out to a wicked late-night diner where we indulged in the best strawberry milkshake and onion rings in town. On our drive back home, we noticed a cool outdoors dance party at one of the museums. It felt like such an adventurous night! And well, that night marked the first time in months I was able to get solid sleep until morning.
It has been the best little gift during this pregnancy thus far, and I have been taking advantage of it every chance I get. I think when your body shows you signs of fatigue, you must drop what you are doing and just sleep, especially if those Zzzzzz have been lacking lately. And for whatever reason, the urge to use the washroom in the middle of the night has significantly been impacted. I mean, nowadays, I only wake up around the time my alarm goes off to get my day started.

And so far so good!!! I'm crossing my fingers that things stay the same!

Thanks for reading,

-Alesia D.


Sept. 21, 2015
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Road Trips and Back Pains at 29 Weeks

I'm in my 30th week of pregnancy, and I have been bugging my husband to take me on a little road trip for months. We have had a summerliterallyfilled with renos, home projects, overtime, you name it. So I thought it would be nice to get out of the city, just the two of us, and do something new, before our "couple" status collided and morphed into "family" status.

Well, I took the day before our little road trip off to mentally and physically prepare. I booked an 80-minute prenatal massage at this super great spa (90% is covered by work benefits. HALLELUJAH!), went for a pedicure to get my feet ready for some walking and French-manicure showcasing, did some groceries so that we had some yummy snacks for the road and for our picnic, etc. When I got home, I thought I would do some light cleaning, the dishes, you know, to just tidy our home up before we left... The standard. Oh, and have dinner ready for hubby before he got home. Well, from about 4 p.m. to about 11 p.m., I was standing in the kitchen, washing mountains of dishes (I don't believe in dishwashers... In fact, I hate the smell of my dishes after they've gone through the dishwasher.), washing a variety of fruit and vegetables for our car ride, making a huge bowl of salad for our picnic, washing the picnic set, making dinner, etc. The idea here was to bring as many foods with us to not spend money on junk and empty calories that would be of no benefit to hubby, baby or myself.

By 11 p.m., my back was giving signs that it had had enoughand rightly so. At that point, this pregnant mama decided she needed some sleep if she were even thinking of waking up early enough the next morning to take on the road and a full day of adventures.

To my horror at, I woke up the next morning at 6:30 to horrible lower back pain. It was so bad that, for the first time during this pregnancy, I cried out of discomfort or pain. There was no way I could hit the road AND walk all day. No way at all. I could barely get up to go to the washroom and brush my teeth! Thank heavens my husband was there. He made me breakfast, told me to rest and assured me that if I felt better, even if it were later on in the morning, we could still go. His actions and words were very comforting.

By 9:45 a.m., I got up and noticed a significant improvement, so I asked him if he was still interested in going. After that, we hustled to get ready, pack up the food, get ice for the cooler and head out! Our destination was just two hours away, at the +SPACE FOR LIFE 's +Botanical Gardens in Montreal, and by 1:15 p.m., we were there! My mood really changed for the better.

Looking back at the day before, I think I mixed a few activities that should not have been mixed together:
  1. trying the 80-minute massage instead of the 50-minute one I usually get, which, I think, loosened my back ligaments a little too much;
  2. carrying heavy grocery bags after the massage; and
  3. being on my feet for several hours most of the day.
Honestly, what was I thinking? The fact is I wasn't. See, sometimes, your mind tricks you into believing your body is invincible and that you can continue doing things you were originally able to do pre-pregnancy. But soon enough, reality kicks in, and you feel the physical consequences of not reminding yourself of your reality. Whyyyy?! In the moment, what you are really asking yourself is "why not?". That's the trick I fell into simply due to the fact that there is so much that needs to get done in a home, and I really do enjoy doing things around the house to make it feel more cosy, inviting, and like home.

Anyway, the day was a success, and although my feet were a little sore from all the walking, my back was doing pretty well! I think it makes a difference when you walk for a long time vs. when you stand for a long time.

Best things about this little getaway were that hubby and I got to spend some good quality time together, we took some cool shots and enjoyed a gorgeous sunny day! And let me tell you, I did NOT realize just how big my tummy had gotten until I saw pictures he took! Looking at them reminds me that the female body is such a wonder in the way it is able to change its form to accommodate a new life, and makes me forget all the negative feelings simple back pain can bring on, like "I can't do anything any more", "I'm useless", "Why can't my body perform the way it did before", "ugh, I'm tired of being limited"... And the truth is, my body is doing much more than I can even imagine, and if it needs a little break, it's only because it is exhausting itself making a beautiful baby and keeping up with my crazy life. So it's no wonder it gets tired from time to time!

On that note, here are some pictures from our trip!

















August 30, 2015


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The Struggles of Compiling a Gift Registry

Man, oh man: The time to compile a gift registry has finally arrived. At 6+ months, I figured it what about time I start to prepare "in case" some sort of surprise baby shower were to miraculously appear. 

You know, at first I thought it would be so much fun, and exciting, and just so easy. But the more research I did and comparisons I made, the more I began to realize that there is so much more to registry building than I previously assumed. And my one day of leisurely scanning baby items at +Toys"R"Us isles quickly turned into hours of research at home, at work, on forums and on the go. So when I originally thought I was going to spend ~an hour or two at the store adding things to my registry, what I was really in for was hours of background checking anything and everythingbecause, don't we all want the best for our babies? I now fully (or so I think) understand this statement.

The first challenge I faced was strollers. The questions my husband and I had to ask ourselves were:
  • Do we want a three-wheel jogging stroller or a regular four-wheel one?
  • What colour do we want to choose?
  • Do we want to buy a travel system or buy things separately?
  • Has the car seat passed safety inspections?
  • What are the safety features each stroller has to offer?
  • Is the stroller easy to fold, transport and store?
  • Does the seat offer good back support and sufficient coverage from light and wind?
  • +Graco+BOB Gear? Chicco Nuevo? +Baby Trend+Peg Perego+Britax+Evenflo? Nuna IVVI? The list can go on and on and on...
Finally, my husband and I decided to go with the "Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Travel System with SnugRide Click Connect 35 Infant Car Seat". Why? Because we both like to run and we have a very active lifestyle (I plan on going back to doing the same level and intensity of activity once I get the go-ahead) so it only made sense. I have not used it yet—evidently so—but once the baby is here and I begin to regularly test it out, I will know if it was a good choice for us!

Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Travel System with SnugRide Click Connect 35 Infant Car Seat - in Marathon

Our second challenge was cribs. Boy, oh boy, was it mind-boggling to come up with the perfect colour pallet. Because, choosing a crib is not just about choosing a crib, it is about planning out the whole nursery. No amount of pinning on +Pinterest or googling on +Google could prepare me for this long journey. I often asked myself:
  • Do I want a beige, grey or white crib set? (My top three colours)
  • Do I want them to be rustic-looking or have a solid colour?
  • Do we want a traditional or convertible crib?
  • Will we actually use the convertible options when baby Boy gets older or will we end up buying him an actual bed set?
  • "High-end" designer or regular? Is there a difference in quality or are you paying for the crest and the name?
  • What are we going to use as nursery accent colours?
  • What about bed sheets, wall colour and curtains?
  • CURTAINS?! Should we do curtains or blinds?? Whatever the case, should we add ruffles and all those baby-ish accessories to the windows?
  • I like elephants... Will my theme be ruined if I start to stray a little?
  • Should I bother with a bed skirt? What about a bed set?
  • Oh my gosh, what kind of light fixture should we choose? We don’t want the boob-light that came with the house, it barely emits enough light!
  • Do we want an organic mattress? What about sheets? Should we go with organic sheets as well patterns or no patterns?
As you can see, there is so much thought that goes into a nursery. I didn't even put that much thought into my own room! Verdict: I kept the light, neutral wall colour, went for a rustic-y grey crib and dresser, off-white curtains and light-gold and mint accent colours. I "pulled off" the gold and mint by painting the letters of my baby’s first name in these colours. The mattress I chose is the “Kidiway Organic Delicate Touch Mattress” and the sheets I chose are the “Kushies Organic Jersey Fitted Crib Sheet” in off white. I think it’s important to keep natural items like these a priority, since baby will spend so much time sleeping and breathing in the air around him. I am hoping to eventually get the Melissa and Doug plush giraffe for the corner in between the crib and the dresser. And as for a rocking chair, I haven't even looked into that yet. All I know is there was an ultra-comfy one at +Fab Baby Gear. And let me tell you, it's best to keep me off it, or else I will be lulling myself to sleep, never mind baby. It might seem as though I am “obsessing” quite a bit over this aspect, but whenever I do something, I make sure that it’s not just a temporary fix. This room my husband and I (more like just “I” lol) are putting together will last our son quite a few years, and that is why quality is so important. Also, it really doesn’t help that the baby market is so full of choices. It is truly dizzying!

Baby Caché Windsor Lifetime Crib - Grey

The next big thing I came to realize was that not all toys and teethers are to be trusted. I had the pleasure of watching a great documentary on +Netflix called "The Human Experiment", during which I learned that many plastic children's toys contain chemicals that babies can ingest while innocently biting them. If we give our children harmful toys (not on purpose, of course) we could end up exposing them to unnecessary long-terms conditions, which could prevent them from having kids in the long run or cause them to develop short-term or even long-term diseases. So please guys, avoid plastic, dollar-store-quality toys and opt for something more eco-friendly. What they suggest in the documentary is going for wooden toys, as they do not release toxins into your baby's environment.



And then there’s all the other stuff like receiving blankets, diapers, onesies, twosies... You name it! Holy cow, this baby is going to end up having more clothes than my husband! Lol! That's not saying much though, he doesn't really like the whole shopping thing, and most men make due with their favourite staple items anyways. Gee, I started getting dizzy at this point! There is so much to choose from! But in my research, I found that many first-time moms are thinking the exact same thing as I am...
  • How many of everything will I need?
  • What if I get too much? What would I do with it?
  • What if I get too little? How am I supposed to save money, especially on diapers?
  • Which brands should I go for?
Thankfully, I joined an online group for mothers due in November 2015 from all over the world, and many second- or third-time moms have provided me with tons of useful insight. According to them, about 8-10 receiving blankets should do the trick. I still don't know if I personally bought too much or too little diapers for each size my little baby will be, but I just figured I could just buy some more if need be or sell them. I found a gem of a way to buy and sell that kind of thing by joining a local resale group, and that is where I have found all my diapers and wipes so far. Some of the deals are quite the steal! I went for +Pampers because apparently they tend to work better for baby boys. So we will see! And as for onesies, I tried to be tactful. I haven't bought many, but whenever I would come across a nice deal or clearance at a good store, I usually rummage through to see if there is anything I would like. On top of that, my mother, sister and mother-in-law have been getting us cute little items here and there to slowly fill his closet. I am in looooove with some of the things they have gotten him!!

To sum it all up, I think those are the items I most struggled with. However, I am so happy that I made a final decision on the things I will be choosing for Baby L. In the end, I know he won't care what he gets and what he doesn't get in terms of material things, but I would give him the world if I could.

Are there any baby items you struggled with? Anything you thought you would love, but didn't? I would love to know. 

-Alesia D.
August 19, 2015
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Individual's and Couples' Activities on a Budget

     Being pregnant and on a mission to save a few dolla-dolla bills here and there before baby comes, I have had to think about ways to still have fun by myself and with hubby but not break the bank.

Thankfully, I live in a city where a wide variety of fun, free activities are offered on the daily, ESPECIALLY in the summer time. And let me tell you, when you have a nice, chunky mortgage to pay off, a baby on the way and all these little expenses here and there, you start to appreciate the word "free" when it comes to fun. Now, I'm not saying that we're drowning in our expenses or anything, but I think it makes things more interesting when you start having to use your creativity to do things. It pushes you to further familiarize yourself with the city in which you live, explore it more, find new interests and hobbies and try new things. All-around good times!

Now without wasting any more time, allow me to present my top activities for preggos for couples.

Parliament Hill Yoga: 

I am so fortunate to live in a city where fitness is prevalent. So much so, that every Wednesday, +lululemon athletica here in Ottawa puts on a free Yoga class from 12-1 p.m. for anyone to join. This tradition began in the summer of 2012 and has been growing ever since. Expect to see people in the hundreds downward-dogging and sun saluting their lunch hour away. It really is a magical thing to see so many people coming out and getting some good breath of fresh air with you. Just don't forget to bring your mat, some yoga gear and water... Assistants are constantly walking around and helping participants out!


Prenatal Massage: 

THIS IS FOR THOSE WITH BENEFITS AT WORK! There is nothing more relaxing than getting a good, deep tissue prenatal massage from someone who knows their stuff. When hubby is busy, I really like to take the time to get pampered in this wayat least once a month. My suggestion, if you don't already have yourself a masseuse, is to request a female masseuse with strong hands (if that's what you like). Ladies, I just find that male masseuses get a little awkward dealing with a pregnant lady, and it really just does not work for me. I am so lucky to have found a fantastic female masseuse, and the best thing about all of this is that I only have to pay 10% of the regular price! Gosh I love benefits.


Berry Picking with Significant Other: 

I think this activity provides a few great benefits. Firstly, it costs significantly less to buy a basket and fill it with as many berries as possible (as well as eat a few along the way, hehe) than it would to buy packs at the grocery, on sale or not on sale. Secondly, it allows you and hubby to bond over a light and fun activity. And men love food, right? I say "winninggg" to that! And thirdly, depending on the type of berries you are picking, you could end up doing lots of squatting, which results in your daily workout being completed.


Farmers' Markets: 

Ever thought of checking out your local farmers' market? It's such a great way to learn what produce is in season and support your local community. My husband and I love that. Many Saturday mornings, we will get up, wear comfortable clothes and head out for a nice, long walk in the downtown area to see what's new with the farmers, look at all the fresh fruit and vegetables and buy a few of our favourites. And for the majority of time, their prices tend to be better than of those in large supermarket chains.


Casino du Lac Leamy Sound of Light: 

This just happens to be one of my favourite free activities. I mean, you can pay to attend this firework activity, but the truth of the matter is that you can easily watch the fireworks from anywhere and tune into the right radio station to hear the music, which corresponds to the firework movement and intensity. It happens every Wednesday and Saturday nights for three weeks (5 nights total). One of four countries compete on each night, and the winner is announced at the grand finale on the final night (vid is on my Instagram). It is definitely worth seeing!!


Northern Lights Sound and Lights Show: 

Another free activity offered on Parliament Hill, this nightly must-see event should be part of at least one of your summer date nights. Using both advanced digital technology and great sound, the show highlights Canada's history on the Peace Tower. It's so easy to keep this activity free: parking practically anywhere downtown is free after 7 p.m., so no having to worry about that! Plus, the baby in mama's belly will enjoy all the sounds!


Picnics by the Water:

Think you're too old, too busy or too cool for a picnic by the water? Think again. There is so much potential when planning a picnic for you and hubby. In my case, hubby loves going out for walks and he also loves eating, so I figure, "why not make a date activity out of it?' This works so well for us because we get to use our food from home: we make sandwiches, fresh salads, bring water and dessert with usa full meal! I bought a cute picnic bag in our dating days that includes cutlery, plates, cloth napkins, cups and even salt&pepper shakers and a bottle opener. It looks like a backpack and holds so much food! One of our favourite spots is near the Rideau Canal, absolutely romantic.

Of course, you can always opt for movie nights, game nights, parades, festivals, and so on, but these are some of our favourites. One thing I encourage you to do it is to check your city's webpage to find events and activities in your area. Especially with being pregnant, I find that anything I can combine with walking is worth doing since my doctor has put many restrictions on the frequency and intensity of the activities I would normally do.

What are some of your favourite free activities? I'd love to hear and try them out if possible!

-Alesia D.
August 16, 2015
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Pregnancy Know-It-Alls

I am guessing that every pregnant woman comes a across a few of these over the term of her pregnancy: know-it-alls. And when I say know-it-alls, I mean people who think they know it all and want you to take ALL their advice, or those who pretend to know it all but just want to criticize your way of doing things.

So far, I have been criticized for everything from baby names, to eating one donut—ONE DONUT—to how big my belly is/should be, to exercise, to my fatigue. Even when I don't ask for advice, I get it. I even get those deadly stares when asked whether or not I would breastfeed. Lol!

But it is to be expected, right?

Unfortunately, you can't change others, but you can alter your way of handling somewhat rude comments. The tactic I use is the classic smile-and-nod :). And sometimes, if you really push me, I will speak my mind, but this is only if this isn't your first offence.

Here are some reasons you may get unwanted advice:

1. Your Diet
The donut incident. My sweet coworker had bought a dozen +Tim Hortons donuts for our office. Of course, I want to keep a close-enough eye on what I eat, so I only had one—my first #donut since before I got pregnant. It was the +Hershey's Reese's Pieces one that stole my heart with its custard filling.

Anyway, as I was taking a bite, a senior coworker took a look at me, came over and said, "those things are filled with sugar... Not the best for your baby when you're pregnant. When I was pregnant, I only had healthy foods and ate fruits and vegetables alllll the time." By this point, she had made several critical comments, almost every day, so I had enough of the pep talk. My diplomatic response went something like, "Well you know what, I eat healthy all the time thanks to the healthy lunches my husband packs and the dinners I make at home. If I want to have one donut, I won't think twice about it." All that with a smile on my face! Boy did that put a nice end to our conversation!

Lesson: No matter what you are told about the things you eat, remember to stay head strong. As long as you are doing your best to consume whole, healthy foods most of the time, a little slip up or treat here and there won't hurt. I read somewhere that during pregnancy, you only need an extra 300 calories per day; however, if you are having a boy, you sometimes need to consume up to 500 calories per day.

2. Your Belly Shape and Size
At about 17 weeks, I came in to work work a beautiful high-waisted +Zara skirt, thinking I was looking pretty darn sharp. This was two weeks after I had announced my pregnancy to my coworkers. One of them looked at my belly, asked how far along I was and said (pretty loudly), "Holy! You have a big belly for 17 weeks! That baby is going to be huge!" I was so shocked that I didn't know how to respond to that nor did I know how to take it. So I just gave a quick smile and continued my work.

And about two weeks ago when I was 21 weeks (~5 months pregnant) I went in to The Bay to buy some baby clothes as a congratulations for my cousin's newborn. When I got to the cash, the cashier was cute and young—16-years old. She asked me how far along I was to which I replied "5 months" and her eyes got wide. She thought I was 7 months preggo! I knew she was young, so I gave her a brief explanation of approximately how big the baby is at this point, how things work, etc. She seemed interested! So it was a win for me, as I didn't feel as bad about my ever-changing body, and it was a win for her because she got to learn something new.

Lesson: Don't freak out when people make comments about your belly. You will always hear different opinions, good, bad, whatever. Either these people don't remember how big they were at a certain point in their pregnancy or their instinctual reaction is the first thing that reaches their lips before they have the chance to reflect. Either way, remember that every bump is different and you have a miracle growing inside of you. Who cares what others think of your cute baby bump?!

3. Baby Names
When my husband and I finally agreed to name our baby boy "Lukas", we decided we would tell our families so they could associate a little name to his ultrasounds and start getting excited for a grandson/nephew. But to our surprise, my mother hated it and made fun of it each time she saw us, even when we shared the name with aunts and uncles. That, however, still wasn't enough to shake us to the point of even considering another name. Besides, it wasn't just a name that we simply liked—we loved that name and saw it fitting in with our little family. So we resisted, resisted and resisted until finally it grew on her. And now, everyone likes the name!

Lesson: No matter what name you choose for your baby, you will always have at least one person, or a few people, who will either: hate it, make fun of it, question it or just plain insult it. Whatever the case, just remember that you will never have the ability to please everyone, especially concerning something so personal. If their opinion hurts you, talk to them about it. We sometimes don't realize how deeply our comments can affect others, and with a new family member on the way, many close relatives often feel as though they somehow own part of the baby... According to my personal observations, it's all part of the way our families express their excitement. As long as you can identify their motif, try to not overthink things, but do show that there are boundaries and that they are being crossed. All you can do is be firm (but polite... this is your family after all) and put your foot down. Then eventually, acceptance will kick in. :)

July 21, 2015
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22W1D

Today, I am one day closer to completing my sixth month. So exciting!!

It took me some time before I understood the concept of being X-number of weeks, but also being in the process of completing Z-number of weeks all at the same time. For example, I have now completed 22 weeks of pregnancy and am in my 23rd week.

According to my +What To Expect phone app, Baby #Lukas now weighs about 1 lb and measures about 20 cm from crown to rump. About the size of a spaghetti squash. He's getting so big!! He now has some eye lashes and eye brows. He can perceive light and dark (that is so cool), hear my voice, heartbeat, my stomach when I am hungry, and even my blood flowing through my body! My #husband and I have made it a Saturday-morning tradition to watch the app's weekly video to view our baby's progress. It's pretty exciting to watch, I must say :).




For the simple sake of comparison, I thought it would be interesting to download another app called +Health and Parenting. I think I purchased the complete app for $0.99 (because you only have access to the first 13 or 14 weeks of the app with the free version), but I must say, this one is also pretty cool. The graphics are a little more realistic, there is a slideshow you can play that shows the fetus's weekly physical development through animation, #ultrasound and #3D ultrasound, and the measurements start being taken from crown to heel after the 19th week. According to this app, my #baby is the size of an eggplant this week, weighing in at 1 lb and measuring about 28 cm, and will have a 50% chance of survival if born by the end of this week. This would depend on my health, his gestation, the reason for the premature birth and the quality of medical care he receives. Pressureee! His cerebrum is getting ready to start communicating with cells, and Rapid Eye Movements (REM) have started happening in his sleep. Additionally, I have the option of tracking my weight through this app.

I can't say enough good things about both apps. They have both given me a great and varying wealth of information, and honestly, they make my pregnancy more exciting than it already is.

On that note, a cheers goes out to every other mom in her 23rd week or whatever week she may be in! And since it's Friday, treat yourself to a nice, cool #mocktail. ;)

-Alesia D.
July 10, 2015
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Cravings!!!!

I don't know about all you #expecting mothers out there, but #cravings haven't been hitting me too hard. However, there is one thing that I have to have the moment I think about it. Like I mean, I have to have it in front of me, ready to devour in 20 minutes or less.


A nice, juicy, beautiful burger.

I don't care where it's from, but I do have a checklist that makes up the perfect burger:

  1. It has to have a juicy, plump and beautiful 100%-beef patty. Even though I'm pregnant, I still like to make sure I'm not eating something with a ton of fillers and chemicals. Most of the time, I make my own patties so that I control what goes into them.
  2. There has to be Mayo, Ketchup and Mustard on both buns. First add Mayo with a spoon and make sure the both surfaces are fully covered, then add 2.5 circles of Ketchup on each side, and finally add 3 circles of Mustard on both sides as well. This this serious business.
  3. My burger needs crisp lettuce, tomato and red onion, not to mention freshly cut garlicky dill pickle slices.
This combination allows me to have a very messy and satisfying experience.

Fortunately for me, I had some beautiful burgers over the weekend; unfortunately for you, my parents and husband hid my camera to prevent me from taking pictures of my food (I'm obsessed lol).

But next time I have burgers, I WILL post a picture!

What are your cravings?? Any burger lovers like me??

Man, staring at this picture makes me want a burger... Oh preggo life, what have you made of me.
July 6, 2015
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Pregnancy Weight Chart

Hoping there are some pregnant #mamas popping in to my site! If so, I found this reeeeeally useful chart on weight gain during pregnancy and thought I would share! =)

Let me know your thoughts!

Also, I'm on #Instagram and am trying to document my pregnancy (just click on the "Instagram" tab above and it'll take you right to it). I'd love to see your #progress!

Weight Gain Table In Pounds

10 weeks
20 weeks
30 weeks
40 weeks
Your baby
0.17 oz
0.66 lb
3.3 lb
7.7 lb
The Placenta
0.7 oz
6 oz
0.95 lb
1.4 lb
Amniotic Fluid
1.05 oz
0.77 lb
1.65 lb
1.76 lb
The Uterus
4.9 oz
0.7 lb
1.3 lb
2.1 lb
Your Breasts
1.58 oz
0.4 lb
0.79 lb
0.89 lb
Blood Volume
3.52 oz
1.3 lb
2.9 lb
2.8 lb
Fluid Retention
3.52 oz
1.1 lb
1.8 lb
2.9
Body Fat
0.46 lb
3.5 lb
6.1 lb
7.1 lb
Total
1.4 lb
8.8 lb
18.7 lb
27.6 lb
References: Soderberg (2003) Mammapraktika; Hytten, Chamberlain (1981) Clinical Physiology in Obstretrics; Sohlstrom (1993) Bodyfat during reproduction; Eisenberg, Murkoff and Hathaway, What to expect when you are expecting.
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Looking back

So here I am. Married, 25 and sitting in my home as I wrap around the idea that I will be five monthsfive whole monthspregnant this Thursday.

I have to say, I am quite anxious. Let me explain:

About a year and a half ago, right after Christmas 2013, my hubby and I found out we were #expecting. We were t.h.r.i.l.l.e.d. 

We went in for our first #ultrasound on Wednesday, March 19, 2013, when we were at 13.5 weeks. Past that so-called "Danger Zone"! And man did we fall in love with our little peanut. The technician even caught his smile on the ultrasound! I was amazed that something so beautiful was growing inside of me.
Well, two days later, on the Friday, I had an appointment to hear his little heartbeat with a #Doppler at my doctor's office in order to get a referral to finally start seeing an OB/GYN. 

She searched and searched but couldn't find a thing, and since it was the end of the day, all she did was give me a referral to give at the emerg section at our #hospital, in case I wanted to get it checked over the weekend. But of course, I had no worry in the world, as "I was past that danger zone, and nobody could get me off MY Cloud 9". But I went any way on Sunday, just to see my baby again.

That Sunday morning, I got to the hospital at 7:26 a.m. and coolly made my way through the emergency doors. The nurses did some tests, took some blood samples and tested away. I waited, and waited and waited. I finally called my #mother and #mother-in-law because I wasn't sure what else to do, so they both came.

At 11:30 a.m. is when a doctor came and softly broke the news. She said something along the lines of, "blah blah, and it looks like his heart stopped beating". I broke in half right there. My whole world, all my plans, all my hopes and dreams were crushed in that one instant. "How could it be? What did I do?! Why me???" I thought to myself. But for reasons unknown, this just wasn't baby's time.

The next day was hard. I woke up "not feeling pregnant anymore" and completely broke down. I stayed home from work the next day to mourn and to get ready for a call from the hospital. The purpose of this call was to inform me of an opening there was at the hospital for an induced labour, since my baby boy was already 14 weeks; thus, too big for a d&c. I got this call at 3:30 p.m. the following day, and got there by 4:30 p.m. My family was there all day and most of the evening to comfort me. 10 p.m. is when the doctor arrived and started the treatment...

It wasn't until 11:30 the next morning, March 26th, that my water finally broke, and an hour and a half later, my pregnancy was completely over. It was absolutely dreadful. And I almost fainted from all the hyperventilating. It took me a long time before I recovered physically and emotionally. As I've mentioned in a previous post, I am well into fitness and sports, but I could not bring myself to do anything. I was a happy, bubbly and energetic person, but I will admit, #depression got the best of me most times. I closed myself off from the world because I didn't want to talk about it, so I felt lonely a lot of the time.

But on September 19, 2014, on my original due date, something hit me and I no longer felt depressed, as if that dark cloud had just vanished. I no longer wanted to hide myself, and I finally decided to get #active again. I joined #dodgeball, one of my all-time favourite activities and rocked it. I really do have a good arm, I must say, so it felt nice to kick some derrière once again.

And today, I proudly say that this life experience has only made my life richer, knowing I have a little angel watching from above and knowing that the love I had for my first will double for my second. I'm also grateful to everyone around me who helped me get back up on my feet. It took me quite some time to talk about this without shedding any tears, but I do believe I am a better person because of it, and I aim for a lot more in life. Finally, I don't take anything dear to my heart for granted anymore.

So now, the countdown is on. FOUR MONTHS LEFT and I get to hold my precious #Lukas in my arms.

If you or someone you know has been in a similar situation, I would be humbled to hear about your/their experience and ways you/they got through it or if there are still certain things you/they struggle with. :)

Thanks for reading.

-Alesia D.
July 4, 2015

1 comment:

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