the jellyball family blog

I finally got a chance to finish writing Noah's birth story. It's quite long, so have a read if you're interested, but this was more for us to remember it years down the road as much as it is a story to share with friends.

We are proud to announce the arrival of our new baby boy, Noah Minh Tourangeau, born Monday February 26th at 3:30pm at the Ottawa General Hospital. Noah weighed in at 6 pounds 12 ounces.

We're all doing really well and are so thrilled at the beautiful, healthy new addition to our family.

I think my water broke! We're headed to the hospital soon. More updates to come - but if the baby's coming today, we'll be there for a few days and will update you guys when we are back. Wish us luck!

Dear Jellybean,

So. You're still in there!

That's OK. Feel free to stay in there a little longer if you feel like you need to, though I'll have you know that your Mama is very anxious to see you and your Papa can't stop talking about how he can't wait to munch on your tiny, wrinkly little toes. Did I mention that your big brother Caleb can't wait to poke at you and share his toys?

Aside from another episode of false labour a few nights ago, you seem to be quite comfortable staying where you are, though I'll just have you know that you've only got at most another two and a half weeks to camp out where you are. Then, it's eviction time! So enjoy your digs while you can!

We're officially into the home stretch, the part of the pregnancy where all phone calls and voicemails must start with "No, I'm not in labour..." and absence from emailing or blogging can be perceived as possible signs of labour from our many anxious friends and family.

I feel as though you've grown a lot in the past two weeks - whether it's the telltale stretch marks above my belly button or the fact that you are constantly pushing on my ribs or pelvic bone. The muscles in my upper and inner thighs are constantly cramping or sore, and because of that I'm doing the typical pregnant lady waddle.

I sleep badly most nights, never able to find a comfortable position or sore from having stayed in a single position for too long (either from laziness or lack of ability to move my whale-like body). Suffice it to say, I'm ready for you to come out so that I can walk and move like a normal person again. (I've already come to terms that it'll be another year or so before I get a "good" night's sleep.)

You are officially a Pisces. This is a good thing, according to your Papa who actually knows his astrological signs. Apparently there are only two compatible signs with his own - Libra (your brother Caleb's sign) and Pisces (also my sign). This is an already good start to what is sure to be a strong father-son relationship!

It feels as though we've been in standby mode for a few weeks now. We're getting antsy! Anyway, suffice it to say, we can't WAIT to see you! Please come be with us very soon.

With love,
Mama, Papa and Caleb

This morning while the doctor was feeling my belly and checking the baby's position, she got a funny look on her face and said, "The baby's head can't be THAT low..."

Turns out he is that low. There are two measures of labour, dilation and effacement. Apparently I'm already 1.5cm dilated (they admit you at 3-4cms and you are considered "fully dilated" at 10cm) and half effaced.

As the doctor left the room, she winked and said "See you next week... MAYBE!"

I am SO. FREAKING. OUT.

(But in a good way.)

It's hard to pack a bag for the hospital that has everything you need in it, because half the stuff I need I'm still using on a daily basis. Not to mention the two pairs of jeans that fit, the one sweater that zips closed, and a handful of t-shirts that don't leave the lower hemisphere of my belly exposed. (Lately it's been a heavy rotation of laundry to keep me clothed.)

On Friday night, I looked at a pile of things I've been meaning to pack into a bag and thought - "Baaah. Later."

We hit the sack late that night, so we didn't get to bed until about 11:30pm or so. As with most nights, Jellybean was moving around lots and I was feeling a few Braxton-Hicks contractions - the harmless, painless kind where your body is just practising for the big event. On the way into the bedroom, I stopped in my tracks and felt a big one. By the time I got into bed, I felt another big one and told a very tired Luc not to worry, that I'd wake him up if things got exciting.

Caleb's labour had started at around midnight on a Friday night as well, and we had been so excited that we hadn't attempted to rest and it was a full 37 hours before he was born, so I was determined to attempt to get as much rest as I could while I could still sleep through the contractions.

Two hours later, I was still having contractions, but they were erratic and spaced out in weird intervals. Some of them were mildly uncomfortable and some of them were borderline painful. I still wasn't convinced that I was in labour, so this dragged on for a while.

With false labour, they said moving around and drinking water will cause the contractions to subside, so I got up and tried that.

The contractions subsided, so I went back to bed, but then they started up again, so I decided to get up. Besides, I was starting to freak out over things I had yet to prepare, and the mental list I was building in my mind was driving me nuts.

I fired up the laptop and finished working on "cheatsheet" document I've been writing for our parents with all kinds of important info about Caleb's routine, what he eats, where to find toilet paper, etc. and e-mailed it to them. I charged the digital camera and the cell phone. I started gathering piles of snacks I could pack for the hospital.

The contractions had more or less stopped again at this point, and I spent another hour or so half-asleep on the couch having a few contractions here and there before I went back to bed. I was still moaning a little bit when Luc woke up and asked me if I was OK, and it was only then at around 4am that I told him I had been having contractions.

After delivering a groggy speech about trying not to be the hero, Luc gave me a back massage and stroked my head until I fell asleep. (Admittedly, I should have woken up my most excellent labour coach and masseuse earlier. He's the best.) Caleb woke up for the day about two hours later, and I got up a little later and spent most of the day Saturday in a sleepy haze. When I wasn't sleeping, I was joining Luc in a panicked effort to get ready in case labour started up again.

I spoke to a nurse at the hospital's labour and delivery triage unit and she said this could be happening for the next few weeks and is just my body's way of getting ready for labour.

This was exactly the kick in the pants we needed to finish up a few remaining things we had to do around the house. I finally have a bag for the hospital mostly packed, a bag for the baby, and will be living out of a toiletry bag for the next few weeks.

By the end of the day, we'd tied up a lot of loose ends (it's funny how the list never ends...) and were relaxed and feeling ready for anything!

So, yeah. I think now we're ready.

Dear Jellybean,

We're in the home stretch! It won't be long now before you will join us here, outside the belly. We are happy to report that we have scratched all our to-do's off what used to be a very long and daunting list, and what's left for us to complete before your arrival falls more into the category of "should do" or "could do".

Your clothes are organized into "your" half of the dresser drawers. A pile of clothes for both you and I have been set aside to bring with us to the hospital. We're stocked up on newborn-sized diapers. And much to your father's satisfaction, we even have diaper rash creme, though it will probably be a long time before you will need it.

Last week, we went to the hospital clinic for our routine checkup and will be going back to the clinic this coming Thursday. (After that we will be going once a week until you arrive.) Our doctor has been happy with our progress and lack of complications, though she is sending us for an ultrasound to make sure you are doing fine, because we're a little on the small side.

The doctor wasn't too worried - she thinks I'm just genetically meant to make smaller babies, especially considering that I've already proven that while I may birth small babies, they turn out to be frickin' 95th percentile giant fatties within the first few weeks. (My parents would always quote a Vietnamese expression, saying that I must be producing elephant milk.)

We've been busy getting everyone prepared for your arrival. This week, both sets of grandparents went through dress rehearsals for their designated shifts here at home with Caleb. While we were more than sure that they would be capable of handling the situation, it was as much for them to practice as it was for your brother to get used to being alone with them.

Both sets of grandparents did great - as did Caleb - and I can't describe how relieved I was to know that it went well and that Caleb did great too. All the grandparents, especially the grandmothers, were beaming with pride at the end of their shifts.

I have been having some contractions here and there, but apparently this is quite normal for a second pregnancy. You are continuing to move well and stick out your bum and random limbs from time to time.

I know you will arrive when you're meant to arrive, and whenever that is, we'll be ready.

I know you already feel all the love that is waiting for you here on the outside. We just can't wait for you to bring your own special kind of love into our lives.

See ya soon,
Mama

Dear Jellybean,

With less than seven weeks left (give or take) in this pregnancy, we are far too excited for words. There are days when I can't nap in the afternoon because I'm too excited thinking about your arrival.

Your father's nesting instincts have kicked in big time. It started last week when the doctor said that you were in the head-down position! Then, I experienced some major back pain (not my usual muscular-type pain) in the middle of the night. A few hours later when the pain subsided, and we were up anyway giving your big brother some formula, I told your dad that I had thought perhaps I was in labour.

"What? Uhhh... I'm not sure I'm ready for you to go into labour yet," he responded, snapping out of his sleepy, 3am haze.

And then, a few days ago, your father was headed to the bathroom, spotted your room on the way there, and forgot all about his need to pee. Instead, he wanted to get your crib setup, move a new dresser into your room, install your car seat, organize your clothes, finish babyproofing the house, re-organize all the supplies on the changing table, and make lists of things we needed. Your father's desire to get everything setup was so strong that he practicaly wanted to go buy diaper rash creme that very night. Never mind that we didn't even have newborn-sized diapers for you yet.

It was truly a whirlwind of excitement and activity! We have been busy crossing things off our list since then, and have been making excellent progress. There are still lots of things to do, and while maybe we don't have everything ready just yet, mentally we're completely there.

We've also been busy formulating a plan for the time we're away from home in the hospital with you - thinking about how we'll break up the shifts of babysitting for Caleb between both sets of our parents, how you'll come to visit us in the hospital, etc. So far we've worked out much of the logistics, which gives us a big sense of relief.

Needless to say, we are so anxious to have your join our family and bring a new mega-load of love into our lives.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go pack a bag for the hospital before your dad hounds me about that AGAIN.

With love,
Mama

Dear Jellybean,

We are officially in the home stretch! With just ten weeks left in what's considered a "normal" pregnancy, we are starting to really get anxious about your arrival.

This pregnancy has seemed to really fly by - I feel bad that I haven't spent more time documenting every minute detail of the pregnancy in this blog, though I have definitely not been ignoring you in person. I feel your presence with me every minute of the day. Your usual "hour of power" has turned into belly-shaking movement at all hours of the day, though I feel you the most during the evenings when I'm moving around a lot less.

Your father and I are convinced that you are doing much more moving around than your brother, which already signals to us that you are your own little guy with a mind of your own. Despite having the same starting ingredients as your brother Caleb (i.e. Mom + Dad), we know that you will be a unique little individual with your own special traits. Evolution is a funny thing!

I had my first big leg cramp this week, but (knock on wood) it's the only one I've had so far. With the previous pregnancy, I was plagued with leg cramps all the time, but perhaps because I'm still so physically active, I haven't had much trouble with them this time around. I haven't felt the usual muscle aches and pains as much either, though it does help to be married to the best masseur in the world.

We haven't had to buy much gear for you since we're already pretty well stocked in the baby department, though we do have a few items we still need to get before you arrive. One of these items is a double stroller - yet another stroller to add to what seems like an already big collection of single-purpose strollers. Your brother is a seasoned walker, though when we go out, he still sits in the stroller for most if not all of the outing. And of course, since you'll be far from walking, a double stroller is a definite must.

I started thinking about packing a bag for the hospital. I remember this exercise being a complete mystery to me before, but now that we've experienced a stay in the hospital (my first) I have a better idea of what to bring.

Interestingly enough, my thoughts go straight to food - I started thinking about baking muffins. I vividly recall munching on snacks that your Grandmaman brought for us (nuts, muffins, etc.) at all hours of the day and in the middle of the night. Not to mention the fact that your father had to worry about his own meals. We hadn't factored in that while I would be getting hospital food at regular meal intervals - he wouldn't. Maybe it's my foggy pregnancy brain taking over, but at the rate I'm going, we'll show up at the hospital with a bag full of food and no clothes.

Everyone seems to be helping me to indulge in my sweet tooth these days, with the argument that "Oh, you've only got a few months left - why not enjoy being able to eat whatever you want?"

My friend Yumi showed up for a recent visit with a tin full of jellybeans (I know, cute!) and Hershey's kisses, stating that no pregnant woman should be separated from such treats. My mom showed up today with two tubs of caramel popcorn and some of her homemade lemon ice cream cake - two items I have been craving lately. It's not like I have been depriving myself of little pleasures - far from it! There's definitely a small indulgence of some kind every day, plus I've been eating well during each meal. I suppose I really do have to take advantage of the opportunity to be celebrated for being fat while I can.

Your father and I have more or less settled on your name, and we've even started using it within the walls of our home. We've decided to keep it a secret for now... even from our own parents! On a few occasions, we've almost let it slip! I'm not sure we'll last until the birth, but for now it's a fun little secret that we're enjoying.

Your French-Canadian grandparents have been trying to guess the name for months now, to the point where they'll casually throw a name into the conversation to see if we react (i.e. "So, how's little Darius doing today?") I use "Darius" as a very real example, because we mentioned that we'd chosen a name that happened to also be biblical, prompting your Grandpapa to rattle off every biblical male name he could think of. When he mentioned Darius, I laughed and told him I wasn't going to name my kid after the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish. We may as well name you Hootie if we were going that route.

We can't wait to meet you in person, even though we feel like we know you a little bit already. We talk to you every day, and we rub you whenever little body parts poke out from my belly. It feels like we interact a little bit already, especially when your father talks to you and you kick back.

Well Jellybean, I hope that you continue to grow into a sweet, beautiful little baby. We can hardly wait for these last remaining weeks to fly by and for you to join us in person.

With love,
Mama and Papa

Dear Jellybean,

So. Let's talk.

You've been kicking and moving, a LOT. And you know what? I like it.

In the last couple of days, you have been making yourself known in a big, big way. There have been some really big kicks, not to mention some protruding bumps out of my belly! We have been excitedly hypothesizing about whether we're feeling bums or knees or elbows. I've started feeling you more and more during the day, too, which is fun!

The doctor said it's completely normal that I'm feeling a lot more "downward pressure" from you, which I totally am. Something about all those muscles getting weaker from the previous pregnancy. (So that's where my six pack and washboard abs went!)

In the last week, I have started to feel big, really really big. I feel like you are growing - or at least I am! You are now about two pounds and about 14 inches long. My belly is starting to look proudly maternal! At least there is no doubt now that I am pregnant - people are starting to notice and ask me when you are due to join us here in the real world.

We already have a name for you! Of course it's going to remain a secret until you arrive, but we came up with the name on the day that we found out you were going to be a little boy and have been "test-driving" it since then. It feels pretty good, so we're more or less set on it.

This week, I started to feel as though I was getting anxious for the pregnancy to be over. I'm still secretly fearing that whole giving birth thing, but I'm eager for it to be over for so many reasons.

Partly it's because I'm looking forward to having my body back to normal. It's been increasingly more difficult to keep up with the day-to-day activities of being a full-time mother with my growing belly.

But mainly, it's because I just can't wait for you to get here. I can't wait to hold you in my arms, smell that new-baby smell, and tickle your little feet.

There's still a ways to go though - an entire trimester - so I promise to sit tight and patiently look forward to your arrival. Keep growing well and kicking hard!

With love,
Mama