Thanks to the film festival our rooms got bumped to the Courtyard Marriot.  It certainly wasn't a hardship, I enjoyed the whirlpool, took Caleb swimming in the wading pool, we all slept in the king size bed although they supplied us with a crib. And the best part was the luxury of going out to dinner as a family, guilt free, because it was pay day. So we treated ourselves to Sushi Sky.

First of all let me just say that my mom is the greatest mom ever! This entire project is her idea and pretty much all her work. I'm just a sewing lackey on this one.

So many women spend alot of money on their wedding dresses for their big day. It becomes not only a financial investment but a huge emotional one. I think we all dream that our daughters will someday wear our dresses. That they will love it as much as we did and they will be honoured to do so. But tastes differ between mothers and daughters and fashion changes very quickly.

With this in mind my mother has found a use for her wedding dress that will be treasured not only by her only daughter but her sons as well, and our children and their children to come.

Using a pattern she's purchased "eons" ago she will be making a baptismal gown out of her wedding dress.
Our Caleb will be the first baby to wear it at his baptism in July.

Because we followed a pattern I'm not going to print instructions, but I will offer some of the tips that we came up with.

First of all take your time. Sounds silly but when your working with this material you can't run out to the fabric store if a mistake is made! Layout all your supplies and materials to ensure you have all the pieces.

  Iron or steam the dress to ensure accuracy in measuring and cutting.

We decided to cut the dress intact, meaning we pinned the overlay to the underneath, cut the seams, then pinned the pattern pieces to the dress. Typically, when sewing you would cut the same piece of pattern twice once for the overlay, then for the underneath. This method saves time but requires precision.

We're not quite done but stay tuned for pictures of the finished project and more pictures and tips of the work in progress.

What a beautiful day for Canada's Birthday

Caleb and his new friend Alexis took in the Peterborough Canada Day parade.

They both let their moms and dads tag along!

Afterwards we hung out inside the Memorial Centre, and after a long wait the two kids, had a local artist do their caricatures. It was so cute both managed to stay awake all afternoon until minutes before their turn so they both ended up sleeping through their turns in the spotlight.

I was going to post an article entitled, "No news is....no news" but the good Dr. is throwing in the towel.
It looks like Tuesday will be the big day to get things rolling.
We had an appointment on Friday and not only is the baby reluctant but it is showing no signs of wanting to come out to meet his or her momma and poppa. Instead of being offended Len and I will be going up to the hospital Monday night in an effort to get things moving...literally!
WARNING: The following may contain certain things you did not want to associate with thoughts of me, as your sister, daughter etc!
So Monday night we will be trying a gel hormone which will hopefully start to thin out my cervix. Dr. Vilcini will apply it, monitor me for a few hours then send me home. If it works this will cause a chain reaction which should get labour started. If not then we return Tuesday morning for either a second attempt or inducement with the IV. So basically, we know we will be having the baby sometime in the middle of this week. Its kinda scary because its not exactly the easiest way, and is apparently pretty rough. My view though, is that since I have nothing to compare it to I won't really know how bad it is. Also this way, everything is booked and pre-coordinated. Mom is most likely coming up Monday night, and if not Tuesday morning. Len and I know that Sunday is the last day we have as just the two of us, and so Monday we go to bed packed, with legs shaved ;) (well my legs at least)
So thats whats new.  Depending where you are you'll be getting a phone call, email, or reading the BIG NEWS on the blogs.

Oh and that reminds me, any more guesses on size, since we've pretty much narrowed down the date?

(Sung to the Tune "Happy Birthday")

Happy Due Date to us,
Happy Due Date to us,
The baby isn't here yet,
so don't make a fuss.

Happy Due Date to me,
Happy Due Date to me,
I don't know when the baby's coming,
Ask Dr. Vil-ci-ni!

So Len and I are still hanging in there. Our bags are packed as much as they can be, and we're just waiting. It's 2 days until my due date but the baby does not seem to be in any hurry. We'll see if there is any action or changes on Thursday morning, which is our next Dr's appointment. Our nephew Lucas is keeping his fingers crossed to share his birthday but thats the end of the month...sorry bud, but I really hope not!
At least this is giving us time to finish up some things we wanted to finish. I still haven't "fixed" our list of items that posted at Lillypie of what we have for the baby so if you really want to know you can give my mom a call, she helped to organize much of the stuff. Besides, I've never done this before so who knows what we're missing! Plus, we're taking the babies don't need alot line, so anything else is bonus! :)
I'm trying to pluck away at Christmas stuff. I have one knitting project done...a stocking item for my dad. As well, mom and I went to the annual Snowflake Bazaar held at our former church, I picked up a couple of items for gifts, but of course, also picked up a few things for me too. Namely a container of knitting needles. Mostly extreme sizes, really small or really big. I can't wait to play with them.
Other than that the baby's Christmas stocking is at a standstill until I can borrow a set of dpn's from Jamie, hopefully they will do!
Anyway, this is all you get for now, I'm pooped, but I figured somebody might be curious as to what was going on with us, so point form and brief is all you get for now!


 

...so finally an update on "Junior's" progress.
We've progressed to weekly visits to the doctor and as you can see from the counter on the main page we're down to only 19 days! (well, give or take )
The baby's position is head and down and not about to turn "upside"down, and he or she is sitting face down so we are happy about that.
Our weight estimate is a good size just about average, sorry mom I won't be following in your footsteps! (phew!!)
We have moved the computer desk downstairs in order to give us not only a baby room ( thanks Dad!!) but also a kitchen table!
Other than that all is well. I'm healthy, baby is healthy, Len is being wonderful, working his butt of to prepare for our little one and pampering me at the same time!

Time is flying along...I can't believe I've only posted once for the entire month of July...so much for staying in touch with friends and family! 

Briefly then, we've been super busy, most weekends this summer we haven't been at home. With the new van came lots of travelling. We have been to Oshawa to visit Mike, CarolAnne and Emily, Palgrave to visit John, Pat, Mathew and Lucas, Ajax to visit Gramma and Mom (and look for that darn cat!) and Pontypool to visit Parker and Scooter. We met and hung out with Betty, Rita and Mike, that was a hoot...I still can't believe the girls got Mick into that bathingsuit. Betty was so sweet, really great to meet her. We swapped knittting and crafting tidbits and she even gave Len and I the most beautiful Christmas ornament. We tried to see Natalie Mcmaster's free concert at Del Crary park but really all we saw was the 10,000 heads sitting in front of us!

Babywise, I'm finally starting to look pregnant. I woke up Canada Day with an odd little lump sticking out my front! Len and I went shopping at Old Navy in Oshawa, picked out two official maternity tops for me. Just last weekend I bought a pair of jeans at the Wal-Mart in Ajax. (halleluia! )

We've had an ultrasound which was a truly amazing experience. I could see our little one moving about on the screen, and feel movement inside as well.

I'll be updating this post with about a million photos as well so keep an eye on this article.

 

We had another trip to the dr's this week. I've gained 3 pds in the last month. We heard the babies heartbeat again, strong as ever. Dr. Vilcini couldn't get the baby to hold still to hear his/her heartbeat so she had to grab my belly to get the baby to hold still. I told Len this can't be a good sign!

And I've already felt little flutters from the little one.

The baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (140 mm), big enough to cradle in my hand.

Next up an ultrasound in two weeks. We're hoping to get a picture to post. And no peeking to see if its a boy or a girl!