A last retreat for mom-to-be

We just got back from 5 days at Harrison Hot Springs resort!

Mark was there as a delegate for CUPE 391 (for those of you who don't know he is one of the union's vice-presidents and has been active in his local for years!) at this year's Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Winter School. While he spent his days learning about collective bargaining, I went for long walks and spent lots of time standing near beautiful waterfalls like this one - taking in all the beauty :)

I learned a lot this week through Mark and the other folks I met. I joined everyone at meal times - taking advantage of the buffet breakfasts and lunches (lunch also included desert buffets! so much for my nothing but healthy eating this week...those deserts were too much to resist!) and three course dinners... mmmmm! - and asked lots of questions about what they were learning in their classes. Mark and I sat with different people at virtually every meal, giving us a chance to meet some great people. All the conversation was fascinating, and I also got to know his fellow 391 exec member Laura which was super.

At night we would spend a little bit of time in the hot spring pools. They have 3 outdoor pools which very in temperature from mild-hot. The hottest one I only stayed in a few minutes, then I moved on to the medium pool which was just right. I had checked with the midwife that it would be safe and then thoroughly enjoyed it while I was there!

On top of my daily long walks, I also enjoyed lots of reading and writing time, a few nice afternoon naps and general relaxing time overall. Taking advantage as I know things won't be quiet for me for a while after baby arrives! :)

The next year brings many contract renewals in the labour world, so Mark is now feeling better about representing his workers after a intense week of learning...and I am feeling calm and replenished!

An exciting new year to come!

Happy new year everyone!

our new years celebration was a low-key family affair this year. Mark, Che and I had a fondue dinner (yum!) and watched movies before counting down into the new year :)

yesterday we went for the detailed ultrasound where they check all of baby's vital organs and see how development is going.

good news is that so far it's all going well...even "textbook" was what the technician called it.

so here you see the most recent pic of baby - head to the left, tips of fingers above the forehead. it's too big now to fit into one image!

it was very weird to see the baby from the inside out. fortunately the technician was super nice and she talked to us throughout to let us know what we were looking at...the kidneys, the lungs, the heart, etc. we even got a glimpse of it's cute little face!

both of us seem to be doing very well indeed. my appetite came back just in time for the Whittam clan xmas dinner and I've been hungry ever since. I've been very good at keeping my meals small, nibbling throughout the day (the habit I developed early in pregnancy to keep the blood sugar at a constant level and therefore keeping nausea at a minimum) on lots of fruit, veggy, nuts and wholegrains. healthy food for me is healthy food for baby!

I seem to have begun that wonderful bliss period where my energy is up, and overall I feel great! I have been working a lot lately so the extra energy has been just enough to get me through...though I totally veg when at home to prevent burnout and keep my stress level low.

Mark has been taking great care of me and is looking forward to when he can feel baby move. Everyone tells me I should feel it soon...can't wait! :)

We are very much looking forward to our most exciting challenge together for the new year...bringing baby into the world!

cheers to a new year full of positive times and great adventure for you all!
:)