08 | 23 | 2017
Watching a baby grow in utero is like watching the seasons change--slow and subtle and then all of the sudden--BAM! Everything is different. This last year, Max and I (and little Gus) were able to document both in a very real way. After returning from our first family trip traipsing across Africa, we settled in at home in Waterton and started to nest and grow. Taking the time once a week (rain-or howling wind-or shine), we climbed up the steep trail to the iconic lookout over our little mountain village and witnessed the ever-changing views and my ever-changing belly. It wasn't always easy, and there were certainly some weeks I (or my body) would whine and complain the whole way up, but looking back at the photos has been so precious to commemorate this special time in our lives.
Last night, Max and I climbed the all too familiar steps of the hump with baby Gus in our arms--eyes wide open and taking in the views for the first time. It was almost too much for my mama heart to handle as I watched Max hold him high in the air, so proud and loving, finally being able to show his son the view that has grown to be so near and dear to our hearts.
We sure love you baby Augustus and we cannot wait to watch you grow on this hump over the years.
We also cannot wait for you to start pulling your own weight--you're getting heavy.
16 weeks | January 12, 2017 | "Welcome to your soon-to-be home baby bean. Now stay put, trust me. It's freezing out here."
Last night, Max and I climbed the all too familiar steps of the hump with baby Gus in our arms--eyes wide open and taking in the views for the first time. It was almost too much for my mama heart to handle as I watched Max hold him high in the air, so proud and loving, finally being able to show his son the view that has grown to be so near and dear to our hearts.
We sure love you baby Augustus and we cannot wait to watch you grow on this hump over the years.
We also cannot wait for you to start pulling your own weight--you're getting heavy.
16 weeks | January 12, 2017 | "Welcome to your soon-to-be home baby bean. Now stay put, trust me. It's freezing out here."
17 weeks | January 19, 2017 | "The changes to my baby body week to week are slow and steady and subtle. The changes to the hump on the other hand..."
18 weeks | January 26, 2017 | "The best thing about being one of the lone survivors in Waterton for the winter?
You get to wear onesies all day and no one's around to look at you funny"
You get to wear onesies all day and no one's around to look at you funny"
19 weeks | February 3, 2017 | "My mother always said, to know someone is to love them. Well, we're one step closer to knowing everything there is to know about this itty bitty babe growing inside of me and let me tell you, my mama was right"
20 weeks | February 10, 2017 | "Just when I think it can't get any windier on the hump...We trudged through thigh-deep snow all the way to the top only to be rewarded with gale force winds pelting tiny shards of icy snow in our faces and trying its best to blow us off the mountain. We survived. Barely."
21 weeks |February 18, 2017 | "Gorgeous sunny day in Waterton to celebrate the huge strides this little bug has made this week! He's growing like crazy (well, mama is anyway), and he finally made himself known to papa by giving him a big kick during bath time. I just love feeling him somersaulting around in there all day...it's a nice break from the nausea."
22 weeks | February 27, 2017 | "Another cold, wintery day in Waterton. I woke up this morning after 10 hours of sleep and still felt exhausted. It took all the willpower I had to climb the hump and I felt like my body weighed a million pounds! But. We made it. Now how to make it through this 12 hour night shift in the ER...?"
23 weeks | March 6, 2017 | "Today I had a serious case of the over-winter-blues. It happened halfway up the hump as I was huffin' and puffin' with wind-chapped cheeks and snot dripping from my nose. Baby was begging to turn around and head straight home so he could have a burrito (yes, frozen chimichangas are his current fav...but he also loves kale salad so it evens out, right?). We stuck it out once again though and papa rewarded us when we got home with a hot bath complete with candles, chai tea, and Gilmore Girls. He's the reason we survive in Canada. Oh and he's a master shoveler."
24 weeks | March 13, 2017 | "Here's hoping our babe takes after his pa concerning his attitude about the wind. Cuz his ma currently has a hoarse voice from cursing it at the top of her lungs from the hump."
25 weeks | March 21, 2017 | "Taking a little break from the snow and ice this week and giving the babe a fresh, new view."
26 weeks | March 27, 2017 | "Awww home, sweet home. This baby bean is growing bigger by the minute and even though he still makes me lose my lunch if I miss a dose of the nausea pills, gives me cankles, and makes my back want to scream sometimes, I can't help but grow more and more fond of him every day. Every little kick, squirm, or hiccup just makes my ❤️ melt."
27 weeks | March 31 | "Watching the innie slowly become an outie."
28 weeks | April 10, 2017 | "Another scorcher in Waterton today."
29 weeks | April 17 | "Celebrated the most gorgeous Easter Sunday with this little wiggly bunny yesterday 🐰 I'm so lucky to live so close to family in this little mountain village and loved sharing this sunny hike with all my girls 😘 ."
30 weeks | April 24, 2017 | "Is anyone else already feeling like it's been a tough week and it's only Monday?! I guess that's what happens when you work all weekend. Climbing the hump today gave me a much needed boost of energy though and I'm hoping it can carry me through this night shift in the ER 🙏🏻 The rest of the stressors will sort themselves out but for now it's just me and this babe commuting to work with a hot cup of tea and a podcast to get our minds off things ☕️ Here's to a great, busy week!"
31 weeks | May 2, 2017 | "Had our first real doula meeting today and realized that this baby is coming NEXT MONTH 😳 So glad we'll have our sweet doula to take care of the three of us when the time comes because we can't even make it through a meeting TALKING about childbirth without losing it 😩 Well, daddy can't anyway 😜 I'm so lucky to have such a sweet and supportive partner who props me up in bed with couch cushions when I'm having heartburn, stays by my side when I'm losing my breakfast, and whose favorite thing to do is snuggle up close and feel this baby boy of ours doing acrobatics in my belly. He's even great at turning our bathroom into an all-out spa when I need a hot bath (but don't ask him what happens when you drop gobs of lemon essential oil into the water 😳). This baby sure is lucky to have such a loving papa ❤️ (And in case you do try the essential oil bath, make sure to have tons of coconut oil on hand to stop the full body burn 🔥 Who knew?! )"
32 weeks | May 5, 2017 "These last couple days in Waterton have been an absolute dream ✨ The temperatures have been rising, the snow melting, and the sunshine has been making her appearance after a long, drawn-out Canadian winter. We had our first family BBQ last night in the warm evening sunshine and I cannot tell you how good it was for my soul. We ate loads of delicious food, played ball with our darling niece and nephew, and the thoughts of pushing our brand new babe around town in a cute little pram got me so excited for this most monumental Waterton summer to date 👶🏻💙☀️ Then of course, we took advantage of the last rays of light with an evening hump 😊."
33 weeks | May 15, 2017 | "Another week closer to meeting our son 💜 I'm kinda wishing he could just stay put right here in my belly where he's safe and warm. I've never been more proud of my body for what it's been able to create these last 8 months...
but I sure am excited to be able to tie my shoes again 😬."
but I sure am excited to be able to tie my shoes again 😬."
34 weeks | May 22, 2017 |
"My pregnant body.
Our pregnant body.
This imperfectly perfect body we both call home for a brief moment.
In it contains all we need in life, and I’m honored to share it with you.
You feel so much a part of me, it’s impossible to imagine you as a separate being.
One who will one day share with me the hopes and dreams and thoughts that are all your own.
Born of you and not of me.
How I long to raise an independent boy who is clever, and ambitious, and above all, kind.
When that day comes though, please remember that at one point in time, we were one.
We shared the same breath.
We trusted in the same beautiful body to keep our hearts beating.
Separate beats, but the same life-sustaining blood.
Until then, I’ll treasure these last few weeks we have together.
Just you and me.
Inseparably connected in a way that feels so foreign and new, but yet so right.
Right where you belong.
In my pregnant body.
Our pregnant body."
"My pregnant body.
Our pregnant body.
This imperfectly perfect body we both call home for a brief moment.
In it contains all we need in life, and I’m honored to share it with you.
You feel so much a part of me, it’s impossible to imagine you as a separate being.
One who will one day share with me the hopes and dreams and thoughts that are all your own.
Born of you and not of me.
How I long to raise an independent boy who is clever, and ambitious, and above all, kind.
When that day comes though, please remember that at one point in time, we were one.
We shared the same breath.
We trusted in the same beautiful body to keep our hearts beating.
Separate beats, but the same life-sustaining blood.
Until then, I’ll treasure these last few weeks we have together.
Just you and me.
Inseparably connected in a way that feels so foreign and new, but yet so right.
Right where you belong.
In my pregnant body.
Our pregnant body."
35 weeks |May 30, 2017 | "Saying goodnight to our 35th week with the most lovely post-storm Waterton sunset 🌜Today was a rough (but somehow also wonderful) day for babe and me. He didn't approve of my choice of breakfast (granted, spaghetti squash with cherry tomatoes and feta is slightly strange first thing in the morning 😬) and I swear the hump somehow turned into Everest overnight. I was diagnosed with quite significant anemia this week, which explains all the excessive fatigue, ice chomping, and near fainting spells I've been having, but climbing the hump felt nearly impossible. It took us twice as long as usual, but we managed to make it to the top just in time to catch this lovely view 😍 We had the place to ourselves (just like we did all through the winter), and stared out at the little village we'll soon be bringing our tiny babe home to. The place where just this afternoon we marvelled at the most amazing double rainbow while driving into town, just as a little black bear stumbled his way across the road in front of our car.
Sometimes I just can't believe this is our home."
Sometimes I just can't believe this is our home."
36 weeks | June 5, 2017 |"Tomorrow marks FULL TERM for this baby of ours! Which means today was spent packing the hospital bag 😳 Wow. It still feels so far away and hopefully we have a few more weeks to go, but the excitement is definitely starting to mount at the prospect of finally being able to meet our son. I cannot believe we can love someone so much that we've never actually laid eyes on. I cannot wait to tickle those tiny toes that have been tickling (and boxing) my insides relentlessly for months. I cannot wait to kiss those luscious lips that have been teasing me on his ultrasound profile pics every time I walk by the fridge. I cannot wait to nestle my face into his neck and take in his fresh new baby scent. But most of all, I cannot wait to finally be able to let his sweet papa hold him in his arms, and feel his heart beating against his chest. If there is anything that can make my heart explode, it will be that 💗 "
37 weeks | June 12, 2017 | "The type of things I've been saying to Max lately...I may poop during delivery...and you just have to be okay with that."
38 weeks | June 17, 2017 | "Stormy, cold evening on the hump giving me flashbacks to the winter. Max says it's a foreshadowing of what birth will be like 😳 I don't know about him, but I'm gonna be on a beach the whole time. ☀️🌴🌊"
39 weeks | June 23, 2017 | "I may have carried you for 9 months, but he has carried us both ❤️ "
40 weeks | June 28, 2017 | "Well, little one, I didn't think we would make it quite this long, but here we are.
I know it's nice and cozy in there but you have so many people who want to meet you! And papa and I are first in line.
Besides, I'm in need of some extra space in my belly for all the BBQ's this week, so move over!"
I know it's nice and cozy in there but you have so many people who want to meet you! And papa and I are first in line.
Besides, I'm in need of some extra space in my belly for all the BBQ's this week, so move over!"
41 weeks | July 3, 2017 | "Guess who is still pregnant??? Yup. It's me."
7 weeks | August 22, 2017