The Name.

I laugh now at the HOURS Emily, Phillip and I spent looking up, testing out, and ranking different baby names.  I'm talking HOURS on END.  Any free time I had, I was searching - the meaning, the popularity, the bully potential, and so on.  X Factor evenings turned into "name this bump" soirees.  It was some serious focus group, I tell ya (thanks GEM and PHILLIP)!  But now that our baby girl is here, it all seems so SILLY!  If there was a way we could have seen her sweet wee face before delivery, only ONE NAME would stand out - HERS!!!!  Eleanor Douglas Parkinson. 

Let's start with her middle name.  We wanted her middle name to have significance and it didn't take us long to select the right name for the job!  Douglas is my Daddy's name (yes, I STILL CALL HIM DADDY and yes, that IS an indication of how incredibly close we are).  I'm tearing up as I write this because I love him SO MUCH.  SO, SO MUCH.  He is someone who has always been there for me - not just while I was growing up, but while Nory was growing in my belly!  FOR REAL - my Daddy became a real pregnancy guru in the last 9 months - sending me interesting articles to read, listening to my worries, and writing or calling to get appointment updates.  But not just that.  He is a man with a BIG HEART.  Someone you can count on.  Someone who is caring and thoughtful, funny and smart.  And when I hear his name, "Douglas", I think of all these qualities.  Daddy - we wanted to honour you by giving Nory a middle name of someone EXTRA SPECIAL!  That person is YOU!  We love you so much!!!  (Less Sappy Side Note/Interesting Fact:  Douglas is one of the only names that began as a "girl's name" and transitioned into a "boy's name"!)

Alright - onto the first name!  Eleanor.  Oh, sweet and timeless Eleanor.  Her name means "bright, shining one" which is especially fitting as I was wheeled into and out of the operating room with rays of sunshine beaming through the window.  She was born on the sunniest of days, weather-wise and "this is the best day of our lives"-wise :)  The nickname "Nory" was chosen by her proud Daddy.  Good pick, DADDY!  You turned one of my favourite names into something even MORE cute and charming.

Oh NORY DOUGLAS - we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!  Your name is beautiful - just like YOU!

XOXO

Eleanor "Nory" Douglas Parkinson

Born February 12th, 2013

11:52 a.m. (Kuwait Time), 3:52 a.m. (Ontario Time)

3.4 kg (7 pounds, 8 ounces)

52 cm (20 inches) long

35 cm head circumference

We are so in love.

Thank you for all of your warm wishes!

Love,
The Parkinson's
XOXO

TOUR MY BRAIN!

I don't want to get TOO scientific with you at this hour. Alas, I've discovered the cause of "the night before you have a c-section" insomnia!  It's a big breakthrough and I'm in just the right mood to share it!

First, there are things like THIS:

And then, there are more "legitimate" other concerns like this (picture them listed in circular form, with each one replaying non-stop in my mind):

What if none of the names we picked out suit her?  

They better be EXTRA careful with that scalpel. She's POSTERIOR, PEOPLE!  Can you warn her to close her eyes when you make your move?

Oh please let our sweet baby girl be healthy.

Someone is going to stick a needle in my spine today.  Will I ever feel my legs again?

It's 4 a.m. and I'm already starving.  Fasting is not my forte.  

Did I mention I want her to be HEALTHY?  Also, I want them to wrap her up quickly so she doesn't get too cold.  Being cold is the worst. 

Charles Darwin was born today.  This likely means science will be her favourite subject.

Should I pack the Snuggie?

I wish my Daddy was here.  

I could go on.....but the jitters are starting to take over my typing abilities :)

Signing off for the FINAL TIME as a Mom-To-Be.  Next time I write, I'll be OFFICIAL!
XOXO

Happy DUE DATE Baby P!

Well.....she must be on Egyptian time because this little one didn't make her move today (yet....haha).  We had a doctor's appointment this evening and it seems as though her twirl space is too tiny and a c-section is necessary to welcome her into the world safely. 

Our daughter's ETA has been established much more clearly now (could this get any better for Phil?!), as the surgery is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning at 11:30!  Yes, that means in LESS THAN 48 HOURS, the Parkinson's will be an official Family of THREE.  OH MY GOODNESS.  We get to meet our daughter on February 12th. 

The pre-op bloodwork was completed tonight, as was the suite-booking and cautionary paperwork.  It was a four hour ordeal at the hospital, but we finally got home and into some comfies.

And then I cried.

Sobbed.

Like a baby.

For a good 20 minutes in bed. 

Why?  I HAVEN'T A CLUE!!!  All I know is that before this evening, I assumed any baby anxieties were related to the unanswered "when" and "how".  Now these two things have answers and I'm still left with worries.  I panic about her health, the c-section, the future......ah, my mind races and the anxieties generate non-stop.  Thankfully, the tears seemed somewhat therapeutic and I'm slowly getting more excited and less frightened. Inshallah the trend continues. 

Until Tuesday, I will try to enjoy as much rest and relaxation as possible.  I'm not sure I'll have any luck in the sleep department but I will do my darnedest to catch a few hours of shuteye.  I will make sure Phillip does the same!

Ahhhh - WE ARE HAVING A BABY!  On Tuesday!!!!  That is, unless Baby P throws us a curve ball and comes before then!!! Haha. 

TOURIST ATTRACTION #1: THE MALL.

A good alternative to the title of this post would be "The ONLY Tourist Attraction".  Haha.  We're living the dream, people!

But for real, the mall has opened another section.  It's a Disneyland of sorts - an especially happy place for those of you who enjoy swiping some plastic (or paying straight cash, HOMEY!) in exchange for some swanky designer goods.

We didn't purchase anything today (or did we?!!!!  Mwaaa haaa haaa!!!!), but we sure did enjoy a jaw-dropping retail experience.  And guess what?!  ARMANI liked us SO MUCH that our careers might soon be taking another direction ;)

Ah - shopping.  The mall.  The dream.  The life! 

My "BABY SHOWER in a SUITCASE"!

Mom P is here SAFE and SOUND.  She arrived Wednesday night with a suitcase full of PINK - complete with a custom-made tutu.  Yep, you read that right.  A CUSTOM MADE TUTU!

Baby P was spoiled with gifts from Thunder Bay, Wheatley, Leamington, Midhurst, and London.  She received gifts from Aunties and Uncles and Cousins and Grandparents and Great Grandparents and Friends of All the Aforementioned.  It was unexpected and unbelievable - a surprise, imported, late-night baby shower!!!  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We feel so overwhelmed with LOVE from our family and friends in Canada. 

This February, more than any February before, LOVE is ALL AROUND US!  Baby P is one lucky gal.  And we are two extra lucky people.

Sending lots of love to all of you back home.  We can't wait to announce her arrival, whenever that may be!

XOXO

Makes Me Giggle.

Phil just left to pick his mom up from the airport and I am sitting here laughing about a moment we had in the car this morning.

You see, the new vehicle has a USB port for your iPod - which neither of us have ever experienced in a vehicle before.  Obvs, the prospect of some pre-selected tunes playing away while we cruise through the streets of Hawally was quite exciting!  I spent a reasonable an embarrassing a reasonable amount of time throughout the week making a playlist for Phil, a playlist for me, and a playlist for Baby P.  I charged and updated the iPod and placed it by my purse so we wouldn't forget to bring it with us for the next ride.  A ride that was sure to be SUPER AWESOME because we'd be busting out to OUR MUSIC and not those silly ole radio tunes.

Fast forward to the next ride - THIS MORNING.  We get into the car.  I plug the iPod in while Phil reverses out of the parking lot.  We start singing along to "Pumped Up Kicks" - smiling and thinking about how COOL it is to have this fancy technology.  And how COOL our lip syncing and dance moves are. 

And then.....

...about 3/4's through the song.....

....we pull into the school parking lot.......and Phil turns off the engine.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!  I couldn't stop laughing.  We live NOT EVEN ONE SONG AWAY from work.  It all seemed so anti-climatic at 6 a.m.  So much for all that prepping!!!

I'm hoping Phil can enjoy some of his favourite tunes on the way to the airport tonight.  Otherwise, we may just be WISHING for a traffic jam, haha.

Hmmm.....now to get some sleep.  The problem is:  I AM TOO EXCITED TO SLEEP!!!!  Hurry up Phil and Mom P.  Hurry home for hugs and laughter and IN-PERSON BABY-BUMP VIEWING!!!

P.S.  Tomorrow is my final day of work.  Send me all your tough vibes.  (Although I will pack Kleenex just in case). 

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR (DECAF) TEA.

*  Speaking of decaf tea, I think I have about 6 bags left TOTAL.  Thank goodness we have an import leaving Pearson airport in a few hours!!!! 

*  Mom P gets in at 9:30ish tomorrow evening!  We can't wait to see her!!!!  It really does add to the baby excitement when a grandparent is en route!!!

*  Yesterday we stayed home from school due to some serious pelvic pains.  Turns out dehydration and stress can intensify my already painful Braxton Hicks contractions!  Doctor says there is no dilation yet and that our little one may just be the ballerina Mom P is hoping for.  She has turned to an unfavourable position for a vaginal delivery and has another week (maybe???) to twirl back into place.  Otherwise, a C-section may be imminent!

*  The other day I commented on the DELICIOUS smell coming from the Hussain's kitchen.  Then I was told it was camel in the crock pot. 

*  Tonight I watched episode one of Beverly Hills Nannies.  Judge as you like, but this is going to be the PERFECT show to half-watch when I'm on maternity leave!

*  Two more days of work and then I am off for 70 days!  I hope I don't sob embarrassingly when I say goodbye to my kids.  But I have two things working against me on this:  my natural self and my pregnant self.  Both are pretty into the whole tear thing.

*  Phil's cousin David is officially a FATHER!  His wife Tanis gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Piper Navaia on January 30th.  We are so happy for them!!!!  And we can't wait to meet little Piper this summer (inshallah!). 

*  (All you environmentalists should skip this section).  I have this thing about packing crackers in Phil's lunch.  I use tupperware for absolutely EVERYTHING else, but for some bizarre reason, I just can't put his Triscuits into a tupperware.  I have to ziplock the suckers because I really think they are more fun to eat and taste THAT much better when packaged as such.  Sorry, SWEET EARTH!

*  Finding GREAT friends is rare.  We are lucky to have some.  XOXO.

THE NURSERY.

Before.  (Eww......)

More like a storage room.......

After!  TA-DA!!!!!  Doesn't the quilt look SPECTACULAR?!  Thank you Cathy!!!!

Sarge even made it!  We chose the pyramid picture, as it is where our story began :) 

Sorry for the poor lighting.  I didn't have the chance to re-snap this shot during a good time today.  See the clock?! 

Baby P's first Dr. Seuss book - a gift from Auntie Em!

There really is something to be said about doing it yourself.  This room was a labour of LOVE.  We're proud to say "WE DID IT!" and we can't wait to have our little one enjoy it too :)

THE GUEST ROOM.

Before.........

After!!!!!!

After - from a different perspective :)

This is traditionally known as "Emily's Room", but Emily is 'allowing' (haha) Mom P to call it home for the month that she is here!!!!