Time to lose the ponch....

Being back in Cancun has it's advantages, as well as it's disadvantages. Living the "beach" life is a real treat. I love the warm weather. I love that I can leave the house with out fear of being too cold. However, now that I've just had Baby E I am slightly self conscious. Okay, more than slightly.... I am VERY self conscious. So the disadvantage here? You can't hide underneath a layer of clothes, and all my friends are in SUPER shape. All of them. Not kidding.

Well yesterday hubby and I went to Costco and I bought a scale. This was the first time I've weighed myself since having Baby E. I thought I had 15lbs to lose, but was shocked to see I had 20.... I don't even know what to say. I am still in shock. No wonder none of my clothes fit. I went from being a size 2 to a size 8. Yes, I said 8. I have never in my life been larger than a size 4. I don't mean to sound vain. I worked hard to stay in shape all those years. Now that I'm 32 and just had a baby...Not so easy. I was on bed rest for 17 weeks of my pregnancy, and after having a c-section only just started working out again. I don't even know if you can call it working out. I have started stretching, and building muscle slowly. Baby steps I guess....

Hubby and I are going to start the gym soon. It's just really hard as he is working longer hours, and I have a baby. How we are going to find the time? Beats the heck out of me.... Should help that I am getting a car soon. I can run the errands during the day and it should free up some of our evenings.

Okay, Baby E is crying and I must run. Seriously, don't get a break!!! Not even time to proof read this mess of a post!!

Hope you're all having a good week!

Baby E's First Beach Day!!!

Well we finally were brave enough to take our little girl to the beach. Times sure have changed.  We can no longer just grab the beach bag and run. Instead we need to make sure we have bottles, change of clothes, waterproof diapers, regular diapers, blankets, sunscreen for baby, etc... The list goes on and on.

Hubby and I took Baby E to the Hyatt here in Cancun to meet some friends. The day was beautiful for the most part, until a torrential storm came pouring down. Hahaha. Poor baby had no idea what was going on.... Utter confusion.

All in all, she loved lying in the sun with the breeze. Also, she went in the pool and didn't cry!! It was only her second time in a pool, and the first was a complete failure.

We made it!

Dad, Mom and Baby are now back "home" in Cancun.... This chica can finally start writing about living in Mexico again.

The flight was amazing. I was really worried that Ms. M was going to be one of "those" babies. You know the ones? The ones everyone on the plane dread!! Happy to report she slept the entire way, only to wake up and eat a few times. Not a single sound was made. Yay for us.

When we arrived at the airport the elevator was broken. Great. The escalators weren't running, and we had 2 carry ons, a purse, baby, car seat, stroller and diaper bag. Some very nice tourists helped hubby carry everything down the stairs. Come on Cancun airport, install a ramp!! The line for immigration was long, but we got to go through the line for Mexicanos, of course we were the only ones in it and we through in a minute. Our bags were already waiting for us, all five of them.... LOL. Now was time for us to "push the rrreed button", and we got red. Hahaha. They had fun searching all of our bags!!

Finally we were outta there and what was waiting for us? Well besides our friend Sergio, a torrential downpour. It was unreal....Never seen anything like it. We couldn't get to the car so we waited for it to tamper down a bit. My suegro and cuñada were waiting for us in the parking lot. It was their first time meeting Ms. M. We decided that we would go straight to my suegros so that my suegra could meet Ms. M as well. She's in a wheelchair and couldn't leave the house due to the storm passing. My suegra was the first in the family to hold Ms. M. We wouldn't have it any other way :)

After that we went back to our house to get settled in for the night, and it's been go-go-go ever since. I'll have lots to write about I am sure. For now I just wanted to touch base and let you all know that we are BACK!

Chat soon amigos!!!

Baby is here!!

I'm finally finding time on this cold, grey Saturday in Calgary to write about baby!!

I am VERY happy to announce the arrival of our baby GIRL. I went into labour 5 weeks early, and was 4 cms by the time we got to the hospital. I actually thought I was having Braxton Hicks, I had no idea I was in labour. LOL. To my surprise when we got to the Triage I was 4 cms, and having contractions 1 minute apart. Also, babies placenta was starting to come out.... I had Complete Placenta Previa, I won't go into detail about that but it is why I've been on bed rest since 17 weeks. Well within 20 minutes I was in the OR having an emergency c-section. VERY happy to announce hubby had arrived the night before. Can you believe it?

Our baby girl was taken to the NICU with hubby, while I was whisked away to recovery all by my lonesome. LOL. Actually, somehow my Mom managed to convince someone to let her in - what a surprise as it was close to midnight, and visiting hours were over.  Baby spent 4 days in the NICU as she weighed 4 lbs 8 ounces at birth. When I took her home she was down to 4 lbs 1 ounce, tiny but healthy.

Hubby is now back in Cancun, and baby and I are figuring one another out. She is already almost 4 weeks old. I will be applying for her passport in two weeks, and we will be off for Cancun the first week of June. We ended up selling our house in Canada, the offer came in while I was in the hospital. The market in Calgary is HOT HOT. We basically got what we asked for, and now I'm selling furniture on Kijiji. Hubby will be back in 6 weeks to help with the rest of our things that we will store at my brothers house.

Okay, well better get off the computer now. Baby is sleeping, and I should take advantage and nap myself.

Thank you to everyone who has written me privately asking how things are - I have never been happier in my life :)

Hubby's booked!

YAY, it's official. Hubby has finally booked his flight and arrives on the 23rd of March, about a week before I should have my baby. My actual due date is the 9th of April, but due to some complications my Dr would like to deliver baby before the end of the month. I'm so excited.

As I mentioned in a previous post, we have decided to list our house in Canada. We put it on the market a week ago today. So far showings have been great. I have one today, and one already booked for tomorrow. Of course the clean freak in me is busy vacuuming daily, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms. It's insane.... Have you tried vacuuming stairs 8 months pregnant? Not that easy with my heavy Dyson. Just want to sell this house quick. Wish us luck.

What else? We are busy looking for a car for me in Mexico. We will be buying brand new most likely as we want a 7 passenger.... I even said I'd drive a mini-van if I had to. I've never, ever wanted to drive one. I grew up in a family of 5 kids and we had one and remember it was rather practical. My thoughts are we have two dogs, a baby with a car seat, and will have family visiting. We need the extra space for added comfort, not our daily lives. Interest rates in Mexico are insane. I think it should be illegal. Haha. Por ejemplo, Toyota is 17.9% interest on a new vehicle. Ford was 13.5%. Can't remember all of them, but no one was .9 or 1.2% like my trusty Canadian dealerships. Can you say RIP OFF.

Well, that is sort of what I've been up to. Cleaning the house, taking care of my dog Kiara, Dr's appointments, ultrasounds, buying baby stuff, etc....

Next I"ll be sure to post some of the things we've bought in Cancun as well. So exciting!!!

Have a great weekend y'all!!!

Weekly Song is back!! This is a GREAT one :)

Lluvia (Rain) - thought it was fitting as Cancun has had quite a bit of rain lately. May not be about rain per say, but this is by FAR one of my most favourite songs. I really hope you like it....!!!

A little motivation

Again it's been forever since my last post. I just haven't felt motivated as to be honest I am allllll about baby right now. I highly doubt people want to read about all things baby on a living in Cancun blog!!!

Thought I'd post a quick update for you all. If you recall I was debating having the baby in Cancun, or Canada. Decision was made pretty easy for me when I was put on bed rest by my Dr in Canada. That meant no flying for this future mamacita!!

Well I am currently 8 months pregnant and set to deliver baby in about 4 weeks time. Oh how I hope baby doesn't decide to come earlier. Hubby is still working in Cancun and will fly up here at the last minute. Seriously hoping baby will hold on until then.... I am having my doubts, I have dropped big time.

In preparation for baby, Hubby and I recently made the decision to put our Canadian house up for sale. That means a LOT of work for me on my own. I have been busy getting the house "listing" ready. Officially should be put on the market today. Kinda hoping for a quick sale.... Once I pop this baby out it will be Cancun full time again for this familia.

I have gained about 25 pounds so far, and boy oh boy can I tell. I'm getting more and more uncomfortable, still overjoyed with happiness. All worth it for sure.... I seriously find it so funny how little I knew about pregnancy before. I have to say I either ignored, or people really don't tell you all the things that come with it. To all you first time moms out there - write me, I'll fill you in!! LOL!!

Okay, well I'll leave things at that....Share a little photo of myself, and my baby :)

I am much bigger than this now, just need a pic!! This was me 1 1/2 weeks ago.

Doors are for suckers!

So says this guy....

I especially love how he uses his seatbelt as a harness in case he were to fall out? Yeah...Not quite sure that will do it buddy. I think he'd be better off wearing it as a seatbelt. No? 

It never ceases to amaze me when I see the vehicles that are legally operable on Cancun's roads. I mean, this is hardly bad by Mexico standards, I just happened to have my camera ready to snap this shot. I am not sure there are any legal restrictions? Any one know? Who cares if a vehicle should be deemed salvage only. 

Safety, that's for suckers!

Taking the pig for a walk!

Yes, you read that right. Just when I think I've seen it all, boy was I wrong. I'm a gal from Calgary, Canada - home of the Calgary Stampede (worlds largest Rodeo). Farms all around, friends and family live on ranches, my uncle raises pony's and sheep. However, can I just say I have never seen someone walking any of their farm animals as they would a dog. I still find it odd when I see people walking their cats on a leash. Cats roam, don't they?

Well, I guess it was time for me to see a women walking her pig around the block in Cancun no less. Just in case you don't believe me, here's a little video for your viewing pleasure.

I guess the owners have had her for awhile. I also want to add that they do pick up the poop!! I was VERY impressed as dog poop is a big enough problem here. 

Has anyone seen this before? Is it as odd as I seem to think? Or am I the odd one? Either way, I found it so funny and pretty cute!! LOL!! 

Tired, very tired!!

I know it's been a loooong time since my last real post, but I have an excuse...I'm pregnant, and tired!! It's truly inexplicable to those who have never been pregnant, heck I couldn't have understood prior to this pregnancy. I am at the point now where I am just tired all the time.  I push myself to do things, and I enjoy it but my feet are killing me at the end of the day. I want to nap but I don't allow myself to as I'm not sleeping that well at night. All you ladies who have been pregnant know what I'm talking about.

I left Cancun over a month ago now, and am in Calgary. Hubby and I are thinking I am going to stay put. Travelling is getting tougher for me, and I've actually been placed on modified bed rest. That means no flying even if I wanted to. Hubby has of course gone back to Cancun for work. We still aren't 100% sure, but if I can't travel for the remainder of the pregnancy then baby will be born in Canada!

Having the pleasure of biddiing adieu to the second trimester seems surreal. I can't believe I'm already 7 months. Sure I feel it, and I certainly look it, but it still feels too good to be true. That and I'm now starting to get nervous about the whole pushing the baby out of a hole the size of a dime. LOL. That freaks me out I'm not gonna lie. I have a c-section booked for medical reasons, but that can still change and I can have a vaginal delivery....Crap does that freak me out. LOL.

I was going through some photos on my camera and realized I have so many great blog posts for you all. I need to take some time and write them up. Promise I'll get to that this week!! I promise, really great pics I am sure you'll enjoy :)

For now....Why don't I share a pic that is OH so close to my heart.

Baby feet 4cm

Baby Leg

My belly at 26 weeks :)

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas Day. Whether you celebrate or not, I'm sure most of you had the day off and were able to enjoy it with your family. I am in Canada now for the holidays, hubby is back in Cancun as he had to get back to work.

Thought I'd share a little photo with you all, and I'll be sure to update soon. This prego mama-to-be doesn't have a ton of energy these days, however I'm definitely due for some posts!!!

Maternity Packages - Having a baby in Mexico Continued....

As promised, I thought I'd share a few of the options available when having a baby in Cancun, Mexico. Bearing in mind this is through private insurance, and at the hospital where we are covered in Cancun - Hospital Galenia.

I think it's pretty self explanatory, but as you can see the packages range from a vaginal delivery, vaginal delivery in water, and a c-section. You can also see there are different room types you can get, standard to presidential. To my American readers/friends, is this what it's like in the USA? In Canada, you get a room. I think for $35 in Alberta you can request a private room but it's a first come first serve basis. Anyways, all new to this gal...Not used to private insurance at all. LOL.

Well, this is a very brief package review. You can see there are additional costs for birth certificates, circumcision, blood work, incubator, etc.... Just your basic needs are covered here. 

Black Friday in Cancun...Sorta

Now that hubby and I are on the lookout for all things baby, we are also looking at prices. Things in Cancun are much more expensive than they are north of the border. Hate to say it, but the quality isn't always there either.

Most of our friends usually take a few trips a year to Florida and do their shopping there. They buy in bulk, and take full advantage of the better prices. Hubby and I were thinking about going for Black Friday, but I've been told not to fly that much right now. A few pregnancy complications that I can get into another time.

Anyways, we were at Paseo Cancun last week and look what we found? Sales, real sales!!! Paseo Cancun is considered an outlet mall here in Cancun. Don't get too excited, it's not a real outlet mall if you ask me. However, better than nada!!

Now these prices may look a little expensive, and they are however it was take an additional 50% off the last price!!! Now that is a deal.... At least here in Cancun it is. We didn't end up buying anything...We are just 20 weeks pregnant now, and don't want to jinx ourselves. We will wait until some time in the new year. However, we still like to look. Baby things are just toooo cute. 

Did you find any Black Friday deals?!

Look what I found!!??

It's like Christmas has come early!!!

Salt and Vinegar, Ranch, Sweet Onion....WOW!!!

I've seen these at Chedraui, but found these bad boys at Mega and for half the price. My prayers have been answered. Chips are about the only junk food this gal eats, and snacks on. Soooo excited right now :)

A picture is worth a thousand words....

Don't you just love rainbows?

Took this picture last week....Thought you would enjoy :)

Over the lagoon......

Wonder if there is a pot of gold?!

Old Wive Tale - Mayan Style!

Old Wives Tale:  Mayan Tale

There are soooo many old wives tales related to pregnancy it' is somewhat ridiculous. I'll be honest, I don't read too much into them. Heck, there's a 50/50 chance they are right. LOL.  However, it's unbelievable to me how many Mommas out there do believe in this stuff. I'm not judging, just shocked. I have complete strangers tell me - Oh you're having a girl because your tummy is high. Or, you're having a boy because your skin is clear. Hahaha. It's hilarious. I love playing along...I'll be honest.

Well here is one I bet none of you have heard? Or maybe I was the only one... The Mayans have their own old wives tale. Shocker!! The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception.  If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl.  If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!  According to this, we are having a girl.

Looks like we will find out in 4 1/2 months....!!!

Did any of these tales work for you? Do you have any more good ones for me??!!

Hard Rocks Grand Opening

If you are a reader of this blog you'll remember I wrote a few posts about the transition of the Cancun Palace into the Hard Rock Cancun. I posted a few photos of the renovations that were being completed, and haven't posted since.

A few weeks ago the Hard Rock Cancun had it's official Grand Opening. The owners spared no expense. Celebrities took over the resort. If you were lucky enough to have been a guest at the time, you would have been surrounded by B and C list celebrities all week. Still, not bad. The Goo Goo Dolls performed, Flo Rida, and a few more artists. There were three days of parties that lasted well into the early morning.

The hotel is officially open for business. The pool renovations are complete, the rooms are all finished, the restaurants. I must say I love it. I really wasn't sure what I'd think? I'm not a huge fan of rock music. I may be an 80's child, but I certainly don't remember them all that well. I was more of an 80's baby. 90's child. Oh the dreaded fashion of the 90's...I digress.

Here are a few photos from the night of the event. Were you there?

The exclusive bracelet - worth about $6000 pesos!!!

The front entrance lit up at night

Just some of the delicious food being served...YUM!!

Hubby and his gang :)

Flo Rida... 

The pool lit up - I love pools :)

Hubby and his Wilmer Valdermoment :)

Another lost in translation post!!

Well, many of you who read my blog or know me personally know that I am pregnant, and loving it. Being pregnant in Mexico is quite a different experience for me, than my friends north of the border. Heck, I was in Calgary two weeks ago and my Dr does things so differently than my Doctor here, can't even begin to explain.

One of the things that is needed when pregnant is a pap. Yes, this will be my second post about pap smears. Typically in Mexico your Obgyn would do your pap, however, when prego they like you to have a full meal deal. Get checked for everything. This is normal everywhere. I had to book an appointment at a clinic that specializes in all sorts of testing. I've been there before for blood work, and other things. So no biggie.

The nurse was very kind, and of course didn't speak a word of English. I am getting so used to doing all of these things in Spanish, and must admit I am proud of myself. It's one thing to order a happy meal, but quite another to order a pap!! I changed into my robe as I was told, I laid down on a VERY cold table and I waited. Waited. Waited even longer. Finally the Dr came in who would be doing the test(s). Again, what a nice man. He was telling me he has been to Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. He loves Canada, and Canadian people. Hahaha. I hear this often to be honest.... Funny, no one has ever been to Calgary!! Could it be it's reputation? Cold, cold and freezing!!

The Dr just explained to me what he would be doing, when he was starting, and that I was doing good. Kinda cute as you wouldn't really know the difference between this, and your regular pap. LOL. Oh well, he was just doing his job. He would say some words in English "Speculum", hahaha. It was so cute as he was really trying to make me comfortable. When he was all said and done he came out with something I was not expecting at all "You have a very clean vagina". Hahahaha. I honestly wasn't sure I had heard him right.... I know in Spanish it would have made more sense, but I couldn't stop laughing...Poor guy had no idea what he had said to me. Hahahahaha. He just got his words a bit mixed up....

All in all I felt pretty good. I have a clean vagina. Who wouldn't feel good about this? Hubby and I had a huge laugh about this. I think it will be one of our best "lost in translation" stories ever... We have a MUCH better one, but perhaps not one I'd be willing to post on the blog!! Sometimes things just don't come out that well in writing. Especially when I'm not the best writer out there. Ah well....

Yay for clean vaginas!!

If you think you've had a bad day....

I recently had the pleasure of meeting, and listening to Nando Parrado speak, and tell his story of survival. Nando was one of the 16 survivors of a plane that crashed on Friday October 13th, 1972 in the Ande Mountains. Not only was Nando a survivor, but he was also the leader of the group. With out Nando, none of the passengers ( team mates on the same rugby team) would be alive today. Nando, and the others spent 72 days in the freezing cold mountains, no food, no water, nothing. They were surrounded by arctic temperatures, avalanches, dead bodies of their friends, etc... Nando, and another friend Roberto climbed for 10 days. They climbed with out any equipment, their tennis shoes, no gloves, starving, and exhausted. They never gave up.

I do not want to go into too much detail, however some of you may remember a movie that was made "Alive: A Miracle in the Andes". It came out in 1993, and I will never forget it. I was young when I saw it, however, I still recalled pieces of it. A story like this, you will never forget. Nando lost his mother, sister and best friends in this crash, yet he was still pushing to live.

It was an absolute honour to meet such a person, and listen to such a story of survival. Luck, and smart decisions...This is what Nando said. He also told me that he believes they survived as they were all friends, team mates on the same rugby team. Wanting to live, wanting to help one another.  Someone had to take the plunge and go for help.

I'm not sure if anyone will read this blog post as it's nothing to do with living in Mexico, or Cancun. However, I couldn't not share my experience. Whenever you think you've had a bad day, or that some things just aren't fair.... Watch this video if you have time.

Baby Immigration Update

In my last post I wrote about my not so great news with regards to obtaining Canadian Citizenship for my baby. I was told the process takes about a year, and that I would still have to apply for a passport. I was a little down, to say the least.

After I received my email from the Canadian Consular in Cancun, I emailed them back looking for information on obtaining a visa for my baby. I was happy again to receive a response in less than 48 hours. Que miraglo!! Basically I wanted to know how long it would take to get a visa for my baby, so that we could travel to Canada to visit my family. Here comes the good news??!!

I was told that we wouldn't be able to apply for the visa, as it's not applicable in our situation. That is if we have applied for Citizenship, which we will do immediately. No question about that. Our option is to plan a trip, and purchase the airfare. Go to the Consular, and with proof of travel and we may be granted a temporary passport for our baby to travel. We were told this usually takes about 16 days...  Of course I wrote back and wanted to know what are the chances of this happening? Is it typically granted, or does it depend on a situation, or day to day?  I am now awaiting their response, however it's the weekend so probably won't hear anything until next week.

Again, I have some faith that this could still work for us!!! I have until February to make a decision, as after that travel is not recommended, and I run the risk of my Dr not approving travel past a certain number of weeks.

I'm really hoping this option works for us. I can't imagine the chance of my hubby not being there for delivery.