The first week

Well, we made it to Edmonton... but just barely!

Our adventure started off in the Winnipeg Airport. After Mom nearly got arrested and body searched for having too much contraband in her carry-on (terrible things like shampoo, conditioner, hairspray... real nasty stuff) we were told to wait at gate M for our flight. After waiting for 20 minutes with a few other travellers we began to wonder where our plane was. We thought it a little odd that our flight would be leaving in 15 mintues and the plane wasn't even there yet, even if the flight was delayed. Lee went to check how delayed the flight was when he discovered that severeal of the wonderful airport staff had sent us to the wrong gate. So we gathered up our things (two carry-ons, one baby, a stroller, car seat, diaper bag, and laptop) and made a mad dash to find gate F. I don't know if you've ever made a mad dash while you're 8 months pregnant... but it is NOT fun. I looked more like a penguin waddling along trying to catch up to everyone else. As we were running across the airport, we heard the final boarding call annoucement for our flight. We made it to the gate just in the nick of time!

I'm sure you can imagine the looks of dread on everyone's face when they saw a pregnant lady, carrying a baby, two carry-ons, and dragging her mother down the aisle of the plane looking for our seats. I noticed the relief in each person's face as I passed their row... delighted that we would not be trying to squeeze in next to them.

We finally made it to our seats and sat next to woman who listened to music all the way to Edmonton. Molly was a real delight on the flight. She didn't even make a tiny fuss. What a trooper! She was an absolute angel all the way to our hotel in Edmonton. That's my girl!

Once we got to the hotel, things seemed to go downhill. The crib they were supposed to have ready for Molly had not been sent up. The pizza we ordered for supper was horrible, cold, dry, and expensive. And... to top everything off... the remote control for the TV didn't work. Needless to say, I cried.

Day two was better. It turns out the lady we sat beside on the plane is staying at the hotel with her husband. They also have a "heart baby" in the hospital. The lady was kind enough to tell me her name and room number. I gave them a call, and they showed Mom and I around the hospital and gave us a bit of a head's up on what to expect after Junior is born. The husband offered to take us to Safeway the next day for grogeries. And, since the crib the hotel sent up looked like it was from the 1930's, they lent us their playpen/crib for Molly to sleep in until Lee gets here with ours. Needless to say... they quickly became my new best friends in Edmonton!

On day three we met Michelle. A friend of mine in Winnipeg told Michelle (who lives in Edmonton) that I was coming, and she and her friend Des had a bunch of toys and books for Molly waiting for us when we checked into the hotel. Michelle (also my new best friend in Edmonton) took us to Wal-Mart! Mom and I did a mega-shop since we had nothing here and had to stock up the room with such things as diapers, formula, food, etc. Michelle has really been good to us since we've been here. Thank you so much Erin for hooking us up!!

Molly has been a little out of sorts since we've been here. She misses her Daddy and her dog and all her toys. All in all, she's still an angel! But she can't wait for Daddy to get here to have a cuddle with her.

I had a couple of appointments on Thursday. I met the neonatologist and the pediatric cardiologist at the Women's Hospital where I'll be delivering the baby. They both did their ultrasounds and fetal echo and decided to send me for even MORE appointments. On Friday I spent a long afternoon at the Children's Hospital for our video team meeting with all the doctors and social workers from Winnipeg and Edmonton. Lee sat in on the Winnipeg end of the video. Turns out all the doctors are on the same page about Junior's condition, so I guess I should relax, knowing I'm in good hands. After the conference video call, the social worker took me around and showed me where Junior will be spending his time in the NICU and PICU. On Saturday I spent the afternoon back at the Women's Hospital for another test. The doctors are saying that they may induce me during the last week of December. I'm trying to will Junior to make an appearance sooner than that but so far, I don't think it's working.

Mom and I have been able to get some shopping in. We haven't been to West Edmonton Mall yet, but we have been to a couple of other malls. On Wednesday we ventured out on the bus and headed south to one mall to get more supplies. Then on Sunday we took a cab north to another mall because we were bored and had been house-bound for a couple of days since it's been so cold here. I heard on the news that it was -51 with the wind chill the other night.

So we've made it through week one. We've decorated the hotel room a little to make it look some-what Christmassy. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and phone calls and emails and Skype-ing. I have more appointments coming up this week, so I'll keep you all posted on how everything is coming along.