May 28, 2010

Thankfully, My Pregnant Dreams Are Far From Reality

I've been having really vivid and strange dreams lately.

Usually they're about meeting the baby for the first time, but instead of meeting a "normal" baby, he’s very different than the rest. For instance, the other night I dreamt that I gave birth to my son and he had a full beard. Everything was perfect about him but for some reason he had this facial hair as well as the facial features of a grown man! All of a sudden, he started shrinking until he disappeared...into my hands! In another dream, my son was born incredibly small. I went through a painful labour and all that came out was a baby the size of a peanut.

Normally, I would be embarrassed to share my "out there" dreams with the rest of the world but I know I'm not alone in this. I talked to other pregnant women who have experienced detailed and often strange dreams, whether they're about their baby or about an odd situation (like walking naked into a crowd).

Several theories exist as to why we are faced with these nights of subconscious drama including:
• Hormones
• Getting up more often
• Anxiety

I personally believe that all of the above play a role. The hormones have made every aspect of me go off kilter (so no surprise my dreams are affected!). I am anxious about becoming a mom for the first time and because I wake up at least four or five times a night, I can see why I might remember more dreams now than I did before.

They're certainly making for interesting mornings as I share my nightly "adventures" with my husband. I’m sure he gets a kick out of them or he just thinks his wife's going crazy!

May 26, 2010

More Than Love and Cuddles, Several Benefits Exist When Having a Baby!

My husband and I were told some important information that I just had to share with you readers.

Many of you may know this already, but there are several benefits available through the Government of Canada that all parents can take advantage of. Years ago, my parents received a baby bonus for the birth of each of their children. That bonus has since stopped but there are other bonuses that can be taken advantage of, you just have to know how to apply!

I’ve listed the child and family benefits offered through the Government of Canada below. I’m happy more support is actually available than we thought!

Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB)
Families who qualify can receive up to $1340 a year per child under the age of 18 depending on a number of factors including:
• The province in which you live
• The number of children you have
• Your family net income
• Your child’s eligibility for the Child Disability Benefit

Because this is based on income, not all families can take advantage of this benefit. The maximum amount is paid only to families with a family net income of $21,816 or less and also depends on the amount of children you have.

A calculator to help you understand what you may receive can be found at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/bnfts/cctb/clcltn_sht-eng.html. Regardless of your income it still doesn’t hurt to apply!

Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB)
This is one benefit I wasn’t aware of until it was pointed out to me. I’m so happy I found this out because, regardless of income, we will receive $100 a month from the government until our son is six years old. This is to cover the cost of child care and all parents and primary caregivers who are residents of Canada qualify. You just need to apply! Here’s the website for additional information: http://www.universalchildcare.ca/eng/support/index.shtml.

Children’s Fitness Tax Credit
This is another benefit I knew nothing about. It’s great to know our government is promoting health and fitness! Whether you enroll your children in hockey, soccer, swimming, dance or tennis, you are eligible to receive this credit. What better excuse to get your kids away from the video games and out taking part in activities that feed both the mind and body? I’m all for this one. For additional information visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whtsnw/chcklst-eng.html.

May 25, 2010

I Couldn’t Escape the Cankles

What’s an already emotional mama-to-be to do when her feet swell up like balloons and her ankles grow into her calves?

She waits out the “cankles” with her feet up and a big bowl of ice cream (a foot massage from her husband doesn’t hurt either!) At least this is how I’ve been dealing with the sudden expansion of my lower limbs. It all started on the first hottest day of Spring. I was wearing closed toe shoes and enjoying the afternoon sun on my lunch. I didn’t spend long out in the hot outdoors but my shoes felt smaller and my feet felt uncomfortable for the remainder of the afternoon. Later that evening I looked down and felt like I was staring at a pair of elephant feet rather than my own. I had swelled up so bad that it looked like I had been bitten by a swarm of bees. I’ve heard of many people acquiring cankles while pregnant and I guess this is yet another symptom that I haven’t been able to escape. It took a couple of days putting my feet up and cooling them with ice to get the swelling to stop. But we’re now into the hot weather here so I’m expecting they’ll return at some point before the baby’s born. Good thing we’re into flip flop weather as it looks like my feet won’t be able to endure closed toe shoes for the remainder of this pregnancy!

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