7 reasons to have a baby in Canada

As we start this whole process of being new parents I've discovered some really neat aspects about living in Canada when you have a baby. Here's the top 7 we've discovered so far...

Top 7 reasons for having a baby in Canada:

7. 52 weeks of maternity leave available (get paid a max of 55% of salary)
6. 37 weeks of paternity leave is available for new daddy's (gets subtracted from the mom's leave)
5. Midwife/Doctor visits are covered by health care
4. Hospital delivery is covered by health care
3. Baby Bonus: Get paid each month for your child until he/she turns 18
2. Dual Citizenship: Our kids can be both Canadian and American
1. In a few years we'll have someone else to fill up the furnace with wood in the winter!

Our baby at 19 weeks- Jan 23, 2013

We are still in awe of the work that God is doing in creating this little life. What an amazing thing it is to get a glimpse inside of what He is doing. Last week we were able to see our baby moving all over (he/she seems to be quite the little mover). It was so neat to see the spine, ribs and organs already formed. He/she hasn't quite got the thumb sucking thing down yet but sure was trying really hard!

We've decided not to find out if it's a boy or girl but wait for the surprise when we meet this little one in person. It's been quite interesting to find that most couples who are expecting or have recently had children have decided not to find out. I'm not sure if that's a Canadian thing or not, because in the U.S. everyone I knew found out the gender of the baby...but here everyone claims that the surprise is so much better.

The biggest step before we're ready for this little one is to finish the basement so we can move our office downstairs and complete the baby's room. The drywallers have been working away slowly at the basement, encountering many issues unrelated to our house that have caused things to take much longer than they should have. However...they might be done in the next couple weeks so the ceiling, painting, tiling, doors, etc. can begin! Being 20 weeks along means that our time is half way up and the clock is ticking. Because of the intensity of summer ministry David has to complete everything before June as he won't have time until Fall otherwise. I'm working at trusting the Lord and His timing and control through all the unknowns. Even as our excitement grows my heart continues to ache for three friends that were expecting a couple weeks before or after us and have had miscarriages. That certainly puts minor house issues into perspective.

18 Weeks - taken January 17

For those wanting to see "the baby belly" that has started, here's proof.