There are 2 ways:
1. send a mail to CIC Nova Scotia to get the status of your application, you can expect a reply within 15-25 days (it could be more or less too)
2. You can call CIC call center and try and request to get the UCI no. and then keep checking that on ECAS. Its highly unlikely that they will give you the exact status of of your application.
Detailed steps for both the ways are well explained here: http://fswp2013.wordpress.com/faqs/
In my humble opinion, trying out both ways won't give you much info regarding the exact status of your application (might give you a little peace of mind), so i would suggest that you should wait until you CC/DD gets charged/encashed and you get a PER Mail from CIC.
And yes, after PER mail there is wait for AOR mail (provided if your VO sends one), then wait for Medicals, etc. etc. and then the final Visa Stamping..
all in all, welcome aboard the Happy Waiting Club