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Monday, August 29, 2011

How Things Change




August 27, 2009... we had this beautiful little one enter our lives.



August 27, 2010, we celebrated her first birthday, and we were amazed at the changes we saw in her. She was just walking, and cruising well with the furniture to help. Here she is in her Nana's lap.





This year, August 27, 2011, we celebrated her second birthday and we are grateful for the sweet-natured, kind, loving little girl we have in our lives. Happy Birthday Petite! Mommy and Daddy (and so many other people!) love you very much!











It was a successful day I think. We had approximately 30 people attend and we had a hot, sunny day for the party too, which was good because we had a pool party and a BBQ in our backyard. We started around 3 p.m. and by 7 or 8 p.m., we were done and dinner was mostly cleaned up. After a bath for Petite, and getting her to bed (she was exhausted!) I finished tidying, took a quick dip in the pool to cool off, and then Hubby, his kids, my girlfriend K and her daughter K... and the daughter's new boyfriend all played a board game and had munchies and drinks. It was fun. We saw them out the door by 11:30 and then collapsed in bed. Whew! Fun day. Long, warm, crazy FUN day to celebrate our little girl's second birthday.


Next up will be a post about my trip home to Newfoundland and hopefully (with my sister's approval) pics of the cousins together. It was a fun visit. Far too short at a mere 11 days, but fun nonetheless. I got a couple of great shots of Petite on the beach with me at home. We managed to get down to Middle Cove for a fire and s'mores one evening. How I miss that. I really do... So much so that while at home, I went down to the provincial office and talked to some folks in HR about possibilities. As usual, there's nothing at my level there. I have to be patient I suppose.


And I was so glad yesterday to squeeze in a couple of hours for us to go have brunch with Pam and V. We only get to see each other once a year (or so) but it always seems like we've gotten together with old, dear friends when we finally manage to get together. Bless them. I am keeping fingers crossed that their upcoming FET yields the success they have been longing for.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Two Years Ago

Two years ago today...

on August 25, 2009...

(on my EDD in fact)...

at 40 weeks exactly...

at 10:15 that evening...




my water broke.

I remember every moment, like it was yesterday. My mom and my aunt were upstairs. Hubby and I were in the basement; I was on my computer, copying MP3 files to my MP3 player for the hospital. The absolute last task I needed to complete to say I was 'ready' for whenever Petite made an appearance.

Hubby went upstairs, leaving me in the basement alone. I finished up the copying and took the SD card from my computer. And as I was logging off... pop.

I felt the water before anything else and I jumped up before it gushed everywhere, and went to the bathroom which was about 25 feet behind me. Yanking down my shorts, I sat down quickly on the toilet, baby moving vigorously in my belly. The liquid just kept coming, and coming, and coming. Non stop. I knew it wasn't pee; I could just tell. I just knew. I remember putting my hand over my mouth and thinking, "This is it. This is it. My water just broke! I'm going to have a baby." I was in awe. Totally amazed at the process. I remember it was pale/clear. Not yellow like urine. Or red to indicate a problem. I remember it got all over my clothing, a little on my chair, and more again on the bathroom floor. I remember being VERY excited.

But I was alone in the basement. And no amount of yelling would have brought anyone to me; they wouldn't have heard. So I waited. Water flowed. Eventually, I heard someone come downstairs. It was my aunt. She was coming to the washer and dryer, not far from the bathroom. I called to her through the walls and said, "Can you get Hubby please?" She said she would and went back upstairs with the basket of laundry. He came downstairs and I told him, "Come in." I unlocked the door for him, stretching from the toilet. He found me on the toilet, wet from the waist down. "I think I need some towels." He stared wide-eyed, "Your water broke?" "Yup. We're going to have a baby."

I soaked through the towels he gave me. I actually took a shower before we went to the hospital as labour didn't start yet and we had time that hour in the evening. But I remember those moments as clear as day. I wore my brown maternity capris and a blue/brown maternity shirt to the hospital. I was leaking water all the way (I had a towel stuffed down my pants, but that still didn't stem the tide!) and I wore a smile as wide as the sun. I'm sure I did. I didn't care who saw my wet pants. I really didn't. For I was about to have a baby. And THAT made everything perfect.

************

Today, August 25, 2011, Petite is about to turn 2 years old. I am planning a Dora-themed party for our backyard pool on Saturday, her birthday (yes, I was technically in 'labour' for 45 hours, but labour had to be induced).

Today, August 25, 2011, my two cats, my babies that I brought back from Japan in 1996, turn 16 years old. My boys are my furbabies. They are inseparable. They have lost a lot of weight since Petite's birth and are wary of her. But they still love cuddles and love from me. And I love them. I snuggle with them at night, and cuddle them (when I can) during the day. My babies are the best.



Today, August 25, 2011, my darling cycle buddy, Vee, is about to celebrate her little Boo's second birthday too. But she is also mourning yet another loss. She has been through so many amazing highs and lows. Realizing she and her sweet husband Max needed IVF to have a child. Finding out Max had cancer. Success at IVF; and a due date (the same as mine!). Wondering if Max would be alive to witness the baby's birth. Having their little Boo come into their lives. Watching cancer deteriorate her husband's body. When Boo was merely 9 months old, she said goodbye to Max as he slipped away. Mourning his passing. Celebrating his life with amazing art, with the help of other IF bloggers! Realizing she needed a new start and she found a new place to live. Watching her Mum deteriorate from cancer. And now... this week, she mourns the loss of her Mum. I know she is aching. I know she is in great pain and suffering from grief. Boo's Nonna didn't get to see their new house. She won't get to celebrate Boo's second birthday. Vee needs hugs. Oh so many hugs. Go say hello. Give her a hug. She needs as many as she can get right now.


Much love to all in blogland.

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

{This Moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual inspired by Finding Chaos/SouleMama.
A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savour and remember.
If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’
in the comments for all to find and see.





It's late, but better late than never, right? (Indulge me!)


I'm tied up at the moment; Petite and I fly home to the east coast in two days for an 11-day vacation. I cannot wait to meet my new nephew. And I know everyone is looking forward to getting a cuddle from Petite too. Other aunts (Petite's great-aunts) are flying down the same day as well, and my sister's husband will join us next week for awhile. The only key player missing is Hubby... and that with good reason as he's working at a new job and must put in the obligatory first few months of buckling down and keeping his nose to the grindstone.

On Sunday, August 7, Hubby and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. We went out for dinner to mark the day... all four of us.

You read that right: all FOUR of us.

Hubby's 16-year old daughter has officially moved in with us. It's a transition for all of us to make, but we'll do okay. And I'm pleased to report that she's already doing better. I'm glad.

There's a lot going on. I'm still feeling a bit swamped, but I am crossing my fingers that life is on the upswing for us. Heavens knows, we need it badly right now.

Love to all in blogland, and special thoughts to Loribeth (The Road Less Travelled) who this past weekend, marked 13 years of having lost their dear daughter Kate. Hugs sweets; I know it was a hard weekend.

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Humbling

I am honoured, and humbled, that dear Keiko has written a sweet tribute to yours truly entitled "For Gil, Who Introduced Me to Blogging."

Keiko is an amazing woman, and as I said to her, while I may have encouraged her to blog about her own infertility journey, and find the community here, she has definitely run with that and made the infertility community stand up and take notice! Her video last year moved me to tears. Her continued prompts for advocacy and for understanding are moving. And her friendship has been wonderful.

Thank you Keiko. You didn't have to write this. Know that I am truly honoured. And I continue to have faith that you and your dear husband Larry will find the path to your own rainbow and get that pot of gold on the other side. Hugs and love sweetie. Always. :)