Pretty in Purple!

Jasmine Siera Esther was born on Sunday, October 2, at 10:08 pm!!

What a thrill it is to have a darling little girl!  I thought I'd share with you a little bit of her "birth story", but if you'd rather not read it.....then don't. :P  I realize that not everybody is into this kind of thing, but since her birth has a bit more of a story to it, and some of you wanted to hear a few more details, I'm going to write it out. :)

We'd been planning a home birth for the past several months, and were really looking forward to it, not having to go anywhere, and being able to have more control over the environment, among other reasons.

Waiting was definitely one of the hardest parts for me, especially when I got to, and passed Jasmine's official due date.  But, exactly one week after that, on October 2, like several other days, I began having regular contractions, all through the church service, and into the afternoon.  We were just about to call our midwife, saying that I was in labor, when they stopped.  

Then, at 7:30, my water broke.  Almost immediately, we began a flurry of phone calls to family, a few friends, and our midwife.  Then, we set about getting the house as beautifully tidied and organized as possible - one of my absolute favorite ways of de-stressing, and a way to make me feel good in almost any situation. :)

Around 8, I began having real contractions, intense and very painful.  But I was just so excited to finally be in labor, that I didn't even mind!

Stephen's parents arrived shortly after to pick up Ian.  They stayed around for a bit, helping out in whatever ways they could.  

The midwife arrived shortly after they did, and by this time, I was in almost straight labor.  

I'll spare you all the details, but my labor this time was about 2 1/2 hours long, very intense, and very painful.  As a clarification to those of you who may think labor = very intense and very painful, let's just say that although I've had two babies, I actually feel like I've now been through "real" labor after this one. :P

As soon as Jasmine was born, Stephen told me we'd had a girl, (we'd found out, but were told it wasn't 100% for sure).  She was 9 lbs, 10 oz when she was born!  Much bigger than any of us were expecting!

It was after this that the complications started.  My placenta wasn't coming out like it should, and the midwife said if it didn't come out soon, we'd have to call 911.  I was also losing a lot of blood, which was also a reason for concern.  They had me kneel up on the bed to see if that would change things.  It didn't, and I fainted as I was lying back down.  I began shaking uncontrollably, and was so cold after that.  They started an IV, and called 911. 

Within minutes, an ambulance was there.  Stephen was holding Jasmine all this time, and he began to get my things ready for the hospital, while his mom dressed Jasmine.  

Soon, I was on a stretcher outside, being wheeled to the ambulance.  I remember thinking how beautiful of a night it was, so clear, and the stars were amazing!  I really didn't feel all that bad, considering the circumstances, and was therefore able to appreciate my ride in the ambulance, complete with sirens. (A very weird fulfillment of something I've always wanted. :P)

When we got to the emergency, there was a ton of people in the room, nurses, doctors, my midwife, and after a few minutes, Stephen and Jasmine.  

Thankfully they were able to get the placenta out, and stop the bleeding.  I lost about 3 1/2 litres at home, and more at the hospital, making a blood transfusion a necessity.  

I don't think I've ever been so cold in my whole life.  I am so grateful for heated sheets, and other warming devices the hospital has! :)

Stephen was such a rock during this whole time, he was so calm, and so in control, even though I could tell he was really worried.  

Finally, everything was stabilized, and I was doing better, so they wheeled me to a room, and Jasmine, Stephen and I were able to sleep for the rest of the night.

The next few days were spent in the hospital, recovering from the whole ordeal.  We had a few very welcome visitors, and enjoyed some much needed rest.

We're home now, and everything is gradually getting back to normal.   It's so amazing to cuddle my adorable little girl, feeling her soft skin against mine, and just being able to enjoy my time with her!   She's such a little darling!

Still Waiting....

I know I may be a bit biased, but isn't he the cutest thing!?  Crawling through the grass, with that look of intense concentration on his little face!  

Lately, with the weather being so amazing, and yet not really feeling like driving anywhere, I've been taking a blanket out, spreading it on the lawn and just sitting out there with Ian.  Me crocheting or reading, and him exploring the world!  I love watching him develop every day, and explore new territory.  I think it's so important for children to have that freedom, and I'm so grateful we live in a place where he can crawl all around the grass and look at leaves and trees, and not be in any danger!

Several weeks ago, I had a few things I wanted to have done before this next baby came.  One of them was this afghan that I'm crocheting.  I wonder how much power our words have.....it's the day before the  official due date, and I'm still not finished the blanket, and guess what? Baby # 2 has yet to make an appearance! :P  I was finished it, once.  But I was not at all happy with how it looked, and couldn't just let it rest, so I'm in the process of tearing it out, and making it again fresh....this is about the fourth time I've torn it out, or at least a part of it, although this time is different, I'm actually using a pattern this time. :P  I have this perfectionist complex which sometimes makes it difficult to learn new things.  I don't always like how my first attempt at something turns out, I want it to look like I've been doing it for years, without putting in the years first!  I'm getting better though, and I really do love learning new things, it's so empowering, even if it is only a simple crocheted blanket!

 (The re-do is on the left, on the right is the one I'm tearing out) 

For a while now, I've wanted to find the best way of preserving fall leaves in all their glory.  I love them so much, I think I'd decorate my whole home with them if I could!  I've looked up different methods, and I'm currently trying the "glycerin method."  In a few days I should know how they turn out.  

I've been looking for the perfect "slouchy hat" pattern for a long time, I don't think I've quite found it, but this one comes pretty close.  I was pretty happy that I actually finished it, it only took two days, and it was really easy!  

It's been such a good few days lately.  Stephen really encouraged me not to try to do everything every day, just to take it slow, rest lots, and not put oodles of pressure on myself.  It's amazing how freeing it was to hear him say that.  The pressure I feel is always self-inflicted, but to have him verbalize that was so good!  

I've been taking him very literally, sleeping when Ian sleeps, not trying to do too much in a day, and I've been so much more relaxed, less stressed, and even less bothered that the baby isn't here yet.  Obviously, I have moments of being very, very tired of being pregnant, but overall, I've decided that the baby will come when it's ready, and worrying about it won't make it come any faster.  

Well, until next time....

A little bit of news....

I was feeling particularly "Anne-ish" earlier this evening.  Everything had a sort of storybookish tinge to it. Stephen was taking a nap on the couch after dinner, Ian was happily crawling around on the floor (his newly acquired skill - marine style! :) and I was enjoying a delightful cup of tea, pumpkin pie, and a good book. (it was Anne of Ingleside.....which may have contributed slightly to my "Anne-ish" mood!)  Oh, and did I mention that the sun was in the beautiful spot just before it sets, where it throws a sunny golden glow on everything?!  It's quite magical, actually. :)
Oh, and in case some of you hadn't heard, I'm expecting again!   This little one is due on October 17!
I have to say, I'm so blessed that I don't get sick when I'm pregnant, in fact, for the first couple of months, I sometimes almost forget that I am pregnant! :P  I think sometimes, my emotional whackiness makes up for my physical healthiness....my poor husband. :P  He's very patient with me though, and that helps so much!
I'm so thrilled now with the weather getting warmer and warmer!  I actually got hot on our walk today!  What a wonderful feeling!  And I discovered the most charming path only minutes from our house!  It actually has a red dirt path! :)  (yes, it's the one in the picture. :)  I only wish it were longer, it reminded me of PEI, and the many meandering paths there!  I think, if we're ever rich enough, I'm going to make red dirt paths all over the place where we live, and have paths wandering through the forest in every direction! :)
I hope you all are having a wonderful early summer!

Ian Arthur Luke

As I sit here in the quiet, dimly lit room, I hold in my arms the most beautiful baby boy. His name is Ian. And he's mine. Mine and Stephen's. It's hard to believe that just eight days ago we were saying to ourselves, "I think tonight's the night! I think we'll be going to the hospital!" After two other nights of hopes being raised only to be dashed the next morning with nothing happening, last Monday evening (and a very early Tuesday morning!) it was "the time!"

Ian was born last Tuesday morning at 5:17am after about 5 1/2 hours of labor. I won't go into details, as I know what it's like to be on the receiving end of a labor story that you didn't exactly ask for. :P But it was a truly incredible experience! To finally get to hold my little boy in my arms after holding him inside for 9 months, to hear his little cry, see his eyes, his perfect fingers and toes. It brought tears to my eyes as I held him minutes after he came into the world, to see how perfectly formed he was, and yet so incredibly tiny!

I had to stay in the hospital for about a day and a half after the birth, so I was so thankful that we had asked for a private room. It meant Stephen could be there the whole time, and it made it so much easier to entertain all the visitors we had! :P I have to admit, I've always thought it would be fun to be in the hospital for some reason, and have lots of people visit me, and bring flowers and all that fun stuff. I never wanted it to be a terribly serious reason to be in the hospital, but serious enough to stay and have visitors. I think having a baby was a perfect reason. :) We had five different "sets" of visitors, all bearing flowers or chocolates, or drinks from Starbucks, or pizza, it was so much fun!! (now you may all tell me how silly I am :P)

Stephen thought it would be fun for him and our baby to have matching tuques to wear in the hospital, so he asked me to make them. Finally, on Ian's due date (Monday) I got all the supplies I needed, and finished sewing them up just a few hours before we left for the hospital! It was so worth it though, I think the picture of my boys is absolutely adorable! I love watching Stephen and Ian cuddle together, or seeing Stephen wrap Ian up so tightly and snuggly that he stops crying and goes to sleep almost immediately!

It's so hard to believe that our baby is already eight days old! He is so precious! I'm still in awe over how he came to be in the first place. How he started out so tiny and developed and grew and he's now a little person!

It's amazing to me to think of how he's going to grow up. He'll be his own person with his own likes and dislikes, his own personality. I can't wait to keep getting to know him, to help train him up in the way he should go.....

Thank You God for the miracle of life! Thank You for allowing me to be part of it! To God be the glory!