...and mother of the year goes to...

...me.

So last week we had our first big dump of snow. Cali had been so good all day so I thought that she could play in her exersaucer while I went outside for a few minutes to shovel off the walk. I positioned her in front of the storm door so that we could keep on eye on each other while I was outside.

Anyway I was outside happily shoveling as Cali played. Once I was done I walked up to open the storm door. It wouldn’t open, the handle would turn but the latch wouldn’t release. I guess the cold froze it somehow. I freaked out… I didn’t know what to do. I tried prying the door open with my shovel, then I tried with a pen (that’s all I had in my pocket). At this point Cali was ready to see me up close and started to cry.

I ran over to my neighbor’s house, she wasn’t home. Then I thought I would try my friend, Danielle’s 3 blocks away; at one time they had a spare key. I ran there as fast as I could in all my winter gear. I was glad to see that they were home. To my dismay they had recently moved and didn’t know where the key was. Luckily enough Michelle was there too and drove me back to my house while Danielle called a locksmith.

After we arrived Michelle calmly suggested a back window. So I ran around back and ripped the screen off the window. Since we don’t have crank windows I was able to break in. In my state of mental panic I was about ready to jump through the window when Michelle reached inside and unlocked the door.

I ran inside, grabbed Cali and began to sob. I had never been so happy to hold her in all my life, and let me tell you I barely let go of her for two days. Cali was fine, just a little sad. That night Ed replaced the handles on both of the storm doors and bought a keypad for the lock. What a great guy, huh?

I hope that never happens to any of you, but from what it sounds like everyone has a incident like this.

Thank Heaven for good friends!

Last night I was up far too late with some friends sewing Christmas pajamas. I had a great time as we talked. I just thought about how nice it was to talk to people who are going through the same stage of life as you are. Mind you it's also nice to have friends who have "been there" and "done that" so you can get great advice, but honestly realizing that you aren't alone gives a great amount of comfort.

Through the years I have realized that friends do come and go. That's not all bad; I find that God put people in my life when I needed them. We don't have to stay "best friends forever" for that relationship to mean something. I have many friends with whom I have lost all contact, friends who helped me through really though times in my life and taught me great lessons. I look back to those friends and I am so grateful for their presence at that time.

Here is a little story about one of those friends.

My first year of university was so hard for me. I had no idea where my life was headed, there were so many paths to choose and I didn't know which one to take. It seemed like everyone else had it all together; they had a career goal, they knew who they were. I didn't have a clue. One morning I walked to my sociology class and there a notice on the door stating that my class was canceled. I thought "great, I got up for nothing". As I proceeded to walk home, I recognized a girl from my class. I told her that the class was canceled and she felt the same way I did. So I invited her back to my apartment for breakfast. She came back with me and we sat and talked for hours. She was in the same place that I was. We never came to a conclusion or a solution to our problems but it was just nice to know that someone felt the same. Oddly enough I never saw her again, I don't even remember her name; but I will never forget our conversation that day.

When I was younger and would lose contact with friends, I would be so sad. Now I understand that that's all part of life. People are there when we need them, or they need us and we move on. I am just so grateful for all the good friends that I had to help me out after I had Cali. That was really tough on me and I couldn't have done as well as I did if it wasn't for your support and friendship. You know who you are; if we ever lose touch I want you to know that I will never forget how much you helped me.

Thank you all for being my friends! I wouldn't be where I am or who I am without you.

Cali is almost three months old!

I haven't been on here in a while. I must admit that Facebook is getting more attention than the blog. Anyway Cali is almost three months and has started smiling and babbling. She has just changed so much, she is now double her birth weight! In the last few weeks she has discovered her feet and loves to reach out for them and occasionally have conversations with them. We just love our little girl! To see the latest photos just click on the picture below and a slide show should start!

Two months old

Cali's first week of life in review

So far life has been pretty easy on little Cali; lots eating, sleeping, and pooping. She likes to pee on Daddy when he changes her diaper. Just the other day she manged to pee out the side of her diaper on me while I was feeding her. She is one talented little girl! She has also managed to wrap everyone in sight around her tiny finger. Grammie and Grandpa are gaga over her and when Ed's Mom caught sight of her it was the same story.

So this week Cali had some visitors, went to the doctor for the first time, had her first bath with Daddy, went to church for the first time, and did lots of other cute baby things that deserved pictures. So please lay back and enjoy the following slide show of Cali's first week of life. As before just click on the picture below to get started!

Oh yeah and if you would like to stop in and visit please don't hesitate! Just give us a quick call beforehand. We love showing off our little girl!!!

Cali Adventures

The New Yu Edition

Sorry I haven't posted anything up here for a while but I think that I have a pretty good excuse, I had a baby! Yes, Calista Jean Yu joined our family at 11:34am on Thursday May 10th at High River Hospital. She weighed a hefty 6lbs 1oz and measured 19 inches long. After she was born I thought that I had the wrong baby; she didn't look Chinese at all! But now with everyday that passes she looks more and more like her Daddy, just as I had hoped!

Our little family is doing well now thanks to Grammie (my Mom) coming to stay with us for a few days. Ed is a excellent Daddy just as I knew he was going to be. Every diaper change is going smoother and faster. He loves his special time alone with Cali as you can tell from the pictures.

As for me everyday my bum feels a bit better and the breastfeeding is coming too. The nurses at the heath unit here are awesome and have already come out to see Cali and me three times! As for the birth experience I honestly can't complain, I was only in active labour for about 6 hours and once I had dilated I only pushed for 10 minutes. Yep, Cali was out in three contractions! I was pretty happy that I was able to do the entire thing without any medications... but believe me towards the end I was wondering what I was thinking! I have to thank Ed, I couldn't have gone through it without his help.

Anyway here are some pictures of our beautiful little girl. Enjoy! Come back to look often as I am sure that there is more to come! To see the entire album just click on the picture of Cali below.

Oh and just in case you are interested Cali was named after her great Grandmother Jean Brogan and great Aunt Jean Mills.

Little Cali Baby

It's a Girl!

On May 9th I had a huge burst of energy! I cleaned and organized the entire house. When Ed came home from work he couldn’t believe his eyes as I have been pretty much lying on the couch vomiting for the past 9 months. I called Mom to brag about the work that I had accomplished and she said that the baby would be coming soon; but I didn’t believe her.


That night around 10:30pm I started to have contractions. This was my first time in labour so I wasn’t exactly sure what was happening but I had a good idea. It felt like period cramps occurring every three minutes. I told Ed what was going on, his reply was “snore”. I knew that things weren’t too far along so I didn’t bother to really wake him up.

The contractions continued then around midnight I got up the bathroom and realized that I had passed my mucous plug. This was the real thing, my contractions remained three minutes apart so I decided to really wake up Ed and tell him the news. So we decided to go to Mom and Dad’s house since we had chosen High River Hospital as the baby’s birthplace. Ed was very excited and nervous; just like me. I asked him to give me a priesthood blessing. In the blessing I was assured that the baby would be healthy.

We got to Mom and Dad’s house and Mom was so excited that the baby was on the way. She was a little scared that my contractions were so close together that she sent us to the hospital. Sure enough they checked me and sent me home again. When we got back I sat in the bathtub for a very long time, the contractions seemed eased in there.

The pain became worse and caused me to vomit, so I knew then it was time to go back to the hospital, this was around 9:30am. At the hospital I sat in the shower; the pain became so much that I felt I needed something to relieve it. The nurse suggested that she check me before we tried the gas. I was 10cm! Time to start pushing!

Just then I had another contraction and with it my water broke. I heard the nurse say that there was meconium in it and I got a little scared but I remembered the words of the blessing. Three contractions and ten minutes later Cali was born at 11:34am on May 10th 2007, weighing 6lbs 1oz and measuring 19.5 inches. Her first APGAR score was 8 so everything was fine. We had a healthy little girl just as we were told.

How we spent our weekend

This week Mom came out from Okotoks and helped me finish off the baby's room. I think that it looks pretty darn cute. When we were painting the room Mom mentioned that the room was going to be like baby; half white and half yellow. Isn't that hilarious? I was just looking for gender neutral colours.

I read last week that after you are 37 weeks the baby can really come anytime and be considered full term. So I was stressing out a bit that it wasn't finished. Baby didn't even have a blanket made! Now when people ask if I am all ready I can truly answer "yes". I still need to pack the hospital bag but that can wait until next week. I am notorious for last minute packing anyway.

So we will be 37 weeks on Tuesday so anytime in the next few weeks we should have an exciting announcement on here! Our actual due date is May15th and I like I have said many times I won't be surprised if baby is late.

This weekend Ed competed in a badminton tournament here in Strathmore. I went and supported him as any good spouse would. It was awesome! I even got some special treatment since I was pregnant. The coordinator provided me with a padded chair, so I had the best seat in the house.

Ed played very well might I add. It was the first time I watched him play badminton, he is one mean machine, just as I suspected. Next weekend we have a tournament in Canmore to attend which I am quite excited about. Ed suggested that we get a hotel room and spend the weekend out in the mountains! Hooray a holiday from the prairies!

Our Anniversary Celebration!

It will be one year ago this coming weekend that our crazy relationship started. If you aren't familiar with our story you can check out our old website at:
http://www.edandmeg.zoomshare.com

Ed and I have been reminiscing about last year and realizing that a lot has happened in the past year! I was talking to Ed's Mom, Jane the other night and she was commenting on the fact that this time last year we were even dating! We reminded her of her first comment after we told her that we were getting married... "ARE YOU CRAZY???" She brushed it off with a bit of a laugh. Yes everyone did think that we were crazy but both Ed and I knew that it was right and that's what kept us going when it seemed like everyone was against our engagement.

Here we are one year later happily married with a little Yu baby on the way. I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my life. The Lord does work in mysterious ways but as long as you put your faith in Him, I know that He won't lead you astray. Easter is such a special holiday to me, and having this anniversary makes it even more meaningful.

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Easter celebration and kept in their thoughts what we are really celebrating. I wish everyone the same happiness in their relationships that I feel with my loving husband Ed.

Newlywed fun!

Here are some pictures of Ed and me enjoying married life. It truly is fabulous! Just click on the picture of Ed above to see the album!

Everything is going to be just fine!

Anyone that has seen me lately knows that maternity clothes still remain optional for me. Dr. Berry and I discussed this at my prenatal visit yesterday and he thought it would be a good idea for me to go for another ultrasound. I thought for sure that they were going to change baby's due date, but it turns out that baby is the right size for 34 weeks.

Was I ever relieved. My hips are getting sore and I am getting cranky. I am also getting really excited to see this little Yu baby who has been dancing so much lately. The ultrasound technician offered to make another video of baby for me but the only clear shot she had of baby's face looked a little like Skeletor.

This time was better though since our last ultrasound was in December; I could see baby's heart beating, the stomach, bladder, ribs and spine. Baby even had her/his little hands in front of his/her face like a little boxer, it was so cute! It's so amazing how baby turned out so perfectly! I was so worried at the beginning of my pregnancy because I wasn't able to keep much down for the first 4-5 months, but baby made it through! What a miracle every little baby is!

little dancing baby!

The baby was up Tuesday night until 4 am dancing! I am pretty sure that baby thought he/she was at a rave. Well they say that if the baby is moving a lot it's sign that he/she is healthy, so we know that the baby definitely healthy.

I have been trying to post some pictures from our ultrasound on here but it doesn't seem to be taking. I guess you will just have to use your imagination as to what our baby looks like. Honestly though the ultrasound pictures also leave a lot to the imagination. I guess in two months we will really know what baby looks like anyway!

I am getting quite excited as Easter is coming next week which also the anniversary of our engagement. What a great way to celebrate, with chocolate, ham and scalloped potatoes! Looking back the last year has gone by quite fast, but I might add that a lot has happened too. I am looking forward to finding out what the coming years have to offer.
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Our first entry

As most of you know Ed and I had another website before we were married. That was a lot of fun but as time passed and we got busy with other things and forgot the password. Therefore we haven't been able to update it at all. So we put our heads together and thought that maybe a blog would be a better choice for us.

Not too much has happened since the wedding in July. We are pretty much settled in Strathmore and don't plan on moving again for a very long time. I really like the country atmosphere and working at a small town hospital is a change that I like.

Ed of course is still teaching out in Hussar. He just loves it out there! I don't blame him, the more time that I spend out there the more I love it too! Everyone is so friendly and down to earth.

We are expecting a little bundle of joy in the middle of May. The official date we were given after our ultrasound was May 15th but we are both thinking that the baby will be late. No, we don't whether it is a boy or a girl. To us it didn't make any difference if we knew, so we are looking forward to the surprise on baby's birthday. Honestly I am more interested to know who the baby will look like!

Married life is great, like Ed and I keep saying "if we had known it was going to be this great we would have done it years ago". Ed is certainly a catch and anyone that knows him, knows that I am right.

I am taking my maternity leave in two weeks so I am sure that there will be plenty of postings to come!

wedding pictures