Our Return from the Hospital

We got home from the hospital on Sunday and we were greeted with a sick little Cali Belle. Mom said that our poor little had had the runs all day. Despite her illness Cali remained in a high spirits giving lots of love and attention to her “little stister”.

We dealt with the runny poops all day Monday and that night my milk started to come in and needed to feed Lexi every 2 hours. So Ed and I weren’t getting much sleep, maybe an hour at a time every 2 hours. Then at 5am Cali wandered into our room white as a sheet with books to read. Poor little pumpkin thought it was the morning. So I picked her up and cuddled her in our bed, then she got sick all over the sheets. So we had to strip the bed and change the sheets in between our strict feeding schedule.
After Cali was sick she asked for a snack so I prepared some peanut butter toast and then fed Lexi. The next thing I know…

There was peanut butter in her hair, all over her, and the table (yes I took a picture). I had to laugh, what else can you do? We were so tired and our little pumpkin was obviously feel well enough to make a mess so I wasn’t too worried. I gave her some Tylenol and she shortly fell asleep with me in the bed.

The next day I had to go to the doctor for Lexi’s and my check-up. I walked into the waiting room and noticed that I was the only one in there without a mask (hooray for H1N1). So I found a secluded spot in the corner and fell asleep in the waiting room. I was gently awoken by my doctor, who assured me it wouldn’t be much longer. My doctor is honestly the best. We work together in the ER on nights so it’s not the first time he has caught me asleep. The receptionist found it quite entertaining, I am glad that I could give everyone a laugh that day.  Oh the postpartum days.

Cali is still dealing the poops, but remains in good spirits. Everyone has wanted to know how she is dealing with her little sister; well she is doing just great. We have only had one run in with jealousy thus far and it’s been almost a week. We are so proud of her! She wants to help all the time and asks to hold Lexi quite often.

Lexi is doing great as well. Her jaundice is clearing up and she is filling diapers like no one’s business. So all is well here and I will update as often as possible on our little family.

Here is a better video of the girls together. No nose picking this time!

It's a Girl!!!!

So here's the story...

I asked Mom to come out on Friday to help watch Cali so I could put the car seats in the car and tidy around the house. Well as it turned out I felt the baby drop around 5pm that night and asked Mom to stay. My first contraction was around 9pm and continued through the night. At one point they were even 6 minutes apart. Around 5am I thought that I would try to get some sleep so I laid down and the next thing I knew it was 8:30am. Needless to say I was a little disappointed that I hadn’t had the baby already. My labour with Cali was 13 hours from start to finish so I figured this thing should be done by now.

So I got up and started doing things around the house and my contractions continued on sporadically throughout the day. Finally around 5pm the contractions jumped from 5 minutes to 2.5 minutes. So I figured it was time to go. As we drove to the city I still didn’t think that the pain was intense enough to be checked, so Ed and I were talking about going to the mall for a bit and walking around. Just as we were about to make the turn to the mall I had a strong contraction and suggested that we go to the hospital instead.

So I walked up the maternity triage and told them that I didn’t think that I really needed to be there; however I would like to be checked since I had been in labour for so long. I basically just wanted to know that I had accomplished something. So they hooked me up the fetal monitor and noticed a few decelerations in the baby’s heart rate but weren’t too concerned as she remained very active. I was left on the monitor for quite some time. I still figured that they would send me home as the pain was quite tolerable. I was then checked by the doctor at 9pm who told me that my cervix was very thin and that I was at 6cm, so I wasn’t going anywhere. I was so relived to hear that news I almost cried.

We were then transferred to the delivery room where I jumped in the bathtub and enjoyed the hot water from the shower. The whole time I was able to talk to Ed and we were making jokes. Again with Ed’s help I was able to have another drug free labour and delivery. He is the best labour coach ever, couldn’t have done it without him. After about half an hour in the tub I felt it was time to get out, then I felt the pressure of the baby’s head and I knew it was time to have the baby. Ed found the nurse quickly for me and I was able to start pushing.

Once the baby’s head was out they asked me to stop pushing but as any woman who has had a baby knows that almost an impossible request. So they let me finish pushing the baby out. As it turns out the cord was wrapped around our baby’ s neck twice. They wanted me to stop pushing so they could cut it, but since it didn’t take me much time to finish pushing they were able to unwrap it quickly. Ed said her face was quite blue, but by the time I saw her she had already started to pink up. Her one minute and five minute APGAR score was 9; so she was just fine.

Lexi was born to us on Saturday October 24th 2009 at 9:55pm weighing in at 6lbs 12oz and 19 inches long. Dr. P. Connick was our fantastic doctor and Ingrid was our amazing labour and delivery nurse. We had a fantastic experience at the hospital all the staff were pleasant and very knowledgeable. Without their help I don’t think that Lexi would have made it. It scares me to think that we could have lost her.

So that’s the story of how Lexi came to us and we don’t ever want her to leave!

The Best Parent of All

First of all I should have known better. All the signs of a disaster were present. Cali was in my room being extremely quiet… but I was really enjoying the lack of interruption as I cleaned the kitchen after breakfast. I should never have left any type of potential mess maker in a toddler’s reach. A lesson I learned today, and I hope anyone reading this will also learn.


When Cali emerged from my bedroom I asked her what she was doing. “Making a mess” she replied innocently with a smile. I wasn’t too concerned as lately she has been “making a mess” by unfolding the burp clothes and baby blankets I have stored on the change table. She loves to pile them up and jump over them. However at a closer look I saw some pink colour on her slipper and saw the same colour on the left knee of her pajamas. I asked Cali about it but didn’t get a response; I decided to investigate.

Cali had found my best MAC lipstick (of course) in my scripture bag which I left on my night stand after church yesterday. The lipstick as you can see in the photo to the left was then used to decorate my cream coloured carpet.

This was Cali’s first offense in this manner (yes I have been lucky). I didn’t know how to react. I normally don’t punish her for something the first time because I figure she doesn’t know any better but this time I felt needed punishment. So I put her in time out, which she was upset about. I attempted to with no success to remove the lipstick myself. So I called SEARS, they are coming out tomorrow and told me they would most likely be able to remove the lipstick. Thank Heaven.

Since I didn’t know what to do with Cali at that point I asked for help from the best parent I know, Heavenly Father. I just want to say how grateful I am for the tool of prayer. He is always there to listen to my concerns and give advice and comfort. After my prayer I realized that a stained carpet is not the end of world. As He knows I have made worse mistakes and have always had His forgiveness. Worst case scenario we have to replace the carpet, which is getting tired anyway. I love Cali so much and I am so glad that I have Him to go to all the time; it sure eases the stress of parenthood.

Now my project for the remainder of the day is putting mess potential out of reach.

Our Likeness in Snow

Yesterday we received a beautiful dump of wet sticky snow. Something that is rare and appreciated here in Southern Alberta. Most of our snow here is so dry that it just blows away. You honestly don’t need to shovel it, a broom will work fine. However yesterday Mother Nature gave us this beautiful blessing; snow made for building snowmen.


So Ed took it upon himself to take Cali outside and teach her how to build a snowman. Cali had a blast as you can see in the video that I am posting. Here you can see that they built a snowman for each member of our family. Ed even thought to add the detail of my prego belly. It’s quite cute.  As you can see ( I hope) I tried to make Ed and Cali's eyes look Asian.  Tell me if I did a good job.

Cali and I also attended the local MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers) group this morning. I was a little nervous that Cali would be sad when I left her to play alone with the other kids, but she was just fine. When I went to pick her up she thanked the supervisors and even blew kisses to them. She had a great time!

MOPS is a great program. If you have one in your area I encourage you to try it out. The kids play and are supervised while you go upstairs and visit with your friends. Today the Moms made candles and scrapbook cards. Next month they are planning a spa day. I hope to attend but I am not sure what life will be like with the new baby here.

Anyway here is the website if you want to learn more about it: http://www.mops.org/

Happy October!

I have to admit I have been waiting for this month for about... 9 months. I was so excited to flip the page on my calendar and last week when got our first snowfall I was completely ecstatic! Cali and I went out and played in the yard for the first time in a few weeks. The 33 degree weather we had was going to kill me! I swear we have never had a better September than this year and I couldn't even enjoy it!


With winter approaching quickly I am ready to start decorating for Christmas! I know I must wait until Hallowe'en is over. I have completed my shopping I just need to wrap the gifts. I am just having difficulty finding a time when both Ed and Cali are out of the house or sleeping. Perhaps that will be next prenatal insomnia task. I am getting so excited for Cali to see her gifts! Christmas with kids is the best!

Thanksgiving was much enjoyed by our family. Ed's older brother Darryl came down from Edmonton and my parents came up from Okotoks to spend the day with us. The food was great as usual and we just had a great time spending time together as a family.

I am now 37 weeks and 4 days. So anytime now would be good. I think that I have everything ready now. I cooked up a storm all weekend and now our freezer is full with meals. I also washed and folded all the baby clothes, which now thanks to my daughter are scattered about the house. I am sure she will be willing to pick them up later :)

Another event; Ed and I puppy-sat over the weekend for a Chihuahua named Leah. I must admit that we both had some anxiety about it at the beginning but we survived quite well. Cali loved having a dog in the house, and referred to her only as "cute little doggy". She loved to help with Leah's care, so I am hoping this will be a similar reaction to her little "stister".

I just have a couple of videos that I want to share of Cali singing. It's funny Ed always talked about how he wanted his children to enjoy music; I think it’s safe to say he got his wish. Cali loves to sing and serenades us throughout the day.

Something Blue

A few weeks ago while I was struggling through the remainder of "Wicked" my friend recommended Emily Giffin to me; so picked up her first book "Something Borrowed". I pretty much hated that book and basically forced myself to read it, (hey it was a nice break from "Wicked"). It's from this girl Rachel's perspective who ends up sleeping with her best friend's fiancé and continues to justify it for about 300 pages. I don't mind characters with moral dilemmas but this was a bit extreme. I couldn't identify with any of the characters. I didn't care much for the best friend Darcy as she was self absorbed and as far as I was concerned didn't deserve her fiancé or her best friend. This doesn't mean that I sided with Rachel though, I can't imagine losing your morals to the point that you would sleep with your best friend's fiancé.


What I didn't understand most about "Something Borrowed" was why Rachel remained friends with this girl from high school that she didn't seem to like. You don't have to play games after high school. You grow up and hang around the people you like. Popularity doesn't matter anymore. This book just seemed like it was a high school concern in thirty-something world. It didn't fit.

My friend who lent it to me said that she liked the second one better; "Something Blue". So I figured I would give it a try. This book is written from Darcy's perspective; the best friend that was cheated on. Basically how she is dealing with the break up and her new life without her best friend, or fiancé. Darcy later experiences self reflection and realizes just how self absorbed she is. This is nice but it takes about 200 pages to get to that point in the novel.

Even though parts of this novel annoyed me I have to say that I quite enjoyed the book, maybe because Darcy really got it in the beginning from her new boyfriend Marcus and a few friends. I was happy when her life "fell apart" as she referred to it. I also liked it when her friend Ethan gave told her off near the end. I was happy when Darcy turned her life around and realized what mattered the most.

I think that I liked this book the most because Darcy understands what true friendship is about and the value of true love, and family. Values that weren't present at all in the first novel. Also I may just liked it because the first one was so bad that it shined in comparison. Or maybe I was desperate for entertainment as I read it over two nights where I suffered from prenatal insomnia.

If you are thinking about reading this book you have the read "Something Borrowed" first or else you will miss the whole picture.
Anyway I was wondering how "Something Borrowed" made it to the best sellers list. Emily Giffin's books aren't fabulous they are a mindless read that requires little effort from the reader. Would I recommend this book? Probably not, but if you are looking for a shallow book for the beach this is it.

A book that I really enjoyed years ago was "Where the Heart Is" by Billie Letts. It's an Oprah book club book. That's one I would recommend. It has morals and yes I will add "heart" something that didn’t come into play in Giffin’s book until the last 10 pages.

The Taste of Tang

Last night I had some juice that tasted like Tang. I haven't had Tang in years. Last night the taste of the Tang-like juice brought me back to a simpler time in Tatamagouche. So Tatamagouche tastes like Tang.

I remember drinking Tang at my grandparent's little apartment sitting at the table with my brother, eating frozen chocolate chip cookies; Grammie's speciality.

I remember using tape with the string in it that Grampie would get down from the tall white cupboard in the kitchen. I would make crafts with it and wonder why only Grammie and Grampie's tape had string in it. Do they still make tape with the string in it? I have only seen it in Tatamagouche in the mid-80's.

So Tatamagouche to me is tape with string in it and Tang... and of course the wood chopping whirly-gig in the back.

I miss you Gram and Gramp. Thanks for all the memories, I couldn't have asked for better Grandparents.

My Favourite Song

This is by far my most favourite song.  Every time I hear it I am ready to pack my bags and leave the prairies.  Only another three years, right????

The end of September

It feels like a lot has happened since I last blogged.  I reached a milestone in my pregnancy on Monday by changing to my baby delivery doctor.  Yep, I am now 35 weeks (tomorrow 36!).  He and I work together in the ER so it nice to already know each other.  I think that he is great and very cautious which I don't mind.  He decided to send me for another ultrasound to make sure that everything was okay with the baby.  He thinks that because we nurses work so hard our babies tend to be on the small side and he also wanted to make sure there was enough fluid as well.  Can you see why we like him so much in the ER?  He knows that nurses are hard workers!  

Anyway we headed into the city yesterday for the ultrasound and everything looks great according to the report.  The baby weighs a little over 5 pounds, which is great.  Cali weighed about that much at this time as well.  Comforting to know that this one will also be a little peanut if the ultrasound was accurate.  I am betting on 6lbs 5oz  for this one.  The Ultrasound Tech also told me that this baby has hair (unlike her older sisiter) and looks like a girl still.  So we are go to go... we just need to think of a name.  I am still leaning toward Cassandra or Natasha... Ed was thinking about Erin last night.  We are still working on it...

Cali went home with her Grammie last night to spend a few days there so I could get some rest.  I slept until 11:30am today, but I just don't know to do without her.  The house feels so empty.  Last night Ed and I didn't know what to do either.  After supper we just looked at each other, trying to think of something to do.  Luckily enough Ed had bought me the "Beatles Rock Band" a few days ago so we played that until it was time for bed.  We had a great time playing it and I have to say I was not so bad on the drums, but as my drummer friend told me years ago Ringo wasn't a drumming genious.  Anyway that music brought back a lot of Astral Drive Juniour High memories and I ended up with some crazy dreams last night.

In other news Cali can now jump even higher and here is the video to prove it.  Her Dad is so proud!     

Cali also attended her first traditional birthday party.  She had a blast and didn't want to leave, even though I made her wear a dress.  Hey, I always had to wear dresses to birthday parties until maybe grade 6.  I swear that birthday party so well planned; I am stealing all the ideas.  I had absolutely no idea we were there for three hours, the time just flew.  This is a picture of Cali painting her plate which they later decorated with fish stickers and sand; it was a mermaid theme party.  We have the plate up on the fridge still.

That's about it from here, now I will get back to thinking of what to do without Cali around the house.