The Saga Continues

Whhhooooaaaaa!!!!  Honestly time does fly by when you are watching you're watching your little one grow.  I know people always said that time is a blur but never did I believe it to this extent....4 months has just flown by.  Wouldn't say a whole lot happened during this past month but there were many unforgettable and great moments of course.

Jade has continued to grow into a unique little gal, with one wickedly awesome personality.  If her current amount of talking says anything, we are going to have a little chatterbox on our hands.  She will sit and have descriptive & in depth conversations with whoever takes the time to listen and engage with her. I have to say, one of my favourite stories of someone excited to hear her talk was with my dad.  They had brought Dexter out for a walk and afterwards we went to Starbucks to have a coffee.  My dad sat out side with Dexter and Jade in her car seat while my mom and I went in to get some drinks for us all.  When we came out my dad just had this glowing smile and was raving about how Jade hadn't stopped talking to him since we went in.  This was a far cry from the fussiness he had endured a few evening before when we were at their place.  I think this little one has totally won my dad's heart over; the amount of time he spends with her when we are visiting, telling my mom to leave her be while we were out for dinner to actually playing with her and not paying attention to the football game when him and I took her to the Lions game.  It is so neat to see my dad this attached to her, words can't describe it.  I can now see just how great he was with me when I was a baby...so lucky to have an amazing dad.

I spend a lot of time over on the North Shore while Ted is at work so a lot of time with the family.  Both Jade and I love hanging out at my parents...I get to relax and she gets spoiled, what more could we ask for?  Take note that when I say spoiled, it is primarily with love and cuddles not all about the materialistic spoiling :)  It's pretty neat to walk into their place and Jade knows exactly where we are and recognizes both my parents faces and voices; she gets pretty excited.  We spent a week at their place while they were in Hawaii and man I can't wait to get back there permanently.  Walking outside and people smiling at you and saying hi, something you don't get much of out this way.  As Ted keeps saying, this is the life...sitting out on the back patio, hearing the birds and the wind instead of the highway traffic...LOVE IT!!!!!!

We have been trying to make use of this gorgeous weather and had the opportunity to take our angel swimming which was pretty neat.  We took her out to my Aunt and Uncle's pool, dressed her in her new bathing suit directly from Hawaii and Jade seemed to love it.  Jade and daddy together in the pool; great time.  There was no crying, only some laughing, even when she did a face plant in the water.  Afterwards we set up the lawn chairs to get some suntanning in and put Jade in between us in her car seat.  The little bugger kept wiggling herself down and nearly out of the seat as she laughed away :)


There were a few new people for Jade to meet as well as some outings with more familiar faces.  First there was reconnecting with one of my best childhood friends for a walk in the forest and later a paddle out in West Van for me which was very relaxing.  We had Marissa and Peter over for a bbq at my parents and also while over there a great stroll with Sandra through Lynn Headwaters. Then a rainy day with Oma, Uncle Tim and Aunty Rachel spent partly at Granville Island. A nice Sunday afternoon doing lunch with GG (my Grandpa and Bev) which was nice and another night was dinner with Aunty Rachel's family where clearly Jade was the main attraction, lol.  There was also chilling on the patio of Milestones with Aunty Laine then going to surprise daddy at work on a gorgeous Vancouver day. Jade also took in her first wedding which also meant we all had to dress up, a rarity as you all know. Another outing was a two night stay down in Birch Bay with Tante Mette thanks to her in laws allowing us to stay at their cabin.  Sooooo much relaxing and chillacking done; just us 3 gals movie watching & some shopping; very much needed.  I must say though, it was great just us 3 girls but I did miss Ted but missing him makes coming home a great thing.  The end of August was also Opa's 82nd birthday...Happy Birthday Opa!!!

In the arms of GG

Lunch out with Bev

With Tante Mette, Oncle Mike & Gracie

with Aunty Laine

With Aunty Rachel

The past week was spent hoping and wishing Jade would explode as she hadn't gone in over 4 days then had only 2 very small ones.  When the extreme code brown happened, I had to contact Mettehehe...no one was home though so I did have to clean it all up :)

Jade has found some new things to occupy her time with and seems to love every one of them equally at different times.  Grandma went in to get her a new sweater and when she couldn't find the right size, came out with a jolly jumper.  All you on facebook have seen the video so you know just how happy she is in that thing.  Then there is her little play mat I got down in Birch Bay; Ted had a great time with her on that mat today.  She was having so much fun, giggling and talking away...probably could have lied there for hours.  Other times she just loves to lie on a blanket and kick up a storm; of course, more giggling and talking happening there too.  She has now officially rolled over more than once...from her stomach to her back.  Jade can push herself up on her arms and look around, pretty neat to watch her progress.  I would have to say though, one of her favourite toys is her best friend, Gerry.  Gerry the giraffe goes everywhere with us and Jade just holds onto him, often attacking and trying to eat him but it is cute none the less.  What makes this so special to me is that it was one of the first stuffed animals given to her and was from her Aunty Ashlee who can't be here to physically get the love from Jade so Gerry gets that part instead.

Ted and I still look at each other and say "can you believe this is ours?"  Jade is by far the greatest thing that has happened to either of us and showing her off is something we love to do.  The sounds she has started to make and the conversations she is having with us put are hearts over the moon; words can't describe just how amazing this all is.  We had a photo shoot with a coworker of my dad's and so far the pics look great & we have some keepers; can't wait to see the rest of them :)

Ted has said adios to Paladin in favour of working for Tom Lee doing inventory in the guitar department.  It's great for us all as he LOVES his job, I have never heard him say work and love in the same sentence, let alone several times.  I could hear it in his voice the first day he called; it's great!  It also means we get to spend our weekends and evenings together...:) Ted has also started up school again, 2 classes this semester, one of which I am looking forward to going through separately & brushing up on my psyche.  That course is online so makes it easier for me to follow, lol...important thing, lol.

September is going to a be a busy registration month for Jade and I.  We are registering for Mother Goose, Water Babies, Music something or other and also going to begin the training to be a "Roots of Empathy" baby.  We would love to get Jade into doing some commercials or that so if anyone has any tips or direction on how to do that, please let us know.  It also is crunch time to sell this place of ours...3 offers have been made and they all fell through, what great luck we have eh?

I'm racking my brain here, trying to remember all the great things that happen but I am so bloody brain dead these days that the remembering part is not happening.  Thus, to wrap this up, the past month has been a time of increased chatter, rolling over and laughter.  Next months update will mark 5months as well as our 2nd anniversary.

At the Lions game with Grandpa & me

Sound asleep at Grandma & Grandpa's (Surely safe to say that my mom more than loves this little girl, lol)

Sound asleep again with two of her protectors watching over (Grandpa & Dexter)

1/4 Way to 1 yr

Wooheee, can't believe it has already been 3months since our little miracle angel came into this world.  Like I have said time and time again, I wouldn't trade motherhood in for anything; I definitely think I have found my calling in life. Everyday there is a new joy brought to our lives courtesy of Jade in one way or another.

During the past few weeks, Jade has become more of an individual with her defining characteristics and great personality.  Whether it being that she has discovered she has spit to make bubbles, or the constant rootin' tootin', or the random giggling, we always find a reason to laugh each day.  We have come to the conclusion that most heart melting and greatest feeling in the world has to be when Jade looks at us and gets all giddy with a big smile on her face.  There is also the little conversations to be had, the cooing back and forth with her, ohhhh, that is just amazing.

Jade continues to meet new people what seems to be every week.  She had a great visit with Ted's cousin Deanna and her little guy Ian; then there was my cousin Riley and his buddy Derek; to Ed & Nina who visited with Oma & Opa; and more people from my work.  Ian provided us with quite the learning experience in terms of what we need to do to childproof our place when Jade begins to roam around like him.  He also provided us with one of the most adorable moments when he leaned in to give Jade a little kiss. 

Then there was Riley whose initial reaction was "don't give me that thing" & was scared to hold her but quickly took a love to her and now disappears & has little conversations with her.  He also now refers to her as the little diva, lol.

 
On a sadder note, not too sure what Jade is going to do when her Uncle Tim leaves for boot camp and she only has her dad's wookies to listen to.  Now she'll have her Aunty Ashlee to go visit and Uncle Tim (& Rachel) down the road.

Of course, Grandma and Grandpa continue to spoil her and help us provide her with what she needs.  It is pretty clear she recognizes them as well now as she smiles every time she sees them or when we say we are going over there.

As many saw by the pictures, Jade and I went to the Pride parade with my parents and loved every minute of it.  Jade was definitely an object of affection for many as evidenced by all the free give-aways she got :). It is really neat to see my dad with Jade and just how she has stolen his heart; always the one to calm her down and also making sure she has everything to be safe. 

As of August 5th, Jade was a whopping 9.5 lbs.  She is following her 3rd percentile curve (apparently the majority of babies do not follow their curves as closely as she is) in terms of weight which means 97% of babies her age are bigger than her.  She remains in the 20th percentile for height and is one very healthy little gal.  The doc thinks she is going to be a little girl for life which you wouldn't think looking at Ted and I but in reality, both our mom's families would not be considered tall people outside of us and our siblings.   Unfortunately the doctor does think we may have a few issues with Jade and that she does have something wrong...

Ok, ok, it was said in a sarcastic manner so the doc really thinks Jade is healthy :) Should I get to the point of this remark?  Well, Jade enjoys to stretch out in the hammock of her little bath, even without water.  Also, when the doctor is pushing on her legs to check her hips, Jade starts laughing which apparently all other babies break down into tears.  Most humorous, well maybe disturbing to some, is the fact that when Ted was watching Game of Thrones, Jade got all giddy every time the dwarf came on the screen in the same manner she does when she sees the MMA fighters (oooh la la, sweaty and built men).  She also tends to have a habit of giggling when she sees people are crying...uh oh.

Let's see, what has Jade done in the past month worth noting?  Hmmmm, well she made it to her first B.C. Lions game which she was fairly good at but did get fussy near the end.  However, despite that, we will try it again on Saturday night, especially since she seems to love watching the guys on t.v.

A milestone worth noting, she has rolled over once, ironically on Ashlee's birthday. She is able to identify Ted and I as well as able to follow objects. Very much like me, she is unable to remain still for any given length of time and thus is constantly movin and shakin those little arms and legs. Last Sunday night during a music exchanging session between my mom & Ted, they discovered Jade's extreme love for...none other than....Queen.

I know I have probably missed out on telling ya'all about our little angel but there is just so much to tell that it would take page upon page to get it all out.  We continue to love every minute of our new family and just keep thinking about the future and all it has waiting for us.

A Whole New Life -- 2 months Into It :)

Can’t believe two months has already passed since Jade made her timely entrance into the world.  I have been intending to keep this blog up-to-date but I must admit it is hard to do much with a little one.  My life, well Ted’s life as well, has certainly changed in the last two months but honestly not nearly as much as I was led to believe.  I guess that is probably because I was a horrible sleeper before and would rather stay in to watch a movie or grab a quick bite out than I would be going out all the time.  It is in areas I never expected to see changes that I do the most.  For example, there is no more crossing the street anywhere but at the crosswalk, even if there are no cars in site.   I am finding it is much easier to not feel super lazy if I am not exercising and thus just laze in front of the TV.  Of course this is probably due in large part because a little someone is usually attached to me and keeping me busy.  I say it is easier but far from having those thoughts gone completely.  I honestly believe I could live my life like this always and would not trade it for anything.  So often we hear people getting frustrated about not being able to do things or sure that one kid is enough but I find myself to be the complete opposite.  I can completely understand other’s feelings and respect them, but this new mom loves the role and cannot wait to hit the replay button in the future J

Jade has been the most amazing little miracle in my life.  From doubting if I would ever be able to become pregnant to giving birth to this little character is, well, there are no words to describe this.  Sure she can be fussy, and use her lungs to wail but no matter what, she is still utterly amazing.  From the alertness in her wide eyed looks, to the little smiles and smirks, we are never at a loss of entertainment.  I still can’t get over how much crappola can come out of one little body at once.  I think I would be furious if someone ever crapped on me but when it is from her, I can’t help but laugh.  It always seems to happen to me though, and Ted is spared the mess.  The other morning she let one rip and it sprayed out of the diaper and on to the carpet, doh.  Then a few weeks back she was lying on me and letting ‘em rip (you can feel the power when she passes air) and when I went to reposition her, I felt something quite wet and mushy.  Well much to my dislike, there was a nice pile on my shirt…yes she was wearing a diaper but it had made its way out of the diaper.  When that happened, I went to bathe her and had removed the diaper only to have her start peeing all over the place…I made it in the bathroom and tried to put her over the toilet but that did not really help all that much.  Yes, go on, laugh it up….that is all there is really to do. 

WE are pretty lucky with Jade as she loves her bath time.  The Winnie the Pooh tub my mom bought has a sling in it so Jade can just sit in there and lounge without us having to grasp her to hold her up.  She puts her arms up on the sides and sits there looking around…of course at times engaging in her favourite past time of farting.  Sometimes I take advantage of her love of baths so I can jump in the shower.  Calm down now, the tub in our bathroom is separate from the shower and in the shower I look right at her so she is not left alone. 

Our only real difficulty with her is that she hates, and I mean, hates being on her back.  The latest sleeping guidelines say that babies should be placed on their back to sleep…ugh.  This little girl will seem like she is sound asleep on us, but as soon as she is placed in the bassinette on her back, she is wide awake and screaming….not a good situation.  We are working on this one…J

Jade is definitely my daughter, lol.  Not only does she look almost identical to me when I was a baby, but she is taking after me in several different ways…some not always the greatest, lol.  It is always great when your husband is going thru the list of male friends to see if she could be theirs (yes, as a joke) then tells the doctor he believes his wife mated with a dinosaur because of the noises Jade makes and her hand movements.  Due to this it was nice to hear that when she is wide-eyed, people see Ted in her…oh and Opa is proud she has his nose, lol.  I believe she is paying me back for what I did to my parents when I was a baby.  Jade is very hard to put down as she prefers being on mine or Ted’s chest…I wouldn’t stop crying unless I was on my dad’s chest and thus kept everyone awake. 

Our little gal shocks many with her strength…she can grab a hold of you like no tomorrow and quite loves holding her head up to check out what is going on around her.  Only down side of the head holding is that she has a bad habit of head butting us, lol.  I keep imagining that she will be walking before she crawls because she just loves it when we have her standing up on us…wouldn’t be too surprising if this were to happen as nothing seems to go as planned with her. 

All the doctors’ appointments are going great and the frequency of them keeps decreasing for just that reason.  At her first doctor’s appointment after being discharged, Jade had surpassed her birth weight and by her 2 month appointment she was up to 8lbs 6.5oz and measured 54cm in length.  Yes, she is finally outgrowing the newborn clothes…wooohooo.  Speaking of her strength, Jade did quite well getting her shots done on July 12^th…all three of them.  She howled when the needles went in but that only lasted for a short time.  By the evening she was very happy, laughing and drooling lots.  We were warned she may be fussy after the shots but that certainly was not the case with her…awesome J

Jade has met so many of our friends and family, always good times to be had.  While Ted is working, Jade and I will often venture over to my parents to hang out with grandma and grandpa which is always nice.  I know they talk about grandparents spoiling their grandkids but my golly I never thought it would be to this extreme.  I had to laugh when my they went to Carter’s to buy a gift for another baby and came by our place after with about five new outfits for Jade.  I honestly believe that my parents look at Jade as a miracle.  With all that I put them through when I was sick, Jade marks a great thing and they can see the leaps and gains I have made.  We are soooo lucky they, and everyone else, love Jade so much; we will be forever grateful for all that she has received. 

If you haven’t yet noticed, we don’t like having only one big thing happen at once; we prefer to have at least a couple of them happen together.  First we got married and moved into our first home together within a couple of weeks; now we have a baby girl and are moving again.  Well maybe not moving right away but we have purchased a new place in North Van (thanks to some help from my parents) and our place is on the market.  So if you know of anyone who might be interested in purchasing a condo in North Burnaby, talk them into buying ours.

Well I think I have babbled long enough yet again…jumped from topic to topic and probably back to topic…so with that I shall bid you all adieu for another blog closure.  I hope now that I have mastered the knack of living with one hand while Jade occupies the other, that I will be able to update this more often. 

Making a Grand Entrance to Life

Note: I apologize again if there is a lot of rambling & everything is all over the place but please enjoy.

think we were given three different due dates throughout the pregnancy and in the end not one of them ended up being correct.  There was the initial one which was May 26th then the dating ultrasound one for May 22nd, followed by going back to May 26th then a c-section date of May 17th only to welcome the ninja wiggler on May 10th, 2011.

May 9th was going to mark the beginning of our final week before parenthood and was supposed to be the time we were going to get everything organized, including: learning how the car seat works, packing the hospital bag, tidying up the house, going grocery shopping, doing my performance appraisal at work and looking at a new place.  Little did we know, none of that was going to happen in the time frame we had allotted, if ever.

Sunday was mother's day and somehow we got treated to dinner by my parents at the Boathouse.  I was feeling a little off that night but nothing major so had a very nice evening and came home to relax. On Monday May 9th, I went to the dentist for one final cleaning then went to do some paperwork with my mom for the Golf.  Throughout the day I was getting these cramps or shall I say experiencing some discomfort but again, didn't think it was anything of concern but rather a normal occurrence so just continued on with the day.  At times I would get these sudden hot flashes where I guess my face would go bright red and my mom would ask me if I was okay.  Ya, I'm fine, I get these sometimes, nothing to worry about.  Ha, like my mom wasn't going to worry so she continued to watch me that afternoon and make little remarks here and there.  At one point she was ready to take me to the hospital but of course I refused, all was okay.  I got a call from my OB's office wanting me to go get some more blood work so I said I would pick up the req tomorrow as I had an ultrasound at 8:30 and a non-stress test at 9am.  I didn't see the point in racing to get it done when I could go ahead and do it all on the same day...my mom again was insistent I just go get it done but reluctantly accepted my refusal.  After signing the Golf over to her, she suggested we head over to Delany's before I headed home.  I never thought anything of it but looking back I think she had alterior motives and wanted to make sure I was okay.  Afterwards I was on my way, again my mom reluctantly let me go and insisted that this was going to be the last time I drove as she was worried about me.  Ya, ya, fine, I'm fine, lol, just some discomfort.

Needless to say I got home just in time to watch the hockey game before heading out to Antons for dinner.  I was deadset on going to Antons before the due date as I had been wanting it for quite sometime and knew it would be a while before I would get out there again.  Throughout the hockey game I was feeling even more off and the discomfort was getting worse but yep, you guessed it, there was nothing to worry about in mind.  I had a c-section booked the following week so why would I go into labour or anything like that...baby must just be kicking up a storm in there.

I went to bed at about midnight, discomfort getting worse but there were no other indications of anything in my mind so no need to worry.  I was able to doze off from about 12:30-1am so I was convincing myself there definitely indicating labour at this point as I wouldn't have been able to fall asleep if there was something else going on.  However, at 1am it started up again so at 1:15 I got up to try to go to the bathroom and also look up on the computer if constipation felt anything like contractions.  I had no convinced myself I was just constipated so tried to go to the bathroom.  I remember coming out of the washroom and having to lie down on the floor because I was feeling some real discomfort and that seemed to help.  I then lied on the couch for just over an hour and in my "research" came across a contraction timer so started to look at it.  Well I was getting these "discomfort pains" every 5 minutes and they were lasting for about a minute.  I was in some pain but still thought it was maybe just some constipation again.  However, I brought myself back to reality a little more and just after 2:30am went back to bed and finally said to Ted, um, I think we need to do something...maybe just call the hospital.  I told the nurse I was just experiencing some really bad cramping and had a c-section scheduled for next week but that at my last non-stress test they had said if I feel anything to call.  Well the nurse simply said..."well, ya, maybe you should come in then"...so off we went.  Kind of nice driving on the highway at 3am, no traffic whatsoever.

We must have got to the hospital at around 3:30 am and I had to get into a gown to be examined...on the way I just told Ted they would probably check me out then tell me to go home and take it really easy...riiiiiigggghhhttt.  Next thing I know, the OB is telling us that I am 3-4cm dilated...doh...guess I was in labour all day...stupid, stupid, stupid.  My indication was always going to be my water breaking or the sight of blood but none of that happened so to me nothing was going on.  It wasn't until that point that I did see a little blood but reality still wasn't setting in.  Ted quickly called my mom who I guess raced to the hospital & bbm'd everyone she could, "baby's coming".  4:30 am and there was one person who responded, Meg, you rock, lol...sorry to the rest of the Davies household who were sound asleep only to be woken up by Megan spreading the word.

I was all prepped and off I went to the OR...Ted following shortly after in his scrubs and the camera in hand.  I was given an epidural and the surgery was about to begin.  Apparently by now I was 8-9 cm dialated but a vaginal birth was far too risky, mainly because the ninja wiggler was deemed a frank breech.  You have to love it when you are lying there having them cut you open while the anesthetist is asking me about my sister being a med student and we started up a conversation.  It was actually a great distraction as I wasn't focused on what was happening on the other side of the drape so never fully grasped everything.  I couldn't feel any pain but I could certainly feel them tugging inside and then a sudden release and the ninja wiggler was out but there was no sound.  As I said before I never clued in, I was in such a daze that I didn't realize my child was born but I couldn't hear anything.  At 4:54 am the docs told us we had a baby girl & that was it, no more info.  Ted went off with the baby and I remained lying there while they sewed me up, still no word.  Thankfully Dr Broker came back to let me know that baby was being taken to the special care nursery, she needed some help breathing initially but was now breathing on her own.

I was wheeled off to the recovery room downstairs but thankfully got taken past the SCN so was able to hold my little girl for a minute and was very relieved to see Ted and my mom in there with a great nurse...they all assured me everything was okay.

An hour later I was brought up to our room but the baby wasn't there, still in the SCN.  I had to wait until the afternoon to see here because I needed to remain on my back.  My mom stayed with Jade in the SCN to remain updated as the pediatrician ordered and ECG because he believed he had heard a murmur.  All these things were being done with our baby and I didn't really know any of it but thankfully my mom was able to capture the moments and her and Ted were on top of it all.  Ted was back and forth between the nursery so I was given updates and knew things were okay.  When I was finally able to see my baby girl, my emotions were numbed.  We already had her name picked out so it was written on the little card in her bed...Jade Gayle de Volder.  I was sooo happy but this wasn't real to me, things happened sooooo fast.  It was kind of hard seeing her with a little IV in her hand and still so quiet.  I never saw her open her eyes on that first visit either, it wasn't until the evening when I finally got to see her beautiful eyes.  After a short visit we went back to the room and the pediatrician came in to tell us what was happening.  (I may be off in my sequence of events but it all happened at some point).  Jade's blood sugars kept dropping and thus they needed to keep her on the IV to stabilize them.  The doc also requested to be able to feed Jade some formula to keep her stabilized and get the nutrients into her.  We didn't even hesitate to say yes, whatever was going to make our baby girl healthy, then please do it.  Jade remained in the SCN until Wednesday evening when she came to room with us and by Friday we were both given the okay to head home :)  I knew they always checked to make sure parents had approved car seats but I never knew what happened when the baby was under a certain weight.  Poor Jade had to be strapped into her car seat, hooked up to the oximeter and spend an hour in the SCN so they could monitor her oxygen levels for the ride home.  We had to take a few receiving blankets to create little bumpers to put along side her so she would not move around in the car seat.  It sats dropped a couple of times which had us wondering what would happen but thankfully Jade passed and we were allowed to head home.

It wasn't until my last day in hospital and really when I got home that everything that had happened over the past week hit me.  I looked through pictures and would just start crying realizing everything that had happened, Jade not crying at birth, having to spend time in the SCN...these are things that are "never going to happen to me".  Now though, I just am thankful we have a happy & healthy baby girl and will cherish every minute.

Born May 10th, 2011 at 4:54am weighing 5lbs 7oz, Jade Gayle de Volder was discharged from hospital on Friday, May 13th weighing 5lbs 2oz.  She had her first doctors appointment on May 17th, and she has already returned to her birth weight so is doing great. I guess that is what happens when she is woken up every 3 hrs to feed.  Being the hockey fans we are, I must note that Jade waited until after the Canucks finished off the Predators to cause me any extreme pain.

I am so happy I delivered at Lions Gate.  I guess the main reason was that my parents were able to really help us out when needed and my mom continually stopped in to bring us food or whatever else might have been needed; as well as sending home premade dinners for us for our first few nights at home.  I still don't know where we would be if it weren't for all the support they gave us in so many different ways.  I often feel very guilty for what they have done but I guess that's where their hearts are.  We both have families who have been alongside us throughout the pregnancy and have been of great support.  In addition to family, we also have some pretty amazing friends and definitely consider ourselves pretty lucky.

For me, Jade is a miracle and a dream come true that I never thought possible.  Life throws us some real curve balls along the way and it is so easy to strike out, which I was all but certain I had done. I feared my past had taken my childbearing abilities away and I would never be able to experience a pregnancy or give my parents a grandchild.  Though born May 10th, Jade will be celebrated each and every day.

Already to go in for surgery

Ted's first sight of Jade after she was pulled out by her butt

Proud new dad

Jade waving to the world

First time holding Jade for more than a minute

Getting ready to try breast feeding for the first time

IV now removed, Jade is released from the SCN

Daddy getting to give Jade her first bath

One of my favourite pics...my mom & Jade, my guardian angel & my little angel, with huge smiles...

All bundled up and ready to head home

Stubborn as a Bull...Stubborn Just Like Me :)

Ninja Wiggler at just over 36 weeks

The past week has been a busy one, challenges to be met, new information to be learned & decisions to be made. As a result, yesterday/today's blog is more informational then anything else.  I guess it really started last Friday with yet another ultrasound which my mom was a part of.  Ted and I figured there was no sense in him having to race to get to the ultrasound when we don't want to risk seeing anything & the purpose of this one was to ensure the baby's size was good as well as ninja wiggler receiving enough nutrients.  Thankfully everything turned out a-ok and I think my mom was close to tears when she saw a clear image of the baby, but of course, no secrets were discovered.  We had a good laugh though & Ted loved to know it, this one may be a little on the smaller size but its feet will be nice and big like his...in fact, one foot was measuring 7cm...ahhhhh, lol.

One 7cm Foot

Nose & Lips

Monday started with Ted's appointment for his MRI...woohooo, finally he got one.  Of course the results won't be available for a week but one step closer to figuring out what is going on there.  We had sometime to kill in between so we went to the notorious Tomahawk for breakfast as Ted had never been before and all I was wanting was plain old pancakes.  I think both our palates were more than pleasured there.  After breakfast brought about our meeting with the OB due to my elevated blood pressure and also the discovery that our ninja was breech.  So we walk into the office & I had a good laugh as Ted walked in first (keep in mind the type of office it was) & I was trailing a little behind.  He proceeded to sit down & commented on the chic magazine which drew a giggle from the receptionist; of course he was just joking around.  Anywho, the doc talked to us about a process called inversion where they lube up my tummy and try to externally maneuver the baby to flip out of the breech position.  After some discussion and info gathering we decided we would give the procedure a try.  The risks involved were very minimal and there was a 50/50 chance of having success as the butt hadn't settled too far into my pelvis and one foot was in the pelvis.  Thus, we agreed to meet again the next day after another non-stress test.  Now we knew the baby might be coming sooner than the due date & we needed to get our arses in gear with certain things around the house.  The baby's room is all but ready now as Ted built the crib to end our Monday.  Now all that is left is to put up some decals and I think we are set in there :)

Tuesday rolls around and so began a verrrrry long day.  After the non-stress test we went to attempt this inversion thing but hit a roadblock as the doc wasn't too comfortable with the fluid levels as she could not find any big pockets on the small ultrasound screen so wanted me to go for another ultrasound.  Of course that is not instantaneous so we had to wait 3 hrs but thankfully had my parents place to go relax at while we waited.  We return for the ultrasound & now they have no req for me; have my name but no paperwork, so I took that as a sign...but finally we were called in.  Ultrasound went well, ninja wiggler lived true to its name & moved the entire time.  Next up, back up to try this procedure....well let's just say this is where we discovered just how stubborn the little one is.  The doc tried & tried to get under it's butt & help it to flip but the bugger was having no part in moving an inch.  Every time the doc got in deep, the monkey would give her a nice boot & by the end everyone was laughing.  The doc thought it would be possible initially because the baby was sitting quite high up but that had no impact as our little one was not going to do anything for anyone...hehe.  The other funny part was that on Thursday at the other doctors, the wiggler booted the doppler off my tummy when the doc applied it to listen to the heartbeat.  After the attempt of inversion, I had to stay for a bit to be monitored to make sure there were no contractions or bleeding or anything.  Yep, I continue to be oblivious to anything I am supposed to be aware of as apparently the machines showed I had a few little blips but one bigger contraction that caused some concern; one which i never felt...doh.  There was a little scare that I would be delivering that night but thankfully the nurse decided I could go on the condition we were going straight home, I was going to drink lots of fluid and no matter what was happening in the Canucks game, Ted agreed he would bring me right back if anything were to happen.  It was hard for Ted to agree, but he relented and said he would :)

Thursday was physio for Ted then back to the regular doctor where everything stayed status quo.  My blood pressure was high again yet on Tuesday during my test it was fine so who knows what this bp of mine is doing.  Thankfully it also brought about yet another win by the Canucks.....woooohoooo to that as well.

bedrest thing.  Ted has given me very strict orders but for those of you who know me well, know not doing anything when there is so much I can do is flippin hard.  If you don't see me on the computer on Sunday night or Monday, then you will know I have failed miserably & Ted has strapped me to the couch with no use of my hands.