Belly Update

The night before these pictures were taken, I was getting worried that my belly wasn't looking that pregnant. Low and behold, the next morning I woke up and definitely looked pregnant. So we snapped some pics.

I will be 4 months this week! Yay.

Spring is coming....

We've had some super gorgeous days here on the coast. Windy however, which is somewhat unusual for here but hey we aren't complaining in the least! Bring on this sun, it's so motivating and uplifting.

Wren has rediscovered, from last summer, how great it is to be outside. She walks around our yard and explores the plants, rocks, flowers, etc. When it's time to go inside, she has a meltdown. It's as if she's being split from her love forever. We try and remind her there will be plenty more time to go back outside and enjoy the sun. 

 She's definitely an outdoor person though, which I love and we are so looking forward to when the temperature matches the strength of the sun rays. We are already planning little picnics, trips to the park, walks along the water and just plain lazy-ing in the sun. Ahh summer can't come soon enough.

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On Tuesday, Soleta hosted a kids Easter themed crafting party. It was so much fun and as per usual, there was lots and lots of food!

I said I'd make a treat for the kids but I couldn't decide on anything and I didn't want to try any new baking skill that might turn out to be a flop (things look so easy on Pinterest but sometimes they aren't). So I went to the dollar store and purchased the clay pots (3 for a $1= score!) and filled them with chocolate pudding, Oreo crumbs, a sugar filled carrot and a butterfly/flower lollipop. After I found all the items, it literally took me 10 minutes to put together and everyone thought they were super adorable. I almost felt guilty taking the credit of making them. However, this is definitely going on my go-to list for quick and simple treats for kids.

Wren didn't craft as much as the older kids but when she did, she was super serious about it. Just look at that face haha.

And sweet baby Ella was being such a dare devil that morning. Pulling herself up on whatever she could get her hands on, letting go and standing!

Soleta is a super amazing woman! Just wanted to give her a big thanks. She has 4 little kids (the oldest is 7yrs, twins are 4yrs and Olivia is a few months old) and she still manages to have her house looking pulled together, food made as if the queen was coming and her house decorated with kids crafts and seasonal colours, flowers, etc. I don't think the woman gets much sleep.

Kids crafting and their final creations. And the twins reading a book together, so cute!


We had such a lovely time it was great to hang out with all the kids and the moms and especially be doing things to get ready for Easter. Oh I'm so excited.

Natural Birth

Although I believe 100% the benefits of a natural birth, I didn't necessarily plan on it last time....

Our birth plan stated that I'd like to make an informed decision when I'd receive some meds. I knew that I wanted to feel some of the contractions but with a first baby, I'd heard horror stories of labors lasting past the 12 hour mark. And for that reason, I felt that I would play it by ear, if the contractions were strong and lasting forever, I probably would've gotten something for them.

Three hours after my water broke, I was ready to start pushing. I remember vividly thinking that the encouraging people around me were 'just joking' when they said I could try pushing if I'd like (we'd been in 'false labor' and sent home from the hospital a couple times already). I humored them, and gave a few pushes (nothing, might I add, like the movies make it seem to be). Then someone thought it might be amusing to say "The head is right there! You are doing great, do you wanna feel? She's so close". At this point, I thought 'well maybe they aren't joking. I suppose I could double check'. So I reached down to feel a slippery, tiny rigid head. They say I only did a couple strong pushes after that before she was placed on my chest. Big blue eyes staring into mine, so perfect. Both of us completely aware of what just went down.

My doula congratulated Lane and I on Wren's arrival and told me that I was so strong because I managed to do it without any drugs. Everything was so surreal, that that part didn't really sink in until afterwards. Me giving birth without any drugs seemed a little impossible and unbelievable for me.  Laying on the bed, I asked Lane or my doula to please hold Wren because I was shaking uncontrollably and was scared that I'd drop her. I kept apologizing and asked why and when it would stop. "Because it's your natural adrenaline that got you through this." I was told.

Labor and birth is not a disease or something that is broken in our bodies, it is a process that miraculously happens very naturally. Our bodies know what they are doing.

I read this really amazing article/post from DearBaby blog. It goes into detail about natural birth and even how we can properly prepare ourselves for it.
http://dearbabyblog.com/post/13549038217/lets-talk-about-birth-life-as-a-parent-is-all


P.S. I have many fears of actually planning for a natural birth this time, but I know with support, education, and a commitment to surrender to my body capabilities, I will be able to do it all again. The prize is SO SO SO worth it at the end!

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Look at my baby now. not so much a baby anymore eh?

Weeee!

Beautiful spring day at the park! 

2nd Pregnancy

I have been very fortunate this time with little nausea (more fatigue however) and just overall feeling better than my first pregnancy. We have chosen a midwife this time for various reasons. And it is that which brings me here to talk a little bit about that experience so far.
1. The appointments are close to an hour long. I went to a maternity clinic before with a rotation of 11doctors and 5minute appointment slots. We often spent 45minutes just in the waiting room. With hr long appointments, the oppurtunity for thurough questions and concerns and be properly answered. I almost dont know what to say when she asks me how I'm doing/feeling/coping because they actually care to hear the answer.
2. We would like a different birth experience. I had a super great birth with Wren but there were a few things that we would like to go differently this time which with the help of a midwife this time, will be likely of happening. I might get more into what we'd  like for this birth later and do a post specifically on that.
3. The atmosphere in the office is unbelievable! I'll try to sneak some pics next time of the actual office. It feels like you are walking into someone's home and not a doctors office. The washroom has olive scented, organic soap with deep warm colours and furniture in it. Even a dresser with a baby change pad on it and a little basket of a variety sized diapers. The individual room where we meet with the midwife has an easy chair for her and a green chaise for the parents and some books/toys in corner for the big siblings. The few times we've been there, we were the only clients there which felt more personable, like they were there just for us. The receptionist is so friendly and gives Wren suckers and calls her her little assistant and even lets her come behind the counter where her desk is. The midwives have made it clear that they want to get to know us and not just be there to serve us. So they like to talk about our lives in general (my work, Lane's school, Wren's activities etc).
These are the big things we've noticed so far and it's been such a comforting experience all around. We are quite confident that things will just keep getting better!