Itsy Bitsy Baby Went around the World

Indianna is officially 5 months old in 2 days. She's the queen of my heart and I love her to bits. It's indescribable the amount of love a mother has for her child. I could never have imagined the path that my life was going to take but I'm so very blessed.

Indi's health and progress update up to this point:

Where in the world is Indianna?

• 14.5 lbs fully clothed with a diaper on.
• She's grabbing her feet and squealing 
• Blowing and sputtering spit bubbles 
• We can pee her in the morning and sometimes catch a poop after a fart or two. T-minus 4 farts then we know she's going to blow
• She full on belly laughs when we tickle her armpits
• She is the friendliest baby in the world, and smiles a lot for strangers
• Indianna is the best sleeper: At night she's out for 5 hour intervals in her own crib. Asleep by 9-9:30pm every night and up again at approx 2:30am, then sleeps again till morning. I'm so blessed.
• She has tasted everything we eat, but obviously no solids. She loves grapes squirted in her mouth as well as little cherry tomato juice squirts too. She's a fiend for squash and Thanksgiving Mashed potatoes.
• She loves bath time with her little duckies from Grandnan Lynn
• Her eyes are still a bluish grey and she runs really hot. I swear her internal temperature is higher than normal. We sweat together when we're in naked in bed. Ugh. Wonder what Panama is going to be like.
• She loves the Jolly Jumper too. Usually in it for once a day at least. Plus we HAVE to get out of the house at least once a day too otherwise we're dealing with a monster come mid afternoon.

Also I made dinner for the first time last night with her on my back. It was freedom like I haven't felt since she was born. Being hands free without a baby in room crying for attention was a big step. I felt very productive. I'm excited for this new stage of back baby wearing. These are exciting times coming up.

Baby Indi is already 3.5 months

My baby my baby! 

I'm torn between wanting you to be my baby forever and 

being excited to find out who you're going to grow up to be. 

I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!

Miracle on 1150 1st Street

My contractions started on Sunday evening around 4pm. Very sporadic and random. Wasn't even sure that was what they were. Julian was at Marcus' and I called him and ask him to get me some tylenol on the way home. I called Laya and she said take a gravel at night to help me sleep and some tylenol and call her in the morning.

That was the worst night of my life. I couldn't get comfortable, I went from our room to the basement room to the bathtub into the shower and back again 'till 6am at which time I called Laya. She arrived around 7:30 am and my contractions were approx one minute long every 5 mins. Painfully fuckers.

Anyhow, my parents arrived at around 9am and sat at the kitchen table watching me pace back and forth in pain until about 2pm. Then my contractions just stopped. Our whole bedroom was set up for a home birth and I was ready but my mind and body weren't. I climbed up and down the stairs a million times, went out to the garden to relax but nothing. I was worried what if this poor little baby is stuck. Laya said she was under the law to admit me to hospital b/c she can't exactly go in and move the baby into position. If there were complications she would be liable... blah blah blah.

We all headed to the hospital where I was strapped in and given some drugs to kickstart the contractions again. Then the gyno examined me and said the scar tissue at my cervix was stopping me from getting fully dilated. As well as the position of the babies head was not fitting through my pelvic bones.
I was 9 cm dilated but they decided that babies heart rate was low and she was under quite a bit of stress. Not to mention that I had been up now for 24 hours and under nourished. I had a total of one glass of maple water during that time. The caesarean must be preformed and at this point I was like "GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME DAMMIT!!"

They rolled me into the surgery room and gave me an epidural. Weirdest feeling in the world where you can't feel your legs and cut me open to pull out my baby miracle girl. Julian was right by my side the whole time. Not the natural birth of my dreams but a healthy beautiful girl none the less. Indianna was born at 7pm on May 16th and I stayed in the hospital for 2 days afterward then back again b/c she had jaundice. It was quite the ride and I couldn't have done it alone. Well I guess I could have but definitely didn't want to. So much love here.

Back at the hospital getting UV treatment for Jaundice

At the hospital

False Alarm

After a visit with Laya at the hospital yesterday she tested my "leakage" and it's just the extra juices flowing from me b/c I'm getting ripe.

There was no amniotic fluid detected. Therefore, false alarm. We proceeded to head out down the street for 2 scoops of Gelato on a waffle cone. Julian had Dolce Latte and White Raspberry Chocolate, and I had Cherry and Chocolate. Mmmmm heaven in your mouth.

Newest names to consider are : Desmond, River and Solomon. Well River has always been a fav. I also like Topaz, Opal, Ayo, and Ayana.

I'm feeling pre contractions kinda of or whatever it is it's only happens every so often. Maybe 4 a day, and I'm super leaky too. But I think the body is just doing it's job and getting ready for the inevitable miracle explosion.
I'm officially 39 weeks tomorrow according to the docs, midwives and ultrasounds.

Put the crib together yesterday, so I'm ready. Bring it on!

Leaking mommy

Last night I was casually reading my book "Cutting of Stone" in bed, while Taco was snuggling near my feet. I was in the middle of a great chapter when BAM! Taco pukes everywhere. At least a litre of digested cat food all over the duvet cover. Gross! I felt bad for the pour little fur ball, but at the same time I wished she would get this eating disorder under control.

I stripped the duvet cover off and tossed it in the wash. On the way back up from the basement, I felt some leakage between my legs. Then I sat on the toilet and gush... a splash of water and the "mucus plug". I'm guessing my water broke, I mean what else could it be. The mucus plug wasn't as gross as it sounds. It was literally a tiny bit of blood mixed with water that fell into the toilet. Then I started to wonder, how much more water can come out. It continued to gradually leak for the next hour or so.

I fell asleep as usual and woke up normally around 7am. I started to make some yummy cinnamon rhubarb muffins for my visit with Cari and Mike at 10am. It was going to be the first time I visit their new house with Julian and I was excited. But then hear came the sneeze, and ACHOOOOO, water all over the kitchen floor. Well maybe I'm being a little dramatic but I sure did leak again.

I called Laya, our midwife and described my situation. She asked me to squat down and see if any water leaks out. I did and sure enough a trickle of a tablespoon or two of water came out. She suggested I meet her at the hospital and we test out the fluid to make sure that it is indeed amniotic fluid. So off to the hospital we go for 10:30am. Will keep ya posted. 

My very first mothers day

Today is a very special day. 

Today, I can say I celebrated my very first mothers day. 

At 38 weeks, the countdown has begun. I haven't felt any contractions yet or even really know what to look for in the beginning for the first signs of labour. I do know that I'm feeling mighty round and bulbous. No real swelling to talk of but the most wildly vivid dreams about babies and children and the act of making them.... I won't get into great detail but it's definitely an interesting way to wake up in the morning.





Spend some time with my lovely parents yesterday for mothers day and my partner Julian and our friend Cayman. It was really chilled out and relaxing. I find myself slowing down these days although the garden season is just ramping up.

The hardware to the crib is in the mail and should be arriving anyway now. Once the crib is put together then we can visualize the baby sleeping in it and it makes everything all that much more real.

There are so many projects on the go including selling my 97 volkswagen, fixing up my house and raising the rent, and trying to process as much possible food from the garden as possible to store for winter. Needless to say life is just getting more and more exciting everyday :)

Julian just mentioned that one of his moms fav names for a girl is Asia. I really like that name too. We haven't come up with any names yet, just tossing around some ideas.

The other day we went to Powell River for a lovely visit with the inlays. Trista made us Quinoa Chocolate Cake AND Carrot Cake. It was epic. She has 3 boys under the age of 3. Tobin(3), Rowan(2) and Riel(2) and truly is an amazing person. Eden definitely does his fair share too. What a power couple.

While we were visiting  PR, Jules and I went for a walk on the beach before the ferry and Julian found a quarter. The quarter had a picture of a man name Brock. Apparently, the Brock on the coin was Sir Issac Brock a general from the war of 1812. I thought about it and mentioned " That would be a cool name for a kid". Julian mentioned that there is a ultimate fighting champion who is a bit of a meathead. But then he said possibly Brock would be a good name. Brock Leblanc. Middle name : Lee.

We have quite a sense of humour. It has gotten many laughs from our friends. Ok. Over and out until next time.

Visualizations and post ultrasound at 37ish weeks

Baby is in perfect condition. Head down, bum up.

There was no need for alarm. I'm frustrated with my Midwife Joanne and her quick reaction to send me to the Hospital right away on a hunch that the baby was breach. I would have expected her to want to consult the other midwives first in this circumstance. Of course, I can understand her concern but I mean whisking me off to the doctors again at 37 weeks seemed like a bit of a cop out.

I bet most of the midwives at Plum could've touched me the right way to verify the position of the baby. I mean it's been head down now since week 32.

Anyway, off to Powell River today to soak up some sunshine and family time. I'll leave you with my visualization posters for the birth room when we get underway. Apparently it helps a lot to imagine things opening up and getting really big.

Ps. Julian shaved off his beard yesterday, and he looks so buff!

37ish weeks

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear"

This is the latest quote that resonates with me. I truly believe that this child has already taught me more than I will ever be able to teach it. Although I'll do my darnedest to create a safe, loving and creative environment for this little bean.

Joanne, the midwife visited the house today. She tested my blood pressure and told me that everything was under control. I tested negative for group B strep which is an added bonus. Although she poked and prodded my belly and believes that the lil bean has moved around now and is in the breach position. Which is going to make it difficult to give birth naturally, as it's illegal for midwives in BC to deliver a breached baby. Therefore, I'm scheduled for another ultrasound tomorrow morning and we will find out then if it is truly the case.

The options we have then will be discussed but if the midwife can't move the baby to the right position then we will have to look at other medical alternatives.

Yesterday was a glorious day in the sun on Tree Island. We took out Rowans sailboat with his 2 brothers and Cher. It was a perfect 20C and sunny. It was so much fun. Here are a few magical shots.

Mantras at 35 weeks yesterday

"Remember: With every contraction, you're closer to meeting the new member of your family"

"Breath deep, and longer and open wider and wider and wider, you are opening so big and wide"

"Trust: My body knows what to do, and every mother since Eve has conquered this feat."

"Power: My body is not working against me, I am my body"

"Relax: I am safe and my baby is safe"

"Patience: This is just one day. I can do anything for one day. This will not last forever"

"Relax: Open, Open, Open"

"Trust: Our baby know how to and when to be born"

Mantras on my mind. I'm thinking about all the sayings that are going to ride me through the wave of this pregnancy. I'm going to envision what I want to happen. I going to dilate huge and push my sweet baby out with all my might.

The contractions aren't bigger than me, they are me. I'm making them happen. They represent how strong I am.
I'm feeling baby kick and punch and dance up a storm in my stomach. Truly this is a very active time in the birth. I feel pretty normal, more normal than I did at 6 months, but I am getting to full term and feeling full and heavy too. It's getting harder and harder to wake up and go to work.

Speaking of work,

I have approx 550 hours right now and need 600 hours to get maternity leave. I am pushing through. I'm going to be done by the 29 April, if not sooner. The Kingfisher really needs me right now as they are very short staffed with one girl in Italy and another who quit. But I think I'm going to have to pull out sooner than later. It's a demanding job dealing with all types of personalities and standing on my feet 8 hours a day for a measly 13$ and hour.

I am really on a mission to try and find something that I can make and sell to subsidize my living costs and stay at home with the baby within the next few years. Something will come up if I think about it hard enough.

The garden is coming along beautifully and it's only a matter of time before all our meals are coming from the backyard. So exciting!!! Here's a picture of me in the back, well a few pictures at 35 weeks :)

My baby bump makes a great beer holder!!

Sunday Sunday at 34 weeks

What a gorgeous day! It was 18C and sunny today. I planted some seeds, hung out in a hammock, and made pizza. Emily and baby Maverick came by for a visit.

The baby is an active little monkey and constantly kicking my right side. As I sit here and type this there are some major belly rolls going on down there. I have really, really bad heartburn at the moment too, but that is nothing new. They say that it gets a little more difficult near the end and I can see why. I didn't think that I would be the one to say my feet are swelling or my heartburn in ferocious but I am and it does.

Other than swollen feet, very emotional days after work, heartburn, a little anxiety about how my life is about to change and the kicking, constant hardcore ninja jabs into my side, everything is running smoothly. I have approx 2 more weeks of work to go. Which will be a relief once that is over and I can start to collect maternity. This job is so draining and I'm about to topple over these days. Weighing in at approx 155 lbs. That means I've gained about 40lbs so far in the pregnancy.

I sometimes really thing it's a girl because of all the movement and sideways kicks. Plus all my dreams that I've been having have a little baby boy in them so who knows. We will just have to wait and see. I'm so excited!

We had our first BBQ of the year a couple of nights ago. I picked up some chicken and turkey and Julian smoked everything to divine deliciousness. It was a great surprise to come home to after work.

It's April 10 today and I got a tan at 18C

I am wearing bathing suit bottoms here I swear!

You are a miracle at 33 weeks and 4 days

Little baby monkey is growing fast and furious. Right now it feels like I weigh an extra pound a day. The kicking and moving never stops and my appetite is fierce.

I have my usual bought of emotion of course. Crying for no reason really, or just letting myself get overwhelmed with the fact that things in my life are about to drastically change. Oh not to mention putting the peanut butter in the cupboard with the mugs and the milk in the pantry instead of the fridge. Baby Brain is real!

Plus, I miss my tummy and wearing nice clothes. Nothing seems to fit no matter how big the Large is. But Julian reminds me that my body won't be like this forever, so enjoy it while it lasts. Which are some great words of wisdom if I'd ever heard any before. 

Overall, it's been a mellow 4 months and I'm definitely looking forward to the adventure. Picked up 6 cloth diapers off Craigslist for $60. I paid $15 for the the Grovia which are $25 brand new. I'm happy with the purchase. Let's hope it holds up to the wee ones poops.

Today ,I have my usual Pre-Natal Yoga class at the Doghouse. It is such a wonderful way to connect with baby. Then we have an Indian buffet lunch with 3 of my favourite people in the world, Julian, Cari and Mike of course ;)

Right afterwards is my midwife appointment with Laya then onto the first of 4 weekly prenatal classes at the Island Health down the street. Julian has been a rock through this and I hope every woman is as lucky as I am to have such support surrounding her during these trying months.

It's my day off of work today, but it's definitely not a day off of life! Everything is moving along fabulously and I couldn't be happier.

Bunnies and Babies

Happy Easter Everyone!

This year is definitely the earliest Easter I can ever remember, with the weekend falling on March 26/27 which happens to coincide with Dad's birthday too! It's still pretty chilly outside but the sun is definitely making an appearance and warming up the earth. The garden soil is getting worked and the seeds are getting planted.

The overwintering garlic is coming up nicely, all 200 bulbs :)

Already we've set up a bed for peas, onions, beets, carrots, and of course the greens which include spinach, arugula, and lettuce. There was a bunch of pole beans planted today as well as cilantro in pots on the balcony.
Inside we've started leeks, broccoli, tomatoes and basil. It's going to be a feast for the senses. Oh, not to mention all the strawberry transplants and raspberry shoots awakening for their dormant winter state.

OH!! And the most important seed seed of all the baby is coming along just fine. We're about 32 weeks today and feeling the extra weight for sure. Baby is kicking up a storm ALL THE DAMN time. I have given up trying to prepare since I figure that whatever I will need will eventually come to me down the road. My biggest obstacle at the moment is finding cloth diapers and then hoping that baby latches on to breastfeeding.

I've been reading the book In the Spirit of Homebirth: Modern Women, An Ancient Tradition. The link can be found below:
https://www.amazon.ca/In-Spirit-Homebirth-Modern-Ancient/dp/1609805798

It's a great read about birth stories. All kinds of stories from 1st births to 7th births in the hospital, in the tub in water etc. It's an empowering read and giving me full confidence to make the decision to stay at home, unmedicated. Babies head is facing down now according to the midwife. Until the next update, go forth and grow happy and heathy.

With love from us xoxoxoxox

The Midwife Home Visit

Yesterday after work, March 19 I had the pleasure of getting my first home visit from our Midwife Laya. She is a longtime friend of Julian and now part of our family.
She has studied Midwifery in Uganda and been fascinated by childbirth practically her whole life.

During this visit she checked my blood pressure, the babies heartbeat, and pushed around on my belly. The results being that my blood pressure is really low and the baby is now facing down. His head near my pubis bone and his little bum at my bellybutton and the feet are hanging out near my ribs.
The baby's heart rate was 140. Which is really good. The normal heart rate is supposed to be from 110 to 160.

I have approximately a month left of work. I'm hoping to get those 600 hours just in time for the beginning of May so in my 9th month I will be able to laze around, and prepare for the imminent adventure of a lifetime. I feel so blessed. But tired. So worn out now. Baby is pushing on my stomach every hour. Kicking around and running a marathon in there. I slept from 7pm to 7am last night. 12 hours!! My feet are swelling and I'm always thirsty. But that is the extent I'm going to let myself complain, because ultimately I'm too happy to be grumpy.

How could you ever be grumpy when you're carrying around a lil miracle??!

Pinch, punch, 1st of the month

Pregnancy Cocktails

It was the first day of March yesterday and spring is just around the corner. So is my baby. Well not really but it's getting closer and closer and closer by the minute. I'm approx 28 weeks now and I'm still feeling great.
At the midwife appt the other day, baby was head was in my ribs and the little bum was just down at the bottom of my belly button. Baby is still in breach position but should turn around any day now.
Head down is a good place for baby to be by 34 weeks I think so I have a good month to go before I have to start hanging upside down.

Karin was in town this weekend. A quick little visit from a super rad chick always gets my spirits up. She is on her way to becoming and Internationally certified Mountain guide (Alpine, Rock and Ski). One tough chick and it's always a pleasure to feel her strong presence in my midst. Thanks for the visit Karin!

The other day I went for my a glucose test. It's to figure out whether I have gestational diabetes or not. The test is optional of course but I figured I better be safe than sorry. So i opted to get tested on my day off.

Wednesday is a very special day for me. I wake up gently and slowly and usually nurse a very watered down coffee while meandering around the house in my pjs. I water the plants and give some of them their weekly dose of fertilizer.  I might catch something on Youtube that strikes my fancy and indulge in some pregnancy videos or how to breastfeed blogs then off to my Prenatal yoga class at 10am, which I look forward to going to ALL week. A bunch of other baby bumps and a whole lots of stretching. It's a good time. Then I usually get the rest of my errands done during the day, if it's nice out then I'll bike around town and visit thrift stores.

This past Wednesday was a little different story. After yoga and zoomed off the lab to get my testing down. It consists of downing a whole glass of glucose syrup then waiting an hour to get my blood tested to monitor how I processed the syrup. It wasn't my idea of a good time, but I thought to myself "Just this one test then it's over and I don't have to worry."

Well I got the results back today and my midwife said that I tested high. Normal is 7.8 and I tested at 8.7. She said the first test was a screening and now recommends that I do the diagnosis test which consists of MORE gross syrup, 2 more hours in that lab AND 3 vials of blood. Honestly, I think I'm just fine.
I took the test on a nearly empty stomach and my body was just reacting to that crazy amount of syrup they fed me. I'm going to opt out of the diagnostic test and just watch my sugar intact a little more closely. I have no other symptoms of diabetes except for that weird test being a little off.  So, that is my most recent update.

I'm feeling great at 28 weeks. Only 79 days to GO~ I have a few names picked out. For a girl it's Vera. For a boy it's Gardner, Mason and Nile. But that could change completely from now till well ..... it's BIRTHDAY!

Bottoms up! Enjoying pregnancy cocktails is a luxury that we can all afford :)

27 weeks and random thoughts

Geez, keeping this blog is easier than I had originally thought. I've been meaning to make a blog for many different things over the years.

My blog ideas included: Wanderlust: The Art of Traveling Solo, A blog from a girl who has traveled 7 continents on a serious budget. The other blog ideas were how to pack and travel like you mean it, Military Life of a Civilian and How to grow a garden. Alas, I was always under the impression that this was such a time consuming project that you needed lots of knowledge to do.

Isn't it always the case. Everything is always so scary until you actually JUST DO IT. Then it all come back around. I'm planning somehow to start a business of some kind. I don't know what yet but being able to make things or buy things that people want and the business sense to sell them makes so much sense to me.

I realized over the years, while I was working camp jobs I stifled my normal coping skills to exist in everyday life. Life on tour isn't normal. You always have a start and a finish and you work your ass off till it's time to relax. In real life, it's more a marathon. You just keep plugging away and more time you take, and the more patience you have to watch your hardwork pay off the better. It seems over the past 7 years I've conditioned myself to race to the finish and then start again. Whether it be a trip to another country, a job with military for another tour or a season on Vancouver Island everything been in spurts.

With the advent of a new baby on the way, already I'm learning to slow down. To breath and take the time to imagine a future and plan for it now. Not rush to the finish line, just to move onto something else. This baby is a lifetime commitment and to a commitment-a-phobe that's a bit deal. The real thing so to speak.

At 27 weeks, the visit to the midwife yesterday was spot on. Great blood pressure and nothing to be concerned about at the moment. The baby's head is under my ribs and it's bum is just over my pelvis. 
Also, it's been sunny and 10 C over the past few days which is a nice change from the dark grey skies and constant rain we've been experiencing. It's hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. 

A few concerns worth mentioning that slip in and out of my conscious mind include : premature birth, deformations of the baby due to toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can be transmitted through infected cat poop, and just not being ready when the baby comes.

The first two concerns are mostly b/c I've read about a thousand articles and some just create crazy images in my head. We all know that I was 4 months pregnant when I found out and well, I can't be responsible for the things that happened during this time. But since I've know I've been really good and careful and that's all that I can ask for. Well off to work now for the day. Thanks for listening.