Our Christmas Letter

Weeks ago Colleen and I talked about the fact that we could actually get a Christmas letter written this year. It seemed like a great idea and, like many great ideas, it was saved until it was almost too late. The reality is that although we have managed to write this letter before Christmas it is likely that you won’t receive it until after Christmas. I’m ok with that... so I hope you are too!

It has certainly been an eventful year. The first part of the year is always a busy time for youth ministry at Bethany. The return to school means the return of the regular youth programs. The spring was a great time for Brad with the youth and he continues to enjoy his ministry at the church.

At the end of March we discovered that Colleen was pregnant... and the adventure began! We had many appointments with many doctors to make sure that the pregnancy continued with no problems. The doctors were great and Brad was able to discover all the free parking around the Royal Columbian hospital.

We knew that life would change greatly at the end of November so we took a few trips this year. In May we spent a few days in one of our favourite cities, San Francisco. We flew down, checked into our hotel and headed straight to Fisherman’s Wharf for some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl... one of our favourites.

We also spent some time in Edmonton visiting with Brad’s family. Strangely enough, while we were in Edmonton we were able to visit the “Heritage Days” festival, which features many foods from many lands. If you think that there is a requirement for lots of food on any Reid trip you would probably be right!

Summer was a busy time as Brad headed down to Nashville for a youth conference. Yes, while he was there he had some genuine Tennessee BBQ and kept up the tradition of good food while on a trip.

Colleen continued work as a receptionist at Fraser Chiropractic and Massage in Vancouver. Despite a commute that involved crossing two bridges she enjoyed her time there. However, in mid-August her days at work came to an end. Colleen had to spend 14 days in the hospital because of early contractions. The doctors and nurses were great but she was very ready to come home (especially after spending her birthday in the hospital!).

Once she was home it was lots of bed rest and some regular visits from nurses. It was tough to make such a big adjustment... especially because she could no longer bake. We’re not sure who found that to be tougher: Colleen, who loves to bake, or Brad, who loves to eat whatever she bakes!

The bed rest did the trick and eventually Colleen was able to do more and more. Especially exciting was being able to go to a shower that the church held for her on October 23rd. We remember the date very clearly because early in the morning on October 24th we once again headed to the Royal Columbian Hospital, found one of those free parking spots, and headed up to the delivery ward.

Carlon Timothy Reid arrived at 2:31pm on October 24th. He was 4 weeks early but you’d never know that based on his weight of 7lbs 10oz. From the very beginning he was very healthy and we are thrilled to be his parents. It has been a huge adjustment but one that we have truly enjoyed. God has richly blessed us with such a wonderful and beautiful son.

Since then we’ve done our best to adjust to having a son. It hasn’t always been an easy adjustment (especially on those nights when he decides to spit up all over the place at 5:00am!) but we wouldn’t change a thing. He is now almost 2 months old and is over 13lbs.

Colleen and I hope that this letter finds you all at the end of a wonderful 2008. God has greatly blessed us and I hope that He has greatly blessed you as well. We look forward to hearing more from all of you!

Brad & Colleen Reid

Carlon Timothy greets the world!

Merry Christmas

it was bound to happen eventually...

Last night the Canucks were in Edmonton to play the Oilers and it was on CBC so Brad had to watch it. And thanks to uncle Tim (grrr) Carlon has a couple Oilers bibs. (I plan on using them only for the messiest of meals) So of course Brad had to put a bib on Carlon and they watched the game together. Well Brad watched and startled Carlon with his cheers while Edmonton scored and shut out the Canucks. Hopefully by the next game I'll have some Canuck parafanalia to dress Carlon in and he can "cheer" for the right team. Carlon will probably grow up cheering for Colorado or, heaven forbid, Calgary just to avoid the pressure.

Baking Day!!

Every year for Christmas since 2002 my mom, sisters and I have arranged a day to bake... all day... all our favourite Christmas goodies. It started because my Gramma Clinch would come and stay with my parents at Christmas time and one year we had the thought,' how cool it would be if we baked our Christmas goodies with her'. It turned out to be so much fun that even though my Gramma is no longer able to come to stay at Christmas we've continued with our new tradition. And as Janine's girls, Rayna and Jenna, have grown they have joined in and have made a tremendous contribution to the day. Last year we even invited friends to join us and we rented the church kitchen to accommodate the volume. It was a great time, but this year we decided to just have the four of us (plus the two new babies). We weren't as successful in terms of production this year as we've been in years past but will still had a tonne of fun. Every year it seems we find a way to improve on our organization and productivity. This year we tossed that to the side and just enjoyed spending the day together. I'm already looking forward to next year. Of all the Christmas traditions my family has created... this is by far my favourite.

my bouncy chair

camera happy

There really isn't a tonne to update about except that last wee Carlon had a doctor's appointment, he was 4 weeks old and it was on my origonal due date (Nov 21). At the appointment he weighed 11lbs 8oz.... that really makes me wonder what he would have weighed had I gone full term. Well that was last week, now at 5 weeks he's probably closer to 12lbs. His next xheck up is on Dec 23 for his 2 month shots : ( As the title suggests.... we've taken a few pictures. Enjoy.

hiccups

hangin' with my cousin by: carlon reid

So, the other day my mom was going totally crazy, and I'm not surprised. She and I had been stuck at home for several days. The weather had been horrid... "gross" I think mom called it. Rain, rain and more rain. She talked to dad and they worked it out for mom to get the car. Boy was she happy. We dropped dad off at work and we went to my auntie Linda's house. It was great. I hadn't really seen auntie Linda since my birthday, and I hadn't even really met my cousin Aiden yet, we had lunch together then I had a nap but Aiden decided he didn't really want to sleep. We didn't play or anything, we just enjoyed hanging out. We spent almost the whole day there and while we were there my Gramma and auntie Shirley (she isn't a real auntie but my mom and auntie Linda and auntie Jay have known her since they were my size) came over, they didn't know mom and I were going to be there so they were so happy. She was so excited to see me and my cousin Aiden. We all visited for a while, then my mom and auntie Linda decided they needed to go out. We went to the mall, and walked around for a few hours. Then it was time to go pick up dad. I had a great time with my auntie and my cousin, I hope we get to visit again soon.

Aiden and I thought it would be cool to pose for a picture in our matching strollers.

so fast...

Everyone tells you it all goes by so fast and you know it's true because by now you've had a lifetime of experiencing things going by so fast (except when you're in school and summer vacation can't come fast enough) but, when you finally stop and think about how much time has gone by and you realize WOW!! Two weeks already! It just hit me today. Carlon is two weeks old. He's finally taking on more definite features (people are saying he looks like me) I think he looks like himself. All the facial expressions and he's already revealing preferences. (Daddy's much better at getting the burps than mama.) Thursday he had his follow-up Dr's appointment. He's doing what he's suppposed to do, gain weight... whew. The jaundice is clearing, and his cord came off. Now if he would only sleep as soundly at night as he does during the day. I went with Brad to the church tonight and visited with a bunch of people, there was so much noise everywhere we went and he slept right through it all. I think he finds the quiet to be too loud.

Brad went back to work this week and boy was he busy. It's amazing how much and how quickly things can pile up in a week. It was so great to have him at home the first week... this week was a bit of an adjustment for me, still so tired from the change in schedule, I'm unable to keep up with what needs to be done around the house because I just want to flake on the couch. Trying to not feel guilty about it. I do get an energy burst late at night...when I should be trying to sleep. At that point I end up doing laundry, dishes, general tidying up. Oh well... if I'm going to have a messed up schedule I might as well really mess it up. I should try sleeping during the day and stay up all night.

Wednesday was a beautiful fall day here in the lower mainland. A bright spot in a dreary week and it couldn't have come at a better time. I was starting to feel a little cabin feverish. So Carlon and I went for a walk. Not very far. Just a few blocks. I needed to cancel my car insurance and the autoplan place is nearby. Well, we got there and realized they needed my plates... which I forgot to bring. So, back home to get the plates, then back to the insurance broker. Then back home. Twice as much walking as I was planning on. And after two and a half months of bed rest, and resting the last week and a half. I have NO muscle tone. I might as well have run 5 miles, I was exhausted. But, Carlon got the UV he needed (for the jaundice) and I got out of the house. Now I have to wait for more good weather... (I guess I won't be walking again till april) It's been pouring buckets here the last couple days and it's not going to stop.

Well, not much more to share except some pics.

36 weeks, a whole lot of booty.... oh, and a baby!

Well, I'm sure that everyone who reads our blog knows by now that we had our baby. Last week (monday october 20th) I had some false labour, we were in the hospital for a few hours then sent home. I took it easy for the rest of the week still trying to cook this kid for as long as possible. Well last Thursday evening (23rd) the church was throwing me a baby shower. I got myself together and enjoyed a wonderful evening of support and encouragement. It was really meaningful for me to be able to thank everyone. Everyone there has been so concerned about me and the pregnancy. People sent home food with Brad and told my family constantly that they were praying for us. Looking back I can see how God carried us through all the struggles and that is an answer to prayers. Lots and lots of prayers.

Well as I was saying there was this shower and we were showered. I was planning on taking a picture of all the boxes and bags but we've been pressed to get things washed and used because that Thursday night/early Friday morning I started having contractions. This is nothing new for me, I would often have cramping and contractions as I progressed through the pregnancy. They would come on at night (while trying to sleep) and settle after a few hours. This time though, they did not settle and by the time 7am rolled around they were becoming more regular and more intense. 8am Brad and I headed to the hospital where we discovered that this was the real deal.

A shot of Morphine, with gravol, an epidural (just in the nick of time) and 6 hours after arriving at the hospital we met our beautiful gift from the Lord. Carlon Timothy Reid. Born October 24th 2:31 pm 7lbs 10 oz. Four weeks early. I was told I did a very good job growing him, you'd never know he was premature. Just a couple things came up due to him being early. A low blood sugar and not too interested in sustained feeding. Both have been corrected however, now he's a little yellow. We have a Doctors appointment tomorrow (Thursday). I'll have another update after that. Till then enjoy the pics.

35 weeks and a new nephew!!

I've been usurped! By a little baby no less. Today I'm 35 weeks and it's exciting because that means I'm technically starting my ninth month. After my two weeks in the hospital I never thought I'd make it this far. But early this morning my beautiful sister Linda gave birth to her first child, a gorgeous baby boy. Aiden Thomas Breckenridge 9lbs 3oz born at 1:15am Thursday October 16th. An hour and fifteen minutes past her due date. Well, I'll gladly have my thunder stolen for an occasion like this. I am so excited for them. He is beautiful... did I mention that already? I don't care, I love him to pieces. I can only hope my labour and delivery goes as smoothly as Linda's did (6 hours) I told her it was all that horsebackriding she did as a kid.

Look at these shots and tell me he's not gorgeous!!

34 weeks, thanksgiving, two birthdays, and another appointment

Sounds like a crazy weekend right? Well it was pretty tame for the most part. This last thursday I hit the 34 week mark in the pregnancy (very exciting) On Sunday we celebrated Thanksgiving, my nephew Brennan's 13th and my brother-in-law (soon to be new dad) Dean's 40th birthdays.

Today we saw our OB for the 34 week appoinment. Everything is still in great shape. Baby's good, blood pressure's good, weight's good too. We had a little chuckle over the baby seeming to prefer one side of my tummy. No exaggeration, there's enough space left for another baby in there. It feels like it's trying to wrap around to my back.

My OB is pretty sure I'll be delivering early so I figure we will be three before the end of October. But, if I've learned anything this year it's that this kid is in control.

Well there's not much more to share except a pic of my belly to date.

Ah Saturdays!

Well, I must say that I enjoy Saturday mornings. This past week was pretty busy... as usual. I wasn't out of town at all which was nice but I did seem to spend a lot of time in the office working on my computer.

So, I suppose it is a bit strange that I'd spend a day off in front of another computer writing a blog. Of course, a lot of the stuff I do doesn't make too much sense.

Colleen and I went to the fall family banquet at the church last night but I was with the youth so we didn't get to sit together. I have concluded that if I am very full after a good meal I don't have as much patience with the youth as I normally would. It was a bit of a stressful time in the youth room last night but we managed.

We announced a new challenge to the youth last night. Last year we raised money to purchase hens and roosters through world vision. All together we raised just over $200 which bought two sets of hens and roosters. This year we're upping the ante and will try to raise $1200... enough to fill a stable with animals. Check out this link https://catalogue.worldvision.ca/Gifts/Forms/EventHome.aspx?eventId=247890 to see how we're doing towards our goal. Right now we're at 0% but give it time... we just started!!

This morning was great. We slept in, watched a bit of hockey, ate brunch (mmmm... biscuits!). Have I mentioned that I'm very glad that Colleen can cook/bake again?? Saturday mornings are much better with biscuits.

Brad

Graduation Day!!!

This morning at 9:27 I received a call from the ante-partum nurse telling me that she had spoken with my OB and they were graduating me from the ante-partum home care program. This means that I have been such a good patient and have remained stable and because I'm past the 32 week mark they don't need to call me every day or visit me once a week to perform a non-stress test. I never minded the daily calls or even the visits, but to know that I'm far enough past a significant danger zone that even the nurses don't have to worry about me makes me feel so much better. I feel like I'm bound to make it to full term.
A couple hours later I was at my OB's office and he confirmed coming off the ante-partum program, plus.... he increased my activity level. YAY! I can go to the mall for a couple hours, or make meals, or do light housework like laundry or dishes. (No vacuuming though, darn.)
I'm still considered to be on bed rest though, just not as strict as before. That's ok, now I no longer feel like an invalid. Brad and I went to Wal-Mart on Saturday and babies 'r' us today to get some stuff so I can have my hospital bag packed and ready (just in case things happen earlier than later).
My belly continues to grow and on everything else the Dr checks on my visits I pass with flying colours. I'm getting back to feeling more like a normal prego.

back on speaking terms

I tried to get the camera and computer to work together again yesterday to no avail. The computer told me there was something wrong with the usb device. That window never came up when Brad was trying it so I told him about it and when I hooked up the camera again to show him it decided to work. Crazy technology, intending to make our lives easier.

So here's a picture of me and my sister. Taken last Friday September 19th. We are five weeks apart.

how time flies

Three years ago today we were married. A beautiful, warm, sunny Saturday (nothing like today). I still can't believe it's been three years. I think about when we first started dating and it seems like yesterday, but it can't possibly be yesterday because SO MUCH has happened in three years. And although they have been laced with ups and downs they have still been the best three years of my life to date.

Besides the landmark of our anniversary, the last week of this pregnancy has been very encouraging. My OB increased my activity level a little and gave me permission to go to my sister's baby shower. (She is due October 15th) It was a real treat to be able to go even though it was only for an hour and it was a surprise for my sister which made it even more enjoyable.

Yesterday I bought a stroller/car seat combo and Brad was quite excited to be able to put it together. It is the very first purchase we have made for baby and it really brought the reality home for me that we are actually starting to expand our family. You'd think 5 weeks of bed rest would do it but when there's nothing physical in front of you (other than an expanding belly which in your wildest dreams could be a tumor) it is hard to wrap your brain around the whole experience. It always seems so surreal.

Tomorrow I am official 32 weeks pregnant which is a big milestone in gestation. Of course full term is always the best but compared to 27 weeks (when the trouble started) 32 is miles better, and at 32 weeks I have a little negotiating power when it comes to increasing my activity level. So, another appointment with my OB this Monday September 29th and we'll see where we are.

We did take a few pictures of my belly the other day, but our camera is giving us some grief. Once we get that figured out we'll add those with a posting. Until then, if you can all imagine me with a big round belly you'll know exactly what I look like. Oh, and imagine me lying down too. Now you know exactly what I look like.

If you're wanting to know what stroller we bought just follow this link:

http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000Q81ODS/sr=1-11/qid=1222288964/ref=sr_1_11/002-4261160-6312826?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=397279011

Our New Blog

Well, now that we've set up internet and digital tv at home I figured we should start up a blog and continue with our "joining of the 20th century"... now we'll only be a century behind!

There is lots happening in the Reid household right now. Colleen is almost 31 weeks pregnant and has spent the last few weeks on bedrest at home... of course being on bedrest at home is better than being in the hospital like she was for two weeks! If all goes according to plan the due date is November 21st but right now we're just trying to get to the 32 week mark.

I (Brad) have been busy with all the setup and launch of youth ministry stuff for the fall... We're doing a brand new program for Sunday mornings and the full program kicked off this Sunday. It went really well but boy was it a LOOOOOOONG Sunday!

Well... that will be all for now. Hopefully I'll keep up with blogging regularly.