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