Friday, December 1, 2006

Christmas Newsletter 2006

The year in review…
  • In February K received a promotion at the library from the position of “Page” to “Circulation Clerk.”
  •  In March we took a quick trip to Buffalo for DS1’s immigration hearing to become a U.S. citizen.  The hardest part turned out to be proving that J had actually lived in the U.S. since he was home-schooled so didn’t have any school attendance records!
  • March also saw K’s grandparents move closer – allowing for much for frequent visits, which we are very happy about.
  • In April we celebrated Easter/Passover with J’s family in New Jersey.
  • In June we were able to spend over 2 weeks in Brazil, visiting the places where K grew up as well as tourist sights.
  • In July we billeted two international students – one from France and one from Mexico.
  • In August we vacationed with J’s family once again at World’s End state park in PA.  G especially enjoyed playing in the creek and trying “smores” by the campfire.
  • In September we celebrated K’s grandparents’ 60th anniversary with a river cruise in the Caledonia area.
  • At the end of September we welcomed a new nephew – son of K’s sister, C, and her husband, R. 
  • October marked the celebration of C’s 30th birthday with a party.
  • DS2 was born on November 9th at 2:25am at home – as planned but more quickly than planned!  J delivered the baby in the bathroom and the paramedics and midwife arrived shortly after.
  • This year we will be spending Christmas with K’s family.
  • J continues to work at H.D. in the Lumber & Building Materials Dept.
  • K has applied to the Faculty of Information Sciences to complete a Masters of Information Sciences.  By studying part time over 4 years she would be able to become a librarian.  We hope to hear back as to an acceptance later in the new year.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and happy new year.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

DS2's birth story

Well, this won't be as polished as I'd like but at least it'll be here!!


On Thursday, November 9th I woke up at 1am with contractions 3 minutes apart but only about 30 seconds long.  Called the midwife at 1:30 and she said they're not long enough, go watch TV and see if it changes.  2am turned on "Fear Factor" - thought to myself "Yeah, right!  Try having a baby at home with no drugs!!"  By the first commercial had another contraction and felt I needed to go upstairs to the bathroom.  Contractions still didn't seem strong enough to me though - I knew from experience with DS1 they were going to get much worse.  


Went to the bathroom to labour .. Called to J to wake him up and told him to call midwife.  By the time he returned to the bathroom from calling my water broke - he says it sounded like a water balloon bursting! - thankfully all in the toilet.  Suddenly I knew it was the baby's head pressing down and said to him "it's the head, grab a towel and catch him!!"   I could see from Josh's face he could see the head!  Head came out so fast, then the shoulders very quickly after.  J somehow managed to catch the baby and call "9-1-1-1" at the same time - by the time they answered DS2 was out and he told them his colour and that he was breathing.  

J handed DS2 to me and went to open the door.  The paramedics came in and clamped the cord, J cut it.  They took DS2 and massaged him to make sure his circulation was ok.  Then they had me sign a waiver saying I didn't want to go to the hospital or have DS2 taken there.  By then my midwife was there.  She weighed DS2, measured him, gave him his vitamin K shot, etc.  

So that's pretty much it... J has been off one week and is off one more so we are doing ok :-)

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Thanksgiving

Celebrated (Canadian) Thanksgiving this past weekend at my parents' house.  

 A tradition we have for Thanksgiving is to go around the table and say what we're thankful for.  Here were this year's replies:

Mine - that we got to go to Brazil this year
J - that I was happy that we got to go to Brazil this year :-P
Older sister & her daughters - for family
Brother-in-law - for his new motorcycle
Younger brother - the baby they're expecting in January
Sister-in-law - wasn't allowed to say "baby" so said the new house they just bought
Mom - all her grandchildren - will have 8 by the end of January!
Dad - good health