I am in shock that it was a year ago today that we welcomed Ethan into our world. Since I never did get his birth story written down, now is as good as time as any to share it with you.

As you might recall last year by 5:45 pm Ethan had made his grand entrance. A few days later we introduced Ethan to all, in fact on my birthday! What lead up to all that you ask? Well grab a cup of tea and I will share the story with you.

J had just returned home from New Mexico, where he was interviewing for a potential position as a researcher at the National Labs. I was scheduled to be induced that evening. I was packed and so mentally ready to have this baby. The hospital called to cancel my induction, as they had a serge of labouring women. Drat! J was relieved to get a good night sleep, I however tossed and turned, not getting much sleep at all. I tried, but my nerves were fried and I was anxious.

The next morning I cautiously at breakfast and was about to shower when the phone rang!!! J & I got ready and explained to Becca that Ethan will be arriving soon. We hop into a cab (allowing Grandma M to have the car) and head to the hospital.

We check in, I undress and wait to meet our maternity nurse. We know that she will be the key to a happy, healthy labour and birth. In walks Nurse K … Oh she was such a magical blessing! I was so nervous being in the US, private healthcare system, the horror stories from women that ironically and better healthcare than I did … Nurse K set my mind at ease completely. She sat down with us to plan our day, including how we can have the labour and birth that we had hoped for. Nurse K was totally a goddess among nurses!

Nurse K set me up with the monitors and the IV, Dr D arrives shortly after a brief vist from Becca and Grandma M. We really wanted Becca to understand as much as possible and be there when she could be.

Dr D broke my water and attached an internal monitor. Now it was just a matter of time to allow the drugs to work with my body to jump start labour.

Nurse K encouraged me to sit up and to go as long as possible without an epidural. J & I talked and joked around a lot. We tried to relax and enjoy every moment. It was so much more fun and relaxed than when I laboured with Becca. That was such a scary experience! THis time around was wonderful and up until Nurse K went on lunch, panic free.

The contractions were intense and coming on strong but J would help me through each one with laughter and breathing. The induction process always makes things so much more. I was struggling when another nurse came in and insisted I lie down. I tried to argue but was feeling weak and overwhelmed. I as I went to lie down the panic set in, and the pain was so so intense. I freaked out. So an epidural was totally necessary at that point for me. Once that was all set I was calm again and the labour progressed.

Dr D came in at 5 pm to see how I was doing. I was fully dilated and ready to push! Ethan was COMING. However, the kid was facing to the side (rather than up or down) so we had to wait till he turned. I was lying on my side and I could sense when each contraction was about to happen. I would lose my breath and feel a little panic. It was intriguing. Eventually Dr D helped Ethan turn and he came into the world.

Becca was scooped away from me due to being preterm. Ethan was placed on me and stayed with us for a couple hours before being taken to the nursery to be weighed and all that jazz. It was so magical to spend that time with him. He was perfect. He still is perfect. His birth day was truly a wondrous day. J & I both enjoyed most of it and the end result was so so special.

That night, the hospital insisted J leave (it was an odd policy that I so do not understand). The woman that I shared a room with never turned her tv off. It blared throughout the night as she snored. Her baby was in the nursery. Ethan and I cuddled and nursed (sort of those first two nights were hard). In the morning I was in so much pain, and no nurse came to see me?!?! It was really weird. So I packed up and was totally ready to leave before J even arrived (he wasn’t allowed to come back till after 9 am!) I was so ready to get out of there! So I pretty much took care of the discharge stuff, never seeing a nurse, except to get some pain meds.

I was extremely overwhelmed with emotion when we got home. Hormones surged through my body, as I tried to balance my feelings fr Ethan, Becca and the world around me. As the weeks went by it all settled into place, but those first few days were tough.

So there it is. Ethan’s birth story. I hope to share some of the things that Ethan is doing as of his first birthday. For now though I am going to cherish this day with my family, celebrate an amazing first year.

Happy Birthday Ethan! We Love You!

Well, it is that time of year again. The time to reflect on the past and look forward to what is to come. This will be a two part post. The second part will focus on the year to come. Right now I want to look back at this amazing year.

The year 2007 has seen the Soodz clan live to two different states & two different countries! Plus we have added new members to the family and lost a member. It has been a year of grief and loss, but also a year to celebrate and gains. We have watched our children grow, as we too have gotten older and hopefully a little wiser.

January we were in California, pregnant and happy. Becca and I were adventurous and enjoying time with new friends. We enjoyed trips to Disneyland and the zoo. I was knitting and enjoying time with Marina and Holly. We also welcomed some fellow Canadians to California!

February was a warm month in California. Becca swam in our little yard, in her kiddie pool (something tells me we will NOT be swimming outside in February here in Canada)

March was my baby shower for Ethan, it was so amazing to be surrounded by so many mothers and celebrate. Some of those women I never saw again

April was all about Ethan! He arrived with perfect timing and left us in awe and bliss. J’s Mom stayed with us to help out and we learned how to be a family of four.

May was a flurry of play dates, adventures and visiting. I was trying to experience it all before we left California. My Dad came for a visit and to meet his new Grandson.

June we celebrated Becca’s third birthday early with all her friends. It was a wonderful pool party, perfect celebration of our time in California.

July we arrived in New Mexico. Our stuff did not.

August we went on our first family camping trip. It was so FUN! We adopted Skippy the Alley Cat. I injured my foot pretty badly, then limped to many chiropractor appointments to get back on both feet.

September my Dad came to New Mexico for a visit. We also said good bye to our dear sweet cat, Charisma and watched as Becca’s heart broke. J went for an interview in Nova Scotia for a tenure track professor position.

October was a blur. J was offered a position in Nova Scotia … to start January 2008. Started Packing. We celebrated Ethan’s first Halloween in style. Ethan as a Hot Dog and Becca as a butterfly.

November we continued to prepare for our trek back to Canada. Said our good byes in New Mexico.

December we made it home. Our stuff arrived in tact and on time. Sadly our car has not. It is on a train in Ontario and has been for almost two weeks. ugh. We have enjoyed the snowy walks and adventures with the children. Ethan’s first Christmas ws magical. Becca received a call from Santa and believes in all the magic Christmas has to offer. We even had friends come to visit us in our new home.

We have finally arrived.

We shall begin.

That is a very brief recap of our year … Now for a visual … Happy New Year Everyone …

Pic of the Day ~ Becca and I would Like to Introduce Ethan George ~

Thanks for all the positive vibes, support and congrats! Ethan and I have been home from the hospital since yesterday afternoon. It is good to be home

The birthing day was perfect. J was an amazing coach. Ethan arrived and oh my when I heard that cry my heart nearly exploded! We had the most AMAZING maternity nurse, seriously she rocked. She could not have matched us more. I promise to go into a ton of details soon about the entire process.

Ethan is eating well. We had a few latching issues both being new to nursing with each other He sleeps great, usually when I am awake then wants to nurse when I want to sleep, however we will find our groove when the time is right.

I am feeling very fortunate, happy and content. My birthday has been wonderful so far, Becca came rushing in with balloons and gifts. I was spoiled rotten

Holly, the goddess of all friends dropped by this morning with an ENTIRE Easter dinner, Ham with all the trimmings (even COFFEE)! I am sure we would have opted for some hamburgers if not for her generosity! Thanks Holly!

I hope to write up Ethan’s birth story and share all the wonderful details soon. I have been glowing in excitement and feeling very complete. I have posted some pictures on flickr.

Thanks again for all the love and support.

IT’S TIME!

w00t!

We are heading out to the hospital …

I AM SO EXCITED!

J made it home safe and sound but really who cares …

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!!!!

Becca and Grandma M will be joining us later in the morning … I AM SO EXCITED …

Check Ya Later!

Pic of the Day ~ 38 Week Belly Shot ~

Oh Ethan! You have been a wonder of all wonders growing inside me. I loved you before you were conceived and now I am so overwhelmingly ready to hold you, nurse you and have you in our world. Your Daddy is (well at the moment out of town!) so eager and excited. I think he is a little nervous too. You are to be his son. Wow. We love you.

The time has almost come to welcome you to the world. I cannot express how excited your father and I are to hold you in our arms. Your big Sister is equally excited to give you big hugs, kisses, toys and read to you. Her face lights up when she talks about you finally coming out of Mommy’s tummy.

Your Grandma M is here to help out so that your entrance into the world is warm and inviting. Both your Grandpas are pacing by the telephone eagerly awaiting news. It feels odd that we are in a foreign country, rather than home to have you. The people here are really great though and we have so many friends that are excited too.

You are going to be born in a foreign country but our home will always be Canada (even if it takes us a long time to find our way back). The spirits of our families, our history, our beliefs stem from there. We just could not wait to expand our family, so we all get to experience life in another country.

I want you to know how much you are loved already. You will carry your Great Grandfather’s name for a lifetime. I want you to honour that name and be a good son, brother, man, father and friend.

Life for our family is an adventure. We are so far from home and family, yet we have an extended group of people that have welcomed us into their lives. I can hardly wait for you to experience the warmth, friendship and love that we feel here. Sadly we will be moving away soon, but the people here will always be a part of our family.

I cannot forget the cat. Charisma is your big Sister’s best friend and I am not really sure how he truly feels about yet another hairless pet around here, but I think as long as we feed him he should grow to tolerate, even like you as much as he likes Becca.

Oh Ethan … I love you. Please enter the world in peace, knowing we love you and that you belong with us. I am so honoured to be your mom, to give Becca a brother and J a son. I showed your Grandma all your cool and cute clothes, diapers and items we have collected for you today. It warmed my heart knowing that all too soon you shall be here enjoying our world.

Life is an adventure son. Grasp onto it and ride it like the wind. Live every moment in peace and happiness … Know that your Mommy loves you … forever and ever …

Love,

Mom

ps It is driving me slightly crazy that your Dad is away. I am so looking forward to his return by my pregnant side … I love you J, travel safely!

pss I got my first birthday present … SOCK YARN and an amazing Sock Knitting Book!! I am giddy! Thank you Holly .. you are a goddess!

psss Your Big Sister did not allow me to sleep last night, rahter she came to snuggle (which I so wanted to do) but proceeded to NOT sleep! ugh … I going back to bed! Having Grandma here rocks!