Happy Birthday Juli!!!

My youngest girl, Juli, turned 4 today. I still remember the day she was born. I remember how the afternoon before, I had gone for a walk along the dykes by the airport, and then stopped in at 7/11 for a slurpee. While standing in the parking lot, talking to a buddy that worked there, I felt the pop and a slight gush. My water broke. Right there in the parking lot of 7/11. I played it cool and got in my van and drove home a few blocks away and as I get into the bathroom, the rest gushes out of me. This is is....I was going into labor.
Pains didnt start for a while after. I had called the midwife to tell her my water broke, and told her I would call back when things started to pick up. She finally called me hours later, to see what was up since she hadn't heard from me, but things were going pretty slow.

I went along for the evening, the midwife came, mom and my best friend Erin were here. After several hours of laboring at home, all prepared for a home birth, Julis heart rate started to tachycardia and wouldnt come back down. So... unfortunately, my plans of a home birth, were thrown out the window, and I rushed to the hospital. After about 20 min, I was ready to push and after about another 20 minutes, my beautiful baby girl made her entrance into the world, surrounded by mom, Erin, Miles and my awesome midwife, Sylvia (who then delivered  Hazel). We went home just 4 hours later, after making sure that her raised heart rate, wasnt anything more to be concerned about.

Although, my home birth didnt go as planned, it was a great birth over all and she is still the unpredictable little girl. Juli is funny and cute and loveable, and I couldnt imagine having her in our lives. Every day, she amazes me with her smarts and she keeps me and everyone else around her, constantly entertained. I love how she likes to sing and tell stories and how her favorite song is "Leave the kids alone" (aka Pink Floyds The Wall). She is a bright light in our lives and I just love her to pieces.

I love you my baby Juli!!! You are an amazing kid and I feel blessed that you chose me to be your mom in this life. Now....to bombard you with photos....I just have to show off my cute kid!!!

Just moments old

Getting the check over

Our little family

Sleeping angel

Look at those chubby legs!!!

I loved this beautiful little dress

Love me some baby wearing!!!

                                                                                                        

Baby mum mum and big smiles!!

Who me?

Mothers day swinging!

Jedi in Training

Another cute dress

Cold night at the Burnaby Village Museum

Bath time! We bathed her there in the sink till about 3

I didnt do it!

In a Snow White dress that was mine as a girl

Cuddles with Benny...Grandma Darlenes pup

More baby wearing

Watching intently the badminton game

                                             

Going for a ride on Penny

My babe...now.

Congrats, Camp and Conquering fears!

Dont have time to write too much right now. Its currently 1:41 am and Im dying to go to sleep. Ive just spent the last 3 days at Girl Guide camp and we leave tomorrow. Its been a year in the making and its been a great weekend!!! Im super tired though and have to go to sleep! BUT....I wanted to send out a huge congratulations to Doug and Bill  who welcomed their new baby girl into the world this week...via surrogacy. CONGRATULATIONS guys!!!!  She is a doll!!! I feel blessed to be able to catch a glimpse into the lives of yet another family created by the miracle of surrogacy. LOVE IT!!!!

Me...conquering my fear!!!

On another note....Ive had a fear since I was about 10, after a bad experience, with canoes and kayaks. Since then, I dont think one could PAY me to set foot in one. Well, Im always telling the girls that they should face their fears and try things even it they are afraid. Well..this weekend, I conquered my fear, and I went kayaking!!! And....I loved it!!! It was amazing!!!
Here I am!!!

On the boat ride there, the captain let some girls steer...inlcuding my Maddie!

The whole camp!!!

Braelyn getting ready for the voyager canoe

Maddie mom and I

Night world!

Happy Mothers day!!!!

So today was a lovely Mothers Day. Let me back up a bit. I had a pretty decent week for the most part. First off, I started the week by going for lunch with my dear friend Amy, with whom I used to work with at the baby store. Amy is an amazing amazing card maker. Seriously...she has mad skills when it comes to paper, clue, glitter, stamps and her Big Shot. Im in awe at this womans talent....I really really am! Check out her Stampin' Up Blog here Anyhow. We went for lunch and enjoyed some pretty good East Indian food. The restaurant was a little weird though. At least we know it was authentic...the people (husband and wife) didnt understand a word we said, I swear. Oh well...it was good! I had Amy make one of her creations to send to A for Mothers Day, which I did. She emailed me when she got it and it looks like we are going to try and get together soon!!!

This morning, I woke up to breakfast in bed, made by Maddie. Im such a lucky mom. Really. I knew she was making it, because I told her the rules about it. I really credit Girl Guides for helping to teach her how to cook on camp stoves. She made a great breakfast (got a little cold...I think waiting for the toast which was a little done lol. It was a great breakfast though and even better, I didnt have to make it!!

Today, the girls and I went up to the local camp grounds, along with my Co-Commissioner Mel and her son. We tried to sell cookies, but this year, sales have kind of sucked to  be honest.. Oh well...we will try again!
We then went to my moms, the kids and Miles (who met us there after work) visited with mom and then they all left and mom and I went to a great pub and brew house. We enjoyed a really nice dinner together. The food was great and the atmosphere was nice.

I woke up this morning with a great sense of pride. Pride in myself, and in all the other surrogates out there who helped other women become moms. I know, that this morning, there was another mother, celebrating her first mother days, because of this awesome thing called surrogacy.

Heres a recent pic of our doggy Tasha....to brighten then day!

She always takes the kids stuffies, and our socks, when we are out.
I noticed her laying like this, napping away. So cute.