Rag Quilt

Check out this cute quilt that my wonderful Aunt helped me make while i've been here in Calgary on bed rest.

I just love it, and can not wait to wrap our little guy in it. 

While I was making it, it reminded me of the first quilt I ever made. It was when I was pregnant with Marshall, and not knowing if he was a boy or a girl I decided to make two blankets. One BOY one and one GIRL one. 

They too were rag quilts. I have come a LONG way in my sewing capabilities since then and I owe it all to my Mother-in-law who is excellent with a sewing machine and took the time to teach me how to do things properly. 

28 week update

I had my second appointment with my Obstetrician here in Calgary this past Tuesday (March 6th). My blood pressure was normal, babies heartbeat was good...but when the doctor measured my tummy, it was measuring small for how far along I am. She decided it would be best if I had an ultrasound just to check up on baby and make sure he was growing. She said she wanted me to have an ultrasound within the next two weeks and come back for another appointment with her in three weeks.

When the receptionist was calling to book my appointment for the Ultrasound the clinic had an opening that afternoon, so I took it.

The Ultrasound technician and the Doctor (who looks at the results afterwords right in the clinic) both said that he was right on target for where he should be at this stage. The Doctor even had a graph with my last ultrasound results and this ultrasounds results on it, showing the growth in babies head, stomach and thigh bones. Seeing this gave me some peace of mind.

For now my Obstetrician wants me to stay in Calgary until i'm 32 weeks (April 1st). She would rather be on the safe side incase something does happen, as stated before in previous posts the Foothills Hospital is better equipped to handle premature babies. I guess in the last week four of her patients had their babies before 32 weeks.

It's getting to the point where I can't sit upright longer than an hour or else I start to cramp up. If I walk for longer than 20ish minutes I start to cramp up, as well as I can feel the baby getting lower and there's some tightness and pressure. Once all this starts I go lay down for a while and the cramping start to go away.

The way I look at it is, No it's not fun being away from my kids and husband and only seeing them on the weekends. I can't wait for the day that we are able to be a family all under one roof again! But at the same time, I am willing to make this small sacrifice for (possibly) the next three months so that this baby has the best possible chance of "cooking" as long as possible and being as strong and healthy as can be. I want to do all I can to give him the best possible start in this life.

I know that everything happens for a reason, and there is a lesson to be learned. Right now I'm not sure what the reason for this all is, nor have I figured out the lesson. I DO however have faith in our Lord, knowing that he knows what is best for me and my family, and I am willing to accept whatever he puts in our path.

Out of the Mouth of Babes...or almost 5yr olds

It's so neat to see both the kids growing, and trying to grasp new concepts, and occasionally get a glimpse into how their little minds work.

Marshall is a funny kid! Sometimes it's just plain hard to not laugh out loud at what he says. This past weekend we were driving back to my aunts house from church. I was somewhat prepping them by letting them know that later that day they would be going back to Grandma and Grandpas house. Each of them seemed to be okay with that.

I then told them that I had a Doctor's appointment on Tuesday and we would find out then if the Doctor felt it was okay for Mommy to go back home to Lethbridge, or if I had to stay here in Calgary.

Marshall pipes up and says "Mom, when the Doctor helps take the baby out of your tummy, can I hold him?"
Me: "Of course you can" I reply, and then Paisley jumps right in
Paisley: "Me too, me too" -Marshall proceeds to show her how you need to hold the baby (ohh so cute!) 
Marshall then continues to tell me "Mom, when the Doctor helps you take the baby out of your tummy it will slowly get smaller and smaller." -Thanks Marshall!! I had no idea ;)

He pauses for a minute and then asks another question.

Marshall :"Mom, can you do me a favour?"
Me: "...umm sure?!"
Marshall: "When you get married again-
Me: (I immediately cut in) "Get married again? I'm not getting married again, I married Daddy-
Marshall: (he then cuts me off...a little frustrated as if I'm the one that doesn't know what I'm talking about) "No, no when you get married again, can you have a girl baby? Cause Paisley really wants a baby sister"
Me: "oh...umm, well we will have to see. We will have to pray to Heavenly Father and see if we should have another baby. But no, I can't promise it will be a girl
Marshall: (in a somewhat disappointed, but almost a little understanding voice) "oookaaay"

Lightbulb Moment for myself- He thinks that when you get married, that's how you get a baby in your tummy...we'll just let him think that for a little while longer!


Just yesterday I was talking to Marshall on the phone (as we do now on a daily basis) and he was telling me how one of his cousins bite him. I proceed to ask him why his cousin bit him, what he did to make his cousin want to bite him...etc I then ask him if he forgave his cousin and his reply to me was "No, I didn't say that word"

How I love that little boy...who isn't so 'little' anymore! I still can't believe he will be starting Kindergarten this year!!

Truly Blessed, Eternally Greatful

First, let me just start off by saying "I have the most AMAZING family EVER!!!!!!!" Seriously, not even joking!

My in-laws have had my children for the past 31 of 42 days. I can guarantee its no picnic! Not saying that my children are a handful, but they are full of energy and I'm sure it's been quite the adjustment on both ends. They have been kept busy with the plethora of games that Grandma has, puzzles that Grandpa does with them, books there are to read, baking cookies, having movie nights, going to the park, being taken to the Parent Link Center in High River and participating in the programs they have there, playing with cousins, and I even heard that Marshall helped Grandpa clean all three bathrooms!!...Basically doing all the things that I wish I could be doing with them.

My Sisters-in-laws have helped out by watching the kids at Grandma and Grandpa's or by having the kids over at their house to play (so Grandma & Grandpa can continue with their planned outings...and have a much deserved break I'm sure!)

My Aunt & Uncle have "put me up" for the past five and a half weeks, and my entire family on the weekends. Not only have they provided a place for me to be so that I can be closer to the Foothills Hospital (just in case) they, once again, are providing for me emotionally & physically. They truly are a great support system for myself and my family at this time.

My sister has graciously given up the bed she was sleeping in and has since moved to the futon in the same room (it brings back memories of when we were younger and shared a room)

My other sister has driven me back and forth between all the Dr appointments and Ultrasounds that I have had.

and MULTIPLE people have been here to help me out with the kids if they get dropped off before Irish is able to be here. Because of my family helping out, the kids have been able to go to 'Tommy K Play Place' which is an indoor playground for kids here in Calgary with big slides, plasmacars and roadways, a little gymnastic area, and tonnes of tunnels for the kids to crawl around in. We've had a 'gym day' at the church and the kids had a blast running around with their cousins playing basketball, pushing babies in strollers, driving plasmacars, and just burning a whole bunch of energy. My sisters had a movie night with the kids, followed by taking them swimming at the leisure centre the next day.

It's been great to feel all of the Love and Support we have received from our immediate family and how much everyone is just willing to 'pitch in' and help out! With everyone helping out, it makes the situation that we are in not so bad.

So Thank You family for being there for us in our time of need! We really, truly are SO very grateful and appreciate all that you are doing for us!!