Welcome Baby Vegan

Okay, so it has been 4 weeks since our little grandson was born and it has taken me this long to put my thoughts out there. Firstly let me say that my daughter is an amazing young women, something I have always known however nothing could prepare me for the events that have begun to unfold in our family with the birth of this sweet little soul. As you know my daughter and son in law live overseas and it has been very hard to be away from them at such a turning point in their lives and even harder to leave them behind when we returned from our trip to see them when our grandson was born. Having said that I have never seen two people more committed to the responsibility of parenting their little mister and the ease and comfort that they convey, making it possible to leave them for now. They planned from the beginning for a home birth with the support and care of a midwife, however it was not to be and my daughter required admission to hospital and a c-section to bring her little man into this world, but she got through it like a champion and her inner strength is awesome. Watching her with her little bundle, day by day exploring and learning and understanding him brings me to my knees. My son in law has also been incredible through all of this, clearly consumed by his love for my daughter and their beautiful son, caring for them any way he can, he is my hero. As parents there is no greater reward then to see your children grow into thoughtful, caring adults that put back as much as they take out of the world and she is exactly that. As for my grandson, he is so special, and sweet and loved. Looking at him at the end of my day always brings a smile to my face. I can't see enough of him and we are truly blessed. Welcome Aodhan

Love Nanny

A new view

Phew, nothing like a cardiac stress test to shake up your thoughts. I am at an age where these things can happen and in fact I am not surprised given the old family gene pool, but I was not prepared for all of the emotional stuff that would surface. If you have read my profile you know I am a nurse and consequently have a good grip on what the possibilities are if you have cardiac pathology, that being said I wasn't prepared for the mental house cleaning I have been doing since starting this journey. I have to say that it has left me thinking clearly and that you only get one ticket and I am not wasting anymore time worrying about all the what if's in this crazy world. From here on out it is one day at a time , in fact one minute at a time taking it all in no matter what it looks like without regret. At times of stress and uncertainty there is only one certainty and that is we are alone with our thoughts and memories, so I plan to make the most of every experience no matter how small. Mostly I plan to hone my observation and listening skills, whether it is looking into the eyes of my loved ones and seeing what is really there or feeling the sun on my skin whilst in my garden, or listening to a great piece of music. I am in this experience fully immersed now and glad of it.
Bean

Strength and Support, not Sensationalism

It would be easy right now to make statements like "what kind of world are we living in" or to be reactive and make comments that stem from raw emotion. I am speaking in the context of a little girl who went missing here in Southern Ontario some 6 weeks ago on an ordinary day like any other, nothing special....with the exception of the horrible awareness that this little girl was not coming home where she belonged. Today we learn that little Tori has come to the end that we all feared most, murdered. These are horrible truths, most particularly for the parents, family and friends of Tori and the community in Woodstock where she lived, but it is not a time to make evocative statements but rather a time to show support for a family that has been forever changed. A time to show that for as horrible as these perpetrators of this crime are their are far more good people in the world. We can't bring Tori back to them, but we can bring them back to the world they must carry on in without her by offering our support and our hope for them as a family. Personally I can imagine no greater loss than that of a child, and I am thinking of them in my most earnest and heartfelt way. Be strong.

Happy Mother's Day

What a nice day, my youngest baked me an awesome cake, my son called to wish me his best from Montreal, and my first born called me from the UK to update me on her growing little "Mac" and her anticipated due date. Spring has definitely "sprung" and I for one am glad of it. My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe at the beginning of summer and I must say I am looking forward to exploring this part of the world in places like Holland and Paris with my partner of 22 years. I have yet to write about him, and it is time I did. If you look up the word steadfast in the dictionary you would find the definition: firmly loyal, constant, steady, that is my husband. Through all the years, including some hard life lessons, loss and constant change, there he is "steadfast". I have never told him this quite this way but I think it everyday. He is in a period of psychological insight right now and I want him to know that I am here too, for him as he has always been for us. Looking forward to the rest of the journey including Europe. Love you.

My heart is full

What a great week this has been, the wedding ceremony for Kevin and Lyndsay, feeling my grandson move about in his mommies tummy, to see all of my children and some of my dearest friends together. My heart is so full, this is why we are here, and I feel truly fortunate. The baby bump is rapidly reaching capacity growth, and the expecting parents are touching to watch. It is also interesting to observe the impact of this event on my other two children. I am very sad to see this come to an end and anxiously wait for my trip to Brussels in 9 weeks and counting. Love you all.

Mom
xoxox

Happy Birthday Bean xoxo

I am full of all kinds of feelings this weekend, our youngest child is about to enter her second decade and leave behind her adolescents. WOW!! While it is wonderful to watch this child grow into a young adult, eager to embrace all that the world has to offer, it is also bittersweet to see our little girl move ever closer to her life on her own. Of course you wish every happiness and at times are as eager as they are for them to have their own lives, but when you get to the last one in the proverbial nest it is emotion provoking. I know I am not the only parent in the world to experience these feelings, but that doesn't make it any easier. I can remember my pregnancy and her arrival in the world as though it were 2 seconds ago, in fact I spent some time today regaling her with her birth story(again). Emily was the sweetest little baby, light blond curly hair, and always a smile and a giggle for us, her light heart was truly infectious, in fact she has grown into my funnybone, making me laugh everyday whether I wanted to or not. This child has and is a huge source of inspiration to me and many times got me through what were otherwise horrible days or events without breaking a sweat, it is simply who she is. As parents we are truly blessed and I just want Emily to know how much she means to me. Happy Birthday Bean and welcome to your second decade. Wishing you every happiness.

Love Mom
xoxo

Another Milestone

Hi all, I know I have spoken at great length regarding my daughter's pregnancy, but there is another milestone about to occur in my life, highlighting and interesting juxtaposition. Our youngest child is about to turn 20, leaving adolescents behind, while our oldest is about to know the wonder of becoming a parent for the first time. Our littlest bean is a force to be reckoned with a culmination of astounding intellectual gifts and the love and support of older siblings. It has been an interesting journey watching this child grow, she is my funny bone and has enriched my life in so many ways. It is funny to hear her fret about turning "20". We are truly blessed parents, and she is a shining example of that, Happy Birthday little bean.