Monday, May 10, 2010
MMEG Pregnancy Photos
Here are some photos of Milena. We have been friends for about a year and a half, but she went to church with Erik back in Stanwood when they were younger... small world. I met her when we started going to our church, "The Well", here in Kelowna. It was so gorgeous out yesterday that we decided to take some pregnancy photos of her. I wish I had the means and knew how to edit them because some of them could use a little spunk, but alas, I do not.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Sawybean, Beanie Baby, Nutty Butt, Poopsie
I know I am a bit ridiculous when it comes to this little girl, but I cannot get enough of her! I am starting my practicums on Monday so I will be kept pretty busy for... well... forever. I have practicum until July and then I start work as an Employed Student Nurse. More on that later.
For now I want to to show you some more pictures of Sawyer. Mandi and I went to the lake today. This is where we were hoping to take maternity shots of her, but Sawyer came too soon so we didn't get the chance. We were hoping to get some nice pictures of Sawyer. We had the best of intentions, but realized we didn't really know what we were doing when we got there. We tried though and this is what came of it... we both think they are pretty cute.
We ended up staying at the lake for two hours because the weather was so nice! I cannot wait for summer!!
For now I want to to show you some more pictures of Sawyer. Mandi and I went to the lake today. This is where we were hoping to take maternity shots of her, but Sawyer came too soon so we didn't get the chance. We were hoping to get some nice pictures of Sawyer. We had the best of intentions, but realized we didn't really know what we were doing when we got there. We tried though and this is what came of it... we both think they are pretty cute.
It looks colder than it was. We thought we were going to be rained on, but then the sun came out and it was beautiful!!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
what is wrong with this picture?
Erik is missing his wedding band. It slipped off while he was working in the community garden on Sunday.
I am often overly sentimental, but this recent loss doesn't bother me. I should maybe clarify that it hasn't bothered me yet. Who knows how I will feel in the future. For now I will enjoy holding Erik's hand without him squishing my fingers into his ring.
Monday, May 03, 2010
Living Room Pre-make-over.
My SIL wanted to see what our living room looked like before it's so called "make-over". It didn't look pretty.
Slouchy Hat
Friends of ours were over for the weekend, visiting from Vancouver. It is SO nice to have our place to share with people. We spent the weekend talking, walking, eating, and playing games. It was great to catch up and relax together.
While she was here, Erin showed me this hat that she made. We went out to get yarn yesterday so I could start my own "slouchy hat". The beige one Erik is wearing was my first go at it. I thought I remembered the instructions Erin gave me, but I was wrong. It didn't turn out quite right... but Erik's head is bigger than mine so it looks fine on him.
This is how Erik and I often spend our time - he plays Mario RPG?? and I knit or we both read. I went out again and got some more yarn late this morning and started another hat. I finished it less than three hours from the time I bought the yarn.
While she was here, Erin showed me this hat that she made. We went out to get yarn yesterday so I could start my own "slouchy hat". The beige one Erik is wearing was my first go at it. I thought I remembered the instructions Erin gave me, but I was wrong. It didn't turn out quite right... but Erik's head is bigger than mine so it looks fine on him.
Progress
And the final product. I'm pretty happy with it. I love that it takes about three hours. Short projects are always a good thing. It is a simple pattern too which means I don't have to focus too much. It is perfect for a stitch-n-bitch or for when friends are over and I feel like knitting. The other great thing is that the pattern only requires one skein! Fabulous!
KM
Yesterday when we were downtown we saw Kevin Martin, Olympic gold-medalist. Yup. We did. Erik didn't want to ask him for a picture so I just oogeled from across the street.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sawyer's Due Date
Today is Sawyer's original due date - it is hard to believe we could still have been waiting for her. She is already 12 days old and as of this afternoon, she is umbilical-cord-free!! Yup, her little umbilical cord fell off today.
I cannot believe how much she has grown already. I don't think her weight has changed dramatically, but I do think she looks different. I had another sleep over last night (yes!!) and she was awake a lot more than the last two times. It was wonderful. She is so precious.
Interesting fact: Sawyer was born on April 17... the same day Erik proposed to me two years earlier.
I cannot believe how much she has grown already. I don't think her weight has changed dramatically, but I do think she looks different. I had another sleep over last night (yes!!) and she was awake a lot more than the last two times. It was wonderful. She is so precious.
Interesting fact: Sawyer was born on April 17... the same day Erik proposed to me two years earlier.
Look at her little belly! Cute. She may be pooping in this picture.
Scowling.
I love babies' sporadic movements. They are adorable!
Living/Dining Room
My parents were visiting this weekend and my mother agreed to help me organize my home. I had been so busy with school that I had no time or energy to make our place comfortable. Mom and I only focused on the living room... and we didn't do too much, but it looks and feels much better than before she came. It used to be a wide open space, but we have now sectioned it off into "living room" and "dining room" which has been great! I don't know where my "before" pictures are... just imagine nothing but the yellow couch. All of the pictures are blurry as my camera was dying and I was trying to take some quick snap shots for this.
This is the living room. Please note that one wall is brick and the other is stone. Very interesting indeed. We got the chairs and the table from the Kelowna Gospel Mission Thrift store. We were quite excited about that. I did not put up the purple curtains, in case anyone was wondering.
This picture is taken from the yellow couch above. Our TV (which is used for ancient nintendo) is tucked in the corner because I think it is an eye-sore.
Next we have the "dining room" half of the room. We do not have our table in our kitchen because, as I mentioned earlier, our kitchen has no windows and a door which does not accommodate company or a pleasant meal together. Note the yellow couch in the corner to give you a frame of reference. Those thingys on the wall were a DIY project. I'll take a better picture of them in a bit.
Here we have the door to the room and two Norman Rockwell prints I picked up at the thrift store. I am hoping to eventually find a long table or a low dresser thing to stick under these prints so our phone will have something pretty to sit on. And I can put table linens etc in there. We'll see how that goes.
We used to have this rug in our bedroom. It is so misshapen, but I like that it gives definition to this little nook. We are still deciding what we want to do with this.
It is amazing what these little changes can do to the place. I feel more relaxed and more at home since making these changes. It is wonderful!!! It may have something to do with being finished my classes, but I enjoyed making the space our own. It is beginning to feel like home.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
My Favorite Moment
Mandi's labor/Sawyer's birth was the most beautiful experience I have ever been a part of. It was a dream come true for me. I have been thinking about the experience and appreciating it more and more.
I thought the best part would be seeing Sawyer, but it wasn't. It was incredible, but not my favorite part. Remembering Sawyer's first breath brings tears to my eyes, but there was another moment that sends shivers down my spine and takes my breath away.
Before this experience I thought laboring women were amazing. I still do, but I have come to believe that husbands/support persons are pretty incredible as well (not quite like mothers though). I feel as though we (Kevin and I) went through labor as well - we just had a less painful role to play.
My favorite moment in the entire labor, delivery, and post-partum period was about 30 minutes into Mandi's contractions when it was just Kevin, Mandi and me. The room was dark, but for the bit of light, coming through the little window in the door, that faded before it reached the bed. We were huddled around Mandi - I was lying in bed with her and Kevin was sitting facing her. Contractions were coming about 3 minutes apart with increasing intensity and we worked through each one together.
Mandi's contractions consumed each of us and we focused on getting through them together. We were a team, working as one; we each knew our part and played it well. We trusted each other and adapted as needed to manage each contraction. We intuitively worked our way through something that we had never experienced.
The three of us were locked in an intimate moment. We were calm and focused and, in that moment, nothing existed but the three of us.
It was beautiful.
It was the most raw experience I have ever been a part of. Each of us were vulnerable and uncertain, but we were all confident in each other, trusting in Mandi's body, and relying on God.
And it was beautiful.
It is that moment, the three of us nestled in the dark room laboring together, that moment touches my heart and moves me to tears.
I thought the best part would be seeing Sawyer, but it wasn't. It was incredible, but not my favorite part. Remembering Sawyer's first breath brings tears to my eyes, but there was another moment that sends shivers down my spine and takes my breath away.
Before this experience I thought laboring women were amazing. I still do, but I have come to believe that husbands/support persons are pretty incredible as well (not quite like mothers though). I feel as though we (Kevin and I) went through labor as well - we just had a less painful role to play.
My favorite moment in the entire labor, delivery, and post-partum period was about 30 minutes into Mandi's contractions when it was just Kevin, Mandi and me. The room was dark, but for the bit of light, coming through the little window in the door, that faded before it reached the bed. We were huddled around Mandi - I was lying in bed with her and Kevin was sitting facing her. Contractions were coming about 3 minutes apart with increasing intensity and we worked through each one together.
Mandi's contractions consumed each of us and we focused on getting through them together. We were a team, working as one; we each knew our part and played it well. We trusted each other and adapted as needed to manage each contraction. We intuitively worked our way through something that we had never experienced.
The three of us were locked in an intimate moment. We were calm and focused and, in that moment, nothing existed but the three of us.
It was beautiful.
It was the most raw experience I have ever been a part of. Each of us were vulnerable and uncertain, but we were all confident in each other, trusting in Mandi's body, and relying on God.
And it was beautiful.
It is that moment, the three of us nestled in the dark room laboring together, that moment touches my heart and moves me to tears.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Sawybean
Last night I took advantage of my special time with Sawybean. Here we are at 4am, snuggling. Simply the best!
I look angry-ish... but I was just tired.
Sawyer's Birth Story
I don't know how many times I have sat down to write about Sawyer's birth. Nothing seems to do the experience justice. It is times like this that I wish I was a poet. I wish I could mold words to express everything held inside. My words are not enough.
It may take a couple attempts to process through everything, but I think it is worth the effort. I will start with just the facts. The story can come later.
I was just succumbing to sleep when my phone rang at 10:40pm on Friday. I checked to see who was calling and didn't recognize the number so I almost didn't answer it. I was about to ignore it when I realized it was my girlfriend Mandi's phone number. Mandi, as I mentioned in an earlier post, was due on April 29, so this seemed a bit early to be calling. I assumed she was having some mild contractions and was calling to determine if they were "false" or "true" labor.
"Um. My water just broke."
"Huh?"
"Yup, can you meet us at the hospital?"
"I'm on my way."
I felt so disoriented when I got out of bed. I didn't have anything ready! I was supposed to read over all the important parts in my books tomorrow and get Mandi a little gift... After all, she was only at 38 weeks. I threw some things in a back-pack (change of clothes, toothbrush stuff, chapstick, lotion, water, book, knitting, journal, labor book, etc.) and headed out the door.
Of course my tank was empty.... and I had to drive to Vernon. And then the pump wouldn't take my credit card.
I was trying to control my excitement the entire drive to the hospital. My belly was shaking. Ever had that? So excited/nervous that your body kind of shakes uncontrollably? Only my belly was shaking. The rest of me felt under control.
I arrived at the hospital far quicker than I should have (thank you Mustang ahead of me). Took ten minutes for someone to come open the door at emergency and then another five to find someone who had change as I only had bills and could not pay for parking with those. I eventually made it up the rickety-old elevator to the Maternity ward.
I found Kevin and Mandi at the end of the hall in the assessment room. It was around 11:40 by this time. Mandi was having mild cramping at this time; she said there were no actual contractions yet. Her and Kev didn't bring anything with them to the hospital. The only thing they had was the car seat and the diaper bag, which were both in the car. Kev went and got the diaper bag when I got there so that Mandi wasn't left alone.
At around 12:30 the nurses moved us into a different room where they recommended that we get some rest. Kevin relaxed in a big comfy chair and I climbed in bed with Mandi. Just after 1:00am Mandi had her first contraction... and it was a doozy. She called Kevin over to breath with her and I took to rubbing her back. Her first contraction lasted a minute and they came every five. We got through each of them with Kevin holding Mandi's hand and breathing with her while I rubbed her back.
Mandi was incredible! Seriously. I was so amazed and proud of her! She kept in a rhythm and breathed through each contraction. As the intensity of the contractions increased, she would tell herself to relax and would remain controlled and determined.
Kevin did a fabulous job supporting her! He was so intuitive and constantly spoke in a quiet and calm voice to her. He told her she was doing an amazing job and that their little one would soon be joining them. He praised her efforts and kept breathing with her to keep her focused.
And I did as I was told. I ran for water, towels and anything else that may be needed. I too praised Mandi and I rubbed her back throughout each contraction.
Mandi did so well at communicating exactly what she needed. She would tell me when I needed to rub her back softer or harder and she told me when to use an open hand. She pointed to her hip during one contraction to inform me that she wanted me to rub her there. It was amazing to have her communicate so clearly. I felt it allowed us to support her exactly the way she needed it.
At around 1:30am Mandi decided to try going to the bathroom so we helped her sit up in bed. As she took her first step she said "Oh no, what have I done???" and went down to her knees at the foot of the bed. She started having contractions continuously at this point. She had no time to rest between them. Mandi was kneeling with her arms over the bed. I ran and got a sheet to put some padding under her knees and Kevin and I each took a side of her. We both rubbed her back in rhythm with Kevin's breathing and continued our whispering. Mandi was incredible! She maintained control and kept relaxed even through her contractions.
There was only one time that Mandi was having difficulty coping with a contraction. She started hyperventilating a little bit and moaning/wimpering. I encouraged her to continue breathing with Kevin and talked through the entire contraction. When the contraction was over I kept rubbing her back for a while after the contraction and asked her to focus on releasing the tension as I touched each part of her back with the next contraction. The next one came and she did beautifully. Kevin coached her through the relaxation and she did as she was asked. It was wonderful to see them work together!
At 1:40 Mandi said, "I need to push!" We had been talking a bit earlier about how you know when you are ready to have the baby. I told Mandi that she would just feel an overwhelming need to push. She thought she was maybe playing tricks on herself and she tried (and was able to) relax through the urge to push. I went and got a nurse to see if she could come assess Mandi.
It took a couple minutes but we got Mandi into the bed. When the nurse performed the internal exam she said that Mandi was fully dilated and ready to have this baby. AMAZING!
We had to walk across the hall with a sheet around Mandi so we could go to the birthing room. There was no doctor there yet so the nurse asked Mandi to give a couple grunts rather than a big push. We could already see the baby's head with each grunt. Mandi was asked to pant through two of the contractions so I came to her ear and chanted "pant, pant, pant, pant" to her.
Kevin and I continued to rub her. I rubbed her side, belly, neck, shoulder, arm and legs. And of course, we encouraged her constantly.
When it came time to push (at 1:55am), Mandi pushed like a pro. At one point she lifted her back off the bed, but the nurse asked her to put it down and she did instantly. Kevin remained at her head, he kissed her shoulders and continued his mantra. Mandi pushed with each contraction and her little girl was born at 2:13am on Saturday, April 17, 2010. The doctor walked into the room just in time to deliver the placenta.
I stayed in the room for about 10 minutes taking pictures and relishing the moment. I wanted to give the new family some space so I gave them all kisses and went to the waiting room with my journal. I didn't write anything - I just sat there beaming.The nurse came in and told me how amazed she was by Mandi. She did a phenomenal job and I was so so so proud of her.
Kevin came to get me at around 3:30 and asked if I wanted to hold his little girl. He told me they named her Sawyer Dawn and that she was perfect.
And she was.
Mandi was just starting to breastfeed when I came in so I sat on the bed and watched, completely fascinated. I got to hold her a short while later... the very best! She was so little and so perfect. My heart was filled to the brim... it was bursting with love, joy, pride, fascination, amazement. What a wonderful feeling!
Mandi had a semi-private room so we helped her settle and then Kevin and I went to their house to get some rest ourselves.
This is getting excessively lengthy so I will write more another time. But I need to re-emphasize how amazing Mandi was! I was so very proud of her. Her first contraction was at 1:00am and she delivered her baby at 2:13am. Did I mention that this was her first? Amazing.
It may take a couple attempts to process through everything, but I think it is worth the effort. I will start with just the facts. The story can come later.
I was just succumbing to sleep when my phone rang at 10:40pm on Friday. I checked to see who was calling and didn't recognize the number so I almost didn't answer it. I was about to ignore it when I realized it was my girlfriend Mandi's phone number. Mandi, as I mentioned in an earlier post, was due on April 29, so this seemed a bit early to be calling. I assumed she was having some mild contractions and was calling to determine if they were "false" or "true" labor.
"Um. My water just broke."
"Huh?"
"Yup, can you meet us at the hospital?"
"I'm on my way."
I felt so disoriented when I got out of bed. I didn't have anything ready! I was supposed to read over all the important parts in my books tomorrow and get Mandi a little gift... After all, she was only at 38 weeks. I threw some things in a back-pack (change of clothes, toothbrush stuff, chapstick, lotion, water, book, knitting, journal, labor book, etc.) and headed out the door.
Of course my tank was empty.... and I had to drive to Vernon. And then the pump wouldn't take my credit card.
I was trying to control my excitement the entire drive to the hospital. My belly was shaking. Ever had that? So excited/nervous that your body kind of shakes uncontrollably? Only my belly was shaking. The rest of me felt under control.
I arrived at the hospital far quicker than I should have (thank you Mustang ahead of me). Took ten minutes for someone to come open the door at emergency and then another five to find someone who had change as I only had bills and could not pay for parking with those. I eventually made it up the rickety-old elevator to the Maternity ward.
I found Kevin and Mandi at the end of the hall in the assessment room. It was around 11:40 by this time. Mandi was having mild cramping at this time; she said there were no actual contractions yet. Her and Kev didn't bring anything with them to the hospital. The only thing they had was the car seat and the diaper bag, which were both in the car. Kev went and got the diaper bag when I got there so that Mandi wasn't left alone.
At around 12:30 the nurses moved us into a different room where they recommended that we get some rest. Kevin relaxed in a big comfy chair and I climbed in bed with Mandi. Just after 1:00am Mandi had her first contraction... and it was a doozy. She called Kevin over to breath with her and I took to rubbing her back. Her first contraction lasted a minute and they came every five. We got through each of them with Kevin holding Mandi's hand and breathing with her while I rubbed her back.
Mandi was incredible! Seriously. I was so amazed and proud of her! She kept in a rhythm and breathed through each contraction. As the intensity of the contractions increased, she would tell herself to relax and would remain controlled and determined.
Kevin did a fabulous job supporting her! He was so intuitive and constantly spoke in a quiet and calm voice to her. He told her she was doing an amazing job and that their little one would soon be joining them. He praised her efforts and kept breathing with her to keep her focused.
And I did as I was told. I ran for water, towels and anything else that may be needed. I too praised Mandi and I rubbed her back throughout each contraction.
Mandi did so well at communicating exactly what she needed. She would tell me when I needed to rub her back softer or harder and she told me when to use an open hand. She pointed to her hip during one contraction to inform me that she wanted me to rub her there. It was amazing to have her communicate so clearly. I felt it allowed us to support her exactly the way she needed it.
At around 1:30am Mandi decided to try going to the bathroom so we helped her sit up in bed. As she took her first step she said "Oh no, what have I done???" and went down to her knees at the foot of the bed. She started having contractions continuously at this point. She had no time to rest between them. Mandi was kneeling with her arms over the bed. I ran and got a sheet to put some padding under her knees and Kevin and I each took a side of her. We both rubbed her back in rhythm with Kevin's breathing and continued our whispering. Mandi was incredible! She maintained control and kept relaxed even through her contractions.
There was only one time that Mandi was having difficulty coping with a contraction. She started hyperventilating a little bit and moaning/wimpering. I encouraged her to continue breathing with Kevin and talked through the entire contraction. When the contraction was over I kept rubbing her back for a while after the contraction and asked her to focus on releasing the tension as I touched each part of her back with the next contraction. The next one came and she did beautifully. Kevin coached her through the relaxation and she did as she was asked. It was wonderful to see them work together!
At 1:40 Mandi said, "I need to push!" We had been talking a bit earlier about how you know when you are ready to have the baby. I told Mandi that she would just feel an overwhelming need to push. She thought she was maybe playing tricks on herself and she tried (and was able to) relax through the urge to push. I went and got a nurse to see if she could come assess Mandi.
It took a couple minutes but we got Mandi into the bed. When the nurse performed the internal exam she said that Mandi was fully dilated and ready to have this baby. AMAZING!
We had to walk across the hall with a sheet around Mandi so we could go to the birthing room. There was no doctor there yet so the nurse asked Mandi to give a couple grunts rather than a big push. We could already see the baby's head with each grunt. Mandi was asked to pant through two of the contractions so I came to her ear and chanted "pant, pant, pant, pant" to her.
Kevin and I continued to rub her. I rubbed her side, belly, neck, shoulder, arm and legs. And of course, we encouraged her constantly.
When it came time to push (at 1:55am), Mandi pushed like a pro. At one point she lifted her back off the bed, but the nurse asked her to put it down and she did instantly. Kevin remained at her head, he kissed her shoulders and continued his mantra. Mandi pushed with each contraction and her little girl was born at 2:13am on Saturday, April 17, 2010. The doctor walked into the room just in time to deliver the placenta.
I stayed in the room for about 10 minutes taking pictures and relishing the moment. I wanted to give the new family some space so I gave them all kisses and went to the waiting room with my journal. I didn't write anything - I just sat there beaming.The nurse came in and told me how amazed she was by Mandi. She did a phenomenal job and I was so so so proud of her.
Kevin came to get me at around 3:30 and asked if I wanted to hold his little girl. He told me they named her Sawyer Dawn and that she was perfect.
And she was.
Mandi was just starting to breastfeed when I came in so I sat on the bed and watched, completely fascinated. I got to hold her a short while later... the very best! She was so little and so perfect. My heart was filled to the brim... it was bursting with love, joy, pride, fascination, amazement. What a wonderful feeling!
Mandi had a semi-private room so we helped her settle and then Kevin and I went to their house to get some rest ourselves.
This is getting excessively lengthy so I will write more another time. But I need to re-emphasize how amazing Mandi was! I was so very proud of her. Her first contraction was at 1:00am and she delivered her baby at 2:13am. Did I mention that this was her first? Amazing.
And here's the little munchkin.
Sawyer Dawn
Born April, 17, 2010 at 0213
Weight: 6lb 12oz
Height: 18.5 inches
Born April, 17, 2010 at 0213
Weight: 6lb 12oz
Height: 18.5 inches
Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week
It has been brought to my attention that this week is Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week (Thanks Dekens and Kim). Kim's husband, George, is waiting for some new lungs.
Are you an organ donor??
You can register here at www.transplant.bc.ca using your Care Card. It only takes a few moments. I wasn't sure if i had registered or not so I punched in my Care Card number and found out that I registered on September 18, 1998.
Organ donation really does save lives!
Are you an organ donor??
You can register here at www.transplant.bc.ca using your Care Card. It only takes a few moments. I wasn't sure if i had registered or not so I punched in my Care Card number and found out that I registered on September 18, 1998.
Organ donation really does save lives!
Sleepover
I am currently having a sleepover with the most beautiful little girl in the world (hopefully mom and dad get some sleep). Both my arms and my heart are full. I am in love with this little human being. So very much in love.
Team Sawyer. 
Later that same morning. 
Snuggles with mom. 
Finally home!! 
Oh how I missed her.
Being fed by syringe :(
Being born is tough work.
My first time holding her. Less than one hour old.
Sawyer and her Daddy
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Amazing. Truly Amazing.
I had the pleasure and the privilege of welcoming little Sawyer Dawn into the world in the wee hours of the morning.
I. Am. In. Awe.
I. Am. In. Awe.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Rilke
Anxious, we keep longing for a foothold-
we, at times too young for what is old
and too old for what has never been;
doing justice only where we praise,
because we are the branch, the iron blade,
and sweet danger, ripening from within.
Rilke
we, at times too young for what is old
and too old for what has never been;
doing justice only where we praise,
because we are the branch, the iron blade,
and sweet danger, ripening from within.
Rilke
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Here She Is.
I finished this scarf a couple months ago and promised to show her to everyone. I took these pictures... about a month ago but I have been much too lazy to post them. Here they are, a little late for scarf season, but better late than never!
Here we are in the hallway of our new place. Isn't the wall lovely?
This is a close-up of the tassels. It's to show you how beautiful the colors are and how lovely the yarn is. It is so delightfully soft and silky. I can't get enough of it.
Here we are in the hallway of our new place. Isn't the wall lovely?
And one last one of the scarf... just because I love how the colors look in this one.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
It Made Sense to Me
I once had a friend named Jessica. Jessica's family owned a little dog. I was terrified of dogs so I told Jessica's mother that I was allergic to them. Jessica's dog was locked in her parent's bathroom whenever I came over and I was only invited if she had just vacuumed. This went on for a year. Then Jessica's mother learned from my mother that I was not, in fact, allergic to dogs. I was just a scaredy cat. Embarrassing.
At least she didn't need to vacuum every time I came over... but she thankfully still locked up the dog.
At least she didn't need to vacuum every time I came over... but she thankfully still locked up the dog.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Three Weeks
I don't know if I have shared this yet, but two of my girlfriends (and their husbands) asked me to support them in their labor and delivery! They are both first-time parents and I am so very excited to share in this experience with them.
One of the sweet babes is due in just three weeks. I think the count is down to 18 days now. I cannot wait!
Mandi's doctor is in Vernon so we have been carpooling to her appointments together. Her appointments have been on days that I do not have classes so I have been able to make a few of them. It is fascinating to learn more about pregnancy, labor and delivery along with Mandi. Her doctor is phenomenal and very receptive to me being at the appointments and at the birth. I love the appointments even when all we do is listen to the baby's heartbeat and see how much he/she has grown (via the size of Mandi's belly).
The more I learn about pregnancy, labor and delivery, the more excited I am to experience it for myself. I am amazed at what our bodies are capable of and how amazing the uterus is. Seriously! Amazing! My fear of labor and delivery is dispelled as I replace it with knowledge. Knowledge is power!!! Not that I am still not intimidated of the thought of the intensity of the pain/emotions.
I should probably clarify that I have no intention of becoming pregnant in the near future. Let's all remember that I still have a year of school left and then Erik needs (in his own words) a "sugar mama" for a while. That doesn't make me any less excited about having children of my own (the Lord willing).
Love, the soon-to-be Sugar-Mama
One of the sweet babes is due in just three weeks. I think the count is down to 18 days now. I cannot wait!
Mandi's doctor is in Vernon so we have been carpooling to her appointments together. Her appointments have been on days that I do not have classes so I have been able to make a few of them. It is fascinating to learn more about pregnancy, labor and delivery along with Mandi. Her doctor is phenomenal and very receptive to me being at the appointments and at the birth. I love the appointments even when all we do is listen to the baby's heartbeat and see how much he/she has grown (via the size of Mandi's belly).
The more I learn about pregnancy, labor and delivery, the more excited I am to experience it for myself. I am amazed at what our bodies are capable of and how amazing the uterus is. Seriously! Amazing! My fear of labor and delivery is dispelled as I replace it with knowledge. Knowledge is power!!! Not that I am still not intimidated of the thought of the intensity of the pain/emotions.
I should probably clarify that I have no intention of becoming pregnant in the near future. Let's all remember that I still have a year of school left and then Erik needs (in his own words) a "sugar mama" for a while. That doesn't make me any less excited about having children of my own (the Lord willing).
Love, the soon-to-be Sugar-Mama
Friday, April 09, 2010
Glasgow Love Theme
This is the very song my niece played while my sisters and I walked down the aisle at my wedding. One of my favorite memories is standing at the top of the stairs with my sisters and my dad while my niece started playing this. It was so beautiful. She did a fabulous job! I didn't cry walking down the aisle, but I shed a tear or two standing there with my daddy and hearing the whole room grow silent as Jessie Bessie started playing this.
The song still makes my eyes well up with tears. I love it.
The song still makes my eyes well up with tears. I love it.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Absolutely Delish
I got this recipe off my SIL's blog. We cannot get enough of this bread. It is so absoLUTely delicious. We love having it with soup, applesauce, jam, hard boiled eggs, and plain old butter. Yummy!
Quick Whole Wheat and Molasses Bread
1 2/3 cups plain yogurt
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup molasses
Mix dry ingredients
Mix wet ingredients
Mix wet & dry together
In a 9 X 5 inch pan, bake @ 325 until a toothpick stuck into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about an hour. [30-40 minutes if setting aside half the batter and using a smaller loaf pan.] Cool on a rack for 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Serve.
Quick Whole Wheat and Molasses Bread
1 2/3 cups plain yogurt
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup molasses
Mix dry ingredients
Mix wet ingredients
Mix wet & dry together
In a 9 X 5 inch pan, bake @ 325 until a toothpick stuck into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about an hour. [30-40 minutes if setting aside half the batter and using a smaller loaf pan.] Cool on a rack for 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Serve.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
"Easy" Money
Night shifts at the hospital are usually easy money. My patients often sleep for at least 6 hours of the shift giving me plenty of time to read and knit dishcloths for my kitchen.
This is what I had in mind, at least when I agreed to go into work at 11:00pm last night. My shifts are usually from 0700-1900 or from 1900-0700 so an eight hour shift sounded easy peasy to me. I didn't have a meeting until 12pm the next day so I would have a couple hours to sleep before needing to wake up and go.
I arrived at the hospital to find a little old man dressed in the hallway. He said he was going home, but I convinced him to take a walk with me around the hospital. We looped around the ward for a bit and then I persuaded him to go to bed as it was after midnight.
He was in bed for all of five minutes before my sweet little old man transformed into ... something else.
We eventually decided to walk to the TV room because he was disrupting the other three patients he shared a room with. We were there for all of ten minutes before one of the less friendly nurses told him he needed to go to bed. By the time my patient was back in his room he was not impressed. He was beyond not impressed. He started taking off his telemetry pack (heart monitor) and shouting in German. I asked the nursing student to get the charge nurse because I was not excited about where things were heading. I stepped into his room and was conscious about maintaining my distance, but I had to make sure that everyone in the room was safe.
We had thankfully just had self-defense/code white-ish training in class because my patient started getting aggressive and threatening. I was barely inside the door when my patient came at me swinging his telemetry pack. It smoked the wall beside me and broke.
I'm not going to lie. I may have been a little uncomfortable at this point. Maybe even scared. Yes, I had just been taught how to protect myself in this situation (you know, hands up, stable posture, ready to bolt), but we weren't taught what to do when a weapon was involved!
My patient thankfully stayed focused on me as he followed me outside while I slowly backed away towards the nursing station (I was worried he would attack his roommates). He kept swinging and yelling and the nurses called the code white. I continued backing up until I was at the nurses station where I was met by security guards and the code white team.
They were with the patient for an hour trying to de-escalate the situation. He even tried to deck the head of the code white team who tried to give him an injection.
One of the security guards stayed with him until the medication kicked in. That took an hour and a half. That was an hour and a half that I just sat in the nursing station doing whatever I could to help out on the floor.
After that I returned to the bedside, he remained sleeping for 15 minutes. His snoring neighbor woke him up and he decided he was not going to stay in bed anymore. He was not aggressive, but he was adamant about not remaining in his room so I timidly escorted him into the hall. I was a little uncomfortable and wary because I didn't want to make him angry. I hope that didn't show because I didn't want him to think he could get away with whatever he wanted. As we walked toward the TV room he tried to enter the other patient's rooms. I tried to redirect him, but he started getting frustrated with me. The charge nurse saw him getting upset so she called security to come sit with him again.
As soon as the security guards showed up he returned to being the sweet old man he was in the beginning. So, the security guard sat with him until 5am when he finally fell asleep and then I returned to my post at the bedside.
All-in-all it was a rather eventful night.
This is what I had in mind, at least when I agreed to go into work at 11:00pm last night. My shifts are usually from 0700-1900 or from 1900-0700 so an eight hour shift sounded easy peasy to me. I didn't have a meeting until 12pm the next day so I would have a couple hours to sleep before needing to wake up and go.
I arrived at the hospital to find a little old man dressed in the hallway. He said he was going home, but I convinced him to take a walk with me around the hospital. We looped around the ward for a bit and then I persuaded him to go to bed as it was after midnight.
He was in bed for all of five minutes before my sweet little old man transformed into ... something else.
We eventually decided to walk to the TV room because he was disrupting the other three patients he shared a room with. We were there for all of ten minutes before one of the less friendly nurses told him he needed to go to bed. By the time my patient was back in his room he was not impressed. He was beyond not impressed. He started taking off his telemetry pack (heart monitor) and shouting in German. I asked the nursing student to get the charge nurse because I was not excited about where things were heading. I stepped into his room and was conscious about maintaining my distance, but I had to make sure that everyone in the room was safe.
We had thankfully just had self-defense/code white-ish training in class because my patient started getting aggressive and threatening. I was barely inside the door when my patient came at me swinging his telemetry pack. It smoked the wall beside me and broke.
I'm not going to lie. I may have been a little uncomfortable at this point. Maybe even scared. Yes, I had just been taught how to protect myself in this situation (you know, hands up, stable posture, ready to bolt), but we weren't taught what to do when a weapon was involved!
My patient thankfully stayed focused on me as he followed me outside while I slowly backed away towards the nursing station (I was worried he would attack his roommates). He kept swinging and yelling and the nurses called the code white. I continued backing up until I was at the nurses station where I was met by security guards and the code white team.
They were with the patient for an hour trying to de-escalate the situation. He even tried to deck the head of the code white team who tried to give him an injection.
One of the security guards stayed with him until the medication kicked in. That took an hour and a half. That was an hour and a half that I just sat in the nursing station doing whatever I could to help out on the floor.
After that I returned to the bedside, he remained sleeping for 15 minutes. His snoring neighbor woke him up and he decided he was not going to stay in bed anymore. He was not aggressive, but he was adamant about not remaining in his room so I timidly escorted him into the hall. I was a little uncomfortable and wary because I didn't want to make him angry. I hope that didn't show because I didn't want him to think he could get away with whatever he wanted. As we walked toward the TV room he tried to enter the other patient's rooms. I tried to redirect him, but he started getting frustrated with me. The charge nurse saw him getting upset so she called security to come sit with him again.
As soon as the security guards showed up he returned to being the sweet old man he was in the beginning. So, the security guard sat with him until 5am when he finally fell asleep and then I returned to my post at the bedside.
All-in-all it was a rather eventful night.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
For myself
I decided that I needed a night to myself. Things have been crazy lately with school coming to a close and Erik works tonight so I thought I would take advantage of a night to myself. I went to our public library and browsed through books for an hour or so before checking out four novels because I wasn't sure which one I wanted to read. I am now curled up with my books and Chai tea and I'm planning on reading all night while listening to "Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)