For the Girl, Mama & Nana in us all...

There's something special about a fourth

Little girl turned 15 on the weekend and I am again reminded that parenting doesn't necessarily get easier just because they are growing up. Where one child might demand nothing for their Birthday, another might wish for the moon. Heather is proof that we must not limit ourselves by the thoughts of others or by what we think we can do. She is proof that, as a wise, young woman in my life reminds me; time is not limited, we are limited. When Heather came along, her Dad was still in university and because of this, we felt limited by all kinds of things. I was in a phase of my life where I felt that our decision to have another child would be questioned and perhaps judged because of our limitations. But I knew in my heart that this baby knew me already, that "he" (by declaration of an ultrasound) was meant to be our last child and that I better take extra special care of myself. One way that I did this was by not engaging the ideas of others in the process. This meant that I became very private about my pregnancy. I didn't share it with very many people and I made a point of moving and eating well. I was very healthy for this baby. Of course, having 3 others under the age of 6 kept me busy and I worked through a Life Skills Contract while carrying her, not to mention she was born just before the end of a semester so her Dad was also pretty busy. Either way, when I think back I often wonder how we did it.

The results - an amazing, lovely girl? Another girl meant a name other than the one we had chosen (Levi after her Grandfather). It was so close to St. Patrick's Day that I thought a good, Irish name was needed. Heather's birth was my most gentle and calm birth but it took some effort to maintain gentle and calm while my body was behaving like a warrior. Truly a mix of strength and weakness was needed to bring this little (big) girl into the world. We went home with our little Kaighley and by noon realized that she was just too soft to carry that hard K around. Being spring in Vancouver, there was Heather growing outside and this name just fit her. This child attached to me in a way that I hadn't expected and has been my shadow her whole life. There is just something so precious about you as a person my girl. Welcome to another year of being wonderful you!

Lovely Baby Links!

Looking for the perfect gift or need just the right diaper? Can't find what you're looking for locally? Check out the links on our home page and find yourself shopping in your p.j's.

Look to our fine Affiliates - You won't be disappointed



Tea Collection

Cub turns 17!

This is my son - it's been true for me that son's are less emotionally demanding in terms of their drama. But the emotions that I have experienced with this boy certainly run the same gamut as the girls. Starting with the additional 14 days he stayed past what I thought was enough. When my OB expressed concern I was at least empowered enough to ask some questions. This baby was a planned VBAC after two C-Sections and it was my heart's desire to do everything I could to make it happen. I had a wonderful Doula (Anne Leibau), who went on to become a Midwife. I think of her every year as I look through the photos she took and think of the demands I put on her during Sean's birth. (Of course I'm looking through a different lens and know that she was just a wonderful Doula, doing what she needed to do to help me get through it). Still, if we think of active labor as beginning around the time we are 4cm, it was a measurable 36 plus hours after that, after every intervention in the book (minus the C-section), that this big guy made his appearance... OP, meaning face up, meaning back labor and lots of pain and effort. Either way, born at 5:30 am and home by noon. I felt like a Warrior Princess of Birth! Emotions ran deep over this guy. I would never be the same person after this.

When there started to be medical issues, I struggled through the muddy waters of denial and waited past the safe mark to get the help I needed for my boy. The emotions that came with having to admit I was worried, allow surgery, SUPPLEMENT! Really challenging times, that we came through quite nicely. My boy will never be like all the other boys - he is defined only by the power of Sean! If you know him, you know what I mean. His 17th Birthday was actually yesterday but I didn't have time to write. By the end of the day, he had over 100 wall posts on his Facebook Page. If key people were missing the boat on wishing him a happy birthday, he would gently remind them through a personal message. Today, we are already talking about next year's birthday and discussing how many wall posts he might have then. With the rapid changes to Social Media, will there even still be Facebook this time next year? That being said, he's marking his calendar already and knows which day of the week all of his birthdays past and future fall on :)

There's just something precious about this kid and he brings people through all the emotions of life, just by being himself!

Regrets? None ~ We get what we need and because I believe in God, I believe that Sean was chosen for this family and we for him. I for his mother and he for my son... Just like my girls, only easier to reason with.

Happy Birthday a day late Sean! Mom Loves You Very Much!!!

Mr. Applebee ~ Midwife Guy

My first experience of a Midwife took the form of an older gentleman who lived in my neighborhood in the tiny town of Wingham, Ontario - Mr. Applebee was his name.  One day I was out in the hood, walking my caterpillar collection (quart sealers with tiny fork holes in the lid so they could breath).  I was 5 by the way so I thought caterpillars were "pets" who needed care.  Mr. Applebee came outside to the road to say hi.  He had been working in his garden in the front yard.  This was the only town I ever lived in where gardens were typically in the front of the house.  I told him I was trying to keep the caterpillars away from my Mom because she thought I should let them all go.  Suddenly, I was stung by a bee and began to howl.

Mr. Applebee ever so quietly went to his garden and wet some dirt.  He gently placed a mud pack on my sting and I felt immediate relief.  Somehow he got the stinger out and I continued on my way, happy as a clam. There was a feeling of safety that came with the way he immediately moved on with me.  He told me the physics of why it worked because I asked the question.  Mr. Applebee allowed me to stand in my power and feel strong and happy. He didn't need me to rave on about how wonderful he was or go to a place of weakness.  It was okay when I needed him and it was okay when I didn't.

Did this make him a midwife?  Maybe not but there was something very healing and gentle about him.  I want to be that kind of Midwife ~ One who you just feel safe with, quiet and attentive and only doing what is needed when needed.

Welcome Bill

Back to Saskatoon! We're glad you're here and can't wait to hear you light up our community tonight! Thanks for being my peace loving friend!

Bill Bourne