Planning her Wedding...

Mark this day! My eldest daughter and I had our first conversation regarding her wedding!

Up until today, she's only cried at the thought of getting married - you see, she only wanted to marry her Daddy and live with us, so it was a very traumatic idea marrying someone she doesn't know and moving away. I solved that one by telling her she could still live with us. She amended that her husband would live with his Mommy and Daddy too. Too funny!

Today, she asked me if I would go with her to her wedding. "Of course," I replied. I even told her that I would help her plan and pay for it! (Don't tell Russ.) Robynn asked if I would drive her to the event, and I told her that I wouldn't, but that I'd pay for a special vehicle to take us there. "Like a Princess - I'll even pay for a carriage and horses if you'd like." My mistake.

Now comes the fun part - and probably expensive...

Robynn asked for a purple, pink, red, and white carriage with sparkles. And the horses have to be white, but with pink feathers on their heads and we have to dye their tales to match the carriage. Don't forget the sparkles!

"Hmmm," I replied, "You can always change your mind."

"No!"Robynn exclaimed. "I don't want to change my mind! I want to have a pink, purple, red, and white carriage with sparkles and matching horses."

Well, they always say that the bride and her mother have to disagree about somethings... I'll let you know when the date is.

Christmas Day

The Best Christmas gift EVER!!!!

Our little Reid family had a very relaxing and wonderful Christmas Day. Robynn didn't wake until 9:00, and since Natasha sleeps best from around 6 am to 10 am, it really was a nice time to wake and begin our day. Russ was even able to nab some half naked baby cuddle time!

Robynn opened the present she received from Santa.

(Of course, she opened Natasha's for her as well.)

Russ made Robynn and I a special breakfast of Crepes Susette.

It was very exciting to see Daddy flambe the Grand Marnier.

My little poser! I guess the past four years of having Mum ask for smiles has payed off...

After the food was eaten and all the presents were opened, Russ took Robynn outside in the snow for some much needed running around time before we headed off to Grandma & Grandpa Bark Bark's home for more presents and more food.

Grandma & Grandpa Bark Bark got Robynn her very first pair of figure skates!

Our little family on Christmas Day

Merry Christmas Eve

What a lovely day! The snow has covered the ground (and everything else) in honour of the season. Unfortunately, because of all of the snow, church was cancelled, but we were able to take advantage of the gorgeous day!

Russ and Robynn shovelled the front, deck, and the back car-port. We hadn't yet cleared the deck, and the snow had piled up just over two feet on our outdoor table.

Robynn thoroughly enjoyed wading through our front yard full of snow.

Nearly two feet of snow on our deck!

Robynn and her friend Kailey got buried in a mountain of snow!

Later Russ, Robynn, Natasha, and I went for a walk to see the slush encrusted Fraser River. Robynn, of course, got to travel in style - being pulled on her toboggan by Daddy! "Mush!"

Natasha stayed cozy and warm all bundled up in her lovely winter coat

from our friends Sandy, Justin, Peyton, & Liam.

Robynn LOVES the snow!

The Fraser - covered over in slush and ice. No boat activity here!

Then it was time for Christmas traditions... First we watched Santa Clause is Coming to Town while drinking eggnog and eating Christmas treats (Thank you Auntie Tricia and Grace for the yummy chocolate covered marshmallow!). Then the girls got to open a present - PYJAMAS! Matchy-match pyjamas! Actually, Robynn opened everyones PJs!

Daddy read Twas the Night Before Christmas to the girls before Robynn and I set out the stockings and treats for Santa and his reindeer. Don't forget the note to Santa from Robynn! So adorable.

Robynn was so excited to have Santa coming to her house that she only got out of bed three times! Tomorrow is going to be such an exciting day. Robynn is really getting into the spirit - also known as 4-year-old hyped up on sugar with the expectation of presents!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! Be safe and God bless.

Meeting the Man in Red

Needless to say, 10 days after birthing a 10 pound baby, I still cannot sit still. Yes, I am paying for my necessary outings and outright business, but I'm sure life will calm down in just a decade or so.

That reminds me! Unfortunately, I can't take credit for this, as I read it in one of the last few issues of Canadian Reader's Digest. I have CDO. It's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but I've put it in alphabetical order!!! That is so me. I just love it!!!

Okay, today started off with my remembering that I'd left my purse at church on Sunday - so no wallet, no Visa, no driver's licence, no keys, no chap stick! Since Russ stayed home today, I begged him to drive the girls and me to the mall for Santa pictures. He loves me, so he did. He even made me lunch before we left! I still really like eggs (my HUGE craving during this last pregnancy), so he made his special egg sandwich - yummy! But before lunch, we all had to clean up.

Now, this is not Natasha's first bath; I think we only videoed the first one. Here are pictures. Robynn is my big helper - really! She actually helps me out quite a bit (when she wants too), and today she helped me bathe Natasha.

Then we were off to the mall. Russ dropped us off saying he would meet us in the line up for Santa and went to park the car in booney-land. There was NO line up for Santa, so I had to wait for Russ. I would have just taken the girls in myself, but we didn't dress Natasha in her Christmas outfit before we left, and Robynn coloured her hands in yellow and green marker while we drove to the mall. I needed his help. We also forgot the brush for Robynn's hair and the lint brush to take all the yuckies off the four-year-old's dress (you know, after she'd sat and then rolled around on the mall floor!).

So, after heading to London Drugs and waiting in a HUGE line to purchase a brush and lint brush, waiting in another line for the family bathroom, feeding Natasha, changing Natasha (good thing we didn't dress her in her Christmas outfit - she went right through her diaper, onsie, and sleeper!), washing off the supposedly washable markers from Robynn's hands (green gone, yellow - not so much), we were ready to head to the line up. Of course, now, there was a line up. We waited about 45 minutes to see the man in red... To take up some of that time, I took Robynn to the little train next to Santa's station. Notice the yellow on her hands.

Well, we did eventually get the pictures. I feel better - I just had to have my girls get their pictures with Santa. We went to the food court for a quick bite, and we were out of the mall in just under 3 1/2 hours! Was it worth it? Of course, look how cute my girls are!!!

Little Miss Santa Claus

Robynn is too cute! We have all of our Christmas stockings and other paraphernalia out right now, and she decided to "try on" the stockings to see how it looked. Wearing her red outfit with the stockings and my Santa hat - well she's just adorable!

Gotta love the butt shot!

Natasha's Dedication

What a beautiful day to dedicate a Christmas baby! The snow coming down was simply gorgeous. Unfortunately, it kept a lot of our friends and loved ones away from the dedication and party afterwards, but that way, everyone was able to stay safe. Thank you to everyone who did brave the snow to come to our Church - it is so nice to share NorthRidge with loved ones.

Pastor Rob did an awesome job leading us, and our congregation, in dedicating our little Natasha to God, and he was able to incorporate the story of her name into his dedication. Since many who were there got to hear this story, I thought I'd let the rest of you read about why we named our girl Natasha.

You may already know that Russ and I had a difficult time staying pregnant. We’ve gone through several miscarriages. The worst (not that any were great) was the delivery of our son. We named him Fraser Stanley Reid. He was delivered at 18 weeks gestation on May 8, 2007.

The following Sunday was Mother’s Day. I told Russ that I could handle the service, and especially the worship (usually my favourite part of Church), but that I just didn’t think I could handle it if the worship team sang Blessed Be the Name (written by Matt Redman). Of course, they sang that song moments after we sat down. I had to leave.

Over the next few months, that song was played during worship often. I began to appreciate the words on a whole new level, and I began to understand, or at least see a glimpse of God’s reasoning for giving us Fraser, and then taking him home. I came to embrace David’s words: I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” – 2 Samuel 12:23

Throughout this last pregnancy, I was scared, but hopeful, and I often heard God speaking with me, - sometimes, oftentimes, through this song. It is why, during the pregnancy, we called the baby: Blessing. We decided to name this child in honour of this song – blessing from God, gift from God, praise to God – something like that. I spent a lot of time on the Biblical Baby Names website, and I found that the name Nathaniel meant “Gift of God.” A female version of this name was Natasha. Other websites give the meaning "Born at Christmas" and that is fine too, especially given the time of year, but for us, the name, and our daughter will always be our Blessing from God, our Gift of God.

In dedicating Natasha to God, I feel that we are living out Matt Redman’s lyrics:

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise

Pastor Rob blessing Natasha

We do, truly, feel blessed.

Associate Pastor David and Pastor Rob's wife Jan - laying their hands in prayer

Blessings,

Darcey, Russ, Robynn, and Natasha

Snow!

Well, we officially live in Canada. I thought we lived in Lotus Land, but I was mistaken this week. The upside, is that my eldest daughter is ecstatically happy! Earlier in the week, she was able to go outside with her good friend Sophie, and tonight - after a long day of shopping with Daddy - Robynn was able to test out her new toboggan!

While at Cost-co, Russ purchased a couple of shovels - one for himself, and one for his helper.

We have been promising Robynn a surprise present since the snow started to fall, and today she got it - her new toboggan!

Having a lot of fun with her Daddy.

A Thoroughly Thrilling Thursday

What an exciting day for my girls this past Thursday! First we had Robynn's preschool Christmas party to attend where all of the kids sang for their parents and then enjoyed some snacks and made lovely crafts.

Next, Robynn's good friend Lucy (with her Mommy - my good friend Erin) came over AND brought Robynn's favourite lunch: chicken nuggets, fries, chocolate milk, and ketchup! Can't forget the ketchup. Robynn and Lucy play very well together, and had a great time waking Natasha at every opportunity. Poor Natasha didn't get any real sleep for a couple of hours. One would think she'd make up for it in the evening...

Later in the afternoon, Miss Lynda, Joelle, and Baby Susanna Kate came over for a visit too! Boy did we have a house full of girls. If Russ had been home, I'm sure he would have hibernated down in our computer room!

We even had a visit from our midwife, Catherine, during all of the hullabaloo. Notice Catherine trying to cover up Natasha's umbilical cord (because I find it totally GROSS! - it came off the next day and made me a very happy camper).

We had all of the little girls pose for us, and one or two of the pictures even turned out!

Matching outfits

Just after I was put on bed rest, I made Russ drive me to the mall, so I could pick out matching outfits for my angels for Christmas. I love The Children's Place, because they have matchy-match outfits for ages newborn to 10! So I picked up an outfit for Robynn and two adorable newborn outfits for Blessing - a boy outfit and a girl outfit. Well, Natasha and Robynn look lovely in their little Christmas outfits. Here is a shot of them just before heading to church on Sunday - simply divine!

Before and After

Natasha is my Christmas present. (Shhhh, don't tell my husband that I'm not expecting anything else under the tree!)

I wanted to have some before and after shots, because I have NEVER been as big as a house before! So enjoy, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Me at 39 weeks 5 days!

My Christmas Angel

Natasha Ruth Reid's Birth Story

We are so proud to welcome Natasha Ruth Reid to our family! Natasha was born on her due date: December 12th, 2008. She came into the world after a short 2 1/2 - 3 hour labour. She weighed 10.05 pounds and was 22 inches long.

Every one of our prayers was answered when Natasha was born - even the trivial ones, like a 12 ~ 12 birthday (Robynn's is 9 ~ 9, so I thought the continuity would be kind of neat!). We had the water birth we were hoping for. Natasha is gorgeous, healthy, & happy. Catherine Holland, our midwife, was there for Robynn's delivery; she was with us for the delivery of our son, Fraser, and it was our hope and prayer that she be there at the delivery of this child. Yeah! At the time of Robynn's birth, our two midwives were Catherine and Jennesse Oakhurst. They have since taken on different partners in the same clinic, so we didn't get to see much of Jennesse with this pregnancy. But since all home births need to have two registered midwives present, we were fortunate to have Jennesse be the second midwife! It was very awesome to see these two ladies together.

Actually, at Natasha's home birth, you could say there were nearly three midwives. Robynn was ever present, and - another prayer answered - she was able to attend Natasha's birth, literally inches away in our birth pool! How cool is it that Robynn was a part of Natasha's coming into our world! Actually, this may be a vocation for my little Robynn. Robynn was so interested in the whole process, that when Jennesse and Catherine were examining the placenta after the birth (to ensure it all came out), Robynn was right there asking questions and being a part of the process. My mom, who was there for support and to take care of Robynn, couldn't understand how this 4-year old could stand looking at the placenta!!! Mom had to leave the room!

So there you have it, well, some of it... But the whole family present, in that little pool in our kitchen, was just an awesome and powerful experience.

Oh, and in case you're wondering. I did take the labour induction cocktail. It didn't taste so great, and the results... well... You are supposed to take two doses - five hours apart. 20 minutes after taking my second dose, I was in active labour with contractions 3 minutes apart. Natasha was born just about three hours after that first contraction. Does it work? Who cares; I have my baby!

39 weeks, 5 days

I've never made it this far... And I never thought that I would!

On Monday, I had contractions from about 8:30 to 3 am (I think I wrote about that one).

Yesterday, Tuesday, I had even more powerful contractions for about an hour in the late afternoon.

Both times, after I'd called my midwife - Elaine is on call this week - the contractions petered out or died completely. I'm not calling Elaine again! Catherine is on call starting Friday, so we'll try for then. If the contractions leave after calling Catherine, I'm doing this on my own! Robynn has promised to pat my back, and that's really all anyone needs until the baby is out, right???

Blessing has GOT to be a BOY!


I had a midwife appointment today. Blessing measured 37 cm on the outside, and Catherine did an internal - discovering that Blessing has regressed. Further proof that he's a boy!!! Blessing has de-engaged a little and taken my cervix with him. I'm now only 2 cm dilated (I was 3 last week). Catherine said this is common and not to worry. I think I need to start listening to heavy metal music. Maybe I'll put the ear phones right on my belly!

At least I haven't gained any weight since last Monday! Catherine figures Blessing is around 8 1/2 lbs right now.

I was also given a recipe for a "Labour Induction Cocktail." Truly, it sounds very appetising. You should all make it up for yourselves... Here's what I get to drink the next time I have a contraction:

2 tbsp. almond butter
2 tbsp. Castor oil (yuck!)
3/4 cup apricot juice
5 drops verbena oil - apparently the magic ingredient!

I get to mix this all up and down it after my next contractions, and then again 5 hours later. Yummy. Bet you're jealous...

A long night...

Blessing is up to his tricks again. I say his, because I'm positive this one is a boy! I had some pretty real contractions last night, beginning around 9:30 and lasting - on and off - to around 3 am.

Russ is going to work from home today, and Robynn has preschool, so I'm going to go for a long walk in the rain. Hopefully, gravity and exercise will stimulate the contractions again.

Robynn is quite curious as to why our house is a little upside down. We've moved the island in the kitchen to make way for the birth pool; moved her art easel for the same reason. We have the video camera set up on the tripod, and we took pictures of my enormous belly with the Christmas tree - kind of a before shot. We've yet to take the after shot!

I'll keep you posted. It may be today, or it may be well... whenever this little one wants. Robynn and I would love Blessing to be born today, because then he would have the same birthday number as Robynn - she's September 9th, and Blessing could be December 9th. But something tells me these things are out of our hands...

More Santa Pics

While at the breakfast with Santa, our girls all got their pictures taken with the big guy himself. We had Robynn sit with her friends Joelle and Baby Susanna Kate and with her cousin Grace.

We will be going to the mall to have Robynn and Blessing's pictures taken with Santa, so I didn't get an individual one of Robynn just yet... That is if Blessing decides to grace us with his or her presence any time soon!