Today is my due date.
This little boy if he was listening to the ultrasound tech, is supposed to arrive today.
These entire 40 weeks they say "February 7". I tried to initially trick myself and say I was due on February 14. That wore off. I'm due today, and here I sit... baby still happily hanging out in my belly. This time is a bit easier, I must confess. I was 7 days overdue with Maisie and thought each day was a new and cruel game the universe was playing on me. This time, I know the reward... so I wait. I distract. I distract some more (thank you online shopping and Bamboletta), try and play mind games with this unborn babe. "Nah, take your time." I realize there are reasons for everything. I am absolutely not complaining. All is well.
But, any woman who goes 'over due' knows that it is one of the more challenging waiting games you are faced with... until of course... the little miracles decides to make the grand appearance, and then suddenly... all is forgotten (or sort of). The pay off is worth it, the wait is worth it. But, if one more person says "almost there" to me.... things might get ugly.
I get it. I'm almost there. I won't be pregnant in two weeks. (although a little sooner entry would be nice).
So my little boy, come out when you're ready... but be nice to your mommy.
Maisie tells me "he's too big to come out".
I think "thats great sweetie". Just great.
To all you mommas out there growing these little beings... be grateful. Even when it gets rough. Be grateful your body is able to carry these little wonders into the world. There are so many mommas who would do anything to be in our shoes. Be grateful.
Perhaps as another distraction I'll do some more maternity photos today.
But for now... the above photo is one from a couple weeks ago. I feel as though I've doubled in size... but, thats just how I roll.
(the photo below is precious to me. Its been my view lately, and I love it.)
ox
Expect nothing of others. Be grateful for everything.
Last night was a rare night. I was actually dressed in clothes that were not purchased from lululemon.
We went to the arena, Maisie and Bryce had a cute little skate together and the plan was to go out for a nice dinner. Some 5 years ago Bryce and I went on one of our first dates and he wined me and dined me at a local restaurant (whos name shall remain unspoken). It was really sweet and last night he suggested we go there with Maisie. Just the three of us. Our life incredibly different than it was 5 years ago, undoubtedly so much better.
It started off great (even though our waitress wasn't the most cheery). We were talking, laughing. Family fun. Then our appy came... pretty greasy. Oh well. We were still fine. Then Maisie spilled an entire glass of water all over the table, herself and my legs and belly. Spare pants in the car for her, no problem. We cleaned it up and were back on track. Then our food came. YIKES. Super disappointing and definitely not how I had hoped it might be. In fact... it was kinda gross (I'll spare you the details).
But there we were, me 8 months pregnant and thought I looked cute, happy to be out in the world with my little family. Him, excited about his meal... then super not excited when it came. Her, cutest ever. Out for dinner (past her bed time even) she kept asking if it was Christmas or Halloween. Both nights that we are actually out of the house past dark. Kept saying the world looked like the "winter woods" (translation, looks enchanted like a scene out of the Tinkerbell movie). She was the happiest ever. Eating her bad french fries and pizza. She was completely happy and totally adorable.
I thought, "ok, I'm irritated. The food wasn't super cheap so we were going to be spending more than usual for our dinner. We were splurging. It was gross. I was feeling the pregnancy hormones on the verge of getting out of control." Then I looked across the table at Maisie. The happiest. The most vibrant little soul. She said with the cutest smile on her face "such a nice family dinner".
I immediately didn't care how much dinner was going to be, or that it wasn't very nice food. We were together. Our biggest problem was that our dinner wasn't the best. I immediately knew, none of it mattered except that we were together and happy. Despite the food (and un-awesome service). The waitress came by "everything ok?" "Great", I replied. Today I came across a quote that I completely understand and think fit perfectly with our big night out...
"How to be happy. Expect nothing of others. Be grateful for everything."
I thought. Yup. This works for me. It really does. In moments that could otherwise be disastrous, there is pretty frequently something to be grateful for.
Last post of 2012...
With an amazing 2012 behind me... I can't even imagine what's in store for 2013. So fortunate to have experienced such a full, exciting and wild ride this past year. Everything from small intimate family weddings in the remote beauty of Nootka Sound, to elaborate firework displays in Drumheller. Every single wedding unique, beautiful, touching and divine. Every single person encountered changed me in their own small and large ways. Leaving imprints on my heart. xo
To my 2012 clients I'm so honoured you chose me. I'm so grateful for your trust, your faith in me and your pure and amazing hearts. To my 2013 clients... what great things lie ahead?! The anticipation is so inspiring! To my perfectly imperfect little family, you are... my heart. I am welling up with tears thinking about everything we've gone through together this past year. So much love. Looking forward to new additions and new adventures. To my family and friends, thank you for your understanding, for 'getting' me and for choosing to see the good in me. I'm a work in progress. I love you all so much. To EVERY single. visitor. passing friend... who clicks on my links, who reads my weird ramblings, who sends love and support and who 'likes' my posts and photos. Thank you for making my heart soar when I see that 200 people 'like' a photo of mine. There are 3,948 people who like my facebook page, so many of you I've never met... will likely never meet, but have deep gratitude for you all the same. Thank you for joining me on this journey. On this ever beautiful, wild and amazing ride we call life. Thank you for being a part of mine.
I have so much to share in 2013. But for tonight, New Years Eve 2012... as we enter into 2013... all I want to share... is love and fireworks. ox
Endless gratitude.
Growing #2
It feels so different this time around. Growing life.
Unexplainable really. I just feel like hibernating. Hibernating and growing this baby boy. Feel like any outing is a big deal, feel like I'm not really wanting to share many moments. Feel greedy with my time with Maisie. With our family of 3 plus Frank. Feel like I just want to cuddle up in our big cozy bed with my little family and just snuggle.... for days. Feel like all the time I have... is reserved for people who come with only love. Good intentions. Good hearts. I'm all about good hearts. In fact, I'm more about good hearts than anything else.
Negativity sticks to pregnant girls like those little burrs that stick themselves onto your clothes unannounced in the woods. So, as much as possible I seem to be self preserving and avoiding the burrs. Essentially, I'm hiding out at home. It also has a lot to do with being close to my bath tub, which I swear I live in while pregnant. Our hydro bill is through the roof. But, it's just so cozy. Turning down perfectly awesome get togethers... Hibernating. There are times in my life when knowing a deep inner peace comes easily to me... and times when my skin is perhaps just a little too thin and needs a bit more armour to protect the peace. That is apparently, now.
I had the immense pleasure last weekend of photographing one of my favorite families in the snow, on their gorgeous little farm near my house. The snow was falling and I was OVERCOME with the complete magic of it all, and of their shoot... so much so, that I got in my car to leave, and texted my girl Shannon to see if she would photograph our little growing family in the snow. I just couldn't resist. (Around here snow usually lasts about 2 minutes before it turns to slush, so I knew our time was fleeting). Being the extra awesomely spontaneous gal that she is, she agreed. In fact her text read something like "Sure! Why not! Can do anything!!! Happiest elf!!!" Now... to convince Bryce. He walked in the door with Maisie and I gently proposed my idea... he paused and replied "sounds great". (He's a smart guy). We had nothing ready, were all battling colds, threw ourselves together... and ran out the door. Our shoot took about 30 minutes and I can't even stand how much I love them. I feel like they totally reflect how I feel right now. Who we are right now, and the snow, just melts me. (along with the extra bouncy and wild 2.5 year old). I love that if I hadn't done that amazing family photo shoot, I may not have been inspired to do more... I may never have texted Shannon at the exact right time for her to say yes, and we may never have these snowy maternity photos in the woods... as the snow was literally gone and turned to slush the very next day. "It is astonishing how short a time it can take for very wonderful things to happen". Truly. It is. I hope your Christmas and holidays were bright, merry, beautiful and full of a little hibernation too. Here we are, full of us. In a moment of snow and peace.
***So grateful for my wild friend Shannon who puts up with me bossing her into different locations and positions and asking her to 'leave more room behind' or "can you crop it more like this"... I must be soooo annoying! Thank you so much for putting up with me!!!! xooxoox I'm truly your photo slave for life! You are patient, kind and totally amazing. We love you. THANK YOU. OUR FAMILY IS SO GRATEFUL!!!****
Delilah. Lost and Found.
Exactly one month ago on November 21, Delilah bolted from her on leash walk and Campbell Riverites sprang into action and began searching for her. You may remember my "lost dog" posts on Facebook. Well... she was on her own, in the woods fending for herself for a month. In the cold, wet and wild for a month. Crazy. What wild stories she could tell. Two days ago she wound up on the porch near the area she was lost.
She finally gave up. Turned herself in. She was home. A total Christmas Miracle. Seriously.
A complete article about the miraculous and happy re-union can be found here in the Courier Islander Ryan got some amazing advice from a couple professional trackers over the phone. That advice led Ryan and Scott (Dogs Best Friend) to stop posting any sightings or info about Delilah on social medial as every time a sighting was posted, caring people would start looking for her, calling her and she would disappear for longer. This article (and group) was incredibly helpful and inspiring. Ryan and Scott needed to do it on their own. They decided to stop posting about her (which made people crazy) but they felt they needed to do to try and get this poor pup home. They found her tracks in the snow and began baiting her... it seemed to be working. When they would get a sighting, they wouldn't tell anyone. A few days later, she turned herself in. Throughout it all, Scott and Ryan were determined to get her home. Determined and focused on being positive.
Throughout the month Delilah was out in the woods, Campbell Riverites were incredibly caring. Loving. Searching. Hundreds of kind souls were hanging lost dog posters, writing newspaper articles, sharing the story on facebook, lending trap cameras, and even a live trap. People were out in the dark looking, out all day looking, looking for a happy ending. They were sending her love from afar, they were loosing sleep, they were praying. I know that from my end, my family and I are incredibly grateful for everyones efforts. For every prayer, every kind word, every moment spent away from your lives to look for Delilah. We are so lucky to live in such a caring community and from the Wallis' to you all, thank you so much for everything. Thank you also to the Courier Islander (Sian) for loving dogs so much and for being so inspired by Delilahs story that you got it on the front page of the paper. That article, made all the difference.
This afternoon in the pouring rain I met with Ryan, Ashley, Delilah and their other family members Kenny and Moose. Delilah gave me a few barks and I swear she was saying "thanks". She's skinny, yes. I keep seeing people posting about how skinny she is. I keep thinking... " BUT SHE IS ALIVE. SHE IS HOME". Ryan and Ashley have been advised to feed her slowly, to avoid making her sick. They say she's back to snuggling on the couch and doesn't like to go outside right now. She's dehydrated and malnourished, but she'll get there. A dog than can endure freezing cold nights, wild animals, and the woods is going to be just fine in a loving house being nursed back to health by her family. I kept looking at her wondering what stories she has. What happened out there. The most fascinating part, is that none of us will ever know.
In a world where there is so much focus on negative news... I think a Christmas miracle is just what the doctor ordered.
Don't you just love happy endings. I know I do.
From our house to yours, Thank You and wishing you the most cozy and peaceful holiday possible.
ox
