Our 8 lb Christmas Gift

Baby Jack William Fleming arrived on Christmas eve at 6:42 am. He weighs 8lb and is 21.5 inches long. We didn't expect him to arrive quite so quickly since he seemed to be in no hurry earlier in December.

(PG rated Birthing details below)
My water broke at 3:15 am. By the time we realized I was in labour, drove to Brandon, dropped off Brook at Trev's parents place, and got to the hospital it was already 5am. By the time the nurses figured out I was actually going to have a baby ASAP they could hardly get an IV into me. (I guess all my blood was tied up in other parts of my body) Trev was signing release forms with one hand and having his other crushed while I went through my contractions. After all was said and done I had to introduce myself to the Dr that had arrived to deliver our baby boy because we didn't have time to exchange pleasantries earlier. The nurses were fantastic! I was concerned that they would be surley and unpleasant because they had to work the holidays, but they were all very caring and attentive. Jack and I were released from the hospital at 11am on Christmas day. Yup, my stay was a whopping 30 hrs. We went and introduced Jack to Grandma Irving, went to the Flemings and had christmas dinner, and headed home. It was an amazing feeling to have all 4 of us driving home together in the van.

We are all doing well and adjusting to being a family of 4. Brook is still surprised in the morning when Jack is here, but she is a great helper. I am realizing just how grown up she is when I see them together. She is generally gentle with him, but has been a little out of sorts with her stay at grandma and Grandpas, Christmas, and the noise at night. She'll figure it all out yet.

We thank God for his blessing of a healthy, hungry baby boy. I am amazed that we we have been blessed with him.

Day 279 of 280

Here are some random pictures from around our place this week. Enjoy.

3 days

I have been having contractions for the last 3 days, but alas, no baby. I had a Dr appointment today and the Dr did a stress test on the baby and he/she is doing fine, but Mom and Dad are somewhat worn out from all the anticipation. I have received conflicting advice from Doctors and nurses, and I have decided to just listen to my body. I think I'll be able to figure out when the baby is coming. (t was pretty obvious the last time)

Tonight is Trev's last youth event before almost 2 weeks of holidays. He is in need of a break from all the youth and missions trip planning, so I really hope that the next two weeks are somewhat relaxing for him. I wish we could make some plans to do some fun and exciting things, but we just don't know what the next two weeks have in store, which leads me to my next thought.

Many people have asked me if I feel a kinship with the Nativity and story of Jesus being born, and I have to confess I haven't yet. I have had another thought on my mind (which is a miracle considering my sleep deprived self). Thought: If I waited for Jesus to return with the same anticipation that I wait for this baby if it would change the way I live my life. How am I living in anticipation? Am I dedicated to being prepared? Do I make sure my house is in order and my "spiritual bags" are packed every night? Am I in a right relationship with God or am I just hoping things work out on that day? Just some things Ive been considering. How can I prepare daily to meet Jesus?

7 days

Ive been doing some crocheting to try to keep my mind busy the last few days. I still want to make a fleece liner for this toque, but I thought I would share some pictures of Brook with her headgear on. I put it on her and the first thing she said was "I no like it". Trev and I made a big deal about how nice she looked in it and now she tolerates it being put on her head. Funny kid.

All we hear lately is "I do it". She wants to do everything we do and doesn't want any help. For some reason this week she wants to wear a dress all the time, so Ive been putting her summer sun dresses over her clothes. I had one of her play blankets and I asked her if she wanted to wrap her baby. She came over to me and layed the blanket over my stomach and said "wrap baby?". She gets the idea...kinda. I am excited about christmas because I think she is really going to enjoy it this year.

So the Dr told me a week ago that there was no way I would make it to my due date, let alone my next Dr appointment before giving birth. My Dr appointment has come and gone and I wish he wouldn't have told me anything. I have been sitting around waiting to go into labour all week and it is driving me crazy. Poor Trev is glued to his cell phone waiting for me to call. Technically I still have 7 days until my due date, so I am going to live the next week as if I am going to go full term or even over due. There is no point in wasting one more day waiting around for this baby to show up. We'll have plenty of time with the baby when he/she shows up, whenever that may be.

Random Pictures from November & December

19 days till due date. I can count the number of days left on my fingers and toes, not that I can reach my toes. Things are going well. I am getting uncomfortable and impatient, but I just keep reminding myself that this baby gets a little bigger and stronger everyday and that is what is important right now. Trev and I are both looking forward to this little ones arrival. Trev is planning on taking his last week of 2010 holidays once this baby shows up, which I am hoping will be a little bit relaxing for him.

My birthday was on Dec 4th, so yesterday Trev took me to Brandon for a birthday date. It was so nice! He made all the arrangements, got the baby sitter, made reservations for supper, and took me to a movie. All I had to do was decide what to order at the restaurant. We had a great time. It kept haunting me all night that it would likely be a while before we have another date like this, but I fully enjoyed it.

The picture below is of my birthday/christmas present from Trev. He made me this beautiful headboard for our bed. I had shown him a few pictures of what I liked and this is what he came up with. I love it! We are still trying to decide if it should be stained to match the other bedroom furniture, but for now I am just admiring it the way it is. What a talented husband hu?!! (He wants to make a bed frame yet to bring the bed up a few more inches, but that will be a project for another time.)
A few weeks ago we got together as a family to celebrate Dad's 60th Birthday. We had such a good time. The next few pictures are from that weekend. We visited and made cards and shot guns and decorated cupcakes and generally ate far too much. What a full house! we are now 17 people (soon to be 18) when we all get together at mom and dads. 8 of which are children. We all stayed the night on Saturday and filled that house almost to capacity. (There is always room for more it seems)





Nope, Milo is not dead, but he has taken up his winter post at the heat vent just like last year. He spends his days sleeping by the heater, sleeping in the sun, sleeping in the basement in dark corners and skulking around the kitchen while I prepare meals waiting for me to drop food. (I don't bend over very quickly and he knows it)