Happy Pancake Tuesday

We made the usual buttermilk oatmeal pancakes tonight and then the boys were happy to pose for a few pictures with their sister. Pretty soon the carbs kicked in and Luke was off to find something else to do.

Blue eyes?

I think it's too early to tell what colour Grace's eyes are. I don't remember the boys' eyes being so dark.

On Skype with Nana

2.93 kg

Today Grace weighed in at 2.93 kg or 6 lb 7 oz so finally she's over her birth weight. I think eating 10 to 12 times a day has really helped.

A bow for her hair.

Maria dropped off a large bag of baby girl clothes at school today and Beth found this bow when she went through it.

A cake for Grace!

I knew when I heard the announcement that there was going to be hospitality at recess for the teachers that there might be pink icing in my future. Here's a picture of the corner of the cake I brought home for Beth and the boys.

The Holiday Trifecta

It's a long weekend here as we have 3 holidays to celebrate in addition to Liam's birthday. Saturday was Valentine's Day. Sunday was Flag Day - celebrating the 44th anniversary of the Maple Leaf being hoisted at Parliament Hill. Finally, today is Family Day.

The Moby

As I'm typing this, Grace is snuggled in a wrap-carrier called the Moby. She's using the preemie/newborn configuration where she's tucked inside. I find it quite comfortable and I'm able to do quite a bit around the house while wearing it.

Valentine's Day

Not only is it Valentine's Day, but it is Liam's birthday. It's hard to believe that eight years have gone by since we welcomed him into the world. His size stands in stark contrast to little Grace, yet he was once this small.

For breakfast I made the requisite heart shaped food (in this case waffles.) For dessert we had an ice-cream cake from Dairy Queen.

2.7 kg

I took Grace to the paediatrician's office to have her weighed. She's 2.7 kg.

1:30 a.m - Time for Laundry!

Last night Luke woke me and told me he needed me. I went groggily into his room and looked for him, by getting on his bed. My knee went into a wet patch and I assumed he had wet the bed , but then the sour smell of fresh vomit hit my nose and I knew the truth. it's amazing how quickly you wake up cleaning sheets. Thankfully he slept through the rest of the night. He did tell me as he was drifting off that he'd be sure to pause his DS before using the barf bucket - just to make sure he didn't get anything on it.

They don't walk like they used to!

Today I took my class to see The Forbidden Phoenix at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People. Since it was a warm day I decided to have them walk there and back. Oh, the complaints! I didn't think it was that far and www.gmap-pedometer.com confirmed it's less than 2 km each way.

Less sleeping more eating!

Grace needs to eat more and then she`ll be less sleepy. Of course it`s a vicious circle if she doesn't eat, because she`ll have less energy and will eat less and then have even less energy and so on.... Right now she`s lost 12% of her birthrate, but she`s eating well and I`m sure she`ll start gaining soon.

Home

Here she is - about to cross the threshold. Grace arrived home last night on a beautiful sunny winter day.

Winter walk

Here's a picture from our walk to the hospital early yesterday morning. It's still hard to believe that the baby that was in there is now out here with us.

Never wake a sleeping baby!

Grace's first day was a sleepy one. It's usually during day two and three that hunger sets in and the milk supply takes a little while to play catch-up. She had her first bath last night and took after her brothers, screaming at being undressed, but soothed by the warm water.

A baby story!

6:20 Off to the hospital. Beth wanted to walk so we set off in the gently falling snow. We started the name discussion as we avoided the patches of ice now disguised under the snow.

7:00 Beth's now Hooked up to the fetal monitor. The baby's heartrate is around 140 bpm. Beth says it's a girl if it's that low. The boys were always in the 160 range.

7:20 The IV is in. Now the heartrate is 160 bpm. Beth's new prediction is that it's a boy.

8:15 Still waiting. It's really quiet in the triage.

8:25 I'm waiting in the recovery room with booties, hat, mask and gown. Beth's next door getting prepared. I'm nervous, so I can't imagine how she's feeling. I can hear the conversatins next door.

8:40 I'm still waiting. I can hear the nurses counting all the surgical supplies. Beth's heart rate is being monitored...beep, beep, beep.

8:42 Anaesthesia is here and they're getting ready to put in the spinal.

8:54 I think the spinal is in. I can hear water running so I think Dr. Ornstein is scrubbing up.

9:17 Baby's out and it's a girl!

10:00 Baby and mom are in recovery - we're waiting on a scale for weight.

10:15 6lb 4oz

11:15 We've settled on a name...Grace Elizabeth Donovan

12:00 We're in our room and the boys have come in for their first visit with their new sister.

Shinny

Tonight was my fourth week going to adult beginner shinny. Because of the Superbowl, the turnout was sparse, but I had a good time nonetheless. It's really hard to find a time or place to learn how to play hockey as an adult. It always looked like so much fun when I'm on the pleasure pad and there was a game going on beside me on the hockey pad. Guess what? - It is fun. Next year I'm going to look for an instructional program at an indoor arena with full equipment. I'm thinking I should get a face mask anyway as I did have a puck bounce off my chin a few weeks ago. Luckily my winter beard provided some padding and I'm none worse for wear.