Isla's first photo shoot

I got to take some photos of our sweet little girl. She had other ideas in mind, and with Paxton around it was a bit of a gong show,  but in the end I think I got some adorable shots ;)

The beautiful wall paper was a gift from Gigi, and Dad & Patricia graciously put it up while they were here visiting. I love it!

The little outfit Isla is wearing here is the same one she came home from the hospital in, also the same one I came home from the hospital in 30 years ago!

Hope you enjoyed the photos of our little lady ;)

Isla Anne Louise - her birth story

Our sweet little Isla Anne Louise made her entrance into our beautiful world on Nov 27, 2013 at 5:04 pm. 12 days early, a tiny 6lbs 6oz and 19" long. 

I had really struggled with the decision if I should try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarian) or if I should just book a scheduled section. I had felt so disappointed after Paxton's birth that I wasn't able to "do it", especially after such a long labor. I felt ripped off, and a bit like a failure. (Not to worry, I know I am not, these are apparently common feelings after my type of situation...) So that left the dreaded decision. In the end, I booked a section for Dec 4, 5 days before my due date of the 9. BUT our sweet little Isla decided to come on the 27. Which is what I had praying for, that I would go into labor early, on my own, so that I could at least give it a shot. My doctor had wanted me to fully commit to trying a VBAC if I was going to try, but I just couldn't sign myself up for the same experience all over again. I wanted to have a more positive labor, where I was actually a functioning human once my babe was born!

I started getting contractions at about 2am on the 27. They were 10-15 min apart and just uncomfortable enough to keep me awake!I wasn't convinced at all that I was really in labor, but I did text my mom who was driving out from Saskatoon that they should maybe leave Jasper a little earlier than planned just to be safe...  Mid morning I had a pre-op appointment at the hospital I took Pax too, and joked with the nurse that I might be back later. On the way home, Pax and I stopped at the park and enjoyed the sunshine. Little did I know this would be my last date with Pax as my only child! We went home for lunch, and when I laid down with him for his nap, I suddenly heard and felt a snap. And then an intense contraction started! My water had broken. This was actually for real! I called Rob, who I had sent to work that morning, thinking we had plenty of time. Literally, my mom walked in the door 10 min after my water had broken, and Rob got home shortly after that. By now, my contractions were 2-3 min apart and were getting VERY strong. 

The whole experience at the hospital this time was SO much better than the last time. I ended up going into labor on the day that Dr. Tuffnell was on call. He wasn't my doctor, but I'd gotten to meet him a few weeks earlier and had really felt an easy connection with him. I'd actually asked my GP if there was any way that I could switch doctors... but with only a few weeks to go she didn't think that was a good idea. But it ended up working out better than I could have planned... He came in and asked what I'd like to do. Try for a VBAC or just do the section. I told him that I'd like to try the VBAC if I was dilated to 4-5 or more. If I was less than that, I'd do the section. He thought that was a really fair idea, checked me, and unfortunately I was only ONE cm dilated. That made the decision really easy. (I later learned that my uterus had thinned out a lot - which explained the extremely painful contractions- but for some reason my body just won't dilate). 

They got me admitted into triage, and put the heart monitor on the baby. My contractions were strong, and the back labor was so so horrible. I ended up having to stand up, I just couldn't handle lying down any longer. Within a moment of me standing though, this strange heaviness settled on me, I got so dizzy and felt like I was going to throw up. And at the same time, Isla's heart rate dropped extremely low. Within seconds of Rob seeing how low the heart rate was, he found a nurse, and all of a sudden there were 10 people in the room. They were rolling me from side to side, and then getting me changed, jewellery out and a catheter in. Thank the Lord her heart rate went back up, and I didn't end up having to have an emergency c-section. (I would have had to have been put under as they wouldn't have had time to give me an epidural). Needless to say, between the craziness of her heart rate dropping and the intense contractions, I was having a hard time keeping it together. Dr.Tuffnell called in a favor and was able to get us into the OR an hour sooner than we had thought, I was so grateful!

Isla's first breath.

After Dr. Tuffnell had taken her out he told us that the cord had been wrapped around her neck THREE times! I couldn't stop sobbing. That was why her heart rate had dropped, and it was a VERY good thing that I didn't dilate as she wouldn't have been able to be delivered vaginally. I was amazed at how God had taken care of our little girl, and made all the details work together. (On a side note, I've had 4 acquaintances/friends that have lost a baby in the last month of pregnancy- and for some reason for the last 6 weeks I'd been terrified of losing the baby because of a cord related issue. Many nights I lay in bed poking my belly till I finally got 10 movements out of her!) So the fact that the cord had been around her neck, and that God had protected her just took my breath away.

meeting a sobbing mama, and the first pic with our little lady...

some first moments of our Isla girl...

I have a feeling this one is going to be a daddy's girl ;)

Meeting her big brother for the very first time! Paxton just loves to hold her and have cuddles.

Meeting Gigi, lots more cuddles and so many visitors came to see her!! (and spoil her)

first bath.

Going home. Isla wore the same outfit home from the hospital as I did, 30 years earlier.

Paxton was so happy to have us home. And look how teeny she is in that car seat!! Don't grow too fast little one...

the growing belly...

I wasn't feeling super excited about taking maternity photos this time around. I'm not sure if it's because it was the second time, or if I'm more tired, or that I feel HUGE already or what. BUT I forced myself to get the family out and do some and am SO glad I did. It's a LOT harder to take shots of our own little family with a two year old, but Pax was awesome and we even got a couple of him looking at the camera :)

I was pretty happy with how they turned out :) Now I just can't wait for this little one to arrive!!

a much overdue update on spring/summer and all the lovely memories that went with it!

WARNING! EXTREMELY LONG POST!!!!

Where to start?! I've been wanting to post about our spring & summer for quite some time! But there's always something that's a wee bit more important to catch up on (like editing wedding photos... thankfully I'm all caught up!)

Rob and I both turned 30 this year. I wondered how I was going to feel about it, if I was going to feel like I was "getting old" and have weird emotions about it but it really just felt like a great milestone to hit.  My friend Tara helped shape my outlook on it and it's so true! We've had an amazing decade together. Rob started and finished school and began a career he loves, we got to travel and see amazing places and meet inspiring people for half a year! AND we started our family. That's a WHOLE lot of goodness!! I can't be anything but thankful for the blessings and experiences that we've had together. I'm pretty excited about what our 30's are going to bring for us... (babe #2!!)

Over the long weekend in May we had our first ever "sibs" visit. Both my sis and her hubby and their sweet little Will and my bro and his wife came for a visit. We've never had a sibling weekend like that before and it was great fun. I miss these guys like crazy and was so thankful for the time we got to spend together!

After they left,  Rob's sis Erin and her adorable little man, Joshua came out for a quick trip. They were here for the Casa du Luz fundraiser and Grandad and Nana Trish came out for the event as well. I was feeling uber sick as I think I hit week #8 of my pregnancy and the nausea sure set in. It was so nice to see them all, even tho it was just quick. I hardly got off the couch which made for very limited photo taking. Erin got one cute one of our boys tho!

June just flew by. I can't really remember much from that month. Other than being on the couch. haha. Thankfully once July hit I was feeling much better! Seriously, the day after Rob's last work day, it was like the switch to summer was turned on. We had THE most glorious weather. It was hot, sunny and just plain beautiful. We lived in the backyard on my "pallet paradise," Rob made Pax a set of golf clubs and that pretty much amused him for the whole summer! It was too too cute. 

So here's our summer in pics...

AND THEN THERE WAS SUMMER!

golfing buddies

the cutest little bum that ever was!

a fun day at Tara's family farm... someone loved the cows!

our pallet paradise, which we pretty much lived on! and my new love; gardening

one of a handful of beautiful beach days...

We headed to saskatoon for two weeks! Auntie Allie and Uncle Bro were kind enough to let us crash at their place. Pax loves his little "daydee" cousin Will! Rob, Ev, Bro and my Dad went to a fly-in fishing camp, so while they were gone the boys hung out, and Gigi, Auntie Allie and I had some nice time together. 

The Santos clan was also in Saskatoon when we were, so it was perfect! We got to have some great visits with them at each of the grandparents houses'.  It would be so nice to do that on a regular basis! I wish the cousins got to see each other more often, it was so fun to see them together. We sure miss them!!

When I was young our family spent a lot of time in the summer up at Waskesiu, I had been feeling pretty nostalgic about taking Paxton up there. So we booked the same cabins we always stayed in, Kapasiwin bungalows, and went on a bit of a road trip up there. The cabins were as cute as I remembered, but my oh my, the mosquitos were something I've never experienced! We also didn't luck out with the best weather... but at least we can say we did it :) right?!

Paxton's first time out on a lake, this was a pretty big highlight of our time in Waskesiu!

We came home to the most beautiful august I can ever remember! 

'Grandma' came out for a visit! We had a great time! hit up the beach, had yummy appy's at the boathouse, went to the farmers market, did some canning (I've been bugging her to learn how to make her pickles forever!!!!) and Rob and her got some golfing in too :)

thanks again for teaching me to can! those jars of pickles are sure flying off the shelf...

For our 9th (!!!) anniversary, my mom came up from Bellingham and watched Paxton for a night. This was my first night away from him ever!!! Rob and I went into Van, stayed in a hotel, ate amazing food and did some shopping. It was the perfect little getaway. So thankful that Gigi was willing to do this for us. It was much needed and Paxton had a great time. (thanks again mom!)

It was a beautiful summer for us. I felt a little emotional about it, as it will be the last one just as a family of three! I can hardly wait to meet babe #2, but change is always full of emotion for me. So very thankful for all the wonderful memories we made.

Seeing Rob go back to work this fall was so hard for all of us! Pax and Dada sure formed a special bond this summer, and I'm not sure who's been missing who more! We headed down to spend a beautiful day of the long weekend in Bellingham and had some great family time and also got to see Gigi and Warren.

I think that was the longest recap ever, but I just couldn't NOT post. Even tho it's October! haha. Hopefully I can stay on top of it a little better :)

And for all you family that's reading, I do LOVE getting comments, so stop being shy. It'll inspire me to post more often......