Growth

I was putting Aerya's 18 month pictures up in the house when I suddenly realized just how big she has gotten. She now really looks like a little girl, so much of our Baby has left her face, her actions and her personality.

In honour of this growth, I will dedicate two (big) pages to what was before. It's amazing not only to see the changes in Aerya, but also in Derek and I (obvious weight jokes aside). When we were first married (so very long ago...) we were not going to have children. We felt our lives were complete, we had each other and Magic, our families and friends. Then slowly over the next two years we came to the realization that we wanted to share our love with a baby. Someone who is a part of each of us, and (as it turns out) still totally herself.

Looking at the pictures makes me laugh, and cringe. (Actually once I got to hospital ones, I had to stop. There's a really good reason your mind makes you forget most of the labour!) The hairstyles along are worth reflecting on. I'm so going back to the style I had at our first Doctor's appointment, and there is NO WAY Derek will be allowed to grow his hair again. Though, there is one great pic of it... Looking back also returned Fuzzy. Magic was with me for 18 years until she passed away the April right before Aerya was born. I really regret that they couldn't meet, but if you knew Magic at all, you'd understand that she would never have stood for anyone (no matter how cute) upstageing her! I just know she would have slept in the crib, not to protect Aerya, but to try and figure out just what kind of hold she has over us, and how she could steal that back from Aerya!

I cannot believe the size of my belly by the end! I remember Chad telling me he was worried about how big I was at six months along. He was sure that the growing must be done. And yet, with each passing day, our little Critter grew more and more. She was born at 8 pounds and 20 inches and Chad really thought I was going to explode if she'd have waited even one day more.

There were so many amazing moments; when we first realized we were pregnant, the first time I felt her move (though at the time we called her a he). Then the first time Derek felt her move. Soon after we were able to watch her move which was creepy and fascinating at the same time. The first time we heard her heartbeat and then later saw her moving inside me.

The journey so far has been nothing short of miraculous. We definately have had our share of scary moments and close calls, but all the difficult times are outweighed 100 to 1 when we see our daughter today. We hit perfection the first time (as we like to say), and are blessed in so many ways to have her as our one-and-only.

We are so greatful for what she has brought to our lives. We could never have imagined what it would be like to be parents. It's something no one can explain to you; you just have to live it yourself.

Before there was Aerya...There was Critter.

Here I am, sitting anxiously at our first official baby visit at the Doctor's on Nov. 21 '05. We would be about 12 weeks along. I can't get over how young I look! Apparently Aerya has aged me about 10 years! And I am so going back to that hair style!

Ah yes, this was the first day I could no longer fit into my regular pants. An exciting, yet scary day. Nov. 29 '05.

We of course bought tons of stuff for Critter very early on. We were SO EXCITED! Derek managed to try out just about everything at least once. We even dressed Magic up in the clothes we'd bought. Dec. 26 '05

On Jan. 5 '06 we had our first of three ultrasounds. We did see the 3D ultrasound which was neat, but we were completely freaked out with the 3D pic. The regular ultrasound pic was great. I think she was sucking her thumb. The technician told us that we had a 60% chance of having a girl. Those are not good betting odds! We both desperately wanted a girl (and both felt it was a girl) so we called Critter a 'he' so as not to jinx it.

Here we go, a nice belly shot on Jan. 17 '06. We were about 4 1/2 - 5 months along. I loved that shirt and was sortof able to wear it until Aerya was born (and a bit afterwards. Hmm, well, yeah.)

Derek tried his hand at diapering on Mar. 19 and I was a little concerned about how little experience he had. I'd babysat tons of kids, and I just assumed everyone knew sortof what to do. Not always the case as it turns out! Derek though is the most amazing hands on Daddy I've ever seen. There was nothing he couldn't do, and in the first couple of months when I was so ill, it was Derek who could feed her the best, and actually get her to go to sleep. However, once I started to get well, and was nursing Aerya, I quickly surpassed him as the favorite. Though I'm pretty sure the initial bond was just with my mammory accessories!


On Mar. 19 we also put together Aerya's furniture and decorated her room. We were about 6 1/2 months along. I was pretty proud of my nesting instincts - while off work I sewed curtains, sheets and change pads and made Aerya a sensory blanket. I did intend to make one for my friend's baby's but that darn instinct went away really quickly and I haven't been at the sewing machine since.

At the end of March, just before we started the 8th month, Derek, Magic, Critter and I had some great pictures taken. I'm so glad we did it as it's really hard to remember what I looked like and how it felt to be pregnant. Plus, so often the attention is (rightfully so) focused on the Mother and Daddy gets forgotten a bit. These are some that will always cherish.

Here's another shot with my favorite shirt about 1 1/2 months later. You'll notice I'm filling it out a bit better there.

On April 8 '06 we bought our first stroller (of many as it turns out) and Derek of course had to give it a trial run. Pooh seemed to enjoy it.

The end is in sight! On April 28 Derek was at one of my checkups and the midwife let him use the dopler to hear what Critter was up to. It was mostly just jumping on Mama's bladder and sleeping on my sciatic nerve.

This was such a fun shot! It was May 13, at my shower and I was just into my 9th month of pregnancy.
Belinda was due about 6 days after me, but look at how differently we were carrying our babies. At a glance like this, most people would think we were carrying different sexed babies, but we both have girls.
Nikki was about 5 months behind me and Monica was due about 6 weeks after that.

Oh yes, there I was the morning of June 8 '06 enjoying my morning pie. Actually, I almost never have pie but what a great pregnancy shot. I was about 1 week overdue so needless to say we had gotten a little desperate. Okay, I was desperate! Every old wives tale you've ever heard about bringing on labour, we tried. EVERY one of them. The absolute worst was the castor oil. Not only did it not work, but it was without a doubt the MOST DISGUSTING thing I've ever put in my mouth. It gets worse, but I'll spare you the other details.
I'd pretty much given up on Aerya ever appearing and had a massage scheduled for that evening. We got home afterwards at about 7:45pm and as soon as I sat down, my water broke. If you've ever wondered if you'll know when your water breaks, believe me, you will.
We went to the hospital within the next hour because Critter seemed just as anxious as I was to be done with this part.
However, nothing more happended FOREVER (other than agonizing contractions of course). I was going to be the brave, natural birther, in the tub with massages and my midwife, but I pinched a nurve (or 10) and gave into the epidural. AHHHHHH, sweet relief! I could walk around, I was in no pain, I was laughing and talking - it was fantastic.
The next pic was taken about 20 hours into labour. I'm still pain free, so I'm still smiling. They'd decided they had done all they could to hurry Critter up and they were starting to get worried, so we were transfered to the Sturgeon (by ambulance - so cool!) and I was excited to go. Then nothing more, nothing more, still nothing more... And finally by 12:08 am on June 10 '06 Aerya was born! It may have taken forever, but she was more than worth the wait!

Playful

Aerya loves to play with Meux and it's so cute to watch. If Meux starts being too rough, Aerya will stop and tell her "No, no, no" and then walk away. Aerya thinks it's so cool to have something in the house that moves as fast as she does, and seems to enjoy her chasing her.

Aerya has just figured out how to pick up Meux. She now (very awkwardly) picks her up and shoves into places. So far it's been the stroller, her shopping cart, a cupboard, and her laundry basket. Who knows what's next.

Radiant.

Blogging

Hi,

As you know, I've been blogging Aerya for some time now (about 19 months I guess). I know that you all enjoy looking at the blog and seeing what Aerya's up to. I can by the counter at the bottom of the page, that as of today 189 visitors have come to her site since Christmas.

However, I would really, really, really appreciate it if you would make some comments on the postings. You don't have to say much, even a 'great to see what you're up to' would suffice. I'd just like to know which posts you like best, what you want to see of her, which parts of her life you find interesting, etc.

It's very simple to do. On each post there is a spot that says '0 Comments' you just click on that and it will open up the dialogue box for you to write comments on. If you have an email account, you can try signing in with that, but if it doesn't work, just write your name in the comment and then click anonymous. Your comment will be posted, I'll know what you think, and I'll know who you are!

Thank you very much for your time and effort. Tarra :)

Two Toddlers??

What were we thinking? Neither can be caged, neither stops moving (even in sleep), neither is quiet for long! I guess it's a good thing we love them.

Horsin' Around with Amber

Aerya's First Haircut

Aerya has been blessed with tons of hair. Unfortunately, it didn't all come in at the same time so there were tons of scraggly bits at the bottom. I snipped them off and made her even cuter than ever (yes, I know, it's hard to do!!)

We did have some objections from the peanut gallery which forced Amber to teach Aerya to run away if she ever saw me with a pair of scissors.

Riding the Bus

Aerya rode the bus for the first time while we were in BC. She loved everything about it, standing at the bus stop and watching for it's arrival, putting in the money and looking out the window. And on one day we even convinced Grandma to ride it as well.

Sunglasses

The song says it all...

Hair Cut

This is Aerya's first haircut with a professional stylist - our cousin Bobbi! And of course, Aerya's gorgeous!

Playing with Grandpa and Great-Grandma

Winter???

Seriously, this is January in Chilliwack. Now maybe you understand why I hate Winter in Edmonton so much!

I realized when I got there that maybe we packed the wrong clothes - a set of rain boots would have been great.

Aerya's Friends

Aerya has a list of animals that we have to visit when at Great-Grandma's. There's Rosco next door (across the chain link fence), the beautiful Golden Doggy on the corner, the Black Kitty next door and the Big Grey cat on the truck. Each time we see Big Grey, she's on the hood of their truck. Then there's the millions of birds, including ducks and geese, which are still at the pond in January. And of course, Grandma's squirrels. There's about 5 of them that run around her yard and patio. They are humongeous compared to anything we see in Edmonton with giant furry tails.

Golden is my personal favorite. He is the most sweet tempered, loving dog I have ever met. I even look forward to petting him. As soon as he sees Aerya coming (and it'd been 5 months) he starts running up and down the fence. We were told he doesn't do that with other kids - though he does love kids. Then he'll sit back down to wait for Aerya to stop and pet him. He'll then jump up on the fence so that I can pet and scratch his neck. He's so fun to be with!

A Trip to Great-Grandma's House

Aerya, myself, Mom and Dad went to Chilliwack for a visit this week.

This was Aerya's fourth trip there. As with any seasoned traveller, Aerya was fabulous on the plane. She just read books and watched Treehouse.

We visited with our family and HUGE extended family which was so great. It's always tons of fun when we all get together.