FOR MY LOVE

Quote of the Day

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."
– Virginia Satir

HAPPINESS IS EUAN

My Story Of Euan

 I'm finally" home sweet home" and ready to begin my journey into motherhood with Euan. I'm full of emotions and I wrote this half awake this morning to get some of them out on paper. Thank you for all your support and kind words over the last 9 months. Euan is beautiful and I'm super duper blessed! Love, Christy xoxo

Like many amazing woman before me I became a mother on Feb 21, 2012 at 11:45am to Euan Ross Gillespie he weighed 7.3lbs an absolute miracle!

Thank you everyone for your support and love throughout my pregnacy. It's been overwhelming and I truly feel blessed to have met you all along the way somewhere and to still have you in my life. Here is my story for the ones who care to read...  

 My first water broke Feb 19 at 11:30pm (Did you know there were two/front and back or so they call it in the UK) Never have I read or heard this anywhere. 

I was standing in front of the bedroom mirror about to put oil on my belly while Steve brushed his teeth, I called Steve into the room to let him see how huge my belly was on this particular evening. I was about to change into my P.J's when It happened ( my water broke) all over the hardwood flooring.. Steve looked at me shocked and I started laughing embarrassed and said- well it's not wee! And then laughed more and said I think we are about to become parents to a baby boy! 

Since I had requested a home birth only a few weeks before I wasn't entirely sure what to do next. I called my parents (as you do) to share the news and jumped into the shower to shave my legs! Styled my hair and prepared for birth in the downstairs living room. Steve went to sleep (smart guy) I was too excited - like the feeling you get the night before you go on vacation. I had waited 36 years for this and watched so many of my beautiful friends go through this but never in my dreams did I really know how it would feel. I stayed up all night and with very faint contractions. When Steve woke up at six I went to bed until 11:30, he brought me up sausage and eggs. We relaxed a little and decided to have "our last without baby meal" and early birthday lunch for him at Brown's.

 At this point I was whole heartly on board with my home birth plan and excited! I was breathing through the tiny bit of discomfort I was feeling from the contractions and honestly thought I would be one of those lucky people you hear about that have an easy labour! At 4pm one of our midwives called and asked how I was feeling. I told her ""great" that we were about to take Connor to swimming lessons and make supper. She informed me that because I my waters had broke almost 24hours before and I was at a risk for infection it was policy. I was to go to the hospital to have the babies heart rate monitored and they could potentially keep me in if they thought there was potential risk. I didn't understand anything she was saying to me all I heard was HOSPITAL and thought but I'm having my baby at home why aren't you coming to me?! I was broken hearted and when I got of the phone I burst into tears and lost all confidence that I'd been building for 8 months. I called our private midwife that I'd had a few sessions with but hadn't booked for the birth. She was very upset with the NHS and said I did not have to go to the hospital and she would call the midwife supervisor on duty. In the end because there is no point in rehashing all the drama that occured from 4-7:30 I spoke to a friend who gave me some amazing advise. It went something like this- " at the end of the day you will have a beautiful baby and it won't matter how he came into this world "  I ended up going to St. Michaels and having the fetal heart rate checked and an exam to tell me I wasn't dilated not one little bit!!! If I hadn't dilated at all or started "Active Labour" it would be strongly advised that I not only have a hospital birth but that I be induced the morning following but that it was my decision to make and my risk to take.... I went home stubborn and broken. (I felt like the system had failed me) I had been listening to this stupid hypnobirthing "magic" for 8 months and all for what to have my entire birthing plan go out the window. (this happens a lot)- who knew! I hunkered down and spent the longest 7 hours of my life in what I thought was active labour. In the shower the bath the birthing ball, the basement. Rolling around like a crazy lady in signifigant pain. The midwife finally came out!! when my contractions were 2 minutes apart and after a very invasive check I was advised that there was distress and I should go to the hospital but again, it was my decision!!! Why did they bother promoting this home birth?! I was so confused, in pain and broken. I packed up my things and went to the hospital and at this point begged for anything they could give me to relieve some of the pain. (all of it) I was not a happy camper and looking back was completely rude to anyone in my path. I bawled just before getting an epi and told everyone to give me a minute please this was my body and I needed to gain back some control. CRAZY LADY! 

I held on to Steve's hands tight as she listed the many issues side effect that could occur by taking an epidural- she kept saying in a very stern english accent I need you to understand and agree to all of this! I just kept saying yes, yes, yes! Once I was given an epidural it was all pretty much a vacation for me.  I had no idea what I was feeling anymore just exhausted and reliant on everyone around me to birth this baby. Euan was in distress. I pushed his head a wee bit and was told they would have to perform a small Episiotomy as his heart rate was way too high. At this point they called in a doctor- the only one I'd seen throughout my entire pregnancy in the UK. I pushed a few more times very hard (who knows mostly gritted my teeth but they said it was good!) and out came Euan right to my chest and we found out the cord was wrapped around his neck and no amount of pushing would have helped. It was the craziest thing but probably the same story for many of you. We cried, Steve told me how proud he was of me, and we stared at the marvel of birth. I told them I wanted to give birth to my placenta naturally?? Nope not an option and the shot they gave me to help the placenta come out caused me to have massive vomiting!  I'm not sure how my husband can even look at me the same anymore but he seems to still fancy me?! Euan and I are home now and getting on with the next task.. breast feeding we are all very tired but doing well. I know everyone will understand if I disappear for a while but have never been one to do so for too long! xoxoxo

Euan: Narrative: is of Scottish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Euan is "born ofyew; youth". From Eoghan. Also means "little swift one" in Irish Gaelic. The ancient, original form of this name refers to the yew tree. The name is also associated with Eugene (from the Greek Eugenios, meaning ''aristocrat''). 

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND

TAKE TRAINS BY YOURSELF TO PLACES YOU'VE NEVER BEEN

SILENT VALENTINE

BABY LOVE

THANK YOU VANESSA

My friend V sent me this picture of these beautiful Jessica Swift rain boots- Waiting for Rain...

Super Sweet addition to Welly Wednesday!

LOVE DAY

We had an amazing family Valentines Day. Connor performed 4 ballads that he had been practicing all week for us. Chocolates, cheese, flowers and lego were exchanged and Steve made Beef Welly & Chocolate Cake.

After accepting an invitation to be my valentine, Connor and I went for a huge walk around the city hoping to give the baby some incentive to join us on love day- no luck, he's a patient little guy and a true "Walker" meaning he will come in his own time not when anyone tells him to.

As promised here is a picture of my gift for Steve, heart shaped cheese from the Olive Shed on Gloucester Rd. The perfect gift for my culinary genius husband to go with the 12 hour no knead bread that he made this week.

Happiness Adds and Multiples as you Divide it with Others

Valentine’s Day is a favourite holiday of mine; I think mostly because growing up my parents  made a point of showing their love for their children on Valentine’s Day. This in turn, has made this holiday about showing love for family and friends, in addition to that special someone. So whether you’re single or spoken for, I encourage you to share your love…and hopefully happiness today.

My lovely friend Christy, has shown me the love by giving me the opportunity to guest blog today. I thought I would share my review of a book I read recently called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. This should tie in nicely with my heart-themed post – with love and happiness being so closely connected.

The Happiness Project

This book was a happy affirmation of the abundance of good in life. It created an environment for reflection on various elements of life – love, work, and play. I was notably drawn to the following statement several times: the days are long, but the years are short. This statement, for me, is a reminder to appreciate – people, moments, and feelings – yet in the same breath, a coping mechanism – to fail, to hurt and to heal. As an enticement to delve into this worthwhile read, here is a compilation of items for reflection that caught my attention:

“Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing.” ~ William Butler Yeats

Love:

•  Vulnerability is the new strength
• Long-term happiness requires you to give up something that brings happiness in the short term
•  If I can enjoy the present, I don’t need to count on the happiness that is (or isn’t) waiting for me in the future
•  “The best way out it always through” ~ Robert Frost 

Work:

• It’s okay to ask for help
• If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough
• If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing badly
•  If your willing to take the blame, people will give you responsibility

Play:

• Realize, experientially, that life is way too short NOT to follow your passion
• I grieve for my limitations, but my passions give me such joy
• Find happiness in circumstances of poverty as well as in circumstances of plenty
• If I wanted to find happiness, I have to carry happiness with me 

I recently met a new friend, and long story short; it is the brevity of life that motivates her. I found the significance of this statement overwhelming at our first meeting. However, this sentiment remained with me, and The Happiness Project, in a kind, less overwhelming way, brings the brevity of life home for me. I have a greater appreciation for my new friend’s motivation.

I would love to know your thoughts if you’ve read this book…or if any of my musings attracted you to read the book…

Have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!

xo

WELCOME BACK

It has to be said....Welcome back Adele- An excellent performance at the Grammy's last night, as well as gorgeous style! Although I wasn't able to watch the Grammy's, I woke up very early this morning to catch up on all of the top performances I  missed. Amazing! xoxo

LOVE FOOD

Steve took me to the Love Food festival over the weekend.

There were so many delightful foods on showcase some of which I wasn't able to test out like sushi,  Cornish oysters by ‘Mangez Moi’  & champagne at the Champagne and Raw Chocolate Lounge. I did sample some of the sweets and enjoyed mulling over the heart shaped pork pies and so many fancy cupcakes. If you were looking for ideas for your valentine this was a great place to get them. I know exactly what I'm getting Steve, although I didn't see it at the festival- it should have been there. I'll let you know what it is tomorrow, just in case he's reading this later. ;)

  I've really been missing sushi during this pregnancy. I just said to Steve the other day, "Do you think when I go into labour we can go out for sushi, would it do any harm then?" I might have to question my midwives about that!

 Halifax, NS (Canada) has the most amazing farmers market with so many great local businesses. When I would venture there over the weekends, I loved sampling the Oysters for a dollar- perfect breakfast- if you were indulging the evening before, that is.

Sampling all this amazing fresh local food makes me want to have a garden so bad. I can't wait to get settled in Canada this fall and hopefully start working out my green thumb before the frost hits Ontario.

I hope everyone had a sparkly weekend loving all their favourite things! xoxo

thestorecupboard@yahoo.com -Maggie Hughes

BLOOMERS

How sweet are these knitted bloomer's? Oh, if only I could knit more than an on-going scarf.......

AND I QUOTE

DON'T KISS TOADS

LOVE

CANADIANS PREDICT EARLY SPRING

Happy Ground Hog Day friends!

WHAT MAKES TRUE LOVE

Happy February!!! TRUE LOVE STORIES - To kick off February I found this amazing link to Tiffany & Co's True Love Stories.... enjoy.

REAL FRIENDS

Wear wellies together!

Ha!! In a perfect world, but SOME of my closest girls scoff at my obsession with rubber boots & that is OK I love them anyway. xoxo