Morris Island wanderings

Everyday in Photos #6

Scooter Girl

Everyday in Photos #5

Always a place for Lantern-Light in my Home

Everyday in Photos #4

Nesting in the branches of our Christmas tree: Lego?

Onward Pregnant Soldier

It is said that weather permeates the Canadian conscience. If it does not affect us physically, it provides conversational fodder for all moments of awkward silence, all stops by the workplace water cooler, all morning carpool-commutes. There is always occasion to discuss, in varied tones of complaint, the weather.

As a weather-lover and outside trekker, I do not contribute much to these conversations. I do not have the weather line speed-dialed into our phone. I do not religiously check the local conditions on the internet. I simply walk out the door and deal with what greets me. In fact, inclement weather refreshes me. If one can count, somewhat reliably, on stable, predictable daily routines, one can never count on the weather remaining the same.

I have long made it a habit to get up 4 or 5 days a week to exercise in the mornings. As my pregnancy progresses, and the number on the scale begins to terrify me, I have become more and more firm in my commitment to get out the door and DO something--be it power walk, stroll or waddle. At 6:30, I wake to the sound of Gabriel's angry growls from down the hall; "Mommyyyyy! Daddyyyy! Out!" I ignore him. I go downstairs and use every ounce of my creativity to suitably wrap my growing belly bulge in winter attire. My husbands coat, a hat with the ear flaps tightly tied under my chin, my warm bulky boots. . . The look I go for is a Hershey's Kiss with legs. I head down the driveway and make a single decision: East or West? The primary factor that weighs into this decision is: Do I feel like being barked at by two dogs this morning or three?

In all the weeks I have been making my way down the road the weather has not been at all worth noting, until the past four days, that is. In four days I have been presented with a most confused environment. It cannot seem to make up it's mind. First came the fog. Heading East, I couldn't see more than a few feet in front of me. While this did not physically present me with any difficulties, my heart nearly gave out every time a vehicle suddenly emerged from the gloom ahead, or behind, responding with slight swerves and abrupt slow-downs upon discovering a Hershey's kiss waddling down the side of the road. I decided to cut the walk short after the second child-laden school bus hurled out of the midst and slammed on it's brakes in alarm.

Next was wind. I had actually checked the weather site that morning, and the little picture showed big rain drops. It also mentioned something about 60-70km winds. Somehow, after perusing the given data, I concluded that a golf umbrella, 5-feet in diameter, would be just the thing to bring along. Heading West was just plain funny. Upon turning out of the driveway the wind immediately plastered the umbrella flat against my back and propelled me forward down the road with forceful shoves. I think the wind was having fun with me. While it saw fit to gracefully sweep Julia Andrews up and carry her to her destination with panache. It saw fit to plow me down the road like a stubborn cow being herded into the barn. Need I mention the trip back? The umbrella HAD to be closed and held streamlined to the wind or it wrenched my arm sideways. Meanwhile my figure, grown to very UN-aerodynamic proportions, acted as a wall, and my man-coat as a sail, catching every gust and making my progress back towards home a serious battle.

Today. Well, today brought freezing rain. That just plain hurt. Tiny stinging pricks on my exposed face. Ouch!

I deserve what I get, heading out into world at the mercy of it all. But incase you missed it, I've been having a lot of fun doing it.

Everyday in Photos #3

The Art of unmade beds.

Everyday in Photos #2

Wipes. A favourite toy 'round here.

Everyday in Photos #1

What if we paused long enough to view the mundane moments we happen upon in life as photographic? If those moments were captured in their raw state; untouched and unmoved, they would tell the story of our simple Everydays. No posing or posturing. No shifting or tweaking to best advantage.
Only what is.

I have been inspired to try and use my camera to capture a month's-worth of images of everyday life in our home. To train my eyes to stop and see what has been created when five people move about a home. To try and find beauty and humour in messy, imperfect happenings. . .

Coffee spatters & Evening snacks

Faith or Foolishness?

Babies and heat rashes
Baby feeding patternsAs the time approaches for my fourth baby to come into this world I have been forced to admit to myself that my family planning decisions have not been as carefully informed as they, perhaps, ought to have been. The overwhelming desire for children was placed above careful consideration of possible consequences. Often, I exercise a simple faith. The kind that takes refuge in the God who protects and heals and gives, while turning a blind eye to the reality that this same God also taketh away, allowing us to hurt and suffer loss, even death, because that too works into His perfect plan--the one we can't see clearly from down here. Have I made my way to this fourth child out of foolishness or faith?

Caelah truly did defeat me. She defeated my body soundly. I am not convinced a midwife would have been able to spare me a c-section in her case. She was brought to us by means of modern science, where one hundred years ago we both would have died in the process. But then came Elijah. Could I have delivered him naturally? Or did I cave in to the pressure that was being applied by my physicians for another c-section a little too willingly? There have been many "what-if" moments in my mind since then. That decision has defined our family. I will never produce a large brood of children. This is not something Aidan and I had been aspiring to, but sometimes it hurts to know that the choice is no longer ours. Now Gabriel, he came with no thought to anything but the desire for another baby. Destined to be a c-section baby from the beginning, I plunged head long into the pregnancy, happy to be free of hard decisions, only to be admonish several times concerning the haste with which we had done so. I simply wanted another. And I wanted him now!

And now a fourth. No, my surgeon did not make any strong warnings against a fourth pregnancy, but I did not go to him for careful examination beforehand. Nor did I engage any physician in a detailed discussion of the possible complications or particulars of what my body can handle. When they say wait two years between c-sections, did they mean two years from birth to birth or from birth to next conception? If it's the latter, I did not comply. So. . . what have we gone and done? Here is what I know: I have healed well with all three previous babies. I am young, and that is in my favour. I haven't felt any pain or discomfort since these operations. I believe in a God who governs over all things. He covers me over with His care, though I am truly one of his most silly creations. But how much silliness will I get away with, I wonder?

I've gone and Googled "four-c-sections" and "dangers of. . ." and gotten myself a little worked up in this New Year. Here are some delightful scraps:

I've had four C-sections with no problems at all. But after the fourth one the doctor recommended to tie my tubes because my uterus was too thin. I wish I could have more babies...but no more for me...I'll have to wait for grandchildren!!!!

In general, most people in family planning should not have a great deal of concern with having three Ceasarean deliveries. Beyond three, some women will face a substantial surgical risk that needs to be weighed against whether they really want to have that next baby. [Mayoclinic.com]

I've had 5 c-sections. Just be careful not to have those babies any closer than 2 yrs apart... your body needs time to heal ! [Babynamesworld.com Forum]

Scar tissue can do a lot of things to your body...my second c-section was difficult due to the amount of scar tissue in there...everything sticks together like super glue and all of your organs become adhered to each other...and in some women like myself and djh scar tissue comes in mass amounts...I had an abnormal amount of scar tissue and causes pain. I know some people end up with a hysterectomy...so ther are risks to c's that people don't see in the long run...not meaning to scare you but it is always good to know all of the long term complications... [wikianswers.com forum]

What are Adhesions?
Adhesions are actually bands of scar tissue that form inside your abdomen or pelvis after surgery. As your body heals from surgery, this scar tissue connects organs together, causing them to stick to one another. Abdominal adhesions are a common outcome of any pelvic or abdominal surgery. In fact, they develop in 93% of people who have undergone pelvic surgery. They are especially common after cesarean sections. [pregnancy-info.net]

Not sure I needed to share all that with you all, but prayer is powerful. Would you cover me and this little one over with yours?

New Years 2008

An after dinner gathering of 12. Sleeping gear piled in clusters around the house. Mountains of food heaped on the kitchen island: fresh cinnamon roles, croissants, cheese spreads, roasted peanuts, chocolate fondue with fresh fruit, mulled cider on the stove. . .


A bonfire in the snow. Warm enough to entice most of us out of the cozy house for awhile to bask in the glow.






An evening of games and chatter. Midnight came and went without much fanfare because we were too busy enjoying one another. Besides, this day will be much the same as the last no matter what year we've ushered in because each day is what you make it. And our days are full to the brim with good things. Drifting off to bed in ones and twos on couches, mattresses and floor without much of a thought about comfort because 2:00 a.m demands sleep no matter what the available surface.

A morning full of bleary-eyed wake-ups, plenty of food and Happy New Years send offs.

"Foss Hill" LANTERN

This latest is a second order from the same woman who I made the Memories of Michigan lantern for. She wants me to make one for her bestfriend's birthday. They went to Wesleyan University together, and she wanted me to capture the campus. Here it is:

Family Photo. . . Argh!

How do families produce those glossy Christmas card photos of their families, where all of the children are:
A. Present
B.Looking at the camera
C. Looking somewhat happy with the world?






This last is my favourite. Possibly because of Caelah's impish look into the camera. She's saying; "We've won." Or perhaps it's Gabriel's little eyes peeking over his brother's head. He's completely resigned to his brother's ways. But most likely it's Elijah's posture of complete stubborn refusal that speaks to me. You know, this photo is actually a most representative portrayal of our family. What exactly do perfect family photos offer anyways? All lies, I tell you.

Radio Flyer

This year's Top Gift:

Caelah and Elijah each got one. Smart Move! They have already "personalized" their vehicles with stickers. We decided they might as well use them throughout the house because summer is a long way off. Our floors and layout provide a perfect circular "track" for them. I don't regret this decision. These are two very happy kiddoes, getting plenty of exercise during the off season. However we did not have the foresight to avoid a littlest boy's awareness of being left out. He can't work of those scooters. In fact, I think they scare him a little, (he has been run over a few times since they have come into this house,) but he still wanted to be part of the Scooter Gang. We eventually went outside and dug his toy car out of the snow. It moves a lot more slowly than the scooters, causing regular traffic jams around the kitchen island, but he seems satisfied. Now they all have wheels.

Christmas Food List 2007

Because I love Christmas

And I love Food
And I love Pictures of food. . .

Here is our home's 2007's HOLIDAY FOOD list:

Bree & Pecan Tarts

Whole Walnuts.
They taste better when you have to work to eat them.

Mulled Apple Cider.
Smells Good. Tastes better.

Bree.
Aidan and I have this as an evening snack all month long.

Tangerines.
Like candy, but seasonal. So I get them by the crate-loads.

White Chocolate & Cranberry Tarts

Sugar Cookies.
Holiday sweets that the kids will go for when the decadence of everything else is lost on them.

Scottish Shortbread.
Long-held family tradition.

Rum & Coconut Truffles

Almond Fudge Truffles

Today's DINNER MENU:

8 lb seasoned Prime Rib Roast
Yorkshire Puddings
With Whipped Horseradish, Potatoes, Squash & Broccoli

Orange Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

***

Yummy time of year. And there's still New Year's!