Babysitter Mickey / Holiday Mickey

This house LOVES Mickey Mouse.  And after this performance, we might just love him even more.  I never thought that was possible........

P.S.  Her moves are KILLER ;)

Baby Juliet's First (Official!) Photo Session ;)

With Auntie Gem out of the country, I had to do my best to capture some newborn pictures of Juliet on my own.  Nervous but without a better option, I got out some props and went to work with my iPhone (yes, my iPhone!) while Nory napped and Phil kept busy with a relaxing massage.  I had the full intention of using my Nikon, however I forgot to charge it the night before and didn't want to delay the pictures beyond this precious three week mark.  Not going to lie - it was definitely a challenge with one person.  It was also a challenge with a wee one that likes to be warm (shots without clothes were impossible!) and snuggled (the cozy blanket seemed to work well as a temporary alternative to ME!).  Alas, we worked it out and the two of us made some camera magic happen (or so I like to think).  Of the hundreds of photos I took, some of them actually turned out!

Weighing in now at (we think!) 5.5 pounds, Jet is such a little peanut.  She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to be held and cuddled and sleeps best when she's nice and warm against one of us.  Although she's up to eat quite often (being more of a grazer like her Mama), we'll take the exhaustion if it means she's staying strong and healthy!  She's actually starting to out-grow some of her "up to 5 lbs" outfits, which are her very own since Nory never had clothes that little.  The next collection is for "up to 7.5 lbs", which I hope she enjoys as it's (mostly) all hand-me-down's from that point onward ;)  Haha.

You'd be shocked to learn that - KNOCK ON WOOD, times a billion - Juliet is not a crier.  I feel scared even admitting this to you (and I hope the Baby Gods don't strike me down and pull a 180 on me), but it's been the truth for the last three weeks.  Jet lets out the odd grunt or tiny shriek, but it is certainly not a cry and on this much sleep, I think it's our saving grace!  Thank you, Juliet!  You go, Girlie! xo

With this (likely!) being our last baby, I find myself skipping out on my to-do's to enjoy every second possible with her and her big sister.  I can't believe Nory is going to be two in February!  Ah!

We love you Baby Juliet!  Your invitation to snuggle is open 24/7.  And if you could teach your sister to be a little more cuddly like yourself, that would be a very nice thing to do (albeit a miracle)!  That sissy of yours is a wild one!  XOXO

Do you think she'll be an athlete?

(I suppose she already is one!)

***** Track Star! *****

Biker Girl!

Basketball Player!

Soccer Player!

Strong-woman type stuff?  She must get this from God Daddy Dain :)

LISTED.

I figured that it's way easier to make lists than to form full-fledged, logical sentences right now.  It's also easier to drink your survival coffee with a free hand.  Hence, a bunch of lists that I typed up with one hand only.  GOLD STAR!

Things We Gotta Do

*  write thank you cards (all billion of them)

*  pack up Christmas (hey, when it's over, it's over!)

*  renew passports

*  organize storage room

*  put away Christmas gifts

*  cut Jet's nails (un-fun)

*  book a cleaning with dental hygienist (also un-fun)

*  go to Ministry to book RSV vaccine appointments for Jet (yet again, un-fun)

What I Missed Most About Being NOT Pregnant

*  sleeping on my stomach

*  hot tubs and boiling hot showers

*  licking the spoon (after baking!)

*  caffeine

Shows We're Excited For

*  Girls (January 11th)

*  Bachelor (January 5th)

*  Celebrity Apprentice (January 4th)

Top Phrases Said Around The House, Circa December 2014

*  I'm tired.

*  I'm exahusted.

*  She just ate!

*  Do you have to go potty?

*  I love her so much!

How are you doing?

It seems to be the polite thing to ask someone after they've had a baby.  I try to respond in a realistic, yet optimistic way because I'm not sure I want to get into all the details on how I'm truly feeling (e.g. "I'm tired, but good!").  In fact, I often divert to the girls because talking about how awesome they are comes way more easily than talking about how much of an emotional wreck I  (often!) am these days.  "Jet is so snuggly!" or "Nory is a great big sister!" are some of my go-to responses. 

But if I were to be 100% honest with people, I'd be given the sorry-I-asked face in about point two seconds.  I'm a hot mess, you guys!  There's a billion emotions that go through my body each and every day and it seems to me like every single one of them is dependent on how good of a mom I feel in that very moment.  Happy?  I just rocked that burp session!  Anxious?  What if I don't swaddle her tight enough and the blanket goes over her face?  Overwhelmed?  Am I giving both of my girls the attention they need and deserve? 

This is why it meant so much to me - SO, SO MUCH TO ME - when I was NOT asked how I was doing the other day.  Instead, I was TOLD how I was doing:

You're doing a great job, Linds!

I'm going to hold onto this one little sentence forever.  It was everything I needed in that moment.  And in this one too.

Thank you to that special person who didn't ask, but told.  You're the best! XOXO

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA!

The caffeinated edition returns!  When you're up every two hours (on the dot!) it's the only way you make it through and remain somewhat kind.....

There's been a lot of this going on......

*  Two more sleeps until Christmas!  Phil and I are busy wrapping presents this afternoon as both girls nap.  We're excited for Christmas morning this year - more than we have been in MANY, MANY YEARS - because we did LEGITIMATE Christmas shopping for each person.  With no vacation to pay for and no baggage limits to abide by, we decided to put an exclamation point on the stressful few weeks we've had!

*  The heat has been switched on!  It's nice during the day (sweater weather, though), but at night it has been SO COLD!  Even Dana sent me a message the other morning to agree with my temperature description.  In fact, I believe she used the word "freezing"!  BUSTED!  Haha.

Patrolling the courtyard!

*  I've become much less paranoid about having Kumari watch Jet.  I mean, I still make sure she's been fed and changed and that she's asleep before walking out the door, but at least I MAKE IT OUT THE DOOR and have some quality time with Nory in the courtyard.  And - IN REALLY BIG NEWS - I actually LEFT THE PREMISES the other evening to go see Christmas lights (and the water fountain!) with Phil and Nory at the nearby mall.  WHOA!!!!!

If she wasn't buckled in here, you can bet she'd be running for the "wawa"!

*  I am not returning to work until after spring break (the second week of April)!!!  This marks the start of quarter four and all parties involved decided this decision was best for our family, the school, and my students.  I, personally, really want to make up for the time I lost with Nory when I was in the hospital and on bed rest.  She's growing up so fast and I - for my own sanity - can't handle any more mama guilt.  HOORAY FOR EXTENDED LEAVE and SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACES!!! 

*  The other day I had a mani/pedi at the house (compliments of two of our friends!).  The nails turned out AMAZING and I'm so happy to have pretty hands and feet once again.  That being said, the experience slaughtered my mental health a smidgen when I was called fat and pale with hairy arms.  Yep, apparently I need some exercise, waxing, and tanning!  #wouldnothappeninCanada

*  Tomorrow morning we are having a Christmas Eve brunch in the courtyard with other families who are here for the break.  I have to think of something to bake for the gathering.  My hope is to get this done tonight so that I'm not scrambling in the morning!

*  Passport photos for babies are impossible.  We had the same troubles with Nory but at least she was a little bulkier and stayed put a little easier.  Jet's head doesn't seem to want to face the camera, nor do her eyes want to stay open.  Let's hope the task gets done and a passport photo is secured soon.  Otherwise, y'all better book your flights to Kuwait.  #sorry

*  Having a baby around Christmas time might have given Nory the impression that presents are a daily thing during the month of December.  Every single day (NO JOKE!), we've had either a knock at the door with a gift delivery or we have opened our door to find presents outside.  And so many people have decided to give Nory something along with Jet.  Our saving grace is that at age 22 months, this daily routine should already be forgotten by Eleanor next year.  FINGERS CROSSED, haha!

Thirty minus one!

Friday was my birthday and I turned the big 2-9!  My mom asked me if I felt bothered getting closer to age thirty and I laughed as I told her that I just LOVE birthdays so the number doesn't upset me one bit!  BIRTHDAYS RULE.  Why doesn't everyone love them?!  (Ah-hem, Phil???!!!)

I'm also not one of those people that believes December birthdays are a bad thing.  The whole "but you get ripped off on presents" theory is totally lame and defeats the purpose of the holiday season in instances where it might hold some truth.  DECEMBER IS THE ULTIMATE MONTH (you've heard my spiel before)!  And soon enough Jet will realize just how lucky she was to be born in the fabulous Month Number Twelve! 

This year, we kept it very low key.  Dana came over and we (eventually!) made three different varieties of cookies:  shortbread cookies, sugar cookies, and macaroons!  We decided to share them with our different friend groups to help ease any homesickness for those who are stuck in Kuwait for the holidays.  We've got super reviews so far!  (Our fridge is now empty).  

Next year we hope to be on a wonderful holiday when we celebrate my entry into a new decade :) It will probably be one of those holidays that isn't really relaxing (with TWO little movers and shakers), but it will be awesome nonetheless.  Oh - and I will be all mature and stuff like that ;) 

Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!!!  Your messages and phone calls made me feel extra special! xo

The Bubble Machine.

Is the best invention ever, being both a big-smile-creator and work-off-that-energy-inducer all in one!  Here is the photo evidence to prove it:

Nory loves it so much that she even took it upon herself to blow the machine a kiss when playtime came to a close!  SO ADORABLE.  Thank you Barb and Clarke for making our stay-cation much more exciting than we thought it could be!  XOXO

Counting down the hours....

Phil is at work today.  But it's not just ANY work day.  It's the FINAL DAY OF WORK before a TWO WEEK HOLIDAY TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hip, hip!  As exhausted as we are, I think every single one of us will find a way to jump for joy the minute he walks through the door this afternoon.  It is just THAT exciting!!!!!!!!!

It's so funny to think about our initial holiday plans.  We were never going to travel (because I was going to be too far into the pregnancy), but we were going to spend time setting up the house for baby and taking Nory out and about as much as possible before we became somewhat housebound and exhausted with a newborn.  Well, turns out our newest addition will be two weeks old tomorrow (CRAZY!) which means the "setting up the house for baby" has already been completed by Phil and some friends and the "taking Nory out and about as much as possible" will not be an entire family affair.  Since Jet was born early and during cold/flu season, we've been advised to keep her indoors and away from crowds for a couple of months.  This means that one of us either stays home with Jet or I put on my big girl panties and trust Kumari with yet another one of our babes.  I'm really struggling with that last part....

If this were a movie, you'd see my heart pounding OUT of my chest....

Kumari has held the baby for approximately 15 minutes total.  FIFTEEN MINUTES!  I have been extra protective of her (understatement?), allowing Kumari to hold her for one minute while I made a tea last week and for a couple of minutes as I ran downstairs to pick up a delivery yesterday.  Yesterday's couple of minutes was a BIG DEAL!  My heart was racing the entire time and I'm pretty sure I left a "she's a wacko" impression on the delivery lady.  Kumari handled the situation more than fine (obvs) and was absolutely OVER-THE-MOON when I asked if she could watch Jet as I took care of this Christmas business.  It was really sweet, you guys.  Her whole face lit up and when I returned to the flat, the smile was still there and she was looking at Baby Juliet with so much love.  So then I felt bad stealing Jet right back and I (bravely!) did some playdough with Nory before giving Kumari the "it's over" cue.

I'm not sure when I will feel better about letting others take care of Jet.  I DO KNOW that I haven't been OUT-OUT in WEEKS and the cabin fever is kicking in hardcore.  When I get excited about a car ride to the hospital, you know something's up!  So.......we shall see what happens over the break.  Perhaps all I need is some gentle "you got this!" coaching from Phil :)

Well, it only took about three hours to whip this one up.  Jet is back to sleep and I need to eat before I pass out!  Missing all of you! xo

The Name.

Like last time, I spent HOURS and HOURS looking up baby names for this little one.  Probably even more hours than I spent trying to find the perfect name for Nory.  It seemed harder for Baby #2, just as I described to you HERE.  There was much more to consider and even once we thought we had the perfect name picked out....the name we had been trying out around the house for weeks.....the name we were 99% certain about.....we made a last minute decision to change it up with a name that wasn't even on our radar!  (Yes, I feel completely silly for wasting precious hours of sleep due to my obsession with Nameberry in the last however many weeks!)

We thought it was a neat tradition to have a male middle name for both of our girls because in Arab culture, girls do have male middle names! So, with that, the middle name was always Tyko - a Scandinavian name that is extra precious as it was Phil's grandfather's middle name.  Phil's Grandpa was his ultimate FAVOURITE person in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD (and BEYOND!!!!!).  Grandpa passed away before Phil and I were together but, based on the amazing woman he married, it's clear just how incredibly special he was (women like HER don't get scooped up by just anybody!!!).  Stories of him, told by Phil and Grandma, always make the room tear up and even though I never met him, I miss him like they do.  We hope you had a big bowl of ice cream on December 5th, Grandpa! xo 

Given that the middle name is masculine, we decided that - like with Eleanor - the first name had to be quite feminine.  We wanted something that wasn't super popular or trendy but something that wasn't way out of the blue either (crazy celebrity style).  Well, laying in the hospital bed during my second admission (and second round of stop-this-baby-from-coming medicine), Juliet popped into my mind with the circumstance-appropriate nickname "Jet".  It was girlie enough, classic enough, and had a sporty little nickname that referenced just how quickly she wanted into this world!  I sent Phil a message at work and he fell in love :)  Juliet Tyko Parkinson it was!

We adore you, Jet Tyko!!!  You came into the world during my favourite month and - after December 25th - I think you too will have a favourite holiday!  You're our Christmas Angel :)

XOXO   

There are way more superheroes on this Earth than we think!

We are almost two weeks into this "family of four" thing and I have to tell you, we have looked at each other TOO MANY TIMES and said "people without a live-in nanny survive this?!"  I mean, even WITH Kumari, Phil and I busting it 24/7, one of the kids always requires (or desires!) our 100% attention and the house remains in a relatively constant state of disaster.  Please see Exhibit A, B, C and D in support of the latter discussion point:

Exhibit A:  Nory's room.

Exhibit B: our room.  Gosh, it's embarrassing.

Exhibit C: living room, part #1.

Exhibit D: living room, part #2.

What's even more puzzling to us is that not only do families without live-in nannies survive this, but single-parent families do too!  SAY WHAT?!!!!!  This is where the title of this post comes into play:  there are WAY more (WAY, WAY, WAY MORE!) superheroes on this Earth than we all think.  These miraculous do-it-themselves parents may not look so super on the outside (can you blame them?!), but it's clear to us that their cape is an invisible one and they are ROCKING LIFE like no one's BIZ-NAZZZZZ!  Congratulations to these exceptional individuals who keep their children alive and happy in an intriguingly independent manner. 

Besides this babble, I have lots to tell you!  Lucky for you, last night Phil let me sleep for 4.5 hours in a row (GASP!!!!!!) and I'm feeling like a bit of a superhero myself!  Consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep is no joke, people!  It's LEGIT!

Here's to hoping I can power through some more posting this afternoon! XO

Speedy in every sense!

After delivery, Jet was sent to the NICU on the fifth floor.  The doctors reassured us that the only reason she was there in the first place was because she was born premature (and they continued to repeat these words to us due to the proximity of other families in a completely different situation).  The cords and sounds and tears from other parents elevated our concerns, but the doctors said Juliet was a mighty little thing and, despite a slightly elevated white blood cell count, all things pointed to perfect.  We felt so, so lucky. 

Never leave the house without holiday props!

Our early Christmas present.  Santa did GOOD this year!

The three of us, captured together for the first time!  You can bet that NOTHING was going to stop me from making my way up to floor five.  NOTHING!!!!!!  Phil got to show off his smile for the picture :)

I couldn't believe how tiny she felt in my hands!

Nory would have loved the little "cat" sticker on her chest :)

After 31 hours (which seems short in retrospect but long at the time!), Juliet was wheeled down to the nursery outside of my room on floor two!  They kept her IV in while waiting for some bacterial cultures, but that was removed the following morning when the tests returned negative for infection.  I felt so much better knowing she was nearby, even though the doctor advised she stayed in the nursery (and away from any infection that was introduced by the massive amounts of visitors welcomed by other families!). 

On Monday, we received the proud parent report that Juliet was the only baby in the nursery to GAIN WEIGHT rather than lose it!    Accordingly, we were allowed to take Juliet home at lunch time!!!  We buckled all 4.8 pounds of her into the safest car seat Phil could find and the three of us put on our best "we're not afraid" faces as we drove the 30 minutes home to Mahboula. 

HOME SWEET HOME is AMAZING!  Our family feels complete (minus the little white dog that Phil promises he will get me in the future). 

The Last Post, Continued (Really Creative Title, Yes?!)

Funny things about the c section that I would like to share:

1)  This pregnancy, I had a whole lot of extra fluid surrounding the baby.  This is why I was feeling so anti-eating and FULL to the brim!  Well, as soon as that water had an exit route, Niagara Falls was formed!  The doctor actually said to the surgery room, "I guess nobody needed to shower today!!!!"  Haaa (and a little unsettling at the same time).

2)  Once the water was gone, the doctor was ready to get that baby out!  Apparently Jet helped her in the process, being the only baby she knows who literally kicked her way out of me!!!  Good job, Juliet - way to offer assistance where needed.  Because of this, I didn't feel like an elephant was sitting on top of me as I did with your sister who was stubborn in a different way ;) 

Our first picture together :)

I'll spare you the other uncomfortable details and move on to when I first saw our darling Juliet.  I couldn't believe how much she looked like Phil!!!  And it seems other people think so too!  It's so amazing to see this man I love so much in this girlie I love beyond measure.  SOOOO AMAZING! 

I'm not really sure what happened after Juliet was wheeled away to the NICU.  I have been trying my best to remember where I went, when Phil came to sit with me, what happened when I was taken to my room, etc. but all of these memories have escaped me.  If only Phil were home from school so I could pick his brain!!!  Then again, with me on anesthetics and Phil on NyQuil at the time, there's a good chance that he would be scrambling for details also! 

And Juliet is hungry again!  LATER Y'ALL!!!!!!! xo

Here's what happened....

DISCLAIMER:  From this point forward, "I'm tired" becomes a really suitable excuse for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, illogical blogging material, abrupt wrap-ups, unfinished posts, and infrequent posting ;)

Exhibit A:  I started this post yesterday morning. 

Remember those "here and there" contractions I told you about on Thursday?  Well, they intensified as the day progressed and reached a point where Phil believed we should return to the hospital.  I tried to reason with Phil for a little while, saying that perhaps the medicine needed time to kick in (it had been two hours already!) and that if we just relax and go to sleep they might disappear.  I also said that I was feeling a little stressed out and it's probably stress related pains......HA!  Can you tell I didn't want to return to the life of hard hospital beds, beeping monitors and IV drips?!  The thought of returning to the emergency room had me in tears and I was trying everything to get out of the dreadful situation that entailed Phil packing our bags frantically and giving me no choice other than to get into the car. (Thank you, Dear Graeme, for backing Phil up on this).  My mind was going crazy with doubt and worry.  We weren't ready for the baby.  We needed her to grow more.  We needed to catch up on lost sleep first.  We needed to make sure Phil and Nory weren't sick anymore.  We needed to set up the room.  We needed to buy a car seat.  The list went on and on and on.  But in that very moment (which I refused to realize) what we REALLY NEEDED was to get to the hospital.  Apparently these sorts of things make zero sense when you're an overtired, hormonal mess.

So we went.  I had a pity party the entire 40 minutes it took us to get there.  Although I should get some credit for walking to the car by myself (no dragging or carrying required) and opening the passenger door to willingly get out of the car upon arrival.....right?

The nurses were delighted to see me, yelling "HELLO MADAM LINDSAY!!!!" with big smiles as we entered the fifth floor.  Heartwarming, yes?  Ha.  I was hooked up to the CTG, checked for dilation and then hooked up to an IV.  This time, however, they would not give me meds to stop the contractions.  Instead, they would give the baby a chance to change her mind overnight (how kind!).  If she remained insistent (which she had been for the last two weeks!), a c section would be scheduled for the morning.  If not, we would be discharged (my secret hope). 

This is where things get a little interesting and, looking back, it went by so fast that I feel it was all a dream.  It was already midnight once we were moved into a room, so Phil chugged some NyQuil and passed out like a light.  I was given some pain meds and was able to doze off between the really bad contractions.  Then four thirty in the morning rolled around and the doctor on call came in, read the CTG output and said she would call my personal doctor.  Twenty minutes later, three nurses came rushing in, turned on all the lights and said that a c section was happening............NOW!  They started getting me ready for surgery.  Phil "woke up", but as you NyQuil believers know (shame on y'all), he wasn't truly with it.  I called Dana and Emily quickly and just after they arrived (which was impeccable timing BTW), I was whisked away to surgery without the man of my dreams.  Yes, turns out I had to brave my second c section alone.  #GOLD STAR #rockedit

To be continued when I have another moment............

Juliet "Jet" Tyko Parkinson

Born December 5th, 2014

6:06 a.m. (Kuwait Time)

2.01 kg (4.43 lbs)

47 cm long

31 cm head circumference

Our hearts are SO, SO full!!!!

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful wishes!

Love,
The Parkinson Family XOXO

Turns out my "DECEMBER" post was really moving......

...so much so that I ended up back in the hospital on Monday night - with even worse contractions than I had round one!  Seems to me like this little baby is eager to join in the holiday fun :)

I spent two nights hooked up to an IV and the oh-so-uncomfortable (make my stomach break out in a bad rash) CTG machine.  This time around, I wasn't permitted to take the CTG off because my contractions didn't go away as well as they did last week.  They lingered around until the day I was discharged (yesterday evening!) and the possibility of a c section was legitimate.  The doctor says the baby is quite insistent on entering this world and I kinda feel like a ticking time bomb laying around in my bed today (having the odd contraction here and there).  I have some medicine to take until my doctor's appointment next Saturday although we're not quite sure the baby will accept defeat that easily.  How long before she builds up the energy to give it another try?  Next time, I have a feeling she might win. 

I was going to call in a Christmas decorating committee to enhance my view if the stay was extended.......

So.....here I am again.  On bed rest.  A little more strict than before.  Phil has given Kumari serious orders not to bring Nory to visit me while he's at work.  Apparently I am not so great at resting when there's an extra special little darling begging for my attention.  He also set up another table beside the bed with snacks, water, chargers, etc. so I don't have to get up too much.  AND Kumari is receiving food and beverage orders via Whatsapp for things that require preparation.  (Shout out to Kumari Poppins, once again!!!! XO)

In terms of my spirits, they were pretty low during my second hospital stay.  I had next to ZERO sleep because of that darn CTG machine and the doctors and nurses were checking on me constantly.  Different alarms kept going off and the idea of having a c section at 33 weeks scared me to death.  I'm much better now that I am comfortable at home, in my OWN CLOTHES, in my OWN BED, where peanut butter and decaf tea are plentiful :)  It's also nice hearing little Nory squeals throughout the day, even though I have yet to see her!

Today I managed to nap for a solid two hours (is this my post-hospital ritual?!) and I also finished season 5 of The Real Housewives of NYC.  Throw in a few episodes of The Mindy Project, some time wasted on Pinterest, and you've got yourself a successful day of bed rest!  Phil should be home in about 15 minutes and I can't wait!!!  IT IS THE WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Phil and Nory news, both of them are sick.  Phil's is stress-induced, I'm sure, but he needs to get better ASAP so he can hold our wee little babe if she comes early!  Kumari really does have her hands full with all three of us needing a little extra TLC this week ;) 

Thanks for all the warm thoughts you've sent to my bedside in Kuwait!  YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!! XOXO

HAPPY DECEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday my Dad sent me the best message ever - a message reminding me that it was the last day of November and that TODAY marks the start of my FAVOURITE MONTH!  Isn't that the best reminder message of all?  (Thank you Dad! xo)

Here's why I place December on such a pedestal amongst les autres mois:

1)  For some reason, the celebration of Christmas is just starting to become socially acceptable with everyone else.  I don't actually care that I look like a complete wacko during mid-November, but it's so great for the rest of you to join in the fun :)

2)  GOODBYE MOVEMBER!  I'm all about supporting a good cause, but Mr. Parkinstache (as he INSISTED THE STUDENTS CALL HIM) was getting a little much and I'm happy to see a clean shaven face once again.  Our mistletoe can finally go to good use ;)

See ya next year, STACHE!

3)  It's the month of my birthday, my sister's birthday, my niece's birthday, my brother's birthday, some friends' birthdays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve.................(so much awesome packed into 31 days!!!!)

4)  Traditions return (in heaps)!  Holiday baking, tree decorating, Christmas readings (THE POLAR EXPRESS!!!!), family gatherings, Christmas cards, advent calendars....

5)  Family pictures.  If you're a social media junkie, you would agree that the spirit of FAMILY is captured so beautifully over the next few weeks.  And it's not because people took photography lessons in November.  Or upgraded their camera equipment.  Or that professionals were hired for the job.  It's just the genuine HAPPINESS that comes with building a snowman, watching a Christmas movie or having a hot chocolate in a messy, messy living room that make these sorts of pictures THE BEST.  

6)  People seem kinder.  Don't they?  More likely to let things go, more likely to help out, more likely to show thoughtfulness and consideration.  Door holders are out in full swing.  Smiles are reciprocated.  There's a general sense of JOY that radiates throughout the population and I soak every cheesy moment of it RIGHT UP. 

7)  For this year only, I can say that THIS MONTH may be THE MONTH we welcome our little Goose.  (Although we'd like you to hold off a few more weeks, Honey). 

If you need a little help getting into the holiday spirit yourself (and my 7 supporting statements haven't already pushed you over the edge!), this WestJet commercial is SURE to do the trick!  I can't believe I've never flown with WestJet before.  It's as if we should do it this summer sometime, just because!!!

HAPPY DECEMBER TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Singing Christmas Tree / Whatever Would We Do Without Her???

Let's begin by telling you that I spent a long time preparing this felt Christmas tree and it comes with HOMEMADE, PERSONALIZED, FELT ORNAMENTS for her to enjoy the whole decoration process over and over again.  Alas, Eleanor has found great joy in using it in ways of her own thinking.....

In the end, I suppose it's still spreading the same joy I had envisioned :)

An Evening at the Parkinson Theatre!

Today Phil brought home a bunch of things we had been storing at our friend Steve's house. Most of of the stuff is for Goose (baby toys, 0-3 month clothes, the baby swing, etc.), but included in the stash was a sweet little playhouse made by my grade six students last year.   Nory, of course, was instantly intrigued by this "house" and I think I've had my most fun "bed rest evening" to date!  She is a DRAMA QUEEN and I'm not sure if it's being a toddler or if it's being my daughter that is the cause of it!  (Let's just say my Dad nicknamed me "Hollywood" for a reason!) 

You can tell she is completely OVER the mamarazzi in the last video.  Enough is enough, Mama!  (So I secretly took ONE more....and it is also quite entertaining!!!!!!  Will post it soon!)

WE LOVE YOU CHICKEN! xo

Our World Rulers.

They say it takes a village to raise a child, but we're slowly learning that it takes a village to grow one too!  The amount of love and support we've received this past week has been overwhelming and it reminds me just how many good, good people exist on this Earth.  In case you were having any doubts of your own, allow me to share with you the type of people that actually RULE THE WORLD (sorry to contradict you, Dear News Networks):

There are people that sit with you in boredom because you're not allowed to do anything too exciting or sit with you in silence because they know you're on the verge of tears and just need a single moment to get it together.  

People that bring you cupcakes of multiple varieties because they aren't sure what flavour is your favourite but things that are delicious always cheer you up.  

People that make you your favourite food and send it home with your husband, although they also offered to make the 30 minute trip to deliver it in person.  

People that come over to cook an American Thanksgiving dinner (in-house!!) while you rest on the couch and get to enjoy a meal that is not traditional in your family.  

There are people that send you magazines to peruse in bed - knowing full well the value of a western magazine when you're a Canadian woman living abroad.  

People that keep your water bottle all full and make you hot water with lemon when you need something more tea-like.  

People that go to Hallmark for you, buy your Christmas cards, and get them to your bedside table ASAP because they know it's tradition for you to hand them out on December 1st.  

People that take over your classes for you and do their best to teach (out of their subject area!!!!) because they know your students are REALLY, REALLY important to you.  

People that bring your daughter to you when she's a bit less wiggly, so you can enjoy some quality time together before the Nornado reappears.  

People (little people!) that make their own "get well" cards that you'll never, ever throw away because, well, it's amazing to see a 12 year old treat this kind of gesture like a summative assessment.  

People that send those out-of-the-blue, "thinking of you", "how are you doing?" messages that make you feel loved times a billion...... 

A very big THANK YOU to this extraordinary village that is helping us to both raise our daughter and 'grow' a new one ;)  We will be sure to PAY IT FORWARD as we begin our random acts of kindness advent calendar tomorrow - December 1st!!! 

Love,
The Parkinson Family

It's that time again......

....that time where we send a BIG THANK YOU to Mr. Steve Jobs (and ye olde iPad) for turning our daughter into a calmer, more cuddlier version of herself when we need it most!  Think DAY-LONG flight plans and the more recent "please snuggle Mama in bed" moments.  This morning I got a whole 40 minutes out of her before she insisted it was time for "TOYS!!!!!!!!!"  Kumari whisked her away so I could rest and it made the entire separation process THAT much easier.  (The last few days have been a bit weepy in the "am I a good mom?" realm of things.)

I love you Eleanor Douglas!  I promise this BORING MAMA phase will pass quickly and we can get back to all the good stuff we're known for.  XOXO.

Really Exciting Stories from A Gal on Bed Rest.......(at what point will my optimism fade?).....

Yesterday's BIG ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 

*  a solid 7 hour sleep with ZERO interruptions (including trips to the bathroom!)
*  a two hour nap shortly after (who am I?)
*  one episode of Beverly Hills Housewives, one episode of NYC Housewives, three episodes of The Mindy project........(go ahead and roll your eyes - the shows kept me horizontal, people!)
*  countless bottles of water (I am forbidden from getting dehydrated and Kumari is like the water police!)

Other than this, I spent a lot of time laying on the couch and watching Nory play.  She got a bit upset with my lack of activity (like when I said no to dancing during "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"), but she got over it relatively quickly with the help of distraction.  The bunch of balloons dropped off by friends were a big help.  Nory whipped around the living room like you don't even know with the colourful balloons "FLYING!!!" behind her.  That eventually led to a big crash (which anybody could have seen coming) but she got over that moment too.  In the evening, the Macy's Day parade caught her attention with her favourite moments being the musical performances.  Of course, total TODDLER-STYLE, she DID get angry at the parade more than once.  Where did that Hello Kitty float go?  Why won't it come back?  I said "PEEEAAAZE!!!!!!!"  Haha.  Eleanor the Fierce. 

Morning snuggles with Nory.  A real treat considering I don't get to see her on weekday mornings when I'm working!

This morning hasn't started out with as much Bed Rest Pizazz as yesterday.  I was pretty restless and uncomfortable throughout the night (sorry Phil!) and I woke up with a nosebleed before 6.  So - I've relocated to the couch where it's just me and the Christmas tree (which isn't such a horrible way to begin a Friday morning).  Nory will likely sleep another hour and - fingers crossed - Phil is able to sleep even longer because that man of ours is SLEEP-DEPRIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Friday to everyone back home!  Do you think we could convince the Americans to start calling it.........hmmm..........Yellow Friday?  It just sounds so much kinder :)

HALLELUJAH!!!!

Breaking news, everyone!!!!  I've cuddled with Nory!  I've had a shower!  I've had a spoonful of peanut butter!  I've enjoyed a decaf tea! And.....wait for it......I JUST HAD A NAP!!!!!!!!!!  All of these wonderful things can only mean ONE THING:  I AM HOME SWEET HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The easiest bed to say goodbye to.  EVER!!!!

Today the hospital allowed me to leave right after lunch and I am reporting to you from our extra-cozy, king-size bed - set up with water bottles, snacks, my computer, magazines, books, a pen, a notebook, lip gloss, hair stuff, lots of pillows, a warm "beanie" for aches and pains, and anything else that a resting girl might desperately need.  Hmmmm......I better stop bragging or else my live-in nurse (PHIL!) might accept a more reputable position at the hospital.  Let's just say my husband is "alright" ;)  I LOVE YOU HUN!!!!!!!!

Yesterday afternoon, I was wheeled down to my official doctor who told me a few key things:

1)  The baby is healthy and at the ideal weight for 32 weeks, although she is quite insistent on staying put in the low-lying breech position.   I am encouraged to sit with my legs elevated and - get this:  CRAWL! - periodically to encourage her to flip around.

2)  I am not allowed to return to work before Christmas.  I am to "take it easy" for the next three weeks - at which point I will be 36 weeks and any major concerns will be a thing of the past.  I made the doctor (the poor woman!) go into detail on this whole concept, just so we were both clear on the idea of "bed rest".  Basically, there's lots of bed/couch and very limited un-bed/un-couch.  I am allowed to shower, make a tea and other little things (to prevent blood clots), but standing on my feet for long is a no-no.  As is the basketball tournament I was so looking forward to this weekend.  As is helping to make an American Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday.  As is going on a super CHRISTMAS SHOP at the Avenues every weekend between now and the 25th of December.  Sounds awesome, doesn't it?  Pfft - speak to the people who love bed.   

3)  We are "counting up" rather than "counting down".  It's no longer "only 8 weeks to go!"  Instead, it is "wow, we made it another day....and another day....and another day!!!"  I think it is a great way of thinking about it, but I'm sure I will need reminders of that mindset in the coming days.  Or, heaven help us, HOURS.

I was disconnected from all medicines after my big trip to my doctor's floor and, despite a a few contractions in the early evening, things went well.  For the most part.  I mean, I MIGHT have had a huge breakdown at 11 p.m. when they woke me up to give me more antibiotics via intravenous.  I was EXHAUSTED and had finally relaxed enough to sleep and they scared the heck out of me when they grabbed my wrist without warning.  Then, there were complications with the drip and they were contemplating putting in a brand spanking new IV.  I was SO DONE with it all and really, really, really wanted to be left alone.  TO REST!  Like they kept telling me to!  So, once the IV was figured out, I fell asleep and they promised no more interruptions until they wanted me to eat at 6:30 this morning.  PRAISE THE LORD!  I got the most sleep I had in three days and woke up much less angry with the nursing staff.  GO TEAM!  

Anyways, I am starting to accept recommendations for really fun things to do that are best enjoyed laying down and with limited movement.  Movie recommendations?  Books?  Tv shows?  Online shopping sites?  Keep in mind I am almost 29, yet my entertainment preferences seem to align more closely with that of a 12 year old girl.  I've already seen Frozen.  But, yes, you're right in thinking that I should watch it again soon.  'Tis that time of year!

Thanks again for all of your kind messages!!!  It's amazing how quickly love travels the globe when you need it to!  Way faster than the swankiest of international airlines ;)

Sending my love!!! XOXO 

"Bed Rest".....At the Hospital

Since my computer is refusing to play any of the darling chick flicks from my hard drive and sleeping is not an option given the circumstances......the blogging shall resume!  Aren't you lucky?  Hearing from me TWICE IN ONE DAY when the norm has been.....hmmm.....maybe once every two weeks (my apologies, friends)!!!

Let's talk RESTING.  The cause of my preterm labour cannot be confirmed 100%, but it has been noted that stress and exhaustion likely contributed to my experience with it.  Working about 12 hours a day - on my feet - and then returning home to the most energetic toddler alive, well, these things weren't exactly recommended to continue with the same level of vigor by our OB/GYN here.  I was told to take it down a notch - especially after my umbilical hernia and especially after the tiniest Parkinson was deemed not only breech, but a low-resting breech baby.  In response to this, I really feel I did lay off a bit in terms of picking up Nory and chasing her around (ah-hem, Phil is THE BEST MEDICAL ADVICE ENFORCER when it involves ME and NOT HIM).  BUT.  A BIG BUT.  In terms of work, I'm an ALL or NOTHING kind of gal and forever have been.  No, I can't sit at my desk while I watch my students struggle with density calculations at their desks.  No, I can't excite them about new material at my work desk with my little, high voice (a full song and dance is generally required).  And no, safety cannot be sacrificed during labs while I rest easy on an office chair nearby.  So - this half tilt, minimize standing, only do what you can sort of idea?  I don't buy it.  So I worked.  And worked.  And worked.  And the hours I've put in preparing for lessons, contacting home, marking, etc. have since reached an incredible tally.  But that's part of the job.  And that's how I choose to do it:  PERFECT or...........NOT AT ALL.

Dana and I chilling in my room.  It's quite large!  You wouldn't believe the size of my bathroom or lobby way either!

That being said, I'm certain you understand how bored I am already - Day Two in the hospital.  And with THAT BEING SAID, this boredom exists despite the wonderful people who came to visit me at the hospital yesterday (for many hours at a time)!  I like to keep busy and being isolated in this bed - without any company at all - is not so conducive to that.  I have my one English channel on the television (BBC), my iPhone (which is getting old - FAST!), my computer (which, I admit, has opened up the world of blogging again), and the series of nurses and on-call doctors that cycle through my room non-stop.  There's also the option of sleeping, but this hasn't been going so well due to the following factors:

1)   I am a terrible sleeper to begin with, never a napper, and a complete worry wart.  These three things together make for an unlikely sleeping situation.

2)  Who sleeps well at 32 weeks pregnant anyways?  KICK/KICK/KICK.  PEE/PEE/PEE.  I mean.....mamas out there get it!  (Minus the one or two that make me really jealous because their babies are super sleepers both inside and outside the womb!)

3)  I'm on the labour and delivery floor.  Night one, I was on the delivery side as no alternative rooms were available.  Screaming ladies, crying babies, frantic nurses, alarm calls...........ALL NIGHT LONG.  Thankfully I was moved to the "observation" side yesterday morning.  But it's directly opposite the emergency triage station.  Screaming ladies, frantic husbands, alarm calls.......DAY AND NIGHT!  Speaking of which, apparently the last screamer who was admitted was dilated 9 cm upon arrival.  After having a C section round one, my eyes have been considerably OPENED UP in the last however many hours.  Let's just say that ACTUALLY having a baby seems scary NO MATTER how the baby enters this world!

4)  I'm connected to a lovely IV machine that has both spontaneous alarm sounds and planned alarm times.  I'm also connected to a CTG monitor that keeps track of contractions and the baby's heart rate.  And I admit that it is REALLY nice to hear a lovely stream of thump-thumps from Goose (it means she's doing well!) but due to her activity, the heart beat is not exactly regular enough to be considered a suitable source of "white noise".

5)  I must be disconnected from both the IV machine and the CTG when I have to pee.  Which is a problematic issue of mine (ah-hem, frequent urination) whilst NOT pregnant, pregnant, and pregnant on an IV that encourages urination even further.  Every hour, I buzz my peeps to release me to the bathroom!  Lucky them.  Lucky me!  

6)  Nurses and doctors.  LOVE ME.  Poking me.  Prodding me.  Checking in on me.  Which is all good and fine.  Minus when you're trying to get some legitimate shut eye.

Yesterday's breakfast.  REAL FOOD!  YAHOO!!!!

7)  Meal service.  It's delicious at this hospital and the trolley it's served on wins big-time presentation points.  BUT.  Meal times involve the process of ordering, having your nurse verify your dietary needs, a twenty minute wait period, food delivery, eating the food, having the servers return to pick up the trolley.........It's a 1.5 hour affair that the nurses constantly inquire about. "Did you eat?!  What did you eat?!"  Ugh. 

8)  My bum hurts.  It's the truth, people!  Bum injections make you feel like you've been working out the buttox for hours.  And I haven't been.  But that's how it feels.  It's quite uncomfortable laying here at times.

9)  Window washers.  The call to prayer.  Random arguments in the hallways.  Construction.  Bedding removal.  Replenishing of room supplies.  The usual hospital activity that creates a problemo for sleep wishers.

10)  To be honest, this is probably my biggest reason for NOT sleeping.  My mind.  Is the new baby going to be okay?  Is Nory okay?  I miss her.  Is Phil okay?  No - he's stressed like you don't even know.  Are my students okay?  They have a test on Thursday.  Are my subs okay - did I give them enough information?  What if I can't return to work?  What will happen to my position?  How much will my pay be cut? Is insurance going to give pre-approval for this visit?  When does that insurance lady return to talk to me anyways?  Will I be asked to go on best rest when I'm finally discharged?  How will I survive that.....HAPPILY?  What if I can't play with Nory?  Will Nory ever forgive me?  (You get the picture.....my mind is a racing one!) 

So - there you have it:  bed rest at the hospital!  The best part is, every time a health professional checks in on me, they ask how I've been sleeping.  Or when I'm going to sleep.  Or why I haven't already done so....haha.

Fingers crossed they let me out of this place SOON!!!!!

The last doctor that popped in (the really cool one with blue hair) says that MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, I MIGHT get to leave tonight.  But then she proceeded to tell me I will likely need medical leave until Christmas holidays.  We shall see what my usual doctor says later today!

A decaf hazelnut latte - IN A RED CUP! - thanks to Gem :) xo

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday spirit back home!  All of your beautiful, snowy landscape pictures make me feel SO HAPPY INSIDE!!!! XOXO

WAIT - one more thing.  I LOVE YOU GOOSE!!!!  Keep growing my girl!  The thought of your sweet little face makes "sucking it up" so much easier.  Love, Mama XOXO

Baby's First Christmas???

Last year our friends Scott and Maria gave Nory a "Baby's First Christmas" stocking.  As we were decorating for Christmas last weekend (yes! it happened!), I pulled it out of the holiday bin and decided we should add a question mark to the end of the "Baby's First Christmas" cursive - embroidered ever-so-sweetly at the top of stocking.  I mean, babies DO come early (sometimes, right?!) and I was certainly not going to let our newest addition celebrate her first BEST HOLIDAY EVER in a non-traditional way.  NO WAY JOSE!  And so I told Phil we must let Santa know what's on the new baby's wish list (which she shares with me nightly via morse-code-kicking) - just in case she happened to appear before her mid-January due date.  Three weeks early seemed like a normal thing and I wanted to be prepared! 

Moving on to the next part of this random story....

It wasn't our intention to go the mall this past Friday.  In fact, the plan was to keep Nory on her morning schedule, get her to nap well, and then take some maternity pictures with Emily once she woke up.  But then Nory woke up with even WIDER FEET than her widest shoes and it was off to the mall to find some extra-wide Clarks she could wear for our planned OUTDOOR photo excursion.  This released the flood gates for a whole other series of extraordinary events:  rain in Kuwait (so much for the beach pictures!), an unhappy-and-unwilling-to-eat-or-sleep-because-back-molars-are-popping through toddler, a sick to her stomach/bathroom bound photographer, and a random "PHIL I AM HAVING SOME SERIOUS PAINS" at the mall incident contributed by the pregnant lady herself.  Just a few hiccups in the road, yes?  

Well, based on my not-so-settle encouragement, the four of us were able to regroup as best as we could given the aforementioned events.  Nory got shoes (not exactly photo-shoot material, but they light up when she stomps and plays and that's a big hit with her).  Emily rested and got her stomach back in working order before cabbing to our place.  Nory crashed for a couple of hours....EVENTUALLY.  And ate (ice cream, nonetheless!)......EVENTUALLY.  My pains subsided......EVENTUALLY.  And although the rain kept up, Emily was able to make our inside space work A-OKAY!  We had thoughts of postponing the shoot until the next weekend (which probably made the most sense) but I KINDLY (or not) insisted we got the show on the road, fearing the consequences of my mall pains as a looming early delivery.  Ah-hem, what good are bump photos without the bump?!  The show had to go on!!!!  IT HAD TO!!!!!!!! 

And so the miraculous crew of dedicated individuals persevered!  Through Nory's extreme disinterest and all (have you noticed my lack of Nory pictures these days?!), photos were taken and there's living proof I had an honest-to-goodness bump at 32 weeks.  Here are a few snapshots from Friday's session.  A big thank you to Emily for all of her time and effort in taking/editing these pictures!!!! XOXO

Charming, yes?!  We planned on heading to the beach early this coming Friday to approach it from our initial angle, but as the series of unfortunate events continues, I think this plan has already been axed.

I'm in the hospital, people!  Admitted on Sunday night with some spotting and premature uterine contractions.  It's been a big scare, with Goose already listening to Phil's "if you're not early, you're late" speech at a mere 32 weeks and 2 days of gestation.  I mean.......I can name a few 12 or 13 year old's who listen to my husband's words out of 100% fear....but I feel she's too innocent to even recognize such a sincerity in this brief, yet influential speech I've heard a billion times.  (Have any of you heard him say it with intention?  It even gets ME ON THE MOVE!).  

Back to the baby.  She's okay.  I'm okay.  And we've been receiving the best treatment the last two days to encourage her lung development and stop my contractions.  Tonight I am supposed to be disconnected from the medicine and then observed for 7 hours to see how my body holds up!  FINGERS CROSSED!  I'm hoping to be discharged tomorrow morning, at which point the doctor is to discuss with me what this means in terms of work....(sore subject 'round here).

Perhaps I will get the chance to do some more blogging while "resting" at the hospital today.  Those quotation marks are there with purpose, y'all.  Maybe that will be my next blogging topic:  "Resting" at the Hospital.........

Thanks for all the love that has been sent our way!  XOXO..........