Now I Remember

I use to look at Remembrance Day as an extra day off of school, now I remember we have this day off because of the courageous men and woman who have fought for and still fight for our rights and freedoms.

I use to think bringing a loonie to school to get my poppy was cool and would play with my poppy more than I would wear it, now I remember to wear my poppy with pride, as a sign of respect for all those who serve and have served in the military.

I use to think veterans were old and from the past, now I remember those who have served in the past, many who serve and fight today and the even more who will come to protect us and our country in the future.

I use to think we observed Remembrance Day for the wars and battles in the past, now I remember the many wars that were, and the continual conflicts that go on today.

I use to see old footage of war and think it was almost unreal what I was seeing, now I remember how real the situations those soldiers faced were and how real the situations are that they continue to see today.

I use to think the soldiers we remembered on November 11th were long gone and not personally connected to any of us, now I remember those who serve today and that somewhere down the line we are all connected to those who serve.

I use to think Remembrance Day was about the past, about those who came before us.  I use to think we stopped to observe it as a sign of respect of those who had fallen in battle so that we could live in freedom today.  I use to think it was all about the past. 

Now I remember Remembrance Day is not only about the past but about the present and the future.  I remember the brave soldiers who have fallen abroad and now I remember the brave soldiers who have lost their lives recently here on home soil, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, Corporal Nathan Cirillo and Private Steven Allen.  I remember to show respect and to be proud of those brave men and women in the armed services and reserves because I know how important their jobs are in allowing me to live the life I live here in a country I love.  Now I remember to say thank you.  Thank you to the fallen soldiers who have given their lives and thank you to all military personnel who continue to serve and serve proudly for a country they believe in.

Now I remember.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Over this past week I have been reminded of how important the role of friends are in life, especially mine.  Being a new mom I spend most of my time hanging out with my little man day in and day out. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining at all!  I love being a mom, more than I ever thought possible.  Not to mention taking care of Jace is not overly stressful.  He is probably one of the most laid-back, easy going babies EVER!  But he does have his moments!

On a regular basis my husband Jamie will say, " Call the wolf pack.  Go out and have some fun and I'll take care of the boy."  Which usually ends in me saying something along the lines of "yeah, yeah" but never actually doing it.

This week however I finally took his advice!  Although it was nothing fancy (a couple drinks at a lounge), it was exactly what was needed.  A few drinks, a lot of laughs and an overall good time.  It brought me back to me.  It was something I didn't realize I missed so much.  Sometimes the littlest things make the biggest impact.

Not only did I get to go out with my girls here and have a great time but I finally got to see some of the awesome pictures that were taken of my girls and me from when we were back in BC this summer.  The pictures and constant communication with wolf pack west makes me feel like I am never too far away from any of them and that I am still a part of everything going on back there.

Having the connection with my friends in person and electronically was exactly what the doctor ordered this week as I sadly had to say goodbye to a former student who unfortunately lost her battle to mental illness.  Mallory struggled for a number of years and sadly lost her battle just over a week ago.  Saying goodbye this week and seeing all of the people who cared for her, all of the people whose lives she touched in some way having to say goodbye was heartbreaking.  Mallory was always so lovely and had such a vibrant spirit (so vibrant that when she was in grade 12 she dressed up as Lady Gaga one day during spirit week).  

Like most of the people saying farewell to Mallory this week I don't think many of us knew of the battle she was fighting each and every day.  If only more of us knew maybe she could have stuck around a little longer.  I only hope she has finally found peace for herself.  I know she will be greatly missed by many!

Saying goodbye to this young girl and seeing all her friends and family doing the same reminded me that the important things in life aren't things but family and friends.  Not only that, but making sure that they realize how important they are to me and my life.

So to all my wonderful and amazing family and friends, I love you.  Although I don't always see you or get a chance to say it all the time, I do!  I love you!  And I wouldn't be me without any of you.

xo

Oh the Shame!

Over the last few weeks I have come across the topic of breastfeeding in the media and in conversations far more often than I have ever before.  Now, this might be because I am a new mom myself and that I am aware of it more but whatever it may be, one thing that seems evident to me is that this seems that this is a public forum to shame families who choose to use formula to feed their children rather than breastfeed.

The shaming is not always blatant and overt.  Sometimes it a comment such as "Oh...you're NOT breastfeeding?" (emphasis on the NOT with an awkward smile and a quick aversion of the eyes).  Or it's a "Ok, so you are going to have to ween your baby off of that formula you were supplementing with as soon as you can.  Breast is best!"

However sometimes it is very blatant, such as the Fraser Health "Infant Feeding Plan" in BC which uses scare tactics on new families (like we're not already nervous enough caring for a new baby) such as "babies who are formula fed may have lower IQ's, could suffer from obesity or diabetes or may have a greater risks of dying from SIDS.  A feeding plan that has now been removed from the Fraser Health website as a result of backlash from upset parents. Duh!

What these shamers are not taking into account is the fact that some parents don't always have the CHOICE to breastfeed.  Same sex parents, adoptive parents, parents who use gestational carriers (aka surrogate mothers), not to mention mothers who do not produce enough breast milk or even in some cases none at all.  Yes there are some women who for personal reasons choose not to breastfeed their children but that is their own choice and they should not be looked down upon and shamed because of their choice.

Formula is produced for a reason and is used as such.  Shouldn't the main focus of feeding infants be that they be healthy and happy?  And if that means that they are breastfed, formula fed or a combination of the two then we should be supportive of the parents not judgemental. If the child is happy, growing and sleeping well, what more could you ask for?  Support these new parents as it is already stressful enough (often with hormones running high) learning to care for a new little person or persons in your life.  These parents don't need your negativity.

So in saying this, I encourage you to be that support to new parents you come across.  They need it!  Not to mention there are plenty of us formula fed babies out there who aren't babies anymore nor are we uneducated, obese, diabetic and guess what????  We're still alive!!!!

12 Days of Jace

So here we are, 12 days into parenthood and I'm tired.  I'm sore.  I'm slow moving.  And I'm flying blind.  But...

I'm more happy than I have ever been.  I am SOOOOOOOO IN LOVE!!!!  I am amazed at my maternal and Jamie's paternal instincts.  I am grateful for my mother's help.  And I wouldn't change a thing.

It has really been a learning experience over the last week and a bit figuring out our new routines and getting use to taking care of a little human 24/7.  There is absolutely nothing like it.  For the last 33 years it has been about me and my life.  Now I have a little man to take care of and worry about, and as strange as it is, that's pretty cool.

Although Jace's life basically consists of eating, sleeping and pooping, and the smiles and faces he makes are only gas at this point I can't keep my eyes off of him.  I am mesmerized by this wondrous little man and can't wait to watch him grow and become his own person, with his own personality and curious mind.

So here's to the many milestones and years that lay before us and all the adventures that we are about to embark on.  I look forward to it all and can't wait to watch you grow Jace.  I love you forever and like you always. xoxo

The Great Unknown

I have officially made it to my 3rd trimester! 28 weeks in and counting! And as my pregnancy keeps moving along I have come to the realization that Jamie and I have Absolutely, 100%, No Clue what we are about to be getting ourselves into.

As I talk to other parents and new moms about what I can expect in the upcoming months I have been slapped in the face with the reality that I have been completely oblivious to what those first few weeks and months are going to be like.

I'm aware that there will be a lack of sleep all around, lots of feedings and about a million poopy diapers but from there I know NOTHING! And I'm not afraid to admit it. As other parents try to give me hints, tips and tricks and I am trying to remember each of these things, I'm pretty sure that when the time comes I will have totally forgotten and we will be flying blind by the seats of our pants.

So bring it on! I am ready to explore this great, vast unknown world we are about to enter and take it on head first. I've got the support of a great husband, terrific family and friends, not to mention answers at my fingertips with the internet (although some of the stuff I find there is questionable) and the knowledge that women have been doing this for centuries and figuring it out on thier own...I think I will be ok.

So as the next few weeks fly by, which I'm sure they will. As springs blossoms and June comes into sight I will savour my quiet moments now and the time that is just Jamie and I because I know chaos is about to erupt. A good chaos that will forever change us and one that I have been waiting for for a while. 

So here is to the great unknown and all the lifetime of adventures it will bring!