Happy New Year!!

Wow 2010 already!

What a year 2009 had been! The way 2009 started out, we really did not know what to expect! I spent New Years Eve last year, in the hospital, being told, we might lose the baby. They were sure I lost my mucus plug, that I was leaking amniotic fluid, and contractions had started. I was only 20 weeks along. WE had chosen our newest little mans name, and were looking forward to a new year, with a baby on the way, daycare going well, and Dave having just moved up in the company he was working for. Things looked so wonderful!

But with the news of the baby being at risk, the year was starting out on shaky ground. I was put on bedrest and monitored much more closely. Knowing I could no longer work, and had no benefits, was a big blow and we were not sure how we would mange. Then about a month and a half later...Dave lost his job. It was a really scary new year, with so many worries. I prayed, and tried my best to stay as positive as I could. There were challenges, a few late bills, and quite a few tears. But we kept on. Hearing Elliott heart beats, and hitting every new week of him still being in me, brought us much needed positive energy. Dave looked and looked, and no jobs were available. My parents were amazing. Mom kept watching my daycare children 2 days week, since my clients did not want to lose me as their care provider. It was SUCH a blessing. There was a lot of comfort in knowing, that once Elliott was born, I would have my job ready to go back to. Then Elliott came!

He was even a little late! Due to being on bedrest for so long, Elliott descended the wrong way, and had a hard time coming out. Hardest delivery of all my kids! After a long and extremely painful labor and no baby yet, there was talk of a C-Section, and he must have heard it, because he turned his head, and came right out! Poor baby had indentations on his head for weeks (and even a bit now) from being stuck the wrong way for so long, and from me pushing with him in that position for an hour and a half! But he was perfect! He was jaundice, and nursing had painful challenges, but every single tear and challenge was worth it. Our youngest was here, to join his three older loving brothers! After spending months worrying, he was here, and perfect and most of all healthy!

Once Elliott was 2 weeks old, I started working again. But poor Nate, got really sick. Monday morning had us take him by ambulance to CHEO , he was creaming in pain, and had fevers. Dr there said could be gas, even though we knew it was something wrong, and they sent us home. Saw the Dr the next day, and again on Wednesday took him back to CHEO, determine we were going to get answers. Well, we got answers. He had pneumonia and by this point it was quite severe and he had to spend 5 nights at CHEO on IV! We were upset they failed to diagnose him until his third visit. Had they seen it the first day, he would have started meds and avoided being admitted. With a newborn at home, and Nate in isolation it was not easy. Once again, my parents were an amazing Blessing, and helped Dave and I take turns spending time here with the kids, at the hospital, with the baby...etc.. I would pump while with Nate, and nurse E when I was home.

Nate got better and better, and after 5 nights at CHEO, was home JUST in time for his Bday! :) This was when we were waiting for his IV to be taken out so we could go home!

During the summer, the kids enjoyed soccer. It was Nate`s first year, and Corbin`s forth! He was becoming better and better with each passing year. It was wonderful seeing the kids running around having fun, smiling and laughing! :) It warms my heart to see my beautiful children, healthy, happy and loving life! They had a blast swimming in our little pool in the backyard this year as well! (and in grandmas pool of course! lol) Owen is so wonderful with them in the pool, helping them learn things and playing with them! He is an amazing big brother. What a Blessing, our blended family, works together so well, and there is always so much love to go around!

Gosh there are SO many pictures I want to share! This year, we have spent some wonderful times at the museums, playing outside, having jammies days and just being a family! I feel more and more Blessed everyday! I don`t want to forget any of it! lol

The year has now come to an end. It ended with some pretty amazing things. Dave is back to school! He was accepted for a program, that not only helps with living costs, but pays tuition for him! He is at Algonquin, taking the nursing program in the fall. :) It is so wonderful! He is such a caring and loving man,. He is always there to help others and is very compassionate. Nursing really is something he will be amazing at! I love him so much, and thank God for bringing him into my life. We have ups, and downs, but we love each other, our children, and our lives together. I look forward to a wonderful new year, surrounded by the many people whom we are Blessed to have near us! We have our children, each other, our amazing family and friends, (you know who you are!)..lol...

I hope and Pray for this year, to be a wonderful Blessed year, for us, and for all our friends and family. May you all be surrounded with love and family, and always be grateful for the people and things in your lives. My new years resolution, is to be just be the best person I can. I want to be healthy and happy, and make sure that what I do, makes myself, my family and God proud. :) I could not have asked for a better life!

2010...here we come!