A time to be Thankful

Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend and even though blessings are not only bestowed on us this one weekend, but every day of the year, we usually take time to acknowledge what we are thankful for in our lives.  During this past year, I have thought a lot about what I am thankful for in my life.

First, my husband of 37 years who has been my partner, my friend and my rock.  I can’t imagine my life without him.

My children, each special and unique in different way.  They have brought me years of laughter, joy and pride.

My daughter-in-law and son-in law.  Both intelligent, thoughtful and caring people.  They have completed our family.  They bring joy to my heart and knowing that my children will be taken care of long after I’m gone, gives me peace.

The grandchildren.  The special little ones who have come into our lives.  Little beacons of light that light up the dreariest of days.

I’m also thankful for life. To be able to get up every morning and watch the sunrise or see the Northern lights dancing above our house, hearing the coyotes howl, the birds sing or even the crunch of the leaves as the squirrel scurries about.  The friendships with the people I've met over the years and the friendships I've developed over time online with so many wonderful photographers and great women have helped me through some rough patches this year. 

So many things to be thankful for, but I am really not  thankful for this nasty cold that has developed over the weekend.

A Week of Healing and Growing Stronger

It's been a week of healing for Mom and a week of growing stronger for the baby.  The IV tubes have now been removed from Charles and mom is starting to feel a little stronger herself.  This is the little bed Charles has been in since birth.

Today was supposed to be graduation to his big boy bed that is sitting in the corner waiting for him.

But the doctor felt a little more time under the blue lights would be good.  Perhaps tomorrow he'll get to try out his new bed.

Jennifer had a surprise today, with being "released" from the hospital.  It actually meant a move to a family room, just down the hall from NICU, that she can share with her husband.  More blood tests, plenty of rest and a visit with the OB team will follow next week.  The family room also means that the baby's dad, Jennifer's husband now has a bed to sleep in at the hospital.  No more nights in the reclining chair. (Update - After publishing this post Sunday evening, Jennifer was readmitted to the hospital during the night with an infection)

Speaking of baby's dad, this man is amazing.  He's been with the baby for all the doctor rounds, he's been with his wife for her doctor rounds and he's the one doing the round the clock milk deliveries and feedings when Jennifer can't make it. When Jen's been feeling better, he's the one making sure she gets her trips to the NICU.  He's quite comfortable doing diaper changes, feeding and taking care of the baby while taking care of his wife.

If the way he cares for his wife and baby are any indication of the way he takes care of us while serving his county, we can all rest a little easier knowing that men like this are taking care of us.

World, please meet Charles

After months of agonizing side effects of hyperparathyroidism, my daughter was wheeled into surgery yesterday morning.  For those who have followed my dailies on Smugmug or Facebook, you've seen the shots of hospitals and intravenous and heard about the constant kidney stones. You might remember that she was 34 weeks pregnant.  After a couple of hours waiting and waiting, the surgeons informed her husband and I that the surgery had gone well.  They removed 2 of 4 of her parathyroid glands, but the baby's heart rate wasn't recovering as fast as they would like it too, and a C Section was recommended.  At 11:40 yesterday morning, a little baby boy made his entry into the world, weighing 7 lbs 2 ozs.

He was off to the NICU, where against all odds has proven what a strong little guy he is.  Seven hours later, he was moved to a low risk pod in the NICU. His calcium levels are remaining stable, he has developed a voice and all his little parts are perfect.

The little guy will remain in NICU for a while and his mom is now in a comfortable room, recovering from the two surgeries in one day.

So without any further delay, world, I would like to introduce you to our newest grandson, Charles.

Life for Grandma and Grandpa will return to normal, but a wonderful adventure is just starting for a new family.  To make sure our life is not too normal, we're expecting another grandchild in November, our son and his wife are expecting their second child.

Ted and Lois Hole Healing Garden

With a weekend of hospital visits, it was only natural to take a walk around the Robins Pavillion, part of the Lois Hole Hospital for Women.  Lois Hole was a remarkable woman http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Hole and we found a beautiful garden in the hospital, appropriately named The Ted and Lois Healing Garden.

Water features and stained glass great the visitors as they enter the garden

Stained glass "fences" provide shade and privacy

The gardens are colour coordinated of course

And I think my favorite from the garden is the abundance of grasses, giving you a feeling your in the prairies and being able to escape the reality of the hospital.

My daughter now has an appointment with a surgeon at another hospital on Tuesday, so we're remaining very hopeful.

Sharing with A Flash of Inspiration - Weekend Walk

Another day, another hospital

My daughter, now 32 1/2 weeks pregnant has been so sick.  We're not talking the normal pregancy problems of morning sickness, swelling and tiredness that we've all endured, but really sick.  She has had 5 months of kidney stones, constant throwing up, aching bones and muscles and ichiness to the point of burning.  The poor girl has had repeated visits to emergency and doctors.  A few weeks ago, when her OB called a specialist for advice, the specialist mentioned it might be a long shot, but she could possibly have Hyperparathyroidism.  Simple blood tests for Calcium levels and a meeting with a team of specialists at the Royal Alexander hospital has now confirmed the diagnosis.  Being only the second case of Hyperparathyroidism the hospital has seen in a pregnant woman she had become "medically interesting".

The most important thing is now that she has been properly diagnosed, new specialists will be coming in and treatment hopefully can proceed.  She is now in very good, expert hands.

After being with her this afternoon and hearing a new specialist had agreed to see her, I left the hospital feeling more positive than I have in months. There's a courtyard I had to walk through to get back to the main building and looking around I noticed all the new buildings totally encased in glass, reflecting an older parts of the hospital. Random Fact # 1: The history of glassmaking can be traced back to 3500 BCE

Looing up you can see how all the buildings have been connected with skywalks. Random Fact #2 Early skywalks date back to the 16th century.

After finally arriving at the parking lot, (Random Fact #3 I've been trying to lose some weight and the past couple of weeks have not gone so well.  With walks like this, I'll have to get serious again) I took a moment and looked back at the skywalk from the parking lot to the main hospital.

Random Fact #4: After four years of doing a daily photo, earlier this week, I made a decision to take a break from my dailies and I’m already missing it and still carrying a camera with me each day. Today I was glad I had a camera.

Random Fact #5 I've never seen a racoon in real life.

Linking up with:

Standing on the outside

Sometines I feel like this red poppy, standing on the outside, perhaps dancing to a different beat but I think I have finally realized that it can be a very good place to be.

Texture used was Kim Klassen's Annabelle.  Sharing with Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

Something Old

My Father In Law gave me this camera a few weeks ago after my Mother In Law passed away.  It was one of her first camera's given to her by her Mother In Law.  The Brownie Target Six-20  was introduced in 1946 and sold for $3.50 which would have been a lot of money for a farm wife following the great depression.

My Father In Law is the handsome gentleman in the uniform on the left following his return from England after World War II.  He is posing with his Dad (my husband's Grandfather) and the picture was probably taken by my husband's Grandmother.

Here's the story of the beautiful lady on the right.  When my husband's father was leaving for the war, all his friends were taking photos of their girlfriends.  Not having a girl friend at the time, he wanted to take a photo with him too. He found this lovely lady in a magazine, took a picture of it because he thought she was pretty enough to take along so no one could call his girl friend ugly.