May 2017 ~ Baby Jesse!

So, I am a fresh new Mom of three babies! I had some amazing help from my Mother in Law. She stayed with us for 12 days. She cooked, cleaned, watched Jayna and Julian and sometimes took Jesse. She was an emotional support, especially around day 4 when I felt emotionally spent ( apparently that happens, she told me ) She helped sooo much and I am so glad she was there for us! It meant a lot to me, and I won't ever forget her kind deeds and loving heart. I am grateful for that time with her helping our little family. Here are some pics from the rest of May, with Jesse in our lives ~ May 19th-30th. The first time we left the house with Jesse wss May 22nd, and we went to Taylor Beach. It was gorgeous outside, and it felt very nice to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine!

Jayna and Julian love their new brother! Especially Jayna! She is always asking to hold him, and thinks he is so cute and sweet. She just glows with excitment for Jesse! It is so neat to see!!

Our old neighbors came to visit, here is Sophia holding Jesse:) Grandma with two of her grand kids:) My Auntie Susan came to visit from Vancouver and stopped by to meet Jesse:)

Jesse's first bath at 5 days old. He did really well. And he did a big poo ( see my expression in the bottom photos) when I was holding him in the towel after getting some pics!! So he had another quick bath!

So tiny!! So sweet!!

We went to the beach again, and Andrew built a raft for the kids, he brought his chainsaw and everything and made it on the beach!! hahaha oh my! One of a kind I tell ya!

Walks with Jesse

My crazy "older" kids:

Jayna came up one morning to my room and gave me breakfast in bed! She said she knows I am sore and tired. She said the food was just pretend so not to eat it, but I could drink the water because it was fresh. ( The water with the big flower in it ) hahaha Touched my heart though, what a sweetie.

Jesse Michael. ~Photoshoot at 8 days old!

I was looking forward to taking some photos of our sweet baby boy! I would have loved to get Jayna and Julian in there, along with Daddy and I, but that would have required a lot more effort! Jesse was a good sport and only peed once! lol

I cannot believe how fast they grow! The newborn phase is so short and so precious. So tiny, so fresh, so new! So dependant on you, so special to hold. I know that when I am done having our babies, I will always always miss this sweet little phase of having a newborn.

The last one cracks me up cause he is kind of smiling! And his chapped lips look like teeth someone said! haha. I knitted his bonnet when I was pregnant with Julian. Glad I could use it again.

Here are two photos collages comparing our three babies! Jayna is 17 days old, born Dec 29th, Julian is 9 days old, born March 31st, and Jesse is 8 days old, born May 18th.

Julian is top photo and Jesse is bottom. Brothers. I'm so excited to see how their relationship develops!

There were times as Jesse was a baby that he looks a lot like Julian, and it actually felt like I was raising Julian again from a baby! Which was kind of cool:) But he looks more similar to Jayna as a baby overall. And each child definitely has their own look! Such special little spirits! I love all our babies so much! Now, just stay little please?

The birth of Jesse Michael Forin, May 18th 2017...

So most of this is an entry I wrote in my journal about Jesse's birth! So, I went to YW's on Weds night May 17th. Andrew and the kids came because he taught the Laurel's about car maintenance etc. It was nice. I stayed for a bit with Jayna and she played with Ella in the gym. We got home, and she was hungry and we ended up getting the kids to bed quite late, like 10 pm! I lay in bed with Jayna stroking her hair, thinking it won't be long until I'm putting a little baby to bed each night, another sibling for my first born. Just before 1 AM I started feeling pressure under my belly and in my back I was lying in bed talking with Andrew and right before that the baby was moving a lot so I just thought maybe it was a prolonged way of the baby moving its head but then I felt like this was different, I felt pressure in my lower back too. I said let's just wait and see if it happens again and if it keeps happening then I know that I'm in labour. About seven minutes later another one came and then I felt a small gush. At that point I got up and went to the bathroom and my water broke in my panties and got on the carpet a little bit. It was about 1:27am and I had probably about five or six more contractions and my water continues to drip out. I was shaking uncontrollably right after which is a sign of labour and so I called my midwife just because my water broke. She said to call her back when I have strong contractions three within 10 minutes of each other. Andrew got the birthing tub and bed ready as I just chilled in my bathroom. We were both excited that is was really happening, and a bit in shock that it was for real now! Just like that! We were calm and ready to focus on this baby and it's birth! We decided not to find out the gender, but I had always felt it was a boy. While Andrew was busy, I breathed through the contractions, and relaxed my body, just like I learned with hypnobirthing. Then I turned on some hypnobirthing. I called my midwife, Emma back at 2:30am and told her they are lasting about a minute and three in about 6 minutes. She got here around 3am. I had called my Mom too and she arrived shortly after Emma. I had some big contractions on the bed, and then Andrew came and held my hand, and my mom was on the other side. I started to fill a twinge of nausea. So Andrew went and got me a bucket but I never had to use it. Emma asked if I wanted to see how dilated I was. She said it would be helpful for her to know so she could call Valerie the other midwife. After some big contractions, she checked me and it didn't even hurt, so that was nice! She said I was 5-6 cm dialated, which was awesome. ( It's been the same with all my babies, 5 cm dialated when they first check me ) She said now would be a good time to get into the tub. So I got my swim top on that Susie gave me and walked into the tub, which was HEAVEN! It was soooo soothing, I couldn't believe it! It felt so nice and relaxing! We turned the hypnobirthing voice off cause it was getting annoying and it was too loud in there for me to focus and hear her anyways. So Andrew put on Sigor Ross for me, and that was lovely. I continued to have some big long surges, and I just breathed through them. I said at one point, " I don't know where to go!" That was the transition phase coming on, when in my past two births I felt like a wild horse! Emma came and told me I don't have to go anywhere, just breathe through it, stay calm, and I can do it, just let it come on full force and don't fight it and go with it. That was the best advice I got for the whole night, it really helped me focus and do my best to release with the pain. I felt like I had the most control for sure and I was able to manage the pain better with this labour because of hypnobirthing. I was holding Andrew's hand on my right and my Mom's on my left and sitting, kind of floating on the seat in the tub. Leaning back a bit, but upright as well. All of a sudden, I felt some big surges and pressure to push a bit, I just let my body go with it. I could hear birds chirping outside, because the window was open. It was so beautiful. I had a lamp out so it was dimly lit in the room. Andrew could hardly tell I was having contractions because I was so calm and just breathed through them. I got hot, so they got cold clothes for my arms and head. Soon, I knew the baby was starting to come down, It was about 15 minutes of the super strong pressure and I could feel myself getting so close to the baby coming!! Then the head crowned, and then the head was out, I felt the baby's head a few times with my hand. I wanted him to be born so bad! Emma said I needed to give a big push to get his shoulders through but the next contraction I couldn't quite do it, so the one after that I breathed him out, and pushed and he came, and he was out, and Emma dove in with receiving blankets and caught him and handed him to me! I gave out a big yelp kind of, and was sooo happy and relieved he was born! It was over, my goodness the pain and pressure, so glad he was out!!! I held the baby and looked at his face, he was a boy I thought, then after about 30 seconds, I held him up and sure enough, "it's a boy!" I was emotional, and so was Andrew, and it was beautiful! he looked like his sister and brother too!! The cord was short, and I felt it still attached to me. Interesting experience. I stayed in the water for a while. And then Andrew and Emma helped me out and onto the bed. He was born at 4:55am, so 4 hours later! That was fast! His face was so brusied!! He was dark purple! Had lots of dark brown hair like his brother and sister! I said "You're here" Andrew filmed the last push and Jesse being handed to me, I'm so glad we have that, it's so special. After about 10 minutes Emma and Andrew helped me up out of the tub and into our bed. That was a bit awkward, but we made it work. I lied there for about another 15 minutes until the cord stopped pulsating. Then Andrew cut the cord, and I held baby until the placenta was delivered. I was very glad for it to be out. I remember just wanting it all to be done, and until it was out, it wasn't done. They had to press on my stomach before and after and that always hurt quite a bit! I nursed Jesse pretty quick after I got on the bed. I had to move to get more comfortable. Around 6 am Emma weighed him, and we were all shocked he was 9lbs 10 oz!! What a big boy! 21 inches long, just like our other kids. His face was so bruised, we couldn't believe it, and swollen! Emma says it's because he was born so fast. He also had bloodshot eyes really bad. She thinks his head didn't have time to move, and he was just squished out. His nose was not crooked like my other two babies though. Around 7:30am Julian woke up and came in to find a new baby brother. I was crying, my heart was so full, it was a special experience!! He wakes up to find a new baby brother! He touched his face, and was gentle. He didn't know quite what to think. lol. Then Jayna finally woke up at 9:20am and came in. She was taking her time going pee and I was calling to her to come in, I was so excited for her! I cried when she came in too, and she came up on the bed and just hugged me, it was such a precious moment, and she was so touched too and emotional. She wanted to hold the baby, so we let her and she has just been so lovely with Jesse. Holds him every day and tells him she loves him. One of the things that really drew me to a home birth this time was having the kids be able to come in and stay and we could be all together as a family. It was really special. Everything went so well with Jesse's birth. It was like what I envisioned actually. Hypnobirthing helped so much, and I loved the water birth! Everything was awesome, and I will for sure do that again next time! The only thing that was a bit different was Andrew was really busy getting the tub and bed ready, and then cleaning it all after, so he wasn't with me as much as I wanted or thought he would be. But he did wonderful, and was pretty taken back by me, and what I did. He said, " This time wasn't as bad as before hey? You seemed so calm!" Haha ya right, it hurt so much, but yes I was able to stay calm and quiet especially this time because of hypnobirthing. I could feel it all, but I was able to work with my body and overcome the pain without freaking out or losing it. My other two births I stayed pretty calm too, but this time even more so. I felt in control. It's so intense, pushing a baby out! Man, I couldn't stop thinking about it for the next day, and I remember that happened with Julian too. And now I can't quite remember. It's been 2 weeks and it seems way more faint compared to when after it happened! It's a blessing you slowly forget. Having a baby is no joke! So intense, and tramatizing too right after. But how remarkable our bodies are! So we didn't name the baby for a few days after he was born, he just didn't look like a Jesse to me. Other names that we considered were: Isaiah, Mitchell, Benjamin, Michael. I felt like he really looked like Michael actually, but Andrew wanted to keep family names to the middle name. We knew we wanted to name his middle name Michael. After a few days, Andrew came up with the name Royce and he kept saying it in this weird way, and pretty set on it, and I was like no way! (turns out he did that to help me decide on Jesse afterall) hahahaha And then the thought of not naming him Jesse made realize I wanted him to be named Jesse. Andrew wanted it too. So Jesse Michael Forin it was! I feel so blessed to have another baby, and it's a boy! When I took the kids clothes out to wash, i was really excited and drawn to the boy clothes, and when I went through Jayna's I just didn't feel it. I also only bought one outfit the whole time I was pregnant, and it was a boy outfit. The heartbeat was in the 140's just like with Julian, and I felt like it was a boy while I was pregnant. So that's cool. He was the gift that was meant to come to our family. Jesse means "gift" which I loved. I am truly happy, and I feel so blessed!!! I am elated and so happy to finally have our baby here with us, in my arms. Truly Jesse is a gift!!!

Highlights of 2017 January-May....

So, I just can't move onto the current year (2018) without posting some highlights of 2017. It was a year of challenge and growth, and happiness. At the end of January my sweet dear Grandma Prete passed away. It was quite an emotional time for me. Even though my Grandma suffered from dementia for the last 10+ years of her life I remember fondly who she was before the disease started to take her mind away. I have always had a deep love, appreciation, and admiration for my Grandmother since I was a young girl. She lived in Calgary, then Cardston so I didn't get to see her super often. How I wish I could have talked to her in my older years to council and grow closer with her and to hear her experiences as a Mother! She had 9 children! At her funeral while my Mom and Auntie Alana were giving her eulogy I realized her and I had a lot of similarities and it seemed I was like her in ways I did not know. I was deeply touched, and grateful for the woman she was, and oh how loved she is! Her children all adored her, as well as her grandchildren and friends. I was able to witness the deep love her children had for her as they had cared for her so tenderly for many years. I am so looking forward to seeing her again one day!!! My Grandma sang and played piano. I remember singing with her as a little girl, and I loved to listen to her play as I got older. When I would visit her in the nursing home or at my Auntie Alana's, I would then be the one playing for her and sing her favourite hymns. She would almost always sing along, she didn't fully forget her music! One of her favourite hymns was " How Great Thou Art. " In January, she wasn't doing too well, and one day I got the prompting that I should sing and record that hymn on this karaoke app I had; Sing! So I did and sent it to my Uncle Peter to play for my Grandma. All my family that were taking care of Grandma were all touched as they played me singing to her. I'm grateful I listened to that prompting and my Grandma was able to hear me sing one last time in this life. That recording was then played at her service. I feel honoured to have been part of that sacred day. My sweet Grandma Prete, I will always remember your smile and cute little laugh and saying, " Oh Shoot ". Your kind blue eyes and the love you had for our Saviour and his Gospel. When I close my eyes, I can see your hands in my mind and remember how soft they always were, and how comforting it was when you would take your hands in mine. I can picture how your nails were always painted, usually a soft pink. You always took such good care of yourself, and looked beautiful. You always had a clean and tidy house. Your coconut cream pie was the best! I remember your blue dress with white polka dots, and your blue eyeshadow to match, and the sound of your voice.

Doing Grandma's make up and hair for church.

I had a flight booked to visit my cousin Sue in California. It ended up that Grandma's service was the day before I flew out! So I was able to go!! I flew to Calgary, then drove with my brothers and sister-in-law to Carston. I was there a whole 24 hours. I was so grateful I was able to make it!! I got to see lots of cousins and my aunties and uncles whom I love SO much! It was an emotional viewing and service and burial. How grateful for the knowledge I have and believe of eternal families and life after this life! We are all relieved for Grandma, that she is not suffering anymore and is in a place of peace, beauty, and loved ones. Below is me with my Auntie Nee Nee and Mom, Me with Grandma's sister, Theola and Duenna. 7 out of 9 of Grandma's children, and all the cousins that were able to make it.

I was able to have such a nice visit with my brothers, Michael and Josh as we drove to the airport. We talked about life after this and the joy that will await us there. One of the things that really stood out to me was one of my brother said the comment that we will be reunited with friends that we knew before this life, but haven't had the opportunity to meet in this life. Maybe they lived at a totally different time in history. Some very interesting thoughts! My Uncle David and cousin Shane gave beautiful talks at Grandma's service. Her sisters, ages 93 and 87 or somewhere around there sang a gorgeous song called " the Garden " It was just such a beautiful service, I felt like Grandma was there looking down on all of us. To my Grandmother, you were a faithful, dedicated woman. So hard working and full of love. I cannot wait to see you again, the whole you, again. Love you Grandma... January was hard for me. We also just moved into our new house after we sold our first home. That was a challenging experience, but it was the right decision for us. So many things happened that were miracles in our lives actually, and I had SO much peace throughout that experience, and looking back at it all I am still in awe of how Heavenly Father was so there for us. Some pics from my phone in January:

So after my short trip to Calgary, I flew to California to see my cousin Sue and help her out. That was a big experience for both of us, and a rare opportunity. One neither of us will ever forget. In Feb news came that my niece Nikole was diagnosed with stage 4 hodgkins lymphoma. This was very shocking and sad news for our family. She has 3 small kids, the youngest being only around 6 months old. I couldn't imagine her not being here, my heart hurt so much for my sister and Nikole's family, and NIKOLE! She was only 29! Her Mom, ( my half sister ) asked her family to show their support by putting pink in their hair because she would lose her hair soon. My Dad and Jayna also showed support with pink hairspray. Nikole had an amazing attitude and faith through her whole experience and through lots of chemo treatments, she came out on top. She is in remission today and living and loving life as usual with her glowing attitude. Such a huge blessing. Such a big trial to go through! I'm so glad she kicked cancer's butt!! Her hashtage was always #haleyearwegotthis since her last name is "Hale" She is a light in this world, and a dang good mama and wife!

Some pics from my phone in February. Beach time with Jorgia and Julian, they pretty much fought over a stick the whole time! lol. I took the kids to the Bug Zoo, park, Hatley Castle with Uncle Josh; he was going to school there!. Julian always steals my drinks and finishing them up! Daddy fell asleep on Jayna's bed while she was at the end of it and Juju on the floor! :

In March, Andrew got to go on an EPIC trip with my brother to Costa Rica! A trip they had talked about for a few years. They both said it was the best trip of their lives thus far!

March iphone pics: Esquilmalt Lagoon with the family, Andrew started a little fire on the beach with the kids, little pic of decor in my bathroom, Mommy/Daughter date with Jayna to the movies to see " Ballerina ", Jayna and her friend Jet from Savory, a new wreath I made for our door, Jayna holding baby Dane, kids kissing my belly, Jay and Juju sharing Tim Hortons, cuddles with Julian, Jayna with straight hair!

March 31st we celebrated our little Juju turning 3! He requested a dinosaur cake, so I tried to get creative:) We just had a special day with family. He is a sweet little boy with a tender heart and a playful spirit. He can be loud and busy, and chill and sweet. We love him so so much!

Some photos of him through his year of being 2! Now as I write this ( July 2018 ) it seems sooo long ago that he was 2!!! He has grown up so much in just 2 years.

Right after Julian's birthday we went to Tofino for a few nights and stayed in an VRBO. It wasn't the best weather, but we still enjoyed ourselves. We went to the Aquarium in Uclelet. Jayna and Daddy went surfing one morning. Then we stopped to spend some cousin time in Courtenay for the day. Grandpa John was visiting and we celebrated his birthday (March 27th) and Julians again with a cake. Andrew got some hang out time with his brother and Dad.

In April, we went to a new little park across from a new community called Royal Bay. The builder is from Alberta and it totally looks like an Alberta community, which is kind of cool! Here are some pics of the kids and us at the park. I wanted to share since I took these with my canon and they just capture that little snip of time so perfectly:) I love how these photos capture some parts of their personality! I can hear Julian's laugh, I love Jayna's side profile. Julian's smile and his crazy expressions holding his spider man toy on the swing make me laugh out loud! Andrew is such a good Daddy, always playing with the kids! The excitement of a new park, and the natural way kids move. All so amazing.

Pics from my phone in April: I finally got a desk! So exciting!! Cuddles with Jayna, Andrew and I went on a DATE which is a rarity1 Jayna gave me a leaf to remember her by when I went to chaperone a youth dance, Jayna and Jorgia at the beach, Daddy building a fire in the soil and roasting marshmallows with the kids! I had no idea you could do that! Jayna dressing up creatively! Easter egg painting. Details of my little craft space, a little drawer cabinet I painted. Jayna and Julian having sibling fun. Having a sports day at Spencer school. Even being 8 months pregnant I was running around! Slurpee day with the kids in April!

We celebrated our 9th Wedding Anniversary May 2nd! We tried a new place to eat and had a nice date, which is kind of a rarity, and probably even more so when baby #3 is born! I am due at the end of the month (May 24th) Sidenote: When I was in Cali, Andrew bleached his hair! When I got back I bugged him that he was a having a break down without me for 11 days! haha

We were so excited to get into a spot at Yellowpoint Lodge. Well, I was mostly so excited because I loved it when I went there with my parents after my mission! Then I went with my BF Heather for one night when I was pregnant with Julian. I've wanted to go there with Andrew for years! The food there is sooo amazing, and it's so beautiful. This was our babymoon! I was due in a few weeks, my Mom and Dad watched Jayna and Julian for 2 nights, and I enjoyed every minute! There was even a live band and dance on Saturday night. They put shocks in the flooring, so it bounces!! It really freaked us out at first because we thought the floor was going to fall through until someone told us! Andrew got up and danced, but I didn't want to risk going into labour lol. The people there are mostly mid aged to older couples there that have been going for years and years. Everyone is really nice, and it was a new experience for us.

Pictures from the month of May: Jayna and her lemonade stand that Daddy built her! We have all organic products, freshly squeezed lemons made to order. Jayna pulls in about $60 for a few hours work. She was able to save and buy a surfboard in the summertime! Elder Uchdorft even stopped by;) Daddy doing all the hard work while his back breaks;)

Spring time play, Jayna set up a picnic, next door neighbor fun with Taylor, Mother's day photo...

The pregnancy pics were taken in the last week of being pregnant, and I went into labor 1.5hrs after the second one was taken! Jesse being born definately was the hilight of May! His face was so bruised! Jayna and Julian were so excited!

Comparing Jesse to Julian at similar ages:

Next up, Jesse's birth story!