We had a cold snap, today it’s -13 and the water outside has frozen everywhere:( I was just getting excited about the flowers.

In a little over 2 weeks, 2 exciting events are happening. Bram will be turning one year old on May 4th and we will be going to Fredericton that weekend to celebrate his birthday with Nana & Grandad and also to celebrate International Midwifery Day. I’m going to be talking about Bram’s birth at it.

I’m frustrated with the apathy of people in my neighborhood. We plan events and no one shows up. The events are well planned, well publicized, well organized, lots of fun, geared towards stay at home moms but we only get a few each time, argh. Maybe it’s because no one really knows anybody well. Once the weather gets nice, I’ll see them outside and accost them:-)

Well it was an interesting weekend full of highs and lows. First Bram turned one today! We had a birthday dinner on Saturday with family and my good friend and midwife Jennifer. I also attended International Midwifery Day in Fredericton and it was a wonderful experience with strong woman standing up for their beliefs wanting to affect change. My low for the weekend was a sorrowful emotional experience about a family member. I also have to say that I have a great Mother and Father in law and I love them dearly.

ok, I have 2 weeks worth of stuff to get caught up on.

First, our trip to Nova Scotia for the La Leche League East Conference.
It was wonderful, there were babies in slings everywhere. It was a true example of a family centered experience. Babies nursing quietly during the talks, toddlers toddling about. The talks were all informative and inspiring with a focus on nurturing the community. Kevin took Alec and Bram to the Natural History Museum in the morning and Alec saw a mastodon tooth and was very excited. We saw a bear on the side of the road on the way there and on the way back, 3 moose on the side of the road.

PEI
My sister and her 18 month old son Anton and myself and the kids went to PEI for 3 days. It is very interesting trying to get 2 babies to sleep when one is sleepy and the other is awake and making noise. The hotel room was especially a challenge. We spent a lot of time at my Aunts and she took us on a picnic to the beach. Alec loved searching for beach glass and shells. Bram and Anton dug in the sand, feeling it through their hands. We had a wonderful afternoon talking and laughing.

Home
My Sister headed back out west, with a stop at my Dad’s in St. Bruno in PQ for a few days first. Everyone in our house has been sick. Alec and I are better but Kevin and Bram still seem to be hanging onto something.

p.s. Dad, hope this fills the void. My Dad wouldn’t let my Sister tell him about the trip because he wanted to read about it on my blog, lol:-)

Sad News
Yesterday our cat Gypsy died. She was 11 years old. I’ve never had a pet that long before and it was terrible. She had been sick for 6 years with an adrenal tumour and we knew it would happen eventually. We buried her in the back yard last night. The other cats are meowing a lot today and seem a little restless. I worry about our cat Brandy, she was really close to Gypsy.

Upcoming Birth
I’ve been waiting everyday for a call from my friend Amy that she is going into labour. She is having a homebirth with the same midwife I had with Bram. I am going down to act as a doula for her. I can’t wait.

My friend Amy had her baby at home on Monday morning. It was very different being at a birth and not being the one having the baby:-) It was an amazing experience and I will post details later on my parenting blog.

You can now boycott Real Simple Magazine regarding their breastfeeding comments.