The story of our first born baby goes back now about a year and half but the story of the birth its self has just began. We decided to take off on an adventure and stay in Cowichan Bay while we await her arrival. We found an amazing set of midwifes, rented a funky float home and brought our sweet Nessa for the ride. There is nothing like the feeling when you are on vacation and I think its the best state to be while I get myself ready. Long sleep in's, yoga session's, great food, knitting, reading, cuddling and all around relaxation is our current state. We have booked the place for 2 weeks and are not limited too. Hoping that our sweet baby girl will arrive this week sometime. I feel like I am almost all ready. Being here in itself is perfect enough.  Photo #1 ~ The float home we are staying on, #2 Luke and the 15 min of sun we got today, #3 break at an all day breakfast place...yessssss, #4 just looking out of the harbour, #5 On a Sea Lion tour, they are just beyond our visual reach but we hear these beauty sea dogs all day long. #6 Almost 100 of them this year. They come out during fishing season when the salmon come down, late September early October and they just hang out.

There are so many forest's and great places to explore. We live in such an amazing place. This is a park just past Cobble Hill.

The anticipation is growing incredibly strong. Day dreaming about holding my baby as I feel her move around inside me. Its hard to tell exactly what she is doing and I have no idea what she feels but I lavish in every moment.   

I was lucky enough to participate in weekly prenatal yoga classes with Shannon Cowan. I recorded a few sessions to bring along and its been so wonderful to follow along at 4 am or in the afternoon. The kundalini class she teaches is full of breath and flow, its really quite beautiful.

Food Food Food! I am usually in charge of the breakfast, my favourite meal to make. knoth Farm pouched eggs on Laughing Daughters oat bread, with ghee + goat cheese. Side of culture live saurcraut + a dill pickle. Island farmed turkey sausage with old fashioned mustard, also my favourite side dish steamed broccoli.  All organic of course!   

My mucus plug went and I started to have some contractions so my mom was on the first boat she could! Even though we told her it was probably nothing. She said "well it would brake my heart to miss anything" so on the 3pm ferry she went. Its been really wonderful to have her here. Luke made a really nice dinner and we played some cards. I had 6 hours of contractions pretty close together then was able to fall asleep. So far nothing more, so we shale see. 

A nice visit with my older sister Bree. She showered me with gluten free baking goodies. 

Luke finally got his long awaited anchor tattoo and I am so glad he waited. Albert from Modern Traditions is awesome! Also so worth the photo Luke decided to get his ring finger tattooed since just a few weeks ago he miss placed his wedding ring. The tattoo is with 3 circles, one for each of us. I am not however uploading the photo of Luke's face when Albert started to tattoo his finger, apparently it didn't tickle. 

At this point Luke and I are still really enjoying our get away and sleep in's so not jumping up and down yet. My mom went home to relax and promises next time there is a sign she won't panic...haha It was really nice to have her here though and I got to hear so many great stories last night. I love getting to know my mom more and our history. She also enjoyed the relaxation. The midwife is scheduled to visit tomorrow and the actual due date isn't till Dec 3rd this Saturday, so lots of time.

Time to introduce our incredible midwife! Selena came for a home visit on the float home and we had so much fun. There is a photo of me laughing because she is hilarious! Found out things are going really well and I am already 3 cm dilated. Ive had sessions of contractions in-between really great nights of sleep and she said its all part of it and helping. Its better to do that she said then marathon through it all at once. Alright its on!

Right, its time that I finish this story. Our little laila is turning 1 tomorrow and is doing so well.

The contractions started at 12:30 am and I knew that is was time. Without any conscious thought about it I went to have a shower to prepare myself. I tried to keep quiet and let Luke and my family sleep as long as they could because I would need their help! A few hours later we called the midwife. My mom was concerned and it was a good thing we did. I would have waited till she started coming out I think..haha As soon as the midwife arrived she told us I was already 9 cm dilated and it would only be a short 30 minuets or so before I was ready to push. I was more relieved for the sake of my fabulous support to not have to rub my back anymore every 4 minuets.

When it was time to push I tried a few different positions. Squatting, on my side but I ended up in the medically preferred back position. Whatever works my midwife said and that was working. In retrospect it could have been a time thing and any of those positions would have probably worked. Once I started pushing though I didn't want to move or even open my eyes. One of the midwife's gave me a cold cloth to put on my head and I loved having it cover my eyes. I could then really go in and concentrate on learning how to give birth.

It wasen't long before Laila was on her way out. The odd thing for me was that I pushed her out without any natural feelings to do so. Selena my midwife said, "ok, go for it" and I was like "what?...now?"..."umm ok"...haha   When her little cone shaped head emerged into the world Selena told me to reach down and grab my baby...As I picked her up and took her into my arms all I was thinking was, wow she is super soft.

Then the midwifes were back to work, to make sure my placenta came out and that I was doing ok. Here is my view. Image below.

At that point Jenna Shouldice arrived, our birth photographer. Again I thought Laila was going to take awhile so I waited to call her..opps. A huge thanks to my sister Bree for grabbing my camera and taking those other images. You did an amazing job. Jenna I thank you from the bottem of my heart for still coming out to get the end of this beautiful birth story I will never forget.