New video.

Sorry it's been a while folks.
We've had our hands for with our little bundle as of late.

I've got a new video that I've been trying to post for the past couple of days and it's nothing short of a small nightmare trying to get that sorted out. But I have decided to resort to videoegg.com again as it is the only reliable way of posting video. The irony is that it's free; and hipcast.com is costing me $50 for the year and it doesn't even work. If you're thinking of starting a blog and posting video, do not used hipcast.com. At the best if times they are unreliable. And don't even bother trying to contact them because they will not get back to you!
Anyway, rant over.

Here's the funny video. Violet at 16 days...
To get to the video, follow these steps:

1. Simply visit www.videoegg.com.

2. Sign into my account by clicking on the "Sign in" on the top right of the screen.
Screenname: gumgum
Password: 1234

3. Once signed in just click on one of the videos and it ought to play.

For those of you with slower connection speed, it will take longer for the video to play, but it should work if you give it some time.
Let me know of any of you have had any problems viewing these by leaving a comment.
Once again, the audio is wonkey.

-Jon

Pics!

Just want to remind everyone that if you'd like a better look at pictures, simply click on the image and it will enlarge.

Violet's first party.

A few of us from our prenatal class got together to meet out little ones.
Can you pick out ours?

Life with Violet

I have been meaning to post something here for days but being a mother to a newborn has turned out to be more all consuming than I could have imagined and believe me I tried! (all you mothers and fathers out there are getting a good chuckle I'm sure...) I managed to get about 7 hours sleep last night so I feel like a normal human being today and finally have the energy to write something.

I just wanted to send our love and thanks to everyone for your best wishes for our little bundle of joy. We have had an amazing week with Violet. She has truly changed our lives. I can't wait for everyone to meet her - if you think she is great in pictures, just wait until you get to see her in person!

Jon has taken to fatherhood like a pro. Violet is totally smitten with him already and vice versa, obviously. He is so relaxed and loving. He has no prior baby experience but you would never know it. He is king of diaper changes and master baby settler - he has a great technique that puts her to sleep in minutes!

He was also the most amazing labour coach any woman could have asked for and I will be forever grateful for the way he handled everything. My labour was reletively quick and painful (back labour) and the pushing was long and absolutely agonizing. Jon needed to help me through a lot of pain and fear and he was magnificent. After 3 hours of pushing she still wouldn't budge so we had to opt for a c-section. Jon later told me how terrifying it was to watch me in so much pain and then to think of me having major surgery but he never showed any fear to me during the whole process, he was my rock and that was exactly what I needed. I had no idea of the stress and fear he was feeling. He is such an amazing husband and now an amazing father and his 2 girls are totally in love with him.

So our first week with little Violet has been full of many ups and a couple of downs, unbelievable happiness and a little stress, sleep and lack of sleep (pretty normal for baby's first week I suppose). We are just in constant wonder and amazement of everything Violet. What can I tell you about her? Well:
- she has started focusing her beautiful little eyes and seems to look right into your soul when you are talking to her
- her hair has started to lighten and is now light brown with some blond highlights showing through
- she had some major troubles with nursing in her first days home and she had her mom and dad totally stressed that she would never eat again but luckily we got some help and she is now eating like a little piggy. Literally, she gulps milk down, it is soooo cute!
- she is a power pooper - as soon as she starts eating she evacuates the last meal with gusto (smelly and noisy). She has already blasted one across the nursery when Jon was mid-diaper change - managed to hit the wall which is at least 3 feet away.
- she smells so great (when she doesn't have a dirty diaper)
- she loves to go for walks - falls asleep instantly
- she is a great cuddler

I could go on and on but then what would I have to write next time?

I know there are no pictures on this post but I am leaving that to daddy to take care of - many more pictures of our little angel to come.

Love to all, Christine

Violet is one week old!

Thanks to everyone for the responses!
Everything is going well.
Apart from some minor feeding issues, Violet is happy and healthy.
Although I was fully expecting it, I find it incredible how much of a full time job taking care of an infant can be. It's a bit of a shock, but the rewards far exceed all the extra work.

Christine is doing well as well. She's sitting here reading a magazine, with Violet, asleep in her sling. She promises to everyone that she will post a blog as soon as she literally has a free pair of hands - and rather, when she wants a free pair of hands. That baby is stuck to her like glue. Fortunately, between Rosemary, my dad and myself, we've all been able to share her with little squabbling...yet. :)
My dad, John joined to party; and he and Rosemary are soaking up as much fun wit Violet as possible until their departure early next week. They've been such a great help with everything.

We're home.

We've all made it home safe and sound, recovering from the past days events.
We couldn't have made it through the past couple of days without Rosemary, whom I asked last minute to fly all the way from Ottawa to help us deal with the change compounded by poor Christine's emergency c-section. Needless to say, she was more than happy to help!
Thank you Rosemary! And a thank you to the friends here in Victoria that have supported us through the past few days, as well as during the pregnancy!
And thanks to everyone all over Canada, from Victoria to PEI with the messages to love and congratulations!
Now. Violet.
What can I say? She is perfect. And not just because I am biased. She rarely cries, and when she does, it's tiny spurts that last only until you pick her up and give her a cuddle, or feed her.
It's easy to tell that she will be a happy, easy-going person that will be easy to love. Plus, she is beautiful and I am in awe of what is unfolding before my eyes every minute of every day.
She is magnificent!

And Christine.
The strongest, bravest, most beautiful woman in the world. After witnessing her go through such a painful, taxing experience she had to endure; a tiny framed woman, trying her very best to give birth to a giant baby, I can honestly say that I am 100 times more in love with her today. She is incredible. And her amazing strength and grace is an inspiration.

Anyway.
Must sleep.
Exhausted.
Christine will post tommorow.

-Jon

Baby pics! (con't)

Violet Danuta Gleed is born!!!

Christine and I are very happy to announce the birth of our beautiful daughter, Violet Danuta Gleed.
On January 11th, at 3:30pm Christine gave birth via cesarian, a beautiful, healthy girl, weighing 9.35 pounds.
Both are doing great and I am incredibly ecstatic, beyond words. Our lives have changed forever.
Christine is heaven. As am I.
I don't have time to give all the details, as I'm home just for a quick shower and a quick power-nap while our friend Matt keep Christine and Violet company.
But here are some pictures!

8 days to due date...

We haven't quite started 'waiting' for baby G's arrival but I think I am almost there. Knock on wood, I am feeling pretty well, good energy levels and not too many aches and pains today. And I think my hormonal mood swings are currently ok - I guess Jon should be the one to speak to that :)

We had a nice weekend - pretty quiet overall but we got out to do a few things. Jon took some engagement photos for our friends Matt and Liz who are getting married in July (my they are a gorgeous couple!) I should attach a photo but I can't find them on Jon's computer. We also had a nice drive to Sidney for a walk and lunched at the Stone House Pub (enjoying pubs while we still can you see).

That's about all the news for today. Will keep you posted on any developments...

Just a quick note about the doctor's appointment yesterday:

Christine is now 1 cm dilated and is officially now ready to pop!
The doctor predicts that little baby is not so little anymore. From examining Christine and her tummy, she thinks baby is probably about 8 pounds! Christine's understandably nervous about this. "It's your fault!" She said with a giant smile on her face. "You're the one with the giant frame. Not me."
I can't help but feel a little guilty.

We are both nervously excited and as ready as we'll ever by for the huge change to come.

Stay tuned for more frequent updates.

Off to a restaurant while we're able to...

-Jon

New videos.

Hello everyone,

Things are go well. Christine is relaxing and happy.
She has a doctor's appointment today, so we will let you all know how it's going. We will post more pics as well.

I have two new videos to show you that I've been trying to post for some time now; but to make a long, boring story short, I'm unable to post it directly onto this blog.
So instead, I've stored it on another website that's very easy for you all to access:

1. Simply visit www.videoegg.com.

2. Sign into my account by clicking on the "Sign in" on the top right of the screen.
Screenname: gumgum
Password: 1234

3. Once signed in just click on one of the videos and it ought to play.

For those of you with slower connection speed, it will take longer for the video to play, but it should work if you give it some time.
Let me know of any of you have had any problems viewing these by leaving a comment.
One of the video's audio is wonky. Sorry about that. Don't know what happened.

-Jon