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