John Harvey Photo

June 2012

Go to Slide Show Smaller Images Along Comes Baby



Reifel Bird Sanctuary

Nara And Helen Feeding The Ducks
The Reifel Bird Sanctuary is one of my favorite places in the lower mainland - lots of things for kids but as someone who likes to see birds, lots to keep me happy as well.   Helen is nearing due so we were looking for a get together that wasn't so physically exhasting (for the parents).  It's roughly half way to my sisters house so we planned a meet up.

Small Army Of Baby Canada Geese

Goslings Vs Marcus And James James Diana And Marcus
It's Canada Goose breeding time so the usual swams of Malards were pushed out of the way by Canada Geese chicks (Goslings).  The Canada geese generally organized into "families" and they would roughly keep to themselves - one family stop for a feed, get pushed on by the next family who, a few minutes later, was pushed on by the next.  Of course we stay still and just keep handing out food.

Two Families Coming Together
 
Our little ones needed some leg stretching so they took opporuntities to run up and down the ramps.   If you really are at the park to see the birds, maybe you should come when the park opens. 

Nara Running Up RampNara And Marcus Running Up RampMarcus Running Up Ramp

The bird sanctaury has a nice picnic area so we go together for lunch before the kids started to need naps.  The crows are no dummies - they know there will be food scraps after clean up so they hang out and wait.

 
James With A Straw And Camera Bag James At Picnic

Father Crane With Tale Feathers Up
While we were having lunch we got a surprise visit - the Sandhill Cranes came by.  It's nesting season for them and part of the park is closed off so there is a "human-wildlife" conflict.   Sadly, one of the mating pairs lost their chick this morning so the male bird was taking it out on the Juvinile males.  I've never seen a Sandhill Crane angry, but the park staff told us the ruffled rump feathers were a dead give away.  The dad did eventually run off the younger cranes (they take flight surprisingly easily).  I was quite impressed to see the birds.

Father Crane Bugging Juveniles

June 26th

Nara was born after two days of labour and an unplanned C Section.  We knew very little of what to expect (even though we took the course), were tired and basically just kept our heads above water.  With our second child we had a planned C Section booked (two days before due) and were almost well rested before the surgery.  (Neither of us slept well the night before - even Nara got up in the middle of the night to return some noodles from our "Last Dinner").

Okay This Sucks Post Measurement Nap
The surgery was a bit late so we had lots of anticipation time.  Once things get under way, it goes very quickly.  We haven't yet picked a name so we are currently calling here simply "baby".  Baby was delivered about 12:30 and was willing to yell at the new world.  She quickly calmed down and did well through the testing phase.


Post surgery, we are shuffled to the recovery room and we get to appreciate what is going on.  Baby was very well behaved - she did well with the latching and after a "feed" hung out in the bassinet and surveyed the room.  She was easy to settle and seemed to be having a good time.  We moved up to our longer stay room fairly quickly.

  Mom What Did They Do To MeMom Gets Skin To SkinWho Are You Exactly

Some time after 4pm we were ready to receive our first guests.  I left around five to join my Mom and Nara (who had graciously picked up Nara from daycare) and after dinner we returned to the hospital so Nara and my parents could see "Baby".   Helen was getting over the drugs and felt much better.

Grandma And Baby Grandma Holding Baby
Nara recognized there was a baby in the room, but she wasn't keen to interact.  Mommy read Nara some stories before we took Nara home for a bath and bed.


June 27th

Sleeping With Huge Hat
The experience for first and second child is night and day different.  First child, I stayed at the hospital for the first three days after the Nara was born and was basically a zombie.  For "Baby", I go home to take care of Nara overnight and arrive at the hospital fresh as a bunny.  Helen has her Aunt here providing support, but I'm sure her life is far from a walk in the park.

Awake And Looking Around
 
Given our feeding experience with Nara, "Baby" is being supplemented with donor breast milk.  Everyone is happier compared to our first. 

  Keen To Get Some BottleAfter Milk Drunk

Nara and I dropped by for dinner - Nara misses her Mommy and still doesn't really want to acknowledge the baby.  Hopefully tomorrow is come home day!

Keen To Get Some Bottle
Person: Claira
Nara Running Up Ramp
Person: Nara
Father Crane Bugging Juveniles
Species: Grus canadensis (Sandhill Crane)
Mom Gets Skin To Skin
Person: Claira
Small Army Of Baby Canada Geese
Species: Branta canadensis (canada goose)
After Milk Drunk
Person: Claira
Nara And Marcus Running Up Ramp
Person: Marcus, Nara
Grandma Holding Baby
Person: Claira
Father Crane With Tale Feathers Up
Species: Grus canadensis (Sandhill Crane)
Sleeping With Huge Hat
Person: Claira
James Diana And Marcus
Person: James, Marcus
Mom What Did They Do To Me
Person: Claira
Two Families Coming Together
Awake And Looking Around
Person: Claira
Post Measurement Nap
Person: Claira
Okay This Sucks
Person: Claira
Marcus Running Up Ramp
Person: Marcus
Goslings Vs Marcus And James
James At Picnic
Person: James
James With A Straw And Camera Bag
Person: James
Who Are You Exactly
Person: Claira
Nara And Helen Feeding The Ducks
Person: Helen, Nara
Grandma And Baby
Person: Claira, Janet
People: Claira(11), James(3), Marcus(3), Nara(3), Janet(1), Helen(1)
From: John Harvey Photo > Blogs for 2023 to 2005 > June 2012

Wow, she so beautiful! Well done Helen and John. I can't wait to meet her...hopefully she will have a name by the time we come by for a visit...although baby is a nice name too. Thanks for posting these for everyone, it is so nice to be part of this wonderful event. Welcome to the family...Baby :) we love you already! Love Cousins Marcus and James and Auntie Di and Uncle Jeff
Auntie Diana
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 at 22:40:52

Congratulations on the birth of your baby daughter. She is a real cutie! We enjoyed your informative update and pictures. Give Helen our best wishes for a speedy recovery. We look forward to a visit with you sometime in the coming months.
Joan Johnson
Thursday, June 28th, 2012 at 13:21:34

Baby is simply and utterly gorgeous! Congratulations to everyone. The photos with Baby and Helen doing skin to skin and feeding are especially wonderful. Helen seems so peaceful and calm. We can't wait to meet her. Hugs, Gabi, Eric & Xander.
Gabi & Eric
Thursday, June 28th, 2012 at 17:57:42

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