Pre-cursor to a smile?

I am in love with this dimple!

Things Strangers Say

So I've been able to get out with the baby a couple of times now and one thing I wasn't prepared for was all the people who stop me to admire my little Bebo. She is adorable, if I say so myself, and so far everyone who sees her confirms my opinion (or they are being polite).

Anyway, I was in Zellers the other day and a old lady stopped by my cart to admire little Bebo. I have to admit that I totally didn't know how to respond when she said, "I don't know how anyone couldn't believe in God, when babies are such a miracle."

For a moment, I wanted to say, "Well, I don't believe in God, but that doesn't mean that I don't marvel at the life of my little daughter."

But that seemed a little snarky and I didn't have time for a debate. So I just said, "Well, everyone is entitled to their beliefs."

I do believe that, it's just that I don't like it when people assume atheists do not experience awe and wonder in the same way that religious people do.

Having been both a believer and now a non-believer, I can honestly say that awe and wonder has always been a powerful perk of being human and has nothing whatsoever to do with whether I believe in a supernatural power. Instead of attributing the miracle of life to a God I`m not sure exists, I can marvel at the complexity and rareness of evolution and our genetic closeness to all living things - very apparent in the inborn reflexes of newborn humans.

In fact, I am even more amazed at the "miracles" of life than I was when I believed everything was designed by God - because it appears all this beauty happened by chance.

Things I Am Grateful For

Sorry for the absence - my days are full of cuddling, rocking, feeding, diapering, and enjoying Bebo. In the meantime, here are some things I am grateful for and some pictures.

1. My beautiful little baby girl who mostly just sleeps, eats, and entertains us with her very expressive face.
2. My husband, who continue to make me feel loved and special, even though there is a new love in his life (his daughter). He has taken to fatherhood with enthusiasm, love, and excitement in a way that even I couldn't imagine.
3. My family, with a special shout out to my Mom who brings me Tim Horton's coffee in the morning with delightful visiting time.
4. My inlaws, both my father and mother-in-law were here this week. We will be missing my husband's father who returned home to work, but my wonderful mother-in-law is staying an additional 3 weeks to help me take care of home and baby. (Even though she has never experienced a real Canadian winter before).
5. The excellent health care Bebo and I recieved while in the hospital and all the help and support of the public health nurses. I have been lucky enough to never have much use of our public health care system - but now that I've had a baby, a c-section, and a sick baby - I have new appreciation for all that we have in Canada - it's not perfect, but from my experience - it's pretty damn good.
6. My family's health - we are so glad that Bebo's jaundice has cleared up and there are no hospital visits in the forseeable future.
7. I am healing well from my c-section.
8. The time I have to stay home this year to take care of my baby - yay Canada for giving new parents the opportunity to care for their babies in the first year of life.
9. Being only two pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight!

Welcome Bebo!

On November 29, 2010, we welcomed Natalie Elizabeth (aka Bebo) into our family.

I went into early labor on Thursday morning and experienced increasing pains at various intervals for the entire weekend. My labor stopped and started a few times, and most of it was back labour - neither my husband and I got much sleep leading up to the big day. Being a first time mom, I had some trouble deciding when to go to the hospital and as a result got sent home twice during the weekend, but then the real thing happened and the third time was a charm - on Monday morning I was admitted at 4 cm dilation at around 6 am. A few hours later I got an epidural - goodbye back labour!!!

Unfortunately, my labor stalled for over 6 hours and I was given a c-section. I am recovering nicely. Bebo had quite high levels of bilirubin (jaundice) due to an OA blood type incompatibility, and required photo therapy treatments. Bebo was a doll the whole time, only fussing for a few minutes after we had to put on the mask. Doesn't she look like a princess, in her little nest?

The nurses took great care of us and we are now both getting into the swing of things at home. We are soooooooo in love with our little Bebo (the nickname my husband gave my tummy during pregnancy has stuck!)