So, on the 31st of December last year we were sitting with the Davis family on the deck of the house where we were housesitting (in Graceville, heard of it? Check this out) and we were talking about the year past and the year to come. I remember thinking that I had no resolution for the new year, thinking about resolving to do something in light of what was already planned just made me really tired. At the time we were thinking about the arrival of Celia in March, and Edie's surgery in May. As it turns out, now that we're already in July, both of these things (and a whole lot more) have come and gone better than we ever could have ever expected. I don't want to go over just how we got through, it's been a long 7 months and ya...lots accomplished. With the departure of Nana Midgie just two weeks behind us, we can safely say that her being here had a lot to do with just how well all of the hoolpa that's been going down with Team Jardine has blown over. That, and a whole lot of divine intervention.

There really is nothing as good as having your mom around when the chips are down. But I'm now a mom, and I can't get my head around how my kids could possibly feel that way someday about me. So, in an effort to be a good mother or perhaps just to procure favour from my children, Miss E gets things like this...



Awesome, hey? Edie thinks so too. But I really can't take any credit for this one, it all belongs to Medical Illustrator Lindsay of Team Davis. This was all part of a plan devised soley for the purpose of trying to get Edie to wear her pink plaid jacket by showing her that Dora also wears her pink plaid jacket. It's good to have talented friends who are also parents.

Lots of pictures to go through on this round, I hope that everyone is doing well.

June and July 2011

Love to all,

Laura on behalf of the team.

On the Mend

We're happy to report that the Jardines have undergone two successful surgeries in the past month. Edie and I now have matching scars (hers is bigger) after I finally had a hernia repaired last week. I've been living with it for ten years now, going back to my weight-lifting and fishnet hauling days on the Miramichi. Of course, I don't expect any of you are tuning in for my health news. Edie is the star of this show. She handled her whole prep, operation, and recovery with a dtermination beyond her years, and is now pretty much your typical two and a half year old, barking orders, getting into all kinds of mischief, and having an occasional meltdown. We're thrilled to be done with the daily bag change and her enormous stoma. I'll spare you the details of her week in hospital - there were definite ups and downs but we pulled through with the help of Nanna Midge, who has now set her sights on getting Celia onto a proper sleeping routine. So far so good. We might just survive this Australia experience after all.

Carrot removal

Well the day has finally arrived. No, not Rapture Day, Edie's surgery Day. We're off to the hospital today to get Edie ready for her operation tomorrow. She's pumped about not ever having to wear a bag again, but a little concerned that she is going to have to get a "sting". It's hard to believe that she's worn a colostomy bag (and we've had to change it everyday) for the past eight months. Time flies when you're having fun!

We're thankful to have Nanna Midgie on board for practical and moral support. She has already paid dividends as Laura and I are able to ride in the front seat of the car. Edie demands that someone be crammed into the back seat with her and Celia, and Midgie has got the call. They've been two birds of a feather since she arrived, reading plenty of books and going for walks together. But now comes the hard part, 5-10 days in the hospital while managing grumpy Celia, all with me heading off overseas at the end of this week. Here's hoping it all goes well and Edie comes out in two pieces on the other side.

May 2011