Hawai'i

Dave and I have just returned from 8 wonderful days in the sun and sand of Hawai'i (the "Big Island"). As you may know, the last month has been a stressful, exhausting, and heartbreaking time for both of us, and we know our friends and families have shared in this. We had decided that once things were stable for me medically, we would really like to "get away" somewhere where we could reflect, reconnect, and recover both physically and emotionally.

While in the end it ended up being a very "last minute" decision (we booked our flight about 12 hrs before we left!), it was an absolutely perfect trip. We spent many hours on the beach: reading, relaxing, people-watching, swimming and "surfing". We went hiking through Volcanoes Park: we walked on the surface of a Volcano, and watched another erupt. We hiked through the beautiful Waipio Valley, where we saw waterfalls, and rainforests, black sand beaches, and sacred Burial Grounds. We took an ocean kayak to Captain Cook's monument, and snorkelled with amazing fish. We ate lots of fresh sushi (and Dave had a few beers!).

All in all, it was exactly what we needed: a chance to remember all the amazing things in life, and in each other. We know there's still a long road to go, but this trip helped us to realize that "we're going to be okay", no matter what happens in this journey of ours. We are so blessed to have each other, and especially to have such amazingly thoughtful and supportive friends and family.


The beach near our hotel

Lounging in one of our favourite spots.

Sunset on our first night.

Waipio Valley

Sacred Burial Grounds in Waipio Valley

Snorkelling at Captain Cook's Monument

Another of our favourite spots: Hapuna Beach

For Emmett...

We have set up a donation page through the Calgary Health Trust "Silent Hopes" program (see link below):

http://www.community.calgaryhealthtrust.ca/netcommunity/emmettbrewin

Alternatively, tax deductible donations may be made on behalf of Emmett to the Calgary Health Trust - Pregnancy & Infant Loss Program and sent to:

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Program
#126A, 1441 - 29 St. NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4J8

Although not necessary, all donations are greatly appreciated and will be used to directly support and assist bereaved parents in the provision of memory building items.

Thank you.
B&D

Baby Brewin Update

Emmett Ulysses Brewin

Born/Died: January 21st, 2010.

A tiny 726 grams

Thanks to all for your kind wishes and support at this difficult time.

Update

I wish we had some good news for this update, but for now we are in a bit of a holding pattern and taking things day by day:

Upon returning to Calgary after the holidays, we went in for an ultrasound to check on baby's growth, and it was determined that baby has intrauterine growth restriction: meaning that baby is very small for gestational age, and it appears baby is not growing well in utero. In addition, I have been found to have elevated blood pressure. This combination of hypertension and IUGR usually indicates pre-eclampsia or toxemia, and can be very risky for both mom and baby.

I was hospitalized for 6 days while they did many tests on me and baby, and after many discussions and decisions, Dave and I decided that it would be better for me to be monitored at home, where I could get some rest, and would be followed by our Obstetrician. We are currently still at home, trying to think good thoughts, with the support of many friends and family. My parents flew in from Ontario, and have been absolutely wonderful: making meals, cleaning and organizing our house, keeping me occupied and offering emotional support.

We're still not sure what this means for baby: he is still very small, and very young (30 weeks), with additional issues identified during the ultrasound (cardiac) that will be problematic once he's on the "outside".

So, we are just waiting, and hoping, and trying to get some rest and keep things pretty low key. We will try to update as soon as we know anything more.

Friends

Some girl time at Jim and Andrea's property in Peterborough

Adam and Val Dukelow with baby Maddy and Gryphon

Lunch with Sandra in Windsor

Merry Christmas!

The whole Jackson family spent Christmas day together this year at Mom and Dad's in Bobcaygeon. Here are: Charlie & Janet, Joel, Dad & Westley, Dave, Amy, Jay, Nadine & Mom, Beth & Kaiya, and Malcolm.

Christmas

A few great days in Amherstburg with the Brewin family:

Brian and Kris welcome Reid Camden

Our "in-law-in-laws" (Janet's brother Brian, and his wife Kris) welcomed baby Reid Camden almost 2 weeks ago on December 1st. They seem to be doing great, and adjusting to parenthood (and sleep deprivation) well!
Congratulations Brian and Kris!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Here is the beginning of Calgary's December snowstorm--predicted to last...basically for the entire month of December! (At least we don't have to buy fake spray snow for our windows!)

Here's our tree from the inside (Greyson is a bit bigger than last year, and thinks the tree full of ornaments/"cat toys" is a perfect plaything!)

Brewin-style table decorations (thanks Mom and Dad Brewin!)

Our new wreath was decorated by more Calgary snow...

Furniture updates

Dave continues to be busy in his workshop, and is filling our house with beautiful hand-crafted furniture. Here are a few of his latest creations...

Downstairs end table(s) (x2) You can see the refinished coffee table in the front, and the end tables are on the sides of the couch...

He has also been accumulating tools, which seem to make him unreasonably fast at completing these projects now!!

Next on the list? Baby room furniture: dresser/changetable and crib...

Baby bump update...

Here's an updated "baby bump" photo: I feel like I've "popped" a bit more in the last few weeks, and am finally starting to actually look pregnant! Still feeling great, and feeling baby move around lots, which is so exciting! We are also starting to collect lots of "hand-me-downs": so great that everyone has been so generous!

New house and new baby for Jenn and Tom Gordon!

Our friends Jenn and Tom Gordon have added a new member to their family: Maggie Ann Gordon. They are also in the process of building their dream home at a site in Bragg Creek (about 1/2 an hour outside of Calgary). We made a visit yesterday to meet Maggie, and to check out the building site.

Walking through their property...

Getting some practice... :)

The Gordon family.

Phoenix "Girls Trip"

Karen, Andrea, Shandra and I planned a "Girls Trip" to Arizona: given that Karen and Andrea live in Ontario, and Shandra and I are in Calgary, we thought it might be worthwhile to meet up somewhere for an extended weekend so that we could enjoy some much-needed girl time and catching up. We spent 3 days shopping, "spa"ing, and chatting at a beautiful resort near Scottsdale (the Intercontinental Montelucia: www.icmontelucia.com ). "Summer toes"

Exploring the resort

Enjoying the desert at the "Boulders" spa near Carefree, Arizona

"Spa date"

Dinner on our last night...

Baby Bump!

By popular demand, here are a few pictures of the "baby bump"...Yes: in case you haven't heard the news, it's been a long time coming, but "well worth the wait"! We are expecting a baby boy in the end of March (due date is about March 26th), and couldn't be happier! We've had several ultrasounds to date, and all is looking good. I've been feeling well, and trying to get lots of rest.

This weekend I'm off to Phoenix, Arizona with a few girlfriends for some "R&R".

Chicago: Marc Binkley's Stag/Boys Weekend

Dave went to Chicago October 30th--November 2nd with a group of guys for Marc Binkley's Stag. Friday night was a Blackhawks game (followed by a night of debauchery), Saturday night was Hallowe'en (although none of the boys wore costumes), and Sunday was a Bears game (Binkley wore a costume). Dave says that Chicago is a nice city with cool architecture: lots of public spaces, parks and art, as well as great Deep Dish Pizza and Blues Bars!