Around Town { Courtney's Visit }

The weather really held strong for Courtney's visit. We had beautiful blue sky, sunny days and even though the chill was starting to creep in, Halifax was still at her most beautiful and we made the most of exploring her. Lighthouses were high on Courtney's list, so we planned to check a few out and I wanted to show her downtown Halifax with it's lovely public gardens and other fun hot spots. Of course there was lots of cuddles with beautiful baby Quill and great chats and catch ups on the lounge. 

Grand Pre' and Pumpkins { Courtney's Visit }

Courtney was the last of my siblings to arrive for some time with us and Nova Scotia. The timing was just right, crossing over with Shannon and his family, so that she could hit some of the big to-do's with them like Lunenburg and the Valley, while I was home recovering with baby. But I saved some special spots I'd been wanting to explore with her just for us and although swimming at the lake was coming to a close she got to experience the very beginnings of fall.

Family + Fun { Shannon and Mireille Visit }

This summer was our busiest yet. Holidays were had, our baby was born and all of my siblings visited. There is nothing more beautiful than Nova Scotia in summer and I was so glad to share it all with Shannon, Mireille, Taylor and Cierra, and then later Courtney joined us all too. I gave birth to Quill on the Tuesday and then the Ryan's arrived on the Saturday! The timing was actually great. I had a few days to recover from the birth and then I had lots of people to cuddle Quill, keep me company and clean my kitchen! (my least favourite household task). The Ryan's are great at seizing the day and as seasoned adventures took off in the directions I suggested and found the fun. I joined them for the shorter trips and some of my fav spots and in between there was lots meals together, making smores by the fire, lake swims and paddle boarding, reconnecting and sharing.

Our New Baby

'Our new baby, our new baby!' The kids meeting their new brother for the first time was such a joy. They had been waiting a long time and now the wait was finally over. That afternoon, just a few hours after I'd given birth, they came into the hospital for a visit, baring celebratory cupcakes for mum and huge smiles in anticipation of meeting their brother. They came into the room so excited and then looked at Quill with the awe and wonder that abounds at the sight of a new baby. 

Welcome to the World Quill

Reflecting on Quill's birth now, a few months later, it feels completely surreal. Did I really do that? Birth is such an intense experience and when it's all through it really does feel like a victory - with the best prize of all. This pregnancy was definitely my hardest. It felt like from day one symptoms, all too familiar to me, set in and the next 9 months became a battle against my body to function in every day life. The only thing I can really say I gained from the experience (aside from my sweet babe) is an empathy for people who live with chronic pain. Some days it's hard to get even the bare minimum done. My family was patient and loving through it all and it was all in the name of a new baby, much wanted and anticipated by all, and loved before he even was. Will I do it again? I don't think so but I'm glad I did for him.

The Sun and her Flowers

Summer this year coincided with the last few months of my pregnancy and despite not feeling great I was really determined to enjoy every moment and opportunity that it presented. As we came to the beginning of September and very close to our baby's arrival, the weekend of his due date in fact, there was two things I wanted to do from my summer bucket list. One was to visit the sunflower farm in the valley and the next was to eat pasta and bread and butter pudding from our favourite little restaurant set on the banks of Williamstown river. So we set off on Saturday, our last adventure as a family of four and took the beautiful drive once more to the Valley.