Dispatches from Dufferin Street

Four years later…

Originally uploaded by karchibald1

We get the midwives over for a real visit – with cake and coffee and no-one having to sit in a sitz bath afterwards.

These two wonderful women caught both our babies and introduced us to the world of woman-centred, informed choice healthcare – a life changer! And they guided us through Leo’s beautiful birth upstairs, truly making our house into our home.

The memories flooded back in snapshots today: my last wonderful pregnancy meal at Sol Latino on August 7, 2005, water breaking, gossiping in the living room with Karen, Claire and Pam through labour, a wee bit of eternal pushing, Claire and Max drifting in and out of the room – waiting… waiting…, Leo emerging into our bed and our lives, Max and Matt cutting the umbilical cord, Claire’s wonderful breakfast in bed, Max heading to my parents’ for the day, and a joyful, exhausted daytime sleep with our magical new family member rocking in the bassinet beside the bed.

Happy birthday, Leo – we’re so lucky to know you.