About Me


Name::ron st.amant
From::Toronto, Ontario, CA
I'm an American living in Canada because my wife made me...no, no it was my choice...see honey, I said it! In September of '05 we had our first child and the rollercoaster got even more scary. Oh and I'm probably coughing...or complaining about it.
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Recent Posts

Dilemma
JibJab
Flying Solo
Tranquility Base
Wowzers
Questions of Podcasting
Dueling Numbers: 416 versus the 905
The Daily Show Takes On The Gonzales Scandal
*sigh*
Bon Voyage

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Friday, September 30, 2005

The Slumberus Interruptus Edition

Sleep. When the unconscious world overtakes the conscious one thus allowing for a recuperative interval. Riiiiight. It would seem Morpheus has completely dropped us from his route. Now of course we knew this was coming, but there's just no way to be prepared for it until it finally happens. Gracie has decided in the last few days that she is a night owl, and one that likes feeding every 2 hours. Still she's a beauty that we wouldn't trade for all the sleep in the Sandman's bag.  click for larger, pop-up photo My parents managed to get back to the States in one piece. They (and my sister Essie) were a big help, taking Gracie when we needed a break, cooking and doing some laundry for us. Stuff that we just didn't have the energy to do the first week. It especially helped that they were here when I needed to go to classes since I felt a little better about leaving with Shell having people around, rather than all alone. History of Ancient Egypt is a semster class, so my prof is really cramming in several thousand years of history every session. I've already received a mark in the class though, getting a perfect 10 on my map test, so hey...at least I'll get a 10 in this class. History of Modern Espionage is a fascinating class, though we've had only one lecture thus far. It is interesting to trace the common pitfalls of intelligence failures throughout history, and I'm looking forward (sort of) to working on my 2 research projects this year for the class. Now back to baby central... We've had several visits from the mid-wives and Gracie seems to be growing perfectly. Apparently they've been fighting at the clinic over who gets to visit us :) We have a few more visits, though these will be AT the clinic and then they release us to our family doctor. Here at home the dogs have really taken a shine to the baby. Willow likes to crawl up on the bed at night and listen to Gracie coo...while Dixie just wants to cuddle.  click for larger, pop-up photo We had a very big day on Wednesday as we had planned to take Gracie to meet both her Great-Grandmothers. However we only accomplished half our task since there was an emergency that prevented Grandma Snyder from coming. But we did spend quite a bit of time with Grandma Amos who seemed to love her great-granddaughter very much-and the feeling was mutual.  click for larger, pop-up photo Then we went over to my in-laws house for an evening of Chinese food and relaxation. I always feel extremely relaxed at their house, the warmth and comfort are very much in demand at the moment. Plus Gracie's Gramps Gerry hasn't had as much baby time as all the other grandparents.  click for larger, pop-up photo And she got to meet one of her many Grand-Aunts, Karen..  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo Last night I gave her a bath and she was completely in heaven in the warm water...she likes to splash...and it's one of the few times she shows off her long legs and arms. Normally she's completely scrunched up, but in the tub she stretches out. She'll have her mommy's long limbs that's for sure. I know everybody is supposed to think their child is the most adorable one on the planet, but I ask you...how can there be one cuter than this...  click for larger, pop-up photo Just to show you that she isn't all sunshine and flowers...here's one where she's clearly plotting evil...  click for larger, pop-up photo No matter though...she's daddy's girl  click for larger, pop-up photo Well two weeks in and we haven't set her on fire, dropped her on her head, left her in the backyard, or lost her...so things are going pretty well I think. Til next time Cheers

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Thursday, September 22, 2005

The It's Been One Week Since You Looked At Me Edition

Gracie is one week old...yay!!!  click for larger, pop-up photo This have been for the most part smooth. A few bumps in the road, but nothing we couldn't handle. Tim, Les, Leah and Quinn hurried over on Friday night to see the new member of the clan. I'm still not sure what they thought exactly- Quinn is still miffed I think that we didn't name the baby Darth Vader..but I told him maybe the next one.  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo Since I was asked to explain Gracie's name on my livejournal I'll share it here as well. The origin really is fairly simple. I've always wanted to name my first girl Grace, mostly because my favorite ball-player was Mark Grace of the Cubs (#17..first baseman..the boys at home know)- in the decade of the 90s he had more hits and more doubles than ANY player in baseball!!! Also, I was infatuated with Gracie Allen as a kid- I loved watching old Burns & Allen shows late at night on TV). I knew Grace wouldn't be as great first name because of the sound but it would make a great middle name, so we set about finding a name that fit. I've also always loved the name Virginia because it is where I grew up and has so much history (something I love dearly). Plus they sounded good together. My wife loved them as well. So we'll call her Gracie. Her mommy will occasionally call her Ginny, and Grandma Wendy calls her Victoria (?!?) But then we correct her, "No Mom..it's VIRGINIA" and we move on :)  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo My parents, sister, and niece came up on Saturday evening to stay with us this week. They had planned the trip long ago, and Gracie's late arrival made things a little touch and go at first. But luckily they've helped a great deal, especially Esther, my baby sister, who did everything from laundry to cooking to maowing the lawn this week. Tina, my 15-month old niece has taken an instant shine to Gracie, well...after getting over the jealousy of having to share her Grandpa. When she walks into the room she instantly starts saying "baby...baby...baby".  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo So we've just been learning to get along with each other this week. Shell and Gracie have been bonding and sleeping. Gracie has been eating well and growing. I've been changing diapers, kissing my girls, and bringing them flowers...12 long stemmed red roses for Shell and one pink one for Virginia.  click for larger, pop-up photo It's been tiring sure, but it's been great as well. I love both my girls. I cherish them. I'll protect them. They brighten my world. Heck, I think it's been too long since I've given them some kisses...  click for larger, pop-up photo So I should probably go for now...but I'll leave you with just a few more photos that I really love...  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo Cheers

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Friday, September 16, 2005

24 Hours I'll Never Get Back...and I Don't Care!!!!

So by now you all know...our little girl finally made her appearance last night.
But there's so much more to the story.

We had finally decided after much consultation with the midwives that Thursday we were going for the induction since at that point the baby was 41 weeks and 5 days. However as a preparation for that we had to go in Wednesday for an ultrasound to get some measurements, see how she was doing, how much amniotic fluid still floating around etc. Then we were told to call the hospital Thursday afternoon at 3pm to get the time for our induction.

But then...

Wednesday night I was downstairs watching TV when Shell yelled for me in *that voice*...the serious one. I ran upstairs and she told me she thought her water had broken- not a gush though. Still at that point we did as instructed and called the midwife. They told us to go to the hospital to be evaluated. So at 10 minutes to midnight on Wednesday night we roll into the Colonel Harlan Sanders Family Center at Trillium Hospital- Mississauga...and yes...it's THAT Colonel Sanders. It seems the old chicken magnate had lived in Mississauga, forever destroying for me the illusion of delicious southern fried chicken I had grown (and grown and grown) to finger lickin love. The Colonel, whose recognizable visage has graced so many fast food walls was right there in living black but mostly white. Great...do we get a bucket of wings and some slaw with the baby??

So in we go, up to the labor area where the midwives tell us that its a hind leak and they are going to send us back home to await the induction.

But then... (shouldn't there be really cool dramatic music here?)

Shell has a bit more of a gush and inspection by the midwives reveals the presence of meconium (for the men in the room this means the baby has had a bowel movement inside and the danger is that the baby could aspirate this). So that's that...we aren't going home, we are going to have this baby now...well sort of now. They place the fetal monitor belt on and Shell, who had been having some random contractions on the drive over, started to have a few more less random, but still distantly spaced ones. They tell us to try and get some sleep because it will be a long night. We try. She laying there wired up, me beside her in a fold out chair, whispering like we're at camp, laughing and excited and scared.

The contractions started to get more intense and eventually Shelley got very dehydrated. Maria arrived to help us around 8am (and I have to say something about Maria...I love her so so so much...she was amazing and she helped me as much as she helped Shelley). So the contractions rolled on, but unfortunately no dilation so the decision was made to go with Oxytocin to see if we could prod things along. Every few hours they would check and still no progress. Shell had wanted to do this without medication and monitors, but by 3pm Thursday (after roughly 15 hours of laboring to different degrees) she was hooked up to the fetal monitors, and now had an IV for the dehydration, and an Oxytocin drip. To say she was emotionally and physically exhausted was an understatement. She had soldiered on so bravely but her body just wasn't cooperating and the decision was then made for an epidural. I made sure I talked to Shell alone, between contractions when her mind was its clearest, to know for certain that this is what she wanted. So she finally had some relief and a chance to start to rest. At around 4pm with the epidural working its magic, Shelley feeling better, and Maria catching some sleep, Shell and I decided I'd run home and feed the dogs, get some music which we had forgotten, and I could grab a quick change of clothes and a shave- we had packed a change of clothes for me, but I'd already gone through them in 16 hours we'd already been there. So off I went to get some food and rush home. The consulting OB had told us that she'd give us about 3 hours to see what the drugs would do, but after that we'd have to go to the O.R. I kissed Shell goodbye, told her how much I loved her and left for the house.

But then...(duh dun dahhhhh)

I get home to a whirring answering machine. 20 minutes after I left the hospital the drugs had kicked Shelley into overdrive. A second message left 20 minutes after that said I'd better get back. The dogs staring at me as I ran back out the door wondering why I just came home for 6 seconds only to leave again... I rushed back to the hospital. Angry at myself for leaving, cursing my stupid bad luck, knowing that I'd get back to find the baby born and my wife telling me I screwed up and would have to live in the shed for a year or so. My mind raced "Well YOU said to go" I thought, planning on sharing the blame with her...I mean that was just as much her decision as mine!! I was just sick to my stomach, missing the birth of my baby. As much as I joked about not wanting to be there, playing a round of golf during the delivery etc...the truth is I didn't want to be anywhere else. I drove a leeeeeeetle fast (I'm pretty sure my 2000 Dodge Stratus left vapor trails on the 401). I flew into the parking lot (which is on the OTHER side of the hospital natch), ran upstairs as fast as I could in my sandals, preparing myself for the worst reaction of the midwives, Maria, Shelley and the baby.

But then....

My wife, who had been enduring this madness for 9 months...waited to push...just for me.

GOD HOW MUCH I LOVE MY WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So with me in place she started to go. About 40 minutes in she was doing so well. She'd gotten the hang of it, the midwives were happy with the progress and we were seeing the head moving into position. Another 40 minutes and Shelley, in what can only be best described by me as "Cowboy'd Up" pushed that baby right on out. I had planned on not seeing..you know...everything. However I saw...you know...EVERYTHING.

Shelley was shaking from the epidural (and the fact that she'd just birthed another human). The baby was shaking from the suddenly bright cold world. Maria was shaking from being able to return the birth partner favor to Shelley. And I was just shaking from watching the whole scene unfold.

After they checked her respiration (because of the meconium) they gave her to Shell and we kissed and hugged and cried (especially me). In fact I'm crying right now reliving it. So I'll just share some photos for a second whilst I compose myself..

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So after some calls were made to the grandparents, Shelley took a shower and I got to dress my little girl for the first time (oy again with the crying...we'll just all have to deal with it).

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And we got ready to come home where Gram and Grandps Snyder were waiting for us. Now this next picture is very VERY important. This blanket and sweater (the bonnet had fallen off in the car) that Virginia Grace is wearing to come home in, was knitted by her great-grandmother Marjorie. This outfit was worn by Gracie's grandmother Wendy, and Shelley, when they all came home from the hospital. 3 generations of Amos women have now worn this outfit home and I can't wait to show this picture to Gracie's great-grandma Marjorie in a few weeks. Such an amazing family treasure, and I hope God willing that another generation Amos woman might wear this again some day.

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I can't begin to explain in words the awe I have for my wife. She has guts and determination, strength and will, character and compassion that I can only dream of having. You've all heard me say a million times how lucky I am. Last night I got a full color demonstration of it. My wife and daughter are gorgeous. I love them with a fathomless depth. Gracie is my little princess, and Shelley is my hero.

So its almost 1pm in the afternoon now. I've gotten a couple hours of sleep here and there (which yes as I've been told I know I'm going to have to get used to), Shelley and Gracie are laying the daybed, having some cuddle and snooze time. Grammy Snyder is in the living catching some sleep time too. Dixie & Willow are still trying to figure out what this cooing and fidgety thing is and they are napping in the bedroom. And me?

Well I'm writing this all out for you guys. Our family and friends- the people we love and thanking you for all your support over the last 9 months, and the love and support I know will come in the future. If indeed it takes a village to raise a child I know in my heart the village that we've chosen to surround our precious little girl with is filled with amazing people.

I want to thank most importantly Gerry and Wendy Snyder (my father and mother in law) and Lloyd and Ruth St.Amant (my dad and mom) for their unbelievable amounts of love for Shell and me.

Oh and I'm enjoying this strange quietness in the house which I suspect...will be rather rare in the next 20 years.

Cheers

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Saturday, September 03, 2005

The Here's To Life Edition

All lyrics by Roger Clyne and the Refreshments
No I don't need a miracle
But I could use a push in the right direction
So here we are on the eve of the due date and no action to be found. We know of course that it's only a matter of time, but how much time? Shell and the still unborn one are doing fine. The love and support we have gotten from family and friends, especially in the last few weeks has been amazing. Shell decided to start her leave last week and her crew sent her off with a lovely surprise on Thursday. Tim and Morghan played a little prank on her which allowed her crew to disappear to another part of the studio and they eventually revealed themselves again with a lovely basket of gifts.  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo Plus this amazing sketch signed by the crew with lots of wishes (some of them...strange to be sure...but these are artists we're talking about so...) It now proudly hangs in the baby's room...till she's old enough to read!  click for larger, pop-up photo Later that evening, Les hosted a baby shower with some of the ladies from the studio and Maria and Amanda. Even more fabulous gifts bestowed, including this amazing quilt courtesy of Caroline, the supervisor of Sets and Props.  click for larger, pop-up photo
Well I guess I could have run away
When I saw that look in her eyes
But she brought me to my knees
Before I had time to realize
Friday dawned as Shelley's last official day and for yet another surprise I decided to bring some ice cream for her crew, and with the dogs in tow, bring her home as a family. We've really made some progress with the house in the last few weeks, thanks in large part to Tim & Les and Greg and Maria who came out last weekend to give us a hand. They did so much for us including finishing the trim in the kitchen- vital before we have a crawling baby, and getting a section of the patio finished before winter comes was also a BIG task! The help enabled Shell to spend this week focused on the finishing touches to the baby's room. Though there's still some sewing to be done (namely the curtain for the closet), everything is in its place and since I know many of you have longed for pictures of the finished decor...a quick 360(ish) tour.  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo  click for larger, pop-up photo That gives you some idea at least. The other night Shell's folks brought us the stroller/car seat combo they got for us and then took us out for a nice dinner. I was coming home from work and when I turned the corner and saw their van for a second I thought something must be wrong (before I realized I had a cell phone for just such an emergency).  click for larger, pop-up photo
Well I think I saw you in a dream,
You were dancin' by a slot machine, with a complementary whiskey in your hand
And when you asked what kind of streak I was on,
Somehow it just got better
It's been 4 and a half years since I met Shell in the dizzying neon haze of Las Vegas. While I harbored illusions of a life with her the instant I saw her, I also knew the reality was probably a bit far-fetched...but then again Las Vegas is a city of dreams where sometimes the lucky gambler hits the jackpot. I did anyway! Now on the verge of this whole new dizzying adventure, I know, in fact, life really is just a big gamble for all of us. There are no guarantees. So we grab on to someone, or something and hang on for all the ups and downs that may come, because in the end all we have is each other. Near or far, the many people that mean so much to me are never more in my thoughts than at moments of great tragedy. As we all know this week has seen a bitter share of tragedy for thousands. My father grew up in a small town west of New Orleans, a place called Abbeville, Louisiana. While Abbeville it seems was spared much of the devastation, many such small towns were not so lucky. It is easy at times to become angry at the failure of human beings to live up to the ideal- whether they be the powerful politicians who appear not to do enough for those in need, or the looting masses destroying what was left in the wake of the natural destruction. So much failure...so much sadness. But beyond the grief and the anger and the sadness we must all find the strength to move forward, always mindful that we can do more to allay the suffering of those less fortunate among us before the darkness envelops, and have faith that somehow it will be alright in the end. So as I sit and write about all the blessings that I have, the love that surrounds me, the life we are about to bring into the world, I know that the only way to REALLY make the world a better place is to work hard to make my corner of it the best it can be. And to that end I hope to always do better.
Well as cliche as it may sound
I'd like to raise another round
And if your bottle's empty
Help yourself to mine
Thank you for your time
And here's to life
Cheers

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