Welcome...

Thank you for checking out our blog... We are the Oakden's from Christchurch - New Zealand, a little city in a little country that has become synonymous with earthquakes. Since September 4th 2010 we have literally had thousands of earthquakes... people often ask how we are still living here - and how we put up with all the shaking, and the not knowing what is going to happen... But it's simple. Christchurch is home, it's who we are - it's part of us... it's where our little family was created, and I guess that gives us roots to this shaky city. It's going to take a lot more to make us want to leave.

November 14, 2011

Little Miss Attitude

Since Gaby turned the big 5 her attitude has suddenly changed SO much - she's almost acting like a hormonal teenager, which terrifies me.. I didn't think I'd have to deal with this sort of behaviour for another few years.  She just doesn't listen, and when she does listen, will reply with a grunt or a sigh or a roll of the eyes.  I think part of it is that she's tired - but if she goes to sleep any earlier she will be missing dinner... she is in bed at 7pm every night! 

It's funny seeing them growing up, becoming their own persons - and becoming nice and headstrong.  That is what I try to remind myself - she's learning to be her own person, learning to stand up for herself - she's figuring out what she likes and doesn't like... I just wish she would do it in a way that was more... smiley and laughy and non-eye-rolley!

At the same time though, she's also becoming one fantastic little kids - still so sweet with her little sister, so caring... and her personality is definitely shining through, particularly her sense of humor - she definitely has my side of the families sense of humor, which is a good thing (I think).  She thought she was hilarious the other day when she said to her little friend Belle "hey Belle - can I ring your bell?"... I had to laugh, because it was kind of funny...

I'm so proud of her as far as school goes - learning to read and write and spell - doing all the things 'big kids' do.  I wasn't sure I was ready for a 'big kid', but I can tell already that we're entering a fantastic new phase in her life, and I really cannot wait to watch her blossom - intellectually and personally!

November 11, 2011

Reflections...

October and November have been hard months for me for the past 10 years.  November 2nd 2001 was the date that I said goodbye to my first angel, and then strangely enough two of my three other losses, occurred between October 21 and November 19... so in the space of less than a month I have three angelversaries.  Zhavier's anniversary is October 21st (2007), Jayden's is November 2nd (2001) and then Micah's is November 19th (2005).  Of all the days they could fall on, I still don't really understand how they all managed to fall so closely together.  The anniversary of my fourth and final angel is January 6th (2008) - so still relatively close.

I do consider myself healed from my losses - I still think about my four angels, but usually it is just a quick thought here and there, that  I forget about a few minutes later... but the past few weeks, my babies have all been constantly on my mind - I'm used to feeling this way at this time of year though.  I find it hard not to think, and I guess that is understandable...  It's hard to not think about what life was like then and now.. hard not to remember going through each individual loss...

Certain sights and smells make me think of my losses, silly things.. Going to the food court toilets at  Northlands Mall makes me think of Micah - because that is where I 'completed' my miscarriage... and held him... silently crying..  Zhavier it's the supermarket on Moorhouse Ave - we went into there to buy something, I went to the toilet - and found I was spotting.. that was the beginning of my ectopic pregnancy journey.  Jayden it's Montreal Street.. which is where my loss occurred.. I hate driving down that street.  Addison it's my parents house - having morning sickness, but then also noticing I was spotting..

I try not to dwell - but at this time of the year it's hard.  I know that if those losses hadn't occurred, I wouldn't have my gorgeous girls - but at the same time I know that if my losses hadn't occurred, I would have had the chance to hold THOSE babies in my arms.   I do believe that everything happens for a reason though, and try to think of Emersyn and Gabrielle as 'gifts' from my angels... I think that's my way of focusing on the positives, than on the negatives.

I still have pregnancy tests from two of my losses.. Micah and Zhavier, and I have my medical notes from Jayden, Micah and Zhavier...  I have nothing from my pregnancy with Addison, apart from the sad memories of my now ex boyfriend telling me that I had to choose between him and her, and that he couldn't have a child right then... all the tears I shed because of it, and then ringing him to say "well I don't need to make a decision, I'm miscarrying".. and how sad he sounded.  At least he was supportive about it.. though at the time I thought it was more relieved than supportive, but looking back it WAS supportive..

This is just a funny old time of year.  I miss my babies, I hate that I've experienced losses - but at the same time I am glad I have my two princesses, and feel so blessed to have them in my life.  I like to think that a little part of my angels lives on in both of them....