She’s finally here!

Of all the things that I’ve created... this right here might be my favourite. Welcome earth side little Fernanda Ann. 

The name Fernanda means adventurous, bold journey—and what a wild ride it has already been and it’s only just begun. Ann is after Fern’s only earth-side Great Grandparent, Ann Riesebosch (or “GG” to her great grandchildren) just like her big cousin Amaya Ann, the girl who first made this Mama an Aunt.

Fern was born by normal spontaneous vaginal delivery at 41w4d. After a 41w2d membrane sweep and 2 nights + 2 days of slow and steady early labour she came swiftly with 4 hours of active water labour (plus a ton of battery candles, massage, @official_enya radio and a whole lot of Nitrous Oxide) and just over an hour of pushing—joining us on Saturday evening, August 28.

Huge shoutout to our Birthing From Within class teacher Cindy @cindyblackbirthphotography, our warrior Doula support Jessica @the.delightful.doula (and insta shoutout to @thenakeddoula and @evarosebirth who I’ve learned and unlearned so much from following), as well as the amazing L+D ward staff at UHNBC @northernhealthbc. All played an important role in educating us on our options as first timers, helping us advocate for ourselves/trusting our gut instincts and being super accommodating of our Birth Intentions. We feel so fortunate and blessed with this team and birth story behind us—everything went better than we imagined as first time parents.

It takes a village to safely birth a child and transform a Women into Mama—in awe of Women and all the instinct and strength of Mother’s we don’t know we have in us until we need it.

She is perfect (in weakness [2 Corinthians 12:9]), Mama + Papa are tired (and sore; moving x3, pregnancy, labour, delivery, 2nd degree tearing and breastfeeding are no joke) and God is good (so good).