It's a girl - Anaïs Maria Tabah Maksalon

Big sister Isabel Chloe, along with her parents, are overjoyed to announce the arrival of Anaïs Maria Tabah Maksalon. Of course, Isabel is also happy to point out that she always knew it would be a little girl!!! Anaïs means grace; and this little one has lived up to her name from the moment the labour began to her calm arrival in our home just minutes after papa walked in the door to her soft, gentle presence.

Date of birth:
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
Time of birth: 9:00am
**though depending on the watch, it may have been 8:58am
Length: 51cm/ 20.1in
Weight: 2.99kg/ 6lbs 9oz



Anaïs’s Magical Entrance:
Anaïs (pronounced ana-ees) began to announce her entrance around 12 midnight as she started knocking on the door with more regular and intense surges (contractions). To prepare myself, I made some tea and began to fill up the bathtub; lit some candles, and put on soothing music: Narayan. The night was beautiful and the full moon lit up the sky in all its splendour. Joshua was in Medellin and not scheduled to return until the next day. By 3:30am, the surges were getting more regular and intense – I sent a quick email to Joshua and to two friends to let them know they might be hearing from me in the morning. By 4:45am thought it was time to call Joshua to let him know the baby might be arriving a few (9) days earlier than expected. He convinced me to call our doctor and said he would begin to make plans to come home as quickly as possible. I called Dr. Maurizio Espinosa; apologizing for waking him up so early, but with Joshua out of town I thought it was better to be safe and get another opinion.

Mama & Isabel enjoying a moment together about one hour before Anaïs arrived.

At 6:30am Isabel woke up after a wonderful sleep (she managed to stay asleep since 11:30pm, allowing me a calm space to labour). I spent most of the night walking around, pausing to enjoy some tea, and also moving into the tub for periods of time to allow my body to stay calm and present throughout the ebb and flow of the process. In retrospect, the fact that I was in labour is so clear and present. Yet at the time I was continually in doubt; thinking it was just more ‘practice pains’ that I had been experiencing for well over a month now. Isabel and I snuggled and had some breakfast together – yoghurt with honey and heritage O’s.

By 7am, Dr. Espinosa was at our home and let me know I was 7cm dilated… this baby was coming soon!! I called Joshua to let him know – he was getting on the next flight home and expected to arrive by 9:15am. Joshua’s colleague (and my friend) Noëlla arrived by 7:15am to help with Isabel. Everything was coming together… we just had to stay calm and think slow thoughts to wait for papa to get home. I made some coffee for the doctor and cappuccino for Noëlla; then I headed for the tub.

Isabel joined me in the tub for a few minutes – she rubbed my lower back and told me to keep my head on the towel to relax. I just kept focusing on keeping things slow and relaxed. Isabel was ready to go play with Noëlla again. Shortly after this the urges to allow Anaïs to enter the world become extremely intense. I had to stay very focused and very relaxed; and began to sing (off-key to be certain) to distract my mind and keep faith that Joshua would arrive in time.
At 8:52am, Joshua ran in the door, gave Isabel a big hug, and ran to the bathroom. He jumped in the tub. Time seemed to take on a whole new meaning… I felt as if hours were passing, and yet with just two intense contractions and 6-8 minutes later, Anaïs had arrived. My water broke only as her head emerged and she calmly entered from the warm bath inside my body, to the warm bath in our home. I brought her up to my chest and she rested peacefully… my arms around Anaïs and Joshua’s arms around both of us. The ecstasy and stillness of this moment was sheer magic. Time stood still.

Dr. Espinosa, Mama, Anaïs, Constanza & Nancy ( a few hours after the birth)

Dr. Espinosa and his team (nurse: Nancy and doula: Constanza, who both arrived closer to 8:30am due to Bogotá traffic) were amazing. They offered us incredible care and support – ensuring the baby, mom and dad were all doing well and adjusting to each stage post-delivery exactly as need be. Dr. Espinosa was critical in keeping me grounded and focused for those intense 45minutes from the moment Anaïs was ready to emerge to the moment it was time for her to actually greet her father. I could not have imaged a better team to support me in this process… and I am so grateful to them, and to the stars aligning to allow Joshua to make it just in time. And after the birth, the post-natal care was beyond anything we could have asked for… Dr. Espinosa even typed out a beautiful story about the birth that I can keep for Anaïs. Having now experienced both a homebirth and a hospital birth… while both were amazing in bring each of our daughters into this world, I cannot even imagine choosing to birth away from home again.

Noëlla & Isabel playing at the building park on a beautiful sunny day as Mama, Papa & Anaïs take a quiet moment together upstairs.

We are also deeply indebted to Noëlla who spent the entire day with us from early morning to late evening… taking care of Isabel, running to the pharmacy for last minute necessities, and even bringing flowers and keeping track of the time of birth. Not to mention going to the airport to pick up Patrycja’s mother who was arriving that evening from Toronto. She was an angel at our doorstep, allowing all of us to focus on the things that needed to be done. I am certain that I will only learn in time the many other things she did to help that day… with a calm, strong presence that never interfered and continually offered support.

On Joshua’s end, he was able to get a flight home (though he had to drive to the airport out of town to catch an early enough flight); he managed to get the last seat on the airplane; he had the fortune of a thoughtful stewardess who got him settled in the back seat and opened the rear door of the plane to let him out first; and he had an excellent driver (who apologetic that he could not arrange a police escort) managed to manoeuvre through rush hour traffic in Bogotá to get him home just at the right moment.

Amidst the whirlwind of activity – in and out of the home – Anaïs announced her presence with complete calm and grace. She began nursing at 9:30am, ate for over 30 minutes, and then looked around with curious eyes to meet all the faces around her – she even had a smile to offer her big sister upon hearing her voice the first time (out of the womb).


Isabel and Anaïs are beginning a bond as sisters that will last a lifetime… the connection they share is something that we as parents can only glance upon from the outside. The intensity is unbelievable. And now, the love story begins again… only this time it is even greater, even stronger, and even more powerful as it is shared by all four of us.

There is so much more to say… and yet no words can fully express all that had taken place in the last hours, days, moments in time.

As usual, there are more photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/jpstories

The Magic of Community...

Today - Sunday, February 8th - a few friends hosted a beautiful baby shower for me and baby J. What an amazing treat. I felt so completely spoiled I can hardly express it. Not only by the fantastic presents, delicious treats, and beautiful decorations... but most importantly, but the phenomenal women that surrounded me this afternoon. As I looked around I could not believe that we have been blessed by such an amazing community of friends... people who have so graciously made us feel welcome in our new home, in our new life. Each gaze I met reflected back at me with warmth and tenderness. I felt totally uplifted and energized the entire afternoon and all evening to follow; despite the general exhaustion of being 9-months pregnant. What a blessing to know that this baby is entering into such an amazing community. Thanks to each of you for your presence (and the abundance of presents).

Maria Karolina Schwartz - Duza Mama

On Thursday January 29th, 2009, at 3:30pm in Warsaw, Poland, my grandmother (Duza Mama) moved on from her body. She was in the comforts of her own home -- enjoyed a final cup of her favourite coffee, lay down on her bed and drifted off to sleep. It was the perfect passing that she would have wanted... calm and peaceful. She had struggled for over a year with illness as her body prepared for this time, and that was probably the most difficult time for Duza Mama. She was always a woman filled with curiousity and a zest for life: to be constricted by her body left her feeling helpless and lost. So, while loss is always filled with a sense of sadness and a realization of both how permanent and impermanent things are in this world; the fact that Duza Mama's spirit is now free to dance in the sun, not constrained by geography or physical boundaries, brings a sense of peace to my heart. As we prepare for the birth of Baby J (official due date: February 19th), we are also reminded of the cycle of life, the magic of each moment, and the meaning we have the privilege to place on each day that we live. There are so many beautiful memories that I have of Duza Mama - all of them celebrating an amazing life and a phenomenal woman with a free spirit. I still remember as a little girl (Isabel's age) cooking and baking with my grandmother. She always prepared the most amazing meals, and she let me help with every aspect of kitchen life. After we moved to Canada, I remember the amazing smells that filled our home each time Duza Mama would come to visit us. I also recall how much pride she took in everything she did... she herself would always say: "Heaven in your mouth" about the delicious meals she prepared. There was no conceit in her words, simply a feeling of satisfaction about what she created with love. When she first met Joshua, Duza Mama wrapped us in a scarf she had sewn and told us that this was like a circle of love that would protect us and keep us together forever. It's a wonder Joshua did not go running out the door as we had only been dating a few months... but I guess she already knew what we were just beginning to explore. That comes with the insight of years lived... and she was never shy to speak her mind: whether you liked what she had to say or not!!! She continued to make many trips to visit us in Canada: never shy for a new adventure. She even made the long journey to Mexico in order to attend our wedding on the Mayan Riviera in April 2004. And she was swimming in the ocean with the rest of us -- getting into the water far before I would even dip my feet. In the summer of 2007, we went to visit Duza Mama in Europe so that Isabel could meet her. And even at this time, when her body was already beginning to fail her, she met us with open arms and we all cherished this precious time together. In one of my last conversations with Duza Mama she told me how much she was looking forward to running in the fields with Isabel (and the new baby too). Her spirit is now free to run anywhere it chooses. She is not bound by her physical limitations, or the distance of geography that has separated many of us. Somehow, she always managed to transcend these boundaries with her love and immense sense of connection to family and friends -- who she valued above all else. I can feel her presence as I approach the birth of this new baby, I can feel her presence each time I bake with Isabel, I can feel her presence in the community the surrounds us. And, as Isabel said so beautifully when I told her about Duza Mama's passing: "Now we have two people watching over us: Tata (my father) and Duza Mama. So we can always be happy, cuz they are with us all the time."

Family visits and holiday memories

We enjoyed a fabulous visit with Budi & DziaDzia (Patrycja's mom and Julian) who arrived in Bogota on December 26th to join us for New Year's Eve. Julian than departed on January 1st, and shortly after one of Budi's best friends, Dorotka, arrived from Poland and the two ladies set off on an adventure to Cartagena. More to come as soon as I have a little more time to write... needless to say it was wonderful to have family so close to celebrate the holiday season with us. The weather was breathtakingly gorgeous!!!

Baby Showers & Gratitude...

Today (January 3) we had a shower to celebrate baby 'j' and most of all as an excuse to bring a group of fabulous women together for an afternoon. My mom was here visiting and it was so wonderful to share this time with the community of women that I have had the joy of meeting during our initial months here in Bogotá. It truly felt like a time of celebration as we enjoyed yummy food, great company, and even got into some arts & crafts. Most of the guests participated in creating artwork... following the inspiration of vision boards... placing images and words of their wishes for this new arrival. I am so amazed at the talents that lie within each of us to be creative when given the opportunity. And I am so extremely thankful for the circle of friends that is surrounding us and creating a space into which this new baby will enter... a space that we are quickly calling our home. Thanks to each of you for this wonderful gift.

Happy New Year!!!

We enter 2009 reflecting on the blessings that fill our life here in Colombia, and looking towards the many joys that lay ahead of us. As we look back it is amazing to think how much has happened in the last year... settling into a new groove as Patrycja left her full-time job and moved into being a full-time mom, part-time consultant, and still continuing her work as a yoga instructor; shifting gears as Joshua took on a new position as Head of Aid for the Canadian Embassy in Colombia; renovating and leaving our home in Ottawa; establishing a new home-base in Bogota; enjoying watching the world through Isabel's eyes as she grew from baby to toddler; and even being surprised with the blessing of a new baby on the way. It's hard to believe all this has happened in the span of a year... yet, these kind of things often seem to all shift into place at just the right moment, even if at times it seems completely overwhelming. Somehow, we have managed to move through the exhiliration and the challenges of all that has passed; and we look toward the new year with a sense of anticipation (and, to be perfectly honest, sheer exhaustion as well). As we prepare for the arrival of Baby 'J' we are most definitely expanding our list of requests... healthy, happy, and a good sleeper. Though when we are completely honest with our expectations, we feel so grateful for all the things that bless our lives on a daily basis. Just recently, Isabel made a friend a year older than she is... and the two of them are like peas in a pod... totally inseparable. Lucky for me, I too have found an amazing friend in her mother. It is amazing what this kind of support adds to our daily lives. And it is even more incredible to watch what this has meant for Isabel. Her entire world has been turned upside down with this move. When we speak about kids adjusting to new circumstances we often think about how resilient they are, and how easy it is for them. In the big picture this is true; but in the practical moment, watching a young child observe and live these kind of changes, is extremely emotional. Moving to a foreign land, leaving all friends & family behind, learning a new language... the only thing remaining common, certain and consistent is the presence of her mama and papa. I don't think I could have anticipated how challenging this kind of change can be for a two year old. And I am especially thankful that I am able to be at home with Isabel to allow her the space to express her fears and to rebuild her sense of security and structure. As adults, the transition time may be longer... but we can logically understand what is going on and be completely and fully involved in all the decision making. These are life-skills that seem to develop over time. And as I fully reflect on the last 3-6 months of this transition I am deeply moved by how present Isabel has forced me to be throughout it all. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I feel in so many ways as if she is teaching me more about how to handle this with grace and patience than I could ever do on my own. It's not always easy, but when moved through from an honest place it is incredibly rewarding. All this to say, as Isabel develops this new friendship; she has also been able to express more of her emotions about the loss of missing her friends at home, and the challenges of saying goodbye for fear that it is permanent (as with so many of her friends/family back in Canada) -- at least in her eyes. She adores the consistency of a friend she can share time with one a regular basis. And as she settles into this, she radiates even more joy. She also continues to be completely enthralled with the idea of her little brother/sister arriving in February. She talks and sings to the belly... and the other day she even showered my belly with butterfly stickers. She is playing with her baby dolls more than ever, always talking about how she will rock baby 'j', hold him/her, and so on. It's a beautiful thing for a mom to see this kind of tenderness... truly inexplicable. So, as we think back, gaze forward, and live in today... the thing that is most present is our gratitude. For each other, our family - immediate and extended, our friends - near and far, and the magic of the community that now spans so many parts of the world. As usual, more photos can be found at http://picasaweb.google.ca/jpstories

Christmas Day in Bogota

On Christmas Eve we enjoyed a festive dinner with other embassy families who were staying in Bogota for the holidays. It was lovely to share in this wonderful community of friends and feel a sense of celebration at this time of year. We woke up early Christmas morning with Isabel eager to see what was under the Christmas Tree. The night before she left some milk and cookies for Santa, and firmly told us that we must not make a fire in the fireplace so Santa can come in without burning himself. She then struggled a little with whether or not she wanted to eat the cookies herself (which we had baked earlier that day). After some reflection, she decided that it was more important for Santa to have the cookies when he arrived, rather than for her to eat them up... as tempted as she was to gobble them up. Our Christmas morning felt very quiet without family around... and looking out the window at the sunshine and greenery was certainly odd. Yet, watching Isabel truly enjoy opening each package... with so much excitement as she pondered about who each gift was from... it was wonderful to have this experience in such a serene setting as a family of three (soon to be four). Isabel savoured each gift as if it was magical... not ready to move on to the next until the first one was fully enjoyed. When we offered something new before she was finished enjoying the prior opening she would simply say: "but i am reading now, mama/papa". She also got a taste of her first Candy Cane... and that too was an enormous delight. Thanks to so many of you for the wonderful packages you sent our way. It was incredible to feel you all so close, even from afar. We hope each of you had as much fun on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning as we did. Tomorrow, Patrycja's mom and Julian arrive... so that will offer another touch of family connection over the holidays. As usual, more photos can be found at http://picasaweb.google.ca/jpstories