PAXdaddy Aaron | PAXbaby

Seasons of Love

PAXmommy Jillian — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 08:09:17 +0000

“How do you measure a season of love??? 525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes….”
When I think about how many minutes and moments PAXdaddy Aaron and I have spent together over our 17 years of marriage, my only wish is that I could remember each and every memory; the more time passes and the more experiences we’ve had, the more that the good, the bad, and the ugly fade together into one sweet dream. So many hours and days and weeks, months and years we’ve spent together cultivating our personal garden. Each of our amazing children are growing as trees with fruit to nourish us as parents. As each year passes and our trees mature, we are enjoying so much abundant harvest from our personal garden! The seeds were sown with love and care years ago, and now we get to sit back, enjoy the shade and munch on some amazing produce! I’m not saying that it’s all been one long honeymoon; we’ve experienced a blight in the orchard and a few insect infestations, but our life together has been so blessed! With sunshine, Vitamin D, compassion, and communication, I’ve watched our tiny tendrils sprout and stretch into a blissful garden of Eden! Happy anniversary to the love of my life, my personal gardener, and the one who makes ALL our lives go ’round! Here’s to our past 17 years and 17 more, Aaron!

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Happy Birthday, PAXdaddy!!

PAXmommy Mel — Wed, 25 May 2016 04:13:14 +0000

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A very happy birthday to PAXdaddy Aaron!!
Thank you for EVERYTHING you do!!
Love,

The PAXmommies

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*happy babywearing*

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BB8 & Loss

PAXmommy Mel — Thu, 05 May 2016 01:41:41 +0000

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A message from PAXmommy Jillian and PAXdaddy Aaron:

“Aaron and I had to give our little herd the most difficult news last night. Telling them that their new baby has gone to Heaven and they will not be holding a sweet new person in their arms this November was the hardest thing we’ve ever done. Baby #8 was loved completely and perfectly; we understand that this is all part of God’s plan for our family, but we will be taking some time to grieve and mourn that we will never hear our baby’s laughter or be able to comfort our baby’s tears. Please pray for us as we reconcile our hopes & dreams with our new reality.

Scientifically, at our 11 week ultrasound yesterday, the amniotic sac measured only 5 weeks and was empty – no baby, no yolk, no heartbeat. Where there should have been a wiggly tiny baby was only emptiness and silence. Our midwife is following up with us to confirm with blood tests and another ultrasound, but at this point, we have no hope to see our baby thrive and grow. It’s currently a waiting game until my body realizes I’m no longer nourishing a new life and my miscarriage symptoms will begin.

As Christians we believe that a baby born directly to Heaven is a “Holy Innocent,” a pure soul who will act as our family’s special prayer warrior in Heaven until we meet again. This faith brings us great comfort, but doesn’t make our mourning any less painful heart emoticon

The kids would like to officially call the baby BB8 which stands for Baby Blaise, the patron Saint we’ve chosen to represent our sweet angel and whose presence I have felt through this pregnancy, and also as a tribute to our favorite family movie. On November 18, we will commemorate our sweet baby and rejoice that BB8 is safely in the arms of our loving God. I expect that I especially will need much love from our wonderful friends as I grieve the loss of our beloved baby along what was supposed to be an exciting 9 month journey but instead will be a rough path scattered with heartbreak and sorrow.

Already so adored, BB8 will be missed by us all and never forgotten. In peace, Jillian and Aaron”

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We thank you for your support, and love at this time.
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The PAX dream team

PAXmommy Jillian — Sun, 31 Jan 2016 09:00:13 +0000

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We are small but mighty!!!!
In a nutshell, there’s me, PAXmommy Jillian, along with PAXdaddy who takes care of the IT stuff that I have no clue how to fix, plus PAXmommy Melanie in Canada who is our blogess and Facebook maven! PAXmommy Christina answers most of our emails and phone calls, & PAXmommy Celia makes your special links and stockings run smoothly, just to name a few of her tasks! PAXtographer Allie who takes amazing photos of our products and also at PAXplaydates, PAXmommy Madison (my new sister in law) is our book keeper, and last but not least, PAXmommy Catherine (my own mama) is our shipping manager who keeps track of incoming product and ships out ALL of your orders! Talk about a family business,
So that’s 8 of us, and we are a force to be reckoned with!!!!
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*happy babywearing*

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Being “mama” or “papa”

PAXmommy Jillian — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 05:42:28 +0000

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I am not sure there is any job as exhausting and equally as rewarding as being a parent! I know that from sun up to sun down and beyond, PAXdaddy and I are at beck & call to the most amazing herd of children who each have something VERY important to say, often at the same time!! Why is it that when one toddler has to go to the bathroom, the other one decides they do too? It’s like a toilet paper relay race around here especially at dinnertime! But one day, when we are old, and our memories have faded to a dull fuzz, Aaron and I will look back at this time of our lives and laugh. Laugh at how insanely hard we worked every minute of every day, and laugh because we lived through it all! The big, the bad, and the ugly, it all will seem like a pleasant dream as we are surrounded by the glow of our children’s children’s love. It will be worth the crazy schedules, the cold coffee, and the minutes (no, hours) spent wiping small bums and singing Frosty the Snowman, over and over and over.

To you, my equally as exhausted friends, keep on smiling, keep on smiling! I know it’s hard, but your babies will remember your joy more than your sorrow so let your light shine out, even when times are rough!
And to my little loves, I adore you and don’t wish my life were any different, but do you think that maybe you could sleep in JUST a little in the morning? Thanks, your tired and ecstatically happy mama <3

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*happy babywearing*

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Stocking Stuffers & The Baby Industry Men Calendar

PAXmommy Mel — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 09:36:15 +0000

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Just in time for the BIG day, PAXbaby has the answer to all your stocking stuffing needs & wants! Dads, we are looking at YOU! Fill her (wrap scrap) stocking with any or ALL of these adorable goodies and make her Christmas magical! Moms, why not gift yourself, your own mom, your best friend, or your babywearing group leader! These have been hand selected by PAXmommy Jillian; come browse the selection here! And if you spend over $50 you will take home a FREE “Men of the Baby Industry” (*while supplies last) featuring PAXdaddy Skywalker and#babycateyoda in October!!!

http://shop.paxbaby.com/stocking-stuffer-saturday/
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*happy babywearing*

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PAXretreat Progressions Course

PAXmommy Mel — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 05:06:08 +0000

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#PAXretreat2015 Progressions Course is about to start…. Are you ready for the rainbow updates!?! Thank you soooo much to everyone who helped make this amazing Evonne, PAXmommy Celia, PAXdaddy Aaron !!!

Let’s get ready to LEARN!!!!

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*happy babywearing*

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Tula in the wild!!!

PAXmommy Mel — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:42:36 +0000

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Sooooo funny!!! On Friday night, someone rolled down their window and shouted “Tula in the wild!” to PAXdaddy Aaron… and he had no clue how to respond.
Have you ever had someone yell TITW??
Did you CAW CAW back?

Did the people you were with look at you like you were crazy!?!

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*happy babywearing*

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Tula Daddy

PAXmommy Mel — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:33:43 +0000

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We have a few great prints still in stock here at PAXbaby.com!!

Which is your fave??
http://shop.paxbaby.com/tula-baby-carriers/

**print pictured not available – throwback to PAXdaddy Aaron & Baby #6 **

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*happy babywearing*

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Ask PAXmommy Jillian

PAXmommy Mel — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 07:39:21 +0000

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PAXfriends, I want to add some personal writing to our blog!

Do you have questions about my family? I want to share my knowledge and love for parenting, homeschooling, eating healthy, being a doula, and all things crunchy!

What would you like to learn or read about??

Please comment with your wonderings here so I can begin to compile my responses to share!

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*happy babywearing*

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Happy 15th Anniversary, PAXmommy Jillian and PAXdaddy Aaron!!!

PAXmommy Lynelle — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 14:45:13 +0000

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PAXbaby.com is so excited to celebrate PAXmommy Jillian and PAXdaddy Aaron’s 15 year anniversary!!! To commemorate this spectacular day, we are having a GIVEAWAY, hosted by Clever Rose, for a custom 8×10″ couple’s burlap made with wrap scrap!!!!! The winner will have their choice of ANY in stock wrap scraps! Picture frame not included. This giveaway is free for any of our US and Canada PAXfriends!! The winner will be emailed after bedtime on Tuesday, July 1st!! Shipping address must be confirmed via email within 24 hours, or a new winner will be chosen!! For this reason, make sure to check your email (including your Junk folder!!)!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and *happy babywearing*

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Introducing PAXfamily 9

PAXmommy Mel — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 19:38:09 +0000

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The first photo of the PAXfamily as a family of NINE.

SO amazing that she is actually HERE!!

Wonder what will be her first ride?

A rainbow?

Something old?

Something new?

We cannot wait to share Baby #7’s babywearing firsts with you all!

Happy babymoon PAXmommy Jillian and PAXdaddy.

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*happybabywearing*

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Welcome, Baby Cate!!!

PAXmommy Jillian — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 19:53:52 +0000

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PAXmommy Jillian’s Baby #7 is here safely! Thank you for your patience as we spent the first 24 hours with our newest blessing in privacy. We’re so happy to share her with you now!

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Our Cate was born on October 28 at 7:50 am after a wonderful 4 hour birth!!!! Her birth was an amazing home birth in the water with her two big sisters watching. At 8 days early, Cate is a sweet 7 pounds 10 ounces, 20 inches long, and already an avid breastfeeding fan! Thank you for all your love these past couple weeks; your support helped me have the birth I’ve always wanted! <3

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Keep scrolling to read her full birth story!

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Welcome, Baby Cate!!!

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She’s a water baby!

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7 pounds 10 ounces and 20 3/4 inches long!

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Congrats to our #babycate game winner, Sarah B in Hawaii, who guessed the closest arrival date, time and birth stats! You will be emailed to confirm your details!!! Thank you to Calico Sunshine for providing our rainbow prize!!!!

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Read Cate’s full birth story below & see more photos at sons & daughters photography!!!

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Cate’s birth was planned to be my 6th natural birth, 5th at home, and 4th water birth (the remaining birth being that of our adopted daughter who was also born in our home)! My mantra this pregnancy has been to have a “different” experience than my last 3 births which, although home water births, were all very similar and intense. For this little girl’s birth, I was hoping & praying for more peace & power. And I got what I wished for!!!!!!

Thanks to 13 days of prodromal labor, when my body finally shifted into “active labor,” I was impressively efficient moving from a 2cm dilation at 4:00 am when my husband checked me to fully open and pushing by 7:40 am! Zooming through dilation wasn’t painful this time, but just a task set in front of me. I could feel my body responding to each contraction which on average didn’t last more than 55 seconds and spaced no closer than 5 minutes apart. This gave me time to rest up, stay hydrated, and prepare for the next contraction with purpose. I was very excited to have my water break on the way back into the tub from a bathroom break; this was the first time I’d ever had this experience out of the water! So different!

Once our midwives arrived at around 5, I felt so much comfort and support from their presence and was reminded of the awesome service that they provide to enable mothers to labor & birth at home! What a blessing to be in my own room, with my own choice of things & people, without the imposition of unwanted interruptions or unwelcome intrusions. My beautiful children sleeping in the other room served as a constant reminder of my ability to “do this!”

My 2 daughters had expressed interest a few months ago in being present at their little sister’s birth, so once the midwives were settled, my husband called my dad to come stay downstairs with the other children as they woke up for the day, and my girls came to join me. They sat together in a chair next to the birth tub where I was laboring, reading their books, and every so often came over to hold my hand, or stroke my hair. Their loving witness made me feel even stronger that this birth was going to be awesome if only to give them the ability to view birth as a wonderful & natural event instead of an emergency that can’t be controlled.

At around 7:40 after being in active labor for almost 4 hours, I suddenly had back to back contractions which were each a minute and a half. I exclaimed loud enough for everyone in the room to hear, “I need a BREAK!” which, as every birthing mother knows, is the sign that transition has come & the next stage of labor is imminent. Sure enough, with my next contraction, I was able to push Cate’s head out. Her sisters were watching as she rotated her head just like she was supposed to and wiggled her body – still inside of me! I asked my husband if he was pushing on me, but when he replied in the negative, we both realized that it was Cate “helping me!” After a long 5 minute break, another contraction gave me the strength to push out her body into the water. Each of my babies have had either their cord wrapped around their neck or meconium in their water, or both! So following tradition, Cate’s cord was around her neck as well as “rucked” around her shoulders and arms. My husband and midwife worked calmly & efficiently to get her untangled while I waited for another contraction to birth my placenta. Then it was time to really take a look at Cate!!!

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My first observation of my sweet baby was how tiny she seemed; Baby #6 was born so large though that anything smaller than his huge 9 1/2 pounds would have seemed small!!! Even my midwives were surprised by how petite she was in comparison, but at 8 days early, she didn’t have any signs of being “early” at all. We rubbed what vernix there was into her dry skin later to help her peeling elbows and knees. Moving into my bathtub with Cate for an herb bath was a great idea, and we all sat in our bathroom chatting for another hour, drinking coffee and a green citrus smoothie for me with the added benefit of a piece of raw placenta to boost my healing and help balance my post partum emotions. Cate breastfed for the first time in the bath after latching onto her daddy, oops, with a great latch and a big appetite! It was only after this break that my midwives (http://www.thenestingplace.org/) measured & weighed our new baby while the older kids observed and exclaimed over her adorable features! It was so sweet to see the older boys’ immediate look of love when they met her, and to hear them oohing & aahing over her! We made sure to give lots of attention to Declan who, at 2 1/2, is doing much better with his transition to being a “big boy” than we had even hoped!!! Having had no tearing at all, I was able to sit comfortably right away and participate happily in the rest of the day which included a nap, a shower, and a visit from one of the PAXmommies who so sweetly took my kids to the park for an outing. My midwife,Theresa, brought us dinner and took my placenta away to dry & encapsulate it which is usually my husband’s job!! We decided this time that with 6 other littles to look after, he simply didn’t have the time! I’m looking forward to taking my daily placenta pill again – http://www.heartandsoulbirth.com/!!!

Our birth photographer is a long time friend of mine who last week moved locally to Southern California – lucky me!!! She timed both her move and her arrival to the birth perfectly with an hour to document my labor & then Cate’s birth! AlisaMarie from Sons & Daughters Photography caught so many amazing moments on camera that it’s been hard for me to choose which picture to show you first! She will be sharing more photos as she edits them here!

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Thanks for your love, and for being part of Cate’s life, even if only by reading the story of her birth. Your participation helps the normalization of home births, shows the power of midwifery, and enables the belief that women’s bodies are designed to birth and sustain our babies naturally. peace, jillian

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*happy babywearing*

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