the b.c trip

We went on a whirlwind trip to B.C. so Dana could meet all my side of the family. This picture sums up the warm greeting we got in Prince George. Malcolm showed his enthusiasm for his new cousin consistently, Jacob remarked at how bald she was and said "I like Eli better!" Isaac was also more interested in Eli and shared his toys better than Eli did while we were there.

I took this picture on Father's Day, Rob napping beside his oldest son. Rob is always on the go, doing lots of work, whether he's at work or at home. It was great to get some days with him. I liked being able to help him paint the laundry room/bathroom and chat and laugh it up some.

Dana meets her uncle Albert. I also have some great shots of Albert napping with Dana on his chest. Albert is probably the brother most likely to visit us when we go, he is no stranger to traveling and enjoys it. He also has this way of getting my dad to go places too...maybe, just maybe they will come together sometime...

Here's Isaac on the day we went to Berman Lake. Eli loved going for a canoe ride (his first). Even now, when we say grace, Eli thanks "Gigi" (Jesus) for the "red boat". I think he liked it better than his tractor ride.

Here's Jacob showing off his goggles. In the span of a couple of days, Jacob learned to ride his bike without training wheels! We won't forget words he said when we left to go back to Edmonton: "Uncle Scott, I love you."

Father's Day this year also happened to be Eli's 2nd birthday. Tricia -- who amazes me with what she is able to do on top of being a mom to 3 boys with a 4th baby on the way -- whipped up a delicious banana cake with cream cheese icing and we had a little party in the evening.

Here's Eli being coached on how to blow out the candles. He had such a good time with his cousins and can't stop talking about them. I know that even though he won't get to see them as often now, they are already great friends and will continue to be.

Auntie Tricia getting some cuddle-time in with baby Dana. Only ten or so more weeks until Tricia and Rob's 4th (and final Tricia says) baby is born. We are looking forward to finding out who he or she will be.

Then we had some time in Williams Lake. We went on a mini-hike to Scout Island and my dad showed us lots of different things that we would not have noticed otherwise. Always equipped with binoculars and a magnifying glass, my dad really enriched the experience. I like it when my dad gets in his teaching mode, he really has a knack for it. I got to go for a walk with my dad on one of his power walks. He carried a heavy pack and dumbells while I merely carried Dana. I really liked that.

My mom was on Eli duty and so her pace and prefences had to match his. Eli had to go in the water and once we got him in, it was hard to coax him out. I think grandparents have more patience than parents sometimes.

And then it was time to say goodbye. I'm really not good at those. Part of me would rather just be whisked away without the chance to say goodbye. I wished we had more time to spend with Otto, but he wasn't feeling well for part of the time we were there and the kids stressed him out a bit so he needed his alone time. I also wish I had more time to talk with my mom...sigh...

We got home and are back in "get rid of everything" mode, but I still take the slugs for walks daily. Today the couches went, on Saturday the car goes, on Tuesday the piano goes...little by little we are uprooting and readying ourselves to be planted elsewhere, far away elsewhere. It's becoming more real now...

my new normal...

Here's Eli going for the planting of a "mwiss" (kiss) on his sister.

Smooch! Sometimes Eli's hugs and kisses are a little rough, but Dana seems to take this in stride and Scott and I make sure we are nearby whenever Eli is able to get at Dana. He is an affectionate little guy, that's for sure. So far he is doing great at adapting to having a new sister. Once in a while he likes to shake her playpen, or toss whatever he happens to have in his hands at her while she is sleeping (like a small metal car, or his sippy cup!). Thankfully his aim is not great and Dana is a small (but growing) target.

Here's a picture of little awake Dana at three weeks of age. Has it really been three weeks? It seems as though she has always been here, or at least been here for longer than that. She is a very good baby, proficient at the big three: eating, sleeping and pooping. We are so thankful for her, she is just beautiful...as you can see.

it's a girl!

Here are her adorable feet. Dana Olga was born on Tuesday May 15th at 0849. She weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and measured 19.5 inches. I remember telling Scott the night before: "I'm pretty sure I'm having a boy." so I was really surprised and elated to hear the words "IT'S A GIRL!" Pam and Scott were there for me and were great sources of support throughout my labour, although I did tell Scott to not tell jokes during my contractions at one point. I thank God for a short and smooth labour, I got to the hospital at 0530 and Dana arrived about 3 hours later. God is good.

Here's a picture of us on postpartum day 3. Dana has just finished feeding so is feeling pretty satisfied and chipper. Eli was having his afternoon nap and it was a peaceful and restful day to be inside as it was raining and cool outside. I had a much better night of sleep the night before, but the bags under my eyes let you know that I could of course still use more sleep. Such is the fleeting plight of a new mother! I'm trying to keep it in perspective.

My mom's here and she is being such a great help to us: cooking, baking, cleaning up a storm. Today we took Eli swimming before his bedtime and were trying to teach him to jump into the water from the edge of the pool. He still hasn't quite gotten it, I think he needs his cousins around to model it for him in order to get motivated and inspired to do it. He is taking the arrival of his sister in stride, we're really proud of him.

canmore bliss

I had the opportunity to go to Canmore with Pam and her mom last week for a few days. It was wonderful to get away into the mountains and relax. Even though Scott would rather not have to take care of Eli himself, he does notice how refreshed I am when I come back and therefore is generally in favour of my mini-getaways with Pam. Of course it was great to come home too. Maybe one of the best things about going away is the chance to come home again.


We did a number of touristy things: we took the gondola in Banff and did the mini-hike at the top, we went to Lake Louise, we swam in the pool at the resort that we got to stay at with Pam's mom, we treated ourselves each to a massage and ate barbecue steaks for two out of the three nights. I was able to catch the sunrise two out of three mornings too. In short: we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It was truly time well spent as I don't know if i will be able to make another trip to the Rockies before we go.

the grand visit

Rob and Tricia and their three boys came to visit us. Here's a rare picture with all of them in it taken at the park near our house. We had great times: lots of swimming, good food I didn't have to prepare myself, big breakfasts a la Rob, walks outside, as well as plenty of chaos inside our little condo. They left this morning and the silence is eerie. Eli is going through withdrawal from his cousins, every once in a while saying their names to me. "Isaac? Jabob? Mackom?" I don't need to tell you how much I appreciated having a two hour nap this afternoon, followed by a relaxing bath.

I loved seeing my mom and Eli interact. He learned that she was his "bahbi" and also learned to say "protein" very well after my mom exclaimed that I had better feed him more protein one night at supper (all that was on his tray was rice and vegetables, horror of horrors!).

breakfast with eli

So I've decided to finally set up my own blog. My friend Rachel is helping me do so, as I am decidedly inept and a little intimidated by this sort of thing. I'm excited to have pictures of Eli and the baby (when he or she comes) on here regularly.


Here's a picture of Eli eating breakfast with me this morning...we're having our regular favourites: apples, bananas, oranges. The bump on his forehead is from two days ago, running full out down the hallway, checking over his shoulder for his cousin and WHAMMO hitting a corner. Ouch, but he's a trooper: cried for about five seconds and was off running again.

As for me, I'm feeling great. I am 34 weeks along now, so not much waiting left for baby #2 to come. Things are getting packed up and wrapped up around the house. I want to do as much as I can before the baby comes, because I anticipate a major shortage of time (and sleep!) after that.