Thoughts

Not much new and exciting has happened to our little family in the last little while. Which can sometimes be a good thing. We have just been enjoying our time together, and have been lucky to have had BJ home quite a bit

these last couple weeks. I was contem

plating what to write about and came up with a few thoughts.

1. I hope I didn't give anyone the wrong impression with my last post. I am feeling great. Very happy lately... I am looking forward to having another baby hopefully in the near future, but I've also been working on being happy with what I've got. There are so many things to be happy about that I'm just choosing to focus on that first and then whenever we are blessed with another baby then I'll definitely focus on the joy of that. It can be difficult to hear about the many other people that are having babies in the

near future, but I'm so excited for them as well.

2. I got my hair done again. Cut like before, but this time I added color. I've always thought that if I was going to dye my hair then I would want to go darker... well I did it. It is so nice to have a hairdresser that I trust and am confident that she knows her stuff. I'm so happy with how it turned out. I"ll add a picture soon. I feels so good to feel like I look good and put together. For example we went to costco the other day... normally I have my hair in a pony tail, sometimes with a headband... wearing sweats... my typical day wear... but this time I had just had my hair done, took time to put on some makeup and just happened to run into a friend of BJ's from work. It felt good to be introduced knowing I felt put together and BJ could be proud to introduce me. A friend put it well, she said it always feels good to go out knowing it doesn't matter who you run into :)

3. BJ and I got our American express bill this month and were surprised at how much money we are spending without really realizing it or having anything to show for it. For example... somehow we spent 800 dollars at costco last month alone. Seems completely impossible, but we do go often and spend over 100 dollars a time. So... now we are on a strict budget. BJ makes enough money for us to live comfortably, but we want to move into a house in the near future (1-3 years) and we want to be able to keep our condo as an investment property too, so we need to keep saving. It has always seemed limiting to be on a budget, but it is actually feeling very liberating. We will be more conscious of what we are buying and if we need it.... but it also feels soo good to have a nice balance in the bank. It's probably none of my business but I'm curious how much other people live on a month... just to see if we are budgeting in a reasonable ballpark for our small family of three.

4. I'm going to NEW YORK!!! My sister-in-laws HF and JF, my niece and nephew IF and EF (photo is of BF and EF... soo cute)and I are going to the big apple in June and I can't wait. We have plans for shopping, hitting up the incredible museums and art galleries, and we have some sweet tickets to see Wicked on BROADWAY... It will be so much fun. BJ and I had been planning

to go on a trip together without WW, but somehow we have ended up planning trips and going separately. He will be going with his dad and brothers to San Fransisco in September to see some professional sports. I'm not only excited for our trip, but I'm excited for BJ to get a sense of being a stay at home dad for 6 days. It will be good for him and WW.

5. WW and I had been going to babynastics wednesdays for the last few months. He had such a good time. Wednesday was the last class this session and we aren't signing up again. (BJ was less of a fan of the strict structure) so I'm looking for some schedualed activities for WWt and I to do. We like having plans for our days... Salto where we were going for babynastics has a drop in program for pre-school

kids tuesday and friday mornings so we'll be doing that.... and SH and I are going to plan on swimming wednesdays at the kinsmen baby pool at 11:30. If anyone wants to meet us, the more the merrier. If anyone has any other summer ideas for childrens activities that they don't mind WW and I tagging along to I'd love to hear about it.

6. I've decided that I'm going to do alot of walking this spring and summer. We've started already, but the weather is so insane that it isn't possible all the time. I just figure that we live close to everything, we aren't ever in a real time crunch... why am I driving? as a good example, my parents live just over a block away... most of the time we drive there.... sometimes we take two cars :( sick!!!

Well those are my thoughts. I love comments. Let me know how you are doing? and what you think of what we are doing.

Surrounded

Has it ever happened to you, that you will be introduced to someone new... and although you have never met or seen each other before, as soon as you are introduced you see them everywhere?

I am finding that there is an abundant amount of pregnant people around lately, and they are just reminding me how badly I want to be pregnant too. We took Ww swimming today and then to the Millenium Place play park. Out of the 8 moms in the playground there were 5 noticeably pregnant women. Insane! I don't remember noticing any pregnant woman until I was pregnant with WW, and now it's the same... not only are there alot of pregnant people I know, but they are EVERYWHERE. I was feeling a little sorry for myself today, I really shouldn't complain because I'm so blessed to have WW... but the experience of feeling surrounded just made me think.

On a positive note, I got this cute new laptop from BJ for Valentines day. I'm having fun computing in every room in my house, and learning all the fun things it's capable of. Anyone else that has a macbook, please teach me something new that I haven't figured out yet.

Not much new.

I've been wondering daily what to write about... still don't have much of an idea. I did get a new computer for Valentines day, a cute little Macbook, and I want to use it so I'm sure I can think of something to write. Here are some pictures that WW and I took the last couple days. We are having fun playing around.

Some Videos.

I am always amazed at the things WW can do, he seems to pick up something new everyday. We always practice the alphabet, and his counting in the car to distract him on the ride, but when we do that it is him repeating after us... Then randomly I'll hear him recite the same things to himself, like once he said his alphabet all the way up to J all by himself. Now he seems to be connecting the dots together, because before when he was counting items in books he would just say "2, 3, 2, 3, 2" but lately he's been really counting... AMAZING. BJ must be working on his french without me, because he's got that figured out too. He doesn't seem to want to show his skills to anyone, but I've finally got it on tape.

This is at babynastics. I think it is so funny how toddlers run.

25 Random Things about me.

I keep seeing this on facebook, and I really enjoy reading other peoples lists. I could probably compile my list just by taking things from others, but I'll see what I can do before I start stealing ideas. I have actually been thinking about my random facts for a couple of days, and figure I could probably make a list of 25 things for BJ OR WW easier than coming up with some of my own... but I'll try to incorporate their quirks into my list, as they end up affecting my randomness.

1. I feel completely content with my life! I have everything I could ever have dreamed of at 26, and anything else will just be bonus. I have my education degree, an amazing husband, the sweetest little boy in the world, a house of my own, been to Hawaii :) It feels good.

2. I am not particular about the way things are done. But BJ is, so I do it his way because I love him so much. example- he likes to have all his laundry turned right side out before I fold it... that way it's ready to wear right out of the drawer/closet. Also, I grew up on pre-made microwave food, we always had something we could eat quick. BJ doesn't allow that in our house, so we made everything from scratch. I'm not complaining because it is WAY healthier, but sometimes I wish I had something quick I could just pull out of the freezer.

3. I have set my bedtime for 9:30 pm. If I'm going to be out any later I have to plan a nap so that I can hold out later. WW gets up between 5:30 and 6 am everyday, so I go to bed shortly after he does (him at 8pm) so that I feel normal the next day. (see point 4)

4. I feel that I'm a completely agreeable person most of the time... UNLESS I'm hungry or tired. Then WATCH OUT... especially if it's a combination of the two.

5. I love watching TLC. A baby story, John and Kate Plus 8, Little People Big World, What Not to Wear. When we lost our free Telus TV channels, that was the one channel I requested we purchase extra.

6. I love Juice. Apple specifically, I also really like pop... but I'm trying to cut that one out... and am seriously trying to limit the first. It isn't going so well.

7. BJ and I are trying to do the P90X program. We hope to do the nutrition plan to, and do the videos once a day for 90 days to see the results. If I wasn't so embarrassed of the before pictures I'd post them, but if I do this right I'll feel much more confident with the after pictures.

8. I love my families.. I feel so lucky to get along so well with my immediate family and also to have married into the next greatest family. Everyone gets along with everyone... that isn't always the case.

9. I'm addicted to facebook, and it drives BJ crazy. I've made my case however, that as long as I'm not slacking in any other areas, then what does it matter to him.

10. I have a hard time focusing on relaxing when my house is a mess. I tend to do all the cleaning in one day and then let it build up somewhat before I go crazy again. I clean it the best right before we go on vacation, so that way when I'm homesick and ready to be back in my own space I'm happier to come home to an immaculate house.

11. BJ picked our first apartment for us without me seeing it, and then he bought our condo the same way. The day we moved in was the first time I saw it. I haven't always loved it here, but I can honestly say that I do now. BJ has made lots of improvements, and I'm so proud of him for learning to be so handy.

12. I live 2 blocks from my parents house. We weren't sure initially how that would turn out... but it has been a HUGE blessing. They are the greatest and always willing to watch WW for us anytime, and it is so easy to just drop him off because they are so close.

13. I get frustrated when people compliment WW's name, and then tell me they are thinking of using it for their next child. I'm not flattered. I picked WW's name to be slightly original... meaning I don't want a bunch of them running around. WW shouldn't have to be WW F. in school.

14. I would LOVE to have more babies one day. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they all come out with the same temperament that WW and BJ have. They are both WAY too sweet.

15. When we got pregnant BJ and I listed the things we wanted our children to get from each of us. BJ wanted him to have my bum chin, and I wanted them to get BJ's personality and his eyes. All our wishes came true!

16. I have the best friends in the world. High school was a treat thanks to 5 amazing girls that made it wonderful. I think I'll be best friends with them forever. I have also met some new friends since high school that have been an a amazing support. I love it when we think the same way... even if the thoughts are sometimes not so nice...

17. I'm not a fan of talking on the phone. I typically don't initiate phone conversations, but if the other person is a good phone talker... then I don't have a problem.

18. I told BJ I loved him first. He thinks I loved him more when we were dating than now because of the sweet emails that I used to send. I have never loved him more than I do now... after going through tough times, and wonderful times. He is my perfect match.

19. I've only ever wanted to grow up and be a mom. Now that I am one, I think I'm doing a pretty good job, but it has been much harder than I ever expected.

20. I'm a homebody. I am very content to be at home and close to family. Poor BJ wants to move to France. It is going to take ALOT of convincing for that to happen.

21. I love shoes. I used to buy them all the time, but now have a harder time spending money when I haven't made any in a while. It's definitely not that BJ limits me, it's me that just can't do it anymore. Maybe I see all the other things that should come first. Like cute shoes for WW.

22. I love my red hair. I would love to have a little red headed baby girl, but didn't want red headed boys. (My brother has red hair and has always dyed it) WW came out with very red hair, and I probably would have been disappointed if he hadn't. Now he's older it has lightened to blond and I'm thrilled. I got the best of both! Red headed baby, but he won't have self conscious hair issues when he's older.

23. I love draining the whole hot water tank when I have a shower. I find it difficult to save water for BJ when I know he has to shower after me.

24. I wish I had a hobby. BJ love sports, and goes to do that without me most of the time. I wish I had something that was all mine to do. Any suggestions?

25. I drive a Honda Pilot. When we were looking at vehicles BJ suggested the pilot and I thought it was too big. But now that I've been driving it for a while, I can't imagine fitting everything into anything smaller. Especially when we go on trips.

Well I'm sure throughout the day I'm going to come up with some much more interesting points than what I have compiled here. But I actually enjoyed coming up with my list. I hope you feel like you know me better now :)

My little Parrot

We are having so much fun with WW lately, his vocabulary increases daily and his pronunciation improves in the same way. We have noticed however, that we have to be very careful about what we say around him. Not that we say anything terrible, but sometimes when Brett gets frustrated he'll say "fetch", then we hear a little voice that copies right after. (In this instance he didn't quite catch the word Brett had said, but he definitely caught the intonation and passion in whatever it was he repeated.)

My new favorite though is something he got from me... he'll come find me in the kitchen or bedroom and he'll say "Hi Honey" It is the cutest thing!! I'll have to catch it on video to give the full effect.

I just can't wait now for the crazy things he'll come up with when he is creating sentences of his own. I just think it is so funny the things kids say sometimes.

Dreading...

I've actually been dreading this post for the past few days, but figured I'd get it out quick... like pulling off a bandaid. Say my bits, and move forward. It has been difficult to talk about, but also healing at the same time.

So last week (Jan.7) Brett and I lost our little baby at 15 weeks. There is this movie I remember watching once and there is this line.. the girls says something about how the doctors told her she lost her baby, she had a hard time with the phrasing because it was as though it was a pair of keys or something. They are never really lost, but it seems like a much more thoughtful term than many of the others... miscarriage... spontaneous abortion (definitely hated that one... makes it sound like it had been my choice) It has been a tough week but we have been overwhelmed with support from everyone. (It was the unexpected thoughtfulness that was the most touching... BJ works with all these guys in the petro-canada refinery... I always imagine them as these stereotypical oil and gas guys... but they are some of the most thoughtful and caring people)

The toughest part was being in the hospital right after and being admitted to stay overnight and ALL the next day waiting for surgery. I would rather have been anywhere else, as long as I was with my husband and my baby... I was extremely overwhelmed, in shock and in serious lack of sleep. I couldn't escape my own thoughts and that was the worst. It scared me the most to think that I didn't know if I'd ever be brave enough to try again, considering the possibility of it happening again.

It has also been difficult not knowing what caused it...( hopefully nothing that I did), but also knowing there isn't really anything you can do to prevent it either.

Once I got home, slept in my own bed, and got extra love and cuddles from WW I felt SO much better. It now seems like a horrible nightmare.

It is amazing how we can be so blessed in times of trial. This was absolutely the worst experience of my life so far, but I can tell you that I have never loved my husband more for going through it with me, and being the most incredible support ever. I have spent more quality time with my son in the last week, I appreciate him more, and will never take him for granted... I recognize what a truly amazing little boy I have been blessed with. I also look forward to another pregnancy and another chance at bringing another sweet spirit into our family.

My sweet boy that makes everyday so much fun!

WW and I have also started a babynastics class at Salto gymnastics. We have so much fun climbing and jumping. He gets lots of exercise and gets his fill of climbing done where it is safe, rather that at home on my coffee table.

ALSO, I cut off all my hair! It has been super long for as long as I can remember... like junior high even... I finally was confident enough in a hairdresser to just let her do her thing. And I love it. It felt so good, like a fresh start after my difficult week.

Not a very good picture of me, but you get the idea of the hair.