A family trip

We took the kids to Calgary this past week. It was a quick trip but we managed to have a lot of fun while we were there. We drove down Tuesday to Airdrie to stay with my brother and sister in law and their girls. That afternoon we went to Calaway park. It is the first time I've ever been, but will definitely be going back. WW was so brave, I was amazed. He went on the bumper cars, the airplanes, boat ride, roller coaster, pirate ship and the log ride. He was with the girls so he had a lot of fun.

I went with him on the pirate ship, which is just like the boat at WEM that just goes back and forth. WW was so scared on the ride, I almost cried watching him. He was gripping the bars so tight, and was focused straight ahead with this look of fear in his eyes. Then anytime the boat went forward his whole little body would shake. So sad. The other rides were a bit better, he'd look pretty serious on the ride until he would pass us and we'd yell his name to take a picture, then he'd give us his biggest smile.

The log ride was the last ride of the day. WW was a little more apprehensive of the bigger rides, but they tricked him into thinking it was a dinosaur ride. He also ended up at the very front of the boat and got absolutely soaked. Poor little man was ready to go home by then.

IA was such a trooper on the whole trip. I couldn't have been more pleased. She was very friendly, and slept anytime we were in the car. Perfect!

Wednesday the boys took the kids swimming at the rec centre in Airdrie. What a great pool. All the kids had a lot of fun and were tuckered out by the end of the day. That night was WW's big show. We bought him tickets to "Walking with Dinosaurs" for his birthday. He has waited and waited for his big day to arrive and was able to go with his dad to see the life size dinosaurs. I guess it was a great show.

While they did that, IA and I went to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend for dinner- have I ever mentioned how much I hate driving in Calgary. It gives me grey hair. We went to a great place called Open Sesame and enjoyed some time together. - My brother and I were super close but since he's moved to Calgary a few years ago I feel like we aren't as tight. It was nice to just get together and visit- it was also nice to get to know his girlfriend a little more.

Thursday we hit up the Balzac mall and came home. It was a great trip, but it's always nice to be home. These girls are WW beautiful cousins. They just loved IA and were a great help, always ready with the soother.

Friday was BJ and my 5 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. He surprised me and set up a babysitter, and took me out to the Hardware Grill. It is delicious food- a little pricey, but once a year is definitely worth the splurge. I am looking forward to the next 5 and seeing what we do with ourselves and our little family.

A crazy couple weeks.

We had such a busy July. We were adjusting to being a family of 4, and there was just alot we packed into the month.

BJ went to boys camp after coming off his work set. He left wednesday morning after a 7 am dentist appointment and didn't return until Friday evening. That Sunday he spoke in church and then the following week got even busier.

We had doctor appointments for the kids, IA's baby shower, WW's 3rd birthday party and IA's baby blessing on Sunday.

My amazing friend SH and my wonderful sister in law threw the shower for us. I didn't get pictures yet, but it was great. They had all my favorite snacks, and we had a wonderful time visiting with everyone that came to support us. We felt very loved and got some amazing gifts. IA will be one well dressed little girl.

Saturday we had WW's party. It was a month late, but we couldn't go without celebrating . We had planned to have the party at our place, and just have everyone outside, but the mosquitoes have been INSANE. We moved the party to the church and that seemed the best for everyone. We got there early to decorate and set up, and the power was out. Not only was it out at the church, but our house, my parents house, my sisters house etc. etc. I was panicking. BJ was so calm and knew everything would work out. The party started at 10, and at 10:10 the power came back on and the party was a go. We had waffles, cake, a pinata and cookie decorating. It was dinosaur themed again, and it was just great to spend time with dear friends and family. I had only put up a couple balloons, and WW was pretty sure that it was the best party EVER!!!

Sunday was IA's baby blessing. What a special day! My mom made the dress- it was beautiful. BJ gave her the most beautiful blessing, and we had the support of everyone. My sister in law and her girls even came for the day from Airdrie. It was nice to spend that time with the ones we love.

It was nice to have that week over with- I'm not naturally a hostess so it was a little stressful- it was a wonderful week though, full of lots of family and lots of great friends. My two favorite things!

Beautiful Babies

Kim Loewen took these beautiful pictures for us. She is amazing!!! IA was crying the whole time and she was still able to get some great shots. Our family ones didn't turn out well, but I'm so pleased with the ones I have of my babies!

Family of 4

I feel as though we are getting the hang of this family of 4 business! Feels good to have a handle on being the mom of two. BJ has been the most amazing help, and is such a wonderful dad. He adores his baby girl, and still has so much fun with his best bud WW.

IA will be 4 weeks tomorrow and it feels like we are settling into a groove. We even decided to head to Canmore last weekend for BJ's cousin's wedding. It was beautiful and we always have a great time with the family. All the Fixsen boys are very tight so it was nice to be all together, but BJ also has a very close extended family.

WW is such a great big brother, if I ask for his help now he'll respond something like "of course I can" he loves IA so much and gives her kisses all day long. As soon as they get in the car he wants to kiss her before he's strapped into his seat, before bed, first thing in the morning. I should really count how many times he kisses her, it is very sweet.

I am breastfeeding IA and am having success this time around, where with WW I supplemented a lot. It is nice to have that connection and that time one on one with her, but I have never felt so guilty either. It is so hard when she has an upset tummy that I am partly to blame because of something I've eaten that day. I'm sure she will quickly become less sensitive but I've stopped eating chocolate and fruit so far and she seems to be feeling much better. Who knows what I'll have to give up next.

(Any other mom's out there feel like they are never in pictures with their kids? Always the one taking them)

Baby Girl

She has finally arrived! Two weeks ago actually, but we are slowly adjusting to being parents of two, and so this is the first time I've felt I've had some time to sit and write down the whole thing.

Monday night the 21st BJ was at work and so early that night I was headed to bed, and as I climbed into bed I thought I had peed myself. Thinking nothing TOO much about it (possibly another lovely side effect of pregnancy) I went to bed. The next morning I continued to have incidences of "wetting" myself a little. When BJ was up and our day was on the go, I thought I had better mention my trouble. We called the dr. office who told us to head to the hospital for a quick check to see if my water was leaking. Turns out it was!

They decided to induce me and so we were on our way to meeting our precious baby girl. We started the drip at about 2:30pm and I was considered in labor by 5pm. I had an epidural and comfortably labored till 8 when we pushed and had her out by 8:30pm. It was a great experience, baby handled labor perfectly and I enjoyed the experience much more this time as opposed to last.

WW is in love with his new sister, as are we! She is such a great baby, eats well, sleeps well, and is just so sweet to just stare at. She loves cuddles, and BJ and I are always very willing to volunteer for those. We think she looks a lot like WW did, especially when she is sleeping and her profile. Her hair is darker than his was, and she has a little less of it, but she was 8lbs and 21 inches long. WW was 8-3 and 21 1/4 inches. Very similar. I'm actually having a fun time catching IA in pictures posed similar to WW when he was born to see the similarities.

I am feeling great now, but I actually found the recovery for this baby to be harder than the first. I wasn't expecting the after pains (insane!!!) and I think I just couldn't take it easy like I did with WW, because I had WW who needed my attention.

Having two babies is a little crazy. BJ has been home for the past two weeks and we've loved having him home. He's been a great help. WW is a great big brother, but we are noticing he has started looking for attention in less favorable ways since IA has arrived. It will just take adjustment for all of us.

Here are some pics of the baby girl, just because she's so cute!

If only people could figure out how to pronounce her name, then I'd be 100% happy!

Plants vs Zombies

We bought BJ an IPAD for his fathers day this year (and the next 10 birthdays/Christmas' etc). It is really neat, and I can't believe the fun things you can do with it. However, we haven't had much time to try anything else because we have spent every waking moment since we bought it trying to beat this game (Plants vs Zombies) so WW can play these little bonus games.

You see, we had WW trying out the IPAD at the store to see if he could use it, he's become much more interested in the computer lately, and we also like the idea of bringing the IPAD places as a distraction for him. Anyway, long story short, at Bestbuy the IPAD had a trial for this game, and he was able to play these mini games where you whack the zombies, or bowl them down. Little did we know that when we put the game onto our own IPAD that you have to pass all 50 levels in order to be able to use the mini games.

BJ and I are getting pretty skilled at attacking zombies, it's just everything else that has been neglected since yesterday afternoon :)

Sweet boys.

WW came to wake me up the other morning so we could have some breakfast. Offering his hand to me he says; " Need some help up? You are pretty huge!"

What a sweet boy I have.