Feb 25, 2012

The car is packed and now it's just a waiting game until tomorrow afternoon.  I'm certainly not counting the hours because I don't actually want to go, well... I do but I don't.  I do because it will be so great to get back to our own space and our own little apartment.  It will be awesome to get into some sort of a routine, as much as we can with a one month old.  I'm excited to get back to our normal life.  I don't want to go because I've really enjoyed being closer to family and friends.  Seeing everyone with Ryan makes me sad that only the small island of Bella Bella gets to enjoy him with us for the next 2 months.  But it's only 2 months.  It will go really fast, I just know it.

This past week has been a little crazy.  Since it was our last week here, we were busy seeing friends and family for the last time until we get back in May.  I think it seems busier then it actually was.  

On Wednesday, Amy and Madison came for a visit.  It's always really great to hang out with those 2.  Madison is such a little sweetheart.  I've missed seeing her grow up until this point and I'm really glad to be back in the summer so we can all enjoy the outdoors together.  In the afternoon, our friends came up to see us.  We just sat and talked together.  We also went out for dinner at a burger place, which was so great as always.

Thursday, Amy, Madison and Eva were over, visiting once again.  I sure do love my sisters.  I'm sad to have to leave because I've enjoyed being closer these last few months.  Madison has grown closer to Tyler too.  She has learned to say his name, Da da which sounds like how she says Dadda (referring to Aaron) and candle.  Whenever Tyler would leave a room, she would run after him.  It was really cute to see that.

Thursday evening we went back to Ponoka.  Friday, we spent the day with our friends before heading over to Tyler's grandma's house for dinner and games.  It was a really fun evening.  We had home made Chinese food and the most tasty dessert.  Then we played a card game that I enjoyed but probably could never explain it to anyone.  Ryan was being a big stinker.  He kept spitting up on everyone and then he would be hungry and then he would cry and be fussy.  Our night was not the best either.  He just kept on crying and crying.  When we thought we found a solution to the problem, like bouncing him, it would last for maybe 20 minutes before he was unhappy again.  That's the first time he has cried like that and we didn't like it.  We didn't like feeling helpless and not knowing how to help him.  As a result of him being fussy, I got lots of Ryan cuddles which is always so awesome.  He is just such a little sweetheart.  Tyler started to feel a little sick last night, so he went to sleep and I spent some night time with my baby boy.  

Today, I helped Tyler pack up the car.  He doesn't like it when I help pack with him because I like suggesting ways to make things fit differently if I see it's not working out the way he is trying.  He doesn't appreciate those suggestions and it turns into a fun game for me to pester him.

The rest of today doesn't hold too much excitement.  Tyler is going to take a nap and Ryan is waking up from his.  I will feed Ryan, change him and probably cuddle him some more.  I might get in some cross stitching at some point and tonight, we will be watching the hockey game.  

Tomorrow we leave after church.  We hope to get far tomorrow but we don't know what Ryan has in store for us.  It should be an interesting trip.  We wont be bringing Kitty back with us which makes me sad.  She has been my little needy baby for ever and although I know I have a better baby to look after, I will miss her.  

As far as blogging goes, I'm not sure what we are up to.  I plan on blogging often but I think I will have to get better at typing with one hand.  It's tough to type while holding Ryan and I'm afraid my words-per-minute will decrease so it might take all day to type out one blog.  

Sonja

Feb. 21, 2012

Today, Ryan is one month old and I can't believe it.  He has grown so much in the last month that I'm starting to think he is part weed.  What a great month it has been too!  Tyler and I are having so much fun with him, even when he keeps us up late into the morning.  He is such a special little man and we can't wait to see him grow even more.

We are now up in Sherwood Park again.  We came up yesterday for Family Day.  My sister was having my siblings over for brunch so we got out of bed and packed up all our things and made the trip to her house.  And we were late.  Tyler and I hate being late to anything but now that Ryan controls everything, we have to loosen up on our need to be on time.  We were 45 minutes late for brunch but luckily for us, the waffles and eggs were still being made and we didn't miss any of the fun.  And it was a great day.  All my siblings and their spouses were there and it's always good to see everyone.  We enjoyed great conversation and many laughs together.  I love spending time with family as we always have such a good time talking.

Ryan started getting fussy and I couldn't calm him down with food so we did have to leave early.  We also had to go to a toy store to spend a gift card Ryan got.  We picked him up a play mat with dangly toys and some duplo.  He is a very spoiled little boy already and people have been so generous to us.  We are very appreciative of everything people have donated or bought for him.

After that, we came home for a short few hours before heading back out again.  I had a date with Tyler's cousin and we needed more gas in the vehicle.  Tyler's cousin, B, had asked if I wanted to go see a movie with her so that was the date.  I fed Ryan in the parking lot of the theater before heading in to enjoy some movie time.  Tyler took Ryan home to enjoy an evening just the 2 of them.  We saw a very funny silly movie and enjoyed some more conversation.  I always enjoying talking with B because she is awesome and we get along very well.  Tyler came to get me from the theater and we came back home again.

We wanted to go to sleep right away, but Tyler informed me that my aunt and uncle from Denmark might be stopping over to see Ryan before they went back home.  We weren't sure what time they were coming so we didn't go to sleep.  We ended up watching movie trailers on the computer waiting for them to come over.  They didn't end up coming over because they had a very busy schedule but we got to see my mom and dad before we went to bed.

We stayed up talking with them until we could no longer keep our eyes open.  We were exhausted because Ryan kept us up late the night before.  So we headed off to bed.  Ryan had other plans.  The turkey kept us up for a little while and then later woke us up again but it's to be expected.  I'm not ever surprised at what he does because babies do whatever they want.

Today, a friend of mine from high school came over and we talked for about an hour and a half before she had to leave again.  It was so good to see her again.

Our day looks pretty relaxed and low key as usual.  In a few minutes, I'm going to wake Tyler and Ryan from their naps so we can go and get Ryan weighed.  I'm curious to see how much he has gained in his first month of life.  Then I'm thinking we might go to Chapters.  I was given a gift card and I'm really looking forward to finding some good books to read.  We then will head to Costco with my parents tonight for some vital things.  We decided that instead of spending an arm and a leg on the same things out in Bella Bella, we will just bring them with us.  It makes more sense this way.

I can't believe our big vacation is coming to an end.  I'm still looking forward to heading back home and it's coming closer and closer.  Maybe I'm looking forward to it so much because I know we will be back very shortly so our good byes aren't that sad.  Sure, Ryan will grow a little in the 2 months we are gone but then we are here for 4 months.  It's a good thing for us to be heading home.  We get to be our family of 3 and I'm so excited for that.  I get to learn how to make dinner while calming down a screaming baby - doesn't that sound like fun!

Sonja

I get it!!

There was so much I didn't understand before Ryan came around.  I would hear stories of mothers who wouldn't eat all day long because, according to them, they couldn't put their child down.  I would hear stories of people not being able to shower or go out for groceries because of their kids and I never understood it.  I would think to myself, "Just put your kid down and eat something."  I didn't see why these mothers couldn't get basic things done in a day just because they had a baby.... but now I get it.  

I was thinking about this as I was sitting with Ryan on the couch.  He had just fallen asleep after being a little turkey for a few hours so I didn't want to get up to get myself some breakfast for fear of disturbing him.  And that's when I realized I had turned into one of those women who don't eat breakfast, shower or do anything unless Ryan is happy and content.  I had been sitting there for about an hour, listening to my stomach growl and watching Ryan sleep peacefully.  Actually, all this week I didn't get breakfast until Tyler woke up a few hours later and went to get me some cereal.  I get it now that I'm one of those people. And I'm pretty sure no one really gets it unless they are a mom.  I sure didn't.  I was pretty judgmental about the whole thing too but I've seen the light.  I totally get it now.  Why on earth would you disturb your child who just got back to sleep just because you are a little hungry?  I can eat later.

Yesterday evening we went over to Tyler's grandma's house for dinner.  We had pot roast, mashed potatoes, salad and then home made doughnuts.  It was a very good meal and it was really good to see more family again.  

Once we got home, I went to take a nap.  I like to take naps in the evening because I don't get great sleeps these days.  I slept for about an hour before Ryan needed me again.  It always feels good to get a bit of uninterrupted sleep.

Tyler and I then watched our 2 usual Thursday night shows, both made us laugh.  Then we went downstairs with Ryan and tried to put him to bed.  He had other plans and we stayed up until around 12:30 just reading to him, feeding him and watching a bit of tv on the computer.  Ryan just wouldn't go to sleep.  He is a little trickster baby, because every time we thought he was asleep and put him in his bed, his eyes would pop right open and he would start talking and squawking and then he would get annoyed and start crying.  After a while, Tyler fell asleep and I sat on a chair and rocked his cradle.  And finally he was asleep.

Ryan woke up a few times last night but not more then usual.  I got out of bed this morning at around 9:30 with Ryan.  Tyler was still sleeping.  I sat there with Ryan, stomach growling, watching some tv while I waited for Tyler to wake up.  

Our day has been relaxed.  We sat upstairs in the sunlight, Tyler studied for a short while, I cross stitched and Ryan laid on the floor doing the back stroke.  He was kicking and flinging his arms the whole time.  He is so cute.

Tyler and I went outside to look for deer antlers in the field.  We didn't find any but we did enjoy the sunshine and the warmth today has offered.  What a great day it is outside.  It's so nice seeing the sun for more then one day in a row.  That's something we will both miss once we are back in Bella Bella.

We have noticed that Ryan's are slowly changing colors.  There is a small slice of brown creeping in at the top of his right eye.  We knew his eyes wouldn't stay blue and I'm excited for him to get his real color.  What a sweet little boy we have.

Sonja

Feb. 15, 2012

Is it bad that all I want to do is talk about Ryan?  He's still amazing and sweet and the best thing ever.  He is also the best baby in the whole world.

We are down in Ponoka this week.  On Sunday, we attended Malmo church for the first time with Ryan.  He ended up having a bit of gas issues so we spent most of the service downstairs.  He did get to meet everyone there and it was nice to see people we haven't in a while.

From Monday till today, we haven't done too much and that's just fine with us.  Our days all look the same and have kind of blended together.  When we wake up, Tyler usually studies and I work on a cross stitching when I'm not feeding Ryan, changing Ryan or just looking at him.  I find it hard not to just stare at him all the time.  He is beautiful.  He's also a very stretchy baby.  When he's coming out of a sleep, he stretches and stretches and then usually starts to cry because he's hungry.  It's kind of funny to watch.  But as far as what we have been up to, it's tough to write about because, as mentioned before, our days have run together and are really focused on Ryan.

I feel very blessed to have Tyler home with me for these first few weeks.  I know it's not normal and it wont last forever but it's just awesome.  I wish everyone could have this experience because it has made transitioning into the parent role a little easier then I thought it would be.  Since Tyler doesn't have to wake up for work, I can get him to do the nightly diaper changes without worrying about him being tired the next day.  I am starting to think that even when Tyler does have to get up for work, I might not be worried about it.

We have about 2 weeks until we will be getting back to Bella Bella.  I am so excited to get back home.  I think that 10 weeks away from home is long enough and now that Ryan has been here for a few weeks, I'm ready to get into my own swing of things.  Also, I'm looking forward to another long road trip.  I know it's a little crazy to enjoy sitting in a car for 27 hours but it's really fun to go places with Tyler.  I'm also very interested to see how Ryan does in the car for that long.  I'll be sure to blog about it as we go as I'm anticipating many interesting things happening.

Sonja

A few changes...

Well, Ryan is 3 weeks old today and I can't believe all that has happened in the last 3 weeks.  It's insane to me that he's already been in the world for 3 weeks.  And he's already changing so much.  He's growing so quickly.  I am glad for that though.  With yesterday being my 24th birthday, I was thinking about how fast time goes and how we really have to live every day and take it all in.  With Ryan growing daily and doing new things all the time, Tyler and I really have to learn to enjoy every part of it.  Even when he's awake every hour of the night, I have to enjoy it because before I know it, he will be moving out and getting a job.  I know that's getting way ahead of myself but I know it will come fast.

Today is going to be a fun day.  Most of my family is coming over and we are celebrating my birthday.  They will be showing up in the afternoon and then we will be enjoying a meal cooked by my mom for dinner.  Unfortunately, Tyler will miss a little bit of the party because he is at NAIT today doing a course for his schooling.  He will be here tonight though.

Right now, Ryan is sleeping on my chest as I type.  I'm thinking I'll have to learn to type one handed because Ryan is a little snuggle big and loves to be held and sleep on me.  I've only discovered this about 3 days ago so it will probably change.  I've been told that as soon as I think I've figured him out, he will change.  This is so true.  The first few nights we had Ryan home, he slept really well and only woke up 2 times a night for a bit of a feast.  Recently, he's been waking up every 2 and a half hours to eat.  I'm not liking these growth spurts but I'm glad my boy is growing.  He's healthy and putting on weight and I can't ask for anything else.  I've always known that health is such an important thing but I think having Ryan has really put that into perspective.  When he was born, he had to spend a few days in the NICU.  It was awful.  He was hooked up to a heart and breathing monitor and it was so sad to hear him cry and not be able to pick him up to comfort him.  I hated those hours.  But, he was the healthiest baby in the NICU and all the nurses said he was fine so that was something to be thankful for.  And now he's 9 pounds, 11 ounces and only getting bigger.  His eyes are more focused each day and I think he even recognizes my voice.  It's amazing seeing him grow.

I'm loving being his mom, and seeing Tyler as his dad.  It's really fun.  I know there will be times in the future when it wont be as fun, and I know that as of right now, the extent of my mothering skills doesn't go farther then what biology has given me, but it's still so fun.  I love that he needs me.  I love that when he cries and when I pick him up, he some times stops.  I love that Tyler and I are doing this together.  I love it when Ryan accidentally smiles at me, especially in the middle of the night when I just want to sleep.  He will flash me that charming little grin and I can't help but fall further in love with this little man.  He is such a little stinker and I love him so much.

I'm excited to get back home.  I do love being home with family and friends and civilization, but I'm getting sick of living out of a suitcase.  I'm getting sick of not having a permanent place to set up all of Ryan's things.  It will be so awesome to show Ryan off to all our friends back in BC.  They are all really excited to meet him.  I'm so excited to get to hang out with the family we have out there.  It's much slower and quieter out there and I'm excited to get back to that lifestyle.  I'm not wish our time away though.  Believe me, I love having Tyler around all day every day to help me learn how to take care of Ryan and to spend some really quality time with.  It's awesome that Tyler gets to relax and have so much vacation time.  We are having so much fun together.  Not every dad gets to spend this much time with his newborn son and I'm so glad that Tyler is enjoying this precious time with us.  It's also not bad that when Ryan needs his diaper changed at 4 in the morning, I don't feel bad waking Tyler up so he can do it because he's not going to work in the morning :)

I'm not so sure how blogging will go once we get back out to Bella Bella.  I like to think we can maintain a nightly post but I don't know how realistic that is.  I really want to because I love sharing our daily activities and now that Ryan is here, I'm sure people will be even more interested in reading it.  I might have to start posting in the mornings or the middle of the night.

So stay tuned.  I'm not sure when we will post next but I will try to again soon.  Ryan kind of runs the show now.

Sonja

So far this year...

It's been a pretty eventful last week and I'm bound to forget to mention a few things but I will try my best.  My brain doesn't work very well these days.  I'm not sure if it's because of baby or if it's because I haven't been doing much to stimulate it lately.  I like to blame Baby J because it seems easiest and then I can assume it will go back to normal once Baby is born but I think I'm horribly mistaken on that front.  I've heard many women say that they gave birth to their brains on the day their children were born.  I'm afraid that I've already felt the effects of "baby brain" and will never get back to normal.  I find that I start sentences but have a hard time finishing the thought, usually ending up just staring blankly at Tyler in hopes that he somehow knows what I'm trying to say.  That never works because he then makes fun of me.

Any way, where do I even begin with this post?  It's tough to summarize an entire week when I'm so used to just doing single days.

Last Saturday, Jan. 7th, Tyler and I made our way down to his aunt and uncle's house to babysit his cousins.  I wasn't too sure what to expect because I haven't babysat in about 6 years and I know Tyler has never taken care of children before.  We were both amateurs going into the day but we came out of it almost pros.  It was a really fun and exhausting day.  We built a really cool fort, ate some good food, and drank a lot of milk.  We played outside and had a lot of fun.

On the Sunday, we went to church and saw a bunch of people we hadn't seen in a long time.  It is always good to get home again.

On Monday and Tuesday, we just relaxed and did our own thing.  We played Wii, I cross stitched, and Tyler started a new course for school.  He's only taking one course this time so it's a lot less stressful for him.

On Wednesday, we headed up to Edmonton for another doctor's appointment.  It was a quick appointment and Baby J is still doing really awesome.  As the doctor was measuring me, she wasn't 100% sure if Baby J was still head down so she went out and got a little ultrasound machine.  It was a very quick little check, only about 10 seconds but we got to see our little baby again, still head down.  It was just a little bum she was feeling.

On Thursday and Friday, we relaxed at my parents house.  I got my haircut nice and sort of short.  It may have been a bit of a mistake to get it cut but I just wanted a change.  It's been over a year since I've had a haircut so it feels really nice to have a change.  But I can no longer put it back in a pony tail and with a new baby on it's way, I may have made a big mistake but I just don't care (right now).

Friday, we had a pretty exciting day to look forward to.  We were going to the Oiler's game where we had super awesome seats.  But first, since we didn't have to pay for the seats, we went out for dinner to have a date night.  We went to a downtown Kelsey's around 4 thinking that it would take a long time to get a table and get our food but we were the only one's in the restaurant.  We ended up spending about half an hour in a Shopper's just to waste time before we headed to Rexall.  Once we got to Rexall, found a parking space, we headed down to the under level where the Oiler's come out of their dressing room.  We waited for them to come out and that was really fun.  Tyler has a video of it so he will try to share that with everyone.  But that is where the excitement ended.  The Oiler's didn't play well at all and it ended up being one of those games where you just want to go home.  The only good thing about the Oiler's stinking the place out, is that everyone left early.  When we left, there was no one left in the parking lot so it only took us about 15 minutes to get home from when the game ended.  I think that is a record.

Today, was a really exciting day for us.  We headed to Camrose where Tyler had found a vehicle that we were going to try to buy.  We got there, took it for a test drive and sat down to negotiate.  The funny thing was that the salesman went to the back to try to get us a good deal before we even said what we wanted to start negotiating at.  He came back with a number that was exactly where we were aiming for so we signed on the dotted line and now are the proud new owners of a 2007 Equinox.  We are so excited about our new vehicle.  We no longer have to deal with searching for a vehicle that will be good for Baby J and we don't have to deal with jerk salesman.

We headed back down to Ponoka to get Tyler's car fixed and to celebrate his Grandma's birthday.  We are now sitting at home, getting ready for bed.  I'm really looking forward to sleeping tonight.

That's our last week in a nut shell.  Baby J isn't here yet and now that's all we are waiting for.  I can't wait to hold little baby in my arms!!

Sonja

Jan. 5th, 2012

How can it already be 5 days into the new year?  It's pretty crazy.  Maybe it seems so crazy because of what is bound to happen by the end of this month.  It's still a little hard to believe that Baby J could enter the world any day now, but is more likely to come at the end of January.  And now that the Christmas and New Years rush is over, Tyler and I are just waiting.  I'm thinking time might start to slow down now and that's going to be painful.  I'm starting to understand why the last month of pregnancy is always complained about - it's starting to be more of what I've been expecting, more pains, aches and waddling.  Yeah, I've got the waddle going on now and for the most part I can control it, but there are times I catch myself swaying more then usual.  Like when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, I'm so stiff that it takes all my strength to get there and I waddle like a duck the whole way.  If I keep myself moving, I'm fine.

Tyler and I have been taking it easy the last few days.  Since New Years Day, not too much has happened.  We have spent a few days in Ponoka at Tyler's parents house.  We have organized all our things so it doesn't look like a bomb went off in our room.  That's one of the bad things about not really having a permanent place to stay - we don't have dressers or closet space for all our stuff so our things end up in piles.  It started to drive Tyler crazy so he spent a few hours the last few days organizing clothes into rubbermaids.  It feels a little more like we have our own space and that's a nice feeling.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday at 9:30 in the morning so we went up to Sherwood Park the night before so we could kind of sleep in.  I also really wanted to see Kitten again.  I don't like not being with her because that's just what I'm used to, and I just love her so much.  I like to think that she missed me too but I'm not sure cats are capable of having feelings like that.  Don't burst my bubble if you know the answer to that.

So, we woke up yesterday, showered and got ready for the day.  It was going to be a busy day, one that Tyler was already telling me that I had to keep my strength up because he didn't want me to be exhausted before we were done all our errands.  So, we drove to the appointment to find that there was no free parking close to the building.  The last time I had to go to that building, I was able to just park out front for free but I guess not much is free these days.  We ended up parking in a mall parking lot and walking 5 minutes.  We were half an hour early for the appointment but it didn't take long before we made our way into an exam room.  This was the first time I was meeting the doctor who might deliver Baby J but I knew from Amy's experience that she was a really nice doctor.  She came in and we talked for a bit about baby things.  I find her very relaxed and that makes me a bit more relaxed about the whole giving birth thing.  She measured me and I am as big as I should be for 35/36 weeks along.  And then we got to hear the little heartbeat.  It's always the best part of the appointment, even though it never lasts as long as I want it too.  I could listen all day to Baby J's heart.  She didn't give me a beats per minute but  it sounded strong.  We now have appointments every week to check progress until baby is born.

After the appointment, we walked back to the car and went to check out the pet store we parked in front of.  There were some chinchillas to look at but they were mostly sleeping.  We found some cat scratching posts that Kitten would love to play on if we could afford them.  And then we started our marathon run of errands.  We have been compiling a list of things we would like over the past few months and it was finally time to try to cross some of those things off.  We headed to South Gate mall and walked around for a while.  I bought a few new shirts which was a bit of an ego boaster for me because they aren't maternity shirts and they still fit.  I've been wearing some of Tyler's shirts because I only have 3 maternity shirts and Tyler's are long enough to cover the belly.  I guess I'm just lucky that the 80's are kind of coming back in style, with those over sized off the shoulder shirts.

We ate some lunch and headed out to South Edmonton Common to look for pants for Tyler, shoes and ways to spend a gift card we received from a friend.  It was a tiring day for us.  Just getting in and out of the car was tough on me and I was excited to be done shopping at the end of it all.

We headed back down to Ponoka and enjoyed the afternoon and evening together.  I knew it would be early to bed because I was falling asleep on the couch at 7 while cross stitching.  Sleep came quickly once we got to bed and I only woke up once to waddle my way to the bathroom.  I hate waking up in the middle of the night because I'm always so sore that it takes about 5 minutes to actually get out of bed and then the slow walk to the bathroom takes another 2 minutes.  It's more of a pain in the butt then a relief.

Today we installed the car seat into the car.  And now we have further proof that we do need a bigger vehicle.  For one, Tyler said that the cat isn't coming back out with us is we have to drive the Pontiac back to Bella Bella so that convinced me.  But also because there is hardly any room for anything we might have to bring back out there.  We have been looking for a while now and can't seem to find a vehicle we can actually afford.  The dealerships always want just a little too much then we want to spend so for now, we will have to deal with a 2 door car.

Not too much is on the menu for us today.  I plan on cross stitching while I watch the World Junior medal games.  Maybe I'll play some Wii, although it keeps telling me that I'm obese and I don't really like that so I might stay away from it.  I'm just pregnant, you stupid game system!  You don't need to crush my self esteem like that :)

I'm trying to move more and more instead of just sitting all the time, so I might also play on the old exercise bike at some point today.  Other then that, our day will be low key.

Sonja