On the mend

This week was a tough one. Christian was gone for work and I came down with a nasty cold the day he left :-( But we made it as it wasn't as bad as I suspected. Thankful Hugo did not get it and remained happy and healthy although the screeching was a little harder to take with a pounding head but we are trying to work on that. Anyone have tips on how to curb screeching for almost 9 month olds?

I've been sewing a dress for a little one year old and may have tried it on Hugo to see if it fit (I mean... how cute he would look it it). Oh bless his heart it was so cute and I'll post the pick once I give it to the birthday girl.

The Sleep Sense Program has been working great! Hugo has been going down easy for his naps if I sit beside his crib for 2-5 minutes and in the morning staying asleep for over 2 hours the past two days. Having had that wonderful long morning nap he has been able to stay up til 3:00 his usual feeding time and have a drink and go down for another smaller nap usually about 45 minutes. Then at bedtime he is way ahead of the game and doesn't need me to sit in with him and falls asleep himself within 1-2 minutes and usually stays asleep til 5:45am. This has been so good for us this week allowing me to get much needed rest so I could get over this cold.

I was able to enlist Uncle Ray for help one night and poor guy Hugo did a little number in the tub while I was out in the living room pumping. I'm pumping because he bit me so bad it still hurts to nurse on my right side. He had always preferred the left?! Anyhow we all survived and lived to laugh about it :-)

I didn't take may photos this week but hopefully next time.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Oh these two only 4 months apart. It was so cute when we were over for our visit my little niece was waving at Hugo for him to come over and play with her. She crawls circles around him and tries to feed him little people! I just love seeing them growing up together. I love spending time with my sister in law too! She is just plain and simple Super Mom! Just being around her inspires me to be the best Mom I can be.

Out for lunch. I love our place mat my friend Kathleen recommended it and it works great. I lucked out as the table had just been wiped so I was able to just stick the little suction cup right on and Hugo was able to get at his bread and cheerios all he wanted.

We had to take this picture to show how long Hugo's lone newborn baby hair has gotten! I swear it is like 4" but he barely stay still for this photo let alone with a ruler. It is super blonde and just cracks me up when I see it bouncing around up there.

Bath time. Hugo is so into splashing with his legs these days and we've got to watch him like a hawk as he likes to bob for his duckies but it is a lot of fun to see him splashing everyone (mostly Daddy).

Hugo has really started to make new sounds and babbles and sound like "ya ya" a lot but everyday it sounds closer to certain phrases or words. He really loves to stick his tongue out and go "BLLL" and spray is saliva especially after dinner when he get a water to the mix.

We just started the Sleep Sense program last night. I've been finding that he is not really nursing in the night for hunger anymore and am really tired of waking up to nurse him back to sleep or put his soother in. So out of desperation we decided to bite the bullet and see what happens. Last night went pretty good it took him half and hour to fall asleep without his soother and we just had one wake up at 12:45am that lasted about 15 minutes and at 2:30am he awoke again and I tried to feed him just in case he was hungry but he wasn't and the he slept until 5:50am! Which was heavenly and he just talked to himself until 6:30 when we went to him. I like this method because we can go to him whenever and we can stay in the room if we want and talk and touch him but just not as he is falling asleep as we want him to learn that he can do it himself. I'll admit it is killer hard for me not just to pick him up in my arms and snuggle him but to be honest that really isn't making him fall asleep anymore. So There is a lot of praying going on here and hoping that we are doing the right thing. I was happy that I didn't have anymore milk than usual in the morning so it kinda showed me that he wasn't really eating when I was nursing him in the night before (up to 3 times). Another thing we are working through is biting... Hugo sometimes bites me when he is too rambunctious nursing. So now I just tell him sternly "No biting" and pump and give him the rest in a bottle. Not sure what else to do with that but my goal was to nurse him for a year so I hope we make it. So many challenges but I do enjoy Hugo more everyday and am making sure to love on him and hold him more during the day so we make up for the night time snuggles.

Cozy Boy

My cozy boy. Hugo has loved when I hear him wake up from his naps I go in and open his door and talk with him and maybe put his laundry away or work in the kitchen where he can see me but still can be all snug for a few more moments. Then he craws out of his blankets and plays with them and his giraffy for a bit. It is so cute. 

Swinging with Dad. This was Saturday. It was so sunny and windy we really had to bundle up. Christian thought 5 hats for Hugo was a bit much. I did too after he pointed it out. I believe you can never be too cozy. We went to a friends place for dessert that night and put Hugo to sleep in the playpen and had a really great time visiting and then managed to get him in the car seat and home all sound asleep. I'm so glad we tried because it worked out great and we got to spend time with friends who also have a little one.

SNOW DAY! It was so fun! On Monday Hugo was mesmerised watching these huge flakes come down and then we went to play in it...

I laid him on his back but he instantly rolled to his tummy to check this white stuff out.

Then he made a snow angel ;-)

Have a great day!

You are my SUNSHINE

Hugo just loved being outside and I did too. He was very excited to swing and was kicking his arms every time I gave him a big push :-) Yesterday Hugo and tried a few new foods. I made him this Tuscan chickpea recipe. It has zucchini, tomatoes, cumin and basil and obviously chickpeas. He gobbled it right up. At dinner he was so enthralled with eating steamed broccoli by himself that he refused to eat his other food off a spoon other than his cereal which he still loves. What a guy ;-)

Hey... talk to he hand I'm eating

Smiley Boy

Egg in a hole up a notch

Trying to take pictures everyday to capture this little guy and life in general. Thanks for the inspiration and idea Sarah! I've always wanted to do it and just keep thinking I'll start tomorrow and then what do you know it is 2012!!! Crazy anyhow, yesterday Hugo was a dream. I think he may be fighting a cold cause his little voice sounds a bit raspy. He slept for 2 1/2 hours in the morning and an 1 1/2 in the afternoon. I've been really making the most of the nap times and embracing my inner spring cleaning and going through the house organizing everything that has been put on hold for 8 months and baby proofing as Hugo's new favourite things are light sockets and power cords.
So to explain the bottom photo... that was my breakfast this morning. I was given Pioneer Woman's new cookbook. Now that I looked it I see she has and even newer one I'll have to check out when I'm done cooking my way through this one. Whoa, ok so I made her "Egg In The Hole" recipe with toast and it is really good but you see I had these left over waffles. Last night I made my own take on a local restaurants menu item Waffle BLT. It was also very delicious. Any I tried "Egg In The Hole" with waffles and it was dynamite if I do say so myself.

Old Posts!

So I've finally getting around to posting some posts that I wrote before we chose to tell anyone we were expecting and had to write somewhere ;-)

So just to clarify Christian and I are not expecting another little one yet...

I've just been feeling like getting back into writing some things down on here.

Hugo is 7 months already and is starting to crawl!!! So exciting how much they learn and grow everyday.

Today we got to have a fun afternoon with my good friend Shalom including a great lunch with Whoorls Chicken potato leek soup and then off to Granville Island on the aquabus and a couple of chai tea lattes and wandering around looking a beautiful shop was so great.

I was thinking when I was out how I love to read certain blogs and that I really do need to start Pintrest and seriously why did I not start this sooner. I'm looking forward to having all the ideas I see online in one easy place for future reference. Thanks for inviting me Sarah!

Thoughts & Feelings

I'm probably worse than a teenager thinking about sex with how often my mind thinks about "the baby" or "being pregnant" or "if I look like I'm showing yet" I'm so enjoying all the thoughts and continue to feel so blessed to have an amazing husband and a baby on the way :-)

Things I'm excited about:
- Announcing we are expecting! I'm almost beside myself with not being able to share this yet... but Christian and I want to wait til we are twelve weeks and surprise everyone in a fun way. I'm pretty sure my co-workers know as I'm so tired and nauseous at work everyday!
- Loosing my waist and having a baby bump! I am starting out this pregnancy overweight as far as I'm concerned so I'm looking forward to trying to become a lean mean baby machine for the labour. Of course no dieting but lots of exercise and walks to be a fit Momma.
- Becoming parents! I'm really looking forward to making Christian a Dad. I know he will do an amazing job. I hope we are able to give our child the nurturing and support he/she needs to become a well rounded person who loves God.
- Making knitted and sewn items for the baby! I've been looking at patterns and ideas but I want to finish a little sweater for my friends boy first before I start ones for us or else I'll never finish it!
- Experiencing birth! I've been watching Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby on TLC for months now and I'm so looking forward to the experiencing the joy through the pain. I hope I will be able to have a natural birth for the baby but we will have to take that one step at a time.
- Yes and I am looking forward to a glass of wine or a cocktail one of these days after I have my baby on the outside and a safe time when I'm breast feeding. I hear you can do that safely. When the time comes I'll have the look it up ;-)

I just continue to pray for a healthy baby. Right now the embryo is the size of a lentil and all the kissable parts are forming, the noes, mouth, ears, well really the whole little body. It is such an amazing miracle how everything forms!

Week 5

Dr. H confirmed for me today that I am 5 weeks along. It has been hard to know and to not tell everyone. It is like I want to shout it from the roof tops. I've been feeling tired and hungry/nauseous and emotional. When I look in the mirror in my eyes I still can't believe it is happening. I'm really looking forward to the ultrasound when we can see our baby and I think that will make it feel more real. I had a patient ask me if I was pregnant and I just said no with a smile on my face. I was so caught off guard. I hope that doesn't happen again but Christian gave me some good one liners to say if it does. I've been able to sleep everyday for half an hour on my lunch break which had totally helped get me through the day. Speaking of which it is almost 11:00 pm and I am having trouble keeping my eyes open... I think I better rest while I can.

Set in motion

We are EXPECTING! It is very early on... I took a pregnancy test the morning my period was due and it said pregnant 1-2 weeks. I bought this fancy digital one with my shoppers points that I thought Christian would like ;-) It was just before 6:00 am when we found out. I thought Christian was still sleeping but he had heard me get up. He knew I was planning on taking the test that morning so when I slipped back in to bed with a huge smile on my face (which I'm sure he couldn't see in the dark) He asked me "Well?..." and I said "look at the test" and he said he wanted me to tell him so in the still darkness I whispered "we're having a baby." We felt shock, extreme joy and love for one another. I had not let myself get my hopes up. So I really thought we weren't expecting yet as it was our first month trying. So we laid in bed holding one another and pondered in our hearts what had happened. I went to my GP, Dr. H and the urine test I did there was not positive but the Doctor reassured me it is probably just so early on that the hormone lever isn't high enough to detect yet. I also went to see my Naturopath Dr. A, and she was thrilled! I was still in shock at this point but she reminded me that I've been preparing my body for this for months. Also that it could and did happen as soon as we started trying.

I really do not have the words to describe the deep overwhelming joy and satisfaction and respect I feel for this miracle of life to have happened for Christian and I. I feel beyond blessed and gratitude to the creator of all things. Lord Jesus, thank you for thinking of me. Most importantly my soul and dying so that I might live. Also for opening up my body for the miracle of life to happen. Love, Heather







So this is me at 1-2 weeks... the blastocyst still just starting to find a cozy spot in my uterus.

Working on it

Ecclesiastes 4:6

"And yet,

"Better to have one handful with quietness then two handfuls with hard work and chasing after the wind."

I'm working on the quietness part and being content there ;-)

Today

Ice Latte goodness :-)

Gotta Love Saturday Mornings...

with fresh scones and jams!

So last Friday was my gallbladder removal surgery. Everything went perfectly Praise God! I feel mostly peace of mind. I no longer need to worry about a possible attack and how long it will take for the pain to go away this time. So I am very relieved to say the least. Christian has been a gem getting me to and from the hospital, helping me in and out of bed the first couple nights, putting up with my tossing and turning, and alarms to remind me to take my pain meds. Now I've come down with a cold : ( my voice has disappeared for the last couple days but it does feel good to really be made to relax this Christmas and slow down and rest (which is hard to do sometimes). Here are some photos of my belly minus one gallbladder.

Birthday Brunch

Thanks to everyone for coming and those who couldn't make it... here are the photos :)

Meet "Candy"

Here my friends is my new mixer... Candy Apple Red and "shiny" as Christian would say. It is the 90th anniversary addition of the kitchen aid mixers. We saw it when we were in Vegas and it would have been difficult to bring back with us. Then I laid eyes on it the other day at the Bay and had to have it. Can't wait to make lots of cookies with this sweet Candy machine. Even better I used the money gifts from my bridal shower and my Grandmas wedding gift to purchase it so I will think of all of you when I'm in the kitchen whipping up a storm. Thank you all :))))))

Gallbladder

So I know it may seem crazy to some of you (and myself aswell)... but I'm having gallbladder issues. Apparently this tiny little bile spewing organ does not want to be in my body anymore. I've had symptoms off and on since July and have been secretly hoping it would decide my body is a nice place to stay by eating a proper diet and doing a few other things my naturopath suggested. Anyhow please pray for me and the Dr.s I am now seeing that we would all know where to go from here.

Thankfully my new husband is a HUGE support! I'm so thankful for him during this time. Although is it kinda a downer to be not feeling 100% in the honeymoon stage of our lives. I figure I'll just have to try and make it up to him somehow sometime :)

Much Thanks,

Heather

You Got Me!

My SIL Sarah tagged me!

Here’s the deal: If you happen to still my blog (thank you) ...choose one ingredient from my recipe and post a recipe using this ingredient on your blog, linking back to the previous blogs that have posted a recipe.
- Then tell four new people, and we will see how it grows.
- To keep it exciting please post within a week of receiving the tag.

So Sarah choose MOLASSES SUGAR COOKIES I am choosing the ingredient sugar. Cause married life is SWEET!


I've been making these cookies lately as my new husband happens to love Angel Food Cake and I always have the yolks leftover to use up. They seem to be almost as big of a hit as the cake :)


After Angel Food Cookies

2/3 cup Butter
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup White Sugar
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
5 Egg Yolks
1 1/2 cups Flour
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts
1/2 cup Chopped Dates
1/2 cup Raisins

Cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla and egg yolks. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add to creamed mixture and mix until smooth. Add walnuts, dates, and raisins and blend well. Place medium spoonfuls of dough on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350f for 12 minutes. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

So because I'm not sure anyone reads my blog anymore if you read this do the recipe thing and I'll be forever grateful to have you as my friend :)

Paper Art

Today was spring cleaning day. I moved the furniture, attacked the dust bunnies, and made room to do what I love to do. Believe it or not here is all the paper I've collected over the years (don't be surprised if you receive this paper in the form of a card or wrapping paper.) Friends of Christians' bought be some great paper from their trip to Seattle and it was so nice I wanted to hang it on the wall. Well that started the ball rolling. Now I can access and enjoy all the papers. I'm slowly turning my large bedroom in to creative space aswell. I now have the next project ready to go. I think it will be a curtain (to block out the light near my bed and some sewing machine covers. Can't wait :)

Hi

Happy Easter... oh wait I'm late for that too :) Wow how the time goes by. I am still alive believe it or not. I just had to post some photos of my sweet nieces Ava and Olivia.





Too cute!