July 2015: A Son is Born

July 2015 ranks up there among the best months of my life.  It was the month we welcomed a son into our family!  

Late in June, my Mom flew in from Canada. It was so nice to have her here! As a mom of two on the verge of welcoming a new baby, I felt like my every waking moment, and many of my sleepy ones too, were dedicated to taking care of everyone else.  And then my mom came, and it felt like someone was there to take care of me. And it meant the world.  

Afraid that any Canada day festivities would put me into labor before the 4th of July, we stayed in and ate cake to celebrate the birth of my home country.  Grandma even brought us all some cute Canada shirts to represent. 

 If I have any regrets about my mom's stay, it is the lack of pictures we took! So sad. This picture is one of the few I took while she was here.  In fact, I may or may not have promised her I would not post it... (She was not picture ready).  But her presence during this time was so huge for me, I can't post about July 2015 and not include photographic evidence that she was here! Also, what a sweet moment. Girls and Grandma reading in the swing.

 On the 4th of July (the date we hoped the baby would come) we ventured out for a small neighborhood parade near where we used to live.  It was a fun morning spent with good friends.  That night, we watched fireworks from the parking lot of our church.  I've never been sadder to be watching fireworks on the 4th of July.  We had hoped I would be watching them from the window of my hospital room.  To clarify, we were hoping for the 4th because it was David's Grandma's birthday, which she loved. And the official due date.  And the midwife I loved and was hoping to deliver the baby planned to leave town the next day. That was a sad night for me.

 On July 8, after four long days of hot, angry, pregnant woman, I woke up at 6:00 a.m. with cramps.  I woke David around 6:30 and told him I thought this was the day.  Five minutes later, I was sure of it. David asked if he had time to have a shower.  Knowing how quickly these things can progress (Afton's labor was 2 hours, start to finish) I told him probably, but just a quick one.  Three minutes later, I was telling him to get out of the shower.  I peeked into Mom's room, told her we were going in to the hospital, and we were off!
Long story short, we took the toll road, got there in 15 minutes, and I definitely wondered if I might have the baby in the car.  Then  in the reception area of the hospital.  Then I thought for sure he would be born on the floor at the L & D check-in where they asked me A THOUSAND questions that I already answered. (Why did I even register?) I declined any anesthetic, which I sorely regretted for a few long minutes, but felt great about afterwards.  Bo Johannes was born at 8:26 a.m. at 9 lbs 1 oz.  the most beautiful baby boy I ever saw.

The aftermath of the birth was not so much fun. The mechanics of my body were way out of whack to say the least.  I could hardly walk or move one leg independently of the other at all.  I genuinely worried I would never make a full recovery.  David spent the nights with me at the hospital, as I couldn't get out of bed on my own to get the baby. (And something in me just won't allow the baby to go to the nursery.)  Mom stayed with me during the day, which was wonderful despite my groggy medicated state.  That's right, what I avoided in anesthetic during the birth, I made up for in the days following.

The following video shows who may have been the most excited to have Bo home.  Here is Bo and Tex's first introduction:

The hardest part of July was probably saying goodbye to my mom.  It wasn't enough time!  We didn't even show her all the sights!  She had hardly seen the newborn she came to meet! And most importantly, how would I survive without her? She would be missed sorely, but those moments she got to be here with us were gold to me.  Thanks for coming, Mom.  

 And then just a bunch of pictures of newborn Bo.  How could I pick just one?  These first couple were taken my my awesome and talented friend Ariel.  I'll be forever grateful.

In his cradle next to my bed.  Our version of co-sleeping.

Bo's two week appointment.  He slept right through it.

At the splash pad.

His first swim. He didn't love it.

What were we doing at the beach in the same month our baby was born?  Good question.  It didn't seem so crazy at the time.

Clearly, I recovered enough in the following weeks to bed out and about a bit.  Nine months later, I feel much stronger, but some days I still wonder if I'll make a full recovery.  But this baby was worth every bit of it. When I had been home a couple of days, I was gazing lovingly at my new son, when I noticed Paisley watching me. She asked, "Mom, why do you love him so much?" And, boy, do I ever.  

Super David and the Big 27

What?  I have a blog?  I almost forgot!  But what better day to brush off my dusty keyboard than my husband's 27th birthday?

Seriously though, I couldn't let this day go by without acknowledging what an amazing guy our family is blessed to call husband and father.  He really is our superhero!  That thought has crossed my mind so many times over the past four months or so, and let me tell you why.

In case you didn't know, accountants work. A lot. And hard. David spent from January til April working 60-80 hour weeks.

As though that weren't enough on its own, he also woke up diligently every morning, 6 days a week, and completed a session of P90X.  (*Sidenote: He just completed the program last week and is lookin' might fine if you ask me!*)

The most challenging part for David of this busy season was probably how little time he got to spend with our girls, who would wake up shortly before he left in the morning and would most often be asleep by the time he got home.  But that didn't stop him from finding quality time with them.  Whether it was sleeping on the floor beside Afton's bed when she woke in the night, or playing catch with Paisley for a few minutes in the morning, he took every moment he could get and made the most of it.  He even managed to teach Paisley to ride a two-wheeler bike! She's a pro now. It's all she wants to do.

Also worth mentioning is that I am pregnant.  Sooo, let's just say I wasn't always the cheerful, energetic, or even emotionally stable wife that I otherwise would be.  David managed to be supportive, patient and kind.  He even took over night duty when I was too grumpy and exhausted to handle another late night waking.

All the while, this superhero of a guy has managed to live by what seems to be his life motto: "Be happy" or, "Happiness is a choice".  He rarely complains, always keeps up a positive attitude and always manages to brighten up our home whenever he's home.

David's birthday present made by me and the girls. He lives this slogan every day.

So for all these reasons and many more, David is our superhero.  Noble people are recognized for great acts of kindness and heroism every day in the news and social media.  From my point of view, there are few things more noble and heroic than a loving, dedicated and devoted husband and father.  So grateful to have him in my life.  Happy birthday, Babe.

The Netherlands

Once upon a time, we went to the Netherlands.  OK, it was May 29 - June 12, and I've been pondering ever since what I might write to do justice to this incredible place.  I've come to the conclusion that I should let the pictures do most of the talking (though I'm not sure they do it justice either).  So, here it is.  

Day 1

OK, so I should explain a couple of things. For example, why the Netherlands? David's dad is from the Netherlands. They've visited there regularly over the years, and this time they generously offered to bring all of our little family along to meet the family and get to know the country.

We got on the Frontrunner bright and early in the morning with the babies,  car seats and a bunch of luggage.

Paisley, about to board the airplane for her first flight ever.

As we flew in over fields and fields of green divided by canals and dotted with cows, sheep, and windmills, I felt like I was in a dream.  Did this sort of place really still exist outside of paintings and poetry?  Apparently so.  I was falling in love already.

We arrived late at night U.S. time, and early in the morning Holland time.  A narrow two-story cottage would be our home for the next two weeks.

Our cozy bedroom.  With a slanted ceiling,  a small cupboard for a closet, Afton in her pillow bed, and a playpen in the corner for Paisley's bed, we had everything we needed. 

Day 2

The harbor at Volendam.  A little farther down, the harbor is lined with little shops where we bought raw herring (delicious, btw!) and our daily dose of frites.

Paisley was fascinated with all the giant ice cream cones around Holland.

She was equally thrilled with the Mr. Frites.

Zaanse Schans.  This is a tourist attraction in North Holland whose main attractions are delicious ice cream made from fresh cream, and a collection of well-preserved windmills.  

We were able to climb up in the windmill and see how it works.  

A view from up top.

Day 3 - Belgium - Aantwerp, visited with cousin Daniel, Had belgian waffles, saw diamond places, drove to Brugge, ate delicious mussels.

Day 4

On Sunday, we went to church and then went to Church and then visited the temple.  Hans took us on a long drive through the country, and we ate at a pancake house for dinner.

Day 5 - Rijksmuseum & G Star, Mini, Boat tour

Day 6 - Madurodam & Scheveningen (Beach with bungy jump) & Den Haag (Royal palace)

Day 7 - Market at Leiden & Opa's, pancake house with zipline

All I want in life is one of these.

One of my very favorite photos. This is David's Opa, resting under a tree with baby Afton. Priceless.

Day 8 - Kinderdijk, Gouda, best fries in the country

Day 9 - Utrecht, Haarlem (Hiding Place), walk

Day 10 - Leiden - licorice, bon bons, Delft (shopping)
Day 11 - Aunt Teeny & Anja, Grandpa's grave, Castle Muiderslot
Day 12 - Amsterdam & Anne Frank, bike parkade
Day 13 - Giethoorn, Canal boat
Day 14 - Home

 Market in Delft, Belgium