Here we are!

We gotta get a bigger couch!

I know that I have not posted for a long time but no fear my maternity leave is now over. Nana returned home yesterday and now I am back to work. So far doing the breakfast dishes has used up all my energy! Because blogging is an excuse to sit down there will be lots of new posts coming.

Something to do while waiting

I am trying to keep busy while waiting for this baby to come. Here's the latest project.

First step is to get a small elf to help you make the dough

Let house parts cool.

"Glue" together with very sticky icing.

Now the fun begins!

And don't forget to eat a lot of candy (Photo not included!)

A little bit crazy

Now I understand. People here are a little bit crazy. Not crazy like scary and unpredictable but a good crazy. Crazy like going in the hot tub at 7 am on a snowy -12 degree morning. I totally understand. We know that this might be the nicest day we have in the long time. There is no wind, it is only -12 and the snow is light and beautiful. We also know that we might be stuck inside for the next 5 months so we do it now, while we can. 

The only trick is getting back out! Just so you know, your flip-flops can freeze to the concrete if you are not fast enough. 

Enjoy your morning, whatever the weather!

Snow sighting

Are those snow angels or snow butterflies?

Produce of a little Garden

One of the things I was most excited about when we moved to the Prairies was having a garden. In BC we never had the space for a garden. I tried to grow a few things in pots and managed a herd bed in the back of our townhouse but nothing like a real garden that actually made food that would feed our family.

Plus, gardening is one of those things that is just in the air here. Like football, and friendliness. Maybe it is because so many people are connected to the farms here. Most people have a relative still on the farm, or grow up on the farm. And farming still makes the economy move here. They even have a farm report in the newspaper.

So this spring I got really excited about putting in at least a little garden. My amazing husband built two large raised beds and we got to work. We had a bit of a late start and neither of us had much experience but we had lots of helper. So in went the seeds and watering was done enthusiastically.

And then came harvest time. I was and still am in awe of what the earth has given back.

We have carrots a plenty and potatoes too. The beats got eaten up very quickly. My kids are much more likely to eat our veggies. They love that they planted, tended and picked them. 

The crab- apples were very plentiful and have been transformed into rows and rows of jelly. 

Even the tomatoes that never ripened have found a home with us. You would be surprised what you can do with unripe tomatoes. (That is for another post)

I think for the first time I understand why thanksgivings is where it is in the year. This year we had at least three things on our Thanksgiving table that came out of our backyard. And now I understand the idea of giving thanks for a harvest. As I sit here on our first snowy day, I know that my pantry is filled with food to last us through the winter. True my little garden did not make enough to feed us exclusively. I still have to go to the grocery store (Three time in as many days this week!) But for the first time on my live I see how food really works. With a little work on our part, the earth gives back so much. It never charged us a fee or asked any recompense. It is just a free gift. What a glorious thing. It almost feels heavenly!

A Bumpy Road

I have been thinking about this post for a long time. 26 weeks to be specific. At first I did not want to write it. I feel that, at first at least, this was private. Then I was too tired to do it. And then it just felt like I had left it too long and did not know how to start but here I am jumping in.

We are pregnant! Due at Christmas time.

I am very excited about this. Actually we all are. But it has been a very different pregnancy for us. Being pregnant after loosing a baby is not easy. At first I did not trust my body to carry this baby. I was worried a lot of the time. This is not normal for me. I am a very relaxed, carefree sort of gal. I don't stress a lot. But I was very stressed for the first half of this pregnancy. I put all my trust in tests. In pregnancies of the past I would turn down most tests, and for tests that I did do I did not worry about them much. But this time I asked for a early ultrasound just to see the baby. I was sure that it would help me feel more confident. And it did, for a few days. Then I was sure that hearing the heart beat would make things easier. But it was the same story. It helped a little bit for a few days and then I was back to worrying.

Peoples words of encouragement also did not help. It felt like they were complete platitudes. I know better now then to think that every thing will be fine. My innocence is gone. No longer can I say "Oh I am sure it will all be fine." Because I know that some times it is not.

But at the same time I almost when insane living every day thinking that this might be the day that I lose this baby too. So I prayed a lot, tried to change my thought patterns, and tried to remember the my emotions are like waves. They come and go but they don't need to take me away with them.

It has gotten a lot easier now that I am past the twenty week mark, as this was when we lost Hilary. It also helps that I can feel this baby moving like crazy. I still have moments of worry, but more and more I am starting to think about birthing this baby not just staying pregnant with him.

But now I have a new set of worries. I find it hard to know what to say when asked which number this baby is. How do I answer that? Is this baby 5 or 6? So far I usually say 5, especially to nice old ladies at the grocery store who I will never see again. But other times, if I know the person, or we have the time to have a bigger conversation tell them my story. When I do this good usually comes of it. I have heard lots of other peoples stories of loss, their own, their sister, mother, friend. People have asked me how to talk to their loved one, what kind of resources are out there or just been comforted to know that they are not alone. I am glad to be that for them. There are so many untold stories of babies never forgotten but held in secret and I love helping others to open up.

And so I ask for your prayers. Prayers for a save delivery and a healthy baby. Prayers for less worry and more trust. Prayers for all families expecting again after loss. That they will walk this bumpy road knowing they are not alone.

How to throw a Minion Party on the Cheap

Step One: Have an amazing husband who is willing to run the party.

Step One and a Half: Pour husband a Scotch before the gaggle of 9 year old girls show up. (I forgot this step but will never forget again.)

Step two: Start the girls off with "Anti -Gravity Serum Training" on the trampoline.

Step Three: Then on to "Minion Rush". (Died yellow Egg and spoon race combined with an obstacle course)

Step Four: Then "Three Lagged Minion" (Three Legged Race)

Step Five: Off to "Bobbing for Bapples".

And to make it really fun have some melted caramel standing by. Super easy to make caramel apples. And who does not love that! See the results.

Step Six: Balloon Battle with Easy to make Minions.

Step Seven: "Freeze-Ray Dance".

Step Eight: Add a Cake. (I wimped out and bough this but a crafty person could do this on their own)

Step Nine: Presents, And Good byes. Pour more Scotch, Drink it in the middle of the mess and have a well deserved rest.