Baby Introduction!

So... 6 and a half months later, let me officially introduce our newest family member: Nathan Albert!

Born on October 18, 2014 at 8:19pm after 1 hour and 20 minutes of labour (apparently... since that's what is written on paper).  He weighed in at 8lbs 12 oz and was 22 inches long.  Nathan dropped 4 oz by day 3 but than gained 8 oz in the next 2 days to weigh in at 9 lbs on Day 5! He likes to eat... a family trait of ours. 

MJ and AJ are in love with him and adjusted very quickly. MJ was definitely the most affectionate -- dangerously so! ;) 

It seems that the more children you have, the less quality photos you take, and I'm already noticing the difference. I have very few hospital pictures (I guess we weren't there that long!) and that bothers me... but can't be changed now! Once AJ and MJ woke up Sunday morning, the pictures were a little chaotic with Nathan's life often in danger!  So, what you will see in these pictures is about the best we have from his first 24 hours!

We're so thankful Nathan arrived safely and healthy... we love our little man so much!

Leaving for the hospital at supper time... I had to call my man and AJ in from flying a kite to say it was time to go! I wasn't in tons of pain but learned my lesson from MJ's labour that when I started wondering if it was the real contractions, then we better get moving!

He's here!!

He cried more in the hospital than I remember AJ & MJ crying... 

Daddy's newest love

Tried wearing this lovely gown earlier but it was MASSIVE!!!! So they tried to give it to me again to wear afterward, but it was just too hilariously big...

My 2 midwives that had the honour of being on-call for my unorthodox delivery. Keeping details to a minimum: I'm in a beautiful new birthing room in the new maternity wing of our hospital, and..... little Nathan was born in the only room I was "comfortable" hanging out in -- the bathroom. Lovely. Classy.

Finding out all the birth stats

Getting ready for the trip home. He wasn't happy about being dumped into a seat, but fell asleep in the car thankfully.

Meeting Nana at home just before midnight.

So beyond thankful for this baby whisperer! 

Sunday morning -- the kids getting a glimpse of their new brother for the first time!

AJ: "Is THAT our new baby brother????!"

MJ: "Baby! Baby!"

So much love...

Introduction to Grandpa and Grandma via Skype -- little boy still nameless

Nathan's name is special for me.  Albert was my Grandfather's name and I pray that Nathan will grow up to be a man after God's heart and to live a life of generosity and hospitality right to the end... like my grandfather. He was a big man with a big personality and he gave every inch of his life to serve his God and to tell others of His Saviour.  Nathan was his father's name, so it's very much a family name! :)

One on One Time

I found this little post in my drafts and am so thankful to have this reminder of MJ almost a year ago! Not sure why I didn't post it... but posting it now for my own recollection in the future. She was 17  months old.
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I try really hard to time their naps together in the afternoon… but on the rare day that it doesn’t work I’m reminded how special it is to have one-on-one time with a happy child… I usually get that with AJ in the mornings while MJ has her first nap, but rarely with MJ. Today because of morning fun with friends (I made it into the pool for the first time), her nap kind of happened over lunch, so she woke up minutes after AJ went down for his afternoon nap… at first I groaned, but then embraced our little one-on-one time… and it’s been so fun to enjoy her happy little self with out her big brother’s distractions! She’s enjoying all his toys outside without having to share and has the kiddie pool to herself… not to mention the cute little “conversations” she and I are having!

I don’t know if finding out that our next child is a boy has had anything to do with it, or if she’s just reaching that “more fun” stage… but I’m enjoying my little girl so much – big personality and all!  Sure, she does more drama crying and drama screaming when not getting her own way (we’re cracking down on that)… but I find her hilarious and she doesn’t even have words yet. She’s a big tease, imitator and loves to have fun. And music gets her moving every time… even if it’s not true music, like the um, smoke detector. Seriously… our oven and smoke detector have compatibility issues when the oven is heated past 350 if the fans aren’t on and windows open… it went off yesterday and MJ started bopping to the rhythm of the “beep”!

I just hope that when we’re back East, she’s her happy self so you can get to know the MJ I know too!

Summer Refreshment

Pretty much have given up on blogging...  the summer has been so full and busy!

So here's a little video of the kids today enjoying a summer afternoon in the pool... and to prove we're still alive ;)

IF: Equip and Acts 5

I know there are a lot of good online scripture reading communities with provoking and encouraging discussion... so I'm not trying to steer anyone away from one they're already enjoying! Better yet -- if you have a face-to-face community for bible study, perfect!

Right now I'm enjoying a community called If-Equip {By providing easy online access to a like-hearted community and relevant resources, we hope IF: Equip will prepare women around the world to know God more deeply and to live out their purposes. source}... After going through the Gospel of John little chunks at a time, we're now going through Acts.

Today was the beginning of Acts 5 with the sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira... a passage that I don't think I've given much thought into until today. I was so challenged to search my heart for the sin of hypocrisy and doing things for "show". We don't know the exact mindset of Ananias and Sapphira which leaves a lot of room for thought on what might have been in their hearts and minds and the different lessons we can learn from this. Were they trying to get the attention and accolades that Joseph/Barnabas may have received by giving all his money from the sale of his land (Acts 4)? Did they act out of fear and lack of faith in their True Provider and Protector (saving a bit of the money in case they were on the run from persecution)?   There are many angles we could look at this... and each speaks to my heart. But mainly I want everything I do to be done sincerely before God, for His attention alone... not for what others might think or not think. I want to be "all in" for Him, even if it makes no sense to the opinions of others. I want to risk it for HIM. And to remember that God is a holy God who knows all my thoughts and heart-motives and requires honesty... He wants all of me -- not just a portion...

I am oh-so-thankful for His grace when I act out of selfishness, in pride and from lack of faith. 

Another overdue update

April 24th... well, I've missed documenting a few milestones in our life lately!  So let's do a quick review.

Feb 13-14 -- moved into a little basement apartment for our few "homeless" weeks

Feb 14 -- moved out of our home. A crazy day, as all move days are!

Feb 16 - 17 -- de-junked the cottage and packed up our beloved little place

Feb 17, Family Day -- discovered baby #3 is happening

Feb 18 -- headed away on a little family vacation. To Michigan. yes, not Florida as my last post anticipated! ;) But we had a wonderful few days of down time at Great Wolf Lodge in Michigan!

Mar 8 -- packed our belongings in a U-Haul and drove away from our precious Grand Bend cottage for the last time... with many tears. 

Mar 13 -- got possession of our new home! So exciting to get those keys and get inside again :)

Mar 15 -- move in date... HURRAY!!!

Mar17-21 -- house got freshly painted inside, and I love it! 

Mar 23 -- Mom comes for a visit (Dad did too, but 7 hours doesn't really count, does it??) and stayed for almost 2 weeks. So very thankful for her help in getting settled in.

Mar 25ish -- In the last week of March, MJ started walking at 14 months. Love this toddling stage! 

I think that's about it... April has been settling into a normal routine again and we are loving our new home with lots of space to play - inside and out! 

So did you catch the casual but big announcement in there?? Yes, Little One #3 is due to arrive early October sometime and we are thrilled! A bit scared, of course, but excited and thankful. :) I have been feeling well throughout it all, just the usual tiredness and mild nausea. It was so busy in January and February that I just attributed the extra tiredness to the stress of the moving process... but now I know it was a bit of both. Thankfully both kids still nap in the afternoons (usually), so I take advantage of that many days. I know -- not very productive, but!

Here are a few pictures over the last couple months:

Move-out day from our home... 

AJ had a few moments in the big moving truck :)

Great Wolf Lodge

AJ had a cool little "camp" spot to sleep in while at Great Wolf Lodge

Back at the apartment... maybe a little cabin fever setting in on those frigid cold days??

Papa was in town for meetings so we enjoyed a few brief visits :)

MJ is our climber. If she can reach it, it must be climbed...

Nana visiting in our new home

A rare nice spring day! AJ had his bike out for the first time and we enjoyed a visit from friends.

A boy and his dirt... so content out there.

Won't be long now before MJ is running off with AJ's bike...

Got our deck all ready for the spring/summer season!

One of 2 loads sent to the dump from the cottage...

MJ's favourite place to hang out in the apartment 

Dad & Mom after a little vacation away on their own for the first time in ... forever? ;)

Nana's March visit

AJ learned some new skills since moving in... carpet was ripped up and he popped quite a few staples for us :)

Enjoying some fresh air at the end of our driveway :)

So mild and quiet............

Park fun :)