I know two years ago was a while back already, and maybe its unimportant to many of you, but it was the beginning of some fresh air for our family.

Two years ago, we were in that stretch of months between selling our house in Radisson and our beautiful new home being built. We had been renting one place, but ended up needing to leave earlier than expected. We moved from there to my parents house, where we lived for a few weeks. In those weeks, we got better from our long bout of sickness, and found the rental home that we hoped would last us until our new house was ready. We knew our house would be ready sometime in May or June, and I was due to have our fourth little baby right in between those months! (Solly was born on May 31st.)

Two years ago, we moved into the home we lovingly referred to as “the cabin.” It was an absolutely marvellous home, and we have very fond memories of living there! Had we needed to stay for longer, it would’ve been no problem. Ok, well, to be fair, the kitchen was miniscule. It had no microwave or dishwasher, but a friend lent us a microwave, and we gave in to disposable dishes for the two months that we lived there. The cabin had a little breakfast nook area that was more of a drop zone, but also had a large dining area for us. We had a big living room, and three bedrooms upstairs. Laela and Dekker shared, and Rowan had his own. We had to block the windows with cardboard because they were SO high up and SO bright, there was just no hope of anyone sleeping past the break of dawn, but the main living area of the house was always gorgeous and bright! The highlight of the home was the loft. It was a little carpeted paradise, with a window overlooking the yard, and toy shelves lining the walls. The kids moved in and, I swear, they never left that loft for two full months. The basement was also HUGE and finished, tho we had no real reason to use it. We used the furnace room for our bulk foods, but I other than that, I have special memories of Brady and I building the kitchen cabinets for the new house together in the basement. He built the boxes, and I built the drawers. It was SO fun. You know the joke about couples who fight to the death over assembling Ikea furniture? We love that job! If anything, we fight about it because we both want to do more and have to share, lol! Either way, they got done there, in the basement, while he and I watched my pregnant movies. I was largely pregnant, but we made it happen. Its a good memory.

When we got the dates figured out and realized that our house wouldn’t quite be done on time, and that Solly would have to come home to the cabin first, I was sad. I wanted him to just be born and come straight home to our HOME! But once I accepted this fact, I realized how well set up we were at the cabin, and it would be ok.

And it was! Those four days living at the cabin before moving to our home were a total blur. I honestly remember so little of them. I know we did a lot of running around, from inspections to lawyer meetings, and we even had to drive to a public health visit because we couldn’t coordinate a time for a “Healthy and Home” nurse to come over. Those days were chaotic, but never once did I return to the cabin with an “ugh” feeling in my heart. The cabin was cozy and lovely and warm, and we all just fit in beautifully there. What a God send that place was!

As much as I loved the cabin, I love our home so so much more! But this place was built for us, and it suits us just perfectly!!!

If only we had a loft, lol! THAT would be the whole package 😉

Twenty six weeks. Mind blown. One of the best things about these busy weeks is that time is finally moving! It still feels a little bit inchy, because I’m watching it pretty closely, haha! But here we are at 26 weeks, only one week away from trimester THREE! There are SO many ways to look at where we are. Just the other day, I saw that we had 100 days left, which feels long and short. But that was a few days ago, plus I’ll deliver a week or so early, so we’re already down to 90 ish, which still feels long and short, but shorter than 100. On another hand, I know that we’ll have the baby shortly after Dekker is done school for Spring. So, three more months ish. But then I realize that the end of this school year is coming up! Which feels close and far away. And that means summer is soon! Guys, I know I’m not making any sense, but I’m just SO so excited, and there are SO many different dynamics to consider! I just can’t believe we’ve made it this far.

Size Comparison: I hear that this week, the baby is roughly the size of a butternut squash, or a bowling pin. But really, how many of us have held a real bowling pin in our hands? I, personally, have not. Also, squash vary in size. So in reference to our app, our baby is hypothetically 14″ tall, and putting on fat! Its been a while since we’ve had an ultrasound, so I can’t verify anything. I can say, at Bambina’s previous scan, she was on the smaller side, in the 28th percentile. Yet, by birth, that has never been the case. So who knows, haha! 

Appointments: This week, I will go in for my glucose test, but thats it for appointments! I’ll see my doctor late next week, but we’ll talk more about that then. I’m looking forward to getting my glucose test out of the way. I don’t feel super strongly about it, like I know a lot of people do. I don’t object to going. I mostly don’t care for the time wasted at the clinic. But its one hour. I should be thankful to have an hour away, haha!

How am I feeling emotionally: Emotionally, I haven’t been great, if I’m being honest. However, I think a lot of it plays into the stresses I’ve had with the other kids, and with Brady’s schedule being fuller than usual. When I’ve had a great sleep, I feel much more capable and am slower to anger. This morning has been far smoother than any morning in the recent weeks, and I think much of it has to do with me being calmer and not raising my voice. However, yesterday evening, I could barely squeak a word out without breaking into tears. I was so overdone. Some of my anxiety inevitably rolls over into my pregnancy, but I don’t think its rooted there. 

How am I feeling physically: Physically, things are still nicely under control pain-wise! My pelvis only gives me trouble if I get cocky and go grocery shopping or do a lot of walking and don’t bring my handi-belt. But for the most part, I’m pretty pain free! I get lots of braxton hicks contractions, and reflux is managed with medication. Nothing I can’t handle. Not so far, anyway! I’m juuust starting to feel that shortness of breath when I lay on my back, so I guess the baby is growing, which I will HAPPILY accept! I’ve never been so excited for the uncomfortable part of pregnancy, where the baby kicks me until my ribs bruise, and I struggle to breathe and sleep. I’m ready! Bring it, girly!

Wish Lish/Purchases: There is always a wish list, haha! It has a few little bitty things that I’ll likely snag next time I’m in the right stores, and the rest of it is expensive and hard to justify :/ Merp. A BIG wish for right now is to go get a 3D UC-Baby ultrasound done. We did one with Dekker, and then justified one with Laela because we couldn’t identify her gender at our anatomy scan. When we were expecting Rowan, we decided to do another, but even though we were well within the “recommended” weeks, he was already just way too big, and it wasn’t the best scan. This being said, these things are expensive :/ With all the craziness of moving and building our home and being suuuper broke, we didn’t get one done for Solly. They’re luxuries, and definitely not something a person NEEDS. Bambina is one well documented child already, but I’m just aching to see her again. I’d also love to see who she resembles, and who she might take after! We were able to see very clearly who Dekker would look like, and that Laela wouldn’t look like Dekker, and that Rowan would look a lot like Laela. So its been pretty accurate! If Bambina looks like Dekker or Solly, she’ll likely be HUGE. If she looks more like Laela and Rowan, we might actually need some smaller stuff for her. Would be so fun to know! But I’m not sure we can justify it :/ So, I’ll keep dreaming. 

Pictures: Today’s picture of the bumpity bump…

It doesn’t look like much here, but it was pre-food and pre-coffee and post-pee, haha! It gets WAY bigger by the end of the day! However, she is still nice and big.

For example, I had the laptop sitting on my legs for a minute this morning while I finished my coffee before starting the blog. My laptop was barely resting on the edge of my pubic bone, and Bamina was just booting at it!! While I could feel that happening, I could also feel her up at my hand! She’s filling up her house nicely.

How are the kids feeling: I feel like the kids comprehend having another baby WAY more than one would think. Obviously Dekker gets it, and Laela, too. Rowan gets it more and more, drawing her pictures and saying he’ll rub her belly when she’s sick. Solly has no idea, but he understands so much that I don’t anticipate much of an issue when she gets home! Eek!

Laela feels less and less shy of her, and willingly comes to rub my belly and talk to her sister. She’s always been a bit reserved until she’s 100% comfortable, which is actually a really beautiful thing about her 🙂 You KNOW when she’s totally comfortable. And she’s getting there! I can’t wait until Bambina is jut that much bigger than I can always easily feel where her body is, so the kids can at least feel that, and hopefully her movements, too. None of the kids have been lucky enough to feel them yet.

Getting to know the baby: I think she knows who we are 🙂 I know that sounds crazy. Every app or developmental tidbit you’d read about her tells you she can hear sounds now, and that the more we talk to her, she could recognize our voices by the time she’s born. Already these days, she very specifically responds to Bradys and my voice. The few times here and there that I haven’t felt her move in a while, we talk to her and she’ll move for us. So maybe she doesn’t know who we are, but she responds to us!

The BEST part of being pregnant: Uuuuuhhh… the boobs that come with?? 😳 Awkward, lol! I’m a tad stumped on this one this week, as my answer is much the same as last weeks answer, which was planning ahead. I LOVE to picture the summer and months beyond with a new little lady added to our mix. I LOVE planning her party. I LOVE planning where she’ll sleep in our room, and who she’ll move in with when the time comes. I LOVE planning for the lake. I LOVE planning where her car seat will go, and where everyone will walk/sit when we grocery shop. Everything is going to be just that much sweeter with another family member. 

Favourite thing: We’ve recently been fortunate enough to start buying eggs locally. Since thats started, we are burning through eggs like there’s no tomorrow! Brady is able to take a couple in his lunch every day, which is probably the biggest win of all. They give him a great boost of energy and aren’t just empty, sugary treats. But since we started doing it this way, I am just LOVING egg salad sandwiches!!! I’ve always been a fan, but for some reason, I just can’t get enough! I’m a very boring lunch person, and I never care to go to any trouble to actually prepare myself anything. I’m quick to either heat up leftovers if we have some on hand, or just eat convenience food. But I love cooking myself up some eggs and indulging in egg salad, probably a little too often. But yes, easily a recent favourite. 

I want to close today’s post off with a question for you guys, and I’m really hoping to get a little feedback! I talk a lot about Bambina’s baby party, and I’m really serious about throwing it. I already am trying to iron out certain details, because I would be devastated to run out of time at the end and not actually be able to make the party. It will be simple, but the purpose of meeting this beautiful baby that SO MANY of us have prayed over and waited anxiously for will remain the same. My question is, invites. I LOVE the idea of sending out invitations, and because I want to send them to everyone I know (haha!) I would love to have lots of time to do that. I’m not kidding around when I say I want YOU (yes, you!!) readers to come, too! But the thing is, lots of you are silent readers. I get many more views than I get likes and comments, and I think some of you prefer it that way. I’m not sure why, but thats completely your call. I would LOVE to invite ALL of you!!! But how does one make that happen?? I’d need you to actually (gasp) admit to me that you read along, and give me your address! I thought about making invites, and posting the proof/picture of it on here, but that also leaves me putting my address on the internet, which is far from ideal… 🤔 See my problem? I want everyone to come, and because she’ll be born in summer, I know some people will be away or busy or whatever else, but maybe some people who are “away” could be away over here!! Lol! I don’t know what else to say, except I need some help and some brainstorming! Do I just leave people out? How do I leave it open without it being impersonal? I want a CELEBRATION!!!

As I mentioned previously, the kids were too sick to come to church on Good Friday, and my bestie, Jerilee, came over and hung out with them so we could go as a couple, and lead half of the music. Saturday left us hopeful that we’d be able to swing Sunday morning church, as the kids were less snotty and seemingly less sick. So we decided to duck out for some funtivities in the late afternoon, to break the day up and get a change of scenery. So often, that lifts everyones spirits, they sleep like rocks afterwards, and it would be the perfect set up for Sunday!

Except yesterday afternoon and evening were a HUGE flop! Our few small plans were butchered upon arriving at our first stop, and I mean butchered. It went so badly that we hauled the kids back out to the van and went home. All kinds of devastation there, for everyone. They fought us like crazy all evening and went to bed in a whirlwind.

Solly lulled in the night around 4:15. It seemed like maybe his throat was sore because he had a HUGE drink and settled a bit. But he was awake on and off until we all got up at a more reasonable time. But clearly everyone was feeling the broken night and within moments of everyone getting up, the kids were screaming at each other over everything, in tears. They ate breakfast with their heads half on the table. It just wasn’t our morning. So once again, we called for a movie morning.

After the movie, we had lunch and informed the kids that they’d ALL have naps afterwards. Dekker was devastated, as I’m sure you can imagine, but he was among the first to fall asleep. I’m not sure if he or Rowan dozed off first. Regardless, everyone slept. And now, here we are.

These days make me a bit gun shy about the week to come. Once again, school is out, and I’m SO hopeful that the kids will catch up on a bit of rest. But its been a long, difficult stretch of time for us, and I’m nervous for a week without activities. Yet I don’t want to be super busy! Because they NEED rest! Yet another tricky balance to find…

I love my kids. I really, really do. They’re amazing human beings! I just hope the weather warms up soon and we can play outside just that much easier. This weekend has not gone as planned, but if anyone knows that our plans are not our own, I know it.

Happy Easter, friends.

We made progress in a couple of different ways to far today. The most important way was in regards to the kids sickness. I’m not suggesting they’re “all better” but I’m happy see some some improvement! They’re definitely not as snotty as they were yesterday, and spirits are up a little bit, at least. Solly is still in pretty rough shape, and gets very sad very quickly, but thats not surprising. We still enjoyed our relaxed sickie-pants type of movie morning 🙂 I like watching movies with the kids. Today’s feature was good old “Little Rascals.” I loved that movie as a kid, and still do.

Other progress we made today was in anticipation for spring! Brady dutifully dug out some outerwear tubs and we tried spring jackets, boots, hats, etc. on the kids. The goal was for each kid to have a jacket for wind/rain, and one nicer jacket, a pair of rubber boots, runners, and sandals, and a hat. What we didn’t already have, we put on a list to fulfill, but we were better set up than I expected we’d be! I’m very much anticipating that Value Village shop! We did one a little while back because Laela sized up TWICE this last year and her snow pants were just no going to last through winter. We managed to find her a whole new set of winter stuff for next year (she started wearing the snow pants this year, obviously,) and a spring jacket for her, also. The kids LOVED it there, and we loved paying a fraction of the price of new. I’m not sure when we’ll get there, but hopefully soon. Hopefully we’ll need our spring stuff soon…

I think we’re all ready to see winter go. Any day now!

Our church combined with the other local church this morning. We realized yesterday evening that our kids really weren’t going to be able to hack the service, however. They are all pouring snot and while thats really the worst of the physical symptoms they’re exhibiting, they’re sad and temperamental and would struggle hard sitting through a service somewhere unfamiliar. Besides that, Brady and I were on the books to help with worship, and that means we’d need to entrust the nose-wiping to another family at church. We had lovely people lined up, happy to help, but we just knew it wasn’t going to work or be fair to expose other people to their colds. Our happiest, healthiest child looks like this today…

As happens SO often, Jerilee saved the day. She was going to come later in the day and spend the afternoon and evening with us, but she willingly came in the morning and hung with the snot faucets while Brady and I went to practice and then to church for the morning. What. A. Relief.

Church was lovely, and the music went well. We got home around 11:30 and were greeted by a happy group, who all seemed pretty content with the mornings events. Win!

We quickly discovered that Brady and I had an oversight, and hadn’t purchased a handful of the groceries we needed for the meal we had planned. Brady lovingly set up lunch with the kids while Jerilee and I drove to a nearby town and did a quick grocery shop. We had a bit of a laugh in deciding to bring home some cheap McDonalds burgers for lunch, but thankfully we weren’t the only people with that idea! The drive-thru was backed up pretty far, but we got our bag of sandwiches and made our way home. Come to find, 3/4 kids are in bed and Dekker had some Lego on the go. We clicked a movie on and ate our burgers WAY too quickly. They were so good today, don’t ask me why!

Once the kidlets are awake, we’ll start prepping our yummy supper of cheesy potatoes, sausage, and broccoli salad. But we’ve got time 🙂 No deadlines today. And tomorrow is a HOME DAY!!! I’m SO thrilled to have Brady home for three days in a row! Its been a long time, and I’m kind of a fan of him…

Not to be super vague or anything, but here are todays five things:

1. Three out of my four kids have snotty noses and red moustaches. Additionally, three out of my four kids are napping. Not the same three, though. Yay, Rowan, for dodging the cold! Also, you’re next.
2. Our always-lovely friend, Cher, dropped off a big bag of soft little costume hats for my kids today, along with bunny ear headbands, chicken beaks on elastics, and a handful of other fun stuff like that! Her timing couldn’t be better, because Dekker has next week off and I guarantee that time has now been filled with dress up.

   Some were SO cute!!

   

   

   And others completely horrifying…

   

   Buuut we’re thankful for the most part 😳

3. Last summer, my mom and I planned a day to pickle together. We went to the famers market and bought all the stuff, and made plans for the next morning. Except I spent that very night throwing up guts up. It blew (literally) but my mom dutifully pickled ALL of the pickles for both of us, around 50 jars. Today, they are just tasting extra delicious. Seriously, you should all come try my moms pickles.
4. In case you missed it, I have an operational belly shelf! It can finally hold my coffee if I’m sitting back a bit. It cannot yet handle a full plate of food, but that will come with time. I balloon like a crazy person towards the end of a pregnancy, so give it another month or two and this thing should be out in full force!
5. Bambina has taken to kicking me directly in the butt. It is an awkward feeling that I’m not too fond of, but she’s growing, which is fabulous, and is likely just turned in at those moments. But seriously, RIGHT in the butt. Also, lightening crotch is a thing that it feels a little early for. Leave my cervix alone, weirdo.

Five fun facts, done and done! I guess I shouldn’t assume they were fun. Felt like a good day for a weird post 🤷 Hopefully you can hack it!

I have a pretty good list of things on the docket for today, and I am SO fortunate to have had help this morning! When I got back from taking Dekker to school, my dishwasher was unloaded, reloading, and running. Quickly after that, my floor was swept. The kids really got into that one.

Child labour? Lol! Not even 😉 They weren’t even asked, but they were willing participants. It was SO cute, and pretty productive! Win!

Once a few jobs were taken care of, the kids were occupied with stories and crafts. I ran upstairs and folded a few hampers of laundry, tidied up my en suite, and finally found a few places for things. I threw away a bunch of garbage that was accumulating and made some general plans to get our room back in order. I don’t know about you guys, but when I tidy any area of my house, the stuff that doesn’t really have a home gets dumped into our room. Our lovely little sanctuary quickly turns into a huge mess, and I’m feeling a bit flustered trying to get it organized now. But today was an awesome start!

Still to accomplish today is hopefully another load of dishes, a load of laundry, and putting away the laundry that I folded this morning. Beyond house stuff, we have a parent/teacher chat after school and I will attend a meeting at church tonight during kids club. I need to drop by my mom’s at some point today as well, and I know someone is dropping something off at my place too. Hopefully we all coordinate and no one misses anyone else! Maybe after that, there will be time for sleep!

Its currently nap time, and my littlest love who went down like a DREAM seems to have caught a second wind and is just talking non-stop in his room, not even a little bit asleep, whereas he was nodding off during lunch. He’s quite happy in there, so I’ll leave him to it for a while and hope he makes his way into dreamland. He will be a MESS if he doesn’t nap at all! Yikes!

While I wait to see how that will play out, I will be in my bed, eating rice krispie chocolate.

I have a handful of cute pictures from the past week or so that I don’t believe I’ve shared, and now they don’t really fit anywhere. So, this calls for a pic dump!! It’ll be pretty random but pretty cute, also! If I’m doubling up one or two, forgive me. I can’t keep everything straight, or even a few things. I’m doing my best!

We spent the morning with friends the other day, and accidentally overstayed into lunch. Whoops! It was the first time Solly sat at the table without a high chair and not on a lap, and he was so into it! Didn’t slip around at all! Way to be independent, Solly Wolly!

It was pretty much adorable! Though I have to laugh at how well Solly did and how Ro is still so clumsy, haha! Funny how different kids are!

Brady took this picture for me when he took the kids for groceries the evening I had my legs waxed and nails done. As per usual, at least one in the group wasn’t as on board as the others.

😂

This is the three kids waiting while Dekker got his hair cut the other day. So many emotions in those faces!

🙂

🙄

😬

They crack me up!!

This was Dekker the next day, explaining to me how happy he is with how his hair was trimmed around his ears. Doesn’t look crazy at all! Also, yes, that is macaroni surfing on his shirt. Don’t question it.

These pictures were taken while some VERY happy kids ate grilled cheese sandwiches post-bath. Now that they finally like soup (they didn’t like the drippy aspect) grilled cheese is way more fun! Everything is better dipped in something, right?

Unfortunately, I don’t think I can add Laela’s picture from the meal because she was the messiest and ended up eating supper in only her underwear. The look on her face is PRICELESS but I’m pretty sure there are rules that I don’t want to break :/ Merp. Pervy world.

Does anyone still have these mouths that Wendy’s gave away a couple years ago? I don’t know where the green one is but this thing is SO FUNNY! Best of all, Solly is very aware of being funny and was SO thrilled at the laughs he got when he tried it out. I just about peed, I laughed so hard!!!

The frowny one is MY FAR my favorite!!!

Last but not least, from a night or two ago ❤ Dekker invited me into his bed for a snuggle as the other kids were getting ready for bed. It very quickly turned into a dog pile, with one in particular laying right on top of my hair, rendering me immobile. My husband could’ve rescued me, but I’m so glad he took pictures instead.

I should say, he took pictures first, and then rescued me!

Sigh. So much cuteness. Its good for me to see these pictures all together after some super long, trying days. These kids are still amazing human beings, and I’m still THRILLED to have them in my family. No backsies!

I actually had to look back at last weeks post because I didn’t believe I was 25 weeks today! CRAZY, right?? My goodness, each week just feels like a surprise that I am SO grateful for! I can tell my little Bambina is growing bigger and stronger with each week, and it continues to feel more and more realistic and possible that she might actually come home to us at a reasonable time. This might actually work! I am ever so slowly creeping up to my third trimester!

Size Comparison: Apparently Bambina is the size of a napa cabbage. In my research to figure out what a napa cabbage actually is, I learned that its pretty much the same as a normal green cabbage, though its leaves are more wrinkly. So *shrug* there you have it. Also, a prairie dog. Apparently she’s finally getting some fat on that skinny little body, too!! Yay!!!

Appointments: No appointments. I have one booked for Mid-April and thats all thats on the books. It feels weird, and a little unnerving. To have NO ultrasounds books in the foreseeable future doesn’t feel great to me, but I know that all is looking well for the time being, so why should I worry? Ugh. For lots of reasons. 

How am I feeling emotionally: My emotions are struggling hard, if we’re being honest :/ But so little of it is based around the pregnancy. Its not a secret that its been a very rough stretch around here over the last month or so, and I am just so drained on all of the levels. When it comes to my pregnancy, my emotions are better than they were in the beginning, for sure, but they aren’t exactly batting 1000 either. But thats ok. I’m not expecting perfection. The once in a blue moon that I get nervous due to not feeling my baby move, I still have our doppler to help my sanity. So, we’re making it. 

How am I feeling physically: My pelvis is so much stronger these days, and I’m SO thankful to my amazing physiotherapist for that! I’m rocking my exercises and its paying off. Its not perfect, but its way better than before! I’m so relieved! Other than that, reflux is in full swing, and I take Zantac for it every day. Not a max dose, thankfully, but thats likely coming. Yes, I know the tricks. Its part of the loosening tendons, unfortunately, and is hard to combat. Regardless of how close I eat before bed, how much water I drink, etc. its still raging and angry in the morning. So thats not my favourite, but again, I’ll live. A small problem, really. 

Wish Lish/Purchases: A while back, I posted two different carseat covers that I was debating between, but I strongly preferred this one. It was lovingly gifted to me this Sunday, and I am SO stoked!! It is soft and the colours are gorgeous, and I’m so thrilled to have yet another baby thing that just fits perfectly with what I’ve pictured for her. Another amazing friend mailed me a care package a few days back with some soft little personalized items for our little miss that brought me to tears. I’d show you, but that might give away too many secrets 😉 It did come with Red Vines, though!

Whats a good Canadian treat to send back her way??

I’m so floored by all the love for our baby and our family. You guys would just laugh if you saw my room in its current state. Little packages are building up on the chair beside my bed, on the dressers, and everywhere else. Its a MESS of things just waiting for their owner to arrive safely at home. Part of me knows it needs to be cleaned up, because our room used to be so nice and tidy and sanctuary-ish, and now its a total mess. But the other part of me loves to see her things accumulate around like they inevitably will once she’s home. 

Pictures: This mornings quick belly shot for your viewing pleasure…

I feel HUGE for 25 weeks!! When people notice my stomach and ask how far along I am, I always am a bit nervous to tell them, haha! I feel like the “you’re ready to pop” comments are juuust around the corner. I have to get over the complex though, haha! I have this particular picture in mind of being 22 weeks along with Dekker, and I was so much smaller. But really, that was pregnancy #1, and this is pregnancy #7, sooooo I think it makes sense. Haha!

How are the kids feeling: In our talks of going to the lake this summer, the kids are more and more excited about our little Bambina joining us! She comes up ALL the time. Dekker kisses my belly and whispers to his sister multiple times a day. He is going to be just an amaaazing big brother! They’re all in such high anticipation for her! Except Solly, who has no idea, but still. I think of how Dekker was when Laela was born, and he caught on and loved her pretty much immediately 😉 So I’m not worried. Just excited. 

Getting to know the baby: This might sound a bit odd or “sick,” so PLEASE don’t take it like that! This past week, I saw pictures of a few little premature babies born around the 23rd week of pregnancy. Sadly, these particular babies didn’t live very long at all. In seeing their pictures, however, I was able to see what my baby likely looked like around 23 weeks. And WOW! There is SO much to see at that point. These babies are amazingly small to be SO formed and developed and just gorgeous! While my heart will never not ache for the families who have suffered losses of children, it was mind blowing to actually see these beautiful children who very likely look a LOT like the little girl living within my womb right now. So, based off of some of what I’ve learned through seeing these little babies, I can tell you that my baby doesn’t actually look like an alien like people often think of premature babies. She is likely smooth skinned, fuzzy headed, with a fully formed face, ears, fingers, and toes. I haven’t seen Bambina recently, but I can confidently tell you she is beautiful. 

The BEST part of being pregnant: I think I can say that the best part of being pregnant recently has been actually planning ahead. Letting myself believe that she will join us at the lake. Letting myself make some minimal beginning baby party plans. Planning out where her clothes will go, and in whose closet. Its like I’ve bit a new bullet and I’m jumping in a little deeper. Yes, I’m still scared, but no amount of fear or nervousness will affect whether she lives or dies. Somehow, this last week, its come a bit more naturally to just let my heart open up a bit further, and I’m loving it. 

Favourite thing: I think my favourite thing right now is my hair! Is that bad? Haha! I really really love having the chance to play with my hair colour and be creative that way. Its been SUCH a fun thing to look forward to and plan for with my rockstar hair girl, and I feel more put together in the day, regardless of whether or not I’ve actually put myself together. Its good to be different, and I REALLY enjoy having hair that stands out. This coral has been SO much fun!!! Anyone care to weigh in on what color I should do next? Not only will my next colour be in all the new baby selfies, but it will likely be my summer hair colour! Yay! Another thing to think ahead about!

These weeks have been strange and challenging with our kids, but they’ve been going by surprisingly quickly! When I look at the upcoming week, I feel somewhat overwhelmed with ALL that is on my schedule, yet I’m so thankful to have things on the go and people coming over who I love and who help pass the time. It seems to be a good balance between busyness and quiet, which is exactly what I need!

As if it hasn’t been said enough, by myself and everyone else around here, Spring can’t come soon enough! I anticipate that will only make the days go by even quicker and a heck of a lot warmer!

Our morning before church was rough. A certain male middle child just couldn’t get himself together, and spend the hour leading up to church absolutely fighting against the rest of his family. It made for a pretty interesting time getting everyone dressed, jacketed, and out the door. But we did it! On a normal day, we may not have gone with him in that shape, and Solly not too far behind, but we were on the books for leading music. So, we went! Minus Dekker, who went to a birthday party, instead.

I got Rowan out of his car seat at church, and while his shirt was wet with tears from before, he had big smiles on, and reassured me he was happy to be at church and would have a happy attitude. Win! He stayed true to his word, and did a really good job through the service, even though it was a tad longer than usual. Laela went to childrens church, like always, so we had the little boys to juggle between us and my parents. Solly needed to sleep, so we put him down to sleep. He stayed quiet for a nice long time, but once he was ready to get up, it seemed like maybe he hadn’t slept at all. It was a bit of a wrestling match keeping him quiet and occupied, but it worked out. Both boys did well through church, and once it was over, Laela joined us upstairs and Dekker was dropped off to us post-party. It was a success all around!

Solly had hijacked the travel mugs, as usual. Brady and I tried to ask for sips in between, at least, but he’d just tilt his head up and stick his lips out for a smooch. Hence, the lipstick residue.

Once the service was over, an awesome friend at church went to our bench and scooped Ro into a piggyback ride. Thus began the laps with him squealing “Again! Again!” around the sanctuary. It was SO sweet, and he was content. Until it was time to go.

Ro wailed on the floor by the coats, refusing to put his boots on. He puts his boots on by himself every single day, twice a day, when we take Dekker to school. It takes less than a minute. But he just would not have it. He managed to get the one on through his fussing and laying on the floor, but the second one, he just would not! I offered him to walk to the van in his socks, but he got just enough help to make it happen and we hauled out of there SO fast! Ro was SO over it, as was I.

We made it home, and everyone besides Ro was chipper and happy. After fighting SO HARD to get his boots on, he was now unable to take them off. So he was helped and slid right into bed. He’s been solidly asleep ever since, about 2.5 hours ago, maybe more. Solly is just lulling awake now, and Laela actually napped, too! Wins all around.

All of these antics aside, it was good that we got to church. Sometimes it feels so fruitless to go to church, and I hold onto it because I think its great to be teaching the routine and the importance of church to my children. But its still SO HARD sometimes. Especially on a weekend when Brady worked on the Saturday. But it was good! We lead music, the little boys actually behaved beautifully throughout church, Laela went to childrens church, and other people got to put into our kids! I often forget how important that is, too. My church family is theirs too!

The afternoon snuggles can’t really be beat, either…