One Month...

Well, this is the post that I intended to make almost a month ago.  Somehow life just gets in the way.  I got the photos all ready but never did get them up on the blog.  I haven't had nearly as much computer time as I'm used to.  Part of that is due to the chaos around here and another part due to trying to get some other projects done.  What I did have for computer time, I spent scrapping...I did 13 pages in 3 days!  That doubles my record for how many pages I've done in a weekend before.  If you're interested, you can check them out at my other blog here.

Anyway, here are some photos from Bradley's first month of life (most include him but some are just what's been going on around here).  I don't really think I've taken that many photos but this post will be long...sit back and enjoy the fact that it will be mostly photos!

Well, in his first month, he met a LOT of new people.  I even took photos of a bunch of them (other than Auntie Jodi, who probably held him the most but I either had a brain lapse or no camera around when she was around...sorry Jodes!).  Here they are, in no particular order...

Papa stopped by to see him shortly after he came home.

Uncle Rene was home from overseas and even managed to pop in for a visit before he had to head back.

Auntie Jen got to meet him in the hospital.

Auntie Colette got snuggles in while down for a retreat.

Grandpa was here for the same retreat and got to hang out with him, too.

Nana FINALLY got to meet him after she got out of the hospital from her surgery.

Cousin Emily got to meet him BEFORE her Mom & Dad and even before he was a month old!

Grandma got to meet him in the hospital, too.

Cousin Erin got to hold him for a little bit.

Cousin Bethany got in some snuggles, too.

There have been new outfits....

Courtesy of Nana

And Auntie Cindy (just to make sure Bradley got something that was just his!)

There have been the usual baby activities...

Sleeping...

And eating...

(including Bradley's very first Super Bowl evening)

And cake off of our new dining room set...

There has been much snow, as well...

...some of it fun, in backyard fort fashion...

...and some of it not so fun, in shed roof collapsing fashion...

Speaking of roofs, we did a ceiling remodel and maybe even discovered the source of our leak (ice dams...bah!)

Christmas finally left our house (only a month later!)....

And Valentine's came (his brothers do love him!)...

Technology was all the rage!  Some of it more high tech...

(Minecraft is the big fun...)

(At least they spent Family Day together :) ).

And some of it less high tech...

(Nana's reacher was a big hit with Jonathan who just had to figure out how it worked!)

We're making sure there's plenty of learning going on in the house.  They're never too young to learn to read!

Or compose...as Evan plays his very first composition.

We've even managed to make it back to "cware gwoup" as Jonathan calls it and he even got this adorable balloon mouse out of it!

There's been a lot of this position (Bradley's absolute favourite!)

And time spent with brothers (who just HAVE to see Bradley when they get home from school but here, Evan and Jonathan are watching TV...they just had to be right beside Bradley in order to do it).

But really, as you can see, there's mostly just been a whole lot of cuteness going on!

So, there's the post that I meant to write.  I guess it's better late than never!

Until next time...

What I Didn't Say

So, looking back, I didn't post much about my pregnancy - it really was miserable and that is just underscored by how much better I feel now - but when I look at what I did post, I realize that I missed one very important thing.  Isn't that just it - you always forget the most important parts?  Anyway, this is what I forgot to say and am now going to offer it up to you...

I have the most awesome husband :).

There were just so many things that I appreciated (or would have had I not been so miserable) him for doing in those last six weeks or so (man was that a long time!)  When our dishwasher was broken, and even when it wasn't, he did the dishes every night (a job he really hates) and never made me feel bad about it.  He even went grocery shopping - a thing he doesn't like to do because there's pretty much always something on my list that he can't find or is out of stock.  He worked from home when I was stressed out about how all the timing of going into labour would work out if he was at work and the kids were at school and all that jazz.  He went to work late so that he could make the kids' lunches and get them off to school because that time was when I actually managed to fall asleep.  He suffered in the cold of a 19/18 degree house...as well as a car about that cold as we drove 5 hours to my Mom & Dad's.  Now, the house is 20.5 and we're both freezing so it couldn't have been much fun.  He sat with me at the hospital even when there was nothing to do in the middle of the day (it really can be boring) and does just as much with the new baby as I do.  Those are just the things that I can think of off the top of my head.  I'm sure there was a ton more.  I love you, Jason!

And now, since I don't usually make posts like this...I'm just gonna sign off.

Until next time...

What A Difference A Week Makes!!

In just a week, I have gone from an incredibly miserable pregnant lady to a relatively normal person who can go out in public and actually do things again.  In just a week, we have gone from having the perfect car for us to needing a new one.  In just a week, we have gone from being unable to field a curling team to now having our own.  It's amazing what a week can do.

One week ago today, we welcomed into this world...

Bradley Edward Berkan

January 21, 2013

6:24 a.m.

8lbs 15oz

18" long

...and everything has changed!

The boys absolutely love their new baby brother (even Jonathan, who didn't want him to come out...and whose "Bradley" sounds a lot like "brownie" - very cute).  I'm also surprised at how quickly the routine is starting to come back to me.  My mom was able to come down on Wednesday the 23rd so she has been here since we got home from the hospital.  It was really nice as she did laundry, cooked meals and cleaned the bathroom (yay!).  We had a crazy house full of people last night but now the people are gone and life must return to normal.  Things seem to be settling into a routine, which is fantastic but only time will tell just how it all goes.  So, in case you're interested, here are a few photos from the last week.

Brand new baby getting checked over.

Checking out Mom.

It sure isn't all fun and games.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

Sweet little sleeping boy.

Dad had to buy me my very first LEGO mini-figure.

The first bath at home...at least all the screaming made me sleep well.

So, there you go.  That is the difference a week makes.

Until next time...

37 1/2 Weeks...

...but who's counting?  Yeah, yeah, I know.  I am.  I'm doing what I highly advise against...paying very close attention to my due date and just how far away it is.  It's not a smart thing to do - the baby could be early, the baby could be late (or VERY late) but I just can't help it this time.  Maybe, since I know I'm doing it, it's OK for me to do?  I am just so very ready to be done with this pregnancy.  I am so ready to be able to leave the house and not have my feet take a day to recover from wearing socks and boots.  I'm so ready to be able to type for this long on my computer without my hands getting prickly and hot.  I'm so ready to get to sleep in my own bed again...and to fall asleep when my head hits the pillow.  I'm so ready to enjoy a  hot beverage or warm shower again.  In the grand scheme of things, I know there isn't much time left but these last few weeks sure seem to drag.  Also, I've got another hacking cough...seriously, I think I've been sick more times in the last three months than I have been in the last five years.  I'm done with it!  OK.  I'll quit complaining now :)

Christmas felt really different this year because of being pregnant and hyper-sensitive.  I watched our Christmas Eve service online, rather than attending and that was really different.  I didn't do a lot of the prep I usually do and now the trees and decorations will stay up until after the baby is born and my hands can handle touching that prickly stuff (or until someone else volunteers to do it).  It was a decent Christmas, though.  We had our family Christmas on Christmas Eve and the kids had a lot of fun.  They got much LEGO this year, which they love.  It's always fun to get to sleep on the floor by the Christmas tree, too.

Our annual family Christmas photo

On Christmas Day, we hosted Jason's family plus one other and had a good day.  I made turkey and stuffing and others supplied the rest.  It was hard on my poor feet and I did wear shorts but everyone else seemed to think it was cold.  It was a good day of family and games and celebrating Jesus' birth.

Nana's tradition of "re-enacting" the Christmas story with the grandkids.

On the 27th, we headed up to see my family.  It was hard being at Mom & Dad's place because it was always so warm with so many people in it.  However, I didn't have to cook and the bedroom we stayed in was wonderfully cool so I actually got to sleep in a bed!  It was good to be home because everyone was actually there this year.  It's been a couple of years since we've all been home for Christmas and my brother came in from overseas so I really didn't want to miss it!

The entire gang - all 24 of us (and 2 on the way!)

However, now we're home and I'm just refusing to leave my house unless I have to.  Hopefully this baby comes soon but I really need to focus on something else!  I guess this has just been a little update of our Christmas and no, I don't have the rest of June's photos ready since my hands have not been co-operating!

Until next time...

Merry Christmas!!

From our family to yours, may this be a joyous and Christ-filled holiday!

Hands by Paul Brandt/Liz Brandt

It is the greatest story ever told

The prince leaves the palace and his noble throne 

To fight a battle for his subject's soul 

The fate of the world in his royal hands 

And it was an unlikely battle ground 

With the cows and the sheep and the shepherds gathered round 

As Mary held him her heart began to pound 

The weight of the world in her baby's hands 

Betrayed by the very hearts he came to save 

Father forgive them, someone heard him say 

Then like a gift, he gave his life away 

Held out to the world with his nail-pierced hands 

The hands that put the stars in place 

Bound by hands he made 

When people ask what Christmas means to me 

I think of the prince upon that Christmas tree 

I tell them about how his love set me free 

When he changed my life with a touch of his hands 

With his hands

Until next time...

I've Been Avoiding You

I know you think I may be kidding, but, in fact, I'm not.  I've been avoiding my blog for the last 3 or 4 weeks.  I should update it and I kinda wanted to...at least put some more photos on but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  Mostly, I just found myself having a little pity party and being in a very complaining type mood.  Now, I do believe in being honest about how you're feeling but I sounded whiny, even to myself.  It was just a little bit of everything....the weather (seriously, it rained or snowed big time every time that I had an appointment!)...the ENTIRE family got the flu (we were all completely down and out one day - all five of us - the kids even had temperatures ranging from 101.5 to 103.4)...and just being at the end of my pregnancy (after being sick, the heat sensitivity and itchiness that I know all too well kicked in).  I even had a friend who, when I told her the kind of mood I was in, said...go ahead, complain.  So I did and it really sounded just a little pathetic, even as I was saying it.  However, things have turned now.  Last Sunday I was sitting in church - I always marvel how I get the weirdest things out of church on Sunday.  Not usually what the main points in the sermon are but some other little tangent that I can't even remember how it relates to the service, usually.  Anyway, I was sitting there when it just struck me...suck it up...this isn't about you.  You are having yourself a wonderful little pity party like life is all about you and your convenience.  It isn't...it's not about you at all.  God gives you what He does for a purpose so move on.  And I did.  Not sure what the purpose of the tormenting pregnancy symptoms are but I guess I'll try to learn to take them on more graciously (and hope the baby's not late).  Paul had it much worse than I did and he still had joy (see Philippians) so I need to take that example and focus on the big picture and get my head off this earth for a bit.

So, there you go.  The reason I've been avoiding you and the solution to all my problems :)  Now I won't post any photos today...I'm off to watch a movie...but I'll try to soon.

Until next time...

Hello!! (hello, hello, hello...)

That's the echo you hear on my blog.  I can't believe it's been almost a month and a half since I posted.  I know I don't post that often, but still.  In fact, I've even had photos ready to post for a week or two and I just haven't gotten around to it.  Is anyone still out there?  Or is it just me and the friendly echoes?

I have no real excuses.  Life is busy and I've read a few books (which takes up my spare time).  Other than that, things have been pretty normal around here.  School is in full swing and so are music lessons for 2 out of 3 of my little men.  Yesterday I finally downloaded the photos from my camera and do you know I hadn't downloaded since mid-August!!  That's crazy for me.  Even when I don't post I usually take them off my camera sooner than that.

Today, I went to help out at school.  We had a parent work day and I cut lots of laminated stuff and got to visit and catch up with some lovely ladies that I know from there.  It's an enjoyable kind of day, I think.  Although, I got home at 4 and realized I'd planned to make soup for supper today.  That wasn't happening now.  Instead, I'll blog and maybe inspiration will come to me.  Or maybe not.

Right now, I'm sitting here just contemplating purpose and how that really lifts burdens and gives a certain kind of freedom.  If you, or your money, or your things have a decided upon purpose, it sure makes decisions a lot easier.  It makes it easier to say...that is not a priority but this is something worth doing or having.  I hate the feeling of not having that and just flying by the seat of your pants.  I know they're kind of melancholy thoughts, but that may be because I'm hungry, too.  Inspiration still has not come.

In lieu of inspiration, I will now post some photos.  They're from June.  Seriously.  June.  I have long ago given up the idea that I will ever get caught up on all my projects, but maybe one day I will get caught up on some of them :).

June 1 - My anniversary gift came today!  It was very exciting to get my very pretty purse/camera bag.  And I just love it, too!

June 2 - My sister and parents were up and Xander had a ball game.  It was a gorgeous day so we decided to make a morning of it.  We played at the playground and then had a picnic before the ball game.

June 3 - Multiple photos - again!  Evan had his wind up tournament (though in the middle of the season).  His whole team got these little ball tags as a kind of medal.

We also celebrated my father-in-law's 61st birthday (though a few days late).  Jonathan thought it should all be for him, since it was last time!

June 4 - The butterflies are out!  We had one hatch - I believe this is in Evan's box.

June 5 - My cute little cookie monster with his sucker!  Since it's blue, I can only deduce that it is one we received from the doctor.  However, at this point in time, I think he had found it in my purse and snuck it out!

June 6 - Watching the butterflies!  So much fun to see them hatch and move around and even fight each other.

June 7 - I went on a field trip with Xander's class to the Science Centre.  The kids had a lot of fun in the bubble area, as they always do!

June 8 - Off to Calgary for a Beth Moore conference.  I went with several ladies from church, one being my sister-in-law.  Here's proof we were there.

June 9 - One of the benefits of being in Calgary...Olive Garden!!  Love their food so very much.

June 10 - We were home again and Jason just had to show me this drawing by Jonathan.  Apparently, he drew it and declared it a shark.  For a while there, he was incredibly fascinated with all things shark!

June 11 - SaskEnergy is working to make our neighbourhood a safer place :).  Due to soil shifting and old infrastructure, we had a couple of explosions last year.  They have finally got to checking our lines and had to dig them up.  The boys just loved watching the big machines at work!

June 12 - Must have been a Tuesday - clean up day around our house.  Evan wanted to try his hand at vacuuming so I figured, why not?

June 13 - Time to break out the BBQ.  My dear husband has gotten so much more willing to BBQ, even when it's not that warm out.  It really is a lovely (and tasty thing).  (And by BBQ, I mean grill.  Real BBQ is great but it's not what we do).

June 14 - Off at Toys 'R Us (or, rather Toys For Us as Evan calls it!!).  Time to buy a certain niece a birthday gift.  When we came out of the store, we were met by this beautiful rainbow.  What a lovely sight.

June 15 - Two photos again!  This was Evan's kindergarten orientation day.  He got to go to kindergarten for an hour in the morning to see what it was like.  He had a lot of fun and made this picture of, I believe, an angry ladybug.

Later on, the same day...birthday party time.  Dear little Erin turns...I don't know...however old she is.  I can't even keep track of how old my kids are ;).  I'm sure it said on her invitation.

So, there you go, half of June is gone!

Now, I think I will go have a s'more ('cause I can) and watch some Top Chef Masters.

Until next time...