Running For My Mom

These pictures are taken about 34 years apart. Mom and me. Me and Nya. I wish so badly that I could have a photo with the three of us together:) My mom was so incredibly happy when I was born. I was the first child and they waited a long time for me. My mom LOVED being a mom. I miss her a lot. I find that by having a daughter, I feel more connected to her. When I look at Nya with awe, I feel how my mom must've felt looking at me.

I fear getting cancer, I really do. Both of my parents had it...more than once. I really, really, really want to be a grandma one day. I want to see my kids become adults. I want to be around when Gary retires.

We are doing the Run For The Cure again in just 3 weeks and this time we'll have 5 more babies on our team! If you feel like you would like to donate, I still would like to raise an additional $75.00 (and I'm thinking Gary still needs to raise $150!).

You can click here to support me or here to support Gary.

If you have a mom, give her a hug and tell her you love her:)

Love,

Louise

PS Doesn't my mom have a great smile? I miss that smile and her laugh. She had a great/terrible laugh where she didn't hold back.

Preschool!!!

Oh wow, we have been waiting for this for fooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeever. Koen was so excited to be a big kid and go to preschool. He actually said he was an adult as he let go of my hand and ran across the road. We had to talk about that:)

He had a great time but was happy to see me afterwards. Poor guy didn't get a new backpack (stuck with Kai's Diego one from 3 years ago) or new clothes but he couldn't care less.

{Kai: Mommy, I'm going to get all the stuffed animals and then we can sit with them and you can take a picture okay?}

From what I've seen so far, I really like the preschool he is at. It's a different one than the one that Kai went to but I think it's perfect for Koen. It is more play based and meets in a church building. Also, they sanitized the kid's hands as they came in....not to sound all germaphobic but that was awesome.

The van was crazy quiet with just Nya in it. It was a bit sad but a bit awesome too:)

Kai has been pretty tired after school. He's feeling the challenge but so far it seems okay. They have him set up with the grade 2 reading books but will still be working from a grade 1 math book. I'm looking forward to meeting with the teacher next week to talk about it in more detail.

Hope you are having a great week!

Love,

Louise

Grade One

Today I took Kai to his first day of Grade 1! From now on, Gary will be bringing him back and forth (on his way to and from work) but I wanted to do it on his first day. Kai wasn't nervous at all and I was trying to hold in my nervousness so he wouldn't get nervous:)

I wish I had taken more `Back To School' photos of him but alas, I had 10 other kids that I also took photos of as a fundraiser (so fun by the way!). I did get some of him actually on his way to school today so I will post them at some point. You can see on the top right photo that our chubby little Kai Bear is now a tall, lean, lanky Kai Bear. So funny. Gary was like that too until he stopped playing basketball:)

So, the big thing about this year? Kai Bear is in a Grade 1/2 split class. Fortunately I had known there was a split class back in June and I sort of assumed he'd be in it. I've heard that it's for kids that can work more independently and might need more of a challenge. I think it will be tougher for him, which makes me nervous, but also happy. I know it will be good for him.

I'm sad that there's only 3 people that he knows in his class. There are only 8 grade 1's in that class and all the rest are grade 2's. Fortunately Kai is okay with that and he still met up with all his buddies at recess. It's harder for me too because I'm rarely at the school so I don't get to meet the other moms and I also lose touch with the grade 1 moms because I'm in a different wing of the school. Oh well, change is good:)

It was sooooooooooooooooo quiet with just Nya and Koen today! I can't wait for Koen to go to preschool on Thursday. I'd send him to kindergarten if I could but he still has to wait 2 years for that! I really think that if I spent time trying to read with him he could. I should probably get a workbook for him, like I did for Kai, and spend some time doing it each day.

By the way, gave all the boys hair cuts on Monday morning and I did Koen's way too short. He has the smallest head in the world and now it looks smaller. Is there a trick for making your kids head look bigger? Let his hair grow?

Nya is still wonderful. She makes me want to have more babies:) I mean, I'd be way too sleep deprived, but still, there's just something soooooooooo special about her. Her smiles and giggles make me so happy.

I hope you had a wonderful day. I have to really start meal planning.

Love,

Louise

PS If you haven't seen...the staff at the high school (including Gary, he's in the lab coat) are in this...it's pretty funny:)

Lego

Later I'll have the whole `Oh my goodness!! It's back to school!!' post but for now, here's some pictures from our weekend.

We went to the Surrey Museum for it's free lego exhibit! They had a scavenger hunt which made it way better. I secretly enjoyed searching the exhibits for specific lego guys.

This afternoon I'm doing a bunch of mini sessions to raise money to sponsor a child (or children!) in Sierra Leone. I'm a bit nervous about it, just because it's something different and last minute, but I think it will go well!

And, just to show you Nya's dress for church this week. Sweetapotamus!

Talk soon!

Love, Louise

Back To School

Last year I did some `Back To School' Photos for Kai Bear and it was so much fun! Just today I decided that I am doing an evening of these photos to raise money for a student (or students!) to go to school at CRC Christian Primary in Kabala, Sierra Leone. This is a school that was built and is supported by the school that Kai attends. There are just 6 spots left, please email me at gcphotography@shaw.ca if you are interested in it!

Cuteness

Reality has set in. With Gary back at work, I have no time to exercise, work, and take care of the house and kids. Not sure what one's going to suffer but ya...so far it's been exercise:( I had been running 3 days a week but I'm thinking it's going to be closer to 1-2 now. I also had to buy a pair of jeans in a larger size to get me through this fall. They actually look ridiculous on me but it's too late to return them because I wore them. I shouldn't say ridiculous, but they are just too big.

{Nya in her new toy! She's not quite strong enough for it yet so we'll wait a few more weeks. In the meantime, it's good for her little baby cousins!}

{Gary and I have long tongues. We can touch our tongues to our noses. I think Nya will be able to as well! Poor Koen with his tongue tied tongue:(}

{Nya: `Mom, do you really think this is safe? Koen has my ear and who knows what he'll do with it!'}

Kai has put Koen to bed twice this week. He reads him stories and let Koen participate. He brushed his teeth for him and even brushed his nose `to make it fun'. He let him pick three stuffed animals to take to bed because `his behaviour was pretty good' and he tucked him in and prayed with him. So cute. Kai has been great the past two days so maybe a good talking to was all he needed!

I usually find yoga relaxing but not really when the kids participate too...

We've been playing some football with Kai. This kid does not struggle with confidence but I think he may struggle with reality. He thinks he's amazing.

And to remember not only how much I love feeding this munchkin (and my `station' of stuff beside me) but how much I love this outfit of hers. Soon it will be fall and I will have to pack it up:(

I said to Gary the other day that this is the happiest/most content I've ever been in my life. Now, it's not as much fun as I had in university (truly an awesome time!) but it's good. I wouldn't want to change anything...well, maybe I would like to sleep through the night. I can't complain, she goes to bed at 6:30pm now:)

OH YES, I FORGOT!!! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO OUR RUN FOR THE CURE THIS YEAR, PLEASE DO!!! THERE IS A TAB AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG. BOTH GARY AND I ARE TRYING TO RAISE $150.00 EACH. NO PRESSURE. THIS TIME OUR TEAM WILL HAVE A LITTLE MORE PINK IN IT:) YAY NYA! I will be running the whole thing as long as my health continues.

Have a great long weekend! I think we might hit up the water slides.

Love,

Louise

Ready For School!!!

Photos in this post by Gary as I haven't taken any of the kiddos! He is working through his Photoshop `Layers' book as he prepares to teach a photography course this year:)

This weekend we had a wedding. It worked perfectly with Nya as I was able to feed her every 3 hours throughout the day. Thanks to my sisters Trisha and Jackie for babysitting the kiddos and bringing Nya to me! It was nice to be out of the house and working all day, but man, I'm glad I saw Nya every 3 hours. I missed her so much!!!

I've had to say no to many people for sessions this fall as I'm already booked until mid November. The hardest is saying `no' to past clients but I'm really trying to stick to my limits:)

This morning I had to drive to my last jaw appointment in Chilliwack. That's a one hour drive each way with 3 kids. We got in the van just in time and I realized the battery had died. I recharged it (go me!) and we made it in time. Not my favourite morning. My jaw is still in the same condition as it was 10 months ago. They weren't able to do anything for it in the end. I guess spending $1300.00 on a good try was worth it?! I don't know.

Kai is going through some sort of emotional transition. I should read up on my old developmental psychology books:) He gets really frustrated and angry and doesn't know how to deal with it and so he screams. Very high pitched. Very loud. He stomps his feet. He loses control. Also, our dear 6 year old bit his brother for the first time. Yes, he was frustrated with Koen (because Koen didn't want to play with him), so he bit Koen's hand. Kai doesn't act like this with anyone other than us, and it only happens at home. I know how he feels because I remember feeling like I couldn't control my emotions when I was 12, it was tough. On the other hand, he is really mature and helpful and is growing like a weed:)

I'm thinking Kai is ready to go back to school. We find out on Friday who is teacher is and what class he is in. Koen is also soooooooooooooooooooo ready for preschool to start. I feel like he should be in kindergarten already but he's got 2 more years to go! We found out his teacher's name is Mrs. Carr which is pretty much the coolest name for someone who is going to teach Koen.

Did I mention that last week sucked? Ya. It did. I'm trying to think of something really fun/special we can do this Saturday before school starts. Something that won't be too busy and isn't too far away. Ideas?

Have a great week!

Love, Louise

Three Months Old

Our little Pumpkin Pie-ya is 3 months old!! We love her to bits. She is super laid back and predictable. She eats at 4am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm and 8pm. She has two 45 minute naps and one 2 hour one.

She loves laying on her back and reaching for toys. She loves interacting with people and her brothers get her biggest smiles.

She goes to bed easily now. After being up for 1.5 hours, we just put her in her crib and she cries for 5 minutes and then goes to sleep. No rocking or swaddling or anything special. Such a change!!

She is also no longer a super pooper!! Only 1-2 times a day. Yahoo!

She is desperately trying to find her thumb but happily sucks on her fists in the meantime.

She loves bath time.

She spits up all the time. We both go through several outfits (and a lot of receiving blankets!) every day and she almost always has a bib on. It often causes her to cough but it doesn't seem to bother her at all.

She makes the cutest cooing sounds. Love it!!!

Her eyes are a beautiful blue colour and I really hope they stay that way!!

I am loving every minute with her. Seriously. Maybe it's because I know she's our last (well, probably!) or because she's so laid back or because I've done this twice before or because I've had full time help for the past 7 weeks (!!!!) but ya, she's great:) Seriously, I would HIGHLY recommend your husband having paternity leave if you have 3 kids. Makes it so much more enjoyable!

I also have to say that I'm fine with her not taking a bottle (for now!) I love breastfeeding her. It's a time where I have to sit down and put my feet up and just stare and her while she plays with my shirt and I hold her hand.

Yay for babies.

Yay for a healthy babe and a healthy momma.

So thankful!

Love, Louise

PS Gary and the boys have strept throat so I'm sooooooooooooooooo thankful Nya and I did not get it.

PSS I am actually NOT loving every minute. Today we were stuck in traffic going over the Port Mann bridge (oh man, I want to punch that bridge out!!) and Nya was screaming and Kai was going to puke at any second. Not fun.

The Good and The Bad

The Bad:

1. Our Visa was compromised last month. Fortunately we didn't have to pay for the expenses on a fake paypal account they set up. Thought Gary bought me a snowboard or something for my birthday. If that wasn't enough, our Mastercard was compromised THIS month. So annoying because I had to change all my automatic withdrawals to a new card and it's just a pain.

2. Our van had to go to the shop. `Fortunately' it was just another spark plug coil so it cost `just' $300.

3. The mirror on our Canon 5D broke off so we had to ship it off to Ontario to get fixed. It is under warranty so they did cover the $300 fee but we still had to pay for shipping AND we were without it for 2 weeks.

4. My aunt has stage 4 cancer (so really, all the other bad things don't matter).

5. Gary took Kai to a BC Lions game and Kai got the flu. He vomited on the way there but Gary still brought him. I didn't know about it at the time or I would've definitely picked him up so Gary and his dad could still go. He made it on the jumbotron. Not sure why they'd want a kid puking into a popcorn bag on the big screen. They came home at the half. Kai puked the whole way home too. GROSS.

6. Kai, Koen and Gary are all sick. Lame. Lame. Waste of our days. If anyone pukes on my new living room rug....

The Good:
1. On Saturday, my sister Jantina and I took our babies to the island to visit my oma, uncle Al and my aunt that was recently diagnosed with cancer. The kids were fabulous and it is always great to visit. I wish we lived closer and didn't have to deal with the ferry. It was amazing only having one kid to take care of, I even got to read some of my book! It was pretty funny because there was a lot of side by side breastfeeding (in the van, on the ferry etc) and so many people though they were twins. It's a long day as we returned home that evening.

{First ferry trip outside of my uterus:)! I wish I had taken a picture of oma holding her, she was so smiley with her. I just didn't have my camera in the house with me. I'll just have to go back again soon:)}

{Jack aka super baby. He makes Nya look fussy.}

2. I am going to have about 3 days off this week!! Yahoo!! The plan? Work on putting together a little photography class. I'll have taught 2 people one on one so I've got an idea of what it might look like. Seems like a great thing to do from November-February when there are fewer sessions to do.

3. My beautiful baby turns 3 months old on Wednesday. She is so awesome. I love her a ton. I wish she would stay 3 months old for a long, long time. I'm not ready for teething and all that jazz.

4. School starts for Kai (and preschool for Koen) in 2 weeks. I think I'm very ready for that! I think that they are ready too. I'm the ridiculous mom that makes her kids to do school work every day. Really, Kai just has to do one math page and Koen just has to colour and trace his name:)

5. The heat wave has passed. Yahoo.

Have a great week!

Love, Louise

Family Photos

I love, love, love, love, looooooooooooooooooooooooove this little girl. So cute. I feel bad that she doesn't get held much because she's just so chill on her own. Most of the time. She maybe cries a total of 1/2-1 hour per day (about 5-10 minutes each time we put her to bed). Ridiculously awesome. And please note, my other kids were not so easy so I can really appreciate this!

She is currently obsessed with figuring out her hands. She will stare at them and move them and try to get them in her mouth. She is working SO hard to get her thumb in her mouth but can't do it yet. She gets frustrated but doesn't give up. She loves to suck on her fist. She's also getting so much better at reaching out and grabbing at her toys. So cute:)

On Monday we met up with our friends, Megan and Steve, to do a quick family photo swap. You might think that we get our photos taken a lot and I will say that yes, we probably do. It will be done every single year too. It's important to us/me:)

We just switched camera cards, took a few photos of each other's families, and we were good to go! It's always good to talk with them and hang out. Gary and Steve talk about cameras and lenses, and Megan and I talk life/weddings/kids/business etc. Good times! The kids had fun together too:)

I just wanted one good family photo to put on canvas in our home and I think this one is it:

It was nap time for Nya so she wasn't so into it but she did okay.

Um, how cute are the kids?! They wanted to get a picture together and of course, that was the one where they all looked nicely at the camera:) If one of our boys married one of their girls, imagine how many good pictures would be in their wedding slideshow:)

It is so crazy hot out there, I am so thankful that we don't have a wedding this weekend:) We have an air conditioner on our main floor that keeps life comfortable.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Love, Louise