Nap Rebels

So my just under one year old is determined that he now only needs one nap a day. This actually isn't a bad thing. It would allow us all to actually DO something in the mornings! For so long we have basically lived a very isolated life in our house. Thankfully we have room to move around here, play hockey, run, and have fun....but it's not like going out into the "real world". I find it frustrating because Spencer will start acting tired at 10:30 and I will put him down. He will fuss, play, cry, whine and roll around in his bed for an hour until I finally go get him! Then by 1:00 he is so out he falls asleep ASAP! I am blessed that he is such a happy boy because if he was cranky that whole time I think it'd go nutty!
My ideal would be that Spencer and Linden BOTH go down for their nap at 1:00 after a nice morning out...but Linden is "too big" for naps and wants me with him for his "relaxing time". It is heavenly when everything aligns and they both sleep at the same time :). When Spencer only gets one nap I turn in to the "Shhh Nazi" which is SO not fun...for ANYONE! Poor Linden gets shhed the whole time Spencer sleeps so that he won't wake him up!!! I need Spencer to get as much sleep as possible during that one precious nap!
Being a Mommy is a learning curve for sure.

Swimming and Summer

Well Linden has started his first week of swimming lessons this week. He is doing fantastically well!!! He has NO FEAR of the water at all. This is good...but scary. It has been a fantastic time for both Linden and myself! He has learned how to put his ears, eyes, nose, and mouth in the water...jump off the edge and go under water, gone down the slide (slowly), and gone underwater "swimming" with help, floating on his back with help.
I have also learned a lot! I've learned how to swim with him in the deep end. Also what to do if a child falls in the deep end or needs help in the middle of the water. It has given me more confidence so that is wonderful and priceless. We are doing the lessons with Marie Hawk...she ROCKS! So great with kids :)

Summer has begun this week too with the arrival of raspberries...but we STILL get "Daddy" home at night!!! It has been great...and weird too to have James around in the summer. I absolutely LOVE it! But I know a time will come where he will be working 6-12 or something ridiculous!

Today Linden went to work with Daddy so Spencer and I could go to mom's house to help Auntie Sarah make invitations. So exciting! I am so looking forward to their wedding!!! We absolutely LOVE Sarah! She is such a sweetheart and we are so happy she is officially joining our family :)

The Baby Whisperer

Well I tried to use the Baby Whisperer as a guide with Spencer. I was more of the accidental parent with Linden and I feel like I created many of his poor sleep habits. I tried hard this time round to start as I wished to go on. So far so good. I think that Spencer is just a fantastic baby! Very easy going and who knows if things would have been different with Linden but I feel that this E.A.S.Y routine works wonders. Basically it is just E- Eat A-Activity (have some awake time) S-Sleep allow him/her to fall asleep NOT nursing...a key too is catching them when they're tired but not over tired. Look for the yawns! and the Y= if for you...so you time..or in my case Linden time!

It's been a long time...

Well it has been a long time since I posted and a lot has happened! The most exciting and important is the arrival of Spencer Jamie Bergen. He is my angel baby! He eats well (as is evident by his cubby cheeks and rolly polly body...just like his brother!) and he sleeps amazingly well too. Every time he puts himself to sleep I almost cry in amazement! Sleep is probably one of my favorite things...haha if I can get some good sleep I'm a happy camper and with an energetic 2 year old I am thankful to get some hours in a row at night! He consistently does 6 hours....PRAISE THE LORD!!!! And now he is starting to do longer stretches even!!! WOW!!! I'll take it!

Spencer's Birth Story

Spencer was born easter sunday, April 24th 2011. The day before I started to feel even more like this would be the day, although I had that feeling for WEEKS before it actually happened. We had spent the day as a family. We got sushi and went to the 'blue boat park' at mill lake to eat and play. It was perfect. Then we were off to "Pete's Party"...Opa had the idea that he would like to throw a party for all his friends and family at his favorite restaurant. After the party Linden went to sleep and I started having contractions. Mild and spread out. I slept for a bit but they were getting stronger and I was getting excited. This was baby 2 and of course it was going to be faster. I started timing them on my iphone and woke up james once they were stronger. We called Mom at around 2:00am so she could come and watch Linden. I think by the time we were at the hospital it was about 3:00am. I wasn't as far as I hoped to be so my midwife told me to walk around the hospital lobby (since it was empty!!! Well actually there was one man sitting watching a movie in a chair there...) We continued to time the contractions and they were getting stronger and closer. After an hour my midwife admitted me. "Active Labor" didn't start till 8:00am my midwife figures and things were just not progressing. Spencer was in an awkward position and would just not move. After hours of laboring...seemed like an eternity things were still only at 5cm and I felt like I needed to push...now I had that feeling for 2 hours with Linden and let me tell you they were hell....so my midwife said I could get some MILD painkillers (that she said don't do much more than laughing gas) OR I could get an epidural. I said let's do the epidural...STAT...well it was supposed to be 15mins but it took WAY longer as the anesthesiologist was in surgery. There was a doctor there who said that he was certified but didn't want to step on the other doctors territory. I said "you can have this territory...just do it!!!" James was about to lose it at this point...but he kept his cool. Once the epidural started working I remember looking at the anesthesiologist and saying "hi"...finally acknowledging her even though she'd been in the room a while. Then once it was really working I said "People must love you!" I was then able to rest and James zipped down to order the canucks game. Sadly a game they lost, but really I didn't care at that point! This rest and some rocking allowed Spencer to move and it was time to push a little after the game had finished. After 30mins or so of pushing he was out...didn't feel a thing!!!! Spencer's shoulder got stuck like Linden's but it wasn't half as bad. He seemed to just pop out once they pushed my tummy a little. He was a little blue and wasn't screaming right away. I remember saying "cry...just cry.." and then he did...BOY DID HE CRY. It was fantastic! James played him some music shortly after and he quieted down. He was 8 pounds 9 oz and just perfect. He looked a little like Linden but soon I could tell he had his own look to him.

It has been a joy to get to know this little angle. Finding out that really he likes to be on his own to sleep (unlike Linden), and only really likes to eat when he's hungry (unlike Linden), and likes his soother (like Linden) but not always (unlike Linden). Really he is just amazing and I am enjoying getting to know who he is!
Having a second baby is really amazing because you know so much the second time around (although you are still learning!!!!). But this previous experience allows you to enjoy things a lot more and not worry so much. Spencer has to wait sometimes if I'm busy with Linden...where as Linden get our attention all the time! There was nothing else to do! :)
May 30th I started to really notice Spencer smiling in response to me. Cooing and Gooing. He really makes my heart melt every time he smiles!! HE is just so adorable!!! sigh...I'm in love with my two boys and truly feel so blessed every day!

Linden is now adjusted to everything. He loves his baby brother! It was a learning experience for him too! Nursing was a new thing for him. He even tried to nurse his baby by pulling up his shirt! hhaha. Thankfully I have had James, my mom and Marian to help out big time with Linden so that he still got plenty of attention while I was recovering.

Something that started when I was pregnant was Marian coming over to watch Linden on Tuesdays when I went to my "baby doctor" appointments. Marian has continued this Tuesday visit and it has been wonderful!!! So nice for Linden to have that one on one time and do something super special and fun! And so nice for me to have the time to relax or clean or just bond with Spencer without Linden demanding the attention!

Hopefully I will post again before long...summer is here so I have a feeling more posts will be coming. I don't get to talk to James as much so this became my outlet last year! It is nice for us the season isn't here yet...but not great for the berries. They will be here soon and we will again loose James. We understand though, well I do...we will see how Linden does...

Getting Close

Well I'm officially at 36 weeks. Only one more week now and I'm considered "Full Term"! It is hard to believe! The time has just flown by this go round. I'm just trying to enjoy my time now with Linden and James. I am trying to embrace the sleep I have again become accustomed to! Full nights sleeps (usually) with naps during the day...of course these days sleep is not so comfortable! I use numerous pillows and blankets and my nose always seems to plug up. On top of this the baby is taking over so much of my insides that my lungs don't have enough room to fully inflate. James is a great guy and has been very patient with me.
This little guy inside me is an active one that is for sure. Always moving and grooving. I'm sure he'll be a dancing/running machine like his brother. I'm so interested to see how Linden does with this new little person in his life. All signs point to him being AMAZING but I'm sure it'll take some adjusting and I'll just have to be cognizant of that.
God is an amazing God and he has everything in his hands. I trust that this baby will come when he is ready and that everything will go as smoothly as possible. I know the Lord never gives us more than we can handle. I need to rest in the truth that he knows all and will take care of us. I don't do too well with the "unknowns" in life, so waiting for a baby to arrive can be stressful!
I think it's a good thing God makes it so uncomfortable for women at the end because then we look forward to the labour!!! Of course I always remember that once they come out they are harder to take care of (grant it more rewarding) and there's no going back in!!!! haha
Anyways there are a few thoughts for now! It's been a LONG time since I've written! Hopefully it won't be that long again....no promises!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Our Christmas tree is up, stockings hung, snowmen scattered throughout the house and the fireplace is on....When you go out to the mall Christmas seems to have landed there too! The Christmas decorations are hung on the lamp posts down South Fraser Way...yes it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...and it is only NOVEMBER 22.

James made me a new Christmas CD, which I promptly placed in my car. Linden and I love it. I have also enjoyed a few Christmas Peppermint Mochas from Starbucks...mmm my comfort in liquid form! I was hoping for a little snow this weekend, just enough so that we could take Linden sledding. With this FREEZING cold weather (feeling like minus 10-14 or more!!!) I think we are bound to have a little snow. I LOVE playing in the snow. But it is hard when it keeps you from doing things and going out. I go a little stir crazy with Linden at home. I was fine by myself, but Linden needs a little more entertainment! We may just head to the mall or something just to do something but stay warm. It is sunny, but freezing and windy...not park going weather!!!!

Linden has been going through some sleep issues lately. He wouldn't go down to sleep in his own bed. So yesterday we let him cry it out for about 20mins total...not resulting in him sleeping by himself, but last night he was so tired that he only fought for maybe 5mins and fell asleep (LATE...like 10:20) and he is still sleeping now, at 9:20am. I'm sure he'll be up soon. I'm still tired but my hungry tummy woke me up!

I feel like starting my christmas baking now and freezing some to give away in December. I know most people do this but I never have...does it ruin the flavour to freeze them? What is the best way? I feel like it may be a little early, and usually the part of the day where I actually have time to do it, I'm exhausted!! haha Ah well...I'm looking forward to Christmas and December and the business and excitment that brings...the rest of November looks like it could be boring...but you never know what exciting things may lay in wait :) I'll keep a positive outlook!

Well, I better wrap up before my little guy wakes up!

A few pictures from our Trip

Linden LOVED being tossed in the air! Look Mom, I'm flying!


Walking on the dangerous side with Oma....someone has to let him do the fun things! Thank goodness for Oma and Daddy!!!!

Wearing Uncle Chris' expensive sunglasses....careful Linden!!!

Mexico Baby!

Well since I posted last (Long long ago) us Bergens have been on an adventure! In about the middle of August we were pleased to find out we will be adding an addition to our family! A baby due to arrive late April :) Of course we are overjoyed, but it's been a rough go...as first trimesters tend to be! I didn't have it as bad as some, but worse than others. Just lots of nausea and exhaustion!!! I am happy to be past that part and am enjoying feeling a little more normal!

For months now the Siemens family has been planning a family trip to Mexico. Thanks to the generosity of Oma and Opa we all hopped on a plane last Tuesday and flew to Huatulco. Being the worrier I am, I was not too keen on being pregnant flying and staying in a place where diarrhea runs wild and there is minimal food for me to eat. Not to mention having to stay out of the sun and heat and being uber careful about the water. But I spent MONTHS praying daily about this trip and I know my family did too. I felt totally covered with prayer while I was there and it ended up being a good time! Linden and I both stayed healthy...sadly James had a bit of a struggle with tummy trouble! Luckily he had antibiotics along!

Both airplane rides went amazingly well. Many people commented that they didn't even know there was a 'baby' on the plane...and that he was fantastic! He slept most of the way home in James' arms (poor James couldn't move at all!). Despite a bit of turbulence things were great! VERY thankful!

Most of our days were spent poolside. Linden LOVED LOVED LOVED the water and his rashguard swimsuits worked well! He was well protected from the sun! He napped one day by the pool but the other days he had good naps in the hotel room. We got into a pretty good routine of breakfast (omelets mmm toast and bacon...this is the meal I ate at!) swimming came next followed by lunch, then a two hour nap, a quick visit outside with those who were still swimming, dinner then a show. The three sit down meals a day got to be a bit much for Linden, but under James' care (and oma's too sometimes) nobody else would have been bothered. He really is a great boy!

My favourite meal was at the Asian restaurant. I was a little nervous to eat there but after the Gassers were fine, we tried it. YUMMY! I felt so much better after this meal.

Overall it was super fun hanging with the family and chatting with the cousins. Linden LOVED it and got tight with the cousins too (They were great with him!). I got a vacation from my "job" (since Linden wanted to be with everyone but me!! But really I missed him and playing with him). I'm glad we went and I'm happy to be home. Eating 'normal' food, talking with people in English, feeling the crisp air, being able to shower and brush my teeth without worry, having my own bed, seeing the Christmas Tim Hortons cups, playing with Linden and falling back into a comfortable routine! I love my home :) I'm very blessed and feel very blessed to live in such a beautiful place with safe water!!!!!

I'd have to say one of my highlight happened yesterday during Linden's nap when I felt the baby move for the first time! So magical! :)

Pictures to come! :)

A post again....

Well I've been bad and I haven't posted in eons!!! Mainly because I like to post pictures and then write about them...but I'm still needing to clear my computer so there is space to download new pictures!!!!

Tonight we had our first thanksgiving dinner at Oma Siemens and it was amazingly delicious...I even got leftovers...which I have already indulged in a little!!! I also made my Auntie Audrey's chocolate peanut butter squares (recipie on my other blog) and they are amazing....TERRIBLE for you...but delicious..mmmm. I shared them with the family and they also seemed to enjoy them. It was nice to hear that others enjoy your hard work!

We met little Kenzie (Mary and Mary's baby) last Saturday and she is so beautiful! I can't wait to see her again! Little babies are so cute!!!
Hopefully I can get some pictures soon

I'm off to help James now with some Bergen Farms stuff!!!!

Dinotown fun, cleaning, and other summer stuff....

So I have been busy these last couple nights I've been cleaning and I just finished my laundry tonight. Sorry I haven't written much! Yesterday I had a great time with my mom and Linden at Dinotown! It is kind of run down, I guess why put money into it if it is closing?!?! But Linden had a great time! We went to Harrison first to walk around a bit because Dinotown wasn't open yet, oops guess I should have looked that up first!!!! Sadly there is swimmers itch there so we didn't do the water!!! After dinotown we went to Wendys for some lunch then home. Linden slept in the car and I was sleepy when we got home! :)
Well I'm off to watch Big Brother, James is home now! I'll write more later!
Enjoy these pictures

A mouse and a Wedding

So this last week James has had more time available to spend with us which has been AMAZING!!!!! Last Tuesday we had another mouse in the house...James found it and killed it for me! My hero!!!!I set a trap in the garage now by the door so hopefully if there are any more they will be caught out there instead of in the house...YUCK!!!

I have also been enjoying the cooler weather, although it is supposed to get hotter again!!! Last week we were Nanaless :) well kind of, she was helping out at the dycks. So we did our own thing. I can't even really remember now what we all did...parks...shopping...farm visits...more of the usual!

Friday night we watched Date Night with Maria and Darren and it was hilarious! Laugh out loud funny! :) Highly recommended! It was fun to hang out with them and chat! It always gets late really fast with them it seems...before you know it it is 12:00Am!

Saturday James had most of the day off for my friend Megan Brauns wedding! It was BEAUTIFUL! She looked AMAZING and it was a fun time! Linden did really well, but was exhausted by the end of the day and so was I! haha

I am ready for September to arrive...although I am sad that Mom has to go back to work, because she has been amazing! I love to hang out with her and Linden LOVES it too! Maybe when September starts I can start a regular every day walk to get in shape...anyone want to join me???

Bergen Farms and Family

So I have gotten a bit behind on my blogging. Not that I've lost interest yet, just that I've been really busy. In most of my spare time (when Linden sleeps) I have been putting together a pamphlet and advertisement for Bergen Farms frozen Berries. It has actually turned out to be a lot of work, but I think that the end product turned out well (well I'm actually not sure if it is totally finished yet). It really isn't my specialty and I want to do a good job for them. It is just hard because I was trained on the other version of photoshop and this on is totally different! I'm not very good at just figuring it out!
I also had a cousin come out from Holland to visit so that was fun too with a few family dinners (although we missed the Dyck clan!). I even hosted a meal and made spaghetti, corn, bread and salad...I think it went over well!
Today we tried to go to church but it was just SO HOT!!!!!! and Linden was tired so we decided to go home for a nap! We really just stayed in most of the day to keep cool!!! I made a ground chicken shepherds pie that was really good and Linden LOVED it...he just downed it (although he picked out the peas). He did a really good job of eating all by himself...which makes it easier for me!! OH that reminds me of the terrible Red Robin dinner yesterday with my family. I realize that JAMES is the BEST with Linden when we are out. He makes it look so easy!!! He just takes such good care of him and it is so much more relaxing for me. Linden just wanted Nana the whole time (no shock) and to go and explore. Trying to give him small pieces of food and eat my own meal was a challenge (I'm a slow eater at the best of times)...then I put him on my lap and felt a warm sensation spread across my lap....yup he peed all over me (and himself too)...so that was the last straw and we were gone...I felt badly but I just wanted out of there!!! I sometimes just feel like I'm a terrible mother...well maybe not terrible...but there are times when I feel like I'm just trying to survive the day and forget to find all those "teachable moments" and savor all that cuteness! I think it is especially hard because he is trying to talk but he can't make himself understood...so it's kind of a one way conversation...ALL DAY LONG and that can be tiresome...I'm not a very good conversationalist and rely on others to do a lot of the work...well there's only me!!! haha ah well...Some day he'll learn to talk and then he'll never stop!!! :)
Now I wait for my overworked hubby to come home and we can visit for a bit and watch Big Brother! Then off to bed...Tomorrow is fast approaching and we do it all again!

Ikea Fun

Yesterday was such a fun day! My mom came over in the morning and Heather and I headed off to Ikea. If you can believe it, this was my first time driving across the bridge! It went well, although there was a lot of traffic. We didn't spend too much money (which probably made our husbands happy) and we went to Cactus Club after for an amazing lunch! It was just so great to get out just the two of us and chat! Thanks Mom for the opportunity to go, and thanks Heather for going with me! It is amazing that I have had the same best friend for like 20 years!!! :) She's great!

Today I hung out with Melodie! I was so excited to get together with her and see where she is living now! She is only like 4 mins from my house! we are definitely going to have to hang out more often!

Tired and Cranky...

I SO want to go to this!!!


(vegetables from my garden!)
So lately I've been really tired and cranky...I think that the wear and tear of summer is getting to me! I'm having a BLAST with Linden (don't get me wrong) but it is a lot of energy that is needed to do things every day. I've been lucky to have help from Marian and my Mom though. It was so great, last night James and I went to see Toy Story 3D. I really enjoyed going out to a movie with James! SO GREAT!!!! I was also able to do a little shopping yesterday and found some good summer wear deals! We got home from the movie around 12 so needless to say James passed out ASAP and I followed...although I actually made it upstairs! haha.

I think my problem is nights. From dinner to bedtime I just feel like it is such a high energy time! Trying to get Linden fed...and me...which means a dairy and soy free dinner must be made (Linden seems to know what he can't have and if I'm eating it he wants it...) Even though things have gotten A LOT better with bed time...and I mean LEAPS and BOUNDS...it is still a bit stressful. Bath, Diaper, Teeth Brushed, Books Read, Prayers and To Bed...
I guess it is because I know what I all need to accomplish in such a short period of time...I'll feed Linden, find something to entertain us for a bit, walk/feed Bruno (a dog who jumps, doesn't listen, and runs away), then bedtime, water flowers, clean up kitchen, do a load of laundry, clean up toys...breath a sigh of relief...Unwind with writing my blog!
Our Daily overview...
Linden and I had a pretty low key day overall. Started off EARLY so he got tired and cranky fast. We were going to be going to the zoo with friends but Courtney got a migraine so Heather and the kids just came here...and she brought STARBUCKS!!! mmmm...that didn't last long, then Linden needed a nap. In the afternoon we visited at the farm, did a little errands, then went to the park...swinging and sliding. Then we came home for dinner and well, you know our evening :) I'm looking forward to having my Mom back...and James back...eventually!!! :) He is supposed to have some time off tomorrow...so hopefully that will happen!!
I'm pretty sure he can say "I did it!" because he says this a lot after he accomplishes things!

More Zoo

So without Mom around it is harder to find fun things to do! We NEED to be out of the house...we decided to hit the Zoo again which was very fun again...the Lion looked right at us and walked towards us roaring...it was actually a little scary!!! I'm sure glad there was a fence there!!!! WOW!!!

It was great to have another fabulous meal at the farm with Marian and James. Linden was exhausted by the end of the day because he only had a one hour nap today!!! I hope that tomorrow will be a fun day!!!! :)

Sorry I can't write more...I'm just completely exhausted...I've been go go go from 7-10 basically with a tiny break in the middle...I'm going to need a nap tomorrow i think!

BBQ, Family time and Agrifun...

We had a great long weekend full of family and fun! Saturday Cousin Mandy and her family along with Auntie Audrey and Uncle Derek came out! It was great to see them all again and chat...they are so great! It is just too bad that we don't get to see them more. I was glad that Mandie finally met Linden. I feel like she knows him though, through the world of facebook!!!!

Sunday we had a family BBQ for Sarah in the afternoon. Sarah is such a great girl! She just fits so well with our family :) We had a very relaxed birthday party, then it was off home for a family BBQ. I hadn't seen "the gang" in a while and it was nice to have them all over again...like the good old days...when hockey was still on!!!! haha. Both the girls are getting bigger as their beautiful babies are growing inside them. I'm so excited for the new additions to our group!!!! I know they will be adorable and I can't wait to meet them. It is such an amazing time in your life when you are carrying a child. Yes there are many uncomfortable, painful, and annoying things, but I think generally we just remember the good things like: hiccups, kicks, turns, heart beats, and high fives :) I'm excited for Mary and Glenda.

Today we went to the park in the morning with Nana (we had to soak up every last minute with her before their trip). The Delair park was the choice today and it was great! Small and empty!!! I like that. In the afternoon we went to the agrifair with Oma. I can tell that Linden misses her. He was so excited to have her come over. He wanted to show her all his toys...I think he would have been just as happy to have played with her all afternoon! Although the agrifair wasn't stellar, I found it fun. We saw some animals, which Linden enjoyed and watched a little show. It was just enough. Too bad it was so hot and muggy...I don't do well in the heat...I need some water to cool off with when it is that hot! This evening my family was over for pulled pork...MMMMMM my new easy favourite! It was nice to have the whole family over here. Linden was going CRAZY running in circles and dancing and just having a good old time! He crashed pretty much right when I put him to bed!!! haha I think Hudson had fun too with all the new toys he could explore!!! Then it was off to water flowers and walk the dog...now I'm waiting to see James :)

I think the thing that made this weekend so wonderful was that we were able to see James for large chunks of time!!! How marvelous it is to see your hubby and daddy! It starts to feel more like our "normal" life....I hope the extreme busyness will be over with and we can start to see James more and go on little outings as a family! Here's hoping!!!

Water Park, Swing, and Family Fun

Linden Falling asleep tonight!

My super cute Nephew! He's a crawler and climber now!!! :) So fun!!!

So this afternoon after Linden's nap I was trying to think of something fun to do...go to the beach? nah too far...shopping?? who has the energy....hmmm water park? We haven't tried that yet..so off we went! Linden was wearing his long sleeve swim shirt and new swim shorts with water shoes. He was a little tentative because there were a lot of children there. He's never quite comfortable with a big crowd. Probably because he is so small. Once he got a little more comfortable he had a blast! The water sprayed him right in the face and he looked up at me with the biggest smile! haha Then we went to the park beside it for a bit and he went on the swing for like 15mins straight!!! I couldn't believe it!!!! I kept asking him if he was done and he just kept saying "more"...hey I shouldn't complain though, it was easy entertainment and relaxing! I think he was almost asleep when we left!!! He probably would have swung his way to sleep if I let him...which reminded me of the old days of the baby swing last summer!!!! He was sad to get out of the swing (which I eventually made him do). He laid his head on my shoulder, gave a little whine, then waved his Linden Fond Farewell with kisses and all! I just find that so cute and funny when he does it! He's so serious too...waving goodbye and thanking the park for such a great play time! haha...it was a good hour plus...then we were off to our Thursday dinner at Mom and Dad's. Poor Nana had Linden clinging to her the whole time. I know it isn't easy to prepare dinner with a toddler screaming at you and clinging to your leg begging you to play!!! I tried to occupy him, but he knew what he wanted. Nana is so good with him. She took him so I could eat! Then I tried to return the favour.
Then it was off home to bed! James came home for a little goodnight story then he was back to work. While Linden was falling asleep I could see him in the monitor reading books...so cute! It was a good day! Now just waiting for James' laundry then I'm off to bed too!

Kitchen and White Rock Fun in the Sun

Watering Gramp's Flowers (not really though dad...don't worry!)

Thanks Oma for the ab fab shoes!!!! They were awesome!!!!




So today I got Linden a play kitchen and dishes/food from the swap and he LOVES it!!! I can see hours of fun being had with this toy! :) I think it was a good deal too! I think that imaginative toys are so much better and more interesting than push a button ones (although they can be fun too).

This afternoon Linden slept for 2.5hours. I almost think it was too much sleep because he woke up really cranky!! He REALLY wanted to go see James at the farm and play in his water table so I decided to do that. Just before we were off to the beach Marian gave us some water shoes!!!! PERFECT!!!! I had been looking for water shoes for Linden and they were AMAZING at the beach!

If you know me, you know how big a deal it was for me to go to white rock just the two of us!!! We said a prayer in the car and were on our way. It was a pleasant ride in, with only a little traffic. We parked in the big open gravel lot because I thought maybe we could play at the park...it was a little too old for Linden so we moved on our way. We walked through some sketchy parts, but soon hit the beach...Linden LOVED it!!! The tide was already on its way in because it was 4:30 when we got there. I couldn't believe how WARM the water was!!!! I'd say as warm as a pool for sure! And the little tide pools were like hot springs! Linden just kept running in and out of the water...laughing with no fear. He plopped down on his hands and knees a few times, dispite me being right beside him and holding his hands...His tentative side came out when a few kids joined us, but he had fun still! Once the tide was almost in we packed up and I changed him on the grass area...which he did not like at all! He waved goodbye to the ocean and blew it kisses! We headed off in search of gelato, which he didn't particularly like...had a bit to eat (snacks we brought) then headed on our way. I was tempted to do the fish and chips dinner, but figured I'd save that for when I have someone else with me. 2 hours was a perfect length of time for us but we could have spent longer walking down the strip :) I love white rock. I'm glad that he enjoyed it this time. . What a difference from a few months ago when we went with James...he didn't like the water at all then and just cried when he got sandy! (see video)... Oh my boy is changing and growing so much. He even had 'messy hair' after his nap today. haha it's a tad bit longer....if you look closely.

So, even though I thought to myself "What the heck are you doing Amy?!?! Going all the way to white rock on your own?!!?" It all worked out wonderfully!!!! We had a blast and will have to go again this summer.

Oh and it was funny because I was pretty sure that Linden expected to see Nana pop up somewhere haha :) That would have been nice...next time maybe!

The Perks...

So these are some of the perks of being a berry farmers' wife :) Yummy! The island berries are looking good! Glad to see the black bear family hasn't eaten them all!

On the Go...

These days feel so long and full! When I try to remember back to how the day began it feels like ages ago!!! Linden slept from 7:15 last night till 6:45 this morning! It was amazing! Hudson and Lyra came over for a visit last night which was nice. We had a great visit! :) Hudson is SO cute! and SOOOOO strong! He's just so fun to be around...growing so fast...I can't believe he is almost a year already.

This morning we hung out with Nana again (I'm SURE she must be getting sick of us...) Then Linden went down for an early nap so that we would be in fine form for Bennett (and Courtney's) baby shower! He woke up an hour and a half before we had to leave and was in a great mood. We headed off to the shower to socialize with the other toddlers and moms...but to my surprise Linden was the only toddler there!!! Their house was BEAUTIFUL (Dale and Jody) and they have 3 kids of their own with a great playground. Unfortunately Linden wanted to touch everything her shouldn't (it was like being in a magazine!!!) I really just ended up following after him and watching him the whole time. For a while he sat on my knee and ate snacks...that was all he gave me! I was happy that I got to see Bennett though! He is SO CUTE. He looks like a boy already, not just a newborn...I think he'll be a heart breaker for sure!!!!

My house has seemed to exploded again and I spent a good chunk of time cleaning up toys and food! Dinner was kind of a disaster...which put me in a bad mood. At least my cracked rib seems to be a little better tonight. It doesn't send shooting pains when I breath anymore! BUT I hit my head so hard on the cabinet door tonight..ouch! Now my neck hurts...just can't win!

PLUS I'm pretty sure James hasn't stopped once today...I worry for his health! YOU NEED TO STOP WORKING STRAIGHT THROUGH THE DAY AND TAKE 5 MINS TO EAT SOMETHING MAN! :) Listen to my wise words! I know it is hard to do though...especially since he is the go to guy for everything! He's doing such an amazing job there. They are certainly lucky to have him! I'm so proud of him, and all he accomplishes....he is the hardest worker I know!!