8 Weeks Old!

I tried to do a photo shoot and this is what I got...better than screaming I guess.

This is the cake that Nana made for Esmé's baptism. Everyone enjoyed the cake-Thank you Nana!

Oma VanDyk Visits with Josh and Micah!

Oma Vandyk came today with Josh and Micah so we walked to the park and had some fun in the sunshine. Mia had tons of fun with her second cousins. Come again guys!

Josh climbed the railway ties behind the park and had fun jumping from pile to pile.
Are you at all surprised that Micah is going head first?!

I think Mia needs brothers! After this tussle Micah said 'I've made a monster!'
This tiny 3ft hill was Mt. Everest to Ksena. She grunted the whole way down and was very cautious.

Camera Contamination

I'm not sure how this happens but my camera has been infested by varmints! GOTTCHA GUYS! (my apologies to Lydia and Kara who were subjected to the cruelty of this photo shoot but I couldn't resist posting you.) ;o)

Remembering Summer

Ahh!!! Can't wait for the heat to begin!

Blabbing...

I'm blabbing today instead of blogging. Buys day here so I'm not sure why I'm wasting my time doing this! Becky is down and Dan is on his way to pick her up at his parents because silly Scott left with Blake's car seat...easily done. :o) My grandparents from Chatham are coming to visit this afternoon-they are visiting Taun this morning. Sometime in all of this business I have to get some blood work done. Becky is making us a roast for supper! Well before I continue to bore you all to tears I will sign off...

Warming Up!!

Ahh! The weather is getting warm! We went for a walk yesterday and stopped at the park on our way home. What a gorgeous day! It's supposed to get cold this weekend though.

Wisdom & Encouragement for Parenting

Here's a link with some advice on nurturing children that my Mom sent me. With all of the things that eat away at my time I need a reminder like this very often...it is so easy to get carried away with things that don't really matter and forget about the gifts that are right in front of me! Maybe I use the mundane things in life to distract me from the more challenging task of nurturing my children?!

http://www.doorposts.net/free_resources/building_relationships.pdf

Esmé Update

Esmé had an ECG today and the cardiologist was very happy with the results. Dr. Pepelassis said "I don't see anything going wrong in the futures" with his lovely accent. She will be seen by him in 3 months time. She weighed 9 lb 1 oz.

F.Y.I

Esmé will be baptised Sunday March 18 during our afternoon service (5:00pm).

My 'Tantes' Visit Esmé

Let me tell you, if you don't have any Tante's you have got to get yourself some! My aunts and Bep from Dundas visited this morning. They came loaded with baked goods and gifts for Esmé. Thank you so much for coming-next time give Tante Joyce a break and someone else do the driving! Guess it's our turn to come visit you guys now eh? We'll have to see if Caleb and Tiana's car seats fit in my van! Thanks so much for all the presents and food!

Tante Joyce and Tante Liz
Tante Con holding Esmé

My cousin Sean made a beautiful hat for Esmé at school. He is my Tante Con's son. The colors are perfect Sean!-Thank you! :o)

A great place to eat cookies.

Wilayna! You are the silliest girl ever! Hope you had fun playing with Caleb and the girls.

Fun times.

NO FAIR!

Ksena is crying because she wasn't allowed to help Daddy upstairs. Such a Daddy's girl!

Laundry Helper

Work in progress...
Finished!!

Dust if you must, but there's not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.

I'm not sure who penned this quote but it's a quote that my Mom emailed me...so I took it literally and got my kid to do the work while I frittered away my time. Kidding!

As I watched Mia fold the laundry I was reminded that my Bep used to let me fold cloths. I was so eager to do it until it became my job. Then I whined until it was probably easier for my Bep to do it herself but she stood her ground and trained me to work. My Mom also let me bake at a very early age which I imagine would have been easier for her to do herself considering the outcome of some of the first tries. Now I'm the trainer and once my fingers have lost the itch to take over the task it is wonderful to watch my little helper and be proud of her accomplishment.

BEDANKT!

A Dress From Holland!

What a pleasant surprise!! Esmé got a present in the mail from Brian and Rebekka! What a sweet dress. There's nothing like cloths from 'the motherland'! :0) Thanks Brian and Rebekka!

Birth Board @ Talbot Creek Midwives

Today Esmé had her '3 week' appointment with the midwives. I took a picture of the birth board where the midwives write the name, weight and birth date of the babies they deliver. Too bad Emily's name wasn't on there yet! I'll have to take another picture because it would be neat to have one with both of their names on it! There are two on the board with 'no name'!

Esmé weighed 8lb 1oz today.

SABOTAGE!

My dear husband decided to nap one evening. Apparently the girls didn't think he needed rest and tried to sabotage his nap. He is somewhere under all those pillows-believe it or not he actually did get rest...I think that's the difference between men and women.

ECG Report

Well, Esmé had her echo cardiogram today. The doctor says that the blood that was regurgitating in her abnormal valve has become less and the pressure going into the lungs has also reduced. She will be seen by the cardiologist again in three weeks for the same exam. Basically it appears to be a waiting game for her heart to function properly and Esmé will be monitored until things are normal. Her weight today was 7.10. Please continue to pray that God will make all things well.

Seeing the ECG is quite amazing. It is incredible to view such a tiny heart at work. It really displays the handiwork of the Creator. What an awesome God! Who can deny His power!?

Psalm 33:13-15

The Lord looks from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men.

From the place of His dwelling He looks

on all the inhabitants of the earth;

He fashions their hearts individually;

He considers all their works.

A Glimpse of the Week

Proud Cousins Come for a Visit
Just Lovin Her Daddy

Esmé Being Weighed on Monday

She's Home!!!

Esmé came home Sunday morning. She is doing very well. The midwife came today and weighed her. She is 7.5-her take home weight was 7.3. She is nursing very well -for the Mom's who need to know. :0) Her heart murmur is harder to hear so that is a wonderful improvement. We will let you know how her appointment goes on Friday.

In home nurses

Hospital bath

Sleeping peacefully at the hospital unwired.

Psalm 34:1-3

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;

the humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

Another Blue Baby :0)

Yummy soft jumbo crayola crayons!

She's OFF!!

Yesterday at 3:00 the doctors started weaning Esmé off of her oxygen. By 7:00 she was completely on her own with her saturation levels doing excellent. Praise to God for this progress!!! She is also off of IV. The blood culture came back negative but antibiotics are still being administered orally just as a precaution...I think she will be done them tomorrow. Esmé will still be in hospital for at least 4 days (likely longer when you're dealing with 'hospital time'). Before she can come home I will have to stay at the hospital (not as a patient) for 24 hours with her so that she can be monitored in my care. Please continue to pray-we covet your prayers!