And we're off to the 'Peg

Part of my extended family moved to Winnipeg just over 10 years ago and I'm so excited to be travelling there for one of my cousin's wedding this weekend.  It just so happens that I'm bringing the WHOLE family with me.  Hubby, Camryn and Bowen are all hopping aboard a plane with me and I'm feeling a little anxious about it.  Camryn was only a couple months older than Bowen when I took her to Winnipeg for the first time.  I guess he is a really good sleeper so I really shouldn't be too worried. 

I'll let you all know how it goes.... wish me luck!

Friendly California

We had a wonderful visit recently from our close friends who just happen to live in California.  As you can see from the picture above, our families have multiplied since we last saw eachother, adding two little ones to the three big kids.  We are so blessed to have such great friends, even if they live far away, and it was awesome to see how well they played together.

I guess it's our turn now, to head down to sunny California and visit Disneyland once again!  I am really looking forward to it in March 2012!

UPDATE:  Bowen is smiling and laughing now!  Super cute with Sophie the Giraffe at 10 weeks old.

The last and final month...

June is beginning.  And as May ends, so does the 5 month span I have had with a life of a single parent.  This is the last and final month of my husband being away in Australia.  His expected return day is fast approaching and I cannot explain how relieved I am feeling.  Every day his arrival approaches faster and faster and I am almost more anxious now then I was to start.  This countdown is much harder than the previous one and I find myself in complete anticipation.

Life has certainly changed, what with a new baby and all.  I have adjusted to this life taking care of two children by myself and I feel so much stronger because of it.  I became a single mother of one, to a single mother of two in almost an instance and thank goodness I have a really easy baby boy.  If it weren't for him being so easy-going, I'm not sure I would be able to do this by myself.  God really does not place more than we can handle on us.

I hadn't been a part from my husband for longer than a week since we started dating in December of 1999.  This leap we took has definitely changed our lives dramatically and has taught us both how much we appreciate the other person so much more.  I have taken for granted all the little things that he does around the house and with the kids.  Even having him lying next to me at night is something I have taken grown so used to that I had forgotten how much I appreciated.  My love for him has grown so much.  The things he has sacrificed for his family have made me realize what a truly selfless person he really is.  I am now, more than ever, very proud of the man God gave me.

I love you Terry!

Bowen Steel Veer

My baby boy is here.  I would like to introduce my son, Bowen Steel Veer, who arrived on April 1st, 2010 at 8:31 am weighing in at 8 lbs 9 oz and 21. 5 inches long.  I'm so happy to be blessed with this child that is so easy-going and such a beautiful little guy.

One of our extended family members came over and did a photoshoot of our new family.  I'm so pleased with the results.  Have a look at the attached link to have your first look at this new family of four.

Carmen VanDyck Photography

The Olympics Field Trip

I have been trying to plan a day in downtown Vancouver to experience the Olympics in our hometown.  Well the day finally came and it went off without a hitch.  I knew taking a 3 year old being 8 months pregnant was not a smart thing to do alone so I was lucky to enlist my mom, sister and the Hummelman's to join me.  Thank goodness we all had a blast with no temper tantrums or fiasco's that would cause some drama.

Camryn was such a trooper, walking every where we went, and my sister was very happy to carry her when her legs got tired, which was quite often, as you can imagine.  We got off at Burrard Station and the walking never seemed to end.  A potty break to start the day off and away we went.  Up to Robson and across the Robson's Square where we were able to see the ice arena that my brother, Kyle worked on assisting with the electrical set up. 

From there we went to The Bay to pick up our Olympic gear, or what we could find, and then it was out for lunch. We had lunch at some hole in the wall sandwich place at the Vancouver City Centre which was surprisingly good.  My child is once again not a fan of sandwiches because the food is touching eachother, however I managed to get some food in her.  We went to Granville street to take in a few sites.

If you are wondering, while viewing these pictures, why Camryn never looks at the camera, well, I can't expain it.  I'll just tell you she's 3 years old and leave it at that.

Now the main reason I brought Camryn downtown was so she could see the 'Meet the Mascots' ice presentation.  Although she wasn't a fan of the enormous mascots ("They are big Mommy!") as she would hide behind the glass, she did enjoy herself.  We were extremely lucky, that through all the crowds of people, we were able to spot my sister in-law and brother in-law with choice seats at the glass.  Camryn had one of the best seats in the house and my sister in-law took my camera.

It was really nice to be downtown with some friends.  Camryn spent most of her time right beside Madison, having a blast, I might add.  It's super cute to see the two girls interact with each of their personalities.  I love it!

We did a little more walking and headed over to  the cauldron, which I don't think looks much like a cauldron but more like a bunch of torches.  It was beautiful with the background of a beautiful world we live in.

8 Months Pregnant

So this Sunday I will be 32 weeks pregnant, or should I say 8 months.  Whichever sounds further along, just go with that.  My wonderful, but terribly missed, husband will be home in 6 1/2 weeks and this baby is scheduled to come out in 7 weeks time.  I am getting incredibly impatient as this baby keeps growing, my body fills out a little more each day making it harder for me to get around easily and without any pain.

I keep looking at my closet, or should I refer to it as the area with very little clothes that fit.  I wish to the days where my body becomes a little smaller and I will be able to fit back in to those clothes again.  These days it feels like that will never come.

In my knowledge of the human body, I understand the baby needs to be in your belly for as long as possible (up to or including 40 weeks) but once you have had a little child of God growing in your belly, you really feel like you never need to experience that again.  Just get pregnant and give me the baby.  I've been through this before and I'm exhausted already.  I am sure that most moms agree, although there are some who enjoy it, being pregnant is highly overrated.

Well I thought I would post some pictures that I had my cousin Natalie Gielens do a maternity photo shoot for me as a Valentine's Day surprise for my Australia bound husband while he's away.  Here are a few of my favorites (only a few because there were a lot to choose from):

Camryn can write?

On Monday we were on our way downtown to a chiropractor appointment (the only thing that is keeping my body in a little less pain) and Camryn informs me that she knows how to write the letter "M".  She therefore proceeds to draw it in the air with her finger.

Afterwards we went for lunch at Red Robin and I asked her to draw the letter "M" just like she showed me in the air.  So I gave her a pen and she showed me what she can do.  I asked her to add the letter "O" and then draw another "M" beside it.

To my amazement, she wrote the word "MOM"!!!!!!  When I told her what she wrote she was beaming with a smile from ear to ear.  I'm extremely proud.