Don't Google "Koala bear poems", or you will end up here!

I know, I know....I haven't posted in 4 1/2 months!! Do people even check my blog still? People I actually know, that is .... I just did a peak at my stats counter and saw that most people lately that have come across this blog did so after googling something to do with koala bears. These are some actual google searches that people did that brought them to my blog:

• "koala bear poem"

• "koala bear cookies"

• "koala poetry"

• "smiling koala bear"

and lots of others, many of which have to do with koala bear poems...who knew, that so many people were searching about poems to do with koala bears??
So...if you have come across this blog in search of something to do with koala bears, sorry to disappoint you!!
Actually, I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog. Even though I like koala bears and it's the nickname I've used for ages for Internet stuff...too many people are landing on this blog from all over the place thinking they will find something to do with koalas!!
I will post another actual family update with pics soon....

Balloons and Smiles

We were at the hospital yesterday with the girls for Rebecca's last appointment with her pediatrician before we move away. While there, we went and got their picture taken next to their balloon on the Obstetrics ward. After your baby is born, you have the option of donating $100 to the hospital, which they use to purchase medical equipment etc. The child's name then gets put on a balloon and hung on the "Little Treasures" wall. We didn't do it with Rebecca, but after Rachel was born we decided to get them both a balloon. They were just put up while we were in Winnipeg, so we decided to go take a look while we were at the hospital. I thought I'd post these since I like the way Becky is smiling in her picture!

I just noticed something on the tickers up top....today Rebecca is 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days old, and Rachel is 3 months and 3 weeks old. ... that's a lot of 3s!!

Update...

So it's been over a month and a half again since I last posted. Rachel is now over 3 1/2 months old and continuing to grow like a weed. It's amazing to see her grow and learn new things right before our eyes. She is now constantly rolling over from her back onto her tummy, and never stays on her back for sleeping at night. She always promptly rolls either onto her side or right onto her tummy when we put her down. The last 4 nights she's slept awesome, right through the night! Last night she slept from 9 pm till 8 am! :)
Rebecca is getting bigger too and in just a month and a half from now will be attending the Elves Society preschool program! Yup, we are moving to Edmonton in a month from now. Edmonton will be better for Rebecca in the long run, with more services and programs for her. The preschool program will benefit both her and us, as it will allow me to go out and do shopping etc during the day with Rachel. It's almost impossible for me to get out myself with both of them, which usually means I spend most days in the house.
We just got back from a very quick 2 week trip to Winnipeg, where we helped my parents move from their house into an aparment. The time was just not long enough though, and when we left the apartment was still piled full of boxes with nothing put away. I wished I could have stayed longer but it was just not possible.
Here are some pictures taken over the last month...

Rebecca & Rachel wearing their matching sundresses from Tante Barbara.

All smiles!

Sisters on Canada Day (and Daddy's birthday!)

With Oma & Opa in Winnipeg.

2 months old

Here are a few pics I took today of Rachel, who turned 2 months old today.

Smiles

I managed to get a few pictures tonight of Rachel smiling. She's been smiling lots now but it's hard to catch with the camera cause it happens so fast! The second picture is my favourite.

Rainbow

There was a beautiful rainbow out tonight. We don't have the best view from our house with all the buildings around, but here are some pictures I took.

"As long as it's healthy"

I hear this comment a lot from people when they (or somebody close to them) are expecting a baby. When asked if they are having a boy or a girl, often times the response is: "Oh, it doesn't really matter, as long as it's healthy." I heard that comment again today, and just thought I'd write down some thoughts on that. Before having Rebecca, I think I may have said the same thing. On more than one occasion. I thought nothing of it, and did not expect to NOT have a healthy baby. That happens to other people, not us! "We don't really care what we're having, as long as it's healthy." NOW, whenever I hear that comment, I feel so different about it. I always think, well what if the baby is NOT healthy? Does that mean you would want it or love it any less?? I don't think so!!! I always think of our sweet Rebecca when I hear people saying that now. She is blind, has severe brain damage, can't walk, talk, sit or even roll over....but I LOVE her no matter what, healthy or not! Now believe me, I do NOT hold anything against anybody who ever said that statement. I know they don't mean anything bad by it, and of course we all hope for healthy babies! But, what if your baby is born with a disability? And the 'as long as it's healthy' part no longer applies?
Just my humble opinion, and something to think about.

Well, it's about time!

Well, it's about time for an update. I haven't been good at keeping up with this blog, mainly cause just about everyone who would look at this is also on Facebook. But I do enjoy reading and looking at other people's blogs, I am just too lazy to keep up my own!

So Rachel is 2 months old now. She's changed so much, that newborn stage sure goes by fast! She is now smiling and talking ('cooing') at us which is so cute to see. She still does not have too much of a 'routine' with sleeping but she has had some good nights where she slept 6 hrs straight....that only happened twice though so far. I've enjoyed being able to go for some walks with her in the stroller, something I hardly ever did with Rebecca since she absolutely hated being in the stroller.

Here are some recent pics of Rachel and her big sister Rebecca.

Introducing the newest member of our family!

The newest member of our family, Rachel Ann, was born on April 2, 2008 at 7:23 a.m weighing 8 lbs 15 oz and 21 3/4 inches long. She is such a little sweetheart, just like her big sister. We are so glad that she is healthy and thank God for this precious addition to our family. This newborn stage goes by so fast that I'm just trying to enjoy every moment of it.

Still waiting...

I guess it's been awhile since I've posted! It is now 2 days before my due date (due Wed the 26th), and we are still waiting for the baby to arrive. Unfortunately Calvin had a cold last week, and now a few days ago Rebecca and I both got it, just as he was starting to feel better. Rebecca's coughing and I've got a headache, stuffed up and coughing, ughhhh! I never thought I'd actually wish to go overdue, but in this case I do, I can not imagine going through labor feeling like this. So I'm hoping baby will wait till the end of the week to arrive.....and who knows, maybe baby and big sister Rebecca will share the same birthday of March 29? Can't believe Rebecca is turning 3 on Saturday! Hopefully by the next time I post, we'll all be better and baby will be here. Thank-you to everyone who has been thinking about us and praying for us, we appreciate it.

Poem

I came across this poem awhile back, and thought I'd share it on here. Rebecca has truly been a blessing to us, and I can't imagine not having her in our life. She is our special little Sweetie, and a gift from God. As we await the arrival of our second little one on the way in just a few weeks, I sometimes wonder how it is that you can love the second child just as much as the first, but from what I hear, your heart just opens up another place for that little one and you love it just the same .... I am looking forward to meeting our new little one very soon, and experiencing that same love all over again! But for now, we are enjoying the last few weeks as a family of 3.

Here is the poem:

Special Child

by Sharon Harris

You weren't like other children,
And God was well aware,
You'd need a caring family,
With love enough to share.

And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven't been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.

You winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.

We're proud that we've been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The joy that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.

A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who's taught us many things,
But most of all - "Real Love."

C-O-L-D

This is what COLD looks like:

Rebecca in her Stander

January is almost over, and the really cold weather has hit us. The forecast for the next 4 days range from highs of -31 C to -34 C, with nights from -37 C to -42 C! So I don't think I'll be going out to much in the next few days, especially not with Rebecca.
There are now less than 2 months till we will meet the newest member of our family! There are still lots of things I want to get done before the baby comes, so I think the time will go by quickly.
I took some pictures a few days ago of Rebecca in her stander, she hadn't been in it for awhile cause we had to get it readjusted to fit her properly.

Some more pictures....

So the new year is here and things are back to the regular routine now, we finally took down the tree and decorations yesterday, and Calvin's parents left for home today after visiting here for 2 weeks. Now that the busyness of the holidays is over, it's time to get started on some projects that I want to complete before the new baby arrives. Only 11 weeks left to go!
Here are a few more pictures that were taken in the last few days.

Sweetie

Our family of 3....for now.

Rebecca with her Grandma and Grandpa. Calvin and I took a little spin around the lake...don't worry, didn't do anything too crazy!

Calvin doubled his mom on the snowmobile, before she went for a little ride by herself.

Happy New Year!!

It's been awhile again since I posted, so I thought I'd post some pics from the last little while. Calvin's parents came up for Christmas, it's the first time they've been to Yellowknife at this time of the year. We've had a nice time visiting and playing games. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and have a happy and healthy new year 2008! The new year looks like it will bring a lot of changes in our family with having a new baby in March and moving later in the summer, but we are looking forward to the adventure! Here are some recent pictures:

Hanging out with Grandpa.

Becky and Grandma.

Making German Paper Stars with Grandma.

Keeping warm by the fireplace.
"Daddy, may I open this present now?"
"Sure, Sweetie. Daddy will help you."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"A fleece Winnie the Pooh blanket!"
"Look at my new Teddy bear hot water bottle!"
Trying to get a family picture. "Trying" is the key word here.
Smiles from Sweetie.
Calvin got some SuDoku books for Christmas, and couldn't put them down for days afterwards!
Sweetie opening up another gift.
A really neat tree ornament that changes colour.