Look What I Did!

What Do You Call Your In-laws?

I recently read a blog where a lady discussed this "controversial issue". I can't remember where I came across it so I can't provide a link to it. Sorry about that. The blogger wrote that she had been married for five years and had just started calling her in-laws Mom and Dad. 

I started calling Erik's parents Mom and Dad in the receiving line on our wedding day.

I remember it being such a relief to finally know what to call them. I even sent them an email once while we were dating (they live in Washington so I couldn't just pop on by) in which I asked what I should call them. How awkward is that?? They asked me to call them by their first names, but that just felt wrong so I didn't really call them anything. I would just make eye contact before speaking. You know, speak only when spoken to or looked at. I called them Mr. and Mrs. Olson in the beginning, but then I just stopped calling them anything altogether.

Then came our much anticipated wedding day and I finally had an appropriate and comfortable name for them, Mom and Dad.

Seriously, it was a sweet relief.

And it wasn't even weird. Not for me anyway... it may have been strange for them. It was completely comfortable and just rolled nicely off my tongue and out of my mouth.

I even call them just that, mom and dad, when I am talking to my own parents about them (Erik's parents).  I asked my mom if that was weird for her and she just shrugged and said, "nope".

Erik, on the other hand, doesn't call my parents anything. I think he has tested out the big M and D words, but they came out halted and awkwardly. He speaks only when spoken to or looked at.

What about you? What do you call your in-laws?

:: right now ::

Right now, I am...

:: listening to Erik, a Brit, and an Aussie discussing music.

:: smelling three different deodorants, some wickedly strong body wash, and smelly, sleepy boy... I may have a headache.

:: thankful that the Aussie was brilliant enough to open the balcony door as I wrote that last sentence because it smells in here. Thank you, Andrew!

:: hoping it stays sunny today. I love love love the sunshine.

:: planning a trip to the equator. We are hoping to rent a motorcycle -- Erik is pretty pumped about it.

:: laughing at all the boys around me. Staying in dorms is certainly an adventure.

:: enjoying having no responsibility.

:: dreading going back to work... And that is still over five months away.

:: thankful for our iPad. I can text my sister and she sends me photos and videos of my nieces daily. I also get videos and photos from Mandi. I look at them every single day. Over and over. It is wonderful.

:: needing to use the bathroom, but dreading that adventure.

:: uploading photos. I am surprised by how few photos I have taken... I am not big on city photography and Erik is tired of me snapping his picture.

:: loving spending every waking moment with my favourite person. I don't think he would say he same.

:: anticipating parking myself on a beach for a week. Erik is going to surf and I will attempt it for one day, but I plan on reading to my hearts content. That being said I am...

:: shuddering at the very thought of surfing. I kind of have afear of giant waves. This is especially true when I cannot touch the ground. And I am...

:: hoping our hostel has a book exchange and that there are English books to exchange with.

:: thinking I should drink some water. This girl is dehydrated 100% of the time.

:: reading the Bible from start to finish. I am thankful to have made it through Deuteronomy already. That was a wee bit painful.

:: praying that one of my dear friends has had or is having her baby very soon. Also praying that everyone is healthy and happy.

:: wishing you a wonderful Tuesday wherever you are!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing youa lovely weekend!

-- knitting --

I miss knitting.
Like really really really miss it.
I miss it almost as much as I miss the people I love the very most.
Ok, maybe I don't miss it that much.
I do miss it though.
Very much.
Let's be honest... I haven't knit anything since July (I think).
That is my longest drought yet.
And I miss it.
I miss creating.
I miss the softness of the wool in my hands.
I miss seeing the string of wool become a row of little uniform stitches.
And then watching the row become many rows.
And watching the many rows become something.
A sweater.
A scarf.
Wrist warmers.
A blanket.
Anything.
I miss knitting.

I Love Ecuador

I love Ecuador. I don't know if it is because we have settled into our traveling groove or because Ecuador is more lovely than Peru, but I really love Ecuador. We even spent the better part of a week in a hostel having less-than-enjoyable diarrhea.

Did you know that diarrhea is even worse when you can't flush your toilet paper? And did you know that it is even less pleasant when your wastebasket isn't cleaned daily? Well, I can attest to the fact that it is worse than just plain-old-North-American diarrhea.

Even with the scoots though, Ecuador is lovely. We have been to Guayaquil, Riobamba and Banos and had a good time in all of them.

Guayaquil was a very big city. It is the biggest city and Ecuador and it was... big. We walked along the river, ventured up to a lookout, and met some wonderful people at our hostel. We were only there for a day and a bit, but we will be returning in just under a month as we are catching the bus from Guayaquil to Lima, Peru (a 31 hour bus ride).

In Riobamba we visited a friend and former co-worker of Erik's. His family operates an orphanage in Riobamba so we spent a couple days playing with the kids and helping out where we could. It was wonderful to be in a family-like environment again, even if it was only for a few hours a day. It was also nice to talk to people who spoke English as a first language. Only two of the kids spoke English and none of the employees at the orphanage did so it was an adventure to try to communicate with them. Thankfully babies don't care if you understand them and they don't understand you anyway so I was ok most of the time.

We are currently in Banos and we have enjoyed the zoo, the hotsprings, go-karting down the highway and walking around town umpteen times. The weather has been less than stellar -- we were rained out on the go-karts and had to return earlier than anticipated --  but it is great here. We are surrounded by mountains on all sides. Banos is just a tiny town nestled in a little valley.

Tomorrow we are hoping to make our way to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Erik tells me it is the second highest capital city in the world. I'm glad he likes fun facts like that because.... I don't. We don't have any plans beyond finding a hostel when we get there.

We have been traveling for just over a month. I can't believe it has been that long! And I can't believe we still have five months left!

Hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday!

Nori Joy's Birth Story: Part Two

I just realized I only wrote the first portion of Nori's birth story. I suppose I could just leave it as it does include her emergence into the world, but I love stories and I love birth so the story continues.

It was very special to see Sam interacting with his newest daughter, but I was even more excited to see Milena reunited with her littlest one. When she came up from PAR she was exhaustedly beaming -- radiating joy, relief and excitement. Sam wheeled Nori Joy in and Milena took her in her arms for the second time.

Little Joy took to the breast instantly and Milena fed her baby as satisfied as could be. Sam and Milena made calls to their families sharing the news of the baby's arrival.

It's been over a month so the exact details fail me, but Sam and Milena called for Mor Mor and Maelle to come meet the baby. I was super pumped because that meant I could almost hold the little one. Sam went down to get Little Miss and to help Milena's mom carry her things up.

Maelle suddenly looked like a giant when she walked in. Doesn't that always happen though? Older siblings seem to grow up the instant the younger one comes along.

Maelle was very excited to meet and hold the baby. She already knew her name and called her Nori Joy (Nowee Jowy). She beamed as she held her little sister and gently kissed her head. Maelle cried when Nori was taken away from her, but the baby needed to be fed and changed. Milena lay in bed with a daughter on either side of her and all was right in the world.

Mor Mor had a snuggle and then it was my turn! At long last I got my hands on that little cherub and I savoured every second. She was so plump, round and perfect. Her dark tuft of hair was delightful and she looked so peaceful and serene resting in my arms. The weight of her little body was wonderful and warm and I loved it!

Erik came to the hospital shortly thereafter and was rewarded with snuggles with Elinor and rough-housing with Maelle. I love seeing Erik with new babies. He is much more experienced and comfortable with them now then he was when Sawyer made her arrival two and a half years ago. He hasn't had much of a choice in the matter.

I went home with Erik and Maelle went home with her Mor Mor leaving Sam, Milena and Nori to get to know each other a little bit better.

The midwives, doctors and nurses were never concerned with Nori's blood sugar even though she was almost 10lbs. Milena had two separate gestational diabetes tests and they both came back negative. This made for a much different hospital experience this time around and Milena wasn't encouraged (read forced) to "top up" Nori after feeds and their new routine-making-process went relatively uninterrupted.

I still cannot believe how greatly you can love someone in an instant. I am always overwhelmed with how much my heart can grow and how fiercely I can love these little babies the moment I meet them. It is truly amazing.

Elinor Alida Joy. I know she has forgotten all about me, but I am confident she will be unable to resist loving me when I come home.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Happy (belated) Birthday Gus Gus!

Kaden John had his first birthday on January 12. He's one!!! I would have loved to have been there to celebrate with him, but I'm confident he felt loved just the same.

When he was just wee I called nicknamed him Gus. This was for a few reasons. For starters, he looked like a little old man. Secondly, he was a grunty, gassy, and grumpy little fella and what sounds cuter than Grunty Gus, Gassy Gus, and Grumpy Gus? I went with Pukey Pete on occasion because that was another skill of his, but Gus won out. He is now none of those things, but Gus Gus is a name that has stuck for the poor guy.

Little Gus was born at 34 weeks. He was a fighter from the get-go and it's a good thing too because he has a big sister to defend himself against. He absolutely adores Sawyer and she manages to get the best smiles out of him. She calls him Kade, Buddy, Gus, and Handsome. Kaden especially loves wrestling with Sawyer... or at least he did a month ago. I would sometimes worry that she was a little rough with him, but he loves rolling around on the ground with her. I love watching them play together -- they really are best friends.

Kaden is a bit of an untrusting little man and always has a look of suspicion on his face. It is one of my favourite things about him though. He often looks unimpressed so when I get smiles out of him it is extra rewarding.

He is an easy-going little man. He is observant and he loves watching what goes on around him. He is busy -- he loves crawling around and gets into everything, but I would still say he enjoys watching what is going on. He especially loves watching Sawyer.

I can't even explain how charming he is. He is just so... lovable. Erik and I were talking about how fond were of him yesterday and I had a hard time putting my finger on what it was I loved so much about the little guy. He is my little Gus Gus. He is the only boy in my gaggle of tiny human beings. He's my buddy.

So Gus, even though we are far away right now, we love you so much and wish we could be there to toss you in the air and tickle you. Happy Birthday! You are a gem and we can't wait to see you in five and a half months.

Last day in Peru

Well, it is our last day in Peru. It isn't actually our last day as we are flying out of Lima, Peru on February 18, but we are heading to Ecuador tonight. Our bus leaves at the delightful hour of 23:45 and I believe it is a 16 hour busride to Guayaquil. We have absolutely no plans beyond safely arriving in Guayaquil. This provides me with the usual terrified excitement. Having no plans is wonderful, but having plans is wonderful too. I wouldn't mind having at least an idea of how to proceed, but things don't seem to work out when we have them well planned anyway so we have been living by the seat of our pants (did I use that expression correctly?).

Erik and I have been talking a lot (imagine that). We've been talking a bit about the trip and how things are going and have decided that backpacking is not entirely what we expected. We are both thoroughly enjoying ourselves and don't regret a thing, but we feel we'd be more inclined to move somewhere for six months and volunteer or work rather than travel the way we are.

I don't like being a tourist. Every city we go to is overrun with tourists and we are just one of the same. I feel we aren't getting a real picture of the culture. In Ghana I really enjoyed meeting people and having the time to get to know them. We were invited to people's villages and into their homes. We, as travelers, were the odd man out, but South America is full full full of tourists.  

I feel like a bit of a complainy-pants so I want to reiterate that we are loving our trip! It is awesome and fabulous and wonderful! I don't know if Erik feels the same, but I love spending every moment with him. I really enjoy his company and couldn't pick a better travel companion.

Peru is beautiful. I especially love the Andes. There was a moment, or rather there were a few moments, while sitting on a rock at Machu Picchu that I felt transported back to the beautiful coast of British Columbia. There was a thick fog clinging to the mountain, rain threatened to fall and the air smelled so sweet and wet and fresh. It was lovely.

I love how colourful Peru is. Clothing, cloth, buildings, flowers, paintings... everything is colourful. I love the cobblestone streets and the heavy colonial influence. I love the historical buildings. I love the hidden nooks and crannies. I love the hustle and the bustle of the streets. I love the markets. I love the landscape (desert, forest, beachfront, mountain). I love that the sun is there to greet me when I wake up at 5:00am. I love Peru.

And tonight we head to Ecuador. Anyone been there? Have any advice?

Right Now

This is what is happening right now. Life is good. So very good.

How goes it?

I haven't been blogging as much as I thought I would (read: at all), but thankfully Erik has been. I miss this space though... I don't like the new space. So I will give a brief update.

I am still sick. I thought I was getting better for about a week. I was coughing less and my nose wasn't running. We even managed to do a three day hike. But now we are in Cusco and I can barely talk. I have a raspy man voice and I have been having to whisper because sometimes sounds don't come out otherwise. I constantly feel like I need to clear my throat. But I don't have a headache or anything... Just a sore, phlegmy throat, a cough, a running nose, and a man voice.

Traveling is wonderful. Budgeting for 6 months is not. But traveling is wonderful none-the-less. We were tourists the first few days -- traveling from one place to the next as quickly as possible. We were always busy and always spending money on something or other. I feel like we have become less like tourists and more like touring travellers (I don't know if that makes sense). We are traveling slower, having lazy days, and really enjoying the hustle and bustle around us.

The highlight of my trip so far has definitely been our trek in Canyon Del Colca. It was stunning and breathtaking (partly due to the altitude). The first two days were lovely but the third was a little less fun. We hiked what felt like straight up for two hours. It felt so nice to do a hike though. And the Andes are absolutely beautiful.

Sometimes it feels like we have been gone forever and other times it feels like it has been only a day. But it usually feels like a lot longer than it is. I think we just hit the two week mark. I am still at the point where I am acutely aware that I am "missing out" on life at home. There are a few sick babes at home and I would typically make sure to go help the mamas out, but I am a bit too far away. Prayers will have to suffice for now. I wonder if that will ever lessen - the wishing I could be in two places at once. Or the thoughts that I occasionally get that go along the lines of "is this really better than my life at home?". It isn't better than life at home as nothing could be better than that, but it is different and it is an awesome experience and it's only for a short while.

FaceTime has been wonderful to have. I have really only talked to my mom, but it is convenient to be able to call her cellphone from my iPad rather than waiting for someone to come on Skype. I have also managed to get ahold of Mandi through FaceTime and of Milena through Skype. Oh! And we talked to Erik's family at Christmas. Traveling certainly isn't the same as it was ten years back (or so I am told).

Well it is now 7am here... I should probably get up as we are catching public transit to a neighbouring town today. Hope this finds all of you well. And I hope that your sick children are on the mend.

2012 in Review: July to December

Much of July was spent waiting for the twins. Lindsey was becoming less mobile as her babies and her belly grew so I often went to visit her at her place. Erik was in Alaska for the greater part of the month so I spent my time at home, in the garden, at water parks, having sleepover's with my little people and working. My parent's sold their house and made plans to move to Kelowna at the end of the month. We also went to Washington for my brother, Joel's. And Little Miss Maelle turned two at the end of July.

My nieces were born on August 1 -- Peyton Ashley and Avery Sharlene. Many hours were spent at Lindsey's snuggling those sweet babes (as you can imagine). We also attended a family reunion near 100 Mile House and made a trip to the coast (with the twins) for Zachary's 30th birthday and my niece's profession of faith. Lynn also came to Kelowna for a visit!! That was wonderful.

In September my mom, sister, the girls, and I made another trip to the coast for my Oma's birthday. My Oma was not expecting us and when we walked into the house she got down on her hands and knees and admired Peyton and Avery with tears in her eyes. Erik and I took advantage of the nice weather and spent a few afternoons cruising on his motorcycle. We were knee deep in trip planning, but still made time for our friends and the little people we love. My niece, Jessica, moved in with us in September as she started attending the local university and my parent's gained possession of their house here in Kelowna.

October seems to have been a relatively uneventful month. I donated my hair for the second time, had sleepovers with the girls, and started thinking about packing up our house. We spent Thanksgiving at my parent's house and many of my sibling's made their way to Kelowna to spend the weekend with us. Kaden, Sawyer, Henry and Sylvia joined us for Thanksgiving dinner. Kevin and Mandi hosted a Murder Mystery at the beginning of the month.

I remember November just being crazy. Every spare moment was spent packing up our house or making final preparations for our Grand Adventure. I managed to squeeze in a girl's weekend with Mandi and Milena at my parent's Bed & Breakfast and Erik and I headed off to Mexico with the Jansen Clan for a week. Both of those were incredibly amazing!

And finally December. I had the pleasure of witnessing the birth of Elinor Alida Joy -- my friend, Milena's, daughter. I didn't have much time to spend with her as we left Kelowna just 12 days after she was born, but I took advantage of the few days we did have. The beginning of December was more ridiculous than November, but those moments spent with Little Nori Joy were so peaceful and refreshing and they really helped me make it through the rest of the mayhem we were experiencing. We had a "Last Supper" with family and friends and then we headed off on our Grand Adventure, starting in Peru.

And that, my friends, briefly highlights the events of 2012.

2012 in Review: January to June.

It's that time of year again -- the very beginning. The beginning of a new year always provides a lovely excuse to reflect on the year that has just come to a close. Erik and I were going through the months and there were many that seemed to pass by in a bit of a blur. The only reason I have any recollection of anything is because of this here blog... my memory seems to fail me at times.

I sadly won't have pictures to accompany this post as my computer is far from Cusco, Peru, but I will try to briefly sum up the main events of each month.

January. January was a babyful month for me (aren't they all?) as my dear friend, Mandi, gave birth to Kaden John at 33+6 weeks gestation. I was thankful to be there to support Mandi and her husband during the labour and delivery and spent many days and nights afterwards cuddling with the little fella and helping Mandi out whenever I could. I also learned that my sister, Lindsey, was expecting not one, but two babies.

Sadly I cannot recall much of February. I will assume I spent it with tiny people and with patients. It was at the end of February that I was offered my full-time position at the hospital though my line didn't start until the beginning of April.

In March we made a trip down to Washington to visit Erik's family as his sister was in town with her three boys. We camped out in my in-law's backyard for the duration of the visit. We also bought our camera in March -- a very momentous occasion.

In April I got to see my sister's future offspring for the first time. I accompanied Lindsey to a few of her ultrasounds and learned that she was most likely having two girls. I swear they were the cutest little blobs I have ever seen and Bronco (Avery) even did somersaults when I came into the room. Erik and I planted our garden (which ended up being awesome!) and my Little Sawybean turned two!

My nephews came over in May and stayed with Erik and I for the long weekend. We went fishing, had picnics, and they camped out in the backyard. They were "bored" the entire time, but ended up saying the visit was awesome! May brought many barbecues with friends as it usually does due to the warming weather. And, Erik and I went to the coast to hike the Chief and stay at Howe Sound Brewery (where my brother, Zachary, and his wife, Heather, joined us) to celebrate his April birthday.

And Erik headed off to Alaska in June as is customary. I probably did a whole lot of nothing while he was gone. My parent's put their house up for sale at the end of June as well.

Next instalment to follow shortly. Erik and I have a day to plan.