{this moment}

{this moment} - 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!

*** *** *** ***

{this moment}

{this moment} - 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!

*** *** *** ***

the best

This was waiting for me when I woke up this morning. It makes me ache for the people back home -- especially these six and their mothers.

I would be on a plane and on my way home for some serious snuggles if it weren't for the wonderful time we are having. And if we weren't going to Thai cooking classes today.

But these are my little sweetie pies. Aren't they precious?

Date Night

This is how we roll. Yes, I am wearing everything I own even though we are inside. And yes, I am desperately trying to convince my niece that she loves me. She probably just thinks I'm crazy. Isn't she sweet?

Happy Halloween

The girls know their Auntie is about to tromp around the globe and they are acutely aware of my sorrow over not being able to see Africa on this excursion. They decided to bring Africa to me instead and came over dressed as a itty bitty elephant and a wittle zebra. They were deliciously adorable and it took everything in me to not squeeze them to bits.

Typical -- Avery pissed off and Peyton just hanging out. 

The cutest little elephant I have ever seen. 

Pretty Peyt.  

These girls are just too much some times. Most times. 

Gah! I just love them.

I know there are too many pictures here, but I just couldn't resist!  

Aren't they sweet?

{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 lovely weekend! 

*** *** ***

not-so-happy

Lindsey and Adrian took the girls to Edmonton for two weeks. They just came home on Sunday and I got to spend a little time with the babes while Mama went for an oil change and something or other. I don't think the girls were too happy to be left with their now stranger-of-an-auntie.

I hate to admit it, but they were both crying within 15 minutes of Lindsey being gone -- they realized their Ma had abandoned them and left them with me, someone who looked and sounded a bit like her, but didn't smell right.

What do you do when you have two tiny screaming children?

Well, if you're me, the first thing you do is snap a quick picture. They were a bit comical really, they have completely distinct wails. Avery's lungs are definitely more powerful and she was just giving 'er. Peyton seemed to be screaming in solidarity to her sister.

L'il P quit crying as soon as I snapped the first photo. The clicking of the camera seemed more interesting than whatever her younger sister was screeching about. Aves just kept on hollering.

How do you actually calm two upset little ones? Well, I piled them on top of each other and rocked/bounced them until they both seemed content. Poor Avery is bigger so she had to support her sister's weight. She didn't seem to mind though -- they're close like that. I eventually had the two of them suspiciously inspecting me.

And they went back to loving me and smiling. Phewf!

Aren't they just darling?

:)

I got to see all my babies today!! I worked all weekend (got off this morning) which was disappointing as our church had its annual camp out. Erik and I obviously couldn't attend, but we made it out this morning for the worship service. I have worked or been out of town every Sunday all summer so I haven't seen many people from our church family this summer.

It was SO nice to be able to catch up with some of them this morning and early afternoon. Seeing Little Miss, Sawybean, and Gus Gus were an added bonus.

After hanging out at the camp Erik and I went to my sisters house to visit the littlest babies. They aren't so little anymore as Peyton is 7lb 15 oz and Avery's weighing in at 9lb 2 oz. Those little girlies are well over their birth weight and contently thriving. I just have to say that my sister is amazing! Two little babies cannot be easy and I think she is doing a fabulous job caring for her daughters. Two babies. I still can't believe it.

I have been up since yesterday so I should really be getting to bed. I feel like I have much to share, but nothing really to say. Seems as though that's often the case.

Goodnight!

never posted

I didn't realize I never posted this. These pictures, taken when the girls were less than 24 hours old, make me laugh. I love doing this to babies.

 Super Squishy Avery.

Not so Squishy Peyton.

three weeks!

The girls are three weeks old today! They were weighed on Monday and they were both exactly a pound heavier than they were at birth. Peyton was 7lb 2oz and Avery was 7lb 15oz. I try to visit as much as I can, but it's never quite enough.

This is Peyton in her "leisure suit". We like to call her little pants "loosies" because they are anything but tight on her little self.

Travel plans are no further than they were before. We are hoping to go to South America (mainly Peru and Brazil), Scotland to visit friends of ours who are living there for a few years, and then to South East Asia. I'm trying to convince Erik to let me go to Australia when he comes home to go to Alaska, but he isn't going for it yet. Something about wanting to come along... We are hoping to leave in January and to come back in June so E can go fishing again.

We're heading to the coast this weekend. My niece is doing her Profession of Faith and Lindsey is bringing the babies to meet their aunties and uncles and greats. There's a shower for Lindsey and the girls on Monday night, but I'm back to work Tuesday morning so I will be missing those festivities. Oh well, sharing my nieces with thirty+ women isn't my idea of fun anyway.

Well, I'm off to work. Have a good night!

snuggling sisters/baby bits

I am so tired. I don't have much to say today, but then I never really do so it doesn't matter. I am sure you have already prepared to be inundated with photos of Peyton and Avery, but in case you aren't, be warned. I couldn't resist putting these girls together to snuggle yesterday. They're just too cute! And they loved it... or at least they slept through it.

Today we gave them tummy time and they crawled their way off the blanket they were on. It was adorable and hilarious. And they didn't seem to mind being on their bellies. These little girlies were very awake today. For a bit, at least. I enjoyed seeing something other than the stink eye from them.

Miss Peyton is an old soul. She is a little grumpy grandpa and she always looks like she has you figured out. She scowls and peers through a barely open eye and is oh-so-sweet. So very sweet. She is so petite and hates nursing, but loves drinking her mama's milk from a bottle. Her little mouth is so tiny! Peyt's hair is darker than Avery's and she has more... angular features. She is 100% Jansen and, therefore, 100% adorable.

And Little Avery is nearly a pound bigger than her older sister. She is so round all over -- her face, cheeks, body, everything. She is often more alert than Peyton and she is pinker than her. She looks like the perfect little gerber baby. She has blond eyebrows and eyelashes and her hair is lighter than Peyton's. Avery has an adorable birthmark on her inner leg right above her ankle. I actually adore this birthmark of hers. She is 100% Neale and, strangely enough, manages to be 100% adorable as well.

I couldn't be more in love with these girls. They are delightful.

bliss

My day has been full of rubbing my face against soft baby cheeks, changing cute little bums, cooing, burping, and admiring Lindsey's perfect little girls. I have enjoyed watching my sister as a mother, as well. She is a rockin' mama -- so calm and loving. Patient, encouraging, gentle, relaxed, attentive and wonderful.

The ladies. 

The girls -- in little onesies!

Enjoying every moment. 

My favourite picture of the happy family. 

I have to work tonight so I am home briefly. I tried to nap (no chance) and am now contemplating what to eat before going back to the hospital. Lindsey and Ade are right across the hall from my ward so I am planning on visiting on one of my breaks if it happens to be snack time for Peyton and Avery. That will get my sleep-deprived self through tonight.

{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!  

*** *** ***

P+A

I have started this entry fifteen times over and no words seem quite right. I am speechless and crying (always crying) so I will just say this:

My sister, Lindsey, is amazing! I am more proud of her than I could ever say. She rocks my world and I am in awe of what she is capable of. Yesterday, on August 1, 2012, she delivered two of the most beautiful girls into the world -- one head first and one feet first. We (my mother and other sister) were with her while she laboured and then she was whisked off to the OR to push them on out (standard precaution). The girls are healthy and got to stay with their ma and pa.

We gave the new family some time to adjust to each other and went and met the girlies just today. Sharlene and I arrived this morning and Lindsey introduced us to her daughters, Peyton Ashley and Avery Sharlene -- named after their two favourite and best aunties.

There were many tears, as you can imagine. Many hugs and kisses. Snuggles. Sniffs. Then some more tears. So, without further ado, here are the ladies of the hour (day, month, year, decade):

 Peyton Ashley                    Avery Sharlene

Born at 1950                       Born at 1957

6lbs 2oz.                             6lbs 15oz.

19.00 inches long                19.25 inches long

Head First                            Feet First

 Proud Mama.

 Proud Aunties.

 Love my baby girls.

 Big E came for a visit. 

 Words cannot even begin to describe how this feels. Amazing.

 Love. Them.

 Mama admiring her handiwork. Who can blame her?

 

So happy. So very happy.

We are all over the moon in love with these little people. We are thrilled that they have arrived... thankful they are healthy... and excited to show them just how loved they are.