3am

I was loving life at 0300 when this little man was finished his eats and was contently lying on the couch with me. He fell asleep soon after, but unfortunately I couldn't so I just gazed at him and soaked in his baby goodness. How can they be so perfect? And how is it possible for them to smell so good?

Music Monday

I ate this song for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and I still can't get enough. I love when the full sound comes in. I also really enjoy the lyrics; he even gives a shout-out to the Hmong people.

Bon Iver: Minnesota, WI




Until next time, keep your truth arboretic.

EO

Winter Song

This song has been stuck in my head for a few days. It's kind of fitting as winter has finally made its way to these parts. I don't usually enjoy cold or snow, but I am delighted by both at the moment.

Hand/Wrist Warmers

I knit a pair of these wrist warmers for one of my SILs for Christmas. Aren't they delightful? I have since started knitting a pair for myself. I actually messed up the pattern when I made these... they are longer than the pattern intended them to be, but I prefer them that way. I repeated a set of eight rows one to many times which ended up extending the length up the arm about an inch. I like it though. I ended up knitting another pair after these the proper way. I wanted to see if I liked the proper way better, but I don't, so I have started a third pair for myself and I intend on making them too long again.

I needed to wear these one afternoon before wrapping them up for my SIL to ensure they would fit properly. I needed to stretch them out a bit because they look so tiny when they aren't being worn. That is something that always throws me off with knitting. I was especially worried with the first toque I knit because I thought there was no way it would stretch over Erik's head. But it did. And these stretched out too.

I am about halfway through the Baby Sophisticate sweater I'm working on. I have the most difficult parts left - the arms and the collar/button edging. I need to go to Art of Yarn one of these days to get a little extra help. I need to pick up a bunch of stitches and I have only done it once. And that time didn't go so well. I only have a week left to finish it though so I had better get on it. I still need to pick out a pattern for February. Any suggestions?

Bringing Baby Home

As I'm sure you have gathered from this weeks moment, we brought Kaden John home on Thursday! He was just seven days old (35+1 weeks gestation). Kaden's daddy was working out of town and wouldn't be home until the evening so I went and picked up Mandi and the boy.

So tiny!! That's a newborn sleeper next to him and it is no where near fitting him. I love this picture because he is tucking up his legs -- yet another one of my favourite things about newborns. That's about all I have to say about bringing Kaden home... not as exciting a post as I thought.

Check out how hairy my little monkey is. Gah! I love it. And it is all over his tiny body. This little man has more facial hair than his Uncle Erik.

I'm going to be staying at Kevin and Mandi's next week. I am so looking forward to midnight cuddles, milk breath, little burps, grunts, squeaks, hiccups, pitiful wailing, and playing with Sawyer. And I guess I will do whatever else Mandi needs me to... cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping. Maybe I will use one of our 0300 cuddles to finally write out Kaden's birth story.

I am excited to see Sawyer in her role as a big sister. She loves babies and Mandi said she was pretty pumped to see a baby in her house. I wonder how she will feel in a few days when she realizes how much her baby monopolizes her mommy. She is a very affectionate little girl and I am sure she will shower Kaden with love and kisses... but she also loves her mommy and can get pretty protective of her. It may be a difficult transition, but that's part of the reason I want to be there for Mandi, so she can focus on Sawyer when she needs to.

Being around adorable babies does nothing to curb my desire for young'ns of my own. I just keep reminding myself "if I had my own then I wouldn't be here". Being an auntie is pretty special. I love all my babies and I thoroughly enjoy doting on them. My time will come... eventually. I hope.

{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! 

 

*** *** ***

nothing much

I have had two sleepless days and it has been awful. I'm in the middle of four night shifts and I am t-i-r-e-d. I usually manage 5-6 hours between nights, but that sadly isn't happening.  So I have been sitting on the couch watching the snow blustering around outside my window. My Christmas tree is lit and I am dreaming of next week when Kaden will hopefully be home and I will be staying with his family. If he isn't home yet then it will just be me and Sawyer and we will be making plenty of meals to freeze.

I love his squishy little face -- it is so so tiny!! And his hairy little body. He's like a hairy little monkey man. And he is velvety soft. And he smells delicious as newborns happen to do. And his grunts and squawks are absolutely precious. And he is so wrinkly because he doesn't have any fat. Enough blubbering about him though.

In other news, well there isn't much else going on. Erik and I are both busy with work. We're still dreaming of traveling in December though I think we have cut Africa out of our plans. We are thinking of starting in South America for a couple months and then heading to South East Asia for a couple more. We are hoping to stop off in Scotland to visit some friends for a couple weeks along the way if it makes sense with flights and such. We are quite excited!

Have I ever mentioned how much I adore my husband? Erik is the most amazing person I have ever met -- he is everything I could have hoped for and much much more. I am so thankful for him. Did you know that he walks me to work every single day? He wakes up early to walk me when I start at 0700, he plans his evenings around walking me when I start at 1900, and he stays up late to walk me when I start at 2300. He is the best (and not just because he walks me to work)!

An Update on Kaden

I realize I haven't told you anything about little Kaden John other than the fact that he was born. I am planning on writing out his birth story as I did both his sister's and Maelle's (parts one, two, and three), but for now I will share a little bit about the boy himself.

Kaden John decided he wanted out of the womb and into the world on January 12, 2012 at 0015. He was born at 34+2 weeks gestation and he came out kicking and screaming. His mom, dad, auntie, four nurses, a doctor and a pediatrician were all there to welcome him.

We weren't sure how he would be doing SOOM (straight out of mom), but he came with gusto and Mandi was able to hold him skin to skin for seven minutes before they took him to get checked out on the baby warmer. His apgars at one and five minutes were both 9 and he was having no difficulty breathing.

He has been in the nursery since, but has been doing incredibly well -- everyone is impressed with him! Mandi has been breastfeeding since day one and Kaden hasn't needed a feeding tube. Mandi feeds him for twenty minutes and then we top him up with expressed breast milk. On day one and two we used a syringe for the top up, but now he has been taking the bottle. He eats every three hours and wakes up ten minutes before Mandi walks in the nursery so that schedule seems to fit with his schedule. Mandi weighs him before and after breastfeeding to see how much he has eaten and tops him up with the bottle to ensure he is getting enough milk. He has been taking an average of 20ml from the breast and then he needs about 25-30mls to finish his feed. I think that when he is home he may just need to eat more often -- he doesn't have much of a chance to really have his own schedule in the hospital. He is gaining weight though and he will be able to take more from Mandi the bigger and stronger he gets. Things are looking good.

Kaden has been in the incubator since last Thursday, but we are able to take him out for eating and cuddles. He did develop a little bit of jaundice a couple days ago so he was under the lights, but he hasn't needed any extra attention. As of yesterday he was only +/- 50 grams off his birth weight and he may be coming home at the end of the week!

I think they are going to take Kaden out of the incubator today and keep him in a cot in the nursery. One step closer to coming home!

These photos are from yesterday. Sawyer slept over on Sunday night and yesterday brought her to visit Mandi in the hospital and then we dropped her off at her Oma's before going to see Kaden. I was gone on the weekend so I hadn't seen Kaden in 2.5 days and he already looks a little chubbier. I think he looks like an old-man-baby-sawyer. He definitely looks like his sister.

 My first time feeding him his bottle. Isn't the milk a pretty colour???

I can't help but be in awe of this little person. And of God's handiwork. All of Kaden's miniature features are adorable and perfect and he is surprisingly healthy. God was certainly in control of the circumstances surrounding his birth and in taking care of him since then.

I finally have a little man to dote on -- I am quite pleased about that. He has captured my heart and I cannot wait for him to know how loved he is.

Birthday Festivities

It was my 25th birthday on the 8th, but I haven't had time to post about my birthday festivities because I have been quite busy this past little while. I worked on my actual birthday and I was supposed to work all weekend, but a friend needed a shift swap so I ended up getting the Saturday before my birthday off.

Milena and Mandi came over with their families and we prepared a delicious brunch of waffles, eggs benedict, hashbrowns, fresh fruit, and bacon.

After brunch the girls napped and then we went to a local park for a little jaunt when they woke up. It was so nice to get outside, but we were a little fearful for our back-ends as the path was sheer ice. I walked in the brush beside the path most of the time as I had some trouble remaining upright.

Sawyer chose to skate between her parents rather than walking. We weren't out for long (maybe 45 minutes to an hour) but it was long enough. Sawyer had a meltdown on the way back to the car so her parents took her home early and the rest of us went back to our place where Milena made some delicious supper - asparagus risotto and roasted chicken.

These six (now seven) people make it difficult for me to imagine ever leaving Kelowna. I love them all dearly and thoroughly enjoy being welcomed into their families.

Many more updates to come. I still have Kaden's birth, a visit to the coast and a family birthday celebration to share with you.

Music Monday: Iron and Wine round two

Hello Mondains. It feels like a long time since we've had this little chat of ours.

Today's music is a curious case. The magic of youtube has proven invaluable to me. It is incredible that I can search for pretty much anything and it will pop up right in front of me in video form. Whether it is professionally done or some sort of weird home video I pretty much know that someone has put something out there for the topic I am interested in. Magic. It is also magical because we get to see amazing snippets of peoples lives. In this instance I am referring specifically to live musical performances. Usually if I hear someone play a song I like live it very rarely holds its ground to the recorded version. There are too many variables for someone to nail a song anywhere they play it, every time they play it. In this instance I feel that this group nailed it. I like this version much much more than their album version.

You can be the judge if you have the album or want to look it up on the youtubes.  This is Iron and Wine with "Upward Over the Mountain"



Can I also add that I can usually mimic people's voices or at least do a decent impression of them but Sam Beams voice is untouchable for me. I can't even come close. When I sing along its like I'm out of tune but not with the music, just with his voice. He makes me feel like I'm croaking instead of singing.

Until next time; keep your pups in the pantry.

EDO

The Boy Himself

 Kaden John

Born January 12, 2012 @ 0015.

Weight: 5lb 7oz.

Height: 18.25 inches.

Head Circumference: 13.5 inches.

Born at 34 weeks gestation.

{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 rejuvenating weekend! 

 

*** *** ***

 

just precious

I was lucky enough to witness the birth of Sawyer's baby brother, Kaden John, a mere 15 minutes after the day started. He decided to join us 6 weeks early, but he's a feisty little one and he's doing well.

I'm one proud Auntie.

Music Monday: Wife!

Happy Birthday Wife!

25 Years!

You must have changed so much through the years!

Nope!

Ashley's Birthday was yesterday. She turned twenty five years old. We don't really have a song per se but I did sing one to her the night we were engaged. This is Iron and Wine with "Each Coming Night"

Love love love,

EDO

New Years 'Resolutions' - a first.

I'm not one for resolutions. I have never made them for myself (and I'm usually anti-resolutions), but this year I have decided to set some goals for myself. Just for fun. I don't really know what would qualify as a "resolution", but I think I would really just call these fun things  want to do.

#1 Read a book a month - Now that school is out and I have had some time to recover from the constant readings assigned to me, I think it is time for me to start reading again. Reading for enjoyment sake rather than out of necessity. Up this month: Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda.

#2 Knit a new pattern each month - I love knitting, but I sometimes need a little encouragement to try something new rather than continue knitting what I know. They don't need to be big or difficult patterns, but something different each month. Up this month: Baby Sophisticate. 

#3 Complete the quilt I have been working on for the past two years - Yup, two years. You'd think I would have finished it by now as it is simple squares, but I haven't had the motivation to. This is the year.

#4 Do at least one "legitimate" quilting project - Haven't decided what it will be yet, but one of my friends does some quilting and I am going to ask her to help me out (in the form of doing it with me so I actually get something done).

#5 Sew something other than squares - This can include anything from a bag/purse or to a children's (or adult's) garment.

#6 Take a photography course - Erik and I have been saving for a new camera and now I just need to pick which one I want. I figure I should take a photography course so I can optimize my camera rather than use it as a point-and-shoot.

#7 Go on at least one overnight hike with Erik and one with Mandi - I feel like this should be easy to do, but summer fills up quickly with work and this summer there will be my brother's wedding, a family reunion and much much more.

#8 Plan a date for me and Erik each month - An "ashley-style" date (aka free or nearly free). It's easy to forget about dating when it's just the two of us. And he usually wants to do expensive things so I need to take dating into my own hands.

{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! 

 

*** *** ***

 

2011 in Review: July to December

Much of my spare time was spent at the beach in July. With it being a mere 5 minute walk from my house, where else would I want to be? I didn't actually spend a lot of time there because I didn't have much time spare. I started my job in July -- scary! I was (and still am) surprised at how seamlessly I transitioned from being a nursing student to being a registered nurse. I felt well prepared to take on my role when the time came (what a relief!).

Sawyer ventured to Washington with me in mid-July to collect Erik when he returned from Alaska. And my Little Miss took her first steps (at my house) and promptly turned one.

A few free evenings in July (and August) were spent at our friend's cabin about a 25 minute drive away from home. It provided a lovely little getaway -- a staycation, if you will.

August was fairly dull -- I worked. My first solo shift was in August and my patient decided to have a small heart attack on me. I hardly got to play in August... we had a few evening meals with friends, but not much else. Oh, we celebrated our third anniversary. Woop woop.

A trip to Minnesota/Iowa was definitely the highlight of September. I was not a fan of being the sole driver (Erik allowed his license to expire), but it was definitely an awesome trip. I had the opportunity to meet Erik's extended family, hang out at the Sodi-pop farm, and visit my niece in Iowa.

We also got to spend a lot of time with these little munchkins. It's too bad a lot is never enough -- I'm praying for a day when they migrate to the west coast.

Most of October was spent knitting. Knit-knit-knitting. Lots and lots of knitting. I made four baby vests, two dresses, two pairs of wrist warmers, a couple toques, and some dishcloths. We also went to Valemount to celebrate a friend's birthday with a hiking trip.

November - work, play, my girls and their babes. That about sums it up. My friend Charisa came for Remembrance Day weekend while our husbands hiked in Manning Park. Yup, that's about it.

And December. In good 'ol December we celebrated the addition of two members to the Jansen family -- Rachael, my soon-to-be-sister-in-law, and Jordyn, my newest niece.

I had Sawyer and Maelle for our first tandem sleepover. They slept in the same room and Sawy slept like a rock. Little Miss needed some TLC throughout the night, but we made it!

Erik and I made our way to Washington to have an early Christmas with his family and then we went to Lindsey's on Christmas Day for dinner and prezzies after I got off work.

And that, my friends, is a quick look at the past year.

2011 in Review: January to June

It always amazes me how quickly years seem to have passed once you're on the other end of them. I thought life would maybe slow down once school was done and I was "settled" into my career, but it just seems to continue flying by.

In January I started the final semester of my nursing degree. School was not the focus of the month, however, as I spent most of my time packing and preparing for my trip to Africa. We welcomed our nephew, Jamie Sterling, into the family in January last year as well. I can't believe he turns one tomorrow!!!

February and most of March were spent in the wonderful country of Ghana. I would go back to Africa tomorrow if I had the chance. The experience was nothing I expected it to be, but it was absolutely wonderful. Even with the skin infection I managed to pick up while I was there.

In the middle of March I was reunited with my husband and my girls. Erik treated me to two nights at Harrison Hot Springs and we went to my in-laws to visit with my SIL who was visiting from the midwest. It should also be noted that I wrote my last exam for school this month.

 

April wasn't too exciting. My skin infection finally disappeared, I wrote my last paper, and I started my final practicum. Sawyer Dawn turned one and I spent all of my spare time studying for my CRNE, hanging out with my girls, and working.

Erik and I moved into a little house in May -- just four doors down from our basement suite. We are still loving it. We had many after-church gatherings in our front yard with our friends throughout the summer, but they started in May.

May also marked the beginning of our hiking season and the little Sawybean learned how to walk (at my house).

June was momentous in the Olson household. The month began with me writing the Canadian Registered Nurses Exam, which I thankfully passed, and I was rewarded by having Sawyer over for a week while her parents went on a motorcycle trip to California. Even Erik loved having Sawyer around -- she is wonderful!

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in June as well -- an occasion that my parents, my brother, Anthony, and his family, and all my relatively local in-laws came out for. Soon after graduating I was offered a job as a casual (on-call) nurse at the local hospital. And Erik went to Alaska.

Thus concludes the first installment of my year in review. Stay tuned for more!

Music Monday

Hello again.

I don't have any fancy music that has to do with a new year but I do have some good music to play for you. I hope you enjoyed the month of Sufjan as much as I did. I have to take this moment to thank anyone that actually follows music Monday; I really enjoy posting it and it keeps me listening for new music I like. Thank you. Now lets move on to more good music.

I've posted music by Owen Pallett here before. I had the pleasure of seeing him live before and as I said, it was mesmerizing. This video makes me smile. This is Owen Pallett with "Lewis Takes Off His Shirt"



I hope this video made you smile too. I love seeing performers who love what they do. Its awesome that they had to shut the lights off to get him to stop playing even with rain and lightning. Its even more amazing that he only really makes two mistakes while all the distractions are going on around him. All in all its a very fun video.

Until next time friends; Happy New Year!

Erik

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year friends!! I had to work today so I turned in early, but Erik and I did manage to squeeze in a wiener roast and a bonfire with our friends. We haven't hung out with them in a while because of Christmas and family things so it was good to see them all again.

 Sawyer even made it out. And lasted longer than I did, I might add. 

 Erik and I left the party at around 10pm so I could get my beauty sleep before going to work today. I was sad to leave, but I struggle staying up until midnight anyway so it wasn't that much of a sacrifice.

I work six of the next eight days, but I do want to do another "year in review". Maybe I will get it done on one of my days off, but that is unlikely as those days are pretty precious.

I hope you all had a safe and wonderful night and that you have much to be thankful for when looking back on 2011.

Happy New Year!