Eliza Jane

::: Eliza Jane :::

Born December 25, 2014 @ 0754.

Weight: 6lb 15oz.

Height: 19.69inches.

Tucker Ray

It is with a full and happy heart that I announce the birth of Sawyer and Kaden's little brother, Tucker Ray. He was born on March 25th at 23:26 weighing 8lb 8oz. Mom and babe are both doing well and

Kev even survived the delivery without my moral support. 

This is the first of Mandi's births that I have missed and I wish with all my heart that I could have been there to welcome Tucker Ray and to cheer Mandi and Kevin on. Fort St John has never seemed so far away. I was able to FaceTime in the wee hours of the morning and got to "meet" the adorable little man.

Tucker Ray.

I don't even know where to begin. 

Even though I wasn't there to welcome you earthside, I still love you so deeply.

You are one lucky little guy to join the family you have. 

Welcome to the world, young man. 

Welcome. 

Colton Garrit

Colton Garrit

Born July 21, 2013 at 21:56

Weight: 7lbs 14oz.

Height: 21 inches

Yes, there is another sweet little man in the Jansen clan.

Zachary and Heather welcomed Colton Garrit into the world just a few days ago. 

Everyone is happy, healthy, and now home.

Colton Garrit, we cannot wait to meet you in nine days.

We love you something fierce!

Welcome to the world and into our hearts. 

Eliah Len

We had two nephews born in the same week! The second finally named five days after making his way into the world. Here is the boy himself. 

Eliah Len

Born May 31, 2013 at 02:13.

Weight: 8lbs 3oz.

Height: 22 inches.

Mr. Eliah, you are absolutely precious! 

We were so excited to hear about your arrival 

and now we can't wait to meet you.

We love you.

Welcome to the world!

Seth Benjamin

Seth Benjamin

Born May 25, 2013 at 21:35

Weight: 8lbs 1oz.

Height: 21.75 inches

Allow me to introduce the youngest little mister in the Jansen clan, my sweet nephew. 

Mama, Pops and baby are all doing well. And I am absolutely smitten.

Seth Benjamin, you don't know me yet, but you will. 

Your auntie loves you more than you can imagine. 

Welcome to the world, sweet one. 

Another Jansen

My sister-in-law, Heather, is pregnant. This means that my brother, Zachary, is going to be a papa! Yippeee!!!! They are due August 3rd and we are very excited for them. 

We found out before we left, which I am thankful for as it is always more fun to learn such things in person. It is strange to think that we are gone for the majority of Heather's pregnancy. She didn't even have a bump when we left and she will be great with child when we return. 

Another baby. This auntie is pumped. 

Master of Counselling

I am thrilled to share that my dear husband has been accepted into the Master of Counselling program at City University of Seattle in Vancouver. He will be doing a Mixed-Mode format and will take three years to complete the program so he can live in Kelowna with me while he's attending school. School starts in September and we are excited and nervous.

Elinor Alida Joy

Elinor Alida Joy

Born December 6, 2012 @ 1234.

Weight: 9lb 15oz.

Height: 20 inches.

Nori Joy

I am pleased to announce the arrival of Maelle's baby sister, Elinor Alida Joy. She was born via cesarean section this afternoon at 12:34pm. Little Nori Joy weighed in at 9lb 15oz and both mama and babe are doing well.

it's official.

Flights are booked. Semi-world Tour -- here we come!

Want a rough outline? If not, stop reading here.

We have decided to see South America and South East Asia. Well, parts of both as it would be impossible to see everything. We are also doing a little stop over in Scotland to visit some dear friends of ours and then, when my loving husband comes home, I will be making my way to Australia to visit Lynn and to travel around a bit (money depending).

Oh! Before I continue I feel it important to announce that I received a Leave of Absence from work!!! I applied for it thinking it would never (and I do mean never) happen. But, this means that at least half of our family will have work when we return to Kelowna. I am so relieved! It takes a weight off my shoulders and gives us a guaranteed income for when we get home (Erik is leaving his job before we go). My manager approved it yesterday and since then I have been doubly excited for this trip.

Back to the rough outline.

South America
- Nine Weeks.
- Fly in and out of Lima, Peru.
- Hoping to see Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Columbia.
- We are predicting that most of our time will be spent between Peru and Ecuador.

Scotland
- Two Weeks.
- At a bit of an added cost we decided to fly through Europe rather than Asia.
- You see, we have good friends in Scotland and we would love to see them.
- Flying into Amsterdam and taking a ferry (probably) to Scotland.
- Maybe a few days in Amsterdam before heading to Kurt and Erin's.
- Maybe a road trip to Ireland. 

South East Asia
- Thirteen Weeks.
- We haven't thought about this one much. I'm hoping to meet with a co-worker who lived there for a while.

*At this point, Erik will return home to go fishing in Alaska and I will continue on solo. 

Australia
- Three weeks.
- That's a long time.
- Stay at Lynn's.
- Maybe travel alone a bit.
- Maybe convince Lynn to travel a bit with me.


As I have said before, and I'm sure I will say again, any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Doesn't it sound exciting? I can't believe it is actually happening -- we are actually leaving on this grand adventure. It is surreal and, like my trip to Africa, it probably won't hit me until part way through the actual trip. I am so excited though!

Leaving December 20, 2012. 

Many more updates to come.

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.

Little Miss: Bis Sis

My sweet Little Miss is going to be a big sister! Her Mama, my dear friend Milena, hit the 12 week mark today and is due on December 6. Yippppeeeeeee!!!!

womb mates

Remember when I announced Lindsey's pregnancy??

Well, I may have left out one tiny detail.
It's quite insignificant really.

Lindsey isn't just having a baby.
She isn't just having a baby.

She's having two.

There are two little people growing in Lindsey's womb.

Twins.

And I got to see them today.
For the second time, I might add.
(Auntie's get to brag about these things, you know?).

And they were beautiful.
(At least they will be by the time they are in my arms).

And busy.
(Kicking each other and flipping around).

And healthy.
(Praise the Lord!).

Baby A (Abba) is currently weighing in at 10 ounces
and Baby B (Bronco) is a whopping 11 ounces.

And I love them to pieces already.

I got these little onesies made for Lindsey this morning before her ultrasound.
Cute, eh?

Twins.
Little Buddies.
Best Friends?

Womb Mates.

PS. Happy 40th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!!!

beaming

My sister, Lindsey, is pregnant.

After months of thinking about how to announce it
and many evenings sitting in front of the computer screen trying to start this post
I decided that just coming out and saying it was best.

My sister, Lindsey, is pregnant.

It doesn't get old
and my excitement never wanes.
It is exceptionally wonderful news.

Lindsey is due in August.
She's 16 weeks tomorrow
and will be 40 weeks on my fourth anniversary. 

I found out just before Christmas and have been beaming ever since.

Beaming.

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.

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.

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.

My Niece: A Proper Introduction

Jordyn Sierra

Born December 13, 2011 at 2339

Weight: 7lb 10 oz

Height: Longer than her sister was.

Another Addition to the Family

In my excitement over welcoming a new niece I forgot to inform you that we will also be welcoming a new sister into the Jansen clan!!!

My brother Joel and his girlfriend Rachael are getting married this summer!!! They dated many moons ago and then broke up for many moons more and have gotten back together and decided to get married!!! Yippee.

A New Baby

I am thrilled (more than thrilled) to announce the arrival of another Jansen darling -- my niece, Jordyn Sierra. This little one already has a mind of her own as she was supposed to be born today. Jenn had a cesarean section booked, but Jordyn just couldn't wait to meet us! Jenn went into labour early yesterday morning and Jordyn was born via c-section sometime around 11pm last night weighing a whopping 7lb 10oz. I'm told she is pretty adorable.

I happened to be awake at 0200 when my mama sent me a text message (silly mama) about a gift she has for me. I texted back and asked why in the world she was awake (and what made her think that texting me at 0200 was a good idea). Turns out she was leaving the hospital. She didn't tell me why, but informed me that I should call my brother. So I called Anthony and he broke the news that I had a new niece. Yay!! Mom, Dad, and Jordyn were all settling down to sleep so we kept the conversation short, but I got to tell them I loved them.

We are heading down to Erik's parent's for Christmas today or tomorrow and are planning to stop in at the hospital for a little meet and greet. I can't wait!!

We have a new baby! I am so excited.