Almost 33 weeks!

In a few days, I will be farther along than I had ever gotten with either of the boys! As far as we can tell, things are still looking good. I have another ultrasound tomorrow morning, which should be able to tell us some more. So we are closer and closer to a 2009 baby! Thanks again for your prayers - we'll keep you updated!

Merry Christmas!

Darren

Blogger has posted this little series backwards. It starts with Darren "napping" with the kitty. The cat leaves fairly quickly, as he points to it. Then he decideds to pose for the camera himself. Pretty cute!

31 Weeks!

I am currently one day further along than I ever got with Darren! I just had a day of appointments (walk-in clinic for Evan's sore ear, midwife, ultrasound). According to the ultrasound, the baby is now over 4lbs! We are so thankful to have made it this far, considering that this child could have arrived 2-3 weeks ago. The midwife is pleased (and a little surprised). I'll see the obstetrician next week, and for a few more weeks, but after 36 weeks (if we make it that long) I won't be seeing him at all! All things considered, we are still prepared to have this little one whenever God plans it, whether it's this week (in a snowstorm!) or next year.

The boys continue to do well. Evan's sore ear wasn't anything serious, and they are generally in good spirits, despite our long days. Evan is really looking forward to more snow - he figured it was spring when all our snow melted.

Almost 30 weeks!

If this child was on schedule to come two weeks earlier (Evan was 33 weeks, Darren was 31 weeks), than it would have already come! So we've passed one milestone!! The next is 30 weeks so we can deliver in Oshawa. After that, we're aiming for 40 weeks! :) At my ultrasound last week they estimated the baby's weight to be about 3lbs. It was amazing - you could see the baby's chubby cheeks and the hand was grabbing the foot! Evan has felt the baby kick his hand a few times, and yesterday he said to me "Mommy, lets take the baby out now." Not for a while, I hope!


Eric took the boys to the Tractor Parade of Lights, where the local farmers dress up their tractors and drive around the area. The boys loved it, but the pictures are a little difficult to see.

Grandma came last weekend and made pepernoten with Evan, who thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as you can tell!

Now that we aren't going out any more (Early years centre, Bible study) it makes for longish days in the house...so we do a lot of trains, blocks, playdough and cars.

They also spend about 50% of their day "driving!"

Just some more pictures!

We're all doing well here. Darren has recovered well from his illness. Evan continues to enjoy our snow (what little we have) and most mornings goes out by himself to shovel our back porch and scrape off his cars.

I had another appointment this week, and the obstetrician is happy with things. As a precaution, he wants me to cut back on activities (not complete bedrest, thankfully). The baby continues to grow and kick - yesterday I felt a little elbow or foot sticking out! And right now, I think the baby has hiccups! Keep growing, little one!! Thanks again for your prayers!

Baby Update

So I've had a few appointments recently, and things continue to look good. The baby seems to be growing appropriately and everything else looks good, from what they can tell. Since I've had the steroid injections, the baby's lungs are developed in case anything should happen, but right now our biggest goal is to get to 30 weeks (2.5 weeks from now). If I go into labour before then, they would need to deliver the baby in Toronto, since Oshawa can't take a preemie that early. Everything after 30 weeks is good (and 40 weeks is GREAT!). Thank you all for your prayers & concern, and please continue to keep this little one in your prayers.

Darren has been under the weather the last few days as well. He developed a cough very quickly throughout the day on Tuesday, and by the evening, his breathing was very laboured. I took him to the walk-in, where they prescribed some puffers & antibiotics, but by Thursday morning he was not getting better. I took him to another clinic since we can't get to the pediatrician until Monday. The doctor there ordered some chest x-rays and prescribed some prednisone (steroids...I'm not the only one taking them!). That seems to be helping, and I'll feel much better once we see the pediatrician on Monday. He's been in great spirits throughout, making friends with everyone in each waiting room (2 hours on Tuesday night, 1.5 hours for the Doctor on Thursday, 30 minutes for x-ray, and 45 minutes more for the Doctor again!).

Evan has been loving the snow. When he woke up and saw it on Thursday, he wanted to go out to play immediately. I convinced him to wait until it was at least 7:30 am (and light out). He played and shoveled in the back yard for about 20 minutes. This morning I held him off until 8:00 but he really wanted to get out there. I'm glad he can play by himself, because Darren is too sick to be out there, and I just don't want to be standing in the snow!

Halloween Pictures (finally!)

Our friends David & Lisa came with their little lion, Job, to Trick or Treat with us in our neighbourhood.
Spiderman! Check out the pose and the muscles!


Our Elephant .... who can't have peanuts yet.

Mommy and Daddy carved the pumpkins. Darren and Evan are showing them off.

Evan's post

Evan sat down at the computer and clicked and clicked until he opened up the blog to make a new post. I think he's writing a letter to Oma and Opa.

jjjjuuhhhhvj oma opa qwhbghgvfxzzxxcvvcvvbnmm,,..,,,,tjui

He's Walking!

He's been doing it for about a month now, but our camera is finally working again. He's so proud of himself!

Sorry, no Pictures

I have just spent the past 45 minutes fighting with this computer at the library. I was able to put up the November picture, but it didn't want to post the pictures of our awesome Spiderman and our cuddly elephant. Hopefully next time.

The boys had fun yesterday. We dressed up and went to the mall for a bit with some friends, so they learned how to "Trick or treat". Evan was quite excited about it, and had lots of fun going around from house to house, getting candy. Darren was content to sit in his stroller and smile nicely, saying a very polite "Thank you" to everyone.

Evan is off at his first real birthday party today, all by himself. When I was driving him there, he said "Daddy will get very lonely when I'm gone." Then he thought for a bit, and said, "But Darren will make sure he is happy." Good to see that he looks out for his father!

Darren is still toddling about, but crawling is definitely faster. And when he really wants to get accross the room, he puts his head down and really picks up speed (more aerodynamic, I think).

Baby is doing well. I had a midwife appointment last week, and the obstetrician this week. The results of the previous ultrasound look good so far, so we are cautiously optimistic. I just had the steroid injections for the baby's lung development, so that makes us feel better in case something were to happen. 24.5 weeks along and counting (every day!). We really appreciate all the prayers and concern!

Fall Photos!

Thanks-mas? (Christ-giving?)

We've been celebrating an early Christmas in Londesborough this weekend since we won't be able to travel over Christmas. We exchanged names, had a big dinner and even had a tree up! Poor Evan is quite confused. He's been wishing people a Merry Christmas all weekend, and has no idea what Thanksgiving is.

The boys got a wonderfully noisy set of musical instruments from Uncle Michael, Tante Brenda & Jacob. It was enjoyed by everyone!
Just wait till next Christmas, Tante Brenda! I have a feeling we'll be getting you back! :)


The boys each got a big tractor from Oma & Opa and have been playing with them non-stop.

It was great to see everyone, and we had a great time!

Fall Activities

We stopped at the pumpkin patch a few days ago and the kids just loved it. They were both distracted by a nearby tractor plowing the fields.



This is Darren and his cousin Eli

We stopped by to see Sarah and her kids this afternoon. Evan said, as we were walking up to the front door, "I'm so excited to be here!!"
They had a little tea party.

First Steps!

Darren took his first independent steps yesterday! He pushes a little toy in front of him, and finally decided that it is time to push it and step toward it!! Still not that steady, and not doing it very often, but he's doing it! I think he is waiting till we get to Oma & Opa's house to practice some more!

More Pictures

A few more from our visit at Grandma's place!

The boys can spend hours driving around our van. Darren actually picks up quite a bit of speed on that little tricycle, and Evan can't keep up!