Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Merry Christmas from us all! We had a nice Christmas this year with family celebrations on the 18th, 25th, 26th & 27th! It has been a special Christmas celebrating with our newest addition Samara. On the other hand it has been a difficult Christmas as we have all had a bad cold. David and Angeline started us off and are now mostly recovered and Jonathan, Samara and myself are still on the mend.

I did manage to get some Christmas cards out before Samara was born... still have a few to send. I think I should have stuck with my original idea and just sent Happy New Year cards this year. Oh well! Nothing "eventful" planned for 2011 so far but certainly lots to enjoy and keep us busy. We are working more and more with David to get him ready for Home Schooling Kindergarden in September. We have plans to potty train Angeline in the Spring... she does occasionally pee for a smarty when she is thinking of it. I am hoping to start walking more often as the weather improves and running some too in the next couple of months. Jonathan is really enjoying photography at the moment and there is a link to his new blog under our blog list. And Samara... what can I say about our little Samara? Hmmm... if you asked my a few days ago I would say that she is our best sleeper so far (I think she might be going through a growth spurt at the moment as well as battling her first cold). She is a very "easy" baby... always happy unless she is hungry. She poops a lot! And she also is a spitter! Not all the time but when she does you won't miss this.... apparently she gets this from Daddy. She is quiet so far but I am sure this will change as she learns to compete with her brother and sister. We are looking forward to watching them all as they continue to grow throughout the new year!

No official family picture since the one we took at the hospital but I thought I would post the two we have of the 3 kids together. Happy New Year!

Samara is 1 week old today!

When Jonathan came home from work today we set up a little photo shoot for Samara's one week birthday. All of these pictures were taken this afternoon. She did very well and once we were done she was ready for another nap. She does spend most of her time sleeping as most new borns do. She is also having more awake time and more time with her eyes open every day and she has started gaining weight again after her initial loss (which is normal). At the doctors yesterday she was back up to 6lbs 14oz. Her hair is dark but it we will have to keep guessing as David started out dark as well. Her eyes seem blue... David's we could tell from day one were going to be brown but she may surprise us with that as well. I couldn't ask for a "better" baby... she gives me 5-6 hours of sleep a night and is never fussy unless she has to wait for a meal. Our cuddle time is precious but I think mommy is being shared rather well.

I also wanted to say congratulations to Uncle Ches for winning the baby pool. He was the only one to guess the right date and he got the gender right too! Good job! And thanks to everyone who guessed.

Sunday's Christmas Play

Just a few pictures of David and Angeline in the Christmas Play on Sunday. Neither one of them ran off in tears so I think they did pretty good. Maybe in a few years Angeline will get the part for the Christmas Star. David wasn't too excited about it but he does like to perform... maybe he will be more into it next year.

Welcoming Samara

Welcoming Samara Anne Marie Neufeld

Born on December 8th, 2010 at 1:42pm

Weighing 7lbs 6ozs and Measuring 20 1/4" in length

Does mommy look like she's had a rough delivery?

I don't think so!

Here's how it went...

9 hours of pre-labor on November 28th (3 cm)

I told her to wait until I got home from work before she was allowed to go into labor

Labor started 11:15pm (when I got home) December 7th

Dropped off kid-lets at Mom & Dads at 3:00am December 8th

Thanks Mom and Dad for watch your grand babies while we got a new one...

Arrived at the hospital where contractions slowed around 3:30am (4 cm)

Contractions slowed further after moving into a delivery suite a few hours later

Doc broke her water to help move things along around 8am

Contractions stopped (4 cm)

Oxytocin started at 10am to help induce labor

Contractions started again and grew quite quickly in pain and duration

Around 12pm pain was becoming quite intense and lots of progress was made (7 cm)

Transition. Enough said... (8 cm)

1:10pm Pushing through 9 cm and leftover membrane covering Samara's head

1:10-1:40pm asking for every drug known to mankind

1:42pm a glorious arrival of a beautiful baby and a glowing mother...

1:42:30pm Surprised to find out that our boy is a girl!

1:42:31pm Happy anyways!

David giving Samara his kiss of approval

His most notable comment was 'You did a good-job Mommy!'

Angeline pointing out that its a baby!

Her most notable comment was 'Baby!'

One bigger happy family!

Finally at home sweet home with our new arrival.

David and Angeline have been fighting over who holds Samara.

They are both very excited about Samara,

although Angeline seems worried that this baby is going to stay for some time.

Posted By One Proud Father and Husband

P.S. I love you so much Melissa, you make me so proud.

P.P.S. Stop trying to make me cry with all these beautiful moments, its embarrassing :)...

Jonathan's Work Kids Christmas Party (Yesterday)

Angeline LOVED the bouncy castles and finally convinced her brother that it was safe to join her!

Chocolate Pudding

This Week...

First snow experience.

First Hair Cut

One night when they insisted on sleeping in the same bed.

Yesterday Angeline had her first hair cut and she did very well. After hair cuts were done we all played in the snow a bit while Jonathan shoveled the drive way and then we had hot chocolate. It has rained since so the road is slushy and icy. Being stuck at home has not been so bad as we have been able to continue to get things checked of the list. I think baby is waiting until we are "ready" for him to arrive. Maybe we will do some Christmas decorating when Jonathan gets home. 36 weeks pregnant yesterday and my next doctors appointment is Tuesday.

35 Weeks

We are 35 weeks pregnant and the weeks are finally going by quickly... a little too quickly. I can't wait to hold this little one in my arms (not to mention have him out of my stomach) but there is still so much to do. Yesterday we got the baby car seat out and moved David and Angeline's chairs to the back of the van. I have to wash the car seat cover, the baby clothes and blankets. I am packed for the hospital finally! Some of you may think it is too early to pack but my doctor told me that baby will likely be here in 2 more weeks (I'm hoping he's a good guesser). We could have a November baby after all but I am still thinking December. That being said the baby pool is closed! Thanks to everyone who put a guess in.

I'm doing really well... just exhausted and wondering how I am going to get my house ready in time for baby's arrival and Christmas but what gets done gets done and the rest will just have to wait.

David enjoying his Halloween Candy...

Baby Pool

Counting down the days until baby's arrival we thought it would be fun to invite everyone to guess about baby's birth date, time, weight, and gender. You can "vote" Boy or Girl on the side bar (please only vote once) and we would love for you to leave your more detailed guess in a comment or an e-mail to us with your name and we will publish your guess on this post.

Hints: We are due December 23 and I have not made it to my due date so far. David was 1 week early, Noah was 3 weeks early and Angeline was 2 weeks early.

Start guessing!

Melissa (Mama)... Dec 9, 2AM, 7lbs 7oz, BOY!

Jonathan (Daddy)... Dec 9, 6AM, 7lbs, BOY!

Lauren & Brent (Aunty & Uncle)...Nov 30,9PM, 7lbs 2oz, BOY

Karen (Grammy)... Dec 7, 6PM, 6lbs 14oz GIRL

Evelyn (Great-Grantma)... Dec 13, 10:20AM, 7lbs, BOY

Janet (Great-Aunt)... Dec 13, 10:20AM, 6lbs 10oz, GIRL

Shawna J... Dec 18,7:30PM, 8lbs, BOY

Conor J... Dec 23, 12PM, 7lbs, BOY

Margaret L... Dec 23, 7:30 AM, 7lbs 12oz GIRL

Linda L... Dec 14, 7lbs 2oz, BOY

Carol (Nana)... Dec 12, 5:37AM, 7lbs 14oz, GIRL

Margaret (Oma)... Dec 14, 5:30AM, 7lbs 10oz, BOY

Brent (Grandpa)... Dec 7, 2:30PM, 6lbs 2 oz, BOY

Shelley... Nov 28, 3:30AM, 6lbs 7oz, BOY

Mandy (Aunty)... Dec 5, 11PM, 7lbs 2 oz, BOY

Rob (Grandpa)... Dec 10, 8:10PM, 7lbs, BOY

Anne (Great-Grandma)... Dec 4, 7:30AM, 6lbs 10oz, GIRL

Abe (Great-Grandpa)... Dec 14, 6lbs 5oz, GIRL

Theresa... Dec 5, 8PM, 7lbs 2oz, BOY

Linda (Great-Aunt)... Dec 10, 5PM, 7lbs, BOY

Ches (Great-Uncle)... Dec 8, 8AM, 6lbs 8oz, GIRL

Christina M... Dec 10, 10:30PM, 7lbs 8oz, BOY

Trick or Treat

Here are a few pictures from Halloween. I don't have the ones from the Canon loaded onto the computer yet. In the morning we went to Bear Creek Park and went on the Halloween Train. David remembered going last year and requested Halloween morning that we go again. This is where they made the Pumpkin hats.

Grandma came with us to the park and then we brought her to the ferry afterwards. She was visiting for the week and helping me out with the kids, making dinner and doing dishes. I really appreciated all the help and the kids are missing her now.

I took David out Halloween night and Jonathan stayed home to hand out candy. Angeline stayed home too because she has been really grumpy lately! David trick or treated with some friends for about an hour and a half (running from house to house) and then we had a nice visit at Breedvelds. It was such a warm evening. On our walk home it was sprinkling and was a bit colder. It was too late to get more candy but we did get to watch some fire works as we were walking up our street. It was a really fun night!

Stampin Up Club Night

In March I signed up to be a Demonstrator for Stampin Up... selling stamps and supplies for card making, hand made gifts and scrap booking. From April-October I ran my first set of Club Nights, learned a lot and had a great time making projects with the lovely set of ladies who joined me for my first Club.

I am currently "recruiting" for my second series of Club Nights which will run from January-July 2011. We will be meeting at my house on the second Tuesday of the month beginning January 9th. I have 3 spots available for anyone who might be interested.

I am hosting a "Trial Club Night" on Tuesday, November 9th at 7pm for anyone who is interested in more information about becoming a Club Member. This will be a fun opportunity to come and see what a Club Night is all about. Please let me know if you would like to attend this Trial Club so that I can ensure there are enough projects prepared for everyone attending and please feel free to invite your friends. There is no cost for the Trail Club Night.

What does being a "Club Member" mean?
When you sign up to be a Club Member you are committing to 7 months of learning and fun. Each month I will demonstrate new projects using new techniques. Each month Club members will re-create these projects (I provide the supplies) and take them home. It is lots of fun and it is always nice to have a night out!

Club Members commit to making a monthly order of $30 for the duration of the club ($30/month for 7 months), you chose what you would like to order from any of the 3 current catalogues. Each Club member will have a turn "hosting" a Club month and receiving the hostess benefits from that months order (like when you have a home party). This includes a hostess stamp set and $20 or more in free products of your choice.

I am looking forward to Stampin Up Club 2011 and I can't wait to see who will be joining me this year.

31 weeks

At 31 weeks pregnant I would much rather have this baby in my arms then in my belly but as you can see from this picture the kids are having a fun time with it. They like to put stickers on my belly and give me "raspberries"... David likes lifting up my shirt and saying to who ever might be over "this is our baby." Angeline thinks that everyone has a baby in their tummy including Daddy and herself. Today I am tired. At the end of the day my feet hurt. I can still see my toes but I am sure it is only a matter of time before they are gone too. When Baby gets here I think David and Angeline are going to miss my belly and I would not be surprised at all if they ask me to put him back.

Celebrating 5 years

On October 15th we celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. It's really an anniversary weekend for us because we got married 1 day before our 1 year dating anniversary. On Saturday my mom came and watched the kids (thanks mom!) and we went to the absolute spa at the century. After our relaxing Spa day we went for a walk (the weather was beautiful, just like the day of our wedding), had a nice dinner and then spent the night at the Century hotel. It was nice to have some uninterrupted time together.

I'm very thankful for my wonderful husband and our children. I can't wait to meet our newest addition. I look forward to the the rest of our life together... however many years God gives us and yes, if I could go back 5 years I would say it again... "I do!"

30 weeks pregnant

Lolly Pop Cookies!

Happy Thanksgiving

BC LIONS

Here is a picture of Jonathan and myself at my first foot ball game. Saturday we had the chance to watch the Lions win a game. It was a last minute sort of thing as we were given some free tickets but I am really glad we were able to go. Always nice to have a "date." Mom and Dad watched the kids for us two nights in a row this weekend as we had dinner with friends on Sunday as well. Nice to get out a bit just the 2 of us before baby comes... though we are very much looking forward to his (or her) arrival. 80 more days until we are due... 29 weeks pregnant on Thursday.

27 weeks... 3rd Trimester!

Today marks the beginning of our third trimester and I am definitely excited that the end is in sight. Still 91 days until our due date but we are hoping for a birthday baby, two weeks early on December 9th. Baby weighs about 2lbs and is about 14 1/2 inches tall. I keep changing my mind but Jonathan and I are both currently thinking that it's a boy. With Angeline moved into David's room I can begin to organize baby's stuff so that we can be ready boy or girl. Baby is very active and I enjoy his company every night when I lay down and it's his party time. I'm definitely feeling the pains of pregnancy. If I am sitting on the floor with the kids it can be quite challenging to get up. You might find me bent over... I'm not looking for my contact lens.... sometimes it just takes me a minute to straighten out. I have started going for pregnancy massage so that is always nice and it helps keep me moving a little more comfortably.

(Sorry for the headless picture but hopefully you all remember what I look like and can use your imagination. It's the belly that people have been wondering about anyway).

18 months

Angeline is now 18 months (for about a week). We have noticed a huge "jump" in her development. Besides sleeping in a toddler bed, sharing a room with her big brother and giving up her soother she is now talking even more. She recently started repeating words. You can get her to say pretty much anything and we are finding some of the words she has been saying for a long time are improving as well. I'm sure she will be talking in sentences by Christmas. She also has started to be particular about what she wants and does not want to wear and wants to do it herself (but she still needs help). And today she took apart her first truck... and I think she beat her brother on this one... he was probably closer to two (same truck though). Maybe by the time she is 5 she will be able to change the oil for me.

Life has seemed a bit more difficult with the kids lately. Angeline gets into everything but mostly it is probably just the fact that Jonathan hasn't been feeling well and I am just getting more and more pregnant!Also I am glad to be rid of the soother but I do miss it from time to time (now there is nothing to keep her quiet)! Still takes her bottle and LOVES her milk but we have transitioned her from goats milk to homo just to save a bit of money (and we needed to pay for our new king size bed somehow).

Adventure Challenge-Race Day

On Saturday, September 11th my Mom and Jonathan's Dad participated in and COMPLETED the Adventure challenge. It was a very difficult race starting out in Kayaks, then biking and hiking through difficult trails. Mom completed the "short" course in 4.5 hours and Dad completed the long course in 6.5... together they raised over $4000 for Canuck Place Children's Hospice and we are very proud of them for their accomplishments!

Because they started at different times they actually finished together which was special for us as we waited at the finnish line and they both came running down the last stretch wearing their matching shirts with Noah's picture on the front. It was a fun day... we waited for them at every start and finish of the 3 elements and in between there were hot dogs, face painting, snow cones and a playground for the kids to amuse themselves at.

Here are a few pictures as promised... sorry they aren't in order but it gives you an idea anyway.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO MADE DONATIONS IN NOAH"S MEMORY!