The Page...that Eternal Blankness

Sick...

2012-01-23T20:21:00.005-05:00

The last week before the holidays first Jude and then River were very sick with croup. This carried on over the break, when Kurt got sick as well. During this time we visited family, and scraped together a few festivies of our own. Finally, the boys were all better and we returned back to work/daycare routine. Then River got the flu, I got sick, and then Jude got the flu. So...I am skipping any details about our holidays other than to say that we survived, presents were given and recieved, and Kurt and I haven't had a decent nights sleep in over a month (well, I haven't slept since I was pregnant with Jude....but that's another rant for another day).

Photo Update...since I have been so slack in wrting entries! Here the boys are enjoying the squirrels romping around the backyard.

We finally got a good dumping of snow and had to celebrate by making a snow(wo)man.

Oops, forgot to mention that River also began walking over the holidays. He now looks like he is part of some baby fight club as he is covered with bruises. It is exciting, but also very alarming.

River was pretty sick on his birthday, so we celebrated a week later with a 'monkey' themed party. We had monkey cupcakes, snacked on fruit kebabs, and made palm tree decorations. All to celebrate our little monkey named River. It has been quite the crazy year. We're glad to have survived it, and we look forward to many more with our little monkey man.

Jude just had to help make the cupcakes.

River is On the Move

2011-12-17T19:57:00.002-05:00

Now that I am back to work I don't have much time to update the blog with important things. Things such as River being on the move. He now "crawls", although as you can see from the video that is hardly what you would call it. I would call it the 'least efficient way possible for a baby to move', or 'you think you were original Jude?'.

Not only that, shortly after he mastered his less than smooth crawling, he is now taking steps. Well, actually he is running from person to person that usually results in a fall(hopefully into someones arms). He will abruptly turn around from whatever table, couch, or other item he is standing at and begin running to you, and you have to be ready to catch him. It is very alarming. He has also been know to hitch a ride on Jude if he happens to be passing by. I will have to try to snatch a video of his walking when I am not to busy chasing after him!

Busy as bees or beavers or something else alliterative...

2011-12-12T19:38:00.009-05:00

Returning to work has made me pretty busy. Adjusting to the return to work, remembering how much I hate hate hate always having piles of grading needing my attention, getting over the grief of having to leave my boys every day, the boys adjusting to a whole new routine, learning how to get our whole family out the door by 7:15 am every day, and preparing for Christmas has left me feeling a tad overwhelmed.

Despite feeling somewhat smothered by work and home responsibilities, I make sure to find the time for the important things. Things like...

Cutting down a Christmas tree with the boys.

(No, we are not stealing our tree, although we did not pay for it. We were rescuing it...from an old Christmas tree farm that was being plowed over to make way for a new subdivision. Seriously, the tractor doing the plowing over was even parked there and rows upon rows had already succumbed to its angry teeth. I like to think that our tree is the narrator of some classic Christmas story in which all it wants to do is bring christmas cheer to someone's home. And that home is ours.)

Baking an awesome truck cake to celebrate Jude's second birthday.

(Please note that the design of this cake is perfect for those with not so awesome cake making skills. I plan on finding other items I can creatively pile a big mess of cake into for future birthdays)

Enjoying family dinners, or watching River enjoy them.

(Some of it does actually make it into his mouth, the rest must be absorbed through osmosis or something.)

Uh Oh...

2011-12-12T19:36:00.001-05:00

I found the nativity set like this... I don't know what happened, but it doesn't look good...

So hard...

2011-11-18T19:55:00.004-05:00

Back to work this week....it's so hard...not the work, but the leaving. I've cried all summer long at the thought of leaving the boys and now it is here. Big lump in my throat. Wish I didn't have to miss a minute.

Babies + Costumes = impossible to photograph properly

2011-11-01T20:06:00.005-04:00

So....Halloween...Well, the boys had a blast even though they had no idea what the whole event was all about. I have always loved the whole costume thing, as a child I would spend the month of October dreaming up what my costume would be. As a kid, the bottom line was always candy, I never really thought about the "ickiness" that is Halloween. I always knew kids that didn't go out, and I thought it was too bad because it's just costumes and candy right? That is until this month when Jude started to notice the more "ghoulish" decorations which I informed him were classified as "yucky". It made me think...I don't know how much I like this 'holiday' anymore. Except that babies are super cute in costumes...

Last night we put the boys in their adorable costumes and made the rounds. First stop was Pops and Beps' house. All day I had been telling him that after supper he would wear his costume, we would visit people, he would have to say "trick or treat", and that he would get a treat. He proudly knocked on his grandparents door (which is a first, usually we just head right in), they gleefully answered the door and Jude thrust his bag out and said, "Present?". They were treated to crackers and cheese dip, a huge hit since Jude had never seen one before.

Next stop, Uncle Rob and Aunt Ashley's place. We were very tempted to place River in the giant spider web they had costructed in front of their house, he also thought it was a good idea. Instead of candy they were given a remote control train and a Halloween book. Who needs candy?
Last stop, visiting friend's houses in the neighbourhood. We visited only 4 houses, and Jude eagerly raced up the steps and knocked on doors. He was eager to hold his bag out, but didn't really pay much attention to what went in it. And River....well he didn't ask for any treats, but he loved the jack o'lanterns at each house.

Once home, Jude changed out of his costume, laid down on the bed and declared, "again" with a grin on his face. Yes Jude, we'll do this again, in a year...

p.s. below is a smattering of my attempts to get a cute picture of the two boys together in their costumes...it was a miserable fail...

Colour

2011-10-23T20:36:00.003-04:00

Jude is beginning to learn his colours - orange seems to be a favourite. Orange shirt, orange pumpkins, orange, orange, orange. He also has been playing with colours. He was introduced to the wonders of fingerpaint the other day...

...it took a while for him to realize that you are supposed to put some of the paint on paper.

Thanks for...

2011-10-11T19:58:00.015-04:00

We celebrated Thanksgiving in Kingston this past weekend.

There was so much to be thankful for....

Apples to pick.

Apples to eat.

Adventures that were had.

Smiles that were shared.
New friends to play pretend with.

Sunshine to play games in with a brother who travelled long distances to be there. Coffee and cuddles.

Music and curiosity.

Aunts and Uncles to play with.

Boston cousins that travel so far.

Pancakes made by Poppy.Adorable babiesAnd so many more that cameras did not capture:

Great grandparents that visited
Picnics that were shared.
Turkey dinner made by Dad, the master chef.

Sunny walk to the park.

Hot pies with whipped cream.

Searching for strangely shaped squash at the market.

Samples at the cheese factory.

Soft ice cream to lick.

Goats named Knit and Purl.

Ferry rides across the lake.

Cold beer in the hot sun.

Admiring the lake on the mountain.
Babies that fall asleep on long car rides...

God is good, all the time, He is good.

Om Johnny

2011-09-26T19:57:00.003-04:00

Jonathan came for a last minute visit this weekend. Yippee!! River was excited to finally meet his uncle, and Jude was thrilled to have some play time with Om Johnny. Unfortunately he was bearing bad news - he is moving out west to Vancouver. That makes two brothers in B.C...boooo. I guess this means a road trip is in order. Hang on, cross the country with two under two? Mmmm perhaps we should look into flights.

We also fired up the smoker and made some delicous ribs and were excited to finally meet Trish and Terry's newest addition, Helena. She is adorable and sooo cuddly. I never realized how wriggly my guys were until I held her! Jude was excited to have some play time with Garret, and we enjoyed catching up with Trish and Terry.

Wait...were did those two little toddlers run off to?

Here we are!

On Being the Second Child

2011-09-10T14:31:00.003-04:00

So, I've noticed that Jude gets a lot of 'face' time on the blog. I'm trying very hard to give River lots of attention, despite the fact that he is the infamous second child who usually never gets as many pictures taken of them. Today I want to share just pictures of River. He has all of a sudden been bursting with personality, it's like a little switch flipped and he is seeing things he never noticed before and is delighted by them (dogs, lawnmowers, people, anything moving or making noise). I love his smile, especially since it usually follows what is a pretty serious look (River tends to furrow his brows and give some stone cold stares). He is also a huge flirt, often he will smile at someone while cocking his head sideways, much like a puppy. I have yet to capture it on film, but it melts me every time!

Jude's Dubs

2011-09-06T12:25:00.005-04:00

Jude has been speaking for a while and loves to say peoples names. When our little family is all together he often points from one of us to another and says our names. Mama, Rivev, DAAAA!(he yells this one very loud for some reason) and Joooooo (Jude).

He also has learned many of the names of his aunts, uncles and grandparents and loves looking at pictures of them and saying their names and LOVES when they come over so he can remind them of their names over and over. Some examples:
My dad is puPSS
My mom is bePSS
Nicole's dad is popop
Nicole's mom is Nana
Nicole's sister Naomi is naynay
Nicole's brother Isaac is ice
My brother Rob is bobob
My sister Ashley is black ice
and my personal favorite,my brother Scott is uncle kawk
phonetics are fun eh Jude!

Thirty, He's Thirty Years Old!

2011-08-25T20:59:00.007-04:00

That's right, my younger man is no longer so young. On Monday Kurt turned the big 3-0 (by the look on River's face in the above picture, he is just as appalled as you are). Way back when, Kurt dreamed of having a huge outdoor bash complete with Cuff the Duke playing a concert for him. Unfortunately they were booked for the evening of our party and we had to make alternate plans. We ended up having a great party with friends and family. My family even made the trek from Kingston, yay for braving the crazy roads with all the cottage traffic.

The theme of the party was "Kurt's Favourites". This meant pie instead of cake, as well as a campfire (despite the torrential rain...it eventually cleared up). Also, I asked everyone to wear shirts depicting either a band/music festival or beer. The best was Jeff's shirt which he made out of duct tape that declared "Tom Petty drinks Budweiser" - he won the imaginary prize for best shirt (second place to Danielle for her kickin' Pink Floyd shirt, honorable mention to Paul for his vintage 'Diamond Rio' shirt). Everyone also contributed to the "Top 30 Great Things About Kurt at 30" list which was both hilarious and heartwarming. Not to be outdone, Ang rewrote the words to Sublime's "What I Got" and had Kurt sing it, well done Ang.

The party didn't stop there though! The festivities continued the next day when we took off to a friend's cottage for a few days with Kurt's parents. Even though it rained (again), it didn't matter. It was awesome to be on the lake, go fishing and paddle boating, and enjoy another campfire. The boys had a great time, it was fun watching Jude fishing. With the first fish caught he was torn between being really excited, but also a little afraid of the fish.

All in all, I would say it was an awesome celebration of the 30 years God has blessed Kurt with.

Camping at Grundy

2011-08-10T12:06:00.013-04:00

Well...we survived camping with two babes under the age of two and we had tons of fun! We had a blast camping with some friends at Grundy Provincial Park with lots of kids, sun, lake, campfires,late night swimming and a beer or...two.

Pictured above is a smattering of some of the children we camped with, it was impossible to get them all together!

Despite the large number of people camping (8 families) all together we had some great wildlife sightings right on our campsite:
raccoons...many many many raccoons (somewhere between 6 and 20)
pileated woodpeckers
red-tailed hawks
catbird
loons
dragonflies swarming an ant migration (creepy and amazing at the same time)
and....a bear...luckily he was more interested in the raspberries than our coolers

The boys had a great time, Jude enjoyed having so many people to play with...and so many people to mooch food from. Below is a montage of Jude eating on our trip. He did do other things like swim swim swim swim in the lake,dig dig dig in the sand,and kick kick kick balls but I don't have those moments recorded on film. Turns out having two babies on a camping trip is a little busy.

Figuring out how to eat watermelon for the first time...and learning the green part does not taste good!
Wait a minute...I thought the Huizengas only had daughters...oh wait, that's Jude being a mooch.
Moat-meal....mmmmm....I mean oatmeal.
1st Juicebox, it was love at first sight.

River also enjoyed having lots of kids around to entertain him, it was fun watching Jolene and River interact (well, as much as two babies will interact with each other). He wasn't super interested in the water but preferred to stick his hands in the sand, he only ended up consuming *small* amounts of sand.

Kurt organized a game called "Beers of Ontario" (or B.O. for short...). Everyone brought a beer brewed in Ontario and we rated each in a taste test. We declared Great Lakes Brewery's "Roundhouse Ale" the winner. The worst was "Mad Tom"...really really gross.

Can't wait until next year already!

Jolly Jumper Jamboree: Boyfights

2011-07-31T10:51:00.001-04:00

So....Jude and River have started "playfighting". Usually this occurs on the ground where River is at a serious disadvantage (you know, being pretty much stationary). However, he recently discovered that the jolly jumper gives him a leg up on Jude, literally! Jude lets River pull his hair, poke him in the eye, try to eat him, all with a smile on his face.In return River looooves the attention from Jude and squeals with delight. Don't worry, we stay close by to referee when it ultimately falls apart, usually with the 'hug of death'from Jude.

Brothers

2011-07-20T08:51:00.008-04:00

When people find out how close in age my little munchkins are their first response is a sort of horrified look on their face with a comment such as "ooooh, you're busy". What they actually mean to say is "are you insane/did you plan this" (actually, a few people do say this out loud to me). Then they realize that maybe they should follow up with a nice and encouraging comment such as, "They will be so close and best friends". In the midst of the insanity of being with two little ones 24/7 I often cling to this hope. Lately it has even begun to become true.

My boys delight in each others presence. When River wakes up from a nap, Jude wants to rush upstairs to see him. He waits impatiently on the floor, patting a spot next to him, while I change River's diaper for me to place River beside him so they can play. In turn, River's face lights up when he sees Jude upon waking up from his nap and twists his little body all around on the change table so he can see him. I love it!

Now, Jude also loves to take away toys that River is playing with (he is learning to wait until River drops it, then he pounces like a cat on the toy River is 'done' with). Sometimes Jude is too rough, or is jealous of things River has (like his baby cereal, or the fact that he now sits in a high chair too). Sometimes their play turns into tears, which is the reality of siblings.

Below is a picture story of what happens more often than not.

River begins to play on his own with a really cool toy.

Jude comes over to join in the fun, River is ecstatic that Jude is playing with him.

Jude starts to take over the toy and shows him how it is really done. River is mostly okay with this development, even if it means his toy is being taken away.

Jude then lays on River in a loving fashion, gently playing while River tries to put any of Jude's available appendages in his mouth.

What is not pictured is when this moment dissolves into tears as Jude lingers too long on River who no longer loves being smooshed by his 25 lb brother who is completely unaware of his crushing power...I think he is unaware anyways.

Oh Canada

2011-07-13T12:11:00.006-04:00

It's been a while but I just got these pictures on the computer to share. We had a great Canada Day weekend, taking in a parade, lots of sunshine, and berry picking. I love that Canada Day and strawberries always go hand in hand.

Jude loved the parade and wore out his waving hands. Much to his delight there were loads of tractors (one of the few words that he can say), trucks, and of course the bagpipes and marching bands always stopped right in front of us. River slept through all of the sirens, drums, and even the church bells that played Oh Canada.

Strawberry picking was also a big hit. Jude was pretty excited to discover that it included a tractor ride! He was very good at picking the berries and putting them in the bucket, until Beps decided to inform him that he could eat them too. Then all berries went straight to his mouth (and down his chin, arms, shirt, legs.....). Nothing tastes better that strawberries right out of the patch, warmed by the sun.

Folksy Fun

2011-07-12T13:33:00.009-04:00

We have been busy these past two weekends attending not one but two awesome folk festivals - hooray for outdoor music in the summertime. First we headed to Orillia for Mariposa. Three days of music, sun, swimming, family, friends, campfires, walk walk walking the kids to sleep, spicy jerk pork, copious amounts of samosas, dancing, clapping, hooting and hollering. It was tons of fun, and completely exhausting.

The following weekend found us heading to London for the Home County Folk Festival, and celebrating our 5th anniversary, and....on our own without the kids! Now, I love love my children, but I also love time alone with Kurt, not to mention the first uninterrupted sleep I have had in two years. The music was fantastic as well, Basia Bulat, Sarah Harmer, and the amazing Hawksley Workman. And this time I wasn't falling asleep in the evening like I was in Orillia (sorry Emmy Lou, your voice is beautiful but I finally had both boys asleep and had a hard time keeping my eyes open). It was also pretty awesome being able to score great seats instead of rocking the stroller back and forth on the sidelines. Thanks for the awesome treat due to your babysitting Jack and Audrey!

There were tons of activities for kids. The toddler tent at the musical petting zoo was a big hit with Jude.

The boys enjoyed seeing their grandparents and Uncle Scott there.

Jude really enjoyed the bubble station, another one of the awesome kids activities they had.

The boys, asleep after about 100 laps around Tudhope park. At least I was able to still listen to the music while I walked, and enjoy the waterfront breeze. Jude also enjoyed the fact that we were surrounded by Lake Couchiching, lots of opportunities to throw rocks and sticks in the water, or take a dip (which was great considering the 30 degree weather...).

Taa-Daa

2011-07-05T19:58:00.002-04:00

Milestone update - River is sitting up on his own, hooray! Well, he needs something behind him for when he decides to stop sitting in a rather abrupt fashion (just throwing himself backwards), but still, he is doing it! He's been rolling over for a while, but mostly in his bed. I find him in the strangest positions sometimes. It's so fun seeing the joy on River's face as he sits, he loves being a part of the action. Jude is also excited and loves to bring River toys. Jude is already being a bit of a bossy brother though, insisting River play with particular toys chosen by him...and so it begins...

Growing Older

2011-06-27T10:20:00.002-04:00

As you can see, Jude is getting older. He is has grown his first chest hairs....oh wait...those are noodles. My bad.

Fear

2011-06-23T09:08:00.003-04:00

So this morning I witnessed The Fear in River. Babies cry for a lot of reasons and it takes a while to figure out why they are crying until you become versed in your baby's particular cry dialect. I have pretty much become fluent in River speak and this morning Jude, River and I were playing in the living room. Jude was happily playing with his musical instrument set, I was enjoying a coffee and River was perched in his bumbo, eating a teddy bear and watching Jude play (one of River's favourite past-times). All of a sudden River burst out into his fearful cry. It was full out with complete lower lip extension and real tears. So strange...nothing seemed to be hurting him and it came out of the blue. Then I made the connection, River was afraid of this horrendous toy that Jude was shaking:

And here is a sample of the fear that River was experiencing while the rattle was gently making music:

Upon reflection, Jude had a similar reaction at the same age to a raccoon that was visiting our deck and peering in the window. That I understand raccoons have sharp teeth, claws, rifle through your garbage (more recently peel back our freshly laid sod) and look weaselly. But a bumble bee rattle? I don't get it.

Father's Day Weekend

2011-06-20T13:43:00.003-04:00

We headed to Kingston this weekend for some Gazendam family time, including a Father's day celebration. So nice to travel when it is not a holiday! We were able to take the boys to visit Naomi at school on Friday, such a proud auntie. Saturday found us heading to Fairfield park to enjoy the breeze from the lake. Jude loved throwing sticks and stones into the water, Dad was the only one brave enough to take a dip. River was feeling a little cranky, but Naomi always found a way to cheer him up. Aaron came to visit as well, and Jude enjoyed being tossed high in the air while taking a dip in the backyard pool. Poor Isaac was studying away for his exams, but he managed to get a little time with the boys in order to be named "ice" by Jude (as that is how his name sounds the way he says it). All in all, a wonderful trip!

Bruins win the CUP!

2011-06-16T08:50:00.003-04:00

Well the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup! River has been a very dedicated fan since the day he was born. His Pops has decked him out in Bruins gear and he has loyally supported Timmy Thomas and the boys all through the playoffs. And they won! Very exciting.
Last year the Chicago Blackhawks won the Cup. The situation was earily similar. Jude's great-uncle Wilf decked him out in Hawks gear and Jude loyally supported Toews and Kane and watched his favorite team win the cup in his first year in existance as a fan.

It makes me wonder if there is something special about our kids. Two years in a row their team has won a cup in the first year of their lives after long droughts. Pretty amazing stat. I'll tell you one thing though, our next kid will be a Leafs fan FOR SURE!

-posted by Kurt

Dancing Jude

2011-06-15T10:27:00.002-04:00

Jude has graduated from head bobbing, to foot stomping, and now he will full out dance. It does make me a tad dizzy though...

Shutout!!

2011-06-09T13:32:00.004-04:00

Game 1

2011-06-02T08:27:00.001-04:00

Waaaah... Boston lost last night!

The grass is always greener...

2011-05-26T08:11:00.003-04:00

...on our side of the fence! Kurt finished our backyard yesterday and it looks soooo delicious. I can't wait to sink my toes into the fresh grass and let River be tickled by laying on it! River has already shown great interest in grass at the park, loves to sit in it and grab it with his fingers. Jude was busy getting his trucks all ready to play in the new yard. He also was super impressed by the HUGE truck that came to our house to deliver the sod and the forklift that they used to get it off the truck, it was quite the show.

In other news, River continues to cheer on the Bruins despite their loss last night. What a die hard fan!

Summer Lovin'

2011-05-24T14:19:00.005-04:00

Finally we have had a blast of summer weather - which means River can actually enjoy being outdoors! Jude and River continue to be best buds (when River is not being attacked with a mini stick that is...). Every day River smiles more and more, and Jude is discovering that they can play together. I love love love watching them interact together.

What I don't love so much right now is that my backyard is a rototilled mess of mud...however soon it will be brand new grass, yipee! The long weekend found us having a backyard fire with friends, heading up to Parry Sound (even hitting the beach) for the day, and working in the backyard. The boys loved having an extra day with Dad at home, and I did too!

The Beirman kids loved our dirty backyard, and jumping in on a wheelbarrow ride. Can you find Jude in there? Don't worry, River was napping safely in his crib and is not at the bottom of that pile of kids.

Construction

2011-05-04T11:03:00.004-04:00

Kurt has been busy doing some spring construction projects around the house. So far he has fixed the gate to the backyard and revamped our deck with the removal of a railing and installation of some new steps. Jude has really enjoyed participating in these projects, watching closely and copying everything Kurt does!

Let's see, do I have everything? Hammer, pencil, measuring tape, drill, sippy cup, beer...hang on a second!

p.s. River is still here, and I have been severely overlooking him on the blog lately. So here is an adorable pic of him lovin' the bumbo seat. He loves to sit up and look around, especially at Jude. All Jude has to do is simply make eye contact and River bursts into giggles, already he worships his older brother.

SPRING

2011-04-30T14:14:00.004-04:00

Finally, the rain has come (not snow, not snrian, or someother horrible hybrid of rain and snow). And, the sun had decided to shine today - hooray. All this means Jude gets to don a rainsuit that is several sizes too big (but does the very important job of keeping the mud at bay) and his froggy rainboots and play play play, yay!

Easter in K town

2011-04-25T09:30:00.003-04:00

We had our first long trip with both boys, leaving at bed time so they would both sleep and we can miss rush hour through Toronto. It actually worked out pretty well! We had a great time seeing family, and Jude loved all the attention.River did too but he is not as expressive about it yet. Even though the weather was kind ofcrummy, there were a few sunny patches in there and we got to muck about in the creek which Jude was thrilled about. Here are some snapshots from the weekend.

Jude's first easter egg hunt. He was searching for the plastic eggs, not knowing about the chocolate ones yet...those are just for Mommy!

Four generation picture - we are so blessed with so much family!

Fun with sidewalk chalk.

Aunt Naomi was loving her little nephews to bits - and they love her right back! Jude leapt into Naomi's arms every morning and River gave great big grins. Mom and Dad had to fight her for time with them.

A little smile for your day.

2011-04-18T11:54:00.002-04:00

I know I should write more, but we have been having waaaay to much fun with the video camera. Thanks again Mom and Dad!

It happened...

2011-04-15T15:33:00.002-04:00

Spring - 2 photo series

2011-04-08T08:11:00.006-04:00

It was so warm and awesome outside yesterday - I think it is actually spring! Jude had tons of fun exploring the flowers that were poking their way through the earth, and loved roaming around the neighborhood. Now if he would just start walking so I don't have such a muddy little guy...He has also loved the increased bird and squirrel activity outside our windows.

Spring makes River smile - even if he doesn't know how awesome a season it is yet!

All Creatures Great and Small

2011-03-30T13:21:00.003-04:00

Jude is a pretty observant little fellow. There isn't a sound he doesn't hear (and insist you respond to - he expects you to hop to it when a timer goes off in the kitchen without any dillydallying, he will oo, oo, oo until you do something like get the toast out of the toaster, or oatmeal out of the microwave). He sees birds that are waaaay up in the sky "caw caw", or even a super distant airplane "vrooom vrooom". He even hears River waking up from his nap before I do and informs me with lots of pointing and earnest noises that I better attend to his brother toute suite!

Today he discovered a sure sign of spring - ants! They have returned, much to my chagrin. However instead of vanquishing them immediately I have discovered they offer hours of fun for Jude. So far no squishing of the little creatures or attempts to consume them. All is good.

Caw Caw

2011-03-29T09:53:00.003-04:00

If I ask Jude what a dog says, he makes a little "woof woof" noise, in fact he makes this noise anytime we see a dog or any other furry animal (squirrels, rabbits, etc.). If I ask Jude what an elephant says he will raise his arm like a trunk and make a elephant squeal. If I ask Jude what a bird says he will loudly call out "caw caw" like a crow. In fact, he makes this noise any time he sees any bird - seagull, mourning dove, cardinal, chickadee, grackle, well you get the idea. I have tried getting him to coo coo, or tweet tweet, but no...its caw caw all the way.

Waiting for Spring

2011-03-23T08:51:00.008-04:00

Around here we have been waiting for Spring, apparantly it arrived last Sunday. We'll see. I did however spot my first robin, so I guess it must be true (but it is snowing as I type this...) In the meantime we have been up to a few things to pass the time while we wait for the season to truely arrive:

going to the sugar bush to visit Pops and taste some syrup

bombing around the neighborhood in our new double stroller

looking out the window at all the birds and squirrels that come to visit

hanging out with Nana, Poppy and Aunt Naomi over March break

visiting Springwater Park to look at the wolves, foxes, deer, raccoons, bobcat, and hawks

learning how to eat with a spoon

building with blocks

playing crokinole

taking first steps!!!

practicing standing on our own

going for a swim at the hotel with Poppy and Aunt Naomi

just to name a few

Give peas a chance

2011-03-04T07:25:00.006-05:00

Things have been rather hairy around here lately. River hasn't been sleeping or settling well day or night. The moments captured in these pictures have been few and far between. But, I know that 'this to shall pass'. Despite his grumpiness, he has been squeezing in some pretty awesome smiles - the little things that keep me going!

Jude has been loving his brother, giving him pats and hugs. He is my baby moniter, letting me know when River is up and crying when I haven't heard him yet. He always wants to be where River is. Unfortunately this includes his bouncy seat. If River is not in it, Jude is! His cousin Garret stopped by the other day, I am not sure what the weight restriction is on this seat but I am pretty sure they maxed it out.

Peanut Butter and Warm Weather

2011-02-23T13:41:00.006-05:00

Jude is a very picky eater, there are few things he will allow in his mouth and most of it he wants fed to him (he doesn't like getting his fingers messy and goopy). But, he looooves his peanut butter and dives right in.

Now that the weather is getting a little warmer I have finally gotten outside for walks with the boys. It probably takes just as long to get everyone suited up and in the stroller as it does to go for our walk, but it's totally worth it to get outside! Can't wait for Spring!

Cute pics

2011-02-10T13:12:00.004-05:00

So...I don't have much time where my hands are free, but I had to share these cute pictures of River. Love the cheek draped over the shoulder in the pic above. And the shirt below sure suits River - I am constantly changing his diaper! Also, check out the super guilty look on his face..."I didn't do it, I swear, check someone else's diaper"

2011-02-06T10:16:00.002-05:00

Jude has such love for River. He gives him gentle pats, hugs, brings him toys and his soother, gets sooo excited when he hears him stir in his playpen, and best of all his face lights up whenever he sees him. Love it!

2011-02-03T06:36:00.004-05:00

Question: how does one keep a one year old busy while nursing a newborn all day long?

Answer: well...letting him make messes like the one pictured below, and getting into things he really shouldn't (like his little brother's bouncy seat, at least River wasn't in it when he tired to get in it)

Music Man

2011-01-28T08:42:00.003-05:00

All I Really Need

2011-01-22T11:07:00.011-05:00

"all I really need is a song in my heart, food in my belly, and love in my family..." - Raffi

It is so awesome that God made us to be part of a family. As our family grows, I have come to appreciate this more and more.

Thanks Jack and Audrey for taking care of Jude while we adjusted to River's arrival, not to mention all your help leading up to the big day taking us to appointments and all over town, and letting us have some date nights before we were parents of a newborn again.

Thanks Mom & Dad and Naomi for trekking all the way to Barrie and back to visit our newest addition. Mom, thanks for taking my worried late night phone calls. Dad, thanks for taking such great pictures. Naomi, thanks for taking such a great interest in your sweet little nephews.

Thanks to the oodles of Uncles and their visits, phone calls, and soup!

Thanks to my wonderful son and husband who go outside to play so I can have a rest.

Family of Four

2011-01-17T15:48:00.004-05:00

My baby brother is finally here!!!

He was born on Jan 16 at 1:35 am and his name is River James. He weighs 9 lbs and 1 oz (smaller than I was heh heh) and he is 22" long. Mom (and dad) are healthy, happy and home again.

Dad says that anyone who wants to come see us is welcome but they should probably bring beer.

Lazy Parenting

2011-01-12T09:11:00.003-05:00

So, with my due date fast approaching and my belly ever expanding I have developed some very lazy parenting techniques. Lately it has been to let Jude get into things and make messes when otherwise I would intervene. This morning I let him play 52 pickup with a card game just because it kept him quiet and occupied while I ate my breakfast. The other day I let him place, one by one, his snack of puffs into his toy drum kit. That same day I let him unpile the stacks of diapers ready to go for our new little one int he nursery. I also let him go crazy with the newspaper, although he is learning to "make a pile". Unfortunately this lazy technique coincides with Judes interest in crawling into spaces, shelves, baskets, benches, etc which usually need to be emptied first. Ah well...messes can always be cleaned up later, right?

Snowsuit Sound

2011-01-09T14:03:00.002-05:00

Finally got a snowsuit for Jude. Immediately Kurt took him outside and began tossing him into snowbanks. Jude was thrilled and loved sliding down the snowbank slides, wriggling his little bottom until he slid down on his own. Then he would lift his arms to be lifted up so he could do it all over again. Joy!

Music Man

2011-01-06T09:35:00.002-05:00

Obviously I have deep down hopes that Jude will be a music man. He loves listening to me play guitar, loves playing his keyboard and loves all his percussion instruments (that people have so kindly given us). He also perks up at certain songs when they start to play and often will stop what he is doing and "dance" to the song by flapping his arms or sit-dancing. I have been curious about how much he actually notices in a song - I am pretty sure that a good bass beat is most important to him however he also responds well to trumpets. This morning we were listening to CBC radio and 4-3-2-1 by K-OS began to play. The song has an excellent beat and Jude began to pay attention and dance like he usually does. Nicole was holding him at this point. The cool thing about this particular song is it has a pretty kickin bass lick followed by an abrupt pause before resuming the lick. While the lick was being played Jude suddnely stopped dancing and looked at us with an excited anticipative look. As soon as the pause hit he burst in laughter! It was amazing that he could antipate the song and got so much joy from the pause that I am sure K-OS hisself enjoys. maybe we have a music man after all...
Posted by Kurt

Be Careful Little Hands What You Do...

2011-01-03T10:19:00.003-05:00

So, Jude has entered the copying phase of his life. I caught him "talking" on the phone while crawling around the house in circles. Guess I must walk and talk a lot. In fact, many items are used as a phone by Jude - any toy nearby or even his hand. All you have to do is say "hello" and he whips his hand to his ear and cocks his head to the side like he is talking. Now all I have to do is keep the phones with the batteries in them away so he doesn't make any accidental phone calls (he already made one call to Grafton by mistake).

It's Christmas All Over

2010-12-28T10:29:00.008-05:00

Well it was Christmas all over, and now it is all over! With 5 different celebrations and gatherings under our belt, it felt like Christmas all over, however it was probably the most relaxing holiday yet! This was mostly due to my reluctance to travel too far due to me being great with child. A special thanks to my parents who bravely fought the 400 traffic to come to Barrie (so I didn't have to). Here are a few snapshots from various celebrations.

Gazendam Family Christmas

Christmas Eve with just our family of three. Opening presents and dining on Chinese food, maybe some traditions in the making?

Christmas Day - headed over to Kurt's parents for dinner and a sjoelbok tournament. Jude was eager to learn the game. This is probably because he wants to follow in his fathers footsteps. Kurt has won two tournaments in his youth (and he would like the world to know he had the high score of the day).

Strikwerda Christmas on Boxing Day

Jude liked his presents so much he even hugged the clothes he got. Here he is using his new socks as a phone.

Jude the Dude's First Birthday

2010-12-22T11:10:00.006-05:00

It's hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since Jude was born! Thursday and Friday we had a visit from my Dad and sister Naomi who just happened to have a tournament in Orillia - and managed to squeeze in some time for a birthday party for her one and only best nephew - Jude! Other guests of the day included Jude's Pops and Bepps, Uncle Rob and Aunt Ashley, and cousin Garret with his parents Trish and Terry.

Garret had to show Jude how the whole birthday thing is done, he is an expert since he had just celebrate his a few weeks earlier. They made a great team - Jude loved playing with the new toys and Garret was gaga for the packaging.

While lasagna dinner was a big hit (Jude's favourite meal), he really wasn't into dessert too much. But, we brought out the cake the next day and it was a hit! Saturday was his actual birthday and we headed to Grafton for the Strikwerda Christmas extravaganza.

Jude was spoiled by the greats - great aunts, uncles, and grandparents. He loved all the attention, new toys, attention, another birthday cake, attention, well you get the idea! Unfortunately he had to go to bed before we got around to the most rousing rendition of "Hey Jude" I've ever heard (complete with piano, guitar, and lots of voices). Amazingly he slept though his birthday song and all the Christmas carols and general revelry that followed soon after! All in all, a great birthday weekend.

Jude and Pops

2010-12-08T20:14:00.002-05:00

Howdy y'all. kurt here with my first ever blog posting. lucky you. Jude is such a cool little dude. He often gets lost in a new game or toy and it is hilarious to watch him snap back to reality.

A very cool part of being a new dad is watching my parents with Jude. Jude and his Pops when put together = guaranteed laughs.

Enjoy the video.

Resisting the Season

2010-12-02T14:42:00.002-05:00

So...I am having an incredibly difficult time not festooning my home with Christmas decorations. Every year I eagerly wait until the calender flips to December so I can bust out the stockings, nativity sets, and other twinkly decor. But this year I have a little one who happened to be born close to Christmas, and I'm trying to wait until after his birthday to bring on the Christmas cheer. Today though, Jude and I were out for a walk and the most delicate snowflakes were falling making it even more difficult to wait than it already has been! 9 more days ...at least I am slightly distracted from the fact that my baby is turning 1!

These days...

2010-11-24T09:10:00.003-05:00

Now that Jude can pull himself up, he's started to cruise. One of his laps around the living room takes him past the stereo where there are oh so many inviting buttons. Recently I pulled out of storage my favourite records from when I was a kid - mainly Raffi who I love. No canned tunes just folky kid fun with guitars, banjos, and other wonderful I real instruments. Jude must like it because he always wants to turn the volume knob.

He also loves to stand at the window and watch the birds and squirrels in the backyard. Every time he spots one he points and his mouth goes into this little o shape, then he turns to me and grins.

Jude`s also become a reader. He loves to sit and flip the pages in his board books. Then, when he finds his favourite, he scoots over to me book in hand and presents it to me. The other day he wanted me to read `The Good Old Hockey Game`about 10 times throughout the day. Thanks a lot Stompin`Tom!

November - a time for cuddling

2010-11-13T12:35:00.004-05:00

Jude has become a real cuddler after nap time these days. He loves to dive into his pile of stuffed animals and give them the biggest full body hugs. His little legs wiggle with excitement, he turns his head to the side to let them nuzzle into his neck, and he swings the hug from side to side. It is so adorable, it melts me!

Halloween

2010-11-01T11:18:00.003-04:00

As a kid I loved dressing up for Halloween, the candy wasn't too shabby either.This year was Jude's first Halloween. We weren't going to take him trick or treating but we knew his Pops and Beps would love to have a little trick or treater (especially since they don't get any out in the sticks). So we put together a bootleg smurf outfit for Jude and we went trick or treating at their house;he was rewarded with some mum mums (thanks for not giving him chocolate!). We also carved some pretty nifty pumpkins at our house - one of them bears a slight resemblance to Jude...

Pumpkins and Toques - Too Cute!

2010-10-25T10:08:00.003-04:00

See What I Mean? Snow...already!

2010-10-22T08:15:00.001-04:00

Tragic Autumn

2010-10-19T11:00:00.005-04:00

I think that it is almost tragic that Fall only lasts a sporadic few weeks. I think I have come to the conclusion that it is my favourite season. While it is sad to cut back the garden in preparation for its wintersleep you do so surrounded by the vibrant changing leaves and engulfed in that crisp autumn air. I love heading out for a walk with only a sweater on (no need for bulky winter jacket, hat, mitts, scarf, longjohns, wooly socks, etc.) and letting the cool air bring roses to my cheeks. It is such a delight to watch Jude enjoy the crunch of the leaves for the first time, or watch him smile with delight when the wind picks them up and blows them around. Anyways, I love love love this time of year and for the first time can truly enjoy it as I am not swamped with report cards!

The Tripod

2010-09-28T07:48:00.003-04:00

Jude starting moving on his own for the first time yesterday. I wouldn't call it crawling exactly, more like "tripoding". The fastest he moved was when the neighbourhood cat came to our back door. He scooted so fast over to the door, good thing he has no idea how to open those sliding doors or he would have let that cat in!

Simple Joys

2010-09-23T11:42:00.006-04:00

I've always tried to appreciate the simple joys in life. Things like crunchy autumn leaves, hot chocolate, a delicate flower growing out of the sidewalk crack. You know, things that just put a smile on your face. What is even better than coming across a simple joy is watching Jude take such pleasure in the simple things around him which often result in a squeal of delight from him, accompanied of course by a hand clap. Here are a few things from the past few days that have brought joy to Jude: the neighbour mowing the lawn with a push mower, the neighborhood cat that comes to our back deck and walks back and forth in front of the glass door, any ball, when I toss and catch things in the air, dogs, kids in the park, spraying water, when we pass people on the sidewalk, when the neighbour kids stop to play with him, bicycles and of course when Dad comes in the door after work. Thanks Jude for pointing out all the awesome things in life that we big people tend to overlook.

Yeah for Yogurt!

2010-09-23T09:49:00.000-04:00

Yup - he ate some and asked for more, halleluiah!

Food Fight

2010-09-16T14:51:00.003-04:00

So the food battles with Jude continue. It started out from the day we brought him home - no latching, 8 hours of screaming, finger feeding, etc. Things only got worse despite many visits to the lactation consultants and physiotherapists for my shoulder/neck that was thrown out of whack by my valiant efforts to feed my little dude. After more than two months of round the clock breastfeeding, herbal supplements by the truckload, drugs, tubefeeding, pumping, cleaning the tube and pump equipment, repeat, repeat, repeat, oh and throw in a tongue clipping for our poor little hungry guy I was forced to throw in the towel and tearfully feed my little guy formula. Once his little body finally adjusted to formula, and he began to act a little more like a sane baby and I thought that was the end of the food battles.

Well, guess again! He now refuses solids - homemade, storebought, smooth, chunky, finger foods, doesn't matter. Oh, except for cheerios (actually 'toasted cereal o's). Those he will eat one by one, followed by a cute little hand clap for each and every cheerio that he manages to get in his mouth! Oh Jude you can be very difficult, but so so so adorable!

Geocaching

2010-09-13T10:09:00.003-04:00

Geocaching is this navigational game where you try to find these different locations by gps. Kurt had heard of this old bridge that was a geocach out in the Minesing Swamp, along the Nottawasaga River that he really wanted to find. So, this past Saturday we went geocaching. After scrutinizing a few maps Kurt figured he knew where it was, and off we went in search of the old McKinnon bridge. Turns out there was a trail, but the grass was about knee high, or higher. We kept at it even though the trail was so faint. If the trail didn't run alongside the Nott we probably wouldn't have continued for fear of getting lost, that and Kurt had spent so much time on google maps trying to find this elusive bridge. Eventually we found it -hooray it really does exist!

Auntie Naomi

2010-09-07T08:30:00.003-04:00

We were so lucky to have Naomi come to visit for a few days before school started again. Jude sure got spoiled by her as she lavished all her attention on him - carrying him, reading stories, feeding him, playing with him, making him giggle, etc. I don't know too many eleven year olds who want to be woken up at 6 in the morning to cuddle with a baby, but she was a keener! Thanks for the fun and helpful visit Naomi!

Belated Wedding Pictures

2010-08-30T11:45:00.004-04:00

Peter and Devon looking stunning on their big day.

The whole Gazendam Family - so glad to add another girl to the mix Devon!

Birthday Celebrations

2010-08-27T15:40:00.005-04:00

For the first time we were not camping on Kurt's birthday. Thank goodness too because it poured rain all day! Still, we had a great bbq with Kurt's family and the rain stopped long enough for the boys to enjoy some beers and grilling outside. We kept things low key because next year...the big three - oh!

Jude helped Kurt open a few presents.

Pops teaching Jude how to splash in the puddles.

Jude and Uncle Bob (well Rob, but we would really like it if Jude would call him Uncle Bob)

Story time with Jack by the grill.

Jelly Bean Up Close

2010-08-26T13:57:00.002-04:00

Went for our second ultrasound today. This time they let us look at everything ( at our 12 week ultrasound they don't tell you anything, let you look at anything, or let your husband come in with you - terrible). It was very reassuring to see the little legs kicking and heart pounding away. The baby kept putting his/her hands in the way, and in his/her mouth! We might have a thumb sucker on our hands. It's amazing all the activity going on inside me that I can't feel. The flutters I feel must be really big kicks because today the baby was squirming all around and I couldn't feel a thing. I love having these pictures and videos so I can watch them over and over again.

More Camping Fun

2010-08-25T20:34:00.005-04:00

I couldn't resist posting a few more pictures from our camping trip!

Camping again, slightly soggier than last time

2010-08-24T19:38:00.006-04:00

Our first trip with Jude was such a success we dared venture out into the wild once more for a week of outdoor living. Well, we were car camping so I wouldn't exactly call it wild but you get the idea. This time we headed north to Grundy Provincial Park. After a hot and steamy summer that made me nearly pass out just walking to the mailbox this past week of camping was cold and wet. However, we still had lots of fun and Jude loved it!

Jack and Audrey joined us for a few days - Jude loved having his grandparents there to lavish their attention on him. We quite enjoyed their company as well, in addition to their offers to babysit Jude so we could sleep in a little in the morning and go for a canoe! Thanks you two!

We got a little beach time in, but mostly it was too cold for that. We hiked the swan lake trail, which got rid of the case of the grumpies that Jude had developed. Thankfully we encountered zero swans on the trail (not like they enjoy hiking anyways), but we did see a turtle in the sun and a great blue heron.

The Biermans happened to be camping there at the same time so it was fun to share the beach, the rain storms, cliff jumping, and a campfire with them. Jude was very entertained by Vince and Alana's antics (I think they will have a little Jude shadow once he can walk).

We had a storm on Thursday morning. Kurt and I sipped hot chocolate and played cards while Jude snoozed in the tent. I thought, okay, we can handle camping in the rain with a baby. Then our last night we were hit with a HUGE storm. It was pelting us and surrounding us with thunder and lightening all night. Jude slept through it all and woke once it stopped for a bottle - what a kid! We had to pack up the next morning in the rain (well Kurt did, I took care of the things inside the tent and entertained Jude with my amazing sleeping bag stuffing and mat rolling skills).

Now that we have been back for a few days, Jude starts to freak out if we are inside too long. He loves to be outside at all times, my own little outdoorsman - yeah!

More Family!

2010-08-16T15:10:00.003-04:00

Yes, Jude has more family that he had yet to meet! Peter and Devon flew in fromVancouver last week and met Jude for the first time. They were expecting a little baby and were surprised at the giant that they met.

We got in late and Kurt tried to do the car seat to bed sleep transfer (yeah right). Jude popped his eyes open, looked right at Peter and gave him a huge sleepy grin.

It was a wonderful visit, having been a year since we had seen them. This past weekend we travelled to Welland for their wedding. I have to admit watching my big brother get married brought tears to my eyes - it was so awesome to see how much they love each other.

Jude was a show off baby at the wedding. He did not cry during the ceremony, was great through dinner, fell asleep during desert, and slept through all the speeches and dancing! What a show off.

Camping at Awenda

2010-08-10T10:36:00.005-04:00

Camping was wonderful, it helped that Jude is not yet crawling! He loved being outside surrounded by children. The beach was also a hit and chilly georgian bay was actually the perfect temperature. Good times were had by all.

Good News, Bad News

2010-08-07T13:31:00.001-04:00

Well, the bad news is that our house was robbed and our computer was stolen. This is why I have been so silent lately on the blog front. This has been particularly frustrating because our good news is just so good. Just check out the picture below.

Kissing Cousins

2010-07-05T19:22:00.005-04:00

Well, they may not be kissing but they sure do have a lot of fun together. Jude has no first cousins, but he has been blessed with a handful of second cousins to play with.
Garret and Jude in a deuling jolly jumbers. They both showed off their jumping skills and had a bit of a dance off. Very entertaining all around.

Jude and Garret modeling their "Team deWitt" piggie t-shirts from the 5k mud run Kurt, Trish (Garret's mom), Jude's Uncle Scott and Rob, and a few others of Kurt's cousins ran a while back. The actual day was rainy and cold so we had to reoutfit the boys for a photo shoot.

A playdate a few months ago produced some hilarious pictures of Tyse, Jude and Garret. Turns out Jude loves being the centre of attention and squealed with delight when he was placed inbetween the two other boys. When the two started to poke and pull his hair, he only giggled more.

Music Machine

2010-06-30T08:28:00.004-04:00

Jude loves playing the keyboard - falling over doesn't stop him, he just uses his feet to tinkle the ivories!

Puppy Love

2010-06-29T10:09:00.003-04:00

Caution - the images you are about to view may be disturbing if you are a germaphobe.

Jude found a new friend in Ripley when we visited Kurt's cousin and her family.

First Firsts

2010-06-26T14:03:00.006-04:00

Okay, so I have put off writing a new entry because our camera all of a sudden decided to stop loading pictures onto our computer. I just couldn't bring myself to write an entry without pictures! Today Kurt brought home this thing from work that will allow me to upload pictures - yay!

Here are a few of the firsts Jude has had in the last little while, a few of which have been documented (oh you lucky first child that has a million pictures taken of you):

1. First tooth

2. First solids - cereal

3. First time sitting up on his own

4. Second tooth (ok, I know it's not a first, but still cool)

5. First time inserting his foot in his mouth, literally

6. First veggie - sweet potato

7. First time in the baby swing at the park

8. First Stanley Cup (his great uncle figures the Blackhawks won because of the pennant that he gave Jude that Kurt hung in the nursery)

9. First time on the city bus

10. First trip to the beach

11. First time in Lake Superior

12. First time strawberry picking

13. First earthquake (mine too actually)

There are probably more because, well it's his first year of life so everything is a first really.

Sweaty Summer Slumber

2010-05-26T13:09:00.001-04:00

My Cute Li'l Canuck

2010-05-19T13:11:00.003-04:00

Raspberries, Rolling, and Raccoons

2010-05-14T19:51:00.009-04:00

Alliteration is irresistible isn't it? I haven't posted in a while, so here are a few updates - all Jude related of course. Turns out when you spend 24/7 with the little guy, he totally becomes your world!

Jude's favourite new thing to do with his mouth is to blow raspberries. He does it all the time and ends up with this froth around his mouth. Makes him look a little rabid - which brings me to the raccoon.

I was surprised to find a raccoon sitting on top of our BBQ peering in our window the other day. I brought Jude to the window to teach him about raccoons. The little guy was equally curious about us and came right up to the window and pressed his little face against the glass. Eventually he wandered away and we went about our business. Later, Jude was happily jumping away in his jolly jumper. I was making faces at Jude and he was giggling and jumping with glee when all of a sudden his face looked stunned, then afraid, and then he started to cry. I turned around and sure enough rocky the raccoon was trying to come into the room again. Turns out Jude is only okay with wildlife if he is in his mommy's arms. Camping should be interesting this summer!

Finally - my mother's day gift. Jude rolled over for the first time last weekend. He makes it look like a lot of work (which I am sure it is for him) and takes a break halfway over to suck his thumb. So cute!

What just happened?

I rolled over and I like it!

p.s. still annoyed that blogger won't post with any of the spacing I use in my edited version, I really do know how to write in paragraphs...

Rail Trail

2010-04-27T08:41:00.002-04:00

Identity Crisis

2010-04-22T08:56:00.004-04:00

When you get married you go through that whole thing of deciding what to do about your last name? I did not hesitate to change it at all, I knew of course that I was still me and wanted our family to have one name. I really did not want to be called "Mrs. Kurt Strikwerda" because then I would be stripped of my name, not cool with that at all. Actually, I did a little graffiti on our church mail slot which read "Mr and Mrs K. Strikwerda", using a felt tip marker I inserted " & N". In fact I do recall doing this for a few other mail slots who I felt would appreciate it. It must have worked because the next time they redid the slots (move them all around to allow for new people to enter in the alphabetical order) they made new nametags that all had both spouses letters. I like to think it is because of me!

Anyways, I have been stripped of my identity again. I was out for a walk with Jude and on my way home strolled past a friends house. Since Jude was asleep I didn't stop to say hello and just carried on my way. Little did I know that I was being watched by their 4 year old daughter. She was so excited to see someone she knew outside her window she raced to tell her mom. But she couldn't remember my name. As she struggle for a way to tell her mom who she saw, she remember who I was married to and said "It was the other Kurt".

Now Kurt is a bit of a kid magnet, as seen in my earlier post of him playing hockey with the neighborhood kids. In fact, the minute he is home from work we hear the doorbell ring and it is some kids wanted to play hockey with him, or to borrow the bike ramp he made for them. If he even steps outside for a minute there are kids around wanting to play. The little toddler next door could say a handful of words, one of them was "Kurt". We would be in the backyard and hear this little voice saying his name through the fence.

This is not the first time I have been given my husband's name from a little child either. Another friend's daughter couldn't quite figure out how to identify us when we were dating. She was trying to talk about me to her mom but couldn't come up with a name for me until she settled on "Kurt's Mommy" because in her world there were mommies and daddies.

Ah well, at least Kurt calls me by name!

p.s. to you other bloggers out there, how doyou get your words to space properly? I write in separate paragraphs, but it posts in one huge blob - ergggg

Fabulous Four Months

2010-04-20T19:11:00.006-04:00

Four months old is fabulous! Jude has more smiles, is starting to giggle (well, chortle in a deep throated kind of way). He loves to jump in his jolly jumper, he starts to kick while lying down when I put him in it in anticipation of the jumping happiness. With the beautiful weather we go out for a long walk every day, mmm soaking up the sun (except Jude stays in the shade, gotta protect that baby skin). He babbles away while we walk and eventually has an outdoor nap. He has also developed this insane drooling - wanting everything in his mouth stage. It is hilarous, but very goopy.

Like Father Like Son

2010-04-20T19:05:00.003-04:00

Jude is a lot like his dad, as seen in this picture :). He really does look like him,I've checked out Kurt's baby pictures. We almost always get told how Jude looks so much like Kurt. The same is true of his personality. Jude is very social, he loves to go places, see people, and constantly do new things. He is a little like me though, when he goes to all these new places he just quietly watches what is going on, a real observer. It is so cool to see as he grows and changes the little bits of us in him, and the bits that are pure Jude and seem to have nothing to do with either of us!

Hockey Fan

2010-03-24T12:19:00.003-04:00

Kurt has been doing some bedtime reading with Jude - from the children's classic "Hockey All-Stars" (what, doesn't every parent read that to their baby?). Now it seems Jude has taken up reading it all on his own.

Spring is Coming

2010-03-08T12:09:00.002-05:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Spring is in the air! Even though there is a lot of snow, spring is coming. This past weekend we had a baby shower for Jude and his second cousin, Garret. After scrapbooking for the boys, we went out for a walk by the sugar shack behind Kurt's parent's place. And...the sap is dripping!

Another sure sign of spring, Kurt playing ball hockey with the neighbourhood kids.

Nap Time

2010-03-04T16:03:00.003-05:00

For those of you who don't know, up until a few weeks ago nap time for Jude meant screaming until I walked around with him. Even when holding him and rocking him, he would cry and cry. If I laid him down asleep, he would wake up and scream. The only place he would sleep was on me. While this was wonderful and cozy, I needed a break too. But a miracle has occured...Jude now will happily go into his pack'n play and take, drum roll please, naps! They are short, but I'll take them.

"And he took them in his arms and blessed them" Mark 10:16

2010-02-15T19:41:00.008-05:00

Jude's baptism was a wonderful event. Well...the first song had horns that blasted Jude awake and he screamed throughout the whole first part of the service until it was time for the "sprinkling" (which he screamed through). He was only quiet once I left the sanctuary and sat in the mother's room rocking him. I guess he felt I would be more comfortable in a rocking chair (I must admit, it was a wonderful way to enjoy the service). He must have wanted attention because there was a set of twins being baptized at the same time, screaming seemed like the most likely way to ensure that he would be remembered! Given Jude up until this point, I am not surprised he cried the whole time, it is how he spends much of his days...good thing he's adorable!

After the service it was really cool how many people came to shake hands, there was a really long line up. It makes you realize how many people are there to support you in the overwhelming task of raising this little person to live for the Lord.

Jack and Audrey opened up their home for us to have a luncheon in as we had about 40 people coming and that just doesn't fit in our tiny home. Again, so cool to see the support we have for Jude and the journey ahead. God is good!

Four Generations of Strikwerdas

Scream through my baptism? Who little old innocent me?

Oooooo, I'm one month old already !

2010-01-16T13:53:00.000-05:00

Becoming a Dad

2010-01-16T07:10:00.003-05:00

It's been so cool watching Kurt become a dad. Overnight (or a long 24 hour period, or a long 9 months depending on how you look at it) you become a parent and have these huge shoes to fill. Kurt tied up the laces tight and dove right in. From holding a baby maybe once and changing one diaper in his entire lifetime Kurt has become this awesome dad totally in love with his son and it just melts my heart to watch my two "boys". And, as Kurt reminded me, I am now outnumbered.

Christmas

2009-12-29T08:14:00.004-05:00

Strikwerda Christmas at Rob's

Our First Christmas as a Family of Three

Sinterklaas Visits the DeWitt Christmas

Greatgrandchildren last Christmas - 3, Greatgrandchildren this Christmas - 7 WOW!

Christmas Presents -new booties and a canoe paddle (someone's a little eager...)

Family Time

2009-12-18T11:52:00.003-05:00

Jude is only one week old and already has had so many visitors - including much of his extended family who were eager to meet him!

As Kurt's Aunt puts it, "Welcome to parenthood...and remember you are not an island but a tree in the thick, dense in places, but a nurturing place of growth, the forest of deWitt, touched by many other forests', Strikwerda for example, and the Nicolian forest...the list is endless...yet the rain always comes from above, a gift and the necessity and sustainer of all life.." Beautiful words to describe the world Jude has entered.

Here are just a few of the supportive family members who have turned up with lots of love and support:

Proud Pops Strikwerda

Beaming Bepps Strikwerda

Also Proud Gazendam Grandparents

Oh so proud Auntie Naomi

Getting tired from all this visiting, that's a lot of names and faces to learn!

Little tadpole fast asleep

Jude Andrew

2009-12-13T23:05:00.002-05:00

It's a boy! At 5:45 am, Dec. 11th, weighing 9 lbs 3 oz Jude Andrew Strikwerda finally decided to arrive into this world (a little reluctantly as things got started around 9:00 am the day before!). He was totally worth the wait and Kurt and I are both in love with him.

Have patience, have patience

2009-12-07T17:45:00.004-05:00

Have patience, have patience, don't be in such a hurry.
When you get impatient,you only start to worry.

This little tune from one of my favourite childhood records, "Music Machine" has been echoing through my mind. I always sing this song to myself when I need to be pateint. I actually used to threaten my students that I would start singing it if they were being impatient (worked like a charm, it drove them nuts when I would sing it!). But this week I find myself humming this little tune quite a bit.

Sunday morning we went to the hospital to check up on the baby, and everything was great - too great in fact. The heart rate was great, activity wonderful, fluid levels perfect. No wonder my little jelly bean is being stubborn and staying put, I have no idea where it would get stubborness from...certainly not his/her mother! While I am happy that the little bean is all healthy, I really want to meet him/her. In the meantime I will keep playing Tom Petty "the waiting is the hardest part" - thanks for the live anthology Scott!

Overdue Blues

2009-12-01T11:16:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I am not exactly blue yet, and only two days overdue. But...mentally I had only prepared up to this point, now I don't know what to do! So, I go in for a non stress test to make sure my little jelly bean is still happy in there (obviously, otherwise he/she would have begun to arrive, unfortunately absolutely nothing is happening in that department). And so I sit and wait, well more like walk a lot and wait...

Baby Shower for Kurt

2009-11-24T11:22:00.004-05:00

Kurt's work had a surprise baby shower for him - so cute, the cake even had his name on it! They even gave us diapers, which the women said were for Kurt specifically, to make sure that he does his fair share of the diaper changing.

RollerCoaster November

2009-11-18T15:11:00.003-05:00

November is turning out to be a rollercoaster of emotions. I had my "big birthday" and finished things at work (with a wonderful surprise goodbye party from my class).

Then, in the midst of saying goodbyes at work, I experienced the loss of Grandpa Bakker after a couragous battle with cancer. At the funeral, it was sad to think about the loss of Grandpa, however it is always amazing to be at the celebration of someone who has lived such a fulfilling life. To sing the songs, listen to scripture, and hear stories of Grandpa who was such a hardworking and loving man of faith was insipring. I watched Grandma who seems so brave and strong in the midst of her loss, and even as she is fighting her own battle with cancer, and am again inspired by her faith and strength. I will miss Grandpa and his everpresent grin, but I know that he is in the arms of the Lord.

Also this week, my brother Peter and Devon were engaged. I couldn't be more thrilled to have Devon become part of our family, and see my big brother get married, but again, what a roller coaster. And now with baby almost here, I am ready for the next dip and turn of the roller coaster.

30 - A Very Good Year

2009-11-10T08:30:00.002-05:00

This weekend I celebrated my 30th birthday. I always thought that I would dread turning 30, but as it turns out 30 is pretty great! Here's why in no particular order:

1. You can have a party with friends and eat your favourite foods and play your favourite games.

2. You can have a lovely dinner with your lovely husband at your favourite thai restaurant.

3. You can gather with your extended family to play a rousing game of Killer Bunnies.

4. You get really cool presents like new toilets (Didn't you know that 30 is the year of porcelin? And no I am not kidding, I almost cried when Kurt gave them to me because I hate our current toilets with more hatred than is right for an inanimate object - you have to lift the lid and fix the chain every time you flush!)

5. And, soon to come in the year of 30 is my little sweet pea - three weeks to go!

Thanks for Fall, Baby Showers, and Doors

2009-10-18T14:37:00.005-04:00

It has been waaay too long since my last entry, but as usual I use the "back to work" excuse for my procrastination!

September brought the usual flurry of activity, putting my classroom back together (which felt odd, since I'm only there for a little while I love having the same class that I left in June (yes, I graduated from grade seven to grade eight), it's like we never left. It is so easy because I don't have to set up my expectations, rules, etc. the kids just know and are already comfortable with me (sometimes a little too comfortable though). But I still am teaching grade seven for a few subjects, so they are more work as we are just getting to know each other. Teaching grade 8 also meant I got to go on the 3 day trip to the Christian adventure camp. The kids ziplined, did all kinds of crazy high ropes stunts, rock climbed, and mountain boarded. I just waddled from group to group watching the kids have fun, and settled down to the campfire at night. Thankfully this time around I had a separate cabin to sleep in so I actually got to sleep! All in all it was a fun, freezing cold and exhausting, but still fun three days.

Thanksgiving brought us to Kingston to visit the family. Naomi also hosted a baby shower - she did such a great job! There was a cake that looked like a baby carriage, and everything was green and yellow (both to be gender neutral, and because I like those colours!). It was amazing to be surrounded by so many aunts, cousins, grandparents and friends; o see all the support that is out there for us and the baby. What a welcoming world to enter! Naomi also made a scrapbook filled with loving parenting advice she has asked everyone to bring. It was so fun reading the tidbits of advice, and even poems that the women had written for me.

This weekend Kurt began a project that I am super exited about - building an entrance into the garage. All week he was preparing the new front door he had bought (one with a window that lets in gorgeous sunlight I got to enjoy for the first time this morning while sipping my tea. It even sends little rainbows in the house). On Saturday he replaced the door and tore out the closet so we can have a door into the garage. It was a little frightening, and yet humourous watching the destruction of my home (thanks Dave for being so willing to come over to help Kurt kick holes in the wall). Anyways, the project continues (a landing to be built, shelving, stairs, etc.) but it has begun! Hooray!

Happy Birthday Kurt

2009-08-25T16:58:00.006-04:00

We celebrated Kurt's birthday with the traditional birthday camping trip. Even though it rained from time to time, we still had a great time with no swan incidents, although they did make an appearance at our campsite with their cygnet making me very nervous (given the swan attack the last time we stayed at that very site). Early morning fishing, horseshoes, steak dinner, big campfires, and of course being surrounded by family - all some of Kurt's favourite things - made for a fabulous weekend. Here are a few pics from the weekend.

There and Back Again

2009-08-19T08:10:00.011-04:00

Well, I survived the interior trip and live to smile about it - it was an awesome trip.

Day One Adventures: We put in on Rain Lake (not aptly named as we had no rain) around 8 a.m. and enjoyed a liesurly paddle down the long and skinny lake, it was still like glass. The first few portages weren't that bad, they did start to get really muddy though from the thunderstorm the day before. Kurt was so glad we rented a canoe that only wieghs 44 lbs!

I was glad they were short as we had to do each one twice to carry our gear. We made it across Sawyer, Jubilee, and Jaun lakes until we arrived at our campsite on Mocassin Lake. We were the only people camping here and it was so peaceful to just sit and listen to the loons and watch the beavers swim by. We set up camp, made a successful bear hang and decided to go for a paddle around the lake. Being the genius that I am I decide it would be a great idea to pump our water while Kurt paddled. So I dutifully filled our nalgene and began to remove the pump. It was not easy. Finally I was able to remove it when it when it went flying out of my hand and splashed into the lake, quickly sinking to the bottom never to return. I began to cry for two reasons; 1. how were we supposed to get drinking water? 2. the pump was not ours, but borrowed from Kurt's parents. After my short panic attack I realized we could of course boil our drinking water (we brought lots of extra fuel) and that Kurt's parents were not going to get upset with me. After calming down with a mug of hot chocolate I was able to enjoy the rest of my evening!

Day Two Adventures: Got up early, packed up, and began our trek to Misty Lake. This took us across Bandit, Wenona, and Muslim Lake. The last portage was over 1k and was muddy and hilly. Needless to say it was challenging and we were glad to finally see Mistly lake through the clearing at the end of the trail.

We found an awesome site on an island all to ourselves. We found other campers across the lake that would let us use their water pump so that we wouldn't have to boil all of ours and could save feul (we rewarded these kind people with candy we had brought on the trip). But the best part was we saw two moose. First we saw a cow because every canoe that came on our lake headed over to this one area, and the moose was just chilling. I guess this one liked the attention. But when we went for a sunset paddle, we saw a bull moose with huge antlers! He didn't let us get too close, which was okay with me!

Day Three Adventures: Today was our rest day, no new campsite to get to, so we decided to make pancakes. Kurt found blueberries nearby and made us blueberry pancakes! We took a day trip to Timberwolf Lake, saw another moose bringing our count up to three. It was hot and sunny all day, we took many opportunities to go for a swim! We found driftwood and Kurt made a huge fire that night.

Day Four Adventures: Got up early, packed up and headed to Daisy Lake. Faced our next long portage and began the first trip with our gear when we ran into a group that was heading back to get the rest of their gear. Kurt joked that they could carry our stuff back as well - I guess they took him seriously because we met them halfway on our return trip carrying our stuff for us! Once again we rewarded kindess with candy. We paddled Little Misty Lake and then the Petawawa River which was all windy and still, so cool in there. Got a soaker doing a lift over a beaver dam! Our last portage that took us to Daisy lake was really short and beside a gorgeous waterfall. We found a beatiful site, set up camp, swam, and took naps in the sun.

While we were watching the sunset that night, we heard something splashing on the other side of our campsite so we headed over to see a cow and her calf coming for supper. They were so close and we just watched them eating for about 20 min before they left through the back of our site and into the woods. We fell asleep listening to the wolves calling each other. Amazing end to a beautiful day.

Day Five Adventures: Homeward bound! I was nervous for this day becausee we had two portages that were over 1k, our longest yet. We paddled Daisy and successfully made through our first long portage. We did not see any bears, thankfully, on any of our portages because I kept singing, loudly, the "Going on a Bear Hunt" song to scare them away. We did see prints and scat though, which made me a little nervous. We paddled across Casey Lake and arrived at our last portage of the trip. It was downhill the whole way - yipee! Kurt made me rest at the end and he returned to get the last two packs. Then, I thought we would have an easy paddle back on Rain Lake to the put in. Unfortunately there was a strong headwind and we had to really work for it! We arrived at the car exhausted and ready to head home. But then the car wouldn't start! Luckily the warden who happened to be putting in there to do some trail repairs is also an expert on cars and got us on our way.

Sigh - strange to be back inside four walls again. Nice to have toilets and showers though.

We headed to Kingston to visit my family. Kurt enjoyed a water fight with Naomi while we waited for Peter and Devon to arrive.We also were able to catch some of Isaac's soccer tournament, and I was able to visit with Erin and see her PEI honemoon pics. Unfortunately Jonathan couldn't make it :(. It was awesome to see everyone but way too short and rushed of a visit!