May 31st 2009

***Please note this blog site is giving us some problems(mainly with uploading pictures)... stay tuned as we will be moving to a different blog site ASAP. We will let you all know when this move occurs!***



Everyone keeps saying that the older you get the faster time goes… It’s totally true... I was just telling Andrew yesterday how when I was a teenager I couldn’t wait to be in my 20’s. I couldn’t wait to live on my own (check), fall in love (check), get married (check), buy a house (check), be pregnant (check), and have a baby (check). Now I am already on my second baby and by October I will be **gasp** in my LATE twenties!!!! Time really does go by fast. I must say though, these last 5 years have been the best of my life! Thanks Andrew and Aurora, and Aliaugy (that’s what we are calling baby# 2 until it gets here.) There are some hints at the name(s) in there…



Since I have updated last there hasn’t been any major changes in our lives… just trying to adjust to our pretty hectic schedules… Andrew is working 2 jobs, which is heroic, but the thing we are grappling with is since he is working two jobs he has jumped a tax bracket, and now we are getting taxed to the point that we don’t know if it is worth Andrew working all these extra hours… So we are trying to figure that out. As for myself, I realized a couple months ago that if I don’t get enough hours with my work at home job (quality analyst with Advanis, a market research firm) that I wasn’t going to qualify for my 600 hours for mat leave… So I looked into my options… It was either getting more hours with my current job or getting another job. A scary thing to think about when we already feel like we don’t get enough family time… Anyways…I was able to get more hours doing a different job with Advanis, but that meant going back on the phones, which to be honest I am perfectly fine with… Until I ran into a little problem… With my last pregnancy I developed conditions called Symphis Pubis Disorder and Pelvic Girdle Pain. Both involve immense pelvic, back and hip pain. This lovely little pregnancy side affect reared its ugly head a lot earlier with this pregnancy, and after a week of being on the phones, which involved me sitting in one position for a minimum of 3 hours straight, I realized I couldn’t do it. I was in too much pain, and what little family time we had left completely disappeared. So life being what it is, we just have to suck it up. Money is not worth trading in for my physical and our families mental health. That means no extra income now and no supplemental income when the baby comes… Right now we are praying that God will provide, and that God will give us the self discipline to be good stewards of our money. Budget, budget, budget.



This past winter was overly long. The last bit of snow we got was during the second week of May… Ridiculous. As someone who needs to go outside and breathe fresh air for my mental well being, this last winter was challenging. Because while I need to get that fresh air, I also HATE being cold in the cold. Spring has finally sprung… Or rather it has finally stopped hitting the snooze button. Almost all the leaves are out on the trees, and hopefully (for my tomatoes) there will be no more frosty nights.



Speaking of tomatoes leads me to gardening. This year, we have found it of the most importance to child proof our yard. We had a random concrete block patio, with a random walkway down the middle of our backyard. The weeds and grass that grew in the cracks could get up to 1 foot high, and for a little gal who is barely two feet tall herself, but determined to walk, that was a very scary landscape. When we first moved into our house there was a lilac tree out back that was so overgrown you could barely get into the back yard. I hacked it all back, but not knowing much about these kind of trees, I left to many of the stumps at the base. These “stumps” are like 1 foot sharp spikes, that while they would be prefect to be in the bottom of a bear trap, are not something I want my 1 year old to be playing near. We also had a clump of rose bushes that were so overgrown they were invading the lawn and reached a diameter of about 8 feet. It was starting to look like the briar fortress that surrounded sleeping beauty while she slept under the curse… Again not something I want my little princess Aurora to fall into. We also had to contend with random animal holes, and unlevel lawn (where the previous owner just dumped mounds of dirt). So, I found an add on Buysell.com entitled Dirt Cheap. And yes, it was dirt that was cheap! I ordered 12 cubic yards of screened loam (couldn’t get a half order) and had it delivered on our front lawn (couldn’t put it in the back because the gravel truck that delivered it was too tall to get past the power lines)…. That is a lot of dirt. More dirt than I realized. It was a dirt pile the size of our Echo. Thanks to our friend Mat and Pizza 73 we were able to move 95% of it to our backyard that night. That’s a lot of work.



This past week we have been moving dirt, digging dirt, and planting in dirt and I now, thanks to my friend Teddy we have a garden planted!!! Yeah!! We planted carrots, beets, Swiss chard, spinach, 3 different kinds of lettuces, radishes, onions, and dill. In the other bed that we just got prepared, we will be planting zucchini, cucumbers, potatoes, peas, beans and squash (hopefully I have enough room) tomorrow. I never thought we would be able to use all that dirt, but it looks like by the time we fill all the flower/vegetable beds, grade the sides of our house, fill in the pits left by the patio stones, and top dress our front and back lawn we will have barely enough to do all this… So in the long run it all worked out!!! I know this may not be very interesting to you readers… but I love gardening… I just can’t describe how much I love it!!! It is so interesting and important to me… The other day I was experiencing a bit of the “over emotional pregnancy blues” so I put Aurora down for a nap and went out and worked in the back yard for 2 hours. It was the best anti-depression medication I could have taken!!!! So now I try to get out every day and do something if my schedule or body allows me.



Speaking about my pregnant body… I am actually feeling pretty good! This is the best I have felt being pregnant ever!!!! With Aurora I had all day sickness up until I was 22 weeks pregnant. All day nausea and vomiting at least once a day. Then I had issues with Symphis Pubis Disorder and Pelvic Girdle Pain which made moving excruciating. Plus I had the worries of my breast tumors, and not to mention the terrible side effects of having high blood pressure. I was a sorry hurting mess when I was pregnant with Aurora. With this baby I definitely had morning sickness, but it was fleeting, it would happen every other day, with nausea and maybe a bit of vomiting. It was also over at about 16 weeks. I also had to deal with a couple of flu bugs, but I was able to get over those with just the side effect of weight loss. A couple of months ago, when I was working my previous hectic schedule I had to deal with my pelvis pain, and in fact because of all the hormones being released to loosen up my joints for the up coming labour (groan) I actually threw out my neck and back within weeks of each other, so I did have that to deal with during this pregnancy. But as soon as I cut back on work, and was able to get adequate rest and exercise (more doable with the nice weather) I have felt great! This pregnancy so far has been a lot better!

With Aurora I was so sick I could only eat whatever I knew I could keep down, so I only ate Raman noodles for the first 5 months, which probably helped contribute to the high blood pressure. Plus I was working at some points between 8-10 hours a day at a job where I had to sit all day, working a wonky schedule, which didn’t allow for a lot of exercise. With this pregnancy I haven’t been near as sick so I am eating a LOT healthier (I crave salads instead of hot wings), my schedule for work has been very flexible, I have lots of time to lay down, a wonderfully glorious baby who gives me so much joy, a husband who does ANYTHING for me and I get a lot of exercise and all these things helps to keep the high blood pressure away!!! God is good!!! I think I actually don’t mind being pregnant!!



I love feeling the baby move!!! I forgot how amazing and weird it is!!! No thoughts either way as to whether it is a boy or girl though… With Aurora, I knew it was a girl from the beginning!!



Aurora has been growing up and getting so big!!!! She is supremely efficient at walking, and is just figuring out the run, she is climbing, and generally always on the move!!! She is best friends with our fat boy cat Damien, who will let Aurora do anything to him… pull his tail (goes without saying), pull his ears, whiskers, and paws, sticks her fingers down his ears, tries to kiss him on the mouth, steps on him, lays on him, and hugs (aka strangles) him… He just sits there and takes it… and to top it off he normally purrs through out the whole assault. If it does get too much for him, he just saunters off, and reappears within minutes for more… Aurora loves to garden and loves flowers! She can occupy herself for hours out in the back yard with a clay pot, dirt, and a spoon (her constant companion). It is wonderful to be out side with her and see her overwhelming affection for the out doors!!!! She is SO smart! I know most parents (the good ones) always say that, but man this kid understands EVERYTHING that is being said, and that is going on around her! She understands and responds to every command, she is completely absorbed by books, she knows just about every word we say to her, and is continuously adding new words to her vocabulary! In addition to all her other words, she now says on a regular basis, "cheese"(her absolutely favourite food) "uhhh ohhh," "wow!", "hello", and today for the first time she said “I luh you ( I love you)” to Andrew!!!! I have to brag a bit here… she has already accomplished some 2 and a half year old milestones!!! This girl is a smarty pants!! Just like her dad! In fact she is the spitting image of her dad. We got out Andrews old photo album, and in most pictures we have of Andrew at around the same age, they are identical! If it weren’t for the hair color (she has my hair color) and the eyes (she has my shape of eyes) you wouldn’t know who you are looking at!!! It’s a bit eerie. I want to change her name to Andrewette, but Andrew won’t let me!



Well that is all that is new in the land of Pahl. We are just enjoying the sunshine and each other, and waiting excitedly for Aliaugy!!!

-Naomi

March 10th 2009

Yes, again, it has been a while. I can’t say that updating this has been a consistent part of my life…. But as time goes on and I realize that it has been months since I updated you all, I start feeling bad. So much has gone on that I have to update about!!!! -N



The last time I updated was last September…. Wow that is serious ground to cover!!! I will update month by month. And Andrew and I will take turns.



October.

Our good friends Brad and Shandra came to visit. Andrew played an acoustic show for a Western Canadian Music Awards showcase. He played with the regular band and added a pianist and a cellist. Brad, Andrew’s musical soul mate, sang back-up vocals, and it sounded amazing!!!! Jovie, Brad and Shandra’s eldest daughter was so into the music she went up on stage to participate in the performance! -N



Tabitha and Jordan came to visit us the following week for thanksgiving, when unfortunately I came down with a terrible flu. Sorry to have had to subject you to that Tab’s and Jordan! -N



For Naomi’s birthday this year I took her to see David Copperfield at Rexall Place. We go to a lot of concerts but this was the first time seeing a real magician so needless to say, we were pretty excited. And alas, we were not disappointed. It was every bit as cheesy as you’d expect – the ‘intense’ music, the wind machine, the drama – but also every bit entertaining. He made a full sized car appear out of nowhere, he disappeared from the stage and appeared across the arena in the blink of an eye, and he actually made 13 people from the crowd disappear and appear across the room. Pretty neat! -A



November

In November, Aurora said her first word, “Dada”. 50% of the time she meant me and the other 50% she was just babbling. This was followed by “Whasat?” (What’s that) and “Kitty”. She’s getting better at communicating and she is able to tell us what she wants 9 times out of ten. It may not always be intelligible to anyone other than Naomi and me, but as long as we understand, that’s all that matters! -A



In November and December I was in a battle of the bands at a local club here in Edmonton. I qualified for the final in November and then lost in the December final by 2 votes! The worst part was that Naomi was in BC and I forgot to vote! There are our two votes! Oh well. It was a lot of fun and a good experience for me, Jon and Ryan. -A



December

In the end of November my best friend Victoria gave birth to her first daughter. She is like a sister to me and I wanted to pay forward the love and support I got from my mom and sisters, so I went to stay with her and her husband to help out whenever/wherever I could. It was great to be able to help and spend time reconnecting, and getting to know Victoria’s beautiful little family. On the weekends I was able to go to White Rock and visit Ashley, and even Jen, who was back from Korea, visiting family for Christmas. It was so great to be able to see some of my closest girls!!!! Seriously last year was great; I was able to see just about all my girls every other month! It was such a blessing!!!! -N



My parents moved back to Edmonton in the beginning of December, so we were able to spend Christmas with almost all our families! Hannah, Tabs and Jordan were all able to come visit around the holidays. Unfortunately, on our way home from a shopping trip Jordan, Tabitha, and I were involved in an accident. We stopped at a red light, only to be rear-ended by a SUV. Tabitha’s seat wasn’t locked into place so her chair slid forward and backward exacerbating her whiplash. I was leaning forward in the backseat showing Tabitha something, so my whiplash was also made worse. We ended up being taken out of the almost totaled car on spine boards and rushed to the hospital. I had pain running up and down my neck and back, and because of this I had to stay in the hospital so they could put me through extra tests and a CT scan. I finally got home sore, but within a week or so, most of the pain had gone… I don’t feel any residual affects… I don’t think??? -N



Aurora thoroughly enjoyed her first Christmas, she was just at the age of figuring out how to open her presents. She loved ripping and tearing the wrapping off almost as much as she enjoyed the presents. Everyone was so generous, to her and us, and we are so grateful! -N



On boxing day, we drove to Saskatoon and spent a couple days celebrating with family, and then for New Years we went to Regina, staying with Brad and Shandra, and hanging out with Tabs and Jordan and Hannah. It was such a wonderful way to start the New Year! -N



January



My New Years resolution was to expand my craft universe. I decided to “open” my own craft business, to sell my wares. I created a website at butterflygarage.com and am currently selling reversible diaper bags, crocheted booties, and announcements. Right now I am taking special orders, and trying to fill my stock. I really love to be able to do this, as it has been a dream for a long time! It would be my dream one day to do this full time! I love creating cute, stylish, practical wares, and I think I have some pretty great products on my hands! Check out my website and let me know what you think!!



Starting out the New Year, I was able to spend a lot of time with Uncle Robyn, Alexandre and Felix. Aurora loves those boys! Every time we see them she just shrieks, and gets giddy, they sure light her up! -N



Aurora’s birthday was up next and I planned her a big shin-dig!! Not that she would actually know that it was for her, but we also wanted to have her birthday be a dedication party. The theme was fairytale! With the star of the show: Princess Aurora! Hannah flew in a few days before to help me prepare. What a lifesaver she was! We went grocery shopping, decorated the house, and Hannah cooked up hundreds of pigs in blankets (hotdogs wrapped in white buns). We even set up craft table where kids could make crowns. We had all our friends, family and church come, and in total we fit over 40 people in our house. Aurora was a bit overwhelmed…(didn’t help she didn’t have a decent nap that day). But over all it was wonderful! Pastor Dan and Pastor JB of our church, Bridgepointe, dedicated her, and it was the perfect time for our family and friends to commit to help raise her to grow up loving Jesus! -N



February

For her actual birthday Tabitha made Aurora a cake, and we had my mom and dad and Isaac come over to help us eat it! Mmmm Carrot cake! -N



February is the month in which Aurora took her first steps!!! I was at a friend’s house and all of a sudden she stoop up and took 4 steps into the middle of the room! There was no one coaxing her, nothing to walk to - she just took four random steps! All in her own time, just as I suspected would happen… Aurora is very much a person who does things in her own time and way. Ever since then she has slowly gotten more confidant and this past week she has taken right off. Scooting is still her primary way of getting around, but she walks whenever the mood strikes. She is getting braver, and I think by then end of March there will be no stopping her! -N



February is also the month Aurora got her first teeth! Yes! Her first teeth, I know! It took a while, and they’re not coming in the right order, but they are here - 2 glorious top teeth, soon to be joined by one more on either side. Still no real visuals signs of bottom teeth, but I can sure feel them with my finger! She hasn’t actually bit me yet, so I’m just counting my blessings on that one! She sure does have the cutest smile though! N



In other news!!!!

Aurora is going to be a BIG SISTER! And we will be parents x2! Come September 30th, there will be a new Pahl baby joining the clan! I am 11 weeks pregnant, and feeling it! The morning sickness kicked in fairly early, and I am still dealing with that… As of now, there is not a problem with high blood pressure, so if you could keep that in your prayers that would be great!



2 weeks ago I caught the GI flu that Andrew had a week before, and needless to say it wasn’t a pretty sight. I lost 4 pounds, which isn’t the best thing while pregnant, but I have been assured I will soon regain that, plus some ;). Overall though, I’m having an easier time with this pregnancy, so far, than I did with Aurora. Even with the flu, I am already showing… My belly just suddenly popped out which is more common in 2nd pregnancies, especially pregnancies that happen closer together.



Aurora will be 20 months old when the baby gets here, so she will never remember what it’s like not to have siblings. I love the fact that Hannah and I are 22 months apart, I always remember her being a part of my life. Andrew and I also wanted to have children close together so they could grow up close and we could be young parents. Potentially we could be done having kids by the time I’m thirty which means that Andrew and I will be nearing fifty when they are out of the house, and then it will be time to PARTY!!!! All joking aside, we are thrilled to be having another baby, and are so excited to meet our new little bundle of joy! -N (Or bundles… )-A



Thank you all for being a part of our life! I will try to update as much as possible through out the pregnancy, stay tuned!!!

-Naomi