Monday, August 27, 2012
Friday, November 12, 2010
Elisha Joel
Early August 21, 2010 we had a little (8lbs 11oz) baby boy and named him Elisha Joel. Elisha is pronounced E...L(eye) sha. It's a Hebrew (Biblical) name from the Old Testament and means God is Salvation. I've grown up being familiar with the Old Testament stories of the prophet Elisha, but apparently most people are finding it EXTREMELY unusual and are calling him Aleesha when they see it in writing. We totally didn't see that one coming! Sorry Buddy! I guess he'll have to pave the way on this one!
His middle name Joel was chosen for three reasons. (1) We loved the sound of Joel after Elisha. (2) The meaning is Jehovah is God and loved that combo with God is salvation (Elisha). (3) We also have some pretty special people in our life that have this name and as a tribute have named our little guy in honour of all three of them.
My 'little' brother Joel. A pretty special guy with a big heart for God. He's a gifted leader, a talented athlete, sensitive heart and a great sense of humour. We're excited for Elisha to play soccer with Uncle Joel soon :) We also desire our Elisha to be like his Uncle Joel who is a great role model.
Jordan Joel. I've grown up with Jordie my whole life and Blake and I have become best couple friends with him and his wife Jenny. We loved these guys so much we dragged them over to Korea with us for a year and bonded so much deeper during that time. They are such an encouragement to us in so many ways. God has allowed us to step into the role of parenthood right alongside these guys and are bonded even further as we seek wisdom in how to bring up Naomi and Elisha as God would have us. These guys are our BFF's ;)
Timothy Joel. The 'big brother' I never had who lived in the basement of our house for 8(?) years while I grew up. Tim is an extremely diligent individual who seriously digs deep into the Word of God. I had so many spiritual/theological questions for Tim while growing up and he would faithfully help me struggle through them writing pages of notes in explanations- always directing me to Scripture verses. We would love our little guy to have this same diligent heart for God.
We are so thankful for the many more Godly and wonderful role models we are surrounded by and the wonderful influences Elisha will have in his life. Choosing the name Joel meant we hit 3 all at once! :)
His middle name Joel was chosen for three reasons. (1) We loved the sound of Joel after Elisha. (2) The meaning is Jehovah is God and loved that combo with God is salvation (Elisha). (3) We also have some pretty special people in our life that have this name and as a tribute have named our little guy in honour of all three of them.
My 'little' brother Joel. A pretty special guy with a big heart for God. He's a gifted leader, a talented athlete, sensitive heart and a great sense of humour. We're excited for Elisha to play soccer with Uncle Joel soon :) We also desire our Elisha to be like his Uncle Joel who is a great role model.
Jordan Joel. I've grown up with Jordie my whole life and Blake and I have become best couple friends with him and his wife Jenny. We loved these guys so much we dragged them over to Korea with us for a year and bonded so much deeper during that time. They are such an encouragement to us in so many ways. God has allowed us to step into the role of parenthood right alongside these guys and are bonded even further as we seek wisdom in how to bring up Naomi and Elisha as God would have us. These guys are our BFF's ;)
Timothy Joel. The 'big brother' I never had who lived in the basement of our house for 8(?) years while I grew up. Tim is an extremely diligent individual who seriously digs deep into the Word of God. I had so many spiritual/theological questions for Tim while growing up and he would faithfully help me struggle through them writing pages of notes in explanations- always directing me to Scripture verses. We would love our little guy to have this same diligent heart for God.
We are so thankful for the many more Godly and wonderful role models we are surrounded by and the wonderful influences Elisha will have in his life. Choosing the name Joel meant we hit 3 all at once! :)
Our Birth Story
Well I guess I need to update here...I've been a little preoccupied as of late. :) So here's the birth story of our little guy. Just a warning that some may consider this TMI! Please read at own risk!
The last few weeks of pregnancy were pretty difficult. It was so uncomfortable to do anything! I couldn't move without hurting, I couldn't sleep, I was taking tums to deal with the constant heartburn and I was swollen like crazy! The anticipation of meeting our little 'Peanut' and how our story was going to unfold was almost unbearable!
The last few weeks of pregnancy were pretty difficult. It was so uncomfortable to do anything! I couldn't move without hurting, I couldn't sleep, I was taking tums to deal with the constant heartburn and I was swollen like crazy! The anticipation of meeting our little 'Peanut' and how our story was going to unfold was almost unbearable!
Thursday morning (August 19- 6 days after the due date) Jenny and Jord came over for breakfast. We had a really great conversation, prayed for each other and just had an honest time sharing what we appreciated about one another. I was starting to feel a little crampy, but nothing too major and I didn't really think anything of it. Dawn came over a little later that day and she was so good to just keep me company- despite the fact that I was probably the most boring host at that point. She was content to just sit with me and knit and go back and forth with discussion as to whether we were having a boy or girl and even have a few naps throughout the day. I had finished all my knitting projects at that point- tried to save some for early labout, but I was going stir crazy waiting for the baby to come! I started to have a growing tightening feeling in my stomach throughout the day, but still wasn't anything major. Dawn would sit and time them and it really didn't seem like too big of a deal. Blake came home from work that night and Dawn went home. From 11pm-1am I started have consistent contractions (1minute, 5 minutes apart) and decided to call the midwife at that point. She came to the house a little while later and said progress was going well, but to take some tylenol and gravol and just try to sleep. (haha) Blake passed out immediately. The contractions seemed to intensify when I was horizontal so I sat on the couch and tried to sleep sitting up (quite difficult!) between the contractions. They came all night long, but started to stagger in length and grow in intensity. Blake was so encouraging and helpful throughout this time. I had a hard time relaxing my shoulders (I'm an upperbody tenser apparently) and would forget how to breathe. Blake was so good about talking me through it and I had this strange fixation on his mouth during this time- like I couldn't hear what he was saying, but copying his mouth was how I remembered how to breathe properly. The midwife came again in the morning and again there had been no change in progress. She suggested walking to get things moving and she'd go do some paperwork nearby and to call if anything changed. By 1pm on August 20 there was still no change. I was started to feel extremely tired and began to have back labour. Our midwife (hereafter referred to as Sushma) suggested going to the hospital to check things out. She gave me some water droplets in the muscle of my back which were supposed to help with the back labour. It was extremely painful and I don't think it helped at all! After that we grabbed our bags and headed to Markham Stouffville Hospital. Things were all ready for us when we arrived and it was such a surreal feeling walking into that room, knowing we were going to meet our little baby soon. I was check again and still no progress- stuck at 3cm! I was given a shot of morphine and laughing gas so that I could rest a little bit before they broke my water. I slept for a little while and then awoke to Jenny standing there with a muffin and chocolate milk. So good to see her!
Sushma broke the water at this point to try to get things going and there was meconium in the water-basically means the baby pooped in utero. There would be concern at delivery of meconium getting into the baby's lungs so they would need to clear the lungs right after birth. After the water was broken, labour stopped entirely and they decided to issue oxytocin to get the contractions going again. I was given some gas to breathe when the contractions happened. Sushma check me again and things were progressing. I laboured for quite a few hours, but started to fade in exhaustion from lack of sleep. The oxytocin levels needed to be increased, but I could hardly cope with the level it was at. Sushma checked me again and I was started to digress and go backwards! The baby's head was coming too fast and was bruising my cervix and things were closing off. At that point they said the only thing that would help would be an epidural so I would be entirely relaxed. The epidural was pretty incredible! From that point it only took about 30 minutes for my body dilate and be ready for delivery. Again, Sushma said for me to rest for awhile before we delivered the baby. I slept for awhile and then my sister and brother-in-law came to the hospital (quite the trek at that time of night!). The baby was born at 1:40am Saturday August 21st. Blake was such a support throughout that whole process. What an incredible feeling to have him say, 'it's a boy!' Blake cut the umbilical cord and the rushed the baby to the back of the room where they pumped his lungs (to make sure there wasn't any meconium in them). Those few moments felt like hours! The baby wasn't crying at that point and they were working on making sure he was ok. All I wanted to do was see and hold my baby! Sushma was focused on me and making sure everything was ok, but I could hardly sit still for her! Blake finally brought the baby over so I could see him. It felt so unreal- I just couldn't stop looking at all his little features...counting his fingers and toes, looking at his lips and eyes. Blake called Amy and Chris to come up from the waiting room and they were the first to meet him- so special! The hospital was extremely busy with people in labour that night so they rushed us to a ward room where there were a bunch of other women, babies and some men as well. The room was so loud with babies screaming that there was not a chance that we were going to be able to sleep! Our baby was starting to cry and all we wanted to do was go home! Sushma hurried through all the tests and paperwork and we were happy to be out of there around 6am. Sushma would come to our house the next day to check on how everything was going. So thankful to God for a healthy little boy!
Proud Daddy!
Hi Peanut!
Words can't describe this moment!
Meeting Uncle Chris
Hanging with Auntie Amy!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Memories of the past year
So this has been an embarrassing long time to forget a blog. Its been a whirlwind year with lots of changes. It has been a year of pretty intense frustration, excitement, setbacks, leaps forward and most of all...growth. I found a bunch of pictures lately that I thought I should do something with and in many ways outlines a lot of the journey this past year. It has been hard to update week by week and month by month because in a lot of ways we had to simply sit and trust that God was working in ways we just couldn't seem to understand. We were in many ways challenged to stop talking and doing and just wait on God to act and move.
The pictures begin last summer before leaving Korea. Blake and I were celebrating with Jenn and Jord in this picture because we had just learned we were expecting. We miscarried shortly after and that seemed to be the beginning of a ton of changes to come.
We took holidays in August at Jenn and Jord's cottage in Canada and it was such a relaxing time for us to hang with good friends.
Blake celebrated another birthday.
We had some happy times with family. These are pictures with my family on the boat.
Sorry Chrissy, saw these photos and thought they were hilarious! :) For the record, he got quite good that day.
We went back to Korea intending to finish a few more months of teaching, but realized there had been some miscommunication with the visas and realized we'd have to commit to another year if we wanted to stay. Blake and I were increasingly feeling like our time in Korea was coming to a close and finally felt lead to return home to Canada. It was such a tough decision because Korea represented so much growth for us. We had just been getting plugged into an amazing church (which I can't find a picture of at the moment) and we just weren't feeling ready to give it up yet. We were also having to face the reality that we would be separated from our best friends for 6 months. The morning we left was so sad. We got up at 5am just to play our favourite game of euchre one last time. Jenn had recently found out that she was expecting as well so that was also so hard to leave during such a special phase of life! Here we are saying goodbye.
Getting on the airport bus.
So we landed with a thud on parents doorstep. They were gracious to accommodate us for a few months while we tried to figure out what we were doing and where we were going. We both found part-time work in Peterborough and tried to make the best of a fairly dry job market. We kept trying for work elsewhere, but doors seemed to continue to close and God didn't seem to be directing us in any particular direction for work or for a place to live. Blake and I had a lot of time together and we spent a lot of time with family. It was a beautiful fall.
The 3 boys and Bailey
Boys having fun. Joel looks so devious!
Bailey...the perfect subject.
Sisters
For some reason my family has the hardest time getting a good family portrait.
Mom and Dad
Blake and I went on many walks with Bailey. This photo was taken right before she ran all the way home. Unfortunately this skiddish dog has a hard time breaking the routine of her walk around the neighbourhood circle.
Bailey likes to carry her own leash.
Trying again for a family portrait. Where did Blake go, Chris and Joel...why?
Dad closing eyes- Bailey not cooperating.
Blake and Chris' eyes closed
Finally a normal picture? Looks a little boring!
Bailey discovering that raspberries taste really good.
After what seemed like endless hours of research and talk, Blake finally got to act on his dream of buying his first car. I was just glad the talk about cars was over. Here he is with the brand new purchase.
I got to join the picture.
Being back home without consistent work had the perk of a lot more golf games for the guys which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Notice Blake's 'concentration' lips :)
In December Blake and I faced a whirlwind change when a dear friend thought of me who had connections to a school that needed a music teacher. Unfortunately in Ontario's dry teaching market it's all about connections! God opened the door for me to join the staff at Pickering Christian School and we moved down the road from the school to Ajax. It was an incredible opportunity and one that I thoroughly enjoyed! We also started hanging out with some old time friends (for me) who have become very dear new time friends. Steph and I became co-workers at school and then we started tagging along with them to Harvest Bible Chapel. This church has become such an incredible blessing to us and we have been growing so much through the ministries and relationships there. We were excited to rejoice with Jerry and Steph as they welcomed their bundle of joy Audrey Renata in June.
So jumping back a little to February...our dear friends Jenn and Jord returned home to Canada. Felt like an eternity! We have been so happy to have them back and the good times have resumed! Jenn and I got to be pregnant together for a few months. And yes...I think I forgot to mention the fact that Blake and I are expecting the middle of August. :)
Jenn and Jord eagerly awaited the birth of 'Nemo' who arrived in May.
I was convinced Nemo was a boy, but was shocked to learn that Nemo was actually Naomi!
Sleepy daddy!
Uncle Bluck holding Naomi
Blake and I have joined a church plant from Harvest that will be coming to the Durham region in September. We've been developing relationships and really thriving. This church is growing like crazy already- in new recruits and from all the babies. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the guys right now. This was at a triple baby shower for some of the moms.
So this brings us to the present. I'm currently trying to find things to fill my time as I await the arrival of our 'Peanut.' Hence, the update and finally getting pictures in order! :) Here are some maternity shots Blake and I recently had done with a friend from Harvest York region.
So that's it for now. Thanks for reading if you're still with me! :)
The pictures begin last summer before leaving Korea. Blake and I were celebrating with Jenn and Jord in this picture because we had just learned we were expecting. We miscarried shortly after and that seemed to be the beginning of a ton of changes to come.
We took holidays in August at Jenn and Jord's cottage in Canada and it was such a relaxing time for us to hang with good friends.
Blake celebrated another birthday.
We had some happy times with family. These are pictures with my family on the boat.
Sorry Chrissy, saw these photos and thought they were hilarious! :) For the record, he got quite good that day.
We went back to Korea intending to finish a few more months of teaching, but realized there had been some miscommunication with the visas and realized we'd have to commit to another year if we wanted to stay. Blake and I were increasingly feeling like our time in Korea was coming to a close and finally felt lead to return home to Canada. It was such a tough decision because Korea represented so much growth for us. We had just been getting plugged into an amazing church (which I can't find a picture of at the moment) and we just weren't feeling ready to give it up yet. We were also having to face the reality that we would be separated from our best friends for 6 months. The morning we left was so sad. We got up at 5am just to play our favourite game of euchre one last time. Jenn had recently found out that she was expecting as well so that was also so hard to leave during such a special phase of life! Here we are saying goodbye.
Getting on the airport bus.
So we landed with a thud on parents doorstep. They were gracious to accommodate us for a few months while we tried to figure out what we were doing and where we were going. We both found part-time work in Peterborough and tried to make the best of a fairly dry job market. We kept trying for work elsewhere, but doors seemed to continue to close and God didn't seem to be directing us in any particular direction for work or for a place to live. Blake and I had a lot of time together and we spent a lot of time with family. It was a beautiful fall.
The 3 boys and Bailey
Boys having fun. Joel looks so devious!
Bailey...the perfect subject.
Sisters
For some reason my family has the hardest time getting a good family portrait.
Mom and Dad
Blake and I went on many walks with Bailey. This photo was taken right before she ran all the way home. Unfortunately this skiddish dog has a hard time breaking the routine of her walk around the neighbourhood circle.
Bailey likes to carry her own leash.
Trying again for a family portrait. Where did Blake go, Chris and Joel...why?
Dad closing eyes- Bailey not cooperating.
Blake and Chris' eyes closed
Finally a normal picture? Looks a little boring!
Bailey discovering that raspberries taste really good.
After what seemed like endless hours of research and talk, Blake finally got to act on his dream of buying his first car. I was just glad the talk about cars was over. Here he is with the brand new purchase.
I got to join the picture.
Being back home without consistent work had the perk of a lot more golf games for the guys which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Notice Blake's 'concentration' lips :)
In December Blake and I faced a whirlwind change when a dear friend thought of me who had connections to a school that needed a music teacher. Unfortunately in Ontario's dry teaching market it's all about connections! God opened the door for me to join the staff at Pickering Christian School and we moved down the road from the school to Ajax. It was an incredible opportunity and one that I thoroughly enjoyed! We also started hanging out with some old time friends (for me) who have become very dear new time friends. Steph and I became co-workers at school and then we started tagging along with them to Harvest Bible Chapel. This church has become such an incredible blessing to us and we have been growing so much through the ministries and relationships there. We were excited to rejoice with Jerry and Steph as they welcomed their bundle of joy Audrey Renata in June.
So jumping back a little to February...our dear friends Jenn and Jord returned home to Canada. Felt like an eternity! We have been so happy to have them back and the good times have resumed! Jenn and I got to be pregnant together for a few months. And yes...I think I forgot to mention the fact that Blake and I are expecting the middle of August. :)
Jenn and Jord eagerly awaited the birth of 'Nemo' who arrived in May.
I was convinced Nemo was a boy, but was shocked to learn that Nemo was actually Naomi!
Sleepy daddy!
Uncle Bluck holding Naomi
Blake and I have joined a church plant from Harvest that will be coming to the Durham region in September. We've been developing relationships and really thriving. This church is growing like crazy already- in new recruits and from all the babies. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the guys right now. This was at a triple baby shower for some of the moms.
So this brings us to the present. I'm currently trying to find things to fill my time as I await the arrival of our 'Peanut.' Hence, the update and finally getting pictures in order! :) Here are some maternity shots Blake and I recently had done with a friend from Harvest York region.
So that's it for now. Thanks for reading if you're still with me! :)
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