One down...

This sweet little thing hasn't worn a diaper for about 2 weeks now.  Whew!  I'm so proud of her.  It's been kind of a long road, but I haven't been very diligent about it.  I figured there are no 12 year olds wearing diapers, so eventually it would work out.  Now, if Gunter would just show a mild interest, I could stop the bloodletting of money at Costco for yet another box of diapers.

Oh...Canada...

This convenience store does not have fountain drinks. Discuss.

New Chez Nous

at Stanley Park

Gunter loves his birthday bike. Zoe loves air on her tummy.

On our way to the park. We've been watching the Tour de France, and Gunter is really into it.

Our fresh fruit & veggie store, just down the street.

Exiting our apartment building. We cross here to walk this beautiful street to a great park.

View from our "balcony". There is water! Just behind that electrical pole...

Hello from beautiful Vancouver! I've included some photos of our neighborhood so you can see a little of what we got.

It's been a crazy month. So here's the story: Last November Blizzard lost his job. So, part of looking for a job included Blizzard wanting to interview with the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. It just wasn't time to move, though, and he found a job at home. Then, in May, his boss told everyone that they would probably have to start cutting hours. So Blizzard contacted the Olympics again to see if they had any jobs left, and a few weeks later they called and out of the blue offered him a job. We realized we better take it because new architecture jobs are virtually non-existent right now. Within a week we found a family who needed a place to live while their house is being built. Within the next week we moved out of our house and in with my parents. A few days after moving we threw a birthday party together for Zoe and Gunter, and 2 days after that, Blizzard came up to Vancouver to start working while the rest of us waited for our passports to show up. 2 weeks later Blizzard flew back, we loaded up the car, and started for Vancouver. It took about a week before we were actually sleeping in our apartment because of time we spent moving our stuff in while the kids stayed with their cousins in Seattle. It took a week after we moved in to get cable and internet.

Whew, and here we are. Trying to make life as boring and scheduled as we can. The kids have been a little cranky, but things are smoothing out and they're settling in. They actually slept until 7:45 Sunday morning and also this morning, and I'm serious, that's the latest they have EVER slept in. Ah. We have a great park just 2 blocks away, and we went to the beach last week and it took us 10 minutes to get there. There's so much to see here, and it just couldn't be more gorgeous.

Life Moves On

I had a miscarriage last Monday night.  We spent 6 hours in the ER.  This pregnancy was difficult from the beginning.  Not that I felt sick or anything, in fact, this was the 1st pregnancy where I didn't feel sick at all.  We (well, Matt) was done having kids, and having another baby was not part of our plan.  I wasn't ready to say I was done, but I certainly wasn't ready for more.  So, when my suspicions were confirmed that I was indeed pregnant, I can't say I was thrilled or excited, and then I also felt guilty and ungrateful.  What we went through to get pregnant with Gunter and Zoe!  But I feel the same way about the miscarriage--relief and guilt.  

I realized through this pregnancy that I have somehow felt like I've been sleeping through the last 2 1/2 years (though certainly not literally!), and now feel like a cloud has been lifted and I can see again!  I'm starting to see a path I'd like to follow, and I feel a new-found appreciation and love for Blizzard and Gunter and Zoe.  It's time for me to engage in life again, time to start taking better care of myself, and time for me to start getting rid of all of our old baby stuff (and there's a lot of it!)--car seats, clothing, toys.  I've gained clarity and know it's time to move on and I'm excited for the future.

Hi!

I've scoured our photos for the latest and greatest.  Here they are in no particular order.

A fun day sledding!

Post-Christmas tea party.  I realize Zoe is only wearing her diaper (this is normal nowadays), but please notice her fancy Christmas shoes!

Gunter LOVES all things garbage -- the trucks, the cans, even the garbage itself, in that it constitutes a need for the stated trucks and cans.  Santa was ecstatic to find a real garbage truck, because he knew Gunter would go nuts for it!  He did, by the way.  I've got video of him opening it up, and I'm going to try to get that on here.

One of Zoe's Christmas princess dresses.

I love that Gunter's eyes are closed.

Blizzard went to Costa Rica to surf camp for a week in December.  This is the view from his room.  It snowed here about 8" while he was gone.

The day he left for Costa Rica.

We went to stay with Blizzard's brother and family in Seattle for Thanksgiving.  Gunter got to try his hand at Guitar Hero.  What a physique!  Awesome diaper, dude!

Then, we went to our friends in Bellingham (North of Seattle).  While we were there, their son had his 5th birthday.  This is Zoe at the party.

Back in Seattle, Blizzard and his brother actually playing Guitar Hero.

Zoe and her cousin got to wear some Thanksgiving garb that shows what they're thankful for.  I love how crabby and bored they look.

Me 'n' Gunter on the ferry to Bainbridge Island.

On the "big boat."  It was a big hit!

On our way to Seattle, we got to stop at Grandpa Ernie's new house in Oregon.  This is Gunter and Zoe with their great-grandpa.  Will's eating (and slobbering) chocolate, not blood.

In the fall before it started snowing.

Gunter's first piece (ever!) of candybar on Halloween.  He'd had a fever ranging from 101-103 degrees for a few days, and didn't feel, or look, so good.  This photo cannot possible tell or show the depth of love he's developed for candy!  I knew I couldn't keep them from it forever.

Zoe was a puppy, and Gunter was...Superman!  Where's his costume you ask?  He wouldn't wear it that night.  Now, he wants to wear it day and night (and often times he does for about a week straight).

The kids at the Thanksgiving Point fall festival.

Zoe getting her hair cut.

I couldn't get the Christmas video to load, so I'll have to have my IT guy (re:  Blizzard) help me tomorrow.

Gunter's Cool Glasses

Grandma got Gunter these super cool sunglasses last spring, and he's only now realizing how amazing they are. Can't you see the smug satisfaction on his face knowing how good he looks in them?

We went to the Children's Museum today with Laura & Mirjam. They both inspired me to try to blog more than once a quarter.

Tonight is the VP presidential debate, and for the first time in my life, I am 1) going to watch the whole thing and 2) I'm so excited! Like watching a car wreck, I can't wait to see what happens!

See you soon!

New Photos

We've had a good summer, and here are some photos to prove it. Enjoy!

We went to Newport Beach, CA, and Blizzard went surfing a few times in the morning.

Gunter watching the sunset off Newport Pier.

Zoe playing on the beach playground.

We took every Friday morning this summer to play with the cousins. Here, we made a big mess, were extremely loud and had a lot of fun (much to the dismay of other diners!) at Paradise Bakery.

Zoe adores her big cousin.

We went to Wheeler Farm. Zoe held her nose practically the whole time and complained, "Tink! Tink!" Zoe isn't a big fan of farm smells, or , really, any bad smell anywhere. She's definitely a city girl.

Daddy & Zoe cuddling before bed.

Blizzard took the kids on a bike ride, it made a HUGE impression, especially on Gunter.

He insisted on wearing his bike helmet during dinner afterwards.

Zoe makes fists so tight and clenches her jaw so tight she shakes. She thinks this sooo funny. But, we do, too.

I made bread. This is a new thing for me. I was so proud of myself, and Blizzard said that, yeah, he was impressed I'd done what millions of others have been doing since the beginning of time. But I was still impressed with myself.