My Robinson Family

Finally to it again!

2011-03-02T20:40:00.000-08:00

Well, Matthew and I have not been very good to our bodies as of late! So I decided before all these extra pounds we have put on begin to double, I needed to start taking control of the situation! Last week I did some research on different popular healthy family friendly cookbooks, specifically looking for the very old "Looney Spoons"... I remember some really great recipes in there from my childhood. Well, I found two and ordered them promptly from Chapters!

Double Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld & Eat, Shrink & Be Merry by Janet and Greta Podleski

Well my Double Delicious cookbook came in a few days (yaaaaa for opening mail and receiving a package!!!) and I decided to get started! I looked through it and wrote down menu's for a weeks worth of meals and then wrote down a very long list for the grocery store! This cookbook (for those who have not heard of her) uses a lot of purees... carrots, cauliflower, pumpkin, squash...etc. as substitutes for other ingredients and also to add the hidden vegetable PUNCH! (I couldn't tell you much about ingredient substitution being a "NON-COOK" myself!)

Well... YUM YUM YUM says mi familia! So far everyone is loving the change and I think we are all feeling so much better about what we are eating! I know I have lost a few pounds... which happens to be important to me... but what is much more exciting, is that my lovely little girl is getting some amazing vegetables in every meal (without even realizing it)! It's been a joy to make these nutritious recipes and best of all Matthew is totally on board! Healthy eating for My Robinson Family... Definitely needed to happen more than a couple of nights a week... Here's to making nutritious yummies for all meals all the time... and to all of us feeling like BIG STRONG STRING BEANS!

My little egg salad "casualty"

Nan Dykstra loved the sanmich so much that a little bit got on L's head!

Yummy Egg Salad

Made with Cauliflower Puree

Egg "Muffins"

made with Chickpeas, Egg Whites, Turkey Bacon & Parmesan Cheese

Cornbread

Made with Carrot Puree

Cauliflower Gratin

THIS WAS SOOOO GOOD. Tricky little trick - used Carrot Puree to make it look extra orange and extra cheesy... But not a ton of cheese in it!

Pork Tenderloin with Orange Glaze Sauce

Matthew absolutely love this! For sure a repeater!

PS... Eating some really yummy chocolate chip cookies tonight... that actually have CHICKPEAS!!!! It's seriously yummy... can you believe it?

Are you ready? The past 17 Months... IN PICTURES!!!

2011-02-20T14:26:00.000-08:00

Feel the need to BLOG...

2011-02-19T23:20:00.000-08:00

I am now starting to blog again... I was on hiatus for some personal reasons.. But, am back to it now! Can you believe that Sophia was like 9 months old here.... she is now almost 28 months old!!!!!!! And we have another Baby MCRobinson... Levi John... who is 4 months old!!! Will post something a little more exciting soon!

Basking in the Sun, Boating & Blueberries

2009-07-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

California Adventure!

2009-07-12T09:07:00.001-07:00

For our anniversary and family trip this year we went down to the USA! We left on July 1st and were gone 8 lovely days. We drove down and stayed in Anaheim and went to Newport Beach, Disneyland and then to the San Diego Zoo. We then left on Monday and went to Santa Barbara and played in the water. On Tuesday we made our way to San Francisco and visited the city for an evening! After SF we travelled up to Oregon and stayed at Gold Beach. Here are some fun pictures from our first family vacation "Avec La Bebe Sophia"...

Guess What..... NEW POST

2009-07-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well It has been almost three months since the last post... wow... good mommy I know! Sara... I need some tips! Anyways... I have vowed to be better at this now!!! So check back as I have committed to posting more! Thanks for checking up on us!

For the past three weeks...

2009-04-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's been so busy around these parts! I have started back at school and am still working on the business. Sophia is learning many new things and is keeping us very entertained! Matthew is keeping busy at work and is glad that the market hasn't completely fallen into the dark zone! All in all life is great... and the more we get to know Sophia the more we feel soooooo incredibly blessed! Anyways... here are some pictures from the past three weeks or so! Hope you enjoy!

O boy... SOLIDS

2009-04-02T18:07:00.001-07:00

This One Tells Itself....

High Chair, Backhoes, Sitting & Tea Time

2009-03-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

We bought Sophia her high chair the other day in anticipation that she would starting solids soon. She has been showing signs and therefore, thought better be ready... (typical first time mommy) She has really enjoyed drinking her bottle in the chair... although has only done it twice... but the chair wheels around, and she sits up high... I guess its a good view of the all the crazies around her.

Her Love.... Her Bottle

After Bottle.... FULL!

Matthew bought a backhoe for work, and right now it's parked outside of our house. So Matthew, the little girl & myself all squeeze our little bums into the cab and go for a ride one evening. As we are driving along, Sophia grabs one of the controls and the whole thing jolts... O boy... she is sure like her father!

Look Mum.... I'm driving!

Mum... are you still there?!!!

As you can tell... she is starting to sit by herself! Very very neat!

Wow... Dad... You're Cool!

Ooooo... something to eat!

Baby says... "Yum" Mum says... "Yuck"

My very wonderful craigslist purchase... a lovely Tea Time Exersaucer. These things are amazing! By the end of her play time in the thing... she is covered in drool because of all the time spent eating her toys... Love It!

Today I Post

2009-03-23T15:28:00.001-07:00

Today My Bean is Five Months Old!

Well it has been a while since the last post... so I will do a little recap on life!

This is a non-Sophia related story... but over a month ago I decided that I probably would not be able to continue to work in Vancouver, because of my family. So I opened up shop... and am now a small business owner. I started up CCSR INTERIOR DESIGN which you can check out at CCSRDESIGN.CA. It was a really neat going through the "business set-up" process again, after being so long since Red Line started up. But, here's to being hopeful about having a home-based business that is family friendly!

So Sophia had her Four month shots, and I have to say that this time was easier than the last! It was still a little traumatic (says the mom who got her daughter's ear pierced) but she was amazing! It's really hard to watch her cry out of pain like that, but after five minutes all was forgotten and she is safe from those diseases! We weighed her and measured her and she was almost 14lbs and 26" tall! She has grown so much!

This past week has been really difficult for Megan & Joe Green. Their little baby Deacon had to be hospitalized due to the flu. Because Deacon is a Hershprungs baby (spelling?) he has problems with dehydration, so a normal flu can really set some health issues into motion. He was on an IV and was in Children's hospital for three nights. He is an incredible little baby and is such a trooper. One night, he actually gained 400 grams... and is now doing so much better! Megan stayed in with him the entire time and was doing everything she could to help him. During this time, Riley came for a sleep over at Uncle Mamu's house... he was such a good boy and it was nice to spend time with him... if only it had been under better circumstances.

At the end of last week it was Sister Sara's surprise birthday party! It was pretty funny... because I think in everyone planning this party.. everything that could have happened, happened... like a Tree falling on power lines an hour before the party started... this then had traffic to our house diverted and had our power out! But the night was still a success and we all got to celebrate beautiful Sara and her 30th birthday!

The most excited news of MARCH....

My bestie NICOLE is PREGNANT!!! I don't think I could be more happy for anyone! They are expecting in late September.... which in a recent poll happens to be the most challenging month to be expecting in... but she is amazing and will prove that stat wrong by being Fabulous Nicole through the entire thing!!!! Wink to you Nic! I am really thrilled and am hoping for a BABY not a goat/man... so that Sophia and Baby Tumnus will be besties for many years to come! Wooo hoo Nicole, you are going to be the best Mummy ever! Love ya!

Well Sophia is finally sleeping her afternoon nap, so I'd better get a move on dinner and get ready for my Cardio Core Bootcamp class tonight! O and I almost forgot...

I am motivated once again to start being really good at Weight Watchers. I thought... what better way to do this than by advertising my weight so that others can keep me accountable to! The more pressure the better! So last week I was up two pounds and was at:

158.2

So this week I'd better be less...

Random Sophia Pictures

2009-03-22T21:13:00.000-07:00

Fingers.... Salad Fingers... where are my rusty spoons???

Playing with Nana

Smiling at Mummy

Auntie Ayesha came for a visit!

Siting in my Bumbo Chair

(I don't think they recommend them being on tables though...oops)

Yes, My Daddy likes to play jokes on me

(there were people around to save me though)

Fun with Mommy.... good camera skills Auntie Nic

Me & My Auntie Cole...

With my cousin Tumnus (hidden of course in her tummy)

100th Post - An Exciting One!

2009-03-02T15:45:00.001-08:00

When I was 7 days old, the nurses in the hospital in Caracas, Venezuela, pierced my ears. It is a latin american tradition for baby girls to get this done. I always thought that it was pretty neat to have had it done so early... and also thought it was a neat way to carry on this tradition by having Sophia's done when she was three months old. We were too busy to get it done when she was exactly three months old... so today March 2nd, 2009... Sophia is almost Four and a half months old... she got her ears pierced at Westcoast Piercing.

Before...

Kelly... our piercing guy was really great. Here he is putting the dots on her ears.

She loved the glove ballon they made for her.

It poked her funny.

Trying on the earrings for size...

Nana was so into this... she thought Sophia looked sooooo cute!

Modeling for us...

Getting all the sterilized equipment.

Sleeping after it was all over.

At home... modeling her actual earrings!

Now interested in her toy again!

I had researched this ear piercing thing quite a bit. Many places won't do it because they feel the children are too young. Then I did find this place that informed me of some things I hadn't even heard of. First off... you use a needle... you can't use a gun, because it can't be sterilized properly and also the loud noise is not that great. You also can't pierce ears with gold because it can't be sterilized properly (unless it's 18k gold). They pierce one ear at a time and put in titanium alloy earrings which have the least amount of nickel in them (which is what most people are sensitive to) They also like to use a ring, because it's a lot easier to clean.

Not like many of you need to know all that information... but I just thought maybe you could pass on the information in case someone you know might be considering it.

All and all... it was an ok experience. Sophia did scream for the actual piercing part... but within 10 minutes she had forgotten all about it. So that was ok!!!!

She is doing great now... and that is superb!!!!

Hope you enjoyed being a part of our piercing experience!

A Story about New York City

2009-02-26T13:10:00.000-08:00

First I have to say... Nicole is still talking to me! Because after these events... you'll wonder!

On Friday morning we left my house bright and early: 4:15 to be exact. Nicole had to leave her house like 20 minutes earlier... She seriously got the short end of the stick this entire trip! When we arrived at the airport we went through customs... which they made me do by myself... I had to pretty much disassemble my child, her stroller and myself with my one free arm! That was sort of hilarious! But it worked out! Our plane took off at 7:00 in the morning and then we landed in Calgary for a almost four hour layover. Nicole & I kept ourselves busy with dutch blitz. Sophia was pretty exhausted... and we made her a little bed on our flight to NYC which departed the Calgary Airport at 12:30pm.

Here we are in our death cab... please ask Nicole how she felt about our driver...

Bean was pretty tired... but she did very well. It was only 4:00 our time... but 7:00 NYC time. We are still looking pretty fly at this point!

Here we are in front of the Juicy Couture Flagship store... oooo heaven! Nicole was a good friend and didn't let me buy a $80.00 T-Shirt... she's a keeper! Don't let Nic's smile fool you... she was freezing her little ghetto booty off at this point!

I think it's funny we are smiling in this picture... because we had already walked down a million flights of stairs with the stroller... lets just say the MTA has no clue about wheelchair accessibility. When we did find the occasional elevator... well.... they smelt like death... literally... well literally they smelt like PEE... O the adventures!

Here we see Bean all tucked into her stroller! We had suspended toys for her to look at, had three blankets to keep her warm, and had put her weather shield on so she wouldn't be wind burnt (like our faces were) We were pretty jealous of her by the end of the trip... wishing that we were the ones being pushed around like little Princess Sophia!

Well... Nicole loves Museums... let her tell you about how much she LOVES museums!!!!

Ok I lied... she now HATES museums...

New York City has a lot of tourists and they all love going to the museums. After spending two hours in the subway trying to get to 81st St (thanks to it being a SUNDAY and the trains were all running backwards)... we finally arrived at the Museum of Natural History. The only reason why Nicole is smiling right now is because she is picking a giant head's nose... Otherwise... She wanted to run everyone over! I agreed... there were like 40 billion people there!

Nicole... i love your smile here... you can totally tell you are running out of steam! We hadn't eaten lunch or breakfast at the this point! You were like... wow a big dinosaur... now lets leave!!! It was pretty neat to see these giant creatures though!

Choose Juicy always... especially when you find it on sale!

Poor Nicole had to search the city with me for a pair of Wayfarers... Found in Greenwhich Village!!! I was so happy that I wore them in the subway.. and in Times Square... they actually helped with all the LIGHTS.... I kid I kid... just a good excuse!

Baby at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square! (Before I got food poisoning... we won't go into that story... but again poor Nicole)

Times Square

Me very tired.... Sophia chit-chatting with the folks beside us!

East 19th Street... our Street!

Nicole eating her Magnolia Bakery Cupcake... are you tired???

We had a wonderful time on this trip! I'm glad that Nicole is still friends with me after putting up with so much! This means that our friendship might be able to withstand some serious abuse! There were many more stories to tell... I'll let Nic share those with you!

We Heart NY!

2009-02-23T19:11:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful trip... will post more later!

NYC baby... literally!!!

2009-02-19T21:27:00.001-08:00

It's good I'm not a hairdresser

2009-02-16T12:53:00.000-08:00

So in Grade 10 we had this school dance, and I went over to Miss Heidi's house and we got ready together. I was in the process of blow-drying her hair straight... and well I might have burnt some of it off. She was really not too pleased with me... but she was really sweet about it. But I'm sure to this day she remembers that (definitely the smell) and I'm positive that she would never let me touch her hair again! Sorry Heids!

So fast forward to 2009. People kept telling me about cradle cap and that I should probably try and get rid of Sophia's. So I bust out the baby oil and baby brush and start working on her head! Well.... my poor BABY GIRL now has bald spots thanks to me. I can't believe I did that to her. At least she doesn't care...

But note to self: Do not touch people's hair!!! I try and make them bald. Maybe it's my fear coming to life... I'm so afraid of going bald that I try sabotage others... so they can be just like me one day!

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T09:04:00.000-08:00

Today... One year ago... Four years ago

2009-02-13T15:49:00.001-08:00

Four years ago today... Matthew proposed to me in Belize! We have now been together for six years (how time flies) and been married for two and a half! I can't believe how scary we look in this picture. Miss Marion... (a wonderful woman and an incredible cook) threw us a lovely engagement party when we were down there! These were our engagement hats... it's nice that we look so happy... and crazy!!!

Well... One year ago today... I took a little test and found out about our little bean! I was at work that day and peed on this little stick and was overjoyed at the little blue plus sign! That night I had a work event to attend... and wasn't able to tell Matthew until like 11:00 that night. Needless to say... I have never sped home that quickly in my life! Record time... me and my stupid thinking... I should have been more careful... But I made it home safely... and so did little baby... almost nine months later!

Three weeks late...

2009-02-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

Well first off I have to say a Belated Happy Birthday to my husband on the BLOG! He turned 27 this year and we had a little gathering at The Keg for him on the Sunday night. Here is Jericho sipping his juice at the restaurant. Earlier that day... he had phoned "Mamu" and wished him a very Happy Birthday over the phone. It really made Matty's day... thanks J-Roc!

Sophia was blessed again in January with another shower. This time, the lovely Krista Penner hosted a MRBC shower for Baby S. It was a lovely get together of some wonderful ladies from our church. The loveliest gift they gave was a time of prayer for Matthew & I as parents and for Sophia as she grows over the next couple of years. I was so blessed by that evening...

Well Baby Sophia has changed quite a bit lately. She has grown a ton, eats a ton and now is quite a lovely form of entertainment for her parents! She has started spitting!!!! Well blowing bubbles with her lips! At all times, when she is happy... she will spit! Our little Llama! The other night she was sitting next to Daddy playing with his hair (which was also adorable) and she was just so happy that she started to spit all over him! He was not super impressed... but she was just as happy as a little clam! Here is a picture of her with drool down her face from her spitting episodes.... She also sits in her jolly jumper and her bumbo chair these days!!! Our little S is growing up!

To help herself fall asleep... she sucks on these fingers instead of her thumb!

Sophia also loves her little "Sophie the Giraffe". She loves to chew on it and grab it. And as you can see... also sleep with it!

I tried to make her take these valentines day pictures... and after 5 minutes... this is how she felt towards the "special day".

For A Walk...

2009-01-23T22:45:00.000-08:00

Today we went for a walk in our Ergo Baby Pack... It was such a beautiful day! Can't wait to use this little fancy sack on our trip to NYC! Coming in less than one month! Looking so forward to it... can't believe Baby will be four months then! Ahhh ... time is passing so quickly!

Cabo Baby

2009-01-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

Forgot One... Princess Jesus

2009-01-07T22:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve Service

Joseph, Mary and "Princess Jesus"

(quoted by Pastor Eric)

And we are off

2009-01-05T20:28:00.000-08:00

Well we were packed and ready to go... supposed to be leaving this morning at 3:30 to meet up with everyone to catch out 8:00 plane to MEXICO! Well our plane was delayed... and plans were changed and hopefully our plane will be leaving at 2:30 tomorrow morning, arriving at 10:30am in CABO!

So here's hoping we go from this...

to this!!!!!!

Hanging out with her "Uncle Joel"

2009-01-02T15:04:00.000-08:00

After a feed... getting burped! Thanks Uncle Joel!

Playing Video Games... O Boy!

Crazy Eyes....

Watching TV

2008-12-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

I put Sophia in her swing the other day and she was trying to look up at the TV. So I thought it would be fun for her to watch her first cartoon... She loved it! The music and all the colours were so interesting to her. She was talking to the TV and moving her hands all around! As you can see... she was very mesmerized by it!

What a trip

2008-12-28T22:23:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning we left for Vernon at 11:30 in the morning. Sophia did very well ... sleeping for the majority of the travel time. She did wake up and scream a couple of times... so feeding and burping and changing ensued! But we stayed on course and made pretty good time! I couldn't believe how much different this trip was compared the other times... We were exhausted! I started to get delusional towards the end of the evening.. the room actually started spinning! All I could think of was BED... unfortunately this is not what Baby S had in mind. She kept us up most of the night... and my younger cousins couldn't sleep very well either because they heard her little peeps! (maybe not so little) It was so nice to visit with my family though... I wish we could see them more often! We visited this morning again and then were off at 2:00pm to come home... I AM TIRED! And now so is she... I'm thinking that she will have a good sleep tonight! Please let this be good practice for CABO... and maybe she'll do very well when we actually have to live in a strange place for a week!!! I can't believe we leave in ONE WEEK!!! Woo Hoo!!!

My cousin Holly's oldest daughter Cassidy.

I used to play with her when she was Sophia's size... how time flies!

Mitchel (7) & Cassidy (9) holding up the outfit they bought Baby S

My Aunty Helen bought Sophia her Big Blue Dinosaur... the coolest thing ever!

Here Cassidy & Mitchy are showing her how to use it!

They thought she was more fun to play with than their new Christmas toys... they took turns feeding her and burping her! They did so good... and they were sooooo cute!

Funny Pictures

2008-12-27T10:20:00.000-08:00

Some baby photo out-takes... Enjoy!

Family Pictures

2008-12-26T10:52:00.000-08:00

pictures taken by Crystal Loewen Photography

FIRST CHRISTMASES...

2008-12-25T21:43:00.000-08:00

Some First Christmas Shots....

First Christmas Eve Party Dress

First Christmas Stocking

First Christmas Morning with Nana

First Christmas as a Dad

First Christmas as a Mom

Cousin Deacon's First Christmas

Cousin Kai's First Christmas

Some of our Christmas Prezzies...

My hubby is sending Sophia and I to New York for a weekend with Auntie Cole.. very awesome!

Mom's First Coach

Holt... Need I say more... woo hoo!

A gift from Baby Sophia to Daddy!

Great minds think alike.... Mom & I both got her snowsuits!

a little big...

New sweater and Fishing Vest...

A Horsey... wow!!!

More Christmas Day Pictures...

Jericho & His Daddy

Opening Prezzies!

From Cousin Riley!

Daddy I'm a little French Girl!

What a totally lovely Christmas of Firsts! What a blessing family is... and such a ton of fun to be spending this little holiday with little Miss Sophia Grace... she is getting to be so much fun! Happy First Christmas Love!

The Horrible Shot Monster

2008-12-24T13:52:00.000-08:00

After much thought, research and a half a dozen interviews of different health care professionals, we decided that getting vaccinated was indeed the way to go. So today, Christmas eve, a crazy snowy day, we made out way to the Health Unit and got immunized. That was the worst experience so far. She totally felt everything and I almost wanted to punch my nurse in the face for hurting my baby. Seriously, that was not fun. Luckily Matthew came with us for moral support or I might have bawled my eyes out. Wow... but I just have to think that it was for her own good! I know I'm being super dramatic.. but it feels weird to allow 4 nasty shots in her little bean leg. Boo to the nasty shot monster.

Baby Bean turns 2 Months Old...

2008-12-23T13:49:00.000-08:00

Happy 2 Month Old Birthday Baby Sophia!

She has grown so much!

She is now officially 10 lbs and smiles and coos all the time!

She isn't a newborn any more!!!

My baby sleeps!!!!

2008-12-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

Little Sophia now sleeps through the night... last night was the best so far: From 10:00pm to 7:00 am.. I am so lucky! We also had our last midwife appointment yesterday... she is now 9lbs 5oz (according to their scale... not the greatest weight.. but coming) her head is 40cm and she is 60cm long! Go go go Baby S... She is getting bigger... not a newborn any more... I am little sad! ;)

Baby S's First Piece of Mail

2008-12-10T22:44:00.000-08:00

Ready for Christmas... hopefully!

2008-12-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

Well we have our Christmas tree up...

The presents wrapped...

And this year I got myself a little something something... SOPHIA!

What a wonderful time of year.. getting ready for the holidays! I finally finished the last little bit of my shopping and we are all ready! (Again... I say hopefully) This year has been fun... brining the little girl shopping with me... poor thing is going to have that skill down pat at an early age! We draw names for both sides of our family... and this year I got to shop for two of boy cousins... Mike & Jeff and we got Joe & Nate from Matthew's side! Lots of boy presents this year... including all my little nephews!!!

Matthew was so sweet the other day... he brought me home a lovely winter jacket for this extremely cold weather we have been having! I have such a great guy... I have to give him "props"!

I can't believe there are only 9 more days until Christmas... this year has just flown by! Well here is my good luck wishes to all of you who haven't been on maternity leave or have more than an "easy" baby in a car seat... You can do it... and get that Christmas shopping done! :) If you need any help... just gimme a ring!

Robinson Christmas Tree Farm

2008-12-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

It's a tradition in the Robinson family to go to the Alouette Christmas Tree Farm (run by Uncle Daniel's and Uncle Wes's families) and go Christmas tree hunting! This year we thought it would be extra fun to go because Baby S could join in the fun! We also had Heidi and Tim along for the ride... and they found the most beautiful tree in the bunch... see photo below! Daddy Matthew found our tree and it's also quite a stunner! Baby S had a blast... she slept through the whole thing... even sitting on Santa's lap... but she did cry when daddy put her on the donkey! It was great... he went to lie her down on the animal... until he saw that donkey fur in baby's mouth probably wasn't the greatest idea ever!

Good Pick Guys!

Wow.. honey you are so strong! Thanks for doing all the heavy lifting! What a man!

Most babies cry through this... but she was soooo sleepy! Don't worry she kept me up that entire night! Lesson learned!

This is supposed to be a Penguin... but instead it's mischievous baby!

Donkey + Baby... Good Times!

Our stunner of a tree.... Tomorrow She Shall be decorated!

Baby is Sleeping... So I thought I'd BLOG!

2008-12-06T14:32:00.000-08:00

Some more photos from days with Baby S....

IN HER CRIB!!!! WAAA HOO!!!!!

Loving her new mobile from Nana Dykstra.

Waking up after sleeping next to mommy in the morning! In a good mood...

just after a feed, of course!

Playing with Daddy... thinking his nose is a Boobie! After they started to talk to each other... We would imitate her coos and then she would say the same coo back. Pretty fun!

Aunty Nicole has been so sweet to Baby S... Here she is sleeping in her awesome swing, T shirt and Blankie from A.C. (Auntie Cole)

Auntie Cole gave Sophia these letters for her Shower.. Looks Awesome!

Thanks A.C.

Play Time

2008-12-04T09:37:00.001-08:00

Sophia started to play!!! Here she is on her new play mat that her mama bought her. She kicked the toy and it started to play music... she was totally listening to it...

I never got a chance to post a picture of all her books and toys that she got over the weekend...

Here is her Sophia bear from the Fairmont hotel... from Grandma & Grandpa

Little S's Crazy Wardrobe... and she's only six weeks old.

2008-12-03T22:35:00.001-08:00

Wow... well so many people have blessed little Baby with such beautiful clothes! I think they must think that she's her mother's daughter and might have the pretty clothes bug too ;) Here are some pictures from her wardrobe... keep in mind that this kid has more clothes from 0-3 months than most of us combined. If Matthew and I are blessed with more children... hopefully our boys won't mind dressing up in this older sister's clothes! Poor guys!

Thanks for the beautiful GAP outfit Shan!

Baby's first JUICY

Her Drawers are packed full... and this is only the 0-3 months old sizes

Her Shoe Collection... quite impressive eh?

Friend Shower

2008-11-30T22:07:00.000-08:00

Auntie Ayesha & Auntie Heidi did a beautiful thing and had another shower for Baby Sophia on Sunday afternoon. It was such a beautiful get together with Terra (a friend I have known since Kindergarten) and Shannon, Lindsay, and Rachel. Sophia wore her little red sparkly mary jane's... ready to party! Baby got so many beautiful presents... so many new clothes. In the next couple of days I'll be annoying my little daughter and dressing her up for a fashion show! O the torture! Here are some photo's from the evening!

Baby Sophia & Her Auntie Heidi

Opening Shan's Card... Such a cutie card!

Baby "Phia" all pooped out!

Robinson Family Shower

2008-11-29T21:40:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had a wonderful family shower hosted by Aunty Jan. So many people brought such beautiful gifts for Baby Sophia... Such a lovely evening that will be such a great memory to look back on. Here are some of the pictures from the night...

Auntie Sara & Cousin Malachi

Auntie Meg & Cousin Deacon

Baby Sophia!

Bunnykins from Nana Dykstra

Two Beautiful Cakes made by Cousin Emily!

Part of a very large Family!

Baby Sophia and her Auntie Nicole

A huge gift from my Sister's & Grandma Robinson!

Doing Great...

2008-11-29T15:21:00.000-08:00

We had our update appointment on Thursday and baby is up to birth weight!!! 12 oz in one week! Her chubby cheeks are back!!! So we are going to cut back on supplementing and try to challenge the boobies... we can do it.

On Thursday... Sophia and I conquered the world!!! We finished our Xmas shopping, nursed in the Coquitlam Center parking lot, went to our nursing appointment, went to the spa (baby's first spa date) for a brow wax, and then did grocery shopping all before 4:30... Hilarious!

Grandma & Grandpa Robinson have blessed their children with a trip to CABO for their Xmas presents!!! We leave on the 5th of January!!!! So today Matthew, Sophia & I are going to get our pics taken for our passports! We will see how that goes!!!!

Some Pictures from the Past Month!

2008-11-26T15:09:00.000-08:00

100 grams

2008-11-24T15:08:00.000-08:00

She gained 100 grams in 24 hours! Good work baby!

1 Month Happy Birthday...

2008-11-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

One Month Birthday! It has gone by so quickly... and both Matthew and I feel like we can't remember life without her. Totally cliche but true. The first few weeks we were sick and those days were incredibly hard. I found that I was struggling a little with the baby blues and some pain. But, those weeks passed and Sophia seemed to be doing good, but she wasn't seeming to gain much weight. She was also fussing and wasn't seemed happy after feeds. So after not gaining her birth weight back after two weeks we checked her out a couple of days ago. It turned out that she was loosing weight... so today we went to the lactation consultant who said we should supplement and also put me on domperidone (to help with milk supply). She was concerned that Sophia didn't have enough strength to eat and therefore my milk supply was dwindling. So hopefully that all helps... Looking forward to some chubby cheeks!

Happy One Week

2008-10-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

Baby Sophia is One week old today... I can't believe how quickly that went! We are learning so much about her and laughing at all the funny stuff she does! I can't believe how normal it feels to have this new person in our lives... I keep looking at her, and feeling so blessed.

Daddy's Girl...

2008-10-27T20:01:00.001-07:00

Pictures

2008-10-27T19:45:00.001-07:00

An Ode To Sara...

2008-10-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

I promised to give props to my sister-in-law Sara Searle for WALKING from her house to our house yesterday... pushing two boys in a stroller and carrying a heavy heavy backpack full of treats for us... she blew me away and therefore I must acknowledge how awesome she is!!

Not to leave my other sisters out... Megan & Nina have been incredibly lovely by bringing us dinner & desserts... and their wonderful company! What a wonderful family to be a part of...

And can't forget Phil... who brought me epsom salts and baked cookies for us with his girlfriend Bianca!

The Birth Story

2008-10-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

Before I forget all the details...

October 13th, 2008 came and went and no baby. Then nine days past due, on October 22nd, we met our midwives, Sylvia & Lydia and Dr. Obioha at Ridge Meadows Hospital for our induction appointment. I was first induced at 8:40 in the morning of the 22nd with a gel and then again at 3:00 in the afternoon. I was placed on a monitor that recorded contractions and the baby's movements... Matthew became Midwife Matthew at this point because of his curiosity with regards to this fancy machine! In the afternoon of the 22nd I started to get Braxton Hicks contractions at more consistent intervals... but we weren't quite there. Home we went at 4:30.

Home consisted of being very uncomfortable... and just waiting around. My mom came over and we played Dutch Blitz... then I went to rest. By dinner time, Matthew had his boys over and was very restless... it's hard to wait around for something to happen.. Nicole came over to keep me company... and then started to time my contractions. Then finally.... as I was sitting on my exercise ball talking with Matty & Nicole... my little good luck charm walked through the door... JOEL! I looked at him... and then said: "Get out"... and literally a second later my water broke. We all laughed and thought how hysterical this was... that was the only highlight of the evening... because then things were in motion and the painful part had officially begun.

The midwives came over and inspected the situation.. post water breaking.. and decided I could continue to labour at home. So Matthew and I went to it... and contractions were getting pretty intense. After throwing up twice from the pain... Matthew phoned the midwives (whom he now adores) and they suggested we go to the hospital. At this point I was not doing too great and wanted to reconsider pain options. We left for the hospital at 12:30... by 1:00 am they had given me Morphine and I was able to semi-sleep through the remainder of my contractions. They explained that the pain of contractions after being induced can sometimes be sharper... and therefore the Morphine would help dull the pain a little. I can tell you... I would not have been able to do continue on like I did without the help of that drug.

Matthew, my Mom, Sylvia and Lydia then supported me while I continued having contractions until around 4:00 am. It was such a great relief to have them supporting me during this time. I kept my eyes closed for most of that time... and they rubbed my back and held my hands and totally helped me through it... My dream team! Then at 4 something... the pushing began. Thank the Lord for Matthew & my Mom who held my legs through the hours of pushing that came... that support allowed me to push until around 8:00 when the Doctor had to be called in to assess the situation. After 4 hours of pushing, baby's head was just not moving. So Dr. Obioha decided that a vacuum would be used to get baby out.

At this point I could remember the room being bright with a beautiful morning light... I knew the end was near. I could hear people explaining what was going to happen... My job: to push with everything I had! Unfortunately... the suction of our Dirt Devil Vacuum wasn't working... so another option was presented. I remember just praying... please just no c-section, I can do this... I didn't want a c-section after pushing for so long because you have to heal twice: labour & cesarian section... not what I was hoping for. So forceps were brought out and the Doctor made it very clear that I had to do this... and so in the brightness of the morning at 8:31 am... with Matthew to my left and my Mom to my right... baby Sophia Grace Robinson was born.

I had had my eyes closed that the first thing I saw when they placed her on top of me was her beautiful face and her little eyes looking up at me! She was here... and so present!!! It was such a gift to see her little face... and her arms all out-stretched! Then the madness ensued... testing, and stitching, and laughing, and tears... and JOY! Baby girl was out in the world and then Matthew was able hold her and take care of her... she loved him so much the moment she laid eyes on him! He was up and around showing everyone his daughter. My mom was pretty overwhelmed.. and started crying and then followed baby around with Matthew! I believe her first visitors were Joel & Nicole in the hallway (they had snuck in at 6:00 am and waited so long...)

After they had repaired me... the wonderful Mrs. Beattie (nurse and mother of a lovely Maple Ridge family that we know) took care of Matthew & I and gave us the inside track to a private room, and also helped us get the information we needed. Matthew & I then had visitors and then rested with our beautiful baby girl for the rest of the day.

I have to say that this experience was the most interesting of my entire life... And I don't mean "interesting"... I mean that I have learnt so much and grown so much as a person from those moments in my life. I was so curious to know what labour "felt" like and what it would mean... and it is so not a one person job. I know I could not have done what I did without the support of the many people around me... especially my incredible husband. We made this child together... and boy did he ever help bring this child out in the end.... full circle! He was such an incredible supporter and leader!

Our daughter is such a pleasure... We love her little cry and her little faces! She is a little doll and we are reminded of how much God has blessed us when we look at her. We honestly can not believe everything that has happened in past couple of days... but when looking at her it all feels so... right. What an incredible journey being pregnant has been and now with delivering baby girl into the world... we can't wait to see what new paths life will take us on!

Woot Woot... to Baby Sophia Grace Robinson being born!!!!

Welcome Baby Sophia Grace

2008-10-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

Name: Sophia Grace Robinson

Born: October 23, 2008

Weight: 8lbs 13 oz

Time: 8:31 am

Length: 21 3/4"

Head Circumference: 38 cm

Hair Colour: Brown

Eye Colour: Dark Blue

We are so incredibly blessed by this beautiful little baby girl. We had the most incredible support team and I couldn't believe how much God blessed us with the most amazing hospital staff and family members around us. What an incredible experience. I'll make sure to update more later.

October 27th

2008-10-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

So I do believe that this baby will be here sometime before October 27th... I'm in good hands with the midwives and feel pretty sure that baby should come soon... only because they say that baby should be here before week 42! Otherwise... I would be thinking that this baby might wait until the New Year! Har har! So hopefully my next post is an update on who this little person is and how the whole experience was!!! Cross your fingers and wish me relaxing thoughts!

Also I thought it would be fun for others to share their overdue stories in the "comment" section if they feel so inclined! There are quite a few of you out there!

6 Things

2008-10-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

6 Things

Here are the rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog

2. List 6 random things about yourself

3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post

6 Random things....

1. I have only broken one bone in my body... My left wrist. When I was in elementary school I played on a soft ball team and during one of our games, I bunted the ball and therefore had to book-it to first base.... well actually I tripped over first base and landed on my arm (classic, I know). I then had to play the rest of the game as back-catcher (my position that season) with a broken arm... I cried in my little face mask because there was no one else to replace me and it hurt so much!

2. During high school I loved loved loved daisies and the colour yellow! Now not so much... Currently I love roses and WHITE. ;)

3. I could only ever do three tricks on a skateboard... an ollie, shove-it and a kick flip... but I tried really hard... poser???

4. My biggest fear is falling... No bungee jumping, rope swinging, or sky diving for me ever!

5. I have been driven across Canada, backpacked in Europe (France, England, Holland & Spain), driven down to California, visited Peru, was born in Venezuela, enjoyed Belize & Guatemala, played in Mexico, honeymooned in Jamaica and spent New Years 2008 in Hawaii.

6. My favourite books as a kid were the Anne of Green Gables series... remember Gilbert???

I tag everyone with a blog who loves doing these fun little things!

This week...

2008-10-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

This week has been so interesting....

Well this baby has been on our minds for a long while now. After leaving work 2 and a half months ago... the preparation had begun. Now a week overdue.. It's sure funny how things work out. At the beginning of this week I really thought baby was going to come and dazzle us with it's presence.. and therefore went into hibernation mode... just waiting. By Thursday afternoon... I decided "I was over having this baby..." (JK) After visiting the midwife for a second time.. trying to get my membranes swept and not seeing any progress "up there"... I realized that this baby was not ready to come out any time soon. So I decided to forget about having a baby and get on with life.. no more hibernation. Thursday night I stayed up super late finishing some work that I thought would have to wait until late November... so that was a blessing because I was able to complete my project! Then Friday I ran millions of errands and enjoyed having my life back. Saturday... was a totally full day (back to being busy) with grocery shopping, cleaning, making meals, visiting, and even some xmas shopping. So for the rest of this next week... WEEK 41... I hope to continue to keep busy and hopefully my body will just work the way it's supposed to and we will see a baby before week 52!!! I do have to comment on my husband though... for any of you who know him well... he isn't the worry wart type nor is he normally too concerned with "things" like this... but he is at the end of his rope! He is trying so hard to be supportive and is doing a wonderful job! BUT I think if he could he would shake me ... VIGOROUSLY... he desperately wants to meet this baby!

Thank you to all the people in our life that are praying for us and that have been a great help over the past 10 months! We so appreciate having people who are there for us and love us and cheer us on during special moments like these! Hopefully we will have some news that is a little bit more interesting sometime soon... I'm liking October 22nd... So we will see!

Soooo....

2008-10-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

God has got my back... why do I ever doubt that... duh!

Anyhoo... It's a really good thing this baby wasn't born these last couple of days, because there have been so many births at the hospital it's crazy. Nicole screens newborns at the hospital (hearing tests) and every morning this week there have been a million of wonderful new babes waiting for her. Sooo... baby still wants to be cooked.. that's ok... because when the time comes it comes... and at least it will be this MONTH sometime! :)

Not super soon...

2008-10-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

Well.. not going to happy today... going in on Thursday for a "treatment" and then maybe.... I'll keep you posted!

Stick a fork in me...

2008-10-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

I'm cooked! Today is baby's due date! Well... i wasn't early.. probably won't be on time (have another 13 hours to go) so looks like late! OK... i'm ready! Start the lunges.. maybe a hike up the Cheif.. squats anyone? Come on baby!!!

Time's a Tick Tocking...

2008-10-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Any day now... any day now!

So went to the doctor's yesterday to treat my little warts on the bottom of my feet (yes i know... waaaay too much information... but this is a funny story) If you didn't know... they freeze planter warts off with liquid nitrogen. Soooo... i'm in the exam room and my doctor comes in looking like the janitor instead of an MD. He then precedes to burn off these stupid things... and it hurts like heck! I swear I could hear him thinking... wow stop being a baby.. because ummm labour is upon you... and it's waaaay worse my dear. I thought the hurt would go away... but nope I limped around all day... and then because I don't walk properly to begin with (refer to swollen feet picture) I developed a sciatic nerve problem... that kept me up all night! Matthew rolls over last night... and again just says... lovingly... just go to sleep it's ok... O SERIOUSLY... I AM TRYING!!!! So hopefully today I learn to walk again... normally... and my foot plague disappears! O and ya... THE BABY COMES SOON!!!!

ONE MORE WEEK

2008-10-06T10:29:00.001-07:00

DUE IN A WEEK............ that is all I have to say!

People are actually scared of me...

2008-10-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

So this is hilarious.... People actually avoid me now because they think I'm going to pop all over them.. or something. Yesterday I had a salesman (who I was trying to buy something from... not a good sales technique) actually say to me... wow you should be sitting down... that baby is going to fall out. OK... so yes I am due in a week and a half and yes I understand that I do look pretty huge and the belly is now projecting out of my body... but really... the baby is going to fall out of me??? I guess it has gotten to the point where I can't suck in at all... and getting around is quite humorous... like when I have to take detours to avoid spaces that cannot accommodate my extra-ness... And sitting... funny with the legs wide open and belly touching the chair... I am such a classy lady! I just can't imagine having this belly (which will continue to grow) for another 3 and a half weeks... Totally possible... But please pray to the contrary!!! :)

2 weeks!

2008-09-29T10:30:00.001-07:00

Well onto week 38... just waiting at this point!

Matthew and his cousins have taken up fishing with exceptional dedication this year.. leaving many of us fishing widows waiting for winter to come!!! (no ice fishing please dear Lord) Yesterday they went out on the Fraser River to go Salmon fishing... and look what he brought home! Very proud of him... and hopefully he had a wonderful day out on the water... because apparently there isn't a lot of time for fun little adventures like that after a baby is born... that is what they seem to say anyways... :) wink!

My little swollen feet... or should I say LARGE swollen feet have been the topic of many conversations between friends, family and complete strangers. Just thought I would throw in a picture of what they look... just as a little keepsake photo... How nice... right..

Yesterday while I was a fishing widow... I decided to put this waiting for baby to good use. It's funny... having 2 and a half months time off is a wonderful gift... but boy o boy have I tried every way to keep myself busy! So... (as my mom was keeping up with dishes) I made frozen dinners... chili, classy chicken w/ rice, chicken a la king, spaghetti sauce, beef dip and then marinated some chicken. So hopefully we won't be living off of pizza the first week when movement is limited! We will wait and see if his defrosting skills are up to par... I have faith! If not.. then I believe Panago's number is 604.310.0001...

51 posts...

2008-09-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

Well only 2 1/2 weeks left before baby is due... I still feel like i'm dreaming and like this little person will live inside of me forever. I tried to trick my midwife into making an educated guess as to when this little person will come... thinking that they would probably have a relatively good idea (better than I anyways) but nothing... she said wouldn't it be nice to have a crystal ball??? ummm... yup it would be!

It's a really nice stage to be at right now... because i am enjoying this last little bit of time before being a mommy... but at the same time am excited for baby to come.

This morning i had a wonderful pedicure at Spa Eccotique... A bday gift from the girls at work! (Thank you Thank you Thank you) So my feets feel pretty! I also got my eyebrows waxed... thank goodness because i was looking like gollum! Now I am enjoying wireless internet while posting in the sun on our backyard deck! It is a beautiful fall day!

29 votes

2008-09-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Very interesting... and completely un-helful!!! :) (I kid I kid)

Here, I thought this voting thing might give us some insight as to what we were having... Boy or Girl! But alas... it's almost 50/50.... how funny!

As of right now... 52% Boy and 48% Girl... So boy is winning... still can't wait to see what the stork brings us... we are getting so close to finding out!!! Only 19 more days... and then maybe another 14 on top of that (please no!!!)

Thanks for voting!

The Redline Shop Contd.....

2008-09-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

Tilting the final wall...

Our helpful boys...

Baby Belly Picture

2008-09-21T15:07:00.000-07:00

The Baby Belly is finally in a picture! 37 weeks!

Matthew has been nesting too...

2008-09-18T20:37:00.001-07:00

Matthew started to build a shop for all the Redline equipment and his machinery to be housed. I thought I would share some photos to make the blog a little bit more interesting! The shop is crazy ginormous... 2400 sq ft (our house is only 1800 sq ft.)

Even Thor has been chipping in... Like his puppy tool belt? He didn't!

Yummy Yum Iron!

2008-09-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

Well I love having low iron levels... NOT! I have been taking so many iron supplements i think that i'm going to explode. But I know that it is important and therefore am downing my pills and liquid iron... hopefully this will help bring all levels up before d-day!

Feeling Fab... o wait... flabby

2008-09-15T22:55:00.000-07:00

So.. at 36 weeks! Definitely not feeling FABULOUS... feeling pretty flabby, tired, emotional & contractiony. Yes that will be a new word. Began some pretty "serious" contractions... i say that with serious sarcasm... Love Mr. Hicks! Here is a funny moment from today... We were eating pizza (no groceries.. oops) and Matthew was looking at me funny because i couldn't reach the pizza to my mouth... I then flipped out and hucked the pizza back in the box while cursing... then got up and started crying.. then felt embarrassed, then was really tired and wanted to sleep... then 10 mins later... I was totally normal. Wow.. gotta love those spontaneous pregnancy outbursts! It's even funnier because the whole time I was outside of myself wondering... who is this person??? And what the heck is going on???

Only one more week until the baby is 37 weeks and full term! That will be a relief to know that any contraction is now a good thing and that the baby will do fine outside the womb! We still are pinching ourselves and can't believe that in a month or so... we will be parents! Does that scare some of you...??? :) Hope not.. I just pray that God will give us the guidance needed to fill this new role and that he will bless us with the parenting skills specially designed for this little boy or girl! Wow... seriously at tops 41 days until d-day!

Ok ok... I may be jumping the gun a little...

2008-09-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

Baby Pool

I thought this would be fun! I have done a couple of these and since I am getting the Birth Bag ready, have the babies room done... and feel like this baby could come any time after 37 weeks (but don't worry I'm not counting on it... could be a long time from now..) I wanted to start the Baby Pool. I will officially post it on Facebook... but anyone who doesn't have facebook can put their guess on this blog. There will be a prize for the person who is closest... just to make things interesting!

Here is some information that we know... The heart rate has been from 145 to 160 at various Midwife appointments. The baby is semi-engaged at this point and is turned towards the right in the proper position. I craved sweets in the beginning of this pregnancy and corn throughout. I believe that both Matthew & I were late babies!

Guess away!!! Guess must include date, weight, sex and guesser's name!

A few new stories!

2008-09-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

Well well... The baby has dropped! Well not officially yet (midwife appointment on Wednesday) but it sure feels that way. It's great to have a little more breath in my lungs... but not so super to have a little more pressure on my bladder! Complain Complain... bad me!

So with baby getting into position this means that baby is also getting closer to joining us! Now only 5 weeks away... I'm getting the feeling that this time is going to fly by... So i have begun getting my hospital bag ready... with assorted "standard" goodies... would love any other suggestions that people found helpful during labour.

Matty & I completed our Pre-Natal course.... I must applaud him because it sure wasn't #1 or even #100 on his priority list. It was a pretty grueling experience for him... but he did wonderfully. We learnt a lot about the birthing process... (o my) and pain management techniques.. I found the class to be very helpful... but very very very long! O the joys!!!

So after this hospital bag gets assembled... it looks like we are really just waiting for baby to come.. and being that it is our first... well it might be a long wait! It's funny because Matthew can barely talk about the baby anymore... he finds it way too exciting and just wants it to be out now. He has learnt a couple of techniques now to induce/help bring on labour... and keeps trying to test them out... I have had to get a strong upper hand when this happens :)

Well we are going to be parents in a couple of weeks... our lives changed forever! I am still just wowed by this whole experience! Can't wait!

Only 6 weeks and 2 days...

2008-08-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

I am in disbelief that Baby Robinson is coming in a little over 6 weeks. I really can't believe that I have been preggers for 33 weeks and that this baby is going to becoming to join our world so soon. It has felt like such a long time of being pregnant... but really at the same time I can't believe that the road is almost at an end. We keep saying to each other... wow the baby is just around the corner!

This week should be neat... we have our Hospital Tour & Prenatal Class. I have also ordered like 5 books online that range from Birth to 2 years old and everything in between! So lots of reading to keep me busy!

It's been interesting sleeping these days... sometimes propped up with Snoogle, or in a chair, or curled up in a ball... o brother... it sure gets fun in these last days!

Baby Room

2008-08-27T11:25:00.001-07:00

New Post...

2008-08-14T16:00:00.001-07:00

OK... nothing at all new to post... just thought I would write something... HA! Off work and definately keeping sooo busy! I love it... and being in Maple Ridge is sooo great! I am getting so much done! O wait... I do have something to post! We have been working on the babies room... by WE I mean my lovely mother and I... Matthew has actually not lifted one finger except to help carry out the IKEA furniture! Lucky Boy!

So here are the before pictures... No after pictures yet... because room is not 100% finished yet! (Not nice of me I know...)

Finally Off!!!

2008-08-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

Wow... i can't believe that work is finally done! I have to tell you that I thought I wasn't going to know what to do with myself... ha! There is sooooo much going on! Busy Bee Busy Bee!!!

I do have to congratulate a friend of mine... Rachel Cornelsen (we were FVCH buds) who gave birth to a very beautiful and healthy baby boy two weekends ago. His name is Asher Hermann Cornelsen and weighed in at 7lbs 3 oz... but here is the amazing part...

He was due Aug. 22 and born on July 27th!!! Congrats Rach & Andrew!

As for me... we had the Big Robinson Reunion this past weekend... and I ended up missing most of it! :( The part that I attended was lovely though! I got teased because half way through... I'm like.. "well off to take a nap".. and then came back a couple hours later! Oopsie!!!

It is really nice being in Maple Ridge these days... waking up and spending some time with Matty before he leaves for work.. walking with my mom (and our crazy dogs).. and having a bit more time for family & friends! Really looking forward to these days ahead.. organizing home & nursery.. working a little.. doing errands.. and really taking time to set up "shop" for baby!

What a blessing I have... being able to have 2 1/2 months off of work before Baby comes!

Countdown

2008-07-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

5 more days....

4 more days...

3 more days...

2 more days....

1 more day...

DONE

Happy Anniversary Sara & Nate

2008-07-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

So in love....

Aches... & Pains....

2008-07-25T12:49:00.001-07:00

So so so happy to be in the THRID trimester.. woot woot! (29 weeks on Monday)

But who knew that you feel so funny all the time... the first trimester was interesting with the nausea... but now there are funny leg cramps, funny feet cramps, carrying all this weight makes me feel so slow, and headaches/backaches...

Yes look at me complain... how horrible. But I think all woman who have gone through the third trimester are amazing... because it's like running a really long fat race where you are so slow, exhausted, swollen & uncomfortable! (Can you tell I'm in a "really loving I'm pregnant" phase)

Anyhoo... only 11 more weeks until we meet this wonderful baby! Really looking forward to that!

My Baby Bellie Scares Me....

2008-07-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture from Nicole of me on our camping weekend. My bellie looks like it is it's own person... It's coming to get you!!! Plus this picture is sooo very flattering I thought I would share it with everyone! Anyways... turns out you can camp very comfortably (with an air mattress) at 27 weeks pregnant! We were the only ones who slept the whole night through... eh!! Matthew also announced to me yesterday that it is three months exactly until we see Baby Robinson! So that is nice! We also start our prenatal classes on Wednesday... I'm sure I'll be scarred for life afterwards! Wish me luck!

Blessed Be Your Name

2008-07-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

In church this past Sunday we were singing "Blessed be Your name" where there bridge sings:

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord, blessed be Your name

I was thinking in that moment, Lord thank you for blessing us so much and please allow me to continue to Bless Your Name when faced with trials in my life. I was looking around and was wondering what others were struggling with and thinking about what has God given and taken away from the people around me... I didn't realize in that earlier that morning a very strong and noble man had been taken away from a family that I know and have grown up with.

This family has been such an example to so many people that know them. They have truly chosen to Bless the Name of the Lord through terminal cancer and then through the passing of their husband/father. I praise the Lord for them and for what they have shown others about having faith in the Lord and knowing that his ways are the only ways.. no matter how painful.

Tomorrow is the memorial service for a man who has been the strength and example for his family. I pray that God will do amazing things and that many people will be touched by a God who is so totally in control. Lord we bless your name...

We will miss you... So thankful that the Lord gives back and we will see you one day soon.

Not... Little One, Peanut, Buddy or Sweetie

2008-07-10T10:53:00.000-07:00

The Baby's Official Nick Name is...

PIEROGI

This all came about when Nicole asked how "preggie"... meaning me, was doing... and I thought she had written PIEROGI... and then the name sort of stuck. Just a funny pregnancy side note! Hopefully this baby's name will be a lot nicer when it's out of the womb!

Counting...

2008-07-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

97 days left until baby robinson is due

43 days until my 23rd birthday

24 days left at work

21 days until next midwife appointment

8 days until prenatal classes start

-1 day until third trimester

Two Years and Counting...

2008-07-02T10:01:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was our 2nd anniversary. I can't believe how quickly time flies. I feel very fortunate to be married to the man of my dreams. How greatly we have been blessed by God. Here's looking forward to the next (hopefully) many anniversaries to come! I love you Matty!

Silly Dutch Last Names..

2008-07-02T09:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry a little side note about Dutch last names... I loved my maiden name of Dykstra... but unfortunately many people decided to make fun of it... or pronounce it in a very comical way. Getting married two years ago to a lovely man who has a very simple and common last name allowed for these mistakes regarding my surname to come to an end.

Well... my lovely friend Heidi has now married into a lovely Dutch family and I have become one of those people that drove me nuts... I cannot get her lovely new last name right. So here goes for the very last time I will announce my Congratulations to Heidi & Tim RIETKERK with an I before the E and a ERK at the end. Heidi you better be proud of me! (and this better be right)

Getting Some Flack...

2008-06-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

So I haven't written in a while... I'm sorry I'm sorry!!!

Here goes!

First off I had my second midwife appointment yesterday and they analyzed everything! Thank goodness!!! It was great news to hear that the baby is doing really well and that everything looks and feels normal. I had never gone through a full physical examination before and had my first one last night. It was very interesting and let me tell you... I learnt a bit more about myself than I thought I would! So... I have finally gone through every woman's right of passage... I wish I could explain more... but I think it's better to not get too graphic (wink) I do however have low hemoglobin... so steak and orange juice on the menu for me! The Baby is now the size of an Ear of Corn - and that happens to be my pregnancy craving... love me the corn!!!

Congratulations to Billy & Bonnie who got married in Hawaii on June 21, 2008! I can't wait to see their pictures - when I get one I'll post it!!! I bet they are absolutely beautiful!

I also had the pleasure of witnessing a dear friend of mine get married this past weekend. I was also a bridesmaid in her wedding party... which was very special. She looked absolutely beautiful... and it was one of the nicest weddings I have ever attended. The ceremony and reception were a genuine expression of who Tim and Heidi are as a couple and the love they have for each other. It was a very special day - and although it rained during their outdoor ceremony - it really made everything even more special! Congrats to Heidi and Tim RIETKIRK (I before E...except after C... note to self)!

I also only have one more month at work. I can't believe it has gone so quickly. For those of you who are wondering why I am leaving two and a half months before the baby is due... It's because my boss is also pregnant and therefore the training process for my temporary replacement needed to be in place before she has her baby. So we worked it out and I will be at home trying to stay busy and missing my job. I actually really love what I do and am really sad to be leaving. Here is a picture of one of the kitchens that I worked on for a project called Coast at UBC. I had very little to do with the actual design of this kitchen - but I worked on this project for almost four months... Crazy! But I will truly miss my CAD work dearly!

On a funnier note: Matthew has rekindled his romance with Star Trek. O my goodness... he tortures me with it every night - sometimes two or three episodes. So here is a funny comic... I really hope my babies' "Spock Ears" don't come in! It's a funny joke between us that the baby will come out and say (with hand gesture and all) "Live Long and Prosper" to true Trekkie form! Hopefully my Star Trek jokes have not offended anyone... as ST can be a very serious topic for some.

Well Friends and Family... I hope that everyone is happy and enjoying the periods of sun that keep popping up! Here's hoping for more of it! Also... a little update on Baby Deacon for those who do not know... he is at home with his loving Mommy, Daddy and "Big Broder" as Riley says.

What's in a name?

2008-06-11T11:07:00.001-07:00

We are in the middle of going through different names that we like. It is very interesting thinking about what a name means, and how it might represent our little one. I've always thought that names are very important and they do indeed shape (just a tiny bit) the person we are. I have been looking up our names this week and what they mean...

Matthew John

(gift of Yahweh) (Yahweh is gracious)

Christa Carla Sophia

(anointed one/christian) (my mother's & birthmother's names together - free man) (wisdom)

ROBINSON

Family Motto: "Foi Est Tout - Faith is Everything"

Week 22

2008-06-09T10:08:00.001-07:00

We are now in Week 22, with the baby weighing 1lb and measuring the size of a Spaghetti-Squash. I have been feeling baby kick and move around all the time now, which is pretty neat. Last night, Matthew finally felt the baby kick his hand! That was nice, because I wanted him to be the first to feel baby move!

Spaghetti-Squash Baby

There has been a lot going on in our lives in the past little while. It is a very exciting time for a lot of people. There is the wedding of a long time friend, Heidi Klassen, coming up in two weeks (which I am honored to be a bridesmaid) We have been celebrating pre-wedding showers with her, and that has been a real treat.

We also have the wedding of Matthew's close cousin Billy Robinson to be excited for! They are getting married that same weekend, except in Hawaii! What an awesome trip for them!

Philip Robinson, Matthew's younger brother has just graduated from High School. He was joined by Liam Robinson, Paul Robinson and his girlfriend Bianca Takas. Also I have been leading a girls Bible Study for the past three years and all those girls are graduating as well! Congrats to Tara VanHaaster, Danielle Fetterly, Melissa Menzies, Alanna Grose, Dana Ezzet, Tessa Brouwer and Alyssa Stewart! I can't believe how quickly time flies!

It has also been so exciting to have all these new little babies around... whom Matthew has really been having a lot of fun with lately! Two of them are at the age where they are not as break-able as newborns, and Matthew has been showing them the wilder side of life! Good ol' Uncle Mamu (as they call him)! Matthew is getting so much practice in with our Baby Nephews... it's really great!

What a wonderful time in life! I am really appreciating all the people that God has placed in my life. I could not have asked for better family and friends! What a faithful and loving God we serve and how great are the blessings he has bestowed upon us all.

Soli Deo Gloria

Baby Deacon..

2008-06-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all of your prayers. Baby Deacon has had his surgery and is doing well. He has the long segment form of Herchsprungs. The Green family is staying positive. Sara Searle has been putting together meals for them, and if anyone would like to contribute to this.. e-mail Sara @ sarajr1979@hotmail.com. Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive. Our love and thoughts are always with Megan, Joe, Riley & Baby Deacon!

Updates on Life!

2008-06-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

First and Foremost!

The Green Family Update

The Green Family seems to be doing so much better! It has been a big waiting game for them but they have been taking everything in stride and keeping very positive! At the moment we are all still waiting a confirmed diagnosis of the exact form of Herchsprung's that he has in order to determine when and what kind of surgery he needs. He is still at Children's but has been able to start eating some breast milk and gaining weight, to everyone's pure delight! It was lovely to visit with 3/4 of the Green family last night... and they are such a strong little lovely family unit. Early this week things should become a lot clearer as to what the next couple months shall entail. Way to go Green Family... keep up the amazing attitudes and incredible strength you are showing your new son Deacon! What a great example!

How the MCRobinson's are getting ready for MCBaby!!!

We bought a child friendly SUV!

We bought a 2006 Mitsubishi Endeavor that seats five people and has an amazing trunk! We got a good deal on it because it is from the USA but it only has 30,000 k on it! So hopefully this truck will be in our family for a while... longer than the Robinson standard... of like 6 months :)

We bought a crib!

Well now that I have that SUV thing... I now have to room to pick up large items by myself. So on Saturday afternoon (after ultra sound - in full baby mode) I made a trip to Babies R Us and Babies World. And with the "Matthew voice" in the back of my head picked up the most economical crib one could find! I spent a little more on the mattress because i figured with the Robinson back-ache history... I should do a little "preemptive strike" on back pain... while baby is still young!

I bought baby a Sleep Sheep

I had to return something at Chapters and could only get a store credit... so I decided to get baby my favorite baby thing ever! The Sleep Sheep! I had gotten one for Baby Jericho and Baby Riley. I think they are the cutest things ever and it attaches to the crib and makes soothing noises such as whales at play, falling rain, mom's heartbeat, and rolling waves! I was so excited... and planned on keeping it in the box until the nursery is set up. BUT... Matthew decided to take it out of the box last night and said he wanted it to help him sleep... I thought that was pretty funny... and then didn't because I didn't want it to get dirty. (I wonder how Matty could ever get anything dirty ... wink wink)

Well that is all for now! I hope that this blog finds everyone doing well and looking forward to the summer months ahead! I can't believe I only have 59 days left at work! Crazy!!!

Baby is "No Paparazzi"

2008-05-31T18:09:00.000-07:00

Baby at 21 Weeks

Weighs just under 1 lb

Measures around 10" from head to rump

Heart Rate was 140 bpm

Was moving around a ton

And kept putting baby hands in front of face... No Paparazzi Photos!! ;)

Side Profile

Front - "Alien Baby" says our Technician

It was pretty neat to see the baby moving around so much and kicking! Our adorable technician kept saying... "Baby don't run away.. Sweetie come back.. Baby don't hide.. Baby don't kick mummy" in the cutest chinese accent! The baby kept putting his/her hands up to cover it's face... so it was hard to get a decent picture! It was a really neat experience because last time the baby was so tiny... but still very active. O boy... looks like i'll be chasing baby around the house and yard for years to come! Maybe that'll keep me in shape! Ha!

Half Way There!

2008-05-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

I am officially 20 weeks which means that I am half way done the pregnancy! I am so excited! I also have my ultra sound on Saturday which should be pretty amazing... It's great I had an early ultra sound and then this one... to see how baby is growing!

In other news... The Green family is still being an amazing pillar of strength! Megan was released yesterday and was able to go home and rest. I believe that Matthew is actually going with her today to visit Deacon at Children's. I think that Joe will be spending days with Deacon while Megan is resting. Deacon is said to be doing very well and I believe is having a biopsy today to determine when surgery will be. If you could continue praying for the family and Deacon that would be greatly appreciated.

Deacon Kail Oliver Green

2008-05-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Green Family!

On Friday night around 7:45 ish a wonderful little baby boy came into the world via C-Section! When they brought him out he was so fair and couldn't open his eyes! He looked incredibly cute and was so adorable. I don't know how Matthew's sisters do it... deliver the most perfect babies! (Not a bias comment at all)

On Saturday night there were some complications and early Sunday morning Deacon was taken to children's hospital and Megan to Woman's hospital. At present we still do not know exactly all the details, but would really appreciate all the prayers you have for the Green family and especially little Deacon.

Matthew and I thought it would be nice to pick up Riley and spend some time with him while driving to Vancouver in hopes that Joe and Megan would be able to see their "button". He was such a good little boy! He sure loves his Uncle Mamu who would show him all the puppies! (What is it with my nephews and puppies... pretty adorable) Seeing Deacon was amazing. He is such a little trouper. Megan was totally amazing and she held on to her little one like such an incredible, strong, caring and protective mother who knew exactly how to comfort her son. He seemed to know that mom was with him because he was holding onto her finger with such a tight grip that ends of his fingers were white! They made a very cute pair.

Our thoughts & prayers are with Megan, Joe, Riley and Deacon! They are such an inspiration and are incredibly strong! What an incredible gift it was to see a family come together during this hard time and truly have faith that everything will be fine.

So excited to have Deacon Green out in the world! What a little gift!

Not Alone!

2008-05-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Last night was the first midwife appointment! And it wasn't cancelled! Thank goodness. It was so comforting to get some answers... and hear that I wasn't hurting the baby in any way! Woot! We heard the heart beat - 156 bpm - for any of you who believe in old wives tales. My blood pressure is good... that is awesome! And there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with anything! She told me to start walking every night... so the dogs and I found a new trail last night after the appointment and had lots of fun working out our hearts!

Today Megan Green is supposed to give birth to her baby by C-Section at around 3:30. I am so looking forward to meeting this new little one! What a lovely end of May gift for all of us! This will make me an auntie for the FOURTH time! Can't wait! Early Congrats to Joe, Megan & Riley Green!

On My Own...

2008-05-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Seriously.... (my favorite word ever)

I will now be giving birth to this baby ALL on my own. ;) It has now been 18 1/2 weeks and I haven't had any medical attention what-so-ever! I had a early ultra-sound & blood test around 10 weeks and then no phone calls to say if everything is OK or anything!!! My doctor completely forgot about me for a month... and then I was finally scheduled for my first Midwife appointment on Thursday night... and it was cancelled! So upset! So now I will be closer to half way done my entire pregnancy before I have even had any advice or check-ups for the little baby! So not good! Ok I'm done my rant! Sorry!!

Update on Life!

2008-05-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

I am now 18 weeks along and almost half way there (20 weeks is half done!!) The baby is the size of a Bell Pepper, measures almost 6 inches and weighs 7 ounces! I have been growing a lot lately too and feeling really good for the most part! Well... good in the body sense... "interesting" in the going crazy in the brain sense. I never understood what pregnant hormonal women go through when it comes to their emotions... and now I do. Since my last blog, life inside my head has been ... hmmm... NOT FUN. I have to say that not being able to react like myself is pretty frustrating for me and I'm sure others around me! (Sorry!!!) But as of Sunday I feel like I have a grip again... so hopefully that will last for a while!

On Saturday I finally went Maternity clothes shopping! I had gotten some stretchy pants from lulu... which had saved my butt for the past couple of weeks... but I desperately needed some clothes that didn't need the fly left all the way down!! So Matthew was kind enough to bring me to Yaletown to get some pretty jeans, a skirt and a nice top! Thanks LUV! So needless to say I feel much better... in the fashion way and the enough room for my big bellie way!!!

Sunday was great... Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers I know... and especially these ones!!! It was fun thinking about being a mom next May! I can't believe it!

My mom

Carmen Dykstra

Mother To Me!

My Matthew's Mom

Iris Robinson

Mother to Sara Searle, Matthew Robinson, Megan Green, Nina Robinson, Philip Robinson & sometimes Stephen Robinson (JK)

My Sister in Law

Sara Searle

Mother to Jericho Searle & Malachi Searle

My Sister in Law

Megan Green

Mother to Riley Green & Baby on the Way

On Monday morning in my office meeting... I felt a tiny Baby Punch! It was exactly like someone very small just poked me from the inside out! That was a wonderful feeling which I

quickly shared with Matthew... he thought that was great! Yeah for exciting new phases in pregnancy! Looking forward to whatever else comes my way!!!

Snoogle...

2008-04-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Snoogle Santiago

A couple of stories...

2008-04-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

Snoogle Steve:

On Sunday afternoon Nicole & I took a drive out to South Surrey and on our way home we stopped at Babies R Us to look for a baby heart monitor for Matty & "special" pillow for me. I have been obsessing over this specific type of body pillow because I have been struggling with trying to keep four pillows around my body at night. Matthew and I had tried to find one the other day... BUT the entire wall of body pillows was sold out. On Sunday they had two... yeah for me! I promptly bought the pillow and heart monitor and we went home! After getting the long snake pillow thing out of it's bag... i tried it out.. and took a nice afternoon nap!!! I love this pillow... and therefore it needed a name... Snoogle Steve! Snoogle Steve is amazing... not as great as my husband...BUT.... :) We tried the heart monitor thingy out... but no luck... it's not supposed to work until week 21... so i'll keep you posted! Matthew was pretty excited about it though!

New Camera:

So my camera broke when we were in Hawaii over Christmas.. :( So i finally got one from Best Buy!! It was on sale! So now i'll be able to keep a log of the Baby Bellie! Ya!

Mommy Brain:

Well, I have officially lost my marbles. Anyone who has spent any time around me lately has told me that I am a little spacey... stupid... slow or forgetful! I asked Nicole yesterday if I was completely strange and she said... "No, you are just funny". I think that just means that everyone is laughing at me :( Ha ha... no I think it's funny... because I sure am a space cadet right now!

Motorized Obsessed Husband:

My husband and Joel Robinson bought a Jet-Ski together... enough said.

Sunday Night @ Frogstone Grill

Thanks to our amazing cousin Bekah.. Sunday night, some of us cousins were able to get together for dinner and time to remember Uncle Robin. It was really nice to have a mix of the family getting together to talk and hang out. Some even wore their cowboy boots and hats from one year ago. I'm sure everyone's thoughts were with Auntie Jan, Billy & Bonnie, Julie & Dwayne and kids, Liana... and the brothers and their wives. Again, We love you Uncle Robin.

16 weeks / 4 months (size of avocado):

Today I am 16 weeks along! I definitely have a belly but I'm feeling great! The baby is the size of an avocado and will start to move soon. I can't believe that it's already this far along.. apparently the baby doubles it's size in the next three weeks... I have to make sure to take pictures and measurements before it's too late!

April 27, 2007

2008-04-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

We love you Uncle Robin.

Revised Work Schedule

2008-04-22T14:59:00.000-07:00

My Last Day of Work

JULY 31, 2008

SUN RUN/WALK

2008-04-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a beautiful and cold weekend! On Sunday our firm decided to participate in the Sun Run. I unfortunately had not trained and was sooo not super keen on being the last one out of 60,000 people to cross the finish line! Nicole, Ayesha and I all took the west coast express in from Maple Ridge and met up with my co-workers and boss. We all started the race together... And it was really great to see so many people and hear the many bands cheering us on! I was definitely in last place out of our group... but felt that I did ok!! I was proud of my 1:33:28 time and thankful to Jade who stayed behind and walk/ran with me (and baby perogie). I must have shacked the baby so much... I totally felt bad... but everything is fine... so that is good! I don't think my knees and back have ever been this sore... but at the same time i feel great that I did the whole 10 k (without cheating) Ya team!!! Nicole did amazing with a 64 minute time and Ayesha had a great time of 57 mins!! Congrats everyone who complete the race!!! Wahoo!

MEASURE THE BELLY...

2008-04-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

Well Matty wanted to measure my belly the other day because it has been sticking out a ton more lately. It's now 31" round at the belly button. I am growing rapidly and have already gained a full eight pounds... which is a little scary.. but as Matthew says.. ""Your pregnant, it's a good thing." The baby is now the size of a lemon and looks something like this inside my belly!

14 weeks pregnant

The little one is making me a little sick these days... kinda funny because I was hoping those days would be over! O well!!!

SWEET TOOTH???

2008-04-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

CANDY CRAVINGS

Most who know me know that I LOVE salty foods including pastas, breads and cheeses... and of course favorite snack food of all CHIPS and FRIES. But.. this is funny!!! During the beginning stages of pregnancy, all I wanted was sugary sweet teeth rotting CANDY. How gross is that! (And totally out of character) It was actually a dead give away to a few that something was up! Thank goodness this craving has pretty much subsided... but you can occasionally see me sneaking a candy bar from Luci, my co-worker's desk. Just a funny side note I thought I would share!