Doctor visit

I took Joel to the doctor today because of this cough that he has. She checked him out and it seems that he is wheezy in both lungs and now we have started him on a ventolin inhaler because she seems to think it may be asthma. I thought it would be no big deal but trying to keep that mask on his face is so hard! You'd think I was torturing him! Anyway, I ask for your prayers that it wouldn't be asthma and that he'll get over this soon. Thanks!

Yay!!

I am so thrilled to tell everyone that I am going to be an Auntie again!!! Congrats Mike and Julie! It's so weird though to think of my little brother as a dad. Weird. But he is a great uncle and being a dad is kind of like being an uncle. Still weird that he's all grown up. Sorry Mike. It's just weird. Do you think I could find another adjective other than weird?

Singin' in the rain...

So, maybe he's not singing but he was having fun, I think, even though his little hands were soooo cold! Here's the proof that it's been raining too much here! The puddle Joel is standing in got so big that it met the puddle on the other side of the road and they joined up in the middle! This is the 3rd Saturday in a row that we have had torrential downpours. But who's complaining? EVERYBODY!! (not just me).

Rain, Rain...

Go away!!! Why won't it stop??? This weather is really getting depressing. It's been so lovely to see the flowers blooming and the trees budding but lately we haven't been able to see anything because we don't leave the house. Actually I did go out last night and I bought some rubber boots. Now I can splash in the puddles with Joel! We went for a walk to get the mail yesterday and he was covered head to toe in his dinosaur rain gear. He looked so cute! What i would really like to do is go for nice walks during the day with friends and let Joel walk around at the park. This weather is just so blah.
On a positive note, Joel has a sound/word for kitty now too. He says the same thing when he sees Cooper and when he sees the Royale bathroom tissue commercials with the white kitties. I thought that was kind of cute.

Stinky toes and first words

Well, some thanks to Auntie Frances for starting the "stinky toes" game with Joel. It doesn't matter how tired he is or how cranky, it always makes him laugh if you smell his toes and then he sticks out his little feet right in your face. A result of this game has been what a few of us have heard as Joel's first word - stinky. He just doesn't say it that clearly but it's definitely what he's trying to get across! He's such a silly boy!

Raincoats, Aunties and Smiles

So, grids are the only way I can post pictures. I just tried posting 2 pictures separately and it didn't work again!! Drives me crazy!! Anyway, Joel had a great visit with Auntie Frances last week. Doesn't he look cute in his rain gear??

So, things do not look good for us to go up to PG for Easter. They seem unable to cover my Saturday shift because, like me, no one wants to work the Saturday in the middle of the long weekend. I've decided to try to let it go and if it's in God's plan for us to go, then He'll help us out and if not, then we'll just stay here and I'll have to go to work on the Saturday. Have I mentioned yet that I am not happy to be back at work? I will now. I am not happy to back at work.

Sometimes...

Do you ever wish you had a rewind function on your life or maybe just an eraser? Sometimes I say such stupid things and I just replay them over and over in my head wishing that I hadn't said it or wishing that I had said it differently. Maybe I'm too hard on myself but sometimes I just need to think a little more before I open my yapper.
I know I have no recent pictures of Joel up. I just worked 2 days again and Brad is away and I am just so tired. I think I should just go to bed and deal with everything tomorrow. I'm so glad my kitty sleeps with me.

March showers

It is pouring. I can't wait for nice weather. Rain goes on for way too long down here. I remember learning about the "rainy seasons" of tropical countries and thinking how much I would dislike that but living here is no different, just colder and maybe not as pretty. I'm ready for summer.

I've spent the past 3 days back at work. So much has changed there. My co-workers have shuffled into different jobs (one of the many joys of working in a union), there are many new people in the department, people have left and a whole bunch of renos have been done - new OR, new angio, new CT. And yet, it's the same. Same job, same politics. It was surprisingly easy to fall back into work. I guess it is like riding a bike or like skiing!! I'd rather be skiing.

Birthday Week the Finale - Finally

Yay, we can get on with normal life for another year! Our birthdays are all wrapped up! We had a little party for Joel and Brad last night at the clubhouse across the street. Joel was spoiled again but we all had lots of fun! The cake was awesome - made by Auntie Karen. Thank you, thank you, thank you - the cutest cake ever!

Birthday week continues

The top 6 pictures were actually taken on Joel's 1st birthday. He had fun with his gifts, the toybox being one and REALLY enjoyed the wacky cake I made him. The green chair is from Auntie Karen, Uncle Ty, Duncan, Ethan and Rachel and the wooden chair (with a matching table and 2nd chair) are from Grandma and Grandpa. The Dutch hat is straight from Holland from Pauline and Leen. Thank you all very much!!

Part of Birthday Week

Here's lucky little Joel celebrating his birthday at Big White. Uncle Mike started something called Birthday week a few years ago, but I think Joel is celebrating Birthday 2 Weeks!! I feel like the parties are never ending! Last night we were at Brad's parents/sister's house to celebrate Brad's birthday and to see Uncle Brent again and of course, Joel got to open more presents!! This is the 4th time I've attempted to post these pictures so I hope it works this time.

Birthday time!

Happy 1st birthday Joel!! I still can't believe a year has already gone by! He's sure enjoying his birthday so far, he JUST woke up and is talking nicely in his bed. I'm going to go see him now!!

Some more fun

Aside from the great skiing, we also got out and about in the village, rode the gondolla, went tubing, had some great dinners together and got out for a walk in the snow. Good times were had.

Blue skies at Big White - not meant to make you jealous

Back

We are back from Big White. What a great few days of spending time with family and well, skiing. It felt so good to hit the slopes after 6 years of not doing it! Well, in the evening and the next morning it didn't feel so good but in a way it felt good to hurt! So for all of you people who have put off going or have forgotten how much fun it is head out to your local hill before snow disappears for another few months!! I'll post pics later. They are still on the memory card.

Just a note

I've added a list of blogs I read. If any of you want your name removed, changed or added let me know!!

Swimming

On Thursday, Joel and I went swimming with our friends Melissa and David. We had lots of fun but for some reason Joel has acquired a little fear of water. I didn't know he could hold on so tight! Is this a normal thing at this age? He still loves bathtime but not when I tip him back to rinse his hair (I know that's normal because I've seen other kids hate it too). I think that we are going to try to go to the pool every couple of weeks and maybe that will loosen him up. Sorry no pictures, but he sure looked cute in Josh's orange shorts!!

What a boy!

Here are a few pics of our boy. As you can see, he really enjoyed some lasagne for dinner! And there he is with his new tough guy pose and then helping?? mom swiffer the floor. He is such a goofy boy sometimes but wow, a one year old can be quite difficult too! I know, you're all thinking "just wait until he's two". We've had another bad week of lack of sleep, throwing up (only Joel this time), not taking bottles (also Joel), and a cough and runny nose. He's still putting EVERYTHING in his mouth and has found the toilet to be something really fun to play in! I am really looking forward to this phase being over and hopefully starting a proper routine one of these days. I am just exhausted and am very happy the little munchkin is napping right now.

Having fun

Here's little Joel having some fun in his housecoat after his bath. He always gets quite excited and just loves running around as fast as he can! I know, the housecoat is getting a little short!
I just can't believe that in a few short weeks he will be 1. In only 4 weeks I will be preparing to for my first day back at work! It's shocking how fast a year can go.

In Memory

In memory of my Grosmueti (Grandma). She was born in Switzerland, 5 Dec 1920 and passed away 28 Jan 2007. She was born and raised in a beautiful, old house in Alten where she also raised her family and only moved from the house after my Grosvati passed away. She was a very sweet and strong women and endured much in her last years. I always loved to go visit her and my heart is sad that she won't be there the next time. However, my heart rejoices in the knowledge that she is at home, in glory with our Lord.