week 18 - swim goggles

Our tiny fetus child is about 5.5 inches long now... not actually so tiny (which is appropriate as neither am I). And also... this is indeed one of the more dorky pregnancy pictures in the ol archives!

1. I felt the baby kick for the first time! I didn't feel Fraser until the last day of my 22nd week, and I remember heading into my 20-week ultrasound completely paranoid that I was going to be given dreadful news. Obviously everything worked out great with Fraser, so I haven't been concerned at all and definitely didn't expect to feel movement so early in my 17th week... but how fun! I love the little flutter feeling and it makes me suddenly feel even more bonded to my babe.

2. My veins are even more out of control than they were with Fraser... but just on my left leg. I look like a 97-year old woman, but it's for a pretty darn good reason so I'm okay with it. Take THAT, giant purple veins!

3. We totally have a stellar name picked out for a girl. Still sort of struggling with a boy's name that matches our criteria AND the awesomeness of Fraser's name... but we're getting there!

4. Lowell turned 31 on the 13th! I just realized that those two numbers are opposite of each other and I really wish I would've noticed that earlier and optimized the heck out of it with some sort of ridiculous celebration. Ah well. He worked from 7am to 9pm that day (minus a 30-minute coffee break we were able to grab together), so there was no time for a Julie-style celebration. Unless you count the coffee break... cuz that is DEFINITELY my style. He even got birthday sprinkles atop his bevvy...

I've said this time and time again, but I just love Lowell to pieces and am so proud of everything about him. He's seriously the best husband and father you could ask for, and life just keeps getting better and better with him by my side. My Dad took the following picture on Lowell and my 5th Anniversary this summer... how lucky am I to have this handsome devil in my life?!

5. Fraser's BFF turned one! And Fraser was given the distinct honour of being Nico's one friend for his first birthday party... SO CUTE! Nico was born on Lowell's 30th birthday last year, and it was the best 30th birthday gift a person could ask for. He started out as a 5-lb preemie and is now a few pounds HEAVIER than the Frase-man himself! We love that little guy like he was our own and look forward to all the many good times these two continue to share. (Whoever said forced friendships were a bad thing??!!)!

5. I totally love my boys. And I'll explain THIS little picture later...

Adioso for now-o!

Summer Flashback!

Love when the wee cuzzies and Nana & Papa are together!

That picture was taken this summer when Marc, Kylie, Ty & Zeke came for a visit. It was during a time when I was plagued by nausea and exhaustion and just mustered up enough energy to join (or at LEAST observe) the fun. I did not, however, manage to scrape up extra reserve to blog about it... so several events/memories went undocumented! Since Nana, Papa and the babes (as well as the rest of the fam!) will be together again very shortly, I thought I should toss up some of our summer fun before it COMPLETELY disappears from my quickly-clouding-over memory.

Let me take you back to August/September. Basically, we had tons of fun in the sun- the pool, the park, hiking, and chilling in the backyard. There was lots of cousin and grandparent love being passed around, and also a great love for home-grown apples.

At Henderson Pool (the very pool which we frequented on a daily basis during the summer growing up)...

Zeke is rocking the hat that Marc wore when he was little...

A prime example of cousin love...

There was more where that came from!

And of course grandparent love was EXTREMELY plentiful!

Family Waterton hike...

When Ty politely asked his mother for two carrots, Kylie was proud of her son's healthy snack choices... until he waltzed straight to Uncle Lowell to imitate his silly walrus face. Uncle Lowell makes healthy eating FUN...

Zekey smiles!

Apples. Lowell and I have a wonderfully bountiful apple tree, and Mom and I gradually turned the apples into delectable store-able treats. In the meantime, however, the apples sat in a wheelbarrow outside (the large wheelbarrow was overflowing by the way!), and Ty frequently approached the wheelbarrow and selected the largest, juiciest, most pristine apple he could find. He then hunkered down and enjoyed his little snack. When little Elijah came over to play, together they sifted through the apples and had a cozy little snack...

Fraser had no problem downing Ty's unfinished goods...

Seriously. Fraser was totally in love with the apples...

But how could he not be? Look how large and juicy!

                                     

Backyard hot tub party...

                                      

Marc demonstrated how one is truly meant to run through sprinklers...

Backyard weeny roast!

Little Fraser met Big Fraser again! I'm glad that Big Fraser totally understands that every time he graces us with his presence, he WILL get his picture taken...

                                     

And now I shall dream about our upcoming fun in the sun with the entire G clan... coming SOON!

week 17 - iphone 5

Our little fetus star is ~ 5 inches long. Just like an iPhone 5. What??!! iPhones can be considered sporting equipment! Think of all the possibilities: listening to music while you run, using Nike Plus, documenting athletic endeavours etc etc. And what's even better is I actually HAVE one. I survived on pay-as-you-go minutes on sibling hand-me-down ancient phones until last month when HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY TO ME. I feel so mature now (even though, yes, there ARE 8-year olds out there toting the iphone as well).

1. We FINALLY finished Fraser's one year video (well, 6 months to a year). So if you have a few minutes to kill, enjoy...


Fraser's one year video from Lowell & Julie on Vimeo.

You may have noticed Lowell's ridiculous laughter in the video. Well, we do that a lot with Fraser.... just laugh randomly (and ridiculously) which spurs more laughter (from everyone present). Lowell assures me it's good for Fraser's brain development, and hey.... it's just so rootin tootin fun!

Just so you have the whole picture, feel free to take a gander at Fraser's 0-6 month video too...


Fraser's first 6 months! from Lowell & Julie on Vimeo.
2. I'm loving this stage of pregnancy. I feel great (minus the 97-year old hips), and have the perfect sized belly- it's obvious that I'm pregnant, but it doesn't take over my entire body and completely inhibit movement. I HAVE noticed, however, that my eyes have looked extraordinarily tired in the last few pregnancy shots... apparently being asleep by 8:30pm doesn't QUITE erase the tired-eye look. But really... I feel great!

3. Fraser's sign for "more" has morphed into a full-on clap. No doubt to get our attention faster! Smart kid, that one.

4. And by the way, he's totally walking more than crawling now. It's actually weird if he crawls!

5. SNOW! We had a big dump this week, and it was Fraser's first time IN it. It took like 30 minutes to get him bundled up and he couldn't walk in his clunky boots, but he sure did look cute sitting there!

6. I have the sweetest friends. My friend Adele texts me every Friday to wish me a happy new week of pregnancy. Sometimes I don't even remember until I receive her lovely message, and I LOVE it. So no pressure, Adele... but keep it up! :)

5. Today is indeed Remembrance Day, and don't think Fraser got to escape a wee photo shoot...

Over and out!

week 16 - skipping rope handle

~4.5 inches. That's how big our little growing star is already...oy. The time is flying by!

1. There have been some BIG changes in our lives over the last couple months! Let me share.

In August, Lowell completed all his requirements to become a fully Registered Psychologist. This was such a long road, and he worked SO HARD excelling all along the way. Stable/full time/permanent employment was yet to be obtained, however... until this week. HE GOT A FULL TIME JOB AS A REGISTERED PSYCHOLOGIST! He started on Friday, and he'll have his hands full while experiencing a steep learning curve (as this position is specializing in a different area than he has previously worked in), but I have no doubt that he'll ROCK it. I am SO proud of him! Plus... I CAN GET MY TEETH CLEANED!! WE HAVE BENEFITS!!!

Slightly embarrassing side story. Whenever my parents phone us, the caller i.d. says "private name; private number" and I ALWAYS answer the phone in a spinny ditzy "ALOHA!" On Wednesday, I answered in the same chipper ridiculous way I always do when my parents call, only it wasn't my parents. It was the woman responsible for hiring Lowell. WHOOPS! I imagine that when she's more familiar with Lowell, the boss lady will be bringing up his ditzy wife and how it made her second guess her choice hiring Lowell. Hehe :)

And now for more life changes...
In September, I returned to work. I'm privately contracted (as a speech therapist... cuz that's what I do) two days a week at a preschool outside of Lethbridge. I wasn't looking for the position, and it sort of fell in my lap. I had mixed feelings about returning to work as I've never seen myself as a career woman, and always anticipated being a stay-at-home Mom (as my mama was). However, I'm enjoying this job more than I ever thought possible. My colleagues are totally wonderful, the hours are flexible, and I'm enjoying working with this new motherhood perspective. Plus, it's true what they say: it makes me appreciate my time with the Fraselton even more!

So, we both have jobs in our actual careers now... oh the novelty. Time to chip away at that dang debt!

What about Fraser, you ask? Well, that's one of the other changes! This week he started at a French daycare. That's right... 100% FRENCH! There were some tears shed... by ME. He did FINE. His smiley, happy, giggly self reportedly. It's definitely going to take some getting used to (for me), but I'm excited about his French-learning and friend-making.

So, in general. VERY blessed and VERY grateful!

2. HALLOWEEN! Fraser and Nico went as Hobbits Frodo and Sam and they were soooooo cute... right down to the hairy feet...

"It's okay Frodo. We can do this."...

Oh my. I am sure intrigued by Sam's ear...

 Delicious...

Not bad for 15 minutes and 10 bucks at Value Village hey?

We took them around to family and friends, and scored some delicious treats (that I may or may not have finished already... sorry Fraser).

PS- the whole reason Fraser didn't receive a haircut pre-Halloween was to maximize his awesomeness as Frodo, so you can imagine how disappointed I was when I realize that I totally didn't optimize the crazy hair for the pictures.... I kind of forgot about it. Dang that preggo brain!

3. We have some balloons kicking around our house, and they are with Fraser... constantly....

4. Fraser and Kumeu are buds... and Kumeu is verrrrrry patient (and/or he is receiving a deep tissue massage from Fraser)...

5. FRASER GOT HIS HAIR CUT! And it was kind of a big deal (for his mama).

Here is our shaggy haired boy before...

Cape on and ready to go....

Hang on a tick... are Nana, Auntie Chels & Nico watching and ready to entertain me? Yes? Okay then...

 Let's do this, Mom...

(Mom was a little sad to remove the locks)...

Nana is a good distractor....

 As was Auntie Chels when Nana did some fine tuning...

AFTER...

I'm such a stud....

But MAN was that an exhausting experience...

Hey wait... where's all my hair?

I have mixed feelings about this...

Buh-bye hair!!

I'm okay with it... I think I'll go play with my buddy now...

6. When Fraser and I were driving away after dropping Lowell off at work, Fraser's eyes followed Lowell, and he said "Dada" multiple times while waving. My heart totally melted.

7. EGG NOG LATTES ARE BACK AT STARBUCKS! And Lowell and I are VERY thrilled about this. It's like Christmas in your mouth. Now pardon me while I go dream about all things egg nog and all things Christmas...