The Girls

Booby

Halle took the bottle no problem. From anyone it seems.


We'll have to keep at it so she doesn't change her mind. I bought a gently used double electra Medela pump off of Craig's list a few weeks back. The thing works like a damn. It stretches my breasts and nipples Madonna erotica style, which I'm sure I'll pay the price for, but fills those bottles in minutes.

Halle's a good nurser just like her sister. She got the hang of it right away, and again, I experienced no pain. Only a little engorgement this time as well. Just like with birthing a second time, the body seems more efficient at producing milk the second time. She's actually not a huge nurser and falls asleep on the boob amazingly quickly. Any time she begins to fuss from tiredness I stick her on the boob (sometimes she doesn't even latch) and she's out. It's her greatest skill!

Anyway, the reason for this intro was to say, the pump isn't as vital to us as it once was. I lost 3 out of 5 of my classes due to cutbacks to our ABE program. I found out last week and was a bit disappointed. The bright side is I get to spend more time with the girls and for Halle that's pretty important. The two classes that remain are here in Squamish, so no commuting for me. We'll be OK, but it's a bit unnerving, because Paul also lost his spring/summer work. I make a salary + EI benefits and Paul will be able to collect EI as well, so we'll survive. We are looking at it all as a blessing. For 2/3 of the year Paul slaves away under hydro lines for a good wage, but at a big expense. It is wrecking his body and he can't do it forever. This gives him the opportunity to focus on the film in which his prospects have been slowly broadening.

It also has forced me to take a look at my career path and the opportunities that it presents. I've decided it's time to get a Master's, especially as I would like to stay in the post-secondary setting, and so will hopefully embark on an online masters of Education in Adult Learning and Global Change through UBC. It sounds pretty interesting and my cohort would include students from universities in Sweden, South Africa and Australia. I also intend to brush up on my secondary science courses, so as to be able to teach the ABE science as well. That should keep me busy.

It all probably means that we will have to postpone our addition. Instead we are planning on connecting the upper and lower suites with an enclosed external staircase and using the bottom unit as a temporary solution. We definitely need more space!!

Spring Into Things

Anneka said she needed her own umbrella. She was right. It is sure raining a lot. As they say "April showers ......".

The showers keep Paul from his "work". But it's not always raining and when it's not, here's where you'll find Paul. The grass isn't the only thing that's green!!


Halle and I made it to Callaghan one day with our wonderful friends Caroline and Cerys. That was fun, but x-country skiing is not the same rush...but bailing on some sketchy snow on a steep hill with a one month old, does give a bit of a rush, so I made sure to do that! I have a Whistler pass I'd better use soon and get my rush!


Anneka is a fabulous big sister. There have been very few incidences that have caused me to worry. Mostly she loves Halle and Halle is so entertained by her. There have been some memory-making moments with Halle and Anneka laughing and smiling at each other. Halle loves the bath and the girls are bathing together most nights which is where a lot of the giggles happen. Here's an early bath when Mom still felt it necessary to get in there too.


There have been a couple of trips to the aquarium and to West Van to visit with Char and Amelia, but mostly we've been hanging in Squamish. We are kind of forced to by the fact that our second vehicle has been out of commission for some time - that's quite a story - bloody dealerships. But in some ways it makes things easier and my house stays relatively clean, laundry gets done, people get fed, and the garden is coming a long. Here's some Nexen beach time (an easy walk from out house) with Finnley and Elizabeth.



Halle is still a content baby and I mostly feel great. Ninety percent of the time she lets me get plenty of sleep. She still seems quite focused on the physical stuff, pushing herself to standing most of the time and throwing herself towards objects of interest. She has also become very smiley and is chattering, calling to us, and interrupting conversations.



It really is a lot of fun, and so much easier the second time. I'm much more relaxed, less anxious and have experienced no post-partum blues or depression. I just feel so positive about are family and are so happy to have made the decision to have a second. Let love, hope and acceptance continue to be my guide....and pass this on to Paul too, not just the girls, because any angst I have, and it does come, especially on those nights Paul is gone until late, I pass in his direction.


So, let me pass my love and acceptance on to Paul. We Heart Paul!

Eight Weeks Young

Hello Little Aquarian

Halle Tierra

Halle loves to snuggle and cuddle
Halle loves to wriggle and squirm
Halle's smiles are sweet and goofy
Halle's body is long and wiry
Halle's features are fine and feminine
Halle is a lovely baby
She fits right in, she is home and we are in love with her.