Monday, May 25, 2009
Bethany and Ben's love nest is invaded by me and my "chubby wonder"
Ok so I know that it's been way too long and I'm really lame. I mean, it's almost been a month since I got home! Sheesh. Oh well. Here are the pics I took while I was there. Well mom took some of them.The two mothers on the couch
Bert turning a pertly nose in my direction.
Owen snoozin with his dainty bethany hands and wrists.
A yucky one of me, but we had to do the cuddly wrap shot. This was preceding country walk that barely made it to the end of the drive way and back because of Bethany's stomach being squished by Owen. At the end of the driveway two dogs annoyingly came from up the road. We had to walk them back, even though Bethany felt sick to her stomach. This creepy guy came out with long scraggly hair and was bewildered about the whole ordeal, insisting he didn't know how they got out. Maybe because there's no fence? Bethany had to chase one of the dogs around to get him by the leash all the while, Owen was still strapped tightly to her body. And that is what happened with that.
Turns out Sloan looks quite handsome in brown. A brun tetard of his very own.
Owen doing some serious stretching.
A tummy tubberoo. A nicely scrubbed bean baby.
peaking up at me thinking "I like this Aunt"
I took some pics of the cabin, for all those who were as curious as I. Here's her kitchen. Kitchen a la bean.
The table and eating area. That's the baby chair's home. It doesn't leave the top of the table unless it's to go in the car. Want to eat at the table? Shove something over and make room.
What may be considered the living room. That is the very couch Bethany reigns supreme from.
The hall way leading to the mudroom. I forgot to take a picture of the mudroom, though, which is a pity because there's a shower in there, and that's not your average mudroom. The room off of the mudroom is the baby's room and that is where I slept.
Thus ends the tour of Bethany's house.
Cuteness
A floppy newborn. That stage never lasts long for me. Sloan fought with all his might to be able to hold his head up right away.
Ok, so there was this time where we were all going to venture out for a country walk. Ben was going to take Owen in the cuddle wrap. So he started putting it on with Bethany telling him what to do from the couch. I believe she was nursing which is why she couldn't just do it for him. She made him redo it several times because it wasn't tight enough. Finally I came over and gave it a few of my "snowwhite" yanks and helped him get it really tight. Then we squished Owen in sideways and the result of it being so tight was that he sat high on Ben's chest. Ben had boobs. We had a good chuckle but we couldn't show our full amusement at the sight of him because he'd threaten not to come on the walk.
Grandma holding Owen in his blessing outfit. A sailboat sweater vest ensemble. Very handsome, and I don't know why but for some reason he seems like a British baby to me.
Bethany raked in the goods at her shower. We played a few games. One was baby trivia and one was name the food that's in the diaper. Bethany and I kicked butt on both of them. (we answered together) The only diaper one we got wrong was the chocolate one. Who woulda thought? Personally I had been hoping they'd all be chocolate ones, because together with Bethany we'd have a fighting chance, but they were all random foods like mince meat and dijon mustard. The very last one was a chocolate one which I was looking forward to. Turned out we didn't know it at all. Turned out it was some random brindge mix chocolate bar. Who knew there was a chocolate bar a fub didn't know about? Yes there were times Ben got us chocolate. There was one time inparticular that Bethany wanted solid pure chocolate, and the places Ben went to didn't have any. So he bought a whole bunch of other stuff. Keep in mind that Ben had to drive 20 mins to get to the nearest store. I know I'm on a chocolate tangent right now. There was also a time when we went to get Bethany's hair colour, when we were faced with tempting things from the bakery (it just so happened to be giving out samples- how could we refuse??) and it was also bad timing because we were hungry for lunch. We caved and got the turtle cheesecake. However, in our defense, we didn't even eat any until way later that day. We have some self control. And actually we were a little disappointed at the fact that there was no trace of chocolate in the cheesecake. What kind of "turtle" anything comes without chocolate?! When I left, there was still cheesecake left. We'd each only had one piece. I don't know WHY I'm going on and on about this.
a cute white bundle on the houdstooth pilla. It's Bethany's "The pillow" I had one with Adriel and I would bring it to church and everything. Bethany teased me about it. Then she acted all betrayed when I didn't use it for Sloan. The "The pillow" for Sloan is a different one. He gets his own, and I'm not as attatched as I was with Adriel's. I even brought his to Colorado with me. Rambling- I know no one cares about the "The pillow" history.
Gail changed him at the shower. I thought I'd take a shot. I love babies in onesies. Basically Owen and Sloan both got passed around a lot at the shower.
A lovely mamma Bean in front of her nicely decorated cake.
It was a carriage.
These are the outside pics I took of the cabin on my last day.
The homestead with the pond in front of it. I liked this view, but it was hard to capture on film what I saw in person.
Much to my delight Ben and Bethany decided to travel down about a job Ben was looking into so I didn't have to take the dreaded bus!!!! I was so glad, and we had a fun roadtrip time, other than the times we continually had to pull over for Owen and Sloan. If it wasnt one, it was the other. I'm not going to get into the dog poo incident, but it was gross. SO GROSS!!! I got to drive the last stretch while Ben and the babies slept in the back. Bethany and I played that game that she shared in her blog. It was fun, and we had some good laughs. Bethany thought of all the good ones. Mine were dumb, and it did help pass the final time away with amusement. We were getting tired of the whole traveling thing at that point. This is my shot of a cute Owen in the back seat with me.
And one of Sloan and his frowny face- he's not actually frowning, he's concentrating.All in all, I'm soooo glad that I got to go, and share such a special time with Bethany. It was rewarding and fun to watch her adjust to becoming a new mom. I was glad to see Ben treating her so nicely- as a father ought to when a new baby has been born. There was a special feeling of love and peace in their little cabin home and I felt lucky to be there and be a part of it. It was so fun to have such a lax schedule and to do what we wanted when we wanted. Bethany was worried that I would be bored, but being with her was all I wanted to do, and we had a lot of fun doing it together. I remember when I was pregnant with Adriel and i went to visit the twins in Victoria the month before I was due, Bethany later wrote that it was one of those special gifts from heavenly father- it was a last special sister time. Well this was a special gift to me, to be able to go and visit and have a special baby time with Bethany. I don't know if we'll ever be able to do anything like that again, so I drank it all in. Really, that's how I feel about all my sisters. They are all so special to me and the time I spend with them are times that I treasure. I have the best sisters ever. I was sad to leave her lovely little cabin and go back to reality, but I had this ache in my heart that I'd never experienced to that extent before, for Adriel. I have never been apart from him for that long, and it was hard. I really missed him a lot. So being reunited with Kyle and Adriel made leaving made leaving not as sad as it could have been for me.
That about sums up my visit. I guess I can get back to my normal life now.
0 comments
Sarahstottle posted @ 8:34 AM
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A visit to Buppy Continued... I know it's taken me a really long time to get these out, which isn't good because I'm slowly forgetting what happened on what day, and also other things have been happening in my life and it's all getting backed up.
The next few days we remained at the cabin. Being out in the middle of no where with out internet and such really made me loose track of time, like what day it was and what time it was. We just took our time to do what we wanted when we felt like it, which was so nice.
Every morning while mom was there, I'd hear here fumfering around upstairs and then the phone would ring, and it would be Dad, and they'd talk for an hour. I think they're going through their empty-nesters honey moon lovey dovey stage. It's nice to know after so many years, they're still excited to talk to eachother every day. One day, while Ben was at one of his last days of work, we decided to phone him because we wanted him to bring us home chocolate and to pick up the mail. (mom was anxiously waiting for a love letter from Dad) We never got through though. Then when he showed up mom looked through the window and exclaimed "He did remember the mail! Maybe he brought you guys chocolate too!" Slim chance of that, I thought to myself. Low and behold he walked into the room bearing chocolate, and not just any chocolate, one of my favourites- twix!!! It was a wonderful surprise. How did he know?( And how did Burdock know? I told Bethany that Burdock should be informed of Owen's birth so that he can send more lovely gifts. She told me she still doesnt know who that is.)Yes chocolate makes us happy- what of it??
Bethany played the piano and Ben, mom and I all sang. We sang the EFY medley. It was fun. I sang songs from The Prince of Egypt, although Bethany wouldn't play "When you Believe" for me because that was Amy's song and apparently Amy asked her never to play it. That's one loyal fub if you ask me. I also sang excerpts from Saturday night's Warrior which we all know is fun to sing along to. We spent many hours confined to the couch with our babies. I tried to help Bethany when I could, but I'm afraid I wasn't much help. We had a plethora of naps. Needed naps too I might add. Ben needed to shower. He looked like there was waxy product in his hair but there wasn't... He also brought a huge ball of pitch and wanted to surprise us with it in a bonfire out side. It didn't do what he wanted it to do though. It helped start a good fire anyway.
Some annoying lady in their branch phoned to inform Bethany on Friday that it was hers and Bens turn to clean the chapel and the only other person to help was Aaron (who doesn't help) Hello! She just had a baby! Maybe you could assign them a different month!!! Not only does she have a new baby, but they live a half hour away from the church! This infuriated me more than it seemed to bother Bethany (I have this protection issue for my little twins) I felt like calling the lady myself and asking why she assigned them that month, when she knew Bethany was a new mom. Sheesh
We watched 13 going on 30 which was enjoyable. Mom and I went for a long country walk. I saw a bull with a wobbly neck. While relaying that to Kyle on the phone that night, he kept saying what? I kept answering :"I saw a bull with a wobbly neck!" He insisted I was saying bow, not bull. "I saw a bow with a wobbly neck" he teased me for the rest of the time I was there. Owen was such a good baby, I don't think Bethany realizes who spoiled she is. Him not settling down to go to sleep instantly but letting out the odd bleat was described by Bethany as being really fussy.
The days with Mudsy around seemed to fly by, and suddenly Andrea was there to whisk her off. And by suddenly I mean we had to wait for what seemed like forever for her to get there and eat, but it was worth the wait, and the steak was delishus. That evening Andrea told mom that she really wanted to leave right after sacrament because she had to get back to her animals. I think that's what triggered the realization to Bethany that Mom really had to leave. It's a grim realization, afterall. I cut Ben's hair somewhere in there, and Bethany's too. We all played a round of consequences (well Ben didn't) and went to bed. Andrea had wanted to watch a chick flick, but it just didn't happen that night.
The blessing of Owen was special and beautiful. The whole fast and testimony meeting seemed to be about the Shoult's. Bro and Sis Shoults, Daniel, Ben all got up but that was after mom did. She was the first and she made us all a little teary. Then all the other people who got up, it seemed talked about the blessing of a new baby, or was tied in to Bethany's family some how. I forgot to mention that while mom was bearing her testimony, she mentioned that two of her other daughters were there too, and at that moment and cheerful bald head peaked out from behind her to get a look at us. It was Bethany's branch president. ha ha it was funny. Sort of on the same lines as the time we saw sister Buchanan walking along peacefully, and then when she thought we weren't looking anymore (I peaked back) she broke out into a trot. After the blessing (ben sneakily had it done at the end of the meeting so that people had to stay for the whole time) Bethany and I both went to the mother's lounge to feed. As the meeting ended, hoards of women piled into the nursing room to see the baby. We were a little surprised by this, but it was ok because Bethany wasn't nursing him anymore. She has a really friendly branch. It made me realize how much less friendly Nanaimo is, because after I had Sloan hardly anyone came up to me to meet him at church. Or do I just give off an uninviting aura?? But don't get me started on that.
After church we had to stop at the store for diapers and a few "tie me overs" for the nursing starving moms and Ben. While we leaving the store, Ben was walking in with both babies, who apparently started screaming while we were in the store. He didn't know what to do. We nursed them in the parking lot. I noticed a lady in the truck next to us staring down at us. It was a lingering stare, so I mentioned it to bethany. If there's one thing Bethany hates, it's a stranger staring nosely at her. Ben offered to say something, and I said no, don't. Bethany said yes do. But by the time ben got out of the car, she wasn't looking anymore anyway. It turns out she was special needs. Luckily Ben didnt say anything in an offensive way, but I still felt bad.
We came home to ham and potatoes au gratin in the oven. But the cabin was mudsyless and we were sad. I felt a fraction of the sadness I felt when mom left me after I had sloan. It was cold and glum outside and that's how we felt. We had naps and then we enjoyed eachother's company to make up for the sadness we felt at the loss of mom. Mom just brings a specialness with her where ever she goes. We're so lucky to have a mudsy like her.
And I'll have one more installment after this one along with all the pics I took. Sorry again for how long it took me!!!
0 comments
Sarahstottle posted @ 2:12 PM
Monday, May 11, 2009
Visiting Bethany I know I need to write about my visit before I forget things and before it gets too overwhelming for me. Truth is I don't get to sit down at the computer very often with out a baby on my lap, and when I do, it can be cut short at any minute. So I'll start from the beginning, but it may take a few posts to get it all out. Bear with me.
I spent the night before I caught the bus up to William's Lake at Laura's house. It was fun. We played consequences with Edith and had some good laughs. Then we started Wives and Daughters in which Osbourne is the same guy who plays Mr Collins in the new P&P. I only made it through the first segment though before needing sleep. I hadn't had my ususal nap that day because I was busy getting ready for my trip. Sloan miraculously slept through the night. We woke up early because my bus left at eight and we needed to get there early in order for Laura to make it to work on time. On the way I worried about different aspects of my trip such as "what about food?" to which Laura answered "the creepy guy who sits next to you and tries to watch you nurse will share his snacks with you." In fact, that was Laura's answer for everything- the creepy guy.
Laura taught me the Amy way of doing things, like lining up with my luggage. I was the first in line. Then I sat on the bench with a sleeping Sloan while Laura slipped away to buy McDonald's for me and get me a watch so I would know what time it was while I traveled. Her watch hadan intrusive beep that could not be stopped, but it did the trick, and was quite helpful the whole time I was gone. Then she left me there all by myself lonesome. I decided when I got on the bus to put Sloan's car seat on the seat next to me, even though I wasn't supposed to, and act as if I was supposed to. It worked. No one asked me to move. Sloan slept from chiliwack to Cache Creek so I took the opportunity to watch P&P. It was the one dvd I brought that I knew Bethany already had, so I figured why not? Everyone on the bus was kind and helpful and kept commenting on how good a baby Sloan is. There was no creepy guy, thank goodness.
Mom greeted me and all the fun began. I piled my stuff into Bethany's car and got my first peek at Owen. So tiny and cute!!! We went straight to Save On to get groceries while we were in town. I helped Bethany get her cuddly wrap on. She accused me of being like the wicked witch in Snow White when she pulls her corsette too tight with the poisonous strings. "Hey I forgot about that Snow White!" I said "I have it" Bethany boasted. "We should watch it." But alas we never did...Mom bought strawberry shortcake stuff to celebrate my arrival (well I AM a strawberry after all) Bethany and I picked out some bagels and cream cheese for the week as well. Then we went back to the Shoults' to wait for Ben to get off work. We ate. The missionaries were there. Bethany put her head under her nursing blanket to see what she was doing. It was a baby bean tent if you ask me. Ben got home and ate and then we left.
We stopped on the way at the Branch President's house for Ben to talk to him about the baby blessing which was to take place that Sunday. As Ben idally chatted away, Sloan who had had a full day of travelling began to fuss. Ben came back. The fussing continued. We stopped for vanilla shakes at McDonalds. Ben bragged that it was the busiest McDonalds in North America. I think maybe he meant northern bc. Sloan's fussing grew into a shrill cry/scream. Back on the highway, Ben realized he forgot some important papers at work. He turned around. Sloan continued. I decided that I would do a teat to the cheek at Ben's work if need be. (I couldn't get to him in the car because Owen was between us) Once we arrived at Ben's work he stopped and started to fall asleep, so I didn't worry about it. As soon as Ben got back into the car, he started again. It came to a head and then he fell asleep. Then Mom realized she forgot her skinny water at the Shoults' house. We turned back around. Finally while we were on Horsefly rd (the road that you have to drive down for 20 mins to get to their cabin) Owen woke up and started to cry. Slowly the cry grew to hysterics and Ben pulled over. Bethany and I traded places. I squished in the front next to mom who loves to fidgit under one's bum to find her seat belt. Then Sloan woke up. I hung out of that side of the car to try and do teat to the cheek. That was uncomfortable and cold. It amused everyone else though. I gave up. Owen continued to nurse. Sloan wouldnt settle. Finally we got them both into a state of contentedness and we got home it was around 11pm. When we left Williams Lake to get home, it was probably around 9/ 9:30. That's how long it took us! That discouraged us from leaving the cabin for a while. The cabin was cozy and cute and Ben lit a fire. Bethany went to bed without a word. Mom stayed up with me for a bit and then we all went to bed. I was exhausted.
That's it for now folks. I will continue next time I get the chance.
0 comments
Sarahstottle posted @ 8:53 AM