Open Eva

We are noticing some remarkable changes in Eva. The best way to describe it is that she is becoming more open. She is more affectionate, both with her words and with her body. She is more open to coaching. For instance, when I tell her to say yes at school when another child asks her to play, she says, "ok." In past she would have resisted strongly.

I have heard other mothers talk of playing games with their child in the womb- touching the baby through their abdomen, and the baby responding with a kick. Eva was the opposite- when I would touch her, she would shrink away. Consistently. As a baby, when I carried her she would lean out and away from my body rather than melting onto my shoulder. As she grew, any attempt to teach her how to do something would be met with the response, "I already know how to do that!".

We have had to work hard to gain her trust. That we truly want the best for her. I am so glad that she has chosen to trust us, and I will do my very best never to betray that trust. My heart sings as I see Eva blossoming, opening herself to the world and to others, to learning and to growth. I pray that she continues along this path even to her old age, and even through the inevitable difficult times and situations that she will encounter.

No More Sniffles!

For the first time since Eva started school- except the few days after she went back to school in the new year- neither child has a runny nose! Whoohoo!!

Dancing Interlude

Eva had me play her spanish Christmas songs, and they made her wanna boogie.

Wacky Rye Bread

I made rye bread today in the bread machine. It turned out totally weird- it didn't form into a loaf- came out in two lumpy pieces. Tasted ok but certainly not outstanding.

Anybody have a good rye bread recipe for the breadmaker?

The gingerbread cookies were yummy though!

New Goggles

In preparation for heading to the beach next month, I bought Micah some swim goggles today. He wore them all the way home from the store.

Eva naturally wants them, even though she already has a fancy pink mask of her own. This is how she feels about not getting blue goggles like Micah.

Homemade Electrolyte Solution

I found this recipe for an alternative to Pedialyte on Breastfeeding123. It's a solution you can use to rehydrate a child or adult who has vomiting or diarrhea.

Homemade Electrolyte Solution Recipe

2 quarts water
1 teaspoon baking soda
7 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh-squeezed or bottled orange juice

Options:

Add a squeeze of lemon juice or more orange juice to each serving if desired for flavor.

Instead of the cup of orange juice (which provides some potassium for the electrolyte solution) and regular salt, you can instead add 1 (1/4 ounce) packet unsweetened Kool-Aid powdered drink mix and 1/2 teaspoon salt substitute (read the warning label on salt substitutes and consult your doctor).

Directions:

Stir all the ingredients in the water until they are completely dissolved. The solution can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days, or for a treat to tempt a child it can be made into popsicles (an ice cube tray and toothpicks work well if you don’t have a popsicle mold).

A Most Delicious Midweek Meal

We had an OUTSTANDING meal tonight! Andrew grilled filet mignon to perfection. I made a greek salad and baked stuffed brocolli cheddar potatoes (I was thinking of you, Dad, as I made them). Andrew pronounced it "one of the best meals we've had in this house".

Micah ate as much steak as I did. Eva had her standard small meat portion. She is my daughter alright. She eats meat just as I did when I was little- reluctantly. The only animal protein she truly enjoys (so far) is grilled salmon.

And Baby Makes Five

We are thrilled, blessed and honoured to announce that a brand new member of our family is due to make an appearance in early September 2009!

I am 12 weeks and doing well. Have had the standard first trimestre fatigue but I'm not sick and grateful for that. I am also grateful to be able to nap with Micah almost every single day. That sure helps!!

I'm journalling about this pregnancy on a separate blog. If you are interested in following that journey, keep an eye on And Baby Makes Five. I will put a link on the sidebar of this blog.

Health Focus Weekend

We had a long weekend here. It was perfect timing for me who had come down with a nasty cold. Unfortunately for the rest of the family we didn't do anything exciting all together. I slept and rested a lot while Andrew took care of kids and meals (and therefore me! Thanks so much sweetie!). As you may have seen over on the Willms Photog Blog, he even took them to a tea party.

This morning, Andrew and Micah dropped Eva off at school (she had her long weekend a couple of weeks ago) and then ran some errands together. Micah was in his glory doing stuff 'just the boys'. He didn't even want me to buckle him into his carseat because he wanted "Daddy help me". So I had the house to myself for the entire morning! I'm not sure that has ever happened since Eva was born. It was glorious and relaxing. After lunch Micah and I had a long nap together. Also very glorious, as I didn't sleep very well last night.

Andrew made a delicious supper and though I still couldn't fully appreciate it on the taste end, my appetite is definitely returning as well. We had a fun family walk after supper.

I was feeling very discouraged yesterday morning because I still felt rotten, but I think I'm on the mend now. The pressure in my head and ears has decreased. Planning to wake up tomorrow feeling great!

25 Random Things About Me

This has been going around Facebook. I resisted making my list for a while, then I realized how much I enjoyed reading other people's lists. So I thought maybe other people would enjoy mine. I am posting it on the blog for my own records (I plan to print and bind my blog entries each year) and for those readers who don't have a Facebook account.

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I was once part of a waterski pyramid.

2. I have travelled through much of northern and central Mexico on motorcycle, as a member of a Mexican motorcycle club. For a while I had a 600cc crotch rocket, then I rode an 1100cc cruiser.

3. My Mom now owns that 1100cc cruiser. I sold it to her when I got pregnant with Eva. I think I still have my chaps. (Both my parents own leather chaps, too!)

4. I love being a Mom. It is really challenging and tiring, but I love it.

5. I played the electronic organ for many years. One day I'd like to have a piano, and learn to play it well.

6. I have a French Immersion high school diploma. Never really felt fully bilingual, though. I can still understand French reasonably well, but if I try to speak it, it comes out as Spanish.

7. I have been fascinated by pregnancy and childbirth for as long as I can remember... it wasn't until a couple of years ago that it dawned on me I could make a career out of that fascination (thanks Erin for the inspiration). I'm now studying to be a Certified Childbirth Educator. I want to spread the word that childbirth isn't inevitably a horrible, excruciating experience!

8. I enjoy the slow pace and relative simplicity of life here in Mexico. But I miss our friends and family. And resources like a public library and the Y and Old Navy.

9. Because I am a reserved person it takes me a long time to develop new relationships. And sometimes I am socially awkward.

10. I played ringette for many years. Gave it up to play hockey instead. I am looking forward to lacing up again sometime in the future. There is actually an ice rink here and opportunity to play a little, but I didn't bring my equipment down.

11. I LOVE to read. I used to read only fiction. Now I read books on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, natural family planning, parenting, nutrition/food, and the Bible. I don't remember the last time I read a novel. I do fit in Reader's Digest once a month, though.

12. I have read the Bible cover to cover in the space of one year. Twice.

13. Andrew is the perfect man for me. There is no doubt in my mind that God planned us for each other. I am so blessed to have him as my husband.

14. I used to be a horrible cook. If you could call my meals "cooking". Now I'm pretty good, and getting better.

15. I have a love/hate relationship with cooking. I enjoy it a lot until the point in the week when I run out of recipe ideas that make my whole family happy. Then I dread it. I hope the kids get less picky as they grow!

16. I was a vegetarian for a decade or so. The first time I ate poultry again was at Christmas dinner a few years back. "Psst, Andrew! Slip me some turkey from your plate!" No one noticed. Not even his smirk. The first time I ate beef again was at a Brazilian restaurant. I ate a lot. Mmm.

17. Over the past year or so I have been trying to conquer my sweet tooth. Refined sugar does terrible things to the body. My family is getting dragged along on my quest, like it or not.

18. I have never broken a bone. Here's hoping I never do.

19. I can't walk past my computer without checking for new email or new posts on the numerous blogs I follow.

20. I trust God to direct the path of my life. I don't worry too much about tomorrow. His plans for me are way cooler than anything I could ever come up with.

21. I wish I could sing.

22. I love to travel. The return on investment is fantastic.

23. I never pass on "forward this or else" emails. So far, I haven't been cursed.

24. I love to play cards and board games. Unfortunately, it's challenging to sit down to a game at this juncture of life.

25. I long to eat locally grown organic food. Easier said than done here in Torreon, to my knowledge. In the meantime I content myself with the tiny organics section at the supermarket. Where the carrots actually taste like carrots. Takes me back to eating them, still garnished with dirt, straight from our garden at the lake.

What Eva Knows For Sure About Men

This afternoon Eva helped Micah get all dressed up in some of her new clothes. Including pink princess panties. Terrific.

She told Micah that he looked fantastic. She said that he looked like a man. "Because you have a big tummy, and mans have big tummies!"

Micah-ism

A couple of days ago, Micah was looking for a spatula. The one I always use when I'm making French toast. He couldn't find it so he came to ask me if I knew where it was.

"Mommy, where french toast spoon?"

Gotta give him credit. I knew exactly what he was looking for! Very creative.

Second Born Meme

1. WAS YOUR SECOND PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Thrilled!
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Absolutely not.
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 33
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Home pregnancy test.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Andrew, then our parents, then everyone we knew
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? I was open to it. We were living in Mexico at the time and having ultrasounds at every appointment. So we found out. We were glad.
9. DUE DATE? October 11
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Not really. Bit of nausea. I don't even remember being particularly tired. Of course, we were busy moving to Mexico so I was pretty distracted.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Milky Way bars
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? My aching tailbone
13. WHAT WAS YOUR SECOND CHILD'S SEX? Boy
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? Something like 35, maybe 40
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? He was 2 weeks old on Eva's second birthday party, so her family party was kind of a baby shower too.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? No surprises
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? I thought my water broke at 22 weeks and that was scary. But all was well.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? St. Boniface Hospital, attended by a midwife, my Mom as our doula, and Andrew
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 7 hours
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Andrew and my Mom. Dad stayed home with Eva
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Andrew, my Mom, the midwife, and a hospital nurse
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? No need. I had a terrific support team and an uncomplicated labour.
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 9 lbs
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? October 17, 2006
27. What did you name him/her? Micah William Willms
28. OTHER NAMES YOU CONSIDERED? Christian, Logan, William... Even though William was our favorite, we didn't want him to hate us forever for it ("Wee Willy Willms"). Hence the middle name.
29. HOW OLD IS YOUR SECOND BORN TODAY? Two

First Baby Meme

from Melissa

First Born Share
Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born! Just copy and paste it in a new note for yourself!

Let's see how much you remember:

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes, but we thought it would take a few months
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? for a month
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Joy and disbelief
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Absolutely not.
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 31
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I did a home pregnancy test. Andrew didn't know I was testing. I stuck the stick through the shower curtain to show Andrew and he insisted on reading the instructions several times before he would accept the results I had reported.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Andrew, then our parents, then everyone who cared and didn't care
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? No
9. DUE DATE? October 30
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Some nausea, no vomiting. Lots of sleepiness.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Grapes. Chocolate (but pregnancy didn't bring that on)
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? I loved everything about it except those few weeks of yuckiness
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?Something in the neighborhood of 45. In retrospect I should have cut down on the chocolate.
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? yes
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? One was a surprise
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? No
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? St. Boniface hospital attended by a midwife, a doula and Andrew
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 44 hours from the first contraction; 14 hours of active labour
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?Andrew
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?Andrew, our midwife, our doula, and a hospital nurse. My mom finished two books in the waiting room.
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? No. Andrew worked hard putting counterpressure on my hips which made every contraction 100% less intense. Bonnie the doula was great at rubbing my back and holding my hand, encouraging me, keeping my gown closed when I walked to the bathroom, putting cool cloths on my forehead when I felt hot and covering me up when I felt cold. I had everything I needed.
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8 lbs
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? October 31, 2004
27. What did you name him/her? Evangeline Catherine Willms
28. OTHER NAMES YOU CONSIDERED? Christian
29. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? Four

Confession, of Sorts

I wish I could just continue to let you believe that Eva is an art prodigy, but honesty prevents me from keeping the following information to myself:

She told me today that when she did that horse, she first traced the outline of a horse puzzle.

It's still pretty impressive, but not quite as impressive. Sorry.

In other news, Eva told me yesterday she loves school!

Eva School Update

Last week was much better for her! She is trying to be more open. She is still not excited to go to school in the morning, but she is dawdling less. Her teachers have noticed a difference in her social behaviour. I'm so glad that she is trying. It won't take long before she is really reaping the benefits.