mommy rules, kindergarten drools

the day has come, that my sweet little girl has gone off to kindergarten.

Maya has turned in to such a lovely young lady.  She is very excited for school to start.  She started her day by staring at me while i slept.  When she couldn't hold in her excitement anymore, she moved her eyes so they were 1cm away from mine..and waited...

and waited...

When i woke up, she says "AM I GOING TO LEARN TO READ TODAY?!" after i screamed, i tried to explain that she would EVENTUALLY learn to read at school. :)

She had her outfit all picked out and ready to go..

Here she is on her first day of preschool..you may remember my beautiful little girl?

 

 Here is my STUNNINGLY beautiful young lady on her first day of kindergarden.
Seriously, its just not possible.

 

All three of the beauties

Mayas class room.  There are only 7 kids in total, and two girls. Thankfully the other precious girl is a great friend of Maya :) Those two will for sure keep all those boys in line :) She is going to the Christian school and this is the first year the school has offered kindergarten.  The main school was so over full that they have set up the kindergarten class in the mission house just up the street.  I was a bit nervous about this, but they have done SUCH a fantastic job setting it up, it totally doesn't feel like a house, but an actual classroom!  Its really great!

Maya made herself at home right away and while i was in the corner rocking back and forth trying to make the tears (mine) stop, she was off playing and didn't even notice me leave..WHHAAAAA!!!!! **pass the wine anytime now**

Eli tried to join in the playing, but understood (shocking) that we had to leave and let Maya enjoy her time at school.   I have been enjoying a bit more one on one time with my boys, but sure do miss my sweet little girl while she is at school!  because her school is private and independent she has to go full days but only 2 (sometimes 3) days a week.  I am very proud of her and excited for her to start this new chapter in her life.  its tough on me that her new chapter really has little to do with me...but, its good for both of us.....right?....

one house, two house, white house, blue house

We had such a great time having Jonathans parents visiting from Ontario.  We only see them every so often, so its extra special when they come to visit.  We had such a nice visit and lots of great things took place, we had our new son Isaac baptized (more on that soon..) Jon took everyone to Ft.St.James and went exploring on the hold heritage site and went to the beach.  We also got some major things done around the house..
We (i use "we"  very very loosely)  We wanted to give the outside a little freshening up We as in "I" wanted it to be fresh but 'we' as in "THEY" would do all the work... :) :) :) but, now that it is all done we could not have imagined the final product, but to say the least we are thrilled with the results. 


The house before:


This is our Casa, our house, our nest, our residence our HOME.

side view of the house taken from the corner of our front lawn on the road.

The back of the house, Jon starting to paint.  We rented a sprayer and it went
quicker than any of us could imagine. it was still a lot of work, but it went quickly.

Jonathan finishing up painting the front of the house

Finished product after the first day! can you believe we painted the whole house,
 the shutters, and the front door all in 1 day???

Work Zone? Construction Zone? Danger Zone? Bermuda Triangle??

Both the kids were always trying to "help"

Then one by one, they took the white pillars down and put up the new fancy cedar ones.  It was so awesome to see our vision coming to pass!

I loved it when all the pillars were done..but...

Adding the final "Y" pieces made it look all the better!



The final product looks so amazing!  What a blessing it was to have
Jons dad here to help him though yet another awesome Reno!

My Three Kids

Although my kids now look like siblings, they don’t really look all that much alike. I’ve come to see that they all look like the SAME baby when they are born! :) I always wanted to have kids that look the same; i think it’s so cute when you can totally tell they are brother/sister.

Our babies definably all look the same and Isaac is no exception. The moment he was born Jon and I looked at each other and said "Yup, he’s one of ours! :)"

Maya 2007

Eli 2009

Isaac 2012

Introducing....

On Monday morning at 8:26 we welcomed our third child in to the world, a son. Isaac James Curtis Poelman weighed in at a whopping 8lbs 15oz. He is absolutely beautiful with his beautiful super long dark blonde hair. He arrived without a hitch and everything went according to plan.

The excitement started on Saturday afternoon when we welcomed my mom and she was such a big help as per usual. Saturday night my girlfriends had a probably party for me and one other friend who was due very close to each other (and ended up the babies, both boys were born just 2 days apart) it was so nice to get together with everyone and just relax, chat and connect with everyone again.

Sunday afternoon my bother Curtis and his fantastic girlfriend Emily arrived. We spent the afternoon eagerly anticipating the huge meal Jon was working on, it was amazing. Once the kids were in bed, we watched (and am ashamed to say we watched for the 100th time) Jackass. It was just what i needed to take the nerves away; we were all laughing until tears were in our eyes, oh the stupidity. I headed to bed around 10 in preparation for a sleepless night. I was right, not a wink the entire night.

Then, all of a sudden it was Monday morning. And it was "TIME". 7am took a long time to come, but, we were all up and watching the clock tick. Soon, it was time to go. And through the tears, we headed to the hospital. Curt and Emily took care of the kids so Mom could come to the hospital with us. Curt and Emily did such a great job with the kids and the kids had such a great time with them. Jon and i both are still so thankful that they were able to be here with us.

Once we got to the hospital we had to check in, then we went to the recovery room right away. I changed in to the hospital gown, hooked up to the IV and then we had to wait...I was starting to get nervous, scared, anxious, excited and likely every other emotion under the sun. Jon and i spent some time in prayer before it was time to go. We ogled at the fact that they were getting the bassinette ready and even had some cute little onsies ready for our impending birth.

The bassinette just waiting for beautiful baby Poelman

My mom has been there for the birth of each of our children, and i was thankful to have her there once again. She is such a great inspiration of a mother and support. Even though she couldn’t be in the delivery room, just having her there waiting for us was just as important to me. I am ever thankful for her, and our relationship.

Mom giving me a last minute pep talk

As you may know, i really do have the most amazing husband. He is always amazing when our kids are born, but this time was an added level of excitement, support and comfort for me. He was so great, and did exactly what i asked him the whole time and it’s so amazing to watch him becoming a new dad for the third time. I feel so lucky to have him.

Then i find pictures like this, and all i can really think, is all that sappy stuff is good, but this is REALLY why i love him so much:

Yes, this really is WHY i love him.

Then, it was 8:00am and it was time for them to take me in. The tears started as i had to go in alone. They had trouble with the spinal and had to redo it a couple of times. My back is still bright purple. Once they got the spinal in the right spot they laid me on the bed, and then Jon was able to come in. The following pictures are pretty amazing. And by far the most amazing pictures we have of any of our births.

Our first glimpse of Isaac being born

Bringing Isaac to me right away for skin to skin

Everyone’s first comment was LOOK AT ALL THAT HAIR!!!!

first, a great view of our new son

soon after they took him to the table to clean him off and get him "going" as He wasn’t making a lot of noise, turning a little blue, and not much crying.

soon after they took him to the table to clean him off and get him "going" as

He wasn’t making a lot of noise, turning a little blue, and not much crying.

They dried him off, and we heard the most perfect highest pitch cry i have ever heard. He truly was perfect. Jon and i got a lot of time to cry, love, and meet our newest member. At this point we were still discussing his first name

They dried him off, and we heard the most perfect highest pitch cry i have ever heard.

He truly was perfect. Jon and i got a lot of time to cry, love, and meet our newest member.

At this point we were still discussing his first name

As of Sunday night at 10pm we had still not 100% decided on a name. We knew from day 1 what the middle names were going to be, but we couldn’t for the life of us decide on a first name. We had a few rumblings and had made a few different name decisions that lasted a few weeks at a time, but in the end we always changed our minds. In the end, we decided on Isaac. Isaac means laughter which is all we could do and all we chose to do when we were experiencing this pregnancy. Some days were so awful; all we could do was laugh. James is Jonathan’s dad’s name. Jonathan’s dad is an amazing man, a man to look up to, seek advice from and aim to be like. I could NOT BE MORE GRATEFUL or proud to say that Jonathan has many of his dad’s great qualities and attributes. I’m the lucky one in that equation. Isaac also has a third middle name, Curtis. Curt is my baby brother. We have such a great relationship and he is another amazing man in our life. Curt is the first person to be right there if anyone needs anything, and quick to help anyone out. He truly thinks of others before himself, and is also someone i hope Isaac will strive to be like. My brother has been my #1 supporter with all i have been though the last few years, and is sooo special to me.

Once Isaac was out, and ready to leave the O.R. Jonathan took him out to meet the family while i was being stitched (or stapled) up. It was only a few minutes and then i was right there to join in the celebration.

Daddy and Big Big Sister Maya. She is soo proud!

Maya is so proud to have another brother; she stops anyone and everyone to say "we just had a baby boy" even to strangers who don’t know us... She loves to hold baby Isaac and comes in our room each morning to rub his head and say "good morning" She is a little mother and a HUGE help. She is at the age where her help really is help, and not a hindrance. I appreciate all her help, and she is eager to do anything for her little brotherS.

Eli is smitten!

Eli is totally head over heels for babe. He never calls his brother Isaac. It is ALWAYS Isaac James Curtis. So cute!! Eli loves to hold Isaac and i catch him quite often hunched over him singing some riddled song i can’t make out, but it’s the cutest and most loving this ever. These kids are great!

Curtis meeting his namesake. He was (is) so proud

Mommy and Isaac freshly out of surgery. i know i look like i got hit by a truck, and when you see rough pictures of yourself it’s even worse, but truly, i see Pure joy, happiness and thankfulness

Mommy and Isaac freshly out of surgery.

i know i look like i got hit by a truck, and when you see rough pictures of yourself it’s even worse, but truly, i see

Pure joy, happiness and thankfulness

Finally after 4 hours in recovery we got to go to our room. Here is our first picture as a family of 5

All showerd and feeling human again!

Isaacs’s first bath...he HATED it!! :)

Gramma and Isaac

Opa came just for a few hours, but was so thankful he came to meet sweet baby

How can someone get so lucky to have such BEAUTIFUL children?? Good gene pool i guess ;)

Proud Big Brother

Proud Big Sister

Dear Isaac,
We are so happy you are here.  You have completed our family in such a special way.  We prayed to be blessed with a pregnancy, we prayed for our unborn child, we prayed that you would arrive safe and now we are praising the Lord for your glorious arrival.  You were wanted, Isaac, in a major way. You are a blessing to Daddy and I.  You are pure sweet evidence of prays being answered.  And we will continue to thank Jesus for you and your brother and sister every single day. You are all lifes sweetest joys.

Love Mommy and Daddy.

The third

I have written letters to both my children very near to their birth.  and as i sit here preparing to write my third and final letter, and trying to think of what to say, it is hitting me harder and harder.  The moment is a few short days away and i couldn't be more ready or excited.

Mayas short letter
Elis letter


Dear Three,

if you could only know how excited we all are to meet you.  if you could only know how we have waited for you, what we have gone though, and how blessed we feel to have the opportunity to join our family.  You have a lot of great people supporting you and also eagerly awaiting your birth.

Daddy is busy getting things ready and crossing things off my list little by little every night.  You are really lucky to be gaining that guy as your daddy.  hes truly one in a million, ONE OF THE BEST DADDYS IN THE WORLD.

Your big sister Maya is super excited too! She loves to feel your hiccups and laughs her head off every time she feels them.  She has been asking and counting the days down since 60! and now we are down to two...amazing.  Maya is going to be a great caretaker for you.  She has such a gently spirit you will just love her!

Eli is going to be just great! hes the funniest little guy i know and has the biggest heart.  I hope you will enjoy his humour and have fun playing with him.  Hes a lot of fun!!

Mommy selfishly can't wait to be off bed rest (6 weeks now) and get her life back! I am so blessed and have made no secret about the fact that you are a big step to final recovery and simply moving on.  I have prayed many a blessing on you and your life sweet little babe. You will accomplish many great things.

the start to your pregnancy was really great. i cried often out of pure joy, elation and happiness. it was great until about 7 months.  then, you really started to grow and caused me low blood pressure which made me faint and black out all the time.   Then with just 6 weeks to go..we landed up on bed rest.  I never for one day was not happy to be pregnant, not for one day was i not happy you were coming, and not for one day did i regret adding you to our family.  i was ALWAYS able to keep my eyes on the prize, and you my child are the best prize.  While i was on bed rest, i tried to stay happy but without the help from all our friends i could never have gotten though! You wouldn't believe the help we got with meals, and help with your busy brother and sister.    You are just going to love these people..promise!.  We had our pre op appt today at the hospital which made everything feel really real/surreal.  Daddy is home now from work, and wont go back until you are a week old! CRAZY!!!

We loved you from the moment we found out about you and will love you forever!
Sometimes the smallest things, take up the most room in your heart, and you babe take up a lot of room!

Until Monday, my love.
we'll all be waiting.

Daddy, Mommy, Maya and Eli