So the posts below, that I have posted today, August 16, sum up my journal since Chris and I got married to when I started my journal blog. Read them if you like. I have enjoyed reading them again. I know I could do better at recording (I did better with Caeleb then with Elva) but I do want to record my thoughts and feelings so that future generations can know what experiences I went through in life and learn from my thoughts and my testimony.
On another thought, I am 35 and 1/2 weeks. A few more weeks to go and baby number 3 will arrive to join our family. I am excited, scared and a little impatient. I feel baby moving now and I count my blessings that this pregnancy has gone so well so far. This baby is measuring big (95% percentile - he or she was measuring small when the nurse measure my tummy so they sent me for an ultrasound at 31 weeks and low and behold, a big baby! not sure where I am hiding him, but I do feel big). So, I hope all goes well in getting him out (that part makes me scared). And it will! Positive thoughts. 4 more shifts of work to go. I am tired (not sleeping well), short of breath, having to go to the bathroom all the time, etc. But I am not complaining. I need to soak it all in. I have been blessed.
Home on the Prairies
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Going back in time part 12: August -September 2012. Letters to the family.
August 2012
I worked pretty hard from the middle of June to the end of July. Then we took a week off and Camellia, Sterling and Nathan joined us for the August long weekend camping by the Shuswap lake in BC. We played at a beach there, went to church on Sunday and enjoyed campfire meals, sleeping in a tent and a relaxing weekend. Then on August 6th Nathan, Camellia and Sterling went back to Calgary and Chris, Caeleb and I continued on to Victoria. We spent the week there and went to Nathanial and Suzanne’s wedding on Saturday August 11. It was the probably the most expensive wedding I have been too. And very elegant. It was at a winery and after the 2:30 wedding, there were hordevers and cocktails and then a buffet supper at 6:00 and a dance after. Suzanne looked beautiful in her dress. It will be fun to have her part of the family.
I was supposed to go back to work on August 16 and 17th but had a turn of events. I had an ultrasound on August 16th and we found out that we are having a baby girl. We are really excited. Maybe little Lilly is making a comeback. The perinatologist was worried about the large Hematoma that was still covering my cervix and the cyst on the babies brain. I was also getting over a bad cold and really bad cough so I am sure it would not have been a good idea to go back to work as I sounded horrible. I had to cancel my shift that day. My lst appointment with my OB/GYN on Monday August 20th left me with a Doctor’s note stating that I should not be working. I guess Dr. Albretch thinks I should not be working because of that bleed. So I guess I will take an early sick/maternity leave and just take this time to enjoy Caeleb and prepare for baby girl.
The month of August and September has brought a rollercoaster of events and I have summed them up in letters I have written to my family.
June 29th 2012 (starting with the first letter to the family about this new adventure) Dear Family,
I hope all is going well for all of you. We had fun visitng with Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Gord and Aunt Sharan when they came up to Calgary. I would love to go on a road trip and go down to Utah and up to Edmonton to visit family but Chris has not been at his new job for too long and he does not have alot of vacation time saved up so our summer vacation this year will be a short trip to Victoria for Chris' brother's wedding. We plan to head out there the second weekend in August. Life is good. Chris absolutely loves his new job and we love our new house that we are renting in Ranchlands. I am working 3 shifts a week at the Rockyview right now which is a bit much but I feel I need to get a little more seniority. We love having Nathan live with us. He is an awesome uncle to Caeleb and Caeleb and him are great friends. They love to play hide and seek. Caeleb is at a fun age. He was jabbering on and on today. He says quite a bit but I can only pick out a few words that make sense - Car is still at the top of the list but he loves to say outside words like rock, lide (for slide), bus, pane (plane), tain (train), and lots of animal sounds and words. We went on the train today and he always loves his walks and train rides. We miss mom and dad (Nana and Grandpa - or Papa as Caeleb says), but we are so grateful for the awesome technology of skyping. Caeleb likes to give his Nana and Grandpa kisses and hugs on the screen. And he runs around the couch and dances for them.
We have some good news. We are going to have another little one. We are 12 weeks, 4 days (at the ultrasound today). I have had some complications. I have a subchorionic hematoma which is pretty large so I will see a specialist. And there are always the risks like miscarraige and preterm birth with that. But we are being optomistic even if things sometimes don't go the way we want - like last time. But Chris is a very optomistic person and I look to his example. Anyways, we are excited and we wanted to share that with you. We hope that you are all doing well. I miss you all. I really do. Love Katherine
August 17 2012. Dear Family, So we had an ultrasound today. I am just over 19 weeks along. And it is a BABY GIRL! We are really excited!! But we are a bit worried and confused as well. The Radiologist told us that along with the large Hematoma covering the cervix, and a lower lying placenta, the baby has a choriod plexus cyst in the brain. I don't think this would be that bad if it was the only thing, but the doctor said it may be an indication of trisomy 18 which has a very small chance of survival to birth and babies usually only live a short time. He didn't say what the probability is for our baby having this. Anyways, we would love any little baby with any trisomy or monosomy, etc or any problem at all, but we are praying that all will be okay. We just want our baby to live! (I don't mean to be selfish but who wouldn't want that, right). I have a specialist appointment on Monday and maybe she can give us more information. We are being positive. After all, it is just an increased chance and we will have more ultrasounds later to give us more information. I just thought you all should know. Thank you for your support and love. Love Katherine.
August 20 2012. Dear Family. So I had my specialist appointment today and it went really well. The Nurse and Doctor were both so kind and reassuring. They said that they would monitor the baby closely but that even though my risk of trisomy 18 is a bit greater than normal, I should not be worried about it. They were so positive and they think eveything will be just fine in that area. They will watch the cyst and the baby. The doctor was a lot more worried about the hematoma -clot. I left a bit confused because she first started out by saying that I should still go to work but that I should be on light duties. Then a few minutes later, she decided I should not work until I am at least 24 weeks along (4 weeks from now) because if I did go into preterm labor, a baby will not usually survive before 24 weeks and I would feel horrible if I had been working and went into labor. They are concerned that I may go in to preterm labor. I guess it happens quite a bit with these clots??? Well, baby does come first so I will take it easy.
Thank you for your support and prayers. I have sure felt them. We feel so blessed to have our family. We hope that we can always be there for you as you have been there for us. I will let you know how things continue to go. Love Katherine
September 10 2012. Hello family,
Hope you are all doing great! Just thought I would give you an update on baby girl. I was bleeding again two weeks ago and so we were a bit nervous for a while but it actually turned out to be a good thing. I had an ultrasound last Wednesday and it showed that the large hematoma was gone. Yeah!! I asked the doctor today if I should go back to work and she said no as I am still high risk (even though I really don't feel like I am now). So I will just take my maternity leave early and go back a bit early. I am going to take a Nursing module from Grant MacEwan in the next few months so that I can continue to learn and grow in nursing. I am a very forgetful person and have found it very hard to come back to nursing after breaks (mission and Caeleb). But most importantly, I will have this time with Caeleb. That is so important and I am excited for that. He is so funny. He is a rambler even though he is often the only one who knows what he is saying. He turns 2 on Friday (Chris does too but Caeleb kind of stole his birthday). Uncle Nathan is awesome and got Caeleb a power wheels jeep so that he can be like his uncle Nathan (who has a jeep). He had to give it to Caeleb early as he was so excited about giving it to him. We are excited to go to the temple open house in October. I went to the hospital and invited some of my coworkers today. We wish that you could all come to Calgary and experience it. Maybe Aunt Brenda, Uncle Gord and family and Uncle Ken, Aunt Sandy and family could come down from Edmonton. You are more than welcome to come and visit and stay with us. We want to thank everyone for their prayers. We love you all. Love Katherine
Sept 13 2012. I just thought you should know that I am at the hospital again. I am bleeding pretty good and I am staying over. I don't know what is going to happen but I would appreciate your prayers at this time for baby girl. Love Katherine
Sept 15 2012. Dear Family. So, I got home yesterday afternoon. I am doing really good. So is baby. Not much bleeding now. The doctor wants me to take it even easier for a while which is a little tricky with Caeleb as he just turned into a busy busy two year old. Yep, Caeleb was 2 yesterday and Chris turned ??? (just kidding, I know how old he is). I felt sad because I was not able to do my original plans for my birthday boys. So it ended up being a Chinese take out (Thanks mom and dad), and Dairy Queen ice cream cake birthday party on the spur of the moment. Chris and I had bought Caeleb his birthday present a few weeks ago so we were set. He opened a wooden train set and him and uncle Nathan set it up and played with it for a while. He loves it! He is such a good little trooper and it was so good to see him again. Thanks for you kind words, love and support. Love Katherine
Sept 17 2012. Well, I thought I sent you an email this morning but I don't think it sent. I started bleeding yesterday at 5:00 pm and it was more than last time so back we went to Foothills. They are getting to know me there. They gave me IV fluids and they even gave me a steriod shot which will mature baby girl's lungs just in case she needs to come early. It works in 48 hours and the positive effects last for about a week. They were not going to give me it last time because they didn't think things were going to come to that but the possibility of preterm birth increases each time I bleed it seems. Right now baby seems to be okay and I pray that she is growing and getting the nutrition she needs. That is really what I am worried about. She is so small, 24 weeks today, and needs more time inside. The ultrasound today showed a bigger hematoma as well as the one from Thursday which is getting smaller (which is good). I am not sure how long I will be here but the doctor mentioned a week so we will see. The bleeding has almost stopped again. Camellia is with Caeleb today and tommorrow and he always loves being with his cousin so that is good. Nathan was telling Chris that last night, when we were gone, Caeleb was so tired that he comes to Nathan around 7:00 pm and took his finger and led him to his crib. He wanted up and to go to sleep. Caeleb is so good for his uncle Nathan and I had to laugh at that one. Caeleb is such a cute little boy. Nathan is a great uncle! Love you all. Just want to keep you updated. Love Katherine
Sept 18 2012. Dear Mom and Dad. I am doing really well. The bleeding is pretty much stopped. So maybe I will go home tommorrow. I have two doctors and one was the one who helped with the DandE in January. They are both so kind and good. I am just taking it easy. Chris and the Elders Quorem president gave me a blessing last night so that was nice. Baby is doing well. We are keeping positive and I feel good. We just take it one day at a time but little girl is a fighter and I guess if I bleed again, I will know what to do - go to the hospital. But be assured we are all doing well. I love you tons and I hope that you are enjoying Korea. Love Katherine
Sept 18 2012. Hi Mom and Dad, Camellia, Sterling and Caeleb just visited. Now Camellia and Sterling are headed home so she can go to work tommorrow and Chris just picked up Caeleb. They are so good to have come up to be with Caeleb. Tommorrow and Thursday Caeleb will be at the Radfords and then Kamille said she could take him on Friday. We have been so blessed that everyone can chip in to help. I hope that I can be that way when others are in need. I was talking to Camellia today and we were remembering how when we were on our missions, and Dad broke his legs, we felt devastated that we could not be there to help. But I know I felt that everything would be okay and that I was where I needed to be. That is the case now. You are where you need to be and we will all be blessed. I love you tons. Love Katherine
Sept 19 2012. Hi Mom and Dad, I am still here but the bleeding really is about stopped so I should be able to go home tommorrow maybe. Originally they wanted me to wait until Monday so I could have another ultrasound here but the bed could probably be used for someone else especially since I only live 10 minutes away. Well, those are my thoughts anyways. I watched Anne of Green Gables today and I have gone for walks on the unit and I am reading my book on President Monson. My Relief Society President found out about me too and she visited today and brought me flowers. What a sweetheart. Baby girl is doing well. Hopefully we are done with all of this back and forth. In a way it has been a good experience here because I can learn from the Nurses and see what it is like to be a patient. That should help me with my nursing in the future - don't you think. It makes me want to go back to work in a way. But really, what I want for now is to have this baby be healthy and strong. A little grandaughter for you. I love you and hope that you are happy and healthy. Love Katherine
Sept 20 2012. Hi Mom and Dad, Well, I am still here. Dr. Fay wants to keep me until Sunday and I didn't question her. I really like her and Dr. LeSuer and I don't question what they say. I did tell the nurse that if they need the bed for someone else, I could go as I live close. I think she thought I was being rediculous. I was just throwing it out there. I think they have their protocols and such. I don't really know this but perhaps lst bleed is a two day stay, second bleed is a week and a nurse told me that on the 3rd bleed they keep you until you deliver - 3 strikes your in (yikes). But I am doing really well. I been having some bleeding the last 2 days but it is old stuff and really is not alot at all. Baby is doing really well. I will have an ultrasound on Monday and that is what I am a bit nervous about because we want little girl to be growing. I think she is though. Well, Caeleb is at the Radfords today while the boys are at work. I miss him. I miss home. But now I can relate more to my patients who have to been in the hospital for a while. I need to shower and then walk around a bit. I figure I will be more active at home so I should do the same here. I love you both so much. Love Katherine
Sept 22 2012. Hi Family, So I have a funny story to tell today. I was on day pass from the hospital from 1000 until later afternoon which I found to really hilarious in itself because the doctor is planning to discharge me tommorrow anyways. I guess she just wanted to give me a test run at home to see if I overdid anything and started bleeding again. Be assured that I am doing great. Bleeding is pretty much gone (for good hopefully) and I feel great today! Chris and Caeleb picked me up and we went home this morning. Nathan made us a slow cooked roast beef lunch which was delicious and Caeleb entertained me in the afternoon before it was time to go back to the hospital. As I was in our room getting ready to go back, Caeleb comes running into the room, trips and falls and slashes his forehead on the corner of a wall. I assessed the situation and found out that the gash was long, deep and bleeding pretty good (I guess he figured it was his turn to bleed - te he he). It needed stitches. So instead of heading right back to Foothills, we detoured to the walk-in clinic right by our house (which I have come to know very well during this pregnancy as I have had baby's heartrate checked alot there - I have been a little paranoid since January). They saw him right away which was nice because if we had gone to the Children's Hospital I am sure we would have still been there now (3 hours later). Alot of crying and kicking and screaming was involved but our Caeleb got 3 stitches in his forehead and a big
bandage to cover it all up. As sad as the experience was, he does look adorable with the big bandage on his forehead. He was so exhausted by that tramatic experience that he fell asleep almost as soon as he got home. I joked with the nurses when I got back to Foothills that if that experience doesn't cause more bleeding or preterm labor, nothing will and I am set for the remainder of the pregnancy. Well, I just thought you would get a kick out of that. It is funny the little things that happen in life that lead us from one moment to the next. Another funny thing that happened today was that my nurse today was the sister of a really good friend when I was growing up in Champion. I remember that my labor nurse with Caeleb was my preceptor for my NICU rotation when I was doing nursing at BYUI (I had not seen her in 5 years and she had moved up to Calgary from Idaho without me knowing). The world just keeps on getting smaller and smaller.I hope you all enjoyed your Saturday. Love Katherine
Sept 24 2012. Hi Family, I am home from the hospital (yesterday). Yeah! I had an ultrasound today. It went okay. Baby girl is still growing at a pretty good rate so that is good. She is a little trouper. I still have a large Hematoma right by the placenta. The doctor thinks the bleeding causing the hematoma is from the placenta and she indicated that the placenta could look healthier but for now everything is goingon as it should. The thing that could go wrong is that baby girl does not get the nutrients she needs to grow and be strong from the affected placenta but we are praying that she continues to be okay and gets all she needs to grow. She weighs one pound and 11 ounzes today. Every ounze counts! It is amazing what they can tell from an ultrasound. I have an ultrasound next Wednesday. I feel like this is a rollercoaster ride but we count our blessings and pray also that we will know what to do as time goes on. Caeleb is a little trouper too. He is at his babysitters today. I miss him. It's funny how one can miss caring for children, housework, driving, preparing meals, etc, when that is put on the not to do list for a while. I guess my standards of an organized house will have to be lowered for a while but I will do anything for baby. She is moving around right now. That is always reassuring to feel. I think the steroid shots they gave her last week gave her some strength because she has some good kicks at times. Too bad she won't qualify for olympic kickboxing because she has been using steroids. Just kidding - te he he. Well, I feel like we are all getting to know baby girl so much before she even arrives. She is a special little girl and I think we all love her a lot already. I know that cousin Sarah is having her little boy on Wednesday and our thoughts and prayers are with her. That is sooo exciting! Love you, Katherine
I worked pretty hard from the middle of June to the end of July. Then we took a week off and Camellia, Sterling and Nathan joined us for the August long weekend camping by the Shuswap lake in BC. We played at a beach there, went to church on Sunday and enjoyed campfire meals, sleeping in a tent and a relaxing weekend. Then on August 6th Nathan, Camellia and Sterling went back to Calgary and Chris, Caeleb and I continued on to Victoria. We spent the week there and went to Nathanial and Suzanne’s wedding on Saturday August 11. It was the probably the most expensive wedding I have been too. And very elegant. It was at a winery and after the 2:30 wedding, there were hordevers and cocktails and then a buffet supper at 6:00 and a dance after. Suzanne looked beautiful in her dress. It will be fun to have her part of the family.
I was supposed to go back to work on August 16 and 17th but had a turn of events. I had an ultrasound on August 16th and we found out that we are having a baby girl. We are really excited. Maybe little Lilly is making a comeback. The perinatologist was worried about the large Hematoma that was still covering my cervix and the cyst on the babies brain. I was also getting over a bad cold and really bad cough so I am sure it would not have been a good idea to go back to work as I sounded horrible. I had to cancel my shift that day. My lst appointment with my OB/GYN on Monday August 20th left me with a Doctor’s note stating that I should not be working. I guess Dr. Albretch thinks I should not be working because of that bleed. So I guess I will take an early sick/maternity leave and just take this time to enjoy Caeleb and prepare for baby girl.
The month of August and September has brought a rollercoaster of events and I have summed them up in letters I have written to my family.
June 29th 2012 (starting with the first letter to the family about this new adventure) Dear Family,
I hope all is going well for all of you. We had fun visitng with Aunt Marilyn, Uncle Gord and Aunt Sharan when they came up to Calgary. I would love to go on a road trip and go down to Utah and up to Edmonton to visit family but Chris has not been at his new job for too long and he does not have alot of vacation time saved up so our summer vacation this year will be a short trip to Victoria for Chris' brother's wedding. We plan to head out there the second weekend in August. Life is good. Chris absolutely loves his new job and we love our new house that we are renting in Ranchlands. I am working 3 shifts a week at the Rockyview right now which is a bit much but I feel I need to get a little more seniority. We love having Nathan live with us. He is an awesome uncle to Caeleb and Caeleb and him are great friends. They love to play hide and seek. Caeleb is at a fun age. He was jabbering on and on today. He says quite a bit but I can only pick out a few words that make sense - Car is still at the top of the list but he loves to say outside words like rock, lide (for slide), bus, pane (plane), tain (train), and lots of animal sounds and words. We went on the train today and he always loves his walks and train rides. We miss mom and dad (Nana and Grandpa - or Papa as Caeleb says), but we are so grateful for the awesome technology of skyping. Caeleb likes to give his Nana and Grandpa kisses and hugs on the screen. And he runs around the couch and dances for them.
We have some good news. We are going to have another little one. We are 12 weeks, 4 days (at the ultrasound today). I have had some complications. I have a subchorionic hematoma which is pretty large so I will see a specialist. And there are always the risks like miscarraige and preterm birth with that. But we are being optomistic even if things sometimes don't go the way we want - like last time. But Chris is a very optomistic person and I look to his example. Anyways, we are excited and we wanted to share that with you. We hope that you are all doing well. I miss you all. I really do. Love Katherine
August 17 2012. Dear Family, So we had an ultrasound today. I am just over 19 weeks along. And it is a BABY GIRL! We are really excited!! But we are a bit worried and confused as well. The Radiologist told us that along with the large Hematoma covering the cervix, and a lower lying placenta, the baby has a choriod plexus cyst in the brain. I don't think this would be that bad if it was the only thing, but the doctor said it may be an indication of trisomy 18 which has a very small chance of survival to birth and babies usually only live a short time. He didn't say what the probability is for our baby having this. Anyways, we would love any little baby with any trisomy or monosomy, etc or any problem at all, but we are praying that all will be okay. We just want our baby to live! (I don't mean to be selfish but who wouldn't want that, right). I have a specialist appointment on Monday and maybe she can give us more information. We are being positive. After all, it is just an increased chance and we will have more ultrasounds later to give us more information. I just thought you all should know. Thank you for your support and love. Love Katherine.
August 20 2012. Dear Family. So I had my specialist appointment today and it went really well. The Nurse and Doctor were both so kind and reassuring. They said that they would monitor the baby closely but that even though my risk of trisomy 18 is a bit greater than normal, I should not be worried about it. They were so positive and they think eveything will be just fine in that area. They will watch the cyst and the baby. The doctor was a lot more worried about the hematoma -clot. I left a bit confused because she first started out by saying that I should still go to work but that I should be on light duties. Then a few minutes later, she decided I should not work until I am at least 24 weeks along (4 weeks from now) because if I did go into preterm labor, a baby will not usually survive before 24 weeks and I would feel horrible if I had been working and went into labor. They are concerned that I may go in to preterm labor. I guess it happens quite a bit with these clots??? Well, baby does come first so I will take it easy.
Thank you for your support and prayers. I have sure felt them. We feel so blessed to have our family. We hope that we can always be there for you as you have been there for us. I will let you know how things continue to go. Love Katherine
September 10 2012. Hello family,
Hope you are all doing great! Just thought I would give you an update on baby girl. I was bleeding again two weeks ago and so we were a bit nervous for a while but it actually turned out to be a good thing. I had an ultrasound last Wednesday and it showed that the large hematoma was gone. Yeah!! I asked the doctor today if I should go back to work and she said no as I am still high risk (even though I really don't feel like I am now). So I will just take my maternity leave early and go back a bit early. I am going to take a Nursing module from Grant MacEwan in the next few months so that I can continue to learn and grow in nursing. I am a very forgetful person and have found it very hard to come back to nursing after breaks (mission and Caeleb). But most importantly, I will have this time with Caeleb. That is so important and I am excited for that. He is so funny. He is a rambler even though he is often the only one who knows what he is saying. He turns 2 on Friday (Chris does too but Caeleb kind of stole his birthday). Uncle Nathan is awesome and got Caeleb a power wheels jeep so that he can be like his uncle Nathan (who has a jeep). He had to give it to Caeleb early as he was so excited about giving it to him. We are excited to go to the temple open house in October. I went to the hospital and invited some of my coworkers today. We wish that you could all come to Calgary and experience it. Maybe Aunt Brenda, Uncle Gord and family and Uncle Ken, Aunt Sandy and family could come down from Edmonton. You are more than welcome to come and visit and stay with us. We want to thank everyone for their prayers. We love you all. Love Katherine
Sept 13 2012. I just thought you should know that I am at the hospital again. I am bleeding pretty good and I am staying over. I don't know what is going to happen but I would appreciate your prayers at this time for baby girl. Love Katherine
Sept 15 2012. Dear Family. So, I got home yesterday afternoon. I am doing really good. So is baby. Not much bleeding now. The doctor wants me to take it even easier for a while which is a little tricky with Caeleb as he just turned into a busy busy two year old. Yep, Caeleb was 2 yesterday and Chris turned ??? (just kidding, I know how old he is). I felt sad because I was not able to do my original plans for my birthday boys. So it ended up being a Chinese take out (Thanks mom and dad), and Dairy Queen ice cream cake birthday party on the spur of the moment. Chris and I had bought Caeleb his birthday present a few weeks ago so we were set. He opened a wooden train set and him and uncle Nathan set it up and played with it for a while. He loves it! He is such a good little trooper and it was so good to see him again. Thanks for you kind words, love and support. Love Katherine
Sept 17 2012. Well, I thought I sent you an email this morning but I don't think it sent. I started bleeding yesterday at 5:00 pm and it was more than last time so back we went to Foothills. They are getting to know me there. They gave me IV fluids and they even gave me a steriod shot which will mature baby girl's lungs just in case she needs to come early. It works in 48 hours and the positive effects last for about a week. They were not going to give me it last time because they didn't think things were going to come to that but the possibility of preterm birth increases each time I bleed it seems. Right now baby seems to be okay and I pray that she is growing and getting the nutrition she needs. That is really what I am worried about. She is so small, 24 weeks today, and needs more time inside. The ultrasound today showed a bigger hematoma as well as the one from Thursday which is getting smaller (which is good). I am not sure how long I will be here but the doctor mentioned a week so we will see. The bleeding has almost stopped again. Camellia is with Caeleb today and tommorrow and he always loves being with his cousin so that is good. Nathan was telling Chris that last night, when we were gone, Caeleb was so tired that he comes to Nathan around 7:00 pm and took his finger and led him to his crib. He wanted up and to go to sleep. Caeleb is so good for his uncle Nathan and I had to laugh at that one. Caeleb is such a cute little boy. Nathan is a great uncle! Love you all. Just want to keep you updated. Love Katherine
Sept 18 2012. Dear Mom and Dad. I am doing really well. The bleeding is pretty much stopped. So maybe I will go home tommorrow. I have two doctors and one was the one who helped with the DandE in January. They are both so kind and good. I am just taking it easy. Chris and the Elders Quorem president gave me a blessing last night so that was nice. Baby is doing well. We are keeping positive and I feel good. We just take it one day at a time but little girl is a fighter and I guess if I bleed again, I will know what to do - go to the hospital. But be assured we are all doing well. I love you tons and I hope that you are enjoying Korea. Love Katherine
Sept 18 2012. Hi Mom and Dad, Camellia, Sterling and Caeleb just visited. Now Camellia and Sterling are headed home so she can go to work tommorrow and Chris just picked up Caeleb. They are so good to have come up to be with Caeleb. Tommorrow and Thursday Caeleb will be at the Radfords and then Kamille said she could take him on Friday. We have been so blessed that everyone can chip in to help. I hope that I can be that way when others are in need. I was talking to Camellia today and we were remembering how when we were on our missions, and Dad broke his legs, we felt devastated that we could not be there to help. But I know I felt that everything would be okay and that I was where I needed to be. That is the case now. You are where you need to be and we will all be blessed. I love you tons. Love Katherine
Sept 19 2012. Hi Mom and Dad, I am still here but the bleeding really is about stopped so I should be able to go home tommorrow maybe. Originally they wanted me to wait until Monday so I could have another ultrasound here but the bed could probably be used for someone else especially since I only live 10 minutes away. Well, those are my thoughts anyways. I watched Anne of Green Gables today and I have gone for walks on the unit and I am reading my book on President Monson. My Relief Society President found out about me too and she visited today and brought me flowers. What a sweetheart. Baby girl is doing well. Hopefully we are done with all of this back and forth. In a way it has been a good experience here because I can learn from the Nurses and see what it is like to be a patient. That should help me with my nursing in the future - don't you think. It makes me want to go back to work in a way. But really, what I want for now is to have this baby be healthy and strong. A little grandaughter for you. I love you and hope that you are happy and healthy. Love Katherine
Sept 20 2012. Hi Mom and Dad, Well, I am still here. Dr. Fay wants to keep me until Sunday and I didn't question her. I really like her and Dr. LeSuer and I don't question what they say. I did tell the nurse that if they need the bed for someone else, I could go as I live close. I think she thought I was being rediculous. I was just throwing it out there. I think they have their protocols and such. I don't really know this but perhaps lst bleed is a two day stay, second bleed is a week and a nurse told me that on the 3rd bleed they keep you until you deliver - 3 strikes your in (yikes). But I am doing really well. I been having some bleeding the last 2 days but it is old stuff and really is not alot at all. Baby is doing really well. I will have an ultrasound on Monday and that is what I am a bit nervous about because we want little girl to be growing. I think she is though. Well, Caeleb is at the Radfords today while the boys are at work. I miss him. I miss home. But now I can relate more to my patients who have to been in the hospital for a while. I need to shower and then walk around a bit. I figure I will be more active at home so I should do the same here. I love you both so much. Love Katherine
Sept 22 2012. Hi Family, So I have a funny story to tell today. I was on day pass from the hospital from 1000 until later afternoon which I found to really hilarious in itself because the doctor is planning to discharge me tommorrow anyways. I guess she just wanted to give me a test run at home to see if I overdid anything and started bleeding again. Be assured that I am doing great. Bleeding is pretty much gone (for good hopefully) and I feel great today! Chris and Caeleb picked me up and we went home this morning. Nathan made us a slow cooked roast beef lunch which was delicious and Caeleb entertained me in the afternoon before it was time to go back to the hospital. As I was in our room getting ready to go back, Caeleb comes running into the room, trips and falls and slashes his forehead on the corner of a wall. I assessed the situation and found out that the gash was long, deep and bleeding pretty good (I guess he figured it was his turn to bleed - te he he). It needed stitches. So instead of heading right back to Foothills, we detoured to the walk-in clinic right by our house (which I have come to know very well during this pregnancy as I have had baby's heartrate checked alot there - I have been a little paranoid since January). They saw him right away which was nice because if we had gone to the Children's Hospital I am sure we would have still been there now (3 hours later). Alot of crying and kicking and screaming was involved but our Caeleb got 3 stitches in his forehead and a big
bandage to cover it all up. As sad as the experience was, he does look adorable with the big bandage on his forehead. He was so exhausted by that tramatic experience that he fell asleep almost as soon as he got home. I joked with the nurses when I got back to Foothills that if that experience doesn't cause more bleeding or preterm labor, nothing will and I am set for the remainder of the pregnancy. Well, I just thought you would get a kick out of that. It is funny the little things that happen in life that lead us from one moment to the next. Another funny thing that happened today was that my nurse today was the sister of a really good friend when I was growing up in Champion. I remember that my labor nurse with Caeleb was my preceptor for my NICU rotation when I was doing nursing at BYUI (I had not seen her in 5 years and she had moved up to Calgary from Idaho without me knowing). The world just keeps on getting smaller and smaller.I hope you all enjoyed your Saturday. Love Katherine
Sept 24 2012. Hi Family, I am home from the hospital (yesterday). Yeah! I had an ultrasound today. It went okay. Baby girl is still growing at a pretty good rate so that is good. She is a little trouper. I still have a large Hematoma right by the placenta. The doctor thinks the bleeding causing the hematoma is from the placenta and she indicated that the placenta could look healthier but for now everything is goingon as it should. The thing that could go wrong is that baby girl does not get the nutrients she needs to grow and be strong from the affected placenta but we are praying that she continues to be okay and gets all she needs to grow. She weighs one pound and 11 ounzes today. Every ounze counts! It is amazing what they can tell from an ultrasound. I have an ultrasound next Wednesday. I feel like this is a rollercoaster ride but we count our blessings and pray also that we will know what to do as time goes on. Caeleb is a little trouper too. He is at his babysitters today. I miss him. It's funny how one can miss caring for children, housework, driving, preparing meals, etc, when that is put on the not to do list for a while. I guess my standards of an organized house will have to be lowered for a while but I will do anything for baby. She is moving around right now. That is always reassuring to feel. I think the steroid shots they gave her last week gave her some strength because she has some good kicks at times. Too bad she won't qualify for olympic kickboxing because she has been using steroids. Just kidding - te he he. Well, I feel like we are all getting to know baby girl so much before she even arrives. She is a special little girl and I think we all love her a lot already. I know that cousin Sarah is having her little boy on Wednesday and our thoughts and prayers are with her. That is sooo exciting! Love you, Katherine
Going back in time part 11: February - July 2012
February 7
Today I just want to let everyone know how blessed I feel. I feel like I have been hiding these feelings deep inside and for some unknown reason have not been able or willing to tap into them. I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life. What a blessing it is to live with a knowledge and hope that we all have a special purpose in this life and forever after. Our Heavenly Father and our older brother Jesus Christ can be our best friends no matter what happens to our family and friends in this life. I feel so blessed for my husband, for his unconditional love for me, for his purity and goodness. I look to him as one who is steadfast and immovable, who loves the Lord and does not care what the world thinks. I love him so much and I completely trust him to lead our family in the ways of the Lord. I feel so blessed for my snuggly little Caeleb who brightens up each day for us and helps us live life to the fullest through the eyes of a little child. I am grateful for my parents, for their examples. We love going to the farm to see them! We feel so loved, cozy, safe and secure there and Caeleb loves his Nana and Grandpa and he so looks forward to seeing them. I am grateful for my Brother Nathan and for the friend he has become as we have lived together this last year. He is such a good uncle to Caeleb (Caeleb’s face lights up when he sees him coming home from work) and he has given me such good advice when I have needed it in my life. I am grateful for my sister and for the friend she is. We can talk and laugh all day and I miss her when she has to go from our visits. I love to look at how she is a mother and what a wonderful job she does at raising her Sterling and how she talks to him and I can see so much love in her eyes for him. It is fun to watch Chris and Doug as fathers. They are both such good Fathers. They take so much time out of their days for their little guys.
Feb 21 2012
We went to the farm after work on Sunday for family day Monday. Caeleb has stayed with Nana and grandpa these last few days and has learned a few words. I would say his first words have been Mama and Dada but he only uses them in context every once and a while with no specific reason. However, Kitty and Car have made their entrance after a week on the farm. It was a good relaxing day yesterday. We went on lots of walks around the farm and Caeleb liked playing with chickens and throwing rocks.
Feb 23 2012
I talked to mom on the phone today. They are patiently waiting for their mission call. More patient than me that’s for sure. I am excited to see where they are going and what they are going to be doing!! Mom gave me some valuable advice on the phone today. She said, “One thing I have been blessed with in life is to be content.” I know that mom and dad have never been rich. We never went to Disneyland growing up or had fancy vehicles or went out to eat all the time. We did, however, have parents who taught that we did not need all of that in order to be happy. I want to be content with my life. I feel like I am compelled to work alot because scheduling is always calling me and I am casual status. Mom did not work outside the home very much when I was growing up. I know that our day and age is a little different with the cost of living getting out of hand but I do just want to work minimal hours. I have felt good with the making $1000 a month and I am doing a least twice that these days it seems. I want to work 6 shifts a month, not 12. I want to be home with my Caeleb, to be a mom and wife, to live a simple life. I do so want that. I want to be content with that.
June 2012
Wow, time is sure going fast. Mom and Dad left on their mission on May 4th. They have been out a month now. 17 more months to go. Sounds like they are enjoying Korea but mom says the smells are taking a bit to get used too. Caeleb is growing up fast. His vocabulary is increasing a little. He loves to run around the house and get into everything. He is a peoples person. He loves to be around other people! His favorite word is still Car which was his first word besides Dada and he also loves making animal noises. We went to the zoo a few weeks ago with Wendy and her 3 boys and so Caeleb has added Elephant, Lion, Tiger, and Monkey noises to his vocabulary. He also has been saying, “awgone (all gone), uh-oh, agan (again) for the last 2 months or so. He won’t say water yet but needs to learn as it is a guessing game to try and know what he wants when he wants water. He loves going to Nursery!
I found out I was pregnant again on May 14. I just wasn’t feeling well and feel blessed for having that reason as to why I was not feeling well. I started bleeding two days later when I was at work and my manager sent me to Emerg where I found out I had a subchorionic bleed and the Emerg Doctor was not very hopeful. But I have taken almost a month off of work and things are going a lot better now. We are praying and appreciating the prayers of our family and friends. I am nervous because of what happened last time around. I do count my blessing though having my Chris and Caeleb. Life is good and always is if you look at it the right way. We moved out of the Drapers house the last week in May. Kurt moved back home to Victoria and Nathan is living with us in a Duplex in Ranchlands. We loved the Drapers and feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to live there. But, I needed this change, to have a place of my own to decorate and make mine. I have enjoyed putting my pictures up. I love the picture of the Temples that we have been too that Chris made for me on our 2 month anniversary. And I love the picture of Grandmas house on the farm and of my Lily from Ecuador.
July 18 2012.
Caeleb is so funny. He is sort of learning how to count. Well, if you call 2,3,2,3 counting. He loves rocks and when we are out for our walks, he likes to collect any and every rock there is around. We lined up about 10 rocks he had collected at the park today and I was counting them. Then he decided to count them too – “2,3,2,3,2,3.” He is a cutie. He loves the water now (he was having a scared of water phase at about 3 months ago that lasted for several months. But with this hot weather, he can’t resist it. A few nights ago, he asked Daddy for a bath by running to Daddy and then to the bath and back and forth and putting his toys in the bath. He says bath sometimes too.
Today I just want to let everyone know how blessed I feel. I feel like I have been hiding these feelings deep inside and for some unknown reason have not been able or willing to tap into them. I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life. What a blessing it is to live with a knowledge and hope that we all have a special purpose in this life and forever after. Our Heavenly Father and our older brother Jesus Christ can be our best friends no matter what happens to our family and friends in this life. I feel so blessed for my husband, for his unconditional love for me, for his purity and goodness. I look to him as one who is steadfast and immovable, who loves the Lord and does not care what the world thinks. I love him so much and I completely trust him to lead our family in the ways of the Lord. I feel so blessed for my snuggly little Caeleb who brightens up each day for us and helps us live life to the fullest through the eyes of a little child. I am grateful for my parents, for their examples. We love going to the farm to see them! We feel so loved, cozy, safe and secure there and Caeleb loves his Nana and Grandpa and he so looks forward to seeing them. I am grateful for my Brother Nathan and for the friend he has become as we have lived together this last year. He is such a good uncle to Caeleb (Caeleb’s face lights up when he sees him coming home from work) and he has given me such good advice when I have needed it in my life. I am grateful for my sister and for the friend she is. We can talk and laugh all day and I miss her when she has to go from our visits. I love to look at how she is a mother and what a wonderful job she does at raising her Sterling and how she talks to him and I can see so much love in her eyes for him. It is fun to watch Chris and Doug as fathers. They are both such good Fathers. They take so much time out of their days for their little guys.
Feb 21 2012
We went to the farm after work on Sunday for family day Monday. Caeleb has stayed with Nana and grandpa these last few days and has learned a few words. I would say his first words have been Mama and Dada but he only uses them in context every once and a while with no specific reason. However, Kitty and Car have made their entrance after a week on the farm. It was a good relaxing day yesterday. We went on lots of walks around the farm and Caeleb liked playing with chickens and throwing rocks.
Feb 23 2012
I talked to mom on the phone today. They are patiently waiting for their mission call. More patient than me that’s for sure. I am excited to see where they are going and what they are going to be doing!! Mom gave me some valuable advice on the phone today. She said, “One thing I have been blessed with in life is to be content.” I know that mom and dad have never been rich. We never went to Disneyland growing up or had fancy vehicles or went out to eat all the time. We did, however, have parents who taught that we did not need all of that in order to be happy. I want to be content with my life. I feel like I am compelled to work alot because scheduling is always calling me and I am casual status. Mom did not work outside the home very much when I was growing up. I know that our day and age is a little different with the cost of living getting out of hand but I do just want to work minimal hours. I have felt good with the making $1000 a month and I am doing a least twice that these days it seems. I want to work 6 shifts a month, not 12. I want to be home with my Caeleb, to be a mom and wife, to live a simple life. I do so want that. I want to be content with that.
June 2012
Wow, time is sure going fast. Mom and Dad left on their mission on May 4th. They have been out a month now. 17 more months to go. Sounds like they are enjoying Korea but mom says the smells are taking a bit to get used too. Caeleb is growing up fast. His vocabulary is increasing a little. He loves to run around the house and get into everything. He is a peoples person. He loves to be around other people! His favorite word is still Car which was his first word besides Dada and he also loves making animal noises. We went to the zoo a few weeks ago with Wendy and her 3 boys and so Caeleb has added Elephant, Lion, Tiger, and Monkey noises to his vocabulary. He also has been saying, “awgone (all gone), uh-oh, agan (again) for the last 2 months or so. He won’t say water yet but needs to learn as it is a guessing game to try and know what he wants when he wants water. He loves going to Nursery!
I found out I was pregnant again on May 14. I just wasn’t feeling well and feel blessed for having that reason as to why I was not feeling well. I started bleeding two days later when I was at work and my manager sent me to Emerg where I found out I had a subchorionic bleed and the Emerg Doctor was not very hopeful. But I have taken almost a month off of work and things are going a lot better now. We are praying and appreciating the prayers of our family and friends. I am nervous because of what happened last time around. I do count my blessing though having my Chris and Caeleb. Life is good and always is if you look at it the right way. We moved out of the Drapers house the last week in May. Kurt moved back home to Victoria and Nathan is living with us in a Duplex in Ranchlands. We loved the Drapers and feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to live there. But, I needed this change, to have a place of my own to decorate and make mine. I have enjoyed putting my pictures up. I love the picture of the Temples that we have been too that Chris made for me on our 2 month anniversary. And I love the picture of Grandmas house on the farm and of my Lily from Ecuador.
July 18 2012.
Caeleb is so funny. He is sort of learning how to count. Well, if you call 2,3,2,3 counting. He loves rocks and when we are out for our walks, he likes to collect any and every rock there is around. We lined up about 10 rocks he had collected at the park today and I was counting them. Then he decided to count them too – “2,3,2,3,2,3.” He is a cutie. He loves the water now (he was having a scared of water phase at about 3 months ago that lasted for several months. But with this hot weather, he can’t resist it. A few nights ago, he asked Daddy for a bath by running to Daddy and then to the bath and back and forth and putting his toys in the bath. He says bath sometimes too.
Going back in time part 10: January 2012. Sad news
January News (written Feb 6 2012).
We had some sad news this month. In the midst of the business of me staring work again in October and the continuing business of Chris’ school, we found out early November that we were expecting our second child. The 12.5 week ultrasound was Dec 9 and it showed a beautiful healthy baby moving around. More active than Caeleb was in his 12 week ultrasound. Chris and Caeleb were even able to see that ultrasound. We have been so excited to add to our family and felt so blessed to have a sibling for Caeleb close in age. However, on Tuesday Jan 17, one of the coldest days of the year, I felt like I should see the doctor for a check up. Don’t know why, no odd symptoms, just felt like I should see a doctor. He couldn’t hear a heartbeat and so I went for an urgent Ultrasound and we found out the baby died around 15 weeks. However, the baby will always be 17.5 weeks for me. I had no way of knowing anything was wrong. I have cried many tears and Chris a few as well but we feel blessed for all that we have. We have each other, Chris and I, and we have our little Caeleb who is such a joy in our life. And most important, even if we all had nothing else, we still have the gospel in our lives. Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ will always be there as our best friends no matter what happens in this life. I bore my testimony to my Young Women about this on February 5 as I feel that we all need to know that we have our Heavenly Father when everything or one may fail us at some point in our lives. He will always hear us and provide us with his tender mercies as answers for our sincere prayers. We can see these tender mercies everyday if we look for them.
I had a Dilation and Evacuation a week later on Jan 26. I ended up waiting all day Wednesday at the Foothills hospital day surgery to have my D and E but they sent us home and I ended up having it on Thursday morning. I was scared as it was my first minor surgery but Chris and Dad gave me a blessing and everything went okay. It was good to hang out with Chris those 2 days. He also took the day off when we found out the sad news and the day after. It is so great to be together and have each other. We watched, “it’s a wonderful life” while waiting in the hospital for the surgery. I also feel blessed to have that day and a half at day surgery as I was able to see other Nurses work and came to know that all Nurses have their good and not so good qualities and we all make silly mistakes in our work. The important thing is how we treat others. I was treated so well. It was a positive experience all things considering.
About a week after the D and E, a social worker called me from the Children’s hospital and said I “could come pick up my little girl.” I guess the little baby was a little girl and not boy. They can know for a surety through chromosome testing even when a DandE might jumble things up a bit and leave some things not intact. The chromosome testing done with the autopsy said it was a girl. Chris was a bit sad finding out it was a little girl – he sure wants a little girl to be his “daddy’s little girl”. But that will come too. And now we have our sweet memories of having had this special little girl in our life, thoughts and dreams, for a while. And I know that we will know that spirit and raise her in this life or the next, whatever Heavenly Father wills it to be. She will have a body again and we will be a part of her life. The lady at the Children’s said I could pick her up and bury her as we wish. She was in a little brown teddy bear box and I got to look at her and she was tiny tiny but beautiful too and I will always remember her tiny tiny tiny perfect foot. We named her little Lily Anne Watters and we are going to bury her under a memory tree at the farm that my dad picked out.
Life goes on, work and school go on and soon we will see what the next adventure is on our path as Chris graduates in a few weeks.
Caeleb is doing well. He loves to snuggle with mommy, daddy, Nana and Grandpa. And he loves to charge around the house in circles and sing and be the center of attention. He loves playing with other kids and when Stirling is around, he always seems to want to kiss him and sit on his head – silly little goo – can’t quite figure that one out. He makes his animal sounds pretty good now. Ruff, neigh, baaaa, cak (quack) are his favorites. Grandpa taught him some of those but still needs to teach him mooo. His hair is quite patchy. It is long in the back and sides and quite fuzzy and curly. In the front, however, it is strait and not much is there. We are seriously debating a first haircut for him but he does look so cute with his wild hair look.
We had some sad news this month. In the midst of the business of me staring work again in October and the continuing business of Chris’ school, we found out early November that we were expecting our second child. The 12.5 week ultrasound was Dec 9 and it showed a beautiful healthy baby moving around. More active than Caeleb was in his 12 week ultrasound. Chris and Caeleb were even able to see that ultrasound. We have been so excited to add to our family and felt so blessed to have a sibling for Caeleb close in age. However, on Tuesday Jan 17, one of the coldest days of the year, I felt like I should see the doctor for a check up. Don’t know why, no odd symptoms, just felt like I should see a doctor. He couldn’t hear a heartbeat and so I went for an urgent Ultrasound and we found out the baby died around 15 weeks. However, the baby will always be 17.5 weeks for me. I had no way of knowing anything was wrong. I have cried many tears and Chris a few as well but we feel blessed for all that we have. We have each other, Chris and I, and we have our little Caeleb who is such a joy in our life. And most important, even if we all had nothing else, we still have the gospel in our lives. Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ will always be there as our best friends no matter what happens in this life. I bore my testimony to my Young Women about this on February 5 as I feel that we all need to know that we have our Heavenly Father when everything or one may fail us at some point in our lives. He will always hear us and provide us with his tender mercies as answers for our sincere prayers. We can see these tender mercies everyday if we look for them.
I had a Dilation and Evacuation a week later on Jan 26. I ended up waiting all day Wednesday at the Foothills hospital day surgery to have my D and E but they sent us home and I ended up having it on Thursday morning. I was scared as it was my first minor surgery but Chris and Dad gave me a blessing and everything went okay. It was good to hang out with Chris those 2 days. He also took the day off when we found out the sad news and the day after. It is so great to be together and have each other. We watched, “it’s a wonderful life” while waiting in the hospital for the surgery. I also feel blessed to have that day and a half at day surgery as I was able to see other Nurses work and came to know that all Nurses have their good and not so good qualities and we all make silly mistakes in our work. The important thing is how we treat others. I was treated so well. It was a positive experience all things considering.
About a week after the D and E, a social worker called me from the Children’s hospital and said I “could come pick up my little girl.” I guess the little baby was a little girl and not boy. They can know for a surety through chromosome testing even when a DandE might jumble things up a bit and leave some things not intact. The chromosome testing done with the autopsy said it was a girl. Chris was a bit sad finding out it was a little girl – he sure wants a little girl to be his “daddy’s little girl”. But that will come too. And now we have our sweet memories of having had this special little girl in our life, thoughts and dreams, for a while. And I know that we will know that spirit and raise her in this life or the next, whatever Heavenly Father wills it to be. She will have a body again and we will be a part of her life. The lady at the Children’s said I could pick her up and bury her as we wish. She was in a little brown teddy bear box and I got to look at her and she was tiny tiny but beautiful too and I will always remember her tiny tiny tiny perfect foot. We named her little Lily Anne Watters and we are going to bury her under a memory tree at the farm that my dad picked out.
Life goes on, work and school go on and soon we will see what the next adventure is on our path as Chris graduates in a few weeks.
Caeleb is doing well. He loves to snuggle with mommy, daddy, Nana and Grandpa. And he loves to charge around the house in circles and sing and be the center of attention. He loves playing with other kids and when Stirling is around, he always seems to want to kiss him and sit on his head – silly little goo – can’t quite figure that one out. He makes his animal sounds pretty good now. Ruff, neigh, baaaa, cak (quack) are his favorites. Grandpa taught him some of those but still needs to teach him mooo. His hair is quite patchy. It is long in the back and sides and quite fuzzy and curly. In the front, however, it is strait and not much is there. We are seriously debating a first haircut for him but he does look so cute with his wild hair look.
Going back in time part 9: Christmas 2011
Christmas 2011
It was a wonderful Christmas this year. I worked quite a bit 2 weeks before Christmas at the Extendicare and the hospital. We left for the farm on Dec 22 and we were able to make it to Champion’s ward Christmas party which was a lot of fun to go to. We celebrated our Christmas morning on Saturday Dec 24 because Camellia, Doug and Sterling needed to go to celebrate with his family. It was a lovely Christmas “eve and morning.” We had a program on the evening of the 23rd and Camellia, Doug, Chris and me quoted and read stories and poems. Camellia and I sang Silver Bells and Caeleb did his dance to Deck the Halls. He even at times sang fa la la to the song. Then we read the Christmas story, had snacks and watched the Grinch. I fell asleep in the movie of course. I have been so tired lately.
We opened our stockings and had our Christmas morning Crepe breakfast on Dec 24. Nathan arrived for that and for opening presents. It was a perfect “Christmas Morning” with our family around. Caeleb really enjoyed opening gifts – any gifts. Not necessarily just his. He got a little train and Noah and the Arc book from Grandma and Grandpa Watters and he got a little suitcase to bring to Nana and Grandpa’s house when he goes there. We got a Train game from Wendy and her boys. Mom and Dad gave me some shirts and a book on Finances for Chris and I. Nathan gave us a gift certificate to Boston Pizza. Camellia and Doug gave us tickets to “My Fair Lady” in Cardston at the end of March. We gave Dad a Sunday shirt and Missionary journals for mom and dad. We gave Nathan speakers for his Jeep. I gave Camellia a little white figurine of two twins that I have seen at the Rockyview gift shop for the last 2 years and have wanted to get it for her ever since the 1st time I laid eyes on it. Kurt got Chris’ old shaver set and a box of Reece’s Pieces cereal – his favorite. Stirling got a little ring toy to play with. Aunt Marilyn got us girls necklaces. Aunt Sharan gave us some nuts and for Caeleb she got some books including a favorite of mine called “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”
Chris gave me a very special gift. He recorded a little video of himself on my phone. He said that he loved me and gave me a one night Banff experience with him for the next week including a massage and sleigh ride. I have always wanted to go on a sleigh ride!! Can cross that off my bucket list now.
We had a Turkey Supper at 2:00 pm and them Camellia and Doug had to leave. Chris and I went to Calgary to pick up Kurt from work and then we went home and had a low key Christmas Eve.
We went to Champion wards one hour Christmas day service at 11:00 am on Christmas Day (Sunday this year). Then we came home and had leftovers from our Christmas meal and we opened the rest of our gifts.
It was a wonderful Christmas this year. I worked quite a bit 2 weeks before Christmas at the Extendicare and the hospital. We left for the farm on Dec 22 and we were able to make it to Champion’s ward Christmas party which was a lot of fun to go to. We celebrated our Christmas morning on Saturday Dec 24 because Camellia, Doug and Sterling needed to go to celebrate with his family. It was a lovely Christmas “eve and morning.” We had a program on the evening of the 23rd and Camellia, Doug, Chris and me quoted and read stories and poems. Camellia and I sang Silver Bells and Caeleb did his dance to Deck the Halls. He even at times sang fa la la to the song. Then we read the Christmas story, had snacks and watched the Grinch. I fell asleep in the movie of course. I have been so tired lately.
We opened our stockings and had our Christmas morning Crepe breakfast on Dec 24. Nathan arrived for that and for opening presents. It was a perfect “Christmas Morning” with our family around. Caeleb really enjoyed opening gifts – any gifts. Not necessarily just his. He got a little train and Noah and the Arc book from Grandma and Grandpa Watters and he got a little suitcase to bring to Nana and Grandpa’s house when he goes there. We got a Train game from Wendy and her boys. Mom and Dad gave me some shirts and a book on Finances for Chris and I. Nathan gave us a gift certificate to Boston Pizza. Camellia and Doug gave us tickets to “My Fair Lady” in Cardston at the end of March. We gave Dad a Sunday shirt and Missionary journals for mom and dad. We gave Nathan speakers for his Jeep. I gave Camellia a little white figurine of two twins that I have seen at the Rockyview gift shop for the last 2 years and have wanted to get it for her ever since the 1st time I laid eyes on it. Kurt got Chris’ old shaver set and a box of Reece’s Pieces cereal – his favorite. Stirling got a little ring toy to play with. Aunt Marilyn got us girls necklaces. Aunt Sharan gave us some nuts and for Caeleb she got some books including a favorite of mine called “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”
Chris gave me a very special gift. He recorded a little video of himself on my phone. He said that he loved me and gave me a one night Banff experience with him for the next week including a massage and sleigh ride. I have always wanted to go on a sleigh ride!! Can cross that off my bucket list now.
We had a Turkey Supper at 2:00 pm and them Camellia and Doug had to leave. Chris and I went to Calgary to pick up Kurt from work and then we went home and had a low key Christmas Eve.
We went to Champion wards one hour Christmas day service at 11:00 am on Christmas Day (Sunday this year). Then we came home and had leftovers from our Christmas meal and we opened the rest of our gifts.
Going back in time part 8: May - December 2011
May 31, 2011
Well, life is going on. I (Katherine) am feeling soooo humbled right now. I have had a new calling in the ward since April – Ward Chorister. I have been humbled sooo much and feel like crying every time I think about Sunday. It may be silly but that is me right now. I hope that when others go through tough times in life, I can help make them feel better by sharing my experiences. I have been taking “conducting” lessons these last several weeks and I called up a friend in the ward to see if she could be my cheering squad as she sits center back usually.
June 3, 2011
A windy day today. We got our first thunder and lightning shower 2 days ago at supper time. It was fun to hear the rain on the roof and the thunder. I love that weather. Caeleb is doing well. He is still not crawling yet but is a bum scooter (not too far yet) and he pushes him back and back and back when he gets on his hands and knees. I took him to the doctors last week to see if he had an ear infection as he had a fever and not much appetite. No infection – probably just feeling off from teething. He has 2 and ½ teeth now and yesterday he just started clucking his teeth together. Fun, Fun. He is happy mostly. I am a new mom who is just learning so I have just starting putting him to bed without feeding him (me). I have tried the let cry thing but it is too hard in a house of guys and with Chris doing homework and hard on me too. Started last night ( Caeleb is 8.5 months) and it took a good 20 minutes on holding him up to me to make him go to sleep but today at nap time it took only 5 minutes and we will get there. The goal is to put him in the crib and he won’t make a fuss. Soon enough.
Caeleb “I like hanging out with my friend Luke. We went over to his place 2 days ago (June 1) and had a photo shoot.” He is about 11 days older than me and we mostly like to claw each others’ faces which is fun for me to do but not so fun with Luke does it. He is a big boy. 23 lbs. Mom weighed me yesterday and I am 19.3 lbs. I am growing slowly but surely. She was worried about my weight gain and so took me in to the open Nurses clinic but is relieved to know I am gaining. Life is good. I love to say mamamamamamamama and dadadadadadadada. I started about 2 weeks ago and I don’t know if you would call them my first words as they are not a solid mama or dada. But I am a talker. Not a walker, but a talker says mom.
June 13, 2011
Caeleb “ I am doing better on the crawling. Today mom left me to go outside to get the flyers on the steps. When she came in she took a double take on where I was. I was almost to the door. My crawl is a slow move arms one at a time and then scoot legs together - as if my knees are tied together. About a week ago I started getting up on my knees holding onto the crib bars and 2 days ago mom saw me sit up by myself in my playpen – back to sit. I am definitely a growing little boy. I eat more and more each day. I love my bananas and strawberries are a new favorite but I still eat my veggies and meat – just not as much.
Katherine: Chris and I walked to Macs tonight and to Nosehill. It was very special to be together as I feel like with him doing soooo much school, we don’t spend too much time as a family. But we do okay – we have our family prayers morning and night and scripture study and we always eat supper together. So we are doing good.
Dad is staying with us as he had surgery last Monday on his head and mom went to New York on Thursday. It has been wonderful having him here with us. I love daddy so much. We have good talks about the past – Grandma and Grandpa and the farm. We went out to Cochrane on Friday for ice cream and a drive. We have gone on walks and we weeded the yard and mowed the lawns.
June 15 2011. “My 9 month old Birthday today and I actually did a real, quick professional crawl for the first time. Mommy was proud”.
July 5 2011.
Chris’ cousin Athena, her husband and two little girls stayed 2 nights here. We went to the water park at Riley park today. I bought some little swimmers for Caeleb and we went swimming today. His first time. He did not like the coolness of the water and cried but he was starting to get used to it. He picked up his legs really good one at a time when I set him down in the water and it was his first time walking with assistance. Good job Caeleb!
Caeleb loves playing with his dad and uncles shoes. He likes to pull them around. It is funny to watch. He also loves to help mom sort the laundry. He will pull the laundry over his lap from one side to the other and spread it across the room. It is so much fun to watch him.
July 10 2011. We had such a great Birthday. Mom and Dad took us to the stampede chuck wagon races and Grandstand show. Doug, Camellia, Mom, Dad, Nathan and Dana (Nathan’s date) came. It was a lot of fun.
July 19, 2011
Evening time and Chris, Caeleb and I are sitting in the living room. I am on the couch and Caeleb comes up to me and says, “ Mamamama.” He said it like he knew that was what he was saying. We then said “where is Dada,” and he looked at Chris. He has said Mamamama and Dadadadad before but this time he seemed like he really knew what he was talking about.
August 22, 2011
It has been a while since we have written. It has been a great summer. We have done so much. We have been to the temple once in July – we don’t get there often enough – and we have been to the farm 3 weekends. Camellia and I went to the farm to can peaches and I have been working with Danny a little bit too. I love to work with the horses. I am a lot more careful now that I have a little boy but it feels so good to get a good workout lunging Danny and having horse smell all over me when we are through our workout.
August 26,27,28 2011
We did our lst real little Watters Family campout trip to Drumheller this weekend. It was sooo much fun. We camped in our tent – only I forgot to pack the air mattress so we had to sleep on the coldhard ground. My boys were troopers though. Did not complain. The first night, thunder and lightning woke us up at 3:00 am. It was a clear beautiful night so we got in the car and drove a ways to a field and took pictures of the lightning. On Saturday, we went to the Atlas Coal mine museum and the Dinosaur museum. Then I got a sliver in my eye so we ended up in Emergency for a few hours but it only added to the adventure. I think my favorite part of the trip was cooking over our camp fire. I love campfire smell. September long weekend.
Caeleb and I went down to the farm on August 30 and Stayed until September 6. Chris drove us down and then came back on the Friday evening after work. I love him so much and I miss him when he is gone. I look forward to our daily (or 3 x a day) chats on the phone when I am away. It is so good to hear his voice. We mainly went down to the farm to wean Caeleb. He did pretty good. He still feeds once a day with me but I don’t mind that. That should be manageable when I go back to work. I helped mom and dad on the farm and clean the church. It rained a few days but most of the week was okay. Chris and I went to Camellia and Doug’s house on Friday evening and then we went to the Temple while they took care of Caeleb. We love visiting with them and it felt so good to go to the temple. On the holiday Monday we had Aunt Lorna’s family come to the farm and ride the horses and have a hotdog roast. We had a good visit. My dream is to fix up Grandma’s house so that we can live in it in 8-10 years from now and people can come at visit.
Caeleb’s Birthday Party – September 11 2011.
Mom and Dad Watters, Wendy and her two little boys ( Calvin and Quinton), arrived here at 10:30 last night (Saturday). They are here to celebrate Caeleb’s first birthday and to visit for a week. We have been looking forward to them coming. We miss our family out west and often wish we lived closer so that we could visit more. On Sunday, at our 1:00 pm church meetings, Camellia and I sang “I am a Child of God” in our mission languages. Lou Ann played the piano – it is so nice to have her play the piano. She is very talented. For supper we had the Gainors over and Camellia, Doug, Mom, Dad Smith and the Watters that were already here. We had BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, green salad and Watermelon. And we had a Tractor cake for dessert and Caeleb got it all over him. He loved that. Then it was time for gifts. Caeleb got a lot of cars. He likes to drive a car around on the floor and make the noises. He also got a music spinner ball from mom and dad Watters. We had a fun evening chatting and celebrating with Caeleb.
On Monday September 12 I served at a funeral of a man who passed away in our ward. I was in the Nursery. I had to do a Nursing Labs/Diagnostic testing exam in the morning so Chris’ parents watched Caeleb. It is good to have them here.
From Sept 12 -16 we did things with Chris’ family. Well, Chris had to work , but we made day trips to the Drumheller Dinosaur museum, the Nanton Train museum and the farm, while he was at work. He met us for his birthday celebration on the farm. We had a hotdog roast and cake and the little boys, Calvin and Quinton, loved their tractor and lawnmower ride with Nana Smith.
I started work at the Hillcrest Extendicare on Oct 4. I have been averaging 3 shifts a week and have felt drained but I really enjoy the work. I love working with people. I love learning and thinking. I love being a Nurse. I know that Heavenly Father wants me to feel of great Self-worth being a mother as well. That is my greatest calling now in life. And Chris has the great calling of being a dad. He is an amazing father. I want to be the mother that he is father. Caeleb is going to Krista Larson’s house when I am at work. He has a bit of a hard time going there but I think it will get better with time and it is good that he get’s used to others besides mommy and daddy. Last week, we went to the Farm for Thanksgiving day and then Caeleb stayed with mom and dad from Tuesday to Friday when I worked 3 days. It was his first time away from me for the night and I think he did well with nana and Grandpa. He slept for 9 hours one night for them.
This is the letter that I wrote to Krista Larson explaining what Caeleb does in the day.
Caeleb’s Daily Routine (which has a tendency to change).
8:30 – Breakfast. (has about 1/2 cup of cereal, part of a banana, sips of water).
8:30-11:30 – play time. He likes to play with his cars and blocks. I often take him outside on a walk at least once a day when the weather is nice. He loves these walks and it often comforts him (that or car rides) if he having a sad moment. He loves interacting when he plays – someone at his level crawling around with him, playing peek a boo. He likes story reading too.
11:30 – I am trying to get Caeleb to go down for only one nap a day about 11:30 as he generally only sleeps and perhaps needs one to 1.5 hours during the day in total. He generally gets ups around 6:30 but during working days, we will be up a bit earlier (but will sleep in the car). I expect he may need a morning nap around 9:30-10:00 and in that case, he will be ready for another nap around 1:00 or 1:30. You will tell he is ready, when he is grumpy and rubbing his eyes.
Nap – We are working on the leaving in Crib (play pen) and him going to sleep by himself but to tell you the truth, he is not quite there. I generally read him a story while giving him a bottle or let him watch a little bit of his Winnie the Pooh movie (or baby TV) to wind down. I wrap him in a blanket and face him away from me or rock him in a rocking chair. I love singing him Primary songs or hymns. He will fuss and cry for a bit but if he is ready for bed, he will be asleep in about 5-10 minutes. If you just need a break, put him in the play pen and let him cry for a while and peek in on him every 5-10 minutes or so. He can be a persistent little guy. He once cried for 3 hours on a off in his crib on his own before he finally fell asleep but I would never let it get that far again.
Lunch and snacks – He likes cut up cheese sandwiches, Mac and Cheese, plain Jam sandwiches, fruits and some veggies. I give him sips of water as well. If he is fussy, it is often because he is thirsty or sometimes he is hungry. He is not a huge eater. I am not sure why but don’t worry if he will not eat well for you because he will have a good supper if he does not have a good appetite in the day. I try to give him a few small snacks in the morning and afternoon. – cut up toast with Jam, banana or cut up cucumbers or a fruit cup, or a few baby cookies or cheesy crunchies.
Chris will be by about 5:00 to pick Caeleb up.
Thank you soooo much for doing this for me.
Katherine Watters.
Oct 16 2011.
Caeleb took 2 steps by himself today for the first time. It was when we were waiting to get our temple recommends signed by a member of the stake presidency. Two steps and then fall down but it was fun to see.
Dec 2 2011.
Well, we have all been working hard these last two months. Chris – work and school. Me Katherine – work at the Extendicare, Rockyview, being a mom and wife. Caeleb – Learning to walk. It was a slow start but now he can walk across the room.
Well, life is going on. I (Katherine) am feeling soooo humbled right now. I have had a new calling in the ward since April – Ward Chorister. I have been humbled sooo much and feel like crying every time I think about Sunday. It may be silly but that is me right now. I hope that when others go through tough times in life, I can help make them feel better by sharing my experiences. I have been taking “conducting” lessons these last several weeks and I called up a friend in the ward to see if she could be my cheering squad as she sits center back usually.
June 3, 2011
A windy day today. We got our first thunder and lightning shower 2 days ago at supper time. It was fun to hear the rain on the roof and the thunder. I love that weather. Caeleb is doing well. He is still not crawling yet but is a bum scooter (not too far yet) and he pushes him back and back and back when he gets on his hands and knees. I took him to the doctors last week to see if he had an ear infection as he had a fever and not much appetite. No infection – probably just feeling off from teething. He has 2 and ½ teeth now and yesterday he just started clucking his teeth together. Fun, Fun. He is happy mostly. I am a new mom who is just learning so I have just starting putting him to bed without feeding him (me). I have tried the let cry thing but it is too hard in a house of guys and with Chris doing homework and hard on me too. Started last night ( Caeleb is 8.5 months) and it took a good 20 minutes on holding him up to me to make him go to sleep but today at nap time it took only 5 minutes and we will get there. The goal is to put him in the crib and he won’t make a fuss. Soon enough.
Caeleb “I like hanging out with my friend Luke. We went over to his place 2 days ago (June 1) and had a photo shoot.” He is about 11 days older than me and we mostly like to claw each others’ faces which is fun for me to do but not so fun with Luke does it. He is a big boy. 23 lbs. Mom weighed me yesterday and I am 19.3 lbs. I am growing slowly but surely. She was worried about my weight gain and so took me in to the open Nurses clinic but is relieved to know I am gaining. Life is good. I love to say mamamamamamamama and dadadadadadadada. I started about 2 weeks ago and I don’t know if you would call them my first words as they are not a solid mama or dada. But I am a talker. Not a walker, but a talker says mom.
June 13, 2011
Caeleb “ I am doing better on the crawling. Today mom left me to go outside to get the flyers on the steps. When she came in she took a double take on where I was. I was almost to the door. My crawl is a slow move arms one at a time and then scoot legs together - as if my knees are tied together. About a week ago I started getting up on my knees holding onto the crib bars and 2 days ago mom saw me sit up by myself in my playpen – back to sit. I am definitely a growing little boy. I eat more and more each day. I love my bananas and strawberries are a new favorite but I still eat my veggies and meat – just not as much.
Katherine: Chris and I walked to Macs tonight and to Nosehill. It was very special to be together as I feel like with him doing soooo much school, we don’t spend too much time as a family. But we do okay – we have our family prayers morning and night and scripture study and we always eat supper together. So we are doing good.
Dad is staying with us as he had surgery last Monday on his head and mom went to New York on Thursday. It has been wonderful having him here with us. I love daddy so much. We have good talks about the past – Grandma and Grandpa and the farm. We went out to Cochrane on Friday for ice cream and a drive. We have gone on walks and we weeded the yard and mowed the lawns.
June 15 2011. “My 9 month old Birthday today and I actually did a real, quick professional crawl for the first time. Mommy was proud”.
July 5 2011.
Chris’ cousin Athena, her husband and two little girls stayed 2 nights here. We went to the water park at Riley park today. I bought some little swimmers for Caeleb and we went swimming today. His first time. He did not like the coolness of the water and cried but he was starting to get used to it. He picked up his legs really good one at a time when I set him down in the water and it was his first time walking with assistance. Good job Caeleb!
Caeleb loves playing with his dad and uncles shoes. He likes to pull them around. It is funny to watch. He also loves to help mom sort the laundry. He will pull the laundry over his lap from one side to the other and spread it across the room. It is so much fun to watch him.
July 10 2011. We had such a great Birthday. Mom and Dad took us to the stampede chuck wagon races and Grandstand show. Doug, Camellia, Mom, Dad, Nathan and Dana (Nathan’s date) came. It was a lot of fun.
July 19, 2011
Evening time and Chris, Caeleb and I are sitting in the living room. I am on the couch and Caeleb comes up to me and says, “ Mamamama.” He said it like he knew that was what he was saying. We then said “where is Dada,” and he looked at Chris. He has said Mamamama and Dadadadad before but this time he seemed like he really knew what he was talking about.
August 22, 2011
It has been a while since we have written. It has been a great summer. We have done so much. We have been to the temple once in July – we don’t get there often enough – and we have been to the farm 3 weekends. Camellia and I went to the farm to can peaches and I have been working with Danny a little bit too. I love to work with the horses. I am a lot more careful now that I have a little boy but it feels so good to get a good workout lunging Danny and having horse smell all over me when we are through our workout.
August 26,27,28 2011
We did our lst real little Watters Family campout trip to Drumheller this weekend. It was sooo much fun. We camped in our tent – only I forgot to pack the air mattress so we had to sleep on the coldhard ground. My boys were troopers though. Did not complain. The first night, thunder and lightning woke us up at 3:00 am. It was a clear beautiful night so we got in the car and drove a ways to a field and took pictures of the lightning. On Saturday, we went to the Atlas Coal mine museum and the Dinosaur museum. Then I got a sliver in my eye so we ended up in Emergency for a few hours but it only added to the adventure. I think my favorite part of the trip was cooking over our camp fire. I love campfire smell. September long weekend.
Caeleb and I went down to the farm on August 30 and Stayed until September 6. Chris drove us down and then came back on the Friday evening after work. I love him so much and I miss him when he is gone. I look forward to our daily (or 3 x a day) chats on the phone when I am away. It is so good to hear his voice. We mainly went down to the farm to wean Caeleb. He did pretty good. He still feeds once a day with me but I don’t mind that. That should be manageable when I go back to work. I helped mom and dad on the farm and clean the church. It rained a few days but most of the week was okay. Chris and I went to Camellia and Doug’s house on Friday evening and then we went to the Temple while they took care of Caeleb. We love visiting with them and it felt so good to go to the temple. On the holiday Monday we had Aunt Lorna’s family come to the farm and ride the horses and have a hotdog roast. We had a good visit. My dream is to fix up Grandma’s house so that we can live in it in 8-10 years from now and people can come at visit.
Caeleb’s Birthday Party – September 11 2011.
Mom and Dad Watters, Wendy and her two little boys ( Calvin and Quinton), arrived here at 10:30 last night (Saturday). They are here to celebrate Caeleb’s first birthday and to visit for a week. We have been looking forward to them coming. We miss our family out west and often wish we lived closer so that we could visit more. On Sunday, at our 1:00 pm church meetings, Camellia and I sang “I am a Child of God” in our mission languages. Lou Ann played the piano – it is so nice to have her play the piano. She is very talented. For supper we had the Gainors over and Camellia, Doug, Mom, Dad Smith and the Watters that were already here. We had BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, green salad and Watermelon. And we had a Tractor cake for dessert and Caeleb got it all over him. He loved that. Then it was time for gifts. Caeleb got a lot of cars. He likes to drive a car around on the floor and make the noises. He also got a music spinner ball from mom and dad Watters. We had a fun evening chatting and celebrating with Caeleb.
On Monday September 12 I served at a funeral of a man who passed away in our ward. I was in the Nursery. I had to do a Nursing Labs/Diagnostic testing exam in the morning so Chris’ parents watched Caeleb. It is good to have them here.
From Sept 12 -16 we did things with Chris’ family. Well, Chris had to work , but we made day trips to the Drumheller Dinosaur museum, the Nanton Train museum and the farm, while he was at work. He met us for his birthday celebration on the farm. We had a hotdog roast and cake and the little boys, Calvin and Quinton, loved their tractor and lawnmower ride with Nana Smith.
I started work at the Hillcrest Extendicare on Oct 4. I have been averaging 3 shifts a week and have felt drained but I really enjoy the work. I love working with people. I love learning and thinking. I love being a Nurse. I know that Heavenly Father wants me to feel of great Self-worth being a mother as well. That is my greatest calling now in life. And Chris has the great calling of being a dad. He is an amazing father. I want to be the mother that he is father. Caeleb is going to Krista Larson’s house when I am at work. He has a bit of a hard time going there but I think it will get better with time and it is good that he get’s used to others besides mommy and daddy. Last week, we went to the Farm for Thanksgiving day and then Caeleb stayed with mom and dad from Tuesday to Friday when I worked 3 days. It was his first time away from me for the night and I think he did well with nana and Grandpa. He slept for 9 hours one night for them.
This is the letter that I wrote to Krista Larson explaining what Caeleb does in the day.
Caeleb’s Daily Routine (which has a tendency to change).
8:30 – Breakfast. (has about 1/2 cup of cereal, part of a banana, sips of water).
8:30-11:30 – play time. He likes to play with his cars and blocks. I often take him outside on a walk at least once a day when the weather is nice. He loves these walks and it often comforts him (that or car rides) if he having a sad moment. He loves interacting when he plays – someone at his level crawling around with him, playing peek a boo. He likes story reading too.
11:30 – I am trying to get Caeleb to go down for only one nap a day about 11:30 as he generally only sleeps and perhaps needs one to 1.5 hours during the day in total. He generally gets ups around 6:30 but during working days, we will be up a bit earlier (but will sleep in the car). I expect he may need a morning nap around 9:30-10:00 and in that case, he will be ready for another nap around 1:00 or 1:30. You will tell he is ready, when he is grumpy and rubbing his eyes.
Nap – We are working on the leaving in Crib (play pen) and him going to sleep by himself but to tell you the truth, he is not quite there. I generally read him a story while giving him a bottle or let him watch a little bit of his Winnie the Pooh movie (or baby TV) to wind down. I wrap him in a blanket and face him away from me or rock him in a rocking chair. I love singing him Primary songs or hymns. He will fuss and cry for a bit but if he is ready for bed, he will be asleep in about 5-10 minutes. If you just need a break, put him in the play pen and let him cry for a while and peek in on him every 5-10 minutes or so. He can be a persistent little guy. He once cried for 3 hours on a off in his crib on his own before he finally fell asleep but I would never let it get that far again.
Lunch and snacks – He likes cut up cheese sandwiches, Mac and Cheese, plain Jam sandwiches, fruits and some veggies. I give him sips of water as well. If he is fussy, it is often because he is thirsty or sometimes he is hungry. He is not a huge eater. I am not sure why but don’t worry if he will not eat well for you because he will have a good supper if he does not have a good appetite in the day. I try to give him a few small snacks in the morning and afternoon. – cut up toast with Jam, banana or cut up cucumbers or a fruit cup, or a few baby cookies or cheesy crunchies.
Chris will be by about 5:00 to pick Caeleb up.
Thank you soooo much for doing this for me.
Katherine Watters.
Oct 16 2011.
Caeleb took 2 steps by himself today for the first time. It was when we were waiting to get our temple recommends signed by a member of the stake presidency. Two steps and then fall down but it was fun to see.
Dec 2 2011.
Well, we have all been working hard these last two months. Chris – work and school. Me Katherine – work at the Extendicare, Rockyview, being a mom and wife. Caeleb – Learning to walk. It was a slow start but now he can walk across the room.
Going back in time part 7: January, February, March, April 2011
Feb 7 2011
A cold snowy day out but a beautiful one looking out into in from inside. Caeleb and I were to drive Chris to work and then go househunting after as that is our new hobby but the roads are too slippery. I got set apart for my new calling as ward missionary on Sunday. I have a special assignment to take care of a lady named Liz who is a new convert. She is a lot of fun.
Caeleb talking. “On Friday Mommy and I went to IKEA to have a dollar breakfast with the 1st ward ladies. It was a lot of fun. I got to see my buddy Luke Michelson. He is a week and ½ older than me and weighs about 3 more pounds which is funny because I am big and weigh about 17 lbs now. I am a solid boy and both look and I are comparable in chubby cheeks. A lot of moms old first ward friends were there including Connie Shultz, Jordon Fuller, Tammy Michelson, Pam Glenn, Rachel Campbell.
Feb 25-28 2011
An email to my old BYUI roommates I Wrote Feb 2011
This is Katherine Watters (Smith) here and has it ever been along time since I have seen or talked to you all.
Guess what. We are coming to Utah in April (16-22). I really would love to get together with you all - Diane, Millie, Tara, Holly, Chelsie, Sara, Emily and whoever is around that area that we know from the past. That would be awesome if we could have a little roomate reunion. I really do want to see you all!
We are doing well. Chris and I have been married for 16 months. Our Caeleb is almost 5 months old and he is already 17 lbs and is a talker! He doesn't quite roll yet but he makes up for it in his "talking" abilities. He sometimes goes nonstop for 1/2 an hour! I am at home now being a fulltime mom. Up in Canada we get one year of paid maternity leave. Yep, we sure are lucky. Then I will go back to casual status at my old job at the Rockyview hospital. I love it there. I work on a medical unit and work with wonderful nurses so I am happy. We are house sitting a really nice house up in NW Calgary now. The rent is amazing for what we get. The couple that lives here is on a mission to Florida and will be back April 2012. Chris is in school (online) full time and works full time so he is soooooo busy. But he never complains. He is working for a Networking and Communications degree. Right now he works in computer support for the workers compensation board of Alberta. We hope he lands a job in Calgary after school is done as we love it here. It is only 1 and 1/2 hours to my parent's farm. They are building a temple in Calgary and that should be done by spring 2012 as well. You all need to venture on up here soon to visit and I mean it.
We went out to Victoria BC for Christmas (Chris' family is from there). It was alot of fun. We went to a winter resort up in the moutains and went skiing on Christmas day. Caeleb played baby Jesus in the Victoria LDS nativity pageant. He looked so cute. He is such a blessing in our lives.
Well, I have been thinking of you all and I hope to see you this spring. Hope all is well! Please write back. I really want to know how you are doing and what is going on in your lives. Your friend, Katherine Watters
March 11, 2011
Caeleb talking. “ Mom and I have a little job. Yep, we deliver flyers on Tuesday and Thursday and started last week. Mommy says that this will be my first job – that I can start saving for my RESP with $25 of this money monthly. Then when I am a big kid and leave home I can have some money tucked away for school. My parents don’t have too much right now but know how important it is to save for the future. And they know the importance of a good education whether it be University, College or trade school or classes.
Mommy makes up stories for me while she rocks me at bedtime. Tonight she told me two stories and I will read them to you.
Bedtime for Caeleb
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Caeleb. He was a good little boy but he did not like going to bed. One evening, mommy said to Caeleb: “Caeleb, you are tired and you need to go to bed.” And Caeleb said, “I am not tired. I want to play with my toys all night.” And mommy was like, “But Caeleb you are yawning. And Caeleb was like, “I am not Yaaaaawwwwwnnnniinnggg,” as he yawned rather loudly. Mommy said, “Okay Caeleb, Another 3 minutes. 3 minutes later, mommy came to Caeleb and said, ““Caeleb, you are tired and you need to go to bed.” And Caeleb said, “I am not tired. I want to play with my toys all night.” And mommy was like, “But Caeleb, you are rubbing your eyes. And Caeleb was like, “I am not rubbing my eyes” as he reached up and rubbed his eyes with his hands rather strong. Mommy said, “Okay Caeleb, Another 2 minutes. 2 minutes later, mommy came to Caeleb and said, ““Caeleb, you are tired and you need to go to bed.” And Caeleb said, “I am not tired. I want to play with my toys all night.” And mommy was like, “But Caeleb, you are getting grumpy.” And Caeleb was like, “I am not getting grumpy!!!” (In in a very grumpy voice). And mommy said, “I will give you 1 more minute. 1 minute later, mommy came to Caeleb and said, ““Caeleb, you are tired and you need to go to bed.” And Caeleb said, “I am not tired. I want to play with my toys all night.” And mommy was like, “I will tell you what.” You get your pjs on and brush your teeth. I will come in and snuggle you up and then read you a story before you go to sleep. So Caeleb put his pjs on and brushed his teeth. Mommy came in and snuggled him tight under the covers. And she started her story, “Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Caeleb. He was a good little boy but he did not like going to bed.” She looked over at Caeleb and he was fast asleep. (Snore).
Jump Jump Jump
Once upon a time there was a little boy named Caeleb. He was a happy little boy. He liked to go for walks with his mommy, he liked to lay on his back and look at the ceiling and he liked his tummy time. But what he loved most of all was his jumping time. It sure made him Jolly. When his mommy did exercises in the morning, he would go in his jumper and he would jump jump jump jump jump jump jump. After his mommy did her exercises, she would say, “ Caeleb, How about you go on your back and play with your toys
for a while. On his back he played and played and played and had fun. But soon, he would think to himself… “I like being on my back…I like to play with my toys…but what I want to do now is…
I want to jump jump jump jump jump jump jump
I want to jump jump jump jump all day long
I want to jump jump jump to mamma’s excersize song
Mommy would know that Caeleb no longer would want to be on his back. She would say, “Caeleb, How about some tummy time.”Caeleb would think, hmmmm, I like my tummy time. And over he would go. On his tummy he played and played and played and had fun. But soon, he would think to himself… “I like being on my tummy…I like to play with my toys…but what I want to do now is…
I want to jump jump jump jump jump jump jump
I want to jump jump jump jump all day long
I want to jump jump jump to mamma’s excersize song
Mommy would know that Caeleb no longer would want to be on his tummy. She would say, “Caeleb, How about a walk outside.”Caeleb would think, hmmmm, I like my walks outside. And so mommy would bundle him up and into the stoller and out the door he would go. He looked at the birds and blue skies. He felt the sun on his skin. But after a while he would think to himself, “I like to be outdoors, moving and seeing and feeling. But what I want to do now is…
I want to jump jump jump jump jump jump jump
I want to jump jump jump jump all day long
I want to jump jump jump to……….
And he fell asleep.
March 14
“I am 6 months old today and mommy made cookies for my birthday.” Mommy says I don’t get any yet but I do get to have my first taste of solid food tomorrow. I am excited!!
Katherine: The Brittons (Alison and Andy) came over for a supper of Tacos and FHE tonight. It was fun getting to know them. We laughed a lot and play a game called Aquire which I had never played before.
March 15
(Caeleb) “I had my first taste of solid food today. Rice pabulum. My mom and dad caught it on tape. I thought it was weird at first but caught on quickly and got my fill. I even threw up some (because I was so full I guess). Uncle Kurt was there to witness it and they all cheered me on.
Also, I have been learning to sit up very well this last week. I can sit up for about 10 minutes at a time and then I flop over which I enjoy doing but I don’t enjoy the fact that I can still not get up after.
March 23
Caeleb) “Mommy and I went down to the farm today for Grandpa’s 67th birthday. Mommy made them a lunch of spinach soup, baked vegetables and a Swedish favorite for dessert – Blueberry soup with icecream. We stayed overnight as the roads were not very good and mommy said it was stressful driving. We slept on the couch in the living room.
March 26.
(Caeleb) “ I learned how to splash in the tub today. Mom was showing me how to do it last bath and I caught on quickly today. I can sit up in the bath tub now on my own and I splash around and it is soooo much fun. I like to play with my rubber ducky too. My mommy says it reminds her of when she would play with the rubber ducky when having bath time at Grandma Smiths house.
March 28.
(Caeleb) “I started blowing bubbles today. Mom and Dad and uncle Nate think it is hilarious, especially at the supper table when I blew bubbles (raspberries) and my food all comes out. I am now eating peas and quite like them. I had carrots after my rice pablum but did not enjoy them to much and then squash which I thought was better but I think peas are my favourite vegetable now. I make funny faces with the rest. I love my rice pablum the best though.
April – Trip to Victoria
(Caeleb) “ Well, mom, dad and I headed out to Victoria to visit the Watters side of the family.” We left on Friday April 22 – Easter Friday. We left early – at 7:00 – but I am always up by then. I usually get up between 6:30 and 7:00. I only slept for about 3 out of the 12 hours. I was busy looking around and playing with mommy and daddy (whoever sat in the back seat). I must admit, I did get a little tired of the car ride towards the end of the trip. Who wouldn’t! But mommy and daddy say I did really good for my first long long car ride.
May 16, 2011 – CAELEB AND THE SCARY GREEN BLOCK.
Found a fear of Caeleb’s today. We have these 4 blocks – red, green, yellow and blue. Well, we discovered you can pull a sting on the green block and it makes and funny noise. Nathan discovered it today and Caeleb immediately put on his grumpy pouty face and burst into tears. Who would have thought. It was not even a loud noise.
Crawling update. Caeleb has not quite got the hang of it but he does get up on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth over and over. Today he started to put one hand in front of the other and move his knees but he has not gotten far. But, he does get far on his bum. I am not sure how he does it but I look and he is in one place and then I look again and he is halfway across the room. And he even goes farther pushing himself back and back and back when holding him up with his hands.
Caelebs Nicknames.
Before being born: little guy.
When first born: Little Duffer. Snuggie guy, snuggles, Mr. Snugs, etc.
Now: Snugs as well as Goo. Chris calls him goo all the time. I say Snuggers Mcgoo.
A cold snowy day out but a beautiful one looking out into in from inside. Caeleb and I were to drive Chris to work and then go househunting after as that is our new hobby but the roads are too slippery. I got set apart for my new calling as ward missionary on Sunday. I have a special assignment to take care of a lady named Liz who is a new convert. She is a lot of fun.
Caeleb talking. “On Friday Mommy and I went to IKEA to have a dollar breakfast with the 1st ward ladies. It was a lot of fun. I got to see my buddy Luke Michelson. He is a week and ½ older than me and weighs about 3 more pounds which is funny because I am big and weigh about 17 lbs now. I am a solid boy and both look and I are comparable in chubby cheeks. A lot of moms old first ward friends were there including Connie Shultz, Jordon Fuller, Tammy Michelson, Pam Glenn, Rachel Campbell.
Feb 25-28 2011
An email to my old BYUI roommates I Wrote Feb 2011
This is Katherine Watters (Smith) here and has it ever been along time since I have seen or talked to you all.
Guess what. We are coming to Utah in April (16-22). I really would love to get together with you all - Diane, Millie, Tara, Holly, Chelsie, Sara, Emily and whoever is around that area that we know from the past. That would be awesome if we could have a little roomate reunion. I really do want to see you all!
We are doing well. Chris and I have been married for 16 months. Our Caeleb is almost 5 months old and he is already 17 lbs and is a talker! He doesn't quite roll yet but he makes up for it in his "talking" abilities. He sometimes goes nonstop for 1/2 an hour! I am at home now being a fulltime mom. Up in Canada we get one year of paid maternity leave. Yep, we sure are lucky. Then I will go back to casual status at my old job at the Rockyview hospital. I love it there. I work on a medical unit and work with wonderful nurses so I am happy. We are house sitting a really nice house up in NW Calgary now. The rent is amazing for what we get. The couple that lives here is on a mission to Florida and will be back April 2012. Chris is in school (online) full time and works full time so he is soooooo busy. But he never complains. He is working for a Networking and Communications degree. Right now he works in computer support for the workers compensation board of Alberta. We hope he lands a job in Calgary after school is done as we love it here. It is only 1 and 1/2 hours to my parent's farm. They are building a temple in Calgary and that should be done by spring 2012 as well. You all need to venture on up here soon to visit and I mean it.
We went out to Victoria BC for Christmas (Chris' family is from there). It was alot of fun. We went to a winter resort up in the moutains and went skiing on Christmas day. Caeleb played baby Jesus in the Victoria LDS nativity pageant. He looked so cute. He is such a blessing in our lives.
Well, I have been thinking of you all and I hope to see you this spring. Hope all is well! Please write back. I really want to know how you are doing and what is going on in your lives. Your friend, Katherine Watters
March 11, 2011
Caeleb talking. “ Mom and I have a little job. Yep, we deliver flyers on Tuesday and Thursday and started last week. Mommy says that this will be my first job – that I can start saving for my RESP with $25 of this money monthly. Then when I am a big kid and leave home I can have some money tucked away for school. My parents don’t have too much right now but know how important it is to save for the future. And they know the importance of a good education whether it be University, College or trade school or classes.
Mommy makes up stories for me while she rocks me at bedtime. Tonight she told me two stories and I will read them to you.
Bedtime for Caeleb
Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Caeleb. He was a good little boy but he did not like going to bed. One evening, mommy said to Caeleb: “Caeleb, you are tired and you need to go to bed.” And Caeleb said, “I am not tired. I want to play with my toys all night.” And mommy was like, “But Caeleb you are yawning. And Caeleb was like, “I am not Yaaaaawwwwwnnnniinnggg,” as he yawned rather loudly. Mommy said, “Okay Caeleb, Another 3 minutes. 3 minutes later, mommy came to Caeleb and said, ““Caeleb, you are tired and you need to go to bed.” And Caeleb said, “I am not tired. I want to play with my toys all night.” And mommy was like, “But Caeleb, you are rubbing your eyes. And Caeleb was like, “I am not rubbing my eyes” as he reached up and rubbed his eyes with his hands rather strong. Mommy said, “Okay Caeleb, Another 2 minutes. 2 minutes later, mommy came to Caeleb and said, ““Caeleb, you are tired and you need to go to bed.” And Caeleb said, “I am not tired. I want to play with my toys all night.” And mommy was like, “But Caeleb, you are getting grumpy.” And Caeleb was like, “I am not getting grumpy!!!” (In in a very grumpy voice). And mommy said, “I will give you 1 more minute. 1 minute later, mommy came to Caeleb and said, ““Caeleb, you are tired and you need to go to bed.” And Caeleb said, “I am not tired. I want to play with my toys all night.” And mommy was like, “I will tell you what.” You get your pjs on and brush your teeth. I will come in and snuggle you up and then read you a story before you go to sleep. So Caeleb put his pjs on and brushed his teeth. Mommy came in and snuggled him tight under the covers. And she started her story, “Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Caeleb. He was a good little boy but he did not like going to bed.” She looked over at Caeleb and he was fast asleep. (Snore).
Jump Jump Jump
Once upon a time there was a little boy named Caeleb. He was a happy little boy. He liked to go for walks with his mommy, he liked to lay on his back and look at the ceiling and he liked his tummy time. But what he loved most of all was his jumping time. It sure made him Jolly. When his mommy did exercises in the morning, he would go in his jumper and he would jump jump jump jump jump jump jump. After his mommy did her exercises, she would say, “ Caeleb, How about you go on your back and play with your toys
for a while. On his back he played and played and played and had fun. But soon, he would think to himself… “I like being on my back…I like to play with my toys…but what I want to do now is…
I want to jump jump jump jump jump jump jump
I want to jump jump jump jump all day long
I want to jump jump jump to mamma’s excersize song
Mommy would know that Caeleb no longer would want to be on his back. She would say, “Caeleb, How about some tummy time.”Caeleb would think, hmmmm, I like my tummy time. And over he would go. On his tummy he played and played and played and had fun. But soon, he would think to himself… “I like being on my tummy…I like to play with my toys…but what I want to do now is…
I want to jump jump jump jump jump jump jump
I want to jump jump jump jump all day long
I want to jump jump jump to mamma’s excersize song
Mommy would know that Caeleb no longer would want to be on his tummy. She would say, “Caeleb, How about a walk outside.”Caeleb would think, hmmmm, I like my walks outside. And so mommy would bundle him up and into the stoller and out the door he would go. He looked at the birds and blue skies. He felt the sun on his skin. But after a while he would think to himself, “I like to be outdoors, moving and seeing and feeling. But what I want to do now is…
I want to jump jump jump jump jump jump jump
I want to jump jump jump jump all day long
I want to jump jump jump to……….
And he fell asleep.
March 14
“I am 6 months old today and mommy made cookies for my birthday.” Mommy says I don’t get any yet but I do get to have my first taste of solid food tomorrow. I am excited!!
Katherine: The Brittons (Alison and Andy) came over for a supper of Tacos and FHE tonight. It was fun getting to know them. We laughed a lot and play a game called Aquire which I had never played before.
March 15
(Caeleb) “I had my first taste of solid food today. Rice pabulum. My mom and dad caught it on tape. I thought it was weird at first but caught on quickly and got my fill. I even threw up some (because I was so full I guess). Uncle Kurt was there to witness it and they all cheered me on.
Also, I have been learning to sit up very well this last week. I can sit up for about 10 minutes at a time and then I flop over which I enjoy doing but I don’t enjoy the fact that I can still not get up after.
March 23
Caeleb) “Mommy and I went down to the farm today for Grandpa’s 67th birthday. Mommy made them a lunch of spinach soup, baked vegetables and a Swedish favorite for dessert – Blueberry soup with icecream. We stayed overnight as the roads were not very good and mommy said it was stressful driving. We slept on the couch in the living room.
March 26.
(Caeleb) “ I learned how to splash in the tub today. Mom was showing me how to do it last bath and I caught on quickly today. I can sit up in the bath tub now on my own and I splash around and it is soooo much fun. I like to play with my rubber ducky too. My mommy says it reminds her of when she would play with the rubber ducky when having bath time at Grandma Smiths house.
March 28.
(Caeleb) “I started blowing bubbles today. Mom and Dad and uncle Nate think it is hilarious, especially at the supper table when I blew bubbles (raspberries) and my food all comes out. I am now eating peas and quite like them. I had carrots after my rice pablum but did not enjoy them to much and then squash which I thought was better but I think peas are my favourite vegetable now. I make funny faces with the rest. I love my rice pablum the best though.
April – Trip to Victoria
(Caeleb) “ Well, mom, dad and I headed out to Victoria to visit the Watters side of the family.” We left on Friday April 22 – Easter Friday. We left early – at 7:00 – but I am always up by then. I usually get up between 6:30 and 7:00. I only slept for about 3 out of the 12 hours. I was busy looking around and playing with mommy and daddy (whoever sat in the back seat). I must admit, I did get a little tired of the car ride towards the end of the trip. Who wouldn’t! But mommy and daddy say I did really good for my first long long car ride.
May 16, 2011 – CAELEB AND THE SCARY GREEN BLOCK.
Found a fear of Caeleb’s today. We have these 4 blocks – red, green, yellow and blue. Well, we discovered you can pull a sting on the green block and it makes and funny noise. Nathan discovered it today and Caeleb immediately put on his grumpy pouty face and burst into tears. Who would have thought. It was not even a loud noise.
Crawling update. Caeleb has not quite got the hang of it but he does get up on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth over and over. Today he started to put one hand in front of the other and move his knees but he has not gotten far. But, he does get far on his bum. I am not sure how he does it but I look and he is in one place and then I look again and he is halfway across the room. And he even goes farther pushing himself back and back and back when holding him up with his hands.
Caelebs Nicknames.
Before being born: little guy.
When first born: Little Duffer. Snuggie guy, snuggles, Mr. Snugs, etc.
Now: Snugs as well as Goo. Chris calls him goo all the time. I say Snuggers Mcgoo.
Going back in time Part 6: Christmas 2010
It was such a wonderful Christmas this year. For a Christmas present Mom and Dad Smith flew us out to Victoria to be with the Watters family – Talk about the most selfless of all gifts. We had a Smith Christmas the weekend before and we ate and played games and enjoyed each other and Caeleb especially. Doug, Camellia, Mom, Dad, Chris, Caeleb and me Katherine went to church on Sunday (Nathan was not there) and then I stayed a few extra days at the farm.
We left for Victoria on Friday the 17th of December. An hour and 20 minute flight and Caeleb did wonderfully. He slept through a lot of it. Too bad we could not do some more flying as Caeleb seems to like it and he is free (under two). There was a crew of the Watters Clan to meet us at the airport. What a special and fun family.
We spent Saturday relaxing and visiting and then went to a Christmas tree display downtown Victoria. It was chilly outside. No snow but it gets chilly with the humidity. The Family got together after church on Sunday to visit and play games. We spent the rest of the week helping Lou Ann get ready for our trip to the mountains. I tell you what – she is organized and efficient and a hard worker. I don’t think I did much to help but I tried. I also enjoyed almost daily runs by myself. I have kind of missed them as I so love to run and it is hard to with a little one here.
Chris, Caeleb and I went up to Mount Washington with Nate in the big truck. It was about a 4 hour trip and it rained most of the way. But once we hit the mountain, the snow was falling big and heavy. I don’t think I have ever experienced the snow that I did on that trip from Dec 23 – Dec 27. It was record breaking for the base of the mountain and the truck was on the news. We had to dig ourselves into our cabin and once settled in, we stayed put. Well Chris and I did go skiing on Christmas day afternoon which was fun. I do love to ski and it came back easy and Chris did well too. I sure love it when we try new things together - our first time skiing together. I tried Snowboarding but could not seem to get up and a ½ hour into it I figured I needed a whole day to figure it out so that was put off until later. Chris is a better snowboarder than I am. We had a delicious Christmas Turkey dinner on Christmas day evening. We all sat around table together – all 16 of us and then Suzanne (Nate’s girlfriend) making it 17.
We gave everyone homemade turtles as per tradition and for the little boys a train engine made out of candy. Mom and Dad Smith and Watters got a “ Grandparents book of Caeleb” and Camellia got some pictures of Caeleb and Doug some granola bars and to the both a “gift of 2 free tickets to Heritage park.” To Nathan we gave a date night and some beef jerky and we will do the date night soon. I know who I want to set him up with.
We stopped at Aunt Mary and Uncle Lindsay’s house in Nanimo on the way back from the cabin the day after Boxing day. We had a nice left over meal with them and I had fun talking with Lindsay’s dad.
Lou Ann and I went to see a play on Dec 28 called The wind in the Willows – it was hilarious and it was fun to spend time with Lou Ann. She is such a good person – Quiet, does not say anything bad about anyone as far as I have heard, happy and peaceful. And Gary is so happy and he just seems like he enjoys life so much – every minute.
I took many runs this week and enjoyed them so much. It is beautiful in Victoria but I do like my Alberta.
While mom and dad Watters watched little guy on New Years eve, Chris and I went dancing at the Stake dance there and we had a lot of fun. We ordered Chinese food before then. Chris and I made chicken enchiladas for the family on Sunday after church and then we played games. I love how the Watters love to play games.
We left early Monday morning at 7:00 am and Caeleb did well on the plane again. To bad we could not go on more plane rides while Caeleb is free but we feel so blessed to have been able to save miles on the care and fly out to Victoria for Christmas. It sure was a good visit
(Caeleb insert) – My goodness, I am 4 and ½ months now and I am loving life. I love my jolly jumper so much. I can be having a bad day when I feel so sad and want to cry but when mommy or daddy put me in the jumper, I jump all my sadness away for about ½ an hour. And it is great for mommy too because she can do her workout while I do mine.
I have rolled over from front to back about 3 times now but am not so interested on doing it regularly. I am more interested in standing with help but nanna tells me that I need to work on crawling before I have anything to do with standing and walking. I guess I need to work harder on my rolling over. I am getting very close from back to front too.
Right now I am a talking and yelling away. I love to talk and yell – I have so much to say even in the middle of Sacrement meeting – I know how things really are and I want to tell everyone.
I am still only drinking milk – mostly mommy juice but I am really interested in what my mommy and daddy and everyone else are eating. It looks very interesting and I hope to try some soon.
I was 16.2 lbs at my 4 month old vaccinations. I am in the 75th percentile for my height and weight but only in the 25th percentile for my head circumference. This was the case at my 2 month vaccinations as well. Mommy and daddy find that funny. I am more “people proportioned”.
We left for Victoria on Friday the 17th of December. An hour and 20 minute flight and Caeleb did wonderfully. He slept through a lot of it. Too bad we could not do some more flying as Caeleb seems to like it and he is free (under two). There was a crew of the Watters Clan to meet us at the airport. What a special and fun family.
We spent Saturday relaxing and visiting and then went to a Christmas tree display downtown Victoria. It was chilly outside. No snow but it gets chilly with the humidity. The Family got together after church on Sunday to visit and play games. We spent the rest of the week helping Lou Ann get ready for our trip to the mountains. I tell you what – she is organized and efficient and a hard worker. I don’t think I did much to help but I tried. I also enjoyed almost daily runs by myself. I have kind of missed them as I so love to run and it is hard to with a little one here.
Chris, Caeleb and I went up to Mount Washington with Nate in the big truck. It was about a 4 hour trip and it rained most of the way. But once we hit the mountain, the snow was falling big and heavy. I don’t think I have ever experienced the snow that I did on that trip from Dec 23 – Dec 27. It was record breaking for the base of the mountain and the truck was on the news. We had to dig ourselves into our cabin and once settled in, we stayed put. Well Chris and I did go skiing on Christmas day afternoon which was fun. I do love to ski and it came back easy and Chris did well too. I sure love it when we try new things together - our first time skiing together. I tried Snowboarding but could not seem to get up and a ½ hour into it I figured I needed a whole day to figure it out so that was put off until later. Chris is a better snowboarder than I am. We had a delicious Christmas Turkey dinner on Christmas day evening. We all sat around table together – all 16 of us and then Suzanne (Nate’s girlfriend) making it 17.
We gave everyone homemade turtles as per tradition and for the little boys a train engine made out of candy. Mom and Dad Smith and Watters got a “ Grandparents book of Caeleb” and Camellia got some pictures of Caeleb and Doug some granola bars and to the both a “gift of 2 free tickets to Heritage park.” To Nathan we gave a date night and some beef jerky and we will do the date night soon. I know who I want to set him up with.
We stopped at Aunt Mary and Uncle Lindsay’s house in Nanimo on the way back from the cabin the day after Boxing day. We had a nice left over meal with them and I had fun talking with Lindsay’s dad.
Lou Ann and I went to see a play on Dec 28 called The wind in the Willows – it was hilarious and it was fun to spend time with Lou Ann. She is such a good person – Quiet, does not say anything bad about anyone as far as I have heard, happy and peaceful. And Gary is so happy and he just seems like he enjoys life so much – every minute.
I took many runs this week and enjoyed them so much. It is beautiful in Victoria but I do like my Alberta.
While mom and dad Watters watched little guy on New Years eve, Chris and I went dancing at the Stake dance there and we had a lot of fun. We ordered Chinese food before then. Chris and I made chicken enchiladas for the family on Sunday after church and then we played games. I love how the Watters love to play games.
We left early Monday morning at 7:00 am and Caeleb did well on the plane again. To bad we could not go on more plane rides while Caeleb is free but we feel so blessed to have been able to save miles on the care and fly out to Victoria for Christmas. It sure was a good visit
(Caeleb insert) – My goodness, I am 4 and ½ months now and I am loving life. I love my jolly jumper so much. I can be having a bad day when I feel so sad and want to cry but when mommy or daddy put me in the jumper, I jump all my sadness away for about ½ an hour. And it is great for mommy too because she can do her workout while I do mine.
I have rolled over from front to back about 3 times now but am not so interested on doing it regularly. I am more interested in standing with help but nanna tells me that I need to work on crawling before I have anything to do with standing and walking. I guess I need to work harder on my rolling over. I am getting very close from back to front too.
Right now I am a talking and yelling away. I love to talk and yell – I have so much to say even in the middle of Sacrement meeting – I know how things really are and I want to tell everyone.
I am still only drinking milk – mostly mommy juice but I am really interested in what my mommy and daddy and everyone else are eating. It looks very interesting and I hope to try some soon.
I was 16.2 lbs at my 4 month old vaccinations. I am in the 75th percentile for my height and weight but only in the 25th percentile for my head circumference. This was the case at my 2 month vaccinations as well. Mommy and daddy find that funny. I am more “people proportioned”.
Going back in time part 5: Caeleb joins the family. September to November 2010.
September 13 2010
The lst ward picnic/corbust ended up being on Friday September 13 at Sandy Beach park. I was fretting a bit about whether it would rain or not but it did not rain. About 65 people showed up and we had a potluck and corn and roasted hotdogs by an open fire. I think it was a success.
Well, little guy arrives in less than 2 weeks. Chris is talking about how he will have “his little guy very soon.” He will be such an amazing dad! His snuggling skills are up to par. I don’t know what to think. I am excited and nervous and excited and a bit inpatient – all at the same time. We went to a 2 hour new parent class on Saturday Sept 11. We learned about diapers, baby states, bath time, care seats, etc and it has made us even more excited. We have our baby corner set up in our room with Mom Watters’ old baby basinet for baby’s first month as well as a nice change table we found at once upon a child. We have quite a few pieces of clothing. And I have my hospital bag ready to go. Since I am on maternity leave, I am trying to keep myself busy with the
nesting instinct of cleaning and organizing. I feel baby kicking and I am nice and round and as ready as I feel I will ever be. Goodness, we are excited for yet another chapter in life.
Sept 14 2010
Wow. Yesterday was when the last Journal entry was entered and today our lives changed. It all started at 2:00 in the morning. I woke up with “gas pains.” Yah, I did not think it was anything really. Just indigestion. But I could not get back to sleep and the pain just kept on coming back. I could not sleep at all and that was unusual. So I woke Chris up at 4:00 and said,”I can’t sleep, will you watch a movie with me. So we watched about an hour of Avitar but I would have to get up every 5 minutes or so because I was having this rhythmic pain that I could not get rid of. Well, about 5:00 am we decided to go into the hospital to have it checked out. We were not panicking or nervous at all. We had our showers and breakfast and Chris even had time to shave. We were laughing and talking on the way over and I remember hearing the song, “my wish” by Rascal Flatt and thinking about Camellia.
We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am and walked right through Emergency and up to the 6 floor. I told the receptionist that I thought I was in labour. She showed me to a triage room and a Nurse checked to see how things were going. Much to our surprise, I was 5 cm dialated, 100 % effaced and having frequent contractions so they told me that I was not going home. Instead they gave me a gown and we called our parents and Camellia and Doug and texted the other family.
The contractions started getting painful and I was like, “I am not opposed to an epidural.” However, the labour rooms were full so I had to wait in triage with no epidural until 11:00 (my opinion is if we have the blessing of technology, use it!). Chris was a big help and he rocked back and forth with me. I knew my labour Nurse - April. She walked in the room and I said, “I know you.” She was my preceptor from BYUI in the NICU and I had not seen her for 6 years. What a tender mercy of the Lord. It distracted me for a while as we talked and got updated on each other’s lives. The epidural worked fast and I was able to rest for about an hour. Mom and Dad sneeked in to see me for ten minutes. It was good to see them. At about 2:30 pm, I was fully dialated and ready to push so 45 minutes after that – 3:17 pm to be exact –little Caeleb was born. 8 lbs 8 oz and 20 inches long. A beautiful baby boy. So alert from the start. The Nurse took me to the postpartum unit about an hour after delivery. I couldn’t walk because of the epidural but I felt really good.
(Written on Oct 8). Mom and dad came to see me right after and Camellia did not take too much longer to arrive. Nathan and Doug could not come. It was a busy night in postpartum so I did not see my Nurse too much but I understand as I am a Nurse myself. I guess a record was set today for the number of babies born in the rockyview hospital. This being my first hospital admission, I was very impressed by the nurses who took care of me. I admired their knowledge and patience – especially the labour Nurses. It takes a special kind to be a labour nurse – I am convinced of that! Well little Caeleb seemed to do good with feeding right off the bat and he woke up about 3 times in the night for feeding. I was a bit weak but right on the ball and excited to be alert to his every need. Bishop Palmer was doing rounds in the morning at the hospital as Pediatrician and Chris saw him in the hall so he popped by. Also, we went to the feeding class in the morning and then I had a rest for a while. Mom and dad came to visit again and then we spent the afternoon doing paperwork and preparing to go home. It went by fast and we were ready to leave by about 7:00 pm. Stopped by shoppers drugmart on the way home – Caeleb’s first shopping trip.
The first night at home was busy but Chris was a huge help. He would wake Caeleb up and change his diaper and I would feed him and then Chris would put him to bed. Chris had 3 weeks off of work – so smart of him to take his vacation time now. We worked as a team these 3 weeks ( Sept 14 – Oct 5). I keep telling him that his vacation time consisted of learning how to breastfeed and change diapers but he didn’t mind at all. I don’t know what I would have done without Chris. He has been such a support. Mom and Dad have been a support as well and Camellia too. They have been up several times to help out. Caeleb was slow to gain weight and he went down more than 8% of body weight after birth so we
worked with Lactation consultants and have been weighing him frequently at the clinic to help him grow. And he is now (on Oct 8 2010) past his birth weight at 9 lbs 2 oz.
We had Woolfs up the end of September and we went down to the farm – Caeleb’s first adventure there. It was fun to be at the farm with Heather, Logan, Justin, Mom, Dad, Nathan, Camellia and Doug. Camellia and Mom took night shift for Caeleb and gave us a rest. Nana and Grandpa Smith are the proudest Grandparents ever. We love to watch them with their Grandson.
We also went to General Conference on Sunday in the Champion ward and it was fun to show Caeleb off to some ward members.
Caeleb is the hightlight of our lives now. Chris is back to work – day 3. I feel so blessed being a mom – that Heavenly Father has entrusted us with a little guy is humbling and makes me want to be ever so better. We are loving every minute. Right now, Caeleb has been eating all morning and has just fallen asleep on my lap. He is so alert during the day now that he is in his 3rd week of life. He likes to look around but is not focusing yet. He coos and makes a lot of noises but only cries when hungry or has tummy pains. He is holding up his head really well now – thanks to Chris’ coaching. We sure love our little guy or as Chris calls him – snugs or snuggly lump.
Oct 13.
I just want to let the world know that I love my family. I love my Chris and my Caeleb and feel so blessed to have them in my life. We had Caeleb’s baby blessing this last Sunday – Oct 9. We had mom and dad Watters out from Victoria which was fun. The blessing was beautiful and Caeleb looked so handsome in his white romper. Chris, Dad, Gary and Ryan Michelson were in the circle. We had a Thanksgiving supper at Aunt Sharan’s after. Those who attended: Mom and Dad Smith, Mom and Dad Watters, Camellia and Doug, Kurt and Meghan, Kamille, Paul and the girls, Todd, Aunt Brenda, Uncle Gord and Pheobe and Aunt Sharan of coarse. We spent thanksgiving Monday with mom and dad Watters and Kurt. We drove out to Elbow falls and had a hotdog roast out there which was a lot of fun.
Caeleb insert – 1 month old: Wow, I am so excited to be here on this earth. I can tell my family and friends love me so much. People always say how cute and handsome I am. They even give me gifts. I am now lifting my head quite well though I don’t like my tummy time too much. I have learned that mommy means food and daddy means comfort and sleep time. I don’t quite smile yet but I will be there soon (though now I like to put on serious expressions) and I like to move my arms and legs but I don’t really know what they are for. I like to sleep and eat and I do like to cry too at times for no apparent reason at all but it seems to relax me. I do like back floor time up to ½ hour at a time and you know something, Dad’s uncle Toni gave me a vibrator chair which I absolutely love unless I am hungry or feel like I need to be held.
Oct 25th: Well, we are packing up boxes here at our little apartment. I am kind of sad. We will have lived here a year next weekend and that is when we are moving out.
Oct 30
We have had many wonderful experiences in this little one room apartment on the 14th floor this last year. Just read back on them.
On Friday, or October 22, I recreated Chris and my first date to celebrate our 1st anniversary (on October 24). I made him lasangua like he made me on our first date. Then we dropped of Caeleb at Aunt Sharan’s (not like our first date) and went to see the new temple site (we actually went to nose hill on our first date). Then we went dancing at the same place Chris took me on our first date. We learned the Cha Cha. We had Chris’ favourite icecream when we got home – Chocolate Moose Tracks. It was a simple and beautiful memory night.
Nov 11 2010. (Katherine talking).
Well, this last month has been yet another busy month. Caeleb continues to grow and at his 6 week checkup (Oct 26), he was over 11 pounds. He is long and is starting to put on a little bit of chubbiness. Mom (me) was a little bit scared that he was not smiling yet or that he did not focus well but in the days that followed his check-up, he did both. I remember my visiting teacher (Sister Palmer) came over and she whistled at Caeleb and he gave the biggest grin. That was the first big one I really noticed.
We moved to Edendale cresent up in Northwest Calgary on October 30. It was a very busy day even though I worked hard the week before packing up all our things. My goodness we have a lot of things – most things have come from our wedding we figure. It took me about 5 days to unpack – with baby and all his needs, it takes longer to get things done.
Mom and dad Smith came up Nov 7-10. It was fun having them here and we feel blessed to have so much room. Mom (or Nana should I say) and I made turtles while “Grandpa” and Caeleb bonded. We went for daily walks and Dad and I went shopping. The weather has stayed fairly warm. I do love the fall.
On Nov 11 (today) we went to a remembrance day service in Bowness. It was packed there and it felt so good to see so many out and wearing their poppies. I love Rememberance day and I think it is so important. I think of Grandpa and his sacrifice and how he would march with the other veterans on remembrance day and how he would have a huge smile on his face. I will always remember that smile.
Nov 15 2010.
(Katherine) Caeleb and I went for a super long walk today. It was beautiful outside – about 6 degrees. We walked 40 minutes to Super Store to do our weekly grocery shopping and then walked 40 minutes back. Caeleb slept most of the way and I couldn’t help but smile as it was so good to walk so far. We enjoyed it while we could as tomorrow we are to see the white stuff.
Nov 19 2010
(Katherine) I am glad we went for a walk on Monday because on Tuesday it snowed and snowed and it is still snowing. But I love this winter wonderland. I went out with Lisa last night to do some Primerica and I enjoyed it. We were out late though – till midnight and both our husbands called being worried about us. Caeleb is sleeping right now. He is such a good little boy. We ventured out in the snow on Tuesday for a meet and greet doctor’s appointment for him and then again on Wednesday evening for his first vaccinations. He cried hard for about 3 minutes but calmed down and forgot all about it after. Being a paranoid mother, I still gave him 2 doses of Tylenol for comfort measures even though he really did not need it I think. Caeleb is cooing quite loudly now and it seems as though he has a giggle every day or so. Really cute! He is a smart little boy. Kind of funny though, Caeleb is bigger than average for height and weight (75th percentile or so) but he has a small head (25th percentile). I had a big head for a baby I think so I think this is strange but Chris isn’t concerned in the least and we will just go with the flow. I am sure Caeleb is as bright as ever and he is a handsome little guy – more big people proportioned and we laugh at that a little.
Nov 27th 2010
A fun weekend this weekend. I went and visited a friend, Mallory, on Friday as she wanted to see Caeleb. We work together and she is on maternity leave too with a baby 6 month old. We had lunch at her place and had fun talking and laughing. Afterwards I went and visited my co-workers at the hospital and they loved seeing little Caeleb. He was so good for them. Then I picked Chris up from work and we did not get out of the city until 6:30 or so because of the roads (they were a bit snowy and it was a bit windy). We got to mom and dad’s by around 8:00 tonight and slept over night. Then we went to Camellia and Doug’s at the Draper Cabin for a pig roast which was a blast. About 30 people were there including Mom and Dad Smith, Nathan and the Radfords. We had fun chatting and ate so much good food including a pig, potatoes, and tons of salads and desserts. Doug and Camellia were so good to do that for us. Chris and I talked at church on Sunday so we had to leave at 7:00 in the morning. But we got there in time and I enjoyed our talks so it was definitely worth it.
The lst ward picnic/corbust ended up being on Friday September 13 at Sandy Beach park. I was fretting a bit about whether it would rain or not but it did not rain. About 65 people showed up and we had a potluck and corn and roasted hotdogs by an open fire. I think it was a success.
Well, little guy arrives in less than 2 weeks. Chris is talking about how he will have “his little guy very soon.” He will be such an amazing dad! His snuggling skills are up to par. I don’t know what to think. I am excited and nervous and excited and a bit inpatient – all at the same time. We went to a 2 hour new parent class on Saturday Sept 11. We learned about diapers, baby states, bath time, care seats, etc and it has made us even more excited. We have our baby corner set up in our room with Mom Watters’ old baby basinet for baby’s first month as well as a nice change table we found at once upon a child. We have quite a few pieces of clothing. And I have my hospital bag ready to go. Since I am on maternity leave, I am trying to keep myself busy with the
nesting instinct of cleaning and organizing. I feel baby kicking and I am nice and round and as ready as I feel I will ever be. Goodness, we are excited for yet another chapter in life.
Sept 14 2010
Wow. Yesterday was when the last Journal entry was entered and today our lives changed. It all started at 2:00 in the morning. I woke up with “gas pains.” Yah, I did not think it was anything really. Just indigestion. But I could not get back to sleep and the pain just kept on coming back. I could not sleep at all and that was unusual. So I woke Chris up at 4:00 and said,”I can’t sleep, will you watch a movie with me. So we watched about an hour of Avitar but I would have to get up every 5 minutes or so because I was having this rhythmic pain that I could not get rid of. Well, about 5:00 am we decided to go into the hospital to have it checked out. We were not panicking or nervous at all. We had our showers and breakfast and Chris even had time to shave. We were laughing and talking on the way over and I remember hearing the song, “my wish” by Rascal Flatt and thinking about Camellia.
We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am and walked right through Emergency and up to the 6 floor. I told the receptionist that I thought I was in labour. She showed me to a triage room and a Nurse checked to see how things were going. Much to our surprise, I was 5 cm dialated, 100 % effaced and having frequent contractions so they told me that I was not going home. Instead they gave me a gown and we called our parents and Camellia and Doug and texted the other family.
The contractions started getting painful and I was like, “I am not opposed to an epidural.” However, the labour rooms were full so I had to wait in triage with no epidural until 11:00 (my opinion is if we have the blessing of technology, use it!). Chris was a big help and he rocked back and forth with me. I knew my labour Nurse - April. She walked in the room and I said, “I know you.” She was my preceptor from BYUI in the NICU and I had not seen her for 6 years. What a tender mercy of the Lord. It distracted me for a while as we talked and got updated on each other’s lives. The epidural worked fast and I was able to rest for about an hour. Mom and Dad sneeked in to see me for ten minutes. It was good to see them. At about 2:30 pm, I was fully dialated and ready to push so 45 minutes after that – 3:17 pm to be exact –little Caeleb was born. 8 lbs 8 oz and 20 inches long. A beautiful baby boy. So alert from the start. The Nurse took me to the postpartum unit about an hour after delivery. I couldn’t walk because of the epidural but I felt really good.
(Written on Oct 8). Mom and dad came to see me right after and Camellia did not take too much longer to arrive. Nathan and Doug could not come. It was a busy night in postpartum so I did not see my Nurse too much but I understand as I am a Nurse myself. I guess a record was set today for the number of babies born in the rockyview hospital. This being my first hospital admission, I was very impressed by the nurses who took care of me. I admired their knowledge and patience – especially the labour Nurses. It takes a special kind to be a labour nurse – I am convinced of that! Well little Caeleb seemed to do good with feeding right off the bat and he woke up about 3 times in the night for feeding. I was a bit weak but right on the ball and excited to be alert to his every need. Bishop Palmer was doing rounds in the morning at the hospital as Pediatrician and Chris saw him in the hall so he popped by. Also, we went to the feeding class in the morning and then I had a rest for a while. Mom and dad came to visit again and then we spent the afternoon doing paperwork and preparing to go home. It went by fast and we were ready to leave by about 7:00 pm. Stopped by shoppers drugmart on the way home – Caeleb’s first shopping trip.
The first night at home was busy but Chris was a huge help. He would wake Caeleb up and change his diaper and I would feed him and then Chris would put him to bed. Chris had 3 weeks off of work – so smart of him to take his vacation time now. We worked as a team these 3 weeks ( Sept 14 – Oct 5). I keep telling him that his vacation time consisted of learning how to breastfeed and change diapers but he didn’t mind at all. I don’t know what I would have done without Chris. He has been such a support. Mom and Dad have been a support as well and Camellia too. They have been up several times to help out. Caeleb was slow to gain weight and he went down more than 8% of body weight after birth so we
worked with Lactation consultants and have been weighing him frequently at the clinic to help him grow. And he is now (on Oct 8 2010) past his birth weight at 9 lbs 2 oz.
We had Woolfs up the end of September and we went down to the farm – Caeleb’s first adventure there. It was fun to be at the farm with Heather, Logan, Justin, Mom, Dad, Nathan, Camellia and Doug. Camellia and Mom took night shift for Caeleb and gave us a rest. Nana and Grandpa Smith are the proudest Grandparents ever. We love to watch them with their Grandson.
We also went to General Conference on Sunday in the Champion ward and it was fun to show Caeleb off to some ward members.
Caeleb is the hightlight of our lives now. Chris is back to work – day 3. I feel so blessed being a mom – that Heavenly Father has entrusted us with a little guy is humbling and makes me want to be ever so better. We are loving every minute. Right now, Caeleb has been eating all morning and has just fallen asleep on my lap. He is so alert during the day now that he is in his 3rd week of life. He likes to look around but is not focusing yet. He coos and makes a lot of noises but only cries when hungry or has tummy pains. He is holding up his head really well now – thanks to Chris’ coaching. We sure love our little guy or as Chris calls him – snugs or snuggly lump.
Oct 13.
I just want to let the world know that I love my family. I love my Chris and my Caeleb and feel so blessed to have them in my life. We had Caeleb’s baby blessing this last Sunday – Oct 9. We had mom and dad Watters out from Victoria which was fun. The blessing was beautiful and Caeleb looked so handsome in his white romper. Chris, Dad, Gary and Ryan Michelson were in the circle. We had a Thanksgiving supper at Aunt Sharan’s after. Those who attended: Mom and Dad Smith, Mom and Dad Watters, Camellia and Doug, Kurt and Meghan, Kamille, Paul and the girls, Todd, Aunt Brenda, Uncle Gord and Pheobe and Aunt Sharan of coarse. We spent thanksgiving Monday with mom and dad Watters and Kurt. We drove out to Elbow falls and had a hotdog roast out there which was a lot of fun.
Caeleb insert – 1 month old: Wow, I am so excited to be here on this earth. I can tell my family and friends love me so much. People always say how cute and handsome I am. They even give me gifts. I am now lifting my head quite well though I don’t like my tummy time too much. I have learned that mommy means food and daddy means comfort and sleep time. I don’t quite smile yet but I will be there soon (though now I like to put on serious expressions) and I like to move my arms and legs but I don’t really know what they are for. I like to sleep and eat and I do like to cry too at times for no apparent reason at all but it seems to relax me. I do like back floor time up to ½ hour at a time and you know something, Dad’s uncle Toni gave me a vibrator chair which I absolutely love unless I am hungry or feel like I need to be held.
Oct 25th: Well, we are packing up boxes here at our little apartment. I am kind of sad. We will have lived here a year next weekend and that is when we are moving out.
Oct 30
We have had many wonderful experiences in this little one room apartment on the 14th floor this last year. Just read back on them.
On Friday, or October 22, I recreated Chris and my first date to celebrate our 1st anniversary (on October 24). I made him lasangua like he made me on our first date. Then we dropped of Caeleb at Aunt Sharan’s (not like our first date) and went to see the new temple site (we actually went to nose hill on our first date). Then we went dancing at the same place Chris took me on our first date. We learned the Cha Cha. We had Chris’ favourite icecream when we got home – Chocolate Moose Tracks. It was a simple and beautiful memory night.
Nov 11 2010. (Katherine talking).
Well, this last month has been yet another busy month. Caeleb continues to grow and at his 6 week checkup (Oct 26), he was over 11 pounds. He is long and is starting to put on a little bit of chubbiness. Mom (me) was a little bit scared that he was not smiling yet or that he did not focus well but in the days that followed his check-up, he did both. I remember my visiting teacher (Sister Palmer) came over and she whistled at Caeleb and he gave the biggest grin. That was the first big one I really noticed.
We moved to Edendale cresent up in Northwest Calgary on October 30. It was a very busy day even though I worked hard the week before packing up all our things. My goodness we have a lot of things – most things have come from our wedding we figure. It took me about 5 days to unpack – with baby and all his needs, it takes longer to get things done.
Mom and dad Smith came up Nov 7-10. It was fun having them here and we feel blessed to have so much room. Mom (or Nana should I say) and I made turtles while “Grandpa” and Caeleb bonded. We went for daily walks and Dad and I went shopping. The weather has stayed fairly warm. I do love the fall.
On Nov 11 (today) we went to a remembrance day service in Bowness. It was packed there and it felt so good to see so many out and wearing their poppies. I love Rememberance day and I think it is so important. I think of Grandpa and his sacrifice and how he would march with the other veterans on remembrance day and how he would have a huge smile on his face. I will always remember that smile.
Nov 15 2010.
(Katherine) Caeleb and I went for a super long walk today. It was beautiful outside – about 6 degrees. We walked 40 minutes to Super Store to do our weekly grocery shopping and then walked 40 minutes back. Caeleb slept most of the way and I couldn’t help but smile as it was so good to walk so far. We enjoyed it while we could as tomorrow we are to see the white stuff.
Nov 19 2010
(Katherine) I am glad we went for a walk on Monday because on Tuesday it snowed and snowed and it is still snowing. But I love this winter wonderland. I went out with Lisa last night to do some Primerica and I enjoyed it. We were out late though – till midnight and both our husbands called being worried about us. Caeleb is sleeping right now. He is such a good little boy. We ventured out in the snow on Tuesday for a meet and greet doctor’s appointment for him and then again on Wednesday evening for his first vaccinations. He cried hard for about 3 minutes but calmed down and forgot all about it after. Being a paranoid mother, I still gave him 2 doses of Tylenol for comfort measures even though he really did not need it I think. Caeleb is cooing quite loudly now and it seems as though he has a giggle every day or so. Really cute! He is a smart little boy. Kind of funny though, Caeleb is bigger than average for height and weight (75th percentile or so) but he has a small head (25th percentile). I had a big head for a baby I think so I think this is strange but Chris isn’t concerned in the least and we will just go with the flow. I am sure Caeleb is as bright as ever and he is a handsome little guy – more big people proportioned and we laugh at that a little.
Nov 27th 2010
A fun weekend this weekend. I went and visited a friend, Mallory, on Friday as she wanted to see Caeleb. We work together and she is on maternity leave too with a baby 6 month old. We had lunch at her place and had fun talking and laughing. Afterwards I went and visited my co-workers at the hospital and they loved seeing little Caeleb. He was so good for them. Then I picked Chris up from work and we did not get out of the city until 6:30 or so because of the roads (they were a bit snowy and it was a bit windy). We got to mom and dad’s by around 8:00 tonight and slept over night. Then we went to Camellia and Doug’s at the Draper Cabin for a pig roast which was a blast. About 30 people were there including Mom and Dad Smith, Nathan and the Radfords. We had fun chatting and ate so much good food including a pig, potatoes, and tons of salads and desserts. Doug and Camellia were so good to do that for us. Chris and I talked at church on Sunday so we had to leave at 7:00 in the morning. But we got there in time and I enjoyed our talks so it was definitely worth it.
Going back in time part 4: April, June, July, August 2010
April 2010
A relatively sudden change in our lives this month of April. Dad and Mom decided to sell our 30 head of cows. They just do not need to be chasing cows around at this time in life. Dad has had this same herd for almost 40 years I think. It was a sad but special day indeed when we gathered together to round up the cows for the last time. And then on a Monday morning, a big semitrailer came and hauled them out to market. We went to see what they sold for and it was about $30,000 or more which was pretty good. Chris and I made dad a collogue of pictures of him and the cows which was good to do.
June 2010.
I, Katherine took a mini journey this month. I was unable to pick up very many shifts at the hospital this month and I am working a 0.2 (average one day a week) part time temporary status supplemented with picking up shifts. Work is a little slow in June I suppose. But Heavenly Father has blessed us so much and he provided me with another little job. For part of May and all of June, I was able to supplement income by working with Samuel who is a boy in my apartment complex with epilepsy. His mom Marilyn also lives here at Coventry place. They are members of our ward. It was so fun, and a great learning experience to work with Samuel. We went on outings to Lethbridge, the zoo, etc. I spent about 2 days a week with him.
July 2010
Well, this month has been busier with work for me and Chris is plugging away steadily at his job and school. We went on a Campout at Camellia and Doug’s cabin in Mountain View with Nathan on June 30th and then we joined mom and dad in Raymond on July first to celebrate Mom’s birthday. We watched the Raymond parade and had a potluck dinner at Aunt May’s house. Then we drove back to the farm and mom opened her gift from us kids – a big, tall blow up mattress to keep up with the growing Smith family. Another highlight of the month was to have Jarad, Carina and Landon (5) come out for a week. It was our Christmas present to them from us – a stampede adventure. Well, we all were quite cozy in our little apartment. We went to the farm as well and visited the hutterites and rode Pardon. We also went to the stampede grounds which was a lot of fun. I have not been there in years!! Chris met us after his work day and we saw an amazing ice skating show and a concert outside by Doc walker. We danced there. We went swimming in our apartment building and we went out to eat for my Birthday. Chris gave me a Josh Groban CD which I just love as well as an Alan Jackson CD. Chris sure spoiled me. He even gave me my favorite gift of all. A glider chair. It is beautiful and comfortable and I just love it! Another sudden adventure this month occurred when Grandma Watters passed away at the end of July. So I cancelled a few shifts and along with Kurt, we made a 4 day trip out to Victoria for the funeral. It was good to see the family again and I got to know a lot more of the Watters family which is quite a large family! I especially had fun going out to the breakwater with Chris and walking downtown with him and watching a movie with mom Watters. Chris had a good time too reconnecting with cousins and other family members. I enjoyed watching him use his camera to take pictures of everyone and everything. We saved up for that camera and got it the beginning of July I believe.
August 2010
I worked hard at the hospital this month right up to September 1. On one stretch of days off, I did go down to the farm to can peaches with mom and we also had our chicken killing day with the Smith family. We killed 20 chickens for ourselves – mom and dad helped a lot with taking care of them before we butchered them. So far, we have eaten about 3 of them and are they ever good!! My friends at work have treated me so well and they had a baby shower for Mallory ( a friend and coworker) and me at the beginning of August. I feel very blessed to work with who I work with. And you know something, since February, my confidence level has grown so much at work. In fact, I left work on Sept 1 ( I picked up one last shift on the spur of the moment) for Maternity leave, with such a peaceful feeling that I have worked hard and done my best and that Unit 74 and 73 have benefited because of me. I will miss work so much and will be excited to go back. What a blessing to leave on that note!
As for a sad note, we lost 2 church friends in a car accident on August 20. I will remember coming home from work at 8:00 pm August 21 and having Chris take me in his arms and tell me the bad news. Merin and Mike Melnik were killed and their 7 week old baby, Ysa, was sent to the children’s hospital in serious condition. We went to the funeral on August 28th and the ward picnic was postponed until Sept 10th. Chris and I have done a lot of talking on this. Merin and Mike were such exemplary people. They were pure and good and kept their covenants they made in the Temple. We want to live this way – a pure and simple life. We can look to their righteous example all our lives. I hope that when it is time to go, we can leave the type of legacy that Merin and Mike left.
This incident has got us thinking about our future as well and we are beginning to look more into a better life insurance to leave our kids with something if something happens. Also, we think about investing a little now for when we retire. We call ourselves starving students now but we can continually put a little away and then more and more as we have it. A friend of a friend of Chris’, Lisa, started to visit us near the end of August. She is with Primerica and has got us (me Katherine especially) thinking about finances. We have started going to Tuesday or Wednesday night classes with her and I have learned a lot about her. Our goal now is to get a house mortgage in my 28th year – near the end probably. So we are saving for that. We feel very blessed financially considering we are paying tuition and trying to save money as well.
A relatively sudden change in our lives this month of April. Dad and Mom decided to sell our 30 head of cows. They just do not need to be chasing cows around at this time in life. Dad has had this same herd for almost 40 years I think. It was a sad but special day indeed when we gathered together to round up the cows for the last time. And then on a Monday morning, a big semitrailer came and hauled them out to market. We went to see what they sold for and it was about $30,000 or more which was pretty good. Chris and I made dad a collogue of pictures of him and the cows which was good to do.
June 2010.
I, Katherine took a mini journey this month. I was unable to pick up very many shifts at the hospital this month and I am working a 0.2 (average one day a week) part time temporary status supplemented with picking up shifts. Work is a little slow in June I suppose. But Heavenly Father has blessed us so much and he provided me with another little job. For part of May and all of June, I was able to supplement income by working with Samuel who is a boy in my apartment complex with epilepsy. His mom Marilyn also lives here at Coventry place. They are members of our ward. It was so fun, and a great learning experience to work with Samuel. We went on outings to Lethbridge, the zoo, etc. I spent about 2 days a week with him.
July 2010
Well, this month has been busier with work for me and Chris is plugging away steadily at his job and school. We went on a Campout at Camellia and Doug’s cabin in Mountain View with Nathan on June 30th and then we joined mom and dad in Raymond on July first to celebrate Mom’s birthday. We watched the Raymond parade and had a potluck dinner at Aunt May’s house. Then we drove back to the farm and mom opened her gift from us kids – a big, tall blow up mattress to keep up with the growing Smith family. Another highlight of the month was to have Jarad, Carina and Landon (5) come out for a week. It was our Christmas present to them from us – a stampede adventure. Well, we all were quite cozy in our little apartment. We went to the farm as well and visited the hutterites and rode Pardon. We also went to the stampede grounds which was a lot of fun. I have not been there in years!! Chris met us after his work day and we saw an amazing ice skating show and a concert outside by Doc walker. We danced there. We went swimming in our apartment building and we went out to eat for my Birthday. Chris gave me a Josh Groban CD which I just love as well as an Alan Jackson CD. Chris sure spoiled me. He even gave me my favorite gift of all. A glider chair. It is beautiful and comfortable and I just love it! Another sudden adventure this month occurred when Grandma Watters passed away at the end of July. So I cancelled a few shifts and along with Kurt, we made a 4 day trip out to Victoria for the funeral. It was good to see the family again and I got to know a lot more of the Watters family which is quite a large family! I especially had fun going out to the breakwater with Chris and walking downtown with him and watching a movie with mom Watters. Chris had a good time too reconnecting with cousins and other family members. I enjoyed watching him use his camera to take pictures of everyone and everything. We saved up for that camera and got it the beginning of July I believe.
August 2010
I worked hard at the hospital this month right up to September 1. On one stretch of days off, I did go down to the farm to can peaches with mom and we also had our chicken killing day with the Smith family. We killed 20 chickens for ourselves – mom and dad helped a lot with taking care of them before we butchered them. So far, we have eaten about 3 of them and are they ever good!! My friends at work have treated me so well and they had a baby shower for Mallory ( a friend and coworker) and me at the beginning of August. I feel very blessed to work with who I work with. And you know something, since February, my confidence level has grown so much at work. In fact, I left work on Sept 1 ( I picked up one last shift on the spur of the moment) for Maternity leave, with such a peaceful feeling that I have worked hard and done my best and that Unit 74 and 73 have benefited because of me. I will miss work so much and will be excited to go back. What a blessing to leave on that note!
As for a sad note, we lost 2 church friends in a car accident on August 20. I will remember coming home from work at 8:00 pm August 21 and having Chris take me in his arms and tell me the bad news. Merin and Mike Melnik were killed and their 7 week old baby, Ysa, was sent to the children’s hospital in serious condition. We went to the funeral on August 28th and the ward picnic was postponed until Sept 10th. Chris and I have done a lot of talking on this. Merin and Mike were such exemplary people. They were pure and good and kept their covenants they made in the Temple. We want to live this way – a pure and simple life. We can look to their righteous example all our lives. I hope that when it is time to go, we can leave the type of legacy that Merin and Mike left.
This incident has got us thinking about our future as well and we are beginning to look more into a better life insurance to leave our kids with something if something happens. Also, we think about investing a little now for when we retire. We call ourselves starving students now but we can continually put a little away and then more and more as we have it. A friend of a friend of Chris’, Lisa, started to visit us near the end of August. She is with Primerica and has got us (me Katherine especially) thinking about finances. We have started going to Tuesday or Wednesday night classes with her and I have learned a lot about her. Our goal now is to get a house mortgage in my 28th year – near the end probably. So we are saving for that. We feel very blessed financially considering we are paying tuition and trying to save money as well.
Going back in time part 3: January, February and March 2010
January 2010
The start of this month means the start of school for Chris. This will be quite the adventure for us and do I ever admire him for all he is doing. You see, he has started his Bachelor of Networking and Communications degree from Devry University. This will supplement his previous work experience and certifications that he has completed throughout the years. And he is working fulltime at the Workers Compensation Board here in Calgary as a Computer Technician. We hope that one day he can get more of his “dream job” and we will save for retirement and family and mission. I think that I would be satisfied and happy as long as I put my efforts in to serving in the church the rest of my life.
I want Chris to know that I so admire his willingness to start this journey. It is not easy and won’t be easy as he has so much to do in the next few years. But I believe in him! And it will prepare us both for the future business of life. We will work together and pool our resources and I will try to be the best wife ever! I will continue to work my hardest as he works his hardest. All I have seen are smiles and a positive attitude from him and I want to follow that example.
February 2010
Wow, it has been a long while since we have written in our Journal. Today it is a beautiful frosty day outside and from our apartment you can see the frost on thousands of trees overlooking from above. It reminds me of Lady and the Tramp – the beginning. Today I feel so grateful for my husband. He treats me like an angel. I don’t always deserve it but he is determined to make me into one and I want to be one. He gave me a blessing the other day to help me through this pregnancy. It was a beautiful blessing and it has given me strength. Yep, we are pregnant. I found out at a walk in clinic on January 10 as I wanted an X-ray of my tailbone as it was never x-rayed after I fell off my horse Danny 7 years ago. The doctor asked me if I wanted a pregnancy test for kicks and I said “sure, why not,” and he came back and said, “I think you’re pregnant.” So then began
another journey in life. I never would have imagined getting pregnant so quickly due to certain health factors but we feel so blessed and know that Heavenly Father has a plan for everything and this is part of his plan. We are so very excited for this chapter in life.
March 2010
This month ended a difficult time for me. Not only have I been very sick from pregnancy – vomiting and nausea galore but I have had a previous work issue haunt me for the past 2 years and it surfaced again in January. I don’t want to go too deep into this issue as I want to put it behind me but I will say the following: I have been blessed so much – more than I deserve! Mom has been a blessing as she has escorted me to Edmonton several times to be with me as I have gone to certain meetings that were not fun to attend but necessary nonetheless. Chris has given me several blessings that I pray have helped me say the right thing at the right time. All I have wanted to do was be honest in my dealings. With the prayers of loved ones, things have been resolved and I have been able to continue my Nursing career. This is such a blessing and at times I feel I do not deserve it! I do continue with some hesitancy and some feelings of inadequacy in Nursing but I believe that through my imperfections, Heavenly Father has given me a second chance and has let me continue forward without more setbacks than needed. I continue to pray that I can add to the nursing profession and fulfill my potential in that area.
The start of this month means the start of school for Chris. This will be quite the adventure for us and do I ever admire him for all he is doing. You see, he has started his Bachelor of Networking and Communications degree from Devry University. This will supplement his previous work experience and certifications that he has completed throughout the years. And he is working fulltime at the Workers Compensation Board here in Calgary as a Computer Technician. We hope that one day he can get more of his “dream job” and we will save for retirement and family and mission. I think that I would be satisfied and happy as long as I put my efforts in to serving in the church the rest of my life.
I want Chris to know that I so admire his willingness to start this journey. It is not easy and won’t be easy as he has so much to do in the next few years. But I believe in him! And it will prepare us both for the future business of life. We will work together and pool our resources and I will try to be the best wife ever! I will continue to work my hardest as he works his hardest. All I have seen are smiles and a positive attitude from him and I want to follow that example.
February 2010
Wow, it has been a long while since we have written in our Journal. Today it is a beautiful frosty day outside and from our apartment you can see the frost on thousands of trees overlooking from above. It reminds me of Lady and the Tramp – the beginning. Today I feel so grateful for my husband. He treats me like an angel. I don’t always deserve it but he is determined to make me into one and I want to be one. He gave me a blessing the other day to help me through this pregnancy. It was a beautiful blessing and it has given me strength. Yep, we are pregnant. I found out at a walk in clinic on January 10 as I wanted an X-ray of my tailbone as it was never x-rayed after I fell off my horse Danny 7 years ago. The doctor asked me if I wanted a pregnancy test for kicks and I said “sure, why not,” and he came back and said, “I think you’re pregnant.” So then began
another journey in life. I never would have imagined getting pregnant so quickly due to certain health factors but we feel so blessed and know that Heavenly Father has a plan for everything and this is part of his plan. We are so very excited for this chapter in life.
March 2010
This month ended a difficult time for me. Not only have I been very sick from pregnancy – vomiting and nausea galore but I have had a previous work issue haunt me for the past 2 years and it surfaced again in January. I don’t want to go too deep into this issue as I want to put it behind me but I will say the following: I have been blessed so much – more than I deserve! Mom has been a blessing as she has escorted me to Edmonton several times to be with me as I have gone to certain meetings that were not fun to attend but necessary nonetheless. Chris has given me several blessings that I pray have helped me say the right thing at the right time. All I have wanted to do was be honest in my dealings. With the prayers of loved ones, things have been resolved and I have been able to continue my Nursing career. This is such a blessing and at times I feel I do not deserve it! I do continue with some hesitancy and some feelings of inadequacy in Nursing but I believe that through my imperfections, Heavenly Father has given me a second chance and has let me continue forward without more setbacks than needed. I continue to pray that I can add to the nursing profession and fulfill my potential in that area.
Going back in time part 2: Our Honeymoon
Well, on Sunday Oct 25th (first full day of the rest of eternity together), we were out of the hotel at 11:00 and we went to see Grandma Nancy before attending Sacrament meeting at 1:00 in the West Stake center. Then we went to Canmore and stayed at a nice motel - home with a fireplace and kitchen, etc. We had chinese food take out and watched some of Road to Avonlea on TV. It was so cozy.
We left about 10:00 Monday morning to head for - well I didn't know at the time but just that we were headed in the direction of the Boarder. The weather conditions were terrible. The roads were slick and it was snowing and when we stopped by Fort Steele, it had been closed due to the weather. But we did reach our destination about 8:00 that evening - Spokane Washington. We ate Mexican food (which reminds me of and makes me miss living in Idaho) and settled in our little "not so posh" (but special all the same) hotel room.
We were at a 9:30 temple session in the Spokane temple and then we took of to Tri cities Washington and hit about a 4:30 session. I think the Richmond temple is the most beautiful small temple I have seen yet (out of the three I have seen). I met an old FHE brother there with his wife.
Then we continued to drive some more - singing, talking and thinking along the way - and we reached Portland about 11:00 that night. I drove in to the big city of Portland and was a bit scared but Chris said I did okay. That was the best continental breakfast we had on the trip I think, at that hotel.
We got up early on Wednesday morning and went to the Portland Temple which is a beautiful temple!! The grounds are not as beautiful as the Seattle Temple but the inside is mindboggling. The wood is dark wood and there is an inside garden room. The celestial room is 2 floors and after we were done a session, we sat there for a while. A sister Westover came up to us and asked us some questions and when she found out we were on our honeymoon, she suggested we work in the temple as a young couple. Hmmmm, I think that we would really like to do that.
We took off to Seattle that afternoon and ended up doing sealings from 7:00-about 7:45. That was probably our favourite temple experience on our Honeymoon. We got to wait with the sealers before the session started and got to listen to them talk together. It was a very spiritual experience and so special.
We drove late into the night to get to a small city right by the Vancouver ferry to Victoria. I think we both were exhausted and slept well that night.
I believe we took a 1:00 Thursday afternoon ferry the next day after eating breakfast at White Spot. It was a rainy cold day. I love the ocean when the weather is like that. It makes me feel like living by the ocean in a lighthouse. What do you think? Another goal to put on the dream list. We will see.
We got to our Hotel room downtown Victoria later in the afternoon. My favorite hotel. It was old and old -fashioned. We slept in a room I like to call the Haunted room - the man at the desk said some people won't stay in there a night. Our room was two stories, a living room and kitchenette, bathroom and balcony that overlooked the bay, on the bottom floor. Our bedroom was on the top floor. Above the balcony there was a ledge inside that had an ancient wedding dress, sewing machine and boots on it. Looked kind of spooky. The wallpaper was old and flowered and it smelled rustic as well.
We went to the Watter's house that night and met Mom, Dad, Camellia and Doug there for Chinese food.
I got my hair done on Friday by Racheal's mom and then we met up with our Smith Family for lunch and to walk around the docks. Mom and dad treated us to a yummy seafood lunch and we toured a house that was built on the water.
Our reception started at 7:00 - 9:00. It was simple but lovely - about 50 people came and we had a whole bunch of desserts. I really enjoyed that dance that came after. I had my dance with Dad and then danced with Chris - of course.
We spent Saturday in Victoria with the Watters. Chris surprised me with a costume and we went trick or treating with Landon, Quinton and Calvin at the Mall and then that evening around Landons house. Landon was Wally, Quinton was a chicken and Chris and I were farmers. I had a lot of fun that night. Chris is a sweetheart in planning a Halloween for us. I have the bestest husband ever.
We left Sunday morning - 11:00 ferry I think and we hit a Sacrament meeting in a city east of Vancouver. It was a young single adult ward - to say a final goodbye I guess. We stayed that night in Kamloops in an African themed hotel room which was really fun. Had a Jacuzzi tub and a beautiful layout.
We went to the train museum in Revelstoke on the way home the next day and then barley made it to Golden before running out of gas. Had supper and a little dinner and we were home about 10:00 on Monday evening. Mom and dad had our bed all ready for us in our new little 13th floor apartment home with our new quilt on it that mom helped me make.
It was a beautiful honeymoon. I could not have asked for anything better. My husband is so good to me. He treats me like all girls should be treated - like an Angel. Now on to the next chapter in life.
We left about 10:00 Monday morning to head for - well I didn't know at the time but just that we were headed in the direction of the Boarder. The weather conditions were terrible. The roads were slick and it was snowing and when we stopped by Fort Steele, it had been closed due to the weather. But we did reach our destination about 8:00 that evening - Spokane Washington. We ate Mexican food (which reminds me of and makes me miss living in Idaho) and settled in our little "not so posh" (but special all the same) hotel room.
We were at a 9:30 temple session in the Spokane temple and then we took of to Tri cities Washington and hit about a 4:30 session. I think the Richmond temple is the most beautiful small temple I have seen yet (out of the three I have seen). I met an old FHE brother there with his wife.
Then we continued to drive some more - singing, talking and thinking along the way - and we reached Portland about 11:00 that night. I drove in to the big city of Portland and was a bit scared but Chris said I did okay. That was the best continental breakfast we had on the trip I think, at that hotel.
We got up early on Wednesday morning and went to the Portland Temple which is a beautiful temple!! The grounds are not as beautiful as the Seattle Temple but the inside is mindboggling. The wood is dark wood and there is an inside garden room. The celestial room is 2 floors and after we were done a session, we sat there for a while. A sister Westover came up to us and asked us some questions and when she found out we were on our honeymoon, she suggested we work in the temple as a young couple. Hmmmm, I think that we would really like to do that.
We took off to Seattle that afternoon and ended up doing sealings from 7:00-about 7:45. That was probably our favourite temple experience on our Honeymoon. We got to wait with the sealers before the session started and got to listen to them talk together. It was a very spiritual experience and so special.
We drove late into the night to get to a small city right by the Vancouver ferry to Victoria. I think we both were exhausted and slept well that night.
I believe we took a 1:00 Thursday afternoon ferry the next day after eating breakfast at White Spot. It was a rainy cold day. I love the ocean when the weather is like that. It makes me feel like living by the ocean in a lighthouse. What do you think? Another goal to put on the dream list. We will see.
We got to our Hotel room downtown Victoria later in the afternoon. My favorite hotel. It was old and old -fashioned. We slept in a room I like to call the Haunted room - the man at the desk said some people won't stay in there a night. Our room was two stories, a living room and kitchenette, bathroom and balcony that overlooked the bay, on the bottom floor. Our bedroom was on the top floor. Above the balcony there was a ledge inside that had an ancient wedding dress, sewing machine and boots on it. Looked kind of spooky. The wallpaper was old and flowered and it smelled rustic as well.
We went to the Watter's house that night and met Mom, Dad, Camellia and Doug there for Chinese food.
I got my hair done on Friday by Racheal's mom and then we met up with our Smith Family for lunch and to walk around the docks. Mom and dad treated us to a yummy seafood lunch and we toured a house that was built on the water.
Our reception started at 7:00 - 9:00. It was simple but lovely - about 50 people came and we had a whole bunch of desserts. I really enjoyed that dance that came after. I had my dance with Dad and then danced with Chris - of course.
We spent Saturday in Victoria with the Watters. Chris surprised me with a costume and we went trick or treating with Landon, Quinton and Calvin at the Mall and then that evening around Landons house. Landon was Wally, Quinton was a chicken and Chris and I were farmers. I had a lot of fun that night. Chris is a sweetheart in planning a Halloween for us. I have the bestest husband ever.
We left Sunday morning - 11:00 ferry I think and we hit a Sacrament meeting in a city east of Vancouver. It was a young single adult ward - to say a final goodbye I guess. We stayed that night in Kamloops in an African themed hotel room which was really fun. Had a Jacuzzi tub and a beautiful layout.
We went to the train museum in Revelstoke on the way home the next day and then barley made it to Golden before running out of gas. Had supper and a little dinner and we were home about 10:00 on Monday evening. Mom and dad had our bed all ready for us in our new little 13th floor apartment home with our new quilt on it that mom helped me make.
It was a beautiful honeymoon. I could not have asked for anything better. My husband is so good to me. He treats me like all girls should be treated - like an Angel. Now on to the next chapter in life.
Going back in time part 1 - Our Wedding Oct 24, 2009
(Katherine) - My marriage to Chris - I woke up at 4:30 A.M. Had a pumpkin muffin and orange Juice for breakfast and Mom, Dad, Camellia and I left the farm by 05:30 am. Heather and Sarah did my hair and makeup from 7:15-9:15 in Cardston. It looked beautiful if I do say so myself. I met up with Chris at 9:30 in the Temple and it was so good to see him. He was beaming - I was too. It felt like home. President and Sister Hanson helped us to where we needed to go next and when I saw Chris again, that part was the best part in the Temple.
Our sealing was very special. President Hanson sealed us. He quoted some of a poem - How do I love thee. He talked about the importance of having a family.
Those who attended the Sealing were as follows: Mom and Dad Smith, Mom and Dad Watters, Camellia, Nathan, Doug, Jonathan and Kara Smith, Donavan and Candice Watters, Audrey and Jim Ellis, Tony and Sarah Brown, Eric and Racheal Watters, Aunt Sharan and Uncle Ian, Kamille and Paul Gainor, Heather, Sarah and Gord Woolf.
After the sealing, everyone was allowed to come up and congratulate us and I cried when Camellia gave me a hug.
It started raining and snowing right as soon as we walked out of the Temple. Oh, what an adventure. But I was okay with it - I was just happy. We had everyone rush outside to take a big group picture which was fun and we got a really nice one of the 2 of us in front of the Temple.
Ryan Michelson did our pictures and we did a lot of them in the Carriage center. We are excited to get them back.
We had our family dinner at the Carriage center and it was elegant and beautiful. There were about 40 people there. Heather and Sarah did touch ups on my makeup and hair. We ate breads and cheeses and little tasty desserts. Mom read a poem about us, Heather sang the song from Anastasia, "At the beginning with you," and Racheal and Wendy sang us a melody of Disney songs.
Chris and I drove to my home town church building together and it was a beautiful drive with light snow.
The reception started at 5:30 on the dot. It seems like everyone went through the line from 5:30 to 7:00 and then mom's friend from Red Deer came a bit late at 7:30. The cultural hall was soooo beautiful. Blue, white and silver. White tablecloths, blue napkins in the middle with white roses on the tables. Heromi played the piano. The guests had roast beef, baked potatoes, and salads and cupcakes and fruit for dessert. Chris and I danced to “Can I have this Dance” (Anne Murray). Camellia and Gill played the violins and Katherine Francis played the piano. And then Chris thanked everyone for coming and then we left at about 7:30. The car was all decorated, full of balloons, etc so we got it washed in Calgary before we went to our "bridge" -as Chris called it or I guess you could call it the Sheraton Hotel. Chris treats me like and Angel. I feel like an angle when I am around him.
Our sealing was very special. President Hanson sealed us. He quoted some of a poem - How do I love thee. He talked about the importance of having a family.
Those who attended the Sealing were as follows: Mom and Dad Smith, Mom and Dad Watters, Camellia, Nathan, Doug, Jonathan and Kara Smith, Donavan and Candice Watters, Audrey and Jim Ellis, Tony and Sarah Brown, Eric and Racheal Watters, Aunt Sharan and Uncle Ian, Kamille and Paul Gainor, Heather, Sarah and Gord Woolf.
After the sealing, everyone was allowed to come up and congratulate us and I cried when Camellia gave me a hug.
It started raining and snowing right as soon as we walked out of the Temple. Oh, what an adventure. But I was okay with it - I was just happy. We had everyone rush outside to take a big group picture which was fun and we got a really nice one of the 2 of us in front of the Temple.
Ryan Michelson did our pictures and we did a lot of them in the Carriage center. We are excited to get them back.
We had our family dinner at the Carriage center and it was elegant and beautiful. There were about 40 people there. Heather and Sarah did touch ups on my makeup and hair. We ate breads and cheeses and little tasty desserts. Mom read a poem about us, Heather sang the song from Anastasia, "At the beginning with you," and Racheal and Wendy sang us a melody of Disney songs.
Chris and I drove to my home town church building together and it was a beautiful drive with light snow.
The reception started at 5:30 on the dot. It seems like everyone went through the line from 5:30 to 7:00 and then mom's friend from Red Deer came a bit late at 7:30. The cultural hall was soooo beautiful. Blue, white and silver. White tablecloths, blue napkins in the middle with white roses on the tables. Heromi played the piano. The guests had roast beef, baked potatoes, and salads and cupcakes and fruit for dessert. Chris and I danced to “Can I have this Dance” (Anne Murray). Camellia and Gill played the violins and Katherine Francis played the piano. And then Chris thanked everyone for coming and then we left at about 7:30. The car was all decorated, full of balloons, etc so we got it washed in Calgary before we went to our "bridge" -as Chris called it or I guess you could call it the Sheraton Hotel. Chris treats me like and Angel. I feel like an angle when I am around him.
Going back in time.
Well, I was reading my computer journal the other day and thought I may post some of it here on the blog. I started it when Chris and I were married and I never read it. I am on my blog a lot more so I am going to post some of my journal entries here just to keep it all in the same place. I am not sure if I can post these entries back before my first official blog entry so until I can figure that out, we are going back in time for a while with my journal/blog entries.
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