What a busy couple of days! Monday was an absolute blast!!! But then when is visiting Grandma, Mike and Harley NOT??

We got off and out the door CLOSE to when we planned… the drive was thankfully uneventful and the weather rather nice. As soon as we got to town we dropped all 4 kids off with mom and Harley and ran over to the baby store… I am VERY pleased with the Sprinkles line of diapers. They are made locally and are amazingly thin and affordable. What I need to purchase is 3-4 covers (they suggest 4 since newborns tend to pee more) and around 20 liners. These are reusable and washable and can be used in the larger sized diapers. Though I need to check into the gusseted ones, since they are more fitted they may not be long enough in the back for the bigger sizes. The gusseted ones are maybe 40 cents more than the flat, so I was debating a mix. Both the liners AND covers come in colours and patterns. And then there is the disposable paper type things that can be washed up to 8 times as long as there is no poop involved. All in all… WONDERFUL. So in another month or so I am dragging Ken back to pick up what we need to start off with Baby #5.

Baby #5 in the making

Speaking of Baby #5. Monday was my prenatal appointment. Ken and I took Trinity and after a decent wait time got to see Dr. Val. Apparently I have lost some weight – down to 110.2 lbs. Not unusual for me. My blood pressure was low – which is common with pregnancy… and my general life. Now the heart-beat… well at 11/12 weeks it is harder to find anyway but she gave it a go. While pushing down with the monitor and all that though there was a definite SHOVE back! And with feeling… it was rather surreal for me as you don’t feel kicking until later on, but there is MY baby giving definitely I AM HERE vibes. Of course the doctor can’t give us a number of babies… even with heartbeats that are right there it can be tricky. And the due date is TENTATIVELY set at August 18th… all this waiting on the ultra sound on the 17th. Apparently the only reason we got that time was because I was given an emergency time slot. After all I am at risk to another set of twins.

Waiting for the Dr.

I also had my bloodwork done – I forgot how big the needle is when you have to have 4 vials taken! OUCH. I so can’t watch the needle go in but it is hard NOT TO watch the blood filling up those little vials. Thank goodness the nurses are quick.

The boys, while we were gone, took Grandma and Harley on a walk. They left when we did for our appointment and were very proud of the fact that they each got a turn with the leash. Harley was a sneaky dog though and got her teeth on Trinity’s elephant. Thankfully she only got the one foot open and Grandma was able to do emergency surgery. Though we found out after the fact that the beanbag that was in the foot was forgotten! Oh well… good as new as far as Trinity is concerned.

Emanuel, Grandma and myself then headed out for a special shopping trip. At Walmart Grandma got him two BRAND NEW pairs of pj’s! Lightning McQueen no less! We also stopped at Liquidation World to pick up some more “doggy bubble” which of course led to much entertainment for puppy and children. Those darn bubbles last forever too! Floating around and sticking to things, so dog and kids were covered in residue.

Puppy Bubbles! (Gavin)

Oh and Grandma had the honour of doing Miss Trinity’s very first braid! Talk about ADORABLE, though while braiding Trinity sat with the BIGGEST glare on her face! I am going to try it myself, though I am no where near as good at  that as my mom.

Very First Braid!

She also lucked out with dresses – a lovely pink one that should be just perfect for a May wedding. Thank goodness for Grandma’s thrifty ways! Another deal on this one.

Newest find

Of course with Ken’s ability to do things from remote locations we took full advantage and slept the night. Ken actually came to bed WITH me and got over 7 hours of sleep! Lucky man, I woke up many times BUT it was nice to have someone to cuddle.

Our Tuesday morning was still spent at Grandma’s tidying up and having breaky with Grandma and Harley. On the way out of town we stopped at Grandma’s work for me to pick up a couple things I want to give a friend for their birthday, then posted my cousin’s finished commission and stopped at Nutters to pick up part of a gift for another family.

I have to say I was glad to get home… and then off for a long nap. Tuesday evening my Grandma gave us a call to say happy birthday to this week’s 3 Birthday Boys! What a treat. And that meant *I* got to have a nice long chat with my Grandma. She moved to Saskatchewan after the death of my Step-Grandfather last year so she is quite the ways away but keeping busy and by the sounds of it VERY upbeat. Sadly the card I sent her about Baby #5 never showed up even though we sent it registered! AND the letter I sent LAST week has yet to appear. I am VERY unimpressed with the post – I guess anything that goes to grandma goes TRACKED and INSURED!

I had someone ask about my stitching lately… well right now I am a bit stalled… though I have been working on the stocking for Baby #5. Without any commissions I am up to whatever *I* want to do, so now it is a question of determining a new design.

Stocking to Date

We also came home to mail and in that a PACKAGE! Bree, Quinn and Scott send Trinity some replacement binkies and me a lovely maternity shirt! Talk about a sweet present. I need to pick up a camisole to go under it as my bra is so high but it is in my favourite colour – BLUE which in turn matches the binkies (also in blue). I have the bestest friends.

Thanks Bree!!

Today was a bit of a rush for the kids – Emanuel turns 4 today so there is the excitement of phone calls and computer messages for him… plus the traditional BIRTHDAY CUPCAKE!

With Birthday Cupcake!

To start with Chinese New Year we printed out a mobile to hang up for the Year of the Tiger. Nothing fancy but I figure it can be added to our already existent Valentine’s Day ornaments. This will be our first year dealing with Chinese New Year so it should be interesting! We even have sitters this year! So after our party Ken and I will get to go out for dinner ALONE!!

Emanuel as the birthday  boy got to choose an activity, his choice – BUBBLES! I have a sneaking suspicion on the 5th Ken and the boys will be going sledding when Zander and Gavin have their say! I am still adjusting to the fact that my little boy is now FOUR… though if you ask HIM he is SEVEN!!

Birthday boy bubbles

We read two books today – one on CNY and one Valentines. I absolutely LOVE libraries… they are such a life saver!

Chinese New Year Facts

Valentine's Day Related Story

I know I have been less than consistent with my updates so I have a new plan to remedy that! For each day I DON’T update a full post I am going to post a picture… something from our past, from my family, the kids as babies… all that fun stuff! I figure it will push me to tidy up my photos as well as allow me to go through my old favourites. So be sure to check back!

4 yrs old today!!

Well not the most motivated of days but a start – first off, the material for Baby #5’s stocking is ready and waiting for me… one of 3 for this year…

Waiting for Me to Collect Threads

…and the stitch I am currently working on – this one I am thinking will be sent south to my dad and stepmom as a belated Christmas present.

Cottage Style

The kids are good… still a little wired but working on it and Ken is setting stuff up for the new year. How is it that life can go by so quickly but the days feels as if they drag at the same time?

Babies in a Bucket!

First off, MERRY CHRISTMAS! and for those who celebrate – Blessed Solstice.

Now… after alerting all 3 sets of parents to our big news I can FINALLY post what I have been alluding to in previous entries here! As of about two weeks ago we have confirmed (by home pregnancy test) that we are indeed pregnant! This is not something we decided easily… adding another little one to our not so little family is a big decision and not to be taken lightly with our added possibility of twins. So after much discussion and soul searching we decided to keep up our 2 yr span between the babies and go for it.

Clear Positive!

When we got married the number of babies was a hot topic and we actually agreed on 5, so this looks like the last pregnancy for the Reinsch-Johnsons (though I am a firm believer in NEVER saying for absolute – that ALWAYS blows up in our faces) so we are planning to enjoy this event to the fullest… there will be NO advance knowledge of the gender and hopefully a little photo shoot before baby arrives some time early August. We have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for the 6th of January to confirm and make the necessary plans for an early ultra sound and referral to our favourite OBGYN office. Sadly with the holidays and weather we could not get in sooner – the only other two dates fell first thing in the morning (not a good idea since the dr is back in the town my mom lives in over an hour away) or the day we are seeing the Davey family off back to California AND (he)Chris is going in for ankle surgery and needs Ken to help him get back home. So the 6th it is!

Of course this being pregnancy #4 we are not so worried and thankfully, so far, I have not thrown up! SO FAR.

Not Much to See... Yet!

Our parents took the news basically well, I think my dad is a little worried about me as per usual but mom – well I gave her the below card (designed by Karyn) and she waffled between tears, hugs and screaming… so I think she is excited!

Christmas on the Front...

...Baby News on the Inside!

Thankfully I managed to save A LOT of clothes for both genders while still donating and gifting lots to friends and family so that is rather taken care of as is things like the car-seat, high chair, baby bath… what I do NOT have is a bassinet… and diapers. I am sure there are a few “luxury” items I would love to have for this baby but that will depend on finances. We have done without them before we can do so now! Though I DO need to hunt down a place to purchase maternity clothes on the cheap. Some of what I have is rather worse for wear now and I have NEVER been pregnant and large over the summer!

Anyway… back to the past couple days…

Christmas Eve was a little rushed in the morning getting the family packed up and out the door to go visit first their Aunty Christine (also Gavin’s Godmommy) and her 6 month old puppy Bella. (who was an instant hit with the whole family and NOT a barker!).

Meeting Bella (Gavin blue)

Presents were exchanged and the kids spoiled! The twins each got their very own remote control call (which of course had the parallel drawn to the red remote control car that their Cousin Jimmie got from his mommy and daddy). This was promptly used to terrorize everyone – luckily Bella is quick on her feet!

Working out the Controls (Zander green)

Emanuel got a Lightning McQueen car that when you shake it enough it talks and then goes for a bit of a drive forward. Emanuel has spent much of the following days shaking that car and letting it go while cheering along! Trinity got a baby doll with her very own toy kitty that Bella thought should be shared! This dolly is the perfect size for the doll bed she then received on Christmas Day.

Opening His Gift!

After a nice long visit we packed back up leaving Christine time to get her dog calmed down and get herself ready for the close shift at Shoppers. This had us on our way to Grandma’s house – a destination of choice for our 4! Funny how it is Mike’s truck, Mike’s bike but GRANDMA’S house. We got over there in time to find the hidden key (in a place only Ken remembers), get settled and play a bit before dressing the crew for Christmas Eve service at our old church.

Dressed in their Christmas Best (Gavin left)

Take special note of the Beatle we had in the grey shirt… looking spiffy after a bang trim he reminds me of the old black and white footage of the Beatles when they first came to the US. Oh and the pretty Christmas dress – last year’s choice it FINALLY fits properly THIS year! Grandma and Mike made it back just in time for Grandma to join us after dropping James and his family at the bus station – they had to go to another city to do so as the Red Arrow only goes from select places but had the best price.

Keeping Busy During Service

We made it through 40 min of the service – basically up to the sermon including the kids’ time where all 3 boys drug Grandma to the front to enjoy story time. By the time the sermon started the boys were hungry and Trinity getting fussy so we headed back to the house for dinner. Oh and our traditional Christmas family pictures.

With Grandma Anna (Zander far right)

Grandma Anna and Her Baby Girl

...and Baby Makes 7!!! (Gavin left)

Dinner was not nearly as expansive as the previous at mom’s – we had a nice selection from M&M Meats courtesy of a gift card she received as a gift. Oh and the kids had floats! Blueberry ice cream (they were out of home-made vanilla) and grape pop.  The kids were in heaven and I even had myself a dish of home-made raspberry ice cream! YUM!

Mashed Potatoe Girl!

Floats... and Trinity's Mess (Zander left)

Of course we had to stay well into the evening with the boys playing with their new cars in the basement and Trinity, Mike and Harley playing up in the living room.

Mike and Harley and the Baby Doll!

We actually left around 9:30 with 4 very sleepy kids in tow. Once we got home we put the Santa key in the mailbox (thank you BJ!) and then banana cookies and CHOCOLATE milk was put out for Santa (note the exhausted almost 4 yr old attempting NOT to cry at this point).

Tired Boys! (Gavin right)

With out VERY late night and lack of naps for the little ones Christmas Day actually started at a REASONABLE time! Ken let me sleep in until the bacon was done leaving me the task of making pancakes for everyone (not from scratch this time – box mix). Soon after everyone was fed and of course the kids dressed in their new Christmas pjs the fun truly started!

Christmas Day Always Starts With Stockings! (Zander right)

I did try to keep some semblance of control over the present opening. All 4 kids get a present each and if you open to fast, well then you just have to wait. And of course there was the bow saving for next year and the bags (REUSE). Even with my staying completely in budget Santa, friends and family made this a rather plentiful Christmas for which I am VERY thankful. The only thing we DIDN’T get in time was the booster seats for the twins. It was actually the main gift they were asking for! So we told them those would come in a few days.

Presents!!! (Gavin left)

Mommy and Trinity Opening a Present

The biggest present of course was the table and chairs I saved up for! Talk about perfect size and as Ken pointed out, room for a 5th chair! So of course that was where they HAD TO have supper.

Perfect Size for the Kids! (Gavin left)

As per tradition we had Uncle Ted over for supper and while Ken and I got the bits and bobs together he and the boys created a “gingerbread house”… fun was had and THAT was the point but I don’t think we would win any sort of competition. Poor Uncle Ted was trying to hold it together with tiny fingers poking the sides and roof to assist the “fixing”.

Hard at Work! (Zander back to)

Completed House!

Dinner was turkey with the fixings… we all ate well over our limit I think. The kids got special “fizzy pop” in the form of those tiny cans you can buy at the grocery store. Desert was chocolate covered wafers and Christmas candies, not that we had much room for any desert! Late bedtime for the kids and an even later one for the adults as well past when I turned in (at almost 2am) Ken and Ted played PS3 until they most likely could not see straight!

The Main Course!

Boxing Day is definitely NOT a shopping day for this family. The kids spent their time buzzing around all the new toys… of course Emanuel and Trinity had to try out Trinity’s new bath-toys… and Zander and Gavin Gavin’s new car-wash! I have buzzed through two of my 3 new books sadly (there ARE two more in the series but I am debating the funds available and how they should be used) but have also finished the beading and beard and moustache on my Santa ornament. Ken is going to clip it free and maybe just maybe it will make it onto the tree before we take it down.

I am So Happy With Him!

I have started a new project actually today in my idle moments… this is one of my Advent gifts… a little kit that I figure would be a perfect gift for my dad and stepmom to add to their new kitchen. The kit actually is to make a pincushion but I figure I could finish it as a tiny wall hanging.

Poor Ken had his usual gift luck and was unable to get any of my gifts in time for Christmas. BUT I was spoiled by my Advent partner and my friend Michaella in the UK (as pictured below – that is my absolute FAVOURITE fragrance from the Body Shop!!!).

Thank You Michaella!!!

I of course had no such problem with Ken. Thankfully he absolutely LOVED his Domo all dressed up as a package. The Toblerone (white chocolate!) lasted the day and the pj pants were put on immediately! With him also loving his Timmies card I think that my choices were a success! $40.00 well spent!

Ken and His Gifts

The New Pj Bottoms!

And in going with my “use now” philosophy the bath supplies I was given this year by my mom have already been put into use. This is a philosophy I am working hard to impart into my children. There is such a push to “save things for a rainy day” to keep them for “special occasions” and after a while things just gather dust. So we aren’t putting up our books for later, or keeping treats for that perfect day, instead we are living in the now and enjoying our gifts and it is such a wonderful feeling to use those things you have been holding onto.

A final note about Christmas – our cards ARE going out…  but late! So watch your postbox for what would now be considered NEW YEAR greetings! Oh and I am a few short so there is the need to make more… tomorrow of course! Now to clean the house, find places for the new toys and attempt to get the family back to “normal”… yikes.

The 24th! Already on the Tree

For the 25th!

Thank You Meari!!! Last of the Box!!!