Aunt Casey is coming to town.....

In just a few weeks another Splinter will meet Ben. Here is a small collection of things Casey has already made for Ben. Sorry they are so dark. Dan Ray already told me I need a new digital camera.

a few pics from the week

Grandma Chris - Jane/Ben - Grandma Jackie


New booties from Jean




bathing in grandma's "gourmet tub"

Sorry for the delay but we've been busy with the Splinters here and Ben's first trip to Victoria. More pictures with the Splinters coming soon.

Show me the post!!

Sorry for the lack of posts, pictures and anecdotes of BOB adventures. We have been busy as Ben decided to become a newborn last week. His first week past his due date and he is already eating twice as often and growing eyelashes (who knew those were the last to come in?). We have also been visiting with Grandma & Grandpa Splinter who are out visiting from Chicago. For those of you interested in updates on Ben's & my health we see all our doctors this week. For those interested solely in cute pictures of Ben (perfectly understandable) they are coming soon. Keep the comments coming. Who are all those viewers?

No reason other than cuteness

So our sources (i.e. stat counter) tell us that in 2 weeks over 400 different computers have viewed our blog. We would love know who all is out there enjoying the cute factor. It is really easy to post a comment. It would be cool for everyone to see where people are reading from. Now, on with the cuteness.


Ben with his beautiful new blanket from Julie


Um, the cutest picture ever and Jane's favorite outfit. Shirt from Grandma Chris, pants from the Josh & Katie and hat from Sue at Fraser Valley. If only his socks fit.


more laundry


Ben with our favorite German chef - after a great non-German meal


we've heard you like the car seat pictures

Shower Time

Paparazzi shot - The baby rumors were true!


Sara's decor






Main attraction


Friends & Food







Look closely and you'll see the large wet spot down the front of my shirt where Ben "spit up" all over me half way through the shower.

I'm Here!! I'm Here!!

Today is/was Ben's official due date (and we figured out the sling...then we figured out he is suppose to be 8 lbs to go in it...oops.) Coming soon: pictures from the shower we were finally able to have.

weekends....

Just posing for the camera and doing some laundry with dad

Our adventures - in four parts.

This week was the week to get going - get out there. We had a few adventures planned: midwife appointment, pediatrician appointment and a few brave errands here and there. Because I can't walk more than 10 minutes or so without the old leg throbbing, it was key to figure out Bob the Revolution
The Bob was given to us by Dane's parents for Christmas and was highly recommended by my old triathlon teammates Jenny and Angela.
Adventure #1: Attempt to make the BOB usable for our very wee one. He doesn't appear to fit properly in the seat?? This attempt failed initially b/c we bought the wrong part to assemble the Bob with the car seat adapter. The car seat adapter allows our boy - who passed the "car seat challenge" - to sit comfortably and safely in the Bob. Jogging is out of the picture for both of us right now. Although Dane is doing the Sun Run next weekend.

Adventure #2: Attempt to go for walk in the Bob. I'm sure most parents can appreciate this story. It is sunny out so I decide to get Ben all ready to go for a walk (albeit once around the block). We get him calmed down, fed, changed and in the carseat/Bob. I get myself ready and off we roll, out the front door of our apartment. We make it to the front entry way where the mailbox is and bam it is pouring rain. And because we don't have one of these
we collected the mail and returned to our apartment.

Adventure #3: Attempt to take Ben to midwife appointment in car with Bob for use walking from car to midwife's office. This resulted in one of the pieces of the Bob falling off while putting the beast in the trunk. I didn't want to risk the whole thing falling apart so we didn't use it. Luckily we got a good parking space.(Please note the directions make it clear that the step in folding up the Bob is "remove child from stroller.")

Adventure #4: Attempt to take Ben to the pediatrician in car with Bob for use walking from car to appointment. SUCCESS!! I unloaded the Bob on West Broadway (busiest Vancouver street) and rolled him up to the appointment where my pride ends....apparently I misunderstood how much Ben weighed last week - I thought it was 2610 grams but it was 2400 something so today when he weighed in at 2630 I panicked. However the doctor was thrilled because he gained 21 grams per day last week (the ultimate goal is 20 grams per day!!) YES he is finally gaining weight. I then loaded the bob back in the car, (this time in the rain) and went home. Cha-ching! The smell of success as a new mother. One day when I can walk to the bus stop we'll tackle Bob on the bus.

Welcome Ellery Grace

Dane's brother Wade and his wife Jenn had their baby this morning. You can stay updated with them here. (Jenn and Jane were actually due on the same day!) Congratulations to you both.

Handmaid Sweater...it fits!!

Homemade clothes may be the only ones that fit perfectly. Jean did not underestimate just how small a sweater for Ben needed to be. It fits perfectly (for now) and we love it. He weighed in at 2610 grams or about 5lbs 13 ounces on Thursday.

Some photos from the purple camera...

Here are some shots from last Saturday when Gail, Andy, Ken and Kathy came for a visit.

The main event

I'm back in the game....

Today I (Jane) went to my first follow up appointment after my DVT (blood clot). It has been one month since I was admitted with this giant problem. Aside from the fact that the blood clot has not miraculously disappeared (keep praying), and that unless a miracle happens it will take 2-5 more months to heal, all the news was good. My doctor said I can exercise again. There is no way I could run or even walk (more than 15 mins of walking is a bit much right now) BUT I CAN SWIM...so about 5 hours after he told me that I headed back to my swim team for Friday night practice. Remember, I have been on bed rest since Jan 19 and hadn't really been in the water since Christmas. It was AWESOME to be in the water again. Good for my leg and very good for my mental health. All my lane mates were there to welcome me back.

Other good news (especially for those related to me): I don't have a protein C deficiency in my blood. Therefore my blood clot was most likely caused by bed rest and/or delivery NOT genetics. My doctor said he will retest me just to be sure but we are most likely in the clear.

Next up: a new tighter compression stocking (oh joy) but I don't have to wear it at night any more.

Coming soon: More pictures of our awesome little boy. We have had some computer problems (and a newborn) slowing us down.