We Outta Be in Pictures....

Last weekend we had a family photo shoot with Sacha Mullen, a young photographer who is just starting to build her photography portfolio and business. She did some amazing work, especially since we did the shoot at her apartment and had one little newborn peeing and pooing over her dropsheets and one little toddler running rampant around her expensive equipment!! Despite the foibles, we managed to get a few decent shots. Anyone interested in her work should check out her site - www.sachamullenphotography.com

Eat, Burp, Poop, Repeat......

Thus far the story of life with wee Griffin. Note that I have not added the word sleep into our life's rotation right now b/c I have the only newborn on the planet who does not seem to sleep, like ever (ok, I exaggerate, but I do not count 20 minute cat naps as actual sleep).....
The only really exciting news to report from the week is that Jasper finally got his haircut (last one was in May - no joke). Jasper was really beginning to resemble the long lost 5th member of the Beatles circa 1960 so despite the hell we went through last time, we decided to take the plunge. We thought maybe he would have gotten over his irrational fear of haircuts by now, but we were wrong. Even the lure of unlimited chocolate afterwards was not enough to stop the onslaught of high pitched wailing and sobbing and snotting. But, despite the trauma for J, the end result is really quite cute...see for yourself.

Ringo and Griffin

Mimi and Griffin

Super Stylin Hair!

Boo! Year 2

Jasper had a great 2nd Halloween this year, esp. since he really gets the idea of "Halloween = Chocolate", and J loves chocolate (like his Mummy). The monkey suit was a big hit and suited his personality to a "t"....

Bros before.....

Jasper is already establishing himself as a AMAZING big brother. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a beautiful lifelong relationship. Today, when we picked up J from preschool, he ran right past me and straight to his brother and exclaimed "My Baby Brother!!" to all his little friends - so cute!! J also helped Mummy today when G was crying by rocking his little swing seat offering G his little soother (yes, he is already on a soother - amazing!)

Jasper vs Griffin - you decide....

Hmmm....any similarities?

And Baby makes four......

Griffin Day 2

Minutes old!

I'm Free!

The Nielsen Family Four (now know as G-JAC!)

Whemph, finally busted out of the hospital this morning after having to stay an extra night due to some concerns over wee Griffin's little mucous/barfing problem (how did I become the Mom of 2 barfing little boys?!) but all is well and we are now safely ensconced at home. For those who don't know, Griffin Aaron Holck Nielsen was born at 8:30am exactly on Oct 28, 2008 weighing 7lbs 7ozat BC Women's hospital (all without me experiencing a single contraction - hurrah!). Griffin entered the world with a healthy cry and a swift spray of pee for the OB and nurses assisting (Dad was proud). So far, Griffin is super chill and I am just soaking in every precious moment...he already has a pretty funny personality the rare moments he is awake - maybe the family clown?!

I do have to say that all the advice and kind words I have had from 2nd time Mums has rung true thus far...not only did the whole 2nd c-section thing go so much more smoothly...I am less tired (for now), less stressed (for now) and truly just enjoying every single moment.

Jasper is being a great big brother so far...he was a little apprehensive at first about the baby, and still starts to cry when the baby gets really upset, but its just that he is such a sensitive little soul...bless his little heart! We do have to keep reminding him though that baby can't "play trains" with him for another 12 months or so, so Mum will have to put on her cap and take that duty back over once the Gmas and Gpas have left.

Otherwise, life is pretty damn good and I am feeling as good as a new Mum of 3 days can feel. Had some champers AND wine tonight (along with 3 tons of halloween candy - post to follow), and won't worry about getting back to my career as a bikini model for another week or so yet - hardy har har.......

%#@$!*&%#$@

Thanks to a little healthcare policy that shuts down all non-emergency services and surgeries for 10 days per year (to save money apparently), and a little clerical error by the OR booking clerk - I found out the other day that instead of today being baby #2's bday, it would be "bumped" to next tuesday the 28th. I am seriously contemplating Ash's advice to go and sit on the booking clerk and/or Premier Campbell for their incompetence and/or stupid health care policies.....
Anyways, til tuesday (or earlier)
xo JAC

Happy Thanksgiving

Marley and Auntie C self-portrait before chowing down

My belly at 37+ weeks (plus post-dinner bloat!)

The Family Nielsen Trio (soon to be quad)

Gma and Gpa getting some love

I probably have a few minutes to blog before the full effects of the tryptophans in the turkey (and stuffin, and potatoes, and veggies, and pie) kick in so this will be short and sweet....Its strange to think that this is the last Thanksgiving for us as a family of 3, only 12 days til the arrival of baby #2!! We certainly have a lot to be thankful for this year, so Happy Thanksgiving to our friends and family, with lots of love.....

Bdays and Babymoons

With less than 6 weeks to go before #2 enters the world, Aaron and I were fortunate to have a weekend sans kids to just unwind and relax (and SLEEP!). The weather was picture perfect and Salt Spring was the perfect quiet getaway for us (the spa treatments at our resort helped too!). Many thanks to Gma and Gpa for taking Jasper for the weekend, even with his snotty nose and all.

The weekend just happened to also be Aaron's bday...lucky guy got spoiled by Gma with his fave Banana Creme Pie on Thursday, and then spoiled on the weekend with yummy homemade pie and creme brulee (on the same day nonetheless!).

Gpa and Jasper showing off their matching toques!

"Strollin" along

Riding the train with Gma

Bday boy on the beach at Salt Spring

Paigey's Magic Touch?

Well, it seems that all it took was a little gentle hair brush from Paigey to get Jasper somewhat over his phobia of anything or anyone coming near his hair. Paige gently gently gave Jasper a little grooming this past weekend, and later that night I was not only able to wash his hair without a fight, but also to trim it (bu-bye mullet!).

We also had a nice visit to the Ladner Market and with Gma and Gpa. Gma would have been proud of her little granddaughter Marley devouring her perogies and uke sausage (too bad the pic didn't turn out well).

The "Vancouver" Zoo

First off, even the name "Greater Vancouver" Zoo is a bit of a misnomer since it is waaaaayyyyyyy out in Aldergrove, but I digress.

The Nielsen clan trekked out the GVZoo on Monday despite a few misgivings I have/had about zoos in general and this zoo in particular (some controversy over the treatment of animals etc). Nonetheless, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the animals do roam in "acreages" as opposed to cages, and there has been attempts made to socialize the animals and provide a comfortable habitat for all. The zoo lacks a little bit of ambiance in general and could use more information about the animals but ah well.

Jasper loved the train ride - for an extra 5 bucks its well worth it. As well, we hopped on a free bus tour of the bear and wolf enclosure which was pretty cool too.

Fun in the....brrrrrrr!!

We had another great visit to the Okanagan last week where we experienced the start of the quick conversion from summer to winter (not that I am complaining). Jasper had tons of fun with his cousins and auntie "Shell" and Mimi and Papa C. Highlight of the trip (for J) was the ride on the Kettle Valley Railway - a real train!! Will have to wait for pics from Mimi and Papa since Aaron and I had a blissful day and night away on our own...hurrah! Speaking of blissful, we stayed at chateau Shark and Ty and were treated to not only what is our now favorite salmon, but also fresh baked choc chip and pb cookies. Sharkie always knows the way to my very preganant heart (and belly!). We also had a lovely little family BBQ down at the beach on friday night. Jasper got to play with cousins and with Ole Mor.

This week it officially turned into winter. Its miserable and cold today and the rain caused our unexpected departure from the PNE yesterday. Nonetheless, I still managed to fork out about 10K for ride tickets so Jasper could bouncy castle for the alloted 4 mins, ending in an epic tantrum when I had to finally drag him away once all my cash was depleted....

Hot enough for ya?

Ok, I shouldn't complain about gorgeously sunny hot weather, but when you are nearing the 30 week mark in your pregnancy, all you really want is a pleasant 18 degrees with a cool breeze. Nonetheless, we beat the heat by touring the various waterparks in our fair city - logging lots of hours at our new fave, St Andrews Park in N. Van, a lovely splash at Ryall Park in New West on Saturday, and Stanley Park waterpark with the cousins on Sunday.

And my personal fav way to cool off - Ice Cream! (note that Jasper and I were supposed to share the ice cream, but I was resoundly shut out...hmph...)

Busy Busy August

We started off August with a busy BC Day long weekend with visits from Gma and Gpa, and Scottish Royalty! Yes, 2/3's of the Rob/Dob/Howard clan have descended upon our lovely city again for a weeks visit and to seal the official betrothal of Prince Jasper and Princess Savvy.

The Ultimate World Championships are in Vancouver this year and began last Saturday up at UBC. Hard to believe its been 8 years since Germany and - ok, i'll say it again - our gold medal winning year! Jasper took a lovely pic of his momma up at the fields trying to relive her former glory with a big old belly in tow! Note the uber buff auntie Shark and the super sexy mama Ash Howard in the background!

First Fish!

Jasper caught his very first fish this weekend up at the cabin (thanks in part to Daddy). The wee trout was too small even for a pan-fryer, but it was exciting nonetheless.

Jasper also got his very first quad ride thanks to Papa C...took some convincing to put on the ducky helmet, but it was all worth it in the end.

The three amigos definately had TONS of fun together, they play really well together now and actually let the adults have some QT now and then..hurrah!