the first of many videos

We have taken many video's of Malcolm so far. But really they are just of a squirmy little baby, and maybe not everyone would find them as enjoyable as we do. This one however seems to encompass a wide range of his cutest facial expressions.

Saving $$ and the environment.

So I've been reading another blog called the Grocery Cart Challenge for a few months now. There is a link to it in the left of my blog page. (If you are reading this on facebook, go to original post, and it will direct you to my blog page. http://bluegrasscanucks.blogspot.com )
There are a lot of money saving ideas on there, and some good for the environment ideas too. We have been trying to be good to the environment through recycling and composting. Despite the eye rolls we get from our parents and friends. We have signed up for curbside recycling, as then we can recycle more things like plastics. We compost anything we can, so now we only have 1 bag of garbage a week. (Well more now that we have diapers.)
I have recently decided to use some of the ideas from the GCC. I have started to wash my ziploc bags. I have strung a line over the kitchen sink where I hang them to dry.
I made a home-made stain remover tonight, that seems to work well with the laundry. And I also made my own laundry detergent. It's phosphate free, and will cost about a penny a load. I do realize there is a lot of water in the recipe, but it should last me about 6 months. We will see. I am even going to hang a clothes line this summer.
I haven't had to do this yet, but there is also a recipe on the GCC site for homemade all purpose cleaner.
Tomorrow I think I am going to make my own garden pots and start some seeds.
I'll let you know how the laundry stuff works out.

Moments

Moment that made me smile today.

Moment that made me want to cry today.

Thank-goodness the snow is almost melted already. Stupid snow.

Public Health Nurse Visit

Today was our visit from Public Health. For those of you who don't live in Canada, this is a routine visit they make to your house after you have had a baby. Especially for first time mom's. They just come out and give you all the info on immunizations, current safety standards for car seats etc., check on how feeding are going whether it's breast feeding or bottle feeding. They weigh and measure the baby. It's kinda nice.
So today Malcolm is well past his birth weight. The goal is usually to reach birth weight by 2 weeks. He was 8lb 1oz at birth and today he was 8lb 6.5oz. That's fun:)
Everything checked out on assessment, he just appears to be a healthy happy little boy:)
Oh and as for me, my swelling has gone down just enough that I finally got my wedding ring back on. Not my engagement ring yet, just the wedding band. But I can't get it off again. At least it's not cutting off circulation to my finger though!

We had our first family photo shoot on Sunday, so I posted one of the pictures here. Our photographer is still working on the images, so I don't have a whole lot to share yet. There will bemore to come.

The Name

We've had some questions about how we chose our baby name.
First of all it was important to me to pick a name that is different, but not unheard of. And not something they will always have to spell or that someone won't be able to pronounce when they look at it. I also wanted a name that was NOT on the top 10 list for baby names.
Well my sister is named after some long ago relative that my dad came across in his family tree research named Gabrielle Gonyou. He liked the way it sounded even though the relative was from so long ago no one knew them.
So I took a cue from my dad and I looked into our family tree's for names.
After Jeff's Grandmother passed away, we were out at her graveside one day to put flowers there. I saw a tombstone with his Grandma's maiden name on it and the first name was Malcolm. I asked his mom who that was, she said it was an uncle or something. I liked the name so I filed it away in my head. Then when we got pregnant I found out that Jeff's Grandfather's middle name was also Malcolm. So it was perfect. Not only was it a family name I liked, it would also remind everyone of someone they loved. And Jeffery is of course after Jeff. I do realize it's spelled different, but that's how Jeff's name is spelled. JeffERY.
Our girl name is still a secret for when we have a girl:) But it has a similar story behind it.

A few pictures

Aleksei and Malcolm
My dad with his 3 Grandsons.

Aleksei (4mo), Indiana (2yrs), and Malcolm at4 days
Our little family

We have a baby:)

Malcolm Jeffery Robertson was born April 8, 2009 at 8:06pm.

I started my pregnancy with lots of morning sickness and very low blood pressure. At 37 weeks I developed high blood pressure, and became pre-eclamptic at 38 weeks, and had to be put on medication for it. So at 39 1/2 weeks, it was time for baby to come out.
We first went in on Tuesday the 7th, and waited for 7 hours before we were sent home. They were really busy that day, and they just didn't have a labour room available to start my induction.
We were back Wednesday morning, and hooked up to the monitor and IV by 9:30. Since everything was really good with baby, they let me off the monitor from time to time to walk the halls, take a bath etc. About 1pm I was really getting uncomfortable. I tried the jacuzzi tub, then the birthing ball. Then I decided it wasn't going to get better, so at about 4pm I got the epidural. By then the contractions were pretty strong, about 2 minutes apart and lasting 30-45 seconds. I had a small break after the epidural went in, and I got a little bit of rest. Then they broke my water and things went quickly from there. I was 5 cm when they ruptured my membranes, and about an hour later 8cm, then all of a sudden about 15 or 30 minutes later it was time to push.
An hour and a half of pushing later we finally had our little boy. His head was 35 cm. I think that's all that needs to be said about that.
He weighed in at 8.1lbs, was 21 inches long, and was very healthy right away.
I needed a bit of time to recover, had a few minor complications, and then everything was ok again.
The first night we spent in a semi-private room. Not very fun, Jeff was stuck sleeping on a mat on the floor. Those of you who have had babies in Saskatoon know we have these wonderful "Victorian" rooms at the hospital. There are only 3 and you have to request it, and of course they cost extra. They put you on a list once your baby is actually born. For our second night there I was hoping to at least be moved to a private room. I was so happy and excited when we were offered the Victorian. They had a late discharge and we were next on the list:) What a difference. A queen sized bed, a couch, a TV, lots of extra chairs and room for visitors. It was a much better night.
Things were still good with both of us the next morning, so we got to come home:)
Last night went pretty well. He likes to be awake from 4-7am, just like when I was pregnant. Nursing is going good. I think. As far as I can tell anyway:)
All in all we are a pretty happy and content family going into day 3:)

Baby's new bouncy chair

Bree
Bailey

We put together one of our baby gifts this evening. And of course the dogs had to try it out. They were pretty content in this chair. And don't worry, we will wash it before the baby goes in it.

Bailey and Bree

A lot of people have been asking how the dogs are doing with the pregnancy. Well they seem to be pretty excited about it. They know something is in there. Ever since I first started to get sick, Bailey would always cuddle up with me, and Bree has loved laying right across my belly. It was like she could feel the baby long before I could.
Now they will both curl up on either side of my belly to sleep. Or Bailey will lay in my lap and put his paws on either side of my belly and use it as a pillow for his chin. They don't mind getting kicked by the baby, in fact they seem to like it. And as we get closer to D-Day they seem to be more and more concerned about what's going on in there.
So hopefully when the baby comes they aren't too weirded out, and they just continue their little protective behavior.

A few more pics

All pictures by Adam LeClaire Photography.

Belly

Adam LeClaire Photography
Adam LeClaire Photography

My very wonderful friend Adam came over yesterday to do some Maternity pictures for us. I'll just post a few one here, there are a few more on facebook, and he's still working on the rest. It was such a wonderfully fun afternoon with a good friend:) And we have some beautiful pictures now:)

New Bathroom

It has been a LONG time since Jeff and I demolished our master bath last summer to get it ready to renovate. It is FINALLY in use again.

Grandma Gonyou

My Grandma Gonyou passed away Monday morning this week. 12 days after she had surgery for a broken hip. We had to make the very painful decision that I could not travel for the funeral right now. I've been heartbroken about it.
I did write a Eulogy, and my sister read it at the funeral today. I attached it below.

My childhood was filled with trips to my Grandparents farm. We would go 2-3 times a year, traveling from Illinois. We would have about a week at Christmas, Sometimes we would go for Easter, and then we would spend our Summer’s in Ontario between the farm, my mom’s family and camp. I have so many memories of playing with my cousins on the farm, riding horses, playing in the barns, chasing the farm cats. I can remember playing in the closet under the stairs with my cousin Danielle when Grandma would come in to hang up her coat and hat after coming home from working at the hospital. After she retired from work, we got to hang out with Grandma all day.

Grandma would bake pies, butter tarts, there was always some kind of yummy dessert waiting for us. I was always a picky eater, but at Grandma’s house, I would eat pretty much anything. I thought I didn’t like roast, but I would always eat Grandma’s roast. Lots of times I didn’t know what I was eating, which was probably a good thing. At Grandma’s house I would eat Duck, Tongue, Rabbit, all kinds of things that would normally make me mad at my mom for trying to make me eat it. But I never knew the difference and I liked it Grandma also liked pizza and well, Grandpa didn’t. So whenever we would visit, Grandma would use that as an excuse to order pizza, you know for the kids.

When I was at Greenville College in Illinois, I needed somewhere to go for the holidays. So I would often get a ride to Michigan with some friends, meet up with my cousin David, and then spend the week at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Grandma and I would make butter tarts, caramel popcorn, and cakes for me to take back to the dorm. Grandpa would go out and buy packages of my favorite chocolate bar, Crispy Crunch, since I couldn’t get them in the states. I used to love those visits.

As Grandpa and Grandma grew older, the visits changed. Grandma didn’t bake as much and , Grandpa retired from farming. But the farm was still a place we loved to go. When they moved into Dresden, we realized that it wasn’t the farm that was so great to visit, it was Grandpa and Grandma that we loved visiting. Living in Saskatchewan our visits decreased, but when we did get to visit, we treasured the time even more. I can remember bringing my husband to meet my Grandparents for the first time, and how excited they were to meet him. He was a little nervous.

When my husband and I moved from Kentucky back to Saskatchewan, we drove back the long way which took us through Ontario. We spent the first night of our trip at Grandma’s house. This was just a few years ago and Grandma didn’t get to cook much anymore. The first night Grandma ordered pizza as usual. But the next morning I woke up to hear Grandma pulling out pots and pans. I got up and helped her fry some eggs for breakfast, and then we made a roast for lunch. It felt nice to cook with Grandma again.

When I found out I was pregnant, I was so excited to tell Grandma myself. I called her at the care home, and told her I had some news. When I told her I was going to have a baby she said “Oh, well that’s good news! Let me get a pencil so I can write this down.” She then proceeded to write down my due date so she wouldn’t forget about it. I was so excited to be able to call her after the baby was born. That and to make a trip out to Wallaceburg for our baby to meet its Great Grandmother. I know that she will be looking down on us from heaven, but I would love to have seen her face.

This past summer Grandma turned 89. Aunt Jane and Aunt Elaine planned a surprise party for her. All of us, all 4 kids and their spouses, all 11 grandkids and their spouses and all 14 great grandkids came. Grandma was so surprised and just kept saying “they’re all here aren’t they?” Looking around the room, it was amazing to see the legacy that Grandpa and Grandma have left behind. Our family has grown and spread out across Canada and the US, yet we all feel like Wallaceburg, Ontario is a bit like home. That’s where our Grandparents farm is, and where so many of our memories are.

So Grandpa and Grandma, although you may not be with us anymore, your memory will live on. We will always talk about our memories of you. The great-grandchildren you have met will have their own memories, the ones who are too young to remember, those who are about to born, and those who haven’t been thought of yet will also learn about their great-grandparents, the magical farm they lived at, and how loved they were by their family. We miss you both.

Aunt Sharon

This picture is form our wedding. Fourth from the left is my Aunt Sharon. Her and my uncle Bruce drover out from New Brunswick for our wedding. And Aunt Sharon made the danties for the midnight lunch.
Growning up, the Marritt side of the family would get together every summer and camp for one week. We called it summer Christmas. We would decorate a tree at the campground with strung popcorn and berries, and that would be our Christmas tree. And we would exchange gifts. Those trips were always filled with adventure. We camped at Lake Superior, Blue Lake, or sometimes just in one of my uncle's back yards. We looked so forward to those vacations as kids. When all the kids got a bit older, well it got harder to have summer Chritsmas. Eventually they stopped, and we would make our best effort to get together at real Christmas time.
Now my Aunt Sharon was very talented in the baking department. Homemade chocolate turtles, little danties, brownies with icing flowers on each peice, she would make it all. I loved being at her house when she was baking for something. Oh it tasted so good! And I always had sun playing iwth my cousins Barbies in the basement. Aunt Sharon would make clothes for the barbie dolls, there was one little pruple dress Barbie had, that was made form one of Aunt Sharon's old dresses. It was a house out in the country, with a huge yard and garden. Right next to a you-pick strawberry patch. I really liked going there.
Then after my Uncle retired they built their "mansion on the hill". Also a nice house out in the country, where we were always welcome. But Aunt Sharon always wanted to go back home. Out East to New Brunswick, so they wold their house, and moved out there. Jeff and I want to go out to the east coast for a vacation some day, and I keep telling him we have places to stay. It was a trip we were looking at making in the next couple of years at some point.
Well after Christmas Aunt Sharon hadn't been feeling well, so she went to the doctor, and they found liver cancer. It was very fast, and she passed away a week ago. They had a funeral in NB this last week, and the memorial service in Ontario is today. Being in my third tri-mester, I'm not really up to travelling that far away right now, and it breaks my heart not to be there today.
I will miss you Aunt Sharon.

Visiting the new little guy

I went to visit my new nephew last week. What a pleasure that was. Aleksei is such a good little baby. Just likes to be cuddled, and he squirms and squeeks a lot. Here are a few of my favorite pictures.

Making cute little faces.
All sacked out on Auntie Karen's shoulder.
Sleeping in his bouncy chair.
This little onsie is one we bought for Indiana when we lived in Kentucky. Good to see it getting used again:)

New pictures of Aleksei

Aleksei Henrik

Aleksei pronounced Aleksay, and Henrik after Alex's grandfather Henry. Gabrielle and the little man are doing just fine. The first pictures are trickling in. Here's a little taste.

New Nephew

Gabrielle had a new baby boy. 9 lbs, 3oz and 21 inches. And his head measured 3 inches smaller than Indiana's. (Phew!!)
Gab and baby are doing well. No name yet. Don't distress, Indiana didn't have a name for like 2 days.
Oh and she had him on Jan 9th, at 6:08pm. A whole 2 days before her due date:)

The pregnant sisters

This is me at 26 weeks and Gab at 38 weeks.

Indiana's new Christmas present

Indiana is really into cars this year. So there seemed to be a theme at Christmas this year. This video seems to sum it all up.