I'm tired
After three turkey suppers, two immediate family gatherings and two extended family gatherings, I'm pooped! But it was a good time to be with family. Had some good conversations, good meals, and good fun. And I have a few more addresses. But it's wearing.
We have one more full day in Saskatoon and then I think we'll head home. It's time to get back to normalcy.
Well, like I said...I'm tired. Staring at this computer screen doesn't help. Good night!
Saturday
Parenting is not for wimps
Last night, Jacob woke up at 2:30. At first he couldn't find us and then when he did, he wouldn't come to us. That's usually a bad sign. Rod got up and the fun began. First crying uncontrollably, then screaming, then crying, then trying desperately to tell us what's wrong and more crying and more screaming. Rod's trying everything to get him calmed down and I'm in bed praying for him, adrenaline pouring through my veins. And of course, it's all the worse because we're at our parents' house. And I'm trying to think what the cause is (I actually wasn't too surprised it happened). Was it the late night and whacked out schedule or the sugar spike right before bed, or the suspect foods that I let him eat? Or a combination of the three? And I determined to eliminate all additives, red food dye, nitrates, and berries and maybe even tomatoes. Then I would know once and for all...Anyways, Jacob and Rod were up for an hour. Then I couldn't go to sleep, so at 4:00 I went to lay down in Jacob's bed. Then Rachel woke up and I fed her. Then I slept a bit and then Jacob woke up at 7:30 while I was feeding Rachel again and got upset, but eventually was persuaded to go back to sleep beside Daddy. Eventually we all drifted off again, and then it was time to get up. And then he wouldn't nap. And tonight he had the toughest time winding down. Ah, holidays!
But all in all, it's been a good day.
Last night, Jacob woke up at 2:30. At first he couldn't find us and then when he did, he wouldn't come to us. That's usually a bad sign. Rod got up and the fun began. First crying uncontrollably, then screaming, then crying, then trying desperately to tell us what's wrong and more crying and more screaming. Rod's trying everything to get him calmed down and I'm in bed praying for him, adrenaline pouring through my veins. And of course, it's all the worse because we're at our parents' house. And I'm trying to think what the cause is (I actually wasn't too surprised it happened). Was it the late night and whacked out schedule or the sugar spike right before bed, or the suspect foods that I let him eat? Or a combination of the three? And I determined to eliminate all additives, red food dye, nitrates, and berries and maybe even tomatoes. Then I would know once and for all...Anyways, Jacob and Rod were up for an hour. Then I couldn't go to sleep, so at 4:00 I went to lay down in Jacob's bed. Then Rachel woke up and I fed her. Then I slept a bit and then Jacob woke up at 7:30 while I was feeding Rachel again and got upset, but eventually was persuaded to go back to sleep beside Daddy. Eventually we all drifted off again, and then it was time to get up. And then he wouldn't nap. And tonight he had the toughest time winding down. Ah, holidays!
But all in all, it's been a good day.
Friday
We're here!
Our trip to Saskatchewan was relatively peaceful. We stopped in Neepawa to eat and in Russell for gas. Both times Rachel woke up about an hour earlier but settled back to sleep fairly easily. We stopped one more time two hours later to feed her and thought that would be the last time we stopped before Saskatoon. Jacob hadn't slept at all yet but he was pretty content to just play with his tools and the new puzzle, helicopter, and dinky cars I gave him as we went.
An hour an a half later, Rachel woke up and kept getting fussier. Problem was, Jacob had just gone to sleep after a teeny bit of crankiness. Do we stop or do we keep going. Well, the softy in me said "stop", so we did. I fed Rachel just to make sure, but she really didn't need it. Jacob woke up and got very unhappy. Then Rachel started crying again. So Jacob was crying and asking for Daddy, Rachel's cries were escalating, and we just drove into a squawl. We keep trying our magic music tape, but we're at the slower songs and the radio which had just been playing tunes with a good beat had an unearthly long period of talking. I'm feeling regrets for stopping and I'm unsuccessfully trying not to beat myself up. Rod and I are in steely silence, trying not to freak out at Jacob or each other, Rod's trying to concentrate on the road, and I'm apologizing intermittently. Finally, I get the courage to try and talk Jacob down and he eventually starts focusing on what he's going to do at Grandma & Grandpa's house. Somewhere along the line, Rachel stops crying and goes back to sleep. Then we're there.
Today has been very relaxing. Stayed in bed extra long. Went outside sledding and playing in the snow with Jacob (it's not nearly so cold here). Left the kids with Mom & Dad and finally bought my sister-in-law her Christmas present. Had a teeny tiny nap. Now I'm just waiting for supper and then we're going to a Christmas Eve program. Tomorrow Rod's brother and wife will join us in the afternoon, we'll open our gifts, have supper and then maybe watch a movie.
Next stop is the farm where we'll hitch up with my parents and travel on to Herbert where my Mom's side is gathering. Then we'll have Christmas at the farm with my brother and sister and their families. The grandkid count is up from five to eight this year! We'll spend one more day there and then get together with my Dad's side. It's busy, but it'll be good to re-connect with the extended families. Then we'll head back to Saskatoon, spend some time with Rod's brother and maybe my brother, and then likely head back on New Year's Eve.
Hope you're having a splendid time with family and friends!
Our trip to Saskatchewan was relatively peaceful. We stopped in Neepawa to eat and in Russell for gas. Both times Rachel woke up about an hour earlier but settled back to sleep fairly easily. We stopped one more time two hours later to feed her and thought that would be the last time we stopped before Saskatoon. Jacob hadn't slept at all yet but he was pretty content to just play with his tools and the new puzzle, helicopter, and dinky cars I gave him as we went.
An hour an a half later, Rachel woke up and kept getting fussier. Problem was, Jacob had just gone to sleep after a teeny bit of crankiness. Do we stop or do we keep going. Well, the softy in me said "stop", so we did. I fed Rachel just to make sure, but she really didn't need it. Jacob woke up and got very unhappy. Then Rachel started crying again. So Jacob was crying and asking for Daddy, Rachel's cries were escalating, and we just drove into a squawl. We keep trying our magic music tape, but we're at the slower songs and the radio which had just been playing tunes with a good beat had an unearthly long period of talking. I'm feeling regrets for stopping and I'm unsuccessfully trying not to beat myself up. Rod and I are in steely silence, trying not to freak out at Jacob or each other, Rod's trying to concentrate on the road, and I'm apologizing intermittently. Finally, I get the courage to try and talk Jacob down and he eventually starts focusing on what he's going to do at Grandma & Grandpa's house. Somewhere along the line, Rachel stops crying and goes back to sleep. Then we're there.
Today has been very relaxing. Stayed in bed extra long. Went outside sledding and playing in the snow with Jacob (it's not nearly so cold here). Left the kids with Mom & Dad and finally bought my sister-in-law her Christmas present. Had a teeny tiny nap. Now I'm just waiting for supper and then we're going to a Christmas Eve program. Tomorrow Rod's brother and wife will join us in the afternoon, we'll open our gifts, have supper and then maybe watch a movie.
Next stop is the farm where we'll hitch up with my parents and travel on to Herbert where my Mom's side is gathering. Then we'll have Christmas at the farm with my brother and sister and their families. The grandkid count is up from five to eight this year! We'll spend one more day there and then get together with my Dad's side. It's busy, but it'll be good to re-connect with the extended families. Then we'll head back to Saskatoon, spend some time with Rod's brother and maybe my brother, and then likely head back on New Year's Eve.
Hope you're having a splendid time with family and friends!
Wednesday
.jpg)
Christmas 2004
Hello, family & friends!
Winter finally arrived in Winnipeg and Jacob has been busy eating snow, falling down in the snow, and enjoying his new winter jacket and snow pants. Not as much as he would like though. It seems harder to get outside with a baby. Yes, on October 12th, Rachel Dara Joy was born to us at home. She is a real sweetheart, full of smiles and coos and the occasional giggle. Jacob loves to give her kisses and hold her hands.
Rod has been able to take parental leave. That is one of the advantages of him working for Joel Ross Photography instead of relying on self-employment. Others include: working in a more social environment, having input into a business without the financial worries, and being able to shoot lots without the administrative hassles. Rod has actually become quite famous, having been on TV as a maternity/newborn expert and having his work displayed all over the major hospitals. Rod is also enjoying more artistic photography on his own, like dance and underwater. You will soon be able to view his work at www.rodneysbraun.com. Besides all this, Rod is the Education Chair of the Professional Photographers' Association of Manitoba.
We’re really enjoying the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard. It’s so refreshing and challenging and healing for us. I’ve been involved a bit in worship and hope to do some dance. I have met some amazing women through the Mom’s group “Breathe”, as well as being on the planning team. I am also enjoying being mentored and mentoring two younger women. “Blogging” is a big thing in my circle of friends, and I have started a blog as well. It’s basically an online journal and can be found at www.sonyajoy.blogspot.com.
We’re currently working on a few projects. We knocked out a couple walls and put in a new kitchen on the main floor that opens to a dining room, and enlarged our bedroom and installed a soaker tub. Rod is volunteering at Siloam Mission downtown and has started photographing some of the homeless people. It’s amazing the impact these people have had on us, even just making us more grateful for what we have. I had the opportunity to record my songs from the last twelve years onto a CD with the help of my brother. Even though it’s just a rough demo, the process was a really good first step towards taking my music seriously.
Our kids continue to keep us entertained (read busy). Jacob loves to work with his tools, read stories, and watch “Jonah” and “Bob the Bullder”. He is quite the singer, making up songs on the fly. Just today, he was walking around in circles playing his harmonica and shaking his tambourine. He can be quite the charmer, too (he gets that from his dad!) Rachel is pretty mellow and spends most of her time sleeping, but she has a smile that lights up a room (she gets that from her mom!)
This Christmas, may you experience all the joys and treasure all the special moments that come from celebrating the gift of life we have through Jesus.
Love,
Rod, Sonya, Jacob & Rachel
Hello, family & friends!
Winter finally arrived in Winnipeg and Jacob has been busy eating snow, falling down in the snow, and enjoying his new winter jacket and snow pants. Not as much as he would like though. It seems harder to get outside with a baby. Yes, on October 12th, Rachel Dara Joy was born to us at home. She is a real sweetheart, full of smiles and coos and the occasional giggle. Jacob loves to give her kisses and hold her hands.
Rod has been able to take parental leave. That is one of the advantages of him working for Joel Ross Photography instead of relying on self-employment. Others include: working in a more social environment, having input into a business without the financial worries, and being able to shoot lots without the administrative hassles. Rod has actually become quite famous, having been on TV as a maternity/newborn expert and having his work displayed all over the major hospitals. Rod is also enjoying more artistic photography on his own, like dance and underwater. You will soon be able to view his work at www.rodneysbraun.com. Besides all this, Rod is the Education Chair of the Professional Photographers' Association of Manitoba.
We’re really enjoying the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard. It’s so refreshing and challenging and healing for us. I’ve been involved a bit in worship and hope to do some dance. I have met some amazing women through the Mom’s group “Breathe”, as well as being on the planning team. I am also enjoying being mentored and mentoring two younger women. “Blogging” is a big thing in my circle of friends, and I have started a blog as well. It’s basically an online journal and can be found at www.sonyajoy.blogspot.com.
We’re currently working on a few projects. We knocked out a couple walls and put in a new kitchen on the main floor that opens to a dining room, and enlarged our bedroom and installed a soaker tub. Rod is volunteering at Siloam Mission downtown and has started photographing some of the homeless people. It’s amazing the impact these people have had on us, even just making us more grateful for what we have. I had the opportunity to record my songs from the last twelve years onto a CD with the help of my brother. Even though it’s just a rough demo, the process was a really good first step towards taking my music seriously.
Our kids continue to keep us entertained (read busy). Jacob loves to work with his tools, read stories, and watch “Jonah” and “Bob the Bullder”. He is quite the singer, making up songs on the fly. Just today, he was walking around in circles playing his harmonica and shaking his tambourine. He can be quite the charmer, too (he gets that from his dad!) Rachel is pretty mellow and spends most of her time sleeping, but she has a smile that lights up a room (she gets that from her mom!)
This Christmas, may you experience all the joys and treasure all the special moments that come from celebrating the gift of life we have through Jesus.
Love,
Rod, Sonya, Jacob & Rachel
Monday
Today is December 6th and I haven't done a thing for Christmas yet. What is wrong with me?!! I have just been so unmotivated. Don't feel like shopping. Maybe I won't...Don't really feel like decorating either. I've contemplated skipping that, too. I know, I just had a baby (well, 8 weeks ago), but still...Part of it is that we're going away for Christmas, too. But another part of me says, "What does this all have to do with Jesus' birth anyways?" I'm not focussing terribly well on the reall thing, so why use up precious energy on the extras? I went on an interesting site today: http://www.buynothingchristmas.org Made me think.
Today, I finally got outside with Jacob. That was fun. I have been outdoors so little since Rachel was born. I miss it. So does Jacob. He has become a bit of a TV addict of late. I actually had to convince him to go outside.
And, how is it that just when a person works up the energy and motivation to get a handle on the mess that something like a little person waking up at night and being difficult saps all the energy and optimism?
On a more positive note, Rachel had her last midwife check-up and she weighs 11 lbs, 13 oz. And she is cuter by the day!
Today, I finally got outside with Jacob. That was fun. I have been outdoors so little since Rachel was born. I miss it. So does Jacob. He has become a bit of a TV addict of late. I actually had to convince him to go outside.
And, how is it that just when a person works up the energy and motivation to get a handle on the mess that something like a little person waking up at night and being difficult saps all the energy and optimism?
On a more positive note, Rachel had her last midwife check-up and she weighs 11 lbs, 13 oz. And she is cuter by the day!
Saturday
Today I took the plunge and performed all my songs at the Artist's Market. I almost fell apart beforehand, thinking that I had to do my own sound...it was just more than I could handle at that moment. Luckily, Yvonne came to my rescue. Even gave me a hug. In the end it went well. Although it felt like no one was listening during the set, many people gave me positive feedback. That's always so helpful for an artist's soul! (Because our inner artists are children, don't you know?)
Anyways, it was good for me to do. The other exciting thing in my musical journey is the CD my brother is promoting for this Christmas season...and it has one of my songs on it! I had to sign a contract and everything...like I get paid some money every time one is sold! Is that cool or what? More information about the CD is coming at http://www.prairiefiremusic.ca/music.cfm.
So finally, after four years of being in Winnipeg, my musical dreams are beginning to be realized. They had been lying dormant since our business, home renovations and children had taken the front seat. So, thank you, Kelly for helping take the first step! You are a truly great brother to recognize my need and offer to meet it!!
Anyways, it was good for me to do. The other exciting thing in my musical journey is the CD my brother is promoting for this Christmas season...and it has one of my songs on it! I had to sign a contract and everything...like I get paid some money every time one is sold! Is that cool or what? More information about the CD is coming at http://www.prairiefiremusic.ca/music.cfm.
So finally, after four years of being in Winnipeg, my musical dreams are beginning to be realized. They had been lying dormant since our business, home renovations and children had taken the front seat. So, thank you, Kelly for helping take the first step! You are a truly great brother to recognize my need and offer to meet it!!
