Trip to Calgary (pictures!)

 ~ by Kim

We left Victoria almost 2 weeks ago, and arrived back home yesterday afternoon. The highlight of course, has been our trip to Calgary to visit with Janelle and Joel before the baby comes. It was an great trip for us, and we had such a fantastic time out there.

Travelling with a 2 and 4 1/2 year old in the car makes us a pretty slow moving crew. We stop frequently at various locations, some of them being a just a rest area along the side of the road, tourist attractions along the way, and sometimes just a fast food restaurant that has a playplace, where we would stop and have a cup of tea and let the girls run around a bit. It probably takes us twice as long to get anywhere, but we have fun getting there.

On our way there

Once we got to Calgary, we were BUSY! We visited with family, went to the zoo, parks, swimming, bowling and restaurants. There was even a baby shower while we were there, which was so special to be there for and to be part of. The love, support and excitement was overwhelming, then and throughout our entire trip. It really touched me and was so re-affirming why we're doing this. 

Being there, it was hard not to get caught up in all the excitement that comes with a new baby. Small things, like seeing this baby's room and where he's going to live made me feel happy and excited for them as I imagined what their life would become just next month. Visiting with all the family reminded me of how many people this affects, and the impact that this baby will have on everyone.  He's not even here, yet means so much to so many. It was really heartwarming to spend this time together, not just with Janelle and Joel, but everyone we saw out there, and I felt like I was a part of something special. 

Here are some pictures from our trip:

First: the kids. Pretty cute bunch.

One morning, we hit the pool and then went bowling afterwards. Busy day for little people!

Lily had never bowled before, and she LOVED it. When I asked her what she liked most, she told me, "the shoes."

The Zoo! Some of the animals we saw:

And the animals we brought! 

My daughter Lily, and Joel making faces. This picture cracks me up.

Our families

Rowan, myself, Carl and Lily

Joel, Asher and Janelle

We had a baby shower while I was there, which was also a lot of fun. I got to meet so many of their friends, all who welcomed me warmly, and share in the celebration of this new life that will be here soon. There was a ton of people there, but I didn't want to post pictures of people without permission, so instead you're stuck looking at more pictures of us. 

Janelle has a friend who is a midwife, who brought her doppler with her, so after the party had quieted down, we got to listen to the baby's heartbeat. Pretty amazing moment.

All in all, it was a really special trip. We had an amazing time with incredible people. Thank you to all of you who made it such a memorable trip for us. And especially to all the family we saw. This baby is so lucky already, not just for great parents, but the incredible extended family as well. So many people touched my heart in ways that I will take with me always. 

This trip has made me excited for the future, has reminded me of the big picture, and makes me feel fortunate to have a part in changing someone else's life. Aside from my own children, this is right up there on the list of biggest things that I've done. It's something that I feel proud of. 

I can't believe this little one will be here next month. 

Next month already!?!

OMG! 

....I have to give birth again! Ack!