I know I fell off the blogging planet for awhile there, with American Turkey Day and all. But, we are now all back home, and most importantly- healthy. Yes, folks, in the last 3 weeks the Braam household has seen:
-The common cold (week 1)
-Fifth Disease (week 1,2)
-The regular flu (week 1)
-The Stomach flu (week 3)

But, I am happy to report that it is all behind us, and I now understand why people get flu shots, wash their hands constantly with that antibacterial hand gel, and don't share toothbrushes. Not that we share toothbrushes. I can just see why people don't.

Sooo, I've been tagged by Bloggy Mamma to list five things you might not know about me. Hmmmmm...

1. I love Victoria's Secret. Why do they not have this store in Canada?

2. Before Eva was born, I was planning that she would only play with wooden toys and never watch television. Hahahahahahaha.

3. Christmas is my favourite time of year. One word- lefse. Does anyone know what this is? Yum.

4. I never remember how old I am, or how old Nich is. Or anyone else for that matter. My Doctor asked me how old I was at my first appointment, and my response was "Uhhhh, ummmmmm, uhh, 25 I think? No, 26. No, 25." Then I looked desperately at Nich for the answer.

5. I enjoy cleaning my house. When I get the engergy, that is. The only housework I don't enjoy is putting away laundry. I don't mind washing, drying, and folding. But, bringing the folded laundry upstairs to put it away? Blech. That is why, if you come to my house, you have probably seen lots of baskets of folded laundry just sitting at the bottom of the stairs.

And, I'm not going to tag anyone today. Because I have a grocery list to make and a coffee drive-thru to go through. But, if you want to join in on the fun, feel free!

Wow. Three years ago, on a beautiful, chilly November day in Victoria, Nich and I tied the knot.



It was quite a day, as I'm sure all wedding days are. I was stressed from all the wedding planning. And had big-time wedding day jitters. I wish Today Me, could sit down with Wedding Day Me, and tell her that I was making the best decision of my life. This amazing guy would still be amazing, in fact, more and more amazing every day. Our love wouldn't drizzle out. It would be tested huge, but our love would only get stronger and stronger.

My man rocks. We are perfect for each other, complimenting each others weaknesses and strengths. When I was dating Nich, I was always amazed at how perfect he was. No one understood me, thinking I was dillusional. But, he still is perfect today. Pefect for me.

And he continues to surprise me. He's never been able to keep a secret from me. I always know if he's taking me on a weekend away, or what he picked up for my birthday present. But, this past weekend, he blew my socks off. He planned a fun weekend for Eva with her best friend, Caleb, and her Grandma. And whisked me off to downtown Vancouver after a dinner out with friends. We stayed at the Sheraton Wall Centre- my favourite hotel in the world. (Have you slept in a Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed? You haven't lived until you have. It is pure heaven.) He bought me a big box of Anniversary chocolates, and planned a fun Sunday wondering around Downtown and enjoying a yummy brunch.

So, here we are, three years later. And as happy as ever. Happy Anniversary, babe!

Counting to 10 from Teresa B on Vimeo.

Well, what a week. Prayers were definitely answered last night, as we all finally got some much needed sleep. And Eva seems to be doing a lot better today. She had Fifth Disease. Sounds scarier than it is, but it involves yucky things like barfing and rashes on her face, arms and legs. My poor girl. But, she's pretty much back to her normal self now.

Yesterday was the halfway mark of this pregnancy- 20 weeks!! Only 20 more to go. I've gained 8 pounds so far, which is pretty much on target. Maybe a little under target. But that's ok with me. No 50 pound weight gain for me this time, no way.

We're heading down south next week for American Thanksgiving. My Grandma is making the turkey, mmmm I can taste it now. AND, for those Canadians that don't know, the day after Thanksgiving just happens to be the best shopping day of the year down there. They have HUGE sales, in which I hope to find Nich's present and the last bit of Eva's. And then I'm done. Woohoo!

I'm exhausted. Up until 3:30am calming a sick, miserable Eva. And this is the second night in a row.

She's exhausted. And I DON'T understand why she wouldn't want to sleep in until noon. No, apparently 3 hours of sleep is cool. Up at 6:45.

Will somebody please bring me a triple shot latte? Oh, and toilet paper? I'm out.

Yesterday, Nich took the day off and we headed out to Art Knapp's Nursery. We all had a blast. There were tons of train sets- big and small, half the store was decked out in the most beautiful Christmas stuff I've ever seen (I got great inspiration for decorating our tree this year). And outside they had Koi ponds (Nich loves fish) annnnd, a real, live Thomas the Train Ride. We were all in heaven.

I just got home from my Doctor's appointment- 19 weeks today! He's pretty happy with how well this pregnancy is going, and so am I. We got to hear the heartbeat, which was 148, if that means anything to you. I googled it, and I guess if it's over 140, the Old Wives Tale says its a girl. And I kinda got the feeling from the Ulrasound Tech that it was a girl too. But, who knows. How bouts a 19 week belly shot.


Not that I have any right at all to complain, cuz I know I don't. But in case you really want to know how I'm feeling. Here it is. I've been experiencing some not-so-nice pregnancy symptoms lately. Some random dizziness, shortness of breath- which, thankfully, a daily dose of iron has mostly taken care of. Also, I've been super achy and sore, feeling like I just gave birth a couple weeks ago. I thought it might be all in my head, but when I told the Dr. about it, he said that it happens after you have a fourth degree tear. I guess when you're pregnant, more blood rushes to the scar tissue- making you feel the post-birth pain all over again. Yay. He had no good news to report about it. I guess it doesn't get better throughout pregnancy- I just have to be careful not to stand for long periods of time. And, just generally rest more. So, now I don't have to feel guilty about a short, afternoon nap.

In toddler news, Eva's been counting up a storm lately. It's so cute! Just a few days ago, she was counting "2,3,4" and "8,9,10". And then yesterday she counting all the way from 1-8- TWICE in a row. And, today while I was at the appointment, Nich reported that she counted all the way from 1-10. At this rate she'll be counting to 100 by next month.

Ok, I have more than 10.5 seconds to blog today, because Dora the Explorer is on :) So, now that it's Tuesday, let me tell you a bit about my weekend. It involves these cute girls...

Eva's Auntie Jennifer and cousin Liliana came to visit for a few days. And Eva loved every minute of it (well, minus the shopping). She loved being a big cousin. She would bring Liliana toys and shower her with kisses. This girl is going to be a great big sister. And Liliana is the sweetest, happiest baby I've ever met. I heard a half of a cry maybe once. What a champ.

In other random list-form news:

-This time change deal sucks. Eva is going to bed at the same time, but waking up early. Which means she is getting less sleep, which means she is crabby.

-Starbucks now has Gingerbread lattes. Nich surprised me a couple days ago by bringing home 1 whole LITRE of the golden delicious Gingerbread syrupy goodness. So, now I can whip up my own on lattes at home.

-Our new car rocks

-My friend had her baby so fast (3 weeks early I think), her husband had to deliver it at home. She is my birthing hero.

-Nich is apparantly Mr. Christmas. This side of him has never been seen before. He is the guy that packs up my decorations on Boxing Day when I'm not looking. But, when he found out the stores had Christmas stuff in, he went on a shopping spree, came home and decorated our house. There is lit-up garland wrapped around every stairwell, our deck, and atop our fireplace.

-I am halfway done my Christmas shopping

-I still need to start planning Eva (and Caleb's?) birthday bash. They might have a joint birthday party this year. Cuuute.

I'm 18 weeks and 5 days pregnant, and soo happy because it was Ultrasound Day! Now I know you're on the edge of your seat.

Boy or Girl?

I was on the edge of my seat too. But, alas, the hubby didn't want to find out. So, we'll never know- well, not until Baby Bean's birthday anyway.

How abouts an ultrasound pic?




Do you see Baby Bean's small, pointy nose? The ultrasound tech even called it pointy. Did you ever see the Dr. Suess Grinch movie with the Cindy Lou Hoo? I think it's cuter to refer to it as a "Hoo" nose than a "pointy" one. But ever so cute nonetheless.

Soo, what do you think? Boy or Girl? Kinda looks like a boy to me.