Learning about newborns

So far we have learned a lot about babies.

They love to sleep and cuddle

They love to smile and stay awake

They love to sit in vibrating chairs and sleep

They can sleep through an entire clothing change

It is very tough to adjust to a life of looking out for oneself (and even a husband too. To looking out for a miniature person plus oneself (and even a husband too)... Or at least it has been for me. It is getting better each day. Easier in some ways. There is nothing I could have read to prepare for this. And quite honestly the best thing I have had to fall back on is prayer. Every single book I have read, and person I have talked to say things slightly different. When I have had a question I pray about things and I will usually feel good about doing something a certain way. That is the best way I have been able to function.
One thing no book can prepare you for, for sure, is how much love one can feel for such a small life form. She speaks in alien tongues to us, she moves her extremities around in nonsensical ways, and her hair is always spiking up at different angles. She is a mystery, and we have an eternity to figure her out.

The hospital Part 2

Well this story is a little more scary than “the birth” but has to offer just as much hope and happiness as the birth in some form or another.

It started on Halloween night (I have actually always wanted to use that opener for real, and I just did, guess who just got to check something off of their bucket list?), and Brandon and I were cuddling with our daughter and watching trick or treaters come and go from the den in our house.

It happened so suddenly. Without warning I found myself shivering uncontrollably. “Is it cold in here?” I asked. “Not particularily. Can I make you some tea?”

Well about 10 or so minutes went by and I could not warm up. So I decided to take this opportunity to use our families new thermometer. “It’s probably nothing I just want to be on the safe side.” I told Brandon.  The thermometer read 99.6 degrees F. Oh boy, I thought to myself, it is just a slight fever, but I had better be safe. So I called the midwife on call. She told me that it sounded like maybe a touch of the flu and that I should take some Tylenol, try to get a good sleep and see what was going on the next day.

I didn’t feel right about that answer. I didn’t like that I didn’t feel right about it, because truthfully, on our first full day back from the hospital I just wanted to go to bed and cuddle with my husband and daughter.

I took some Tylenol as she instructed me. After 20 minutes I felt the urge to take my temperature again.

This time the thermometer read 102 degrees F. I phoned the midwife back. “I am going to abby hospital.”

Before we left I once again got a blessing. After which I felt much more confident in my choice to leave for the hospital.

So we loaded Belle and everything she needed and Brandon and I into the car, and his Mom drove us to the hospital. I prayed on the way that there would not be a long wait in Emergency. The ride there was completely different than the ride we had taken to Abbotsford 2 nights previous. Last time I was fairly confident that my urgency to get to the hospital was to have a baby. This time I didn’t know what to think, and I couldn’t stop shivering, and I had a hungry little baby along for the ride whom I wanted to take care of, not be sick for.

When we got to Emergency my prayers were answered. Never before had I seen a waiting room so empty. One other couple of people were ahead of us. I was seen right away. After they had taken my vital signs and information I decided it would be a good time to feed and change a crying Belle. She was content.

In the ER about 10 minutes later a male nurse, whom I will always remember came in to assess my situation.

“I hope you don’t mind that I am breastfeeding.” I joked. “Oh I don’t mind, I have seen much worse than a breast.”

Much worse than a breast? What an interesting fellow.

What he said next interested me further. “Are you normally tachy?” He asked. I must once again this week have been in a delirious state because I was under the impression he asked me if I work on the telemetry floor at chilliwack hospital.

“Yes, I work there sometimes.” I replied.

He looked at me as if I was the strange one.

“no, do you normally have a high pulse?”

“no.”

“I am going to go talk to the doctor I will be right back.”

So when this nurse gets back he informs me that I have to have an EKG and a chest X ray. He then begins to prepare an IV. “whoa. What are you doing with that?” I asked. “We are starting an IV for you.”

Well, thank you for telling me and not just trying to stick something into my uninformed self.

This part I found the most upsetting yet. An IV indicated to me that I was going to be at the hospital for more time than the next 30 minutes or so. What I should have said was “hey buddy, when I got in here I expected to be healed in about 30 minutes, I have a new daughter and a room full of things to unpack.”

But instead I said “oh, an IV… nice!”

I had never had an IV before, and as a cringing Brandon turned away in disgust (his worst fear is needles- a fear which I don’t completely understand as one will never be in the wild afraid of attacking needles hanging from trees), the needle was inserted into a trembling left hand of mine.  I looked up at the bag of fluid they would dump into my body. It had potassium in it. I felt sick.

I stood up to use the bathroom. I was feeling irritated that this nurse was doing so much to prevent me from going home. I am not sure why I expected an easy solution, now that I think back to it. And it was for the best that they were taking these safety measures, but in these next few hours I didn’t care about my health. I just wanted to ignore it, go home and take care of Belle.

My health was getting more difficult to ignore. As I stood up to go to the washroom my legs were like jello and felt like they were going to give out. I got to use one of those cool wheelchair inventions again.

After they had wheeled me off to different rooms for more tests, they got me to lie down in a bed and put these sticky cups all over my chest to monitor how frequently my tummy growled. Hmmm it was either monitoring that or my heart, I can’t remember which.

The part I disliked the most was how much I was shivering. I could feel my body shaking uncontrollably and that really scared me. It wouldn’t have scared me as much 10 months ago when I wasn’t pregnant and I didn’t have a little bambino to nourish. But I was probably the most scared this night than I have ever been my entire life. I could hear the doctor bringing up all sorts of possibilities. They knew there was an infection, but without results from all of my blood tests and my urine test they could not know for sure. So all I could do was lie in this bed and pray it was nothing serious.

My main concern was to make sure they didn’t give me anything that would prevent me from breastfeeding. And it seemed like I couldn’t tell enough people that I was breastfeeding. I was being Ultra Paranoid Woman (that’s right, she is a new superhero)!

It was here in Emergency that we had the pleasure of meeting my second nurse. She was a young girl who was very warm and friendly and made the experience at the hospital a better one. We also suspect it was she who advocated for us to get back up into maternity as opposed to being sent to medicine (where I would not have been able to have Brandon or Belle with me which would have been unbearable).

So results came in and the doctor announced that I was sporting a kidney infection, which had traveled into my blood. We further learned that my white blood cell count was low. My white blood cells decided to take a vacation rather than fighting for me. Thank you guys, I appreciate it. Send me a postcard from wherever you wind up.

They immediately started a really strong BREASTFEEDING SAFE  :) antibiotic called Meropenum and informed me that I would need to be on it for about 24 to 48 hours. I was so relieved that it was safe for breastfeeding Moms, I would be readmitted back onto maternity, and Belle and Brandon would be with me every step of the way.

It seems as if I hadn’t had a lot of luck, but these things that mattered to me, God had taken care of, and I had to see the good in that. It wasn’t easy every step of the way. But our family was definitely seeing some huge miracles this week.

Next we had to wait to be taken to maternity. While we waited Brandon and his Mom watched as my heart rate was maintained at a steady 130-150 beats per minute. A great way to burn calories… right? It wouldn’t come down from 150 beats for the next day and a half.

We had to wait about 3 or 4 extra hours in emerg that night before they took us up to maternity, but it was completely worth it.

Even though things felt scary and everything Belle did great at what she could do. She ate and would go right back to sleep. Brandon was also super tired but snuggled her anyways.

By the time we got up to maternity I had more people looking at me and telling me new plans for procedures and tests I would have to undergo. I was really confused and pretty frustrated through this process because the emerg doc had told me with confidence it was a kidney infection. But I guess my new assigned medical doctor wanted to be confident that it was nothing else.

One of my nurses kept coming into the room when I was tending to Belles empty tummy and told me that my body needed to rest. It sounds great, but I have a newborn that is hungry and my plan is to breastfeed. So, what could she say to that?

Later when I went to the bathroom I glanced into the mirror and was very taken aback. I was super swollen. I could hardly even recognize myself. Everything to me was puffed up, and red. I looked desperate. Needless to say that night there was no rest. Every time I would drift off, either Belle would need to nurse, or someone would have to come in to check my heart.

The next day is remembered as a blur. Brandon and I managed to nap between more and more tests, and Belle continued to seem unaffected and doing well.

It was this day that I learned we would be here at least one more day.

I was very grateful for the food that was brought in for us to eat. The hospital food was disgusting. I always checked the meals out in curiosity and only once was there anything worth eating. The toast served for breakfast is by far the furthest thing from any edible bread I have ever had, and resembles more of a soggy cardboard. This is saying something, as anyone who knows me well enough, knows I am not a picky eater.

Over the next two days Brandon and I were told we would be able to go home soon. Finally soon came. I was puffy and tired of antibiotics and tired. Both Brandon and I had our share of the hospital this week and were ready to go home.

The next day we had a visit with a doctor and learned that I would need IV antibiotics for the next 4 days. So in and out of the Chilliwack hospital would wrap this week up. I can honestly say that I have never been so tired in all my life. But I came out of this week with my health, and my husband and daughter.

The birth

It all started around one o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday the 29^th of October. A cool and clear sunny day, one in which Brandon and I thought a walk to our favorite used bookstore would be quite appropriate.

So off we walked (I waddled… Brandon walked) I was greeted by an interesting cramp (“Braxton Hicks again” I sighed to Brandon, “don’t worry I am fine… this baby is never coming out I think.”) So we continued our walk, had a nice time at the bookstore where we read about many different things, and soon we were on our way home. Suddenly the cramps were coming steadily and it was more difficult to walk through them.

“Let’s time them just in case.”

They were everywhere some were 10 minutes apart and lasted 40 seconds some were 9 minutes and lasted an entire minute. I was very skeptical that anything “real” was going on.

So our arrival at home found us playing a wonderful first-person shooter game called “Borderlands”. I was very distracted by it for a while, but then…

“can we pause it? I am having another pain.”

I couldn’t aim my shots at people through these so-called contractions… maybe they were real? Maybe I was in labor…. True labor.

Part of me wanted to be in labor because I didn’t want to wait another day to hold this baby of ours growing inside of me. And now that I was starting to feel some really heavy pain a whole different part of me was quivering in the corner of a room shivering and saying aloud “maybe tomorrow would be a better day for this.”

So we continued pausing and timing the contractions until around 730 pm and I was actually beginning to shed some tears.

“I think now would be a good time to call the midwife.” I said to Brandon, “ I think that this really must be happening.”

So I got on the phone with the midwife and tried to sound as cool and collected as possible (which she explained later was the reason why she didn’t tell me to rush into the hospital then and there. Just a tip… don’t try to hide the pain when you live 30 minutes away from the hospital and you are on the phone with your health care provider trying to make a decision.).

My midwife told me not to worry, and that I should use this time to take about an hour long shower with Brandon just to help in the whole dilating process and pain relief. I unwillingly got into the shower (I think Brandon was pretty scared at this time too because my contractions were now starting to feel (for me) and sound (for him) pretty serious). 30 minutes into the shower, however, I couldn’t do it anymore. Even standing was a chore… and now that I know how it feels I was definitely having the urge to push.

Brandons mom arrived home around this time and I heard her, through the bathroom door, telling him that I was in “hard labor”. This to me, at the time made so much sense that it scared me… why wasn’t I at the hospital?

So after receiving a blessing from Brandon’s Dad and Brandon I decided now would be a good time to call the midwife and head into the hospital. This time on the phone with her I couldn’t get through a sentence and Brandon had to talk. The plan was to head through triage (the main hospital was shut down at this time of the day) and meet her right up in maternity for a check up to see if I was really experiencing labor.

I had so much doubt in my mind. Was I really in labor? It seems like I always hear about false alarms. Could this be a false alarm? So much of me was hoping this was it. If it gets much worse than this, I thought, then I don’t know if I can handle it… I just don’t think I can manage.

The car ride was interesting. And by interesting I mean the most painful and longest drive we have ever taken from Chilliwack to Abbotsford. To me it didn’t even feel as if contractions were letting up anymore. It seemed it was one after another, and my back pain was excruciating. Brandon’s parents took us to the hospital. It was a good thing Brandon wasn’t driving; I needed to squeeze his hand the whole way there.  Also, I was probably stressing him out something awful.

Brandon’s Mom, Tami took this opportunity to play my favorite music… Christmas. This helped a great deal. I tried to sing a little through the contractions. I am really glad we do not have any of this night recorded… have I mentioned that? I definitely would not be getting a Juno for the singing that took place this night. But perhaps had it been a full moon a pack of canines would have been interested in joining me.

When we arrived I had a very tough time getting out of the car. Someone brought a wheelchair for me to get into. In retrospect if it hadn’t been for that wheelchair I never would have made it in to the hospital. And there was no way I would have let anyone carry me.

Now it is here in the story where my memory is a little fuzzy. I think perhaps it was because of the extreme amounts of pain I found myself in my brain must have gone into autopilot. My true colors began to emerge in a series of meetings with some interesting people on the way up to maternity. So be warned that this next part of the story includes small tidbits from my memory pieced together by the testimony of my family present this night.

As we entered emergency I remember feeling confused as to where we were to go. I remember asking some patients that were sitting near the door smoking where I was to go. They wound up assisting us in our quest for the main lobby to get to the main elevators. At this point my memory was that these people were all on our team and everyone was there to help me through this tough time. And so naturally I felt that since these people were on our team it would be alright to trust them. A man and a lady who had eben smoking outside showed us the way. As we entered the elevators with them I could hear Brandon and his Mom explaining that I was in labor and we didn’t know how to get to maternity. It was at this point I turned to the lady and I said “if I have this baby in this elevator YOU are the one who will deliver it.” And then I turned to the man and as I pointed my finger at him in my delirious state said, “Because you have no experience.” I must note that this was brought on by the fact that the lady had mentioned that she had a baby. And so, it hadn’t just been me stereotyping the fact that she was a woman she had to have had a baby.”

As we got out of the elevator we said goodbye to our new friend and she wished us luck. We were finally on maternity floor and all we had to do was sign in. Brandon couldn’t find my care card in my wallet. I remember trying to explain to him that it was behind my driver’s license, but I think all that must have come out was “behind the picture!!!” And now that I think about it I can’t believe he found it at all. Into the heart of the maternity floor they wheeled me. We met a very nice nurse named Leona. She let us know that Laurie, our midwife hadn’t made it there yet, but she could start my assessment. What seemed a few minutes later Laurie arrived, and (I think) kept reminding me to take deep breaths. I didn’t want to at the time, but they really do help.

After my blood pressure and heart rate and everything were checked the moment of truth was approaching. Was I dilated? How far was I along? Would I be sent home? Would I be here for hours and hours longer trying to withstand this torture?

Laurie checked… “I usually like to approximate less than people actually are when I do this,” she said “but I would say you are probably 7 or actually probably 8 cm dilated.” Wow. Wow. I was going to have a baby… tonight. 

So the plan was to get me in my wheelchair and off to a room. You see, at Abbotsford Hospital the labor delivery and recovery all stay in the same room. Room 18 had our name on it. So that is where we went.

When we got to the room I changed into a gown, I suppose. I can’t remember this… but from the pictures I clearly see that I was wearing a gown, which leads me to believe I changed into it. I then got someone taking blood from my arm (I can actually remember the blood guy warning me that there would be a poke. Are you kidding me? I am not even going to feel it.

Laurie then instructed me that the next part would be the toughest and I shouldn’t push yet even though my body wanted me to. I told her I thought she might need to reassess my situation because I thought I was ready.

10 cm. Ready for action.

She told me I was allowed to push. I guess normally first time Moms didn’t go this fast. But I guess after all of our daughters prep talks and training meetings the message sunk in that we wanted her here. She just thought in terms of minutes.

In the next hour and a half or so the process of delivery really doesn’t need a whole lot of attention to detail. It included myself inhaling gas, a husband with a sore hand (and apparently I snagged his hair at one point too), a room full of grandparents (gma and gpa tami and glen, and papa and nana Rob and Robin), and then… a baby.

When she came out it was such a relief in every way. Physically the hard part was over, emotionally we could now hold our hot little bundle and cuddle her, and everything was good.

Belle Antoinette Sallenbach was born 1203 am on October 30^th 2011. Brandon almost got his Halloween baby. This was definitely the happiest moment of our lives. As she cuddled against me there was a sense of peace. The room, which once had a crazy lady in it and a team of people helping her, was now an oasis for this baby. She cried a little on the way out but was then silent and sleepy.

We took note right away of her full head of dark hair. If the old wives tale about acid reflux meaning your baby will have a full head of hair applies to anyone, it definitely works here.

Her skin was a cherry red and velvety smooth, and her eyes were a dark dark blue. Both her hands and feet were the crinkliest things I have ever seen (which says a lot because I have worked geriatrics), and were a little bit purple. Also she was born with a bit of a cone head, which gave her the nickname “peanut” for a few days. 

6 pounds 15 and half ounces was her weight. We were so proud of our tiny little bundle for all of the hard work she had done to be here. 

As soon as everything else had been dealt with (some stitches etc.), they cleaned Belle up a little and checked her out a bit and then bundled her up like she was going out into a snowstorm. A hat for newborn that they give out on the unit was much too big for our little peanut, but looked great on her anyways.

Soon the grandparents left and it was the three of us and Laurie still left.

I now had to get up and shower (which sounds a lot easier than it was), and I also had to learn how to breastfeed.

Laurie stayed with us until about 4 in the morning assisting us with these things and everything went really well.

Belle latched perfectly as if she had been practicing, and that was a huge blessing. And Laurie helped an exhausted shaky me with cleaning up and all of that.

This was the best experience of my life. To have loved ones supporting me, my husband next to me every step and an incredible midwife (who kept calm and helped me through everything was both smart about things and warm), I would have to say that Belle was really blessed to have the birthday that she had. There is no way that both Brandon and I (and everyone who was there that night), won’t recommend getting a midwife to everyone we possibly can.

Halloween first? Or a baby?

It is October 27th. As my due date is today, the day when our daughter will arrive feels close. I have to wonder if Brandon and I will be trick or treating this year. Or if we will be staying in and eating candy whilst watching spooky movies with our daughter.
It is a strange feeling knowing that she will be here amongst us soon. It feels really good... just something I can't relate anything to.
As I sit here and look at the different spaces we have made for her in our house, and in our hearts, it feels like she is a missing piece of our family right now and she was always made to be with us. This feeling doesn't help to ward off any impatient feelings that I have.
We are just trying to remind ourselves that it is Gods timing and her timing, not ours. It is just difficult keeping that in mind as I am up every hour and a half at night with pain or to urinate, or both. Brandon has mastered the art of staying asleep regardless of my restless nights. I am very happy about that.
Brandon wants Belle to be born on the 31st of October, and for those of you who are acquainted with Brandon can appreciate the motivation behind this desire; Halloween Birthday Parties. I try to (patiently) remind him that the 31st is four days late and everyday I stay uncomfortable is a day I may become grouchy/short tempered/tired of pregnancy, but that doesn't phase him. I think it is my fault for not being grouchy enough.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have both bought and sent preemptive baby gifts. We are really beginning to appreciate "girly" clothes which we didn't think would happen. They are just generally really cute. But don't discount the fact that we are still in love with other clothing too.I think when clothing is a certain size it has to look cute.
We will keep you all updated. We are praying things will start to happen soon.

Getting Closer still feels further

As I am sure all of you know the big day is getting closer... everyday. The birth of our first child.
And as I sit here and feel that there are still exactly one zillion and one things to do before she gets here, I still wish she has plans on being here with us soon.
We have begun to collect more and more treasures for her wearing pleasure (not to mention the little cat outfit from her grandma TamTam). As well as a wonderful stroller from her Nana and Papa.
Brandon and I find ourselves daydreaming and discussing all of the things we will get to do with her and teach her.
First of all we must make sure she understands the importance of equipping herself with dog mace, and a BB gun. Second of all she must understand that an adventure backpack is essential to the get up of any true adventurer. And third, which I am sure is just a give in to all of those reading, will be her education on the importance of Christmas light hunting. We will not be able to start those lessons for a few months though.
Really the first lesson we must teach her... and I apologize for getting ahead of myself... will be the importance of cuddling. Once she has mastered that, we shall start the others.

We shall keep you loyal readers up to date on our adventurers arrival. Until then... Keep adventuring!

Autumn has arrived!

And as the blazing hot sun blasted at the pregnant puffy perspiring lady, she shouted, "let there be Autumn!" Suddenly the trees began to turn shades of brown, orange and yellow. The sun backed off in fright. The night became longer and cooler. It was good.
As we have recently arrived in the fall season and we feel the weather cooling off, we both take a sigh of relief. Me, because on cool days I am not as puffy and grumpy, and Brandon, because on cool days I am not as puffy and grumpy.
We are now approaching the 37th week of pregnancy. And while it seems that we are at the end of the pregnancy everyday feels to me as if the wonderful day when we will get to hold our precious baby is light years away.
Trying to keep patient has simply made me a much more impatient person. Having surrounded myself with many books to read thinking it will help the time pass has actually just made me an incredibly fast reader. I am going through books the fastest I ever have in my life. 
Brandon continues to work away at the framing business and it doesn't surprise me anymore when he comes home with wood chips in his hair.
With the arrival of fall the Halloween season approaches. As it is very close to our due date we have not yet made any solid plans concerning costumes or festivities. However, I will say with much certainty that if our bundle has not yet arrived I am going out as an M and M (that's right, the blue chocolate covered peanut yet again). And I will be joined by my husband probably dressed like a crazy person or a zombie.

Summer Time and 31 weeks pregnant

Here we are at the end of August, and it just occurred to me that we have been so busy having fun that I haven't blogged in quite some time.
What have we been up to? One may ask. Well besides the raves, night clubs and midnight vandalisms, we have been spending quite a bit of time at the lake when not at work. Cultus Lake that is. What has the lake got to offer to two kids like us? Cool (sometimes feeling cold) water. It has been especially nice after a hot day of being on my (swelling) feet and feeling quite large and sweaty.
Brandon is more the type just to run into the water, I wish I could do that. I ease into it and the slower I go, the more reluctant I am to emerging myself completely. And then once into the water we take on challenges such as floating around, swimming over the seaweed and braving our chances with the dreaded "seaweed monster" (a mythical creature Brandon invented in attempts to boost my confidence while swimming over seaweed).

A couple of months ago Brandon surprised me with a trip down the Oregon Coast for our one year anniversary. I can't believe it is already over a year now. Time has been flying. And while I have never been sure how that expression makes sense, I am pretty sure that people use it to say "time has been seeming very fast moving".
We stayed down in Newport for a few nights (we were there during the day too) and made our way up the coast to home. It was sunny the entire time except for our last day which greeted us with sprinkling water. We spent a lot of our time eating seafood and hanging out on the beach (in Lincoln city).

Besides work and the fun stuff, some other stuff we have been up to has included preparing for our daughter, who will be greeting us in just two months now. We have come to see (through consumer reports, and safety reports) that people, in general, are much too obsessed with name brands. It is unfortunate that people can be swayed towards a certain item simply because of a name and not because of actually functionality (that's a word). We are starting to understand that a higher dollar amount probably won't impress a newborn. And since she is the only one we are ever going to try to impress again (including our other children), we are not going to be concerned with name brands.

Our plans for the next few weeks include starting some classes to learn about how much fun labor is going to be (I have heard so many good things from moms), gathering more supplies together for the Babette, being at the lake, and night clubbing, raves and midnight vandalism's.
Donations to our cause could include materials such as spray paint, toilet paper, and eggs (although these are only the traditional, any variation from the traditional should include instructions on how to vandalize with the product).

24 weeks... summer beginning

    Well, here we are in the last couple of weeks from the third trimester and according to many comments and looks I am just starting to show. Along with gazes from complete strangers examining the shape of my being, the warm weather seems to have arrived. The confidence that my tummy will inevitably get bigger before baby arrives as well as that the outdoors will get warmer is not a comforting thought. But leaves me with much respect for the bearers of summer babies (honestly the entire experience is giving me more respect for mothers everywhere regardless of season of birth).
    A few weeks ago we had the privilege of finding out the gender of our super baby. We took the opportunity. Many people are old fashioned in this sense and they wish to keep the gender a surprise. Well, we salute those people. I figured it will be enough of a surprise the day I get to meet a person that comes out of me (the idea of this just isn't getting dull or boring somehow). So we suggest that any of our readers out there who do not wish to know the gender and are one of these "old fashioned" types stop reading immediately. Because we are about to reveal the gender to you, LIVE on our blog.

Through ultrasound, we have come to discover that our super baby is...


















a girl!


Yes, that is right we have a little girl on the way, and we are so excited about this. I am thinking about the wonderful little hats and dresses and pairs of rubber boots she will be privy to and the way we will raise her to dislike "princess" clad articles of clothing and barbie dolls. No, if she likes Barbie dolls she will be allowed to take that path in her life. But if she happens to shoot them with her  G.I. Joe afterward to celebrate the end of that stage in her life it will bring tears of pride to our eyes.

19 week photo shoot

May we present... our baby. Looking good and growing in all of the right places.
Last Friday we had the opportunity to participate in this black-and-white, retro photo shoot (they said that I had to be there for sure for some reason...), and saw our baby yet again.
As I arranged myself on the table the ultrasound technician asked me if I had the urge to urinate. I replied,"yes." She showed me our baby stomping on my bladder as if he was jumping on a trampoline. So cute...
We also learned, and are thrilled to share, that our baby has developed laser vision, and will be able to cut through things like safe doors, car doors, jail cells and more.
In addition to laser vision the doctors have remarked that the bone structure of our baby is superior to that of other babies. What does this mean? Our baby will be cuter and more resilient than any other baby you have ever met.
This ultrasound has played a vital role in the final decision for a name, if it so happens that we have a boy on the way. We have decided on Superman. Not Clarke Kent- he will not hide behind a name. Superman will be his first, middle, and last name.
I would bet nobody on the face of this planet is as intellectually advanced as us.

17 weeks...

 Well, here we are halfway through May and baby is getting so much bigger everyday (that's what I read on the internet at least... and the internet is always right). My nausea subsides some days, which is much nicer than not at all. 3 months ago or so I loved burritos for breakfast (you know, the unhealthy ones that cost less than a dollar a piece), and last week I tried to eat one and that didn't go over so well.
 Baby has turned me into everything I have always feared... a picky eater.
 4 months ago I was a food-loving, adventure-seeking... chef(?). And now I give Brandon no reason for seconds... my food is bland... but he still takes seconds.
I have no been introduced to the world of pregnancy induced heart burn... which, for me feels like nothing I have ever experienced before. Usually heartburn results in acid reflux- which no doubt hurts my throat. The new and improved pregnancy heartburn results in a fire, starting in the depths of my stomach, it rises into the back of my mouth and leaves no surviving lining to the wall of my esophagus. Unforgiving is my tummy.
Also up on the list are some thrilling aches and pains. Which are actually welcome compared to the nausea and "fire" reflux.
I suppose it sounds like a lot of negatives, and if you find yourself reading this and reconsidering the whole procreation business you may want to continue reading.
Baby has acquired the sense of hearing. Some suggest talking to baby. So, Brandon and I talk to baby everyday.
Also, baby will begin to kick any day. And some research says that if a mother starts to rub her tummy once baby gets bigger it will begin to respond to touch.
Also everyday we are closer to being able to snuggle and care for our baby. These are the things I am excited about.
And the excitement far outweighs the feelings of an ill nature.

week 14- Pregnancy Update

Life as a pregnant woman has begun to settle in. I have not gotten over my nausea completely as this morning when I woke up with Brandon I was greeted by a familiar gurgle in my tummy, a cough in my throat and then the inevitable… unpleasantness. I have been trying to take life easy as, many times, baby is not allowing me not to.

My baby bump is becoming more visible to Brandon and I. And while I am quick to express that I am excited to get a big tummy, many Mom’s experienced in the pregnancy department tell me that, for now, it is much better that I don’t (something about sleeping with a watermelon or two in your tummy isn’t comfortable apparently).

Other symptoms are including frequent trips to the bathroom, as well as heartburn. My emotions are quite stabilized, to Brandon’s delight. Throughout the first trimester I was very quick to tears and now I am feeling like I can go a day or two without salting my cheeks. 

Work has been a challenge as it involves many odors and tasks that my head and tummy aren’t agreeing with. But the hope that things will now start to get a bit easier in that area keeps me positive.

Our baby is growing. How exciting! Our love for our baby is growing everyday!

Mini Adventureisms

Katie and I have been somehwat busy as of late. We haven't really had a whole lot of a ton of time to do much adventuring, so every here and there we try to get done what we can. we've been playing a bit of tennis, but that's just for our fun (and health), not for adventures. But a few days ago Katie was at work, so after dropping her off at work I went home and finished my sleep, then I had a pre-afternoon nap, and then I ate, and then I took a post morning lie down, and then I figured it would probably be wise to finish off the day with a pre-evening clean up around the house, and some post nap writing. Then, after I got the important stuff overwith I figured i could waste some time shopping for food. And I know what you're all thinking, "That's quite the adventure, Brandon." Well, you just wait. the adventure hasn't even begun. Not even close. No adventure will ever start until I have my beautiful sidekick, code name: K-Star.

When I picked up my sidekick from her work, I presented her with a gift of orange flowers. She then accepted my invitation to accompany me to our lair where we would prepare for the mini caper we were to embark upon. We grabbed our supply's: picnic backpack, food, water, sense of adventure, and our daring personalities. Then it was off to the infamous Cultus Mountains.

We tried to travel as far as we could by car, so as to minimize how much time we have to spend on foot, leaving ourselves open for attack from the zombies that lurk in the shadows of the forrest. We then had to trek for 45 minutes along an eerie path, lit by only the blistering sun. We had nowhere to run to if we were attacked. The steep incline of the calm forrest of doom to our right, and the peaceful lake of hate to our left. We were sitting ducks.

Well we were walking ducks.

Well not really, we were still people.

ADVENTURE PEOPLE!!!!!!

Eventually we arrived at our destination and had a lovely picnic right beside the lake. Some dragon boaters rowed past us while we ate our chicken, pickles and macaroni salad. It was delightful. Then we walked back to the car and decided we would have to do this again sometime. So keep your ears open for the next story. Or, keep your eyelids peeled to read the next story. Well don't actually peel them, that's not necessary. Just keep reading our blog to see if we do it again and actually get attacked by zombies.

Does anyone actually read this stuff?

Newest Sallenbach

Well, here it is. We are pleased to announce that we now have real proof of the soon-to-be newest addition to our family. What is his/her/it's name going to be? We are going to keep that to Gummy-Bean Sallenbach for now. And we will announce the name upon the birth of this little Gummy-Bean only to the doctor.

Yes, we will be finding out the gender of the baby as soon as we can, however, we will not tell anyone the gender unless they give us money or something else we can use or sell. This goes for even after Gummy-Bean is born. We will dress it in neutral colours and call him/her/it Gummy-Bean around anyone who has not adequately compensated us for our troubles.

For a temporary time only, we will hold the classic Turkish Family Fighter Games round robin involving many very difficult trials, such as the eating competition, the shampooing our carpet competition,the "where does that belong?" competition, and the free taxi for a week competition (just to name a few). The over all winner of said competition does not have to pay us to find out the sex of the baby.
*Turkish Family Fighter Games entry rates may apply*

So, in conclusions to this here update, we would like to thank all entries to the games and to those who have the generosity to give us all their material possessions and/or money in advance. Also, if people are unable to compensate us in such ways, then we would like to say that we would be happy if you could just celebrate our new family addition with us whenever you get the chance, or just celebrate on your own, and let us know how the party was.

Big News for a Little Bundle

It all started about a month ago on February 11^th 2011.  I was at work where I happened to hurt my back (somehow), by bending at a patient’s bedside. I thought nothing of it. I thought to myself “it will get better not to worry.” My manager, however, wanted me to fill out a workplace BC form just in case it amounted to something else. So as part of the proper procedure I marched (well, hobbled) to emergency, where they were to check my back out and say “yup, it is a pull. Go home.” That is what I was waiting for… and that was what I got. There is one point of interest here though, and that is my entire reason for relaying this rather dull story to you. When the triage nurse admitted me to the ER she did her duty and checked my vital signs. My blood pressure was a tiny bit higher than normal 118/68 or something, but my temperature was elevated as well.

“Hmm…” thought the triage nurse out loud, “that seems a little strange.”

“What seems strange?” I asked.

“Well, your temp is a little high… are you feeling alright?”

“Yes I think so… aside from my back.”

“Then I guess there is nothing to worry about.” Reassuring smile.

The rest of this story takes place on February 15^th 2011. The morning of I drove Brandon to work. I was nervous this morning. I had missed my period last week and I expected it on the weekend. Well, it was now Tuesday and no period had arrived. So I did what I thought to be the safe thing, and went to the clinic. When I arrived, there were already about 5 people waiting to get in. I was nervous. Whatever would happen, Brandon would not be there.

Deep Breath.

Urine in a cup.

“Alright Kate, you can come in now.”

Wait for the doctor.

More deep breaths.

The door opened and an East Indian doctor walked in. “Well, the test results are positive!”

I felt like my head was under water for a second.

“I am sorry… did you say positive? As in ‘I am pregnant’?” 

“Yes I sure did!”

Wow, suddenly a rush of warmth ran over me. I was so happy.

The doctor said that the due date is October 21 2011… 2011. Wow. That is this year!

I was suddenly outside of the office. I was calling Brandon at work. I couldn’t even figure my new phone out… but he answered. I couldn’t stop laughing and my tummy was shaking and my hands were shaking. The nearby roadwork was making it difficult to hear so I popped into an empty room by the pharmacy.

“Brandon, the test results were positive!” I was so excited to tell him. I could hear that he was very excited to receive the news as well.

We are going to have a baby! We are going to have an addition to our family! This was the best news we both have ever heard.
Coming up... updates on baby.

Hockey Night In Chilliwack

Well, to make our Valentines Weekend as romantic as possible we decided we would go to the coldest place in Chilliwack and cheer sweaty men on to pulverizing one another. Brandon and I started the evening out by downing three super-hot samosas each from one of our fave places "Mr.India". After which we got nice and warm and headed over to the arena, where we treated ourselves to ultra-salty and cheesy cafe nachos. We found our seats and the game begun. As I reflect on this somewhat new experience I don't care much about who emerged victorious from the game, because in fact, the real winners were Brandon and I for being there and cheering.

Another highlight (I must admit to before my readers think me to be of something angelic-like) was the fight we saw. Brandon, never having been to a hockey game thought it would be rather exciting to see a fight in person. And as soon as the gloves came off I found myself watching my beaming husband rather than the sweaty warriors.

But for those who are concerned with figures and all of that business, our team, The Bruins, were successful at putting the "biscuit in the basket" more times than the other team.

I collected a puck at this game and I do plan on purchasing a puck from every team I see for the rest of my life. Then I will have a big puck collection.

Shaving the Hair....

Well a couple weeks back now we shaved Brandons head. This was a fun time. As well as his time to live out some truly... interesting(?) styles.



Before (seen on the left next to the shaggy- haired lady)





smooth



angry mullet







After











Thoughts of Springtime



More of this would be nice



 As Brandon and I got some errands done today in Abbotsford we were noticing how very mild the weather is out. Clouds looming near all of the surrounding mountains darken the sky, but the weather is not feeling as cold as it was about a month ago. The weather today is almost inviting in a weird way. The sun peaking through some breaks in the clouds was casting random beams of sunlight, as if to say, “ I am here waiting for you to come and find me.”



Without hesitation we began to make plans for spring. In order to fulfill these plans we must begin to plan now or else we may not be prepared physically or mentally for our adventures.



We want to see the whole world



This spring our plans include hiking, tenting and surviving for an extended period of time together. We may not need to take much. But in order to feel adequately prepared we must have some things ready and in our brains and our adventure packs.

First of all what comes to my mind is protection from both people and animals. I understand from movies such as Cabin Fever, and The Hills Have Eyes, that some pretty odd people live in desolate areas. And thanks to movies like Jurassic Park and Arachnophobia I understand that pretty much any type of predator could be out there (for example “Bumbles”). 



Brandon wants to learn what all of the trees are called



Secondly (which could easily be considered part of the first) is the tone and capacity of my physique at this current time in my life. I guess the issue with this is that it is not one I would be confident going into the back woods accompanied by. I would prefer one of a “leaner and meaner” sense. So, in preparation, the shedding of a little winter chub is going to happen as well as the conversion of some chub to muscle (but not all chub, it is nice to have a little). In order to do this we plan on spending more time outdoors and more time on our Wii playing tennis. Other methods I have thought of making this transformation possible are by eating more vegetables and meat and less bread and rice. I love bread and rice. Fresh baked bread with a slice of cheese on it… there are not really many better things in this world are there?

Lastly in preparation for our outdoor adventures we must gather some outdoor supplies together. We already probably have most of the things we will require. It is more or less just going to be a matter of getting it all together. Which could be a problem because procrastination just happens to be one of my favorite things.

The Christmas Season



B and the tree are happy



       As all of the Christmas and visiting hype simmers down, I finally find a few moments to look back and reminisce. As this was our first Christmas season married and together we wanted to make things really special. Our goal was to try and start this year with all of the traditions that we hope to pass on to our children. The first of which became the Christmas craft fair. On the weekend and the last day of the craft fair we managed to make it in. It was completely worth it. Accompanied by Christmas music and apple cider came some very nice conversations with Art Savvy lower mainlanders who were very willing to talk about their ideas, techniques and lives. We had a lot of fun stopping at every chocolate fudge, toque, decoration and soap stand, plus a whole bunch more.



Katie is sawing like she has never sawed before



That brings me to the next event: The Christmas Tree chopping festivities. It was a cold day and there was about an inch of snow by the side of the road, so Brandon and I bundled up, got our axe and saw together, and then drove out into the wild (and by the wild I mean a location not too far away, but for the purposes of this blog we need not reveal that location at this time). Out into the wild we went. We saw many trees, some skinny and tall, some chubby and short, but none of them felt right. We looked on top of hills, beside roads, snuggling great rivers, and we even looked under rocks. We were beginning to wonder if we would ever find the right tree for our fist Christmas as a family, it was then when we saw the perfect tree. The perfect tree was about four and a half feet tall, sparse branches poking out at awkward angles and desperate looking. I felt sorry for it as it stood standing in an open space all by itself, exposed to the cold wind. This was definitely the tree we had to rescue and bring to our warm home to spend the Christmas season with.



our tree needed assistance supporting the star



After we sawed it down (luckily it didn’t take long because of the before mentioned secret location) we noticed that one of its sides was sparser then the other, it could be too difficult for this tree to hold up our tree decorations all on its own. So what did we do then? We decided to do that only rational thing at a time like this. Everybody needs a friend, we maybe our tree needed a friend. So we again set out and found ourselves in the same situation. We saw many trees, some skinny and tall, some chubby and short, but none of them felt right. We searched on hilltops, at riversides, and lakesides, we even checked peoples front yards (just kidding). We were wondering if we would ever find a friend for our tree. It was then when we found the perfect tree. It had all of the characteristics required. It was about four and a half feet tall, sparse branches poking out at awkward angles and perfectly desperate looking. We even noticed that one side was sparser than the other side. This would be a perfect match. When we took them home we got some jute out of our junk drawer (that is getting a little scary looking), and tied the two trees together. They looked perfect. When these two trees were together you could never tell that they had an imperfection because of the way they were presented to the world. They had each other’s backs and they had each other. The Christmas decorations still drooped the branches a little, but the trees only fell over twice. And I would say that is definitely a success story.

One of the new traditions we have begun is East Indian Cuisine on the 23^rd of December. We went out for a date night after we had both finished our workweek and decided on our favorite ethnic restaurant in Chilliwack… Shandhar Hut. After we had eaten our “indian hot” food and had a lot of laughs we decided that it would be a tradition.



Christmas Eve brought an excellent day of preparing food and eating it, while spending time with family and friends at Brandon’s parents house. Before dinner Brandon introduced a small group of us to the game “The Great Dalmuti” thus the beginning of our frequent (and passionate) games of the Great Damuti over the last month. Christmas Eve saw us awake and playing games until the early hours of the morning. At which time we decided to go to bed before Santa Claus passed us up completely.



Woody and Buzz Lightyear join our crew



We slept over at Brandon’s parents house along with his sister and her fiancé. It was fun. On Christmas morning I felt so youthful waking to find the stockings filled… Santa had come! After waking the parents (we sent my sister-in-law to wake them), we got to open our stockings. Highlights of my stocking included a bouncy ball on a string that flashes color. After the stockings we changed out of our pj’s and the day went on. From making wontons, to opening presents, to eating way too much chocolate, Christmas Day was the best one I have ever had.

The next couple of days consisted of watching Inception, eating chocolate, playing the Great Dalmuti, and winning at Risk (with a secret alliance).



Beautiful New Years Sunset



The next of the days was the 28^th of December and will go down in history (for us) as one of the most special days in our lives here. On the 28^th of December Brandon and I were sealed for eternity. We did this by going to the Vancouver Temple in Langley. As Latter Day Saints we know that God wants us to be together with our loved ones in Heaven just like we are here on Earth. So He makes it possible to be sealed for eternity with our families in the temple. We knelt across each other in the beautiful sealing room in front of our family and were sealed to each other. Being married for this time was an amazing experience in the summer. But being sealed for eternity to the man I want to spend forever with was another experience altogether. People had warned me it would be a great day, but I wasn’t prepared for it to be the best day. Being sealed to Brandon made it the best day of my life. This day was obviously the highlight of this Christmas season.

Besides visiting with friends and family this season Brandon and I have gotten wrapped up in a few projects. The first of which was making Christmas presents for our families. We went with simple, since it is our first time getting gifts for two sides of a family instead of just one. We decorated jars and put cookie mix in them and made homemade cards. We had fun doing it, and got to try out the mix a couple of times with the leftover ingredients. Brandon got a tummy ache, however, eating too much raw cookie dough on multiple occasions J



The second project was our homemade nativity scene, which we finished with about a week left until Christmas. We made it out of a scrap of wood for the base (that we sanded and stained), sticks from the river, people made out of nuts (with scraps of fabric for clothes), and a whole lot of hot glue. It was fun doing another project together so we decided the best way to celebrate was to start a third project. That was the cabinet and picture frame we painted. On our honeymoon we bought a small old cabinet for a buck. We decided we would sand it and paint it and it would look beautiful again… we were right. I think that it is one happy cabinet not to have gotten thrown out. We also found a cheap wooden picture frame, which I painted red and wrote in white paint along the bottom, “adventure is out there” (that is from some great movie we love).



Snowy sunset mountains



We were so happy to have done another project together we decided to celebrate, by once again starting another project. We are building small shelves for our bluerays and games. We thought it would be worthwhile after seeing the prices that the stores charge for particleboard “designer” shelves.

So that leaves us here at the end of January. Time is going faster than ever and we are really excited for spring and we can feel it getting closer every day. We still have yet to figure out what happened to the really cold winter we were supposed to get, but are grateful since we have a car for transportation. Another reminder that people are good at pretending they can predict the weather, I am just not convinced that we can. Maybe we will get February snow? Well if we do I will go and play in it… as soon as I get my foot out of my mouth. Until next time, adios!