a run for the record books.

A Neufeld feat this weekend. All of us competed in a race. Thank you to everyone who donated to the Run for H20, with your support Natallie raised $825 for families in Guatemala! She did great at the 50m Toddler Dash, she ran straight towards the finish line and had so much fun she ran back and forth from start to finish about a dozen times. Next year, we'll be signing her up for the 1km Kids Run for sure.

warm up run and of course every running princess needs a tiara

carbo-loading before the race

Simon entertaining the kids with big bubbles before the race

can you spot Natallie on the left side?

running the 50m again

and again!

They even let Noah register for the Toddler Dash and we put a race bib on him and let him 'worm' his way across the field. He was distracted by crowd of people taking pictures of him and veered of course and never crossed the finish line. Rookie. Need to teach him to focus on the goal.

More than just a chubby face, let me race!

race bib on and ready to rocket

Go Noah Go!

Distracted and disqualified

Never finished the 50m dash but love him anyways

                                                 * **

Saturday night I barely got any sleep because I was so anxious about running the Scotia half marathon on Sunday morning. It has been exactly 2 years ago when I last ran this race and Natallie was 11 months old. Fast forward two years and now 9 months post-baby #2, I started thinking that it was kind of ridiculous to think I could do this. But I dismissed my negative self-talk and starting thinking of how hard I did try to train for this, all the nights that after putting the kids down when I just wanted to collapse on the couch (or at least fold laundry while watching TV), I laced up my runners and went for a run or the mornings after being up at 2am and 4am that I did get out there and practice.

And this time I had convinced Simon to do it. Simon says he hates running but somehow the lure of a shiny medal to hang up was enough to get him to say yes to 21.1km at 7:30am on a Sunday morning.

The juxtaposition between jittery nerves and excitement helped ward off how insane it was that our alarm went off at 5:15am and we were at UBC by 6:30am.

looking as chipper as we can for getting up waaaay too early

All that practice pushing a 20lbs baby in a 25 lb jogging stroller up Royal Oak (i.e., the steepest hill in Burnaby) paid off! To my absolute amazement, I was able to finish the race faster than I did it two years ago. My time to beat was 1:52:50 and this year I finished the 21.1km in 1:51:19.  At the 10km mark I was at 50 minutes, that's faster than I've ever done the 10km Sun Run before. 

got our medals!

Simon went into beast mode too. He stomped 10km in 47 minutes and finished the race in an impressive 1:49:01. Proud of you superdad!

so proud of this guy

 A weekend of runs for the record books.
 Natallie's and Noah's first race. Check!
Simon's first half-marathon. Check!
A new personal best half-marathon time. Check!

And now you'll have to excuse me because my legs don't work anymore.

Toddler-made, Daddy-approved

Natallie's present for Simon this past Father's Day was totally awesome, inspired by this pin I got off Pinterest.


So easy your toddler can do it.


Step 1: get a T-shirt, fabric paint and masking tape.

Step 2: choose a sweet logo that won't drive you crazy trying to cut out.

Step 3: use masking tape to cover up sections of the shirt that you don't want paint to show up on.

Step 4: give your toddler paint and tell them to go crazy

Step 5: try to stop the crazy when the entire bottle of paint is on the T-shirt

Step 6: let the paint dry overnight and then remove the masking tape.

Step 7: Viola. the best toddler-made, daddy approved shirt you can ever get.

Simon said he'll be wearing it every week at hockey.

Natallie is so pleased Daddy is wearing the shirt she painted.

SCORE.

milk carton kid

It was Mother's Day just a few weeks ago. It was a perfect picnic. We were all eating sushi and cake at Central park. I was preoccupied with feeding Noah in his stroller. Simon was playing with special effects on the camera. My sister was talking to my parents about her upcoming move and the craziness going on at work and then all of a sudden Simon says, "Where's Natallie?"  I look up. I don't see her anywhere. I drop the spoonful of mashed potatoes and start running around our picnic table calling her name. My heart starts beating a million times faster. I instantly start thinking the worst, "Oh no, she's gone. Someone has taken her. On Mother's Day. Oh no. Oh God no."

Simon took this picture right before she wandered off

We ran to nearby picnic tables calling her name. I ask a few people if they've seen a little girl with curly brown hair. I start thinking of missing kids on a milk carton (they probably don't do that anymore but you don't think rational thoughts when you're brain is in panic mode).

Then finally, after only a few minutes (although they were horrible, panic stricken minutes), I hear Simon yell, "I GOT HER!"


Thank you Jesus.


Simon was able to think more rationally and decided to check the playground which was sort of in view from our picnic area but still a fairly far distance away from where we were. She was happily climbing up to the slide when Simon found her. Not a clue that everyone else was having severe heart palpitations and speeding up the greying hair process.

ran away to this slide

Anyways, after that incident I have tried really hard to explain to her that she can't wander off but if she ever were to get separated from me, would she be able to tell people her name or my name or anything that would help her get back to me?  She still gets mixed up with her name and how old she is. When people ask, "What's your name?"  she proudly hold up two pudgy toddler fingers and exclaims, "TWO!!!!"

"What's your name?" "TWO!!!"

So I started to do some research into what would be the most durable form of child ID in case she ever got lost again. Ideally, I would like to implant a GPS device in her that would also detect trouble and instantly pepper spray bad people (and maybe mean dogs too) or maybe some sort of protective shield could pop up or give her super powers. But a device like that is not yet on the market so in the meantime while some Dragon Den entrepreneur is working on that idea, I have got these awesome ID bracelets for both kids (not that Noah is going very far these days but if he's anything like his sister, he will learn to go from walking to sprinting away very quickly).

I wanted something durable and kid-proof and essentially have them never, ever take it off until they are 19 and move out. It's a slim silicone band and laser engraved with their name and both mom and dad's phone number. The company actually makes most of the bands for elite athletes like marathoners and cyclist that could be injured while on the road but "wrist ID slim" in XS fits even Noah.

So all I can continue to do is pray each day that God keeps my precious babies safe and urge someone to make a GPS device that kids can wear all the time and also has function where fire breathing dragons are emitted if they are ever in trouble. 

10 steps to our DIY Sand Table

1. Convince your husband that Pinterest in not only for the female population (lure him by typing in "Lego" or "Hot wheels" into Pinterest)

2. After husband is thoroughly immersed in Pinterest, type in DIY Sandbox and show him what other dads have done for their kids. Really cool ideas like these:

3. Affirm your husband's woodworking talents. Offer to help by baking cookies to fuel creative energy. 

4.Give husband blank sheet of paper to plan his masterpiece. Nod your head as he explains what he is going to do even if you have no idea what he means. Smile encouragingly.

5. Get cheap coffee table, wood and paint for $25.

6. Let husband work magic in the garage.

7. Offer more baked goods.

8. Paint. Let dry. Paint. Let dry. Paint. Let dry.

 9. Apply super cool Monsters Inc. decals

10. Fill with 100 lbs of sand and lots of toys. Watch daughter's eyes light up as she wakes up from nap time to see this outside her bedroom window. 

Best. Dad. Ever.

Notice the custom-made bubble holders?

Tip:  Remember to put lid on so neighbor's cat does not compromise contents of sandbox.

Now, THAT is one awesome sand table.

Who wants to come over and play?

P.S. If you actually want to know how to make this sand table, you'll have to ask Simon. My only contribution to this was picking out the stickers. Oh and of course, baking cookies. Without the proper sustenance, this table would have never happened.

you only get today once.

I am a first born. Apparently Type A. Goal-oriented, conscientious, controlling, multi-tasker and have high expectations of myself and others. I like order. I like predictability. Schedules and routines make me happy. I need control. I analyze behaviour and make plans to change and control them for a living. Really.

My 6 month old baby is well, a baby. When he is awake, he is usually cheerful, giggly, curious and drooling. He is adorable but he is not predictable.

 I need to leave the house, he poops up to his armpits.
I want him to take the bottle, he refuses. I buy every bottle that other moms said worked for their baby, he still refuses. Maybe I can start growing plants in my collection of bottles.
I want him to nurse. He rather suck on his toes instead.
I need him to take a long nap, he is wide awake after 10 minutes...it's more like a long blink than a nap.
I crave a long uninterrupted night of sleep. He wants to nurse all night.
I wish I could sleep in. He doesn't want to miss a sunrise.

I have had an epiphany. It was about a week or so ago. I was in tears. I wanted Noah to fall asleep on his own. He wanted to nurse and snore in my arms. I didn't let him fall asleep and put him in his crib awake and apparently really mad. I was listening to him wail and feeling like the wicked witch of the west. I wanted to go pick him up but that was against The Plan. The Plan said let him cry, go in after 15 minutes and pat him for 2 minutes and then leave. Then listen to him wail for 20 minutes and think about how this is for his own good.  The Plan said it is just a simple case of extinguishing an undesired behaviour.

My dear husband could tell this was agonizing for me and said ever so eloquently, "He's not a lab rat or a case study. He's just a freaking baby. He doesn't need a behaviour analyst right now, he just needs his mom"

And something clicked for me. Yes, he is a baby. He's my baby. He's my gift from God and I get to be his mommy. He is not a client in need of a behaviour plan. He is a baby in need of a cuddles and kisses and right now middle of the night and early morning feedings when I wish I was sleeping. I realize that there are many circumstances of motherhood that I can't control. And believe me, I tried so, so, so hard to control them. Again and again, I was unable to make my baby do what I wanted when I wanted that the joy in being his mom had vanished. This is not OK.

 You only get this day once. My baby will never fit into his newborn clothes again, he doesn't sleep for hours on my chest anymore. He will only be 6 months old for a few more weeks. I will read this in a year and only have memories of what it was like to have a 2.5 year old toddler and a 6 month old. I want those memories to be cherished ones.
Today will never happen again. I can't go back and wish I was more patient, more spontaneous, more care-free and less neurotic. You only get today once.

I'm going to go cuddle my kids and make this a good day.

Operation Noah Recovery: day 4

Dear Noah

It has been one crazy week. You sister had to go to the doctor last Thursday after 10 days of amoxicillin to make sure she was getting over her viral illness. That day you had a little cough but you were still smiling and happy and she said, "Oh, he will get worse before gets better. I bet you will be seeing me with him next week". Oh wow, did she ever predict it.

your sister at the doctor

On Saturday you woke up with green goop going out of your eyes and your cough was worsening. You were up all night and Dad watched Team Canada win gold over while he was trying to soothe your sickly cough at 4:30am. By 7:00am you also had a fever, we were really worried and I took you into the ER at RCH where you were born.

admitted at RCH

They gave you a Ventolin steam mask to help you breathe better and did a chest X ray but the results from the Xray were inconclusive for penumonia. They gave us a Venotin chamber to continue to use at home and said you were OK to go home.  I thought the worst was over.

horrifying X chest machine

On Monday, you started to nurse less and cough more. You vomitted everything that went in your mouth. Your fever kept on coming back. We were getting more and more worried. You slept through the night and didn't wake up for feeds. This is so unlike you.

breaking our hearts to see you so sick

On Tuesday morning, you were very lethargic and any trace of "Noah" had left your eyes. We tried feeding you milk with a syringe. I cried. Tuesday afternoon after over 24 hours of no nursing I took you to Children's hospital. Right after we were assessed, your body crashed. It went from waiting in a room with just me and you to crazy commotion in the room, doctors, nurses, IVs, antibiotics, X rays and a doctor telling us in his calm doctor voice that they were "very concerned" for you. I cried.

The doctor came in and told us you have pneumonia and maybe other horrible things. Then we got moved upstairs. For the next several days, I stayed beside your bed as you endured daily blood work and machines kept monitoring your heart rate, your oxygen intake and an IV worked to reverse the process of dehydration. 

Everyone and I mean everyone prayed for you. 

our ticket outta here!

Today is Saturday. Today is a glorious, joyous day because the doctor weighed you this morning and you have gained weight. You have not had a fever for 2 days. You have not puked for 2 days. You have started nursing since removal of the IV. Your lungs aren't perfect yet but the doctor said you are taking in enough air on your own and keeping medicine down so this means we can go home today!!!

Noah you are so loved. You probably won't remember this entire ordeal but we will. Know that you are much, much loved. Not just by your mom and dad but also your Heavenly Father. He has blessed us with outstanding family and friends that prayed unceasingly. 

We love you so much Noah. 

Come on, let's go home!

Operation Noah Recovery: Day 3

The nurses all ask if I feel burned out or trapped in the 4 walls of this hospital room and I have to say, surprisingly no! Although I haven't left this room or looked out a window since Tuesday, I don't feel isolated at all because of all the uplifting messages, cards, offers to babysit Natallie, prayers and food that has come our way. So in a way I feel like all 300+ people who have read about Noah are in this room with me and supporting us in this time. We are so blessed. This morning when Simon came to see us briefly before work, Noah even started cooing in daddy's arms! Nothing brings me more joy than to see my Noah-bear starting to act like himself again!

Noah was switched from the antibiotics via his IV to oral amoxicillin last night. He needs to be able to take his medicine orally for us to go home. The first time the nurse administered it, he puked it up right after. I was a bit discouraged but the nurse said we could try again and this time we did tiny little drops in his mouth at a time. The process took much longer to get the dosage in but he didn't spit it up!

Noah was so good last night. He nursed for the first time ever since Sunday! A good 10 minutes and didn't puke it up after. He nursed again at midnight for 10 minutes and then slept until 7:30am! Yes! Yes! Yes! I have to be standing up and rocking him while he is nursing but that's OK, I am so glad he has nursed twice that I didn't even mind that my arms were numb from holding him. Simon and I are going to have some really toned biceps and triceps once this is all over with.

We had to administer the amoxicillin orally again today. Again we did it a few drops at a time and it took a long time and he didn't puke it up after! We will have to keep giving it to him 3 times a day and if he keeps it down that's very promising that we will go home soon.

And I don't know if you believe in miracles but I do. Yesterday he had several large white patches inside his mouth and a nurse and three different doctors looked at it...even the senior resident doctor and they were thinking it was probably oral thrush. Later that evening, I was feeling sore after breastfeeding which is likely because the bacteria can pass back and forth from Noah's mouth to me during feedings. I was feeling again discouraged that there was yet another hurdle to jump over but this morning the same doctors came in to examine in and they couldn't see those white patches anymore. Completely gone! The doctors were puzzled because all three of them saw it yesterday and now there's nothing and it hasn't hurt me anymore to breastfeed? Miracle? God answering prayers? I think so!

Miracles do happen! Just look at this boy!

So another new thing today is the removal of Noah's IV. The nurse explained to me that with babies this young, IVs don't tend to stay in for much longer than 3 days and it might pop out from the vein but still be under the skin and this causes problems and pain. Noah's IV kept on getting twisted up and the nurse noticed that he didn't like anyone coming close to where the IV was going in his leg so although they wanted to keep the IV in him until nursing was well established they took it out earlier because it was hurting him. So one less cord and machine to be attached to and a leap of faith that Noah will continue nursing well. He has had one good feed since the IV was removed this morning and I have faith that he will continue to do well.

He has been mostly awake, alert and happy today. Got some big Noah-like smiles and even a little chortle. He's come a long, long ways from the lifeless ghost that he was on Tuesday. The doctors came in and said that they are really pleased with his progress. He is officially not dehydrated anymore and although his lungs still aren't normal yet, he has improved a lot. They said the RSV cough could linger for weeks but it seems like the worst is over. His temperature and oxygen intake has been stable. He has taken 2 of doses of amoxicillin orally. The only thing left now is for him to nurse for a whole day and once he proves he won't need the IV to meet his fluid needs, we are good to go! It could be as early as tomorrow!

The nurse told us she is so pleased to see how quickly he has made progress. She said he was in terrible condition downstairs and they didn't want to scare us at the time when we were in ER but they thought he was in very critical condition. He was showing all the signs for sepsis and they were worried about him going in sceptic shock and that his organs would start shutting down. It was by God's grace that we were in the ER on Tuesday or I may not even be holding Noah today. Again, thank you for your prayers. God is good. Very, very, very good. We are so glad Jesus did not want Noah up with Him just yet. 


 

The though of going home tomorrow makes me very, very, very ecstatic. With the amount of people praying and rooting for our little guy, I am optimistic that we'll be discharged soon. I miss Natallie so much. Grandma and Grandpa Neufeld are driving down from Enderby as I type this and will be staying at our house and watching her tonight and over the weekend. But maybe Noah and I won't be here this weekend....I hope my next blog post will be about us going home. Home sweet home. Soon enough my little bear will be strong enough to go home!