He is 3 months old. And his Pooh bear is his cue to chill out. He's hooked. Grandma's attempt to fit his butt in her kitchen sink for a bath. He's not convinced it's a good idea.
But she's getting it done.
James took Doug and I on an awesome hike up the river to Tews Falls. It was a hot day, and I would venture to say I would take this over a pool any day. You can't really tell from the photo, but it was hard to stay put long enough for a photo in the current. Love it.
Eagerly anticipating a swim. Unfortunately, I didn't get photos of the actual falls. The rest of the hike required us getting very wet, and I left my camera on a rock before we set out. Believe me, it was gorgeous.
My friend Heather came back from Korea, and before she hit the road for the great out west, we snagged her and made her eat with us and our pal Ryan. James nailed that dish :) No surprise.
I dropped Jesse off at a friends place, and then Heather and I spent the afternoon at Niagara-on-the Lake. It was on Heather's to do list before taking off-- actually, "French onion soup" was on her list, and it just happened to be here in Niagara. And this is why I love Heather. She has an insatiable love for the small and simple things that life has to offer, and I learn a lot from that.

All in all, a great afternoon.
My baby-- growing fast.

You only get one shot..

Not true. Jesse had to get two- one in each chubby thigh and he screamed bloody murder. Immunization time= 2 months into life. Jesse has reached that checkpoint, and I'm told he is surfing at the top of the percentile chart, weighing 14.12 lbs, being 62 cm long, and blah blah-- whatevs. Yes, he is a big baby. I have no choice but to put him in 6 month clothing if I want to get him out of them again, and as much as my dutch nature wants to shove his butt into the remainder of his size 1 diapers, the laundry that results just isn't worth it. SO, size 2 it is, and I will stack up yet another bag of clothes he's outgrown.

Being a mom is getting easier. My baby now coo's and "talks" to me, and I feel somewhat validated in my role. Plus he's really cute. A smile from a fat baby is like mood medicine-- I learned in 1st year psych that if you force a smile, no matter how upset you are, the act of smiling will boost your mood. Jesse's smile is contagious, and it just plain makes me happy.

Back to immunizations.

Immunization= sore muscles, red lumps, cranky baby

= less smiles and more teary looks of betrayal from a 2 month old.

What does he know about health and well being?! I shouldn't have to feel so guilty.. :(

Anyways, he's doing alright.

Father's day is coming up-- so I hope James is getting stoked. He gets a whole new 'holiday' this year. My mom is also turning 50 tomorrow. 50. I hate to say it, but that seems very old all of a sudden. I also hope she is getting pretty excited. I know after 25 people generally don't like getting older, but man, I love birthdays. Embrace age people. It's a gift.

Speaking of age, life, and embraces, James and I are seeing a wee bit of a cracked door in the direction of Ecuador. That's funny. When I said we had to see what "doors" God would open for us, I never thought we'd just have to add a few letters to the front of that to crack the code. BUT, nothing is for sure yet, and so I'll keep it vague.

The weather here has been cool, but lovely. The vegetable garden is doing well, minus the bush beans. They are sucking. Also, our zucchini hasn't come up, which might be a blessing considering I don't really like zucchini. Everything else looks hopeful, and I even have a nice pile of mixed lettuce rinsing in the sink for tonight's din. That sounds really nice, fresh lettuce. The reality is, that's all we will have to eat tonight, unless I get off this couch and buy groceries. There's my hint. I'm out.

A few blogs back, I mentioned that James had an interview, and we were excited to see what doors God would have us walk through in the near future. Well, that's not one of them--- but while this fall does not see James working at the Redeemer lab, it might see us dipping our fingers in missions overseas. I say "dipping" because it would be short term (to start), and I say "overseas" because it's vague enough to get the point across, without having to know where "overseas" actually is.

But it's exciting! Especially for me, because when Jesse entered our lives, I sort of reformed my ideas of what our future would look like, and missions sort of picked up and parked in the nosebleeds-- almost out of sight, but not quite.

And now it's back on the table.

So, we are praying, and searching, and discussing different options. And while we do that, if anyone out there knows of any missionaries/teachers/principals that we could possibly contact, we'd love to hear about them!

Other updates: It's very warm now. Warm enough that open windows no longer cut it, and the AC is effectively turned on full blast to keep this place livable.

Our flower gardens are thriving, and so are our veggies.

We had some of my old friends over for dinner, and James made a couple new friends :)

Yesterday evening was an evening for a walk to DQ with the boys from Bold.

Jesse fussed his face off for an overwhelmingly long stretch of time, but Matty B got him to sleep.

I am now on my way to meet Katrina at the Bread Bar for some hang out time, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Me and my boy.
Yesterday, my sister, her kids, and some childhood "sister's" of mine made the trip to Marineland. I love Marineland. Any amusement park that boasts a kid's section that actually gets an adult's adrenaline pumping is doing a very good thing. I would even say that a few of the kids rides were legitimately more appealing than those in the adult section. I mean, how lame was that octopus? Anyways, we went for the kids. Joc and I just happened to abandon ours on occasion to ride the dragon, and the coaster :)

On that note, it was so fun to see the "kid" come out of everyone. Mine didn't need much coaxing, but I have a feeling that some had been repressed over the years, and I'm glad they got a chance to play.

The last time I've been to an amusement park with this crowd was in grade 6 or so, when the Brouwer girls took Michelle and I with them to Florida. Bush Gardens. My first ever amusement park. Marineland, obviously, can't compare to that day, but it was cool that 15 years later, we could relive those memories.

Anyways, here are some whales. A lousy photo, but proof of our daytrip.
Levi, being swarmed by "goats".
Our entourage. A lot of strollers, a lot of fun.
Joc and I, living up to the "Sky Screamers" name, and screaming our heads off.
Shannon. The baby whisperer. Morgan on a leash, double fisting some babies, and no doubt planning to capture Levi, who has managed to escape Michelle's iron grip. The day wouldn't have been the same without her :)

Me and Talaina, with co-ordinated outfits.

Jesse. Oblivious to everything but being fed-- every 2.5-3 hours. Thank goodness he can down a bottle. He might have held us up :) Giving the old "pouty lip". Definitely gets that one from James.
And that's it for Marineland. An awesome day, that will hopefully be repeated. At least, it better, because we all paid the extra $5 for a summer pass.

But the May 24 weekend leading up to Marineland is worth mentioning. Back home in Hamilton, I discovered the Royal Botanical Gardens, and James, Jesse, Ryan and I spent our Saturday morning exploring it. Gorgeous. Later on in the day, James and I grabbed some vegetables, turned over our plot, and planted. This summer we hope to bring in beans, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, kale, zucchini, and cucumbers. Already anticipating free produce.

I also tackled the front garden of our house. Even though I hand selected the perennials for the garden last summer, I still managed to mistake some for weeds, and out they came. The result? A very empty flower bed.

I was able to snag a few replacements from Maple Leaf, and after about an hour of sweat and toil, the garden was planted. It definitely felt good to get out and get to work. Now we just need to figure out a watering system that doesn't involve a rain barrel and a couple lousy buckets. I was under the impression that we lived in the 21st century...

But anyways, the idea was also to get out of James' hair so he could get some thesis writing done. He didn't, thanks to Jesse. Speaking of which, that's us, at RBG. The rest of the weekend was packed. Crepe breaky with the house, bbq at the HAAA, bbq at Kristina's, bbq at Doug and Vanessa's-- exactly how a weekend ought to look when you are on the verge of summer.

Tummy time with pops. And the rest are random photos of James and Jesse, because that's who I take pictures of these days.

Classic. Tuckered out after a night of sleeping :)

A month and change

It's been a memorable month.

Jesse was born, and I learned a thing or too about caring for him.

James got sick, and I learned a few more things about caring for him.

James went to San Diego, and mom took us in for the week, and we were cared for.

Jesse got a throat infection and thrush, and still, we were cared for.

There were three weddings this month, all very different, but all involving the same promise-- that partners would care for eachother, and we, the church, would do likewise.

This month I have experienced the care of God.

We have had to turn away meals because our mouths cannot keep up and the freezer is full.

Our son is thriving-- packing on pounds-- and learning to smile.

James had an opportunity to try out for a job at Redeemer, and I'm excited to see what other doors God may want us to walk through in the next couple months.

I just went to a baby shower, thrown by a church we are not yet members of, and received gifts from people whose names I don't even fully know yet.

I have reconnected with old friends because we share a "mom bond"

I have reconnected with friends that don't have kids, because I crave conversation that doesn't revolve around kids.

Letters and gift cards come spilling through our mail slot-- providing no shortage of date nights, and teaching me a thing or two about generosity.

This past Sunday was Jesse's baptism.

As a kid, I didn't quite get it. I snored through the forms, watched the awkward hand-off from grandma to dad, and hoped the baby would scream or something to spice things up. Then I grew up a little, and it began to mean something. Then I became a mom and it really hit me. The forms took on fresh meaning, I hoped James wouldn't drop Jesse during the awkward hand-off, and I really hoped Jesse wouldn't ball his eyes out. Standing there, making a promise to care for Jesse, hearing the church make the same promise, and watching the water pour over Jesse's head and into his eyes, I felt the powerful, inconceivable love of God. God cares.So much so, that He chose to make a covenant with a handful of grimy sinners, a covenant that we can't even keep, so He keeps it all. Jesse has a Parent that knows his needs more than I ever will-- it's a humbling and a reassuring thought.

And so it has been a memorable month.

But not everything has been peachy, rosy rainbows. A more rounded picture of the month would include Ree getting pooped on, multiple times.

Pulling out her back-- also not so great.

Coping with the insecurities of being a mom who can't make her kid stop crying.

Figuring out what a date should look like with the backdrop of a squeeling, squawking infant. Feeling unproductive, despite the full time work of keeping my son alive.

Learning some unpleasant things about myself-- and not liking the learning curve.

The list goes on, but I'd rather end on a high note.

Although it's been raining for about 2 months straight, the sun will come out eventually.

Although Jesse is a "fuss-butt" he smiles for his daddy ( who has coined that term of endearment :)

I just finished an amazing book, "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck. A must read.

Although I'm home alone, I am cared for. This family is cared for.

God is teaching me things, and I am ready to learn.

Week Two

Jesse has been in our life for two weeks and he's growing like a weed! Six days ago, he was 8.9 lbs . Today he weighed in at 9.8. The good thing about this is that he will most likely be a chunky baby, and chunky babies are cute. The not so good thing is he wants to nurse almost every 2 hours, which puts a real dent in the social calender, considering I don't exactly want to feed him in public.. yet. So, what's it like being a mom?

First off, it's amazing how much I love my son. I am not a baby person, but he's my baby, and it makes all the difference. Secondly, it's a transition. I feel like I'm on holidays from my job, but this "holiday" has me employed full time. I have to tell myself I'm not going back to work in a week or two, and I'm adjusting to that. I kind of like having a schedule that plans out my day, and now I'm finding the schedule is completely up to me-- but more accurately, it's up to Jesse.

I think this next chapter in my life is going to teach me a thing or two about selfishness and selflessness. Sure, being married introduced me to the concepts, but not to the same extent. Jesse poops, pees, pukes, and cries whenever he feels like it-- and that's where I come in, whether I feel like it or not. It's definitely an adjustment, especially because he seems to know when James and I just need to hang out, and chooses those opportune times to ball his eyes out.

Another thing is anxiety. I am not an anxious person, but having a kid has slightly changed that. The midwife thinks he might have a heart murmur, which I'm told isn't uncommon, but it still makes me anxious. A baby's heart seems like a very delicate organ... and then someone tells you it might have a hole in it. Yikes. But aside from that, it's a little overwhelming to suddenly have this little life in my arms, and realize that he is now a permanent part of our family, and it's James' and my responsibility to care for him... for a very long time. I'm excited, a little nervous, and definitely learning my new role as a "mum".

That said, I do love it. Really. And I am getting the chance to catch up with a lot of people and enjoy a slower pace of life.

This next week will be interesting. James is heading to California for a conference, and as much as I love spending time with my boy, it's wonderful knowing that James is around to share the love. I can't say I'm looking forward to him leaving for the week, but I'm thinking I'll pack Jesse up and spend some quality time at mom's. Grandmas love that stuff :) Here are a few more pictures of Jesse-- similar to week one, give or take a few ounces.

A bit ambitious, but here's hoping :)

Jen Geleynse knit Jesse one killer sweater. What a stud.

Jesse Michael Harskamp

He's here! After a fierce, 15 hour, drawn out battle, our son finally conceded--gave up the warmth of being in utero, and emerged as an 8 lb, 1 ounce jaundiced butterball... with his father's nose :) I won't go into the horrors of labour, not here anyways, but I will say that the word has taken on new meaning, and I will now sympathize more fully with the millions of women giving birth every day, and I cannot help but blame Eve, just a little, for the repercussions of her actions.

Anyways, enough rambling. Here are some photos of Jesse and the Harskamps.

James, thinking this is some kind of joke :)

He actually pinched a nerve in his back, and contemplated sharing the epidural experience with me. He made it through the experience without the drug-- what a champ.
And 15 hours later: 12:29 am, April 12, 2011--our son Jesse.

Mom and Dad Harskamp: pretty stoked to now be "Oma and Opa" for the first time. We were so blessed to have them come and stay in the apartment below us. They cooked for us, coffee clutzed with us, and mom did her fair share of snuggling Jesse so I could snag some sleep and recover. Not to mention James had strep throat all week, so they were able to pamper two babies :)
Foot shot. Obviously.

Jesse and his cousin Savannah.
We definitely have some time before making the crib purchase. For now the bassinet is perfect.


A good feeling.
5 day old hands--already losing the newborn look and becoming pudgy. Sweet.
My two favourite ninos.

And there he is--a little glimpse of our week-old son. He's awesome.