Author Archives: Larissa Sevenhuysen

About Larissa Sevenhuysen

Born and raised on the West Coast, I went from a single working girl there to a stay-at-home mom on the Prairies in 2.5 years. Life comes at you fast, and you just gotta go with it!

These Days

Remember in school, when January and February felt like the longest months because there were no holidays or long weekends to look forward to? Yeah. That feeling is back. We are spending a lot of time at home, just hanging out. It’s too cold to go out. Even if it isn’t super cold, just walking through the Costco parking lot or washing a sink load of dishes leaves my finger tips aching for the next two days. They are in bad shape. And Tim has been working a ton of over time in the evenings after the boys are in bed and a chunk of hours of Saturdays. That is over this week hopefully.

Anyways, here are some photos from the past few weeks because I know you love looking at photos of my boys.

Watching TV n a pillow pile.

Selfie!

Playing with Mr. Potato Head.

My blue-eyed baby.

Okay, we do go outside once in a while.

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Victor’s Hair

Victor was born with the tiniest amount of hair. I would say almost the same, if not less than Calvin. I mention this a lot, so you are probably aware that Calvin means “bald”. Since I am a strong believer in the meaning of names, I was not surprised that he lost almost every strand from his little head and it took almost a year for it to be noticeable again.

So far, Victor has lost none of his hair. And after 3 months, I feel like it is safe to say he won’t (please!). It is still pretty hard to see since it is quite blond and short (and the cradle cap is distracting), but sometimes the fuzziness can’t be ignored.

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Victor: 3 Months

Victor has been with us for three months now! A entire quarter of a year! He gets cuter and more lovable everyday.

So far he seems a little slower at learning things than Calvin was. He is not as strong and stable as Calvin was, and it took him a few weeks longer to smile, but now he smiles lots! Especially in the mornings. He’s a little morning baby, waking up with smiles and conversations. He has pretty good head support so he has been enjoying some time in the Bumbo the past few days which is good because I have been noticing his head has been getting a tiny bit flat on the back. He’s also starting to find his hands and is almost grasping at things.

I am blessed with good sleepers. Victor goes to bed around 8. If he wakes up before 2, I pop a soother in his mouth and he falls back asleep. If he wakes up after 2, I nurse him. He normally wakes up once more between that first night feed and 7am, but always goes right back to sleep when he is done drinking. Calvin also goes to bed at 8 and then wakes up around 7:30.

I am working on getting Victor on a nap schedule. For the first few months I just let him sleep whenever, and only put him in his bed to sleep when his naps lined up with Calvin’s. Calvin’s nap has now transitioned to the afternoon instead of mid to late morning, so I have been putting Victor down for a nap in the morning, and then down for one later at the same time as Calvin. It’s working pretty well so far, and I am enjoying those quiet times for myself to do things like write a blog post, or tidy the house, or take a nap myself.

I have loved watching him grow and am excited for the months and years to come!

And now for the debut of photos from my new camera!

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Hockey Day in Lloydminster

Yesterday was Scotiabank’s Hockey Day in Canada. Since it happened to be hosted in Lloydminster, where Jordan lives, we decided to make the 2.5-hour trip and take a little day trip out there. Half an hour outside of Edmonton I realized I forgot the camera, so I started the day off a little sad, but it got lots better!

Never have I felt so Canadian as I did, wandering around taking in the sights at the event. We were there from 9:30 – 12:00, and could’ve stayed a lot longer if not for Calvin. It’s always Calvin’s fault! Just kidding.

There was outdoor hockey.

Ron MacLean, dropping the puck.

We watched a little bit of it. And by little, I mean the puck drop. Calvin has needs, and those needs are mainly to run around and not sit still to enjoy things.

There were also tons of free activities, like chuck wagon racing, dog sled rides, snow shoeing, horse pulled wagon rides, a hay bale maze, rinks to skate on, and hills to slide down.

Inside the buildings were more activities for kids, lots of parephenalia, and of course, trophies, trophies trophies!

The stick has a use, Calvin!

Jordan and Amy were patient enough to stand in line. We were not, but handed Calvin over so he could be in the shot!

We spent the afternoon at Jordan’s little home. Calvin was super restless since he wouldn’t stay in Jordan’s bed for a nap, so the two of them went into the hallway and continued the hockey theme of the day.

Calvin finally napped when he went with the guys to pick up pizza. And he was sleepy enough when they returned that he stayed sleeping in the bed! It was really cute when he got up though, since he can obviously get out of that bed and the door has a lever handle, so he just let himself out of the room all happy when he woke up.

Amy was gracious enough to let Calvin steal her pizza while she wasn’t looking. I think he ate close to two pieces!

Oh, and Victor was there too.

It was a good, long day, and I’m glad Lloydminster isn’t farther away. We may do more trips like this in the future!

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A Warm Day

Okay, we all know I’m a home-body and am most comfortable inside. But even I can’t say “no” to going outside when it’s 6 degrees and sunny. So I took this opportunity to forgo the down jackets and took the boys outside. I mainly just let Calvin walk up and down the lane, splashing in puddles and eating snow covered in cedar debris. Did I mention we got wind gusts up to 120km/h this morning? Needless to say, we didn’t stay out too long because of the wind, but I’m glad we got out.

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My New Camera

Normally we don’t get each other gifts, but Tim surprised me. He got me this super great camera!

He has been bugging me for a while that I need a hobby. Unless you count organizing baby clothes every couple months, or crocheting something once a year, I don’t have any. So he came up with one for me.

While we were at my parents’ place a couple weeks ago, we came home from an evening out, and there was a package with my name on it! I was confused until I realized Tim was trying to act innocent. The first thing I saw when I opened the package was a memory card, and I knew the rest of the box contained a camera!

Apparently he was doing a bunch of research when I wasn’t looking, trying to figure out what camera would be best for the money (I believe he got a Boxing Day deal), and had to close his browser a bunch of times so I wouldn’t catch him looking at photography stuff. When this guy does something, he does it thoroughly, so I know he made a good choice.

Now, I claim no knowledge of photography, but I do think I know what good photos look like – or at least what bad photos are like – and I am excited that I now have the equipment to take some great shots, especially of my boys! I am currently reading through the manual (which is now all wrinkled since it was the only thing that got in the way of the diaper changes I did on my lap in the car and I had to wipe it off – newborn poop isn’t as gross as other poop, right??) and am going to find some online tutorials or something. I don’t want to have a DSLR only to use it on Auto all the time. Boring!

For the past year, since I acquired my iPhone 4S, I have never once used my point and shoot. It is almost 7 years old, and my phone was doing the same quality of work and was easier to grab, not to mention the battery is rechargeable! I am glad to have an actual camera again, and will do my best to learn as much as I can on how to use it properly. I am intimidated, but excited!

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Our Christmas Holiday

Between Tim’s last few vacation days, overtime hours, and stat days, we were able to have 2 full weeks back in BC with our families for Christmas. And a full 2 weeks they were! Here is what we all got up to.

December 20
Travel day. It took 19 hours from our house to Tim’s parents’ house in Nanaimo.

Calvin was way too wound up during our ferry ride, for it being 10 pm.

December 21
In the afternoon we left the kids with the grandparents and went to do a little last minute gift buying and had a leisurely walk by the water. In the evening, we went to see Tim’s sister, Catherine, in the last performance of a Christmas production she was in.

Tim, Tim Hortons, and west coast drizzle. Great afternoon!

December 22
This was Sunday so there was church in the morning of course. We decided to do the Sevenhuysen Christmas that day instead of the 25th because Jordan and Amy needed to be in Abbotsford on the 24th. So we had our turkey dinner, played games and music, then opened gifts once the boys were in bed.

Auntie Lisa and Calvin dueting.

Turkey leg! Om nom nom!

December 23
We played with the puppy, Amber, and went for a walk.

Calvin wasn't scared, but wasn't super in to the puppy as much as she was in to him

Calvin wasn’t scared of her, but wasn’t super in to the puppy as much as she was in to him.

At the Nanaimo harbour.

December 24
Calvin helped Grandpa with chores in the barn and had fun chasing the alpacas around. We then went to the Christmas Eve service.

Here, piggy piggy piggy!

Vroom!

Handsome boys, all ready for church.

December 25
We woke up and after breakfast, the boys (well, mainly Calvin) got to open their gifts. Calvin wasn’t too interested, but rips some paper anyway. I’m kind of glad this kid is still not so in to presents. In the afternoon we went for a walk at Piper’s Lagoon. That evening we ferried back to the mainland and headed to my parents’ in Langley.

What’s inside? Clothes? Yay!

Family photo by the water.

A west coast beach.

December 26
This was the day of the Thiessen gathering. All my siblings and their children, with the exception of Isaac who was with his mom’s family for his birthday, came to my parents’ place and we had a wonderful day exchanging gifts, hanging out and eating our BBQ. Kate even dropped by on her way to Abbotsford from Vancouver!

Uncle Nathan and Victor exchanging grins.

Cul-de-sac hockey. Look! Remnants of snow!

Hi Kate!

December 27
I got together with two of my best friends, Carleigh (who left for a trip to Benin the next day) and Megan (who is due with their first baby in a couple weeks!). It is always so good to catch up with them.

The old trio, together again!

December 28
According to my lack of photos from this day, and a blank space on my calendar, nothing happened this day.

December 29
This was our Visit the Great Grandparents day! We went to Abbotsford and saw all of our grandparents who live there.

Calvin makes Opa smile.

Nana loves the babies!

My Oma and her husband (Uncle Abe) of a couple years. Love them!

December 30
My sister-in-law had a few of our cousins over to hang out with our babies. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…all the cute babies are in our family!

Piper (3 months), Victor (2 months), and Anna (5 months).

December 31
The boys (not including Victor because he is needy) stayed home and watched hockey while I went shopping with Megan for baby things. In the evening my parents went to some friends’ house, so we put the boys to bed at 8 and partied until 10pm.

There was a lot of hockey watching between Canucks and the World Juniors. This was the scene in the family room a lot of the time a lot of the days.

January 1
I got to see my friend Christine! In the afternoon we were going to hang out with my brother and his family, but that was unfortunately cancelled due to sickness.

High school buddies.

January 2
This was a full day! Our friends Anna and Karl graciously made the trip over from the island just to hang out with us for a few hours! Then we had dinner at a family friend’s place (whose daughter is a friend of mine and also has a young baby), followed by another trip to Abbotsford for an engagement party for Jordan and Amy.

Hi, friends!

The two cuties, watching while we ate.

January 3
We had brunch at Cora (it’s so hard not to put a “‘s” on the end of that) with all of Tim’s siblings who were on the mainland for various events. In the afternoon Tim’s friends from school back in Nanaimo who now live in Richmond, came over with their boys. This visit was cut short, again due to sickness. And we didn’t get any pictures. Sad. In the evening there was an extended family gathering of Tim’s side, you guessed it, in Abbotsford.

At Cora, they give the impatient children stamps and Cheerios.

January 4
We went to my sister and brother-in-law’s place for lunch then headed to Stanley Park with the entire family for a ride on the train. It was a really lovely day with all my siblings and nieces and nephews.

Boy cousins!

I’ve seen the new bridge a couple times now, but it still looks so beautiful and majestic next to the old, dinky orange one.

Oma, Grandpa, and all the grandchildren.

Let’s go training!

January 5
Travel day back to Edmonton. I could’ve done a separate post and called it “A Moose, Two Poops, and an Oops”, in which I tell the story of seeing a moose closer than I ever have, changing two super poops on my lap, and watching a car behind us spin out and slide into the meridian. But I decided to fit it all into its own sentence instead.

It was a full and lovely vacation. I was so glad to fit in visits with so many people. Normally I can only squeeze in one or two. When I think of how we originally were not going to plan on going back home for Christmas, I think we must have been crazy!

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