July - November 2008 Update

Since becoming a mom I have not taken time to update the blog as often as I wish I would. It has been nearly 6 months since I updated and a lot has been going on. As I review the mile-stones in Mikaya's life since July she has:

July 1st --> started sucking her toes as a daily activity


(hey, why not ... they are always available!)

July 8th --> flipped over in her crib and got stuck, then cried about it. As soon as we righted her, she did it again! She did this three times before she figured out that it was best not to. Ironically, now she likes sleeping on her tummy.
I think she drools.

August 6th --> started solids



(Grandpa Loeppky is an old pro at this)


August 17th --> first time sitting by herself (without props; although these pictures are with props)



August 19th --> jumped out of her bumbo (see video of this at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4463750981785054421&hl=en)
Sept 14th --> said "bye bye"
Sept 18th --> used sign language to indicate "more"
Sept 19th --> pooped in the toilet
And when there is nothing better to do on the throne, suck those toes!


Sept 28th --> first time she acted shy with Grandpa Priebe by tucking her head into my shoulder
Oct 7th --> went from a sitting to crawling position on purpose and not just because she fell over
Oct 23rd --> crawled on all fours (as opposed to the army shuffle she had been doing for ages). The picture shows her perfected army shuffle.

(Oops...I think there are too many legs in that pant leg).

Nov 2nd --> pulled herself up into a standing position on the automan

Then proceeded to knock the dolly over!


Nov 9th-15th --> this was the week of pulling herself up on the furniture regularly but then getting stuck in a standing position and crying because she could not get down.
Nov 18th --> cruising on the automan. Slowly.
Nov 26th --> said "Da Da" (see video at http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-3996141690166492941&hl=en-CA
Nov 29th --> Sat on Chris' shoulders while walking through the mall. She held on for dear life to his hair. Thankfully none came out, although it was a little painful for Chris.
Dec 1st --> started clapping

Some highlights:

Often we would stick Mikaya in her bumbo, position her in front of the toys, and then have some freedom to do a few things around the house:


Grandma Priebe made Mikaya a beautiful tutu.


Mikaya gave a great cry and pout for Grandma Loeppky (playing strange with her) when she was 3 months old (May 2008).


We tried to do the Anne Geddes look...didn't work out (Oct 2008).

Some special moments:

Daddy and Mikaya go flower picking (July 2008).


Chris and Mikaya reading the Bible together (Sept 2008).

On November 23rd we celebrated this precious gift God gave us by dedicating her back to Him. In the presence of our church, our family, and friends, we promised to raise Mikaya (with God's help) to know Him personally and to be good examples of Christ Jesus for her. We were able to video the service and it can be watched at:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=448329046721055761&hl=en

Family picture (October 2008)

It's our 4th!

Today is July 17th...our 4th anniversary. As we look back over the last 4 years, it has truly been an adventure.

Year 1 -- after marriage, we lived in Abbotsford where Chris worked at Trinity Western University and I worked at Blessings Christian Marketplace.

Year 2 -- We moved to Belize, Central America where Chris and I both taught in a school. It was an amazing opportunity being in Central America. We learned so much during that year.

Leading Chapel for the young kids.

Year 3 -- Cory continued to help out in the Linda Vista School of Blue Creek, Belize, and tutor on the side while Chris did contract work for an internet company in Canada, helped with preaching in a Spanish Church in San Felipe, and planted trees.

The San Felipe Church

Year 4 -- We moved back to Canada. Shortly after our arrive in Kelowna, BC we discovered we were expecting. Cory has worked for Club Penguin (www.clubpenguin.com) as a Player Service Representative over the last year and Chris has worked for them as a programmer. The company was sold to Walt Disney in August 2007. The sale has proven to be a positive move as Club Penguin has continued to be the positive place it has always been for the kids who enjoy the site and for employees who work there.

Now Cory is on maternity leave and is enjoying being able to spend time helping Mikaya grow and develop. What an awesome job! We are so thankful that the government allows for an entire year for a woman to be home with a child to do this. And Mikaya sure is a sweetie!

Mickey has recently learned how to flipped over! (I think she drools in her sleep).

Chris and Mickey playing cards together.
Is that fair? -- the two of them against the one of me?

So where have we come from?

From just two:

To four in Belize:

To three:

Here are some other special pictures:

Mikaya and Daddy share a thoughtful moment.

Mikaya picks a flower for Mommy.

Also, you can view some pictures at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cory.priebe/ExtentionOnOurHouse?authkey=jQLioqb6df4

and

http://picasaweb.google.com/cory.priebe/MikayaMay2008?authkey=kineI5CHc0c

Psalm 16:11
"You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Life with Baby Mikaya

Over three months has gone by since we have updated our blog. Life with a new baby is very busy, we are finding out. Our lives really do revolve around her -- especially her eating and sleeping schedule. I am so glad to say that she sleeps through the night now, and has been doing so for the past 6 weeks! Mostly, though, it is a timing thing. She can do at least 8 hours in a row, but if we put her to bed for the night too early (say 8pm) then she is ready to go for the day at 4am. So now we put her to bed a little later and she sleeps till 7 or 8 in the morning.

Of late, teething has been the new thing. Her teeth (or lack of teeth rather) bother her most during feeding times. Then she does not want to eat. Then she wakes in the night hungry. So we are doing our best to get as much food into her in the daytime while at the same time trying to ease the pain of that teething process. Any ideas anyone?

She sure has been a joy to have around. It is amazing all the love we have for her. If you have facebook, feel free to click on the following link to view some videos:

http://www.facebook.com/video/?id=551156310

(Sorry, I have not figured out how to upload videos to another internet source yet. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. As well, if the link does not work, please let me know).

It was especially wonderful to hear her first laughs (pst: watch the video).

As well, here is a link to some pictures (everyone can access these):

http://picasaweb.google.com/cory.priebe/MikayaMay2008?authkey=kineI5CHc0c&pli=1&gsessionid=_8tkhasiEBvX86JuXTI5ew

Hopefully I can update the blog sooner than 3 months next time. Till then, take care!

Baby Princess

We had a baby girl Friday Feb 22 at 8:39pm. Mikaya [TBA] Priebe was 6 pounds and 6
ounces, 49 cm long. Her name is pronounced Mi - kay - ah (Mickey for short).

Cory went to the hospital at around 1pm and guessed the baby would be born about 8:44pm (wild guess, but she wasn't too far off). Chris guessed 1:31 am (way off!).

While Cory and Mikaya had to stay in the hospital a few extra days to help her learn how to eat properly (which she is doing very well with now, praise God!) they have been home for a few days and adapting well to this new life outside the womb.

Check out the pictures of our new baby daughter at the following link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/chris.priebe/BabyPrincess/photo#5170980832812050674

Baby Registry

The baby is coming!! Really. Take a look:


Company Christmas banquet (Dec 2007).

We are now registered at Sears for anything the baby might need.

http://www.giftregistry.sears.ca/gift/egrSearch001.jsp

We are registered under:
Cory Priebe
Chris Priebe
of
Oswell Dr
Kelowna

Or, the number is:
200800653895

Please obtain a gift receipt (enclosure) just in case. Sears has this policy that without a gift enclosure, if you do need to return something they will only give you the lowest possible price that product has ever been at, even if the purchaser bought it for much more. Silly, but it definitely encourages a gift receipt to be used.

Thank you for all your consideration and help towards welcoming this new little one with a comfy environment. Baby says "thanks" (or "blahblahblah").