Meeting Aunts and Cousins

Apparently Marla was the perfect reason for my sister-friends to come visit and what a treat this was for me. It was the first cousins and aunts she met and I'm sure they made quite the impression!   Marla was almost three weeks old when they came together for a weekend with their babies, Kyrie and Asher.  This was a super special visit and not something that would happen again too quickly, and we sure had alot of fun gabbing up a storm. (Poor Andy  ;p ).  There's nothing like old friends to bring out the "relax" in everyone.  The kids got to play with cousins and the moms could drink coffee, eat donuts (lol) and shop.  And of course we had to take pictures. Lots of them. Natasha has a love for taking pictures and Jocelyn sews baby photography props. I had the baby so between the three of us we had a perfect set up (pictures will be posted in separate post).  Thanks for sharing your talent and spending some time here and letting me show you how we live out here in the west.  Let's do it again sometime :) 

Cousins and destined to be friends - how I love this picture!  

Cuddles with Aunt Jocelyn

And also cuddles with Aunt Natasha, poor Kyrie didn't want to share her mom!

Bath time all together. Blonde, blue eyed beauties

Time for some photography!

 
 Seth and Tristan also enjoyed the extra children running around and were helpful when we needed it.
Below is a scene that happened a few times and made us laugh, but obviously wasn't fun for the ones involved, although Asher seems quite unperturbed here. All three were bottle babies and had the same bottle which led to some bottle wars. All three were also out of sorts to some degree so the noise level was louder then it should/could have been....  Oh the poor dears!! :) Although they did get used to each other eventually.

I just had to include this picture below of Marla and I. This is her classic look and I don't want to forget it as she is changing so fast and her face is just so precious!  She's staring up at me with her big eyes saying "Is that right Mom? I love you too!".  ;)

First few weeks with Marla

...and then there were five.  💙💙💙💜💗

 And just like that we were home again and the days and week rushed by!  All went so well with the birth and recovery that we were up and at it in no time at all, and we had to be too as we were bombarded (in the best way possible) with company from all over. 

Abby and Marla ~ sisters

 Me and my baby :)

The first week we had many people offering to take care of the older children so I spent alot of time gazing at this new little person and soaking in her sweetness, and enjoying some quiet time. Once Seth, Tristan, Rowan and Abby were home the place was anything but quiet! But Marla was also happiest when the place was loud and she was surrounded by her siblings.  She was used to the noise and such from when she was inside me still.  So fascinating and amazing how God creates families.

Opa and Oma came for Marla's baptism and even though it was a short visit we had a super fun time.  One of the benefits of living far from family is that when they come for a visit they come for a couple days or more so we get them all to ourselves for the whole time, which is very special for everyone, especially when there is a new baby to cuddle and love.  The older kids were also thrilled to see Opa and Oma and show them everything as it had been over two years since there had last been here! It was about time. 

Marla Helene Bijlsma

It's been two months already since we welcomed another baby girl into our family!  Time flies when you're having fun!

At 6:35 pm on February 6, 2017 after a quick delivery we were blessed with another beautiful little girl, who we named Marla Helene.  She was born at 41 weeks in Taber hospital so the wait was long but she came teeny tiny, weighing 6lbs 12 oz.  She is healthy
and as sweet as can be, making it easy for us all to love her intensely and adjust to another member in this family. 
I haven't been blogging since I'm too busy soaking in all that newborn preciousness. Even though this is our fifth baby it hasn't gotten old. I think I treasure it more each time actually, as you realize how quickly it's gone.  Oh the sweetness of your very own newborn!  The staring at the tiny little being that grew inside you for 9 months. Finally getting to meet that little bundle of life and to discover who it is! Babies are good for the soul, to see the goodness of God and most amazing work of His hands.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"   Psalm 139: 13, 14.