Well, here I am! I left my house last Monday just around noon and headed out to Costco to pick up a few treats before I headed to Gen’s house so that she could then bring me to the Airport. I am really happy with the system that I had set up. Wilhelmina on me in the wrap, one of my backpacks in the stroller and the other on my back and then pulling my two suitcases…

Going through Security was interesting, the plane ride was way better than I hoped for it to be with Wilhelmina sleeping most of the way. We got to Vancouver and my mom was waiting for me at the airport with a rented car and we headed to a friend’s apartment to spend the night. I was absolutely amazed by the view from the apartment. We had an unobstructed downtown Vancouver and three of the surrounding mountains.

View of Vancouver

A good night’s sleep and the next day we were off for some Dim Sum in New Westminster and then a birthday supper back at the apartment for the friend that we were staying with. On Wednesday we headed out to Grandville Island for lunch and then went out for Sushi and then headed to bed to be ready to leave in the morning for Prince-Rupert. Going through Security in Vancouver was a lot easier, and my mom and I headed for the planes, hers leaving for Castlegar at the next gate 10 min later. Wilhelmina slept the whole way and we arrived in Prince-Rupert at about 10am and met Annie’s mom as we were getting off the plane. The whole procedure to get to the Prince Rupert from the island that the plane lands on was quite interesting, but it went smoothly and Annie was waiting for us when we got into town.

So, now I am at Annie’s.  It is so beautiful here and the weather is ever changing. On the day we arrived there was snow, and we stayed around the house (except for a quick run to the grocery store) which felt great. Though Wilhelmina has been doing so well, the lack of routine and always being on the go was taking its toll and it felt good to just hang out around the home for a day or two. On Saturday there was a mix of rain and snow but we headed out downtown for a walk, some shopping and some Sushi. I found some amazing earrings which was one of the things that I wanted to do while I was here and the sushi was equally amazing.

Near Prince-Rupert Behind Annie's house Pad Thai for supper...

On Sunday the weather turned around completely and we headed out on the boat belonging to some friends. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. The sun was shining, the ocean was calm and it was just so perfect. The scenery, the fresh air, the wildlife…

Halibut or Salmon would be nice... Prince-Rupert from Dodge Cove Dodge Cove

old hospital..A Keeper!where there are birds.... there is fish...

I never thought that I would come out here to Prince-Rupert, especially so soon and without my family. It has been weird to be away thought I have to admit that it has been much calmer here. I miss my family though, my Simon and my boys, especially my little Khéna. I talk to them every day on the phone but it is of course not the same.  During the day, I keep busy and it isn’t that bad, but at night I miss them all more and have small tinges of regret that I am not with them.

However, I think that this break will be good. It is not an opportunity that will come up again soon.  I was in a rut cooking wise and I know that this will help with that and will hopefully help me get som better habits established again. Winter, the end of pregnancy and then a newborn really made things go downhill in our diet; too much meat, too little veggies and too many easy meals without enough nutrition. We were still eating well but we were falling far from our ideals.

The time away from home will hopefully help a bit with my patience levels also.  I can see that it can get hard when you are in the moment everyday without respite, and though I love being with the family, I can see how this little time away from home will give me a breather so that I will come back and be able to deal with situations that arise in a better headspace.

As for Wilhelmina, she is doing good. She is either happy or not. She is crying a bit more than usual, often because I miss a pee or poop or something similar but she seems to be getting a bit better every day. She is growing and changing on a daily basis…

So, one week down, two m ore to go. I am looking forward to the next adventures…

(to see more pics click here to see the whole set)