Hello and Merry Christmas, friends!My name is Jack. My Mama Bear and Papa Goose have been busy, so I figured I would pull my weight (around 17lbs) and write this letter. This has been a year of new things for me and my parents. When I was still in my Mama’s belly, we moved all the way from Prince George, British Columbia to Kenora, Ontario, where my very own Mama grew up! My Papa got a job with the Bimose Tribal Council as an Engineer-in-training (he was already a Papa-in-training). He was excited to live only 2.5 hours from the world’s best soft-serve ice cream and donuts. Until we found a proper den, we stayed with my grandparents. I was in no hurry to leave Mama’s cozy womb. I gave her plenty of time to finish her Master’s courses, Kindergarten teaching, substitute teaching, book reviews, and even planting a garden a week before I came. I loved listening to her sing and feeling her rub her belly. I moved around a lot to let her know I was okay! My Papa Goose always takes nice care of Mama and me. Turns out my parents are relatively endearing and they won the Cutest Couple Contest on the radio. Finally, my parents found a den that suited our needs.
A few weeks later, it was time for me to arrive. Papa Goose, Mama Bear, our midwife Bekkie, and I were all very brave and I was born on June 5, 2018. It was extra special because we got to be in our very own bear den. It is so wonderful to be together as a family. Since we were busy adjusting, recovering, and enjoying our time together at home, we sometimes even forgot it was summertime! I’ve learned that there are pros and cons to being out of the womb. Feeding takes more effort, especially when you have a bit of a tongue tie. After a quick surgery, some special exercises, and lots of help and patience from my parents, I finally started putting on the pounds and now I’m a ravenous little bear that guzzles all the milk in sight. Cuddling is great, but Bear and Goose wanted me to learn to sleep on my own, which is not as nice, but I’ve learned to live with it.
On the other hand, life outside the womb has many wonderful things to offer: the cold lake water on my legs on a summer day; a warm breeze while on a walk in my stroller; finally seeing Papa Goose’s beard that Mama Bear kept telling me about in the womb; meeting my grandparents, great aunts and uncles, regular aunts and uncles, and cousins; a wonderful blessing from Goose; drums at Pow Wows that remind me of my Mama’s heartbeat, a parade of yellow buses by my window every morning; fun activities made just for me by my Mama Bear; and trips (business and leisure) to fun places like Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Minneapolis, Fort Frances, Bergland, Grand Forks, Portland, and Vancouver.
Although my parents are overjoyed to have me, they still find time to do other things, too. Papa Goose plays soccer inside and outside, picks flowers for my Mama, makes homemade ice cream cakes, and even won the coveted Husband of the Year award for the 4th year in a row. Mama Bear still sells Lipsense, does calligraphy for things like baby announcements and even a wedding, and initiated daily exercise to do together with Goose. They love each other very much. I even heard them popping late night popcorn pretty often. I imagine they must hold hands as they share their tasty snacks and nice times together.
Now that it is winter, everything outside is white and cold. I think my parents felt bad for the freezing trees and they cut on down and invited him to stay in our den. They even gave him nice lights to wear and hung some toys on him to play with. I ran into an old man named Santa at a pancake restaurant in Winnipeg. He seems nice and must like to travel because I saw him again in Portland. We celebrated Christmas in Kenora a little early this year since we would be Christmas-ing and bringing in the New Year all the way in Abbotsford. I got some really nice gifts like a sled, handsome clothes, and some toys. I’m looking forward to Christmas Round 2 and having lots more wrapping paper to play with. It seems that Christmas is a special time when we focus on giving things, time, and talents to bring joy to others. After all, that was the purpose of Christ’s gift to us. Because of Him, we can be happy together forever. I wish you all the merriest Christmas and a wonderful, exciting New Year. I can’t wait to see what this year brings.Love, Jack (and Ryan and Josie)
A few weeks later, it was time for me to arrive. Papa Goose, Mama Bear, our midwife Bekkie, and I were all very brave and I was born on June 5, 2018. It was extra special because we got to be in our very own bear den. It is so wonderful to be together as a family. Since we were busy adjusting, recovering, and enjoying our time together at home, we sometimes even forgot it was summertime! I’ve learned that there are pros and cons to being out of the womb. Feeding takes more effort, especially when you have a bit of a tongue tie. After a quick surgery, some special exercises, and lots of help and patience from my parents, I finally started putting on the pounds and now I’m a ravenous little bear that guzzles all the milk in sight. Cuddling is great, but Bear and Goose wanted me to learn to sleep on my own, which is not as nice, but I’ve learned to live with it.
On the other hand, life outside the womb has many wonderful things to offer: the cold lake water on my legs on a summer day; a warm breeze while on a walk in my stroller; finally seeing Papa Goose’s beard that Mama Bear kept telling me about in the womb; meeting my grandparents, great aunts and uncles, regular aunts and uncles, and cousins; a wonderful blessing from Goose; drums at Pow Wows that remind me of my Mama’s heartbeat, a parade of yellow buses by my window every morning; fun activities made just for me by my Mama Bear; and trips (business and leisure) to fun places like Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Minneapolis, Fort Frances, Bergland, Grand Forks, Portland, and Vancouver.
Although my parents are overjoyed to have me, they still find time to do other things, too. Papa Goose plays soccer inside and outside, picks flowers for my Mama, makes homemade ice cream cakes, and even won the coveted Husband of the Year award for the 4th year in a row. Mama Bear still sells Lipsense, does calligraphy for things like baby announcements and even a wedding, and initiated daily exercise to do together with Goose. They love each other very much. I even heard them popping late night popcorn pretty often. I imagine they must hold hands as they share their tasty snacks and nice times together.
Now that it is winter, everything outside is white and cold. I think my parents felt bad for the freezing trees and they cut on down and invited him to stay in our den. They even gave him nice lights to wear and hung some toys on him to play with. I ran into an old man named Santa at a pancake restaurant in Winnipeg. He seems nice and must like to travel because I saw him again in Portland. We celebrated Christmas in Kenora a little early this year since we would be Christmas-ing and bringing in the New Year all the way in Abbotsford. I got some really nice gifts like a sled, handsome clothes, and some toys. I’m looking forward to Christmas Round 2 and having lots more wrapping paper to play with. It seems that Christmas is a special time when we focus on giving things, time, and talents to bring joy to others. After all, that was the purpose of Christ’s gift to us. Because of Him, we can be happy together forever. I wish you all the merriest Christmas and a wonderful, exciting New Year. I can’t wait to see what this year brings.Love, Jack (and Ryan and Josie)
