Villlhelllm: How do You even Spell It?
Becoming Real: A Journey from One Baby to Another
As we entered week 32 of Katerina’s pregnancy, I find myself being pulled into a vortex of emotions, preparations, and a new reality. It’s one thing to know you’re going to be a parent, and another to realize that your life is about to fundamentally change.
My journey into understanding the enormity of this change began with the simple act of writing an email. As I dug into the details of parental leave policies in Canada and the US, I was taken aback. Six weeks of leave in the US versus a whopping 63 weeks in Canada! Imagine telling my boss I’d be gone for over a year. That would be a conversation to remember! But, after much contemplation, two months seemed like a reasonable duration.
Yet, the leave wasn’t just about the time off. I’m in the middle of a project that I’ve nurtured for half a year. It’s a creation that I’ve poured my heart and soul into, much like the baby that’s about to come into our lives. Entrusting someone else with this project is a daunting thought, but it’s a decision that needs to be made. Because in a few weeks, a new priority will take center stage.
The reality of becoming parents is sinking in for Kat and me. Although humans have been doing this for millennia, it’s all so new for us. We’re stepping into uncharted territory, armed only with love, hope, and a sprinkle of anxiety. While we’ve heard countless stories, each journey is unique. Ours will be a tale of joy, growth, challenges, and discoveries.
I am eagerly anticipating the firsts: the first cry, the first smile, the first word. But it’s not just about us humans. Our dogs are in for a treat too! They’ll have a new member to play with, teach, and learn from. The house will resonate with the laughter of a child and the playful barks of our furry friends.
Yet, amidst this excitement, there’s a hint of fear. A fear of the unknown, of the responsibilities that lie ahead. Being responsible for another life is no small feat. My dogs taught me this lesson in a rather… messy way. The day Boujee had her little ‘accident’ in the house, I had a realization. Her actions were a reflection of my care, my responsibility. It changed me. Made me more accountable, more aware.
If taking care of my dogs altered my perspective, I can only imagine the transformation that’s about to come with the arrival of our baby.
As we gear up for D-day, I want to embrace every emotion, every challenge, and every joy. Because this is not just about becoming parents; it’s about evolving as individuals and as a couple.
Here’s to the new chapter, the new adventures, and the new us. 🍼👶🌟
PS: We’ve been showered with so much love and excitement on this incredible journey to parenthood. In response to the kind demands from family and friends, we’ve created a baby registry.
Please know that your participation is not mandatory, and your presence in our lives is already the greatest gift we could ever receive. But for those who wish to join us in preparing for this new chapter, you can ask for our baby registry and we will be happy to provide you with the link.
Your love and support mean the world to us, and we can’t wait to share this special time with all of you ❤️
Woof, Woof! 🐾
Salut, les amis! It’s Boujee and Dapper here, the most fabulous French bulldogs you’ve ever seen. We’re back with another pawsitively exciting update on our extravagant lives. This week has been, well, you guessed it, another wild one. Our humans, Kat and Dad, have been running around like headless chickens, or should we say, headless hens and roosters? Oh, the sacrifices we make for them!
But fret not, dear readers, we’ve been more patient than a cat eyeing a mouse, because we know that every busy week is followed by some delicious surprises. And boy, did we get treated like royalty. We’re talking about mouthwatering meals, people!
Dapper, our gourmet connoisseur, was handed a plate of raw kangaroo. Yes, you read that right, KANGAROO! He’s still scratching his head, wondering how Kat managed to get her paws on such exotic cuisine. Meanwhile, your girl Boujee has been indulging in her new lamb and lentil kibble. It’s a real step up from our usual kibble, let me tell you!
Now, let’s talk about our daily escapades. The weather, folks, the weather has been absolutely paw-fect. There’s a hint of a breeze in the air, and the leaves are putting on their best fall colors. We’ve been running like the wind, chasing our tails, and doing all those Frenchie zoomies you love to watch on TikTok. We’ve hit the Pier, our local park, and gone around the block more times than we can count. And the pièce de résistance? Cootes Paradise! Our humans take us for a whopping 10km walk on Saturdays, and we absolutely live for it.
As we savor our delicious meals and conquer new walking records, we’ve started to feel the weeks passing by quicker and quicker. Time sure flies when you’re living the dog’s life, huh? But there’s something special on the horizon: our tiny human is about to join the family in about 8 weeks from now! And that means we’ll need a babysitter while Dad and Kat are at the hospital. And who better than us, Boujee and Dapper, to ensure a fun-filled and exciting babysitting experience?
Starting this week, we’re officially accepting applications for the role of “Boujee and Dapper’s Babysitter Extraordinaire.” If you think you can keep up with our glamorous lifestyle and provide belly rubs on demand, then send us your application pronto!
Life is indeed pretty darn good in our doggy hood, and we’re giggling our little butts in anticipation of the Halloween season. We’ve already started brainstorming our costume ideas, and let us tell you, it’s going to be legendary. So, stay tuned for more adventures, more paw-someness, and more of Boujee and Dapper’s fabulous tales.
Au revoir for now, dear Vilhelmians, and until next time, keep those butts giggling and your kibble bowls full! ❤️
Pawpaw Festival Part II
Thanks to your enthusiastic response to our Pawpaw newsletter post, we’ve crafted a yet another YouTube short diving into this fascinating fruit! Expect a vivid exploration of the pawpaw’s unique traits, fun facts, and mouth-watering recipes.
Enjoy, please ‘Like’ and subscribe for more. Your feedback continues to inspire us!
Thank you to our dear Vilhelmians for following our adventures! Hit like and subscribe for more! Get ready for a wild ride! Hit that subscribe button to join our awesome Substack community! Vilheeeeeelm!