The honesty stage

Ahhh yes... Miss J is still in the honesty stage. Let me share with you a portion of our conversation last night while reading stories in bed.

Miss J (while stroking the wrinkles in my forehead): Mommy why are these lines on your head?
Me (dumbfounded): Because I'm old.
Miss J smiles
Me: Is Mommy old?
Miss J: No....
Me: Who's old?
Miss J: Nanny & Poppy

Well, at least I came out of it OK at the end!!
(And for the record, Nanny & Poppy don't really look old!)

I guess I better get myself back on my self prescribed skin regime!

Elevators

Yes... In case anyone is wondering... I'm still here. It would appear that I have taken the summer off from blogging. I'm not sure how that happened but we have been busy just enjoying time outdoors, getting to know our neighbors better and, well, just relaxin'! That being said, I have so many posts started in my head of things I would otherwise "baby book" or "journal". Now if I could only clone myself...

But I digress.

My mom has often that 3 is her favourite age for kiddos. They become conversational and are also trying to figure out the world around them. Miss J is no exception.

This past weekend, we were away for a golf/family/fun weekend with Hubbs' work. And lucky us, Hubbs' parents came to baby sit so the kids could enjoy them and the activities while Mommy & Daddy could practice four letter words, I mean, have fun on the golf course.

Miss J and Monkey had enjoyed a couple of elevator rides and taken turns pushing the buttons. While waiting for the elevator when we were checking out Miss J asks:
When you get in the elevator and push the button, it turns into another place?
Me: Yeah!
Miss J: And if you push the button again, it turns into another place?!
Me (smiling): Yeah, that's right

Its just too cute to hear how they interpret the things we don't even think about anymore.

Yes - I am a natural blonde

If there is anyone still out there checking in to read this blog - here is a little something to tide you over while I finally finish up my posts about our NYC trip and other odds and ends that we've been up to. I don't know where June has gone, I guess it occurred somewhere between starting a new job, a big deadline at work for Hubbs, Miss J deciding daycare isn't for her anymore and great weather which meant for lots of outdoor time (yay!) and late bed times (boo!).

Monkey's sitter was sick for a couple of days during my last week of work in my old job. You know the time when I really CANNOT take time off and Hubbs has loads of work commitments (does everyone's life seem to work this way or is it just us?). So we round up Gramma and Papa for some tag team babysitting. I stayed home with Monkey for a couple of hours one morning and when Papa came to relieve me I hit the road for my last big road trip. As I was running a bit late (yes...hard to believe I know), I decided to take the van instead of going to Hubbs' work to switch vehicles - as I usually bring the car on work trips.

I knew that the day before, the van also needed gas but had thought Hubbs had already refilled. When I got in and started driving, and glanced at the gas gauge I noticed I was pretty much on empty. Funny thought, I thought, the gas light wasn't on. Great - now I have to stop for gas and the van needs to be checked out.

So I proceed to the gas station with pay at the pump in a time saving effort. I had only put in a couple of dollars when the pump cut out. I cancelled that transaction, inserted my credit card and tired again. No go. Seriously? Why was this happening when I was already rushed?

The attendant called out over the speaker from inside the store: "Are you having trouble?"
Me: "This pump doesn't seem to be working, I'll try another one."

So I pull ahead to the next pump. Try again. Same thing. What is going on with the gas pumps here?

The gas attendant comes out to give it a try. "I don't know what's going on, there must be something wrong with your van."

Perfect, I think, now some weird sensor thing that probably costs loads of money is broken. Who knows HOW much gas is really in the van. When I get in to drive to Hubbs' work to get the car after all, I could swear that the gas tank looks more empty than before I loaded it with approximately $4.39 worth of gas (over 3-4 transactions I might add).

So I call Hubbs to tell him I'm coming to switch vehicles. I explain what is "wrong" with the van.

Expecting some colourful response to mirror my thoughts about having to have the van repaired, he calmly replies: "Sarah, I filled up the van yesterday."

Yes, I misread those cute little full/empty images - you know the circle just barely colored in and the other almost all filled in. Who's idea was it to stop using F and E anyway?!?!

This story is just to let you in on my great sense of humor and ability to laugh at myself - Wouldn't it be even funnier if it were actually true (ha ha)?!?!

And if you've never posted a comment before - now would be a good time to start. May I suggest sharing a similar story of when you have been so addled.....

True Love

We are in full fledged Princess mode around here.  Cinderella is her favourite and we, or her dolls are often getting ready to go to the ball, losing our glass slippers, and Daddy is often "Prince" (as in Charming, not Purple Rain).  

In the line up for the checkout at the grocery store, Miss J picked up a Bride magazine.  She was drawn to the beautiful woman in the "princess" dress on the cover.  When I asked her to put it back she said

No Mommy, I'm reading this book about True Love.

Where does she get this stuff??  We've got a real girly girl on our hands here!

We're back from the Big Apple!

Hubbs and I got home last night from NYC.  We went for a quick getaway for 3 nights and it was great.  Busy, fast paced, but great.  We played the ultimate tourists, got some rest and had some time to actually finish conversations.  Wow!!

Miss J and Monkey also had a great time with Nanny & Poppy and Gramma & Papa who shared babysitting duty while we were away.  We are so lucky to have these grandparents who allow us to have a getaway every now and then!!  And while I'm sure we don't know every detail of what went on while we were away, the girls were well behaved (except when Miss J had to get dressed), and I don't think they missed us too much.

I was so excited to see them today.  Miss J ran and jumped in my arms for a hug and then continued to dilly-dally her way out of her daycare just as on any other day. And Monkey gave me a big smile, followed by a little cry, just in case I thought for a moment it was OK to be gone that long!  After that it was same old same old - naps, time outs, playing, changing into dresses, trying to sneak up the stairs - and a bonus visit with my friend Jill and her 2 kiddos!  After a while Monkey did want to be up with me more often, tugging on my pant leg to let me know.  I don't know if it was because she was uncomfortable with teething, or I like to think its because she missed me!  Then they fought over hugs from Daddy when he came home from work.  

Monkey has also transitioned from Crawler to Walker while we were away - that wobbly toddling stage is the best!

Miss J told me the highlights of while we were away, swimming with Nanny, that Gramma gave her "Chocolate crackers!!" and she had Cake again and again.  (Are we depriving her of sweets so that this makes her top pics??)

I'll post about our trip over time, and will hopefully include pics - although our computer is so painfully S-L-O-W I may never actually get anything posted if I have to wait for the uploading/editing process!

Canadian Tire

I had to make a return at Canadian Tire.  Anyone who has done this before knows it can be a scary experience.  I have witnessed many disgruntled customers (not that I would ever be one!).  Lucky for me I had my receipt and an unopened package! 

Waiting in line, I notice that there is a sign posted for waiting customers to read.  It was related to Health and Safety in the workplace.  Coming from an OT and OH&S background, I assumed it was just notifying the public that they adhere to OH&S regulations, yada yada yada.  However the gist of it was actually that healthy workplace includes their non physical environment including interaction with customers and they will are not to tolerate harassment and abuse from customers. 

If you need a statement to the public in the Customer Service line that employees will not tolerate verbal abuse such as threats, yelling and profanities, perhaps you need to look at your return policies. 

Just a thought.

Case of the Mondays

Its Monday.  Even without looking at a calendar I would have figured that out.  I was supposed to go to work, and take a little time off at the end of the day to get my hair done (long overdue – since December!!).  The girls were going to meet me there for their first hair cuts (no snickering please!).

What actually happened?  I was almost at work ½ hour away from home.  Hubbs called to say the sitter is sick.  Called Gramma, who by fluke was not working until this afternoon.  She came to watch Monkey until I came home. 

I did one home visit as planned.  Showed up at my second visit where I could hear children playing inside but no one would answer the door.

Went back to the office to do some paperwork.  Decided to have a quick lunch.  While cutting my bagel, I sliced my finger.  Luckily I work with nurses, and one of the nurses cleaned and bandaged my finger.  And gave me gloves to “waterproof” my finger for bath night. 

The great girls at work who were nice enough to clean my bodily fluids off the knife in the lunchroom kindly informed me the knife is actually rusty, maybe I should have a tetanus shot?  Because it has been more than 10 years since my Grade 9 needle (no really – it has been!!), off I trot back down stairs where I asked for a tetanus shot (again, a good thing I work in a public health office with a large vaccine supply!!).  This was all by 1:15 when it was time to go home an relieve Gramma. 

As it turned out, we did get to squeeze in a fun play date with the girls across the street which Miss J and Monkey (and Mommy!) enjoyed. 

And despite feeling like my upper arm has been used as a punching bag at kick boxing I'm feeling pretty good.  Tuesday here I come!!

Solar Powered

Spring has sprung. At least temporarily. While last year this time the kids were still playing on the giant snow mound on our front lawn, the snow is melted and we have had 3 days of sun - in a row. With temps in the double digits. I know..... I can hardly believe it either.

So at Miss J's daycare, they have been playing outdoors a lot. She loves the outdoors but is somewhat put out by the requirement that she remove her dress and wear pants and a shirt. (This just means instead of putting her nightgown on as soon as we get home, she wants to put her dress back on).

The daycare staff comment to the parents about how well the kids will sleep because of all the fresh air. And I use to think that was true.

But it seems that Miss J is solar powered.

The last 3 nights, she has taken forever to wind down for bed. She is perfectly pleasant, but perfectly awake when she would normally would have been snoozing. The longer days aren't helping either. As she notices the light around her window blind she says "Mommy, its still cloudy out. We better open our eyes!!"

Here's hoping for a rainy indoor day tomorrow!

Baby Steps

One week ago today, Monkey decided to take her first real steps. She has been cruising for a while now and barely needs any support when you are walking with her. But she hasn't really been interested in going on her own.

Last Monday, while Mommy was at work (poor me, sniff sniff) and the girls were having a fun filled day with Daddy, Nanny and Poppy, Monkey walked from Daddy to Nanny and back. Only a few steps but she was so proud. And Poppy caught it on video so I got to enjoy the moment too. Those first steps really are so cute, and Monkey was so proud of herself!!

It seems she may be a little like her Mommy however. She walked a little and isn't overly interested in doing it again just yet. As if to say, "Ok, I can do that, check that off my list. Next!". My mom tells me that I walked one day at about 11 months and it was at least a month later before I did it again.

Monkey is still perfectly happy to cruise, chase her sister on her hands and knees, try and take Miss J's Polly Pockets whenever she can, and try to get her socks and shoes on (which she is getting surprisingly close to doing!). Lots of time for walking later I guess!

Oh No!

Neon, Day-Glo, Fluorescent - whatever you call it - its back.  Very very bad....

A few days ago, when picking Monkey up from the sitter, I noticed the teenage girl and her friends next door all had neon pink and green shoelaces.  I immediately had flashback of LA Gear sneakers (shudder).  

And then I went to a movie with CWC (which I'll talk about later!) and noticed, not only shoe laces but jackets, and shorts in store windows with more neon (think: those Bermuda shorts we used to call Jams).  Ugh.

Why am I so disturbed by this?  Besides that this is something else that makes me feel old, what with fashion trends of my youth coming back in style (I can hear my Mom now "Oh my goodness, I had a shirt like that when I was in high school"), it is just plain BAD!  I mean, seriously, NEON?  Of all the trends to recycle, NEON? 

I'm just waiting to see someone wearing a big white T-shirt with bright yellow WOW on the front and back, stirrup pants and flourcent slouch socks.  

Just please don't make us endure acid wash again.

When are Doc Martin's coming back - they were awesome (and I think mine might still be at my parents!)

Nanny and Poppy are Coming

In case you didn't know!

Monday, Hubbs told Miss J that Nanny and Poppy are coming for Easter and that they'll arrive on Saturday.  Miss J, who is learning the days of the week but still doesn't really get what they mean with regards to time, was really excited.  

When the doorbell rang Monday night, Miss J said to Gramma "Its Nanny & Poppy!"

Every morning this week we heard "Nanny and Poppy are coming today".  Or "Are Nanny & Poppy here yet?"

And when she's upset who does she want?  That's right - Nanny & Poppy.

Finally, tomorrow is the big day - she is so excited!!  I hope they're ready for lots of granddaughter love :)

Special Jammies

WARNING: The following post talks a lot about Poop!

Back in the height of potty training, Miss J was having a little bit of trouble getting the poop to actually go in the toilet (read: she was just poopin in her pants!)

We had tried every thing we had heard about: rewards, tossing the precious Dora panties, staying calm and saying its OK, getting a little bit angry, etc. but what we didn't know at the time was that Miss J just wasn't ready to take that poop step. 

Around this time, Miss J had also gotten some new jammies (back in the days when she was still wearing 2 piece PJs).  They were sweet, with fairies and castles on them and Miss J really loved them.  She called them her Special Jammies.  One night before bed (and before her diaper was on), she pooped.  Perfect, I thought, (mean mom alert!) throwing out the jammies will really teach her not to poop in her pants anymore.  

Me: Oh dear, you pooped in your Special Jammies.  I guess we're going to have to throw them out.  

Miss J (her face immediately crumbling): Oh no! I miss them already!

She broke my heart.  So we went to Plan B.  

Me: Well we won't throw them out, but you can't wear them anymore until you do your poop in the toilet.  OK?

Miss J (still sobbing and devastated): OK

A couple of weeks later, Miss J FINALLY pooped in the toilet.  While we were doing the obligatory celebration, she pipes up: Now I can wear my Special Jammies!!  She had been thinking of this all that time.  

And here she is, happy to be reunited with her Special Jammies at last!

She waved

Monkey waved.  In fact, she has been practicing this skill for a while now and lately is really getting the hang of it.  She waved at Gramma from the car today when she saw her walking by.  Its really cute.

She also climbs the stairs.  We cannot gate the bottom of our stairs so we spend a lot of time saying "No Monkey, no" and shaking our heads when she stands at the bottom step getting ready to climb.  She typically grins back, plays "peek" around the post a couple of times and tries to head up the stairs.  

But yesterday, she learned another time to wave.  I said "No Monkey, you can't go up the stairs".  Monkey grinned her cute little grin and then waved.  That's right.  As if to say "Bye, see-ya, I'm goin' anyway".

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I think we might have our hands full here!

Its in Daddy's Genes

An old friend of ours, back in the days when he crashed on Hubb's couch every weekend, would great Hubbs in the morning with a rendition of Rod Stewart's "Maggie May".  Why? To honour his bed head, of course!

So I shouldn't be surprised to go get Monkey from her nap and find her wee bit of hair looking like this:

I'm getting OLD

While people tell me I look young, and assure me that at 31 I'm "just a baby", the realization that I'm getting old has really hit me lately.

No longer do I care if I have weekend plans.  That means that I can watch TV, read a book, do laundry or go to bed early and not be too tired to get up with the girls.  (OK, so if I'm being honest, I sometimes enjoy knowing we have weekend plans, but nothing that includes being downtown and trying to catch a cab in the cold at 3:30am!)

I care about fibre. Yup, when I glance at a nutrition label, I don't really look for the calories, or even the fat but gimmie lots of fibre.....

I wear winter boots (instead of shoes 95% of the winter, as was my previous practice) because they are practical and keep my feet warm.

I use the word practical.  And think being practical isn't all bad.

And my skin....  Well it is doing its own thing as it gets older.  My hands are incredibly dry.  I have developed eczema.  My heels are cracking (which kinda takes some of the fun out of a pedi now - its a necessity to keep my feet from cracking up and not just for the indulgence!)   My face is confused.  While parts of my face thinks I am 13 and is treating me to regular breakouts, my eyes and forehead are showing who's boss with some nice wrinkles.   I have begun using toner and am rethinking my 20 year relationship with Noxzema.  It takes me forever to get in bed by the time I use my hand cream, eczema cream, foot balm, toner and - NIGHT CREAM to Reduce the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles! 

What's next?  A subscription to large print Reader's Digest?

Sofa Saga - The conclusion

For anyone who's been wondering.....

The sofa saga continued with random flying visits from Mr. Owner until the plaster and sanding was complete.  He then used the 7 year old paint to touch up the walls and some random white paint I found to touch up the ceiling.  

No - the entire porch was not recoated.  But the walls really aren't noticeable, the ceiling is a little if you're looking for it (and walking thought the porch with your head up!) and, well, by then, we were just anxious to have the saga behind us!

The End.

Our baby is 1!

Yesterday we celebrated Monkey's first birthday!  I know everyone says it, but its true, where does the time go?  On one had it seemed to go so fast and on the other we can't imagine life without her.

Just a year ago we welcomed, via a speedy delivery, our second sweet girl.  And while most everyone assumes we wanted "our boy" or that we now have to "try for a boy", we really feel that Monkey makes our family complete.

Here she is at about 3 weeks old:

And here she is on her first birthday enjoying Papa's blueberry pancakes for breakfast and with her newest favourite "toy"!  (Notice the highchair - its vintage ;)  My brother and I both used it.  My parents keep everything, but that's another post!)

Miss J has grown to be a wonderful big sister, who always shares hugs and kisses (and unfortunately sickies from daycare) with Monkey.  And we have learned how to be parents of 2 - in doing so we have grown extra sets of eyes, arms and of course bigger hearts!

While Monkey was oblivious to the fact it was her big day - she did enjoy the wrapping paper and cupcake when she realized it was all for her!  She even increased her vocabulary to include "Wow", which she proclaimed after opening her presents.  

Miss J helped her open her presents of course:

We did have to delay her birthday party until next weekend, as Friday Miss J came down with a nasty bug (no big shocker there - that just seems to be the way things go with us!).  A loot bag is a great parting gift - stomach flu - not so much!  So Gramma, Papa, and Hubbs' sister's family came for supper and cupcakes.....

Which Monkey thoroughly enjoyed:

Happy birthday sweet baby girl.  Can't wait to see what the next year holds!

     

Toddlerisms - Vol 2

Miss J was desparately trying to avoid quiet time/nap.  When she heard Monkey crying while having her diaper changed she called out from her room:

"I think she misses her sister!"

We have a new rule that we don't eat on the new chair (that is fabric) but only on the leather sofa that can be easily cleaned.  When I noticed a spot on the new couch I reminded Miss J of the rules.  

Her interpretation:  (With index finger pointed) "Memember, Don't eat the couch!"

(unfortunately in telling her the couch is easily cleaned, she thinks this means she can also wipe her nose in it too!)

"Do I look beautiful with my bed head?"

Shortly after Miss J turned 2 she started yelling when she got excited.

Me: Miss J, where is your indoor voice ?

Miss J: I DON'T KNOW!!!

Down sleeves = long sleeves

Gramma: I like your robe.  I have a pink robe too. 

Miss J: You have a pink robe?

Gramma: Yes, mine is bright pink.

Miss J: Oh, Mine is only pink.

I survived

I survived my first day back to work from maternity leave.  We all did.  We somehow all got up and ready in time to be at our respective locations on time.  If we can keep up that morning routine it won't be too bad (in that regard I think I'll remain cautiously optimistic!).  Miss J was a little confused as to why I was up, dressed and leaving the house before she ate breakfast but she was quite cooperative thank goodness!  I did miss the girls and thought a lot about Monkey spending her first full day away from home.  According to the sitter she had a little trouble settling for her nap but otherwise had a good day.  "And she certainly likes to eat!" Yup - that's our girl!  I'm not sure how the evening thing is going to work.  I bring home 2 very hungry girls and have to start on supper.   I'm sure that routine will get easier right?  Or will we become the family who survives on Chef-Boy-R-Dee, pizza and chicken nuggets and fries?  I guess its time to break out the slow cooker again!

And the work part wasn't too bad.  Today really just seemed like a little break from taking care of the girls.  I caught up with some of my co-workers, went out to lunch and started to figure out how to I will tackle my wait list.  But considering that my I am still "disabled" from the work e-mail and client file system, I really couldn't do a whole lot.  I'm sure by tomorrow I'll be missing my pajama and play date days desperately! And by next week I'll be considering a 3rd pregnancy just for the mat leave (ha ha - just kidding!!)

What are they doing?

Miss J:  

Dressing up in dress-up clothes - Walking better in heels than her mother!

Re-enacting scenes from Barbie and the Diamond Castle (Mommy now also answers to Alexa, although Daddy knows his lines better!)

Playing with her dolls (doll house, Polly Pockets, Barbie, Little Cabbage Patch - they all play together ALL THE TIME!)

Watching "Tree House" (any kids show or DVD - prefers Dora, Barbie or Super Why!)

Being her sister's cheerleader and disciplinarian (very cute!)

Coming up with new things to say all the time as she tries to figure out the words we use (now throwing "actually" into many of her sentences)

Monkey:

Looking at books

Pulling herself up

Climbing - on everything, up the stairs and in the dishwasher

Eating anything that's small and remotely resembles food

Sitting at Mommy's feet if she is making something in the kitchen

Sucking her thumb whenever she feels her wool blanket

Chasing her sister (crawling - great fun!!)

Clapping when she turns off the TV 

Name Change!!

The Child formally known as R&R will now be known as Monkey.

(Its just easier that way - that's my everyday nick name for her!!)

No, really, I can't draw

You know how some people say they aren't really good at something.  But really you know they are great.  And you end up saying things like, "I can't believe you think you aren't good at _______!" or "This is really great for someone who thinks they can't ______".

Well, take a look at this:

While this would be exceptional work if it had been completed by my 3 year old, sadly I cannot give her the credit. 

This was my less than adequate attempt to draw two Barbies - Alexa and Liana from the Diamond Castle to be exact.  That animal-like thing is supposed to be a flying dragon. And I tried hard to make these look real.  Miss J did the green embellishments :)  

So believe me when I say: "No, really, I can't draw!"

Dresses: Miss J's Fashion File Vol. 3

That's what Miss J is wearing these days.  

Only dresses.

Day and night.

She will ask for her dresses in the following order:

Church dress - which is only for special occasions (and church) because its a little fancier.  I have been greeted every morning, for the past week, at my bed side with: "Mommy, can you come help me get dressed?  Can I wear my Church dress!?"  When I say I'll be out in a minute, and roll back over - she immediately goes to Daddy's side: "Daddy, can YOU come help me get dressed?"

Polka dot dress - that I had put off letting her wear until her birthday party and she's been in it ever since!

White flower dress - actually a sundress but I've winterized it with a long sleeve T and leggings.

Sparkly dress - the dress that she wore to her 2nd birthday party, so its more of a tunic now!  It has some sparkly thread in the snowflake design - hence the name.

Square Dress - red plaid jumper that I could NOT get her to wear at all over Christmas.  

Red Dress - the dress she had for our Christmas pics that, again, she was not interested in over the holidays.

PJs are still no longer worn as pairs.  In fact they are rarely worn at all.  Nightdresses are her preference.  She has 2 :

Princess & Reindeer

This gives me 3-4 days between loads of laundry!

I remember when I thought it was a shame that Miss J's dresses were never worn.  Now we have a closet full of pants and shirts - you know, normal toddler winter wear - that will be in perfect hand-me-down condition for R&R.

The silver lining: when she is wearing a dress, she no longer asks to change her clothes every-hour-on-the-hour.  That was SO last month!

We went to Church

After talking about it for so long, but seeming always to have something come up on Sunday mornings, we finally made it to church as a family of 4.  And no, not for a wedding, baptism, holiday or any other reason - just because.  5 years ago I didn't think this would ever be on my priority list, but here we are!

It was our first time, besides Christmas, that we attended this church, that is very close to our neighborhood and it seems like a nice place full of welcoming people.  It also turned out that we know some people who already go there so it was good to see them.  Both the girls were really well behaved despite it being R&R's nap time and Miss J being - well - 3.  

R&R enjoyed trying to "sing" during the hymns, which was so cute.  

During the sermon, the minister asked the congregation: "What are you doing for your soul?"

To which Miss J quietly responded - to herself - "I don't know".

She then turned to me and said "Mommy, the man said 'What are you doing in this church?' and I said 'I don't know!'"

How was your morning?

Yesterday was bad enough with Miss J falling down the stairs in excitement to meet her friend at the front door who had come for a playdate (thankfully no serious injuries incurred besides mommy's frazzled nerves and increased heartbeat).  

But this morning we got a call that the babysitter we had arranged for R&R has decided not to have a home daycare anymore.  They say if something is too good to be true it probably is - well our sitter with a ECE background, who had a nice way with the kids, who lives 3 mins away and had lots of time to have R&R come and get adjusted was too good to be true.  I go back to work 3 weeks from today.  We have no baby sitter prospects.....

Then R&R and I take a quick trip to Wal Mart before her nap.  We shop for odds and ends we need (I was even good and didn't buy extras - well except one little thing!) got everything checked in at the cash, at which point I realized my wallet was home on the kitchen counter.  

The rest of the day went OK, selling a couple more baby items, enjoying a visit from a friend and her baby visiting from away.  And then I even left hubbs to handle bed time while I went for a 2 1/2 hour supper!!!  (Unfortunately the top of my tea pot fell into my tea as I was pouring, but other than that it was a great evening).  

Off to bed to watch Grey's until I fall asleep.  Hoping a sitter falls into my lap tomorrow!

Too fast!

I know I've been off work for almost a year and I should be really greatful to have all that time.  But it really  has gone too fast.  Today our sweet baby went to her new baby sitter's house for the first time.   We're hoping she'll be used to it there before I go back to work in 3 weeks (eek!).  

I waited until she was occupied before I left.  Apparently she didn't cry the entire time I was gone.  She had a good 15-20 mins. before she went back to the door looking for me.  When I arrived to pick her up she was crying, but she was also having a bum change so no big surprise there.  She didn't drink her bottle either - very strange as she LOVES to eat and drink everything!  But the sitter did say she was content when they were having a snack and the 3 year old boy there is able to make her laugh.  

It won't be so bad.... right?

I may have been wrong...

About R&R's love of everything edible.  

Remember when I was saying she'll even eat broccoli (and I swear she did before!!)?

Well last night this is what we noticed going on on the floor next to her high chair....

I'd like to think that's its because she had already had lots for supper before we gave her the broccoli so she just wasn't hungry anymore.  Hubbs chuckles at me.....

BUT she did chow down on green peas tonight (which, lets face it, besides brussel sprouts, is there anything worse?)

Sofa Saga IV

So the furniture store owner wasn't kidding when he said "after Christmas".

Apparently, he was on holidays until last week and wasn't able to come see us until Tuesday (the 27th).  He plastered some of the dents in the wall and was off again.  Said he'd be back tomorrow to do another layer.

So Wednesday, around 4:00 I finally call to learn that he "won't be able to make it today".

Thursday was stormy and yucky but he arrived at about 4:50 to trudge through our uncleared driveway.  No call first.

Apparently he will start painting his next visit, on Friday.  Speaking of which, I found the old paint in the garage.  I guess paint thickens when it is stored in the cold garage for 7 years.....  So off we go in search of new paint.  I hope he's painting the whole porch and not just his touch-ups.  We don't need polka-dot walls on top of everything else!!

(I do have to say, I hope when I'm his age I have his energy and speed - he moves quick!)

8:36PM

That's what time the snow plow decided to show up to clear our street from the 10cm of snow that fell THIS MORNING!  I know we live on a cul-de-sac and are low priority, but seriously....

But to give credit where credit is due - at least he is sharing the wealth.  Instead of piling ALL the snow from our cul-de-sac on our front lawn, he is sharing some with our neighbor's across the street.  

2008 - A look back

2008 was a crazy year for us.  It had its wonderful moments, the birth of R&R, and its stressful moments - pretty much everything else!!

A brief look back at 2008:

Winter:

January - We celebrated Miss J's second birthday with a home birthday party for her and 5 of her friends.  It was fun!

We then put an UNCONDITIONAL offer on a new home, which was accepted and left us wondering what happened to our sanity - if we didn't sell, and close on, our house in 5 weeks we would be paying 2 mortgages - right around the time I would go an mat leave....

Thankfully we sold our house in 1 day for full asking price.  Phew.

Miss J got Whooping cough.  But recovered quickly.

February - Packing Packing Packing.  Hubbs had the all out flu and was in bed for a week which slowed our packing progress and left the very pregnant me to pack and chase the 2 year old full time, when not at work!

Moved into our new home the weekend of Feb 22, at 37 weeks pregnant.  During a snow storm. The movers squeezed us in Friday evening and Hubbs and Dad worked hard moving everything else. The house was a complete mess and had to recruit my wonderful sis-in-law and my good friend Carla to come clean before we could unpack anything.  Thankfully my parents cleaned our old home while Hubbs and our brother-in-law unpacked and set up furniture.

March - My brother and his 2 kids came to visit Gramma and Papa.  Enjoyed catching up with my  brother and Miss J loved playing with her cousins.  Slowly unpacked and tried to relax before baby # 2 arrived. 

On March 8, at 8:22 am, after 7 mins of pushing, and a little over 3 hours total labour (and less than an hour after arriving at the case room), our second sweet girl arrived!!! While I was in a state of shock and denial at not having time for any medication the delivery went well.  She even got to meet her uncle and cousins before they flew home the next day.

Mid March - June: Most of this time spent visiting our family doc and/or the ER a minimum of once a week (I wish I were exaggerating).  Miss J had an ear infection from March-June accompanied by high fevers (40 C!).  Also had suspected RSV in April for which she required 2 puffers.

April 17 - Rushed R&R to the ER after she turned blue and was coughing up mucus.  She was admitted to PICU with RSV for 6 days, during which time she was on a c-pap machine, had countless blood work, lung x-rays, an OG tube and she was not allowed to eat for a few days.  She then spent 3 more days in hospital while being weaned off oxygen.  A VERY scary time for all of us.  But the staff at the children's hospital were fantastic and despite frequently having a small cough, R&R seems none the worse for it.  

I guess sisters do share everything including colds, flus and other viruses!

During this time I learned who those people are who buy the giant bulk packages of tissues - ME!!  

Spring:

Household stuff we had to deal with included pests and birds who decided to take residents in the range hood vent.  For which we doused our home with chemicals.  Nice.  At least the girls and I stayed at Gramma's during this time!

Summer:

The snow melted to reveal a very unkept yard.  So Hubbs went to work trying to de-weed the grass and make it look green (instead of brown).  He did a great job, amazing really!!  Too bad we didn't do before and after pics!  We will be doing more landscaping this summer.  

And because it seems that the previous owners didn't really do much with this home, we did some staining of the front and back patios and fence and painted the doors which really freshened up the look of the place!

Nanny & Poppy came to visit us and Hubb's sister's family for a month which was great.  

We spent loads of time visiting the playground and going for walks.  Got to meet some more of our new neighbors.  And no major incidents or inconveniences (that I can recall - prehaps I have started blocking things out!!)

Summer was also a welcome break from wiping runny noses and our doctor visits were reduced to every 3-4 weeks (usually from my being paranoid about R&R's coughing!)

Ear infection count for the summer: R&R - 1; Miss J -1 (that cleared up with only one round of meds!!)

In early September we took R&R  on her first airplane ride to visit my brother's family and attend the wedding of my good friend and old roommate from university days.  It was great to get away and visit our family in the area, but a learning experiencing travelling as a family of 4. 

Because we are crazy, we thought instead of going home for a night, unpacking, and repacking for the 7 hour drive to visit Nanny & Poppy, we would just got off the plane, go home and grab a few things and hit the road.  We stayed in a hotel about 1/2 way to Hubb's parent's house.  That decision was just to ensure any chance of having the girls on a routine was out the window!!  But we then had a wonderful relaxing visit with Nanny and Poppy!  That drive reminded us that the dreaded (well dreaded for me anyway) decision to get a mini van was worth it!

Fall:

In October, we left the girls with Gramma & Papa for 2 nights!!! and attended an out of town wedding for friends of ours.  It was semi guy/girl trip.  Hubbs and our friend Wayne travelled together to play golf (in the rain) all day, while myself and his wife Jill met them later for supper.  We played golf, relaxed, enjoyed drinks, slept in! It was a great weekend!

I stopped breastfeeding R&R in October.  It was a little emotional, with her being my last baby and all, but considering she preferred the bottle and I think my milk supply had vanished it was a good decision!

Miss J took swimming lessons with her friend Noah, to help her overcome her timidness around the water.  It was a success!!  She also started in a gymnastics class that she attends without a parent.  Its so fun to watch her from the waiting room - what a big girl she is becoming!

The rest of the fall was spent getting ready for Christmas, having palydates for Miss J and R&R and just enjoying the routine (or as close as we can get to one).  R&R went swimming a few times and she already LOVES to splash in the water.  She would just swim away if she could!!

Hubbs worked loads through the fall, but was recognized for his hard work with a nice bonus!

Our doctor visits now resemble those made by normal families.  We didn't go at all from mid-October to December (except 1 specialist appt).  I'm pretty sure our family doctor thinks we've moved!

I'm sure I'm missing a few things here.  But despite the craziness of sick girls and working out the kinks in our new house, it wasn't so bad.  We'll call it a year of learning through experience as well as learning to appreciate what we have :)

Good Eaters

Most people would describe our girls as "good eaters".  We have been lucky I guess.  Although Miss J says "I don't like _____" in relation to most veggies, she does eat well and we have never had a problem.  In fact, she will eat her food and then come sit in your lap so she can "share" yours too!

R&R seems to be following in her sister's footsteps.  Except she already eats broccoli and cauliflower which her sister would never touch.  

We have been giving R&R table food for a couple of weeks now and she loves to feed herself. So the other day, I shared some of the tuna I was having for lunch.  I was also enjoying some of my favourite crackers with it (they were a Christmas gift - I can't keep them here because I have no control), which obviously I could not share with her. She looked at me with big expectant eyes.  When no little cracker bits were placed on her tray she gave me a smile.  A come on look at how cute I am how can you resist me smile.  I kid you not.  At 10 months, she's already trying to play us and, like her sister, expects to share all our food.  

Oh great, another child from whom we must hide in order to enjoy our food in peace.  

I've been reading

And not writing anything on my blog.  Or cleaning the house.  Or trying very hard to sell the baby things we no longer need.  Or shopping (I guess that's a good thing). Or doing anything productive, really.

I love chick lit.  Especially when I feel like everything else in my life is hectic.  Light reading like Marian Keyes or Sophia Kinsella really hit the spot.  I also enjoy some James Patterson or Janet Evanovich - type books.  

But every once and a while I love to really get into a good book.  A long book with an in-depth story.  For Christmas, Hubbs gave me the new Wally Lamb book, The Hour I First Believed (now 45% off at Chapters.ca!!).  I had been wanting all Christmas to just sit and read but there was no time.  Plus I was half way through another book that I didn't really like but knew I'd never finish if I started my new one.  

Its an interesting book, fiction based around actual events (primarily Colombine).  It was heavy but good.  All nap times and other free time (including sleep time - which I regretted every morning) were spent behind the book.  I finished it last night and felt sad it was over but relieved to not have to worry about the characters anymore!  Luckily I found some good Sex and The City re-runs on TV so I could switch gears before I went to bed (yay Cosmo TV!!)  I'll have to read something light and fluffy before digging into the next on my list, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.  

Happy Birthday Miss J!

Miss J is 3.  I can't really believe it.  And I now understand why on my birthday my parents like to tell the story of the day I was born.  I just can't help thinking, this is the time my water broke, this is when I text messaged someone who I thought was Hubbs to tell him it was time to come home, and so on!

While it seems like just yesterday she arrived, so much has happened and she went from our sweet first baby to our wonderful little girl.  We have all changed so much!  We've learned about colic, poop talk, patience, boogies (as in the green stuff), gripe water, diapers, play dates, potty training, time out, and bribery (I mean negotiating at a toddler level).  

We hosted 11 preschoolers, 4 babies and 20 adults for Miss J's birthday party.  And it went surprisingly well.  No major tantrums, minimal tears, and lots of fun!  (May I recommend a bouncy castle at your next event?)

Here are a couple of pics to share!

Here she is at 6 days old:

And here she is on her 3rd birthday, wearing a bow in her hair for the first time!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Warning - Not for Daddies over the age of 35

Miss J wanted one of her Dora Wipes because she had some small bit of something on her hand.  She pulled out one to many so Hubbs tried to stuff it back into the package.  Unfortunately, the opening is not made for Daddy Fingers and he found himself in a predicament.  

His finger became stuck with those little teeth digging in and his finger turning a nice shade of blue.  He was panicked, but in that calm sort of way: "My finger is really stuck"  "What am I going to do"  "It hurts and I can get this thing off".....  But trying not to really freak out (read: Swear - a lot) in front of the girls.

I used a butter knife to pry the prongs out of his finger, however the lid would still not come off.

Luckily, on a whim, I picked up this little gadget the day before at Wal Mart:

Finger saved.  Phew.  Best $8.49 ever spent if you ask Hubbs.  

(as a bonus it also includes a tiny screwdriver for those common every day things - battery covers anyone - and a small retractable blade!)

Perhaps I've gone too far?

While Miss J is no longer insistent about wearing the pretty shirt every day, she is very determined that she will pick out her own clothes.  So I have been trying to teach her about things that match or go together.  She is doing fairly well, and does not clash too badly anymore but I'm not sure she totally gets it.  

The other day she wanted jam on her toast because it is red and would match the red polka dot jammies I was wearing.  

Speaking of jammies, they are a total other issue.  They are no longer worn as pairs, must be put on at 5pm and are often changed for another non-matching set first thing in the morning. 

She'll outgrow this, right?!

And She's Off!

After weeks of getting up on her knees only to slide backwards over the floor or wiggle and then fall on her belly, on December 30, 2008 R&R finally figured it out.  Hands and knees both moving forward.  She is thrilled to now be able to reach the TV cabinet and haul those DVD cases to the floor.  

She is gaining more ground every day and can now crawl the length of our area rug.  She is even learning how to crawl -  not slide - on the laminate.  It is the cutest thing to watch!

I realize that almost 10 months old is not exactly early for crawling (OK... its not early at all for crawling) but it still makes me a little sad that my baby has reached this milestone (sniff, sniff).  She is getting so big so fast!

Soon she will be chasing Miss J with avengeance and yes, we REALLY need to get baby-proofing now!!!!