2 am is NOT morning. It is not time to sing and dance. It is NOT time for a snack. It is time to sleep. Also, 3am is STILL not morning. Neither is 4am. We would like to see you sleep. Actually, we would rather not see you at all. We do not want to hear you. We just want to know that you are safely tucked in your bed, ASLEEP. And, just for the record, if you choose to be awake from 2-4:30am, DO NOT, for any reason, wake up at 6:30am and say its morning. You will be taking your own (cranky) life into your own hands.
*****We've been a bit absent around here. Partly because of the busyness of the Christmas season, planning Joel's 2nd birthday, and celebrating a half dozen other December birthdays. Life has gotten a bit busy. And when its not busy (like that ever happens with two young kids), we are busy trying to catch up on sleep. Neither boy has slept well in the last few months....okay that's not true. Micah only wakes up once or twice, but he stays up so late feeding! By the time we get Micah down for the night (between 10 and 11), we crash for about an hour or two until Joel wakes up. And then Micah. And then Joel. They tag team us. Its frustrating and exhausting. Three hours of continuous sleep seems like an amazing gift. Needless to say, blogging has hit the back burner. Sleep is our number 1 priority. Next to that: Coffee!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Christmas Tree Lighting
Last week, we took the boys to Abbotsford's annual Christmas Tree lighting.
We bundled up the boys, made ourselves a hot drink and headed out.
Joel LOVED it! He was so excited to watch the tree light up, that he got upset when someone stood in front of him.
In fact, he threw a fit when we left. A BIG fit. I guess he had fun!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Friends with Benefits
Yep! These two are friends with benefits.
You see, their parents are good friends...
who LOVE to bake
so you two will grow up side by side with cookies in tow!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Please Don't Judge Me
Please don't judge me....
....because I carry a large diaper bag. I have two young boys, both in diapers. Cloth diapers. That means I change them frequently to prevent them from feeling wet. It involves a lot more equipment than disposable diapers. I've got wet bags, liners, diapers, wraps, and wipes. It takes up a lot more room. But I'm committed to them.
....because I cover up when I breastfeed. Its partly because I'm a bit modest and partly for your own safety. You see, I have a lot of milk and a forceful letdown. If I don't cover up, you may get wet. I'm just trying to keep you feeling comfortable.
....because I carry a lot of toys. My boys are not easily entertained by one toy for a long period of time. They have a lot of energy and have the attention span of a squirrel. I carry a lot of toys to try keep them distracted during church or any other quiet activity.
.....because sometimes it doesn't work. They are busy folks. They want to move. They want to talk. Sometimes keeping them quiet takes more energy than its worth. Please don't judge me because they are kids.
...because on occasion my bra straps show. They keep falling down. Don't worry, I know the solution is to tighten those straps. Unfortunately, I'm currently in this awkward place right now. You see, I frequently suffer from clogged milk ducts (which is a VERY painful thing....perhaps even more than labour). If I tighten those straps, I get clogged. So I keep them loose to prevent excruciating pain. Believe me, its more annoying to me than it is to you.
....because I adjust my breast pads in public. Sometimes they move. I refuse to `tape` them down. Its wasteful, because they don`t stick the second time around. And I need to feed every 2-3 hours. That`s a lot of pads. In reality, its to prevent those awkward dinner plate sized leaks. I`d prefer to not walk around wet, so when I feel the let down occur, I quickly move them back into place. I try to do this inconspicuously, but sometimes, its just easier to whip them back into place. Please don`t judge me.
...because I wear the same pants all week. Between drooler, messy eater, works in a kitchen and breast milk leaker, I do a ton of laundry. Its one thing that I don't get dirty in a week, and it adds up to a little less laundry to do. Yippee!
Please don't judge me because I do things differently. I'm trying to figure out what is best for me and my family at this time. They may change in the future, but right now this is what works.
**just random thoughts....nothing personal
....because I carry a large diaper bag. I have two young boys, both in diapers. Cloth diapers. That means I change them frequently to prevent them from feeling wet. It involves a lot more equipment than disposable diapers. I've got wet bags, liners, diapers, wraps, and wipes. It takes up a lot more room. But I'm committed to them.
....because I cover up when I breastfeed. Its partly because I'm a bit modest and partly for your own safety. You see, I have a lot of milk and a forceful letdown. If I don't cover up, you may get wet. I'm just trying to keep you feeling comfortable.
....because I carry a lot of toys. My boys are not easily entertained by one toy for a long period of time. They have a lot of energy and have the attention span of a squirrel. I carry a lot of toys to try keep them distracted during church or any other quiet activity.
.....because sometimes it doesn't work. They are busy folks. They want to move. They want to talk. Sometimes keeping them quiet takes more energy than its worth. Please don't judge me because they are kids.
...because on occasion my bra straps show. They keep falling down. Don't worry, I know the solution is to tighten those straps. Unfortunately, I'm currently in this awkward place right now. You see, I frequently suffer from clogged milk ducts (which is a VERY painful thing....perhaps even more than labour). If I tighten those straps, I get clogged. So I keep them loose to prevent excruciating pain. Believe me, its more annoying to me than it is to you.
....because I adjust my breast pads in public. Sometimes they move. I refuse to `tape` them down. Its wasteful, because they don`t stick the second time around. And I need to feed every 2-3 hours. That`s a lot of pads. In reality, its to prevent those awkward dinner plate sized leaks. I`d prefer to not walk around wet, so when I feel the let down occur, I quickly move them back into place. I try to do this inconspicuously, but sometimes, its just easier to whip them back into place. Please don`t judge me.
...because I wear the same pants all week. Between drooler, messy eater, works in a kitchen and breast milk leaker, I do a ton of laundry. Its one thing that I don't get dirty in a week, and it adds up to a little less laundry to do. Yippee!
Please don't judge me because I do things differently. I'm trying to figure out what is best for me and my family at this time. They may change in the future, but right now this is what works.
**just random thoughts....nothing personal
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Disappointment in a box
Parkay, you disappoint me. You shorted us a brick of margarine. How will we bake our deliciousness and fulfill our dream of making everyone in the world fatter than us?
Side Note: I emailed the company and they have voluntarily sent me a coupon for more margarine. I LOVE it when that happens!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Drop the Mom Guilt
A little while ago, I was at the gym, talking with an older mom about parenting. She mentioned that she was surprised about how much guilt she had. She felt guilty that she didn't like playing with her kids. She felt guilty that her kid didn't know his ABC's. She felt guilty feeding her baby, while her toddler wanted her attention. I get it. I totally get it. Its mom guilt. We constantly feel like we aren't good enough or aren't being the best parents. We worry about our kids and their future because we want what's best for them. But its time to drop the mom guilt.
My kid may not know his ABCs, but he knows other things. He can properly stir a pan of vegetables on a hot stove, all by himself. He may not be able to count to 10, but he knows how to turn on the stove and that freshly cut onions hurt your eyes. He may not have a large spoken vocabulary, but he does understand multi-step directions or that "go outside" means that he needs to get his shoes, coat and hat on. He may not be fully potty trained, but he can walk over a kilometer at an adults pace. He has his strengths and his weaknesses.
I am confident that in the future, he will learn the skills he needs. Like talking and using a toilet. He will eventually know his ABCs and 123's. He will learn to read and grow up to be a functioning member of society. He may do it faster than your kid. Or he may do it slower. He may just skip things entirely. But I shouldn't feel guilty about it.
I don't like playing games on the floor with my kids. But I do enjoy cooking. And you can see that Joel has developed a love for it as well. We need to focus on our own strengths and the strengths of our children. I feel guilty that Joel doesn't know his ABC's and that I haven't taught them to him. But I enjoy going out for walks. So, instead of teaching ABCs, we are learning about deciduous trees in our neighbourhood. One day in the future, he will want to learn. But at this point in his little life, he is more interested in cooking, fountains at city hall and finding every puppy and fan in the neighbourhood. So I shouldn't feel guilty that I haven't taught him that yet. He will learn them. But right now, he is learning different things.
I need to stop feeling guilty about the "should's" and start enjoying the "right nows." I should teach him his ABCs. But I am enjoying watch his culinary skills develop. Other kids may be able to name animals and their sounds, but I need to celebrate what MY kid can do. And he can do a lot.
He can:
* stir hot items on the stove alone, turn the stove on and off, put lids on and off boiling pots, put vegetables into a hot pan gently, so that he doesn't get splattered
* recognizes that the little light on the stove means its hot, but also knows that once the light is gone, the stove is still hot
* can walk over a kilometer at an adult pace
* recognize when things need to be cleaned and knows where the cleaning supplies are
* knows how to share and is willing share a toy with another kid
* notices when people are sad and tries to cheer them up
* can name most fruit and vegetables
* will put toys away in the proper bin
* notices the small details, especially when things are out of place and will fix them.
* cleans up garbage (He's a great steward of God's creation)
* notices cars and know that they are dangerous
....and the list goes on. He can cook and clean. He knows life skills. I am so proud of him. I am enjoying watching his little mind soak up everything he needs to know. He will learn the things that I am teaching him and so much more. He may not know a single nursery rhyme, but there is so many more things that he does know. And for that, I am proud. So, its time to drop the guilt and put on a proud face. I am a good mom. And he is a great son!
My kid may not know his ABCs, but he knows other things. He can properly stir a pan of vegetables on a hot stove, all by himself. He may not be able to count to 10, but he knows how to turn on the stove and that freshly cut onions hurt your eyes. He may not have a large spoken vocabulary, but he does understand multi-step directions or that "go outside" means that he needs to get his shoes, coat and hat on. He may not be fully potty trained, but he can walk over a kilometer at an adults pace. He has his strengths and his weaknesses.
I am confident that in the future, he will learn the skills he needs. Like talking and using a toilet. He will eventually know his ABCs and 123's. He will learn to read and grow up to be a functioning member of society. He may do it faster than your kid. Or he may do it slower. He may just skip things entirely. But I shouldn't feel guilty about it.
I don't like playing games on the floor with my kids. But I do enjoy cooking. And you can see that Joel has developed a love for it as well. We need to focus on our own strengths and the strengths of our children. I feel guilty that Joel doesn't know his ABC's and that I haven't taught them to him. But I enjoy going out for walks. So, instead of teaching ABCs, we are learning about deciduous trees in our neighbourhood. One day in the future, he will want to learn. But at this point in his little life, he is more interested in cooking, fountains at city hall and finding every puppy and fan in the neighbourhood. So I shouldn't feel guilty that I haven't taught him that yet. He will learn them. But right now, he is learning different things.
I need to stop feeling guilty about the "should's" and start enjoying the "right nows." I should teach him his ABCs. But I am enjoying watch his culinary skills develop. Other kids may be able to name animals and their sounds, but I need to celebrate what MY kid can do. And he can do a lot.
He can:
* stir hot items on the stove alone, turn the stove on and off, put lids on and off boiling pots, put vegetables into a hot pan gently, so that he doesn't get splattered
* recognizes that the little light on the stove means its hot, but also knows that once the light is gone, the stove is still hot
* can walk over a kilometer at an adult pace
* recognize when things need to be cleaned and knows where the cleaning supplies are
* knows how to share and is willing share a toy with another kid
* notices when people are sad and tries to cheer them up
* can name most fruit and vegetables
* will put toys away in the proper bin
* notices the small details, especially when things are out of place and will fix them.
* cleans up garbage (He's a great steward of God's creation)
* notices cars and know that they are dangerous
....and the list goes on. He can cook and clean. He knows life skills. I am so proud of him. I am enjoying watching his little mind soak up everything he needs to know. He will learn the things that I am teaching him and so much more. He may not know a single nursery rhyme, but there is so many more things that he does know. And for that, I am proud. So, its time to drop the guilt and put on a proud face. I am a good mom. And he is a great son!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Birthday with the Fam (now with pics)
(dang you blogger!!!! I wish you would load my pictures!)
Joel enjoying cake with cousin Bria
Yummy!
Micah playing on the floor
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture
Grandma and Laura
Saturday, December 1, 2012
First Foods
Micah is starting solids!
Apple Sauce!
Love the faces!
I can just see him thinking, "Who eats this stuff?"
Friday, November 30, 2012
OCD
Every morning, like clock work. We open the blinds and Joel lets out an "uh oh!"
He runs to the kitchen drawer and retrieves a cloth. He then proceeds to wipe up the moisture from the windows. A little bit of OCD. A little bit of cleanliness. A lot of my personality! Thanks for the help little buddy!
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