- Waking up to the sound of two loons at 5:45 calling each other on a quiet lake and smiling because, come on - how cute is that?
- Sitting with the morning sun on my face even though the room was 105 degrees.
- Ice cream cones daily and once, in place of dinner. Why? because I'm on vacation
- Mixing a mojito at 11:00am (stop judging) I said 1 not 12.
- Running in from the rain into a warm cottage without the fear of the kids catching a chill from air con - bc there is none.
- Listening to Hayden scream "YEA COTTAGE" 10000 times a day.
- Lying in the sun listening to nothing but the sound of waves on the shore line during the kids nap time.
- Reading, reading reading and reading.
- Watching movies in the VCR bc cable and modern technology don't belong here. (clearly we struggle with this one - hence the movies old enough for a VCR).
- Sitting on the dock
- Swinging on the sings in town (yes all of us, in a row) - since when does it hurt to swing?
- Visiting the wolf sanctuary and waving at ALL of the wolves both real and fake by Haydens orders
- Hayden telling the ants "see you soon" after I squish them.
- Waving at rocks and trees during a car ride into the hills.
- Taking turns sleeping in and taking naps (and actually sleeping)
- Trying to "stay up late" but surrendering to that wonderful feeling of falling asleep on the couch in front of the TV.
- The smell of outside on your babies skin before they drop into the bath tub.
- squishing into a single bunk bed with your two year old at 4:00am bc he wakes and doesn't know the room. ( But not minding bc when do I ever get to sleep nose to nose with this little guy?)
and vacation is...
re-appreciating how good we really do have it at home when we're not on vacation.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A thunk just used to be a thunk. But now that I've had kids, a thunk instinctively makes me look around after hearing the thunk to see who has killed themselves.
So this morning I put Alex down for his morning nap and then joined Hayden and Marcus to enjoy my morning coffee. Hayden was playing (After a night of waking up 100000 times) and my coffee was oh so good. The moment was peaceful until Marcus and I heard a loud THUNK...long pause and then Alex SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. HOLY @#)#$)#(@)#* the two of us went running up the stairs, I don't think my feet touched the ground with Hayden following us yelling "yea" the entire time clearly in a different mind set.
We run into Alex's room to find him ON THE FLOOR. Apparently he can pull himself up now, good to know. He escaped from his crib and HE was the thunk.
After checking him over 10,000 times we learned that he was fine. Not a bump, scratch, or mark on him. In fact his spirits have never been better. How are we you ask? We're fine too. I think we're numb now. You can only have a heart attack so many times before the attacks become just a normal way to feel.
Last year when Hayden did a back flip off of his change table, we took him straight to emerg just to have a handful of nurses laugh at us and say "If we had a nickle for every child that did this". Actually my favouite line was "First time parents I'm guessing". At the time I remember thinking what the heck does that mean? Now, I get it. Sucks to be the second child because this time we didn't jump as fast to go running to emerge. However with that said, this time we knew what to look for should there had been something else going on.
Anyway, we adjusted the crib to the next height and broke it along the way. So now we have to buy a new crib. Hayden took a flip off of the couch as well - he's also fine.
It's only 10:30. I wonder what the rest of the day has in store?
So this morning I put Alex down for his morning nap and then joined Hayden and Marcus to enjoy my morning coffee. Hayden was playing (After a night of waking up 100000 times) and my coffee was oh so good. The moment was peaceful until Marcus and I heard a loud THUNK...long pause and then Alex SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. HOLY @#)#$)#(@)#* the two of us went running up the stairs, I don't think my feet touched the ground with Hayden following us yelling "yea" the entire time clearly in a different mind set.
We run into Alex's room to find him ON THE FLOOR. Apparently he can pull himself up now, good to know. He escaped from his crib and HE was the thunk.
After checking him over 10,000 times we learned that he was fine. Not a bump, scratch, or mark on him. In fact his spirits have never been better. How are we you ask? We're fine too. I think we're numb now. You can only have a heart attack so many times before the attacks become just a normal way to feel.
Last year when Hayden did a back flip off of his change table, we took him straight to emerg just to have a handful of nurses laugh at us and say "If we had a nickle for every child that did this". Actually my favouite line was "First time parents I'm guessing". At the time I remember thinking what the heck does that mean? Now, I get it. Sucks to be the second child because this time we didn't jump as fast to go running to emerge. However with that said, this time we knew what to look for should there had been something else going on.
Anyway, we adjusted the crib to the next height and broke it along the way. So now we have to buy a new crib. Hayden took a flip off of the couch as well - he's also fine.
It's only 10:30. I wonder what the rest of the day has in store?
Saturday, June 19, 2010
"Kids teach you stuff"
It has been a hard week.
When I say hard I mean, I've been weepy, bitchy, snappy, irritable, short, quiet, angry and frustrated. Hayden has been two for a week and yes, the "terrible twos" and all the fun stuff that goes with it are officially here.
Aside from hitting when he doesn't get what he wants he has decided to act like a baby (aka Alex) to ask for what he wants. So Alex whines, Hayden whines. Alex gets carried up the stairs, Hayden wants to be carried up the stairs. Alex throws his food, Hayden throws his food.
I realize all this behaviour is normal, will pass and if you stay on top of it will pass quickly but I still have to shamelessly admit that it's getting to me.
After a talk about discipline with my mom she did remind me that "Kids teach you stuff". They teach
you stuff about them and yourself. My son has taught me that through all of this I should listen to my gut
and do what feels right. He has taught me that I need to not take him personally and to (at least try) discipline without emotion. Ha! Sounds easier than it is. This child needs to know that I gave birth to him, live and breath him and think about nothing else but him! He needs to cut me some slack! Can you explain that to a two year old? From what I'm learning and the more I'm observing in general, I don't think you can explain that to any child who has yet to become a parent. I definitely didn't understand any of this until recently.
If it wasn't for him being such a good boy outside of his moments of the "terribles" I think I would have lost my mind a long time ago. Maybe that's why mother nature made babies and kids so darn cute.
Something else I'm learning. I've learned that I care way too much about what other people think.
I can't help but feel ostracized in public when I'm getting slapped in the face 10000 times. I'm not sure why I care but I feel like I need to explain to the observing world that I am in fact on top of it, that I'm not one of those parents that just sit back and let their kids rule them and that my son is really a wonderful little boy. I know, who cares... but one of those things that fall into the category of "easier said than done".
I've also learned that I have turned into that neighbour that yells all the time, the one I used to imitate as a kid as I peered through the fence fully entertained. (Said in an annoying squawky voice) "Jessica, come inside, Jessica don't hit your sister, Jessica mommy said no! I have turned into Jessica's mom. I..am...Jessica's mom. I do not want to be Jessica's mom. I don't want to have to look around to see if there are any windows open before the anticipated drama unfolds. I don't want kids peering through the fence at me. I'm too young to be Jessica's mom. God I feel for Jessica's mom. But funny, Jessica's mom never did seem to care how loud she had to yell to get her point across. I can't help but admire her "flipping the world the bird attitude" as she did what needed to get done.
So I have decided to continue trusting my gut, stop caring what others think and to keep my eye on the prize and already I feel better. So yes "Kids teach you stuff" and apparently mothers (mine and Jessica's) do too.
When I say hard I mean, I've been weepy, bitchy, snappy, irritable, short, quiet, angry and frustrated. Hayden has been two for a week and yes, the "terrible twos" and all the fun stuff that goes with it are officially here.
Aside from hitting when he doesn't get what he wants he has decided to act like a baby (aka Alex) to ask for what he wants. So Alex whines, Hayden whines. Alex gets carried up the stairs, Hayden wants to be carried up the stairs. Alex throws his food, Hayden throws his food.
I realize all this behaviour is normal, will pass and if you stay on top of it will pass quickly but I still have to shamelessly admit that it's getting to me.
After a talk about discipline with my mom she did remind me that "Kids teach you stuff". They teach
you stuff about them and yourself. My son has taught me that through all of this I should listen to my gut
and do what feels right. He has taught me that I need to not take him personally and to (at least try) discipline without emotion. Ha! Sounds easier than it is. This child needs to know that I gave birth to him, live and breath him and think about nothing else but him! He needs to cut me some slack! Can you explain that to a two year old? From what I'm learning and the more I'm observing in general, I don't think you can explain that to any child who has yet to become a parent. I definitely didn't understand any of this until recently.
If it wasn't for him being such a good boy outside of his moments of the "terribles" I think I would have lost my mind a long time ago. Maybe that's why mother nature made babies and kids so darn cute.
Something else I'm learning. I've learned that I care way too much about what other people think.
I can't help but feel ostracized in public when I'm getting slapped in the face 10000 times. I'm not sure why I care but I feel like I need to explain to the observing world that I am in fact on top of it, that I'm not one of those parents that just sit back and let their kids rule them and that my son is really a wonderful little boy. I know, who cares... but one of those things that fall into the category of "easier said than done".
I've also learned that I have turned into that neighbour that yells all the time, the one I used to imitate as a kid as I peered through the fence fully entertained. (Said in an annoying squawky voice) "Jessica, come inside, Jessica don't hit your sister, Jessica mommy said no! I have turned into Jessica's mom. I..am...Jessica's mom. I do not want to be Jessica's mom. I don't want to have to look around to see if there are any windows open before the anticipated drama unfolds. I don't want kids peering through the fence at me. I'm too young to be Jessica's mom. God I feel for Jessica's mom. But funny, Jessica's mom never did seem to care how loud she had to yell to get her point across. I can't help but admire her "flipping the world the bird attitude" as she did what needed to get done.
So I have decided to continue trusting my gut, stop caring what others think and to keep my eye on the prize and already I feel better. So yes "Kids teach you stuff" and apparently mothers (mine and Jessica's) do too.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
The smell is in the air...
This Sunday we will be celebrating Hayden's second birthday. Today while walking there was the smell of a certain flower in the air (not sure which flower) which put me right back to the weekend Hayden was born. That smell was in the air the night before I went into labour as Marcus and I sat outside enjoying a summer evening dinner. That same smell was in the air after my water broke as I walked up and down University Ave (In a hospital gown) to "help get things moving". I would say that I remembered that same flower after he was born but I'd be lying because really...I've been dazed and confused for two years now.
Hayden, when you're old enough to read and understand this entry, you'll also be old enough to understand that you should go figure out what flower it is I'm talking about and go get me some. :)
I love you, my love. Here's to a wonderful second year. xo
Hayden, when you're old enough to read and understand this entry, you'll also be old enough to understand that you should go figure out what flower it is I'm talking about and go get me some. :)
I love you, my love. Here's to a wonderful second year. xo
Thursday, June 10, 2010
What to do with an hr.
The kids go down at 12:30 and literally I get an hour before Alex wakes up (Hayden will sleep until 2:00).
So everyday I basically run to get them to bed because I'm so excited for some time to myself and every day I waste the hour thinking of what I'm going to do with this free time. Do I make and eat a proper lunch? Do I take a nap? Do I do some laundry, catch up with a friend? Read a book? What to do, what to do? Today I decided I was going to lie down and grab a nap after a week of Alex and his teeth waking me up at all hours of the night. So for 30min I lied there in the dark anxious and aware that I only had so many more minutes left to rest.
Finally I fell asleep just to be woken up ten minutes later (groggy and feeling even more tired then I was before the nap) to Alex who decided to sleep for only 40min today. Now he sits quietly enjoying some milk as I sit here bitter wishing I made and ate lunch instead.
So everyday I basically run to get them to bed because I'm so excited for some time to myself and every day I waste the hour thinking of what I'm going to do with this free time. Do I make and eat a proper lunch? Do I take a nap? Do I do some laundry, catch up with a friend? Read a book? What to do, what to do? Today I decided I was going to lie down and grab a nap after a week of Alex and his teeth waking me up at all hours of the night. So for 30min I lied there in the dark anxious and aware that I only had so many more minutes left to rest.
Finally I fell asleep just to be woken up ten minutes later (groggy and feeling even more tired then I was before the nap) to Alex who decided to sleep for only 40min today. Now he sits quietly enjoying some milk as I sit here bitter wishing I made and ate lunch instead.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Heros
The other day I decided to take the kids for a walk first thing in the morning. It was going to be a hot one so the crack o' dawn outing seemed like a good idea. It was rush, rush, rush, sweat, sweat, sweat getting the kids and their gear packed up. One out the door, the next out the door, one in the stroller, the next in the stroller. One gets a milk the other gets a water, one wants to sit the other wants to lie down.Up and down the stairs to our front door, i forget this and forget that. After my usual "Hayden no we can't pick flowers now or chase ants" back and forth and shoving Alex's hat on we were off and ready to go" (after I chased Lui back in the house after he ran half way down the street). So we walked and walked and talked and sang and went on the swings...and were home again just in the nick of time for lunch.
I parked the stroller, set Hayden free and went up the stairs with my toddler to unlock the front door (part of the unpacking routine). Into my purse I went to dig for my keys. Under a diaper, past the drippy sippy cup and around my wallet my hand fished around looking for the keys...the keys that I forgot to take during my sweaty and involved pack up. Marcus was home when I left, but had since gone to work. WE WERE LOCKED OUT. Not only were we locked out, but we were locked out at lunch time and that hot day I was trying to avoid was looking us straight in the eyes. @#(*$#$(%^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I looked down to see these big blue eyes looking up at me wondering why we weren't going inside the house and something came over me. There was NO WAY we weren't getting inside. After a quick scan of the house I noticed a window left a crack open which I could reach. Oh I was going for it. So with that I quickly explained to Hayden what was going on. "The door is stuck so mommy is going to go inside here, wait here like a good boy". He looks at me with this "I so have your back" kind of smile and away I went launching my big post p butt (shut up i realize it's been 9 months, but I'm using that excuse FOREVER) and bending practically in half through the window landing on my face...but I was in. As I stood up I heard this little voice from the outside "Mommy inside...yaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy" and suddenly I stood proud. I was the hero, I was my sons hero and I ran to unlock the door with great pride and excitement! Hayden was already waiting at the door for me with a great bit smile on his face clapping his hands over his head...who cares if it was my fault that we were locked out in the first place, he never has to know that.
PS. I wonder if my neighbour and her husband saw lol
I parked the stroller, set Hayden free and went up the stairs with my toddler to unlock the front door (part of the unpacking routine). Into my purse I went to dig for my keys. Under a diaper, past the drippy sippy cup and around my wallet my hand fished around looking for the keys...the keys that I forgot to take during my sweaty and involved pack up. Marcus was home when I left, but had since gone to work. WE WERE LOCKED OUT. Not only were we locked out, but we were locked out at lunch time and that hot day I was trying to avoid was looking us straight in the eyes. @#(*$#$(%^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I looked down to see these big blue eyes looking up at me wondering why we weren't going inside the house and something came over me. There was NO WAY we weren't getting inside. After a quick scan of the house I noticed a window left a crack open which I could reach. Oh I was going for it. So with that I quickly explained to Hayden what was going on. "The door is stuck so mommy is going to go inside here, wait here like a good boy". He looks at me with this "I so have your back" kind of smile and away I went launching my big post p butt (shut up i realize it's been 9 months, but I'm using that excuse FOREVER) and bending practically in half through the window landing on my face...but I was in. As I stood up I heard this little voice from the outside "Mommy inside...yaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy" and suddenly I stood proud. I was the hero, I was my sons hero and I ran to unlock the door with great pride and excitement! Hayden was already waiting at the door for me with a great bit smile on his face clapping his hands over his head...who cares if it was my fault that we were locked out in the first place, he never has to know that.
PS. I wonder if my neighbour and her husband saw lol
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