Busy week

We have had a pretty busy week. I thankfully had a couple of good days - not all of them were good - but thankfully at least a couple were.

The highlight of the week was on Wednesday. Natasha (our neighbour) and I took Max and Gavin downtown to the Jack Singer to see Sid and Patty from CBC kids (the morning show Gavin watches). Bo on the go and Curious George were also there (well people dressed up in costumes like them). Because it was downtown we decided to take the boys on the c-train. It was a hoot. The kids loved it. I think the train was almost more exciting than the show. It was a very nice experience and they enjoyed it a great deal.

The low point of the week was yesterday. I had to take Bronwyn in for a test. She has an on-going bladder issue that needed to be checked. It is an ugly ugly test. It is uncomfortable and distressing for her.

It is really stressful to watch her be so distressed and have her look at you and expect you to help her. I am supposed to be her safest person and protect her and here I am watching while these nasty people poke, prod and mess with her. Now I know that it is all in her best interest, but I also know that she has no way of understanding that. She just got lost of hugs and cuddles after the ordeal.

It is a grey day today - but the good news is that spring is coming! I have a couple little crocuses (wow - how do you do the plural of crocus?) popping out through the ground. The tulips are starting to come too. So cold weather or not - spring is coming!

Lovely saturday morning

It seems - so far - to be a pretty nice day. I think we'll take the kids for a little walk. I am slowly getting my energy back - its been a pretty long haul. I'd like to thank everyone for their well wishes and thoughts. I greatly appreciate it.

Lately at night I am so tired I just take Gavin to bed with me and we do a few puzzles and he reads and plays while Mommy tries to go to sleep. The other night I was starting to fall asleep while Gavin chattered away to me. Thankfully I wasn't in the state of drowsiness where I start saying - Uhhuh and Mmmm to everything.

He started saying that at his birthday he would get a cow, and that he would keep it in the back yard and it would eat the weeds that grow in the back yard. Now as logical as that may sound to a very drowsy mommy there was still the little matter of the poop. I couldn't imagine he had factored that in.

I very carefully said - Just so there is no misunderstanding, you are not getting a real cow for your birthday - not this year - not ever.

Now if we lived on a farm I wouldn't have drawn such a hard line - but since we live in the middle of Calgary and I don't even like most the cats in our neighborhood, I thought a cow might be overkill.

Bronwyn doesn't tell long stories or ask for cows yet - but I am sure she will - one day! She is getting bigger and is developing such a personality. She is a bit spoiled - ahem!

Grandma and Grandpa gave the kids a fiver each for Easter. I thought they might enjoy going to the dollar store and blowing it. Gavin is just learning about money and how to use it - so I thought it might be a fun experience for him. Bronwyn, well, she just enjoys anything that she does with her brother.

Cats out of the bag

The info has been pretty wide spread at least around Calgary, so I wanted to make sure anyone out of that particular loop wasn't left in the dark. We are expecting again. Yup! The baby is due the beginning of October - I'm not quite 12 weeks yet.

So there you have it - that is likely reason why I haven't been posting as often lately - I feel yucky! But I am hoping that this will pass as it did with both of my other babies.

We are excited but have a lot of work to do to the house so we will be ready for a third little body. Wish us luck!

A great visit

We just returned home yesterday. We drove 6 hours both ways to visit my dear friend Alison. The kids were fantastic for both drives. It was such a great visit. I honestly feel so refreshed even if I am tired. My spirit has been renewed.

Alison's kids Aleya and Austin are so sweet and cute. The kids just had a blast playing together. While they terrorized small villages Ali and I got a lot of visiting in. We laughed, cried and shared - just as it should be with a life long friend. Ali and Darren have such a warm and welcoming home and I felt like an honoured guest.

Here are a few picts of the kids. As we left Edson Gavin asked me about 45 times if he could go back to Aleya's house. I think Aleya is missing him too.

Quick update

I am just posting a quick note to let you know that we are going to be away for a while. I am headed up Saturday to visit my best friend Howie! The kids and I are going it alone while Wes stays home and works. Someones got to bring home the bacon!

So if I don't post for a while there is actually a reason.

Long time no post

Yeah - I have been a bit absent from blogger world this week. I have tried several times to write and entry but well I either had nothing to say, couldn't think straight or was just too tired. But here I am now.

The kids are doing great. Bronwyn is doing so many cute things but doesn't talk. When you ask her if she is poopy she points to her bum and blows a raspberry. She'll poke me in the face with a pencil and I'll scold her and say - no don't Bronwyn. And then she laughs and does it again - GREAT!

Gavin is just full of beans. He is like a 9 month old German Shepherd, still a puppy in side but way bigger.

Today he was in fine form. He will often call Wes or me by our first names and I usually reply - That's Daddy (or Mommy as the case may be) to you." We were at Mom and Dad's and Mom called - Dad do you want tea? Gavin said (to my horror) - Grandma, that is Pops to you.

The second picture is of Gavin skating with Uncle Jon at the Okotoks arena. He had fun although it is more work that he cares to do.

Our musicians

As you can see we have a very high standard of musical excellence in this house!

A few picts

I thought I'd throw some cheery pictures on the blog since I'm not feeling all that cheery today. We are all feeling better and Wes has been helping me with all the house catch-up. So on our front we are all fine.

I am truly struggling today. I had some bad news from an old and dear friend this morning and I feel pretty devestated. There are things in life that I never want those I love to have to face and I would do anything to take it away. But, as good as my intentions I am rendered helpless. I do not have the power to change any of it. All I can do is pray and think, and pray, and cry and think and pray.

I was listening the other day to some women discussing the power of positive thinking. The whole idea that what you imagine and desire for your life is drawn to you because of that thinking.

Now I do believe that this is true in one way but I do disagree in another way. I believe that many things in life happen to you regardless of what your attitude or thoughts. For example, having a child that has a severe illness is always a shock and there is nothing that the parent has done to attract this to their life.

But don't get me wrong I do stronly believe in the power of positive thinking. For me it boils down to a simple thought. I will not let the trials of life define me, I will be defined by how I handle these trials.

I maybe didn't give the thoughts these ladies espoused enough attention so this may be unfair. But for me it is too simple to say "think it and it will be." I am not denying that can happen. But there is a whole big portion of life that falls into the unthinkable!

ps - the spell check isn't working and I am horrid at spelling - so sorry for any errors.

A week goes by

Wow - time does fly when your house bound and miserable.

Bronwyn got sick on the weekend, then I got sick, then Gavin, and finally Wes. I think we have had more flus and colds this year than ever! I think this is just our year to be sickos. Next year should be totally smooth. I find it hard when the kids are sick but when I get sick - well now that's just insulting. We haven't even been able to enjoy the goodies that Wes' Aunt and Uncle sent to us yet.

I did want to send a quick update today because Bronwyn saw her cardiologist today. She is doing great - they are thrilled with her progress. They have several concerns that they watch after the Glenn and she is doing well on all accounts. I suspected she was doing well because is just so symptom free, but it is always a bit scary going in for a check-up. I can't see whats going on in her little heart or her body and I am always worried we'll get some unpleasant surprise like another blood clot or something.

Well - my daughter is wailing. I told Dr. Harder today, when she asked about her behaviour and fussiness, that as long as she gets exactly what she wants she's a model child.

So after a week of craziness here all I have to show for it is the piles of dishes and laundry and other neglected chores - wish me luck!!

Quiet days

I really have nothing to report right now. Nothing interesting has happened, well beyond the usual kiddie fun. I don't even have the ability to report on my latest greatest thoughts. Unfortunately, I haven't been doing much thinking. It seems we are in the winter duldrums. I am anxious for spring!

Just wanted to let you all know that we are still here and we are well.

Its a heat wave

It is -19c today. Wow! A heat wave. It has been too cold to do any outdoor play. We are also all recovering from a nasty cold - yeah we ALL got it.

The kids are doing well. I am attaching a fairly long little video of Gavin reading to Bronwyn. I grabbed my little camera as it was close and it ran out of memory just before the ending. It is still pretty cute. This little clip reminds me so much of my nephew Jared. I remember recording video of him reading the same book aloud at about the same age. Precious memories!

Speaking of precious moments - Gavin is at this moment trying to lift and put his sister in a little cardboard airplane that I made him this morning. It is just a long cardboard box with a hole through it. I had a feeling when I made it that it might be used for the forces of evil! Oh well -what are ya going to do?

Winter fun week

We have had a lot of outdoor winter fun this week. We had fresh snow and fairly mild temperatures so we made the best of it. Gavin also got to play with several of his little buddies through the week: Max, Norah and Madeline (well and Pops - lets not forget Pops).

Both kids seem to have bad coughs and runny noses right now. Wes and I are resigned to the fact that we likely won't get a very good sleep tonight. Oh well, who needs a good sleep after a long week anyhow?

We had planned to do some family activities tomorrow but I think Mommy is going to make everyone stay home and just get better - and FAST!

Gavin said something pretty cute today but I have to admit I have no idea what he meant. Usually children say stuff that is amazingly perceptive and/or creative. I have a feeling this was both but truly it was over my head.

We were driving out to Mom and Dad's and he had been coughing. After a bit he sneezed. I said - bless you. He replied - all the bless yous are in my throat.

Cute - but...

I best get off to bed and see what little sleep we can squeeze out tonight. Knowing us by early morning the whole family will be in our bed wrestling for space.

Both sides of the same coin

These pictures say it all, really.

Serious reflections

Wow - I feel very serious at the moment. I received an email from my old boss (I mean old as in past not that he is old!) with some info about a coworker. This was a coworker who I didn't really know. She started when I was on my first maternity leave and I didn't get many opportunities to visit with her. But she was sweet. She passed away from cancer a month ago.

I knew she was sick but I had not heard of the outcome. I went through my old emails and found a link to her blog and I spent sometime reading. One post she said how she looked forward to being a real mom again. How when she was healed she would chase her daughter in the park and enjoy her.

This came as a bit of a wake up call for me today. Gavin has decided he gets up early and he kept waking me up in the night - Mommy, come here... you know the drill. So I have been feeling a bit cranky and sorry for myself.

Then I read these reflections and I realize that this coworker would have loved to be woken up in the night to go lay beside her baby!

I was impressed with her faith and dignity. Maybe it doesn't hurt to be reminded to be thankful for our blessings. After all perhaps our problems and blessings are the same thing just a difference in our attitude.

Kid's books that I like

There are so many great books for children. I thought I’d just share some of my current favourites. Be advised these are very much preschool and pre-reader books.

Russell The Sheep – by Rob Scotton
Hi! Fly Guy – by Tedd Arnold
Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! – by Mo Willems
I’m Sick of It! A Fishy Melodrama – by Vincent Bourgeau
On the Moon – Anna Milbourne and Benji Davies (Usborne)
Scaredy Squirrel – Melanie Watt
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs – Jon Sciezka

There are lots of other fun picture books that both of my kids enjoy. These are just a few of the ones that I really like. After all I read them I should get to pick now and again.

Just for fun – please make a comment if you know of a fun book for kids that I might enjoy too.

The birthright of all Canadians

My mom and I took Gavin skating for the first time today. It was pretty cute. It was also pretty darn hard on my back. You know it is totally crazy. You spend 15 minutes getting all the gear on and lacing up skates so you can hit the ice and hold your child upright for 5 minutes before he decides to quit. Sheesh!

Bronwyn walked around with Grandma while I propped her very unsteady brother up.

They have been really growing. Oh my goodness Bronwyn can eat. We had lunch at Mom's but Dad was out, so when he got home he ate. Bronwyn sat on his lap and ate half his lunch too. Maybe she is going to have a growth spurt.

I had a conversation with Gavin on the way home from Mom and Dad's that I found pretty amusing. It went like this -

Gavin - look Mommy a plane.

Me - oh, yes I see it.

Gavin - its a plane, no a heditopter, no a rocket.

Me - oh, a rocket (OK fine I was driving so I wasn't particularly engaged in the conversation at first).

Gavin - that rocket he's mad, he going to ...(I didn't catch where he was going), he likes old people.

Me - (huge laugh followed by) he likes old people eh?

Gavin - ya.

Me - Who is old? Am I old?

Gavin - no.

Me - Is Pops old?

Gavin - no.

Me - Who is old?

Gavin - I am, I'm free (three). That rocket he likes me cause I'm old.

Well - I best get my tired little body to bed.

Bits and pieces

We are just plugging along. Getting settled into 2008. I had to write the date on a form today - that felt a bit weird.

We took the kids swimming a while back and stuck their toques on as we were leaving. We took them out to get a quick bite and Gavin pulled his hat off. Very cool hairdo eh?

Bronwyn had her RSV shot this morning and they weighed her. I was so encouraged. I suspected she was pushing 19lbs if I was lucky. She is actually just under 20lbs. Whoohoo. In the past I have guess her weight and she has almost always weighed in less than I hoped. To have her almost a pound heavier than my hopeful guess was a real treat.

I have a really bad pain in the neck today (and no its not Wes - ha ha - OK not funny). I am walking around with my head forward and turned to the side - nice!!

I best go get supper on.

Doing good

It can feel very helpless, trying to be a force for good in this world. A world where this kind of thing is happening. My few little efforts are little but a drop in the bucket of a world driven by greed and evil. But I do believe that good does have a way of compounding.

I normally don't write about this stuff because I have family at risk and there is a good chance that their email, phone and internet use is monitored.

I have to work at putting my anger about the rot in the world aside and focusing on the things I do have control over. It isn't earth changing but frankly it is all I can do.

Things I love

It is the start of the new Year. We were all awake at midnight to welcome in the New Year. Thanks to teething girls and persistent little boys. I saw in the New Year the way I see in almost every New Year. Doing a jigsaw puzzle (family tradition). Crazy eh?

I decided I'd share some of the thing I love these days. So here it goes.

I love...

... how Gavin makes up names for himself and his sister - trotty and potty are his current favourites.
... how Bronwyn walks around with her arms clasped behind her back.
... how Gavin thanks me for various small things such as driving him to the store.
... how Bronwyn sings along when you start to sing any song and points up in the sky (from twinkle little star).
... watching my parents play with the kids - that is pure joy.
... how hard my hubby works to keep us all happy (not always easy with a cranky wife).
... how Bronwyn wrinkles her nose when she smiles.
... how Gavin says "all aboard" - onaford.
... how generous and loving our friends are.
... that winter is almost over (OK so that one is optimistic at best).
... how my son growls when he is frustrated (where did he learn that?).
... when Gavin said he wanted to meet Jesus and shake his hand and hug him.
... how Bronwyn moans along with her brother when he cries.

Well, this was self indulgent, I know but you do just forget these things and it is the little moments in life that make it worth living.

I must assure you all that in addition to the list above we love so many of you who read this blog. Our family and friends mean so much to us. We wish you all great joy in the new Year.

Just for fun

I thought I'd just post this little video. I took it last night - it is a bit dark - but I think you can see, mostly.


We are all recovering. The tree came down today - Gavin has been begging me to take the ornaments off. He loves playing with the long beady garland things. So the Christmas spirit has officially left our house.