April 27, 2012 - TGIF

Today is Friday.  One of the best things about Friday are the two days that follow, when I don't have to walk the kids to school!  This weekend should be rather boring, nothing planned.  Hopefully the weather will be nice and we can go to the park.

April 26, 2012 - Thursday

Today was a dreary day, compared with the sunny day yesterday.  The Husband was off work again today so we ran some errands while the Girl was at school.  The Baby is getting this really annoying crying thing going on, I know you are thinking, well, it's a baby and they cry.  Yes, you are correct, but he has this annoying cry that he does when he needs me to pick him up, sometimes it is while I am doing dishes or while I am eating (he prefers it if I starve!). 

April 25, 2012 - Lowes

Today the Baby rode in a shopping cart for the first time.  The photo above is Baby with his big sister at Lowes.  He had so much fun and she loved being beside him.  It is great when the older kids have their activities and the other kid gets to spend some time alone with the Baby.

April 24, 2012 - Blogger

Today I was looking around on Blogger and I was amazed to see where my blog is viewed. Since I have been blogging my thoughts have been viewed in Canada (1,074), Russia (141), United States (49), Ukraine (17), Germany (15), Indonesia (6), Brazil (1), Egypt (1), United Kingdom (1), Taiwan (1). I find this amazing, and I will be interested to see if this changes over time. 

We are currently planning the details of our vacation.  We know the main places we want to see: Disney, Universal Islands of Adventure and Clearwater Beach.  But the details are still in the works. I am a chronic planner.  I want to know what we will do for each moment of our vacation.  I am the type of person who will fret and worry about the 'fun' vacation we will have for weeks before and during our time away.  Vacationing with two kids was never really relaxing for me, partly to do with what I just described above, and partly due to keeping the kids occupied and interested in what is going on.  My kids thrive on routine, and a vacation is definately a step away from routine, and that always worries me.  This time around, we are also taking our 7 month old son.  He is really the big question mark in this whole thing.  Will he be alright in the car?  How will he handle sleeping in a new place?  Will he like being in the pool?  How will he handle being at Disney and Universal, spending the two days in the stroller?  At this point we need to plan our trip assuming that he will be great, but we might have to change our plans to accomidate him on the fly!

April 23, 2012 - Snow...wtf?

The weather called for snow today.  The first reports were for 8-10 cm of snow.  Then the forcasters changed that to 2 cm of snow and some freezing rain.  It is now 2:30pm and it is raining, and very cold outside.  I did see some slushy snow falling, but we never got any snow that stayed on the ground.   In Orangeville, just north of us, they got a nice white blanket of snow, but we got nothing. 

Today's photo shows Baby standing!  Well sort of, he's leaninig heavily on the sofa, but we aren't holding him!  My big little man!

April 22, 2012 - First Communion

Today was really busy from the time we woke up until the evening.  Trying to get three kids up, fed, dressed and out the door first thing in the morning is difficult.  But the whole system is even more difficult when they need to be nicely dressed.  Some time during that morning, I also needed to dress myself and I even managed to put on make up!  Somehow we made it to the church on time and everyone looked great.

My big Boy received his first communion and he was so proud.  I am not catholic, so I don't really get it, but when Father asked the kids if they felt different, they all nodded 'yes'.  My Mother-in-Law brought my husband's arm band for the Boy to wear at the church, and he looked great.  It was nice that she could share this with us, and we hope to start a new tradition.

After church, we rushed back to the house, I ran inside to finish preparing the food for lunch.  I guess the Husband and I didn't communicate with each other regarding who would bring the Baby and the Girl into the house, because we left both in the car!  Oops!  They were fine and although the Girl was upset, becasue that is what she does, she cries all the time.  Mostly because she is very sensitive and caring.
I was really proud of my big boy, he read every single card that he received for his first communion, and was really excited about all of his gifts.  He began reading the books immediately.  He really loves reading, and I am glad for that. 

The afternoon flew by, and before I knew it everyone was leaving.  We didn't even get to serve the cake!  There was so much other food to eat, I think everyone was full!

April 21, 2012 - Festivities

Today I was excited because my friends from Kingsville were coming to visit and to celebrate the Boy's first communion tomorrow. It was so nice to have everyone at the house for dinner, the kids played together, and it was hard to split them up. The five of them got along really well.  Everyone helped me with the final details for the first communion party and we had a lovely visit.  Tomorrow is going to be a big day for my Boy and I am so proud of him.

April 20, 2012 - Friday

In the morning the Girl, Baby and I went to pick up the Boy's first communion gift.  He wanted a crusifix, and since I am not Catholic, I had no idea where you pick up this type of gift.  But thanks to my lovely facebook friends, I called the church and they gave me directions to a really nice little store where I picked up his gift.

While the kids were at school I worked on the Boy's first communion cake.  My parents came over and played with the Baby so I could get the cake nearly done.  When the Husband came home from work, we went to Costco to pick up things for Sunday's party.  We finished at Costco so late that we decided to pick up Swiss Chalet for dinner.

April 19, 2012 - 110th Post!!

Today was a beautiful spring day and I enjoyed my walks to the school and the kids played outside for a while after school.  I find that there are so many distractions in the house that keep the kids from playing outside, and while I think they should be outside especially on sunny days, it is definately harder to keep and eye on them and Baby while cooking dinner and doing dishes.  I need to find time to just sit outside with them on these nice days.

This afternoon, while both kids were at school, the Baby napped. It was one of those nice afternoons, where I could get cleaning done, and I did!  I worked hard for the two and a half hours and feel alot better about the condition of the house in advance of this weekend's festivities!

April 18, 2012 - Cleaning, Cleaning, Cleaning

Today's pictures show what I saw when I first woke up this morning, it was a really nice morning.  He woke up happy and well-rested.  While part of me longs for the day when he sleeps through the night in his own room, part of me loves waking up with him right beside me.  I also took a photo of his beautiful and chunky hand. 

The main bathroom upstairs is still leaking occasionally, when the kids take a shower or have a bath.  It is quite annoying, but it is helping me keep the kitchen table cleared off (which is where the water is falling). 
  
Also today, we are beginning to realize that the Girl is a liar.  She lies about anything where she thinks she will get into trouble.  I don't know if this is common among 5 year olds, but we find it extrememly annoying.  We even tell her, tell the truth you won't get into trouble, and she still lies.  To the point where I almost think she has convinced herself that she is telling the truth.  Her 'normal' lies include: not flushing the toilet, wearing underwear, cleaning her room, scribbling on her dresser and pillow, brushing her teeth, putting clothes in the hamper, finishing her meal....the list goes on.  Everytime we catch her in a lie, we tell her not to lie to us, and that she can always tell us the truth, and yet, if given the opportunity, she lies again....arrggh!

April 17, 2012 - Photos

My parents came over today to watch the Baby while I did some things around the house. Even a couple hours of baby-free time can really help!

Today I also took first communion photos in the yard of the Boy. I asked him to put on his suit and go outside and pose for photos. The Baby mostly cooperated and I was able to get a few good shots to choose from.

April 16, 2012 - Monday Madness

I find Monday's are always hectic. Things get lost over the weekend, books need to be read at the last minute, and another week of walking back and forth to the school begins.

The Boy and I got hair cuts while the Girl was at Sparks. I spent the rest of the day working on organizing the house for the weekend festivities. It take so much work for these parties, but I want it to be special and memorable for the Boy!

April 15, 2012 - Lazy Sunday

Today we did not go anywhere.  I managed to get the Baby to sleep in his crib for about 1/2 hour while I cleaned out the fridge.  The Girl did scrapbooking, and she is getting good at it.  The Boy played on the computer and watched TV.  I even got them to play outside for a while.  I had to call them in though when I scraped off my knuckle grating cheese for dinner.  Ouch! 

April 14, 2012 - Party Preparations

I am going to be busy this week preparing for the Boy's First Communion party.  I am glad that this is our last big party until the fall because it is exhausting.  When you don't have kids you can prepare the house in just a day, but when you have kids and not a lot of free time, the process takes more than a week. 

I have the menu set, and the party favour supplies are purchased.  Sometime during this week I need to make the party favours and clean the house.  I need to get groceries for the weekend and make it to Magnotta to pick up a box of wine.  Yes, a box of wine.  When we have parties we buy wine in a box and serve it in a carafe.  It is so much easier and takes up less room in the fridge.  I am not sure if people notice the difference between bottled wine and boxed wine.  I know I can't tell the difference, but now my secret is out, so who knows!
Today, the Baby was extra whiny.  The kids had one of those days when they didn't want to do anything I asked them, and I got really frustrated.  I am not sure why this bad Baby days never happen when the Husband is off work, but it can be really overwelming when you are at home alone and all the kids are being "not fun".  I am glad I have my parents to call when I am upset, it really helps!

April 13, 2012 - New Car Seat

Today we finally bought a new car seat for the Baby.  The infant carrier seats are great when the baby is small, but once he gets big it becomes very heavy.  Our infant seat only holds a baby up to 22 lbs, and with the Boy this was only until 8 months.  The new regulations for car seats came into effect in January, and if I understand them correctly, while the laws haven't changed for consumers, they have for the manufacturers.  The new weight regulations on car seats set onto the manufacturers can be taken as a suggestion to parents.  I am thinking this is a good idea.  So now that car seats are made to carry infants until 30 lbs, in a rear-facing position, and up to 65 lbs in a five point harness, we decided to purchase a rear-facing car seat that would remain in the car. 
We bought the Radian RXT.  We liked it because it has a steel frame and a lot of sturdy padding on the sides.  The other plus is that it is narrower than most other car seats, and in the future it might be possible to fit all three kids into the back seat of the Honda Civic.    To say that it was a little more pricy then some other car seats on the market is an understatement, the $359 price tag is heafty.  The Boy thought that if a car seat was that expensive it should come with a bottle warmer and two hands to feed the baby while we are driving!  Great ideas:)

The downside of a stay in car seat, is that when he is sleeping, he will need to be transferred to either the stroller or his bed.  I know that as he gets older he will sleep better, making this transfer easier, but now he sleeps so lightly that he will surely wake up when we attempt this manouver.  On the otherhand, this car seats seems to be above the standard for safety and I feel confident having the Baby ride in the car in this seat. 

I almost forgot, the Boy thought we should purchase two more for his sister and him, when technically they could both be in a 5 point harness, and the Girl is so light, she could be rear-facing, I would not subject them to this step.  Until the law is actually changed, I will let them continue to ride in the booster seat:)

April 12, 2012 - Cherry Blossoms

Today we went to see the cherry blossoms at the park along Main Street.  They were very pretty and the day was nice.  We walked along the park and then walked home.  The kids looked at the ducks in the river and they were interested in the bumble bee in the cherry blossom flowers.  This was the type of thing that the Boy and the Girl really like, so it was nice that the Baby cooperated and they could have a special afternoon. 

April 11, 2012 - Wednesday

Today is Wednesday.  I wanted to stay home for the most part today, and try to get some things done.  I got some laundry washed, now I just need to fold it.  I brought some more baby toys up from the basement, the Husband will love that!  We just managed to get rid of most of the toys belonging to the other kids from the family room, now it is again filling up with musical, squeeky, clicky, flashing baby toys.  The most important thing, is that the Baby likes it.

I was thinking today (which my Husband would believe to be a bad thing....) and I think it will be a good idea to divide all the baby toys into bins (say three baskets) and rotate through them each day, this way he would have a variety of toys to play with, and not too much to choose from each day.  The older kids have a bad habit of pouring out all of the toys in front of him and letting him go at them.  He can actually play sitting on a blanket for a while if he has fewer choices.  I have two baskets right now, so I think I will organize some of them tomorrow. 

After dropping the Boy off at Beavers this evening, the leader informed me that they are trying to get him in to Cubs for the rest of the meetings, or at least a few just to get the feeling of the next level.  I think it's a good idea, however the meeting is a little further away and goes a little later in the evening.  Hopefully I can still walk and it won't take too long, but putting all the kids in the car for a 5 minute drive is a pain.

April 10, 2012 - The things I don't Enjoy

I spend a lot of time posting adorable photos and talking about all the great things that have been happening in our family this year. Well today was one of those days when I would have rather been anywhere but at home with the Baby and the other kids.
The Baby is on a sleeping strike, unless of course he is riding in the car. Which makes it hard to get anything done in the house. I wasn't trying to get anything difficult done today, just plain things like cook, laundry and go to the bathroom. He is exhausted but won't go to sleep.

Today he is extra spitty. He has thrown up on me and wiped his meals all over me. I can't even change my clothes if I wanted to bother because all my clothes are in the laundry and I can't wash them because he won't sleep.

Now I know you are thinking, just put him down for a bit and do the laundry after all he loves his Exersaucer! Yes he does love his Exersaucer as long as I am in the room with him!

The older kids aren't listening to anything that I say and I am constantly going around the house a cleaning the same things over and over again. At the end of the day when I sit down in the family room I just want to relax instead I sit down in a room full of toys and garbage. I catch myself yelling alot at the older kids, it is not how I envisioned being a mommy.

The Baby is cute and all, but he grabs my face and that is really annoying. His latest habit includes grabbing my nipple while I am breastfeeding which is painful!

The Girl NEVER puts garbage in the garbage bin. I don't know how else to help he remember to do that!

Often today the Baby would get into these frenzies, where he can't be consoled.  I try to put him in my lap and he doesn't bend at the waist.  Tonight at bedtime, he was tired, but when the Husband put him down he only slept for 5 minutes.  I managed to get him down, but not until about 10pm, and by this time I am so tired that all I can do is sleep.

Today`s photo shows Baby in his new Easter pajamas from his Godmother.   He looks so adorable in them, the shirt says `Mommy`s Jelly Bean`.  So cute...annoying today...but still cute!

April 9, 2012 - Easter Monday

Today I had an appointment at the breastfeeding clinic. Since the kids were off school I had to bring the older ones with me. They were alright, but of course when I was talking to the doctor they wouldn't sit still and were fighting over the chair!

I was glad that the doctor at the clinic was not going to continue to lower my domperidone dosage. It was a relief because the medication is working and the Baby and I are enjoying breastfeeding again!

For lunch we invited some of the kids friends over. They played and had a fun afternoon. I enjoyed having a grown up conversation with their mom!

April 8, 2012 - do Rego Easter

Today was Easter Sunday. The kids got up and hunted For easter eggs. The Bunny didn't go crazy, there is always a lot of candy around the holidays. To tell you the truth they hardly ever finish it. They still have Halloween stuff around!

The Husband took the kids to church, I relaxed at home with Baby while he napped.    After church we went to my sister-in-laws house for a nice visit and a yummy meal.

The kitchen ceiling is leaking. But the weird thing is that it leaks on random days. Only when the kids take a shower but not every time! So we are not sure where the leak is coming from. Tonight it leaked all over the kitchen table. 

I have several pictures posted today.  I realized that I hadn't posted a photo of Baby with his other Grandmother.  The photo of the Girl with her cousin on the chair was the best one in a series of photos of them spinning in the office chair. Who wouldn't find that fun if they were 5 years old.

April 7, 2012 - Balmer Easter

Today I braved Costco. I needed to get a fruit platter for tomorrow and it had to wait until today. To say that Costco was a zoo would be an understatement. It was insane! I was glad that I only had the Baby with me and that he slept through the entire trip. I picked up the items I needed and drank my coffee while waiting in line.

In the evening we went to dinner at my parents house. It was such a beautiful day, we even got to sit outside for a while. I love sunny spring days, when you can feel the warmth of the sun on your face. The kids played outside and the rest of us played 'pass the baby'. Dinner was delicious and dessert was a treat. The kids had too much sugar but were pretty well behaved. I just hope they aren't too tired for church tomorrow.

The Easter Bunny came late this evening, I saw him leaving chocolate treats all around the house. Don't tell the kids I saw him!!

April 6, 2012 - Good Friday, post #97

 Yesterday we gave the Baby bananas for the first time.  I thought everyone loved bananas, but I was wrong.  He was either full from the squash and beans or he didn't like the taste.  I will try again in a few days and see what happens!

Today is Good Friday.  We all have the day off to relax and do whatever we want.  The Baby had a nap with the Husband and the Girl and Boy decorated Easter eggs and played together.

In the afternoon we went to Gage Park. The kids played. They are really great at joining in with other kids at the park, I love watching them play with their 'friends'. While we were at the park we saw a couple of cherry blossom trees in bloom. For some reason the Boy is fascinated by these trees and I have to make sure we walk along the park on Main Street to see the trees once they are in full bloom.
The rest of the weekend is going to be so busy with extended family obligations, it was nice to spend the day with just the five of us and do the things we want to do!

April 5, 2012 - A visit to Biology

Today I went to visit my colleagues.  It was really great to see everyone, and it reminds me how much I miss working.  I know soon enough I will be back at work longing for the days when I was home with Baby and the Kids.  I am really trying to savour these days so that I won't miss them too much.  Also I am at the half way point of my maternity leave so I know that the day is coming. 
We have so much planned for the next months I am really excited for it.  We have Easter, the Boy's first communion, vacation, and the family room renovation.  I know that after the first communion, we are going to be moving our family room to the living room on a temporary basis so that we can begin to work on the family room.  Once the window is in the walls need to be removed and the electrical inspected before we put up new walls and then finally do the floor.  I'm not too sure about colours for the room, and I need to get curtains and pick out a sofa.  But this will be the first time we actually do a room from the ground up, and I am excited to have new furniture in the room, right now we have a hand me down sofa and chair, which I am grateful for, but it will be awesome to have a comfortable sectional where we can all snuggle up together and watch a movie!

April 4, 2012 - Doctor's Appointment

Today the Baby had his six month check up and needle.  He was great, so brave.  He didn't even really cry after getting the needle, I was so proud.  Luckily, for him, he gets to go the next six months before he gets another needle!

He was weighed (15lbs 14oz), and his height was measured 24.8 inches.  This puts him in the 3rd percentile for weight and the 15th percentile for height.  For those who don't know (like the Husband), this means that 15 percent of children are shorter than him, and 3 percent of children his age are lighter and than him.  I can't believe this when looking at him, he is nice and chunky!  I asked the doctor about the growth chart, and he said he figured he was off the chart, so not to worry.  I am not worrying because he is healthy and happy, as I am typing this he is in his bouncer and trying to get my attention.  When I look at him and smile, he gives me a big beautiful smile and it melts my heart.

April 3, 2012 - Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my Mom's birthday.  I wanted to wish her a happy day and the kids are so excited to see her again on Saturday. 

Today we did some errands with the Husband since he was off work, and all in all spent a relaxing day at home.  Well, as relaxing as you can get with three kids at home.  The window guy came to measure for our new window in the family room. I am so exicted for this rennovation, it will be the first room in the house to be re-done.  It is going to be a long process though, we are starting with the window, then we need to re-do the walls, electrical and finally put in a hardwood floor.  Needless to say our living room will be our family room for a few months.  Hopefully it will all be done by the time I go back to work in October!

The Husband laughed at me because I take a lot of the daily pictures of Baby while he is in his exersaucer.  Today I decided to take another angle at the photo and take it from above.  I think the results are cute!

April 2, 2012 - Rough night

The Baby had a rough night last night. Not sure why, but he wouldn't settle and was awake most of the night from 2am to 7am.  It was rough on the three of us.  I wish I knew why he has random sleepless nights, it would be really helpful! 

On the positive, today was a beautiful day.  Sunny and ten degrees.  I decided to counteract the tiredness with a nice walk to the mall.  This definaetly helped both me and Baby.  I feel refreshed and he got a good nap in. 

Also, I won't forget to take the Girl to Sparks tonight for her Easter Party....

April 1, 2012 - Six months old

I can`t believe that Baby is six months old today.  Where has the time gone?  It seems like just a few days ago I was pregnant, and he was born just yesterday.  Surprisingly, as it feels like time has gone so fast, I also can barely remember what life was like for our family before the Baby made five.  It is really hard to remember a time when he wasn't part of our lives.  Generally things have gone pretty well over the first six months. The Girl and the Boy are mostly helpful and they love their little brother so much (sometimes too much, if that is possible). 

On his sixth month birthday (or his half birthday) he is a happy, smiley and stubborn baby.  He is just learning to sleep in his crib and sit on his own.  He plays in his exersaucer and has learned that the high chair is for eating.  He has lost most interest in the swing and can't sleep in the bassennette anymore (because he can roll over).  He still spends about 1/2 the night in bed with us, lateley he has been sleeping sideways so one of us gets their face slapped and the other gets kicked in the stomach.  Neither positions are appealing. 

At this time the Girl is going through one of her phases where she doesn't eat.  She complains she has a stomach ache, or just plain says she is full.  It is frustrating because you want to make sure your kids get enough to eat and they learn not to was food.  She doesn't get these concepts and is so stubborn that she will just sit there for a long time, not eating.  We have discovered that she doesn't have things that we can remove as punishment like the Boy, so it is hard to punish her.  The Girl is also very sweet, cuddley and giving, I love these attributes, and I hope they never change.

The Boy is doing well in school.  He tries hard, sometimes, the rest of the time, he does what is necessary to get by.  He is very helpful, sweet and smart.  I love his inqusitive nature and sometimes he asks questions that I don't know the answer to, thank goodness for Google!

March 31, 2012 - 91/366 Posts!

Today was Saturday.  I went shopping to find a cake topper for the Boy`s First Communion cake.  I found one at a great store called Golda`s.  They have amazing cooking and baking supplies at this store along with tons of cake and cupcake stuff.  I love all the pretty cupcake papers and the large amount of fondant and chocolate moulds that they have.  I found a cake topper (a little boy) and I also got a cookie cutter of a cross (that I will hopefully use to decorate the cake with fondant).  I also picked up some white and blue fondant.  I could have shopped forever at this store.

After shopping my parents came for dinner.  We had a very summery dinner of ribs and salad.  Yummy!