My Day Today

Today has been a busy day. As the hours wind down and so much is still before me, I walk up to my baby and realize that I have not been able to enjoy her wholly today. So instead of being 'productive' with all the things yet to be done, I wrap up my baby and hold her. I watch her. I study her. What a wonderful gift. This poem came to mind so I had to find it and re-post it. Remember what is important in your day!

Babies Don't Keep

by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth,

empty the dustpan, poisen the moth,

hang out the washing and butter the bread,

sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo)

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peek-a-boo).

The shoppings not done and there's nothing for stew

and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo

but I'm playing Kanga and this is my roo

Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?

(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,

for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

Don't you just hate it...

...when you forget your camera at home when you go on holidays. Then you come home and forget your camera AGAIN when you leave again!!! Happened to me, can you say mush baby brain?!? We are having fun though and I hope to catch up with you soon!
XOXO

Looking Ahead

I've been busy being a mom I guess :) I looked back and realized that my last post was in March.. it is now April folks!! Plus, my second last post, my daughter was 4 months.. she is now over 5 months. The last part of the winter is always difficult - we all get tired of being stuck inside and it creates cranky attitudes fast. In our neck of the woods we have now encountered a new season, one of hope and new beginnings - spring. Although we still have about 3 feet of snow - that's only half of what we had. The kids are loving fresh air and so am I. We have been rejuvenated! Not only that, but we have had sunshine everyday this last week - what a blessing!! It's funny to think how the weather can affect our daily life so much. So what's been up lately? R - has been starting to teeth, just got her 4month vaccinations, is really starting to reach out and grab things (daddy taught her to 'beep' his nose), always watching her brother and sister, is starting to have 2 bottles a day (I think she's going through another growing stage and is always hungry and hungry NOW), she keeps fighting naps - until she gets super cranky and I end up having to rock her to sleep (it's only happened a few times, but I really don't want it to be a habit), wakes up happy every time! love, love LOVE the sweet smiles!! K - my independent 3yr old!! I indulge her at times.. if she's supposed to apologize or do something she doesn't really want to do, she doesn't want me watching her, so I have to back off or turn around or close my eyes.. but hey she then listens :) She is loving books and I love watching her 'read', she is my little snacker and will sneak food if you leave it laying around - if she could, she would snack all day long so I try to keep lots of fresh fruit and healthy snacks so it's not just sugar and junk. TJ - my big boy just got his kindergarten vaccinations so he is now ready for school!! (never mind that I'm going to register him this week!) It is so hard to believe!! I am so excited for him, he is going to LOVE going to school!! Just to put it out there - anyone have any comments or advice about Montessori? That's what I'm leaning towards.. but the final decision has yet to be made. TJ is loves to help his daddy downstairs, finishing our basement :) He can't wait to get his bike out and when the trails are dry we will be out there!! I think this is the year that he will learn to ride without training wheels :) Me - I have really been trying to work on keeping my house clean/organized to a certain level, I would also like to really get back to doing some de-cluttering projects. I sewed a cute rag quilt last week - it was a special gift for a special niece. I have really been working on doing the little things and keeping a positive, thankful attitude and trying to model good behaviour to my children. There are a few things I've been convicted about in our family life that need to change and I am working through them, and would like to change things for the better. I want to keep talking with my kids; some days I wish they would zip-it but I have realized that soon enough they will not want to talk to me, so I need to take advantage now and build that relationship :) All in all, I am hoping that there will be some positive growth going on here among all the changes.. we are definitely looking forward to a wonderful summer!

Belated Wordless Wednesday

4 months?

My baby is 4 months old!

She is such a sweetheart and fits so well into our family :) She is just barely starting to move. She's not rolling over as of yet, but still does the 'throw one arm and one leg over, while arching her back and turning her head' move. Somehow this allows her to eventually turn her self so she's laying in another position.

I am still nursing her and my favorite thing about it is when she's almost done, she will pull back her head, look up and smile at me like we've got some silly secret that we share. It is so sweet and warms my heart :)

I am so happy that R is also taking an occasional bottle of formula. *GASP* Yes, it's true. It is something I need for me - I need to know that I can leave her with her Daddy for as long as it takes for me to do the things I need to do. I am also looking forward to a date night with my husband next month sometime - as much as I love my kids, I (we) also need this time to ourselves with my husband's job being so demanding.

In the sleep department R's a little back and forth - one night she'll sleep all night, another night she'll be up every 3hrs (it could be worse though). Lately she's been silly.. she will get up an hour before I have to get up, I'll feed her and put her back to bed.. and she'll lay there and giggle and coo. While I'm cranky that she's up at that time - who can be cranky at a happy baby?

I think it's cute that when skyping with my husband, R will look around, searching... like where is that familiar voice coming from :) I know better than to wish away the first year, but one thing I am looking forward to is when R can sit up by herself! Babies are usually so much happier at that point :)

Tagged - It's a LONG one!!

Kalle tagged me the other day, so here goes :)

Rule #1: the tagged person must write their answers on their blog and replace any question they dislike with a new question they formulated themselves.

Rule # 2: tag 4 people to do this quiz; they cannot refuse (ok, so nothing bad will happen if you don't participate but I would love to see your answers). The tag-ee must state who tagged them.

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?
Honestly, I fall somewhere in between. We have a dog and the kids love her, I enjoy having her around (when she's not digging in my flowerbeds) and it feels empty when she's not around. At the same time, I refuse to treat her like a human (baby talk, cuddling, etc), she is just a dog.

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?
A dream come true would be for us to own our own sucessful business. It's in our 5yr plan to be in a position financially to open our own business (so a lot of work, blood, sweat and tears is ahead!)

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Obviously with this sort of money there's enough to go around, but here are some things:

• donating to my home church, the Bible college I attended, many other good causes (well researched, making sure that money is being used appropriately)
• own a large acreage so my kids (and husband) can play outside to their hearts content. With a home that is big enough for growing kids, and one that allows us to have overnight company, but small enough that we may rub shoulders with those we love everyday!
• live debt free, even though I would have to 'ok' my husband buying all those 'toys' he wants.
• open said business
• share with our families so that our siblings may live comfortably and our parents could retire comfortably if they so desired (or just do some of those things they never could have before)
• Travel. I would love to take my kids to all sorts of places, I would love to discover this wonderful world!
• I would love to set up (or fund or be a part of) some sort of organization for women in poorer countries to educate and be able to develope their own businesses to support their families
• My kids education

4. What helps pull you out of a bad mood?

lol, I have good practice at this one! Cuddling with my husband, watching a 'favorite' show while curled up with a blanket and drinking a warm latte, HGTV :), reading a good book, going 'window' shopping by myself, going to the mall and people watching, going for a walk while listening to my favorite tunes, doing something fun and spontaneous with my kids, giggling and tickling my kids :)

5. What is your bedtime routine with your kids?

It can vary depending on how the day went. Basically send the kids to the bathroom, jammies on, brush their teeth, then into bed. I like to talk about their day and pray with them, hugs and kisses and tuck them in. If they are ready for bed early, I'll read them a story or two in my rocking chair before bringing them to their room.

6. If you are currently in a relationship, where did you meet your significant other?

I met my husband where I worked - I saw him almost everyday :) (no he was not a co-worker)

7. What kind of books do you read?

Recently I have got into reading Nora Roberts books. They have a little romance, a little mystery and not too 'heavy' that I can put them down if I have to attend to the kids. I also read "self-help" books, if you want to call them that.. I finished an EXCELLENT book on marriage called Every Woman's Marriage (definately recommend to any married woman!!), I am now reading a parenting book (Shepherding a Child's Heart)

8. What is one luxury you allow yourself to indulge in without feeling guilty?

latte's and HGTV, lol - although it may be counter productive to my exercising :)

9. What's your fear?

I fear that I may be making the 'wrong' decisions (although there really is no right and wrong) regarding different areas of raising my kids. Also that my bad days or weaknesses will influence my kids more than the good/positive.

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?

... define junk food.. lol, I would like to think that I would give up junk food for such an incredible opportunity

11. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?

Get out of bed. Now this seems obvious, but if I don't get out of bed, I tend to roll over and try go back to sleep, lol. Otherwise, make the kids breakfast :)

12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?

That we could have really good discussions/debates without things getting heated or negative - just discussing things for the sake of talking about it, even if it's not current or relative to what's going on in our lives at the moment. I can enjoy a good intellectual discussion :)

13. If you could pick a new name for yourself what would it be?

I think I would keep my name. It is not very common, plus my Dad named me :) Even if I get the occasional comment, 'oh Ellen, like Ellen Degeneras?', yes, but no..

14. If you had to choose between six months of sun or six months of rain, what would you choose?

Sun all the way!!

15. If you could eat only one thing for the next six months what would it be?

Pasta's.. I love pasta and sauces :)

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?

I enjoy the platform to say the things I have been thinking about. I enjoy hearing from other bloggers and getting to 'know' some of them! I also like that I can 'document' some of our family life :)

17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?

This really depends on the day of the week.. but probably salty more than sweet.

18. What items are in your purse right now?

Oh I carry around a purse full of rocks.. lol.. my purse is my diaper bag (may as well use the large purse fashion to it's fullest) so there is anything from wipes, wallet, treats, spare sleeper, extra socks (you know, in case you go to the playplace and someone forgot their socks), a doll, receipts, pen, checkbook, diapers (clean!), and who knows what else!!

19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains, where would you go?

Can I go to a beach that's in the mountains?? Today I would say beach - but it has to have turquois water so I can go snorkelling with my man!!

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn't?

Food Network - Diners, Drive-ins and Dives... it makes me SOOOO hungry and I usually end up snacking in bed, lol.

Now I tag:

Carrie at The Famulaks

Samantha at Mama Notes

Goofball at Goofballs World

Sisters

Sisters, this is something new to me. I look at the two of my girls and my mind wanders to what lays ahead. How will these two get along? Will they be best of friends? Will they be in constant competition? Somewhere in between? Either way I know that somewhere along our journey as a family there will be difficulties between girls - I don't think a girl could escape her childhood without some. What is new to me is the concept of sisterhood - I never had a sister. I could tell you a lot more about brothers or dealing between brother/sister conflict.. but dealing with two girls, oh my - where would I even start :) It's a good thing we all grow together and hopefully I can learn some tricks to raising two girls :) Any moms with good advice about sisters?

On a side note, my precious baby is almost 4 months!!!

Learning to be a SAHM

Yes, you read that right. Learning to be a Stay-At-Home-Mom. What a concept really. If you think about it, why would you have to LEARN how to be a SAHM when it's not even technically considered a "job". Some may say, "What's so hard about a 'job' where you can sit at home and do whatever you want". Now I've only been a mom for five years, but I'd like to share what I've learned so far.

I'd like to break down the SAHM term and address the 'mom' part. Being a mother is an incredibly rewarding and difficult and wonderful and challenging role. Each one of us in our mother role, whether working or staying at home with our children, has an important part to play - a responsibility to precious little human beings.

The fact that I am able to stay home with my kids is something that I feel is a privilege, but it is not all easy! When I first brought my son home I was three weeks into my maternity leave. For two years I worked in a very social job. I saw people come and go all day long, even though it was a managerial position it was also very much a customer service job. Three weeks later, home alone with a newborn baby, wow did it get quiet in the house! It didn't take long to learn that if I wanted to maintain my sanity, I HAD to get out of the house on a regular basis.

I struggle with motivating myself to clean my house. I have finally, now, learned how to manage my week, my day in order to most efficiently get my house in order (not saying I do it all the time though, lol). I have learned and continue to learn how to get through the winter without me or my kids going completely nuts because of being couped up. I have learned to see the signs of wear on myself and how to combat it with 'me' time. When Mommy is happy the family is happy!

There are many more examples I could give you about how I've learned to be a SAHM and am continuing to learn. It's not just about doing whatever you want (like a holiday at home), it's about creating a home, defining a schedule for yourself, figuring out what you want from this space in your life, what you want for you kids in this time of their life and following through with these things. I have found that one of the biggest challenges in motherhood is me. I have learned more about myself and my weaknesses/strengths and issues I thought I'd dealt with while being a mom, and I'm only 5 years into my life term :) I look forward to continuing to learn throughout the many phases of being a mom :)

WW: Still Laughing

The day that this happened, I had the giggles, spontaniously throughout my day! My husband is driving the truck... and he did get it out!
Yes, that is my super-hero husband pulling out a city bus that got stuck!

My Message to Molly

To Little Miss Molly,
I was introduced to you very randomly through this funny little thing called the internet. You don't know me and I don't know your family, but I feel like we have a common bond. You see I have a baby girl too. She is only a month older than you, but there is something special about little baby girls with big eyes. You both have that mystery of something more; you share secrets in that magically beautiful face. You are a blessing to so many and display the wonderous love and faithful promises of the Creator. Please give you brothers and sisters big smiles when they poke and squish your cheeks; get your tiny fist tangled in your mommy's hair and breath that soft sigh while resting on your daddy's chest, for these are the normal moments of your little life. All too soon you will be fighting with your siblings, getting into mommy's make-up and wrapping your daddy around your little finger; life happens too fast! So tonight I hold my baby girl a little bit tighter as I rock her to sleep, for I know that your mother is doing the same. Little Miss Molly, may your Heavenly Father bless you and your family and keep you safe while you journey a hard road.
Blessings and love from afar,

If my message has caught your interest, please visit Baby Molly's website, they can use all the prayers, kind words and support that they can get now. What this family is going through would be so hard, I can't imagine going through this with my precious little baby!

Loving Monday Mornings!!

I LOVE my Monday mornings! Really, I do! Does that make me weird? Maybe, but I'm fine with that because for me there's something great about Monday! Here is how the blocks fall for me. Tuesdays are usually my errand days; the week is young, so I usually try to book my appointments on these days. Wednesdays TJ has pre-school in the morning so we're up early and out the door. I drop him off and promptly go to my churches ladies bible study - K gets to play with her friends and I get great fellowship time with mine! We are usually done in perfect time for me to pick up my boy at the end of his day. Thursdays and Fridays I like to leave for fun things (like play dates) or any errands not completed earlier in the week or relaxing mornings, because it is almost the weekend. Saturdays - definitely a relax morning, but of course house-cleaning is calling for sure by Saturday! Sunday is my day off (well as much of a day off that mothers get, lol), but Monday morning..

Monday morning is just something else.

Monday morning my alarm sounds early (well not too early, just 8am, which is early enough for a gal like me) and I know I have to be up and start my day because otherwise we'll be late for TJ's pre-school (nothing like having a motivator, lol). To start a fresh week, a fresh day, with a clean slate just feels good - right. Every gets up, fed, dressed, and ready for the day. After TJ gets dropped off I have two hours, two hours that I like to designate to cleaning up from the weekend (is it only me that has a hurricane house by Monday morning after only one day of not cleaning???). Mind you, I typically also get to have 'coffee' and snack time with my beautiful girls (one of the benefits they don't tell you about nursing is that you HAVE to have a break every 3 hrs or so, I think God's so smart, knowing that us mom's need to sit down for a break every few hours, lol. please no comments on the nursing comment, this post is not intending to be the grounds of the ever popular nursing vs bottle debate - I agree with both) Anyway, back to Monday morning, I find that getting up in good time, getting ready for my day (including eating breakfast), having some dedicated time to cleaning up, this gets me a great start to my week!

Do you love your Monday mornings too? What does the beginning of your week look like?

Something to make you smile on Monday morning :)

**disclaimer: not all my Monday mornings go as planned, (isn't that just life!) but this is how I aim to start my week :)

Faces of Christmas

Here's a sampling of our Christmas; filled with family, food, and fun :)

Making Choices

So this new year has started off busy! Not only has it been busy but it's also come with some challenges as well. Today I've been having a bit of a hard day and so in an effort to throw off the down/stressed mood, I'm going to make a choice and be thankful for the blessings I do have!

1. beautiful white snow, I just love how it covers the world with a blanket of 'clean'
2. a good morning that didn't entail rushing out the door like crazies and we were still early :)
3. great fellowship at ladies biblestudy
4. the fun multi-colored lights still shining outside my door
5. a baby that sleeps all night
6. my son that did wonderful at the dentist for his fillings (no freaking out!!)
7. pb & j sandwiches and jello for supper (jello for the boy with a frozen cheek, lol)
8. pajama and movie nights!!
9. good friends that are willing to watch the kids
10. a warm house where I can turn the thermostat up because it's -30C outside!
11. the ability to pay my bills without leaving the comfort of my couch :)
12. silly kids :)
13. a husband that works hard so I can stay home with the kids
14. a mother who happens to call just when I need to talk to someone :)
15. a God who is in control, especially when I'm not!!

I hope that I'll have some time to blog more later and add some holiday pictures :)