Christmas with two?!

What a whirlwind! Christmas was chaotic and wonderful all at once this year; a change for me as I have really not enjoyed Christmas since Dad passed away (13?) years ago. The season (to me) is full of commercialism, want, greed and unrealistic, not to mention unfufilled, expectations. I have really struggled to make peace with such a frenzied "holiday." I think last year, spent extremely quietly in Mexico, was the closest I have ever come and really gave me a chance to see how much the experience is actually up to the individual.
Therefore with the added stress of a newborn and new job, we tried hard to simplify our celebrations this year. Guess what? Much better! That, coupled with seeing the season through the eyes of a two-year old, made things much easier on me. My favorite Christmas moment this year was a late-night, cold walk with Lucas bundled up the in the stroller and Mia snuggled under my jacket. Lucas, the dogs and I needed to get out of the house and went to look at the Christmas lights. Although few and far between in our neighbourhood, it was such a joy to see the excitement on Lucas' face as we stopped at the "good ones" and took it all in. I actually found a very tiny part of me wishing we had purchased a mecahnical lit-up reindeer for our yard! Hahaha! Anyways, I met a lovely older woman out walking her dog in the neighborhood and we chatted for a few moments. As I left her, she said to me, "You look so happy...and healthy." And you know, I was. It was all I really needed at that moment. Quiet, fresh air, and the company of my kids. I think it kind of embodies where I am in my life right now. Lacking for nothing. I am so very blessed to have two healthy, beautiful children, a husband who is my best friend, and family that support me. It's all I really want right now, knowing that some of the things I may need for myself will come later and in their right time.
So Happy Holidays to you all. I hope that each of you found your own perfect moments filled with serenity and joy. Here are a few pictures from our celebrations.

Lucas and Gracie enjoy chocolate fondue on Christmas Eve.

Are there any scraps for us in there? See how good we are?

Opening gifts in pj's - the attire we should all spend Christmas morning in!

My kids. (Yes - all three of them!)

Time will tell

Things are getting into a bit more of a routine around here; about as much as can be expected with a new job, a new baby, and Christmas! It's hard to belive that we have only had Mia with us for three and a half weeks, she has slipped so comfortably into the family. Lucas is totally infatuated with her, although he is still hogging the photos! Here are a few for you to wish you all a Happy Christmas Eve-Eve. I will post some after the big event.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Lucas wearing Teddy in a sling.

New uses for breastfeeding cushions.

Totem Pole

I'm in love...

... con mi Mia hermosa...

xox Mami

Two Cuties

Sorry, for the life of me I can't figure out why this picture won't straighten!

Anyways, here we are, learning how to function as a family of four and two pooches. Lucas is swinging madly between sweet as candy and hellion - not abnormal for this family mind you! Today him and Rob are off to a kids' Christmas party at the Cannery with Scott. I'm a little worried about just how much sugar will be ingested and what sort of night I'm in for with Rob at work.

A little more about the labour for those of you dying to know;

I went into labour on Tuesday evening, just two days away from our due date. I actually went shopping that afternoon feeling pretty crampy, but waited until about eight to tell Rob that I thought I was in labour and until ten to call Mom and tell her that it was "the" night. By eleven I had no doubt in my mind and called Mom to tell herthat Rob was on his way to pick her up. While they were gone I called the hospital to let them know. They pretty much told me that I should get my butt in, so Rob picked me up as he delivered Mom.

I was thrilled to be taken to Cedar (actually Holly, which is newer) which, as you Moms who also delivered at Womens' know, is the deluxe section of the hospital where one labours, delivers and recovers all in one place. The room was gorgeous; a huge tub, shower, table, nursing chair, tv and phone, and a bed that Rob could sleep on. Much later in the evening when I was feeling relaxed from an epidural, I looked up and asked what that odd looking thing was on the ceiling. I was thinking poor decorating, Rob thought perhaps a viewing window for filming (hahahaha...) when the nurse casually replied, "Oh, that's a skylight!"

Nitty gritty details aside, I ended up having back labour where the baby's spine is against yours, and things slowed down as I found myself needing pain relief. I had been very hesitant to go there if I could avoid it, but in the long run it was absolutely the right decision as I was able to relax a little, Rob had a nap and little Mia was able to take her time turning and coming out like a champ. We had a very quick delivery with only a little scare as her cord was wrapped around her neck, but the staff was wonderful; reassuring, professional, calm and careful. I was delivered by a midwife in training as she was watched carefully by the attending gp.

All in all a very different and very wonderful birthing experience for us all. By noon Lucas was at the hospital visiting and kissing Mia all over. I had a quiet, albeit slightly lonely, night in the deluxe suite and was home by noon Thursday.

Thank you for all the warm wishes emails. We look forward to introducing each of you to our newest family member soon. Ting.

Introducing...

Mia Cristina Herman

Born November 29th 2006 @ 10:46am

BC Women's Hospital

7 lbs 1 oz

Everyone is doing super well, although we're all a little tired. I'll write more when I can put her down! xox proud mama again, Ting

Waiting for Baby

We are now four days away from our due date and anxiously awaiting the new baby. Everything has been packed, folded, washed and folded again. The fridge is stocked, the master plan is on the fridge, Mom bought a cell phone.... So now what? It sure is hard to sit around waiting for something you have absolutely no control over. I guess I'm just really really hoping that this baby will not be so late that I have to be induced again. I believe it made labour with Lucas very hard. I also keep hoping that baby will come before Rob starts his new job. (Thursday - yeah right!) In the meantime, we are keeping ourselves happily busy playing and hanging out. The picture above is from a lovely evening spent with Lindsay, Ewart and their son Owen, whom Lucas is feeding in the photo. Lucas was soooo excited that baby Owie would be sleeping in the pack and play and went to bed early when Owen did. Us adults had a great time playing Settlers without the kids around. The Aitkens took home the wins... but I guess it was their turn!

I think it's going to be another interesting transition when Rob starts to work again as Lucas has been his shadow since he's been home. The two have totally spruced up the yard. (Which really means that they did damage control from the neglect the tenants left the yard in.) Lucas is a master gardener and follows Rob around with his Hummer collecting weeds and driving them to the yard trimmings bin. He's actually not too shabby with a rake either!

I've been tying up loose ends around the house, keeping ridiculously on top of the laundry and sewing pants. hahaha. This picture is me trying to finish a pair of fleece pants for Lucas while he monkeys around trying to "yook" at what I'm doing. I've managed to get a huge chunk of Christmas shopping finished and even wrapped and had a lovely evening out with Anne and Val. Rob and I even managed to watch some videos after the initial shock of walking into the Blockbuster and having no idea whatsoever about any of the movies. See what a year away will do?!

On Saturday we headed up to Cypress for a bit of a walk and a play in the snow. We had no idea that by Sunday there would be even more snow at our own house! Lucas has just been in heaven playing in it all. He is really good at pelting me with snowballs supplied by his Dad. We even broke out an early Christmas gift and gave him his own pint-sized shovel to dig with. Yesterday and today have both started with Lucas' exclamation of "WOW 'no!" from his kitchen window perch, "padpadpadpadpadpad...No more sleepy Mommy, Up Daddy. Pay outside!!!!" It's all we can do to get some breakfast in him before he is in his gear and jumping in the snow with Pillo.
We dug the truck out today and gave it a spin to make sure we're all ready to roll if baby decides to come during this freeze. I think the truck is more in shock than any of the rest of us after its year of scorching heat in Mexico. It was pretty cranky today, but warmed up to the idea of 4WD after a few minutes.

Well, I hope you are all snug and warm wherever you are reading this from. Tomorrow we are off for another doctor's appointment and to check on Mom. She's still answering her phone, but we need to make sure there's a tunnel out her door and she has food in her fridge! Just kidding, she seems to be coping just fine, we're just going to drop off some salt and check on a tree that didn't fare so well from the weight of the snow.

Ting

Super Size Me

So Rob is home just in time to see the rapidly expanding girth of my waist. I remember it being at about this time that I went from looking pregnant to looking larger-than-life when I was carrying Lucas. I don't think that I am as big this time around (in fact my weight and fundus height prove I'm not) but I sure am starting to feel big and bulky. These pics had us in stitches with Lucas' reactions. He has this comical habit of making sure my belly is covered at all times. Perhaps it embarrasses him? This week marks 38 of 40 weeks, so it sure is getting close. Julia should be well on her way to delivering as I write as well, which means to me that I am definitely next. Now that Rob is home I finally feel excited to meet the new little one and not apprehensive about how I'll manage.

We have been having a blast with him home. Lucas swings between being "all about Daddy" to screaming "no Daddy no Daddy" at the slightest provocation. It has been so wonderful to be able to have a shower with the door closed, eat a meal without having to stand up every two minutes ( now it's just every five!) , send the dogs out with daddy and Lucas for a bit and get the occasional extra bit of shut-eye. The incessant rain has been a bit depressing, as has the cold that Rob so kindly brought back from Mexico, but otherwise it's all sunshine over here on Chester Street.

So life is slowly getting sorted out and we should hit routine just about when the baby arrives; when everything will go out the drain, chaos will ensue and we will start over again. Ah life! So good. I'm betting on late for the baby again, so with the edd at December 1st, I'd say around the tenth or just thereafter?! We will likely have a very tiny Christmas baby, but I'm going to try and do all our Christmas shopping and cards before November is out. Ok, now I need to go out and start that, because IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!!!!!!!!!

Any guesses on the date and gender? Anybody who gets it right will get naming rights... just kidding.

Halloween!

Here's a whole load of pictures from Lucas' first "real" Halloween experience, complete with trick-or-treating and candy indulging! He was, of course, an "ooh ooh, ah ah," not a monkey.

The perfect snack for a little monkey.

Lucas and Logan trick-or-treat at Aba's house.

Hitting the neighbourhood in style and comfort.

"Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!!!"

(Logan's mantra for the last week or so!)

Gracie and Lucas show each other their costumes and accept bribes from Uncle Duane for photo-taking.

Lucas is done for the night.

SSSSalty!

Lucas and I decided to make muffins this morning; always a good time. Lucas is a good helper and pays attention carefully to my instructions. This morning was the same as he measured and poured baking powder, spices and flour. Then I said, quite literally, "Now with the salt, we are going to have to pour it." Ooops, mama- error. What I meant was pour it into the measuring spoon rather than scoop it. Hmm.... in the blink of an eye we had about a cup of salt in the muffin batter. I managed to scoop most out but they were still a little salty. But to us two pickle-loving fiends, suprisingly delicious!

Lucas wouldn't let me put "his" raisins in the muffins, as he is proudly showing the camera in this photo.

Fall Days

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year, and this year has been no exception. I love the crisp cool autumn air that seems to sooth my angst with the scent of dirt and wet. It has been so lovely to have so many beautiful, clear days to enjoy this time and Lucas, the dogs and I have been out at the local parks almost every day. Pillo has been in squirrel-chasing heaven and seems to have gotten over his sense of loss for gecko-chasing. Chola enjoys being close to Lucas and picking up any crumbs that may fall her way as well as barking loudly to protest any frolicking by younger, more energetic, and of course hearing dogs. Always the referee! She is really showing her age these days and has seriously been concerning me with acute separation anxiety as I need to leave her from time to time. This week we are off to the vet to see what we can do.

Coming home from the park and having a nice cuddly nap with Pillo!

Some Complaints

So ... I've been getting some complaints lately that I haven't been updating my blog. When I checked, I was actually surprised that it was true!

I guess time has been passing very quickly now that I'm back in Vancouver and fully engrossed in a fairly normal life again. One that includes a lot of time spent with Lucas and the dogs, might I add! Lucas has decided that he does not nap for long anymore and is definitely "no sleepy mommy" every night. Thus I get less and less time to do things like write and post pictures (much less do housework, keep up with friends or gasp... take some time for myself!) As much as I miss having some personal time, I am really loving just being there with Lucas as he grows into a crazy kid. His budding linguistic skills often have me on the floor laughing and shaking my head with wonder. I worry that he is becoming all too much like me. Today my SIL commented that she liked his sound effects that accompany pretty much everything he does. Yup - that's me. I have always had an internal (ok, sometimes external) soundtrack that spins in my head as I go about life. I guess that playing with a toddler all day has weakened my inhibitions and now I do them for him. You're right Anne - I do love that he's just a little nutty like me. I'm flattered, really!

So let's see. Now that I see most of you fairly often, I feel it somewhat unnecessary to update you on my life, but here it goes anyways.

First of all; I'M HOME!!!!!!!!!!! Can you read the joy in that?! It became so very apparent to me once I came home for vacations this summer, that I needed to be here permanently. I just missed my community too much. The year away was fantastic and I wouldn't change the experience for anything, but one thing it really taught me was that at this stage in my life, I need my friends and family around me. I value those relationships so much more after missing them so terribly this last year. It has been wonderful to reconnect with everyone and to re-establish bonds and ties. I have new resolve to keep those strong even as a new year of "crazy motherhood days" approaches. If I get lazy - call me on it!

Moving back into our house was an upward battle as the tenants we had carefully chosen took personal offense to their notice to end tenancy. I do not enjoy being a landlord, let me tell you, especially when it involves my home which I have learned I am far too emotionally attached to. (A large mortgage will do that they say ;) ) Anyways, now that Lucas and I are moved back in, I feel so very content and the nesting begins again. The only problem is that Lucas keeps opening up empty drawers and asking where daddy's clothes are. Thus this week our mission is to get some of Rob's things moved in from my Mom's in anticipation of his return home.

What did they do - take a chainsaw to the trees when they got notice?

That's right - Rob's coming home! Tonight is two weeks until the big guy rolls in and tries to re-arrange the furniture, steal the remote, and drink juice straight from the jug. I can't wait. Lucas does weird things like look out the windows for him, call out to him as though he may be listening, and point to airplanes and declare that daddy is on one. Heart-wrenching and absolutely endearing all at once.

When Rob does get home, I have promised that we may have another mini birthday party for Lucas. He insists that it will have pizza, cake with candles, presents, ice cream and most importantly, Daddy. I hope you're up for hours of playing Rob, because Lucas has planned your days already!

I can't believe that our little baby is two years old. It has flown by and now the little screaming squirt has been replaced by a rather mischievous screaming toddler. Screaming with joy of course, but he is pretty loud at times! We had a super birthday party soon after we moved in. Such fun to see all Lucas' friends hanging out in the house again. Chola hid in the bedroom.

Lucas eating cake for breakfast. I know, I know...

And as for me, I'm getting rather rotund and guessing constantly about the gender of number two. Today marks six weeks until my due date. Wow. Lucas and I sorted baby clothes yesterday and today Teddy had to be fully dressed in some of them before we could get out the door.

Well, that's it for now. Lucas, Logan, Jus and I spent the day at Bear Creek Train Park, and I'm just bushed from all the driving and excitement. I would have probably jumped into bed with him at eight if he hadn't told me, "Go away Mommy, kiss kiss I love you, night night." Sigh.....

All geared up for some serious puddle-jumping.

Finally New Pics!!!

I can't believe how long it has been since I have last posted photos! I guess life (read Lucas) has been keeping me busy! So here is the latest smattering of photos from the last two months or so - starting with Rob's visit in August.

Daddy and Lucas after a great swim at the Intrawest Whistler. Lucas LOVED the waterslide!

Lucas and I riding the miniature train at the train museum in Squamish.

Logan and Lucas share a bowl of raisins and goldfish while hamming it up for the camera.

"I love to cuddle my dog. Does he love to cuddle me?"

"Look Daddy! I'm growing SOOO tall and Mommy had to buy me new shoes AGAIN!"

Uncle Scott takes us to the PNE and realizes he doesn't really fit in the kiddy rides.

"Up, up up....dooooowwwwnnnn...!"

Teddy and Lucas hitch a ride to the park.

Aba and Lucas at the dog beach with Vancouver skyline in the background.

"I'm going to get you Mommy!" (Followed by evil laughter.)

Photo followed by much digital camera wiping. Good aim Lucas.