April/May photos

Lucas loves bugs; wormy-worms being his favorite, closely followed by snails (see fuzzy photo above) and woodbugs. Rob bought Lucas an ant-farm (because the swarms in our kitchen we can't seem to get rid of aren't enough?) found out you had to send away for the ants, caught some of our home-bred variety instead, over-fed them (yes, it's only one goldfish cracker to us, but it is eight years of food to the ants), over-watered them, and killed them. Now we have an ant morgue wherein one can view the dead and dying ants in their desperate fight for survival. Educational. (I've obviously watched A Bug's Life too many times.)

Mia is learning to crawl with all her might in an attempt at getting at any of Lucas' toys so that she can... wait for it... chew on them, vomit, and move on, all to the frustrated screams of Lucas. He has learned to push a soft toy into her face whenever she approaches. Smart.

We are also learning to eat. Yes, all of us really. For Mia it is rice cereal and mushy unidentifiable fruit and veg, for Lucas it is the constant reminding that forks have a purpose, for me it is to simply try to eat between table-service for Lucas and dodging rasberried peas, for Rob... actually he does a pretty good job when he's home :P

Chola is getting so old. This photo saddens me and makes me want to be more patient with her whining for help to get in the house, wanting to get out of the house, barking because she can't find me, barking because she finally saw me, barking because she wants to go to the park, getting lost at the park and wandering in circles while elementary school children sound the alarm that there is a lost dog at the field, drinking copious amounts of water and peeing on the carpet, and well... I'll try, I really do love her dearly!

I want this. Badly. To sleep like a child with no care in the world. Knowing that when I wake someone will come running with open arms and love me and hold me and feed me, then tuck me back in for more sleep. It would mean no cleaning the kitchen or folding laundry, I'm fairly sure.

Cake is good. Especially when it's made together with my pal and co-cake-conspirator Lucas.

a world of light and dark

Chaos has seeped in through the cracks of the house and permeated the walls with Daddy don't go to work and Mommy stay with me. Schedules have collided bringing routine and order to a grinding halt amidst cries of now what am I going to do. Guilt has bitten away at the edges of steely reserves of patience to emerge only as sugar laden treats and weak promises. Sleep as once known to parent-kind has slipped through aching hands dry from repetive washing after toileting and excema cream slathering. Dreams are sprinkled with daily concerns and ring truer than one can admit when woken by the reality of hungry or lonely lungs. Hunger is satiated by sleep and fatigue by food and drink.

Sunshine fills my garden with light and vibrating energy humming to the sound of birds' chirps and bee's buzzes. Buds stretch lazily out of dry soil despite frequent bulldozing by irresponsible Tonka drivers and padded paws. Wind winds around overflowing baskets of lavish colour filling the eye with life and renewal. The hose hums a playful squeal as it works its quenching magic on the grateful greens who turn their tender bodies in search of more of all that is good. Ants march to the tune of their own calling without care for posted warnings to not enter the house. Worms accept their fate of the watery grave of a boy's bucket or the burning abyss of a digger's scoop. Wood bugs scatter at the sound of mulch being roughly thrown aside.

This is life; filled with light and dark existing together as naturally as they were put here on this earth to mark our days.

Getting Older

I've had a defeating and tiring week.

First, I turned another year older. Gulp. Although this came with three birthday cakes, birthdays sure aren't what they used to be. It was just another day that both started and ended too early. Even Lucas's birthday card for me (written by Daddy) showed signs of fatique (Daddy's) as it read " Happy Birthay Mommy." We are all over-tired in this house!

Lucas asked me if my teeth were yellow. Time to look into whitening kits or dental solutions I think. This was actually phrased as, "Your teeth are yellow Mommy?"

My brother can't stop bothering me about my white hair. (Subtle encouragement for self-improvement?)

Our home computer has crashed and we must now seek a way to get all of the unsaved information and photos off of it before we reinstall its operating system. Yes, I know I should have been backing up. I know. I know.

We had to spend $200 for ten minutes of a man's time to fumigate an ant hill in the door frame of our house. We are considering investing in a fumigation business.

I still haven't sent in my tax return and am driving with an expired license. (Must I dye my hair and whiten my teeth before this picture?!)

Pillo insists on pooping on top of my newly planted dahlias and Lucas insists on peeing on them.

So why do I feel defeated and tired?

The answer to it all; just because. Or at least that's what Lucas told me tonight when I couldn't come up with an answer to the fifth "why?" in a row. "Just because Mommy?"

Yes Lucas. Just because.

My Monthly Post...

Last night my moral compass Anne once again chastised me for not having posted recently. I didn't think it was so bad considering how many people I know who don't blog or post photos... but hey... there's nothing quite like a giant kick in the rear to get me moving! So here I am on a gorgeous Saturday night, sitting at my computer!

Last night, however, saw me out on the town with the girls. I never would have thought that I would be able to relinquish Mia at five months and go out without checking my phone, but I did it! (And it really wasn't that hard... teehee...) She has been such a great baby and Rob has gotten very good at fathering, so I am now finding that I have a bit more freedom than I did at this stage with Lucas. This week saw Mia taking a bottle of pumped milk accompanied by audible sighs of relief from Rob and I. We are daring to dream that we may actually be able to get out for an evening without the kids one of these days!

I had a lovely time with the crew. It was a great turn out and everyone was in fine spirits. Molly organized us into going to Sanafir for dinner; a great choice indeed.

(Molly, Anne, Julia, me and the bf girls, Lindsay, Val, Liz, Lesley and Anna - April 27th)
Sorry this photo is a little fuzzy - and apologies to Liz. It was either half of Anna or the top of Liz's head! Rob and I had a great getaway to Whistler with the kids. We are very happy with the Intrawest up there and agreed that we foresee using it a lot as the kids grow. Although boarding was out of the question, we ate well and laughed hard for a few work and laundry-free days. Lucas loved our stop at Shannon falls but was terribly disappointed that we didn't see any trains. Upon our return we finally saw one, but couldn't bear to wake him from a much-needed nap. Murphy's law hit, of course, and he woke up minutes after it had passed! We are looking forward to heading back for a longer stay at the end of May.



Rob and Lucas went to COWS while I perused Please Mum with Mia. (Note; blue bubblegum ice cream creates large dry cleaning bills when paired with hockey jerseys...)

We had a short but great visit with my cousin Paul this last week as well. It was really nice to see him and our friend David for a few laughs. Times sure have changed though; I found our kid-centred visit to be a far cry from the late night drinking and card playing binges of old. I didn't miss the morning headache but I did feel a bit melancholy about missing out on the evening revelry.

I love this photo. Lucas eats olives faster than I can get them into any recipe, but the other day I turned around and found him making olive body art. Priceless. (Yes, yes, I know Teddy needs a bath...)

Easter was a hoot. Lucas keeps asking when the Easter bunny is coming back because he was so spoiled. Mom did a very creative egg hunt for the boys that had them collecting eggs filled with raisin boxes, mini cheeses, and toonies. It was great to see the excitement with which each egg discovery was greeted.

Mia is so active now,. She is doing the great wiggle on the floor; can turn a full 360 degrees, scooch backwards, and do some sort of strange rendition of the worm, all accompanied to her very own pterodactyl soundtrack. She certainly has figured out that she gets attention for these antics. It can even shake the grumpies out of Lucas and make him crack a smile.

Mia is also hankering for food in a big way and has mastered the quick grab wherein she sweetly smiles up at you calmly and then screams her prehistoric cry whilst swooping her hand into whatever food is closest in an attempted kidnapping. Today she caught herself a rotini but alas it slipped before she could even attempt the recoil into her waiting mouth. I fret a little about her being terribly disappointed when she learns that her first food will be mushy cereal...

I'm considering building a dog shit composter in the backyard. I just can't believe how much those hounds produce. So that will be my google research for the evening. It really is just an excuse not to finish marking my FCE papers, but whatever works, right?!

So Many News...

It seems that I am constantly blogging in my head these days. I will be bathing a child, lying in bed or riding a bus and all of a sudden I am hit with the urge to write here. Of course I am never able to reach the computer in time and therefore the writing gets put off for yet another day. I really only get the evening now to spend a bit of time child-less and I'm usually so drained that I stare blankly at the screen for a while and then admit that I need sleep quite badly.

I have surprised a few people by taking a job. I am teaching an advanced writing class in the afternoons for a ESL college downtown. It is just two hours a day from Monday through Friday, but I am finding that combined with the travel time, it is taking a considerable chunk of time away from my week. Last week went more smoothly than I could have imagined, but I left in tears today because Lucas was in hysterics at my departure. Most days it shouldn't be so hard as Rob will be here to watch the kids, but today was more difficult. Rob was to have finished his contract with Intrawest by now, but it seems that they still need him for a little longer. To add to this, the restaurant seems to also need him terribly and is scheduling him in for doubles far too much for my liking. So the wee ones are seeing a bit more of their grandparents than I had planned, and I believe the transition is a little fast for Lucas who is so used to having me around. Funnily enough, it was Mia who I was most worried about, but she seems to be fairing very well. Now if we could just get her to take a bottle Rob and I could almost imagine a night out in the future!

More "news" is that we finally got our much-anticipated new fireplace just in time for Spring to hit. We still find ourselves sitting in front of it soaking up its lovely glow, but I imagine its true potential will shine much more brightly in the fall! We also got our Shaw digital phone installed. I must admit I feel very smug at having managed to avoid any need to do business with Telus again. (Exactly what Shaw was hoping for, I'm sure!) Lucas' "new" is his obsession of all things Thomas. It arose out of a fairly mild case of train-love, but has now reared its ugly head into a full-blown Thomas the Tank Engine craze. I have been requested to sing the theme song as a bedtime lullaby for two weeks running now. Could any poor soul with knowledge of more lyrics than the first two lines please email me and save me from improvisational shame? I'm really too tired to be researching it...

I leave you then with all our news. Have a great, great week!

Spidey baths

I just got out of a spiderman bubble bath. And it wasn't even shared with the kids! They are actually sleeping in their cozy little room, miraculously having fallen asleep at the same time and therefore allowing me the luxury of actually using my bedroom light without waking up the baby! Until first feed for the night, of course, upon which I will wearily end up putting her back in her bassinet so as to allow for faster night time retrieval. Oh what will I do when I have to move her out of there?! I think it will be soon as she is growing so fast that I think either the hair on the top of her head or the skin on her toes is going to rub off one of these days.

Lucas has been enrolled in preschool for September. He'll be going to a Montessori four mornings a week. I'm quite pleased with the school so far and hope that he will love it. He was a bit miffed on our first visit as there weren't any "toys" to be played with, but I think that he will get over it quickly when he sees how much other stuff there is to explore. It was great to see an older boy showing Lucas how to do some work in the classroom. I think that it will be so good for him to have the opportunity to experience an environment with more kids and different adults, although I am sad already at the prospect of leaving him there everyday.

Knowing that I will inevitably return to work in some form in the fall, I am suddenly very conscience of having only this preciously short spring and summer left to be a full-time, stay-at-home mom. Sniff. Poor Mia is going to get the short end of the stick compared to Lucas, but I am so very grateful that Rob was able to help facilitate me having these extra two years to be at home. I am so looking forward to a spring and summer in the garden, parks and pools as well as some camping and visiting. I'm hoping that I might somehow mange to secure a teaching job this spring that will start in the fall so that I can relax knowing that things are ready to go. But alas, I also have faith that things will always work out.

Little buds are appearing here and there in my garden. I feel slightly guilty for harping so vehemently about the lack of gardening skills of my tenants, as I can see now that it was more likely lack of watering. (Sheer negligence really!) I am pruning here and there, asking advice from my trusted old neighbour and gardening guru Bill and generally stumbling my way through figuring out what is in the garden and what to do with it! I have now stolen my mother's gardening in Canada encyclopedia and am making serious dents in both it and our finances as I pick out plants from Home Depot every time we go. Rob never guessed bulbs could cost so much...

Speaking of the big guy, has he ever got seasonal allergies this year! I guess a year without any pollen makes you more susceptible the next. That and serious sleep-deprivation I suppose!

I hope all are well. Ting

Growing up...

They are growing so very fast ...right before my very eyes. I remember these first few months seeming long with Lucas, but I now realize just how fast these days are really passing. Lucas is potty trained - just like that. Mia is verbalizing so much, trying to roll, awake for longer periods and growing like a weed. Her 3-6 month sleepers are pretty much too short in the length!

Tonight Lucas has gone out with Rob, his Uncle Scott and Grandpa to see a Giants game. Mia and I had a girls night of cuddles, coos, and a warm bath.

Sigh... being a Mom to two such wonderful kids is truly wonderful ( and exhausting!!!)

I sniff spring coming

How lovely that the crocuses are poking their brave little heads up. Although it's still way too cold out, we have been enjoying getting outdoors a little more to play in the parks and work in our garden. We have great hope that some of our plants and flowers will revive themselves after the brutalities of our tenants past. Rob has begun his comical feeding of the finches as he seeds and reseeds the grass almost daily. You can almost see the smirk of those birdies' beaks as he heads out to feed their and his obsession.

My quest for preschool has not been solved as I find myself in quite a dilemma between choosing a reasonably priced play-based program that offers little more than what he already has at home, and a unreasonably-priced Montessori program that offers an excellent program but will deny us the choice of doing other activities in the fall. I suspect that we are leaning towards play-based and will supplement learning at home. Any feedback or opinions from my much wiser and more experienced peers would be appreciated!

I have just finished reading "La Prisonniere" by Malika Oufkir and Michle Fitoussi. It was quite an interesting read. Based on her real-life experiences, Oufkir describes her early upbringing by the King of Morocco, her father's assassination and then her and her family's horrific imprisonment for nearly twenty years. I am always sucked in by true stories that illuminate the injustices of human rights, and this book was no exception.

A photo for you of Lucas learning to ride his bike. All fun and no tears so far... we'll keep our fingers crossed.

Rojo Towels

Lucas loves all things "rojo" (red) and much to our amusement he was elated to find a display of rojo towels at IKEA last week. So we are now the proud owners of two red towels that prompt Lucas to go running into the tub and then flying out of it so as to be enveloped in rojo. One is Mia's of course, but Lucas lets himself use it when he can. (Can you tell who is in charge around here?!)

"Why am I wrapped up in a fire engine red towel again?"

The boys have been working intermittently to patch up our wall after removing the hideous fireplace the house came with. We were thrilled to find hardwood floors underneath the concrete hearth. Lucas has really enjoyed banging away at the tiles, scraping the floors, sanding the walls, and the many trips to Home Depot with his dad. We hope to have the new electric fireplace and baseboards done in the next month or so, but it's slow work in this very busy family.

Here's a super cute pic of Julia and Jeff's baby Ava, born two weeks before Mia. Lucas was thrilled to be able to give her a bottle.

Hope you're all having a great week. This week I continue my search for the perfect preschool, a sunny day, and a long nap after a cup of tea while both children slumber quietly. Aahhhh.

Miracles Happen...

What a great half hour I've had! Lucas is playing playdough quietly at his new kid-sized table, Mia is sleeping in her bassinett, a total stranger has agreed to burn me a copy of this season's first six episodes of LOST, and I am using the computer. Wow. To top it off, the house is spanking clean. I love it! Anyways, just thought I'd share my elation while I could, as well as to post this picture of Lucas on ice skates for the second time in his life. Too funny.

Have a great weekend everyone! Ting

Happy New Year

Well, the New Year has begun just as fast-paced as the last ended. We are reminded every day of how fast time passes as Mia has just passed her two-month milestone and we are in the thick of choosing a preschool for Lucas for September. (Or getting on waiting lists as the case would be.) Rob is burning the candle at both ends working his two very busy jobs. He just returned from a hectic work week at the club in Mexico only to begin working doubles again. In his "free" time he struggles to get too much done, enjoy the family, and get somemuch needed sleep. You can imagine where that leaves me as I manage the two kids, two dogs and house independently much of the time. Happily, I have learned that I can do it and things get easier every day. Mia is starting to sleep more independently which allows me a bit more time for Lucas. He has started skating lessons which have been a blast, and as the weather gets better we are enjoying more time out at the local parks. Ahhhhh... so we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as life is starting to work a little more rhythmically again. As long as we don't contract any more nasty colds and flus we should all be home free!

Lucas loves to tuck into bed with Mia. He really would like nothing better than for me to leave her there with him but I fear she'll be squashed as well as for his eardrums. Mia has the Higgins' family pipes on her when she wails; it makes one believe in survival of the fittest -and she's got it dialed!

"I can sit up, really I can!"

(6 weeks old)

Abuela lets Lucas go to town with paint.

Mia at eight weeks.

My two beautiful and precious children.

I am so very blessed, as I believe we all are, to have people in my life to love and to love me in return. I have been thinking so much about enjoying and accepting what we have; trying every day to be thankful for our blessings. This is because this last week has been a very sad one. One of my best friends' sister has just passed away at the the young age of 34 from breast cancer. She leaves behind her husband, two young children and many family and friends. My prayers go out to all of them.

The injustice of it all has me reeling in frustration and grief. Cancer has claimed too many people that I knew and I wish I could do more to eradicate this plague from our lives. On that note I leave you with this statistic:

On average 429 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week. On average, 102 women will die of it every week. (www.cancer.ca)

Please do a breast self examination today. Prevention is key. If you have never done one, I have posted a link to a pamphlet explaining how.

http://www.cancer.ca/vgn/images/portal/cit_86751114/39/41/510656710cw_library_breastselfexam_en.pdf

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.