Busy summer bees

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I realize I'm the worlds most sporadic blogger but we are busy bees over here!  

I am amazed at how quickly this mat leave is flying by...life with two babies sure is busy.  

This past month was filled with lots of fun. 

Meeting new friends: 

Liam and Grace

We met my friend Lauren's baby Grace a few weeks ago.  It was so fun to get the babies together to play.  I've known Lauren for forever so it's so fun to see her as a mom.  She's a natural.  We got the kids together again today for a morning at the art gallery.  It was great, the kids all loved it.  We got home from the city at around 1:30 and it was just beyond time for Jonah's nap so he didn't have one today...he did great considering, even made it through Sushi dinner tonight out.    

We spent a week up north at the cottage a week ago.  It was great having company all week long and extra hands to help with the boys.  Jonah had the time of his life with such a big audience and I loved the week up there with lots of people to visit with.  I really love being surrounded by our extended family.  As much as I'd be so happy with the two boys it's weeks like that that make me want an even bigger family.  I will remember it as the week that Adam serenaded us with background guitar music, we drank lots of David's Iced Tea and Jonah learned to say "Mami".  

Kissing the duck

Dressed up for his lady friends

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Who are you looking at? 

Banana Boat. 

We came home and had my nephew's Christening on Sunday.  It was a great day - my brother and sister in law have an amazing big backyard full of fun toys and Jonah loved running around with all the other kids. 

Backyard paradise!

And now since I only seem to get around to blogging once a month here are the kids monthly updates: 

Liam @ 4 months
Is sweet as can be.
Still likes to be swaddled when he sleeps - and still sleeps quite well.  
Just started to like going into the excersaucer and bumbo chair - loves to stand/sit up
Into reading books and really likes photoshoots
Is so vocal.  "talks" a lot more then I can remember Jonah ever doing so at his age.  It's cute.
Still shrimpy compared to Jonah, 14lbs10oz, and 43 inches long.  We had his 4 month apt yesterday and he's a bit light so I started a prescription to increase my milk supply...I'm also going to supplement a bit in the meantime...ideally I would like to nurse for 6 months like I did with Jonah but I'm open to whatever is going to be best/easiest for us both.

Jonah @ 21 months
Is a ball of energy.  The kid is go go go all the time and loves every minute of it.
The park in our neighbourhood just got totally redone with a foamy floor and two new play sets so he is loving that.  There's also a lot of construction in our neighbourhood which is great because every morning he gets up and says "Cwanes?" and I just open his curtains and voila there they are!  We also go on daily walks to find "Diggas".
Fave YouTube videos are Diggers and Sesame Street Feist.
Learned to blow his nose
So good at playing on his own, getting so creative with how he plays with toys, likes to stack, make piles etc.
Has lots of new words and starting to use them in the right context and combine some words to let us know what he wants: Up, Down, Weee, Crane, Digger, Truck, Helicopter (Hopter), Water, Boat, Doggie, Giraffe, Owl, Want (this is a big one "want up" "want water" (waaataaa).
Is quite clever I think.  When we drive by my mom's exit on the highway he knows and lets me know by shouting loudly "NANA!?!" "NONO?!?!"

I have been trying to get back into my scrappy groove - I find I get little bursts of time here and there so I need to be super organized.  After a hiatus I re-subscribed to Studio Calico and am loving getting a kit each month.

Here are a few of my latest pages:

A two pager!  I never do two pagers but had a lot of pictures that all sort of went together

Have a great day!

On being the mom of boys

Pin It Now! I need to preface the below by saying that I am first and foremost so thankful for two beautiful healthy babies.  I know that having a baby is something that so many long for and struggle with and I do appreciate how blessed we are.  

I never would have dreamed in my wildest dreams I would be the mom of boys.  It's not that I didn't want a boy - it's more that I just always expected to have a girl.  When we found out Jonah was a boy my feeling was "Great - a big brother" - and I always just assumed our second would be a girl.  I am a girl - friends with only girls, not a total girly girl but pretty close to it.  I think because of that I just never really considered having boys of my own.

When I found out that Liam was a boy I had a few days of feeling sort of funny about it.  Guilty for feeling like it was not what I had expected.  So quickly realizing that what would be was meant to be for our family.

Now that Liam is here I feel so foolish for ever questioning what was meant to be all along.  Of course Liam was meant to be here.  So we could be his parents.  So he could be our boy.  They are both such special gifts, such special souls that have been entrusted to us as parents.  Of course it was meant to be - I just didn't know it.

Jonah

• Taught me what it means to be a mom.   That sleeping on the floor of the living room beside him as an infant because he had a huge fever and it was too hot in his room was just totally the norm.  That putting myself first just wasn't an option or what I would choose even if I was made to -  that a "full nights" sleep just no longer exists the way it used to but somehow didn't matter anyway.  
• Is talking a lot - but getting so frustrated because what he says is still hard to understand and more times then not we have no clue what he means. 
• Lives totally in the moment.
• Likes to pretend talk on the phone to Nana and Nono "Haaay NahhNahh!" "Haaay NoohhNooh!"  
• Loves his dad. 

• Cries when he has to leave daycare.  I am glad he loves it so much but did have sort of hurt feelings - until one day last week when he woke up from his nap.  I picked him up and said "I love you" and he nuzzled in and gave me a big huge kiss smack on the lips without being asked.  
• Loves Ben - will give him kisses and hugs when they are in a room together and he doesn't know I'm watching.  
• Chased a flashlight around the house last night for a good while.  Was hysterical.  
• Loves twirling around and getting dizzy and falling down.  Will get up totally unfazed and move on.  Our baby linebacker - he must get knocked over a dozen times in a day and just gets up and keeps going.  Total boy.  Perfect for a big brother.  
• Will play his Handy Manny toolbox song and bop up and down and (I think) pretend to know the words but since he doesn't just say "OOOO" and close his eyes and smile.   I need to make a YouTube video of it.  I swear we'd make it onto the Ellen show it's so funny.  

Liam

• Is our Benjamin Buttons.  Such an old man soul.  
• So serene and sweet - such a calm placid demeanour 
• Has helped me realize that I need to take care of myself too.  His easy nature has afforded me the time to start to think about myself again.  To go to the gym.  To be rested.  To think about what I need to do for me plus 3.  
• Has strawberry birthmarks scattered around his body.  They'll go away by the time he's 5 or 6 and I'll miss them when they're gone.  
• Uses his hands a lot.  Loves to hold hands.    
• Is getting bigger but still so tiny baby compared to his brother at this age.  
• Loves to snuggle like a baby koala.  
• Is nothing that I was expecting but everything I ever wanted.   

Vacation recap

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We are back from a super fun week away in Florida.  We always have fun every time we go down but this was the first time I think that Jonah really enjoyed that we were there - he had a blast splashing around in the pools, swimming at the beach and going to the zoo.  Kirk and I had such a fun time too - riding bikes in the evening, going for walks and swimming - along with eating at some of our favourite places...and discovering new treats that we don't have in Canada like Chicago Popcorn (a mix of cheddar corn and carmel corn in one bag - yum!) and Cupcake Flavour goldfish graham crackers.  We went with my in laws which was a treat b/c it was there first time so we got to show them our favourite places.  I missed my parents because we normally go down with them but it made me excited to go back down with them in the fall.  It was the perfect amount of time away because by yesterday I think Jonah was started to get overtired and I was feeling ready to get back home into the swing of normal eating and living again but I sure enjoyed our week of indulgence.  

I took tons of pics and hope to print them and scrap them soon - here are a few of my faves: 

J's crocs - whenever I look back on my pics the everyday pics are the ones I tend to like most - I need to get better at taking more of these types of pictures: 

 Jonah enjoying the view at the zoo:

 Happy bathing babe:

 Sleepy beach Liam:

 Signs in Naples:

 The brothers celebrating Canada day south of the border:

In other news Liam is now 3 months old!  He just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter, full of coo's and likes to "talk".  He's still a great sleeper although this past week put him off a bit - we were just on the go all day so looking forward to a week at home to get back into our regular routine.  He really likes to be in his carseat and look around, he likes his swing but we didn't really miss it too much when we were away.  He's just such an easygoing sweet soul - he's like that informercial "set it and forget it" - I can put him down on a couch and walk away and I'll go back to check on him five minutes later and he'll be dozing away.  He goes to the dr. this week so we'll get his latest weight and height but I think he's feeling heavier these days.  He was a great little flyer - I feel like his monthly updates don't change much - but we really are blessed that he is such an easy little babe because Jonah is a going concern (in a good way)- so full of "piss and vinegar" (Ha that expression kills me).

Getting better...

Pin It Now! I have never been one to workout.  Luckily pre-kids you couldn't really tell.  I could eat for the most part what I wanted.  I wasn't the most fit looking person but I could fake it when I needed to.  In the last five or so years that has started to change....and two kids and two years later and that is certainly no longer the case.  I have a completely different body than I did prior.  And that's ok - obviously it was all worth it.  But the truth is?  I'm mad that I let myself get to the point where I didn't take care of myself physically in the first place.  I spent some time with a dear old relative this past week.  Realistically she doesn't have much time left with us - and I think she knows that.  But she is the sweetest most gentle soul.  Her body is totally failing her though.  She's all hunched over, uses a cain, she's frail.  It sort of made me want to kick myself.  I realized in that moment that we have one body - and that I should probably start treating mine properly.

Here's the thing:  all along I kept waiting for this magical moment where I'd want to workout.  Where it wouldn't seem like a chore.  Where I wouldn't dread it.  Because dreading something isn't good right?  I rationalized it by telling myself that if I had 40 free minutes to myself each day I'd rather do something I actually enjoy (which was always something sedentary like lying down on the couch and watching TV).

source

I wish I could say that the moment came when I had an epiphany and realized what would make me feel excited about working out....but I think I've come to the realization that for me at least that moment will never come.  I read somewhere recently about someone who lost a lot of weight and one of the catalysts was that she realized that it wasn't that clothes looked bad on her prior, it was that her body looked bad in the clothes - and if you were fit then, well everything would look good.  It all sounds so petty, so shallow - and I always prided myself on not really caring that much about that type of stuff.  But if I'm being honest with myself I think that was just a bit of a cover for the real truth - that I just don't really like to workout so I would just put it off.  The truth is I don't enjoy it.  I don't look forward to it, I see it as a total chore, there are numerous reasons - one big one which sounds ridiculous but I feel is totally rational is that I hate having to wash my hair - I have such thick hair and it takes for-EVER so not working out saves me time....ok so that's one reason I hate it, realistically I probably always will. But at the same time - I do want to be able to go shopping for clothes and buy what I like vs. thinking "will this cover the inner tube that's hanging around where my stomach used to be?" 

This picture has nothing to do with this post I just think it's funny and I hate to have a post with no picture.

Then a funny thing happened to me and I realized what would and could (hopefully) be my motivation to make myself stick with working out and eating healthy.  I want to commit myself to eating better and working out because I'm so sucky at it.  I'm good at most things.  Not to brag, but it's true.  I'm a good mom.  I'm a good friend, I'm good at my job, I try hard to be a good person and I put my heart and soul into things that I enjoy and as a result I'm good at them and have a great life.....I think because I love what I do (in general/work,mom, etc) then by nature it doesn't really feel like a chore.  But I hate working out - I suck at working out.  I'm the queen of excuses.  Even when I do workout I sometimes secretly "accidentally" on purpose show up 5 minutes late so that I can skip the first five minutes of a class.  So I need to do this to prove myself wrong.  To kick my own but.  To think about my long term self.  Of me at 85 - I want to be the healthiest me that I can be, all along the ride.

So - pardon me while I go downstairs and put on my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD (Barf!)

All the little things

Pin It Now! This life of mine is so different now then it was two years ago.  K. and I have been reminiscing about how quickly and how much our lives have changed in such a short period of time.  I am constantly amazed by how normal this all feels considering just how DIFFERENT it is.  I got my hair done this week for the first time in I think around 6 months judging by my roots and was amazed to hear myself telling my hairdresser that the amount of sleep you get just somehow feels normal and you get used to living on less sleep.  I remember I used to be the type of person that would count the hours of sleep I'd get and if it was in the 8-10hr zone I would be happy, anything under 8 hours and I'd plan for a rough day.  Now I think that 8 hours would be a small miracle and I think my new normal is probably between 5 and 7 but honestly I've stopped counting.

I really feel so blessed to have these two little boys in my life and it really is all the little things that I love most:
The gross fuzz in between Liam's toes
Cleaning up Jonah's thousand little plastic toys after he is in bed
Folding tiny clothes
Checking in on Jonah at night - he's getting big enough that he knows how to open his sleep sac zipper so I'll tuck his legs back in and do up the zipper
Getting scared by Jonah when he shouts"BO!"
Seeing Liam's little eyes light up at the sight of his big bro
Hiding Jonah's little sesame street characters in various places around the house and watching him get so excited when he finds them
Maintaining our house: Cleaning, menu planning, grocery shopping, tidying up in the evenings when I know they are both sound asleep upstairs.

I was lucky enough to knock out a few layouts for Liam a week or so ago when he took a miraculously long nap - I am still obsessed with all things teal and yellow:

Liam is two months old this week - eee!  We had his 8 week check up and I forgot to ask how long he was but he is 12lbs.09oz so trucking along in the weight department....I knew that his carrier was starting to feel heavier!  He is getting even better with his sleeping now going from about 9 or so until 5:30 or 6am - it's been so wonderful - I need to get better at going to bed earlier b/c I'll just stay up in the morning until Jonah is up now so need to get better at heading to bed before 11:30 or so.  Liam has been fussy in the evenings and eventually will go down at about 8:30 or 9.   He's started smiling and coo-ing, almost conversationally.  It's cute!  His little heart birthmark on his chest is now really red and raised - it is adorable and turns out he has a tiny one on his cheek too...I thought it was just a little scrape but nope, it's another strawberry.  We go lots of places together.  I've started going to the gym a few times a week so he comes with me and so far is a pro at the daycare there.  He's also started to tolerate his mamaroo for a few minutes at a time which is handy come dinner time.  He is starting to like to kick around in his activity mat too which is another dinnertime helper.  The toughest part of our day is Jonah's dinnertime because they are just both cranky so what I'll normally do is either wheel over Liam's bassinet to the table or put his carseat up on the table so that I can have one hand for each of them.  Normally by the time Kirk gets home at 6 or so I'm pretty wiped from that dinner hour mayhem but the rest of the day they are pretty good together.  I am thankful for the break I have with Jonah at daycare, the mornings with both of them have become a nice routine, I let them each wake up on their own time and we just take our time getting ready, playing and having breakfast.

K gotta run - sounds like nap time is done!  

Jonah @ 18 months

Pin It Now! Today is Jonah's year and a half marker - pretty hard to believe last year at this time I had a 6 month old baby and wasn't even pregnant with Liam and this year I have my two beautiful babies!
We go to the doctor's in a few weeks for his checkup but I had him get on our scale this morning and it looks like his 28 pounds, my big sack of potatoes.  I had him get on the scale because I was curious about his weight but also because I have had to become a total entertainer/distractor these days to keep him busy/out of trouble.  He is a wonderful boy - SO boisterous and ultra curious - into anything and everything and runs everywhere.

At 18 months - Jonah:
-Loves to eat!  Especially soup with rice and veggies and chicken or ground beef, meatballs, fruit - watermelon, grapes, tangerines, kiwi and strawberries.  His favourite treats are french fries and timbits.
-So far doesn't seem crazy about eggs, cheese (what the heck?) and raisins
-Loves to play outside, runs around, shoots a ball around with his mini hockey stick
-Started talking more and tries to repeat words.  Favourites are: Dada, Hieeeee, Stuck, Duck, Babeee, Meee Mee, Momma, Quack and Moo.
-LOVES to sing and dance.  The boy has rythem.  Bops his little bum around anytime a song comes on the tv, radio, a toy - whatever, he's not picky.  Hums songs all day long, Frere Jaques is his current have.
-Is a sweet soul to his brother, always trying to rock him, put in his soother, say hi - but a bit jealous I think as he's also gotten a little suckier since he's been here.
-Starting to use his own spoon.
-Thinks it's funny to do something naughty then look over and give a HUGE big cheeky smile.  It's hard not to laugh.
-Still a great sleeper, goes down between 6-7 and wakes around 7-8 with one afternoon nap, sometimes two on the weekends.

-Just now starting to play strange if someone new comes to the door or if someone he doesn't know tries to talk to him when we are out.  Still wants to be social but acts a bit bashful now to strangers. 

-Loves to be a helper - particularly with the vacuum! 

-Is really into how things work, super picky about the toys that he finds interesting and really only interested in toys that "do something" (stacking, building etc).  

-Makes me proud to be his mom! 

xoxo

Liam @ One Month

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One month? Four weeks?  Eek - how on earth did that happen?  I'm glad I remembered really - I am the youngest child so am trying to make a conscious effort not to forget to document things for Liam in the same manner that I did for Jonah -BUT - I do have to say now that I have two - I completely understand how it happens!  And it's not what I would have thought (that I'd be too busy, frazzled, distracted, etc) - it's more that with Liam here we just feel so natural and since we've been through it all before I forget that he's new.  It's like this team of four is an engine that's plugging away together - It is so nice!
So at one month Liam...:
-Sleeps!  The child sleeps!  Praise the Lord.  For sure my favourite habit of his :) - he is a really restful soul, goes down at about 8 or so and sleeps till 3 some nights then back up at 6 or so - other nights will be up at 1 and then again at 5 or so - its nuts and the complete opposite of his brother so completely NOT what i was expecting.  I tend to wake up to check on him if he goes longer than 5 hours but he's gaining weight steadily so I'm not going to rock the boat on that one.
-Lifts his head and neck when he's perched on one of us - has a crazy strong neck, was born that way!  Came out and started peeking around like a little bird.
-Weighs 10 lbs .07oz, and steadily gaining weight
-Still has long little chicken legs and a skinny bum and is still all "curled up" like a pretzel if you unswaddle him.
-Is hairy!  Ha!  Makes me laugh that he has hair all over his body
-Started to look around and focus
-Loves his hands, grasps around his face - I have a feeling he'll have a special blankie or stuffie in the future.

-Hated his first few baths but seemed to like the last one (although he's only had 5 total.  Stinky pants.  I sort of feel guilty about it because it's totally the second child thing happening here but am definitely more laid back this time and he just seems cool with it, I mean he's a boy and boys like dirt right?).
-Becoming a lot more alert during the daytime with lots of coos and squeaks.  Lets us know if he wants a new diaper, is hungry etc.  Likes to eat every few hours during the day.
-Takes his soother and likes to chillax with it during the day and a little bit at night.
-Not really a fan of the car or his swing yet - getting a bit better with both but during the day likes to be flat in his bassinet with his arms above his head.
-Sleeps in his crib at night in the miracle blanket then with a little baby sleeping bag on top for some extra warmth

-Is a pretty great sport considering the amount of poking (Jonah), licking (Ben) and "rocking" (Jonah) that goes on.  We're working on being gentle.

I cannot believe that I have a one month old and an almost one and a half year old!  Jonah turns one and a half on Tuesday, his favourite song these days is the Happy Birthday song so I'm going to do a little something special for him to celebrate ;0)