Spring Break is over :( We had a very nice week of relaxing and not rushing anywhere! We had a couple of fun play dates, a consignment meet, lunch out, and shopping!! I think Blake was glad to have a break from preschool. I noticed a few weeks ago that he was getting a bit tired and seemed to be not as enthusiastic about going as he was before. He's also had a very busy winter with swimming lessons, hockey and skating lessons! He will continue in swimming lessons until the end of June, skating lessons are over at the end of April and hockey ended last Saturday. We did have him registered in a soccer program at the Y, but we took him out of it. We think he needs a bit of a break from all these organized activities and with the warmer weather and summer on it's way, we'll be outside a lot!!! He really wants to play baseball, but there isn't a great time for it in our community league. He's always wanting to play ball in the basement, so I'm sure we'll be playing outside this summer!! Which is right up our alley :) I miss my ball playing days!!!
We all went out to watch Blake's last hockey practice on Saturday. He has improved SO much over the year, we are very proud of him!! Being only 4 next season, he will be back in Initiation 1. Cal really enjoyed coaching and will be volunteering again next year. We're extremely impressed with the KC organization and can't say enough good things about the "main" coaches Pete and Eva and the initiation director Dan. They were all amazing and made the 1st year of hockey for all the little ones a great year and one everyone will remember! Pete and Eva's son will be moving on to I2 next year, but hopefully we'll continue to see them around the rink. They're such great people :) At times I really wondered if Blake was enjoying playing hockey, but after every practice he'd come home and enthusiastically tell me about all his little teammates and who was and wasn't there, the games they played, etc, etc!!! And when I'd get to watch him, I'd often see his little grin under his helmet :) We're very glad he had fun! Cal and I both played a lot sports growing up and we'd love our kids to enjoy sports, however we're not going to force them to play!!!! We'll just keep introducing them to the various sports and if they like them great :)
Emerson is becoming more and more "girly" as the days pass! Her newest thing is wearing what she calls her "Princess Fairy costume" ALL day!!! Over her pj's, over her clothes ... she wanted to wear it for her nap, but we convinced her to take it off! She even wanted to wear it out of the house today! We also have a lot of fun with her clothes and hair, although she has a strong opinion in those departments too!!! We pull out many outfits each morning and debate over what she'll wear :) And same goes with her hair! Some days she wants a "pony", some days nothing, some days 2 ponytails, some days just a barrette. On a barrette day it can take a good 10 min. to decide which barrette!!! I love it and LOVE shopping for her and Reese ... right Cal?! lol! I enjoy shopping for Blake too, but let's face it - shopping for girls is so much more fun!!!
Our little Reese is getting bigger by the day! She's sitting up quite well now and is close to sitting unassisted! She's started trying to sit up in her carseat, bouncy chair, in the tub, etc! Looks like she's doing crunches, kind of cute, but very awkward looking at the same time! She's "talking" lots too, which is so stinkin' cute :) She's teething like crazy and chewing on anything she can, most especially her hands!!! I can see a bottom tooth, but it is no where near breaking through. We've been very negligent with tummy time. She gets the majority of her tummy time on me and can lift her head up high in the air! Her neck is very strong! I should probably put her on her tummy more though, then at least she'd get a chance to learn how to roll ;) This week I've noticed Reese becoming interested in the food around her! Yesterday morning I was eating cereal with Reese on my knee and she looked like she was practically drooling, watching the spoon go from the bowl to my mouth!!!! We'll likely wait until she's 6 months old to try solids with her and I'm thinking she'll be ready!!! On a less happy note, she still isn't self soothing that well in the evenings :( I'm afraid we might need to employ the "crying it out" method. I really, really didn't want to do this, but I know how valuable sleep is to Reese's development and I know she's tired, therefore she needs to learn how to put herself to sleep!!! She is so good at laying down awake and going to sleep at nap times (if I watch the clock and don't push it too late!), but most bedtimes I have to nurse her to sleep and then she wakes up off and on during the evening until she zonks out late in the evening! She usually nurses once during the night and goes right back to sleep easily until morning. So we'll try to get her putting herself to sleep at bedtime and see how it goes. You don't know until you try ... right?! Maybe she needs a little bit of crying to "soothe" herself to sleep?! She's almost 5 months old, so it's time to try! *sigh* The other possibility is that I'm not putting her down at her "magic time." So I'm going to be a clock/baby sleepy signs watcher this week and see if I can help her, help herself get to sleep at bedtime!!!! I know I've said it before, but Blake was so easy to "train" because he took a soother and Emerson was a thumb sucker. Little Reese hasn't liked either of those :(
We had a great weekend! Our nephew Dylan was in a hockey tournament in North Edmonton. Cal took Blake and Em to his Saturday morning game and then came back to our house with his Mom and our nephew Colby and niece Jenna. The kids had a blast playing and visiting! We went to Dylan's 2:15 game and then everyone came back here for supper. It was great to visit with everyone and hear about Gerry and Lesley's Hawaii trip! Dylan was in the A final this afternoon and we all went to watch! I was very impressed with Dylan's playing and enjoyed watching all the games :) Emerson was once again enamored with her Auntie Carmen! Although we think Carmen's back pack of goodies helped her achieve top notch on Em's totem pole :)
The weather is finally resembling Spring and we couldn't be happier!!! We've been out puddle jumping a few times now and I've realized I need a pair of rubber boots! I love the warmer temps and hope this week it continues!
Have a great week everyone!
xoxo Tracy
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Spring??
Hmmm ... according to the calendar spring has sprung ... unfortunately our weather isn't exactly resembling "spring!" I can not wait for warmer temp's and the snow to melt!! What a cold, snowy winter we've had ... I'm scared it's going to take until June for the snow to melt and our summer will be short :S Hopefully not!! I can't wait to be able to play outside in the back yard, go to the park to play and have a picnic lunch, go for bike rides, walks (in shorts!), hit the beach, plant my flowers, etc, etc! We're all really looking forward to the activities of summer :) Blake looks out into the backyard every day and gets excited if he can see the ground!! Sometimes he says, "I can see a leaf!! Yay! Spring is here!!" lol! Blake and Emerson both have their rubber boots out and are anxious to wear them :) Blake went against his norm this year and picked out Batman rubber boots instead of Thomas rubber boots ... lol!!! He's had Thomas rubber boots for as long as he's been walking ;)
Not too much is new around here. This week is Spring Break, so all the kid's activities are cancelled this week. It's nice not to have to rush out of the house to preschool! We usually need to leave here around 8:30 am and with getting 3 kids dressed and ready and nursing Reese it can be a bit "crazy!!!" Most preschool days I have good intentions to get ready early and hit Timmie's, but what most often happens is we're running late and I can't get a coffee!!! Or I drive by 3 Tim Horton's and the drive through line ups are so backed up, Preschool would be over by the time I got through them!! We don't have any plans for our week off, originally Cal was going to take a day off and we were thinking of doing something fun, such as visiting the WEM Waterpark and Galaxyland or something "different" that we don't usually do, but then we realized all those attractions would be jam packed and decided no thanks!!!! We might try the Servus Place play gym one day or the drop in Toddler Time, which I've heard is great.
We've been tossing around the idea of a few home reno's and have decided to do 2 things this year! We're going to paint the main living areas of the house (not the bedrooms as they've all been recently painted) and replace the kitchen appliances. I've very excited about this :) The painting part might throw a bit of a kink into our everyday, but maybe the kids and I will go to Stony Plain for a few nights while the painters do their magic! We have someone coming over to give us a quote this week. Now to pick a color/colors!?
Cal and I have both been putting a few miles on our new treadmill! Cal more then me ... but he's training for the 1/2 marathon in May and I'm doing the couch to 5 K program, so he naturally is running MUCH farther then me!!!
We hope everyone is doing well and keeping their chin up, in regards to this loooonnnggg winter!!! Spring and then summer will soon be here ... right?!?
xoxo Tracy
Not too much is new around here. This week is Spring Break, so all the kid's activities are cancelled this week. It's nice not to have to rush out of the house to preschool! We usually need to leave here around 8:30 am and with getting 3 kids dressed and ready and nursing Reese it can be a bit "crazy!!!" Most preschool days I have good intentions to get ready early and hit Timmie's, but what most often happens is we're running late and I can't get a coffee!!! Or I drive by 3 Tim Horton's and the drive through line ups are so backed up, Preschool would be over by the time I got through them!! We don't have any plans for our week off, originally Cal was going to take a day off and we were thinking of doing something fun, such as visiting the WEM Waterpark and Galaxyland or something "different" that we don't usually do, but then we realized all those attractions would be jam packed and decided no thanks!!!! We might try the Servus Place play gym one day or the drop in Toddler Time, which I've heard is great.
We've been tossing around the idea of a few home reno's and have decided to do 2 things this year! We're going to paint the main living areas of the house (not the bedrooms as they've all been recently painted) and replace the kitchen appliances. I've very excited about this :) The painting part might throw a bit of a kink into our everyday, but maybe the kids and I will go to Stony Plain for a few nights while the painters do their magic! We have someone coming over to give us a quote this week. Now to pick a color/colors!?
Cal and I have both been putting a few miles on our new treadmill! Cal more then me ... but he's training for the 1/2 marathon in May and I'm doing the couch to 5 K program, so he naturally is running MUCH farther then me!!!
We hope everyone is doing well and keeping their chin up, in regards to this loooonnnggg winter!!! Spring and then summer will soon be here ... right?!?
xoxo Tracy
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Reese is 4 months old!!
On Saturday the 19th, our little peanut was 4 months old!! She is growing so fast and isn't really a little peanut anymore ;) She weighs 12 lbs 7 oz (30th %tile) and is in the 30th %tile for height and around there for head circumference. I think her cheeks are in the 90 %tile though ... ;) Blake was almost 16 lbs at 4 months and Emerson was approx. 13 1/2 lbs at 4 months, so although Reese started out as our biggest baby, she's our smallest at 4 months!!!! She did well at her 4 month immunizations on Wednesday, although was a bit irritable that afternoon. I feel so bad holding my babies down as the mean nurse pokes them :( Definitely one part of having young kids I will not miss.
Reese is changing quickly! She tried out her bumbo chair for the first time and loved it! Blake and Emerson like to bring her toys when she's sitting in the bumbo!! Blake remembered that he played trains with Emerson when she first started sitting in the bumbo chair and was excited to bring "Reesey" some trains to play with :) Reese also tried the exersaucer and was quite happy in it, although her feet are far from touching the ground, so I think we'll wait a few more weeks before we use it regularly!! Reese is "talking" more and more every day. She'll have to speak up in this house to be heard above her big bro and big sis!!!! She's also enjoying her hands ... they are in her mouth ALL the time (except for when she is sleeping and eating!!) She's gnawing on them like crazy! I think she's started the looonnnggg teething process and put her amber teething necklace on her! Hopefully that will give her some relief, if needed. I thought at one point in time that she was going to be a thumb sucker, but it's not looking like it! And we're done trying the soother. Regardless, she has figured out how to self soothe and is getting really good at putting herself to sleep. One day I just decided to try putting her down awake and low and behold she put herself to sleep :) It felt like it took forever to reach this point, but I think that is because Emerson was self soothing and sleeping 12 hours straight at 8 weeks old!!! Reese is maybe a bit more "average" in that it was almost 4 months before she figured out the whole self soothing thing ;) She "complains" for a few minutes and then goes off to dreamland!! That is if I get her down at the perfect time, if I wait too long she gets overtired and I need to nurse her to sleep. Right now she is loving her morning nap, but fights her afternoon nap(s)!! And is doing great at night time! She sleeps approximately 13 hours at night, with 2 or 3 nursing sessions! I'm pretty happy with that and she's gaining weight, so all is good :) Reese is a very content and happy baby! If I didn't know better I think I'd just keep her up all day and tote her around everywhere!!! She doesn't get too cranky, only when she's hungry!
Before we know it Reese will be starting solids and turning 1 and starting school ... time really does pass too quickly!! She has been a perfect addition to our family and we can't imagine our lives without our 3rd little one :)
Blake and Emerson seem to have ironed out their nighttime woes. Cal took Blake to a medicentre last week, because his cough is still persisting and it's been over a month. The doc didn't even look at his ears, so Saturday morning Cal took Blake and Emerson to their family doctor (Emerson woke up screaming Friday night with a flaming red ear). Blake has a really bad double ear infection (the Dr. showed Cal the inside of Blake's ear!) and Emerson's 1 ear was infected. Emerson's wasn't bad, but it doesn't take a bad ear infection for her to be bothered, so she in on antibiotics. We have no idea when Blake has an ear infection, he doesn't complain about the pain or anything and he's always been like that! But we are wondering if the ear infection wasn't causing these "noises" he was hearing?! Regardless, he is doing a lot better at night time now and we're very thankful for that :) Sleep is so precious ... and needed by the entire family!!
It is my month to plan a get together with my new mom's group, so on Wednesday morning we are all heading to Cafe O'Play. I'm really looking forward to checking out this new cafe/play gym! I've heard great reviews!! It will also be nice to see our new mom's group friends :)
Have a great week everyone!! Hopefully now that Spring has arrived, our weather will be a little more Spring-like ...
xoxo Tracy
Reese is changing quickly! She tried out her bumbo chair for the first time and loved it! Blake and Emerson like to bring her toys when she's sitting in the bumbo!! Blake remembered that he played trains with Emerson when she first started sitting in the bumbo chair and was excited to bring "Reesey" some trains to play with :) Reese also tried the exersaucer and was quite happy in it, although her feet are far from touching the ground, so I think we'll wait a few more weeks before we use it regularly!! Reese is "talking" more and more every day. She'll have to speak up in this house to be heard above her big bro and big sis!!!! She's also enjoying her hands ... they are in her mouth ALL the time (except for when she is sleeping and eating!!) She's gnawing on them like crazy! I think she's started the looonnnggg teething process and put her amber teething necklace on her! Hopefully that will give her some relief, if needed. I thought at one point in time that she was going to be a thumb sucker, but it's not looking like it! And we're done trying the soother. Regardless, she has figured out how to self soothe and is getting really good at putting herself to sleep. One day I just decided to try putting her down awake and low and behold she put herself to sleep :) It felt like it took forever to reach this point, but I think that is because Emerson was self soothing and sleeping 12 hours straight at 8 weeks old!!! Reese is maybe a bit more "average" in that it was almost 4 months before she figured out the whole self soothing thing ;) She "complains" for a few minutes and then goes off to dreamland!! That is if I get her down at the perfect time, if I wait too long she gets overtired and I need to nurse her to sleep. Right now she is loving her morning nap, but fights her afternoon nap(s)!! And is doing great at night time! She sleeps approximately 13 hours at night, with 2 or 3 nursing sessions! I'm pretty happy with that and she's gaining weight, so all is good :) Reese is a very content and happy baby! If I didn't know better I think I'd just keep her up all day and tote her around everywhere!!! She doesn't get too cranky, only when she's hungry!
Before we know it Reese will be starting solids and turning 1 and starting school ... time really does pass too quickly!! She has been a perfect addition to our family and we can't imagine our lives without our 3rd little one :)
Blake and Emerson seem to have ironed out their nighttime woes. Cal took Blake to a medicentre last week, because his cough is still persisting and it's been over a month. The doc didn't even look at his ears, so Saturday morning Cal took Blake and Emerson to their family doctor (Emerson woke up screaming Friday night with a flaming red ear). Blake has a really bad double ear infection (the Dr. showed Cal the inside of Blake's ear!) and Emerson's 1 ear was infected. Emerson's wasn't bad, but it doesn't take a bad ear infection for her to be bothered, so she in on antibiotics. We have no idea when Blake has an ear infection, he doesn't complain about the pain or anything and he's always been like that! But we are wondering if the ear infection wasn't causing these "noises" he was hearing?! Regardless, he is doing a lot better at night time now and we're very thankful for that :) Sleep is so precious ... and needed by the entire family!!
It is my month to plan a get together with my new mom's group, so on Wednesday morning we are all heading to Cafe O'Play. I'm really looking forward to checking out this new cafe/play gym! I've heard great reviews!! It will also be nice to see our new mom's group friends :)
Have a great week everyone!! Hopefully now that Spring has arrived, our weather will be a little more Spring-like ...
xoxo Tracy
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Why??!
Why oh why ... oh why oh why ... !!!! Blake's had a rough few nights :( If you recall from last August's blog posts, he went through a "scared" phase at night. It started suddenly one night and escalated for a few weeks. We seemed to "solve" the problem by working out a ticket system. We went to the dollar store together and made a ticket box and tickets and for every good night he had, he'd get a ticket. He had to get so many tickets and then he could cash them in for a prize (usually a book, his choice!)! It took a very short time and he was over being scared at night! All other remedies, such as using "Scary Monster Spray" or using a special teddy bear or telling him Heidi and Jazz scare away all the bad guys, etc, etc did not work. I think he's too smart for that!! If we wouldn't believe, he's not believing it!
And here we are again ... Blake's SCARED! ARGH! I can't understand what he's scared of?! Last summer it was a "scary man" and now it's "noises!" The crazy thing is that he can't hear anything in his room, we've always ran a humidifier or a fan in our kids rooms and we've been in their rooms at night time - it's very quiet and whatever small noises there might be in the house, they are drowned out by the humidifier. Even Heidi barking isn't that loud in there. SO ... I don't know. I mean, I know it's a phase and it will pass but it is so frustrating and I have zero patience for it!! Cal has a few more patience ;) I just want to lose my mind.
He still has a bad cough at night, which I thought might be causing him problems, so Cal took him to the medicentre yesterday and the doc prescribed an inhaler. The doctor wasn't very clear (shocker ... good ol' medicentre docs!) on the use or reason behind prescribing the inhaler, so I think we'll hold off on filling that prescription until we talk to our pediatrician. Not sure if we should take him to the pediatrician right now or not ... I hate making that call!!! His cough does sound bad at night and he has had it for around a month ... During the day he's fine! Honey before bed seems to curb the cough a little.
I already feel better ... writing out my woes on my beloved blog sure is good therapy ;) LOL!! Here's hoping we can get over this latest "scary" predicament and I'll pray really hard that the girls don't go through this phase!!!
Tracy
And here we are again ... Blake's SCARED! ARGH! I can't understand what he's scared of?! Last summer it was a "scary man" and now it's "noises!" The crazy thing is that he can't hear anything in his room, we've always ran a humidifier or a fan in our kids rooms and we've been in their rooms at night time - it's very quiet and whatever small noises there might be in the house, they are drowned out by the humidifier. Even Heidi barking isn't that loud in there. SO ... I don't know. I mean, I know it's a phase and it will pass but it is so frustrating and I have zero patience for it!! Cal has a few more patience ;) I just want to lose my mind.
He still has a bad cough at night, which I thought might be causing him problems, so Cal took him to the medicentre yesterday and the doc prescribed an inhaler. The doctor wasn't very clear (shocker ... good ol' medicentre docs!) on the use or reason behind prescribing the inhaler, so I think we'll hold off on filling that prescription until we talk to our pediatrician. Not sure if we should take him to the pediatrician right now or not ... I hate making that call!!! His cough does sound bad at night and he has had it for around a month ... During the day he's fine! Honey before bed seems to curb the cough a little.
I already feel better ... writing out my woes on my beloved blog sure is good therapy ;) LOL!! Here's hoping we can get over this latest "scary" predicament and I'll pray really hard that the girls don't go through this phase!!!
Tracy
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Life ...
IS GOOD!! I don't often put that in writing, I'm kind of superstitious ;) But, really I can't (or shouldn't!) complain! The kids are so good! Minor illnesses aside, we are all doing great!
Cal is working O.T. at work and home!! He brings his laptop home most evenings and works when the kids are in bed and I'm doing Cameron's Closet business or things around the house! I'm glad his career is so flexible, it is really great for our family. I don't think we'd have 3 kids so close together, if that wasn't the case!!! He's just as busy at home, taking the "big kids" to their activities! They all have a lot of fun though and enjoy special time with Dad in the evenings and on the weekends :)
Speaking of Cameron's Closet - business is booming!! I think I could be as busy as I want to be! Our storage room is pretty much full now though, so I won't be taking anymore clothes until these are cleared out ;) I'm really enjoying this undertaking and love that I can work when I want to and/or when I have time! I've also enjoyed all the new people I've met :)
Cal is working O.T. at work and home!! He brings his laptop home most evenings and works when the kids are in bed and I'm doing Cameron's Closet business or things around the house! I'm glad his career is so flexible, it is really great for our family. I don't think we'd have 3 kids so close together, if that wasn't the case!!! He's just as busy at home, taking the "big kids" to their activities! They all have a lot of fun though and enjoy special time with Dad in the evenings and on the weekends :)
Speaking of Cameron's Closet - business is booming!! I think I could be as busy as I want to be! Our storage room is pretty much full now though, so I won't be taking anymore clothes until these are cleared out ;) I'm really enjoying this undertaking and love that I can work when I want to and/or when I have time! I've also enjoyed all the new people I've met :)
Emerson is doing well. She has a minor ear infection right now, viral and will hopefully clear up on its own. So far so good! I still find it hard to believe how well Emerson has accepted Reese. She is so adorable with Reese! She enjoys singing for her and talking to her, it is so, so nice to see! Reese smiles at her and kicks her legs in excitement ... which led to a hilarious moment captured on video! Unfortunately, the video won't upload here, but I do have it on FB!! Em was talking to Reese, who was in her swing and kicking her legs. Em turned to us and said, "Reesey's kicking me!" It was so funny!! She also was asking Reese, "What? What Reesey?" LOL! Too cute :)
On Saturday when Cal and Blake were at hockey and on Sunday when they were at Blake's 1st skating lesson, I had an hour each day with just Emerson and I!! It was SO nice. I haven't spent time with just Em since before Reese was born. Every day I spend time with just Blake (when the girls are napping), and of course Reese gets a lot of 1 on 1 time with me, so it was really nice to spend a couple of hours with just Emerson (Reese was napping). Both days she sat on my lap and we read books :) One of her favorite things to do! She's a little bookworm for sure! I really enjoyed the time to ourselves and all the Emerson cuddles.
Blake loves Reese just as much as he loves Emerson and is so tender with her, giving her hugs and kisses all the time and talking so quietly and nicely to her! The other day he told me that Reese is "Blueberry" now because Emerson isn't a baby anymore! Blake was really excited when we brought the Bumbo chair up for Reese. He remembers sharing his trains with Emerson when she first sat in the Bumbo and gathered up a couple to share with Reese!! How adorable :) We can't believe his memory ... he remembers a lot from age 2 and up!! Maybe those memories will not stick as he gets older or maybe he'll be like his Auntie Lindsay and remember everything from his childhood!!!! As mentioned above, Blake had his first skating lesson on Sunday with Extreme Edge Skating Club. He was really looking forward to it and did great! It was so cute, when a few weeks ago I was going to register him and I told him where I was going, to which he replied (in the most sincere voice you could ever imagine!), "Oh ... yeah! Thanks Mom!! Do you know where it is? There's parking all around there, in front, on the sides!" Tears came to my eyes, it was so cute!!! Blake in on antibiotics for an ear and throat infection. He's slowly starting to feel better. Can't wait for this winter to be over!!! I think all the "bugs" are hanging around and being passed around because it's been too cold for most people to go outside!!
Reese is doing great as well. She's been stuffed up for what seems like forever, but the Dr. reassures us it is viral and will go away eventually! She's such a happy baby, not fussy at all. If she fusses you know she needs to nurse or have a diaper change! She's very, very smiley, just like Blake and Em were at her age and loves watching people!! She's noticing a lot more these days and her head seems to be on a swivel as she watches everything happening around her!! She's holding on to toys now too, which is neat. Her sleeping habits are getting better and better. I'm sort of "sleep training" her! Not too strictly yet, but she's responded really well to my attempts so far. One thing she's been doing the past few weeks is waking up around 8 pm and staying up until midnight some nights!! I'm not too fond of that habit! But it's not like she's unhappy or anything, she just hangs out, plays, eats and then goes to bed for the night!! She's not doing that tonight though, so we'll see what's next!! I know it takes a few weeks to establish an earlier bedtime, so maybe we're at the turning point?! She naps really well during the day and seems to have learned how to fall asleep herself ... don't want to jinx us, so I'm saying "she seems"!!! lol! She still has no use for the soother, will suck on it for a few seconds and then spit it out. She has found her thumb, but it doesn't seem to satisfy her! I think the more children you have, the more relaxed you become. At least that's how I feel!! I'm not so worried about getting Reese "on a schedule!" Although I do value the benefits of sleep and do want her to get an adequate amount of sleep!! And I wouldn't mind some time to myself in the evenings ;) Reese had an early 4 month check up today with our pediatrician. She's doing awesome and is now 12 lbs 7 oz and 24" long. Both in the 30th %tile. I'm glad she's gaining weight and the doc is happy ;) She smiled the whole time at Dr. Radisic and when he undid her diaper, she peed on him ... LOL!! He laughed, I suppose being a pediatrician, that happens maybe almost daily?! Her 4 month immunizations are next week.
We're really looking forward to the Mom, Pop and Tots Fair this Friday. Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs are there and Blake is super excited to see them!!! He loves the show and I can't wait to see his reaction when he sees them on Friday!
Hope you are all having a great week! Take care everyone :)
xoxo Tracy
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Attitude of Gratitude
Tracy's rant time ...
A few weeks ago I had a "moment" where I was sick and tired of hearing everyone around me complaining!!! Maybe because I was feeling sorry for myself?! I do have those moments you know ... I'm tired, I'm worn out from the whining and crying that comes with 3 kids under 4, I just want a few hours to myself to get my hair cut, go to the spa, go shopping, exercise, etc, etc, I want 10 consecutive hours of sleep with only my husband by my side, I want to take my kids on a fun vacation out of Canada, and it goes on ... I'm human after all! And sometimes when I hear others complaints, I think, "Seriously?! Like really?! You've GOT to be kidding me! Wake up!! Take a look around ..." But back to that day a few weeks ago, I logged on to FB for the millionth time that day (JK!!) and it seemed every second status update was negative ... which lead me to update my status, "Gawd ... some people need to stop feeling so bloody sorry for themselves ... life is too short! Take a look around, chances are you have it pretty darn good." I know this status update had people wondering and hurt some feelings. That was not the intent and in hind sight, this type of status update or comment is something I would typically think but not say or express on FB :) I try to reserve this type of negative conversation for conversations with my husband, Mom, sister and BFF's!! I like to think that I am a very accepting person and not too judgemental. I truly feel every person is an individual and every situation is individual to that person. Just because one thing works for me, doesn't mean it would work for someone else. I often say or think, "To each his own!" How boring would the world be if everyone was basically the same. I love individuality and thinking and even living "outside the norm." Personally, I have so much more respect for people who are individuals vs. people who try to "keep up with the Joneses!!" What I'm saying is that I usually wouldn't have reacted the way I did that day ;)
A family friend responded to my above FB status update with this, "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Followed by, "We need to adopt the attitude of gratitude." WOW! This really had me thinking ...! Thanks Pat :)
So, that brings me to this ... It is so easy in today's world to always be wanting more ... more money, more time with your kids, more time with your spouse, more "me" time, more time with your friends and family, more vacations, a newer/bigger home, a new vehicle etc, etc, ETC!!! "Keeping up with the Joneses" is an epidemic!!!! Materialism is taking over our lives. I feel very fortunate that I live a "rich" life. Not rich as in the size of my bank account, but rich with a wealth of loving friends and family, good health and blessed to be able to make choices in how we live our life and how we raise our children.
I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals and dreams. I just feel we should try a little harder to adopt the "attitude of gratitude!" And that is what I'm trying to do :) Surprisingly it works! Waking up and choosing to be "in a good mood" and choosing to have a good day ... works!
And on that note, I need a vacation ;) LOL! Lately I've been dreaming of taking the kids on a fun vacation. I'm thinking big, but realistically that vacation will be our trip to the family cabin in Sask. this July :) (unless someone takes us on a vacation - not likely - or we win the lotto - even less likely!!!!!) And truthfully, I don't think the kids would have any more fun on a beach in Mexico vs. on the beach at Marean Lake Resort!!! Actually, they'll have more fun in Sask. because they'll be amongst grandparents, great grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, great Aunts and Uncles, and 2nd cousins.
Thanks for listening :)
xoxo Tracy
A few weeks ago I had a "moment" where I was sick and tired of hearing everyone around me complaining!!! Maybe because I was feeling sorry for myself?! I do have those moments you know ... I'm tired, I'm worn out from the whining and crying that comes with 3 kids under 4, I just want a few hours to myself to get my hair cut, go to the spa, go shopping, exercise, etc, etc, I want 10 consecutive hours of sleep with only my husband by my side, I want to take my kids on a fun vacation out of Canada, and it goes on ... I'm human after all! And sometimes when I hear others complaints, I think, "Seriously?! Like really?! You've GOT to be kidding me! Wake up!! Take a look around ..." But back to that day a few weeks ago, I logged on to FB for the millionth time that day (JK!!) and it seemed every second status update was negative ... which lead me to update my status, "Gawd ... some people need to stop feeling so bloody sorry for themselves ... life is too short! Take a look around, chances are you have it pretty darn good." I know this status update had people wondering and hurt some feelings. That was not the intent and in hind sight, this type of status update or comment is something I would typically think but not say or express on FB :) I try to reserve this type of negative conversation for conversations with my husband, Mom, sister and BFF's!! I like to think that I am a very accepting person and not too judgemental. I truly feel every person is an individual and every situation is individual to that person. Just because one thing works for me, doesn't mean it would work for someone else. I often say or think, "To each his own!" How boring would the world be if everyone was basically the same. I love individuality and thinking and even living "outside the norm." Personally, I have so much more respect for people who are individuals vs. people who try to "keep up with the Joneses!!" What I'm saying is that I usually wouldn't have reacted the way I did that day ;)
A family friend responded to my above FB status update with this, "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Followed by, "We need to adopt the attitude of gratitude." WOW! This really had me thinking ...! Thanks Pat :)
So, that brings me to this ... It is so easy in today's world to always be wanting more ... more money, more time with your kids, more time with your spouse, more "me" time, more time with your friends and family, more vacations, a newer/bigger home, a new vehicle etc, etc, ETC!!! "Keeping up with the Joneses" is an epidemic!!!! Materialism is taking over our lives. I feel very fortunate that I live a "rich" life. Not rich as in the size of my bank account, but rich with a wealth of loving friends and family, good health and blessed to be able to make choices in how we live our life and how we raise our children.
I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals and dreams. I just feel we should try a little harder to adopt the "attitude of gratitude!" And that is what I'm trying to do :) Surprisingly it works! Waking up and choosing to be "in a good mood" and choosing to have a good day ... works!
And on that note, I need a vacation ;) LOL! Lately I've been dreaming of taking the kids on a fun vacation. I'm thinking big, but realistically that vacation will be our trip to the family cabin in Sask. this July :) (unless someone takes us on a vacation - not likely - or we win the lotto - even less likely!!!!!) And truthfully, I don't think the kids would have any more fun on a beach in Mexico vs. on the beach at Marean Lake Resort!!! Actually, they'll have more fun in Sask. because they'll be amongst grandparents, great grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, great Aunts and Uncles, and 2nd cousins.
Thanks for listening :)
xoxo Tracy
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
FUN, FUN, FUN!!
We had a great Family Day long weekend! Saturday afternoon we attended the wedding ceremony of our friends John and Jenna. It was a beautiful ceremony, in the gorgeous St. Joseph's Basilica Church (where Gretzky got married, you know ;)!
My Dad was watching Blake and Emerson for us. Emerson decided not to nap on Saturday afternoon ... we think she was just too excited to hang out with Grandpa and go on her birthday date with Uncle Jeremy and Auntie Lindsay :) (Truth be known ... she's just like that these days! lol!) After the wedding I called home to see how things were. We had told Emerson she might not be able to go on her date if she didn't have a nap, which she remembered because she told me over the phone, "I'm not going anywhere Mom! I'm not going anywhere." LOL! But of course we couldn't deprive her of a fun few hours with her Aunt and Uncle!!! So Grandpa and Blake hung out and Jeremy and Lindsay picked up Emerson and took her to Build A Bear at WEM. They say she was not as talkative as she usually is, but did have fun and started showing her chatty side on the way home! She chose a very feminine, girly, multi-colored bear, an adorable hoodie and pant outfit, shades, a pillow and a blanket and named her new friend Honey Bear :) We thought she chose Honey Bear because she loves the Bernstein Bears books, but she chose the name from a long list of names at Build A Bear!! Although she may have agreed to that name because of the books ;) She now sleeps with "Honey" and totes her around the house! When they got home Emerson told us a bit about her "date" and we had a good laugh when she told us she sucked her thumb on the ride to the wall!! She said, "I suck my thumb Mom! Like this! (sticks her thumb in her mouth!)" It was hilarious!!
My Dad was watching Blake and Emerson for us. Emerson decided not to nap on Saturday afternoon ... we think she was just too excited to hang out with Grandpa and go on her birthday date with Uncle Jeremy and Auntie Lindsay :) (Truth be known ... she's just like that these days! lol!) After the wedding I called home to see how things were. We had told Emerson she might not be able to go on her date if she didn't have a nap, which she remembered because she told me over the phone, "I'm not going anywhere Mom! I'm not going anywhere." LOL! But of course we couldn't deprive her of a fun few hours with her Aunt and Uncle!!! So Grandpa and Blake hung out and Jeremy and Lindsay picked up Emerson and took her to Build A Bear at WEM. They say she was not as talkative as she usually is, but did have fun and started showing her chatty side on the way home! She chose a very feminine, girly, multi-colored bear, an adorable hoodie and pant outfit, shades, a pillow and a blanket and named her new friend Honey Bear :) We thought she chose Honey Bear because she loves the Bernstein Bears books, but she chose the name from a long list of names at Build A Bear!! Although she may have agreed to that name because of the books ;) She now sleeps with "Honey" and totes her around the house! When they got home Emerson told us a bit about her "date" and we had a good laugh when she told us she sucked her thumb on the ride to the wall!! She said, "I suck my thumb Mom! Like this! (sticks her thumb in her mouth!)" It was hilarious!!
After the wedding ceremony, Cal, Reese and I stopped at Costco to buy most of our food for Emerson's 2nd birthday party the following day. Saturday night was spent baking and icing 36 cupcakes and 1 giant cupcake cake! I enjoyed icing the cupcakes, but I think I better invest in a piping bag vs. always using a ziploc bag - I burst a few bags!! I couldn't decide what "theme" to go with for Emerson's 2nd birthday party, but thought to heck with it ... she loves cupcakes and she's kinda like our little cupcake, so there you go ... cupcake "theme" it is!!
Sunday morning we got ready for the party, packed the van and headed for Dynamyx Gymnastics Club that afternoon! Emerson had a great time, as did the other kids! It was a nice change to host a birthday party at a different location, other then our house. The hour on the mat with the coaches was fantastic! I like that part the best - a planned, organized activity for the kids to enjoy vs. just playing with the toys at our house!! The 2 young coaches were great with all the kids and I was impressed by how well the kids all listened! Emerson looked so darn cute in her new outfit from Grandma and Grandpa D, but perhaps she will need a gymnastics body suit in the near future?! Thank you to everyone for the wonderful gifts and for helping us celebrate our dear Emerson's 2nd birthday! We hoped you also enjoyed yourselves :)
Monday, Family Day in the province of AB, was a relaxing day at home! It was very nice to not have to go anywhere, if we didn't want to. We've been on the go constantly, with something we need to do everyday for the past few weeks, so Monday was a treat! Cal and the kids went to Toys R Us. Blake, Emerson and Reese all got a small Valentine's Day gift from their Great Grandma Marg and Great Grandpa Art and after much discussion, they decided to buy Play Doh with their money! Cal and Blake played outside for a bit after they got home, it was such a gorgeous day.
My Mom and Dad came over for supper and cupcakes Monday afternoon. It was my Mom's birthday on Sunday (February 20th) and with the business of Emerson's party, we didn't get a proper chance to celebrate! It was nice to have them over and sing Happy Birthday to Grandma D :) We hope you had a nice birthday Mom and although I don't think you minded having Em's party on your birthday, we'll try not to do that again!! Love you, and hope to celebrate next year's big birthday somewhere fun!!!!
According to my favorite weatherman, Josh Classen, the next 2 weeks are supposed to be the coldest 2 weeks thus far. I'm wondering if this is some sort of early April Fool's Day joke or something??!! The forecast that followed that prediction did not look to be the coldest 2 weeks of Winter?! Let's hope Josh was joking :) Have a great week everyone!
xoxo Tracy
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