So I somehow managed to come down with a bout of shingles. Shingles: a dreadful itchy yet painful rash that affects those with high stress levels and weak immune systems. At first I was honestly baffled at how I, the epitome of health, could have possibly been so unfortunate. I get a sniffley nose (I wouldn't even call it a cold) maybe once a year. Every day I thank the powers that be for my incredible immune system.
So immune system asside, let's talk about my "stress levels". I feel like there must be way more people out there in higher stress situations than me who don't have shingles. I mean I'm not fighting crime in the streets of downtown (enter name of rough city here) or anything. I'm not performing brain surgury! I'm only taking care of my children. That's it. Yet, holy shit am I ever stressed out!!
When Tyler is home, this is a breeze. Especially if he is home for any of length of time. But for the past I-don't-know-how-many months he's only been home the odd weekend here or there. Most days I totally accept the craziness and I'm fine with it. Get up, maintain lives of children, go to sleep (if I'm lucky). But, sometimes I don't want to play toddler games, wash dirty faces, lug around a 25 lb 6 month old. Then I feel so guilty, like poor Hayden and Deacon! It's not their fault! Suck it up Liza!
Naturally, I'm left to take my frustrations out on Tyler. Last Wednesday morning Tyler left to go to Sault Ste Marie for about a week for work. I was surprised when later on that morning he came in the front door. Standing over Deacon at the change table and still in my pj's I asked, "What are you doing home?"
"I had to stop on my way out of town to grab my golf clubs. Just so I have something to do in my down time," said Tyler.
Down time. How nice.
Honestly, it's gotten to the point where I don't remember what down time feels like and that's a damn good thing otherwise Ty probably wouldn't have made it safely out of the house with his golf clubs.
But like, Hayden was sick last week, Deacon was sick this week, my grass is almost a foot high, and I fogot to put my garbage and recycling out today. So this month has not been a walk in the park. It's been a challenge but I'm rolling with it. Yes, I know it could be worse.
That said, the purpose of this blog is not just so I can go on about how awesome my life is. I would feel like a fraud if I were to lead everyone to believe every day is sunshine and rainbows. I just want to be real so that people can relate because that way we all feel better, right?!?
OK I'm going to bed now.
XO Liza
Thursday, 29 May 2014
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Toddler Talk 2
Raising a toddler has really made me question what it means to live peacefully and mindfully. I'm not writing this because of one specific incident that is still bringing up feelings of frustration. This has been on my mind constantly since the day Hayden developed a mind of her own. It's not even that Hayden is a particularly "terrible" two. But anyone who knows what two year olds are like can most likely relate.
You see, I have this intention to live a peaceful and positive existence, as I'm sure most people do. I want each moment to be met with as little resistance as possible. Naturally. I want to live in the moment, not riddled with a mind full of questions and concerns. Not always strategizing and formulating plans and routines. I want to live through a natural flow of things. Zen.
Enter the 2.5 year old. The two year old is not Zen. A two year old is not open minded, they do not embrace change, and they certainly don't go with the flow. For most toddlers, what's theirs is not yours. Hayden is a decent sharer I'll give her that. But change her routine and we pay for it dearly.
Toddler behaviour really makes me wonder, What is the meaning of this?? Babies are so sweet. They are born SO innocent and helpless, then within a matter of months they morph into little anarchists. I have to get behind the eyes of a two year old. They've had everything done for them their entire lives and then all of a sudden they discover that THEY are actually the ones in control of what they do! So they want to take advantage of it.
I find it so amusing that the natural instinct of a person at the "tender" age of two is to rebel. They want to think for themselves. Not only do they want the power to choose, they want the freedom to carry out their choices. Like, no wonder humans are always fighting for some sort of reform. We've been doing it since we were tots! Then as children we get blindsided by the many distractions placed in our line of vision. Maybe we forget that there's anything worth fighting for.
Anyways, unfortunately for toddlers, their choices are not always safe or practical, and their communication skills aren't the greatest. As a parent I often find myself flipping between "dictator" and "guide." While I'd love to spend my entire day helping Hayden express herself in creative and constructive ways, ain't nobody got time fo dat!! As a stay at home mom you'd think my life would be devoted to that, but let me tell you, it's exhausting and I get very few breaks with Tyler being on the road literally all the time.
Honestly, I don't know much about kids, but one thing I know for sure, a peaceful household doesn't happen once you've got all your toddlers straightened out, it happens within yourself first. The balance is so so hard to maintain, but when it's there.... Zen.
Love & Light
Liza :)
You see, I have this intention to live a peaceful and positive existence, as I'm sure most people do. I want each moment to be met with as little resistance as possible. Naturally. I want to live in the moment, not riddled with a mind full of questions and concerns. Not always strategizing and formulating plans and routines. I want to live through a natural flow of things. Zen.
Enter the 2.5 year old. The two year old is not Zen. A two year old is not open minded, they do not embrace change, and they certainly don't go with the flow. For most toddlers, what's theirs is not yours. Hayden is a decent sharer I'll give her that. But change her routine and we pay for it dearly.
Toddler behaviour really makes me wonder, What is the meaning of this?? Babies are so sweet. They are born SO innocent and helpless, then within a matter of months they morph into little anarchists. I have to get behind the eyes of a two year old. They've had everything done for them their entire lives and then all of a sudden they discover that THEY are actually the ones in control of what they do! So they want to take advantage of it.
I find it so amusing that the natural instinct of a person at the "tender" age of two is to rebel. They want to think for themselves. Not only do they want the power to choose, they want the freedom to carry out their choices. Like, no wonder humans are always fighting for some sort of reform. We've been doing it since we were tots! Then as children we get blindsided by the many distractions placed in our line of vision. Maybe we forget that there's anything worth fighting for.
Anyways, unfortunately for toddlers, their choices are not always safe or practical, and their communication skills aren't the greatest. As a parent I often find myself flipping between "dictator" and "guide." While I'd love to spend my entire day helping Hayden express herself in creative and constructive ways, ain't nobody got time fo dat!! As a stay at home mom you'd think my life would be devoted to that, but let me tell you, it's exhausting and I get very few breaks with Tyler being on the road literally all the time.
Honestly, I don't know much about kids, but one thing I know for sure, a peaceful household doesn't happen once you've got all your toddlers straightened out, it happens within yourself first. The balance is so so hard to maintain, but when it's there.... Zen.
Love & Light
Liza :)
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
Deacon: 6 Months Old
I cannot understand how 6 months have gone by already. Obviously I have blocked the winter out as if it never occured. That explains how all of a sudden Deacon is 6 months old. My little man!! Excuse me for being a tad mushy in this post, but my itty bitty BABY is 6 months old!!
Let's be real here. Deacon is anything but itty bitty. When he was born he was a whole pound smaller than his 8.5 lb sister and I had always assumed he would remain smaller than her throughout infancy since Hayden was so massive. She was always in the 98th percentile for height and weight. Now, Deacon has long surpassed her and it completely blows my mind! I have no explanation for it. He wears 18 month and some 24 month clothes and he's in size 6 diapers which I don't even think they make them bigger than that so he litterally can't get any bigger. Just imagine trying to diaper a ball and that is basically the challenge I face daily.
He loves to eat, that much is evident. But he only loves the b-milk. Any time I've offered solids he has absolutely no interest in consuming it. I've taken a little break right now and will try again in a week. Not only will he only consume b-milk, he prefers it directly from source, meaning he will not allow any type of artificial nipple in or around his cute little mouth.
Despite his size, Deacon is pretty mobile! Hayden never was. She refused to exert any energy in moving herself and if she ever needed to "go" anywhere, she insisted you transport her. She didn't roll over until 7 months! Lol, Deacon has that under control. Heaven forbid he try to roll if on an incline or he might just roll away!! OK, am I mean for poking fun at my big babies?
Deacon LOVES music and he LOVES to dance!! It is unbelievable. If there is music playing and he's in his exersaucer, he actually grooves to the beat of the song. Change the tempo and so does he! Even if Hayden's just blowing in and out through the harmonica, he'll boogy like that's his jam!! I always imagined Hayden being the musical one because I took voice lessons until I was 7 months pregnant with her. I took art lessons through out my pregnancy with Deacon. So far Hayden has the artistic aptitude.
I am convinced he's going to be an early talker. He's been imitating talking sounds since he could make sounds! He already says, "Da-dee-da-dee-da" and variations of those sounds. He has the sweetest little voice. Tyler believes he "taught" Deacon to say "Da da" but I'll refute that.
Alas, my Deacon is not much of a night sleeper. I can count on 1 hand the number nights I've actually got to sleep at least 6 hours through. Last night was 1 of those nights! Deacon slept for 8 hours hours last night!! I was on top of the world this morning!! Honestly, when I get a good sleep, I feel as though I've drank 5 pots of coffee except without that horrid jittery coffee feeling.
I love my squishy ball of baby so so much. He is so adorable with his rosy round cheeks and little pouty lips. Yet he has this stately old man vibe about him. We often laugh when Hayden watches Thomas the Train because if we gave Deacon a tophat and monacle he could certainly pass for a mini Sir Topham Hatt. I literally can't take enough pictures of my babies. They are growing up too fast.
Sometimes I feel SO eager to get my "life" back but I know in a few years I'll just want them to be this little again. And writing this blog makes me realize that!!!
Here's to living each moment to its absolute fullest!!
XOXO Liza
Let's be real here. Deacon is anything but itty bitty. When he was born he was a whole pound smaller than his 8.5 lb sister and I had always assumed he would remain smaller than her throughout infancy since Hayden was so massive. She was always in the 98th percentile for height and weight. Now, Deacon has long surpassed her and it completely blows my mind! I have no explanation for it. He wears 18 month and some 24 month clothes and he's in size 6 diapers which I don't even think they make them bigger than that so he litterally can't get any bigger. Just imagine trying to diaper a ball and that is basically the challenge I face daily.
He loves to eat, that much is evident. But he only loves the b-milk. Any time I've offered solids he has absolutely no interest in consuming it. I've taken a little break right now and will try again in a week. Not only will he only consume b-milk, he prefers it directly from source, meaning he will not allow any type of artificial nipple in or around his cute little mouth.
Despite his size, Deacon is pretty mobile! Hayden never was. She refused to exert any energy in moving herself and if she ever needed to "go" anywhere, she insisted you transport her. She didn't roll over until 7 months! Lol, Deacon has that under control. Heaven forbid he try to roll if on an incline or he might just roll away!! OK, am I mean for poking fun at my big babies?
Deacon LOVES music and he LOVES to dance!! It is unbelievable. If there is music playing and he's in his exersaucer, he actually grooves to the beat of the song. Change the tempo and so does he! Even if Hayden's just blowing in and out through the harmonica, he'll boogy like that's his jam!! I always imagined Hayden being the musical one because I took voice lessons until I was 7 months pregnant with her. I took art lessons through out my pregnancy with Deacon. So far Hayden has the artistic aptitude.
I am convinced he's going to be an early talker. He's been imitating talking sounds since he could make sounds! He already says, "Da-dee-da-dee-da" and variations of those sounds. He has the sweetest little voice. Tyler believes he "taught" Deacon to say "Da da" but I'll refute that.
Alas, my Deacon is not much of a night sleeper. I can count on 1 hand the number nights I've actually got to sleep at least 6 hours through. Last night was 1 of those nights! Deacon slept for 8 hours hours last night!! I was on top of the world this morning!! Honestly, when I get a good sleep, I feel as though I've drank 5 pots of coffee except without that horrid jittery coffee feeling.
I love my squishy ball of baby so so much. He is so adorable with his rosy round cheeks and little pouty lips. Yet he has this stately old man vibe about him. We often laugh when Hayden watches Thomas the Train because if we gave Deacon a tophat and monacle he could certainly pass for a mini Sir Topham Hatt. I literally can't take enough pictures of my babies. They are growing up too fast.
Sometimes I feel SO eager to get my "life" back but I know in a few years I'll just want them to be this little again. And writing this blog makes me realize that!!!
Here's to living each moment to its absolute fullest!!
XOXO Liza
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Peace, Love, and Potty Training
I wasn't going to do a post about potty training because I know it's not the lovliest of subjects and not everyone can relate. BUT, I've realized that something MUST be said simply because potty training Hayden was one of the more excrutiating tasks that parenthood has presented to me thus far.
Having only "trained" 1 kid, I won't presume to have any skill on potty training at all. My only intention here is to share my experience just in case it has some value to other moms in my position. I know it was a major help to me during the dark days to hear that I wasn't alone!
Hayden really did not embrace the whole concept of going in the potty. If it were up to her, she might still be in diapers today. But we pushed through, and now I think it's safe to say that there is no going back. She's in it for the long haul! This is our potty training journey from the very beginning:
When Hayden was maybe 16 months old, we put a $3 Ikea potty in the bathroom. At that point, we didn't make a big deal about her using it as she was still very young. She had only begun walking at 15 months so she was a long way from being able to sit herself down on it, in fact she still needs help sitting down on it! Eventually it became part of her bedtime routine that every night after her bath she would sit down and go before we put her jammies on. I thought I was on the right track, but no, I was not.
One thing the potty training methods always make reference to are the signs of readiness. In my opinion, don't even pay attention to that. A toddler may seem like they're physically ready or SHOULD be ready, but if they're not mentally ready then it is absolutely pointless to do ANYTHING to try to get them to go on the potty. Or at least this was my experience. You would think that if your kid tells you they have to go and stops going in their diapers then they must be ready to go on the potty. Not Hayden. Once presented with the potty as an alternative to going "elsewhere", it was as if I was asking her to sit on a bed of hot coals.
I quit all potty training attempts when I found out I was pregnant because I'd heard about kids regressing after a new baby was born. Then when Deacon was about 3 months old and Hayden was just over 2 I thought, OK she MUST be ready now. But it was the same struggle all over again!
At my most frustrated point I tried to put myself into her position just so that I could somehow get inside her head. Like, WHY doesn't she want to sit on the potty?! What could she be thinking? I remembered back to when I was 16 and trying to get my driver's lisence. It took me a very long time and I had to take my driving test 5 times. The 4th time I failed I was extremely discouraged and I had NO intention of doing it again. I had accepted the fact that I would be a life-long pedestrian and had no problem with that. But my mom said, "You are getting your lisence and that's that!" Sure enough I passed it on the 5th try and I'm certain my mom wished she'd let me be a life-long pedestrian from that point on.
Anyways, it hurt to think that maybe Hayden was just so discouraged that she'd given up or was too afraid to try and after that, it was a lot easier for me to have compassion for what she was going through.
Looking back, there are of things I would have done differently:
1) I wouldn't have introduced the potty so early. The potty was always just this optional thing in the bathroom and then all of a sudden one day she HAD to use it. I think that was confusing to her. Next kid, I won't tell him to go in the potty until I fully intend to begin potty-training.
2) Not sticking to any one method. I just assumed potty training would be a piece of cake so I didn't do any research or anything. I believe that if we had done the 3 Day Method from the beginning, it would have worked but at that point I think Hayden was like, "What do you want from me you crazy lady!?!?". The 3 Day Method took a week, but following those guidelines it worked in the end.
I feel like I would have to have a few more kids before I can say, "This is how you potty train." But this is what I learned from one kid so we'll see how it goes for the next one! I'm actually looking forward to it now that I've learned the hard way!
If you are about to embark on this mission, stay positive! Stay calm! They won't be in diapers forever!
Much love,
Liza :)
Having only "trained" 1 kid, I won't presume to have any skill on potty training at all. My only intention here is to share my experience just in case it has some value to other moms in my position. I know it was a major help to me during the dark days to hear that I wasn't alone!
Hayden really did not embrace the whole concept of going in the potty. If it were up to her, she might still be in diapers today. But we pushed through, and now I think it's safe to say that there is no going back. She's in it for the long haul! This is our potty training journey from the very beginning:
When Hayden was maybe 16 months old, we put a $3 Ikea potty in the bathroom. At that point, we didn't make a big deal about her using it as she was still very young. She had only begun walking at 15 months so she was a long way from being able to sit herself down on it, in fact she still needs help sitting down on it! Eventually it became part of her bedtime routine that every night after her bath she would sit down and go before we put her jammies on. I thought I was on the right track, but no, I was not.
One thing the potty training methods always make reference to are the signs of readiness. In my opinion, don't even pay attention to that. A toddler may seem like they're physically ready or SHOULD be ready, but if they're not mentally ready then it is absolutely pointless to do ANYTHING to try to get them to go on the potty. Or at least this was my experience. You would think that if your kid tells you they have to go and stops going in their diapers then they must be ready to go on the potty. Not Hayden. Once presented with the potty as an alternative to going "elsewhere", it was as if I was asking her to sit on a bed of hot coals.
I quit all potty training attempts when I found out I was pregnant because I'd heard about kids regressing after a new baby was born. Then when Deacon was about 3 months old and Hayden was just over 2 I thought, OK she MUST be ready now. But it was the same struggle all over again!
At my most frustrated point I tried to put myself into her position just so that I could somehow get inside her head. Like, WHY doesn't she want to sit on the potty?! What could she be thinking? I remembered back to when I was 16 and trying to get my driver's lisence. It took me a very long time and I had to take my driving test 5 times. The 4th time I failed I was extremely discouraged and I had NO intention of doing it again. I had accepted the fact that I would be a life-long pedestrian and had no problem with that. But my mom said, "You are getting your lisence and that's that!" Sure enough I passed it on the 5th try and I'm certain my mom wished she'd let me be a life-long pedestrian from that point on.
Anyways, it hurt to think that maybe Hayden was just so discouraged that she'd given up or was too afraid to try and after that, it was a lot easier for me to have compassion for what she was going through.
Looking back, there are of things I would have done differently:
1) I wouldn't have introduced the potty so early. The potty was always just this optional thing in the bathroom and then all of a sudden one day she HAD to use it. I think that was confusing to her. Next kid, I won't tell him to go in the potty until I fully intend to begin potty-training.
2) Not sticking to any one method. I just assumed potty training would be a piece of cake so I didn't do any research or anything. I believe that if we had done the 3 Day Method from the beginning, it would have worked but at that point I think Hayden was like, "What do you want from me you crazy lady!?!?". The 3 Day Method took a week, but following those guidelines it worked in the end.
I feel like I would have to have a few more kids before I can say, "This is how you potty train." But this is what I learned from one kid so we'll see how it goes for the next one! I'm actually looking forward to it now that I've learned the hard way!
If you are about to embark on this mission, stay positive! Stay calm! They won't be in diapers forever!
Much love,
Liza :)
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Updates!!!
Where to begin!? It feels like nothing ever changes yet at the same time Deacon and Hayden are both growing SO fast I can't even keep up. Here are a few updates:
KIDS: Hayden has become a little motor-mouth. She literally does not stop talking but I don't even mind because everything she says is both hilarious and adorable. I could give you examples but you really have to hear her little voice say it to understand the cuteness. She can't say her "R" sounds or "J" sounds. "Jolly Jumper" is "Zolly Zumper". "Rocky" is "Wocky". "Tree trunks" are "See Sunks". She's getting a little attitude and always demands things "NOW". Which is my fault because I probably say "NOW" to her once in a while (oops). It's sometimes hard for me to know - due to my lack of toddler experience - what is typical toddler behaviour and what is actually her true character. So I sincerely hope she is not actually developing dictatorial tendencies.
We live a 2 minute walk from the St. John's Library so we spend a lot of time there. Right now Hayden's favourite books are The Bernstein Bears and The Critters series'. If she sees a Thomas the Train or Caillou book we usually take those home with us too.
Swimming lessons start in a couple weeks and she is really looking forward to it. Thank goodness, because she's not a huge fan of the water. She hates getting water on her head! We'll see how it goes.
Deacon just does not stop growing. He is enormous. He's wearing some 24 month sleepers and onesies. It actually blows my mind that he's become the size he is completely off breast milk alone. It's amazing. He is the sweetest little man. But SO serious. Hayden could be dancing around and being hilarious and he just stares at her with an amused little smirk on his face. He'll laugh if he's being tickled but otherwise it is both exhausting and humiliating trying to get even a little giggle out of him. When he does it melts my heart.
Deacon is Mr. Grabby-hands these days! It's safe to say he's perfected the skill of grabbing objects. And obviously everything goes straight into his mouth. :S
HOUSE: We are officially the owners of land now!! You wouldn't believe how long it took for this one seemingly simple step to be completed. But it's done! So we now have 70 acres of land, plus our 500+ trees that we planted last spring. We are only developing maybe 3 acres and the rest will remain crop. We hope to have a massive garden and we are planning on sharing garden space with our city friends and family. #growyourown. Next step: Get the house plans drafted.
Other than that, I can't think of what else is news. In other less positive news, there were 3 people stabbed at the 7-11 on Main St. (3 blocks away) last night. It totally freaks me out because Tyler often goes there. Time to vacate the North End methinks!!!
Liza :)
KIDS: Hayden has become a little motor-mouth. She literally does not stop talking but I don't even mind because everything she says is both hilarious and adorable. I could give you examples but you really have to hear her little voice say it to understand the cuteness. She can't say her "R" sounds or "J" sounds. "Jolly Jumper" is "Zolly Zumper". "Rocky" is "Wocky". "Tree trunks" are "See Sunks". She's getting a little attitude and always demands things "NOW". Which is my fault because I probably say "NOW" to her once in a while (oops). It's sometimes hard for me to know - due to my lack of toddler experience - what is typical toddler behaviour and what is actually her true character. So I sincerely hope she is not actually developing dictatorial tendencies.
We live a 2 minute walk from the St. John's Library so we spend a lot of time there. Right now Hayden's favourite books are The Bernstein Bears and The Critters series'. If she sees a Thomas the Train or Caillou book we usually take those home with us too.
Swimming lessons start in a couple weeks and she is really looking forward to it. Thank goodness, because she's not a huge fan of the water. She hates getting water on her head! We'll see how it goes.
Deacon just does not stop growing. He is enormous. He's wearing some 24 month sleepers and onesies. It actually blows my mind that he's become the size he is completely off breast milk alone. It's amazing. He is the sweetest little man. But SO serious. Hayden could be dancing around and being hilarious and he just stares at her with an amused little smirk on his face. He'll laugh if he's being tickled but otherwise it is both exhausting and humiliating trying to get even a little giggle out of him. When he does it melts my heart.
Deacon is Mr. Grabby-hands these days! It's safe to say he's perfected the skill of grabbing objects. And obviously everything goes straight into his mouth. :S
HOUSE: We are officially the owners of land now!! You wouldn't believe how long it took for this one seemingly simple step to be completed. But it's done! So we now have 70 acres of land, plus our 500+ trees that we planted last spring. We are only developing maybe 3 acres and the rest will remain crop. We hope to have a massive garden and we are planning on sharing garden space with our city friends and family. #growyourown. Next step: Get the house plans drafted.
Other than that, I can't think of what else is news. In other less positive news, there were 3 people stabbed at the 7-11 on Main St. (3 blocks away) last night. It totally freaks me out because Tyler often goes there. Time to vacate the North End methinks!!!
Liza :)
Monday, 24 March 2014
Happy Birthday to Me!
My 29th birthday will definitely be one to remember. I can't remember another birthday where I've ever felt so loved! In the past I've never made a big deal about my birthday or bothered putting much effort into planning what I wanted to do on my "special"day. This year, I guess I was feeling a little more selfish. But, it turns out that kind of thing is allowed on your birthday!
Friday, the 21st (my actual birthday): I'd spent the night at the farm since Tyler had been out of town for quite some time. My brother, Scotty, was visiting from Gimli so it was a real family affair. When I woke up, even though I hadn't slept terribly well (no surprise) my mom took my kids off my hands so I could enjoy a leisurely morning in my pj's. Later in the morning, a couple of very treasured family friends came over for coffee. We had a great visit. Before I knew it, it was nap time. Then my phone rang - it was Tyler. He'd returned from out of town early and needed to be picked up from his shop! Deacon and I rushed off to get him up while Hayden napped at the farm. It was a lovely, sunny, musical drive to the shop. When we got back to the ranch, my dad had brought home pizza, so we stuffed our faces before heading back into the city.
Before we went home, however, Tyler insisted we make one stop because he wanted to get me my birthday present - a mountain bike, which I desperately needed because I've been riding the same bike for 15 years. It's nothing super fancy or high-tech as I'm not a professional mountain biker or cross country cyclist. But, it's perfect for biking the gravel roads which I fully intend to do in the upcoming years.
Saturday, the 22nd: On Saturday we returned to the farm for a joint birthday party for myself and my Nana who's birthday was on the 13th. She turned 88 and is still very much the life of all our family get-togethers. When I watch her play with Hayden it feels like a flash-back to when it was me on her lap listening to her sing silly songs. I <3 my Nana!!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot that we did our taxes on Saturday morning! Hayden and Deacon behaved themselves beautifully at H & R block. lol
Sunday, the 23rd: This was just the best day ever. Probably because Deacon slept through the night for only the 3rd time in his life. We lazed around all morning. Hayden and Deacon both had nice long afternoon naps. It was a very slow-paced day which is rare when Tyler is home because he is always GO GO GO. Tyler often says how there needs to be 26 hours in the day. Lord help him...
Sunday afternoon I had a second birthday party at Tyler mom's. We were joined by his sister, Amber, and his Aunty Cindy. It was lovely. After dinner, Tyler and I escaped from our children for a while to go down to Osborne St for an evening stroll. We stopped at Baked Expectations for cake and coffee. It was delicious. Then we picked up the kids, went home, put them to bed (Deacon went to sleep early, hurrahh!) and watched a movie!
As if Sunday couldn't have been any more spectacular, this was the day Tyler got his driver's lisence back after coming off a 3 month suspension for being a speed demon. And it's spring! And the sun was shining! Ahhh bliss.
I really really hate to sound like a cheeseball here, but I seriously feel so blessed to have so many amazing, special people in my life. My family means everything to me. I can't imagine having a better birthday without them.
-----------------------------------
Thats all for now!
Liza :)
Friday, the 21st (my actual birthday): I'd spent the night at the farm since Tyler had been out of town for quite some time. My brother, Scotty, was visiting from Gimli so it was a real family affair. When I woke up, even though I hadn't slept terribly well (no surprise) my mom took my kids off my hands so I could enjoy a leisurely morning in my pj's. Later in the morning, a couple of very treasured family friends came over for coffee. We had a great visit. Before I knew it, it was nap time. Then my phone rang - it was Tyler. He'd returned from out of town early and needed to be picked up from his shop! Deacon and I rushed off to get him up while Hayden napped at the farm. It was a lovely, sunny, musical drive to the shop. When we got back to the ranch, my dad had brought home pizza, so we stuffed our faces before heading back into the city.
Before we went home, however, Tyler insisted we make one stop because he wanted to get me my birthday present - a mountain bike, which I desperately needed because I've been riding the same bike for 15 years. It's nothing super fancy or high-tech as I'm not a professional mountain biker or cross country cyclist. But, it's perfect for biking the gravel roads which I fully intend to do in the upcoming years.
Saturday, the 22nd: On Saturday we returned to the farm for a joint birthday party for myself and my Nana who's birthday was on the 13th. She turned 88 and is still very much the life of all our family get-togethers. When I watch her play with Hayden it feels like a flash-back to when it was me on her lap listening to her sing silly songs. I <3 my Nana!!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot that we did our taxes on Saturday morning! Hayden and Deacon behaved themselves beautifully at H & R block. lol
Sunday, the 23rd: This was just the best day ever. Probably because Deacon slept through the night for only the 3rd time in his life. We lazed around all morning. Hayden and Deacon both had nice long afternoon naps. It was a very slow-paced day which is rare when Tyler is home because he is always GO GO GO. Tyler often says how there needs to be 26 hours in the day. Lord help him...
Sunday afternoon I had a second birthday party at Tyler mom's. We were joined by his sister, Amber, and his Aunty Cindy. It was lovely. After dinner, Tyler and I escaped from our children for a while to go down to Osborne St for an evening stroll. We stopped at Baked Expectations for cake and coffee. It was delicious. Then we picked up the kids, went home, put them to bed (Deacon went to sleep early, hurrahh!) and watched a movie!
As if Sunday couldn't have been any more spectacular, this was the day Tyler got his driver's lisence back after coming off a 3 month suspension for being a speed demon. And it's spring! And the sun was shining! Ahhh bliss.
I really really hate to sound like a cheeseball here, but I seriously feel so blessed to have so many amazing, special people in my life. My family means everything to me. I can't imagine having a better birthday without them.
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Thats all for now!
Liza :)
Monday, 17 March 2014
This Winter in a Nutshell
One day, a couple weeks ago, I was returning home to the city after staying a few days at the farm. It had snowed a substantial amount in the days I'd been away from home. As I turned into the back lane I immediately realized there was no way I would be getting my car into my parking spot through the insane quantity of snow that had yet to be shovelled. I promptly backed out of the back lane and drove around to park on the front street, Hayden and Deacon both out cold in the back-seat.
I sat in the car and thought about what to do. It wouldn't have been a problem to park on the front street if: 1) I'd had a key for the front door. 2) The path between the houses had been shoveled, allowing me to open the side gate which was stuck shut between 3 ft of snow on either side. I concluded that I would have to somehow walk, with both kids, around the street and through the back lane to access the back door. But how? Twenty pound Deacon plus carseat I can hardly carry 20 feet let alone half a block! I had no choice.
I turned around to rouse Hayden from her carseat dreamland. "Hayden, wake up! We're home!" No response. "Hayden!!" *Snore*. I jiggled her - no luck. She's a good sleeper, God bless her! Would I have to carry BOTH sleeping kids down the block and around the backlane?! Now that was impossible. I eyed a shopping cart tipped over on the boulevard (not an uncommon sight in the North End). Ah-hah!! But we all know what pushing a weighted down shopping cart through snow is like. Scratch that idea. Then, I realized my porch was unlocked. I could put Deacon in the porch and then run with Hayden as fast as I could around to the back door. I didn't like the idea of leaving Deacon unattended in his carseat in the cold porch, but at this point I was running out of options.
As it turned out, my mother-in-law was only 10 minutes away, so she waited in the front porch with a very cranky tired Hayden and sleepy Deacon while I ran down the street, down the back lane and unlocked my back door.
And this, in a nutshell, is an example of the ridiculousness I have endured this winter. No other winter has the path between the houses gone unshoveled. There is just no where for the snow to go! Bla bla bla, I could go on about this damn snow and cold forever.
But, I have to remind myself that there have been a lot of good memories that came with this winter too. Like the day I decided to take Hayden and Deacon for a sleigh ride on one of the nicer days we had. Proud big sister Hayden held Deacon on her lap in the sleigh as we set off on our journey. We hadn't made it 15 feet before I veered off the path, tipping the sleigh, sending both Hayden and Deacon face first into powdery snow. They both cried but I couldn't help but laugh as I brushed the snow off their red faces. lol
Or today, my dad took Hayden for her first snowmobile ride. When she came inside I asked her if she'd had fun on the snowmobile. "No, Mom, I don't like the snowmobile!" she said. I asked her why! "The snowmobile is too noisy!" she replied.
Soooo don't call the WAHmbulence on me just yet. I feel like even though this winter has been excrutiating to say the least, we will all look back on it with a sense of amusement at what we endured. I know I will!!
XO Liza ;)
I sat in the car and thought about what to do. It wouldn't have been a problem to park on the front street if: 1) I'd had a key for the front door. 2) The path between the houses had been shoveled, allowing me to open the side gate which was stuck shut between 3 ft of snow on either side. I concluded that I would have to somehow walk, with both kids, around the street and through the back lane to access the back door. But how? Twenty pound Deacon plus carseat I can hardly carry 20 feet let alone half a block! I had no choice.
I turned around to rouse Hayden from her carseat dreamland. "Hayden, wake up! We're home!" No response. "Hayden!!" *Snore*. I jiggled her - no luck. She's a good sleeper, God bless her! Would I have to carry BOTH sleeping kids down the block and around the backlane?! Now that was impossible. I eyed a shopping cart tipped over on the boulevard (not an uncommon sight in the North End). Ah-hah!! But we all know what pushing a weighted down shopping cart through snow is like. Scratch that idea. Then, I realized my porch was unlocked. I could put Deacon in the porch and then run with Hayden as fast as I could around to the back door. I didn't like the idea of leaving Deacon unattended in his carseat in the cold porch, but at this point I was running out of options.
As it turned out, my mother-in-law was only 10 minutes away, so she waited in the front porch with a very cranky tired Hayden and sleepy Deacon while I ran down the street, down the back lane and unlocked my back door.
And this, in a nutshell, is an example of the ridiculousness I have endured this winter. No other winter has the path between the houses gone unshoveled. There is just no where for the snow to go! Bla bla bla, I could go on about this damn snow and cold forever.
But, I have to remind myself that there have been a lot of good memories that came with this winter too. Like the day I decided to take Hayden and Deacon for a sleigh ride on one of the nicer days we had. Proud big sister Hayden held Deacon on her lap in the sleigh as we set off on our journey. We hadn't made it 15 feet before I veered off the path, tipping the sleigh, sending both Hayden and Deacon face first into powdery snow. They both cried but I couldn't help but laugh as I brushed the snow off their red faces. lol
Or today, my dad took Hayden for her first snowmobile ride. When she came inside I asked her if she'd had fun on the snowmobile. "No, Mom, I don't like the snowmobile!" she said. I asked her why! "The snowmobile is too noisy!" she replied.
Soooo don't call the WAHmbulence on me just yet. I feel like even though this winter has been excrutiating to say the least, we will all look back on it with a sense of amusement at what we endured. I know I will!!
XO Liza ;)
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