a year ago today...

Last year, on March 31st, I found out I was pregnant with Claire.
It's crazy how much life can change in just one year.
Here's a picture of my 8 week pregnant self with my almost 1 year old. I was thrilled and scared all at once. I wish I could go and hug my old skinny self and tell her that it would be more then okay. Claire is an awesome little baby and Simon has grown into a funny little man.

'Round Here

The snow keeps falling... really?

I had two ribs cracked back into place by a chiropractor yesterday after a day and a half of mind-numbing pain.

Claire is sleeping really well... with us... sigh. However, her mornings have been pretty early (and bright - you should see how pumped she is).

Simon's vocabulary is expanding daily. His word combinations and circle conversations are hilarious!

I miss walking with the kids.

House plans are still in the draft stage and will be until I absolutely LOVE the kitchen.

15 lbs

Sad girl

Jolly little jumper

My baby's 15 lbs already. She's uber long and she's wiggling her way into 6-9 months clothes. She's happy in the Jolly Jumper and a little unsure about the exersaucer. She tucks her knees under her and tries to creep. It's crazy how fast she's leaving her baby days behind.

Waiting for Spring

March 2011


March 2010

Things haven't changed all that much in a year. March still means waiting (and waiting and waiting) for spring so we can run around outside.

Regular Scheduled Programming

Home Again, Home Again... Jiggity-Jog

We made it home. Flying with the kids in the afternoon wasn't as delightful as in the morning. Simon was sooooo keyed up at the Ottawa airport, it was only a matter of time before he became a drooling mess. Claire just couldn't work out a long afternoon nap. Trevor and I were stuck passing and consoling silly kids on the last flight. It wasn't all that bad but, we're glad to be home!
Housework is already kicking my butt! Mountains of laundry and regular chores are screaming for my attention. Where is my hotel housekeeper when I need her? (And why am I on the computer?)
Claire's still on Ontario time and was up at 5 am. Simon seems to have settled into his regular routine. He was up a little bit early but, that's okay as it always guarantees a good nap.
It'll be good to settle back into our home routines.
Too bad Ottawa spring didn't follow us home. This morning we were greeted with snow and it hasn't let up all day. Sigh... Happy first day of spring, folks!

Ottawa

Dear Ottawa,
Thanks so much for a wonderful visit. I was pretty nervous about taking my children here. I was worried about hotel life, schedules and how we'd keep busy. Now that we're almost done our time, I couldn't be more pleased. We have LOVED your museums.
I love that it's been spring here. Today, the sun warmed our faces as we walked and I saw green grass all over. I was getting pretty sick of SK winter so, this has been a delightful break.
I've learned a lot about how I can handle a lot as a Mom. I can juggle nursing Claire, feeding Simon, tempter tantrums in public places and putting Claire down for naps in odd places. I can handle a lot more then I originally imagined. I'm proud of how I've handled things. Even our worst day wasn't so bad.
It's been so good to be with Trevor in the evenings. I would have been so lonesome without him had we not come.
I'm going to miss it here. Our little family holiday has been a success and I'm excited for traveling together in the future!

Thankful

Today, I took the kids to the War Museum. I wish that I could take every single one of my students past, present and future to this museum. It was amazing and it blew my mind. I stood in awe of the sacrifices men and women have made for my freedom. I am so thankful for my babies and I am so thankful that they have been born free!
The history teacher in me wanted to spend all day (and the next 3 days) walking slowly, taking it all in and reading every exhibit and display. The mother of 2 little people realized that this was not possible. We walked at toddler speed and I gave Simon a pint-sized history lesson.
I was feeling pretty reflective on our walk back to the hotel. I found it incredibly sad that, after leaving the museum filled with gratitude for our freedom, I was confronted with some hate-filled graffiti on the walls of a pedestrian bridge. It was pretty shocking to read, especially after leaving such a powerful display of what this kind of hate leads to. Then, the kids and I walked by the Parliament Buildings (I love that walking by these buildings has been an every day experience) and I was again reminded of how important democracy really is!

If you're ever in Ottawa, make this a stop - it was well worth it.

4 months

Dear Little Miss Claire,
It's hard to believe that just 4 months ago, you were just hours old. Now, you're an animated little lady who loves to kiss, to smile and to roll around. You have the sweetest little personality. You love being part of the action and you're fascinated with the antics of your crazy big brother. I can hardly wait to get to know you more.
You're happiest when you are snugged up against me. You're a dependent sleeper... sigh. You love to be curled up tight between us and you know exactly when we try (and try and try and try) to put you down on your own. I'd prefer if you slept on your own but, it is nice to wake up to your big, big smile every morning.
We love you, baby girl and we're excited to get to know who you'll grow to be!

Newly Minted

Today, the kids and I toured the Mint. Fortunately, Claire slept for most of the tour and Simon enjoyed playing with the "Big Boossse" I bought him. Not the most stellar kids' outing but, they were super good about it.
We've been frequenting an amazing bakery much too much lately. Simon and I are addicted to the yummy sugar cookies. Sigh - just another thing to wean ourselves from when we return home (in addition to: hotel housekeeping, fresh cafe coffee every morning, lots of walking in the sunshine, eating out, no housework, super naps, beaver tails and museums).

Civilized

We've spent the past two mornings at the Museum of Civilization. Yesterday, when Trevor was around, we played and played and played in the Children's Museum. It was a warren of cool hidey-holes, pathways, little rooms, methods of transportation and fun places to attract children. It was great to have Trevor around to follow Simon (who ran off with a delight of glee) so that I could Baby Bjorn Claire around. It was so good to see Simon be independent and curious to go off on his own.
Today, we went back to check out the other exhibits. This would be the ideal museum to take a History 30 (Canadian History) class to. There were some amazing places for us to explore and Simon loved it.
It's hard to believe we've been here for over a week. I'm so glad that we decided to join Trevor. I would have been so lonesome for him at home.

Two on Two

Trevor was off work today. We decided to tour the Parliament Building. It was so nice to have two on two. I could give Simon his much needed one-on-one attention and Trevor could hold Claire and coax her into naps.
The Parliament Buildings were gorgeous. The kids were wonderful on the tour. I LOVED seeing the library (Note: if you go on a Saturday, you actually get to spend some time in the library) and the Peace Tower. After, we took Simon to see the big spider, Maman. He was sooo excited!

Snow Day

Last night and this morning, it snowed about 10-20 cm. Now, it's raining.
Today, I braved the slush and got groceries. On the advice of my sister-in-law, I located a bakery that sold Montreal bagels for our lunch. After a 15 minute push there, they were out of bagels. :( We bought cookies and muffins instead.
I'm super thankful for my amazing Bob stroller - I can get through anything with it and the kids stay dry and it's water-proof. I'm also thankful for my Aldo sale boots that keep my feet dry.
The rest of the day, we spent at "Simon's 'otel". We built a fort, watched too much TV, did laundry and played. It was fun.
I hope the sun comes out tomorrow and that the sidewalks get shoveled.
Tonight, we plan on taking the kiddos swimming in the hotel pool. This will be Claire's first time in the water and I'm pretty excited for her!

Order of Canada

Today, I took the kids to Rideau Hall (Governor General's Residence). I was really excited about going because, I used to be a tour guide at the SK Gov't House and we refer to Rideau Hall a lot. Also, I am a bit of a history geek so, I couldn't not come to Ottawa and visit Rideau Hall.
I should've known that we were off to a bad start when Simon started screaming "Simon hotel" over and over and over again as we left. It was a 40 minute walk and I think he screamed for about 30 minutes of it. We got to the area where Google maps said Rideau Hall was but, I couldn't find it. I kept wandering around this gorgeous house that was well fenced had security. Finally, I talked to a security guard and she informed me that I'd be trying to find my way into 24 Sussex Drive (the Prime Minister's home). Ooops! That made us just on time for our tour.
The rest of our tour group were a bunch of seniors. Simon was excited to see all the "grandmas and grandpas". They oooohed and ahhhhed over my little brood and off we went. The kids did well in the first 3 rooms and then Claire started to cry and Simon started to yell "flag" over and over and over again. One of the guides let us go into the ballroom (that was being prepped for an Order of Canada ceremony) so I could nurse Claire (good thing she's efficient). I let Simon out of the Bob so he could touch the flags and he had an absolute meltdown... head rearing, arms flailing, ear-splitting screaming - the whole works. Fun times. (Every time I see that ball room on the news, I know that I'll probably laugh and tell the kids about how they embarrassed me there).
Fortunately, we were done the tour so, I took my two screaming babies out of the residence and down the beautiful, tree-lined path and back to the hotel.
Part of me wished that I could have been anywhere but in that position. I was "that" Mom with "those" kids. Sigh... They're both little and all they were doing was acting their age.
They're both down for naps and I'm hoping for a better tomorrow. I have quieter day planned.

Dino Delight

The past few days have been a lot of fun for our little family. Yesterday, we sussed the area out and bought some groceries. Today, we walked to the Museum of Nature to visit the dinosaurs. The look on Simon's face when we walked into the dinosaur exhibit was priceless. He ran around the entire display pointing and shouting "dinosaurs" gleefully. We had a great morning touring the museum... we'll go back next week because it was so much fun!
Today, I'm thankful for a good cup of coffee and my new friends at the coffee shop downstairs. I'm thankful for maple spread for breakfast toast. I'm thankful for my sale Aldo boots with their rubber feet for the slushy spring streets (that's right SK folks - spring... it exists!). I'm thankful for tonight's Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. I'm thankful for family nap time. I'm thankful for my amazing BOB stroller (I think they should pay me money for advertising - people stop me on the street all the time to find out what kind of stroller it is and where they can buy it).
Taking two babies out and about sounds like a daunting task but, we're having a blast. Too bad Trevor's missing all the fun.

A Capital Idea

So yesterday, we flew to Ottawa and it was grand!
Trevor has to be in the capital on a course for 2 WEEKS for work! Blech! I decided that since we would only have to pay to fly me, I was going with him and we were taking the kids. It was either that or spend my days at home, in the cold going CRAZY!
The kids were awesome little plane buddies. I couldn't get over how remarkably well they did!
Now that we're here, we'll see how well my adventure planning will go. Today, the plan is to hit up the grocery store and the mall.
Stay tuned for more adventures of the kids in the capital!

Dreams

Ensuite, corner pantry, rooms with views, play room, etc.

Last night we met with the drafts person who will be designing our house. It was a lot of fun. It was also overwhelming. It's crazy to think that our dream house is coming true. My mind keeps turning ideas over and over and over again. All I dreamed about last night was blueprints.

Dear...

Dear Nora from How I Met Your Mother and Brad from the Bachelor,

You know that dream life you talk of... the one with kids, a little house, both of you pursuing careers, a pet, quiet evenings, etc. Your dream is my life! Please stop idealizing it!
I LOVE my life. It's just somedays, the bum wiping, booger picking, baby crying, sleeplessness, cat caterwauling, laundry, sink overflowing with dishes, house a mess kind of life gets a little much.
Nora and Brad, when I saw you both describe your dream lives, you were sitting in very clean clothes, with your hair done and you were in luxurious settings.
I think it's hilarious that you long for my life.
It also makes me feel good that I am where it's at.
This is as good as it gets! It's hard but, it's good.
Sometimes, I need to remember chubby toddler hugs, delicious freshly bathed baby smell, smiles that melt my heart, a husband who still makes my heart skip a beat, a warm house, the dream of our someday house, rolling over, singing the alphabet, warm baby breath on my cheek and big, big blue eyes staring at me with all that trust.

Thanks Nora and Brad for reminding me that, as much "fun" as you may be having in your single lives, all you really want is what I already have. :)