Christened it as his

Last night after dinner we discovered that Jason had a stinky bum. Since it was so close to bathtime, I didn't bother to put a diaper on him- which caused a little hissy fit. Once he got over his fit, he was running around downstairs & went to the one place in the whole room that had carpet & peed. Not sure if it was fluke or intentional.


Tonight after dinner, he was playing with his animals & again was back 'in the hole'. Not sure what it is, but he really seems to like the hole in our floor & tonight it was a pasture for his animals who he walked alone the edge & put in the 'pen'.


It is fun to watch him play, because he plays with toys so differently than Sydney. She was never one to really play with toys unless you were playing with her. The kitchen is the only toy that she really plays with on her own. Jason will pick things up & play away.

A New Max

Last week Max got his first pair of glasses & I think he looks just too cute.

The dust has settled

The dust has settled & is still visible in many areas of the house. In three days I think we vacuumed, mopped, scrubbed, and/or wiped the floor about ten times. Last night I was down on my hands & knees cleaning the hardwood floor line by line. My father-in-law, full of his wonderful wisdom, suggested afterwards...why didn't you cover the whole floor with cardboard? I told him that was a great suggestion, where was it a week ago???


Before Bradley starts ripping up the ceramic tile I told him that the floor needs to be covered. I think I will be hitting a building supply store to solve that problem. Apparently you can buy rolls of thin cardboard that you just roll out & tape together. Another good piece of advice received a little late.


The means to the end are a little painful, but I am so looking forward to the end result. We are already eating in the new "dining" area & Brad is complaining about how far he has to walk to put his dishes away. Wah, wah, wah. I think he enjoys testing me. The room is bare & will remain that way until the floors are finished, the kitchen is gutted & rebuilt. So our barren space will provide great running room for the kids for awhile longer.


Then there will be window coverings to buy, lights to buy, area rug for the dining area, the list goes on. Hopefully Brad doesn't read this because I am sure that he hasn't thought about some of this stuff & its probably best that he doesn't think about it now. ;)

Reno- Day One

Well, the wall is down. I worked from home this morning to check out Bob the Builder's work (yes his name is Bob), but by lunch I was more than ready to head out. I was getting a headache from all the dust. I did sneak up and take a picture before I left & this is what I saw.


I came home before I picked up the kids and took the shop vac around to get rid of some of the stuff that Bob didn't clean up. I don't think he was tidying with a three & one year old in mind. The biggest 'issue' he left behind was the gapping hole in our ceiling which cold air is just drafting right through. Other than that, things are pretty good. Although, I did call my inlaws to see if we can impose on them on Thursday night. Meals cannot really be prepared, there is no clean surface to do so. I can handle one more night of the work around, but would not welcome any more than that. Especially when the ceiling is what they will be starting on by then.


The kids loved the running room. Around & around they went. I am sure that they will be disappointed when the furniture returns & reduces the size of their race track.

In case you were wondering...

The mark on Jason's head??? He fell down the stairs last week & has a nice rug burn. Yes, he cried but thankfully not for too long. He stopped as soon as he saw Sydney was playing basketball & he was about to miss his turn.

The Before...

Sydney & Jason did well at playing for most of the time that we moved things around, but the novelty of the wide open space started to wear off & they were wanting attention. What do you do with your children when you need to get stuff done & want them out of your hair? The t.v., of course. I have a feeling that the next couple of months may provide many opportunities for television. Poor kids.

I realize this picture doesn't show much, but it is from me standing in the corner of the living room & looking into the kitchen

Standing at the patio door, looking to where the previous picture was taken.

Standing on the steps going down & taking a picture of the front door.

Yes, if you have been to our house before the kitchen is already moved around a bit. We moved the fridge over to the other wall & brought a "crappy" little pantry up to put some food in since we are losing 8 cupboards already. When we did this, Sydney thought this was the new kitchen I was talking about. She told me that she likes my new kitchen. I told her to just wait & see how much she will like the new one then.

Family Day

We are "lucky" to be off today for Family Day. I say lucky because it means that we are home today instead of at work, but really the reason our company has to give us the day is because they are not already too generous with time off. I feel sorry for anyone who is not getting the day today to spend with their family, but not too much if they already get lots of extra time- like shutting down for a week at Christmas instead of you having to take vacation time.

Yesterday we braved the weather & went up to my mom's for the day & today we have just stuck around home. We have lots to do because tomorrow the wall comes down. Yes, phase I of the kitchen renovation begins. This means that everything in the living room (except the couch and entertainment unit) needed to find a new home for a week. I am glad that we are doing this in a couple of phases because at least when we needed to clear everything out it only meant moving half of the floor. At least we could put some things in the kitchen & when the kitchen is being done we will be able to use the space in living/dining room.

I am trying to be sure to take before pictures, so here is a view. In a few days, it will be much more open. So far Brad & I are not snapping at each other, so that is a good sign that we can make it through this.

(Actually- you will need to wait- Blogger is not allowing me to upload...so I will try again later. Sydney wants to play hide & seek).

She Does Listen...sometimes

Yesterday Sydney asked me if she could have her blankie. I automatically said, yes of course. Then I thought that maybe there was a reason she was asking me if she could have it- like maybe Brad had told her she wasn't supposed to have her blankie. When I asked her she told me that her Dad told her that it had to stay in her room. I asked her why & she said "He is tired of looking for it every night". We have had a few nights with the before bed scramble searching through the house looking for blankie.

So in the interest of not contradicting my husband, I had to tell her that if she wanted to be with blankie she would need to sit with it in her room. She listened & didn't seem too concerned by that, because that is where she stayed for the next little while.

Eighteen Month Pictures

Not sure why, but Blogger did not want to let me post pictures to Jason's update, so here they are. Also I have no idea why my text is underlined, can't figure out what I hit. These pictures were probably taken at different times over the course of the last two weeks, but do you notice the common theme? Both kids love their books.

18 Months- No Longer A Baby

Well Jason, you made it to toddlerhood. At a year and a half, they say that you are no longer considered a baby, but a toddler. Your Dad has told me numerous times over the last few months that you are not a baby, you are a little boy. But I must admit, you are still my baby. You still love to climb on my lap for a snuggle, just like you did as a baby- so in my heart you will always be my baby. Especially when I know that those snuggles will become fewer and farther between as the years go by.

We still call you Little Man or Magoo sometimes, but mostly we call you Buddy. I remember your cousin Bryce being called Buddy when he was a baby, so I wonder if it is a common boy thing. You do strut around like such a Little Man though. You walk with your shoulders back, belly out & are not too soft on your feet. At your doctor's appointment you weighed in at 28 lbs, 4 oz & I was shocked that you were not at the 30 lb mark. You hardly seem lighter than your sister. You are 83 cm & I think the last 3 cm occurred over the last two months. Talking seems to be a slow go for you. In the last month you have added some words to your repetoire of sounds, but really only those who spend a lot of time with you can understand any of the words you try to use.

You understand what we are saying perfectly, so language isn't really the issue it is just learning how to get your words out. You can communicate your needs though. You are a demonstrative little guy & you have no problems going to the fridge & trying to get it open when you want some milk. We have a few meltdowns where you scream and cry when you don't get your way, but I have big hopes that those will decrease when you get your words. We are schooling your sister to not give into you every time you yell & stomp your feet to get your way. Unfortunately, she gives in to you more than what we would like.

You run as much as you walk now & you and Sydney LOVE driving around & around the house on your little cars. You are still OBSESSED with cars, trucks, trains- anything that goes really. You are starting to pretend play more & yesterday you fed me whatever it was you made in the kitchen. Quite cute. You still love books & flap books have become particularly enjoyable to you. You have also embraced a new love of t.v., but thankfully you tire of it quickly when given the chance to watch it. However if you find the remote within your grasp, you will plop yourself on the couch, turn on the t.v. & be very proud of this accomplishment.

You now love to climb on anything & you are getting pretty physical with your play. You love to push your sister around & she encourages it, but I think you will soon be much stronger than her & the game will definitely not be as much fun for her. Another new love of yours & this one I really like is...your Daddy. Finally, you run to greet him at the door and you will beg to be placed on his lap. You love to wrestle around on the bed with him & your sister.

You are still a pretty somber fella in new situations. You don't embrace change, especially when it is new people coming into your space. However, you are much smilier than you ever were before & you can be quite the ham. You do like to try and push my buttons whenever you can. You just love to get a reaction from me, so whenever possible I try to ignore your chosen behaviour at the time. But all in all, you are a joy to be around & I love you to bits & bits.

[Pictures will need to wait- Blogger doesn't seem to want to let me post]

'New' Old Favourite

My friend Tara gave me a CD of pictures that she has taken over the years. I cropped one that she had of me holding Jason & it has become a new favourite.


There is also one taken of Sydney on the same day & it never fails to amaze me to see how much she looks like a little 'kid' now.

These are my favourites of Tara's kids.

Not much action in January

I am pretty tardy in my posts lately, but truly there is not much going on. A few weeks ago Sydney & I went shopping in the afternoon & she picked out her own outfit which she models proudly here. Sydney's favourite colour is yellow & when we went into Old Navy it seems that yellow is the "it" colour for the spring. So Sydney picked out a pair of 'skinny jeans' and a top. She had the pants on for less than 2 hours before she got some black on them, so I was really happy that she liked the pants & not the jacket that was very cute- but very yellow.


Sydney also started a preschool gymnastics class & although I don't think she will learn any real "skills" from the class, she does have fun. After both classes the teacher has come to speak to me to say what a wonderful attitude Sydney has & today she apologized that she talks the least to Sydney. This is because our 'little pleaser' will do exactly what the teacher tells her to do & while the kids are running through the obstacle course, Sydney will wait at the somersault mat so that the teacher will come over & help her do one. Meanwhile all the kids who race through are starting to pile up in a line behind Sydney waiting for her to go. They don't bud in front, they either wait or skip it altogether. Imagine a class of 8 3-year-olds & one teacher & I am sure you can picture the chaos.


On Friday we went to visit Grandma & Papa to see their new kitty- yet to be named. When Sydney heard they got a cat she was quite excited & really wanted to go see it, but when we arrived she could hardly care less. She just wanted books read to her. Jason, in his typical fashion, was very slow to warm up to this new creature running about & also could not care less. Surprisingly when it finally tired out & laid down- then they wanted to see it. We will see if anything changes tomorrow. Hopefully it has a name.

New Sleep Habits???

On Friday Jason did not get up until almost 8am, was cheerful all morning (we did not hit the 10:30am need a nap moment), ate a good lunch, had a good afternoon nap, & went to bed well. I was so excited about his late sleep, that I went into his room with the camera when I got him up. As you can see by his reaction, he was not too impressed by the flash going off. Can't say that I blame him, but he was much happier a second later when I opened his blinds.

Relatively speaking, I can be a morning person. Before kids I liked getting up early, reading & having a coffee or heading out with Logan for a good walk. Since kids, that early morning bounce has disappeared & I really do not greet a dark, wintry 6:30 am with a big smile. This later wake-up time is a pattern I would love to see repeated every Friday thru Sunday.

Jason slept until 7:15am the last 2 mornings & that means Sydney too will sleep later. Sydney is also at that point where the nap in the afternoon just means that she is up playing in her room until 9pm. We haven't "napped" her for the past 2 days & I think that has resulted in her getting more sleep overall. She has been asleep by 7:45pm & slept through until 7:30am. Right now she is in her room, but I can hear her fooling around- so there will be no nap this afternoon I am sure. Actually, I now hear her opening her door. Since she is staying at Grandma & Papa's tonight, it is up to them to get her to be at a reasonable time. We'll see.

Photographer in training

Little photographer

Mom gave Sydney a camera for Christmas & she really likes it. Most of the pictures I have from Boxing Day are hers. She actually got some 'good' shots- all things considered. However we did delete a lot of pictures of the wall, crotch-shots, and very blurry images- but some are keepers.

He loves it, but there is a cost

Jason loves cars, trucks, trains, boats- "things that move" in general. Brad & I picked out a little car track for him & he really seems to love it, but there is a cost to us & Sydney. It is LOUD!!! The cars make a lot of noise going around on the plastic track & the music it plays is of course loud enough to be heard over the cars.

Mom gave Sydney some books that have a CD to read aloud to her. When we put it in for her to read her stories, Jason has to go over & hit the track to make it go. He may not have played with it for an hour, but chooses now to play. He really is a little bugger. So, now we need to think ahead. Part of putting the CD in for Sydney is also first remembering to turn off the car track. Sorry Jason, but preventative action is required.

Christmas 2007

Well all the preparations led to 3 full days of activity. Part of that preparation involved Brad braving the stores on Sunday, December 23rd in search of a camel. Sydney kept saying that all she wanted from Santa was a camel. A Camel??? We are not sure where this came from, but it is what she was telling anyone who asked. So Brad rushed out to contact Santa about the camel requirement- not an easy task as it turned out. But a camel was found & it now spends most of its time just standing around. sigh

Christmas Eve afternoon we went to our Child's Christmas service at church & it was the usual chaos, but I think the kids liked it. Then it was a quick return to home to have dinner with Mom, Graham, Dale, Michele, and Max. Preparing & cleaning is not necessarily fun, but I do love having people to our house on Christmas Eve.


Christmas morning was greeted with some excitement. Sydney & Jason like the presents, but aren't wild about the activity yet. Sydney wasn't tearing into her presents- she approaches it quite methodically, which as my Mom pointed out is quite what I was like growing up. Jason is at the age that you can't rush him. When he opens something- he wants to play with it. So, we staggered his opening & let Sydney do some of it too.


Santa brought Sydney a scooter, Jason a basketball net, & both of them received a 2 tent, 3 tunnel, with centre connector contraption. All gifts seem to be great hits, although Sydney was disappointed to not be able to ride her scooter yet. Jason puts every type of ball through the basketball net & cars too. One of the best things was seeing their reaction to the contraption that took up our entire basement. Brad's reaction was pretty priceless too. My Mom probably still chuckles when she thinks about it.


After presents and breakfast, we kissed Mom goodbye as she headed off to the Robinson Christmas & we headed out to Brad's parents for the day. Graham & Dale got Sydney & Max bikes & wanted to do a big reveal. It was quite funny, because as you can see from the picture Sydney is checking out Max's bike & Max is checking out Sydney's. Jason was not impressed that he was not able to ride Sydney's bike. I am sure that is going to lead to even more battles in the spring. I think it is pretty cool that Sydney has a big girl bike & she is pretty good on it already. Jason was also fascinated by the train that goes around Grandma & Papa's tree. I am not sure if I should be concerned or not about how adept he is with electronic gadgetry things. I do not want a kid that I need to push out the door to play instead of sitting in front of the TV playing video games all day.


On Boxing Day my immediate family came to our house for our celebration. Mom was kind enough to do the turkey for me so I am still a turkey-virgin. Never done one on my own. The kids all seemed to have fun & I enjoyed sitting around and being with my family.

Cookies, cookies, cookies

Typically I will make a whole bunch of turtles at Christmas, but this year I just was not that in to it- so the ones I did make were all made at the last minute because I needed them the next day or to just finish up. My last can of caramel only made 4 trays of turtles, when it will typically make 5, because I made the turtles so fat so that I could just be done.

The one thing that we did make lots of is cookies. Maybe I was more into making these than turtles because it is much easier to involve Sydney in this activity. We made ginger cookies & they are so yummy I will be making more soon otherwise I will have another carton of molasses to throw out. I tried to make gingerbread men out of the dough, but I don't think it was really made for that- but the kids didn't know the difference. Their men looked more like blobs than anything once they cooked, but it's not like they decorated them with any anatomical features in mind anyways.

Snow Play

Yes, I've been tardy in my posts. Truthfully, I was not even on the computer during any of my holidays & I was off for two weeks!!! There were certain emails that I was waiting for, so my computer time consisted of quickly logging on to see if what I was looking for was there & getting off as quick as I could. There were some days that were crazy busy, but there were other days that I did as little as possible. I was in a bit of a funk for a bit.

Thankfully, Christmas arrived & lifted my spirits. The great snow fall that we received the weekend before Christmas was much appreciated by the kids & we went out to have some fun.