Now, The Taylors 5

Today we welcomed 2 more nieces to our family. Grace Isabelle was born at 8:53 am this morning and weighed 5 lbs 12 oz. She was soon followed a few minutes later by her sister Madeline Olivia who weighed 5 lbs 4 oz. It is amazing to see the difference 8 oz makes when someone is so small.

Grace is currently in the neonatal unit because she hasn't quite learned how to breathe outside of the womb yet, so they are forcing natural air through her nose. Hopefully over the next day she will learn how to breathe from her lungs and not her tummy. The neonatal nurses say that it is really rare that they see the larger twin in their unit, it is usually the small twin. Aside from the tubes and wires connected to her, she looks great.

Madeline (Ma-de-line, not Madelyn) aka Maddy(ie?) is doing well, but she also needed to add some excitement to the delivery. She was tucked nicely under Michele's hip bone & wasn't too interested in making it too easy for anyone. Michele was quite ready for these girls to come out and join the world, but it seems both of them were quite snug in their little home.

Mommy Michele is doing well and Daddy Robb is definitely the proud Daddy. He was busy carting everyone (2 sets of grandparents, 1 son, 1 aunt & 1 uncle) over to see Gracie. Mr. Max still seems overwhelmed by the whole experience & really who could blame the poor little guy. His world has changed drastically & although I am sure he will love his sisters dearly- I believe he is going to have a tough time adjusting to how busy Daddy & especially his Mommy are now going to be. I think Max will need to have a few sleepovers at our house when we get it back in order. Give him some time on his own.

Here are the pictures that I am sure you want to see.

Grace Isabelle Taylor
"Gracie"

Madeline Olivia Taylor
"Maddy"

Big Brother Max & Maddy

Proud family with Maddy

Over Indulgence

This weekend was a pretty fun one, but it did have its moments.

On Saturday I took Jason to buy the hardwood & a "first" happened. Jason actually was friendly & played with a stranger. I was talking on the phone with my father-in-law about a transportational difficulty & Jason cavorted with the nice gentleman at the store. Shocking!

While we were gone Sydney & Brad had their "special time" and Sydney informed me later that she never wanted to have special time with me again. Well- isn't that just what every Mom wants to hear?!? Not sure what I did to deserve such a statement. I also am not sure what we are in for when hormones start playing a role, but last week was a very "dramatic" week. I swear the gray hairs that are sprining up on my head (grrr!) are the direct result of my frustration with the "attitude" that is starting to develop & she hasn't even gone to school yet!

Saturday night we attended a wedding for a guy that Brad & I work with. It was a really nice time, but I chose this night to request that Brad be the DD. Considering I have been DD for 4 years now, he did owe me. Typically by not being a DD that allows me to have more than 2 drinks over a 4 or 5 hour period. The problem is at best estimate I had at least triple that & man, oh man, did I pay for it.

The wedding truly encouraged drinking- never seen anything like it- but it was very fun. It was a civil ceremony & drinks were available during the ceremony. You also got a shooter right when you walked in & all through dinner the waiter was willing to go to the bar for you on top of the wine he was serving at the table. Add to that the woman sitting beside me was drinking & I think I was subconsciously pacing myself with her- BIG MISTAKE- she is obviously a "better" drinker than I & I am sure that she did not pay for it in the same manner I did.

The saddest part is that we had to leave the wedding at 11pm to get home to relieve our babysitters because Dale had to go to work for midnight. So, I managed to get myself in this state in only 6 hours. The next morning I told Brad that he was going to have to go alone to my Mom's with the kids because I didn't think I could do it. It was really pathetic. After a couple of wakeful hours I realized that I could stand without having to rush to the bathroom & could face the ribbing that I would undoubtedly get from my family. Surprisingly it wasn't too bad- my husband seemed to get the most enjoyment out of the experience. Probably because he knows that he is good for about another 5 years before he will need to be DD again.

I am happy that we did not have the camera out to get the horrendous site that I am sure that I was, but I am regretful that Brad & I didn't take a picture before we went out. I can't remember the last time we had our picture taken together.

So, the only pictures I have are from our belated Easter.

Yes, that is Natalie sleeping right below all the commotion.
She seems to be a pretty content, laid back little lady.

Jason of course was his sociable self and was attached to me most of the day.

Proud Grandma & Ben

And the hunt is on!!!

Tyler was trying to help Jason out by pointing out where the candy was, but Jason kept trying to give it back to him. I think he thought that it was Tyler's.

Six More Days...

In less than a week we will have 2 more nieces. Michele is scheduled for her c-section next Tuesday, but is praying that the girls decide to move it along before then.

I cannot wait to meet Grace, or Rachel, or Madeline, or Olivia- whatever the names I am sure they will be darling!

Poor Michele is not moving too far or too fast these days & is looking forward to normal movement again.

Easter Recap

At the end of the day we asked Sydney what her favourite part of the day was & her answer was...church. Wow, not the answer we expected but I sure liked hearing it considering how much I know she loved hunting eggs.

Jason has a new word. Ehggg!!! Really loud & really exaggerated. It did not take him long to catch onto things.

Yes, you will note that we still have a plywood floor.

Saturday Egg-stravaganza

Today was busy, busy, busy. In the morning we went to a local church that was having crafts, egg hunt, lunch & a movie for ages 2-11. Sydney & Max seemed to have a really good time & liked each of the activities- especially the egg hunt.


They tried to do some games which was just an excuse for the organizers to completely stress themselves out. Coordinating a bunch of kids of varying ages into teams for games??? Not an easy task. So, they did the smart thing & just did one game- for fun- no competition.


When the kids were to line up for the egg hunt I was convinced that Sydney was not paying attention to the man trying to explain the rules. She was too worried about where Max had gone to, but as soon as the man said that kids ages 1-3 could go- she yells, "I'm 3 & was off like a bullet". I guess she was only paying attention for the important part.


After the egg hunt was lunch & a movie. They had technical difficulties getting set-up, so while they were figuring that out they had a talent contest. The man asked if anyone had a song to sing or a joke to tell. I couldn't believe it but Sydney was the first one up there & sang Humpty Dumpty. Max too got up to tell a joke. Funny kids.

After those activities were over it was off to Sydney's last gymnastics class. I am glad she had fun during it, because I don't think she actually learned anything from the experience.


Once we got home, Sydney finally got to ride her bike that she got for Christmas. There were snow banks surrounding her, but at least the sidewalks were clear enough for her to go out. We definitely need to take her to a bike shop to have her properly fitted for a helmet. The one she has is supposed to be for 5-year-olds, but it seems way too small for her. Jason & I took advantage of the time (& also to keep him from freaking out that he could not ride the bike) to go for a walk. He spent the walk pointing to every truck and bird he saw. Still not that intelligible in his speech, but at least he now tries.

There's only one left...Brad

The last week has been another week of sickness in our house & this time it wasn't just Jason. On Friday night, Jason didn't want to eat supper & so I took him away from the table. We were sitting on the couch when he gave the fearful cough so I stood up & then out it came. We saw everything he had to eat that day at Grandma & Papa's. Again I went & sat in the tub with him until we were sure it was all done, then cleaned it up & gave him a bath. About 45 minutes after he was down we were back in his room cleaning him up and his crib. Poor little guy was half asleep & throwing up.

On Monday when I picked Sydney up at Grandma & Papa's, I found her lying on the couch. She had been there all afternoon- very unlike her. She said her tummy was upset, so we brought a bag just in case. She was fine all the way home & while we picked Jason up at daycare, but once we got home she threw up all over herself & of course the car seat. So I had her crying because she was a mess & Jason crying because I was paying too much attention to her. After she had her shower she informed me that "I feel much better after I puked" and informed her dad of the same when he got home. We kept her home from daycare on Tuesday to play it safe & she was running out the bottom end as fast as she had been coming out the top end, so it was probably a good idea.

To manage the day, Brad worked from home in the morning & I worked from home in the afternoon. But by 3:30pm I was hugging the porcelain bowl myself & preceded to do the same for the next 3 hours. The worst part of it all was that I had to go to Quebec City yesterday to testify in a case (not against us). I was not too impressed to be going in the first place, but to have to go when I was not in control of the fluids in my body made it even worse. Add even more displeasure was that my ride to the airport was picking me up at 5:30am- meaning a 4:30am wake-up call. Wednesday was a very long day, but I was thankful it was not longer. The snow was really coming down in Quebec & the flight scheduled for 7pm was delayed- so I was praying that the same fate would not fall to my 5:40pm flight! But, flight was only a little late (to de-ice the plane), my ride was waiting for me, & I was home to my couch by 8:30pm. This morning Jason was up much too early for my liking, so I brought him into our room & he looked at books while I huddled underneath the covers behind him. He was reading aloud to himself & sounded so cute that I assumed he must look cute too, so I asked Brad to grab the camera & here is the result- very cute.


I asked Brad if the kids seemed to miss me & the answer was actually "no". Again one of those answers that you are only sort of happy to hear. However, it seemed that this morning they were making up for the fact that they were OK without me last night. Sydney was a grumpy girl who hardly smiled all morning- so she had her first nap in a long time. Jason would not let me out of his sight for a moment all morning, but thankfully was much better this afternoon. Presumably he trusted that I was staying. But our little boy has caught yet another bug. It appears that although he was puking on Friday, he has now caught part of what Sydney had & he had multiple stinky, watery diapers today.

Please let this be the end of it!!! Brad seems to have escaped this last round & I hope that fate continues!

This was our picnic snack today- once both kids were happy. Sydney picked out her clothes today & is wearing as much yellow as possible.

This was Sydney on Sunday at Sunday school. I taught the class for the first time. Teaching a bunch of 3 & 4 year olds is a little chaotic. You will note that again she is wearing yellow.

Snowed In

This weekend we went to see my Mom. Not surprising to anyone who was in Southern Ontario-y we got snowed in. We went up on Friday night & intended to come back on Saturday because I was suppose to teach Sunday school at 9am Sunday. It became very obvious on Saturday morning that I was going to need to find a replacement because I was not going to be getting out of town for two reasons: (1) lots of falling and blowing snow and (2) Jason had the stomach flu. Poor little guy was sick everywhere & we had to hang out in the tub together for awhile until I was sure he was done. I had bile & curdled milk all over me & him- ugh!


When Jason was down for a nap, Sydney & I headed out to do some errands & go for her first "paid" haircut. Her hair was driving me crazy & I have been pumping her that the next time she gets her hair cut that Nana wasn't going to be the one to do it. Then of course when we were at Mom's I thought we could get her to do it- but no way. I told Sydney that it was going to be someone different- so that's what it had to be. She now has more layers & the curls are much curlier instead of a wavy mess (especially when her Dad just combs it straight in the morning instead of trying to encourage the curls). Sydney loves her curls, so she was happy that her hair was even curlier after her haircut. Wonder how long that will last?


Jason's weekend was spent attached to me or sleeping. I hated to send him to daycare today, but I had to go back to work & he really did seem better- just not much spunk. I called a few times through the day & was assured he was find & thankfully tonight he still seemed much better. He was playing instead of wanting me to hold him- although I really did enjoy the extra cuddle time this weekend.

And what was Brad doing while we were off gallivanting? He was working again. This weekend's task was a tough one. Ripping up the ceramic tile in the kitchen & front entry way. What a mess our house is again. I will be so happy when it is all finished, but the dust in the meantime is taking some getting used to. Considering that he really doesn't even "want" the new kitchen, he is getting a lot of crappy jobs in the process.

Springtime in North Carolina

On the weekend I went with 2 friends to North Carolina to visit our friend Wendy who moved there just before Christmas. It is amazing what becomes a luxury to you as your life changes. For 2 1/2 days we were only accountable to ourselves. We did not need to worry about kids' schedules, we did not have to coordinate what we wanted to do with what would make the kids happiest & we got to spend time being...girls, not Moms. It was GREAT!!! Don't get me wrong, I love being a Mom more than anything. But to be able to step away for a few days with friends & just be a girl was fantastic. We talked, we shopped, we were tourists, we shopped, we ate, we drank, we shopped. It was wonderful.


Our trip there was not as smooth as we would have liked & ended up sitting in the Detroit airport for 4 hours because we missed our connector due to our flight being an hour late. Grrr! But when we arrived we were happy to find SPRING in Charlotte. Good bye heavy coats & snow! On Friday we were tourists and went to Biltmore Estates- the largest home in America- and wished that we had more time to spend. It was beautiful, but we had to rush through the end of the tour of the house because we had booked the wine & chocolate tasting session. We didn't want to be late for the wine!!!


On Saturday we shopped more than I think I have shopped in the last three years combined. It was incredible. By the end of the day, not so incredible in a good way. We realized that we had spent almost the whole day indoors when it was 20 degrees outside!!! We did sit outside for awhile at lunch while we were waiting for our table, but that was pretty much it. Oh, before we left we were outside for awhile watching Ellie ride her bike- but other than that? We were indoors. We got some really great stuff though! And the three of us heading back to Canada had a lot to show for our efforts.


Sunday we were up bright & early and Jason made us a wonderful waffle breakfast before we left. We had a few extra minutes that we did go for a miniature walk on the boardwalk near their home so that we could touch nature for a little bit before we headed back to the SNOW!

Of course in order to have this fantastic weekend away, I depended on my wonderful husband to 'single parent' for a weekend. I left Thursday afternoon & returned around supper on Sunday- so Brad had 2 full days of the kiddos to himself & I think they had a really good time. Before I left Sydney asked me if Daddy could go & me stay home, so I was happy to see that she had so much fun with her dad for the weekend.

Waiting four hours? Have some wine!

Thank you to our hosts for sharing their beautiful home. We will be back!

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]