It's a Boy.

I am very excited to share that our newest addition will be a little boy. Many of you already know this but I thought it was time to update this blog. We don't typically name our babies until after they are born so he doesn't have a name yet. I have a few that I like but hubby and I don't usually agree before hand. The twins were fairly easy to name however Daniel was almost a week old before he had one. So here I sit at least trying to come up with a nickname. Its what I call them while they are still growing and sharing my space. Becca was always just Baby A or sometimes Baby Angry cause she didn't share with us what she was until her birthday. She would always just stay to herself. It was hard to get to know her before she was born. Michael was called my little buddy. He was always so playful with me and we had a good time interacting. Daniel was very active while he was in hotel mommy. He soon became known as the monster. Even now if you ask him if he's a monster be prepared for the best little growl any little kid can muster.
Now for this baby. This pregnancy was a bit of a surprise for us, and we found out about his existence the day after Christmas. For so many reasons I will nickname him my little gift. You see my little gift is going to enter this life with many challenges to face. I will share more details when I am able to do so. This is all so new to me that I am just taking day by day. Mean while I get to see him often through ultrasounds and he is quite the character. He hides his face with his little hands, and will flip his little legs up and look like he's doing a pike high dive. What a boy, I'm glad he takes the time to show off for me and the doctors.

Time really does fly

I can't believe that we are almost through April. My twins turned 7 a few weeks back and I am still trying to cope with the fact they are growing up. They have become so independent and will even go and fix their own breakfast. Some days I will come downstairs and all three kids will have PB&J sandwiches.
We had a good time on our holiday last month, we stowed away in my parents RV and went to Palm Springs and then DISNEYLAND! I was so excited to be able to take my kids. Okay who's kidding who, I was so excited to be able to get there myself for the first time ever. It was a break that was much needed for me and the kids, but I was glad to get back home. 20 days away can make one long for her own space. (Remember, we were in an RV.)
We are all doing well and I am starting to get used to the fact that we will be adding another baby in the summer. I am half way done and doing...well. I have a bit of high blood pressure and don't feel the baby. I thought I was a few weeks back, but now that I am almost 21 weeks nope. Baby must be hiding in some little crawl space. We found out what we were having last week but that will have to wait until I share the details with my family.

The things Mothers will do.

We are planning a trip. This includes a very expensive excursion for the kids; meaning that I have been doing odd jobs this month to pay for this. This past weekend had me heading out on Saturday night to clean and wax some floors for one of our contracts. I was working with my Dad so it wasn't too labor intensive. I basically crawled around on my hands and knees cleaning out all the corners and tight spaces we couldn't get while standing. Knowing that Saturday would be busy for me, I planned my day around a late afternoon nap in order to keep my eyes peeled open past 6pm. The only thing I didn't plan on was waking up with a really sore throat and swollen glands that made my neck look really, really funny. To top it off I still am getting sick and Saturday morning was one of those morning I tried not to let my family hear me puking my guts out. Non the less I was going to get this work done...our family really would like to do this little holiday.
Here comes the part where the pregnant lady (me) kisses her kids and hubby goodbye at 5:30pm to head to the local Wendy's for a pop. More specifically a diet coke. I don't drink regular pop, haven't for years. I figure I would try my luck at a chicken sandwich and headed off to work. I pull away, feeling not too bad until I taste my drink. Regular coke. The tears poured out of my head. I cried and cried until I spotted a McDonald's. I cleaned off my tears and choked out a simple order of a diet coke, asking them to please make sure it's diet, I say. Guess what not diet. At this point with tears free flowing again I know that I can't go in and ask for them to replace it cause really who cries over things like this? Well, I this pregnant woman does.
After it was all said and done, I couldn't eat the sandwich and didn't have a pop.

Becca vs. Chef Ramsay

Anyone who watches the food network I am sure has seen the previews for the television show "The F Word". Well my Becca sure has and does she ever have a few things that she would like to say to Chef Gordon Ramsay. On one of the commercials he is talking to some women about how they can't cook scrambled eggs. This has set off my little lady and she informed me the other day with all the passion she could muster that if "Chef Ramsay came and told you that he didn't like your eggs, I would tell him that you make the best scrambled eggs and that they are my favorite. I don't think he's very nice and if he came here I would tell him that".

So take that Gordon Ramsay, you've been told off by my best critic.

New Year = New Blessings

So many little things happen in our lives that always forget to write them down or blog about them. Lately by the time I get around to heading into bed I am so exhausted that I can't even think straight. I am sure that it has everything to do with this pregnancy but I can't help but feel like I've lost control. I hope things return to normal in a few weeks, until then I will just keep surviving.
Everyone had a good Christmas in our house, we went to the pageant, ate a tone of food, welcomed Santa's offerings, etc. Cesar was off extra days so it was nice to have him around. It's not very often we all get to spend so much time together, it was nice.
Over the holiday we found out that we are expecting another baby. We should be welcoming this little one sometime in August. I am still finding it hard to believe that I will be the Mom to 4 kids. It just seems so surreal. I am excited and can't wait for my ultrasound next week to see exactly when he/she will be coming and to make sure all is well within hotel mommy.
The kids are doing so well in school. I can't believe how smart they are, I am very proud of my little scholars. Daniel is just being himself. This kid can make us laugh like no other.
Time for me to head off to the couch, breakfast isn't sitting to well today. ;o(

'Tis the Season

Nutcracker has come and gone and it was such a fantastic year. Here are a few picture of her in two of her roles. This picture is of her teacher, Ms. Mimi (Grandmother) and Rebecca (Seraphim). All the girls are downstairs waiting to be lead by the wonderful volunteers to the wings.

Here is Rebecca getting ready to dance her favorite role, a Royal Guard. This was something that she was asked to do by her teacher. There were many comments from the other teachers on what a good Royal Guard she was. She was so happy to get to do this that she gave it her all, the look on this little sharp shooters face was priceless. I don't think there was ever a practice that she missed the music cue to shoot the Mouse King.

Here is Rebecca with two of the other Royal Guards all finished and getting ready to head back to wardrobe.

This is a picture of her very scary stage make up. It isn't as bad as some of the leading roles like the Sugar Plum Fairy or the Snow Queen, but it does look real odd when you are standing next to them. She was so happy to have the "bigger dancers" make up that she was showing off her little red eye dots. Silly girl!

She did dance another role but I wasn't able to get any picture on that day. Which is a shame cause she had the most perfect ringlets and was absolutely stunning. Really she was, and this isn't just a bragging mother talking here. (Okay, so this post has been a bit of a brag...but with a daughter like this, I have a right!)

Christmas Tree vs. Casper

I came home today with a very nice surprise left by my little white dog. Casper you see has just turned one and this is first Christmas living with a family. My house trained dog relieved himself on my Christmas tree today. It the process he has hit Michael's gift. The gift that was extremely hard to find without paying an arm and a leg for. It would be of the Star Wars Lego variety and I found it months ago on sale, for $9.99. To replace it, it is now going to cost me $22.99. Lets just say the little white dog has been in the dog house for most of the evening. I even told him that I have no problem re-homing little bad dogs. So if your looking for a really cute 4lb ball of fluff, I may have one available.

Thirsty?

While helping the twins clean up the bonus room tonight Daniel was off doing his own thing. He will sing "meem up, meem up" as we do the cleaning. Tonight was no different so after the older ones were in bed he went into his room. So I assumed. While I was checking my messages, I hear this clattering of dishes. I didn't think to much of it as Becca keeps a glass of water by her bed. Then Daniel comes into the family room and his hands are cold and damp. His socks were damp. Oh great he's been playing in the toilet again. So I take off his clothes and change him into his pajamas. While sitting on the floor I notice a full glass of water on the coffee table. Getting ready to give Becca heck for leaving a full glass of water on the table I see water drips. The water drips are from down the hall. "Ding" the lights go on. Daniel wasn't playing in the toilet, he was simply getting something to drink. Grossed right out I asked if he wanted something to drink, he sticks out his tongue and spits. I guess the toilet water doesn't taste as good as cooler water.

It's about time!

We finally got our Christmas tree up today after listening to the twins pester me for the past week and a half. As any smart parents would do, we used (abused) their enthusiasm and told them when I got back from Christmas shopping we would do it...if their toys and rooms were clean. hehehe Silly kids, the house was as spotless as 6 year olds could make it. So after a little dinner, we pulled up the boxes and while singing karaoke we set everything up. It now is starting to feel more like Christmas. I still have our Christmas village to set up but that can wait. Maybe after church tomorrow.

I only have one more gift to buy this year then I am done. Ya I know, it's not a record breaking year...but at least it's before the 24th!

Need more time?

Well your getting it. For me it will be a tad too late cause I am needing at least another week before Christmas. It was reported that a few "leap seconds" are being added to Dec. 31 this year. Couldn't they be a little more cooperative with all those other procrastinators out there?

Anyway, glad that is off my chest.

I am so not looking forward to next week. I have many appointments that require child care for my little man. I hate bothering my family all the time. I will end up begging my Mother one day cause I refuse, REFUSE to take my two year old in for my yearly doctors visit. As it is, I am a new patient of his and our first real appointment. I did had Daniel in to see him when he had pneumonia and he was great. Came into the room, smiled, and while talking, tickled his tummy. I can't see things heading in the same direction. Or at least I hope not! You know how hard it is to find a family doctor in this city?

Too Funny!

My husband always comments that it's a good thing Mormons don't drink. Need an example? Check this out.

http://www.ldsmag.com/youtube/081106swim.html

Remember Pacman?

Check out these fun Pacman cookies. Place these puppies around the table and let the kids have their own game of Pacman, or use them to decorate a cake? Instead of cookies they could be fondant...hmm...hubs birthday is coming up.

Making the World a Better Place

I have entered a contest and one of the rules was to post on my blog on how I was making a difference.
So what have I done?

I have made sandwiches for the Calgary Drop In Center.
I have volunteered many hours at my daughters ballet studio.
I have and currently volunteering at my church, doing various things.
I am doing "Secret Santa" for a family this Christmas. (The Mom has very bad cancer.)
I do lots for my parents and family members.
I have cleaned some of my friends' houses when they were unable to.
I give away baked goods when I bake something at home.
I spend at least one day a month at my kids school listening to kids read.
I have mowed my neighbors lawn.
I have shoveled the snow from my neighbors driveways and sidewalks.

The biggest thing that I do to make the world a better place is by being a good parent. I didn't say perfect parent, but I am a good one.

Train Wreck (part 2)

The fact that I needed to take my little Daniel out of my church meeting three times all the while coming back to my twins being more and more rambunctious had me packing up my family and heading to the hallway. I have never sat in the hallway with my kids, I have always been able to maintain some sort of control. Maybe it was the stress of spilt lunchables, the elderly lady with oxygen behind me, or the highly irritable two year old, or twins that were creating WWIII on the bench beside me, or maybe the fact that I was just ALONE.

My prayers stay the same, the answers still the same. Patience.
Next week will be better, it always is.

(Going back to the elderly lady with the oxygen, Daniel wanted to play with the tubes. The real fun came when he wanted to turn the "on/off" crank.)

Train Wreck

Waking up hours before your alarm goes off should automatically issue little warning signals in my brain. I however was oblivious to this fact and just thought I was start tackling the day earlier. I spent a little more time in the shower and was grateful that Daniel was not yet awake to play peek-a-boo from behind the shower curtain. The twins were snug in their beds and my hard working husband was sawing logs. I took the time to even shave my legs knowing that mornings like this don't happen often. Upon exiting the bathroom, ready to dress for church I could hear the twins in the bonus room fighting over something, Daniel was in my bed eating a slice of bread, and hubby was muttering something to the affect of "I can't wait until Monday". I quickly dressed then headed into the closets and pulled out mini suits, dresses, and sweaters for church. After we were all dress (with the exception of Daniel, he dresses after breakfast) we sat around the table eating cereal. I packed my bag, loaded with "lunchables" and toys to entertain the kids while I (try) to listen to the talks being offered during church. As I combed Michael's hair, cleaned his glasses, he attached his CTR pin and then headed off to get his church shoes. Rebecca had her hair braided then ribbons tied at the ends all while Daniel was getting dressed, or so I thought. Hubs calls me to the living room where he shows me Daniel has broken out in hives and can't stop itching his arms, face, and his head. So we give him the usual shot of anti-histamine and kiss hubs goodbye as we head out the door. We were leaving at 10:30am so I was tickled pink that we were making good time. (Church starts at 11:00am and we only live 5 minutes away. What can I say, I have a need to be early for everything.)
Driving to church, I really just was feeling uncomfortable. We pull into the parking lot, I take off my seat belt, making sure my binder is in my hot little hands when...I realized, I'm not wearing a bra. Thank goodness I didn't get out of the car and "bounce" my way into the chapel with my three little munchins in tow. I get the kids to sit back down and buckle up and I drove back home. Hubs was quite shocked to see me run back into the house and asks whats wrong. I "bounce" upstairs where I find my trusty titsling , and come back downstairs. Hubs, here is something you can tease me about...I went to church without a bra.
I left him laughing and still made it to church on time.

I have to get kids into bed but I promise to continue the story of my train wreck later.

Thank You

I have often written little notes to my kids that I send in their lunch boxes. I even do this for my husband cause who doesn't like a little love note or kind words from your Mom? Monday this week I slipped a little note in their lunch kids and sent them off for the day. Becca came home with hers but Michael didn't. No big deal, my daughter keeps everything and knowing Michael he lost it.
Today while picking up the kids from school, Michael's teacher asked to talk to me in private. She takes me to her desks and shows me the note that I had wrote him. She goes on the tell me that there were two Mom's in the class yesterday and that they both pointed to the piece of paper and told her she HAD to look at it. She wonders over to his desks and on the back of my little note he printed: fack you.

Yep, clearly and in his best printing...fack you.

I wanted to DIE. We don't say those things in our house! Where did he learn this and why was he writing it down??

His teacher then explained how she was ready to haul his little butt down to the principle office. She then read it again. Using her pure grade one teacher cool, calm and collected persona she had this conversation:

T-Michael, what does this say?
M-Thank you
T-Oh, what does thank you start with?
M-F

So you see, my son isn't a cursing grade one terrorist. I have kept the little note. It will be shown proudly right beside Becca's Princess Leia from pre-school.

Ironman

A few weeks ago we purchased Michael his very first pair of eyeglasses. He looks so cute and he has been very good about wearing them all the time. Today he came home from school and he didn't have them on.

Me-Michael where are your glasses?

M-In my backpack.

Me-Why aren't they on your face? (I'm opening the case at this point.)

M-I...I...they...don't fit...right?

Me-(While holding an oddly shaped pair of glasses) What happened?

M-I bent them.

Me-I can see that, how?

M-I held them like this and squeezed. (His hands are on the side of the lenses.)

Me-I think you should go upstairs...right now...I need to think about this for a while.

M-I'm going to hide now.

Me-Don't hide cause we are going to talk about this.

M-Okay.

I spent the next half an hour, fuming, thinking, then laughing at the situation. He's six. When we bought him the glasses I fully expected to be replacing them at some point. I however didn't expect that he would test his Ironman strength on them. Thankfully the nice lady at Costco was able to shape them back to fit his face.

Dangerous Demon's

I was in Walmart yesterday and they had these on sale.

Lets just say the box was attacked by some crazed lady who couldn't get enough of them. (And I don't even like Oreo's!)

Living a Legacy

As a young girl my Grandma always called me Lady J. To this day I am still not sure if I want to know the reason why. It was a term she used when she was mad and I was going to get into trouble. (Which was often!) The sound of her voice pronouncing those simple words were enough to make a small girl very afraid. Years have passed and during the past five years I have come to cherish them. Being called Lady J from her now has such a different meaning for me, it is love not hate.

This is my online journal, my journey, my legacy.