My Boys.

I know it is so cliche...but being a mom is one of the best things I have ever experienced.

When three area photographers got on board together to fundraise for a young teacher battling cancer (& her family), I jumped at the chance to book a session. I really wanted to support the cause - and the fact that I got some photos out of the deal was really just a bonus.

Thank-you to the awesome Jocelyn Harvey for the photos - I will treasure them always!

I love these boys oh, so very, very much :)

(B @ 19.5 months & S @ 1 month)

Things to remember...

05.29.2011

Things I want to remember about today:

1. Overheard: "I'm not sure disgusting is quite the right word for it" (from hubby regarding his first diaper change of Baby S - I'd been warning him for awhile that it wasn't that pleasant an experience)

2. How B helped me empty the dishwasher & opened the right drawers for things (and how he was actually marginally helpful with the task...usually in this context, "help" means being a giant pain in the behind!)

3. B playing outside with his dad wearing his pj's, raincoat & rubber boots. Totally happy.

4. Half of the concrete driveway poured & finished. Sort-of.

5. Getting back from my bike ride to find hubby sitting in rocker cuddling with Baby S...and baby giving daddy the biggest smiles and coos. This is extra precious as hubby hasn't had much one-on-one baby time this go-round.

6. Homemade chicken veggie fajita soup for lunch. Yumm!

7. Being extra ADHD...literally about 8 things on the go today - at once. I keep getting distracted. Hope I finish at least one of them!

8. Another grey day. No sunshine. Cold. But at least no rain - yet!

9. Piggies. Nothing sweeter :)

An Exercise in Futility...

Hello!

I have a confession to make.

I have been trying really, REALLY hard to avoid spending any more time than necessary online (I have a little thing called blog-hopping addiction...yes - this is a self-coined phrase...but very apt, no?) so I have made a point in avoiding the now-popping-up-everywhere Pinterest.

But...my efforts are sadly to waste as I just can't help myself!

Pinterest just has so much very lovely eye candy & inspiration.

My fav finds today?

1. Red + aqua = love. Always loved this colour combo...been searching for a new accent colour for upstairs living area.  This just may be it. Already had red...but why not red and aqua?

2. Reading nook. Oh how I'd love to create something like this one day for my boys :)

3. This totally appeals to my fabric/pattern/colour love.

4. Yumm! Blackberries, vodka & lemonade? Sign me up - sounds like the perfect drink for summertime sipping (now that I can finally sip again, lol).

5. see #1

6. Seriously? Adorable. Brings on a whole new meaning to "milk & cookies".

7. Using leftover wine for cooking. Genius. Not that we drink that much wine...but it sure would be handy for those few recipes I love that call for wine...

8. How neat is this clock?

9. I've often thought of doing this. Never got around to it (like the 7 000 or so other ideas I've never gotten around to...). But I love the cuteness!

10. Ranunculas gorgeousness. Love the muted tones. Be still my heart.

SO...

Have I sold you on how vast and varied the inspiration can be? I could spend hours on this site. Hours. But for now I'm limiting it to a once a week activity. 20 minutes, tops.

Wish me luck with that.

20!

5.21.2011

Holy smokes! I just blinked my eyes and this little man is 20 months!
He definitely keeps us on our toes but brings immeasurable joy into our lives.
Can't imagine life without you, B!
Love you SO much :)

At 20 months, you:

- love to "help"...whether it is outside or in the shop with daddy or with house chores and baking inside with mommy

- love your little brother! you always have a "hi" (usually several) for your little brother. You love to get really close to his face, and touch his head. Right now, you are really into "sharing" with him (like you wanted him to ride your toy quad today - I had to explain he is too little). You call him "dat" or sometimes "dis" which makes your dad & I laugh.

- have learned to say "no" although you still like to say "yesh" & nod your head when you do want something (you are always very definite in the yes or no...no grey area with you!)

- pay close attention - it never ceases to amaze us what you've picked up & mimic

- will walk to bed yourself when tired

- still love your soother & blankie at bedtime

- still love bathtime

- have a vocabulary of many words (although some words are only understood by mommy & daddy), and like to use single syllables as much as possible (like "wat" for water)

- love to sing, dance & read stories

- play pretend (with your dishes & pots and pans)

- are a monkey. You like to climb up, onto or into anything.

- love the outdoors more than anything

- like to eat, especially snacks

- are a tornado...you can make a mess out of nothing in a very short time.

- are independent and strong-willed, but sweet and funny

- are quiet and observant in a crowd

Can't wait to see what the next 20 months and beyond will bring :)

Spring is...

...my favourite time of the year.

And since it has been forever since I've
a) taken pictures
b) edited pictures
c) played around with textures,

here are some symbols of spring that I love.
Tulips & daffodils :)
What are your favourite parts of spring?

Little Helper

05.20.2011
Buddy, you have been SO happy by all the yardwork & renovations going on around here. It means some serious Daddy and B time. You absolutely love being outside and "helping" daddy work. One of your all time favourites is to sit with daddy in the mini-excavator (aka: digger). If you happen to look out the window and see it in the drive, you immediately ask for daddy & say "dig". You would sit for hours on daddy's lap in that machine. Hours. Although Daddy says he is a few days behind in getting all these jobs done, I know he has loved spending this time with you as much as you have loved it. The feeling is mutual. No doubt about it. These days will go down as treasured memories for both Daddy & I. Love your adoration for the outdoors. Love your adoration of Daddy. Love how you quietly watch, picking up every detail, then mimic. Love you, buddy! 

Home Sweet Home

05.18.2011

After another morning of waiting, waiting and more waiting...we finally got the news we can go home! YAY :)

My favourite part of the day? Arriving home to B topless in the window, waving & saying hi...then coming to the door and accosting his little brother with endless kisses and hellos (momma only got a little peck - hmph - wonder who is more important?).

Not long after we were home, B wanted to head outside (not surprising - he would live outside if we let him) so he & Rod took a little walk.  They brought back a tulip for me. Love that.

Not my favourite part of the day? That's easy. Walking into a dirty, messy house. I detest that. But nothing that a little elbow grease can't change...

 (Like dedicating 20 minutes to folding four hampers worth of clean laundry)...oh laundry, why do you have to be so hard to keep up with?

Jail & Things...

05.16.2011

Poor little guy has a bit of a stomach bug since last night...so off to the doc the three of us go (B, little man & I). I have to say that although B is super busy, he was relatively well-behaved considering all the waiting and back and forth that this day brought. Turns out little man's blood work is a bit off so we are headed to Regina to see the pediatrician (which in my gut now means a good chance of a stay there).

Made for an awfully long day, but we finally were admitted to the pediatric ward around 11 pm...both of us tired, so settle in for the night. I have to say I've been impressed with each of the three pediatricians we've seen in the last four months.

Staying in the hospital this go-round felt much less stressful...(funny how not being 9 months pregnant can help with that!)...but still so much darn waiting. I must admit, it feels a little bit like jail.

Although I didn't have my camera handy, I did manage to snag this picture of little man in his hospital crib via my phone camera. He was really such a little trooper :) Many nurses and even a couple of the docs commented on how well behaved this little monkey was - and I have to say, I truly am blessed...he is such a good baby thus far (pardon me while I race with epic speed to the nearest hunk of wood to knock on!)

The Day of Mothers

Happy Mother's Day to one & all!

I am fortunate to have been influenced by so many great women in my life...but first and foremost on the list would have to be my MOM.

She is a feisty, energetic, caring, compassionate, giving, unjudging, fun-loving, insightful lady that has instilled within me so many values and beliefs. It is funny, but I appreciate her SO much more now that I am a mom myself...I am able to see her through entirely different eyes.

Love you so, so much, Mom! I don't know what I would do without you...you are such a wonderful & strong role model. A great mom, friend and grandmother!

Motherhood Matters!

HELLO MAY!

In this month of celebrating mothers, what better way to welcome than with the following:

I am inspired today by a challenge I found while doing my weekly check of blogs (thanks Becky) that I follow (I'm trying to limit my computer time...no more "daily" checks) called Motherhood Matters. Here is a link to the challenge so you can check it out yourselves...love the quotes they share each day with the challenge...so I'm going to share them here with you as well! (The challenge started May 2nd and continues for 10 days).

DAY 1:  
     "OF ALL THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN, THE GREATEST IS TO BE A MOTHER"
                    - Lin Yutang

DAY 2:
     "BIOLOGY IS THE LEAST OF WHAT MAKES SOMEONE A MOTHER"
                    - Oprah Winfrey

This month I would like to celebrate and recognize that "mothers" come in all shapes and sizes, figuratively...there are single mothers, mothers-in-law, stay-at-home moms, working mothers, grandmothers, and women that have never given birth. All are mothers.  Challenge yourself to accept this definition and acknowledge that each is as important and as valuable as the next. Being a mother means more than a biological connection - it is about nurturing, mentoring, and influencing others in some way.

And, because a post is always better with a picture:

My dear mom & dad in San Antonio, Texas - Feb. 2010