9.24.2011

Scrunchy

Around here, we call this the "scrunchy face".
This face means this little man is in a great mood.
We love the scrunchy face (and accompanying snorts)...

9.10.2011

One month to go...an update!

09.10.2011

So we are down to mere weeks until you turn two...and boy, oh boy, have you hit the "terrible two's".
The terrible part is basically how you've managed to take the term "busy" to a whole 'nother level (I'm just not all that sure there is an adequate word in my vocabulary to describe it).
Here is a great example of how I know you've hit this stage:
- you wrote scribbled all over the wall with Daddy's carpenter pencil...and then hid the pencil before I even saw the marks
- you managed to be out the front door, across the street and over halfway down the block (in just your diaper) in the amount of time it took me just to take your brother's dirty diaper off (I didn't even get it changed...the silence alarmed me, so I just did it back out, put baby in the crib and went running in search of you)
- you spilled half a carton of formula (the new "powder gold"...this stuff is expensive! Grr...)
- you dumped/spitted water all over, on purpose
- you got into a new package of wipes, squeezed a wipe repeatedly on the carpet, squeezed over your little brother's head (and got it in his eye)...you got told no, and diverted to something else, and you came right back to do it again (and got a time out for not listening)
- you bit your brother so hard on his shoulder that it left marks (and made him cry), just for the heck of it (and looked at me with a not too sweet gleam in your eye)
- you tormented the dog by hitting him with your toy bat, then you kicked him (while proudly proclaiming "I kick Ocar")
- you steamrolled your little brother
- you ran laps, and laps around the kitchen/living room loop, loudly announcing "I fast"
- you managed to transport every single tractor, combine, truck from the bucket in your room to the living room floor
(and the list goes on...)
- you watch me taking a picture of your baby brother and say "mom - I cheese!...my picture", and in the amount of time it took me to take the lens cover off and focus on you, you had already demanded I put the camera away and "no picture"!
This all within a two hour span (and because it was already 24 hrs ago, I'm sure I've forgetten many details!). Phew - did you ever exhaust your Momma...I can tell you are going to keep me on my toes, to say the least!
But despite it all, I can't help to feel so blessed to have you in my life. You amaze me daily.
Love you so much, my "almost two" B!

9.09.2011

Overwhelmed...

09.09.2011

I have to admit I allowed myself to fall into a bit of self-pity-party the last couple of days.
My hubby is "officially" off on the adventure of his new business which will have him away from home for the first couple of months :(
I am so excited for him, but was sad for our family (especially B-man, who will miss seeing his Daddy every day). I was dreading the tricky-to-do-by-oneself parts of the day and the constancy of being "the" parent 24/7.
It is so easy to allow yourself (or at least myself) to get stuck in the vicious thoughts that percolate in the mind...and all of a sudden something seems far worse than it actually is...I all too often let this happen to me...and when it does? Instantly overwhelmed.
I pride myself on being a strong, independent & capable individual, so those feelings of being overwhelmed frustrate me. I'm not sure how they so easily & constantly infiltrate my mind. But (and this is a big but) - what makes me happy about it all is that I am now mature enough and solid enough in the knowledge of who I am that I can recognize these feelings when they show up (although sometimes it takes a day or two of total grouch for me to "snap out of it" so to speak).
Our family's single-parent status is temporary. Many don't have the same luxury.
So today, I let my toddler chase me down the hallway and into his bed, where we both collapse and giggle hysterically. I grab him in a bear hug and snuggle into his hair, take a deep breath and realize that instead of dreading the next few months, I need to cherish all these precious moments I get to spend with my boys.
Overwhelmed no longer.
Simply.
Blessed.

And...on a sidenote...a flashback!
As I typed the date above, I realized that exactly two years ago on this day, I was hoping, wishing and willing my first born to be born. Two years ago, this was my due date! Wow, how time flies :)

9.05.2011

Progress - an update!

09.03.2011

Since the last update, torn down old garage has transitioned from wreck, to "big hole", to footings, to foundation...to foundation with WALLS! Yay :)

(the exterior walls are all sheeted & up - now for a roof!)

9.04.2011

Observed

09.04.2011

Today, I observed this little man wrapped up in watching his movie - something he is getting more and more attentive at...although some part of his body always has to been moving (this time it was his hands). I have to admit that although I don't encourage him to watch TV, this newly found interest gives me a bit of reprieve when I feed his little brother.

9.02.2011

Sweet

09.02.2011

It is not often I will take a b&w pic over a colour pic, especially when I've been the one to take/edit the pic (I like others b&w's quite a bit, just not my own)...for some reason I just favour colour...but when I looked at this particular shot I had a feeling I would like it in b&w, so decided to try to edit it that way. What do you think?
I just think he is so sweet :)

9.01.2011

Today...

09.01.2011
Hello, September! I can't believe you have arrived so quickly :)

Today brought a much more calm, "laissez-faire" approach to our day (it feels like for the last little while I have let the "to-do" list hover too prominently in my mind, which detracts a bit from the overall enjoyment a day can bring).
Today, it was grey and windy and felt like fall, which I think brought on that calming mood.
Today, I struck out to just "chill" with my boys as it seemed like the kind of day to do so.
Today, we still managed to accomplish something (a long morning walk, baking a couple of cakes & making a yummy supper).
Today, B-man went to play in his room by himself for some quiet time (where he has to go if he wants his "blankie & ditti" - they are not allowed in the other living spaces in the house any more) and fell asleep all on his own. About an hour later, I heard him playing with his toys, but again he fell asleep.
Today, I took little man into bed with me while B-man napped...and the two of us spent some quality time staring into each other's eyes until he, too fell asleep (I then indulged in a guilty pleasure and read a bit of my book).
Today, as I was looking through pictures of you, little man, I was struck at how grown up you are getting...and it made my tummy do some flip-flops.
Today, as you asked for your movie and got excited ("here it comes"), I watched as your eyes sparkled, and I tenderly brushed your hair back and marvelled that I made you.
Today, I was smattered by some big.fat.juicy.kisses (that we affectionately refer to as just "juicies"). Love.
Today I just felt so content. So content to be. So content to just let the day pass. So content to just enjoy the little, everyday moments.
Today it felt awesome to let the pace slow down.