Snuggles

On those rare moments a 1 year old will sit still, I sit still and soak it all up.

I know someday he will never sit still, and then soon after that he will be too big to sit on my lap.

Auntie Kristi

We lucked out due to a snow storm Auntie Kristi and Uncle Marko stayed the night with us. Both kids were pretty happy to see them when they finally woke up in the morning.

Boys are so Different than Girls

Everyone warned me, and I was prepared for more running around the house, more crashing of toys, but really - this. Oh yes - he loves it - we have a hard time loading and unloading the dishwasher due to him wanting to get involved all the time

Party Time!

Anderson needed help with the gift opening, Jackie of course was more than willing to help out, but he needed no help in eating his cake.

We had a nice family and close friends small party for him – thanks to everyone who attended and for the wonderful gifts.

Sick on Party Day

Both the boys are sick today, so the birhtday party has been postponed.

Dancing Naked

OKay he is so going to KILL me when he is older and knows what I have posted. But I thought it was cute.

Besides, I think everyone shoulod dance naked once and a while - but please do not post pictures if you are not a baby.

Happy Birthday Anderson

Happy Birthday to my little man!

Today Anderson turns one – I know it is so clichéd to say it, but WOW – where has the year gone? I can’t believe he is no longer an infant but a toddler now – and a busy one at that.

For Jackie's first birthday she got her princess pink chair - so we thought it was only fair that Anderson would get his own for his birthday. Today we gave him his Elmo chair and he loves it.

A few pictures with Mommy this morning on my way out the door to work.

So far Anderson has 6 teeth.
He is crawling like a professional (busy keeping up with Jackie).
He eats like a horse.
He loves to play with Jackie and terrorize the dog.

Back to Work

Today I started back to work full-time. I have to admit I am happy to be back, I missed the people, the variety that comes from work and being able to enjoy a cup of coffee at my desk and not have to worry about someone’s little fingers getting a hold of it and pulling it on their head.

Anderson has joined Jackie at Anna’s full time and is doing quite well (we have done some lead up days prior to today).

To Swine, or not to Swine?

I have gone back and forth so many times about what to do with regards to the H1N1 vaccine. It seems like everywhere you turn there is someone saying something negative for every positive thing I hear. But we have decided to get it. Here is why:
1. We have small children – under the age of 5.
2. Although they are not sick and most likely would have no problem dealing with a bought of H1N1 if they got it – we have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow – one of them could get seriously sick and then they are even more at risk of not just getting the flu but much worse.
3. Could I live with myself if I choose not to get it and heaven forbid one of them got it and died?
4. When you look closely at the numbers there is a much, much higher chance of them getting H1N1 than them having an adverse reaction to the vaccine itself.

So, not that our mind was made up – we still had to figure out how to get it. Friday afternoon I stated calling friends and seeing who wanted it, who would be willing to stand in line with me while our husbands stayed at home with the kids and then came when we made a phone call at the front of the line.

I had 3 friends in: Meg was amazing, I picked her up at 6:15 – and we hit the LONG line at 6:30 (we were guessing 600 – 700 people ahead of us already) – she headed off right away to the very near by Tim Horton’s for coffee (waiting over 1 hour in line there), Lisa joined us very soon, dropped off a chair and then searched for parking – parking was horrific at this point, so she headed home to have her hubby drive her back and drop her off.
Janice – a Mom friend of mine who is single with a little girl the same age as Jackie – I called all day with updates, and she kept offering to bring us coffee or whatever we needed – but that would mean another bathroom visit – the first for me almost ended in a phone call for more pants…. (so bad I had to beg to cut the line – yeah – 1000+ people, no port-a-potties – Shell and Timmy’s were lined up forever), anyway – I called Janice in the same time I called Adam in with the kids – there is no way a 2 year old could handle even 1 hour in line.
Then we met a super nice guy right in front of us in line – Chris.

So Meg, Lisa, Chris and I hung out in line – arriving at 6:30am – getting our needle at 2:45pm.

We made the make by 45 minutes – they closed at 3:30 – and we found out later – they are closed for at least a week since they have run out of vaccines.

Overall, I could think of a million other / better ways to spend a Saturday – but I had 2 girlfriends with me – we chatted all day, had no kids with us, and mission accomplished – we were lucky though, if we had shown up 15 minutes later I don’t think we would have gotten in – you should have seen how many people were in line 15 minutes after we arrived.

This is a photo of the line - taken at approximately 12pm.


Myself, Lisa and Meg

Get More Candy....

Halloween 2009 was a success!

Grandma Hill came in to see the kids and ended up being a great help. Our friends Meg, Raffi and son Anthony came over to trick or treat together.

Anderson was a Monkey - had a great time in the wagon "eating" chocolate bars still in wrappers.

Jackie was a purple witch for inside events, but outside was too cold and she still fit her pink puppy costume from last year.

The whole night, she would leave a house and say "get more candy" - yeah - she got that concept down pat - I think she would have been fine to continue on for at least another 45 minutes.

Here are a few photos from the evening:

Getting ready:

Anthony and Jackie - Anthony is superman - but this is Alberta so winter jackets are a must.

My Monkey and My Puppy:

Adam, Meg, Jackie and Anthony

Happy Anniversary Babe!

We are celebrating 4 years today!

I look back over the past four years and so much has changed - houses, jobs, dog and kids. It is hard to believe it has only been four years - it sometimes feels like we have done enough to last 10 years - let`s hope the next 6 years slow down a bit.

Don`t get me wrong, they have been fun, but I would like to not be pregnant now.

Today since I was working we met for lunch - a fast quick lunch, but we did not care since we had no kids!
I got flowers at work - they are lovely - Adam knew to instruct about the no carnation rule - and even asked the colours be the same as our wedding flower colours - I was impressed.

Then we are going to have a nice dinner out this weekend while Grandma and Grandpa help out with the kids.

To the best 4 years of my life so far! Love you tons!

Because she's mine...

... and what parent could not resist taking this photo and wanting to share it with the world.

She got a hair cut the other day and decided she wanted to wear this sweater made by Great - Grandma, just adding to the already cute daughter we have.

Fun Photos

Here are a few fun photos of the kids taken over the past few weeks.


Jackie sporting Daddy's glasses - you should see the finger prints left when she is done.



Adam the hair stylist strikes again.

Building with Grandma Nadeau

Boot Camp

A few weeks ago I joined a boot camp, If you know me - this is radical - I hate to exercise and especially run. But I needed to do something and I was not going to do it myself.

We meet 3 times a week - 2 of the classes are in a park close to our house - great since I can walk. The other class is in Fish Creek park and we run - the whole hour is running.

After the first cardio class I had my old knee injuries surface again and needed to do a little ice down.

Well, Jackie not only kissed my sore knee (because we all know a kiss makes it feel better) but she also thought she needed to ice her knee too.

Scratch and Sniff

I don’t know if I am just plain weird or if everyone is like me, but one thing I can’t get enough of is the smell of my babies head.

I do love the smell of other babies – but there is something about your own that is so much better.

I could spend all day snuggling and smelling, of course he is not at all interested in staying still for even a fraction of that time.

I know the good baby smells are going to be replaced with the not so lovely little boy smells soon, so I must take all the opportunities I can right now.

Seriously...

I took this photo with my cell phone this afternoon - are you kidding me???

I must admit I love summer, but I am ready for it to be fall, 34 is just way too hot for me even in July.

Oh well - I know now that I have posted this it will be snowing in a week.

A Good Bye

A little over a week ago we said good bye to some dear friends at Jacqueline's day home.

Jorja and Luke. Jorja is on her way to kindergarten and Luke will get a chance to stay home with Mom a bit more.

Here is a photo of all the kids with Anna on the last day they were all together.


I made some mini cupcakes for the event. I sent along all of these ( a few extras for Anna's family and in case there were any broken ones and someone needed a new one), but the kids ate them ALL. Anna got one and none were left for her family.

It was just a box white cake mix and I used the Pampered Chef mini muffin tin. The icing is Wilton's Buttercream recipe.