Earth Hour

Well, we did it! We managed to have our home lights off for the full hour, well, more actually, since we weren't even home. (We were at my mom's for dinner, along with my sister and their 2 kids.) 8:00pm rolled around and we decided to partake in Earth Hour.

Good idea? Well, it was certainly a little difficult with 5 kids under the age of 5. Between running to the bathroom, catching falling kids off bar stools (Natasha, of course!) cleaning spit-up and changing diapers, the hour was way too long!

I've always thought of myself as being somewhat environmentally concious, but last night I realized how much I take for granted...

FREE hat with purchase of shoes...

Grant and I each bought a new pair of shoes on Saturday. When we got home, we realized that with each pair, came a free hat...pretty sweet deal, don't you think? The girls quite enjoyed them.

Growing up...too fast :(

Jaida has turned 4 months (March 25th)!!

update: as promised, here is a photo...

We had a successful doctor's appointment where she now weighs 11 lbs 8 oz and measures 23 inches. She is so chatty and smiley, really a fun little baby!

Maya and Natasha are doing great! They are enjoying Jaida far more these days, as she is so much more receptive and interactive...though, Natasha frequently has issues, as she often comes to us and says, in a cute and whinny voice, "Jaida pulled my hair" or "Jaida hit me" ...

The barriers I face

So I've finally adjusted to daylight savings and was able to get out of the house in the morning once this week, as alluded to by Bonnie's previous post. Maya goes to school in the afternoons and Jaida isn't very picky, but poor Natasha was probably getting cabin fever so I manned up and headed for a drop- in play group.

I made my way to the building and asked for directions (I must be absorbing estrogen somehow) to the specific room. There I am, standing in the doorway, holding Jaida in the carseat, Maya holding my pant leg, Natasha holding the other, and I'm fully aware that out of the 30 people in the room, I'm the only guy over the age of 5.

I find an empty adult-sized chair and plant myself, rocking a wide awake but quiet Jaida in her carseat while Maya and Natasha explore. A friendly enough looking lady walks over and introduces herself, she's the one running the play group, and charms me up with, "Are we giving mommy a break today?".

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In unrelated news, by a quick show of hands, how many of you have ever stepped in poop inside your home? And we don't have any pets. I don't know if I should call that the Natasha-ism of the week or the daddy-ism of the week.

Yet to do laundry...

Well, we are just about finished my third week of work, so far it is going quite well. I am having a hard time getting up and out of the house in the morning, the nights have been more disrupted lately, hopefully that will change soon.

Anyways, it has been 3 weeks since I've done a load of laundry...can you imagine the pile up? Well, have no fear, Grant is here!!! Apart from taking great care of the kids, he has managed to keep up with the crazy laundry, AND he is on top of the girls bathing schedule!! I know, who is this guy??? What is the catch? Good question. Well, they spend a LOT of time at home...but from what I hear they are headed to play group today...!!!

I'm headed home for a great week-end. Have a great long week-end everyone...I'm looking forward to chocolate!! :)

Deep Snow....

This post is intended mostly for those who aren't in Ottawa.


With the 12 feet of snowfall so far this year, it has been a great winter for outdoor play!





Here is what our front yard looked like, after the snowfall last week-end... Our front porch is about 4 feet above ground and the railings another 2 and a half feet high.







Our snow banks are definetly the largest on our street, due mostly to the fact that we (ie: Grant) shovels at each snowfall. Here is Maya sliding down. I believe she now refers to this slide as the 'bumpy' one.





Here is Natasha getting a push.




Grant would have said something along the lines of "I wonder how far you'd sink if you jumped in" I, of course, without thinking, I jumped... there was still a lot of snow under my feet. I had to dig myself out, as my boots were stuck, and Grant was standing there laughing at me saying "don't worry, you'll be able to get out in the spring."!!!




But, not to worry, Maya came to my rescue.

Slippery Slope

Going into this parental leave, I was fully aware of the dangerous trap of morning talk shows, afternoon soap operas and staying in your pajamas all day. With that in mind I had set some very modest goals of personal hygiene: shower every day and shave every other day. I knew if I didn't shower before Bonnie left for work I would be doomed. Well, the switch to daylight savings has been my downfall. It's Wednesday morning and I haven't showered since Monday. I'm wearing the same pajamas that I was wearing yesterday afternoon.

I'm now thinking that if I let my beard go for the full eight months, it might actually fill in.

At least the kids are clean.

First week back...

Well, I am happy to report I survived my first week of work!! The girls were happy, Jaida fed well, and I feel better than I have in a while!! I have to admit the stress and lost sleep over returning, was completely un-neccesary...

Ahhh, the bus, I'd forgotten what it was like. Since my office is at Terrasse des Chaudiers, in Hull, I am taking the bus to work, first time since 1997. It is about a 10 minute walk to Tunney's Pasture, where I can take pretty much any bus. I have to say, the bus service is extremely convinient. On Monday it took me 40 minutes, and by friday I had it down to 23 minutes. I was a little worried about the mid-day service, but it too is great; I'm really getting good at speed walking!!

Working part time is fantastic, that is, of course, due to the fact that child care is essentially free for now (Grant). I'll certainly enjoying it while it lasts.

I think Grant enjoyed his week. He got the girls dressed, fed and Maya to school. Though, there were no 'outings' for the girls, he certainly accomplished a bit around the house. He had partial help 3 out of 5 days, but he did manage to cook 2 delicious meals for us when I was on course Thursday and Friday!!! I could definetly get used to this! Though I'm not sure my ego could handle Grant being a better chef than I!!!

Chinese Food?

The first week is over. Not only did I not lose any of the kids, but I didn't even have to make any emergency trips to the hospital! Some people have wondered how I would survive and have warned me that I was going to be shocked at how difficult it would be. I know it's not easy but I haven't exactly been an absentee father for the the past 4+ years. No crash courses on how to change a diaper were needed. Maya made it to school on time everyday, even the snow day when buses were cancelled (Bonnie later admitted that she would've kept Maya home that day).

Maya-ism of the week: After setting up her tea set, she announced to all her guests to "Please enjoy yourself at the good-luck buffet party". This request was followed, as I assume is customary at all tea parties, by the singing of O Canada.

I hope everyone is enjoying the good-luck buffet party that is life.

Changing times....

Well, things have certainly changed at our place this week.

After being home with the girls for nearly 2 and a half years, I started a new job on Monday. I have mixed feeling about this, but it was bound to happen at some point soon (for mostly financial reasons, but if I had to be honest, also for my sanity). There are so many good things about this job, but the biggest downside is leaving Jaida. Though, I have to say, I called home yesterday and heard 2 out of three crying, and thought to myself "I am glad I am at work!!"

I've been trying to get into the federal gov't for a while now. In all honesty I hadn't been trying hard until about the end 2006. In any case, I wrote some exams, had some interviews and about 14 months later got an offer for a permanent position. Unfortunately Jaida was a week old at the time, and the timing was not ideal. My manager has been great, and agreed to let me start part time, which, from what I hear is a pretty sweet deal for an external employee to get a permanent part time gig to start.

So what happens to the kids now? Well, one of the many benefits of being a gov't employee enables Grant to stay home for 35 weeks, with 93% top-up!!!! So, Grant is being Mr. Mom for the next 8 months. So, while Grant is getting used to the noise and hoopla at home, I am trying to get my head into servers, programming, and taking quick breaks at work to pump. Ahhh...I get home at lunch time, I'm starving, I get a crying baby, feed her, then get Natasha down for a nap. In the mean time, Grant drives Maya to school, then we have lunch and a little break. I am sure it will take some getting used to for both of us.

Finally a BLOG

Hello all,

Well, everyone is always asking us to send updates and photos. I always say I'll get on it, but never seem to do a good job of keeping up. So instead, I decided to start up this blog, and when there is news, and I find the time, I'll keep people posted. I say I, because Grant has no idea, as of now, that I have started this blog, and those who know Grant, will guess the chances of him having more than a few words to write, are slim...but who knows, now that he is Mr. Mom, things may change.

My first post will come shortly. Until then, have a great day!