Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

Wherever I go, with my three girls in tow, people are constantly telling me two things: how beautiful my children are ("Yes they are, thank you, they look just like their father don’t you think?"); and, how I must have my hands full. And when I say constantly, I mean to the point of being annoying. I had to make new plans after story time at the library. Usually, we go to the nearby mall and have our lunch in the food court. But this mall seems to be very senior heavy at that time of day. I realize you’re probably lonely, but if you think my hands are so full, why are you interrupting our lunch to tell me about your grandkids?

Anyway, my hands can’t be that full since I’m usually able to hold a cup of coffee in one of them. Why is that? Well, I’ve been to grocery stores, play groups, the library, food stops, and numerous coffee shops, and I’m convinced that I have the best behaved children in the history of children, seriously. When we’re out, if I ask them to do something, they do it. They make it that easy for me. Notice that I said, "When we’re out", at home it’s sometimes a different story.

Less laundry and less garbage...

Since Jaida was born, it seems as though we are constantly washing, drying or folding diapers, on top of that the amount of disposables, though we don't use that many, makes up the majority of our weekly garbage.

So, last week we decided that Natasha would be done with diapers (during the day). We made a considerable big deal about it all week, colored in the calendar so she knew the day was coming. I also laid out 12 pairs of underwear, hoping it might last her 2 days, and made sure I had lots of clean clothes.

Friday morning came, she herself said "No more diapers for me!" So, that was that, she is done.

She did have many accidents on friday, but since then she has been really good. We took a trip to the bathroom every 15-30 minutes, and by Sunday afternoon she was pretty good at letting us know when she had to go. She still has some work to do in the #2 dept, but yesterday she was almost accident free there as well.

Natasha continues to impress us...we went out for dinner last night, (to and Indian restaurant...yummm) In the 3 hours we were out, we made at least 6 trips to the bathroom, mostly on her request, and she did manage to get a trickle out each time, and each time coming out of the bathroom saying very loudly "I pee'd on the toilet!!" The last time she came out running, and almost yelling "I had a BIG poop!!!"

So now, we have saved ourselves a couple of loads of diapers a week, though I am sure there will be more of her clothes to wash for the next several months. As of last night, I still had 6 pairs of clean underwear!!

We will tackle night time once she gets comfortable during the day, but for now during the day, as Natasha says "NO MORE DIAPERS!!!"

5 Months old...

Here is are a few pictures of my little baby at 5 months.

and, Jaida and Grant thinking...

It is actually a couple of days earlier, since it was a milestone day for her...based on our track record, I was fairly certain that this day was not going to come for at least a month or two, but she proved me wrong, as I am sure she will for many many things...Jaida rolled over, both forward and back...we tried to get a video, but she decided not to co-operate with us.

In other news, we are going to attempt to 'lose' the diapers with Natasha this week-end. I'm pretty sure it won't be as successful as it was with Maya, as she is far more 'strong minded' than Maya, and doesn't aim to please as much, but her humor more than makes up for it...good thing!

More updates to come...soon, I hope.

Cool morning air

With the temperature rising and the snow melting, I decided it was time to start biking to work.

The water level has still been rising this week, and the path where I get on, by our house, has been threatening to be covered, and this morning it was. But there was only a very thin layer of water, so I just biked through. We'll see how it is on my way home. There is a section just west of our place, where the water has completely covered the path and it looks to be fairly deep...it is sectioned off, so no one can get through.

Anyhow, I believe the ride is about 5 Km from home, (I don't have the odometer display on my bike, mostly because I'll likely forget to take it off when I park the bike at work, and someone may mistake it for theirs) and it takes me 20 minutes door to door, I try not to work up a sweat on my way in, so that I don't need to change or shower.

It is chilly by the water in the morning, but it is so nice to be out on the bike. I hope to keep this up for the next several months. I don't prioritize getting out on my own enough, so this may be the only 'alone' exercise I get. I'll work on changing that over the next few months. Grant has suggested running and/or roller blading to work as well...we'll see if I'm up to that challenge. For now, I'll just stick to biking.

Fitting in...

The time finally came to make the big move. I swore I'd never do it, but since Jaida was born, I quickly realized that I was living in a dream world. I still have some reservations, but I really do think this will be the best thing for our family adventures.

So, we said good-bye to the old, and welcomed the 'new'...here is a picture.


Yup, that is right! You are not seeing things. Grant and I, mostly I, took the big plunge and gave in. We bought ourselves a 2008 Sienna LE.

We traded in the old Subaru,for what I think was a very good deal, considering it's condition, and were able to get a good deal on this 'boat'. It has just over 6000 miles, yup, that is right, miles. It is an american model. (I had some issues with buying a US model, but decided that we are not in the financial position to be able to spend the extra money)

I have been having a hard time the last few months with squeezing into the car. Maya needs help with her buckles, Natasha is squirmy, and Jaida's car seat takes up so much room, I have to sit squished in the front seat. This will certainly be far more comfortable and spacious, and can include my mom on our adventures. We can even relegate kids to the back if they are being too noisy...now we just need to find a retractable sound barrier!!!

(this is Grant)
Fourteen, yes 14, cup holders and a 6 disc CD changer!

So long Scoobie...

Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm

What a beautiful day!
On Sunday, we headed down past Metcalfe to a Sugarbush, called Stanley's Olde Maple Lane Farm. They still use the traditional horse drawn sap collection process, and burn sap over a wood fire.


The grounds were beautiful and there was a plenty of activity for the kids. We enjoyed a sleigh ride, taffy on snow, had brunch and even went into the barn where the girls could pet some farm animals, and almost got eaten by a goose!!

Unfortunately our camera batteries died part way through our morning, so our pictures are limited. But we did get a nice shot of the horses, and of Natasha tasting sap from the trees...


It was by far the nicest sugarbush I've been to, and even with the long line-up for the brunch, it was most enjoyable. If anyone is looking for a place to get married, this would be a great place!!

FREE bus ride this morning

Good Day everyone!!

I got a free bus ride this morning. What a great way to start the day! I guess the ticket/money collector was broken, so the driver said "Keep your tickets!" Since I didn't have to transfer buses (I caught the 105 at Tunney's which goes straight to my office) it was a free ride!!

On a separate note. I've managed to get into work by 7:30am, and have been putting in longer hours, so I will be taking every Friday off, until I start full time.

Stay tuned for our week-end update and trip to the sugar bush...yummm!