Crazy Mom

Interview with a 3 year old

2011-08-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

I stole this idea off another blog I follow. I thought I would see what kind of answers I got.

Name?
Averi the Princess

Age?
fwee (3)

Fave Animal?
dinosaur

How come?
I love dinosaurs. I seen one before. I love a t-rex (I can spell t.rex Mom) yeeyye, ok?

Fave colour?
White, and purple.

What is your favorite show?
Treehouse

Fave thing to do?
everything

how do you show your brother you love him?
Stretches arms out.......this much

fave food?
Grilled cheese sandwiches (enopern is the correct spelling)

Who's your best friend?
you!!

Will and Kate visit Calgary

2011-07-11T19:31:00.001-07:00

I never really paid much attention to the royal family. I watched the weddings, I saw the crash, the funeral that ensued, and the tabloids with all the lies. What I never imagined though, was how excited I would be that Prince William and his new wife would make the trip to our city. I never waited in line for tickets, I never donned the ever so popular fascinator, but I did take my kids to see a real live Prince and his Princess.
While everyone was lining up to get tickets to see the Royal couple, I was at work, then when they were opening the doors for wristbands, I was at the dentist. When I thought there was no hope for a chance to see them, I walked into the Max Bell arena and promptly walked out with tickets in hand.
Neile and I packed up the kids early Friday morning to see the beginning of the Stampede parade, in which Will and Kate would be making an appearance. After fighting for a spot on the sidewalk we saw the motorcade drive by in the blink of an eye and said maybe we would be better off going to the other venue and being early. So off we went on the train and a bus to end up at Rotary Park, NE.
The kids got to run around on the grass while we waited and there seemed it was going to be a great chance to maybe even meet the guests of honour. Wrong!
I did get some pictures of them though and some memories of Averi in her excitement at seeing the princess in her pretty red dress, that made the whole day worthwhile.

Finally Springtime

2011-06-06T19:12:00.000-07:00

The weather hasn't been very warm this year so far but that doesn't mean the kids haven't spent time outside getting dirty.

What kid doesn't love a ride in the wheelbarrow?

The Kids

2011-06-06T19:03:00.001-07:00

Bradley is 14 months old and still choosing to only walk while pushing something. Just like with Averi, he will walk when it's his time. 16 year olds don't crawl, do they??

Camping

2011-06-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

We have been camping almost every weekend since the snow stopped flying and I haven't had the chance to blog about it. Here are some of my favorite shots of the fun we've been having.

Huh??

2011-05-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

"What you talking 'bout Willis the Camel??"
LOL
Averi's new favorite saying. Let me know when you figure out where it came from :)

Just another Spring Day in Calgary!

2011-04-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

This was our April showers this year...I wonder what May will bring.

Averi's purple Hair

2011-04-13T14:32:00.001-07:00

Averi loves the colour purple!! On many occasions she has asked to dye her hair purple because mom colours her hair, and she can have two things she really wants now. The purple hair dye came courtesy of a friend at work and I think Averi is in love :)

Getting Dressed

2011-04-07T15:38:00.000-07:00

Today we went for a swim in Grandma's hot tub. Once dried off I asked Averi to get some clothes on before she got cold, this was her response.

"But mom, I been wearing clothes my whole life!"

She's a funny little thing :)

Snow Day

2011-04-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

April 2nd and we get more snow than we've seen all year. Happy Snow Day to us!!

The Ice cube

2011-04-02T17:46:00.000-07:00

Chad thought it would be fun to put an ice cube down Averi's back. Turns out she is wearing one piece pj's though and it fell to her feet. Being the "NICE GUY" he is, Chad helped her get it from her feet and only stopped momentarily to rub it in the crack of her bum. She shrieked and giggled having fun with it.

Next thing I know, She is standing on the chair at the counter beside me chewing on ice. Turns out it's the same piece that was in her bum!! EWWWWWW!!! Who's daughter is this?!? LOL

Bradley Turns 1!!

2011-03-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my baby turned 1! He was spoiled and had lots of cake, presents and fun. We had a pirate theme with TONS of food, a pirate ship cake, bandana's for all the kids, and a treasure box for them to choose all their own goody bag loot from. Brad dove right into the cake as soon as he had a chance, and thank god we took his shirt off first. A mid party bath for the birthday boy was definitely in order.

Everyone had a wonderful day and we followed it up with an evening of fun and games at Chuck E Cheese with some friends. Now how do we follow this up next year??

2011-03-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Every night Averi is put to bed in her pj's and wakes up wearing her sleeping sweater. Too funny!

Rock band

2011-03-06T18:02:00.000-08:00

Chad got Rockband for his birthday and between him and Averi, I don't know who is more obsessed. It's so wonderful to watch them play their hearts out. Move over Partridge Family....the Cull's are taking over :)

Smile

2011-03-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

A smile like this always brightens up my day :)

Work

2011-01-31T22:21:00.000-08:00

Last week was the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. I left both kids with a virtual stranger and made my way back into the working world. When I left work in December 2009, I was bitter, mean and in need of a break. As I ventured back on the morning of January 24, 2011 I was excited, scared and relieved. Excited to be getting a part of me back with adult conversations and friends, scared about leaving the kids and venturing back into the workforce, and relieved to know I was welcome and wanted both at home and at the shelter.

Turns out things never change though. I love my job, and although it is crazy, stressful and most days stinky, I enjoy going to work and knowing I just might be changing one persons life. When I left the shelter 14 months ago to have a baby, I knew all the clients and what vices they had and all the staff. As I returned that was not the case. The unfortunate reality of the lifestyle most clients have is that their health goes to the wayside. Many clients, both young and old, have passed away in just one year. Many of them clients that I have fed, bathed, clothed and nurtured over the last 3 years. When a client comes into the shelter, you never think of it as being the last time you might speak to them, or the last time they annoy you when asking for food. You think of it as helping them to get some rest, warmth and help.

Today I spoke to a client who is living out his last days. After years of heavy non beverage alcohol use, he is dying of stomach cancer. This client used to DRIVE ME NUTS!! He would be up all hours of the night asking for things, wanting to talk, causing trouble in the shelter and trying to sneak Listerine into the shelter. Today, he didn't even know who I was. Very, very sad.

I have a very heavy heart when I think about all the clients who we will probably see over the next few years pass away, but living on the streets with an addiction is a harsh way to spend your life. As much as I would love to be able to save them all, I somehow have to learn to not take things personally so when the inevitable happens, my life is not affected as well.

I wrote this post a few days ago and never dreamed it would foreshadow what was to come in my near future.

I was at work on a day that seemed like any other yesterday when the unthinkable happened. I found a client on his mat and unresponsive. As this is unfortunately not the first experience I have had in this respect I knew what to do. I called for help, and yelled for the team lead to call 911. I immediately knew there was nothing that could be done to save this man's life and asked that someone get a blanket to cover him up. In a short time, the paramedics came and I took my first step back to see what had actually taken place. My knees grew weak and I started to shake and then the tears started to flow. I wasn't crying for the man who had just lost his life, I was crying because it had happened again. In a job where it is a very real possibility of someone to lose their life, it is still difficult to see a person make the choices that leads down that path. A native smudge and drum ceremony was performed in his honor and I was so fortunate to be a part of it.

I chose to not go to work today in light of what happened, and not because the tears are still flowing, but because I am exhausted both mentally and physically. I have been fighting a cold for the last 2 weeks and because I experienced such sadness yesterday, my body couldn't take it anymore. I am looking forward to returning to work tomorrow and finding that we are all strong enough to fight another day.

I think about you

2011-01-03T18:06:00.001-08:00

Once upon a time I was sitting in Smitty's restaurant while I was supposed to be in School, and I was singing to the radio playing overhead. A gentleman was sitting at the table across from me and was laughing because I knew every word to every song. I finally got up to use the restroom and stopped to talk to him on my way back to the table. Well, ended up talking to this man and for nearly every day after that for almost 15 years. We sang songs together, ate together and drove around in his huge, old, gold Cadillac together making memories. I never realized that part until now.

Jim was one of a kind. He always complained about politics, the way people drove, and how gross it was to not wash your hands after using the toilet. He would take me to all the plays put on by my high school drama club, never missed a swim meet and even sat in the cold to watch me play field hockey. Jim was the one who showed up in a powder blue suit just to see me graduate, and who wore the tie that never matched his shirt just so he looked right for my wedding. He was always excited to see my and my kids. Jim was a friend, dad, grandfather and confidante just when I needed him the most. Many people thought our relationship odd as the age difference was so big, but if you knew Jim, you knew he was a gentleman and never needed anything more than a friend.

Over the last 5 years, Jim has struggled more than any human being should. After overcoming cancer, an aneurysm and a bad heart, he struggled through an infection and got better. Jim was the strongest man I know and after falling ill in August 2010 he was once again facing the battle of his life. He was placed in the hospital and overcame all odds to make it home 4 months later.

Hooked to oxygen and no longer able to drive, Jim had become a strong shoulder for someone else. Chris and Jim met in the hospital, and with nobody else to help him, Jim took Chris under his wing and helped him face the day. They would visit, eat together, and Jim would make sure Chris made it to therapy. After being home, I felt it important to keep contact so Jim, the kids and I would make our Saturday trips to see Chris. They kept in touch over the phone when travel became too much for Jim, but I'm glad they were able to form a bond in a short time that both men needed.

Yesterday morning I received a phone call from Jim and thought I should go for a visit. After having a great breakfast with him while chatting about everyday things, we thought it a good idea to go and see Chris. After talking to the nurse, it was decided leaving the hospital was not a great idea. We opted for going for coffee downstairs in the atrium but needed to get vital signs first. By this point Jim was starting to struggle for air and it was deemed necessary to go for a STAT chest xray. Jim got out of his chair and onto the stretcher himself. By the time he returned from xray 1/2 hour later, he couldn't get up. It was a quick downward spiral from there. The nurses gave Jim some Morphine to make him comfortable and asked that I contact his family. They came down and we all said our goodbyes. After struggling with the right decision I made my way home expecting a call in the middle of the night. The call came at 5:15am and I went back to the hospital. Jim was hanging on, but struggling with each breath. At about 6am I leaned over, gave Jim a kiss on his forehead and told him it was okay to let go. At 6:19am Jim took his last breath and slipped away from me.

On my way home from the hospital today I heard a song on the radio we used to sing together and I haven't heard in years. I think about you, By Colin Raye. Was it a sign?? Who knows.

Jim took all his knowledge, humor and comfort from me and left. He left this world not with a struggle but with a calm that I have never known. He was a wonderful man and I have wonderful memories because of it. I will never have a Starbucks coffee, see someone wearing dirty sweatpants, or see someone not wash their hands, without thinking of the friend I have lost. I am honored to have known Jim for soo many years and hope he saves a place for me wherever he is now.

Oh Dear!

2010-12-30T20:30:00.000-08:00

Averi: Mom, I want a baby sister

Me: That's not going to happen Sweetie. I can't have another baby.

Averi: That's okay, I'll have the baby

Me: Do you know where babies come from?

Averi: Yeah, we grow them in a pot

That kid says the funniest things :)

Christmas 2010

2010-12-30T19:46:00.001-08:00

This was another 1st Christmas in our house. Too bad Brad was sleeping while the rest of us opened presents.
Rick and Carolyn came down for the festivities on Christmas eve and after tracking Santa all day on the 24th through NORAD, I thought Averi was going to burst with excitement. This is the first year she has really understood that she gets presents on Christmas, AND BOY DID SHE GETS PRESENTS! Chad and had bought the kids a train table for xmas a few months ago but had been using it as a coffee table as you just can't hide something like that. The train pieces were hidden in the basement and Averi was clueless.

Brad awoke in the morning after all the presents had been opened and just played with the ribbons and the paper. Averi played with his toys. After that we all had a nice brunch and the turkey was thrown in the oven. Jim and Matt joined us for afternoon festivities and fun was had by all. Christmas 2010 is now over but it was sure fun while it lasted.

Austin joined us for a few days after Christmas and him and I had a blast. Who knew that Auntie Ali could be considered cool? Turns out that through the eyes of a 6 year old, cool is knowing how to play Mario on Nintendo :)

The big reveal

2010-12-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

So I had posted about the present I made for Carolyn. I had ordered one off Etsy for her and it just didn't show up in time for Christmas (in fact, it hasn't shown up yet.) I decided to make something else just in case and I'm glad I did.

I made coasters of all Carolyn's grandkids. I didn't have many pictures of Austin but I stole a couple off Facebook and made these. They were not hard to do but I have never used Mod Podge before and the bristles kept falling out of my brush. I will use the sponge brushes next time. I was a little worried when I put the first coat on that I was just ruining some really good pictures but as they started to dry I was getting more and more excited.
Thay turned out just like I hoped and Carolyn loved them. Now to figure out what to attempt next.

Christmas

2010-12-22T22:38:00.001-08:00

I am SOOOOOO excited. I made a Christmas present for Carolyn and am excited to see what she thinks of it. I learned what to do on a blog and will share what it is after she sees it. I can't wait so stay posted!!

Mexico 2010

2010-12-22T22:08:00.000-08:00

So many know that Brad and I were in Mexico with Neile in September, but him and I got to go again last week, this time with Chad and Averi. On the 14th we left the bitter cold of Calgary for the sunny beaches of Manzanillo, Mexico.

The flight was uneventful and we were very excited to reach the hotel and hit the pool. With a kiddy pool alongside the adult pool it was great for Averi to splash around all week and go from one pool to the next. Always with her Strawberry Daiquiri (Virgin of course) in hand. Always the social butterfly, Averi had no problem making friends, young and old, who wanted to swim and play in the sand with her. I learned a very early lesson about when to say no to Averi and when there is no harm in letting her be like her friends. She came home with braids in her hair, a butterfly tattoo on her arm, and a huge smile on her face. Good, cheap fun made her very happy :) Chad and I had some fun meeting people of our own. One of those people was Shauna from Calgary. We hit it off right away and made many memories during the week.

Chad and I set sail on a sunset cruise
after getting a sitter for the kids, and later in the week we all ventured off into the waters again for a snorkeling adventure. The water was murky due to a red tide and the snorkeling wasn't great, but getting to hold a puffer fish and spider starfish was pretty neat.

The food at the resort was not the greatest but a few times we ventured from the hotel into Santiago for meals. Some wonderful meals were found at little restaurants on the side of the road and sometimes we even had escorts to do the ordering for us.

Brad had a rough go this week with several new teeth making an appearance. He had a fever we battled for a few days, but once he got through the worst, he was a real trooper. The pool was a favorite spot for him when he wasn't sleeping, and even sometimes when he was ;)

It was a wonderful holiday for the family and we definitely want to try and make this a yearly event.

out of Averi's mouth

2010-12-21T17:01:00.000-08:00

Averi is so innocent and sooooo funny.

Averi: We went shopping today mom

Me: did you have fun shopping with dad?

Averi: yeah, we got you a present...a sweater

Me: ROFL...So Chad, you got me a sweater for christmas?

Chad: Averi, tell mom your joking

Averi: I joking you mom, get out of town :)

When it rains it pours...

2010-11-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

When I got up this morning I thought it should be a good day. Averi slept long and Brad slept from 6pm -8am. GREAT NIGHT!

Kickboxing started at 9:30 so I got the kids packed up and off to the gym we went. I struggled through the warm up with my knee throbbing and decided it wasn't going to happen, so I grabbed the kids and left. We went for a coffee with Jim and found he is doing well. Averi had gym and swim in the afternoon so we went back to the Trico Center. Brad and I went for a swim while we were waiting for Averi's lesson to be over, but before we could enjoy it Brad puked in the pool! Not just a little bit, but enough that I felt I should say something to the lifeguard. He rolled his eyes and promptly directed everyone to get out of pool. They had to cancel lessons and decontaminate the water. OOPS :( We get back to the change room where I take Brad's diaper off only to find it has broken open and all the crystals are stuck to him. I race him off to the shower all the while he is peeing on me....I love you too son!

Now we are home and I'm afraid after the day we have had to make dinner, so I think I'll save that for Chad!

Oops!

2010-11-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

I didn't think I was having an emotional night....Turns out I am!

Bradley

2010-11-07T21:21:00.000-08:00

Brad is the quietest, happiest little boy. If he has something to see, he could sit in the same spot for hours on end. He eats a lot, he smiles a lot and he is more than happy to let the dog french kiss him. When Brad is sitting on the floor playing, you can always count on Susie to be there too. As Averi says, fuffy is hers and Susie is Brad's. They play together, well , mostly Brad pulls the dogs hair, and they have some kind of respect for each other. I guess it's because they are the same size. When Brad is upset or wakes from a nap, Susie practically climbs on me to let me know. It's pretty awesome to know that Brad will grow up with a friend like Susie.

Averi

2010-11-07T21:07:00.001-08:00

Averi is going to be 3 years old on the 29th and she is becoming quite the little person. Ever since she went to a birthday party next door she has been asking for her birthday so she can be a princess. She started school and they must sing for the birthday boy/girl because she has half the song figured out. When someone asks her what her name is she says 2 or free :) She knows her day is coming fast so she has been singing to herself. I hope she isn't disappointed when it's my birthday first.

Halloween

2010-10-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

<
Snack had to be made for Averi's class so this is what mummy made :)

Costumes were cute and plenty for Averi!

My ladybug and Cow made quite the impression while out for the day and when Averi dressed the same as her doll for a day at the zoo, she looked as cute as ever with red yarn in her ponytails just like Raggedy Ann!

The weather was beautiful for a change so we decided to head to the zoo with Neile for the afternoon.

Chad and Averi carved the pumpkins when we got home and Averi was so excited she couldn't wait to light the candles!
I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings for my little ones!

Friends Again

2010-10-16T15:24:00.001-07:00

So it was brought to my attention that my last post was too harsh. Sometimes I just need to vent and this is where it is going to happen.

I was saddened, upset and angry at the way things were going and after having some time to think about it and having had a chance to talk to Chad, I feel better. I do feel that some people need to take a second and think about something other than themselves. And I do think that some step on others' toes and never apologize when it happens. But I also feel that friends are a necessity in life. Without them who would we complain to about our spouses? and who would we turn to when needing a shoulder to cry upon? And wouldn't we have to plan our own birthday, wedding/baby showers and funerals otherwise? Of course, because we know our friends always step up to the plate when it comes down to it. That being said, I can forgive and forget when it is unintentional and when the friend is someone I truly want in my life. Otherwise, I will choose to walk away!

Friends

2010-10-14T21:38:00.001-07:00

So I like to think I am a good friend. I am honest, forth coming, and would give you the shirt off my back. I am willing to drop anything when you need someone to talk to and would get up in the middle of the night if you were stranded. When I call my best friend, I know she will come and save my day...she has left work to take me to the hospital, she has come and rescued my kids so I could get my hair done and she knows I would do the same. Isn't his what friends are for??

Lately there have been 2 specific instances that have made me second guess what friendship is. When you tell a friend something do you expect it to be in confidence? When you spend just as much time worrying about their well being as you do yours, isn't this when you know it's a friendship?? I feel I put myself out there for the people I care about and for some reason am being taken advantage of. Do I have high expectations? Is asking people to think about something besides themselves too much to ask?

From here on out I am going to spend more time thinking about myself and my family than I am my "friends," and just maybe those that are too busy wrapped up in themselves to think about others will see that there is more to life than selfishness!

I did it!!

2010-10-11T20:31:00.001-07:00

It has been a really hard weekend. 2 weeks ago I decided to join Weight Watchers again. Why I chose right before thanksgiving and my favorite foods is beyond me! I went to my meeting last week and learned what all the value for turkey dinner and was quickly disappointed. I L-O-V-E LOVE turkey dinner. The Turkey, the mashed potatoes with a huge smothering of gravy, the veggies, and all the fixings. Thank god for small miracles and the fact I don't like stuffing. I managed to only have a little turkey, and a little bit of potato but I had lots of gravy. That's okay though because I never had any pumpkin pie!!! This may seem like no big deal to most but to those who know me, it was huge. I never got fat by eating salad, it was pumpkin pie and eggnog, and I avoided the two of them for the whole weekend. Oh, and I exercised. My abs, legs and arms are aching and I'm glad they do, this means the Jillian Michaels workout was worth it. I'm hoping this means a new leaf has been turned over and my willpower has returned, but I think I'll give it a few weeks and see what the scale has to say. Here's to hoping!!

Family Weekend

2010-10-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

What started out to be a trip to Canmore became a trip to Heritage Park, which became a trip to the Glenmore Reservoir for a picnic. We never ended up doing what was planned but had so much fun at the park. The Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. All the trees are turning colour but the weather has been great. Big piles of leaves were all over the park near the reservoir and we took the opportunity to take some pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!!!

Toopy and Binoo

2010-10-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

Today is the day all Averi's dreams came true...she got to see Toopy and Binoo LIVE!

Chad and I managed to keep it a secret from her until last night when we asked what she would say if she got to meet Binoo in person. She didn't seem to understand but when she got up this morning the first thing out of her mouth was "I meet Dinoo now??" Guess she was paying attention :)

Off to the mall we went. It was packed, people were rude, but Averi was in heaven! The anticipation was crazy and when they finally showed up she was elated.
Averi danced and clapped and had a great time. Made facing the mob a little easier.

Calgary Corn Maze

2010-10-03T17:34:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday, we have nothing to do, so as a family we decided to go to the Corn Maze which is just east of us on Highway 22x. IT WAS AWESOME!!
Averi had so much fun on the slides, the moo train, as she called it, the petting zoo and the pumpkin patch. Chad and I let her lead the way through the maze and just watched where it took us. Turns out Averi has a pretty good sense of direction...just don't try and figure out where she got that from :)

Fashion Sense

2010-09-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

She gets her fashion sense from her dad :)

The old and the new

2010-09-16T09:35:00.001-07:00

From this...to this.
Today is Averi's first day of preschool!!

Averi was so excited she wanted to wear her feefy(butterfly) shirt to show all her new friends but it was dirty. Way to go mom! It's pouring rain outside so dressed in her skirt and a different butterfly shirt, on go the rubber boots for a complete fashion statement. I sure hope she enjoys her time today! I'm proud of you baby girl!

Dance class- Day 1

2010-09-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

Averi started dance class today and it was awesome!! She was so excited to be getting into her tutu that I'm a little bit surprised she didn't sleep with it on last night. She didn't quite understand the idea of leg warmers though, because she had them pulled right up to her bum! The black leotard I got her was absolutely adorable with it's black rhinestones and tendency to ride up her bum. Throughout the class I was actually laughing with the other moms because Averi didn't seem to notice the wedgie and the rest of us couldn't believe she could even walk with it :)

As I was watching the end of class the kids started filing in to get ready for the ballet class that was after. A little girl came to talk to me and Brad who was laying on a blanket on the floor. This was the ensuing conversation with the 3 year old.

Her: What's the baby name?

Me: Brad

Her: hmmm, that's what I have for breakfast. I like mine with Honey. Do you like yours with honey?

She thought I said his name was bread! We all laughed so hard. She was so innocent and didn't understand what the mistake was. Kids really do say the darnedest things!! Can't wait to see what stories Averi has after she is settled into preschool and has more dance classes.

The past and present and future

2010-09-04T17:53:00.000-07:00

Sitting this weekend around my inlaws place we have been having a good laugh about the past. In 1992 Chad had the craziest twirl thing going on the side of his head and a fashionably awesome colour block shirt. Turns out I still havent seen the stage where all he wore was black sweatpants and a black tshirt.

We then went for a quad ride and were reminiscing about the time we went quading in Meadow Lake and I tried to drive for the first time. I got scared, let go of the handlebars, and drove straight into a tree. Now, I wasn't going very fast when I hit it but Chad was my passenger and I think I scared the daylights out of him. We couldn't stop laughing. Chad ended up driving the rest of that day but I spent some time trying to throw him into the slough when we got stuck and he was trying to attach the winch. Was a great time.

We laughed lots about the way Averi talks and how she is coming into her own person with her own language. About how Matt scared the beegeeses out of me in the middle of the night by knocking over the lamp in his room, then tripping over a picture that fell. I thought it was one of my kids falling out of bed.

This weekend Neile and I booked a trip for 3 weeks from now. We are going to stay at the Royal DeCameron Hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from Sept 23-30. I am going to take Bradley with us and leave Averi with Grandma Carolyn so she can still go to school and dance class. I can't wait to go away for a vacation with Neile. She speaks Spanish so it could be a lot of fun if we venture out into the city one day. I will post pics when we return.

Ladies Night

2010-08-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago it was decided a night out was in order for me without the kids. So over to Adi's house I went. She had prepared a lovely dinner and had poured what turned out to be our new favorite drink, a Chocolate Martini. After dinner and an introduction to our tasty friend "Martin" we sat down to watch some smut TV. Now, I don't mean a little smut, I mean the type of trash that shouldn't be allowed to be shown. We watched The Bachelorette. Now that is over and we are hooked on Bachelor Pad, and inevitably the train wreck of Dating in the Dark that has to be seen too. Since our "dates" have begun we have missed most of what has been said on our shows as we are too busy talking. It's almost like our weekly therapy session where we take turns being the one on the couch and the one with all the wisdom. We laugh, we cry, we criticize, we judge, and we have so much fun doing it. This is what a good friendship is for! No matter how long, stressful, or crazy the week is, or if we have to sway from Monday nights because life has gotten in the way, I know that our next night together will be just as fun and entertaining as the last. I always look forward to the trash we are going to watch, the Martin we are going to meet and the company we keep. Thanks for being such a great friend Adriana!

The Cottage

2010-08-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

Grandpa promised Averi there were snails at the cottage so she took him to find them in the apple tree. No luck but they had fun looking. Why not go for a swing on the tire instead?! I used to get pushes on the tire swing as a child and am glad it's still there for my kids. Connor came down to the beach for the day and played with the kids. Averi was more than happy to take her tot he beach to show her all the cool things there. We even had Grandma and Grandpa sitting in the water it was so HOT there.

Brad, Averi and Suzy spent many hours in the shade on the grass trying to get out of the sun.
Averi wasn't too fond of the rocks and seaweed in the water but she could have spent all day playing with the rocks on the beach.
We spent the morning one day watching the ferry boats come and go from Vancouver and the Salt Spring islands. Averi would get really excited with the waves washing up on shore. Suzy spent her time exploring all the new scents.

Of course we had to spend a day in Bellingham doing some shopping. We got some great deals and the kids have some new clothes to show for it.

The beach on the other side of Point Roberts from us is littered with Starfish. They are just lying on the sand, and there are so many of them clinging to the rocks. Some are Purple, some are Orange, all are incredible.

Shannon paid us a visit down at the cottage. After 23 years she finally got to see where we went to spend our summers. It was so awesome to visit all my friends and to spend some time with my parents down at the cottage again. I just wish there were more days in the summer. We will do our best to spend the rest of the summer camping and enjoying whatever sunshine is left.

Another long car ride

2010-08-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

We picked my dad up at the airport at 12:15pm and were on the road. We coasted around the city on the new ring road and quickly made a stop for gas and Averi's 1st trip to the restroom. Then we were on our way. We made it to Golden with relative ease until Averi decided she had to pee. Stop 2. We were sitting in traffic while construction was being done so dad just pulled over and I got out the potty. With only 500 of our closest friends watching as Averi bared all on the side of the Trans Canada, it started to rain. "Quick Averi, pull up your pants. AVERI, pull up your pants. AVERI! NOW!...argh, come here and I'll do it" I get her buckled into her carseat but still have to dump the pot, put it away and get back in the car. Note to self: wear raincoat when travelling to BC. On the road again we have to stop in Revelstoke because, you guessed it, Averi has to pee. Stop 3. This time we go into the gas station so mom can go too but there is a line. With no choice but to wait, we head to the back. "Hey, you're the potty lady!" comes from the lady who gets in behind us. Great, now we are known :) She recognized us from the last pit stop in the construction zone and apparently had a good laugh with her friends. She can't wait to see us at the next one now. We head back on the road only to have to stop in Three Valley Gap, Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Some town I don't know the name of, Kamloops, and Hope. Those are stops 4 through 9. Wow, this 12 hour ride just keeps getting longer. We made it the rest of the way only having to stop for major construction just west of Abbotsford and to drop dad at the airport to get his car. By 2am we had made it to the border only to find out that Brad's Nexus card had not been activated. Thank god there is no lineup in the middle of the night. We got to the cottage where Averi was more than happy to get Grandma out of bed for a visit.

Thank god the drive home wasn't as long. I hate that drive!

Camping August long weekend

2010-08-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

We decided to go camping as a family for the August long weekend just south of Strathmore, AB at the Eagle Lake Campground. Friday was a wonderful day and we took full advantage of the weather. After feeding the animals in the petting zoo we headed into town only to find out the Heritage Day festivities were over already. Back to the campsite we went. The Riders were playing football that afternoon so of course we couldn't stray far from the campsite. Chad got out the chairs and we played with the kids while listening to the game.

Sunday came and we did much of the same. We enjoyed some relaxing time together and vowed to get to the beach the following day. One problem! Over night on Sunday it started to rain and continued into the early afternoon on Monday. It took no time at all to discover our rain gear was in a bucket outside being filled up and that we would have to find ways to enjoy ourselves inside the trailer. I tried to teach Averi how to play Go Fish but she is too young for that still. She would rather play her own version of 52 Pick Up. Chad and I got some much needed RnR and we had a wonderful time as a family. Can't wait to do it all again this weekend with the Nielson Family.

crossing the country with kids

2010-07-26T10:36:00.001-07:00

Chilling at Rowan's Ravine, SK. Family reunion with Chad's side of the family. We camped in the tent trailer, got eaten by mosquitoes, had a campfire and wonderful company. Glad we could be a part of it.Next we were off to Winnipeg,MB. Home of several family members including my Nanny. Along the way we had to make some pit stops for the kids, with Averi just being potty trained we needed to stay consistent. Took a loong time to arrive but we made it.

The weather was lovely, the mosquitoes were brutal but we had a great time visiting everyone. By the time we left for Whitemouth,MB I had a horrible bite over my left eye that was swelling by the day. Turns out it was infected but 2 days of antibiotics and the swelling had gone down. We hit the Hinrichs farm just east of Winnipeg and Averi got her first taste of Cows. We walked into the barn and she held onto dad for dear life. She slowly warmed up to the idea and was soon letting the calves lick her fingers. Besides the cows, Averi got to feed the chickens and collect eggs (hard to tell a 2 year old that they will break if you aren't gentle), and also picked a bucket of raspberries to eat. We had a wonderful time and we are so lucky the kids have the opportunity for this experience.

From Whitemouth we were back on the road headed to St.Paul, AB, home of Chad's parents. We stopped in many small towns along the way, including Neepawa, MB where their famed Lily festival was taking place. A great spot to stretch our legs and see a new town.

That night we stayed in Saskatoon,SK. It was great because they had a swimming pool and Averi was excited to make good use of it. We all had a good sleep and got back in the car for the second last leg of our trip. We made it to Grandma and Grandpa's just in time. A storm blew through the area and we stood watch at the door. Man, did the rain come down.

Finally we were on our way home. The end was in sight and we were all happy about that. In total we spent 1 day 20 hours in the car out of a total 8 days. The kids were wonderful, and if we HAD to do it again I know that we could. I think next time we will fly though ;)

A real water fight

2010-07-10T21:46:00.001-07:00

So it turns out I married a big kid! After the stampede parade we came home and Chad had got a wonderful huge pool. It was quickly filled with ICE COLD WATER! Thought it would feel great to sit in since it was so hot but the feeling never returned to my feet and I wasn't interested in brain freeze. The kids were quick to jump in though and the water guns were quick to appear. The 2 girls from next door came over, Bella and Emily; Austin was here with Averi, and Skyler and Ethan came from the other side of us. They all took turns trying to spray the adults and finally Chad decided it was time to bring out the big guns.

Chad's backpack sprinkler was a riot. The kids laughed as they were getting sprayed sideways cuz they couldn't figure out how it was spraying them. Then they would run into the toy house to hide but with them all being crammed in there, Chad had ample opportunity to soak them all. Everyone was having a great time, the adults because the beer was flowing easily and the kids had a blast in the water. I sure hope the rest of the summer is this much fun.

The Stampede Parade

2010-07-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

July 9th was the official kickoff to the stampede, with the parade being at 9am. Austin and Grandma joined Averi Bradley, Neile and I and we made our way downtown on the train. As only 6 of the millions of people who packed onto the train, it was too much for us! The kids enjoyed the ride as Austin has not been on the train before and Averi loves to ride it and talks about it all the time. We went down to 9th ave and were lucky enough to get a great seat on the sidelines. I packed the blanket so we had something to sit on, and the kids enjoyed strawberries and hot chocolate while we waited for the parade to start. The morning started chilly in the shade but in no time at all we were all cooking on the asphalt.
As the parade went on the kids got excited. Averi because Neile went and got her a balloon, and Austin because he got to see the army tanks up close.

It was really stinking hot by 10:30am and the kids were starting to get restless so we decided it was time to head home. BAD IDEA!!! We were crazy to think we could get on the train. We decided it was a better idea to head to the water park where the kids could play in the water and cool off. A few hours of that and we made it home with orders to Chad to buy a pool on the way home from work. It was a good time but next year I hope the weather isn't so hot.

Craft Fair

2010-06-28T10:53:00.000-07:00

Well, we did our first craft fair with Domestic Designs and it was a flop :( The venue was fabulous, there were tons of people, the weather couldn't have been any nicer (except maybe a little less wind) and still, we didn't sell much. After working our butts off for the weeks leading up to the fair we were disappointed in the amount we actually sold. Cupcakes were made to draw people over to our booth and that helped but it never made people pull out their wallets. Bree brought all her eclectic "upcycled" jewelry and headbands while Melanie and our put all our effort into Children's chef hats and aprons, travel fabric high chairs, and sleep sacs.

Some things would definitely be changed for next time but until then we are going to have to sell our product elsewhere. Better luck next time, I guess!

My Peacock

2010-06-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

Averi: Mom, I peed

Me: Okay, wipe you bum

Averi: Is stuck

Me (Laughing): Oh, my little Peacock

Averi (wiggling her bum): Teacock, Teacock

Here is the proof!

Oh, what a night!

2010-06-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

While Averi was doing this....
I was doing this.....
And Brad was doing this. Atleast one of us was happy tonight :)

Potty Training still

2010-06-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

It has been 2 weeks and Averi is SLOWLY getting the hang of using the potty all the time except when she is outside playing in the dollhouse. Of course she doesn't go in to the bathroom pee, and leave like the rest of us. She copies her dad. I have included pictures for proof!

Take note of the Hockey magazines, the pants that are long gone, and the excess of toilet paper ripped off into perfect squares to keep for later use. She had to learn this behavior from somewhere and it wasn't from me!

Father's Day 2010

2010-06-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

Chad is the best father to my 2 children. So what do you do for the guy that is impossibly simple on a day made just for him? Answer: Football Tickets. Only one problem with this gift. Who to send with him. It's difficult to plan something discreet when you need the help of others, but in this case it never worked out anyways. I figured Averi could go to the game with her Dad but also feared that Chad wouldn't spend as much time actually watching the game as he would Averi. Then it turns out that children under 2 are free so we still had an extra ticket. Okay, I'll go to the game with you. At the last minute we packed up BOTH kids, rushed to the train station and headed into the blazing sun. It couldn't have been a hotter day to sit crammed into a football stadium but we made the best of it. Averi loved to cheer and mostly cheered for the wrong team but was happy to do so. Brad slept in my arms for most of the 3 hours we were there, happy and content. We had a great time with the kids and only hope we can do it again sometime. Maybe next time the Riders will win!

Here's hoping!

2010-06-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

So Chad decided to start a blog today. This ought to be interesting, he is very funny but he doesn't always stick with things he starts. I really hope he does this time because he really could have us all rolling on the floor laughing!

My Friend Neo

2010-06-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

We have been lucky enough to have Neile be a large part of the kids lives. Averi loves to spend time with "my friend" and looks forward to seeing her on the weekends. Averi asks to talk to Neile on the phone and sometimes has quite the conversations. Very funny to watch on this end as Averi doesn't realize yet that Neile cannot see what she does through the phone.

Neile often takes Averi for the night and they go for walks, and usually out to eat. Averi has discovered through her friend that she likes Eel. Who knew in a world of picky eaters that a 2 year old would love something like that. It's great to have someone in my kids lives that will teach them and expand their horizons in other ways. I always say Neile is Averi's other Mom. She listens to her better than she does to me but is just as quick to want her to read a story or play with the football. It's so nice to know my kids have someone they can turn to and it's comforting for me to know they have another positive influence.

A day at the zoo

2010-06-14T06:03:00.000-07:00

We often spend our days at the zoo since Grandpa Cull got us passes. Averi loves to see the "Teatocks" (peacocks) walking around with their tails out making loud screeching noises at each other and we have been lucky enough to watch as some of the animals have been fed. It is such an amazing sight. Last weekend was beautiful weather so we thought a trip to the zoo was in order. "Chay", Adi and "My Friend" (as Averi calls them all) joined us and we had a wonderful time.

Potty Training

2010-06-14T05:58:00.001-07:00

Well, It's time. Averi is old enough that it is time I put some effort into potty training. We started out the day with her having a pee like a big girl so here's hoping she is up for the challenge. I have armed myself with treats, books, and her favorite show on TV. We may have to spend the week indoors but I'm hoping by Friday Averi will be out of diapers. Here's hoping!

The next step

2010-05-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

5 years ago on a cold winter night I went to a scummy Country night club and my life changed. I was sitting on the sidelines and some guy asked me to dance, from there we hit it off and after a few hours we started walking home in the cold and ended up catching a cab since we didn't live that far away from each other. Here we are, 3 houses, 2 kids, 1 dog, 3 cats, 1 town, 3 cars, a wedding ring and almost 4 anniversaries later and on the move again. It has been decided that our current home is not what we want for our kids. It is enough room for us but not enough room for anything more. We want the kids to have lots of space to themselves, in their bedrooms and in a playroom where they wont always be harped on to clean up the mess.

Our house has been on the market for 1 month now and it's not moving. We have had 4 open houses and very little traffic come through. The Realtor said that the market is at a low right now and not to worry so we aren't. Whether we move now or in 6 months makes no difference to us. We aren't in a hurry, we just know it has to happen at some point.

My Baby

2010-05-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

Bradley is 2 months old and growing like a weed. He is 11lbs 13oz, 23" long and working on the rolls. He eats like he won't get more milk later and we finally had to resort to pablum before bed so we could all get some sleep. That being said, he is such a happy baby. We are incredibly lucky to have gotten 2 children that eat and sleep well.

2010-05-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Well we did it. Chad and I went for a run/walk and although it wasn't as far as I had wanted, we did it just the same. My lungs burned, my legs ached and my shoes got dirty. We then went and played a round of golf and I even managed to carry my clubs. This may seem crazy but it's a huge step for me.

On another note: Sure glad I never planted flowers yet this year. Here it is may long weekend and as I gaze out the window at the snow I can't help but be glad we are inside with only one reason to head outdoors, The Hot Tub!

Healthy what?

2010-05-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

This week Chad and I are making a big step toward a healthy future.

Step 1: We are going to go for a run tonight. That's right people, I said a RUN! Not just walking but that activity where you quickly put one foot in front of the other in order to obtain some aching muscles, sore lungs, and some sweaty clothes. How fun does that sound?? It doesn't! I'll keep you posted on the results.

Step 2: We are going golfing. If I make it through the run I may not make it through 9 holes of golf but we are going to give it the old college try.

Step 3: I'm going to get in the hot tub and never get out for fear my muscles will seize up and I will be a cripple.

I'll try for healthy meals and when all put together we will be a healthier family. Stay tuned!

2010-05-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

Bradley's first plane ride! May 15th 2010

Ever since Bradley has been born I have said it's time to take another trip to Winnipeg to see my Grandma so she has the chance to meet her newest great grandchild. Well, last week my Nanny had a bad fall and fractured her hip and broke her pelvis. I guess now is as good a time as any to make the flight. I called grandma to come and watch Averi so Chad could continue to work, packed up Brad and left for the 'Peg. We get here and it's so stinkin hot you wouldn't believe it. Guess I should have paid closer attention to the weather forecast before we left. 28 degrees is toooooo hot for me.div>

We have spent 2 days with my Aunts and cousins now and have been to the hospital to see Nanny. She is doing well and loves having a new baby to dote on. Bradley makes it 26 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren for my Nanny. WOW! It's amazing what you get in your life when you have 89 years under your belt.

Here we go again!

2010-05-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

So I couldn't avoid the grocery store forever. Today was the day it had to be done. We were down to the shelves in our fridge and unless we were dipping our fingers in mustard and ketchup for lunch, then I had to try it again. So off to the Walmart Supercentre Averi, Brad and I went.I was prepared this time, I had diapers and a bottle. I had a snack for Averi and I even had a positive attitude (even though my morning didn't start as planned, I was determined to make this work).

We hit the ground running at 10:30am and made it home by noon. There must be an award for this! We started out in the baby section searching for formula and ended in the produce aisle looking for apples. I put Averi to work loading the cart every chance I got and this meant that she only touched 90% of what was on the grocery store shelves. Her favorite thing to do is lay all the bottles on their sides. The condiment section was a little worse for wear but Averi wasn't throwing a tantrum yet.

Then Bradley filled his pants and off to the washroom we went. While I was struggling to avoid getting HIS clothes and MY hands dirty, Averi was squishing all the soap out of the dispenser and using it like it was hand cream. I couldn't leave the baby to go and wrangle her back so I just watched in horror as she covered her clothes, the floor, the walls and the doors to the toilet stalls in soap. FYI- The ladies washroom in the back of Walmart is clean thanks to my daughter :) So we all head out to finish what is left on my list.

We make it to the checkout mostly unscathed and I watch Averi go racing to the carousel ride for kids. Who's dumb idea where those things??? If 1 parent gives in and lets their kid on the ride then it has been ruined for every other parent out there. I say NO to Averi and she joins the other 4 and 5 year olds throwing a fit because they want their turn. I am the WORST mom in the world. (Good thing Mothers Day was yesterday). After dragging Averi away from the ride by her neck we finally make it out to the car. I get the kids buckled in, the groceries put in the back and it is brought to my attention a certain little girl has lost her purse somewhere along the way in the store. I normally wouldn't care and would have left without it but her sunglasses were in there and she is quite proud of her "sexy" so back in the store we went. Thank God the purse was at the checkout stand and that was the first place we looked, the only problem being we had to fight our way past the carousel, again! We got home and unloaded the groceries in record time and I can proudly say we have conquered the grocery store!!! I'll let you know when I decide to go shopping for clothes.

Oh the way she talks

2010-05-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

So Averi is like every 2 year old. She can't talk but she sure tries, and tries, and tries LOUDLY!

Here are a few things I get a kick out of when Averi is busy talking my ear off.

whoey - (Whoa-E)- Means Heavy and she needs help. This usually is accompanied by 5 or more dolls as she is climbing the stairs to bed and decides that she needs them all in there to share her 3 a.m. conversations with.

Phoey - (foo-E)- Coffee. Where she came up with that is beyond me, but this refers to coffee and/or Hot Chocolate. She often says "My mommy phoey?" it's so cute.

Moom - (moom)- Mommy moom? If you get that you're doing well :) She means room. It's just so funny how she pronounces it.

Averi also says things just out of the ordinary and I don't realize she picks things up. When we are driving she says that everything they play on the radio is her song. She then proceeds to head bang in the backseat. This girl has no rhythm (which she got from Chad's side of the family) but it cracks me up to see her bobbing in the rearview mirror.

Often Averi will ask questions and keep asking them until she gets acknowledged. She says "right daddy mommy? right daddy mommy? right daddy mommy?" over and over again. She gets so excited she forgets which one I am.

Everyday is an adventure when you have an energetic 2 year old running around the house and I wouldn't change a thing.

Our first not so fun outing

2010-04-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

My parents are gone, my in laws are gone and it is now just the 4 of us. The first thing on the agenda was a trip to the grocery store (Walmart Supercentre).What a disaster!!! Averi didn't sleep long last night so I knew my time was limited. We got in the store with Averi in the shopping cart and Brad in his carseat on the top. Right away I was concerned over where to put the groceries but had to tackle it. In short time Averi wanted out of the cart, then back in the cart, then back out aaannnddd then back in again. While this is all going on I am trying to get Brad to stop fussing. Unsuccessful!! I finally decide I have no choice but to sit down to breastfeed. So at the end of isle 5, there I sat with a baby attached to my boob and a toddler yelling to get back in the shopping cart. A few short minutes of this was quickly followed by Averi stinking up the joint. Well of course I didn't bring diapers with me, why would a mom think of that?? So, off to the baby dept we go. I grab a bag of diapers off the shelf and head straight for the ladies' room. I leave the shopping cart outside the restroom and haul the kidlets inside. I quickly change Averi's poopy bum with the 1, yes 1, bum wipe I have while being extra careful to keep it off my hand and her pants. Having completed this task I figure I can steal 30 extra seconds to have a pee myself. Of course nothing is that easy today. No sooner had my pants come down that Brad starts to scream at the top of his lungs, and Averi bolts from the restroom. I get out of the stall to see 2 employees of Walmart wondering what to do with the screaming baby. No worries ladies....He will stop :) I get the kids and decide it is time to call in some backup. Chad is busy at work and can't come help so I have to figure this out on my own. I move Averi to the top of the cart, Brad to the bottom, rearrange some groceries and buy a few minutes. I take this time to run around the dairy section and decide it is time to get out of dodge while I can. We head to the van with Averi once again yelling and Brad once again hungry. Does this ever stop?? I plug Brad with a bottle, try to ignore Averi and drive like the devil to get home. Thank god Chad got there when he did or I might have been crying with the other 2. Next time I vow to take Chad, diapers and maybe a snack for Averi. I'm sure this gets easier but I was totally unprepared!

Family Photos

2010-04-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

So we went for family pictures today. What a job that was! Averi was so good and sat still when she needed but never quite understood when she was supposed to be saying cheese and looking at the camera. Brad on the other hand had some trouble holding his head up ;) All in all they turned out great!

My babies!

2010-04-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

So far people say our kids don't look alike, I beg to differ. Just look at these photos, both taken at just a few days old. There is no doubt in my mind that these are the 2 cutest babies and they have the 2 best looking parents ;)

Bradley Richard Cull

2010-03-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

The day finally arrived and off to the hospital we went. Now, you generally think you have no idea when exactly you are going to have a baby even though they give you a due date, and it is the strangest thing to know you are going in to have a baby at an exact time. We went into the hospital when they immediately started prepping me for surgery. Lots of blood drawn, lots of baby measurements taken and just a lot of poking and prodding. This was the easy part for me. The whole time I was begging for them to let me eat! Why do they tell pregnant women they aren't allowed to eat after midnight on the day of surgery then book it for late in the afternoon? It is cruel and mean!

Bradley was born 2:32pm on Friday March 26, 2010 by C-section at the Rockyview General Hospital. He was 7lbs 2oz and 19" long.

Averi is loving being a big sister. Although she is unsure of her brother sometimes and has not yet learned that he can't play with her, she still is full of love and kisses for the little guy. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for our new little family.

2010-03-24T20:16:00.000-07:00

Ode to the moms out there!

I stole this off another blog I follow and had to post it because of the trueness. I think any of us with kids, a family and a household to run can relate a little to close.

If you give a mom a muffin,

she’ll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She’ll pour herself some.
Her three year old will spill the coffee.
She’ll wipe it up.
Wiping it up she’ll find dirty socks.
She’ll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
she’ll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her
she has to plan for supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She’ll look for her cookbook.
The cookbook is setting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The checkbook is in her purse
that is being dumped out by her two year old.
She’ll smell something funny.
She’ll change the two year old’s diaper.
While she is changing the diaper the phone will ring.
Her five year old will answer and hang up.
She’ll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her
that she was going to have a cup.
And chances are… if she has a cup of coffee
her kids will have eaten the muffin that goes with it.
– author unknown

I really think the only thing missing from this is the mom checking Facebook.

Easter

2010-03-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well it's easter time and I'm 2 days from having a baby. I thought I would spend some time with Averi doing fun things around the house and thought dying easter eggs might be a good way to spend some time. Here is the fun that ensued.

Turns out boiling the eggs and not breaking them was the easy part.

After a quick lesson, Averi had it all figured out.

Or so SHE thought :)

But then she dumped the blue dye :( My white cupboards are now a pretty shade of blue and I have 1 less towel in the drawer

The end product turned out pretty good once we applied some stickers.

Averi was proud of what she made but was pretty quick to eat the eggs for lunch.

Can't wait til me make our easter house together!!

Maternity photos by Krystal

2010-03-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

How great did these turn out? I love them!! Thanks for making the memories special!

And the countdown is on...

2010-03-01T21:24:00.000-08:00

Sew, it's getting better :) I am learning to perfect the baby sleep sac and am even selling a few of them online. Turns out people even like them enough to be telling their friends, CRAZY! I have an order for 6 more of them and think they are getting better each one I make. So tell your friends and get your orders in. Melanie and I will soon have a website up and running and I will let you know what it is when it is time.

Averi is home now and I can't believe how much she changed in 1 month. I don't know if it's because I didn't see her that the change is so evident, or because she just grew up but she is such a funny duck. She says Huh?! so often my mom started correcting her and saying "Pardon Me?!" and Averi repeats it over and over. I don't think she understands what she is saying but her little cartoon voice makes it sound so funny.

Grandma has weaned Averi off the bottle and is sleeping through the night. IT'S AWESOME!! not that she was having problems sleeping before she left, but not having to get up at 3:30am to get her a bottle is music to Chad's ears :) Can't wait to see what else she learned while away.

In baby news, there is no news. Went to the doctor last week because I was having contractions and she said she would put her money on my having a baby over the next 3 days, 3 days came and went though and the contractions stopped :( I'm kinda glad this little guy is staying inside but as my discomfort level rises I keep thinking how nice it would be to not be pregnant anymore. Let the countdown begin :)

6 more weeks

2010-02-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

So here I sit with exactly 6 weeks until my planned c-section on Easter Monday. I cannot believe I have made it this far and this little boy has held on so long. My weight gain has been manageable, my mood has been a little less (sorry Chad) and the rest is tolerable. Not having Averi around has been kinda bittersweet. I miss her and want her to come home but my house is cleaned and stays that way for more than an hour. On the phone last night she was telling me stories and grandpa had to translate but it was so cute to hear how animated she was about helping grandma at the cottage. "I help, I help" she kept saying. It was awesome!

So I think the nesting starts today. I woke up and immediately thought about all that needs to be done around here before the baby arrives. But first things first: The laundry. It piles up, albeit at a much slower rate without Averi here, but I needed to wash some clothes for the baby. I think from here I'll just start with the bathrooms and see how far I get.

Happy housecleaning/nesting day today!

It's a new day

2010-02-17T21:42:00.001-08:00

So we decided to bite the bullet. Melanie and I are going into a real business. In the world of babies there are many items that gouge you at the cash register and we have found a way to make them affordable to those who need them the most; People just like us. What we need from you is a name. What do we call ourselves??

Something original?

Something Catchy?

Please help! We are meeting with a store owner this weekend and need a business card with a name and a logo that explains what we are all about. Our product is all homemade, cute, fun and essential to any mother.

I look forward to any help you can provide!

What an AMAZING RACE

2010-02-15T16:54:00.000-08:00

So we planned a night out for the guys for Valentines Day. THE AMAZING RACE! And amazing it was. There were 5 venues for the men to get to and follow the directions. Make a love message out of snow or rocks at the park for the wives, complete a dance video to "I'm too sexy by Right Said Fred", Spell the word "LOVE" with their bodies, create a video with props from an optometry center, and finally to make a bouquet of chocolate flowers for the women. Amidst all this they had random amounts of money to buy us a gift that we gave them when we took their wallets away.

Let the race begin:

1. The Park- It was a cold and dark night. The snow was so frozen they couldn't build anything with it. The rocks were also frozen in place so the men took video of the ground and told a story to their woman. Atleast they were creative in that way.

2. Next came Chad's office and the music video. After much secrecy to get the music player to his office with the next clue it was all set. Little did I know the CD player was broken! I had no idea (of course it should have been played first to make sure) and the video never happened. I think they were pretty happy to hear that though.

3. They then left for the construction office and spelled the word LOVE with their bodies. This was a pretty simple task and they did good with it.

4. At the optometry center they all decided to wear sunglasses and instead of a video message to the wives, they made a very funny video of "I wear my sunglasses at night." Again, it was very creative.

At this point we phoned the men to make sure they called to let us know when they were on the way home. Alarmingly we found out the guys had been stopped by the cops. The ladies all started to laugh and panic because the wallets were all with us. As we waited for them to call back, the imaginations started to work overtime. What is a ticket with no license worth? Will the vehicle get impounded? Who's fault is this really? Was turning into quite a night.

Oh, at this point I should mention that we all had shirts made that matched. The mens' all said I heart (wives initials) and the womens were the opposite.

When Chad called to let us know they were coming home, he stated the shirts got them out of the ticket. Who in their right mind would wear shirts like that in public willingly?? LOL Shortly thereafter, the men came home and surprised the wives with the final task (the flower bouquets) completed and laughing because we believed the police story. What a bunch of Jerks!!!

While the men were out racing, the women were busy preparing the reward. The men were treated to a complete surf n'turf meal. Steak, Scallops, shrimp, stuffed potatoes and lots of dessert. I think that made it all worth while for them.

Even though things didn't go as planned all night, it was a wonderful valentines evening and fun was had by all. I just hope the payback isn't too bad on us.

2010-02-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

So I got up yesterday like any other day and headed to the shower. I washed, then, I fell. Don't know how it happened but it did. I got up, dried off, and got dressed. I felt fine, Good thing. Then I called my mom. She said I'd be fine but should call the dr. I thought I'd be fine, but I called the dr. They said to go to the hospital. Not fine. Turns out, I'm fine. For 6 grueling hours they kept me there to make sure the baby was okay and that nothing serious was going to come of this. 6 LONG hours strapped to a machine that kept making the nurses come running because this child wouldn't sit still. I am so grateful that he is okay. There are no problems and nothing further to worry about. Should have taken mom's advice instead of the dr's. Turns out I'M FINE!

On another note.....I'm missing Averi like crazy. I am trying not to be the crazy neurotic mom I want to be and continue to pester my mom into letting me talk to Averi. I sit patiently and wait for them to call me but I hate being this far away from her. Of course Averi doesn't care that I'm not around. She calls for dad as soon as the webcam lights up and then proceeds to run around out of view of the camera. She is so full of energy and having such a great time on the coast that she may not want to come home to boring old mom.

Day 17

2010-02-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

So here I am at 32 weeks and feeling absolutely HUGE! I can't believe I still have 8 weeks left. My hips hurt, my back hurts and being on my feet for 1 whole hour just about does me in. Thank god I'm supposed to be on bed rest and have an excuse for doing nothing when it hurts too bad. (Thanks for letting me rant)

Averi is having a wonderful time at Grandma and Grandpa's. Mom is sure to rub in that they go to the park everyday and play because the weather is so nice. Wish it would stop snowing here for a few days and the sun would come out. Grandma is trying to potty train Averi while she is out there and I hope it goes well, it would be so nice to have 1 kid out of diapers when the other shows up. I miss Averi like crazy and can't believe I still have 3 weeks with her gone, but you wouldn't believe how nice and clean the house is. When there are no children to clean up after it is a wonderful thing.

Day 16

2010-02-02T21:38:00.000-08:00

So I have taken up sewing. I'm not great at it but I do enjoy it. I have found a relatively easy pattern that I actually am following with ease. Take a look! This is the girls fabric highchair in butterflies and the boys in dinosaurs. It is reversible, washable and easily transportable.

This is the team effort baby sleeping bag. When Averi was a baby I LOVED having a sleeping bag for her but they were so expensive to buy. Thus Melanie has helped me design one to make. It is easier than it looks.

Turns out there are things I can do when I am stuck in the house. It isn't exactly laying on my back but atleast I'm staying off my feet. Hope everyone having a baby likes homemade :)

Day 15

2010-01-23T13:12:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been a week and I am not crazy yet! I have taken up crocheting and am now working on the fine art of perfecting it! The first few trials were a little sketchy but I have now gotten the square pattern figured out. Next I am going to try a pattern and hopefully it wont be too difficult.

While laying around I have got to see my baby grow. Averi is trying to be so helpful around the house and it is awesome, just hope she keeps it up for the rest of her life :) Grandma got her a little broom and mop set that she pulls out first thing every morning to use.

Averi's kitchen adventures have also continued. Chad was making a pot of his famous chili and Averi insisted on "helping." Of Course it isn't much helping if she is making a mess. She did her part and loved every minute of it...and the chili was a success.

As hard as it has been for me to stay laying down and avoid doing anything around here, it has made me realize my part in the household. I have days when I am fully functioning that I feel nothing has been accomplished and now that I can't do any of it, it makes me realize my own worth. I have so many people to thank for making this as easy on me as it can be and I just hope they all realize how much it means to me and my family.

Day 14

2010-01-17T12:33:00.000-08:00

So here I am laying in bed on day 3 of 77 and wishing this was all over. Am I missing out on something downstairs?? I know they are all watching the hockey game and curling, and I hate curling, but still wish I was watching with everyone else. I have been playing games on facebook trying to stay away from the TV for a while and keeping my mind stimulated. It's stimulating into sleep so I am writing on here instead. I have spent many hours perusing the internet for blogs of interest and things I can dream about cooking or making but can't while I'm on bedrest. I may have quite the list of things to accomplish once I am able to move about. (That or Chad is going to have to take up sewing :) My Mother in Law has been gracious enough to come and help out around the house, My sister has come this weekend to do some cooking and finish my laundry, and some friends have dropped by with some food so the pressure is off Chad for a few days. I am blown away at how amazing the friends and family in our lives are, we are very blessed to have such wonderful people to help us in our time of need. My MIL is taking Averi to their place for a few days this week and in February my dad is going to take her to Vancouver to see the other Grandma. I think it will be nice for Chad to not have the extra help making the mess around the house, but Averi will be missed while she is gone. I should have no problem catching up on some soaps over the next few weeks by myself :)

Day 13

2010-01-14T11:38:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like it's you against the world?

I got some bad news from the doctor yesterday and now have to spend all my time off my feet. This baby is threatening to make an arrival too soon and we need to stop it, but, what do you do when you have a 2 year old and can't really leave the confines of your own house? I wish I knew. I need to buy groceries, do laundry, make meals and just do general stuff around the house that is not going to happen on its own. Should you make the choice between the life you have and the life you are so desperately trying to grow inside? Should you beg for help from friends and family so you can watch them do your "job?" If you have the answer then please let me know. I have a wonderful support group who no doubt will have a game plan for me by the end of this week because they care about what happens and have been in my shoes before.

Day 12

2010-01-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

So I decided we should do something as a family today and ventured off to the wave pool. Averi loves to swim, I surprisingly don't mind wearing a bathing suit these days, and Chad has never been, so off we went. What a pleasant surprise it was when the girl working there suggested it was cheaper to pay for 1 hour as a family rate. Well, who am I to complain?!? We had a fabulous time swimming, with Averi drinking the most water and Chad making the biggest waves ;) I have one question though....Who's should be the decision maker when someone wants to go out in a speedo? Who is responsible for stopping them? I for one would, under no circumstances, allow anyone in my family to leave the house, let alone be at a very public venue. ( Atleast now that I know better. My dad is a known culprit, but atleast he's skinny) There is always the man with the gut that hides most of the swimsuit that he shouldn't be wearing, in a colour that was banned in the 1980's. It's teaching our kids the wrong thing, isn't it?

Day 11

2010-01-05T20:01:00.001-08:00

Who is this Diva?? LOL

Today we watched the IIHF hockey game and much to our disappointment Canada did not come in first. They made a great attempt in the 3rd period to come from behind and tie the game at 5-5 but it wasn't enough. Team USA outplayed Canada and deserved the Gold Medal.
Maybe next year we can win it back on American soil.

Day 10

2010-01-03T16:05:00.001-08:00

A Toddler Creed

If I want it,
IT'S MINE!
If I give it to you and change my mind later,
IT'S MINE!
If I can take it away from you,
IT'S MINE!
If it's mine it will never belong to anybody else,
No matter what.
If we are building something together,
All the pieces are mine!
If it looks just like mine,
IT'S MINE!

If it breaks or needs putting away,
IT'S YOURS!

I copied this from another blog because it relates so closely to Averi. She is in the stage that it's all hers and she needs to know why. I HATE THE "WHY?" It makes me want to pull my hair out and scream but it is also the newest and cutest thing my daughter does. I find it so amazing that she asks so many why's in a sentence in order to better understand.

Day 9

2009-12-29T20:59:00.000-08:00

So the holidays have come and gone and all I can say is "I made it in 1 piece." After spending 5 hairy days with the inlaws we are finally home and getting back into the swing of things. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time up at the lake with everyone, it's just nice to be home and sleeping in your own bed and having your own space. Averi and Austin got spoiled rotten and I think us adults can't complain about the haul either.

We spent days on end outside tobogganing down to the lake, and even had a wiener roast and fireworks when it was -20. Who knew that could be fun?? Plenty of games were played as that is a necessity when families gather, and I don't think WII Canoeing should be attempted again until next Christmas when we have all recovered from this year :)

With the new year fast approaching I am looking forward to more good times spent with friends and family. I think 2010 will be as exciting as this year and look forward to all it will bring.

Day 8

2009-12-21T17:08:00.000-08:00

The party was a huge Success, thanks to all who joined us to celebrate the season. As usual there was food a plenty and I hope fun was had by all. Now here it is 4 days before Christmas and I did the unthinkable, I WENT TO THE MALL! I didn't have a need to go to the mall really but it is part of the season that I love to partake in. I get more in the spirit by sitting in the full parking lot and just walking amidst the hurried shoppers than I do by setting up the Christmas tree. I cannot believe the amount of people in the jewelery stores (none of which was Chad.) I guess I should have put diamonds on my list too ;)All kidding aside, I have had sooo much fun shopping for Averi this year. She isn't getting anything expensive, just fun. Why isn't my husband easy to shop for too? I would be happy to buy him Sticker Books and a Slinky and even throw in a Transformer or two. I guess we'll have to wait and see if the thought really does count.
Well I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and that you've been good all year enough for Santa to remember you.
From our house to yours, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy 2010!

Day 8

2009-12-18T20:27:00.000-08:00

So here it is 7 days before Christmas and I am sitting on my bum. What a wonderful feeling :) The party is to begin at 6pm tomorrow and all is ready, at least what I can do a day early. Every time we have people over it becomes all about the food. What am I going to serve, how can I WOW my friends again, can I outdo myself again? I guess I will know in a day or two. I enjoy entertaining and especially this time of year! Who doesn't enjoy dressing up and pretending we are all adults? Oh Wait, maybe we are :)
Next week we are leaving to the in-laws place in Ashmont. I'm sure it is beautiful with all the snow they have gotten and I am looking forward to spending some time in the outdoors with the kids. I'm sure there is going to be a Wii tournament of some sort too where the men will try to prove their masculinity while bowling or doing some form of Yoga. It should prove to be a fun event, I'm sure.
Other than that I am just looking forward to spending some time with family over the next few weeks and anxious to see what the new year brings for us. Merry Christmas to all!

Day 7

2009-12-08T21:43:00.001-08:00

It has been so cold and snowy here that we have spent the better part of a week in the house. Averi and I have made cookies galore, we made cinnamon buns with Melanie and the kids, I even tried to make Wassail, which is my new favorite Christmas drink.

Averi just loves to "help" in all aspects of the house now. On the weekend we set up the xmas tree. It became very clear we had to let her put up the ornaments where she wanted and just move them off the sagging branch once she went to bed. She was soooo excited to be a big girl and help that you just couldn't get mad. Same reason you can't get mad when she is trying to sweep the floor and uses the broom handle as a weapon she has no control over. Averi is innocent and she is the sweetest little girl. Today we went to see Santa at the mall. The lineup wasn't too bad so we stuck it out. They had a wonderful setup with a magical tree, and lights, a pond that the kids controlled the lights under, and gifts galore. It was beautiful. A wonderful lady took a picture of Chad and I under the tree and it was nice to capture the moment with us together.

I'm hoping to keep up with this blog as the season of friends and parties comes and goes. Keep posted to see how Averi does with the presents staying under the tree and keeping them wrapped. This should be a wildly fun challenge for her dad and I!

Day 6

2009-11-30T16:23:00.000-08:00

My baby is no longer a baby, she is officially 2 years old (3 if you ask her). We hosted a Birthday/Grey Cup party and the festivities began at noon. The whole family was decked out in Riders gear and all the company was even wearing their green. Averi had a butterfly cake, which is her favorite, and Dad had to have a helmet for the game.

It was a wonderful day in our house, just too bad the Game was won by the opposing team :(

2009-11-24T08:34:00.000-08:00

Well, I made it another year and survived another birthday. I cannot believe the next milestone is 40! What a wild 52 weeks it has been. This year my baby turned 1

Then Chad and I embarked on the trip of a lifetime to see my brother in China. What an experience that was!

Now I have another baby on the way and can't wait to see what 2010 brings for us.

2009-11-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

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Day 5

2009-11-18T06:13:00.000-08:00

It has finally happened, the flu is gone! After 2 agonizing weeks of being in bed I am now fully functional and able to work. To test this theory I thought I would bake. Since Christmas is coming and it's the time for treats I thought I would make Fudge, Truffles, Rice Krispie Squares and muffins. Averi was more than happy to help. I would pour ingredients while Averi "stirred" the bowl. What she actually did was closer to dip and lick. That became her bowl.

The Truffles were a little harder to do with "help" as I have never done them before. I didn't know you had to do one recipe at a time in order for the chocolate to set. Then it was too sticky to roll, then it was midnight and I had to go to bed before things got out of control. I would deal with it all tomorrow. Well, tomorrow came and Averi had to help me some more, by now she knows that help means treats for her :) We were dipping the truffles and putting on sprinkles but as I put them on she was eating them.

We had a wonderful day baking together and look forward to doing it again, but next time I'm going to teach her that cleanup is part of the whole process. I had chocolate from one end of my kitchen to the other and all of it at knees height so I

know it wasn't from me.

Day 4

2009-11-11T16:47:00.000-08:00

Oh how boring it is to sit in bed for 5 days. I have watched an incredible number of movies, updated and checked Facebook more than should be allowed and have played umpteen games of solitaire. HELP! I did spend a few minutes on the front steps getting some fresh, albeit cold, air and that might have been my saving grace. All I can think about is going to work and being okay to leave the house. Is it wrong to look forward to a doctor appointment just so I get to leave the confines of my room? Starting to sound pretty good if you ask me :)

Day 3

2009-11-09T19:21:00.000-08:00

So I woke up on Friday with a sore throat and thought, well, atleast it's only a sore throat. Then when I went to bed on Friday I was thinking atleast it hasn't gotten any worse. Then, Saturday arrived. The sore throat turned to chills, then to sweats, then to a stuffy head, then to a runny nose and I finally had to succumb to bed. Why is it I spend 4 months working on something very important and the day arrives I fall ill with this stupid H1N1 virus?

I think it is someone trying to tell me something. I wrote in my last blog to keep your hands washed and all would be well....I WAS WRONG! Come Sunday morning I was being assessed for the H1N1 Virus, being treated with an IV and Antibiotics. I'm not worried about being sick but what is this doing to the baby inside of me?

I am having a hard time eating and am getting really tired of Freezies and apple juice but lo and behold my neighbour comes to the rescue. While wallowing in self pity this evening staring at the wall from my post in bed, the neighbour brought me homemade chicken noodle soup and bread. What a life saver! It was hot and yummy and just what the doctor ordered. Thank you Melanie!

As I am coming into day 3 with this illness I am hoping the worst is over and I am on the mend. One thing I learned along the way though is this: The Doctor recommended the vaccine for me and I reluctantly got it, turns out had I chosen not to, I would be much worse off and so would my baby. I am very grateful that the vaccine was available when it was.

Day 2

2009-11-05T14:51:00.000-08:00

It's not that I woke up on the right side of the bed, or even that I had a reason to, but my day is going uphill instead of the usual downward spiral. I was going to take Averi for the H1N1 shot and after seeing the lineup decided to go shopping instead. Why would people stand in that line?? I love my daughter more than I can explain but common sense prevails. How do you entertain a 2 year old in a 6 hour line? How does an adult stay positive that long so the 2 year old doesn't pick up on the anger? The answer: You don't! Stay home and teach your kids to wash their hands, sneeze and cough into their sleeves instead of their hands, and don't share cooties. It's pretty simple as far as I'm concerned. I'm not saying the shot isn't important, heck, I got mine, but doesn't it make more sense to educate instead of instilling fear in the minds of people?

Thats my thought on that!

Day 1

2009-11-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

I am new to the blogging world and thought I might give it a try. Will I have something to say? Maybe. Will it be good enough or funny enough for someone to follow? Who knows. I will spend the next few weeks trying to find my footing and hope it will be enjoyable for us all.