What was I thinking?

I had this grand idea the other day to try and get a picture done for our Christmas cards that had BOTH kids in it.

Who am I kidding anyways?

I'm going to have to cut and paste heads onto bodies, I think.

Proof

This is Ben last thursday night. He did it, he really did.
But, he did NOT on Saturday night for Kirby (our babysitter),
or Sunday night for me or Trav,
or this morning from me.

He WILL do it again this week, or he will be very thirsty.
Or..... Travis will have some very long evenings.

Scarface

It's not so bad.

A story from long ago

This is a story of the Peters family, pre-Donny days, when Rachel was 2 or 3 (I can't remember). We were all in Abbotsford on a holiday, and my dad was showing us his old elementary school. We were wandering around the grounds, looking in windows, playing on the playground.... regular 3, 5 and 7 year old stuff. During the tour, Rachel tripped and fell, hitting her head on a doorstop. Yes, the short stubby bit of metal that is bolted to the ground to stop a school door from opening any further.
Off to MSA we went.
The doctor in emergency, after determining that Rachel needed stitches in her forehead, thought it would be ok if the rest of us stayed to watch.
I don't know who ever thought it was a good idea.
Probably about the time that she got the freezing put in, Jenny and I thought that we didn't feel so good, and wanted to go outside. My dad happily obliged us.
Fast forward 20 minutes, when Rachel with her blown-up-glove face balloon and my mom come outside the hospital, everything is a-ok, and see this:

Karen lying down on the sidewalk, and Jenny barfing in the grass.

I have never been good with stitches.

Fast forward again 22 years or so to yesterday.
"Travis, I'm probably going to have to go outside when they start giving her stitches"

But then it all just happened, and it was my baby, and she was calling out, 'mommy', and there was no way I would leave. They stitched her up, and got her cuddling Daddy on the stretcher, when out of nowhere 'I was feeling a little woozy.' (in the words of Madame Blueberry) We hadn't had anything to eat all day (it was noon), so I asked for some apple juice, and the nurse made me go lie down outside the room on a stretcher. So I turned out to be one of those parents who just couldn't handle it. Fortunately, I am married to someone who likes to take notes on exactly what the doctor is doing, and would happily assist if asked.

Ben better not be much of a dare devil.

Things to do on a Sunday morning

Well, this morning started out well.... we were doing the usual family cuddle in bed. This is a routine that has evolved for weekend mornings -- we all just kind of hang out for half an hour or so until we're ready to start the day. We were just joking around doing 'peek-a-boo' to the kids, and the next thing we knew, Travis and Sarah had butted heads (actually tooth to lip), and Sarah's top lip was split open. There was blood, and there were tears, and there was a big (well, not too big, but big enough) gash on poor Bear's lip.
Off to the hospital we went, thinking that we just had to get it checked out, but probably nothing would have to be done. Dr. O'Neil came in to see Sarah, he's an old friend of mine from high school days, and took one quick look and determined that she would need a stitch. Obviously, you can NOT give stitches to a two year old by just telling them to lie still. That would be IMPOSSIBLE. She would have to be sedated, but how? The first option would be to start an IV on her, and sedate her that way (again, how do you start the iv? You can't just tell her to be still). The other option was to give her oral drugs and sedate her that way. The best way is with the iv because apparently you have more control over the dose, etc, etc. So we went with that option.
And so, two nurses came in, and we held Sarah down, and they tried to start an iv in her hand, but were unsuccessful. (darn). You should have heard the screams.
Because that didn't work, she got to drink some yummy strawberry drugs with an apple juice chaser.
Today, I saw my 2 year old daughter absolutely STONED. She was hilarious. I wish that we had the video camera there, but she was totally in the "I love you, man" state of mind. Daddy got tons of hugs, and 'ohhhhh, dadddddy', and strokes on his face. "Ohhhh mommmmy," and "Baaaaabbby Bennnnnn" were her other favourite things to say. She would hold her hands out in front of her and look at them like she had never seen them before, and was totally fascinated by the red light on the oxygen meter on her toe -- it was sooooooo coooool!
Anyways, she got the stitch, mommy almost passed out and had to go lie down on a stretcher (that's another story), but we're all home now recovering, and I think we'll be ok!
It's funny how things like this always seem to happen at such busy times in our lives. We're about to start the busiest week EVER, and off to the hospital we go. Another time we were in emerg was the day after Ben and I had got out of the hospital (the time that we were back IN the hospital after he was born), and Sarah had hurt her elbow and was walking around like she had a broken wing for three days.
Oh well, I'm sure that we will make many more trips to emerg as the years go by, and have great stories to tell as a result.
Like the day that Sarah was stoned on vitamin K in front of her parents.

A little taste of freedom

Big news! Tonight Ben took a bottle. His first bottle. Couldn't get enough apparently, and was mad when it was taken away. I have tried in the past to give him a bottle, and after chewing on it for a while, when it came right down to trying to drink from it, he would get absolutely personally offended that I would try such a thing. Especially since what he was used to and really wanted was soooooo close. But tonight, Jenny and my Mom were over for supper, and I had to run out to Wal Mart to get a loaf of bread, a container of milk and a stick of butter, so I asked if one of them could try giving him a bottle. And they did, and he loved it.
Freedom!!! Freedom!!! Sleeping through the night and a bottle all in the same week. Now, I know that some babies do this right from the start, but my Ben chose to wait 8 months. Travis and I can actually go out on a date. I don't need to be worried about being around at bedtime. Freedom!!!

Actually, it makes me just a little sad.

But I'm sure I'll get over it!! :)

Oh, Sarah

This morning, Sarah went downstairs to play, still in her pj's. Headband, check. Dora backpack, full to the brim with blocks, check. Jammies, check. She came up a little later to get dressed for the day, and as I was helping her get dressed, I noticed a little flash of crack. So I went to help her pull up her diapers (we have FULLY regressed into diaper wearing ALL THE TIME, she'll maybe tell me that she has to go pee pee just after the fact), and there was no diaper! She was going commando under her pj's! I laughed, because sometimes, she'll take her diaper off if it's full, and run around maked. Yes, maked, I did not spell it wrong. But she only does that if she has no pants on. But today, I guess she pulled them down, took diaper off, and pulled them back up! The funny part to me, along with the commando part, is that I came across the old diaper later on downstairs, and it was dry. So who knows why.
Who knows.

Love you, Bear.

Things that go bump in the night

Last night, Ben slept. And slept. So did Sarah. Travis and I too, until the fire alarm decided to test itself at 4:30 am. Just a short LOUD, high pitched beep that woke us up wondering what it was. We didn't know, so we went back to sleep. For 10 min. Then the beep again. Travis had to disconnect the alarm to stop it, so we both spent the next hour hearing every creak and groan and whisper the house had for us. All, of course, on the first night that Ben slept through without getting up AT ALL!!!! It figures.

But, I'm so happy he slept, I'll sort myself out later. Like in 2 weeks when 'I'll Be Home For Christmas" is done! :)

The rush of adrenaline

I just tried to win a bid on ebay. Boy was that stressful. My sister-in-law, Shirley, had emailed me a couple of pictures of winter jackets that would be good for Sarah. So, I had picked one out that I liked, and was going to bid. Shirley has bought many things on ebay in the past, and her advice was to bid in the last minute. So I have been sitting here at the computer for at least 45 minutes, waiting for that last minute to arrive. The countdown started, 5 min, 3 min, 2 min..... my heart started to race, my breathing became faster, I was getting stressed, so I BID! At 2 min. And I had the high bid, too, only to lose it in about the last 30 seconds. Shoot. I really liked that jacket, too. oh well.

Now I just need to calm down!

Botchew

A word found mainly in the vocabulary of grandchildren. 'Botchew' meaning someone who holds that child a special place in their heart has given them.... anything.
It all started when I wanted Sarah to know who had bought her any particular thing. Sarah, do you know who bought you those slippers? Sarah do you know who bought you those pants, or that pretty dress? Sarah, do you know who bought you that book?

It has now turned into one word.

Nana botchew pippers (slippers)!!!!! (said with quite a squeal)

Mamma botchew pants!!! (Grandma, said with same squeal)

Gigi botchew book!!!! (again, very excited)

We're still working on the whole 'me', 'you', 'mine' and 'yours' thing. :)

Saying good bye to 'baby' Ben

Today Ben took his first ride in a bigger carseat. Gone are the days of carrying him around in those baby seats where you can put him down anywhere, transfer him no problem when he's sleeping, and just keep him generally contained. Gone are the days too, of tripping over that darn carseat every time we go near the door (so it's not all bad!). He was getting way too big for that little thing -- his head was rubbing on the top, and his feet have been hanging over the end for a long time. He seemed to be pretty happy with his new perspective on things in the car, but Travis and I were quickly reminded how difficult it is for those poor kids to sleep in the car seats when they're facing backward. His chin was practically on his belly button on our way home from Summerland today, and he woke up with wicked marks on his face. We need to figure out some kind of tether system to keep his head back so he can sleep comfortably. Maybe double sided sticky tape to the back of his head?

Things to do on a Saturday night

The entrance way to our house has been so crowded. I guess the house was built to have a rental suite both upstairs and down, so the way that they set up the house had you enter into a very small room. We couldn't fit more than 2 people on the floor to exit the house, and that was not considering having to carry carseats, and toddlers running around. Our plan is to pretty much redo most of the house (suprise, suprise), and we probably won't tackle the entrance for at least a year, but we eased the congestion just a bit on Saturday night.
At 10 PM!!!!!
It's amazing what you can do in an hour and a half.

There used to be a fridge where that chair is.

Now the door opens the whole way!!
Sarah woke up this morning and notice the wall was 'all gone!'

My Little Man

I just got back two rolls of film from London Drugs (yes, pictures done the OLD way), so these are from sometime in October.



Ok, how cute is he?!?!?

Sitting up so well now.

Such love.

Uh-Oh

For Halloween this year, I bought a bag of mixed Cadbury treats. There were caramilk, wunderbar, crispy crunch and crunchy. Travis and I made short work of the caramilk and the wunderbar, and I thought that I didn't like crispy crunch. Thought. Turns out I LIKE crispy crunch. Now I have a bowl full, well.... half a bowl full of the little treats. Must. Finish. Them. So they stop tempting me.

Good news is, I still don't like crunchy.

phew.

Lest we forget

I just finished watching some of the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the coast on TV, and they really get to me. I see the veterans standing there, remembering their past, and can't even imagine what they have seen in their lifetime. Being at war and seeing so much death up close is unimaginable to me. The fear, the stress, the worry that they would have felt is horrible. Not to mention the families they left back at home. The stress and worry they felt about their loved ones who were fighting a war so far away.... just terrible.
Thank you, Uncle Jim. Thank you, Uncle Brian.
Thank you for fighting for our freedom that we enjoy today.
May we never take it for granted,
and may a war like that never happen again.

Yipppeeeee!

Last night, Ben slept from 7:30 ish till 5 AM!!!!! I had more than 4 hours sleep IN A ROW!!!!!! When Sarah was Ben's age, though she wasn't quite sleeping through the night consistently yet, she had given me a few nights where she slept all night. Course, there were lots of nights where she was still up, but she had given me hope that sleeping through the night was possible. Ben, on the other hand, has not slept that long yet. He is otherwise so good natured, and goes back to sleep so easily that it's a little easier to take those mid-night feedings. But last night gave me hope that 8 hours sleep for me is just around the corner. You should see the smile on my face!!!

Practice makes perfect

Yesterday morning, just before Travis got Sarah up for the day, he poked his head in to have a look. There she was, lying in bed, practicing all the words she could think of. Saying her alphabet song, including the "now I know my ABC's" part, and saying the word 'church' over and over (we had been there for Tumble time the day before) all as she looks through the books she sleeps with. Yes, sleeps with books. Maybe she'll take after her mother's love for reading. :) Her vocabulary is growing daily as she is coming up with all kinds of words that I'm surprised she remembers. So I guess we're getting to the point where we really have to start watching what we say or else we'll hear it repeated in a small voice at the most unfortunate time!

How did this happen?

My poor Ben. In the process of changing a huge poop today, I noticed his armpit. Can you say fester? Red, stinky, red and stinky, it was gross. That can NOT feel good for that poor little guy. And who knows how long it's been that way. Those poor second children, I wonder what else happens to him that I don't know about. I knew about Sarah's every move, rash, fart and burp when she was Ben's age, and Ben.... poor neglected Ben. It makes you realize how tough little kids are. Ben is one up on Sarah though, by this age she had fallen off the change table. :)

I love this picture!!! Briercrest Valentine's Day 1993. This was our Ro-tic (no man) evening. We were breaking all the rules. Candles, for one, being up way late, for another and being oh so noisy. Somebody's mom (Alison's, I think) had sent a care package for her Valentine's day, and we had all contributed a bit, and made a date for ourselves. I love this picture because it's such a great action shot. Carolyn is shushing, Kier is smothering her laugh, I'm trying to clean up, and Corinne had just spilt something. Kim is laughing out loud! Alison must be taking the picture. Such great times.

This one is Sheryl and I on a dinner cruise in Quebec circa 1989 when we went there on an exchange with our soccer team. I have no idea why we are gazing into each other's eyes.

This one's for you, Lisa

I can't believe I found this picture. Front row, third in from the right. That's me. Yes, with a perm (home-done I might add), and yes, wearing COWBOY BOOTS. I was soooo cool. I loved those boots, though I seem to get teased about them now. They were so good for kicking boys. That's my friend Lisa on the right, and Sheryl behind me.

Mr. Moore, grade 3, Carmi Elementary, 1983.

Thanks Josie!

On Friday, we dropped Travis off at school so I could have the car for the day. Sarah already knows that when we go in to visit Miss Josie at KVR, she'll get a treat. So, in we went to the office, and of course, Sarah got her treat. The whole way out to the car, Sarah was saying, "dattoo, Josie! Josie nice! Trick or treat!" This picture does not really do justice to the mess that she made on her face. I would love to be able to enjoy chocolate so thoroughly! Can you imagine if we all went around with chocolate smeared all over our faces?

ps. For the record, I am not responsible most of the time that you see Sarah with some crazy hat on her head. I'll give her full credit for taking care of that fashion statement.

My little fairy princess

Here's one more from Hallowe'en -- Makenna was a little fairy princess. Sarah LOVED being a ladybug until she saw Makenna's tutu. Next year we might have to coordinate outfits to avoid jealousy issues!

I am so smart, S-M-R-T!!

Take a look to the right of your screen... now scroll down.... notice anything new? I've been able to add a list of books that I am reading at the moment ( some books take a looooonnnnggg time to get through with two kids, others not so much-- the kids can fend for themselves), or have read in the recent past. Or, maybe I'll add books that I just love. I don't know. Anywas, my friend Lisa (the robinsons) had recommended a book on her blog, and it got me to thinking, which I suppose can be dangerous, that I'd like to see if I can add this little feature to my blog. So far so good. I'll do what I can to keep it updated and interesting, but I don't seem to have that much time to read a lot of books. :(

ps. Don't bother clicking on the titles, it won't take you anywhere, I'm not that gifted in computer knowledge. :)

It finally hit me

Today it hit me. I'm a mom.

I was making hamimmi (macaroni) for lunch, and doing a hamimmi dance for Sarah and Ben, and I looked down at these four little eyes looking at me (with some amusement), and thought, 'I'm a mom'. Yikes. These kids look to me for so much, and I feel so underqualified to do the job, but at the same time, so thankful that my life has been invaded by these two little people. I can't imagine it any other way.

My honey

The first picture of "us" ever. At Kevin and Shirley's wedding in June 1998.

My favourite picture of Travis. Same day. It just brings back so many good memories and feelings.



We look so young!

Well, he was!!

Old picture time....

Angella's post today got me inspired to look through some old albums. I was particularly lucky today because both kids slept for like 2 hours AT THE SAME TIME!!! I am also so glad that my scanner works. No one is safe. Holly, I would never post that picture of you....... would I?!?!? Be afraid, be very afraid, no one is safe. Except me, of course, because I do all the posts. On this blog, anyways..... ok, ok, I'll be nice if you're nice.
By the way, Ange, there are very FEW pictures of the two of us, maybe none. How sad.

At my friend Riley's old apartment. We did a little photo shoot there. It was so fun!

This is where Ange and I used to live -- like the couches? This is New Years Day 2000. Note Matthew assessing the situation in the back. He was very brave.

Grad weekend 1994 from Briercrest. We could hardly believe our good fortune when we noticed that our room was adjoined to a guys room. I affectionately refer to my hair in this picture as "the sausage". Amanda, now you know what I was talking about.
I'm so glad we all squished in together so we could get a good picture of that lamp in there.

This one was taken in my beloved passat October 31, 1999 on our way home from Calgary to see Riley in concert. I believe we were broken down on the side of the road at the time, maybe an hour outside of Revelstoke about to embark on a 3 hour tow truck ride to Vernon where my dad met (rescued) us and took us home to Penticton.

Ahhh, old pictures. I think I'm on to something.