Monday 30 April 2012

Scissors and Little Fingers Do Not Mix

It's Monday around lunchtime.  We had just gotten home from picking Alyssa up from her class at Millenium Place.  I was putting away groceries and starting to think about what to fix for lunch.  Alyssa saw the box of juice boxes that I had just bought so she decided to get herself one. 

Lucas wants to do what Alyssa is doing so he grabs the scissors just as she is snipping.  The screaming begins.  I turn around and there is blood dripping from Lucas.  He throws himself on the floor.  I run over to him and take him to the sink.  I wash off his finger while he is screaming like a banshee.  The fleshy part of his middle left finger is missing. 

He is fighting me like crazy.  I let him go for a second and he takes off.  Dripping blood all over the house.  Through the kitchen, into the bathroom.  He is trying to get away from me as he doesn't know what he is doing.  I finally get him and get him re-wrapped up. 

I'm calling Matt on his cell phone and he is not answering.  I just keep calling.  I called five times and finally he answered (he was on a conference call).  I said, "I need you now, Lucas' finger is cut badly and we are heading to the hospital."  Matt responded that he was leaving.

Now I'm trying to figure out what I am doing.  I have Lucas SCREAMING in my ear.  Alyssa is hiding in her room, crying, because she is so sorry.  I can't let go of Lucas' hand or the towel will fall off and he will continue to bleed on everything.  I called my neighbor Jen and asked her to drive us to the hospital.  Thankfully she answered and she is able. 

We get to the hospital, the triage nurse takes one look at us; all bloody and Lucas screaming and takes us ahead of several people.  They wash him up and see that he has a huge chunk of flesh missing from his finger.  It's still bleeding like crazy.  The doctor comes and examines it.  She thinks that she might be able to stitch it together.  Another doctor comes for a consult and he is a little unsure if he will be able to stitch it back together as there isn't much tissue left to work with.

He starts talking to us about sedating Lucas so that we can get the stiches in.  Lucas is creating quite a scene with all of his screaming.  Another doctor comes in to see the wound and his thought is that there is not enough tissue to successfully close up his finger. 

They put on a special dressing to stop the bleeding and wrap up his hand.  Then they gave him some Motrin and instuctions for us to bring him back tomorrow to have his hand redressed.  We will probably have to go back to the hospital every couple of days for three to four weeks to get his hand redressed. 



Lucas is actually looking pretty good in these pictures.  At this point they had washed off all the blood on his face, arms and hands.  And I had sneaked away and washed off all the blood on my hands and arms.

They wrapped up Lucas hand in triage with a big soaker pad and put tape around it so we didn't have to keep holding his hand which caused him to scream. 

The teddy bear beside Lucas' head was given to him by an ambulance attendant to hopefully cheer him up. While it didn't stop the screaming, he latched on to that teddy bear something fierce.  It hasn't left his side since he got it.  And tonight he wasn't going to bed unless teddy was there with him. 

I was really strong in the hospital.  I wasn't emotional at all.  I just did what I needed to do.  But once we were in the car, my wall came tumbling down and all the emotions poured out.  Watching Lucas in so much  pain and not being able to do anything about it was just about the hardest thing I've ever had to do.  He was looking at me to make it better and I couldn't.  It was awful.

When we got home Alyssa was pretty upset and crying.  She is very sensitive and feels so bad that she was the one who accidently snipped Lucas' finger.  As soon as Lucas saw her crying he ran right over to her, gave her his blankie and teddy and crawled up to cuddle with her.  He sure has a sweet, caring spirit.  And they have such a strong bond.



After his nap, he needed some comforting from  his daddy.  In the hospital, he wanted nothing to do with Matt and I was the only one allowed to hold him.  But now that he is home, its all about his dad.




We ended up having to throw out his shirt, pants, socks and blankie as there was no way we were getting all of that blood out.  My shirt is soaking right now and hopefully I will be able to get out the blood stains. 

I pray protection over my kids all the time and i am so thankful that I do because although he did get hurt it could  have been alot worse. 

Oh and the crazy thing is is that this is the second time that I have experience a snipped finger.  Last summer while at Jamie and Patrick's house for a BBQ, little Zephan got part of his finger snipped off too. 

Oh what a day......


Silent Auction

Matt curled with a few people from his work all last winter. He loved it.  Anyway, on Saturday night there was a year end curling banquet and they had a silent auction.  

I had just told Matt that we needed a new crockpot as we were outgrowing ours.  We only had a 4qt and definately needed a 6qt.  So when there was a programmable 6qt crockpot on display I got quite excited and started bidding.  

I started at $10 but of course it went up pretty fast.  When I went back it was already at $50 so I bid $55.  I went back to our table and looked it up on my phone and found that the store price was $119.00.  I was willing to pay up to $80 for it.  

When I went back later in the evening someone had out bit me by a dollar.  So it was now at $51.  I bid $55.  About 10 minutes later I noticed I had been outbid again by the same lady, Cathy who had bid $56.  The game was on.....

I noticed Cathy circling around the table.  I  bid $60 and as soon as I left she bid $61.  I went back and bid $65 and she bid $66.

I was getting tired of this lady so I decided to see how high she would go so I jumped up on my bid to$80.

Back at the table, I watched as she circled the table again and saw my bid of $80. She shook her head and moved on.  Success!!!!  I got myself a new crockpot for well under the asking price.  Yeah.

While all of this was going on Matt was doing his own silent auctioning and ended up winning a new golf shirt.  

The banquet was fun.  Delicious food including perogies and cabbage rolls.  Yum.....    The music was good and dancing was fun.  It was a good night had by all.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love our babysitter, Emily.  She is awesome.  So far in three years she has only not been able to babysit once.  The kids love her and always look forward to her coming over.  I love her and I love knowing that my kids are in such good hands while we our out.  

So I will update more later with pictures. But we had an awful day today.  Alyssa was trying to get into a box of juiceboxes with scizorrs and Lucas grabbed at them catching his finger inn the way.  The whole pad of his middle finger on his left   hand was snipped off.  We are talking about ALOT of blood and ALOT of crying and an emergency trip to the emergancy room.  It was awful and I am still trying to process it.  I will be back later tonight or tomorrow with all the details.  Right now he is doing alright. He is settled into his crib for a nap and I am heading up to my room to have a nap as well.  Matt just finished cleaning up all the blood and is now home for the day.  


Oh what a day.....

Saturday 28 April 2012

Alyssa's First Sleep Over

Awhile back I had a moment of insanity (I seem to be having more and more of these moments lately) and I agreed to let Alyssa have her first sleep over.  She chose to have her friend Kianna sleep over.  I thought this was a good choice as she only lives a few blocks away so if things didn't work out her parents could come and pick her up. 

So the night started just before supper time.  The girls were so excited.  This was also Kianna's first sleep over so it was VERY exciting for both girls. 

I ordered pizza and wings for the girls. 

Then it was off to play dress up.....

Of course the little brother had to tag along.  Thankfully both girls were okay with Lucas tagging along as they are quite used to little brothers. 

We finally got Lucas upstairs to be occupied by daddy.



While the girls painted their toenails downstairs in the fort that Matt had built them.  They were also watching A Cinderalla Story (a big girl movie).


And yes, I was being brave and letting them paint their nails on the carpet downstairs.

Then it was time for bed.  We started at 8:00pm


And they were finally asleep by 10:00pm.  The above picture is how they started; with Kianna in Alyssa's bed and Alyssa on the trundle bed below.  But in the end they finally settled when Alyssa was back in her normal bed and Kianna was on the trundle. 

The next morning they were up bright and early at 6:00am.  So they didn't really get their normal amount of sleep, but they were still in pretty good spirits.  We made pancakes for breakfast and then they were outside playing by 8:00 in the morning.  After all they had already been up for about 2 hours by then. 

I would say that the first sleep over was a success.  I'm not sure that I will do it anytime soon again though as I did have a pretty grumpy girl the rest of the afternoon and evening.  



Friday 27 April 2012

Swimming Update

So after much discussion with Alyssa, she decided that yes she did want to continue with swimming and yes she would definately get in the pool and have fun.

So I went ahead and got her some swimming shoes as we found the tape on her feet for her warts didn't stay on at her last class.  And you know where I found those swimming shoes?  At Shopper's Drug Mart. Have I mentioned how much I love our Shopper's Drug Mart.  They always seem to have just whatever I need.

Anyway, we get to the pool a little bit early and I start to see signs of Alyssa getting anxious. She is wringing her little bathing suit in knots.  She wants to go pee twice before leaving the change room.  We get out on the deck and she is not saying much at all. When the instructor comes over to get the class, I notice a single tear running down her face.

For whatever reason, my girl is terrified of either her instructor or of swimming.  And this is from the girl who at the end of SunFish was the only one in her class who wanted to jump off the 5m diving board (with a life jacket of course) all by herself and swim to the instructor at the edge of the pool.

My heart is breaking for her as she is now bawling.  She is telling me I can do whatever I want, take away her blankies, take her out of gymnastics, go to bed early; whatever I want as long as she doesn't have to go swimming.  Her blankies and gymnastics are two of her very favorite things so I am really realizing just how scared she really is.

I talked to the instructor and he recommended switching her back to SunFish, her previous class to regain her confidence in swimming.

So we went back into the change room and she had a good cry.  We cuddled a little bit and then had a good chat.She decided she would try SunFish.

I tried to switch classes but because there wasn't a supervisor on duty we weren't able to. Hopefully on Monday we will be able to switch classes.  There is a class on Thursday's I am hoping to be able to get her in.

As we were driving home Alyssa said in her quiet little voice from the backseat, "Mommy, I am so sorry for not swimming."  Awe....Sweet girl, It's okay. Mommy understands and We will get you in another class.

So we will see.  I hope that I am making the right decision.....being a parent is not easy (and I am sure that it is only going to get tougher).

Stay tuned for more on the swimming saga......
On to other news,  Matt is home and our little world feels right again.

Have a good weekend.

PS.  Alyssa just came to me at 7:00pm and said she was tired from all the crying and she wanted to go to bed (bedtime is usually 8:00pm). She never ceases to amaze me.

Wednesday 25 April 2012

So Who Is Following?

I am really enjoying blogging.  I am excited to be able to look back and see our everyday lives being written out for us to always remember.

The one thing that I am finding weird though is that I don't know who is reading this blog.  So when I am talking to people, I don't know if they have read my latest story or not so I hestitate to tell them the story just in case I am repeating myself.  I know that people are reading as I can see the stats and people are obviously following me.

So I have a favor, if you are reading my blog on a regular basis can you let me know. Just mention it when we chat or send me a quick email. I would really appreciate it.

So on to our day.  The kids and I had a really nice relaxing morning.  Around 11am we took off to do some errands. We stopped by the eye clinic and got my glasses fixed. I just got new glasses and am trying really hard to wear them as much as I can.  Anyway they just needed to get a new part as when the frames came in there was a chip of paint missing so they replaced that part.

Then we were off to Shopper's to drop off a prescription.  I was so excited though when I found hooded towels for the kids. I have been looking for the last couple of weeks for hooded towels for the kids for swimming lessons etc.  I haven't had much luck.  I've looked all over but haven't found any I really liked. Well, today I found some at Shopper's that I really liked.  It was totally unexpected as I really hadn't thought to look there.  And the bonus of it was that they were really well priced I thought and when I opened the package when I got home there were two in each pack so now both kids have two hooded towels for a really reasonable price.  Yeah.  I love the small things that make me so happy.

Anyway, I should probably get going so I can feel my littles lunch. Then its nap for Lucas and quiet time for Alyssa.  Alyssa has gymnastics tonight so hopefully Lucas will be okay just watching.

Have a happy Tuesday!!!!

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Doctor's Appointment, Car Washes and Lost Earing.

I love to take the kids swimming.....


But with swimming pools comes plantar warts......Yuck.  Poor Alyssa has four (two big and two really small) plantar warts on the bottom of her feet.  So we tried treating them at home but had no luck.  We went to see her pediatrician this morning and he froze them off. 

Ouch. 

She did pretty well. 

Her pediatrican gave us a prescription for some cream so starting tomorrow we will be putting vaseline around the wart to protect the good skin and then putting the cream on the wart and then putting duct tape over top of everything. 

Hopefully that works and we won't have to go back and see him again.

Oh and I did learn my lesson and we will definately be wearing flip flops in the change room and on the pool deck.

After her doctor's appt, we went to Bubbles to get the car detailed, inside and out.  I had no idea that Bubbles would be so entertaining for Alyssa.  She loved it and you couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. 

While we were at Bubbles I noticed that Alyssa was missing an earing....her favorite earing....her minnie mouse earing.  Alyssa was pretty upset but I explained that we would call Grandma Sue and see where she bought it so we could get another set.  Alyssa didn't like this idea and asked me to pray to Jesus that we would find her earing.  So I prayed.  (I was kind of doubtful as we had been at the doctor's appt, toys r'us and now Bubbles).

We started walking back towards the cash register and I saw the earing.  Really....Wow, Jesus had helped us find the earing. 

It was an important lesson for me and for Alyssa.  I need to have more faith than I sometimes do and Jesus does care about all of our needs....big or little. 

Monday 23 April 2012

Decisions

As my kids get older and older I am finding that the decisions are getting more and more difficult.  At first it was fairly easy.  Pampers or Huggies?  Should I buy the three month onesie or the six month onesie?  Should i start baby cereal at 4. month or 6 months?  


Now though, the decisions are getting hhharder.  Public school or christian school?  Can they go into friends houses that I barely know the parents?  Yes, as they get older the decisions that we are making are starting to make an impact on their future and its a little scary.  

From a young age, Alyssa has always been pretty apprehensive, and sometimes downright scared around men. I'm not sure where the fear began but she has been known to run out of her friends backyard because their dad came home.  As she has gotten older the fear is still there but she has more control over her actions.  So she won't necessarily run away from a man but she will definately not make conversation around men that she is unsure of.  

When Alyssa was 3 1/2 she was enrolled in WEE College (a program through our church) and the children's pastor was running it.  He was a he and Alyssa had a big problem with a boy teacher.  She would cry and complain that she didn't want to go and because I was afraid of her starting to not like church, I pulled her out of it.  I'm still to this day not sure that that was the right decision to make.
 
Now she is in swimming lessons (and has been for some time) and she has a boy teacher.  The first week she seemed okay with it but this last week she came crying to me and didn't want to continue her swimming lessons.  This has never happened before. She has been in swimming lessons since she was three and has always loved them. She has no fear of the water.  So, she is saying that she doesn't want to continue swimming lessons because she doesn't like her boy teacher.  What should I do?  Do I pull her out?  I'm thinking that that is not the right choice here because as she gets older she is going to have men teachers etc.

But, to tell you the truth I am wondering if there is something more going on.  The last class Alyssa was in was Sunfish and I have heard from many people that it is a hard class to pass.  You have to be able to swim unassisted for so many metres.  Alyssa can't do this, yet she was passed on to the next level.  So this level, Crockodile is really hard for her and she seems to be struggling and not likeing that most of the kids are better than her.  So  I am kind of thinking that the reasone she doesn't want to do the class is taht its too hard for her.  

Is the problem that Alyssa doesn't want a boy teacher or is it that the class is too hard for her?  I really don't know what the answer is and I am waiting for a call back from the instructor.  I don't want to push her through it and make her dislike swimming but I also don't want to let her off easy.  Hmmmmmmm........I just don't know.

My first reaction was to pull her from the class but, Ihave to admit that I have a history of when something gets tough I have been known to quit. And Ihate that quality about myself and definately don't want to pass it on to Alyssa.  But when I see her crying and trying to hide it from the instructor my heart just shatters and I just want to protect my baby from whatever  is bugging her.

So, as you can see the decisions definately get harder as they get older.   Matt is also unsure of what we should do.  Anyway hopefully the instructor has some helpful suggestions and we will get this figured out with Alyssa still loving swimming and getting used to having men teachers in her life. 

On to other news, Matt just left for Houston. He has started eight weeks where he will be here for a week and then in Houston for a week. It's going to be tough having him gone and then back again, only to leave again.  But we are hoping that it will be easieron the kds than having him gone for three weeks at a time.  Hopefully all this travel will be just in the short term and will be worth it in teh end.  

Saturday 21 April 2012

The Training Wheels are Off

Alyssa started asking us at the end of last summer to take off her training wheels, but, we were not ready.  LOL.  The thought of all the scraped elbows and knees just turned my stomach.

Fast forward to today, both Matt and I knew that she was more than ready to take the training wheels off. So this morning, off they went to the bike path by our house and Matt ran along behind her while she struggled to keep her balance.  They did this for a few minutes and then she said, "Daddy, I'm ready to go on my own."  So he let go and she was off.

My baby girl is riding a two wheeler all by herself. How did this happen? How did she get so big?  It feels like just yesterday when we were pulling her on her tricycle with a skipping rope to help her get the feel for riding a bike.


And now we have a big girl.....

Friday 20 April 2012

Lucas Threw Us a Curve Ball Last Night

Sleep is very important in our house.  I need my sleep as do the kids.  We are all just so much happier when we are rested. o

Lucas has always been a pretty good sleeper.  He s  ituarted sleeping though the night (12 hours) at about three months.  I was in Heaven.  Around a year, though, he began having some trouble at night. I think when he is teething it really others him.  Since then every few nights he wakes up in the middle of the night for some milk. It's not really a big deal for me. It only takes about 15 minutes to get him resettled and its only once a night.  He's my baby and I just figured that he would outgrow it sometime and its not every night.

Last night, though, was a different story.

I probably should have gone to bed earlier last night than I did. But, I was playing with my new tablet until around midnight.  I crawled into bed and had just settled in when he started crying.  Matt, thankfully, was still up so he gave him a bottle.

1:15am.....and he's up again.  Seriously this is not normal so I figured he must not be feeling too well so I gave him some Children's Advil. He resettles easily and I go back to bed.


3:00am.....and he's crying again. I let him cry for about fifteen minutes and he resettled  himself.

4:10am....What is going on?  He is up AGAIN.  I give him another bottle and he goes back to sleep.

I just get nice and comfortable in bed again and I hear a door open and little feet coming down the hall.  No, its not Lucas. Thankfully he is still in his crib.  But it is Alyssa. She never gets up in the night.  Is it a full moon? What is going on?

Alyssa can't sleep because she wants to see daddy's new computer.  Arrrggg....Seriously......it's 5:00am.

Finally, we are all settled down and trying to get some sleep.  And then Matt's alarm goes off at 6:30am!!!!

And that was my night.  It sucked and I still do not know what Lucas' issue was.  He is not sick this morning and is acting fine. I can't see 2 year old molars peeking though.  I am just hoping and praying that that was a one night thing.

Anyway, enjoy the cuteness of my little man in the middle of the post.  Iam having some technical difficulties and cannot figure out how to move the picture to the end of the post.

Thursday 19 April 2012

Spring Banquet and Gymnastics

Yesterday was the Spring Banquet at church.  I love the Spring Banquet.  It is a wonderful gathering of beautiful ladies with delicious food. Oh and there is childcare with is HUGE. 

I love that my kids LOVE to go to church.  Alyssa really enjoys her class (especially when I am the teacher which is only once a month).  Lucas does really well too and will now freely walk into his class and play to his heart's content. 

Back, to the Spring Brunch.  It's a great time with some really special ladies, delicious food and usually an inspiring speaker.  And yesterday was by far my favorite speaker yet.  Vahen King shared her testimony which is really quite amazing and how far God has taken her through life's troubles (she had a terrible virus 12 years ago that has left her in a wheelchair).  While she was speaking, there were times that it was like God was speaking directly to me.  It was a powerful message and I am so grateful that she has chosen to be so transparent and share her struggles and triumphs with us. 

The only sad thing about Spring Banquet is that it signals the end of WIT (Women In Touch) for the year.  Every Wednesday, women of all backgrounds meet and share with one another.  We have snack, announcements and then meet in our small groups to be there for one another.  Its a powerful time where God is usually present and ministers to one or all of us.  These women have carried me in my times of need, they have laughed with me in times when all you can do is laugh, they have prayed for me when it has been needed but most importantly they have loved me unconditionally.  I love WIT and am sad that the season is over. 

Yesterday evening Alyssa had gymnastics.  She loves loves loves gymnastics and is constantly asking if it is a gymnastics night.  Both Matt and I took her as we love to watch her and see how much she improves from week to week.  Of course, Lucas was with us too.  He, too, has really improved in watching Alyssa.  In September it was nearly impossible to take him because we couldn't keep him off of the gym mats and usually only Matt or myself were able to go while the other one stayed home and watched him.  But now, he is able to listen really well and will just play with his trucks or have a snack and it is actually quite nice to take him there. 

Alyssa's gymnastics teacher informed me that Alyssa has improved so much that she is now ready for the Advanced Class.  I have already enrolled her in the same class for the next session, but in September she will start in the Advanced Class.  I'm so proud of my little gymnast. 

Tuesday 17 April 2012

I Love to Shop

I have always loved to shop.  I remember going shopping with my mom and being so excited when I would get a new shirt or a new pair of shoes or even better....both.  I remember going shopping with my Auntie Wendy.  For a couple of summers my Grandpa Mike (oh I wish my kids could have met my Grandpa Mike) would take me and my sister to Winnipeg to visit with my aunts and cousins. The whole time we were there we would spend most of our time shopping.  My grandpa would sit out on the benches when we would be browsing in the stores....when he would see us coming he would start pulling out his wallet.  Then when we got home, the fashion show began.  So much fun. 

Anyway in the last few years I have really been cutting down on shopping.  I really do not shop to at all very often.  Maybe its because I am not happy with my size or maybe its because we have to stretch our money for me to be able to stay home.  Whatever the reason, I really only shop for the kids when they need something or occasionally I will stop in at Old Navy and pick up something for myself.  But I am still a shopper at heart.

So as the weather is trying to warm up... I realized that Lucas doesn't have too many t-shirts that still fit him. (I can't believe it but I am already buying him size 3T and size 7 shoes). So I left Matt with the kids last night and got to do some shopping for Lucas all by myself.  I didn't really do any shopping for Alyssa as she already has a pretty good start on her spring/summer clothes but I did promise her that I would take her to Zellers today so she could pick out an outfit....or two. 

First thing this morning, I wake up to Alyssa asking "Is today the day we get to go shopping....mom?"  I replied that, "Yes, we could go shopping, but let's have breakfast first."  Before I could even get downstairs with Lucas, she was already dressed, teeth brushed, hair done and had breakfast on the table for all three of us.  She was a little excited.  And I loved feeling her excitement.  I know that feeling well.  The feeling of joy in getting to buy something new. 

We were ready and off before 9am, which is pretty good for us; considering the kids don't ususally get up until 7:30 or 8am.  The whole way there she kept asking what she could buy.  I explained that she could have an outfit or two and maybe some flip flops. 

When we got to Zellers (we are still shopping on a budget), we were both very happy to find some sales.  All of the shoewear was BOGO (buy one, get one half off).  Alyssa had so much fun trying on shoes and Lucas was pretty good about letting me try on some sandals and runners on him.  Then when we got to the girl's section....I was very excited to see that they had some good sales on as well. 

I was pretty proud of myself, I didn't show Alyssa what I thought she should get.  I just let her "shop" on her own.  I wanted to see what she would choose.  She was so adorable, reaching up into the stack of clothes looking for her size 6.  Taking it out, and putting it against her body to see if it would fit.  Looking to see if she could find a skirt that would match.  Then going to the mirror and seeing if it would all look good together.  Then coming to me with her goods and asking if this was okay and if it cost too much.  I was in awe as I stood back and watched my little preschooler turn into a big girl with her own likes and dislikes, right before my eyes.  I could see the joy in her eyes as I let her make her own decisions and let her choose what she wanted.  She looked so old as she marched in and out of the racks, deciding what the best option would be.  She ended up with two outfits and a bathing suit (a one piece so Daddy would like it).

We were then off to the boys section to look at hats.  Lucas wasn't very good about wearing hats last year but thankfully wore all of his touque's really well this winter.  But, whenever I try to get him to try on hats he is always yanking them right off of his head.  As we turned the corner though, and he saw Alyssa looking at hats he "needed" out of the cart.  I put him down and he went right to a Thomas the Tank Engine conductor style hat and placed it right on his head.  I tried getting it off and trying on different ones as it sure wasn't my first choice.  But, no he wanted that Thomas hat to stay on his little head and he was going to get that hat.  I guess my little guy already too has an opinion of what he likes and doesn't like.  Hats were not a battle I was going to pick though; if he likes a certain hat and will wear it all summer without taking it off, then I figure I can put up with a Thomas hat. 

We walked in the door, and Alyssa ran up to her room and came down to model one of her outfits, just like I used to do.  She twisted and twirled around, so proud of herself and the outfits she had chosen.  It was like watching a little me, spin around and asking my daddy, "Do I look pretty?".  And boy, does Alyssa ever look pretty to me as she grows into a big girl.

Monday 16 April 2012

Missing Butter Knives

Bonus Post of the Day

Matt and I have been noticing that we seem to not have many butter knives anymore.  I counted about them a week ago and was very surprised to find that we only have three butter knives left.  Where could they have gone?

Well, when Alyssa started playing with PlayDoh this morning I found where they went. Four of them anyway..... I'm not sure where the others have gone but at least now we are up to seven. 

I will have to make a trip to Ikea though, before my sister and her family come, to stock up on some utensils. 

Checked Out

Yesterday I had to check out.  I had what I believe to be a migrane (I used to get them really bad when I was pregnant with Alyssa).  Anyway the pain on only one side of my head, the nausea, the dizziness and the blurriness of only my one eye was unbelievable.  Matt was at work, (overtime on a Sunday) and I had to call him home.  He came home around lunch time and I retreated to our bedroom.  I was completely disabled and not able to do anything all day.  It was awful.  Nothing, would touch the pain. 

Thankfully, though, I have a husband who is very hands on and he is fully able to take over.  He did awesome at watching the kids and making sure they were fed, clothed and napped etc.  But, he does struggle with multi-tasking a little bit so when I came downstairs later that night.....all I could say was WOW.  The dishes were piled up.  There were toys all over the floor.  But, the kids were tucked happily in bed and that is all that I could ask for.  And he did do a full tidy once the hockey game was over. 

I am so thankful for my husband and that when I do have to check out (not very often) he can fully take over. 

Oh, and the migrane fully left after I took some of Matt's prescription medication left over from a few years ago.  Shhhhh......  I will be heading to the doctor later this week in hopes of getting something just in case that ever happens again. 

This morning, I woke up feeling great and ready to take on the day.  Alyssa had her second class of "Messy Hands" at Millenium Place and Lucas and I got some shopping done at Costco.  Just for those who don't know, we pulled Alyssa from preschool (had some issues with the teaching) and are on an extended summer.  We are back to normal...... and looking forward to a playdate at Kidz Quarterz after naptime. 

Friday 13 April 2012

My Favorite Place

I have one piece of valuable furniture.  It may not be valuable in terms of its worth in money. But, let me tell you it is a very valuable piece of furniture in our home.  It is my......rocking chair.


It may not look like anything of worth to you.  But, to me its worth is priceless. 

This is the place where I have longed to meet my children.


While my children were still in my belly, I would sit here for hours rocking back and forth, dreaming about the moments I would have with them.  I spent a lot of time, especially in the later stages of pregnancy with Alyssa, just being with my baby in her room.  It was where I longed to be after a days work. 

Then when Alyssa was born, we spent a lot of time rocking in that chair.  I usually didn't rock Alyssa to sleep, but when she needed to be calmed down this is where we went.  We retreated to the calmness and darkness of her room.  Just me and her rocking away.  This is where I bonded with my children.  This is where I felt closest to them. 

Both Lucas and Alyssa always had a bottle before naps and before bed.  They usually wouldn't fall asleep while they had there bottle.  But it was where they relaxed and I relaxed after a day of playing.  They would look up at me with their drowsy eyes, one hand touching my face and the other hand holding their beloved blankie.  They both loved to play with my shirt, or rub my face or Lucas would (and still does) likes to close my eyes if I happen to open them.  The calmness of their room, with them in my arms, soothes my soul. 


For about the last year I have been seeking God fully and whole heartedly.  I have made it my habit, that while I am rocking Lucas, before nap and before bed that I am always praying to my Father.  As soon as I start praying, sometimes out loud but most of the time to myself, Lucas'  body relaxes even more into me.  I know he feels the Holy Spirit, just as I do when I call out to Jesus.  I pray for my sweet children, I pray that they come to know the Lord at a young age (Alyssa was only 2 1/2 when she asked Jesus into her heart), I pray for our family, I pray for our marriage, I pray for people that I know that have asked for prayer, I pray for our future,  I pray for direction, for wisdom, for patience.  I pray for whatever is on my mind and then I start to thank God for all he has done and is doing in our lives.  Sometimes, I don't even have words I just wait to hear and feel the blessing of God.  I wait to hear his quiet voice.  I wait to feel his gentle presence.  I wait for him. 

Oh how I love those two times of day.  Lucas usually finishes his bottle, I then put him up to my shoulder where he relaxes a little more.  He usually reaches for my face and strokes it lovingly and then when he is ready, he takes his sweet little hands and cups my face and gives me a kiss good night.  I then know, he is ready to go into his crib and peacefully with the Lord's presence fall into a nice, deep sleep.  As I stand up to lift him into his crib, I feel refreshed.  I feel renewed.  God's spirit  has once again filled me up.

Alyssa and I also have a sweet bedtime routine.  I usually read her a story (lately though, she has been wanting to hear about stories from my childhood), we sometimes sing Jesus Love Me and then we pray. Sometimes she wants to pray and my heart absolutely melts to see her close her eyes and talk to God.  She usually prays for mostly the same things; sweet dreams, good sleep, thanking God for her brother and her mom and dad.  But, sometimes she surprises me with such heartfelt prayers that it brings tears to my eyes.  Like praying for her friends to accept Jesus into their hearts or praying for all the sick kids in the hospital and thanking God that she is healthy.  And then I usually ask her for any more prayer requests and I get to spend a few minutes holding Alyssa's hand and praying for her and with her.  Bedtime is a precious time for me and I never want to forget these precious moments with my children (hence, this blog.)

Anyway, so I can't imagine ever getting rid of this rocking chair.  This rocking chair that I have spent endless hours with my children before sleep.  This rocking chair that I have spent through the nights of sickness with my little ones.  This rocking chair where I feel the presence of God.  I haven't fully decided where this rocking chair will end up once Lucas is done being rocked, but I am leaning towards our bedroom so I can still feel the calmness this chair brings.  I imagine myself old, wrinkly, grey haired rocking back and forth in this precious rocking chair, remembering all the special moments that I have spent with my children in it. 


Wednesday 11 April 2012

Edmonton Weather

After twelve years of living here in Edmonton, I should be used to the drastic weather changes.  But, I am not. 

On Tuesday we were outside in the evening.  Alyssa had gotten a new scooter for her birthday and Lucas was pulling his wagon (he no longer lets me pull him in it).  We were walking around the block and it was so nice out.




We even came to some puddles and I let the kids do some puddle jumping.....




(Disclaimer...I know the date says April 1 but my camera is a few days off.)

Anyway, then we wake up on Thursday and this is what we see.....





Snow and lots of it.





I can, for the most part, handle the cold months of January and February but what I have a hard time handling is that winter is really not over until the end of April in Edmonton.  It just feels like it keeps going and going and going.  I find that so frusturating.  

I long for warmer tempertures....for shorter winters.


Monday 9 April 2012

I Love Easter

I love Easter.  It's one of my favorite holidays.  Getting to celebrate Jesus and how he died and rose again is amazing to me.  The excitement of the kids finding their eggs.  Having a big turkey dinner with family and friends. Painted eggs.  It's all good. 


Friday morning, Alyssa and I went to the Good Friday Service at our church.  Matt kept Lucas home as there wasn't childcare and he isn't quite at the age where I can trust him to sit quietly for the whole service.  I love having Alyssa in the service with me (she is usually in her class on Sunday mornings).  She loves the praise and worship and claps her hands like the everyone else.  It's also so adorable when she sees people raising their hands in worship; her little hand raises in worship as well.  And then when it was time for communion, she turned to me and said "mommy, I have Jesus in my heart so I can have the bread and juice too, right mommy."  "You sure can, sweetie."  She was so careful as she picked out a wafer and a cup of juice and carried it ever so carefully back to our pew.  My heart melts watching her take communion. 

Sunday morning, started with an easter egg hunt.  Alyssa was up way before Lucas but she was so patient and waited for him to wake up.  As soon as she heard him talking in his crib, she was up the stairs like a bolt of lightning, though. 







After the morning easter egg hunt, it was a mad dash to get everyone ready for church.










But we did it, and we were even a little bit early!!!


On Monday night, Karen and Ed Nichols were so kind and invited us to their house for Easter Dinner.  (They have been so kind to us, and invite us for any holidays that were are here in Edmonton and not in Kamloops....we can't thank them enough for the love they have showed us over the last 11 years.)

So after supper, the kids couldn't contain their excitement anymore.  They were ready for the annual easter egg hunt. 





Then we had the task of trying to get a picture of all eleven kids.....



And then finally the pinata.  Our friend Sylvie made two pinata's this year and they were a big hit.  Only two hockey sticks were broken in the process.









Ooooohhh....what a glorious celebration we had.   I love Easter. 


Sunday 8 April 2012

Lucas' Birth Story

Alyssa made me a mom, but Lucas made me a joyful mom. 

When Alyssa was around 2 1/2 we started dreaming about expanding our family.  I got pregnant again quickly, (the second month of trying).  But unfortunately on July 9, 2009 I had an ectopic pregnancy and lost that sweet baby whom is now waiting for me in heaven. 

As soon as I was physically and emotionally ready, we started trying again.  Again, after only two months of trying we were pregnant again!!!!  Matt was in Houston in the middle of October 2009.  I came downstairs and was on the computer.  I felt the need to pray so I remember praying on the basement floor.  I just felt God telling me that I was with child again.  It was around 11pm on October 15, 2009 when I jumped up and ran to the bathroom to take a pregnancy test.  And it was positive.  Oh,  happy day.  I was so excited.  I remember calling Matt, who was in Houston, and telling him over the phone.  I was just so excited that I couldn't wait another minute to tell him.  He was super excited too, but we were both a little scared as we couldn't imagine losing another baby. 

I remember praying that night that fear would leave my body and that I would be able to experience this pregnancy with as much joy as I had with Alyssa's.  At that moment, the fear left.  Praise God.  And the next morning I called everyone I knew, just as I had with Alyssa, to tell them I was pregnant.  I was not going to let fear control this pregnancy.  I just knew it was all going to be okay and that in nine months I was going to deliver a healthy baby. 

In February, we found out we were having a baby boy.  I couldn't believe it.  We were going to have the perfect little family.  Matt was thrilled as he had always dreamed of having a little boy. 

My pregnancy progressed perfectly. 

At around 35 weeks I started contracting regularly.  The contractions were coming every few minutes and they were coming hard.  Matt took me to the hospital, where they confirmed that I was in fact contracting.  They gave me a steroid shot for Lucas' lungs and kept me overnight.  My cervix did change but thankfully the contractions stopped early the following morning.  Lucas was going to hang on a little longer.  Through the next few weeks, I had a few more hospital visits with painful contractions.  But thankfully, each time they stopped. 

When I was 37 weeks 2 days pregnant.  I woke up at 8am to a "pop" and a gush of fluid.  I ran to the bathroom only to realize that my water had broked.  It was Monday, June 7, 2010.  I called Matt and he came home to pick me up.  Thankfully, my mom had come a week earlier as we just knew this baby was coming early. 

We drove to the hospital and got taken up to the labor and delivery room.  I wasn't in active labor yet, but because my water  had broken and because Alyssa came so fast, they decided to keep me in the hospital as they figured that once my labor started it was going to happen fast and they wanted me to make it to the hospital.  So I got set up in a room and I just relaxed the rest of the day.  Matt brought me some books and magazines and we just read and enjoyed our time together.  Around midnight, contractions started but they were only 10 minutes apart and i could kind of still sleep through them.  It lasted all night but wasn't too bad.  In the morning, I was still contracting but it wasn't too bad.  I could breathe through them.  Around 11am, the delivery nurses came and got me.  At this point I had had ruptured membranes for more than 24 hours so I need to deliver.  At 11:10am they started me on pitocin, as I was only 3cm dialted and they wanted labor to progress.  I got an epidural at this time.  From 11:30am to 2:00pm I just slept off and on.  At 2:00pm the nurse checked me and I was only 4cm.  I was a little discouraged that it wasn't happening that fast.  But then at 2:10pm, ten minutes later I felt PRESSURE and my body started to push.  I yelled for Matt to get the nurse.  She came back in and checked me again.  I was fully dialated.  I went from 4cm to 10 cm in 10 minutes.  She asked me to push, which my body was already doing and then she screamed for me to stop pushing as he was coming now.  She called for Dr. Chua and told me not to push.  He arrived at 2:20pm and Lucas was born at 2:21pm on Tuesday, June 8, 2010.

I had had a tough time with postpartem depression after Alyssa was born so I prayed and I prayed and I prayed.  I prayed for joy.  I prayed that I would never have those feelings again.  And when Lucas was born, God answered my prayers.  I have never felt so much joy in all my life.  When they put him on my chest, the tears just poured down my face.  I couldn't believe how beautiful he was.  Alyssa made me a mom, which I am so thankful for.  But Lucas made me a joyful mom, which I am even more thankful for. 




They took him to the scale to weigh and measure him.  He was 6lbs 8oz and 19 3/4 inches long.



Once again, I fell in love with Matt all over again as they handed our son to my husband.  The joy, the excitement, the love was written all over his face. 









We were complete.  Lucas completed our family. 

We moved up to a theme room around 3:30pm and by 4pm Grandma was on her way with an excited little Alyssa. 

I was so excited to introduce Lucas to Alyssa.  She wanted this baby just as much as Matt and I did.  She was beaming from head to toe when she walked into our room.  I have never seen her so proud as when she got to hold her baby brother for the first time.




Alyssa's Birth Story

When Alyssa was born, I became a mom.  Wow, what a journey it has been.  Now that my baby girl is five, her birth story is getting a little more blurry so I wanted to write it out so I would never forget all the details. 

Ever since I was a little girl, playing with my cabbage patch dolls I have longed to be a mother.  I used to play for hours and hours with my dolls, putting them to sleep, feeding them bottles, rocking them and then putting them back to sleep.  I used to dream about what my babies would look like.  I don't remember dressing up as a bride or playing with barbies, as much as I remember playing with my cabbage patch dolls. 

After Matt and I had been married for four years the longing for babies grew and grew.  We had an empty bedroom that shouted its need for a baby.  Before we knew it; only two months into trying; we were pregnant.  I woke up on June 3, 2006 at like three in the morning and I couldn't sleep.  I took a pregnancy test and when the digital test said "pregnant" I jumped for joy.  I then ran into our bedroom and shook Matt awake.  "I'm pregnant.  I'm pregnant.  We are going to be parents," I shouted.  He kind of rolled over, said "Congratulations," gave me a hug and went back to sleep!  Well, I sure couldn't sleep, so I tossed and turned in bed until 4am.  I realized then that I could call my sister as she lived in PEI and they were three hours ahead of us.  So at 7am I woke her up with my exciting news.  And from then on I continued to phone people all morning.   I was so excited that I was pregnant and I was going to be a mom. 

Fast forward, a few months. My pregnancy was progressing perfectly.  We had found out that we were having a baby girl and we were overyjoyed.  I was growing and loving having my baby girl kick and do somersaults in my tummy.  I was enjoying being pregnant.  When I was 29 weeks pregnant,  I started having contractions and they kept coming regularly.  I was at work at the time, and my friend from another doctor's office drove me to the hospital.  The contractions were coming every few minutes and I was scared.  I knew it was too early for Alyssa to be born.  I called Matt, who was in Houston, and asked him to come home as I was so scared.  Matt got on the next plane.  They kept me in the hospital overnight and gave me steroids for Alyssa's lungs and some awful drug to stop the contractions (it made me feel horrible...really nauseas and shaky).  Finally the contractions stopped, just as Matt arrived at the hospital.  I was able to go home but was on strict bedrest.  In the next two weeks, I ended up in the hospital a couple of times with regular contractions but thankfully everytime they stopped.  I was still on bedrest at 32 weeks when I finally didn't have any more contractions. Dr. Chua, my OB, kept me on bedrest though until 35 weeks pregnant when he took me off as they wouldn't try and stop labor if it begun.  Alyssa hung on until 37 weeks 5 days.  Praise the Lord.

On Friday, January 26, 2007 I was downstairs playing Dr. Mario (I love Tetris and Dr. Mario), I noticed that I was contracting but just thought that they were Braxton Hicks.  The contractions were coming every 10 minutes or so and they lasted all through the night.  They weren't too painful though (the preterm labor was  ALOT more painful) and I was able to sleep through them.  When I woke up on Saturday January 27th I was still contracting and they were every five minutes apart.  I was starting to have to breathe through the contractions.  I jumped out of bed and hopped into the shower.  I just knew I was going to have my baby girl that day.  Around 10am I was really having to breathe through the contractions as I was in a lot of pain.  Matt drove me to the hospital, where they discovered I was only 2cm dialated so with a shot of morphine I went home to sleep.  On the way home though, I made Matt stop and get me a booster juice as it was the only thing I thought I could stomach and I knew I had a long day ahead of me.  I slept off and on through that whole day, waking occasionally with a really strong contraction.  The morphine kept me nice and relaxed.  When I woke around 8pm I couldn't handle the contractions anymore.  They were more than I could handle and I knew it was time.  Matt drove me back to the hospital and I was 4cm.  I was being admitted.  I got settled into a labor and delivery room.  Matt ran to the car to get my bags and I asked for an epidural.  (I am not a hero when it comes to pain.) They got me an epideral before Matt even got back from getting my things.  Oh sweet relief.  I could have hugged that anestisiologist.  They nurse checked me again after the epidural and I was at 6cm.  The doctor came in too check me right after that and my water broke and I was 7cm.  Oh, this labor was progressing fast.  I was so thankful we came in when we did and I got the epidural in time.  At one point, the epidural wore off on one side of my body and boy did that hurt.  It hurt so much I couldn't even breathe and I just remember looking into Matt's eyes and pleading with him to breathe with me.  He started breathing and I was able to cope until the anestesiologist came back in to up my epidural.  Oh again, sweet relief!!!  The nurse checked me right after that, at 10pm and I was fully dialated.  But, I was too numb to push.  So the nurse let me rest.  Both Matt and I actually slept for an hour.  At 11pm, my nurse, Linda, came in and said it was time to try and push.  I pushed for 40 minutes and then nurse Linda held Alyssa in while she called for Dr. Chua to hurry.  He ran in and caught, sweet Alyssa at 11:42pm on Saturday, January 27, 2007.  He held her up to me and I could think of was "she is so beautiful."  At that moment I became a mother!!!




Alyssa never cried when she was born so I kept asking if she was okay.  It turned out that they wasn't breathing properly so they called in the respiratory team.  Within minutes the room was flooded with nurses and doctors.  But as they all started attending to her, she let out a little cry and all was well.  I was so relieved and just wanted to hold my sweet little girl. 



She was weighed and measured.  5lbs 15oz and 17 1/4 inches.  They swaddled her up and handed her to daddy.  I fell in love once again, with my husband as I saw the joy and emotion written all over his face.  He was so happy to be a daddy.




After daddy's turn with our sweet girl, it was my turn, the moment I have been waiting for for years.  I got to hold my baby girl.  Tears flowed as I looked into her perfectly precious face.  She was mine. And I was a mom. 

We were moved to a room and I remember just staring at my little girl in her bassinett.  I stared at her for hours and couldn't sleep.  Matt was snoring gently in the corner and I just stared at my beautiful little girl as she slept.  I finally realized, at about 4am, that she was mine and I could pick her up.  So I picked her up and we slept the rest of the night skin to skin.  It was beautiful. 

We came home on Monday, January 27th.  Alyssa had to stay a little extra as I was strep B postive and because she came so quickly, I didn't get the full dose of antibiotics in me before she was born.  She was healthy though, and we got to come home to a freshly cleaned house.  Thanks Grandma. 



The first of many times, I rocked my baby girl in the rocking chair.  Just as I had dreamed of doing so many years ago.