Excited!

February has been a real treat, first because of Auntie Natalie's visit, and now Tito Jeffrey is coming for the weekend! Jeffrey is my cousin, but for all intents and purposes he is the brother I never had. (Incidentally, these two are next in line for the godparent throne.)

No family has visited us since the summer, although we got a fun December visit from Tito Eric and almost got one from Auntie Linzer in January, so I am quite stoked. Now if only Small Human would stop waking up in the wee hours of the morn and we'd be all set. 0_o

Have a wonderful weekend saying good bye to February and saying hello to March!

He Keeps Growing Up

Some days, I feel like Small Human can't grow up fast enough. I can get frustrated like any parent, especially when we have a failure to communicate. He does not yet understand why he can't watch unlimited amounts of Curious George, and I can't understand why he needs to whine all of his requests at top volume. It's a pretty basic, run of the mill, parent-toddler dynamic really.

Then there are the days that make me go, "Holy crap, slow down, baby of mine!". Last night, for the first time, he went to bed like a big boy. I put a pillow in his little toddler bed, which thrilled him to no end. He wanted to read stories in there and then get tucked in with a blanket and everything. Up until now he had been pillow-less and using a sleepsack. My Small Human knew exactly what he wanted, snuggled into his pillow with his blanket tucked around him and asked me to sing him songs. Then he just fell asleep.

Even though I'm with him all day, every day, somehow my baby grew up when I wasn't looking. I take comfort in the fact that he is still little though, even though he is no longer a baby. To me, he will always be the alert, curious newborn I first met in the very early hours one January morning that changed me forever. He will always be the one who made me a mommy. Slow down for just one moment, Time, I need to catch my breath!

Farewell, Auntie Natalie!

We just spent our last morning with Small Human's Auntie Natalie, my sister-in-law. Thank you for visiting us, and for helping out so much with your crazy little monster nephew. That was the first time Brendan and I have had any help at home with a toddler for almost a full week, and I have to admit that it was a huge relief! So that's what it's like to live near family, it's kind of amazing.

I was able to go get my hair cut and then meet my husband for a nice dinner afterward this weekend. It was so weird, kinda like back when we were still dating in Toronto, except almost like it was a foreign concept somehow. That's when I realized how much I missed my husband. We're always so busy now, but it's important to take the time to really spend with just each other. This is something we've known (duh) but never practice (derp).

Then yesterday, I was able to go get my hair blown out at one of those fancy blowdry bars, which I haven't done since my birthday last year. What a treat! I felt so happy and pampered, and glad that my friend Robyn had suggested it. I won't have to worry about the state of my hair for a week, which means a lot to a busy mum.

Seriously, this past week I have been a lady of leisure but I've got to come back down to reality. Thank you Natalie! Be careful, have fun, and go on lots of adventures in Asia for us!

Due Date Sadness

I just realized that my due date for the "Miscarriage Baby" as we call it, would have been April 5th, which is Easter Sunday this year. That means that our baby that wasn't meant to be, would have been born in the year of the sheep on Easter Sunday, just like I was.

Maybe it's cause today's a grey, rainy day, or maybe I'm just extra emotional but that made me so sad. It's a silly thing to be sad about I suppose. Life doesn't always turn out perfectly, sometimes you hit the mark and sometimes you don't, but you just keep going.

Most days for the last five months, I have been just fine, but sometimes I have a little cry now and then and that's ok. I doubt that this experience will ever fully leave me, even years from now, and that is something I am going to have to accept. It's ok to be sad sometimes, it's ok to cry, and I am also ok with that, I'm still healing.

Have a wonderful Thursday, lovely people, thanks for reading.

Nope

Nope is Small Human's favourite word right now, and perfectly describes how I feel about getting things done this week. We have been soooooo tired, because we no longer sleep through the night. For some reason, two years old brought with it some weird sleep regression that has caused our Small Human to wake up multiple times a night. It's awful. Last night he woke up at 3am, 5am, and then 6am. I ended up just taking him into the living room, giving him some milk, and sleeping on the couch. Much to my surprise he said, "Peep!" which means sleep, and fell asleep with me on the couch too. For two hours! Clearly, the kid is tired. I don't know what else to do other than wait out what is likely a severely annoying phase, probably associated with new skill development.

We are kind of a mess around here right now, but at least the weather has been amazing. Warm and sunny in February is not something Brendan and I are used to. We needed a bit of a morale booster, so I suggested some family fun time this weekend, which helped a bit. This is what we got up to, and I have to admit, these pictures have been helping me to get through this week.

That Personality Tho

Small Human actually has opinions and knows what he wants and doesn't want now, it's really funny. For example, he absolutely insisted the other day that the fawn sticker I had put on his hand was actually a moose. "Nope. Moose. Moose, mommy." The kid doesn't speak in full sentences yet and I'm already being told I'm wrong.

At night when we put him to bed he asks for "Song, mommy. Song, song." and I am always happy to oblige. What a little sweetheart, he's got me hook, line and sinker. My absolute most favourite thing that he asks for now though, is something near and dear to my heart because I used to do it too when I was little. He asks me to Ugga Mugga, which is a nose kiss that we both learned from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, me 30+ years ago, and him, now.

Some days, it still blows my mind that I'm a 35 year old adult with a little son. In my head, I still feel 8 sometimes, or 25 another day, or even 17. Isn't it strange how that is? You'll always just be you, with the incredible memories of the things you've done in your life, but just a little bit older and wiser, until one day you look in the mirror and realize that you've definitely changed.

Now there's a little boy who lives in my house, who is creating his own new memories of the life he is living. He is developing likes, dislikes, and seeing everything with fresh eyes. I'm so honoured that I am playing a hand in his journey. I get so overwhelmed sometimes when he is misbehaving, or he is running around like a huge ball of energy on my low energy days and I'm having trouble keeping up. I have to remind myself that I'm really only on the journey with him for a short time, and I've got to cherish these Ugga Muggas for as long as he still wants to give them to his Momie, before I just become Mom-can-I-have-money-please?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Happy Valentine's Day, and happy birthday to Noah's Uncle Mark!

My little gamer

My Little American

Now that Small Human is starting to speak more and more real words, it has become apparent that he has a bit of an odd accent. It definitely isn't what we thought it would be, and we're not sure why. He doesn't sound like a Seattleite and he doesn't sound Canadian either. He sounds like a New Yorker and sometimes a Chicagoan! WTF right? It's hilarious and I hope it doesn't ever stop.

Short post, but I wanted you all to know we're still alive and well, and full of spunky attitude. 16 degrees Celsius (61 F) in Seattle today and mostly sunny. Happy Thursday!

Two Year Favourites

Well, I have a two year old. With this comes an ever growing vocabulary and greater comprehension, but also a child who will test your limits endlessly. I'd have to say that Small Human is both at the cutest he has ever been and the most frustrating. His personality is really starting to show, and it is evident that I've got a sweet boy who is eager to please, but very curious and adventurous. This means he is quick to get into all sorts of trouble, but always very penitent about it if it's something off limits. Every time I think he's reached his maximum energy levels, he proves me wrong and somehow gets even more so. It's kind of impressive, but really exhausting!

I wanted to share a few of Small Human's new favourite things. Some things have remained favourites, like his fire chief hat and Max & Ruby books, so I won't include them in the new list.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

We have had this book since he was born, but it has only just now become his most favourite book ever. It's such a cute story and easy read that we don't mind reading it to him multiple times a day. He loves to try to read along with us, pointing out the pie eating moose, or the moon and apples.

Battat Take-A-Part Roadster

This was a birthday present from his friends, and Small Human is obsessed with it. It comes with a toy drill and little drill bits that are in constant use in our house. In fact, when we cease to hear the whirring of the drill motor, we worry and hurry off to investigate what he could be up to instead!

LeapFrog Scribble and Write

His Tita Joy gave him this awesome little computer toy for Christmas (along with 75 other things!) and he loves it so much. It's still slightly old for him, but I think he's really starting to get it and is trying to draw the letters. He still gets really frustrated if he can't get it, but thankfully he is good at asking for help.

Freshly Picked Moccasins

I never would have purchased these at full price, but there was an amazing Black Friday sale so I had to jump on it. My guy is really into shiny footwear, he was always trying to wear his girlfriends' sparkly shoes, so I thought I'd get him his own pair. He calls them his "mockins" and they are his absolute favourite shoe of all time, it's really adorable. They look really comfy too.

~*Happy Tuesday, friends!*~

Organic Schmorganic

I shouldn't be surprised that my son is a picky eater, since he comes from picky eater stock. Brendan and I were both pretty picky as kids but great food lovers now. I had such high hopes of having a toddler I could feed organic fruits and veggies and meats, and I do still give him whole grains and organic milk. My problem is that his favourite things to eat are bacon, french fries, tortellini (or "lini" as he calls it) and toast with peanut butter. My Small Human at least always tries to eat bananas or kale or carrots, but I'm pretty sure most of it gets spit out.

This mama is resigned to letting her son eat pancakes and veggie smoothies for dinner. He's tall, really strong, and getting smarter every day, so I'm not that worried. It's just really annoying when all I want is for him to eat good, healthy things, and it's embarrassing for me when he yells, "Noah cookie!" when we're out and about, making me look like all I do is feed him cookies. Honestly, some days I feel like I'm winning when he eats anything at all, even if it's a cookie.

I know it's just another weird toddler phase, and one day he'll be eating us out of house and home, but just allow me to vent my present frustration please. Now excuse me while I pour myself a small glass of cold pressed juice. Just kidding. Maybe.

Eating an apple slice to prove my whole blog post, wrong.

No Motivation

I am really sorry for disappearing this last week, but I'm in a bit of a rut because of this cold Small Human and I have. To top it all off, my bunny was sick, we are having some incredibly disgusting grey weather, and then our Seahawks lost the Super Bowl. I'm not even that huge of a sports fan (unless we are talking about my beloved Montreal Habs, then I go cray), but the city's morale has definitely been taken down a couple notches.

Life goes on, though! We've been taking it easy, Skyping with family, getting chores done around the house, cooking every day, exploring, play dates, head bonks at the park, and trying to keep up with my fitness routine. I managed to fit in a high tea girl date too, which was super fun and gave me ideas for my upcoming April birthday!

The biggest thing I realized about life is that nothing at all matters to me, unless everyone I love is healthy and happy. When Small Human fell and gave himself a bloody goose egg, my stomach was in knots until the next day. Then when Tidbit stopped eating for a few hours late at night, I was inconsolable and refused to leave her side in case she went into shock overnight. I slept by her enclosure equipped with a heating pad for her.

I may have a love problem. I love way too hard and just want to help everyone as much as I can, so much that it can make me go a little crazy. That may or may not be the cheesiest thing I have ever said in my life, the jury is still out on that one.

I hope you are all having a lovely week filled with things that make you happy! Happy Hump Day!

Go Hawks!