Baby Makes 4

   So it would seem that a lot has happened since my last post, most significantly is that I have given birth to our second son.  We have all been so excited for Baby O's arrival, so naturally he was late.  41 weeks and 2 days to be exact.

   We have been settling in to life as a family of four.  T loves his new brother, but still needs to learn about personal space.  Unfortunately T had a fever and cold when O was born and for the first week so we had to keep them apart as much as possible.  I felt awful telling T, "No, you can't hug your brother", "No, you can't hold O", etc.  T has been amazing through this adjustment, and now that he is better the boys can bond and be together.  I love watching T talk to the baby and when O cries T always comes over and says, "I think he wants his big brother".  I can't wait to see these two grow up together.  I only hope they are as good of friends as my sister and I are and R and his brother are.  I love that from now on they have each other to turn to in good times and bad (though I hope the bad times are few and far between).

   I don't have much else to say yet about life as a family of four aside from the fact that I feel so blessed.  I have an amazing husband and now two wonderful sons.  We are settling in nicely around here and I hope it stay that way.

Our House

    T and I went by the house this weekend and the renos really are underway.  We haven't been by much.....as it's not really the most child or pregnant lady-friendly environment, what with being a construction site and all.  This weekend was huge for us, we now have a second floor and bedroom for Rico and I.

   I find this all so exciting.  I guess it's because I've never lived in an actual house before.   I grew up in an apartment and lived in either a condo or other apartments since.  So the idea of living in a house, with all that space is thrilling.  Every time I go to the house (or Rico shows me pictures) I get little butterflies in my stomach.  Much like being a teenager and thinking about the boy you like.  I know we still have a few months to go until we can live in the house, but I love seeing it all come together.   I love thinking about our boys living there, holidays we will spend there, family dinners and traditions that will take place in our house.  That is what I look forward to the most, creating memories for our boys.

Dinner Time

   I have to say some days the thought of thinking of something to make for dinner is too much for me....such a tough life I know.  Then there are days like today that I love making dinner.  I find a recipe that sounds amazing and I can't wait to see how it turns out.  I've attached the blog I got tonight's dinner from incase you're interested, feta stuffed turkey meatloaf .  Luckily, for all of in our house, most days fall somewhere in between these two extremes.

   What are your ideas for keeping yourself motivated when it comes to meal times?  I don't want to end up being one of the houses that has the same meal every Monday, Tuesday...etc.

Home Renovations

  Maybe it's because it's our first house and maybe it's because we aren't living in the renovations but I am so excited about our renovations.  It helps that R is a fantastic contractor with amazing ideas.  I look forward to the design and layout part of the renovations the most.  I love planning and seeing how it all works out.

  What really excites me about this whole process may just be a fantasy.  That is organization!!  Specifically, I can't wait to come up with a system to keep our entrance way tidy.  That means a place for our keys, our change, a system (that works) for our mail, somewhere for our coats, hats and mitts to go.  I love the idea of walking into the house and having a place to put things and have it look clean.  I hope this all works out the way I want it to, the way I think it can.  Here are a couple images I found of what my dream mud room may one day look like.

 There is so much to look forward to in our lives right now, I can't wait to share it with you as it all progresses.

Emotional Boys

I have been thinking a lot about how to raise a boy.  I want to raise him to be a good man.  A man who treats others well, who is fair and kind.  I also want him to be a man's man.  To be strong and capable but at the same time I want him to be in touch with his emotions and his sensitive side.  So how do I do that?  How do you create that balance?

I feel it is important for children (boys especially) to be given words and ways of expressing their emotions.  I try to label T's feelings whether he is happy or sad but also when he is mad or frustrated.  I don't want to (for lack of a better word) make him a sissy I just want him to be aware of his feelings.  We play rough with T, let him get dirty, fall, get hurt and get back up.  We give him trucks and swords and "boy toys".  On the other hand, when he cries we cuddle him and tell him, "it's okay" and we love him.  T has a doll and a tea set.  Is this setting up the right balance?  Is there such a thing as "the right balance"?

I find myself thinking of T as a future grown-up, a member of society.  I try to think of the kind of man I want him to become.  I think of the men I have known, those in my life now and those that are no longer a part of it for whatever reason, and I try to think of all the good parts of those men and try to compile what it means to be a good man.

How do you teach a boy to be a good man?  I don't know.  I think it has to do with the role models a boy has (both male and female) and the interactions he sees and participates in.  I don't know the answers here I just hope we are setting T on the right path.

MadMen

I'm watching an old episode of the show Mad Men and sometimes wonder what it was like to live in those times. More specifically to be a women and a wife/mother in those times.

I have to admit I love the scene when the daughter is running around with a plastic dry cleaning bag on her head. The mother calls her over and says, that the clean clothes better not be on the floor or else she is in trouble. I love that that is the concern. Not that the kid has a plastic bag on her head but about the dry cleaning.

Now, this mamma wonders, is that a simpler time or an uneducated time??

Family Picture

I really have nothing to post about today but I wanted to share this picture I came across today. It may be my favourite family picture so far. It is a self pic that R took of us on our trip to NYC last summer.

Happy Humpday to all.

I know it's bad.....

I have just gotten back from an amazing weekend in Paris with my family. I love traveling with my boys. We have so much fun and I love watching T explore new places. Traveling is something I love and I'm so happy to share it with T.

However, on our way home I always feel really good about myself and my family when I see other families and how hassled they seem. There was one family yelling at their kids in the airport and another Dad getting really pissy with his son getting into the car. I can't help it, I know it's bad but it really does make me feel like a

great parent. Now don't get me wrong, I get annoyed with T and with R but the traveling doesn't stress me out. Coming home makes me sad our vacation is over but we always seem like a closer family after spending time together. Seeing other parents, who frankly don't seem to be enjoying their family at all, makes me value my family even more.

So thanks to the stressed out traveling families for helping me appreciate my family even more.

Terrible Twos already?!

Well I've always said T thinks he is older then he really is, so why does it surprise me that we have hit the terrible twos early? Full on with temper tantrums and all. We have already had more then one full on melt downs today and it's only 1;30. Oh help me people. The worst part of it might be dealing with it in public. I don't mind the people looking on, it's that T hams it up when other people are around. He loves an audience.

No wait.....the worst part is definitely all the "no" and the "mine" I hear all day. Everything I ask him is "no" whether he means it or not.

me: "T you want a cookie"

T: "no....cookie, please"

I give him the cooking and then it's, "mine!"

All day this is what I hear, "no, no, no, no........" It's a good thing he is still super cute because otherwise I may have a baby for sale (just kidding, by the way). It's too bad he is still too young to bribe him with Santa threats.

Sweet Sweet Baby

This mamma is going to use this post to do a bit of bragging....consider yourself warned

I have the sweetest baby, ever. Not only is he sweet and cuddly with me and his other grown-ups, he is so generous with other children. Today I bought him a new pacifier, which was actually a package of two. He was so excited when I showed him the package he wanted it opened right away. I told him I first had to sterilize them but he could have them after his nap. After dinner I remembered the pacifier and showed T. Again he was so excited so I gave him one. After a few minutes he noticed the second one. Instead of demanding that one as well, as many children would do, T said it was for "NoNoNo" (his "girlfriend"). I said, "okay we can give it to her next time we see her." Well T did not agree with that, he was very insistent we give it to her right then. He was at the front door with the pacifier saying, "NoNoNo, that" and pointing to the door. Sweet baby just wanted to share with his girlfriend. So I packed him up and walked over to her house (luckily it's close by or else we wouldn't have gone). As soon as we saw her, T was handing over the pacifier. He was so happy to give it to her. It really was the sweetest thing.

I don't know what I have done to have a baby who is so sweet, with a kind, loving heart but I am so blessed.

Mamma loves you BuggyBoy xoxo

Halloween

Well it's that spooky time of year again. Time to dress the little one up and pimp him out for candy.....seems wrong doesn't it?! So why am I doing it? Well I think I already said why, candy. We have T's costume all ready to go and we are going to take him and one of his friends to a few of our neighbours houses. I am really looking forward to it. I know T won't know what is going on but it will be fun. Most importantly it will be some family time (and did I mention candy?). I love these little moments when we can do things all together.

I'll post a picture of T all decked out after Halloween.

Enjoy yours

Wow I realize I may be the worst blogger ever! No really, how long has it been since my last post? I think it's over a month, maybe getting close to two. Sorry folks.

This Mamma has been very run down lately. T has been sick and teething, for what feels like forever, and last week I finally got his cold. Needless to say we are keeping the tissue companies in business right now.

The other new and oh so exciting development here is the early on set of toddler behaviours. I know T is almost a toddler so I shouldn't be surprised...but I was really hoping they would hold off a bit longer. You know in lieu of never being a great sleeper, I wouldn't have to deal with tantrums so soon. That is obviously not my luck. So now I have a 14 month old throwing fits, with fake crying and all, when he doesn't get his own way. The worst seems to be at mealtime when I outrageously, expect T to eat his food and he wants to play with it...or more accurately, in it. I know we will get through this but for now it's timeouts and mamma trying to stay calm.

To all the Mamma's out there, Breath

Will this tooth just come already!?!...

Another Friday night and I've been in bed with T since 8:00. R is out with his friends, and most of me is happy for him, the other part of me is a bit jealous and a bit lonely. I can't remember how long this bout of teething has been going on for but it feels like forever! I miss our old routine of putting T to bed and then spending some grown-up time together. I mean we were together for years just the two of us. Now don't get me wrong, I would happily spend ever night cuddled up snug with the bug, I do miss R and our time together too.

So now we wait for the teeth (yes plural) to make their big appearance and then we can get T back on schedule and in his own bed. Although I think that sounds much easier then it's actually going to be, seeing as T now thinks our bed is his bed. I will say, "bedtime" or "go night-night" and he goes to our nice, big, cozy king size bed. If you now ask him where his bed is, he'll point to ours and say, "there". Right now I think this is funny but I know soon it will just be a lot of tears. All I can say is, thank god it's a king size bed.

I don't know how other people, with kids have beds smaller then a king. How do you all fit in there? I joke with R saying a smaller be is just uncivilized but part of me believes that. If we had a smaller bed R would have been sleeping on the couch during this ordeal. I know he manages to sleep through 99% of the times T wakes up but it would be even worst if I knew he was sound asleep downstairs while I was waking up 3, 4, 5, even 6 times a night. I would have been a cranky bunny.

I feel like this post has been a lot of complaining and for that I am sorry....I blame the tooth and the lack of sleep. Hopefully the next one will be more upbeat.

That's all this mamma says for now....

It's Nice to be Loved

I am currently sitting outside on a beautiful end of summer morning, under the lilac tree enjoying the sun and a quiet moment. I am also child-free right now. T has run off next door, to visit his uncle back form Italy, after 6 weeks. It gives me a chance to think just how lucky we are to have so many people in our lives who truly love T.

I come from a very large family and have always taken for granted the people who love me. I have 32 aunts and uncles on one side of the family alone, countless cousins and add in close family friends and we are well beyond 100 people in my everyday life who care about me. I thought this was totally normal. I didn't see anything special about having a small Christmas dinner of only 15 to 20 people. It wasn't until I was older that I realized not everybody is so luck.

So now with my only son I want to surround him with people that love him and care for him....and luckily I have been able to. We are so fortunate to have people in our family, and friends who we have made our chosen family, to love T. I know these people will always be there for us and it warms my heart. I know these people love my son and it makes me love them more.

So to all these people this post is for you. I want you to know that I appreciate all you do for us, T in particular. For all the love you bring into our lives, I hope one day I can do the same for you.

xoxo

One Year Old

Well it is finally here, T's 1st birthday. I can't help but remember the day he was born and him as a newborn. He was the cutest baby, ever (okay I know I'm bias but he really was cute). He was 8 lbs of cuteness. He was a very easy baby that first day. He actually was a great baby all along. My only complaint was that he didn't sleep well. He only wanted to sleep on me, preferably on the breast. And I let him. He was just so tiny and sweet, I didn't want to put him down.

I barely remember the early days with T, I was too sleep deprived. I remember nursing a lot and not sleeping much. Which I guess explains why I don't remember anything. I do remember that first day/night at home. I remember who was here and all the calls we got. I have never felt so loved by the people in my life. Everyone calling with well wishes or stopping by to see our newest addition. Some people surprised me so much. There were friends that I never would have guessed to be baby people, who were so excited to meet T and want to hold him. It was sweet seeing our male friends holding T for the first time. They all had that same look on their face. It was a look of, "OMG, am I going to break this baby?"

One of my favourite memory of the day T was born was coming home in the pouring rain and people were already at our house awaiting our (well really just T's) arrival. A little while after we were home R's younger brother was over visiting. He was so nervous holding the baby but the look he gave T was one that can only be described as pure love and awe. For the longest time that was how it was between the two of them. G was nervous but so in love with the baby. Now he isn't nervous anymore but still so in love with T.

As I look back I can't help but think of T's future. Of the boy he is becoming and the man he will one day become. I am so blessed to have him as my son. I love him more then I could ever say and I hope he always knows that. I have many dreams and wishes for him as he grown but the most important is I hope he always feels the love his father and I have for him. That he grows up to be a good man, who is secure in himself and those around him.

I love you baby!

Love Mamma

xoxo

831

Shhhhh!

So I have a monkey, who thinks it's a good idea to wake-up at 11:45 PM and play. Even worst I have a husband who seems to agree. T woke-up for his dreamfeed and then really woke-up. He was trying to find the zipper on his sleep sack so his dad came over to help him and they were off. Seriously! R got T up and went downstairs to play! T was so excited to be up, I could hear him laughing and screaming with joy. After about 10 minutes or so, they came back up and T came into our bed and I said it was time to sleep but he was too excited.....over tired and excited a dangerous combination. He was trying to get us to play, pulling out all his tricks. The elephant noise, kisses, blowing kisses.....the works. I told him to lay down, it was time to sleep. He fell back and laughed.

He was awake from 11:45 until about 1:30. He was tossing and turning and crawling on me, cuddling up. He was so tired but just didn't want to fall asleep. As much as I love the cuddling and that he wanted to sleep on me, I am SO tired now. I vaguely remember a time when I use to go out until 7 AM and get up feeling fine 4 or 5 hours later but now I am wiped. I guess that's getting older for you. That combined with being a mum, I just need my energy for T, because he takes a lot of energy.

Speaking of energy, T started walking this week. He is now a man on a mission. Although, he won't walk when I ask him to, it has to be on his own terms and for his own reason. His favourite it walking outside with his little push car. He is all over the backyard, now all he has to do is learn to steer.

Watch out world here comes Thor!!

GNO

This mamma remembers a day wen a night out with a friend wasn't such a big deal. Now it takes planning and careful timing. I want to be able to stay out and have a good time but I have to be home for a dreamfeed. Plus I can't get there until after T is in bed. Makes me wonder why did I give up pumping? Oh right, I didn't give up pumping, pumping gave up on me. Next time.....there is always next time.

I am actually really looking forward to going out tonight, even if it is only with one other mum (let's see if we can stay off mummy talk). I really have to try to get out with my friends more often. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that my bed is so inviting most nights. Plus, if I plan one night out a week and so does Rico and then we have friends over once or twice and then Rico has at least one work night we really aren't spending any time together. Which is something we are trying to do more of. It's become so easy to take our time together for granted. We use to talk or read or even watch a movie together but now it often ends up with me on my computer upstairs and Rico on his downstairs. I don't take it personal but I know Rico finds it hard......I digress......

The point today it I'm looking forward to GNO tonight. Sarah, get my vodka tonic for me if I'm running late :)

Another day in the land of the sleep deprived. Ok so I know I have nobody to blame for it this time but myself. I let T sleep in our bed last night....gasp now. It just so cozy and it usually means I can stay in bed longer so it seems like a good idea. Well not last night. T woke up in the middle of the night and was whiney and moving all about until I caved and nursed him...gasp again. Well I'd love to say I've learned from this and I will not be doing it again but I know that's a lie.

So we are now into the birthday countdown and I'm finding it really sad. He's just getting so big, next thing I know he'll be off to Uni and then getting married and having his own babies....I'm not ready to be a grandmother!? Ok so the rational part of my brain knows I'm not becoming a grandmother for a very long time still but as I said I'm a frequent visiter to the land of the sleep deprived, i.e. not rational. I've just made the invitations to go out to a few of his little friends and am now looking for a good cake recipe. I am also in the process of making his birthday photo book, basically a year in review...way to dwell on him getting bigger.

Oh well babies grow. I can't stop it. I think I'll just have to try and enjoy it and take lots of pictures (our poor second child, there is no way I can take as many pictures when we do this all again)

From the Mummyhood......see you later

Well here we go

Ok so this is it....I've joined the blogging world. Will anybody actually read this? Would I? Who knows, but I'm going to find out.

We have just finished a crazy busy weekend. The highlight being my bestie's wedding. It was a great day, it was just LONG! Especially for an 11 month old. Thor was awesome all weekend. From the rehearsal dinner to the wedding ceremony and the reception we couldn't have asked for anything more from him (since he was running about 6 hours short on sleep by the time Saturday night cam around).

I may not have it all figured out but at least I'm keeping up.