Spring has Sprung

On Sunday, April 17, 2011 Mack turned 34 months old.
2 more months until his 3rd birthday.
(Which means 2 more months (less a day) until my 30th. Silently.freaking.out)

On Friday I walked to pick up the boys from daycare (joined by my mom & Bosco)

It happened to be a nice spring day. I'm trying to get out and walk as much as possible now that the weather is nicer. The walk on the way there was easy, but on the way home, adding in an almost 30 lb Mackenzie into the double stroller, was quite the workout. I was beat upon returning home.

On Saturday we did a bit of gardening in the house, we planted our seeds for our vegetable garden. Both boys helped, and Sean was really into it. I can't wait to actually plant everything outside. We planted different kinds of cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, red & green peppers, lettuces, spaghetti squash, you name it. I can smell the fresh vegetables already.

Last night we had Jamie's side of the family over for Passover for the first Seder. I believe this is my 2nd time doing a seder at our house (maybe 3rd, but I think just 2nd). It's a LOT of work. I did a lot of prep work on Sunday (as well as some of the cooking beforehand over the last few weeks) and then didn't sit down for one second from the time I got up yesterday (early too) until our guests left after 10 pm last night.(11,503 steps walked today - which is considered very active, thank you pedometer!) Then we had to get the kids to bed, then there was a freak-out over a missing Brobee - whom was later found under the couch in the playroom after Mack finally fell asleep without him - which I then snuck into his room and placed Brobee on his pillow so he'd be there in the morning for him. So I didn't get to bed until about midnight last night. Oh what a day. Thankfully Passover is just once a year. And luckily we just just fit all 17 of us (18 with Quentin) at the tables (I picked up 2 extra folding tables, which are handy to own). The kids had a fantastic time with their cousin (who is 5 months younger than Mack almost to the day) who came in from Ottawa. It was nice to see family, but what a mess there is to clean up now (slowly been doing dishwasher loads and hand washing my fine china). Tonight, the seder is at my parent's house, and I will get to sit back and enjoy myself this time. Quentin didn't want anyone but me last night (and I was serving all night) so I'm going to assume he's going to cling to me tonight too.

Happy Passover to those of you whom celebrate.

Today's Link & Other Love:
- These teacher appreciation ideas.
- Knitting your own nuptials and other souvenirs.
- This cute shirt idea for boys.
- Losing 24.4 lbs since January 1st.
- These adorable knit legwarmers.
- My new neighbors whom I finally got to meet have a daughter 10 days younger than Quentin. It's nice to have new friends within feet.
- This photo scavenger hunt idea for kids.

12.22.10

Today was the big day. Quentin's Brit Milah. This morning before we left, I caught him chillin' in his chair with his legs crossed. Symbolism much?

When we got there, I applied Emla cream (a topical anesthetic).
Sean was being so sweet with Quentin.

Everything went smoothly. Quentin did cry a bit during the actual circumcision, but I don't know if that is actually what he was crying over. Not sure how much he actually felt, obviously. Poor guy. Thankfully it's over and done with now. The Rabbi was absolutely wonderful, and he'll be coming on Friday to check on Quentin. I like the service he provides and absolutely 150% recommend him. Very happy. He even made me text him when I got home to tell him that I took off one part of the bandage (gauze) that I was supposed to remove) and let him know something else he asked me about. I was supposed to go see him on Friday with Quentin in his office, but I realized that I have all the kids home on Friday, and Sean & Mack have no daycare, so I asked him if he minded coming to me - and he said it wouldn't be a problem.

This evening we hung out at home and played some games. Sean got Hungry Hungry Hippo as a gift today from my Aunt, and it was a great game we could all play together. We had a good time. I need to see if there are any other games that are age appropriate for Sean & Mack that we can play all together. I really want to start a "game night" in our house, as the kids get older. I find it's important to have family time.

Quentin was a bit cranky tonight (understandably), though he discovered the capacity of his lungs tonight, I hope it's not a long night. I've already given him one dose of Tempra, and hopefully he will not need much more. Praying for a calm night.

Tonight Jamie brought me a gift. His name is Coby. I think I might be in love.

Today's Link Love:
- No idea how to get a baby to stay in this pose. I tried with Quentin. Not so easy. Thinking about taking her workshop in May, but it's kinda pricey. She only will let you do her workshop if you live outside 200 km from her - which I do. (She's in Ottawa and doesn't want Ottawa photographers to steal her clients, etc... that's why). I lover her work. Too bad her price is steep.
- Love the colors and composition of this photo too.
- Happy Holidays! (Maybe I can find a Santa hat that will fit Quentin!? Though, I'm running out of time. I know I have a 12 month (Sean's first Xmas) one, and possibly still a 6 month (Mack's first Xmas) one, but not newborn.)
- I am starting to look to buy props for newborn photography. I want to get funky bowls like this and neat blankets too.

ps- Happy Birthday Mom!

12.17.10 :: 30 Months Old

Mack is 30 months old today // 2 and a half years old.

This morning the Rabbi (who is a mohel) came to see us to go over everything for Quentin's Brit Milah next week. I was having a really hard time finding a mohel as the one that we used for Sean & Mackenzie passed away 7 months after Mackenzie was born. I had made a few phone calls, one mohel likes to "pre-cut" the baby, and I am not cool with that. One mohel I've seen him doing the ceremony "in the air" and the baby not strapped down. I am not cool with that too. Some ask the mother to leave the room, I am NOT cool with that. I called one guy, who came recommended but his cell phone was off. So then I called another name on the list that I was recommended as well, but not by as many people, but wanted to feel him out with a few questions, and I hit the jack pot. Speaking to this mohel on the phone made me feel comfortable choosing him. He answered my questions very well, and didn't seem old at all (old = shaky hands = maybe not such a good idea). So this morning, the mohel came to visit us. He went over everything that will happen the day of. He went over everything that I need to get. He made me feel very comfortable with letting him do this procedure to Quentin. Comfort is key. Very important in my books. Also - he was trained by a pediatric doctor in London, England (where he's from - he's been in Montreal for 10 years though now). I originally wanted to have a doctor do the procedure, but then when I realized I had to still pay a rabbi and the doctor, it was getting a little too expensive, so that's when I decided to just find a mohel (rabbi) who could do it. The fact that this mohel does it 'medically' made me feel VERY comfortable with my final decision.

After the mohel left, Quentin and I crawled into my bed, and took a nice nap. You see, I'm really taking advantage of napping when the baby naps.

This afternoon I set up my bedroom and did another photoshoot with Quentin. I still was looking for "the shot" for Babies of the Year in the Gazette. I wanted to enter Quentin in the paper, as I did with Sean & Mackenzie, and didn't have a photo I absolutely wanted to use. Today, I got "the shot" (above). I love love love it! Took a while to get him to pass out again (after our long nap), but it was worth the wait.

For those of you curious, here's the set-up I did in my bedroom. To the left you have a space heater. I set up a trunk with a blanket over it (for comfort) and then my black backdrop (black material). And it's set up in front of my big patio door windows in my bedroom for the maximum natural light. And voila... you have a make-shift studio in the comfort of your own home. (The space heater is a MUST when photographing a newborn/baby).

This evening we venture out for dinner all 5 of us. We managed pretty good. It was our first time out for dinner in a restaurant all 5 of us. Quentin slept through dinner, and the boys were pretty good as well. I even ran an errand (with all 3 kids alone) while waiting for Jamie to show up from work at the restaurant. I think I am finding my groove as a mom of 3 kids. I may not have more than 2 hands, but I think I can totally handle everything!

12.16.10 :: 130 weeks old

Mack is 130 weeks old today.

Today I ventured out of the house just to take Quentin to the CLSC to get him weighed. We’re nearing Brit Milah time, and I have the Rabbi (Mohel) coming to my house to see Quentin to make sure he’s okay for the Bris and go over everything. I absolutely hate going to to the CLSC now because they treat me like I am a first time mom and have no idea what I am doing. It’s like “thank you, but this is my third baby, and it’s not the first small baby either”. (I make ‘em tiny and evict them early… what can I say?) The next CLSC walk-in weigh in is Tuesday, but I think I will ask my nurse that I have been dealing with if she minds coming over on Monday. As of today, Quentin is now 5 lbs 6 oz. He gained 1.5 oz since Monday (Or 40 grams since Monday). This isn’t that great, because from Saturday to Monday he gained 40 grams a day for a total of 80 grams. Maybe he's just having a slow week/couple of days? The nurses really make you paranoid… and I’m trying to ignore it. It’s not as if he lost weight… he’s just having a few slow days.

I tried to work on a few things today, but the most important was to clean in my office. I’ve had piles of stuff (magazines, mail, random stuff piling up on my 2nd desk in my office. I wanted to get it all organized, and did a good job doing that today, while Quentin napped.

Though, speaking of napping, I have been taking advantage of ‘sleeping when the baby sleeps’. It’s taken me THREE kids to figure this one out... but I have been napping when Quentin naps, and I have been napping with Quentin. He’s so cozy to nap with. I love it. And they are only small once. I swear, I'm really savoring EVERY moment with him, since he'll be my last baby/newborn.

I finally got around to using the Spray Starch on the bookmarks for the teacher’s gifts. I ironed them and they came out nice. I have been putting together the teacher’s gifts for them which I want to bring to the daycare next week. I still have a few more items to make for the gifts, hopefully I will have time to finish them all. I am hoping they all come out like I want them to.

Today’s Link Love:
- Love this Sew Comfy Wrist warmers Tutorial.
- I am in love with this Alphabet Pillow.
- This photo of this newborn is just too cute. (I have a thing for newborn photography right now… can you tell?!) I have people telling me I should start doing photo sessions.. Toying with the idea… I do have a photography degree after all.. maybe I should put it to use!
- This photography just kills me with thhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/drulia/4610586950/e hats…! So freakin’ cute.
- Unsure as to why they are in a tub..!?
- Great photo and LOVE the name of her company… Little Bums, Fingers & Toes!

09.27.10 :: 195 weeks old

Sean is 195 weeks old today.

Right now it's the Jewish Holiday of Sukkot. The nearest synagogue to us, has a Mega Block Sukkot on their property. It's the coolest thing ever. Sean wants to bring it home & use it as a fort. I think it's the coolest thing ever. I'm wondering how they got this many mega blocks.

I started a headband for a friend today.

I also finished a headband for a friend today.

SPECS:
Pattern: 86-10 Headband in Alaska by DROPS design (My Ravelry Project)
For: My friend Naomi
Yarn: 0.34 skein of Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash in 817
Needles: US 8 - 5.0 mm
Size: Followed instructions
Timeline: September 27, 2010
Modifications: None, knit pattern as written.
Opinion: I've made one of these for my cleaning lady last year. This year my friend Naomi requested one. I still want to make myself one, I just love this pattern. I hope Naomi likes hers when she receives it (hopefully sometime next week).

Had my glucose test today at the hospital. I don't remember getting nauseas after drinking that liquid after I did the same test with my pregnancies for Sean & Mackenzie. One of the boys I had to go back and do the 3 hour test. I can't remember which one at the moment. Luckily I didn't have gestational diabetes with either pregnancy, so I am hoping that I don't have it this time again. I drank the stuff, waited the hour (chatting up with a few people in the waiting room who were admiring what I was knitting (see above to what they were admiring) and then had to do a blood test after the hour was up. The nurse really wasn't that great today and jabbed my arm with the needle. She really wasn't gentle all, and I was already feeling quite faint. I really hope that I don't have to go back to do the 3 hour glucose test. I see my doctor this week, so we'll see what she has to say about my test results (which she should have received this afternoon). With less than 10 weeks to go til I hit 37 weeks, I really hope that I don't have to deal with gestational diabetes, on top of the placenta praevia. That.would.just.suck. Baby boy didn't like the liquid I had to drink today... he was moving around the entire hour after I drank it. Very active little guy.

march thirty

I got a lot of stuff done today. I had a long list of things to do once I got home from taking Sean to daycare, Mack to swimming and then back to daycare to drop off Mack. In swimming today, we got to hang out with Mack’s friend Jeremy (who is 2 months younger than him) and realized that another friend, Emily (whom used to come to Jelly Bean Jess’ music class that I organized last year) was in our class as well. It’s fun to have friends in mom & tot classes. I also learned that the Quarterback for the Montreal Alouettes, Anthony Calvillo, brings his daughter to swimming on Tuesday mornings as well. He’s in Mexico this week, but should be back next week. Jamie wants me to get an autograph. I’m thinking about bringing my Grey Cup hat from when I went to the cup the year before last, to get it signed. The only thing is – the hat that I have, they lost that year on home turf. Though, last year (2009) they won. Oh well. We’ll see if I can get an autograph. It may take me a few weeks to get the courage to ask him.

I spent a good portion of my time this afternoon re-organizing the crawl space in our basement. I was looking for a box that had some clothing in it, as well, it was a huge mess. Don’t you just love knowing where everything is, when it’s nice & tidy? I am really happy that I managed to sort that out, re-organize a bunch of boxes, and clean up in there. I also had some boxes of clothing that Mack has recently outgrown to put into storage. When Sean outgrows his clothing, it goes into a box in Mack’s closet, until he fits into it, but now I have everything under size 24 months / size 2 to store in our crawl space, as Mack has now outgrown everything.

I also managed to hand wash all the fine china that was used last night. There was no way I was putting that into the dishwasher. The china was from our registry when we got married, and is very delicate. Oh, and the never ending laundry – yeah, did a bit of that too, because you know, there was some to be done.

Tonight we went to my parents house for the 2nd Passover Seder.

Mackie doesn’t leave home without Bunny.

Mackie kept calling Matzah a cookie. Uhm, not really Mack. Cookies taste WAY better!

Sean had ants in his pants during the meal and played musical laps.

We were a small group tonight in my parents kitchen. We’ve never been only 14 people for a Passover Seder with my mom’s side of the family. A few people were sick or out of town. It was actually quite cozy all of us around my parents (huge) kitchen table. We didn’t even need an extra table added off the main table. It’s always nice to talk to people around the table without having to scream to the other end.

I had to show you Mack’s outfit. It’s the cutest thing ever. It’s a 3 piece golf outfit, that he got as a gift for his first birthday. It’s 18 month sized, but it looked a little large, so I kept it for tonight. (He hadn’t worn it yet). I may be able to get him to wear it a few more times before he outgrows it. It’s just too darn cute.

I’m almost done the book I’m currently reading, Holly’s Inbox. I’ve got under 200 pages left, in an almost 700 page book. I’ve been trying to read every night before bed. Most nights I can read numerous pages before my eyes get heavy, and some nights I just can’t read at all. Though, I miss reading so much, so I’ve been trying to do more of it. I just don’t want it to cut into my knitting/crochet time… because that’s precious as it is.

march twenty-nine :: 169 weeks old

Sean is 169 weeks old today.

This morning we ran to Sean’s swim lesson (after dropping off Mack at daycare). I managed to run 1 errand before his swim class, and took him along to one more errand after his swim class. He likes running errands with me. I like the company, it’s nice. I got to finish the last dishcloth I made for my step-mother-in-law while Sean was learning how to swim.

Here are the 3 dishcloths I made for my step-MIL (Jamie’s step-mom). Two of them are using the square pattern I’m using for Babette (5 round squares). I can crochet those with my eyes closed. The other was just a simple square in double crochet. I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in Beach Ball Blue. Love the color mixture.

My mother-in-law’s birthday (Jamie’s mom) was last Monday, so to go along with the cube of photos that I picked up last week and put our photos into, I made her a basket of yarn with the appropriate size needles. I stashed the basket with 8 skeins of yarn, so there’s a pretty rainbow going on. It was so nice once it was all wrapped up with the plastic gift wrap & ribbon.

I got the table set up today for tonight’s dinner with plenty of time to spare.

I finally got to use my fine china! We got a setting for 16 people for our wedding, and have never used it before. (Probably because it’s not dishwasher safe. I’m not a big fan of hand washing dishes). In any case, tonight was a worthy cause, to pull them out & use them. My first Passover Seder in my home.

The horse radish was set on the table. (I’m not a fan of horse radish, but I love the serving dish!)

We also put out the seder dish.
This one was given to me as a gift from my mother, passed down from my grandmother.

And I also used this dish for the first time since receiving it for my bridal shower (back in 2004!) It’s a gorgeous plate, and I realized it fits Matzah perfectly! So, it’s now my Matzah dish. It was meant to be.

Everyone was here for 6pm tonight, and we sat down shortly after and read the Seder. My mother-in-law lead the service in hebrew.

We raised our glasses of wine.


We read from the book.

And Sean sang the alphabet to the tune of the 4 questions since he had no idea what he was doing. It was too cute. I wish I had my video camera with me at the time – it was just something I would have liked to have recorded.

The meal went off without any problems (despites a few forgotten things this afternoon while preparing – but those were easily fixed with borrowed eggs and using the microwave to thaw out some frozen stuff that were made last week and forgotten in the freezer until last minute – oops!) Sean gobbled down more hard boiled eggs than I was able to keep track of (I had no idea he liked eggs that much!) and Mack thinks Matzah is a cookie (I’m okay with that – it’s much healthier than most cookies!). We had a great time and as long as I have help from my step-MIL, I’d consider hosting Jamie’s family at my house again next year; Starting a new tradition.

Seder number 2, tomorrow night, is at my parents house. I’m looking forward to a repeat of good food. The diet? Yeah, that’ll start up again after Pesach’s over. There’s no dieting during passover. It’s just impossible with the types of food you eat during the holidays!

april twenty-nine

This morning I ran into the nutritionist's office after picking up my mother. She sat in the car for a few minutes with both boys while I got weighed in. I had a very quick weigh in today. As of today, I'm down 25.6 lbs. It's coming along. I'm not officially below the last 10 lbs. It's like 9 and change... I can almost smell the finish line!

The next stop was at my cousin's house for her grandson's Brit Milah. (Above is myself with Mack and my sister holding Sean). (Both boys look so mature/older in this pic above.... gosh is time flying by).

I love this picture of Sean giving me a kiss. He's such a sweet boy. There's going to come a time where he is not going to want to give mommy kisses in public anymore, so I need to cherish these moments as they are here.

Sean had a good time playing with his Uncle today.

As well as with his cousin Oliver.

It was nice to have my mom's side of the family together for such a happy occasion and it was nice to meet my new cousin, Spencer, who's Brit Milah it was. There was a lot of food, good laughs, and lots of family. I love it.

Amy & I were wearing the same pants (but in different colors). I love these pants (which actually Amy picked out and brought home for me to try out). I love them because they are in a size that I haven't worn in years. I'm certainly not complaining! Amy insisted we take a picture of the two of us wearing our new pants.

This afternoon I was very blessed. I managed to get Mack down for a nap at the same time that I was getting Sean ready for his. I didn't send Sean to daycare today, since Jenn was bringing Jakob to the Brit Milah, I figured Sean could go play with Jakob and Oliver (whom are all 5 months apart. Oliver is 5 months older than Sean and Sean is 5 months older than Jakob). Mack is super easy to get down for a nap, he gets his bottle, and then his dream screen in bed (which plays for 15 minutes, but he's usually out cold before it's done). Sean on the other hand, has music going, (Baby Einstein Classic Lullaby), and gets 3 (yes, THREE) stories, before nap (or bed) time. Lucky kid. Sometimes he tries to con more stories, but I try to stick to no more than 3. So today, I read him his 3 stories, and well... he has started this new thing lately. He will now put his hand on my cheek, very lovingly and soft, and say "Lie down mommy"... so today, I did, and passed out. I don't even think I lasted 30 seconds awake, I was sooo pooped. I napped with Sean in his bed for a good 2 and a half hours. I cannot tell you the last time I napped. It was definitely before Mack was born. (I used to be able to take naps whenever Sean was napping - yeah, well with 2 kids, that doesn't work so easy). Even though Sean's in daycare, when Mack's napping there is 400 things to do around the house that I never get the chance just to close my eyes and nap. So today's nap was super nice, and very needed.

Sean woke up first, and woke me up. Shortly after we got up, Mack got up. I made sure to have Mack fed by the time Jamie got home from work. His only request on nights that I go out is that Mack is fed. (Apparently feeding both kids at the same time (Sean does feed himself) is hard to do. It's okay, it's the least I can do for a night off! So I fed Mack, Jamie got home, I got ready and headed out the door for my busy evening.

First I met up with West Island Knits/Crochet. I worked a bit on Mack's Moss Block Cardigan.

After being at knit night for about an hour, I left for about 2 hours and went to a mommy dinner for the ladies in Mack's new playgroup (the only playgroup I've been attending as of lately). Jenn was there at dinner too, and we had a good time. It's super nice to see these moms outside of playgroup and without any kids. The conversation was good and the food too. I hope we get to do this again sometime soon. I'm really glad to have met these moms.

Then after dinner, I headed back to knit night, and worked on the Moss Block Cardigan again. A nice sized group.

I came home and I finished the Moss Block Cardigan. Phew! Done! Tomorrow I will weave in the ends and sew on the buttons. I've got the most adorable buttons (Baseballs!) Stay tuned tomorrow for an FO!

april nine

My cleaning lady comes Thursday mornings and my house now smells of clean. (Not for long though with 2 young kids!) So while she was here I did work in the house which took me all morning long and part of the afternoon. Mid-afternoon (3pm to be exact) I picked up my mom's 4x4 as we were borrowing it this evening and then headed to pick up Sean from daycare.

How sweet, he painted me an Easter Egg. Love it!
Too bad it didn't last too long. His mommy is a klutz.

Upon getting back from picking up Sean my in-laws were at my house, and Jamie showed up not too much long after that. We then packed up the kids and our stuff and headed the hour and a half (or so) trip to Ottawa, Ontario.

I finished working on my step-mother-in-law's Vest in the car. I used a pretty purple larger needle to cast-off. Her & I sat in the back of my mom's 4x4 and chatted the whole way there (and back too), it was nice. Too bad on the way home I couldn't knit - it was waaaay too dark, and if I had brought a little light, Jamie who was driving I'm sure would have told me to turn it off so he could drive.

Dinner was lovely, Sean was pretty good during the seder reading, though, he was the best a 2 year old could be in a situation like that. Next year at least he'll have Mackie & his cousin Hannah-Rose running around with him, but this year he was on his own.

Hannah-Rose played in her exercauser (Mack tried it out, but he told me it was too pink, lol). And Mackie had dinner with us (he had sweet potato) for dinner. He was very well behaved.

Hannah-Rose is 4 months old, 10 days away from being 5 months old, and is wearing clothing larger than what Mack wears. I couldn't believe it. Jamie's cousin didn't know her exact weight, but she feels (by lifting her up) heavier than almost 10 month old Mack! Wow!

Mack with smiles as always!

Sean decided he wanted Goldfish Matzah Ball Soup. We weren't arguing with him.

Sean being entertained by a balloon while the seder was going on.

After dinner my step-mother-in-law tried on the vest. The length is great. The front though, is a little tight (though the back is fine). So I'm goingto pick up stitches and extend the front pannels. She really has to pull it to get it to fit. She's holding it where the button would go. Though, she wouldn't let me measure her when I started this pattern, she looked at my pattern and said "this bust size please"... Ugh. NEVER AGAIN! If I knit something likethis again for someone, I'm freakin' measuring them. I probably should have gone up 1 size to knit for her, but I guess I learned my lesson here about measuring people....! If they say no measuring please, I'll tell them no knitted garment then! It's only fair!

Both boys passed out on the way home, which was super nice. After transferring the boys to bed, I brought my parents back their car and picked up mine. A great evening we had in Ottawa for Passover tonight. I wish we got to see Jamie's dad's side of the family more often.