Smiles for Great-Grandma

Over the last couple of days we've seen some family, and Quentin probably made my grandmother's day with that smile. He really is just a delight. All he does is smile (when he's not hungry, of course - cuz when he's hungry, it's as if you've never fed him before in his life type of scream).

We had playgroup yesterday and it was hosted by a Daddy. The mom recently had to go back to work until the end of the school year and we were asked if we minded if a daddy joined us. Absolutely not! Yesterday was a small playgroup due to the weather (rain) and probably the location of the playgroup (just off the island). It was definitely different being hosted by a daddy, but it was a nice different change. Quentin had his 4 month vaccines just before we left to playgroup today, and so by the time playgroup was over (and we decided to take a group photo of the boys) Quentin was out cold so I had put him in his baby bucket. I had the CLSC nurse take a look at his tongue tie and she said it's healing quiet nicely. Glad.

There has been some crafting around here lately, and I will show you what this is once it's done. Right now it's just a lot of different kinds of yarn (thank you again to Sandra for your yarn donations). This project is actually taking a lot longer than I thought it would to do. It's not as quick as it would seem it might be. I already though, have plans for a second one, with a different spin to it. You'll see.. soon enough, I promise.

Today's Link Love:
- Love this video preview for the crochet book. I want the book too.
- I think I've posted this video in the past, but I just keep going back to it. Love it.
- High by Lighthouse Family. Great song. It's been a fave since I heard it when I was in Israel in 2004. It reminds me of Jerusalem.
- Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards free point: BKTWJZQHZDCRPGB
- Another Pampers Gifts to Grow Code: GTGREWARDS4MOMS
- Love this image. It's so sweet.

Busy Week & Changes

Tuesday Quentin was 17 weeks old (left picture) and on Wednesday he turned 4 months old (right picture). Yesterday we had his 4 month check up (vaccines are next week) and on the doctor's scale (which is old school) he was 10 lbs 13 oz. (I plan to get him weighed in tomorrow as per usual at the CLSC on the digital scales, so we'll see if that is any where near accurate). The doc said he feels that Quentin's Laryngomalacia is getting a lot better. (We'll see what ENT has to say later on this week).

This week on Monday Sean turned 51 months old (left picture) and on Tuesday he turned 221 weeks old (right picture). This week Sean told me that he tried Bananas at school and likes them and that he has now tried green beans, and says he'll eat them from time to time. I have been trying to get him to eat them for a while now, with no success. Daycare I guess had better luck. He used to love bananas as a baby (purée), but hasn't been a fan of them until now. The green beans thing surprised me.

Speaking of food, Mr. Mack at the dinner table Monday night asked Jamie what he was eating, so Jamie replied "Fish". Mack then proceeded to say "Can I try some please?". Both mine & Jamie's mouths DROPPED. What!? That's not Mackenzie? Who are you? What did you do to our Mack? Seriously though.. he tried it, and then said "I like fish". Wow... is this a start to a new eating pattern? Is our picky eater Mackenzie turning over a new leaf? If so, I welcome it very much.

Tuesday we walked (it was beautiful outside) to our music & gym class.
Quentin enjoyed being rolled around on a ball. He was all smiles.

Monday we had playgroup and had a nice time with friends.

And today, my happy baby started to get the hang of holding the bottle by himself.

Today we also visited another friend in the afternoon & her adorable son.
We had a nice cup of tea while the boys hung out together.

Then we ran off to watch the older boys in their swimming class.
One minute Quentin was awake, the next he was asleep.

And since he was asleep, I got some knitting done (left picture). After swimming I took the boys on an errand. I like stores that have a shopping cart that fits all 3 boys, plus has storage on the bottom to put my purchases (AND hold my diaper bag)! (The boys got a kick out of the car part of the shopping cart).

Today's Link Love:
-This meatball recipe. Hope to try it soon.
- This craft supply storage unit.
- Tutorial for recycling crayons.
- Love these dishes.
- My March Shipment of the Tanis Fiber Arts Club. (It's my fave shade of green! Yippee!)
- Having fun with friends.
- Loving Spring Temperatures.
- Jamie & I finished Season 3 of How I Met Your Mother, and can't wait to start Season 4.
- I finally caught up on the last 3 episodes of the final season of Big Love. Have you watched it? What did you think of the way they ended the show? Talk to me!

If you're a google reader user or even bloglines user, or even if you follow blogs through blogger.com don't forget to go and add my 365 Blog Project to your feeds, I often post pictures of the kids there that I don't post on this blog. My 365 project includes original photos (that was my challenge!)

Life's pretty hectic right now (with the kids & other projects I've taken on), so I will try to post as often as I can, but it will not be daily anymore. I just can't. Maybe one day I will be able to blog daily again, but right now, with 3 kids whom are a newborn & toddlers, I just don't have the time or energy. I used to journal (pen & paper) every night for years, and then I was introduced to blogging back in 2005. I have pretty much blogged daily since then (except for when I was in the hospital giving birth to all 3 kids and while I was in the hospital with Quentin back in January. I also think there was one family vacation we took that I didn't blog either that week until I got home). I think right now I'm just burned out, unfortunately. I hope that even though I won't be blogging daily, you'll still take the time to follow my blog. I will still be taking the boys weekly self portraits, and I will still work on my Project 365, but right now, I will be giving up daily blogging. I'm sure there will be extra posts when I have something crafty to show off, and stuff like that too (cooking, baking, crafting, etc). Maybe now, my email response time won't suffer anymore, as well as I might be able to get in some time to catch up on my blog reading (there's hope).

3.21.11

Last night Quentin went to bed at 6:30pm. I looked at Jamie around 8:30 pm and said that we're either screwed because he'll sleep through the night now and wake up at 5/6 am, or he'll get up around 10-10:30 and then I might not be able to get him back to sleep for a while. We went to bed and he still hadn't gotten up. I was preparing myself to be woken up in the middle of the night or really early morning. What do you know... Quentin slept in until almost 8:30 am this morning from 6:30pm last night. 14 hours. Wow. I wish I could get sleep like that. I haven't slept like that since I was pregnant with Sean. How I miss sleep like that.

Today we had playgroup. I'm really enjoying this group of people. We were a small group today, 5 boys... there seems to be a lot of boys born! We also had 2 visitors join us today (on top of our 5 boys), someone I hadn't seen since 1992 when I went away to sleep away camp. She just had her 2nd son just over 2 weeks before I had Quentin. It was really nice to see her.

SPECS:

Pattern: Diaper Cover Photography Prop by Kristi Simpson (My Ravelry Link)
For: Photography Prop
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Gray

Hook: 6.0 mm (J)
Size: 0-3 months
Timeline: March 20, 2011
Modifications & Notes: Super quick project, great pattern, easy to follow. Followed instructions for the 0-3 month size. Came out WAY too small even with getting just about gauge going up to a size 6mm (J) hook (pattern calls for 5mm (H). Want to use this as a photography prop, however, I will have to re-try it again, with maybe a worsted yarn (Cashmerino Aran I thought would be thick enough). Modeled by Sean’s Cabbage Patch (boy) doll - which seems to be a perfect fit. Will retry again, to fit a newborn. I'm thinking next time, I'll try a worsted weight yarn... maybe Cascade Superwash or something.

Still can't show you my current design, but it's coming along nicely, and I've got my test knitters working away as well. Luckily I found some people with Tosh Sock in their stash (thank you Ravelry).

Second day of spring today, and we had a snowfall. C'mon Spring... don't let Winter let itself back in... I've already put away my winter boots for the season, I really have no interest in taking them back out.

3.14.11

Someone thinks he's hanging out with another baby! He was smiling at the mirror for a good while this morning. Too bad he doesn't realize it's himself he is looking at.

Today we had playgroup in the afternoon. I went a bit late as I was at home waiting for a phone call that I wanted to take (with only good things to come!). Luckily we were only a little bit late and Quentin got to hang out with his new buddies for a bit. Aren't they all delicious?? One of Quentin's friends thought he was comfy to sit on. Today was our 4th week of playgroup and so far, everyone is getting along great and things are going smoothly. There will even be a Daddy joining us for a bit as the mom is going back to work for a few weeks (as her job can't be replaced with anyone else - she's a sign language interpreter).

Drive by Monday:
- I'm growing out my hair.
- I'm 17.5 lbs down since January 1st. Kind of feel "stuck" this week, but working at it, and I'm not giving up. I know I can do it, and reach my goal. I'm not giving in to temptation.
- I haven't had any chocolate since 2010.
- I haven't had any cake, cookies, or junk food since 2010.
- I'm definitely addicted to diet coke.
- I'm totally enjoying the book I'm currently reading.
- Upset I lost 1 hour of sleep last night. And for what? We can't even go bike riding at 5pm after I pick up the kids from daycare, so what's the point? It's not warm enough yet. It's too early for daylight savings time.
- I managed to make one of these, with better yarn this time and a different brand crochet hook. Details to come tomorrow. I think I'm going to make it in both sizes that are available in the pattern. It's so cute.
- Someone is coming back tomorrow to pick up one or two of our couches! So happy we're getting rid of some of them and the rest that we're not using anymore will go into the garbage. It's too bad that there is a mountain of snow on our front yard, or I'd put the couches out with signs that say "FOR FREE - PLEASE TAKE ME" on them... maybe if the snow melts before next garbage day next week I can do that? I guess we'll have to see if the warmer weather & the rain they're calling for this week help get rid of the snow.
- I'm so fed up with winter, I've already started wearing my sneakers outside. Bye, bye boots. See you next year. I'm also *this* close to pulling out my Capri pants... just sayin'.

Today's Link Love:
- Fabric Shopping Bags (Sew)
- Scrabble Coasters (Craft) (scroll down to end of that post)
- Button-tab Hat Pattern (Knit)
- Shrink Ring Tutorial (Craft)
- Hobo Bag (Sew)
- Salad Dressings (Cooking)
- Braids Made Easy (Bird in the Hand Tutorial - Knitting)
- The Not-Too Beret Pattern (Knit)
- Newfie Mitten Pattern (Knit)

Don't forget that by commenting, you will be entered into my giveaway for a copy of Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. The contest runs until March 16, 2011, and I will draw a winner that evening when I blog. All you have to do is comment on any post this blog. I will also throw in that if you go to my FB Page and click the LIKE button until March 16th (Wednesday), come back here & tell me (I will check!) that you clicked the LIKE button, and I will give you a bonus entry to win a copy of Arranged!

3.7.11

I found one bathing suit for Quentin. It's 3 month size and ridiculously large. The waist is too wide and the top is loose on him too - but for now, it's better than the other one (which is 3-6 month size) that comes down to his ankles. This one is Gagou Tagou, and the smallest the store had in stock. I'm really looking for a NB, 0-3 or even 3 month one piece. (Above it's 2 pieces, and I am worried about the shirt riding up). I really want one that would cover him like this one. Most of the websites I've actually found small suits on, won't ship to Canada.

Today a few of us ventured out for playgroup. We had a bit of a snowstorm so most canceled. I had to leave the house anyhow to pick up the kids from daycare at the end of the day, so I figured I'd head out to my friend's house anyhow. Quentin sported the Baby Surprise Jacket I had knit for Mack when he was born, as well as the Sweet Baby Cap. They both fit him perfectly right now. I was going to have him wear again today, but of course he had to spit up all over the front of it just as we were leaving the house today, right?

Today at playgroup, I was talking to one of the moms that I just recently met and become friends with, who happens to live up the street from me (standing in my driveway I can see the back of her house) and we discovered that we BOTH did the same exact photography degree and we both did the same exact graphic design degree at the exact same schools. She did both of hers earlier than I did - she is a few years older than me (4 years I think), and we did them in the reverse order. She did Graphic Design first, and then Photography while I did my Photography degree first, then my Graphic Design degree. She has no job to go back to once she's off maternity leave as the department she was working in up until 2 months before she had her son, was closed, so we were brainstorming possibly going into business together - who knows... I have so many ideas of things I want to do... but for now, I want to enjoy the rest of the year on maternity leave with Quentin.

It was really nice out today after I got the kids from daycare, and they wanted to play outside in the snow for a bit. I haven't ventured out much in the snow this winter being home with a newborn.

Today I called Munchkin yesterday to find out where I could buy more of their Single Serve Formula Dispensers in the 2 pack and they told me they are discontinued. The ones that I have from Mackenzie who used them are starting to crack. If anyone has some that they are no longer using and can send me, please let me know. Even the ones we had we bought in the USA, had them shipped to a friends house who shipped them to me, as the online shop wouldn’t ship to Canada. It's frustrating when you want to replace a product you love & use, and can't find it anymore.

I have a proposition to ask any of my readers who crochet. I'd like a few cute crochet hats for props. Examples on Ravelry are this one or this one or even this one or anything cute of the likes. Non Ravelry links of examples are this one, this one or this one, and anything similar. I’m looking to start my own newborn photography business once I am back at work after maternity leave and I’m not the greatest crocheter in the world. (I’m more of a knitter!) I am willing to give anyone who also knits a copy of my Sock Collection, or we could work out another deal? Yarn? Something else? Swap services of some kind?

Today's Link Love:
- This lego quilt.
- Have you seen this Youtube video? If so, it's pretty cool. I'm a technology geek.
- What do you guys think about truncated posts (for posts that are long?) Here's a tutorial on how to truncate your posts in blogger.
- I love these angry bird tutorials! They are so cute.
- This bathtub is heaven.
- Paper weaving looks like fun.

2.28.11 :: 3 months & 50 months

Quentin is 3 months old today. (Since there is no 30th of this month)
♥ 3 months old and has slept through the night 4 nights in a row. ♥
♥ Jamie was looking at this photo tonight and then at the same time, we both said "It really shows that (you/I) have lots almost 16 lbs"... It was too funny. It really shows in my face. ♥

Sean is 50 months old today.

This afternoon Quentin had some of his friends over again. (Would you believe that Quentin is the 2nd oldest here, and the smallest!) Playgroup started out as a bit of a disaster, people not sure what was going on, etc... But I think we have it all sorted out and hopefully there will be one Monday that we can all be there. Today, it was all boys. I cannot wait to get our new couches, the ones we have right now have an ugly couch cover on it and pictures of the boys aren't coming out so nice. I also hope to maybe get some curtains to go over the ugly blinds. Oh, the joys of owning a house.

I tried on the 3-6 month swim suit on Quentin and it's ridiculously large on him.
Though, if its our only option, it's doable.

Just for laughs, I took this above photo.
Bottle, remote control, passed out... typical male?

Just before bed, I had Quentin in Sean's bed while I helped the boys get dressed after their bath. Sean decided to place animals around Quentin and then say "Where's Quentin?" It was too cute.


My silly boys.
What a good day it was today.

Today's Link Love:
- I think it's silly someone is selling Garden Faucets on Etsy. Giggle.
- I love this pom pom tutorial.
- This wall art is very sunny!
- This video of a boy "singing" I'm Yours is too cute.
- I love this earring tutorial. So simple.
- I love this blog post announcing the sex of their baby. Very creative!

2.21.11

This morning I spent cleaning the house & preparing food for Quentin's guests.

He had 4 of his friends over to play.

Quentin was actually the 2nd oldest there (and the smallest one). Kyle & Nate are 20 days younger than Quentin and Mia is 21 days younger. The only one who is older, is Katie, who is almost 6 weeks older than Quentin. Quentin had a good time with his friends over. We're trying to figure out if we'll have this a weekly thing, or bi-weekly. Some of us want weekly and the rest bi-weekly. Maybe we'll just do it weekly and whomever can come weekly - will. You know? Maybe that's the way to go? We were supposed to be a few more moms and babies today, but a few people got sick over the weekend.

Quentin was in such a good mood this afternoon, we played on the floor by my bedroom patio doors. I love the light that comes in there through the windows. Good natural light.

Quentin is getting a little too big for the Baby Wrap photo prop I knit. The last time I photographed him in it the lighting wasn't so good, and I wasn't happy with my photos. I then forgot about it for a while, and went to pull it out today, and alas, he's getting a wee too long for it. I'm going to put it away in my photography prop box. I still have dreams of photographing other people's newborns.

I love that the boys can play very nicely together while I prepare dinner.

As of this afternoon (daylight still out) I had just about an inch left on Quentin's Wyatt. I was able to finish it tonight and now all I have left to do is seam up the sides. I am hoping to have a finished object for you tomorrow. (Depending on when I actually get it seamed and if there is still daylight out for a photoshoot with it. I actually believe that it will fit Quentin now. I don't understand the sizing on the pattern. The sizes are NB-9 months, 9 months - 18 months, 18-24 months (which is starting to make sense) and then 2/3T, 3/4T, 4/5T, etc. How on earth is a NB the same size as a 9 month old to fit into the sweater? And what 9 month old is the same size as when they are 18 months old?

Today's Link Love:
- Love this Pleated Fabric Flowers Tutorial.
- Love this shop's window.
- Love this Boppy Cover tutorial.
- Love this Crock Pot Blog.
- 17 free (or almost free) Kid-friendly winter activities.

1.19.11

There is nothing like a sleeping baby.
Now, if only he'd sleep the night like he did that one time, last week.
Remember, Quentin?? Forget so soon?

Today was a busy day. Errands we ran, new friends were made, a movie was watched (more about that in a minute), groceries were picked up, dinner was made, and things were checked off my to do list. I still feel like there isn't enough hours in the day as there are way too many more things that I want to do/accomplish. Slowly though, I'm accomplishing things. I guess people understand that I have a newborn. Hopefully. I managed also to get Sean's thank you cards in the mail, I wrote them, he signed them. He loves to write his name. It's so cute. I did his first because there were only 19 of them to write. Now, I have to finish Quentin's Thank You Cards, and I have 40+ to write. I've had the digital file for the Thank You Cards for a long while now, but finally got them printed, and have them, so I will get on that this week too. I want to get them in the mail before he is 8 weeks old. His Bris was late, so it's only been 4 weeks since that. I'm not on top of my game like I used to - not with 3 young kids. (My Thank You Cards from our wedding went out a few days after the wedding - ALL OF THEM!) 4 weeks is not a bad delay for Thank You Cards - is it? Is there a protocol for that? How much time after an event you're supposed to get your thank you notes in the mail?

This morning I ran first downtown to pick up my prize from CJAD for the Special Delivery of the Day that we won 2 weeks ago. I got a bunch of Safety 1st products. One of the items, a new diaper bag, is already being used. I love it's large pockets, and the space in it! I got a feeding set, a baby carrier, a stroller kit (cover, organizer and something else is in it), and a home baby proofing kit as well. It was a nice prize - Thank you CJAD & Dorel Group.

Then I ran to the street I grew up on (for my teenage years, young adult hood) to a playgroup. The babies are all a lot older than Quentin (they're all 5 months to almost a year old) but it was nice to get out of the house, see some friends, and chat with other moms. A few of the other moms I knew from elsewhere, and when I arrived, the girl who lived there was like "You're Mackenzie's mom!" Yep!? Apparently her daughter is in Mackenzie's class at daycare. She told me a story about my mom picking up the boys on November 30th, since I was at the hospital with Jamie, and she told the boys she had a surprise for them, while they were in the locker room getting their jackets on, and one of my 2 boys (she wasn't sure which) said to my mom "Are we going to your house Bubbie?" (Bubbie is yiddish for grandmother for those of you whom don't know). Anyhow, this girl said that if her child had said that to her mom, that would have been enough! It was to cute for words. Anyhow, she continued to tell me that my mom said that they were going to go to the hospital to meet their new baby brother, and they were all excited. Another mom that was there this morning too, took classes with me when I took mom & tot classes with Sean when he was a baby. It's nice to see her again too.

I was disappointed to see that my neck warmer was not ready yet to wear when I left the house this morning. I was all ready to wear it (though I still don't know what buttons I want to put on it). It was still damp this morning when I went to check on it. I was a little disappointed that it was still damp. Hopefully it'll be dry by tomorrow.

This afternoon, as I mentioned before, I went to the mom & baby movie at our local theater. Today I saw Barney's Version. I really enjoyed it. It was a bit on the long side, but I didn't feel like it was long at all. Only realized it was that long when I saw the time when leaving the theater. Barney's first wife, looked familiar when I was watching the movie - and when I came home & googled the movie (as I forgot to look in the credits), I realized it was Rachelle Lefevre, whom is a Montrealer whom, I've met before, back when I was in a youth group as a teenager. I really recommend the movie.

This evening was a quiet one at home. The boys are just as obsessed with Silly bandz as they were yesterday. Sean counts them out and makes sure they are all laid out properly on his bookshelf before he goes to bed.