Sweet Sunday... Mostly August 26, 2013

So I'm writing this at 1:45 am Sunday night.  Why so late you ask well Dani you have just thrown up everywhere...started in bed and pillow and then you must have moved your cute little face in it and hair then when dad grabbed you to move you out of the bed you decided the hallway needed redecorating:( our poor little thing stood in the bathroom while I tried to clean you up, looked at me and then said"momma I don't like it" well I guess not we then just had to hop in the shower to wash your hair. Fast forward an hour and Mason is now redecorating everything.  Dad and I switched and he went to sleep with Abbie in our room and I took to the rocking chair these are the nights a nanny would be great:)  Other than that are Sunday was pretty normal.  I wish we took a family picture today everyone looked so cute:) I did however snap one in church...I know not appropriate but was such a nice picture all 3 kiddos and dad looking so handsome and I'm so thankful were together:)

Groceries...not for the weak of heart

Needing a little time to myself after Abbie was born was only considered by the "he" of we if all 3 littles were sleeping.  So I headed to the local grocery store with only a wallet and phone, a rare occasion indeed to leave the house without someone hanging of me literally and figuratively, and not a diaper bag in sight.  This alone time came at about 10:30 but as all of us moms know to go somewhere alone feels like an all inclusive vacation as I headed into the grocery store kicking up my heels I noticed I forgot my phone in the car oh well I'm adaptable like that I can remember the list that was in there?!? As I went down every single aisle (again considering I was alone) I felt the need to make this as long as possible.  Pay for my goods and then notice that its started to rain/snow a little.  Oh how beautiful I think to myself while at the same time hitting the unlock button on my keys... I feel at this point I need to stop and point out that I have at home a 2 year old, 1 year old and a new baby which I am nursing, I'm robust which is a nice way to put still looking pregnant, my breasts are the size of Costco watermelons and I've just ventured out in a broomstick skirt, husbands t-shirt and to complete my ensemble flip-flops.  I'm very aware that its April and all sorts of fun weather does transpire here in Ottawa.  I hear nothing from the key chain, I try again yearning for that beautiful click of doors unlocking.  I don't hear it, so I try the back opening of the BMW it opens.  Yahhhhh I start loading groceries in and try to unlock again using the keychain.  Nothing.  At this point I start to look for my phone thinking my Prince Charming will rescue me or at least give me advice this is about time I notice the phone has slipped between the console and the drivers seat.  I look around its getting chiller and my chest is telling me I stayed away from my baby to long.  I glance at the back of the BMW it's going to be a TIGHT squeeze to fit above the seats but I feel I have no other options.  I try and wiggle off the headrests in the back seat, no go, so I clamber my non svelte self into the back and start the proceedings.  To say it was awkward is a gross understatement I wiggled and squeezed and shimmied and groaned and viola I got the top part of me thru...and that's it at this point it's safe to say I think firemen are going to be needed.  I reach my arms as far as they will go and just by the skin off my teeth am able to put the keys in the ignition.  Weenow, weenow, weenow if you thought that sounded like an alarm going off while my whale of a body is still stuck over the back seat, the back door open and my legs with flip flips sticking straight out, you would be right.  At this point in my head I'm thinking it really can't possibly get any worse than this... Till I hear 2 of Ottawa's finest say "Mam are you okay.  I feel like we should ask you if this is your car but were pretty sure it is" giggle,giggle by sheer brute force and shaving layers off my body with the headrest  I pushed and squeezed with all my might and landed in the back seat reached forward undid the lock, slithered in embarrassment to front seat and drove home.  The worst was yet to come when i walked into the house,  my dear understanding husband wondering what took me so long looked at me in amusement, bewilderment and then disbelief when I told him my tale, and then only as a husband can simply asked me "Shannon why didn't you use the key in the door"

The only thing I can plead is that my babies are well nourished possibly my brain is being sucked out my chest...how's your grocery shopping been lately:)

SHE WALKS Aug 20,2013

     A

Today at Hadia's ( playdate) Abbie took 4 consecutive steps!!!!!!  I am so excited and sad all at the same time.  Excited because I love watching you grow and learn things and sad because your my last baby...this will be the last time I watch this little miracle of learning to walk with my own kids.  

Now it's going to get crazy( you already go upstairs crawling although you haven't grasped the concept of gravity and have a few bumps to tell the tale). Speaking of crawling, you have the funniest crawl your the only one of the kids that did this but you crawl with one leg while the other is bent and in front of you, it looks super awkward but doesn't seem to slow you down at all, you are still super fast!!!!!

Other news for today, we had a play date with Hadia and her girls ( Layan and Raya) we went out at 1:30 to Kanata's Walter Baker park (park and splash pad, so a wonderful mix of getting wet and then playing in the sand of the park;) we then went to Hadia's house played, had pizza, played more bathed kids and even borrowed pajamas.  Came home put kids to bed and I'm exhausted, Alin came  home early from work 8pm and then for the first time in a very long time we laid on the bed, visited and talked it was so nice and then he had to leave for a meeting at 9:30 for booster juice.  Then the usual nighttime routine of up and down 

Our craft this morning was making kites it was a hit

Daniela never stood still long enough to get her pic taken and I even made one

Friday August 16,2013

This morning was the usual craziness, diaper changing, breakfast making morning.  The difference was this morning there were 3 police cars at our neighbors house. Curious of course but just chalked it up to the construction going on and went about our day...

Alin had a Dr's appt where he got moles taken off (they see a lot of sun and better safe than sorry) so I packed the kids up and went to go for a walk.  We ended up across from the experimental farm at a place we've parked a million times before but this time the kids started walking in a different direction and we stumbled upon this gem

It's this little garden oasis with at least 6 seniors working, pruning,weeding and maintaining it.  

It's tiny but beautiful and I'm so glad we explored it

Then we continued on to the park, had a snack and then the shoes came off...

BAREFEET I love my little's bare-feet I love summer and toes that run across the grass, that play in the sand that wiggle and just look so darn stinkin cute 💗for that matter I love it when Alin has jeans and bare feet on(super hot)

Mason's feet

Daniela's feet

And now just for some random cute pics from this mornings adventure

Love it when they get along

I love how the sun beams are in front of her face

Snack time, lose the shoes, comfy time

Abbie's nap generally happens on the go

 Came home, missionaries for lunch had a family nap.

Rewind to beginning of day we saw our neighbor Tanya outside and she told us John had been attacked this morning and robbed.  They had punched him and hit him with a gun that he needed emergency surgery on his eye.  It's so scary this happened at 7 this morning

Soother free!!!!!! Never as bad as you imagine:)

So we decided to do one of three things when we got home from the "Waldie" reunion.  We were either going to -get rid of soothers - get rid of bottles - or potty train.  We opted for soothers, so the minute we got off the plane I threw all the ones we had with us away (if we kept them their is a certain soft hearted fellow that would give in, so I opted to not have that as a choice) it went amazingly.  Of course they still asked a bit for them especially at nap and bedtime but we would just say "we left them at the airport". So most of the time out of sight out of mind.  It was easier to do because Abbie has never taken a soother.  So chalk up one success for team parents!!!!

So now we have pictures like this

Instead of pictures like this...

Aug 13, 2013 thursday

Today the McAteer clan joined forces with us and we went for a boardwalk hike  called Mer Bleue is was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and the company was great.  The little's did great the first time around, running ahead then running back to us, giggling and laughing.  Pretending to hide from us (in the middle of the boardwalk) and us jumping in fright😊you'll do those things as well when you have kids of your own.  Them we had a little snack and just because I'm always pushing the envelope I asked Kate If she wanted to do the loop one more time and it went well for most of it and then our little darlings lost it.  We were to far to turn back and had to finish it, which took a lot of imagination and work on our part to distract them till we reached the finish line.

Aug 2 2013 Let's get this party started!

This morning our grand adventure begins, we fly to the grand destination of ✈Kipling Saskatchewan via Ottawa ✈Winnipeg✈Regina.  The adventure part of it is that I'm flying solo with a 3 year old, a super busy 2 year old and a very independent, wiggly 10 month old.  So needless to say the praying started a week ago.  We arrived at the airport and by the time we got car seats out and a huge nightmare at ticket counter (I'm sure new girl working, but as we were getting our tickets we found out the flight Winnipeg to Regina was cancelled.  When she wished me a safe travel to Winnipeg.  Then their computers wouldn't let them in, them trying to get us on another flight, by the time all was said and done the line up to put our 3 carseats in was huge.  The attendant told Alin to put them in and get in line and for us to go to elevators.  Stressful as we were waiting for Alin she told us that we were going to have to go with her to security as we were late. Which left us without saying proper goodbyes, just quick kisses and we were whisked away)  Chaos ensued, tears running done my face, Mason wanting his dad and the other two wondering what was going on. We were rushed thru security and then boarded. Called Alin and missed him already but thankfully the flight went great.  

Thanks to this great angel of a man and the man sitting behind me.  He was kind and made her feel at ease immediately when he said he loved the Dr. Suess book she was reading.

Abbie was captivated with the young guy  behind me.  These tender mercies made up for the lady in front of me who was not helpful and all I can say to her is KARMA won't be fun for her.  

I thought they did great and I was super proud of them.  

Layover in Winnipeg... they played, ate and then away we go again

Then our next flight, I let them sit together and they had a ball I took a little video before take off and you can hear Mason visiting away with Daniela and then the excited giggles of the both of them.  

Abbie's first trip! She did great😊

It was great that my mom was able to meet me at the other end, things went so nicely (she missed my aunt Betty's memorial to be there for me, my dad was talking at it ...but we will make it for the funeral) 

Quite the caravan with all of our stuff

Drowning in kids

This journal entry is not uplifting so move on if your not all about full disclosure.  

Before I start I am thankful for all my blessings, my kids and understand that there are a million people who would love to have what I do... But that does not mean that this isn't hard. Today is horrible, I don't know where the old cheerful, calm,patient Shannon went maybe she disappeared with the sleep I never seem to get, the body that in no way resembles the one I used to own, the utter exhaustion, frustration and anger that has replaced my once sunny disposition.  Raising kids is hard and more often than not a thankless job.  I by no means expect accolades and my own cheering squad but is it too much to ask to have a little girl listen just once, to not have temper tantrums at the drop of a hat, to not step in something right after the floors been swept and to have 10 minutes in my day to go smoothly.  My nursing baby is 10 months and I was going to try and nurse her for a year but these last 2 weeks make me feel like I'm being eaten by a shark which would probably be a lot less painful, at least it would happen in one fellow swoop. Being attacked 5-9 times a day with razor like teeth has me sitting on the edge of my seat.  Praying that reconstruction surgery will replace pieces🙏. The other shark in the house is older but just as painful, I have tried everything from time-outs, talking, taking away Violet (stuffed purple bear), spanking and today was the last straw she bit Mason so hard that the poor kid was bleeding and instantly bruised so what did I do? I told Mason to bite her back and when he didn't I did.  So instead of just one little "Ivie" crying I had 4 (Abbie started when she heard the yelp out of Mason, and me because is this really teaching her something)

That streak of grey in the front that I could sometimes wear as a badge of achievement is too often now just a reminder of how worn out and old I feel.  There is more but I'm tired so suffice it to say that I pray more since being a mom than at any other time in my life.  Today all I can hope for is that I won't have a mental breakdown before Alin comes home.

On a side note this morning I took them down to the market and gave them 5💰 each to spend on whatever they wanted. We came home with blackberries for Mason and raspberries for Daniela.  Their first purchasing experience.  (Dani didn't want to give up her money)

5 big ones for his blackberries that were devoured for lunch.  Transaction went smoothly

 

Daniela's transaction netted her raspberries for 5 bucks

...Alin came home the kids had just all fallen asleep, we had a barbecue, played in the bouncy castle, visited and played in the living room then family shower and bedtime (before you guys say "gross" you'll understand its the fastest way to get everyone clean and corralled at the same time when you have kids of your own.  Till then when your older really appreciate being able to have a shower by yourself)