Wordless Wednesday

Oh Christmas Tree

Our house is pretty little and for the last few years we've been buying small trees and putting them up on top of our coffee table (that's shoved in a corner since we've had kids).  I think the first year we did it, it was because I was too cheap to pay $40 for a tree but I really enjoy that it doesn't take up any premium floor space.  Since we have young kids we don't put any presents under the tree until Christmas Eve.  So far the kids have learned very quickly not to touch the tree or the ornaments but getting them to leave presents alone is a lot harder... Plus it allows the cat easier access to the water bucket under the tree.

We've got a few meaningful decorations on our tree, the ones I bought for the girls for their first Christmas' and ones that have been given to us from special people.  This is my favourite ornament and the first one that has ever brought tears to my eyes.  Sofia made it for Grant and I at preschool and when I saw it waiting in her cubby for me my hands actually started to shake.  All of a sudden it hit me (like it's done many times before) I am somebodys' MOM!  I'm A MOM... I have kids that make me decorations!  I flashed quickly to the pinecone ornament that I put up year after year on my parents Christmas tree and I immediately thought 'I need bubble wrap to keep this precious pinecone safe.'

Our Helper

There are a few things that Sofia has started doing around the house to help out.  She often feeds the dog and the cat, let's them in or out of the house, and she likes to set and clear the table.  The other night she was laying out the flatware on the table while I was plating supper and she said "I have a good idea.  I know.  Wait a sec, ah-ha!"  Then she grabbed a few tissues out of the box, wrapped our utensils in them and said "We are eating in a restaurant tonight!"

Play Doh

The latest craze around our house seems to be play doh.  Maizie likes to open the containers and Sofia has been pretending to make cookies.

Check out Maizies "cheese" face

I can't say I'm a fan of the play doh, I just end up sweeping up little dry bits.  But what I am a fan of is the way the girls play together.  Sofia is always saying "That Giggle Girl is my best friend" and although Maizie says very little she copies everything her older sister does.  If Sofia tells a story, Maizie watches her intently and then mimes out the story for us.  If Sofia is doing something Maizie wants to be right there beside her.  They have even figured out a way to play "hide and sneak" together.  They are both very thoughtful of each other.  Maizie won't accept one of anything, she silently insists that you give her two so she can give one to her sister.  (I had no idea how people understood what their kids were saying all the time... Now I'm fluent in preschooler and toddler).  Sofia is very quick to share bites with Maizie.  The other night after supper we had a special dessert, Maizie only got a couple bites so she was done quickly and Sofia jumped out of her chair with a piece of her own to share with Maizie.

Maizie seems older to me at 15 months than I remember Sofia being but I realize that is because of Sofias influence on her.  Maizie is a lot more mischeivious than Sofia was.  Her latest is to push the kitchen chairs around so she can reach whatever she wants.  Today I was cooking and before I realized what was happening there was a little hand on my arm and a cheesy smile staring back at me!

The beginning of the Christmas antic 2010

On December 3 we officially kicked off our Christmas 2010 Celebrations by meeting our friends The Silvers for dinner and an evening of exploring the Discovery Forest Museum.

 The triplets

 A night time ride on a steam engine

The best picture I could get of 4 kids together!

We had lots of fun and would like to make it an annual event.  The light displays were very pretty and the train ride was so much fun!  The kids had a good time running around and catching up with each other.  I love the ride on the train.

24 weeks/6 months

How far along: 24 weeks

Weight: 168lbs (up 13) 

Sleep: Not nearly enough the last couple of weeks.  Sofia or Maizie wakes up and once I get them settled belly baby decides it's party time.  Normally a squirming baby isn't enough to keep me awake but since I'm usually hungry too it does.

Energy: I'm running on fumes.  I've challenged myself quite a lot this month by working on top of all the other normal things.  Also pregnancy 'nesting' hormones have kicked in and since I have nothing to buy and no nursery to decorate I am driven to clean and purge.  My house is starting to sparkle but I am fading fast.

Movement: Lots!  Grant and Sofia have been able to feel it.  Sofia asks me "Is the baby having a dance party? Can I put my hand on your belly?"  She now likes to sit while we cuddle with her hand on my belly in the last place she felt the baby.

Feeling: Optimistic.  That I'll find the time to accomplish all I want to in the next 16 weeks.

What I miss: Bending over and getting on and off the floor easily.  In the 2.5 years I've been a mother I have always changed my babies diapers on the floor... it's getting hard.  I actually considered getting a change table to use for the next few months.  

Food cravings: Still none.  I have trouble eating enough because I'm just not all that hungry and when I or when I have time to eat I want fast and ready (which isn't necessarily good for me).

Food aversions:  None.

Story: Last week at a family supper Grants sister said to me "That's as big as you were when you delivered Maizie!".  Yesterday Grant came home for lunch and said "Wow! You've gotten bigger again".   To tell you the truth I'm pretty nervous.  Tonight Grant and I spent some time looking back over the pictures from Maizies pregnancy.  I am as big as I was at the end with her.  I'm nervous where this is headed.  I'm nervous about how I'm going to keep up with all I have to do (push stretchers, move people and xray equipment, and carry my Maizie).  Already my dog walking abilities are severely lacking and I'm able to spend less and less time standing at the kitchen counter doing dishes or cooking.  I'm am thankful for understand and easy going girls and an understanding easy going husband.

Somethings I don't want to ever forget...

Like this sleeping baby.  Is it possible for her to be any sweeter?  Maizie is an angel, she has such a lovely personality.  She is so easy going but is learning how to stick up for herself.  At 14 months she has a very limited vocabulary but there is no mistaking what she wants.  She is incredibly independent.  She only cries when she is hurt or over tired/hungry.  Most times when she is crying from getting hurt she doesn't want to be cuddled, she just wants to prove that she can really do what she was trying to do.  I think she cries more out of frustration than pain.

Sofia has been saying the most wonderful things lately.   She is very thoughtful and loving.  The other morning Sofia, Maizie, and I were cuddling in bed together and Sofia said to me "Mummy I really love this baby girl.  She's so pretty and happy."
On the way home from preschool yesterday Sofia said to me "Mumma can we go to the grocery store and buy food for people that don't have any food?"  She and I have been talking about this but I think they must have talked about it at preschool too.  I said "Sure, what would you like to buy them?"  She said "begetables and mangos"  then added "cucumbers, cereal, and pasta -the 'roni kind." to the list.
This morning I got stuck with no TP in the WC and the bonus of having a 3.5 year old is you can send them to fetch things from time to time.  Sofia brought me the TP and said "It's for the cat but it's ok if you use it."  Then she showed me the bag "See Mum there's a cat on it but it's ok if you use it too."

I adore the way that girls play together and listening to them giggle!  Oh and the way Sofia calls Maizie "Giggle Girl" and how Maizie beams and giggles when she does.  I am really enjoying my days home with them and watching their friendship blossom.

SNOW!!!

We don't get snow very often here on the west coast, so when we do it's pretty exciting.  We've been hearing rumours the last few months that this winter is supposed to be particularly cold and snowy and to us snow in November proves those rumours are true! 

This was taken before breakfast.  

Sofia was too excited to wait so she dressed herself and went out in the backyard to play.

Maizies first time playing in the snow while walking.

She experienced snow as a 4 month old but this was an entirely new experience for her.

Beautiful girl.

Daredevil girl.

The slide

and the crash!

Sofia taking Maizie for a walk.

My beautiful girls!

Maizie is an absolute trooper in the snow.  She couldn't get enough of sliding down and got frustrated when she had to wait for her turn on the sled.  A few times she flopped onto her belly and pushed herself down the hill backwards like a seal.  Whenever she fell off the sled she'd just get herself back up and wait for Grant or I to come carry her back up the hill.  She never once whimpered or cried.  When she was cold, done, and wanted to go inside she'd just quietly start walking home.

Sofia loves the snow and couldn't get enough of it!  The snow melted Thursday and she's asked me every day since then (it's Sunday today) if we can go sledding.  I'm so excited for her that our first snow was so early in the season because I'm sure that there will be lots more.

We are so luck to live on a street with a "private" hill at the end of it.  About 4 doors away from our house is an open space with a graduated hill.  The graduated part allows for small kids and pregnant mothers to walk up easily!  Grant bought me a new pair of snow pants at the end of last year that have suspenders.  They already don't do up but because of the suspenders I should be able to wear them all winter and not miss out on any fun with my girls.  Also when I was about 12 my Dad took my brother and I skiing at Blue Mountain in Ontario.  I wasn't wearing a proper jacket and I was frozen so my Dad took me into the pro-shop and spent way too much money on a proper Columbia ski coat for me.  At the age of 32 I still own that coat and have worn it every year!  There is some room in it still and I am hopeful that I will be able to do it up all winter.  I guess I'm still getting his money worth for it!

20 weeks

How far along: 20 weeks

Weight: 166lbs (up 11) 

Sleep: Great.  Maizies' pregnancy taught me how to sleep on my side and I've blissfully been curled up comfortably. 

Energy: Not too shabby for a pregnant mother of two!  I returned to work last week on a casual basis last week and I'll be working evenings and weekends as long as I can.  I'm thinking this is going to zap my energy but in order to combat it I've been trying to eat less sugar, eat more protein, and drink more water.  

Movement: FINALLY!!  I'd say it started about 19w4d.  It is such a relief to finally be able to feel this little person bumping around.  Most times I can feel it I start grinning like a big ol' goof!

Feeling: Excited and nervous.  Excited because we had the ultrasound last week and the baby looks good, is measuring right, has all the correct anatomical features, etc.  Nervous because every once and a while I stop to take a breath and look around and I remember that I am soon to be the mother of 3 kids 4 and under!

What I miss: Sleeping on my back.  Maizie is teething and one thing that seems to comfort her at night is to sleep on my belly.  With me having to sleep on my side she and I are having to learn a new way for her to find comfort.  I know it will happen but it's harder because we're both tired and she's already so upset.

Food cravings: No cravings.  I'm still loving all comfort foods and having been making big pots of soup every week.  

Food aversions: Nothing that we eat is turning me off. I guess that's because I'm the chief cook and I plan the menus!

Story: I worked my first evening shift last night and wore a very big shirt on purpose to try to hide my belly.  EVERYONE noticed, old friends greeted me with a screech and new people that I was introducing myself to questioned me on returning from mat leave pregnant.  When I was 8.5 months pregnant with Maizie and wearing fitted maternity clothes I had people asking me gingerly if I was pregnant! 
I've been told that you "pop" quicker with your second and that was definitely true for me.  18 weeks to 20 weeks what a HUGE change!  

3.5 years old!

Today my oldest is 3.5 years old.  It's so amazing watching her grow and learn.  Today I got her to help me make mini muffins.  She really did a great job.  I have a long way to go in the patiences department but I did really good too.  I seem to have developed a belief from some where that my way is the right way and I have trouble letting things go.  I also have realized that although I could do something 20 times quicker by myself the smile and joy on my daughters face is so worth me biting my tongue!  I'm looking forward to a long winter of having Sofia help me in the kitchen.

Grant and Maizie went to the store this afternoon to buy half a cake for Sofia.  After a very interesting version of "Half-y Birthday to You" sung by Daddy, Sofia serenaded us with "Happy Birthday to me".

Musuem Morning

Last Sunday we asked Uncle James, Auntie Kiki, and Vincent to join us at the Royal BC Museum.  The kids were really well behaved and it was great to explore with them.

 This exhibit had animals mounted in the center and all around it had identifying items. There were footprints, stool samples, teeth and a few other things I didn't have a chance to look at.  Daddy and Sofia checking out the mountain goat.

Maizie checking out the poo with Uncle James.  The poo was all different textures based on the animals diet (I would assume).  I thought it was pretty interesting really.

Sofia the 'ittsy bittys spider'.  The only picture I could get of her was when she'd fallen down!

Vincents favourite part, The Wooly Mammoth!  I got to talk to a lady volunteering at this exhibit and there have been mammoth remains found in Victoria.  One in Oak Bay area and one in the cliffs at Island View Beach.  I was so surprised to hear this, I'm not sure why but I was.

Daddy, Maizie, and Sofia looking at a horse on the farm exhibit.

Sofia and Maizie looking for gold.

Uncle James, Maizie, Vincent, Sofia, and Daddy looking at a turtle

Pumpkin Patch 2010

 These pictures are why we go to a pumpkin patch 

 and not just buy our pumpkins at a grocery store.

 Sofia picked this one for Maizie

 and this one for herself.

The Dybdal Sisters and our pumpkins.

What a great morning.  I was so happy that Maizie had learned to walk already.  It was so much fun following her around the pumpkin patch.  As tends to happen with kids, Sofia would go one way and Maizie would go the other.  

Sofia asked if she could bring her own money to buy herself a treat.  She chose cinnamon/sugar donuts and was nice enough to share them!  

A visit to the Firehall

October is "Fire prevention month" and so all the firehalls in town have an open house.  A few weeks ago Grant and Uncle Andrew took the girls to our local hall and a couple weeks after that Uncle Andrews hall had theirs and so Grant and I took the girls to that one too.  These pictures were taken at our local firehall, Sofia had a great time and even got to go for a ride on a fire truck!

Sparky the Dog, Maizie, and Uncle Andrew

Sofia and her BFF Morgan "posing"

Some Sweetness

 Is there anything sweeter than a sleeping angel?

Cute and inventive!  Using the straw on her sippy cup since her hands were full.

Sleep

Maizie has slept through the night for the last two nights.  There is a downside to this, she is up at 630 for the day.  Normally she goes to bed a 8, wakes up at 430 for a bottle and is back down until 8am.  I know that just as I get used to this new schedule she will start cutting her molars and it will all change again!  Sofia was up 4 or 5 times the night before last but last night she slept through the night too!  Ahh, it was wonderful sleeping 7.5 hours in a row!  I'm looking forward to a productive day.

In other news, Maizie stood up in the middle of the room this morning all by herself with no props.  This is an exciting development because now when she falls over she won't have to crawl to the nearest "thing" to stand herself back up!  I'm hoping that this means some of the knees on her pants will be spared!

16 weeks

How far along: 16 weeks

Weight: 161lbs (up 6) 

Sleep: Good as far as the pregnancy.  Maizie has settled into a new pattern of waking up at 430 for a feed and it's working well for me.  But like all babies the pattern varies! Sofia has been sleeping pretty soundly the last few weeks which has been nice. 

Energy: Most days I'm good.  I've been cooking, baking, and cleaning a bit more.  
Movement: I think there a been a few flutters but it's pretty subtle still.

Feeling: Great!  My SI joint has been ok, I've been practicing some yoga and it's made big improvements.  Somedays walking is a pain in the ass (sorry for the pun).  But I've been trying hard to get out and walk more. 

What I miss: A second (or third) cup of guilt free coffee.  The freedom to not drink water if I choose.
Food cravings: CHOCOLATE!!!! and all things pumpkin.  Although I think the pumpkin is more seasonal than pregnancy related.
Food aversions: I've been more trouble than usual with bananas.  

Toddler?

Maizie has been flirting with walking since August.  She started taking a step or two when we'd hold her up and let her go.  Although she super brave when it comes to climbing, she's pretty cautious when it comes to walking.  On Sunday night (last night) we were at our friends house and Maizie pulled herself up to standing on their coffee table and then turned and walked 10 or 12 steps across their living room!  I was happy that Grant & I were both there to see it.  She repeated the performance a few times and seemed to keep it going today.  She's still choosing to crawl but has now realized she can cover short distances with steps.

On one hand I'm ready to have her walking because she's ruining the knees of her pants and the toes of her shoes.  On the other hand I'm not ready for my baby to be a toddler yet!

Baby #3

I have been reading infertility blogs for as long as I've been reading adoption blogs, as I was in infertile before I was an adoptive mum. I don't questions the universes decisions and although I don't understand I know that I have been through what I have to make me who I am. I have seen versions of this post done on lots of blogs over the years and always thought it was a neat way to journal the pregnancy. When I got pregnant I was confused (how did it happen? why now?) and I felt a bit guilty too. After all I was an adoptive Mum and not a birth Mum. I was ok with that and I'd moved on. I was already looking forward to and starting to prepare for our second adoption. I was excited to be experiencing pregnancy but I know it's unexpectedness caught me off guard. Although this one too was unexpected I think it caught me a little less of guard. I don't feel any guilt, I'm a Mum first, an adoptive Mum second, and a birth Mum third ... really it doesn't matter because a Mum is a Mum, is a Mum.

How far along: 13 weeks 

Weight: 159lbs (only up 4) 

Sleep: Mostly good but it varies, I've been uncomfortable the last couple of weeks. Maizie has slept through the night 2 times this week but Sofia has been waking up for middle of the night cuddle requests.

Energy: It's starting to increase.  For a few weeks I was scared at how I would cope.  Some afternoons when Grant gets home from work I sleep on the couch while he takes the girls outside to play.
Movement: not so far

Feeling: Mostly really good. Like I said I've been uncomfortable in the pelvic region but it's intermittent. My right SI joint is bothering me but not nearly as bad as it was with Maizie.  I'm also getting really excited for the ultrasound (Nov 4) and starting to try name combinations.

What I miss: Malibu Rum; Grant just bought me my first bottle a week before I found out I was pregnant. Now it sits on the counter taunting me.... 
Food cravings: None so far. It's so bizarre because I'm not even really all that hungry.
Food aversions:  Salmon & cooked vegetables

SOFIA IS CANADIAN!!!

I really didn't think that I would be as excited as I am. Sofia and I were just settling onto the couch to read when I spotted the mail-man coming up our driveway. I saw him pull a big brown envelope out of his bag and I bolted out of my seat and ran to open the door. I thanked him profusely and told him he'd made my day! I barely stopped myself from hugging him (if it had been our usual mail-lady I probably would have). With shaking hands I ran to the kitchen crying and very carefully opened the envelope.

Sofia fed off my excitement and ran around the house screaming "My 'nadian came. My 'nadian is HERE!" I know that she has absolutely no idea what a great (and sad) day it is but in the future I know it will change her life.

Tomorrow I'll be heading to the post office to pick up a passport application (we already have the picture). Then on Thursday or Friday I'll head downtown to the passport office to drop it off. If it goes as quickly as Maizies did in 2 weeks we'll be ready to travel the world!

The Birthday

Oh my little angel, what joy you bring to my heart.

Maizie had a wonderful birthday. It started with a big Sunday dinner with Uncle James and Auntie Kiki (her birthday buddy). She started Monday off well by sleeping her very first time through the night! 12.5 hours. She had a visit with Auntie Tracy, Auntie Regina, Ethan & Beckett. Then her Magra & Poppops called and sang her happy birthday (her faced just glowed as she smiled listening to them). Then Farmor and Papa Chris came by. After supper Tricia, Jay, Morgan, Liam, Auntie Tracy & Uncle Andrew came for cake. What a busy day it was filled with specialness from our family and friends. Maizie got lots of books which she's been enjoying tons already.

On Sunday night Maizie took 6 tiny steps and on Monday she took 8. She is starting to spend more time standing and is willing to take a step or two before she drops to her knees to get there faster. While standing she is getting very stable. She can eat, drink, and occasionally bends down to pick something up. It won't be long before my baby is a toddler.