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.