Colin: Why is PoPo [grandma] Chinese?
Me: Because she's from China.
Colin: Why is Tai Tai [great grandma] Chinese?
Me: Because she's from China too.
Colin: Why are all the old people from China?
He makes a good point.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Men. It starts early.
Colin: Mommy, can I have a playdate with Eric?
Me: Sure. I can talk to his mommy tomorrow, and I can see if you can play with Eric.
Colin: Okay. Who's Eric?
Me: .... (men.)
Me: Sure. I can talk to his mommy tomorrow, and I can see if you can play with Eric.
Colin: Okay. Who's Eric?
Me: .... (men.)
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Colin Has a New Roommate....
His annoying little sister! Lucky little boy. I kid, I kid. She's not annoying all the time.
Yesterday, Joe and I bit the bullet, and moved the crib back upstairs. I've always had it in my head that the kids would share a room one day, but with imminent house guests arriving shortly after our trip, we wanted to have a good adjustment period for Colin and Cara to get used to this new living situation.
Well, folks, it may seem crazy, but the more I thought about it, I started making more sense to myself.
Colin is 3.5, and Cara is 1.5. Sure, they're different genders, but even if we had 4 or 5 bedrooms in this house, I think I'd like to give sibling roommate thing a try regardless. Why?
Bonding
They have a good relationship, they don't beat each other to a pulp (yet), and in fact are very kind and enjoy each other's company. I want them to be able to develop this relationship, outside of my radar ultrasonic mommy range. (I'm lying, there's a baby monitor in that room still). But to them, Mom and Dad are not there, and they are able to develop a bond special to themselves. Which, I hope, will come in handy when Cara starts dating.
Sharing
Well, now that they're physically sharing the same space (which is probably the hardest for adults to learn to share), it will probably be easier for them to share other things. Not just with one another, but with their friends as well. I don't want them to each have a room, full of just 'their' things, and get this idea that they own it all. Cause honey-pumpkin-doodle-bugs... you don't. Entitlement is not something that magically happens when they're 23, and looking for a real adult job. All things are learned at young ages, and I'm going to snip that entitlement virus as soon as I can. Why not start with - 'darling, everything is not your's'. If they want to earn it, they have piggy banks, and can buy it. But for now, if Mom and Dad got it, it's shared, and it's for the family.
Responsibility
I'm not so sure about this one, but I'm hoping that they'll learn what they do, affects other people. Roommates will teach you that very quickly. And, also, just putting up with someones else's crap. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?
They're young once
One boy, one girl. We will have to separate them at some point, but they're at an age where this makes sense for us to open up space for another room. Why not take advantage of their ages, and let them enjoy being around each other - because there will come a time, when they will want to shut the door in each other's faces. You'll know when that time comes, when all my updates are regarding 'door renovations'.
Bunk Bed? Hell Yeah!
Not only is a bunk bed the coolest thing ever, it's... the coolest thing ever. And if you have parents that want to relive their childhood dreams, then you're in better luck. We wanted an excuse to buy a really cool bunk bed when the time came. If our children were not sharing a room, then the world would know that we bought a bed with slide/stairs (do those come in Queen sizes...?)for ourselves, and that would be, well, embarrassing (but still really fun).
The dream. And no, I'm not talking about the 3 kids.
Yesterday, Joe and I bit the bullet, and moved the crib back upstairs. I've always had it in my head that the kids would share a room one day, but with imminent house guests arriving shortly after our trip, we wanted to have a good adjustment period for Colin and Cara to get used to this new living situation.
Well, folks, it may seem crazy, but the more I thought about it, I started making more sense to myself.
Colin is 3.5, and Cara is 1.5. Sure, they're different genders, but even if we had 4 or 5 bedrooms in this house, I think I'd like to give sibling roommate thing a try regardless. Why?
Bonding
They have a good relationship, they don't beat each other to a pulp (yet), and in fact are very kind and enjoy each other's company. I want them to be able to develop this relationship, outside of my radar ultrasonic mommy range. (I'm lying, there's a baby monitor in that room still). But to them, Mom and Dad are not there, and they are able to develop a bond special to themselves. Which, I hope, will come in handy when Cara starts dating.
Sharing
Well, now that they're physically sharing the same space (which is probably the hardest for adults to learn to share), it will probably be easier for them to share other things. Not just with one another, but with their friends as well. I don't want them to each have a room, full of just 'their' things, and get this idea that they own it all. Cause honey-pumpkin-doodle-bugs... you don't. Entitlement is not something that magically happens when they're 23, and looking for a real adult job. All things are learned at young ages, and I'm going to snip that entitlement virus as soon as I can. Why not start with - 'darling, everything is not your's'. If they want to earn it, they have piggy banks, and can buy it. But for now, if Mom and Dad got it, it's shared, and it's for the family.
Responsibility
I'm not so sure about this one, but I'm hoping that they'll learn what they do, affects other people. Roommates will teach you that very quickly. And, also, just putting up with someones else's crap. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?
They're young once
One boy, one girl. We will have to separate them at some point, but they're at an age where this makes sense for us to open up space for another room. Why not take advantage of their ages, and let them enjoy being around each other - because there will come a time, when they will want to shut the door in each other's faces. You'll know when that time comes, when all my updates are regarding 'door renovations'.
Bunk Bed? Hell Yeah!
Not only is a bunk bed the coolest thing ever, it's... the coolest thing ever. And if you have parents that want to relive their childhood dreams, then you're in better luck. We wanted an excuse to buy a really cool bunk bed when the time came. If our children were not sharing a room, then the world would know that we bought a bed with slide/stairs (do those come in Queen sizes...?)for ourselves, and that would be, well, embarrassing (but still really fun).
Friday, September 21, 2012
Humble
Humble (as defined by Colin): When you break something, and you don't look at it.
note to self: be wary of when he tells me he's been humble.
note to self: be wary of when he tells me he's been humble.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Smile!
Cara's first smile on command. July 21st, 2012.
Not really Miss Universe material, but we'll keep her I guess.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Who's teaching who?
Yesterday was a pretty significant day in my life as a mom. Everyday Colin does something to make me proud, but yesterday he did 2 things that just made me reflect on - hmm, how do I say this... - relationships. Not a lovey dovey relationship, real relations with others, and with God.
The first instance was when we were having a family meeting on Mommy and Daddy's bed. It's usually a fun time where we just talk about our day, or what we want to do, and we just listen to each other (as meaningful as it sounds, these 'meetings' don't last for more than 2 minutes due to the attention span of a 3 and 1 year old).
Cara, of course - being the aggressive and annoying little sister, did something to annoy Colin. Not just annoy, she really pissed him off. She *gasp* took something of his without asking. Now usually Colin brushes this off, but when he just awakes from his nap - he's particularly..... sensitive.
He was so furious, he was welling up with tears because he was so mad at Cara, and he did something I've never seen - he started to clap his hands really really hard because I guess he was just that frustrated? He normally stomps, but it seemed like he channeled his stomping into clapping for some particular reason. He clapped hard about 3 times in anger, and then..... he kissed Cara.
I witnessed the whole episode, and when he kissed her - I was blown away. I couldn't believe it, because I saw how much anger was welling up in him and I was waiting for him to either rip the item back out of her hands, or hit her.
I wasn't sure what it was that I was so proud of - but I started to get emotional, and I just stared at Joe and asked him if he saw that too. We were amazed at his sense of love and compassion for his annoying little sister. Can a child understand and demonstrate forgiveness, and 'loving your enemy' in a more innocent act? I was astounded, and wish I was more like Colin in that very moment. I wish I could just show love to those who wrong me, instead of dwelling on the hurt they have caused.
Anyway, during this short family meeting of ours, we had decided to go hike a mountain. No Grouse Grind here, but in the 'burbs it's called the Coquitlam Crunch. It was on this hike where Colin stunned us for a second time.
We were getting higher and higher, and he was able to see the land get smaller. We had conquered the mountain (which is pretty great for a 3 y/o Chinese kid with short legs), and when we paused to just look down at our achievement Colin asked, "How did this mountain get here?"
I responded, "Well, there wasn't anything here before, but God said 'let there be a mountain', it came to be!"
The normal response is usually, 'oh', or 'I like mountains', or something totally unrelated like 'I like the Avengers'.
But, he was actually amazed, that there was a mountain that was so big, that God actually made it. So he told Joe and me "Let's pray to God!".
He went on, "Dear God, thank you for the beautiful day, for Jesus, and God, and my play-dough maker, and for this mountain that we can climb".
Was he really teaching us a lesson in thankfulness? I truly believed in that moment that God was smiling. Shouldn't we all be grateful - for all the amazing things that we seem to take for granted? My 30 years of life has made me pass by all the amazing complexities of life that was created just for us. I think it's simple. I don't even think twice about it - but my own 3 year old was the one to pause, and thank God.
Even if you don't believe in God, just look at what's around you - and if we look at life through a 3 year old's eyes - things really are just amazing. We should be thankful for all the (small to us, but big to kids) things in life.
The first instance was when we were having a family meeting on Mommy and Daddy's bed. It's usually a fun time where we just talk about our day, or what we want to do, and we just listen to each other (as meaningful as it sounds, these 'meetings' don't last for more than 2 minutes due to the attention span of a 3 and 1 year old).
Cara, of course - being the aggressive and annoying little sister, did something to annoy Colin. Not just annoy, she really pissed him off. She *gasp* took something of his without asking. Now usually Colin brushes this off, but when he just awakes from his nap - he's particularly..... sensitive.
He was so furious, he was welling up with tears because he was so mad at Cara, and he did something I've never seen - he started to clap his hands really really hard because I guess he was just that frustrated? He normally stomps, but it seemed like he channeled his stomping into clapping for some particular reason. He clapped hard about 3 times in anger, and then..... he kissed Cara.
I witnessed the whole episode, and when he kissed her - I was blown away. I couldn't believe it, because I saw how much anger was welling up in him and I was waiting for him to either rip the item back out of her hands, or hit her.
I wasn't sure what it was that I was so proud of - but I started to get emotional, and I just stared at Joe and asked him if he saw that too. We were amazed at his sense of love and compassion for his annoying little sister. Can a child understand and demonstrate forgiveness, and 'loving your enemy' in a more innocent act? I was astounded, and wish I was more like Colin in that very moment. I wish I could just show love to those who wrong me, instead of dwelling on the hurt they have caused.
Anyway, during this short family meeting of ours, we had decided to go hike a mountain. No Grouse Grind here, but in the 'burbs it's called the Coquitlam Crunch. It was on this hike where Colin stunned us for a second time.
We were getting higher and higher, and he was able to see the land get smaller. We had conquered the mountain (which is pretty great for a 3 y/o Chinese kid with short legs), and when we paused to just look down at our achievement Colin asked, "How did this mountain get here?"
I responded, "Well, there wasn't anything here before, but God said 'let there be a mountain', it came to be!"
The normal response is usually, 'oh', or 'I like mountains', or something totally unrelated like 'I like the Avengers'.
But, he was actually amazed, that there was a mountain that was so big, that God actually made it. So he told Joe and me "Let's pray to God!".
He went on, "Dear God, thank you for the beautiful day, for Jesus, and God, and my play-dough maker, and for this mountain that we can climb".
Was he really teaching us a lesson in thankfulness? I truly believed in that moment that God was smiling. Shouldn't we all be grateful - for all the amazing things that we seem to take for granted? My 30 years of life has made me pass by all the amazing complexities of life that was created just for us. I think it's simple. I don't even think twice about it - but my own 3 year old was the one to pause, and thank God.
Even if you don't believe in God, just look at what's around you - and if we look at life through a 3 year old's eyes - things really are just amazing. We should be thankful for all the (small to us, but big to kids) things in life.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
How are you?
Colin is just on a streak. He keeps saying the funniest things, and we don't even write them all down, but the ones we do make an effort to take note of are the priceless ones.
So, Colin has always mixed up 'How are you?' with 'How old are you?'. When anyone asked him how he was doing, he'd always respond with 'I'm THREE!'
So, Joe made the effort to finally try to correct his response last night. He taught him the difference - so they demonstrated Colin's new answer to the 2 questions.
Joe: okay Colin. Let's show mommy. Colin, How ARE you?
Colin: good.
Joe: How OLD are you?
Colin: 3!!
Of course, I interrupt everything and decide to recognize that Colin can soon say he's 3 and a half soon. Like all children, the half is important and he's intrigued.
Sharon: let's try again - How ARE you?
Colin: *thinking.....* I'm good and a half.
So, Colin has always mixed up 'How are you?' with 'How old are you?'. When anyone asked him how he was doing, he'd always respond with 'I'm THREE!'
So, Joe made the effort to finally try to correct his response last night. He taught him the difference - so they demonstrated Colin's new answer to the 2 questions.
Joe: okay Colin. Let's show mommy. Colin, How ARE you?
Colin: good.
Joe: How OLD are you?
Colin: 3!!
Of course, I interrupt everything and decide to recognize that Colin can soon say he's 3 and a half soon. Like all children, the half is important and he's intrigued.
Sharon: let's try again - How ARE you?
Colin: *thinking.....* I'm good and a half.
Colin Says
Joe was about to launch a paper airplane he had made for Colin, and asked him, "Are you ready?"
Colin responded," I was BORN ready."
Colin responded," I was BORN ready."
Friday, June 22, 2012
Mind Blowing
Some things just blow Colin's mind.
Me: You know why you need to sleep tonight?
Colin: Yah. Because I need energy for Blaike's birthday party at the Jungle Gym.
Me: and you know what else they'll probably have? Cake!
Colin: *puts both hands on head* That's. Crazy. Cake at the Jungle Gym???????????
Me: You know why you need to sleep tonight?
Colin: Yah. Because I need energy for Blaike's birthday party at the Jungle Gym.
Me: and you know what else they'll probably have? Cake!
Colin: *puts both hands on head* That's. Crazy. Cake at the Jungle Gym???????????
Monday, June 18, 2012
First Girlfriend?
Joe's posted this:
For Colin and I's bedtime routine tonight, he asked me how I met mommy, and why we got married. After I told him our story, I asked him who his favorite girl is, and he said "Emma".
"Which Emma?"
"Uncle Ben's Emma. We shared cheese together. I real real really like her".
For Colin and I's bedtime routine tonight, he asked me how I met mommy, and why we got married. After I told him our story, I asked him who his favorite girl is, and he said "Emma".
"Which Emma?"
"Uncle Ben's Emma. We shared cheese together. I real real really like her".
Father's Day
Life lessons Joe has taught Colin:
1. how to kill Diablo
2. how to crack pistachios with a computer sound card
3. how to 'take damage' when pretend fighting
4. somersaulting off the couch
5. and, dancing shamelessly
Best dad for Colin? I think so. Happy Father's Day Joe.
1. how to kill Diablo
2. how to crack pistachios with a computer sound card
3. how to 'take damage' when pretend fighting
4. somersaulting off the couch
5. and, dancing shamelessly
Best dad for Colin? I think so. Happy Father's Day Joe.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
May Milestones
It's big times in this house. Cara has decided, on May 9th, to walk more than crawl. Her first steps on her own were taken on April 5th, at Tai Tai's house, and she's been a work in progress since! And on May 9th, Cara decided that walking is a better mode of getting from point A to B (usually the couch to the tv...ahh, the life she lives). Now, Mama gets to go shoe shopping. If I can't get excited to shop for myself, I'll get excited about shopping for baby shoes!
Colin, has also reached a HUGE milestone. He is COMPLETELY potty trained! We've been working on it, stickers, treats, candy, prizes.... and he's made huge growth since Hawaii. But I would say, that last week was the first week he was able to initiate pottying for several consecutive days. Oh, the things that get a mom excited - potty training is a prison of sorts. You're trapped in your own home, or when you do have to go to public places, it's a darting in and out practice. I called it efficiency, but really it was fear of the pee.
Another huge development Colin's made, is he started reading. And no, not by memory. He's able to read all c-v-c words, and I really don't know where this skill came from, since I don't read with him and push him to read like a Mensa boy... but hey, I don't mind this sudden brilliance. Is there a down side to this? Yes. He was able to decipher Joe and me talking in 'code' and sounded out 'z-o-o' when Joe and I were tossing the idea around.
Such big moments, and it may not be graduating, or proms, or weddings, but they are certainly on their way to growing up quick! Not babies anymore... that's for sure.
Colin, has also reached a HUGE milestone. He is COMPLETELY potty trained! We've been working on it, stickers, treats, candy, prizes.... and he's made huge growth since Hawaii. But I would say, that last week was the first week he was able to initiate pottying for several consecutive days. Oh, the things that get a mom excited - potty training is a prison of sorts. You're trapped in your own home, or when you do have to go to public places, it's a darting in and out practice. I called it efficiency, but really it was fear of the pee.
Another huge development Colin's made, is he started reading. And no, not by memory. He's able to read all c-v-c words, and I really don't know where this skill came from, since I don't read with him and push him to read like a Mensa boy... but hey, I don't mind this sudden brilliance. Is there a down side to this? Yes. He was able to decipher Joe and me talking in 'code' and sounded out 'z-o-o' when Joe and I were tossing the idea around.
Such big moments, and it may not be graduating, or proms, or weddings, but they are certainly on their way to growing up quick! Not babies anymore... that's for sure.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Birthday Recaps
I've noticed a trend. I start each post off saying 'I haven't posted in a really long time', or something similar. But time passes by so easily, and especially with February jam packed with Birthdays and then getting slapped by 30 (now my excuse is old-age?), I can say it's been busy.
Cara turned 1. We didn't hold a cray cray party - not bouncy castle, no 25 kids running around with kazoos, a creepy clown.... etc. I didn't do all that either with Colin, but I do remember putting on more of a 'party' for Colin when he turned 1... and then realized - they just don't care. They just want cake.
So, for good old #2, we had a nice little family dinner on her actual birthday, with a homemade carrot cake (which she inhaled), and for her 'party' we invited 2 families. That's right. 4 kids total. It was a nice quaint way to eat a nice bbq meal with close friends, and to say we celebrated Cara's first birthday with a party.
For Colin, on the day of his birthday, Joe took the day off work and took the whole family to the zoo. Low key, and just good family quality time. We hit up the Olive Garden in Langley afterward too - we felt so.... American.
Colin's birthday was a little bit more exciting. He had a party - a real birthday party. Last year, he didn't get much of a party, since we had just given birth to Cara a few weeks earlier and I couldn't be bothered to put on a razzled dazzled show, but this year I asked him what he wanted - and he wanted a pinata. And a pinata he got. He had a dinosaur themed gig, with an egg hunt, and pin the tale on the dinosaur, and good tiny friends and food - it was the perfect way to celebrate him being just a boy.
Then came mine. Thirty. We just had a simple dinner with family on the night of my birthday, and then got together with some friends at our local steakhouse (Onyx).
I found that 30 wasn't as daunting as it appeared. Joe asked me how I felt about turning 30, and I told him that I'm pretty proud of it. Having met Joe, married, bought a house, had 2 kids, and raising a family (and a pretty happy and healthy one at that), makes me feel like holding my head up high at this ripe old age. Well, and also getting my ID checked in Hawaii didn't hurt either ;)
Anyway, I'll do an April recap too, but these weeks have just flown by!
Cara turned 1. We didn't hold a cray cray party - not bouncy castle, no 25 kids running around with kazoos, a creepy clown.... etc. I didn't do all that either with Colin, but I do remember putting on more of a 'party' for Colin when he turned 1... and then realized - they just don't care. They just want cake.
So, for good old #2, we had a nice little family dinner on her actual birthday, with a homemade carrot cake (which she inhaled), and for her 'party' we invited 2 families. That's right. 4 kids total. It was a nice quaint way to eat a nice bbq meal with close friends, and to say we celebrated Cara's first birthday with a party.
For Colin, on the day of his birthday, Joe took the day off work and took the whole family to the zoo. Low key, and just good family quality time. We hit up the Olive Garden in Langley afterward too - we felt so.... American.
Colin's birthday was a little bit more exciting. He had a party - a real birthday party. Last year, he didn't get much of a party, since we had just given birth to Cara a few weeks earlier and I couldn't be bothered to put on a razzled dazzled show, but this year I asked him what he wanted - and he wanted a pinata. And a pinata he got. He had a dinosaur themed gig, with an egg hunt, and pin the tale on the dinosaur, and good tiny friends and food - it was the perfect way to celebrate him being just a boy.
Then came mine. Thirty. We just had a simple dinner with family on the night of my birthday, and then got together with some friends at our local steakhouse (Onyx).
I found that 30 wasn't as daunting as it appeared. Joe asked me how I felt about turning 30, and I told him that I'm pretty proud of it. Having met Joe, married, bought a house, had 2 kids, and raising a family (and a pretty happy and healthy one at that), makes me feel like holding my head up high at this ripe old age. Well, and also getting my ID checked in Hawaii didn't hurt either ;)
Anyway, I'll do an April recap too, but these weeks have just flown by!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Colin Says - the 'Why' Stage
Ah. Why.
Why this. Why that? Why why why why why - I'm am currently in this stage. And I must say, I'm embracing it... I do enjoy the curiosity, and I feel like if I somhow answer all of his questions correctly, he'll continue to be curious about everything else in life, and then bug smarter people for better answers.
But, the why got a little personal today.
Colin: Why are your eyes so big Mommy?
Me: Because that's the way I was made.
Colin: Why is your mouth so big?
Me: Because that's the way I was made.
Colin: Why is your belly so big?
Me: .
I'll just go eat my lettuce leaf for lunch today, thank you.
Why this. Why that? Why why why why why - I'm am currently in this stage. And I must say, I'm embracing it... I do enjoy the curiosity, and I feel like if I somhow answer all of his questions correctly, he'll continue to be curious about everything else in life, and then bug smarter people for better answers.
But, the why got a little personal today.
Colin: Why are your eyes so big Mommy?
Me: Because that's the way I was made.
Colin: Why is your mouth so big?
Me: Because that's the way I was made.
Colin: Why is your belly so big?
Me: .
I'll just go eat my lettuce leaf for lunch today, thank you.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Colin Says
Before he went for quiet time in his bed, Cara and I were accompanying him in his room. He was in his bed getting his books and stuffies ready and said to Cara and myself, "Come on in my bed girls!"
................................
Colin was awake still by 9pm (after we had put him to bed at 7:45) but he wasn't yelling for us, we just heard some thumping. Joe decided to use this time to just spend with Colin, and told him he was very proud of him for 2 reasons.
Joe: Colin, Daddy is very proud of you for 2 reasons. 1. You went on the potty all day today, and your diaper was dry!
Colin (interrupting Joe): and 2. I'm proud of you for playing the pizza game Daddy!
Joe: Yes, well... then... 3. I'm proud of you that even though you were awake, you didn't yell and you just stayed in your bed and tried to sleep. I'm so proud of you Colin.
Colin (interrupting again): and 4..... and I like Daddy.
Colin was awake still by 9pm (after we had put him to bed at 7:45) but he wasn't yelling for us, we just heard some thumping. Joe decided to use this time to just spend with Colin, and told him he was very proud of him for 2 reasons.
Joe: Colin, Daddy is very proud of you for 2 reasons. 1. You went on the potty all day today, and your diaper was dry!
Colin (interrupting Joe): and 2. I'm proud of you for playing the pizza game Daddy!
Joe: Yes, well... then... 3. I'm proud of you that even though you were awake, you didn't yell and you just stayed in your bed and tried to sleep. I'm so proud of you Colin.
Colin (interrupting again): and 4..... and I like Daddy.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Potty Mouth
Colin's potty training. And He's just turned 3, and it seems like the tantrum gods have poured out their rains on me all at once and all I've experienced this morning are stomping, the word 'no', crying, and all around toddler pms.
But, he had his moments. He still went poo on the potty, and as he was doing his thing and analyzing the product (like all men do), he had an epiphany.
He said to me, "Mommy, I'm making a poo poo snowman!".
But, he had his moments. He still went poo on the potty, and as he was doing his thing and analyzing the product (like all men do), he had an epiphany.
He said to me, "Mommy, I'm making a poo poo snowman!".
The Story of a Pinata
I haven't blogged in a while. Well, there were 2 kids with birthdays in February, so you can imagine how busy it has been. For Colin's birthday, I asked him what he wanted. He was allowed to wish for ONE thing. I was thinking of a toy. Or a game, or going somewhere special (like Koko's) or food. He loves treats, Pocky or really - anything he wanted I thought I was able to guess and just go out and buy it. Well, he told me. He wanted.... a piñata.
Seriously kid? A Piñata??? Where, and what and how do you know about piñatas?
Regardless, he is one of the apples of my eyes, and I would do just about anything for this boy. Even a frikkin Piñata. So, here is the story, of a triceratops piñata.
It didn't start off very promising. I was a bit deflated, as it started to look like a flying pig with a cape blowing in the wind.
I then asked my neighbour to use their newspapers - I was going to fix this thing, and do some serious plastic surgery. A nose job here..
A butt implant there....
some horny additions
And a final coat of tissue paper and paint makes it a for shizzle rizzle be-dazzled piñata.
I actually let Colin paint something abstract on it afterwards. And, instead of letting 3 year olds bat it to death (my poor husband would probably lose several appendages), I had a trap door with random strings for them to pull. I'll post the final photo from the party in a later blog. But this is all I have for now. Enjoy!
Seriously kid? A Piñata??? Where, and what and how do you know about piñatas?
Regardless, he is one of the apples of my eyes, and I would do just about anything for this boy. Even a frikkin Piñata. So, here is the story, of a triceratops piñata.
It didn't start off very promising. I was a bit deflated, as it started to look like a flying pig with a cape blowing in the wind.
I then asked my neighbour to use their newspapers - I was going to fix this thing, and do some serious plastic surgery. A nose job here..
A butt implant there....
some horny additions
And a final coat of tissue paper and paint makes it a for shizzle rizzle be-dazzled piñata.
I actually let Colin paint something abstract on it afterwards. And, instead of letting 3 year olds bat it to death (my poor husband would probably lose several appendages), I had a trap door with random strings for them to pull. I'll post the final photo from the party in a later blog. But this is all I have for now. Enjoy!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Cara Climbs.... everything.
These are the places I have discovered Cara this morning so far. I've turned away to do just a couple things, and have come back on separate occasions, to find her:
inside the ottoman
on top of Colin's art table
on top of the filing cabinet, tinkering with all the crap on our computer desk
Note the markers she found, and has inside her mouth. This is actually the second time she did this today, and the first time I found a huge cube of paperclips spilled, and her gnawing on a few of the paperclips.
She's an unstoppable beast.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Easy Cooking: Sticky Lemon Chicken
Don't you love delicious, easy, and one-pot(pan) meals?? Well this is surely one that will keep the husband happy, the guests talking, and your kitchen clean.
I've actually known about this recipe for ages, but recently just remembered it when I had a ton of chicken I had to use up.
I don't really follow a lot of chefs, but this is Gordon Ramsay's recipe. He's a bit of an OCD freak in the video, he claps his hands (a lot), looks like he's been a little medicated and high-strung... but hey, if I think I can even attempt something like this, you know that it's lazy mom friendly.
Ingredients:
8-10 Chicken thighs (you know I always go for these - they're cheap)
salt & pepper
soy sauce
Sherry (in Gordo's recipe, it calls for Sherry vinegar. I only had Sherry, and vinegar, so I just put 2 together)
Rice Wine Vinegar
2 Lemons (slices, and another one for juice)
fresh thyme
water
honey
What to do:
1. season the chicken, and then fry if skin-side down. if your pan isn't big enough, do it in batches. you want a nice delicious crunch golden skin.. mmm... and if you're a health diet freak, i'm sure skinless will be fine too. but hot dang... fried skin is so good.
2. turn chicken to brown other side (and drain the oil)
3. add soy, sherry, vinegar, lemon juice, and thyme. use your judgement on measuring these - it's up to you if you want it saltier, more sour, sweet... etc. I'd recommend anything between 2-4tbsp of each.
4. put a slice of lemon on top of each chicken, then slap a lid on and let it cook for... 7-10 minutes.
5. Open up the lid, put some honey in it... and let it cook for a little bit longer 1-2 minutes, and then take the chicken out.
6. Technically the meal is done, but if you want to go the extra mile - reduce the remaining sauce, add butter, more honey, and then pour it over your chicken.
It's so freaking good, and so freaking easy. Here's the video if you want to watch good ol twitchy Gordo make it.
I've actually known about this recipe for ages, but recently just remembered it when I had a ton of chicken I had to use up.
I don't really follow a lot of chefs, but this is Gordon Ramsay's recipe. He's a bit of an OCD freak in the video, he claps his hands (a lot), looks like he's been a little medicated and high-strung... but hey, if I think I can even attempt something like this, you know that it's lazy mom friendly.
Ingredients:
8-10 Chicken thighs (you know I always go for these - they're cheap)
salt & pepper
soy sauce
Sherry (in Gordo's recipe, it calls for Sherry vinegar. I only had Sherry, and vinegar, so I just put 2 together)
Rice Wine Vinegar
2 Lemons (slices, and another one for juice)
fresh thyme
water
honey
What to do:
1. season the chicken, and then fry if skin-side down. if your pan isn't big enough, do it in batches. you want a nice delicious crunch golden skin.. mmm... and if you're a health diet freak, i'm sure skinless will be fine too. but hot dang... fried skin is so good.
2. turn chicken to brown other side (and drain the oil)
3. add soy, sherry, vinegar, lemon juice, and thyme. use your judgement on measuring these - it's up to you if you want it saltier, more sour, sweet... etc. I'd recommend anything between 2-4tbsp of each.
4. put a slice of lemon on top of each chicken, then slap a lid on and let it cook for... 7-10 minutes.
5. Open up the lid, put some honey in it... and let it cook for a little bit longer 1-2 minutes, and then take the chicken out.
6. Technically the meal is done, but if you want to go the extra mile - reduce the remaining sauce, add butter, more honey, and then pour it over your chicken.
It's so freaking good, and so freaking easy. Here's the video if you want to watch good ol twitchy Gordo make it.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
He's not a Pumpkin
Both Cara and Colin were sitting nicely and watching tv. I went up and said, "Hi, my little pumpkins."
Colin responds in his usual Colin way, "we're not pumpkins. We're cats."
Colin responds in his usual Colin way, "we're not pumpkins. We're cats."
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Significance of Hand Cream
Marriage is hard.
It's something that Joe and I recently discovered, and are now trying to work on. We are works in progress, and now our marriage is a priority, and something we are vowing to put effort into every single day.
Life gets comfortable, the relationship with the one person you live with and see everyday - becomes routine, and you co-exist. When the kids come along, you may mistake 'teamwork' for marriage, but it's not. The busy-ness of it all with the kids becomes a great excuse for exhaustion, tiredness, and lack of attention to each other.
Joe and I got comfortable, and we realized that's not where we want to be, and are taking the steps to make things better. We're re-prioritizing, and our marriage comes before the kids. They need parents that are in love, and have an example of daily forgiveness, compassion, repentance, reconciliation, and intimacy. They need daily examples of Christ's love for us, and our marriage is the one thing they witness everyday.
So, in an effort to make our marriage better, there are some small changes. For example, Joe started holding my hands more often. He noticed something - we haven't paid attention to each other, and he hadn't noticed my hands had gotten so cracked and dry after all these years of cleaning and dealing with the kids. I'm not the kind of person to go out and buy creams either - I don't wear makeup, and blow-drying my hair is considered 'effort' in my books.
My hands were dry and ignored by me and by Joe. He bought me some serious hand cream (Body Shop) as we were meandering around the mall last night - I lathered it on, trying to restore all the dry cracked skin. I kept telling him how much I did like it - I kept rubbing my hands, saying they were so much better and silkier. He told me he hadn't realized how much work my hands did. My hands, like our marriage, have been ignored - we are trying to restore it again. And with a new sense of appreciation for each other, we're going to keep working on our marriage.
Didn't realize $12 hand cream meant so much to me before.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Cara Plays Peekaboo
So, just as a warning - I'm talking in my 'talking to a baby voice', combined with annoying 'Peekaboo voice' with overtones of 'proud momma'. So please bear with that... other then that, please enjoy watching Cara learn the art of Peek-a-boo-ing.
What Does Jesus Eat?
According to Colin, Jesus likes pineapples, pork, cookies, bananas, and apples.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
My First Hearbreak
It used to be the case, where when someone gets hurt, I, Mommy, am the ultimate healer of pain. I can take any owie, examine it, and with the magic of a kiss the pain would be washed away.
He took it to another level, and when he got hurt, he'd say 1 isn't enough. The bigger badder owies seemed to need.... five. As much as it burdened me, I would lay those kisses on him - it was my duty as a mother.
So many hats to wear, but I took this new role on and played it proudly. Until...... this past week.He hurts himself, and now he's frikkin 'brave'??? What is this all about? No kisses needed, no crying or sobbing, just holding his head up high. Making his Dad proud, that's for sure, but seriously - being 'Brave like Diego' is just crap. I want to smother him with kisses, and I want to be the go-to healer!
I hate it when they get too independent. He's no longer wimpy, and my hat has been stripped. At least there's Cara.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Charming Colin
We were having hot chocolate at the local Starbucks, and for some reason (thanks to the technology of television) Colin said 'Happy Valentines Day'.
Me: Where did you hear that from?
C: The Save-Ums. What is Valentines Day?
Me: it's a day about love.
C: I'm sick.
M: what's wrong with you?
C: I'm sick because I love you soooo much Mommy.
Other Colinsms from today:
As a typical mom and dad with their baby babbling - we encourage them to say our name. It almost becomes a challenge to see who's name they say first. Joe and I were probing Cara, "Mama", "DaDa". etc.
Colin pushes us aside, and says to Cara, "Goh Goh". That's Chinese for big brother.
It's been potty training season, and our house is stocked with stickers, charts, treats... you know, the works. Well, today was the day. Colin collected enough stickers, to get a PRIZE. What was the prize? A Stegosaurus from the Toy Jungle at the mall. I told him Daddy and I would go to the mall, and we would get the Stegosaurus after dinner.
We were getting ready to go, and Joe and Colin were getting ready on our bed, and when we said it was time to go, Colin calmly said, "No, I'm fine".
Joe and I were a bit shocked. We were going to get the dinosaur he wanted, and we were dying to get it for him because he deserved it. And all Colin said was "No, I'm fine. I want family time."
We made it clear that we were going to go get that dinosaur, and that it was his prize for pooping, and all the fun he would have with it, and he surprised us by saying, "No, I have enough dinosaurs. I have my Ankylosaurus."
Joe and I were floored. Where does a 2 year old learn to be content with his things? Since when does family time, take priority over material things? I don't know. It's certainly not something we overtly taught him, but I am just so happy. In love. In love that Colin loves his family so much more than anything. I hope that we can nurture this desire to be loved and secure.
Me: Where did you hear that from?
C: The Save-Ums. What is Valentines Day?
Me: it's a day about love.
C: I'm sick.
M: what's wrong with you?
C: I'm sick because I love you soooo much Mommy.
Other Colinsms from today:
As a typical mom and dad with their baby babbling - we encourage them to say our name. It almost becomes a challenge to see who's name they say first. Joe and I were probing Cara, "Mama", "DaDa". etc.
Colin pushes us aside, and says to Cara, "Goh Goh". That's Chinese for big brother.
It's been potty training season, and our house is stocked with stickers, charts, treats... you know, the works. Well, today was the day. Colin collected enough stickers, to get a PRIZE. What was the prize? A Stegosaurus from the Toy Jungle at the mall. I told him Daddy and I would go to the mall, and we would get the Stegosaurus after dinner.
We were getting ready to go, and Joe and Colin were getting ready on our bed, and when we said it was time to go, Colin calmly said, "No, I'm fine".
Joe and I were a bit shocked. We were going to get the dinosaur he wanted, and we were dying to get it for him because he deserved it. And all Colin said was "No, I'm fine. I want family time."
We made it clear that we were going to go get that dinosaur, and that it was his prize for pooping, and all the fun he would have with it, and he surprised us by saying, "No, I have enough dinosaurs. I have my Ankylosaurus."
Joe and I were floored. Where does a 2 year old learn to be content with his things? Since when does family time, take priority over material things? I don't know. It's certainly not something we overtly taught him, but I am just so happy. In love. In love that Colin loves his family so much more than anything. I hope that we can nurture this desire to be loved and secure.
Getting Ready for Baby
I actually just sent this email to a few friends of our's who are expecting. I put this together cause when they asked about strollers, Joe and I pretty much gave them a sermon on it for 45 minutes. And then it also lead to other tidbits, and I kept telling them 'I'll just send you an email'. I finally got it together, and sat down to write this up, and realized: I wish I had this when we were preparing for our first-born.
Sometimes you just don't know where to start, and you can do all the research you want - but sometimes without experience all the research is useless. I'm not saying all my advice is the ONLY way, but it's just a starting point if you're totally clueless and none of your other mommy friends have given you any leads.
It's not the most comprehensive list, and I definitely would like to invite other moms to add to this list for expecting couples.
Things to buy in States:
Booster seat:
http://www.target.com/p/
http://www.toysrus.com/
why these seats are good: because it's really easy to clean. saves space (no need for a huge high chair). portable for when you do need to bring it somewhere - and it's half the price of what they cost up here.
Diaper Champ:
http://www.target.com/p/Baby-
why it's good: this particular bin isn't sold in Canada - but it's great cause you can use regular plastic bags - no need to buy specific refill packages (ie. diaper genie).
Strollers:
this is like shopping for a car - it's very individual based, and gadgety. From shocks, reclining seats, cup holders,rims tires, 'base' prices, you might as well have a stroller store beside car dealerships... they go hand in hand.
look here for a list of ALL the different strollers: www.strollersdirect.com/
but start with what you think you'll be doing most.
walks: (but where? gravel, grass, rocky paths, paved paths, malls... look around where you live and see what you'll be dealing with).
will you transporting it a lot?: if you are getting it in and out of the trunk a lot, then you will want something lighter.
baby carrier adaptable: make sure you get a stroller that has car seat adapter (and vice versa, make sure you get a car seat that works with your stroller... don't just get any old car seat) - it'll make your first 6-9 months of life so much easier.
re-sell value: you can get a lot back for some strollers on Craigslist - so if the price is really steep, don't forget that when you're done with it, you can sell it again for a pretty high price (if you keep it in good condition)
Why we went with Maclaren and Phil/Ted's Explorer:
The Maclaren is our umbrella stroller, and it became the stroller that stayed in the car, while we had one at home for taking walks in. The Maclaren was really easy to use, durable, and I could even open/close it with one hand. The con is there's no car seat compatible one available in Canada, so you can only really use (or want to use this) when you graduate up to the next car seat that remains in the car and you HAVE to take them out of the car seat when you want to leave the car.
With 2 (and closer in age) we wanted a stroller that did have the capability of holding 2, but without the size of double width - knowing that colin wasn't going to always want to sit in there, we wanted the option of just having a 'single' looking stroller. I also hated how I couldn't take decent walks on our first ever stroller (Even Flo Travel System), and we went for air filled tires, and can go anywhere we want in any condition without hesitation.
Things to have ready before baby comes
NB diapers (buy only 1 pack, he/she may grow out of them quickly, and if not just buy more)
burp cloths (for the obvious reason, but also for swaddling)
sleepers (you may need 4-5 that are smaller than you think you need)
Pads: for the obvious bleeding issues
heat packs (for your breasts - when the milk comes in it gets really really hard, and warm compression helps to get the flow going, and therefore you can help release some milk to ease your pain)
nursing pads (Lansinoh is the best brand, and the bonus is each box comes with 2-3 freezer bags for your breastmilk)
Lanolin (made by Lansinoh - for your bleeding nipples. sounds fun right?) - I've just been told Bug and Pickle is also a great brand for sore nipples
breast pump (to help with releasing the milk when they get too uncomfortable)
1-2 bottles and formula (if you don't produce, you'll want to have these on hand just in case)
Changing Pad: you can just put this on top of any drawer and then use this as your change table.
Baby bath tub: make sure there's a raised side, they're slippery little suckers, and you may be nervous washing them. There are also little inserts/racks that you can buy separately for cheap to raise baby.
Extra mesh underwear: the hospital will supply you with more upon requests - just pretty much stock up on anything the hospital supplied you with during your stay - you just might need it!
Personal Faves:
Baby Carrier: Ergo.
For Swaddling: Miracle Blanket if you have a really wiggly baby (much like Cara), then this is the perfect swaddle... it's like a straight jacket. Unfortunately, no husband sized ones (yet)
Sleepers: Old Navy (they have covers for the hands!), or Sears seems to have good ones.
Diaper Rash Cream: Desitin
Nursing Pads: Lansinoh (really, I've tried others - this is the one and only)
Baby Food: I didn't have it, but the Magic Bullet is really good according to a lot of Moms - I actually saw The Baby Bullet at London Drugs for $60? the other day. Worthwhile if you plan on making baby's food.
Baby Shampoo/Lotions: nothing with fragrance/perfumes in it. Aveeno is good.
Nursing Cover: Hooter Hider - good because it's got the 'peep' hole for mom to see baby why nursing.
Baby Ear Muffs: http://www.hearstore.ca/products.php?product=Peltor-Kid-Earmuffs
I actually got these for $20 at the hosiptal safety store - but when I just checked to get the link... the safety store is 'permanently closed'. I guess new parents aren't too concerned with safety. (neither were we). Anyway, not everyone is going to need ear muffs, but with Joe playing every single instrument known to mankind, Colin drumming, and my mother squawking, the ear muffs are a necessity in this house. There are some available at TJ's kids too (Bandz I think?) same price.
websites:
www.babysteals.com (just for random stuff you think you may want)
http://www.tjskids.com/ (all around baby store in Vancouver)
Sometimes you just don't know where to start, and you can do all the research you want - but sometimes without experience all the research is useless. I'm not saying all my advice is the ONLY way, but it's just a starting point if you're totally clueless and none of your other mommy friends have given you any leads.
It's not the most comprehensive list, and I definitely would like to invite other moms to add to this list for expecting couples.
...................................
Booster seat:
http://www.target.com/p/
http://www.toysrus.com/
why these seats are good: because it's really easy to clean. saves space (no need for a huge high chair). portable for when you do need to bring it somewhere - and it's half the price of what they cost up here.
Diaper Champ:
http://www.target.com/p/Baby-
why it's good: this particular bin isn't sold in Canada - but it's great cause you can use regular plastic bags - no need to buy specific refill packages (ie. diaper genie).
Strollers:
this is like shopping for a car - it's very individual based, and gadgety. From shocks, reclining seats, cup holders,
look here for a list of ALL the different strollers: www.strollersdirect.com/
but start with what you think you'll be doing most.
walks: (but where? gravel, grass, rocky paths, paved paths, malls... look around where you live and see what you'll be dealing with).
will you transporting it a lot?: if you are getting it in and out of the trunk a lot, then you will want something lighter.
baby carrier adaptable: make sure you get a stroller that has car seat adapter (and vice versa, make sure you get a car seat that works with your stroller... don't just get any old car seat) - it'll make your first 6-9 months of life so much easier.
re-sell value: you can get a lot back for some strollers on Craigslist - so if the price is really steep, don't forget that when you're done with it, you can sell it again for a pretty high price (if you keep it in good condition)
Why we went with Maclaren and Phil/Ted's Explorer:
The Maclaren is our umbrella stroller, and it became the stroller that stayed in the car, while we had one at home for taking walks in. The Maclaren was really easy to use, durable, and I could even open/close it with one hand. The con is there's no car seat compatible one available in Canada, so you can only really use (or want to use this) when you graduate up to the next car seat that remains in the car and you HAVE to take them out of the car seat when you want to leave the car.
With 2 (and closer in age) we wanted a stroller that did have the capability of holding 2, but without the size of double width - knowing that colin wasn't going to always want to sit in there, we wanted the option of just having a 'single' looking stroller. I also hated how I couldn't take decent walks on our first ever stroller (Even Flo Travel System), and we went for air filled tires, and can go anywhere we want in any condition without hesitation.
Things to have ready before baby comes
NB diapers (buy only 1 pack, he/she may grow out of them quickly, and if not just buy more)
burp cloths (for the obvious reason, but also for swaddling)
sleepers (you may need 4-5 that are smaller than you think you need)
Pads: for the obvious bleeding issues
heat packs (for your breasts - when the milk comes in it gets really really hard, and warm compression helps to get the flow going, and therefore you can help release some milk to ease your pain)
nursing pads (Lansinoh is the best brand, and the bonus is each box comes with 2-3 freezer bags for your breastmilk)
Lanolin (made by Lansinoh - for your bleeding nipples. sounds fun right?) - I've just been told Bug and Pickle is also a great brand for sore nipples
breast pump (to help with releasing the milk when they get too uncomfortable)
1-2 bottles and formula (if you don't produce, you'll want to have these on hand just in case)
Changing Pad: you can just put this on top of any drawer and then use this as your change table.
Baby bath tub: make sure there's a raised side, they're slippery little suckers, and you may be nervous washing them. There are also little inserts/racks that you can buy separately for cheap to raise baby.
Extra mesh underwear: the hospital will supply you with more upon requests - just pretty much stock up on anything the hospital supplied you with during your stay - you just might need it!
Personal Faves:
Baby Carrier: Ergo.
For Swaddling: Miracle Blanket if you have a really wiggly baby (much like Cara), then this is the perfect swaddle... it's like a straight jacket. Unfortunately, no husband sized ones (yet)
Sleepers: Old Navy (they have covers for the hands!), or Sears seems to have good ones.
Diaper Rash Cream: Desitin
Nursing Pads: Lansinoh (really, I've tried others - this is the one and only)
Baby Food: I didn't have it, but the Magic Bullet is really good according to a lot of Moms - I actually saw The Baby Bullet at London Drugs for $60? the other day. Worthwhile if you plan on making baby's food.
Baby Shampoo/Lotions: nothing with fragrance/perfumes in it. Aveeno is good.
Nursing Cover: Hooter Hider - good because it's got the 'peep' hole for mom to see baby why nursing.
Baby Ear Muffs: http://www.hearstore.ca/products.php?product=Peltor-Kid-Earmuffs
I actually got these for $20 at the hosiptal safety store - but when I just checked to get the link... the safety store is 'permanently closed'. I guess new parents aren't too concerned with safety. (neither were we). Anyway, not everyone is going to need ear muffs, but with Joe playing every single instrument known to mankind, Colin drumming, and my mother squawking, the ear muffs are a necessity in this house. There are some available at TJ's kids too (Bandz I think?) same price.
websites:
www.babysteals.com (just for random stuff you think you may want)
http://www.tjskids.com/ (all around baby store in Vancouver)
Friday, January 13, 2012
He's not a Baby Boy
Joe just got home from work. Here's the conversation as it happened, about 2 minutes ago:
Joe: Hi Baby Boy
Colin: I'm not a baby boy.
J: Hi baby girl
C: I'm not a baby girl EITHER
J: Hi baby mommy
C: I'm not a baby mommy either!!
J: Hi baby triceratops
C: I'm not a baby baby triceratops EITHER!!!!!
J: Then what are you?
C: I'm a dog.
Joe: Hi Baby Boy
Colin: I'm not a baby boy.
J: Hi baby girl
C: I'm not a baby girl EITHER
J: Hi baby mommy
C: I'm not a baby mommy either!!
J: Hi baby triceratops
C: I'm not a baby baby triceratops EITHER!!!!!
J: Then what are you?
C: I'm a dog.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Farewell, and Thank You 2011
I had my big 2011 post all ready and was gathering photos for my 'glance back at 2011' post. But then I read this blog post today and decided to redirect, and just take a few things I learned from this past year as well.
I was going to just share what the family did, month by month, sharing small quirks here and there that Colin and Cara did along the way. But that's why I do have this 'Diary' of sorts.... so that I can recall that. What I should be posting from 2011 are the lessons, the gratitude I experienced, and the blessings I received.
I don't quite know where to start, or how long this post will go on for, but bear with me as I attempt to simplify my epiphanies of 2011.
Deux?
We were ushered into 2011 with the birth of our second, Cara in early February. Love her to death. But then came all the - 'what's it like with 2?' 'you must be SO exhausted' 'I can't imagine what it's like with 2' etc. etc. comments.
Well, I'm no trailblazer in this whole childbearing thing, but for the record, and what my answer has been time and time again is: It's different for every person; but for me, it's easy and I'm loving it.
I have friends in all these categories: 'I'm not ready for kids yet'. 'We're good with 1'. 'We want to do all the things we want to do first before having kids'. To be honest, I think if Joe and I didn't have 2 accidents (Colin definitely, and Cara was much earlier than we wanted for #2) I think we'd be in the third camp - wanting to do everything we wanted to do first, and then settle down and make babies.
But that's not the path that was written out for us - because I am apparently a baby factory with crazy super fertile abilities. And as of February 2011, we are now a family of 4. Some things are more difficult - grocery shopping for example. I don't enjoy grocery shopping. I hated it with 1 kid, and now I loathe it with 2. So, I love it now when I can go alone in solitude (I would think having 2 kids is a pretty steep price to pay, if I needed to appreciate grocery shopping). But, before having kids - 'going to the grocery store alone' wasn't on exactly on the list. Things like traveling, taking up a hobby, buying gadgets, eating at the restaurants we want at the time we wanted to... those kinds of things filled up the list.
But now, I'm on the other side, and I'm towing 2 kids around, and I have discovered... we are doing all those things, and are enjoying them with every ounce of our being while we are doing it as a family. We make it work, and although it's sometimes very very difficult, the rewards are endless - memories for a lifetime, and a bond between us that gets stronger with the amount of time spent just doing things together.
Since Cara was born, we've continued to develop Joe's passion for photography into our little business (ChicGeek Photo), hit up Disneyland, New York (and also NJ, PA), and the all ridiculous Hong Kong. She's only 11 months old now. We've traveled more with kids, than without. And I wouldn't have it any other way. The worst part of vacationing and the holidays, is the day when Joe has to go back to work. Not only for the obvious reason, but because Colin goes into a Daddy withdrawal because he's not waking up to him everyday. Having kids shouldn't end your life - it's where our journey began (well, the roller coaster portion of it at least).
So, to anybody who fears the unknown (and by unknown I mean children - your own children) - it's not so bad. You somehow instantly shed the ability to be selfish. And to anybody who fears the half-unknown (having more than 1), it's kind of nice to feel less stressed out with a newborn - and realize that having a small baby is easier than one that talks (to parents of teenagers, I don't envy you.)
Big Ideas
Sometimes, there are learning opportunities. And I know that Colin comprehends a lot. I have to take advantage of his innocence now, and try to instill good values while I can before he is totally exposed to the harsh realities of life.
He is 2 though, after all, so I have to simplify a lot of things. And sometimes, after I explain it to him, I just wish us adults also understood these things with a child-like innocence. These are some of the definitions I have given Colin for toughies:
Responsible: taking care of your things when you are all by yourself.
War: Fighting is bad. You are not allowed to fight. But sometimes, someone might try to hurt you and you need to protect yourself or someone else, and you need to fight back.
Patience: Waiting without whining.
Superboy: a boy who does something he doesn't want to, but because mommy or daddy asks him to.
Trust: When mommy and daddy knows you can be a good boy when we are not there
I Told You So
I am almost 100% sure my mother's heart is filled with joy. So much overwhelming joy - because... she was right. Yes, she loves the grand kids, but she loves being right more. I'm certain of it. But ever since having children - you just realize how insane your own parents are, and how much they actually love you. She was right about.... everything. *ugh*.
Didn't you hate it when they said to you 'Wait until you have your own kids'. Well, that day has come. And I fear... I fear what lies on the road ahead for the next 20 years.
But, for now - since starting our own family, there is a whole new level of appreciation for my own mom, and for Joe's parents (bless their heart... I have no clue how they were able to make it out alive with Joe being their middle child).
Sleepless nights, no cell phones, Netflix, fancy double strollers, comfortable carriers... I have no clue how they survived, but they did - and not only that, they are now contributing and playing vital roles in the lives of their grandchildren.
But, it's still annoying now even when she nags me. I don't deny it - I am stubborn still, but I'm sure 30 years down the road I'll realize (again) that she was right again, about aging issues. But for now, I'll just let her soak up these moments that I took her for granted while growing up - and now am fully appreciating her role as my mom, and as a grandma now.
Where'd the Time Go?
You will be told time and time again that it goes by fast. When it was just Colin, I remember the first 2 weeks, heck even the first 3 months seem to just crawl by. I was pretty sure time stopped when he cried, or when I wasn't able to sleep. But now I'm sitting here totally floored that he's almost 3, and Cara will be 1 year next month, especially when I keep thinking I 'just' gave birth.
I've always heard that these days are fleeting. Which is why I made an effort with Colin to soak up the moments when he woke up in the middle of the night, and I got to hold him back to sleep. Honestly - I actually would sit in my rocking chair and think about when he was older, and I wouldn't get to hold him anymore, and how much I would want these moments back, and then cry because I loved him so much. (I'm a crier though, I wail every time I read Love you Forever, by Robert Munsch. Like the ug-o-ly wail - where I can hardly talk and then when I look at my kids they freak out cause I'm going to hold on to them for dear life kind of wail.) OR, maybe I cried because I was just plain tired. Who knows.
I am trying to do the same with Cara, but she's really good. She doesn't wake up in the middle of the night, and now all I can do is just treasure and try to photograph, video, or write about these times. I am already looking back at the photos from 6 months ago, and my heart stops. It just goes by quickly, and if you don't even write down the special things from that day - you will forget. There are sometimes moments that you just need to remember, so that when they're 20 and 22, you can remember some of the small things and smile.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
So, now that 2011 is far off into the distance, I look forward to what 2012 brings. We don't have as much planned as last year, but it will be interesting. Colin will be going into preschool, Cara's turning 1 and into a quick little turkey that likes stairs and all things dangerous, I'm turning 30, and Joe and I will try to lose weight. (ha). Chances are we'll see ups and downs, and surprises and stress, and like in the past, we'll just soak it up and take it all in stride. 2012, bring it.
Monday, January 2, 2012
My son, the hardcore drummer
Maybe not the best song to let my children be listening to (this is part of Joe's massive music repertoire), but he thoroughly enjoyed this song.
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