Happy New Year everyone!!!

We are home from our "Christmas", had a great time. And are, I believe after Payton is asleep going to bed. What party animals!!

See you next year!!

Car seat and other fustrations

On my last midwife visit I weighed Payton out of curiosity, she was just shy of 40lbs! I realized since then that her car seat is only approved for use of the harness straps until 40lbs, after that she's supposed to move up to using her seat as a booster with the seat belt straps!! She's to little for that!! She's not even 2 and a half yet! Rod and I really don't want her using seat belts yet so I've been looking around. In Canada you can only get approved harness straps up to 48lbs, which would give her until she's at least 3. But it's expensive when you don't have extra cash laying around, but is cost an issue when your child's safety is involved? Nope. And in reality at some point we will need 2 booster seats at the same time, it's just not an expense I was expecting now. Sigh. Just because my toddler is big for her age doesn't mean she shouldn't get to be safe!!

And then with all my looking around I found that my infant seat may have a recall on it, nothing to serious but another thing for me to think about/worry about. I'm going to have to get out the exact manufactors number and dates and give them a phone call to see what's going on with that.

We're still debating stroller issue's as well. Most double strollers have a per seat maximum weight of 35lbs, and we've already found Payton weighs more than than that. She's not a huge stroller fan but does tire easily and need breaks, and there is those times when I NEED her strapped in as she is 2!! So I tracked down a sit and stand stroller that would be compatible with our car seat. Then she could ride if she(or I) needed. The weight per child is higher at 45 lbs, but she's still only 5 lbs shy of that. Will we in reality use it enough to justify the expense? Or should I just resign myself to using the snuggly/sling a lot and have Payton in her umbrella stroller? Then when the baby is bigger we can get another umbrella stroller and clip them together? I just don't know. Decisions decisions....

So we have Christmas(and Christmas dinners!! yum!) the next 2 days which will be nice. Then it will be back to the same old same old for a bit! Full steam ahead in getting this place ready for baby arrival! More decisions on the way! I received a newborn diaper sample in the mail, it's SO SO SO tiny!!! I can't believe it's going to fit on this baby!!So which clothes do I need to get ready?? Blue ones or pink ones?? Guess it will be all of them just in case!!

Oh yeah, I guess we have to come with names too?? Oh my....just so much to think about!

Merry Belated Christmas Everyone!!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas!! Ours was really nice, I'll post some pics when I get motivated!! We spent the night at My mom's and ended up spending all of Christmas day there. We were supposed to go Rod's Dad's but they have the flu so postponed. What a way to spend Christmas! YUCK!! It was nice though, a very relaxed slow paced day. It was so much fun watching Payton unwrap her gifts this year. It took hours for us to finish because every couple gifts Payton had to stop and play!! I don't blame her and I was fine with the slow pace, if she wanted to stop and colour, or do a puzzle, or play with her magtastic set because she was so excited when she opened it I thought that was great. It shows you her excitement and gratitude in a 2 year old way! But it did make gift opening an extended affair!! We all got spoiled(I will be showing off my new toys at some point I'm sure), it was very fun.

Today is pretty quiet unexpectedly as well because we thought we had dinner at my Dad's today but he was thinking New Years day. I think because we usually do boxing day with him but last year we couldn't because we were in Alberta so did New Years day. So Dad was thinking like last year and we were thinking back to the usual day! So our very busy four days in a row got a little quieter! Which is good because it's easier on all of us! Payton really needed a break. We are going to head to Rod's sisters for dinner, which will be nice. And we still have 2 Christmases(and turkey dinners!!) left!! Talk about a Christmas week!!!

Hope everyone is still having some family/relaxing time today, of course you could all be shopping!! I imagine it's crazy out there! Payton is sleeping so I better go tell the wired kids upstairs to try to tone it down! And then get myself ready to go out and maybe do some laundry or something constructive for a few minutes!

So....

Does everyone else have a nice white blanket of snow outside??

Happy Friday everyone!!

I'm so excited!! Rod has a week off after today! It's so nice to have my hubby home for an extended period.

So is everyone ready for Christmas?? We're so not, I hope to be after today though because we have our first family gathering of many tomorrow evening. It would be nice to be able to relax after that point! Hehe...we'll see!!

I stole the Christmas tree decorator(above) idea from Shari's blog. Seemed like fun!!

Not to much to report about my Grandpa, haven't gotten much for test results. They have moved him out of ICU but it seemed like it was because someone else needed the bed worse than that he was ready to move. He's been somewhat more comfortable but hasn't been very responsive and is still not thinking really clearly(was asking about relatives that passed away awhile ago). It's frustrating being this far away(they are in Alberta) because it's hard to really know what's going on. I hope my Grandma and family are hanging in there. The hospital is just where you want to be right now! Praying for everyone with sick loved ones right now, in or out of the hospital!

DOH!!!

I thought I bought cherry candy canes!!!! What a disappointment :(

Thurs

The countdown is ON!! hehe, the shopping is crazy!! I'm so glad I only have 1(count em) 1 thing left to find. Although it's that last thing that can be ridiculously hard, I mean it is the last thing left for a reason!!

Not a lot to update on my Grandpa, yesterday I didn't get to talk to my mom. Tues my Grandma didn't get to talk to the Dr although Grandpa seemed to me resting a lot more comfortably. I will be talking to mom today and will do an update. Thanks to all who've kept us in their thoughts and prayers.

I had a midwife appointment yesterday, everything still looks good. Although for the last 2 appointments baby has been posterior(back to my back) which has been the preferred position as far as I can tell. That can lead to a rough labor which has me concerned. Good thing it's still early and baby has a lot of time to move but I know this one has spent a lot of time in that position so might be a tad stubborn about it!! Oh well one worry at a time!

Guess I better find some breakfast and get us ready for Payton's music class! Have a good day everyone!

Life goes on

I guess Christmas being soon can't stop life from continuing, bad things still happen. My Grandpa(Mom's Dad) is in the hospital. I don't know the full story but they thought originally it might be pneumonia but it looks like it isn't although there is a black area on his lung they have to check out. There was also something to do with enzymes around the heart, I think it could indicate a minor stroke? Not to sure about that one. The huge worry right now is different though. He had been sleeping a lot lately and I guess his oxygen levels got really really low, he was hallucinating ect because they were so low. So they've had him on oxygen all weekend, and have been giving him a sedative because he was still hallucinating and been difficult to the point of violence. So over the weekend they continued giving him oxygen but somehow the sedative made his body unable to get rid of the Co2. So his organs all started shutting down due to high Co2 levels. They've transferred him to ICU and it's a wait and see how he responds situation. It's times like these I know my mom really struggles with being to far away. It's really up in the air if she'll be catching a flight and heading out there. Any prayer would be much appreciated.

It's starting...

to feel a lot like Christmas!! YEAH!!

Still a lot to do but feeling that good ole Christmas spirit.

LOVE IT!!

Oh yeah, it was snowing earlier, the really pretty soft light will not make a mess of the roads snow. My FAV!!

Projects

Why oh why do I do this to myself?

Project #1: Status 100% done
Project #2: Status 100% done
Project #3: Status 80% done
Project #4: Status 50% done
Project #5: Status 0% done(Sigh)

Full details with pictures after Christmas.

What?????

9 days?? Single digits???

AAHHHHH!!!!!!!!

It's the 15th!!

Power was out for awhile this morning. Payton and I packed up and hit McDonalds, we had breakfast and she played on the playplace. Then we did some errands that needed doing. By the time we went home the power was back on. YEAH!!!

I got to open my first Christmas gift last night, what fun!! I have a new toy to play with, I'm very excited!! It was nice to get out with the girls for a couple hours.

I took an hour nap when Payton was down for hers. I just couldn't keep myself awake. I guess the late nights and push to go go go lately have caught up with me. But I'm feeling better now. Off to paint with my kid!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Surprise surprise.....

Another wind warning. More destructive weather heading our way. This is looking like a vicious winter for us this year. I just hope the power stays on!!

Had a massive headache this afternoon, it was making me nauseous. I think it's lightened a bit now...YEAH!!

I did manage to finish writing out all my Christmas cards and besides a couple I don't have addresses for they are addressed and stamped and ready to go. I did 50+ cards this year. Crazy, who knew I knew so many people!! haha.

I have a new favorite song today. Feeling good by Michael Buble. So good! Thanks Danea!

Can we say busy??

Wow, life is busy. I've been trying to get all the last minute shopping done, not so easy with a toddler who doesn't like to shop and a very pregnant belly. I decided today that once I have 2 kids I will be staying home a lot more!! haha!! I think ***Think*** I have only one person left and a couple little things left to find. But there is always something I forget until last minute. Pictures are done, parcels are sent, 2/3 of Christmas cards are done and sent, the tree is up(although I have someone who likes to undecorate it, then redecorate it).

So the to-do list is shrinking!! YEAH!! And my sanity level has remained steady. I don't think I'm going to get any baking done this year, but that's ok because I know who would eat it! I still have a couple projects on the go that are taking up much time but I'm having fun working on them so as long as I can deal with lack of sleep for a bit longer it's all good!

I've been trying to look at everything as something fun instead of something stressful(thanks Liz). Today I focused on the moments when my kid had me in stitches instead of the moments I thought I was going to loose it with her. It made the day much more enjoyable!

I find myself thinking about Mary a lot. How amazing would it be to feel the kicks and wiggles from a baby within and know not only were you carrying a child but a savior, your savior, the worlds savior? To know that this little bundle that was making you so uncomfortable and bringing you so much joy at the same time was going to change the world? Did she smile and rub her belly as Jesus kicked her, did she push little elbows and feet as they poked out at her, was she scared at the responsibility that had been handed to her, did she worry about her abilities as a mother? My guess is yes. I have a hard time thinking about her as a real person, but she was, with real everyday thoughts and worries.

Let's all remember as we approach Christmas this year that we are celebrating a birthday, a very special birthday. The one day when a child was born and everyone on earth was given a gift. One I am so very thankful for. I feel so blessed to have so much. What a wonderful time of year.

Trying to hang on

Last night as I got tired I could feel the overwhelm and frustration slip back in. Somehow I always have so much last minute stuff to do. I think maybe I take on to much, expect to much from myself and then crash when I don't or just can't accomplish what I set out to do. I end up thinking less of myself.

So as my Monday morning hangover fades and the cobwebs clear from my brain I am trying to hang onto the peace I was feeling yesterday. The joy of the season, the reason for celebration, and not get caught up in the have to dos and the need to dos. It seems every time I feel like I've got something accomplished I remember other things that need doing. ARGH!!

Oh yes and I need to remember that I need sleep, please feel free to remind me of that if you see me online late.....

Contentedness

Right now at this very moment I feel so much peace. Greg talked today about true peace being the contentedness you find amongst turmoil. There is still a TON to do around here before Christmas, and a bunch more before the baby comes but you know what? It will all work out somehow. I don't want to waste the moments I have in the meantime worrying about tomorrow. I will accomplish as much as I can everyday and let the rest take care of itself.

Today even though the house is not if perfect shape we are putting up the tree(finally!!!) and getting parcels ready to go. The Christmas music is on and great joy is in the air. This is Payton's first experience with helping decorate the tree, she is SO excited!! She exclaims very boisterously "I DID IT!!" every time she gets an ornament to stay on the tree. So fun!!

Now to get back to the fun.

Update and pics

Well, Payton seems much better than last night although she's still out of sorts, cranky, whiny ect. I haven't tried her on any solids so we'll have to see how the day progresses.

I thought I would post some pics from our adventure on the train to the Santa parade. I meant to post them a long time ago but never got around to it.

Payton was very excited to be on the train!

Matthew and Jordana came with us. Matthew didn't really know what to think!

Santa made an appearance much to the kids excitement

Payton and Mama!!Oh yes and of course Bear!! What a grin!

Best view in the house!! Payton and Dada waiting for the parade to start!

Rudolph nose anyone?

Matthew says "What are you doing to me? You crazy adults!!"

I think this was Rod's favorite. Stargate!! It was fun to see them out.

More Stargate.

Of course I had to take a picture of the Purdy's float....mmmm.....chocolate!!

One of Payton's favorites.

And of course St.Nick himself!!

What a good day!!

What are my chances?

Rod came home sick tues(stomach sick), Payton got sick tonight, looks like we have another flu bug. What are the chances that 2 in a row will pass me by??

.....Sigh......

Busy, oh so busy

So I've been meaning to blog but it's been so crazy around here. I need to get my parcels and Christmas cards ready to send by this weekend. I've had a very busy last few days but have gotten a lot accomplished so YEAH ME!!

I've been working on a couple projects which I'm very excited about but can't give details(which drives me nuts) because that would spoil the surprise for some!! I'll share what I've been up to after Christmas(oh the suspense!!)

I had a mid-wife appointment yesterday. I'm now 28 weeks and have appointments every 2 weeks!! When did that happen?? Anyways, everything looks good, baby is growing and heartbeat has been steady at between 144-150. I'm getting excited to meet this little person, only not yet!! I'm not ready!!

Anyways off to tidy!!

Ugh

Shopping malls and toddlers just don't mix. And she was very well behaved!! I am so tired! Shopping just doesn't hold the allure it once used to.

I did get to pick up her pictures with Santa!! Too cute!!

Happy Birthday Rod!

Happy Birthday to my best friend and husband. I thank God everyday for sending me such a loving, caring, wonderful man to spend the rest of my life with, but am not sure I tell you often enough how much I value you. You are an amazing father and husband, we love you very very much!!

Exposed

Sitting here reflecting, should be sleeping, organizing, something. I had convinced myself that I'm growing, pushing forward, climbing out of the hole I've so often called home. That I'm doing better, maybe the truth is I'm becoming better with dealing with the same old same old. All I know is if I pull up posts from a year ago or more I find things I could have written today. It's the same stuff, my same issue's. That makes me feel so frustrated, daunted, what have I been fighting for? I'm getting by, I've gotten by but I thought it was so much more.

So many changes, big things to come. I don't deal well with change. Never have. I've got to though, those who don't change stay the same. They become rigid and eventually break and blow away in the wind.

Shouldn't be thinking about this right now though. To much else to concentrate on, this is a good way to send myself spiraling. Enough to cause me to sit and listen to Mad world over and over again.

I'm just tired, and isolated. Haven't been out of the house since last sat. I'll feel better after I get out tomorrow. And I do have plans for tomorrow!!

A duck

I signed my kid up for swimming lessons! It's a toddler class with parents still participating. I figured that would be a good way she and Dada can get some one on one time. Apparently she's a Duck! So fun!

Trees

If anyone is interested in getting a live tree this weekend, Shannon George is doing a fundraiser and will go get you a live tree and deliver it to your house.

HEY EVERYONE!!

It's DECEMBER!!

Insert emotion(Excitement, panic, joy, overwhelm, peace, disbelief) here .