Today is a special day.

Payton Newborn

Payton First Birthday

Payton 2nd Birthday

Payton almost 3(Don't have any party girl pics yet)

Today Payton turns 3!! I can't believe she's 3 already!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAYTON!!!!

Happy Birthday Miss!

Hope you have a great birthday Misty!

Love you!

Yesterday

Payton is fabulous. That said, she's also (almost)three. Today we had a complete meltdown when Oma was here......Sweet.

Yesterday, I hand her clothes and ask her to go get dressed. In a few minutes I went to check on her progress and find her with the tub of zinc ointment, which she has generously applied up and down her legs......who left it low enough she could reach it anyways? Anyone who has any experience with this stuff knows it's sticky, good for making it stay where you put it not so good for getting it off where your child has put it. Yeah....that was fun.....

Later that day, armed with a red felt marker(washable thank goodness) she draws people all over the landlords front doors. They were very cute people(I took pictures) but still the term graffiti artist comes to mind. It took some trial and error but I did eventually get it all off. The term washable is loose at best.

Catch up

Wanted to do a brief Samara update. I tend to look back on my blog for milestone updates so I better update! She's getting huge! She had her 4 month shots last week and weighed 15lbs 10 ounces measuring 24.25 inches. She is so aware of her surroundings and loves being a part of everything. Overall she's a very content baby, pretty laid back. She's insistent when she wants something but also likes playing on her play mat. I love watching her, she's actually playing already! She rolls side to side but hasn't gone all the way over yet, I think she could from watching as she gets so far and decides to roll back. She hates being on her stomach so I don't think she has the motivation to go right over. She can pull herself to sitting if you give her your fingers and has just started pushing with her legs to stand as well. She thinks it's pretty funny. She puts everything, absolutely everything she gets a hold of in her mouth. I don't remember Payton being quite so chewy. Everyone asks me if she's teething because she's constantly chewing on something, fingers are favorites cause they are always there! She's all about mom right now, I get the best smiles! She likes daddy too but nothing compares to mommy! I quite enjoy it. Of course she's also started playing shy with others. She's completely fascinated with her sister and will watch her closely. Payton thinks it's great and will chat with her. I can't wait until they can play together, mind you at that point they could start fighting too! Anyways I better stop as I'm actually supposed to be getting ready to go camping!!

Taken today

Cute outfit courtesy of Auntie Sue.

Remember that nice weather we had(it was SO long ago). We tested out Sue's new pool. It was Samara's first time swimming. Very fun!

Fun in the Pool.

There was a small chunk of time on Father's Day that it wasn't raining. We took the opportunity to go for a walk. Samara tested out the backpack and it's been approved. Payton brought along a "map" for us to follow. It was fun!

Our new home away from home.

Hey all.

So yesterday I had quite a day. I want to blog it. But at this very moment both girls are asleep so I am going to go do something while I can!

I've been doing very well and feeling good! This summer looks rather full already with family and activities and vacation. I'm so excited! Yes Angie I'M STILL EXCITED!! LOL

I'll write more to catch up soon! I promise!

It sure is harder to do self portraits now.....

Family

I'm so excited, a whole bunch of my family is coming out from Alberta for Mom's wedding! I miss them all so much!! It also looks like Rod will be able to get time off in Aug so we can head out there!! I got so excited thinking about it this morning I teared up!! We are also trying to figure out getting Holly out here for awhile this summer! Have I mentioned I'm excited?

This summer is going to be very busy! I can't wait!

I think I need a quote of the day segment

Fri goes to Mandy who almost made me fall over laughing.

Pointing at a stamp of a bird. "I don't like that bird, it makes me ANGRY!!"
When questioned "I just don't like birds, they make me ANGRY."
I love Mandy.

Sat Rod and Pay had a tie

Me: "Hey we still have an M & M gift card."
Rod: "Do you think it would work at the liquor store?"

In the drive through ordering our meal we hear from the back seat:

Pay: "Can I have a double double please??"
Rod: Turns and looks at me inquisitively
Me: "She knows: Daddy drinks coffee and Mommy drinks double doubles"

Today overheard at a Braydens birthday party

"Who is this Diego person?"
"I don't know, I think he's like her boyfriend or something."

They set a date!

My Mom is getting married!! Check out the date 7/7/07 !! How fun is that!

Payton

Yesterday Rod put a new shirt on Payton that still had the sticker on it. As he took off the sticker Payton asked what it was. Rod told her that it said who made her shirt or how it was made(I can't remember). Payton very quickly responds with "No Daddy!! GOD made my shirt!"

I laughed so hard, what a smart girl!

Poor Payton

Payton has a cold, mainly a cough. But it's a nasty cough.

Have you ever coughed so hard you threw up? Yuck.

She's sleeping again, hopefully we all can get some sleep now.

Sue posted this song(Thanks Sue). It's amazing. It speaks to me where I am. Days can be hard and sometimes it just feels like it would be easier to give up. Gotta keep on keeping on.


Anyway- Martina McBride

You can spend your whole life building something from nothing
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anway

You can chase a dream that seems so out of reach
and you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anway

Chorus:

God is great, but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway, I do it anyway

This worlds gone crazy and its hard to believe that tomorrow
will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart, for all the right reasons
and in a moment they can choose to walk away
Love them anyway

Repeat Chorus

You can pour your soul out singing a song you believe in
that tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway, sing it anyway

I sing, I dream, I love anyway

What's with that?

Those of you who have been around for awhile will remember the struggles I had to get Payton to sleep. I thought Samara was a lot better sleeper, well actually she is at night. During the day however she is exactly like her sister was, a cat napper. 10 min here, 20 there, maybe I'll get lucky and get 30+ minutes at a time. Add it all together and it probably adds to a decent nap length or 2 but really kid, it can't be quality sleep! I'm not quite at my wits end this time because I've survived it once already but it's getting very very fustrating.

Sigh...she's awake....again....

Kinda Fun

I've seen a few people do this quiz about your firstborn and thought it looked like fun. I am going to alter it a little and do it about my second born as well!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes and No, we had decided to start trying in Jan and found out we were pregnant in Nov!
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Excitement, disbelief that we were going to be parents
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? No
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 24
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Started having heartburn and indigestion which I had never had before. Googled it and found it could be an early pregnancy symptom. When I was 2 days late tested.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Rod
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? I was unsure, Rod did, so we did.
9. DUE DATE? Aug 10/04
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? No
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Cream soup, Greek salad, peanut butter
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Probably just working cause I was SO tired!
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Nope
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 35
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, 3 actually(we were spoiled) Church, work, and friends.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Early bleeding
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 3 from very first pain until delivery
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Rod
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Rod, my mom, the Midwife
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION - natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Nope, it was to fast, by the time I got to the hospital I was pushing!
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8lbs 4 ounces
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? July 23/04 (17days early)
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Payton Coleen Lynn
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? Will be 3 in 2 months


1. WAS YOUR SECOND PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Excitement and worry(we had miscarried once in between)
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? No
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 27
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Late Period
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Rod
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes but the technician we got wouldn't tell us!
9. DUE DATE? Feb 25/04
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Mint Girl Guide cookies
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Not being able to sleep(having a toddler and all)
13. WHAT WAS YOUR SECOND CHILD'S SEX? Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, as much as I'd like to have both I'm excited for Payton to have a sister. I always wanted a sister.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 8
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, 2(spoiled again!) mix of family, church and friends
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? It was initially a twin pregnancy, we lost one early on. Samara was breech.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Ridge Meadows Hospital, Maple Ridge
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 0, planned C-Section
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Rod
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Rod, Midwife
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION - C-Section(she was breech)
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes
25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8lbs 13.4 ounces
26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? Feb 15/04(10days early)
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Samara Ashlyn Michelle
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR SECOND BORN TODAY? 3 months

And we have a talker

Lost without the Net

Yup, internet was down for 2 days. What did I used to do without it? I feel so un-connected!

Rod and I have both had what seems to be a flu since Tues as well. Both of us being sick at the same time sucks! Somebody has to take care of the kids! We both seem to be getting better today thank goodness!

Think now that I'm feeling a little better I need to shower and take Payton to the park. Fresh air will do me good!

Still here

So I've been reminded many times lately that I haven't blogged in forever. It's true. I could say I've been busy or tired or just have nothing to say. And although that may be partial truths, it's not complete. I've been struggling with Postpartum Depression. The last couple of weeks have been better but I was in a pretty bad place for awhile. I've always been pretty honest on my blog but I wasn't ready to share. I didn't want to sound all cheery on my blog when I was shriveling inside, so the solution was to simply not write.

Were doing pretty good, moving forward, trying to figure out how to make everything work. Keeping every one's needs met is a full time job. I really truly do love having 2 kids though, watching them interact is priceless.

I plan on sharing more, just not at this exact moment. The biggest thing on my brain right now is sleep! I need some! So for now, enjoy the pics and video's!.

Last fri it really was like summer!

Recent pics

Samara "talking"

Samara started laughing today.

Please excuse the horrible fake giggling(by me, that's what makes her laugh the most), the messy desk, and the glasses I've had for 10yrs!

But we've got her first laughs on video!! How cool is that!?!

Contests

I found some cool Mother's day contests here. Check it out.

YEAH FOR PAYTON!!

Tues morning I notice Payton doesn't have her diaper on. She often takes them off in the morning now to use the toilet so I didn't think much about it. I spot it on her bed and ask her why there is a diaper in her bed, with smiling eyes she tells me she took it off. I pick it up, it's dry, bone dry. I ask her when she took it off, last night she tells me grinning like a banshee. You were in bed with us last night for a bit did you have it on then? She's giggling madly now, no she manages, and Daddy didn't notice! She thinks this whole conversation is hilarious! Did you use the potty last night I ask, yup she says, with no help I continue, yup she says very proudly. And her bed is dry too. I was amazed, well I figure if she can do it once she can do it again so 2 nights since she's had no diaper and no accidents. What do you know? She night trained herself! I'm sure there will be accidents still but we have a fully potty trained child. NO MORE DIAPERS FOR PAYTON!!! Happy dance, happy dance!

I'm beginning to think EI doesn't know what they are doing. We still haven't received Rod's check for the 2 weeks of parental leave he took. They messed up on the dates to begin with and sent us a check that was wrong. We didn't cash it. They had supposedly cleared up whatever the confusion was and sent a correct check. We haven't received it. Then yesterday we got a letter saying they overpaid him and now we owe them $120. What the heck? We haven't cashed a penny!!! Grrrrrr......I hope someone else hasn't cashed our check or something. What a major pain.

Love

The sermon was good on Sunday. Greg talked about love, how God IS love. If we want to be like God we need to love. Not necessarily love everyone but show love to everyone, to everyone!

I've been struggling, last week was really hard. During the sermon I realized something, as much as I love those around me, I don't love myself. I spend a lot of time ridiculing myself, demeaning myself. God wants me to love myself. Sunday as I sat there I really thought it could be a turning point, I thought if I couldn't all of a sudden love myself I could act like I did, treat myself well and eventually I actually would. It seemed so easy, I was excited. I was going to write this big uplifting blog and challenge everyone to love themselves, or do something nice for themselves. What a difference a day makes.

Love is a big deal, to know people love you, to know God loves you is indescribable. But what if Love isn't enough?

Happy Birthday!

Happy first birthday to a very special little man and also to a very dear friend.

Happy Birthday Cooper and Angie!

Hope it's a good one!

Very funny

Payton's favorite video at the moment.

Happy Easter!!

Did the Easter Bunny come to your house?

Payton trying to figure out her new skipping rope.

Reading our new book with Dad.

Eggs!!

Chocolate!!

Samara wasn't so impressed with Mom about the ears.

Smiles!

Check out my basket!!

Did you notice the broccoli in Payton's basket? When I asked her yesterday what the Easter Bunny brings she insisted it was broccoli. And what do you know? He did!! Now off to get ready for Church. Have a great Easter everyone!!

Pata Pata

Does the music take all you Hatzic grads back? Did the other schools do square dancing? Do they still?? HAHAHA!!

It so makes me want to dance but I can't quite remember all the steps!

Thanks to Tammy for the flashback.

Listen

Stop, be still, and really listen. What do you hear? You might be surprised.

Nothing exciting.

We had our last Midwife appointment yesterday. It's gone so fast. Samara and I each were checked and declared healthy. She weighs 11 lbs 8 ounces now(at 6.5weeks). I looked up Paytons records and at 7.5 weeks she weighed 12lbs. So their growth pattern so far is very similar.

Anyhow, both girls are currently sleeping so I'm going to find something constructive to do while I can.

If your bored check out this game. It's addicting. Thanks Annette!

Are you kidding me?

Time for a change

It's a work in progress.

Love Love Love it!!

Samara

Where did the sunshine go??

Me: "Payton, where did the sun go?"
Payton: Very matter of factly "It's behind the clouds Mom."
Me: Laughing "Is it hiding?"
Payton: "Yup"
Me: "I wish it would come out and play."
Payton: "Don't worry Mom, I'll blow the clouds away"
And has since been asking all morning to go out and blow the clouds away!

During night time prayer,

Me: "Is there anything you would like to thank Jesus for tonight Payton?"
Payton: Thinking a moment "Fries and chocolate milk!"

And we did.

I'm starting to think....

That Spring really is here!

Sunshine, flowers peeking their heads out, and Hummingbirds!

Excitement!

Just wanted to say hi!

I'm still here and I'm still mostly sane!! haha! Adjusting to having 2 is quite difficult. I haven't figured out how I'm going to make everything run smoothly around here but I'm working on it. Samara pretty much runs the show at the moment, she went from sleeping well during the day to not wanting to sleep, well in your arms she might but not in the bassinet. That makes it rather difficult to get anything else done and my house is suffering. I was frustrated last night because Rod really pitched in and helped me on Sat for a couple hours and we got a lot done, but the clutter was still around and by last night everything looked like we hadn't done anything...Sigh....

Our company postponed their trip as they are concerned about driving through the mountains because the weather is still unpredictable. It's probably good, although I was disappointed because we had such a rough week last week we would have all been tired and that doesn't make a good visit. Hopefully in a month things will be running a little smoother!

So I won't be blogging nearly as much because my spare time is limited, HAHA who am I fooling? What spare time??

And a Big Happy Birthday!!

To my friend Kay!!

Love you girl!

A little weekend guessing game. **Updated: With Answers**

We had a little better night. I tried to let Rod sleep as much as I could and Payton slept in so Rod's feeling pretty rested. Samara and I were up before everyone and they were getting up as she was ready for a nap. So I went back to bed as well. slept from 9ish until 12!! It's amazing how a few hours sleep can feel so good!! Now if we can get Pay down for her nap(Samara is sleeping again) we can attack the house for a bit.

For your(and my) amusement I've pulled out some early Payton pics to compare with Samara pics. Can you tell who's who? I'll post answers later. Some are easy, there are clues if you know what to look for. Have fun.


1. Samara

2. Samara

3. Payton

4. Samara

5. Payton (it does look like me when I was newborn though)

6. Payton

7. Samara

8. Payton

9. Payton

10. Samara

11. Payton

Don't even ask.

It was horrible.

Hmmmm......

Payton has a cold. She's being a stinker and not trying to sleep. Then when she did give in and go to sleep(for all of 10min), her cold woke her up!! ARGH!! She is finally(after 10) sleeping again but from the sounds of her breathing will be up again.

Samara decided she didn't want to go to sleep in her bassinet tonight, then when she finally did. She pooped...and she pooped big. After I got her changed ect, she was completely awake again and doesn't want to sleep in the bassinet again. She is now over tired...sigh.....and soon I will be. Rod is trying to convince her the bassinet is good at the moment. She is so little I can't let her cry it out, so we go back comfort and put her back. There has been A LOT of trips to the bedroom tonight, and none of them involve sleep for us! I was seriously hoping for a 9 o'clock bedtime tonight. HAHA dream on girl!

When did bedtime get to be so hard?

****Update****
It's 11:30, she's been out for 15min, Payton is asleep, and I will be as soon as I hit publish and crawl under the covers. Any of you still awake out there please pray for no more pooping! LOL!!

Oh what a night.....

And not in a good way!

Samara didn't have her afternoon nap yesterday and man did she make us pay for it! I'm having a hard time with making sure she gets the sleep she needs(she doesn't sleep well, if at all, when we are out), and making sure Payton gets the activity she needs. Right when Sam is sleeping(mid morning and mid afternoon usually) is right when I would have been making sure Pay was getting outside or out somewhere to play. She needs the activity, she needs the interaction. Sigh.....

New bedtime routines starting tonight to hopefully help save my sanity. Rod's new job started this week, and he will now be getting home an hour earlier!! YEAH!!! We can actually have dinners as a family!! I'm very excited. So bedtimes will be stricter and include both girls. We'll see how it goes and adjust accordingly. I think Samara will be a routine baby like Pay was, like most babies are. Just have to get started on it. I was going to wait until after our company left but there's no time like the present! Needless to say, I won't be going out much in the evenings for awhile!! Call me a homebody!