Dave is silly

Things have been very busy around here, and I'm making some time to ramble, I guess. We move in less than 10 days, and I have been packing packing packing, and painting the apartment back to white, and arranging things for the moving day, and calling everywhere to change our mailing address...and the list goes on. Today I'm taking a break from "the move" and getting ready for our weekend trip to Kitchener. My friend, Grace, is getting married this weekend, and I'm a bridesmaid. We are all very excited for the wedding, and today I'm packing for that, and printing off directions, and painting my toe nails, and picking up some last minute things. Road trip...wooo hoooo...can't wait! Some quality time with friends and family is a welcome break in the moving process right now.

Speaking of quality time, Dave and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary last week. We dropped Jesse off at a friends and went to a nice little Italian place that served gluten free. I had glutenous pasta loaded with shrimp and clams and scallops...mmmm...my favorite. Dave doesn't eat seafood, and we usually have rice pasta. So, this was a real treat. I got Dave this funny card that played the song "You'll be in my heart.." by Elton John when you open it. That might not be the name of the song, but the chorus goes "You'll be in my heart. Yes you'll be in my heart. From this day on, now and forevermore..." Anyways, it's a pretty cheesy song, and he opened it in this fancy quiet restaurant and as it blared out over the calm dinner music, he got a little bit embarrassed. He closed it and said, "I'll..ahh.. Listen to the rest of the song later." Ha Ha Ha.

Dave has also been doing this strange thing in his sleep lately. You see, I tend to sleep on my side. But, I usually wake up every few hours during the night, and sit up, then switch to my other side. Last night, at around 3am when I sat up to have my little stretch before switching sides, Dave BOLTED straight up in bed and dove for me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, and pulled me close to him, and wouldn't let go. I thought he was going to squeeze me to death. I tried to tell him to let go, and push him away, but he just held on tighter and tighter like I was in danger. I literally had to use my whole body to pin him onto his back, then pry his arms off me while yelling at him to let go and go back to sleep. I was scared to move for the rest of the night. He has no recollection of this , this morning, but he believes me. He actually did this same thing twice a few weeks ago, and remembers it. He says he thought I was falling off the bed, and he was trying to save me?!? He woke up screaming last time, and scared the CRAP out of me, and I started screaming. Oh the adventures. I just love him. Every year gets better.

I was listening to him play with Jesse the other day. He was playing with Jesse's toes, and perhaps forgot some words. This is what I heard, "This little piggy went to the market. This little piggy went to Bayshore. This little piggy went to the rideau center, and this little piggy went to the movies. And this little piggy went, weee weee weee all the way to bulk barn." Jesse loved it. Dave can CRACK UP Jesse. Last night Dave was pretending to sneeze, and Jesse almost had tears he laughed so hard and so loud for so long. I can't get Jesse into hysterical fits of laughter like Dave. Just a chuckle here or there.

Well, I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend! Dave has the day off tomorrow, too, and I'm just SO tickled. Thanks for reading! I'm off.

Mother's Day 2010

I have a new found appreciation for Mothers Day, and more importantly my mom. I think a person doesn't fully appreciate their mom until becoming a parent, and realizing not only how much work it is, but how much LOVE a parent has for a child.

This being my first official mother's day, Jesse was very good to me via Dave. Dave dealt with Jesse's middle of the night feeding, and got up at 6:30 when he did and took him out of the house so I could sleep in. Jesse is so loud in the mornings! They went for a long drive, and out to Starbucks, and got home just in time for Jesse's morning nap. Dave put the boy in bed, and I continued to sleep while Daver cooked me breakfast. Oh it was so lovely. We went to church, and had a good old KD lunch when we got home, and ANOTHER nap time. Isn't it funny that what I wanted for mother's day was sleep??? Jesse also made me his first card, and got me some goodies. It was a fantastic day, and I felt very appreciated. Jesse also started this bawling when I'm out of sight or arms this weekend...which is perhaps a sign of his love....but hard on the system. It continues into today...but I'm hoping he snaps out of it. I've been away for work and a few other things, and I'm hoping he just missed me, and will get over it after a few days of having me back!

Anyways, enough about me. I wanted to tell all my faithful readers about my mom, and why she was/is so awesome of a mom. To begin with, my mom had 4 of us all close together. I find myself exhausted with just one, and that she went through 4 labors and almost 10 years of nursing and diapers and sleeping issues. Wow. Above that, she wanted to be able to stay at home with us, so worked her life around this goal while we were young. She did the home day care thing for quite a while, did a few home based businesses including sewing... and took on Paramedic work where she could be on call at home. The funny thing about my mom is that she never wanted kids, she doesn't really like children. But, my oldest brother, Josh, was a surprise, and she decided she liked her OWN kids. So...the fact that she watched other kids for a bunch of years just to be with us, speaks volumes to me. In 1992 she also agreed to move from Ottawa (she LOVES the city) to Hartland-population 900- so we could be closer to family and in a safer more "country wholesome" environment with a great school.

My mom was always around growing up, but always had her own projects and social activities on the go. Sewing, singing, her short lived hydroponics garden stint, kyaking, and the list seriously goes on and on and on... I remember her going on this lamp shade making CRAZE for a while. I think everyone we knew got a lamp shade that year for Christmas. I appreciate this! We had some space and some independence, even though we knew she was always there for us. I think I learned to be an organized and capable person because of this, and don't have any troubles adapting to new scenarios or tasks. At the same time, my mom also got involved with the things that were VERY important to me. In high school, cheerleading was a huge joy and part of my life. My mom would often come to the basketball games to watch us, and volunteer to take a car load of us girls to away games. She also forced my whole family to come to our provincials at the end of the year, and they would stay in our same hotel, and cheer us on. When I got super interested in videography, she loaned me the money to buy my first camera, and video card on my computer. These are just a few examples of many ways she has supported me. When I had Jesse, and was a bit of a wreck for the first month. She called to chat and check in on me at my lowest points, and being able to bawl to somebody who has been through it, was a saving Grace.

My mom is pleasant and SO funny! Growing up, people have liked coming over to my house to see what silliness my dad and mom might be up to. My mom also has a temper that would scare the black smoke from LOST's island back to it's temple. Growing up, I had several frightened moments. I behaved very well, but I often feared for my brother's lives. I remember trying to convince my brothers not to do stuff with the phrase, "Mom's gonna get mad." Looking back, I am so thankful that my mom acted like a parent to me, and didn't just try and play the friend role. I see the effect of that on several kids at my work place, and it's not pretty. Her boundaries and, yes, rage, helped me along my path. And while I have made mistakes and am certainly not perfect, she has been a wonderful influence in my life. When people tell me I look like my mom, or sometimes Dave will say "whoa- that reminded me of your mom." I feel flattered.

So, as I continue on my own mom journey, I find myself thinking about my mom a lot. What would she do in this case??? And then I usually pick up the phone and call her with ridiculous questions. Probably her favorite after my labor was, "I think my insides are falling out...this is what it looks like..what should I do?" Mom's are the best! Be good to yours :)

Davers trip, Jesse and Momma in May

So...it's been a good week so far. Jesse has been sleeping and eating well, and Dave is home!

Last week, Dave took his grade 12 world issues class to a model United Nations conference in Toronto. I really didn't mind him being away. I ate way too much gluten, kept busy with friends, and had some time to myself in the evenings. However, by day 4, I was ready for him to come home. We picked him up on Saturday, and Jesse was so hyper to see him.

I guess the students had a good time In Toronto, and aside from a few random events...such as the 401 closing down for an hour and making them late for the opening ceremony...things went smoothly. It was quite the trip for Dave to plan. Organizing sleeping arrangements, travel plans, chaperones, and the schedule. I think he did a great job. All the students informed him on Monday that they were all very happy they went, and they thought future classes should all have to go to the conference each year. Dave seems to be getting lighter everyday closer to the summer we get. He is still swamped with marking and lesson prep, but I can tell he sees the light at the end of the tunnel!

I can't believe it's May already. Last year at this time, I was feeling miserable with a variety of issues surrounding my pregnancy, and finished up work middle of the month. I feel sad I have only 2 months left being a stay at home mom. Jesse is so cute these days. He says mama, and is super cuddly. He's all about the hugs and kisses, and nuzzling his face against yours. Recently, he has started laying his head on my chest and wrapping his arms around me when he's sitting on my lap for a good 5 minute snuggle. He'll look up at me and just grin, then snuggle back in. He's normally pretty high energy and doesn't sit still so much, so I just treasure these moments of the day. Jesse has also taken his first steps of progress on his stomach. Normally, he'll just scream and then turn himself over to his back. But, he has started sliding himself backwards across the floor by pushing with his arms and sliding on his belly. He is also using his legs and arms to pivot around in circles on his stomach. I would like him to hold off for another month on any intense travel, so I can keep him in one spot while I get this place packed up for the big move.

I have started packing up...and have managed 8 boxes over the past week. A bunch of kitchen stuff we don't use often, as well as some books and DVDs. It's incredible how tricky it is to make major progress with a child... so I'm glad to be starting early. I'm continuing trying all new recipes out of my cookbook. The egg section has been yummy so far. I've done a creamy tomato and egg curry, as well as a goat cheese and potato open faced omelet. Both turned out well. Tonight a spinach and zucchini frittata are on the menu. I'm also skipping ahead to the last 3 chapters of the book that include cookies/cakes/pies and will start trying those alongside the meals. That way, I won't end up with 50 different sweets to try in a row at the end. The first cookie recipe is a Peanut Butter and chocolate one. Yummmmm.....

Well, I've got to go and switch over some laundry while the baby is down. Here's a snap shot of Jesse Pre-Bath. Thanks for reading. I'm off!