I might be just a little too proud...

of this train cake I decorated for the kid's party:

(thanks Grandma for doing the baking)

But don't worry, I am humbled by my lack of cake photography skills.

It all evens out.

:)

on the day you turned three...

your breakfast toast was cut into star shapes (I also managed to form a letter "M" for you with some of the leftover pieces) ,


you were a little bit sick ,

you took a morning nap, which you never do anymore ,

you played in your new pool ,

- your grandmas and grandpas and uncle Mark came over for supper ,

- you had a spiderman cake from dq and when it was time to blow out the candle you spit all over the cake ,

you built bridges in the living room with pillows from all over the house ,

you practiced playing tee ball with your new "baseball thing" ,you laughed and you played and you made us so proud.

* And now we're gearing up for the kid's party tomorrow. Wish me luck.*

flashback thursday ?

I know the flashback day is supposed to be Friday, but it's my blog and I can do what I want.

June 15, 2003
The day Matthew was born. Did you know that he was born on Father's Day? What a great first Father's Day gift! It's pretty hard to top that one.

This is the very first photo of him. He was such a big baby-8lbs 15oz. Don't you think I should be able to round up to 9lbs?
There's a story behind this photo.

It's a polaroid. I'll explain...

We had a rough labour and delivery. I don't think it's ever easy, but it had been a long day. The baby (we didn't know the gender) was experiencing fetal distress and a team was standing by.

"It's a boy!", they said when the work was done (how's that for glossing over the details?) But I already knew before they told me because I saw him right away. A boy! It was 7:44 pm and I knew my nurse's shift was supposed to have ended at 6:00. She had stayed and helped out right till the end.

He was immediately handed to the team and checked over. We were told that he would be taken to neo-natal. I held him for maybe a minute and he was taken away. Rick stayed with me. We were talking about the experience and wishing we could hold him some more. We couldn't even remember if he had hair or what colour it was (I think he had been wearing a little hat)

Not long after that, my sweet nurse, Kathryn returned with a photo. This polaroid of my baby. I appreciated that so much. She had stayed much later than she was scheduled to. It was a few hours until I was able to go to neo-natal to see Matthew (stitches, fainting, etc), but I had this picture to look at.

He spent 2 days in neo-natal and what a roller-coaster that was. When Rick went to see him for the first time, they asked him "Is your's the big one?" I guess they don't get too many 9 lb babies in there (I rounded up)

Everything worked out. But I still feel very fortunate to have this special photo from a very special day.

Happy 3rd Birthday Matthew Baby!

it hasn't been so terrible

Today marks the last day of Matthew's "terrible twos". It hasn't been that terrible. Although, I must admit they were a little trickier than the ones.

As I reflect on the past year, I realize how much he has grown and how much his life has changed. The photo below was taken on his 2nd birthday, almost a whole year ago. He was just new to being a big brother back then. He was kind and gentle and so very sweet to his baby brother.

I used to think that the terrible twos only happened to other peoples' kids. Was I in for a surprise! We've had our share of tantrums and grouchy days. We've had meltdowns and frowns. We've had tears and frustration. All of that is part of growing up and becoming an independent little person.

And he is becoming such a good little person. Kind and sensitive beyond belief. When he goes to his grandparents and asks for a cookie, he always asks me if I want one too. When I thought about leaving Caleb with my mom while Matthew and I went on a playdate, he said "I think Caleb would like to come play too. I'd miss him".

We are beginning a new adventure. The threes! Some people tell me that the threes are even harder than the twos. I've already seen some early 3 year old characteristics come shining through. I love how creative and imaginative he has become. He can pretend to be a pirate, a mole in a hole or a fire chief. He builds bridges, houses and nests out of blankets and pillows. I am in awe of his natural curiosity and have started to answer an endless supply of "how come?" questions.

I love this little guy. I will miss having a two year old, but I know that the next year will be just as exciting with new milestones to achieve.

And don't feel too sorry for me. Only 8 and a half months until I have another 2 year old on my hands. And I'll get to go through it all again :)

(photo taken June 15, 2005)

I am...

I am...

- working on my circle journal entry
- taking care of a little boy with strep throat (possibly two)
- planning a birthday party
- trying to remember that Father's Day is this weekend
- not going to dry my dishes today
- looking for a new printer/scanner
- loving my new leather sofa
- drinking 2 liters of water a day
- happy and tired at the end of a busy day

Goodnight!

baby shiner

Last week, Caleb got a couple mosquito bites beside his eye. Why is it that babies always swell up so much with mosquito bites?

And then a few days later, he walked right into the door frame and ended up with a black eye (that was accentuated by the swollen mosquito bites). I put the entire blame on Barney because he was running away from his diaper change to go watch Barney in the other room. Basically, Barney gave my baby a shiner. I really never trusted that big purple dinosaur to begin with.

The poor little guy looked so pathetic. But he has remained positive through the whole experience.

And now it's just business as usual in the sandbox,

on the slide,

and in the backyard

(that is grass on his nose)

still my baby...

He'll be three next week.

He started reading in February.

He was toilet trained in May.

But he still has his soother at quiet time and bedtime.

I really didn't think that things were going to happen in that order.

But when I see him like this, I remember that
he's still my baby.

my irises

My irises are blooming. And they're so pretty. I just can't pass by them without smiling.














Unfortunately,

Caleb

does

not

feel

the

same

way...














I think he was a little unsure about the rain falling on his (almost) bald little head. Or maybe he just doesn't like irises.

But Matthew was pretty chipper. Look at that crazy face!














My friend, christinew once told me, "Someday he will stop making that face...and you will miss it!"

I'm sure she's right, but in the meantime, it still drives me just a little bit crazy.

having scanner problems today

I have a really good picture for Flashback Friday, but I'm having scanner problems, so it'll have to wait.

In the meantime, I'll fill you in on what we've been up to over the course of the last week or so...

• playing trains
• trying on hats from the dress up box
• sleeping through the night (finally! thanks Elizabeth)
• making words on the fridge
• throwing food onto the floor
• making mini-pizzas on pita bread
• reading books
• playing musical instruments
• play-doh at the kitchen table
• scrapbooking
• sending packages :)
• shopping
• going to storytime at the library
• discovering birds
• eating toast with a spoon
• drinking lots of chocolate milk
• saying the word maybe alot (Matthew)
• talking more and more and understanding lots (Caleb)
• counting our blessings

picnic in the park (victoria day)

Before you get images of me packing a nice picnic lunch in a wicker picnic basket, I have to tell you...

We picked up McDonalds.

Hee hee.

But we had a lovely time in Wascana Park. We found a nice shady area and spread out our blanket. After we ate, the boys ran around and it was so nice because we could see them and it's so good for them to just be able to run.

I didn't get too many good pictures, but that's okay because that just means we were too busy enjoying ourselves :)

my new favourite bbq recipe

Super easy homemade bbq sauce. Yum.

Smothered this on chicken thighs (although I'm sure it would be great on anything) and then threw them on the grill.

1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup salsa
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp worcestershire sauce

This is from my fave cookbook at the moment (The Healthy Family)

Give it a try :)

two funny things (about Matthew)

1. Yesterday it was very nice out here (and today too-yay!). Nice enought to wear shorts for the first time this year. But Matthew wasn't too sure about these "shorts".

Matthew: Mom, where are the sleeves on these pants?

Hee hee.


2. Today, Matthew and I were snuggling and reading books and I said, "I sure love you".

Matthew: I sure love you too. And I sure like yogurt.

This is the yogurt he likes so much.

reach the top

They who reach the top, boys,
First must climb the hill.
-James H. Fassett


Caleb started climbing today.

No, really climbing.

Everything.

Up onto the sofa.

On top of the train table.

On Grandma's coffee table.

Yikes!

mother's day

I had a great day. Did you?

Here are some highlights (in no particular order, as you can see):

• the slideshow/video that Rick put together of me being a mom (awww, kleenex anyone?)
• my "mother's day" card (I wish I could have seen Rick's face when he realized that he accidentally bought a birthday card-hee hee. *)
• a new printer
• still having to change diapers, just not as many
• a nice long nap
• brunch at my mom's (how come my mom's waffles always taste better than mine?)
• visiting my mom and my mother-in-law
• a yummy supper at home
• just being thankful for all of my blessings

*In all fairness, the card was picked out by Matthew and it was quite lovely and was meant for mothers :)

newsflash

This just in...

Up until a few minutes ago, Caleb's vocabulary consisted of these two words:

ba...(pointing)
-translation: bunny, bear or ball (depending on what he was pointing at)

ga...(pointing)
-translation: everything else (depending on what he was pointing at)

Here's the newsflash....

Today at lunch Caleb said "nana" and pointed to the banana!

Yay! His daddy takes full credit since yesterday he fed him a WHOLE banana at snack time.

We now return to your regularly scheduled blogging :)

*If you're looking for me, I'll be washing smushed up banana off the highchair and the floors and the walls...

shopping

It all began Friday afternoon.

With shoes.

I hadn't bought shoes in such a long time.

And then I bought two pairs.

These ones:


















and these ones













The shopping spree continued on Saturday, when we finally bought a new sofa and loveseat. We had been shopping for over a year!

Here it is. The colour is a little bit off. But you get the idea.










I go grocery shopping this afternoon. Who knows what I'll buy next? Hee hee!

party girl

Flashback Friday... Kenosee Lake ~ May 1996 ~ girl's weekend

This is one of the last photos taken of me as a "party girl". Notice that I'm drinking out of a bowl? I forgot to bring a cup to the cabin that we rented and they didn't supply cups. Only dishes, cutlery and ... bowls. So I had to drink out of a bowl all weekend. Shortly after this weekend, Rick and I became more serious and I grew up, but it sure was fun to be a party girl for a little while.

hey mister knicker bocker...

boppity bop!

That song is stuck in my head. Can you guess who we saw today?

Matthew was even more excited than Caleb. But they both really enjoyed the show. Matthew danced around and Caleb clapped and pointed.

And I don't even care if Barney's not cool anymore, I'm not afraid to say I had a good time too.

:)

Hey mister knicker bocker boppity bop!

this weekend...

(a list, for all those who *heart* lists)

• we stained the deck (Rick) and the fence (both of us).
• we went out for Vietnamese food.
• we went swimming as a family.
• we had an early morning picnic on the deck (before it was stained) see photos below!
• we made alot of progress in the toilet training department.
• we tried to fly a kite (photo below)
• we played at the playground when the kite wouldn't fly.
• we were late for Church.
• we saw Grandpa jogging while we were driving to Church and Matthew said "He should really take his car".
• we watched flight 93 on A&E (obviously not the kids).
• we ate guacamole TWICE.
• we sure had a nice weekend.

hat

So cute.

Now if he would only keep it on!


Arrrrgggg!






(on a more positive note, at least he doesn't eat sand anymore)

super cool

Caution: if you already think you spend too much time on the computer, you might not want to visit this website:

Google Earth

Because it is super cool. You can get the free version. And then just type in your address or city at the top and get ready to be amazed. Rick was very impressed that we could see the deck that he built from way up there.

Check it out. Very cool. Unless you have something else to do ;)

done!

Thanks to my dear sister who challenged me to do all 12 "recipes" from the May Creating Keepsakes magazine! I had so much fun doing my layouts. And it was great to get caught up a little bit. And I loved seeing Faye's layouts, as well as Susie's (who joined in the challenge too)

Do you have any photos that you should really scrap, but would much rather scrap something else? Well, I did. I had a whole bunch of photos from last summer that I just kind of skipped over. Also, Caleb's album is 12X12 and I switched to 8.5 X11 and was really having fun with that. So it was great to just scraplift the layouts from the magazine and get some pages done, instead of trying to make each page a masterpiece. Although, I have to admit it took me significantly longer than 3 hours to complete all twelve.

But now I am done 12 layouts. Yay!

Here's a blog exclusive. Hee hee! I just finished this layout and haven't posted it on two peas yet. It's number 12.

phone a friend

Today I did something new.

Something fun.

Something spontaneous.

I phoned someone that I've never met before.

She has a lovely voice. We have so much in common. Time flew by and we talked for a half an hour!

My favourite part was when she had to play choo-choo train with her daughter. I don't know if you knew this, but we LOVE trains around here. Love them.

She had me at choo-choo.

:)

Now I'm just being silly.

For a good time, phone a friend.

play

Matthew could play outside all day. And I think he actually did today :)

He pretended to mow the lawn, just like his daddy (well his daddy really mowed the lawn, he didn't just pretend to) He made sandcastles. He chased the neighbour's cat. He went to the park and flew a kite. He raked the lawn with his little toy rake. He even wanted to eat his lunch on the deck, and we let him.

Caleb still isn't feeling 100%, but he had a nice time outside too. He still tries to put rocks in his mouth, but not nearly as much as he did before. Today, Rick caught a ladybug and Caleb was so fascinated by it. He kept trying to pick it up and we were worried that he would try to eat it, but he didn't.

And of course, Daddy kept us all entertained...

But I think this might be my favourite picture of the day:

this week...

• I organized all the toys and put some away so I can rotate them every month. I've been wanting to do this for awhile and it felt so good to get it done.
• We've been seriously toilet training. Seriously. Some progress is being made and we are trying to have fun and stay positive.
• Caleb had the stomach flu (we think). Yuck.
• We celebrated my dad's birthday with pizza, salad and cake. Caleb knocked my mom's plate off the table. It was a total accident. She was lifting him up and his foot got caught on the plate: pizza and salad all over her lap.
• Rick is working on our income tax.
• I bought Simple Scrapbooks, Creating Keepsakes and my Today's Parent magazine came in the mail.
• My sister started a blog.
• Matthew's been playing with his word whammer that he got for Easter. He's getting pretty good at reading and spelling 3 letter words.
• Caleb's getting pretty good at walking. I think he walks more than he crawls now. He's so cute.

tag

Wavy-haired, Nadine tagged me (did you know Rick's niece used to call me curly-haired Michelle?)

5 things:

in my fridge
1. leftover turkey
2. homemade waffles (leftovers also)
3. cranberry juice
4. rotisserie chicken
5. 3 different kinds of milk (skim, 2% and 3%)

in my closet
1. 4 pairs of jeans (that fit)
2. stripey slippers
3. tons of sweaters
4. navy blue terry cloth robe
5. silver shoes with rhinestones (from Faye’s wedding)

in my purse (check out my circle journal layout on this topic)
1. wallet
2. bandaids
3. red lollipop
4. lip gloss (pink pout from Mary Kay)
5. butterfly compact

in my car
1. sippy cup
2. change in the cup holder (now I don't want any of you breaking into my car to steal it-hee hee)
3. Caleb’s winter hat
4. stroller
5. cd’s

on my TiVo (I don’t have tivo, but if I did...)
1. King of Queens
2. Thomas and Friends :)
3. Grey’s Anatomy
4. Just for Laughs Gags
5. ?

I tag
1. Faye (just post your answers in my comments)
2. Suzanne
3. Marie
4. Mi’Chelle
5. Shannon

on a lighter note...

I now have a new struggle...

The struggle to not eat every piece of Easter candy, cookie and chocolate in sight.

I think that's the problem. They're in sight. I usually am not much of a snacker or nibbler during the day. But we have this huge basket of Easter goodies on the counter and I just snacked and nibbled ALL day yesterday.

I know, I know. Put them away. I'll try.

Really, I will.

struggle

I've been struggling. Struggling with how to teach an almost three year old about Easter without scaring him. I've been worried about how he will interpret the suffering and death of our Lord. I've debated not explaining anything at all and then felt guilty for not sharing with him the most important story of our faith. We talked it over together as a couple and I prayed about it, asking God to help me explain this to him.

Yesterday, we read two books together:
The Tale of Three Trees
The First Easter And I realized that Jesus' resurrection is the real story to tell. That the suffering and death can be told, but not emphasized or dwelled upon with such a young child. I've realized that sharing our faith will not always be easy, but with God's guidance, we will be able to do it.

Happy Easter!

corn

Matthew: Mommy, did you ever have corn that's all attached up together?

?????

Me: OH. Do you mean corn on the cob?

Matthew: Yes. Did you ever have corn on the cob?

Me (giggling): Yes, I did. Have you ever had corn on the cob?

Countin' Down to Baby

Flashback Friday (clicking on it should make it bigger)






















Here's a retro layout. Hee hee. Waaaay back from 2003. Am I the only one who thinks it's funny
that my patterned paper went out of style before my maternity clothes?

I was just saying the other day that I wished I had some nice photos of myself while pregnant. Now, these photos definitely capture my evergrowing belly, they are not exactly what I had in mind. Can you see the one where I'm balancing my plate on top of my tummy?

Here's one that's a little bit more recent from my gallery at two peas from when I was expecting Caleb.

Happy Friday!

Swing/Rock

Did you think this was going to be a post about swing dancing or rock music?

Well, it's not. It's about of first walk to the park this spring.

We took the boys in the wagon yesterday for a walk to the park in our neighbourhood, wearing the matching jackets that their grandma made for them.

Now let me just stop to say that I am thrilled that they can go in the wagon together this year. I am also very thankful for the beautiful park in our neighbourhood. And I couldn't be happier that they have a grandma who loves them so much that she would make them matching jackets.















Swing and Rock.

Get it?

Grandma, there's a flamingo in your kitchen

It's April Fool's Day here.
And tricks are being played.

There has also been:

• a big chicken in our living room
• an elephant in our kitchen
• a boa constrictor on Caleb
• a bear right behind me

Has anyone else noticed that most of these animals are from the book Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

Hee hee!

Happy April Fool's Day everyone!

Phyllis Diller

Can you relate?

“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing”

-Phyllis Diller

Holiday craft, holiday cookies and Caleb's lunch

Yesterday, with all the warm weather, we had a bit of spring fever. While Caleb was napping, Matthew and I worked on an Easter Craft.














While we were working, we baked some holiday cookies.














Hee hee! They were leftover in the freezer from Christmas. But they were still yummy.


This is what the craft looked like when it was done.














Then Caleb woke up from his nap. We all had lunch and guess what?














Caleb likes spaghetti!

a new banner

Yay! I made a new banner. And I put it up myself.

(well, I did need a little help from my computer programming husband)

Cyber party for Elizabeth

Welcome to the party!

Are you enjoying the celebration?























Here's a little poem for dear Elizabeth:

E is for extra-special lady
L is for loving mama to Maddie and Gracie
I is for the inspiration you provide us all
Z is for your zany sense of humour
A is for armadillos (one of your fave animals)
B is for books, I know you love books
E is for everyday I read your blog :)
T is for talented and teacher too
H is for HOF 2006 Hooray!

Congratulations Elizabeth Dillow!

The party continues all over the world:
Susie
Marie
Nadine
Susanna
Katy
Renee
Becky

Now they're both sick...

It's funny how when they're sick, you wish you had appreciated their good health more when they were healthy.

But soon they will be healthy again.

And then we will really live life to the fullest and appreciate each healthy day...

I promise :)

Now I know where I get it from...

Flashback Friday


















The compulsion to dress my boys alike. Now I know where I get it from. My sister and I in our little matching ABC dresses. (You can't see but the dresses have ABC on the front)They worked because now I know my ABC's.

Happy St. Patrick's Day (just pretend our dresses are green!)

the ban

Do you like going to those indoor playgrounds? You know, the ones with every toy you can imagine and, since I'm being perfectly honest, crawling with germs. I don't care how diligent you are in cleaning your toys, there are going to be germs on the toys in an indoor playground.

We figured that out last winter. It seemed that everytime we would go to Tot's Café, Matthew would get sick a few days later. Eventually, my husband banned us from going. "Do I have to remind you what it's like to look after a sick kid?", he said. And he was right.

We stopped going. We still go out on playdates and have an active social life. But we have avoided Tot's like the plague (I am in no way insinuating that we would catch the plague at the indoor playground, but you never know, do you?)

And then...
a birthday invitation
at
(you guessed it)
Tot's Café
*gasp*

The ban was lifted. We hadn't been there in 10 months so we gave it another chance.

We went. We had a great time. I washed hands before the cake and as soon as we got to the car. We discouraged Caleb from putting everything in his mouth. We came home. We had survived the birthday at Tot's Café. Yay!

Until, yesterday.
Matthew started coughing.
A fever during the night.

And we are banned once again.

happy things

Here are a few things that made me happy today:

• I got my hair cut. It may never look like this again, but today it made me happy.
• I finished my circle journal layout last night and tonight I did my scraplift challenge.
• Matthew and Rick washed my car for me.
• My mom & dad went to watch the Brier (curling) and they were very excited. It makes me happy that they're happy.
• I was able to keep on top of the housework today (for the most part)
• My mom made us lunch today. Homemade soup makes me happy too.

Here's to a happy tomorrow!

date

Remember the hunky guy from the picture yesterday? The one Nadine thinks needs a hamburger (still totally laughing about that!)

We went on a date last night.

Supper at Moxie's.
Movie at the Galaxy.
Failure to Launch.
Great date movie.

silly, funny, cute
(am I talking about the movie or my date?)

Great date :)

this is a picture of my husband:

Isn't he handsome?

Drawn by Matthew (age 2 and three quarters)

the original extreme makeover

Flashback Friday

This is the fall of 1993. I was living in Quebec City. My roommate Carey and I decided I needed a makeover.


The first one is "before". I was kind of plain and wore baggy shirts and wore my hair back in a ponytail. The second one is "after", feeling a little sassy in a tight bodysuit and my hair pulled up...some funky jewellery and makeup. I actually bought a long brown skirt to go with this bodysuit (does anyone still wear bodysuits, except maybe ballerinas, oh and babies?) but I like this picture better than the skirty ones. We went out dancing that night and had a blast.

Did I keep my new look? Not really. Although I did experiment a bit with some different looks that year, I pretty much went back to my old ways.

(and in case you were wondering, NO, I did not get any cosmetic surgery...everything is real! hee hee)