I joined the world of blogging in 2007. I was still a journal girl so that blog didn't last too long. I wasn't too keen on typing out my emotions, feelings or day to day happenings on a computer screen. A paper and pen always felt just right. I don't know what it is but the flow of ink on paper has always been soothing to me. It became a way of life really. An outlet to release my frustrations, happiness, excitement. My getaway.

I have my best friend at the time to thank for opening the world of writing to me. She gave me a journal for my eighth birthday. It was a fabric bound journal; cream background with a pink and green floral print which had the most lovely scent. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.

There was a shop in the little town where I used to live which sold different kinds of trinkets, cards and gifts. A little shop with the most friendly staff who didn't stalk you while you wandered through the two isles. I even remember the scent in the air every time I walked in. The only way to really describe it is that of a floral shop. A sweet, floral, greenery smell. Hard to put your finger on exactly what it is however florist shop sums it up pretty well. It was my favorite place to go when we went to town. Every little trinket, piece of jewelery or decorative piece had a bit of magic to it. The journal meant even more to me, coming from that small town store.

Anyway I regress. That night after my little birthday party I sat in my bed, covers pulled up over my knees, brand new pen in hand and penned my first entry. I wrote all about my birthday, the gifts I received and how thankful I was. From that day on, every evening I wrote. I still have that journal and all the others that followed.

Journaling is still a part of my life however much of it has been taken over by blogging. Its much faster to type rather than write. I was at odds as to whether keep it private or open to the world. But there is something oddly interesting in writing into space. Letting my thoughts run free and having others read them. People from different spots around the world have stopped by, some leaving a kind comment before departing. Hello to you all and welcome to my humble little spot.

C has been overly enthusiastic with her meals lately. When I served her lunch and supper she took one look at her plate and said , "Mmm yummy lunch/supper mama, I like it!"

Lunch consisted of veggies burgers, steamed snow peas, green peas, baby carrots and baby corn. Dinner was homemade whole wheat bread, Living Caesar Salad (my husband's favorite) , and mashed potatoes with gravy. Jam Print cookies were for dessert

The weather man is calling for 20-30 cm of snow tonight Joy, oh joy. Another morning of endless shoveling for my husband. Good thing we bought the Arctic Cat last year! At least it helps some.

I remember when we used to clear all the snow together before we had children. It was exhilarating; lifting shovelfuls as fast as we possibly could. 200 ft of sidewalk, everyday sometimes 2-3 times. I remember one particular winter's night. The sky was lit up only with the stars and the air was still. No wind, just that clean cold air on our cheeks. We cleared the entire parking lot that evening. No small feat I assure you. We would have normally called the plow in but that night we were on a roll. Its an addiction we both share. It isn't the shoveling that is addicting its the adrenaline rush when its "go, go, go." I just love that! The harder the work the better.

Last year we took C outside and she helped in her own little 1 1/2 year old way. Next year A will be 1 year old so we'll all be able to go out. This year I'm housebound. Housebound with my little dimple-cheeked, smiling, cooing 6 week old and my curious, energetic chatterbox of a 2 year old. Its a different kind of work. Adrenaline rushes have been replaced with a mix of incredible love and adoration and incredible frustration. C's favorite word right now is the dreaded "NO". Reverse psychology works wonders though. I highly recommend it!

One of those days

Well today was fun. My head is in shock from all the silence after the endless chatter of my little girl. Wow can she ever talk. It was literally non stop, LITERALLY.

Poor A didn't get any sleep until I wore her in my sling because her sister was so loud. Where oh where does she find the energy? Doesn't she give herself a headache? Its amazing how toddlers never get headaches. I find that truly remarkable.

"C do it. C do dishes. C cook. C potty now. C bring doll and books and toys upstairs. C potty now. C bring doll and books and toys downstairs. C potty now. C dance music. Daddy? Wheres daddy? Why working? Why making mess? Whats this for mama? Why? Whats this? Why? Whats this for? Why? Whats baby doing? Why? C potty now. Mama dance too? Baby dance too? Daddy? Wheres daddy?"

And on and on and on it went. From 8 am until blessed 7:30 pm. To make it worse we were housebound today as the temperature was in the -30's with the windchill. Next year we are DEFINITELY going somewhere warm and sunny. Canadian winters are much too long!

There must be a law of nature somewhere that states, "If your floor needs to be washed, your child will mind her P's and Q's, holding her cup with both hands, being careful not to spill a drop. If however you have just swept and mopped all of your floors your child MUST drop her cup of juice which will then spread across the entire floor (please note if this cup is full of water it won't spread as far or spill as much only juice has the ability to do so)."

After supper her daddy and I looked at each other, the clock and then C. Bedtime couldn't come fast enough. And now she is sleeping in her bed with her curls framing her face looking like a cherub. Her baby doll all wrapped up in a blanket tucked under her arm with a look of pure peace.

Family Love Day

When it was just R and I, we would usually have a romantic meal, bottle of champagne and maybe a movie on Vday. Things have changed now that we have children. Valentines Day has now become the official "Family Love Day" in our home. Not to say that the romance has been eliminated :-).

C made the two sweetest Valentines cards for her daddy yesterday. We cut an apple in half and dipped it in some paint. She stamped the apple across the paper heart and then decorated it with glue and different do-dads. She was horrified when her hands got dirty with paint so we had to clean them off after every "stamp". When it came to gluing the decorations on the paper, she insisted that, "Mommy do it!" because she didn't want to get the horrid stuff all over her fingers. "C don't like it, C don't like it glue!'

Besides the bit of drama we had a splendid time! She had a smile from ear to ear when we were finished, so proud of her work she was.

I however, received my Valentine's gift from her today while shopping at the supermarket. As we were strolling down the busy isles, looking at different pastas, C said to me, quite loudly and completely out of the blue, "Mama I LOVE YOU!!" to which I replied, "I love you too C". Now she has a habit of extending her I love you's. They usually last 2-3 minutes and consist of who loves who more. Of course today was no exception. In a very loud fashion with people in front, beside and behind us she exclaimed, "I LOVE YOU MORE AND MORE AND MORE!" So there you have it! Her love for me was broadcasted through the entire grocery store and I would have to say it was the best Valentine's gift she could have ever given me. Priceless!

And for now for another precious, priceless gift....

Some gained, some lossed and a huge score!

A, had her 4 week appointment on Monday. Our chunky monkey weighed in at 10 lbs, 4 oz! That's right, our little babe gained over 1 pound in 2 weeks!

I on the other hand have lost a few pounds to my sheer delight. A combo of yoga and nursing usually does it for me. I haven't had many opportunities to start my yoga practice up again as A has been nursing constantly over the last week, however, we're beginning to notice more of a regular sleep pattern now so I should be able to pick it up again soon.

And now for the most exciting news (well exciting for me anyways). C has been officially potty trained for 2 weeks! No accidents whatsoever during the day and only two at night! I am so proud of her.

Now for something completely off topic:

I stumbled across this neat website a couple of days ago and thought I would share. This day in Music allows you to put in any date whether it be someone's birthday or anniversary and find out what the #1 song was on that day!

An outing

My sweet husband offered to watch C while I went for a walk by myself, something which I haven't done since....since....I don't really remember. What a marvelous outing that was! I feel like I've been recharged. Its amazing what 30 minutes of physical activity, fresh air and alone time can do. I had A with me in the sling, my iPod on shuffle and my body and mind thanked me over and over again when I walked out the door, while I was walking and when I returned home. Now don't get me wrong, I adore my family however C is very.... well she is very talkative. As in she talks from the minute she wakes up, right through till bedtime. And no that is not an exageration I assure you! If you met her you would most likely think that I am the world's biggest fibber as she doesn't say a word when she's around others. In public she is quite shy but at home, well that is another story. Now I could whine and say that I honestly have no idea where she got that trait from, "Me? No, not a chance". But if I said that, I would be fibbing.


Aren't genes funny things? They aren't only responsible for the physical characteristics of our children but also some personality traits and quirks. You would think that children learn by example alone and that their personalities are molded by their parents, peers etc. Which of course they are, however, I've noticed little quirks in C which couldn't have been picked up by example. Its truly incredible.

My little baby wearer

The temperature dropped from the -30s to -5 and it was beautifully sunny! Nice and warm. (Ha, I think Canadians are the only ones who consider -5 to be warm in the winter months).

This has to be the most popular week for traveling to warmer areas of the world. A friend of mine left for Australia a couple of days ago. She is moving there with her husband for 6 months. Two other friends are in Cuba, another friend is in Spain, one will be leaving for Bahamas next week and another has left for Hawaii. Sunshine, beautiful weather and beaches now doesn't that sound lovely compared to our winter weather here in Canada!

I've been wearing A under my maternity coat in a sling or wrap whenever we go out and now C has decided that she too wants to wear her baby. I found a neat pattern online for a pouch which I will get around to making hopefully before the end of the week. In the meantime I have just been tying the fabric around her coat before popping her baby doll inside. She is completely thrilled with this and insists upon wearing him all day. She "nurses" him in the sling as well. Our little baby makes the cutest little mommy :).

My loves

My husband was holding A in his arms after dinner gazing at her in adoration while applauding C's dancing skills. His eyes were dancing with happiness. The sight was enough to bring tears to my eyes. My husband... those words still haven't lost their charm after 5 years. This man who brings so much joy and happiness into my life by just being the extraordinary man that he is. His persona, his talents, his mind, his heart, his soul, his very being astonishes me every single day. Will he ever know how much I love him, respect him, admire him? No matter how many times I look into his beautiful eyes and tell him? No....... how could he ever truly know.

After dinner, dancing and a bath it was bedtime for C. Once she was asleep I gazed down at my sleeping babies and my heart melted. C's hair was damp and full of curls, her eyelids fell like soft petals framed with the longest lashes imaginable. She looked so peaceful and content with her baby sister napping next to her. I don't want these days to end and yet I love to watch them grow. These beautiful angels with whose lives we've been entrusted with. Will they ever know how much I love them? How much their father and I adore them? Really how could they ever truly know.