It makes me smile every year...

...when I see the tents going up for OKTOBERFEST! (Even though I haven't gone the past few years, it still makes me happy!) Maybe I'll actually get to go this year.... Won't be partaking in the beer, though. It's not worth the risk with the alcohol allergies on Daddy's side of the family.

It's obvious!

Or should I say "obious" as Alex would...

She has an imaginary friend named Obvious. "Obious" is a girl and likes to use the phone. "Obious" also likes to sit on the Bob the Builder couch and sometimes gets in trouble for playing with Alex's dinosaurs when Alex has told her not to. Alex will yell, "Obious! No! Stop touching my dinosaurs!"

Someone called Alex on her phone tonight. She said "It's not Obious. It's Jean-Paul. It's my daddy." Her conversation continued, "I'm sorry Jean-Paul. I'm sorry." Not sure what she was sorry about, but it was sure funny!

Cute firemen and an early morning

Ok, early for us, anyway.

Here's the story. At about 7:00 or so we heard a loud "beep, beep, beep" and thought it was the smoke detector near the bedrooms. Jean-Paul went to take out the battery (short-term, of course) and realized the detector was hard-wired, not battery. The beeping had ceased for the time being so he came back to bed. Then "beep, beep, beep" again. We both got up to try to figure out what was going on with the alarm and how to stop it (still thinking it was the smoke detector). I called my dad, since they had hard-wired ones (I think at least at one point). As I was talking to him I stood under the other detector and it wasn't the basement one, it wasn't the bedroom one, it was coming from the living room. Ah, the carbon monoxide detector. So, I unplugged it and read the back. That sound was "warning" mode. Warning us about what? Not sure. It also said it should be vacuumed out once a month, too. Oops. So, I tried to blow any dust out then plugged it into a different outlet. It was quiet so we headed back to bed. Then "beep, beep, beep". So, I went online and googled the make of the detector and didn't come up with much. Next I went to the fire department website to look up their number to call. As I was doing that the alarm started sounded continuously. I hadn't found the number yet, but I wasn't going to stay down here and keep looking. Jean-Paul and I threw on pants and shirts (we were still in sleeping attire - which means underthingies). I grabbed Alex out of bed and plunked her on the porch with her blankie. Jean-Paul got Zach (who'd been sleeping sooooo well last night!!) and smartly put him in the car seat bucket outside, too. I got a couple blankets and called 911.

The operator said "we'll send out the trucks, well, truck" and said to call back if we started to feel nauseated or headachey. I figured we'd get a fire van, but a whole truck came (no lights going though) with four firemen (two of whom were quite cute). The one was in a t-shirt and firepants with suspenders. Nice;) Nice guy, too. He talked to Alex about her "balloon tree" out front and she told him it was for her birthday. He asked if she was nine. She told him she was three.

They checked all the gas appliances (fireplace, furnace and water heater) and got zero readings everywhere. Probably a faulty detector. Apparently they have a lifespan of about 5 years or so. So, they headed out. They put on their lights for Alexandria as they pulled away.

So, at least there was nothing wrong. At least it wasn't too cold this morning. At least it wasn't 3 or 4am. And at least the firemen were cute!

She amazed us again

Today Alexandria was colouring with markers and paper she was given at her birthday party. (I'll blog more about the party later). Anyway, the point of this entry is this. She drew a "T" and named it. Then she drew an "L" and named it. Then I called Jean-Paul in the room because I was just floored. She drew 3 horizontal lines and a vertical line beside it. It didn't look like anything to us until she said "I drew a E". Then we saw it. She went back and pointed at the "T" and said "T is for triceratops". I was so impressed with the letter-drawing I had to get my camera.

If I could save time in a bottle....

....there are a few moments I would put away to be able to pull out and enjoy at will. The first one's time has passed and oh, how I wish I could have it back again: The nightly ritual of carrying Alexandria up the stairs (before she could climb them herself) and singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star as she started to drift away in my arms. Man, I miss that. But, it's locked tightly in my memory bank.

The next moment in time I'd freeze is very similar. It's that short walk from our bed to Zachary's crib after he's nursed. He's calm, quiet, and so absolutely content; and he's just resting on me, so trusting, so sure he's safe and secure he just drifts off . It's that beautiful point in time where everything seems to be at peace, everything is right with the world. And it's bittersweet because I know someday, all too soon, it will end.

"If I could make days last forever,
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time,
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them"

I love living here!

It's so nice to be this close to friends! Drew, Cary, Lilly and Aidan came over for dinner last night. (OK Drew, Cary, Lilly, Daddy, Mommy and Alex all had dinner then the boys ate a bit later on). No big planning or anything needed, just a quick call earlier in the day. How refreshing!

Here are the boys hanging out:

Wonder where Zach gets his "deer in the headlights" look from, eh?

Our ceiling is apparently very exciting, at least according to Aidan!And this is what the girls did....

An early birthday present

We took Alex to the Build-a-Bear Workshop and she choose to build a triceratops (whom she has named Eggy).


Do you think she had fun?
I love you, Eggy!

All ready to take Eggy home! What a great time we had!!

A really nice surprise

I came home from Nana and Grandpa's tonight to a weeded flower bed, cut grass, and a fixed toilet! Thanks Mom and Dad!! (meaning my mom and dad - usually referred to as Grandma and Grandpa).

They weren't aware we were away for the day. (I wasn't aware we were going to be away for the day until later last night, too). The called and left and message saying they may come. Then called again saying they were on their way. Then called and got a busy signal a couple times (not sure why), so really thought we were home.... Sorry we missed you! But, thanks again for all the help!! That's a lot less stuff I have to worry about.

She's taken to calling me "Momma"

Yes. I've become Momma for some reason. Quite funny, actually.

Last night she was quizzing us about dinosaurs. She put one hand on her head, pointed one finger up and asked "What is the dinosaur with one horn?" I named a couple and she said no. Then I said "unicorn". She smiled and said "Yes". Then she went on to say, "A unicorn does have one horn, Momma, but we're looking for a dinosaur." She then turned to Jean-Paul for his answer. He said "triceratops". She smiled at him and said, "Yes, Daddy, a triceratops has three horns. We only want one." It's funny that she already thinks we're idiots!

A bit more...

I called on Shannon to help me put up Zach's border (not that I don't trust Jean-Paul with decorating-type stuff, it's just that I don't trust Jean-Paul with decorating-type stuff). So, she came over tonight with Grace. That way Grace and Alex got a playdate out of it, too. The border looks great. I'll take a picture and post it. I think it's quite cute.

Well, there's one more thing that I can check off the to-do list.... Now to tackle the hundred other things....

An update on our turkey

We had Zachary's three month appointment today. OK, so he's 3 1/2 months.... Anyway, he is now 12 lbs! (5.45 kg for those of you on the metric system) And he's 61cm long - or 24".

To compare:
He's gone from 5lb 10oz (2.55kg) to 12lb (5.45kg)
And 46cm (18") to 61cm (24")

He's over twice as heavy as he was a birth and half of a foot longer! In three short months. All by simply drinking Mommy's milk (albeit a lot). Pretty incredible, I think.

I'm going back to school

I registered myself for "Introduction to Adult Learners". It's part of the Teacher/Trainer of Adults certificate program. I figure I might as well better myself on my year "off" and this course will give me some new perspectives and new ideas that will only help me when I go back to work in the spring. (And only help my chances of finding employment here rather than commuting).

...Plus it will be some adult time for me every week! ;)

Babes in sinks and milestones

Zachary got to have his bath where he always does when he's at Grandma and Grandpa's.... in the sink. Too cute!

Alexandria's latest milestone is actually pretending she is someone or something else. She's been doing imaginative play for a long time now, but she's starting to really pretend - a lot - that she's other things - in most cases right now it's a dinosaur; maybe a brontosaurus or triceratops or perhaps a pterodactyl or t-rex (she knows all these names, by the way). And she gets all of us into it, too. Oh, did I mention she's in a HUGE dinosaur phase right now?! (Triceratops is her favourite at the moment - ask her about Eggy).

Zach is attempting to pull himself up to sitting. He needs a bit of help to do it, but he's getting there. He's a strong little guy. Here are a couple pictures of his practicing. He was on Grandpa's lap and he kept pulling himself up to sit (unaided), he'd look at the fan (to his right) and then look at the couch (to his left) and promptly do a face plant in to the couch. He did this over and over and over and over...... It was too funny.. wish we'd caught it on video. The pictures don't quite do it justice.

More than a little jealous...

Jean-Paul was going to be DJing in Cornwall on Saturday night. Because it's so far to drive (especially back home after DJing) he was going to stay overnight in Cornwall. This was a good reason for me to pack up the kids and head to my parents' place for a few days. It's been great. I am definitely envious, though, of Jean-Paul. He got Friday night without the kids. Saturday night he was without the kids AND got to stay in a hotel room that someone else gets to clean. And Sunday and Monday night he's got kidless sleep, too! I want that! Not that I don't love my babies dearly, but I want just one night (and morning) of no kids. Oh, to be able to sleep all the way through the night. Oh, to be able to sleep as late as I please. I know one day I'll be looking back and yearning for these days again... one day.

We have had a great time here, though. Friday Alexandria got to see "Mater" in person! Someone outside of town has an old tow truck done up like the one from Cars - one of Alex's all-time favourite movies.

Saturday we didn't get up to much, but on Sunday we went to the Firemen's breakfast at the firehall. Anything with firetrucks is a sure-fire hit! It was a yummy brekkie, too. Then later on Sunday Great-Grandma and Doug came over for a visit and dinner. Alex put on quite a show for the after-dinner entertainment. Great-Grandma and Doug were definitely entertained.

Today we went to the beach - actually two beaches. We went to the Cove and dug up some sand and checked out the waves. Alex didn't think she needed to get too close. The odd wave would come up and touch her feet. She thought that was close enough! She was ok with being held by mommy and going in, though - as long as she wasn't touching the water. Then we went to the main beach for a walk on the boardwalk (which Alex LOVES), plus some time on the playground equipment and some lunch. I ordered a cheeseburger and a chickenburger. When the order came there was a chickenburger and a burger - no cheese. So I took it back and said "this should be a cheeseburger". The guy took it back and I was wondering what was taking so long, then he handed me back another chickenburger... Oh well, I ate that instead. I wasn't going to give that back, too!

This afternoon we went back out and went for a walk across the walking bridge over the river. Then we went and took a stroll along the harbour and checked out the tugboats, sailboats and other floating things. And saw some fish, too.

It's been a good visit. Tomorrow we may check out the Early Years program before heading home. We'll see how early we get up!

We found a doctor

We LOVE our doctor in Toronto, but the drive is just awful. Especially with two small kids. A friend of mine referred us to her doctor and he's agreed to take us on. Yay! He sounds very dedicated. He made a housecall on a Sunday because he didn't like the fact that my friend's two-year-old still had a fever. We'll meet with him in about a week or so. I hope we like him! We're lucky to have found a doctor that will take us this quickly.

Zach and I will be travelling to T.O. on Wednesday for his three-month appointment. It shouldn't be too bad since Alex will be at Fran's that day, so it'll just be the dude and me. It's sad that will likely be the last time we see our wonderful doctor :(

Diaper roulette

I lost three times today! Zachary had been arming himself for two days. He hadn't pooped since Monday. Boy, did he make up for it today!! All I can say is I'm glad he spread it out between three diapers during the day. If that had been all at once...... Kaboom!!

(Was that too much information?) ;)

A couple short videos

This is Alexandria playing in her newly set-up playroom. She wasn't feeling too well that day and wasn't quite as excited about the room as we had hoped. The funniest part of the video is her "phone call". She likes to talk on her phone quite a bit. She will get interrupted in the middle of playing and has to answer her phone. The one time she hung up and said "Geez, I hope that doesn't ring again!". Another time she was too busy to answer her imaginary phone call. Gotta love the minds of kids!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scbZYKOei_s

Cary, Lilly and Aidan came over on Monday and we captured a nice, quiet moment on video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYb2hDI63Kg

A happy little boy and his blankie

He was having so much fun he popped a sock!