my big kids!

Well, it's been a few months, so here I am again with updates on our little family. We moved in December, just in time for Christmas, to a home that we'll be at for a long time. We're slowly making small changes, painting here and there, adding flowers, building a playground, to make this more like our home. The kids love it, and there's lots of room to run. The dogs love it too...yes I said dogs! we recently added a chocolate lab puppy to the mix: Trixie. She's a beautiful dog, and a great friend for Eddie. Very sweet, and great with the kids.
Ryken is almost done preschool for the year, and will start kindergarten in Sept. That was tough! Hearing friends talk about sending their kids to kindergarten, I always thought I wouldn't be like that. Teary eyed and sentimental...but I was wrong! Choosing the right school for him, thinking about where he'll be making friends, and what environment I wanted him to be in for the next few years, was hard! We ended up with a school close by, and I feel great about it. He seems to act older than his age of 4, and loves hanging out with our new neighbour who's 8, and very cool. ;) He's also a head taller than everyone in his preschool class! We recently had a mother's day tea party, and he did so well singing all the songs and doing the appropriate actions. In the car ride on the way home, he asked, " so mom, did you like your mother's day surprise?" I assured him that it was the best one ever.
Elliana is talking a mile a minute, and I've got a few cute stories. A few months ago, she was probably 22 months, she called me into her room around 3 in the morning. "Hi mom!" " Hi Ellie, it's time for bed." "Rykee's sleeping?" "yes" Daddy's sleeping?" "Yes" i replied, "Why isn't Ellie sleeping" She responds with a one shoulder shrug. "get baba?" she asks, "no" I reply. "read story?" she tries again.
"no" I say firmly. Then in her little one and a half year old voice, she says,"move it or lose it!"
I literally rolled on the floor laughing! This child will not be one to be pushed around. She knows what she wants!
2 weeks ago, i cut my foot pretty bad. Long story short, I had to have surgery to repair some cut ligaments and tendons. Ryken has been a great helper, and about 5times a day, he'll ask me how I'm doing. Rob has been doing bedtime with the kids, and a few nights after my surgery, Ellie asked Rob to pray. He assured her, that yes, we always pray before bedtime. Then she said, "pray for Mom's owwie foot." Awww.. so sweet! It amazes me that an almost 2 year old, can put that thought together. Knowing that we pray for things that we need help with, and that we should pray for my foot! I hope and pray for both of my children, that they will always have a relationship with our Lord.
Tonight, Rob was giving the kids a bath, and making their hair into shampoo mohawks. Ryken turned to Ellie and said, "Ellie your hair is funky!" Now, for about the past 2 months, if you say that to Elle, she'll reply with a scream, and get terribly upset. The girl likes to have good hair! This time she looked at Ryken and calmly said, "My hair's not funky, it's beautiful!" You tell him, Elle!
So now, I sit here with my foot up, and think I should be journaling more often. There's so many cute stories that happen every day, and I need to remember them! I'm planning Ellie's party, and can't beleive that she'll be 2 in 5 days! (If you ask her she says she's 4, but then she corrects herself, and says..."almost 2!" Not being able to drive (it's my right foot) and sticking close to home, makes me realize how lucky I am to have the family that I do. Not lucky, blessed. Rob has been a huge help, and always tells me to rest my foot, and not worry about getting anything done. which for me, is kinda tough. Anyway, I'm learning.

Christmas already? How did this happen? Ryken just finished his last day of preschool, for the Christmas break. Elliana is going to be 19 months? Really? They are getting so big, and sometimes, I try to hold on to them just a little longer. I've been helping out with Ryken's Sunday school class, and he thinks it's so cool that I'm a "teacher." I'm really just there to help out, but it's alright if he thinks that, keeps him in line. ;) Every time I'm there, he has to sit on my lap for the circle time. Almost like he's staking his claim. Funny, 'cause he's not usually like that, but I don't mind. He's not going to want to cuddle forever. I'm kinda dreading the day that he won't want to hold my hand in public. I know you have to let go, but it's going too fast.
Elliana is talking a mile a minute. The phrases that she comes up with daily, astound me; "now what?," "look at me," "see that?" " I want that one!" "rocky, rocky 2 minutes, mommy" " what'you doing?" "Eddie barking?" "try it on?" (at the store, looking at clothes.)"away 'n manger." "jingle way!" And my absolute favorite..."mommy hold you!" That one gets me everytime. I can't resist it. Doesn't matter where or when. When she says it, with her arms up, looking at me emploringly, I have to pick her up. And then she giggles. What a little imp. She already knows how to work me over. I don't mind though. Holding her and rocking her for "2 more minutes!" warms my heart, and reminds me of how little she once was.
They definately keep me running all day, but then comes bedtime. And as we're reading a few favorite stories, I hold them a little closer. And think, "let me hold you longer."

Let Go!!!!

I've been meaning to write a post about Ellie's 1st birthday, but time keeps slipping away. She turned 15 months yesterday, and is getting to be quite the handful! That 1st year really went way to fast, and I'm a little sad that my baby's growing up. Her birthday was so cute, and she had this beautiful pink, tulle headband/veil. She liked wearing it, and I think she knew she was the star of the show. She didn't want to miss a beat, and decided that she would have neither of her usual 2 naps, that day. And she wasn't even crabby! She opened her gifts, played pin the tiara on the princess, had her first chocolate cupcake, played with her friends, and had a great afternoon! She could walk along furniture at this point, but definately preferred crawling. She could go a lot faster, and needed to chase Ryken as fast as she could! She likes her own toys, but there's something alluring about a big brother's car that's kept behind his closed bedroom door. She doesn't give up too easily if Ryken is playing in his room with his door shut. Screaming, crying and banging on his door will be sure to follow. On her birthday she could say about 22 words, one of her favs.."basketball." She definately has a mind of her own, and knows what she wants! She has no problem getting her point across. she loves music and books, and is often found in a corner, quietly looking at her books. She is also very cuddly, and loves to rock with me. She gives great hugs and kisses, and has an infectious giggle. She thinks Ryken is the coolest boy ever, and loves following him around.
At 13 months she took her first step!She also had over 60 words. At 14 months she added "let go!!!" to her repetoire. Forget holding her hand while she walked, she could do it by herself! Changing her diaper has also turned into a bit of a nightmare. she doesn't want to take a break, she's afraid of missing out! She does love her dollies, and likes to give them a susie or a little bottle. Now at 15 months, she usually can repeat what you tell her to say. She watches us pray at dinner time, and is smiling with anticipation of the end, just so she can say, "amen!" So cute!!! She knows to say "pease," and "cacuu." If she hears our dog barking she'll yell "Eddie..wuiet!!!" She absolutely loves him, and has to see him everyday. She loves the cat too, is usually gentle, if the cat sits long enough while she screams with excitement at it. She loves the water too. swimming, splashing in her wading pool, watering my flowers with me, as long as it involves water, she's happy.
We're going through a bit of temper tantrums these days. If she doesn't get her way...watch out! She throws herself back, and i have to catch her head so she doesn't bang it on the floor. Then she just lays there and cries! AGHHH!!! She is getting a little bit frustrating! Then on the other hand, she has her terribly sweet moments. She can smile a second after screaming, and start laughing! She is full of beans, and keeps me on my toes. She's still seems small to me, and I like that. She'll always be my baby girl!

I had to write about a very cute, yet meaningful conversation that I had with Ryken a few months ago. it was a very warm day in the first week of Dec. Elliana was having her afternoon nap, and Ryken and I were taking advantage of the warm weather, and spending some time outside on the trampoline. After playing for awhile, we laid down on the trampoline, and started finding shapes in the clouds. We were talking about life, and I asked him who made the clouds. "God did" he said. Then I asked him if he knew that God lived way past the clouds. And he told me that, past the clouds were the planets. I said, " even past the planets!" Then I said " did you know that you can ask God to live in your heart? Daddy and I did that, and God lives inside of us." "But I didn't do that," said Ryken. " Do you want to?" I asked. He looked at me very seriously, and nodded with the cutest smile on his face. we said a little prayer, which he repeated after me, and when we said "amen" I told him that Jesus will help him know what's right and wrong, and that he will be with him wherever he goes. "Even as far as the mushroom park?" (a 20 min walk from our house ;)
Yes, I assured him, even as far as the mushroom park. We continued watching the sky change shapes, and after about 10 min, Ryken looked at me and said " did God just come right down from the clouds and into my heart?" Oh, my heart just melted. So sincere, and so in awe. Child innoncence. So pure.
He'll be starting preschool next week, and is so ready for it. He knows all of his letters, and can recognize them. He can spell his first and middle name, and loves to watch monster truck videos on you tube, with Rob. They went to Monster jam, and Ryken was so excited to see all of the monster trucks. It's his new obsession. He loves to make you laugh, and is starting to be very helpful around the house. Still loves to cuddle before bed, which I hope will last for a long time. He's getting so big and grown up! I love his hugs, and his face is so expressive, that you can't help but smile. My little Rykee...not so little anymore.

Well, since Christmas, we've had a few things going on around here. Jan. seemed to fly by with the kids keeping me busy. Elliana discovered her love of touchy-feely books. We read them every night before bed, and she know exactly which spots to look for on the pages. She also does not like to share them with Ryken. When he sits beside her and touches the book, she grabs his hand, pushes it away, and starts hitting her book and screaming. We have attitude already! She has "found her voice" and everyone knows it! When she screams so loud, i tell her very loudly to "stop screaming!" She does stop...looks at me, and start giggling. She is really very funny, and loves to giggle. She always wakes up happy in the morning, and is usually the most chatty, then. She says a few words already, "da-da, ma-ma, wow" and we've even heard a few times, "hi dad." She waves and claps her hands, signs all done, and leans in when you tell her to "hug." she's going to be 9 months in a few days, and I can't believe it! She's almost crawling now. she rolls around everywhere, and can get up on her hands and knees. Not quite going forward yet, but give her a few weeks, and she'll be everywhere. Ryken has said that when she starts crawling, he needs a baby gate on his door. He's quite protective of his cars...which she loves to play with! I just painted her room a very pale pink. Looks quite pretty with her pink crystal chandelier (which she reaches to touch every morning) and the "La Belle Princesse" sign that I hung above her crib. I'm trying to make everything so cute and girly, but I can just see her being a total tom boy, trying to keep up with her big brother. I can't wait to see them play and grow up together, but at the same time, I'm trying to hold on to every sweet moment. The smell of her hair, the feel of her soft, pudgy knees, her low voice babbling away, and the way she looks at me, like I'm the only person in her entire world. Mine too, Elleroo.

Christmas

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and once again, I'm in awe that we're already in another new year. We had a great time with both sides of our family, and Rob had 5 days off to spend with us. Ryken was so excited that it snowed! we haven't seen a white Christmas in years, and it was beautiful. Actually it's snowing as I type this. I love the cozy feeling of being snowed in. (For about 3 hrs, then I need to get out!) We spent Christmas eve with Rob's family, and Ryken had a great time with all of his cousins. The kids picked names this year. It was nice to see them enjoying the one or two toys that they got, instead of so many that they don't appreciate them! Elliana had a fever about 3 days before Christmas, of 103. Took her to the doctor right away, and he couldn't find anything wrong. Still had it Christmas day, and we chalked it up to teething. She is getting up 3-4 times a night, and is happy during the day, but miserable at night! She slept way better as a newborn! She's probably had a full bottle of advil by now, and i can't wait for these teeth to come through! i sewed a quilt for her for Christmas, and we love cuddling with it. She's gotten big so fast, and i feel like i already miss that little baby stage. Not that I want another one, yet, but running around after Ryken, I feel like i should've spent more time with Ellie. I've put Ryken on a waitlist for preschool, and if he gets in, that'll be a few hours of just me and Ellie time. She loves to chat, and can wave, and sign "all done!"
Ryken was veyr excited about Christmas, and loved his toys. For Brunch at my place, Uncle Justin dressed up like Santa, and Ryken wanted nothing to do with it. We've always told him the real meaning of Christmas, and that Santa's not real. When he saw him, he said, "thats just uncle Justin." But he wasn't so sure. Elliana loved him! Smiled the whole time he held her. Ryken wouldn't even stand by him.
We went up to Hemlock for the New Year with our friends Ryan & Erin. Had a great time playing games, and taking it easy. Rob took Ryken snowboarding and he loved it! He did so well, I couldn't believe it! He lasted for over an hour, and only fell twice. He could use either foot in front, start on his own, and at the end of it, he was even jumping a bit! He got new ski goggles and thought he was so cool...I did too! i can just see him in a few years, heading to the top of the hill, with his dad.
Rob wants to take him a few more times this year.
Can't wait to see where 2009 will bring us.

Elliana turned 6 months old Nov.24th. How did that happen?!?! She is rolling over like a pro, sitting pretty steadily by herself, and the other day, she pulled her legs up a bit, and was rocking on her hands and knees. No! She's way too little to crawl. I started her on cereal a few weeks ago, and am introdcing fruits and veggies. So far her fav. is sweet potatoes. She always tries to grab the spoon and feed herself. We're doing sign with her as well, and Ryken loves to show her how. She's still saying "mama, dada," and other baby babble. She loves to cuddle, and her favorite thing to do is watch Ryken. She tries to watch him constantly.He can just be sitting beside her, and she'll look at him and laugh. He is so cute with her, and loves to make her smile, although sharing his cars is still a bit tough. We're all set for Christmas, decorations are up, presents are bought. I'm looking forward to some quality family time this year. Christmas day is going to be a little quieter for us this year, which I'm totally ready for. With all of our extended family traditions, we've never really taken the time to do our own family traditions, and we'll be changing that this year. Brunch with my family at our place, then no plans for the rest of the day!
Our house is still on the market. No offers in sight. Not sure if we want to drop huge in price, just to sell. Then we'd wait it out in my parents suite, 'till we found something that we liked. I've never lost money in real estate, and i really don't want to now! But the market is awful for sellers! I haven't found a place that i loved, so i'm leaning towards sitting it out for another year or 2. Ryken loves his neighborhood. Great friends, huge cul de sac, and having a park in the front yard doesn't hurt either. We'll see. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be...right?

We went to Ryken's cousin's birthday party a few weeks ago, and it was a superhero party. Well now, everytime we play, we have to pretend we're super heroes. The good guy...the bad guy...save Elliana!!! Lots of fun. :) The other day we were in getting ready to rush out the door, and I couldn't beleive we had time to spare, without being late. I thrust my fist into the air, and shouted "I'm supermom! do-do-do-do-do-do!!!" Ryken looked at me and said, "mom you're not a superhero." And I said, "didn't I tell you? I'm supermom!" He believed me for a minute or two. But then He looked at me suspiciously, and said with those expressive eyes of his, " but mom, you don't have a cape!" Ohhh...shoot. Should have thought of that I guess.

Almost 4 months!

My baby girl is getting so big! She's found her voice, and let's you know she's here! She is so quick to flash you a smile, and it's usually a whole face smile. we've found her ticklish spots and her giggle is infectious. Ryken's still the big helper, and talks to her like we do. " hey honey," "let's see what she gots in there" (during diaper change) "what's all the crying about?" The other day he was sitting on the couch with me & Ellie, and he said, "Daddy calls her pumpkin, you call her sweet pea..." At this point he looks up with his cute little face, and you can just see the wheels turning. Then he lights up, looks at her and says, "hey little bulldozer!" She now has a nickname from Ryken, too.
Ryken turned 3 in July, and we had all his friends over for a Thomas party in the backyard. he's so grown up already, and becoming quite the little man. He definately makes me laugh.
Elliana has rolled over already, and I think the beginning of a tooth is near. She is drooling like crazy, and I can see the tip of it trying to come through. So far, she's literally been the perfect baby. When she's awake, she's happy and content. She eats well, and sleeps from 7:30pm to about 6:30am. (One dream feed at 10pm ;)
She's wonderful! Takes a bottle if I'm going out and doesn't make strange. But tonight after I fed her, I left her with Rob while I went to the superstore. came home 45 min later, and she had just fallen asleep. She screamed the whole time I was gone! What!!! My sweet baby? No... couldn't be. I wonder what went wrong. I think she was over tired, and when she wants to sleep, she wants to be put in her crib, and left to fall asleep. Rob tried to rock her, and apparantly she just sreamed harder. Poor Rob. When I got home, he had just fixed himself a hot chocolate with Baileys. needed a little somehing. We'll see how the night goes...

Elliana Marie

She's here! Has been for 8 weeks actually, and I'm just now making the time to post about her birth. Been a little busy with two kids in the house! Elliana was born on May 24th at 7:47am. My contractions started on Fri night at 11:30pm. Rob and I were just going to bed when I felt a twitch in my back. About 5 min later it came again. I looked over to Rob and said, "i think I'm having a contraction!" He just said, "oh yeah..." nonchalantly, and rolled over. Well, I figured I was on my own, for the first bit anyway. i finished packing all of my bags, and cleaned up around the house. I didn't want to phone my mom too soon, 'cause she was coming with us to the hospital. I phoned the hospital after an hour of contractions, and they told me to wait one more hour, and then come in. So at 1:30am, my mom and dad came over. My dad was staying at our house with Ryken , and after we stood together and prayed, my mom, Rob & I left for the hospital. I was feeling really excited to get this going, but a bit anxious about the whole process!
We arives at the hospital at 2:00am, and after the nurse checked me, she said i wasn't even dilated yet. Arghhh!!! They sent us back home! Iwas sooo disappointed, and felt bad for waking my mom up. We all went back to my parents place, and tried to get some sleep. Well, they did. I didn't. The contractions were steady the whole time, and at 4:10am, my water broke. Then the contractions really got strong. We got to the hospital at 5:00am, and they checked me again. 1-2cm! This couldn't be happening! Iwas thinking the 2nd would be a lot faster, and I was barely dilated. At 6:30am i was 4 cm, and finally asked for something for the pain. I had laughing gas, and it did absolutely nothing. I remember looking at my mom and saying, "I'm not laughing yet!" i threw up a few times, which i absolutely hate doing, but Rob was so supportive and there to help. Every contraction i got, he was there to push on my lower back. ALL back labor. I didn't even feel it in my stomach. My mom was such a support as well, and kept handing me ice chips. Which was really helpful. There was a shortage of nurses, and an overage of women having babies! It was pretty much us 3 doing it on our own, and I liked it that way. At 7:30 i was 6 cm, and asked for something stronger to help the pain. I had phentanol(spelling?) in the iv, and that immediately relaxed me. The contractions had been so intense, and i was exhausted from the pain and lack of sleep. I had a good rest between contractions, and Rob thought that i looked dead. I was quite out of it 'till the next contraction came. I told them i had to push but they said to wait. It felt like i was being ripped in half! Then they checked me again and said I could push. While I was pushing, my legs totally cramped. But then it went away. My mom later told me that they put a needle in my leg, which is why they relaxed so quickly. After 3 pushes she was here! the nurse said" it's a girl!" I looked at her in the doctors hands all stretched out and screaming her head off! From 6 cm dilated to seeing my baby in about 15 min! It is absolutely amazing to me, how the pain was instantly gone. With tears in my eyes, i looked at Rob, and my mom. I had squeezed both of their hands so tight, i was hoping I hadn't hurt them! The first thing I said was, "It's a girl! We're done!!!" Then I added, "ohh, we need to go shopping!" They put her to my chest right away, but she was not interested in feeding. I looked at my little girl, while she wailed away. Her cheeks were so chubby! she had a double chin already, and rolls at the back of her neck. The sweetest little rosebud lips, and dark hair. I couldn't believe she was finally here. The doctor asked me her name, and I said "Elliana Marie. It means 'My God has answered me." He said, "that seems about right."
She was 8lbs, 9 1/2 oz, and 22 inches long. A big girl! Rob's mom came in to work that morning, and gave her, her first bath. My dad came with Ryken and he was a little nervous, but very curious. he climbed on to the bed with me and looked at his new sister. We got a few pics, and then my mom and dad went to get something to eat, while Ryken stayed with us to get acquainted with this new baby girl. He was especially interested in how she was going to eat! He said, " mommy, she's chewing on you!" Quite cute. After about an hour, my parents came back, and took him home. There were no rooms for us, or even available beds, for that matter. We stayed in the case room the entire time. try taking a nap, with women screaming all around you! At 12:00pm we decided to go home. I was feeling great, and Elliana was eating well. My sister and her husband, had come for a visit, just as we were leaving. We decided to meet at my parents for lunch the next day, because we were celebrating Justin's birthday. Elliana was born on the same day as her Uncle.
On they way home there was an accident on the abby/mission bridge. We sat in traffic for about 40min. Not what I wanted to do! Elliana slept through the whole thing, and we even stopped for Tim Hortons. Ryken came home a few hours later, and we struggled through our first night with her. All she wanted to do was nurse! Ryken didn't wake up with her crying, at least. I finally broke out the soother, and that seemed to do the trick.
Now she's on more of a shedule, and sleeping so well at night. 8 hours the other night! She is a wonderful baby, and very content. Ryken is such an amazing big brother, and loves to "pet" her. The first day home, he held her for 1/2 an hour!
we love our new addition, and she seems to complete our family. It's hard to believe she's only 8 weeks. I can't really think of us without her. she's perfect. And I can't believe I thought I'd have a hard time loving her. It is still a bit different, because we just met! But when she smiles at me, my heart melts, and I am completely in love with my baby girl.

Well, I'm officially overdue. Past the point, cooked this one long enough, good to go. I think I've been in the "nesting stage" for about 3 weeks now. I'm definately ready to meet this little one! Ryken asks me everyday, "why's that baby not coming out?" We're all getting anxious to see what it's going to be!
One thing's that been keeping me busy is our basement renos. Rob and I have just finished the painting last week, and it's starting to look great. Right now, he's working on the laminate. It'll be so nice to have a place where we can just hang out. A spot for all of my scrapbooking, sewing, and somewhere to put all the toys. Pretty soon, I'll have to take out all the baby toys, that we had in storage. Just when things were starting to get uncluttered!
Ryken's been enjoying his new trampoline. He's been going to gymnastics once a week, and loving it. He practises his moves, and burns his energy in the backyard. His latest thing is telling me everyday, that he's getting big. And then he throws in that he's 4 already. Slow down buddy, it's ok to stay my little boy! He loves to make me laugh, and is starting to tell jokes that we've taught him. " What's a pirates favorite letter? ....Rrrrr." He scrunches up his face so cute when he says it.
I'm trying to see the positive in being overdue. Realizing that I only have so much time left, with just me and him. it's been so special with him being my little man, and now my time's going to be divided. I'm a little scared in how it's going to change, but I know he's ready. Seeing him with my friend's little girl, is so cute. Bringing her toys, or just saying hi to her. I'm excited to add to our family, I just hope I can love them equally.