A Little Belated Halloween Post

Halloween was fun this year and FREEZING.  I never grew up having to endure this kinda snow and low temperatures but apparently Jason did and he said it never stopped him... Who are we kidding though?  There isn't a lot out there that could stop Jason from satisfying a candy craving or rather the opportunity to haul in like a kid can on Halloween.  Our girls did pretty good!  At first Liv was determined to open and eat every new candy as soon as it was placed in her bucket.  She got the hang of it though.  She was scared she might lose it (mom take it away) before she could inhale it.  She freaks out (literally squeals and tries to shoo me away) if I come near her when she's trying mooch off of someone for fear that I'll intervene. 

We had a real case of the sugar highs throughout October, especially Brooklynn.  Between mother's groups, pre-school and trick or treating we needed to find our balance quickly.  Brooklynn was getting up in the night, having bad dreams, not able to fall asleep properly etc.  I mean I try to regulate it but all that processed crap really does a number on my kids.  Anyway, good thing it's once a year because I love to pound back mini chocolate bars as much as the next mom!

Lee Babee #3

We finally let the word out- it was killing me- I don't like keeping exciting news in that long (from family)!  I'm just over 13 weeks and we told our loved ones last Sunday as we did a belated Birthday celebration for Jason. The reaction from my mother in law was priceless, pretty sure there was a tear or two or joy.  We told my family over skype and they seemed surprised yet happy at the same time :) I'm really excited- we all are! And we're SO grateful that things looked wonderful at our 12 week ultrasound.
A funny story that I have mentioned to a few people, is the way I first found out- makes me laugh a little so I will share.
 In all honestly I felt pretty confident I knew I was pregnant moments after it happened... I just knew my monthly schedule very well and could tell things were different WAY to early on (this is another reason I feel like I have been keeping this secret for so long- I "just knew" weeks before I could test anything)  Anyway I ended up taking pregnancy tests too early and getting negatives but didn't loose "hope"  I just kept thinking, "ugh, how much longer until I have proof?!"  I took a test really early on day #23 or #24 of my cycle and it was negative again.  I stared at it for five or ten minutes while somewhat half asleep and STILL nothing. Just one little itty bitty line, so I tossed it in the waste basket.
Two or three days later I was collecting garbage in one big garbage bag (all my waste baskets get dumped right before garbage day)  and I saw the test box...  Yes, picked through my garbage wondering if the test did anything over the last 2-3 days... it had changed... it was now POSITIVE.  I was baffled it ended up changing!  I took 2 more after that, still days before I thought I would take another and got a few very faint double lines.  I had one last test to save for a later day in hope to get a more prominent positive, I showed that one to Jason (who's reaction was only as sweet as I could imagine)
Jason always says the right things in an emotional moment.  I was more than happy but nerves can creep up on you and things like, "the transition from two to three kids is the hardest" started going through my mind.  The fact that we are due in the spring and will probably have to move soon after the baby arrives was going through my head too.  Jason simply hugged me and said, "Don't stress, it will all work out!"  I'm glad he put it that way because I let that phrase go through my mind a lot and it allows me to focus on the good things and to allow myself to feel more grateful than worried sometimes.
It's fun talking to our girls about it.  I think Brooklynn "gets it"  except she keeps wanting to feel the baby kick because Lisa's baby kicks.  We'll get there :)
Another funny story is that my sister Amanda dressed Liv one day and randomly put her in some of Brooklynn's hand-me-downs that were folded in the closet.  My sister (without thinking) put on Brooklynn's old shirt that says, "Big Sister" on it.  When I saw Liv wearing the outfit I asked her why she put THAT shirt  on to which Amanda replied, "Oh, I wasn't even paying attention" I then explained to her that the shirt was very appropriate because I was 9 weeks along at the time.  It was a cute, funny and heart warming moment.  I'm glad I got to tell her and trust her to keep it quiet for a while.  I also told Jenn right from the get-go pretty much because she was living with me at the beginning and I couldn't hide the tiredness/ sleepiness from her.  She did a good job keeping it quiet from my mom and dad too!
How am I feeling?  Okay.  Better than before.  I was really nauseous in the beginning  and really food sensitive.  More than I remember being with my first two pregnancies.... and I thought each pregnancy got easier than the last?  Not in this case.
I can't end this post without again emphasizing how grateful we are.  As many of you know I had surgery last Spring and they had to remove one of my ovaries.  It was quite the possibility that my body would need to adjust. It was my hope for my other ovary to take over quickly and do the work of two ovaries by ovulating every month, not every other month (which is generally the case when you have two- they take turns).  I can honestly say I don't think it missed a beat because I have been completely normal/ regular and that it a HUGE blessing to acknowledge.
Children are a lot of work, I already know and I am really going to have things cut out for me again this Spring.  I can't think of any type of work that brings someone more joy and fulfilment in someone's life.  With that being said, I really do feel richly blessed :)

Future quarterback?

or another Cheerleader?

Family photos at Carburn Park

Hasn't my sister done a fantastic job!?  I am so thrilled about these photos.  You'd never know we battled through a hot evening in August with mosquitos, crazy bikers, ton of dog walkers, Max running off everywhere and outfits getting covered in chocolate... nope. I hardly remember :)  Just looking at these and feeling as happy as I do about them makes the experience seem a little hazy!  The only thing going through my mind at the moment is a quote I saw on a friend's facebook wall that said, "GUNS don't KILL people.  DADS with pretty daughter's KILL people."  Jason, do you really know what you are in for?

First Day of Preschool!

Did it really creep up that quickly?  I always thought it was so cute when other moms would post the "back pack" photos of their kids just before they are out the door to go to school.  Did I really take those types of photos this morning?! Yup! I sure did :)

 Brooklynn in my mind is a prime candidate for preschool.  Lately I just don't feel cut out for what her little sponge-brain wants to learn.  I never thought too hard about preschool until some of my friends were enrolling their kids, and after qualifying for a subsidy is was almost a "no-brainer".  As time crept up and we got closer to the school year starting I was more and more exctied for her and grateful we went for it!

 Showing off her new backpack! 

 I kept telling Brooklynn that she didn't need to be shy and that she would have a friend in her class (Charlotte) .  They almost seemed hesitant today when they saw eachtoher and when I picked her up she said, " mom, I met new friends today! I met 5 boys (she was nervous about boys being in her class) and Charlotte and Ashley."  I know it was a big day for both of them so she may have seemed a little confused.  I'm so happy they have another activity to share.  I just hope they don't ever forget the bond they started so early in life  :)

And last but not least, some hugs for her little sister :)

So proud of you Brooklynn!! xox

A Dino Day in Drumheller

Before Jason got his internship with NWC this summer he had been doing some odd jobs; renos, and bounce house deliveries for the most part.  It was a pretty sweet hook-up for a family with kids.  We sure have had our fair share of bounce house fun this summer, however one day of bounce house deliveries brought us out to Drumheller for the day.  We went to the Royal Tyrrell Museum - the girls and I have never been there before!  We also spent the whole day there which gave us the opportunity to check out some cool events that were on, and other exhibits.  I still can't believe how dinosaur-crazy that town is.   There are seriously dino statues everywhere!! Some are little, abstract, big, realistic or even HUMONGOUS!!  Yes. Drumheller lays clain to the largest dinosaur statue in the world- pretty impressive!

 We got a brand new camera for Christmas (which I love) but with my limited experience thus far and a dark museum...well, some of the pictures are a little blury.  My sister/ photographer helped me learn a thing or two since :)

 A makeshift bed for Little Livy to nap in. I wish she fell asleep!

 I love this picture!

 Brooklynn thought she had lost us a minute before this picture was taken (we were only 5 feet behind her)  she got a little emotional.

It's hard for me to think this type of landscap and scenary is in Canada.  It's so beautiful and unique in it's own way.  Makes me feel grateful to live in such a huge diverse country.

World's Largest Dinosaur

  It was challenging at times to keep the girls there all day, especially Alivia- who still needs her nap but we made it work and it was nice to have the whole day with Jason because he is seriously SO busy these days!

true love

  I love catching moments of us being fun, and young together.  We are fun and young but sometimes, or a lot of the time life can make us forget and feel differently...  I love that we have 5+ years of marriage under our belts, and 2 kids - I wouldn't change it for the world, and to know we won't be students any longer when the spring gets here is totally AWESOME!  It's been a fun ride with you so far Jason :)

Summer Fun

These girls have been so much fun for me this summer and being a mother and spending my time with them throughout the day means more then I could possibly have EVER imagined.  I'm so thankful that Jason feels it is so important for me to be at home and by their side's raising them.  I am so thankful that he works hard enough so I can enjoy doing that as my job too.  They really light up my world. They are my life and my everything.  It's not always peachy, or simply fun in the sun (that's for sure) but all the laughs, excitement,  cuteness, the milestones I witness, the love and most of all JOY they bring to me sure make-up for the hard times.  I am SO grateful to be your mommy Brooklynn and Alivia, xox.