Photos...because I'm too tired to write a real post.

The inevitable has happened. My body has been a trooper through all this sleep deprivation but it finally reached it's breaking point. I am sick. Awesome. I took my first sick day, I don't know... maybe almost ever, yesterday. Can't call in sick from the mom gig though. And then Baby B slept decently. Go figure. Anyway, here are some photos since I've been too lazy to write.

Crazy kid. I'm almost positive she'll be walking by 9 months. Lord help us.



Since this winter is never ending we are trying to make the most of it.





This was taken at the annual fundraiser/dance party that I/we attend. Although I paid dearly for it the next day in exhaustion it was worth it for the sanity I gained.



I notice the photo is very similar to the one taken two years ago. Strange. I love wearing hats when I dance... don't know what that's about.

What I'm Sick Of

Winter

Cold

Snow

Having sick kids that never get better

Coughing

Fevers

Snot

Medicine

Inhalers

Being cooped up

Being tired

Only getting two hours of sleep at one time

Not being able to work out

Pimples

Crying

Whining

Having a sore back

Cooking

Rushing

Being late

But I never get sick of these faces...

Life at Our House

It has been crazy. We were only away from home for two nights over the holidays but it seemed to take Miss A two WEEKS to recover and be rested again. Baby B must have been having a growth spurt because she was consistently getting up at around 3 am, 6 am and 8 am. It was... tiring. She seems to be getting through most of the night right now on a fairly regular basis. I don't find the getting up so frequently too difficult except on the Saturday mornings when I work at 9 am. But the time Saturday night rolls around I am exhausted and it feels like it takes me days to recover.

My Mom is still living with us. I'm not sure for how much longer but I know that they have begun the painting so that should be a good sign. It has been an interesting time. I hadn't realized how precious that hour or so Peter and I spend together curled up on the couch watching one of our favorite shows is. Somehow it's just not the same watching the Game Show Network with my mom before bed. She is wonderful to our girls but I know I'll be in for it when she moves back home because they have both become used to much extra attention. Miss A always has a playmate and Baby B always has a lap to sit on. I expect there to be much crying once we are on our own again.

I can tell that the whole situation is getting a little tiring for her as well. The novelty is wearing off and she's needing some space. Thankfully her bowling and cards have started up again this week so she has gotten out to do her own thing in addition to getting out to play Bingo. (In case any of you didn't know, my mom is 72.)

During the night when the baby gets up I never know what to do. I usually come out to the living room to feed her so that I don't totally mess up Peter's sleep (he tells me not to bother but it becomes very obvious very quickly toll interrupted sleep takes on him) but my mom is sleeping on a hide a bed just off the living room and I know it disturbs her if I come out there. (She also tells me not to worry) Depending on how often she gets up I switch between staying in our room and coming out to the living room. It's just a frustrating situation.

And then there is the cold. It has been like, ridiculously cold here. And I live in Manitoba so I'm not just being wimpy about it. It's the kind of weather where you inevitably end up cooped up inside most of the time except when you HAVE to go out. Miss A is getting major cabin fever. Now that the craziness of the holidays are over we'll be getting to the YMCA on a regular basis again, cold or no cold. As a humorous kick in the pants by mother nature the cold lets up long enough just so we can have another big dump of snow on top of the already obscene amount we've already had. But to show you that despite my complaining we still try to make the most of it when the weather is at least warm enough that you can go outside without your face freezing off in like, two seconds... here are some photos.





I think Miss A's red face is a good indication of just how cold it is here lately.

I've started my second month back to work. Generally it's been a much smoother transition this time than it was last time, going back. However during the last week before Christmas my boss was rather cranky and for some reason he seemed to be directing it at me. I know I'm not imagining it because several of my coworkers have brought it up to me and expressed their surprise and displeasure about it. I'm hoping he has gotten whatever it was out of his system and we can start the new year off on a better note.

And to end this whiny post here is a funny story and an interesting observation from Audrey.

Yesterday, when we had arrived home and were just walking into the house our neighbor was just leaving. We waved to each other and then he specifically greeted Miss A. She turned to say hello and promptly walked right into the snowbank. My neighbor and I both found this highly entertaining, and as I was pulling her up out of the deep snow and brushing her off he proceeded to say "It's been a long time since I've had that effect on a woman!" And this had me in stitches because our neighbors are two married men.

And the observation was:

"Mom, my hair is brown, like poop."

Snowone

As I mentioned before we have been subjected to Christmas carols for some time now. Even before that Miss A has been talking about snow.

I have no idea where this has come from. I'm sure she couldn't possibly remember snow from last year, maybe I'm wrong. I guess they have referred to it on some of her shows, but still. It's like she knows.

When we are watching 'Baby Santa' she gets so excited the multiple times they show snowmen. Also, there is one part where a kid is making a snow angel and we have explained what she's doing.

We can often find her laying on the floor trying to duplicate. Only she tells us she's making a snow one.

One thing about having children. They can make you appreciate things that you may otherwise be dreading. Like cold. And snow. Enthusiasm is contagious.

We're OKAY!

Today one of the fears that I'm sure all mothers who have a child in their arms while walking outside in the winter became my reality. That's right. I fell. While carrying Miss A to our house from the car. I was being careful but my feet slipped right from under me and I fell right on top of her. She sort of fell in the snowbank which sounds alright except that the snowbank has kind of melted and hardened a bit. I knew right away that she had hit her head on the snow and she started crying immediately. I think I had time to say “Oh sh!t!” on the way down.

All I could do was pick myself up and go inside with my hysterical baby. I took her hat off first afraid that her head might be cut or something. I couldn't even find a bump. Upon inspection I determined that she seemed to be okay. I checked out my knee which was stinging to find a bit of a scrape. I guess that the fall had simply frightened her which was why she'd cried so hard. She would have likely cried less if she actually had been hurt, tough little monkey that she is. I was relieved and now I feel like going outside and bashing at the ice with a sharp shovel to diffuse my anger. Honestly though I can't believe something like this has never happened before. I suppose I should consider myself lucky.

In other news I had my second counseling appointment today. It seemed more productive. I felt more comfortable and the experience was more positive. My counselor seemed warmer this time and I think we accomplished more. I was also much more emotional. I left feeling better but also drained.

It's going to be a long process. I need to make a concerted effort to stop looking at everyone else and thinking “See, they're normal. What's wrong with me?” Not that I want everyone to be messed up but I realize that how people may appear on the outside is not necessarily how they are on the inside. In fact other people may look at me and think “Look at her, she has it all together.” Which let me tell you, I certainly do NOT.



And finally, I don't know if you all noticed my new profile picture. I've been wanting to put up a new one for some time but none of our pictures seemed right. This one was taken during one of those rare moments when we caught A looking at the camera. And smiling no less! I think it's quite sweet. These days in most of our photos of her we get bizarre looks like this one...

Before the Spring

The snow is melting in a hurry so I thought I'd better post these photos while you all can still remember what snow is.

These were taken one evening while Peter and I tried to tidy up the snowy mess. Miss A like going for rides on the shovel...

Snow Days

Winter seems not to be going anywhere in these parts. This weekend we were dumped upon with a bunch of snow and it is currently snowing as I write this. The cold snap we were having has at least let up. I found the cold much more depressing than this abundance of snow. At least with snow you can go outside and enjoy!



Which is what we've been trying to do. And the fact that taking A out in the sled is exercise for me doesn't hurt either! Miss A likes going for rides in the sled. She drags her hand along in the snow the way you'd drag your hand in the water if you were in a canoe. She usually gets sick of riding after a while and want to bail out. The other day when we went for a particularity long walk I let her get out and walk around on the trail. I eventually had to put her back in the sled which she wasn't too thrilled about.







A is still a bit too young to 'play' in this snow. Next winter will be a different story I'm sure. One things for sure... We'll have to get a bigger sled. She's already outgrown this one, her feet are squished into the front of the sled!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it... Okay, it can stop now...

I just came in from shoveling the steps and sidewalk in front of our house. We must have gotten about 10 cm of snow. I can't complain about the shoveling since I'm always saying how I want to get more exercise and clearing snow that deep is definitely a work out.

Last week we were enjoying mild weather and dry ground. Now the ground and street are completely covered in deep snow. No chance of this amount melting. The snow is here to stay this time.

Although it was basically storming this morning I ventured out. But why? you may ask. What could be so important that you would head out in bad weather? Pictures. Today was the day our family pictures were ready and I wanted to get them. Was it worth it? Of course.



To be honest driving in this kind of weather doesn't really bother me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be venturing out on the highway for a long trip or anything. I just don't think that driving around in the city is SO bad. My ECHO does pretty well in the slush. I seemed to be doing better than some of the vehicles out there. I actually find it fun. It's kind of like going tobogganing in a car. Again, don't get me wrong, I'm not sliding all over the road endangering my life and the life of my child just for kicks. It's just that feeling of cutting through the snow and coasting slowly around corners that feels graceful and reminds me of tobogganing.

Miss A was bundled in her snowsuit from Value Village. She was so cute while I carried her to and from the car. Her little tongue kept poking out of her mouth to catch snowflakes. Although it was snowing profusely it was actually not really cold. It was nice to be out in the fresh air. The weather didn't bother her a bit.

I'm looking forward to finally getting some use out of her birthday present from her grandparents. This sled.



Sometimes weather like this gets me down, but I don't know. I'm pretty cheery. Feeling all Christmas-y and stuff. I'm going to ride this wave as long as it lasts.