Mama says that she loves the Mother's Day gift that "we" bought her. She plans on using the Silhouette to make many great scrapbooking pages.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Missing Papa
We miss you Papa!!
Mama says that she loves the Mother's Day gift that "we" bought her. She plans on using the Silhouette to make many great scrapbooking pages.
Mama says that she loves the Mother's Day gift that "we" bought her. She plans on using the Silhouette to make many great scrapbooking pages.
Mother's Day
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
I just received an email from a parenting support thing that I subscribe to on the net. I get daily inspirational messages that I unfortunately usually ignore. Today's message hit me like a ton of bricks as I do so often think about the sacrifices I make for my family. Hmm, I guess I was in need of this wake up call! What do you all think?
THE DAILY GROOVE ~ by Scott Noelle
www.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove
:: A Radical "Mother's Day" Message ::
Today is Mother's Day in many countries, and mothers everywhere are being honored and appreciated for the invaluable contribution of mothering.
That's the bright side...
For many families there's also a subtle dark side of Mother's Day: focusing on the *sacrifices* mothers make for their families.
Mothers' self-sacrifice is typically celebrated by reversing the sacrificial current. For one day, the other family members take over the mother's "duties"
so she can be free (theoretically) to focus entirely on her own pleasure.
Don't get me wrong: I think one of life's simple pleasures is contributing to the pleasure of others, and that includes the good feeling of pampering mothers. It's the undercurrent of *guilt* that so often taints the fun.
When the subtext is, "We're doing this stuff for you today because you *can't* have what you want the other
364 days of the year," it actually *perpetuates* the cycle of self-sacrifice, resentment, and guilt.
So here's a radical proposition for every mother who has ever bought into the idea of self-sacrifice as a
virtue:
Decide that EVERY day is Mother's Day! Don't settle for anything less than a predominantly pleasureful path of mothering, and remember that the best way to raise kids who enjoy life is to let them see your commitment to enjoying life yourself. :-)
**(Note to self-sacrifice addicts: If you think I'm saying you should force yourself to be happy...
think again!)**
I just received an email from a parenting support thing that I subscribe to on the net. I get daily inspirational messages that I unfortunately usually ignore. Today's message hit me like a ton of bricks as I do so often think about the sacrifices I make for my family. Hmm, I guess I was in need of this wake up call! What do you all think?
THE DAILY GROOVE ~ by Scott Noelle
www.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove
:: A Radical "Mother's Day" Message ::
Today is Mother's Day in many countries, and mothers everywhere are being honored and appreciated for the invaluable contribution of mothering.
That's the bright side...
For many families there's also a subtle dark side of Mother's Day: focusing on the *sacrifices* mothers make for their families.
Mothers' self-sacrifice is typically celebrated by reversing the sacrificial current. For one day, the other family members take over the mother's "duties"
so she can be free (theoretically) to focus entirely on her own pleasure.
Don't get me wrong: I think one of life's simple pleasures is contributing to the pleasure of others, and that includes the good feeling of pampering mothers. It's the undercurrent of *guilt* that so often taints the fun.
When the subtext is, "We're doing this stuff for you today because you *can't* have what you want the other
364 days of the year," it actually *perpetuates* the cycle of self-sacrifice, resentment, and guilt.
So here's a radical proposition for every mother who has ever bought into the idea of self-sacrifice as a
virtue:
Decide that EVERY day is Mother's Day! Don't settle for anything less than a predominantly pleasureful path of mothering, and remember that the best way to raise kids who enjoy life is to let them see your commitment to enjoying life yourself. :-)
**(Note to self-sacrifice addicts: If you think I'm saying you should force yourself to be happy...
think again!)**
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Ottawa here we come!
The conditions are all removed from the sale of our house so it's time to go house hunting!! Anyone got any opinions or info about the various areas of Ottawa? We're seeing lots of houses in Kanata and Barrhaven that are nice and in our price range....but it's soooo suburbia. We're talking white picket fence, no funky shops or corner stores, just big chain strip malls. I'd like to live in the city now while the kids are young, but I don't want to be in an area that would have parks and playgrounds littered with beer cans and dirty needles. Not that it couldn't happen in suburbia, but it's not as prevalent in Kanata and Barrhaven from what I hear. Time to do some research, but it's so hard from here.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
From the mouth of Quin
Me "I love you Quinten".
Q "I love you too Mommy. Happy Birthday".
He does this nearly every time he says I love you to me or Patrick. What's up with that?
Q "I love you too Mommy. Happy Birthday".
He does this nearly every time he says I love you to me or Patrick. What's up with that?
Thursday, May 3, 2007
For Sale no longer!
We have a conditional sale on our house!! I am so glad that it was over quickly. The showings started the day after Patrick left for Cold Lake for 21/2 weeks so I have been shuttling the kids around from here to my parents house and trying to coordinate naps and realtor visits and whatnot. Not to mention how impossible it is to keep the house neat and tidy with two mess creators following me around undoing all the straightening up I do. I am not by nature a neat freak, but I do like things to be clean and tidy. I realized in the course of getting the house in tip top shape that I have been neglecting certain areas of the house.....ahhemm....like anywhere that is not in plain sight. I am going to try to keep things looking the way they are right now, but I also realize that the stress it caused me to keep the place looking this way is not any way to live. As nice as it is to be able to eat off the floors, I won't be needing to do that anytime soon.
I think I deserve a medal for doing this while Patrick is away. The last time we moved I was left in an empty condo in Winnipeg for my last month of University, writing papers and studying for finals with only a mattress on the floor and using a card table for my computer. I haven't decided what was worse, that or what I just went through. Different kinds of stress, back then I was only responsible for my comfort and well being. Now there are two more little people to be responsible for. Speaking of them, I should go to bed now (only 8:30 pm. how sad is that) because last night was hell and I am expecting more of the same tonight.
I think I deserve a medal for doing this while Patrick is away. The last time we moved I was left in an empty condo in Winnipeg for my last month of University, writing papers and studying for finals with only a mattress on the floor and using a card table for my computer. I haven't decided what was worse, that or what I just went through. Different kinds of stress, back then I was only responsible for my comfort and well being. Now there are two more little people to be responsible for. Speaking of them, I should go to bed now (only 8:30 pm. how sad is that) because last night was hell and I am expecting more of the same tonight.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Ivan's Macaroni Monday
Go Ivan, go Ivan, go, go, go, Ivan!!!
Thanks for the cute picture Allison.
Keep them coming folks!
A shout out to Christine for caring about our health and recommending Annie's Mac&cheese. Yes, very healthy but sorry chicky, it's gross. Neither Quinten nor I could stomach it.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Mess dinner, house for sale and me ranting!
Patrick is off at his Ass....oops I mean Mess dinner tonight so I can actually write instead of playing musical chairs with him for a chance to get some time on the 'puter. It is actually quite ridiculous the way we dive at the chair when it is vacant, when there was no music playing to begin with, so there is no way it stopped, and we are in some demented game of musical chairs for two. For those of you who don't know what a Mess dinner is, it is when the military members get all dressed up in their silly (but sexy) Tuxedos, play nasty tricks on each other, get stupid drunk and make asses of themselves all in the spirit of camaraderie. Maybe I'm just jealous cause he gets to get all dressed up, eat steak, drink red wine, talk to adults, and I am here in my PJ's picking my nose...and yes that is what I am doing...it is allergy season and man is my nose itchy!
I have something on my mind, it has been bothering me for a few days, and I am not sure how to go about forgetting it, so I'll purge here. Someone said to me the other day, "you sure are lucky to be able to stay at home with your kids, I wish I could do that." It was said in such a manner and context that I know she meant because Patrick can support us on his wage. I agreed, didn't think much about it, but something just didn't sit right with me. When I started to think about it, it dawned on me that her partner probably makes just as much (or little depending on how you look at it!) as Patrick, and I started to wish I had continued the conversation. I feel like I should have made it clear that the decision we made for me to stay home was a sacrifice that has required change on both our parts. Being a stay at home mom does not mean I'm sitting around eating bonbons all day and having cuddlefests with the kids and things are all roses. It is a challenge, I am busy guiding them and helping them build the framework they will rely on the rest of their lives and I do it because it's what I feel is best for me and my children. I do not have the financial freedom that a two income family may have, but I am happy to make the sacrifices and learn how to be more "frugal". The next time that someone assumes that I stay at home because we can afford it, I think I need to find a way to qualify that with something like "we CHOOSE to be able to afford it".
There, that feels better! You know what feels even better than getting that out....finally putting our house up for sale. We have been working like crazy to get the place all perfect and organized and sparkling, and finally the day has come. Wish us luck!
I have something on my mind, it has been bothering me for a few days, and I am not sure how to go about forgetting it, so I'll purge here. Someone said to me the other day, "you sure are lucky to be able to stay at home with your kids, I wish I could do that." It was said in such a manner and context that I know she meant because Patrick can support us on his wage. I agreed, didn't think much about it, but something just didn't sit right with me. When I started to think about it, it dawned on me that her partner probably makes just as much (or little depending on how you look at it!) as Patrick, and I started to wish I had continued the conversation. I feel like I should have made it clear that the decision we made for me to stay home was a sacrifice that has required change on both our parts. Being a stay at home mom does not mean I'm sitting around eating bonbons all day and having cuddlefests with the kids and things are all roses. It is a challenge, I am busy guiding them and helping them build the framework they will rely on the rest of their lives and I do it because it's what I feel is best for me and my children. I do not have the financial freedom that a two income family may have, but I am happy to make the sacrifices and learn how to be more "frugal". The next time that someone assumes that I stay at home because we can afford it, I think I need to find a way to qualify that with something like "we CHOOSE to be able to afford it".
There, that feels better! You know what feels even better than getting that out....finally putting our house up for sale. We have been working like crazy to get the place all perfect and organized and sparkling, and finally the day has come. Wish us luck!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Five things I'm loving these days,
1. Our new computer. Does anyone out there hang around in Second Life?
2. The new scrapbook die cutting machine called the Silhouette by Quickutz. I want one really bad....good thing Mother's day is coming and I've been such a great mom this year!
3. Babies in general....congrats go out to Christine and James on their new arrival!
4. My baby Alia because she is so freakin' cute.
5. Macaroni Mondays. If someone doesn't send their pictures soon, I'll have done a complete round of my family.
The Macaroni Jar, decorated by yours truly, loved by the whole family.
1. Our new computer. Does anyone out there hang around in Second Life?
2. The new scrapbook die cutting machine called the Silhouette by Quickutz. I want one really bad....good thing Mother's day is coming and I've been such a great mom this year!
3. Babies in general....congrats go out to Christine and James on their new arrival!
4. My baby Alia because she is so freakin' cute.
5. Macaroni Mondays. If someone doesn't send their pictures soon, I'll have done a complete round of my family.
The Macaroni Jar, decorated by yours truly, loved by the whole family.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Scrapbooking weekend
Today I think I feel recovered enough from last weekend to write about it. The really important thing that I accomplished (besides a few great pages) was leaving the kids for the first time. Quinten has spent the night at Grandma & Grandpa's a few times, but I had never left Alia with anyone for more than a couple of hours. I left on Friday afternoon and didn't see them again until Sunday afternoon. I think my boobs missed Alia more than the rest of me. The pump just doesn't substitute for a baby when it comes to emptying those milk makers! I did miss my little munchkins, but I really needed to get away. Unfortunately there wasn't much RnR happening, we were all mostly hunched over our layouts all weekend from sunup till sundown. At least I got in some adult conversation and spent time with Jen. Here are a couple of my latest scrapbook pages.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Torturing Alia
Hey...where are your macaroni pictures?? Since nobody sent any, you are stuck seeing this.
It is all your faults that I had to torture my 7m old by waving macaroni in her face, but not letting her eat any. If you are wondering why I am celebrating Macaroni Monday on Tuesday it is because yesterday I thought it was still the weekend because Patrick was home during the day.
It is all your faults that I had to torture my 7m old by waving macaroni in her face, but not letting her eat any. If you are wondering why I am celebrating Macaroni Monday on Tuesday it is because yesterday I thought it was still the weekend because Patrick was home during the day.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
Macaroni Monday begins!
Today is Macaroni Monday! I decided to start this tradition because whenever I ask Quinten what he wants to eat, whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner he always answers "Macayoni". This way, I can tell him that he can't have that because it is not Macaroni Monday! I think it would be cool if others want to participate...after all, who doesn't love Mac&cheese? So send me pics of you, or your kids eating Macaroni and I'll post them! If you don't have my email address just write in the comments that you need it.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Easter Weekend!
Hope everyone is having a great Easter Weekend! We are in the middle of changing over to a newer, much faster computer. It is annoying how long it takes to import everything, but hopefully when it's all done I'll be better able to manage the bazillions of digital photos and video we have accumulated since the kids came on the scene.
The most wonderful surprise was awaiting me when I finally regained access to my lifeline/computer. Stacie Cockrell, one of the authors of Babyproofing Your Marriage, left a comment on the last post. If you are reading this Stacie, Hi and thanks, it was a pleasure reading your book! I realized something after I saw her comment, the quickest way to make a friend, or get on someone's good side is to compliment their children. When we get to our new neighborhood in Ottawa, and I want to get "in" with the other moms, I think the first thing I should say is "Wow", what cute kids! Soon I'll be invited to all the playdates!
I've lent my Babyproofing Your Marriage book to a friend (Allison) who has a 2yr old and a 2m old. When she gets back from her trip hopefully she'll be finished it, and we can get a bit of a discussion going. Also, Stacie mentioned that she'll be blogging soon, I would love to put a link or something to their site (I just have to figure out how to do it :)
Alia has been getting a bit more face time than Q. Have to make sure everything is fair.
The most wonderful surprise was awaiting me when I finally regained access to my lifeline/computer. Stacie Cockrell, one of the authors of Babyproofing Your Marriage, left a comment on the last post. If you are reading this Stacie, Hi and thanks, it was a pleasure reading your book! I realized something after I saw her comment, the quickest way to make a friend, or get on someone's good side is to compliment their children. When we get to our new neighborhood in Ottawa, and I want to get "in" with the other moms, I think the first thing I should say is "Wow", what cute kids! Soon I'll be invited to all the playdates!
I've lent my Babyproofing Your Marriage book to a friend (Allison) who has a 2yr old and a 2m old. When she gets back from her trip hopefully she'll be finished it, and we can get a bit of a discussion going. Also, Stacie mentioned that she'll be blogging soon, I would love to put a link or something to their site (I just have to figure out how to do it :)
Alia has been getting a bit more face time than Q. Have to make sure everything is fair.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Who needs marriage counselling?
I just finished reading the funniest, most truthful, thought provoking book on parenthood. Coming from me, this should mean a lot, as I have read just about every book there is on the subject of parenting etc.. trying to find a way to deal with the difficulty that is life with Quinten (sorry sweetie, we love you anyway). The book is called Babyproofing your marriage and it is written by three women (Stacie Cockrell, Cathy O'Neill, and Julia Stone) who are not experts of anything, nor do they proclaim to have discovered the perfect, easy way to deal with life after kids, but wow do they ever tell it like it is! I have a couple of favorite parts to share. There is a long chapter that they call Scorekeeping, which is not just about men's shortcomings, but my favorite part is...hee hee.
Top Five Shortcuts Men Use
1) Change the diaper. Put soiled diaper on the floor or on top of the Diaper Genie, but not actually in the Diaper Genie.
2) Take the trash out. Don't replace the trash bag in the kitchen.
3) Never change the toilet paper roll. Use tissue from the tissue box instead.
4) Place dirty clothes on top of the dirty clothes hamper.
5) Dress the kid in the first thing you pull out of the drawer. Whether it "works" or not is not an issue.
Anyone else's partner do all these?
Another more serious part hit home with me. The section is about this new generation of parents (us) who were raised with the attitude that having it all is not only possible, but expected.
"Unfortunately, it's not until you've had children that you discover how selfish you actually are. That's one of the paradoxical aspects of becoming a parent: at the very same time you realize precisely how selfish you are, you are forced to become less selfish."
There are many more parts I love...but I'll leave the rest open to discussion if anyone actually takes my advice and reads this book. I just have to work on getting Patrick to read it :)
Top Five Shortcuts Men Use
1) Change the diaper. Put soiled diaper on the floor or on top of the Diaper Genie, but not actually in the Diaper Genie.
2) Take the trash out. Don't replace the trash bag in the kitchen.
3) Never change the toilet paper roll. Use tissue from the tissue box instead.
4) Place dirty clothes on top of the dirty clothes hamper.
5) Dress the kid in the first thing you pull out of the drawer. Whether it "works" or not is not an issue.
Anyone else's partner do all these?
Another more serious part hit home with me. The section is about this new generation of parents (us) who were raised with the attitude that having it all is not only possible, but expected.
"Unfortunately, it's not until you've had children that you discover how selfish you actually are. That's one of the paradoxical aspects of becoming a parent: at the very same time you realize precisely how selfish you are, you are forced to become less selfish."
There are many more parts I love...but I'll leave the rest open to discussion if anyone actually takes my advice and reads this book. I just have to work on getting Patrick to read it :)
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