Busy busy busy!

It seems blogging opportunities are few and far between these days... and while I am not complaining (the blog will always be here), my sweet boys are growing up right before my eyes and are a main reason why I don't have the extra energy at the end of the day to record my thoughts on here like I use to.

I know because I like to write, that I'll get back to it more faithfully one day, but for now... it will be in bits and spurts! I appreciate that you still stop in from time to time... and hopefully a continued lull in posting means that life is just busy and full of fun.

For the last couple of months we've been busy with sports! Soccer and t-ball for E, and swimming for both boys on a weekly basis. To add to the chaos, PC and I are both playing ball on separate nights, and on rare occasions, PC even squeezes in some golf.  E is having fun on the fields... he is really getting into t-ball and loves to play defense on the soccer field. H likes to cheerhis brother on and often works on the side lines to hone his own skills!

PC and E both got new bikes this spring so they are learning the rules of the road together when time permits!

A few weeks back we got invited to a wedding on my side of the family. It was the first time the boys had been to a wedding ceremony and all the fun that comes with the reception. They did really well and we had so much fun!

This past week, E had his JK graduation land now I am x-ing the days off the calendar until school is done for him and I don't have to pack his lunch for a whole two months. It's going to be awesome for both of us! He has done really well at school this year and we are extremely proud of everything he has accomplished in his short school career!

H is busy being a little boy... into everything he can get his hands on, talking up a storm and raising hell at every check point! He keeps us on our toes, but we wouldn't have it any other way. I am clinging to his baby ways as I know he is quickly outgrowing them.  We have registered him for preschool in the fall (which also underlines that he is not a baby anymore) - his transition into that program should be interesting to say the least!
 

In the last little while we also celebrated Mother's & Father's Day! I love these special occasions because it reminds me how lucky we are to have our family life and all of its supporting pieces, including our parents who are hands-down fantastic grandparents. PC and I both enjoyed our special days and mainly because of our two boys who remind us daily how lucky we are to be their parents.

All around its been busy, but yet a great couple of months... we are looking forward to vacation time and doing a little relaxing soon. I took this photo on my phone when we were at the cottage on the long weekend in May. It was a gorgeous evening and this shot is one of my faves!

Until next time... enjoy the little things in life.

 

The birthday project for Mom!

Today is my Mom's 60th birthday - (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!)... and what an amazing milestone she has reached.  I remember when I was younger and thinking sixty was old, but now to be in my thirties and have my Mom turning sixty, it doesn't seem old at all! She looks great and now that her and my Dad are both retired, I think they both seem more youthful and relaxed than ever before.

My mom is not an over-the-top person... she is generally easy to please and agreeable, but she does make it known that she is not fond of being the center of attention - at all. With this milestone birthday approaching, I knew she would not want a big surprise party because she is just not that kinda gal, but I didn't want to let the occasion slip by without much mention of it.  After all she is SIXTY, and that deserves some kind of celebration in my (humble) opinion!

About six months ago I stumbled upon a link where a daughter did this fabulous project for her father... and it got me thinking that it was an awesome idea to put in my back pocket for a special occasion in the future.  Well fast forward and although I was in the middle of planning E's birthday party, I thought, what the heck, I think I can pull off 'my version' of the this project too.

So... I took stock of addresses that I had from my wedding folder, and then enlisted my Dad to do some undercover work with my Mom's address book (which thank gawd she still uses the old fashioned pen and paper style book thrown in the junk drawer, my Dad had no problem getting the info I needed). I emailed my invitation lady and got her to whip me up a quick request card informing people what I needed them to do, and BAM! ... I was off and running.

I complied a list of sixty candidates that I thought would be happy to participate and that she'd be happy hear from, if not surprised in some cases.  I located some colourful note cards and envelopes and got my stamping supplies out.  After a few evenings of dedicated prep work, I had sixty cards ready to mail out.

I really wasn't sure exactly how this was going to come together after I dropped the invitations in the mail, but when my Dad was at my house for Thanksgiving, he mentioned that he gets the mail most days, so he could collect the incoming cards as they arrived and save them up until today.  He took this job seriously, and did not disappoint as this morning he was able to present her with a mail bag full of wishes and I know she has enjoyed reading each one.

Thank you to everyone who participated and made this birthday project a total success.

To my Mom... you are a special woman who means a lot me. You are also a special Grandma to my two boys. I am so happy that you continue to play an active and present part in our lives, and I really can't thank you enough for always being at my side no matter what the obstacles or success stories have been. I hope you enjoy this milestone today... and PC, the boys, and I look forward to helping you celebrate many more years of health and happiness.

Love you and miss you.
xo
 

Lucky Number Seven!

Hard to imagine that seven years ago, PC and I were only starting out on a journey that has already provided us with so much.  As we celebrate seven years of marriage today, I am just in awe of everything we have accomplished together - and its ONLY been seven years.

I get excited at this time every year because its like playing Monopoly and going past GO... only instead of collecting $200, we are collecting another year of 'happily ever after'.We might purchase somethings along the way, or sell-off a few others, but were buying and selling together, and as along as we're avoiding going to jail - I'd say were doing okay!

This past year has been about achieving a balance.  With two busy boys in our lives, we rarely find time to for the two of us but I think the point is that we still enjoy those outings when we do get to be together as just a couple - sans kids.  Our boys have provided us with so many laughs this past year... and its made us both see that raising a family, although tough at times, can be equally rewarding and then some.

PC, still the keeper of many titles: friend, lover, and partner for life! Thank you for putting up with my crap, and your welcome for putting up with yours!

I love you.
Happy Anniversary.

A letter to Hudson: Happy First Birthday Sweet Boy!

 Today, my sweet boy, you are one.

A year ago today, we were up bright and early heading to the hospital for an induction, only to have to wait 12 hours (in addition to the previous 11 days) for your arrival.  But... you were well worth the wait. You actually surprised us by making us think your birthday was going to be the 17th of December, but then deciding in a flash that you were making the 16th!

And here we are a year later... I could not imagine my life without you. And I could not imagine our family without you in it. You were the missing piece of the puzzle, and now we are complete, because of you!

I am still amazed at how we function as a family of four. You are such a good little boy, a happy baby, and a boy that knows what you want! At 21 lbs, you wake up with a smile every morning, and you go to bed at night just the same.  You sleep like a rock, and you have given Mommy an easy go during her time off with you (some might say too easy)!


You and your brother have a budding friendship. He entertains you to no end, and he is teaching you many things. He has been so generous in sharing his things with you, and you've done the same in return, but I have a feeling as you both grow older your generous ways may tighten up just a little!

Over the last year you have taught me so many things about myself. I can hardly believe that last year at this time I was terrified to be left alone with you and your big brother, but now, I absolutely adore the time we have together, just us.  I can't wait for you to grow... and for you and your brother to do boys things together, and for our family to experience all things Canadian.

I rocked you before bed last night and I was clinging to you as I feel your baby days are quickly fading. You are becoming more independent each day, not yet walking, but eager and persistent at trying to pull yourself up on every piece of unstable furniture we own.  You have the army crawl down to a science, and are always running time trials to see how quickly you can disappear on us when we turn our back for a second. 

Your favorite things to do right now are roll a ball and chase it, play with the dirty broom, or crawl around with a hockey stick in tow! You also love to play peek-a-boo and watch your big brother bust a move.

You are babbling up a storm... and while we can't quite make out the words you are saying just yet (beyond Ma-Ma and Da-Da), you definitely have a persistence about you, ensuring we understand you.  Your pointer finger is always in action whether it be at your brother, a specific food you want, a cup, a light fixture or a car on the road. You love to point and you make sure we get the point before you put that finger down!

You are a good eater, and are quickly discovering that finger foods are the way to go. You no longer like to be served your meal, but rather love the self-serve option. You still like to let us know your finished eating by dramatically throwing your food on the floor and giggling yourself into hysterics when we tell you not to do that.

And that laugh... it is the highlight of my days! You got that gene from your Daddy, but you are sure making it your own. You love to giggle and your laugh is infectious to those around you.  When you get going, you get an extra twinkle in your eye which surely means you are destine for mischief but that's okay (for now) as we know you are discovering the world and learning about life.

I am so thankful for the special year we have spent together.  You have made me realize that being a mother is a big deal, and it is a gift to have not only one but two special boys in my life.  I love you to pieces little man, and I want you to know that no matter what, Daddy and I will always be here for you - to love you, guide you, protect you, and support you in everything you do.

You are our special little boy Hudson, and on your first birthday you are loved more than any words could express.  I wish for you a year of health and happiness in all the new adventures your second year will bring.

I love you today and always.

Mom
xoxo

6 YEARS Baby!

Six years ago today I was walking down the aisle to marry the man of my dreams... today, we took our almost three year-old to his very first skating lesson, with our 9 month-old in tow. How crazy is that?

Six years has zoomed by in the blink of an eye.  In my world, its quite an accomplishment ... and I am thanking the heavens above that we've survived these six years ... still having fun, still in love, and still annoying the heck out of one another!

Children definitely change marriage in a way that forces your relationship to change too... and while these past few years on our marriage haven't quite been a honeymoon, when we do get a chance to spend some time alone, we are still enjoying one another and still feeling "it"!

In the last year, we've added another member to our family, and nothing underlines your love for one another than bringing a child into this world together. The look we shared when we got to meet our sweet baby boy for the first time was such an amazing reminder of what love is... and those first few moments of seeing him are forever etched in my memory.

We will always have those special moments to keep us bonded together... and although we have our ups and downs, like any relationship, at the end of the day, I still feel very blessed to be married to such a great guy, a good father, and most importantly, my best friend. When I think of the journey we are on... its only just the beginning.

Happy 6th Anniversary PC, I love you!

Photo taken by: Baby & Belly Photography

8 Months: Come, Sit, Chat!

Summer is flying by... and so has another milestone month for my sweet baby boy.  So many changes in the last month... most notably Hudson is sitting up all by himself! He's like a different boy when sitting unassisted... so proud of himself with every look, and ready to grasp everything in sight!

He is eating like a machine... a very particular machine, but when he finds a taste he likes, he has no problem devouring everything you give him.  Vegetables are still hit and miss... and when its a complete miss you practically need a chisel to pry open those lips. We're moving onto fruits, and I know they will disguise the taste of the veggies, but the real question is... for how long?!

H sprouted another tooth ... for 8 in total, but is really working away at some side molars now.  There were a few interrupted nights up at the cottage due to teething, but a rough night at the cottage, is better than any day at home!

Speaking of cottage... this past month, H has been all over the country side with us.  He had his first boat ride, sat by the campfire, put his feet in both Lake Superior and the Georgian Bay, had a ride in the tree swing, played in the sand, and has had an all around great first summer.  He is becoming quite the little babbler too... and has no problem speaking up when he wants some attention.

H is still loving his sleep ... a solid 12 hours every night, with two cushy 2 hour naps everyday. When he is not snoozing, his jumperoo is by far his favourite thing to do... closely followed by sitting outside and watching his big bro run circles around him.

Its hard to dress this boy up as he still likes to let you know what he ate every once and while... but it never affects his mood - as they say... puke and rally! I did manage to get a few photos in for his 8 month photo shoot... but the 8th month signage seemed more appealing than Mommy dancing like a two-stepper on speed!  Nonetheless... there are few keepers in this set!

Happy 8 Months Huddy Buddy!