Gearing up for September

It's looking like it is going to be busy, but then this also means that I will have stuff to talk about.

I was trying to come up with something witty to type about today, but I think the rain has me just wanting to cuddle on the couch with the girls. I wanted it to rain all summer (I really am not a sun girl!) and I was really excited today to put on a pair of jean and socks, and I know that I will need a hat and sweater too!

Poppy protested the jeans, she is more of a leggings girl, but I made her wear them anyways....and Ola, poor Ola is still in her Pj's because they are snuggly and warm.

I think I might have mentioned before that I have been trying to get rid of a headache for a long time. I lost track at 6 weeks, and now realistically I think I have had it since early July. Sucky to say the least. I think that there have been 4 days in all that time that it had lessened, and then came back.... until the other day when my hubby picked up a paycheque that has finally been given to us. The dentist that we were building for decided to hold out on the last payment, and had left us poor, and digging into our savings all summer. Could this money have been the cause of all my grief and crankiness all summer long? Wow... Didn't see that coming!

I have been battling with my brain all summer trying to figure out what was causing it.

Did I have a brain tumour? Umm no... remember that scene in Kindergarten Cop with Arnold Schwarzenegger... "It's not a tumour!" hahaha! The thought of a aneurism also crossed my mind after my Mother In Law had one and a constant headache was caused by it. Deep down I knew it was neither of these, but after months you begin got wonder.

Was it stress? If it was, what stress?

The stress of having two small children and being a stay at home Mom that handles pretty much everything? Maybe, but the girls are pretty much awesome, and a timeout fixes any problem usually before it starts.

The stress of having an infant with Down syndrome? I don't think so, Ola is doing great, and she never causes me any grief. I do think about her a lot, but that is for a whole other post.

Worrying about my hair falling out? Surly that is not it.

Money. Money is the answer. I cannot believe it! All this time. I wish that we could live in a moneyless society and trade goods for things we wanted.

Wouldn't that be nice?

3 years already!

Three years ago I was handed this little bundle of cuteness...

She came home and was a lovely, easy, happy baby....

Today she is a lovely, easy, happy three year old.

Who really likes chocolate cake!

Even though her birthday isn't really until the 3rd of September we decided to hold her party this weekend so more of our family could attend. Everyone always wants to go away for the long weekend. We invited our family and close friends and had a really nice afternoon. We ate cake, this year was a ladybug theme. I made two, one devils food, which turned out perfect. (This is the one in the photo) and a vanilla, that began crumbling as soon as I touched it with the icing. It was the standby, the one to secretly cut in the kitchen.

She was spoiled, and given really nice gifts. I forgot to wrap ours... she will get it on the 3rd, so we can celebrate again. She might just get a cupcake though :) We have plans to celebrate just with her, sans Ola, she won't have fun where we are going anyways!

I remember when she was born how absolutely lucky I felt that I helped make this beautiful little creature. She slept through the night at 3 weeks, she breastfed like a dream, and did so until 14 months. She is so caring, and quick to help out with EVERYTHING! I can't say enough about this kid, what can I say... I am a little biased.

I have to say after Poppy arrived my life blossomed. I could never have imagined that this little being could teach me so much without saying a word.

I made her a love letter quilt (I should post a photo of that!) I told her that I finally knew what it felt like to experience love at first sight, and that she helps me be a better Mom everyday. Whether it be learning to reach a new level of patience and understanding that I didn't know existed or how to love without judgement. I cannot wait to learn more, everyday os a new adventure!

I love this little bug, my Poppy goo.

leaving on a jet plane....

I am off for 4 days of relaxing, eating, sightseeing and fun in San Francisco! Notice that I put eating second :) I can't wait to not cook and eat fab food!

Pictures will follow on Monday!!

Have a great weekend!

jolly jumpin!

Granted it was only for 10 minutes, but still! gotta love that strength!

goodnight

We are as comfy as this picture looks. This little one brings me so much comfort, how did I live without her?

BUMBO!!!

A child sitting up her Bumbo might not be an exciting thing to some, but over here we are ELATED! At just under 16 weeks our little monkey can handle the Bumbo, and LOVES IT!

Go Ola GO!

does she? or doesn't she?

You know, the thought of this post has been with me a while but I haven't had the chance to sit down and write it, and honestly I don't know why right now I decided it was time.

I take the girls out a lot, they go almost everywhere with me. Just me and my girls. The grocery store, the mall, the park, the doctors office, everywhere. I always got a lot of looky loos at Poppy, she was/is a cutie if I do say so myself, and I never thought it would be any different with Ola. She has the craziest head of hair, that 9 times out of 10 sparks a conversation with the clerk, the shopper, the patients....whoever. When people would tell me Poppy was cute, I would take it with a smile, say Thanks and be on my merry way. I never thought twice about it. (She also had the crazy head of hair, plus like I said before she was cute!)

When people look at Ola and tell me what a cute baby I have I couldn't help but wonder if they notice the Ds. From looking at her everyday I have to admit that the Ds has taken a backseat in the way that I look at her. I don't notice the Ds. I just see a happy, crazy-haired, smiley 16 week old. Does the cashier at the grocery store notice? I am sure the answer is yes, and maybe if they arn't positive of the Ds I am sure they think that there is something.

I have to admit that these thoughts used to make me quickly say thanks on the cute compliment, and walk away. Now it is a different story. I let people comment on whatever they do, and then I tell them, point blank, no sadness, no fear, my daughter has Down syndrome. Sometimes they say nothing and carry on, sometimes they smile and tell me a story of a friend of a neighbor who's sister has Ds, and sometimes like on the Ferry the other day, they look at me, quit the nice conversation we were having and turn away.

I am assuming that this man just didn't know what to say. I am sure he didn't mean to be rude. I know that he will teach his young son not to stare at people who are different, and I hope that he thought about his actions and he might respond differently next time.

These things used to bother me, and I was always worried, should I tell them she has Down syndrome? should I not?

I should, because I am a proud Ds mama and I don't care who knows it! besides, every time I tell someone I feel like I am educating the public on Ds. I am telling them that not only older women have children with Ds, That parents and siblings of children with Ds are like any other family on the block, and that honestly we ROCK!

They're back......

Shop updates coming very soon!

falling out of planes

I am just realizing now that I never actually posted a picture of Mark skydiving! Here's a few.

Updates...it's been so long!

Well first off, our little miss Ola has decided that rolling over and smiling are the two best things in the world. How could you now instantly fall in love with that little face? Oi...melts my heart!

We were at the health unit today and she has gained a bunch more weight and now sits a lovely 12lbs 12 oz. I don't think I will be going back on Monday, I have been trying to only go every other week now. I'm no longer worried about her gaining, I know that she is, and I have a diaper box of too small clothes to prove it!

Little miss Poppy is doing great as well, we went and met her pre-school teacher today, and Poppy seemed to really like it. She was being a bit apprehensive so I thought that I would do a drop in and show her around. She took it like a champ and I think now that she will fit right in. I am still concerned about her fear and absolute dislike for singing in public, but her teacher doesn't seem to concerned so I am choosing not to be either!

Mark and I took the girls to Vancouver Island for the long weekend, and we had a really good time. I am really enjoying Kayaking and for some reason I only seem to be able to do it there. It's ok though, the company is totally worth it! My brother was there as well, and Mr. Cocky decided he was going to carry our bilge pump just in case one of us got into a pickle, and funny enough it was him. Seeing my brother bail out of his kayak was priceless, good thing he took the pump huh guys!

Other than that things are good over in our neck of the woods. How bout you?