April has been such a crazy month that I haven't been able to do a proper review of it, and for Feb too. So as soon as I have time, I'll create another posting with all the details of what the kids have been up to. For now, here are some photos and videos :)
2011 March photos
Videos:
Super Spy - part 1
Super Spy - part 2
Sarah with new drum
Charly's last soccer game
Spring snow
Cute video (nothing to do with the family, just liked it)
Cokie the Penguin
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Feb 2011 in Review
February started full of excitement and it didn't stop for the rest of the month - got to love life with two young kids :)
Feb 1 - I took Sarah for allergy (skin) testing in Edmonton. Reconfirmed that she reacts to milk (cow and goat), and to cats, and to eggs. The rest of us react to cats also so that wasn't a surprise, but eggs was. I have had a feeling that there was something that wasn't agreeing with her but had no idea what ... and now I know.
Clarification on these results - this is a milk allergy, not a lactose intolerance. She reacts to the milk's protein, not to the lactose. At least 80% of people who are allergic to cow's milk also react to goats milk. She has shown tolerance to trace amounts in foods, but we are avoiding it has much as possible. Same with eggs. I read a study that suggests if the egg is cooked/baked at high temperatures for a long time then allergic people react much less to it. And if you put one egg in a cake batter, the amount she'll be eating is small enough (and caked long enough) for her to handle. But no scrambled eggs or omelets for for breakfast for her! In baking, eggs can often be replaced by oil, apple sauce, etc so that's what I'm doing when I can.
Since we've know about the milk allergy for a while, she's been on formula until she was two years old (as ped physician recommended). Since then we've slowly started replacing the formula she gets with oat milk (yes the plant). She's doing well on it and I am just using up the last can of formula - yay, no more mixing! I chose oat milk because it has the most calories per ounce over rice and hemp milk, and is fully fortified with vitamins; I'm allergic to almonds so didn't want to keep almond milk in the house, and soy milk research hasn't been conclusive enough for us yet. So oat milk it is! It can be purchased as Safeway.
Swim lessons continued for both kids. this time they were at the Dawe pool, which I think is a better pool for kids their age. Unfortunately it is across the city and isn't salt-water. Both kids enjoy the lessons there. Charly is getting his confidence up in the water and will now jump into the water (a big leap for him, pardon the pun).
Charly has been taking soccer on Saturday mornings, half hour of practice/drills and then a game with one of the other 3 teams. Once Charly started becoming familiar with the place he started to have more fun.
So with playschool, swim lessons, soccer, grocery shopping, Valentine's Day, getting the mail for the grandparents who flew south for a while, playdates, and shoveling snow, the month passed quickly. The weather kept roller coasting on us - changes of 20C weather overnight, both up and down. One day the kids are out helping me chip ice/snow off the driveway, the next they'd have to be so bundled up to protect them from the coldness. Lots of wind, of course, driving the warm air in and then out again.
All this month Jeff has had a nasty cough, and toward the end of the month Charly got it (or something similar) which hasn't been fun for any of us. Often if Charly starts coughing after he drank/eat something, he'd be coughing so much that his stomach would try to empty itself. Ick.
After lots of consideration and discussion, and a tour of the school, we've decided that Charly will go into French-immersion kindergarten in the fall. We have little doubt that he'll be able to handle it and it won't be long before he'll know way more than us! Unfortunately Spanish is not offered in our city so we couldn't choose it.
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/200102##
Videos:
Kids with chalk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO6JHOQPAo4
Snowballs at Mommy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrmoSNs0k5I
Jello time on Valentine's Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJkbse2G8pU
Sarah wants bath http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_EdrRRMFwc
2 year olds sharing (rare moments!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1zzaYGkzVc
Kids playing outside wit shovels http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeJIMoIU-zc
Feb 1 - I took Sarah for allergy (skin) testing in Edmonton. Reconfirmed that she reacts to milk (cow and goat), and to cats, and to eggs. The rest of us react to cats also so that wasn't a surprise, but eggs was. I have had a feeling that there was something that wasn't agreeing with her but had no idea what ... and now I know.
Clarification on these results - this is a milk allergy, not a lactose intolerance. She reacts to the milk's protein, not to the lactose. At least 80% of people who are allergic to cow's milk also react to goats milk. She has shown tolerance to trace amounts in foods, but we are avoiding it has much as possible. Same with eggs. I read a study that suggests if the egg is cooked/baked at high temperatures for a long time then allergic people react much less to it. And if you put one egg in a cake batter, the amount she'll be eating is small enough (and caked long enough) for her to handle. But no scrambled eggs or omelets for for breakfast for her! In baking, eggs can often be replaced by oil, apple sauce, etc so that's what I'm doing when I can.
Since we've know about the milk allergy for a while, she's been on formula until she was two years old (as ped physician recommended). Since then we've slowly started replacing the formula she gets with oat milk (yes the plant). She's doing well on it and I am just using up the last can of formula - yay, no more mixing! I chose oat milk because it has the most calories per ounce over rice and hemp milk, and is fully fortified with vitamins; I'm allergic to almonds so didn't want to keep almond milk in the house, and soy milk research hasn't been conclusive enough for us yet. So oat milk it is! It can be purchased as Safeway.
Swim lessons continued for both kids. this time they were at the Dawe pool, which I think is a better pool for kids their age. Unfortunately it is across the city and isn't salt-water. Both kids enjoy the lessons there. Charly is getting his confidence up in the water and will now jump into the water (a big leap for him, pardon the pun).
Charly has been taking soccer on Saturday mornings, half hour of practice/drills and then a game with one of the other 3 teams. Once Charly started becoming familiar with the place he started to have more fun.
So with playschool, swim lessons, soccer, grocery shopping, Valentine's Day, getting the mail for the grandparents who flew south for a while, playdates, and shoveling snow, the month passed quickly. The weather kept roller coasting on us - changes of 20C weather overnight, both up and down. One day the kids are out helping me chip ice/snow off the driveway, the next they'd have to be so bundled up to protect them from the coldness. Lots of wind, of course, driving the warm air in and then out again.
All this month Jeff has had a nasty cough, and toward the end of the month Charly got it (or something similar) which hasn't been fun for any of us. Often if Charly starts coughing after he drank/eat something, he'd be coughing so much that his stomach would try to empty itself. Ick.
After lots of consideration and discussion, and a tour of the school, we've decided that Charly will go into French-immersion kindergarten in the fall. We have little doubt that he'll be able to handle it and it won't be long before he'll know way more than us! Unfortunately Spanish is not offered in our city so we couldn't choose it.
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/200102##
Videos:
Kids with chalk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO6JHOQPAo4
Snowballs at Mommy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrmoSNs0k5I
Jello time on Valentine's Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJkbse2G8pU
Sarah wants bath http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_EdrRRMFwc
2 year olds sharing (rare moments!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1zzaYGkzVc
Kids playing outside wit shovels http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeJIMoIU-zc
Monday, February 7, 2011
Jan 2011 review
The most exciting thing of January was the weather .... well it wasn't really exciting but definitely mentionable. Once it started to snow, there seemed to be no end to it. For a week and a half we got lots and lots of snow. Of course this was when my husband was away so I got to shovel most of it. The snowbanks kept growing larger and larger, to the point that in some spots I could not add more snow to the pile. I'd push the snow further and further away to where the piles weren't as high. And then when it finally stopped snowing, it got so warm that it all melted. Then it dropped to -37C and then got warmer and snowed. And then got colder, warmer, and so on.
Playschool resumed on Tues & Thurs afternoons for Charly. Then I signed both kids up for swimming lessons at the same time, Wednesdays at 5pm. Charly is showing improvement and is becoming more and more comfortable in the water. Sarah loves the water, but doesn't like lessons where she can't just go play with the ball that she can see other kids playing with across the pool :) And then I signed charly up for soccer on Saturday mornings. The first soccer event he got on the field and just stood and watched everyone else running around him. The 2nd time he joined in the fun of chasing the ball.
Our townhouse had been empty for a few months and in January we finally found a renter for it. So add showing the townhouse, getting final fixings / cleanings done, inspections for new tenant, etc. I had little time to spend around home. But I finally started spending time on genealogy, something that I've always loved to do but has been put on hold for the past 4-5 years. So I have years of info to go through and catch up on - a never ending jigsaw of people, events, and dates.
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201101##
Videos:
Charly on sled: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKxpRDkxrLg
Charly with laundry basket: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4WoyG0Zbvs
Daddy's welcome home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xcmyIuRc8A
Soccer warmup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HT7zXn5taY
Soccer game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHY1b7-JBDU
Throwing snowballs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX5S9jLmwLw
Playschool resumed on Tues & Thurs afternoons for Charly. Then I signed both kids up for swimming lessons at the same time, Wednesdays at 5pm. Charly is showing improvement and is becoming more and more comfortable in the water. Sarah loves the water, but doesn't like lessons where she can't just go play with the ball that she can see other kids playing with across the pool :) And then I signed charly up for soccer on Saturday mornings. The first soccer event he got on the field and just stood and watched everyone else running around him. The 2nd time he joined in the fun of chasing the ball.
Our townhouse had been empty for a few months and in January we finally found a renter for it. So add showing the townhouse, getting final fixings / cleanings done, inspections for new tenant, etc. I had little time to spend around home. But I finally started spending time on genealogy, something that I've always loved to do but has been put on hold for the past 4-5 years. So I have years of info to go through and catch up on - a never ending jigsaw of people, events, and dates.
Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201101##
Videos:
Charly on sled: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKxpRDkxrLg
Charly with laundry basket: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4WoyG0Zbvs
Daddy's welcome home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xcmyIuRc8A
Soccer warmup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HT7zXn5taY
Soccer game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHY1b7-JBDU
Throwing snowballs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX5S9jLmwLw
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Dec 2010 review
Another exciting month. Charly finished another set of swim lessons and participated (err, kind of) in his first Christmas concert. We were all happy that he entered the room with the other kids and didn't hide or anything during the performance.
Took Nana Ellen to the airport so she could return to Ontario and then visited with our Diamond friends. After Christmas they then came and visited our place.
We attended many Christmas functions - a kids' birthday party (14 kids under age 6), staff party (supper out and then back to our house - 24 people was cozy), family get-togethers (so good to see everyone!), spent lots of time shopping for presents, wrapping them, and enjoyed Christmas morning a lot. First one that Charly could anticipate coming - exciting for all of us! Kids got new bath toys, which they loved, along with clothes, DVDs, Charly got a remote control airplane (stays on the ground), and Sarah got a tea set. Plus lots of other items, too numerous to mention!
I hosted Christmas Eve supper at my house for my family (was thrilled that my Grandma could join us). Christmas Day & Boxing Day supper at Jeff's Dad's house. Too bad Jeff was ill (fever) for Dec 24-26. He was better Boxing day so got to enjoy a bit of the festivities. Dug out the Wii again and now that Charly's old enough for it, will likely keep it out.
Had a few adventures with the kids outside when the weather co-operated. Sarah loves it outside, Charly prefers the comforts of being inside, LOL!
Lots of videos this month, since they helped to capture those precious Christmas memories!
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201012#
Videos:
Sarah fixing Mommy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZMyEOK4_c4
Xmas concert pt 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c10LTae72TY
Xmas concert pt 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap3rQjDKll0
kids with wrapping paper roll http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWGK-sFll44
Sarah jumping on couch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LzvFtj8Wzw
Xmas morning 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjGTira5js
Xmas morning 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NkwonlKyA8 (re-uploaded)
Xmas morning - Diego http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO2H73O-iM0
Xmas morning - car http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj55PHEyuo0
Xmas morning - keys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLzaassNlkI
Xmas Day - pushing pan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3XUqEjAwZQ
Took Nana Ellen to the airport so she could return to Ontario and then visited with our Diamond friends. After Christmas they then came and visited our place.
We attended many Christmas functions - a kids' birthday party (14 kids under age 6), staff party (supper out and then back to our house - 24 people was cozy), family get-togethers (so good to see everyone!), spent lots of time shopping for presents, wrapping them, and enjoyed Christmas morning a lot. First one that Charly could anticipate coming - exciting for all of us! Kids got new bath toys, which they loved, along with clothes, DVDs, Charly got a remote control airplane (stays on the ground), and Sarah got a tea set. Plus lots of other items, too numerous to mention!
I hosted Christmas Eve supper at my house for my family (was thrilled that my Grandma could join us). Christmas Day & Boxing Day supper at Jeff's Dad's house. Too bad Jeff was ill (fever) for Dec 24-26. He was better Boxing day so got to enjoy a bit of the festivities. Dug out the Wii again and now that Charly's old enough for it, will likely keep it out.
Had a few adventures with the kids outside when the weather co-operated. Sarah loves it outside, Charly prefers the comforts of being inside, LOL!
Lots of videos this month, since they helped to capture those precious Christmas memories!
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201012#
Videos:
Sarah fixing Mommy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZMyEOK4_c4
Xmas concert pt 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c10LTae72TY
Xmas concert pt 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap3rQjDKll0
kids with wrapping paper roll http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWGK-sFll44
Sarah jumping on couch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LzvFtj8Wzw
Xmas morning 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjGTira5js
Xmas morning 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NkwonlKyA8 (re-uploaded)
Xmas morning - Diego http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO2H73O-iM0
Xmas morning - car http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj55PHEyuo0
Xmas morning - keys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLzaassNlkI
Xmas Day - pushing pan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3XUqEjAwZQ
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
November 2010 review
Life with little kids continues to be eventful, full of new and interesting activites. November 1 started out by Charly going to the dentist to get 3 fillings. A little bit of laughing gas helped him out and it wasn't a bad experience for him at all. the next day was Charly's 4th birthday, so supper at my mother-in-law's house. Nov 3 we made another trip to Calgary for a follow-up appointment with Sarah's doctor. She's doing well and now we need to start weaning her off her laxatives - not an easy task. Jeff was away all this first week at his annual conference in Orlando. We were all happy when he returned, especially me since we all had just started to come down with head colds, lots of wiping running noses to be done.
The next week was spent dealing with runny noses, and babysitting Leighton and Koen. By the weekend we were better so I took the kids to Edmonton to visit a friend, stayed overnight Saturday night, returned Sunday. I had just learned that Koen had the flu, and 3/4 of the way home Sarah suddenly threw up all over herself. Thus began a long week. Sarah was sick sun & Monday, Tues Koen & Leighton's mom got the flu so Koen stayed here for a sleepover. Wed I was about to drive Koen back home when Charly started to vomit. He kept nothing down from 5pm until midnight and then was fine. I had a queasy stomach that night, threw up once and felt immediately better. Jeff was unaffected (miracle). Wed night Sarah threw up once again, but then was fine. Thursday I started disinfecting the entire house, and put all the toys in quarantine until they had been washed. Saturday night Leighton and Koen both were here overnight - took 3 hours to get 4 kids bathed and into bed LOL.
We ended up having to evict tenants from our townhouse, so the rest of the month was spent dealing with that - getting them out, getting locks rekeyed, and began the cleaning process. The tenants had done damage to lots of things and it was filthy.
Nov 27 we hosted a joint birthday party for both kids, celebrating Char;y's 4th birthday and Sarah's 2nd. At Charly's insistence, he got another train cake. I had fun making and decorating it, and I think everyone enjoyed it. 7 kids came here and helped devour it.
Charly started his 2nd round of formal unparented swimming lessons, as a Salamander. I'd take both kids, turn Charly over to his swim instructor, and take Sarah into the splash pool. After his lessons, Charly would join us until I finally managed to drag the water bugs out of the pool. The pool is 5 minutes asay, and his lessons were 40 minutes long, but the entire trip would take 3 hours by the time changing and splashing were over!
At playschool Charly was the first in his class to celebrate a birthday for the year, so everyone was excited about that. They sang to him and he got to pick out a small prize (Cat in the Hat magnet), making the event special. Charly continues to enjoy playschool but wishes Mommy would stay with him. Unfortunately I can't. I drop Charly off, race home and put Sarah down for her nap, then I get about an hour to get cleaning and stuff done, then I have to wake Sarah up and go pick up Charly.
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201011##
Videos:
Sarah police hat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N499c0wy8h4
Sarah snow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b72lPPFkWTA
Sarah Leighton bathing 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToRppW8-LUM
Sarah Leighton bathing 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxDWOw636cw
birthday party http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_8IaAMkrrM
The next week was spent dealing with runny noses, and babysitting Leighton and Koen. By the weekend we were better so I took the kids to Edmonton to visit a friend, stayed overnight Saturday night, returned Sunday. I had just learned that Koen had the flu, and 3/4 of the way home Sarah suddenly threw up all over herself. Thus began a long week. Sarah was sick sun & Monday, Tues Koen & Leighton's mom got the flu so Koen stayed here for a sleepover. Wed I was about to drive Koen back home when Charly started to vomit. He kept nothing down from 5pm until midnight and then was fine. I had a queasy stomach that night, threw up once and felt immediately better. Jeff was unaffected (miracle). Wed night Sarah threw up once again, but then was fine. Thursday I started disinfecting the entire house, and put all the toys in quarantine until they had been washed. Saturday night Leighton and Koen both were here overnight - took 3 hours to get 4 kids bathed and into bed LOL.
We ended up having to evict tenants from our townhouse, so the rest of the month was spent dealing with that - getting them out, getting locks rekeyed, and began the cleaning process. The tenants had done damage to lots of things and it was filthy.
Nov 27 we hosted a joint birthday party for both kids, celebrating Char;y's 4th birthday and Sarah's 2nd. At Charly's insistence, he got another train cake. I had fun making and decorating it, and I think everyone enjoyed it. 7 kids came here and helped devour it.
Charly started his 2nd round of formal unparented swimming lessons, as a Salamander. I'd take both kids, turn Charly over to his swim instructor, and take Sarah into the splash pool. After his lessons, Charly would join us until I finally managed to drag the water bugs out of the pool. The pool is 5 minutes asay, and his lessons were 40 minutes long, but the entire trip would take 3 hours by the time changing and splashing were over!
At playschool Charly was the first in his class to celebrate a birthday for the year, so everyone was excited about that. They sang to him and he got to pick out a small prize (Cat in the Hat magnet), making the event special. Charly continues to enjoy playschool but wishes Mommy would stay with him. Unfortunately I can't. I drop Charly off, race home and put Sarah down for her nap, then I get about an hour to get cleaning and stuff done, then I have to wake Sarah up and go pick up Charly.
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201011##
Videos:
Sarah police hat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N499c0wy8h4
Sarah snow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b72lPPFkWTA
Sarah Leighton bathing 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToRppW8-LUM
Sarah Leighton bathing 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxDWOw636cw
birthday party http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_8IaAMkrrM
Friday, November 12, 2010
recap of updates (Aug - Sept)
Sent the last update out in an email instead of blogging it - what was I thinking?! Anyways, here is the email update:
Well, life got busy and I haven't been able to get decent updates out. I believe I sent out August's picts but no events. There are a great many of wonderful photos to share. This autumn was so much better than the summer was, weather wise :) there were lots of events and photo ops. Enjoy!
August
Charly went to 2 weeks of summer camp, which he enjoyed. And Sarah and I enjoyed the break from him as we went shopping most mornings. Jeff was in Ottawa for almost a week. I managed to leave the kids behind and go to Edmonton for a night to attend Julie's jewellery party she was hosting. It was so nice to be surrounded by just adults! Third weekend was the Gusek family reunion (Dad's side) - I managed to make it out for a couple hours with the kids, so great to see everyone!
Sarah managed to grow tall enough to climb onto the kitchen chairs by herself. It was a bit of a shock the first time I turned around to find her standing on top of the kitchen table. Sarah's last eyetooth finally broke through. It was so much later than the other 3.
Charly finally weighed in at 30 pounds, when most kids his age are closer to 40. Sarah still under 18 pounds as we continue fighting with her diet and medications. Bought new shoes for Charly - size 9. Last shoes were size 7. Sarah is now in size 4 shoes.
Story: Sarah wandered out of their bedroom one morning, with Charly's shorts on her head and arm stuck up through a hole - she couldn't see where she was going and while struggling to get her arm free, she fell down the stairs to the landing, starts crying and struggles to get u,p but bumps her head on wall getting up because she still couldn't see anything. My tough little girl was okay after 2 minutes of crying, wanting the shorts back!
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201008#
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHeDau7292Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UA2QtB1tMQ&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=ScDu2G6PqgY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p7FuavfkGk&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=_mnXGgcmS6E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5bBpzGeY4k&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=zcZIe24aMDQ
September
Sept 4th we left for another trip to BC. We drove to Vernon and stayed with Jeff's dad and step-mom for the weekend, then left the kids there and went on to Harrison Hot Springs. This was our vacation away from the kids, and we spent as much time as possible just reading and doing little, enjoying the silence and the bliss of not being interrupted from what you were doing every 2 minutes. We got to visit with Jeff's great aunt Margaret, which was wonderful. Then back to relieve the grandparents of the kids (and they were relieved to see us!), more time at the lake and then back home.
Mon Sept 14 Sarah finally weighed in at 18.2 pounds, after being 17 pounds for what seemed like forever. The next day Charly started playschool at the Collicutt, at the Exalta Gymnastics club. He plays in the activity centre room for an hour and then spends the next hour in the gym. goes twice a week, and the exercise should be good for him throughout the winter. I drop him off and then rush home to put Sarah down for a nap. Then I have just over an hour to accomplish something off my "to do" list. Wake Sarah up and go get Charly. Most of the time we'd stay at the Collicutt and play at the playground there, enjoying the warm weather while it lasted.
Sept 22 Sarah saw her pediatrician. She measured 30.5" long and was 18.2 lb. He had me double her stool softener, and this has helped things a lot! Also that day Charly started swim lessons (Sea Turtle level). This is the first of the non-parented classes, held at the Collicutt. Sarah and I went into the splash pool during his lesson and then he joined us afterwards. Charly is less hesitant around water now, and Sarah just loves it. I make her where a life jacket and this has saved her many times. Sooner or later she'll have to discover life without it... Charly experienced taking a shower at the pool so he then had his first shower at home without screaming.
Sept 23 - Sarah decided to play with the light switch downstairs, couldn't reach it so she thought she'd be clever and put a (toy) water jug on the stair to step onto it to reach the light switch. But of course the jug moved and she fell down and hit her head. That was her 3rd fall in a week but she just keeps on exploring.
Sept 25 - I took the kids by myself to the Calgary Zoo. It was so busy there that day - being a Saturday and beautiful weather, plus if the kids dressed up as a Princess or Prince they got in free. Sarah wore a darling dress. That day was full of adventures for me, and the kids had a ball there.
Jeff - Journeyed to Ottawa and Vancouver, plus trips to Calgary. Celebrated another birthday Sept 28th.
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201009#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IUhkP6SaU0&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=cW39JXgI77g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gnOG-7CTUs&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=dqKXXcnLn9E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWcXV6hlg58&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=Bh6CDg7BroM
October
My mom flew out to Alberta for a 3 week visit, and this has turned into a much longer one. After being here/Rocky for 2 weeks my Grandma took a fall and has been in the hospital since then. For a while things were day to day but it looks like we can start looking further into the future - possibly moving my grandma to another lodge. Add in Thanksgiving celebrations, and family get togethers, this has been a busy month.
Over the summer I had started trading kids with Jenni - I'd take her kids sometimes and she'd take mine. So far it has worked out well. Her kids, Koen and Leighton are the same age as mine so it works out well. Leighton turned 2 in August, Koen turned 4 in October, Charly's 4 in November, Sarah 2 in December - what a lot of birthdays to celebrate! On Sept 18 Jeff and I had to be in Edmonton overnight so my Mom looked after the kids, and then the following week we went to Banff for 2 days/1night, and Jenni was so good at looking after both kids (Auntie Sherry took Sarah for that night while Charly stayed at Jenni's) - not sure what I'd do without Jenni and all my relatives!
Jeff's mom and step-dad were away to Europe for 3 weeks, so I was picking up their mail and such. Jeff's dad and step-mom were here for a few weeks so we tried to see them lots. they've now headed to the US for the winter. Charly finished his swim lessons, passing Sea Turtle. I had planned to put him into skating lessons next, but no longer feel that he's ready for it. So I'll try to get him into more swim lessons to keep his confidence up. Next is "Salamander" and he'll likely have to do it a couple times. One of the things they want him to do is to jump into water, well Charly is nervous jumping on land ... so we have some work ahead of us :) I want to keep him swimming once a week for him to get used to it, plus it is great exercise!
Sarah is now into size 18 month clothes. And at 22 months old, she FINALLY started to sleep through the night without waking for a bottle. So nice!! Her language skills are developing well, and her climbing skills are awesome. She isn't learning the meaning of "no" as quickly as Charly did - I keep finding Kleenex tissues everywhere! Charly is a little sponge, soaking up knowledge everywhere. He recently used the word "camouflage" - he was hiding under a blanket and didn't want Sarah to take the blanket away because then he wouldn't be "camouflagued" any more - took us completely by surprise. I assume he learned the word at playschool since their theme the past week was camping.
And October ended with Halloween festivities. He missed the Halloween party at playschool, but then attended 2 other Halloween parties, one as a Fireman and the other as a pirate since the fireman coat was too uncomfortable. On Oct 31 he got quite nervous about going trick or treating but after visiting one house he decided it was all good. Papa Doug and I took the kids out for maybe 45 minutes and they got way too much candy :) Sarah followed Charly's example and quickly knew the ropes of knocking on doors and holding out her container for the treats. She was soo happy when she received her first lollipop! At one house she decided the lady was taking too long so Sarah reached into the candy bowl to help herself! Both kids were very sad when I called an end to trick or treating, but were happy to gobble down a bunch of Smarties. Sarah cried all the way home because she was so tired but didn't want the fun to end. Charly went to bed with a tummy ache from eating so much candy. Both want to go trick or treating again right away!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ajvjFT0yvA&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=kgwsabx2Ar8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDegaAM-XkA&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=aELy4ykInX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjQwq-vcuvw&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=9mv1-KCWgTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX_nkykE4fE&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=u3L3y-b-IbM
Photos:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/snowite73/201010#
Well, life got busy and I haven't been able to get decent updates out. I believe I sent out August's picts but no events. There are a great many of wonderful photos to share. This autumn was so much better than the summer was, weather wise :) there were lots of events and photo ops. Enjoy!
August
Charly went to 2 weeks of summer camp, which he enjoyed. And Sarah and I enjoyed the break from him as we went shopping most mornings. Jeff was in Ottawa for almost a week. I managed to leave the kids behind and go to Edmonton for a night to attend Julie's jewellery party she was hosting. It was so nice to be surrounded by just adults! Third weekend was the Gusek family reunion (Dad's side) - I managed to make it out for a couple hours with the kids, so great to see everyone!
Sarah managed to grow tall enough to climb onto the kitchen chairs by herself. It was a bit of a shock the first time I turned around to find her standing on top of the kitchen table. Sarah's last eyetooth finally broke through. It was so much later than the other 3.
Charly finally weighed in at 30 pounds, when most kids his age are closer to 40. Sarah still under 18 pounds as we continue fighting with her diet and medications. Bought new shoes for Charly - size 9. Last shoes were size 7. Sarah is now in size 4 shoes.
Story: Sarah wandered out of their bedroom one morning, with Charly's shorts on her head and arm stuck up through a hole - she couldn't see where she was going and while struggling to get her arm free, she fell down the stairs to the landing, starts crying and struggles to get u,p but bumps her head on wall getting up because she still couldn't see anything. My tough little girl was okay after 2 minutes of crying, wanting the shorts back!
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201008#
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHeDau7292Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UA2QtB1tMQ&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=ScDu2G6PqgY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p7FuavfkGk&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=_mnXGgcmS6E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5bBpzGeY4k&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=zcZIe24aMDQ
September
Sept 4th we left for another trip to BC. We drove to Vernon and stayed with Jeff's dad and step-mom for the weekend, then left the kids there and went on to Harrison Hot Springs. This was our vacation away from the kids, and we spent as much time as possible just reading and doing little, enjoying the silence and the bliss of not being interrupted from what you were doing every 2 minutes. We got to visit with Jeff's great aunt Margaret, which was wonderful. Then back to relieve the grandparents of the kids (and they were relieved to see us!), more time at the lake and then back home.
Mon Sept 14 Sarah finally weighed in at 18.2 pounds, after being 17 pounds for what seemed like forever. The next day Charly started playschool at the Collicutt, at the Exalta Gymnastics club. He plays in the activity centre room for an hour and then spends the next hour in the gym. goes twice a week, and the exercise should be good for him throughout the winter. I drop him off and then rush home to put Sarah down for a nap. Then I have just over an hour to accomplish something off my "to do" list. Wake Sarah up and go get Charly. Most of the time we'd stay at the Collicutt and play at the playground there, enjoying the warm weather while it lasted.
Sept 22 Sarah saw her pediatrician. She measured 30.5" long and was 18.2 lb. He had me double her stool softener, and this has helped things a lot! Also that day Charly started swim lessons (Sea Turtle level). This is the first of the non-parented classes, held at the Collicutt. Sarah and I went into the splash pool during his lesson and then he joined us afterwards. Charly is less hesitant around water now, and Sarah just loves it. I make her where a life jacket and this has saved her many times. Sooner or later she'll have to discover life without it... Charly experienced taking a shower at the pool so he then had his first shower at home without screaming.
Sept 23 - Sarah decided to play with the light switch downstairs, couldn't reach it so she thought she'd be clever and put a (toy) water jug on the stair to step onto it to reach the light switch. But of course the jug moved and she fell down and hit her head. That was her 3rd fall in a week but she just keeps on exploring.
Sept 25 - I took the kids by myself to the Calgary Zoo. It was so busy there that day - being a Saturday and beautiful weather, plus if the kids dressed up as a Princess or Prince they got in free. Sarah wore a darling dress. That day was full of adventures for me, and the kids had a ball there.
Jeff - Journeyed to Ottawa and Vancouver, plus trips to Calgary. Celebrated another birthday Sept 28th.
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/snowite73/201009#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IUhkP6SaU0&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=cW39JXgI77g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gnOG-7CTUs&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=dqKXXcnLn9E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWcXV6hlg58&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=Bh6CDg7BroM
October
My mom flew out to Alberta for a 3 week visit, and this has turned into a much longer one. After being here/Rocky for 2 weeks my Grandma took a fall and has been in the hospital since then. For a while things were day to day but it looks like we can start looking further into the future - possibly moving my grandma to another lodge. Add in Thanksgiving celebrations, and family get togethers, this has been a busy month.
Over the summer I had started trading kids with Jenni - I'd take her kids sometimes and she'd take mine. So far it has worked out well. Her kids, Koen and Leighton are the same age as mine so it works out well. Leighton turned 2 in August, Koen turned 4 in October, Charly's 4 in November, Sarah 2 in December - what a lot of birthdays to celebrate! On Sept 18 Jeff and I had to be in Edmonton overnight so my Mom looked after the kids, and then the following week we went to Banff for 2 days/1night, and Jenni was so good at looking after both kids (Auntie Sherry took Sarah for that night while Charly stayed at Jenni's) - not sure what I'd do without Jenni and all my relatives!
Jeff's mom and step-dad were away to Europe for 3 weeks, so I was picking up their mail and such. Jeff's dad and step-mom were here for a few weeks so we tried to see them lots. they've now headed to the US for the winter. Charly finished his swim lessons, passing Sea Turtle. I had planned to put him into skating lessons next, but no longer feel that he's ready for it. So I'll try to get him into more swim lessons to keep his confidence up. Next is "Salamander" and he'll likely have to do it a couple times. One of the things they want him to do is to jump into water, well Charly is nervous jumping on land ... so we have some work ahead of us :) I want to keep him swimming once a week for him to get used to it, plus it is great exercise!
Sarah is now into size 18 month clothes. And at 22 months old, she FINALLY started to sleep through the night without waking for a bottle. So nice!! Her language skills are developing well, and her climbing skills are awesome. She isn't learning the meaning of "no" as quickly as Charly did - I keep finding Kleenex tissues everywhere! Charly is a little sponge, soaking up knowledge everywhere. He recently used the word "camouflage" - he was hiding under a blanket and didn't want Sarah to take the blanket away because then he wouldn't be "camouflagued" any more - took us completely by surprise. I assume he learned the word at playschool since their theme the past week was camping.
And October ended with Halloween festivities. He missed the Halloween party at playschool, but then attended 2 other Halloween parties, one as a Fireman and the other as a pirate since the fireman coat was too uncomfortable. On Oct 31 he got quite nervous about going trick or treating but after visiting one house he decided it was all good. Papa Doug and I took the kids out for maybe 45 minutes and they got way too much candy :) Sarah followed Charly's example and quickly knew the ropes of knocking on doors and holding out her container for the treats. She was soo happy when she received her first lollipop! At one house she decided the lady was taking too long so Sarah reached into the candy bowl to help herself! Both kids were very sad when I called an end to trick or treating, but were happy to gobble down a bunch of Smarties. Sarah cried all the way home because she was so tired but didn't want the fun to end. Charly went to bed with a tummy ache from eating so much candy. Both want to go trick or treating again right away!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ajvjFT0yvA&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=kgwsabx2Ar8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDegaAM-XkA&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=aELy4ykInX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjQwq-vcuvw&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=9mv1-KCWgTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX_nkykE4fE&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=u3L3y-b-IbM
Photos:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/snowite73/201010#
Monday, September 27, 2010
Trip to the Zoo
I'm awake with indigestion so I thought I'd blog my adventures Saturday, before I forget all the details.
Invited lots of people to go, couldn't connect up with anyone. Sarah doesn't like her dress.
Hair cut for Charly at 9:30, not prepared to leave town.
Trip down okay, gloomy skies, Sarah napped.
Drove to zoo but decided to go and get lunch, drove around for a while to find a McDonalds, eventually settled on Denny's. Get in, go to bathroom - never fun with 2 kids. Order food, Sarah needs diaper change, both kids out to van change her there, back inside. Food arrives, try to kep Sarah in one spot finally get high chair but that just makes her mad, Charly not interested in eating. Drink cups for the kids leaked so Sarah made continuous mess. Charly drank his orange juice so waitress offeredto fill his cup (that we got to keep) with water. Back to van. discovered that the waitress hadn't emptied the cup out before adding water so now he had orange-tasting water that he wouldn't drink.
Figured out where we were, drove to zoo, parked in lot D (furthest away), got everything loaded into stroller, start to walk away, decide to check for keys and discover had locked keys, and cell in van, and had slammed the door on my wallet - could see it but could not get it unlodged. Bored cell phone, then had to ask another person for AMA phone number. Walked back to the parking gate to meet AMA guy (pushing kids in double stroller) and direct him to the van, walk back to van. He opened doors in less than a minute. Got stuff and finally went to zoo. Paid for admission (kids free since dressed up) and parking (flat rate).
Charly only wanted to see a giraffe so we went to Africa section of zoo. Place was soo busy with people since such a nice day (finally) and special event day. Get to animals, Charly discovers info stations with 2 speakers that look like a phone on a cord at each, must listen, push buttons, not share with Sarah, Sarah looking at everything, her in harness, Charly running around, trying to keep the stroller with us with so many people around = stress for me. Saw giraffes, red river hogs (not pigs), lions, zebras, ostridges, other birds. Went to jungle section, saw crocodile, gorillas, snake, etc. About 4pm finally went to the playground there (enclosed area thankfully) and spent next 2.5 hours there! 3 stations = one for 0-2 year olds which Sarah loved, another for 3-5 years for Charly, and a third area for 6-12 years that kept enticing Charly. Sarah tried the 3-5 station and discovered she was too short (made her mad) and too many bigger kids.
Add in bathroom break, snack break, diaper change, other kids playing, I wasn't bored.
Finally time to leave, we were one of the last people there, which was nice after all the crowds. Found way out, back to parking lot, all the way across parking lot C to lot D, but there is a bank with shrubs and rocks separating the lots. Started walking toward the lot's exit, discovered Sarah had taken her shoes off and dropped them ... somewhere, not in sight even though the lot was empty! Oh well, continued to exit, finally found a part that was barren and not too steep so pushed stroller down to the van.
Supper time, drive to closest McDonalds but Sarah falls asleep instantly so decide to go to Airdrie's McD instead of waking Sarah to go to the McD in the Walmart. Order at drive-thru, and Sarah wakes up. Charly is demanding to go inside so take our "take-out" and go inside to eat. I had ordered salad with grilled chicken for me, 1 chicken nuggets kids happy meal for Charly. Open bag, had received an extra hamburger and no happy meal toy. Go to counter and return burger, they give me a whole new happy meal which I kept for Sarah :) Get kids eating, open my salad and discovered it was not grilled chicken but crisy, ate it anyways. Bathroom break (had to leave all food on talbe, take both kids to bathroom since couldn't leave either alone, and thankfully no one had cleared our table yet). Back in van, head for home. Both kids awake, until Charly falls asleep near Innisfail and Sarah starts to scream for her bottle which she'd dropped. Finally found a turn-off place, got her the bottle, back on road with silence but Sarah wide awake the entire trip. Beautiful drive with fall colours and then glorious harvest moon.
Home, Jeff takes Sarah to change her, I unload most of the van, put Charly in his bed (still in clothes but they were comfy ones), I collaps on my bed and fall asleep (feet/legs started to ache). woke up an hour later, plugged in baby monitor and changed into PJ and went striaght to sleep. Jeff dealt with putting Sarah to bed (she didn't stay awake long). Somehow I slept through Charly waking up in a terror, screaming in bed until Jeff could get there to calm him down, put him in his PJ and back to sleep. Woke up a couple times because of Sarah's coughing, bottle time, etc. What an exhausting day. But kids had fun, got to see animals and be out in the sunshine. So not too bad of a day overall, just lots of frustrations for me.
OK, an hour and a half has passed, Peto has finally worked enough that I think I can sleep now. Not sure if this was the garlic from caesar salad or the wine, or both, but not a happy tummy. Just the price to pay for all the great food and company at J&M's BBQ tonight.
Invited lots of people to go, couldn't connect up with anyone. Sarah doesn't like her dress.
Hair cut for Charly at 9:30, not prepared to leave town.
Trip down okay, gloomy skies, Sarah napped.
Drove to zoo but decided to go and get lunch, drove around for a while to find a McDonalds, eventually settled on Denny's. Get in, go to bathroom - never fun with 2 kids. Order food, Sarah needs diaper change, both kids out to van change her there, back inside. Food arrives, try to kep Sarah in one spot finally get high chair but that just makes her mad, Charly not interested in eating. Drink cups for the kids leaked so Sarah made continuous mess. Charly drank his orange juice so waitress offeredto fill his cup (that we got to keep) with water. Back to van. discovered that the waitress hadn't emptied the cup out before adding water so now he had orange-tasting water that he wouldn't drink.
Figured out where we were, drove to zoo, parked in lot D (furthest away), got everything loaded into stroller, start to walk away, decide to check for keys and discover had locked keys, and cell in van, and had slammed the door on my wallet - could see it but could not get it unlodged. Bored cell phone, then had to ask another person for AMA phone number. Walked back to the parking gate to meet AMA guy (pushing kids in double stroller) and direct him to the van, walk back to van. He opened doors in less than a minute. Got stuff and finally went to zoo. Paid for admission (kids free since dressed up) and parking (flat rate).
Charly only wanted to see a giraffe so we went to Africa section of zoo. Place was soo busy with people since such a nice day (finally) and special event day. Get to animals, Charly discovers info stations with 2 speakers that look like a phone on a cord at each, must listen, push buttons, not share with Sarah, Sarah looking at everything, her in harness, Charly running around, trying to keep the stroller with us with so many people around = stress for me. Saw giraffes, red river hogs (not pigs), lions, zebras, ostridges, other birds. Went to jungle section, saw crocodile, gorillas, snake, etc. About 4pm finally went to the playground there (enclosed area thankfully) and spent next 2.5 hours there! 3 stations = one for 0-2 year olds which Sarah loved, another for 3-5 years for Charly, and a third area for 6-12 years that kept enticing Charly. Sarah tried the 3-5 station and discovered she was too short (made her mad) and too many bigger kids.
Add in bathroom break, snack break, diaper change, other kids playing, I wasn't bored.
Finally time to leave, we were one of the last people there, which was nice after all the crowds. Found way out, back to parking lot, all the way across parking lot C to lot D, but there is a bank with shrubs and rocks separating the lots. Started walking toward the lot's exit, discovered Sarah had taken her shoes off and dropped them ... somewhere, not in sight even though the lot was empty! Oh well, continued to exit, finally found a part that was barren and not too steep so pushed stroller down to the van.
Supper time, drive to closest McDonalds but Sarah falls asleep instantly so decide to go to Airdrie's McD instead of waking Sarah to go to the McD in the Walmart. Order at drive-thru, and Sarah wakes up. Charly is demanding to go inside so take our "take-out" and go inside to eat. I had ordered salad with grilled chicken for me, 1 chicken nuggets kids happy meal for Charly. Open bag, had received an extra hamburger and no happy meal toy. Go to counter and return burger, they give me a whole new happy meal which I kept for Sarah :) Get kids eating, open my salad and discovered it was not grilled chicken but crisy, ate it anyways. Bathroom break (had to leave all food on talbe, take both kids to bathroom since couldn't leave either alone, and thankfully no one had cleared our table yet). Back in van, head for home. Both kids awake, until Charly falls asleep near Innisfail and Sarah starts to scream for her bottle which she'd dropped. Finally found a turn-off place, got her the bottle, back on road with silence but Sarah wide awake the entire trip. Beautiful drive with fall colours and then glorious harvest moon.
Home, Jeff takes Sarah to change her, I unload most of the van, put Charly in his bed (still in clothes but they were comfy ones), I collaps on my bed and fall asleep (feet/legs started to ache). woke up an hour later, plugged in baby monitor and changed into PJ and went striaght to sleep. Jeff dealt with putting Sarah to bed (she didn't stay awake long). Somehow I slept through Charly waking up in a terror, screaming in bed until Jeff could get there to calm him down, put him in his PJ and back to sleep. Woke up a couple times because of Sarah's coughing, bottle time, etc. What an exhausting day. But kids had fun, got to see animals and be out in the sunshine. So not too bad of a day overall, just lots of frustrations for me.
OK, an hour and a half has passed, Peto has finally worked enough that I think I can sleep now. Not sure if this was the garlic from caesar salad or the wine, or both, but not a happy tummy. Just the price to pay for all the great food and company at J&M's BBQ tonight.
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