Blogging Hiatus

Of late I just can't seem to find the time to blog. I admire all of the blogging mommies out there that are able to post witty stories or share in their incredible family adventures. Where do you all find the time?

Here I am, with two kids and by the end of the day, I am wiped. Err ... okay .... there is also that little thing called Potter Mania as well. I desperately want to find out what is going to happen yet the most that I can manage in a day is maybe five pages of a chapter. I am so paranoid that someone will spoil what the final book is about that I won't turn on the TV and am very selective in my Internet surfing. Plus ... I have had family come through town, friends pass through town, a husband on the verge of passing out from exhaustion; come to think of it that is me too. The point of this long winded explanation is that I can't seem to find enough time in the day to sit down and blog nor read anyone else's blog on a daily basis. Besides, it is not like I have much of interest to say. My days are the same: I spend 24/7 with my children and we try to the best of our abilities to stay happy and sane through this heat spell. I don't have a social life so I can't even write anything exciting about that. I am not complaining because I do love my children dearly. Perhaps I am just in a rut. A rut of what to write about.

Maybe exciting, interesting things will happen to me over the next two weeks. Despite my irregular postings of late, I will be posting even more irregularly. I am heading on the road with the kids again. Tomorrow late afternoon we are heading off to my aunt's house for a couple of days. My aunt's sister in law passed away suddenly over the weekend so her and my uncle are heading on the long journey up north to attend the funeral and help sort things out. Meanwhile, I will be holding down the fort at her place with one teenager, a tween, a preschooler, a baby and a big lovable pooch. Upon their return, I will continue my journey to my mom's house. During that week there we will attend a wedding, visit with my parent's best friends (introduce them to Masyn) and of course spend time with my mom. On the way back home, I will stop by my aunt's house again, pick up her daughter (the tween) and bring her back to Calgary to stay with us for a couple of days. A few days into my cousin's stay, my brother in law will arrive and our house will be beyond it's housing capacity. Come the 20th though, everything will resume back to it's old boring routine self.

Now looking back on this, I will definitely have a lot to blog about ... provided I can get to a computer.

Wordy Wednesday

I will leave the image up to you to come up with. Here is what happened this morning:

Baby is happily rolling, kicking and cooing with Mommy on Mommy's bed. Mommy is happily cooing back to baby and playing peek-a-boo. Baby of late has been grabbing her diaper right at the waist and pulling. This morning however, baby grabs not one but both Velcro closures of diaper and pulls up, resulting in diaper coming off. Right at that same moment, a large explosion expels out of baby's butt.

And yes, both Mommy and her bed got nailed. Too bad my batteries were recharging for my camera but I will leave it up to your imaginations in how the scene looked after the explosion.

A Mystery Solved

Just look at her; isn't she so damn cute?! I know that I am biased and all but gosh, my baby is already five months old! Where is the time flying?

This past month hasn't been easy for either Masyn nor I. My once easy going baby adopted a new personality to that of a high maintenance diva. And I for one, wasn't sure how I was going to get through the rest of our lives if this personality continued. HOWEVER .... being the regular Nancy Drew that I am, I have potentially solved the mystery of the cranky baby: Miss Masyn has teeth!

One lower tooth has poked it's spiky head through with it's partner following close behind. That one should be any day now. And wouldn't you know it: most of the cranky crying has subsided. Funny how that happens isn't it?

In addition to growing teeth, learning how to cope with the extreme heat and the prickly heat rash that comes along with it, I suspect that Masyn may have been growing as well. I am still not quite sure if I believe it or not, but it appears that Masyn has grown just over an inch in one month!! The weigh gain isn't spectacular: a pound but at least it is something. So of course my slight insecurity came rearing it's ugly head back and I was concerned that Masyn wasn't getting enough to eat. Out of pure curiosity, I fed her some rice cereal seeing as she so avidly watches us eat and smacks her lips. Heck if she didn't gobble the small serving down lickety split! So, now Masyn has expanded her culinary tastes to include rice cereal along with breast milk.

Gosh. These precious little angels just grow so darn quick don't they?

Refreshed

Kaelen playing T-Ball
Kaelen running around the bases (for the tenth time) with Daddy trying to tag him out.
Building sandcastles at the beach.
Masyn enjoying the fresh mountain air during a walk.
Kaelen attempting to drive the Daddy bouncing bus.

We are back and it was such a wonderful weekend for us! The weather was gorgeous and refreshing; 24C with cloudy periods and fresh mountain air made it a wonderful relief from the scorching hot weather we have been experiencing back home. Don't get me wrong, I am truly loving this scorching weather but as you all know, Masyn doesn't so the weather in Radium made her perfectly happy.

We packed a lot in over the weekend: Paul took Kaelen golfing while Masyn and I walked around, we played at the park, had a game of baseball, went to the beach, played in the pool, went to a friend's house for a BBQ and spent some relaxing time in the hot springs. The motel that we booked into was absolutely perfect for our needs so we never really ate out. Aside from going to a friend's house for a meal, we ate all of our meals in our motel that we prepared in our kitchenette.

All in all, it was a fabulous weekend full of quality family time and it was also relatively easy on the pocket book.

A Plug for Boobs

Okay ladies, listen up: If anyone has a spare coin or two burning a hole in their purse and you are feeling generous, I know of a way that you could spend it and with good cause.

As we all know, Breast Cancer is on its way to becoming a very common disease amongst ourselves. With our day and age, it is likely that you have experienced this disease and all of the fears that come along with it, with someone close to you. And, depending on where you live, you may or may not be inundated with fundraisers for this cause. This cause is very near and dear to me having so many people in my life being affected by it, including my mother in law.

My sister is once again this year participating in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, which is a two day 60 KM walk for Breast Cancer fundraiser. Each participant must raise a minimum of $2000 to participate in this incredible personal impacting event. Currently, my sister Christie, is about $350 short of reaching that goal. If I had the means, I would kick in that money especially knowing that it is going to something that I am passionate about, however I have already sponsored her $150. If Christie can not raise this extra $350, then she will not be able to participate in the walk and despite the monies that she has raised and knowing that they are going to an excellent cause, she feels that she will have let everyone down.

So, this is my plug and I apologize if it offends anyone. If you happen to have even an extra $20 hanging around and you are feeling generous, please consider donating it to this worthy cause. Donations can be made online but we ask that they be made under Christie's profile to ensure that she will be able to honor her commitment made a year ago to raise these funds again.

Thank you to all for reading this and to anyone who has donated. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!!

STOP THE PRESSES!

Stop the Presses! The impossible has happened!! Mark this day down in the history books! As of 3:00 PM on Friday, July 20th, the Whittingham family is spending the weekend together .... as a family!!

I know some of you are just as shocked as I, but it is true! My hubby actually got two consecutive days off; an occurrence that happens just as often as a lunar eclipse. Never one to pass up on an opportunity, I promptly informed my hubby that we are going to get out of town and spend some time together. If we were to stay here and just doing things together as a family, it would be too easy for work to access my hubby resulting in about five calls a day. Sooo .... I have booked us into a cheap but nice motel in the gorgeous town of Radium, B.C. It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Calgary through the mountains with an abundance of breath taking scenery and wild animals to spot. Our quaint little motel room comes equipped with a kitchenette, pool, large outdoor covered BBQ area and a HUGE playground across the street. In addition to those amenities, Radium also boasts of natural hot springs, fabulous golf courses, beautiful lakes and so much more.

So my friends, I am off to get refreshed with my family. This is our first real vacation together as a family since ... well ... sadly, since Kaelen was born. Sad but true yet I am going to make the best of it. And, lucky for you all, you will have to endure my ramblings accompanied by a copious amount of photos upon my return.

Cheerio my friends!!

Getting Through It

Where have I been? Am I still out there?

Yep. I am still alive yet just barely. I have been tortured worse than Jack Bauer will ever experience. The torture otherwise known as the MISERABLE BABY SYNDROME. Seriously. If I didn't know any better, I would think that Masyn has developed a severe case of colic. All she has done for the past three weeks is cry and fuss and nothing, absolutely nothing will make her happy. My days are long and filled with trying to straddle that fence: on one side I have to entertain that little boy who has demonstrated a virtue that I sadly lack: Patience. While on the other side I am trying to be compassionate and loving towards my miserable screaming daughter.

I almost hit my breaking point yesterday and was on the verge of tears. Feeling alone, depressed and just down right burnt out, instead of journalizing yet another tirade of how long and crappy my day was, I decided to go back and read previous entries. There is just something to be said about journals really. Normally, I never go back and read previous entries as I am too critical about myself; I usually end up thinking that I am the biggest geek out there for writing what I did. However, last night there was a moment that I thought that I was truly brilliant. Here is an excerpt of what I wrote the day before having Masyn:

February 14, 2007
" ...... I know that there are going to be some long days ahead for me. Paul will be working extreme hours as always and there will come a point in the summer that I always hit and start to resent the fact that his profession does not seem to allow him anytime with his family. But I am going to promise myself now, that if and when that time comes, or if I happen to experience a long day with two fussy kids, that I am not going to allow myself to become upset or feel isolated. Instead I am going to focus on the fact that I have been blessed to have two beautiful children. And, I am going to enjoy those long days with them because there is going to come a time in the future when they won't want to be with me; that I will be second choice to them. As Kaelen has taught me, being a parent and watching your child grow, their time as babies seems so short and quick. One blink and they are toddlers, the next they are preschoolers. If I fill my days with the boo-hoos for myself, then I will miss out on this time I have been given with them .... "

Having read this, it infused me with a sense of calmness and brought to mind that sure, yes the days have been long of late, but Masyn is only this age for so long. Instead of feeling frustrated at the constant crying, or feeling overwhelmed when Kaelen jumps on my back in an attempt to play, I need to find the humour in the moment and the pleasure.

So, as we got through today, by adopting this new attitude it made it much more pleasant for everyone involved. Masyn had a better day, likely because she didn't have my bad vibes to help fuel her misery and Kaelen laughed and played nicely the entire day. And ... before I knew it, it was bedtime for my little ones and I actually was saddened to have a few moments to myself.

Cowboy Addiction

Mommy and Kaelen enjoying our free pancakes and sausages.

Cowgirl Masyn having a stretch

Fireman Kaelen off to the rescue

Cowboy Kaelen in his glory riding "Dusty"

Only two more days left of Stampeding and we are trying to make the best of it. I think that we have hit almost every caravan breakfast in the city. This is a free pancake and sausage breakfast that is accompanied by live music, free pony rides, lasso lessons, line dancing, face painting etc. Yesterday Kaelen's dreams came true because he not only got to ride a horse (err ... pony but he doesn't know any better) but he also got to go in a firetruck and pretend to drive one. We topped the day off by heading down to the Stampede grounds yet again to watch the chuck wagon races and go on a few rides. Sigh ... this can get really tiring and I haven't even had a drink which the Stampede is world renowned for: the ultimate 10 day party!!!

Wordless Wednesday

SIBLING LOVE

Travel Hangover

The past few days have been similar to that of a hangover; dog assed tired, lack of energy and a persistent nagging headache. Add in the overwhelming "To Do List" which consists of heaping loads of laundry, flower beds that are screaming for weeding and TLC, a lawn that rivals the distant field of overgrown weeds and every other basic household chore that you can think of, lets just say that it has been very easy to get distracted with other minor unimportant things.

Today however, I allowed myself the pure pleasure of lying down with my children. On the rare chance that both kids nap at the same time (or should I say that if Kaelen ever naps), as most moms can attest to, it is your perfect opportunity to whip off a few of those items on that never ending list. However, with the continued lack of energy or desire to perform up to my usual standards of anal super mom, I said to myself, "why not"?

There is just something to be said about lying next to sleeping children. Usually curled up in the fetal position, those angelic little faces looking so peaceful, it is enough to rejuvenate any one's soul. I usually end up with tears within the first five minutes of lying next to one of my children as I become engulfed with emotions such as love and thankfulness. A wave of warmth washed over me and my tears cleansed me, reminding me that the long days are just as precious as the fun days. And, with this feeling of contentment, I remember that time is so very precious with my little ones as each day goes by so very quickly. I slowly nodded off into a peaceful little nap with Masyn curled into my chest and Kaelen holding onto my hand, in which an hour later the three of us awoke in the same positions.

And, wouldn't you know it, without realizing it until now, every item on that "To Do List" was completed this afternoon and evening. And here I thought that we spent the whole time playing .....

Stampede 2007

The time of year has arrived again to dust off our cowboy hats, squeeze our feet into boots, sweat our asses off in jeans and to brush up on our two-step dance moves. Yep, it is Stampede time again!

Where most of the locals tend to get out of the city during this time of year, the thrill of the Stampede is still fresh in our blood after 10 years of experiencing it. We took the kids to the rodeo yesterday afternoon but only lasted for about an hour. It was too slow moving to retain Kaelen's attention and besides, he was only really interested in experiencing what all other kids seem fascinated with: The Midway Park!! It is great as the Stampede has a little kids park with mini roller coasters and such.


We also got to see pigs, an array of different kinds of cows, chickens and buffalo. Kaelen being so young found the excitement in this that neither Paul nor I ever do. We usually are more interested in the rodeo and chuck wagon races so this year so far has been a whole new experience for us. In addition to learning about farm animals, we have watch the marching band competition, saw aerial acrobatics, checked out military equipment such as helicopters and tanks and will get to meet both Barney (on Wednesday) and Diego (tomorrow).

Tales From A Van

After logging in more than 19 hours of road travel time filled with laughter, singing, wails and tears, I am happy to report that we have made it back home safe and sound. Mommy's sanity is screaming for a vacation of her own but that will have to wait for a while.

This folks, is my home town. This is just one of the sights that greeted us every morning upon waking.

This is what I miss the most about Nelson: the breath taking sight of the lake in the mountains. Now .... a local will tell you that the water is freezing. Heck, growing up I would reiterate that piece of information to visitors, however when you live in a city that doesn't have gorgeous amenities like this, you take full advantage of them when given the opportunity. In addition to the sights, the water really was very refreshing given the daily average temperature of +38 C. Who would have thought that glacier water would be so very refreshing?

We spent hours upon hours every day playing on the beach shovelling wet sand into a bucket, building sandcastles, throwing sticks, rocks and sand into the water and attempting to catch minnows. We went for walks taking in the scenery, the fresh air and playing in wooded parks. Before you all think that I had a fairy tale vacation, I should insert the big BUT ..... yes, there is a BUT that attempted to overshadow this dreamy tale. That BUT is named Masyn. This cute (but not so cute during the trip) little baby was MISERABLE the entire trip. All she did is cry or should I say wail. There was nothing one could do to comfort her. It was anyone's guessing game as to figuring out what her issues were but I am pretty sure that her tendencies for bouts of screaming accompanied with tears was due to her discomfort with the heat .... or teeth .... or perhaps her attempt to fly. Who knows what the real issue is other than I am extremely happy to report that she did return home with Kaelen and I today. Believe me, there were times that I would have been happy to pass her off to someone who had the energy to deal with that. After a week of listening to wails 16 of 24 hours a day was enough to ensure that this Mommy wasn't going to entertain the thought of expand this family for a very long time.

The trip however was nice although not overly relaxing when doing it all alone. I am however crazy enough to do it again in a couple of weeks. There is just something about being on the lake during hot, lazy summer days.