Christmas '09

Yeah, I realise it's a few days later than, but Merry Christmas anyway! And what a good one we had. Little family of four. Avery was into opening presents this year, and Rowan, well, she liked the paper. This was the first Christmas I've actually felt really excited about in a long time. I think knowing Avery would get it this time made the anticipation feel magical, like when I was a kid. Of course she doesn't get the whole Santa thing.

We woke up that morning at about 6, and ate breakfast. Once Daddy had drank his coffee, he stayed up late the night before wrapping, we got down to present business. I figured there was no sense in waiting, and trying to keep them out from under the tree. Steve turned the t.v. onto the burning log channel, and we went ahead trying to open one gift at a time, so we were paying attention to each other. It was kind of chaotic at first, but it went really fast. Rowan got a Raggedy Ann doll from grandad, and Avery got jealous, and stopped Christmas then and there. Once she'd taken Rowan's doll, and played with it for 10 minutes, we resumed baby present time. In that break, Steve and I were able to focus on each other a bit.

After we cleaned up the mess, the girls were pretty busy on the floor, I called my mom and grandparents, then I made my bacon skillet breaky. The girls got books and clothes. I bought them the table and chair set earlier this month, and I donated a huge garbage bag full of baby toys to the Santa toy drive. I mean, they only need so many toys, and as they get older maybe Santa will bring them more. How many rattles does a baby need? Besides, Avery's outgrown that stuff, and seriously reads books all day long, so I like that their one toy box is only half full of toys. An uncluttered and clean home makes me happy, and I'm trying to battle the mess, one day at a time...

After lunch the whole family had a nap. That was really nice. Wood stove roaring, and cuddling under a duvet is pretty ultimate. After nap, we all got packed up, and headed into town, to have dinner at Steve's dad's house. It was really awesome not cooking. Steve's step sister, husband, and son, Lucas were there, as well as Steve's younger brother, Dustin. We had another gift exchange, and all visited until dinner. We forgot to bring the girl's chairs, so I didn't really get to sit at all through dinner. Avery was busy taking off all of the tree ornaments, while Row just tried putting everything in her mouth. Oh well, the little things moms do, I guess.

After dinner, I helped clean up until Rowan started to totally melt down. We stayed for dessert, which I made. It was a peanut butter pudding pie. It was pretty good, easy to make, though a little rich. I'm pretty critical of my own baking/ cooking, however. I warmed up some goat milk for Avery, Steve packed the car, and we made our way home. I'd like to mention what a great dad he is, Rowan cried being in the car, being in the dark, and not with me, so he crammed himself in between their car seats, and held her face and hands while she fell asleep. What a sweet guy, he's always thoughtful like that.

So Christmas was great, and I hope to be at my parents next year. They're supposed to be moving home next summer, and I can't wait! It's so special having little ones, it really brought back the festive feeling, more so then when it was just Steve and I.

We were all helping with each other's presents.

Rowan was in an awesome mood.

Santa brought Avery a new "baby colours" book. She destroyed her first one, and really loves it. Once she opened this gift, she didn't put it down.

Avery's shirt from Grandad. We think it suits Rowan more, ha ha. (Click on picture to see it bigger.)

Avery squatting to open her gift. Only a toddler or yogi would sit this way. ;)

Knee Stands

Look what Rowan can do now. She actually pulled herself to stand yesterday, with a major fall on the head right as soon as she was on her feet. She has been found in different little spots sitting on her knees like this since then. It's funny how after babies start moving, the milestones just run together so quickly from then on out.

Avery also surprises us with a new word daily. Saturday morning she said her first two word sentence, "Hi Daddy."

I have to get Steve to upload his camera with all of the good xmas pics, so until then I'm waiting to write about Christmas. Should be in the next few days. Ok, bye.

Hustle 'n' Bustle

December certainly has flown by! I can't believe Christmas is only a couple days away. Anyhow, Rowan has met a couple of milestones, I've yet to mention. She cut her first two teeth at 7.5 months, one right after the other, just like Avery's came in. She can sit unsupported, 7.5 months, and she started crawling just before 7 months.

Rowan sitting up in her ridiculously cute and tacky, yet too small Xmas jumper.

Avery is unimpressed with an active baby. I used to just have my cuddle bug baby demanding my attention, but now that she's in Avery's toys, it is war. Basically any time Rowan touches one, Avery screams and rips it away. We're trying to gently explain sharing to her, and reminding her that Rowan loves her, and is curious, too. Avery is really good, however, about selecting and giving certain toys to Rowan to play with, which of course is rewarded with plenty of praise. Avery's books are the one thing she does not want Rowan to touch.

Avery now wants to be picked up like a baby pretty much all the time. She clings her legs and arms around me like a monkey, and she's actually really hard to get off. If I'm on the phone she screams and pulls at me, or if there's any other kids around. It's a little draining. If I'm trying to get something done especially. The screaming is where I'm not really sure what to do. I mean, Rowan baby squeals, so should Avery get in trouble when the baby's doing it constantly? I really don't know...

Self portrait with the monkey cling on.

In festive preparation, I spent about 7.5 hours baking on Saturday. The only breaks I took were obvious baby's demands, and to sit for dinner. (I made that, too.) Steve was outside working on the gate while Avery napped. She sleeps from 12:30 - 3 pm every day. I get a lot done in that time, or some days catch up on sleep, too. It depends on Rowan's needs that day, I mean, they do sleep at different times, and wearing the little pork chop for her nap, and cooking is getting harder; she's so heavy!

Back to Saturday, I baked short bread cookies, molasses cookies, and sugar cookies, which I iced and decorated myself. I made enough for 5 little tins, which were gifts to: Steve's dad, our neighbours, Pants and JB, Lisa's family, and my friends, Jenna and Andrew. I kept some leftovers, of course, but I keep getting into them. They're really quite impressive. My husband said they look like they're from a bakery. Now I wouldn't go that far, my piping job was messy, but his compliment has inspired me to bake more. Kidding! I want to gobble them down!!!!

Click on photo to see the beauty better. I forgot to take any close ups of individual cookies.

I had bought a turkey, so it's in the freezer, but we're now going to Steve's dad's for dinner on Christmas day. I'm looking forward to not cooking, and the girls will have a chance to wear their little red dresses again. We'll do the morning here at home, then go to town after nap. I will be the designated driver, like always, but I have no problem with it because I get to go out on boxing day night with my best girlfriends!!

I won't lie, I've been anticipating this for months. I'm going to stay at my best friend, Stacey's house, and her dad will even cook us breakfast the next morning. I have been saving my milk, in the freezer, any chance I could because I will not come home until I have rested enough, and am sober enough to drive. Steve and Rowan are becoming more in love as she gets older, and she's finally starting to soothe with him; although, night might be a little hard. They'll be fine.

Well that's a pretty big update. Merry Christmas, everyone!

These are the handmade ugly dolls my BFF, Stacey, made for each girl. On the backs, it has an A and R for their own stuffy. Such an awesome gift! Avery's been using hers like a pillow, and Rowan really likes playing with hers so far.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas Tree

It's December, and what a busy time it's been! I splurged on two pairs of polar fleece p.j.s for Avery, and they're keeping her very warm at night because she kicks her covers off. This picture is her waiting for me in the morning, while I change Rowan's toosh. Avery thought it was rather hilarious to read aloud in the laundry basket. (Daddy got the shot)

We've had our Christmas tree set up since last week, and I'm having a harder time keeping Rowan out of it then Avery. Avery thought it'd be helpful to push Rowan over, and say, "Out out," to her. Poor baby. Avery was happy with the results of the push, it seems, and has continued to do it all day.

I love having decorations up, it makes our home feel so festive. I have bought almost everything to start some Christmas baking. My new obsession is allrecipes.com, where I've been looking at different recipes for ideas. I feel like I'm turning into such a domestic geek. I'm actually so happy. In a Martha momma kind of way.

We celebrated my birthday this weekend. We took the girls out for brunch, and met up with my brother Sebastien, Cathy, and nephew, Piper. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, and Seb's battery died in his. It would have been a good cousins picture opportunity. My pesto benny was delicious, as usual. I had to leave as soon as we were done eating because Avery had enough of sitting in a high chair. We stayed home after, I baked an angel food cake, and we had an easy dinner of b.l.t.s and salad. The box cake was great, after I spent 3 hours in the kitchen, attempting the cake from scratch. It was a messy disaster!

So here's a couple pics of the tree going up. Avery was very helpful, she liked passing the bulb to me, and pointing where she wanted it to go, to then take it off, and put it back in the box. She got it finally, and has been pretty good about staying out of the tree.

Daddy and his girls.

Rowan's super model pose. She prefers this to sitting up.

Avery about to get mad that Rowan is getting closer to the tree.

Looking for more bulbs.

Sleep Conclusion

So I tried crying it out with Rowan. Since her crib is already set up in our bedroom, and our house only has two bedrooms, I switched the mattresses between the two, and Avery slept on her own mattress, in our room. The first night went well, she actually fell asleep rather quickly, and I did my check ins on the clock. I was really tired the next day, Saturday, and thought that night would go even better. Um, ya, no. Rowan cut her first tooth that day, which I didn't notice until the next morning. She had a hard time going down, and woke up a lot in the night. At about 2 am, and next to nothing sleep, I grabbed her right up, and brought her to bed.

Now I won't lie, I felt like a fat piece of crap mom for doing that. I feel pressure to have her out of the bed, and then a part of me wants my space, too. My conclusion is it isn't the right time for us, and we're not ready to sleep separate. I think, like Avery, when she sleeps through the night without milk, then we can try again. Steve also thinks that she is too little, and he was very supportive of letting me decide how to handle it.

Yesterday I went to Nanaimo with a couple of my girlfriends. With NO babies! It was my first day away from them both, and I loved the break. I went with intention of Christmas shopping, but also used my birthday money, and bought myself a new winter jacket, which I haven't had a new one in about 5 years. I also bought a lulu lemon knock off hoodie. Yep, pretty darn happy about that. I picked up an adorable Disney Princess table and chair set for the girls, from Toys' R' Us. I am so happy with it, I have wanted to get one for quite some time. And to save space, in our small house, I put the annoying musical excercauser out on the highway, with a free sign, and it was picked up within 10 minutes.

I've been trying to really cut out some of the clutter in our home. I feel like the piles of toys, and hunks of plastic everywhere are driving me nuts! Like I clean all day, and it still feels messy. I think it's because there's too many toys. I like that Avery is outgrowing a lot of them, and I'm letting them go. I have a bag filled for the toy drive, I just need to bring it into town.

That's about it. Rowan's sleeping in our bed, and I think I feel the most rest when she's there, and Avery is quite excited about her little table. It even has a storage part in the middle.

Avery is so happy! She turns the chairs backwards, just like when she stands up at the counter.

Temper Temper

Well there is actually quite a bit to update, so let's see how much energy I have for this post. Ha, it's only 8:30 pm, and I get tired so much earlier than I ever used to!

I have been cuddling Rowan to sleep, and putting her down in her crib. Every morning though, I wake up with her in my bed. I don't remember bringing her in there. How do moms stay awake to nurse and put their babies back into their own beds? It's actually kind of funny. Last night, I stood beside her crib, and just held her hand and lightly touched her face, while she drifted off. I waited until I knew she was tired enough, and I think she likes lying sprawled out to get into her deeper night sleep. I also think she wouldn't nurse as much, in the night, if we weren't beside each other. According to the public health nurse, she only needs milk once or twice a night, and it's comfort, not necessity. I just don't wake up really, and give her the goods; it's hard not to when her face is so close to the milk supply.

Avery went to bed tonight with no fight. Yay! She bawled the last couple of nights. I'm not sure if it was some tantrum thing, or that she was holding her pooh in. I gave her a suppository yesterday, and she didn't go. How that is even possible, I'm really not sure. I woke her up from her nap at 3 because I've been letting her sleep until 3:30, and I think it could have been contributing to the sleep protests at night. She was tired from not getting enough sleep at night time, and creating a nasty little habit.

Ok, so there's the sleep update situation. I'm still not sure about crying it out for Rowan. I mean, she's teething, and I don't want to misinterpret her cries. I also like the idea of getting her used to sleeping in the crib before falling asleep solo.

Now, Avery has been having these raging tantrums lately. They aren't kidding when they say Aries have explosive tempers! Holy doodles! That kid freaks out. I guess she gets frustrated not being able to communicate with words what the matter is, but I mean really. The other morning it was that I was going to change her diaper when she woke up. Nothing out of the ordinary, we've done it daily since she was born. She lost it; cried on the floor for 10 minutes straight. I walked out, made breakfast, and went back in, and she stopped luckily. This morning, I made oatmeal for her, and cereal for myself. The usual. Well, I think it might have been because I didn't give her the juice first??? Total diva, slaps my face, throws the oatmeal on the floor, and starts wailing. Throws herself on the floor, where she cried for over an hour. Not kidding. The only thing that would soothe her was me holding her, and because there's two babies, that is not always possible.

I realise this photo makes me look like a very mean mom, but try to find the humour in it, I really don't think she knew why she was crying at this point.

I've got to say the tantrums are a little draining. After I woke her up from her nap, we had total chaos. Avery threw herself down, and bawled her little heart out. I picked her up, and her whole shirt and hair was drenched in snot and tears. Rowan had her 6 month immunization this morning, so I needed to cuddle her a bit, too. Well, sheesh. I even made hard boiled eggs and sliced avocado for Avery's snack, which she refused with face slaps. You know she's hungry, and the tantrum gets worse with the low blood sugar. She was only happy if I would carry her around, and hold her. Could this be a jealousy of Rowan, or just that she's so overwhelmed with emotion, and doesn't know how to deal with it? Steve says we'll never really understand the logic of a two year old. FYI Daddy: She's not two yet, and yes she's in her second year of life, technically.

Anyhow, I solved the tantrum today by letting her fill her own little cup full of teddy graham crackers. She was happy to carry it around. Once she settled a bit, I brought the real snack in, and we ate it together, on the floor. Rowan sure is a little trooper, and I hope she isn't so dramatic. I knew Avery would be this little diva from the get go, but it's a bit much to handle some days. I mean, I'm only human, and having two babies screaming and needing you at the same time, can suck the life out of you. But I keep my composure, and breathe, and tell myself it won't last long, and we're doing whatever it is we have to to get through that moment, even if the next moment is another melt down. I love them both, and it's good to get all of this hard stuff done in one stretch of time.

Taking the teddy grahams in and out of the cup is a very fun activity.