Her Inner Angel...

"A daughter is a mother's gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an extension of her self.  And mothers are their daughters' role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships."  ~Victoria Secunda


Today was a rough morning. There is nothing nice about taking your child to the hospital for any reason, but today I had two. Si is growing leaps and bounds... she is such a bright little girl, an eager learner, fast runner, loud speaker and strong fighter! I think with having an older brother to keep up to, she has learnt a lot and held her own.
Lately though, as she has been growing, her legs have been growing outwards... she is bow-legged. With having seen the typical "diaper stance" with Kai, we assumed for a while that this is all it was, but with her petite frame, it is very accentuated. And so, with a visit to our GP, we were referred to a pediatrician. Yes, the confirmation is that she has bow legs, and so off to the hospital we went today for a couple of blood tests and THREE X-RAYS. I think in some ways this becomes more traumatic on me as I knew what was coming, for her she went with the flow... until she had to be held down for the x-rays and held still for the blood work. Tiny veins and 5 TUBES OF BLOOD does not make for a quick, painless procedure... she did not get through all the tubes and I am praying to God that they got enough blood so we don't have to go back!
When a 17 month old has crocodile tears racing down their cheeks crying for their momma there is not much of a worse feeling. Having to put her through this made me feel terrible, but I know it is for the best in the long run.
So now we wait for our results... the blood tests are to help rule out things like Rickets and/or Vitamin deficiencies. The X-Rays are to look at the bone growth and determine if this is a stage of growth that she will naturally outgrow or if our next step will be to an Orthopedic... please let it be the first!
Apparently bow legged is quiet a normal thing to see. Most often, the children just naturally grow out of it. Gone are the days of leg braces, thank god! There has been no proven science that the braces aided in re-correction... just time; that makes me very happy and keeps me staying positive!
A parent always worries about their kids... i have been told, this will never end. From the minute the test says positive, life begins. My life began twice. I will do everything in my power to protect my kids, to keep them safe, show them love and let them grow and learn. 
I look at this obstacle as just that, a bump in our road that we will jump over and continue moving forward from.
As I said, Si is a strong girl... and if you don't believe me you can come over and see her wrestle her older brother to the ground. I have much to learn from her.


"A baby is an angel whose wings decrease as his legs increase." Author Unknown


I guess she is just holding on to her inner angel as long as she can. :-)

~5 weeks old (a fairy for Halloween)~

~holding on to that tutu (6 months)~

Mommy Bootcamp...

I am excited to announce that soon I will be starting up a Bootcamp/Circuit Class!

As a mom, I have found it difficult to get the workout in that I desire, feel great for it afterwords...and only take an hour out of the day, and an hour for me! So I decided, with having the proper training and certifications...why not start my own? There will be classes that suit almost everyone: woman, moms and/or moms-to-be (pre/post natal and beyond!)...and the best part about it, it gives you plenty of time before the "bikini season" to tone and get that booty in top J-Lo form! Not to mention meet new people, have an hour of "you time," or in some classes bring your baby with you.
I would love feedback from you in what you would like to see in a class...
What your schedule is like and maybe why other classes haven't worked for you? (did the times not work well, poor location, not a great class vibe, no results, etc...)
These classes are being scheduled on the North Shore. If there is more interest in other areas as well, there may be potential for other days and times.
I am forming class structures and schedules now and would LOVE your input.

For the first 2 people to comment in each of the below class offerings, mentioning what you would like to see (or not see) in a class, will receive 4 WEEKS of FREE CLASSES!!
(When commenting, please make note of the class you would like to attend.)

~Bun-in-the-Oven Bootcamp
~While They Are Sleeping Bootcamp (post natal-no children)
~Post Natal/Stroller Bootcamp (with non-mobile children)
~Bootcamp

I will keep you posted and hope to have everything up and running very soon!

Reality Check...

I have to admit...I am having one of those weeks where it can't be over fast enough, or you want it to start all over again. I have been so exhausted lately, and really...well, I guess, hard on myself. I have been having some of those dreaded "fat days" lately. And I know that I said many posts back, that I would try to rule those out, but who am I kidding; I am a female and fat days occur! I have been working out as normal (well actually spinning more) so maybe I am building up some muscle...? I am going to post this link again.

 Why do we allow other people's opinions dictate how we should feel about our bodies / ourselves. It is an amazing world that we live in, both positive and negative!
TGIF! Today, out of the entire week, was a shift day for me. By that I mean, today I actually felt really great! I had a great run, got a few errands done, and then have been hanging out with the kids. I have been feeling positive and up on myself...life is good. So what changed!? It's amazing how your entire demeanor can change when your self confidence is lacking; Yet, when you have it, you feel unstoppable.
Your perception of yourself has such a huge impact on how others perceive you. In a world of "first impressions," don't you hope you leave a positive lasting one.

Why do I allow a number on a scale or the fit of my clothes to determine my mood? I am a woman, a healthy woman, a wanna-be athlete, a wife, a mom of two little ones, a person... I have so much to be thankful for and so much to be proud of. Sometimes, all I need is a little reality check with myself to realize that self confidence is what is really sexy...not any number.

We have to cut ourselves a little slack...we seem to be our own worst critics.
Sometimes, we just want that cookie...and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

we can learn a lot from kids!

I love when I feel this way... I truly feel, unstoppable.


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“Think highly of yourself because the world takes you at your own estimate.” -- Author Unknown

“When you consider yourself valuable you will take care of yourself in all ways that are necessary.” --M. Scott Peck
“Every achiever I have ever met says, "My life turned around when I began to believe in me." -- Robert Schuller
“Someone's opinion of you does not have to become your reality.” -- Les Brown

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” -- Bill Cosby

Watch Him Run...

Ryan set a goal of the Vancouver Marathon this May 1. It is his first one! I am so excited for him and couldn't be prouder!
I registered both of us the other day, and am excited to be able to do this together :-)
He has been getting out for some long runs occasionally as he is training with North Shore Athletics in their Marathon Clinic. It really is a great program that they have over there.
So now I guess I have to ramp up my run days... the race is on; and the competition between husband and wife couldn't be hotter!

I cannot let DH beat me... run mommy run! ;-)
A little motivation for you love...

I am actually quiet nervous! He really can run... and as I mentioned, he has been training! Case in point:

Now for the race day... I think I am dead! But can't wait to cross that finish line with Ryan; regardless of who kicks who's butt.

us at bmo 1/2 marathon 2010

Joking aside for a minute, congratulations on setting this goal love and good luck! I am very proud of you and know you will kick butt... probably mine!

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is. "Vince Lombardi

"Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first".  ~Author Unknown

"Other people may not have high expectations of me, but I have high expectations for myself."
-- Shannon Miller

Picky Eating...

We have problems with getting Kai to eat much of anything some days...let along something healthy! I swear he has been surviving on cheese strings and juice for the past while! I make him and Si dinner every night, and every night it ends up being that we make a second meal entirely, or, Ryan and I threaten bedtime if he doesn't sit and eat. It is brutal! He takes his "One a Day's" as he calls them, vitamins, to ensure he is at least getting the minimum from those nutrients, but otherwise, mention anything green and he pretty much runs the other way! It's to the point that about a month ago I actually had to take him for blood tests, I think harder on me then him, to check his iron levels and what-not. He was complaining of being tired, which if you know Kai, is totally NOT him; that along with his limited diet, we were concerned.
Tests are back and all things are normal....but now for the food...the HEALTHY food!
Tonight I made Kai and Si macaroni and cheese. A meal I know they both love to eat...but this time I made a few changes. I mashed up cauliflower, peas and carrots and mixed them together along with some milk, cheese and a little butter. This was the "sauce." I then baked it all together and melted a little more cheese.
And of course, had to top it with ketchup for extra enticement (well actually to hide as much of the green as I could).
Here is how it turned out:

I know, not totally appetizing in look...but I must have done something right!

He ate every last bite...without bribery or incentive. I WON THE DINNER WAR (for tonight).

So what's on their plate for tomorrow?

Still Romance...

There is still lots of Romance, Surprises and Flowers :-)

~Happy Valentines Day~

V-Day...

Valentines Day...a day that had an entirely different meaning before kids.
Ryan and I used to spend this commercialized holiday the way it is hyped to go; You know, with the flowers, cute cards, a romantic dinner out, lingerie, that type of thing! Well since kids, the look of our Valentines Day is quiet different. I have nothing against Valentines Day! I love romance and being romanced! But Ryan and I kind of have a weekly Valentines Day now instead. We call it "date night."
Why should one day a year, February 14th, be the only day you are supposed to think of your loved one to give them a card, maybe some flowers and/or chocolate, take them for a nice romantic dinner? Shouldn't this be something that we do more often!
And so, enter children.  Having kids makes you realize that time with your partner is so important. That taking time, and doing the "little things" are truly what matter.  We never used to be very good at actually having our date nights; so a few moths ago, we set one night a week aside, booked a sitter and have not looked back since. We now look forward to these nights all week! They are our weekly Valentines Day! We go for dinner, a movie, a run, spin... whatever! We just spend the time together, catching up on one anothers' lives. The lives of the two people that make our family work, yet are the first ones to get left behind. These nights are essential for us.
So whether you spend your Valentines Day out with your loved one, at home, or don't even celebrate the day...just make sure that the people you love know you love and appreciate them... and not just on this day!

So for us, this year Valentines Day falls on a Monday, not a Wednesday. You will find me at home, in my sweatpants, maybe ordering take-out (?), sharing this "Romantic Day of the Year" with my 3 Valentines. I could not think of a better way to spend it!

Happy Valentines Day!

____________________________________________________________________________________

Love is a symbol of eternity.  It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.  ~Author Unknown


"If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?  ~Author Unknown"

Dawn of a New Bump

Is it in the air or something!? It seems like a large majority of my girlfriends are talking babies! And this is such exciting news as for most of them, it's their first! Yay, come on over to mommyhood and we can share stories...I've been dying for this to happen.
Whether the girls are pregnant already or TTC (trying to conceive), 2011 seems to be holding a hole lot of baby talk!
I came across this app the other day. What will Apple come up with next!? An app that can babysit our children too? But for a  bit of humour, and maybe even a bit of helpful knowledge for some, here it is:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ovulation-calendar/id285831736?mt=8

Yes, it's true.

I have to be honest, I never watched my Ovulation Chart. K and S were both little surprises a little ahead of schedule, but very much loved and we have never looked back.

So while I have some friends charting their cycles [and tiring their husbands a little more often, I am sure they're not complaining ;-) ] I had to actually read up on the whole Ovulation process. I was a little bit, left in the dark. I mean, I know what a females body is capable of, but timing wise, CLUELESS!

And so, as I talked with some gf's and looked on-line, I found some pretty crazy Ovulation Calendars. You can even chart what sex you would like to have (male or female, not missionary or doggy-style that is), by which days you do it on while ovulating. Crazy! I wonder how bang on (pardon the pun) that logic really is!

Anyone have any experience with this charting and success on a specific gender?

When I was pregnant I remember looking at the Chinese Gender Charts, and for me they both ended up being true. Who knows really! I guess they all have a 50/50 chance!

Mother's Chinese Age At Time Of Conception

Month of Conception

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

January

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

B

G

B

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

February

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

G

G

G

B

G

B

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

March

G

B

G

G

B

G

B

B

B

G

B

G

G

B

B

B

B

G

B

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

April

B

G

B

G

G

B

B

G

G

B

G

G

G

G

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

B

B

G

B

G

B

G

May

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

G

G

G

G

B

G

G

G

G

G

G

B

G

B

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

June

B

B

B

G

G

G

B

B

B

G

G

B

G

G

G

G

G

G

G

B

G

G

B

G

B

G

B

G

July

B

B

B

G

G

B

B

G

G

B

B

B

G

G

G

G

G

G

G

G

B

G

B

B

G

B

G

B

August

B

B

B

G

B

G

G

B

B

B

B

B

G

G

G

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

B

G

September

B

B

B

G

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

B

G

G

G

G

G

G

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

B

October

B

B

G

G

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

G

G

G

G

G

G

B

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

November

B

G

B

G

G

B

G

B

G

G

G

G

B

G

G

G

B

B

B

G

B

G

B

G

B

B

G

B

December

B

G

B

G

G

G

G

B

G

B

G

G

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

B

G

G

G

B

G

B

G

B

So to T&H, CONGRATULATIONS on baby O's arrival yesterday! To S, good luck peeing tomorrow,  L- I am thinking of you and M-you will not be left behind ;-)

xo

Life as We Know It

Well, Ryan is out, kids are asleep and I am sitting here with a glass of wine and watching the new movie out "Life as We Know It," with Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel.
After the first few minutes of tears I now cannot stop laughing. I don't know if everyone would find this movie so hilarious, but being a parent, I am sure much of the baby stage has happened to you!
This movie is derived from a very unfortunate happening, but while child rearing, for anyone, whether chosen, a surprise or given to, I am sure this movie will give you a few laughs and warm the heart <3

p.s.- I'm still holding out on NO MINIVAN  however! ;-)

Mommy Must Have

I found this link through an amazing mommy-friend. It is hilarious and oh so true in its own form.
Sometimes us moms just need a glass of wine!
No judgement just a nice glass of wine...and a kid free room would be nice too! And to top it off, a few girlfriends to talk with!

http://www.omgisoneedaglassofwine.com/

So on this topic, I thought it would be a great idea to form a Mom's night, NO KIDS & NO HUSBANDS, once a month... (for those that are local obviously).
Who's in!?? I will organize something starting March if I have a good response!

Almost There!

Well...I have been working hard to revamp my site and I am almost there. I have had a few glitches along the way that will hopefully be all ironed out within the next week...one main one being my site name...in the coming week, all you will have to enter is whiletheyaresleeping.com and you will find me, until then, blogspot it is.
Same with my links- email and facebook will be established shortly, but wanted to share my site cause I couldn't wait any longer!
Hope you guys like it as much as I do!

Mommy-Disgust!

Si...We have a problem!
What originally started as curiosity has turned into an all out self discovery and "mommy-disgust"! So as of recently Si has enjoyed the occasional exploration of sticking her hands down the back of her diaper after making a "poooop," in her own words. That leads to me picking her up in disgust, carrying her to the bathroom with my hands fully extended away from my body for a full scrub down and change (of her that is!).
I am thinking this has got to be a bit of pay back!? As a toddler, apparently upon the arrival of my first sibling (my sister), I decided to demand some attention and hone some of my creative skills, by decorating the carpet and walls in my bedroom...with the same medium that Si is experimenting with. Mom and Dad, I am sorry for that...now at least you have a story! Me, I am up to my head in s*#t over here! One day this will be humorous!
So with Si, she proceeds to stick her hands down her diaper, come out with a disgusting look on her face, hands extended in front of her looking at me, uttering "poooop."
I say "no", take her straight to the bathroom for an all out scrub-down, change her and wait till it happens again...hopefully not till tomorrow!?
My question to you mom's out there, how do you get thru this stage...quickly!? Kai never did this so I am at a loss!!
For now, Onesies it is!

And So, I Run...

Life in our house on a typical day is loud and chaotic at best. My escape from it all, to quiet my head, restore some energy and start off in a good mood is to exercise...usually I run.

I love to run. No, this was definitely not something I would have said in the past; but over the past few years, running has turned into something I really enjoy doing opposed to something I would do for weight loss! It has been a slow start for me in the running department for the month of January. I logged a total of 57 miles for the month. Great granted I was out there, but my runs were comprised more so of short runs over many days. Now for February, my goal is to run longer. Get more miles out of my legs! I have been doing other things: spinning, weights, the gym, but none seem to clear my mind the same way that running does. It also gives me a sense of achievement. I have never come back from a run asking myself why I did that!  There is something inside of me that always goes back for more: Tries to go further than the day before: Explores a new route. Running is addicting!

My IT band has been giving me problems again lately. So yesterday I went in invested in a new pair of runners! Wow that last pair went fast; I wore through them in the course of 8 weeks. I think that has got to be a new record for me!



My new motivation :-)

Laugh if you may...yes I wear Nike. I have tried all shoes under the sun: Nike, Asics, New Balance, Adidas...and the Nike Vomero's are the one shoe that seem to fit me best. They give me great cushioning and support and seem to keep my ITB at rest for the most part! So when I run, I run in these. I think since the beginning of my enjoyment of running, or at least close to it, I have run in this shoe. It works for me so I am sticking with it!

And so, I Run!

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."
- Steve Prefontaine

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."
- Oprah Winfrey

Lost...

Is it just me or does anyone else wake-up some days and just feel more lost in life than other days. I am so grateful for all that I have in my life: a loving husband, two beautiful and healthy children, amazing family, wonderful friends, a great dog! So why is it that lost is a word that I would use to explain myself in certain facets of life...are we all on some level, lost?
Today I was lucky enough to take part in a career assessment/personal development session with a great consultant. (I will leave his name out for now as I am not sure how he feels about that.) I feel lately, well since having kids, a little lost in my direction and path for career and personal development. I enjoy selling Real Estate as I truly enjoy people, the flexibility it allows me with my family, and the diversity it gives in all aspects; But I am not sure I got into Real Estate for the reason of a love for my career, or because it seemed like a great adventure and an avenue that seemed fitting (as both my parents are Realtors). And so, here I am, 28 with a husband, two kids and a dog, trying to find myself.
In all honesty, I feel too old to be feeling this way...isnt that ridiculous! But with kids, I thought I should know it all by now, joking!
I followed a different life's journey then many of my friend; and arriving at different life milestones at different times has seemed to put separation between some of us. I guess this is true in life as we get older, we surround ourselves with people who have similar interests and values; No longer are we just friends because we sat beside each other in grade 9 math class. At 16 I found my, now, husband. We married 6 years later (almost to the day) and shortly after had the surprise of our life...I was pregnant with baby number one...and when he was 8 months, surprise number two: pregnant again! Now, together for 11.5 years, married for 5.5, we are into full swing as husband & wife, parents & family. Would I change the way it happened...absolutely not; however, our way of doing things seems to mirror more of our parents era opposed to ours these days. Where we live, the average age for a first time mother is around 35. This being the case, career took the priority, family after. And so, here I am feeling ahead of the "game" in some facets and lost in others. I am now trying to find myself, what makes me tick, and who I am aside from wife and mother. Despite having a family, this isn't the only thing that fulfills a person. In some ways it makes you want to seek out yourself even more. Self identity is an important thing and I strive to find that part of my life.
Lately, I really have enjoyed writing, and I have been OVERWHELMED with the positive feedback, support and following. THANK-YOU! What initially started as a place to write some thoughts and share some photos has turned into something more; something I never realized I would love doing so much. So thank you for reading. I hope that in some way it helps you: whether to inspire, motivate, make you laugh or cry, to share mom moments, or at least just give you something to read for a few minutes!
So as I pick my way through my thoughts on life I will keep writing...who knows, maybe that's where I will end up!?
To those of you fortunate to have found your calling, your passion...congrats because with that passion, the world is at your fingertips!
And for those still searching, don't settle for anything less than you deserve because I strongly feel that when you are passionate for what you do, you will go far (and have a smile on your face and love in your heart)!

For those of you feeling lost in the world of kids, partnership and parenthood...i am here anytime! And for those of you confident, passionate and loving life in the world of self-identity and career...expect my phone calls soon ;-)

xoxo

Part of the testing I went through today was based upon Myers Briggs. If you're interested, here is the link for further information. It is pretty crazy when you narrow your personality the careers that would suit you and where you find the passions!

http://www.myersbriggs.org/



"When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible.” ~Unknown

“Never underestimate the power of passion.” ~Eve Sawyer

"Chase your passion, not your pension." ~Denis Waitley

"There is no greatness without a passion to be great, whether it's the aspiration of an athlete or an artist, a scientist, a parent, or a businessperson." ~Anthony Robbins

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