Today...

Today we had our ultrasound. It confirmed out little bean is in the sac and growing strong! Due date, adjusted by one day... due November 14, 2011!! If this baby is anything like the first 2, early, I could be having an amazing birthday present!
This ultrasound settled many nerves, posts that will follow as I have been writing and not posting over the past few weeks, and there is a healthy heartbeat and baby growing!

We are so excited for our new chapter and growing family!

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."  ~Joyce Brothers

Never Say Never...

Written March 5, 2011

Ryan and I have had a whirlwind couple, well handful, of years and just as we think we are finally settling... a curve ball is thrown.
A positive... a positive...!?
That in laments terms is, I peed on a stick and yep, I am pregnant!
Here's to three under three-and-a half...holy s*#t.

Here we were getting used to our life as a family of four, still not sure if "eventually" there would be more, but not totally set on that... and as life would have it, there was a plan for us I guess.

"A grand adventure is about to begin."
-- Winnie the Pooh
Our life is already crazy chaos, what is this new stage going to look like? I guess only time will tell. We will need to band together as husband and wife, mom and dad, and Kai and Si as sister and brother.

So many emotions/feelings sit inside of me right now, along with a fluttering stomach and slight bit of nausea. Oh my god, to start. Can we do this. How will we do this. Thank goodness I am working again. Will our new addition be a boy or girl? How will Si handle a baby (being the youngest). How will Kai and Si handle it as they are the best of friends right now. How is my husband handling the news I graced him with this Saturday morning...

"Family: A social unit where the father is concerned with parking space, the children with outer space, and the mother with closet space. "
-- Evan Esar

And through all of my questioning, concerns and worries... I can't help to be really excited for this new chapter of our lives that is ahead.  I know that I will continue to learn everyday. Be filled with love and joy. And that I will just have to remind myself to breathe every once in a while.

"The most important thing she'd learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one."
- Jill Churchill

Three's a Charm...

Yesterdays Fun...

A few quick pics from yesterday. The kids and I had a great day of walks, play and birthday party fun!
Here are some pics from my phone.

Happy Sunday!

Daydreaming...

I am tuning out the sound of two kids yelling, the TV on in the background and the dog chasing the kids around the living room.
Daydreaming of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, heat...and maybe a little Bob Marley. This daydream leaves the kids at home as Ryan and I escape on a much needed ADULT vacation.
Last year we went to Cancun. It was an amazing trip. A time to pamper ourselves, catch up with each other, and really reconnect as husband and wife...sans kids. We vowed that this was something that we had to be sure to do annually. Now, realistically, our life is a crazy chaotic mess on the best days. Life, work, kids, money...all key factors in our daily happenings. But can we afford to let "us" be past over. No. We have learnt that the hard way and I'll be damned if we do that again.

"A good marriage is one which allows for change and growth in the individuals and the way they express their love." ~Pearl S. Buck

We have a lot of change happening in our lives right now, and before a disconnect it's time for a re-connect.
So...the question is, where to, when and for how long?

Dreaming...

We'll see what our reality brings ;-)

"I love being married.  It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life."  ~Rita Rudner

Sunny Saturday...

I am looking forward to spending the gorgeous day with the kids. Ryan is at a course all weekend and so today I am hanging with the kids as tomorrow, work calls!
We have a birthday party to go to in a couple of hours! The little boy is Kai's age, and he lives 2 houses over...I hope the kids will run for a couple hours, eat too much food, and then come home and pass out for a couple more hours.
When do birthday party times change? The party today is from 11-1:00. This is a great time because it coincides with most young ones nap schedules. Kai's party will be 2-4:00 as it is once they wake up normally. So when do our birthdays change from a day function to a night time one? Or maybe they just get longer? Starting with lunch and carrying through till late night!? Maybe so for adults; for kids...maybe they turn into a dinner/movie thing when the kids no longer nap...or when they start going to school, making friends and having no time for daytime play!?
Anyways, it should be fun!

I haven't been writing as much as I would like to lately. It has been a crazy few weeks. Work and health have overtaken most forms of play as of late...trying to get back to some more play and feeling great.
Working on it!
Starting today...

Happy Saturday!

I am pretty sure I have used this quote before, but I love it.
~ Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans ~ John Lennon

 

Slow Day...

Today has been a slow day. Not feeling the greatest, so the kids and I have been playing indoors!
We started with some Easter Crafts.

Then I finally worked on a craft I have been wanting to do forever! I made vases out of empty glass jars. Fill the jar with a latex or oil based paint coat the inside, and empty any left over. Let dry, and voila! Beautiful homemade vases. Excellent as a gift for someone filled with flowers!
I am filling ours with flowers as Easter gifts.

And lastly, I made some amazingly delicious and oh so healthy trail mix bars.

They are so good...even the kids enjoyed them!
2 cups oats, 1/2 chopped peanuts. Toast these two together.
Mash 3 bananas then add 1cup natural peanut butter and melt (microwave or stove-top)
Let both slightly cool, then combine together. I then added about 1/4 cup of Milled Flax Seed.
Stir all together.
If you want to sweeten them slightly you can add honey or as I did, some chocolate chips. A little goes a long way.
Mix all together. Spread out in a baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper.
Bake 350 for approx 30 minutes. until golden brown and edges crunchy.
Cool and Enjoy!
I highly recommend these as they are quick and easy to make, and a healthy snack or breakfast meal even...if you added the sweetener, then maybe after lunch snack :-)

Now, nap time for the kids and spin time for me :-)
Happy Thursday!

Car Seats...

To the parents out there...
Can you believe all of the talk on new car seat recommendations and future 2012 law changes!?
I think our kids are now going to be in some form of a car seat/booster seat until they graduate from high school!
Don't get me wrong, I am all about taking the proper safety measures to ensure my kids are safe while traveling; but the size of the seats...and the possibility of having a rear facing seat until the age of 2, drastically effect the vehicle you are able to drive if you are in the market for more then 1 car seat. Car seats, kids, luggage, dog and two-adults...our car is chalk-a-block when heading on a weekend trip already.
I am interested to see how the regulations progress and what will come of 2012.

Here is a blog on the US Car seat Regulations.

The Obvious Reason for correct restraints:

What Car Seat (s) do you use?
We have Britax and a Peg Prego Carrier when the kids were babies.

Fun Friday...

Couldn't be happier that it is Friday today! TGIF! And to top it off I have a great Date Night with my husband to look forward to! Dinner, Hockey Game and then a friends birthday. Gonna be a fun night! Very much deserved after this week; including two days of migraines. Count your blessings if you don't get them. I don't often but when they happen they are terrible...they take my vision and I get blurry-eyed. YAY TO FRIDAY!

Had a busywork day today and now hanging with the kids...have Oreo Cookie smeared across my beige SILK TANK...awesome. Guess I should have changed after work before playtime. Lesson learnt...but i am sure it will be repeated. :-)

Have a great Friday everyone!

 

X-Rays Are In...

Finally got the call today from Si's Pediatricians office. The X-Rays are in...and all are COMPLETELY NORMAL! Thank goodness. The blood tests are all fine aside from 1 that they had to send to Children's for more information as its apparently not a standard test, but things are looking positive!

So now, we just have to visit the pediatrician every 3 months as she grows to watch her progress and ensure her little legs are growing up and not out.
I could swear she is looking better already! Today I had lunch with my dad and we were both saying how she actually was looking better to us...and taller!; Ironically, this was before the phone call from the Doc. Funny how things go.

"A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous...full of beauty and forever beautiful...loving and caring and truly amazing." ~Deanna Beisser

A Little Bit of Crazy!...

I had a bunch of things to get done today and was therefore away from the house and kids for the better part of the morning...home just as they woke from their naps! So how is it, with being gone all that time, I can so quickly be driven insane by these two some days!
Si wont stop climbing on the dining room table;

 Kai just crunched up his snack of cheese and crackers and threw it all over the floor;

 and now they are both attempting to climb up on me as I try to hide on my stool in the kitchen...clearly not working!

Is it really only Tuesday!? I guess them having colds and mom being exhausted doesn't help my situation.
A little over two hours and its their bedtime...almost there!

"Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell the name will carry."
Short funny quotes by, Bill Cosby

Sick Kids...

Slow day at home today...two sick kids are running around the house. Not too many laughs from them today; mainly whines, cries and fights. VERY CRANKY.
Sick kids = long day for mom.
I hope they kick these colds soon. Poor kids can barely breath they are so stuffed up! The one nice thing about them being sick...they love to cuddle. They will sit for a few minutes at a time and just cuddle with me, or even, with each other.

Hard Day...

(written Sunday March 13, 2011)

After yesterdays ultrasound I am really trying to stay positive. With the whole pregnancy feeling so surreal, and then having an ultrasound like yesterday, it is hard to stay positive all the time.
I keep telling myself that if there wasn't a being inside of me trying to stay there and inhabit for the next 8 months, then I wouldn't be feeling so tired, bloated and retaining all of this water, right!?

I think these next few weeks are going to be long ones! I cant wait till the 31st when we get to have our follow up ultrasound.

23 Hours...

Happy Sunday! Did you remember to turn your clocks forward! Yep, we lost an hour today...and I am feeling it.
Somehow, Ryan got to sleep in yesterday while I got up with the kids....and today was my day. Right, nice work babe! I think he planned that one to a T! He was out today with a friend for a run at 9...which meant I needed to be up to 8:30...which without the time change was actually 7:30. Nice one! I got the short end of the sleep in stick this weekend.
The past two nights Kai has woken in the middle of the night to 1) a bad dream and 2) a really bad cold...so for the past two nights he has slept in our bed. Last night, Ryan couldn't take it so he ended up sleeping in Kai's room (he has a single bed, not a crib or toddler!). Somehow, whenever Kai is in our bed, he aims his legs straight for Ryan, and kicks all night...and we even have a king! Another factor in both of our lack of sleep last night!
So now, as he is out for a nice Sunday morning run, I am at home having just having finished cleaning up a floor full of urine cause our almost three year-old didn't aim. Awesome. Did I say Happy Sunday! ;-)

Hope Kai stays bad-dream-free and in his own bed tonight!
I wonder what he dreams about that he wakes in such a crying state?

Spring Cleaning...

Another "thing to do" on my list (you do not want to see my list; it seems to expand rapidly and never shrink). We have lots of things to clear out and I was thinking of having a "garage sale/friend swap." Who's in!? It's time to lighten the load in closet space and clear out the odds and ends sitting in our crawl-space.
We have kids/baby clothes, toys, men and women clothes, books, carpets...i don't even know what else! Another great reason to give it to a good home! (If we don't even know we have it, why do we have it!?).

Over the next little while I am going to organize...was thinking for a weekend (Saturday) in April.
If anyone is interested in bringing stuff and/or coming to check stuff out, let me know and I will see if I can organize a bigger "swap meet" for us all!

Happy Spring Cleaning...
For the Martha Stewart in you...here is her Spring Cleaning Checklist. Clearly, she has WAY to much time on her hands! Like any of that is likely in my house...my suggestions #1-800-house-cleaners! ;-)

Don't forget to Spring Forward TONIGHT!

It's times like these...

...that really make me look at all that I have in life and not take ANY of it for granted. An amazingly supportive and loving husband, beautiful children, loving and caring family and friends.
I am very fortunate.

My heart goes out to Japan and all of those effected by the devastation around the world.

Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami- Canadian Red Cross

Laundry...

How many of you feel like your life is filled with too much laundry!
I seriously do at least 2 loads of laundry a day...it is so exhausting I tell ya! Well, it's not the doing of the laundry that is exhausting... it's the folding of it all!
I HATE folding laundry... mainly because I let it pile up during the day (or two...or three) and then have a huge ass pile to tackle all at once. I try and do it during the day, but my two "little helpers" enjoy throwing all the folded laundry piles around the room.
And so...there it lies!

My project for tomorrow.
Cause it's clearly not his tonight!

And so, in honor of no fold laundry night... A GIVEAWAY!!
This caters to both boy and girl:

Boys Size 4T Alpha Industries Shirt.

This is Kai's...I have a brand new one ;-)

Miss Sixty Blue Denim Skirt Size 6T

I don't have the exact image for this right now. 

The skirt is Blue, no front bow, and an adorable

star on the back pocket.

You wont be disappointed!!

To Enter:
- If you haven't already...follow me or "like" on facebook
- Tell me if my laundry issues compare to yours (good, bad or terrible!)
- If you refer people to "While They are Sleeping" you will receive extra "votes"

Good luck!
Winner announced tomorrow, Friday, night!

A little Nudity...

So, toddlers obviously have a fascination with running around naked. Really, as long as its around our house, I can get over that...no big deal. But I have a few developing issues that I need to nip in the butt (no pun intended).

For starters, Kai. If he does not have pants on, he enjoys sitting on the couch "playing." Awesome...are you serious! You are not even 3! My daily task is to ensure pants are on!
Si, well, you have all heard my problem with her... if she is not in her onesie, when the inevitable daily poop comes, she enjoys painting (with the poop!). It got so nasty that last week, while I was out working, Ryan texted me saying "call me." The minute he entered her room to get her from her nap, he was hit by a horrendous smell... and a baby standing in her crib, covered HEAD TO TOE (yep, even the face) in s*#t. All I could say was that I was happy to be at work! In hindsight... eventually it could have made for a pretty hilarious photo... maybe for one of those wedding day slide shows. Next time!

And then there is the problem of nudity together and opposite gender fascination. Well more so, female fascination. When Kai is nude, Si tries to run after him and "grab." Yes. That thing that hangs down from his body is such a foreign object that curiosity gets the best of her... I guess all is healthy in the wondering.

Gotta love the ages and stages!

CARS....

Wow. Buying a new car is stressful! I have never really had to think about cars so much before...my head hurts! I LOVE my current SUV... but with the opportunity at the moment to get a new vehicle while mine still has some value, has now made us question SUV's altogether.
We have run out of room in our truck when we travel. The kids in their massive car seats; Jake (the dog) either at their feet or between the car seats; the trunk packed full with luggage and stroller...it really is a site!
Our initial thought was, same car... roof rack. But eventually that rack would be one daily, carting a whole lot of crap. And so, our search began!
It's either new cars or less of a car seat... and with our car seat laws, that is not an option!

So, I am stuck between an SUV that has 3 rows of seating when it's needed and some descent trunk space (LR4) or the Escalade (room, trunk room)... and it drives like a TRUCK.

Moms want to weigh in here for me!? Or if you have a friend that drives either/or... thoughts, PLEASE!

Thank you in advance.
My brain hurts. Time to relax :-)

"Mommy, Wow! I'm a Big Boy Now"...

We got in!!
After 6 school interviews at different prospect preschools...we got Kai into our first choice!
We are over-the-moon! It is an AMAZING school with lots of growth opportunity for both kids, it is close to home, they offer french immersion if we choose (when he's a bit older), and it has the most perfect school schedule!
Most preschools seem to have a pretty standard time frame. 2-3 days a week for around 2-2.5 hours a day. Not much to get much of anything accomplished if you ask me; let alone help the kids that aren't used to "school" get used to going and past the separation anxiety.
The preschool we chose noticed the higher demand for more days and longer hours, and starting in September (the same time Kai will start), they start a 4 day a week program 4 HOURS A DAY! A mothers dream schedule (well at least mine!).

If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers.  ~Edgar W. Howe

So excited for our little man. Can't believe he will be in preschool in September...wow!
He really is growing fast.

Giveaway for the Girl!

This Giveaway comes in time for Spring/Summer.

It is for the Princess of the House.

I don't have a picture of the color I have. I have an overall Blue Color, with Pink Tie-dye highlights. Same as below, different color. 

Size 4T.

It is from "Little Gypsy."

http://www.gypsy05.com/shop/p_1074_Toddler-Girl-Sets-Clarie-Babydoll-Tank-and-Pants.aspx

How to win today's Giveaway:

- If you haven't already, become a follower on the website or "like" our page on Facebook. (follow the  link).
- Get a friend or friends to like the page or become a follower as well... the person who helps me add the most "likes"/ followers, wins today's Giveaway! Post who referred you, or who you referred, and the name that appears the most will win!
-Closes tonight, Monday March 07, 2011.

More Giveaways this week!! So the more likes the more winners :-)
Thanks everyone!!

Happy Monday!

Friggin...

Friggin...apparently this is a new found, and favorite, word Kai has added to his vocabulary.
"Where is my friggin truck," "what is that friggin thing doing"... And so on and so on. The thing is, I try my hardest to not let the full-on f-bomb drop around him; But on occasion it does: And on the same occasion, he repeats. But friggin, this is definitely a word that is not in either my nor my husband vocabulary. I know he is around some other people on a weekly basis and so I am sure it was learnt somewhere! It is amazing how fast kids pick things up. They are basically watching and listening and downloading EVERYTHING, and once they process, they find certain words to spit out; and at this age, it seems the things they say are hilarious, rude or a combination of both. At least he keeps us laughing...and on our toes!

Hope your Sunday was friggin awesome!

Someone is almost 3!!

It is hard to believe our little man is going to be 3 in just over a month!! Where does the time go? Life just flies by so fast, I am constantly reminding myself to slow down and enjoy what is right in front of me.

I am trying to figure out what to do for his birthday party this year. Lat night at dinner, he actually asked Ryan and I for a Shark Cake...note taken! So what are we doing, and Under the Sea party...and animal party...not quite sure yet...all I know is that there will be a Shark Cake!

For Kai's 1st Birthday, we were still living in our apartment and had a party in the Party Room. We had a Curious George party as he is our little monkey.

For Kai's 2nd Birthday, we were living with my in-laws between waiting for out new place to be built. We had a Trucks, Diggers, Cars and Trains theme... basically anything with wheels! We had bouncy castles and all...he had a blast!

 

And this year!? For Kai's 3rd Birthday, we are in our new home!! We are going to have something here...just trying to work out the details.
I love planning parties and organizing events. I have a lot of fun doing it and it makes it so much fun to see the people you love having a great time!

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."
Michael Althsuler

Take time to slow down and enjoy the minutes, the seconds. Don't ever wish for tomorrow to come faster then it already does.

To my two year old, I love you with all my heart. The terrible two's are actually a real phenomenon; but overall, you wore them well.

Giveaway...

So, as I promised, my first giveaway!
This one is definitely aimed at the little man of the house, however, I do have the pants and intend to put Si in them when they fit her!
The pants are from a line called Alpha Industries... they are light weight and truly ADORABLE.  Kai lived in his last summer.

Pants are a size 3T

And to TOP it off ;-)

A vintage Harley Davidson tee from Trunk Ltd. Size 2

To enter:
- you must like "While They Are Sleeping" on Facebook and/or become a follower of the page

Pretty Simple! Winner will be selected tonight (March 4, 2011) by random draw...

And for those of you wondering where these fine duds come from... no, they are not hand-me-downs from my kids closets... they are from a kid's Clothing Boutique I previously was involved in that recently closed. I have a bit of inventory to move and would love to give some away opposed to selling it... free clothes!