Flu Shot...

Do you and/or your family get the Flu Shot?

Like so many vaccinations out there, there is a large controversy over this Shot as well.
My husband sent me an email he received today on the flu shot with compelling information on why NOT to get the shot. There are two interesting videos at the bottom as well; the first is rather humorous.

I know that the one time I got the shot, I got the flu. I know that I occasionally get the flu anyways. I also know that with kids in the house...the flu seems to be probable occurrence at some point!

Make your own decisions; but our family passes on this one.

Click Here to read article and view videos.

What's in a number...

I read this interesting article this morning. It is debating whether one child is the "right" way to go, or if 2+ is a better option. It is a short and simple summary of a few books that debate their sides on the matter; but no matter what side you are on, an interesting take on both.
For us, one child was never a thought. We knew we always wanted at least two...and now with our third on the way, we feel even more blessed.
I don't think you can ever completely decide on the number of children you are going to have, until you have one. Kids are amazing in so many ways. They offer you so much. They teach you to love like you never knew possible. They teach you, plain and simple. They surprise you. They love you. They test you. They exhaust you. Every child brings love and joy into this world: into your life. And every child is different.
As for the numbers game, doing what is best for you and your family is all that matters. Don't let judgement from others affect your desires. People can be so critical. Live your own life.

Here is the article:
The Case for Having Only One Child

Bedtime for Two...

I think I mentioned the other day how Si is finding pleasure in falling asleep in Kai's bed. Or rather, not always falling asleep; sometimes playing, talking, laughing, giggling, fighting, biting...not always "sleeping." Well, last night, two exhausted kids wanted to sleep in Kai's bed together; And that's what they did. They slept.
I had to capture this peaceful moment on camera. They were way too adorable, loving...and quiet!

Here comes the bloat...

written March 10, 2011

Isn't this just the best part of pregnancy... the part where you know your pregnant, maybe a few family member and friends...but to the rest of the world, your clothes just look a little tight.  It is amazing how fast the female body changes during pregnancy. Instantly your system is exhausted, your breath gets taken away when you walk up a flight of stairs... and the pants...they just feel so damn uncomfortable!

So far, the mornings through mid day are my best hours. Sometimes I forget I am pregnant... it all just seems so surreal. But come 4:00 on, I start to feel like I am dragging my butt and the heartburn kicks in as well. Of all the symptoms possible, I am not complaining...I just hope they stay this "easy."

I had a hard pregnancy with Kai. I was ALWAYS tired; I even napped, which I never do! I was SO sick for the first 5 months with the occasional bought through till the end. I remember one trip to Seattle with my mom; she was treating me to a shopping spree of new maternity clothes. We had a great day together, until the car ride home; I was so nauseous and puked in a Ziploc bag...you will never look at Ziploc the same!

I was fortunate with Si, in the beginning. I did not have the luxury of naps while pregnant with her as Kai was around and still so young. When he slept, I got things organized. We were also in the midst of selling our condo and moving. Not the most optimal timing!  But unlike my first pregnancy, Si was harder towards the end. I had quite a lot of pre-labour cramping...she just wanted out! And by about 8 months...i was ready for her to be out too! She made her entry into the world 3 days early.

And so, number three. How are you going to treat me?
I am excited for the next 8 months (or 7.5 if you want to be nice ;-) ).

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

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!

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.

Photography!

A passion, a love, a hobby...an expensive hobby my parents would tell me =) Photography was a love that I ventured through school for to follow as a career. Becoming a Professional Photographer, I have photographed people, places, babies, families and events (weddings, parties). Somewhere along the way I ended up on another path...Real Estate. And now, I have two passionate career fields, and why not use them both if I love them both!

I would be honored to capture some of your moments! And my dates are booking fast for Christmas, yay! So book soon =)

Christmas Promotion: