Remember back in July, when I was 8 months pregnant, suffering from low blood sugar, and a throat infection? And I got a speeding ticket? 70 in a 50, Community Safety Zone no less :( $198, and 3 points. OUCH!

I went to court for it yesterday. I got a thing in the mail a month ago offering an Early Resolution, and told me that if I wanted to take this option, to attend to Courtroom 1 on February 21st, at 2:15pm.

Yeah! I was totally all over that! So, I worked yesterday, then went and picked up Mason from daycare.(Jenn suggested taking him with me...thanks Jenn!!) ad off we went. To the courthouse.

Little did I know however, Barrie has TWO courthouses. A Criminal Court, and a Provincial Court. Which one did I choose to go to you ask?? Yep, the Criminal court. WHAT?! I didn't KNOW!! I waited outside Courtroom 1 for awhile. Since I was Super punctual, and got there at 2:00. I waited and waited. Someone unlocked the door...then a few people trickled in...but I was the only one in the hall waiting still. Finally at 2:20, I decided that maybe I was supposed to just go in. So, that's what I did. I wheeled Mason in, and took a seat, just as court was called to order. And thought to myself, "Phew! Glad I came in when I did, or I would have been late, and how embarrasing would THAT have been!!" HAHAHAHA!! I notice a woman look at me, then over at the police officer on duty, who shot her back a look that said "I don't know who the hell she is" And I got scared. The woman came over to me, and asked if she could help me. I handed her my blue paper that had the address on it, the date on it, Courtroom 1 on it, and the time on it. She smiled sweetly and said to me "Dear, you're in the wrong place." Dumb me said "But it says courtroom 1 right there" She replied "Yes, but this is 114 Mulcaster Street. And it says here on your paper that you need to be at 56 Mulcaster Street" OH...MY...GOODNESS!!! I about died right there in the middle of court. She took me out into the hallway then. She was SO super nice about it all, thank goodness, because visions of handcuffs and contempt of court charges were swimming in front of my eyes!! I couldn't stop appologizing!! But, she explained that it happens, and that she really didn't think I was a witness to a criminal trial!! ACK! No, I certainly was not. And then she wrote me an excuse note, and a map. That's right. 26 years old, mother of three, speed demon...and I needed an excuse note to get INTO court. Unbelievable.

So, I bundle Mason up Again, and take off(By this time I am pushing 2:30...for my 2:15 court time!) I race as fast as retarded 3 inch heeled pointy toed un-insulated boots will take me(read, not very fast, and not at all graceful). Away we went. Down the very steep driveway. Down the not quite as steep but very snow covered sidewalk, to the right courthouse.

I bet I looked totally HOT when I got in there! LOL

God must have really been watching over me(totally giggling and shaking His head...but watching none the less) as I wasn't late...well, I WAS, but the JP was still hearing people from the 1:00 slot! PHEW!!!!!!!!

So, I got to talk to the Lawyer, who didn't care what my excuse was. But she was lovely, and knocked my charge down to 65 in a 50, with ZERO points! Phew! I have to pay $90, plus a victim fine surcharge of $25. I'm very grateful for that.

And I have been much more aware of my speed since that day.

And I will double check the addresses of my destinations from now on :)

**ETA...I forgot to say, because I brought Mason, I got to go (and leave) first!! Woo!!

~Lisa~

Good Afternoon!

Mason had his 6 month check up this morning. He's 20lbs 0.5oz, and 28 inches long! He grew an Inch in a month!!! Weight is slowing down finally. Nothing much to report for him. other than the fact that he Smiled through his needle!! Silly boy.

Jenna had a follow-up to check her throat. Dr. said it still looks a touch red, and asked if she's coughing a lot still(which she is). If she's not better by next week I'm supposed to take her back in.

Dr. Wk pretty much ignored me when I said that I thought Aidan had had fifth disease(slapped cheek it's also called). I guess it's nothing much to worry about. He also pretty much ignored me when I told him that I have the flu. (Fever, body aches, headache)

And then, to top it all off, Aidan had the most embarrasing meltdown in the waiting room when I was trying to get him to put his coat on. Like, I had to drag him out, while he was screaming at the top of his lungs. Why do kids have to test you when you're down? I mean really. Had I been feeling any better at all I think it would have gone just fine. Unfortunately...it did not. I have never been so embarrased :(

So, that's the update here. Hope all is going well for you today.

~Lisa~

Small Success :)

We've decided that it's about time Aidan get started with toilet training. He wore underwear from the time he got up from his nap yesterday, until bedtime. AND STAYED DRY!!! AND! He had one success on the toilet! WOOHOO! He was so pissed off when I put his diaper on for bedtime. LOL

He's really resistant to sitting on the toilet though :( I think we need to get a different seat to go on the toilet for him. The one we have snaps onto a potty, and it's a tad small for his chubby legs :)

Jenna had a small success yesterday too! I got out my alphabet flash cards from work and quized her on what her letters and letter sounds are. I gave her one mini coloured marshmallow(the treat of choice around here :)) for every right answer. Nothing like finding the right reinforment :) She thought it was fun, and we were happy with the results :)

Mason's small success was his superb rolling skills. I put him in the middle of the living room, and about 3.2 seconds later, he's across the room. At the moment Al is giving him his cereal...is he spitting you ask?? No, no he is not. Little Bum!!

So, yesterday was a pretty good day all in all :)

~Lisa~

His spitting skillz...

They Are MAD!!

I thought you would be happy to know that Mason has MASTERED the art of blowing raspberries. The teacher?? His FATHER.

Al was blowing raspberries on Mason's neck/face last night, and the next thing we knew, Mason was blowing them back at Al!! And then of course, he decided that Breakfast time this morning would be the Perfect time to perfect this newfound skill of his.

I've attached photographic evidence...you'll be so proud :) I'd like to point out a few things.

1.) The spot of cereal on the top of his HEAD!! The boy's spitting skillz...they are mad.

2.) The mischievious gleam in his eye. I'm pretty sure that if we could read his mind, he'd be evil-laughing.

3.) The Bib Formerly Known As Clean.

4.) The mess on his chin? From ONE spoonful of Nestle Oat cereal.

Let the games begin.

~Lisa~

Got a call from the school today.

Just as I was leaving Henry's my cell phone rang. It was Jenna's school saying she was sick and wanted to go home. I was expecting it. When she woke up this morning she was sounding pretty rough, and still coughing. I tried to get her to stay home, but she realllllly wanted to go...so I figured I would let her try. So, I race to the school as fast as I dared. Get there, and the secretary says that she's gone back to class, and that the teacher would like to speak to me. Uh-oh. Hear that??? It's alarm bells. In my head.

I get to the classroom, and spy Jenna. Playing. Running. Obviously not half dead from fever and illness as I had convinced myslef while driveing far too fast to get her.

I walk over to the teacher, who says to me "Jenna has had a really rough morning. But I'll let you talk to her first" hmm...okay, Jenna says she has a tummy ache(Her answer for everything lately). I felt her head, she was a bit warm, but certainly did Not seem like she was too sick to be at school. I tur back to the teacher, who tells me that this HOOLIGAN of mine, has pushed a boy down, into a bench, for "being in her space". AND has buried the mitten of a schoolmate in the snow(I later learned from said schoolmate, that Jenna was Not the only culprit. That badass 5 year old Kattie played a part in it too. lol). Oh My GOODNESS!! Where did this demon child come from!?!? I told her in no uncertain terms that she was NOT too sick to come home, and that I was extrememely disappointed in her. And then she was made to appologize to the people she had wronged.

Her teacher was really nice about it. Understood that it was probably because she's not feeling well, and was up a couple times in the night, so was way over-tired. I should have kept her home. Hindsight.

I also had a chance to talk to her about the phonics. She's going to be sending home a flipbook of all the letters, and something or other. Which kinda makes me think that Jenna is probably not the only child struggling with this. I learn a new word by sight reading, rarely by sounding it out phonetically...I have a feeling Jenna is the same. She WANTS to read. She loves writing letters. She plays with our Leap Pad fridge phonics thing as much as Aidan. So, I think my initial concern was maybe a tad, little wee bit, over the top. She's just learning a different way. and that is fine.

Also, big news, I got the phone numbers for TWO friends today!! Yay us!! AND (only becase of peer pressure from the MOMS) Jenna spent an hour after school at a friends house this afternoon :) Go Jenna :)

~Lisa~

Blaaaaaahhhhhhhhh......

We're sick...still. Colds for the kids and I. And STILL with the pink eye!! I just can't beat it!! All the kids have it again. I think Jenna and I may have throat infections as well. I'm debating the pros and cons of going to the clinic with three kids in tow, against staying home and listening to the whining....tough one.

Mason had his first day at the babysitter's yesterday :( It went well enough. And by that, I really mean it went great. He was a model baby for Laura...except for the three poops which necessitated entire outfit changes. (Hehehe...that's my boy!!) Every time Jenny's phone rang I had a huge lump in my throat...thinking that for sure something horrendous had happened with the baby! But, no, it went fine. He wanted to nurse all freakin' afternoon though!! Which was fine really, I was pretty full up by the time 1:00 came around!

Jenny and I had a good meeting yesterday about Henry's progress. She asked me (ME!) to write some of the new programs we'd like to implement for him. I've already done Expressive Letter and Number Sequencing. Next is receptive. Also an opposites program, and some fine motor work :) I'm so excited that she asked me :) Usually my friend Karen does the program writing. But, when you compare $35/hour to my $15??? Yeah, I'd ask me to do the basic stuff too :) And she's totally going to pay me! I mean...I had hoped she would offer when I took the two programs that I wrote in to her for approval, but never would have asked, since they were my first :)

Charlie is doing well (well, better than he was anyway) He's home now. He sounds Really tired, but that could have been from the 18 hour trip home!! He had to take the bus, since he was well enough...but with the storms we've been getting, it took the driver a reallllly long time to get to Cochrane. He's supposed to go to Sudbury for an assessment at the end of this month, so I hope they have some answers for him. He's been put on Heart meds again. Which he says is a really good thing...so hopefully that means they are making him feel better.

Al is getting a new car!! WOOHOO!! But, that means he's trying to sell his old one :( Anyone interested in a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier in really good condition?? $3800 and she's yours!! It's dark purple, 4 doors....really pretty :)

***ETA - I braved the clinic. Jenna has tonsilitis!! Poor kid :( I just have a virus, not a throat infection as I thought. Oh well. Fine by me!

I haven't been doing a good enough job...

With my daughter.

I saw her teacher yesterday, and was compelled to ask her how Jenna has been doing. She made a face, like a scrunchy "I wish you hadn't asked me that because it is not good news" kinda face :(

She did some assessments on the kids yesterday. Apparently Jenna is not up to par on her letter sounds. Not how the teacher would like her to be. She asked me to work on it at home more.

We have been! Really!! Just not in the right way. I had been asking her things like "What Letter does Mom start with?" She'd reply "I don't know" and I would say "Sound it out..MMMMMooooommmm" And she would get it right away! I though she was doing pretty good.

Nope. Apparently not.

She's supposed to be able to look at a letter and know it's sound. And also be asked outright, What sound does M make.(Which she did better on than looking at the letter, whop-dee-do)

I know my daughter really well(I like to think anyway. HA!). And I bet she was faking it on half of the questions her teacher asked. She does it for attention. I know that. Her teacher tried to reassure me by saying that it could have just been the mood Jenna was in, or the time of day, or her little cold throwing her off.

But still. No good parent likes to hear the words "She's not doing so well." To me, it roughly translates into "You're failing her at home".

And it annoys me that I had to ASK the teacher about her progress. I see the woman every day. I'd like to know that she's going to tell me when my kid is falling behind her peers.

*sigh*

I need to figure out how to work this into our day. How to make NOT like work. How to get her to excell.

This is what I DO for a living. I teach. I explain. I re-teach. I mould. I reward.

I'm just afraid that if I bring out my flashcards, it's going to put her on the defense, and she won't do it for me.

Which is C~R~A~Z~Y. I am her MOTHER. I need to do this. And I need to do it Well.

Wish me luck.

~Lisa~

Thoughts and Prayers for Papa Charlie.

Al's Step father Charlie is in the Hospital. In Thunder Bay. Which is 9 hours from his home :(

He suffered a very severe Angina attack on Tuesday. He was driving his transport at the time, but managed to get pulled over and into a coffee shop where he collapsed and had to be resuscitated. They managed to get him to a hospital(An hour away) and from there air-lifted him to the hospital in Thunder Bay.

They are doing an Angiogram on his heart this morning, and some other tests. Once the results are back from those, and he's well enough, they'll be sending him by air ambulance back to the Timmins hospital.

He's had heart attacks before, and has already undergone bypass surgery. There's nothing else they can do for his heart.

It's all up to him now. He has to stop smoking, and improve his diet greatly. And no more long haul driving. They figure the attack was brought on by stress and exhaustion. He'd been on the road almost non-stop for 2 weeks when it happened. Do you know what the lady at his office told my MIL when she called to tell them what happened, and where he was? "Oh, that's no problem, we have another driver going through there in a day or so, he can bring Charlie back." Like the man is going to want to sit in a truck for another day!! Some people...dumb dumb dumb.

So, if you can spare a thought or Prayer for our Charlie, we'd all appreciate it. He's all alone in Thunder Bay, and gets Depressed pretty easily. Also, maybe a prayer/thought for my MIL, Dale? She's having a rough time being so far away from him.

Thanks Everyone.

~Lisa~

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Mason is FINALLY...

ROLLING OVER!!! He did it awhile ago, but I guess it was a total fluke, because he hasn't done it since!

Until a couple days ago. I thought Jenna had rolled him onto his tummy, as she does every day when SHE decides it's tummy time. But she was pretty adamant that NO is was NOT her. And then he did it again, when she was at school, so there was no way she could have been the culprit :)

And now he won't stop doing it!! Put him on the floor and he's right over, and then 2 seconds later is screaming to be rolled back! While I am THRILLED he has reached this milestone...I am not so thrilled with having to roll him over eleventy zillion times a day.

I caught him on video yesterday. I love the look on his face at the end...like WHOA! Did you See what I just did?! LOL Hopefully it works :)


~Lisa~

***Okay, So I can't figure it out! but my beautiful friend Jes posted it above for me!! Love to her!!!

Some of my favourite childhood memories.

1. Walking to the grocery store with my mom. I remember her pushing my brother in his carriage. There was a very long hill, and she would let me run to the bottom and wait for her to catch up. I felt so grown up...I was 3.

2. Camping with my family. I remember once when my brother was about 2...and just toilet trained. We were walking along a trail, and a huge wave came across and knocked him down before he could run across the puddle. He cried and cried and cried. When my parents finally calmed him down and told him it was just wanter, no big deal, he would dry...he cried out in the most pitiful saddest voice "I peed my pants!!!" We laugh and laugh at that still to this day.

3. Toboganning with my cousin Susan. My Aunt and Uncle live on a farm, and my cousin would take Brian and I to this HUGE hill up the road. It always felt like we were flying.

4. Road trips to camping. My mom would make up scavenger hunt lists of things for us to find. There was always a pink house, a red church, a black goat and a green water tower. Whenever I see any of those things I am always taken right back to my childhood.

5. Riding around the block on our bikes. And we lived in the country. That was a hella long bike ride. But it was fun. We would discover so much about each other.

6. Playing in the gravel pit with my friends. We would run and jump off the top and slide down these 50-100 foot hills. Crazy!!! but so much fun.

7. Playing basebell with My George. He was always SO encouraging...even though I am lousy at baseball.

8. my 12th birthday. My mom let us decorate my cake, and we ended up having an icing fight. It was hilarious. And way too sweet!! I'm not sure we had any cake after eating that much icing.

9. Fishing at my Dad's pond. It was just so relaxing. Even though, after 14 years of trying...I still haven't caught a fish!!

10. Skinny dipping in my dad's pond. With a few friends :) And someone mistaking my best friend's white underwear for her boyfriends bum :) She was mortified.

You know...I have been to Disneyworld, Epcot, Universal Studios. The CN Tower, Niagra Falls, Marine World and Canada's Wonderland. But it's the things done at the spur of the moment, with friends and family that really stand out for me.

~Lisa~

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth.

I have never been a good person for making important decisions. Especially when all the options SUCK. So, I tend to freak out a little...or, sometimes, a lot.

I have come to an agreement with Henry's Mom and Al. I will NOT quit my job. I WILL be giving up 4 hours every other Saturday for awhile.

Am I happy about it? Not really. Do I have any other choice? Not so much.

It just seems to be one of those weeks(months) when everything is against me. Mason has outgrown his infant car seat. Where is my convertible one? In my neighbours car. And where is my neighbour every time I need to take Mason somewhere? I DON'T KNOW. I have asked her many times now to bring it back. And she just called again, to say that she forgot to get hers out of her husbands truck, AGAIN...doesn't matter that I was PROMISED I would have it back by the end of the day. YESTERDAY! I can't wait to see the condition it comes back in. Ugh.

Al got his Vastectomy done on Friday. And we both moped all weekend about the children we won't have. Which is totally retarded, since we know that more children would be crazy, and expensive, and more that we can handle. Al's doing well. Still has some discomfort from the two stitches they had to put in (I guess he's a bleeder)...but other than that isn't complaining at all.

My panic attacks aren't as bad. Only had two since getting the prescription. I still need a vacation...but then, don't we all :)

I had a bad moment with a Freecycler yesterday. GRRR. I emailed to ask if her lot of Barbie clothes were still available. She said "Yes, they are. My address is Blah de Blah at the corner of Blah and Blah. There's a brown fence around the back." Which I took to mean, the items are yours, come get them. So I emailed to say I would be there between 3 and 4. No response. HAHAHAHAHA!! Fool. I get there, dodge the puppy poop strewn about on the walkway, and hold my breath while in they super gross, stinky, messy house. Only to be told "oh. I told Wendy she could have them, since she replied first." When I mentioned that she had sent her address, and told me they were still available, she had no reply. UGH!. I will not be dealing with her again. I even took it upon my bitchy self to email the site moderators. MWAHAHAHAHA! I was feeling particularly catty last night...apparently.

Mason, Aidan, Jenna and I all have colds. Which is certainly not helping anything. I need to figure out a way to tell our daycare lady that I am worried about how every time Aidan is there for even one day, he comes home with a runny nose. One of the other boys there has had a runny nose forever. It's Grrrrross. Any ideas?? I am afraid for Mason :(

Jenna had a birthday party at a friend's house yesterday :) It was so nice to get there and hear her Mom gush over how much her daughter talks about Jenna :) I was so worried about my girl being left out, and not making friends...turns out, she's quite the popular 4 year old :) Even a couple of the boys make a point in saying goodbye to her in the afternoon :)

Aidan is in LOVE with Buzz Lightyear!! I can't find any toys ANYWHERE though!!! I did find a birthday card at Wal-Mart yesterday. So I grabbed that. But no toys :( Of course, his obbsession with all things toys story means that every time he sees a dog he says "Stupid Dog". GREAT! not what I need from my 2 year old!!! LOL

So yeah, that's where we've been. I'm still a grumpy guss...but I am blaming lack of sleep and sunlight.

Love and hugs to all.

~Lisa~

So frustrated.

So, I mentioned in my last entry that I need to make a decision about working. Jenny feels that having Mason there is cutting into her day too much (It's 4 hours...but I am going to try not to be snarky about it...)

I talked to my baby sitter. She'll charge me $25 for the two boys for the 5 hours that they will be there. Which, yes, I know!! Hella good deal.

Until you figure in that I only make $15/hour ($60 a day). And drive 30 minutes there and home. So add about $10 for gas and wear and tear on the van.

I haven't worked for a month, between Christmas, Henry and his mom being sick, and their vacation to Florida. READ: OUCH.

I know...in my heart that it's totally not worth me working there and paying for a sitter. I know.

But I have finally found a job that I really and truly love.

And everyone else seems to think I'd be better off in Tim Hortons, serving coffee. Being miserable. (Side note...I applied there while in College and after having Jenna and never heard back...even THEY don't want me)

Oh yes ladies and gentlemen...it is NOT all sunshine and roses over here. Sure is not.

I want to yell and scream, and cry. But that's not going to do me one damn bit of good.

I NEED to make a decision. Stupid decisions...fuck everything up.

It's so stupid. I knew the day would come when Mason couldn't come with me. I just didn't think it through all the way I guess. 3 kids x babysitting = we's PO folk.

Anyway. This isn't helping. Gonna go sleep on it I guess.

~Lisa~

5 days, 5 people, 5 Doctor's appointments!!

Friday: Al had his follow up appointment with our family doctor. Who does Not believe that Al has an Ulcer!! woohoo!! He figures that because of the stress of Al's old job, it caused some gastric irritation(Or something like that...not sure of the real term). Good news :) He has finished his medication, and is feeling fine :) No heartburn, no racing to the bathroom :)

Saturday: Jenna has pink-eye. Off to the clinic for antibiotic eye drops for her.

Monday:Mason and Aidan. Mason had his 5 month well baby checkup and needle. He's getting SO big!! 19lbs 4oz. and 27.5" long!! Which means he has outgrown his infant car seat(WAH!! SOB!!) since ours is only good for up to 20lbs, or 26". I hate this transition when they're so little. he still falls asleep in his car seat, and it makes it so much easier getting him in and out. Shopping is going to be a huge challenge now. Not sure how I am going to work a cart, an infant who is not sitting up well enough for the front of the car, and a 2 year old that may or may not stay by my side in the store! WAH!!!
Aidan had a wart on his nose. But, since it seems to be getting better on it's own we don't need to do anything for it.

Which brings us to today: Me. I am indeed having panic attacks. While not fun, I AM glad to know that I am NOT having heart attacks, or going insane, or going to die. I have a prescription for Ativan. To take at the onset of an attack. I have also been ordered to take 20-30 minutes a day just for ME. Which is going to be weird...and hard. I am not used to being by myself. But it'll be good for me. I think on nice days I'll probably get out for a walk in the evenings. And when it's still too cold for comfort, I'll probably take a bath...or lounge in bed to read or something. Maybe I'll get a Sudoku book. I talked to my friend Karen, who suffers from anxiety. Her and I are going to go out one evening a week to Tim Hortons, or something like that. Just her and I :) I'm looking forward to that. We have been drifting apart lately, being so busy with our babies...it's time to rekindle that important relationship.

So, that's the update at our house. Other than the fact that Henry's mom doesn't want me bringing Mason with me to work anymore. Which is totally breaking my heart. I am so torn. While I knew this day would come, I had really hoped that he would be with me until at LEAST 6 months old. He's only 5 months :( I also am not sure if we can afford for me to be paying for Aidan and Mason to be in day care. And then come summer, all 3. But, I am pretty sure we also can't afford for me NOT to be bringing in some money. Here's to hoping that Stephen Harper (our new Prime Minister) will hold true to his promise of $1200/year/child under 6...and soon.

Blah. Too sad to think about right now :(

~Lisa~

Cinnamon Buns...A photo essay if you will.

So, Al decided this morning that he was craving CinnaBons. Which, in turn, led to ME craving them too! I remembered Crystal(Sorry, I haven't figured out how to link from here yet...any teachers out there?) had posted a recipe on her blog about Better than the Mall Cinnamon Buns. So, I printed it out, got the few ingredients I was missing from the grocery store, dug my breadmaker out from the fiery depths of the garage(GAH! HATE!)...and went to it...here's what turned out...

This is SO not the Weight Watchers version :) That's 1 cup of brown sugar on there ladies!!

All rolled up :)

All Sliced up :) (Ignore my icky looking baking pan...it's clean!!! HONEST!

35 Minutes later...all raised up...ready for the oven.

Straight from the oven. Hot, Cinnamon-y goodness :)

And the cream cheese icing...Oh...My...GOD!!! Heaven...absolute, eat-it-with-a-spoon GOODNESS!

Before...

About 9.2 seconds later.

The verdict??

YUM!! I can't say they are better than the Mall...but they are pretty damn good :)

~Lisa~

I did it...

I asked Al to make me an appointment with our Doctor.

I, very honestly, had considered not making an appointment. I'm shy, and stubborn, and proud(and not the good way proud). I was too embarrassed about my 'episodes' to call for myself. I'm afraid of looking like a failure. And then, yesterday when I was talking to Jes(My wonderful wonderful friend, whom I WILL meet someday!!!) I couldn't even talk about the attacks without having one. So that decided me. I can't go through life with three children being afraid of having an attack any time, anywhere.

I just wish i knew where these are coming from. I don't feel overly stressed...no more than I have been for months...in fact, I thought I was feeling LESS stressed, because Al has a new job, which he LOVES, I have had a break from working, between Henry and his Mom being sick, and their vacation to Florida. So really, what's to panic about!? I just don't know.

My mom offered a lot of ideas about the stress in my life last night. But those stresses are there all the time, and compared to other stressful times in my life, I'm on a frickin' picnic. I kinda got the impression she thinks this is all in my head, and I'm really fine.

but in reality...I am not so fine. I need to get out of the house more. I need a hobby or something.

I am quite confident that I am NOT suffering from postpartum depression. I do not feel sad, or disconnected from friends/family. I have no thoughts of causing injury to myself or anyone else. I am not crying at all, and my eating habits are normal...except for an increased desire for A LOT of chocolate :) This list for PPD goes on, but really, it doesn't fit me. The list of symptoms for Panic Anxiety Disorder does.

So, I will go to see my doctor on tuesday. And I will be brave as can be...and try not to cry LOL.

I really need to say thank you to the people that offered support, and concern. It means so much to me to know that I have people I can call or email. Love to you all.

~Lisa~

EWW!!!

OR!

In the name of all things gross...

I was holding Mason on my lap, snuggling him, and thinking he needs a bath, because he has been particularily barfy today. And I came up with a witty new nickname for him...Barfy McBarff!! HA!! I stood him up, nuzzled his squishy cheeks...

And then??? He barfed IN MY HAIR!!!

GAH!!!!!

And After THAT!? He looked at me with total innocent "I-am-a-baby-and-can-do-NO-wrong" Cuteness. And all was forgiven.

Still? Ew.

~Lisa~

Feeling not quite myself

For the past few days I have been feeling...weird. I can't really pin it down with one word. I think I am having panic attacks. I googled it and the list of symptoms fits me...


racing heartbeat -- Check...this is what happens first
difficulty breathing, feeling as though you 'can't get enough air' -- Check. I can't seem to take a deep breath.
terror that is almost paralyzing -- More like a fear of mot being able to breath, and not know what is going on
dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea -- Check Check Check. Usually as my heart is returning to a normal speed.
trembling, sweating, shaking -- Check. Mostly the trembling/shaking
choking, chest pains -- Check to the chest pain.
hot flashes, or sudden chills -- none of this
tingling in fingers or toes ('pins and needles') -- Checkish...it's more of a cold feeling on my wrists/lower arms.
fear that you're going to go crazy or are about to die -- Check. The fear of dying a little...I always seem to get the thought that I am having some kind of heart attack.

And after all that I am left with a big headache, and a complete lack of desire to do anything. I feel kinda stoned. I wander around. I sit. I gaze. I feel so strange. It lasts about an hour after the 'attack' and then I am left with a feeling of regret for all that I have said, and not done. As my housework is seriously suffering. I FEEL like I have beeing cleaning and tidying, and keeping up, but when I really look around, the very little I have done is barely noticable.

I've been yelling a lot more than normal. I'm short with everyone. I feel very childish...and whiny.

Blah. I was hoping that writing it out would make me feel better...but it hasn't really. Which makes me even sadder.

I guess a call to my doctor is probably in order. I'm not sure how to do that though. I always take such pride in being a Mother of three, and keeping it all together so well. I'm not afraid to take all three out on my own. I can shop, and walk and get all three dressed in the morning, and it's all fine and dandy. Everyone always comments on how I have my hands full, and I always reply that it's really not that bad most days. I've even told people it's EASIER than having two. and it really is...

I just don't want to seem like I can't do this. because I totally can. And I totally AM!

It's just that these attacks are really starting to throw me for a loop...and I don't like it so much.

~Lisa~

I am not a Pyro!! No REALLY!!!

I swear!! I have given up any and all hopes of ever going near my kitchen again. Seriously. We got these really yummy looking bacon wrapped chicken things. So, I figured, it's Al's first day of a new job, I'll be a nice wife and make a great dinner for him.(Not that I don't often try...) SURE! I should have known from the directions that it was a disaster in the making. "Move rack in oven to one above centre. Pre-heat oven to 500*. Lightly coat baking sheet with oil. " HA!!! NEVER AGAIN!!! Smoke. Everywhere. I tried. I switched to rack back to the centre. I changed cookie sheets to an Un-oiled one, I lowered the temperature. All to no avail. I eventually put them in a frying pan...but it was pretty much a lost cause by then. And in the middle of all that, Mason, who had decided to be awake all afternoon, chose 5:30 to want a nap. NOW...so I burned the first batch of pierogies too!!

The kids ate it. Although...not much of the chicken. Can't say I blame them.

Al and I had McDonalds.

My oven is a Continuous Clean model...meaning I never ever have to clean it. Until now. I'm not sure I'm supposed to use oven cleaner on my oven. I'll have to ask my mom.

And i'll definitely be leaving the nicer cooking to my husband. Who is a genius in the kitchen.

I however, still make a Mean Mac 'N Cheese :)

~Lisa~

Warning. This blog may containt some adult references ;)

So, Al is finally feeling better. SO much better!! No more heartburn AT ALL this weekend!! he hasn't gone a day in probably a year without heartburn. He ate things this weekend that he really shouldn't have...just to see if it would give him heartburn...AND IT DIDN"T :) WOOHOO.

So, I spent the weekend just basking in his healthiness...and various other aspects of him...hehehe...hehe..he. he. LOL...yeah, good weekend.

Yeah...I'm not going to go into it any further. But it was all good.

It's also Al's first day at his new job today.

He was so cute last night. Trying on different outfits, cleaning out his car(Which apparently had become a better place to store my plastic ware! LOL), cleaning his lunch cooler...and being nervous.

I am SO anxious to hear how it went. It's such a big job. But he is SO going to ROCK it :)

~Lisa~

Deep breath in...

and let it out in a big sigh of relief.

Al got home around 1 this morning. The results are a little inconclusive, but the doctor thinks it might be an ulcer.

From reading the WebMD thingy about ulcers it seems right. He probaby has the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection. Which he got antibiotics for last night. So, hopefully, with a combination of those and the lack of extreme stress his old job was giving him, he'll be on the mend very soon.

He has to follow up with our family doctor in a week to see what's going on, and if the medication is working.

Thanks for calling this morning Julie :)

I'll update as anything changes:)

~Lisa~

This is Lisa's Brain. This is Lisa's Brain on worry...

Some random things running through my head to pass the time...

1. I wish there was some kind of non-psychotic stalkerish-wife way of checking at the hospital to see where Al is at with the whole ER process.

2. Yes I tried his cell...It's off.

3. Of COURSE it's off. He's at the hospital dumbass!

4. I wish I had walked him to the door. I was putting Mason's jammies on when he left. I wish I had waited. We always walk to the door together to say goodbye. Yeah, we're totally cute like that. Wanna know a secret? I also wait and wave goodbye too :)

5. I hope the ER isn't all crammed with whackjobs just because it's Friday the 13th.

6. We found out we were pregnant with Jenna on a Friday the 13th. I had thought it was more of a good luck day for us until tonight.

7. There's nothing good on TV. Ever.

8. I rode our brand new exercise bike tonight. For over 5 minutes. Burned over 50 calories. Went a couple kilometers to nowhere. Then I got bored with it.

9. I wonder if we'll have a cancellation fee to pay at the dentist tomorrow if Al is too sick to go.

10. I've never(knock on wood) paid a cancellation fee.

11. My new favourite blog is amalah.com. She cracks me up :)

12. But I have never commented. I'm shy like that.

13. I have checked my phone about eleventy billion times to make sure the ringer is on.

14. It is.

15. Of COURSE it is! My mom called me 45 minutes ago.

16. 17. 18. WHERE THE HELL IS MY HUSBAND?!

19. Rolaids Soft chews are good. And yummy. And taste like candy.

20. Mom called at 12:01. Phone is still working.

21. We decided doctors who can't do stitches are over-rated. All that is needed is Vodka. Hold the orange.

22. Okay, it was funny at the time.

23. You know the teacher from The Peanuts with her Wah wah wah wah WAh.? That is SO what stinky Stan's TV sounds like all the freakin' time!! DRIVES ME BATTY!!!

24. 12:25. Still no husband. Still no call from him.

25. Ringer on phone is still on.

26. My bum is numb.

27. I wish I wasn't breastfeeding.

28. I could REALLY use a drink.

29. Hmm...don't think I have ever used alcohol to relieve stress before.

30. How very non-alcoholic of me.

31. 12:29. Still no husband.

32. My mom said something about a 6 hour blood test they do to check a patients' heart. Maybe I'll hear something at 2...ish.

33. Gonna go now.

34. the Number thing is annoying me now.

~Lisa~

Worried about my Alvin.

Al has been sick for a long time now. About a week or so. He's been pretty quiet about it. I ask how he feels, he says "pretty lousy", I give him a hug, and he gets quiet again. The past three nights he's gotten up in the night to come sleep on the couch. Because of his heartburn. Once we started living together for real, we've spent very few nights apart. So I know that this is getting pretty bad for him.

He went to a clinic on Wednesday. The doctor there told him he just had a virus, and an ear infection. Gave him a prescription for the ear infection and that was it. He got some Pepcid Complete. That helped him a little yesterday. Today it did nothing.

He got home at 7:45 tonight. 15 minutes later he was on his way to the hospital. His chest is feeling tight. He's got Constant heartburn, diarrhea again, and his upper abdomen(like just below his chest, not quite his tummy) is hard/spongey(I know, that doesn't make sense...bear with me) and looks swollen to me. I am NOT going to freak myself out by checking the WebMD symptom checker, okay, maybe I will...okay I did.

He's been gone almost 2 hours now. I wish I could turn of my damn brain. Make it stop cycling through the horrid possibilities. Please? Every minute the clock ticks off is one more squeezing of my heart.

If you pray...now would be good.

thanks. I'll update when I can.

~Lisa~

The anniversary...

As I mentioned in my earlier Blog...today is an Anniversary for Al and I. Our first kiss(es).

In September 1998, I met my future husband. He hugged me. And there was an undeniable chemistry there. Not that HE felt it...but from that moment on, I watched for him everywhere I went. Prayed that I would see him in the halls at school. My heart would beat a little faster at the sight of a leather jacket like his.

We got to know each other a little. Spent some time hanging out with mutual friends.

These friends threw a Christmas/finals are almost over/birthday party for me and all their friends on December 4th, 1998. Al was there. There was some drinking. I made it clear, that I was after him. OKAY! So my ACTUAL words were "I am going to sleep with Al!!" I didn't say that to HIM, just my closest friends there :) *blush* Nothing happened that night. It just seems like the beginning to me.

A couple days later(or was it before??) He and I met outside, he was going to a final, I was coming from one. He gave me this goofy red smiley-face ring for good luck. I told him "I guess we're married now huh?" He agreed :) I told him he'd better not tell his girlfriend. He told me not to tell my boyfriend. That's right. We were BOTH in relationships at the time.

My friend and I went one evening to his 'house' (The residence at Canadore College is all town houses) We wanted to say goodbye before the christmas break. I gave him a card...signed it "Your Wife" I'll never forget the look in his eyes. And then he told us that he wasn't sure he was going to be back...wasn't sure if his exam scores would be high enough to keep him in school(He was a nursing student. The minimum to stay in was 75%). I was sooo devestated. I honestly went home and cried!! And two days later when I got the nerve to go back to talk to him, tell him how I felt, he had gone home already.

I spent the entire christmas break worried about Al. Worried I would never see him again. And coming to the realization that no matter how hard I tried to convince myself that my current boyfriend was the best I would ever do...that I was wrong. He was abusive. He was no good for me. He wasn't my future. But I stayed with him. We'd been together for almost 4 years by then.

Fast forward a little to January. Back at school. Our friends and us went out for wings and Beer(how very Canadian of us LOL, but really, it was $6 pitcher night at The Moose(is Loose change lodge)!). We talked, and drank, and laughed, and danced....wow, did we dance!! It was so cold that night. Al walked me home. I was a first year, and our houses were on a different part of the campus. We stood outside my house for what seemed like hours. And we kissed. The smell of beer on his breath will always take me back to that night. The smell of leather too. We kissed a whole lot. I just couldn't get enough of him. He taught me how to kiss. My ex was a HOrrendous kisser, and I guess I just adapted to his style! lol...Al still makes fun of me for it! Anyway. I invited him in (FOOLISH ME!) but he declined. Saying he was "too much of a gentleman". HA lol. He was just trying to impress me. So, I went in. He went home to warm his feet(he was only wearing running shoes!! Poor guy!).

The next day I called my ex, and officially made him my ex. Much to his devestation. It was afterall, the day after his birthday. I know. VERY bad timing. And he tried to make me pay for it. for a long time. Thankfully, I was in love, and determined to not let him ruin my life, as he tried to do for the past 4 years.

My husband freed me from a monster. and for that, I will be eternally grateful.

That was 7 years ago tonight.

How time flies. He's still a great kisser. I'm still just as in love with him.

:)

~Lisa~

I am so getting the Mom of the Day award today. (I've given up on the yearly award, because, well...because, I'll get to that.)

I have become seriously addicted to wraps. Cesear wraps. With Bacon. And Mozzarella cheese. Did you know, when you buy pre-shredded, but oh-so-convienient, cheese, the price is equivilant to paying someone $80 per hour to shred it!? INSANE! But convienient. But I digress...So, I love these wraps! And, as happens in mommy-land have always managed to be 2 or 3...0r 4 bites short of a full wrap. My daughter loves them too! So today for lunch I made her one. I had vaguely mentioned...okay, so maybe it was pretty much a promise...making her one for dinner last night. I decided against it because I KNOW that Aidan would want one, and then not eat one, which would mean making 2 dinners for my son. No Thanks. My 4 year old, of course, called me on it halfway through her Chicken fingers, Fries and Peas.

So. Lunch making time comes along last night. I made her a wrap. I cheated, and snuck in the lunch meat, which my husband has ruined for me, by telling me of the god awful amount of Salt they put in lunch meat. damn him. I like lunch meat. I don't like it as much as I hate my tummy though...so I will avoid it...and eat half a tube of pringles instead. Genius. Digressing...again.

I wish I could have been at school with Jenna at lunch time today. She'll be so excited to see a wrap in there :) and a CHOCOLATE PUDDING!! And I remembered the Spoon!! Oh yeah. MOM. OF. THE. DAY!!!

Why am I not getting Mom of the Year? Well, many many reasons, including (all from today) forgetting to give Jenna her antibiotic dose at Breakfast this morning. Putting a hole in the LAST pair of white tights Jenna owns...on the day I PROMISED that she could wear a skirt. Letting Mason cry a bit while I fed my Tom Cruise/Katie Holmes addiction...they were interviewd by Ellen today. I am all for them. He's gone all Nutjob, but are they not super cute together :) ?

So, this is totally off topic here, but I need to go to the judges on something...How many MINI Cabury cream eggs are acceptable? For a person who really is TRYING to eat well? STOP! Stop thinking of the Bacon and Mozzarella in my wrap!! 2 slices, and a sprinkle! that's all! I want to eat the whole bag, but will resist. So far I've had three today. YUM. The big ones are sometimes too much for me. but those Mini ones...perfect delitable morsels of chocolate!

Well, that's all I've got.

Ciao bella's.

~Lisa~

P.s. Today is the anniversary of the day my husband and I shared out first kiss. hmm...I think I'll post about that later when I have time.

P.P.s, Also the 27th birthday of the boyfriend I had on said day of first kiss. weird. bad me. So happy.

YeeeOUCH!! And some grossness.

I had another wisdom tooth taken out yesterday. Let me tell you...I am NOT a person that uses curse words very often...anymore...but wow...the ones I could use to describe this torture....

I had the first one out in June. It wasn't a big deal at all. Made me a little tired for a bit afterwards, but that was it. I even went to work the next day.

But this one...it broke a bit when Dr. Yankers(no, not his real name.) reefed on it the first time. I was okay, until I thought I detectd a note of panic in his voice when he asked his assistant to suck up the broken bits. I'm laying there, eyes clenched tight, hands clenched tighter, thinking "Dear GOD, I am going to DIE, from choking on my own TOOTH BITS!!" GROSS!!! Luckily Mrs. Assistant(not her real name either) got the bits sucked out just in time. Phew! no dying at the dentist for This girl!! Nuh UH!

He showed me the tooth when he got it out. also. GROSS. It was a lot bigger than I anticipated from staring at my x-ray for long amounts of time. Upside down, it looked oddly like a tooth my dog once lost. Again. GROSS.

I am having trouble yawning today. And of course, am tired as all get out, so WANT to yawn a lot. Thinking about it makes it bad. Trying to do it without opening my mouth makes me want to do it more.

Eating has also been somewhat of a challenge. Blah. What I REALLY want is a nice steak, with some sauteed mushrooms. Not that I could cook it, but to know I could eat it without whining about it would be nice!

But enough about me.

My poor Alvin is sick. He's been spending his evening with a hotdate with the toilet for the past few nights. I don't know what to do for him. And I feel Really BAD about that :( He's a keep to himself kinda sick person. And me being the mothering type...that's not a good combo. DUH. I'm really hoping he'll drag his butt into the clinic tomorrow :( Really hoping.

Okay. off to bed.

OH! Before I go...Big News!

HE LAUGHS!!!

Big, belly laughs :) And mostly for his sister :) "BOUT TIME!!

~Lisa~

Three things!

Thanks for tagging me Jes!!

Three names I go by:
1) Mommy
2) Lisa
3) Honey

Three screen names I've had:
1) Fyrfly
2) HeyTink
3) MamaTink

Three physical things I like about myself:
1) My eyes.
2) My Hands
3) My cleavage(In the right shirt and bra of course!).

Three physical things I don't like about myself:
1) My dough belly
2) My thighs.
3) My bum.

Three parts of my heritage:
1) English
2) Canadian
3) Scottish(WAY way back)

Three things I am wearing right now:
1) Jeans
2) Sweater
3) Underwear.

Three favorite bands/musical artists:
1) AC/DC.
2) Metallica
3) Sarah McLachlan

Three things I want in a relationship:
1) Honesty
2) Humour
3) Compassion

Two truths and a lie:
1) My favourite juice is Orange.
2) I was a vegetarian throughout high school.
3) I've had extensive training for my job.

Three physical things about the opposit sex that appeal to me:
1) Nice smell.
2) Eyes.
3) Smile

Three favorite hobbies:
1) Reading
2) Taking pictures of my family
3) surfing the web

Three things I want to do badly right now:
1) Lose 30 lbs.
2) Take a nap
3) Make my stop yelling at the top of thier lungs!

Three things that scare me:
1) Losing my family
2) falling down a man-hole.
3) Spiders. *shiver*

Three of my everyday essentials:
1) Air
2) Water
3) Computer

Three careers you have considered or are currently considering:
1) Teacher
2) Legal Assistant
3) Correctional Officer

Three places you want to go on vacation:
1) England
2) Costa Rica(Minus the spiders)
3) Australia & New Zealand.

Three kids names you like:
1) Devon James
2) Carter
3) Clare

Three things you want to do before you die:
1) Own a home
2) See my children grow up
3) Drive a Jag.

Three ways I am stereotypically a boy:
1) I can assemble boxed things (sometimes).(Good one Jes!)
2) I can spit really far
3) I think women are beautiful.

Three ways I am stereotypically a girl:
1) I do crafts.
2) I like to shop
3) I cry during sad movies(and books too!)

Three celeb crushes:
1) Ty Pennington!!!!!!!
2) Tom Cruise(As long as he doesn't open his mouth...to speak that is! lol)
3) Angelina Jolie.(Pre-Brad, because I am SOO team Aniston!!)

Three people I am tagging:
1) JulieQ
2) Jenn
3) Julie Julie Bo Boolie

Thanks Jes!!

~Lisa~

Is there anything sweeter than this???

Al got home from work today just in time for Mason to need another nap. He volunteered for the task pretty quick.

His dinner is getting cold.

I'm not going to wake him :)

~Lisa~

10 things about Mason...

This is going to be hard. After all, he is only 4 1/2 months old!!

1. Mason was a surprise. A very big one. Admittedly, Al and I did 'try' for a couple months to conceive, but on the third month decided we really weren't ready for 3 kids, and let TTC go. I know full well that Mason should NOT have been conceived when he was. I shouldn't have ovulated until December 8th or 9th, but KNOW that I got pg. on my birthday, which is December 5th. And! I KNOW that Al was wearing protection. We were just REALLY meant to have this particular baby.

2. Mason was my smallest baby. at 7lbs 9oz. 21" long. He was also the only one I had early. 6 days early, with a scheduled c-section. Which I got very sick from. Although no one really knows why. lots and lots of vomitting after his birth. The room was spinning, and I couldn't even hold my son :(

3. In fact, I was so sick, Mason was about 8 hours old before he was officially named. Which bothered me. We decided the night before he was born that he would be either Cole, or Mason.
When he was born, my first thoughts were: 1. I knew it!! (In response to the doctor telling us we'd had a boy) 2. He's so small!!(Which I said out loud) 3. He looks just like Jenna, (Which I whispered to Al, through my tears) and 4. He looks like a Mason to me (Which I kept to myself, because I wasn't sure what Al really wanted.) When we got back to our room, I would say out loud "The baby" but I think, in my head, I have always called him Mason. I'm glad for that now...he doesn't seem like a Cole, or a Devon, or a Carter after all :)

4. He has blue eyes...with one little gold/brownish spot. I had hoped he would get green eyes like his daddy, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.

5. He's a Really good baby. Very content. He cries when he is hungry, tired or needs a bum change...and that's about it. Otherwise, he's grinning away at anyone that looks his way...unless they have a camera, and then he tones it down a bit :)

6. He's a little bit tongue-tied. But since he nurses so well, the doctor isn't concerned about...so Iguess I won't be either.

7. He lost a lot of weight after he was born. dropped dowm to 6lbs 13oz...from 7/9. That was scary. But, then my milk came in, and he gained 2 ounces back over-night, so the nurses said we could come home. He seemed so tiny and fragile compared to his sister and brother. But, he's certainly made up for lost time!! He was up to 17lbs at 4 months old. And has very impressive man-boobs. LOL

8. He's my chattiest baby. Loves to babble and coo...and most recently, squeal, at everything, and everyone.

9. He wouldn't take a soother for a long time. We tried a few kinds until we found one that he would take. The only reason I pushed the issue was because he was showing signs of being a thumb sucker...and that's one thing I do not like.

10. He's my last. I cuddle him more. I don't push him to advance as much. And I think I enjoy HIM more. He makes it easy though. He's just so lovable :)

~Lisa~(That was actually easier than I thought!!)

10 things about Aidan...

1. We tried for about 5 months to conceive Aidan. And then found out that we were successful at the worst possible time...About 2 weeks after we had both been laid off from our jobs. It took awhile for me to be excited about my pregnancy. I spent a lot of time sleeping. I'll never quite be sure if it was because of the pregnancy, or if it was depression.

2. Aidan has a very long name...Aidan Alvin Joseph McAlendin. 25 letters long. Al is named after his grandfather, and wanted to do the same for his son. I wanted just Aidan Joseph. When he was born I had enough drugs in me to tell Al the name was up to him...And he gave our son the two middle names. I wasn't sure at first, but I like the flow of it now.

3. Aidan was 8lbs 11oz, 22 1/2" Long, and 9 days overdue. He was supposed to be an October baby. I was convinced he would be born on Halloween, but came instead on November 6th. At 11:59 PM, and 30 seconds. The nurse gave us the option of having his birthdate recorded as the 6th or 7th. We figured since we told everyone that he would be here on the 6th, we'd better stick with that. I wanted very much to have a VBAC with Aidan. I tried very hard to relax and let my body do it's thing. But, I still only got to 6cm and exhausted myself too much to withstand any more labour. And that really was for the best. The cord was wrapped around his neck twice, and he'd already passed some Meconium. I was really relieved to hear his cry.

4. As my Doctor always tells me, Aidan is an over-achiever. He's always been a big boy. Lots of chub as a baby, and always tall for his age. He crawled at 7 months(same as his sister, in the same spot in Al's Grandma's house in Timmins :)) He took his first steps 1 day before he turn 9 months old. That was a sad day for me. He wasn't a baby after that to me :( He hasn't stopped since!

5. He's really into Letters lately. I got him that LeapFrog fridge Phonics thing and he plays with it constantly. And now when we're out and about he looks around and says "LOOK! Letter I" He's yet to be right...But I am so excited about it. I have a feeling he'll need to be challenged at school.

6. He's my most cuddly child. From infancy, when I would nurse him, he would always reach out for my bare skin, whether it be my arm, or my back...He would work and work at getting my shirt up so he could stroke my back. He will still sit beside me, put his arm behind me and ask for cuddles :) He can also be a total bully though!!

7. He loves cheese and popcorn and bananas. Doesn't do so well with Green Beans or meat...unless there's kethup. When asked what he wants for lunch, he will ALWAYS say "Macaroni Cheese"...unless we're near a restaurant of any kind, and then he'll say "Hmm. I'm hungry. Want a cheeseburger samich." LOL We're such a McDonald's family.

8. He has blond hair. Which is strange, since Al and I both have dark hair. But it suits him. He reminds me of a little surfer boy. Pale, milky skin, big blue eyes, bleach blonde hair. I think he's beautiful.

9. He's Very friendly. When we're out and about he's constantly saying to people around us, "Hi, mine Aidan!"(Translation, "Hi, My name is Aidan"). I think the best way to describe him is as a charmer. He's just got this way of looking at you that makes you want to give in and let him have that third freezie. But you don't because you're trying to set boundaries and rules. And then he throws a fantastic fit in which he says "I Mad at you mummy" and the latest, "1, 2 GO TO YOUR ROOM MUMMY! GO TO YOUR ROOM!" He's the perfect boy for grandparents, he manages to suck them in Every time :)

10. So far, he has been my sickest child. He had pneumonia his first(well, second) Christmas. He's had throat, lung and ear infections. And this year he had Croup. But, as we have always called him, he's a tank...you barely know he's sick, he just keeps going and running and playing.

I really love my boy. I try to give him lots of attention since he's the middle child, but I doubt I need to, he's a clown, and gets a lot of attention on his own.

~Lisa~

10 things about Jenna...

1. Jenna was concieved on our 1 month Wedding Anniversary :) It was strange...I just had a feeling that night was different. But didn't really know why. That was the first time in my life that my period had been late. We found out on Friday October 13th. I was 20, in College and scared out of my mind! She came 11 days late. born via c-section, because I didn't dialate well.

2. I call her my 'Survivor' baby. When we were arguing over names, The first season of survivor was a huge hit with us, and Jenna(one of the contestants) really stood out for some reason. So I decided on that name. (Al wanted Emma) when it came to a middle name, we jokingly thought of the other survivors, and decided that Jenna Colleen sounded nice together. and it stuck! Al still wanted Emma though. We decided, if she's born with dark hair, she'll be Emma, light hair and she'll be Jenna. Well, the day came (June 25) and out came this round baby with dark dark hair. I thought to myself, "well, Emma it is then." Just as Al said to me..."I don't think she looks like an Emma" LOL there went that plan. So, Jenna Colleen she is, my survivor baby :)

3. She was my biggest baby weighing in at a whopping 9lbs 3oz! I never imagined she'd be that big!! I blame it on the McDonald's cheeseburgers. I had been a vegetarian for 4-5 years when I got pregnant, until one day when I ate ALL of our food...until Al came home and I made him got get me 2 Cheeseburgers. They were delicious...too delicious!!! And that was the end of my vegetarian days!! What does she get in her Happy Meal more often than not?? Cheeseburgers :)

4. She and I were not successful at breastfeeding. I was young, and uneducated, she was hugry a lot! I tried for a couple weeks, and then realized that for my sanity, and her health, bottles would be better. Although I do SO wish I had stuck it out with her.

5. Jenna LOVES to draw. Not colour, she hates colouring, but give her a stack of blank paper, and a ballpoint pen, and she's happy for hours!! And, in my opinion, for a 4 year old, she's pretty good :)

6. Her favourite colour is Red. But that's just today. The other day it was purple, tomorrow it will probably be pink. And really, any colour that has sparkles on it is BEST.

7. She's a girly girl. In some cases. She loves having her nails painted, and will wear a dress anytime, anywhere...but couldn't really care less if her hair is brushed pretty, or if she slops food on her pretty dresses :) She has the best time playing dress-up. And she throws one heck of a hissy-fit! LOL

8. She's a really good big sister. I saw no signs of jealousy from her after Mason was born. When we had Aidan she slept in our bed for about 2 months...that was rough.

9. She's pretty average academically...but if something interests her, she soaks it all in and excels. I'm glad she's average..but on the high end of average. I think school will be easy for her.

10. She's VERY caring. She worries when people close to her are ill. She's compationate when people are sad. I know she'll make a really good mother some day.

I'm glad that since we're not going to have anymore children, the girl I got is so wonderful.

~Lisa~

Good Day for the most part

Jenna had another Dentist appointment today. She did AMAZING!! I am SO proud of my girl. Dentists scare the crap out of me, and I am 26, I can't imagine what it must be like for a 4 year old! Dr. Mocrae was able to do three teeth today. all in the front, so her smile is getting nicer and nicer with every visit :)

She had the gas again, it makes her "floaty". It was so funny, at one point the dental assistant gave her a gauze thingy to hold...a little while later, Jenna was trying to grab it with her other hand...and totally couldn't manage it!! she was just grabbing for thin air :) Poor Kid! They keep a blood pressure cuff on her so that they can check her before, during and after the procedure. Whenever she got nervous she would squeeze the ball thingy. I guess it made her feel better.

She also had the munchies all frickin' afternoon! Too funny.

I'm still having trouble getting Aidan to go to sleep like he used to. It's so frustrating and heart breaking. He cries and cries. Normally I am not a fan of CIO, but with three kids, I don't have a whole lot of options. I can't sit there and wait for him to fall asleep every night. ARGH!! I need a nanny. It's almost 9:30 and he's still crying. I'm not sure what else to do for him. He has half the toys in the world in his bed. He has every blanket he can think of, a new pillow, music on, a night light(two actually) and still, he will not go to sleep. **Okay, I caved, writing about it, and hearing it at the same time proved to be too much for me. I went and sat in his room. Which was DUMB DUMB DUMB!! Because now he is going to REMEMBER that, and scream holy murder again tomorrow. So frustrating.

Mason is being weird too. He was awake from 3:00 until 5:45. Then he woke up at 6:30 to eat, and went right back to sleep again. And he's still sleeping! I should go to bed, but my kitchen is a horrendous mess and I can't stand it like it is.

Wish me luck...I'm going in.

~Lisa~

They're PLAYING!!

Oh what wonderful sounds fill my home. My children are playing! WITH EACHOTHER!! They play house, they rescue Barbies and ponies and dinosaurs. They pretend to be super heroes and fairies.

And it's great.

There's the occaisional fight, and rare tear, but other than that, they are doing so well.

I even managed to change the TV channel from Treehouse to The Price is Right, and now What Not to Wear!

I can't believe that in 2 years all 3 of my children will be able to play together beautifully.

How I have waited for this time.

~Lisa~

A timeline...to pass the time.

11:10pm -- Time I went to bed.

11:17pm -- Time I finished feeding Mason.

12:25ish -- Time I went to sleep ;)

4:04am -- Time Mason woke up again (WOOHOO!)

5: 29am -- Time it is now. Mason is STILL awake.

ughhhhh. I don't get this boy!! First, he keeps me awake all frickin night to eat(last week), then he's up because he's cold(this week), and now he just wants to chat and play!! And he will NOT go back to sleep, no matter how many times I stick that damn soother back in his chatty little mouth LOL.

5:34am -- Finally! Some signs of tiredness(from Mason, I've had signs of tiredness for4 1/2 years now!)

It really is cute ya know. The way he chats and coos and babbles away at me...even in the dark. His babbling has changed lately. He's gone from "Ah-goooo" to adding in "Mmmm-Bah!", with the occasional "whoooooo" thrown in for fun.

5:36am -- Mason willingly and gladly accepts his soother!!

5:41am -- And he's out :)

Total sleep time for Mommy : 3 hours 40 minutes.

Total awake time for Mason : 1 hour 38 minutes.

Time Jenna will likely awaken?? : 6:00 like usual.

Daddy is sooo taking the early shift today!

Peace out Dudes!


~Lisa~

Funny story

THis is one of those stories that Aidan would DIE over if he knew I was sharing it...but it's just too funny not to share :)

So I was getting ready to have a shower one morning and Aidan decided he wanted to come with me. Fine, whatever...this is a first though.

So we're getting undressed and he looks up and says to me..."Hey! Where's your penis?" LMAO...I told him "Mommy's don't have penises, only Daddy's and boys have penises." He seemed to think about that for a few minutes.

Then we're in the shower and he looks up and says to me "Daddy has your penis?"

Oh man!! I was sooo LMAO!!!!!!!!!

I guess technically, he's right :)

~Lisa~

Home Sweet Home.

We made it! And had a great time too! Got back on Wednesday afternoon(Happy Birthday Julie!!!!)

The trip up to Timmins was pretty uneventful. Took 8 hours though :P Darn kids...think they're hungry! :) We did find the best truck stop though! Butler Lake Truck stop. They were SO nice to the kids, and the food was amazing!! Great Coffee too!!! You know, in case you ever feel the need to travel on boring Hwy. 11 all the way to Timmins some day :)

We stayed with Al's sister Noreen. She's awesome. And her boyfriend/partner/significant other...whatever, is HILARIOUS!! Aidan was thrilled. He kept walking around the house calling for "Uncle Denis!!". :)

Speaking of Aidan, my best sleeper became the Worst sleeper EVER! Ugh!! I had to lay with him every night/nap to get him to go to sleep and then he was up in the night every night except our last night there...of course. Made for a very sleepy mama!

Christmas Eve was spent at my other SIL's apartment. It was alright. But, loud, and Mason wouldn't sleep, and too many people were drinking. And the kids were being hooligans. LOL It was a lot of fun when Al brought out his guitar though! He and his sisters sang Christmas Carols :) You should have seen the look on his mom's face :) It was so beatiful to see the pride there.

Christmas was Wonderful!! not quite the same for me, since it wasn't at my Mom's like I am used to, but great none the less :) Everyone was spoiled!!

Aidan's favourite gifts were his spiderman action figure, and his Leap Frog alphabet fridge magnet thingy. It teaches the letter sounds, alphabet and numbers 1-10...we both love this one :) The Tonka dump truck was a really big hit too.



Jenna's favourite were a simple princess colouring book and markers, a new Barbie, and her first (of many I'm sure) Polly Pocket set :)



She Lights Up!!

Mason was thrilled with all the paper his presents came in...probably more so than the actual presents...but then, he is only 4 months old :)

I got a wicked cool denim jacket!! Thanks go out to Stacey and Clinton on TLC's What Not to Wear, for teaching my husband about what will look great on my body shape! lol


I also FINALLY got the bucket that goes with the mop I bought Months ago! Jenn(Mac3Mom/tales from a mom of boys) raves about this mop/bucket set, and now that I have used it, WOW!!! Best mop I have EVER used!! Never will I use a sponge mop again! Ever!!



I surprised Al with the Rush DVD he's been drooling over. It was so funny. We were driving up to Timmins and he told me (for the second time) that his favourite band has a new DVD out, and that he Really wants it. I of course, played dumb, and asked the name of it. R30. I knew this of course, since I'd gotten it already!!! But, played even dumber and asked if it was R30 or Rush 30 LOL....he he he...I'm so sneaky. You should have seen me trying to keep a straight face!! If any of you are Rush fans(they're a Canadian Band) this is a great buy. It comes with 2 DVD's, 2 music cd's and 2 autographed guitar pics!! I'm sooo happy to have been able to get it for him :) he also got a shirt, and a couple tools. Spoiled isn't he :)


So, that was our Christmas morning.

I got to go out Boxing day shopping with my SIL's and my MIL. Got some wicked deals!! a $9 sweater, black cable knit.


And a $4 shirt for Jenna...it suits her perfectly, i must hear this about a kazillion times a day!


Some $.99 socks for Aidan that have fire trucks on them. A HUGE hit with my boy :) I got a new winter jacket too! Get this: FOR $10!! I love it too!! it's bugandy, and has sewn in scrollwork, a fur trimmed hood, so nice :) And the deal of the day, a beautiful white a-line skirt from Wal-Mart FOR TWO DOLLARS!!!!!!!!! WooHoo! Go me!!! oh, and some pants for $12.

I found out that my SIL's house is haunted. For real. Oh man it freaks me out! LOL The first night we were there I was up in the night feeding Mason. And I heard footsteps in the hallway. You know when you have dry feet, and they kinda catch in the carpet? That's what it sounded like. And walking real slow. At first I thought it was just Jenna getting up to go to the bathroom. But then no one went in to the bathroom. So my mind started working overtime. I put Mason back in his bed, and grabbed a shoe off my SIL's shoe rack(go ahead, laugh, everyone else did :)) And poked my head around the door. Nothing there. So, I figured I was imagining things, being in a strange house and all. Until the last evening we were there, and I mentioned it jokingly to my SIL! She said "Didn't you know that? We think it's a little boy." ACK!!! They have heard the exact same sound, and seen some sort of streak going into the bathroom late at night. I could NOT get to sleep that night!! I'm still getting shivers just writing about it!

Well, i know there was more(I kept thinking the whole time there "I have to blog this!" and now can't remember half of it! LOL)

anyway, we're home, safe and sound, with a few mountains of laundry to do :P a lot of smokers up there. Makes for Stinky clothes!!

It's nice to be home :)

~Lisa~

In the home stretch...

The shopping is pretty much all done(Why does Christmas have to cost so much!? LOL....it's totally worth it though :)).

The packing has begun.

One more day of work/school and we are off to Timmins. Jenna has been counting down for this FOREVER! It's so funny to listen to her... "So, tomorrow I have school, and then we stay home and then there's another day of school and then we go to Timmins...Right??" on and on and on! Everytime we get in the van Aidan says to me "Go grandma's house? Go Timmins?" It's so cute.

I'm sooo glad that my kids love their grandma so much. She's such a good grandma to them...and I am pretty sure they bring her so much joy. It makes an 8 hour drive totally worth it when we get there and everyone is thrilled to see us, and there's tight hugs and grins all around.

I am so lucky to have really great in-laws. (Except for one BIL...I could certainly do without him...)

I think the kids excitement is starting to wear off on me :) I can't wait to get there and chill for a week.

Yeah, that's right. A week. No blogging. ACK! I'll try to remember it all!! for my faithful...what..3, 4 readers? LOL

Mason had his 4 month well-baby check up today. He's perfect :) All 17 pounds of him!! His clogged tear duct has unfortunately turned into an infected tear duct, so we got a prescription for that. He got his immunization too, you'd never know it. The boy didn't even flinch!! Big tough guy he is :)

He is being a bit of a stinker. For the past three nights he's been up wanting to eat every one to two hours. UGH! As i said to my mom, I was prepared for that when he was a newborn. Geared myself up for it, and accepted it no problem. But man...he is 4 MONTHS OLD!!! Sleep boy SLEEP! The doctor said to feed him more. HAHA Apparently he's wasting away to nothing.. ;P Oh well, I am praying that it's just a growth spurt and he's going to get out of this habit in a quick hurry. Wish me luck.

Anyway. i have a lot left to do to prepare for our trip, so I'd better sign off now.

Sweet dreams to all

~Lisa~

I have seen the most beautiful thing...

I saw life.

Karen had her baby boy on Friday. And I got to be there with her!! I still haven't come down from the high of it all. Karen had Evan Palmer L. at home! She wanted it that way so that she could be surrounded by her family and friends. She had a pretty quick labour. It started about 6AM, and Evan was born at 3:06pm! I am just amazed at the process. It did get very scary at one point. Because Evan came out so fast, his lungs didn't get that one or two good squeeze's to get the mucous out, so his breathing was laboured. He had to go in the ambulance and stay at the hospital over night for observation, but he's fine. In Perfect health!! He was 7lbs 1 oz, and 19 3/4" Long :)

Here's some pics :)








~Lisa~

Recent funnies from my Children.

Aidan is all about pretending lately. The other day he put his pants on his head, and said to me "I'm a pirate ship!"(Meaning pirate) He had one eye covered and the other was all squinty. And Then he says to me..."Hey, Where's my Boat!?" In this deep gruff voice. LOL It was so hilarious.
Jenna experienced her first Lindt chocolate on Wednesday. She popped it in her mouth, and I'm pretty sure I saw her eyes roll back into her head. She then declared most confidently, "THIS is the Best chocolate in the WORLD!!". That's my girl :D

Aidan tried to send Jenna to her room yesterday. Picture him, one hand on his hip, the other ramrod straight pointing to the stairs...saying, "Jenna! Room! Now!". LMAO! He's his father's son.

Jenna has fallen into the comercialism lap. For the past three days now, she keeps singing "Hand in my pockect, hand in my pocket, In my pocket". Think she'll be a Capitol One card holder some day??

Aidan's favourite saying now is "I'm very sad".


Jenna's is "It's not FAIR".



Mason is sticking with "Ah gooo" for now :)

~Lisa~

10 Random things that are bothering me!

1. I am sooo not even close to being done with Christmas shopping yet, and it's Really bothering me.

2. When people seem to shun you just because you work part time, that bothers me.

3. It bothers me when people don't understand that children make noise...even when in a boring government office.

4. I get bothered when my husband doesn't use his words with me.

5. Clutter bothers me.

6. The one stupid piece of hair that keeps falling in my eyes is Really bothering me!!

7. My daughters whining bothers me a lot lately.

8. My very pregnant and 1 day overdue best friend/neighbour's whining about being pregnant and overdue BY ONE DAY is bothering me.

9. Being in a room without a clock bothers me for some reason.

10. The voice of the Old Navy spokeswoman bothers me.

~Lisa~
(Who, believe it or not, is actually having a pretty good day! LOL)

He Took it!!!

Al got the job!!!! WOOHOO!!! Ladies and Gentlemen. I can't even begin to express my relief!! His NEW BOSS (woohoo) is incredibly nice. Al's hours will be 10-6! So, he'll be able to take Jenna to school in the morning if he wants. And there's a benefits package! We'll have to pay 50%, but at least it's better then what we had! WOOHOO!

I am so psyched(lol, 80's anyone?). His official title will be "Operations Manager". He gets his own office, a pretty raise, a cell phone, and a lot of power and responsibility. And one day a week he'll be in their Orillia office, which is about 30 minutes North of us!

He's really nervous about it...which is understandable. He'll be overseeing a few different departments, and a few employees. His boss is training him to be his "Right hand man"...like, he wants a clone of himself to run the complany! ACK! I'd be nervous too!

But I know that Al can handle it. He's so brilliant. And I know he can do this. He's worked for a large corporation before and was pretty successful with it. But this is better :) More up his alley. Not so much competition here.

I'm so relieved that he's getting out of Res-Q-Tow. I can understand his sense of loyalty to the company, they helped him out when we needed them. But they have really run their company into the ground, and I'd Really rather they didn't take my husband with them.

Oh my goodness. This is such great news!!

But, I'll relax now, stop bragging...I hate bragging, makes me feel silly LOL....I'm such a nerd.

Yay!!
~Lisa~

Things are good :)

We went to My George's side of the family's Christmas party yesterday. It was actually a good time. My cousin Sherri wasn't half as annoying as in years past. I guess motherhood softened her somehow. And the fact that we have a lot more in common now. I was actually excited to see her there :) It was nice. Her mother, Barb, on the other hand...just as annoying as always LOL...there's one in every family. It's always a pot luck dinner...Barb brought Squid Ink pasta(I kid you not, it was Black!) and some Nasty seafood marinara sauce. EW! Blech blech blech!!!! I mean seriously, we're all Macaroni and cheese kind of people. And I really am seriously considering taking a couple boxes of KD next year. :) Why not right??

Al has decided to take an unbelievable offer of a new job. I don't have a lot of time to go into details right now, but it's a great offer :) He won't be driving a tow truck anymore!! He'll be (GET THIS!) Operations Manager for a transport leasing company!! Overseer of many departments, and about 12 employees!! this is a chance of a lifetime! He's scared, but I KNOW that my husband is going to KICK ASS in this job!!!! He so deserves it. AND THEY HAVE BENEFITS!!!!!!

We're off to my Dad's house today. Another Christmas party. I can't wait to see what they got us...I have a feeling it's a carpet cleaner! WOOHOO! LOL...I'll keep you updated.

Oh! I forgot, I got my hair cut and coloured on Thursday. It's taking some getting used to. I always tuck my hair behind my ears, and one side is a bit too short for that. But i do like it...as does my husband, who has said for Years that he wants me to have short hair :) Here's a pic...although not a great one :)


Aidan got a haircut too! I like it MUCH better!! Seriously, how cute is this boy?!


Okay, I'm so running behind now :) Better go run through the shower before I loose my chance!

Love and Hugs,
~Lisa~
P.s. Things are ALL good. My best friend/neighbour Karen's Dad had a stroke yesterday. He's paralyzed down one side, and is going to be in the hospital for awhile. I wouldn't mind some prayers going thier way right now. I can't imagine having a loved one in the hospital over christmas. His name is Roderick. Thanks!!

I should have been a bear.

Then I could hibernate through this entire dumb winter thing. DAMN MY ANCESTORS!! Why couldn't they have landed in Florida!?

We got snow last night. About 6 inches. While we have a rather archaic snow blower nestled away in the garage...I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THE DUMB THING!! Al gave me a tutorial the other night...It went like this..."You just pull the thing, and the thing, and it goes." Yeah. Thanks Honey.

So this morning. I talk to Karen(My very pregnant, best friend/neighbour) and she's telling me that the snow plow driver has yet again targeted her and my driveways for dumping ALL the the streets' snow into. GREAT. So i decide to wait until Mason is down for his next nap and then I'll bundle up Jenna and Aidan and they can have a grand old time in the snow while I shovel. Ugh.

Fast forward, the baby is asleep. I scoot around and gather up all the winter gear. Man, 2 kids wear a lot of winter gear. I referee a few fights, threaten no outside time a few times, and out we go. I get the section of driveway below the sideawalk shovelled. In between snow in sleeves, a couple slips(the kids, not me), and one lost in the snow mitten crisis. And wouldn't you know it, Mason wakes up. In we go. Amidst screaming and tears. Isn't winter fun!?

I feed the baby, and bundle him up, because I am on a MISSION now. I WILL get the driveway shovelled, if it's the last thing I do today. Back out we go. Aidan plays in the little tykes house we have. The same place he played all SUMMER! hello? We're in the SNOW...lol...oh well, he was playing nicely in there, having a grand old time pretending to serve cheese sandwiches. Except that he kept taking off his mittens GRR.

Jenna was lovely. Climbing into all the snow I just shovelled...making it spill onto the freshly shovelled driveway. like I said, lovely :)

I just KNOW all the neighbours were watching me from behind thier cozy curtains. Laughing at that silly woman who keeps having babies. And LOOK! She's got the BABY out in this cold weather. What a foolish girl. and she's stiiiillllll shovelling!! BWAHAHAHAHA

Ugh. I am sooo moving to Florida ~:-P

~Lisa~

Blah De Blah

Al is having trouble at work again. They weren't going to pay him on Friday. Not because of anything Al did, but because they fired the woman who works in the office. From what I gather, they fired her for pretty much letting them get so deep into the hole, they are having trouble seeing the light of day at the top of it. Al demanded cash, and got most of his pay that way, but I don't think anyone else got paid :( He's talking with the owners, to see if they will let him move into the office manager position. I hope they do. I know he'd do So well in a position like that. Here's to hoping.

I had to see the dentist again. I have another infected wisdom tooth that has to come OUT. :'( I thankfully got in with Jenna's new dentist. He's SO nice. Unfortunately though, he did two x-rays, and I really only wanted one. So, my appointment ended up being $98. :'( He wrote me a prescription, but isn't sure if I can take it while breastfeeding, so I have to wait to get it filled until I can talk to my doctor, who, of course, doesn't work on wednesdays. Not that it matters much...I don't think we can afford to get it filled until Friday anyway.

Why does all this crap happen around Christmas?? We were doing pretty good until we had to get $400 snow tires, host my family Christmas, Al spent too damn much on my birthday(Although I Adore everything he got me :)), and now this $100 appointment.

I'll get a couple hundred for working with Henry tomorrow...but it's not much when we're supposed to be getting Christmas presents and going to Timmins for a week.

Hang on, Aidan wants to try....

nfnhhhagghyewywyeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyshhfjujrdmdmnm ...v.vv

hmm...okay. Now he's mad that I am taking my turn LOL.

Anyway. I just needed a place to vent that out. I'm so grateful to have this blog!

~Lisa~

I got spoiled :)

Al was so good to me yesterday. He took the day off(Finally!!) and catered to me :) And showered me with gifts! I got new wipers for my van(Such a man gift LOL...but I reallllly needed them.) a new book, the new INXS CD, which I am SO excited about!! AND $10 in Tim Hortons Gift Certificates...to replace the change he keeps sneaking from my wallet for HIS coffees! LOL OH! And some new stripey socks :) Can't forget those!

My Dad came up with my shelves. HOLY MOLY!! I asked for the Trofast shelves from Ikea(As pictured in my previous post). He gave me something so much better!!




And here they are FULL of toys!! Thank GOODNESS Christmas is coming, these children are so deprived! LOL


Here's the toys on a normal day. And Here they are when they've been 'cleaned up'.


I definitely like they new way better :)

Off to get ready for work. have a great day.

~Lisa~

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Yep! It's my BIRTHDAY!! Big ole 26 today. Seems weird. I liked being 25. It's a good number. Not too far from 20 to start feeling like I should be dreading 30, and not to close to 30 to be worried about aging. :) Not that I am dreading 30, because I'm really not...I just can't imagine being old enough to BE 30 LOL. Anyway...

I convinced Al to take the day off today :D He had worked 12 days in a row...I figured it was time for a break! And what better day than today? Of course for some stupid reason HE is still in bed and I am up with Jenna...but whatever, I'll get a nap later...I hope.

My Dad is coming today. He BUILT me the Ikea Trofast stoage unit for my kids! I'm SO excited to see it!!!

We had my Mom's side of the family over yesterday to celebrate Christmas together. I was stressing big time, but, as always, everything went fine!! There was SOOO much food!! I wish we had gotten a picture of it. But two tables of food!!! For only 15 people. And I actually FORGOT to put out the Scalloped Potatoes that I was up at 11:30 getting in the crock pot. I also FORGOT the salad AND the mixed veggies. Not too sure where my head was?? But they weren't missed too much! THAT's how much food there was! LOL

We got my grandpa a cool knick knack(Hmm...is there a "K" in those words...?) it was a railway tie with a pewter train on the top...he Loved it!!! I honestly can't say i have ever seen him so excited over a gift before...he's IMPOSSIBLE to buy for. I got my grandma a pretty glass pendant on a silver chain. She raved about it to everyone. She too is impossible to buy for!

My Grandma gave me a porcelain doll for my birthday :) I'll have to take a picture of her later. When we were little, we used to go with my grandma when she was cleaning houses sometimes. No big deal, we were usually pretty good kids. Well, this one time we took a couple of the dolls she had made to play with. We PROMISED not to take them out of the house...well, the tempatation was too much(I think we were 6 and 3??) and off we went, it was such a beautiful summer's day. And, of course, we were careless and one of the dolls got broken...although, I seem to remember that it was my Brother that broke her. Whatever. My Grandma got her fixed for me :) She's beautiful!!! She's called Dream Baby, but for some reason, I have always called her April. I'll have to ask grandma why.

My Mom and George gave me Tinker Bell PJ's!!! I looove them!!! So cool :) And my aunt Karen gave me some stinky bath stuff. LOL Like a mother of three has TIME for a luxurious soak in the tub! HA. She's a terrible gift giver :)

Well, The family is stirring, I'd better be off. Hope you all have a great day :)

~Lisa~

Rough Day, with a Twist.

Henry's not feeling well today. Which made doing his Therapy...interesting...to say the least. Since I started back he's been really aggressive...which is SO not like him. Well, today was no exception. He hit me in the face, and sent my glasses flying. This is not the first time it's happened. He also scratched me...on the face. At least I was fast enough to dodge all his bites today :(

I wish I could figure out what the heck is making him so angry!! I mean, I KNOW that he's having a hard time in school with his EA, and that is no good. And now here I am back, making him do his work...so he's not having any easy days. But there's no reason for all this aggression.

Well, at the end of the day I took my glasses off to get an eyelash out of my eye. And when I put them back off, they came apart in my hand. I guess they took one too many falls on the floor :( I felt SOOO bad. As did Jenny. She appologized so many times, and offered to replace them.

I luckily had my prescription sunglasses in the van with me, so off to Wal-Mart(where I bought them) I went. Can I just tell you....BEST place for Customer Service. They no longer make my frames, and no other frames will hold my lenses in place. I was Really not wanting to present Jenny with a $300 bill for new glasses when there's nothing wrong with my lenses. Then another lady came out from the back and asked which frame I needed. HALLELUJAH! She had a front to the frames I needed!! So, 15 minutes, and I was good to go!! They don't exactly match the arms to my old glasses, but you know what, I'm thrilled about that!! When Aidan cracked my glasses a year ago(When they were still under warranty) I had them replaced, but they told me they didn't make the colour I had anymore. And they gave me an orangey brown frame, that I did NOT like! WELL!! the new frames I got today are the old colour!! A deep burgandy :)

And the best part!?? NO CHARGE!!!!!! Nope, nada. Not even labour. They said "It's just parts. Absolutely no charge!!" I will DEFINITELY be going back to them when I need new glasses.

So, that was my day. I think I go lay down, nurse this headache I have, and try to decide between sloppy joes, or nachos for dinner :)

Ciao Bella's!!

~Lisa~

The Mom who saved Christmas.

My mom that is!! She called me Monday night and invited me down to her place so that we could do a HUGE amount of CHRISTMAS BAKING Together!!!! WOOHOOO!!!!

It took all day, but we laughed together, we cringed together(when Jenna was covered from head to feet in flour), we figured out what was wrong with my shortbread together(Not enough flour). We mixed and poured and decorated and drizzled.

We made so many memories.

And the treats....

Shortbread(Which Aidan helped me decorate..."Pinkle Pinkle Pinkle" he said with each one :))
Nanaimo Bars
Rocky Road Bars
White Chocolate fudge
5 Minute Fudge
Peanut butter rice Krispies
Gum drop cookies
Chocolate surprise squares
Magic Squares.
Oh! And Jenna made and decorated Gingerbread cookies. :)

Quite the impressive list eh? We've decided to make it a yearly tradition. Next year she'll come and mess up my kitchen with me.

I will never be able to convey how grateful I am for my mom :)

~Lisa~